cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Re‐evaluating US strategic priorities in the Caspian Region: balancing energy resource initiatives with terrorism containment

In the aftermath of September 11, US strategy has shifted in the Central Asian region from protecting the sovereignty of the southern post‐Soviet states to ensuring their stability in light of the dual impacts of energy development and the rising threat of Islamic terrorism. Although US–Russian cooperation has made strides, particularly concerning Russian acquiescence toward US and NATO military engagement in the region, geostrategic rivalry and conflicting economic goals have hindered a joint approach to initiatives regarding the region's energy development. While both agree on the goal of maximising Russian and Caspian gas and petroleum exports, US policy is increasingly prioritising Central Asian energy prosperity as a key factor in the region's ability to contain terrorism. Development of the region's energy resources has therefore become a critical US security concern. Yet, by failing to engage with Russia in a meaningful cooperation that could encourage Moscow to diversify its own energy export pros...
Lobster locomotor activity as a measure of GABAAreceptor modulation

Gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a well‐known neurotransmitter. A crustacean behavioural assay was developed for the examination of the effects of a benzodiazepine agonist and an antagonist of GABAA‐type receptors. Both adult and juvenile male and female lobsters, Homarus americanus, were treated with single (or follow‐up) empirically determined doses of the agonist, diazepam, one of its metabolites (desmethyldiazepam), the antagonist, N‐methyl‐s‐carboline‐3‐carboxamide (MBC), or vehicle alone. The effects of the compounds were monitored in a submerged circular open‐field for differences in locomotor activity, which was significantly inhibited by diazepam. Treatment with MBC following injection of diazepam reversed the latter's effects on locomotion. These results suggest that benzodiazepines may affect crustacean GABA receptors in a fashion similar to the GABAA type found in the vertebrates, and that they may be involved in the regulation of locomotor behaviour.
Transport of threonine and tryptophan by rat brain slices: relation to other amino acids at concentrations found in plasma.

— Threonine content of brain decreases in young rats fed a threonine-limiting, low protein diet containing a supplement of small neutral amino acids (serine, glycine and alanine), which are competitors of threonine transport in other systems (Tewset al., 1977). Threonine transport by brain slices was inhibited more by a complex amino acid mixture resembling plasma from rats fed the small neutral amino acid supplement than by mixtures resembling plasma from control rats or from rats fed a supplement of large neutral amino acids. Greater inhibition was seen with mixtures containing only the small neutral amino acids than with mixtures containing only large neutral amino acids. On an equimolar basis, serine and alanine were the most inhibitory; large neutrals were moderately so; and glycine and lysine were without effect. Threonine transport was also strongly inhibited by α-amino-n-butyric acid and homoserine, less so by α-aminoisobutyric acid, and not at all by GABA. The complex amino acid mixtures strongly inhibited α-aminoisobutyric acid transport by brain or liver slices but, in contrast to effects in brain, the extent of the inhibition in liver was not much affected by altering the composition of the mixture. Tryptophan accumulation by brain slices was effectively inhibited by other large neutral amino acids in physiologically occurring concentrations. Threonine, or a mixture of serine, glycine and alanine only slightly inhibited tryptophan uptake; basic amino acids were without effect and histidine stimulated tryptophan transport slightly. These results support the conclusion that a diet-induced decrease in the concentration in brain of a specific amino acid may be related to increased inhibition of its transport into brain by increases in the concentrations of transport-related, plasma amino acids.
A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF MAXIMAL SOLUTIONS OF FUNCTIONAL EQUATIONS ARISING FROM MULTIPLICATION OF QUANTUM INTEGERS

In this paper, we resolve a problem raised by Nathanson concerning the maximal solutions to functional equations naturally arising from multiplication of quantum integers ([4]). Together with our results obtained in [11], which treats the case where the field of coefficients is ℚ, this provides a complete description of the maximal solutions to these functional equations and their support bases P in characteristic zero setting.
Discourses of Development: Anthropological Perspectives

Discourses of Development: Anthropological Perspectives. R. D. GRILLO and R. L. STIRRAT. eds. Oxford: Berg, 1997. viil. 299 pp., tables, references, index.
A simple technique for demonstrating heterochromatin in Nigella

Feststellung von C-Banden inNigella damascena var. Miss Jekyl mittels eines neuen zytologischen Verfahrens. Es waren 3–5 Chromozentren pro Nukleus zu erkennen.
Oxidation Studies of Some Natural Graphites

The rates of oxidation at 900°C. were determined for twenty natural flake and amorphous graphites from eight foreign and three domestic deposits. Methods of determining moisture, volatile matter, ash, and graphitic carbon in such graphites are described. Numerical constants were established for the oxidation rates under specific conditions. In general, the oxidation rate of graphite was inversely related to particle size. The rate of oxidation of Madagascar graphite varied with the deposit from which the graphite originated. Summary and Conclusions Methods of determining moisture, volatile matter, ash, graphitic carbon, flake thickness, and the rate of oxidation of graphite are described. The oxidation rates at 900°C. were determined for graphites from twenty deposits: ten in Madagascar, three in the United States, and seven in other parts of the world. Under the experimental conditions of this investigation the following results were noted: (1) The oxidation rate of graphite in general increased as the average particle size decreased. (2) The rates of oxidation for fractions of the Alabama and Pennsylvania graphites and those for the corresponding particle size of the sample that represented the type of graphite imported in large quantities from Madagascar were not greatly different. (3) The oxidation rate was apparently peculiar to individual deposits of graphite in Madagascar. Ten graphites tested from ten different deposits had four distinct rates of oxidation. (4) Numerical constants were established for the oxidation rate of natural graphites. The oxidation rate of graphite apparently depends on more than one physical or chemical characteristic or on some other characteristic not yet studied. It may partially depend on the surface area and on the impurities that are present and their distribution. These factors may or may not be directly related to the service life of graphite crucibles because of the oxidation of the graphite.
Validity of Wind Load Distribution based on High Frequency Force Balance Measurements

High frequency force balance ~HFFB! measurements have recently been utilized to identify the distribution of spatiotempo- rally varying fluctuating wind loads on buildings. These developments, predicated on their ability to compute any response component of interest, based on actual building characteristics, attempt to offer a framework that eliminates the need for mode shape corrections generally necessary in the traditional HFFB technique. To examine the effectiveness of these schemes with significant practical implica- tions to wind tunnel modeling technology, this technical note utilizes a recent approach to identify the alongwind loading on buildings. The predictions are compared to a widely utilized analytical loading model. It is noted that, akin to the traditional HFFB technique, the accuracy of these identification schemes clearly depends on the assumed wind loading model.
Pedometer-measured physical activity patterns of youth: a 13-country review.

Context Insufficient physical activity among young people aged 5–18 years is a global public health issue, with considerable disparities among countries. A systematic review was conducted to identify studies reporting pedometer daily steps (steps·day −1 ) in order to compile comparative, global cross-sectional data on youth physical activity patterns. Evidence acquisition Articles were included if they were in English, published by April 2009, and reported steps·day −1 for boys and girls, separately, and reported steps·day −1 for age groupings of no more than 4 years (e.g., 5–8 years) or combined no more than three grade levels (e.g., third- to fifth-graders). Studies could have been intervention-based but had to have reported baseline steps·day −1 , which would reflect unadulterated physical activity steps·day −1 estimates. Inverse variance weighted estimates (steps·day −1w ) were calculated for each country, and random effects models were estimated. Analyses were conducted in May and June 2009. Evidence synthesis Forty-three studies, representing young people in 13 countries (N=14,200), were included. The majority of studies were from the U.S. (17/43). Overall, there was considerable variation within and among countries in steps·day −1w . Boys and girls from European and Western Pacific regions had significantly more steps·day −1w than young people from the U.S. and Canada. Significantly lower steps·day −1w estimates for girls were observed for studies that combined measured steps·day −1 for weekdays and weekend days, in comparison to weekdays only. Conclusions Limited sample sizes and non–population-based data preclude definitive statements regarding projected steps·day −1 within countries. Nevertheless, these findings provide preliminary information for policymakers and researchers on the extent of the disparities among countries in the physical activity patterns of young people.
Improved niobate nanoscroll photocatalysts for partial water splitting.

Layered K(4)Nb(6)O(17) is a known UV-light-driven photocatalyst for overall water splitting, with a band gap of 3.5 eV. Following ion exchange and exfoliation with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, the layered material separates into nanosheets that coil into 1.0±0.5 μm long and 10±5 nm wide nanoscrolls to reduce their surface energy. Pt and IrO(x) (x=1.5-2) nanoparticles were photochemically deposited onto the surface of the nanoscrolls to produce two- and three-component photocatalysts. Under UV irradiation, the nanostructures produced H(2) from pure water and aqueous methanol, with turnover numbers ranging from 2.3 and 18.5 over a 5 h period. The activity of the catalysts for H(2) evolution can be directly correlated with the varying overpotentials for water reduction (210-325 mV). From water, no oxygen is evolved. Instead, the formation of surface-bound peroxides in a 1:1 stoichiometry with H(2) is observed. Slow photochemical oxygen evolution can be achieved with the sacrificial electron acceptor AgNO(3), and under an electrochemical bias. The electrochemical water oxidation overpotentials are ca. 600 mV across the series of scrolls. From the photo onset potential the conduction band edge for the unmodified scrolls is estimated as -0.75 V at pH 7. Deposition of a co-catalyst is found to depress this value by 58 mV (IrO(x)), 148 mV (Pt/IrO(x)), and 242 mV (Pt). However, because water oxidation remains rate-limiting, this does not affect the overall performance of the catalysts.
Superimposition and Withholding of Edible Consequences as Treatment for Automatically Reinforced Stereotypy.

The delivery and subsequent withholding of tangible consequences has been previously investigated as an intervention for stereotypic behavior. The current investigation sought to extend previous research by evaluating its effectiveness and durability as treatment for stereotypy of 2 children who had been diagnosed with autism. Nonsocial functions for stereotypic behavior were identified via functional analysis. Edible items were then delivered contingent on stereotypy and were withheld in a subsequent condition. When the superimposition procedure failed to reduce stereotypy, environmental enrichment was implemented and was found to reduce the stereotypy of both participants.
133Cs NMR study of Cs+ ion complexes with dibenzo-21-crown-7 and dibenzo-24-crown-8 in some mixed solvents

Abstract Complexation of the cesium ion with macrocyclic ligands, dibenzo-21-crown-7 and dibenzo-24-crown-8, was studied in binary solvent mixtures of dimethylsulfoxide with acetone, acetonitrile, propylene carbonate, pyridine and hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) as well as in pyridine-methanol mixtures. In the first four binary mixtures the complexation constants increased with decreasing amounts of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), the trend is reversed in the DMSO-HMPA system. In all of the above cases, the variation of the stability constant with composition was monotonic and showed good correlation with the inherent solvating ability of the neat solvents which form the mixture. In the pyridine-methanol system, however, for both complexes, the log K f vs composition plots show several changes in direction. This behavior is probably due to a change in the structure of this binary solvent as the composition of the medium is varied.
Influence of fatty acid composition of infant formulas on development of arteriosclerosis.

Abstract to assess the influence of the fatty acid composition of liquid diets on the development of arteriosclerotic lesions, groups of infant monkeys were fed monkey milk, human milk, or one of two prepared formulas, one of which contained bovine butterfat and the other, mixed fat with a 1:1 ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids. In addition, some monkeys were transferred to Purina Monkey Chow or to a high saturated fat diet after 8–12 months of alimentation with the liquid diets. No gross vascular lesions were observed. Microscopically, the lesions were essentially similar in all groups and were chiefly characterized by fibrous intimal hyperplasia without any of the features of atherosclerosis. Monkeys fed human milk exhibited the highest incidence of vascular lesions, but this is probably a coincidental finding and seems unrelated to the fatcalorie intake. The frequency and severity of arterial lesions could not be correlated with the height of the mean blood cholesterol level, nor with the level of polyunsaturated fatty acid in the diet or in the blood of various groups of monkeys.
Eternal: a component-based framework for transparent fault-tolerant CORBA

Enterprises are increasingly involved in worldwide round-the-clock e-commerce and e-business, which requires them to be operational 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. With outages leading to loss of revenue, reputation and customers, fault tolerance becomes increasingly important. By mixing the fault tolerance logic into the application logic, existing fault tolerance practices render applications more complex, more prone to errors, and more difficult to maintain and build. The Eternal system is a component-based middleware framework that provides transparent fault tolerance for enterprise applications, and that ensures continuous 24 × 7 operation without requiring special skills of the application programmers. The Eternal system implements the new Fault-Tolerant CORBA standard.
Teratoid cyst of the floor of the mouth

Abstract Because the term ‘dermoid’ is frequently used in the literature, some authors believe that this term should be used for all congenital cysts of the floor of the mouth. Three subclasses of congenital floor of the mouth cysts are described in the literature: (1) epidermoid (simple) cysts, (2) dermoid (complex) cysts and (3) teratoid (complex) cysts. The teratoid cyst is the least common. Most of these cases present during the second and third decades of life, thus presentation during infancy is extremely rare. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. We present a 2-month old male who underwent expedient surgical excision for progressive airway compromise secondary to a teratoid cyst of the floor of the mouth. Radiographic and histopathologic evidence, as well as a review of the literature is presented.
Characterization and Template Properties of RNA Dimers Generated during Flock House Virus RNA Replication

Flock house virus (FHV) is the best studied member of the Nodaviridae, a family of small, nonenveloped, isometric RNA viruses of insects and fish. Nodavirus genomes comprise two single-stranded positive-sense RNA segments (RNAs 1 and 2) that encode the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and capsid protein precursor, respectively. The RdRp replicates both genomic RNAs and also generates a subgenomic RNA (RNA3) that is not encapsidated. Although genomic RNAs replicate through negative-sense intermediates, little is known about these RNAs or the details of the replication mechanism. Negative-sense RNAs 1, 2, and 3, as well as putative dimers of RNAs 2 and 3, have been detected in previous studies. In this study we detected dimers of RNAs 1, 2, and 3 by Northern blot analyses of RNA samples from FHV-infected Drosophila cells, as well as from mammalian and yeast cells supporting FHV RNA replication. Characterization of these RNA species by RT-PCR and sequence determination showed that they contained head-to-tail junctions of FHV RNAs. RNAs containing the complete sequence of RNA2 joined to RNA3 were also detected during replication. To examine the template properties of these dimeric RNAs, we made corresponding cDNAs and transcribed them from a T7 promoter in mammalian cells constitutively expressing T7 RNA polymerase, together with RNA1 to provide the RdRp. Although heterologous terminal extensions inhibit FHV RNA replication, monomeric RNA2 was resolved and replicated from complete or partial homodimer templates and from an RNA2-RNA3 heterodimer.
A “stand alone” image processing system for STEM images

Abstract A “stand alone” image processing system for STEM images is discussed. The system employs a minicomputer (32 K capacity, using BASIC language) and digital memory (640×512 pixels, 16 bits) as well as a black and white and a programmed-color display monitor. The various image processing programs were applied to STEM low dose (2 electrons / A 2 ) images of the giant hemoglobin of Lumbricus terrestris . The images were either rotation (6-fold or double reflection) averaged or unrotated, then summed to obtain statistically high quality images. These summed images were then spatially filtered and inverse-transformed. In addition, some images on transforms can be subtracted from one another to investigate structure in selected spatial frequency regions.
A DESCRIPTION OF A DISCRETE DEPTH PLANKTON SAMPLER WITH SOME NOTES ON THE TOWING BEHAVIOR OF A B‐FOOT ISAACS‐KIDD MID‐WATER TRAWL AND A ONE‐METER RING NET

This paper describes an electrically operated sampling system developed for capturing pelagic animals at a known depth while also providing a continuous shipboard record of the depth of the net and the temperature of the water being sampled. It includes data on the towing behavior of a 6-ft Isaacs-Kidd mid-water trawl and a 1-m ring net that were obtained with the new sampler.
Plant Phospholipase Dα Is an Acidic Phospholipase Active at Near-Physiological Ca2+ Concentrations

Abstract The conventional plant phospholipase D (PLD) requires Ca 2+ for activity; however, the most distinct and puzzling feature of this PLD is its in vitro need for 20 to 100 mM Ca 2+ . This noncytoplasmic Ca 2+ requirement has raised doubt about the role of Ca 2+ in regulating its function in vivo. Using the cloned conventional castor bean PLD, PLDα, expressed in Escherichia coli, this study demonstrates that this PLD is active at micromolar, near-physiological concentrations of Ca 2+ , and this activity at low Ca 2+ requires an acidic pH (4.5–5.5). By comparison, the newly cloned PLDβ and -γ were active only at neutral pH under the same Ca 2+ concentrations. This study also shows that PLDα activity at low Ca 2+ needs substrates presented as a mixture of membrane lipids. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate are equally effective in stimulating the acidic PLDα activity, whereas phophatidylinositol is inactive. These results suggest that the conventional plant PLD in vivo is an acidic phospholipase that is active at near-physiological Ca 2+ concentrations. The possible physiological significance of these findings will be discussed.
Flexibly Adaptive Professional Development in Support of Teaching Science with Geospatial Technology

The flexibly adaptive model of professional development, developed in the GIT Ahead project, enables secondary science teachers to incorporate a variety of geospatial technology applications into wide-ranging classroom contexts. Teacher impacts were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. Post-questionnaire responses showed significant growth in teachers’ perceived technological expertise, interest, and ability to integrate geospatial technology into their science teaching. Application of the Technical Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework to three case studies illustrates such growth. Crucial aspects of professional development in support of teaching science with geospatial technology include intensive training, ongoing support, a supportive learning community, and flexibility in terms of support provided and implementation expectations. Implications are presented for design of professional development and use of TPACK in evaluating impacts.
Major trends in nosocomial viral infections

Viruses have recently become appreciated as nosocomial pathogens. There is insufficient data to characterize trends in rates of viral nosocomial infections, but there have been major trends in methodologies and concepts. New groups of patients, such as infants and the elderly, are becoming appreciated as being at risk for serious nosocomial viral infections, whereas other groups, such as immunodeficient patients are expanding because of the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and expanded use of immunosuppressive treatment. The continued addition of new viruses, such as HIV, human parvovirus B19, and rabies virus, to the list of potential nosocomial pathogens suggest that most human viruses can probably be serious nosocomial pathogens under the right circumstances. Advances in medical treatments and procedures, such as cadaveric dura mater grafts and laser treatment of warts, have provided new avenues for nosocomial transmission of viruses. Improved and wider availability of diagnostics promises to be a major force in improving our understanding and ability to prevent viral nosocomial infections. With these advances, viral diagnostic laboratories should become an important member of the infection control team. In parallel with trends in methodologies and concepts, there have been major advances in our understanding of ways to prevent some nosocomial viral infections. Application of these prevention measures is an important challenge to the infection control practitioner.
The Use of the Hebrew Bible in Early Jewish Magic

This study seeks to enumerate the extensive and variegated use of the Hebrew Bible in early Jewish magic. The survey focuses mainly on the key Jewish magical corpora from late antiquity and the early Middle Ages – Palestinian Amulets, Babylonian magic bowls, assorted magical texts from the Cairo Geniza, and several magical handbooks deriving from Babylonia and other indeterminate locations. The article is divided into three substantive sections. The first treats numerous methodological pitfalls tied to the use of the terms ‘magic,’‘Jewish magic,’ and ‘Hebrew Bible.’ The second and third sections are devoted, respectively, to the two broad formal categories into which magical use of the Hebrew Bible may be divided, citations of biblical verses and biblical historiolae.
Capturing and genotyping the genome-wide genetic diversity of trees for association mapping and genomic selection

Background Growing demand for food and fiber, and a rapidly changing climate will require that plant breeders accelerate the improvement of germplasm adapted to new sources of biotic and abiotic stress. In trees, the threat from climate change is more evident and the solutions more challenging than in any other plant species, due to the complexity and cost of breeding programs, and the long breeding cycles. Therefore, the discovery of genetic polymorphism that can be exploited for early selection of better adapted and productive individuals is essential. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis provided an initial glimpse at the architecture of complex traits, but limited transferability across populations and resolution hampered the adoption of markers in tree breeding programs. Recently, association studies have become the method of choice for detection of markers implicated in trait variation, because of higher resolution, population transferability and allelic diversity captured relative to the QTL approach. However, in tree species, association studies have been largely constrained to sampling the genetic diversity in a limited fraction of the genome, and in small populations. Evidence from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in humans and advanced crops clearly show that larger populations, and the sampling of regulatory variants and rare alleles is critical to dissect the genetic control of complex traits for markerassisted breeding (MAB). As the limitations of QTL and GWAS approaches become evident, “hybrid” intermediate strategies that combine the advantages of both methods have emerged. Notably, genomic selection has become an alternative to MAB. Genomic selection (GS), which relies on developing genome-wide marker-based models that predict the genetic value of progeny, will be particularly valuable for early selection in tree breeding programs. However, the implications of GS may also be highly valuable to identify mating designs that generate progeny with optimal allelic combinations for superior growth and wood properties, and adaptive capabilities.
Construction of genomic networks using mutual-information clustering and reversible-jump Markov-chain-Monte-Carlo predictor design

We consider the problem of constructing gene regulatory networks from expression data using the probabilistic-Boolean-network paradigm. We propose to construct the networks according to the following stages. Firstly, we determine the number of possible parent gene sets and the input sets of gene variables corresponding to each gene, and this is done by using a novel clustering technique based on mutual information minimization. Simulated annealing is employed to solve the optimization problem. After such initial gene clustering, we restrict our attention to the class of different functions from the possible parent gene sets to each target gene. Secondly, each function is then modeled by a perceptron consisting of a linear term and a nonlinear term. A reversible-jump Markov-chain-Monte-Carlo (MCMC) technique is used to calculate the model order and the parameters. Finally, the coefficient of determination (CoD) is employed to compute the probability of selecting different predictors for each gene. To test this approach for constructing gene regulatory networks, we have carried out computational experiments using data from known gene response pathways including ionizing radiation and downstream targets of inactivating gene mutations.
Postbreeding Habitat Use of the Rare, Pure-Diploid Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale)

Abstract The pure-diploid Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale) is among the rarest amphibians in northeastern North America, and data on its ecology are sparse. We assessed the movement ecology and terrestrial habitat use of A. laterale using radio- and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag- telemetry. We radio-tracked 22 A. laterale for a median of 54 days (range 6–126 days) in the spring and summer of 2009 and 2010. Using a modified PIT tag reader, we conducted 34 in situ surveys during the spring and summer of 2009 through 2011, resulting in 42 relocations. We detected salamanders at a median straight-line distance of 67 m (range 7–281 m) from their breeding wetland. The life zone (i.e., critical terrestrial habitat), encompassing 95% of observed salamander movements, extended 152 m from the edge of the breeding wetland. Eighteen radio-tracked salamanders migrated to upland forest, three to a wet meadow, and one to a red maple (Acer rubrum) swamp. Salamanders used upland forest and wet meado...
The long and the short of it: on the nature and origin of functional overlap between representations of space and time.

When we describe time, we often use the language of space (The movie was long; The deadline is approaching). Experiments 1–3 asked whether—as patterns in language suggest—a structural similarity between representations of spatial length and temporal duration is easier to access than one between length and other dimensions of experience, such as loudness. Adult participants were shown pairings of lines of different length with tones of different duration (Experiment 1) or tones of different loudness (Experiment 2). The length of the lines and duration or loudness of the tones was either positively or negatively correlated. Participants were better able to bind particular lengths and durations when they were positively correlated than when they were not, a pattern not observed for pairings of lengths and tone amplitudes, even after controlling for the presence of visual cues to duration in Experiment 1 (Experiment 3). This suggests that representations of length and duration may functionally overlap to a greater extent than representations of length and loudness. Experiments 4 and 5 asked whether experience with and mastery of words like long and short—which can flexibly refer to both space and time—itself creates this privileged relationship. Nine-month-old infants, like adults, were better able to bind representations of particular lengths and durations when these were positively correlated (Experiment 4), and failed to show this pattern for pairings of lengths and tone amplitudes (Experiment 5). We conclude that the functional overlap between representations of length and duration does not result from a metaphoric construction processes mediated by learning to flexibly use words such as long and short. We suggest instead that it may reflect an evolutionary recycling of spatial representations for more general purposes.
Polymicrobial prosthetic joint infections: risk factors and outcome.

Limited data are available regarding the risk factors and outcome of polymicrobial prosthetic joint infection (PJIs) when compared with monomicrobial PJI. Between January 1998 and November 2006, we retrospectively identified 34 of 174 prosthetic joint infections (19%) were polymicrobial. The 2-year cumulative probability of success of treating polymicrobial and monomicrobial PJIs was 63.8% and 72.8%, respectively. Twenty-six percent, 38%, and 29% of PJIs were treated with two-stage exchange, debridement and retention, or resection arthroplasty, respectively, and the 2-year survival rate free of treatment failure in each group was 77.7% (95% confidence interval, 42.8%–94.2%), 52.7% (95% confidence interval, 28.4%–75.9%), and 64.2% (95% confidence interval, 28.7%–88.9%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (26.4% versus 7.1%) and anaerobes (11.7% versus 2.8%) were more common in polymicrobial PJIs. Polymicrobial PJIs occurred in patients with a soft tissue defect/dehiscence (23.5% versus 2.8%), drainage (79.4% versus 39.2%), or prior local irradiation (8.8% versus 0.71%). We found the following factors associated with polymicrobial prosthetic joint infections: the presence of a soft tissue defect/wound dehiscence (odds ratio, 5.9), drainage (odds ratio, 5.0), and age 65 years or older (odds ratio, 2.8).
Encounters with Japanese verbs: Caregiver sentences and the categorization of transitive and intransitive action verbs

Familial Japanese has a high rate of noun phrase ellipsis and optional case marking. Because of these traits, caregiver sentences seldom allow for the specification of thematic roles and their syntactic encod ing. A model is proposed for the acquisition of the transitive and intransitive action verb classes in Japanese. The child matches action verbs to three semantic causal types: self-agentive, non-agentive, or causal agentive events. The model uses minimal sentences consisting of only a verb, its inflections, and auxiliaries by paying attention to: 1) the intentionality of the figure-patient referent, and 2) the expression of intentional, planned action by verb suffixes, auxiliaries and adverbs. A sample of 300 action verb sentences spoken by six Japanese care- givers to their two-year-old children, and previous research, support the plausibility of the model.
A fast and area-efficient VLSI architecture for embedded image coding

We propose a VLSI architecture for an embedded zerotree wavelet (EZW) algorithm. Our partitioning and mapping of the computations leads to parallel operations of independent processors and balances the workload. Our data mapping technique simplifies the memory access and the processor architecture. The resulting architecture is area-efficient and can be used to design a low-power system for mobile/visual communication applications. A video codec based on the parallel architecture can simultaneously handle multiple video channels of various resolutions.
Parametric amplification with self-pumped Josephson junctions

The parametric nature of supercurrent in Josephson junctions may be exploited for amplification of high frequency signals in several modes of operation, where in each case the reactance variation is provided by the internal oscillations due to the average contact potential, a)One mode is negative resistance amplification with a single idler. This mode is entirely equivalent to that generally employed in conventional parametric amplifiers with varactor diodes. b)Negative resistance amplification with several idlers at further combination frequencies. This mode of operation is typical for the resistively shunted junction model, c)Amplification by upconversion, which is conceptually employed in the rf SQUID used in magnetometry. Experimental verifications of these various modes are described and their suitability for low noise amplification discussed. The upconverter experiment permitted the measurement of device noise by variation of the temperature of the input termination. An upper noise limit of 15°K is established. This experiment demonstrates that in high frequency application of active self-oscillating Josephson junctions the fundamental noise achievable is not greatly in excess of the thermal limit.
Biological rhythm disturbance in depression: temporal coherence of ultradian sleep EEG rhythms.

Background. Recent studies have suggested that major depressive disorders are associated with a breakdown in the organization of ultradian rhythm in sleep EEG. The present study used crossspectral analysis of sleep EEG to confirm this finding, in a larger-scale study, evaluating the influence of gender and age on ultradian rhythms in depression. Methods. Temporal coherence of ultradian (80‐120 min) rhythms in beta, theta and delta, recorded from central and parietal sites, were compared in 120 symptomatic, unmedicated, depressed outpatients and 59 healthy normal controls. Results. Few macro-architectural dierences were noted between patients and controls. However, interhemispheric beta and theta coherence and intrahemispheric coherence between beta and delta rhythms were significantly lower in depressed patients. Coherence measures were lowest in women with depression and highest in men in the control group, but were not strongly influenced by age. Over 65% of depressed patients were & 2 standard deviations below normal on at least one coherence measure, in sharp contrast to less than 10% of patients on macro-architectural variables. Conclusions. It was concluded that dysregulation of ultradian rhythems characterizes the majority of depressed out-patients, primarily women, even when macro-architecture did not dierentiate groups. The outcome of this study supports the view that the pathophysiology of depression is strongly influenced by gender. It was suggested that low temporal coherence in depression reflects a breakdown in the organization of sleep EEG rhythms within and between the two hemispheres.
The nonmarine Triassic–Jurassic boundary in the Newark Supergroup of eastern North America

Abstract For the last three decades, the position of the Triassic–Jurassic boundary (TJB) in nonmarine strata has largely been based on its palynostratigraphic placement just below the oldest basalts of the Central Atlantic magmatic province (CAMP) in the Newark Supergroup of eastern North America. This boundary, however, is demonstrably older than the TJB as it is defined in marine strata. Thus, the palynostratigraphic change used to place this TJB in the Newark most resembles a late Norian change in the European section and does not correspond to any palynological event at the marine-defined TJB. Conchostracan biostratigraphy suggests that the TJB is in the Newark extrusive zone above the oldest CAMP basalt, and vertebrate biostratigraphy is consistent with this placement of the TJB. Radioisotopic ages indicate that the TJB defined in marine strata is no older than 200 MA, but the oldest CAMP basalts of the Newark Supergroup consistently yield ages averaging about 201 Ma. Magnetostratigraphic correlation of the Newark section to the TJB section at St. Audrie's Bay in England also indicates that the onset of CAMP volcanism in the Newark Supergroup is older than the marine TJB. Correlations based on carbon and osmium isotopes are also consistent with this correlation. Thus, all data indicate that the TJB in the Newark Supergroup is above the lowest CAMP basalt in the Newark extrusive zone. Correct placement of the TJB in the Newark Supergroup allows key nonmarine and marine events to be sequenced across the TJB, indicating the following succession of events: crurotarsan (“thecodont”) extinction, the palynofloral turnover in the Newark, the first CAMP eruptions, the extinctions of Rhaetian ammonites and conodonts, and the first appearance of Jurassic psiloceratid ammonites.
Meta-equilibrium state of multi-species ambipolar diffusion and its relevance to polar mesopheric summer echoes

Normal mode analysis of Hill's three-species ambipolar diffusion equations [Hill, R.J., 1978. Journal of Geophysical Research—Space Physics 83, 989] for an assumed spatially periodic inhomogeneity yields a fast and a slow time scale. For Fourier wavenumbers relevant to Bragg backscattering responsible for polar mesospheric summer echoes (PMSE) the fast time scale is of the order of milliseconds and the slow time scale is of the order of 10's of seconds or longer. When initial conditions are taken into account, the appropriate linear combination of fast and slow solutions manifests a relaxation on the fast time scale to a meta-equilibrium state which persists for times of the order of the slow time scale. Once this fast–slow interaction structure leading to the meta-equilibrium state is identified, the meta-equilibrium state can be determined using simple algebraic formulae rather than having to solve the time-dependent differential equations. The relaxed state can be given an intuitive interpretation as the resting point of a pseudo-particle falling into a valley along a track in a two-dimensional pseudo-space. The coordinates of the pseudo-particle are the perturbed densities in Hill's coupled diffusion equations. The location of the resting point at the bottom of the valley provides the magnitude of the electron perturbation at the Bragg wavelength, i.e., the quantity responsible for PMSE. Application of the algebraic solutions to the PMSE problem reveals the possibility of both overshoots and undershoots in the presence of electron heating by HF waves. Overshoots occur when the ratio of aerosol-bound electrons to gas-phase electrons is small while undershoots occur in the opposite limit.
A short, concise synthesis of queuine

A short, concise synthesis of queuine was accomplished in a 36% overall yield through a convergent scheme utilizing a reductive amination as the penultimate step. The synthesis demonstrates the utility of silylation to facilitate reactions of various pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine intermediates, and offers the possibility of easily accessing related pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines as well as making additional analogues of queuine.
Making Sense of New Orleans Flood Trauma Recovery: Ethics, Research Design, and Policy Considerations for Future Disasters

This article details the justification and plans of a research team for studying and helping evacuees of Hurricane Katrina from New Orleans to recover by encouraging experimental participants to disclose information about their related experiences in guided interview sessions. Team members' consideration and practice of ethical principles as researchers dealing with the potentially traumatized victims of a disaster are portrayed. Finally, related recommendations for researchers and policy makers are offered.
Delinquent Peers and Offending: Integrating Social Learning and Biosocial Theory

Measures of delinquent peers have been found to predict a wide variety of antisocial behaviors, but few studies have examined the role that biological factors may play in moderating the delinquent peers–delinquency relationship. Using a sample of adolescent males drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (N = 3,557), we explore whether variants of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) interact with associations with substance-using peers to affect self-reported delinquency. Results of negative binomial regressions reveal that affiliations with delinquent peers interact with the 10R allele of DAT1 to influence offending, net of control variables for self-control, and respondent’s substance use. Most important, a statistically significant effect of affiliations with delinquent peers on delinquency is only evident for males who carry two 10R DAT1 alleles (vs. zero or one). Thus, DAT1 may be implicated in antisocial behavior by rendering some individuals more susceptible to the influence...
A modular microwave signal generator for the 1990's and beyond

A modular, high-performance signal generator that delivers the smaller size, lighter weight, flexibility to upgrade or reconfigure, and supportability, required for the ATE of the future has been developed. Designed in an industry standard delivery system (MMS) with industry standard programming (SCPI), the Hewlett-Packard HP 70340A modular signal generator provides expandable performance, excellent reliability, and ease of use and support. With the HP 70340A both defense-related and commercial ATE can realize improved effectiveness: increased system uptime and throughput with a lower cost of ownership. >
A Methodological Discussion of Caffeine Research and Animal Avoidance Behavior.

Introduction: We present a review of the methodological aspects of caffeine research within animal tests of escape and avoidance behavior in the presence of aversive stimuli. Method: We highlight species, methods of caffeine administration, dosage, dependent measures, and research designs commonly used in this research. Results: Typical subjects were rodents and zebrafish, with species-specific vehicles of caffeine administration and dependent measures. Behavioral tests for escape and avoidance as a function of caffeine consumption were conceptually similar across species, although the arrangement of measures was necessarily adapted to the physiological contingencies of the different species. Discussion and Conclusions: Caffeine administration preceding the presentation of aversive stimuli generally, but not exclusively, enhanced the effect of escape and avoidance of aversive stimuli. The many commonalities in methods and results across species suggest similar methods may be relevant to human subjects as well.
Modeling and analysis of a temperature-driven outbreak of waterfowl disease in the Upper Mississippi River

Abstract Bithynia tentaculata is an invasive snail that was discovered in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) in 2002. In addition to being a threat to native benthos, the snail also harbors parasite associated with annual outbreaks of waterfowl mortality in the UMR. Trophic transmission of parasites between snails and birds occurs during seasonal waterfowl migrations, which can depend intimately on temperature. We developed an annual model for waterfowl disease in the UMR where transmission depends on water temperatures gleaned from empirical studies. By running simulations from annual temperature profiles selected randomly from a normal distribution, we quantified the association between the number of infected hosts and annual average temperatures. Model output demonstrated that as annual average temperatures rise, infected host populations initially increase and then decay after temperatures exceed a certain threshold. Results from this work suggest that increasing temperatures in the region may have a negative effect on parasites, decreasing their transmission and reducing infected host populations.
Aspects of the Chemical Bond 1996

In a preceding essay [1] I outlined the historical, mathematical and physical bases of our present qualitative knowledge about the chemical bond, specifically about covalent binding in simple molecules. An expanded version [2] of that material afforded the opportunity to clarify and to extend the arguments somewhat, and to discuss the reaction to the previously printed version. In the present essay I consider important aspects of chemical binding previously ignored, namely ionic substances, the transition state purported to occur between reactants and products during the course of a simple chemical reaction, and a description of the mechanism of an intramolecular rearrangement. As for the covalent bond, these topics evolved largely during three quarters of a century since quantum mechanics was discovered and developed, but involve, more or less implicitly, many ideas based on the classical notion of molecular structure emanating from the nineteenth century. The final section consists of a discussion of the context of quantum chemistry in a contemporary scientific milieu.
On the simultaneous approximation of functions and their derivatives by the Szász-Mirakyan operator. II

The paper solves the problem of finding a unified estimate of the rate by the Szasz-Mirakyan operator that remained open in [1].