cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Allelic disequilibrium and allele frequency distribution as a function of social and demographic history

Abstract Allelic disequilibrium between closely linked genes is a common observation in human populations and often gives rise to speculation concerning the role of selective forces. In a previous treatment, we have developed a population model of the expected distribution of rare variants (including private polymorphisms) in Amerindians and have argued that, because of the great expansion of Amerindian numbers with the advent of agriculture, most of these rare variants are of relatively recent origin. Many other populations have similar histories of striking recent expansions. In this treatment, we demonstrate that, in consequence of this fact, a high degree of linkage disequilibrium between two nonhomologous alleles <0.5 cM apart is the "normal" expectation, even in the absence of selection. This expectation is enhanced by the previous subdivision of human populations into relatively isolated tribes characterized by a high level of endogamy and inbreeding. We also demonstrate that the alleles associated with a recessive disease phenotype are expected to exist in a population in very variable frequencies: there is no need to postulate positive selection with respect to the more common disease-associated alleles for such entities as phenylketonuria or cystic fibrosis.
The impact of computer-assisted sight word instruction on the reading skills of students with significant intellectual disabilities

There is a paucity of research identifying instructional methods that promote the reading development of students with significant intellectual disabilities (ID). This research study employed a single subject, multiple baseline design to evaluate the effects of computer-assisted sight word instruction employing constant time delay (CTD) procedures with incidental phonics and comprehension stimuli on the reading skill development of six elementary students with moderate ID and expressive language impairments. Study results suggest that the seven week PowerPoint slide show sight word intervention had very small to moderate intervention effects on receptive sight word identification. However, students learned some incidental letter-sound correspondences and demonstrated gains in sight word comprehension. Study results suggest that the computer-assisted sight word intervention may provide a means to foster the development of foundational reading skills with students with moderate ID. Future research is needed to determine if students generalize the essential reading skills acquired through the computer-assisted intervention to the reading material they encounter in home, school, and community environments.
Models that incorporate spinal structures predict better wear performance of cervical artificial discs.

Abstract Background context Wear simulators and their corresponding wear predictive models provide limited information on wear characteristics of artificial discs. Analyses in previous studies that controlled loading profiles according to International Standards Organization (ISO)/American Society for Testing and Materials standards did not account for factors such as the influence of anatomic structures. Retrieval analyses reveal failure modes that are not observed in benchtop simulations and thus indicate deficiencies associated with existing approaches. Purpose To understand the impact of the adjoining spinal structures of a ligamentous segment on the wear of an artificial cervical disc. Study design Prediction of wear in artificial disc implants (total disc replacement [TDR]) in situ using finite element modeling. Methods A novel predictive finite element model was used to evaluate wear in a simulated functional spinal unit (FSU). A predictive finite element wear model of the disc alone (TDR Only) was developed, along the lines of that proposed in the literature. This model was then incorporated into a ligamentous C5–C6 finite element model (TDR+FSU). Both of these models were subjected to a motion profile (rotation about three axes) with varying preloads of 50 to150 N at 1 Hz, consistent with ISO 18192. A subroutine based on Archard law simulated abrasive wear on the polymeric core up to 10 million cycles. The TDR+FSU model was further modified to simulate facetectomy, sequential addition of ligaments, and compressive load; simulations were repeated for 10 million cycles. Results The predicted wear patterns in the isolated disc (TDR Only) and in TDR+FSU were completely inconsistent. The TDR+FSU model predicted localized wear in certain regions, in contrast to the uniformly distributed wear pattern of the TDR-only model. In addition, the cumulative volumetric wear for the TDR-only model was 10 times that of the TDR+FSU model. The TDR+FSU model also revealed a separation at the articulating interface during extension and lateral bending. After facetectomy, the wear pattern remained lopsided, but linear wear increased eightfold, whereas volumetric wear almost tripled. This was accompanied by a reduction in observed liftoff. The addition of anterior longitudinal ligament/posterior longitudinal ligament did not affect volumetric or linear wear. On the removal of all ligaments and facet forces, and replacement of follower load with a compressive load, the wear pattern returned to an approximation of the TDR-only test case, whereas the cumulative volumetric wear became nearly equivalent. In this case, the liftoff phenomenon was absent. Conclusions Anatomic structures and follower load mitigate the wear of an artificial disc. The proposed model (TDR+FSU) would enable further study of the effects of clinical parameters (eg, surgical variables, different loading profiles, different disc designs, and bone quality) on wear in these implants.
Direct nuclear‐pumped laser amplifier

A 3He‐Xe gas mixture, excited by the 3He(n,p) 3H reaction, has been employed to amplify the output of a 3He‐Xe direct nuclear‐pumped laser. Lasing occurred on the 2.63‐μ of XeI in the oscillator. The oscillator output was reflected through 180 ° and passed through the amplifier system. Power measurements of the oscillator output and the amplifier output show the laser power to be amplified by a factor of 3 for the 3He‐Xe system. Amplification by a factor of 5 was obtained for a 3He‐CO system.
Microstructural characterization and mechanical property of active soldering anodized 6061 Al alloy using Sn–3.5Ag–xTi active solders

Abstract Active solders Sn–3.5Ag–xTi varied from x = 0 to 6 wt.% Ti addition were prepared by vacuum arc re-melting and the resultant phase formation and variation of microstructure with titanium concentration were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The Sn–3.5Ag–xTi active solders are used as metallic filler to join with anodized 6061 Al alloy for potential applications of providing a higher heat conduction path. Their joints and mechanical properties were characterized and evaluated in terms of titanium content. The mechanical property of joints was measured by shear testing. The joint strength was very dependent on the titanium content. Solder with a 0.5 wt.% Ti addition can successfully wet and bond to the anodized aluminum oxide layers of Al alloy and posses a shear strength of 16.28 ± 0.64 MPa. The maximum bonding strength reached 22.24 ± 0.70 MPa at a 3 wt.% Ti addition. Interfacial reaction phase and chemical composition were identified by a transmission electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometer. Results showed that the Ti element reacts with anodized aluminum oxide to form Al 3 Ti-rich and Al 3 Ti phases at the joint interfaces.
Somatostatin analogues inhibit growth of pancreatic cancer by stimulating tyrosine phosphatase

Several analogues of somatostatin were examined in the Mia PaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cell line for their ability to promote tyrosine phosphatase activity affecting the receptors for the epidermal growth factor. The inhibition of growth of the Mia PaCa-2 cells in culture was also evaluated to determine the mechanism of action of somatostatin analogues and their relative effectiveness in inhibiting cancer growth. Of the analogues tested D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Trp-NH2 (RC-160) caused the greatest stimulation of tyrosine phosphatase activity. Analogue D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Thr-NH2 (RC-121) had less effect but was more potent than somatostatin-14. Analogue D-Phe-Cys-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys-Thr(ol) (SMS 201-995) produced no significant dephosphorylation. The analogues displayed the same order of activity in assays on growth inhibition of Mia PaCa-2 cells in cultures. Analogue (SMS-201-995) caused virtually no tyrosine phosphatase stimulation or growth inhibition in this cancer cell line, although it possesses a much higher antisecretory activity than somatostatin-14 in normal tissues. These observations indicate that somatostatin and some of its analogues can act as growth inhibitors in cancer cells through the activation of tyrosine phosphatase. These data reinforce the view that somatostatin analogue RC-160 and related compounds could be used for treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Optical Monitoring of Bolt Tightening Using 3D Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry

An optical method is presented for the real-time monitoring of the bolt tightening process that provides the necessary clamping force in bolted assemblies. The method uses the 3D electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) technique to measure and monitor the joint deformation and strain fields in the joint around the tightened fastener, and establish a reliable correlation with the clamp load provided by the fastener tightening. Because the relationship between the clamp load and joint deformation is independent of the frictional variables of the fastener, the direct monitoring of the deformation and strain fields in the clamped joint would provide a more reliable measure of the clamp load level, as compared to the conventional reliance on the tightening torque to predict the resulting clamp load level. This technique is beneficial, especially for monitoring, with high precision, the proper tightening of critical bolted connections such as those used in many pressure vessels in the nuclear power industry. The validity of the optical technique is also ascertained by comparing the results to that obtained by using finite element analysis and other classical mechanics of materials methods.
Acute appendicitis after solid organ transplantation

Appendicitis has rarely been reported following solid organ transplantation and never following liver transplantation. We reviewed records of all patients who received solid organ transplants at UCLA between 1989 and 2002 and subsequently underwent appendectomy for presumed acute appendicitis. Of nearly 8000 transplant patients, 17 (nine male, eight female) subsequently underwent appendectomy for presumed acute appendicitis. Average age at appendectomy was 37 yrs (range 6-73 yrs). Organ transplants included liver (seven patients), heart (four), kidney (three), kidney-pancreas (two), and heart-kidney (one). The mean interval from transplant to appendectomy was 1064 d (16-2977). Presenting symptoms and signs included abdominal pain in 16 patients (94%); nausea and or vomiting in 15 (88%); right lower quadrant tenderness in 16; and leukocytosis (WBC > 10 000) in 13 (76%). Mean interval from presentation to appendectomy was 0.94 d (range 0-4). Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 16 patients and showed signs of acute appendicitis in 15. Open technique was used in all patients, preceded by laparoscopy in one. Pathology showed appendicitis in 15 patients (one with perforation), serositis in one, and a normal appendix in one. Mean duration of hospitalization was 7 d (range 1-20). Complications occurred in four patients (24%) and included intra-abdominal abscess requiring percutaneous drainage, ventral hernia, small bowel obstruction, and hematuria in one patient each. There were no deaths and no cases of acute rejection during hospitalization. Average length of follow-up was 712 d (range 3-2492). We conclude that appendicitis is relatively rare following solid organ transplantation. CT facilitates prompt diagnosis. The clinical presentation is similar to that of non-transplant patients, but complications are more frequent, and hospitalization is longer.
Is Corporate Venture Capital a Prescription for Success in the Pharmaceutical Industry

While venture capital investing may not appear to be aligned with the core activities of most corporations, it is a financial practice that has found its way into many technology-intensive businesses. Unlike traditional venture capital, corporate venture capital (CVC) primarily serves strategic purposes. Among the industries where CVC is prevalent, the pharmaceutical industry has many features that distinguish it from other technology-based businesses. For example, product development times are long, attrition rates of initiated products are high, and companies live off of the income from relatively few high-revenue products. With these characteristics in mind one can easily imagine that CVC fulfills strategic purposes in the pharmaceutical industry differently than it fulfills strategic purposes in other industries. In this study I ask whether CVC truly serves a useful role in pharmaceutical companies and, if so, does it benefit some pharmaceutical companies more than others? I argue that given its relatively low cost versus high strategic benefit, CVC has a role in all pharmaceutical companies. However, it has greater value in companies with complex business models. Furthermore, as volatility in the industry externalities escalates, the value of CVC in the pharmaceutical industry increases.
Asymptotics for REML estimation of spatial covariance parameters

In agricultural field trials, restricted maximum likelihood estimation (REML) of the spatial covariance parameters is often preferred to maximum likelihood. Although it has either been conjectured or assumed that REML estimators are asymptotically Gaussian, conditions under which such asymptotic results hold are clearly needed. This article gives checkable conditions for spatial regression when sampling locations are either on a rectangular grid or are irregularly spaced but satisfy certain growth conditions.
Fractionation and comparative studies of enzymes in aqueous extracts of spinach chloroplasts.

Abstract Water and dilute salt solutions were employed gor the hypotonic rupture and repeated extraction of proteins from spinach chloroplasts. The extracts were partially fractionated with ammonium sulfate, and the fractions so obtained were resolved by sucrose-gradient centrifugation and by electrophoresis on acrylamide gels. These techniques physically separated several enzymes of phosphate metabolism which are interdependent upon common substrates, co-factors, and reaction products, and which may function critically in photophosphorylation or its reversal. These enzymes are a Ca ++ -dependent ATPase ( S 20 w 12.7; DTT stimulated; active as coupling factor in photophosphorylation; morphologically identical to quantasomes), a discretely different Mg ++ -dependent ATPase ( S 20 w 6.0; entirely different from mitochondrial ATPases; does not require activation but is stabilized by reductants), and ATP-ADP exchange enzyme ( S 20 w 7.0), adenylate kinase ( S 20 w 4.2), and an alkaline inorganic pyrophosphatase (associated with fructose diphosphatase activity). In addition, a similar interacting system of CO 2 -fixing enzymes, comprised of ribulose diphosphate carboxylase, ribose phosphate isomerase, and phosphoribulokinase was separated. The fractionation and isolation conditions described were chosen to preserve all of these activities, and to provide an environment suited to a uniform comparison of their physical and enzymatic properties. These properties are compared with those of enzymes having similar functions, purified from chloroplasts by other means.
A rapid four column purification of 2-deoxy-D-glucoside-2-sulphamate sulphohydrolase from human liver

Abstract 2-Deoxy- D -glucoside-2-sulphamate sulphohydrolase was extracted from human liver and purified 40 000-fold by a simple four column procedure. The purification was followed using a specific substrate isolated from an acid hydrolysate of heparin, O-(α-2- sulphamino -2- deoxy- D -glucopyranosyl )-(1→3)- L -[6, 3 H] idonic acid. Only one form of the enzyme was seen on either ion exchange chromatography or isoelectric focussing, with a pI of 6.8. The apparent Mr of the haloenzyme as determined by gel filtration was 190 000 ± 20 000. Two other larger Mr protein peaks observed on gel filtration appear to be an inactive dimer of the 190 000 dalton peak and a larger aggregate near the exclusion limit of the column. On polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate, with or without prior reduction, each protein peak from the gel filtration column electrophoreced as a single major band with an apparent Mr corresponding to 55 000 ± 6000.
"Surviving All Changes is Your Destiny": Violence and Popular Movements in Guatemala

Political violence in Central America gained international media attention during the 1980s because of the involvement of the United States in this conflictive region, and a generation of activists and scholars has written prolifically about it. Now, in the wake of reconciliation efforts in the region, it is appropriate to revisit the question of why and how the tragedy of the past four decades occurred. As Robert Holden points out in his analysis of the historical origins of endemic state-sponsored violence in Central America, violence has often been treated simplistically as a by-product of other political and economic characteristics of the region' (Holden, 1996: 435-459). This tendency is especially true of North American scholarship. Holden breaks new ground by calling for "a new agenda." He addresses political violence as an independent variable and calls for a closer analysis of the enduring presence of violence in the region over the past 120 years.2 This article attempts to continue this careful analysis of the nature of political violence in Central America. Because the notion of "democracy" is inextricably linked to the efforts of peace and reconciliation, it is logical to analyze the relationship between violence and popular movements-arguably the most important examples of democratic institutions in the region. This article seeks to examine the effects of politically motivated violence on popular movements, specifically campesino organizations, in Guatemala between 1954 and 1985. The analysis does not pretend to explain recent events or offer predictions for the future, but a careful analysis of the relationship between popular organizations and political violence in that country is a practical starting point.
Attitudes toward Individuals Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Research Review

This paper presents the findings of a review of 13 studies of attitudes toward individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The following factors that influenced attitudes were found: characteristics of typically developing individuals, characteristics of the person using AAC, and characteristics of AAC systems' output. This research base indicates that females reported more positive attitudes than males, and that individuals with previous experience with people with disabilities reported more positive attitudes than did individuals who had no previous experience with people with disabilities. The AAC system and other factors studied did not appear to be influential as single factors; however, data from the studies reviewed provide support for the hypothesis that attitudes are formed by the interaction of many different factors. There has been limited research in techniques to change attitudes toward individuals who use AAC. A recommendation from this review is that future researc...
Adverse consequences of hospitalization in the elderly

Abstract This study prospectively examines 502 general medical patients for evidence of side-effects of hospitalization unrelated to diagnosis or therapy of acute illness. Symptoms of depressed psychophysiologic functioning (confusion, falling, not eating, and incontinence) unrelated to acute medical diahnoses were found in 8.8% of the patients under 70 and in 40.5% of the elderly population (P
Valproic acid prevents brain injury in a canine model of hypothermic circulatory arrest: a promising new approach to neuroprotection during cardiac surgery.

Background The anticonvulsant valproic acid (sodium valproate, Depacon™) acts as a neuroprotectant in rodents, but has never been tested in larger animals. We used valproate in our canine model of hypothermic circulatory arrest to evaluate its neuroprotective benefit in complex cardiac surgical cases. Methods Thirteen dogs pretreated with valproate before 2 hours of hypothermic circulatory arrest survived for 24 hours (n = 7) or 72 hours (n = 6). Thirteen control animals (placebo only) also survived for 24 hours (n = 7) or 72 hours (n = 6) after hypothermic circulatory arrest. Blinded clinical neurologic evaluation was performed daily until sacrifice using the Pittsburgh Canine Neurologic Scoring System. Brains were harvested for blinded histopathologic analysis by a neuropathologist to determine the extent of apoptosis and necrosis in 11 brain regions (Total Brain Cell Death Score: 0=normal, 99=extensive neuronal death in all regions). Quantification of N -acetyl-aspartate, an established marker for brain injury, was performed with mass spectrometry. Results Valproate dogs scored significantly better than control animals on clinical neurologic evaluation. Histopathologic examination revealed that valproate animals demonstrated less neuronal damage (by Total Brain Cell Death Score) than control animals at both 24 hours (16.4 versus 11.4; p = 0.03) and 72 hours (21.7 versus 17.7; p = 0.07). At 72 hours, the entorhinal cortex, an area involved with learning and memory, was significantly protected in valproate dogs ( p N -acetyl-aspartate levels after valproate pretreatment. Conclusions These data demonstrate clinical, histologic, and biochemical improvements in dogs pretreated with valproate before hypothermic circulatory arrest. This commonly used drug may offer a promising new approach to neuroprotection during cardiac surgery.
Inhibition of tumor growth in vitro by the extract of Fagopyrum cymosum

OBJECTIVE Fagopyrum cymosum (Trev.) Meisn has long been used in China to treat various ailments of the lung, including lung tumors. This study investigated whether Fagopyrum cymosum extract (Fago-c) has effects on other organs. METHODS Human cancer cells derived from 10 different organs were employed, and their growths as affected by Fago-c were investigated. RESULTS It was found that the growth of cancer cells from lung, liver, colon, leukocytes and bone is inhibited by Fago-c. However, cancer cells derived from prostate, cervix, ovary and brain are not sensitive to Fago-c, and the extract stimulates the growth of cancer cells from breast (MCF-7). Synergistic inhibition effect of Fago-c and daunomycin was observed in human lung cancer cells (H460). Cellular proteins from H460 cells treated with Fago-c were analyzed by 2D-gel electrophoresis. A protein (M.W./pI=20 K/5.9) was induced. The Fago-c extract was analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Four major and twenty minor components were identified. CONCLUSION These studies indicate the effect of Fago-c in inhibiting the growth of cell lines derived from certain organs.
Financial Payoff in Patent Alliance: Evolutionary Dynamic Modeling

Originating from the strategic management theory, resource-based view of firm believes that firms rely on bundles of resources which enable them to gain competitive advantage. Patent, as an integral part of intellectual capital, is an important resource for organizations building capabilities. With the heterogeneous in nature and imperfectly mobile, patent and its management becomes increasingly crucial for organizations facing globalization, information transparency, and intensified competition in developing a sustainable competitive advantage. Drawing upon the literature on strategic alliance, resource-based view, and patent management, we study how sharing patents can create sharing value added and synergy value added that enable participants in the patent alliance to obtain better financial payoff. Specifically, in this paper, we use the evolutionary stable strategy and replicator dynamic from evolutionary game theory to model the synergy effects in patent alliance. Our evolutionary dynamic modeling shows that an evolutionary stable state converges when organizations share patents, and supports that both patent sharing value added and synergy value added from patent alliance would be financially beneficial to organizations.
Analyzing ecosystem adaptability

Abstract The adaptability of an organism or community is its ability to function in an uncertain environment. This is determined by its potential behavioral uncertainty (or repertoire of possible behaviors) together with its ability to either anticipate or ignore the environment. Efficiency considerations suggest that communities evolve in such a way that their adaptability tends to equal the actual uncertainty of the environment. If the ecosystem is described in hierarchical terms (e.g. genome and phenome, organism, population, community), the adaptability can be split into components associated with gene pool diversity; physiological, behavioral, and developmental plasticity; culturability; social plasticity; and reroutability of energy flow in foodwebs. These different strategies of adaptability are the fundamental determinants of ecosystem stability. Their analysis has implications for a wide variety of ecosystem processes.
Holographic geometry of the renormalization group and higher spin symmetries

We consider the Wilson-Polchinski exact renormalization group (RG) applied to the generating functional of single-trace operators at a free-fixed point in $d=2+1$ dimensions. By exploiting the rich symmetry structure of free-field theory, we study the geometric nature of the RG equations and the associated Ward identities. The geometry, as expected, is holographic, with anti--de Sitter spacetime emerging correspondent with RG fixed points. The field theory construction gives us a particular vector bundle over the $d+1$-dimensional RG mapping space, called a jet bundle, whose structure group arises from the linear orthogonal bilocal transformations of the bare fields in the path integral. The sources for quadratic operators constitute a connection on this bundle and a section of its endomorphism bundle. Recasting the geometry in terms of the corresponding principal bundle, we arrive at a structure remarkably similar to the Vasiliev theory, where the horizontal part of the connection on the principal bundle is Vasiliev's higher spin connection, while the vertical part (the Faddeev-Popov ghost) corresponds to the $S$ field. The Vasiliev equations are then, respectively, the RG equations and the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin equations, with the RG beta functions encoding bulk interactions. Finally, we remark that a large class of interacting field theories can be studied through integral transforms of our results, and it is natural to organize this in terms of a large $N$ expansion.
Application of SWAT in the evaluation of salmon habitat remediation policy

Agricultural non-point source water pollutants such as sediment, pesticides and nutrients have been identified as contributing to the environmental distress of salmon runs in the Pacific Northwest. Policies to control non-point pollution from agricultural production can be classified as command and control or economic incentive policies. In application of a command and control policy, a regulator (usually a government agency) mandates a reduction in emissions or limits an agricultural production activity. Examples are a mandated reduction in nutrient application, or a reduction in emission of a nutrient to streams. Economic incentive policies are designed to achieve the same level of pollution control, while allowing some flexibility in maximizing profit. A tax on inputs is one frequently cited incentive measure. In this study, alternative policies to reduce non-point emissions from agriculture on the Columbia Plateau of Washington, Oregon and Idaho are evaluated. The environmental efficiency and effects on profits by reduction of nitrogen from fertilizer under command and control regulation and tax incentives are compared. Copyright  2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Branch vanguard: decomposing branch functionality into prediction and resolution instructions

While control speculation is highly effective for generating good schedules in out-of-order processors, it is less effective for in-order processors because compilers have trouble scheduling in the presence of unbiased branches, even when those branches are highly predictable. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel architectural branch decomposition that separates the prediction and deconvergence point of a branch from its resolution, which enables the compiler to profitably schedule across predictable, but unbiased branches. We show that the hardware support for this branch architecture is a trivial extension of existing systems and describe a simple code transformation for exploiting this architectural support. As architectural changes are required, this technique is most compelling for a dynamic binary translation-based system like Project Denver. We evaluate the performance improvements enabled by this transformation for several in-order configurations across the SPEC 2006 benchmark suites. We show that our technique produces a Geomean speedup of 11% for SPEC 2006 Integer, with speedups as large as 35%. As floating point benchmarks contain fewer unbiased, but predictable branches, our Geomean speedup on SPEC 2006 FP is 7%, with a maximum speedup of 26%.
Size variation in the Cape dune molerat (Bathyergus suillus) and late Quaternary climatic change in the southwestern Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract Within their historic range at the southwestern tip of Africa, Cape dune molerats (Bathyergus suillus) tend to be significantly larger in areas of higher rainfall. They also tend to be large in late Quaternary fossil samples associated with independent evidence for relatively moist climate and small in samples associated with evidence for relatively dry conditions. Together with sedimentologic/geomorphic and other faunal observations, fluctuations in fossil dune molerat size imply that the regional climate was very moist during an early late Quaternary interval corresponding to marine isotope stage 4 (74,000 to 59,000 yr B.P.) or perhaps to substage 5b or 5d (centered on 110,000 and 90,000 yr B.P., respectively.) It was comparably moist again from roughly 14,000 to 8,000 yr B.P., somewhat drier than at present from about 8000 until 4000 yr B.P., and mainly near the modern average after 4000 yr B.P. Together, the modern and fossil data suggest that dune molerat size is a reliable index of past precipitation, but it may not be useful for revealing extremely arid conditions because these seem to be associated with depositional/occupational gaps in most local paleontological/archeological sites.
A pilot study comparing protein expression in different segments of the normal colon and rectum and in normal colon versus adenoma in patients with Lynch syndrome

Purpose Lynch syndrome (LS) is a common inherited predisposition to colorectal cancer (CRC). In LS patients, CRC is predominantly located in the right colon, as opposed to sporadic CRC, which usually affects the left colon or rectum. Previous studies have demonstrated a clear distinction in gene expression between sporadic CRC and normal colon at different locations in the colorectum. However, little is known about LS gene expression profiles in different areas of the colorectum. Here, we compared the protein expression profiles for normal colorectal samples among different locations as well as between adenomas and matched normal tissue in LS.
Nonlinear X-ray production of defect spins in vitreous SiO2 : the roles of creation and activation

Abstract The dependence of spin concentration on X-ray dose is shown to be nonlinear in distinctive ways for the three most common defect structures in vitreous SiO2. We fit the data with a model invoking two concurrent simple processes: creation of new defects and activation of preexisting ones. The resultant fit parameters show dependencies on hydroxyl concentration and fictive temperature that shed new light on the processes, the defects, their origins and the radiation hardness of v-SiO2.
Spectra from plasma created by very high intensity picosecond laser

Abstract The Powerful Picosecond Laser (PP-Laser) System with an output power level of 20–30 GW and focused power density of 10 16 W/cm 2 has been operating as a part of the X-ray laser program at Princeton University for more than 2 yr (presently the PP-Laser System is producing power density which is larger by almost two orders of magnitude). Such a laser system creates an electric field which is greater than the Coulomb field in atoms. This may lead to a number of new physical processes like multiphoton excitation and ionization in a very strong field. Several spectra from the plasma created by the PP-Laser interacting with different solid targets are presented. Spectra were obtained in the range of 6–300 A using the high resolution NRL-G SFC 3m XUV spectrograph. Very large broadenings of the lines from highly ionized ions were observed. Also presented are spectra recorded in a longer spectral range (up to visible), and some of the spectral line anomalies are discussed.
Long-duration correlation and attractor topology of the heartbeat rate differ for healthy patients and those with heart failure

The point process formed by the sequence of human heartbeats exhibits long-duration power- law correlation. We obtain the normalized coincidence rate g(2)((tau) ) of the underlying point process and demonstrate that the correlation is stronger for patients with normal hearts than those with heart failure. This is consistent with the greater rate fluctuations observed in the normal heart. A number of statistical measures are used to establish the existence and reveal the form of the correlation, including rescaled range analysis, pulse- number distribution, Fano-factor time curve (FFC), and power spectral density. The normalized coincidence rate is obtained from the FFC. The long-duration, power-law correlation observed in the sequence of heartbeats is similar to that observed at a number of neurophysiological loci in a variety of species. We also obtain the box-counting estimate of the attractor's fractal dimension from a phase-space reconstruction and analysis of the trajectory of the number of heartbeat events. This approach reveals that the heartbeats of normal patients exhibit an attractor of higher dimension than those of heart-failure patients.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Impervious and pervious pavements increase soil CO2 concentrations and reduce root production of American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Abstract Mature trees with large canopies help reduce problems of excessive heat and surface runoff in urban areas through shading, transpirational cooling, and interception and absorption of precipitation. Trees in paved impervious areas often suffer from a poor root zone environment. The objective of this experiment was to test if use of pervious concrete could be more beneficial for root growth and consequently a better alternative towards preserving existing mature trees during urban development. We measured root activity through CO 2 flux, and also measured root production of American sweetgum under impervious concrete, pervious concrete and no pavement conditions (control). Soil under impervious concrete had lower oxygen concentrations than soil under pervious concrete and control treatments, particularly under wet conditions. Soil under pervious concrete had a 0.020 m 3 m −3 (2% volumetric water content (VWC)) greater volumetric water content than soils paved with impervious concrete. Soil CO 2 efflux rates and soil CO 2 concentrations were extremely high under both concrete treatments. Standing live root length at the end of the experiment was greater under the control treatment than under both concrete treatments and these changes in root production were likely due to high soil CO 2 concentrations under both pervious and impervious concrete. The soil type at our site, which is a Ships clay with a very low permeability rate, may have limited CO 2 exchange through the pervious pavement. On this heavy clay soil, pervious concrete did not convey any measurable root growth benefits over impervious concrete.
Anecdotes-a very early expert system

A seldom-mentioned set of expert systems that have some claim to be regarded as among the first artificial intelligence programs that were implemented and used to perform a professional task at an expert level is described. The set of programs was developed for electric motor, generator, and transformer design. They were written and used by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation at least as early as 1956. >
Upper and lower estimates for positive solutions of the higher order Lidstone boundary value problem

We consider the higher order Lidstone boundary value problem. New upper and lower estimates for positive solutions of the problem are obtained. A discussion of the sharpness of the estimates is included.
Coloring materials for denture-base resins Part II. Suitability for use

Abstract The miscibility of the coloring materials with the methyl methacrylate resin renders the colors sufficiently bonded to make them relatively stable to leaching processes. Fine polymer granules proved to be stable to leaching in media of acetic acid, alcohol, and saliva. Bicarbonate of soda had a marked leaching effect upon several of the samples. No untoward effects were produced from the clinically tested color samples using the patch test method. The pigmented commercially available dental plastics were susceptible to leaching in the bicarbonate of soda solution and to a lesser degree in the acetic acid, ethyl alcohol, and saliva. Although the color content was excessive in the new colored acrylic resin samples, the leaching effect was much less in most of them than in the commercially available denture-base acrylic resins. Reaction in the subcutaneous tissue was not altered by the addition of selected coloring materials to clear methyl methacrylate resin when implanted subcutaneously in dogs.
Market values and efficiency in US insurer acquisitions and divestitures

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the market‐value relevance of frontier efficiency scores and to test hypotheses from corporate control and production theory by analyzing the market response to US property–liability (P–L) insurer acquisitions and divestitures.Design/methodology/approach – Cost and revenue efficiencies are estimated based on accounting data for US P–L insurers using data envelopment analysis. The market‐value response to acquisitions and divestitures is estimated using a standard market model event study. Regression analysis is used to measure the relationship between abnormal returns (dependent variable) and efficiency (independent variable), along with a set of control variables.Findings – The results show that acquirers, targets and divesting firms all have significant positive abnormal returns around announcement dates. We also find that efficient acquirers and targets have higher cumulative abnormal returns (CAR) but inefficient divesting firms have higher CARs.Rese...
The Architecture of Molecules

Molecular architecture may be said to have originated in 1874, when J. H. van't Hoff and J. A. le Bel independently formulated the brilliant postulate that the four valence bonds of the carbon atom are directed approximately toward the corners of a regular tetrahedron. It was extended into inorganic chemistry in 1893, when A. Werner suggested that in many inorganic complexes six atoms are arranged at the corners of a regular octahedron about a central atom, and that other geometrical structures are represented by other complexes. However, the present-day subject of molecular architecture, involving the precise discussion of the structure of molecules and crystals in terms of interatomic distances and bond angles, is a product of the last half century. It began in 1913, when W. H. Bragg and W. L. Bragg reported the determination of the arrangement of atoms of sodium and chlorine in the sodium chloride crystal and the evaluation of the distance between the centers of the atoms by the newly discovered method of analysis of the X-ray diffraction pattern. During the last 50 years the precise structures of thousands of crystals and molecules have been determined by the methods of X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, and molecular spectroscopy, with the aid of other techniques, such as the determination of entropy values.
Angular Correlations in K 0 -Decay Processes

The reactions ${K}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{{e}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}} or {\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}}+\ensuremath{\nu}+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{\mp}}$ afford a good opportunity to study fully the dynamics of decay processes involving leptons. It is shown that, under certain rather general assumptions customarily adopted in regard to weak lepton interactions, the distribution in angle between $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\nu}$ has a simple, uniquely specified form, independent of the properties of the $K$ particle; namely, aside from a known, angle-dependent factor related to phase volume, the distribution is proportional to $A+Bcos\ensuremath{\theta}+C{cos}^{2}\ensuremath{\theta}$, where $A$, $B$, and $C$ may depend on the $\ensuremath{\pi}$ momentum. For any given momentum, the relative magnitudes of $A$, $B$, and $C$, when determined experimentally, can be expected to illuminate a second aspect of the problem; namely, the detailed nature of the lepton coupling. The situation is especially transparent for the $e\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$ mode in the case that the $K$ particle has zero spin. This is discussed in some detail.
Studies on the Effect of Cyclic Loading on Grain Boundary Rupture Time

This paper studies intergranular creep failure of high-temperature service material under a stress-controlled unbalanced cyclic loading condition. The experimentally verified Murakami-Ohno strain-hardening creep law and Norton's creep law are incorporated into the Tvegaard's axis-symmetric model for the constrained grain boundary rupture analysis. Based on the physically realistic Murakami-Ohno creep law, it is shown that the cavity growth becomes unconstrained upon the stress reversal from compression to tension. This leads to the prediction that the material life under a cyclic loading condition is shorter than that under a constant loading. Based on the classical Norton's law, the predicted material life under a cyclic loading condition remains the same as that under a constant loading. The obtained numerical results qualitatively match recent experimental results by Arai, where the life under a cyclic loading can be much shorter than that under a constant loading. There are many cases where engineers use a simple Norton's creep law because of its simplicity. The present work suggests that more physically realistic creep laws should be used when cyclic loading must be considered.
Cutaneous B cell lymphoma: Diagnostic use of monoclonal antibodies

A patient presented with a solitary plaque initially interpreted on light microscopy as benign lymphoplasia. Monoclonal antibody studies were used to define the B cell origin of the infiltrate and to characterize its probable malignant potential. Monoclonal antibody typing is a useful technique to evaluate lymphocytic infiltrates that may be difficult to categorize on the basis of routine light microscopy.
Height-depth ratios of lunar and terrestrial craters.

WITH remarkably few exceptions, the inner floors of typical rimmed lunar craters lie below the external datum (which is the base of the crater outer rim) whereas floors of terrestrial calderas are situated well above the base of the host volcano. Gilbert1, the first to describe this fundamental difference in the surface geometry of the two landforms, referred specifically to “normal” or “main sequence” lunar craters such as Copernicus or Alphonsus, with which lunar observers were most familiar. His generalization does not necessarily extend to lunar dome and cone summit craters, various types of rimless depressions and chain craters, or to normal craters which have been deeply and catastrophically flooded or buried by post-formational geologic materials. This distinction is continued in this communication.
Long-Term Efficacy of Various Natural or "Green" Insecticides against Bed Bugs: A Double-Blind Study.

Bed bugs are resurging throughout the world, and, thus, effective pest control strategies are constantly needed. A few studies have evaluated 25(b) and other natural, or so-called “green” products, as well as over-the-counter insecticides for bed bugs, but additional studies are needed to determine efficacy of bed bug control products. This double-blinded research project was initiated to examine long-term effectiveness of six commercially available natural or “green” insecticides against bed bugs and to compare them with three known traditional residual products. Water was used as a control. Products were evaluated against both susceptible and resistant strains of bed bugs (1200 bugs each), and two different substrates were used. Temprid® (Bayer Corporation, Monheim, Germany), Transport® (FMC Corp., Philadelphia, PA, USA), Invader® (FMC Corporation, Philadelphia, PA USA), Cimexa® (Rockwell Laboratories, Kansas City, MO, USA), and BBT-2000® (Swepe-Tite LLC, Tupelo, MS, USA) were the only products which showed any substantial (>40%) bed bug control upon exposure to treated substrates after the six-month waiting period, although results with the resistant bed bug strain were much reduced. Alpine dust® (BASF Corporation, Florham Park, NJ, USA) killed 27% of bed bugs or less, depending on strain and substrate. EcoRaider® (North Bergen, NJ, USA) and Mother Earth D® (Whitmire Microgen, Florham Park, NJ, USA) (diatomaceous earth) produced 11% control or less. Cimi-Shield Protect® (Pest Barrier, Carson, CA, USA) showed no activity against bed bugs in this study. Analysis using SAS software showed a three-way interaction between treatment, substrate, and bed bug strain (Numerator DF 9; Denominator DF 80; F = 4.90; p < 0.0001).
Adhesive bonding of various materials to hard tooth tissues. X. Initial rates of adsorption of nickel or copper ions on hydroxyapatite surface.

Initial rates of ion-exchange adsorption of nickelous or cupric ions with calcium ions on the surface of synthetic hydroxyapatite were studied in aqueous nitrate solutions. A kinetic interpretation has been proposed. The determination of the initial rates is important for a systematic investigation of adhesion of certain properly designe substances that may mediate a chemical bonding between dental resins and “moralanted” calcified tissues.