cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Racial/Ethnic Representation in United States and Australian Obstetric Research

To describe racial/ethnic representation in United States (US) and Australian obstetric research, represented by the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network (MFMU) and Australian Research Centre for Health of Women and Babies (ARCH) trials. MFMU studies were identified through PubMed and ARCH studies through their online publication listing from 2011 to 2016. Observational and randomized cohorts and primary and secondary data analyses were included. Studies with race-based enrollment were excluded. Racial/ethnic representation was expressed as the mean racial/ethnic percentages of the studies (i.e.,: studies weighted equally regardless of sample size). Racial/ethnic percentages in MFMU studies were compared to US registered births and ARCH compared to Australian census ancestry data. 38 MFMU studies included 580,282 women. Racial/ethnic representation (% [SD]) included White 41.7 [12.3], Hispanic 28.1 [15.4], Black 26.2 [12.3], Asian 3.6 [2.3], and American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) 0.2 [0.02]. No studies reported Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islanders (NHOPI) separately. Comparatively, registered US births (%) were White 75.7, Hispanic 28.1, Black 16.1, Asian/Pacific Islander 7.1, and AI/AN 1.1, which differed from the MFMU (P = 0.02). 20 ARCH studies included 51,873 women. The most reported groups were White 76.5 [17.4], Asian 15.2 [14.8], and Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander 13.9 [30.5], compared to census numbers of White 88.7, Asian 9.4, and Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander 2.8 (P < 0.01). Two ARCH studies reported African ethnicity. There is racial diversity in studies by MFMU and ARCH, with opportunities to increase enrollment and enhanced reporting of Asian, AI/AN, and NHOPI races in MFMU studies and Black race in ARCH studies.
Respuesta de los recursos hídricos al cambio climático en la cuenca del Trou du Nord, Haití.:

Haiti experimenta procesos de degradacion de la tierra, el agua y el medio ambiente debido a cambios locales y globales y a anomalias climaticas. La falta de herramientas para la toma de decisiones, asi como la limitacion de datos relativos al clima, la hidrologia, la topografia, los suelos y el uso de la tierra son factores que obstaculizan la investigacion y el desarrollo. A fin de mejorar la consideracion de los procesos hidrologicos en la planificacion y la gestion de los recursos hidricos y territoriales se requiere poseer herramientas adecuadas de apoyo a la toma de decisiones. Estas herramientas contemplan varios modelos hidrologicos, hidrodinamicos y de erosion del suelo, asi como sistemas de informacion geografica (SIG). Los modelos tienen la finalidad de asistir a la planificacion apropiada y la toma oportuna de decisiones que asistan a salvaguardar la calidad fisica de los recures de agua y tierra. El objetivo de este estudio es el de evaluar la influencia de la topografia, el suelo, el uso de la tierra y la variabilidad climatica en los procesos hidrologicos que se dan en la cuenca del rio Trou du Nord. Las acciones llevadas a cabo en este estudio incluyen de un modelo SWAT basado en las condiciones fisicas, el analisis del balance hidrico de la cuenca del Trou du Nord y el analisis del impacto de los cambios del clima en la cuenca. El output de los diferentes modelos de circulacion global (GCM) indica el aumento de la temperatura atmosferica y la disminucion de la precipitacion en la cuenca del Trou du Nord. Se predice que la temperatura aumente hasta 2.7oC para el escenario de alta emision conocido como A2 de alta emision para el periodo 2071 - 2100. Tambien se espera que la precipitacion se reduzca hasta un 25% para el escenario A2 durante el periodo 2071 – 2100. Se anticipa que la disponibilidad de agua en la cuenca disminuya debido al incremento de la temperatura y la reduccion de la precipitacion bajo las condiciones de muchos de los escenarios examinados en la cuenca. El estudio indica que los cambios del clima pueden tener un impacto significativo en la disponibilidad de agua en la cuenta.
Single-cell RNA-seq analysis reveals compartment-specific heterogeneity and plasticity of microglia

Microglia are ubiquitous central nervous system (CNS)-resident macrophages that maintain homeostasis of neural tissues and protect them from pathogen attacks. Yet, their differentiation in different compartments remains elusive. We performed single-cell RNA-seq to compare microglial subtypes in the cortex and the spinal cord. A multi-way comparative analysis was carried out on samples from C57/BL and HIV gp120 transgenic mice at two, four, and eight months of age. The results revealed overlapping but distinct microglial populations in the cortex and the spinal cord. The differential heterogeneity of microglia in these CNS regions was further suggested by their disparity of plasticity in response to life span progression and HIV-1 pathogenic protein gp120. Our findings indicate that microglia in different CNS compartments are adapted to their local environments to fulfill region-specific biological functions.
Incarcerated individuals' experiences of COVID-19 in the United States.

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine steps taken by correctional staff to prevent COVID-19 from spreading through correctional facilities and explores strategies used by incarcerated individuals to reduce their own risk of contracting COVID-19 during confinement. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Data were drawn from interviews with 327 individuals incarcerated after March 16, 2020, in Midwest1, Midwest2 and Southeast state using a questionnaire developed for this purpose. All study participants were actively involved in a randomized controlled trial of a behavioral health reentry intervention and the human subjects board approved the supplement of this study on COVID-19; interviews were conducted from April 15 to November 19, 2020. FINDINGS: Overall, 9.89% of participants contracted COVID-19. Most (68.50%) individuals learned about COVID-19 from television compared to official correctional facility announcements (32.42%). Participants wore face masks (85.02%), washed hands (84.40%) and practiced physical distancing when possible (66.36%). Participants reported that facilities suspended visitation (89.60%) and volunteers (82.57%), provided face masks (83.18%), sanitized (68.20%), conducted temperature checks (55.35%) and released individuals early (7.34%). SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Longitudinal observational study on the implementation and effectiveness of public health guidelines in prisons and jails may identify best practices for containing the infectious disease. Maximizing transparent communications, as well as COVID-19 prevention and mitigation efforts, are critical to achieving universal best practices for virus containment and amplifying public health. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Data presented indicate the early adoption of many Centers for Disease Control guidelines by individuals and correctional facilities, although broad variation existed. Data support the identification of containment strategies for feasible implementation in a range of correctional spaces.
Regional Differences in the Glycosaminoglycan Role in Porcine Scleral Hydration and Mechanical Behavior.

Purpose This study characterized the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the hydration, thickness, and biomechanical properties of posterior and anterior porcine sclera. Methods The scleral discs and strips were obtained from the anterior and posterior parts of porcine eyes, and their initial hydration and thickness were measured. The anterior and posterior scleral discs were used to show the efficacy of the GAG removal protocol by quantifying their GAG content. The strips were divided into three groups of PBS treatment, buffer treatment, and enzyme treatment in order to assess the effects of different treatment procedures on the thickness, hydration, and viscoelastic properties of the samples. The mechanical properties of the strips were determined by performing uniaxial tensile stress relaxation experiments. Results It was found that the control and buffer groups had insignificant differences in all measured quantities. The samples from the posterior region had a significantly larger GAG content and thickness in comparison with those from anterior region; however, there was an insignificant difference in their hydration. The GAG depletion process decreased the hydration of both anterior and posterior samples significantly (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mechanical tests showed that the removal of GAGs resulted in stiffer mechanical behavior in both anterior and posterior samples (P < 0.05). In particular, the peak stress and equilibrium stress were significantly larger for the strips in the enzyme treatment group. Conclusions GAGs and their interaction with the collagen network are important in defining the hydration and mechanical properties of both posterior and anterior sclera.
RF Silicon Technologies and its Reliability for sub-6GHz and mm Wave 5G applications

As 5G standards are becoming ubiquitous and their applications have disruptive potential, the right use of technologies is equally vital. While both III-V and Si/SiGe based technologies are in the forefront for these applications, this talk will focus on various Si technologies that are suited for RF designs and the tradeoff that one needs to consider. Key KPI consideration for a successful design is discussed followed by reliability aspects that one needs to consider to enable a successful RF designs for 5G applications.
Practical Strategies to Ensure Trainee Well-Being During the COVID-19 Surge and Beyond

As the magnitude of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic became clear and with it came unprecedented stressors for clinicians, specifically trainees, the program leadership for the Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital quickly recognized the urgent need to focus on trainee well-being. From March to June 2020, program leadership focused on implementation of five core strategies to assess and meet trainees’ real-time physical and psychological support needs. To assess fellows’ opinions of these strategies, a formal survey was administered six months after the initial COVID-19 surge. Results found that more than 75% of fellows agreed on the high value of four specific interventions: (1) flexible scheduling with (2) a built-in backup system and (3) a safe environment with (4) adequate personal protective equipment. These well-being strategies are feasible and broadly applicable to other training programs across the country. They may also be useful outside the scope of the pandemic crisis.
The prognostic value of cardiac troponin for 60 day mortality and major adverse events in COVID-19 patients.

Abstract Background The variability of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) illness severity has puzzled clinicians and has sparked efforts to better predict who would benefit from rapid intervention. One promising biomarker for in-hospital morbidity and mortality is cardiac troponin (cTn). Methods A retrospective study of 1331 adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Rush University System in Illinois, USA was performed. Patients without cTn measurement during their admission or a history of end stage renal disease or stage 5 chronic kidney disease were excluded. Using logistic regression adjusted for baseline characteristics, pre-existing comorbidities, and other laboratory markers of inflammation, cTn was assessed as a predictor of 60-day mortality and severe COVID-19 infection, consisting of a composite of 60-day mortality, need for intensive care unit, or requiring non-invasive positive pressure ventilation or intubation. Results A total of 772 patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 69 (8.9%) had mild cTn elevation (> 1 to Conclusion In our cohort, both mild and severe initial cTn elevation were predictors of severe COVID-19 infection, while only severe cTn elevation was predictive of 60-day mortality. First cTn value on hospitalization is a valuable longitudinal prognosticator for COVID-19 disease severity and mortality.
Occipitocervical subluxation

Although rare, occipitoatlantal subluxation should be recognized on the lateral cervical spine radiograph.
Pension Risk Transfer and Firm Leverage: The Cash Flow Volatility Channel

I develop a novel dataset to examine the impact of pension group annuity purchases on capital structure and corporate policies. Pension obligations are shown to contribute to rising cash flow volatility to stakeholders, which is a prominent factor in the decision to offload these liabilities. I find the reduction in pension debt is replaced with a commensurate dollar value of long-term debt. The substitution is concentrated in financially unconstrained firms, while those facing greater financial constraints reduce total leverage. Firms engaging in a group annuity purchase increase pension contributions and capital expenditures in the event year. Consistent with a lower expected probability of future cash shortfalls, changes to investment policy are concentrated in financially constrained firms. Short and long horizon event studies reveal pension annuity buyouts are associated with significantly negative abnormal returns due to disappointing cash flow news upon announcement.
Renal Disease Risk Factors Among Risk Groups Comprised of African American Women With Type 2 Diabetes: A Secondary Analysis.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore and describe the prevalence of renal disease risk factors and the categorization of renal disease risk groups among African American women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who participated in a self-management and coping skills training intervention. We also explored and described the change in renal disease risk factors within and between risk groups, determining if participation in a culturally relevant coping skills training intervention decreased renal disease risk.MethodsThis study was a secondary analysis of data from a longitudinal intervention study and included all 109 African American women with T2DM from the primary intervention study. This study examined the prevalence of 4 renal disease risk factors among the women at baseline via descriptive statistics, used cluster analysis to divide the women into risk groups and categorize the risk groups, and also measured the change in risk factors over time among risk groups via mixed modeling.Results...
Spiking neural circuits with dendritic stimulus processors

We present a multi-input multi-output neural circuit architecture for nonlinear processing and encoding of stimuli in the spike domain. In this architecture a bank of dendritic stimulus processors implements nonlinear transformations of multiple temporal or spatio-temporal signals such as spike trains or auditory and visual stimuli in the analog domain. Dendritic stimulus processors may act on both individual stimuli and on groups of stimuli, thereby executing complex computations that arise as a result of interactions between concurrently received signals. The results of the analog-domain computations are then encoded into a multi-dimensional spike train by a population of spiking neurons modeled as nonlinear dynamical systems. We investigate general conditions under which such circuits faithfully represent stimuli and demonstrate algorithms for (i) stimulus recovery, or decoding, and (ii) identification of dendritic stimulus processors from the observed spikes. Taken together, our results demonstrate a fundamental duality between the identification of the dendritic stimulus processor of a single neuron and the decoding of stimuli encoded by a population of neurons with a bank of dendritic stimulus processors. This duality result enabled us to derive lower bounds on the number of experiments to be performed and the total number of spikes that need to be recorded for identifying a neural circuit.
Selecting for Partitioning of Photosynthetic Products in Crops

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews genetic and environmental regulation of partitioning of photosynthetic products, present criteria for selecting plants for increased partitioning into the economic yield, and summarizes progress made in several crops. The production of adequate food, feed, and fiber depends upon the conversion of the sun's energy into useful plant and animal products. Increasing world populations and decreasing natural resources demand that these fundamental life-sustaining processes should be both effective and efficient. Synthesis, translocation, partitioning, and accumulation of the photosynthetic products within the plant are controlled genetically and influenced by the environment. Partitioning, the differential distribution and deposition of assimilate among the organs, tissues, and cells of plants are made more efficient. Production efficiency of the plant is determined by the genotype and environment. Cultural practices affect growth rate and total seasonal biomass accumulation. Stand, or plant density, plays a major role in determining the efficiency of solar energy conversion to plant product per unit of land area.
Activation and inactivation of gene expression using RNA sequences.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents some of the different ways in which RNAs and their cognate binding proteins function to regulate gene activity and discusses potential pharmacological applications of RNAs as gene-modulating agents. The chapter focuses on the use of RNA analogs-oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs)-in regulating gene expression. It has been suggested that RNA, not DNA, is the ancestral genetic material. Accordingly, it is not surprising that RNA sequences and RNA-binding proteins play important regulatory roles in cellular (and viral) metabolism. The chapter reviews some natural instances of RNA-mediated regulation. The chapter presents examples that provide some guiding principles on how to use RNAs and RNA analogs to subvert unwanted gene expression. The theories supporting use of antisense RNA (DNA), ribozymes, and decoys are sound. The logistics governing specific delivery into appropriate cells, intracellular targeting, high levels of long-term functional expression and minimization of toxicity remain obstacles that prevent useful pharmacological applications.
A low-power CMOS digitally synthesized 0-13 MHz agile sinewave generator

A low-power monolithic 1 /spl mu/m CMOS IC generates a 26 MHz-wide single-sideband, frequency-hopped spread-spectrum waveform for wireless transmission in the 902-928 MHz unlicensed ISM band. A direct digital frequency synthesizer (DDFS) on this IC produces 10b samples of sine and cosine waveforms whose frequency is selected with an 11b input word, followed by an on-chip 10b D/A converter (DAC) to convert the DDFS output into a sampled-data analog signal. Simplifications in architecture and circuits reduce dissipation of this 2.9/spl times/4.9 mm/sup 2/ IC to 40 mW at 40 MHz with 3 V supply. >
Self vs nonself in tissue assembly: Correlated changes in recognition behavior and tissue cohesiveness☆

Abstract Vertebrate embryonic cell populations of unlike kind, when combined in vitro, typically spread around and sort out from one another in combination-specific patterns, whereas like cell populations merely coalesce. These differing responses to self and nonself constitute one form of morphogenetic self-recognition behavior. Prolonged shaker-flask culturing and dissociation and reaggregation of embryonic chick heart tissue were both previously shown to reverse the tissue's spreading behavior with liver. Here, we show that these treatments simultaneously initiate, in heart tissue, a “foreign” spreading reaction toward untreated heart. Moreover, the direction of this heart-heart spreading can be deduced from the change in direction of heart-liver spreading. This suggests that certain properties of heart tissue participate in the determination of both the foreign- and the self-recognition behaviors studied here. The differential adhesion hypothesis postulates that these properties are the intensities of tissue cohesion, with less cohesive tissues enveloping more cohesive ones. If so, our observations imply that heart fragments precultured 1 2 day should be more cohesive than 1 2 - day precultured heart reaggregates, but less cohesive than heart fragments precultured 2 1 2 days. With our centrifugation assay, in which relative tissue cohesiveness is assessed by the relative roundness of centrifuged aggregates at shape equilibrium, we confirm this prediction.
Mother's perceptions of work-family conflict and the relationship to positive parenting, and parental satisfaction

Traditional gender roles portray men as breadwinners and women as caretakers but these roles are slowly changing due to the increase in dual earner families. However, employed mothers continue to be more closely associated with caretaking than employed fathers. Employed mothers face a unique bind between their caretaking and employment expectations. Yet, the relationship between employed mothers’ work-family, their parenting and parental satisfaction has not been the subject of rigorous study. Guided by the concepts of the intensive mothering ideology and ideal worker norm, this dissertation examined the relationships between employed mothers’ workfamily conflict, positive parenting, and parental satisfaction using nationally representative cross-sectional data collected from mothers. The intensive mothering ideology describes mothers as solely dedicated to children and family with little selfinterest while the ideal worker norm defines a good worker as someone solely dedicated to the company with little concern for their personal aspects. Results suggest that family sacrifices had a greater influence on employed mothers than career sacrifices. This finding appears to indicate that employed mothers continue to compare themselves to the intensive mothering ideology rather than the ideal worker norm. Maternal and family characteristics were also shown to have a relationship with work-family conflict, parenting, and parental satisfaction. This research has important implications for the understanding of maternal work-family conflict and the development of ways to minimize this conflict.
Evolutionary thinking within political science: Addressing some feminist concerns

Abstract The reinvigoration of evolutionary theory over the past two decades has highlighted a number of key findings regarding sex differences that have significant implications for feminist politics. An impartial consideration of biological influences is crucial for proceeding towards the goal of sexual equality within public policy. However, many non-evolutionary feminists claim that evolutionary/biological thinking is fairly useless (or even dangerous) when it comes to most aspects of human social behavior. This paper serves two functions. It (1) traces the history of, and contention surrounding, evolutionary thinking within the field of political science; and (2) examines feminist politics with an evolutionary lens.
Incorporation of 35S-sulfate into yolk platelets of Xenopus laevis embryos. A study using electron microscope autoradiography.

Inorganic 35S-sulfate was injected into Xenopus laevis embryos before first cleavage to study incorporation of the label into the yolk platelets in order to localize glycosaminoglycan synthesis. Electron microscope autoradiography of embryonic thin sections from blastulae and gastrulae revealed that the primary site of label incorporation is at the edge of the yolk platelets, and, to a lesser extent, in their interiors. Autoradiography of isolated yolk platelets, lacking unit membranes, indicated the absence of label. Thus, edge associated label comes from the yolk platelets membrane, and interior label is solubilized in the glycerol-water gradient during yolk platelets isolation. Ruthenium red staining of yolk platelet in situ shows heavy deposits of the dye on the yolk platelet membrane surface facing the cytoplasmic surface. The crystalline main body of isolated yolk platelets does not take up the dye. It appears that continuous synthesis or sulfation of glycosaminoglycan occurs primarily at the outer surface yolk platelet membranes during early development, providing a novel site for this process.
Risk management: the irremedial incompleteness of rules

Risk management poses a major challenge in the design and operation of large-scale industrial systems. The common strategy for managing risk is the rule-based approach in which automatic safety devices and standard operating procedures are developed as a counter to the potentially catastrophic effects of system malfunctions that can be anticipated. This is, however, a flawed approach. Large-scale industrial systems can be so complex that it is impossible to anticipate all eventualities. In addition, rules are irremedially incomplete as determinants of behavior. They encapsulate explicit knowledge but they cannot be used to completely specify behavior because their use always involves implicit or unarticulated knowledge. A case study of a highly reliable system with catastrophic potential is described. The development of experiential knowledge is seen as a key element in the achievement of safe and reliable procedures. The case study suggests that operators should be given direct access to critical information about the process to be controlled and should be provided with ample opportunity to develop sensitivity to this critical information. >
Association of crossover points with topoisomerase I cleavage sites: a model for nonhomologous recombination

Nonhomologous DNA recombination is frequently observed in somatic cells upon the introduction of DNA into cells or in chromosomal events involving sequences already stably carried by the genome. In this report, the DNA sequences at the crossover points for excision of SV40 from chromosomes were shown to be associated with eukaryotic topoisomerase I cleavage sites in vitro. The precise location of the cleavage sites relative to the crossover points has suggested a general model for nonhomologous recombination mediated by topoisomerase I.
The Statement of Purpose in Graduate Program Applications: Genre Structure and Disciplinary Variation.

Abstract Recent research of student writing has included a few studies of the statement of purpose submitted as part of the admission process to programs of study, which have indicated variations in expectations by disciplinary gatekeepers. These studies indicate a need for further study of statements of purpose submitted to different departments, informed by the views of disciplinary specialists. In this paper, we first report on a survey of print and electronic resources on writing the statement, which revealed that information on writing statements for specific master’s programs is not consistently available. This lends support to the “semi-occluded” status of this genre. We also discuss a genre analysis of successful statements submitted to three master’s programs (Linguistics, Business Administration and Electrical Engineering) at a university in the US, drawing on the views of informants from these departments. Our findings indicate that, although statements from the three disciplines may contain the same rhetorical moves, they differ in the constituent steps used to realize some of the moves. These findings lead to implications not only for EAP instruction but also for master’s programs soliciting statements from prospective graduate students.
Adolescent nicotine: deficits in immune function

Abstract Maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy is known to alter immune function in the offspring and recent studies with animals indicate that prenatal nicotine exposure leads to lasting deficiencies in T-lymphocyte mitogenic responses, likely through excessive cholinergic stimulation during a critical stage of development. The current study was conducted to determine if the vulnerable period for nicotine-induced mis-programming of immune responses extends into adolescence, the stage at which most smokers begin tobacco use. Adolescent rats were given nicotine via osmotic minipump infusions on postnatal days (PN) 30–47.5, using a regimen that produces plasma levels (25 ng/ml) of nicotine similar to those in smokers or in users of transdermal nicotine patches. Toward the end of the infusion period (PN45) and 1 month after termination of nicotine exposure (PN80), we examined the mitogenic responses of splenocytes to Concanavalin A. Although no deficiencies were seen on PN45, there were robust decreases in mitogenic responses on PN80, with deficits apparent at both suboptimal and optimal concentrations of Concanavalin A. These results indicate that the adolescent immune system is vulnerable to nicotine-induced disruption of T-cell function.
The efficacy of TAC (tetracaine, adrenaline, and cocaine) with various wound-application durations.

Objective: To associate the efficacy of topical anesthesia of a tetracaine-adrenaline-cocaine solution (TAC) with the duration of skin contact. Methods: A prospective, physician-blinded, observational study of anesthetic efficacy as a function of TAC application duration in pediatric patients (age range 1–12 years) who had superficial lacerations was performed. Patients who had lacerations less than 5 cm long were eligible for the study. Patients who had lacerations of the finger, toe, penis, nose, or pinna were excluded. Patients with histories of allergies to any of the topical anesthetic components also were excluded. Nursing staff measured the duration of TAC application (always > 5 min). Effectiveness of anesthesia was rated by the single treating physician blinded to TAC application duration. Results: For the 400 patients enrolled in the study, TAC provided better anesthesia when the wound-application duration was more than 20 minutes (p = 0.0001). This commonly was evidenced by complete blanching of the skin within 1 cm of the wound's edges. The percentage of patients having good anesthesia at 5–10 minutes was 62% (95% CI = 46–76%) versus 97% (95% CI = 93–99%) at 31–40 minutes. No side effect was observed in any group. Conclusion: TAC is most effective as a topical anesthetic when applied for more than 20 minutes prior to suturing.
Splice site mutation in the peripherin/RDS gene associated with pattern dystrophy of the retina

Abstract PURPOSE : To report the phenotype and genotype of a splice site mutation at intron 2 of the peripherin/RDS gene in four half-siblings with pattern dystrophy of the retina. DESIGN : Experimental study. METHODS : In four siblings with a common mother and three separate fathers, complete ophthalmic examination, pedigree, electrophysiologic testing, and fluorescein angiography studies were obtained. Genomic DNA from serum lymphocytes was isolated and used as a template for primers specific for the cone homeobox gene (CRX), rhodopsin (RHO), and peripherin/RDS genes to conduct single stranded conformational analysis and cycle sequencing. RESULTS : The pedigree of four affected siblings suggested probable autosomal dominance transmission of pattern dystrophy. In the four siblings, best corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/80 by Snellen chart. Clinical findings included discrete, localized degenerative changes of the macular retinal pigment epithelium in all patients, with subclassification foveal. One patient exhibited pigment clumping within the atrophic areas. Another patient exhibited yellow flecks diffusely in the macula. Fluorescein angiographic findings included central hypofluorescence with a surrounding rim of hyperfluorescence that corresponded to the observed fundus lesions and window defects. There was a range of electroretinography (ERG) and electrooculography (EOG) findings. One patient demonstrated both cone and rod dysfunction on ERG testing and another demonstrated decreased rod function. EOG testing was normal in two patients and mildly diminished in one patient. DNA sequencing identified a point mutation in intron 2 of the peripherin/RDS gene, consisting of an A to T change at 1068+3, present in all four affected patients. CONCLUSIONS : Four siblings with pattern dystrophy of the retina presented a splice site mutation in the peripherin/RDS gene.
A Simplified Cartesian-Computed Torque Controller for Highly Geared Systems and Its Application to an Experimental Climbing Robot

A simplified Cartesian computed torque (SCCT) control scheme and its application to an experimental climbing robot named LIBRA is presented. SCCT control is developed exploiting some of the characteristics of highly geared mobile robots. The effectiveness of the method is shown by simulation and experimental results using the LIBRA robot. SCCT control is shown to have improved performance, over traditional Jacobian transpose control, for the LIBRA multilimbed robot.
Two-stage joint selection method to identify candidate markers from genome-wide association studies

The interaction among multiple genes and environmental factors can affect an individual's susceptibility to disease. Some genes may not show strong marginal associations when they affect disease risk through interactions with other genes. As a result, these genes may not be identified by single-marker methods that are widely used in genome-wide association studies. To explore this possibility in real data, we carried out a two-stage model selection procedure of joint single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis to detect genes associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using Genetic Analysis Workshop 16 genome-wide association study data. In the first stage, the genetic markers were screened through an exhaustive two-dimensional search, through which promising SNP and SNP pairs were identified. Then, LASSO was used to choose putative SNPs from the candidates identified in the first stage. We then use the RA data collected by the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium to validate the putative genetic factors. Balancing computational load and statistical power, this method detects joint effects that may fail to emerge from single-marker analysis. Based on our proposed approach, we not only replicated the identification of important RA risk genes, but also found novel genes and their epistatic effects on RA. To our knowledge, this is the first two-dimensional scan based analysis for a real genome-wide association study.
Whose ideology? A rejoinder to M. Plon

M. Plon commits the same offense that he finds so odious in American social psychology: A confounding of political axioms and scientific reasoning. His desire to demonstrate ideological blindness in Americans leads him to misinterpret some published works on the Prisoner's Dilemma paradigm in bargaining research and to ignore the issue of the most useful balance in emphasis between conflict maintenance and conflict resolution when these topics are studied experimentally. Thus, M. Plon's angry attack is not a clarification of the deep issues that he essays but, rather, another data point that will itself need to be understood.
The Simultaneous Iterative Reconstruction Technique As A Least-Squares Method

Several methods have been formulated for reconstructing the density (image) from a set of its projections. For a review of methods, see Gordon and Herman and Budinger and Gullberg. Some of the algebraic methods are known to optimize certain properties of the reconstructions. For instance, the least-squares solution gives an estimate of the image density such that the discrepancy between the given projection data and the projection data corresponding to the reconstructed picture is a minimum.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Quantum Nonlocality From Synchronized Chaos

Quantum entanglement suggests a deep synchronism in the physical world. The phenomenon is compared to the synchronization of a pair of chaotic systems that are loosely coupled (through only one of many degrees of freedom), so as to make inferences about the possible form of a deterministic quantum theory. A Bell's inequality is constructed for a pair of synchronously coupled variable-order Generalized Rossler Systems (GRS), with arbitrarily binarized final states. The inequality is weakly violated, despite the fact that system parameters cannot be inferred from the coupling signal. Stronger violations, more closely resembling the quantum case, are to be expected if the systems are generally synchronized with a non-identical correspondence function that would give anticorrelation between the binarized states. The temporal behavior of the high-dimensional chaotic systems that synchronize seems unrealistic unless the variables are only spatially asymptotic descriptions of fast processes in a space–time with micro-scale black holes or wormholes.
Studies towards the synthesis of methionine aminopeptidase inhibitors: Diversification utilizing a ROMP-derived coupling reagent

Efforts to synthesize potential methionine aminopeptidase inhibitors is described. Preliminary SAR and docking studies served as a guide to design the compound libraries. “Chromatography-free” synthesis of various heterocyclic amides was realized by using a high-load, soluble coupling reagent derived via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Subsequent microwave-assisted Suzuki reactions with ortho-substituted arylboronic acids, followed by chromatographic purification afforded a 55-member library in high yields and purities. While the biological testing was not satisfactory, concurrent X-ray crystallography studies revealed key structural features essential for inhibition of methionine aminopeptidase, which directed fruitful results reported in the accompanying manuscript. In addition, in silico Lipinksi profiles and ADME properties of the library are also reported.
Voluntary freshman attrition and patterns of social and academic integration in a university: A test of a conceptual model

This study assessed the validity of Tinto's (1975) theory of student attrition, which asserts that withdrawal relates most directly to students' integration in the social and academic systems of an institution. The study also examined the relative importance of these two dimensions. Multivariate analyses of variance indicated that both social and academic integration were significantly and independently related to voluntary freshman attrition. Discriminant analysis suggested, when the two variable sets were combined, that the joint contributions of the two sets were approximately equal, tending to support Tinto's assertion of the concomitant importance of these two constructs. The findings also suggest that informal interaction with faculty may play a more important role than presently specified by the model in the socialization of students, contributing to their integration into both the academic and social systems of the institution. The results also indicate that sizeable reductions in attrition may be possible only through actions which touch both the social and academic dimensions of the institutional environment.
Sensor array beamforming using random channel sampling: The aggregate beamformer

The aggregate (AGG) beamformer can provide significant savings in hardware and software cost and complexity relative to conventional beamformers while retaining equivalent directional performance. The key to achieving the savings is collecting data from array channels in a random sequence, rather than simultaneously or sequentially. This allows the AGG beamformer to convert unwanted off-beam signals into wideband noise that can then be reduced by filtering. The total sampling rate is chosen to obtain the desired residual noise level and signal bandwidth. It is independent of the number of sensors. Analog anti-alias filters normally are not required, since the Nyquist frequency is determined by the total sampling rate, not the (lower) per-channel sampling rate. Beamformer delay quantization and steering resolution are greatly improved relative to conventional beamforming without the need for data interpolation. The beamformed signal, prior to decimation filtering, is obtained without arithmetic operations on the data. Low front-end hardware-complexity makes the AGG beamformer suitable for highly integrated systems. The number of sensors in the array can be altered without re-configuring buffers or altering the sampling rate. The principles of the AGG beamformer are introduced, and simulation and experimental results demonstrate performance.
Military Regimes and Social Justice in Indonesia and Thailand

This article examines the origins and development of the military regimes in Indonesia and Thailand in order to explain the differences in social justice attained. It finds that these differences can be explained with reference to the different pattern of elite participation in each regime, and to their contrasting ideologies of internal security. The Thai regime is more capable and motivated to pursue social welfare than is the Indonesian regime. Selected evidence on recent changes in social welfare is presented for the two cases.
Review of Linda Day and Carolyn Pressler (eds.), Engaging the Bible in a Gendered World

Esther Fuchs reviews Linda Day and Carolyn Pressler (eds.), Engaging the Bible in a Gendered World: An Introduction to Feminist Biblical Interpretation in Honor of Katharine Doob Sakenfeld . Louisville and London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006. PB 260 pages ISBN 0-664-22910-7.
Thermal recovery in shock-wave modified copper-oxide superconductors

Murr et al. [1] have recently shown that plane wave shock loading of sintered, superconducting YBa2Cu307 caused the resistance-temperature signature to be changed rather dramatically; the normal state resistance after shock loading exhibits a semiconducting behaviour, increasing with temperature up to Tc-start (at ~ 90 K) and then exhibiting a broad superconducting transition, intercepting the zero resistivity axis at approximately 45 K. The a.c. susceptibility was also correspondingly degraded. In addition, annealing of the shock-loaded material up to 750°C in oxygen caused the resistance-temperature signature to recover: the normal-state resistivity began to revert to a metallic behaviour while the broadening of the superconducting transition was correspondingly reduced. It was also observed that shock loading at 6 GPa peak pressure did not cause a reduction in the oxygen content, and the To start was unchanged after shock loading or heat treatment from that observed ~ (90K) for the unshocked, sintered YBa 2Cu 3 07. We have examined the residual resistance-temperature signature for explosive (shock-wave) fabricated (consolidated), superconducting YBa2Cu307 powder (T~ start ~90K) and BiTPb3Sr~0Ca10Cu150 x superconducting powder (To start ,-~ll0K) (DOWA Mining, Japan). Samples of these materials consolidated at a peak shock pressure of 5 GPa in the same copper tooling matrix [2] were extracted by milling the metal away from the consolidated channels to produce experimental samples measuring approximately 1 to 2cm in length and 0.1 cm × 0.5cm in cross-section. These samples were fitted with four contacts in a 4-probe configuration for resistance-temperature measurements. Specimens of the recovered YBa2Cu30 v and Bi7Pb3Sr~0Ca10CulsOx were also annealed at various temperatures and times in flowing oxygen or air respectively. The annealing of the YBa 2 Cu 3 07 at temperature was always followed by a final anneal at 400°C for 12h in flowing oxygen and slow cooling to room temperature to stabilize the orthorhombic phase. Four-probe measurements of resistancetemperature signatures were then made. Fig. 1 compares the resistance-temperature ( R T ) signatures for the explosively fabricated and annealed YBa2 Cu 3 0 7 and Bi 7 Pb3 Srl0 Ca10 CUl5 Ox corresponding to a peak shock pressure during fabrication of 5GPa. The results shown in Fig. l a are very similar to those obtained for plane-wave shock loaded YBa2 Cu3 07 [1]. The variations in the R T signatures
Gender and Empathy Differences in Negative Reactions to Fictionalized and Real Violent Images

Research suggests that exposure to graphic violence commonly causes unpleasant emotional reactions. Further, research shows that fictional violence may be more palatable than real violence. We explored whether/why fictional content might lead to weaker aversive reactions than real content. In this experiment (N = 200), we manipulated the perceived reality of violence to determine whether a fictional context leads to reduced aversion, and we examined if gender and empathy could moderate this effect. We found that negative reactions were significantly lower when participants perceived the scenes as fictional. Males in particular experienced lessened aversive states in fictional conditions.
The vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of a series of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters by correlation gas chromatography

Abstract Vaporization enthalpies for methyl myristoleate (methyl Z 9-tetradecenonate), methyl 10-pentadecenoate, methyl palmitoleate (methyl Z 9-hexadecenoate), methyl Z 10-heptadecenoate, methyl oleate (methyl Z 9-octadecenoate), methyl linoleate (methyl Z , Z 9,12-octadecadienoate), methyl linolenate (methyl Z , Z , Z 9,12,15-octadecatrienoate), methyl Z 11-eicosenoate, methyl Z , Z 11,14-eicosadienoate, methyl Z , Z , Z 11,14,17-eicosatrieneoate, methyl arachidonate (methyl Z , Z , Z , Z 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraeneoate), methyl Z , Z , Z , Z , Z 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaeneoate, methyl erucate (methyl Z 13-docosaneoate), methyl Z , Z 13,16-docosadienoate, methyl Z , Z , Z , Z , Z , Z 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoate and methyl nervonate (methyl Z 15-tetracosenoate) are evaluated at T = 298.15 and vapor pressures are evaluated over the temperature range T = 298.15–450 K by correlation gas chromatography. The results are generated by an interpolative process using literature values for the saturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from methyl decanoate to methyl tetracosanoate, exclusive of methyl nonadecanoate, heneicosanoate and tricosanoate, as standards. Relationships for calculating vapor pressures for all of the compounds studied from T = 298.15 to 450 K are provided.
Methyltriskaidecazirconates, molecular forms of zirconia.

Repeated methanolysis of [Zr 3 O](OPr n ) 1 0 followed by extraction and crystallization from toluene yields material that is X-ray crystallographically indistinguishable from the compound previously formulated as [Zr 1 3 O 8 ](OMe) 3 6 . Elemental analysis and 1 H solution NMR spectroscopy strongly suggest that this material is a mixture of methyltriskaidecazirconates (MTZ) [Zr 1 3 O 8 ](OMe) x (OH) 3 6 - x , X a v ∼ 20, that readily cocrystallize from hydrocarbon solution. These species have the metal-oxygen framework structure reported for [Zr 1 3 O 8 ](OMe) 3 6 , where the 13 zirconium and 32 bridging oxygen atoms comprise a fragment of the fluorite structure adopted by ZrO 2 at elevated temperatures. Ethanolysis of [Zr 3 O](OPr n ) 1 0 yields its ethyl analogue, [Zr 3 O](OEt) 1 0 . Both trizirconates display temperature-dependent 1 H solution NMR spectra that are interpreted mechanistically in terms of rearrangement mechanisms involving trigonal twists at the octahedral zirconium centers.
Wave packet dynamics on multiply‐valued potential surfaces: Report on work in progress

A perennial problem in quantum scattering calculations is reducing the 3N degrees of freedom (three for each atom or electron present) to a more computationally manageable number, while still retaining the information present in each degree of freedom. We present a method of extracting a nonadiabatic, multiply-valued potential-energy surface from electron nuclear dynamics (Deumens et al., Rev Mod Phys, 1994, 66, 917) trajectories; we then perform nuclear wave packet dynamics on that surface and calculate differential cross sections for two-center, one-active-electron systems. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012