cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural Basis for Looming Size and Velocity Encoding in the Drosophila Giant Fiber Escape Pathway.

Summary Identified neuron classes in vertebrate cortical [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ] and subcortical [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ] areas and invertebrate peripheral [ 9 , 10 , 11 ] and central [ 12 , 13 , 14 ] brain neuropils encode specific visual features of a panorama. How downstream neurons integrate these features to control vital behaviors, like escape, is unclear [ 15 ]. In Drosophila, the timing of a single spike in the giant fiber (GF) descending neuron [ 16 , 17 , 18 ] determines whether a fly uses a short or long takeoff when escaping a looming predator [ 13 ]. We previously proposed that GF spike timing results from summation of two visual features whose detection is highly conserved across animals [ 19 ]: an object’s subtended angular size and its angular velocity [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 , 20 , 21 ]. We attributed velocity encoding to input from lobula columnar type 4 (LC4) visual projection neurons, but the size-encoding source remained unknown. Here, we show that lobula plate/lobula columnar, type 2 (LPLC2) visual projection neurons anatomically specialized to detect looming [ 22 ] provide the entire GF size component. We find LPLC2 neurons to be necessary for GF-mediated escape and show that LPLC2 and LC4 synapse directly onto the GF via reconstruction in a fly brain electron microscopy (EM) volume [ 23 ]. LPLC2 silencing eliminates the size component of the GF looming response in patch-clamp recordings, leaving only the velocity component. A model summing a linear function of angular velocity (provided by LC4) and a Gaussian function of angular size (provided by LPLC2) replicates GF looming response dynamics and predicts the peak response time. We thus present an identified circuit in which information from looming feature-detecting neurons is combined by a common post-synaptic target to determine behavioral output.
Topographic evolution of the western United States since the early Miocene

Abstract The origin of the high topography within the western United States has been attributed to either crustal/lithospheric isostasy or dynamic topography, but their relative contributions remain unconstrained. Here we investigate this problem using gravity, residual topography and geodynamic modeling. We first evaluate two end-member scenarios of isostatic balance: crustal isostasy and lithospheric isostasy. Both cases lead to prominent negative mantle residual gravity within the tectonically active western U.S. and unrealistic crustal/lithospheric density structures, requiring the presence of low-density mantle underneath. The negative mantle residual gravity is consistent with both the estimated positive residual topography and calculated dynamic uplift due to the presence of hot asthenospheric mantle underneath. Geodynamic modeling further reveals that this landward migrating dynamic uplift originates from the eastward intrusion of the hot Pacific mantle through tears and edges of the Juan de Fuca slab since middle Miocene. The estimated paleotopography maps by combining dynamic topography and lithosphere isostasy over the western U.S. are consistent with several observational constraints, including episodic uplifts of the Sierra Nevada, post-mid-Miocene uplift of the Idaho batholith, the sustaining subsidence within most of the B&R, and the largely stable topography of central Colorado Plateau since 20 Ma.
Tantalum sound velocity under shock compression

We used several variations of the shock compression method to measure the longitudinal sound velocity of shocked tantalum over the pressure range 37–363 GPa with a typical uncertainty of 1.0 %. These data are consistent with Ta remaining in the bcc phase along the principal Hugoniot from ambient pressure to ≈300 GPa, at which pressure melting occurs. These data also do not support the putative melting phenomena reported below 100 GPa in some static compression experiments.
Examining Spontaneous Perspective Taking and Fluid Self-to-Data Relationships in Informal Open-Ended Data Exploration

Engaging learners with complex unfamiliar datasets is a known challenge in Data Science education. One promising phenomenon investigated in related work is perspective-taking. A first-person “actor...
Input Elimination Transformations for Scalable Verification and Trace Reconstruction

We present two novel sound and complete netlist transformations, which substantially improve verification scalability while enabling very efficient trace reconstruction. First, we present a 2QBF variant of input reparameterization, capable of eliminating inputs without introducing new logic and without complete range computation. While weaker in reduction potential, it yields up to 4 orders of magnitude speedup to trace reconstruction when used as a fast-and-lossy preprocess to traditional reparameterization. Second, we present a novel scalable approach to leverage sequential unateness to merge selective inputs, in cases greatly reducing netlist size and verification complexity. Extensive benchmarking demonstrates the utility of these techniques. Connectivity verification particularly benefits from these reductions, up to 99.8%.
M+C Plan County Exit Decisions 1999-2001: Implications for Payment Policy

The primary legislative response to diminishing private plan participation in the Medicare+Choice (M+C) program since 1999 has been substantial payment increases. Analysis of M+C decisions to continue serving or drop counties from 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 reveals that payment amounts, although important, did not have a consistent impact on these decisions. Plan decisions varied depending on the year and the intention to continue participating in M+C at all. Simulations show that M+C plans were better off, on average, with the payment methodology imposed by the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997 than under the previous payment system and that large payment increases would increase plan retention.
Postinjury Engagement With the Police and Access to Care Among Victims of Violent Street Crime: Does Criminal History Matter?

AbstractThis study examines whether victims of violent street crimes who are known to the police as past offenders, when compared with victims with no arrest history, have different outcomes relate...
Pyruvate Aldol Condensation Product: A Metabolite That Escaped Synthetic Preparation for Over a Century

The homoaldol condensation product of pyruvate, 2-methyl-4-oxopent-2-enedioic acid (OMPD), has been recently implicated as a catabolic intermediate in the bacterial degradation of lignin and previously identified from other biological sources in reports ranging over 60 years. Yet, while a preparation of the pyruvate homoaldol product precursor, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxoglutaric acid (HMOG/Parapyruvate), was first reported in 1901, there has not been a complete published synthesis of OMPD. Analyses of reaction mixtures have helped identify zymonic acid, the lactone of HMOG, as the direct precursor to OMPD. The reaction appears to proceed through an acid- or base-mediated ring opening that does not involve formal lactone hydrolysis. In addition to a preparative protocol, we provide a proposed mechanism for the formation of methylsuccinic acid that arises from the nonoxidative decarboxylation of OMPD. Finally, we calculated the relative stability of the isomers of OMPD and found Z-OMPD to be the lowest in energy. These computations also support our observations that Z-OMPD is the most abundant isomer across a range of pH values.
Toll-Like Receptor 2-Tpl2-Dependent ERK Signaling Drives Inverse Interleukin 12 Regulation in Dendritic Cells and Macrophages.

This study investigated responses to Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-driven extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) signaling in dendritic cells (DCs) versus macrophages. TLR2 signaling was induced with Pam3Cys-Ser-Lys4, and the role of ERK signaling was interrogated pharmacologically with MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 or genetically with bone marrow-derived macrophages or DCs from Tpl2-/- mice. We assessed cytokine production via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or V-Plex, and mRNA levels were assessed via reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). In macrophages, blockade of ERK signaling by pharmacologic or genetic approaches inhibited interleukin 10 (IL-10) expression and increased expression of the p40 subunit shared by IL-12 and IL-23 (IL-12/23p40). In DCs, blockade of ERK signaling similarly inhibited IL-10 expression but decreased IL-12/23p40 expression, which is opposite to the effect of ERK signaling blockade on IL-12/23p40 in macrophages. This difference in IL-12/23p40 regulation correlated with the differential expression of transcription factors cFos and IRF1, which are known to regulate IL-12 family members, including IL-12 and IL-23. Thus, the impact of ERK signaling in response to TLR2 stimulation differs between macrophages and DCs, potentially regulating their distinctive functions in the immune system. ERK-mediated suppression of IL-12/23p40 in macrophages may prevent excessive inflammation and associated tissue damage following TLR2-stimulation, while ERK-mediated induction of IL-12/23p40 in DCs may promote priming of T helper 1 (Th1) responses. A greater understanding of the role that ERK signaling plays in different immune cell types may inform the development of host-directed therapy and optimal adjuvanticity for a number of infectious pathogens.
Does the principle of investment diversification apply to the starting pitching staffs of major league baseball teams

Financial advisors often emphasize asset diversification as a means of limiting losses from investments that perform unexpectedly poorly over a particular time period. One might expect that this perceived wisdom could apply in another high stakes arena–professional baseball–where player salaries comprise a substantial portion of a team’s operational costs, year-to-year player performance is highly variable, and injuries can occur at any time. These attributes are particularly true in the case of the starting pitching staffs of professional baseball teams. Accordingly, this study analyzes starting pitcher performance and financial data from all Major League Baseball teams for the period 1985–2016 to determine whether the standard investment advice is applicable in this context, understanding that the time horizon for success for an investor and a baseball team may be distinct. A multiple logistic regression model of playoff qualification probability, based on realized pitcher performance, measures of luck, and starting pitcher staff salary diversification is used to address this question. A further stratification is conducted to determine whether there are differences in strategy for teams with allocated financial resources that are above or below league average. We find that teams with above average resources increase their post-season qualification probability by focusing their salary funds on a relative few starting pitchers rather than diversifying that investment across the staff. Second, we find that pitcher performance must align with that investment in order for the team to have a high qualification probability. Third, the influence of luck is not negligible, but those teams that allocate more overall funds to their pitching are more resilient to bad luck. Thus, poorly resourced teams, who are generally unable to bid for pitchers at the highest salary levels, must adopt alternative strategies to maintain their competitiveness.
Emerging Adults and Gender Norms: Everyday Life Experiences, Media Perceptions, Attitudes, and Future Expectations

As media’s (e.g., television, movies, news) presence becomes increasingly prominent in individuals’ everyday lives, it is critical to consider how emerging adult men and women acquire gender norm information. Accordingly, this study explores how emerging adults’ everyday life gender norm experiences and media gender norm perceptions contribute to gender norm attitude formation and future gender norm expectations in family and career. Research has examined gender norm attitudes in relationship to everyday life, media, or future life expectations. Extending past research, this survey (n = 663) concurrently assesses the interrelationships between these constructs, employing social cognitive theory as a theoretical guide to frame hypotheses and interpret findings. Structural equation models (SEMs) illustrated emerging adults’ (M age = 20.32 years) traditional gender norm attitudes were positively correlated with traditional everyday life experiences and negatively correlated with traditional media perceptions. In each SEM, traditional gender norm attitudes positively correlated with traditional family division of labor expectations. Unexpectedly, male traditional gender norm attitudes negatively correlated with traditional career role allocation expectations. Finally, in both SEMs, only traditional everyday life experiences predicted traditional future expectations. Discussion focuses on the interplay between everyday life and media by considering the ways emerging adults may use each realm to shape gender norm attitudes and future expectations.
Max-Linear Regression by Scalable and Guaranteed Convex Programming.

We consider the multivariate max-linear regression problem where the model parameters $\boldsymbol{\beta}_{1},\dotsc,\boldsymbol{\beta}_{k}\in\mathbb{R}^{p}$ need to be estimated from $n$ independent samples of the (noisy) observations $y = \max_{1\leq j \leq k} \boldsymbol{\beta}_{j}^{\mathsf{T}} \boldsymbol{x} + \mathrm{noise}$. The max-linear model vastly generalizes the conventional linear model, and it can approximate any convex function to an arbitrary accuracy when the number of linear models $k$ is large enough. However, the inherent nonlinearity of the max-linear model renders the estimation of the regression parameters computationally challenging. Particularly, no estimator based on convex programming is known in the literature. We formulate and analyze a scalable convex program as the estimator for the max-linear regression problem. Under the standard Gaussian observation setting, we present a non-asymptotic performance guarantee showing that the convex program recovers the parameters with high probability. When the $k$ linear components are equally likely to achieve the maximum, our result shows that a sufficient number of observations scales as $k^{2}p$ up to a logarithmic factor. This significantly improves on the analogous prior result based on alternating minimization (Ghosh et al., 2019). Finally, through a set of Monte Carlo simulations, we illustrate that our theoretical result is consistent with empirical behavior, and the convex estimator for max-linear regression is as competitive as the alternating minimization algorithm in practice.
Response to Moseley

In “A Marxian reply to Hahnel: The relative explanatory power of Marx’s theory and Sraffa’s theory,” Moseley begins by arguing that I misrepresent Marx. For any like myself, who believe that becaus...
Food insecurity and glycemic control in individuals with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes in the United States.

Abstract Aims Investigate the relationship between food insecurity and glycemic control in adults with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. Methods Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2003–2016, food insecurity was measured using the household food insecurity scale. Glycemic control was measured using glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) collected during the NHANES examination. Individuals were categorized into undiagnosed diabetes or diagnosed diabetes based on their measured HbA1c and response to whether they were told by a doctor or other health professional they have diabetes or were taking medications for diabetes. Sampling weights and survey procedures were used when conducting univariate and multivariable models using SAS version 9.4. Results Approximately 13.7% of the population sample (35,216 adults representing 207,271,917 US adults) reported food insecurity. Reporting food insecurity was associated with 0.37 higher HbA1c for diagnosed (95% CI 0.15−0.60) and 0.45 higher HbA1c for undiagnosed diabetes (95% CI 0.05−0.85). In the undiagnosed diabetes population, those reporting food insecurity had 80% higher likelihood of HbA1c above 7% (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.06–3.06). Conclusions Food insecurity had a stronger relationship with HbA1c for those with undiagnosed diabetes. Results suggest the importance of screening for individuals with food insecurity that may be at high risk for having undiagnosed diabetes.
Lipid Lowering Is Beneficial for Secondary Prevention but Not Primary Prevention in Patients 75 Years and Older.

Egg consumption is not associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular events over an average of 12 years.
Interface pinning causes the hysteresis of the hydride transformation in binary metal hydrides

Hydriding and dehydriding transitions in bulk and nanocrystalline binary metal hydrides were studied using the Pd-H model system by measuring pressure-composition isotherms with in situ x-ray diffractometry. Nanocrystalline Pd showed a smaller pressure hysteresis, solvus hysteresis, and hysteresis in lattice parameter, compared to bulk Pd. The time-dependence of pressure equilibration was measured after dosing with aliquots of hydrogen, giving equilibration times that were much faster in the single-phase regions than in the two-phase plateaus. In the broad two-phase plateaus, the pressure relaxations were exponential functions of time. An explanation of hysteresis is developed that is based on a dissipative potential barrier that impedes the motion of the interface due to interactions between lattice defects and the two-phase interface. The exponential pressure relaxations and hysteresis are consistent for this mechanism. For a simple model of the pinning potential, the potential barrier maximum is an order of magnitude less than typical grain boundary energies. These pinning effects are substantially different in the nanocrystalline Pd, suggesting differences in the hydriding mechanism.
Associations Between Psychosocial Measures and Digital Media Use Among Transgender Youth: Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse (TNG) youth encounter barriers to psychosocial wellness and also describe exploring identities and communities on the web. Studies of cisgender youth connect increased digital technology use with lower well-being, parent relationships, and body image scores as well as increased loneliness and fear of missing out (FOMO). However, little is known about the psychosocial factors associated with digital technology use among TNG compared with cisgender youth. Objective: This study aims to examine the associations between psychosocial measures and digital technology use and its importance for cisgender and TNG youth. Methods: We surveyed a nationally representative sample of adolescents (aged 13-18 years) about psychosocial wellness and digital technology use. Psychosocial measures included assessment of well-being, parental relationships, body image, loneliness, and FOMO. Digital media use assessments included the short Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale-3 and the Adolescent Digital Technology Interactions and Importance (ADTI) scale and subscales. We compared psychosocial measures between gender identity groups. We also compared stratified correlations for psychosocial measures (well-being, parent relationships, body image, loneliness, and FOMO) with ADTI and Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale-3 scores between gender identity groups. All comparisons were adjusted for age, race, and ethnicity. Results: Among 4575 adolescents, 53 (1.16%) self-identified as TNG youth. TNG youth had lower scores for well-being (23.76 vs 26.47; P<.001), parent relationships (19.29 vs 23.32; P<.001), and body image (13.50 vs 17.12; P<.001), and higher scores for loneliness (9.28 vs 6.55; P<.001) and FOMO (27.93 vs 23.89; P=.004), compared with cisgender peers. In a pattern different from that of their cisgender peers, better well-being scores and body image for TNG youth predicted higher problematic internet use (PIU) scores (correlation coefficients of 0.32 vs −0.07; P=.004 and 0.26 vs −0.21; P=.002, respectively). FOMO was a stronger positive predictor of higher ADTI total and subscale scores for cisgender youth compared with TNG youth. Conclusions: Overall, this study supports previously demonstrated disparities in the psychosocial wellness of TNG youth and adds that these disparities include loneliness and FOMO. This study shows prediction of PIU by both higher well-being and better body image, indicating that PIU may not be unilaterally driven by problematic factors among TNG youth. We suggest that this may be because of the specific digital media functions that TNG youth engage with as a disenfranchised population.
Potential Use of Cimetidine for Treatment of Acetaminophen Overdose

Acetaminophen, a drug frequently taken in intentional and accidental overdose, causes liver toxicity when concentration of the cytochrome P-450-derived metabolite exceeds the metabolic capacity of available glutathione. Present treatment of acetaminophen overdose involves oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which enhances liver glutathione synthesis. An alternative or additive approach to therapy would be to inhibit the formation of the toxic metabolite by inhibiting the cytochrome P-450 system. The H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine inhibits the cytochrome P-450 system, does not interfere with the administration or function of NAC, and therefore affords additive protection. Also, it has little effect on the nontoxic routes of elimination of acetaminophen and is itself quite nontoxic. That cimetidine protects against acetaminophen toxicity in animal models has been demonstrated on the basis of improved survival, as well as decreases in several critical elements used to monitor acetaminophen toxicity: classic histologic changes, aminotransferase activity, metabolite covalent binding, and liver glutathione depletion. Administration of cimetidine well after the overdose is also protective. In contrast, animal models of acetaminophen toxicity demonstrate that ranitidine does not afford protection from acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. Clinical data in well-done trials in humans will be needed to support the experimental animal data.
Power conversion in concentrating photovoltaic systems: Central, string, and micro-inverters

In this paper, concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems coupled with various inverter configurations are modeled, compared, and tested. Because CPV systems use optics to concentrate sunlight onto highly efficient PV cells, the systems are affected not only by mismatches in the I–V characteristics among individual PV cells but also by the electro-optical mismatches of each concentrator. The best way to minimize power losses by these mismatches is having higher quality controls in aligning at the time of manufacturing and installation. To mitigate the power losses when mismatches are present, electrical components can be considered at the expense of additional cost. The developed models for central, string, and micro-inverters allow an accurate estimation of power losses in CPV systems and can be used to find an optimum solution for various power conversion schemes on the basis of the given mismatch conditions. Simulation results show that a CPV system with micro-inverters outperforms a CPV system with conventional inverters. Experimental test results under normal operation validate that power losses in a CPV system can be reduced by more than 5% by using the micro-inverter scheme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“Contagious Air[s]”: Wordsworth's Poetics and Politics of Immunity

This article explores how Wordsworth routinely borrows ideas and concepts from Romantic-period medicine in order to define both his politics and his poetic theory. In particular, Wordsworth advocates a kind of immunity designed to curb the diffusion of radical affects and to craft the proper biopolitical subject. Importantly, according to Wordsworth, political and affective excess can be prevented through the act of reading poetry. The success of Wordsworth's poetics depends upon an implicit inoculation of “powerful feelings” into the reader's body that prevents the kinds of “jacobinal infatuations” that he fears in later works. The poet promotes a form of biopolitical immunity in his prose and poetry that reflects Romantic-era medical practice, especially the controversial innovations of vaccination. Finally, this essay tracks how Wordsworth's use of the term “immunity” – always pluralized into “immunities” – shows how the term's meaning was slowing changing from a strictly legal or political attribution...
A Comparison of Intergroup Behavior in Cebus albifrons and C. apella

Comparative studies of free-ranging groups ofCebus albifrons andCebus apella in eastern Colombia showed strong differences in the manner in which groups of each species interacted.Cebus albifrons troops were large and multi-male; they showed strongly aggressive tendencies towards neighboring groups of the same species and they defended a territory with little overlap of neighbors, both by means of long-distance spacing calls and by fighting. In contrast,Cebus apella troops were small, sometimes containing only one adult male; they exhibited pacific interactions and curiosity towards neighboring groups of the same species and did not defend a territory, allowing extensive overlapping with their neighbors. Such social differences in closely related species which are found in identical habitats call into question purely ecological interpretations for such differences.
Maxillary, mandibular, and chin advancement: Treatment planning based on airway anatomy in obstructive sleep apnea

Surgical correction of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome involves understanding a number of parameters, of which the 3-dimensional airway anatomy is important. Visualization of the upper airway based on cone beam computed tomography scans and automated computer analysis is an aid in understanding normal and abnormal airway conditions and their response to surgery. The goal of surgical treatment of OSA syndrome is to enlarge the velo-oropharyngeal airway by anterior/lateral displacement of the soft tissues and musculature by maxillary, mandibular, and possibly, genioglossus advancement. Knowledge of the specific airway obstruction and characteristics based on 3-dimensional studies permits a directed surgical treatment plan that can successfully address the area or areas of airway obstruction. The end occlusal result can be improved when orthodontic treatment is combined with the surgical plan. The individual with OSA, though, is more complicated than the usual orthognathic patient, and both the medical condition and treatment length need to be judiciously managed when OSA and associated conditions are present. The perioperative management of the patient with OSA is more complex and the margin for error is reduced, and this needs to be taken into consideration and the care altered as indicated.
The Cognitive Selection Framework of Knowledge Acquisition Strategy in Virtual Communities

As a significant source of knowledge, virtual communities have stimulated interest in knowledge management research. Nonetheless, very few studies to date have examined the demand-side knowledge perspective such as knowledge acquisition in virtual communities. In order to explore the knowledge acquisition process within virtual communities, this study proposes the cognitive selection framework of knowledge acquisition strategy in virtual communities. The proposed framework identifies how knowledge recipients select their strategy for acquiring specialized knowledge, emphasizing cognitive perspectives such as cognitive goals (cognitive replication and innovation) and cognitive motivators (virtual community self-efficacy, heightened enjoyment, and time resources) at the individual level. On analyzing the preliminary data, we obtain findings that suggest that knowledge recipients' cognitive motivators differentially influence their cognitive goals for selecting knowledge acquisition strategy. However, in order to empirically examine the hypotheses identified in this study, further research is still needed.
Disruption of Re-replication Control by Overexpression of Human ORC1 in Fission Yeast

Initiation of DNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires the binding of the origin recognition complex (ORC) to autonomously replicating sequences. HsORC1, a recently identified human protein related to yeast Orc1p and Cdc6p/Cdc18p, may be a component of the replication initiation complex in human cells. We have independently isolated the gene for HsORC1 and begun to address its function in eukaryotic DNA replication and its relationship to Cdc18p. Although HsORC1 failed to rescue the temperature-sensitive S. pombe cdc18-K46 strain, overexpression in a wild-type strain led to continuous DNA synthesis in the absence of mitosis. Deletion mutagenesis identified a short N-terminal region of HsORC1 that contains potential phosphorylation sites for cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) as being sufficient to induce re-replication. In addition, we found that HsORC1 is an efficient substrate for CDKs in vitro. We propose that perturbation of the re-replication control by overexpression of HsORC1 is due to a titration of components involved in inactivating Cdc18p upon initiation of replication.
Intermolecular forces and molecular rotation in liquids: The chloroform-benzene complex

Abstract The autocorrelation function of the orientational motion of the permanent dipole moment of CDCl3 in CDCl3C6H6 solutions has been computed from the infrared band contour of the ν3 mode (parallel band) of CDCl3 at 362 cm−1. The results show that, contrary to presently held beliefs, the intermolecular forces in the liquid-phase 1:1-chloroform-benzene complex do not prevent a considerable amount of essentially frictionless rotational motion of CDCl3 (by approximately one-half radian) in directions which tilt the molecule out of the proposed intermolecular bond.
On the Neutron-Proton Interaction

Field theories of nuclear forces predict the existence of a spin dependent interaction similar in character to the coupling energy between two dipoles. The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of such spin-spin forces on the behavior of the neutron-proton system. A phenomenological theory is developed in which are adopted simplified rectangular well potentials whose constants are determined to fit the binding energy and quadripole moment of the deuteron, and the scattering of slow neutrons in hydrogen. The range of the forces is chosen to be that deduced from proton-proton scattering. The effects investigated include the magnetic moment of the deuteron, the scattering of neutrons in hydrogen, the radiative capture of slow neutrons, and the photo-disintegration of the deuteron. Most of the effects considered can be understood as a simple consequence of the reduced amount of the $^{3}S_{1}$ ground state of the deuteron occasioned by the admixture of a small percentage of a $^{3}D_{1}$ state. The phenomenological theory here employed adequately represents the experimental data, with the exception of the photomagnetic disintegration of the deuteron which would seem to require a detailed knowledge of the charge-bearing field.
VALUES: a national multicenter study demonstrating gender differences in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with behavioral impairment

SUMMARY Aim: This study aims to characterize gender-specific behavioral profiles in nondemented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis subjects with behavioral changes (ALSbi). Methods: Caregivers of 106 subjects (53 male) completed an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis standardized clinical interview framed around the Frontal Behavioral Inventory (FBI) structured questionnaire to rate patients on behaviors associated with declines in frontal and temporal self-regulatory capacities. Subjects evaluated evidenced two or more nonoverlapping behavioral symptoms. Inventory items were grouped into disinhibited, apathetic and stereotypic subclasses for between-gender evaluation by independent t-tests and within-gender evaluation by Mann–Whitney U and Spearman rho. Results: Males showed greater disinhibition (p = 0.000), and loss of insight (p = 0.011), jocularity (p = 0.009) and impulsivity (p = 0.005). Females showed significant relationships between personal neglect and indifference (p = 0.000), impulsivity (p = 0.0.013) an...
Isolation of genes encoding bovine IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE chains.

Bovine Cμ, Cγ, Cα and Ce genes were cloned in an EMBL4 recombinant phage library using rabbit immunoglobulin switch μ (Sμ) and human C γ as probes. Restriction mapping and Southern blot analyses of these clones identified one clone which hybridized with rabbit C μ and JH probes. The HG and Cμ regions were separated by 6 kb of DNA. One C α and one C e gene were found on overlapping clones and were separated by approximately 15 kb of DNA. Southern blot analysis of germline DNA with a bovine C α associated probe (Sα) indicated that the germline contains a single Cα gene. Similar analyses with a bovine C eprobe indicated that the germline contains either one C e gene with allelic restriction polymorphism or two Ce genes. Three Cγ genes were cloned and did not overlap with one another. Southern blot analyses of germline DNA with a bovine Cγ probe indicated that the germline contains a total of four Cγ genes. The genes cloned correspond to three of the four genes identified by Southern blot analysis. The orientation of each CH gene was assigned by hybridization with Sμ or Sγ probes. The S γ probe hybridized to DNA immediately adjacent to all three C genes; the S probe hybridized to DNA immediately adjacent to the Cμ, Cα and Ce genes. Unexpectedly, the Sμ probe also hybridized with a segment of DNA approximately 7 kb downstream of the Cμ gene. This may represent a switch region for Cγ.
Biosocial predictors of maternal weight near term among low-income black and Hispanic women

Abstract This study used biosocial data to develop and test models for predicting at mid-gestation those women among a target group of 150 low-incombe black and Hispanic women who were at risk for poor weight gain. Forty percent had near term weights
Practical and Statistical Considerations in Designing an Early Phase II Osteoarthritis Clinical Trial: A Case Study

After the withdrawal of Rofecoxib® in late 2004, the drug development environment for any new anti-inflammatory agents became more and more challenging. For every new compound developed to treat osteoarthritis (OA), both drug safety and drug efficacy are followed very closely. In this article, a true case study is presented to demonstrate how these considerations can be incorporated in an early Phase II clinical trial design. Simulations are performed to assess the power of this study, and to compare different methods in estimating minimum effective dose (MinED).
VIRTUE, NATURAL LAW, AND SUPERNATURAL SOLICITATION: A THOMISTIC READING OF SHAKESPEARE'S MACBETH

This essay explores a remarkable congruence between Macbeth and the teachings of Thomas Aquinas on the nature of virtue, temptation and evil, natural law, and the relationship of the natural to the supernatural. Macbeth's virtue is problematic in that initially he seems courageous when on the attack in battle. But in reality he shows the excessive vice of boldness, and subsequently he fails to manifest courageous endurance and patience in clinging to the good, drifting rather into restlessness and impatience. Aquinas defines evil as a privation of the good. Macbeth persistently chooses apparent good over real good, as he is tempted by the witches and Lady Macbeth. He violates the natural law and suffers extrinsic and intrinsic punishment, a conception linking the play with Aquinas rather than Hooker and Locke. Furthermore, his decline into evil mirrors Aquinas conceptions of the order of punishments following on violation of the natural law, evident in the progressive loss of eternal happiness, virtue, reason and physical and material goods. Finally, the play is not naturalistic but portrays the witches and Macbeth's opponents as instruments of the supernatural.
Serum calcitonin concentrations in premature infants during the first 12 weeks of life.

Twenty-eight premature infants of mean gestation 30.9±2.5 weeks and mean birth weight 1175±206 g had repeated serum calcitonin concentrations determined over the first 12 weeks of life. Serum calcitonin concentrations slowly fell but remained elevated even at 12 weeks of age [normal adult=71±48, 1 week (N=15)=327±167, 3 week (N=23)=270±129, 6 week (N=16)=249±154, 9 week (N=13)=214±108, 12 week (N=12)=174±11]. Throughout this period, serum total calcium was normal or low (8.4±.8–9.3±1.0). Serum phosphorus was normal or low (6.0±1.4–6.5±1.0), and serum magnesium was normal (1.7±0.24–1.8±0.34). The reason for the sustained elevation of serum calcitonin in these very small, sick, premature infants in unclear.
A system for micro/nano fluidic flow diagnostics.

A system for flow measurement in micro/nano fluidic components is presented. Microfabricated arrays of straight channels with noncircular cross-sections were used for flow rate measurement. The calculated flow rates in these channels were determined using a finite difference approximation method. A pneumatic pumping system was utilized to control the pressure drop across the channels and flow rates were measured by collecting the fluids on a sensitive balance. The experimental setup was validated using long narrow circular tubes that mimic the range of flow resistances characteristic of micro/nano fluidic devices. Two types of channels cross-section were investigated. The first type contained an array of channels that were approximately trapezoidal (microchannels, ∼ 6.5 μ m deep) in cross-section and exhibited flow rates of 27.7–119.4 μ L/min within a pressure range of 64.1–277.1 kPa (9.3–40.2 psi). The second type contained an array of channels that were approximately arc-shaped (nanochannels, ∼ 600 nm deep) and generated flow rates of 0.29–0.99 μ L/min within a pressure range of 137.2–334.4 kPa (19.9–48.5 psi). The flow rates calculated by the finite difference approximation method were within 5.5% and 19.68% of the average experimental flow rates in the microchannels and nanochannels, respectively.
Tumores malignos del páncreas exocrino

El adenocarcinoma ductal, que representa mas del 95% de los tumores malignos del pancreas, es, junto al cancer de la vesicula, el cancer digestivo de peor pronostico. La supervivencia a los 5 anos es inferior al 5%. El tabaquismo es el principal factor de riesgo ambiental. Los signos clinicos estan dominados por la ictericia, clasicamente manifiesta con una gran vesicula palpable. El dolor, de tipo sordo, es frecuente, asi como la perdida de peso y la alteracion del estado general. La ecografia y la tomografia computarizada (TC) helicoidal son las principales pruebas complementarias de entrada necesarias para el diagnostico y el estudio de extension. La ecoendoscopia completa el estudio y puede permitir realizar una citopuncion. Las metastasis afectan sobre todo al higado y a los pulmones. La invasion vascular arterial es la principal contraindicacion de la cirugia de exeresis. El estudio permite clasificar a los pacientes en resecables, es decir, candidatos de entrada a una cirugia curativa, en metastasicos o en tumor llamado borderline, es decir, aquellos en los que la indicacion de una exeresis quirurgica es discutible, ya que puede no ser curativa. La cirugia curativa R0 mediante duodenopancreatectomia cefalica o esplenopancreatectomia izquierda es el unico medio de intentar una curacion. Los progresos de la quimioterapia adyuvante han permitido aumentar la supervivencia sin recidiva y la supervivencia global a los 5 anos. En el caso de tumores metastasicos, recientes progresos han permitido mejorar de forma significativa pero moderada la supervivencia media de los pacientes.
Validity and Reliability of the Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire in Assessing Patients With Fecal Incontinence

To date, no measures of fecal incontinence severity or its impact on quality of life have been validated for telephone interview. This study was designed to 1) compare responses of a self-administered and a telephone-administered Fecal Incontinence Severity Index; 2) compare a self-administered Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale to the Manchester Health Questionnaire after modifying the latter for telephone administration and American English (Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire); 3) assess test-retest reliability of the telephone-administered Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire; and 4) assess the internal consistency of the Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire subscales. Consecutive, English-speaking, nonpregnant females known to have fecal incontinence were invited to participate. Two validated paper questionnaires accompanied the letter informing them of the study: Fecal Incontinence Severity Index and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale. Consenting patients were contacted for the initial telephone administration of the Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire, and patients who agreed to continue the study were contacted for a repeat telephone administration of the Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire two to four weeks after completing the first interview. Fifty-one females were invited to participate in the study; however, 13 declined or were ineligible. Thirty females, aged 49.3 ± 10.3 years, returned self-administered questionnaires and completed the first telephone interview, and 21 completed a second telephone interview after an average interval of 23 days. The telephone-administered Fecal Incontinence Severity Index scores were significantly lower than those yielded by the self-administered Fecal Incontinence Severity Index, (6.19 vs. 9.85; P < 0.001), but the telephone and written administrations were significantly correlated (r = 0.5; P < 0.02). Correlations between the Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire quality of life subscales and the paper Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life subscales ranged from 0.6 to 0.9 (median, r = 0.81). The correlation between the total score for the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life and the total score for the Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire quality of life scales was 0.93 (P < 0.001). Test-retest reliability for the eight Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire subscales ranged from 0.55 to 0.98 (median, r = 0.83), and test-retest reliability for the two telephone administrations of the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index was r = 0.75. Cronbach’s alpha for the eight Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire subscales ranged from 0.79 to 0.92 (median, alpha = 0.85). Telephone-administered versions of the Modified Manchester Health Questionnaire showed good-to-excellent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. The telephone-administered Fecal Incontinence Severity Index yielded lower severity scores than the written Fecal Incontinence Severity Index; however, the difference (3.66 units) was not clinically significant.
Information Literacy: A Challenge for the Future:

Developing an effective response to the information age requires leadership. Only effective leadership will make pos sible the coalitions of faculty, resource specialists, community leaders, parents, and legislators needed to equip today's students with the processes they will need tomorrow.
The extension programme and food safety education in the USA

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain the work and importance of the “extension” programme in the USA.Design/methodology/approach – An historical review of the formation, development, present day workings and importance of the extension programme.Findings – “Extension” works in six major areas, including family, consumer science and agriculture. Extension grants that address food safety are issued via the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative (NIFSI). Target audiences for the programmes include various groups of consumers (pregnant/nursing mothers, infants, teens, etc.), as well as multipliers or gatekeepers who disseminate knowledge to groups of consumers.Practical implications – Since the Year 2000, NIFSI have awarded more than 180 competitive integrated food safety grants. Federal data indicate 20 percent reduction in foodborne disease attributed to collaborative educational efforts including the development of HACCP.Originality/value – This paper is one of the few to describe the work...
An investigation of relative preference for consistency motivation

The present experiment was designed to determine relative preference for fulfillment of consistency motivation. Ninety-two students rated their attraction to, identification with, and idealization of a hypothetical stimulus person who was represented as having fulfilled particular social motives such as approval, power, achievement and consistency. Results confirmed that subjects prefer persons who have satisfied traditional needs more so than others whose consistency desires have been fulfilled. Implications for the role of consistency motivation in social behavior are considered.
Intermolt development reduces oxygen delivery capacity and jumping performance in the American locust (Schistocerca americana).

Among animals, insects have the highest mass-specific metabolic rates; yet, during intermolt development the tracheal respiratory system cannot meet the increased oxygen demand of older stage insects. Using locomotory performance indices, whole body respirometry, and X-ray imaging to visualize the respiratory system, we tested the hypothesis that due to the rigid exoskeleton, an increase in body mass during the intermolt period compresses the air-filled tracheal system, thereby, reducing oxygen delivery capacity in late stage insects. Specifically, we measured air sac ventilation frequency, size, and compressibility in both the abdomen and femur of early, middle, and late stage sixth instar Schistocerca americana grasshoppers. Our results show that late stage grasshoppers have a reduced air sac ventilation frequency in the femur and decreased convective capacities in the abdomen and femur. We also used X-ray images of the abdomen and femur to calculate the total proportion of tissue dedicated to respiratory structure during the intermolt period. We found that late stage grasshoppers had a lower proportion of their body dedicated to respiratory structures, especially air sacs, which convectively ventilate the tracheal system. These intermolt changes make oxygen delivery more challenging to the tissues, especially critical ones such as the jumping muscle. Indeed, late stage grasshoppers showed reduced jump frequencies compared to early stage grasshoppers, as well as decreased mass-specific CO2 emission rates at 3 kPa PO2. Our findings provide a mechanism to explain how body mass changes during the intermolt period reduce oxygen delivery capacity and alter an insect’s life history.
The Polarimetric Determination of Optical Properties

An attempt to determine the thicknesses of thin films by the polarimetric method evolved into a study of the method itself. This paper contains a summary of the equations and a description of the experimental technique used in the study, as well as experimental results. It has been found that the optical constants of metals are practically independent of the angle of incidence. Film thicknesses, calculated from polarimetric data, were found to be of the correct order of magnitude but not to be independent of the angle of incidence. Also, the computed thicknesses were always complex.