cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investment in drinking identity is associated with alcohol consumption and risk of alcohol use disorder.

Abstract Problematic alcohol consumption is elevated among those who identify (i.e., associate themselves) with drinking. We extended prior research on drinking identity by considering two dimensions of investment in identity – i.e., mental resources allocated to that identity that may motivate the pursuit of identity-related goals. We considered drinking identity importance (i.e., how important one considers it to be) and drinking identity thought frequency (i.e., how frequently one thinks about it). We investigated these dimensions from two perspectives: an absolute perspective (i.e., investment in drinking identity irrespective of other identities) and a relative perspective (i.e., investment in drinking identity compared to identities associated with other life domains [education, well-being, and personal relationships]). We aimed to evaluate whether these investment dimensions were positively associated with alcohol consumption and risk of alcohol use disorder either in interaction with or in addition to endorsement of drinking identity. College students (N = 521) who were screened for exhibiting hazardous drinking completed self-report measures of alcohol consumption, risk of alcohol use disorder, and drinking identity endorsement and investment. Controlling for gender and drinking identity endorsement, absolute and relative drinking identity thought frequency were uniquely and positively associated with alcohol consumption and risk of alcohol use disorder. Neither absolute nor relative importance of identification with drinking uniquely predicted outcomes. Drinking identity investment, as signaled by absolute and relative frequency of thought related to identification with drinking, may be an additional risk factor and/or clinical target for alcohol consumption and risk of alcohol use disorder.
GoblinCore-64: A RISC-V Based Architecture for Data Intensive Computing

Current microprocessor architectures rely upon multi-level data caches and low degrees of concurrency to solve a wide range of applications. These architectures are well suited to efficiently executing applications that support memory access patterns with spatial and/or temporal locality. However, data intensive applications often access memory in an irregular manner that prevents optimal use of the memory hierarchy. In this work, we introduce GoblinCore-64 (GC64), a novel architecture that supports large-scale data intensive high performance computing workloads using a unique memory hierarchy coupled to a latency-hiding micro architecture. The GC64 infrastructure is a hierarchical set of modules designed to support concurrency and latency hiding. The memory hierarchy is constructed using an on-chip scratchpad and Hybrid Memory Cube 3D memories. The RISC-V based instruction set includes support for scatter/gather memory operations, task concurrency and task management. We demonstrate GC64 using standard benchmarks that include NAS, HPCG, BOTS and the GAP Benchmark Suite. We find that GC64 accelerates these workloads by up to 14X per core and improves bandwidth by 3.5X.
Minding the Ls and Qs.

As one of the most highly consumed amino acids in cultured cancer cells, glutamine is an attractive target for anti-cancer therapy, and glutaminase inhibitors are currently in clinical trials. In this issue, Ni et al. show that blocking this pathway by targeting the glutamine importer ASCT2 (SLC1A5) decreases tumorigenesis in mouse leukaemia models while largely sparing normal haematopoiesis.
Vascular regeneration in adult mouse cochlea stimulated by VEGF-A165 and driven by NG2-derived cells ex vivo

Abstract Can damaged or degenerated vessels be regenerated in the ear? The question is clinically important, as disruption of cochlear blood flow is seen in a wide variety of hearing disorders, including in loud sound-induced hearing loss (endothelial injury), ageing-related hearing loss (lost vascular density), and genetic hearing loss (e.g., Norrie disease: strial avascularization). Progression in cochlear blood flow (CBF) pathology can parallel progression in hair cell and hearing loss. However, neither new vessel growth in the ear, nor the role of angiogenesis in hearing, have been investigated. In this study, we used an established ex vivo tissue explant model in conjunction with a matrigel matrix model to demonstrate for the first time that new vessels can be generated by activating a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) signal. Most intriguingly, we found that the pattern of the newly formed vessels resembles the natural ‘mesh pattern’ of in situ strial vessels, with both lumen and expression of tight junctions. Sphigosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in synergy with VEGF-A control new vessel size and growth. Using transgenic neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2) fluorescent reporter mice, we have furthermore discovered that the progenitors of “de novo” strial vessels are NG2-derived cells. Taken together, our data demonstrates that damaged strial microvessels can be regenerated by reprogramming NG2-derived angiogenic cells. Restoration of the functional vasculature may be critical for recovery of vascular dysfunction related hearing loss.
Mass Protests in China (II): Types of Protests

This is the second of a triple issue of mass protests in China. The previous issue consisted of public security reports from the coastal metropoles of Shanghai and Guangzhou, the old industrial bas...
Evaluating the Validity of the Risk Perception Survey for Developing Diabetes Scale in a Safety-Net Clinic Population of English and Spanish Speakers.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the factor structure of the Risk Perception Survey for Developing Diabetes (RPS-DD) and test for factorial invariance by language (English, Spanish) a...
Predictors of getting a residency interview: Differences by medical specialty.

Objectives Gaining medical residency interviews has become more competitive and costly for medical students. Although limited evidence from residency programme directors indicates predictors for successfully matching into a programme, past research has not sufficiently explored the application components necessary to receive an interview offer. The present study will identify which application components are most helpful in obtaining interview offers for different medical specialties. Methods Data were sourced from the Texas Seeking Transparency in Application to Residency (STAR), a survey of recently matched fourth-year American medical students who self-reported information on their residency application components and interview offers. Multi-level logistic regression analyses were employed to predict the odds of interview offer according to applicants' academic, research and extracurricular characteristics. Sub-analyses were conducted for each medical specialty. Results Nearly 10 000 students reported information on over 419 010 applications submitted, which resulted in 164 696 interview offers. Across the sample, applicants had greater odds of receiving an interview offer if they had a geographic connection to the programme (odds ratio [OR] = 4.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.00-4.20), had completed an away rotation at the programme (OR = 16.00, 95% CI 14.92-17.15), were Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society members (OR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.36-1.64), or had been inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society (OR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.39-1.62). Applicants had reduced odds of getting an interview if they had been required to remediate a course in medical school (OR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.64-0.83) or had failed the US Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 or Step 2 examination on their first attempt (OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.33-0.47). Predictors of obtaining an interview varied by specialty. Conclusions The present findings can assist senior medical students as they prepare residency applications and identify programmes to which they will apply. Knowledge of the significant factors can help applicants more efficiently use resources to maximise their number of interview offers. Completing away rotations and selecting programmes with which applicants have geographic connections may increase their odds of receiving interview offers.
Penetrating Injuries from "Less Lethal" Beanbag Munitions.

Penetrating Injuries from “Less Lethal” Beanbag Munitions This report from a level 1 trauma center located near the site of protests describes several serious injuries resulting from use of beanbag...
Predicting Metastatic Potential in Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: A Comparison of PASS and GAPP Scoring Systems.

PURPOSE The Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) and the Grading System for Adrenal Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma (GAPP) are scoring systems to predict metastatic potential in pheochromocytomas (PCC) and paragangliomas (PGLs). The goal of this study is to assess PASS and GAPP as metastatic predictors and to correlate with survival outcomes. METHODS The cohort included PCC/PGL with ≥5 years of follow-up or known metastases. Surgical pathology slides were rereviewed. PASS and GAPP scores were assigned. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazards were performed to assess recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS From 143 subjects, 106 tumors were PCC and 37 were PGL. Metastases developed in 24%. The median PASS score was 6.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 4.0-8.0) and median GAPP score was 3.0 (IQR: 2.0-4.0). Interrater reliability was low-moderate for PASS (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.6082) and good for GAPP (ICC 0.7921). Older age (OR: 0.969, P = .0170) was associated with longer RFS. SDHB germline pathogenic variant (OR: 8.205, P = .0049), extra-adrenal tumor (OR: 6.357, P < .0001), Ki-67 index 1% to 3% (OR: 4.810, P = .0477), and higher GAPP score (OR: 1.537, P = .0047) were associated with shorter RFS. PASS score was not associated with RFS (P = .1779). On Cox regression, a GAPP score in the moderately differentiated range was significantly associated with disease recurrence (HR: 3.367, P = .0184) compared with well-differentiated score. CONCLUSION Higher GAPP scores were associated with aggressive PCC/PGL. PASS score was not associated with metastases and demonstrated significant interobserver variability. Scoring systems for predicting metastatic PCC/PGL may be improved by incorporation of histopathology, clinical data, and germline and somatic tumor markers.
Robinson-Martin: Relating the 4 ̄ 3m and 6mm nonlinear piezoelectric tensors

Binary semiconductors are central to all modern electronic, optoelectronic, and electromechanical systems. Given such practical importance, there is value in finding routes to simplify the determination of physical properties, particularly with respect to nonlinearities. Fortunately, nearly all binary semiconductors crystallize into one of two structures: cubic zinc blende or hexagonal wurtzite. Correspondences between the linear rank 3 piezoelectric and rank 4 elastic tensors of zinc blende and wurtzite polytypes have been addressed. Nonlinear rank 6 elastic tensors have similarly been discussed. Provided herein are the analogous relations for the nonlinear rank 5 tensors that have not previously been treated and which complete this missing transformation gap and enable some nonlinear atomic-level phenomena to be investigated.
A preliminary study of sperm identification in microdissection testicular sperm extraction samples with deep convolutional neural networks

Sperm identification and selection is an essential task when processing human testicular samples for in vitro fertilization. Locating and identifying sperm cell(s) in human testicular biopsy samples is labor intensive and time consuming. We developed a new computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) system, which utilizes deep learning for near human-level performance on testicular sperm extraction (TESE), trained on a custom dataset. The system automates the identification of sperm in testicular biopsy samples. A dataset of 702 de-identified images from testicular biopsy samples of 30 patients was collected. Each image was normalized and passed through glare filters and diffraction correction. The data were split 80%, 10%, and 10% into training, validation, and test sets, respectively. Then, a deep object detection network, composed of a feature extraction network and object detection network, was trained on this dataset. The model was benchmarked against embryologists' performance on the detection task. Our deep learning CASA system achieved a mean average precision (mAP) of 0.741, with an average recall (AR) of 0.376 on our dataset. Our proposed method can work in real time; its speed is effectively limited only by the imaging speed of the microscope. Our results indicate that deep learning-based technologies can improve the efficiency of finding sperm in testicular biopsy samples.
Effect of graphene nanoplatelets and montmorillonite nanoclay on mechanical and thermal properties of polymer nanocomposites and carbon fiber reinforced composites

Multifaceted effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNP) and Montmorillonite Nanoclay (MMT) reinforcement on mechanical and thermal properties of DGEBA epoxy resin nanocomposites were investigated. Multi-step dispersion techniques involving ultrasonication, shear mixing and magnetic stirring were used to disperse nanoparticles. Impact on thermal properties was investigated via Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), while mechanical properties were studied using Tensile and Three-point flexure tests. Graphene sheets were instrumental in increasing modulus and strength at a very low percentage whereas nanoclay was helpful in preserving thermal stability of the matrix thus creating a synergistic effect to reflect the reinforcing ability of both GNP and MMT in mechanical and thermal aspects respectively. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies showed mixed intercalation and exfoliation of nanoparticles with increased inter-planar spacing and decrease in intensity of crystal peaks. SEM micrographs of failed samples revealed failure mechanisms and the aid of GNP to resist failure. To further investigate the effect of binary nano-reinforcement, hybrid Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) samples were fabricated and tested for mechanical properties via Tensile and Flexural tests. The mode of failure was analyzed by SEM imaging. It was confirmed that GNP reinforcement helped in increasing the mechanical properties of material.
SmartDetour: Defending Blackhole and Content Poisoning Attacks in IoT NDN Networks

Named data networking (NDN) recently arises as a promising networking paradigm to support the Internet of Things (IoT) due to its data-centric architecture. However, NDN integrates application-layer semantics into the packet forwarding plane, which presents new attack faces. In this article, we aim to handle two attacks that exploit such vulnerabilities, namely the blackhole attack and the content poisoning attack. The two attacks are not handled efficiently by existing approaches due to the challenge in minimizing routers that need to be detoured to isolate attackers. Therefore, in this article, we propose a novel method named SmartDetour to tackle the challenge in a distributed manner. SmartDetour contains two components: 1) a proactive reputation updating algorithm and 2) a reputation-based probabilistic forwarding strategy. The former updates the reputation of forwarding candidates based on whether they must be detoured upon packet failures. The latter selects the next-hop router for interest packets probabilistically based on the reputations of forwarding candidates. The two components work together to isolate attackers with minimal detouring needed. Extensive ndnSIM-based simulation shows that SmartDetour can effectively identify and isolate attackers.
Successful Mechanical Thrombectomy for Basilar Artery Occlusion in a Seven-Year-Old Male.

Acute arterial strokes in children are rare but can potentially cause lasting and often permanent neurological deficits. Mechanical thrombectomy has a well-established efficacy and safety profile in adult stroke management, but in the pediatric population, it is yet to be proven efficacious and safe. We present a case of a seven-year-old male who presented with multiple episodes of generalized tonic-clonic seizures after sustaining a neck injury by falling from a trampoline. National Institutes of Health (NIH) on presentation was 21. Neurological exam revealed dilated nonreactive pupils, dysconjugate gaze, severe dysarthria, bilateral ptosis, and movement of upper and lower extremities only to noxious stimuli. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain without contrast revealed infarcted areas in the left pons, midbrain, and cerebellar regions. Computed tomographic angiogram (CTA) of head demonstrated left vertebral artery dissection with associated complete occlusion of the distal basilar artery. Successful recanalization was achieved with mechanical thrombectomy six hours after presentation. Mechanical thrombectomy treatment resulted in a significant neurological recovery with NIH of 1. This case supports the growing evidence of the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy in children.
Sexual Function and Dysfunction in Individuals with Spina Bifida: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT Objective To conduct a systematic review of self-reported experiences of sexual function and dysfunction in individuals with spina bifida (SB). Materials and Methods Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched. Studies included contained self-reported data from SB patients on one or more of the following sexual function domains: genital sensitivity, orgasm, erectile function, ejaculation, lubrication, and/or dyspareunia. Two authors independently assessed eligibility, extracted data, and cross-checked results, with disagreements resolved by consensus. Studies included contained self-reported data from SB patients on one or more of the following sexual function domains: genital sensitivity, orgasm, erectile function, ejaculation, lubrication, and/or dyspareunia. Results Systematic search yielded 23 studies representing 1,441 patients (816 males, 625 females). Eight utilized questionnaires validated in non-SB adults; the remainder used semi-structured interviews and non-validated instruments. Eleven assessed dysfunction in both sexes, ten in males, and two in females. Erectile function and orgasm were the most commonly assessed outcomes in males and females respectively. 12-88% of males experienced erectile dysfunction; a majority (51-90%) reported normal ejaculatory function. Many females were unable to experience orgasm (28-63%). Conclusions Males with SB report significant erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction. Both sexes report impaired orgasms and genital sensitivity. SB-specific instruments assessing sexual dysfunction are needed in order to improve multidisciplinary care for this population.
Early-stage microstructural evolution and phase stability in neutron-irradiated ferritic-martensitic steel T91

Abstract A Fe-9Cr ferritic martensitic (F/M) steel T91 was neutron-irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor up to 3.96 dpa in two temperature ranges, 466 °C to 534 °C and 571 °C to 632 °C. The microstructure evolution including dislocation loops, precipitation, segregation of elements and phase stability were studied using analytical scanning-transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography. The hardening induced by irradiation was measured by nanoindentation. Ni/Si/Mn clusters were identified in all conditions except the one irradiated around 600 °C to 3.23 dpa. The compositions of Ni/Si/Mn clusters were found to be converging to G phase stoichiometrically with increasing dose, with Mn partially substituted by Cu. Significant coarsening of this phase was observed in high temperature cases, with total dissolution of intragranular G phase after prolonged irradiation. A similar trend was also identified for dislocation loops. The results obtained in this experiment provide evidences that the absence of dislocation loops in some specimens irradiated to high dose level under high irradiation temperature range (typically above 500 °C) is not due to the suppression of nucleation and growth by high point defect recombination rate, but rather fast coalescence of dislocation loops. Hardness measurements show different dose dependences for two temperature ranges. For specimen irradiated around 600 °C significant hardening before 0.5 dpa followed by softening process was observed, while in lower temperature range (450 °C ~ 500 °C) the normal hardening pattern with increasing dose was observed.
Permanent Cerebrospinal Fluid Diversion in Adults With Posterior Fossa Tumors: Incidence and Predictors.

Background Posterior fossa tumors (PFTs) can cause hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus can persist despite resection of PFTs in a subset of patients requiring permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion. Characteristics of this patient subset are not well defined. Objective To define preoperative and postoperative variables that predict the need for postoperative CSF diversion in adult patients with PFTs. Methods We surveyed the CNS (Central Nervous System) Tumor Outcomes Registry at Emory (CTORE) for patients who underwent PFT resection at 3 tertiary-care centers between 2006 and 2019. Demographic, radiographic, perioperative, and dispositional data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate models. Results We included 617 patients undergoing PFT resection for intra-axial (57%) or extra-axial (43%) lesions. Gross total resection was achieved in 62% of resections. Approximately 13% of patients required permanent CSF diversion/shunting. Only 31.5% of patients who required pre- or intraop external ventricular drain (EVD) placement needed permanent CSF diversion. On logistic regression, size, transependymal flow, use of perioperative EVD, postoperative intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and surgical complications were predictors of permanent CSF diversion. Preoperative tumor size was only independent predictor of postoperative shunting in patients with subtotal resection. In patients with intra-axial tumors, transependymal flow (P = .014), postoperative IVH (P = .001), surgical complications (P = .013), and extent of resection (P = .03) predicted need for shunting. In extra-axial tumors, surgical complications were the major predictor (P = .022). Conclusion Our study demonstrates that presence of preoperative hydrocephalus in patients with PFT does not necessarily entail the need for permanent CSF diversion. We report the major predictive factors for needing permanent CSF diversion.
Using sensors to measure inbox stress

Email notifications are constantly calling for our attention, and the volume of emails is ever-increasing. A research group at the University of California, Irvine explores how managing the inbox affects stress for different working populations.
Morphological diversity and community organization of desert anurans

Morphological approaches have been used extensively to understand assembly rules (species interactions, environmental filtering, and neutral processes) that structure ecological communities. Desert anurans cope with limited water by either being restricted to permanent water or becoming more fossorial, which should be reflected in their morphology. We examined morphological diversity of 16 frog species across six habitat types within the Chihuahuan Desert to investigate the relationship between species richness and morphological space. We measured 13 morphological traits associated with locomotion, habitat use, and feeding. Principal components analysis separated species into three ecomorphological groups: fossorial, terrestrial, and semi-aquatic species. Morphological diversity was analyzed and compared against a null model and revealed nonrandom community structure. The total assemblage morphospace increased in relation to species richness, though this relationship was not significant. Species were significantly packed within the morphospace exhibiting high morphological similarity while being less evenly dispersed, with increasing species richness, indicative of a response to an environmental gradient. Given the highly xeric nature of the Chihuahuan Desert, our results support the assumption that environmental filtering, rather than interspecific interactions, shapes assemblages' structure by favoring species with similar traits to co-occur more often within a given habitat type than expected by chance.
Copper Homeostasis: Regulation in Plants

Copper (Cu) is essential for plant life because of its key role in photosynthetic electron transport, respiration, and perception of the plant hormone ethylene. The most abundant Cu protein in plants is plastocyanin, an electron carrier in the chloroplast thylakoid lumen that is essential for photoautotrophic growth of plants. Copper is also a cofactor of superoxide dismutase and a number of extracellular cell wall enzymes for which the biological function is not yet fully elucidated. Cellular uptake is accomplished by the CopT Cu(I) family of transporters. CopT1 and CopT2 are especially important at the root surface, whereas CopT6 is important for Cu uptake in green cells. CopT5 serves to release Cu from vacuolar stores. Members of the large ZIP family of divalent metal transporters might add capacity for uptake of Cu(II). Members of the yellow stripe-like (YSL) family are proposed to function in the transport of Cu(II) complexed to the chelator nicotianamine, which might be important for mobilization of Cu from vegetative tissues to developing seeds. ATP-dependent P-type ATPases of the HMA family transport Cu(I) out of the cytosol. Of these P-type ATPases, HMA5 serves to allow Cu exit from the cell, which is required for tolerance to excess and for long-distance root-to-shoot transport in the vasculature. Other HMA transporters deliver the Cu cofactor to the ethylene receptors in the endomembrane system (HMA7) or to the chloroplasts (HMA6). A fourth Cu-transporting P-Type ATPase (HMA8) delivers Cu to plastocyanin in the thylakoid lumen. Cu-specific metallochaperones have been identified in plants similarly to other eukaryotes. Under impending Cu deficiency, plants use three mechanisms to adjust their physiology. The cell-surface-localized CopT transporters are up-regulated in response to low Cu availability in the cytosol via the conserved Cu-responsive transcription factor SPL7 in order to up-regulate assimilation. In addition, plants enter a Cu economy mode by the SPL7-mediated up-regulation of a set of small RNA molecules called the coppermicroRNAs because they target the messenger RNAs that encode for certain apparently dispensable Cu proteins. This mechanism should ensure that enough Cu is left for essential functions such as photosynthesis. Finally, the HMA8 transporter in the thylakoid membrane undergoes turnover, but low Cu availability stabilizes the transporter to ensure efficient delivery of Cu to plastocyanin. Together, these homeostatic mechanisms fine-tune cellular and whole plant Cu distribution and allow plants to thrive on a broad range of Cu concentrations. Keywords: copper; plants; photosynthesis; metal transporter; microRNA; homeostasis
Dietary Regulation of the Activities of Ornithine Decarboxylase and S-Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase in Rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary regulation of the two key enzymes in polyamine biosynthesis, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) in rat tissues. Either an amino acid mix (patterned after casein), a complete diet or several dietary components were administered to fasting rats by gastric tube. Rats were killed at specific time intervals, over a 12-hour period, and the activities of ODC and SAMDC were measured in the following tissues: liver, kidney, small intestine, brain and skeletal muscle. The amino acid mix, as well as the complete diet, elicited rapid and substantial increases in ODC and SAMDC activities in liver, kidney and intestine. In brain and muscle SAMDC activity only was increased. Studies with actinomycin D showed that SAMDC and ODC activities are regulated at transcription. The mechanism eliciting the observed increases in enzyme activities is postulated to be the influx of amino acids into cells rather than the influence of hormones secreted in response to dietary stimulation.
Fidelity of alkenone paleotemperatures in southern Cape Basin sediment drifts

0, in two drift cores (TN057-21 and Ocean Drilling Program Site 1089) are nearly identical during the interval of overlapping analyses, MIS 4-5c. SSTs in a nearby nondrift core (TN057-6) covary with those in core TN057-21 throughout MIS 1-5c. While climatological SSTs overlying TN057-21 and TN057-6 are similar and consistent with reconstructed Holocene SSTs in the nondrift core, surface waters overlying TN057-21 are � 6� C colder than Holocene alkenone SSTs in the drift core. Temperatures remain � 6� C warmer in TN057-21 relative to TN057-6 during the � 100 kyr duration of the records. We hypothesize that alkenone-derived SSTs in TN057-21 are higher than climatological SSTs in the overlying surface water and those in TN057-6 as a result of the winnowing and focusing of sedimentary alkenones produced in warmer waters to the north. Climatological SSTs in the central and northern Cape Basin are 16� –20� C. A � 1.5% offset of fine fraction d 18 O values relative to planktonic foraminifera in TN057-21 supports this hypothesis. Temporal changes in sediment focusing were evaluated directly using uranium series radioisotopes. While higher sediment focusing factors would be expected to result in higher alkenone-derived SSTs if sediment advection were the primary control on down-core changes in alkenone-derived SSTs, 230 Th-derived focusing factors indicate no such correlation exists. We conclude that alkenone paleotemperature reconstructions from southern Cape Basin drifts reliably record regional SST variations in the Cape Basin. INDEX TERMS: 4267 Oceanography: General: Paleoceanography; 1055 Geochemistry: Organic geochemistry; 1040 Geochemistry: Isotopic composition/chemistry; 3022 Marine Geology and Geophysics: Marine sediments—processes and transport; KEYWORDS: alkenones, Cape Basin, thorium
Of Eagles and Worms

Abstract In designing and practicing behavioral management methods effectively, both the finely directed focus of the worm and the broad perspective of the eagle are essential. Early successes of behavioral applications were constrained by failure to see the big picture, in terms of what the problem really was, what explained its evolution and persistence and from where the sources of the most powerful contingencies stemmed. A number of examples in education, human services, industry and other organizations are supplied to demonstrate that when the larger picture is examined first, it is possible to discover those powerful sources and intervene to optimize their influence in support of productive and durable change.
The Genetics of Human Noninsulin-Dependent (Type 2) Diabetes Mellitus

Familial aggregation and concordance in monozygotic and dizygotic twins argue strongly for a genetic etiology to noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM). Nonetheless, studies of pathways implicated by the known physiology have failed to identify gene defects that can explain the genetic susceptibility. In contrast, studies of early onset dominant diabetes have revealed three major loci resulting in diminished insulin secretion. Recently, studies have taken a new approach to map the genes causing typical NIDDM using large numbers of families or sibling pairs. The first reports of these studies have suggested possible loci on chromosomes 1, 2 and 12, but no report has been confirmed. Other studies have examined the quantitative defects that may be precursors of clinical NIDDM such as hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, insulin response to glucose and obesity. These studies have suggested additional loci that may contribute to NIDDM susceptibility, but the genes responsible for most of these loci remain unknown. Studies of NIDDM susceptibility and the role of obesity genes in that susceptibility have entered an exciting new phase, but the challenges of complex disease genetics in humans will have to be conquered to translate this research into preventive or therapeutic benefits.
Enhancement of radiation-induced tumor cell killing by the hypoxic cell toxin SR 4233

SR 4233 (3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine 1,4-dioxide) is the lead compound in a series of benzotriazine di-N-oxides which exhibit high selective killing of hypoxic mammalian cells in vitro. Drug concentrations to produce equivalent levels of cell killing of SCC VII murine carcinoma cells under hypoxia were nearly 200-fold lower than under aerobic conditions. Following a one hour hypoxic incubation with drug, 20 microM SR 4233 killed 99.9% of SCC VII cells. The hypoxia-specific cytotoxicity of SR 4233 is due to bioreductive metabolism. For in vivo studies, pharmacokinetic measurements showed that drug concentrations well in excess of 20 microM were achievable in SCC VII tumors in mice for approximately one hour after a single injection of SR 4233. Under these conditions, cell killing was considerably enhanced in SCC VII tumors when SR 4233 was combined with a single X-ray dose of 20 Gy. The enhancement was seen whether SR 4233 was given for up to 2 h before or for up to an hour after radiation, and was comparable to the enhanced cell killing achievable with a single large dose of the radiosensitizer misonidazole. While this finding is consistent with the selective killing of at least some subset of hypoxic tumor cells by SR 4233, other interactions between the drug and radiation damage may contribute to the overall effect observed.
Regulation of cell morphology and cytochrome P450 expression in human hepatocytes by extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions

The influence of extracellular matrix conditions and plating density on cell cytoarchitecture and the constitutive and chemically induced expression of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) was examined in primary cultures of human hepatocytes. Constitutive and drug-induced microsomal CYP3A4 expression occurred equally well in human hepatocyte cultures maintained on either a complex or simple substratum (Matrigel vs collagen, type I), or in a sandwich configuration (i.e., between two layers of extracellular matrix), despite the markedly different morphological properties exhibited by each condition. However, a density-dependent decrease in both the constitutive and induced levels of CYP3A4 was observed in hepatocytes maintained on a simple collagen substratum as plating density was reduced from 100% to 25%. Marked alterations in cell shape and cytoarchitecture were noted concomitant with decreases in the expression and localization of intercellular gap junctions and E-cadherin-mediated cell adhesions. In addition, the intracellular distribution of microtubules and microfilaments was altered substantially and the expression of immunoreactive actin and β-tubulin increased as cell density was decreased. These effects were reversed to some extent by overlaying monolayers with extracellular matrix or by co-culturing with another cell type. Efforts to maintain normal cell shape and cytoskeletal distribution in hepatocytes at low cell density with a Matrigel substratum failed to restore normal basal levels of CYP3A4 expression or responsiveness to rifampicin (RIF). Likewise, E-cadherin and Cx-32 expression was again reduced, even though the distribution and expression of cytoskeletal elements returned to normal levels. These results suggest that cell-cell contacts, but not the extracellular matrix configuration or composition, play a critical role in determining normal responsiveness to chemical modulators in human hepatocytes.
Governmentality and power in politically contested space: refugee farming in Hong Kong's New Territories, 1945–1970

Abstract A small proportion of Mainland Chinese refugee flows into British Hong Kong following the 1949 Communist Revolution in the People's Republic of China were vegetable farmers, who by the late 1960s engendered a vegetable revolution in New Territories agricultural space. Heterogeneous actors and their differing modalities of power in the late-colonial government possessed an active managerial role in this vegetable revolution anchored in issues of marketing and land tenure. While post-World War Two developmentalist ontologies help explain government intervention in the post-war agricultural economy, this research focuses primarily on the disciplinary techniques deployed within the governance rationalities of the early Cold War period to cultivate pro-government loyalties among a potentially proletarianized, trans-border refugee farming population perceived by colonial authorities as being susceptible to Communist influence. As ‘experimental space’, marketing innovations were a qualified success, but progress in land reform failed because of the local geopolitical context of colonial rule in the contested space of the New Territories.
Effects of exogenous glucose on survival and infectivity of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae

The effects of exogenous glucose in artificial spring water (ASW) were studied on the survival and infectivity of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. The mean percent survival of cercariae maintained in 1% glucose in ASW for 36 and 48hr was significantly greater than that of cercariae maintained identically in ASW. Cercariae maintained in ASW with or without glucose for 24hr, fixed in neutral buffered formalin, and stained in Oil Red O, showed an accumulation of neutral lipid in the tail. Cercariae maintained as described above and stained in periodic acid-Schiff exhibited depleted glycogen, mainly from the tail. Cercariae maintained in ASW with glucose for 24hr did not resynthesize glycogen. Cercariae maintained in ASW with glucose for 24hr were as capable of infecting male FVBN202 mice as were freshly emerged cercariae, and increased the percent of worm recovery. Exogeneous glucose added to ASW prolonged the survival of S. mansoni cercariae and increased infectivity in terms of worm recovery.
Brand Equity of Luxury Fashion Brands Among Chinese and U.S. Young Female Consumers

Brand equity of luxury fashion brands and their relationships with cultural orientation were studied in college women from a central university in Beijing, China (n = 163) and a large public university in the Eastern region of the United States (n = 121). The Chinese sample revealed a greater degree of collectivism and power distance than the U.S. counterpart, whereas the U.S. sample revealed a higher degree of uncertainty avoidance. For the consumer-based brand equity dimensions (i.e., perceived quality, brand loyalty, brand awareness, brand association), cultural differences were found, with the U.S. sample showing greater scores than the Chinese sample for all but brand loyalty. Overall brand equity of luxury fashion brands was significantly higher in the Chinese than in the U.S. sample. Brand purchase intensions by consumers in each country were accounted for by different brand equity dimensions. Implications for marketers/retailers of luxury fashion brands are discussed.
Providing packet-level quality of services in multihop wireless networks

Providing packet-level quality of service (QoS) is critical to support both rate-sensitive and delay-sensitive applications in the bandwidth-constrained, shared-channel, multihop wireless networks. This problem is challenging due to the unique issues such as location-dependent contention, inherent conflict between ensuring fairness and maximizing channel utilization, and the distributed nature of packet scheduling in such networks. In order to address these issues, we have taken a new self-organizing approach to QoS solutions for such networks. In this approach, local decision makers self-organize themselves and coordinate among one another, and collectively achieve the desired global property. Some features of our approach include fully localized design, coordination among local decision makers, intentional and optimized information propagation, scaling property and achievable global property. Two key contributions of this work are: (a) a model-referenced self-organizing design methodology for multihop wireless networks; and (b) a table-driven approach and a backoff-based approach to distributed packet scheduling that provides QoS performance bounds in terms of fairness, throughput and delay, maximizes channel spatial reuse, and arbitrates the conflict between fairness and maximal channel utilization. oth proposed designs work within the CSMA/CA MAC framework. We also compare the performance of these two approaches through simulations. Our extensive simulation results have confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed design.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on nephropathy in patients with a remnant kidney.

Abstract Objectives This study was performed to evaluate the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) therapy and dietary protein restriction on nephropathy involving a remnant kidney. Methods Five patients with proteinuria ≥ 5 years following partial removal of a solitary kidney were treated with a low-protein diet and an ACEI agent. Four patients had biopsy-proven focal segmentai glomerulosclerosis. The daily urinary protein excretion ranged from 1240 to 10,032 mg. The serum creatinine levels ranged from 1.2 to 3.1 mg/dL. Results The post-treatment follow-up interval ranged from 18 to 30 months. The treatment regimen was well tolerated in all patients. Four patients experienced a reduction in the urinary protein level while maintaining stable overall renal function. In 1 patient, the urinary protein level increased and renal function gradually deteriorated following ACEI therapy. Conclusions These preliminary data suggest that ACEI therapy and a low-protein diet may mitigate nephropathy associated with a remnant kidney.
Resilience and Social Work Practice: Three Case Studies:

Resilience is the capacity to bounce back in the face of adversity and to go on to live functional lives with a sense of wellbeing. People can become resilient even though they may have lived in stressful and neglectful family and community environments. The author describes three case vignettes that illustrate how therapists and clients working together in a resilience framework can discover and bolster strengths that can lead to more enhanced and satisfying lives.
Conservation: a positive position

There are obvious, often emphasized, correlations between increasing consumption of electricity and the high-consumption society we have enjoyed-especially over the last generation. Of course, we all tend to complain about the unanticipated by-products of the new life styles built on intensive mechanization and electrification: rising pollution, deteriorating cities, the disappearance of amenities in the countryside, social unrest, and alienation. All these factors are also correlated, as though they were the penalty of what we have (perhaps too long) called "progress." Some scientists and engineers still insist this is the price tag, but increasing numbers of people refuse to "buy it" because they have discovered that technologists are often no better analysts than laymen. The article concludes by advocating a policy of energy conservation, which will require changes in our society including use of trains rather than automobiles and trucks.
Institutionalizing a Multi-Faceted Approach to Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training

ABSTRACT The process of needs assessment, program design, implementation, and institutionalization of a Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training Program is examined. Three program components target health care professionals and students/pre-professionals: a video-based geriatric interdisciplinary team training course that has portability and is appropriate for training in a variety of settings; a system of identifying, enhancing, and evaluating geriatric placements in interdisciplinary teamwork; and a series of training units leading to a Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training Certificate. Over the three-year program development period, 40 students completed the graduate course, 12 new clinical training sites were developed for training in interdisciplinary teamwork, and 39 half-day Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training sessions were developed, offered, and evaluated for 537 health professionals. Fifteen health-care professionals were certified through the 50-hour geriatric interdisciplinary team ...
A Synthetic Demand System: An Application to U.S. Consumer Demand for Rice and Selected Rice Substitutes

This article presents estimates of economic and demographic effects on the demand for rice and its complex carbohydrate substitutes: potatoes, bread, and pasta. Using a synthetic level version demand system which nests the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) model, the level version Rotterdam model, and the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) model, the results indicate: (1) inelastic demand for all four goods; (2) significant cross-price effects; and (3) all goods are Hicksian substitutes. The impacts of demographic variables, such as household size, age structure, region, ethic origin, and having nursing children are significant. Quality and consumer perception of rice as a healthy food are also important in explaining consumer demand.
Classifier fitness based on accuracy

In many classifier systems, the classifier strength parameter serves as a predictor of future payoff and as the classifier's fitness for the genetic algorithm. We investigate a classifier system, XCS, in which each classifier maintains a prediction of expected payoff, but the classifier's fitness is given by a measure of the prediction's accuracy. The system executes the genetic algorithm in niches defined by the match sets, instead of panmictically. These aspects of XCS result in its population tending to form a complete and accurate mapping X × A → P from inputs and actions to payoff predictions. Further, XCS tends to evolve classifiers that are maximally general, subject to an accuracy criterion. Besides introducing a new direction for classifier system research, these properties of XCS make it suitable for a wide range of reinforcement learning situations where generalization over states is desirable.