cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anisotropic models to account for large borehole washouts to estimate gas hydrate saturations in the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II Alaminos Canyon 21 B well

Abstract Through the use of 3-D seismic amplitude mapping, several gas hydrate prospects were identified in the Alaminos Canyon (AC) area of the Gulf of Mexico. Two locations were drilled as part of the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II (JIP Leg II) in May of 2009 and a comprehensive set of logging-while-drilling (LWD) logs were acquired at each well site. LWD logs indicated that resistivity in the range of ∼2 ohm-m and P-wave velocity in the range of ∼1.9 km/s were measured in the target sand interval between 515 and 645 feet below sea floor. These values were slightly elevated relative to those measured in the sediment above and below the target sand. However, the initial well log analysis was inconclusive regarding the presence of gas hydrate in the logged sand interval, mainly because large washouts caused by drilling in the target interval degraded confidence in the well log measurements. To assess gas hydrate saturations in the sedimentary section drilled in the Alaminos Canyon 21 B (AC21-B) well, a method of compensating for the effect of washouts on the resistivity and acoustic velocities was developed. The proposed method models the washed-out portion of the borehole as a vertical layer filled with sea water (drilling fluid) and the apparent anisotropic resistivity and velocities caused by a vertical layer are used to correct the measured log values. By incorporating the conventional marine seismic data into the well log analysis, the average gas hydrate saturation in the target sand section in the AC21-B well can be constrained to the range of 8–28%, with 20% being our best estimate.
How Many Days Are Enough? A Study of 365 Days of Pedometer Monitoring

This study was designed to determine the number of days of pedometer monitoring necessary to achieve reliable and valid estimates of a 1-year average of step counts in adults based on either consecutive days (CD) or random days (RD) of data collection. Twenty-three participants (16 women; M age = 38 years, SD = 9.9) wore a Yamax SW 200 pedometer and recorded their step counts for 365 consecutive days. Nine measurement periods of various lengths were selected (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days). Each measurement period was randomly selected 10 times each for CD and RD from the larger database. For reliability and validity, two-way intraclass correlation coefficients and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were calculated, respectively. The year-round average was considered the criterion measure of the “true” habitual physical activity. Data were analyzed separately by CD and RD. At least 5 CD or 6 RD were necessary to achieve an ICC of .80. A minimum of 30 CD or 14 RD were necessary to achieve an MAP...
Report calls for measures to advance climate modeling

While climate modeling has made enormous strides over the past several decades, a critical step toward making more rapid, efficient, and coordinated progress in modeling would require “an evolutionary change in U.S. climate modeling institutions away from developing multiple completely independent models toward a collaborative approach,” according to a 7 September report by a committee of the U.S. National Research Council's Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (BASC). “The Committee believes that the best path forward is a strategy centered around the integration of the decentralized U.S. climate modeling enterprise—across modeling efforts, across a hierarchy of model types, across modeling communities focused on different space and timescales, and between model developers and model output users,” the report notes. “A diversity of approaches is necessary for progress in many areas of climate modeling and is vital for addressing the breadth of users needs.” Entitled A National Strategy for Advancing Climate Modeling, the report states that, “If adopted, this strategy of increased unification amidst diversity will allow the United States to more effectively meet the climate information needs of the Nation in the coming decades and beyond.”
Reconstruction of a Complex Tracheal Injury Using an Intercostal Muscle Flap

Blunt tracheobronchial injuries occur rarely but can be life threatening. These injuries require accurate preoperative diagnosis and potentially complex reconstruction. We present the case of a 15-year-old boy who was transferred to the University of Washington with a complex tracheobronchial injury after rolling over in a sand-rail dune buggy. The injury was repaired successfully using an intercostal muscle flap and cardiopulmonary bypass.
Torus invariance for the Clifford algebra, II☆

Abstract The structure of the representations of the infinite-dimensional Clifford algebra generated by states symmetric about a basis is studied. In particular, it is shown where they fit into the Garding-Wightman classification. These representations have an unusual structure: the fibres are all infinite tensor product spaces, but the fibres corresponding to points on different orbits of the underlying group are different separable subspaces of the same inseparable infinite tensor product space. A procedure is given for constructing a large class of other representations of similar structure in which the torus automorphisms are unitarily implementable. In all cases the torus invariance depends on the geometric structure of the fibres, not on the underlying measure.
Assessment of cerebrovascular reactivity with functional magnetic resonance imaging: comparison of CO2 and breath holding

Abstract Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygenation changes following both a simple breath holding test (BHT) and a CO2 challenge can be detected with functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques. The BHT has the advantage of not requiring a source of CO2 and acetazolamide and therefore it can easily be performed during a routine MR examination. In this study we compared global hemodynamic changes induced by breath holding and CO2 inhalation with blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) and CBF sensitized fMRI techniques. During each vascular challenge BOLD and CBF signals were determined simultaneously with a combined BOLD and flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) pulse sequence. There was a good correlation between the global BOLD signal intensity changes during breath holding and CO2 inhalation supporting the notion that the BHT is equivalent to CO2 inhalation in evaluating the hemodynamic reserve capacity with BOLD fMRI. In contrast, there was no correlation between relative CBF changes during both vascular challenges, which was probably due to the reduced temporal resolution of the combined BOLD and FAIR pulse sequence.
Getting pharmaceutical R&D back on target

The pharmaceutical industry is in a period of crisis due to the low number of new drug approvals relative to the high levels of R&D investment. It is argued here that improving the quality of target selection is the single most important factor to transform industry productivity and bring innovative new medicines to patients.
Fission Yeast Homologs of Human Histone H3 Lysine 4 Demethylase Regulate a Common Set of Genes with Diverse Functions

Schizosaccharomyces pombe contains two proteins, SWIRM1 and SWIRM2, with close homology to human histone H3 lysine 4 demethylase. Both proteins contain the amino oxidase catalytic domain and a recently described DNA interaction SWIRM domain. Here we describe the biochemical isolation and the functional characterization of SWIRM1 and SWIRM2. Our results indicate that while SWIRM2 is an essential gene, cells lacking SWIRM1 are viable. We found that SWIRM1 and SWIRM2 are stably associated in a multiprotein complex, but intriguingly, unlike their human counterpart, S. pombe SWIRM complex contains neither a histone deacetylase nor any detectable demethylase activity. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation unexpectedly showed the absence of both SWIRM proteins from heterochromatic domains. Instead, consistent with biochemical analyses, SWIRM1 and SWIRM2 co-localize to a common set of target gene promoters whose functions are implicated in diverse processes including mitochondrial metabolism and transcriptional regulation. Importantly, we show that SWIRM1 is not only required for optimum transcription of its target genes but also display a global role in regulation of antisense transcription.
Origin of the valley networks on Mars: a hydrological perspective

The geomorphology of the Martian valley networks is examined from a hydrological perspective for their compatibility with an origin by rainfall, globally higher heat flow, and localized hydrothermal systems. Comparison of morphology and spatial distribution of valleys on geologic surfaces with terrestrial fluvial valleys suggests that most Martian valleys are probably not indicative of a rainfall origin, nor are they indicative of formation by an early global uniformly higher heat flow. In general, valleys are not uniformly distributed within geologic surface units as are terrestrial fluvial valleys. Valleys tend to form either as isolated systems or in clusters on a geologic surface unit leaving large expanses of the unit virtually untouched by erosion. With the exception of fluvial valleys on some volcanoes, most Martian valleys exhibit a sapping morphology and do not appear to have formed along with those that exhibit a runoff morphology. In contrast, terrestrial sapping valleys form from and along with runoff valleys. The isolated or clustered distribution of valleys suggests localized water sources were important in drainage development. Persistent ground-water outflow driven by localized, but vigorous hydrothermal circulation associated with magmatism, volcanism, impacts, or tectonism is, however, consistent with valley morphology and distribution. Snowfall from sublimating ice-covered lakes or seas may have provided an atmospheric water source for the formation of some valleys in regions where the surface is easily eroded and where localized geothermal/hydrothermal activity is sufficient to melt accumulated snowpacks.
High incidence of LRAT promoter hypermethylation in colorectal cancer correlates with tumor stage

Lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) is a major enzyme involved in vitamin A/retinol metabolism, which regulates various physiological processes like cell proliferation and differentiation. LRAT expression is reduced in numerous cancers, yet the underlying mechanisms have remained undefined. We hypothesized that methylation silencing may contribute to decreased LRAT gene expression in colorectal cancer (CRC). LRAT hypermethylation status was analyzed in five CRC cell lines, 167 colorectal tumors, and 69 adjacent normal colonic mucosae, using a quantitative bisulfite/PCR/LDR/Universal Array assay. LRAT transcription levels were determined by real-time RT-PCR in a subset of tumors and matched normal tissues and in CRC cell lines that were treated with a demethylating agent, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine. The incidence of LRAT hypermethylation was significantly higher in colorectal tumors than in adjacent normal mucosae (p = 0.0025). Aberrant methylation occurred in 51 % of microsatellite-stable CRCs, in 84 % of microsatellite-unstable CRCs, and in 12 out of 13 colonic polyps. The number of hypermethylated LRAT events was inversely correlated with CRC stage (p < 0.0001). Importantly, LRAT hypermethylation was associated with decreased mRNA level in CRC clinical specimens, and demethylation treatment resulted in LRAT transcriptional reactivation. Our data support the idea that LRAT promoter hypermethylation associates with LRAT gene expression in CRC. The higher frequency of LRAT hypermethylation in colonic polyps and early-stage CRCs indicates that it may occur early in malignant progression.
Requirement for direct cross-talk between B1 and B2 kinin receptors for the proliferation of androgen-insensitive prostate cancer PC3 cells

Stimulation of endogenous kinin receptors promotes growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer PC3 cells via activation of the mitogenic extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. In the present study, we show that kinin-mediated mitogenic signalling and prostate-cell growth involves two subtypes of bradykinin (BK) receptors, B1R and B2R. Specific stimulation of either B1R or B2R by their respective agonists des-Arg(9)-BK and Lys-BK promoted ERK activation and cell growth, whereas selective blockade with specific antagonists des-Arg(9)-[Leu(8)]BK and Hoe 140 respectively obliterated this effect, indicating the presence of both receptor subtypes. However, blockade of B1R also inhibited B2R-mediated ERK activation and cell growth, and, similarly, antagonism of B2R inhibited the B1R-mediated response. Furthermore, both B1R and B2R agonists promoted internalization of B1R, whereas both receptor antagonists blocked this effect. The B1R ligands des-Arg(9)-BK and des-Arg(9)-[Leu(8)]BK had no effect on the binding of BK to B2R, as demonstrated by radioligand competitive binding studies. However, blockade of either B1R or B2R impaired the ability of the reciprocal receptor to produce inositol phosphates, suggesting that the interaction between B1R and B2R is proximal to activation of phospholipase C. These results provide evidence for the existence of B1R-B2R complexes in prostate cancer PC3 cells and demonstrate that antagonism of one receptor interferes with the signalling ability of the other, possibly at the level of receptor-Galpha(q) protein coupling. Selective inhibition of B1R, which is up-regulated in injured and cancerous tissue, may be beneficial for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
Chemotaxis disruption in Pratylenchus scribneri by tall fescue root extracts and alkaloids.

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) forms a symbiotic relationship with the clavicipitalean fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum. Endophyte-infected grass is tolerant to nematode, but the factors responsible are unknown. One objective of this work was to determine if root extracts of tall fescue effected chemoreceptor activity of Pratylenchus scribneri by using an in vitro chemoreception bioassay. Another objective was to determine if specific ergot alkaloids (ergovaline, ergotamine, a-ergocryptine, ergonovine), and loline alkaloids, all produced by the fungal endophyte, altered chemotaxis with this bioassay. Methanolic extract from roots altered chemotaxis activities in this nematode but only from roots of plants cultured 45 ≥ d, which repelled nematodes. Extracts prepared from noninfected grasses were attractants. This assay indicated that the alkaloids were either repellents or attractants. N-formylloline was an attractant at concentrations of 20 μg/ml and lower, while at higher concentrations it was a repellent. Ergovaline, the major ergot alkaloid produced by the endophyte, was repellent at both high and low concentrations and caused complete death of the nematodes.
Performance analysis of digital FM demodulators for fading channels in the threshold region

The quasi-optimum digital FM demodulators for fading channels reported earlier (1975) reflected the system performance accurately under high signal to noise ratio conditions. In this paper, the prediction of the system performance for low SNR values is considered. A new set of error variance algorithms is developed from the filter algorithm assuming a Gaussian distribution for the state estimation errors and taking the effect of high frequency terms into consideration. Simulation analysis for an FM system with Rician fading channel shows that these algorithms predict the system performance accurately in the threshold region.
Determining starshaped sets and unions of starshaped sets by their sections

Let S be a compact set in Rd. Let p be a fixed point of S and let k be a fixed integer, 1 ⩽ k <d. Then S is starshaped with p e ker S if and only if for every k-dimensional flat F through p, F ∩ S is starshaped. Moreover, an analogue of this result holds for unions of starshaped sets as well.
Depositional response of a headwater stream to channelization, East Central Illinois, USA

Channelization typically modifies the energy regime and sediment transport capacity of rivers, triggering morphologic adjustments. Most past studies of channelization have focused on erosional responses involving channel incision and widening. Depositional adjustments to channelization, although noted in previous work, have not been documented in detail. This study investigates the depositional response of the Spoon River, a headwater agricultural stream in Illinois, USA, to channelization. Historical aerial and ground-based photography show that channelization of the Spoon River in the early 20th century produced a wide, deep trapezoidal drainage channel. Following this channelization, unvegetated alternate and mid-channel bars developed on the bottom of the ditch. Sedimentological analysis of bar stratigraphy indicates that the bars grew through vertical accretion of horizontal sheets of sand-and-gravel bedload and organic-rich drapes of fine-grained suspended load. The horizontal sheets of sand and gravel are consistent with the braided conditions shown on historical photographs. Late-stage bar growth appears to have been dominated by progressive overbank deposition of suspended load as indicated by the presence of a thick, fine-grained organic-rich A horizon immediately below the surface of each bar. The development of a soil layer also suggests that the bars are stable—an inference supported by the thick grass cover on the bar surfaces. The net result of the depositional response is the formation of a meandering channel flanked by a discontinuous floodplain on the bottom of the ditch. The construction of a wide ditch relative to original stream size is a key factor promoting a depositional response to channelization. Allowing or actively promoting floodplain elements to form in overwidened ditches may be a viable management option for improving the environmental quality of channelized agricultural streams. The Spoon River has a diverse fish community compared to channelized streams in East Central Illinois that lack a meandering low-flow channel. This morphological configuration apparently enhances geomorphological and ecological variability while sustaining the drainage function of the ditch. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two factors of restraint: concern for dieting and weight fluctuation.

Abstract Factor analysis of the Restraint Scale produced two replicated factors: Concern for Dieting and Weight Fluctuation. Concern for Dieting reflects heightened attention to and emotional association with eating. Weight Fluctuation reflects extent of previously-experienced weight gain and loss. Weight Fluctuation was more highly positively correlated with indices of overweight status than was Concern for Dieting. Concern for Dieting was positively correlated with Public Self-Consciousness and Social Anxiety while Weight Fluctuation was not. Both versions of Restraint were weakly and inversely correlated with Body Image, although this relationship was mediated by degree of overweight status. The findings indicate that the two factors are sufficiently distinct to preclude combination into a single scale. Furthermore. Weight Fluctuation appears to be the more promising subscale for future research.
The assessment of personality, anxiety and depression in mandibular pain dysfunction subjects.

Summary The search for distinct personality characteristics of mandibular pain dysfunction patients has produced confusing and contradictory results. The present study represents an attempt to clarify this area of research by assessing reliable measures of personality (MMPI), anxiety (Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and depression (Beck Depression Inventory) in ten subjects with a history of facial pain and TMJ sounds. Two control groups, one with TMJ sounds only and other with no history of these symptoms, were matched for sex. The results indicated that the groups did not differ on any of these measures. Discussion focuses on possible explanations for the failure to find any differences in these measures and the future of personality assessment in mandibular pain dysfunction populations.
India in 2009: Global Financial Crisis and Congress Revival

The past year was a momentous one for India. The country navigated through the shoals of an unprecedented global financial crisis with only modest negative impact, and successfully continued the world9s largest exercise in democracy. The 15th general election in April-May 2009 saw the venerable Congress Party return to power with a large mandate. On the external front, although ties between India and the Obama administration have been friendly, real concerns remain about the future trajectory of Indo-U.S. relations. Relations with Pakistan and China also remain testy.
Passive avoidance as a function of the duration of nonshock confinement

Abstract Three groups of rats were trained in a step-down passive avoidance situation in which S s terminated shock when they failed to inhibit for 60 sec by escaping into a distinctive postshock compartment. The groups spent 5, 15, or 90 sec in the safe compartment but all had the same 50-min ITI. As predicted, inhibition was inversely related to time spent in the safe area. A second experiment was a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial with sex, postshock confinement (5 vs. 90 sec), and similarity of the postshock and platform areas as variables. Again the longer postshock period retarded passive avoidance, this time when the ITI approximated the confinement interval. Similarity of the two regions was not a relevant variable, casting doubt on an extinction of fear hypothesis and providing support for the interpretation that long postshock confinements produce poor performance in passive avoidance because they increase the approach value of the safe region (relaxation, or relief, theory).
The Role of Attitudes and Culture in Family Caregiving for Older Adults

This study evaluated cultural differences in attitudes toward caregiving and the stress levels of family caregivers. Participants included 98 Japanese American and 86 Caucasian American family caregivers caring for frail elders. Analyses using MANOVA and multiple regression analyses revealed that the Caucasian caregivers had more positive attitudes and provided more hours of care than the Japanese caregivers but that both groups had elevated levels of caregiver stress. The stress that family caregivers currently experience could lead to a future generation of care recipients who enter old age in worse condition than their predecessors. Professionals need to work together to develop culturally appropriate, evidence-based interventions to address this issue.
Charismain Max Weber’s Sociology of Religion

Abstract Weber's concept of charisma has received diverse and contradictory interpretations. The essay argues that this diversity is caused less by inadequate readings of Weber than by inconsistencies in Weber's own conceptualization. Weber introduced his concept of charisma in two different contexts: his political sociology and his sociology of religion. In his political sociology he formulates the ideal type of charismatic authority informed by R. Sohm. In his sociology of religion Weber connects it with the anthropological debate of the turn of the century on magic and religion, especially the debate on pre-animism initiated by R. R. Marett, and uses it as an alternative for concepts like mana or orenda. Both conceptualizations of charisma are located on quite different levels of abstraction, which Weber has not sufficiently clarified and systematized. This leads to inconsistencies, contradictions, and overgeneralizations. Especially problematic is his claim of a supposedly anti-traditionalist or even ...
Imaging and gasdynamic modeling of pulsed laser film deposition plumes

Optical multichannel emission spectroscopy and intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) imaging have been applied to real-time, in situ gas-phase species identification during the pulsed excimer or Nd:YAG laser deposition of various ceramic thin films. A plume gasdynamic expansion model has been developed and used to predict the outer-edge plume front locations for comparison with those observed in the ICCD images. Good agreement was found between the model and ICCD images, with plume temperatures indicated by the model to be typically between 10,000 and 50,000 K. The systems studied include PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 (PZT), BaTiO3 , AlN, and BN. When high laser fluences were used, ICCD imaging also revealed strong evidence for interactions between the laser and the near-surface plume. Plume particulates were also noted at long times following the laser pulse.
Some studies of nonlinear lateral sloshing in rigid containers.

Nonlinear lateral sloshing in rigid tanks of various geometries, noting frequency-amplitude response
Benign alveolar ridge keratosis (oral lichen simplex chronicus): A distinct clinicopathologic entity

Benign alveolar ridge keratosis is a common benign white papule or plaque that occurs on the keratinized gingiva of the maxillary or mandibular alveolar ridge that is probably traumatic/frictional in origin, with characteristic histologic features, similar to those of lichen simplex chronicus of the skin. This is a retrospective study of 108 consecutive specimens displaying characteristic histopathologic features of benign alveolar ridge keratosis accessioned during a 36-month period. There was a male:female ratio of 3.7:1. It occurred on the attached gingiva, with the retromolar area and the edentulous alveolar ridge involved in 51% and 49% of cases, respectively; 19% were bilateral and all bilateral cases were on the retromolar pad. Detailed clinical information was available on 27 cases by a mail-in questionnaire. Histologically, the lesions were characterized by moderate to marked hyperorthokeratosis and wedge-shaped hypergranulosis. The epithelium exhibited slight surface papillomatosis and acanthosis in the form of long, tapered rete ridges that frequently anastomosed at the base. There was generally insignificant inflammation. These features are similar if not identical to lichen simplex chronicus of the skin, a benign condition caused by chronic irritation. Ten randomly selected cases were immunostained for p16INK4A(p16), a tumor suppressor protein expressed in dysplastic epithelium. All lesions were negative for p16. Benign alveolar ridge keratosis is a specific clinicopathologic entity that should be removed from the category of leukoplakia as is currently the practice for clinical white lesions with a specific, consistently recognizable histologic appearance.
Urinary acid mucopolysaccharides in cystic fibrosis

Total urinary acid mucopolysaccharides (AMPS) were slightly, but not significantly, elevated in 8 out of 17 patients with cystic fibrosis. By complete analyses, paper electrophoresis, and distribution of molecular weights of the separated urinary AMPS, the patterns were normal in 9 of the 11 patients studied in greater detail. In the 2 others there were consistent abnormalities. Although these findings do not rule out a primary disturbance of AMPS metabolism in cystic fibrosis they do not support it. In 5 of the patients, when receiving gentamicin, the urinary AMPS exhibited abnormal patterns which disappeared after discontinuance of the drug. This finding emphasizes that caution is needed to avoid misinterpretation and generalization.
Role of HDAC1 in senescence, aging, and cancer

HDAC1 is a member of the class I of histone deacetylases that also includes HDAC2, -3 and -8. Although HDAC1 has been mostly studied in the context of cancer, recent evidence strongly suggests that it plays critical roles in cellular senescence, aging of the liver, myelination, and adult neurogenesis. Here we review such roles and discuss the entangled relationships between HDAC1 with histone acetyltransferases and other HDACs including SIRT1.
Reactivity of (3-Iminophosphine)palladium(II) Complexes: Evidence of Hemilability

Several palladium(II) 3-iminophosphine complexes were synthesized in moderate to high yield. With relevance to many palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions, these complexes incorporate a wide variet...
Regulation of lactate hydrogen synthesis in Bacillus subtilis

Abstract The regulation of lactate dehydrogenase in Bacillus subtilis was determined under a variety of growth conditions and in mutants blocked in the citric acid cyle. The synthesis of lactate dehydrogenase increased sharply concomitantly upon the exhaustion of glucose from the medium and the onset of the stationay phase. The synthesis of lactate dehydrogenase may be under catabolite repression control. Studies with mutants bloced in the citric acid cylce showed that lactate dehydrogenase is regulated independently of either the oxidative or reductase branches of the cycle. Certain citric acid cycle mutants, e.g., aconitase or succinate dehydrogenase, exhibited very low levels of lactate dehydrogenase while others, e.g., malate dehydrogenase or isocitrate dehydrogenase, showed normal levels. A stage 0 sporulation mutant expressed levels of lactate dehydrogenase more than one-thousand-fold higher than the low group of citric acid cycle mutants. The induction of lactate dehydroganase was shown to be independent of the accumulation of its substrate, pyruvate.
How social and genetic factors predict friendship networks

Recent research suggests that the genotype of one individual in a friendship pair is predictive of the genotype of his/her friend. These results provide tentative support for the genetic homophily perspective, which has important implications for social and genetic epidemiology because it substantiates a particular form of gene–environment correlation. This process may also have important implications for social scientists who study the social factors related to health and health-related behaviors. We extend this work by considering the ways in which school context shapes genetically similar friendships. Using the network, school, and genetic information from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we show that genetic homophily for the TaqI A polymorphism within the DRD2 gene is stronger in schools with greater levels of inequality. Our results suggest that individuals with similar genotypes may not actively select into friendships; rather, they may be placed into these contexts by institutional mechanisms outside of their control. Our work highlights the fundamental role played by broad social structures in the extent to which genetic factors explain complex behaviors, such as friendships.
The Rains of Estrangement: Understanding the Hindu Yearly Cycle:

Analyse du lien entre hindouisme et conception du temps et des cycles annuels dans le Nord de l'Inde. Les douze mois lunaires du cycle annuel sont symbolises par les amours de Lalita et de Krishna et determinent les cycles rituels. (Textes et analyse de poemes calendaires barahmasa).
Biosynthesis of reovirus-specified polypeptides. Efficiency of expression of cDNAs of the reovirus S1 and S4 genes in transfected animal cells differs at the level of translation

Abstract Full-length cDNAs of the reovirus serotype 1 Lang strain S1 and S4 genes were cloned in Escherichia coli using bacteriophage M13 and expressed in monkey COS cells under the control of the SV40 late promoter using the eukaryotic expression vector pJC119. The s 1-encoded σ1 and s 4-encoded σ3 gene products were expressed in transfected COS cells and were indistinguishable from the authentic σ1 and σ3 polypeptides synthesized in reovirion-infected COS cells. The relative translational efficiencies of the s 1 and s 4 mRNAs in transfected COS cells were similar to the efficiencies observed in virion-infected cells; the s 4 mRNA was translated approximately five times more efficiently than the s 1 mRNA. Our results suggest that the differential translation of the reovirus s 1 and s 4 mRNAs in vivo may be attributed to intrinsic structural properties of the individual mRNAs and is independent of competition with other viral mRNAs.
A Follow-up Study of the Influence of Early Malnutrition on Development: Behavior at Home and at School

Abstract A follow-up study of home and classroom behavior was conducted on 216 children, 9 through 15 years of age, half of whom had histories of moderate-severe protein energy malnutrition (marasmus) during the first year of life. Behavior was measured by two rating scales, administered to teachers and parents of the children. Observations made by teachers and parents were significantly correlated on 33% of the 41 overlapping items in the two questionnaires. The history of malnutrition had a significant association with attention deficits in children up to 15 years reported by parents and teachers, even when the effects of socioeconomic and home environmental factors were controlled. It was concluded that interventions specifically focussed on these attentional deficits should be considered early in life for children exposed to infantile malnutrition in order to prevent behavioral disorders in adolescence.
An information theory perspective on computational vision

This paper introduces computer vision from an information theory perspective. We discuss how vision can be thought of as a decoding problem where the goal is to find the most efficient encoding of the visual scene. This requires probabilistic models which are capable of capturing the complexity and ambiguities of natural images. We start by describing classic Markov Random Field (MRF) models of images. We stress the importance of having efficient inference and learning algorithms for these models and emphasize those approaches which use concepts from information theory. Next we introduce more powerful image models that have recently been developed and which are better able to deal with the complexities of natural images. These models use stochastic grammars and hierarchical representations. They are trained using images from increasingly large databases. Finally, we described how techniques from information theory can be used to analyze vision models and measure the effectiveness of different visual cues.
The joy of systematics

Molecular Systematics.. Edited by David M. Hillis and Craig Moritz. Sinauer: 1990 Pp. 588. Hbk £52, $65; pbk £29.95, $37.95.
Exploitation of a ship's magnetic field signatures

Abstract Surface ship and submarine magnetic field signatures have been exploited for over 80 years by naval influence mines, and both underwater and airborne surveillance systems. The generating mechanism of the four major shipboard sources of magnetic fields is explained, along with a detailed description of the induced and permanent ferromagnetic signature characteristics. A brief historical summary of magnetic naval mine development during World War II is followed by a discussion of important improvements found in modern weapons, including an explanation of the damage mechanism for non-contact explosions. A strategy for selecting an optimum mine actuation threshold is given. A multi-layered defensive strategy against naval mines is outlined, with graphical explanations of the relationships between ship signature reduction and minefield clearing effectiveness. In addition to a brief historical discussion of underwater and airborne submarine surveillance systems and magnetic field sensing principles, ma...
GAIT ELECTROMYOGRAMS AND SURGICAL DECISIONS FOR PARALYTIC DEFORMITIES OF THE FOOT

Twenty-one patients who had 23 gait electromyographic (EMG) examinations for paralytic deformities of the foot had surgical procedures performed. Outcome of the surgery was analysed with respect to the value of the pre-operative gait studies in deciding on appropriate surgical procedures. When outcome at follow-up (mean 3.6 years) was satisfactory and surgery had been in accordance with the EMG findings, or when outcome was unsatisfactory when the EMG had been disregarded, the value was deemed positive. Conversely, if the EMG data had been disregarded but outcome was satisfactory, the value was negative. Using these criteria, 70 per cent of the EMGs of the four muscles tested (tibialis anterior and posterior, peroneal and gastrocnemius) were a positive contribution to the evaluation and decision for the particular surgical procedure.
Administration of carbachol into the lateral ventricle and suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) produces dose-dependent phase shifts in the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity.

Abstract The cholinergic agonist, carbachol, induces phase-dependent shifts in the timing of the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity (CRLA). The effects of carbachol injections into the lateral ventricles of hamsters were compared between circadian times that produce phase delays vs. phase advances in the CRLA. The shape of the dose-response curves and the ED 50 for carbachol injections were similar for the two injection times. The second experiment demonstrated the dose-dependence of phase advances produced by carbachol injections into the area of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. These results indicate that carbachol exerts similar dose-dependent actions for both phase advances and phase delays.
Fructosyltransferase activity of commercial enzyme preparations used in fruit juice processing

Of twenty-two commercial fungal enzyme preparations used in fruit juice processing examined, Pectinex Ultra SP-L, was found to possess the highest activity of fructosyltransferase (44.8 units/ml). The enzyme preparation converted sucrose into a high fructooliogosaccharide syrup containing 42.3 % kestose, 17.2% nystose, 10.6% sucrose, 27.8% glucose, and 2.1% fructose. The efficiency was 69% based the amount of sucrose consumed.
Genetic diversity and virulence gene determinants of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella isolated from preharvest turkey production sources.

This study evaluated the molecular diversity of 29 Salmonella serotypes isolated from turkey ceca and the production environment. Isolates were resistant to bacitracin (100%), erythromycin (100%), novobiocin (100%), rifampin (100%), streptomycin (62%), gentamicin (52%), spectinomycin (48%), tetracycline (31%), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SXT) (3%) and tobramycin (3%). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranged from 32 to ≥1024 μg/ml. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and ribotyping patterns were identical within each of the serotypes Heidelberg, Worthington and Muenster. The plasmid profiles were identical within each of the Salmonella serotypes. Two different clones of Salmonella anatum were differentiated by PFGE typing but not by ribotyping. Heidelberg isolates from nine turkey ceca and three drinker samples had identical antibiotic resistance, PFGE, ribotype and plasmid patterns, suggesting that transmission of this particular clone may have occurred between the birds and the drinkers. Identical PFGE, ribotype and plasmid patterns were observed in one Salmonella worthington isolate from turkey ceca in one flock and two S. worthington isolates from feeder contents and drinkers from a subsequent flock, suggesting transmission of this pathogen between flocks. Individual and multiple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses revealed the presence of the virulence genes invA, aceK and sopB and the absence of the h-1i gene in all isolates. A combination of genotypic and phenotypic markers can be useful in studying genetic variation among natural salmonellae populations in turkey production and delineating possible transmission pathways.
Selection of best bases for classification and regression

We describe extensions to the "best-basis" method to select orthonormal bases suitable for signal classification (or regression) problems from a collection of orthonormal bases using the relative entropy (or regression errors). Once these bases are selected, the most significant coordinates are fed into a traditional classifier (or regression method) such as linear discriminant analysis (LDA) or a classification and regression tree (CART). The performance of these statistical methods is enhanced since the proposed methods reduce the dimensionality of the problems by using the basis functions which are well-localized in the time-frequency plane as feature extractors.
Statistical assessment of DNA extraction reagent lot variability in real-time quantitative PCR.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the variability in lots of a DNA extraction kit using real-time PCR assays for Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis and Vibrio cholerae. Methods and Results: Replicate aliquots of three bacteria were processed in duplicate with three different lots of a commercial DNA extraction kit. This experiment was repeated in triplicate. Results showed that cycle threshold values were statistically different among the different lots. Conclusions: Differences in DNA extraction reagent lots were found to be a significant source of variability for qPCR results. Steps should be taken to ensure the quality and consistency of reagents. Minimally, we propose that standard curves should be constructed for each new lot of extraction reagents, so that lot-to-lot variation is accounted for in data interpretation. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study highlights the importance of evaluating variability in DNA extraction procedures, especially when different reagent lots are used. Consideration of this variability in data interpretation should be an integral part of studies investigating environmental samples with unknown concentrations of organisms.
The EUSO Mission

The Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO) experiment will use the Earth's atmosphere viewed from space as a detector of extreme energy cosmic rays (EECRs). EUSO s collecting power will exceed previous experiments by more than a factor of 10, making it possible to extend the cosmic ray spectrum beyond 100 EeV with high statistics. This will make it possible to investigate in detail the spectrum beyond the point were the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin effect is expected to strongly attenuate the proton flux and even beyond the energy where cosmic ray nuclei should be photo-disintegrated by interactions with the universal microwave background. EUSO makes its measurements by detecting the extensive air showers (EASs) that result from the interactions of the EECRs. Looking down from its birth on the International Space Station though wide-angle optics, EUSO records a high-speed movie clip of passage of each EAS though the atmosphere with the light from nitrogen fluorescence and Cherenkov light reflected from the EAS landing point. These movie clips are analyzed to determine the EECR arrival direction and energy. The data also allow neutrino-induced EASs to be discriminated from nuclear-induced showers.
Preparation of biotin derivatives by catalytic oxidative carbonylation of diamines

Biotin methyl ester and related heterocyclic ureas were synthesized by W(CO)6-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of the corresponding diamines. This procedure provides an alternative to the use of phosgene and phosgene derivatives for formation of the urea moiety.
H and L Ferritin Subunit mRNA Expression Differs in Brains of Control and Iron-Deficient Rats

The mRNA expression of ferritin subunits has not been studied thoroughly in the brain regions of iron-deficient rats. Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 26; 21 d old) were randomly assigned to an iron-deficient (3.5 mg Fe/kg diet) or a control diet (35 mg Fe/kg diet) for 6 wk. Ferritin protein and mRNA contents were quantified and the cellular expression of ferritin subunits in brain was determined. H and L ferritin had the same mRNA locations in nearly all brain regions. Both ferritin subunit mRNAs had heterogeneous distributions and there was a regional effect across brain regions. Iron deficiency did not affect the amount of ferritin mRNA in most brain regions, suggesting the post-transcriptional regulation of messengers by iron status. H ferritin protein was predominant in neurons and oligodendrocytes, whereas L ferritin protein and iron predominated in microglia cells and astrocytes as well as in oligodendrocytes and neurons. Ferritin mRNA was detectable only in neurons. Iron deficiency did not induce new types of cells containing either ferritin protein or mRNA. The fact that ferritin protein was found in four types of cells whereas mRNA was found in only one type of cell suggests that the site of ferritin synthesis is different from protein location in the brain. All of these data suggest that regulation of ferritin subunits is cellular and/or regional specific.
Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa) behaves as a mixed competitive ligand and partial agonist at the human mu opiate receptor

Black cohosh is a commonly used botanical dietary supplement for the treatment of climacteric complaints. Because the opiate system in the brain is intimately associated with mood, temperature, and sex hormonal levels, the activity of black cohosh extracts at the human μ opiate receptor (hMOR) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was investigated. The 100% methanol, 75% ethanol, and 40% 2-propanol extracts of black cohosh effectively displaced the specific binding of [3H]DAMGO to hMOR. Further studies of the clinically used ethanol extract indicated that black cohosh acted as a mixed competitive ligand, displacing 77 ± 4% [3H]DAMGO to hMOR (Ki = 62.9 μg/mL). Using the [35S]GTPγS assay, the action of black cohosh was found to be consistent with an agonist, with an EC50 of 68.8 ± 7.7 μg/mL. These results demonstrate for the first time that black cohosh contains active principle(s) that activate hMOR, supporting its beneficial role in alleviating menopausal symptoms. Keywords: Black cohosh; menopause; ho...
Barn swallow mobbing: Self-defence, collateral kin defence, group defence, or parental care?

We presented stimuli (human and stuffed owl) to a marked population of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) during the 1980–1982 breeding seasons at the Cranberry Lake Biological Station, Saint Lawrence County, New York. In experiment 1, we presented the stimuli at various distances from active nests during various stages of the reproductive cycle. Both the probability and intensity of mobbing varied during the breeding season, increasing with the probable reproductive value of young of the year and the degree of danger posed to them. Mobbing group sizes varied positively with local nest densities. In experiment 2, we analysed mobbing group structure in greater detail. Barn swallow mobbing groups usually contained active mobbers (those that emitted mobbing calls, and approached the stimulus closely, < 2 m, or even hit it) and passive mobbers (which were silent and flew in circles at greater distances, 2–10 m, from the stimulus). Passive mobbers were a random sample of the local population with respect to sex, age, nest location and reproductive status. This pattern is consistent with a hypothesis that passive mobbing, the less risky type, is a form of self-defence that reduces an actor's chance of being eaten, probably by providing information about the identity or probable behaviour of potential predators. Active mobbers were not a random sample of the source population. Mated birds and especially parents with nestlings were over-represented, while non-breeders, juveniles and incubators rarely mobbed actively. The seasonal changes in mobbing and the identity of active and passive mobbers are inconsistent with hypotheses that mobbing is a form of cooperative group defence or altruism conditioned by reciprocity or kin or group selection. These data are however consistent with other hypotheses, which propose that mobbing benefits the mate or the young. Even though active mobbers may be at risk, they benefit directly by increasing the personal component of their inclusive fitness, probably by alerting mates and young and defending them from predators. In this light the behavioural complex of mobbing appears to be a form of parental care (active) as well as self-defence (passive) and mate defence (active).