cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Life Course Change Towards a Plant-Centered Diet and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study (OR33-03-19)

There has been limited study of long-term change towards a plant-centered diet in relation to incident type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We examined this question in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort. Analyses included 2717 participants in CARDIA, a US multicenter, community-based prospective cohort study, currently with 30 years of follow-up. Participants were free of diabetes through year 20, with follow-up for incident T2DM through year 30. Dietary intake at years 0 and 20 was assessed by interviewer-administered diet history; overall dietary quality was assessed using a hypothesis-driven index based on 46 food groups, the A Priori Diet Quality Score (APDQS). The APDQS has possible scores 0 to 132 and increasing score is largely led by consumption of nutritionally rich plant foods–fruits and vegetables and plant-derived fats (e.g., seeds, nut, vegetable oils) and proteins (e.g., avocado, legume, soy). Change in diet quality (year 20 – year 0) and its quintiles were calculated. Diagnosis of T2DM was based on self-reported use of antidiabetic medication treatment or lab tests (fasting glucose, 2-hour glucose, or glycated hemoglobin). In proportional hazards regression, covariates included sociodemographics, baseline APDQS, and time-varying energy intake, smoking, and physical activity. Mean baseline age was 25.0 ± 3.6y, 43% were black, and 58% were women. During 10 years of follow-up after year 20, 206 cases of incident T2DM occurred. Mean year 0 APDQS was 64 ± 13 points and mean 20-year changes in APDQS was 7 ± 11. In multivariable-adjusted analysis, we found that the greatest increase in dietary quality over 20 years (median APDQS increased by 22 points) was associated with a 60% decrease in risk of T2DM as compared to a small decrease in diet quality (median APDQS decreased by 8 points); HRQ₅ ᵥₛ. Q₁: 0.40; 95% CI:0.24–0.67). For every 10-point increase in APDQS over 20 years, there was a 23% decrease in risk of T2DM (95% CI: 0.67–0.88, P-trend = 0.0009). The pattern of findings persisted within below median and within above median year 0 APDQS. Our finding suggests that young adults would benefit from improving diet quality by shifting toward a more plant-centered diet over time for the prevention of T2DM. This research was funded by an NHLBI contract and the University of Minnesota Healthy Food, Healthy Lives Institute.
Bayesian evaluation of system structure for reliability assessment

AbstractWhen component data are combined to assess system reliability, it is critical to validate the assumptions about the system structure for accurate prediction. This paper proposes a Bayesian ...
The “NABC's” of Value Propositions

Value-creation is the process of developing new innovations. We discuss two of the first value-creation steps: identification of an important unmet opportunity and the development of a compelling value proposition. Important opportunities are potentially large and fast growing. They have a “white space” that allows a competitive advantage because there is currently little competition. The value proposition is the first deliverable of the value-creation process. It is composed of four main ingredients: the customer and market need (N), the approach for the offering and business model (A), the benefits per costs of the offering (B), and the competition (C). After the value proposition is developed, the additional steps required are summarized. Every enterprise function must have a value proposition. When value-propositions are understood and used throughout an enterprise, managers, teams, and organizations become customer focused and more efficient and effective at creating high-value innovations.
Athermal lithium niobate microring resonators

We report high-Q lithium niobate microring resonators cladded with a TiO2 thin film, which exhibit nearly zero thermo-optic coefficient around room temperature, while the photorefractive effect is permanently quenched by cladding.
Myocardial viability and CABG surgery: a Bayesian appraisal of STICH

The myocardial viability substudy from the STICH trial has reaffirmed the 10-year survival benefit of CABG surgery in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, but whether myocardial viability must be present for the long-term benefits of revascularization to be realized remains inconclusive.
Technological metaworlds in travel

This study offers a theoretical extension of previous work on physical metaworlds by using an interpretive methodology to investigate technological metaworlds in travel. While physical and technological metaworlds initially seem to share some core characteristics, a deeper dive into the data reveals important differences. Specifically, concepts related to the cognitive dissonance of technological metaworlds consistently emerged in the data collection and analysis, suggesting more adverse psychological impacts relative to the physical variety previously articulated in the literature. How and why this occurs is discussed through the delineation of a core conceptual category named Cognitive Dissonance of Technological Metaworlds and three associated sub-categories: Cognitive Dissonance of Technology as Tool, Cognitive Dissonance of Technology as Safe Haven, and Cognitive Dissonance of Technology as Placeless Space. These findings extend existing theory in this area while also illuminating future inquiry on issues related to the psychological impacts of technology use in travel. Destination managers may use these findings in conjunction with choice architecture techniques to help travelers make experience-optimizing decisions about technology use.
Congestion-Tolerant Framework for IoT Applications

We propose an innovative framework to improve communication reliability of IoT sensory traffic, when the network is subject to congestion. The proposed architecture is based on information dispersion and relies on the fact that congestion occurs in space-and time-differing parts of the network. Our approach uses encoding and spreading of data flows across various parts of the network, while ensuring that the original data could be recovered at the destination with sufficient accuracy, even if only parts of the encoded data survive the congestion losses. The encoding is based on spatial use of erasure coding, while the recovery is based on Dictionary-based Compressed Sensing. We term this approach Congestion-Tolerant Framework. Our work is specifically targeted at the paradigm of IoT that promises to provide wide-area sensory connectivity to devices on a massive scale, interconnecting billions of such devices. Our framework is applicable to both, real-time and non-real-time IoT networking paradigms.
The safety of home discharge for low-risk emergency department patients presenting with coronavirus-like symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective There is minimal evidence describing outcomes for emergency department (ED) patients with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection who are not hospitalized. The study objective was to assess 30-day outcomes (ED revisit, admission, ICU admission, and death) for low-risk patients discharged after ED evaluation for COVID-19. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients triaged to a COVID-19 surge area within an urban ED and discharged between March 12 and April 6. Physicians were encouraged to discharge patients if they were well-appearing with few comorbidities. Data were collected from review of medical records and phone follow-up, and the analysis was descriptive. Results Of 452 patients, the median age was 38, and 61.7% had no comorbidities. Chest radiographs were performed for 50.4% of patients and showed infiltrates in 14% of those tested. Polymerase chain reaction testing was performed for 28.3% of patients during the index ED visit and was positive in 35.9% of those tested. Follow-up was achieved for 75.4% of patients. ED revisits occurred for 13.7% of patients. The inpatient admission rate at 30 days was 4.6%, with 0.7% requiring intensive care. Median number of days between index ED evaluation and return for admission was 5 (interquartile range 3-7, range 1-17). There were no known deaths. Conclusions A minority of low-risk patients with suspected COVID-19 will require hospitalization after being discharged home from the ED. Outpatient management is likely safe for well-appearing patients with normal vital signs, but patients should be instructed to return for worsening symptoms including labored breathing. Future work is warranted to develop and validate ED disposition guidelines.
Poorly differentiated histologic grade correlates with worse survival in SMAD4 negative pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the influence of the transcription factor SMAD4 on overall patient survival following surgical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). METHODS: The SMAD4 status of 125 surgically resected PDAC specimens at a large academic center from 2014 to 2017 was routinely determined prospectively and correlated with clinicopathologic characteristics and overall survival. RESULTS: SMAD4 loss was identified in 62% of patients and was not associated with overall survival (OS). On multivariate Cox proportional hazards survival analysis, histologic grade was the best predictor of survival in the SMAD4(-) population (adjusted hazard ratio = 4.8, p < .0001). In the SMAD4(+) population, histologic grade was not associated with survival on multivariate analysis. In the SMAD4(-) population, median OS for well/moderately differentiated patients and poorly differentiated patients was 39.6 and 8.6 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this large cohort of resected PDAC, routine SMAD4 assessment identified a subpopulation of patients with SMAD4(-) and histologically poorly differentiated tumors that had significantly poor prognosis with median OS of 8.6 months. Characterization of the role of SMAD4 within the context of poorly differentiated tumors may help settle the controversy regarding SMAD4 in PDAC and lead to identification of personalized therapeutic strategies for subgroups of PDAC.
Models of Lexical Access and Bilingualism

Research within the domain of bilingualism has grown exponentially within the past three decades, providing greater insight into the linguistic capacity and mental processes surrounding the bilingual memory system. In general, we know that bilinguals tend to have smaller vocabularies in each of their languages (Oller and Eilers 2002; Perani et al. 2003), they are slower to name pictures (Kaushanskaya and Marian 2007; Roberts et al. 2002), and they show a higher incidence of tip-of-the tongue states as compared with monolingual populations (Gollan and Acenas a2004). Furthermore, many bilinguals have different ages of acquisition for each of their languages, and semantic representations of individual words often differ across languages (based on varying social and linguistic contexts), both of which greatly affect lexical organization.
An agent-based model to simulate tsetse fly distribution and control techniques: a case study in Nguruman, Kenya.

Abstract Background African trypanosomiasis, also known as “sleeping sickness” in humans and “nagana” in livestock is an important vector-borne disease in Sub-Saharan Africa. Control of trypanosomiasis has focused on eliminating the vector, the tsetse fly ( Glossina , spp.). Effective tsetse fly control planning requires models to predict tsetse population and distribution changes over time and space. Traditional planning models have used statistical tools to predict tsetse distributions and have been hindered by limited field survey data. Methodology/results We developed an Agent-Based Model (ABM) to provide timing and location information for tsetse fly control without presence/absence training data. The model is driven by daily remotely-sensed environment data. The model provides a flexible tool linking environmental changes with individual biology to analyze tsetse control methods such as aerial insecticide spraying, wild animal control, releasing irradiated sterile tsetse males, and land use and cover modification. Significance This is a bottom-up process-based model with freely available data as inputs that can be easily transferred to a new area. The tsetse population simulation more closely approximates real conditions than those using traditional statistical models making it a useful tool in tsetse fly control planning.
Risks and Benefits of Resumption of Anticoagulation Following Traumatic Brain Injury Remain Complex and Uncertain

3. Drew BJ, Califf RM, FunkM, et al; American Heart Association; Councils on Cardiovascular Nursing, Clinical Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Disease in the Young. Practice standards for electrocardiographic monitoring in hospital settings: an American Heart Association scientific statement from the Councils on Cardiovascular Nursing, Clinical Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Disease in the Young: endorsed by the International Society of Computerized Electrocardiology and theAmericanAssociation of Critical-CareNurses.Circulation. 2004;110(17):2721-2746.
The Mobile Object Layer: A Run-Time Substrate for Mobile Adaptive Computations

We present a parallel runtime substrate that supports a global addressing scheme, object mobility, and automatic message forwarding required for the implementation of adaptive applications on distributed memory machines. Our approach is application-driven; the target applications are characterized by very large variations in time and length scales. Preliminary performance data from parallel unstructured adaptive mesh refinement on an SP2 suggest that the flexibility and general nature of the approach we follow does not cause undue overhead.
Direct comparison of marine and terrestrial climate variability during marine isotope stages 6 and 5: Results from Santa Barbara Basin ODP Hole 893A

[1] Planktonic foraminiferal δ 1 8 O, pollen, and opal records from Santa Barbara Basin are used to evaluate climate changes in the northeast Pacific during marine isotope stages (MIS) 6 and 5. While the oak and foraminifera record the major glacial-interglacial changes, opal is not correlated with these large-scale transitions. Surface water warming in the basin was synchronous with terrestrial warming but earlier than ice sheet melting and increasing Northern Hemisphere insolation at Termination II. During and immediately after deglaciation, our marine proxies indicate the presence of an isothermal upper water column. Later in substage 5E, the water column became thermally stratified, surface productivity increased, and laminated sediments began accumulating. Sediment trap and hydrographic data suggest these changes were due to the onset of a strong seasonal cycle similar to that seen today in the basin. A series of rapid coolings within MIS 5 appears to be synchronous with North Atlantic ice-rafting events and Greenland stadials.
1f noise in uniform avalanche diodes

Abstract The 1 f noise in small silicon diodes with uniform breakdown is low in amplitude and independent of current and temperature. The noise is not explained by existing bulk 1 f noise models. A type of burst noise is observed on diodes smaller than 6 μm.
An approach to scheduling and allocation using regularity extraction

The authors propose that an important class of VLSI systems that are characterized by regularity of their descriptions can be efficiently synthesized in a hierarchical fashion. In other words, the regularity can be extracted to abstract the system design, thereby simplifying the complex tasks of behavioral synthesis. Heuristics that extract regularity and explore the design space in a hierarchical fashion are presented and the feasibility of the approach on signal processing systems is demonstrated. Extension of the proposed approach to other synthesis tasks is being investigated. >
Responsible you, despicable me: Contrasting competitor inferences from socially responsible behavior

Abstract An increasing number of products are emphasizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a point of differentiation. Despite this growth, however, research has been limited in investigating the impact of CSR activities on the competition. Here, we develop a new perspective of CSR by investigating consumer perceptions of direct competitors to socially responsible products. In three studies, we demonstrate that the socially responsible attributes of one product, while not affecting its overall evaluation, can lead consumers to form contrasting evaluations of competing products. Furthermore, we extend the inference making literature to highlight how and when the contrast toward competing products is formed.
Millimeter-wave low-noise HEMT amplifiers

Short-gate-length high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) are reported that have exhibited state-of-the-art low-noise performance at millimeter-wave frequencies; minimum noise figure of 1.2 dB at 32 GHz and 1.8 dB at 60 GHz from 0.25- mu m HEMTs. At Ka-band, a two-stage low-noise amplifier has demonstrated an average noise figure of 2 dB from 26.5 GHz to 37 GHz with a gain of 17 dB at 32 GHz. At V-band, a two-stage amplifier yielded a noise figure of 3.2 dB at 61 GHz with flat gain 12.7*0.5 dB from 59 GHz to 65 GHz. These devices are described and the potential for their future improvement is discussed. >
The unified transform method for linear initial-boundary value problems: a spectral interpretation

AbstractIt is known that the uni ed transform method may be used to solve any well-posed initial-boundary value problem for a linear constant-coecient evolution equation on the nite in-terval or the half-line. In contrast, classical methods such as Fourier series and transformtechniques may only be used to solve certain problems. The solution representation obtainedby such a classical method is known to be an expansion in the eigenfunctions or generalisedeigenfunctions of the self-adjoint ordinary di erential operator associated with the spatial partof the initial-boundary value problem. In this work, we emphasise that the uni ed transformmethod may be viewed as the natural extension of Fourier transform techniques for non-self-adjoint operators. Moreover, we investigate the spectral meaning of the transform pair used inthe new method; we discuss the recent de nition of a new class of spectral functionals and showhow it permits the diagonalisation of certain non-self-adjoint spatial di erential operators.
Site-Resolved Imaging of Fermionic Li 6 in an Optical Lattice

Two new quantum gas microscopes demonstrate the imaging of fermionic atoms in an optical lattice, providing a step towards simulating complex electronic systems.
A Novel Technique for Clinical Assessment of Laryngeal Nerve Conduction: Normal and Abnormal Results

Objectives/Hypothesis To describe a novel conduction study of the laryngeal nerves, including normal values and abnormal findings. Study Design Prospective nonrandomized. Methods Seventeen healthy adult volunteers, as well as three patients with clinically identified laryngeal neuropathy, underwent low-level brief electrical stimulation of the laryngeal mucosa by means of a wire inserted via a transnasal flexible laryngoscope. Bilateral hookwire electrodes recorded the result in the laryngeal adductor muscles. Results This study yields an early response ipsilateral to the side of stimulation (LR1), which is uniform and consistent (right = 13.2 ± 0.80 msec; left = 15.2 ± 1.20 msec), and late bilateral responses (ipsilateral LR2 [LR2i] and contralateral LR2 [LR2c]), which exhibit greater variation in latency and morphology (right LR2i = 50.5 ± 3.38 msec; left LR2i = 52.2 msec; right LR2c = 50.7 ± 4.26; left LR2c = 50.6 ± 4.07). Findings in abnormal patients differ significantly from normal, consistent with the distribution of neuropathy. Conclusions We describe a novel, clinically applicable conduction study of laryngeal nerves. Normative electrodiagnostic values and variations of the reflex responses of the laryngeal adductor muscles in response to irritative stimulation of the laryngeal mucosa (Laryngeal Closure Reflex) are proposed. By enabling the determination of electrophysiological parameters of the superior laryngeal and recurrent laryngeal branches of cranial nerve X (CN X), this procedure, which is used as an adjunct to laryngeal electromyography, may provide earlier and more accurate information regarding the extent and grade of nerve injury. Because injury grade relates directly to prognosis, the information derived from this test may have clinical relevance in determining optimal treatment. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 123:2202–2208, 2013
L-DOPA changes spontaneous low-frequency BOLD signal oscillations in Parkinson's disease: a resting state fMRI study

Analysis of the amplitude of low frequency BOLD signal fluctuations (ALFF) in the resting state has recently been used to study the dynamics of intrinsic neural activity. Several studies have also suggested its potential as a biomarker for neuropsychiatric disease. In the current study, we quantified ALFF to determine changes in intrinsic neural oscillations in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) on and off L-DOPA. Twenty-four PD patients and 24 healthy age-matched controls participated in the study. PD patients underwent two resting state fMRI sessions, either ON a controlled dose of L-DOPA or following a placebo pill (OFF). Control participants underwent one test session. We found that there was increased amplitude of low frequency BOLD signal oscillations for PD patients OFF L-DOPA in the primary and secondary motor areas, and in the middle and medial prefrontal cortices. L-DOPA significantly reduced the amplitude of low frequency oscillations within these regions. The degree of ALFF in the premotor cortex predicted patients' motor performance as measured by the Grooved Pegboard task, such that greater ALFF was associated with poorer performance. These results are in line with the pathophysiology of PD, which shows changes in neural oscillations. Thus, frequency domain analyses of resting state BOLD fMRI signals may provide a useful means to study the pathophysiology of PD and the physiology of the brain's dopaminergic pathways.
Cytological study of transplanted neuroepithelioma in Siredon mexicanum

By phase contrast microscopy, cells from the surface epithelium covering a neuroepithelioma in a Mexican axolotl (Siredon mexicanum), as well as cells from the interior of the tumor, were examined in various stages of mitosis and in interphase. In the surface epithelium, abnormal cells with one or three nucleoli were comparatively uncommon, and mitosis was extremely rare. In the interior of the tumor, the number of abnormal cells was very high. Cells large in size but with only one nucleolus, and cells the same size as diploid cell but with three nucleoli, could be found. Small cells with one nucleolus (haploid), and large cells with three nucleoli (triploid) or many nucleoli (polyploid), were also present. Giant cells of extremely large size, usually having several nuclei and clear cndoplasmic reticulum, were highly characteristic of the tumor. Such cells were not observed in the process of division. Most of the metaphases in the interior of the tumor, including those in nonmalignant stroma (interstitial loose connective tissue between the lobes of the tumor), had the normal diploid chromosome number (2n = 28), but aneuploid and polyploid numbers were comparatively frequent. Abnormal chromosome numbers such as 12, 14 (the haploid number), 20, 30, 32, 34, 35, or 36 were observed in the tumor, but never in normal tissues. Evidently the karyotype of tumor cells tends towards instability in the axolotl, as in other vertebrates.
Cumulative effects of substerilizing dosages of apholate and metepa on laboratory populations of the house fly.

In a colony of house flies, Musca domestica L., maintained on a diet containing 0.01 % of apholate for 65 generations, sterility increased from an average of about 6% for the F1-F5. generations to 69% for the F26-F30generations and then decreased to 14-22% for the 51st-65th generations. Tests at a range of dosages indicated that after 58-59 generations the colony had failed to develop any resistance to apholate. Evidence of the transmission of genetic damage from parent to offspring was found in chromosomal preparations of flies released from apholate pressure. These showed such abnormalities as chromosomal stickiness, fragmentation, and the absence of an autosomal homologue. A colony maintained on a diet containing 0.05% of apholate showed a rapid increase in sterility and died out completely in the F7 generation: a colony maintained on 0.2% of the metepa died out in the F10 generation.
Property rights and climate change vulnerability in Turkish forest communities: a case study from Seyhan River Basin, Turkey

Turkey is expected to experience significant climate change, including increased temperatures and desertification. As these changes affect forestry, agriculture and animal husbandry, they threaten the livelihoods of forest communities across the country. In addition, other, institutional factors such as the property regime can act in tandem with physical stressors to increase communities’ overall vulnerability to climate change. This article focuses on how the current structure of Turkish forest property rights, in determining access to forest resources that communities depend on for building resilience in marginal environments, influences communities’ adaption strategies and shapes their vulnerability to climate change. Through an analysis of how forest communities in the Seyhan River Basin gain access to state-owned forest resources, this article shows that without secure access to these resources, forest communities in the Basin are made more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Trends in Renal Surgery: Robotic Technology is Associated with Increased Use of Partial Nephrectomy

Purpose: Underuse of partial vs radical nephrectomy for renal tumors was noted in recent population based analyses. An explanation is the learning curve associated with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. We analyzed state trends in renal surgery and their relationship to the introduction of robotic technology.Materials and Methods: We used the Maryland HSCRC (Health Services Cost Review Commission) database to identify patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy, or renal ablation from 2000 to 2011. Utilization trends, and associated patient and hospital factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. ICD-9 robotic modifier codes were established in October 2008.Results: Of the 14,260 patients included in analysis 11,271 (79.0%), 2,622 (18.4%) and 367 (2.6%) underwent radical and partial nephrectomy, and renal ablation, respectively. Partial nephrectomy increased from 8.6% in 2000 to 27% in 2011. Open radical nephrectomy decreased by 33%, while minimally invasive radical nephrectomy...
Towards an understanding of the psychological impact of natural disasters : an application of the conservation resources stress model

The current study employed the Conservation of Resources (COR) stress model as a template for understanding short-term adjustment following a natural disaster (Hobfoll, 1989). The following three hypotheses were supported: resource loss was positively related to psychological distress; resource loss was relatively more important in predicting psychological distress than personal characteristics and coping behavior; and, resource loss constitutes a risk factor for the development of clinically significant psychological distress. The theoretical importance of the current findings is discussed, particularly the tendency within disaster literature to confound crisis experiences (e.g., terror) with resource loss experiences (e.g., loss of possessions, loss of social support) when defining degree of disaster exposure. Also, the practical importance of considering resource loss in planning intervention services is highlighted.
Killing of Streptococcus uberis by bovine neutrophils following growth in chemically defined media

Following growth in a chemically defined medium (CDM), five strains of Streptococcus uberis were tested for their ability to survive killing by bovine neutrophils. Strains 0140J, ST10, EF20 and C221 were easily killed, whereas strain C197C was highly resistant. The ability of strain 0140J to resist phagocytosis and killing was increased by supplementation of the growth medium with milk whey, casaminoacids, casein, or, to a lesser extent, bovine serum. Supplementation of the growth medium with yeast extract or bovine serum albumin did not affect the resistance of this strain. Following growth in CDM supplemented with casein, strains ST10 and C221, like strain 0140J, were significantly more resistant to killing by neutrophils. The resistance of strains EF20 and C197C was unaffected by the addition of casein to the medium; strain EF20 remained susceptible and strain C197C highly resistant to killing. The effect of supplementing the growth media with components other than casein was only studied for strain 0140J. Decapsulation of strains C197C, ST10 and 0140J, grown in CDM + casein, with type-X hyaluronidase did not significantly affect their ability to survive in the presence of bovine neutrophils.
Phosphatidylserine recognition by phagocytes: a view to a kill

The redistribution of phosphatidylserine (PS) to the external surface of the plasma membrane is a key element of apoptotic cell recognition and is a molecular cue that dying cells should be engulfed. Phagocytes interact with PS on apoptotic cells through either the PS receptor or secreted bridging proteins called opsonins. The study of two secreted PS opsonins, MFG-E8 and Gas6 and their receptors alphavbeta5 (and alphavbeta3) integrin and Mer tyrosine kinase, respectively, have provided insights into the temporal and spatial aspects of Rac1 activation following the recognition and internalization of apoptotic cells. Disruption of PS opsonins and their signaling pathways often manifest conditions of inflammation and autoimmune disease. Here, we review recent studies involving PS opsonins, their receptors and their role in the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.
The correct asymptotic variance for the sample mean of a homogeneous poisson marked point process.

The asymptotic variance of the sample mean of a homogeneous Poisson marked point process has been studied in the literature, but confusion has arisen as to the correct expression due to some technical intricacies. This note sets the record straight with regards to the variance of the sample mean. In addition, a central limit theorem in the general d-dimensional case is also established.
Comparison of the critical liquid volume fraction to rectilinear-diameter methods for prediction of the critical density of ethylene and oxygen

A comparison of the prediction of the critical density for ethylene and oxygen from available coexistence density values using three methods is presented. The conventional rectilinear diameter, the rectilinear diameter with an additional term to represent the postulated curvature near the critical point, and the critical liquid volume fraction were each utilized to predict critical density values for ethylene and oxygen. The correlating functions and fitted constants for the three techniques are given for different ranges of saturation density values. The accepted saturation lines for ethylene and oxygen calculated from new correlations of thermodynamic properties for these fluids were used in this study. The critical density of ethylene was predicted using coexistence density values from 220 to 230 K and from 220 to 282.34 K. Similarly, the critical density for oxygen was predicted using coexistence densities from 100 to 116 K, from 100 to 154.004 K, and from 100 to 154.571 K. Values of the critical density predicted using the three methods are compared with the accepted critical density values for these fluids. The ability of the three methods to predict accurate critical density values using saturation densities at temperatures removed from the critical point is assessed.
Immunohistochemical localization of the 150K neurofilament protein in the rat and the rabbit

Antisera to the 150K-dalton polypeptide of the bovine neurofilament triplet and chicken neurofilament antisera reacting with the 70K protein in isolated bovine brain filaments stained the same structures in rat cerebellum by immunofluorescence and peroxidase-antiperoxidase methods, that is Purkinje cell baskets, thin nerve fibers in the lower half of the molecular layer and myelinated axons. The 150K bovine neurofilament antisera did not stain large motor neurons in the anterior horns of the spinal cord in rat and rabbit, nor aluminum-induced neurofibrillary tangles in the rabbit. All these structures were demonstrated by the chicken neurofilament antisera and by silver neurofibrillary methods. IDPN-induced axonal balloons containing accumulations of neurofilaments were equally well stained by bovine 150K and chicken neurofilament antisera. These data suggest that the 150K polypeptide of the neurofilament triplet is not a subunit of the neurofilament core and probably plays a role in axonal transport.
Torturing a blood vessel

Experiments in mice and zebrafish uncover a pathway behind malformed blood vessels in the brain (pages 169–176 & 177–184). The findings provide a basis for understanding the development of cerebral vascular malformations, a common and deadly condition.
Ecoestrogens and embryos—is there a scientific basis for concern?

Abstract A variety of estrogenic compounds exist in the environment, both natural (phyto- and fungal estrogens) and synthetic (e.g. pesticides, industrial contaminants). Recent studies have suggested that a number of reproductive abnormalities in wildlife and human populations could be due to embryonic exposure to ecoestrogens. These abnormalities include modifications in gonadal structure and functioning, abnormalities in genital morphology and size, depressed plasma sex steroid concentrations and various reproductive organ cancers. We review briefly some of these studies as well as those providing data that identify various ecoestrogens. The data to date suggest that a wide variety of compounds can interact with the estrogen receptor and can stimulate estrogen-associated responses. Compared with 17β-estradiol, ecoestrogens have a weak binding affinity for the estrogen receptor and thus have been described as weak estrogens. However, we hypothesize that the estrogenic action of these compounds is augmented by their bioavailability and persistence. Initial testing demonstrates that some ecoestrogens show relatively little affinity for plasma binding proteins; thus, the majority of the estrogenic compound in the plasma is available for translocation into the cell. Likewise, many synthetic ecoestrogens appear to persist for months or years, stored in body fat. Future research needs to examine in more detail the relative roles of receptor affinity, cellular availability, and nuclear persistence in determining the estrogenicity of ecoestrogens. Only then, will we begin to understand the true role of these compounds in ecosystems.
Development of radioiodinated nonsteroidal androgen receptor ligands for spect imaging of prostate cancer

The appropriate treatment strategy for prostate cancer is critically dependent on its accurate staging (1). Current screening techniques (CT, MRI, Ultrasound) fail to reliably distinguish clinically-localized disease from metastatic disease. A reliable noninvasive method for detection of prostate cancer metastases would thus be of immense clinical benefit for a) disease staging b) implementing the appropriate treatment strategy c) monitoring the effects of therapy. To address this need, many research groups have focused on the development of radiolabeled androgen receptor (AR) ligands for prostate cancer imaging, based on the observation that most prostate tumors and metastases express AR (2,3). The majority of these studies to date have focused on steroid-based ligands (2,4,5). The antiandrogens RU 59063 and RU 58841 (Table l), are prototypes of a new series of nonsteroidal androgen receptor ligands that display high AR affinity and selectivity (6,7). The ease of synthesis and structural modification of these compounds as compared to steroid-based AR ligands, prompted us to select them as leads for development of a SPECT AR radioligand. We have previously shown that substitution of the trifluoromethyl group of RU 59063 with iodine leads to an improvement in AR binding affinity (8). Accordingly, a series of iodinated analogs of RU 59063 and RU 58841 was synthesized for investigation as in vivo AR radioligands (Table 1). Compounds 1-4 were synthesized from 4-cyano-3-iodoaniline using previously reported methods (8). Radioiodination of compounds 1-4 with iodine-125 were achieved in 50-65% radiochemical yield by an ammonium sulfate catalyzed solid phase exchange procedure (Scheme 1). Radiolabeled products were purified either by elution through an anion exchange resin or
SEASONAL MOVEMENTS IN THE FLOW OF FUNDS

RECENT ADVANCES in seasonal adjustment methodolgy have made it possible for analysts to concern themselves with the size, changes in timing, and causation of this time series component. Understanding of sectoral behavior and the various financial market interrelations should yield beneficial results for the study of trends and cycles, but we should not forget that seasonal movements have costs of their own. The seasonal movement in employment, unemployment, weekly hours, income, prices, and various financial series exceeds the cycle in many cases. The possibility of eliminating or, at least, mitigating these fluctuations should not be ignored. The Flow of Funds matrix is a good starting point for the study of seasonal relationships, although its focus on the financial side makes any discussion of costs somewhat more difficult. The main seasonal influences on the financial structure include the "real" seasonals of receipts and expenditures (as reflected in the gross saving series for the various sectors) and the uniquely financial seasonals of "windowdressing" and the like. One of the most important movements affecting the disposable income (current receipts after deductions) of the main sectors is the seasonal variation in individual and corporate tax payments. The influence of the tax seasonal is most evident in the cash and Government securities transaction accounts. However, many assets are substitutes and cross-elasticity of demand is probably high. The cash balance held by consumers and corporate business declines by a total amount of more than five billion dollars in the first quarter. Government securities held by these two sectors rise modestly. Among financial sectors, commercial banks experience a sharp decline in their consumer credit and bank loan assets, but still need to sell Governments to offset their deposit outflow.
High efficacy and the preservice reading teacher: A comparative study

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the differential impact of two field experiences, tutoring and observing, on preservice teachers’ reading self-efficacy and content knowledge. Participants completed an adapted, reading version of The Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES). Results showed that both groups reported growth in reading self-efficacy and content knowledge; however, there was only a marginally significant difference between reading self-efficacy motivation scores. Mean score differences showed that the observers changed more in their reading efficacy than the tutors; however, a greater number of tutors found the field experience to be worth maintaining in future courses.
Passive Microwave Remote Sensing Contribution to Hydrological Variables

Physical principles governing passive microwave remote sensing of hydrological variables are outlined and illustrated by actual observations by ground-based, air-borne and space-borne microwave radiometers operating at different frequencies. Specific hydrological variables addressed in this paper are soil moisture, seasonal inundation of rivers and swamps, vegetation, snow, and rainfall. Passive remote sensing provides measurements of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the land-atmosphere system, which can be related more directly to the radiative characteristics of the system than to physical or physiological characteristics. Estimation of hydrological variables from microwave observations necessarily involves models relating the radiative to the physical characteristics, and in general more than one physical characteristics determine the microwave observations. This non-uniqueness in the relationship between microwave observations to a particular hydrological variable leads to uncertainties in the estimation of the variable. Notwithstanding this limitation, the principles and the examples given in this paper illustrate the value of passive microwave observations to regional and global hydrology at a temporal resolution of days aggregated to a decade.
Nanoscale structural changes upon electro-oxidation of Au(111) as probed by potentiodynamic scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract : Understanding the surface structural changes associated with, and resulting from, the electrochemical formation and removal of oxide films is of broadbased practical as well as fundamental importance. These reports chiefly involve STM imaging at a series of fixed potentials, either before and after voltammetric formation and removal of oxide layers, or additionally at suitable high electrode potentials so that surface oxide is present. Evident are several characteristic oxide-induced changes in surface morphology, including the formation of monolayer pits and related metal corrosion, disordering, and roughening. Of the monolayer pits and related metal corrosion,disordering, and roughening. Of the unanswered questions, a central issue concerns the links between surface structural changes and the much discussed voltammetric features for the initial oxidation of ordered gold electrodes.
Rights of Passage: Cultural Claims to Hueco Tanks State Historical Park

We bring together all the knowledge, then we will be united and embrace each other and demonstrate that our culture is one of the largest cultures that ever existed… It is important that the voice of the native people is heard. (Tlakaelel, a 78 year old spiritual elder from Mexico, discussing Hueco Tanks, in March 1999)
Ultrasounds in neonatal rats: Novel, predator and conspecific odor cues

Neonatal rat ultrasound repetition rates were monitored in response to 6 odor cues, including 1 novel, 2 predator, and 3 conspecific olfactory stimuli. Contrary to predictions of previous studies, predator odor did not elicit consistently low call rates. A significant difference was detected between litters tested with the same odor cue for the foreign and predator odor treatments. Odor was the only significant effect to explain differences in neonatal ultrasonic responses to conspecific odor treatments. Call rates recorded for the novel lactating female odor were significantly greater than those for the home bedding and adult male odors. Odors associated with the home cage or with an adult male elicited low call rates.
The legacy of Herbert Simon in game theory

Abstract The paper provides a background to the recent resurgence of interest in bounded rationality modeling in game theory by juxtaposing the histories of game theory and bounded rationality, tracing Herbert Simon’s response to the evolution of game theory. Despite the connection between von Neumann and Morgenstern’s notion of a solution and Simon’s view of organizations, the paper illustrates that Simon and later game theorists share many criticisms of von Neumann and Morgenstern’s approach.
A new approach to measuring absolute metal-ligand bond disruption enthalpies in organometallic compounds. The [(CH3)3SiC5H4]3 U-system

Absolute uranium—ligand bond disruption enthalpies in the series Cp3UR(Cp = η5-Me3SiC5H4) have been measured by halogenolytic isoperibol titration calorimetry of Cp3U/Cp3UI/Cp3UR ensembles. Derived D(Cp3UR) values in toluene solution are (kcal mol−1, R): 62.4(0.4), I; 28.9(1.7), n-Bu; 25.6(3.1), Bz; 39.3(2.3), CH2SiMe3; 44.8(1.1), Me; 48.5(2.2), vinyl; 86.7, CCPh. D(Cp3U ← L) values (kcal mol−1, 95% confidence limits) in toluene solution were also determined for L = CO [10.3(0.2)] and THF [9.8(0.2)]. The magnitudes of the D(UR) values appear to reflect a combination of steric and electronic factors, and suggest that D(UI) is less sensitive to ancillary ligation (more transferable) then D(U-alkoxide). The complex Cp3U(vinyl) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P with two molecules in a unit cell of dimensions a = 11.298(1), b = 13.997(2), c = 9.460(2) A, and α = 97.00(1), β = 105.98(1) and γ = 96.94(1)°. Least-squares refinement led to a value for the conventional R index (on F) of 0.0196 for 4373 reflections having 2θMo-Kα 3σ(I). The molecule possesses a conventional pseudotetrahedral Cp3MX geometry with UC(ring) = 2.759(4) A (average), UC(α, vinyl) = 2.436(4) A, < UC(α, vinyl)C(β, vinyl) = 137.7(3)°, < CgUCg = 116.4, 117.2, 120.0 and < CgUC(α, vinyl) = 95.1, 100.0, 100.1°. All hydrogen atoms were located and UH(Cα, vinyl) = 2.93(4) A. The metrical parameters evidence severe non-bonded repulsions between the vinyl ligand and the Cp ligands, as well as between different Cp ligands. The quantity D(MI)—D(MCH3) is proposed as a gauge of metal—ligand bonding.
Technology centres during the economic downturn: what have we learned?

This paper documents and assesses the economic performance of metropolitan technology centres in the USA during the business downturn of the early 2000s. We find that many of the USA's leading high-technology centres have performed at or near the national average, but that some of the nation's most prominent technology centres have fared poorly during the downturn, including Silicon Valley. The main factors that accentuated economic decline in technology centres during the recent recession include: a poorly diversified overall economic base; limited diversity within high-technology industries; relatively high (all industry) wages; and high levels of venture capital funding during the end of the ‘boom’ period of the late 1990s. We find that counter to some of the recent literature on regional development and knowledge-based industry clustering and networking, the rules of regional economic development have not changed dramatically with the so-called ‘new economy’. High-technology regions, just as ‘traditio...
NEW RESULTS ON THE THEORETICAL PRECISION OF THE LEP/SLC LUMINOSITY

Abstract We consider the error budget for the calculation of the LEP/SLC luminosity in the Monte Carlo event generator BHLUMI4.04 from the standpoint of new calculations of the exact results for the O (α 2 ) contributions to the processes e+e−→e+e−+(n)γ, n=0,1,2, in the low angle luminosity regime at SLC/LEP energies, in context of Yennie-Frautschi-Suura exponentiation. We find that the error on the O (α 2 ) photonic correction can be reduced from the currently published value 0.1% to the value 0.027%. This leads to an over-all precision tag for the currently available program BHLUMI4.04 of 0.061%. This reduction of the precision of the calculation is important for the final LEP1 EW precision Z physics tests of the Standard Model.
The term ‘mind’ in Huang Po's text Huang Po Ch'uan Hsin Fa Yao

For the Western philosopher the most difficult idea to understand is the Zen (Ch'an) notion of ‘Mind’, which is a key to understanding Zen Buddhism. In order to transmit the idea of ‘Mind’ Huang Po suggests that the only successful method for understanding it is intuition. Perhaps the difficulty for the Western philosopher arises from his compulsion to analyze and his wholesale rejection of intuition as a valid method of understanding. For the Zen Buddhist, ‘Mind’ is a sea in which men float expecting to know it as a whole by analyzing every droplet.