cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cross-sectional relations of multiple biomarkers representing distinct biological pathways to plasma markers of collagen metabolism in the community

Objective Hyperhomocysteinemia, neurohormonal activation, inflammation and altered fibrinolysis have been linked to atherothrombosis as well as to myocardial fibrosis and heart failure. Hence, we related a panel of biomarkers representing these pathways to plasma markers of collagen metabolism in a large community-based sample. Methods We related nine biomarkers representing select biologic pathways (independent variables: C-reactive protein, B-type natriuretic peptide, N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide, aldosterone, renin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and homocysteine) to three plasma markers of collagen turnover [dependent variables, separate models for each: aminoterminal propeptide of type III collagen, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (present versus absent)] in 921 Framingham Heart study participants (mean age 57 years; 58% women). Participants were separated a priori into those with left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions and wall thickness below sex-specific median values (referent group) and either measure at least 90th sex-specific percentile (‘remodeled’ group). We used stepwise multivariable regression analysis adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors to relate the panel of systemic biomarkers to the three biomarkers of collagen metabolism. Results Plasma homocysteine was positively related to all three markers of collagen metabolism in the remodeled group and to aminoterminal propeptide of type III collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in the referent group. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 was positively related to aminoterminal propeptide of type III collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in both groups, whereas the natriuretic peptides were associated positively with these collagen markers in the referent group. Conclusion In our large community-based sample, plasma homocysteine and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were positively related to circulating collagen biomarkers, consistent with experimental studies implicating these pathways in cardiovascular collagen turnover.
The probability of survival of a subterranean target under mtensive attack

Abstract : The report deals with the analysis of a model for studying the probability of survival of a subterranean target under an intensive attack. Most of the analysis is based on the assumption that the explosions are circularly distributed about the target and that the number of explosions is known. In the last two sections it is shown what effect a relaxation of these assumptions has on the probability of survival of the target. (Author)
Long-Term Outcome Following Radical Prostatectomy in Men With Clinical Stage T3 Prostate Cancer

Purpose: We evaluated patients at our institution who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinical stage T3 prostate cancer to determine their long-term clinical outcomes.Materials and Methods: We reviewed our prospective surgical database and identified 176 men who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy for clinical stage T3 prostate cancer from 1983 to 2003. Clinical and pathological data were reviewed and evaluated in a Cox proportional hazards model to determine preoperative predictors of biochemical recurrence. Clinical progression following biochemical recurrence was evaluated and clinical failure was defined as the development of clinical metastases or progression to hormone refractory prostate cancer.Results: Of the 176 patients with cT3 prostate cancer 64 (36%) received neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. At a mean followup of 6.4 years 84 (48%) patients had disease recurrence with a median time to biochemical recurrence of 4.6 years. The actuarial 10-year probability of freedom from recurrence was...
Automated ECG profiling and beat classification

Recent trends in clinical and telemedicine applications highly demand automation in (electrocardiogram) ECG signal processing and heart beat classification. A real-time patient-adaptive cardiac profiling scheme using repetition detection is proposed in this paper. We introduce a novel local ECG beat classifier to profile each patient's normal cardiac behavior. As ECG morphologies vary from person to person, and even for each person, it can vary depending on the person's physical condition, having such profile is essential for various diagnosis (e.g. arrhythmia) purposes, and can successfully raise an early warning flag for the abnormal cardiac behavior of any individual. Experimental results show that our technique follows the MIT/BIH arrhythmia database annotations with high accuracy.
The Role of Courtship Behavior and Size in Mate Preference in the Sex-Role-Reversed Gulf Pipefish, Syngnathus scovelli

In sex-role-reversed species, sexual selection acts more strongly on females than on males, a situation that can result in the evolution of secondary sexual traits in females and strong mating preferences in males. While some research exploring mating preferences in sex-role-reversed species has been conducted, overall, this topic remains relatively unexplored. The Gulf pipefish, Syngnathus scovelli, is a highly polyandrous pipefish species. Sexual selection is significantly stronger in females than in males, which has led to the evolution of both morphological and behavioral female secondary sexual traits. However, because males gestate the offspring in specialized pouches and make a substantial investment in embryos during development, females may also benefit from being choosy. The goal of this study was to examine both male and female mating preferences in this species. We found that male mating preference was significantly associated with female courtship behavior. Larger females were also able to maintain these behaviors for longer intervals than smaller females. No evidence of female mating preference in regard to male size was observed but the data suggest that male behaviors may be providing positive reinforcement to courting females. This research provides further insight into how mate preferences vary among sex-role-reversed species.
The Omega-3 Fatty Acid Eicosapentaenoic Acid Is Required for Normal Alcohol Response Behaviors in C. elegans

Alcohol addiction is a widespread societal problem, for which there are few treatments. There are significant genetic and environmental influences on abuse liability, and understanding these factors will be important for the identification of susceptible individuals and the development of effective pharmacotherapies. In humans, the level of response to alcohol is strongly predictive of subsequent alcohol abuse. Level of response is a combination of counteracting responses to alcohol, the level of sensitivity to the drug and the degree to which tolerance develops during the drug exposure, called acute functional tolerance. We use the simple and well-characterized nervous system of Caenorhabditis elegans to model the acute behavioral effects of ethanol to identify genetic and environmental factors that influence level of response to ethanol. Given the strong molecular conservation between the neurobiological machinery of worms and humans, cellular-level effects of ethanol are likely to be conserved. Increasingly, variation in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid levels has been implicated in complex neurobiological phenotypes in humans, and we recently found that fatty acid levels modify ethanol responses in worms. Here, we report that 1) eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, is required for the development of acute functional tolerance, 2) dietary supplementation of eicosapentaenoic acid is sufficient for acute tolerance, and 3) dietary eicosapentaenoic acid can alter the wild-type response to ethanol. These results suggest that genetic variation influencing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid levels may be important abuse liability loci, and that dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids may be an important environmental modulator of the behavioral response to ethanol.
Genetic determinants of atherosclerosis, obesity, and energy balance in consomic mice

Metabolic diseases such as obesity and atherosclerosis result from complex interactions between environmental factors and genetic variants. A panel of chromosome substitution strains (CSSs) was developed to characterize genetic and dietary factors contributing to metabolic diseases and other biological traits and biomedical conditions. Our goal here was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) contributing to obesity, energy expenditure, and atherosclerosis. Parental strains C57BL/6 and A/J together with a panel of 21 CSSs derived from these progenitors were subjected to chronic feeding of rodent chow and atherosclerotic (females) or diabetogenic (males) test diets, and evaluated for a variety of metabolic phenotypes including several traits unique to this report, namely fat pad weights, energy balance, and atherosclerosis. A total of 297 QTLs across 35 traits were discovered, two of which provided significant protection from atherosclerosis, and several dozen QTLs modulated body weight, body composition, and circulating lipid levels in females and males. While several QTLs confirmed previous reports, most QTLs were novel. Finally, we applied the CSS quantitative genetic approach to energy balance, and identified three novel QTLs controlling energy expenditure and one QTL modulating food intake. Overall, we identified many new QTLs and phenotyped several novel traits in this mouse model of diet-induced metabolic diseases.
The Secrets of Supervolcanoes

The article focuses on supervolcanoes. According to the author, there are two supervolcanoes of "unimaginable fury" beneath California and Wyoming. The author reviews the geological make up of supervolcanos and present a a review of their history in geology. Details related to what would happen if one of the earth's supervolcanoes were to erupt are discussed. INSETS: MORE TO EXPLORE;BIG, BIGGER, BIGGEST;Overview/MIghty Eruptions.
Simian virus 40-induced chromosome changes in human epidermal cultures

Abstract Chromosomal aberrations in human epidermal keratinocytes are described for the first time; the cells were transformed in vitro by the oncogenic virus, SV40 (Simian virus 40). The majority of metaphases exhibited hypotetraploid chromosome numbers and configurations indicative of frequent chromosomal breakage and fusion(s). The abnormalities were associated with segregational errors during various stages of mitosis; these errors were about 30 times as frequent in the transformed cells as in the uninfected keratinocytes. The pattern of karyotypic changes induced by the SV40 virus is similar to that previously observed in infected human fibroblasts, indicating that the alterations are viral-driven rather than cel-determined.
Sex-role stereotypes in northern india and the united states

Volunteer college students in India (112 men and 113 women) rated the desirability of 104 traits for Indian men or for Indian women. Similar data for 60 of the traits in a United States sample were compared to Indian results, revealing some cross-cultural similarities in sex roles, but fewer sex-role distinctions in the Indian sample, especially for traits related to assertiveness. Traits rated more desirable for Indian males suggested a pattern of enterpreneurial tendencies. Traits rated more desirable for Indian females suggested a pattern of expressive tendencies. Traits highly desirable in Indian society include those related to ability, interpersonal warmth, trustworthiness, interpersonal strength, motivation, and family orientation.
Apoptosis of leukocytes: basic concepts and implications in uremia.

Apoptosis of leukocytes: Basic concepts and implications in uremia. Circulating blood leukocytes have short life expectancies and end their lives by committing programmed cell death or apoptosis. Apoptosis is an active form of cell death that is initiated by a number of stimuli and is intricately regulated. Apoptosis in both excessive and reduced amounts has pathological implications. Evidence suggests that apoptosis may play a role in the pathophysiology of immune dysfunction in uremia. Indeed, accelerated programmed cell death has been observed in lymphocytes, monocytes, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes among patients with chronic renal failure. This may be due in part to the retention of uremic toxins. The aim of this article is to review the evidence for accelerated leukocyte apoptosis, key regulatory apoptotic pathways, and the possible role of this highly organized process in the pathogenesis of immune dysfunction in uremia.
Impact of tunneling on hydrogen-migration of the n-propylperoxy radical

The kinetics of three unimolecular reactions of the n-propylperoxy radical were studied by canonical variational transition state theory and multidimensional small curvature tunneling (SCT). The reactions studied were 1,5 and 1,4 H-migration, and HO2 elimination. Benchmark calculations were carried out at the CCSD(T) level in order to determine which density functional to use for SCT calculations for each reaction. For 1,5 and 1,4 H-migration, and HO2 elimination, the M05-2X, B3LYP and B1B95 functionals, respectively, performed closest to the benchmark when coupled to the 6-311+G(2df,2p) basis set. The SCT tunneling corrections, κ(T), computed here were much larger than those calculated from the Wigner or zero-curvature tunneling treatments at low temperatures, but the asymmetric Eckart method works surprisingly well in these three reactions. Comparison of energy-dependent transmission coefficients, Γ(E), indicates that not only the magnitude, but also the sign, of the error in the Eckart approximation is a function of energy; therefore, the error introduced by using the Eckart approach depends strongly on the steady state energy distribution. These results may provide guidance for future studies of tunneling effects in reactions of other peroxy radicals.
Uncovering molecular elements of brain-body communication during development and treatment of neuropathic pain.

Integral to neuropathic pain is a reciprocal interaction between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) production and the α2-adrenergic receptor response, offering an attractive therapeutic target. The effects of varying levels of brain TNF on α2-adrenergic regulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) production in the hippocampus and sciatic nerve were investigated during the development and amitriptyline treatment of chronic pain. Increased levels of TNF during the development of chronic pain transform α2-adrenergic inhibition of cAMP production in the brain to potentiation. While α2-adrenergic receptors regulate TNF production, they also affect descending noradrenergic pathways. Increases in levels of TNF in the brain deeply impact peripheral inflammation through regulating α2-adrenergic receptors, offering insight into brain–body interactions during neuropathic pain. Amitriptyline as an analgesic inhibits pain-induced increases in brain-associated TNF and transforms peripheral α2-adrenergic receptors. The dynamic equilibrium between TNF levels and α2-adrenergic functioning is uniquely altered during development and treatment of neuropathic pain. Proper manipulations of this interaction offer efficacious treatment of neuropathic pain.
Maternal Size and Age Shape Offspring Size in a Live-Bearing Fish, Xiphophorus birchmanni

Many studies of offspring size focus on differences in maternal investment that arise from ecological factors such as predation or competition. Classic theory predicts that these ecological factors will select for an optimal offspring size, and therefore that variation in a given environment will be minimized. Yet recent evidence suggests maternal traits such as size or age could also drive meaningful variation in offspring size. The generality of this pattern is unclear, as some studies suggest that it may represent non-adaptive variation or be an artifact of temporal or spatial differences in maternal environments. To clarify this pattern, we asked how maternal size, age and condition are related to each other in several populations of the swordtail Xiphophorus birchmanni. We then determined how these traits are related to offspring size, and whether they could resolve unexplained intra-population variation in this trait. We found that female size, age, and condition are correlated within populations; at some of these sites, older, larger females produce larger offspring than do younger females. The pattern was robust to differences among most, but not all, sites. Our results document a pattern that is consistent with recent theory predicting adaptive age- and size-dependence in maternal investment. Further work is needed to rule out non-adaptive explanations for this variation. Our results suggest that female size and age could play an under-appreciated role in population growth and evolution.
Determining fatigue allowances for grocery order selectors

This paper compares and contrasts four fatigue allowance worksheets commonly used to establish fatigue (relaxation) allowances for production standards; the factors, weights, degree of documentation and other operational characteristics of these worksheets are also examined. We briefly review the fatigue literature including objective physical measures of fatigue. Results of an experiment in which 11 industrial engineers independently applied the four worksheets to a standardized job analysis and video tape of a grocery order selector are reported. We conclude that inter-rater reliability and cross-validation are very low for the four worksheets and suggest validation studies using objective physiological measures of fatigue would be appropriate.
Day care renal biopsy

Over the 6 years 1989-1994, 384 percutaneous renal biopsies were performed, 329 on native and 55 on transplanted kidneys. Biopsy was undertaken on a day care basis in 304 instances (79.2%). Failure to obtain 5 or more glomeruli was experienced in 23 (6.0%) of the 304 day care biopsies. There were no significant differences in technical failure rates between day care patients and inpatients, local analgesia and general anaesthetic, or native and transplanted kidneys, but a higher rate was observed in biopsies performed unaided by trainees than by experienced operators (P = 0.002). Six patients were detained overnight for minor complications and a seventh for unrelated reasons. Two patients discharged on the day of biopsy despite gross haematuria were readmitted 8-10 days later with secondary haemorrhage. The complication rate of 2.6% compares favourably with published data. Few paediatric renal units currently perform day care renal biopsy, and we recommend its wider acceptance.
The impact of PMOST bias-temperature degradation on logic circuit reliability performance

This work investigated the impact of pMOST bias-temperature (BT) degradation on logic product's speed (Fmax) and minimum allowed operating voltage (Vccmin). BT degradation occurs during the product Burn-In and under the normal circuit operation. The interaction of device degradation and circuit performance is explained. Fluorine implants after poly etch and before hard-mask removal are utilized to separate out the BT instability effects from other reliability degradations. Physical mechanism and degradation models are proposed to explain the interaction of fluorine with device and circuit reliability. Process optimization, such as fluorine implant, can be used to reduce the pMOST BT impact on circuit degradation. Reliability guardband in Fmax and Vccmin is recommended, as part of the production testing to ensure reliable logic product performance and functionality during the product's lifetime. A guardband methodology is also discussed in the paper.
Does multidetector-row CT eliminate the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in assessing the resectability of pancreatic head adenocarcinoma?

We hypothesized that the high-quality images from multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) would lead to improved sensitivity and specificity for predicting resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma, thus diminishing the value of staging laparoscopy. Forty four consecutive patients underwent thin-section dual-phase MDCT to stage their tumor, followed by an attempted pancreaticoduodenectomy. Four radiologists who were blinded to the operative outcome reviewed the scans and graded the presence of distant and nodal metastases, as well as the degree of arterial and portal involvement. The radiologic criteria for resectability were no distant metastasis, a patent portal vein, and <50% arterial involvement. The overall resectability for this cohort was 52% (23/44). The 21 unresectable cases, included five liver metastases, three peritoneal metastases, and 13 locally invasive tumors. The negative margin resection rate was 34% (15/44). There were no portal vein resections. The sensitivity and specificity of MDCT for predicting resectability were 96% (22/23) and 33% (7/21), respectively. In this cohort, the positive and negative predictive values were 61% (22/36) and 87.5% (7/8), respectively. As determined by univariate logistic regression, only the degree of arterial involvement was a significant predictor of resectability (p = 0.02). As determined by multivariate logistic regression using both arterial and portal involvement, arterial involvement was predictive (p = 0.03) but portal vein involvement was not (p = 0.45). Despite the improvements in image quality obtained with multidetector-row technology, CT imaging remains a relatively nonspecific test for predicting resectability in patients with adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas. Minimally invasive modalities with higher specificity, particularly laparoscopy, continue to have an important role in staging pancreatic head adenocarcinoma.
Comparison of calculated and measured lower critical field for some Nb-Ti alloys

Abstract An expression is obtained from the Maki theory for H c1 (0) in terms of three measurable material constants T c , ρ n , and H c2 * (0). The calculations are compared to the measured H c1 vs. T extrapolated to T =0 K for three vacuum annealed Nb−Ti alloys. Values of H c1 (0) are also determined from the computation of Harden and Arp. Both sets of calculated values differ greatly from the measured values showing that the Maki theory is not applicable for k GL T =0 K in disagreement with recent results of Echarri et al. Analysis of data available in the literature supports our conclusions. Comparison of the magnetization data near T c with the theory of Neumann and Tewordt shows reasonable agreement.
A serum-free culture medium for channel catfish in vitro immune responses

This paper describes a chemically defined serum-free medium which supports channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) lymphocyte mitogen responses to both LPS and ConA as well as proliferation in mixed lymphocyte reactions. Furthermore, this medium has been successfully used to support catfish antibody production in primary and secondary in vitro responses to both thymus independent and thymus dependent antigens. The medium, designated ‘A-L’, is an isotonic 1:1 mixture of two commercially available media, AIM-V and Leibovitz's L-15. Although the essential nutrients contained in this serum-free medium have not yet been identified, it appears that D(+) galactose is an important ingredient for catfish T cell proliferation. This serum-free culture system will permit investigations into new areas of channel catfish immune regulation.
PECULIAR SPIN AND STATISTICS IN TWO SPACE DIMENSIONS

This is an elementary, self-contained review of some peculiarities of quantum mechanics for 2+1 dimensional systems that are at least instructive and perhaps important. In particular, we argue that angular momentum need not be quantized and that statistics interpolating between Fermi and Bose statistics can be constructed. There are possible direct applications to collective excitations in solids and to cosmic strings, and an important moral lesson regarding the “wave function of the universe.”
Interactions of membrane-active peptides with thick, neutral, nonzwitterionic bilayers.

Alamethicin is a well-studied channel-forming peptide that has a prototypical amphipathic helix structure. It permeabilizes both microbial and mammalian cell membranes, causing loss of membrane polarization, and leakage of endogenous contents. Antimicrobial peptide-lipid systems have been studied quite extensively and have led to significant advancements in membrane biophysics. These studies have been performed on lipid bilayers that are generally charged or zwitterionic and restricted to a thickness range of 3 – 5 nm. Bilayers of amphiphilic diblock copolymers are a relatively new class of membranes that can have significantly different material properties compared with those of lipid membranes. In particular, they can be made un-charged, non-zwitterionic, and much thicker than their lipid counterparts. In an effort to extend studies of membrane-protein interactions to these synthetic membranes, we have characterized the interactions of alamethicin and several other membrane-active peptides with diblock copolymer bilayers. We find that although alamethicin is too small to span the bilayer, the peptide interacts with, and ruptures thick polymer membranes.
Crassulacean acid metabolism: recent advances and future opportunities

The eight papers in this Special Issue of Functional Plant Biology span some of the highlights of the 4th International Congress on Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM-2004), held at the Granlibakken Resort and Conference Center, Tahoe City, California, USA, 29 July–2 August 2004. International meetings of this small but dedicated cadre of globally dispersed CAM researchers have been infrequent until 2001 when the International Society of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (ISCAM) (http://www.ag.unr.edu/cam/about.htm; validated 13 May 2005) was formally established. At the 3rd International CAM meeting held in 2001 in North Queensland, it was decided to make the International CAM Congress a more regular event, being held every third year in conjunction with the International Congress on Photosynthesis. A 5th International Congress on Crassulacean Acid metabolism (CAM-2007) is being planned for July 2007 in Cambridge, UK before the International Congress on Photosynthesis in Glasgow, UK. Previous meetings held in Riverside, CA (USA) in 1982 and in PanamaCity, Panama in 1993 each resulted inmonographs by Ting and Gibbs (1982) and Winter and Smith (1996). The CAM-2001 meeting resulted in the publication of a Special Issue of Functional Plant Biology. Following its success, we have been granted the opportunity to publish the results of the CAM-2004 proceedings in this Special Issue of Functional Plant Biology. I summarise below the highlights of the talks presented at the CAM-2004 meeting under four broad categories: economic importance; carbon acquisition, ecophysiology and evolution; circadian and environmental regulation; and intracellular transport processes. Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), a continuum of water saving photosynthetic carbonfixationmodes exhibiting
Construct Validity and Measurement Invariance of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-III Form A

The aim of this study was to apply the Rasch model to an analysis of the psychometric properties of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test--III Form A (PPVT--IIIA) items with struggling adult readers. The PPVT--IIIA was administered to 229 African American adults whose isolated word reading skills were between third and fifth grades. Conformity of the adults' performance on the PPVT--IIIA items was evaluated using the Winsteps software. Analysis of all PPVT--IIIA items combined did not fully support its use as a useful measure of receptive vocabulary for struggling adult readers who were African Americans. To achieve an adequate model fit, Items 73 through 156 were analyzed. The items analyzed showed adequate internal consistency reliability, unidimensionality, and freedom from differential item functioning for ability, gender, and age, with a minor modification. With an appropriate treatment of misfit items, the results supported the measurement properties, internal consistency reliability, unidimensionalit...
Quantitative Insight into Rational Tornado Design Wind Speeds for Residential Wood-Frame Structures Using Fragility Approach

AbstractTornadoes are an extremely devastating natural hazard that have significant consequences but are currently not considered in the structural design codes due to their low probability of occurrence. These low-occurrence high-consequence events have been studied but not to the extent of other natural hazards. This paper presents the results of a study whose objective was to provide quantitative insight into a rational design wind speed for tornadoes considering the current state-of-practice in construction methods. Five archetype buildings were selected to be representative of the typical residential structure design space in tornado-prone regions of the United States. Wind analysis was performed using the ASCE standard loading in combination with modification factors for tornadic winds developed from the available literature. Fragilities were developed for the main components along the vertical load path that included roof sheathing and roof-to-wall connection. Then, system fragilities for the combi...
An All Digital Implementation of M-VSB MODEM using Advanced Digital Signal Processing Techniques

This paper presents a DSP based implementation of a vestigial side band (VSB) modem. Utilizing the flexibility of advanced/multirate signal processing techniques, a novel method is first used to generate the VSB signal at the modulator. The focus of this paper is the design of the demodulator where we demonstrate efficient carrier & timing synchronization techniques. We show that with a small change in perspective, the VSB signal can be viewed as an off-set quadrature phase shift keying (O-QPSK) signal. We exploit this perspective and present algorithms and structures applicable to O-QPSK to perform carrier and timing recovery for M-VSB
A scientific note on Bombus ( Psithyrus ) insularis invasions of bumblebee nests and honeybee hives in the western USA

Bumblebees (Bombus) in the subgenus Psithyrus are obligate social parasites that usurp the nests of other bumblebees in order to reproduce. Usurpation occurs after nest establishment by the host species when, upon entry to the nest, the invading Psithyrus kills or suppresses the host queen and dominates host workers to rear her offspring, but considerable behavioral variation occurs in host–parasite interactions among members of the genus (Fisher 1988). While many Psithyrus species are known to parasitize a number of species, few of the relationships are well understood. Of the six North American Psithyrus species, most have been recorded from the nests of several host species, and it is reasonable to assume that each host species reacts differently to an invasion. In addition to usurping bumblebee nests, Plath (1927) noted that females of Psithyrus laboriosus (=Bombus citrinus (Smith)) would attempt to invade honeybee hives (Apis mellifera L.). This was noted as a “dead end,” usually resulting in the death of the invading bee. Subsequently, records of several Bombus species attempting to enter honeybee hives were made by Morse and Gary (1961), but of these records, only 1 of the 28 bumblebees found in 25 honeybee colonies was a social parasite (B. citrinus). The authors attributed these nest invasions to resource robbing and not nest usurpation. Here, we report Bombus insularis (Smith) invading the nest of two bumblebee species in the subgenus Pyrobombus, Bombus huntii Greene, and Bombus bifarius Cresson, and attempted invasions of honeybee hives at four apiaries by B. insularis. During the summer of 2012, numerous female B. insularis were observed near bumblebee nest boxes and honeybee hives in Utah, USA. Although observations from previous years were not quantified, it is uncommon to see dead B. insularis around honeybee hives; for example in 2013 at apiary 1, we found no B. insularis at three colonies during weekly inspection. The exception was in 2007 when several dead B. insularis were observed at hive entrances at apiary 1. That year, a B. insularis was observed entering a honeybee hive and was forced out within a minute. When the invader exited the hive, it had several honeybee workers attacking her, by biting her legs and tegulae; however, the parasite managed to escape and fly away. The number of invasions in 2012 by B. insularis provided an opportunity to study aspects of nest usurpation and hive invasion. We collected dead B. insularis from the ground in front of honeybee hives at four apiary sites from 12 June to 12 August (Table I). Apiary 1 was inspected weekly for dead Psithyrus in front of the hives, and apiaries 2–4 were Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13592-014-0271-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Differential item responses on CES-D inventory: A comparison of elderly Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites in the United States and item usage by elderly Hispanics across time.

Objectives: This study examines the differential item functioning (DIF) on both the standard 20-item scale and 10-item and 12-item subsets of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) inventory. Method: Two elderly groups in the United States are compared: one composed of Hispanics and the other of non-Hispanic Whites. We also compare item use among the elderly Hispanics over time. Survey data was analyzed from participants (N = 4499) in the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) with complete data on the CES-D. Partial correlation analysis was applied to test hypotheses regarding the DIF on the basis of ethnic background and among the elderly Hispanics across time points. Results: Hispanics appear to express positive affect differently than non-Hispanic Whites. On the 20-item scale, Hispanics under responded to items measuring positive affect. Item bias was also found for one positive affect question in the 10-item subset. Among the Hispanic sub-populatio...
Compact silicon microring resonators with ultra-low propagation loss in the C band

– The propagation loss in compact silicon microring resonators is optimized with varied ring widths as well as bending radii. At the telecom band of 1.53–1.57 μm, we demonstrate as low as 3-4 dB/cm propagation losses in compact silicon microring resonators with a small bending radius of 5 μm, corresponding to a high intrinsic quality factor of 200,000-300,000. The loss is reduced to 2-3 dB/cm for a larger bending radius of 10 μm, and the intrinsic quality factor increases up to an ultrahigh value of 420,000. Slot-waveguide microring resonators with around 80% optical power confinement in the slot are also demonstrated with propagation losses as low as 1.3±0.2 dB/mm at 1.55 μm band. These loss numbers are believed to be among the lowest ones ever achieved in silicon microring resonators with similar sizes.
Working toward play: Complexity in children's fantasy activities

Children's play activities are widely perceived as developing from primitive to increasingly complex forms of social organization, as children mature and acquire interactional competency. Research following this traditional, developmentally oriented approach postulates that sports and games with rules are the most advanced and complex form of play activity; activities involving fantasy and pretend-play are viewed in comparison as considerably less complex. This article argues that fantasy play encounters exhibit complex features in their own right, and that long-held distinctions between higher-order games and fantasy play are conceptually overdrawn. The argument is grounded in a conversation analytic study of the play activities of a cross-sex, mixed-age neighborhood play group. This analysis focuses on the endogenous social organization of a fantasy play encounter. (Conversation analysis, children's play, socialization, social psychology)
An efficient generalized eigenvalue method for computing zeros

In this paper we discuss the numerical properties of a new algorithm for computing the zeros of linear multivariable systems and compare it with some earlier techniques of computing zeros. The new approach can handle both nonsquare and/or degenerate systems without difficulties whereas earlier methods would either fail or would require special treatment for these cases. The method is very efficient and backward stable in a rigorous sense.
R-S learning in brain damaged and control subjects

Brain damaged Ss displayed less symmetry in paired-associate learning than control Ss as measured by both absolute and relative R-S recall. This decrease in symmetry was apparent whether or not a marked deficiency in S-R learning was simultaneously present.
Neurological complications of connective tissue and other “collagen-vascular” diseases

A variety of neurological complications may occur in the various connective tissue and "collagen-vascular" diseases. Most of these complications are due to vasculitis affecting various sites in the central or peripheral nervous system. While the evidence for definitive vasculitis in SLE is not strong, small vessel damage usually is present in anatomic sites which correlate well with clinical features. Although patients with rheumatoid arthritis also may have vasculitis, neurological complications are usually related to nerve compression by rheumatoid nodules or the arthritic process itself. Considerable controversy exists regarding the accuracy of various diagnostic tests. While corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy for these conditions, there are no definitive studies proving their efficacy.
Degradation of aniline and chloroanilines by sunlight and microbes in estuarine water

Abstract The relative importance in estuarine water of photolysis and microbial degradation on aniline and a series of chloroanilines ( p -chloroaniline, 2,4-dichloroaniline, and 2,4,5-trichloroaniline) was determined. Photolysis was important for all compounds with photo-transformation half-lives in surface estuarine water ranging from 2 to 125 h. Photolysis rates were lower in estuarine water relative to distilled water, which we speculate was due to quenching of excited states by humics. There was no microbial degradation of chloroanilines during short-term incubations (up to 3 days). The half-lives of aniline in estuarine water was 27 and 173 h in the light and dark (microbial), respectively. Photolysis and microbial degradation rate constants decreased in winter. The winter decrease in photolysis rates correlated to a decrease in surface irradiance while the microbial degradation decrease correlated to the temperature decrease. There was rapid microbial degradation of the chloroamilines and aniline photoproducts. The mineralization of photoproducts of chloroanilines was carried out by bacteria, while microbes larger than 3 μm, e.g. algae, were responsible for the bioaccumulation of the compounds.
Characterization of YSZ-YST Composites for SOFC Anodes

Abstract Porous composites of Sr0.88Y0.08TiO3−δ (YST) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) were formed by tape-casting methods and examined as potential anodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). Even after calcination to 1773 K, the YSZ and YST crystallites remain as separate phases, as demonstrated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDX analysis. Furthermore, it was possible to fabricate anode-supported electrolytes by calcination of a bilayer tape formed by casting a thin YSZ tape over the green, YSZ–YST tape. Cells with anodes having 50-wt.% YST and 80-wt.% YST were tested and shown to yield good open-circuit voltages (OCV), although the power densities in H2 and CH4 between 973 and 1173 K were modest. Impedance spectra of the cells suggest that the conductivity of the YST–YSZ composites is insufficient for high performance.
MRF spotting technique for studying subsurface damage in deterministic microground polycrystalline alumina

We report on use of the magnetorheological finishing (MRF) spotting technique to estimate subsurface damage (SSD) depth resulting from deterministic microgrinding for polycrystalline alumina (PCA). With various microscopy techniques, we show how surface roughness evolves with the amount of material removed by an MRF spot. Two stages are identified. In the first stage the induced damaged layer and associated SSD from microgrinding are removed, reaching an optimal value of surface roughness. Here, the initial peak-to-valley (p-v) surface roughness from grinding gives a measure of the SSD depth found by spotting. In the second stage, where more material is removed from the nonrotating surface, the resulting surface roughness begins to show the interaction between MRF abrasive particles and the material's microstructure (crystal grains), i.e., the "MRF signature" for a specific material. We can examine the "MRF signature" across grains using power spectral density and characterize surface features that contribute to surface roughness.
On convergence of the averages $$\frac{1}{N}\sum\nolimits_{n = 1}^N {f_1 (R^n x)f_2 (S^n x)f_3 (T^n x)} $$

In this note, we will prove that for commuting ergodic measure preserving transformationsR, S andT, ifRT−1,ST−1 are also ergodic, then the limit $$\lim \frac{1}{N}\sum\nolimits_{n = 1}^N {f_1 (R^n x)f_2 (S^n x)f_3 (T^n x)} $$ exists inL1-norm. The method used in this note was developed byConze, Furstenberg, Lesigne andWeiss.
Challenges with displaying Enhanced and Synthetic Vision video on a Head-up Display

Displaying video on a head-up display from an Enhanced Vision System camera or Synthetic Vision System engine presents some unique challenges not seen on conventional head-down flight deck displays. All information displayed on the HUD has to be seen against a background that can vary from bright sunlight to a dark night sky. The video has to include enough grayshade information to support visual identification of runway features and the image shown on the HUD has to be visually aligned to the real world accurately enough to support low-visibility operations at airports. The pilot needs to clearly see the image on the HUD but also needs to see the real world through the display when it can be seen with the naked eye. In addition, the video display cannot interfere with the display of existing flight information symbology.
Economic Influences on the Structure of Local Government in U.S. Metropolitan Areas

Abstract There is a large degree of variation in the number of general-purpose local governments and school districts, per square mile and per person, among United States' metropolitan areas. Using data from 1982, this paper provides an empirical test of whether economic factors (especially variation in demand for local government services) partly account for these differences. The empirical findings show that after controlling for political, historic, and institutional factors, variations in the characteristics that affect demand for local government services do influence the number of local governments. This result is consistent with the hypothesis first put forth by Tiebout.
An intradermal test for pregnancy

Abstract 1. 1. An intradermal test for the determination of pregnancy, based upon a new principle, has been introduced. 2. 2. The ease of performance and quick reading of its results proves its value. 3. 3. Its importance in cases where a quick diagnosis is desired, as the differentiation between ectopic pregnancy and other conditions. 4. 4. The large series of correct results in positive and negative cases proves its reliability. Appreciation is here by expressed for the cooperation and clinical advice of Dr. J. O. Arnold, Professor and Head of the Department of Obstetrics at Temple University Hospital, and his staff in accomplishing this work.
Superhyperfine interactions in the EPR and UPR spectra of CaF2: U4+

Abstract Satellite components have been observed (at 9.0 GHz) in the EPR and UPR spectra of CaF2: U4+ in sites of C3v symmetry, and interpreted on the basis of a theoretical model as superhyperfine structure. This structure is due to the interaction between the substitutional U4+ ion and its eight nearest neighbor F− nuclei. Interpretation of the experimental results on the basis of the model indicates that the shf interaction is anisotropic and arises predominantly from the direct dipole-dipole interaction. The 2pσ-overlap contribution δA is within the range 0 $ (δAg ∥ β) ⩽ 0.4 G .
Experimental Determination of the Eddy Diffusion Coefficient Over the Open Ocean from Atmospheric Electric Measurements

Abstract The method of determining the eddy diffusivity over the open ocean either from profiles of the average electric filed or from average values of space charge and electric field measured near the sea surface is discussed. Recent measurements of atmospheric electric variables and meteorological parameters off the east coast of Barbados make it possible to compare values of diffusivity calculated by the atmospheric electric method with values obtained from the bulk aerodynamic method. The results of this comparison show that the atmospheric electric method holds considerable promise under conditions set forth in this paper. The relationship between fluctuations in the electrical variables and fluctuations in the air velocity within the electrical boundary layer is discussed.
A method for determining the effect of imbalance

Abstract In the analysis of variance, the efficiency of a statistical procedure depends on the values of some function, g, chosen appropriately. For example, g can be the variance of an estimator of a variance component, or the power of a test associated with a given model. Of particular interest in this concern is the behavior of g under a variety of experimental conditions. For unbalanced data, g depends in a complex way on the cell frequencies (design), and on a set of parameters denoted by θ. It is therefore quite difficult, in general, to determine how imbalance affects the value of g. The degree of imbalance of a data set can be quantified by the value of a measure, denoted by o, as shown in Khuri (Biometrical J. 29 (1987), 383–396). Studying the behavior of the function g under different patterns of imbalance would be greatly simplified if g were directly related to o. Unfortunately, the dependence of g on the cell frequencies is not, in general, expressible explicitly in terms of o. However, if the functional form of g can be adequately approximated by an empirical model given in terms of o and θ, then it is possible to use o to assess the effect of imbalance on g. The derivation of such a model can be conveniently achieved by means of response surface techniques. This is demonstrated using, as an example of g, the variance of an analysis of variance (ANOVA) estimator. A key element in the development of this demonstration is an algorithm for generating cell frequencies having a specified degree of imbalance. A numerical example is given to illustrate the proposed methodology.