cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of recombination on short-term selection gain in plant breeding experiments

Recombination is a requirement for response to selection, but researchers still debate whether increasing recombination beyond normal levels will result in significant gains in short-term selection. We tested this hypothesis, in the context of plant breeding, through a series of simulation experiments comparing short-term selection response (≤20 cycles) between populations with normal levels of recombination and similar populations with unconstrained recombination (i.e., free recombination). We considered additive and epistatic models and examined a wide range of values for key design variables: selection cycles, QTL number, heritability, linkage phase, selection intensity and population size. With few exceptions, going from normal to unconstrained levels of recombination produced only modest gains in response to selection (≈11 % on average). We then asked how breeders might capture some of this theoretical gain by increasing recombination through either (1) extra rounds of mating or (2) selection of highly recombinant individuals via use of molecular markers/maps. All methods tested captured less than half of the potential gain, but our analysis indicates that the most effective method is to select for increased recombination and the trait simultaneously. This recommendation is based on evidence of a favorable interaction between trait selection and the impact of recombination on selection gains. Finally, we examined the relative contributions of the two components of meiotic recombination, chromosome assortment and crossing over, to short-term selection gain. Depending primarily on the presence of trait selection pressure, chromosome assortment alone accounted for 40–75 % of gain in response to short-term selection.
Phosphorus and nitrogen dynamics during field incubations in forest and fallow subarctic soils

A knowledge of the nutrient dynamics that occur with land use changes, e.g., in clearing forests for farmland, is useful in choosing the most efficient soil and fertilizer management practices. To determine net in situ P and N mineralization and nitrification rates of forest floor materials and their nutrient value for agricultural crops, plastic bags containing different materials (moss, O horizon, and A horizon) collected from a subarctic black spruce (Picea mariana Mill.) forest were incubated for 2 years in their respective forest horizons and at 7.5 cm depth in a nearby fallow field. Net amounts of P and N mineralized were highest in moss and were similar in forest and field when the temperature and moisture content were similar, but smaller in forest when the water content was higher. Net nitrification was negligible in O and A horizon material but significant in moss during the 2nd year, occurring sooner and producing higher NO inf3 sup- levels in the field (171 mg ha-1) than in the forest (13 mg ha-1). Moss P and N mineralization rates were correlated in the fallow field. Temperature, moisture content, and substrate quality were important factors controlling P and N dynamics of forest floor materials in a subarctic fallow field and native forest. In subarctic regions, incorporation and mineralization of forest floor materials could provide an early source of N and P (70 and 17 kg ha-1, respectively) for succeeding agricultural crops.
NMR characterization of the hydrogen and deuterium phases present in PdSiO2 catalysts

Static and MAS (magic-angle-spinning) NMR spectroscopies were used to study D{sub 2} (and H{sub 2}) interacting with large (1-{mu}m) Pd crystallites as well as small (2- to 6-nm) Pd particles dispersed on SiO{sub 2}. Peaks were resolved for four different deuterium species-gas-phase D{sub 2}, {beta}-phase Pd deuteride, weakly chemisorbed deuterium on Pd, and OD groups on the SiO{sub 2} surface. Static experiments showed that the gas-deuteride exchange process was slow on the NMR time scale for larger Pd crystallites, and the two separate peaks remained resolved between 218 and 390 K with the 1-{mu}m particles whereas they coalesced at 360 K with 6-nm particles. Above 230 K only a single peak representing the weighted average of these two phases was obtained with 2-nm particles. Strongly chemisorbed deuterium could not be detected, even by MAS, but the weakly chemisorbed species gave a single, pressure-dependent peak. It appears that it is only this latter species which is the intermediate in the rapid gas-phase/{beta}-phase deuteride exchange process and which migrates to form the -OD groups on the silica.
Turbulent flow device for testing hydrophones

A turbulent flow apparatus for laboratory use that provides a turbulent f field around the circumference of a cylindrical line array. The apparatus enables an evaluation of the response characteristics of the acoustic sensors in the line array to the resultant pressure field similar to the one present when the line array is towed at sea or is subject to flow. The apparatus includes a small cylindrical chamber which can be assembled around the portion of a line array under test. Water from a source is supplied at one end of the chamber through inlets and a turbulent flow is attained by the water as it comes out of the opposite end of the chamber. The portion of the array containing the hydrophones under test are placed in the water to simulate the flow environment encountered at sea.
The effect of expected energy prices on energy demand: implications for energy conservation and carbon taxes

Abstract This paper describes an empirical method for estimating the effect of expected prices on energy demand. Data for expected oil prices are compiled from forecasts for real oil prices. The effect of expectations on energy demand is simulated with an expectation variable that proxies the return on investment for energy efficient capital. Econometric results indicate that expected prices have a significant effect on energy demand in the US between 1975 and 1989. A model built from the econometric results indicates that the way in which consumers anticipate changes in energy prices that are generated by a carbon tax affects the quantity of emissions abated by the tax.
Somatosensory evoked potentials: Correlations with height

Abstract Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) to median and posterior tibial nerve stimulation were studied in 160 subjects aged 20–90 years. Height was highly correlated with latencies of spinal and cortical SEPs (N13, N20, N22, and P40). Although tibial central conduction (N22-P40) was also highly correlated with height, median conduction (N13–N22) was not correlated with the latter. Multiple correlation and regression analysis showed that except for the median N13–N20 latency, height provided the best prediction of the remaining SEP latencies. Age alone was not correlated with SEP latencies, but its significance was observed when age and height were considered together as the predictors. Effects of age and height on SEP latencies were independent of gender. The present data indicate that except for the N13–N20 conduction, height is the most important parameter for SEP latencies and can be used for construction of normograms.
The problem of adequate illumination in cinegastrography

Motion pictures of the lining and behaviour of the stomach can provide improved diagnosis without risk to the patient. The problem of illumination to achieve successful cinegastrography with the standard gastroscope and the fiberscope is reviewed, and the optical properties of the instruments evaluated. A detailed account, and diagrams of the design of units for taking motion pictures which use internal and external illumination, is presented.
Evaluation of Physical versus Virtual Surgical Training Simulators

With the recent attention on patient safety, there is an increased interest in standardized training for laparoscopic surgeons. Studies have shown that laparoscopic simulators can be used to train surgical skills. A comparison of two popular systems (a real physical model and a virtual model) was conducted to determine the relative effectiveness of the systems for training purposes. Twenty-two medical students and surgical residents were tested on both simulators. Time to task completion and errors committed were recorded and compared. Our results showed that the physical training system was more sensitive to the experience levels of the subjects than the virtual system, and may be more effective as a tool for standardized training. However, as virtual reality technology becomes better developed, and surgeons become more familiar with the technology, we may see a change.
A mid-Cretaceous ornithopod from central Honduras

(1994). A mid-Cretaceous ornithopod from central Honduras. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 147-150.
Seasoned Equity Selling Mechanisms: Costs and Innovations

We report two innovations in seasoned equity selling mechanisms, accelerated seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) and private investments in public equities (PIPEs), and their impacts on the costs of raising equity capital for U.S. corporations. Majority of more recent SEOs (2002–July 2005) are accelerated SEOs. They have larger issue size and lower direct cost in comparison to the period 1990–1994. PIPEs are complementary to SEOs by fulfilling the demand of smaller offerings. PIPEs are on average more costly than SEOs. The costs of raising equity capital are associated with issue size, stock price, the type of shares offered, and the exchange where the firm9s stock is listed.
Exposure to Excessive Carbon Dioxide: A Risk Factor for Early Poult Mortality

Abstract Newly hatched, unfed turkey poults are exposed to several post-hatch stressors, each of which can increase the risk of early mortality. The know risk factors for early poult mortality (e.g., hatchery servicing stressors, prolonged holding without feed or water, temperature stress) all are associated with lower than normal carbohydrate (glycogen) reserves and increased reliance on gluconeogenesis (conversion of non-carbohydrates such as protein to glucose, and the poults sole source of carbohydrate prior to feeding). Sub-standard ventilation conditions during holding, transport, or brooding of poults are considered stressful because carbon dioxide levels rise (hypercapnia). Poults were exposed to elevated 0.4%) CO2 for 16 hr posthatch. We conclude from the metabolic effects observed that hypercapnia is a stressor and thus may be an additional risk factor for early poult mortality.
Future Professionals' Perceptions of Play in Early Childhood Classrooms.

This study investigates the perceptions of 207 college students in early childhood education and child and family studies (future professionals) regarding the role of play in early childhood classrooms. The results indicate that future professionals in their freshman and sophomore years in college held relatively positive perceptions of play in early childhood education. However, starting with juniors in college, these perceptions followed a notably different pattern. Although participants generally perceived play in early childhood classrooms as important, these students possessed different perceptions about the role of play in relation to childhood learning and play as a curriculum. Upperclass participants expressed lower positive perceptions, a viewpoint that seemed to begin in 3rd-year students and was particularly evident in seniors. Taking play-related courses in college appeared to help education students maintain positive perceptions about play until their senior year. Given that after graduation,...
Juxtapapillary choroidal neovascular membrane following optic neuritis

Choroidal neovascularisation is defined as the formation of new blood vessels originating from the choriocapillaris that grow and break through Bruch's membrane, creating a neovascular network. Thi...
Evaluation of Soy Polysaccharide as a Disintegrating: Agent Part II: Wet Granulation

Soy polysaccharide was evaluated as a disintegrating agent in tablets made by wet granulation utilizing both lactose and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate as fillers, gelatin as a granulating agent and hydrochlorothiazide as a model drug. It was found to be more effective than starch but less effective than cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose (Ac-Di-SolR) at equivalent concentrations. Soy polysaccharide appears to reduce the friability of tablets as concentration increases. Tablets containing either Soy polysaccharide or cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose showed no changes in dissolution profiles after storage under ambient conditions for six months.
Perturbation techniques for oscillatory systems with slowly varying coefficients

This is an expository paper on perturbation techniques and results for a general system of first order equations that model various weakly nonlinear oscillatory motions with slowly varying parameters. Sample problems from three application areas are derived and then transformed to a standard form. Asymptotic solutions and adiabatic invariants are calculated using the method of near identity averaging transformations. Equivalent results are also derived using the method of multiple scales. When certain divisors in the solution tend to zero, one can isolate the resonant behavior in a reduced problem of lower order. The solution of this reduced problem is discussed in detail for the case of transient resonance, and qualitatively for the case of sustained resonance.
A Review of Biobehavioral State Assessment of Individuals with Profound Disabilities

Assessment of individuals with profound disabilities is problematic, particularly when traditional approaches are used. As a result, alternate assessments have been attempted that better suit the needs of these students. One approach that has shown some promise is biobehavioral state assessment. Initially used with infants without disabilities, this technique involves measuring overt behaviors and physiologic indices. Its modification and use with students with profound disabilities has potential educational implications because it allows for determining the interaction between behavioral state and environmental variables. This article provides a review of the literature on biobehavioral state assessment of infants as well as adaptations of this procedure for students with profound disabilities.
Middle Eastern Minorities and Diasporas: Moshe Mo'az and Gabriel Sheffer, eds.

Book reviewed in this article: Muslim Minorities in the West: Visible and Invisible: Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad and Jane I. Smith, eds.
Compact and simple diversity methods for mitigating severe fading

Recently, measured channel responses for wireless links in airframes, busses and helicopter environments have demonstrated that frequency-selective fading can be more severe than predicted by the Rayleigh channel model. The work herein investigates simple diversity methods as a means to mitigate such fading which is referred to as exhibiting hyper-Rayleigh behavior. In particular, the work presents the gains achieved by utilizing selection diversity for two spatially separated antennas and by simple phasing of a two-element array. The key results are that: (1) severe fades are well-mitigated in selection diversity even if elements are spaced less than the lambda/2 typically assumed for statistically independent paths; and (2) even coarse phasing (increments of 45deg) of elements mitigates severe fades. The motivation for this work is to develop diversity strategies that are suitable for use by low-energy wireless sensor nodes that may be deployed in such severe environments; that is, the methods should be computationally simple, physically compact, and require minimum DC power to implement.
Normalized Relative Contrast Improves the Power of Pre-Therapy Contrast-Enhanced MRI to Predict the Prognosis of Uterine Leiomyoma Treated With Uterine Artery Embolization

Background: Uterine artery embolization (UAE) has emerged as an effective treatment option for women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas, the most common benign tumor of the female reproductive system. Assessing factors that aid in predicting treatment outcomes is critical for patient selection, procedure planning and post-procedural follow-up. Previous studies have demonstrated variable correlations between MRI predictors and response to UAE. In this study, we investigated if the relative tumor to intratumor myometrium contrast may improve the predictive power of pre-therapy contrast-enhanced MRI. Methods: A retrospective study of a total of 42 uterine leiomyomas treated with UAE was performed. Treated tumors were categorized as either fully or not fully responsive based on if they became completely necrotic 3 - 6 months post-UAE. Results: There was no significant difference (P = 0.34) in the pre-UAE contrast to noise ratio (CNR) between fully responsive (64.6 ± 38.6) and not fully responsive (74.2 ± 24.8) tumors. On the other hand, the pre-UAE relative contrast of not fully responsive tumors was significantly higher than the fully responsive tumors (1.6 ± 0.4 vs. 1.0 ± 0.4, P < 0.05). Pre-UAE tumor relative contrast was found to correctly predict 7/9 not fully responsive and 30/33 fully responsive tumors at a threshold of 1.3. Larger area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve based on relative contrast than that based on CNR also indicated that relative contrast improved the predictive power of pre-therapy contrast-enhanced MRI. Conclusion: Upon further validation with large studies, pre-UAE relative contrast may prove to be a useful tool to predict UAE treatment outcome of leiomyomas and improve the clinical management of uterine leiomyoma. J Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2015;4(1):164-169 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jcgo279w
Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Disorder Overlap Syndrome: How Should it be Approached?

Abstract The chronic myeloid disorders are typically divided into myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative disorders (MPD). However, there are a group of disorders with overlapping features of MDS and MPD. The World Health Organization has recently reclassified hematologic disorders and included a category of MDS/MPD overlap syndromes, which include chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, atypical chronic myelogenous leukemia, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, and MDS/MPD unclassifiable, which includes the provisional entity refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts associated with marked thrombocytosis (RARS-T). These latter 4 disorders remain largely enigmatic in their pathogenesis, have a poor prognosis, and limited therapeutic options. However, the JAK2 -V617F mutation has recently been discovered in a large majority of patients with RARS-T and might have future therapeutic implications. The approach to the management of these MDS/MPD overlap syndromes largely relies on extrapolation from the management of other MDS and MPD disorders that are similar to the MDS/MPD overlap syndromes.
High rate reactive sputtering of MoNx coatings

High rate reactive sputtering of MoN(x) films was performed using feedback control of the nitorgen partial pressure. Coatings were made at four different target powers: 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 kW. No hysteresis was observed in the nitrogen partial pressure vs. flow plot, as is typically seen for the Ti-N system. Four phases were determined by X-ray diffraction: molybdenum, Mo-N solid solution, Beta-Mo2N and gamma-Mo2N. The hardness of the coatings depended upon composition, substrate bias, and target power. The phases present in the hardest films differed depending upon deposition parameters. For example, the Beta-Mo2N phase was hardest (load 25 gf) at 5.0 kW with a value of 3200 kgf/sq mm, whereas the hardest coatings at 10 kW were the gamma-Mo2N phase (3000 kgf/sq mm). The deposition rate generally decreased with increasing nitrogen partial pressure, but there was a range of partial pressures where the rate was relatively constant. At a target power of 5.0 kW, for example, the deposition rates were 3300 A/min for a N2 partial pressure of 0.05 - 1.0 mTorr.
Meson wave functions in the meson-nucleon shell model

When the meson wave functions in the meson-nucleon shell model are chosen by analogy with the nucleon static model, direct effects of external mesons on the ground-state energy are minimized, and the Hartree approximation is realized in a particularly simple way.
LIMNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NORTH AND CENTRAL FLORIDA LAKES1

Fifty-five lakes and ponds in north-central Florida were sampled over 1 year. Florida lakes are typically shallow and derived from solution of limestone foilnations underlying the Deninsula. Stable thermal stratification occurs in 13 lakes and temDorarv stratification is a ‘common summer phenomenon in many shallow lakes. Lakes in this-rcgidn are typically low ionic strength waters. Of the 12 lakes classified as hardwater, the condition in some derives from cultural encroachment. High organic color derived primarily from pine litter is a common but variable property. Multivariate cluster analysis grouped the lakes into four classes according to their basic chemical properties. Using seven quantitative trophic indicators, cluster analysis divided the low color lakes into three readily interpretable groups (oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic) and the colored lakes into five groups, Highest eutrophic conditions are associated with hardwater clear likes; the softwatcr clear lakes were most oligotrophic. Favorable growth conditions enable algae blooms to occur throughout the year in eutrophic lakes; the common blue-green bloom-forming algae, Microcystis, Anabaena, and Lyngbya are among the dominant phytoplankton of eutrophic Florida lakes.
Development of metal tungstate alloys for photoelectrochemical water splitting

In the present paper, we report our efforts on the development of metal tungstate alloys for efficient and economical photoelectrochemical water splitting. As suggested by density functional theory (DFT), the addition of copper to the host tungsten trioxide improves the visible light absorption. Past studies at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute have demonstrated that water splitting with co-sputtered and spray-deposited CuWO4 with 2.2 eV band gap was feasible, although the efficiency of the process was severely limited by charge carrier recombination. Density functional theory calculation showed that CuWO4 contains unfilled mid-gap states and high electron effective mass. To improve transport properties of CuWO4, we hypothesized that copper tungstate (CuWO4) hollow nanospheres could improve holes transfer to the electrolyte and reduce recombination, improving the water splitting efficiency. Nanospheres were synthesized by sonochemical technique in which the precursors used were copper acetate, ammonium meta-tungstate and thiourea (used as a fuel to complete the reaction). All chemicals undergo a high-energy sonication by using ethylene glycol as a solvent. Preliminary linear scan voltammetry (LSV) performed for annealed CuWO4 under front side and back side simulated AM-1.5 illumination demonstrated that the CuWO4 hollow nanospheres were photoactive. Subsequent scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy studies revealed the clear formation of nano sized hollow spherical shaped CuWO4 particles. X-ray diffraction analysis showed a clear formation of triclinic CuWO4 structure during the sonochemical process.
Synthesis, characterization, and in vivo disposition of iodinatable polyethylene glycol derivatives: Differences in vivo as a function of chain length

A series of iodinatable water soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives were prepared for use as model hydrophilic drugs. Polyethylene glycol diamine 6000 was coupled to methyl p-hydroxybenzimidate, and PEG 1900- and PEG 5000-monomethyl ethers were coupled to tyramine and histamine. The derivatives underwent facile iodination with the chloramine-T reaction and were stable under a wide range of conditions. The larger derivatives showed rapid renal clearance, but the 1900 MW compounds underwent significant clearance via the bile.
What Is Transparency

This article examines the evolving definition of transparency from a postmodernist approach. It traces the meaning of transparency from its use by nongovernmental and supranational organizations to its use in the international relations, nonprofit, public policy, and administration literature. It finds that the definition of transparency reveals three metaphors: transparency as a public value embraced by society to counter corruption, transparency synonymous with open decision-making by governments and nonprofits, and transparency as a complex tool of good governance in programs, policies, organizations, and nations. In the first metaphor, transparency is subtly intertwined with accountability. In the second, as transparency encourages openness, it increases concerns for secrecy and privacy. In the third, policymakers create transparency alongside accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness. The analysis concludes that these meanings affect the way organization members conduct and will conduct their day...
On the use of the time-dependent Rayleigh-Ritz equations for heavy-ion collisions☆

Abstract The structure of the time-dependent Rayleigh-Ritz equations is investigated with potential simulations of heavy-ion collisions in mind. It is shown that the equations have a canonical (hamiltonian) structure, and the relation between Noether's theorem and Ehrenfest's theorem is discussed. The canonical variables are explicitly worked out for the two-body case, where a forbidden region in phase space automatically appears. It is noted, however, that the use of fixed-width gaussians leads to pathologies. We also find that a recent proposal to incorporate spin through Slater determinants leads to a singular equations of motion, and a remedy is suggested.
ANALYSIS OF FORMING LIMITS USING DUCTILE FRACTURE CRITERIA

Abstract The application of the ductile fracture criteria for the prediction of the forming limit diagram (FLD) of sheet metal was investigated. The limit strains for the FLD were determined by substituting stress and strain values obtained from the finite element simulation of out-of-plane formability test into the ductile fracture criterion. Fracture predictions for the left side of the FLD were quite successful. However, the predictions were not successful for the right side of the FLD. It is concluded that the ductile fracture criteria could not be used directly to predict the FLD. New or modified form of the ductile fracture criteria should be explored. As an additional test the limit strains for the FLD were determined at 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45% thickness strains from the finite element simulations of out-of-plane formability experiment. The predicted FLD curves were compared against the experimental and analytical curves. The shapes of the curves at left side of the FLD were found to be in accord with the experimental and analytical curves, but they did not agree at the right side of the FLD.
The mind body problem and the second law of thermodynamics

Cartesian mind body dualism and modern versions of this viewpoint posit a mind thermodynamically unrelated to the body but informationally interactive. The relation between information and entropy developed by Leon Brillouin demonstrates that any information about the state of a system has entropic consequences. It is therefore impossible to dissociate the mind's information from the body's entropy. Knowledge of that state of the system without an energetically significant measurement would lead to a violation of the second law of thermodynamics.
Histopathologic changes of transitional cell carcinoma of bladder after M-VAC chemotherapy.

Abstract Over the past several years, we have utilized methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (M-VAC) as definitive, neoadjuvant, and adjuvant therapy for various stages of transitional cell carcinoma with reduced toxicities. Currently, there is little information concerning the histopathologic changes after M-VAC therapy. We report on the histopathologic changes of bladder transitional cell carcinoma following M- VAC chemotherapy in our protocol for treatment of bladder cancer. The main histopathologic findings after M-VAC therapy are squamous metaplasia, necrosis, fibrosis, and persistent transitional cell carcinoma. In 2 cases, there were persistent adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The importance of these observations in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic implications is reviewed.
Early decreased tumor volume following fractionated Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for metastatic melanoma and the role of "adaptive radiosurgery": case report.

OBJECTIVE We report a case in which fractionated gamma knife radiosurgery was used to treat a metastatic melanoma lesion. The tumor demonstrated a rapid response to radiosurgery with an observable reduction in tumor volume between the second and third treatments, requiring a favorable modification in the third fractionated treatment. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 61-year-old woman presented with a frontal floor metastatic melanoma lesion that was located adjacent to the optic apparatus. INTERVENTION Gamma knife radiosurgery was administered in three fractionated treatments of 6.5 Gy to the 50% isodose line in each case. Repeat imaging for the purpose of planning demonstrated that tumor volume at the time of the third treatment, 9 days following the first treatment, had decreased by 31%, resulting in a 21% decrease in the dose administered to the optic chiasm. CONCLUSION A case of metastatic melanoma treated with fractionated GKRS is presented, in which a significant reduction in tumor volume was noted 9 days following the initial treatment. This case provides insight into the rate with which malignant neoplasms may respond to intermediate-dose hypofractionated GKRS, and lends support to the concept of "adaptive radiosurgery" as a means of optimizing radiation to an evolving target while minimizing collateral radiation to surrounding structures.
Discrepancy between real-self and ideal-self as an index of social change

Discrepancies between real-self and ideal-self performances on a personality inventory, the Pensacola Z-Survey, were compared in two groups of high school seniors who were born and raised in one community (either Dayton, Ohio or The Plains, Ohio) and a group who had moved from an Appalachian environment to Dayton. The shifted subjects were different from the unshifted ones only in idealizing greater dependency, rather than the expected opposite. Earlier interpretation of reduced real-ideal discrepancy with social change was not supported but the real-ideal discrepancy does provide a sensitive index of psychological effects of social cultural change.
Growth hormone is a cellular senescence target in pituitary and nonpituitary cells

Premature proliferative arrest in benign or early-stage tumors induced by oncoproteins, chromosomal instability, or DNA damage is associated with p53/p21 activation, culminating in either senescence or apoptosis, depending on cell context. Growth hormone (GH) elicits direct peripheral metabolic actions as well as growth effects mediated by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). Locally produced peripheral tissue GH, in contrast to circulating pituitary-derived endocrine GH, has been proposed to be both proapoptotic and prooncogenic. Pituitary adenomas expressing and secreting GH are invariably benign and exhibit DNA damage and a senescent phenotype. We therefore tested effects of nutlin-induced p53-mediated senescence in rat and human pituitary cells. We show that DNA damage senescence induced by nutlin triggers the p53/p21 senescent pathway, with subsequent marked induction of intracellular pituitary GH in vitro. In contrast, GH is not induced in cells devoid of p53. Furthermore we show that p53 binds specific GH promoter motifs and enhances GH transcription and secretion in senescent pituitary adenoma cells and also in nonpituitary (human breast and colon) cells. In vivo, treatment with nutlin results in up-regulation of both p53 and GH in the pituitary gland, as well as increased GH expression in nonpituitary tissues (lung and liver). Intracrine GH acts in pituitary cells as an apoptosis switch for p53-mediated senescence, likely protecting the pituitary adenoma from progression to malignancy. Unlike in the pituitary, in nonpituitary cells GH exerts antiapoptotic properties. Thus, the results show that GH is a direct p53 transcriptional target and fulfills criteria as a p53 target gene. Induced GH is a readily measurable cell marker for p53-mediated cellular senescence.
The Molecular Physiology of Hepatic Nuclear Factor 3 in the Regulation of Gluconeogenesis

Glucocorticoids stimulate gluconeogenesis by increasing the rate of transcription of genes that encode gluconeogenic enzymes such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase. Previous studies have shown that hepatic nuclear factor 3 (HNF3) is required as an accessory factor for several glucocorticoid-stimulated genes, including PEPCK. Here, we show that adenovirus-mediated expression of an HNF3β protein with a deleted C-terminal transactivation domain (HNF3βΔC) reduces the glucocorticoid-induced expression of the PEPCK and glucose-6-phosphatase genes in H4IIE hepatoma cells. Furthermore, expression of this truncated HNF3 protein results in a proportionate reduction of glucocorticoid-stimulated glucose production from lactate and pyruvate in these cells. The expression of HNF3βΔN, in which the N-terminal transactivation domain is deleted, does not exhibit any of these effects. These results provide direct evidence that members of the HNF3 family are required for proper regulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Modulation of the function of the HNF3 family of proteins might be used to reduce the excessive hepatic production of glucose that is an important pathophysiologic feature of diabetes mellitus.
Effect of moisture on the lipid content and composition of two strains of Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

Abstract Tenebrio molitor larvae reared on dry wheat shorts grew faster and accumu-lated larger lipid reserves when water was available on a free-choice basis than when it was not. Triglycerides, the largest lipid fraction, increased most in response to water, free fatty acids and phospholipids increased less and hydrocarbons, sterols, sterol esters, mono and diglycerides did not change. The fatty acid composition of the triglycerides and free fatty acids also did not vary in response to water. The faster growing strain of mealworms, under both moist and dry conditions, also had larger fat reserves at pupation than did the slow growing strain, mostly because of increased triglyceride accumulation. The fatty acid composition of the triglyceride and free fatty acid fractions showed only minor quantitative differences between strains. The natural preference of T. molitor larvae for moist situations would result in larger lipid reserves for metamorphosis and early adult metabolism as well as more rapid larval development.
American jewry in the light of middleman minority theories

The value of middleman minority theories, albeit imperfect, lies in their general comparative framework for the study of Jewish communities, as well as in their delineation of clear hypotheses relating occupational structure and Jewish economic roles to general social system characteristics. Jews are not confmed solely to middleman roles, though many of the roles Jews occupy can be seen as such in a metaphorical sense. Nevertheless, even when some segment of these theories is rejected as inapplicable, e.g., the sojourning hypotheses, questions about the nature of Jewish-held occupations are raised that might otherwise be ignored. Implicit in any set of theories is a program of research and a set of queries for researchers. Middleman minority studies focus attention on the community’s socioeconomic structure and its association with both minority and external relations. Intemal cohesion-disintegration and culture content are related to ties with outsiders. Occupational roles filled by Jews in one society can be compared with similar or dissimilar roles played by Jews, Armenians, Huguenots and Overseas Chinese in other settings. The sociological study of American Jewry is neither an ethnic group survey valuable only for its own purposes, nor a minute segment of the study of American society, but is part of general comparative sociology.
Genetically inbred Balb/c mice differ from outbred Swiss Webster mice on discrete measures of sociability: relevance to a genetic mouse model of autism spectrum disorders.

The Balb/c mouse is proposed as a model of human disorders with prominent deficits of sociability, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) that may involve pathophysiological disruption of NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission. A standard procedure was used to measure sociability in 8-week-old male genetically inbred Balb/c and outbred Swiss Webster mice. Moreover, because impaired sociability may influence the social behavior of stimulus mice, we also measured the proportion of total episodes of social approach made by the stimulus mouse while test and stimulus mice were allowed to interact freely. Three raters with good inter-rater agreement evaluated operationally defined measures of sociability chosen because of their descriptive similarity to deficits of social behavior reported in persons with ASDs. The data support previous reports that the Balb/c mouse is a genetic mouse model of impaired sociability. The data also show that the behavior of the social stimulus mouse is influenced by the impaired sociability of the Balb/c strain. Interestingly, operationally defined measures of sociability did not necessarily correlate with each other within mouse strain and the profile of correlated measures differed between strains. Finally, “stereotypic” behaviors (i.e. rearing, grooming and wall climbing) recorded during the session of free interaction between the test and social stimulus mice were more intensely displayed by Swiss Webster than Balb/c mice, suggesting that the domains of sociability and “restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior” are independent of each other in the Balb/c strain. Autism Res2011,4:393–400. © 2011 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Satellite Stereoscopic Technique to Estimate Tropical Cyclone Intensity

The techniques used to obtain the mean equivalent temperature of the eye wall for Hurricanes Frederic (1979) and Allen (1980) using GOES satellite IR and stereoscopic observations are described. The eye wall is the area of greatest convection near the center of the storm, and is bounded by the inner radius around the eye and the outer radius bounding the area of inner core convection. The stereoscopic capability afforded by the GOES West and East spacecraft permits simultaneous, two-view imagery of a tropical cyclone, yielding height measurement accuracies of 0.5 km and horizontal accuracies as small as 1 km. An airborne lidar unit was used to verify the height measurements made of Hurricane Frederic. At the same time, the GOES East Visible IR Spin Scan Radiometer (VISSR) provided the mean wall temperatures from the release of latent heat. The trials aided in identifying the assumptions and consequent inaccuracies introduced into the temperature sounding data during analysis. The satellite data is concluded useful for monitoring changes in storm intensity.
The Status Of Quality Assurance For Computed Tomography Systems

The benefits of a comprehensive quality assurance (QA) program in conventional diagnostic radiology are well understood. In computed tomography (CT), however, the situation is less clear. Since the advent of CT a number of manufacturers and individual medical physicists have recommended a variety of parameters for periodic monitoring or system performance evaluation. These recommendations are reviewed. There are no data, however, indicating that CT facilities, with the exception of some mobile units, have implemented a comprehensive QA program, including the daily collection of data and its interpretation and application to the identification and correction of problems with the CT system. Data from a nationwide study will be presented which describe the present status of QA CT facilities. QA programs on mobile CT systems, where there is more concern about consistent system performance due to the effects of moving the unit, have suggested that trends in performance can be identified. Preliminary data indicates that a similar situation may hold in the case of fixed facilities. This suggests that CT QA programs may permit detection of problems before they significantly affect the diagnostic value of the CT image. The recent development of automated CT QA software by a number of investigators will also facilitate the implementation of appropriate QA protocols.
The Success and Failure of Counseling Agency Debt Repayment Plans

This paper investigates whether success on a counseling agency-administered Debt Management Plan (DMP), as measured by the amount of original debt repaid, can be predicted at the time of counseling based on observable client and debt attributes. The paper utilizes a unique database of over 17,000 consumers who were counseled and recommended for a DMP by a large non-profit credit counseling agency during 2003. Of particular interest to counseling agencies and creditors is the finding that the magnitude of the interest rate reduction offered by creditors to consumers on a DMP has a significant, positive influence on debt repayment.
Coat Color Genotypes and Risk and Severity of Melanoma in Gray Quarter Horses

Background Both graying and melanoma formation in horses have recently been linked to a duplication in the STX17 gene. This duplication, as well as a mutation in the ASIP gene that increases MC1R pathway signaling, affects melanoma risk and severity in gray horses. Objective To determine if melanoma susceptibility in gray Quarter Horses (QH) is lower than gray horses from other breeds because of decreased MC1R signaling resulting from a high incidence of the MC1R chestnut coat color allele in the QH population. Animals A total of 335 gray QH with and without dermal melanomas. Methods Blood or hair root samples were collected from all horses for DNA extraction and genotyping for STX17, ASIP, and MC1R genotypes. Age, sex, and external melanoma presence and grade were recorded. The effect of age and genotype on melanoma presence and severity was evaluated by candidate gene association. Results Melanoma prevalence (16%) and grade (0.35) in this QH cohort was lower than that reported in other breeds. Age was significantly associated with melanoma prevalence (P = 5.28 × 10−11) and severity (P = 2.2 × 10−13). No significant effect of MC1R genotype on melanoma prevalence or severity was identified. An effect of ASIP genotype on melanoma risk was not detected. Low STX17 homozygosity precluded evaluation of the gray allele effect. Conclusion and clinical importance Melanoma prevalence and severity is lower in this population of gray QH than what is reported in other breeds. This could be because of the infrequent STX17 homozygosity, a mitigating effect of the MC1R mutation on ASIP potentiation of melanoma, other genes in the MC1R signaling pathway, or differences in breed genetic background.
Crystal and molecular structure of a pentagonal dodecahedrane.

The successful synthesis of a pentagonal dodecahedrane molecule has been achieved. Obtained by a sequence of 20 stereochemically controlled steps beginning with the readily available cyclopentadienide anion, the 1,16-dimethyl derivative has D 3d symmetry and unusual physical properties. The x-ray crystal structure shows that the alkyl groups cause only small distortions from pure dodecahedral symmetry .
Seeking strategic advantage in the post-net era: viewing ERP systems from the resource-based perspective

Abstract The purpose of this research is to explore whether enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems can provide an organization with a sustained competitive advantage. Using the VRIO framework of the resource-based model of competitive advantage, four questions are posed to consider this issue. Is the ERP system valuable? Is the ERP system a resource that is heterogeneously distributed across competing firms? Is the ERP system imperfectly mobile? And, is the firm organized to exploit the full potential of its ERP system? An examination of the existing research suggests that ERP systems may not provide a competitive advantage based upon the premises of system value, distribution, and imitability. This is largely due to the ‘common systems’ approach used for the implementation of most ERP systems. Instead, the source of competitive advantage may lie in the careful planning and successful management of ERP projects, refinement of the reengineering of the organization, and the post-implementation alignment of the ERP system with the organization's strategic direction. Suggestions for future research are offered.
Digitalis: a drug that refuses to die.

Use of digitalis declined in the 1970s, especially among younger physicians, but several recent studies have conclusively documented the hemodynamic and symptomatic benefits of digitalis in patients with class III and IV heart failure resulting from left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The S3 gallop is a useful marker for a subset with a highly favorable response. Symptomatic benefit cannot be shown in most patients with class I and II heart disease (e.g., most myocardial infarction patients). When patients are monitored carefully for evidence of toxicity with serum digitalis assays and for factors that may affect drug bioavailability or clearance, digitalis is well tolerated.
Neurological disorders: Quality-control pathway unlocked.

A modified ubiquitin protein has been identified by three independent studies as the missing link in a cellular quality-control pathway that is implicated in Parkinson's disease. See Letter p.162 The small protein ubiquitin, familiar for its role in post-translational modification of other proteins by binding to them and regulating their activity or stability, is shown here to be the substrate of the kinase PINK1, which together with the ubiquitin ligase parkin is a causal gene for hereditary recessive Parkinsonism. Noriyuki Matsuda and colleagues show that following a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, PINK1 phosphorylates ubiquitin at serine residue 65; the phosphorylated ubiquitin then interacts with parkin, which is also phosphorylated by PINK1. This interaction allows full activation of parkin enzymatic activity, which involves tagging mitochondrial substrates with ubiquitin.
Observation of charge storage in diamond MIS capacitors

Diamond MIS capacitors have been fabricated on natural diamond with a CVD SiO/sub 2/ dielectric. By suitably cleaning the substrate and annealing the deposited film, the authors obtained good silicon dioxide to diamond adhesion. The resulting devices were characterised by current-voltage, capacitance-voltage, and capacitance-time curves under illumination. The authors demonstrated that the devices have leakage current sufficiently low to allow formation of an inversion layer. Devices were biased into deep depletion and then inverted with photogenerated carriers. >