cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sexual selection on aggressiveness in females: evidence from an experimental test with tree swallows

While much research has focused on the evolution of conspicuous male displays, ornaments and behaviours, less is understood about the evolution of similar traits in females. To determine whether females express these traits as nonadaptive by-products of sexual selection favouring the same traits in males or whether females are directly selected to express such traits, the benefits of these traits must be understood. The prevalence of aggression in female–female competition suggests that females may experience direct sexual selection for aggressiveness, but data are lacking. I used the tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor, to test the hypothesis that selection directly favours aggressiveness in females during intrasexual competition over nesting sites. After assaying the aggressiveness of a population of tree swallows, I experimentally reduced the number of nesting cavities, a resource required for female reproductive success. More aggressive females were more likely to obtain nesting cavities after the experimental reduction, while female age and male aggressiveness did not predict nesting cavity acquisition. Aggressive behaviour in female tree swallows is therefore beneficial in the context of female–female competition for a critical breeding resource. These results indicate that the processes favouring aggressiveness in intrasexual competition among females may not be very different from the processes shaping aggressive behaviour in males.
Modeling nonlinear processes with generalized autoregressions

Abstract A general procedure for modeling stochastic, nonlinear, dynamic process from time series data is proposed. The approach represents a natural generalization of linear autoregressions. The derivation of a state space representation from the resulting difference-equation model is discussed.
Isolation and characterization of papain solubilized collagen from bovine spinous process cartilage

Abstract 1. 1. The collagen from bovine spinous process cartilage was isolated after solubilization with papain at low temperature. 2. 2. Chromatographic studies on CM-cellulose revealed the presence of a single α chain in purified extracts from this source. 3. 3. The spinous process αl(II) chains had a mol. wt of 98,500 dallons, contained approx 3.4% carbohydrate with a molar ratio of galactose to glucose of 2.5:1 and had an aldehyde content of 0.28 /anole/ 100mg. 4. 4. The αl(II) chains contained 22 residues of hydroxylysine, 11 of which were substituted by hexose.
Leveraging boundary spanning capabilities to encourage supplier investment: A comparative study

Abstract Despite growing recognition of the importance of boundary spanners at managing inter-organizational relationships, the process by which capabilities residing in boundary spanning individuals are leveraged to encourage partner firm investment remains unclear. In addressing this gap, we find that a boundary spanner's capabilities in strategic communication and job expertise enhance a customer firm's communication with a supplier firm, which increases a supplier's willingness to make future-oriented investment both directly as well as indirectly through increasing customer firm trustworthiness. Data collected from two samples of suppliers in the U.S. and other Western industrialized countries provide empirical support for our propositions. Furthermore, we found that the process of how boundary spanning capabilities influence supplier willingness to invest differs significantly between the two regions in ways that affect managerial decisions on resource allocation.
Verification of Active and Passive Sentences by Aphasic and Nonaphasic Subjects

Aphasic and nonaphasic subjects participated in a sentence verification task in which they were asked to judge whether spoken sentences correctly described pictures presented with the sentences. Tr...
An Instantaneous CCN Spectrometer

Abstract A thermal gradient diffusion cloud chamber with a supersaturation field that increases along the path of the flow of sample is used as a cloud condensation nucleus (CCN) spectrometer. The CCN spectrum is derived from the final droplet size distribution which has been determined to be related to the nucleus critical super-saturation based on routine calibration procedures using laboratory-produced monodisperse salt particles. The instrument is compared against a previously reported CCN counter on natural and laboratory-produced aerosol and against an absolute CN counter on the monodisperse aerosol. Preliminary results of atmospheric measurements are given. This device produces a CCN spectrum over the entire useful range of interest for cloud physics (0.01% to 1% supersaturation). More than 40 channels of resolution over this range are simultaneously provided. Data can be collected on a continuous basis for integration times as short as 2 seconds. The instrument has obtained data from four differen...
Asset Pricing When Returns are Nonnormal: Fama-French Factors vs. Higher-Order Systematic Co-Moments

A number of papers (notably Fama and French (1993, 1995)) find that non-market risk factors, such as size and the book-to-market ratio, are priced by investors. We test whether these other risk factors are merely proxies for omitted higher-order market-risk factors. Using size-sorted portfolio returns at daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual intervals, we find in every case that the distribution of returns differs significantly from normality. Since returns are not normal, we expect higher-order co-moments to matter to investors. We show that adding systematic co-moments (but not standard moments) of order 3 through 10 reduces the explanatory power of the Fama-French factors to insignificance in almost every case.
Effect of coupling interval and pacing cycle length on morphology of paced ventricular complexes. Implications for pace mapping.

Background Ventricular pace mapping is performed by comparing the QRS morphology of ventricular paced complexes to that of a template arrhythmia, either a premature ventricular depolarization or a QRS complex during ventricular tachycardia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of coupling interval and pacing cycle length on QRS morphology. Methods and Results The study population consisted of 20 patients (mean age, 38±16 years) undergoing a clinically indicated electrophysiology procedure. In the first 10 patients, the effect of coupling interval on the morphology of single paced ventricular complexes was evaluated visually and by signal processing techniques. Visually apparent differences in QRS morphology occurred in a mean of 4/12 electrocardiographic leads with a change in coupling interval of ≥100 ms. In the next 10 patients, the QRS complex morphology during ventricular overdrive pacing at cycle lengths of 600 and 300 ms was found to differ significantly in a mean of 4/12 leads. The QRS morphology during overdrive pacing differed significantly from that of a single paced complex whenever the pacing cycle length differed from the coupling interval of the single paced complex by >80 ms. Conclusions The morphology of single paced QRS complexes may vary, depending on coupling interval, and the QRS morphology during overdrive pacing is affected by the pacing cycle length. During ventricular pace mapping, the coupling interval or cycle length of the template arrhythmia should be matched during pacing. If not, rate-dependent changes in QRS morphology that are independent of the pacing site may confound the results of pace mapping.
Genetic Diversity of the Outer Surface Protein C Gene of Southern Borrelia Isolates and Its Possible Epidemiological, Clinical, and Pathogenetic Implications

The ospC genes of 20 southern Borrelia strains were sequenced. The strains consisted of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. andersonii, B. bissettii, one undescribed genospecies, MI-8, and one probably new Borrelia species, TXW-1. A high degree of similarity exists between B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. bissettii and between B. bissettii and B. andersonii. Lateral transfers of the ospC gene probably occurred between B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. bissettii and between B. bissettii and B. andersonii. Internal gene recombination appears to occur among them. The highest degree of genetic diversity among them was observed in the two variable domains (V1 and V2), semivariable domain (SV), and the species-specific epitopes (between amino acids 28 and 31). Differences in ospC sequences among southern strains reflect diversity at the strain and genospecies levels. MI-8, which was recognized as an undescribed genospecies in our previous reports, remains distinguishable in our current analysis of ospC genes and is distinct from B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. Interestingly, another undescribed southern isolate, TXW-1, was not amplified under various PCR conditions. Compared to European B. burgdorferi sensu stricto strains, American B. burgdorferi sensu stricto strains show greater genetic heterogeneity. Southern B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. andersonii, and B. bissettii isolates were intermixed with each other in the phylogenetic trees. In the derived trees in our work, at least one southeastern strain of B. burgdorferi, MI-2, most closely aligns with a so-called invasive cluster that possesses many proven human-invasive strains. Transmission experiments show that MI-2 and the strains in this group of southern spirochetes are able to infect mice and hamsters and that the typical vector of Lyme disease, Ixodes scapularis, can acquire the spirochetes from infected mammals. Currently, strain MI-2 appears to be the only southern isolate among the 20 we analyzed that clusters with an OspC invasive group and thus might be invasive for humans.
Highlights from the use of the soft systems methodology to improve agrotechnology transfer in Kona, Hawaii

Abstract Highlights from the use of the soft systems methodology to improve the tree crop (coffee, macadamia nut and avocado) agrotechnology transfer process in Kona, Hawaii are discussed. This particular methodology is appropriate for bringing about changes in situations where definitions of desirable and feasible goals and improvement strategies differ among groups. Improved human and environmental systems were designed by tree crop farmers and organizational leaders. The methodology provided a participatory action research approach to development and was facilitated by Mills-Packo. Outputs from various stages of inquiry work and major conclusions based on this particular application of the soft systems methodology are discussed.
Simultaneous energy and mass transfer in the laminar boundary layer with large mass transfer rates toward the surface

The laminar boundary-layer equations are solved asymptotically for simultaneous mass and energy transfer in a variable property binary gas mixture when one component is rapidly transferred toward the surface. Flow is past a surface of arbitrary geometry, and both forced and free convection are studied. Advantage is taken of a mole fraction formulation of the boundary-layer equations, which considerably simplifies the final results. General results are obtained for energy and mass transfer rates when physical properties are arbitrary functions of both temperature and composition. By considering two sets of property variations, representing extremes between which many actual variations lie, it is shown that in many forced convection problems the rates of energy and mass transfer can be expressed in a particularly simple form. The results also show that property variations are generally more important for free convection than for forced convection.
Inducible in vivo genome editing with CRISPR-Cas9

CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing enables the rapid genetic manipulation of any genomic locus without the need for gene targeting by homologous recombination. Here we describe a conditional transgenic approach that allows temporal control of CRISPR-Cas9 activity for inducible genome editing in adult mice. We show that doxycycline-regulated Cas9 induction enables widespread gene disruption in multiple tissues and that limiting the duration of Cas9 expression or using a Cas9(D10A) (Cas9n) variant can regulate the frequency and size of target gene modifications, respectively. Further, we show that this inducible CRISPR (iCRISPR) system can be used effectively to create biallelic mutation in multiple target loci and, thus, provides a flexible and fast platform to study loss-of-function phenotypes in vivo.
Everyday functioning in relation to cognitive functioning and neuroimaging in community-dwelling Hispanic and Non-Hispanic older adults

The purpose of this study was to examine how a specific informant-based measure of everyday functioning, the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE; Jorm & Korten, 1988) relates to cognition and structural neuroimaging in a large multicultural, multilingual sample of Caucasians and Hispanics. Cognitive variables included selected subtests from the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scales (SENAS; Mungas et al., 2000): Verbal Memory, Object Naming, Verbal Attention Span, Verbal Conceptual Thinking, and Pattern Recognition. The association between the IQCODE and selected neuroimaging variables, hippocampal volume and white matter hyperintensity, was evaluated in a subsample of English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanic individuals. The cognitive variables showed strong bivariate relationships with the IQCODE, although only Verbal Memory and Object Naming independently predicted level of functional ability. Verbal Memory was the strongest predictor of functional status, accounting for 23% of the variance in the IQCODE. White matter hyperintensity was also independently related to the IQCODE, accounting for 18% of the variance. Hippocampal volume was related to the IQCODE in a simple bivariate analysis, but was not an independent predictor of reported functional status after controlling for age. The relationships between cognitive variables and functional status, as well as between the imaging variables and the IQCODE, did not differ across language-ethnic groups.
Synthesis and Characterization of Complexes of Te(IV) with Sulfur and Selenium Containing Ligands: Crystal and Molecular Structure of Trichloro(4-methoxyphenyl)tellurium(IV)· N -methylbenzothiazole-2-( 3H )-thione

We report the synthesis and characterization of two new complexes of trichloro(4-methoxyphenyl)tellurium(IV) with N -methylbenzothiazole-2-( 3H )-thione ( 1 ) and N -methylbenzothiazole-2-( 3H )-selone ( 2 ). Both are obtained as air-stable complexes by the addition of a 1:1 molar ratio of the substituted tellurium(IV) trichloride with the appropriate ligand in tetrahydrofuran under an atmosphere of dry nitrogen. Both ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) have been characterized by 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and, in the case of ( 1 ), by a single crystal x-ray diffraction study. The molecular structure of ( 1 ) shows an approximately square-based pyramidal structure with one short Te--Cl bond [2.388(2)A] trans to a very long Te--S linkage [2.883(2)A]. A comparison with the related structures of some heavy main group elements is included.
Impact of data compression on energy consumption of wireless-networked handheld devices

We investigate the use of data compression to reduce the battery consumed by handheld devices when downloading data from proxy servers over a wireless LAN. To make a careful trade-off between the communication energy and the overhead to perform decompression, we experiment with three universal lossless compression schemes, using a popular handheld device in a wireless LAN environment and we find interesting facts. The results show that, from the battery-saving perspective, the gzip compression software (based on LZ77) to be far superior to bzip2 (based on BWT) and compress (based on LZW). We then present an energy model to estimate the energy consumption for the compressed downloading. With this model, we further reduce the energy cost of gzip by interleaving communication with computation and by using a block-by-block selective scheme based on the compression factor of each block. We also use a threshold file size below which the file is not to be compressed before transferring.
Kalapalo Biography: Psychology and Language in a South American Oral History

Kalapalo warrior biographies are concerned with dialogical processes of challenge, resistance, debate, and the negotiation of meaning—with the struggles that take place as people try to understand and experience anew. Although warriors were trained to aggressively defend their communities against enemies, these narratives describe how they attempted to refashion ideological forms connected with ethnic allegiance and moral community. The personalities of warriors, closely connected to the training they underwent in adolescence, are particularly important in this regard. While biographies are often understood as texts in which history is merely a context surrounding the progress of individuals, descriptions of personal development are shown here to constitute testimony about historical processes themselves, in this case the experiences of refugees fleeing from centers of European expansion in lowland South America.
NKG2A COMPLEXED WITH CD94 DEFINES A NOVEL INHIBITORY NATURAL KILLER CELL RECEPTOR

CD94 is a C-type lectin expressed by natural killer (NK) cells and a subset of T cells. Blocking studies using anti-CD94 mAbs have suggested that it is a receptor for human leukocyte antigen class I molecules. CD94 has recently been shown to be a 26-kD protein covalently associated with an unidentified 43-kD protein(s). This report shows that NKG2A, a 43-kD protein, is covalently associated with CD94 on the surface of NK cells. Cell surface expression of NKG2A is dependent on the association with CD94 as glycosylation patterns characteristic of mature proteins are found only in NKG2A that is associated with CD94. Analysis of NK cell clones showed that NKG2A was expressed in all NK cell clones whose CD16-dependent killing was inhibited by cross-linking CD94. The induction of an inhibitory signal is consistent with the presence of two immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (V/LXYXXL) on the cytoplasmic domain of NKG2A. Similar motifs are found on Ly49 and killer cell inhibitory receptors, which also transmit negative signals to NK cells.
Interactions of alkyltin salts with biological dithiols: Dealkylation and induction of a regular β-turn structure in peptides

Organotin compounds specifically target vicinal dithiols, thereby inhibiting the function of essential enzymes. Here, we present the NMR binding studies of trimethyltin (TMT) and dimethyltin (DMT) chlorides with a linear peptide (ILGCWCYLR) derived from the membrane protein stannin (SNN). We show that this peptide is able to dealkylate TMT and bind DMT, adopting a stable type-I beta-turn conformation. Both the NMR data and the calculated structures indicate that the two cysteines coordinate the tin atom in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The molecular geometries and tin coordination state were confirmed using density functional theory (DFT). In addition, NMR spectral parameters back calculated from the DFT minimized structure compared well with experimental data. These results in conjunction with studies on peptide variants (i.e., C4S, C6S, and Y7F) demonstrate unequivocally the key role of biological dithiols in both the dealkylation and binding of organotin compounds. This peptide serves as a model system for alkyltin-protein interactions and gives new insights into the biological fate of alkyltin compounds.
Yeast/E. coli shuttle vectors with multiple unique restriction sites

Two yeast/E. coli shuttle vectors have been constructed. The two vectors, YEp351 and YEp352, have the following properties: (1) they can replicate autonomously in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in E. coli; (2) they contain the beta-lactamase gene and confer ampicillin resistance to E. coli; (3) they contain the entire sequence of pUC18; (4) all ten restriction sites of the multiple cloning region of pUC18 including EcoRI, SacI, KpnI, SmaI, BamHI, XbaI, SalI, PstI, SphI and HindIII are unique in YEp352; these sites are also unique in YEp351 except for EcoRI and KpnI, which occur twice; (5) recombinant plasmids with DNA inserts in the multiple cloning region of YEp351 and YEp352 can be recognised by loss of beta-galactosidase function in appropriate E. coli hosts; (6) YEp351 and YEp352 contain the yeast LEU2 and URA3 genes, respectively, allowing for selection of these auxotrophic markers in yeast and E. coli; (7) both plasmids are retained with high frequency in yeast grown under non-selective conditions indicative of high plasmid copy number. The above properties make the shuttle vectors suitable for construction of yeast genomic libraries and for cloning of DNA fragments defined by a large number of different restriction sites. The two vectors have been further modified by deletion of the sequences necessary for autonomous replication in yeast. The derivative plasmids YIp351 and YIp352 can therefore be used to integrate specific sequences into yeast chromosomal DNA.
Observations on the use of thrombolytic agents for thrombotic occlusion of infrainguinal vein grafts

Abstract Vein graft failure remains a major challenge for the vascular surgeon. Thrombolysis of occluded vein grafts has shown promising short-term results in restoring vein graft patency, however, the long-term results are not established. This study examines the long-term patency and limb salvage after successful thrombolysis and revision of 22 thrombosed vein grafts in 21 patients. There were 17 men and four women with an average age of 60 years (38 to 77 years). Failed vein grafts had an average primary patency of 19 months (1 to 84 months) and included eight in situ grafts and 14 non-in situ grafts. Twelve grafts were to the popliteal level, whereas 10 were infrapopliteal. Thrombolytic agents used included urokinase (15), tissue plasminogen activator (5), and streptokinase (2). After successful thrombolysis, 19 grafts underwent 26 additional procedures including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (9), vein patch angioplasty (4), vein interposition or jump extension graft (9), or other procedures (4). Three patients had no additional procedure, but one was placed on sodium warfarin (Coumadin). After successful initial vein graft salvage, life-table analysis revealed a 36.6% ± 11.9% patency at 1 year and a 22.9% ± 11.6% patency at 3 years. After secondary failure six patients had further interventions contributing to an improved limb salvage of 66.9% ± 11.6% at 1 year and a 60.3% ± 19.0% at 3 years. The results suggest that thrombosed vein grafts initially salvaged with thrombolysis and revision do not have a favorable long-term patency, and that a premium must be placed on the detection of the failing vein graft before thrombosis. (J VASC SURG 1990;11:289-96.)
Identification of the RNA binding domain of T4 RegA protein by structure-based mutagenesis.

The T4 translational repressor RegA protein folds into two structural domains, as revealed by the crystal structure (Kang, C.-H. , Chan, R., Berger, I., Lockshin, C., Green, L., Gold, L., and Rich, A. (1995) Science 268, 1170-1173). Domain I of the RegA protein contains a four-stranded beta-sheet and two alpha-helices. Domain II contains a four-stranded beta-sheet and an unusual 3/10 helix. Since beta-sheet residues play a role in a number of protein-RNA interactions, one or both of the beta-sheet regions in RegA protein may be involved in RNA binding. To test this possibility, mutagenesis of residues on both beta-sheets was performed, and the effects on the RNA binding affinities of RegA protein were measured. Additional sites for mutagenesis were selected from molecular modeling of RegA protein. The RNA binding affinities of three purified mutant RegA proteins were evaluated by fluorescence quenching equilibrium binding assays. The activities of the remainder of the mutant proteins were evaluated by quantitative RNA gel mobility shift assays using lysed cell supernatants. The results of this mutagenesis study ruled out the participation of beta-sheet residues. Instead, the RNA binding site was found to be a surface pocket formed by residues on two loops and an alpha-helix. Thus, RegA protein appears to use a unique structural motif in binding RNA, which may be related to its unusual RNA recognition properties.
Ostracode Mg/Ca paleothermometry in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans: Evaluation of a carbonate ion effect

[1] The reconstruction of deep-sea bottom water temperature (BWT) is important to assess the ocean's response to and role in orbital- and millennial-scale climate change. Deep-sea paleothermometry employs magnesium to calcium (Mg/Ca) ratios in calcitic benthic microfaunas (foraminifera, ostracodes) as a primary proxy method. Mg/Ca paleothermometry may, however, be complicated by bottom water carbonate ion chemistry, which might affect Mg/Ca ratios in shells. To address temperature and carbonate ion influence on Mg/Ca ratios, we studied Mg/Ca ratios in the benthic ostracode genus Krithe in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans using a 686-specimen core top collection, including 412 previously unpublished analyses. Mg/Ca ratios are positively correlated to temperature in multiple species from the North Atlantic [BWT = (0.885 × Mg/Ca) − 5.69, r2 = 0.73] and for K. glacialis in the Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas [BWT = (0.439 × Mg/Ca) − 5.14, r2 = 0.50], consistent with previously published calibrations. We found no evidence for a relationship between Krithe Mg/Ca and carbonate ion saturation in the North Atlantic Ocean, Nordic Seas, and Arctic Ocean, supporting the use of Krithe Mg/Ca for reconstructing past BWT.
Neuromuscular manifestations of viscoelastic tissue degradation following high and low risk repetitive lumbar flexion

Cumulative lumbar disorder is common in individuals engaged in long term performance of repetitive and static occupational/sports activities with the spine. The triggering source and of the disorder, the tissues involved in the failure and the biomechanical, neuromuscular, and biological processes active in the initiation and development of the disorder are not known. The hypothesis is forwarded that static and repetitive (cyclic) lumbar flexion-extension and the associated repeated stretch of the various viscoelastic tissues (ligaments, fascia, facet capsule, discs, etc.) causes micro-damage in their collagen fibers followed by an acute inflammation, triggering pain and reflexive muscle spasms/hyper-excitability. Continued exposure to activities, over time, converts the acute inflammation into a chronic one, viscoelastic tissues remodeling/degeneration, modified motor control strategy and permanent disability. Changes in lumbar stability are expected during the development of the disorder. A series of experimental data from in-vivo feline is reviewed and integrated with supporting evidence from the literature to gain a valuable insight into the multi-factorial development of the disorder. Prolonged cyclic lumbar flexion-extension at high loads, high velocities, many repetitions and short in between rest periods induced transient creep/laxity in the spine, muscle spasms and reduced stability followed, several hours later, by an acute inflammation/tissue degradation, muscular hyper-excitability and increased stability. The major findings assert that viscoelastic tissues sub-failure damage is the source and inflammation is the process which governs the mechanical and neuromuscular characteristic symptoms of the disorder. A comprehensive model of the disorder is presented. The experimental data validates the hypothesis as well as provide insights into the development of potential treatment and prevention of the disorder.
New Method for Quantifying Lupus Anticoagulant

A method is presented using a new reagent containing propylgallate for the quantitative determina tion of lupus anticoagulant. The amount of an optimized phospholipid standard required by the clotting reaction was found to be 32-50 μg/ml at a 95% confidence level, with a mean of 41 μg/ml. This method eliminates the ef fect of heparin therapy, coumadin therapy, factor-VIII inhibitor, factor-IX inhibitor, and single-factor deficien cies that afflict presently used lupus anticoagulant screen ing and confirmatory procedures. Using this method, it should be possible to detect lupus anticoagulant in pa tients at a much lower level and follow the effect of ther apy on lupus anticoagulant.
Domain-oriented edge-based alignment of protein interaction networks

Motivation: Recent advances in high-throughput experimental techniques have yielded a large amount of data on protein–protein interactions (PPIs). Since these interactions can be organized into networks, and since separate PPI networks can be constructed for different species, a natural research direction is the comparative analysis of such networks across species in order to detect conserved functional modules. This is the task of network alignment. Results: Most conventional network alignment algorithms adopt a node-then-edge-alignment paradigm: they first identify homologous proteins across networks and then consider interactions among them to construct network alignments. In this study, we propose an alternative direct-edge-alignment paradigm. Specifically, instead of explicit identification of homologous proteins, we directly infer plausibly alignable PPIs across species by comparing conservation of their constituent domain interactions. We apply our approach to detect conserved protein complexes in yeast–fly and yeast–worm PPI networks, and show that our approach outperforms two recent approaches in most alignment performance metrics. Availability: Supplementary material and source code can be found at http://www.cs.duke.edu/~amink/. Contact: xinguo@cs.duke.edu
Automated production of traditional proofs for constructive geometry theorems

The authors present a method that can produce traditional proofs for a class of geometry statements whose hypotheses can be described constructively and whose conclusions can be represented by polynomial equations of three kinds of geometry quantities: ratios of lengths, areas of triangles, and Pythagoras differences of triangles. This class covers a large portion of the geometry theorems about straight lines and circles. The method involves the elimination of the constructed points from the conclusion using a few basic geometry propositions. The authors' program, Euclid, implements this method and can produce traditional proofs of many hard geometry theorems. Currently, it has produced proofs of 400 nontrivial theorems entirely automatically, and the proofs produced are generally short and readable. This method seems to be the first one to produce traditional proofs for hard geometry theorems efficiently. >
High pressure germination of Bacillus subtilis spores with alterations in levels and types of germination proteins.

Aims Examine effects of different levels and types of nutrient germinant receptors (GRs) and other germination proteins on Bacillus subtilis spore germination by a moderate high pressure (mHP) (150 megaPascals (MPa)) that triggers germination through GRs, and a very high pressure (vHP) (550 MPa) that triggers spore germination independent of GRs. Methods and Results The Moderate HP (mHP) and vHP germination kinetics of B. subtilis spores with large variations in levels of GRs and other germination proteins, including the GerD protein and the SpoVA proteins that comprise a spore membrane channel that is likely opened by vHP were measured. Conclusions GR levels were the major factor determining mHP germination rates. However, other factors modulated mHP germination rates including (i) relative levels of individual GRs (GerA, GerB, GerK), as mHP affected different GRs differently; (ii) levels of a recently identified small protein that may be a GR subunit; and (iii) a dominant negative mutation in gerD that eliminates GR-dependent nutrient germination. In contrast, the alterations in germination proteins had no major effect on vHP germination, except for reduction of SpoVA protein levels. Significance and Impact of the Study With the increasing use of HP for food processing, this study provides new information on factors that modulate HP germination of spores for potential application of HP technology to achieve food sterility.
Hypothesis of Work Behavior Revisited and an Extension

Research generated by the Korman self-consistency motivational hypothesis is reviewed. Thirty-three studies are cited, with most field study evidence supportive. Laboratory research has resulted in mixed findings, but this may be due to methodological problems. An extension accounting for changes in motivational processes over time is proposed.
Longitudinal changes in feeding among children with cerebral palsy between the ages of 4 and 7 years

Objective: To examine differences in feeding among children with cerebral palsy (CP) who varied in the severity of their oral motor involvement; to examine longitudinal change in feeding behaviours for different severity groups.Method: Twenty-three children with CP participated (mean age = 4.53 years at the first time point). Feeding data were collected from parent questionnaires at 6 month intervals over 30 months.Results: Significant differences were observed among severity groups for all feeding variables except coughing and choking during meals. Only one variable, coughing, showed significant change over time.Conclusions: Children with CP who had severe oral-motor involvement had marked and pervasive feeding difficulties which showed some fluctuation with time, but generally were stable. Children with CP who did not have oral motor involvement and those who had mild–moderate involvement also showed little-to-no change over time and had fewer problems than those in the severe group.
Timing acquisition for low-SNR data storage channels

As magnetic data storage densities are pushed toward Tb/in/sup 2/ and beyond, advanced signal-detection algorithms are being suggested to cope with the expected lower signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). However, at low SNR, loss of lock will frequently occur in the current timing-recovery system. This paper illustrates that inadequate timing acquisition is the major cause for loss of lock in hard disk drives. Motivated by the digital zero phase start (DZPS) technique, a digital zero frequency/phase start (DZF/PS) technique is proposed to quickly reduce the initial frequency and phase errors. Kalman filter-based acquisition can be used subsequently to fine-tune acquisition based on the buffered symbol-rate samples of a preamble readout signal. Numerical simulations show that DZF/PS can reduce preamble length significantly (when used in acquisition) compared with DZPS.
Serum Increases the CD13 Receptor Expression, Reduces the Transduction of Fluid-Mechanical Forces, and Alters the Metabolism of HL60 Cells Cultured in Agitated Bioreactors

The effects of serum medium concentration on the CD13 receptor surface content and mRNA levels of HL60 (human promyelocytic leukemia) cells were examined using flow cytometry and Northern blotting. Increasing the serum concentration from 2.5% to 10% and from 5% to 10% increased the CD13 receptor surface content of HL60 cells by 100% and 25%, respectively, in spinner flasks agitated at 60 rpm. In bioreactors at 80 rpm, increasing the serum concentration from 2.5% to 10% and from 5% to 10% increased the CD13 receptor surface content by 60% and 35%, respectively. This increase in CD13 receptor surface content was correlated with a 30% and a 20% increase in CD13 mRNA levels. Increasing serum concentrations also increased the average HL60 cell size under non-damaging conditions (60 rpm in spinner flasks, 80 rpm in bioreactors). Under conditions of agitation at 300 rpm in 2 L bioreactors, increasing serum concentrations (2.5% vs. 10%, 5% vs. 10%) allowed for higher HL60 apparent growth rates, but decreased the CD13 receptor surface content and mRNA levels. In view of our earlier findings on the effects of agitation on the CD13 antigen, these data suggest that serum reduces the transduction of mechanical forces that affect CD13 expression. At 300 rpm, HL60 cells cultured in 10% serum exhibited glucose consumption and lactate production rates that were approximately 50% and 60% lower than the values of cells cultured in 5% and 2.5% serum, respectively.
Patterns of variation during adaptation in functionally linked loci

An understanding of the distribution of natural patterns of genetic variation is relevant to such fundamental biological fields as evolution and development. One recent approach to understanding such patterns has been to focus on the constraints that may arise as a function of the network or pathway context in which genes are embedded. Despite theoretical expectations of higher evolutionary constraint for genes encoding upstream versus downstream enzymes in metabolic pathways, empirical results have varied. Here we combine two complementary models from population genetics and enzyme kinetics to explore genetic variation as a function of pathway position when selection acts on whole-pathway flux. We are able to qualitatively reproduce empirically observed patterns of polymorphism and divergence and suggest that expectations should vary depending on the evolutionary trajectory of a population. Upstream genes are initially more polymorphic and diverge faster after an environmental change, while we see the opposite trend as the population approaches its fitness optimum.
A Multifaceted Intervention to Implement Guidelines Improved Treatment of Nursing Home–Acquired Pneumonia in a State Veterans Home

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of a multifaceted strategy to translate evidence-based guidelines for treating nursing home–acquired pneumonia (NHAP) into practice using a small intervention trial. DESIGN: Pre-posttest with untreated control group. SETTING: Two Colorado State Veterans Homes (SVHs) during two influenza seasons. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-six residents with two or more signs of lower respiratory tract infection. INTERVENTION: Multifaceted, including a formative phase to modify the intervention, institutional-level change emphasizing immunization, and availability of appropriate antibiotics; interactive educational sessions for nurses; and academic detailing. MEASUREMENTS: Subjects' SVH medical records were reviewed for guideline compliance retrospectively for the influenza season before the intervention and prospectively during the intervention. Bivariate comparisons-of-care processes between the intervention and control facility before and after the intervention were made using the Fischer exact test. RESULTS: At the intervention facility, compliance with five of the guidelines improved: influenza vaccination, timely physician response to illness onset, x-ray for patients not being hospitalized, use of appropriate antibiotics, and timely antibiotic initiation for unstable patients. Chest x-ray and appropriate and timely antibiotics were significantly better at the intervention than at the control facility during the intervention year but not during the control year. CONCLUSION: Multifaceted, evidence-based, NHAP guideline implementation improved care processes in a SVH. Guideline implementation should be studied in a national sample of nursing homes to determine whether it improves quality of life and functional outcomes of this debilitating illness for long-term care residents.
Neuroendocrine responses to intravenous infusion of arecoline in patients with Alzheimer's disease

We have reported that arecoline, a muscarinic receptor agonist replicably enhanced verbal memory in five of nine subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD). To investigate the mechanism of cognitive improvement, circulating hormone measurements were made during high-dose acute and low-dose chronic intravenous (i.v.) arecoline administration to AD patients. Acute hormone responses were measured during, and for 6 h after, infusion of arecoline 5 mg i.v. over 30 min. Chronic responses were measured in cognitive responders during continuous i.v. infusion of arecoline escalating over 2 weeks (0.5-40 mg/day) and then during a 1 week infusion of the dose optimizing cognition (4-16 mg/day). Acute arecoline administered to 14 subjects produced unpleasant side-effects (e.g. nausea, vomiting), mean adrenocorticotrophic hormone (p = .0006), cortisol (p = .0001) and beta-endorphin (p = .0001) levels were elevated. During chronic arecoline treatment, no side-effects occurred and plasma cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and beta-endorphin levels were unchanged in nine subjects overall and in five cognitive responders. Thus, high-dose arecoline activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and may increase other anterior pituitary hormone levels, likely representing a 'stress response', but cognition-enhancing, low doses of arecoline do not produce a glucocorticoid response. Hence, arecoline-induced memory improvement is not due to the induction of 'stress' nor to the elevation of peripheral corticosteroid levels.
Social and Behavioral Aspects of Pharmaceutical Care, 2nd Edition

Edited by Nathaniel M. Rickles, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Albert I. Wertheimer, Ph.D., M.B.A., and Mickey C. Smith, Ph.D. Published by Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 40 Tall Pine Drive, Sudbury, MA 01776, 2010. 484 p. Price $74.95. This book seeks to provide an updated, global overview and history of the
How Big Was the Soviet GDP

With the recent completion of calculations for 1990, the multilateral program for compiling comparative GDP estimates that was initiated in the 1970s has now been extended to the USSR, and provides a fresh perspective on the dimensions of that country's economy. This essay assesses summarily the measures that have been compiled for the USSR, comparing them with the controversial CIA data.
A Meta‐Analysis of Parent–Adolescent Conflict: Disagreement, Hostility, and Youth Maladjustment

Parent–adolescent conflict is a normative characteristic of adolescence. However, research findings have been inconsistent, and the relative contributions of specific dimensions of parent–adolescent conflict (disagreement and hostility) to youth maladjustment are unknown. This meta-analysis synthesized the literature on parent–adolescent conflict and distinguished disagreement, hostility, and composite measures of disagreement and hostility. A multilevel model was utilized to analyze 401 effects from 52 studies. Results indicate that parent–adolescent conflict is positively associated with youth maladjustment. The strength of this association varied as a function of youth maladjustment dimensions but not conflict dimensions. The association between parent–adolescent conflict and youth maladjustment also varied by youth gender and by longitudinal versus cross-sectional design. Results suggest that both disagreement and hostility in parent–adolescent relationships have negative effects on youth development.
Biomechanical comparison of calcium phosphate cements for split cranial bone graft donor sites.

BACKGROUND Although harvesting of in situ split cranial bone is a well-established technique, few data have been generated regarding the biomechanical effect of bone harvest on the cranial bone donor site, and even fewer data have been generated regarding the biomechanical effect of calcium phosphate bone cement inlay on the donor site. The authors documented the weakening of the skull at the in situ cranial harvest site and determined the benefit, if any, when the site is inlayed with calcium phosphate cements. METHODS Cadaver skulls were divided into three groups: group 1, an in situ cranial bone defect was created in the frontal bone area on one side and the mirror-image, full-thickness area was untreated; group 2, a similar defect was created in the parietal area and repaired with calcium phosphate bone cement inlay, and on the opposite side, a similar defect was created but not repaired; and group 3, donor sites were created in the parietal area bilaterally and reconstructed with different cements. Mirror-image areas were harvested and testing was performed. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to evaluate all mirror-image specimens. RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference in strength to fracture when the in situ defect was compared with the in situ calcium phosphate construct (p = 0.008). No difference was demonstrated when the defect was compared with full-thickness bone or when calcium phosphate cements were compared. CONCLUSION Repair of the defect with calcium phosphate cement significantly increased strength at the donor site and may provide added safety from injury.
La Ville Americaine: Histoire, Architecture, Urbanisme, Geographie, Aspects Sociaux. Jean Soumagne (photographs by Mme. C. Soumagne-Papy, J. Soumagne, and others), and Urbanizatsiia v S.Sh.A. (Urbanization in the United States). Valerii Mikhailovich Kharitonov; Stadtepolitik, Stadtumbau und Stadterhaltung in der DDR. Peter Scholler; The Middle East City, Ancient Traditions Confront a Modern World. Abdulaziz Y. Saqqaf, editor

(1988). La Ville Americaine: Histoire, Architecture, Urbanisme, Geographie, Aspects Sociaux. Jean Soumagne (photographs by Mme. C. Soumagne-Papy, J. Soumagne, and others), and Urbanizatsiia v S.Sh.A. (Urbanization in the United States). Valerii Mikhailovich Kharitonov; Stadtepolitik, Stadtumbau und Stadterhaltung in der DDR. Peter Scholler; The Middle East City, Ancient Traditions Confront a Modern World. Abdulaziz Y. Saqqaf, editor. Urban Geography: Vol. 9, Urbanization in South Africa, pp. 654-661.
GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION AND PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY OF NUMBER OF TRUNK VERTEBRAE IN SLENDER SALAMANDERS, BATRACHOSEPS (CAUDATA: PLETHODONTIDAE).

To understand the evolutionary significance of geographic variation, one must identify the factors that generate phenotypic differences among populations. I examined the causes of geographic variation in and evolutionary history of number of trunk vertebrae in slender salamanders, Batrachoseps (Caudata: Plethodontidae). Number of trunk vertebrae varies at many taxonomic levels within Batrachoseps. Parallel clines in number occur along an environmental gradient in three lineages in the Coast Ranges of California. These parallel clines may signal either adaptation or a shared phenotypically plastic response to the environmental gradient. By raising eggs from 10 populations representing four species of Batrachoseps, I demonstrated that number of trunk vertebrae can be altered by the developmental temperature; however, the degree of plasticity is insufficient to account for geographic variation. Thus, the geographic variation results largely from genetic variation. Number of trunk vertebrae covaries with body size and shape in diverse vertebrate taxa, including Batrachoseps. I hypothesize that selection for different degrees of elongation, possibly related to fossoriality, has led to the extensive evolution of number of trunk vertebrae in Batrachoseps. Analysis of intrapopulational variation revealed sexual dimorphism in both body shape and number of trunk vertebrae, but no correlation between these variables in either sex. Females are more elongate than males, a pattern that has been attributed to fecundity selection in other taxa. Patterns of covariation among different classes of vertebrae suggest that some intrapopulational variation in number results from changes in vertebral identity rather than changes in segmentation.