cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid and reliable identification of tomato fruit weight and locule number loci by QTL-seq

Bulk segregant analysis coupled with whole genome sequencing is a powerful approach and cost-effective method to identify loci controlling fruit traits in tomato. Domestication of fruit and vegetable crops was accompanied by selection for weight of the edible parts. Increases in fruit weight are controlled by multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL). To date, only two fruit weight genes have been cloned and a third has been fine-mapped. Genes that control locule number also impact fruit weight and two of them are known. To efficiently identify additional tomato fruit weight (FW) and locule number (LC) loci, six F2 populations were generated from crosses between closely related tomato accessions for which the alleles of the cloned FW and LC genes were known. We employed the bulk segregant approach coupled to whole genome sequencing (QTL-seq) which led to the identification of three highly significant and newly mapped FW QTL. fw11.2 was located in the distal part of chromosome 11 above the known loci fas and fw11.3; fw1.1 in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 1; and fw3.3 located ~1.6 Mb below the known fruit weight gene, SlKLUH/FW3.2. In addition, we mapped three LC QTL (lcn2.4, lcn5.1, and lcn6.1) although their significance was generally low. To confirm the location of the gene underlying fw11.2, we developed additional markers and conducted progeny tests. These results allowed us to narrow down the fw11.2 QTL to a region of ~750 kb corresponding to 66 candidate genes. Our research approach provided a cost-effective and time-efficient method for the identification of additional genes involved in FW and LC that could be used for both fruit development studies and crop improvement programs.
Uncertainty analysis of least-cost modeling for designing wildlife linkages

Least-cost models for focal species are widely used to design wildlife corridors. To evaluate the least-cost modeling approach used to develop 15 linkage designs in southern California, USA, we assessed robustness of the largest and least constrained linkage. Species experts parameterized models for eight species with weights for four habitat factors (land cover, topographic position, elevation, road density) and resistance values for each class within a factor (e.g., each class of land cover). Each model produced a proposed corridor for that species. We examined the extent to which uncertainty in factor weights and class resistance values affected two key conservation-relevant outputs, namely, the location and modeled resistance to movement of each proposed corridor. To do so, we compared the proposed corridor to 13 alternative corridors created with parameter sets that spanned the plausible ranges of biological uncertainty in these parameters. Models for five species were highly robust (mean overlap 88%, little or no increase in resistance). Although the proposed corridors for the other three focal species overlapped as little as 0% (mean 58%) of the alternative corridors, resistance in the proposed corridors for these three species was rarely higher than resistance in the alternative corridors (mean difference was 0.025 on a scale of 1- 10; worst difference was 0.39). As long as the model had the correct rank order of resistance values and factor weights, our results suggest that the predicted corridor is robust to uncertainty. The three carnivore focal species, alone or in combination, were not effective umbrellas for the other focal species. The carnivore corridors failed to overlap the predicted corridors of most other focal species and provided relatively high resistance for the other focal species (mean increase of 2.7 resistance units). Least-cost modelers should conduct uncertainty analysis so that decision-makers can appreciate the potential impact of model uncertainty on conservation decisions. Our approach to uncertainty analysis (which can be called a worst-case scenario approach) is appropriate for complex models in which distribution of the input parameters cannot be specified.
Residential preferences and residential choices in a multiethnic context

A study of the expressed preferences of four different ethnic groups in the Los Angeles metropolitan area shows strong desires for own-race combinations in the ethnicity of neighborhoods that individuals say they would choose when seeking a new residence. The results also show that Anglos are not the only group to practice “avoidance” of other racial/ethnic neighborhoods, although avoidance behavior by Anglos is the strongest. Because the issues of racial composition are socially sensitive, additional tests examined the relationship of preferences to behavior. Although many behaviors generally follow expressed preferences, members of households who expressed “no preference” also were found to largely choose own race neighborhoods. The results of this study suggest that the expressed preference for own race/own ethnicity, in combination with short-distance local moves, is likely to maintain present patterns of separation in U.S. metropolitan areas.
The interactions of copper and a3 in cytochrome oxidase.

Abstract The absorption and circular dichroism difference spectra of cytochrome a 3, obtained in the form of a 32CO - a 33CN by two different permutations, were not identical. The discrepancies were found by optical and EPR studies to be related to the oxidation state of copper in cytochrome oxidase. The results suggest that the copper moiety which interacts with cytochrome a 3 is most probably sandwiched between a and a 3.
Bacterial activity in different levels of the intestine and in isolated segments of small and large bowel in monkeys and in dogs.

In attempting to follow the activity of certain food poisoning organisms in the intestine it was found that before such an investigation could be made more must be learned regarding the in vivo activity of bacteria normally inhabiting the intestine. The enormous number of bacteria of different types usually present in the ileum and colon obscure the pathogenic significance of any one organism. The majority of previous studies have been made on feces because of the technical difficulties encountered in obtaining specimens from various levels of the intestine under physiologic conditions. We have attempted to use a different technic by maintaining normal physiologic conditions in dogs and in monkeys by means of fistulas into different levels of the intestine in some experiments and by isolating segments of the small and large intestine in others. Particular attention was given to the relationship and maintenance of certain bacteria in the intestine and the data are presented under the following headings : (1) technic, (2) the fate of Bacterium coli and Bacterium prodigiosum when introduced in food and injected into the stomach of monkeys, (3) bacterial activity in the small intestine and (4) bacterial activity in the colon.
Endurance Training Protocol and Longitudinal Performance Assays for Drosophila melanogaster

One of the most pressing problems facing modern medical researchers is the surging levels of obesity, with the consequent increase in associated disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease 1-3. An important topic of research into these associated health problems involves the role of endurance exercise as a beneficial intervention. Exercise training is an inexpensive, non-invasive intervention with several beneficial results, including reduction in excess body fat 4, increased insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle 5, increased anti-inflammatory and antioxidative responses 6, and improved contractile capacity in cardiomyocytes 7. Low intensity exercise is known to increase mitochondrial activity and biogenesis in humans 8 and mice, with the transcriptional coactivator PGC1-α as an important intermediate 9,10. Despite the importance of exercise as a tool for combating several important age-related diseases, extensive longitudinal genetic studies have been impeded by the lack of an endurance training protocol for a short-lived genetic model species. The variety of genetic tools available for use with Drosophila, together with its short lifespan and inexpensive maintenance, make it an appealing model for further study of these genetic mechanisms. With this in mind we have developed a novel apparatus, known as the Power Tower, for large scale exercise-training in Drosophila melanogaster 11. The Power Tower utilizes the flies' instinctive negative geotaxis behavior to repetitively induce rapid climbing. Each time the machine lifts, then drops, the platform of flies, the flies are induced to climb. Flies continue to respond as long as the machine is in operation or until they become too fatigued to respond. Thus, the researcher can use this machine to provide simultaneous training to large numbers of age-matched and genetically identical flies. Additionally, we describe associated assays useful to track longitudinal progress of fly cohorts during training.
Study on the Properties of Boron-Containing Ores/Epoxy Composites for Slow Neutron Shielding

Three kinds of low cost shielding materials using boron-containing ores and epoxy as starting materials were developed. The three boron-containing ores consist of natural green ore that is specific in China and the two artificial minerals that are boron-containing iron ore concentrate and boron-rich slag. They were got after natural green ore dressing and separation from blast furnace, respectively. The shielding performance of slow neutron and 60Co γ ray among the three shielding materials were compared. The results show that boron-rich slag as neutron absorber performs relative good slow neutron shielding ability, its macroscopic cross section (Σ) is 0.271cm-1 which is about 1.72 times higher than Lead-Boron Polyethylene B201 whose macroscopic cross section (Σ) is 0.158cm-1. Boron-containing iron ore concentrate/epoxy composite performs relative good 60Co γ ray shielding ability and its linear attenuation coefficient (μ) is 0.0772cm-1. The elements boron and iron that exist as compound in ore are the main reasons to affect the slow neutron shielding performance. The iron element that exists as compound in the ore has the main attribution to 60Co γ ray shielding.
Characterization of in-flight performance of ion propulsion systems

In-flight measurements of ion propulsion performance, ground test calibrations, and diagnostic performance measurements were reviewed. It was found that accelerometers provided the most accurate in-flight thrust measurements compared with four other methods that were surveyed. An experiment has also demonstrated that pre-flight alignment of the thrust vector was sufficiently accurate so that gimbal adjustments and use of attitude control thrusters were not required to counter disturbance torques caused by thrust vector misalignment. The effects of facility background pressure, facility enhanced charge-exchange reactions, and contamination on ground-based performance measurements are also discussed. Vacuum facility pressures for inert-gas ion thruster life tests and flight qualification tests will have to be less than 2 mPa to ensure accurate performance measurements.
A gas lift system for large volume water sampling

Abstract The construction, use, and performance of a gas lift pumping system capable of bringing large volumes of water onboard a vessel is described.
Use of Degradation Tags To Control Protein Levels in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803

ABSTRACT We generated a collection of ssrA-based C-terminal protein degradation tags with different degradation strengths. The steady-state fluorescence levels of different enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) tag variants in a Synechocystis sp. indicated a tunable range from 1% to 50% of untagged eYFP.
Chemical Prevention of Calculus Formation in the Rat

The influence of an amidopolyphosphate on calculus formation in the rat was investigated. Topical applications of the agent administered twice daily at concentrations of 2.5 and 5% resulted in a significant decrease in calculus accumulation, whereas 1% solution was ineffective.
A classification system for understanding individual differences in temporal orientation among processual researchers and organizational informants

Abstract This paper develops a classification system of temporal orientations in an effort to provide processual researchers with a framework for understanding the potential impact of temporal orientations on processual research methods and findings. In developing the classification system four general conceptions of time are reviewed, including physiological, objective, psychological, and socially constructed relative time. Specific dimensions of temporal orientation previously studied are identified, and additional dimensions are offered. It is suggested that temporal concerns are endemic to management and organizational processes, and that differences in temporal orientations among researchers and organizational informants should be considered when conducting processual research.
Dammara-20,25-dien-3β,24α-diol: A natural repellent of Acromyrmex octospinosus

Abstract Dammara-20,25-dien-3β,24α-diol was isolated from the hexane extract of Abuta racemosa , characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single crystal diffraction analysis, and shown to be a natural repellent of an attine ant.
A geometric interpretation for certain scalar-tensor gravity theories☆

Abstract Dimensional reduction of ten-dimensional N =1 supergravity, where the space of extra dimensions is a compact coset space, leads to a class of non-linear σ-models coupled to gravity. Some members of this class contain only spin 2 and spin 0 fields while other members of this class are supersymmetric non-linear σ-models coupled to supergravity. In all cases the scalar field self-coupling constants are simply related to Newton's constant.
Arterial baroreflexes are not essential in mediating sympathoadrenal activation in conscious endotoxic rats.

Abstract We examined the contributions of arterial baroreceptor reflexes in mediating sympathoadrenal activation during endotoxicosis. Conscious rats with chronic sinoaortic denervation (SAD) or sham-operation (SHAM) were subject to endotoxin treatment (5 mg/kg, i.v.). Hemodynamic responses, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and plasma catecholamines were assessed at different times post endotoxin infusion. In both SAD and sham groups, intravenous endotoxin injection induced a rapid and significant sympathoadrenal activation, as indicated by a parallel elevation of RSNA and plasma catecholamines. Such activation peaked 15–30 min following endotoxin and was sustained throughout the 2–3 h protocol. The early response of the sympathoad-renal system to endotoxin is more profound in SAD rats compared to sham rats. We propose that the afferent neural input from arterial baroreceptors is not essential in mediating sympathoadrenal activation during sepsis. The elimination of feedback buffering mechanisms with SAD may account for the augmented sympathetic response seen in SAD animals.
Applying broadband spectra to assess biological control of saltcedar in west Texas

Broadband field spectra were assessed to discriminate invasive saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) trees exhibiting feeding damage caused by the saltcedar leaf beetle (Diorhadba spp.) from other land cover types. Data were collected at two study sites near Presidio, Texas in 2010 and 2011. Spectral bands evaluated were coastal blue (400–450 nm), blue (450–510 nm), green (510–580 nm), yellow (585–625 nm), red (630–690 nm), red-edge (705–745 nm), and near-infrared (770–895, 860–1040 nm). Data were evaluated with analysis of variance and Scheffe’s multiple comparison test (α = 0.05). The red band generally separated severely damaged saltcedar trees from other land cover features. Near-infrared bands separated defoliated saltcedar trees. Broadband spectra has potential for distinguishing saltcedar trees exhibiting feeding damage caused by the saltcedar leaf beetle from other associated features, thus supporting future explorations of airborne and satellite-borne multispectral systems to monitor biological control of sal...
Valor clínico da monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial

.Apesar desta constatacao, PA medida no consulto-rio permanece como o padrao para o diagnostico etratamento da hipertensao arterial sistemica (HAS).Diante da alta prevalencia da HAS e os custosvultosos associados a seu tratamento, investigado-res tem procurado conceber metodos que eliminemesta potencial discrepância entre a PA do consul-torio e o perfil dinâmico da PA no cotidiano dopaciente. Uma das tecnicas desenvolvidas comeste objetivo e a monitorizacao ambulatorial nao-invasiva da pressao arterial (MAPA).A MAPA foi criada no inicio da decada de 1960
Human Centred Design Considerations for Multidisciplinary Chronic Heart Failure Disease Management Technology

Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is a multi-faceted syndrome associated with high mortality and morbidity, as well as high health care costs from both patient and healthcare system perspectives. Optimal CHF disease management involves a high degree of information management and processing, for patients and providers, as well as timely and appropriate information sharing between them. Nurses have long been important conductors of information between patients and the healthcare system, and can provide a valuable perspective on the design of interactive information technology (IIT) to support multidisciplinary sharing of health information. The complimentary perspectives of holistic nursing and human-centred engineering design are discussed in evaluating multidisciplinary information needs and information management needs regarding CHF disease management of home-based CHF patients in Iceland, the author's home country.
Relevance feedback techniques in interactive content-based image retrieval

Content-based image retrieval (CBIR) has become one of the most active research areas in the past few years. Many visual feature representations have been explored and many systems built. While these research efforts establish the basis of CBIR, the usefulness of the proposed approaches is limited. Specifically, these efforts have relatively ignored two distinct characteristics of CBIR systems: (1) the gap between high level concepts and low level features; (2) subjectivity of human perception of visual content. This paper proposes a relevance feedback based interactive retrieval approach, which effectively takes into account the above two characteristics in CBIR. During the retrieval process, the user's high level query and perception subjectivity are captured by dynamically updated weights based on the user's relevance feedback. The experimental results show that the proposed approach greatly reduces the user's effort of composing a query and captures the user's information need more precisely.
CLOCK leaves its mark on histones.

Transcriptional regulation of circadian rhythms in mammals involves a negative-feedback loop whereby a CLOCK–BMAL1 complex activates transcription of the genes encoding the proteins PER1 (Period 1), PER2, CRY1 (Cryptochrome 1) and CRY2, which feed back to inhibit the activity of CLOCK–BMAL1. It is becoming evident that chromatin remodeling has a crucial role in the transcriptional regulation of genes governing circadian rhythms. This is highlighted in a recent report that shows that CLOCK has histone acetyltransferase activity, thus, demonstrating that molecular components of the biological clock can themselves catalyze chromatin modifications.
Life-Span Pretend Play in Two Communities

Two studies sought to determine if pretend play has occurred throughout the lifespans of two communities of young Western adults. First, 10 improvisers were asked to define the words “play” and “pretend,” recount episodes of pretend play in their early childhood, elementary school, adolescence, and adulthood, and relate the benefits of their engagement in pretend play. Second, 49 graduate students answered open-ended and dichotomous-response questionnaire items modeled after the first study. In both studies, participants offered meanings of pretend and play that align with definitions of children's play and offered personal, life-span episodes and benefits of pretend play.
N-methylation of purines and pyrimidines

Abstract A rapid, convenient method for the N -methylation of purines and pyrimidines has been developed. When the purine or pyrimidine is dissolved in DMSO and treated with sodium methoxide and methyl iodide, quantitative conversion to the N -permethylated product occurs. Thymine, adenine, 6-methylaminopurine, xanthine, and uric acid have been derivatized in this manner. In the case of thymine, xanthine, and uric acid no evidence for O -methylation has been observed. The chemical ionization and electron impact mass spectra of the methylated products are presented. Spectrophotometric analysis of the product from the methylation of thymine indicates quantitative conversation to 1,3-dimethylthymine.
The Effect of Global Compaction on the Local Secondary Structure of Folded Dendrimers

The effect of nonlocal interactions on the local structural propensities of folded dendrimers was evaluated in this work by comparing, under identical conditions, the conformational properties of isomeric dendrimers differing in their global packing efficiency. Accordingly, a modular synthesis of two series of dendrimers up to the third generation was developed to provide efficient access to isomeric dendrimers displaying different levels of overall compaction. Dendrimer compaction levels were adjusted by connecting the folded dendrons to 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl chloride, as the central core, via either a 2- or a 4-aminobenzamide linkage to induce relatively "compacted" or "expanded" conformations, respectively. The hydrodynamic volumes of the dendrimers were measured by time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy (TRFA) measurements as a function of the dendrimer series, generation level, and solvent. Packing efficiencies (compaction levels) were estimated by the ratio (V(h)/V(vw)) of the experimental hydrodynamic volume (V(h)) to the calculated van der Waals volume (V(vw)). The extent and stability of local helical bias was measured using circular dichroism and correlated with the packing efficiency (V(h)/V(vw)). These studies suggested that compaction plays an extremely important role in determining the secondary structural preferences of the dendrimers; however, the nature of compaction was more important than the extent of compaction.
The application of a sensitive uricase-peroxidase coupled reaction to a centrifugal fast analyser for the determination of uric acid

A uricase-peroxidase coupled system, for the determination of uric acid, applied to a CentrifiChem-500 centrifugal fast analyser is described. Relatively large amounts of ascorbic acid, due to the inclusion of an ascorbate oxidase urine diluent, and hemoglobin appear not to interfere with the procedure while the incorporation of potassium ferrocyanide into the reagents has led to the near-total elimination of bilirubin interference. The incubation period is relatively short compared with other similar procedures and the one reagent system has made the procedure simple to perform. The use of sodium 2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate and 4-aminoantipyrene in the oxidative coupling reaction has incorporated the advantages of increased sensitivity, over phenol-4-aminoantipyrene systems, as well as the amenability of the reagent towards lyophilization or "dry-fill".
Inheritance of autogeny in the Aedes scutellaris subgroup of mosquitoes.

Three autogenous populations [ Aedes cooki, Ae. sp. (Tafahi), and Ae. sp. (Niuafo'ou)] and 2 anautogenous populations ( Ae. polynesiensis and Ae. pseudoscutellaris ) were crossed to determine the mode of inheritance of autogeny in the AEDES SCUTELLARIS subgroup. Females of Aedes sp. (Tafahi) and Ae. cooki , when mated with Ae. pseudoscutellaris males, produced F1, F2 and barkcross progeny in which ratios for autogeny were statistically compatible with the hypothesis of a single dominant autosomal gene for autogeny. However, in the cross between Ae. pseudoscutellaris females and Ae. cooki males, and in that between Ae. sp. (Niuafo'ou) females and A. pseudoscutellaris males, the F1, F2 and backcross progeny showed autogeny ratios that did not support the single factor hypothesis. The latter also was true of progeny resulting from crosses between females each of Ae. sp. (Tafahi), Ae. cooki , and Ae. sp. (Niuafo'ou), and Ae. polynesiensis males. These results appear to support the hypothesis that several alleles contribute varying degrees of autogeny.
Multilag Correlation Estimators for Polarimetric Radar Measurements in the Presence of Noise

AbstractThe quality of polarimetric radar data degrades as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) decreases. This substantially limits the usage of collected polarimetric radar data to high SNR regions. To improve data quality at low SNRs, multilag correlation estimators are introduced. The performance of the multilag estimators for spectral moments and polarimetric parameters is examined through a theoretical analysis and by the use of simulated data. The biases and standard deviations of the estimates are calculated and compared with those estimates obtained using the conventional method.
Student Math Achievement and Out-of-Field Teaching:

This study investigates the distribution of math teachers with a major or certification in math using data from the National Center for Education Statistics’ High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09). The authors discuss the limitations of existing data sources for measuring teacher qualifications, such as the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS), and show how HSLS:09 can be used to analyze the distribution of qualified teachers in mathematics. The results demonstrate that ninth-grade students in most need of a qualified math teacher are least likely to have one.
Unification of Mind, Language, and the Moving Body

Brenda Farnell. Do You See What. Mean?: Plains Indian Sign Talk and the Embodiment of Action. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1995. ix. 382 pp.
An information-maximization approach to blind separation and blind deconvolution

We derive a new self-organizing learning algorithm that maximizes the information transferred in a network of nonlinear units. The algorithm does not assume any knowledge of the input distributions, and is defined here for the zero-noise limit. Under these conditions, information maximization has extra properties not found in the linear case (Linsker 1989). The nonlinearities in the transfer function are able to pick up higher-order moments of the input distributions and perform something akin to true redundancy reduction between units in the output representation. This enables the network to separate statistically independent components in the inputs: a higher-order generalization of principal components analysis. We apply the network to the source separation (or cocktail party) problem, successfully separating unknown mixtures of up to 10 speakers. We also show that a variant on the network architecture is able to perform blind deconvolution (cancellation of unknown echoes and reverberation in a speech signal). Finally, we derive dependencies of information transfer on time delays. We suggest that information maximization provides a unifying framework for problems in "blind" signal processing.
Ownership Differences and Firms' Income Smoothing Behavior

This paper examines the association between differences in ownership structure and income smoothing behavior in firms. The underlying constructs affecting this association include agency relationships, managerial incentives, information asymmetry, and firm profitability. A logistic regression model is used to test the association between income smoothing and variables related to inside ownership, institutional holdings, leverage, managerial compensation, profitability, and firm size. The evidence suggests that ownership differences, managers' incentive structures, and firm profitability are important in explaining income smoothing behavior in firms. By separating inside ownership and levels of debt into different levels, we are able to show the existence of a non-monotonic relationship between ownership differences and firms' income smoothing behavior.
Cooperative multi-robot observation of multiple moving targets

An important issue that arises in the automation of many security, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks is that of monitoring, or observing, the movements of targets navigating in a bounded area of interest. A key research issue in these problems is that of sensor placement-determining where sensors should be located to maintain the targets in view. In complex applications of this type, the use of multiple sensors dynamically moving over time is required. In this paper, we investigate the use of a cooperative team of autonomous sensor-based robots for multi-robot observation of multiple moving targets. We focus primarily on developing the distributed control strategies that allow the robot team to attempt to maximize the collective time during which each object is being observed by at least one robot in the area of interest. Our initial efforts in this problem address the aspects of distributed control in homogeneous robot teams with equivalent sensing and movement capabilities working in an uncluttered, bounded area. This paper first formalizes the problem, discusses related work, and then shows that this problem is NP-hard. We then present a distributed approximate approach to solving this problem that combines low-level multi-robot control with higher-level control. The low-level control is described in terms of force fields emanating from the targets and the robots. The higher level control is presented in the ALLIANCE formalism, which provides mechanisms for fault tolerant cooperative control, and allows robot team members to adjust their low-level actions based upon the actions of their teammates. We then present the results of the implementation of portions of our approach, both in simulation and on physical robots.
Measurements of noise in Josephson-effect mixers

We present new heterodyne receiver results obtained at 100 GHz using resistively-shunted Nb and NbN tunnel junctions. In addition, we have carried out accurate measurements of the available noise power of these devices at the L-band (1.5 GHz) IF frequency. Both the heterodyne and the output noise measurements show that the noise of these devices can be a factor of five or more higher than that predicted by the simple current-biased RSJ model. The noise approaches the appropriate thermal or thermal and shot noise limits for bias voltages where the nonlinearity is not strong (i.e., V>I/sub C/R/sub N/), but as expected from the RSJ model, can be significantly higher at the low voltages where the mixers are typically biased. The bias voltage dependence of the noise shows structure which is associated with resonances in the RF embedding circuit. Surprisingly, we find that changes in the high-frequency (100 GHz) impedance presented to the junction can dramatically affect the magnitude and voltage dependence of the low-frequency (1.5 GHz) noise. This emphasizes the necessity of very closely matching the junction to free space over a wide frequency range. >
Received Wisdom Regarding the Roles of Craving and Dopamine in Addiction: A Response to Lewis's Critique of Addiction: A Disorder of Choice.

Lewis’s review of my book (2011, this issue) repeats widely shared understandings of the nature of addiction and the role that dopamine plays in the persistence of self-destructive drug use. These accounts depict addiction as a chronic relapsing disease and claim that drug-induced changes in dopamine function explain the transition from drug experimentation to compulsive drug use. In my book, I test the idea that addiction is a chronic, persistent state. Lewis fails to mention the results of the various tests, although they provide a handy test for his account of addiction and are surprising in light of the common verbal formula ‘‘addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease.’’ Consequently, I review a few of the key findings in this response. Lewis faults me for not giving enough attention to dopamine. In my book, I conclude that there is more to the biology of addiction than dopamine, and in this response, I describe research that tests the idea that drug-induced increases in dopamine markedly reduce an individual’s capacity to choose nondrug reinforcers. In one experiment, rats readily gave up cocaine for saccharin, even when they had been consuming massive amounts of the drug for weeks. Put more generally, well-established research results call for a revision of currently accepted understandings of addiction and the role that dopamine plays in drug use.
Antibodies Reactive with the Cryptococcal Capsular Polysaccharide Glucuronoxylomannan Are Present in Sera from Children with and without Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Antibodies reactive with the cryptococcal polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) are present in sera from both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected and -infected adults. However, the prevalence of these antibodies in US children is unknown. An antigen-capture ELISA was used to determine the presence, serotype specificity, isotype, and IgG subclass distribution of antibodies to GXM in sera from 27 HIV-uninfected and 34 HIV-infected children. The children were of similar age and socioeconomic background. IgG and IgM to GXM were present in sera from all children, although HIV-uninfected children had significantly higher titers. HIV-uninfected children had IgG1 and IgG2 to GXM and significantly greater IgG2 than in HIV-infected children. These findings of type-specific antibodies to GXM in early childhood suggest that exposure to or subclinical infection with Cryptococcus neoformans may be an early childhood event.
Multibeam cellular mobile communications with dynamic channel assignment

We consider sectorized multibeam cellular mobile communications with dynamic channel assignment to beams. Network performance for space-division multiple access (SDMA) based on channel reuse between beams is investigated. We use a model to calculate theoretical traffic performance characteristics of the proposed system including call-blocking probability and carried traffic.
Preventive Intervention for Urban, Low-Income Preschoolers at Familial Risk for Conduct Problems: A Randomized Pilot Study

Conducted a pilot study to test the feasibility of a prevention program for promoting parenting in families of preschoolers at high risk for behavior problems. Risk status was based on a family history of antisocial behavior and residence in a low-income, urban community. Thirty preschoolers (ages 21/2 to 5) and their parents were randomly assigned to a 1-year, home- and clinic-based intervention or to a no-intervention control condition. Despite families' multiple risk factors, high rates of attendance and satisfaction were achieved. Relative to controls, intervention parents were observed to be significantly more responsive and use more positive parenting practices. Results support the feasibility of engaging high-risk families in an intensive prevention program. The meaningful changes achieved in parenting suggest that a preventive approach is promising for families with multiple risk factors.
Working memory performance following paediatric traumatic brain injury.

Primary objective: The present study investigated working memory ability in children who sustained moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injuries in relation to pre-injury, injury-related and developm...
On optimal defibrillating pulse synthesis

This article proposes a control framework suitable to study the synthesis of electrical signals that bring a fibrillating heart to a nominal (defibrillated) state so that regular, autonomous cardiac activity resumes. A parallel resistor/capacitor (single RC-circuit) and energy source has been used for over 70 years to describe the heart's defibrillated state as a condition of reaching nominal threshold potential values represented by the capacitor voltage. The bidomain model adopted in the 1990's was an improvement as it provided 2D and 3D continuum models of cardiac tissue enabling significant advances in modeling electrical cardiac activity. We have spatially discretized a version of the bidomain equations so that the temporal behavior of the transmembrane potential at a point is deduced from an infinite number of first-order differential equations. The connection to a network of RC-circuits is logical and creates opportunities for theoretical and practical modeling and control contributions. A strategy that minimizes a weighted time/energy cost for the single RC-circuit was applied to a multi-RC model. The proposed pulse is agile and energy conscientious thus outperforming the pulse developed to minimize energy consumption alone. The results can also be used to formalize ad-hoc reports that explore the time-energy tradeoff in other defibrillating pulse candidates. In addition, the multi-RC circuit may be used to explore cardiac tissue recovery and multi-path defibrillation. A minimum-time strategy is proposed for the multi-RC circuit to address fast capacitor discharge requirements. These efforts suggest new waveforms to potentially innovate defibrillator design using feedback control.
ACTIVE LEARNING OF RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY IMPROVES PERFORMANCE ON RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY EXAMINATIONS

Active involvement in the learning process has been suggested to enhance creative thinking, judgement, interpretation, and problem-solving skills. Therefore, educators are encouraged to create an active-learning environment by incorporating active-learning strategies into the class. However, there is very little documentation of the effectiveness of active-learning strategies. Furthermore, faculty are often reluctant to incorporate new strategies without documentation of the effectiveness of these strategies. To address this concern, we compared the performance of two individual classes on an identical respiratory physiology examination. One class was taught respiratory physiology using active-learning strategies. The other class was taught respiratory physiology using the traditional lecture format. The results document that students who learned using active-learning strategies did significantly better (P < 0.05) on the respiratory physiology examination than students who learned by the traditional lecture format (61 +/- 2.2 vs. 86 +/- 1.0). Thus, by actively involving students in the learning process, academic performance is enhanced.
Epidermal Growth Factor-mediated Apoptosis of MDA-MB-468 Human Breast Cancer Cells

MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer cells lack estrogen receptors, overexpress epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors, and are growth inhibited by EGF. We show that treatment of MDA-MB-468 cells with EGF leads to inhibition of cell proliferation, fragmentation of DNA into nucleosomal oligomers, and the development of apoptotic morphology. This treatment is associated with increased expression of c-myc, c-fos, jun family members, and transforming growth factor beta 1 mRNA and with partial proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and lamin B. The observation that EGF can mediate apoptosis in EGF receptor-overexpressing cells has important implications for clinical efforts directed at the EGF receptor.
Exposing covert fragrance chemicals

Fragrance is the most common cosmetic allergen found when dermatitis patients are patch tested in the United States and in many places worldwide. Fragrances are ubiquitous in our daily lives and are present in items ranging from toiletries to toilet tissue. Although fragrances enhance the smell or mask unpleasant odors of various cosmetics and household items, it becomes very difficult for fragrance-allergic patients to find products they can use. Many items labeled unscented and fragrance-free contain esoteric fragrance chemicals that most consumers would not recognize. This article details some covert fragrance agents to help physicians better educate their fragrance-sensitive patients.
A low-power 10 Gb/s AGC optical postamplifier in SiGe

A 10 Gb/s automatic gain control amplifier for use in optical receivers was implemented in a SiGe process with f/sub T/=45 GHz. Active peaking techniques were used to achieve a maximum gain of 48 dB with 7.8 GHz of bandwidth. The amplifier demonstrates less than 0.5 dB of peak-to-peak output amplitude variation over a 50 dB input amplitude range. It consumes 30 mW of power from a 3.3 V supply and remains functional at voltages as low as 2.7 V. The amplifier core occupies 0.1 mm/sup 2/ and requires no external components.
Considerations for Reconstructing Metazoan History: Signal, Resolution, and Hypothesis Testing

SYNOPSIS. Certain issues of metazoan phylogeny remain difficult to resolve even with advances in phylogenetic theory and molecular tools. This lack of resolution might be due to limited phylogenetic signal in regions of the metazoan tree. For example, 18S rDNA data are consistent with a rapid radiation early in the history of bilaterian animals. Despite this lack of resolution, our understanding of metazoan evolutionary history can be furthered by extracting phylogenetic signal from data with more appropriate evolutionary models and by explicitly testing alternative hypotheses. I examined 18S rDNA data across a diverse number of phyla to identify potential problems with using genetic data to reconstruct metazoan history. Although the 18S performs well at the most general level of metazoan phylogeny, it has shortcomings particularly among the non-arthropod protostomes. Examples of parametric bootstrap simulation are given to illustrate how we may begin to address methodological issues when there is limited phylogenetic signal. These simulations suggest that we are more likely to understand the bilaterian radiation event by increasing the length of nucleotide sequences collected than by employing faster genes.
Performance effects of synchronization in parallel processors

We investigate synchronization activities in application executing on distributed-memory MIMD architectures. Three applications are used to quantify the performance impact of synchronization as the number of processors is increased. We also investigate the performance improvement possible when synchronization is supported in hardware. The results show that significant performance improvement can be achieved. The hardware support should include barrier synchronization, operate-and-broadcast, and operations over subsets of processors. >
Methods for Identifying and Controlling Sonar Clutter

Three methods for identifying, characterizing, and controlling active sonar clutter are described and demonstrated on broadband, low-frequency (<;1800 Hz) normalized data collected in two range-dependent, shallow-water environments: the Malta Plateau off Sicily and the Stanton Banks off Scotland. One method examines short time-scale clutter persistence to stabilize/minimize coherent propagation effects. A second method correlates strong clutter echoes with the depth-weighted topographic slope (relative to the sonar) to help predict the significant scatterers. A third method involves moment-based statistical measures [Poisson-Rayleigh-inspired method (PRIM), K-distribution shape parameter, kurtosis] to distinguish between spatially compact and spatially extended clutter objects. As illustrated with the isolation of several anthropogenic objects from widespread topographic clutter on the Malta Plateau, the new Poisson-Rayleigh (P-R)-based method appears to offer some promise in regards to reducing the false alarm rate.
Historical Changes in Abundance of Floating‐Leaf and Emergent Vegetation in Minnesota Lakes

Abstract To assess the consequences of shoreline development, whole-lake vegetation abundance of dense floating-leaf and emergent vegetation in 100 north-central Minnesota lakes was estimated from aerial photographs for selected years between 1939 and 2003. Lakes were randomly selected from three shoreland development classifications, which define statewide minimum shoreline development standards for Minnesota. The three classes, in order of increasing restrictions for development, are general development, recreational development, and natural environment. Image analysis techniques were used to estimate vegetation abundance (percent cover). Shoreline development varied by shoreland development class. Floating-leaf and emergent vegetative cover (percent of lake surface area) was significantly affected by development. Increases in shoreline development, indexed by dock sites per shoreline kilometer, reduced plant cover. A linear mixed-effects model estimated that in 2003, the mean floating-leaf and emergent...
Mixed-mode stress intensity factors for cracks located at or parallel to the interface in bimaterial half planes

This paper presents a method for obtaining the mixed-mode stress intensity factors for bimaterial interface cracks or cracks parallel to the bimaterial interface in half-plane configurations. First, dislocation solutions in two different bimaterial half planes are presented. The boundaries of these two half planes are either parallel or perpendicular to the bimaterial interface. A surface dislocation model is employed to ensure the traction-free boundary conditions. The dislocation solutions are then applied to calculate the mixed mode stress intensity factors of cracks either at the interface or parallel to the interface. The effects of material mismatch, material interface, and boundary on the stress intensity factors are investigated extensively.
Some Aspects of Continuum Damage Mechanics Applied to Polymer and Ceramic Matrix Composites

Certain recently observed characteristics in the response of cracked cross ply laminates of new toughened polymer matrix composites and of ceramic matrix composites are described. A continuum damage mechanics analysis of these aspects of damage-response relationships is presented as an extension of this author’s previous work.
GENETIC CHANGES COINCIDING WITH THE COLONIZATION OF CALIFORNIA BY THE WALNUT HUSK FLY, RHAGOLETIS COMPLETA.

The founding of new, geographically isolated populations is a process central to many issues in evolutionary biology. One aspect of this process that has received much attention is the reduction in population size that accompanies the founding of a new population. Colonization by a small number of founders is a recurrent theme in both speciation theory (Bush, 1975; White, 1978; Templeton, 1980) and some theories of macroevolution (Eldredge and Gould, 1972). Current interest in such population "bottlenecks" can be traced to Mayr's (1954) theory of speciation via the founder effect, and ultimately to Wright's (1932) shifting balance theory. Despite their theoretical importance, there are few studies of the genetic effects of colonization and population bottlenecks in nature. There is no shortage of work in which assumed bottlenecks are invoked to explain results, but studies of known bottlenecks are few indeed (Taylor and Gorman, 1975; Schwaegerle and Schaal, 1979; Bryant et al., 1981). One underexploited source of data on bottlenecks is introduced insects. The presence of an important pest is usually noticed soon after its introduction into a new area, and its subsequent spread is documented. Furthermore, pest insects are the subject of control measures which may generate secondary post-introduction bottlenecks. Although the exact size of the initial population is not known, the wealth of other data on introduced pest populations makes them well worth studying.