cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The power, potential, and pitfalls of open access biodiversity data in range size assessments: Lessons from the fishes

Abstract Geographic rarity is a driver of a species’ intrinsic risk of extinction. It encompasses multiple key components including range size, which is one of the most commonly measured estimates of geographic rarity. Range size estimates are often used to prioritize conservation efforts when there are multiple candidate species, because data for other components of rarity such as population size are sparse, or do not exist for species of interest. Range size estimates can provide rankings of species vulnerability to changing environments or threats, identifying rare species for future study or conservation initiatives. However, range sizes can be estimated by several different metrics, and the degree of overlap in the identification of the rarest or most common species across methodologies is not well understood. This knowledge gap compromises our ability to prioritize correctly rare species, and presents a particularly difficult challenge for stream-dwelling organisms with distributions constrained to river networks. We evaluated the relationship of multiple range size estimates of a subset of freshwater fishes native to the United States to determine the degree of overlap in rarity rankings using different data sources and grain sizes. We used publicly available, open access data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to calculate extent of occurrence (minimum convex polygons) and area of occupancy (total area occupied, measured across various grain sizes). We compared range sizes estimated using GBIF data with the best available estimates of current distributions described by publicly available digital maps (NatureServe) to evaluate the efficacy of GBIF data in assessments of range size. We found strong correlations between range size estimates across analytical approaches and data sources with no detectable bias of taxonomy. We found that variation among rarity rankings was highest for species with intermediate range sizes indicating that the approaches considered here generally converge when used to identify the rarest or the most common species. Importantly, our results show that the rarest, and perhaps the most vulnerable, species are consistently identified across common methodological approaches. More broadly, our results support the use of open access biodiversity data that include opportunistically collated and collected point occurrence records as a complement to coarse-grain (e.g., whole range map) approaches, as we observed no systematic bias or deviation across data sources in our analyses. This indicates databases such as the GBIF may help fill important fundamental and applied knowledge gaps for many poorly understood species, particularly in a broad-scale, multispecies framework.
Deep Multi-Scale Mesh Feature Learning for Automated Labeling of Raw Dental Surfaces From 3D Intraoral Scanners

Precisely labeling teeth on digitalized 3D dental surface models is the precondition for tooth position rearrangements in orthodontic treatment planning. However, it is a challenging task primarily due to the abnormal and varying appearance of patients’ teeth. The emerging utilization of intraoral scanners (IOSs) in clinics further increases the difficulty in automated tooth labeling, as the raw surfaces acquired by IOS are typically low-quality at gingival and deep intraoral regions. In recent years, some pioneering end-to-end methods (e.g., PointNet) have been proposed in the communities of computer vision and graphics to consume directly raw surface for 3D shape segmentation. Although these methods are potentially applicable to our task, most of them fail to capture fine-grained local geometric context that is critical to the identification of small teeth with varying shapes and appearances. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end deep-learning method, called MeshSegNet , for automated tooth labeling on raw dental surfaces. Using multiple raw surface attributes as inputs, MeshSegNet integrates a series of graph-constrained learning modules along its forward path to hierarchically extract multi-scale local contextual features. Then, a dense fusion strategy is applied to combine local-to-global geometric features for the learning of higher-level features for mesh cell annotation. The predictions produced by our MeshSegNet are further post-processed by a graph-cut refinement step for final segmentation. We evaluated MeshSegNet using a real-patient dataset consisting of raw maxillary surfaces acquired by 3D IOS. Experimental results, performed 5-fold cross-validation, demonstrate that MeshSegNet significantly outperforms state-of-the-art deep learning methods for 3D shape segmentation.
The Vulnerability Paradox: Strengthening Trust in the Classroom

Teachers often struggle with determining how vulnerable to make themselves in the classroom. Many teachers intuitively desire to exude strength and confidence in their teaching and view vulnerabili...
Comparing Strategies for Robot Communication of Role-Grounded Moral Norms

Because robots are perceived as moral agents, they hold significant persuasive power over humans. It is thus crucial for robots to behave in accordance with human systems of morality and to use effective strategies for human-robot moral communication. In this work, we evaluate two moral communication strategies: a norm-based strategy grounded in deontological ethics, and a role-based strategy grounded in role ethics, in order to test the effectiveness of these two strategies in encouraging compliance with norms grounded in role expectations. Our results suggest two major findings: (1) reflective exercises may increase the efficacy of role-based moral language and (2) opportunities for moral practice following robots' use of moral language may facilitate role-centered moral cultivation.
Regulation of phosphatidylserine asymmetry by Ca2+-dependent membrane fusion during apoptosis.

2685 One of the hallmarks of apoptotic cells is the appearance of phosphatidylserine (PS) at the cell surface which occurs as a result of its redistribution from the cells inner-to-outer membrane leaflet. Our studies address the apoptosis-dependent mechanisms that regulate PS translocation across the plasma membrane bilayer. In contrast to red blood cells that do not contain intracellular organelles, treatment of breast cancer cells with sulfhydryl-reactive reagents results in the expression of PS which is accompanied by release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores to the cytosol. Attempts to empty endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial Ca2+ stores failed to result in PS exposure suggesting that the Ca2+ required for this process comes from other intracellular organelles or from extracellular sources. We therefore initiated a series of experiments to determine the source of Ca2+ required for PS exposure. Fluorescence microscopy of Rhod-2 AM-labeled cells revealed large intracellular vesicles that were distinct from ER, mitochondria and Golgi. A series of experiments employing rhodamine-phosphatidylethanolamine-labeled plasma membranes, fluorescein-labeled high molecular weight dextrans and calcium-green, unequivocally proved these structures were endocytotic vesicles that released their Ca2+-containing contents into the cytosol upon apoptosis. Importantly, this process was accompanied by fusion of the labeled vesicles with the plasma membrane. The requirement for apoptosis could be circumvented by treating the cells with Ca2+ ionophore/Ca2+ that resulted in fusion of endocytotic vesicles, ER, golgi and mitochondria membranes with the plasma membrane. This suggests that the redistribution of PS during apoptosis occurs by a Ca2+-dependent mechanism that is independent of DNA fragmentation and caspase activation. In summery our data indicate that extensive membrane rearrangements and inter-organelle fusion occurs through a mechanism that involves specific elevations in cytosolic Ca2+ levels during apoptosis. This results in the concomitant reorientation of PS from the cells inner-to-outer membrane leaflet.
Multi-level QI interventions in a safety-net academic oncology clinic.

e18665Background: Clinic cycle time is a performance metric and prolonged wait times may impact patient satisfaction and/or treatment outcomes. In primary care clinics, studies show prolonged cycle...
CBR Strength of Treated Subgrade Soils

Calcium-based stabilizing agents have been extensively used to improve the engineering properties of base and subgrade layers of pavement systems. Recently, polymers and chemical stabilizers have become popular due to cost efficiency, ease of application, and fast curing times. This study presents a comprehensive laboratory testing program quantifying the strengths of treated subgrade soils. Here, the strength is defined in terms of California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values. The results of the CBR tests showed that non-traditional stabilizing agents significantly increased the strength characteristics of subgrade soils.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning methods in predicting anti-cancer drug combination effects

Drug combinations have exhibited promising therapeutic effects in treating cancer patients with less toxicity and adverse side effects. However, it is infeasible to experimentally screen the enormous search space of all possible drug combinations. Therefore, developing computational models to efficiently and accurately identify potential anti-cancer synergistic drug combinations has attracted a lot of attention from the scientific community. Hypothesis-driven explicit mathematical methods or network pharmacology models have been popular in the last decade and have been comprehensively reviewed in previous surveys. With the surge of artificial intelligence and greater availability of large-scale datasets, machine learning especially deep learning methods are gaining popularity in the field of computational models for anti-cancer drug synergy prediction. Machine learning-based methods can be derived without strong assumptions about underlying mechanisms and have achieved state-of-the-art prediction performances, promoting much greater growth of the field. Here, we present a structured overview of available large-scale databases and machine learning especially deep learning methods in computational predictive models for anti-cancer drug synergy prediction. We provide a unified framework for machine learning models and detail existing model architectures as well as their contributions and limitations, shedding light into the future design of computational models. Besides, unbiased experiments are conducted to provide in-depth comparisons between reviewed papers in terms of their prediction performance.
Hormonal Influence on the Neuromusculoskeletal System in Pregnancy

One of the hallmarks of pregnancy is the dramatic change of the hormonal milieu. The primary role of shifting hormones is to maintain and support the growing fetus and to allow the pregnant mother to carry and deliver a full-term, healthy infant. However, many of these hormones also have the potential to impact the mother’s neuromusculoskeletal system. In this chapter, we will discuss the growing body of literature regarding the influence of sex and related hormones on the neuromusculoskeletal system. In addition to focusing on the obstetrics literature, we will also extrapolate from research on nonpregnant women as well as from research on animal models as appropriate. We begin the chapter with background information on each of the hormones that will be discussed. We chose to organize the chapter by hormone-sensitive tissues to provide a framework for the clinician treating peripartum and postpartum females. Lastly, figures and tables throughout the chapter help summarize and provide a ready visual reference for the busy clinician.
Erratum to: Inferior vena cava filters: current best practices

In the original publication, a reference was mistakenly omitted by the author during manuscript preparation. The reference should be cited after the statement ‘‘Internationally, US providers place far more IVCFs compared to European providers by a staggering 25:1 IVCF placement ratio with no significant difference in annual VTE-related deaths [16–18]’’ on p. 316 of the April 2015 issue of The Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis. The missing reference is: Wang SL, Lloyd AJ (2013) Clinical review: inferior vena cava filters in the age of patient-centered outcomes. Ann Med 45:474–481.
Ceramic Powder Processing History and Discussion of Natural Raw Materials

This chapter reviews the field of ceramic powder processing from a historical perspective. In addition, it catalogues the various ceramic powder raw materials used to produce ceramics. The first ceramic objects in the archaeological record are fired clay figures appearing about 22,000 B.C. This art form gradually became used for more practical objects such as bowls and storage vessels on a much larger scale. This larger scale of production became an integral part of the Chinese villages about 6000 B.C., where the ceramic kiln played a central role. A highly developed ceramic technology was in place for earthenware well before the Bronze Age (about 4000 B.C.), at a time when silkworm cultivation was also invented. Other parts of the world also contributed to the technological developments of ceramic powder processing. This technology was carefully guarded by the Chinese but finally spread to Korea by the ll00s and to Japan by the 1600s. Marco Polo and other Western travelers described the Chinese porcelain to the Italian ruling class upon their return from the Far East, and they started importing pieces.
Corporate Criminal Intent

This paper is about the corporation as criminal defendant. In common-law legal systems a fully constituted criminal offence normally requires proof of both the proscribed action (actus reus) and criminal intent (mens rea). However, it appears highly artificial to describe corporate mens rea with ordinary language terms such as “knowledge,” “belief,” “desire,” or “intention.” After a review of common-law and philosophical approaches to imputing criminal intent to the corporate defendant, this paper proposes a behavioral approach to attributing mens rea to corporations and concludes with a review of the (UK) Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007 which, it is submitted, adopts just such an approach.
Uncoating of poxviruses. I. Detection and characterization of subviral particles in the uncoating process.

Abstract Using highly purified, radioactively labeled virions, the uncoating of vaccinia virus, strain WR in HeLa S3 cells has been studied. When cytoplasm was prepared from infected cells 60–90 min after infection, in addition to particles which sedimented like complete virions (SubV-1), four fractions containing subviral particles could be resolved by velocity gradient centrifugation. These were labeled SubV-1A, SubV-2, SubV-3, and SubV-4. Uncoated DNA was recovered from the top of the gradient. The parental DNA in the subviral particles was resistant to DNase digestion, about 80% of the “uncoated” DNA was rendered acid soluble after treatment with DNase. Virions were degraded in vitro using a combination of detergent treatment and trypsin digestion techniques. Cores with lateral bodies and viral cores were isolated and partially purified. It could be shown that the major component of SubV-1A cosedimented with cores with lateral bodies and that in SubV-2 with viral cores. No in vitro degradation product could be prepared by the techniques described which cosedimented with the components of SubV-3 or SubV-4. Electron microscopic examination of particles from the SubV-4 fraction showed brick-shaped bodies similar to cores but which had lost part or all of their outer layers. These particles rather than rupturing under stress appeared to unravel suggesting the core membrane had been removed or altered. Using doubly labeled virions, it was estimated that about 12% of the core peptides were removed when the cores were converted to SubV-4 during uncoating. The kinetics of disappearance of each of the subviral particles and the appearance of “uncoated” DNA with time after infection was determined. Uncoating could be shown to proceed normally in the presence of cytosine arabinoside (100 μg/ml). When cells were treated with puromycin (100 μg/ml), protein synthesis was not completely inhibited as measured by the incorporation of 14C-amino acids into TCA-insoluble material. About 10–15% of the level measured in untreated cells persisted during the first 3–4 hours after infection and then slowly declined. Under these conditions uncoating was slowed, and only 35–40% of the parental viral DNA was uncoated. As protein synthesis became more completely arrested, the formation of SubV-4 was blocked and uncoating stopped. In the presence of Actidione which inhibited protein synthesis by 98% within 30 min after addition of the drug, uncoating did not occur. SubV-1A, SubV-2, and SubV-3 were formed but SubV-4 was never detected. The results show that the formation of SubV-4 and continued uncoating are cell mediated processes which depend on active protein synthesis.
Advances in Moire Interferometry

Moire interferometry is a relatively new technique1, but it has already been applied to the solution of several practical problems. An extensive review and bibliography is given in Ref. 2.
User-centric digital test architecture

This paper describes a combination of digital test instrument features that improve productivity and performance of digital tests by supporting their specification from the UUT's data sheet. Adaptive hardware features that allow this include: flexible timing, dynamic instrument reconfiguration, automatic handshaking, data compression, serial and asynchronous event handling, and hardware subroutines. These architectural features give the test engineer more flexibility, make test writing more efficient, and offer the possibility of more test coverage and analysis. The proposed modular design approach allows for more configurable and cost-efficient systems
Time-reversal symmetry breaking at the edge states of a three-dimensional topological band insulator

We study the time-reversal $(T)$ symmetry breaking of two-dimensional helical Fermi liquid, with application to the edge states of three-dimensional (3D) topological band insulators with only one two-component Dirac fermion at finite chemical potential, as well as other systems with spin-orbit coupling. The $T$-breaking Ising order parameter is not overdamped and the theory is different from the ordinary Hertz-Millis theory for order parameters at zero momentum. We argue that the $T$-breaking phase transition is a 3D Ising transition, and the quasiparticles are well defined in the quantum critical regime.
Effects of fuel aromatics, cetane number, and cetane improver on emissions from a 1991 prototype heavy-duty diesel engine

Several diesel identified as having significant effects on diesel engine emissions. This paper reports, for heavy-duty diesel engines, fuel properties of aromatics, back end volatility (represented by the 90 percent boiling point), and sulfur examined in a previous CRC VE-1 study in which reductions in all three properties decreased regulated emissions to varying degrees. Aromatic levels and cetane numbers were generally correlated in the previous study, so variation in emissions due to aromatics could not clearly be assigned to variation in aromatic levels alone. To separate the effects of aromatics and cetane number, a fuel set with controlled variation in aromatics and cetane number was developed, including the use of ignition improver to increase the cetane number of selected fuels. The fuel set was used in a 1991 Prototype DDC Series 60 heavy-duty diesel engine to examine regulated emissions over EPA transient cycle operation. Results indicate that cetane number was the key fuel property affecting transient HC and CO emissions. In addition, cetane number was the principal fuel property affecting composite particulate emissions, but aromatic effects were also significant. For emissions of NO{sub x} both cetane number and aromatics were significant for transient emissions.
Electronic structure and properties of superconducting LiTi2O4.

We present results of precise local-density calculations of the electronic structure for the superconducting spinel oxide ${\mathrm{LiTi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ as obtained with the full-potential linearized augmented-plane-wave method. Self-consistent calculations are performed for both the observed (distorted) and ideal (undistorted) spinel structures. The results show important changes in the electronic states near ${E}_{F}$ between the two structures. Unlike the case of Cu d states in the high-${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$ Cu-O superconductors, the Ti d bands are separated by an \ensuremath{\sim}2.6-eV energy gap from the O p bands, and are further split into ${t}_{2g}$ and ${e}_{g}$ bands. The states around ${E}_{F}$ have predominant Ti d character, with a substantial hybridization with O p states. Crude rigid-ion calculations indicate that, unlike the case of the Cu-O materials, superconductivity of ${\mathrm{LiTi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ can be due to an electron-phonon mechanism.
Pulse oximetry: physical principles, technical realization and present limitations.

Tissue oximetry was one of the earliest applications of biomedical electronic devices to physiologic studies and patient monitoring, however, it was not until the recent development of transcutaneous pulse oximetry that the technique has enjoyed widespread application. The early work of many investigators has contributed to the modern pulse oximetry instruments. In this manuscript, the underlying principles of pulse oximetry as developed by these workers will first be examined, and the basic technical instrument that is widely used today will be described. As with any noninvasive patient monitoring technique, there are some limitations to its use, and the manuscript will conclude by pointing out some of these.
Early improvement in congestive heart failure after correction of secondary mitral regurgitation in end-stage cardiomyopathy.

Mitral regurgitation frequently complicates dilated cardiomyopathy, aggravates volume overload of the left ventricle, and contributes to symptoms of congestive heart failure. This study was performed to assess the impact of mitral valve reconstruction in nine consecutive patients with severe mitral regurgitation resulting from end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up were obtained 17 ± 5 and 16 ± 6 weeks after surgery, respectively. There were no operative or early deaths. All patients noted symptomatic improvement postoperatively, and there was a decrease of at least one New York Heart Association functional class (3.9 ± 0.3 to 1.7 ± 0.5, p < 0.001). Quantitative echocardiography/Doppler demonstrated a small but significant decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (317 ± 111 ml to 291 ± 105 ml, p = 0.04) and increases in ejection fraction (18 ± 5% to 24 ± 9%, p = 0.02) and forward cardiac output (3.1 ± 1.0 to 4.6 ± 0.8 Umin, p < 0.01) on follow-up. Mitral valve reconstruction for the correction of mitral regurgitation in patients with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy results in improved symptomatic status on early follow-up accompanied by evidence of improvement in left ventricular performance. (Ann HEART J 1995;129:1165-70.)
Stability of metal/electrolyte interface in Hall-Héroult cells: Effect of the steady velocity

An instability of the metal-bath interface in Hall-Heroult cells is described. The instability is hydrodynamic rather than magnetohydrodynamic in nature. Above a critical value of the velocity of the fluids (which are assumed to have the same steady velocity), the interface becomes unstable and waves grow; this result is calculated without any specific electromagnetic mechanism. The critical velocity depends on the cell’s flow pattern; for example, a one loop pattern will have a critical velocity different than that of a two loop pattern. The critical velocities calculated are near the velocities measured for aluminum in commercial cells. Also, the form of the waves which are generated is a set of traveling waves whose pattern depends on the pattern of the steady velocity. The variety of observed motions is reminiscent of the variety seen in interface topographical animations generated from measured anode currents. In this analysis, increasing the anode-to-cathode distance decreases the cell’s stability, as indicated by the value of the steady velocity at which flow would become unstable. Two possible technical explanations are developed for this difference from conventional wisdom. Additional study in this area is recommended. Finally, the application of this analysis to an operating cell is illustrated, showing the potential of the method in assessing the stability effects of various operating or design parameters.
Non-Candida fungal infections after bone marrow transplantation: risk factors and outcome.

Abstract purpose: To determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of non- Candida fungal infections in a bone marrow transplant population. patients and methods: A consecutive series of 1,186 patients who underwent bone marrow transplant at the University of Minnesota Hospital between 1974 and 1989 were analyzed for the occurrence of a post-transplant non- Candida fungal infection. The risk factors were analyzed with regard to clinical characteristics such as age, sex, primary disease process, type of transplant, recipient cytomegalovirus serostatus, time to engraftment, and the presence of graft-versus-host disease. results: In this population, 123 of 1,186 patients (10%) developed a non- Candida fungal infection within 180 days of transplant. The majority of infections (85%) occurred in allogeneic recipients, and 58% of infections were prior to white blood cell engraftment. The most common isolates were Aspergillus species (70%), Fusarium species (8%), and Alternaria species (5%). Although 47% of infections involved a single organ or site, 44% were disseminated and 9% were isolated fungemias. Only 17% of patients survived. Sixty-eight percent of deaths were related to the fungal infection. In univariate analysis, allogeneic transplant, positive recipient cytomegalovirus serostatus, delayed engraftment, and recipient age of greater than or equal to 18 years were identified as risk factors for non- Candida fungal infection. All of these factors except for recipient age were independently significant in multivariate analysis. In allogeneic recipients, positive cytomegalovirus serostatus, delayed engraftment, and age of greater than or equal to 18 years were each significantly associated with a greater risk of fungal infection; none of these factors were independently significant in the autologous recipients. conclusion: Fungal infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing bone marrow transplant. More effective antifungal prophylaxis and therapy, earlier diagnosis, and transplant regimens incurring a brief period of neutropenia may substantially reduce the incidence and clinical impact of these infections.
Structures and allelopathic effects ofNuphar alkaloids: Nupharolutine and 6,6'-dihydroxythiobinupharidine

Two of the majorNuphar alkaloids, nupharolutine and 6,6′-dihydroxythiobinupharidine, were isolated from the aquatic perennial herbNuphar lutea (L.) Sibth. & Sm., yellow water lily. In a lettuce seedling bioassay of the two pure compounds, the former was inactive and the latter was highly inhibitory of radicle elongation at concentrations greater than 2 ppm. Structures and stereochemistry of the two compounds were confirmed by DEPT,1H-1H COSY,1H-13C COSY, and1H-1H NOESY experiments.
Materials science: Lead-free at last

The most successful piezoelectric ceramics are based on lead zirconate and lead titanate. Environmental concerns over their lead content could disappear with the advent of a new ceramic that is lead-free.
Primary structure of rat chromogranin A and distribution of its mRNA.

The primary structure of rat chromogranin A has been deduced from a rat adrenal cDNA clone. A comparison of rat and bovine chromogranin A reveals several similar features: clusters of polyglutamic acid, similar amino acid composition, position of seven of 10 pairs of basic amino acids, identical placement of the only two cysteine residues, a highly conserved N- and C-terminus, and a sequence homologous to porcine pancreastatin 1–49 [(1986) Nature 324, 476–478]. Unique features of rat chromogranin A are an eicosaglutamine sequence and two potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Chromogranin A mRNA is detectable in adrenal medulla, anterior pituitary, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus, as well as tumor cell lines derived from pancreas, pituitary, and adrenal medulla.
Monovalent ion and calcium ion fluxes in sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The ion permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles from skeletal and heart muscle has been characterized by radioisotope flux, osmotic and membrane potential measurements, and by incorporating vesicles into planar phospholipid bilayers. The sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane is uniquely permeable to various biologically relevant monovalent ions. At least two and possibly three separate passive permeation systems for monovalent ions have been identified: 1) a K+, Na+ channel, 2) an anion channel, and 3) a H+ (OH−) permeable pathway which may or may not be synonymous with the anion channel. A possible physiological function of these monovalent ion permeation systems is to permit rapid movement of K+, Na+, H+ and Cl across the membrane to counter electrogenic Ca2+ fluxes during Ca2+ release and uptake by sacroplasmic reticulum.
THE SOCIAL SECURITY CRISIS: AN INTERNATIONAL DILEMMA

Social security systems throughout the world are in a dilemma. The over-expansion of the sixties has compounded the current recession's unemployment and other problems and created an “ideal” system difficult for the economically depressed countries to alter. Older workers are particularly hard hit during recessions. They are often pressured into retirement, with no financial or career alternatives, in an attempt to free up jobs for younger and hard-to-place workers. Many schemes have been devised to compensate older workers for their losses: high unemployment compensation, partial unemployment benefits and a liberal interpretation of disability insurance and other assistance programmes not specifically designed for the elderly. The author exposes many proposals for altering social security but concludes that most schemes have not yet been implemented. While international economic recovery would surely heal the ailing systems, the author contends there are remedial measures, largely ignored at present, that could be taken to soothe the systems' wounds.
Cerebral lateralization in homosexual males: a preliminary EEG investigation

A preliminary investigation was conducted to determine whether hemispheric patterns of electrophysiological activation in male homosexuals differ from that of male and female heterosexuals. Electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was recorded over left and right cerebral hemispheric locations while subjects performed verbal and spatial cognitive tasks. Male homosexuals demonstrated different patterns of alpha power compared to heterosexual males and females during baseline recording. Different hemispheric patterns of alpha activity also were observed between homosexual and heterosexual males during affective judgments of both verbal and spatial stimuli, but not between homosexual males and heterosexual females. These results provide further evidence of biologically-mediated functional differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals.
The association of the population recruitment of gulf menhaden, Brevoortia patronus, with Mississippi River discharge

Abstract Gulf menhaden, Brevoortia patronus, which constitutes a major industrial reduction fishery in the USA, spawn across the northern Gulf of Mexico with a focus of spawning about the Mississippi Delta. This species is estuarine dependent; adults spawn over the continental shelf and their larvae are transported, by mechanisms that are presently not well understood, to estuarine nursery areas. Larval gulf menhaden, along with some other surface oriented larval fishes, appear to aggregate along the Mississippi River plume front, while evidence of the ecological consequences of this aggregation in terms of the feeding, growth, and survival of larvae is ambiguous. On an annual scale, Mississippi River discharge is negatively associated with numbers of half year old recruits. Discharge of the Mississippi River and the population recruitment of gulf menhaden may be plausibly linked through the action of the river's plume and its front on the shoreward transport of larvae. Greater river discharge results in an expansive plume that might project larvae farther offshore and prolong the shoreward transport of larvae. An indirect, decadal scale, positive response of recruitment and river discharge is possible, but not certain. Recruitment became elevated after 1975 when river discharge increased and became highly variable. This response might owe to enhanced primary and secondary production driven by nutrient influx from the Mississippi River.
Multiple Tense Bullae Localized to the Right Breast in a Woman in Her Seventies

Awoman in her 70s presented with a 1-month history of multiple tense bullae on the right breast associated with worsening erythema and tenderness. Four months prior, she had completed radiation therapy (RT) to this site (total energy dose, 50 Gy [to convert to rad,multiplyby 100]) for treatmentof invasiveductal breast carcinoma.Shewas initially treatedwithdicloxacillin sodiumforpossible bullous impetigo after a culture demonstrated Staphylococcus aureus but was then hospitalized for administration of broadspectrum intravenous antibiotics after demonstrating no clinical improvement. On physical examination, thereweremultiple tense 0.5to 3-cm bullae localized to the right breast (Figure, A and B). The bullae, aswell asmultiple erosions and surrounding erythema, occurredwithin thepreviously irradiated site, as demarcatedby radiation tattoos (Figure, A). There was no involvement of mucosal membranes. Punch biopsies were performed (Figure, C and D). What is your diagnosis?
Machine traces and protocol statements.

In this paper the author examines some assumptions underlying efforts in the computer simulation of cognitive processes. It is argued that the validity of simulations as confirmations of theories or models depends on there being logically analogous relations between machine trace and computer operations on the one hand, and human protocols and human operations on the other. This assumption is shown to be highly speculative and considerations are raised for and against it.
Mediation of artifacts in behavioral research.

Abstract An integrative artifact model is developed from a combination of role theory and McGuire's information-processing theory of social influence. The main extraneous sources of systematic error are reduced to three conjoint mediators, the end product of which determines the likelihood that a subject will positively or negatively react to demand characteristics. Conditions thought to affect the mediating variables are noted, and the practical advantage of this combinatory view is discussed as it applies to estimating the inferential validity of experimental findings in psychology.
Slingerland Receives 2012 G. K. Gilbert Award: Response

I'm deeply honored to receive the Earth and Planetary Surface Processes G. K. Gilbert Award, in no small part because Gilbert's application of simple physical principles to Earth surface processes has always been an inspiration to me. My desire to study the transportation of debris by running water started a long time ago on our family farm, where re-engineering the local stream with a backhoe was a rewarding afternoon activity.
Mastalgia: Tailoring treatment to type of breast pain

Breast pain is a common, often distressing problem among women. After significant disease is ruled out, most patients respond to simple reassurance. Others, however, require treatment because symptoms interfere with their lifestyle. The authors offer practical suggestions for tailoring treatment for these patients according to type of pain--cyclical mastalgia, non-cyclical mastalgia, or chest wall pain.
Coulomb "Blockade" of nuclear spin relaxation in quantum dots.

We study the mechanism of nuclear spin relaxation in quantum dots due to the electron exchange with the 2D gas. We show that the nuclear spin relaxation rate $1/{T}_{1}$ is dramatically affected by the Coulomb blockade (CB) and can be controlled by gate voltage. In the case of strong spin-orbit (SO) coupling the relaxation rate is maximal in the CB valleys, whereas for the weak SO coupling the maximum of $1/{T}_{1}$ is near the CB peaks.
Radioiododestannylation: Preparation of radioiodinated vinyl alcohols and selected evaluation in rats

Radioiododestannylation has been employed to prepare a series of radioiodinated vinyl alcohols, two of which were evaluated for their tissue distribution in rats. The radioiodination method utilized tri-alkylstannylvinyl intermediates that can be prepared in good yields from 1,2-bis(tributylstannyl) ethylene and the appropriate ketones or by hydrostannation of the corresponding ethynyl alcohols. The radiolabeling proceeded at the no-carrier-added level to give, after HPLC separation, the desired products in 85-95% isolated yields. Tissue distribution studies in the rat indicated that the agents were rapidly extracted by the brain and then quickly cleared. No retention of activity was observed in the nonmetabolizing or nonexcretory organs. Chemically, the use of the E-tributylstannylvinyl lithium followed by radioiodination controlled stereochemistry and eliminated the separation of E- and Z-iodovinyl isomers. Biologically, the compounds behaved as neutral, diffusible and nonmetabolized radiotracers that may be used for the evaluation of cerebral blood flow, potentially with the short-lived radionuclide I-122 or other short-lived radiohalogens.
POLYMER-MODIFIED GADOLINIUM NANOPARTICLES FOR TARGETED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND THERAPY

Functional imaging is a novel area in radiological sciences and allows for the non-invasive assessment and visualization of specific targets such as gene and protein expression, metabolic rates, and drug delivery in intact living subjects. As such, the field of molecular imaging has been defined as the non-invasive, quantitative, and repetitive imaging of biomolecules and biological processes in living organisms. For example, cancer cells may be genetically altered to attract molecules that alter the magnetic susceptibility, thereby permitting their identification by magnetic resonance imaging. These contrast agents and/or molecular reporters are seen as essential to the task of molecular medicine to increase both sensitivity and specificity of imaging. Therefore, there are five general principles which need to be fulfilled in order to conduct a successful in vivo molecular imaging study: (1) selection of appropriate cellular and subcellular targets; (2) development of suitable in vivo affinity ligands (molecular probes); (3) delivery of these probes to the target organ; (4) amplification strategies able to detect minimal target concentrations; and (5) development of imaging systems with high resolution. Although there has been a wide range of routes taken to incorporate both imaging agents and a disease-targeting moiety into diagnostic devices, arguably the most interesting of these routes employs the use of nanoparticles. Nanoscale diagnostic systems that incorporate molecular targeting agents and diagnostic imaging capabilities are emerging as the next-generation imaging agents and have the potential to dramatically improve the outcome of the imaging, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of diseases. The present review addresses chemical aspects in development of molecular probes based upon gadolinium nanoparticles and their potential role in translational clinical imaging and therapy.
A regulatory role for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in ML-1 human myeloblastic leukemia cell maturation.

Abstract ML-1 human myeloblastic leukemia cells are induced to differentiate to monocytes by conditioned medium (CM) derived from tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA)-treated ML-1 cells. Antibodies to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibited the differentiation-stimulating activity of CM, indicating that this activity is due to the presence of TNF in CM. TNF added to non-conditioned medium was as effective as CM in stimulating ML-1 cell differentiation. In the presence of a low (0.12 ng/ml) concentration of TPA, TNF-induced maturation was synergistically increased and type I macrophages were formed. With higher (1–10 ng/ml) TPA concentrations, Type II macrophages were also obtained. As the TNF/TPA concentration increased, ML-1 cell differentiation was increasingly inhibited. Mature cells derived from ML-1 cells were found to secrete TNF at concentrations ranging from 180 U/ml, the amount depending upon the number of cells and the stage of cell maturation. These results indicate that TNF participates in the regulation of precursor cell maturation. Low concentrations of TNF produced by small numbers of mature cells stimulate differentiation, whereas high concentrations of TNF generated by elevated numbers of macrophages inhibit the maturation process, possibly in combination with other cytokines. Because TNF serves as a competence factor for ML-1 cells, (Guan X.-P., Takuma T., Hromchak R. & Bloch A. (1990) Competence and progression in cell differentiation. Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res. 31, 28.), the TNF-induced stimulation of differentiation depends additionally on the action of serum-contained differentiation-specific progression factors.
Monopole annihilation and causality.

It is shown that, contrary to a recent claim, causality alone does not impose any interesting constraints on the rate of monopole annihilation. We study a two-dimensional analog of the models in which monopoles get connected by strings and use a Monte Carlo simulation of the phase transitions to determine the length distribution of strings. The result is that long strings are exponentially suppressed. We then argue that for any initial length distribution of strings in two or three dimensions, an exponential distribution is eventually established by intercommutings or by spontaneous breaking of strings.
Soil pH Effects on Nitrification of Fall-Applied Anhydrous Ammonia

Soil temperature at the time of application has been the primary factor used to predict rates of nitrification and assess the risks associated with losses of N applied in the fall as anhydrous ammonia in the Corn Belt. We report studies assessing the importance of soil pH as a factor affecting nitrification rates and losses of this N before corn (Zea Mays L.) begins rapid growth in June. Data were collected in a series of field studies conducted during 4 yr. Anhydrous ammonia was applied in the fall after soils had cooled to 7.5. Significant relationships between soil pH and percentage nitrification were observed each year. Means of measurements made in mid-April (when planting begins) indicated 89% nitrification of fertilizer N in soils having pH > 7.5 and 39% nitrification of this N in soils having pH < 6.0. The finding that soil pH influenced when nitrification occurred helps to explain why the effects of nitrification inhibitors have been variable in this region. Significant relationships between soil pH and recovery of fertilizer N as exchangeable NH + 4 and NO - 3 were observed in years with above-average rainfall before samples were collected in April. The effects of soil pH on nitrification, therefore, influenced the amounts of NO - 3 lost by denitrification or leaching during spring rainfall. The observed effects of pH on nitrification rates suggest that economic and environmental benefits of delaying application of fertilizer N may be greater in higher-pH soils than in lower-pH soils.
Planning and Evaluating Management Education and Development: Why So Little Attention to Such Basic Concerns?

There are probably very few college management teachers, industry trainers, or organisation development specialists that have heard of Hamburger University. Believe it or not, Hamburger University really does exist in Elk Grove Village, Illinois and it is a very large operation. You guessed it — Hamburger University is the international training centre for McDonald's Corporation and since its establishment in the basement of a Chicago restaurant in 1961, it has graduated almost 20,000 McDonald's managers and franchisees.
Stability of Footings Adjacent to Pile Walls

AbstractThe stability of a footing may be destabilized near a retaining wall because of increased lateral displacement and decreased soil confining pressure. The stability of footing within this footing–soil–wall system is complex and not predicted using the classical solutions utilized for a semi-infinite footing–soil system. In this study, the bearing capacity of a concrete footing placed near a wall of spaced driven concrete piles using three-dimensional finite-element (FE) analysis with ANSYS 13.0 is investigated. All system materials are idealized as nonlinear, elastic–perfectly plastic, and rate independent using the upper bound function of the Drucker–Prager yield criterion. Three different soil deposits are studied: kaolin, silty clay, and kaolin–sand. A total of 144 unique FE analysis runs are executed. The footing bearing capacity is computed from the output footing pressure–settlement curve using several well-known postprocessing linearization criteria from which the lowest value is chosen. Soi...
Housing prices and flood risk: An examination using spline regression

This article examines the impact of flood risk and mandatory flood insurance on property values. Using a large data set of almost 2,000 homes sold in the New Orleans, Louisiana, area from 1971 through 1986, the analysis confirms the finding of earlier studies that location in a floodplain does reduce property values. The present study, using spline variables to adjust for locational variation in the data and an improved measure of insurance cost, reveals that much of this reduction can be attributed to mandatory flood insurance coverage. Moreover, while unexpected flooding does increase the insurance cost capitalization, repeated flooding does not seem to reduce property values further.