cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Newly attained polyploidy and/or clonal reproduction in animals: the brink of extinction, or threshold to new frontiers?

Polyploid and parthenogenetic or apomictic species of vertebrates were unknown less than 20 years ago, although such species were recognized among invertebrates (1–3) and a few unisexual populations of fishes were being investigated (4,5). In the last 15 years, however, many examples of Polyploidy and several kinds of reproduction in unisexual species have been carefully documented among numerous animals, including amniote vertebrates, as illustrated by speakers at this symposium (Lokki and Saura, Schultz, Bogart). Today, examples of autoPolyploidy and alloploidy are known, a relationship between Polyploidy and parthenogenesis is recognized (but note Bogart’s examples of polyploid and bisexually reproducing frogs), and it is well established that the origin of many unisexual and/or polyploid vertebrates (and some invertebrates) involved interspecific hybridization between previously existing diploid bisexual species. Thus, much of the theory concerning evolution of Polyploidy and apomixis in plants, which botanists, geneticists, and cytogeneticists have developed over several decades (6) is being applied successfully to animals.
Social desirability in the selection process: new insights from a novel context

In this study we examined whether past research on social desirability based on western samples could be generalized to a novel environment, such as Singapore. We also investigated whether cultural orientations predict the inflation of personality scores in the selection process and whether they influence the effectiveness of social desirability correction. Using survey data collected at two points from 324 undergraduate business students (166 students from the United States and 158 students from Singapore), the results of this within-subject design study were mixed. Specifically, while social desirability inflated scores on personality measures, it also increased their criterion validity in Singapore. Additionally, self-deception enhancement (SDE) predicted the inflation of openness to experience scores in the United States. Finally, in the sample from the United States, correcting for SDE increased the criterion validity of personality measures to a greater extent for those who scored high on horizontal individualism (HI) than it did for those who scored low on HI.
On the Initial-Boundary Value Problem for the Linearized Boussinesq Equation

This work is concerned with the initial-boundary value problem for the Boussinesq equation. By employing the unified transform method of Fokas, novel solution formulae for the linearized “good” Boussinesq equation on the half-line with various initial and boundary conditions are obtained. Moreover, these solution formulae are numerically illustrated in the case of concrete data. Finally, Boussinesq's original physical derivation of the so-called “bad” Boussinesq equation is provided.
On coarse projective integration for atomic deposition in amorphous systems.

Direct molecular dynamics simulation of atomic deposition under realistic conditions is notoriously challenging because of the wide range of time scales that must be captured. Numerous simulation approaches have been proposed to address the problem, often requiring a compromise between model fidelity, algorithmic complexity, and computational efficiency. Coarse projective integration, an example application of the “equation-free” framework, offers an attractive balance between these constraints. Here, periodically applied, short atomistic simulations are employed to compute time derivatives of slowly evolving coarse variables that are then used to numerically integrate differential equations over relatively large time intervals. A key obstacle to the application of this technique in realistic settings is the “lifting” operation in which a valid atomistic configuration is recreated from knowledge of the coarse variables. Using Ge deposition on amorphous SiO2 substrates as an example application, we present a scheme for lifting realistic atomistic configurations comprised of collections of Ge islands on amorphous SiO2 using only a few measures of the island size distribution. The approach is shown to provide accurate initial configurations to restart molecular dynamics simulations at arbitrary points in time, enabling the application of coarse projective integration for this morphologically complex system.
Genetic and Physical Analysis of Double-Strand Break Repair and Recombination in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

We have investigated HO endonuclease-induced double-strand break (DSB) recombination and repair in a LACZ duplication plasmid in yeast. A 117-bp MATa fragment, embedded in one copy of LACZ, served as a site for initiation of a DSB when HO endonuclease was expressed. The DSB could be repaired using wild-type sequences located on a second, promoterless, copy of LACZ on the same plasmid. In contrast to normal mating-type switching, crossing-over associated with gene conversion occurred at least 50% of the time. The proportion of conversion events accompanied by exchange was greater when the two copies of LACZ were in direct orientation (80%), than when inverted (50%). In addition, the fraction of plasmids lost was significantly greater in the inverted orientation. The kinetics of appearance of intermediates and final products were also monitored. The repair of the DSB is slow, requiring at least an hour from the detection of the HO-cut fragments to completion of repair. Surprisingly, the appearance of the two reciprocal products of crossing over did not occur with the same kinetics. For example, when the two LACZ sequences were in the direct orientation, the HO-induced formation of a large circular deletion product was not accompanied by the appearance of a small circular reciprocal product. We suggest that these differences may reflect two kinetically separable processes, one involving only one cut end and the other resulting from the concerted participation of both ends of the DSB.
Use of hepatitis B core antibody-positive liver allograft in hepatitis C virus-positive and -negative recipients with use of short course of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and Lamivudine.

Introduction. With the shortage of donor organs, increasing number of hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)–positive [HBcAb()] liver allografts are being used for liver transplantation (LTx) in patients who are HBcab-negative [HBsAb()]. This study was aimed at assessing outcomes for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive [HCV()] and HCV-negative [HCV()] patients who received HBcAb() liver grafts from deceased donors and also received a short course of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) with long-term lamivudine therapy after LTx.
PMS in the workplace: Myth or method?

Hardie (1997) purportedly examined the effects of menstrual cycle status and perceive (i.e. self-diagnosed) premenstrual syndrome on work performance. Although research to fill the numerous gaps in our understanding of PMS is encouraged, methodologic imprecision compromises Hardie's findings.
Detection of estradiol-17β during a mass coral spawn

The steroid estradiol-17β (E2) is associated with female gametogenesis in all vertebrates and many invertebrates. This is the first report of estrogens in scleractinian corals. Seawater and egg slicks were collected during a mass coral spawn at Ningaloo reef, Western Australia for the measurement of total phosphate (TP) and E2. Total P in the water column increased 600 times, from 0.5μM to 300μM. Concentrations of E2 increased nearly 8 fold during the spawn, from 55 to 420 pg/100 ml seawater. Coral eggs collected from egg slicks contained 368±40 pg E2/g dry wt of eggs. Estrogen may be a key hormone in a simple endocrine system of scleractinian corals that synchronizes growth and development of coral oocytes. Its potential role in triggering spawning via chemical messengers in the water column warrants further research.
Magic bullets for protein kinases

A chemical-genetic method for the generation of target-specific protein kinase inhibitors has been developed recently. This strategy utilizes a functionally silent active-site mutation to sensitize a target kinase to inhibition by a small molecule that does not inhibit wild-type kinases. Tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases are equally amenable to the drug-sensitization approach, which has been used to generate selective inhibitors of mutant Src-family kinases, Abl-family kinases, cyclin-dependent kinases, mitogen-activated kinases, p21-activated kinases and Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinases. The designed inhibitors are specific for the sensitized kinase in a cellular background where the wild-type kinase has been inactivated. By these means, kinase-sensitization has been used systematically to generate and analyze conditional alleles of several yeast protein kinases in vivo.
Factors Affecting Egg Internal Quality and Egg Shell Quality in Laying Hens

Egg shell quality and egg internal quality are of major importance to the egg industry worldwide. This review covers the formation of the hen's egg and ways of measuring egg shell quality and egg internal quality. Egg shell quality may be measured as egg size, egg specific gravity, shell colour, shell breaking strength, shell deformation (destructive or non-destructive), shell weight, percentage shell, shell thickness, and shell ultrastructure. New methods emerge from time to time. Egg internal quality is measured as yolk colour, the integrity of the perivitelline membrane, and albumen quality. Factors that affect egg shell quality and egg internal quality are reviewed- The complexity of the process of egg shell formation means that imperfections can arise in a number of places in the oviduct of the hen. Egg shell quality may be affected by the strain and age of hen ; induced moult ; nutritional factors such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, water quality, non-starch polysaccharides, enzymes, contamination of feed ; general stress and heat stress ; disease, production system, or addition of proprietary products to the diets. Egg internal quality may be affected by storage ; hen strain and age ; induced moult, nutrition, and disease. An understanding of the range of factors that affect egg shell quality and egg internal quality is essential for the production of eggs of high quality.
MAA-like absorbing substances in Florida Keys phytoplankton vary with distance from shore and CDOM: Implications for coral reefs

Abstract Colored dissolved organic material (CDOM) is the primary attenuator of low wavelength visible and ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 290–400). Phytoplankton produce UV-absorbing pigments called Mycosporine-like Amino Acids (MAAs), in response to UV stress. MAA-like absorption peaks in particulate material, including phytoplankton, were measured at 24 locations differing in distance from the shoreline along the Florida, USA reef tract. Elevated MAA-like absorption peaks were detected: 1) only in surface samples, 2) most consistently at offshore sites with low coral cover, and 3) when absorption due to CDOM was low. In addition, UVB attenuation increased as absorption due to CDOM increased, the depth at which UVB irradiance was attenuated to 10% of its surface value increased exponentially as absorption due to CDOM decreased, and coral cover decreased with decreasing near-surface attenuation of UVB. CDOM serves as photo-protection and MAA-like absorption may indicate the potential for photo-oxidative stress in coral reef ecosystems. MAA-like absorbance peaks in phytoplankton suggest photic stress in coral reefs.
Language Characteristics of Black Children: Implications for Assessment.

Abstract After delineating a number of phonological and syntactic characteristics of black English a review of recent comparative studies is presented. The authors conclude that, while evidence is mixed concerning the question of whether whether a language deficit exists among the lower-class balck children along with a dialect difference, there is clear evidence of the existence of a dialect. The problem facing educators is that no standardized tests have been developed for use with speakers of the dialect. The authors conclude that the use of available tests with dialect speaking children may result in gross errors in educational placement of these children.
Do primary afferent cell numbers change in relation to increasing weight and surface area in adult rats

Adult mammalian primary afferent neurogenesis implies considerably more plasticity for the adult nervous system than is presently envisioned. One hypothesis is that such neurogenesis does not occur, because no tritiated-thymidine-labeled or mitosing neurons are observed in adults, and no increase in cells can be found in young as compared to old adults. The other hypothesis is that adult primary afferent neurogenesis does occur, but that it has not been observed because it is correlated with changes in the size of the animals. This has not been tested, and because of the implications of adult neurogenesis, it is important to see whether dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cell numbers increase with animal size. This is particularly pertinent because of recent advances in the technology for counting neurons and improved methods for resolving the cells in question. The present results indicate that DRG cell numbers are approximately the same in animals whose sizes are different by a factor of approximately 5. Thus o...
Regression of Hepatic Fibrosis After Intestinal Transplantation in Total Parenteral Nutrition Liver Disease

Background & Aims: Hepatic fibrosis may occur in patients with intestinal failure requiring total parenteral nutrition, leading to liver dysfunction necessitating combined intestinal and liver transplantation. The decision to perform combined transplantation as opposed to an isolated intestinal transplant is based on the presence of hyperbilirubinemia, portal hypertension, and advanced hepatic fibrosis. Methods: We identified 4 patients who underwent isolated intestinal transplantation having significant liver fibrosis. A novel image analysis technique was applied to serial liver biopsies to more precisely quantitate posttransplantation fibrosis regression separately within both portal and centrilobular areas. Results: All patients were found to have significant portal and centrilobular fibrosis regression, which occurred more rapidly in the former. Two patients had improvement in fibrosis despite infections and continuation of total parenteral nutrition, suggesting that hepatic fibrosis associated with intestinal failure may in part be related to adequate anatomic and functional bowel length. Conclusions: Significant hepatic fibrosis and liver dysfunction may regress after intestinal transplantation and fibrosis regresses more rapidly in portal areas. This suggests that some patients with intestinal failure and associated liver disease may safely undergo isolated intestinal transplant without the need for concurrent liver transplantation and its attendant higher morbidity and mortality.
Thermoregulation in Newly Hatched Chicks

Chicks from seven early-feathering populations were used in a series of experiments to detail the course of thermoregulation in newly hatched chicks. Lines HN and LN were composed of White Plymouth Rock chickens that had been selected 24 generations for high and low 8-week body weight, respectively. Reciprocal crosses of those lines (HL and LH) and an F2 produced from HL as well as lines originating from HN and LN with the sex-linked dwarf allele (dw), HD and LD, respectively, were also used. Surface (foot pad) temperature, core (rectal) temperature, and body weight were obtained on female and male chicks at 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, and 23 days in all populations and at 105 days of age in HN and LN lines. Although LN and LD chicks generally had lower surface temperatures than those from the other lines from 11 to 23 days of age, surface temperatures of HN and LN birds were not different at 105 days. No significant differences due to the dwarf allele were found in surface temperatures, but there was a consistent tendency for dwarfs to be cooler than normals in the high lines and warmer than normals in the low lines. The LN chicks had lower core temperatures through 23 days of age than the other populations measured, but the narrow range of core temperatures in all populations precluded a definitive analysis to reveal mode(s) of inheritance. Surface-to-core temperature ratios were also lower in LD and particularly LN chicks through 23 days of age, although no difference between HN and LN birds occurred in this trait at 105 days of age.
Demographic Question Placement: Effect on Item Response Rates and Means of a Veterans Health Administration Survey

Purpose This study examined whether demographic question placement affects demographic and non-demographic question completion rates, non-demographic item means, and blank questionnaire rates using a web-based survey of Veterans Health Administration employees.
Application of ensemble Kalman filter in power system state tracking and sensitivity analysis

An ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) method is proposed to track dynamic states of generators. The algorithm of the EnKF and its application to generator state tracking are presented in detail. The accuracy and sensitivity of the method are analyzed with respect to initial state errors, measurement noise, unknown fault locations, time steps and parameter errors. It is demonstrated through simulation studies that even with some errors in the parameters, the developed EnKF method can still effectively track generator dynamic states.
Use of Indentation Test to Determine the Proteoglycan Content of Articular Cartilage

The indentation experiment has been widely used to determine mechanical properties of articular cartilage [e.g., 1–3]. This method does not disrupt the fibrous network of the tissue nor does it require removing the tissue from the underlying bone. The biphasic indentation theory has been successfully used to determine the effect of interstitial fluid flow and pressurization (load support) on the creep and stress-relaxation behaviors of articular cartilage, and to determine its apparent mechanical properties (i.e., the elastic moduli of the extracellular solid matrix and its permeability) [1, 3]. However, due to its proteoglycan content, articular cartilage is a charged tissue with a high fixed charge density (FCD) [4]. Proteoglycan and collagen contents, water, etc, vary with age or with orthteoarthritis [4, 5]. The FCD plays important physicochemical roles in load support and mechano-electrochemial behaviors of the tissue and also regulates chondrocyte biosynthetic activities [4–7]. It is therefore important to develop an effective technique to determine not only the mechanical properties but also the electrochemical property (e.g., FCD) of the tissue, simultaneously and at the same location. The purpose of the current study is to determine, for the first time, both the mechanical properties and FCD of the extracellular matrix using an indentation test.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Electrochemical Immunosensors for Antibodies to Peanut Allergen Ara h2 Using Gold Nanoparticle-Peptide Films

Life-threatening allergies to peanuts and tree nuts can be revealed by detecting antibodies (IgEs) to their allergens in patient serum. Herein, we compare several immunosensor-like methodologies for sensitive detection of antibodies to a peptide sequence from the major peanut allergen, Arachis hypogaea 2 (Ara h2). The sensors feature a synthetic peptide layer of the major IgE-binding epitope from Ara h2 attached to a dense gold nanoparticle (AuNP) film on a pyrolytic graphite (PG) electrode. The AuNP−peptide sensor was used to determine model chicken antipeanut antibodies (IgY) in serum. Faradaic and nonfaradaic impedance strategies were compared to amperometric detection. Measurements employed goat antichicken secondary antibodies (Ab2) labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to bind to IgY on the sensor and provide amplified signals. The best impedimetric sensor configuration featured HPR-catalyzed precipitation of the enzyme product onto the sensor measured by nonfaradaic impedance. This sensor confi...
Absorption enhancement in ultra-thin film Si slabs using novel photonic crystal textures

We perform rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations on thin (<; 200 nm) slabs of Si with various wavelength scale texturing. Traditional photonic crystal patterning is investigated and compared to a flat Si slab with a double layer anti-reflection coating. These traditional photonic crystal lattices are then modified with superlattice which further improve the absorption. We also investigate the angular spectra of select lattices and show how resonant absorption peaks shift with incident angle. It is concluded that alternate photonic crystal texturing can lead to significantly enhanced absorption over planar slabs with optimized anti-reflection coatings.
Challenge problems in software testing

Developing software is complex. Software testing helps to reveal bugs and to demonstrate conformance. And we spend billions of dollars on it. But do we really know what we are doing?In this talk I will argue that there are still many open issues in testing. We should ask: How can we design systems that are easy to test? How can we test such a system modularly, i. e. unit by unit? How do we know when we have tested it enough? And what do we know when we are done?
Effects of trimethoprim and sulfisoxazole, alone and in combination, on growth and carriage of Neisseria meningitidis.

Sulfisoxazole or sulfadiazine in combination with trimethoprim (TMP) inhibited the growth of strains of meningococci markedly resistant to the sulfonamides. In two trials of administration of these drugs to volunteers among military recruits who were carriers of Neisseria meningitidis, this marked effectiveness in vitro was not duplicated. It was not ascertained whether these in vivo failures resulted from inadequate absorption of TMP, insufficient excretion into saliva or nasal mucus, or both.
Characterization of North American land cover from NOAA‐AVHRR data using the EOS MODIS Land Cover Classification Algorithm

Land cover is a key boundary condition in weather, climate, and terrestrial biogeochemical models. Until recently, such models have used maps depicting potential vegetation, which are known to be of relatively poor quality, to parameterize land surface properties. In this paper we describe the compilation and assessment of a new map of North American land cover produced through the application of advanced pattern recognition techniques to multitemporal satellite data. This map was produced in a fully automated fashion using supervised classification methods that are robust, fully automated, and repeatable. The processing flow described in this paper is a prototype of the algorithm to be used to generate maps of global land cover using data from EOS MODIS. The superior quality and timeliness of these maps should be very useful for a wide array of sub-continental to global-scale modeling and analysis activities.
Digital Teleconsultation: Clinical Perspectives

The emerging field of digital pathology has many applications including the ability to easily and quickly consult with colleagues at a distance.
Multi-wavelength operation of optical disk drives for chemical and biological analysis

Abstract Optical disk drives have lasers that operate at 405, 650, and 780 nm making these devices attractive for a wide variety of analytical applications. Here we demonstrate the use of super audio compact disks (SACDs) and computer optical disk drives for multi-wavelength chemical measurements. As an example, dual-chemistry chlorine sensing films were formulated using combinatorial techniques and deposited onto SACDs. The chlorine response was measured at the analytical wavelength (780 nm), while thickness variations were normalized using the response at the 650-nm reference wavelength where the sensing films were not affected by chlorine exposure. Compared to a single-wavelength readout, this dual-wavelength approach improved the linear correlation coefficient ( R 2 ) from 0.76 to 0.95 and the limit of analyte detection from 600 to 300 ppb. The use of multi-wavelength optical disk drives should enable chemical and biological sensing with the expanded diversity of sensing chemistries and the advantages of multi-wavelength spectral processing.
Direct and indirect protection of right ventricular function by estrogen in an experimental model of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) results in right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and failure. Paradoxically, women are more frequently diagnosed with PAH but have better RV systolic function and...
Abstract 2052: Inhibition of aldose reductase prevents hypoxic stress signaling in human colon cancer cells

Hypoxia, a hallmark of invasive solid tumors and increased angiogenesis, is strongly associated with the progression of malignant phenotypes, poor prognosis, and resistance to chemo and radiation therapies. In a variety of cancers, hypoxic stress-induces inflammatory signaling which is mediated by specific cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. We have recently shown that inhibition of aldose reductase (AR), an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of lipid aldehydes and their glutathione conjugates, prevents human colon cancer cell growth in culture as well as in nude mice xenografts by inhibiting the NF-kB-dependent activation of oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory and carcinogenic markers. However, the role of AR in mediating hypoxic stress signals is not known. We therefore investigated the molecular mechanisms by which AR inhibition prevents the hypoxia-induced human colon cancer cells growth and invasion. Our results indicate that AR inhibition by pharmacological inhibitor fidarestat or ablation by AR specific siRNA prevents hypoxia-induced proliferation of HT29 colon cancer cells. Further, hypoxia- induced increase in the level of HIF1a in HT29 cells was significantly decreased by AR inhibition. During hypoxic conditions treatment of HT29 cells with AR inhibitor, fidarestat significantly decreased the expression of VEGF, a down target of HIF1a, at both mRNA and protein levels and also prevented the activation of PI3K/AKT and GSK3b. Further, AR inhibition also prevented hypoxia-induced inflammatory molecules such as Cox-2 and PGE2 and expression of extracellular matrix proteins such as MMP2, vimentin, uPAR and LOX2. In addition, AR inhibition also prevented the hypoxia -induced tube formation (angiogenesis) in vascular endothelial cells. In conclusion, our results indicate that AR mediates hypoxia -induced tumor progression, invasion and angiogenesis which can be prevented by AR inhibition or ablation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2052. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2052
Mixture of populations

A simple example simulating a mixture of two normal populations results in some important observations, nonnormality and nonsymmetry of the mixture conditional pdf, nonlinearity of the conditional mean as a function of the conditioning data, heteroscedasticity of the conditional variance and its nonmonotonicity as a function of distance of the unknown to the conditioning data. A comparison of the mixture statistics with those predicted by traditional models ignoring the mixture reveals the inadequacy and inappropriateness of these traditional approaches. A mixture of two multivariate normal populations is illustrated through the analytical expressions of its conditional distribution and moments.
Assessing the relative contribution of molecular and morphological characters in simultaneous analysis trees.

We examined the contribution of morphological and molecular character information for 15 systematics studies in which these two kinds of data were used in combined or simultaneous analyses. Assessment of the disagreement between these data sources, as measured by the incongruence length difference, reveals substantial conflict for the studies surveyed. In addition, the partitioned Bremer support was used to measure the degree of support provided by each data partition when analyzed together. Despite the significant incongruence found for nearly half the studies, the PBS indices suggest both types of data contribute positively to the combined analyses and that, when standardized by the number of phylogenetically informative characters, morphology data generally provide equal or greater support than do the molecular data. This result, combined with the fact that morphological characters generally exhibit higher consistency, indicates that this source of character information continues to be useful in systematics studies despite the increasing volume of available molecular data.
Basic Concepts for Geriatrics/Gerontological Education

The Interdisciplinary Health Care for the Aged (IDHCA) Project determined to identify key concepts in geriatrics/gerontology as building blocks for curriculum development in the health professions. A list of key concepts provides the health professions educator with a pool of data points by which geriatrics/gerontology can either be integrated into existing curricula or be developed into a separate curriculum component. This paper describes the IDHCA Project and the structured interactive group method used to identify basic geriatrics/gerontological conepts. Identified concepts are presented and recommendations for their use provided.
Bilayer Partition Coefficients of Alkanols: Predicted Effects of Varying Lipid Composition

Partition coefficients of short n-alkanols between bilayers of different lipid composition (equivalently, the variation in bilayer/water partition coefficients) are calculated as a function of lipid acyl chain length and unsaturation, the strength of lipid headgroup repulsions, and the addition of cholesterol. Predictions are obtained from a statistical thermodynamic approach using a mean field lattice model identical to that used recently to calculate the lateral pressure profile in fluid bilayers. Increasing length, and particularly increasing cis-unsaturation of the acyl chains, are predicted to increase the bilayer/water partition coefficients of short-chain alkanols, whereas addition of cholesterol is predicted to have the opposite effect. The magnitude of the shifts are predicted to be significantly larger for lipids with headgroups with little or no repulsions, such as phosphatidylethanolamine, than for more strongly repulsive headgroups such as phosphatidylcholine.
Monkeys in a Prisoner's Dilemma

Haroush and Williams trained pairs of monkeys to play in a prisoner's dilemma game, a model of social interactions. Recording from the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), they find neurons whose activity reflects the anticipation of the opponent's yet unknown choice, which may be important in guiding animals' performance in the game.
An unusual case of a large, sporadic intra-abdominal abscess due to group B Streptococcus and a review of the literature

Group B streptococcal infections among non-pregnant adults have dramatically increased over the past two decades. Most infections involve skin/soft tissue infections and bacteremia, but whether more unusual clinical manifestations due to this organism will arise in clinical practice remains unclear. This report is the first case in the literature of a sporadic, large intra-abdominal abscess due to group B Streptococcus in an immunocompetent adult. Given the rising number of invasive group B streptococcal infections among adults, unusual presentations of this organism may increasingly be seen in clinical practice. This report reviews the literature regarding invasive group B Streptococcus infections, including intra-abdominal/pelvic abscesses, and discusses the clinical presentation and management of this emerging pathogen.
A Comparison of Multiple Control Strategies for Vehicle Run-Off-Road and Return

A large percentage of single-vehicle automobile crashes involve a situation called run-off-road (ROR) where the vehicle leaves the roadway and travels on the surfaces adjacent to the road. Present solutions such as roadway infrastructure modifications and vehicle safety systems have helped to mitigate some ROR events but remain limited in their approach. A complete solution must also directly address the primary factor contributing to ROR crashes, which is driver performance errors. In this paper, four vehicle safety control systems, based on sliding (SL) control, linear quadratic (LQ), state flow, and classical theories, were developed to autonomously recover a vehicle from ROR without driver intervention. The vehicle response was simulated for each controller under a variety of common road departure and return scenarios. The results showed that the LQ and SL control methodologies outperformed the other controllers in terms of overall stability. However, the LQ controller was the only design to safely recover the vehicle in all of the simulation conditions examined. On average, it performed the recovery almost 50% faster and with 40% less lateral error than the SL controller at the expense of higher yaw rates.
Educational stratification in urban China: 1949-94

This article examines the effects of stratification processes, based on family social origins, gender, and residential location, on educational attainment in urban China from 1949 to 1994. The authors emphasize the importance of political processes and the State socialist redistributive economy, arguing that shifting State policies led to varying mechanisms of stratification over time. Analyzing the educational experiences of a representative sample of urban residents in 20 cities in China, they found significant and varying effects of family social origins, with high levels of fathers'education and occupation (or status) not always conducive to their children's educational achievement. In addition, those who resided in the largest cities were the most educationally advantaged, and gender-based inequality in educational attainment persisted over time, despite noticeable variations induced by State policies
Collisional Damping of a Plasma Echo

It is shown that the collisional damping on the free streaming motion of plasma can be very important in certain circumstances even though the collisional frequency is small compared with the plasma frequency. Both spatial and temporal echoes are treated in this note. In the latter case, for example, we found that the collisional damping goes as $\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\beta}{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}}^{2}{t}^{3}]$ (where $\ensuremath{\beta}$ is the collisional frequency).
Henry Clay: Statesman for the Union

Among the nineteenth-century Americans, few commanded the reverence and respect accorded to Henry Clay of Kentucky. As orator and as Speaker of the House for longer than any man in the century, he wielded great power, a compelling presence in Congress who helped preserve the Union in the antebellum period. Remini portrays both the statesman and the private man, a man whose family life was painfully torn and who burned with ambition for the office he could not reach, the presidency.
Radiative decay rates of metastable one-electron atoms

Numerical calculations of the $2E1$ and $M1$ decay rates of the $2{s}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ metastable states of the hydrogen isoelectronic sequence are presented. The $2E1$ rates are found to be in good agreement with recent calculations of Goldman and Drake, but substantially different from the earlier numerical values of Johnson. Effects of nuclear finite size on the $2E1$ rates are found to be insignificant, whereas finite-size effects reduce the $M1$ rate by about 1.1% at $Z=92$.
Far field boundary conditions for unsteady transonic flows

Analytical results are given for the far field of the unsteady transonic flow due to an instantaneous change in lift at the origin. These results may be superimposed to provide boundary conditions for numerical computational of unsteady transonic flows. A typical numerical experiment using these results shows substantial reductions in the size of the computational domain are possible. In two dimensions this procedure is at least as effective as the nonreflecting conditions suggested by the local characteristic relations. It is also much easier to implement in three dimensions than the nonreflecting conditions.
Do message features influence reactions to HIV disclosures? A multiple-goals perspective

People who are HIV-positive must make decisions about disclosing their status to others but do so in the context of stigma and social isolation reported by many with the disease. Disclosing an HIV-positive diagnosis is necessary to seek social support, to manage health care, and to negotiate sexual encounters, but fear of how others will respond is a strong barrier to revealing that information. This investigation focuses on various ways that HIV can be disclosed. Using a multiple-goals perspective, 24 disclosure messages (representing 6 different types) were created. Participants (N = 548) were asked to imagine one of their siblings revealing an HIV-positive diagnosis, using 1 of the 24 messages. Participants' reactions to the disclosures differed substantially across the various message types. The discussion focuses on theoretical explanations for the variations in responses and the utility of these findings for practical interventions concerning HIV disclosures.
Between the straits: the thirteenth century as a turning point for Iberian Jewry

The political and ideological clashes between Muslim and Christian forces that are often referred to as the reconquista represent one of the central themes in the historiography on medieval Iberia. However, historians have had difficulty locating the peninsula's Jewish communities within this narrative. As a result, studies of Christian expansion in the thirteenth century often present Iberian Jews as marginal figures or hapless victims of warfare, political chaos, and persecution. In this essay I explore the meaning of the pivotal events of the thirteenth century from the perspective of Hispano-Jewish society. I wish to challenge the common historiographic division of medieval Iberia into Muslim and Christian “periods,” or cultural spheres of influence, which has shaped our corresponding understanding of medieval Jewish history. I therefore discuss the relocation of Iberian Jewry from Muslim to Christian rule in order to highlight the impact of this transition on the internal dynamics of Jewish society.
Quality of life and social support of patients being evaluated for bone marrow transplantation

A sample of 437 patients completed self-report measures of quality of life and social support while they were being evaluated for bone marrow transplantation (BMT) at The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center. Generally, the candidates showed reasonably high levels of quality of life (QOL) on the Satisfaction with Life Domains Scale (SLDS), their present ranking on the Cantril Self-Anchoring Ladder of Life, and their scores on the Bradburn Positive Affect Scale. The level of QOL of these candidates for transplant was significantly related to their level of social support. Both availability and adequacy of social support for these transplant candidates were found to be significantly related to QOL as measured by the SLDS. Availability of social support as measured by patient membership in religious and other organizations was significantly related to Positive Affect but not Negative Affect. The Family APGAR and Relational Support Scales measures of social support were significantly correlated with both Positive and Negative Affect.
The positive inotropic action of insulin in the canine heart

Abstract The effects of glucagon-low insulin were studied on canine isolated papillary muscles incubated in Chenoweth-Kolle solution and in the pentobarbital anesthetized dog. Insulin, 12.5 mU/ml, increased developed isometric tension of papillary muscles which had equilibrated for 17 hrs, but not in muscles incubated up to 60 min. The decrease in isometric tension produced by propranolol, 10 −6 M, but not that due to pentobarbital sodium, 80 μg/ml, was reversed by insulin. The positive inotropic effect of insulin was obtained when pyruvate, fumarate and glutamate replaced glucose as substrate in the Chenoweth-Kolle solution. The intracoronary administration of insulin, 0.1 U/kg, increased left ventricular isometric tension and the rate of tension development in dog hearts depressed with propranolol, 2 mg/kg. Insulin exerts a direct positive inotropic effect upon canine heart muscle depressed by propranolol or due to prolonged incubation. The effect is not dependent upon catecholamines, glucagon or glucose. The positive inotropic effect is not observed in non-depressed hearts or in barbiturate depressed hearts.
Characterization of voids formed during liquid impregnation of non-woven multifilament glass networks as related to composite processing

A technique based on matching the refractive index of an invading liquid to that of a fiber mat was used to study entrapment of air ('voids') that occurs during forced in-plane radial flow into nonwoven multifilament glass networks. The usefulness of this technique is demonstrated in quantifying and mapping the air pockets. Experiments with a series of fluids with surface tensions varying from 28 x 10(exp -3) to 36 x 10(exp -3) N/m, viscosities from 45 x 10(exp -3) to 290 x 10(exp -3) Pa.s, and inlet flow rates from 0.15 x 10(exp -6) to 0.75 x 10(exp -6) m(exp 3)/s, showed that void content is a function of the capillary number characterizing the flow process. A critical value of capillary number, Ca = 2.5 x 10(exp -3), identifies a zone below which void content increases exponentially with decreasing capillary number. Above this critical value, negligible entrapment of voids is observed. Similar experiments carried out on surface treated nonwoven mats spanning a range of equilibrium contact angles from 20 deg to 78 deg showed that there is a critical contact angle above which negligible entrapment is observed. Below this value, there is no apparent effect of contact angle on the void fraction - capillary number relationship described earlier. Studies on the effect of filament wettability, and fluid velocity and viscosity on the size of the entrapment (voids) were also carried out. These indicate that larger sized entrapments which envelop more than one pore are favored by a low capillary number in comparison to smaller, pore level bubbles. Experiments were carried out on deformed mats - imposing high permeability spots at regular intervals on a background of low permeability. The effect of these spatial fluctuations in heterogeneity of the mat on entrapment is currently being studied.
Finite element analysis and redesign of a compressor hub spinner

Abstract The current performance of a transonic axial compressor can be improved by modifying the design of the compressor hub spinner. The shape of the hub spinner will be changed to provide better inlet flow conditions to the compressor. A two-dimensional finite element analysis is used first to determine the baseline rotor system characteristics, and then to analyze these characteristics for the proposed redesign. Results from this analysis are used to verify that the compressor hub spinner redesign has positive margins of safety, and therefore, satisfies good engineering design practices.
Gene markers in brain tumors: What the epileptologist should know

Gene markers or biomarkers can be used for diagnostic or prognostic purposes for all different types of complex disease, including brain tumors. Prognostic markers can be useful to explain differences not only in overall survival but also in response to treatment and for development of targeted therapies. Multiple genes with specific types of alterations have now been identified that are associated with improved response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, such as O(6)-methylguanine methyltranferase (MGMT) or loss of chromosomes 1p and/or 19q. Other alterations have been identified that are associated with improved overall survival, such as mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and/or isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) or having the glioma CpG island DNA methylator phenotype (G-CIMP). There are many biomarkers that may have relevance in brain tumor-associated epilepsy that do not respond to treatment. Given the rapidly changing landscape of high throughput "omics" technologies, there is significant potential for gaining further knowledge via integration of multiple different types of high genome-wide data. This knowledge can be translated into improved therapies and clinical outcomes for patients with brain tumors.
Process Modeling of Shape Rolling for Aerospace Industry

Shape rolling of seamless rings constitutes an efficient manufacturing process offering excellent material yield, energy conservation, and component production, which require a minimum of subsequent machining operations. An increasing number of rings are being produced from high temperature Titanium and Nickel based super alloy materials for gas turbine engine parts such as vane and fan casings, exhaust casings, turbine shrouds, and combustion liners. With the increasing cost of super alloy raw materials and growing demand for cost-competitive parts, the importance of ring rolling to contoured shape becomes an increasingly important factor. This paper describes a new process modeling technique based on Upper Bound Elemental Technique (UBET) for shape rolling of super alloys. This tool provides a new design paradigm for an industry relying to heavily on designer experience and cut-and-try methods. As a rapid software tool to aid designers in developing ring-rolling process schedules thereby helping in reducing the design and analysis cycle time, the potential to capture the unique 3-D flow situation experienced in shape rolling of seamless rings is being explored. Numerical results have been compared with data available for high temperature alloys such as IN718 and Ti-6Al-4V.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
H2 Forced Convection for Slip Flow in an Equilateral Triangular Duct

The slip flow and temperature jump boundary conditions are derived for H2 constant flux forced convection in ducts. An exact solution is found for the fully developed equilateral triangular duct. Closed-form formulas for the temperature distribution and the Nusselt number are presented. The exact H2 Nusselt number for the no-slip case is 308/163.