cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Disease in the United States Has the Hallmarks of an Entrained Circannual Clock

Abstract Infectious human diseases are often characterized by seasonal variation in incidence which produces recurring annual peaks with precise timing. Changing weather conditions such as temperature and humidity are known to affect virus transmission, but we consider the possibility that an intrinsic rhythm in susceptibility, entrained to annual cues, also contributes to seasonality. These two mechanisms produce different predictions about how the timing and amplitude of seasonal disease depend on environmental forcing. Using databases of health insurance claims and weather across U.S. counties, we find that the timing of winter-peaking diseases, but not their amplitude, scales with latitude. This latitude scaling is shared across many diagnosis codes involving multiple pathogens. Regression against simple models suggests an underlying limit cycle that, in temperate zones, is entrained to annual changes in irradiance, possibly a human circannual clock. Significance statement Peak timing but not amplitude of seasonal disease scales with latitude, suggesting a circannual rhythm in host susceptibility.
Physiological and behavioural response patterns at work among hospital nurses.

chen j., davis l.s., davis k.g., pan w.&daraiseh n.m. (2011) Journal of Nursing Management 19, 57–68 Physiological and behavioural response patterns at work among hospital nurses Aim The aim was to determine whether hospital nurses are experiencing physiological strain at work by examining their physiological and behavioural response patterns over 12-hour shifts. Background Excessive workload for nurses may lead to poor quality of care and high nursing turnover rates. Energy expenditure (EE), heart rate (HR) and work pace (WP) can be used to examine the physiological impact from the workload. Methods A total of 145 nurses wore monitors for one 12-hour day shift to record HR and WP, which were used to calculate EE. Individual and work-related factors were assessed through questionnaires and work logs. Results Energy expenditure accumulated over the 12 hours reached the EE level of 8-hour shifts in which individuals work at a moderate physical intensity level. The HR data indicated a moderate cardiac stress level throughout the shifts, despite which WP decreased after 15.00 hours. Inadequate work break and sleep, family care-giving responsibility and aging may challenge work recovery. Conclusions Nursing workload of 12-hour shifts has a negative physiological impact on hospital nurses. Implications for nursing management Nurse managers need to be aware of the physiological strain experienced by staff nurses, and focus on ensuring sufficient breaks and proper work accommodations for older nurses.
A spatial analysis of candidate competition in dual member districts: The 1989 Chilean senatorial elections

This study uses empirical spatial theory to evaluate candidate and voter behavior in senate elections contested during the 1989 Chilean general election. The study evaluates whether senatorial candidates competing in dual member districts under Chilean d’Hondt locate near the periphery or interior of the electoral space. Spatial analyses demonstrate the Chilean senatorial electoral system is characterized by centrifugal forces. In particular, candidates of the right locate on the periphery of the space and face few incentives to pursue moderate electoral strategies. The study also characterizes bases of party and candidate support and the underlying dimensions of political competition. Spatial analysis reveals both change and continuity in the pre- and post-authoritarian electoral universes.
On the von Bahr-Esseen inequality

The well-known von Bahr-Esseen bound on the absolute pth moments of martingales with p 2 (1,2) is extended to a large class of moment functions, and now with a best possible constant factor (which de- pends on the moment function). As an application, measure concentration inequalities for separately Lipschitz functions on product spaces are ob- tained. Relations with p-uniformly smooth and q-uniformly convex normed spaces are discussed. AMS 2000 subject classifications: Primary 60E15, 60B11, 62G10; sec- ondary 46B09, 46B20, 46B10. Keywords and phrases: probability inequalities, sums of independent random variables, martingales, v-martingales, concentration of measure, separately Lipschitz functions, product spaces, p-uniformly smooth normed spaces, q-uniformly convex normed spaces.
The cell attachment and spreading activity of vitronectin is dependent on the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence. Analysis by construction of RGD and domain deletion mutants.

Abstract The cell attachment activity of vitronectin has been ascnbed to an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence near the amino terminus. To verify the importance of the RGD sequence for cell binding, we created RAD and RGE vitronectin mutants and also deleted either the somatomedin B (ΔS-rVN) or heparin (ΔH-rVN) binding domains. These mutants were expressed as fusion proteins, purified using Ni+2 affinity chromatography, and assayed for cell attachment. EAhy.926 cells bound equally well to wild-type, ΔS-rVN, and to ΔH-rVN, but binding to RAD-rVN and RGE-rVN was inhibited by more than 90%. We therefore conclude that the RGD sequence of vitronectin is the most important cell recognition site and that neither the somatomedin B nor heparin domains contribute signficantly to the cell adhesive activity of vitronectin.
Why do Ladybugs Smell Bad? In‐vivo Quantification of Odorous Insect Kairomones with SPME and Multidimensional GC‐MS‐Olfactometry

Winemakers, small fruit growers, and homeowners are concerned with noxious compounds released by multicolored Asian ladybird beetles (Harmonia axyridis, Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). New method based on headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with multidimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry - olfactometry (MDGC-MS-O) system was developed for extraction, isolation and simultaneous identification of compounds responsible for the characteristic odor of live H. axyridis. Four methoxypyrazines (MPs) were identified in headspace volatiles of live H. axyridis as those responsible for the characteristic odor: 2,5-dimethyl-3-methoxypyrazine (DMMP), 2-isopropyl-3- methoxypyrazine (IPMP), 2-sec-butyl-3-methoxypyrazine (SBMP), and 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine (IBMP). To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of H. axyridis releasing DMMP and the first report of this compound being a component of the H. axyridis characteristic odor. Quantification of three MPs (IPMP, SBMP and IBMP) emitted from live H. axyridis were performed using external calibration with HS-SPME and direct injections. A linear relationship (R2 >0.9958 for all 3 MPs) between MS response and concentration of standard was observed over a concentration range from 0.1 ng L-1 to 0.05 µg L-1 for HS-SPME-GC-MS. The method detection limits (MDL) based on multidimensional GC-MS approach for three MPs were estimated to be between 0.020 ng L -1 to 0.022 ng L -1. This methodology is applicable for in vivo determination of odor-causing chemicals associated with emissions of volatiles from insects.
Mammalian aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the recent developments of the studies on the structure-function relationship of mammalian synthetases, with emphasis on those features that are unique in mammalian synthetases and are for the most part absent in bacterial and yeast enzymes. Translation and transcription constitute the two major steps of gene expression in all organisms. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (RSs) carry out the key role of the interpretation of the genetic code by the covalent attachment of specific amino acids to cognate tRNAs. The chapter discusses various classifications of mammalian aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases with several examples. The chapter also discusses the general structure of the RS complex dissociation and organization of the synthetases complex primary structures of mammalian synthetases. The chapter describes several distinct characteristics of N-terminal extensions in mammalian aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Mammalian RSs are obviously more complex than their bacterial or yeast counterparts. The structure and function of mammalian RSs are not well understood despite the tremendous progress that has been made at an increasingly rapid pace. The occurrence of synthetases complexes provides excellent models for the elucidation of basic principles in molecular interactions for highly complex machinery that requires efficiency, fidelity, and versatility. Synthetases are critically important in the interpretation of the genetic code and are responsible for the biosynthesis of all proteins in all cells and tissues. In view of the physiological roles of amino acids, elucidation of such relation is obviously important. The chapter concludes with the organization of synthetases and protein biosynthetic machinery.
The otolaryngology hospitalist: a novel practice paradigm.

Objectives/Hypothesis To define a new clinical hospitalist practice paradigm originating at the University of California, San Francisco. Design Retrospective administrative database review at a tertiary referral hospital. Materials and Methods A consortium model of an otolaryngologist hospitalist practice was developed. Billing records, including Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Disease-9 (ICD-9) codes, were reviewed to evaluate the number and type of consultations and surgeries generated during a 2-year period. Results A total of 375 new inpatient consultations generated 951 patient encounters. The most common diagnoses were respiratory failure (12%), sinusitis (10.6%), stridor (10.6%), and dysphonia (7.6%). Twenty-six percent of consultations involved a procedure or surgical intervention, the most common of which were endoscopic sinus surgery, laryngoscopy, and tracheotomy. Conclusions To our knowledge, ours is the first full-time otolaryngology hospitalist model in the United States. The hospitalist practice is a conceptually viable and clinically beneficial paradigm that should be considered at other similar institutions. Level of Evidence N/A.
Sibling Teenage Pregnancy and Clinic-Referred Girls’ Condom Use: The Protective Role of Maternal Monitoring

Younger sisters of teenage parents have elevated rates of engaging in unprotected sex. This may result from changes in parenting behavior after a sibling becomes pregnant or impregnates a partner, and be particularly pronounced for girls seeking mental health treatment. The current study examines condom use over time in 211 African-American girls recruited from outpatient psychiatric clinics. Findings indicate that having a sibling with a teenage pregnancy history predicts less consistent condom use two years later. After accounting for earlier condom use and mental health problems, maternal monitoring moderates condom use such that for girls with a sibling with a pregnancy history, more vigilant maternal monitoring is associated with increased condom use, while for girls with no sibling pregnancy history, maternal monitoring is unrelated to adolescents' condom use two years later. Findings suggest that targeted interventions to increase maternal monitoring of high-risk teens may be beneficial for girls with a sibling history of teenage pregnancy.
Establishing quantitative habitat targets for a ‘Critically Endangered’ Neotropical migrant (Golden-cheeked Warbler Dendroica chrysoparia ) during the non-breeding season

The Golden-cheeked Warbler Dendroica chrysoparia is a federally endangered Neotropical migrant that inhabits montane pine-oak forests in Mexico and northern Central America during the non-breeding season. Although it is known that Golden-cheeked Warblers are closely associated with ‘encino’ oaks (evergreen or holm oak) such as Quercus sapotifolia, Q. eliptica and Q. elongata, which have shiny, narrow, elliptical, or oblong leaves, quantitative habitat targets are useful for effectively incorporating this information into conservation planning and forest management practices. We analysed data on wintering Golden-cheeked Warblers collected during the non-breeding season in Honduras from 1996 to 1998 to identify quantitative targets for habitat conditions for this species. Data on warbler abundance were collected using line transect surveys located in montane pine-oak forests in a stratified-random fashion. Habitat data were collected at five 0.04 ha plots on these same transects and the averaged values used as predictors of Golden-cheeked Warbler abundance. We found that Golden-cheeked Warblers were strongly associated with the basal area of encino oaks and density of ‘roble’ oaks, such as Q. segoviensis, Q. purulhana and Q. rugosa, which have large, lobed leaves. Density of Golden-cheeked Warblers peaked at ≈ 5.6 m2 ha–1 basal area of encino and ≈7 roble oaks ha–1. These values can be used to identify quantitative habitat targets that can be directly incorporated into forest management practices to ensure that these activities maintain habitat conditions necessary for their use by Golden-cheeked Warblers.
Structuring the Liberal (Arts) Education in Chemistry.

Following the tenets of a re-integrative philosophical framework for curriculum design and educational objectives, we provide strategies that describe our effort to change the educational experience of beginning college students in introductory chemistry. We focus on the explicit connection between instructional goals and practices. For instructors and students, whom we view as collaborators in learning, we address how mental models for instruction and information can affect the classroom environment. We also describe a series of classroom, laboratory, and outside-of-class tasks that are intended to promote meaningful engagement by individual students within the context of these recommendations.
Flowing Afterglow Studies of the Temperature Dependencies for Dissociative Recombination of O2+, CH5+, C2H5+, and C6H7+ with Electrons

A temperature-variable flowing afterglow with an electrostatic Langmuir probe has been used to determine the rate coefficients, α e , for the recombination of a series of molecular ions with electrons. The α e for O 2 +, CH 5 +, C 2 H 5 +, and C 6 H 7 + have been determined at temperatures ranging from 80 to 600 K. Data for O 2 + over the temperature range of 100-500 K establish a single-power law dependence, which is consistent with previous data in this temperature range. The hydrocarbon data show that the α e are large at room temperature, being 1.1 × 10 - 6 , 1.2 × 10 - 6 , and 2.4 x 10 - 6 cm 3 s - 1 for CH 5 +, C 2 H 5 +, and C 6 H 7 +, respectively, and exhibit significant dependencies on temperature consistent with theoretical models based on the direct and indirect mechanisms. The change between these two dependencies occurs at a temperature of ∼300 K. The dissociative recombination of these ions is significant to molecular synthesis in interstellar clouds and the ionosphere of Titan, which is to be probed by the NASA Huygens-Cassini spacecraft that reaches the Saturnian system in July 2004. The relevance of the present data to these media is briefly discussed.
Self-Esteem and Obesity in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review

The relationship between self-esteem and obesity has not received a great deal of empirical evaluation using strong research methodologies. Thus, it is not clear whether self-esteem is consistently related to obesity, whether the relationship is global or specific to physical appearance, whether the relationship differs by demographic variables such as age, gender or race/ethnicity, or whether self-esteem moderates weight changes during weight loss treatment programs. This review examines these questions using empirical evidence from 35 studies on the relationship between self-esteem and obesity in children and adolescents. Thirteen of 25 cross sectional studies clearly showed lower self-esteem in obese adolescents and children. Five of the six cross-sectional studies that included a measure of body esteem found lower body esteem in obese compared to normal weight children and adolescents. Results from two prospective studies examining initial self-esteem and later obesity were inconsistent. Results from six of eight treatment studies showed that weight loss treatment programs appear to improve self-esteem. However, it is unclear whether increases in self-esteem are related to enhanced weight loss. Many studies were methodologically weak primarily due to small and select samples and lack of appropriate comparison groups. Implications for prevention and treatment of childhood obesity are discussed.
Do market prices aggregate information about macroeconomic uncertainty (or risk)

This article examines several economic variables that represent either confidence in future economic conditions or the degree of risk/uncertainty about future conditions in order to determine which contain more information about future employment and output. Some of these variables are prices, while others are from surveys. Causality tests, historical decompositions within a VAR and out-of-sample forecasts are among the tools used. This article concludes that monthly stock returns contain much more information about future economic conditions than the other variables. The spread between Moody’s BAA and AAA bonds, the spread between the constant maturity 10-year government bond and the federal funds rate, as well as uncertainty in future economic conditions as measured by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Business Outlook Survey also provide information about future economic conditions. Notably, this article finds that monthly stock returns contain more information about future economic conditions...
Predation by rock bass on other stream fishes: experimental effects of depth and cover

Effects of water depth and cover availability on predation rates by adult rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris, on juvenile central stoneroller, Campostoma anomalum, pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosa, and fantail darter, Etheostoma flabellare, were measured in a laboratory stream. A predation rate experiment and a prey activity experiment were conducted. In the first experiment, each prey type shared experimental chambers with predatory rock bass under all combinations of two depths (shallow and deep) and two cover levels (absent and present). Predation rates after 72 h were greater in deep (35–38 cm) than in shallow (7–10 cm) water for fantail darter and two sizes of central stoneroller, but not for pumpkinseed. Presence of cover (opaque plastic tubes) on the stream bottom had no direct effect on predation rates, which were higher for pumpkinseed and small stoneroller (35–64 mm total length) than for fantail darter and large stoneroller (70–89 mm total length). In the second experiment, diel patterns of small stoneroller activity were monitored under all combinations of two water depths and three levels of predation risk. Small stonerollers were more active during the day and in the absence of rock bass, but were not affected directly by water depth. My results suggest that effects of habitat features (e.g., depth, cover) on predator-prey interactions vary according to the natural history and behavior of particular prey and predators. Future research should integrate habitat-specific responses of prey to predation risk into models that predict the distribution of prey among available habitats.
Abstract 4148: MicroRNA biomarkers prognostic for disease-free and overall survival in stage I and II lung adenocarcinoma

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Background: Approximately 50% of all non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cases in the United States are adenocarcinoma histology. While definitive lung cancer resection offers a chance for cure in stage I and II NSCLC, up to 57% of patients will have disease relapse or metastatic disease within 5 years. A majority of the relapsed cases will take place within 2 years of definitive surgical resection. Thus, pathologic staging alone does not stratify patients for prognosis sufficiently. Identifying patients with aggressive versus indolent tumors would have critical implications for directing treatment and designing future clinical trials. We propose using microRNA (miRNA) for discovery and validation of prognostic biomarkers for stage I and II lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: For the Discovery Cohort, we identified treatment-naive AJCC 7th edition stage I and II lung adenocarcinoma patient samples from 26 disease-free survivors (DFS) and overall survival (OS) at least 47 months and 14 patients with DFS and overall survival less than 23 months. Total RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. Differential miRNA array expression profiling between these two groups was assessed in the Discovery cohort on an 8x15 Agilent microarray printed with 886 miRNAs. Target miRNAs were selected based on minimum of 2-fold change in expression and Welch t-test p-value cut-off of 47 months and N=12 with DFS and OS 47 months and N=4 DFS/OS <23 months) is ongoing. Conclusion: We have validated miRNAs prognostic for DFS and OS in stage I and II lung adenocarcinoma in at least one cohort of 89 patients so far. A two miRNA classifier is currently being evaluated and we anticipate results for accuracy prediction on the Independent cohort at the time of the meeting. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4148. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4148
ANAGRAM SOLVING AS A FUNCTION OF PRIMING AND BIGRAM FREQUENCY COUNT

Summary.-Manipulating bigram count and priming condition in anagram problem solving resulted in significant effects for both variables. Both categoq label and list-item primes significantly reduced anagram solution time for 36 undergraduates; these effects occurred for low and high bigram count words. In a previous report (Seidenstadt, 1982), the bigram frequency count of anagram solution words was inadvertently manipulated and confounded the relationship between priming condition and anagram solution time. Briefly, for words of high bigram frequency as measured by the Mendelsohn and O'Brien index (1974), list-item primes significantly reduced solution times with respect to the no-prime condition; this difference did not occur for words with lower bigram counts. Since this effect was the result of an unintentional manipulation, a replication was in order. This study reports an exmination of the relationship between priming conditions and bigram frequency counts in anagram-problem solving. In addition to the list-item and no prime conditions, a category-prime group was also included. The subjects, 36 undergraduates enrolled in introductory psychology, participated in the experiment to fulfill a course requirement. The low bigram frequency words were brick, flute, mouth, mouse, track, and truck. The high bigram frequency words were novel, opera, perch, rayon, pansy, and mixer. All words were single-solution anagrams and were matched for instance dominance and word frequency. Each of the anagrams required three moves to solution and they were presented individually on 3- X 5-in. cards. The design was a 3 X 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance, with prime condition as the between-groups measure and bigram count as rhe within-groups variable. All subjects were asked to solve the same anagrams but one group was given a category prime, a second group was given a list-irem prime, and a third group was the no-prime condition. For the category-label and list-item .groups, the prime was printed on the bottom of the 3- X 5-in. card. The presentation order of the anagrams and assignment of subjects to the prime treatments was done randomly. Before testing, each subject was given the definition of an anagram and an example. The means of reciprocal solution times for the low bigram-count words were .261, ,223, and .I38 sec. for the category-label, list-item and no-prime 'Oneonta. NY 13820.
Role of monocytes and macrophages in adult angiogenesis: a light at the tunnel's end.

In spite of sustained efforts, there are still gaps in our understanding of angiogenesis as it takes place in vivo. Older observations and a number of recent developments strongly involve the blood...
Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation in children with dystonia: a pilot open-label trial

Studies suggest that dystonia is associated with increased motor cortex excitability. Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation can temporarily reduce motor cortex excitability. To test whether stimulation of the motor cortex can reduce dystonic symptoms in children, we measured tracking performance and muscle overflow using an electromyogram tracking task before and after stimulation. Of 10 participants, 3 showed a significant reduction in overflow, and a fourth showed a significant reduction in tracking error. Overflow decreased more when the hand contralateral to the cathode performed the task than when the hand ipsilateral to the cathode performed the task. Averaged over all participants, the results did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest that cathodal stimulation may allow a subset of children to control muscles or reduce involuntary overflow activity. Further testing is needed to confirm these results in a blinded trial and identify the subset of children who are likely...
Effective partial redundancy elimination

Partial redundancy elimination is a code optimization with a long history of literature and implementation. In practice, its effectiveness depends on issues of naming and code shape. This paper shows that a combination of global reassociation and global value numbering can increase the effectiveness of partial redundancy elimination. By imposing a discipline on the choice of names and the shape of expressions, we are able to expose more redundancies.As part of the work, we introduce a new algorithm for global reassociation of expressions. It uses global information to reorder expressions, creating opportunities for other optimizations. The new algorithm generalizes earlier work that ordered FORTRAN array address expressions to improve otpimization [25].
A Possible Role of the Boundary Layer in Insect Flight

IT has been recently proposed by Greenewalt1 that the observed wing-beat frequency of insects and birds is equivalent to the characteristic frequency of the flight system as a mechanical oscillator. Evidence for this has come primarily from work on those higher orders of insects in which direct neural control of frequency is absent (‘asynchronous’ type of Roeder2). From this point of view the inverse variation of wing-beat frequency with air density reported in some species by Chadwick and Williams3 and Sotavalta4 appears anomalous. Evidence is given here which shows that such an anomaly may be due to a factor hitherto not considered in investigations of the flight of small insects: a variation of effective wing inertia with air density due to a functionally significant additional mass corresponding to a volume of air ‘attached’ to the wings.
Diamagnetic anisotropy of the MoMo bond in Mo2(O2CR)4 type complexes

Abstract By using newer structural and NMR data for Mo 2 (O 2 CR) 4 compounds with R = PhCH(OH) and CH 3 the diamagnetic anisotropy of the Mo-Mo quadruple bonds has been estimated as −(210±30) × 10 −36 m 3 per molecule.
Macrohabitat of Sonora Chub (Gila ditaenia) in Sycamore Creek, Santa Cruz County, Arizona

ABSTRACT Physical characteristics and persistence of macrohabitat used by different life stages of Sonora chub (Gila ditaenia) were determined by repeatedly measuring distinct reaches in Sycamore Creek, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, in 1990 and 1991. At the beginning of summer drought, habitats occupied by adult Sonora chub were deeper and larger than areas with only immature fish and unoccupied areas. The medians of maximum depth were 47.0 cm (1990) and 39.7 cm (1991) for habitats with adults, 21.3 cm (1990) and 22.9 cm (1991) for habitats with only immature fish, and 14.6 cm (1990) and 19.7 cm (1991) for unoccupied areas. At the end of summer drought, adults occupied habitats that were deeper and larger, and the percent decrease in area and depth was less than areas containing only immature fish or no fish. The medians of percent decrease in maximum depth were 13% (1990) and 21% (1991) for habitats with adults, 48% (1990) and 41% (1991) for habitats with only immature fish, and 42% (1990) and 33% (1991) f...
Bi-stranded, multisite replication of a base pair between difluorotoluene and adenine: confirmation by ‘inverse’ sequencing

Abstract Background: The nonpolar nucleoside of difluorotoluene (F) was previously found to behave similarly to thymidine in single-site deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) insertion experiments with the Klenow fragment (KF) of DNA polymerase I. Further study was needed, first to see whether F-A base pairs could be replicated in more than one sequence context; second to investigate whether specific base pair replication occurs in the presence of four dNTPs; and third to confirm the presence of F in a replicated DNA strand. Results: A primer bound to a template strand containing eight F residues was extended by KF using the four natural dNTPs at 20 μM. Similarly, the complement (containing eight adenines) was extended using dATP, dGTP, dCTP and dFTP. Comparison of the new strands to authentic strands using standard and ‘inverse' chemical sequencing showed identical composition within ± 5%. Conclusions: The results confirm that F in a template strand encodes the insertion of dATP and that adenine in a template encodes the insertion of dFTP with good specificity in at least six different nearest neighbor contexts. The results confirm that analog F behaves similarly to thymidine despite its poor hydrogen-bonding ability.
A Comparison of Actigraphy Scoring Rules Used in Pediatric Research

Background The use of actigraphy in pediatric sleep research has increased over the past decade, yet few guidelines exist to help investigators with scoring and interpretation. The primary aim of this study was to compare two commonly reported non-automated rules for scoring sleep-onset and sleep-offset.
Low-power communication with a photonic heat pump

An optical communication channel is constructed using a heated thermo-electrically pumped, high efficiency infrared light-emitting diode (LED). In these devices, electro-luminescent cooling is observed, resulting in greater than unity (> 100%) efficiency in converting electrical power to optical power. The average amount of electrical energy required to generate a photon (4.3 meV) is much less than the optical energy in that photon (520 meV). Such a light source can serve as a test-bed for fundamental studies of energy-efficient bosonic communication channels. In this low energy consumption mode, we demonstrate data transmission at 3 kilobits per second (kbps) with only 120 picowatts of input electric power. Although the channel employs a mid-infrared source with limited quantum efficiency, a binary digit can be communicated using 40 femtojoules with a bit error rate of 3 x 10−3.
Movement dynamics and the environment to be perceived

In perception science, an alternative to focusing on individual sensory systems is to describe the environment to be perceived. We focus on the emergent dynamics of human-environment interactions as an important category of the environment to be perceived. We argue that information about such dynamics is available in subtle patterns of movement variability that, of necessity, stimulate multiple sensory systems.
Recovering Baire one functions on ultrametric spaces

We find a characterization of those Polish ultrametric spaces on which each Baire one function is first return recoverable. The notion of pseudo-convergence originating in the theory of valuation fields plays a crucial role in the characterization.
2H MAS NMR Studies of the Manganese Dioxide Tunnel Structures and Hydroxides Used as Cathode Materials in Primary Batteries

Variable-temperature 2H MAS NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the local environments and mobility of deuterons in the manganese dioxide tunnel structures. Five systems were investigated: el...
Interactive telecommunications access by computer to design characteristics of the nation's nuclear power stations

Computer-aided information storage and retrieval systems have been pointed to, frequently, as a means for efficient handling of large masses of data so that users of such systems can rapidly find selected specific items with a minimum degree of effort. In engineering and scientific fields (except for certain rather specialized areas), major progress toward such an objective has been limited to bibliographic sorting of technical publications by keyword search of authors, titles, or abstract context. The development of a comprehensive system to provide varied users with access to factual technical data, on a broad basis, has awaited a need sufficiently important to warrant the substantial effort required for such an undertaking.
Courses to Develop Facility in the Use of Mathematics and Physics in the Solution of Engineering Problems

IN RECENT years engineers and teachers have recognized1,2 that many graduates lack facility in the use of mathematics and physics in the solution of engineering problems. Appearing to know the principles of science that underlie engineering, the young graduates frequently cannot apply them correctly in new situations. It is evident that the development of the requisite facility depends upon first, mastery of the basic sciences and second, adequate training in their application. Thus, there is need for two different kinds of co-ordination of mathematics and physics with electrical engineering: co-ordination of the departmental teaching activities for most effective instruction, and co-ordination of the subject matter in the student's mind for most effective use.
The Impact of Reweighting the AT-SAT Subtests on Group Score Differences

The Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT) test battery is an aptitude test that was developed as the selection tool for the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs). Before operational use, however, concerns were raised about the low scores of incumbent ATCS personnel (who participated in the initial research) and score differences between groups, which could result in adverse impact (possible unfair discrimination). To address these concerns, the subscores of the AT-SAT were reweighted and the constant was changed to yield a new total score. This study found that the new weighting formula has benefited all groups and is likely to reduce the potential of adverse impact.
Single-Particle Excitations in Narrow Energy Bands

Hubbard's model for studying correlation effects in systems with narrow energy bands is analyzed by means of a technique which allows the calculation of moments of the individual peaks in the spectral weight function for single-particle excitations. The analysis of the zeroth moments of the peaks shows that the total weight in the bands depends on the strength of the kinetic-energy term in the Hamiltonian even though the bands may be narrow and widely separated. This conclusion is illustrated and verified by an exact calculation for the case when there are only two lattice sites. Analysis of first and higher moments yields results for nonmagnetic or paramagnetic phases which are in qualitative agreement with Hubbard's improved solution. However, we find that (a) there occurs a spin-dependent shift in the band energies which has not been obtained by other treatments of the model and which energetically favors ferromagnetism, and (b) single-particle excitations are more heavily damped in antiferromagnetic than in isomorphic paramagnetic phases.
Acceleration of Heavy Ions in the AGS

It is possible to use the Brookhaven AGS as a heavy ion machine by adding a cyclotron to the Tandem and using this combination as injector. An intermediate step for lighter ions might consist of injecting the Tandem beam directly into the AGS. In either case, quite high intensities should be possible.
Shadowing and antishadowing of nuclear structure functions.

The observed shadowing and antishadowing phenomena of quark structure functions in nuclei at small {ital x} are interpreted as a consequence of an antiquark-nucleus multiscattering process.
Stratigraphic relations and U-Pb geochronology of the Upper Cretaceous upper McCoy Mountains Formation, southwestern Arizona

A previously unrecognized angular unconformity divides the Jurassic and Cretaceous McCoy Mountains Formation into a lower and an upper unit in the Dome Rock Mountains and Livingston Hills of western Arizona. The lower unit of the McCoy Mountains Formation consists of generally fine-grained quartzose and volcaniclastic strata that were deposited after cessation of Middle Jurassic explosive volcanism. The basal contact of the lower unit is disconformable in most places, but locally it has been interpreted to be gradational with the underlying silicic volcanic rocks. The upper unit is a fining-upward sequence of quartzo-feldspathic and arkosic conglomerate and sandstone that records uplift of a northern source terrane. A tuff in the lower part of the upper unit has a U-Pb crystallization age of 79 ± 2 Ma (Late Cretaceous). Rocks of the lower unit are deformed by pre-80 Ma thrust faults of the generally southward-vergent Maria fold and thrust belt, which bounds the outcrop belt of the McCoy Mountains Formation on the north. The upper unit is exposed only south of the fold and thrust belt. We interpret the intraformation unconformity in the McCoy Mountains Formation to have developed where rocks of the lower unit were deformed adjacent to the southern margin of the Maria fold and thrust belt. The upper unit of the formation is interpreted as a foreland-basin deposit that was shed southward from the actively rising and deforming fold and thrust belt. The apparent absence of an equivalent unconformity in the McCoy Mountains Formation in adjacent California is presumably a consequence of the observed westward divergence of the outcrop belt from the fold and thrust belt. Continued southward shortening deformed the entire formation under greenschist- and, locally, amphibolite-facies conditions soon after the upper unit was deposited. Tectonic burial beneath the north-vergent Mule Mountains thrust system in the latest Late Cretaceous (∼70 Ma) marked the end of Mesozoic contractile deformation in the area.
A New Neosuchian Crocodyliform from the Lower Cretaceous (Late Aptian) Twin Mountains Formation of North-Central Texas

ABSTRACT A new fossil crocodyliform, Paluxysuchus newmani, gen. et sp. nov., is established on the basis of a nearly complete skull from the Lower Cretaceous (late Aptian) Twin Mountains Formation of north-central Texas. Partially articulated and disarticulated cranial material representing two individuals was recovered from the Jones Ranch locality in close association with the sauropod Paluxysaurus jonesi. The holotype skull is nearly complete, missing the premaxillae, left palatine, and pterygoids, and does not preserve the choanal region. This taxon is notable for having its frontal separated medially from the orbital margin, an extremely elongate anterolateral process of the postorbital, large and rounded supratemporal fenestrae, and a narrow, rod-like posterior ramus of the jugal. These features indicate affinities with goniopholidids, pholidosaurids, and thalattosuchians. A phylogenetic analysis places Paluxysuchus newmani deep within Neosuchia as the sister taxon to the clade that includes Gonioph...
On a class of kernel-perfect and kernel-perfect-critical graphs

Abstract In this note we present a construction of a class of graphs in which each of the graphs is either kernel-perfect or kernel-perfect-critical. These graphs originate from the theory of games (Von Neumann and Morgenstern). We also find criteria to distinguish kernel-perfect graphs from kernel- perfect-critical graphs in this class. We obtain some of the previously known classes of kernel- perfect-critical graphs as special cases of the present construction given here. The construction that we give enlarges the class of kernel-perfect-critical graphs.
Survey of mission evolution and flexibility in the Space Shuttle program

Abstract Given the diversity of missions it has accomplished and the myriad of adaptations it has undergone, the US Space Shuttle is widely regarded as a highly flexible space vehicle. With the Shuttle’s upcoming 2011 retirement, it is instructive to survey the history of this vehicle’s flexibility for the insights it can provide to the design and characterization of flexibility in future space systems. Data are presented on the evolution of mission requirements over time for 120 missions performed by the Space Shuttle over a period of some 27 years. Distinct trends in the time domain – as well as their causes – are identified and discussed, and early manifest plans from 1982 serve as a confirmation that these trends were not originally anticipated. Eight examples are then presented of engineering modifications that allowed the Shuttle to adapt and accommodate these requirement changes. Several additional instances of Shuttle flexibility are explored, such as post- Columbia disaster modification, upgrade programs and derived vehicles, and one case in which flexibility was inhibited by an early design decision.
A process-grammar for shape

Abstract Inference rules are developed by which process-history can be recovered from natural shapes such as tumors, clouds, and embryos, etc. We argue that the inference of history arises from a newly discovered duality between curvature extrema and symmetry structure. We also develop a formal grammar by which someone, who has two views of an entity at two developmental stages, can infer the processes that produced the second stage from the first. More specifically, we find that a grammar, of only six operations, suffices to express the relationship between any two smooth shapes such that one shape is described as the extrapolation of processes inferred in the other under the above inference rules. In fact, a deformation is expressed as a transformation of process-records—a technique reminiscent of Chomsky's description of linguistic transformations in terms of transitions between phrase-structure trees. In the present case, our process-grammar has the psychological role of explaining the curvature extrema in terms of a sequence of psychologically meaningful deformations. Finally, we compare a process-based symmetry analysis, that we introduce in this paper, with other symmetry analyses in the literature; and we compare our process-based grammar with another grammar based on curvature extrema.
Two New Measures of Position Error

Circular average error (CAE) and spherical average error (SAE) are defined as alternatives to the circular error probable (CEP) and spherical error probable (SEP) as univariate measures of error ellipses and ellipsoids for two-and three-dimensional radars. Results are expressed graphically. Approximate formulas are given for all four measures.
Electromagnetic Cloaking of a Finite Conducting Wedge With a Nanostructured Graphene Metasurface

Here, we present the analytical formulation for the analysis of electromagnetic interaction with a finite conducting wedge covered with a cylindrically shaped nanostructured graphene metasurface, resulting in the scattering cancellation of the dominant scattering mode for all the incident and all the observation angles. By properly tuning the bias of graphene, it is shown that the surface reactance of graphene nanopatches can be adjusted for cloaking of wedges with an arbitrary angle of opening. It is also shown that the tunable cylindrical graphene metasurface can be effectively used for cloaking of several concentric finite conducting wedges. In addition, a wedge shaped metasurface is proposed as an alternative approach for cloaking of finite wedges. The analytical results are verified with the full-wave electromagnetic solver CST Microwave Studio, showing good agreement for different wedge scenarios.
Whole genome microarray analysis of gene expression in subjects with fragile X syndrome.

Purpose: Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited form of human mental retardation, arises as a consequence of a large expansion of a CGG trinucleotide repeat in 5′ untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene located on the X chromosome. Although the FMR1 gene was cloned 15 years ago, the mechanisms that cause fragile X syndrome remain to be elucidated. Multiple studies have identified proteins that potentially interact with FMRP, the product of FMR1, and differentially expressed genes in an Fmr1 knockout mouse. To assess the impact of fragile X syndrome on gene expression in humans and to attempt to identify disturbed genes and gene interactive pathways relevant to fragile X syndrome, we performed gene expression microarray analysis using RNA isolated from lymphoblastoid cells derived from males with fragile X syndrome with and similarly aged control males. Methods: We used whole genome microarrays consisting of 57,000 probes to analyze global changes to the transcriptome in readily available lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from males with fragile X syndrome and healthy comparison males with normal intelligence. We verified the differential expression of several of these genes with known biological function relevant to fragile X syndrome using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using RNA from lymphoblastoid cells from fragile X syndrome and control males as well as RNA from human brain tissue (frontal cortex) of other affected fragile X syndrome males. Results: We identified more than 90 genes that had significant differences in probe intensity of at least 1.5-fold with a false discovery rate of 5% in cells from males with fragile X syndrome relative to comparison males. The list of 90 differentially expressed genes contained an overrepresentation of genes involved in signaling (e.g., UNC13B [−3.3-fold change in expression in lymphoblasts by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction), GABRD [+2.0-fold change] EEF1A2 [+4.3-fold change]), morphogenesis (e.g., MAP1B [−7.5-fold change], ACCN1 [−8.0-fold change]), and neurodevelopment and function (e.g., PPP1R9B [+3.5-fold change], HES1 [+2.8-fold change]). Conclusions: These genes may represent members of candidate networks disturbed by the loss of FMR1 and consequently fragile X mental retardation protein function, thus lending support for altered fragile X mental retardation protein function resulting in an abnormal transcriptome. Further analyses of the genes, especially those that have been identified in multiple studies, are warranted to develop a more integrated description of the alterations in gene processing that lead to fragile X syndrome.
International expansion of US retailers

US retailers do business in the largest and most affluent mass market in the world. However, they have reached a saturation point for some popular retail formats. US retailers are looking outside national borders for expansion opportunities. The Strategic International Retail Expansion (SIRE) model combines ideas presented in four separate theories to predict future expansion of these retailers.