cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variants of SERPINA1 and the increasing complexity of testing for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency:

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is caused by mutations in the SERPINA1 gene, which encodes the alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) protein. Currently, over 200 SERPINA1 variants have been identified, many of which cause the quantitative and/or qualitative changes in AAT responsible for AATD-associated lung and liver disease. The types of these pathogenic mutations are varied, often resulting in misfolding, or truncating of the AAT amino acid sequence, and improvements in sequencing technology are helping to identify known and novel genetic variants. However, due to the diversity and novelty of rare variants, the clinical significance of many is largely unknown. There is, therefore, a lack of guidance on how patients should be monitored and treated when the clinical significance of their variant combination is unclear or variable. Nevertheless, it is important that physicians understand the advantages and disadvantages of the different testing methodologies available to diagnose AATD. Owing to the autosomal inheritance of the genetic mutations responsible for AATD, genetic testing should be offered not only to patients at increased AATD risk (e.g. patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), but also to relatives of those with an abnormal result. Genetic counseling may help patients and family members understand the possible outcomes of testing and the implications for the family. While stress/anxiety can arise from genetic diagnosis or confirmation of carrier status, there can be positive consequences to genetic testing, including improved lifestyle choices, directed medical care, and empowered family planning. As genetic testing technology grows and becomes more popular, testing without physician referral is becoming more prevalent, irrespective of the availability of genetic counseling. Therefore, the Alpha-1 Foundation offers genetic counseling, as well as other support and educational material, for patients with AATD, as well as their families and physicians, to help improve the understanding of potential benefits and consequences of genetic testing.
Invisible Victims: Delayed Onset Depression Among Adults with Same-Sex Parents

The relationship of elevated depression risk recently discovered among adult persons raised by same-sex parents with possible precipitating conditions in childhood has not previously been acknowledged. This study tests whether such inattention is supportable. Logistic regression based risk ratios were estimated from longitudinal measures of mental health outcomes observed in three waves (at ages 15, 22, and 28) of the US National Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health (
How to Use This Book

How to use this book presents the practice of surgery viewed from the lens of an “eco-system,” showing surgery as a holistic practice, involving the entire OR theater as “players.” Providing the entire OR staff with a manifest of how the surgery planned is expected to be done will promote teamwork and well-being. The ecosystem grows from niches as personal space to involve group as various teams, then hierarchy. Software to create the surgery manifest include Storyline3 to assimilate information; Adobe suite to edit images, movies, audio; and JotForm to create survey data. The final product is compiled as a CEV-ule.
Analysis of Femtosecond Pulse Systems Using Ray-Pulse Matrices

This paper gives a canonical treatment for the analysis of optical systems in which all rays make small angles to the optical axis and where all frequencies present are close to some center frequency.
Identification of a muscle-specific enhancer within the 5'-flanking region of the human myoglobin gene.

A 2-kilobase fragment from the 5′-flanking region of the human myoglobin gene extending from −2038 to +7 relative to the cap site regulates expression of a heterologous reporter gene in a cell-specific and developmentally regulated manner. Functional analyses of 5′ and internal deletions indicate that sequences located between −261 and −205 are essential for muscle-specific expression in cooperation with the myoglobin core promoter. A 167-base pair fragment containing these sequences (−371 to −205) enhances expression from myoglobin core promoter elements in a manner that is independent of its orientation and position relative to the cap site. When linked to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter, this 167-base pair fragment of the myoglobin gene also enhances expression in differentiated myotubes but not in undifferentiated myoblasts or fibroblasts. Nucleotide sequences within the region that is essential for enhancing activity (−261 to −205) are conserved in other mammalian myoglobin genes (seal, mouse) and resemble sequences within control regions of other genes that are expressed selectively in striated myocytes. These data indicate that the 5′-flanking region of the human myoglobin gene contains an enhancer-like element that is important for transcriptional activation during myocyte differentiation.
The Evolution of Size in Size-Structured Populations

In many populations of animals and plants, particularly those with indeterminate growth, size is the dominant ecological attribute of individuals (see Caswell 1982 and this Vol.; Peters 1983; Werner and Gilliam 1984; Sauer and Slade 1987; Sebens 1987). Understanding the evolution of size is therefore critical to understanding the population biology of these species. Because individuals of different ages are often of very different size, a full treatment must consider the ontogeny of size. This paper outlines a predictive theory for the evolution of growth trajectories based on quantitative genetics.
Detection of Clostridium botulinum toxin by local paralysis elicited with intramuscular challenge.

Clostridium botulinum toxin can be identified by a characteristic, acute local paralysis that follows its injection into the gastrocnemius (“calf” muscle) of mice The local botulism can be elicited with slightly less than one-tenth the toxin amount that is needed to kill mice by the intraperitoneal (i.p.) challenge route. The practical sensitivities of the intramuscular (i.m.) versus i.p. tests are about equal, however, because maximum sample volume injectable i.m. is 0.1 ml as compared to the 0.5-ml range that can be given i.p. i.m. injection of 10 or more mouse i.p. mean lethal doses causes paralysis in about 1 h, and an i.m. injection of about 0.5 i.p. mean lethal doses causes paralysis in 3 to 4 h. Toxin neutralization by homologous type of antitoxin only can be demonstrated with an incubated mixture of toxin and antitoxin. Although not as convenient as the i.p. method for routine use to detect botulinum toxin, the i.m. method has characteristics which could make it a useful supplement to the presently accepted i.p. procedure.
Milling method affects zinc content of maize and health status of Mongolian gerbils (646.5)

Micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin A (VA), zinc, and iron, are of global health concern. Biofortified (orange) maize has provitamin A carotenoids and can support vitamin A status. Diffe...
A provably correct compiler for efficient model checking of mobile processes

We present an optimizing compiler for the π-calculus that significantly improves the time and space performance of the MMC model checker. MMC exploits the similarity between the manner in which resolution techniques handle variables in a logic program and the manner in which the operational semantics of the π-calculus handles names by representing π-calculus names in MMC as Prolog variables, with distinct names represented by distinct variables. Given a π-calculus process P, our compiler for MMC produces an extremely compact representation of P’s symbolic state space as a set of transition rules. It also uses AC unification to recognize states that are equivalent due to symmetry.
The JNC-7 Guidelines and the Optimal Target for Systolic Blood Pressure

To the Editor: The JNC-7 guidelines suggested that diastolic blood pressure (DBP) should not be aggressively lowered below 55 to 60 mm Hg because of possible increase in cardiovascular events associated with lower values (pages 1222 and 1229 of the report).1 This conclusion was mainly derived from results of the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP).2 However, the committee did not provide similar cutoffs for systolic blood pressure (SBP). In that respect, we …
Heat transfer, momentum losses and flow mixing in a 61-tube bundle with wire-wrap

Abstract Friction factors and heat transfer coefficients were obtained in the laminar and turbulent regions for a 61-tube wire-wrapped hexagonal bundle in a water flow loop. Circumferential static pressure and temperature profiles of tubes, and the flow patterns produced by injection of dye at the periphery of the bundle revealed a strong local effect of the wire-wrap. The increase in heat and momentum transfer resulting from the wire-wrap was more pronounced in the laminar region than in the turbulent region. Correlations for the friction factors and Nusselt numbers were developed from the data and compared with the literature.
Possible impact of multi-electron loss events on the average beam charge state in an HIF target chamber and a neutral beam approach

Abstract Experiments were carried out during the early 1980s to assess the obtainable atomic neutralization of energetic beams of negative ions ranging from lithium to silicon. The experiments found (Grisham et al. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 53 (1982) 281; Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Report PPPL-1857, 1981) that, for higher atomic number elements than lithium, it appeared that a substantial fraction of the time more than one electron was being lost in a single collision. This result was inferred from the existence of more than one ionization state in the product beam for even the thinnest line densities at which any electron removal took place. Because of accelerator limitations, these experiments were limited to maximum energies of 7 MeV. However, based upon these results, it is possible that multi-electron loss events may also play a significant role in determining the average ion charge state of the much higher Z and more energetic beams traversing the medium in an heavy ion fusion chamber. This could result in the beam charge state being considerably higher than previously anticipated, and might require designers to consider harder vacuum ballistic focusing approaches, or the development of additional space charge neutralization schemes. This paper discusses the measurements that gave rise for these concerns, as well as a description of further measurements that are proposed to be carried out for atomic numbers and energies per amu which would be closer to those required for heavy ion fusion drivers. With a very low current beam of a massive, but low charge state energetic ion, the charge state distribution emerging from a target gas cell could be measured as a function of line density and medium composition. Varying the line density would allow one to simulate the charge state evolution of the beam as a function of distance into the target chamber. This paper also briefly discusses a possible alternative driver approach using photodetachment-neutralized atomic beams, which could reduce plasma complications far from the target, but which would impose more stringent limitations upon chamber pressure and repetition rate.
Correlates of mood disturbance in women with breast cancer: patterns over time.

Title. Correlates of mood disturbance in women with breast cancer: patterns over time Aim. This study examined factors associated with mood disturbance prior to, during and after adjuvant therapy. Background. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Mood disturbance affects between 20% and 30% of women with breast cancer and is associated with other debilitating symptoms. However, factors associated with mood disturbance across the breast cancer diagnosis–treatment trajectory are not clearly understood. Method. A stress-coping framework guided this longitudinal study. A convenience sample of 49 American women with newly diagnosed breast cancer aged 37–77 years completed questionnaires assessing age, optimism, disease stage, type of adjuvant therapy, lymph node status, emotional support, aid (tangible) support, perceived stress and mood disturbance. Data were collected over an 18-month period in 2002–2003 at three time points: prior to, during and after adjuvant therapy. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression were used. Findings. At all three time points, higher stress was significantly related to greater mood disturbance. Perceived stress mediated the relationship between (1) emotional support and mood disturbance prior to and after adjuvant therapy and between (2) aid support and mood disturbance during adjuvant therapy. In addition, the type of support that was most important to mood disturbance varied over time. Emotional support was related to reduced mood disturbance prior to and after adjuvant therapy, whereas aid support was most important during adjuvant therapy. Conclusions. Nurses may use this information to develop interventions that bolster appropriate types of support to reduce stress and ultimately lower mood disturbance. Further research across cultures is needed.
The case for an interval-based representation of linguistic truth

Abstract This paper develops an interval-based approach to the concept of linguistic truth. A special-purpose interval logic is defined, and it is argued that, for many applications, this logic provides a potentially useful alternative to the conventional fuzzy logic. The key idea is to interpret the numerical truth value v(p) of a proposition p as a degree of belief in the logical certainty of p , in which case p is regarded as true , for example, if v(p) falls within a certain range, say, the interval [0.7, 1]. This leads to a logic which, although being only a special case of fuzzy logic, appears to be no less linguistically correct and at the same time offers definite advantages in terms of mathematical simplicity and computational speed. It is also shown that this same interval logic can be generalized to a lattice-based logic having the capacity to accommodate propositions p which employ fuzzy predicates of type 2.
Emission spectroscopy of nitrogen in a supersonic discharge. N2(X1Σ+g, v″) vibrational distributions revealed by Penning ionization/first negative group spectra

Abstract A collisional relaxation study of nitrogen in a supersonic helium discharge is presented. The discussion centers on spectra resulting from the Penning ionization reaction between nitrogen and metastable helium at selected points of the expansion core. The intensity distribution of the first negative group is used to calculate the v ″-distribution of N 2 (X 1 Σ + g , v ″). This is feasible due to the “vertical” nature of the penning ionization and the availability of all necessary Franck-Condon factors and Einstein coefficients. The results prove interesting as a propensity rule appears to govern the distribution of N 2 (X 1 Σ + g , v ″) in the supersonic expansion. In particular, population of the even-numbered v ″ levels is favored during collisions between N 2 (X 1 Σ + g , v ″ and excited nitrogen discharge species prior to expansion.
Social policy evaluation: An example from drinking age legislation

Abstract This article represents an exploration into issues relevant to the application of evaluation methodologies and theories to the social policy arena. A number of evaluation approaches and issues are explored in the context of an illustrative policy example — that of the legislative changes in minimum legal drinking age in the state of Michigan. This effort is directed towards the goal of furthering the solution of social problems through effective involvement of evaluation strategies in social policy development.
A quantitative review of the diagnostic utility of the WAIS-R Fuld profile.

Abstract The prevalence of Fuld's WAIS “cholinergic deficit” profile has been examined in 18 studies, in which the profiles of over 3700 subjects have been evaluated. When these data were pooled, it was found that the profile's sensitivity to dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) was only 24.1%; 77 of 319 DAT patients evaluated across seven studies displayed the Fuld profile. The profile's specificity was considerably better than its sensitivity; 93.3% (2256/2418) of normals had “negative” profiles, as did 88.5% (1058/1198) of non-DAT patients (e.g., patients with multi-infarct dementia). With its poor sensitivity, the profile's diagnostic utility under different base rate conditions was unimpressive. Memory indices possess far greater sensitivity to DAT, and have been shown to reliably differentiate DAT from many other causes of cognitive dysfunction. It was recommended that future diagnostic studies of DAT should evaluate whether additional neuropsychological measures, such as WAIS-R indices, enhance the diagnostic accuracy achieved by memory measures.
The organisation of Chinese shame concepts

This study examined Chinese shame concepts. By asking native Chinese to identify terms for shame, we collected 113 shame terms. Hierarchical cluster analysis of sorted terms yielded a comprehensive map of the concept. We found, at the highest abstract level, two large distinctions of “shame state, self‐focus” and “reactions to shame, other‐focus.” While the former describes various aspects of actual shame experience that focuses on the self, the latter focuses on consequences of and reactions to shame directed at others. Shame state with self‐focus contained three further sets of meanings: (1) one's fears of losing face; (2) the feeling state after one's face has been lost; and (3) guilt. Reactions to shame with other‐focus also consisted of three further sets of subcomponents at the same level: (4) disgrace; (5) shamelessness and its condemnation; and (6) embarrassment. Except for guilt, there were several subclusters under each of these categories. We discussed both universal trends and specific constel...
Evaluation of the pain response by Mexican American and Anglo American women and their nurses

This study examined the relationship between ethnicity and pain. The study addressed three major research questions. The first question asked whether there was a significant difference in Mexican American women's and Anglo American women's response to cholecystectomy pain. Secondly, the nurses' attribution of pain to each of the two ethnic groups was compared. Finally, the patient's evaluation of the pain being experienced was compared to the nurse's evaluation of the pain the patient was experiencing. The sample consisted of 60 patient subjects and 60 nurse responses. Data were collected at two major teaching hospitals in southern California. Patient pain was measured using the McGill Pain Questionnaire, amount of analgesics and three physiological measures. The nurse's assessment of patient pain was measured using the Present Pain Intensity scale. MANOVA was used to analyse differences between the two ethnic groups on all measures of pain and no significant differences were found between the two ethnic groups on any of the measures of pain. However, nurses judged the two ethnic groups' pain response differently, assigning more pain to Anglo Americans. Finally, a dependent t-test was used to compare nurses' and patients' evaluation of pain. There were significant differences. Nurses evaluated the patients' pain as being less than patients did. Pearson product-moment correlations were used to examine the relationship between pain and sample characteristics of both patients and nurses. For the nurses, pain was significantly related to the patient's education, place of birth, language and religion.
Ninety-Day Mortality After Bilateral Hip Arthroplasty

Despite lack of any studies, to our knowledge, bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) is believed to carry higher perioperative mortality. The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of mortality within 90 days of bilateral THA in a major urban medical center. The incidence of 90-day mortality after 1-stage bilateral THA performed in 707 patients between 1995 and 2004 was evaluated. A detailed analysis of our database was performed to determine which bilateral THA patients died within 90 days of surgery. Every living patient who had undergone bilateral hip arthroplasty was contacted. One patient (0.14%, 1/707) died within 90 days of 1-stage bilateral THA. The patient developed spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma requiring massive transfusion. The patient died of multisystem failure 35 days after undergoing bilateral THA. One-stage bilateral uncemented THA performed in a select group of healthy and young patients carries an acceptable risk.
SU‐FF‐T‐209: Implementation of 2D Arrays for TomoTherapy Patient‐Specific QA

Purpose: 2D arrays were not designed for rotational delivery modalities such as TomoTherapy. This study explores their clinical use and develops a methodology for minimizing their limitations. Method and Materials: The MatriXX ion chamber array (MULTICube phantom) and the MapCHECK diode array (MapPHAN phantom) were calibrated using a TomoTherapy plan with a contour enclosing the center diode/ion chamber and an adjacent ion chamber in solid water for absolute dose calibration. Eight prototype TomoTherapy treatment plans were created with various directional blocks to restrict beam delivery angles. Delivery verification plans for these prototype plans and for multiple clinical patient plans were created using MVCT images of each array in its respective phantom and then delivered. For comparison, film and ion chamber measurements were made with the cylindrical TomoTherapy cheese phantom. Results: Clinically, less than 5% of more than 100 patient treatment plans verified with these 2D arrays had pass rates less than 95% for a 3%/3‐mm DTA criterion. Relative dose comparisons for the failing plans all had pass rates above 95%, indicating a calibration/scaling error. DQAs for a prototype plan that restricted beams to a 45 degree lateral arc had pass rates of ∼40% (absolute error > 5%) for both devices, indicating a problem with lateral beams. Similar arc restrictions in the AP/PA plane produced plans with pass rates > 95% for both devices. To minimize these effects, two approaches were explored. Histograms of MLC leaf opening times as a function of projection angle were used to either determine the optimal device orientation or to determine a calibration procedure that more closely matched the angular distribution of delivery beams. Conclusion: Both devices can be used with TomoTherapy satisfactorily, but care must be taken to orient and calibrate the 2D array under delivery conditions that more closely match the treatment delivery conditions.
The Wnt/β-catenin Pathway

Wnts are a family of secreted glycoproteins that act as ligands to activate receptor-mediated signaling pathways. The first described Wnt pathway, and the best understood, is one that works through a cytoplasmic protein, β-catenin. Specific members of the Wnt family interact with a Frizzled receptor complex, promoting the activity of Dishevelled, which in turn enhances the stability and activity of β-catenin. β-catenin probably binds members of the T cell factor and lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family of transcription factors, or to various other proteins, to regulate expression of target genes in a cellular context-dependent manner. Wnt signaling through this pathway regulates cell proliferation, survival, and cell fate. Inappropriate activation of this pathway may be an initiating event in some cancers, and inhibiting this pathway in transformed cells shows promise for anticancer therapies. Conversely, activation of this pathway shows promise as a target for developing osteoporosis, neurodegenerative disease, and stem cell therapies. The Connections Map for this Pathway provides an overview of the many signals that converge on β-catenin and influence Wnt signaling. Science Viewpoint R. T. Moon, B. Bowerman, M. Boutros, and N. Perrimon, The promise and perils of Wnt signaling through β-catenin. Science 296 , 1644-1646 (2002). [Abstract] [Full Text]
Continuity, completeness and the definition of weak preferences

Abstract This note explores the connections between continuity and completeness under alternative conceptions of preference relations. For non-trivial preorders, it shows that, unlike the standard definitions, the weak preference relation defined in Galaabaatar and Karni (2010) allows for incomplete preferences while maintaining all the continuity properties of complete preference relations. It also makes it possible to distinguish indifference between alternatives from non-comparability of alternatives. If the preference relations are complete, this definition agrees with the customary definitions.
Single neuronal recordings using surface micromachined polysilicon microelectrodes.

Abstract Bulk micromachining techniques of silicon have been used successfully in the past several years to microfabricate microelectrodes for monitoring single neurons in acute and chronic experiments. In this study we report for the first time a novel surface micromachining technique to microfabricate a very thin polysilicon microelectrode that can be used for monitoring single-unit activity in the central nervous system. The microelectrodes are 3 mm long and 50 μm × 3.75 μm in cross-section. Excellent signal to noise ratios in the order of 25–35 dB were obtained while recording neuronal action potentials. The microelectrodes successfully penetrated the brains after a microincision of the dura mater. Chronic implantation of the microprobe for upto 33 days produced only minor gliosis. Since the polysilicon shank acts as a conductor, additional processing steps involved in laying conductor lines on silicon substrates are avoided. Further, surface micromachining allows for fabricating extremely thin microelectrodes which could result in decreased inflammatory responses. We conclude that the polysilicon microelectrode reported here could be a complementary approach to bulk-micromachined silicon microelectrodes for chronic monitoring of single neurons in the central nervous system.
Plasma stromal cell-derived factor 1α/CXCL12 level predicts long-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract Objective : Stromal derived factor-1α/CXCL12 is a chemoattractant responsible for homing of progenitor cells to ischemic tissues. We aimed to investigate the association of plasma CXCL12 with long-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods : 785 patients aged: 63 ± 12 undergoing coronary angiography were independently enrolled into discovery ( N = 186) and replication ( N = 599) cohorts. Baseline levels of plasma CXCL12 were measured using Quantikine CXCL12 ELISA assay (R&D systems). Patients were followed for cardiovascular death and/or myocardial infarction (MI) for a mean of 2.6 yrs. Cox proportional hazard was used to determine independent predictors of cardiovascular death/MI. Results : The incidence of cardiovascular death/MI was 13% ( N = 99). High CXCL12 level based on best discriminatory threshold derived from the ROC analysis predicted risk of cardiovascular death/MI (HR = 4.81, p = 1 × 10 −6 ) independent of traditional risk factors in the pooled cohort. Addition of CXCL12 to a baseline model was associated with a significant improvement in c-statistic (AUC: 0.67–0.73, p = 0.03). Addition of CXCL12 was associated with correct risk reclassification of 40% of events and 10.5% of non-events. Similarly for the outcome of cardiovascular death, the addition of the CXCL12 to the baseline model was associated with correct reclassification of 20.7% of events and 9% of non-events. These results were replicated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion : Plasma CXCL12 level is a strong independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CAD and improves risk reclassification.
Alkali metal and ammonium cation–arene interactions with tetraphenylborate anion

Sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, ammonium and tetramethylammonium tetraphenylborates were studied by both positive and negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry. An affinity order of Cs+ > Rb+ > K+ ∼ Na+ was obtained. The results obtained were compared with both calculations and solid-state structures, where available. The previously reported high affinity of caesium for tetraphenylborate concluded from NMR experiments was confirmed for the gas phase. The affinity does not appear to result from steric effects and a cation–pi interaction seems likely. In the positive ion mode, a unique acetonitrile complex of NaBPh4 was observed.
Analysis of concrete cable-stayed bridges for creep, shrinkage and relaxation effects

The time-dependent effects of creep and shrinkage of concrete and relaxation of prestressing tendons on stresses and deflections in segmentally erected, cable-stayed, concrete bridges are investigated. Specifically, these effects should be considered when determining the girder cross-sectional stress redistribution necessitated by shear lag. A special purpose, three-dimensional finite element code is developed to analyze these effects. Time-independent effects considered are large displacements in girders and pylons, sag effects in cable stays and anchorage slip loss.
A general classification of U-shaped dose-response relationships in toxicology and their mechanistic foundations

The development of a comprehensive database of chemical hormetic responses (i.e., U-or inverted U-shaped dose-response relationships) using objective a priori study design, statistical and study replication criteria has recently been reported.1 An assessment of this database reveals the existence of a wide range of hormetic dose-reponse relationships including those demonstrating a direct stimulation or an overcompensation response to a disruption of homeostasis. These two broad types of hormetic responses are affected by temporal factors and display unique patterns of dose-range stimulation, magnitude of stimulatory response and relationship of the maximum stimulatory response to the NOAEL. A general classification of U-shaped dose-response relationships is proposed to provide a more organized framework to evaluate the highly distinctive and diverse hormetic responses within the context of establishing underlying biological mechanisms and exploring risk assessment implications.
A COMPARISON OF PROCEDURES FOR TRAINING EFFICIENT WORD PROCESSING

The efficiency with which words can be identified is assessed in basic research by measuring identification reaction time or by determining the probability of a correct response when targets are presented tachistoscopically for very brief exposure durations. Subjects in this experiment‐‐eight high school students and one elementary student whose mean reading comprehension scores were at the 4.6 grade level‐‐received practice in making both speeded and tachistoscopic identifications of high and low frequency words. These two training conditions were compared to each other and to a third control condition where target stimuli were presented at a self‐paced rate with no experimental press for efficient processing. Comparisons were made on the time required to silently read simple sentences containing the trained words. Although reaction time training yielded faster identifications of high and low frequency words in isolation, differential transfer to sentence reading was not obtained. It is argued that the c...
Effects of methylmercury exposure on the immune function of juvenile common loons (Gavia immer)

We conducted a dose-response laboratory study to quantify the level of exposure to dietary Hg, delivered as methylmercury chloride (CH3HgCl), that is associated with suppressed immune function in captive-reared common loon (Gavia immer) chicks. We used the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin test to assess T-lymphocyte function and the sheep red blood cell (SRBC) hemagglutination test to measure antibody-mediated immunity. The PHA stimulation index among chicks receiving dietary Hg treatment did not differ significantly from those of chicks on the control diet (p = 0.15). Total antibody (immunoglobulin [Ig] M [primary antibody] + IgG [secondary response]) production to the SRBC antigen in chicks treated with dietary methylmercury (MeHg), however, was suppressed (p = 0.04) relative to chicks on control diets. Analysis indicated suppression of total Ig production (p = 0.025 with comparisonwise alpha level = 0.017) between control and 0.4 microg Hg/g wet food intake treatment groups. Furthermore, the control group exhibited a higher degree of variability in antibody response compared to the Hg groups, suggesting that in addition to reducing the mean response, Hg treatment reduced the normal variation attributable to other biological factors. We observed bursal lymphoid depletion in chicks receiving the 1.2 microg Hg/g treatment (p = 0.017) and a marginally significant effect (p = 0.025) in chicks receiving the 0.4 microg Hg/g diet. These findings suggest that common loon chick immune systems may be compromised at an ecologically relevant dietary exposure concentration (0.4 microg Hg/g wet wt food intake). We also found that chicks hatched from eggs collected from low-pH lakes exhibited higher levels of lymphoid depletion in bursa tissue relative to chicks hatched from eggs collected from neutral-pH lakes.
Evaluating Maclaurin and Sterelny's conception of biodiversity in cases of frequent, promiscuous lateral gene transfer

The recent conception of biodiversity proposed by James Maclaurin and Sterelny was developed mostly with macrobiological life in mind. They suggest that we measure biodiversity by dividing life into natural units (typically species) and quantifying the differences among units using phenetic rather than phylogenetic measures of distance. They identify problems in implementing quantitative phylogenetic notions of difference for non-prokaryotic species. I suggest that if we focus on microbiological life forms that engage in frequent, promiscuous lateral gene transfer (LGT), and their associated reticulated phylogenies, we need to rethink the notion of species as the natural unit, and we discover additional problems with phylogenetic notions of distance. These problems suggest that a phenetic approach based on morphospaces has just as much appeal, if not more, for microbes as they do for multi-cellular life. Facts about LGT, however, offer no new insight into the additional challenge of reconciling units and differences into a single measure of biodiversity.
Shear Rate Dependency of Red Cell Sequestration in Skin Capillaries in Sickle Cell Disease and Its Variation with Vasoocclusive Crisis

Objective: To develop techniques for assessing the sequestration of red blood cells (RBCs) in skin capillaries of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients due to RBC adhesion to endothelium (EC) and RBC aggregation, and to determine the extent to which these processes correlate with onset of painful vasoocclusive crisis.Methods: Video recordings of nailfold capillaries in the skin of patients with SCD were made during steady-state periods and episodes of painful crisis. A transient low-flow state was induced with a pressure cuff, and reductions in RBC velocity were measured by spatial cross-correlation of light intensity along arterial and venous capillary limbs. An RBC accumulation index (AI) was calculated from RBC flow to represent the percentage of arterial in-flow sequestered in a capillary. An index of hematocrit (HI) was derived from axial distributions of light intensity, and a sequestration index (SI) was calculated to represent the relative increase of venous limb HI relative to that in the arterial l...
Enhanced visible to near-infrared quantum cutting in Tb and Yb co-doped oxyfluoride glass-ceramic

Tb and Yb co-doped oxyfluoride glasses were fabricated in a lithium-lanthanum-aluminosilicate matrix by a melt-quench technique. Glass-ceramics were obtained by appropriate heat treatment of the as-prepared glasses. Visible to near-infrared down-conversion quantum cutting was studied for samples with different thermal annealing temperatures and time. Laser light at 488 nm was used to excite Tb3+ ions while Yb3+ ions were excited by energy transfer from the excited Tb3+ ions. Near-infrared emission at 940–1020 nm was observed. It has been found that the emission at 940–1020 nm increased significantly from the glass-ceramic compared to that of the as-prepared glass. This result suggests that the energy-transfer efficiency increases in glass-ceramics compared to that in glass. A significant portion of rare-earth ions may be incorporated inside LaF3 nanoparticles (NPs) in the glass-ceramic. Because the Yb3+ emission at 940–1020 nm is matched well with the band gap of crystalline Si, the quantum cutting effect may have its potential application in silicon-based solar cells.
Special manifolds and shape fibrator properties

Abstract Our main interest in this paper is further investigation of the concept of (PL) fibrators (introduced by Daverman [R.J. Daverman, PL maps with manifold fibers, J. London Math. Soc. (2) 45 (1992) 180–192]), in a slightly different PL setting. Namely, we are interested in manifolds that can detect approximate fibrations in the new setting. The main results state that every orientable, special (a new class of manifolds that we introduce) PL n-manifold with non-trivial first homology group is a fibrator in the new category, if it is a codimension-2 fibrator (Theorem 8.2) or has a non-cyclic fundamental group (Theorem 8.4). We show that all closed, orientable surface S with χ ( S ) 0 are fibrators in the new category.
Studies on the chemistry of mucolipids: Occurrence of the long-chain base icosisphingosine, composition of fatty acids, fractionation attempts

Abstract Several mucolipid preparations from ox brain were studied with respect to their long-chain base and fatty acid constituents. The mixture of bases, released by acid methanolysis and isolated in the form of the neutral oxalates, was subjected to oxidative degradation by means of HIO4, OsO4-HIO4, KMnO4, and CrO3. The analysis by gasliquid chromatography of the reaction products or their derivatives demonstrated the occurrence of two principal long-chain constituents in almost equal quantities, namely, sphingosine and its C20 homologue, 2-amino-1,3-dihydroxy-n-eicosene-4, for which the name icosisphingosine is proposed, together with much smaller quantities of dihydrosphingosine, probably, dihydroicosisphingosine. Stearic acid was the principal fatty acid constituent of the mucolipids, amounting in the purest preparations to 96–97% of the total fatty acids. Orienting experiments on the fractionation of mucolipid, in the form of its methyl ester, on a silicic acid column led to the isolation of two fractions some of whose properties are also discussed. The two long-chain base constituents were found in both fractions.
Permitted, or excluded: "Scientific" archaeology and the maintenance of legitimating myths

‘Scientific’ archaeology advocated by mainstream American archaeologists since the 1960s has tended to narrow ‘science’ to what Kuhn termed normal science, that is, research constrained by a ruling paradigm. This paradigm is based on the Myth of Columbus legitimating European invasions, conquests, and dispossessions of American nations by asserting that until October 1492, the Americas were a wilderness inhabited by savages. European international law held that Christians had the right to invade non-Christian nations and convert them by force if necessary. American schools teach that American Indians lacked the arts of civilization, and this early socialization persists in archaeologists’ models of pre-contact American nations. The paper looks at the “Core system” of the discipline, a recent interest in ‘historicizing’ the pre-contact American past, and the issue of transoceanic contacts before Columbus.
EFFECTS OF ADMINISTERING THE METROPOLITAN READINESS TEST IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH TO SPANISH‐SPEAKING SCHOOL ENTRANTS12

Administration of the Metropolitan Readiness Test (MRT) in English to Spanish-surname, non-English-speaking school entrants is a common practice in many school districts of the Southwest. Such usage may result in systematic discrimination against these pupils. One approach to eliminating the language factor has been to present the test in the language of the cultural group being tested. This suggestion has often been mentioned but has seldom been put into practice. This study was designed to gather evidence concerning the possible effects of administering the Metropolitan Readiness Test in English and in Spanish to Spanish-speaking school entrants. It is one of a series investigating the possible bias of testing Spanish-speaking children in English. METHOD Subjects were 88 Spanish-speaking children in their first school year from two elementary schools in a South Texas city. Fifty-three of these children (Group A) were enrolled in pre-first grade sections. These classes, traditional in many South Texas communities, are conceived of as "readiness classes" and children placed in them are judged deficient in the English language. Thirty-five children (Group B) were enrolled in regular first grade sections. The MRT, Form A (Hildreth, Griffiths, and McGauvran, 1964) was administered to both groups in two versions, in English and in Spanish. Published test directions in English were translated into South Texas colloquial Spanish4. The
Embodiment of Spatial Reference Frames and Individual Differences in Reference Frame Proclivity

Spatial cognitive processes can be based on distinct reference frames centered on the body (egocentric reference frame) or centered on aspects of the surrounding environment independent of the posi...
Infectivity of an iridescent virus for larvae of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Laboratory tests were conducted with an iridescent virus (IV) of Anticarsia gemmatalis from Argentina to determine its infectivity for all six larval instars. For first, second, and third instars, the LC50 values were 5.93, 6.14, and 11.30 mg/ml, respectively. The LD50 values for fourth, fifth, and sixth instars were 1.21, 3.12, and 1.31μg/mg, respectively. The time until death was greater for early instars than for late instars; first instars averaged 23.1 days, second instars 19.6 days, third instars 19.5 days, fourth instars 14.3 days, fifth instars 8.2 days and sixth instars 6.5 days until death. High levels of iridescent virus inoculum appeared to activate a latent nuclear polyhedrosis virus in an average of less than 10% of larvae succumbing to a viral infection. Variable mortality rates were caused with low levels of IV inoculum; high dosages produced a high percentage of mortality, but it was virtually impossible to raise levels of inoculum to concentrations sufficient to produce 100% mortality.
Poly(l-lactic acid) with Segmented Perfluoropolyether Enchainment

A novel approach to property enhancement of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) through the use of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) enchainment is described. Segmented copolymers (FluoroPLA) exhibit tailored surface properties with reasonably high molecular weights and low polydispersities compared to PLLA alone using standard ring-opening polymerization procedures in the presence of tin catalysts. Low loadings of PFPE content (ca. 1−5 wt %) decreases surface energies compared to PLLA from 35 to 38 to 15−18 mN/m2, similar to values reported for poly(tetrafluoroethylene). Ultimate strain studies of FluoroPLA fibers and films have shown a dramatic increase (>300% elongation) over PLLA. This new class of polymer may further expand the use of renewable resources in a variety of applications such as flame retardants, chemical resistant fibers and/or fabrics with tailorable surface energies and wetting properties.
The heavy noble gas composition of the depleted MORB mantle (DMM) and its implications for the preservation of heterogeneities in the mantle

Abstract To characterize the heavy noble gas composition of MORBs we present new He, Ne, Ar, and Xe abundances and isotopic compositions from the equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Both depleted MORBs nominally devoid of plume influence and more enriched MORBs thought to represent the influence of a HIMU mantle plume are present in close geographical proximity in this region. Ne–Ar–Xe isotopic compositions in individual step-crushes are correlated, which, along with significant radiogenic excesses, allows correction for shallow-level air contamination. Based on the relationship between the noble gases and the lithophile isotopes (Sr, Nd and Pb), the depleted MORB mantle has a 21Ne/22Ne between 0.0617 and 0.0646, 40Ar/36Ar ratio of 41,500±9000 and 129Xe/130Xe ratio of 7.77±0.06. On the other hand, the HIMU-type MORBs are characterized by far less radiogenic Ne, Ar and Xe isotopic compositions with mantle source 21Ne/22Ne between 0.0544 and 0.0610, and 40Ar/36Ar and 129Xe/130Xe ratios of 18,100±600 and 7.21±0.06, respectively. The observation of less nucleogenic 21Ne/22Ne in HIMU-type MORBs is similar to observations from HIMU ocean islands and requires the HIMU plume to be comprised of both recycled and primitive material. Within the depleted MORBs we observe He and Ne to be negatively correlated. The observation suggests that along the equatorial Atlantic the most depleted MORBs are related to normal MORBs through the addition of a small proportion of a HIMU plume component. Our new Xe isotopic measurements demonstrate distinct 129Xe/136Xe ratios in the mantle sources of depleted MORBs, HIMU-type MORBs and the Iceland plume. While substantial injection of atmospheric Xe into these mantle sources is implied, the differences in Xe isotopic composition cannot result solely from recycling of air. Rather, they require that mantle plumes sample a reservoir less degassed than the depleted MORB mantle. This conclusion is consistent with a higher proportion of Pu- to U-derived fission Xe in Iceland and HIMU-type MORBs compared to the depleted MORBs. Overall, the Xe isotopic compositions imply that mantle plumes tap a reservoir that separated from the MORB source within the first 100 million years of Earth's history and that the two reservoirs have had limited direct mixing since then.
H2.0-like homeobox regulates early hematopoiesis and promotes acute myeloid leukemia.

Summary Homeobox domain-containing transcription factors are important regulators of hematopoiesis. Here, we report that increased levels of nonclustered H2.0-like homeobox (HLX) lead to loss of functional hematopoietic stem cells and formation of aberrant progenitors with unlimited serial clonogenicity and blocked differentiation. Inhibition of HLX reduces proliferation and clonogenicity of leukemia cells, overcomes the differentiation block, and leads to prolonged survival. HLX regulates a transcriptional program, including PAK1 and BTG1 , that controls cellular differentiation and proliferation. HLX is overexpressed in 87% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and independently correlates with inferior overall survival (n = 601, p = 2.3 × 10 −6 ). Our study identifies HLX as a key regulator in immature hematopoietic and leukemia cells and as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in AML.
The metabolism of solanidine by microsomal fractions from Solanum chacoense

Microsomal fractions prepared from leaves of selected clones of Solanum chacoense after addition of NADPH converted solanidine to a 23β-hydroxysolanidine glycoside and an unknown compound apparently an isomeric hydroxysolanidine.