cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Likelihood-based analyses of longitudinal twin and family data: experiences with pedigree-based approaches.

Substantial progress has been made recently in analyses of longitudinal twin and family data, principally for two reasons. The first is the continuing development of more refined models for describing longitudinal data; the second is the widespread availability of analytic methods (e.g. LISREL) with which to implement these models. Computational restrictions have limited likelihood-based analyses of longitudinal genetic data to analyses of covariance matrices or mean squares; however, advances in computer technology now make it feasible to conduct likelihood analyses of longitudinal pedigree data. We consider potential advantages of using pedigree-based methods. Our initial experiences with the application of these methods to simulated twin data, using the FISHER (Lange, K. L.,et al., Genet. Epidemiol.5∶471, 1988) quantitative genetics pack-age, are discussed, with particular attention to practical details such as running times on several computers. Preliminary results of the pedigree-based analyses, including robust estimation methods, convincingly demonstrate the failure of methods assuming the multivariate normal distribution for simulated twin data provided by Carey (this issue).
Mössbauer study of permanent-magnet R2Fe17-xMxCy compounds

We report Fe57 Mossbauer spectroscopy studies of the effect of carbon doping on the magnetic properties of the Fe sites of R2Fe17−xMxCy, and of the presence of multiple phases in these systems. In this study two systems, Sm2Fe14Al3Cy, where y=0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0, and Nd2Fe14.54Si2.46Cy, where y=0, 0.432, and 2.544, were measured at room temperature and analyzed. The ternary compounds R2Fe17−xMxCy studied here have the rhombohedral Th2Zn17 structure with c‐axis anisotropy. The Al and Si site occupation used in the fitting were taken from previous results. Analysis of the Mossbauer spectra showed that the hyperfine fields for the different sites decreased in the order 6c, 9d, 18f, and 18h. The average hyperfine field for Sm2Fe14Al3Cy was found to increase with increasing carbon concentration, which is in qualitative agreement with magnetic measurements. For Nd2Fe14.54Si2.46Cy the average hyperfine field was found to increase for low C concentration and decrease for high C concentration; this behavior is in...
Dynamics of plant and arthropod diversity during old field succession

The successional dynamics of arthropod diversity in 18 abandoned agricultural fields (age 15-54 yr) at Cedar Creek, MN, USA were determined using sweep net sampling (44833 individuals of 618 species). Total arthropod species richness and equitability (J), but not abundance, increased significantly with field successional age. Herbivore and parasite species richness, but not detritivore and predator species richness, also increased significantly with field age. All of these arthropod variables were significantly positively correlated with plant species richness in the fields. When plant species richness was included as a covariate in regressions, there were no longer any significant effects of field age. These results supported the hypothesis that increases in arthropod diversity with field age are influenced by increases in plant diversity. The additional significant positive dependence of herbivore species richness on predator species richness suggests that predator-prey interactions may also influence the successional dynamics of arthropod diversity. Nine of the ten most common arthropod species decreased in abundance with field age, two of them significantly. The abundances of these two generalist forb-feeding species, Melanoplus femurrubrum (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and Scaphytopius acutus (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), each depended significantly on amount of forbs. The average body size of arthropod species (total and herbivores) decreased significantly with field age. An efficiency vs specialization hypothesis predicts such a decrease. Because plants in later secondary succession are generally less palatable, a diversity of smaller, potentially more specialized herbivores may have an advantage over larger and more efficient herbivores in later succession.
Concurrent increases in the storage and release of mucin-like molecules by rat airway epithelial cells in response to bacterial endotoxin.

Mucus hypersecretion is a prominent response of the airways to bacterial infections. Recent findings showed that bacterial endotoxin, a lipopolysaccharide complex released from the bacterial cell wall, was able to induce at least one component of the hypersecretory response, i.e., an increase in the amount of stored epithelial mucosubstances (1, 2). The goal of the present study was to determine whether endotoxin also was capable of increasing mucosubstance release from cells. Based on evidence that human mucin antibodies A10G5 and B6E8 cross-reacted with rat mucin-like molecules, we used the antibodies in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to compare mucin concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from endotoxin-treated and control rats. Results showed that endotoxin treatment increased the amount of released mucin over that in controls 1.5-fold at 96 h and 2.5-fold at 168 h after instillation. Thus, these studies have defined the previously detected mucosubstances as mucin-like molecu...
A 1/2.5 inch 8.1Mpixel CMOS Image Sensor for Digital Cameras

A 1/2.5 inch 8.1Mpixel CMOS image sensor with 1.75mum pixel pitch is designed to operate at 2.8V for digital still camera applications and down to 2.4V in mobile applications. The chip uses top and bottom multiple channels with a double-data-rate analog signal readout at a rate of 96Mpixels/s, which results in total 192Mpixels/s. With the analog gain set to 15.875 and a 12b ADC the noise floor falls as low as 3.8e-, yielding a pixel DR of 63.8dB
A Simplified Method for Left Heart Catheterization including Coronary Arteriography

A simplified method for performing retrograde left heart catheterization is described which utilizes a family of preshaped catheters via brachial artery cut-down. A single closed-tip catheter was the sole catheter utilized to accomplish complete left heart studies including coronarv artery cineangiography, ventriculography and aortography in 50 or our last 100 cases. A second, specially shaped, open-tip catheter was used in an additional 46 cases, and a third in four. The aortic valve could be crossed readily, and ventriculography was accomplished with a minimum of premature ventricular contractions. Coronary arteriography could be performed safely with a closed-tip catheter in the majority of our patients. Left heart study with these catheters caused minimal arterial trauma, a low incidence of complications, and shortened catheterization times.
Laser resonators formed by two nanoparticles

We demonstrate lasing in a cavity formed by two Mie scatterers in a dye colloidal solution. Like a Fabry-Perot cavity, the feedback mechanism for lasing is based on back scattering from each particle. Strong light amplification in between the scatterer pair not only compensate its large diffraction loss, but also help to choose the particular pair out of many scatterers in the suspension to form the laser cavity. Such cavity selection is facilitated by a careful designed cone shaped excitation geometry. Detailed experimental studies on the threshold behavior, spectral characteristic of lasing emission, and output directionality are presented. A simple theoretical model provides qualitative explanation for this lasing phenomenon.
Erratum: “MoS 2− x O x solid solutions in thin films produced by rf-sputter-deposition” [J. Mater. Res. 5 , 218 (1990)]

After this article was published in the January issue of Journal of Materials Research, the author noticed that the binding energy axes in Fig. 1 were labeled incorrectly. All spectra in this figure, i.e., Mo 3d, S 2p, and O 1s core level spectra for both fresh and annealed films, should be shifted by exactly 2.0 eV to lower binding energy. The corrected figure is shown below.
Presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors modulate ω-conotoxin-GVIA-insensitive calcium channels in the rat medulla

Abstract We have previously demonstrated that the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist (1S,3R)-1 aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylate (ACPD) presynaptically inhibits evoked glutamatergic EPSCs and GABAergic IPSCs in patch clamped rat nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) neurons recorded in thin slices. The present study investigated the pharmacology of the presynaptic mGluRs, the voltage dependent Ca2+ channel (VDCC) subtypes supporting neurotransmitter release, and possible interactions between the two. Monosynaptic EPSCs or IPSCs were evoked by electrical stimulation in the region of the tractus solitarius (TS). The effects of the mGluR agonists ACPD, (2S,3S,4S)-α-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (L-CCG-I) and l -2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (AP4) were examined upon EPSCs. The effects of the above compounds and quisqualate (QUIS) were examined upon IPSCs. L-CCG-I proved the most potent inhibitor of EPSCs and IPSCs. The VDCC blockers ω-AGA-IVA (AGA), ω-conotoxin GVIA (GVIA), ω-conotoxin MVIIC (MVIIC) and nimodipine (NIM) were assessed for their ability to inhibit monosynaptic EPSCs and IPSCs. EPSCs were inhibited by GVIA > AGA ≥ MVIIC. IPSCs were inhibited by AGA ≥ MVIIC > GVIA. NIM was without effect on the EPSC or IPSC. The potency of mGluR inhibition of evoked synaptic transmission was assessed in the absence and following treatment with VDCC blockers. mGluR agonists blocked a greater percentage of the EPSC or IPSC following treatment with GVIA, but not the other VDCC antagonists, than under control conditions. We have previously demonstrated that the postsynaptic inhibitory effects of mGluR activation upon GABAA mediated currents can be mimicked by cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) analogs. The cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) inhibitors H8 and Rp-8-4-chlorophenylthio-guanosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp-cG) blocked mGluR inhibition of GABAA mediated currents without blocking the ability of mGluR agonists to inhibit the IPSC. The effect of L-CCGI was enhanced following treatment with GVIA in the presence of Rp-cG, confirming a presynaptic locus of mGluR mediated inhibition of the IPSC. In contrast, cGMP analogues potentiate postsynaptic responses to glutamate agonists but depress the EPSC. As with the mGluR agonists, the inhibition of the EPSC by cGMP was potentiated following treatment with GVIA. These results suggest that presynaptic mGluR reduce both glutamate release from afferent fibers and GABA release from inhibitory interneurons following electrical stimulation in the region of the TS. Although different VDCCs support the majority of glutamate and GABA release and mGluR effects on release appear to utilize differing intracellular pathways, presynaptic GVIA-insensitive VDCCs are favorably targeted for inhibition by mGluR agonists.
Myelodysplasia and acute myeloid leukemia following therapy for indolent lymphoma with fludarabine, mitoxantrone, and dexamethasone (FND) plus rituximab and interferon alpha.

Treatment-related myelodysplasia (t-MDS) occurs less frequently with the nucleoside analogs than with DNA-damaging agents such as alkylators or topoisomerase II inhibitors. In a chemoimmunotherapy trial conducted between 1997 and 2003 in patients with stage IV indolent lymphoma, 202 patients were treated and 8 have developed MDS between 1 and 5 years after therapy, including 4 who received only fludarabine, mitoxantrone, and dexamethasone (FND) for 6 to 8 courses, with or without rituximab, followed by interferon alpha (IFN-α). Complex cytogenetic abnormalities were present in all patients. Abnormalities of chromosome 7 were present in 6 of the 8 patients, 3 of whom received only FND ± rituximab and IFN-α. The abnormalities of chromosome 7 were monosomy 7 in 4 patients (1 of which had add 7p in the remaining chromosome); 1 del 7q; and 1 der 7. MDS with features classically associated with DNA-damaging agents can occur following therapy with FND, with or without rituximab, and IFN-α. (Blood. 2005;105:4573-4575)
Factors affecting the maximum attainable ductility in a superplastic titanium alloy

Abstract The factors which influence the attainable total elongation of the superplastic Ti-6Al-4V alloy were investigated at two temperatures over the strain rate range 8.5 × 10−5 - 1.7 × 10−2 s−1. The maximum total elongation was found to correspond closely to the strain rate at which the curve of strain hardening coefficient n versus logarithm of the true strain rate ϵ and that of the inverse final grain size 1/ d ∗ ( ϵ ) versus logarithm of the true strain rate ϵ intersect. At every test temperature the total elongation versus strain rate plot broadly follows the plot of terminal strain rate sensitivity coefficient m(ϵf_ versus strain rate. An empirical relation that relates the total elongation in superplasticity to the terminal value of the strain rate sensitivity coefficient and a geometrical parameter involving the gage dimensions of the specimen was found to predict the experimental total elongation in the alloy fairly well.
Global Bounds of Schrödinger Heat Kernels with Negative Potentials

Abstract We obtain global in time bounds for the heat kernel G of the Schrodinger operator L=−Δ+V. The potential V satisfies V(x)∼−C/d(x)b near infinity with b∈(0, ∞). The result can be described as follows. Suppose L is positive and b=2. Then G=G(x, t; y, 0) has a global upper bound which is a standard Gaussian times a polynomial function of x, y, t. However when L is not nonnegative and negative eigenvalues exist G=G(x, t; 0, 0) is bounded below by a standard Gaussian times ectwithc>0. In other words, the growth rate of G(x, t; 0, 0) is comparable with the heat kernel of −Δ−c, regardless how fast V decays near infinity.
Regioselectivity of nucleophilic additions to substituted (η4-diene)Co(CO)3BF4 complexes

Abstract The addition of several nucleophiles to a series of (η 4 -diene)Co(CO) 3 BF 4 complexes has been examined in order to probe the effect of diene substituents and the nature of the nucleophile on the regioselectivity of attack on the coordinated diene. The dienes include 1-substituted dienes: trans -1,3-pentadiene (piperylene), 1-trimethylsilyl-2,4-pentadiene; 2-substituted dienes: 2-methyl- (isoprene), 2-ethyl-, 2-phenyl-, 2- para -fluorophenyl-, and 2-trimethylsilylmethyl-1,3-butadiene; and the disubstituted diene 2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene. The set of nucleophiles includes NaBH 3 CN, C 6 H 5 MgBr, P(CH 3 ) 3 , C 5 H 5 N (pyridine), and N(CH 2 CH 3 ) 3 . The reactions occur generally with a high degree of regioselectivity according to the following trends: (1) addition of nucleophiles to most complexes occurs preferentially or exclusively at C(4) (terminal diene carbon remote from the substituent); (2) noteworthy exceptions include the isoprene complex, in which modest C(1) addition selectivity is observed with Nu = NaBH 3 CN, C 6 H 5 MgBr, P(CH 3 ) 3 and the dimethyl derivative (for Nu = pyridine); and (3) the selectivity for C(4) attack is nucleophile dependent, decreasing in the order N(CH 2 CH 3 ) 3 > pyridine > P(CH 3 ) 3 > C 6 H 5 MgBr > NaBH 3 CN. A combination of steric and frontier molecular orbital effects is proposed to explain the observed regioselectivity.
Comparing mathematics interventions: Does initial level of fluency predict intervention effectiveness?

Abstract A paucity of research has directly compared empirically supported interventions to examine their effectiveness among students with different mathematics fluency skills. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two empirically supported interventions and a control condition on the mathematics fluency of 98 second and third grade students. Specifically, effects of explicit timing and cover-copy-compare on subtraction fluency were examined each session, which occurred twice weekly for a total of six weeks. HLM was used to examine progress during the intervention sessions and determine the effect of initial fluency level on intervention effectiveness. Results suggested students' initial level of fluency impacted intervention effectiveness. That is, for students whose fluency levels fell within the frustrational range CCC and control conditions resulted in the best performance over time but for children whose fluency was in the instructional range explicit timing was the most effective treatment.
Where do you want to sit today? Computer programmers' static bodies and disability

Studying how sitting and stasis are incorporated into everyday life indicates the variety of embodied positions that people occupy. It also challenges the ways non-disabled individuals are associated with straight standing and two-legged walking and then privileged. In this article, I analyze male computer programmers' descriptions of sitting, stasis and being large. Close textual, theoretical, and visual analysis is employed in considering programmers' posts to Ars Technica, Slashdot and other asynchronous Internet forums. In these settings, programmers describe a lifestyle of ‘sitting at computers for 8, 10, 12, even 24 hours at a time’, physically growing into chairs and being ‘a fat lazy bastard’. By indicating their long periods of stasis and over-involvement with physicality and screen representations, these male computer programmers compromise their position as erect and walking individuals. The position of computer programmers is quite different from normative masculinity, which is associated wit...
Effects of cholecystokinin and cholinergic receptor blockade on guinea pig pepsinogen secretion.

Although cholecystokinin (CCK) has been reported to stimulate pepsinogen secretion, this action has been poorly characterized. To assess the ability of CCK to regulate mammalian pepsinogen secretion, guinea pig fundic mucosa was incubated in Ussing chambers with CCK-8, carbamylcholine, and pentagastrin, and with cholinergic and CCK antagonists. CCK-8 stimulated pepsinogen secretion at 10−10M, with an ED50 of 10−9M and maximally (26-fold over basal) at 10−8M. Carbachol stimulated pepsinogen and acid secretion with an ED50 of 3 × 10−7 M and maximally at 10−6 M. Pentagastrin (10−9 M-10−6 M) did not affect acid or pepsinogen secretion, whereas gastrin-I (10−6M) stimulated acid secretion slightly but did not alter pepsinogen secretion. L364.718 (10−5 M), a specific CCK peripheral receptor antagonist, abolished all pepsigogic effects of 3 × 10−9 M CCK-8 without altering basal acid or pepsinogen secretion or mucosal electric characteristics. L364,718-treated tissues unresponsive to CCK-8 nevertheless secreted pe...
EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy utilizing a new disposable 22 gauge FNA needle device: results of diagnostic accuracy and complications from a large prospective single center experience

EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy utilizing a new disposable 22 gauge FNA needle device: results of diagnostic accuracy and complications from a large prospective single center experience
Exercise capacity and incidence of myocardial perfusion defects after Kawasaki disease in children and adolescents

Objectives. This study evaluated exercise performance and myocardial perfusion during exercise in patients with Kawasaki disease who had a broad spectrum of residual coronary abnormalities. Background. Reports of exercise performance after Kawasaki disease have generally included a small number of patients evaluated by various protocols, frequently with incomplete data. Myocardial perfusion studies have usually been limited to those using pharmacologically induced coronary vasodilation. Therefore, to our knowledge there has not been a large study directly correlating exercise performance, electrocardiographic (ECG) changes and myocardial perfusion imaging. Methods. Forty-six patients were classified into three groups on the basis of coronary artery status: group 1 (n = 27) had no objective evidence of coronary artery lesions; group 2 (n = 11) had resolved aneurysms; group 3 (n = 8) had persistent coronary aneurysms. All patients underwent exercise testing with monitor ing of ECG changes and oxygen consumption. Single-photon emission computed tomographic imaging was performed at rest and during peak exercise using technetium-99m sestamibi. Results. Maximal oxygen consumption was within normal limits and was similar for all three groups. Five patients had mild ST segment changes at peak exercise. Two of these patients had stress-induced perfusion defects. Myocardial perfusion defects were present in 37% of patients in group 1, 63% in group 2 and 100% in group 3. Perfusion defects corresponded to the coronary artery lesion site in all but three patients. Conclusions. Maximal oxygen consumption is normal after Kawasaki disease regardless of coronary artery status. Stressinduced perfusion defects are frequent even in the absence of coronary abnormalities and are common in the absence of ST segment changes suggestive of ischemia.
Efficiency of heparin in retarding media on the maintenance of a decreased coagulability of the blood.

Heparin/Pitkin menstruum has been advocated in the therapy of a variety of thromboembolic disorders. The clinical properties of two such mixtures each with and without vasoconstrictor agents is evaluated and it is demonstrated that a significant prolongation of the clotting time beyond 24 hours cannot be obtained. A comparison between the one tube and the three tube methods for the determination of the coagulation time of blood reveals that both procedures yield comparable data.
Detection Orthogonality in Macromolecular Separations: Role of the On-Line Viscometer in Characterizing Polymers at Conditions of “Spectroscopic Invisibility”

Much has been written over the last two decades about the advantages of separation orthogonality for the characterization of complex polymers and blends, and of the additive and synergistic benefits of combining various physical and chemical detection methods in the determination of molar mass, chemical heterogeneity, dilute solution conformation, etc. Less attention has been paid to the complementarity of detection methods that are truly orthogonal to each other with respect to a given property. A common, yet particularly different type of macromolecular liquid chromatography detector is the on-line viscometer, as its measurement principle is based on hydrodynamic transport properties, thus separating it from the large variety of spectroscopically based detectors. Here, we explore how the on-line viscometer can provide insights into the size-exclusion chromatographic analysis of individual homopolymer samples and of blends, even in cases where no response is observed with commonly employed detectors such as on-line refractometry and static and quasi-elastic light scattering, i.e., when analyses are conducted at conditions of “spectroscopic invisibility”.
Experimental myocardial ischemic injury. II. Effect of In vivo ischemia on dog heart slice function In vitro

The capacity of myocardium, acutely injured in vivo by ischemia, to maintain cell volume regulation in vitro was studied in dogs with posterior papillary muscle infarcts of 60 and 120 min duration. Non-ischemic control tissue maintained mean K+ concentrations of about two thirds of the K+ found in left ventricular myocardium in vivo and had tissue H2O volumes which were virtually identical to those observed in vivo. The extracellular space of the control slices was greater than that estimated to be present in vivo. The slices of irreversibly-injured ischemic tissue were greatly swollen, showed low K+ and Mg2+ and often exhibited structural defects in the plasma membrane of the sarcolemma. In addition, damaged tissue showed a significantly increased inulin diffusible space after 60 and a greater diffusible space after 120 min of ischemia. These findings are new evidence indicating that increased myocardial cell membrane permeability is an early feature of irreversible ischemic injury.
Treatment of mycotic aneurysms

Mycotic intracranial aneurysms may be treated by antibiotic therapy alone. Careful evaluation of this mode of treatment has been hampered by inadequate angiographic and microbiological documentation. The present case details the successful conservative management of one of these lesions in a patient who had previously undergone craniotomy for a separate mycotic aneurysm.
Biology and Natural Enemies of an Aspen Leaf Tier, Sciaphila duplex In the Intermountain Region

This paper reports the first known outbreak of a lea tier, Sciaphila duplex (Walsingham), in stands of quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides Michx., in Utah, western Wyoming, and southeastern Idaho. Before 1961, this leaf tier was rarely collected in the Intermountain Region. S. duplex is a univoltine insect; adult emergence takes place during July and August. Egg masses are deposited on aspen boles; eclosion occurs in August and September; first instars migrate to conks and crevices on boles of trees, and drop to the duff, spin a hibernaculum, overwinter as a second instar, and emerge in May and June. Larval development is completed by July. Pupation occurs in June and July. The exact number of larval instars is not known. Fifteen species of larval parasites were reared from pupae.
Medium-energy spallation cross sections. 1. RbBr irradiation with 800-MeV protons

Radiochemical and instrumental methods have been used to measure the production cross sections of 40 spallation products induced in RbBr targets by 800-MeV protons. RbBr is irradiated at LAMPF to produce the following isotopes for use in diagnostic nuclear medicine: 75Se—(67±2)mb; 72Se—(12±0.4)mb; 68Ge—(19±1)mb; 67Ga—(41±1)mb; 62Zn—(2±1)mb; 67Cu—(1.6±0.08)mb.
Amorphous silica solubilities—II. Effect of aqueous salt solutions at 25°C

Abstract The solubility of amorphous silica was measured at 25°C in ten separate sets of aqueous salt solutions—potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, sodium chloride, lithium chloride, lithium nitrate, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium sulfate. The concentrations of the salts were varied from zero to saturation with both salt and amorphous silica. With increasing concentration of salt, the solubility of amorphous silica always decreased as expected from an average value of 0.00218 m in water. Nevertheless, the extent of decrease differed greatly from a 6% decrease in a solution saturated with NaHCO 3 to a 95.7% decrease in a solution saturated with CaCl 2 . A striking correlation was observed: In the 1-1 and 2-1 electrolyte salt solutions at a given molality the effect on the solubility of silica depended upon the cation in the order Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ > Li + > Na + > K + .
Use and abuse of QT and TRIaD in cardiac safety research: importance of study design and conduct

Triangulation, reverse use dependence, instability and dispersion of ventricular repolarization (TRIaD), together with the cardiac wavelength (lambda), are powerful proarrhythmic predictors. QT interval prolongation as such is not, as it provides false positives as well as false negatives. This has been established in various preclinical experiments on isolated tissues, perfused hearts and experimental animals, as well as in the clinic. Numerous risk factors including female gender, low serum potassium and magnesium, bradycardia and genetic predisposition, further promote arrhythmogenesis. Reliable quantitative preclinical cardiac safety studies using any experimental approach always require (1) rigorous adherence to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), (2) collection of data only after complete drug equilibration has been established, (3) adequate resolution, (4) analysis based upon suitably powered statistical tests, (5) a sufficient number of experiments and (6) validated experimental protocols. Genesis of data not in accord with such standards and reported in an incorrect fashion confounds the significance of preclinical results for eventual clinical studies and elicits confusion regarding important drug effects. In this context, establishing a preclinical research consortium is suggested. This to assure: (1) the use of standardized experimental protocols and animal models; (2) data analysis with appropriately powered statistical tests; (3) correct testing and reporting and (4) elimination of some of the errors and abuses outlined in this paper.
Fruit abortion and the regulation of fruit number in Yucca whipplei.

Flowering and fruiting patterns of Yucca whipplei (Agavaceae), a monocarpic perennial of the southern California chaparral, were studied to determine the role of fruit abortion in the regulation of seed yield. Data on reproductive expenditure, fruit abortion and fruit maturation were obtained for 108 flowering individuals at two sites. The proportion of flowers maturing fruits was less than 10% at both sites. Inflorescences produced an average of 2,045±111 and 1,743±77 flowers at the two sites, initiated an average of 439±48 and 304±21 fruits, and matured an average of 194±16 and 162±10 fruits, respectively. Overall, 51% of the fruits which initiated development were aborted and abscized in an early stage of development.
Assessing climate-change risks to cultural and natural resources in the Yakima River Basin, Washington, USA

We provide an overview of an interdisciplinary special issue that examines the influence of climate change on people and fish in the Yakima River Basin, USA. Jenni et al. (2013) addresses stakeholder-relevant climate change issues, such as water availability and uncertainty, with decision analysis tools. Montag et al. (2014) explores Yakama Tribal cultural values and well-being and their incorporation into the decision-making process. Graves and Maule (2012) simulates effects of climate change on stream temperatures under baseline conditions (1981–2005) and two future climate scenarios (increased air temperature of 1 °C and 2 °C). Hardiman and Mesa (2013) looks at the effects of increased stream temperatures on juvenile steelhead growth with a bioenergetics model. Finally, Hatten et al. (2013) examines how changes in stream flow will affect salmonids with a rule-based fish habitat model. Our simulations indicate that future summer will be a very challenging season for salmonids when low flows and high water temperatures can restrict movement, inhibit or alter growth, and decrease habitat. While some of our simulations indicate salmonids may benefit from warmer water temperatures and increased winter flows, the majority of simulations produced less habitat. The floodplain and tributary habitats we sampled are representative of the larger landscape, so it is likely that climate change will reduce salmonid habitat potential throughout particular areas of the basin. Management strategies are needed to minimize potential salmonid habitat bottlenecks that may result from climate change, such as keeping streams cool through riparian protection, stream restoration, and the reduction of water diversions. An investment in decision analysis and support technologies can help managers understand tradeoffs under different climate scenarios and possibly improve water and fish conservation over the next century.
Why Do Term Structures in Different Currencies Comove

Yield curve fluctuations across different currencies are highly correlated. This paper investigates this phenomenon by exploring the channels through which macroeconomic shocks are transmitted across borders. Macroeconomic shocks affect current and expected future short-term rates as central banks react to changing economic environments. Investors may also respond to these shocks by altering their required compensation for risk. Macroeconomic shocks thus influence bond yields both through a “policy” channel as well as through a “risk compensation” channel. Using data from the U.S., the U.K., and Germany, we find that world inflation and U.S. yield level together explain over two-thirds of the co-variance of yields at all maturities. Further, these effects operate largely through the risk compensation channel for long-term bonds.
Improved equations for the calculation of chromatographic figures of merit for ideal and skewed chromatographic peaks

Abstract Improved empirical equations based on the graphically measurable parameters peak height (hp), width (W) and asymmetry (b/a) at 10, 25, 50, 71, 73, 75, 77 and 79% of the peak height have been derived. These equations were developed using the exponentially modified Gaussian function as an asymmetric peak model. Equations are reported for the following chromatographic figures of merit: τ, σG, area, variance, third and fourth statistical moments, excess, and skew. The accuracy and precision of the equations are discussed, along with their applicability to fronted and overlapped peaks.
A method to localize source activity in neocortex using measured scalp potential

Spline based surface Laplacians are used as an accurate method for estimating the source activities in the brain. The spline-Laplacian accurately estimates distributed sources and it is insensitive to subcortical sources including the sources which are located outside the boundaries of the electrode array which the author uses to record EEG. It also acts as a bandpass spatial filter improving the spatial resolution obtained by this method over that obtained with conventional EEG by at least a factor of three. The author outlines the surface Laplacian method for general ellipsoidal surfaces in terms of the spline function. >
The global turning probability density function for motile bacteria and its applications.

The angular turning probability density distribution for motile bacteria is usually measured in local coordinates and is therefore inconvenient for global analyses of the chemotactic bacterial migration. In this paper we present analytical derivations that convert the local angular turning probability density distribution into a global one. The explicit expression of a reduced global turning probability density function for motile bacteria was derived and its relevant properties were investigated. Depending on the angle variable being intergrated and the integration range, three types of cosine moments were separately defined and studied. Some statistical indices and parameters such as the directional persistence, persistence number, and one-dimensional reversal probability were found to be embedded in the various moments of the reduced global turning probability density function. Applications of the reduced global turning probability and its integrated moments to a three-dimensional cell balance equation in an axisymmetric system were also discussed.
Psychological Correlates of Success in College

This study examined the relationship between the personality variables Achievement, Aggression and Deference, as measured by the Adjective Check List, and success in college. Also examined was the relationship between high school average and college success. It was found that the variables Achievement and Aggression accounted for 21% of the variance in grade point average, and that high school average accounted for 10% of the variance.
Asymptotically Robust Estimators of Location

Abstract For the problem of efficiency-robust estimation of location, approximate versions are developed of optimally robust Pitman-type estimators. These are shown to have full asymptotic efficiency for a prototype family of distributions, used to define the estimators. The asymptotic efficiency under other distributions of interest is also characterized. For sample sizes n = 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 the efficiencies were estimated by Monte Carlo methods under the following distributions: normal, logistic, double-exponential, and contaminated normal (one percent, five percent, ten percent). Over all these shapes the efficiencies obtained are approximately 88 percent or more for all n; they rise to approximately 91 percent or more for n = 100. Some theoretical and numerical comparisons with other estimators are given.
Implicit phoneme manipulation for the treatment of apraxia of speech and co‐occurring aphasia

Background: Apraxia of speech (AOS) is a disorder of expressive speech attributed to an impairment at the motor planning and programming phases of speech production. AOS is treated in different ways but the articulatory kinematic approach is usually followed. The intervention described in this study introduces a new approach toward treatment of AOS with aphasia through the use of implicit manipulation of phonemes via rhyming, deletion and alliteration tasks. Theoretical models propose that during lexical retrieval, associated areas responsible for motor planning and the preparation of the utterance are activated. In a similar way, our tasks require a phoneme manipulation that is hypothesised to activate motor planning. The repeated implicit practice of retrieving and internally monitoring sounds in various phonetic contexts may improve the efficiency of the transition between phonological plans and the initial phase of motor planning and the monitoring of that plan. Therefore, if AOS is due to a dysfuncti...
Amygdalofugal influence on processing of taste information in the nucleus of the solitary tract of the rat.

Previous studies have shown that corticofugal input to the first central synapse of the ascending gustatory system, the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST), can alter the way taste information is processed. Activity in other forebrain structures, such as the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), similarly influence activation of NST taste cells, although the effects of amygdalofugal input on neural coding of taste information is not well understood. The present study examined responses of 110 NST neurons to 15 taste stimuli before, during, and after electrical stimulation of the CeA in rats. The taste stimuli consisted of different concentrations of NaCl (0.03, 0.1, 0.3 M), sucrose (0.1, 0.3, 1.0 M), citric acid (0.005, 0.01 M), quinine HCl (0.003, 0.03 M), and 0.03 M MSG, 0.1 M KCl, as well as 0.1 M NaCl, 0.01 M citric acid, and 0.03 M MSG mixed with 10 μM amiloride. In 66% of NST cells sampled (73/110) response rates to the majority of effective taste stimuli were either inhibited or augmented. Nevertheless, the magnitude of effect across stimuli was often differential, which provides a neurophysiological mechanism to alter neural coding. Subsequent analysis of across-unit patterns showed that amygdalofugal input plays a role in shaping spatial patterns of activation and could potentially influence the perceptual similarity and/or discrimination of gustatory stimuli by altering this feature of neural coding.
Simulation of airports/aviation systems: Total Airport and Airspace Model (TAAM) parallelization combining sequential and parallel algorithms for performance enhancement

This paper describes how to achieve a desired speedup by careful selection of appropriate algorithms for parallelization. Our target simulation is the Total Airport and Airspace Model (TAAM), a worldwide standard for aviation analysis. TAAM is designed as a sequential program, and we have increased its speed by incorporating multi-threaded algorithms with minimal changes to the underlying simulation architecture. Our method was to identify algorithms that are bottlenecks in the computation and that can be executed concurrently, producing a hybrid sequential and parallel simulation. Our results show a performance gain that varied between 14% and 33%.
To Be Jewish and Lesbian: An Exploration of Religion, Sexual Identity, and Familial Relationships

Research is limited when it comes to religion and the lives of sexual minority individuals, including Jewish lesbians. Symbolic interactionism and social exchange theory guided the development of this qualitative study, for which 10 Jewish lesbian/bisexual women were interviewed to explore the role that religion played in their lives as adults and partners. Findings indicate that inclusive climates aided in participants’ successful integration of sexual and religious identities. Discrimination, “double minority” status, and preferences for dating and partnering with other Jewish lesbians are also discussed. Limitations of the study are shared, as are implications for practitioners, religious leaders, and researchers.
Perceptual Issues in Substituting Texture for Geometry

An important goal in interactive computer graphics is to allow the user to interact dynamically with three-dimensional objects. The computing resources required to represent, transmit and display a three dimensional object depends on the number of polygons used to represent it. Many geometric simplification algorithms have been developed to represent the geometry with as few polygons as possible, without substantially changing the appearance of the rendered object. A popular method for achieving geometric simplification is to replace fine scale geometric detail with texture images mapped onto the simplified geometry. However the effectiveness of replacing geometry with texture has not been explored experimentally. In this paper we describe a visual experiment in which we examine the perceived quality of various representations of textured, geometric objects, viewed under direct and oblique illumination. We used a pair of simple large scale objects with different fine-scale geometric detail. For each object we generated many representations, varying the resources allocated to geometry and texture. The experimental results show that while replacing geometry with texture can be very effective, in some cases the addition of texture does not improve perceived quality, and can sometimes reduce the perceived quality.
The Situational Facilitation of Interpersonal Attraction: A Three‐factor Hypothesis1

A theoretical analysis of observations of natural and man-made disasters, festive social events, and task-oriented crash programs led to a three-factor hypothesis of attraction facilitation. It was proposed that interpersonal attraction toward strangers is facilitated when there is emotional arousal, sharing, and out-of-role behavior. In a laboratory investigation (N= 120), postexperimental attraction toward a dissimilar stranger increased when all three factors were present but not when only two of the three factors were present (p < .01). Consistent with the reinforcement-affect model of attraction, increased attraction toward the stranger in the three-factor conditions was paralleled by more positive feelings about the experiment in the three-factor than in the two-factor conditions. Knowledge of the variables underlying facilitation effects could be utilized on a societal basis to create attraction-enhancing occurrences.
Syntheses, Characterization, and Structures of Tri- and Tetraruthenium Clusters Containing Sulfido, Phenylimido, and (Phenylimino)thio Ligands

Reaction of Ru3(CO)12 with the SO2 analog N-sulfinylaniline (PhNSO) in refluxing toluene produces Ru3(CO)9(μ3-NPh)(μ3-S) (1), Ru3(CO)9(μ3-NPh)2 (2), Ru4(CO)10(μ-CO)(μ4-η2-SNPh)(μ4-S) (3), and Ru4(CO)10(μ-CO)(μ4-η2-SNPh)(μ4-NPh) (4) in low yields. Treatment of Ru3(CO)10(NCMe)2 with PhNSO at room temperature affords 1 as the major product in good yield, accompanied by CO2 formation. Compounds 1, 3, and 4 were characterized by mass, IR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data for 1: triclinic (P1), a = 9.585(2) A, b = 10.151(2) A, c = 10.555(4) A, α = 92.32(3)°, β = 93.21(3)°, γ = 98.84(2)°, Z = 2, R (Rw) = 0.026 (0.030). Crystal data for 3: monoclinic (P21/n), a = 8.986(7) A, b = 13.968(3) A, c = 19.232(9) A, β = 103.06(5) A, Z = 4, R (Rw) = 0.025 (0.025). Crystal data for 4: monoclinic (P21/c), a = 10.319(4) A, b = 23.354(6) A, c = 23.329(7) A, β = 100.43(3)°, Z = 8, R (Rw) = 0.051 (0.040).
Nitrendipine in human plasma and breast milk.

To assess the disposition of the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, nitrendipine, in lactating mothers, we studied three breast-feeding women to determine simultaneous plasma and breast milk concentrations of nitrendipine and its inactive pyridine analog metabolite after both a single 10 mg oral dose and 5 days of continuous therapy (20 mg per day). Nitrendipine was excreted in breast milk at peak concentrations ranging from 4.3 to 6.5 ng/ml 1–2 h after acute dosing while its inactive pyridine metabolite ranged from 6.9 to 11.9 ng·ml−1. After 5 days of dosing, Cmax remained in the same range and the breast milk/whole plasma concentration ratio for nitrendipine was 0.2 to 0.5. On the fourth day of continuous dosing, average concentrations of nitrendipine from 24-h collections of the milk were 1.1 to 3.8 ng·ml−1. Thus, nitrendipine and its metabolite are excreted in very low concentrations in human breast milk. Based on a maternal dose of 20 mg daily, a newborn infant would ingest an average of 1.7 µg of nitrendipine per day, or a relative dose of 0.095%.
Thermal precipitation and particle conductivity

Abstract Aerosol particles in a thermal gradient experience a force tending to drive them in the direction of the lower temperature. The force has been described both as strongly dependent and as almost independent of particle thermal conductivity. An analysis of new precipitation data involving both high and low conductivity particles reveals thermal forces to be of almost identical magnitudes regardless of conductivity.
Patterns of energy metabolism in the stone crab, Menippe mercenaria, during severe hypoxia and subsequent recovery

Specimens of the stone crab, Menippe mercenaria, survived severe hypoxia (PO2 less than 8mm Hg) for at least 12 hr at 28-30 degrees C. During the time course of 12 hr of hypoxia, hemolymph L-lactate levels rose to 30-50 mumoles/g wet wt. There was a slight elevation of L-alanine levels, whereas succinate was found in only trace quantities in the hemolymph. Pronounced metabolic changes took place in the heart, cheliped closer, and leg socket muscles during severe hypoxia. L-lactate accumulated to levels ranging from 16-20 mumoles/g wet wt. There were pronounced changes in high-energy phosphate levels in the cheliped closer and leg socket muscles. Taking into account expected intra- and extracellular water content, the calculated intracellular lactate content in the three muscles investigated is substantially less than the hemolymph lactate concentrations. Part of this reverse concentration gradient may be accounted for by the reduction in lactate activity due to cation-lactate complex formation. Hemolymph calcium and magnesium concentrations rose considerably during severe hypoxia. During recovery from severe hypoxia, approximately 50% of the accumulated lactate in the hemolymph was cleared in 6 hr. Hemolymph lactate and alanine levels returned to near control levels after 24 hr of recovery. This study shows that the stone crab, M. mercenaria, survives severe hypoxia by a reliance on glycogen fermentation to lactate. This species is capable of tolerating high levels of accumulated lactate.