cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detecting age differences in resistance to perceptual and motor interference.

We asked whether different forms of inhibition are altered differently by aging using a Motor and Perceptual Inhibition Test (MAPIT) based on Nassauer and Halperin (Nassauer & Halperin, 2003). Ninety-eight individuals participating in studies of balance and attention were separated into younger (mean age 25 years) and older participants (mean age 73). Older participants showed less Perceptual and Motor Inhibition than younger participant with moderation of this effect by gender. The two scores were uncorrelated in the young but significantly correlated in the older group. Overall, the MAPIT appeared to yield reliable measures of two aspects of inhibition that demonstrate a differential impact of age.
Rapidly-labelled RNA species in the central nervous tissue of Galeria mellonella

Abstract Characterizations of the RNA from the ventral nerve cord of Galleria were performed by means of RNA-DNA hybridization competition and cell-free protein synthesis as well as sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Experimental results suggested that during metamorphosis the nerve tissue synthesizes template-active RNA species, which is smaller than 18-S rRNA in size. Considering stage-specificity of the occurrence, this RNA probably plays an important role in reorganization of the nervous tissue which takes place in the course of metamorphosis of the insect.
Drawing the line between targeting and patronizing: how “vulnerable” are the vulnerable?

Purpose – This article aims to address the nature of vulnerability and the basis for protecting certain audiences from targeted goods and services. It aims to evaluate the need for protection as well as marketers' defense that protection merely patronizes audiences.Design/methodology/approach – This article cites published research that offers guidelines for determining vulnerability in the marketplace and examines conclusions from a case study that argue for holding companies to have standards of both individual and collective responsibility.Findings – Categories of vulnerability are offered, and distinctions are drawn between the vulnerable and the disadvantaged to provide a rationale for deciding when some form of protection is needed. Arguments are given for addressing both individual and collective responsibility in order to determine whether charges of misplaced marketing are justified.Practical implications – Marketers can gain better knowledge of targeting potentially vulnerable audiences and can ...
Solid-phase synthesis of novel achiral hydantoin- and isoxazoline-substituted dispirocyclobutanoids

A synthesis of novel achiral hydantoin- and isoxazoline-substituted dispirocyclobutanoids from solid-phase synthesis has been achieved. The facial and selective Boc-NH-mediated hydrogen-bond delivery of the nitrile oxide afforded 6 as the major compound.
Protecting victims of violent patients while protecting confidentiality

In this article I revisit Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California (1976), a case decided by the California Supreme Court in 1976 and followed in whole or in part in approximately 33 U.S. jurisdictions. In Tarasoff, perhaps the most notorious case in mental health law, the court held that psychotherapists have a duty to protect intended victims of their patients' conduct if that conduct presents a serious danger of violence. The most prominent means of protection is to warn potential victims and law enforcement personnel. I argue that Tarasoff is bad law, bad social science, and bad social policy. Because of therapists' ethical obligation to disclose the limits of confidentiality at the beginning of treatment, informing patients of the therapist's duty to disclose threats may inhibit patients' expressions of violent urges. Alternatively, as in Tarasoff, once a threat of violence is disclosed, the patient may never return to therapy, making it impossible to work through the threat of violence. I argue that rather than mandate the breaching of confidentiality, it is sounder public policy to give therapists the discretion to disclose so that they may take other measures to protect potential victims. Finally, I briefly touch on the impact of cultural disparity between therapist and patient in these cases.
Tokens of love: functions and regulation of Drosophila male accessory gland products.

Abstract A male fruit fly influences the behavior and physiology of his mate via molecules that he transmits to her'in his semen. The mated female fly has an elevated rate of egg laying, a decreased receptivity to mating and a shorter life span; she also stores sperm from the mating. Molecular genetic analyses possible in this insect model system permit the dissection of seminal fluid components that cause these mating responses in the female. Studies with transgenic and mutant flies have shown that products of the male's accessory gland cause short-term changes in the female's behavior and physiology; persistence of these changes requires the storage of sperm. Further dissection of accessory gland function has defined several molecules that cause these effects. A “sex peptide” and a prohormone-like molecule (Accessory gland protein 26Aa) stimulate the female's egg-laying rate; the sex peptide also depresses her receptivity to mating. A large glycoprotein (Acp36DE) appears to function in “corralling” sperm for storage. Studies of accessory gland products and the regulation of the genes that encode them will be important in understanding insect reproduction, behavior, and speciation and ultimately in designing ways to control the impressive fertility of unwanted insects. These studies also provide excellent models to address basic questions in cell biology such as the control of genes in response to sex-specific, mating-regulated and cell type-specific cues and the function and targeting of peptide hormones.
Effect of a terminal constraint on control of balance during sit-to-stand.

Abstract The speed at which sit-to-stand (STS) motions are performed and the subsequent terminal constraint on upright stance can present subjects with contradictory goals. Previous findings suggested that subjects might adopt a strategy of limiting the peak horizontal momentum of the center of mass (CM), and perhaps of body segments as well, regardless of the speed of ascent. The primary purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the limitation in CM momentum is related to the constraint on upright stance at the termination of the task. The secondary purpose was to describe the contribution of the shank, thigh, and upper body (head–arm–trunk) to the peak horizontal momentum of the CM under each test condition. Nine healthy adults rose from a seated position under the following three conditions: (a) at natural speeds (natural STS); (b) as fast as possible (fast STS); and (c) as fast as possible, followed by falling forward while keeping the feet fixed and using the arms on a support bar to stop...
ON THE MYELOBLAST AS INITIATOR OF CERTAIN HUMAN LEUKEMIAS

We reconsider the proposal that a stem cell (SC) is the initiator of clonal (human) leukemias. Using chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) as an example, we discuss some conceptual and experimental inconsistencies of the above conjecture. As an alternative, it is proposed that CML is initiated by an immature myeloblast. The main idea is that CML results from certain growth-related accidents encountered along the myeloid differentiation path. Retrodifferentiation of (semi) autonomous myeloblasts back to the SC state seems the principle cause for the distribution of clonal markers across all hemopoietic lineages, including those that are not involved in the leukemic process.
THE CRY FOR THE OTHER: THE BIOCULTURAL WOMB OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

. The human experience of meaning-making lies at the roots of consciousness, creativity, and religious faith. It arises from the basic experience of separation from a loved object, suffered by all mammals, and, in general terms, from the experienced gap between ourselves and our environment. We fill the gap with transitional objects and symbols that reassure us of basic continuity in ourselves and in the world. These objects and symbols also serve the neurognostic function of demonstrating what the world is like. Thus, humanity lives by faith, as manifested in its pattern-making capacity, and not by literal sight.
Dissipation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Rhizosphere

Residual contamination of soils with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is an environmental problem for many industrial operations, including the petroleum industry. Petroleum sludges high in PAHs are often treated through landfarming in which soil is mixed with sludge, kept bare of vegetation, tilled, and fertilized to encourage microbial degradation of the contaminants. However, recent research has demonstrated that plants can enhance the dissipation of organic pollutants in the immediate environment of the root (rhizosphere). The use of vegetation to increase the degradation of two common PAH contaminants, anthracene and pyrene, was investigated in a green house experiment. Target compounds were added to a contaminated, land-farmed soil and a similar uncontaminated soil at a rate of 100 mg/kg. Four plant species were grown in each soil; after 4, 8, 16, and 24 wk of plant growth, soil and plant material were sampled and analyzed for the target PAHs. Vegetated soils have significantly lower concentrations of the PAHs than the unvegetated soils, ranging from 30 to 44% more degradation in the vegetated soils. Enchanced biological degradation in the rhizosphere appears to be a mechanism of dissipation. Leaching, plant uptake, abiotic degradation, mineralization to CO{sub 2}, and irreversible sorption were shown to bemore » insignificatnt in the averall mass balance of target compounds. The presence of plants may enhance the clean-up of PAH-contaminated soils during in situ remediation. 40 refs. 1 fig., 5 tabs.« less
Large-angle, gigahertz-rate random telegraph switching induced by spin-momentum transfer

We show that a spin-polarized dc current passing through a small magnetic element induces two-state, random telegraph switching of the magnetization via the spin-momentum transfer effect. The resistances of the states differ by up to of the change due to complete magnetization reversal. Fluctuations are seen for a wide range of currents and magnetic fields, with rates that can exceed , and involve collective motion of a large volume of spins. Switching rate trends with field and current indicate that increasing temperature alone cannot explain the dynamics. The rates approach a stochastic regime wherein dynamics are governed by both precessional motion and thermal perturbations.
A Hydrodynamic Approach to Cosmology: Methodology

The present study describes an accurate and efficient hydrodynamic code for evolving self-gravitating cosmological systems. The hydrodynamic code is a flux-based mesh code originally designed for engineering hydrodynamical applications. A variety of checks were performed which indicate that the resolution of the code is a few cells, providing accuracy for integral energy quantities in the present simulations of 1-3 percent over the whole runs. Six species (H I, H II, He I, He II, He III) are tracked separately, and relevant ionization and recombination processes, as well as line and continuum heating and cooling, are computed. The background radiation field is simultaneously determined in the range 1 eV to 100 keV, allowing for absorption, emission, and cosmological effects. It is shown how the inevitable numerical inaccuracies can be estimated and to some extent overcome.
Mean squared error of James–Stein estimators for measurement error models

Abstract Whittemore (1989) in an interesting paper considered estimation of regression coefficients in measurement error models. She had the very interesting result which showed how to overcome the inconsistency of the usual least squares estimator of the regression coefficient in a measurement error model by an alternative James–Stein ( James and Stein, 1961 ) estimator. The author did not provide a rigorous proof for the consistency of the suggested estimator, nor did she provide MSE of her estimator. Our objective is to provide a rigorous second order expansion of the mean squared error of the proposed James–Stein estimator under both known measurement variance and unknown measurement variance.
CRYSTAL GROWTH AND THE SEARCH FOR HIGHLY CORRELATED INTERMETALLICS

Our interests lie in studying and understanding the structure-property relationships in novel ternary intermetallics synthesized by metallic flux-growth methods. This review highlights the synthesis, structures and physical properties of ternary lanthanide – transition metal – main group element intermetallics (Ln – T – X), where T = Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, and Pt, and X = Ga, In, Sb and Sn. Several phases will be discussed, including Ln n TIn3 n +2 (n = 1, 2, ∞), CePdGa6, Ce2PdGa12, Ce2PdGa10, LnNiSb3, LnNi1−x Sb2 (x ∼ 0.4) and Ln 3Co4Sn13. In addition, we report the synthesis, structure characterization, and magnetic behavior from single crystals of Ln 3Co4Sn13 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb).
An in vitro system for accurate transcription Initiation of chloroplast protein genes

We have developed an homologous in vitro system from spinach chloroplasts that correctly initiates transcription of the plastid genes for the large subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (rbcL) and the beta subunit of the plastid ATPase (atpB). The transcriptionally active extracts from spinach chloroplasts require circular DNA templates for specific initiation. The RNA polymerase activity is insensitive to rifampicin. The extent of transcription in vitro is a function of the extract:template ratio. The efficiency of the rbcL transcription in vitro is more than one transcript per one hundred templates per hour.
Adaptive compensation of atmospheric effects with a high-resolution micro-machined deformable mirror

ABSTRACT We present experimental results for the adaptive compensation of atmospheric turbulence effects on a free-space laser communication links at near horizontal propagation paths over 2.5 km and 5 km lengths. A high-resolution micro-machined piston type mirror array (12x12 elements) and a fast beam steering mirror were used in an adaptive optics laser communication system based on the model-free stochastic parallel gradient descent (SPGD) optimization wavefront control technique. Control of the mirror was performed by a VLSI SPGD micro-controller. The experimental results demonstrate the improvement of the receiver performance (fiber coupling efficiency) on a summer day with a refractive index structure constant in the order of 2 10 14 m -2/3 C n . Keywords: Adaptive optics, free-space optical communication, MEMS mirror, stochastic parallel gradient descent 1. INTRODUCTION Free-space optical (FSO) communication is considered as a valuable technology for many different areas, e.g. as a cost-effective alternative to short-distance fiber-optical links, for mobile high-bandwidth data transfer as needed in military and industrial applications, or for long-range ground-to-satellite communication. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is implemented in current fiber-optic communication systems to increase the data transfer rate. To use the WDM technology in FSO systems a direct fiber-to-fiber connection without conversion of optical signals into electrical and back is desired. In general, the performance of FSO communication links is derogated through beam wandering induced by atmospheric turbulence, thermal expansion and vibrations of mounts and buildings as well as through beam spreading by higher-order atmospheric turbulence effects. An adaptive optics (AO) system is expected to compensate such wavefront distortions at least partially. Micro-machined deformable mirrors (µDMs) are promising candidates for the active element in FSO links because of prospective low cost, compactness and low operation power. Strong scintillations due to long horizontal path propagation cause problems for conventional AO systems using wavefront reconstruction from Shack-Hartmann measurements. A model-free optimization strategy, i.e. the maximization of a scalar system-performance metric (the received power in case of FSO links) can be considered as reasonable alternative approach: A novel efficient algorithm (stochastic parallel gradient descent
Biomimetic nonheme iron catalysts for alkane hydroxylation

Abstract The catalytic functionalization of alkanes under mild conditions is a subject of great current interest. Nature has evolved a number of metalloenzymes such as the heme-containing cytochrome P450 and the nonheme methane monooxygenase, which are capable of effecting such transformations. There has thus been significant interest in modeling such enzyme active sites and developing biomimetic alkane hydroxylation catalysts. In this review, the efforts of the last 10 years in the development of nonheme iron catalysts are summarized and discussed. These catalysts typically act in concert with ROOH or H 2 O 2 . With ROOH as oxidant, it is clear from mechanistic studies that alkoxyl radicals are the principal agents that cleave the alkane CH bond to generate long-lived alkyl radicals. This conclusion, for the most part, applies also for oxidations involving H 2 O 2 . In a few cases, however, stereospecific alkane hydroxylation is observed. For these instances, there is evidence from H 2 18 O exchange experiments that a high-valent iron-oxo species is involved.
Penile strangulation by hair.

To know the causes and results of treatment of complications from a penile strangulation by hair in seven boys. From April 2000 to December 2012, seven boys presenting serious penile complications by hair strangulation have been operated in two centers. All seven boys had transection of the urethra at the coronal level. And none of our patients were at the stage of necrosis or amputation of the glans. The age of the patients at surgery ranged from 34 to 134 months (mean 96 months). Four children presented urethrocutaneous fistulas (57 % of cases), and the innervation and vascularization of the glans remained poor after repair in three patients. The penile strangulation by hair was due to a simple accident. However, several predisposing factors were discovered in our patients: lack of cleanliness; a moist environment with nocturnal enuresis; the presence of pubic hair in young children reported in the four children, and a coronal sulcus not covered by the foreskin in circumcised children.
Ultraviolet absorption spectra of peptides. I. Compounds containing a single monoalkyl-substituted amide link

1. 1. Spectra in the ultraviolet region from about 200 to 240 mμ are represented for aqueous solutions of the following compounds at various pH values: (a) acetyl and/or glycyl derivatives of nearly all of the amino acids which commonly occur in proteins; (b) a number of isomeric dipeptides with the sequence of the residues reversed; and (c) glycine amide, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, and N-monomethylacetamide. 2. 2. The attempt is made to consider the spectrum of a dipeptide as the resultant of interactions between the peptide link and other groups which may occur on the molecule, viz., a terminal carboxyl group, a terminal amino group, and various specific amino acid side chains.
Assessing the Risk for Suicide in Patients With Cancer

The Joint Commission publishes its annual National Patient Safety Goals to guide accredited organizations in addressing high-risk, low-volume concerns related to patient safety. The 2010 list includes a goal to identify patients at risk for suicide, but do oncology nurses need to be concerned about the risk of suicide in patients with cancer?
An 8 $\,\times\,$ 8 Butler Matrix in 0.13- $\mu{\hbox {m}}$ CMOS for 5–6-GHz Multibeam Applications

This paper presents a miniature 5-6-GHz 8 × 8 Butler matrix in a 0.13-μm CMOS implementation. The 8 × 8 design results in an insertion loss of 3.5 dB at 5.5 GHz with a bandwidth of 5-6 GHz and no power consumption. The chip area is 2.5 × 1.9 mm2 including all pads. The 8 × 8 matrix is mounted on a Teflon board with eight antennas, and the measured patterns agree well with theory and show an isolation of >; 12 dB at 5-6 GHz. CMOS Butler matrices offer a simple and low-power alternative to replace eight-element phased-array systems for high gain transceivers. The applications areas are in high data-rate communications at 5-6 and at 57-66 GHz. They can also be excellent candidates for multiple-input-multiple-output systems.
Inhibitory Effect of Heat-Labile Serum Factors on Detection of Staphylococcal, Pseudomonas, and Hepatitis B Surface Antigens by Solid-Phase Radioimmunoassay

Specific antibodies have previously been found to impair detection of staphylococcal antigen by solid-phase radioimmunoassay. The inhibitory effect of heat-labile serum factors on the detection of antigen is now described. Heating of serum at 56 C for 30 min prior to addition of antigens of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus improved sensitivity by eight- to 32-fold. Heating was less effective when performed after addition of antigen. Treatment with zymosan reduced the inhibitory effect of serum, although less effectively than did preheating. Antigen in buffer was detected with 16 times less sensitivity in antibody-coated tubes exposed to fresh serum than in tubes exposed to heated serum. These findings suggest that complement factors can interact with antibody in coated tubes and at least some antigens and thereby inhibit detection of antigen. The finding that heat treatment improved the sensitivity of Ausria II -125 (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Illinois) for hepatitis B surface antigen is of potential immediate clinical applicability.
Commentary: Bio2010--new challenges for biology educators.

Biology has changed. Research frontiers increasingly lie on the interfaces with other disciplines. Many of these are the more quantitative sciences. The biological researcher of the future will need to integrate multiple disciplines in order to make the important connections. How can undergraduate biology students acquire stronger backgrounds in chemistry, mathematics, engineering, physics, and computational science without compromising a liberal education? This was the challenge confronted by the National Academies' Committee on Undergraduate Education to Prepare Research Scientists for the 21st Century, chaired by Lubert Stryer. The recently issued committee report, called Bio2010: Transforming Undergraduate Education for Future Research Biologists (National Research Council, 2003 ), makes eight recommendations designed to inspire changes in undergraduate biology education that are tuned to these new realities. The goal is to make biologists more comfortable with concepts from math and the physical sciences, which are increasingly part of doing innovative research in biology. Below I discuss the genesis of the report and how the committee proceeded. I comment on each of the recommendations. Most challenging for all of us involved in undergraduate biology education is how the recommendations of the report can be implemented to effect change. What follows is meant to be a guided tour to the report itself.
Microcontact printing: A tool to pattern

Microcontact printing has proven to be a useful technique in the patterned functionalization of certain chemicals onto surfaces. It has been particularly valuable in the patterning of biological materials. In this review, we describe the basic principles of the technology as well as its use in several applications, with an emphasis on biological ones. We also discuss the limitations and future directions of this method.
Neurocognitive and Quality of Life Measures in Patients with Metastatic Brain Disease

The assessment of neurocognitive function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with brain metastases has become increasingly recognized as an important addition to traditional outcome measures such as length of survival and time to disease progression. Although objective assessment of neurocognitive function using standardized neuropsychological tests is well established, QOL represents a more subjective concept for which no gold standard assessment tool has been identified. Assessment of both neurocognitive function and QOL should involve reliable and valid measures that are sensitive to the cognitive domains and aspects of patient well-being that are most affected by brain metastases and associated treatments. Thorough evaluation of these factors is critical to understanding baseline (ie, pretreatment) cognitive functioning and QOL, monitoring the effects of necessary treatments and allowing comparison of available treatments, informing future treatment decisions, and facilitating the development and implementation of tailored behavioral and pharmacologic interventions that minimize the effect of symptoms on functional well-being.
Efficient Binaural Display using MIMO State-Space Systems

Binaural displays for immersive listening must model reverberant acoustic environments, multiple sound sources, and compensate for head motion. Many displays accomplish this by convolving collections of spatially distributed sources with head-related transfer functions (HRTFs). In the absence of reflections, the computational load scales linearly with the number of sources; however, when reflections are present, the load scales exponentially such that the binaural display reaches the limit of available processing power for even relatively sparse acoustic scenes. We propose a method that significantly eases this exponential growth by formulating the HRTF filter array as a MIMO state-space system. Two MIMO architectures are explored; the relative merits of each are found to depend on the specific application. Hankel-optimal methods are found to be a good choice for model reduction, and yield displays with superior approximation quality relative to conventional FIR filter arrays of equal computational complexity.
Predictors of withdrawal: Possible precursors of avoidant personality disorder

Relations of avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) with shyness and inhibition suggest that a precursor of AvPD is withdrawal. Using a sample of 4.5- to 7-year-olds studied four times, 2 years apart, four and three classes of children differing in trajectories of mother- and teacher-reported withdrawal, respectively, were identified. Mothers and teachers generally did not agree on children's trajectories but the pattern of findings in the two contexts did not differ markedly. The mother-identified high and declining withdrawal class, in comparison with less withdrawn classes, and the teacher-identified high and declining class compared with low withdrawal classes, were associated with relatively high levels of anger and low levels of attentional control and resiliency. The mother-identified moderate and increasing withdrawal class was distinguished from less problematic withdrawal classes by higher anger, lower resiliency, and sometimes, lower attentional control. The teacher-identified low and increasing withdrawal class was distinguished from less problematic withdrawal classes by lower resiliency and lower attentional control. Findings are discussed in terms of the developmental precursors to social withdrawal and avoidant behavior.
An overview of the development of low gain feedback and low-and-high gain feedback

Low gain feedback refers to certain families of stabilizing state feedback gains that are parameterized in a scalar and go to zero as the scalar decreases to zero. Low gain feedback was initially proposed to achieve semi-global stabilization of linear systems subject to input saturation. It was then combined with high gain feedback in different ways for solving various control problems. The resulting feedback laws are referred to as low-and-high gain feedback. Since the introduction of low gain feedback in the context of semi-global stabilization of linear systems subject to input saturation, there has been effort to develop alternative methods for low gain design, to characterize key features of low gain feedback, and to explore new applications of the low gain and low-and-high gain feedback. This paper reviews the developments in low gain and low-and-high gain feedback designs.
Fate of commercial disperse dyes in sediments

Kinetics of disappearance of seven different disperse dyes were determined in compacted sediments at room temperature. The commercial dyes (in dispersed solid form) were representative of nitroazo, anthraquinone, and quinoline structures that are widely used. Reaction rates were found to be first order over at least two half-lives and were different for the three groups of dyes. Half-lives were on the order of hours, days and months for the nitroazobenzene, aminoanthraquinone, and quinoline dyes, respectively. Stability of the latter is consistent with detection of a quinoline dye in treatment plant sludge and in sediment from a water body receiving treated effluent. The azobenzene dyes are degraded by cleavage of the azo group to give anilines and ring-substituted phenylenediamines from the diazo component of the molecule. Products from the other portion (coupling component) of the molecule are unidentified, as yet, but are expected to be N,N-disubstituted phenylenediamines. Products of the anthraquinone dyes were unidentified, except for the case of a nitrated dye on which the nitro group was reduced.
Effect of light on urinary coproporphyrin excretion in lead-poisoned rabbits.

Summary and Conclusions1. Light exposure increases the urinary coproporphyrin excretion in rabbits with lead poisoning. 2. The increase is especially marked after ultraviolet radiation. Subsequent radiation, however, fails to cause a renewed rise or is followed by only a small increase. 3. Whether the increase following light is due to mobilization of preformed porphyrin, or to increased porphyrin formation, has not been determined.
An insulator blocks spreading of histone acetylation and interferes with RNA polymerase II transfer between an enhancer and gene

We studied the mechanism by which an insulator interrupts enhancer signaling to a gene using stably replicated chromatin templates containing the human beta-globin locus control region HS2 enhancer and a target globin gene. The chicken beta-globin 5' HS4 (cHS4) insulator acted as a positional enhancer blocker, inhibiting promoter remodeling and transcription activation only when placed between the enhancer and gene. Enhancer blocking by cHS4 reduced histone hyperacetylation across a zone extending from the enhancer to the gene and inhibited recruitment of CBP and p300 to HS2. Enhancer blocking also led to accumulation of RNA polymerase II at HS2 and within cHS4, accompanied by its diminution at the gene promoter. The enhancer blocking effects were completely attributable to the CTCF binding site in cHS4. These findings provide experimental evidence for the involvement of spreading in establishment of a broad zone of histone modification by an enhancer, as well as for blocking by an insulator of the transfer of RNA polymerase II from an enhancer to a promoter.
Simplified and fast iterative physical optics algorithm for human body analysis at W-band

The millimeter-wave (MMW) region of electromagnetic spectrum presents a unique opportunity in detection of pedestrians in heavy clutter environment and hidden objects carried by individuals. In our previous studies [1], [2], we presented polarimetric radar Doppler signature of walking human and dog at 95 GHz. We utilized physical optics (PO) method to model the body with equivalent PO surface and geometrical optics (GO) method to determine the shadowed areas for a given orientation of human body with respect to the direction of the incident wave. The first order PO approach does not actually account for interactions between different body parts. As a result, an accurate cross-polarized response cannot be expected. To alleviate this problem, we employed Iterative PO model in which the interactions between body parts are fully accommodated. In this analysis, human body is descretized into a number of flat facets for each of which the induced currents resulted from other facetspsila scattered field is also taken into account. In this case, if the number of constituent facets is N, the operation of calculating all the interactions is on the order of N2 since each facet has N operations (interactions). This is unlike the first order PO in which we had one operation for each facet and analysis was on the order of N. This massive number of operations for higher order PO brings up some difficulties regarding the exorbitant computation time needed for analysis of a walking individual. This challenge forced us to revise the scheme and take advantage of some features in human body to make the IPO analysis computationally tracktable.
Metabolic economics and microbial proteome evolution

Natural selection is thought to act upon protein structures to optimize biochemical properties related to their specific cellular function. Selection pressures related to efficient synthesis, rather than proper function, of proteins may act globally on the amino acid composition of the proteome, bu ta re less firmly established. A substantial fraction of bacterial energy budgets are devoted to biosynthesis of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. The fueling reactions of central metabolism provide precursor metabolites for synthesis of amino acids. Thus, synthesis of an amino acid entails a dual cost; energy is lost by diverting chemical intermediates from fueling reactions and additional energy is required to convert precursor metabolites to amino acids. Selection to reduce the energetic costs predicts increases in the abundance of less energetically costly amino acids in highly expressed proteins. Using synonymous codon usage bias as a measure of translation rates, we show that amino acid composition in the proteomes of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis reflects the action of natural selection to enhance metabolic efficiency. The primary structures of proteins may also reflect natural selection to enhance the rate and accuracy of their synthesis. Differences in cellular concentrations of tRNAs could lead to translation selection both within and among synonymous families. In yeast, usage of several amino acids show striking associations with gene expression. These changes in amino acid composition result in stronger correlations between amino acid usage and tRNA abundances in highly expressed genes than in less expressed loci. Proteome-wide patterns of amino acid composition in microbes appears to reflect natural selection to enhance the overall physiology of cells as well as the specific functions of proteins.
Qualitative Sociology and Deconstructionism

To what extent can we consider a report of qualitative research as factual? This article seeks to answer that question in the context of recent critical reviews of Street Corner Society. This essay...
Would Mandatory Attendance be Effective for Economics Classes

Romer (1993) suggests that universities should undertake experiments that would test the value of mandatory attendance for economics courses. He presents evidence showing that those who attended his classes received higher grades on his exams and concluded that "an important part of the relationship [to the course grade] reflects a genuine effect of attendance." This conclusion is likely to be welcomed by some economics professors. In this note, I address two issues. First, what does prior research imply about a relationship between attendance and learning? Second, does Romer's own evidence support his conclusion that mandatory attendance is beneficial?
Humidity rise after purge in micro-environments

The mass transport properties of four micro-environment (ME) materials were tested: polycarbonate (PC), poly(ether imide) (PEI), poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and the Entegris barrier material (EBM). Permeation, diffusion and solubility coefficients of water vapor were measured at room temperature with 45% and 100% relative humidity (RH). These mass transport coefficients were used to estimate the humidity rise after purge in a 300 mm front opening unified pod (FOUP) constructed of these materials. PC was estimated to show 20% humidity rise two hours after purge. PEI was comparable to PC. PEEK showed better performance than PC or PEI. EBM showed the best water permeation resistance and the slowest and lowest humidity rise.
Spectral reflectance and photosynthetic properties of Betula papyrifera (Betulaceae) leaves along an elevational gradient on Mt. Mansfield, Vermont, USA

(Regel) Fern., leaves from three different elevations on Mt. Mansfield (summit elevation 1339 m above sea level) in the Green Mountains of Vermont, USA. The different reflectance indices we used all suggested progressively increasing stress with increasing elevation. The photochemical reflectance index (PRI) indicated lower photosynthetic radiation use efficiency at higher elevations, the red edge position (lRE) indicated lower chlorophyll concentrations at higher elevations, and the structure-independent pigment index (SIPI) indicated a higher carotenoid : chlorophyll a ratio at higher elevations. The rate of change in these indices with changes in elevation was much higher than we have observed in our studies of red spruce and balsam fir reflectance along a similar elevational gradient; we take this to be an indicator of the greater susceptibility of paper birch to elevation-related stressors compared to the very stress-tolerant conifers. At all light levels, photosynthesis decreased with increasing elevation; this pattern was most noticeable in the light-saturated rate of photosynthesis ( Asat), which was nearly twice as high in low-elevation leaves (17.0 6 1.0 mmol·m22·s21) than in high-elevation leaves. The quantum yield of photosynthesis (F) exhibited a similar trend. Furthermore, the highest elevation leaves showed a much sharper transition from the light-limited to the light-saturated part of the light response curve than did the lowest elevation leaves. The photochemical reflectance index was highly correlated with Asat (r2 5 0.99) and F (r2 5 0.96). In addition to contributing to our knowledge of the ecophysiology of paper birch along a steep environmental gradient, these results are further evidence of the usefulness of reflectance measures for the rapid and noninvasive detection of plant stress, especially when used in conjunction with direct measurements of photosynthesis.
Incremental Value of Clinical Data Beyond Claims Data in Predicting 30-Day Outcomes After Heart Failure Hospitalization

Background—Administrative claims data are used routinely for risk adjustment and hospital profiling for heart failure outcomes. As clinical data become more readily available, the incremental value of adding clinical data to claims-based models of mortality and readmission is unclear. Methods and Results—We linked heart failure hospitalizations from the Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure registry with Medicare claims data for patients discharged between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2006. We evaluated the performance of claims-only and claims-clinical regression models for 30-day mortality and readmission, and compared hospital rankings from both models. There were 25 766 patients from 308 hospitals in the mortality analysis, and 24 163 patients from 307 hospitals in the readmission analysis. The claims-clinical mortality model (area under the curve [AUC], 0.761; generalized R2=0.172) had better fit than the claims-only mortality model (AUC, 0.718; R2=0.113). The claims-only readmission model (AUC,...
Stability and Long Run Equilibrium in Stochastic Fictitious Play

In this paper we develop methods to analyze the long run behavior of models with multiple stable equilibria, and we apply them to a well known model of learning in games. Our methods apply to discrete-time continuous-state stochastic models, and as a particular application in we study a model of stochastic flctitious play. We focus on a variant of this model in which agents’ payofis are subject to random shocks and they discount past observations exponentially. We analyze the behavior of agents’ beliefs as the discount rate on past information becomes small but the payofi shock variance remains flxed. We show that agents tend to be drawn toward an equilibrium, but occasionally the stochastic shocks lead agents to endogenously shift between equilibria. We then calculate the invariant distribution of players’ beliefs, and use it to determine the most likely outcome observed in long run. Our application shows that by making some slight changes to a standard learning model, we can derive an equilibrium selection criterion similar to stochastic evolutionary models but with some important difierences.
A social cognition framework for examining moral awareness in managers and academics

This investigation applies a social cognition framework to examine moral awareness in business situations. Using a vignette-based instrument, the investigation compares the recall, recognition, and ascription of importance to moral- versus strategy-related issues in business managers (n = 86) and academic professors (n = 61). Results demonstrate that managers recall strategy-related issues more than moral-related issues and recognize and ascribe importance to moral-related issues less than academics. It also finds an inverse relationship between socialization in the business context and moral awareness. Future directions for moral awareness research and the practical implications for these findings are discussed.
The Evolving E-Business Strategy: Lessons Learned

Bricks-and-mortar companies wishing to create value-added Internet services do so in a business environment that is characterized by great uncertainty and, hence, formulating a coherent business strategy is exceedingly challenging. This paper presents a case study based analysis of the evolving eBusiness strategy of a bricks-andmortar grocer contrasted with the strategies of other competitors. The gerocery company took a logical, measured, incremental, and, ultimately, successful approach to its eBusiness strategy formulation, development, and implementation. Our case study suggests that in an environment characterized by chaotic change bricks-and-mortar companies can benefit from a strategy informed by organizational learning and eBusiness integration.
Lower Permian (Wolfcampian) Paleosol-Bearing Cycles of the U.S. Midcontinent: Evidence of Climatic Cyclicity

Lower Permian sedimentary cycles of the North American Midcontinent consist predominantly of very shallow marine and paralic facies and well-developed stacked paleosol profiles. Although recording glacio-eustatic sea level fluctuations, these cycles also contain evidence of cyclic climate change. This evidence includes the repeated carbonate-to-clastic facies pattern observed for meter-scale cycles, and the regionally consistent change from calcic to vertic paleosols within the variegated mudstones of most cyclothems. Climates are interpreted to have fluctuated from arid or semiarid conditions to seasonally wet/dry conditions during the course of a single cyclothem. Furthermore, within the Midcontinent, drier conditions appear to have characterized times of sea-level rise and highstand, whereas wetter more seasonal conditions characterized times of sea-level fall and lowstand. This relationship is interpreted to have resulted from variations in the intensity of a Pangean monsoon generated by glacial-interglacial cycles.
Asymmetrical Competition and Patterns of Abundance of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

We tested for competitive advantage among larvae of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Culex pipiens L. in a laboratory experiment and determined the frequency and spatial and temporal patterns of co-occurrence in the field in East St. Louis, IL. In a laboratory competition experiment at multiple combined densities of Ae. albopictus and Cx. pipiens larvae, Ae. albopictus survivorship and developmental times were significantly affected by conspecific densities but not by Cx. pipiens densities. In contrast, Cx. pipiens survivorship and developmental times were significantly affected by both conspecific and Ae. albopictus densities. Per capita rate of increase (r') for Ae. albopictus cohorts declined significantly due to density of conspecifics, but not density of Cx. pipiens. Interspecific competition between Ae. albopictus and Cx. pipiens under these laboratory conditions was strong and asymmetrical, with the effect of Ae. albopictus on Cx. pipiens much stronger than the reverse. In monthly samples from tire sites in East St. Louis, Ae. albopictus was highly seasonal, occurring in relatively low abundance from early May to July and increasing in abundance in August and September. Co-occurrence corresponded to the seasonality of Ae. albopictus, with Cx. pipiens encountering Ae. albopictus in more tires and at higher numbers within a tire, in August and September. Abundance of both species was high in residential areas and was unrelated to overstory cover, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. Abundance of Ae. albopictus, but not of Cx. pipiens, was positively associated with conductivity. We expect Cx. pipiens to suffer from the effects of interspecific competition in tires in which it encounters Ae. albopictus. Interspecific competition between these species may be of both ecological and medical importance.
Manipulating the Attractiveness and Suitability of Hosts for Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Ovipositional preference and larval survival of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), were compared among cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. variety capitata; glossy collards, Brassica oleracea L. variety acephala; and yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris (R. Br.) variety arcuata in different treatments of planting density, host plant age, intercropping, and water stress in 2003 and 2004. P. xylostella laid nearly twice as many eggs per plant in the high planting densities of glossy collards and yellow rocket than in the standard planting densities. Ovipositional preference was positively correlated with plant age in cabbage, glossy collards, and yellow rocket. Larval survival on cabbage was 1.9 times higher on 6-wk than on 12-wk-old plants, whereas larval survival on collards was 12.1 times higher on the younger plants. No larvae survived on either 6- or 12-wk-old yellow rocket plants. Intercropping cabbage with either tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., or fava bean, Vicia fava L., did not reduce the number of eggs laid on cabbage. No significant differences in oviposition were found between water-stressed and well-irrigated host plants treatments. Yet, P. xylostella larval survival on water-stressed cabbage was 2.1 times lower than on well-irrigated cabbage plants. Based on our findings, the effectiveness of trap crops of glossy collards and yellow rocket could be enhanced by integrating the use of higher planting densities in the trap crop than in the main crop and seeding of the trap crop earlier than the main crop.
Responses of Six Wildflower Species to Seed Matric Priming

Abstract Seeds of six wildflower species [Aster novae-angliae (New England aster), Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan), Liatris spicata (Blazing star), Hesperis natronalis (Dame's rocket), Gaillardia aristata (Perennial gaillardia), and Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed)] were matrically primed in fine, exfoliated vermiculite. Seeds were primed for 7 days at 15C (59F) at an initial matric potential of−0.5 MPa (−5 bars) in darkness, then dried for 7 days before sowing. A seed: vermiculite (1:2 by wt) ratio was found to be the most appropriate of several ratios because it increased germination rate of all species except Black-eyed Susan, increased the germination percentage of Perennial gaillardia, and prevented germination of Dame's rocket and Perennial gaillardia during priming. Under restricted water availability [−0.25 and−0.50 MPa (−2.5 and−5.0 bars)] priming increased the germination percentage of Perennial gaillardia and Butterfly weed and increased the germination rate of all species. In a glasshous...