cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cognitive sequelae of brain tumor treatment.

Purpose of review The neurocognitive sequelae of anticancer treatment have received increasing attention especially among individuals with low-grade gliomas, primary central nervous system lymphoma and those undergoing prophylactic cranial irradiation for systemic malignancies. These groups are especially vulnerable because they often experience extended survival during which neurocognitive complications of therapy may cause more impairment than the tumor itself. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent clinical reports of neurocognitive sequelae among patients without significant central nervous system tumor burden and to describe the experimental studies which may explain the pathogenesis of the disorder. Recent findings The neurocognitive deficits among survivors of primary central nervous system lymphoma without residual tumor and pituitary tumors were reported recently. Both provide an opportunity to distinguish the effects of treatment from the effects of tumor. Moreover, animal studies demonstrate the negative consequences of radiation on hippocampal neurogenesis, learning and memory. The mechanism of impaired neurogenesis may be due to inflammation, which can be aborted with restoration of neurogenesis through the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Summary If inhibition of neurogenesis is the basis of neurocognitive sequelae from irradiation and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents can restore neurogenesis then a clinical trial may be worthwhile to confirm this benefit in humans.
Post-occupancy evaluation of healing gardens in a pediatric cancer center

Abstract This study evaluates three healing gardens surrounding a pediatric cancer center. All gardens contained seating, flowers and plants, but varied in size, features, and in user groups’ access to them. A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) yielded a dataset of 1400 garden-users for whom demographic information, activities, and length-of-stay were recorded. Results indicate differential usage patterns across gardens, user category (patient, visitor, or staff), and age (adults and children). The largest garden with most direct patient access was the most used. Staff mostly used the gardens to walk-through or to sit and eat, rarely interacting with features intended for active engagement. Despite patient and child-friendly designs, the overwhelming majority of visitors were adults who mostly engaged in sedentary activities. Children who did use the gardens interacted with garden features significantly more than adults. Although patient rooms are situated at ground-level around the gardens to promote window views of the gardens, the findings suggest an inverse relationship between patient window use and the number of people in the gardens. Finally, preliminary data suggest that emotional distress and pain are lower for all groups when in the gardens than when inside the hospital. Provisional design implications of these findings are discussed.
Single-alternation patterning in a conditioned suppression procedure with and without trace stimulus support

Rats in a conditioned suppression situation received an electric grid shock unconditioned stimulus (US) after every other conditioned stimulus (CS) for a total of 300 trials. These rats failed to show any evidence of single-alternation patterning. Thus, they did not suppress more to CSs paired with shock (R trials) than to CSs that were unpaired (N trials). Even when only R trials or only N trials were preceded by a salient predictive cue, only half the rats tested suppressed more on R trials than on N trials. These differences in responding were not large and developed late in training. It appears, therefore, that the stimulus traces of R and N trials do not exert much control in a “typical” conditioned suppression situation.
Dynamics of thermal convection with Newtonian temperature-dependent viscosity at high Rayleigh number

Two-dimensional, time-dependent convection with a Newtonian temperature-dependent viscosity has been investigated in wide aspect-ratio boxes. Large-scale circulations have been found in the regime with volumetrically averaged Rayleigh numbers, Rav ranging between O(105) and O(108). Viscosity contrasts up to 1000 have been examined. The horizontally averaged temperature in the interior, 〈T〉12, does not vary much within the above range of Rav for large-aspect-ratio boxes. The horizontal Fourier spectra of the viscosity field show a decrease of magnitude in the viscosity with shorter wavelength. The viscosity spectra decay differently with decreasing wavelength than the corresponding thermal spectra. Lithospheric processes, such as lubrication of subduction and lithospheric thinning, are facilitated by high Rav. The vertical correlation function for the temperature anomalies used recently for comparing convection calculations with tomographic models is found to be strongly time-dependent for Rav ⩽ O(106). The temporal fluctuations of the vertical correlation function decrease for higher Rayleigh numbers. Correlation functions for low Ra are broad and smooth, while those for high Ra, greater than 107, are narrow and fragmented.
Affinity analysis: effects of sampling

I explored the effects of sampling on three measures of regional diversity: γ diversity (the number of species), β diversity (mean similarity among sites), and μ diversity (mosaic diversity and structure around mean similarity). Two sampling effects were modelled by computer simulation, number of sites sampled and intensity of sampling within sites, using plant community data from Michigan, North Carolina, and Costa Rica. Estimates of the number of species were sensitive to both sampling effects. Estimates of mean similarity were unaffected by the number of sites sampled but were sensitive to the intensity of sampling. Estimates of mosaic diversity were relatively unaffected by the number of sites sampled, if the number was above 30 sites and outlier sites were removed, and were not sensitive to the intensity of sampling. I offer mean similarity as a multi-gradient complement to β diversity measured as the turnover of species along a single gradient.
Coefficient of thermal expansion and critical behavior of TGS

Abstract New measurements of the coefficient of thermal expansion, α, above the T c of tri-glycine-sulfate (TGS) demonstrate the presence of a logarithmic anomaly in α, in agreement with the generalized Pippard relations between the previously measured specific heat and α.
FIGURATIVE THINKING AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING

FIGURATIVE THINKING AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING. Jeannette Littlemore and Graham Low. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006. Pp. xvii + 239. $80.00 cloth.This volume contributes to SLA research by exploring how language teachers and textbook writers might systematize the acquisition of figurative thinking (i.e., the ability to use and critically reflect on the use of such figures of speech and thought as metaphors, metonymies, similes, and proverbs). The work builds on the momentum gained by research on play and creativity in SLA as well as on the renewed interest in linguistic relativity and insights from cognitive linguistics regarding the relationship of language, mind, and culture. Despite its title, the volume deals exclusively with the teaching of English.
On the heat transfer from a permeable sphere in Stokes flow

Abstract The heat transfer from a permeable sphere in a uniform, low Reynolds number flow is examined. In our analysis we consider the case when conduction is the dominant heat transfer mechanism in the exterior fluid, i.e. small Peclet number, and the case when convection is dominant, i.e. large Peclet number. Thermal boundary conditions at the surface of the permeable sphere are discussed. At small Peclet numbers the heat transfer rate from a permeable sphere is found to differ at leading-order from that found for an impermeable sphere, whereas, for large Peclet numbers permeability has only a weak or second-order effect on the heat transfer rate.
Targeting mutant p53 shows promise for sunscreens and skin cancer

According to the American Cancer Society (1), most of the more than 1 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer diagnosed yearly in the United States are considered to be sun related. Nonmelanoma skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer affecting humans, occurs in either basal cells or squamous cells, and cancers typically occur in sun-exposed areas. Most skin cancers are caused by UV light exposure of the skin to sunlight or man-made tanning lamps (1). There is strong epidemiologic evidence supporting a relationship between UV light exposure and nonmelanoma skin cancer and growing evidence of a relationship between indoor tanning and melanoma (2).
Kinetic studies of the formation of nanocrystalline chromium silicide-silicon carbide from homogeneous amorphous precursor powders

The kinetics of formation of nanocrystalline chromium silicide and silicon carbide composites from homogeneous amorphous precursor powders has been investigated. This study was conducted in a dynamic argon atmosphere at 1 atm in the temperature range 900–1300 °C for time periods ranging from 3 min to 62 h. Two precursors with different concentration ratios of Cr, Si and C were examined. The phase percentages of the final composites, (1) hexagonal Cr5Si3CX and cubic β-SiC and (2) tetragonal Cr5Si3 and cubic β-SiC, vs. temperature and time were determined using X-ray diffraction. The relationship between the phase percentages of the crystalline material, the processing temperature and time follow the Avrami-Erofe'ev equation (J.D. Verhoeven, Fundamentals of Physical Metallurgy, Wiley, 1975). The activation energies have also been determined, and the formation of nanocrystalline chromium silicide and silicon carbide has been discussed.
Possible origin of life between mica sheets

The mica hypothesis is a new hypothesis about how life might have originated. The mica hypothesis provides simple solutions to many basic questions about the origins of life. In the mica hypothesis, the spaces between mica sheets functioned as the earliest cells. These 'cells' between mica sheets are filled with potassium ions, and they provide an environment in which: polymer entropy is low; cyclic wetting and drying can occur; molecules can evolve in isolated spaces and also migrate and ligate to form larger molecules. The mica hypothesis also proposes that mechanical energy (work) is a major energy source that could have been used on many length scales to form covalent bonds, to alter polymer conformations, and to bleb daughter cells off protocells. The mica hypothesis is consistent with many other origins hypotheses, including the RNA, lipid, and metabolic 'worlds'. Therefore the mica hypothesis has the potential to unify origins hypotheses, such that different molecular components and systems could simultaneously evolve in the spaces between mica sheets.
Fibrosis/cirrhosis after orthotopic liver transplantation

The causes and pathologic changes leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) are not fully defined. The computerized pathology files were searched for cases of fibrosis/cirrhosis after OLT. Of 493 grafts from 435 patients, 35 grafts from 32 patients of posttransplantation liver fibrosis/cirrhosis were identified and retrieved (7%). Detailed histopathologic examinations of all post-OLT liver biopsy specimens were performed in conjunction with clinical, virologic, serologic, and molecular diagnostics information. Two cases with subcapsular septa and fibrous tissue close to hilum were excluded as false positives. Fibrosis/cirrhosis was confirmed in the remaining 33 grafts. In 20, the underlying cause was recurrent viral hepatitis, including eight with hepatitis C, 10 with hepatitis B, and two with combined hepatitis C and B. Another two with pretransplantation chronic hepatitis B developed cirrhosis without detectable virologic markers after OLT; these were biliary type secondary to obstruction in one, and chronic changes due to severe graft ischemia in one. Three patients acquired hepatitis C after OLT, with molecular confirmation available in two. In five patients, the underlying causes were Budd-Chiari syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis, recurrent autoimmune hepatitis, recurrent primary biliary cirrhosis, alcohol-induced liver disease, and recurrent bile duct carcinoma. Three cases had centrilobular fibrosis but without bridging septa or cirrhosis as a result of chronic rejection. It was concluded that (1) Cirrhosis after OLT is uncommon (7%). (2) Chronic rejection does not lead to cirrhosis, but it may result in centrilobular fibrosis. (3) In most (70%) cases, cirrhosis after OLT is attributed to recurrent or acquired viral hepatitis.
Methamphetamine and HIV-1 Tat Down Regulate β-catenin Signaling: Implications for Methampetamine Abuse and HIV-1 Co-morbidity

Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse exacerbates HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The underlying mechanism for this effect is not entirely clear but likely involves cooperation between Meth and HIV-1 virotoxins, such as the transactivator of transcription, Tat. HIV-1 Tat mediates damage in the CNS by inducing inflammatory processes including astrogliosis. Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates survival processes for both neurons and astrocytes. Here, we evaluated the impact of Meth on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in astrocytes transfected with Tat. Meth and Tat downregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling by >50%, as measured by TOPflash reporter activity in both an astrocytoma cell line and primary human fetal astrocytes. Meth and Tat also downregulated LEF-1 transcript by >30%. LEF-1 is a key partner of β-catenin to regulate cognate gene expression. Interestingly, estrogen, which induces β-catenin signaling in a cell-type specific manner, at physiological concentrations of 1.5 and 3 nM normalized individual Meth and Tat effects on β-catenin signaling but not their combined effects. These findings suggest that Meth and Tat likely exert different mechanisms to mediate down regulation of β-catenin signaling. The consequences of which may contribute to the pathophysiologic effects of HIV-1 and Meth co-morbidity in the CNS.
Haloperidol-induced morphological alterations are associated with changes in calcium/calmodulin kinase II activity and glutamate immunoreactivity

Administration of haloperidol for 2 weeks causes an increase within the caudate nucleus of asymmetrical synapses associated with a discontinuous or perforated, postsynaptic density (PSD) [Meshul et al. (1992), Psychopharmacology, 106:45–52; Meshul et al. (1992), Neuropsychopharmacology, 7:285–293]. Coadministration of the N-methyl-D-aspartate noncompetitive antagonist, MK-801, with haloperidol blocked the increase in striatal synapses containing a perforated PSD [Meshul et al. (1994), Brain Res., 648:181–195]. Examination of the caudate using immuno-gold electron microscopy revealed the vast majority (90%) of asymmetrical synapses were labelled with a glutamate antibody [Meshul et al. (1994), Brain Res., 648:181–195]. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were any changes in the density of glutamate immunoreactivity within presynaptic terminals of asymmetric synapses within the striatum following treatment with haloperidol for 1 month that would correlate with the previously observed increase in synapses with perforated PSDs. We also determined the activity of striatal calcium/ calmodulin kinase II (CaMK II), an enzyme known to be localized within the synaptic region, after administration of haloperidol. We report here that haloperidol causes an increase in the activity of CaMK II and a decrease in the density of immuno-gold labelling for glutamate within the nerve terminals of asymmetrical synapses containing a perforated or nonperforated PSD. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the haloperidol-induced increase in activity of CaMK II and the increase in glutamate release, as suggested by the decrease in presynaptic glutamate immunoreactivity, may ultimately lead to an increase in the number of synapses displaying a perforated PSD. These results support the speculation that the haloperidol-induced increase in synapses containing a perforated PSD may be associated with enhanced activity at excitatory synapses. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Produsers and end users: how social media impacts our students' future research questions

When I bought my first Mac I was frustrated by the lack of instructional documentation in my shiny new box. I found myself regularly going online to look for help in the form of PDFs or videos. A company professionally produced these instructional "texts". Enter the webcam, the iPhone, and a host of websites to upload user-generated content, and we increasingly see end users becoming produsers, individuals whom produce as well as consume information.
Effects of inhibitor, competitors and temperature on transport of carbohydrate in Crithidia luciliae†

Effects of KCN (10−4 M), simultaneous presence of varying concentrations of D-glucose and L-sorbose, and temperature on transport of carbohydrate in C. luciliae have been studied. The rate of carbohydrate entrance is inhibited, in all sugars used, ranging from 19% to 70% inhibition at 0.5 mM external concentrations. However, this inhibitor does not affect transport from external concentrations of the order of 0.02 M. At 20 mM external concentration, the rate of L-sorbose entrance is greatly inhibited by the simultaneous presence of D-glucose, and the transport mechanism shows enormously greater affinity for glucose than for other monosaccharides. However, at 0.5 mM external concentration, the rate of sorbose entrance is not inhibited at all by the simultaneous presence of D-glucose. In the temperature interval 15°–25°C, the Q10 for rate of entrance when the external concentration is 0.5 mM is 2.8 times larger than the Q10 when the external concentration is 20 mM. These data are interpreted as strongly suggesting two mechanisms for carbohydrate entrance: (a) facilitated diffusion, of importance only at high external concentrations; (b) an active transport mechanism, active at low external concentrations and dependent upon a supply of metabolic energy. These results are compared with those reported in the literature for other types of cells.
Stimulus-Responsive Polyelectrolyte Particles: From Nanospheres to Macroscopic Beads

Stimulus-responsive polyelectrolyte particles are used in a wide array of scientific and technological applications, such as foods, personal care products, pharmaceutics, and separation processes. Depending on their method of preparation, they range from tens of nanometers to millimeters in size, assume a variety of morphologies, and respond to a range of external stimuli. Despite their broad utility, however, literature describing their preparation and properties remains fragmented. To this end, this article presents a broad and unifying review on their formation and properties. Specifically, it surveys the molecular mechanisms by which polyelectrolytes associate and methods by which their assemblies are shaped into particulate matter. It also discusses how particle properties can be tuned by varying their preparation methods and the molecular properties of their constituents, and review some of their applications.
The Formation and Early Evolution of the Greensburg, Kansas, Tornadic Supercell on 4 May 2007

Abstract During the evening of 4 May 2007, a large, powerful tornado devastated Greensburg, Kansas. The synoptic and mesoscale environments of the parent supercell that spawned this and other tornadoes are described from operational data. The formation and early evolution of this long-track supercell, within the context of its larger-scale environment, are documented on the basis of Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) data and mobile Doppler radar data. The storm produced tornadoes cyclically for about 30 min before producing a large, long-lived tornado. It is shown that in order to have forecasted the severe weather locations and times accurately, it would have been necessary to have predicted 1) the localized formation of an isolated convective storm near/east of a dryline, 2) the subsequent splitting and resplitting of the storm several times, 3) the growth of a new storm along the right-rear flank of an existing storm, and 4) the transition from the cyclic production of small tornadoes t...
The measurement of distortion: Mathematical considerations

When very find measurements are recorded for the purpose of establishing distortion values, from the standpoint of accuracy, specific procedures must be developed. In the procedural system defined here, a potential major source of error is indicated and the means of overcoming this error established. From the standpoint of modern electronic technology, the use of an analogue-to-digital interface with a digital computer is considered extremely advantageous and allows the utilization of technical help to carry out the preliminary measurements. Under these circumstances, major error sources, such as reader error and calculation error, are eliminated. Further, multiple readings on each point can be made without significant sacrifice of time. This latter statement can help define the reading accuracy on each point and allows an immediate further set of readings on any point that has a large variation in the initially established set of readings. The applicability of this approach to any system in which an accurate set of readings is required to define distortion or some other parameter is limited only by the imagination of the investigator. Measuring points can be established at any desired location, and the number required is a function of the mathematical analysis being attempted. The use of a digital computer to compute the final values allows an immediate remeasurement of the initial values if necessary, since the computer response time is of the order of seconds for the calculations carried out. This is very important if changes in the experimental setup are likely to occur with time. In general, a computerized scheme such as is proposed here allows the investigator to concentrate on the experiment rather than the calculation of results. Also, the use of technical help to carry out delicate measuring procedures can allow the investigator more time to analyze the final results.
Environmental Policy and Political Realities Fisheries Management and Job Creation in the Pacific Islands

Effective environmental policymaking requires an understanding of how environmental goals interact with other political goals. This article analyzes development strategies in the PICT’s, where policymakers aim to leverage tuna resources into sustainable economic development and job creation. The authors develop a model that analyzes costs and benefits of different development strategies, with a focus on job creation and local socioeconomic factors that drive optimal policy mixes across PICTs. The analysis demonstrates that investment in fisheries management can effectively encourage economic development and create employment opportunities, and compare this strategy to others such as selling access permits and investing in processing capacity. While many benefits of fisheries management are widely recognized, its ability to create high-quality employment opportunities is often overlooked. For many PICTs, this may represent the lowest cost strategy for jobs creation and, coupled with selling fishery access ...
Making Media for Themselves: Strategic Dilemmas of Prefigurative Work in Independent Media Outlets

This article explores independent youth media outlets, one sector of the broader media democracy movement, to theorize the strategic dilemmas that actors negotiate as they attempt to prefigure the media change that they want to see in the world. The outlets operate as noncommercial spaces for youth to challenge the norms of mainstream media through the collective production of oppositional media. In this millennium, we see the increased presence of these outlets across the country and globally as youth are building nodes of communication through differing digital platforms. The article draws out a case study of one independent media outlet, Youth Media Action, in an urban area in the northeastern part of the United States to trace the dynamics of how these outlets attempt to prefigure or model media change through their structures, practices, and content with a changing cast of participating youth groups. I then analyze the tensions that actors confront as they seek to model an ideal (a more just media sy...
Near-field thermal emission from metamaterials

Abstract A closed form expression for the local density of electromagnetic states (LDOS) due to a thermally emitting metamaterial bulk is derived from Maxwell's equations combined with fluctuational electrodynamics. The final form is the same as that for nonmagnetic materials, where the influence of the magnetic permeability is embedded in the Fresnel reflection coefficients. Spectral distributions of LDOS near metallic- and dielectric-based metamaterials are investigated. Results reveal that LDOS profiles are dominated by surface polaritons (SPs) in both TE and TM polarization states. A detailed discussion is provided on the necessary conditions for exciting TM- and TE-polarized SPs via a dispersion relation analysis that accounts for losses. Beyond the conventional conditions for excitation of SPs, the lossy dispersion relation analysis demonstrates mathematically that SPs exist when the imaginary parts of the permittivity or permeability, as well as n′n″, are close to zero, where n′ and n″ are the real and imaginary parts of the refractive index, respectively. An asymptotic expression for the extreme near field LDOS is derived, showing a Δ−3 power law relationship, as for nonmagnetic media, between LDOS and distance from the emitting bulk Δ. Results obtained from this study will assist in assessing material properties of arbitrarily electromagnetic materials in applications related to energy harvesting.
Factoring Mary Poovey's A History of the Modern Fact.

Book reviewed in this article: Mary Poovey, A History of the Modern Fact: Problems of Knowledge in the Sciences of Wealth and Society
Equine Arch Vessel Anomaly Associated with Coarctation of the Aorta

Angiography in a 30-year-old man revealed the unique combination of aortic coarctation and an unusual arch anomaly. Proximal to the coarctation, a single arch vessel trifurcated into the brachiocephalic, left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. This anomalous arch vessel is a normal equine variant.
Bacteriology and Risk Factors for Development of Late (Greater Than One Year) Deep Infection Following Spinal Fusion With Instrumentation

Retrospective cohort review. To evaluate patients who underwent instrumented spinal fusion procedures and compare late (more than 1 year) and early infection (less than 1 year). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for surgical site infections with implants include infections occurring at less than 1 year postoperatively. The authors observed a high rate of deep infection at more 1 year after instrumented spinal fusion. Retrospective review was conducted to determine whether differences in bacteriology, patient demographics, or surgical factors exist between late and early infection. A total of 1,390 patients underwent spinal fusion with instrumentation from 2000 to 2009. Deep infection requiring operative debridement occurred in 112 patients (70 at less than 1 year and 42 at more than 1 year after the index surgery). Clinical, operative, and microbiology reports were reviewed and logistic regression was performed to evaluate the relationship between these factors and time of infection. The most common organisms in the greater than 1 year group were Propionibacterium acnes, compared with Staphylococcus aureus in the less than 1 year group. The odds of late infection in the P acnes group were 15.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.36e54.72) times the odds among all other organisms (p <.0001). Patient demographics and surgical factors were not different between groups. Among all patients, the infection rate was significantly higher in patients who received stainless-steel implants (11.56%) compared with those who received titanium implants (3.53%) (p <.0001). In univariate analysis, the odds of late infection in the stainless-steel group were 6.09 (95% CI, 1.62e39.88) times the odds in the titanium group (p =.0042). However, in multivariate analysis, controlling for organism type reduced the odds ratio to 4.62 (95% CI,.53e40.14), with only a trend to significance (p =.1656). Propionibacterium acnes was more commonly identified in late infection. Patients with stainless-steel implants had a higher incidence of late infection than those with titanium implants, but this was not significant after controlling for organism type.
Mechanism of silk processing in insects and spiders

Silk spinning by insects and spiders leads to the formation of fibres that exhibit high strength and toughness. The lack of understanding of the protein processing in silk glands has prevented the recapitulation of these properties in vitro from reconstituted or genetically engineered silks. Here we report the identification of emulsion formation and micellar structures from aqueous solutions of reconstituted silkworm silk fibroin as a first step in the process to control water and protein-protein interactions. The sizes (100-200 nm diameter) of these structures could be predicted from hydrophobicity plots of silk protein primary sequence. These micelles subsequently aggregated into larger 'globules' and gel-like states as the concentration of silk fibroin increased, while maintaining solubility owing to the hydrophilic regions of the protein interspersed among the larger hydrophobic regions. Upon physical shearing or stretching structural transitions, increased birefringence and morphological alignment were demonstrated, indicating that this process mimics the behaviour of similar native silk proteins in vivo. Final morphological features of these silk materials are similar to those observed in native silkworm fibres.
Superconductivity in an oxygen hole metal

We study the properties of a model Hamiltonian to describe conduction by holes in a lattice of ${0}^{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ anions. An attractive interaction between nearest-neighbor holes with antiparallel spins exists in certain parameter regimes. The physical mechanism giving rise to this attraction is discussed. The model predicts extended s-wave superconductivity with high critical temperatures with dependence on hole density consistent with observations on oxides.
Studying Simple and Complex Traits Using Pedigrees Produced From a Large Database

Students in genetics classes become familiar with interpreting pedigrees for modes of inheritance of single-gene traits. Non-majors’ genetics courses often have students produce pedigrees of their own families. This exercise provides students with an extensive database, including over 50 families, from which they are asked to produce pedigrees as evidence in support of or refuting suggested models of inheritance for simple traits. Students are also asked to propose modes of inheritance for complex human traits based on pedigrees that they produce from the database. The people in the database are real and include their own families. This makes the exercise more real and personal for the students.
An Evaluation of Determination of Handedness Using Standard Osteological Measurements

Numerous studies have assessed side dominance assuming arm bones on the side of handedness will be larger, but concerns over sample size or replicability of measurements usually emerged. Attempting to improve upon these limitations, this investigation analyzes patterns of side difference for standard length and transverse dimensions of the scapula, clavicle, humerus, ulna, and radius for 137 individuals of known handedness. The results showed that with few exceptions, the right side of the skeleton was consistently larger in most individuals regardless of side dominance. Combinations of other measurements previously suggested to be indicative of handedness as well as the use of discriminant analysis also failed to provide reliable estimators. These findings are likely related to the fact that activities of modern individuals are generally not sufficiently unilateral in their stresses to cause asymmetrical development in the arm bones. Therefore, it is recommended that other means be developed to assess side dominance.
Encapsulation of polyuridylic acid in phospholipid vesicles.

Abstract Entrapment of polyuridylic acid by neutral, positive and negatively charged phospholipid multilamellar vesicles was studied. The polyuridylic acid was found to be involved with the liposomes in two ways. Liposome-associated polyuridylic acid was readily degraded by bovine pancreatic RNase, while entrapped polynucleotide was found to be RNase-resistant. Sepharose 4B column chromatography showed the presence of liposome-associated and liposome entrapped polynucleotide. Approximately 14–26% of the polynucleotide became entrapped in the liposomes. Multilamellar vesicles prepared with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine or purified egg lecithin did not differ in the amount of polynucleotide entrapped nor in Sepharose 4B column chromatography behavior. Entrapment in liposomes protected the polynucleotide from degradation by serum nucleases.
Continuous monitoring of dissolved organic matter by UV-visible photometry1

The biggest obstacles in using UV absorbance data to monitor dissolved organics are the effects of light-scattering (on unfiltered samples) and the variety of extinction coefficients anticipated from the many possible organic constituents of natural waters. These parameters can be reasonably constant over a limited geographical region and a UV-visible method for continuous analysis of water is as precise as TOC analyses of filtered water samples.
THE FOSSIL WHALE, BALAENOPTERA DAVIDSONII (COPE 1872), WITH A REVIEW OF OTHER NEOGENE SPECIES OF BALAENOPTERA (CETACEA: MYSTICETI)

The Pliocene fossil whale, Eschrichtius davidsonii Cope 1872, is actually a balaenopterid mysticete referable to the modern genus Balaenoptera Lacepede 1804. Redescription of the holotype of B. davidsonii (a partial left dentary), together with the discovery and description of a nearly complete right dentary referrable to this taxon, demonstrates the taxonomic and systematic affinities of Balaenoptera davidsonii. Although originally thought to be Miocene in age, newspaper accounts of 1872 indicate that the holotype of B. davidsonii was actually collected from fossiliferous sandstones here referred to the San Diego Formation of Late Pliocene age (equivalent to the Blancan North American Land Mammal Age). Comparisons between the dentary of B. davidsonii and dentaries of other extant and fossil balaenopterids allow recognition of several taxonomically useful mandibular characters (i.e., degree of longitudinal curvature of horizontal ramus and form of transverse cross-sectional outlines). A taxonomic review of other nominal Neogene species of Balaenoptera from Europe and eastern North America is an initial attempt at stabilizing the confusing nomenclatural history and taxonomy of this group. In this regard, the genus Burtinopsis Van Beneden 1872 is placed in synonymy with Balaenoptera. Generic reassignment of the fossil rorqual Balaenoptera davidsonii (Cope 1872) creates a nomenclatural problem of homonymy with the extant minke whale Balaenoptera davidsoni Scammon 1872. As Cope's species is a senior homonym of Scammon's, suppression of Scammon's name is recommended. The new trinomen Balaenoptera acutorostrata scammoni n. ssp. is here proposed for the North Pacific minke whale.
Fractography and fracture toughness of human dentin

Abstract Dentin, the mineralized tissue forming the bulk of the tooth, serves as an energy-absorbing cushion for the hard, wear-resistant enamel and protects the inner soft tissues. Several studies used fracture mechanics methods to study the fracture toughness of dentin. However, all of them utilized precracks and cannot be used to estimate the intrinsic critical flaw size of dentin. We applied quantitative fractography to study the fracture pattern and fracture toughness of human dentin. Sixteen specimens were prepared from the coronal dentin and fractured in three-point flexure. Fracture surfaces were examined using a scanning electron microscope and the fracture toughness was calculated using a fracture mechanics equation. It was found that human dentin has a fracture surface similar to those of brittle materials. Twist hackle markings were observed and were used to identify the fracture origins. Average fracture toughness of all specimens was found to be 2.3 MPa m1/2 and the average critical flaw size was estimated to 120 μm. It is suggested that fractography is a promising technique in analyzing the fracture of dentin under catastrophic failure.
The IMPROVE-1 Storm of 1–2 February 2001. Part II: Cloud Structures and the Growth of Precipitation

Abstract On 1–2 February 2001, a strong cyclonic storm system developed over the northeastern Pacific Ocean and moved onto the Washington coast. This storm was one of several that were documented during the first field phase of the Improvement of Microphysical Parameterization through Observational Verification Experiment (IMPROVE). In the 1–2 February case, soundings and wind profiler measurements showed that a wide cold-frontal rainband was coincident with the leading edge of an upper-level cold front in a classical warm occlusion. Ground-based radar observations revealed the presence of subbands within the wide cold-frontal rainband and two layers of precipitation generating cells within this rainband: one at 5–7 km MSL and the other at 9–10 km MSL. The lower layer of generating cells produced fallstreaks that were traced from the cells down to the radar bright band at 2 km MSL. Observations suggest a connection between the subbands and the lower layer of generating cells. A research aircraft, equipped...
Divorce Disclosures and Adolescents' Physical and Mental Health and Parental Relationship Quality

Two studies were constructed to examine the associations between custodial parents' negative disclosures about the other parent after a divorce and parent–adolescent relational quality (closeness and satisfaction) and adolescents' physical and mental health. In general, the results suggested that even though negative disclosures about the other parent might be associated with more cohesive relationships between custodial parents and adolescents, it does not mean that adolescents are immune to the physical and psychological effects of such disclosures. In Study 2, negative disclosures about the other parent were associated with adolescents' increased reports of physical and mental health symptoms. The results revealed a similar effect for general divorce information and adolescents' mental health. However, there was no association for catharsis and adolescents' physical and mental health. The results from both studies also revealed that adolescents perceived that their custodial parents disclosed more nega...
Ameliorating Internal Black Spot in Cranberry Bean Seed with Boron Application

Abstract A high incidence of “internal brown spot” (IBS) was found in the seed of the cranberry bean variety “Cardinal” when it was grown under commercial production. Boron deficiency has been reported to be associated with internal tissue breakdown in root crops, peanuts, and some bean varieties. Bean species, in general, tend to be sensitive to plant growth injury due to B application. Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of soil and foliar B application on plant growth and on IBS of the produced seed. Spraying a 0.05% B solution (0.5 g B/L) directly on the developing bean pods resulted in higher B concentration in the seed than spraying the whole plant or leaves only. Plants watered 2 wk before an thesis with water, 0.1% B solution (1 g B/L) and 1.0% B solution (10 g B/L) produced bean seed that had 88, 37, and 28% IBS, respectively. The 1.0% solution caused some marginal necrosis and bronzing of the leaves. Watering in the equivalent of 2.2 kg ha−1 at the first trifoliat...
First-trimester bleeding characteristics associate with increased risk of preterm birth: data from a prospective pregnancy cohort

BACKGROUND Prior evidence linking first-trimester bleeding with preterm birth (PTB, <37 weeks gestation) risk has been inconsistent and may be biased by subject selection and/or incomplete documentation of bleeding episodes for all participants. Prior studies have not carefully examined the role of bleeding characteristics in PTB risk. In the present study, we estimate the association between first-trimester bleeding and PTB in a non-clinical prospective cohort and test whether bleeding characteristics better predict risk.
Management of toxicity: Approval of UGT1A1 genetic test and irinotecan label update

1312 Cytotoxic agents are in the mainstream for treatment of solid tumors. The therapeutic window of these agents is narrow and, therefore, appropriate dosing, required to reduce the risk of toxicity and maximize the benefit of treatment, can be difficult. The use of novel genetic tests to identify patients susceptible to toxicity or who receive no benefit from standard treatment, will offer the opportunity for more individualized drug therapy. Irinotecan is indicated as a component of first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer and as a single agent for patients whose disease has recurred or progressed after first-line therapy. Irinotecan is metabolized by carboxyesterase 1 and 2 to the active metabolite SN-38, which is predominantly deactivated by glucuronidation via the UGT1A1 enzyme. The UGT1A1 gene is polymorphic and approximately 10 percent of the North American population is homozygous for the UGT1A1*28 allele, which is associated with significantly reduced enzyme activity. Reduced UGT1A1 enzyme activity refers to an increased risk for severe neutropenia and diarrhea. Genetic testing prior to initiation of irinotecan therapy is expected to reduce the incidence of severe neutropenia for patients with the UGT1A1*28 allele by approximately 50 percent. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carefully gathered evidence about the usefulness of UGT1A1 genotyping from three main sources: published literature, public discussions and expert opinions, and the recommendation of a FDA advisory committee (held in November 2004). In cooperation with the drug sponsor, the FDA recently modified the label for irinotecan to include information about the increased risk of neutropenia for patients with the UGT1A1*28 allele. The new label recommends genotyping for UGT1A1 and suggests a reduced starting dose for patients carrying the UGT1A1*28 allele. Importantly, the modified starting dose may also allow continuous treatment with irinotecan without interruption and/or dose reduction due to neutropenia, allowing patients with UGT1A1*28 alleles to receive a higher overall cumulative irinotecan dose while reducing the risk of toxicity. Shortly after the label for irinotecan was updated, a novel assay for UGT1A1 genetic testing was approved by the FDA and is now commercially available. Together, the new label and the UGT1A1 genetic test will help to protect patients at risk for toxicity and enable a more individualized approach to irinotecan drug therapy.
MAGNITUDE OF ALCOHOL-RELATED MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY AMONG U.S. COLLEGE STUDENTS AGES 18–24: Changes from 1998 to 2001

Integrating data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, national coroner studies, census and college enrollment data for 18-24-year-olds, the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, and the Harvard College Alcohol Survey, we calculated the alcohol-related unintentional injury deaths and other health problems among college students ages 18-24 in 1998 and 2001. Among college students ages 18-24 from 1998 to 2001, alcohol-related unintentional injury deaths increased from nearly 1600 to more than 1700, an increase of 6% per college population. The proportion of 18-24-year-old college students who reported driving under the influence of alcohol increased from 26.5% to 31.4%, an increase from 2.3 million students to 2.8 million. During both years more than 500,000 students were unintentionally injured because of drinking and more than 600,000 were hit/assaulted by another drinking student. Greater enforcement of the legal drinking age of 21 and zero tolerance laws, increases in alcohol taxes, and wider implementation of screening and counseling programs and comprehensive community interventions can reduce college drinking and associated harm to students and others.
Pacific–North America plate motion and opening of the Upper Delfín basin, northern Gulf of California, Mexico

Correlation of conjugate rifted margins of the Upper Delfin basin constrains the timing and amount of transtensional opening along the Pacific–North America plate boundary in the northern Gulf of California. Lithologic, geochemical, paleomagnetic, and geochronologic data from a set of four ignimbrites, consisting of eight distinctive cooling units, are shown to correlate from northeastern Baja California to Isla Tiburon and adjacent areas of western Sonora. These matching ignimbrites are the ca. 12.6 Ma tuff of San Felipe, the 6.3 ± 0.2 Ma tuffs of Mesa Cuadrada (Tmr3 and Tmr4), the tuffs of Dead Battery Canyon (Tmr5), and the 6.1 ± 0.5 Ma tuffs of Arroyo El Canelo. Offset distributions and facies patterns of these ignimbrites support 255 ± 10 km of opening between conjugate rifted margins of the Upper Delfin basin. Addition of deformation from the continental margins of this basin indicates at least 276 ± 13 km of Pacific–North America plate motion between coastal Sonora and the main gulf escarpment in Baja California since ca. 6 Ma; a further 20 ± 10 km of northwestward displacement of Isla Tiburon relative to coastal Sonora occurred sometime after 12.6 Ma. These reconstructions agree with earlier estimates of slip across the Gulf of California and on the San Andreas fault system of southern California, but require that the Pacific–North America plate boundary became localized in the gulf at ca. 6 Ma. The restored continental margins of the Upper Delfin basin show that only a 20–25 km width of upper continental crust has foundered beneath this part of the northern Gulf of California. This result suggests that most of the crustal area formed by opening of the Upper Delfin basin was either exhumed from lower-crustal levels or is new transitional oceanic crust.
Reduced Feedback and Signaling Schemes for Sum-Rate Maximization in OFDMA systems

We study several channel quality reporting strategies for OFDMA systems that maximize the sum-rate while constrained by feedback and signaling overhead. These reporting schemes are based on the grouping idea, which essentially limits the number of users accessing a sub-channel or physical resource block. This in turn reduces the overhead needed to convey Channel Quality Indication (CQI). On the other hand, grouping user and/or sub-channels reduces the multi-user diversity. We investigate this trade-off for various grouping schemes. Numerical experiments show that even for reasonably high overheads, the grouping schemes achieve a substantial gain in sum-rate as compared to reporting on all sub-channels. Reporting fine-granular channel quality information on the user's best sub-channels, is found to be the optimal strategy.
Formation threshold and structural evolution of molybdenum nanocrystals with sputtering pressure

The evolution of the size and shape of molybdenum nanocrystals fabricated by sputtering in a thermal gradient has been studied as a function of the argon gas pressure, {ital p}. For 4{lt}{ital p}{lt}100 mTorr, continuous Mo films are deposited. At {ital p}=150 mTorr, isolated and well-faceted Mo nanocrystals of two sizes (20 and 5 nm average size) are formed. For 200{le}{ital p}{le}400 mTorr, the particle size decreases with increasing pressure and is about 7 nm at 400 mTorr. On increasing {ital p} further, larger particles start to form and at {ital p}=700 mTorr, particle agglomerates are observed. Possible mechanisms leading to these results are suggested.