cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined obliquity and precession pacing of late Pleistocene deglaciations

A new statistical test shows that precession as well as obliquity contributes to the pacing of deglaciations in the late Pleistocene. The glacial cycles that characterize Earth's climate history are paced by variations in Earth's orbital orientation relative to the Sun. Into the middle Pleistocene about a million years ago, glacial cycles were paced by ~40,000-year cycles in Earth's tilt, or obliquity. Since then 100,000-year variations in orbital eccentricity seem to have dominated. Although it has been speculated that a combination of obliquity and precession (orbital axis orientation) might conspire to pace deglaciations, firm quantitative evidence has not emerged. Peter Huybers now uses advances in timing and statistics to show that indeed, obliquity and precession simultaneously pace deglaciations. Milankovitch1 proposed that Earth resides in an interglacial state when its spin axis both tilts to a high obliquity and precesses to align the Northern Hemisphere summer with Earth’s nearest approach to the Sun. This general concept has been elaborated into hypotheses that precession2, obliquity3,4 or combinations of both5,6,7,8 could pace deglaciations during the late Pleistocene9,10. Earlier tests have shown that obliquity paces the late Pleistocene glacial cycles4,11 but have been inconclusive with regard to precession, whose shorter period of about 20,000 years makes phasing more sensitive to timing errors4,11,12. No quantitative test has provided firm evidence for a dual effect. Here I show that both obliquity and precession pace late Pleistocene glacial cycles. Deficiencies in time control that have long stymied efforts to establish orbital effects on deglaciation are overcome using a new statistical test that focuses on maxima in orbital forcing. The results are fully consistent with Milankovitch’s proposal but also admit the possibility that long Southern Hemisphere summers contribute to deglaciation.
Spiritual well-being and health-related quality of life in colorectal cancer: a multi-site examination of the role of personal meaning.

Purpose Individuals diagnosed and treated for cancer often report high levels of distress, continuing even after successful treatment. Spiritual well-being (SpWB) has been identified as an important factor associated with positive health outcomes. This study had two aims: (1) examine the associations between SpWB (faith and meaning/peace) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes and (2) examine competing hypotheses of whether the relationship among distress, SpWB, and HRQL is better explained by a stress-buffering (i.e., interaction) or a direct (main effects) model.
Estimation of Infarct Size in Man and its Relation to Prognosis

Infarct size was assessed quantitatively in 33 patients with acute myocardial infarction with a new technic based on analysis of serial serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) changes to determine its relationship to prognosis. We have recently measured infarct size in the conscious dog with this method which takes into account CPK distribution space, fractional disappearance rate, proportion degraded in myocardium, and proportion released into the circulation, and we have validated the method by measurement of myocardial CPK depletion in the same animals. In the present study, CPK activity (determined spectrophotometrically) and isoenzyme profiles (assayed electrophoretically) were measured in patient serum samples obtained every 2 hours. Infarct size was estimated by mathematical analysis of serial CPK changes utilizing the method previously developed in the conscious dog model. CPK isoenzyme profiles demonstrated prominent anodal bands, absent from normal serum, indicating that enzyme elevations reflected C...
Molecular fracture in polystyrene

Abstract Molecular fracture in atactic polystyrene was studied by observing the effect of slicing by microtoming on the viscosity average molecular weight Mv. It was found that when PS rods were sliced a significant reduction in molecular weight occurred due to primary bond rupture. The magnitude of the reduction in molecular weight depended strongly on the initial molecular weight and increased with Mv. This effect was adequately described by a theoretical model which counted the number of random walk interpenetrated chain sphere envelopes intersecting the fracture plane. The reduction in Mv was shown to depend on the square root of the initial Mv. The dependence of the molecular weight reduction on the initial Mv and fracture surface area was obtained and accu rately described the experimental data. The critical entanglement molecular weight Mne = 30,000 for PS was obtained from the experiment.
Regulation of telomerase expression in human lymphocytes.

The function of lymphocytes is highly dependent on the ability of cell to divide. Among the various factors that regulate this cellular process, telomerase- dependent maintenance of telomere length has recently drawn considerable attention. Unlike most normal human somatic cells that express telomerase only during development but not after differentiation, lymphocytes express telomerase during development and retain the ability to express telomerase after maturation in response to antigenic challenge. How telomerase is regulated and its precise role in lymphocytes is not fully understood. The recent progress in characterizing regulation of telomerase expression in human lymphocytes is discussed.
Bilharzia and bladder cancer. An investigation of urinary -glucuronidase associated with S. haematobium infection

Abstract β-glucuronidase activity in the urine of subjects with chronic S. haematobium infection and in subjects suspected of infection but with no ova in their urine, has been measured and shown to be significantly greater than in the urine of uninfected controls. No difference was found between the amounts of enzyme inhibitory activity in the urine from infected patients and from controls. Potentially carcinogenic substances (such as some products of tryptophan metabolism) are normally excreted as the inactive glucuronides. The hydrolysis of such conjugates by β-glucuronidase might result in a greater risk of the development of bladder cancer.
Regulation of phospholipid synthesis in yeast

Phospholipid synthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a complex process that involves regulation by both genetic and biochemical mechanisms. The activity levels of phospholipid synthesis enzymes are controlled by gene expression (e.g., transcription) and by factors (lipids, water-soluble phospholipid precursors and products, and covalent modification of phosphorylation) that modulate catalysis. Phosphatidic acid, whose levels are controlled by the biochemical regulation of key phospholipid synthesis enzymes, plays a central role in the regulation of phospholipid synthesis gene expression.
Effects of Acoustic Variability on Second Language Vocabulary Learning.

This study examined the effects of acoustic variability on second language vocabulary learning. English native speakers learned new words in Spanish. Exposure frequency to the words was constant. Dependent measures were accuracy and latency of picture-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English recall. Experiment 1 compared presentation formats of neutral (conversational) voice only, three voice types, and six voice types. No significant differences emerged. Experiment 2 compared presentation formats of one speaker, three speakers, and six speakers. Vocabulary learning was superior in the higher-variability conditions. Experiment 3 partially replicated Experiment 1 while rotating voice types across subjects in moderate and no-variability conditions. Vocabulary learning was superior in the higher variability conditions. These results are consistent with an exemplar-based theory of initial lexical learning and representation.Portions of these data were presented at the 143rd meeting of the Acoustical Society of America in Cancun, Mexico and at the Fourth International Conference on the Mental Lexicon in Windsor, Canada. The authors would like to thank Paola Rijos for help in data collection and scoring and the anonymous SSLA reviewers.
Effects of metal ion chemisorption on gallium arsenide surface recombination: picosecond luminescence decay measurements

n-GaAs/KOHSe^(-/2-)(aq) contacts have been studied using real time photoluminescence decay techniques. This system is of interest because metal ion chemisorption improves the steady-state current-voltage properties of GaAs/KOH-Se^(-/2-)(aq)/Pt cells, yielding 16% efficiency under simulated 1-sun illumination conditions. In this work, the luminescence decay dynamics of thin epilayer GaAs samples under high level injection conditions were monitored in contact with KOHSe^(-/2-)(aq) solutions. The photoluminescence signals decayed more rapidly after metal ion chemisorption than after a fresh etch, indicating that the metal ion treatment induced a more active recombination and/or charge-transfer process than the etch. A finite-difference simulation was used to model the decays and to extract a minority carrier surface recombination velocity, S_(min), for these systems. For etched GaAs surfaces, S_(min) = 5 X 10^3 cm s^(-1), while GaAs surfaces that had been etched and then exposed to 0.010 M Co(NH_3)_6^(3+) (pH = 11) solutions displayed S_(min) = 2 X 10^5 cm s^(-1). Qualitatively similar behavior was observed for Rh-, Ru-, and Os-treated GaAs surfaces as well. These data are fully consistent with prior suggestions that the primary effect of metal ion chemisorption is to increase the rate of hole transfer to the Se^(-/2-)(aq) electrolyte, as opposed to decreasing surface recombination processes at the GaAs/liquid contact.
Threshold based decision-tree for automatic driving maneuver recognition using CAN-Bus signal

There is a growing need to develop automatic signal processing strategies for analysis, labeling, and modeling of massive naturalistic driving data. In order to contribute to the formulation of human centric driving assistive / active safety systems, it is also imperative to understand the human component along with vehicle dynamics. Using massive corpora of on-road real-traffic naturalistic driving data exported from CAN-Bus signals, it is possible to develop maneuver recognition for continuous driving performance evaluation. Although high accuracy of automatic maneuver recognition could be obtained using statistic methods such as Hidden Markov Models and/or Bayesian Statistics, this comes at great costs in computational complexity which can jeopardize the viability of applying such driving assistance in real-time embedded systems. To save computational resources, this study proposes to set up an easier threshold based decision-tree strategy. The method is based on filterbank analysis of time-frequency spectrogram processing of steering wheel angle and vehicle speed signals. It is shown that threshold selection is critical to ensure that specific maneuvers with higher levels of danger receive higher recognition accuracy. Analysis of the proposed maneuver recognition system is performed using data from the UTDrive vehicle corpus, with a 6-way decision-tree maneuver performance ranging from 54–73% depending on the specific maneuver class. It is suggested that lower performing specific maneuvers could subsequently be enhanced with statistical model based methods afterwards for both embedded in-vehicle systems and tagging of massive data sets.
Linear interferometric waveguide modulator for electromagnetic-field detection.

A channel-waveguide interferometer with asymmetric arms, suitable for electromagnetic-field detection, is described. A π/2 intrinsic phase differential makes the output linearly proportional to the applied voltage (electromagnetic field). Horizontal and vertical electrode sets provide polarization-independent operation, with electrode lengths chosen to make the voltages approximately equal. In Ti-diffused devices in Z–X-cut LiNbO3, the TE- and TM-mode outputs are equally modulated with the horizontal voltage 43% of the vertical. Output linearity over a 40-dB range and operation up to 300 MHz are demonstrated.
Current Physical and Mental Health of Former Collegiate Athletes.

Background:There is a dearth of research on the current health of former collegiate athletes.Purpose:To examine the current health and related correlates in a cohort of former collegiate athletes who played in a diverse range of men’s and women’s sports with various levels of contact.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Former collegiate athletes (N = 3657) were asked to complete an online questionnaire addressing sports history, medical history, and demographics. The questionnaire also included the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), which yielded 2 composite scores for physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health. The VR-12 PCS and MCS scores were compared with published US normative data using t tests and analyses of variance.Results:Mean PCS and MCS scores of the 797 respondents with complete data (21.9% of target sample; average, 14.5 years since last played collegiate sport) were 53.0 ± 6.1 and 51.7 ± 9.4, respectively. When stratified by age and sex, PCS and MCS score...
From sensory processes to conscious perception

In recent years, cognitive neuroscientists have began to explore the process of how sensory information gains access to awareness. To further probe this process, event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used while testing subjects with a paradigm known as the "attentional blink." In this paradigm, visually presented information sporadically fails to reach awareness. It was found that the magnitude and time course of activation within the anterior cingulate (BA 32), medial prefrontal cortex (BA 9), and frontopolar cortex (BA 10) predicted whether or not information was consciously perceived during the critical period for the attentional blink. These results are discussed in light of a neural framework for conscious processing.
On Spartina alterniflora litter and the trace metal biogeochemistry of a salt marsh

Abstract The trace metals copper, nickel, zinc, manganese and iron, as associated with the aqueous surface microlayer retained on fallen Spartina alterniflora litter were studied in spatial and seasonal contexts. The metals were operationally defined as acetone soluble (organically associated), exchangeable, oxide ( Fe Mn ) associated, and total. Over 95% of all metals studied in two Delaware salt marshes were associated with the exchangeable and oxide classes. There was observed major spatial and seasonal variability in metal retention by the litter. Thus, litter some 12 m from tidal creek banks in the marsh was highest in metal content, which apparently reflects differences in the amounts of metal-rich microlayer reaching the litter with tidal water movements into litter-covered areas. Also, litter exhibited highest absolute quantities of trace metals studied in the winter season. This seasonal accumulation is biologically mediated, as sulphate reduction in anoxic marsh sediments releases H+ in the spring/summer and fall. The H+ released lessens retention of metals, especially iron, by the recumbent litter. For both marshes, and all seasons studied, the litter exhibited the following ranges in total metal content (dry weight basis): copper: 0·5–11 ppm; nickel: 2–11 ppm; zinc: 12–80 ppm; manganese: 40–350 ppm; iron: 1600–8100 ppm. The existence of two distinct chemical and physical types of microlayer in the salt marsh is reported. One is a ubiquitous, opaque brown, organic rich microlayer, the other, of more limited appearance, a thin, glassy, bluish-black material. The biogeochemical significance of both microlayer types is discussed, especially as the glass-like microlayer appears to result from oxidation of ferrous iron released from underlying anoxic sediments on a seasonal basis.
Katrina and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Editorial-IJMA Volume 4 Issue 1 Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf coast of the United States America this fall and changed the lives of millions of people forever. Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama suffered great human and financial loss, in an area, which had lagged behind the rest of the country historically. The September 2005 Hurricane has been a tragic revelation of the American psyche, exposing the problems of American society to the entire world: poverty, racism, gun ownership, violence, over-reliance on fossil fuels and bureaucratic inefficiencies, and politicians have reared their head in arguably the worst natural and human disaster in the United States in recorded history. The destruction has been estimated at 100 billion dollars, the loss of life is incalculable and the psychological impact (post-traumatic stress) of this disaster will remain a dark part of the survivors’ lives for the rest of their life. Fear, panic, claustrophobia, stress, emotional and physical turmoil contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some of us. PTSD has been recognized by the DSM-IV as a psychological disorder, and according to the National Center for PTSD, BMost people who are exposed to a traumatic, stressful event experience some of the symptoms of PTSD in the days and weeks following exposure. Available data suggest that about 8% of men and 20% of women go on to develop PTSD, and roughly 30% of these individuals develop a chronic form that persists throughout their lifetimes.^ (National Center for PTSD, 2005). Katrina, a category 5 hurricane, drove people of New Orleans out of their home to nearby man-made shelters such as city’s convention centre and its famous stadium, the Superdome, creating immeasurable chaos. The convention center was overtaken by armed thugs; reports of murder, rape and violence were occurred, both in the convention center and the Superdome, the largest shelters in New Orleans. However, now it remains unclear how much of this is fiction and how much is fact. However, we do know that rescuers and policeman were being shot at by armed Int J Ment Health Addict (2006) 4: 11–12 DOI 10.1007/s11469-006-9003-2
Buprestidae (Coleoptera) of Roztocze.

On the basis of old museum collections, our own collection and literature data 54 buprestid species were listed. Seven of these species were recorded from the region for the first time.
Mixing model structures

Abstract We prove that if a category has two Quillen closed model structures ( W 1 , F 1 , C 1 ) and ( W 2 , F 2 , C 2 ) that satisfy the inclusions W 1 ⊆ W 2 and F 1 ⊆ F 2 , then there exists a “mixed model structure” ( W m , F m , C m ) for which W m = W 2 and F m = F 1 . This shows that there is a model structure for topological spaces (and other topological categories) for which W m is the class of weak equivalences and F m is the class of Hurewicz fibrations. The cofibrant spaces in this model structure are the spaces that have CW homotopy type.
No view without a viewpoint: Gunnar Myrdal

Abstract Gunnar Myrdal's approach to development economics is the result of a lifetime of wrestling with the role of values in social theory: he went from a wertfrei to a value permeation view of proper theory. His methodological position, which we would now call that of theory-ladenness and value-ladenness, appears to have predated a good deal of the philosophy of science's consideration of these issues. In addition, his search for a theory of adequate scope to do justice to real development problems led to a holistic model which crosses disciplinary boundaries. As an institutionalist, he views society from the postulate of circular causation of a system of conditions, likely to lead to cumulative effects.
Ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer of humans

Current scientific evidence indicates that stratospheric ozone has declined worldwide over the past 20 years. The trend estimates are markedly dependent on the geographical location and are highly seasonal. Winter trends are much more negative than those for summer and autumn. Projections based on current assumptions of chlorine release suggest that this decline will continue into the next century. On the basis of the decrease in ozone over the mid-latitudes, an increase in biologically effective ultraviolet radiation (UVR) of 4%-9% is expected, depending on the season and geographical location. However, the UVR penetration to the Earth's surface is greatly affected by clouds, aerosols and tropospheric ozone, and current increases, if any, have not been as large as this. Direct evidence for the induction of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) due to UVR has been derived from animal experiments in mice and rats. Numerous epidemiological data confirm that this relationship also holds for human skin. The increase in NMSC incidence in the past two decades is not likely to be due to the decrease in ozone, given the long latency (two to three decades) associated with UVR effects on skin. A knowledge of the action spectrum for NMSC development suggests that a 1% depletion in stratospheric ozone may be expected to increase NMSC, at equilibrium, by about 2.0% The evidence on the role of UVR exposure in the development of malignant melanoma (MM) is less certain. It has been estimated that a 1% reduction in ozone may cause an increase in MM of 0.6%.
Time‐dependent quadratic constants of motion, symmetries, and orbit equations for classical particle dynamical systems with time‐dependent Kepler potentials

It is shown there are only two classes of time‐dependent Kepler potentials [V2≡λ0(at2+bt+c)−1/2/r, (b2−4ac≠0), and V3≡λ0(αt+β)−1/r] for which the associated classical dynamical equations will admit quadratic first integrals more general than quadratic functions of the angular momentum. In addition to the angular momentum the system defined by V2 admits only a ’’generalized time‐dependent energy integral,’’ while the system defined by V3 admits in addition to these a time‐dependent vector first integral that is a generalization of the Laplace–Runge–Lenz vector constant of motion (associated with the time‐independent Kepler system). For the V3 system the time‐dependent vector first integral is employed to obtain in a simple manner the orbit equations in completely integrated form. The complete group of (velocity‐independent) symmetry mappings is obtained for each of these two classes of dynamical systems and used to show that the generalized energy integral is expressible as a Noether constant of motion.
The growth and bonding of transfer film and the role of CuS and PTFE in the tribological behavior of PEEK

Abstract Sliding experiments on the PEEK composites filled with CuS and PTFE powders while rubbing against tool steel surfaces were performed under ambient conditions in a pin-on-disk configuration. A constant sliding velocity of 1 m s−1 and a contact pressure of 0.654 MPa were used in all experiments. The steel counterfaces were finished by abrasion to a surface roughness of 0.11 μm Ra. The optimum CuS proportion for minimum wear rate as determined experimentally was 35 vol.%. With the addition of CuS, the coefficient of friction increased. The addition of PTFE to these composites reduced both the wear rate and the coefficient of friction. The wear rate of the different compositions depended upon their ability to form transfer films on the steel counterfaces. The study of the transfer film growth by scanning electron microscopy revealed that it was a mechanical process in which the fragments of the material removed were locked into the crevices of counterface asperities. The compositional changes in the transfer film were studied by XPS analysis of the top surface of the transfer film and also closer to the steel substrate. It was found that Cu ions and the compounds of FeF2, FeSO4 and FeS were formed near the interface of the transfer film with its steel substrate. These compounds contributed to enhanced bonding between the transfer film and the counterface. Of the various mechanisms of wear, the cracking and delamination of the transfer film will also be affected by the bonding of transfer film to the counterface.
Observation of Collective Friction Forces due to Spatial Self-Organization of Atoms: From Rayleigh to Bragg Scattering

We demonstrate that emission-induced self-organization of two-level atoms can effect strong damping of the sample's center-of-mass motion. When illuminated by far-detuned light, cold cesium atoms assemble into a density grating that efficiently diffracts the incident light into an optical resonator. We observe random phase jumps of $\ensuremath{\pi}$ in the emitted light, confirming spontaneous symmetry breaking in the atomic self-organization. The Bragg diffraction results in a collective friction force with center-of-mass deceleration up to $1000\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{m}/{\mathrm{s}}^{2}$ that is effective even for an open atomic transition.
Cyanobacterial carotenoids: their roles in maintaining optimal photosynthetic production among aquatic bloom forming genera

Photoprotective and photosynthetic roles of carotenoid pigments (xanthophylls and β-carotene) were examined in the major bloom forming blue-green algal (cyanobacterial) genera, Anabaena, Aphanizomenon and Microcystis. Since these genera often reside as scums in surface waters, attention was given to the ability of carotenoids to counter potential photooxidation due to maximum near U.V. and visible radiation as well as O2 supersaturation, characterizing surface waters supporting blooms. In U.V.-transparent quartz incubation flasks it was shown that inhibition of carotenoid synthesis by diphenylamine led to rapid photooxidation among the above genera. When carotenoid synthesis was allowed to proceed, a high degree of resistance to photooxidation resulted. Prolonged exposure to near U.V. irradiation led to enhanced carotenoid synthesis relative to chlorophyll a, which extended viability. Carotenoid enhancement also increased chlorophyll a-specific photosynthetic O2 production. It is concluded that enhanced carotenoid synthesis observed during blooms serves at least two ecological functions, i) providing photoprotection and ii) increasing photosynthetic performance of surface cyanobacterial populations.
Manual Muscle Strength Testing and Dynamometry for Bilateral Ulnar Neuropraxia in a Surgeon

This case study describes a patient who had bilateral neuropraxia of the ulnar nerve following a 5-day bicycle ride across the Swiss Alps. The patient, who was a surgeon, and the referring therapist were uncertain about the diagnosis at the time of referral. The purposes of this case study are to familiarize the hand therapist with "cyclist's palsy" and to illustrate how the recoveries of both nerves were followed using manual muscle strength testing and dynamometry. A form developed for the simultaneous assessment and comparison of the two measurements is presented. Muscle strength is tested and graded as suggested in another article of this issue.
Effects of lipid-binding proteins APO A-I, APO A-II, β2-glycoprotein I, and C-reactive protein on activation of factor X by tissue factor - factor VIIa

Tissue factor is the membrane-associated protein which mediates activation of factors IX and X by factor VII. In a purified, reconstituted bovine system, factor X activation by the tissue factor-factor VIIa complex is inhibited by the mixed apoproteins from human high density lipoprotein (HDL) and by isolated apolipo-protein A-II (apo A-II). Other proteins found associated with plasma lipoproteins, apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), C-reactive protein (CRP), and beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2 GPI), have been examined for effects on the activation of factor X by tissue factor-factor VIIa. In these experiments, bovine tissue factor, reconstituted into phosphatidylserine-phosphatidylcholine (PS/PC; 30/70) vesicles, was used at a single concentration while factor X (the substrate), factor VIIa (the enzyme), and the potentially inhibitory proteins were varied in a continuous chromogenic assay. Apo A-II and CRP clearly inhibit tissue factor-factor VIIa activation of factor X, while apo A-I and beta 2 GPI have little or no effect. These results demonstrate that different lipid binding proteins vary in their effects on tissue factor activity.
Studies in Andean Ocotea (Lauraceae). I. Species with Hermaphrodite Flowers and Fistulose Twigs Occurring Above 1000 m Altitude

A key to and descriptions of the seven species of Ocotea Aubl. (Lauraceae) with bisexual flowers and fistulose twigs occurring in the Andes are presented. Of the seven species, five are newly described: O. beekmanii van der Werff, O. cuatrecasasii van der Werff, both from Colombia, O. fistulosa van der Werff from Ecuador, O. magnifrons van der Werff described from Ecuador and also in Colombia, and O. obovatifolia van der Werff from Ecuador.
An embedded PDMS nanocomposite strain sensor toward biomedical applications

This paper presents a nanocomposite strain gauge composed of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Possessing excellent mechanical and piezoresistive properties, the biocompatible nanocomposites could withstand large strains repeatedly, which is desirable for miniaturized implantable biomedical devices. Prototype strain sensor was fabricated with simplicity and efficiency via microcontact printing and cast molding. Experimental results revealed sensitive response of resistance with regard to change of tensile strains. Multiple cycles of stretching and relaxing of device revealed consistent and repeatable measurements. An interesting hysteresis phenomenon was also observed. With further investigation of the elastomeric mechanisms, this strain sensing technology could yield promising potentials in many biomedical applications.
Growth, food, and vulnerability to damage of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis mccradyi in its early life history stages

Newly hatched larvae of ctenophores are so delicate that they can be killed by copepods larger than nauplii. The larvae can withstand starvation for a week, but they need very high concentrations of nauplii to sustain rapid growth, and grow very slowly above 1 mm unless food of larger size is available. Over the first 7 days, larvae can double their weight seven times. Individual growth rate is extremely variable, even among the offspring of a single parent. Although newly hatched larvae have. food in their guts <30% of the time, a single food item (nauplius) of similar dry weight contains some 20 times more carbon than the ctenophore. As the larva grows, its consumption rate rapidly increases, the gut remaining full all the time, if food of larger size is available. These complex interactions of both high growth and high mortality of larvae are related to unnaturally high copepod concentrations in the laboratory. Patchiness in nature, however, at present ill defined quantitatively, may provide the explanation for the population’s success.
THE INCREASING INCIDENCE OF CONGENITAL PENILE ANOMALIES IN THE UNITED STATES

ABSTRACTPurpose:: Epidemiologic studies have suggested that the incidence of congenital penile anomalies (CPA), particularly hypospadias, is increasing. This phenomenon has significant biological and socioeconomic implications. We sought further confirmation of the reported trends using a large national database.Materials and Methods:: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample is a 20% sample of United States hospitals containing data on 5 to 7 million hospital inpatient stays per year. We identified male newborns, used ICD-9 codes to identify newborns with CPA, determined nationally weighted incidence over time and performed multivariate analyses to identify factors associated with CPA.Results:: Of the 4.84 million male newborns in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample we identified 37,577 with CPA (weighted incidence rate 7.8/1000 newborns). The weighted incidence increased from 7.0/1000 newborns in 1988 to 1991 to 8.3/1000 in 1997 to 2000 (p <0.0001). The most common diagnosis was hypospadias (68.3%), followed by chor...
More on a model curriculum for modeling and simulation

At WSC 00, one of the authors (Crosbie) suggested that the development and publication of a model curriculum for MS programs in modeling and simulation would facilitate the development of such programs. This paper presents a first draft of a model curriculum developed by a small group at the McLeod Institute of Simulation Sciences at California State University, Chico. The aim of the draft is to stimulate further discussion in the M and S community with the goal of arriving at a generally acceptable outline that can serve as a guideline for new programs.
Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in the Innate Immune Response to Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Mice

Innate immunity plays an important role in pulmonary host defense against Pneumocystis carinii, an important pathogen in individuals with impaired cell-mediated immunity. We investigated the role of GM-CSF in host defense in a model of P. carinii pneumonia induced by intratracheal inoculation of CD4-depleted mice. Lung GM-CSF levels increased progressively during the infection and were significantly greater than those in uninfected controls 3, 4, and 5 wk after inoculation. When GM-CSF gene-targeted mice (GM 2/2 ) depleted of CD4 1 cells were inoculated with P. carinii, the intensities of infection and inflammation were increased significantly compared with those in CD4-depleted wild-type mice. In contrast, transgenic expression of GM-CSF directed solely in the lungs of GM 2/2 mice (using the surfactant protein C promoter) dramatically decreased the intensity of infection and inflammation 4 wk after inoculation. The concentrations of surfactant proteins A and D were greater in both uninfected and infected GM 2/2 mice compared with those in wild-type controls, suggesting that this component of the innate response was preserved in the GM 2/2 mice. However, alveolar macrophages (AM) from GM 2/2 mice demonstrated impaired phagocytosis of purified murine P. carinii organisms in vitro compared with AM from wild-type mice. Similarly, AM production of TNF-a in response to P. carinii in vitro was totally absent in AM from GM 2/2 mice, while GM-CSF-replete mice produced abundant TNF in this setting. Thus, GM-CSF plays a critical role in the inflammatory response to P. carinii in the setting of impaired cell-mediated immunity through effects on AM activation. The Journal of Immunology, 2000, 164: 2602‐2609.
Functional Studies of Aromatase Activity in Human Granulosa Cells from Normal and Polycystic Ovaries

To determine the basis of the reduced ovarian estrogen (E) production in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO), the ability of granulosa cells from normal and polycystic ovaries to aromatize androgens was assessed both in vitro and in vivo. During a 5-h incubation in vitro with graded doses of aromatase substrate [androstenedione (Δ4), 10−10−10−6 M], a dose-related increase in E production was observed in granulosa cells from normal 8- to 15-mm follicles; the minimum and maximum effective doses of Δ4 were 10−10 and 10−7 M, respectively, and the ED50 was approximately 10−8 M. In contrast, granulosa cells from 4- to 6-mm follicles of both normal and polycystic ovaries produced negligible amounts of E when incubated 5 h with graded doses of Δ4,suggesting that the aromatase enzyme had not been induced in follicles of this size. To test the functional relationship between gonadotropins and E production in PCO and normal granulosa cells from the aromatase-deficient 4- to 6-mm follicles, these granulosa cells were cul...
Effects of gallium nitrate in nude mice bearing a canine adenocarcinoma (CAC‐8) model of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy

Hypercalcemic nude mice bearing a canine adenocarcinoma (CAC-8) model of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) were treated daily with gallium nitrate (60 mg/kg of elemental gallium subcutaneously (SC) on day 0, followed by 20 mg/kg/day) for 5 days. Gallium nitrate significantly decreased (p < 0.01) serum calcium in tumor-bearing animals on days 2 and 5 of treatment (mean 13.7 ± 0.7 mg/dl on day 0 versus 11.6 ± 0.3 on day 2 and 12.4 ± 0.5 on day 5). Urinary calcium excretion was decreased (p < 0.05) in the gallium-treated, tumor-bearing animals (0.11 ± 0.01 mg calcium/mg creatinine) compared with hypercalcemic tumor-bearing mice (0.30 ± 0.06). Both nontumor control and tumor-bearing mice treated with gallium nitrate lost body weight during the treatment period (p < 0.01). Gallium nitrate had no effect on tumor growth. Histomorphometric evaluation of lumbar vertebrae stained for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the number of osteoclasts/mm trabecular bone and perimeter of trabecular bone lined by active osteoblasts (p < 0.01) in the gallium-treated tumor-bearing mice compared with tumor-bearing controls. Osteoclast length (mm) was significantly increased in both the nontumor and tumor-bearing gallium-treated animals (p < 0.05) compared with nontumor and tumor-bearing control mice. Serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels were increased in tumor-bearing animals, but gallium nitrate had no effect on circulating levels (not detectable in nontumor control mice versus 82 ± 21 pg/ml in tumor-bearing mice and 107 ± 12 pg/ml in gallium-treated tumor-bearing mice). Concentrations of gallium in bone were undetectable in untreated control mice (<0.00005 μg/g bone), but markedly elevated concentrations were present in gallium-treated mice (235 ± 6 μg/g bone in nontumor-bearing and 155 ± 18 in tumor-bearing). These results indicate that gallium nitrate decreased osteoclastic bone resorption and serum calcium levels in a nude mouse model of HHM.
Observations of persistent Leonid meteor trails 3. The “Glowworm”

[1] A spectacular, well-observed Leonid meteor of visual magnitude −14.3 appeared on 17 November 1998 and left a lingering trail, dubbed the Glowworm, that was well studied. From a location on Kirtland Air Force Base, near Albuquerque, New Mexico, we obtained CCD images of the trail from 94 to 203 s after the meteor and recorded a video with an intensified camera for even longer. From information obtained with a sodium lidar half an hour after the meteor, we have determined that a gravity wave with a vertical wavelength of 2.4 km was responsible for the right-angled appearance of the trail. The trail ended abruptly at 85 km, and its uppermost altitude may have been no greater than 91 km. We designate the Glowworm a Type I trail: one that is wide (1 km), cloudy in appearance, has high diffusion rates (800 m2 s−1), high total line emission rates (1.5×1018 photons m−1 s−1), and is optically thicker than Type II trails. The lower parts of the Diamond Ring, another Leonid lingering trail that appeared 38 min earlier than the Glowworm, define the Type II trails, which appear as narrow, optically thinner parallel trails, with low diffusion rates (12 m2 s−1) and total line emission rates (1–3×1016 photons m−1 s−1). No explanation is offered for the two orders of magnitude difference in these quantities. The Glowworm meteor produced infrasound [ReVelle and Whitaker, 1999], from which a meteoroid mass estimate of 522 g was made. We compare our photometry to a detailed numerical modeling of the shape of the trail and emission from the Glowworm made by Zinn et al. [1999], who find that the largest contributors to emission recorded by our CCD and video cameras are atmospheric O2 vibrational bands. Compared to our measurements, their calculated emission is too high by two orders of magnitude, but since most of O2 emission may be absorbed by atmospheric O2 before it reaches the ground, this may indeed be the primary contributor to the observed flux. Although the calculations of Zinn et al. lead to a hollow cylinder appearance which may be appropriate for the Glowworm, it is not pronounced enough to account for the complete darkness between the parallel structures seen in Type II trails. An upper limit to backscattering from dust of 3.7 × 10−5 of the expected return was found from directing a 180 W copper vapor laser at the Glowworm.
Wyner-Ziv quantization and transform coding of noisy sources at high rates

We extend Wyner-Ziv high-rate quantization and transform coding theory to the case in which a noisy observation of some source data is available at the encoder, but we are interested in estimating the unseen source data at the decoder, with the help of side information. Ideal Slepian-Wolf coders are assumed, thus rates are conditional entropies of quantization indices given the side information. Transform coders of noisy images for different communication constraints are compared. Experimental results show that the Wyner-Ziv transform coder achieves a performance close to the case in which the side information is also available at the encoder.
Factor Analysis and Evaluation of Worker Mobility Variables

As stated earlier, a factor analysis was performed to determine whether the mobility/personal income /work activity model was valid. The key variables initially assumed to be relevant were assessed to discern the variables anticipated to be the most significant in relation to the three-parameter model. A final selection reduced the original variable set from sixteen to the following eight: Difinitons for these variables were given in Chapter 1. Open image in new window
Efficient Sampling from Combinatorial Space via Bridging

MCMC sampling has been extensively studied and used in probabilistic inference. Many algorithms rely on local updates to explore the space, often resulting in slow convergence or failure to mix when there is no path from one set of states to another via local changes. We propose an ecient method for sampling from combinatorial spaces that addresses these issues via “bridging states” that facilitate the communication between dierent parts of the space. Such states can be created dynamically, providing more flexibility than methods relying on specific space structures to design jump proposals. Theoretical analysis of the approach yields bounds on mixing times. Empirical analysis demonstrates the practical utility on two problems: constrained map labeling and inferring partial order of object layers in a video.
The Unstable Intertrochanteric Fracture: Treatment with a Valgus Osteotomy and I-Beam Nail-Plate

1. The stability of intertrochanteric fractures is primarily determined by the integrity of the medial cortex of the fracture fragments and the surgeon's ability to obtain accurate and stable apposition of the medial cortices of the major fragments. 2. In the presence of comminution of the medical cortex sufficient stability is not achieved by mere anatomical reduction of the fragments. 3. We have developed a valgus osteotomy technique for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures which makes the plane of the fractures more horizontal, approximates the cortical surfaces of the two major fragments, and places the neck of the femur in a valgus position. 4. The results in 100 cases of unstable intertrochanteric fracture treated in this manner are reported and the technique for osteotomy and insertion of a short 135-degree I-beam nail is described.
Predicting advertising execution effectiveness: scale development and validation

Purpose – This paper aims to present a commentary on the Armstrong et al. (2015) proposals to use checklists of Armstrong’s “advertising principles” to predict the effectiveness of alternative advertising executions and their tests of validity using paired ads with day-after recall scores. Design/methodology/approach – This paper discusses literature from anecdotal business journalism, cognitive science and behavioral economics that attempt to explain and accurately predict high-impact advertising. The commentary considers the value of using checklists and the relevancy complexity theory for examining whether or not checklists versus other tools are useful for accurately predicting advertising effectiveness. Findings – Anecdotal reports and scientific studies using true experiments support the practical benefits of advertising executives referring to advertising principles in the form of checklists when deciding which advertisement to run. Armstrong, Du, Green and Graefe (ADGG) provide a useful early warn...
Sequence stratigraphic and depositional framework of the Cenozoic fill, Central and Northern North Sea Basin

The post-Danian through Miocene clastic fill of the Central and Northern North Sea Basin consists of four tectonosequences that record the regional structural evolution of the basin and adjacent source areas. The tectonosequences, in turn, contain strata deposited during at least 15 depositional episodes, creating a series of stratigraphic sequences bounded by condensed sections and/or erosion surfaces. The Paleocene tectonosequence records six depositional episodes and was initiated by fault movement coupled with source area uplift. Proximal delta-fed submarine aprons of the Maureen and Andrew episodes were subsequently overridden by the Forties/Dornoch braid-delta system. Widespread source area and basin-margin foundering terminated the Paleocene with regional flooding and deposition of the Balder condensed section. Mass wasting of the relict shelf margins locally redeposited Paleocene sediments as turbidite and slump lobes. The Eocene tectonosequence began with the Frigg depositional episode. A combination of steep shelf gradient and high marine energy flux bypassed shelf sediment to the Viking trough. Subsequently four shelf progradational episodes terminated with pulsed latest Eocene shelf-margin offlap driven by stepwise relative sea-level fall. Oligocene and Miocene tectonosequences encompass four eposides of basin filling. Sediments deposited in shelf and deep-marine settings were increasingly reworked by geostrophic currents, culminating in accumulation of large Miocene contourite drift complexes along the basin axis.
Black pepper [piper nigrum]: Evidence of carcinogenicity

Abstract An extract of black pepper was applied cutaneously to albino Swiss mice of both sexes; each animal received a total of 28 mg over a three‐month period. All pepper‐treated mice surviving after 17 months developed tumors, particularly in the lung, liver, and skin (distant from the area of application). The incidence of malignant tumors and of multiple tumors was significantly greater in the pepper‐treated mice than in the vehicle‐treated controls.
Time course of adaptation to a high-fat diet in obesity-resistant and obesity-prone rats

The purpose of the present study was to characterize the time course of adaptation (i.e., circulating metabolites and hormones, fat pad mass, lipoprotein lipase) to a high-fat diet in obesity-prone (OP) and obesity-resistant (OR) male Wistar rats. Delineation of OP and OR was based on body weight gain (upper tertile for OP; lower tertile for OR) after 1 wk on a high-fat diet (60% of kcal from corn oil). Rats were killed after 1, 2, or 5 wk of the dietary period. Increased body weight and percent body fat in OP rats at 1 wk could not be accounted for by increased retroperitoneal or epididymal fat pad weight. Plasma nonesterified fatty acids and triglycerides, as well as blood concentrations of glucose, lactate, and glycerol, were similar throughout the study. Plasma insulin was significantly greater in OP vs. OR rats and low-fat diet (LFD; 20% of kcal from corn oil) controls at 5 wk only, and blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (mM) was significantly higher in OR compared with OP and LFD rats at 1, 2, and 5 wk. Lipoprotein lipase mRNA and activity were significantly greater in epididymal fat pad and significantly lower in gastrocnemius muscle of OP vs. OR rats at 1 wk. Results suggest that early (i.e., 1 wk) differences in body weight and fat weight between OP and OR rats are not due to fat deposition in retroperitoneal or epididymal fat depots, and tissue-specific changes in LPL (increase in epididymal fat pad and decrease in gastrocnemius muscle) that occur in OP compared with OR rats after 1 wk on a high-fat diet provide a metabolic environment favoring fat storage.