cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comorbidity of body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders: severity of psychopathology and body image disturbance.

Objective The current study examined comorbidity and clinical correlates of eating disorders in a large sample of individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Method Two hundred individuals with DSM-IV (4th ed. of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 1994) BDD completed reliable interviewer-administered and self-report measures, including diagnostic assessments and measures of body image, symptom severity, delusionality, psychosocial functioning, quality of life (QOL), and history of psychiatric treatment. Results A total of 32.5% of BDD subjects had a comorbid lifetime eating disorder: 9.0% had anorexia nervosa, 6.5% had bulimia nervosa, and 17.5% had an eating disorder not otherwise specified. Comparisons of subjects with a comorbid lifetime eating disorder (n = 65) and subjects without an eating disorder (n = 135) indicated that the comorbid group was more likely to be female, less likely to be African American, had more comorbidity, and had significantly greater body image disturbance and dissatisfaction. There were no significant group differences in BDD symptom severity, degree of delusionality, or suicidal ideation or attempts. Functioning and QOL were notably poor in both groups, with no significant between-group differences. However, a higher proportion of the comorbid eating disorder group had been hospitalized for psychiatric problems. This group had also received a greater number of psychotherapy sessions and psychotropic medications. Conclusion Eating disorders appear relatively common in individuals with BDD. BDD subjects with a comorbid eating disorder differed on several demographic variables, had greater comorbidity and body image disturbance, and had received more mental health treatment than subjects without a comorbid eating disorder. These findings have important implications for the assessment and treatment of these comorbid body image disorders. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chirality Holds the Key for Potent Inhibition of the Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype A Protease

Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) is the most toxic protein known to man and also a bioterrorism agent. As defined by our previous research targeting the etiological agent responsible for BoNT/A intoxication, a protease, we now report on the asymmetric synthesis of four new BoNT/A inhibitors; the most potent of this series is roughly 2-fold more active than the best small molecule inhibitor currently known.
Rhenium in the Black Sea: comparison with molybdenum and uranium

Rhenium concentrations were measured in the Black Sea to determine the behavior of this redox-sensitive element in an anoxic basin. Under reducing conditions, Re is removed from solution, leading to its depletion from Black Sea deep waters. Compared with uranium, water column Re and Mo profiles show evidence of removal from mid-depths, suggesting that these elements are scavenged either in the water column or slope sediments to a greater degree than U. Black Sea surface waters are enriched in Re, reflecting Re in rivers draining into the northern Black Sea that are enhanced up to 80-fold over other large world rivers. This enrichment is most likely anthropogenic and may be due to coal burning in the region. A simple two-box model is used to demonstrate that Re concentrations in the Black Sea are not in steady state with respect to current riverine inputs and authigenic fluxes. Riverine inputs of U and Mo are not as significant, perhaps reflecting the fractionation of Re from the other elements during a high-temperature combustion process (Re2O7 is volatile above 270°C).
Can Positive Duties be Derived from Kant's Formula of Universal Law

According to the standard reading of Kant's formula of universal law (FUL), positive duties can be derived from FUL. In this article, I argue that the standard reading does not work. In the first section, I articulate FUL and what I mean by a positive duty. In the second section, I set out an intuitive version of the standard reading of FUL and argue that it does not work. In the third section, I set out a more rigorous version of the standard reading of FUL and argue that even this more rigorous version does not work.
Performance and Energy Modeling for Cooperative Hybrid Computing

Accelerator-based heterogeneous systems can provide high performance and energy efficiency, both of which are key design goals in high performance computing. To fully realize the potential of heterogeneous architectures, software must optimally exploit the hosts' and accelerators' processing and power-saving capabilities. Yet, previous studies mainly focus on using hosts and accelerators to boost application performance. Power-saving features to improve the energy efficiency of parallel programs, such as Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS), remain largely unexplored. Recognizing that energy efficiency is a different objective than performance and should therefore be independently pursued, we study how to judiciously distribute computation between hosts and accelerators for energy optimization. We further explore energy-saving scheduling in combination with computation distribution for even larger gains. Moreover, we present PEACH, an analytical model for Performance and Energy Aware Cooperative Hybrid computing. With just a few system- and application-dependent parameters, PEACH accurately captures the performance and energy impact of computation distribution and energy-saving scheduling to quickly identify the optimal coupled strategy for achieving the best performance or the lowest energy consumption. PEACH thus eliminates the need for extensive profiling and measurement. Experimental results from two GPU-accelerated heterogeneous systems show that PEACH predicts the performance and energy of the studied codes with less than 3% error and successfully identifies the optimal strategy for a given objective.
Gravitational collapse of rotating spheroids and the formation of naked singularities.

We explore numerically the effect of rotation on the collapse of collisionless gas spheroids in full general relativity. The spheroids are initially prolate and consist of equal numbers of corotating and counterrotating particles. We have previously shown that in the absence of rotation the spheroids all collapse to spindle singularities. When the spheroids are sufficiently compact, the singularities are hidden inside black holes. However, when the spheroids are large enough, there are no apparent horizons. These nonrotating spheroids are strong candidates for naked singularities. Here our simulations suggest that rotation significantly modifies the evolution when it is sufficiently large. Imploding configurations with appreciable rotation ultimately collapse to black holes. However, for small enough angular momentum, our simulations cannot at present distinguish rotating from nonrotating collapse: spindle singularities appear to arise without apparent horizons. Hence it is possible that even spheroids with some angular momentum may form naked singularities.
The effects of inattention/impulsivity and ASD symptom severity on social skills in toddlers.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of symptom severity of ASD and symptom severity of inattention and impulsivity in toddlers to determine the potential impact on social skills.Methods: A total of 240 toddlers diagnosed with ASD, ranging in age from 17–36 months, were included in this study. Parents or legal guardians were administered measures assessing for symptoms of ASD, symptoms of psychopathology and social skills.Results: A significant interaction was found, indicating that toddlers with less severe symptoms of ASD and of inattention/impulsivity had better social skills. In contrast, toddlers with more severe symptoms of ASD and inattention/impulsivity had the most deficits in social skills.Conclusion: These results further confirm that a multidimensional approach to assessment is needed and that comorbid psychopathology symptoms and social skills targets should be a focus of assessment and intervention.
Patient decisions regarding prenatal aneuploid fluorescence in situ hybridization results

Abstract Objective To determine an appropriate risk cut-off to offer prenatal aneuploid FISH, and if FISH results affect patient decisions regarding pregnancy management. Method Retrospective evaluation of 707 patients presenting for diagnostic prenatal testing. Studied parameters included gestational age, indication for testing, aneuploid risk, procedure performed, FISH (whether offered, requested, and/or performed), result turn-around time, karyotype results, decision after obtaining results, and the timing of that decision. Patients who were offered FISH were compared to those not offered FISH (student T-test). Results Twenty-five clinically significant abnormalities were detected by karyotype and/or FISH analysis. Thirteen out of 17 patients electing pregnancy interruption had FISH performed. There were no differences between the group that interrupted following FISH (n = 7) and the group that interrupted following final karyotype results (n = 6). Turn-around times for those abnormal samples with FISH testing was significantly shorter than for those without FISH testing (p = 0.02). Risk thresholds of ≥ 0.5%, ≥ 1%, ≥ 2%, or ≥ 3%, would detect 92%, 84%, 48%, and 32% of the clinically significant anomalies with 663, 317, 118, and 66 FISH analyses performed, respectively. Conclusion Acting on FISH results alone afforded a significantly shorter interval between test and pregnancy interruption. A risk cut-off ≥ 1% appears to optimize the detection rate and the yield of abnormal results.
Marketing retirement-—or staying on the job

Abstract Financial packages provide the most common incentive to meet the legal requirement that retirement be voluntary. However, managers have other tools to encourage retirement or encourage staying on the job—within legal constraints and consistent with current health insurance changes that may make pre-65 retirement more desirable. In using these tools, managers must consider demographic realities that offer a large cohort available to replace retirees. To assist managers, a qualitative study among human resource experts probed how companies decide between encouraging retirement and encouraging staying on the job and also how each is accomplished to maintain a workforce best matched to job requirements. Suggestions for marketing retirement include starting early to encourage saving so that employees can afford to retire and improving the retirement ‘product’ by flexible alternatives to full-time work, including self-employment. Suggestions for keeping employees on the job include tailoring schedules and rewards to the preferences and needs of individuals who might otherwise retire.
Quantifying and Monitoring Ecological Response to No-Take Marine Reserves

The primary goal of the paper is to review techniques for measuring ecosystem response and determining if a no-take reserve can meet natural resource conservation or fisheries management goals. Recently, the increasing role of MPAs in the management of coastal resources, has prompted increased consideration of MPAs in the northeast US. The paper also considers methods associated with reserve design, and monitoring. This paper recommends that traditional sampling and monitoring methods be integrated with more recently developed methodology, and reviews successful and unsuccessful marine reserve applications of techniques such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Indexes of Biotic Integrity (IBI), and indicator species assessments, as well as commenting on the use of simple and spatially explicit models in a reserve context.
CHEMICAL ABUNDANCES IN LMC AND SMC PLANETARY NEBULAE

Abundances of He, N, O, and Ne are calculated for 29 faint planetary nebulae in the LMC and SMC from spectrophotometry obtained by Boroson and Liebert. When the results are combined with abundances from Aller and Czyzak's galactic planetary sample, the following conclusions are drawn: (1) O and Ne in planetaries remains generally unchanged throughout the evolution of the progenitor; (2) O and Ne abundances are indicators of progenitor metallicity; (3) Significant amounts of N are produced during evolution of intermediate mass stars, and (4) H production in intermediate mass stars over time can explain the current interstellar abundance of N in the LMC but not in the SMC.
Corneal Immune Privilege

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first successful corneal transplant on a human subject. Corneal allografts enjoy an exceptionally high acceptance, with rejection occurring in less than 10% of the patients who have not previously received a corneal transplant and who do not have underlying ocular inflammation. Corneal grafts survive even though HLA typing and systemic immunosuppressive drugs are not employed. The remarkable success of corneal transplants is due to a combination of anatomical, physiological, and immunological properties that conspire to prevent the induction and expression of potentially destructive immune responses to the foreign transplant.
Computational nanoscale plasticity simulations using embedded atom potentials

Abstract In determining structure–property relations for plasticity at different size scales, it is desired to bridge concepts from the continuum to the atom. This raises many questions related to volume averaging, appropriate length scales of focus for an analysis, and postulates in continuum mechanics. In a preliminary effort to evaluate bridging size scales and continuum concepts with descritized phenomena, simple shear molecular dynamics simulations using the Embedded Atom Method (EAM) potentials were performed on single crystals. In order to help evaluate the continuum quantities related to the kinematic and thermodynamic force variables, finite element simulations (with different material models) and macroscale experiments were also performed. In this scoping study, various parametric effects on the stress state and kinematics have been quantified. The parameters included the following: crystal orientation (single slip, double slip, quadruple slip, octal slip), temperature (300 and 500 K), applied strain rate (106– 10 12 s −1 ), specimen size (10 atoms to 2 μm), specimen aspect ratio size (1:8–8:1), deformation path (compression, tension, simple shear, and torsion), and material (nickel, aluminum, and copper). Although many conclusions can be drawn from this work, which has provided fodder for more studies, several major conclusions can be drawn. • The yield stress is a function of a size scale parameter (volume-per-surface area) that was determined from atomistic simulations coupled with experiments. As the size decreases, the yield stress increases. • Although the thermodynamic force (stress) varies at different size scales, the kinematics of deformation appears to be very similar based on atomistic simulations, finite element simulations, and physical experiments. Atomistic simulations, that inherently include extreme strain rates and size scales, give results that agree with the phenomenological attributes of plasticity observed in macroscale experiments. These include strain rate dependence of the flow stress into a rate independent regime; approximate Schmid type behavior; size scale dependence on the flow stress, and kinematic behavior of large deformation plasticity.
Effect of Oxidized Bile Salts on Gall Bladder Bile

ConclusionsThe choloresis produced in dogs by the administration of oxidized ketocholanic acids does not affect the pH, specific gravity, percentage of solids, or the cholesterol content of the gall bladder bile.
The impact of citations in International Finance

Abstract The globalization of business and economic activities is expected to increase readership and citation performance for articles with an international focus. This study measures the impact of such articles on rankings and citation scores of thirty-one academic journals in accounting, economics and finance. Sample statistics show that these journals increased their proportion of global articles from a median of 15% in 2001 to a median of 25% in 2008. Two regression models (logistic and OLS) support the increasing role of international articles on journal performance. Both approaches show that improvements in ranking and citation scores were positively affected by global coverage, especially in economics. The results also highlight that two research topics dominate the field of global finance: International Corporate Governance and International Banking.
A randomized trial of the combination of cis‐platinum, oncovin and bleomycin (COB) versus methotrexate in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

A prospective randomized trial was conducted at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, to compare the efficacy of the combination of high-dose cis-diamminodichloroplatinum, Oncovin (vincristine) and bleomycin (COB) to that of weekly methotrexate (MTX) in the induction and maintenance of remission in patients with previously treated advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Complete response (CR) was observed in 11.1% of patients treated with COB and in 8.3% of patients treated with weekly methotrexate. The overall response rate (PR + CR) was 33.3% to methotrexate versus 40.7% to COB. This difference was not significant, nor was the survival of patients treated by either modality. Important variables affecting survival in this study proved to be good performance status (greater than or equal to 70) and response to therapy. Nausea and vomiting were the more common side effects of COB (56%), while hematologic toxicity was more frequent and more severe in the methotrexate arm (75%). Combination chemotherapy with COB is not more effective in producing response or prolonging survival than weekly methotrexate in patients with advanced head and neck carcinoma when both regimens are compared in a randomized study.
Investigations of internal gravity waves using three vertically directed closely spaced wind profilers

A network of three wind profilers spaced about 5 km apart was operated in southern France during the Alpine Experiment (ALPEX) program. The wind profilers measured vertical motions, and the experiment was designed to study traveling internal waves by comparing the vertical velocity fluctuations observed at each station. The measured phase velocities, together with the observed periods, were used to deduce the horizontal wavelength of the waves. Only a relatively few cases of monochromatic waves could be identified using this array. Most of the waves that were detected had phase velocities opposite to the prevailing wind and had the speeds required to cause trapping as the intrinsic frequency was Doppler shifted upward to the Brunt-Vaisala frequency.
Toward a Gramscian critical rhetoric

Although Gramsci's application to the communication discipline has received incomplete consideration, Gramsci can provide an insightful perspective on the cultural dominance of rhetoric and the formation of a critical telos. Under the framework of telos, this paper argues that Gramsci's work can make a valuable contribution to our understanding of critical rhetoric. This analysis demonstrates that Gramscian notions can extend critical rhetoric into an enterprise that permits critical self‐reflexivity and praxis and, through a Gramscian commitment to telos, create new opportunities and perspectives for conceptualizing communication.
A prognostic index for survival among mechanically ventilated hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.

The prognosis of recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) who require mechanical ventilation (MV) has historically been poor. Of 883 adults undergoing allogeneic HCT at the University of Minnesota between 1998 and 2009, 179 (20%) required MV before day 100 posttransplantation. We evaluated the outcomes of these patients to develop a prognostic index to predict the 100-day post-MV overall survival (OS) based on factors present at the time of MV. The 179 patients were divided at random into a training set (n = 119) and a validation set (n = 60). The 100-day postventilation OS was 17% for the total population. Multivariate Cox regression on the training set identified creatinine 20 × 109/L as significant predictors of better OS. Recursive partitioning classified patients with these good prognostic criteria into class A (n = 76); all other patients were classified as class B (n = 103). Among class A patients, 100-day OS was 29% in the training set and 30% in the validation set. Corresponding OS in class B patients was 5% and 15%, respectively. This prognostic index should help guide physicians in counseling HCT patients and their families regarding the use of MV and potential outcomes.
Comparison of five teacher actions to encourage children's new food acceptance.

How can teachers encourage children to accept new fruits and vegetables? A quasi-experimental study with 64 preschool children (32 boys, 32 girls) compared the effectiveness of five teacher actions to encourage children's acceptance of four new fruits and vegetables presented during three preschool lunches. The five teacher actions included reward (special dessert), modeling, insisting children try one bite, choice-offering (“Do you want any of this?”), and a control condition of simple exposure.
Parametric convergence sensitivity and validation of a finite element model of the human lumbar spine.

The primary objective of this study was to generate a finite element model of the human lumbar spine (L1–L5), verify mesh convergence for each tissue constituent and perform an extensive validation...
Contraception and the dermatologist

Contraceptives are pertinent to dermatologists in 3 major instances: (1) prescribing combined oral contraceptives for the treatment of acne; (2) ensuring that women being treated with potential teratogens are on adequate contraception; and (3) counseling female patients regarding contraceptives that can worsen acne. Most modern combined oral contraceptives will benefit acne; however, there are some agents that may be more effective than others, primarily because of the progestin used in the agent. Long-acting reversible contraceptives should be first line for women on teratogenic medications, but some of these agents can worsen acne because they release progestins.
Carbon Nutrition and Metabolism of Polytomella caeca

SYNOPSIS. Polytomella caeca utilizes as sole carbon sources in chemically defined media: acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, pyruvate, succinate, ethyl, butyl, amyl, and hexyl alcohols. Glyceraldehyde and α-ketoglutarate sustain very small populations. Caproate, caprylate, fumarate, malate, propyl, heptyl, and octyl alcohols and the iso-compounds iso-butyrate, iso-butyl and iso-hexyl alcohols are inadequate. Acetate is not assimilated <pH 5.0, propionate and butyrate <pH 6.0, and valerate <pH 7.0. Optimum for utilization of succinate is pH 3.0, for pyruvate pH 4.0, utilized also at pH 2.0 Fatty acids are utilized dissociated; succinate and pyruvate are utilized undissociated. Alcohols are assimilated throughout pH 4.0–7.4, except hexanol at pH 7.4. Alcohol availability is proportional to molecular length-1. pH after growth of fatty acid media is 8.4 ± 0.4; stable in pH 2.0 pyruvate and pH 3.0 succinate media; 3.5 ± 0.3 in alcohol media with initial pH <6.0. Longer alcohols cause less pH decrease during growth. Acetate concentrations <0.2% do not support maximum populations; concentrations of 0.2–1.0% do. pH after growth increases in these media to pH 8.5 with maximum populations. Malate, fumarate, α-ketoglutarate, and lactate seem not to penetrate the cell, but are metabolized by homogenates. Methylene blue reduction by homogenates indicates the presence of lactic, malic, succinic and α-ketoglutaric dehydrogenases, fumarase and glutamic transaminase. Extracts contain Embden-Meyerhof phosphate esters, ATP, and ADP.
Cardiovascular but not renal effects of copper deficiency are inhibited by dimethyl sulfoxide

Abstract Dietary copper (Cu) deficiency produces known defects in the kidney. We studied the effects of Cu deficiency on renal function and microvillar enzyme activity. Because Cu deficiency causes oxidative damage in other tissues and because of recent success in preventing cardiovascular defects of Cu deficiency with antioxidants, we also studied the effect of the hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenger, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), on observed renal changes of Cu deficiency. Male, weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed, in a 2×2 design, diets deficient in Cu (CuD) or supplemented with Cu (CuS, 5 ppm) and water with or without DMSO (4.75%) for 35 days. Cu deficiency in CuD rats was confirmed by serum ceruloplasmin and liver, kidney and heart mineral measurements. CuD rats had lower body weights (BW), hematocrits (Hct), dry kidney weight and total body water (by bioelectrical impedance analysis) than CuS rats. They also had higher heart weights, (HW), HW/BW ratios, % heart water, serum cholesterol, total kidney weight (TKW)/BW ratio, % kidney water, serum Cl, and % body water. CuD rats had higher activities of renal microvillar angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and endopeptidase (EP) and lower activities of alkaline phosphatase (AP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) than CuS rats. DMSO attenuated effects of Cu deficiency on HW, HW/BW, % heart water and Hct. Though DMSO showed some independent effects on renal function, there was no interaction with Cu on TKW/BW, % kidney water, serum Cl or body water. DMSO independently increased ACE and AMP activity, independently decreased AP activity, significantly inhibited the effect of Cu deficiency on GGT activity and had no effect on EP activity. Inhibition of cardiovascular but not renal effects of Cu dificiency by DMSO suggests that there is a difference in the way Cu deficiency affects the metabolism of the two organ systems.
Interactive effects of substrate, hydroperiod, and nutrients on seedling growth of Salix nigra and Taxodium distichum

Abstract The large river swamps of Louisiana have complex topography and hydrology, characterized by black willow ( Salix nigra ) dominance on accreting alluvial sediments and vast areas of baldcypress ( Taxodium distichum ) deepwater swamps with highly organic substrates. Seedling survival of these two wetland tree species is influenced by their growth rate in relation to the height and duration of annual flooding in riverine environments. This study examines the interactive effects of substrate, hydroperiod, and nutrients on growth rates of black willow and baldcypress seedlings. In a greenhouse experiment with a split-split-plot design, 1-year seedlings of black willow and baldcypress were subjected to two nutrient treatments (unfertilized versus fertilized), two hydroperiods (continuously flooded versus twice daily flooding/draining), and two substrates (sand versus commercial peat mix). Response variables included height, diameter, lateral branch count, biomass, and root:stem ratio. Black willow growth in height and diameter, as well as all biomass components, were significantly greater in peat substrate than in sand. Black willow showed a significant hydroperiod–nutrient interaction wherein fertilizer increased stem and root biomass under drained conditions, but flooded plants did not respond to fertilization. Baldcypress diameter and root biomass were higher in peat than in sand, and the same two variables increased with fertilization in flooded as well as drained treatments. These results can be used in Louisiana wetland forest models as inputs of seedling growth and survival, regeneration potential, and biomass accumulation rates of black willow and baldcypress.
Antimicrobial sensitivities in urinary tract infections in men

Six-thousand-seven-hunderd and forty-nine positive urine cultures from a large metropolitan Veterans Administration hospital were analyzed with respect to the organisms isolated and their antimicrobial sensitivies. A “predicted therapeutic efficacy index” was calculated for each antimicrobial agent tested. Gram-negative pathogens accounted for 84% of the infections. Proteus infections outnumbered those due to strains ofEscherichia coli. Gentamycin was found to be the most effective antimicrobial agent.
From the Editor in Chief: Water Music

I worry about many things - among them, the Internet. Although its bidirectional availability means anyone can be a publisher, for a quite modest price, several forces threaten the kingdom, including vandals, governments, and economics.
Effects of ozone and sulfur dioxide on grapevines

Abstract Greenhouse-grown ‘Ives’ and ‘Delaware’ grapevines (Vitis labruscana, Bailey) were fumigated for 4-hours with ozone (O3) and/or sulfur dioxide (SO2) at 0.40 and 0.80 mg l−1. Fumigations were performed in a plexiglass chamber situated within a controlled environment walk-in growth chamber. When applied separately, both gases induced characteristic foliar injury. ‘Ives’ grapevines were much more sensitive to O 3 SO 2 fumigations than were ‘Delaware’ grapevines. Within each cultivar, leaf necrosis and shoot growth reduction were greatest following fumigation with 0.80 mg l−1 O3 plus 0.80 mg l−1 SO2. Leaf abscission occurred only on ‘Ives’ and was related to foliar necrosis. Shoot growth following fumigation was less on vines having most foliar necrosis. Yet, ‘Delaware’ vines showing less than 1% leaf area necrosis still had significant reductions in shoot growth. All O3 and SO2 fumigations resulted in stomatal opening.
Using dependent types and tactics to enable semantic optimization of language-integrated queries

Semantic optimization --- the use of data integrity constraints to optimize relational queries --- has been well studied but, owing to limitations in how SQL handles constraints, has not often been applied by mainstream RDBMSs. In a language-integrated query setting, however, the query provider is free to rewrite queries before they are executed on an RDBMS. We show, using Coq as our ambient language, how to use dependent types to represent a well known class of constraints --- embedded, implicational dependencies --- and how Coq tactics can be used to implement a particular kind of semantic optimization: tableaux minimization, which minimizes the number of joins required by a query.
Solitary nesting and reproductive success in the paper wasp Polistes aurifer

Female Polistes paper wasps are capable of independent nesting, yet many populations demonstrate a mixture of solitary and cooperative nest foundation. Previous studies of Polistes have found survival and/or productivity advantages of cooperative nest foundation compared to solitary nesting, and reproductive skew models have been designed to predict the dynamics of such flexible cooperation. In this paper, we examine the success of different nesting strategies in a previously unstudied population of Polistes aurifer in southern California. The colony cycle of this population is less synchronous than that of other temperate species, and the frequency of solitary nesting averages 86.2%. Our data suggest that this low rate of cooperative nest founding is adaptive, as demonstrated by the lack of survival or productivity advantages for cooperative foundress associations. Due to foundress turnover and nest foundation later in the season, many nests produce only one set of offspring. This results in a loss of the eusocial nature of some nests in the population. Data from a small sample of multifoundress nests show significant positive reproductive skew, despite concession model predictions that skew should be low in populations with low ecological constraints on independent nesting. This lack of support for the concessions skew model reflects a diminished incentive for cooperation.
An investigation of the validity and reliability of the Rathus Assertion Schedule

The present study investigated the validity and reliability of the Rathus Assertion Schedule. In terms of validity results indicated that scores of external raters, unaware of their subjects' self-...
Using Abiotic and Biotic Factors to Predict the Range Expansion of White Perch in Lake Champlain

Abstract White perch ( Morone americana ) invaded Lake Champlain, New York-Vermont, in the mid-1980s, yet abundance of white perch and those factors controlling their abundance are unknown. To predict the expansion of white perch, we differentiated between the most likely factors affecting white perch abundance; habitat characteristics or an invasion gradient (i.e., abundance is greater near the point of entry). Therefore, we addressed three questions: 1) where are white perch currently established; 2) what is the relation of white perch abundance to environmental variables and to an invasion gradient; and 3) based on the most likely factors affecting abundance, where will white perch become abundant in Lake Champlain? Fish communities were sampled and ten environmental variables were measured at sites along the eastern shore of Lake Champlain. Among sites and across seasons, two abiotic factors (turbidity and conductivity) had the greatest effect on white perch abundance. Biotic factors, yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ) abundance and chlorophyll a, however had lesser effects. We predict white perch will not become abundant in habitats with low water conductivity, turbidity and chlorophyll a, and a high abundance of potential competitors. Our predictions are consistent with data from other systems, which indicate environmental characteristics are likely more important than an invasion gradient in contributing to white perch colonization.
Why firearm injury surveillance

With the current progress of state firearm injury surveillance systems reported in this issue of the Journal, questions about the logical progression of these efforts are being raised. This article reviews the current state of firearm injury data, discusses the importance of firearm injury surveillance, and offers suggestions for maximizing the potential of future efforts in this area.
Boosting-Based Learning Agents for Experience Classification

The capability of learning from experience is of critical importance in developing multi-agent systems supporting dynamic group decision making. In this paper, we introduce a hierarchical learning approach, aiming to support hierarchical group decision making where the decision makers at lower levels only have partial view of the whole picture. To further understand such a hierarchical learning concept, we implemented a learning component within the R-CAST agent architecture, with lower-level learners using the LogitBoost algorithm with decision stumps. The boosting-based learning agents were then used in our experiments to classify experience instances. The results indicate that hierarchical learning can largely improve decision accuracy when lower-level decision makers only have limited information accessibility.
Neuroblastoma: a challenge for pediatric oncology of the third millennium.

: Neuroblastoma is the only cancer of childhood considered in this conference on hormone-related tumors, because the percentage of deaths in children with this rare type of cancer is still very high. Pediatricians feel the need for help from basic researchers to better understand the biological nature of this disease and to improve protocols and the challenge of cure.
Organosulfates in cloud water above the Ozarks' isoprene source region

Abstract Secondary organic aerosol formation via aqueous processing, particularly from the oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds, is hypothesized to contribute significantly to the global aerosol burden. In this study, electrospray ionization coupled with mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was utilized to detect organosulfates and oligomers in cloud water collected in July above the Missouri Ozarks, an environment significantly influenced by isoprene oxidation. Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling suggested that the aerosol at cloud height was characterized by high water, sulfate, and biogenic secondary organic aerosol content, conducive to aqueous-phase processing and organosulfate formation. CMAQ modeling also suggested the presence of gas-phase organic peroxides and nitrates, which can partition into the particle-phase and form organosulfates. Several potential organosulfates from isoprene, monoterpene, and sesquiterpene oxidation were detected in the cloud water. In particular, the ubiquitous organosulfate C5H12O7S (detected by ESI-MS at m/z −215), derived from isoprene epoxydiols, was detected. These results highlight the role of aqueous-phase reactions in biogenic SOA formation and cloud processes in isoprene oxidation-influenced regions.
Magnetic interactions in diluted magnetic semiconductors

Abstract We summarize the results of recent calculations of Mn-Mn d-d exchange in II1-xMnxVI alloys. The dominant interaction is antiferromagnetic superexchange. A novel procedure for obtaining sp-d exchange constants from ferromagnetic band calculation is presented. The results support earlier qualitative pictures and are in substantial agreement with experiment.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Dependent Synaptic Plasticity Is Suppressed by Interleukin-1β via p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase

Evolving evidence suggests that brain inflammation and the buildup of proinflammatory cytokine increases the risk for cognitive decline and cognitive dysfunction. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), acting via poorly understood mechanisms, appears to be a key cytokine in causing these deleterious effects along with a presumably related loss of long-term potentiation (LTP)-type synaptic plasticity. We hypothesized that IL-1β disrupts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling cascades and thereby impairs the formation of filamentous actin (F-actin) in dendritic spines, an event that is essential for the stabilization of LTP. Actin polymerization in spines requires phosphorylation of the filament severing protein cofilin and is modulated by expression of the immediate early gene product Arc. Using rat organotypic hippocampal cultures, we found that IL-1β suppressed BDNF-dependent regulation of Arc and phosphorylation of cofilin and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), a transcription factor regulating Arc expression. IL-1β appears to act on BDNF signal transduction by impairing the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1, a protein that couples activation of the BDNF receptor TrkB to downstream signaling pathways regulating CREB, Arc, and cofilin. IL-1β upregulated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and inhibiting p38 MAPK prevented IL-1β from disrupting BDNF signaling. IL-1β also prevented the formation of F-actin in spines and impaired the consolidation, but not the induction, of BDNF-dependent LTP in acute hippocampal slices. The suppressive effect of IL-1β on F-actin and LTP was prevented by inhibiting p38 MAPK. These findings define a new mechanism for the action of IL-1β on LTP and point to a potential therapeutic target to restore synaptic plasticity.
Convex optimization for precoder design in MIMO interference networks

Optimal precoder design for weighted sum-rate maximization in multiple-input multiple-output interference networks is studied. For this well known non-convex optimization problem, convex approximations based on interference alignment are developed, for both single-beam and multi-beam cases. Precoder design methods that consist of two phases, an interference alignment phase and a post-alignment optimization phase, are proposed. The interference alignment solution is taken as the input to the post-alignment optimization phase. For post-alignment weighted sum-rate maximization, novel iterative distributed algorithms are proposed based on the developed convex approximations. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms achieve promising weighted sum-rate gains over existing interference alignment algorithms. Interestingly, for the multi-beam case, significant gain is achieved at all SNRs, including the high SNR regime.
The Elastic Inclusion With a Sliding Interface

Lorsqu'une inclusion ellipsoidale subit une deformation propre de cisaillement et que l'inclusion est libre de glisser le long de l'interface, le champ de contrainte tend vers zero en tout point de l'inclusion et de la matrice
Multivariate predictors of heart transplantation outcomes in the era of chronic mechanical circulatory support.

Background Determining which pretransplantation (TX) characteristics predict the development of chronic renal dysfunction (CRD) or death after heart TX would enable more accurate risk assessment at the time of candidate evaluation. Methods A cohort of 278 patients underwent TX in three hospitals between 1993 and 2002. Predictive models for CRD (serum creatinine consistently above 2 mg/dL) and allograft loss (death or re-TX) were constructed using logistic and Cox regression, respectively. Results Using logistic regression, CRD was more likely to develop in TX patients if they had a larger body surface area (odds ratio [OR] = 5.8 per m 2 , 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04 to 31.9, p = 0.04) or were inotrope dependent (OR = 1.8, 95% CI=0.90 to 3.7, p = 0.09). Notably, the implementation of mechanical circulatory support as bridge to transplantation decreased the risk of CRD (OR = 0.30, 95% CI=0.12 to 0.72, p = 0.007). Cox analysis demonstrated independent predictive ability of improved survival for males (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.42, 95% CI=0.21 to 0.83, p = 0.01). Worse survival was observed with prior sternotomy (HR = 3.5, 95% CI=2.0 to 6.0, p p = 0.06), and elevated serum creatinine (HR = 2.8 per mg/dL, 95% CI=1.3 to 5.8, p = 0.007). Conclusions Certain pretransplant characteristics clearly predispose a patient to the development of CRD or increased mortality after heart transplantation. Interestingly, the risk of CRD after heart transplantation is greater for patients bridged to transplant with inotropes than with mechanical circulatory support. When hemodynamically indicated, timely implementation of pretransplant mechanical circulatory support should be considered.
The Role of Pretransplantation Renal Replacement Therapy Modality in Kidney Allograft and Recipient Survival

Background: The effect of pretransplantation renal replacement therapy (RRT) modality on allograft and recipient survival outcome is not well understood. Methods: We studied allograft and recipient survival by using US Renal Data System records from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 1999, with a follow-up period through December 31, 2000 (n = 92,844; 60% males; 70% white; 23% black). Pretransplantation and predominant RRT modality during the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) period and number and specific combinations of RRT modalities were evaluated. Results: Compared with hemodialysis (HD), a Cox model showed that peritoneal dialysis (PD) immediately before transplantation predicts a 3% lower risk for graft failure ( P P 50% of the ESRD time), PD (hazard ratio [HR], 0.97; P P P P
Numerical study of emitter-base junction design for AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors

The DC common-emitter current gains of abrupt- and graded-junction heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) are studied and compared by numerical simulation. Electron injection across abrupt emitter-base heterojunctions is evaluated by numerically solving the wave equation. A numerical model based on drift-diffusion carrier transport is used for graded-junction HBTs and to assess recombination currents in both the structures. The results demonstrate that the increase in injected electron current afforded by compositional grading is accompanied by an increase in recombination within the space-charge layer. As a result, neither design option has a clear advantage with respect to common-emitter current gain. >
Glucose modulation of ischemic brain injury : Review and clinical recommendations

Ischemic brain injury is the third-leading cause of death among Americans and the leading cause of serious disability. Based on studies of animal models, a substantial amount of experimental evidence shows that hyperglycemia at the onset of brain ischemia worsens postischemic neurologic outcome. Consistent with these observations, hyperglycemia also is associated with a worsening of postischemic brain injury in humans. In humans, however, data are often difficult to interpret because of problems in determining the timing of hyperglycemia relative to a critical ischemic event and in elucidating the effect of coexisting pathophysiologic processes (for example, a stress response) on outcome. Glucose modulation of neurologic injury is observed when ischemia is either global (for example, that accompanying cardiac arrest or severe systemic hypotension) or focal (for example, that accompanying thrombotic or embolic stroke). Toxicity is probably the result of an intracellular lactic acidosis. Specifically, the associated hydrogen ions are injurious to neurons and glia. On the basis of these factors, we recommend diligent monitoring of blood glucose concentrations in patients who are at increased risk for new-onset, ongoing, or recurring cerebral ischemia. In such patients, the use of fluid infusions, corticosteroid drugs, and insulin, as well as stress management, should be tailored to treat preexisting hyperglycemia and prevent new-onset hyperglycemia. Maintenance of normoglycemia is recommended. When one attempts to treat preexisting hyperglycemia, care should be taken to avoid rapid fluid shifts, electrolyte abnormalities, and hypoglycemia, all of which can be detrimental to the brain.
Hard decorative TiN coatings by ion plating

Abstract Gold-coloured hard coatings of TiN have been obtained on carbon steel, stainless steel and stellite substrates by ion plating titanium in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Pure, stoichiometric and compact layers display a gold colour. The titanium evaporation source was heated by a 90°-deflected electron beam obtained from a cold-cathode discharge gun. Typically, deposition rates up to 500 A min−1 have been obtained. Particular attention was paid to the problem of adherence of the deposited layers to the substrate. Thin (approximately 0.2 μm) coatings deposited onto pulished substrates reproduce the original brilliance. Thicker coatings are dull and need some additional mechanical polishing. The colour of the coatings was identified by reflectance spectra and chromaticity coordinates. Abrasion tests performed on coated pieces showed excellent resistance to abraison.
Excitation of the auroral green line in nitrogen afterglow

Abstract Production of the auroral green line of OI ( 1 D −1 S , 5577 A) is observed during long (30 sec) afterglows in a static system containing nitrogen and small amounts of oxygen. Relative to the intensities of the N2 1st positive bands, the measured intensities of 5577 A and the NOβ bands increase with time. The long period of observation definitely eliminates the initial discharge as a possible source of the metastable oxygen atoms, and their chemical excitation in the afterglow volume is established. A probable process consistent with observations is that involving collision of N atoms with vibrationally excited NO molecules. This mechanism is discussed as a possible source of 5577 A in the airglow.