cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Later sleep timing predicts accelerated summer weight gain among elementary school children: a prospective observational study

Social demands of the school-year and summer environment may affect children’s sleep patterns and circadian rhythms during these periods. The current study examined differences in children’s sleep and circadian-related behaviors during the school-year and summer and explored the association between sleep and circadian parameters and change in body mass index (BMI) during these time periods. This was a prospective observational study with 119 children ages 5 to 8 years with three sequential BMI assessments: early school-year (fall), late school-year (spring), and beginning of the following school-year in Houston, Texas, USA. Sleep midpoint, sleep duration, variability of sleep midpoint, physical activity, and light exposure were estimated using wrist-worn accelerometry during the school-year (fall) and summer. To examine the effect of sleep parameters, physical activity level, and light exposure on change in BMI, growth curve modeling was conducted controlling for age, race, sex, and chronotype. Children’s sleep midpoint shifted later by an average of 1.5 h during summer compared to the school-year. After controlling for covariates, later sleep midpoints predicted larger increases in BMI during summer, (γ = .0004, p = .03), but not during the school-year. Sleep duration, sleep midpoint variability, physical activity levels, and sedentary behavior were not associated with change in BMI during the school-year or summer. Females tended to increase their BMI at a faster rate during summer compared to males, γ = .06, p = .049. Greater amounts of outdoor light exposure (γ = −.01, p = .02) predicted smaller increases in school-year BMI. Obesity prevention interventions may need to target different behaviors depending on whether children are in or out of school. Promotion of outdoor time during the school-year and earlier sleep times during the summer may be effective obesity prevention strategies during these respective times.
THE BOMB ATTACK IN CSONGRÁD. A CASE STUDY OF RADICAL RIGHT-WING PARAMILITARISM AND POLITICAL TERRORISM IN HUNGARY IN THE 1920s

In the 1920s, paramilitary violence was an almost natural phenomenon in Hungary, like in many other countries of Central Europe. After the Great War and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire the new right-wing government, establishing its power with the help of the Entente powers, could difficulty rule the quasi anarchistic conditions. In 1920–1921, Hungary was terrorized by irregular military formations that were formally part of the National Army, and radical right-wing soldiers committed serious crimes frequently by anti-Semitic motivations. Although paramilitary violence ceased in 1921, the militia movement lived on in the form of secret paramilitary organisations. The government used up these units, since the right-wing elite was afraid of another communist takeover, using them as auxiliary police forces, and they also wanted to circumvent the limitations of armament of the Treaty of Trianon, also aiming to cooperate with Austrian and German radical-right paramilitary groups including Hitler’s National Socialist movement as well. Irregular soldiers became concerned in political terrorism, several bomb outrages. Although the police did its best to investigate the cases, most perpetrators interestingly were not sent into prison. The age of the bomb raids, as the press of the opposition called this period, finally ended with the fact that murderous, anti-Semitic terrorists remained at large, and found their places in the authoritarian conservative regime of Hungary of the 1920s. The research article reconstructs certain terroristic crimes committed by the members of irregular military formations via a micro-historical case study, analysing the bomb attack in Csongrad, December 1923, based on archival records of criminal suits. Furthermore, beyond the analysis of the individual cases of three different, but interrelating bomb outrages, it intends to draw general conclusions about the controversial and complex relationship between the early Hungarian paramilitary radical right-wing movements and the government, considering that several paramilitary commanders operated as influential radical right-wing politicians as well. Keywords: political terrorism, anti-Semitism, paramilitary violence, radical right-wing movements, Hungarian political history.
Analytic Properties of Residual Eisenstein Series, I

We partially generalize the results of [16] on the poles of degenerate, Siegel-parabolic Eisenstein series to residual-data Eisenstein series. In particular, for a , b integers greater than 1, we show that poles of the Eisenstein series induced from the Speh representation Δ(τ, b ) on the Levi GL ab of Sp 2 ab are located in the ‘segment’ of half integers X b between a ‘right endpoint’ and its negative, inclusive of endpoints. The right endpoint is ± b /2, or ( b -1)/2, depending on the analytic properties of the automorphic L-functions attached to τ. We study the automorphic forms Φ ( b ) i obtained as residues at the points s ( b ) i (defined precisely in the paper) by calculating their cuspidal exponents in certain cases. In the case of the ‘endpoint’ s ( b ) 0 and ‘first interior point’ s ( b ) 1 in the segment of singularity points, we are able to determine a set containing all possible cuspidal exponents of Φ ( b ) 0 and Φ ( b ) 1 precisely for all a and b. In these cases, we use the result of the calculation to deduce that the residual automorphic forms lie in L 2 ( G ( k )\ G ( A )). In a more precise sense, our result establishes a relationship between, on the one hand, the actually occurring cuspidal exponents of Φ ( b ) i , residues at interior points which lie to the right of the origin, and, on the other hand, the ‘analytic properties’ of the original residual-data Eisenstein series at the origin.
Library Administered Remediation: One Program That Works.

There is a natural affinity between libraries and remedial reading. As more library administrators become responsible for such programs, it becomes increasingly important for them to know what works. A study made by one California junior college finds that a library-administered program can be both effective and efficient.
Immunohistochemical analysis of E-cadherin and zeste homolog 2 expression in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Recent studies have demonstrated that partial or complete loss of E-cadherin (EC) and nuclear accumulation of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) are hallmarks of poorly differentiated pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC). Depletion of EZH2 sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy in vitro. The objective of this study was to determine EC and EZH2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in samples obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) as potential biomarkers for treatment and disease prognosis. METHODS Thirty-eight EUS-FNA samples from patients with a PAC diagnosis were analyzed by IHC for EC and EZH2 expression. Seven corresponding surgical resection specimens were included in the study. The intensity of EZH2 and EC expression in PAC and in normal gastrointestinal pick-ups (internal positive control) was scored by using a 4-tier grading system. RESULTS EC demonstrated a focal, weak-to-moderate decrease in 24 PAC samples. Complete loss of EC expression was observed in the poorly differentiated areas represented by single tumor cells. The average staining intensity of EC in samples of poorly differentiated PAC was significantly lower than that of moderately differentiated PAC samples (P = .0005). EZH2 was variably positive in 31 of 38 PAC samples. The average staining intensity of EZH2 in moderately and poorly differentiated PACs did not differ significantly (P = .81). CONCLUSIONS EC and EZH2 expression was determined reliably by IHC on paraffin sections of EUS-FNA cell block specimens. The current results were consistent with prior reports indicating a decrease or loss of EC expression in poorly differentiated PAC. However, EZH2 expression did not always correlate inversely with EC expression and was more heterogeneous. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013;121:644–52. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Moral Development Theory

This chapter on Moral Development will: (1) briefly explain the construct, (2) provide an overview of Kohlberg's theory of moral development, (3) summarize the core tenets of the theory while evaluating the empirical support for them, (4) identify an area of practice where the application of moral development theory has the most relevance to professional social work, (5) provide some brief biographical information on the founder of modern moral development theory, and (6) discuss the two most frequently used instruments to measure moral development. Keywords: moral development; Kohlberg; Defining Issues Test; Moral Judgment Interview
Domestic Drug Prohibition as a Source of Foreign Institutional Instability: An Analysis of the Extralegal Multinational Enterprise

The unintended consequences of prohibition on domestic markets are well documented (Miron and Zwiebel, 1995). The enforcement of these prohibitions denies the extralegal enterprise (XLE) access to property rights and contract enforcement from the state. Consequently, XLEs must provide their own enforcement through the application of coercion and violence (Lott and Roberts, 1989; Paul and Wilhite, 1994). In this paper we focus on multinational activity by multinational XLEs in the illegal drug trade, examining the applicability of Dunning's OLI paradigm. We find that the location and internalization aspects of the paradigm apply well, while the ownership aspect does not. Further, we argue that wherever XLEs operate, their coercive powers distort the incentives in resource and goods markets, increase corruption and reduce institutional stability. Their activities substantially reduce the size of the productive exchange economy and the attractiveness of the location for investment by legitimate businesses. These distortions are amplified by the enforcement of prohibition by governments in target market countries. A revised version of this paper has appeared: Journal of International Management, vol.9(3), pp.335-349, 2003.
Analog CMOS IC block-diagram-level design capture, functional simulation, and layout assembly

A computer aided design system to assist in the fast prototyping of analog CMOS ICs is presented. This CAD system allows the designer to create a design by selecting analog function blocks from a library and interconnecting them in a block-diagram-level design capture and simulation page. The new analog circuit is then simulated at a high level, a functional level, to evaluate circuit performance. The IC layout design is then assembled by a cell placement and routing program using cell layouts from the cell library. This assembled IC design layout is ready for submission for fabrication. Examples illustrate features of this CAD system. >
Reactions at Glass‐Ceramic to Metal Interfaces

Advanced pyrotechnic components can be fabricated from Ni-based superalloys with hermetic seals to high expansion lithium-silicate glass ceramics (LSGC). Prior studies have characterized the interfacial reactions in these systems necessary for good chemical bonding. Similar reactions occur when LSGCs are bonded to 300-series stainless steel except that these seals debond on cooling to room temperature. Cr-depletion (from {approximately}18 wt % to {approximately}5 wt %) from the steel interface cases an fcc-to-bcc phase transition that expands the interfacial grains and decreases their thermal expansion coefficient, putting the LSGC into tension, causing the seal to fail. 9 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.
Calcium influx through channels activates a potassium current in postnatal rat hippocampal neurons

Abstract Calcium-activated potassium conductances play important roles in modulating neuronal excitability. Indeed, the effects of some neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and norepinephrine are, in part, due to actions on these conductances. We have found that the N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) class of excitatory amino acid receptors also is coupled to a calcium activated potassium current. In voltage-clamped postnatal rat hippocampal neurons, NMDA responses consist of an initial inward cationic current followed by a slowly developing outward current carried by potassium ions. The slow outward current always follows the inward current, is associated with an increase in membrane conductance and is dependent on the influx of calcium ions. Similar responses are produced by other agonists active at NMDA receptors, including aspartate, glutamate and ibotenate, but are not activated by kainate, quisqualate or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA). Inhibition of the NMDA gated inward current by a competitive antagonist, 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV), eliminates the outward current. From these results we conclude that calcium influx through NMDA channels activates a potassium current. The extended time course of this outward current suggests that NMDA receptors may modulate neuronal excitability long after the opening of the NMDA channel.
Chapter 11 Benthic Processes in Polynyas

Abstract Polynyas are areas of open water in ice-covered seas, and are important sites for enhanced water column and benthic production in both the Arctic and Antarctic. Research on polynyas during the last twenty years has allowed multi-disciplinary evaluation of processes in various polynyas, including the Northeast Water (NEW) polynya, North Water (NOW) polynya, St. Lawrence Island polynya (SLIP), and the Bathurst (BATH) polynya in the Arctic, and the Ross Sea polynya (RSP), McMurdo Sound polynya (MSP), and Terra Nova Bay (TNB) polynya in the Antarctic. Several other coastal polynyas around Antarctica have received limited study. Studies of benthic patterns and processes in polynyas indicate that faunal biomass, productivity, and carbon cycling are dependent on depth, season, ice cover, carbon supply, and hydrographic forcing. Polynyas generally have high primary productivity, which typically supports rich benthic communities through enhanced vertical carbon flux. Short and long-term indicators can provide a “foot print” of water column processes within polynyas, such as sediment community oxygen consumption and benthic biomass. Although zooplankton production directly influences the retentive nature of carbon in the euphotic zone, depth is the critical factor for the impact of net carbon export to the underlying benthos. We use a simple modeling exercise of two polynya case studies, the SLIP in the Arctic and RSP in the Antarctic, to evaluate export efficiency and benthic carbon cycling. Depth ultimately influences whether a polynya is a “retentive” versus “export” ecosystem, impacting the underlying benthic populations and associated carbon cycling. Defining polynyas and marginal ice zones as retentive versus export systems is potentially a powerful tool for understanding polar shelf processes, particularly when primary production is not measured simultaneously with benthic parameters.
The Optical Design of Relay Optics for Heterodyne Millimeter Wave Focal Plane Arrays

Since the use of focal plane arrays on millimeter and sub-millimeter telescopes has become more and more important during the last years, it has also become evident the need of optimized auxiliary optics that would efficiently couple the telescope to the receiver over large fields of view (i.e., ≳5-10 beams). In this work we systematically analyze several relay optics configurations for heterodyne focal plane arrays, all based on the “Gaussian beam telescope” concept. Because in examining the image performance of auxiliary optics design at millimeter wavelengths one cannot follow the usual image quality criteria, we analyze the designs using both the Strehl ratio and the coupling efficiency to evaluate the quality of the off-axis wave-fronts and the loss in the power coupling with the horn. Coupling efficiency and Strehl ratio cannot be included in the optimization procedures of commercial optical modelling packages and we thus describe how to optimize the design using a customized algorithm. We show that the minimization of the appropriate error function can reduce the anamorphism of the exit pupil and reduce the loss in the horn coupling.
Spectral Doppler instrumentation.

Andrew A. Pellett, Ph.D., R.D.C.S.,∗§ William G. Tolar, B.S.,†§ Darrin G. Merwin, B.S.,†§, and Edmund K. Kerut, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.S.E.‡§ ∗Department of Cardiopulmonary Science, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana; †Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana; ‡Heart Clinic of Louisiana, Marrero, Louisiana; and §Division of Cardiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
Power supply arcing

The trend to pack more power in smaller spaces is leading to higher rates of computer power supply arcing in the field. Power density increase is being achieved by decreasing the spacing between features such as the power train MOSFET leads and by increasing the switching frequency. Both of these changes make power supplies more prone to field arcing. This paper discloses a technique called the partial vacuum test to predict the arcing propensity in power supplies. The partial vacuum test also helps determine the corrective actions needed to avoid field arcing by indicating the locations susceptible to arcing. The paper also describes a test called the zinc spray test that can help determine the minimum spacing between features, subjected to high voltages with high frequency harmonics, that will not arc in the field.
The Value of the Terry Keratometer in Predicting Postoperative Astigmatism

The Terry keratometer was used immediately before and immediately after cataract surgery. The results were compared with keratometry readings taken before surgery and readings taken on the morning of the first postoperative day. The mean preoperative cylinder in 27 eyes was 1/2 diopter less than that measured prior to the start of surgery. Preoperative readings and readings obtained prior to the start of surgery differed by more than 1 diopter in 37% of eyes. The keratometer readings obtained at the end of the surgery in 63 eyes were flatter than those obtained on the first postoperative day. Forty-four percent of the intraoperative cylinder readings differed from postoperative readings by more than 2 diopters. The factors which can produce errors with the use of this instrument include changes in intraocular pressure, the effect of the lid speculum, rectus suture tension, the alignment of the eye with respect to the keratometer , and user experience.
Near-Earth Object Interception Using Nuclear Thermal Rocket Propulsion

Planetary defense has drawn wide study: despite the low probability of a large-scale impact, its consequences would be disastrous. The study presented here evaluates available protection strategies to identify bottlenecks limiting the scale of near-Earth object that could be deflected, using cutting-edge and near-future technologies. It discusses the use of a nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) as a propulsion device for delivery of thermonuclear payloads to deflect or destroy a long-period comet on a collision course with Earth. A ‘worst plausible scenario’ for the available warning time (10 months) and comet approach trajectory are determined, and empirical data are used to make an estimate of the payload necessary to deflect such a comet. Optimizing the tradeoff between early interception and large deflection payload establishes the ideal trajectory for an interception mission to follow. The study also examines the potential for multiple rocket launch dates. Comparison of propulsion technologies for this mission shows that NTR outperforms other options substantially. The discussion concludes with an estimate of the comet size (5 km) that could be deflected usingNTRpropulsion, given current launch capabilities.
Deviation analysis method for the assessment of the quality of the as-is Building Information Models generated from point cloud data

Abstract Generating three-dimensional (3D) as-is Building Information Models (BIMs), representative of the existing conditions of buildings, from point cloud data collected by laser scanners is becoming common practice. However, generation of such models currently is mostly performed manually, and errors can be introduced during data collection, pre-processing, and modeling. This paper presents a method for assessing the quality of as-is BIMs generated from point cloud data by analyzing the patterns of geometric deviations between the model and the point cloud data. The fundamental assumption is that the point cloud and the as-is BIM generated from the point cloud should corroborate in the depiction of the components and their spatial attributes. Major geometric deviations between as-is models and point clouds can indicate potential errors introduced during data collection, processing and/or model generation. The research described in this paper provides a taxonomy for patterns of deviations and sources of errors and demonstrates that it is possible to identify the source, magnitude, and nature of errors by analyzing the deviation patterns. The method is validated through a comparison with the currently adopted physical measurement method in a case study. The results show that the deviation analysis method is capable of identifying almost six times more errors with more than 40% time savings compared to the physical measurement method.
Functionalizing bacterial cell surfaces with a phage protein

Functionalization of bacterial cell surfaces has the potential to introduce new activities by chemical modification. Here we show that a bacteriophage–receptor complex can be used to functionalize the surface of two Gram-negative proteobacteria, Escherichia coli and Ralstonia eutropha with CdSe/ZnS nanoparticles. This work highlights the potential for using microbe–phage interactions to generate new functions on living cells.
BPAG1e Maintains Keratinocyte Polarity through β4 Integrin–mediated Modulation of Rac 1 and Cofilin Activities

alpha6beta4 integrin, a component of hemidesmosomes, also plays a role in keratinocyte migration via signaling through Rac1 to the actin-severing protein cofilin. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the beta4 integrin-associated plakin protein, bullous pemphigoid antigen 1e (BPAG1e) functions as a scaffold for Rac1/cofilin signal transduction. We generated keratinocyte lines exhibiting a stable knockdown in BPAG1e expression. Knockdown of BPAG1e does not affect expression levels of other hemidesmosomal proteins, nor the amount of beta4 integrin expressed at the cell surface. However, the amount of Rac1 associating with beta4 integrin and the activity of both Rac1 and cofilin are significantly lower in BPAG1e-deficient cells compared with wild-type keratinocytes. In addition, keratinocytes deficient in BPAG1e exhibit loss of front-to-rear polarity and display aberrant motility. These defects are rescued by inducing expression of constitutively active Rac1 or active cofilin. These data indicate that the BPAG1e is required for efficient regulation of keratinocyte polarity and migration by determining the activation of Rac1.
Excimer radiation from Na—Noble-gas and K—Noble-gas molecules

Abstract Emission bands from Na-noble-gas (and K-noble-gas) molecules, due to transitions between the 4 s σ (and 5 s σ) bound excited states and dissociating ground states, are observed. The noble gases used are Ar, Kr and Xe. The red shift of the emission band from the forbidden atomic s-s transition is largest for NaXe, for which it is 3055 cm −1 . This NaXe band may be useful as an excimer laser source, tunable from 4280 A to 4500 A.
Wave Generation Associated with Dust Cloud Expansion into a Plasma

Wave generation associated with the expansion of a dust cloud into a background plasma across a magnetic field is studied by using numerical simulation and theoretical models. As the dust grains expand across the magnetic field into the background plasma and charge up, an ambipolar electric field develops across the boundary layer between the negatively charged dust cloud and the background plasma. A strongly sheared electron E × B flow develops along the boundary. Plasma irregularities develop in response to the sheared electron flow velocity. It is noted that these irregularities are observed in the dust grain charge as well as the background plasma electron and ion densities. The fluctuations in dust grain charge are interpreted to be a fundamental collective effect in the dusty plasma produced by the dust cloud expansion. A theoretical model for the shear-driven instability in the dust cloud boundary is presented. In general, the theoretical model predictions show good agreement with the numerical simulation results.
Reciprocal Behavioral Plasticity and Behavioral Types during Predator-Prey Interactions

AbstractHow predators and prey interact has important consequences for population dynamics and community stability. Here we explored how predator-prey interactions are simultaneously affected by reciprocal behavioral plasticity (i.e., plasticity in prey defenses countered by plasticity in predator offenses and vice versa) and consistent individual behavioral variation (i.e., behavioral types) within both predator and prey populations. We assessed the behavior of a predator species (northern pike) and a prey species (three-spined stickleback) during one-on-one encounters. We also measured additional behavioral and morphological traits in each species. Using structural equation modeling, we found that reciprocal behavioral plasticity as well as predator and prey behavioral types influenced how individuals behaved during an interaction. Thus, the progression and ultimate outcome of predator-prey interactions depend on both the dynamic behavioral feedback occurring during the encounter and the underlying beha...
Drug-Induced Acute Pancreatitis: An Evidence-Based Review

The diagnosis of drug-induced acute pancreatitis often is difficult to establish. Although some medications have been shown to cause acute pancreatitis with a large body of evidence, including rechallenge, some medications have been attributed as a cause of acute pancreatitis merely by a single published case report in which the investigators found no other cause. In addition, some medications reported to have caused acute pancreatitis have obvious patterns of presentation, including the time from initiation to the development of disease (latency). There also appear to be patterns in the severity of disease. After reviewing the literature, we have classified drugs that have been reported to cause acute pancreatitis based on the published weight of evidence for each agent and the pattern of clinical presentation. Based on our analysis of the level of evidence, 4 classes of drugs could be identified. Class I drugs include medications in which at least 1 case report described a recurrence of acute pancreatitis with a rechallenge with the drug. Class II drugs include drugs in which there is a consistent latency in 75% or more of the reported cases. Class III drugs include drugs that had 2 or more case reports published, but neither a rechallenge nor a consistent latency period. Class IV drugs were similar to class III drugs, but only 1 case report had been published. Our analysis allows an evidence-based approach when suspecting a drug as causing acute pancreatitis.
Approach to the Pregnant Patient with Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer, the most common endocrine malignancy, increased progressively from 1972 through 2002 largely as the result of an increasing incidence of small papillary thyroid cancers, the majority of which are less than 2 cm and which increased almost 3-fold during the 30-yr study. During this time, thyroid cancer was found to affect women more often than men by a ratio of almost 3 to 1. Moreover, papillary thyroid cancer was found to be the most common form of differentiated thyroid cancer among women of childbearing age, 10% of whom were either pregnant or in the early postpartum period when thyroid cancer was diagnosed. Although the prevalence of thyroid cancer in pregnant women remains high, most are first identified after delivery. Nonetheless, the management of thyroid cancer during pregnancy poses serious diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to both the patient and fetus. The thyroid gland may secrete more thyroid hormone than usual during early pregnancy, which may not only be the cause of this problem but also may be responsible for the higher rate of differentiated thyroid cancer during pregnancy. There is concern about therapy for thyroid cancer during this period, including the timing of surgery, the use of levothyroxine, and the assessment of follow-up during gestation.
Hydrodynamic response of a pneumatic floating platform

This paper describes a numerical approach to model the dynamic response of a pneumatic floating platform, and the laboratory experiments and parametric study to verify the numerical results. The pneumatic platform is composed of an array of open-bottom vertical cylinders trapping pressurized air that displaces the water. The cylinder diameter is assumed to be small compared to the wavelength and the water inside each cylinder oscillates as a piston. These assumptions simplify the mathematical formulation in that the bottom of the platform can be treated as a continuous surface on which the source distribution method can be applied. In the laboratory experiments, the compressibility and displacement of the trapped air are modeled by a spring and float assembly. The comparison between the numerical and experimental results indicates favorable agreement. The oscillation of the water columns and the overall dynamic characteristics of the platform are illustrated and discussed in the parametric study.
Diversification of doublesex function underlies morph-, sex-, and species-specific development of beetle horns

Sex-specific trait expression is frequently associated with highly variable, condition-dependent expression within sexes and rapid divergence among closely related species. Horned beetles are an excellent example for studying the molecular basis of these phenomena because horn morphology varies markedly among species, between sexes, and among alternative, nutritionally-cued morphs within sexes. In addition, horns lack obvious homology to other insect traits and provide a good opportunity to explore the molecular basis of the rapid diversification of a novel trait within and between species. Here we show that the sex-determination gene doublesex (dsx) underlies important aspects of horn development, including differences between sexes, morphs, and species. In male Onthophagus taurus, dsx transcripts were preferentially expressed in the horns of the large, horned morph, and RNAi-mediated knockdown of dsx dramatically altered male horn allometry by massively reducing horn development in large males, but not in smaller males. Conversely, dsx RNAi induced ectopic, nutrition-sensitive horn development in otherwise hornless females. Finally, in a closely related species (Onthophagus sagittarius) that has recently evolved a rare reversed sexual dimorphism, dsx RNAi revealed reversed as well as novel dsx functions despite an overall conservation of dsx expression. This suggests that rapid evolution of dsx functions has facilitated the transition from a regular sexual dimorphism to a reversed sexual dimorphism in this species. Our findings add beetle horns to existing examples of a close relationship between dsx and sexual trait development, and suggest that dsx function has been coopted to facilitate both the evolution of environmentally-cued intrasexual dimorphisms and rapid species divergences in a novel trait.
A fourth IκB protein within the NF-κB signaling module

Inflammatory NF-kappaB/RelA activation is mediated by the three canonical inhibitors, IkappaBalpha, -beta, and -epsilon. We report here the characterization of a fourth inhibitor, nfkappab2/p100, that forms two distinct inhibitory complexes with RelA, one of which mediates developmental NF-kappaB activation. Our genetic evidence confirms that p100 is required and sufficient as a fourth IkappaB protein for noncanonical NF-kappaB signaling downstream of NIK and IKK1. We develop a mathematical model of the four-IkappaB-containing NF-kappaB signaling module to account for NF-kappaB/RelA:p50 activation in response to inflammatory and developmental stimuli and find signaling crosstalk between them that determines gene-expression programs. Further combined computational and experimental studies reveal that mutant cells with altered balances between canonical and noncanonical IkappaB proteins may exhibit inappropriate inflammatory gene expression in response to developmental signals. Our results have important implications for physiological and pathological scenarios in which inflammatory and developmental signals converge.
SU-FF-T-342: Evaluating a 2D Proton Spotscanning Profile

Purpose: A quantitative analysis tool for the evaluation of 2-dimensional dose deposition profiles resulting from irradiation with scanned proton beams is presented. Analysis is performed by calculating a γ index originally proposed for use in intensity modulated photon therapy. Method and Materials: At the Proton Therapy Center in Houston, currently under construction, quality assurance of scanned proton beams will be carried out with a scintillation plate and a CCD camera. In the absence of beam, a 2-dimensional dose distribution is generated by superposition of Gaussian profiles. It is compared to a desired dose distribution derived from the treatment plan. The γ index was computed for various generated dose distributions using software written using LabVIEW® for the purpose of this study. The difference between the generated and the desired dose distributions consists in different weights being assigned to individual spots, variations in the spot shape (FWHM), and misalignments of individual spots. Results: For the investigated spot arrangement containing 121 spots uniformly distributed an o grid of 10×10 cm2, nominal width σ = 8 mm, the method invalidates the treatment delivery for misplacements of the Gaussian beam spots larger than 2 mm, variations on spot weight larger than 12%, and variations in the spot shape larger than 16%. Conclusion: The “gamma method” shows promise as a quality assurance tool for spot scanned proton beam.
Maximum vs. Mono Androgen Blockade and the Risk of Recurrence in Men With Localized Prostate Cancer Undergoing Brachytherapy

Purpose We examined whether maximum androgen blockade (MAB) is associated with a decreased recurrence risk vs. single-agent androgen suppression (monotherapy) for men undergoing brachytherapy (BT) for localized prostate cancer. Methods and Materials Data from 223 men in the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor database who received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) concurrent with BT for intermediate- or high-risk prostatic adenocarcinoma were included; 159 (71%) received MAB, and 64 (29%) monotherapy (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist or anti-androgen alone). Cox regression analysis was performed to assess whether the choice of ADT was associated with disease recurrence adjusting for known prognostic factors. Results Men who received MAB had similar Gleason scores, T categories, and pretreatment prostate-specific antigen as those who received monotherapy. After a median follow-up of 49 months, the use of MAB was not associated with a decrease in the risk recurrence ( p = 0.72), after adjusting for known prognostic factors. A higher PSA at diagnosis ( p = 0.03) and younger age at diagnosis ( p Conclusions There are varied practice patterns in physicians' choice of the extent of concurrent ADT when used with brachytherapy for men with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer. Given a lack of demonstrated superiority from either ADT choice, both appear to be reasonable options.
A threshold gas Cherenkov counter with large solid angle

Abstract A threshold gas Cherenkov counter to be used with a spark chamber momentum spectrometer is described. The angular acceptance of the counter is 60° × 13° at the entrance window of the counter, which is 30 cm × 20 cm. A uniform efficiency of 97% is obtained with sulfur hexafluoride at 7.45 bar (90 psi absolute), for 150 MeV/ c electrons.
Sm-like protein Hfq: Composition of the native complex, modifications, and interactions

Abstract The bacterial Sm-like protein Hfq has been linked functionally to reactions that involve RNA; however, its explicit role and primary cellular localization remain elusive. We carried out a detailed biochemical characterization of native Escherichia coli Hfq obtained through methods that preserve its posttranslational modifications. ESI-MS analyses indicate modifications in 2–3 subunits/hexamer with a molecular mass matching that of an oxidized C:18 lipid. We show that the majority of cellular Hfq cannot be extracted without detergents and that purified Hfq can be retained on hydrophobic matrices. Analyses of purified Hfq and the native Hfq complexes observed in whole-cell E. coli extracts indicate the existence of dodecameric assemblies likely stabilized by interlocking C-terminal polypeptides originating from separate Hfq hexamers and/or accessory nucleic acid. We demonstrate that cellular Hfq is redistributed between transcription complexes and an insoluble fraction that includes protein complexes harboring polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNP). This distribution pattern is consistent with a function at the interface of the apparatuses responsible for synthesis and degradation of RNA. Taken together with the results of prior studies, these results suggest that Hfq could function as an anchor/coupling factor responsible for de-solubilization of RNA and its tethering to the degradosome complex.
The potential for recycling municipal sewage sludge as a substrate for wetland creation

Municipal sewage sludge (MSS) is proposed as a suitable substrate for wetland creation. Sludge disposal is currently limited to terrestrial conditions due to concern for the transmission of pollutants. Wetland structure and wetland biogeochemical cycles were compared with sludge disposal practices to identify strengths and weaknesses in wetland mechanisms for pollution control. Potential pollution from sludge use is proposed to be mitigated both by wetland function and by the substrate construction method. Because MSS requires specific handling techniques to prevent undesired release into the environment, to protect workers and to be practical for construction, designs responsive to the nature of the construction material were necessary. Three designs were developed, evaluated and compared in terms of aesthetics, educational opportunities, environmental safety, nutrient cycling, waste material utilization, substrate construction requirements and wetland establishment requirements.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae produces a yeast substance that exhibits estrogenic activity in mammalian systems

Partially purified lipid extracts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain a substance that displaces tritiated estradiol from rat uterine cytosol estrogen receptors. The yeast product induces estrogenic bioresponses in mammalian systems as measured by induction of progesterone receptors in cultured MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and by a uterotrophic response and progesterone receptor induction after administration to ovariectomized mice. The findings raise the possibility that bakers' yeast may be a source of environmental estrogens.
The effect of bottom topography on the stationary planetary flow on a sphere

Abstract The abyssal circulation model by Stommel and Arons is extended to include the effect of bottom topography. Bottom friction is introduced to dissipate the vorticity generated by stretching the water column by upwelling. The study focuses on the steady flow pattern governed by the linearized equations in a basin with oceanic ridges, a continental slope, or submerged island. The results indicate that the friction-free interior circulation is controlled by the ratio of the depth to the Coriolis parameter. The non-frictional geostropic solution is not representative of the interior circulation whenever there is a sharp variation in topography that gives a high vorticity in the non-frictional flow. This high vorticity is smoothed out in the frictional model. In the region where the topography dominates, the flow tends to follow the contour of the ratio of the depth over the Coriolis parameter. In the case where the contour is a closed curve, the circulation also shows a closed pattern. The vertical transport through the thermocline in the closed contour region is supplied by the flux out of the bottom Ekman layer. However, the upwelling in the outer friction-free interior flow is derived from the horizontal convergence of the horizontal transport.
Two graphs without planar covers

In this note we prove that two specific graphs do not have finite planar covers. The graphs are K7–C4 and K4,5–4K2. This research is related to Negami's 1-2-∞ Conjecture which states “A graph G has a finite planar cover if and only if it embeds in the projective plane.” In particular, Negami's Conjecture reduces to showing that 103 specific graphs do not have finite planar covers. Previous (and subsequent) work has reduced these 103 to a few specific graphs. This paper covers 2 of the remaining cases. The sole case currently remaining is to show that K2,2,2,1 has no finite planar cover. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 41: 318–326, 2002
Soman reversibly decreases the duration of Ca2+ and Ba2+ action potentials in bullfrog sympathetic neurons.

Abstract Soman, (pinacoloxymethyl-phosphoryl fluoride) (0.1–10 μM) an irreversible cholinesterase inhibitor, reversibly reduced the duration of calcium (Ca 2+ )- and barium (Ba 2+ ) spikes without significantly affecting spike amplitude in sympathetic postganglionic neurons of the adult bullfrog ( Rana catesbeiana ). The soman-induced shortening of the spike duration was not prevented by pretreatment with either (+)-tubocurarine (100 μM) or hexamethonium (100 μM) and atropine (10 μM) and was also recorded from acutely-dissociated sympathetic neurons. These results suggest that soman has a direct action to decrease calcium entry through voltage-dependent channels activated during a spike. This effect may contribute to both the decrease in the duration of the spike after-hyperpolarization (AHP) and the enhanced neuronal excitability produced by soman in these neurons.
Clinical Experience with the Fieldmaster Perimeter

Perimetry performed on a Fieldmaster Model 200 on a consecutive series of 167 patients in a clinical practice setting demonstrated that Fieldmaster testing elicited 95% of defects found on Goldmann kinetic perimetry with very few false-positive or false-negative results; relatively unskilled personnel were able to conduct Fieldmaster testing well; and as our personnel and patients became familiar with the test, the rate of incomplete examinations declined to less than 2%.
Common due date scheduling problem with separate earliness and tardiness penalties

Abstract This paper considers the problem of finding an optimal schedule and a common due date for a set of jobs, in a static single machine system. The scheduling criterion is the minimization of the weighted sum of earliness and tardiness values. Different weights are considered as the earliness penalty and tardiness penalty, for each job. A branching procedure is presented for finding an optimal solution. An almost optimal heuristic is also presented.
Rhodopsin self-associates in asolectin liposomes.

We show that the photoreceptor rhodopsin (Rh) can exist in the membrane as a dimer or multimer using luminescence resonance energy transfer and FRET methods. Our approach looked for interactions between Rh molecules reconstituted into asolectin liposomes. The low receptor density used in the measurements ensured minimal receptor crowding and artifactual association. The fluorescently labeled Rh molecules were fully functional, as measured by their ability to activate the G protein transducin. The luminescence resonance energy transfer measurements revealed a distance of 47–50 A between Rh molecules. The measured efficiency of FRET between receptors was close to the theoretical maximum possible, indicating nearly quantitative Rh–Rh association. Together, these results provide compelling evidence that Rh spontaneously self-associates in membranes.
Measuring climatic impacts on energy consumption: A review of the empirical literature☆

This paper reviews the literature on the relationship between climate and the energy sector. In particular, we primarily discuss empirical papers published in peer-reviewed economics journals focusing on how climate affects energy expenditures and consumption. Climate will affect energy consumption by changing how consumers respond to short run weather shocks (the intensive margin) as well as how people will adapt in the long run (the extensive margin). Along the intensive margin, further research that uses household and firm-level panel data of energy consumption may help identify how energy consumers around the world respond to weather shocks. Research on technology adoption, e.g. air conditioners, will further our understanding of the extensive margin adjustments and their costs. We also note that most of the literature focuses on the residential sector. Similar studies are urgently needed for the industrial and commercial sectors.
Unpacking the Ecological Footprint of Nations

This study unpacks the combined national ecological footprint index into its subcomponents and examines the effects of international power and certain domestic factors on more specific forms of consumption-based environmental impacts. Using partial data for 206 countries, recursive indirect effects models are tested for each subcomponent of the combined footprint that treat international power as an exogenous variable and domestic income inequality, urban population, and human capital as endogenous variables. Results indicate that the cropland, forest, energy, and built area footprints are largely a function of relative position in the international stratification system and level of urban population. Domestic income inequality is a significant predictor of forest and energy footprints, and findings for the grazing land and fisheries footprints contrast sharply with international political-economic theorization.
Evaluation of N-Aromatic Maleimides as Free Radical Photoinitiators: A Photophysical and Photopolymerization Characterization

Photopolymerizable compositions were prepared using acrylate monomers in combination with various N-aromatic maleimides. N-aromatic maleimides were segregated into two groups: those that could adopt a planar conformation and those that could not adopt a planar conformation. The maleimides were characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, laser flash photolysis spectroscopy, UV−vis absorption spectroscopy, and photodifferential scanning calorimetry. Planar N-aromatic maleimides were found to have a low relative excited-state triplet yield, showing significant shift of the primary maleimide UV absorption band with changes in solvent polarity, and did not initiate free radial polymerization upon direct UV excitation. Twisted N-aromatic maleimides have a higher relative triplet yield, show negligible shift of the primary maleimide UV absorption band, with solvent polarity, and initiate free radical polymerization upon direct excitation. Addition of benzophenone was found to dramatically...