cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Independent allopolyploidization events preceded speciation in the temperate and tropical woody bamboos

Summary The objectives of the current study were to investigate the origin of polyploidy in the woody bamboos and examine putative hybrid relationships in one major lineage (the temperate woody bamboos, tribe Arundinarieae). Phylogenetic analyses were based on sequence data from three nuclear loci and 38 species in 27 genera. We identify six ancestral genome donors for contemporary bamboo lineages: temperate woody bamboos (tribe Arundinarieae) contain genomes A and B, tropical woody bamboos (tribe Bambuseae) contain genomes C and D, and herbaceous bamboos (tribe Olyreae) contain genome H; some hexaploid paleotropical bamboos contain genome E in addition to C and D. Molecular data indicate that allopolyploidy arose independently in temperate (AABB) and tropical woody lineages (CCDD and CCDDEE), and speciation occurred subsequent to polyploidization. Moreover, hybridization has played a surprising and recurrent role in bamboo evolution, generating allohexaploid species in the paleotropical clade and intergeneric hybrids among the allotetraploid temperate bamboos. We suggest this complex history of reticulate evolution is at least partially responsible for the taxonomic difficulty associated with the woody bamboos. This newly-resolved phylogenetic framework reflects a major step forward in our understanding of bamboo biodiversity and has important implications for the interpretation of bamboo phylogenomics.
Characterization of perfluoroalkyl acrylic oligomers by electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-ToF-MS) has been successfully employed for the characterization of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and end groups for bromine-terminated perfluoroalkyl acrylate oligomers prepared using atom transfer radical polymerization. Intact oligomers and smaller quantities of common side products were observed from m/z 1000 to 4000 cationized with a sodium ion, a difluorobenzyl cation or a proton with a minimum of multiply charged species. Number average molecular weight and weight average molecular weight for both the samples that were characterized were in reasonable agreement with independent measurements conducted using GPC-MALS and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Causes of the Holocaust

Not long ago I was discussing before a theatre audience in Philadelphia a performance of ‘Our Class’, Tadeusz Slobodzianski's remarkable theatrical reinterpretation of Jan Gross's pioneering book Neighbors. It helped so very much that the discussion took place after rather than before the performance! It is a great honour to find my book at the centre of this discussion by colleagues, but it would be great vanity on my part to expect that every reader of this exchange will have first read my book. And yet without some general sense of the argument and substance of Bloodlands, I can hardly explain why the four responses are so different each from the other, what underlying concerns unite them, and how they might be answered. The book is a study of all German and Soviet mass killing policies in the lands between the Black and Baltic Seas from south to north and from Smolensk to Poznan from east to west. It begins from the observation that fourteen million non-combatants were deliberately killed in this zone between 1933 and 1945, when both Stalin and Hitler were in power. The figure is very high in its own right, and represents the vast majority of Soviet and German killing. The territory can be defined in terms of the number of murdered, or as the place where the Holocaust was perpetrated, or as the zone touched by both German and Soviet power: all three definitions generate the same map of the bloodlands.
A 140mA 90nm CMOS low drop-out regulator with −56dB power supply rejection at 10MHz

A high power supply rejection (PSR) low drop-out (LDO) voltage regulator employing a simple supply ripple cancellation adaptive technique is presented in this paper. The LDO is implemented in 90nm digital CMOS process and occupies an active area of 0.015mm2. The measured PSR is better than −50dB up to 10MHz across the load current range of 140mA with a drop-out voltage of 0.15V. The quiescent current (I Q ) varies adaptively from 33µA at no load to 145µA at maximum load with a current efficiency of 99.9%. Load regulation of 6mV for a 140mA step in load current is measured.
A digital library for geographically referenced materials

Presently, maps, aerial photos, and other material referenced in geographic terms, such as by the names of communities that appear in the material, are largely inaccessible. Much of the information is only on paper or film, and can be found only in major research libraries. There is a need to make such material more widely available. The goal of the Alexandria Project, which is based at the University of California at Santa Barbara, is to build a distributed digital library for geographically referenced material from throughout the world. The Alexandria Digital Library is scheduled to be made available to the public in July 1996. At that time, Internet users will be able to access and extract information from the ADL's large collection. To accomplish its goal, ADL will provide user interfaces and on-line catalogs that support the formulation and evaluation of geographically constrained queries.
The Defeat of the Golden Gate Authority: A Special District, a Council of Governments, and the Fate of Regional Planning in the San Francisco Bay Area

In 1958, John F. McCarthy and Edgar F. Kaiser proposed the Golden Gate Authority to coordinate, plan for, and develop regional transportation in the San Francisco Bay Area. This agency would have incorporated all Bay Area bridges, seaports, and airports and would have provided the foundation for general regional planning and metropolitan area government, with capacity to expand its jurisdiction and functions. As such, the proposal threatened the autonomy of local governments, whose officials rallied against it, evoking the principle of federalism under the rubric of “home rule.” In accounting for the defeat of the authority, this article describes local government officials as an independent interest group engaged in the decision-making process. It also considers some of the long-term implications of the defeat, including the reinforcement of a fragmented, federalist governmental structure at the local level.
Surface segregation phenomena in Pt–Pd nanoparticles: dependence on nanocluster size

Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to investigate the effect of the nanocluster size on surface segregation phenomena of Pt alloys containing 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90% Pd. Atomic distribution is examined in graphite-supported nanoclusters with approximate diameters of 2 and 4 nm, using a simulated annealing procedure with temperatures varying from 1200 down to 353 K. Following this annealing route, it is found that at concentrations of Pd below a certain threshold, Pt segregates to the surface, whereas Pd segregates to the surface when the overall concentration of Pd is above that threshold. Moreover, the threshold concentration depends on the size, being approximately 50% for the 2 nm nanocluster and in the order of 60% for the 4 nm nanocluster. It is also found that the percent of the surface enriched either in Pt or Pd at a given overall concentration, as well as the nature of the exposed crystallographic faces, depend significantly on the cluster size. Our studies suggest that surface...
Geologic form and setting of a hydrothermal vent field at lat 10°56′N, East Pacific Rise: A detailed study using Angus and Alvin

A hydrothermal vent field, here called the Feather Duster site, occurs on the eastern marginal high near the edge of a narrow (95-m) and shallow (15-20-m) axial graben, within an area dominated by sheet flows and collapse features. The sheet flows are intermediate in relative age between younger fluid-flow lavas on the floor of the axial graben and older pillow (constructional) lavas on the marginal highs. Hydrothermal activity occurs in two zones within a 65 by 45 m area. The main zone is located where a fissure system and sulfide-sulfate chimneys vent warm (9-47/sup 0/C) and hot (347/sup 0/C) hydrothermal fluids. Here, two mounds of massive sulfide totaling about 200 t are forming. One occurs at the base of a 3-m-high scarp which is the wall of a drained lava lake; the other is perched on top of the scarp. 19 references, 4 figures.
Hydrologic and thermal properties of the active layer in the Alaskan Arctic

Abstract Almost all biological activity in far north regions takes place within a shallow zone above the permafrost called the active layer. The active layer is the surficial layer of the soil system which thaws every summer. In Imnavait watershed, a small headwater watershed north of the Brooks Range on the North Slope of Alaska, the active layer is an extremely variable multilayered system consisting of a mat of mosses and sedges on about 10 cm of organic soil over silt. The layer of organic soil tends to mollify thermal and hydrologic fluctuations below it. The thermal conductivity of the surface organic layer at average moisture contents is about one-third that of the silt and thus functions as a layer of insulation for the permafrost. Before spring melt or after a period of low precipitation, the organic mat is desiccated and will absorb 1.5 cm of water before downslope runoff occurs. The hydraulic conductivity of the organic soils is 10 to 1000 times greater than the silt, thus during a large rainfall event, downslope movement will primarily occur in the organic layer. The subsurface mineral soil tends to remain saturated with little annual variation and shows little response to precipitation events. In comparison, the moisture content of surficial organic soil fluctuates between 10 and 90% by volume. To adequately model physical processes, we need a detailed understanding of the thermal and hydrologic properties because these properties vary so dramatically over short vertical distances.
The Performance of Juvenile Delinquents on the Holtzman Inkblot Technique: A Normative Study

Summary A normative study of the Holtzman Inkblot Technique (H.I.T.) protocols of 75 male juvenile delinquents detained while awaiting Court hearings was undertaken as follows: All the protocols were scored by an examiner who was trained in the Klopfer method but who had had no specific training in the scoring of the H.I.T. beyond that afforded by a careful study of the H.I.T. Manual. They were later re-scored by the criterion scorer for the H.I.T. Research Group and the two sets of scores inter-correlated. Highly satisfactory inter-scorer reliability was found for all but two variables. The delinquent's scores were compared with those reported by Holtzman, Thorpe, Swartz, & Herron (1961) for non-delinquent adolescent samples. Significant differences were found for 23 of the 40 comparisons made with the delinquents generally having lower scores than would be expected for boys their age. It was concluded that the norms for non-delinquent adolescents arc inappropriate for individual discriminations among de...
Genetic variability and differentiation in the temperature niche component of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana

The acclimated reproduction rates of 14 clones of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana were measured at 12°, 16°, 20°, and 24°C. Reproduction rate increased monotonically with an increase in temperature in all 14 clones. Significant genetic variability in reproduction rates and electrophoretic mobility of isozymes were observed among clones within a population from a single water bottle collected in a warm core eddy overlying slope water. The major genetic differentiation was between neritic and oceanic populations, with neritic clones having higher reproduction rates at all 4 temperatures. Surprisingly small genetic differences were observed among clones from neritic waters around the world. The slopes of the temperature-reproduction rate plots of all 14 clones were quite similar.
STRIPES, PSEUDOGAPS, AND VAN HOVE NESTING IN THE THREE-BAND T-J MODEL

Slave-boson calculations have been carried out in the three-band $t$-$J$ model for the high-${T}_{c}$ cuprates, with the inclusion of coupling to oxygen breathing-mode phonons. Phonon-induced Van Hove nesting leads to a phase separation between a hole-doped domain and a (magnetic) domain near half filling, with long-range Coulomb forces limiting the separation to a nanoscopic scale. Strong correlation effects pin the Fermi level close to, but not precisely at the Van Hove singularity (VHS), which can enhance the tendency to phase separation. The resulting dispersions have been calculated, both in the uniform phases and in the phase separated regime. In the latter case, distinctly different dispersions are found for large, random domains and for regular (static) striped arrays, and a hypothetical form is presented for dynamic striped arrays. The doping dependence of the latter is found to provide an excellent description of photoemission and thermodynamic experiments on pseudogap formation in underdoped cuprates. In particular, the multiplicity of observed gaps is explained as a combination of flux phase plus charge-density-wave (CDW) gaps along with a superconducting gap. The largest gap is associated with VHS nesting. The apparent smooth evolution of this gap with doping masks a crossover from CDW-like effects near optimal doping to magnetic effects (flux phase) near half filling. A crossover from large Fermi surface to hole pockets with increased underdoping is found. In the weakly overdoped regime, the CDW undergoes a quantum phase transition ${(T}_{\mathrm{CDW}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0)$, which could be obscured by phase separation.
Increased Ventricular Vulnerability in a Chronic Ethanol Model Despite Reduced Electrophysiologic Responses to Catecholamines

An increased incidence of sudden death has been reported in chronic alcoholism. To assess electrical vulnerability of the heart, action potential responses, and the role of the sympathetic system, a well-nourished canine model has been studied intact under chloralose anesthesia after 1 year of ethanol consumption at 36% of caloric intake. Two alcoholic groups were compared with controls (Group 1). In Group 2 myocardial vulnerability was assessed after chronic EtOH and superimposed acute administration. In Group 3 basal vulnerability was related to circulating norepinephrine and release of neurohormone from the myocardium. Subsequently the responsiveness to catecholamine infusion was determined. To assess vulnerability an electrode catheter was placed in the right ventricular apex. The basal ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) was reduced to 27 +/- 3 ma in Group 2 versus 43 +/- 1.0 in Group 1. Acute infusion of ethanol in Group 2 further reduced the threshold. Group 3 had a reduced basal VFT. Baseline arterial plasma levels of norepinephrine were 8-fold higher and coronary venous levels 13 times higher in the alcoholic group than in Group 1. However, VFT was not responsive to infused epinephrine, compared with Group 1 controls. In vitro study of superfused ventricular tissue from Group 3 revealed that basal action potential amplitude, overshoot, and resting potential were comparable with normals. Basal repolarization time (90%) was 198 +/- 12 msec in Group 3 versus 215 +/- 6 msec in Group 1 (p less than 0.05). After acute EtOH, repolarization time was shortened to 170 +/- 8.6 in Group 1 at 90 mg% ethanol (p less than 0.002), with minimal further change up to 280 mg%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Examination of Tattoos on Mummified Tissue using Infra-red Reflectography

Abstract Tattoos can have cultural or medical significance. Occasionally, evidence of this type of body modification may be found in archaeological remains. This paper describes three tattoos found in a collection of human remains from the site of Semna South in Sudanese Nubia. The tattoos date to the Meroitic period, about 2000 years ago. Two tattoos were located on the dorsal surfaces of naturally mummified hands. These tattoos were examined using infra-red reflectography to enhance visibility. The tattoos are relatively complex designs and may relate to the social status or the group affiliation of the individuals bearing them.
Power absorption at metal surfaces.

We calculate the surface power absorption for various models of the electromagnetic fields near jellium metal surfaces, using both the d-parameter formalism and Fermi's golden rule. With Na as a test case, the absorption from an incident electromagnetic wave is examined over the frequency range between zero and twice the plasma frequency. The nature of the surface power absorption is clarified by separating it into contributions in which the excited electrons are either photoexcited into vacuum or backscattered into the bulk. We find that the total surface power absorption is well represented by the sum of these two processes, except where the bulk plasmon exists as an undamped excitation. We also show the relationship between our microscopic theory and earlier phenomenological approaches.
Complexes of Lithium Imide Salts with Tetraglyme and Their Polyelectrolyte Composite Materials

Complexes of amorphous tetraglyme (G4) and lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) or lithium bis(perfluoroethyl-sulfonyl)imide (LiBETI) were prepared as pol(yethylene) oxide-type electrolytes. Addition of equimolar amounts of LiTFSI and tetraglyme results in a room temperature ionic liquid with the general formula [Li(G4)]TFSI. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis of [Li(G4)]TFSI reveals that it has a T g = -61°C, and the complex remains amorphous over a wide temperature range (-100 to 200°C), and has a very low vapor pressure for tetraglyme at room temperature. The corresponding BETI complex, [Li(G4)]BETI, crystallizes upon cooling and displays a T m = 31°C. Room temperature conductivities (25°C) of [LilG4)]TFSI and [Li(G4)]BETI were 1.13 and 0.63 mS/cm, respectively. Composite polymer electrolytes were prepared by addition of the complexes to polycations possessing TFSI or BETI anions. The composites afforded thin flexible membranes at polymer concentrations ≥50 mol % polymer with room temperature conductivities greater than 10 -4 S/cm. In general, increased concentrations of BETI anions in these materials resulted in increased mechanical stability but decreased ionic mobility. The complexes and composite polymer electrolytes displayed excellent anodic stability up to +4.5 V (vs. Li + /Li) and exhibited breakdown voltages ≥+5.5 V (vs. Li + /Li) on stainless steel electrodes.
Phosphorylation-Induced Structural Change in CMYBP-C affects its Thin Filament Binding and Modulation of Tropomyosin Position

Myosin binding protein C is a thick filament accessory protein of vertebrate striated muscle. The cardiac isoform (cMyBP-C), comprising eleven immunoglobulin-like and fibronectin-like domains (C0-C10) and a cMyBP-C-specific M-domain, plays a key role in increased contractility of the heart in response to β-adrenergic stimulation. Phosphorylation of the M-domain is an important post-translational modification of cMyBP-C that modulates its function. We used electron microscopy (EM) to study the effect of phosphorylation on cMyBP-C structure and on its modulation of tropomyosin position on thin filaments. Rotary shadowing and negative staining of cMyBP-C reveals that the molecule is flexible and has hinge points near its middle and close to one end. By comparison with the N-terminal fragment C0-C3, we deduce that the latter is near the M-domain. We investigated the structural effects of phosphorylation by EM of PKA-treated C0-C3 and of C0-C3 phosphomimetic molecules, in which the phosphorylatable serines in the M-domain have been mutated to alanine (C0-C3-AAAA, dephosphomimetic) or aspartic acid (C0-C3-DDDD, phosphomimetic). PKA-treated C0-C3 and the C0-C3-DDDD molecules had a smaller angle between the two arms of the M-domain hinge than wild type C0-C3 and C0-C3-AAAA. To investigate whether this structural change affects the displacement of tropomyosin on thin filaments that occurs when unphosphorylated cMyBP-C binds to thin filaments, the 3D structure of C0C3-DDDD-decorated thin filaments was compared with that of C0C3-AAAA and wild-type C0C3. C0C3-AAAA showed clear decoration and its binding induced a shift of tropomyosin from the blocked to the closed position, as found previously with wild-type C0C3. In contrast, C0C3-DDDD showed fewer decorated filaments, suggesting weaker binding, and the 3D structure showed no movement of tropomyosin. These results suggest that phosphorylation reduces cMyBP-C's displacement of tropomyosin and its activation of thin filaments.
Meralgia paresthetica secondary to abdominal desmoid tumor

Meralgia paresthetica is a mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that supplies sensation to the anterolateral portion of the thigh. Compression of this nerve can lead to paresthesias and neuropathic pain. It is commonly associated with pregnancy, obesity, trauma or diabetes mellitus. Here we present a case of meralgia paresthetica in a 26-year-old woman secondary to nerve compression by a desmoid tumor within the internal oblique muscle tissue. Desmoid tumors are fibrous neoplasms originating from musculoaponeurotic structures, and can be locally aggressive and recurrent.
Incentive contrast produced by deprivation shifts

Deprivation shifts, using conditions analogous to those which produce strong incentive contrast when reward quantity is changed (extended preshift training, short interval from the last preshift trial to the first postshift trial, large preshift differences in deprivation) resulted in contrast of runway speed and choice behavior. In the first experiment, a downshift of hunger during rats’ runway training produced a slow lessening of speed below that of a group trained continually at low hunger. In the second experiment, rats were trained to traverse a runway to one food-containing goalbox when very hungry and to another, distinctively different food-containing goalbox when not very hungry. The rats were next given a series of choice trials between the two goalboxes. There was a brief preference for the high-hunger goalbox, followed by a preference for the low-hunger goalbox. The results of the second experiment suggest that deprivation affects the strength of conditioning of a cue-reinforcer expectancy, while the slow development of contrast in the first experiment indicates that deprivation also affects the development of either habit strength or a response-reinforcer expectancy.
Postreplication repair in an excision-defective mutant of Escherichia coli: ultraviolet light-induced incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine into parental DNA.

— Ultraviolet (UV) light-induced incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) into parental DNA of an excision-defective mutant of Escherichia coli has been observed by selective photolysis of bromouracil (BrUra)-containing regions in the parental DNA. It appears that the BrUra-containing regions occur only in that DNA which has served as a template for normal semiconservative replication. After an exposure at 254 nm which results in one pyrimidine dimer per 45times 106 daltons, incubation in BrdUrd resulted in BrUra–containing regions ˜ 1.5 times 104 nucleotides in length at intervals of ˜ 55 times 106 daltons in the parental DNA. Thus approximately one BrUra-containing region has occurred for every 1.2 pyrimidine dimers in the parental DNA. The observed incorporation of BrdUrd is interpreted in terms of a proposed model for postreplication repair in which genetic exchanges produce single-strand gaps in the parental DNA.
Optimal control of antagonistic muscle stiffness during voluntary movements

This paper presents a study on the control of antagonist muscle stiffness during single-joint arm movements by optimal control theory with a minimal effort criterion. A hierarchical model is developed based on the physiology of the neuromuscular control system and the equilibrium point hypothesis. For point-to-point movements, the model provides predictions on (1) movement trajectory, (2) equilibrium trajectory, (3) muscle control inputs, and (4) antagonist muscle stiffness, as well as other variables. We compared these model predictions to the behavior observed in normal human subjects. The optimal movements capture the major invariant characteristics of voluntary movements, such as a sigmoidal movement trajectory with a bell-shaped velocity profile, an ‘N’-shaped equilibrium trajectory, a triphasic burst pattern of muscle control inputs, and a dynamically modulated joint stiffness. The joint stiffness is found to increase in the middle of the movement as a consequence of the triphasic muscle activities. We have also investigated the effects of changes in model parameters on movement control. We found that the movement kinematics and muscle control inputs are strongly influenced by the upper bound of the descending excitation signal that activates motoneuron pools in the spinal cord. Furthermore, a class of movements with scaled velocity profiles can be achieved by tuning the amplitude and duration of this excitation signal. These model predictions agree with a wide body of experimental data obtained from normal human subjects. The results suggest that the control of fast arm movements involves explicit planning for both the equilibrium trajectory and joint stiffness, and that the minimal effort criterion best characterizes the objective of movement planning and control.
Influence of shaping procedures and schedules of reinforcement on performance in the two-bar drug discrimination task: A methodological report

Rats were trained to discriminate phenobarbital (50 mg/kg) vs saline in a two-bar, thirst-motivated operant drug discrimination task. Presses on bar 1 were reinforced when the rat was drugged and presses on bar 2 when not drugged. Several shaping procedures and schedules of reinforcement were compared to determine which would allow drug discriminations to be learned most rapidly, and which would result in the higherst asymptotic accuracy of discrimination. The discrimination was learned more rapidly when differential drug conditions were used from the very first day of training than when shaping on both bars was completed before the differential drug conditions were introduced. Variable interval (VI), fixedratio (FR), and differential reinforcement of low rate (DRL) schedules were tested as well as several more complex schedules. Asymptotic accuracy of discrimination was highest when FR, interlocking FR 10/FI90″, or DRL 16″ schedules were used; accuracy was intermediate when a tandem VI 20″/FR 10 schedule was used; accuracy was relatively low when a VI 20″ schedule was employed. When the optimal shaping procedure and schedule of reinforcement were used, highly accurate drug discriminations were learned much more rapidly than has previously been reported. The results are discussed with reference to control of differential responding by contextual and discriminative stimuli.
Balloonborne measurements of the Pinatubo aerosol size distribution and volatility at Laramie, Wyoming during the summer of 1991

Measurements using balloonborne optical particle counters at Laramie, Wyoming during the summer of 1991 are used to study the particle size distribution and volatility of the aerosol which formed in the stratosphere following the mid-June eruptions of Mt. Pinatubo. Enhanced aerosol layers were observed below 20 km as early as 16 July, about 1 month after the eruption. During late July, a transient though substantial particle layer was observed in the 23 km region. High concentrations of large particles in this high altitude layer resulted in aerosol mass mixing ratios as large as 0.5 ppm, considerably larger than observed following the eruption of El Chichon. Aerosol volatility tests indicated that well over 90% of the particles were composed of an H2SO4/H2O solution in all layers observed, indicating rapid conversion of SO2 to H2SO4 and subsequent droplet growth. High concentrations of droplets suggest homogeneous or ion nucleation as the most likely aerosol production mechanism.
Alterations in the neural circuitry for emotion and attention associated with posttraumatic stress symptomatology

Information processing models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggest that PTSD is characterized by preferential allocation of attentional resources to potentially threatening stimuli. However, few studies have examined the neural pattern underlying attention and emotion in association with PTSD symptomatology. In the present study, combat veterans with PTSD symptomatology engaged in an emotional oddball task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Veterans were classified into a high or low symptomatology group based on their scores on the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS). Participants discriminated infrequent target stimuli (circles) from frequent standards (squares) while emotional and neutral distractors were presented infrequently and irregularly. Results revealed that participants with greater PTSD symptomatology showed enhanced neural activity in ventral-limbic and dorsal regions for emotional stimuli and attenuated activity in dorsolateral prefrontal and parietal regions for attention targets. In the anterior cingulate gyrus, participants with fewer PTSD symptoms showed equivalent responses to attentional and emotional stimuli while the high symptom group showed greater activation for negative emotional stimuli. Taken together, the results suggest that hyperresponsive ventral-limbic activity coupled with altered dorsal-attention and anterior cingulate function may be a neural marker of attention bias in PTSD.
Generalizing Spontaneous Language in Developmentally Delayed Children via a Visual Cue Procedure Using Caregivers as Therapists

Developmentally delayed children are recognized by deficits in language, motor skills, and social interaction. The importance of this topic is demonstrated by the fact that many studies have focused on increasing different aspects of this population's language. New training elements for this population were used here (e.g., the visual cue method was used in home settings). Caregivers were trained as therapists to teach children spontaneous speech by targeting two behaviors. The visual cue method was effective for increasing spontaneous speech in developmentally delayed children in the home. This finding is significant in that home training with caregivers promoted generalization of language by programming common stimuli. Implication of these data for future research is discussed.
Skew chromaticity in large accelerators

The 2-D "skew chromaticity" vector k is introduced when the standard on-momentum description of linear coupling is extended to include off-momentum particles. A lattice that is well decoupled on-momentum may be badly decoupled off-momentum, inside the natural momentum spread of the beam. There are two general areas of concern: (1) The free space in the tune plane is decreased. (2) Collective phenomena may be destabilised. Two strong new criteria for head-tail stability in the presence of off-momentum coupling are derived, which are consistent with experimental and operational observations at the Tevatron, and with tracking data from RHIC.
Contention Modeling for Multithreaded Distributed Shared Memory Machines: The Cray XMT

Distributed Shared Memory (DSM) machines are a wide class of multi-processor computing systems where a large virtually-shared address space is mapped on a network of physically distributed memories. High memory latency and network contention are two of the main factors that limit performance scaling of such architectures. Modern high-performance computing DSM systems have evolved towards the exploitation of massive hardware multi-threading and fine-grained memory hashing to tolerate irregular latencies, avoiding network hot-spots and improving scalability. Parallel simulation is a promising approach, which has been extensively used to model the performance of such large-scale machines. One of the most critical factors in coping with the simulation speed-accuracy trade-off is network modeling. The Cray XMT is a massively multi-threaded supercomputing architecture that belongs to the DSM class. In this paper, we discuss the development of a network contention model for a full-system XMT simulator. We start by measuring the effects of network contention on a 128-processorXMT machine, we then investigate the trade-off that exists between simulation accuracy and speed, comparing three network models which operate at different levels of accuracy. The comparison and model validation is performed by executing a string-matching algorithm on the full-system simulator and on the actual machine, using three datasets that generate noticeably different contention patterns. Results prove that simulator accuracy in execution time remains within 10% of the real machine. We also show that the slowdown due to contention modeling is limited to 20%, when simulating a small number of processors, and becomes negligible for simulations with higher processor counts.
Comparing homeless smokers to economically disadvantaged domiciled smokers

We compared characteristics of homeless smokers and economically disadvantaged domiciled smokers (Dallas, TX; August 2011–November 2012). Although findings indicated similar smoking characteristics across samples, homeless smokers (n = 57) were exposed to more smokers and reported lower motivation to quit, lower self-efficacy for quitting, more days with mental health problems, and greater exposure to numerous stressors than domiciled smokers (n = 110). The sample groups reported similar scores on measures of affect, perceived stress, and interpersonal resources. Results may inform novel cessation interventions for homeless smokers.
The Effect of Relative Age on Self-Esteem, Role Strain, GPA, and Anxiety:

Being older rather than younger than most of one's classmates is presumed to provide benefits to students at least throughout elementary school. The present study investigated this relative age hypothesis among students before and after the transition to middle school with respect to self-esteem, school strain, grade point average (GPA), and anxiety. Partial correlation analyses, with father's education controlled, showed that relative age was associated positively with self-esteem and negatively with strain during fifth and sixth grade. Separate analyses showed these relationships for females but not for males. The influence of father's education was particularly pronounced among the youngest subjects with respect to strain and GPA. Results suggest that the potentially detrimental effects of being relatively young carry on into middle school and that younger early adolescents whose parents have relatively little education are most at risk.
Rivaroxaban-Induced Nontraumatic Spinal Subdural Hematoma: An Uncommon Yet Life-Threatening Complication

In the last decade, the desire for safer oral anticoagulants (OACs) led to the emergence of newer drugs. Available clinical trials demonstrated a lower risk of OACs-associated life-threatening bleeding events, including intracranial hemorrhage, compared to warfarin. Nontraumatic spinal hematoma is an uncommon yet life-threatening neurosurgical emergency that can be associated with the use of these agents. Rivaroxaban, one of the newly approved OACs, is a direct factor Xa inhibitor. To the best of our knowledge, to date, only two published cases report the incidence of rivaroxaban-induced nontraumatic spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH). Our case is the third one described and the first one to involve the cervicothoracic spine.
Multimodal anesthesia with the addition of methadone is superior to epidural analgesia: A retrospective comparison of intraoperative anesthetic techniques and pain management for 124 pediatric patients undergoing the Nuss procedure.

Abstract Background The Nuss procedure corrects pectus excavatum by forceful displacement of the sternum with metal bars. Optimal pain management remains a challenge. Mutimodal anesthesia alleviates pain through blockade of multiple nociceptive and inflammatory pain receptors. Methods A retrospective chart review of anesthetic and postoperative mangement of 125 children undergoing the Nuss procedure was conducted. Anesthetic mangement strategies were analyzed in four groups: opioid during general anesthesia (GA), epidural with general anesthesia (Epidural), multimodal anesthesia (MM), and multimodal anesthesia with methadone (MM + M). Data collection included total opioid use (as equivalent milligrams of morphine (Mmg)), pain scores, length of stay (LOS), and adverse effects. Results Total opioid use varied by group (median, IQR (in Mg)): Epidural 213 [149, 293], GA 179 [134, 298], MM (150 [123, 281]), and MM + M (106 [87, 149]), as did severe pain (in minutes): Epidural (208 [73, 323]), GA (115 [7, 255]), MM (54 [0, 210]), and MM + M (49 [0, 151]). LOS was shortest for the MM + M group (MM + M = 3.8 + 1.0 days; MM = 4.5 + 1.3 days; GA = 4.9 + 1.4 days, Epidural = 5.5 + 2.3 days). Conclusion Multimodal anesthesia is associated with less postoperative pain and shorter LOS compared to epidural or traditional anesthetic techniques for the Nuss procedure. Multimodal anesthesia with a single intraoperative dose of methadone was associated with lowest total opioid use, time with uncontrolled pain, and shortest LOS.
Textural and chemical characteristics of recombined precooked beef chuck roasts as influenced by boning time and salt level

The effects of hot-boning (HB) and salt level (SL) (0, 0.5, 1.0%) on recombined precooked roasts from three beef chuck recombined whole muscles were investigated using a system that employed electrical stimulation, blade tenderization, vacuum massage and the addition of phosphate. SL and muscle type (MT) significantly affected proximate composition (protein, fat and moisture). Maximum yields were obtained with hot-boned treatments at the highest salt level. Instron measurements were affected by MT, HB and SL. Results of this study indicate that binding of large meat pieces together to form low calorie recombined, precooked roasts can be achieved.
Fat patterning in athletes in relation to ethnic origin and sport

SummarySix skinfold measurements of 92 White, Black and Mexican-American high school varisity female athletes were analysed to identify principal components of fatness and relative fat patterning. As in other athletic and non-athletic samples, two principal components were evident: a first component, accounting for 69% of the variation, was positively related to all skinfold sites, and a second principal component, accounting for 11% of the variation, was correlated positively with extremity sites (particularly lower limb sites) and negatively with trunk sites. The first component (fatness) was significantly related to sport (P < 0·02) but not ethnicity. The second component (extremity/trunk) was significantly related to ethnicity (P < 0·01) but not sport. These results, although tentative due to the limited sample size, support our earlier findings on Olympic athletes, i.e., fatness is more influenced by sport and by training than is fat patterning.
Monitoring system to permit accurate alignment of beams at collision in CESR

Colliding beams in a storage ring should be aligned, in position and angle, to within a small fraction of the beam dimensions. The problem lies in the measurement of the alignment error. Errors may be corrected by the use of appropriate steering elements. In the system used at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR), the orbits of e/sup +/ and e/sup -/ are measured simultaneously, to reduce the effect of small orbit fluctuations with time. In addition, the signals are processed in an automatic gain control (AGC) system which extracts the e/sup -//e/sup +/ pulse height ratio, with the e/sup +/ pulses being brought to a fixed level. When the beams are coincident, the e/sup -//e/sup +/ pulse height ratios will be identical on all four buttons of the beam position monitor. The AGC technique reduces the errors produced if the orbit is not well centered between the pickup buttons. >
Cardiac Dilatation Without Hypertrophy from Reduced Ambient Pressure in Rats

Short exposures of rats to greatly reduced ambient pressure after explosive decompression was found to result in cardiac dilatation. The dilatation, determined roentgenographically, was seen to persist for two or three days. Some rats were submitted to one long exposure, while others were repeatedly subjected to short exposures. Sacrifice of the rats sufficiently long after exposure to permit cardiac hypertrophy to develop revealed no evidence of it as determined from heart weightbody weight ratios.
Retroviral delivery of Noggin inhibits the formation of heterotopic ossification induced by BMP-4, demineralized bone matrix, and trauma in an animal model.

Background: The heterotopic ossification of muscles, tendons, and ligaments is a common problem faced by orthopaedic surgeons. We investigated the ability of Noggin (a BMP [bone morphogenetic protein] antagonist) to inhibit heterotopic ossification. Methods: Part 1: A retroviral vector carrying the gene encoding human Noggin was developed and used to transduce muscle-derived stem cells. Part 2: Cells transduced with BMP-4 were implanted into both hind limbs of mice along with either an equal number, twice the number, or three times the number of Noggin-expressing muscle-derived stem cells (treated limb) or with nontransduced muscle-derived stem cells (control limb). At four weeks, the mice were killed and radiographs were made to look for evidence of heterotopic ossification. Part 3: Eighty milligrams of human demineralized bone matrix was implanted into the hind limbs of SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency strain) mice along with 100,000, 500,000, or 1,000,000 Noggin-expressing muscle-derived stem cells (treated limbs) or nontransduced muscle-derived stem cells (control limbs). At eight weeks, the mice were killed and radiographs were made. Part 4: Immunocompetent mice underwent bilateral Achilles tenotomy along with the implantation of 1,000,000 Noggin-expressing muscle-derived stem cells (treated limbs) or nontransduced muscle-derived stem cells (control limbs). At ten weeks, the mice were killed and radiographs were made. Results: Part 1: An in vitro BMP inhibition assay demonstrated that Noggin was expressed by muscle-derived stem cells at a level of 280 ng per million cells per twenty-four hours. Part 2: Three varying doses of Noggin-expressing muscle-derived stem cells inhibited the heterotopic ossification elicited by BMP-4-expressing muscle-derived stem cells. Heterotopic ossification was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by 53%, 74%, and 99%, respectively (p < 0.05). Part 3: Each of three varying doses of Noggin-expressing muscle-derived stem cells significantly inhibited the heterotopic ossification elicited by demineralized bone matrix. Heterotopic ossification was reduced by 91%, 99%, and 99%, respectively (p < 0.05). Part 4: All eleven animals that underwent Achilles tenotomy developed heterotopic ossification at the site of the injury in the control limbs. In contrast, the limbs treated with the Noggin-expressing muscle-derived stem cells had a reduction in the formation of heterotopic ossification of 83% and eight of the eleven animals had no radiographic evidence of heterotopic ossification (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The delivery of Noggin mediated by muscle-derived stem cells can inhibit heterotopic ossification caused by BMP-4, demineralized bone matrix, and trauma in an animal model. Clinical Relevance: Gene therapy to deliver Noggin may become a powerful method to inhibit heterotopic ossification in targeted areas of the body.
Thermoelectric Properties of ZnSb Films Grown by MOCVD

The thermoelectric properties of metallorganic chemical vapor deposited (MOCVD) ZnSb films are reported. The growth conditions necessary to obtain stoichiometric ZnSb films and the effects of various growth parameters on the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficients of the films are described. The as-grown ZnSb films are p-type. It was observed that the growth of thicker ZnSb films lead to improved carrier mobilities and lower free-carrier concentrations. The Seebeck coefficient of ZnSb films was found to rise rapidly at approximately 160 to 170 C, with peak Seebeck coefficients as high as 470 {micro}V/K at 220 C. The various growth conditions, including the use of intentional dopants, to improve the Seebeck coefficients at room temperature and above, are discussed. A short annealing of the ZnSb films at temperatures of {approximately} 200 C resulted in reduced free-carrier levels and higher Seebeck coefficients at 300 K. Finally, ZT values based on preliminary thermal conductivity measurements using the 3-{omega} method are reported.
Regioselective formation of six-membered platinacycles by C–X and C–H oxidative addition

Abstract Several naphthyl-based N^N^C ligands were synthesized by strategically incorporating a bromide or iodide at the 8-position of the naphthyl ring. When allowed to react with the platinum tetra methyl dimer, PtMe 4 (μ-SMe 2 ) 2 , the more rare six-membered platinum(IV) platinacycles were formed by oxidative addition of the C(sp 2 )–X bond. In a separate case, C–H activation at the 8-position was encouraged by having the 2-position ‘blocked’ with a methyl group thus a six-membered platinum(II) platinacycle was formed by C(sp 2 )–H activation at the 8-position. Products were characterized by XRD, NMR, UV/vis, emission spectroscopy, and HRMS. The platinum(IV) compounds were inert to thermolysis. The complexes appear to exhibit dual fluorescence and phosphorescence at room temperature in solution.
Quantitative Cross Validation of Space-Based and Ground-Based Radar Observations

Abstract Simultaneous comparison of data collected from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR), and the S-band polarimetric radar, operated by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, is made to cross validate the calibration of the PR instrument and to quantify the effects of precipitation attenuation on PR measurements. Data collected during the Texas and Florida Underflights experiment were used in the cross validation. Quantitatively comparing radar reflectivities from two separate platforms that have widely different view angles, beamwidths, and frequencies is a challenging task. Nevertheless, it is extremely important for cross validation. An analysis procedure to implement such cross validation is presented. Theoretical simulation of S-band and Ku-band reflectivities of the rain medium is also presented to characterize the theoretical difference in reflectivities between S band and Ku band in the absence of attenuation. Analysis indicates that, when the attenua...
Placental transfer of cholesterol-4-14C into rabbit and guinea pig fetus

A tracer dose of cholesterol-4-(14)C was given daily in the diet of six pregnant guinea pigs to establish an isotopic steady state. At the time of parturition, maternal and fetal blood and fetal tissues were collected and analyzed for cholesterol content and cholesterol specific activity. A comparison of these specific activities in neonatal and maternal serum indicated that about 22% of the fetal serum cholesterol was transferred from maternal blood. In the newborn, tissues generally had the same cholesterol specific activity as serum. Brain tissue was an exception in having a specific activity only 8.4% of that of serum. Dietary cholesterol did not increase serum cholesterol levels in the newborn but did increase the percentage of fetal cholesterol derived from the maternal circulation. The rapid transfer of cholesterol-4-(14)C across the placenta was indicated by the appearance of this isotope in the newborn 2 days after its administration to pregnant rabbits. A considerable amount of the cholesterol content of newborn guinea pigs and rabbits originated from the maternal blood.