cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exogenous Dietary Ketone Ester Decreases Body Weight and Adiposity in Mice Housed at Thermoneutrality.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a ketone ester (KE)-supplemented diet on energy expenditure (EE) and adiposity in mice housed at 23 °C versus thermoneutrality (30 °C), in which sympathetic nervous system activity is diminished. METHODS Thirty-two 10-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to 1 of 4 groups (n = 8 per group): 30% KE diet + 23 °C (KE23), control (CON) diet + 23 °C (CON23), 30% KE diet + 30 °C (KE30), or CON diet + 30 °C (CON30). CON mice were pair-fed to the average intake of mice consuming the KE diet (ad libitum) for 8 weeks. Body composition and components of energy balance were measured at completion of the study. RESULTS CON23 (mean ± SD, 26.0 ± 1.6 g) and CON30 (29.7 ± 1.4 g) mice weighed more than KE groups (P < 0.03 for both) and were also different from each other (CON23 vs. CON30, P < 0.01). However, KE23 (23.4 ± 2.7 g) and KE30 (23.1 ± 1.9 g) mice were not different in body weight. As expected, food intake at 30 °C (2.0 ± 0.3 g/d) was lower than at 23 °C (2.6 ± 0.3 g/d, P < 0.01). Diet did not influence resting and total EE, but mice housed at 30 °C had lower EE compared with mice at 23 °C (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Dietary KEs attenuate body weight gain at standard (23 °C) and thermoneutral (30 °C) housing temperatures, and this effect is not mediated by increased EE under these conditions.
A case of inferior vena cava atresia complicated by bilateral deep vein thrombosis

Abstract In this report, we describe a case of deep vein thrombosis with suspected congenital inferior vena cava atresia treated with thrombolysis, angioplasty, and bilateral “kissing” iliac stent placement. An 18-year-old male presented with left common iliac vein thrombus and suspected congenital inferior vena cava atresia. He was treated over 4 days and discharged on anticoagulation which was continued long-term. These treatments were shown to be clinically successful in treating and preventing re-thrombosis in the context of inferior vena cava atresia initially presenting with symptomatic bilateral lower extremity deep vein thrombosis.
LIPOMA IN THE ORAL CAVITY INTERFERING WITH DENTAL OCCLUSION—A CASE REPORT

Background Oral lipomas are benign tumors of mesenchymal origin, usually diagnosed in the fourth or fifth decade of life. They commonly present as slow-growing, asymptomatic lesions, soft on palpation, and are often found on the buccal mucosa and less frequently in the tongue, floor of the mouth, lips, palate, and gingiva. Objective The presentation of a case of an intraoral lipoma of uncommon size on the buccal mucosa, interfering with the dental occlusion of the patient, and discussion of the differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors. Methods A 47‐year‐old woman with an unremarkable medical history was referred to a maxillofacial department for painless swelling on the left buccal mucosa for about 1 year that interfered with her dental occlusion and speaking. The patient mentioned that she moved the mass out of her mouth during mastication. The lesion was pedunculated, solid, about 4 cm in diameter, soft on palpation, and presented an indentation due to the occlusal interference. Results The differential diagnosis of intraoral lipoma consists of entities such as oral dermoid and epidermoid cysts, oral lymphoepithelial cysts, benign salivary gland tumors, benign mesenchymal neoplasms, ranula, ectopic thyroid tissue, and lymphoma. Excisional biopsy was done under local anesthesia and the microscopic examination led to the diagnosis of intraoral lipoma. There were no complications during or after surgery and no sign of recurrence. Conclusions Oral lipomas are usually asymptomatic lesions, unless they grow large and interfere with speaking and mastication. Surgical excision is the main treatment. Histologic examination is important in determining the final diagnosis.
Partner Violence: Assessment, Prediction, and Intervention

Publisher Summary This chapter provides psychologists and other professionals working in forensic settings with a source of current and empirically based information to guide their work in partner violence cases in the United States. This chapter mainly discusses the known prevalence and typical course and consequences of partner violence; the assessment of past partner violence; the prediction of future partner violence; and intervention options and empirical outcomes in partner violence cases. The chapter focuses on the issues of male-to-female physical Violence and briefly discusses the female-to-male physical violence and on emotional or psychological abuse in couples. Male-to-female partner violence is a common social problem in the United States. Thorough and accurate assessment of past violence is an extremely important part of effective and clinically responsible forensic work in partner violence cases. It is also important that before assessing past violence, the assessor is straightforward with both the perpetrator and the victim about the purpose and structure of the assessment as well as the ultimate use of the assessment data and limits of confidentiality. A common intervention for victims of partner violence who are in danger of being re-assaulted is a referral to a domestic violence shelter.
Free to Die for Their Country: The Story of the Japanese American Draft Resisters in World War II

In the spring of 1942, the federal government forced West Coast Japanese Americans into detainment camps on suspicion of disloyalty. Two years later, the government demanded even more, drafting them into the same military that had been guarding them as subversives. Most of these Americans complied, but "Free to Die for Their Country" is the first book to tell the powerful story of those who refused. Based on years of research and personal interviews, Eric L. Muller recreates the emotions and events that followed the arrival of those draft notices revealing a dark and complex chapter of America's history.
Wind and Wisdom

In Wind and Wisdom, Professor Victoria Sutton discusses the implications of new wind harvesting technology on the cultural values of the Native American community. Sutton points out that according to Native American culture, wind is a very important aspect of spirituality. She argues that in order to be wise in our use of wind power, we must be mindful of Native American spirituality and culture.
Shanghai Rising: State Power and Local Transformations in a Global Megacity – Edited by Xiangming Chen

A review of the book "Shanghai Rising: State Power and Local Transformations in a Global Megacity," edited by Xiangming Chen is presented.
Synthesis and photoreactions of sorbophenones: A photochemical synthesis of flavone☆

Abstract A total synthesis of 5′-formyl-2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-(E,E)-sorbophenone, a cytotoxic metabolite of the fungus Scytalidium was accomplished in low yield. A model compound, 2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-(E,E)-sorbophenone was synthesized in better yield and this showed both cytotoxicity and activity in the P388 mouse leukemia screen. Irradiation of the latter sorbophenone caused cyclization to yield a mixture of the cis and trans isomers of 7-methoxy-2-(1′-propene)-chromanone. Similarly, irradiation of 2′-hydroxychalcone gave flavone in 53% yield.
EUKARYOTIC TOPOISOMERASES RECOGNIZE NUCLEIC ACID TOPOLOGY BY PREFERENTIALLY INTERACTING WITH DNA CROSSOVERS

Eukaryotic topoisomerases recognize DNA topology and preferentially react with positively or negatively supercoiled molecules over relaxed substrates. To elucidate the mechanism of this recognition, we examined the interaction of topoisomerases with DNA by electron microscopy. Under all conditions employed, approximately 90% of the bound type I or II enzyme was observed at points of helix--helix juxtaposition on negatively supercoiled plasmids which contained as few as four crossovers. Recognition was independent of torsional stress, as enzyme molecules were also found at crossovers on linear DNA. Since juxtaposed helices are more prevalent in supercoiled compared with relaxed nucleic acids, we propose that eukaryotic topoisomerases I and II recognize underwound or overwound substrates by interacting preferentially with DNA crossovers. This may represent a general mechanism for the recognition of DNA topology by proteins.
Psychology and the Use of Intuitions in Philosophy

There is widespread controversy about the use of intuitions in philosophy. In this paper I will argue that there are legitimate concerns about this use, and that these concerns cannot be fully responded to using the traditional methods of philosophy. We need an understanding of how intuitions are generated and what it is they are based on, and this understanding must be founded on the psychological investigation of the mind. I explore how a psychological understanding of intuitions is likely to impact a range of philosophical projects, from conceptual analysis to the study of (non-conceptual) "things themselves" to experimental philosophy.
Design and Implementation of an Autonomous Wireless Sensor-Based Smart Home

The Smart home has gained widespread attention due to its flexible integration into everyday life. This next generation green home system, transparently unifies various home appliances, smart sensors and wireless communication technologies. It can integrate diversified physical sensed information and control various consumer home devices, with the support of active sensor networks having both sensor and actuator components. Although smart homes are gaining popularity due to their energy saving and better living benefits, there is no standardized design for smart homes. In this paper, we put forward a concept by designing and implementing a smart home system which can classify and predict the state of the home based on historical data. We set up a wireless sensor network and collected months of data. By employing supervised machine learning technique, we were able to establish patterns and use the acquired information as a vital cog in our control system algorithm, thereby improving the intelligence of the home. We created a system capable of running with minimal human supervision, an attribute which makes our system an asset for senior care scenarios. Our system also caters to the safety of the home owner.
Climate change and risk management: challenges for insurance, adaptation, and loss estimation.

Adapting to climate change will not only require responding to the physical effects of global warming, but will also require adapting the way we conceptualize, measure, and manage risks. Climate change is creating new risks, altering the risks we already face, and also, importantly, impacting the interdependencies between these risks. In this paper we focus on three particular phenomena of climate related risks that will require a change in our thinking about risk management: global micro-correlations, fat tails, and tail dependence. Consideration of these phenomena will be particularly important for natural disaster insurance, as they call into question traditional methods of securitization and diversification.
Superconductors, Cryogenic Stabilization

The sections in this article are 1 Experience from Early Magnet Applications 2 Causes of Instabilities (Disturbances) 3 Methods of Stabilization 4 Advanced Stability and Thermal Management Problems for Superconductors 5 Thermophysical and Heat Data on Cryogens 6 Safety 7 Additional Reading
Examining the Invisibility of Girl-to-Girl Bullying in Schools: A Call to Action.

It does not matter whether one is 13, 33, or 53 years old, but if you are female, chances are that other girls have bullied you sometime in your lifetime. Bullying is not the kind of abuse that leaves broken bones; rather, it is a dehumanizing experience that manifests itself in the form of rumor spreading, name calling, psychological manipulation, character assassination, and social exclusion. Female teachers who are former victims of girl bullies or who themselves have been complicit with girl-to-girl bullying, consistently casting a blind eye to this ritualized social degradation, allowing it to continue generation after generation. The purpose here is not to blame teachers, but rather to seek an answer to "What are the social or institutional forces that prevent adults in the schools from seeing what they may have experienced themselves?"
The use of environmental DNA in invasive species surveillance of the Great Lakes commercial bait trade

Over 180 non-native species have been introduced in the Laurentian Great Lakes region, many posing threats to native species and ecosystem functioning. One potential pathway for introductions is the commercial bait trade; unknowing or unconcerned anglers commonly release unused bait into aquatic systems. Previous surveillance efforts of this pathway relied on visual inspection of bait stocks in retail shops, which can be time and cost prohibitive and requires a trained individual that can rapidly and accurately identify cryptic species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance, a molecular tool that has been used for surveillance in aquatic environments, can be used to efficiently detect species at low abundances. We collected and analyzed 576 eDNA samples from 525 retail bait shops throughout the Laurentian Great Lake states. We used eDNA techniques to screen samples for multiple aquatic invasive species (AIS) that could be transported in the bait trade, including bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix), round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), tubenose goby (Proterorhinus marmoratus), Eurasian rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus), and goldfish (Carassius auratus). Twenty-seven samples were positive for at least one target species (4.7% of samples), and all target species were found at least once, except bighead carp. Despite current regulations, the bait trade remains a potential pathway for invasive species introductions in the Great Lakes region. Alterations to existing management strategies regarding the collection, transportation, and use of live bait are warranted, including new and updated regulations, to prevent future introductions of invasive species in the Great Lakes via the bait trade.
Effect of diphosphonate on crystallization of calcium oxalate in vitro

The effect of diphosphonate on crystallization of calcium oxalate in vitro . Reliable techniques for the calculation of activity product (state of saturation), formation product (limit of metastability) and crystal growth of calcium oxalate were devised. The activity product at saturation was 2.53 × 10– -9 M 2 , and was independent of duration of incubation, solid-to-solution ratio, pH, calcium concentration or ionic strength. These techniques were utilized to assess the effect of disodium ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphonate (EHDP) on crystallization of calcium oxalate in an aqueous salt solution in vitro . EHDP increased the formation product of calcium oxalate, indicating an inhibition of nucleation of calcium oxalate. Further, it inhibited the crystal growth of calcium oxalate.
Computer-Based Testing in the Medical Curriculum: A Decade of Experiences at One School

This report summarizes more than a decade of experiences with implementing computer-based testing across a 4-year medical curriculum. Practical considerations are given to the fields incorporated within an item database and their use in the creation and analysis of examinations, security issues in the delivery and integrity of examinations, curricular integration, use of examination log files, effectiveness and timeliness of reports, and the potential for educational research. The solutions to many complicated issues have practical relevance and interest to the community of educators who are considering the adoption of this technology for assessment.
Engineering meniscus structure and function via multi-layered mesenchymal stem cell-seeded nanofibrous scaffolds.

Despite advances in tissue engineering for the knee meniscus, it remains a challenge to match the complex macroscopic and microscopic structural features of native tissue, including the circumferentially and radially aligned collagen bundles essential for mechanical function. To mimic this structural hierarchy, this study developed multi-lamellar mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-seeded nanofibrous constructs. Bovine MSCs were seeded onto nanofibrous scaffolds comprised of poly(e-caprolactone) with fibers aligned in a single direction (0° or 90° to the scaffold long axis) or circumferentially aligned (C). Multi-layer groups (0°/0°/0°, 90°/90°/90°, 0°/90°/0°, 90°/0°/90°, and C/C/C) were created and cultured for a total of 6 weeks under conditions favoring fibrocartilaginous tissue formation. Tensile testing showed that 0° and C single layer constructs had stiffness values several fold higher than 90° constructs. For multi-layer groups, the stiffness of 0°/0°/0° constructs was higher than all other groups, while 90°/90°/90° constructs had the lowest values. Data for collagen content showed a general positive interactive effect for multi-layers relative to single layer constructs, while a positive interaction for stiffness was found only for the C/C/C group. Collagen content and cell infiltration occurred independent of scaffold alignment, and newly formed collagenous matrix followed the scaffold fiber direction. Structural hierarchies within multi-lamellar constructs dictated biomechanical properties, and only the C/C/C constructs with non-orthogonal alignment within layers featured positive mechanical reinforcement as a consequence of the layered construction. These multi-layer constructs may serve as functional substitutes for the meniscus as well as test beds to understand the complex mechanical principles that enable meniscus function.
Extracting inelastic metal behaviour through inverse analysis: a shift in focus from material models to material behaviour

This article implements a new data-driven inverse analysis method, SelfSim (self-learning simulations), for extracting material behaviour of metals. SelfSim uses load-displacement measurements from structural tests whereby the material experiences non-uniform stresses and strains to extract the material constitutive behaviour in the form of a stress-strain database unconstrained by a pre-defined material model. The method is verified using simulated and physical experiments on metal structures. SelfSim successfully extracts the anisotropic response of aluminium from multiple tests. The method simplifies the laborious and lengthy process of developing a conventional material model whenever a new material constitutive behaviour is to be characterized.
Burial dolomitization in the Lost Burro Formation (Devonian), east-central California, and the significance of late diagenetic dolomitization

Shallow subtidal and peritidal carbonates in the lower Lost Burro Formation have been pervasively dolomitized. Evidence for late diagenetic burial dolomitization consists of very coarse crystallinity, zebroid structure, healed microfractures, “local” limestone-dolomite facies relations, transection of bedding by dolomite tongues and fronts, truncated and relict stylolites, oxygen-isotope data, and a “net fabric.” The latter consists of seams of replacement dolomite (concentrated along stylolites and microfractures) that enclose remnants of micrite in which are disseminated large, baroque, cross-shaped dolomite crystals. The presence of a relict net fabric in dolomite immediately across a sharp dolomite front strongly suggests that a large mass of dolomite resulted from replacement in the burial environment as contrasted with late diagenetic neomorphism of earlier dolomite, a process that may also be significant. It is proposed that Mg 2+ ions were delivered by water moving along stylolites and now-healed microfractures. The significance of late diagenetic burial dolomitization in the geologic record has been underestimated. There are fewer thermodynamic and kinetic constraints for dolomitization in the burial environment. Also, it is premature to conclude that this environment is too tight to permit sufficient water circulation for dolomitization.
Multi-Fault Tolerance for Cartesian Data Distributions

Faults are expected to play an increasingly important role in how algorithms and applications are designed to run on future extreme-scale systems. Algorithm-based fault tolerance is a promising approach that involves modifications to the algorithm to recover from faults with lower overheads than replicated storage and a significant reduction in lost work compared to checkpoint-restart techniques. Fault-tolerant linear algebra algorithms employ additional processors that store parities along the dimensions of a matrix to tolerate multiple, simultaneous faults. Existing approaches assume regular data distributions (blocked or block-cyclic) with the failures of each data block being independent. To match the characteristics of failures on parallel computers, we extend these approaches to mapping parity blocks in several important ways. First, we handle parity computation for generalized Cartesian data distributions with each processor holding arbitrary subsets of blocks in a Cartesian-distributed array. Second, techniques to handle correlated failures, i.e., multiple processors that can be expected to fail together, are presented. Third, we handle the colocation of parity blocks with the data blocks and do not require them to be on additional processors. Several alternative approaches, based on graph matching, are presented that attempt to balance the memory overhead on processors while guaranteeing the same fault tolerance properties as existing approaches that assume independent failures on regular blocked data distributions. Evaluation of these algorithms demonstrates that the additional desirable properties are provided by the proposed approach with minimal overhead.
Is thought-action fusion specific to obsessive-compulsive disorder?: a mediating role of negative affect

Thought-action fusion (TAF) is a cognitive bias presumed to underlie the development of obsessional problems (i.e. obsessive-compulsive disorder; OCD). Previous studies have found that TAF is related to not only OCD, but also to other anxiety disorders. In the present study we compared levels of TAF in OCD patients and in patients with other anxiety disorders, depression, and healthy controls to examine whether TAF is characteristic of individuals with emotional distress in general, as opposed to anxiety disorders per se. We also examined whether negative affect (i.e. anxiety and depression) mediates the relationship between OCD and TAF. Results indicated that OCD patients were characterized by higher scores on likelihood-self and likelihood-other TAF, but that this difference was predominately due to differences in negative affect. These findings support a model in which negative affect mediates the relationship between OCD and TAF.
Pharmacokinetics of Py-Im Polyamides Depend on Architecture: Cyclic versus Linear

The pharmacokinetic properties of three pyrrole-imidazole (Py-Im) polyamides of similar size and Py-Im content but different shape were studied in the mouse. Remarkably, hairpin and cyclic oligomers programmed for the same DNA sequence 5′-WGGWWW-3′ displayed distinct pharmacokinetic properties. Furthermore, the hairpin 1 and cycle 2 exhibited vastly different animal toxicities. These data provide a foundation for design of DNA binding Py-Im polyamides to be tested in vivo.
Lessons from Accenture’s 3Rs: rebranding, restructuring and repositioning

This article analyzes Accenture’s reincarnation by pinpointing the main lessons that might be emulated by other companies contemplating going down the three‐pronged road to rebranding, restructuring and repositioning. Its objectives are three‐fold. First, it traces the company’s heritage and highlights that it pioneered the splitting of consulting from accounting activities. Second, it discusses the three pillars of Accenture’s transformation involving rebranding, restructuring and repositioning campaigns. Finally, it recognizes Accenture’s two leaders who transformed this company from merely good to truly great in a relatively short time.
How do individual transferable quotas affect marine ecosystems

Published papers were reviewed to assess ecosystem impacts of individual transferable quotas (ITQs) and other dedicated access systems. Under ITQs, quota shares increase with higher abundance levels, thus fishers may request lower total allowable catches (TACs) and pay for monitoring and research that improves fishery sustainability. Mortality on target species generally declines because catches are closer to TACs and because ghost fishing through lost and abandoned gear decreases. High-grading and discarding often decline, but may increase if landings (and not catches) count against ITQs and when there is little at-sea enforcement. Overall, ITQs positively impact target species, although collapses can occur if TACs are set too high or if catches are routinely allowed to exceed TACs. Fishing pressure may increase on non-ITQ species because of spillover from ITQ fisheries, and in cases where fishers anticipate that future ITQ allocations will be based on catch history and therefore increase their current catches. Ecosystem and habitat impacts of ITQs were only sparsely covered in the literature and were difficult to assess: ITQs often lead to changes in total fishing effort (both positive and negative), spatial shifts in effort, and fishing gear modifications. Stock assessments may be complicated by changes in the relationship between catch per unit effort, and abundance, but ITQ participants will often assist in improving data collection and stock assessments. Overall, ITQs have largely positive effects on target species, but mixed or unknown effects on non-target fisheries and the overall ecosystem. Favourable outcomes were linked to sustainable TACs and effective enforcement.
Cholinergic processes in blood samples from patients with major psychiatric disorders

Cholinergic processes were measured in plasma and red blood cells (RBC) obtained from patients with mania, depression, and schizophrenia. RBC choline levels were elevated in manic patients, and lithium treatment led to a further increase. RBC choline transport was below normal in manic patients, and lithium treatment further reduced choline transport in addition to reducing the apparent affinity for choline. RBC acetylcholinesterase was low in depressed and schizophrenic patients, but not in manic patients, whereas plasma acetylcholinesterase was reduced only in depressed patients. Plasma nonspecific cholinesterase was below normal in all groups of patients. These results indicate unique patterns of differences from controls in the cholinergic system in blood samples from patients with different psychiatric illnesses.
Motor practice effects and sensorimotor integration in adults who stutter: Evidence from visuomotor tracking performance.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to utilize a visuomotor tracking task, with both the jaw and hand, to add to the literature regarding non-speech motor practice and sensorimotor integration (outside of auditory-motor integration domain) in adults who do (PWS) and do not (PWNS) stutter. Method Participants were 15 PWS (14 males, mean age = 27.0) and 15 PWNS (14 males, mean age = 27.2). Participants tracked both predictable and unpredictable moving targets separately with their jaw and their dominant hand, and accuracy was assessed by calculating phase and amplitude difference between the participant and the target. Motor practice effect was examined by comparing group performance over consecutive tracking trials of predictable conditions as well as within the first trial of same conditions. Results Results showed that compared to PWNS, PWS were not significantly different in matching either the phase (timing) or the amplitude of the target in both jaw and hand tracking of predictable and unpredictable targets. Further, there were no significant between-group differences in motor practice effects for either jaw or hand tracking. Both groups showed improved tracking accuracy within and between the trials. Conclusion Our findings revealed no statistically significant differences in non-speech motor practice effects and integration of sensorimotor feedback between PWS and PWNS, at least in the context of the visuomotor tracking tasks employed in the study. In general, both talker groups exhibited practice effects (i.e., increased accuracy over time) within and between tracking trials during both jaw and hand tracking. Implications for these results are discussed. Educational Objectives: The reader will be able to: (a) describe the importance of motor learning and sensory-motor integration for speech, (b) summarize past research on PWS's performance during speech and nonspeech motor tasks, and (c) describe the relation between different aspects of speech and non-speech motor control and stuttering.
TUMORS OF INTERSPECIFIC NICOTIANA HYBRIDS. I. EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND PHOTOPERIOD UPON FLOWERING AND TUMOR FORMATION

INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDS of tobacco have been useful tools in studies concerned with genetics (Kehr, 1950; Smith, 1958; Smith and Stevenson, 1961; Burk and Tso, 1960), development (Sparrow et al., 1956; Hagen, Gunckel, and Sparrow, 1961), and factors associated with the control of cell division. The parental species and the interspecific hybrids of N. suaveolens X N. langsdorfjii, which are genetically conditioned for tumor formation, have been employed in studies of growth-factor requirements of tumorous and non-tumorous tissue (Schaeffer, Smith, and Perkus, 1963; Schaeffer and Smith, 1963). This hybrid has also been useful in studies related to the hormone induction of tumors in seedlings of tobacco (Schaeffer, 1962). One of the features of these tumor-conditioned hybrids is profuse aerial tumor formation, which is apparently spontaneous, on aged plants after flowering. They also form large root tumors. It was of some interest to determine whether the parental species respond differently to imposed photoperiods, and whether there was a relationship between flowering, temperature, and root tumor formation. There is little direct information on these questions. Such problems have direct application to apical dominance and the control of axillary bud growth and are, moreover, intriguing developmentally. Experiments were designed: (1) to ascertain the photoperiodic response of the parental species and hybrid of N. suaveolens X N. lanqsdorffii; and (2) to determine whether the instability of the hybrid, as expressed in tumor formation, could be altered with temperature or an interrupted night treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS-Two experiments were conducted with N. suaveolens and N. langsdorffii as well as with the 2n hybrid and 4n amphiploid of these two species. Hybrids derived from two different seed lots of N. suaveolens as the
A Bootstrapping Approach for Generating Maximally Path-Entangled Photon States

We propose a bootstrapping approach to generate maximally path-entangled states of photons---the so-called NOON states.
NEONATAL DIRECT HYBERBILIRUBINEMIA (DHB) ASSOCIATED WITH CHLORAL HYDRATE (CH) DOSAGE

In order to investigate an apparent increase in the number of NICU newborns (NBs) with unexplained DHB, a retrospective analysis of all NBs admitted to the NICU over an 18 month period was conducted. The study revealed 11 newborns with undiagnosed DHB defined as direct bilirubin> 2 mg/dl or> 10% of the total bilirubin level. Four of the 11 NBs had identifiable factors which are known to cause DHB. Two of the 4 NBs had severe perinatal asphyxia with elevated liver enzymes and 2 NBs had prolonged hyperalimentation due to gastrointestinal adnormalities. All of the remaining 7 NBs (Group 1) did not have a diagnosable nor identifiable cause, but all had received CH 30-40 mg/kg q 4-6 h for sedation while on the ventilator. In these NBs, the DHB began to decrease within 2 days of the last CH dose. We next reviewed all charts of NBs who had received more than one dose of CH for sedation and did not have DHB (Group 2) .The table compares these two groups including the total CH dose/kg received. In summary, prolonged administration of CH appears to be associated with DHB in NBs in a dose response and temporal manner. Similar CH-induced hepatic toxicities have been reported in adults and animals. The human NB may be more sensitive to CH due to decreased metabolic clearance of CH and its active metabolite.
Labor Market, Pension Rule Structure and Retirement Benefit Promise for Long-Term Employees

This study explores the importance of pension rule structures for understanding the effects of firm compensation practices on the stratification of the labor force. Examination of the pension rule structures of 146 firms offering 165 separate pension plans reveals that final benefit levels upon retirement are regulated by criteria relating to plan participation and the timing of retirement, which treat earnings
Seismic attenuation and mantle wedge temperatures in the Alaska subduction zone

[1] Anelastic loss of seismic wave energy, or seismic attenuation (1/Q), provides a proxy for temperature under certain conditions. The Q structure of the upper mantle beneath central Alaska is imaged here at high resolution, an active subduction zone where arc volcanism is absent, to investigate mantle thermal structure. The recent Broadband Experiment Across the Alaska Range (BEAAR) provides the first dense broadband seismic coverage of this region. The spectra of P and SH waves for regional earthquakes are inverted for path averaged attenuation operators between 0.5 and 20 Hz, along with earthquake source parameters. These measurements fit waveforms significantly better when the frequency dependence of Q is taken into account, and in the mantle, frequency dependence lies close to laboratory values. Inverting these measurements for spatial variations in Q reveals a highly attenuating wedge, with Q 500, assuming frequency dependence. Comparison with P results shows that attenuation in bulk modulus is negligible within the low-Q wedge, as expected for thermally activated attenuation mechanisms. Bulk attenuation is significant in the overlying crust and subducting plate, indicating that Q must be controlled by other processes. The shallowest part of the wedge shows little attenuation, as expected for a cold viscous nose that is not involved in wedge corner flow. Overall, the spatial pattern of Q beneath Alaska is qualitatively similar to other subduction zones, although the highest wedge attenuation is about a factor of 2 lower. The Q values imply that temperatures exceed 1200°C in the wedge, on the basis of recent laboratory-based calibrations for dry peridotite. These temperatures are 100–150°C colder than we infer beneath Japan or the Andes, possibly explaining the absence of arc volcanism in central Alaska.
Inverse agonism and the PTH/PTHrP receptor

Abstract The PTH/PTHrP receptor (PPR) is a family B G protein-coupled receptor that plays a vital role in calcium homeostasis and skeletal development. We are using photoaffinity cross-linking methods to explore how inverse agonists interact with constitutively active mutant PPRs. The analog [para-benzoyl-phenylalanine (Bpa)2]PTHrP(1–36) is a selective inverse agonist for PPR-H223R (altered in transmembrane domain (TMD) 2), while [ d -Bpa12]PTHrP(5–36) is an inverse agonist for both PPR-H223R and PPR-T410P (altered in TMD 6). In each ligand, the photolabile Bpa group is the key determinant of inverse agonism. The [Bpa2]PTHrP(1–36) analog cross-linked to two sites in PPR-H223R: a primary site near the extracellular end of TMD 6 and a secondary site within TMD 4, extracellular loop 2 or TMD 5. Mutational studies revealed that the intensity of cross-linking to TMD 6, relative to TMD 4/5, increased as receptor signaling activity increased. Our preliminary mapping studies with [ d -Bpa12]PTHrP(5–36) indicate that this analog cross-links to a different site, possibly near the boundary of TMD 1 and the N-terminal domain. Thus, there appear to be two different mechanisms by which inverse agonism can be achieved in constitutively active PPRs. The studies also reveal conformational differences between active and inactive state PPRs, at least in the vicinity of residue 2 of the ligand.
Neurometabolic disorders: urea-cycle disorder, outcomes, development and treatment

The urea-cycle disorders (UCDs) are a group of congenital enzyme and carrier deficiencies predisposing to fatal hyperammonemia. Hyperammonemia causes alterations of neurotransmitter function and cell volume, leading to cerebral edema. Neuropathological findings of UCDs reflect changes in astrocyte morphology. Neurological features accompanying acute hyperammonemia include changes in behavior and consciousness in the short term, and potential for impairments in memory and executive function as long-term effects. Plasma measures of ammonia and glutamine, although useful for clinical monitoring, are poor markers of CNS function. Treatment combines dietary protein restriction and nitrogen-scavenging agents. Despite this regimen, patients remain at risk for repeated hyperammonemic events and further neurological damage. Thus, neuroprotective strategies should be explored as adjunctive therapies.
Comparison of SMES and SFCL for transient stability enhancement of wind generator system

Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) and superconducting fault current limiters (SFCL) can be used to stabilize the wind generator system. While both SMES and SFCL use superconducting coils for their operations, this paper makes a comparative study of these two devices in case of their applications in the wind generator system. The comparison is done on the basis of transient stability enhancement, controller complexity, and cost. In order to analyze the effect of the SMES and SFCL on wind generator stabilization in more detail, several performance indices are considered. Simulation results show that both the SMES and SFCL can stabilize the wind generator system during a severe fault. However, the performance of the SMES is better than that of the SFCL. Also, from the controller viewpoint, the SMES system is more complex than the SFCL system. Moreover, from the perspective of cost, the SMES might be costlier than the SFCL. As a whole, this study would help the readers understand the relative effectiveness of the SMES and SFCL methods, and then select a suitable method for wind generator stabilization.
Perceptual Preparedness in Man: Brief Forewarning Reduces Electrodermal and Psychophysical Response to Noxious Stimulation

The finding that the skin conductance response (SCR) to a noxious stimulus is reduced by a warning has been attributed to the information the warning conveys or, alternatively, to interference with the SCR to the stimulus by the preceding SCR to the warning. The purpose of this study was to test whether a low-intensity warning stimulus can reduce the SCR to a noxious stimulus independently of SCR interference and produce similar reductions in subjective judgments of stimulus intensity. Eighty subjects were exposed to 30 pairings of a warning with a 98-dB (SPL) noise. The interval between warning and noise was varied (0.5, 1, 3, 11 sec) from one pairing to another. Contrary to the SCR-interference hypothesis, there was a significant linear decrease in the SCR to noise from 0- to 11-sec warning trials. Warnings of 1 sec also significantly reduced magnitude estimations of noise intensity. A control procedure with an innocuous 68-dB tone substituted for the noise indicated that the SCR to innocuous stimuli may also be reduced by warnings, but that the corresponding magnitude estimations are not similarly affected.
Sterol C-methyl transferase from Prototheca wickerhamii mechanism, sterol specificity and inhibition.

Abstract The membrane-bound sterol methyl transferase (SMT) enzyme from Prototheca wickerhamii , a non-photosynthetic, yeast-like alga, was found to C -methylate appropriate Δ 24(25) -sterol acceptor molecules to Δ 25(27) -24β-methyl products stereoselectively. Incubation with pairs of substrates—[ 2 H 3 - methyl ]AdoMet and cycloartenol, and AdoMet and [27- 13 C]lanosterol—followed by 1 H and 13 C NMR analysis of the isotopically labeled products demonstrated the si -face (β-face attack) mechanism of C -methylation and the regiospecificity of Δ 25(27) -double bond formation from the pro- Z methyl group (C27) on lanosterol. The enzyme has a substrate preference for a sterol with a 3β-hydroxyl group, a planar nucleus and a side chain oriented into a ‘right-handed’ structure (20 R -chirality)—characteristic of the native substrate, cycloartenol. The apparent native molecular weight of the SMT was determined to be approximately 154,000, as measured by Superose 6 FPLC. A series of sterol analogues which contain heteroatoms substituted for C24 and C25 or related structural modifications, including steroidal alkaloids, havs been used to probe further the active site and mechanism of action of the SMT enzyme. Sterol side chains containing isoelectronic modifications of a positively charged moiety in the form of an ammonium group substituted for carbon at C25, C24, C23 or C22 are particularly potent non-competitive inhibitors ( K i for the most potent inhibitor tested, 25-azacycloartanol, was ca. 2 nM, four orders of magnitude less than the K m for cycloartenol of 28 μM), supporting the intermediacy of the 24-methyl C24(25)-carbenium ion intermediate. Ergosterol, but neither cholesterol nor sitosterol, was found to inhibit SMT activity ( K i =80 μM). The combination of results suggests that the interrelationships of substrate functional groups within the active center of a Δ 24(25) to Δ 25(27) 24β-methyl-SMT could be approximated thereby allowing the rational design of C -methylation inhibitors to be formulated and tested.
Comparison of Twin and Extended Pedigree Designs for Obtaining Heritability Estimates.

This study explores power assumptions relating to extended pedigree designs (EPD) and classical twin designs (CTD). We conducted statistical analyses to compare the power of the two designs for examining neuroimaging phenotypes, varying heritability and varying whether shared environmental variance is fixed or free. Results indicated that CTDs have more power to estimate heritability, with the exception of one condition: in EPDs, the power increases relative to CTDs when shared environmental variance contributes to sibling similarity only. We additionally show that assuming a priori that shared environmental effects play no role in a phenotype—as is commonly done in pedigree designs—can lead to substantially biased heritability estimates. General results indicate that both CTDs and EPDs obtain quite precise heritability estimates. Finally, we discuss methodological considerations relating to assumptions about age effects and shared environment.
No Science Teacher Left Behind

The current essentialist movement, which began shortly after thePUBLICation of A Nation at Risk in 1983 (http://www.ed.gov/pubs/NatAtRisk/index.html), pushed schools and governments to place an emp...
Measurement Methods of Pad Properties for Chemical Mechanical Polishing

Silicon wafers are the fundamental building blocks for most integrated circuits. Chemical mechanical polishing is used to manufacture silicon wafers as the final material removal process to meet the ever-increasing demand for flatter wafers and lower prices. The polishing pad is one of the critical factors in planarizing wafer surfaces and its properties play critical roles in polishing. However, pad properties change during the process. This paper reviews the measurement methods for thickness, hardness, and Young’s modulus of polishing pads.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Sample size determination for cluster randomization phase II trials of dichotomous data

Abstract One of the main goals for a phase II trial is to screen and select the best treatment to proceed onto further studies in a phase III trial. Under the flexible design proposed elsewhere, we discuss for cluster randomization trials sample size calculation with a given desired probability of correct selection to choose the best treatment when one treatment is better than all the others. We develop exact procedures for calculating the minimum required number of clusters with a given cluster size (or the minimum number of patients with a given number of repeated measurements) per treatment. An approximate sample size and the evaluation of its performance for two arms are also given. To help readers employ the results presented here, tables are provided to summarize the resulting minimum required sample sizes for cluster randomization trials with two arms and three arms in a variety of situations. Finally, to illustrate the sample size calculation procedures developed here, we use the data taken from a cluster randomization trial to study the association between the dietary sodium and the blood pressure.
Estrogen use and cancer incidence: a review.

(1995). Clinical Science Review: Estrogen Use and Cancer Incidence: A Review. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 287-295.
Econometric analyses of nonindustrial forest landowners: Is there anything left to study?

Abstract In this paper we review recent econometric studies focusing on how nonindustrial private forest landowners make decisions. We use our synthesis of previous work and a discussion of emerging problems involving these landowners as motivation for future research. The majority of research undertaken prior to the late 1980's involved determining variables affecting reforestation or harvesting decisions. In the past decade, researchers have studied a broader set of issues, including the interrelationship between nontimber activities and other important decisions, such as bequests, examination of how landowner type and preferences affects decision making, and incorporation of landowner level responses into spatial landscape models. Using these trends as motivation, we end by proposing several new research directions. These include characterizing landowner reservation prices for various activities as a way of assessing market participation, evaluating the importance of adjacent landowners to a given landowner's behavior, investigating the substitution between various types of land use decisions, continuing to integrate landowner-level data into spatial landscape models, and broadening our understanding of institutional arrangements and landowner willingness to enter evaluating informational asymmetries, into such arrangements.
Time-dependent electric field fluctuations at the subphoton level

We report studies of a third-order correlation function that records the conditional time evolution of the field of a fraction of a photon. We present results in the strong-coupling regime of cavity QED, where the detection of a photon from the cavity prepares a state with a well-defined phase that evolves back to equilibrium via a damped vacuum Rabi oscillation. We perform a homodyne measurement conditioned on the photon detection to observe the regression of the field amplitude. The measured field-photon correlation is nonclassical and can be used to determine the spectrum of squeezing in an efficiency independent way.