cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Location Calibration Data for CTBT Monitoring at the Prototype International Data Center

Ground-truth information is essential for location calibration of the International Monitoring System network being developed under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The objective of the calibration effort is to improve the accuracy of seismic event locations and to reduce the size of the error ellipse, both in automatic and in human analyst-reviewed bulletins, in order to meet the On-Site Inspection requirement for the size of the inspection area. Several databases were compiled and are maintained at the Prototype International Data Center (PIDC) to support calibration efforts. The Nuclear Explosion Database contains most readily accessible information about all nuclear explosions worldwide. The events in the Calibration Event Bulletin (CEB) carefully selected well located events from the PIDC Reviewed Event Bulletin and relocated using additional arrivals from regional networks requested from various National Data Centers. The Ground-Truth Database contains carefully selected events with known or well estimated location accuracies from the Nuclear Explosion Database, CEB, as well as from bulletins of U.S. National Earthquake Information Center and International Seismic Centre. It also contains data on chemical explosions and quarry blasts when confirmed by local or national authorities. Ground-truth events are subdivided into various ground-truth categories according to their location accuracy. The databases have been used in various calibration studies to derive and test corrections to improve event locations. Several location calibration techniques are briefly described. The validation test for any proposed operational change requires that the results meet the location calibration metrics developed and implemented at the PIDC.
Everyday Sexism: Evidence for Its Incidence, Nature, and Psychological Impact From Three Daily Diary Studies

Three daily diary studies were conducted to examine the incidence, nature, and impact of everyday sexism as reported by college women and men. Women experienced about one to two impactful sexist incidents per week, consisting of traditional gender role stereotypes and prejudice, demeaning and degrading comments and behaviors, and sexual objectification. These incidents affected women's psychological well-being by decreasing their comfort, increasing their feelings of anger and depression, and decreasing their state self-esteem. Although the experiences had similar effects on men's anger, depression, and state self-esteem, men reported relatively fewer sexist incidents, suggesting less overall impact on men. The results provide evidence for the phenomena of everyday prejudice and enlighten our understanding of the experience of prejudice in interpersonal encounters from the perspective of the target.
Use of birth-death-migration processes for describing the spread of insect populations

This paper models the spread of insect populations using stochastic birth-death-migration processes and presents statistical ethodology for predicting population size. A birth-death-migration model for population growth and a stochastic compartmental model for population dispersal are developed and compared with Skellam's (1951, Biometrika 38: 196–218) classic diffusion model. Statistical inferences are based on approximating gamma distributions. The birth-death-migration models have the advantages of incorporating more biological detail, accommodating releases from multiple sites, containing standard errors for predictions, and yielding inherent spatial correlation structure. A special case of the model is illustrated with data on the population dynamics of the Africanized honey bee, Apis mellifera L. The model is very general and has wide application to the range expansion and migration of other species because of its parameterization with generic birth, death, and migration rates.
Convection Parameterization, Tropical Pacific Double ITCZ, and Upper-Ocean Biases in the NCAR CCSM3. Part II: Coupled Feedback and the Role of Ocean Heat Transport

Abstract This study investigates the coupled atmosphere–ocean feedback and the role of ocean dynamic heat transport in the formation of double ITCZ over the tropical Pacific in the NCAR Community Climate System Model, version 3 (CCSM3) and its alleviation when a revised Zhang–McFarlane (ZM) convection scheme is used. A hierarchy of coupling strategy is employed for this purpose. A slab ocean model is coupled with the atmospheric component of the Community Atmosphere Model, version 3 (CAM3) to investigate the local feedback between the atmosphere and the ocean. It is shown that the net surface energy flux differences in the southern ITCZ region between the revised and original ZM scheme seen in the stand-alone CAM3 simulations can cool the SST by up to 1.5°C. However, the simulated SST distribution is very sensitive to the prescribed ocean heat transport required in the slab ocean model. To understand the role of ocean heat transport, the fully coupled CCSM3 model is used. The analysis of CCSM3 simulations...
Complex loading affects intervertebral disc mechanics and biology.

Summary Background Complex loading develops in multiple spinal motions and in the case of hyperflexion is known to cause intervertebral disc (IVD) injury. Few studies have examined the interacting biologic and structural alterations associated with potentially injurious complex loading, which may be an important contributor to chronic progressive degeneration. Objective This study tested the hypothesis that low magnitudes of axial compression loading applied asymmetrically can induce IVD injury affecting cellular and structural responses in a large animal IVD ex-vivo model. Methods Bovine caudal IVDs were assigned to either a control or wedge group (15°) and placed in organ culture for 7 days under static 0.2MPa load. IVD tissue and cellular responses were assessed through confined compression, qRT-PCR, histology and structural and compositional measurements, including Western blot for aggrecan degradation products. Results Complex loading via asymmetric compression induced cell death, an increase in caspase-3 staining (apoptosis), a loss of aggrecan and an increase in aggregate modulus in the concave annulus fibrosis. While an up-regulation of MMP-1, ADAMTS4, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA, and a reduced aggregate modulus were induced in the convex annulus. Conclusion Asymmetric compression had direct deleterious effects on both tissue and cells, suggesting an injurious loading regime that could lead to a degenerative cascade, including cell death, the production of inflammatory mediators, and a shift towards catabolism. This explant model is useful to assess how injurious mechanical loading affects the cellular response which may contribute to the progression of degenerative changes in large animal IVDs, and results suggest that interventions should address inflammation, apoptosis, and lamellar integrity.
Morphometric Differentiation of American Shad and White Sucker Eggs from Riverine Samples

ABSTRACT We developed a statistical method to distinguish the large demersal eggs of American shad from those of white sucker in riverine samples using egg morphometric analysis. Eggs were first screened by total diameter in deionized water according to ranges reported in the published literature. Differences in relative yolk diameter between the two species were then determined statistically from known museum sources. Only those eggs with relative yolk diameters greater than two standard deviations below the mean for white sucker eggs were considered to be American shad eggs. The criteria for American shad eggs were total diameter ≥2.3 nm and relative yolk diameter ≤66%. A partial test of the model showed predicted identity to agree with observed identity for 74 out of 75 shad eggs.
In vitro thyrotropic effect of the pituitary of the Pacific hagfish, Eptatretus stouti.

Abstract Hagfish ( Eptatretus stouti ) thyroid tissue was maintained in organ culture with hagfish pituitary or bovine thyroid-stimulating hormone (b-TSH). Possible thyrotropic effects of pituitary co-culture or b-TSH were assessed by radioimmunoassay of the thyroxine (T 4 ) concentration in culture medium. Thyroid tissue co-cultured with hagfish pituitary released a greater amount (20–100%) of T 4 into the medium than thyroid tissue cultured alone or with connective tissue (control). Addition of bovine thyrotropic hormone at two different doses (25 ng/ml and 25 μg/ml) resulted in a slight but statistically nonsignificant increase in T 4 levels. Stimulation of T 4 release during pituitary co-culture indicates the existence of a thyrotropic factor in the hagfish adenohypophysis.
Role of Hox PG2 genes in Nile tilapia pharyngeal arch specification: implications for gnathostome pharyngeal arch evolution.

SUMMARY Phylogenetic reconstructions suggest that the ancestral osteichthyan Hox paralog group 2 gene complement was composed of two genes, Hoxa2 and b2, both of which have been retained in tetrapods, but only one of which functions as a selector gene of second pharyngeal arch identity (PA2). Genome duplication at the inception of the teleosts likely generated four Hox PG2 genes, only two of which, hoxa2b and b2a, have been preserved in zebrafish, where they serve as functionally redundant PA2 selector genes. Evidence from our laboratory has shown that other telelosts, specifically striped bass and Nile tilapia, harbor three transcribed Hox PG2 genes, hoxa2a, a2b, and b2a, with unspecified function(s). We have focused on characterizing the function of the three Nile tilapia Hox PG2 genes as a model to examine the effects of postgenome duplication gene loss on the evolution of developmental gene function. We studied Hox PG2 gene function in tilapia by examining the effects of independent morpholino oligonucleotide (MO)-induced knockdowns on pharyngeal arch morphology and Hox gene expression patterns. Morphological defects resulting from independent MO-induced knockdowns of tilapia hoxa2a, a2b, and b2a included the expected PA2 to PA1 homeotic transformations previously observed in tetrapods and zebrafish, as well as concordant and unexpected morphological changes in posterior arch-derived cartilages. Of particular interest, was the observation of a MO-induced supernumerary arch between PA6 and PA7, which occurred concomitantly with other MO-induced pharyngeal arch defects. Beyond these previously unreported morphant-induced transformations, a comparison of Hox PG2 gene expression patterns in tilapia Hox PG2 morphants were indicative of arch-specific auto- and cross-regulatory activities as well as a Hox paralog group 2 interdependent regulatory network for control of pharyngeal arch specification.
Perspective on the role of haploidentical transplantation in the management of hematologic malignancies: Why do it?

Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using mismatched family member donors has historically been complicated by high rates of nonrelapse toxicity and the need for laboratory expertise in depleting grafts of T lymphocytes. Over the past decade, improvements in supportive care, the increased use of peripheral-blood stem cell grafts, and improved T-cell depletion techniques have reduced the incidence of graft failure and lowered the rate of nonrelapse mortality. In addition, clinical studies have demonstrated that the donor-recipient mismatch may be beneficial in this setting, stimulating an immunologic cell-mediated antileukemia effect that results in lower disease recurrence rates. All of these advances have led to improvements in outcomes following haploidentical HSCT, making it an attractive option available to some patients. Because most patients do not have a matched related donor available and time to identify an unrelated donor may be excessive, haploidentical HSCT is a potentially curative option for these patients.
Starch Related Changes in Stored Soft Sorghum Porridge

Soft sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) unfermented porridge was prepared by cooking pearled sorghum flour (6% solids in water) in a microwave oven. Fermented porridge was prepared by mixing with Lactobacillus delbruekii for 12 hr at 48 degrees C, followed by cooking. Porridge was aged (0-12 hr) at 25 degrees C or 7.5 degrees C. Starch polymer solubility was determined by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and rheology followed with a rotational viscometer. During aging, solubilized and gelled amylose and amylopectin retrogradation rates were higher in porridge stored at 7.5 than at 25 degrees C. Amylose polymer solubility decreased with storage, while solubilized amylopectin remained in solution. Fermented porridges were lighter in color and their initial consistency indexes increased faster. HPSEC of soluble polymers was more sensitive than enzymatic starch digestion.
Implementation of case studies in undergraduate didactic nursing courses: a qualitative study

The implementation of unfolding scenario-based case studies in the didactic classroom is associated with learner-centered education. The utilization of learner-centered pedagogies, such as case studies, removes the focus from the instructor and instead places it on the student. Learner-centered pedagogies are believed to improve students’ levels of cognition. The purpose of this study was to examine how nurse educators are implementing the pedagogies of case studies in their undergraduate didactic courses. The goal was to examine, document, report, and, ultimately, implement the strategies. Purposeful sampling was utilized in this qualitative, multisite-designed study. For each of the four participants, three separate site visits were completed. Observations and post-observational interviews took place at each site visit. Transcribed data from interviews, observations, and course documents were imported into the computer program Nvivo8. Repetitive comparative analysis was utilized to complete the data coding process. The guiding research question of this study sought to investigate the implementation strategies of case studies in didactic nursing courses. The implementation of case studies by the participants reflected two primary patterns: Formal Implementation (FI) and Informal Implementation (II) of case studies. The FI of case studies was further divided into two subcategories: Formal Implementation of case studies used Inside the Classroom setting (FIIC) and Formal Implementation of cases studies used Outside of the Classroom (FIOC). Results of this investigation have led to an increased understanding of implementation strategies of unfolding scenario-based case studies in undergraduate nursing didactic courses. Data collected were rich in the description of specific methodologies for utilization of case studies and may serve as a resource for faculty in development of creative strategies to enhance the didactic classroom experience.
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Various Topical Ophthalmic Delivery Systems

The eye provides an interesting study in contrasts: it is a delicate structure with a transparent anterior wall as thin as 0.5mm; yet this structure in combination with the ocular adnexa provides a resilient physicochemical barrier. The lids, tears and lacrimal apparatus work in concert to continuously protect the cornea and conjunctiva with a stable tear film, which also serves as the primary refracting surface. This elaborate defence system simultaneously prevents ready intraocular access of pharmaceutical agents. Additionally, the trilaminate structure of the cornea has variable permeability to chemical agents, thereby further limiting the passage of highly hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties. Presenting topical pharmaceutical agents to the eye via different delivery systems allows clinicians to directly affect the profile of drug bioavailability and, ultimately, bioactivity. While achieving optimum bioavailability is therapeutically important, one must simultaneously limit the occurrence of drug-induced adverse effects, both systemic and local. Utilising the different pharmacokinetic properties of drug delivery systems permits clinicians to maximise their therapeutic plans for addressing specific clinical situations while minimising the potential for adverse drug effects.
Structural Context Effects in the Oxidation of 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine to Hydantoin Products: Electrostatics, Base Stacking, and Base Pairing

8-Oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (OG) is the most common base damage found in cells, where it resides in many structural contexts, including the nucleotide pool, single-stranded DNA at transcription forks and replication bubbles, and duplex DNA base-paired with either adenine (A) or cytosine (C). OG is prone to further oxidation to the highly mutagenic hydantoin products spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp) and 5-guanidinohydantoin (Gh) in a sharply pH-dependent fashion within nucleosides. In the present work, studies were conducted to determine how the structural context affects OG oxidation to the hydantoins. These studies revealed a trend in which the Sp yield was greatest in unencumbered contexts, such as nucleosides, while the Gh yield increased in oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) contexts or at reduced pH. Oxidation of oligomers containing hydrogen-bond modulators (2,6-diaminopurine, N4-ethylcytidine) or alteration of the reaction conditions (pH, temperature, and salt) identify base stacking, electrostatics, and base pairi...
Plexogenic pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus: Report of two cases and review of the literature.

From the autopsy records of the Mayo Clinic, two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were identified in whom plexogenic pulmonary hypertension also developed. Both were women (23 and 30 years old). Their pulmonary artery pressures were 96/30 and 115/45 mm Hg, respectively, and their survival after the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension was only 21 and 19 months, respectively. To our knowledge, only two other cases have been reported. Thus, plexogenic pulmonary hypertension among patients with lupus is rare but is associated with a poor prognosis.
Atropine-neostigmine mixture.

To the Editor: The recent study of Naguib and Mohammed 1 leaves me dissatisfied. These investigators studied the doses of atropine required to prevent neostigmine (0.04-0.06 mg.kg -t) from lowering the heart rate below baseline (pre.reversal) in 50 and 95 per cent of patients after antagonism of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade with neostigmine-atropine mixtures. They estimated that .the EDso and EDgs values for atropine were approximately 0.035 and 0.055 mg" kg -I respectively. They conclude that "appropriate doses of atropine when used with neostigmine should be greater than that commonly used." First, I am not sure that the authors have asked the right question. Is any decrease in heart rate from "control" really of clinical significance or a valid definition of bradycardia? For example, in group A-I the decrease in mean heart rate from a baseline of 92 to a low of 70 per minute may be statistically significant and real, but is it important? Of far greater interest is the actual number or percentage of patients who manifested heart rates of less than 60 or at least some fixed standard. In addition, in constructing their "dose-response" relationships the authors have not differentiated between large and small changes in heart rate. A decrease from 90 to 60.min -1 was given the same weight as a decrease from 80 to 70. This is simply not a sensible approach. Second, if "commonly used dosages" are not appropriate, what practical recommendations do the authors make? Do they suggest that doses of atropine of 0.05 to 0.06 mg. kg -1 should be employed clinically? This is the implied message of the paper and I think a potentially dangerous one. The central nervous system effects of 4 mg of atropine in a 70 kg adult deserve to be mentioned. If the authors really believe that prevention of any decrease in heart rate is a desirable goal and that these doses of atropine are warranted, then the virtues of glycopyrrolate vs atropine must also be discussed.
Sonic Hedgehog as a mediator of long-range signaling*

The ability of Hedgehog (Hh) proteins to exert their biological effects is regulated by a series of post-translational processes. These processes include an intramolecular cleavage, covalent addition of cholesterol and/or palmitate, and conversion into a multimeric freely diffusible form. The processing of Hh proteins affects their trafficking, potency, and ability to signal over many cell diameters. Accordingly, the loss of gene products required for these processes abrogates the Hh proteins' abilities to exert their effects, which can be long range, short range, or both. We review here recent evidence demonstrating that Hh proteins are directly responsible for their long-range biological effects. Additionally, we integrate both genetic and biochemical data to delineate a model illustrating how the unusual biochemistry of Hh family members may allow them to act as morphogens, signaling over both short and long distances.
Tire derived aggregate for retaining wall backfill under earthquake loading

Abstract Tire Derived Aggregate (TDA) is a recycled lightweight construction material produced by cutting waste tires. The present research aims at evaluating the dynamic performance of TDA backfill under simulated earthquakes based on a full-scale shake table test. Main test results such as accelerations, wall displacements, and dynamic pressures are presented and discussed in this paper. A comparison with a similar shake table test of a wall with conventional soil backfill shows that the amount of wall sliding increased but the dynamic pressure on the wall exerted by the TDA backfill substantially decreased.
Performance of the chemical mass balance model with simulated local-scale aerosols

Abstract A general methodology for performing simulations of the Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) model is developed and applied to simple and complex local scale scenarios. The simple scenario consists of crustal, coal-fired power plant, motor vehicle and vegetative burning sources; the complex scenario adds oil-fired power plant, ocean, steel mill, lead smelter, municipal incinerator and background aerosol sources. Daily receptor filter concentrations of the most commonly measured elements in the primary emissions are simulated. These simulations incorporate daily fluctuations in source strengths, daily fluctuations in source profiles (as parameterized by a coefficient of variation, or CV, of temporal source profiles) and measurement error at the receptor (as parameterized by a CV of measurement error). The CMB is applied to each daily measurement using a source library containing all sources and their long-term profiles (which, though correct on average, are incorrect on any particular day). The extent of agreement of the actual and CMBestimated primary emission source strengths is measured as an average absolute error (AAE, the absolute difference between the daily actual and estimated primary emission source strengths averaged over 100 simulated days). These moderately realistic simulations provide an encouraging picture of CMB accuracy and precision. The CMB yields acceptable accuracy and precision (an AAE of 50% or less) even when the CV of temporal source profiles is 25% and the CV of measurement error is 10%.
Sex role stereotypes and the spontaneous attribution of emotion

Abstract The relationships among sex of expressor, sex of judge, intensity of affect expressed, and the spontaneous attribution of emotionality were explored. Subjects were presented with a series of facial expression slides and asked to give a brief description of each slide. The results indicate that emotions were attributed to those faces which exhibited non-normative expressions. Stimulus and observer characteristics both contributed significantly to the elicitation of emotional attributions.
Rheumatic disease, abnormal serology, and oral contraceptives.

Abstract A prospective study was undertaken concerning the development of rheumatic complaints and altered serology in a group of women using oral contraceptives (o.c.) in comparison with a similar group of women using non-hormonal means of contraception. 215 women newly registered at a family-planning centre were seen at their first visit and at approximately 2, 8, 14, and 20 months. 115 of the women were followed for an average of 16 months. 80 of these women were using o.c. and 35 (non-o.c.) were employing other methods. Blood-samples taken at all visits and examined for antinuclear antibodies, L.E. cells, rheumatoid factor, haemolytic complement level, and erythrocyte-sedimentation rate showed no evidence of altered serology in the o.c. or non-o.c. groups. None of the patients developed rheumatic complaints. The results obtained fail to demonstrate that normal women using o.c. are at a greater risk of developing rheumatic symptoms or serological changes than a similar group of non-users.
Induction of tyrosine hydroxylase synthesis in rat superior cervical ganglia in vitro by nerve growth factor and dexamethasone

Abstract The addition of dexamethasone and nerve growth factor to organ cultures of superior cervical ganglia from young rats induces the synthesis of tyrosine hydroxylase. The combination of nerve growth factor and dexamethasone in vitro produces a differential rate of tyrosine hydroxylase synthesis which approaches that obtained by the in vivo administration of nerve growth factor.
Interventions That Affect Resident Performance on the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination: A Systematic Review

Objective To systematically review the published literature on the effectiveness of interventions intended to improve residents’ American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) performances. Design A systematic review was conducted by 2 independent investigators to identify all publications that examined the effect of specific interventions on residents’ ABSITE performances from 1975 to 2013. Results Overall, 26 published articles met study criteria. Structured reading programs and setting clear expectations with mandatory remedial programs were consistently effective in improving ABSITE performance, whereas the effect of didactic teaching conferences and problem-based learning groups was mixed. There was marked heterogeneity in the usage of study designs and reporting of results. Conclusions Structured reading programs and mandatory remedial programs appear to be consistently effective measures that can improve residents’ ABSITE performances. There is a need for improved study design and reporting in future research conducted in this field.
Computations for group sequential boundaries using the Lan-DeMets spending function method

We describe an interactive Fortran program which performs computations related to the design and analysis of group sequential clinical trials using Lan-DeMets spending functions. Many clinical trials include interim analyses of accumulating data and rely on group sequential methods to avoid consequent inflation of the type I error rate. The computations are appropriate for interim test statistics whose distribution or limiting distribution is multivariate normal with independent increments. Recent theoretical results indicate that virtually any design likely to be used in a clinical trial will fall into this category. Interim analyses need not be equally spaced, and their number need not be specified in advance. In addition to determining sequential boundaries using an alpha spending function, the program can perform power computations, compute probabilities associated with a given set of boundaries, and generate confidence intervals.
The influence of major dams on hydrology through the drainage network of the Sacramento River basin, California

This paper reports basinwide patterns of hydrograph alteration via statistical and graphical analysis from a network of long-term streamflow gauges located various distances downstream of major dams and confluences in the Sacramento River basin in California, USA. Streamflow data from 10 gauging stations downstream of major dams were divided into hydrologic series corresponding to the periods before and after dam construction. Pre- and post-dam flows were compared with respect to hydrograph characteristics representing frequency, magnitude and shape: annual flood peak, annual flow trough, annual flood volume, time to flood peak, flood drawdown time and interarrival time. The use of such a suite of characteristics within a statistical and graphical framework allows for generalising distinct strategies of flood control operation that can be identified without any a priori knowledge of operations rules. Dam operation is highly dependent on the ratio of reservoir capacity to annual flood volume (impounded runoff index). Dams with high values of this index generally completely cut off flood peaks thus reducing time to peak, drawdown time and annual flood volume. Those with low values conduct early and late flow releases to extend the hydrograph, increasing time to peak, drawdown time and annual flood volume. The analyses reveal minimal flood control benefits from foothill dams in the lower Sacramento River (i.e. dissipation of the down-valley flood control signal). The lower part of the basin is instead reliant on a weir and bypass system to control lowland flooding. Data from a control gauge (i.e. with no upstream dams) suggest a background signature of global climate change expressed as shortened flood hydrograph falling limbs and lengthened flood interarrival times at low exceedence probabilities. This research has implications for flood control, water resource management, aquatic and riparian ecosystems and for rehabilitation strategies involving flow alteration and/or manipulation of sediment supplies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Competition and cooperation between groups and between individuals

Abstract Groups and individuals were compared in two experiments. In the first, two same-sex individuals or two same-sex dyads played 10 trials of a Prisoner's Dilemma matrix game (PDG) for money. Play between individuals was more cooperative and less competitive than play between groups. In the second experiment subjects played 10 trials of either PDG or mutual-fate-control (MFC) matrices. For the MFC matrix the competitive choice, which reduces the opponent's outcomes, but has no effect on own outcomes, reflects a desire to increase one's relative advantage over the opponent. Although cooperation was greater for MFC, for both PDG and MFC matrices groups were more competitive and less cooperative than individuals. A large component of the groups-individuals effect is attributed to the greater desire of groups to “win” or avoid “losing” to the opponent, regardless of their absolute outcomes.
Kinetic model for nucleation in partitioning systems

Abstract The classical theory of nucleation is an interface-limited theory and cannot properly describe nucleation process when the concentrations of the initial and final phases are different. A new model for time-dependent homogeneous nucleation that takes account of the coupled fluxes of interfacial attachment and long-range diffusion is presented. Numerical solutions from this new model show that the time-dependent nucleation rates scale with the smaller mobility and that the steady-state rates, Is, and induction times, θ, frequently differ significantly from values predicted by the classical theory. Simple approximate analytical expressions for Is and θ are presented. The concentration of the region of the parent phase near sub-critical crystal clusters is shifted toward that of the new phase. This shift may explain the nanometer-sized microstructures frequently obtained on the devitrification of bulk and Al-rare-earth-transition metal glasses.
Genetics, biochemistry and structure of the archaeal virus STIV.

STIV (Sulfolobus turreted icosahedral virus) has been the subject of detailed structural, genetic, transcriptomic, proteomic and biochemical studies. STIV arguably has been investigated in more detail than any other archaeal virus. As a result, we know more about STIV than other viruses infecting members of the Archaea domain. Like most viruses isolated from crenarchaeal hosts, STIV has little in common with viruses that infect eukaryotic and bacterial hosts and should be considered the founding member of a new virus family. However, despite this lack of obvious homology with other viruses, STIV has components of gene content, replication strategy and particle structure reminiscent of viruses of the Eukarya and Bacteria domains, suggesting an evolutionary relationship between viruses from all domains of life. The present mini-review describes the current knowledge of this virus and insights it has given us into viral and cellular evolution, as well as newly developed tools for the further study of STIV–host interactions.
A Probabilistic Forecast Contest and the Difficulty in Assessing Short-Range Forecast Uncertainty

Abstract Results are presented from a probability-based weather forecast contest. Rather than evaluating the absolute errors of nonprobabilistic temperature and precipitation forecasts, as is common in other contests, this contest evaluated the skill of specifying probabilities for precipitation amounts and temperature intervals. To forecast optimally for the contest, both accurate forecasts and accurate determination of one's uncertainty about the outcome were necessary. The contest results indicated that forecasters over a range of education levels produced skillful forecasts of temperature and precipitation relative to persistence and climatology. However, in this contest forecasters were not successful in assessing the uncertainty of their maximum or minimum temperatures from day to day, as measured by the correlation of interval width and absolute error. Though previous experiments have shown more optimistic results, the seasonal variation of forecast uncertainty can account for much of the observed ...
Robotics in cardiac surgery.

Background The current status of surgical telemanipulators in the field of cardiac surgery is best described as a device in search of applications, as its role has not been clearly defined. Methods/Results Basic robotic technological research and development needs to focus on two key areas: (a) developing methods for modeling patient and surgical procedures with the ability to employ that customized information in the successful completion of a minimally invasive operation; and (b) developing novel human machine interactions that can overcome the barriers we currently face in performing surgical tasks using telemanipulators. Conclusion Significant breakthroughs in these areas will then facilitate the construction and employment of enabling robotic systems, each with its specific clinical application. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Kidney Disease

The transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis by normal metabolic adaptation or injury has been clarified over the past decade. Mitochondrial biogenesis and its attendant processes enhance metabolic pathways such as fatty acid oxidation and increase antioxidant defense mechanisms that ameliorate injury from aging, tissue hypoxia, and glucose or fatty acid overload, all of which contribute to the pathogenesis of acute and chronic kidney disease. There has been considerable interest in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) in the kidney, which affect multiple processes in addition to mitochondrial biogenesis. As yet there is relatively little information focused specifically on mitochondrial biogenesis and its regulation by PPARγ coactivators and their modulators such as SIRT1. The available data indicate that these pathways will be fruitful areas for study in the modification of renal disease.
Sensitivity of modern and Holocene floods to climate change

Abstract Alluvial records of paleofloods show that natural floods resulting from excessive rainfall, snowmelt, or from combined rainfall and snowmelt are highly sensitive to even modest changes of climate equivalent or smaller than changes expected from potential future global warming in the 21st century. The high sensitivity results from effects of hemispheric or global-scale changes in circulation patterns of the ocean and atmosphere to influence the pathways and locations of air masses and storm tracks. Holocene paleoflood chronologies from the Upper Mississippi Valley in the Midwest United States and from the Colorado River drainage of the Southwest United States show that recurrence frequencies of large floods have been subject to abrupt changes over time. These flood chronologies and flood chronologies observed for other middle-latitude regions suggest that recurrence frequencies of large floods are increased when there is an increase in the number of waves and their amplitudes in the middle and upper tropospheric circum-polar westerly circulation. However, some middle-latitude regions on the western margins of continents experience increased frequencies of flooding during strong onshore zonal westerly circulation. Flood chronologies from several regions suggest that times of rapid climate change have a tendency to be associated with more frequent occurrences of large and extreme floods. The unusual high frequencies of large floods that have been observed in many regions since the early 1950s are often attributed to land use change, but the rapid climate forcing from the effects of increased atmospheric greenhouse gases may also be a contributing factor. Paleoflood records provide information that is useful for better interpretation and calibration of modern short-term instrumental records, and they provide unique event-scale information that is useful for calibrating and testing geophysical models of past and anticipated future climate conditions.
Thermal response of basement wall systems with low-emissivity material and furred airspace:

In basement wall systems, airspaces can contribute in obtaining a higher thermal resistance, if a low-emissivity material such as reflective foil is installed within a furred-airspace. In this study, numerical simulations were conducted using the hygrothermal model ‘hygIRC-C’ that was developed at the National Research Council of Canada’s Institute for Research in Construction to investigate the steady-state and transient thermal performance of basement wall systems. This model solves simultaneously the energy equation in the various material layers, surface-to-surface radiation equation in the furred-airspace assembly, Navier–Stokes equation for the airspace, and Darcy and Brinkman equations for the porous material layers. The wall systems used in the simulations incorporate a low-emissivity material (foil with emissivity = 0.04) bonded to a moulded/expanded polystyrene foam that is installed in a furred-airspace assembly. The furring is installed horizontally and covered with a gypsum board. The structu...
Active electrolyte transport in mammalian buccal mucosa.

The transmural electrical potential difference (PD) was measured in vivo across the buccal mucosa of humans and experimental animals. Mean PD was -31 +/- 2 mV in humans, -34 +/- 2 mV in dogs, -39 +/- 2 mV in rabbits, and -18 +/- 1 mV in hamsters. The mechanisms responsible for this PD were explored in Ussing chambers using dog buccal mucosa. After equilibration, mean PD was -16 +/- 2 mV, short-circuit current (Isc) was 15 +/- 1 microA/cm2, and resistance was 1,090 +/- 100 omega.cm2, the latter indicating an electrically "tight" tissue. Fluxes of [14C]mannitol, a marker of paracellular permeability, varied directly with tissue conductance. The net fluxes of 22Na and 36Cl were +0.21 +/- 0.05 and -0.04 +/- 0.02 mueq/h.cm2, respectively, but only the Na+ flux differed significantly from zero. Isc was reduced by luminal amiloride, serosal ouabain, or by reducing luminal Na+ below 20 mM. This indicated that the Isc was determined primarily by active Na+ absorption and that Na+ traverses the apical membrane at least partly through amiloride-sensitive channels and exits across the basolateral membrane through Na+-K+-ATPase activity. We conclude that buccal mucosa is capable of active electrolyte transport and that this capacity contributes to generation of the buccal PD in vivo.
Assessment of reproductive status and ovulation in female brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) using fecal steroids and ovarian follicle size

Despite being listed as endangered on the IUCN (World Conservation Union) red list [BirdLife International 2005], and intense conservation efforts on its behalf, little is known about the reproductive physiology of the brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli). This study therefore was undertaken to describe ovarian function in brown kiwi using noninvasive methods that can be utilized in the field. This study describes a simple method for extraction and detection of steroid metabolites in brown kiwi feces by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Average fecal steroid hormone metabolite concentrations were derived from 10 egg-lay cycles in 2 hens. Testosterone began to increase between 23 and 18 days before oviposition (−23d to −18d) and remained elevated until just before oviposition. Estradiol rose from −28d to −13d and remained elevated until 12 days after oviposition. Progesterone exhibited an increase of short duration from −8d to +7d with a peak at −3d. Ovarian follicle growth rate was determined by serial ultrasound measurements of follicles in three habituated female kiwi. Follicle growth rate was described by the formula y=132.54e0.0569x (y=follicle diameter, x=days before oviposition). Follicles ranged in size from 10 to 76 mm. Day of ovulation was estimated using egg yolk size, follicle growth curve, and day of oviposition. This yielded an ovulation-oviposition cycle length of 7–10 days, significantly shorter than the only other estimate of 16–17 days derived using body weights of a single kiwi hen. The correlation of fecal steroid hormone concentrations with follicle growth provides new insight into the reproductive physiology of the female brown kiwi. Zoo Biol 0:1–10, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Replete and Desolate Markets: Poland, East Germany, and the New Religious Paradigm

In nearly every state around the turn of the twentieth century, suffragists mobilized in grassroots suffrage organizations to secure the vote for women. While movement researchers have theorized that political opportunities are important in explaining why movements emerge, the results from an examination of the emergence of the state suffrage movements show that the mobilization of various resources along with the way in which pro-suffrage arguments were framed were instrumental in stirring up suffrage sentiment. Political opportunities did little to explain the emergence of the suffrage movements. The article concludes that movement researchers need to consider that historically contingent circumstances may determine which factors bring about movement mobilization.
A rational decision making framework for inhibitory control

Intelligent agents are often faced with the need to choose actions with uncertain consequences, and to modify those actions according to ongoing sensory processing and changing task demands. The requisite ability to dynamically modify or cancel planned actions is known as inhibitory control in psychology. We formalize inhibitory control as a rational decision-making problem, and apply to it to the classical stop-signal task. Using Bayesian inference and stochastic control tools, we show that the optimal policy systematically depends on various parameters of the problem, such as the relative costs of different action choices, the noise level of sensory inputs, and the dynamics of changing environmental demands. Our normative model accounts for a range of behavioral data in humans and animals in the stop-signal task, suggesting that the brain implements statistically optimal, dynamically adaptive, and reward-sensitive decision-making in the context of inhibitory control problems.
Economic Inequality and Its Socioeconomic Impact

Abstract Income inequality is of fundamental interest not only to economists, but also to other social scientists. A substantial literature in economics and the social sciences has investigated the relationship between income inequality and economic growth, and a variety of social phenomena. The links between inequality and economic growth are explored as well as those between inequality and such key social variables as political conflict, education, health, and crime. The analysis in this paper follows a two-step process. First, a review of the empirical evidence relating inequality to growth and to each of the above social variables is undertaken. Second, the various causal mechanisms that have been proposed in the social science literature to explain those links are surveyed.
Cell-phone based food allergen testing

We demonstrate a personalized food allergen testing platform, termed iTube, running on a cellphone that images and automatically analyses colorimetric assays performed in test tubes toward sensitive and specific detection of allergens in food samples.
Pedometer determined physical activity tracks in African American adults: The Jackson Heart Study

Background: This study investigated the number of pedometer assessment occasions required to establish habitual physical activity in African American adults. Methods: African American adults (mean age 59.9±0.60 years; 59 % female) enrolled in the Diet and Physical Activity Substudy of the Jackson Heart Study wore Yamax pedometers during 3-day monitoring periods, assessed on two to three distinct occasions, each separated by approximately one month. The stability of pedometer measured PA was described as differences in mean steps/day across time, as intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) by sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) category, and as percent of participants changing steps/day quartiles across time. Results: Valid data were obtained for 270 participants on either two or three different assessment occasions. Mean steps/day were not significantly different across assessment occasions (p values>0.456). The overall ICCs for steps/ day assessed on either two or three occasions were 0.57 and 0.76, respectively. In addition, 85 % (two assessment occasions) and 76 % (three assessment occasions) of all participants remained in the same steps/day quartile or changed one quartile over time. Conclusion: The current study shows that an overall mean steps/day estimate based on a 3-day monitoring period did not differ significantly over 4 – 6 months. The findings were robust to differences in sex, age, and BMI categories. A single 3-day monitoring period is sufficient to capture habitual physical activity in African American adults.
Aging in the Past: Demography, Society, and Old Age

Aging in the Past: Demography, Society, and Old Age. David I. Kertzer and Peter Laslett. eds. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1995. xiv. 408 pp., contributors, figures, tables, notes, references, index.
Image restoration using statistical wavelet models

In this paper, we propose an image restoration algorithm based on state-of-the-art wavelet domain statistical models. We present an efficient method to estimate the model parameters from the observations, and solve the restoration problem in orthonormal and translation--invariant (TI) wavelet domains. Substantial improvements over previous wavelet-based restoration methods are obtained. The use of a TI wavelet transform further enhances the restoration performance. We study the improvement from the viewpoint of Bayesian estimation theory and show that replacing an estimator with its TI version will reduce the expected risk if the signal and the degradation model are stationary.