cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the origin of the New World Pyrgomorphidae (Insecta: Orthoptera).

Abstract The gaudy grasshopper family Pyrgomorphidae (Orthoptera: Caelifera) shows a peculiar geographical distribution. Of the 487 described species, less than 10% of the diversity is found in the New World, while the rest occur throughout Africa, Asia, and Australia. Only 41 species belonging to four tribes are found in Central and South America and Dominican Republic, and the phylogenetic positions of these taxa within the large phylogeny of Pyrgomorphidae and the relationships among them have never been investigated. Regarding the biogeography, three different hypotheses about the origin of the New World Pyrgomorphidae have been proposed, but these have not been empirically tested. In this study, we present the first molecular phylogeny of Pyrgomorphidae that includes the members of all four New World tribes and representative genera from the Old World based on entire mitochondrial genome and four nuclear genes to investigate the biogeography of this fascinating lineage. Our results recover Pyrgomorphidae as monophyletic and the New World Pyrgomorphidae as a paraphyletic group comprising three clades, consisting of: (1) The Caribbean Jaragua + the South American Algete; (2) The Mexican and Central American Sphenarium + Prosphena; and (3) The Mexican lineages Ichthiacridini + Ichthyotettigini. The divergence time estimation analysis suggested that the Pyrgomorphidae diverged from its relatives in the Early Cretaceous (139–104 mya). The biogeographic analysis using BioGeoBEARS showed that after diversifying in the Old World, the first New World Pyrgomorphidae clade (Algete + Jaragua) diverged 96 mya (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) and that their current distribution in the New World is explained by two possible events, a transatlantic colonization from Africa to Northern South America or a vicariance event between these two landmasses, followed by a subsequent dispersal to the Caribbean. The second wave of colonization occurred about 69 mya towards the end of the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) with dispersal from Africa to South America and then to North America with a subsequent diversification in Mexico including Baja California.
High BMI is associated with low ALS risk: What does it mean?

Identifying mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease causation seemed to be beyond the pale of traditional epidemiologic tools. Elucidating a plausible mechanism for initiation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) appeared particularly elusive.1 The principal barrier to discerning ALS pathogenesis was the need to conceptualize ALS correctly2: an active process, initiated in cortical motor neurons, that dismantles the human motor neuronal supernetwork systematically.1
A comparison of the effectiveness of two types of deceit detection training methods in older adults

In general, people are poor at detecting deception. Older adults are even worse than young adults at detecting deceit, which might make them uniquely vulnerable to certain types of financial fraud. One reason for poor deceit detection abilities is that lay theories of cues to deception are not valid. This study compared the effectiveness of two training methods to improve deceit detection among older adults: valid facial cues versus valid verbal cues to deception. Approximately 150 older adults were randomly assigned to facial training, verbal training, or a control condition. Participants completed a pre-test deceit detection task, their assigned training, and a post-test deceit detection task. Both training groups significantly improved at recognizing their respectively trained cues after training. However, the facial cue training group were less accurate at detecting deception post-test compared to pre-test and the control group exhibited improved accuracy of deceit detection from pre-test to post-test. These results are consistent with the body of literature on deception suggesting people hover around chance accuracy, even after training. Older adults’ facial and verbal cue recognition can be improved with training, but these improvements did not translate into more accurate deceit detection, and actually hampered performance in the facial condition. Older adults showed the most benefit from sheer practice at detecting deception (in the control condition), perhaps because this condition encouraged implicit rather than explicit judgments of deception.
Federal calorie labelling compliance at US chain restaurants.

Objective The 2010 Affordable Care Act included a provision requiring chain food establishments to post calories on menus. In 2017, prior to the final implementation of the law, 59 of 90 top-selling chains had fully implemented labelling. This study extends the documentation of compliance to the 200 top-selling chains after the nationwide requirement went into effect in May 2018. Methods To determine if restaurants were compliant with the federal menu labelling law, objective information was collected from all 197 of the 200 highest grossing restaurant chains in the United States. The study team obtained information via site visits and internet searches for a convenience sample of restaurants within each of these chains. Results 94% had implemented menu calorie labelling after the May 2018 deadline. Of the 11 chains not complying, six were full-service restaurants. Conclusion Most chain restaurants have complied with the federal calorie labelling law, suggesting that compliance is attainable for all chains. Given this finding, the Food and Drug Administration should initiate enforcement of labelling for noncompliant chains.
Depth Importance in Precision Medicine (DIPM): A Tree and Forest Based Method

We propose the novel implementation of a depth variable importance score in a classification tree method designed for the precision medicine setting. The goal is to identify clinically meaningful subgroups to better inform personalized treatment decisions. In the proposed Depth Importance in Precision Medicine (DIPM) method, a random forest of trees is first constructed at each node. Then, a depth variable importance score is used to select the best split variable. This score makes use of the observation that more important variables tend to be selected closer to root nodes of trees. In particular, we aim to outperform an existing method designed for the analysis of high-dimensional data with continuous outcome variables. The existing method uses an importance score based on weighted misclassification of out-of-bag samples upon permutation. Overall, our method is favorable because of its comparable and sometimes superior performance, simpler importance score, and broader pool of candidate splits. We use simulations to demonstrate the accuracy of our method and apply the method to a clinical dataset.
The Feasibility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Differentiation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak From Middle Ear Effusion: A Quantitative Analysis.

OBJECTIVE Assess quantitatively whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity can be used to distinguish cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in the temporal bone from middle ear effusions. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case review. SETTING Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Forty-nine patients, 18 with middle ear effusions (MEE), 30 with CSF leaks, and 1 with an MEE on one side and a CSF leak on the other, were evaluated in the study. Primary inclusion criteria for CSF leak patients were operative management of CSF leak with confirmatory diagnosis in follow-up. Primary inclusion criteria for MEE patients were electronic medical record documentation of an effusion with subsequent resolution on follow-up. For all patients, inclusion criteria included MRI imaging with 3D-T2 weighted sequences (3DT2) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences performed within 1 year of diagnosis code entry. INTERVENTION Computational analysis of signal intensity of fluid collections in MRI imaging. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Sensitivity and specificity of 3DT2 and FLAIR signal intensity in the detection of CSF leak. RESULTS For 3DT2 sequences with a chosen normalized signal intensity threshold (CSF leak if ≥ 0.5), sensitivity was 100% (95% CI: 86.3-100) and specificity was 83.3% (95% CI: 51.6-97.9). For FLAIR sequences with a threshold of 1.0 (CSF leak if < 1.0), sensitivity was 77.4% (95% CI: 58.9-90.4) and specificity was 85.7% (95% CI: 63.6-97.0). For a combined test in which a fluid collection was considered CSF if both 3DT2 ≥ 0.5 and FLAIR < 1.0, sensitivity was 76% (95% CI: 54.9-90.6) and specificity was 100% (95% CI: 73.5-100).
Loss of G0S2 in Kinase-Independent TKI Resistance and Blastic Transformation of CML

Abstract Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting BCR-ABL1 have turned chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) from a fatal to a chronic condition. Despite impressive results, resistance is a clinical problem, and TKIs do not target the CML leukemic stem cell (LSC) population, which is independent of BCR-ABL1 kinase activity. To identify mechanisms associated with BCR-ABL1 kinase-independent TKI resistance, we compared the transcriptional profile of TKI-naive CD34+ cells from newly diagnosed CML patients who subsequently either responded (n=41) or did not respond (n=18) to imatinib over a twelve-month period (McWeeney et al. Blood 2010). The transcriptional profile of imatinib resistance in non-responders revealed striking overlap with reported signatures of CML blastic transformation and also implicated pathways involved in LSC survival. These findings suggest that similar biological mechanisms may be driving three different scenarios of BCR-ABL1-independent resistance: 1) primary kinase-independent TKI resistance, 2) transformation of CML from the chronic phase (CP-CML) to the blastic phase (BP-CML), and 3) persistence of residual leukemia in TKI-responsive patients. Among the genes most profoundly downregulated in patients destined to fail imatinib therapy was G0S2 (>3-fold, p 3-fold in TKI-resistant samples and BP-CML (p Altogether, these findings suggest that G0S2 plays a role in regulating leukemic stem and progenitor cell survival and TKI response in vitro, and that restoring G0S2 expression combined with BCR-ABL1 inhibition may be a novel strategy to induce treatment-free remission in CML patients with kinase-independent TKI resistance and BP-CML, or to eradicate the CML LSC population. Future studies will assess the functional role of G0S2 in LSC survival and BCR-ABL1 leukemogenesis in vivo, and determine the mechanism by which G0S2 is downregulated in TKI resistance. Disclosures Deininger: BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, CTI BioPharma Corp, Gilead, Incyte, Novartis, Pfizer, Celgene, Blue Print, Galena: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; ARIAD: Consultancy.
Influence of endocrine multidisciplinary tumor board on patient management and treatment decision making.

Abstract Background Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards (MDT) are used to obtain input regarding cancer management. This study assessed the impact of our institutional Endocrine MDT. Methods MDT notes on patients with thyroid cancer treated during 2012–2018 were abstracted retrospectively from the electronic medical record. Management change (MC) was prospectively collected by the MDT coordinator. Biannual evaluations reviewed the impact of the MDT as observed by attendees. Results MC was recommended in 47 (15%) of 286 presentations, with additional imaging being the most frequent (43%). Presentation of recurrences were more likely to result in MC (24% vs. 13% initial, p = 0.03). Overall, 98% of attendees found the conference exceeded educational expectations. About 24% reported intending to use a more evidence/guideline-based approach after attending and this trend increased over time (p = 0.002). Conclusion MDT presentations led to a higher rate of MC particularly in recurrent TC patients and increased evidenced-based practice for attendees.
Application of an analytic element model for multi-aquifer flow in the Atlantic coastal plain, USA

Publisher Summary This chapter demonstrates the application of a new analytic element program for multi-aquifer flow to a shallow coastal plain aquifer system in Greene County, North Carolina, USA. The field site is under investigation to determine the impact of land spraying of liquid hog waste on subsurface and surface water quality. Excess nitrogen as nitrate is being measured underneath the field with a network of monitoring wells, and in the streams by taking discrete samples. Field-scale observations are being used to build watershed-scale models. The purpose of the simplified multi-layer modeling study is to test the hypothesis that simulations based on two homogeneous layers are adequate for understanding the overall water balance, and will form the basis for future estimates of nitrogen-nitrate loadings to streams in this watershed. Preliminary results are presented in the chapter.
Porous Structure and Liquid Flow Models

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the mechanism of liquid flow in porous structure. The absorbency phenomena are characterized by the mode and the extent of transport of liquid into an absorbing material. For absorption to occur, the main driving force must come from the intrinsic liquid attraction capacity of the material itself; while an externally imposed force, such as gravity or pressure, may play a secondary role in affecting the absorption process. The driving force for absorption of the bulk of the liquid into an absorbing material is the capillary pressure. Absorbent articles are usually composites of different types of polymeric materials with highly complex design and intricate pore geometry. The chapter also presents several structural models that can be used to characterize pore geometry and fluid flow behavior in fibrous masses. Pore size is an important parameter for absorbent materials as it affects the rate at which a fluid flows into or through a capillary network. This is evident from the Hagen-Poiseuille and the Washburn models. Washburn's model describes linear flow along a channel, most accurately when the channel is oriented horizontally. In many of the controlled commercial tests, however, the fluid is presented at a point in the middle of a circular specimen, which then spreads radially outward.
Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Unemployment Insurance: How Tight Are the Strands of the Recessionary Safety Net?

This report provides nationally representative annual estimates for 2004-09 of households’ multi-program or “joint” participation patterns in both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program, including breakouts of household types categorized by household income relative to poverty, race/ethnicity, and education level. SNAP and UI are two strands of the Nation’s recessionary safety net — the subset of safety-net programs for which participation is responsive to the business cycle. Using data from the Annual Social and Economic (ASEC) Supplement to the Current Population Survey, the study found that an estimated 14.4 percent of SNAP households also received UI at some time in 2009 (a recessionary year), an increase of 6.6 percentage points from 2005 (a full-employment year). Conversely, an estimated 13.4 percent of UI households also received SNAP in 2009, an increase of 2.3 percentage points from 2005. SNAP households with lower annual income relative to poverty or with householders who did not complete high school were relatively less likely to also have UI, indicating that these populations were relatively more likely to rely on SNAP benefits alone (without UI).
Food Purchases During the Great Recession

Using the Nielsen Homescan data, we describe what happened to household purchase behavior during the Great recession (Dec 2007-June 2009). Our specific objectives in this study are to understand how the recession impacted: households’ grocery spending in a broad cross-section of 31 food categories; prices paid and quantities bought by households in these categories; the types of outlets they made purchases in; the composition of the food basket in the choice of more expensive brands and less expensive brands and private label products; product volume purchased with retailer discounts and coupons; and, whether there were differences in these behaviors across different demographic groups. We find that during the recession, households purchased more in these food categories, and substituted to cheaper outlets and items sold on deal. However, contrary to expectations, we do not find evidence that the recession was the primary driver behind the increases in store brand share and coupon share observed during the recessionary period.
Tasks, masks and borrowed robes

(2009). Tasks, masks and borrowed robes. Scrutiny2: Vol. 14, The ‘States’ of Popular Culture, pp. 95-102.
FIR statistics of paired galaxies

Much progress has been made in understanding the effects of interaction on galaxies (see reviews in this volume by Heckman and Kennicutt). Evidence for enhanced emission from galaxies in pairs first emerged in the radio (Sulentic 1976) and optical (Larson and Tinsley 1978) domains. Results in the far infrared (FIR) lagged behind until the advent of the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS). The last five years have seen numerous FIR studies of optical and IR selected samples of interacting galaxies (e.g., Cutri and McAlary 1985; Joseph and Wright 1985; Kennicutt et al. 1987; Haynes and Herter 1988). Despite all of this work, there are still contradictory ideas about the level and, even, the reality of an FIR enhancement in interacting galaxies. Much of the confusion originates in differences between the galaxy samples that were studied (i.e., optical morphology and redshift coverage). Here, the authors report on a study of the FIR detection properties for a large sample of interacting galaxies and a matching control sample. They focus on the distance independent detection fraction (DF) statistics of the sample. The results prove useful in interpreting the previously published work. A clarification of the phenomenology provides valuable clues about the physics of the FIR enhancement in galaxies.
The synthesis and structures of arene-substituted azadipyrromethenes

Abstract We present the synthesis of several azadipyrromethenes with four peripheral arene units which can be readily generated via the well-established chalcone synthetic method. The stability and yields of these azadipyrromethenes is highly dependent on the nature of the arene substituent, with the bis-pyridine systems exhibiting the highest degree of instability. The structures of several of the compounds and their BF2 adducts are presented; intramolecular hydrogen bonding is observed in the free base ADPMs. We also present a study into the absorption and emission properties of the ADPMs and their BF2 adducts and observe that they are also highly dependent on the identity of the substituents.
Effects of Violent-Video-Game Exposure on Aggressive Behavior, Aggressive-Thought Accessibility, and Aggressive Affect Among Adults With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Recent mass shootings have prompted the idea among some members of the public that exposure to violent video games can have a pronounced effect on individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Empirical evidence for or against this claim has been missing, however. To address this issue, we assigned adults with and without ASD to play a violent or nonviolent version of a customized first-person shooter video game. After they played the game, we assessed three aggression-related outcome variables (aggressive behavior, aggressive-thought accessibility, and aggressive affect). Results showed strong evidence that adults with ASD, compared with typically developing adults, are not differentially affected by acute exposure to violent video games. Moreover, model comparisons provided modest evidence against any effect of violent game content whatsoever. Findings from this experiment suggest that societal concerns that exposure to violent games may have a unique effect on adults with autism are not supported by evidence.
School-level contextual predictors of bullying and harassment experiences among adolescents

BACKGROUND: Bullying and prejudice-based harassment frequently occur in school settings and have significant consequences for the health and wellbeing of young people. Yet far fewer studies have examined the role of the school environment in peer harassment than individual factors. This multilevel study examined associations between a variety of school-level risk and protective factors and student-level reports of bullying and prejudice-based harassment during adolescence. METHODS: Data come from 8th, 9th, and 11th graders who completed the 2013 Minnesota Student Survey (N = 122,180 students nested in 505 schools). School-level variables were created by aggregating student report data in five areas: academic orientation to school, internal assets, teacher-student relationship quality, feelings of safety at school, and receipt of disciplinary action. RESULTS: Results indicated that youth attending schools with a higher proportion of students with strong internal assets had lower odds of nearly every type of bullying and prejudice-based harassment assessed when compared to youth attending schools with a lower proportion of students with strong internal assets. Additionally, the proportion of students feeling unsafe at school was a fairly consistent risk factor for most types of peer harassment. CONCLUSION: Findings support the idea that prevention programs aimed at improving school-wide internal assets and feelings of safety at school may be key prevention points. Language: en
Empirical evidence of two-attribute utility dependence on probability

We investigate utility dependence on probability using a new methodology that examines how indifference statements vary with the probability of obtaining times and costs of individual trips. Of 127 subjects, 8 supplied 3 (out of 3) sets of indifference statements consistent with probability independence. Those subjects with 2 or more sets of indifference statements violating probability independence exhibited a systematic dependence, in that knowing the “direction” of a subject's violation in one set of indifference statements would increase the likelihood of his or her violating other sets of indifference statements in the same direction. Data show that this systematic violation of dependence should not be attributed to artifacts of the experiment.
Space-Time of the Bororo of Brazil

For America's native peoples, Fabian writes, the sky is a daily - and nightly - influence on their society and culture. In a comprehensive study of a lowland South American people's astronomy, he explains how the Bororo Indians of Brazil integrate the social, natural and cosmic dimensions of time and space into their environment. Fabian introduces the Bororo by recounting a newly collected version of their birdnester myth that alludes to the spatial dimensions that govern Bororo village organization. Time is mapped onto the circular village structure, astronomical observations plot the nature and location of daily activities, and the perimeter of the settlement is synchronized with circadian and seasonal cycles. The village itself acts as a retrieval and classification system that functions much as lists or tables would in a literate society. By using extensive cross-cultural materials and a holistic approach that emphasizes relationships rather than objects, Fabian lets the Bororo speak for themselves. His interpretive work combines myth and folklore with personal interviews, archival research, and discussion of his own participation in ceremonies and secular activities during the ten-month period he and his wife lived among the Bororo. Of interest to anthropologists, folklorists, ethnoastronomers, and students of religion, "Space-time of the Bororo of Brazil" shows that the Bororo animate a complex, rational system, a realization, Fabian writes, "that must both broaden and deepen our understanding, appreciation and respect for all native societies".
Papilla (nipple) development in puberty: The adolescent male

Papilla (nipple) development was studied in 230 males (119 black, 111 white) aged 3–29 years to compare this development to the established criteria for sexual maturation. Comparison was also made with a previous study of female nipple development to determine whether or when any differences between male and female nipple development occurred. Our male subjects were further assessed to determine if nipple size differed in the presence or absence of gynecomastia. Significant nipple development occurred between public hair stages PH1 (diameter 2.8 mm), PH4 (4.4 mm), and PH5 (5.4 mm). Similarly, there was significant incremental growth between genital stages G1 (3.0 mm), G3 (4.6 mm), and G5 (5.5 mm). Nipple development was similar in both sexes through stage PH3, but significantly diverged at stage PH4 ( p p
Relationship between seal strength and burst pressure for pouches

Based on force analysis, the seal strength obtained from the peel test is equivalent to the product of the burst pressure and half of the plate separation obtained from the burst test. To verify this relationship peel tests and burst tests were performed using MRE pouches. Good agreement between the observed and predicted values was observed when the peeling times of the two tests were the same. This relationship is useful for comparing the performance of the two tests, as well as for establishing criteria for destructive and non-destructive testing.
Scattering of electromagnetic waves by vegetation based on the wave approach and the stochastic lindenmayer system

Wave scattering from the trees generated by the stochastic Lindenmayer system is studied by Monte Carlo simulations in this article. The scattering coefficients are calculated in three ways: wave approach, tree-independent scattering, and independent scattering. It shows that the results of tree-independent scattering agree well with that of wave approach for medium to high frequency. However, independent scattering is not a good approximation except for very high frequency.
Synergy as design principle for metabolic engineering of 1-propanol production in Escherichia coli.

Abstract Synthesis of a desired product can often be achieved via more than one metabolic pathway. Whether naturally evolved or synthetically engineered, these pathways often exhibit specific properties that are suitable for production under distinct conditions and host organisms. Synergy between pathways arises when the underlying pathway characteristics, such as reducing equivalent demand, ATP requirement, intermediate utilization, and cofactor preferences, are complementary to each other. Utilization of such pathways in combination leads to an increased metabolite productivity and/or yield compared to using each pathway alone. This work illustrates the principle of synergy between two different pathways for 1-propanol production in Escherichia coli. A model-guided design based on maximum theoretical yield calculations identified synergy of the native threonine pathway and the heterologous citramalate pathway in terms of production yield across all flux ratios between the two pathways. Characterization of the individual pathways by host gene deletions demonstrates their distinct metabolic characteristics: the necessity of TCA cycle for threonine pathway and the independence of TCA cycle for the citramalate pathway. The two pathways are also complementary in driving force demands. Production experiments verified the synergistic effects predicted by the yield model, in which the platform with dual pathway for 2-ketobutyrate synthesis achieved higher yield (0.15 g/g of glucose) and productivity (0.12 g/L/h) of 1-propanol than individual ones alone: the threonine pathway (0.09 g/g; 0.04 g/L/h) or the citramalate pathway (0.11 g/g; 0.04 g/L/h). Thus, incorporation of synergy into the design principle of metabolic engineering may improve the production yield and rate of the desired compound.
A modified measure of health care disparities applied to birth weight disparities and subsequent mortality.

SUMMARY We describe how a modified Gini index serves as an improved method of estimating health care disparities. The method, although general, is applied to an example of birth weight disparities and to their effect on subsequent mortality. The method provides the between-group results obtainable from current methods (i.e. how Hispanics generally fare relative to non-Hispanic Whites) but adds measures of within-group disparities (i.e. which specific Hispanics experience the greatest disparate treatment). Our application to birth weights and receipt of prenatal care, which may provide an upper bound because of omitted variables, shows that the time-of-birth disparities are associated with increased infant mortality within the first year of life. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of stromelysin in the cartilage destruction that accompanies inflammatory arthritis.

Articular cartilage from arthritic joints of rats immunized with type II collagen is severely depleted of proteoglycans. Depletion begins within 48 hours after the onset of inflammation, prior to extensive pannus formation, and may represent a critical first step in cartilage destruction. We have immunolocalized stromelysin, an enzyme that is believed to play a major role in the pathologic degradation of proteoglycans, in the joints of rats with collagen-induced arthritis. Immunoperoxidase staining of frozen tissue sections demonstrated the presence of stromelysin in both the synovium and chondrocytes. In contrast, collagenase was localized primarily to the pannus-cartilage junction. Neither enzyme was detectable in joints from normal animals. To test the hypothesis that chondrocytes respond directly to inflammatory mediators by increasing the production of stromelysin, isolated chondrocytes were incubated with various concentrations of interleukin-1. The culture media were also assayed for the presence of stromelysin by immunoreactivity on Western blots and by analysis of enzymatic activity on casein substrate gels. A 3-fold increase in a doublet of proteins synthesized in response to 10 units/ml of interleukin-1 was observed. These proteins also immunoreacted with the stromelysin antibody and degraded casein. Northern blotting results established that the increased levels of stromelysin were accompanied by increases in stromelysin-specific messenger RNA levels. These results suggest that stromelysin is responsible for proteoglycan degradation in early inflammatory arthritis, and that chondrocytes may play a direct role in the earliest stages of the degradation of their own matrices.
Panic-Fear in Asthma: A Divergence between Subjective Report and Behavioral Patterns:

The reported frequency of occurrence of Panic-Fear symptoms during asthmatic attacks varies widely and is related to treatment response independently of the objective severity of asthma. In a previous study, symptom minimizers (Low Panic-Fear) requested few as-needed (PRN) medications and treatments while hospitalized, even on days when significant airway obstruction was present. In contrast symptom emphasizers (High Panic-Fear) requested PRNs frequently, even on days when no airway obstruction was present. In the present study, these behavioral differences toward PRNs occurred despite the similar ability of patients in various Panic-Fear groups to perceive and report changes in airway obstruction. Together these results suggest that specific behavioral strategies, which do not derive from differences in symptom perception, influence the treatment response of asthmatic patients differing in Panic-Fear symptomatology.
Advanced nitric oxide delivery platforms for therapeutic applications

Nitric oxide (NO) has been identified as a crucial biological signaling molecule in the cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems. As a result, NO storage and delivery vehicles have been extensively developed to target a range of diseases and to control material-cell interactions. In this presentation, new approaches to store and deliver NO from materials used in therapeutic devices will be discussed. This includes the development of biodegradable and biostable polymers as well as methods to produce NO catalytically from bioavailable sources. The advantages of these systems is that they can tuned to control the NO-loading capacity and then triggered to release NO under various conditions, thereby extending the useful lifetime of currently available NO materials. Further, the delivery platforms have been engineering into a variety of forms including coatings, encapsulated microbeads, and nanofibers. These platforms allow for further tuning of the material properties to maximize control of the bio-interface. Finally, these materials have been extensively characterized for their NO release rates in real-time and under cell culture conditions. These pharmacokinetic profiles have been used to evaluate the physiological effective dosages of NO in cancer, angiogenic, platelet, and infection models.
Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β in Long-Term Synaptic Facilitation in Aplysia

The role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in long-term synaptic facilitation was examined in isolated Aplysia ganglia. Treatment with TGF-β1 induced long-term facilitation (24 and 48 hours), but not short-term (5 to 15 minutes) or intermediate-term (2 to 4 hours) facilitation. The long-term effects of TGF-β1 were not additive with those of serotonin. Moreover, serotonin-induced facilitation was blocked by an inhibitor of TGF-β. Thus, activation of TGF-β may be part of the cascade of events underlying long-term sensitization, consistent with the hypothesis that signaling molecules that participate in development also have roles in adult neuronal plasticity.
N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase: identification of four new mutations within the conserved sulfatase region causing mucopolysaccharidosis type VI

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI; Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome) is the lysosomal storage disorder resulting from the deficient activity of N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase (arylsulfatase B; ASB). MPS VI has been described in man, cats and rats, and several mutations in the ASB gene have been identified in human patients and the animal models. Notably, ASB belongs to a family of sulfatases which are highly conserved, suggesting that they are related evolutionarily and functionally. In this manuscript, four new mutations causing MPS VI are described within the human ASB gene. Each of these mutations occurred in or near the hexapeptide 144GKWHLG149, one of the most highly conserved 'sulfatase' regions. In fact, three of the mutations occurred within the same codon, W146. Thus, these results provide new insights into the molecular lesions causing MPS VI and highlight the importance of this conserved sulfatase region.
Gastric Trichobezoar: Case Report and Literature Review

Bezoars are conglomerates of food or fiber in the alimentary tract of humans and certain animals, mainly ruminants. In adults, bezoars are most frequently encountered after a gastric operation, but in children, bezoars are associated with pica, mental retardation, and coexistent psychiatric pathologic disorders. We describe a 4-year-old girl with trichotillomania in whom a gastric trichobezoar resulted in failure to gain weight, iron deficiency anemia, and a painless epigastric mass. The causes of gastric bezoars are discussed, with emphasis on diagnostic considerations, treatment options, and preventive measures.
Timing of Acadian deformation in northeastern Maine

40Ar/39Ar ages determined for 24 mineral separates from the Pleasant Lake, Hunt Ridge, and Cochrane Lake plutons bear on the timing of the main phase of the Acadian orogeny in northern Maine. Six hornblende samples and one clinopyroxene sample have only minor disturbances in their release spectra. The increments with concordant ages form overlapping plateaus at 403 ± 4 Ma. Many of the biotite samples have discordant release spectra. The average of their total gas ages is 400 ± 6 Ma. Calculated closure temperatures for the hornblendes and biotites are 550 °C and approximately 350 °C, respectively. The difference between closure temperatures and concordancy in ages demonstrates that the plutons cooled very rapidly upon emplacement. Therefore, the 40Ar/39Ar ages date both the time of argon retention in the minerals and the time of emplacement of the plutons. The best estimate for their time of emplacement is the average of the combined ages of the micas, hornblendes, and clinopyroxene, 402 ± 6 Ma. The plutons are undeformed and crosscut upright, open, Acadian folds in the Carys Mills, Smyrna Mills, and Madrid(?) Formations. The age of the Pleasant Lake, Hunt Ridge, and Cochrane Lake plutons therefore places a lower limit of 402 ± 6 Ma on the time of Acadian folding in northern Maine.
Neural mechanisms involved in the critical flicker frequency of the cat.

Summary The role of various neural structures in flicker perception was explored by testing the effect of lesions on the critical flicker frequency (CFF) threshold of the cat. Ten cats were trained to discriminate between a flickering and a steady light, after which the frequency of the former was increased until the discrimination was no longer apparent. Repeated testing and control runs with the light masked confirmed the determination of a stable CFF. After subtotal lesions in the visual cortex, lateral geniculate body, nucleus posterior, puivinar, or lateralis posterior, or a combination of these (System I), the CFF decreased. After subtotal lesions in the tectal region (superior and inferior colliculi), the CFF increased, even in two cats with depressed CFFs due to prior lesions in System I. Our results suggest that the posterior nucleus, pulvinar, and lateralis posterior, in series with the geniculo-striate system, comprise components of a high flicker-discrimination system. The superior colliculus, on the other hand, subserves a different role, possibly constituting a component of a system (system II) which mediates low flicker rates but which interacts with System I in determining the CFF. Evidence is presented that system II may also exert an inhibitory influence on System I, limiting the discrimination of high flicker rates.
Predictors of Pro-Environmental Behavior in Rural American Communities

Place and community attachment, community satisfaction, and environmental attitudes have all been independently linked to environmental behaviors. However, few efforts have attempted to determine the relationship between these factors, and together, how they relate to pro-environmental behaviors. Moreover, few studies have analyzed these concepts and relationships in the context of rural and low amenity settings. This study integrates these factors in a conceptual framework and examines them in the context of rural, low amenity communities. Based on the analysis of data from a survey of residents in six small, rural communities in Kansas and Iowa (N = 1,088), we find that environmental attitudes and place attachment are the strongest predictors of self-reported pro-environmental behaviors, while community satisfaction—including satisfaction with services and satisfaction with community leadership—is not a significant predictor. Recommendations for future research following the theoretical approach used in...
Comparison of reverse-phase C-18 open column with the Bio-Rex 70 column in the determination of thiamin

Abstract A modification of the AOAC method for thiamin determination utilizing reverse-phase (RP) C 18 packing material was developed for analysis of milk, infant formula, and a breakfast cereal product. Thiamin was extracted from food samples and hydrolyzed following similar Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC 43.024-029) (1984) procedure. The sample filtrate was purified by passing it through the reverse-phase C 18 column. An isocratic mobile phase consisting of 3% KCI and methanol (70:30) was used to elute thiamin from the reverse-phase C 18 column. The sample eluate was oxidized to thiochrome and quantified on a fluorometer using similar AOAC procedure. The experimental technique was compared to the existing AOAC method. which employs a Bio-Rex 70 resin in the purification step of thiamin analysis. There was no significant difference in the thiamin content of the samples determined by the two methods. The RP C 18 proved to be more rapid than the AOAC (1984) method and did not require hot water elution and repacking of the column between runs.
Effect of water treatment additives on lime softening residual trace chemical composition--implications for disposal and reuse.

Drinking water treatment residues (WTR) offer potential benefits when recycled through land application. The current guidance in Florida, US allows for unrestricted land application of lime softening WTR; alum and ferric WTR require additional evaluation of total and leachable concentrations of select trace metals prior to land application. In some cases a mixed WTR is produced when lime softening is accompanied by the addition of a coagulant or other treatment chemical; applicability of the current guidance is unclear. The objective of this research was to characterize the total and leachable chemical content of WTR from Florida facilities that utilize multiple treatment chemicals. Lime and mixed lime WTR samples were collected from 18 water treatment facilities in Florida. Total and leachable concentrations of the WTR were measured. To assess the potential for disposal of mixed WTR as clean fill below the water table, leaching tests were conducted at multiple liquid to solid ratios and under reducing conditions. The results were compared to risk-based soil and groundwater contamination thresholds. Total metal concentrations of WTR were found to be below Florida soil contaminant thresholds with Fe found in the highest abundance at a concentration of 3600 mg/kg-dry. Aluminum was the only element that exceeded the Florida groundwater contaminant thresholds using SPLP (95% UCL = 0.23 mg/L; risk threshold = 0.2 mg/L). Tests under reducing conditions showed elevated concentrations of Fe and Mn, ranging from 1 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than SPLP leachates. Mixed lime WTR concentrations (total and leachable) were lower than the ferric and alum WTR concentrations, supporting that mixed WTR are appropriately represented as lime WTR. Testing of WTR under reducing conditions demonstrated the potential for release of certain trace metals (Fe, Al, Mn) above applicable regulatory thresholds; additional evaluation is needed to assess management options where reducing conditions may develop.
The conformations of 1,2:4,6-di-O-benzylidene-α-D-glucopyranose derivatives

Abstract The conformations of a series of 1,2:4,6-di- O -benzylidene-α- D -glucopyranose derivatives in solution have been studied by p.m.r. spectroscopy and double-resonance techniques at 100 MHz. The coupling constants obtained by first-order analysis of the spectra were compared with those computed by iterative analysis. It was concluded that these compounds adopt conformations in which the m -dioxane and pyranoid rings have chair and flattened-chair forms, respectively.
Environmental and cost efficiency of pesticide use in transgenic and conventional cotton production

Abstract This study focuses on the quantification of pesticide use efficiency for producers of transgenic cotton versus conventional cotton in order to test for the improvement promised by the genetically engineered crop. The environmental and cost efficiency of pesticide use is assessed by means of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and the external effects of pesticide are quantified by means of the pesticide leaching potential. To account for the fact that conditions other than the ‘treatment” (seed type) are not equal in farm surveys the study employs a second step Tobit regression. The data are from a survey of cotton growers in North Carolina, USA. Differences in environmental efficiency are found to be significant between herbicide tolerant and stacked gene (herbicide tolerant and insect resistant) cotton and between stacked gene and conventional cotton. In contrast, no statistically significant differences are found for efficiency of pest control cost. In the follow-up Tobit regression, differences in production environment and in farm, farmer and field characteristics are accounted for so that the contribution of seed type to efficiency can be observed. The regression results confirm the importance of stacked gene cotton for improving the environmental efficiency of pesticide use in cotton. In contrast, seed type was not significant in explaining differences in cost efficiency among North Carolina cotton growers. The new technology reduces pesticide application but these benefits are curbed by the high price of cotton seed (technology fee).
Wireless integrated network sensors: toward low-cost and robust self-organizing security networks

A very important benefit of continuing advances in CMOS IC technology is the ability to construct a wide variety of micro electrical mechanical systems (MEMS), including sensors and RF components. These building blocks enable the fabrication of complete systems in a low-cost module, which include sensing, signal processing, and wireless communications. Together with innovative and focused network design techniques that will make possible simple deployment and sustained low- power operation, the small size and cost can be enabling for a very large number of law enforcement and security applications, including remote reconnaissance and security zones ranging from persons to borders. We outline how the application can be exploited in the network design to enable sustained low-power operation. In particular, extensive information processing at nodes, hierarchical decision-making, and energy conserving routing and network topology management methods will be employed in the networks under development.
Superconductivity and magnetic scattering in the Nd2−xCexCuO4−δ compounds

Abstract Samples of Nd 2− x Ce x CuO 4− δ were prepared by annealing both in air and under vacuum. Electrical resistivity measurements showed that these materials in their normal state demonstrate a Kondo anomaly resulting from a combination of magnetic and phonon scatterings.
Double-sided silicon charge correlation study: matching multiple track hits

Abstract Double-sided microstripe silicon detectors with analog charge readout offer the possibility of correlating the hits seen on the two sides by matching the cluster charges, providing the signal to noise ratio is sufficiently high. We make a study of this matching from actual beam test data of tracks incident upon two Micron DC-coupled microstripe detectors. A simple algorithm, or simple cuts, are used to match the double-sided charges. Results as a function of the number of simultaneous tracks incident and of the signal to noise (from 15:1 to 30:1) are given. We find that charge correlations should be helpful in reducing the N 2 combinatorics usually operative in track finding, matching and fitting.
Defining the balance of risk and benefit in the era of genomics and proteomics.

The ability to measure the function of genes and proteins has spawned the construct of personalized medicine, in which patients’ own risks and preferences are used to choose diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The complexity of clinical data required to guide personalized medicine calls for improvements in our system of clinical research, including (1) overhauling it to produce networks that can do adequate-size pragmatic trials; (2) synchronization of regulatory and payment systems to encourage adequate studies; and (3) an investment in education of providers and patients to improve the understanding of the probabilistic predictions forming the basis of personalized medicine.