cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Phytoliths in Regional Paleoecology

This chapter discusses the role of phytoliths in regional paleoecology. The pollen of 11,300 B.P. to 9,000 B.P. period was mainly that of rainforest genera such as Bursera, Virola, Swartzia , and members of the Bombacaceae, indicating that tropical forest grew near the coring localities. In 9600 B.P. to 7300 B.P. period, the pollen record was dominated by the presence of mangrove genera, especially Rhizophora , indicating that deposition took place near a well-developed mangrove swamp that formed in response to the slowing of sea level rise. During 7300 B.P. to 4200 B.P. period, a transition from mangrove vegetation to freshwater swamp took place as a consequence of the stabilization of sea level rise. Rhizophora pollen disappears from the cores and is replaced by abundant pollen of the Cyperaceae, Gramineae, Typha , and Polygonum . In the pollen diagrams from 4200 B.P. to the present interval, the first clear indication of agricultural activity is present. Maize pollen first occurs in a sample from core TDS-4 at 25 feet, which is between levels directly dated to 3340 B.P. (19 feet) and 4750 B.P. (42 feet). At 3340 B.P., Gramineae, Cyperaceae , and Compositae pollen reach high frequencies and finely divided charcoal becomes common somewhat later in time.
Detecting Positive Opinion Leader Group from Forum

Forum has long been the main way of communication, and more and more users publish their opinions by it. The most influential users or opinion leaders will contribute to the formation of information, especially the positive influential users who can guide public opinions and make positive influence. Positive Opinion Leader Group (POLG) represents a group of users, each of who expresses the similar content and same sentiment orientation with their followers to a great extent, who are regarded as the most influential men during the information dissemination process. However, most existing researches pay less attention to the implicit relationship, heterogeneous structure and positive influence. In this paper, we focus on modeling multi-themes user network of forum with explicit and implicit links for this purpose. In detail, we put forward a data structure Longest Sequence Phrase Tree (LSP-Tree) for representing comments on forum, measuring the similarity between comments based on LSP-Tree to obtain implicit links, and further detecting positive opinion leader group. Experiments using dataset from Tianya forum show that our method can detect positive opinion leaders group effectively and efficiently.
Ultrasonic microparticle alignment and direct ink writing using glass capillaries

We envision implementing direct ink writing for 3-D printing while aligning microfibers in the resin using standing wave ultrasonics; the aligned fibers would control desired mechanical properties such as strength and ductility, and 3-D printing would match the mechanical properties to the particular part geometry. At this time we work with highviscosity fluids as a physical simulant of representative resins, and spherical polystyrene microparticles or glass microrods instead of microfibers. In this paper we show experimental results using square glass capillaries (with interior dimensions ranging from 0.4 to 1.0 mm) as our microfluidic systems, which are inherently well-suited by their geometry to act as print nozzles, sandwiched between two piezoceramic plates that generate the ultrasonic standing waves. We report experimental data for particle alignment as we change from our initial test fluid, water, to high-viscosity fluids. Similarly, we report experimental data of the fluid behavior pertinent to direct ink writing; we enforce controlled volumetric flow rates (which correspond to print speeds) for high-viscosity fluids under pressurized flow through glass capillaries of varying cross-sectional areas and varying lengths, observing and measuring the approximate ink line width and height. Our use of commercially available square glass capillaries (sandwiched between piezoceramic transducers that are driven at frequencies away from transducer resonance) is novel and distinguishes our approach from that of other research groups; the underlying physics of our devices differs from that of Lund-type acoustic resonators.
Social Anxiety Disorder: An Update on Diagnostics, Epidemiology, Etiology, Assessment, Treatment, Unanswered Questions, and Future Directions

Abstract Social anxiety disorder (a marked and persistent fear of social and/or performance situations in which embarrassment and scrutiny from others may occur) is a common fear among children and adolescents. This chapter presents an update on the diagnostic criteria; its epidemiology and etiology are discussed. In addition, assessment strategies are reviewed, including new strategies that use virtual reality to allow for behavioral assessment of social skills in this population. Finally, an update on effective treatment strategies is presented, including pharmacological, cognitive-behavioral, and multimodal randomized controlled trials. An interesting outcome of many of these trials is that unlike other childhood anxiety disorders, children with social anxiety disorder are less responsive to interventions that do not include direct attention to social skills training. As is the case with assessment, technology (“apps” virtual reality) now are augmenting currently efficacious behavioral interventions. Finally, future directions in all these areas are discussed.
An Overview of Beneficiation and Hydrometallurgical Techniques on Eudialyte Group Minerals

The demand for rare earth elements for everyday technology and applications has initiated much research into the extraction and recovery of these rare earth elements. An otherwise unknown group of minerals, eudialyte is a zircon silicate consisting of rare earth oxides (REO), contained in a unique mineral structure and represented by a complex chemical formula. Research into extraction and recovery of rare earth elements involves various beneficiation and hydrometallurgical techniques. The goal of beneficiation being to efficiently liberate and upgrade the REO content, followed by hydrometallurgy to extract the desired elements. This overview will discuss previous research on treating eudialyte group minerals via different mineral processing and extraction techniques.
Inhibitory effects of nobiletin and its major metabolites on lung tumorigenesis

Nobiletin (NBT), a citrus flavonoid, has been associated with various health benefits. Herein, we investigated the chemopreventive actions of NBT and its metabolites in a pulmonary carcinogenesis mouse model and human lung cancer cells. In 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-treated mice, the oral administration of NBT significantly suppressed lung tumorigenesis as evidenced by reduced tumor volume compared to the control mice. NBT also greatly attenuated cell proliferation in the lung of NNK-treated mice. Our previous study has identified three major metabolites of NBT, namely, 3′-demethylnobiletin (M1), 4′-demethylnobiletin (M2), and 3′,4′-didemethylnobiletin (M3). In this study, we further determined the inhibitory effects of NBT and its metabolites on human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and the underlying mechanisms of action. Interestingly, we found that M2 and M3 exerted much stronger growth inhibition on both H460 and H1299 cells, compared to their parent compound NBT. Flow cytometry and western blotting analysis revealed that M2 and M3 caused significant cell cycle arrest and cellular apoptosis and profoundly modulated multiple proteins associated with cell proliferation and cell death, including p21, cyclin B1, CDK1, cyclin D1, CDK6, CDK4, Bax, cleaved caspase-1, and cleaved PARP. Overall, our results demonstrated that the oral administration of NBT significantly inhibited lung carcinogenesis in mice, and these chemopreventive effects could be attributed to its metabolites that showed potent anti-cancer effects.
Effect of aging on coarsening- and creep resistance of a Ti-modified Fe–Ni–Al–Cr–Mo ferritic steel with L21/B2 composite precipitates

Abstract The FBB8-ferritic superalloy (Fe- 10Ni- 6.5Al- 10Cr- 3.4Mo- 0.25Zr- 0.005B, wt.%) modified with 2 wt.% Ti additions, was aged between 700 and 860 °C, leading to coarsening of its coherent L21-Ni2TiAl/B2–NiAl composite precipitates. The temporal evolution of these submicron precipitates upon aging, studied via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), is consistent with the diffusion-limited Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner (LSW) and Philippe-Voorhees (PV) coarsening models with an activation energy Q = 253 ± 72 kJ/mol and interfacial energies for the precipitates of 83, 78 and 75 (±26) mJ/m2 for 700, 780 and 860 °C, respectively. Creep tests performed at 700 °C reveal threshold stresses ranging from σth = 94 MPa (after over-aging at 860 °C, with significant coarsening) to σth = 187 MPa (after peak-aging at 700 °C). Creep resistance is reduced with increasing aging temperature and/or creep temperatures (from 700 to 860 °C) and the following mechanisms are identified: (i) composite L21/B2 precipitate coarsening, (ii) partial loss of coherency of precipitates by misfit dislocations at the L21/B2 precipitate/matrix interface, (iii) absence of nano-sized secondary precipitates. Nevertheless, the alloy exhibits a high creep resistance when aged and creep-tested at 780 °C, with a threshold stress σth = 67 MPa, which is similar to that exhibited at 700 °C, σth = 69 MPa, by the same alloy without 2% Ti addition (FBB8), which contains weaker, single-phase B2–NiAl precipitates.
Generational Variation in Young Adults’ Attitudes toward Legal Abortion: Contextualizing the Role of Religion:

Recent sociological research has addressed a wide range of attitudinal, behavioral, and sociodemographic factors that influence attitudes toward legal abortion. Young adulthood is an important life...
Chapter 58 – Imaging of Osteoporosis

Publisher Summary The term osteoporosis is widely used clinically to mean generalized loss of bone, or osteopenia, accompanied by relatively atraumatic fractures of the spine, wrist, hips, or ribs. Because of uncertainties of specific radiologic interpretation, the term osteopenia (“poverty of bone”) has been used as a generic designation for radiographic signs of decreased bone density. Radiographic findings suggestive of osteopenia and osteoporosis are frequently encountered in daily medical practice and can result from a wide spectrum of diseases ranging from highly prevalent causes such as postmenopausal and involutional osteoporosis to very rare endocrinologic and hereditary or acquired disorders. Histologically, the result in each of these disorders is a deficient amount of osseous tissue, although different pathogenic mechanisms may be involved. Conventional radiography is widely available and, alone or in conjunction with other imaging techniques, it is widely used for the detection of complications of osteopenia, for the differential diagnosis of osteopenia, or for follow-up examinations in specific clinical settings. Bone scintigraphy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are additional diagnostic methods that are applied almost routinely to aid in the differential diagnosis of osteoporosis and its sequelae.
Self-Efficacy of Pediatric Residents Caring for Patients at End-of-Life

BACKGROUND: There are special considerations and challenges to approaching the death of a pediatric patient. These circumstances are not often addressed in medical school curricula, which tends to be aimed at the care of adults. Pediatric residents are frequently called on to take care of dying children in the emergency, oncology and ICU settings. However, pediatric residents often do not feel prepared to deliver serious news or provide adequate anticipatory guidance …
Safety and Efficacy of s-MOX Regimen in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Who Developed Cardiotoxicity Following Fluoropyrimidine Administration: A Case Series.

Background Fluoropyrimidines compose the backbone of regimens to treat many common solid tumors, including gastrointestinal (GI), breast and head/neck. As we continue to use these agents routinely, recognition of rare but real toxicities, such as cardiotoxicity, has also improved. The treatment options for patients who have encountered fluoropyrimidine-induced cardiotoxicity are limited as many anti-angiogenic drugs also pose a cardiac risk. Patients and Methods We present a case series of three patients who developed cardiotoxicity in the form of anginal-like symptoms, EKG changes and elevated cardiac enzymes on infusional 5-FU or capecitabine and were subsequently treated with the s-MOX (simplified-mitomycin-oxaliplatin) regimen for their metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). All three patients were tested for polymorphic abnormality of DYPD and TYMS. Results All three patients were treated with s-MOX consisting of mitomycin-C 7 mg/m2 on day 1 and oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 on days 1 and 15 (1 cycle = 28 days) after they encountered cardiotoxicity to 5-FU and/or capecitabine. None of these patients developed any cardiotoxicity on s-MOX. Overall, the MOX regimen was well tolerated. The most common toxicities included ≤ 2 grade peripheral neuropathy, nausea, vomiting, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Grade ≥ 3 toxicities included neutropenia (10%), thrombocytopenia (33%), vomiting (8%), and peripheral neuropathy (30%). DYPD gene was normal in all patients and TYMS was abnormal (2R/2R) in one patient. Conclusion This is the first case series that reports the safety and feasibility of s-MOX in patients with mCRC who developed cardiac toxicity to 5-FU or capecitabine. The s-MOX regimen may provide an alternative treatment option for patients who either develop fluoropyrimidine-related cardiotoxicity or who have abnormalities in the DYPD gene.
Red maple ( Acer rubrum L.) trees demonstrate acclimation to urban conditions in deciduous forests embedded in cities

The impacts of urbanization, such as urban heat island (UHI) and nutrient loads, can influence tree function through altered physiology and metabolism and stress response, which has implications for urban forest health in cities across the world. Our goal was to compare growth-stimulating and stress-mitigating acclimation patterns of red maple (Acer rubrum) trees in deciduous forests embedded in a small (Newark, DE, US) and a large (Philadelphia, PA, US) city. The study was conducted in a long-term urban forest network on seventy-nine mature red maple trees spanning ten forests across Newark and Philadelphia. We hypothesized that red maples in Philadelphia forests compared to Newark forests will be healthier and more acclimated to warmer temperatures, elevated CO2 concentrations and reactive nitrogen (Nr) deposition, and higher nutrient/heavy metal loads. Therefore, these red maples will have higher foliar pigments, nutrients, and stress-indicating elements, enriched δ15N isotopes and increased free polyamines and amino acids to support a growth-stimulating and stress-induced response to urbanization. Our results indicate red maples are potentially growth-stimulated and stress-acclimated in Philadelphia forests experiencing a greater magnitude of urban intensity. Red maples in Philadelphia forests contained higher concentrations of foliar chlorophyll, %N, δ15N, and nutrients than those in Newark forests. Similarly, lower foliar magnesium and manganese, and higher foliar zinc, cadmium, lead, and aluminum reflected the difference in soil biogeochemistry in Philadelphia forests. Accumulation patterns of foliar free amino acids, polyamines, phosphorous, and potassium ions in red maples in Philadelphia forests shows a reallocation in cellular metabolism and nutrient uptake pathways responsible for physiological acclimation. Our results suggest the approach used here can serve as a model for investigating 'plant physiology' and the use of urban trees as a biomonitor of the impacts of 'urban pollution' on urban forests. The results suggest that cellular oxidative stress in trees caused by pollutant uptake is mitigated by the accumulation of free amino acids, polyamines, and nutrients in a larger city. Our study provides a framework for determining whether trees respond to complex urban environments through stress memory and/or acclimation.
Expression of Amyloidogenic Transthyretin Drives Hepatic Proteostasis Remodeling in an Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Model of Systemic Amyloid Disease.

The systemic amyloidoses are diverse disorders in which misfolded proteins are secreted by effector organs and deposited as proteotoxic aggregates at downstream tissues. Although well described clinically, the contribution of synthesizing organs to amyloid disease pathogenesis is unknown. Here, we utilize hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR amyloidosis) induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to define the contribution of hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) to the proteotoxicity of secreted transthyretin (TTR). To this end, we generated isogenic, patient-specific iPSCs expressing either amyloidogenic or wild-type TTR. We combined this tool with single-cell RNA sequencing to identify hepatic proteostasis factors correlating with destabilized TTR production in iPSC-derived HLCs. By generating an ATF6 inducible patient-specific iPSC line, we demonstrated that enhancing hepatic ER proteostasis preferentially reduces the secretion of amyloidogenic TTR. These data highlight the liver's capacity to chaperone misfolded TTR prior to deposition, and moreover suggest the potential for unfolded protein response modulating therapeutics in the treatment of diverse systemic amyloidoses.
An enhancer sequence in the intrinsically disordered region of the essential cell division protein FtsZ promotes conformation-guided substrate processing by ClpXP in Escherichia coli

The essential bacterial division protein in Escherichia coli, FtsZ, assembles into the FtsZ-ring at midcell and recruits other proteins to the division site to promote septation. A region of the FtsZ amino acid sequence that links the conserved polymerization domain to a C-terminal protein interaction site was predicted to be intrinsically disordered and has been implicated in modulating spacing and architectural arrangements of FtsZ filaments. While the majority of cell division proteins that directly bind to FtsZ engage either the polymerization domain or the C-terminal interaction site, ClpX, the recognition and unfolding component of the bacterial ClpXP proteasome, has a secondary interaction with the predicted intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of FtsZ when FtsZ is polymerized. Here, we use NMR spectroscopy and reconstituted degradation reactions in vitro to demonstrate that this linker region is indeed disordered in solution and, further, that amino acids in the IDR of FtsZ enhance the degradation by conformationally-guided interactions.
Quantification of relative neurite tortuosity using Fourier transforms.

Abstract Background The tortuosity of nerve fibers has been shown to be important for identifying and monitoring clinically relevant manifestations resulting from of a variety of ocular and systemic disease pathologies and disorders. However, quantifying tortuosity in dense neurite networks can prove challenging, as existing methods require manual scoring and/or complete segmentation of the neurite network. New method We measured neurite tortuosity by quantifying the degree of directional coherence in the Fourier transform of segmented neurite masks. This allowed for the analysis of neurite tortuosity without requiring complete segmentation of the neurite network. We were also able to adapt this method to measure tortuosity at different length and size scales. Results With this novel method, neurite tortuosity was accurately quantified in simulated data sets at multiple length scales and scale variant and scale invariant tortuosity was accurately distinguished. Use of this method on images of murine corneal neurites correctly distinguished known differences between neurite tortuosity in the peripheral and central cornea. Comparison with existing method(s) Other methods require complete segmentation of neurites, which can be prohibitive in dense and/or sparsely labeled neurite networks such as in the cornea. Additionally, other methods require manual curation, manual scoring, or generation of a curated training set, while our novel method directly measures tortuosity as an intrinsic property of the image. Conclusions We report the use of Fourier transforms for quantification of neurite tortuosity at multiple length scales, and with an image input that contains incompletely segmented neurites. This new method does not require manual training or curation, allowing a direct and rapid measurement of neurite tortuosity, thereby enhancing the accuracy and utility of neurite tortuosity measurements for evaluation of ocular and systemic disease pathology.
The transcription regulator BrsR serves as a network hub of natural competence protein–protein interactions in Streptococcus mutans

Genome evolution is an essential and stringently regulated aspect of biological fitness. For bacteria, natural competence is one of the principal mechanisms of genome evolution and is frequently subject to multiple layers of regulation derived from a plethora of environmental and physiological stimuli. Here, we present a regulatory mechanism that illustrates how such disparate stimuli can be integrated into the Streptococcus mutans natural competence phenotype. S. mutans possesses an intriguing, but poorly understood ability to coordinately control its independently regulated natural competence and bacteriocin genetic pathways as a means to acquire DNA released from closely related, bacteriocin-susceptible streptococci. Our results reveal how the bacteriocin-specific transcription activator BrsR directly mediates this coordination by serving as an anti-adaptor protein responsible for antagonizing the proteolysis of the inherently unstable, natural competence-specific alternative sigma factor ComX. This BrsR ability functions entirely independent of its transcription regulator function and directly modulates the timing and severity of the natural competence phenotype. Additionally, many of the DNA uptake proteins produced by the competence system were surprisingly found to possess adaptor abilities, which are employed to terminate the BrsR regulatory circuit via negative feedback. BrsR-competence protein heteromeric complexes directly inhibit nascent brsR transcription as well as stimulate the Clp-dependent proteolysis of extant BrsR proteins. This study illustrates how critical genetic regulatory abilities can evolve in a potentially limitless variety of proteins without disrupting their conserved ancestral functions. These unrecognized regulatory abilities are likely fundamental for transducing information through complex genetic networks.
Soft fibers with magnetoelasticity for wearable electronics.

Magnetoelastic effect characterizes the change of materials’ magnetic properties under mechanical deformation, which is conventionally observed in some rigid metals or metal alloys. Here we show magnetoelastic effect can also exist in 1D soft fibers with stronger magnetomechanical coupling than that in traditional rigid counterparts. This effect is explained by a wavy chain model based on the magnetic dipole-dipole interaction and demagnetizing factor. To facilitate practical applications, we further invented a textile magnetoelastic generator (MEG), weaving the 1D soft fibers with conductive yarns to couple the observed magnetoelastic effect with magnetic induction, which paves a new way for biomechanical-to-electrical energy conversion with short-circuit current density of 0.63 mA cm−2, internal impedance of 180 Ω, and intrinsic waterproofness. Textile MEG was demonstrated to convert the arterial pulse into electrical signals with a low detection limit of 0.05 kPa, even with heavy perspiration or in underwater situations without encapsulations. The authors invented a textile magnetoelastic generator, weaving 1D soft fibers with conductive yarns to couple the observed magnetoelastic effect with magnetic induction, which paves a new way for biomechanical-to-electrical energy conversion.
Circular Drawings of Biconnected Graphs

Many applications which would benefit from an accompanying circular graph drawing include tools which manipulate telecommunication, computer, and social networks. Previous research has produced solutions which are visually complex with respect to the number of crossings. In this paper we focus our attention on developing better and more efficient circular drawing algorithms. In particular we present an O(m2) algorithm which lays out a biconnected graph onto a single embedding circle. Furthermore, we can guarantee that if a zero crossing circular embedding exists for an input graph, then our algorithm will find it. Also, the results of extensive experiments conducted over a set of 10,328 biconnected graphs and show our technique to perform significantly better than the current technology.
Chapter 3 Major international symposia supporting chromatography

Publisher Summary Scientific meetings, symposia, and congresses represent the best forum where scientists from different geographical areas can meet, present their newest results, and discuss them with their peers. This chapter discusses those international meeting series that have dealt with chromatography in general or with one of the principal chromatographic techniques—gas or liquid. An international symposium on gas chromatography by the (British) chromatographic society (1956–2000) is the oldest symposium series originated in 1956. After this symposium, prominent chromatographers formed the Gas Chromatography Discussion Group, which took over the responsibility for the organization of these biannual symposia. International symposia on advances in chromatography (1963-1988) originated in 1963 by a number of prominent American chromatographers as a forum where both established chromatographers and younger representatives of the field participate, present reports on their work, and have the opportunity to exchange their ideas in an informal setting. A special emphasis was on the rapid publication of the presented papers in a journal with broad distribution.
On the metabolic role of T6 phage-induced dihydrofolate reductase. Intracellular reduced pyridine nucleotides.

Abstract Infection of Escherichia coli with T-even bacteriophage or T5 leads to the production of large amounts of dihydrofolate reductase. As shown previously, this represents the synthesis of a new, virus-specific protein. Since appreciable levels of this enzyme exist in the cell before infection, an attempt was made to demonstrate a specific metabolic requirement for the viral enzyme. This included (a) a study of the structure of tetrahydrofolate produced enzymatically by both the bacterial and the viral reductase and (b) measurements of levels of reduced pyridine nucleotides in the cell before and after infection. Both the cellular and the phage-specific reductase catalyze the formation of the l, l diastereoisomer of tetrahydrofolate, as does the same enzyme isolated from chicken liver. Experiments on pyridine nucleotide concentrations reveal a 2- to 3-fold increase in the reduced forms of both di- and triphosphopyridine nucleotide occurring within about 10 min after infection, followed by a return to preinfection values. These observations are discussed with reference to the reductive biosynthetic steps in the production of deoxyribonucleic acid.
The psychiatric history of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: Weight concerns and bulimic symptoms in early case reports

British, French, American, German, and Italian historical medical reports on possible cases of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa were critically reevaluated in order to trace the history of weight concerns, binge eating, and methods of food reversal like self-induced vomiting in these texts. It is argued that weight concerns are a new phenomenon in prolonged extreme fasting and has superseded traditional ascetic motivations for fasting from the first use of the term anorexia nervosa on. Binge eating, or bulimia as a symptom, on the other hand, has been known ever since ancient times; what is new here is its combination with methods of food reversal, which are motivated by concerns about weighing too much. This combination, bulimia nervosa (DSM-III-R), was first described in cases of primary anorexia and started becoming more frequent only in the 1940s. First accounts of possible cases of bulimia nervosa at normal body weight were published in the 1930s. Methodological problems of retrospective diagnosing and factors inherent to the history of medicine which might have influenced the history of medical writing about eating disorders are discussed.
The effect of acculturation on Latina mothers’ food choices and body weight ideals for their children (624.13)

Objective: Focus groups of low income Latina mothers were conducted to identify reasons mothers make family food choices and to understand perceptions of body sizes and if these differed by acculturation. Results: Eight groups were held (n=30). In four groups of bi and low acculturated mothers, eight similar themes and four different themes were identified between bi and low acculturated groups. Similar themes included: challenges cooking traditional and healthy foods due to family preferences, looking to doctors to categorize their child’s weight and lower acculturated mothers have less awareness of their child’s weight than high acculturated ones. Low acculturated groups mentioned growing up with low food availability that led them to feed their children more liberally. Bi acculturated groups mentioned not believing the doctor when told their child was overweight. Conclusions: Latina mothers encounter barriers when preparing traditional foods for their children, especially considering their children’s p...
Marketing/Logistics Integration and Firm Performance

Functional areas within a firm must effectively interact and work together to plan, coordinate, and implement strategic initiatives. Interfunctional integration is believed to be directly related to a firm's competitiveness and profitability. The current research was undertaken to gain a greater understanding of the association between interdepartmental integration and performance. Results of a recent survey examining the marketing/logistics interface are reported. Analysis provided support for positive associations between the frequency of collaborative integration between marketing and logistics departments and logistics managers' perceptions of the effectiveness of the relationship between departments, as well as, departmental performance relative to competitors.
Does surgeon frustration and satisfaction with the operation predict outcomes of open or laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

Background A surgeon's level of frustration when performing an operation and level of satisfaction at completion may be correlated with patients' outcomes. We evaluated the relationship between the attending surgeons' frustration and satisfaction and recurrence and complications of open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Study design Men with detectable inguinal hernias were randomized to undergo open or laparoscopic herniorrhaphy at 14 Veterans Affairs hospitals. After completion of the procedure, surgeons were asked to assess their level of frustration during the operation and their overall satisfaction with the operative result. Two subjective scales ranging from 1 (not frustrated/not satisfied) to 5 (very frustrated/very satisfied) were used to independently assess both parameters. Reasons for surgeon frustration were evaluated. Patients were followed for 2 years for recurrence and complications. Results Of 1,983 patients who underwent hernia repair, 1,622 were available for analysis; 808 had open repair and 813 had laparoscopic repair. Surgeons reported less frustration and more satisfaction with open than with laparoscopic repair (p = 0.0001 and 0.0001, respectively). Frustration was associated with a higher rate of hernia recurrence at 2 years (adjusted odds ratio, 2.01, 95% CI, 1.15−3.51) in open repair, and a higher overall rate of postoperative complications (adjusted odds ratio, 1.27, 95% CI, 1.03−1.56) in both open and laparoscopic hernia repair. Satisfaction was not correlated with recurrence or complications. Conclusions The level of a surgeon's frustration during performance of an inguinal herniorrhaphy was a better predictor of outcomes of the operation than was satisfaction with the procedure. Sources of intraoperative frustration should be controlled to improve outcomes.
Sex Determination of Prehistoric Human Paleofeces

Analysis of 12 prehistoric human paleofecal specimens from the Mammoth Cave System, Kentucky has produced the first estimate of biological sex using fecal material from ancient humans. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating indicates that the specimens range in age from ca. 2700 B.P. to 2300 B.P. Dietary contents and steroids were extracted and analyzed. Chromatography and radioimmunoassay were used to measure levels of testosterone and estradiol in both modern fecal reference samples and in ancient feces. Results indicate that all 12 paleofeces were probably deposited by males whose diet included a variety of native crops and wild plants. These preliminary analyses have the potential to revolutionize the investigation of gender difference in diet, health, and nutrition.
Ask and Ye Shall Receive? How Gender and Status Moderate Negotiation Success

The backlash effect is a well-documented negative social reaction toward women who are seen as violating gender norms because they engage in counterstereotypical (noncommunal, agentic) behaviors during the performance of their jobs. This social disincentive has been shown to account for women's diminished likelihood to initiate negotiations relative to men. But we question whether women who ignored this disincentive and initiated negotiations would even receive the resources they requested. We extend past research by showing women also incur financial penalties for initiating negotiations. This financial penalty can be explained by women's lower ascribed status relative to men's status and fortunately can be attenuated if women have achieved status. In two studies, we find consistent evidence that women who ask do not receive unless they have externally conferred status.
A model to investigate the mechanisms underlying the emergence and development of independent sitting

When infants first begin to sit independently, they are highly unstable and unable to maintain upright sitting posture for more than a few seconds. Over the course of 3 months, the sitting ability of infants drastically improves. To investigate the mechanisms controlling the development of sitting posture, a single-degree-of-freedom inverted pendulum model was developed. Passive muscle properties were modeled with a stiffness and damping term, while active neurological control was modeled with a time-delayed proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. The findings of the simulations suggest that infants primarily utilize passive muscle stiffness to remain upright when they first begin to sit. This passive control mechanism allows the infant to remain upright so that active feedback control mechanisms can develop. The emergence of active control mechanisms allows infants to integrate sensory information into their movements so that they can exhibit more adaptive sitting.
Personality disorders in offspring of mothers with mood disorders: Results from a longitudinal family study

Offspring of mothers with mood disorders are known to be at risk for a range of adverse outcomes, but the prevalence of personality disorders (PDs) in this group is unknown. The goal of this study was to assess risk of PD diagnoses and symptoms in offspring of mothers with and without mood disorders, and to explore contributing factors to this risk. This longitudinal study assessed PDs and symptoms of PDs in offspring of mothers with bipolar disorder (O-BD), major depression (O-MDD), and no psychiatric diagnosis (O-WELL) in mid-adolescence and in early adulthood. O-BD were more likely to develop a Cluster B PD than O-MDD or O-WELL in adolescence, and more likely to develop a Cluster B PD then O-WELL in early adulthood. Dimensional analyses revealed that O-BD had elevated symptoms in PDs across all PD clusters at mid-adolescence and young adulthood. O-MDD showed elevated symptoms of antisocial PD at both time points, and of obsessive-compulsive PD at young adulthood. Offspring of mothers with mood disorders, especially O-BD, are at increased risk for PD diagnoses and symptoms in mid-adolescence and early adulthood. Contributing factors to risk of PD symptoms in at-risk offspring are discussed.
Analysis of total CD uniformity at sub-100-nm DRAM patterning by using KrF lithography

Most chip makers want KrF lithography is extended below sub 100nm lithography due to cost and process stability, even though ArF lithography has been growing and its performance is enough to apply to 100nm node. But process control of KrF lithography will become difficult at sub 100nm node era because of difficulty of mask making, accuracy of optical proximity correction (OPC), lens effects caused by strong off-axis illumination, need more tool accuracies than ever, and so on.
Evaluation of a child for secondary causes of obesity and comorbidities.

Childhood obesity is a serious public health concern. This Case Study discusses the evaluation and treatment of a child with obesity. The article details how careful assessment can exclude genetic causes of obesity in most children and outlines how children without genetic causes of the condition can benefit from individualized lifestyle modification programs. Background. A 15-year-old boy who had been overweight since the age of 6 months was referred to an adolescent obesity clinic for further assessment of his comorbidities and management of his obesity. The patient had no history of developmental delay or abnormal growth velocity. He had previously tested negative for Prader–Willi syndrome and the melanocortin-4 receptor gene mutation. The patient had made numerous attempts at weight loss in the past, but any weight loss he achieved had been temporary. At presentation, the patient had a BMI of 52.3 kg/m2, a waist circumference of 156 cm, blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg and severe acanthosis nigricans in the cervical and axillary skin folds. Investigations. Measurement of height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure; screening tests, including a fasting glucose test, 2 h glucose-tolerance test, measurements of blood lipids and liver function tests. Diagnosis. Morbid obesity, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, impaired glucose tolerance and dyslipidemia. Management. The patient was assigned to an extensive lifestyle-modification and behavior-modification program, with clinic-based follow-up every 4 weeks.
Synthesis and rheological properties of low charge density polyampholytes in nonaqueous solvents

Abstract The synthesis and rheological properties of a family of styrene-based polyampholytes are described. These polymers are composed mainly of styrene with relatively low levels of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) and zinc neutralized sulphonated styrene (Zn-SS). Although these materials resemble in some instances the homogeneously-charged sulphonated polystyrene ionomers, marked differences in solution properties are noted. For example, in a single component nonaqueous solvent (such as xylene), the ampholytic ionomers are completely soluble, while the sulphonated ionomer requires the use of soluble polar cosolvents. Moreover, viscosity measurements over a broad shear rate range shows that these polyampholytes are effective viscosifiers possessing pronounced dilatant characteristics. This interesting behaviour can be varied over a broad shear gradient through minor changes in the polymer structure. The results show that through the interactions of 4VP and Zn-SS, a degree of control over physical properties is established which is not readily attained in other ionomeric materials. In an attempt to understand this particular rheological behaviour, an equation is proposed which summarizes on a molecular level the observed shear thickening behaviour. In its derivation, it is assumed that due to the shear gradient, intramolecular associations are transformed into intermolecular linkages. If the lifetime of these associations are longer than the relaxation time of the chain, an increase in the apparent molecular weight of the polymer will occur resulting in a rise in the viscosity of the polymer solution. Further implications of this equation are discussed with regard to associating-type polymer solutions.
Mobile Social Software: Facilitating Serendipity or Encouraging Homogeneity?

Mobile social systems can offer heterogeneous views of cities rather than encouraging users to socialize with people they already know and privileging consumption- and entertainment-based urban experiences.
Correlation of radiation and surgical parameters in complications in the extended field technique for carcinoma of the cervix

Abstract Between 1961 and 1976, 257 patients with cancer of the uterine cervix were treated with fields of irradiation higher than 17.5 cm. During that period, 76 patients had a selective lymphadenectomy as part of an investigation of the potential value of the procedure. Because of excessive diarrhea and late complications, adjustments were made in the treatment schemes. The poor survival rates and the high incidence of distant metastases were to be expected since almost all patients had disease in the regional lymphatics. Severe complications were frequent. Using the Cox logistic regression method, the various parameters involved, i.e. the height of the extended fields, the dose to the extended fields, additional external irradiation boost doses, intracavitary radium therapy doses, and surgical or no surgical procedures, were correlated with the complications. The largest contributor to the high complication rate was found to be the dose to the extended fields. A total dose of 4,500 rad to the extended fields at a rate of 900 rad per week is all that can be given safely. In patients with positive lymph nodes and no massive parametrial disease, intracavitary gamma-ray therapy can be performed without diminution of dose. In patients with massive parametrial disease, the disease outside of 15 × 15 cm fields could be ignored in order to give a higher dose to the pelvis, producing local control and, therefore better palliation. The study results reemphasize that the size of the treatment fields is a very important factor in the complication rate.
Iron, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Zinc Deficiencies in Children Presenting with Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder increasing in prevalence. Although there is limited evidence to support treating ADHD with mineral/vitamin supplements, research does exist showing that patients with ADHD may have reduced levels of vitamin D, zinc, ferritin, and magnesium. These nutrients have important roles in neurologic function, including involvement in neurotransmitter synthesis. The aim of this paper is to discuss the role of each of these nutrients in the brain, the possible altered levels of these nutrients in patients with ADHD, possible reasons for a differential level in children with ADHD, and safety and effect of supplementation. With this knowledge, clinicians may choose in certain patients at high risk of deficiency, to screen for possible deficiencies of magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, and iron by checking RBC-magnesium, 25-OH vitamin D, serum/plasma zinc, and ferritin. Although children with ADHD may be more likely to have lower levels of vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and iron, it cannot be stated that these lower levels caused ADHD. However, supplementing areas of deficiency may be a safe and justified intervention.
On the sensitivity of biodynamical interactions to parameter variations

Abstract The effects of a perturbation of the dynamics of a system S upon its capacity for interaction with another system T are investigated. It is shown that the effects of the perturbation on the interactive capabilities of the system can be much greater than upon the dynamical properties of S alone. The significance of this result for biological phenomena such as senescence is discussed.
Semilunar follicular cycle of an intertidal fish: the Fundulus model.

In their habitat, Fundulus heteroclitus (Cyprinodontidae) spawn against a variety of specific substrates that become available only at spring tides; they thus exhibit a semilunar reproductive cyclicity. In the laboratory at 28 + 0.6°C and 14L:10D, this cyclicity is free-running and can be observed by means of daily egg collection and frequent ovarian sampling. Daily egg collection cycles gathered from three different spawning groups were pooled chronologically; the cycles were determined by nonlinear regression sine-curve matching and so were dated from Days -6 to +6, with Day 0 as the peak egg collection day. Ovaries were sampled on Days -6, -4, -2, -1, +1, + 2, and + 4. The pooled data indicate that early-maturing follicles (1.3- to 1.6-mm diameter) are recruited from a constant reserve of vitellogenic follicles (0.7- to 1.2-mm diameter) and become abundant early in the cycle but are depleted during Days -6 to +4 by the formation of late-maturing follicles and ovulated eggs. A midcycle peak of ovulated eggs in the ovary corresponds to the egg collection peak. This progression of follicles followed by spawning decreases the total count of the follicles (- 0.7-mm diameter) and eggs in the ovary by 52% (from 454 to 219 per 10 g of female weight). The semilunar follicular cycle in this Fundulus model thus includes 1) an early-cycle follicle recruitment, 2) an early- and midcycle follicle maturation, and 3) a midcycle egg ovulation and spawning. This follicular cycle also proceeds in fish deprived of a spawning substrate. A female in the wild would thus execute the follicular cycling in a timely sequence, in anticipation of each recurring spring tide, whether or not a natural substrate becomes available. We conclude that F heteroclitus provides a useful nonmammalian model for the study of cyclic reproductive activity in the laboratory.
111) facets as the origin of reconstructed Au(110) surfaces

Abstract The Au(110) surface has been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. The reconstructed surface consists of long ribbons of narrow (111) facets along the [1 1 0] direction with maximum three free rows. Two-row facets give rise to the 1 × 2 reconstruction of the missing-row type, while three-row facets account for the 1 × 3 reconstruction. Disorder arises from locally random sequences of the two facets.
Nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectral characterization of some peroxysterols

Proton and infrared absorption spectra of seven peroxysterols of general structure 6ξ-alkoxy-5,6ξ-epidioxy-5ξ-5,6-secocholestane-3β,5-diol reveal low-field (δH 10.0–10.8) sharp one-proton singlets and associated sharp 3280–3330 cm−1 absorption bands of the 5ξ-hydroxy group, intramolecularly hydrogen bonded to vicinal peroxide oxygen in a previously unrecognized correlation. The peroxysterols are also characterized by 13C NMR spectra.
SAAWOK in Perspective

The primary purpose of the Science As A Way Of Knowing (SAAWOK) Symposia is to provide a conceptual framework of biological science from its historical beginning to today's cutting edge. In turn, this material is designed to influence the teach? ing of biology, primarily within the colle? giate introductory course. Significant quantities of anecdotal data indicate that this is a major use to which the SAAWOK materials are put. Also, the SAAWOK pro? gram has extended beyond the original tar? get population to influence subject matter presentations at levels from secondary schools to graduate schools and beyond the boundaries of biology to include such areas as the social sciences and the humanities. There has been need for a conceptual framework. Science As A Way Of Knowing has begun the task of fulfilling it.