cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pre-Rodinian (Mesoproterozoic) supercontinental rifting along the western margin of Laurentia: geochemical evidence from the Belt-Purcell Supergroup

Abstract Recent efforts at supercontinental reconstruction for the late Precambrian (e.g., the SWEAT hypothesis Moores, 1991 ) have commonly invoked an uncertain lacustrine interpretation for deposition of the Mesoproterozoic Belt-Purcell Supergroup, with the Belt basin placed centrally within the assembled landmass. The utility of the Belt-Purcell system in addressing Proterozoic continental configurations has improved with refined constraints on the timing and setting of deposition. Contrary to a lacustrine interpretation, elemental carbon–sulfur (C–S) relationships and stratigraphic S isotope trends for black shales of the Helena Embayment of western Montana, the easternmost extension of Belt deposition, reveal that the early Belt basin received at least episodic fluxes of open marine water into a variably restricted setting. In the present study, this model of restricted marine deposition was tested and corroborated by generation of an analogous S isotope stratigraphy for the time equivalent Prichard Formation, located to the west of the embayment within the main Belt basin. Data for both pyrite and coexisting pyrrhotite show comparatively high δ 34 S values and systematic S isotope shifts in excess of 20‰ over stratigraphic intervals spanning several hundred meters, suggesting limited and temporally varying sulfate availability in a bacterially driven marine system. Additional geochemical and sedimentological proxies (e.g. δ 13 C of carbonate lithologies, diagnostic abiotic carbonate precipitates, and the presence of glauconite) further support a repeated or continued marine linkage throughout Belt deposition. A model for a restricted marine setting, when viewed in light of independent tectonic evidence (i.e. syndepositional mafic magmatism with peaks in activity at approximately 1470 and 1370 Ma; hydrothermal activity/mineralization along basin-bounding, high-angle normal faults; and high rates of sedimentation that resulted in sediment thicknesses of up to ∼16 km) defines a history of active and likely episodic rifting for the Belt basin. Collectively, these observations are temporally consistent with new models for Precambrian supercontinent cyclicity and suggest a complex history for western Laurentia that includes both episodes of convergence and at least incipient rifting prior to the final assembly of Rodinia. This relationship reflects a stepwise continental assembly perhaps analogous to the formation of Gondwana and the subsequent assembly of Pangea.
An experimental analysis of acquisition, generalisation, and maintenance of naming behaviour in a patient with anomia

This paper examines the effects of a cueing hierarchy on naming in a patient with anomic aphasia. Using a single‐subject multiple baseline design across behaviors, the patient was trained to produce single inanimate nouns while generalization was tested to semantically related nouns matched for frequency of occurrence. Results showed successful acquisition and maintenance of trained words, but no generalization to untrained words. These data indicate that generalization does not occur as a natural by‐product of successful treatment and suggest, as pointed out by Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968), that “generalization should be programmed rather than expected or lamented”. Original paper published as: Thompson, C. K., & Kearns, K. P. (1981). An experimental analysis of acquisition, generalization, and maintenance of naming behavior in a patient with anomia. In R. Brookshire (Ed.), Clinical Aphasiology Conference Proceedings (pp. 35–45). Minneapolis: BRK.
Constructed‐response spelling and literacy development: an application in an urban classroom

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of constructed-response spelling procedures with disadvantaged children attending a public inner-city elementary school. Ten students of primarily Cape Verdean descent participated in the study as part of a classroom-wide implementation of constructed-response procedures. A multiple-treatment design was used to assess the effectiveness of the constructed-response strategy versus traditional spelling instruction. The dependent variable was the percent of words spelled correctly on weekly spelling tests. Results indicated that mean spelling scores were higher during both constructed-response conditions than during traditional instruction for 9 of the 10 students. The relationship between spelling proficiency and literacy development is discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased Ultra–violet Absorption of Cells Following Irradiation with Ultra–violet Light

PREVIOUS investigations1 have indicated that one of the responses of cells to various injurious agents (for example, lethal ultra–violet light and X–rays) is the release into the intercellular fluids of nucleic acid–like proliferation–promoting factors (‘intercellular wound hormones’). Considerable evidence indicates that these active factors are produced in the living cell as a response to injury2. The present investigations were aimed at determining by direct observation of living cells whether there is an actual increase in cellular nucleic acids, purines or pyrimidines, during the course of injury. For this purpose, ultra–violet photomicrography was employed, following techniques well established by Caspersson3.
Snakes and snakebite in Central America

This review treats the general biology, taxonomy, distribution and venom apparatus of the venomous snakes of Central America. Consideration has been given to the chemistry, pharmacology and immunology of the venom, and particular attention is dispensed to the clinical problem, including the treatment, of envenomations by these reptiles.
Digital Block Modeling and Substrate Noise Aware Floorplanning for Mixed Signal SOCs

In this paper the authors discuss how the problem of substrate-coupled switching noise (dI/dt and dV/dt noise) in mixed signal SOCs can be minimized or resolved by using the combined substrate analysis capabilities of SNA coupled with encounter floorplanning and placement tools. Four aspects: substrate noise modeling and injection, propagation, detection and protection were covered in the paper.
Hybrid dynamical systems

Robust stability and control for systems that combine continuous-time and discrete-time dynamics. This article is a tutorial on modeling the dynamics of hybrid systems, on the elements of stability theory for hybrid systems, and on the basics of hybrid control. The presentation and selection of material is oriented toward the analysis of asymptotic stability in hybrid systems and the design of stabilizing hybrid controllers. Our emphasis on the robustness of asymptotic stability to data perturbation, external disturbances, and measurement error distinguishes the approach taken here from other approaches to hybrid systems. While we make some connections to alternative approaches, this article does not aspire to be a survey of the hybrid system literature, which is vast and multifaceted.
Some New Estimators of Integrated Volatility

We develop higher order accurate estimators of integrated volatility in a stochastic volatility models by using kernel smoothing method and using different weights to kernels. The weights have some relationship to moment problem. As the bandwidth of the kernel vanishes, an estimator of the instantaneous stochastic volatility is obtained. We also develop some new estimators based on smoothing splines.
Heterogeneity within the Asian American community

Educational interventions are grounded on scientific data and assumptions about the community to be served. While the Pan Asian community is composed of multiple, ethnic subgroups, it is often treated as a single group for which one health promotion program will be applicable for all of its cultural subgroups. Compounding this stereotypical view of the Pan Asian community, there is sparse data about the cultural subgroups' similarities and dissimilarities. The Asian Grocery Store based cancer education program evaluation data provided an opportunity to compare data collected under identical circumstances from members of six Asian American cultural groups. A convenience sample of 1,202 Asian American women evaluated the cultural alignment of a cancer education program, completing baseline and follow-up surveys that included questions about their breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and screening behaviors. Participants took part in a brief education program that facilitated adherence to recommended screening guidelines. Unique recruitment methods were needed to attract participants from each ethnic group. Impressions gained from the aggregate data revealed different insights than the disaggregate data. Statistically significant variations existed among the subgroups' breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and screening behaviors that could contribute to health disparities among the subgroups and within the aggregate Pan Asian community. Health promotion efforts of providers, educators, and policy makers can be enhanced if cultural differences are identified and taken into account when developing strategies to reduce health disparities and promote health equity.
Temporal Pacing in Task Forces: Group Development or Deadline Pressure?

Research on the punctuated equilibrium model of group development confounded group life span with member tusk completion. We report two studies that separate task pacing, from life span development. In one, 50 students simultaneously performed group and individual projects. In the second, student groups worked on two tasks sequentially. Results indicate that the temporal pattern postulated in the punctuated equilibrium model reflects task pacing under u deadline, rather than the process of group development.
Cervical spine anomalies in Menkes disease: a radiologic finding potentially confused with child abuse

Background Menkes disease is an X-linked recessive disorder of copper transport caused by mutations in ATP7A, a copper-transporting ATPase. Certain radiologic findings reported in this condition overlap with those caused by child abuse. However, cervical spine defects simulating cervical spine fracture, a known result of nonaccidental pediatric trauma, have not been reported previously in this illness.
Flow-function relations during graded coronary occlusions in the dog: effects of transmural location and segment orientation.

Objective: The sensitive relationship between regional myocardial perfusion and local systolic deformation during acute myocardial ischemia is not independent of the transmural location or segment orientation. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of fiber orientation and transmural location on the relationships between regional myocardial flow and three-dimensional systolic wall strain during graded coronary artery occlusions. Methods: Transmural distributions of three-dimensional strain (by biplane radiography of implanted radiopaque markers) and myocardial blood flows (using fluorescent microspheres) were measured in the ischemic region during graded left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusions in 12 anesthetized dogs. Results: Occlusion of the coronary artery did not significantly alter mean heart rate or end-systolic pressure. As flow decreased during graded occlusions, ischemia significantly changed systolic circumferential, longitudinal, radial, fiber and cross-fiber strains ( p <0.004). There was a significant effect of transmural position on circumferential, cross-fiber and radial strains, but not on fiber or longitudinal strains. Ischemia significantly altered all normal strains: circumferential, longitudinal, fiber, cross-fiber and radial. There was a strong interaction effect between transmural location and blood flow for circumferential, cross-fiber and radial strains, but not fiber or longitudinal strains. Conclusion: During non-transmural ischemia, there is evidence of strong transmural tethering in the cross-fiber direction, whereas the fiber-strain flow relation is independent of transmural position. Thus, whether the relationship between local myocardial bloodflow and systolic strain during acute ischemia is dependent on transmural location, depends on segment orientation.
Changes to the electronic health records market in light of health information technology certification and meaningful use

Background Health information technology (HIT) certification and meaningful use are interventions encouraging the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) in the USA. However, these initiatives also constitute a significant intervention which will change the structure of the EHR market. Objective To describe quantitatively recent changes to both the demand and supply sides of the EHR market. Materials and methods A cohort of 3447 of hospitals from the HIMSS Analytics Database (2006–10) was created. Using hospital referral regions to define the local market, we determined the percentage of hospitals using paper records, the number of vendors, and local EHR vendor competition using the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index. Changes over time were assessed using a series of regression equations and geographic information systems analyses. Results Overall, there was movement away from paper records, upward trends in the number of EHR vendors, and greater competition. However, changes differed according to hospital size and region of the country. Changes were greatest for small hospitals, whereas competition and the number of vendors did not change dramatically for large hospitals. Discussion The EHR market is changing most dramatically for those least equipped to handle broad technological transformation, which underscores the need for continued targeted support. Furthermore, wide variations across the nation indicate a continued role for states in the support of EHR utilization. Conclusion The structure of the EHR market is undergoing substantial changes as desired by the proponents and architects of HIT certification and meaningful use. However, these transformations are not uniform for all hospitals or all the country.
Alternative Dietary Indices Both Strongly Predict Risk of Chronic Disease

The Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) measures adherence to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, but the association between the HEI-2005 and risk of chronic disease is not known. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), which is based on foods and nutrients predictive of chronic disease risk, was associated inversely with chronic disease risk previously. We updated the AHEI, including additional dietary factors involved in the development of chronic disease, and assessed the associations between the AHEI-2010 and the HEI-2005 and risk of major chronic disease prospectively among 71,495 women from the Nurses' Health Study and 41,029 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study who were free of chronic disease at baseline. During ≥24 y of follow-up, we documented 26,759 and 15,558 incident chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, or nontrauma death) among women and men, respectively. The RR (95% CI) of chronic disease comparing the highest with the lowest quintile was 0.84 (0.81, 0.87) for the HEI-2005 and 0.81 (0.77, 0.85) for the AHEI-2010. The AHEI-2010 and HEI-2005 were most strongly associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) and diabetes, and for both outcomes the AHEI-2010 was more strongly associated with risk than the HEI-2005 (P-difference = 0.002 and <0.001, respectively). The 2 indices were similarly associated with risk of stroke and cancer. These findings suggest that closer adherence to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines may lower risk of major chronic disease. However, the AHEI-2010, which included additional dietary information, was more strongly associated with chronic disease risk, particularly CHD and diabetes.
Decreased Notch pathway signaling in the endometrium of women with endometriosis impairs decidualization.

Context: Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease affecting one in 10 women of reproductive age and is a major cause of pelvic pain and impaired fertility. Endometrial stromal cells of women with endometriosis exhibit a reduced response to in vitro decidualization. NOTCH1 is critical for decidualization of both mouse and human uterine stromal cells. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether decidualization failure in women with endometriosis is a consequence of impaired Notch signaling. Setting and Design: We investigated expression levels of Notch signaling components in the endometrium of women and baboons with or without endometriosis. We identified NOTCH1-regulated genes during decidualization of human uterine fibroblast (HuF) cells by microarray and quantified their expression levels in in vitro–decidualized endometrial stromal cells isolated from women with or without endometriosis. Results: Notch signaling receptors NOTCH1 and NOTCH4, ligands JAGGED2 and DLL4, as well as direct target...
Enterococcal Sex Pheromones: Signaling, Social Behavior, and Evolution

In Enterococcus faecalis, lateral transfer of conjugative plasmids that encode antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants can be induced by peptide sex pheromones. The tetracycline-resistance plasmid pCF10 represents a paradigm for illustrating important conserved features of a large family of pheromone-responsive enterococcal plasmids. The pheromone is released into the growth medium by plasmid-free recipient cells and sensed by plasmid-containing donors. The activity of the pheromone is antagonized by a plasmid-encoded inhibitor peptide that prevents conjugation in the absence of an inducing signal and is also required to return the system to the ground state following an induction cycle. The pheromone response involves multiple transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms as well as bi-stable biological switch behavior. Multiple layers of regulation are essential for proper function, and evolution of this tight control system may have been favored by reduction of the fitness cost of plasmid maintenance to the host cell.
Carbon in Earth's interior: Storage, cycling, and life

Carbon plays an unparalleled role in human life. It is the element of life, providing the chemical backbone for all essential biomolecules. Carbon-based fuels supply most of society's energy, while small carbon-bearing molecules in the atmosphere play a major role in Earth's variable and uncertain climate. Yet in spite of carbon's importance, scientists remain largely ignorant of the physical, chemical, and biological behavior of carbon-bearing systems more than a few hundred meters beneath Earth's surface. Little is known about how much carbon is stored in the Earth as a whole, how deep reservoirs form and evolve, or how carbon moves from one deep repository to another. Further, scientists are largely ignorant of the nature and extent of deep microbial ecosystems, which by some estimates rival the total surface biomass.
SDG - a system for synthetic data generation

The synthetic generation of data is appropriate in many cases. The data generated can be of different nature: program texts, tables, XML documents, etc. The application area of such data comprises not only the scientific research and analysis of the real program system features, but the teaching activity, too. The generation of texts of different problems, belonging to the same type, represents such a case. The problems could be used for self-preparation as after-class training, for solving exercises in class, or for assessing the students' knowledge in a given discipline. This paper discusses the philosophy and development of a system generated sets of synthetic program texts of the same type. The examples considered are for teaching purpose.
Arthrogryposis: A Review and Update

Congenital contractures can be divided into two groups: isolated contractures and multiple contractures (Fig. 1). Isolated congenital contractures affect only a single area of the body; the most common isolated contracture is congenital clubfoot, which occurs in one of every 500 live births1. Fig. 1 Types of congenital contractures. The term arthrogryposis is often used as shorthand to describe multiple congenital contractures that affect two or more different areas of the body. Arthrogryposis is not a specific diagnosis, but rather a clinical finding, and it is a characteristic of more than 300 different disorders2,3. The overall prevalence of arthrogryposis is one in 3000 live births4. The inheritance, natural history, treatment guidelines, and outcomes of arthrogryposis vary among disorders, underscoring the importance of making a specific diagnosis in each child1,5-10. The purpose of this article is to present the current state of knowledge about the classification, etiology, and management of children with various types of arthrogryposis. To establish a differential diagnosis, it is important to first decide whether a child has normal neurological function. A normal neurological examination suggests that arthrogryposis is due to amyoplasia, a distal arthrogryposis, a generalized connective tissue disorder, or fetal crowding. In contrast, an abnormal neurological examination indicates that movement in utero was diminished as a result of an abnormality of the central or peripheral nervous system, the motor end plate, or muscle. ### Amyoplasia Amyoplasia (A = no; myo = muscle; plasia = growth) is a distinct form of arthrogryposis with characteristic clinical features as shown in Figure 2: the shoulders are usually internally rotated and adducted, the elbows are extended, the wrists are flexed and ulnarly deviated, the fingers are stiff, and the thumbs are positioned in the palm. In the lower limbs, …
Further exploring the meaning and measurement of career commitment

Abstract Using employee samples from a newspaper company and an insurance company, this study further examined the reliability and validity of a career commitment measure. The results of the study showed that across both samples, career commitment could be reliably measured and was operationally distinct from job involvement and organizational commitment. Findings are discussed in terms of the meaning of career commitment and the importance of further research in this area.
Obesity and sugar-sweetened beverages in African-American preschool children: a longitudinal study.

A representative sample of 365 low-income African-American preschool children aged 3-5 years was studied to determine the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (soda, fruit drinks, and both combined) and overweight and obesity. Children were examined at a dental clinic in 2002-2003 and again after 2 years. Dietary information was collected using the Block Kids Food Frequency Questionnaire. A BMI score was computed from recorded height and weight. Overweight and obesity were defined by national reference age-sex specific BMI: those with an age-sex specific BMI>or=85th, but or=95th age-sex specific percentile as obese. The prevalence of overweight was 12.9% in baseline, and increased to 18.7% after 2 years. The prevalence of obesity increased from 10.3 to 20.4% during the same period. Baseline intake of soda and all sugar-sweetened beverages were positively associated with baseline BMI z-scores. After adjusting for covariates, additional intake of fruit drinks and all sugar-sweetened beverages at baseline showed significantly higher odds of incidence of overweight over 2 years. Among a longitudinal cohort of African-American preschool children, high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was significantly associated with an increased risk for obesity.
The origin of the lymphocytes in the appendix and tonsil iliaca of the embryonic and neonatal rabbit.

The appendices and tonsils iliaca of 198 embryonic and neonatal rabbits between 26 days of gestation and 18 days after birth have been examined. Special cytological and histochemical techniques and light and phase microscopy have been employed in order to determine the origin of the lymphocytes in these lympho-epithelial organs. Sequential developmental and cytological changes in the appendices and tonsils iliaca of the embryonic and neonatal rabbit indicate that the first lymphocytes are of small and medium size and appear by the twenty-ninth day of development, viz., two to three days prior to birth. Lymphoblasts are not evident until a short time after birth when the lymphocytic nature of these organs has been established. The first lymphocytes in the appendix and tonsil iliaca appear to develop in situ by the direct transformation of reticular or mesenchymal cells. Lymphocytes tend to migrate toward the mesenchymal condensation of the so-called domed elevations of the appendix and tonsil iliaca or remain in the connective tissue beneath these domed structures. In addition, lymphocytes enter the appendix and tonsil iliaca via the blood stream at or immediately after birth. These lymphocytes intermix with other lymphocytes in these organs and undergo proliferation within the lamina propria and developing lymphocytic nodules. Morphological evidence strongly suggests a dual origin or source of the lymphocytes in the developing appendix and tonsil iliaca of the rabbit; a population of lymphocytes derived originally from reticular cells and a population of lymphocytes derived extra-appendiceally possibly of thymic (epithelial) origin. Neither the origin of lymphocytes or lymphocytic precursors from appendiceal epithelial cells nor the derivation of lymphocytic nodules from appendiceal crypts could be substantiated in this investigation. The mode of origin of lymphocytes and subsequent manner of lymphocytic development in the appendix and tonsil iliaca of the embryonic and neonatal rabbit differ markedly from that observed in the embryonic thymus and bursa of Fabricius.
Implications of the CERN LEP Higgs bounds for the MSSM stop sector

The implications of the LEP Higgs bounds on the MSSM stop masses and mixing are compared in two different regions of the Higgs parameter space. The first region is the Higgs decoupling limit, in which the bound on the mass of the lighter Higgs is ${m}_{h}\ensuremath{\ge}114.4\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$, and the second region is near a nondecoupling limit with ${m}_{h}\ensuremath{\simeq}93\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$, in which the masses of all the physical Higgs bosons are required to be light. Additional constraints from the electroweak $S$- and $T$-parameter and the decays $B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{X}_{s}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and ${B}_{s}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, which also constrain the Higgs and/or stop sector, are considered. In some regions of the MSSM parameter space these additional constraints are stronger than the LEP Higgs bounds. Implications for the tuning of electroweak symmetry breaking are also discussed.
Gastrointestinal mechanisms of satiation for food

Satiation for food comprises the physiological processes that result in the termination of eating. Satiation is evoked by physical and chemical qualities of ingested food, which trigger afferent signals to the brain from multiple sites in the GI tract, including the stomach, the proximal small intestine, the distal small intestine and the colon. The physiological nature of each signal's contribution to satiation and overall control of food intake is likely to vary, depending on the level of the GI tract from which the signal arises. This article is a critical, though non-exhaustive, review of our current understanding of the mechanisms and adaptive value of satiation signals from the stomach and intestine.
Reply to Wagstaff: "Hypnosis and the relationship between trance, suggestion, expectancy, and depth: Some semantic and conceptual issues"

Abstract Wagstaff (2010) reviews and comments on two recent papers by Pekala et al. (2010a, 2010b), concluding that “many of the problems relating to the definition and conceptualization of terms associated with hypnosis … may stem from insufficient attention to the role of suggestion and expectancies in producing hypnotic phenomena, and an over-reliance on the role of the procedures and mechanics of the induction process” (p. 47). Although I agree with his semantic and conceptual focus, I believe that a number of these problems are due to not operationally defining terms such as hypnosis, hypnotic state, or trance in a comprehensive phenomenological manner. By using the PCI (Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory) via retrospective phenomenological assessment, and using a phenomenological state instrument like the PCI-HAP (Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory - Hypnotic Assessment Procedure) to obtain a state measure of hypnotic responsiveness, a means is available to define and empirically address...
EXPERIMENTAL PHASE-EQUILIBRIUM STUDY OF AL- AND TI-CONTENTS OF CALCIC AMPHIBOLE IN MORB : A SEMIQUANTITATIVE THERMOBAROMETER

Calcic amphiboles were synthesized from a natural mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) in 39 experiments representing 24 sets of pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions ranging from 650‐950 8C, 0.8‐2.2 GPa, at ƒ controlled by the fayalite-magnetite-quartz (FMQ) buffer, O2 and Paqueous fluid 5 Ptotal. Experiments lasted up to 1630 h at low temperatures; in all cases, synthesized hornblendes were coarse-grained (5‐7 3 10‐15 mm) and chemically homogeneous. Over the investigated pressure range, Ca-amphibole coexisting with phases rich in Al and Ti gradually changes composition from sodic-calcic, Si-rich at low temperatures to calcic, Si-poor at high temperatures: it is barroisite at 650 8C, edenite at 700 8C, and pargasite at 800‐950 8C. Electron microprobe data were combined with 41 comparable analyses from the literature for Ca-amphiboles synthesized from MORBs at intermediate ƒ in order to erect a petrogenetic grid for the experimental range 0.0‐2.2 GPa, 450‐1050 O2 8C. Isopleths for Al2O3 in Ca-amphibole exhibit markedly negative P-T slopes, indicating increasing Al2O3 contents with both P and T. In contrast, TiO2 isopleths are nearly independent of P, demonstrating that TiO2 in Ca-amphibole increases almost exclusively as a function of T. For natural metabasaltic assemblages that contain coexisting Al-rich and Tirich phases, and closely approached chemical equilibrium under crustal or uppermost mantle conditions, this semiquantitative petrogenetic grid allows the simultaneous assignment of attendant P and T employing Ca-amphibole Al2O3 and TiO2 contents. However, during slow cooling, natural Ca-amphiboles may exsolve TiO2 as rutile, titanite, and/or ilmenite, but in general do not redistribute Al 2O3, so this thermobarometer must be applied with caution to inhomogeneous specimens.
A strategy for recovering high quality genomic DNA from a large number of Phytophthora isolates

We present a strategy to recover high molecular weight genomic DNA from large numbers of isolates of Phytophthora. Included are steps for generating mycelial mass in 24-well reuseable deep well plates, efficient lyophilization and disruption of the mycelium and genomic DNA extraction with 96-well glass fiber filter plates. The resulting DNA is consistently high molecular weight and is suitable for applications that require high quality DNA such as AFLP analysis and TILLING. A single operator easily can manage mycelium preparation and/or DNA extraction from 384 isolates in a single day and this approach might be useful for other fungi or fungi-like organisms that can be grown in liquid media.
The Three-Dimensional Structure of the Autoproteolytic, Nuclear Pore-Targeting Domain of the Human Nucleoporin Nup98

Nup98 is a component of the nuclear pore that plays its primary role in the export of RNAs. Nup98 is expressed in two forms, derived from alternate mRNA splicing. Both forms are processed into two peptides through autoproteolysis mediated by the C-terminal domain of hNup98. The three-dimensional structure of the C-terminal domain reveals a novel protein fold, and thus a new class of autocatalytic proteases. The structure further reveals that the suggested nucleoporin RNA binding motif is unlikely to bind to RNA. The C terminus also contains sequences that target hNup98 to the nuclear pore complex. Noncovalent interactions between the C-terminal domain and the cleaved peptide tail are visible and suggest a model for cleavage-dependent targeting of hNup98 to the nuclear pore.
Syrian Self-Initiated Expatriates: Emotional Connections from Abroad

The relationship of an expatriate to his or her country of origin is complicated by reasons for leaving, ease of acculturation into the new country, nostalgia, loneliness and the ability to remain connected to his or her country of origin while abroad. Research on expatriate experiences has been limited to certain countries of origin and host countries, as well as a narrow definition of the term “expatriate”. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences and relationships with host and home countries of Syrian self-initiated expatriates, an underrepresented group in the literature. Phenomenological interviews were conducted with 13 Syrian self-initiated expatriates during an expatriate conference in Damascus, Syria. The results showed that Syrian self-initiated expatriates have left Syria to advance their education and their careers. For many of the men interviewed, Syria’s mandate of military service was a factor in leaving. When in their host countries, they faced adjustment issues such as language barriers and difficulty remaining connected to Syria. Relationships with both countries were fluid and changing, based on factors such as adjustment and ease of communication. I make recommendations for improving travel, communication and cultural maintenance to support the connection between Syrian self-initiated expatriates and Syrian society.
Mousepox: A Small Animal Model for Biodefense Research

Ectromelia virus is the causative agent of the disease mousepox. Mousepox is arguably the best small animal model available for the study of smallpox. This model is under utilized due to ectromelia...
Religion and Nationalism in Israel: Forming and Sustaining the Ties that Bind

The relationship between religious and political institutions, or religious and national loyalties, is an eternally contested one. The justification for the creation of state of Israel was the Zionist argument that the Holocaust demonstrated that only a Jewish state could ensure the survival of the Jewish people. Moreover, at the founding in 1948, Jewish religious and political elites made strategic choices to link their religion with political institutions. This paper will outline the founding connections between religion and national identity and will ask whether those linkages remain strong some sixty years later for Jewish citizens as well as for religious minorities. To what degree does being a member of either a religious majority or minority affect the connection between religion and nationalism? We will use public opinion data from the 2003 International Social Science Programme (National Identity II) and from the 2013 Israel Democracy Index poll to measure generic nationalism, and we will examine the second survey to analyze views of the settlements. We hypothesize that multiple regression will find that practicing Judaism makes one more likely to support generic nationalism and the settlements, while belonging to a religious minority will reduce levels of nationalism and support for these communities. We will conclude that the contemporary connections between religion and nationalism are very much a product of the original fusion of the Israeli state and nationalism.
The human S-cone electroretinogram and its variation among subjects with and without L and M-cone function.

PURPOSE: To examine the S-cone ERG in subjects with and without L and M-cone function. METHODS: Ganzfeld spectral flashes in the presence of strong Ganzfeld adapting fields are used to elicit S-cone ERGs. RESULTS: The S-cone ERG b-wave ranges from 0.2 to 4 mV in amplitude and 38-45 msec in implicit time. There is a progressive decrease in amplitude with age. The response is similar in subjects with or without L and M cone function. CONCLUSION: The S-cone ERG is detectable in subjects of all ages, but intersubject variability limits its diagnostic usefulness. The S-cone ERG is slightly later than but does not appear to be obviously influenced by the L and M-cone ERG.
Posterior Cranial Fossa and Temporal Bone Meningioma in a Child, Appearing as a Neck Mass

Meningiomas are usually benign lesions that rarely involve the temporal bone and rarely occur in children or adolescents. A case of a posterior cranial fossa and temporal bone meningioma in a 9-year-old girl is presented; no similar case was found in the world literature.
Le marché de l'uranium va rebondir : comment s'y préparer ?

Les gisements d'uranium actuellement exploites seront, a quelques exceptions pres, epuises dans une cinquantaine d'annees. Il est important de garder cette realite a l'esprit, tout comme les projections en termes d'evolution de la demande dans la decennie a venir : aujourd'hui de l'ordre de 65 000 tonnes par an, elle pourrait, selon les previsions, etre de 80 000 tonnes en 2025. La situation actuelle du marche en surproduction aura donc une fin. AREVA, comme tous les groupes miniers specialises dans l'uranium, est donc confronte a un double challenge : comment gerer au mieux la periode actuelle avec un marche tres difficile mais egalement comment se preparer au rebond ?
Occurrence of two immunological groups within the genus Listeria; studies based upon precipitation reactions.

SummaryPolysaccharides have been isolated from Listeria monocytogenes which precipitate in the presence of their specific immune sera. The immunological studies presented indicate the existence of 2 distinct animal groups, namely a rodent group and a ruminant group, thus corroborating the classification suggested by Schultz2 and Julianelle.3. The precipitin test affords a simplified technic for the identification and immunological differentiation of the members of the genus Listeria.
Ovarian Development and Oogenesis in the Book Louse, Liposcelis Divergens Badonnel (Psocoptera, Liposcelidae)

In view of the relative lack of developmental studies on the Psocoptera, the present investigation of Liposcelis divergens , a common representative of the order, has been undertaken in order to supplement a study of the embryology of this insect (Goss 1952, 1953) and to give a better understanding of the process of its reproduction. This particular species of book louse is exclusively partenogenetic, a fact which renders its method of oogenesis more interesting, especially since this process can now be compared with that of other members of the order which reproduce bisexually. Perhaps of further significance are the results of a study of the chromosome numbers of various species in the order, which indicate the possibility that all psocids possess the same basic number of chromosomes.
Beef cattle breeding à la Jefferson.

?Even more than most disciplines in the Animal Sciences, quantitative genetics is dependent upon models. Models, by definition, are abstractions of reality. Invariably they require simplifying assumptions, which should be but sometimes are not clearly specified. One thesis of this article, illustrated by examples, is that many of the assumptions upon which animal breeding theory and practice are based are not valid. Some proportion of research resources should be devoted to challenging or verifying those assumptions and following up those areas of enquiry suggested by the outcome of such research. A further thesis is that the selection of topics and priorities for animal breeding research should be a matter of choice by individual scientists and should not be determined by steering committees or directed by administrative fiat. Hopefully, the resultant mutation, cross-fertilization, assortment, recombination and selection of ideas that would result would bestow upon our discipline higher fitness from multiple-peak epistasis, and minimal danger of extinction (or petrification) from over-specialization. A final thesis is that true creativity by research scientists should be nurtured and rewarded and that work in traditional areas of breeding and quantitative genetics should be continued-but done better.
Localization of Anomalous Mechano-Sensitive Ion Channels in Cochlear Hair Cells

Two types of mechanosensitive (MS) currents have been described in cochlear hair cells: conventional MS currents evoked by displacements of the hair bundle towards its tallest edge, and anomalous MS currents, elicited by bundle displacements in the opposite direction, referred to as reversed-polarity currents. Conventional MS transducer channels are located at the bottom end of the tip links, but reverse-polarity MS currents persist after severing tip links with BAPTA, suggesting a different site for this channel. We investigated localization of reverse-polarity MS channels using cell-attached patch recordings on cochlear outer hair cells (OHC) of neonatal mice, and also by detecting calcium influx with Fluo5F indicator using swept-field confocal imaging. Single mechano-sensitive channels were recorded in cell-attached mode on the apical surface around the base of the hair bundle and were activated by suction through the patch pipette. In OHCs of wild-type mice, MS channels appeared a few minutes after BAPTA exposure with a mean conductance of 61 ± 6 pS in Na-saline with 1.5 mM CaCl2 and 94 ± 13 pS in Na-saline with reduced, 0.07 mM, CaCl2. Their reversal potential was 0 mV as expected for a non-selective cationic channel. Similar MS channels were also seen in Tmc1:Tmc2 double mutants, with mean conductance of 58 ± 4 pS in 1.5 mM CaCl2. In both cases, the apical surface of the OHC was confirmed as the main site of calcium entry during reverse polarity MS currents by imaging calcium influx. The properties of the reverse-polarity MS channels closely resemble conventional MS channels but they are concentrated on the apical plasma membrane of the hair cell. We suggest they reflect insertion of new MS channels before their transport up the bundle to the transduction complex.
Mechanically Shaped Two-Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks Reveal Crystallographic Alignment and Fast Li-Ion Conductivity.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) usually crystallize as insoluble powders, and their processing for suitable devices is thought to be limited. We demonstrate that COFs can be mechanically pressed into shaped objects having anisotropic ordering with preferred orientation between hk0 and 00l crystallographic planes. Five COFs with different functionality and symmetry exhibited similar crystallographic behavior and remarkable stability, indicating the generality of this processing. Pellets prepared from bulk COF powders impregnated with LiClO4 displayed room temperature conductivity up to 0.26 mS cm–1 and high electrochemical stability. This outcome portends use of COFs as solid-state electrolytes in batteries.
An incentive-based mechanism for location estimation in wireless sensor networks

In this paper, we propose a framework for target location estimation by designing an incentive-compatible mechanism in a wireless sensor network containing sensors that are selfish and profit-motivated. To accomplish the task, the fusion center (FC) conducts an auction by soliciting bids from the selfish sensors, where the bids reflect the information available at the sensor and the remaining energy of the sensors. Furthermore, the truthfulness of the sensors is guaranteed in our model. Computationally efficient algorithms to implement our mechanism are provided. Simulation results show the effectiveness of our proposed approach.
Tricellular junctions regulate intestinal stem cell behaviour to maintain homeostasis

Ageing results in loss of tissue homeostasis across taxa. In the intestine of Drosophila melanogaster, ageing is correlated with an increase in intestinal stem cell (ISC) proliferation, a block in terminal differentiation of progenitor cells, activation of inflammatory pathways, and increased intestinal permeability. However, causal relationships between these phenotypes remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that ageing results in altered localization and expression of septate junction proteins in the posterior midgut, which is quite pronounced in differentiated enterocytes (ECs) at tricellular junctions (TCJs). Acute loss of the TCJ protein Gliotactin (Gli) in ECs results in increased ISC proliferation and a block in differentiation in intestines from young flies, demonstrating that compromised TCJ function is sufficient to alter ISC behaviour in a non-autonomous manner. Blocking the Jun N-terminal kinase signalling pathway is sufficient to suppress changes in ISC behaviour, but has no effect on loss of intestinal barrier function, as a consequence of Gli depletion. Our work demonstrates a pivotal link between TCJs, stem cell behaviour, and intestinal homeostasis and provides insights into causes of age-onset and gastrointestinal diseases.
Compact system with handheld microfabricated optoelectronic probe for needle-based tissue sensing applications

We present the design, development, and bench-top verification of an innovative compact clinical system including a miniaturized handheld optoelectronic sensor. The integrated sensor was microfabricated with die-level light-emitting diodes and photodiodes and fits into a 19G hollow needle (internal diameter: 0.75 mm) for optical sensing applications in solid tissues. Bench-top studies on tissue-simulating phantoms have verified system performance relative to a fiberoptic based tissue spectroscopy system. With dramatically reduced system size and cost, the technology affords spatially configurable designs for optoelectronic light sources and detectors, thereby enabling customized sensing configurations that would be impossible to achieve with needle-based fiber-optic probes.
Abstract 178: RCBTB1 Genotypes Modulate Smoking Effect on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: A Finding from a Genome-Wide Interaction Analysis

Objective: Smoking is an established risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. However, the degree of the cigarette smoking-induced damage varies from individual to individual, partly due to the between-individual difference in genetic makeup. The aim of this study was to identify genetic loci influencing the effect of cigarette smoking on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) by performing a genome-wide association smoking-by-SNP interaction analysis. Methods and results: Genome-wide genotyping was performed using the Affymetrix SNP array 6.0 among 1,010 individuals who underwent B-mode ultrasound examination of carotid IMT from the population-based Northern Manhattan Study. Cigarette pack-years was calculated as number of years smoked multiplied by number of cigarettes smoked per day, then divided by 20. After quality control, a total of 722,379 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were included in the final analysis. Generalized linear modeling was conducted to look for smoking-by-SNP interaction on carotid IMT while controlling for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and the top 3 principal components estimated to capture ancestry by EIGENSTRAT. Ten SNPs near or within 5 genes showed an interactive effect with cigarette smoking on IMT with a p value Conclusion: Our genome-wide interaction analysis reveals multiple genes, especially RCBTB1, that may modify the effect of smoking on carotid IMT. These genes will be further evaluated in our full dataset with additional genotyping. Also, larger independent studies are needed to validate these findings.