cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The 23rd International Mammalian Genome Conference meeting report.

La Jolla, California, hosted the 235 attendees of the 23rd International Mammalian Genome Conference. The 47 presentations, including the Verne Chapman Memorial Lecture, 18 plenary speakers, and 3 student speakers selected from the satellite symposium, covered a wide range of topics divided into eight sessions. In addition, 120 posters were presented during three sessions. High-throughput phenotyping was featured prominently this year, with updates on three large-scale resources. Presentations on mutagenesis, animal models of human disease, and highly diverse mouse populations highlighted different approaches to genetic analysis in model organisms. An abundance of mapping studies bridged these phenotyping and genetic analysis themes, demonstrating the increasing importance of genomics in mammalian genetics. The student satellite symposium kicked off the meeting with a selection of 15 talks covering a wide range of topics, followed by the primary sessions. Topics for the primary sessions included Large-scale Resources; Infectious Disease, Host Resistance, and Epigenetics; Neuroscience, Behavior, and Sensory Perception; Metabolism and Physiology; Development; Neoplasia; Scientific Approaches to Animal Husbandry; and Population Genetics, Comparative Genomics, and Evolution. The Verne Chapman lecture was presented by Christopher Goodnow from The Australian National University and covered the genetic analysis of immunological memory and tolerance. The conference concluded with a presentation by Oliver Ryder of the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research on the Genome 10K project, followed by a trolley tour of the San Diego Zoo and a closing awards ceremony. Several overarching themes were emphasized in many of the sessions. The benefits of high-throughput sequencing are becoming widely accessible, thanks to efforts such as the Sanger Mouse Genomes project. Collaboration is becoming increasingly important to meet the challenges posed by large-scale efforts like KOMP, EuCOMM, EUMODIC, and IMPC. Furthermore, several talks highlighted the importance of epigenetics in explaining phenotypic diversity, sex differences, and parent-of-origin effects.
Normative Echocardiographic Values for Right and Left Ventricular Function in Extremely Premature Neonates.

Objective To identify the measures of biventricular function and surrogates of pulmonary vascular resistance that can be expected in relatively stable extremely premature neonates, and evaluate maturational changes in myocardial performance in this patient population. Study design This was a prospective observational study. Clinically stable extremely preterm newborns were divided into 3 cohorts based on gestational age: cohort 1 (240/7–256/7 weeks), cohort 2 (260/7–276/7 weeks), and cohort 3 (280/7–296/7 weeks). Serial echocardiograms were obtained on day of life 3-5, 7-10, and just prior to discharge. Results In total, 46 subjects met the criteria aimed at capturing only the most clinically healthy and stable newborns less than 296/7 weeks of gestational age. Myocardial performance was reliably assessed by echocardiography with high inter-reader correlation. Normative values were identified for right ventricular function, left ventricular function, and surrogates of pulmonary vascular resistance. Conclusions Biventricular systolic performance is significantly different in the clinically stable extremely premature neonate when compared with healthy full-term newborns. All participants had evidence of poor biventricular compliance at birth which improved with maturation. Extreme prematurity does not appear to adversely affect myocardial functional maturation at the time of term corrected age and/or discharge.
Chromatin assembly factor 1 suppresses epigenetic reprogramming toward adaptive drug resistance

Abstract The long-term effectiveness of targeted cancer therapies is limited by the development of resistance. Although epigenetic reprogramming has been implicated in resistance, the mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we demonstrate that increased chromatin accessibility is involved in adaptive BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi)-resistance in melanoma cells. We observed loss of chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1) and its related histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) with adaptive BRAFi resistance. We further showed that depletion of CAF-1 provides chromatin plasticity for effective reprogramming by AP1 components to promote BRAFi resistance. Our data suggest that therapeutic approaches to restore H3K9me3 levels may compensate for the loss of CAF-1 and, in turn, suppress resistance to BRAF inhibitors.
Statistical Analysis of Adult Cyclists’ Sociodemographic Factors and Helmet-Wearing Behavior

Multiple studies show the benefits to biking safety of the use of helmets, but opponents to Bicycle Helmet Laws claim that a mandate on helmet usage would discourage cycling, therefore nullifying the advantages of helmet usage. It has been in fact shown that increasing the number of bicycle riders on the roads improves overall safety. At the end of 2019, however, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended the introduction of all-ages helmet laws to reduce fatalities involving cyclists. The goal of this research is to identify sociodemographic characteristics and cycling behaviors that are associated with the use and non-use of bicycle helmets among adults using statistical analysis of data collected via a survey questionnaire distributed in California, USA. The statistical analysis of data collected from adult participants in California helps to understand the relationship between adult cyclists’ sociodemographic factors and helmet-wearing behavior.
Comparing Homicidal Ideations with Homicides/Assaults Victimization among Various Racial/Ethnic Groups in the United States

Introduction: Multiple and diverse contributors of homicidal ideation and homicidal/assault victimization exist. Although multiple studies have been conducted to examine the homicidal victimization, there is dearth in the literature regarding homicidal ideation. Therefore, we undertook this study to investigate and compare perpetrators of homicide to victims of homicide or assault, based on race and ethnicity. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of inpatient hospitalizations in the US from January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017 using Nationwide Inpatient Sample data. We estimated the risk of homicidal ideation and homicidal/assault victims among various racial/ethnic groups using survey logistic regression models, while adjusting for patient demographic and hospitalization characteristics. R and RStudio were utilized to conduct all statistical analyses and Joinpoint Regression Program for conducting temporal trends analyses. Results: During the study duration 2010-2017, there were 358,687 (0.12%) hospitalizations related to homicidal ideation. In 2017, the rate of homicidal/assault victimization related hospitalizations were 0.20%. After adjusting for covariates, Non-Hispanic (NH)-Blacks had an increased likelihood (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.41, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.17-1.69) to have homicidal ideations and to be victims of assault and homicide (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 2.06-2.75) compared to NH-Whites. Conclusions and Implication for Translation: Our study shows that significant racial/ethnic disparities exist for homicidal ideation and being victims of homicide and assault in the US during the study period. Targeted mental and behavioral health intervention towards NH-Black community could help prevent them from becoming perpetrators and victims of homicide. Copyright © 2021 Willis. et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0
Automatic wide complex tachycardia differentiation using mathematically synthesized vectorcardiogram signals

BACKGROUND Automated wide complex tachycardia (WCT) differentiation into ventricular tachycardia (VT) and supraventricular wide complex tachycardia (SWCT) may be accomplished using novel calculations that quantify the extent of mean electrical vector changes between the WCT and baseline electrocardiogram (ECG). At present, it is unknown whether quantifying mean electrical vector changes within three orthogonal vectorcardiogram (VCG) leads (X, Y, and Z leads) can improve automated VT and SWCT classification. METHODS A derivation cohort of paired WCT and baseline ECGs was used to derive five logistic regression models: (i) one novel WCT differentiation model (i.e., VCG Model), (ii) three previously developed WCT differentiation models (i.e., WCT Formula, VT Prediction Model, and WCT Formula II), and (iii) one "all-inclusive" model (i.e., Hybrid Model). A separate validation cohort of paired WCT and baseline ECGs was used to trial and compare each model's performance. RESULTS The VCG Model, composed of WCT QRS duration, baseline QRS duration, absolute change in QRS duration, X-lead QRS amplitude change, Y-lead QRS amplitude change, and Z-lead QRS amplitude change, demonstrated effective WCT differentiation (area under the curve [AUC] 0.94) for the derivation cohort. For the validation cohort, the diagnostic performance of the VCG Model (AUC 0.94) was similar to that achieved by the WCT Formula (AUC 0.95), VT Prediction Model (AUC 0.91), WCT Formula II (AUC 0.94), and Hybrid Model (AUC 0.95). CONCLUSION Custom calculations derived from mathematically synthesized VCG signals may be used to formulate an effective means to differentiate WCTs automatically.
COMMUNICATION AND CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

Abstract As in other complex, sociotechnical systems, communication plays an important role in accomplishing goals, and coordinating individuals and tasks. Thus, the effective communication for safe and efficient flight operations is a critical part of Crew Resource Management (CRM) training. Over the years, the basic concepts and history have not changed significantly, but the chapter has been updated to reflect how communication as a CRM skill has evolved and how it relates to changes in the operational environment, enhanced technology aircraft and airspace systems. In addition, the communication concept is considered beyond the flight deck including cross-functional teams and the organization as a whole.
Effect of axle configurations on fatigue and faulting of concrete pavements

The new mechanistic-empirical pavement design method in the US does away with the ESAL concept and employs instead the concept of axle load spectra. The state of Michigan allows several heavy truck configurations with up to 11 axles and large axle groups with as many as 8 axles within one axle group. However, very little research has been done on the effect of different axle configurations on pavement damage. In this paper, the fatigue life of concrete beams was determined in the laboratory for different axle configurations. The results indicate that the normalized fatigue damage per axle for larger axle groups is less than the single axle under identical stress ratios. The damage is much lower when considering the reduction of stress under multiple axles. In addition, a mechanistic analysis was performed for faulting and fatigue with and without curling. The results showed that class 13 trucks with multiple axles are less damaging in fatigue than class 9 trucks, while the most damaging truck is that of class 11 with only single axles. The results from faulting analysis showed that class 13 trucks are more damaging than class 9 truck, while the least damaging truck is that of class 11.
Canonical propagators for nonlinear systems: Theory and sample applications

A new canonical formalism for solving general nonlinear systems is presented. Fundamental to this formalism is the construction of forward (advanced) and backward (retarded) propagators that yield the problem's solution exactly, by propagating volume, surface, and initial sources. These propagators also satisfy reciprocity and semigroup properties. Therefore, they represent a generalization to nonlinear systems of the Green's functions from linear theory. Several examples are presented to illustrate the application of the algorithm as well as its numerical advantages over alternative methods.
Crystal size distribution (CSD) in rocks and the kinetics and dynamics of crystallization

Crystal size distributions (CSDs) measured in metamorphic rocks yield quantitative information about crystal nucleation and growth rates, growth times, and the degree of overstepping (ΔT) of reactions during metamorphism. CSDs are described through use of a population density function n=dN/dL, where N is the cumulative number of crystals per unit volume and L is a linear crystal size. Plots of ln (n) vs. L for olivine+pyroxene and magnetite in high-temperature (1000° C) basalt hornfelses from the Isle of Skye define linear arrays, indicating continuous nucleation and growth of crystals during metamorphism. Using the slope and intercept of these linear plots in conjunction with growth rate estimates we infer minimum mineral growth times of less than 100 years at ΔT<10° C, and nucleation rates between 10−4 and 10−1/cm3/s. Garnet and magnetite in regionally metamorphosed pelitic schists from south-central Maine have CSDs which are bell-shaped. We interpret this form to be the result of two processes: 1) initial continuous nucleation and growth of crystals, and 2) later loss of small crystals due to annealing. The large crystals in regional metamorphic rocks retain the original size frequency distribution and may be used to obtain quantitative information on the original conditions of crystal nucleation and growth. The extent of annealing increases with increasing metamorphic grade and could be used to estimate the duration of annealing conditions if the value of a rate constant were known. Finally, the different forms of crystal size distributions directly reflect differences in the thermal histories of regional vs. contact metamorphosed rocks: because contact metamorphism involves high temperatures for short durations, resulting CSDs are linear and unaffected by annealing, similar to those produced by crystallization from a melt; because regional metamorphism involves prolonged cooling from high temperatures, primary linear CSDs are later modified by annealing to bell shapes.
What Kind of Community? An Inquiry into Teaching Practices that Move beyond Exclusion

Democracy, to be fully realized as inclusive and participatory, requires public spaces in which different views are able to be spoken and heard, and where opinions are formed and informed through interactions among people with diverse interests. This article considers how a multi-institutional/community collaborative course set out to both teach democratic thinking and model democratic processes. In doing so, we consider how the curriculum, teaching style, and activities in one course, Reclaiming Democracy, have been designed to resist the many forms of exclusion that exist both in higher education and community settings. Just as the course has been developed in partnership with six professors, a community organizer, and past students, so too has this article been created, written, edited, and revised by the six faculty members of the teaching team; hence, it is a multi-vocal presentation representing the goals, values, and outcomes of this way of teaching. We focus on what political philosopher Iris Marion Young calls the greeting, rhetoric, and narrative as communicative features that could improve the quality of public discussion and deliberation. Pairing that understanding with Westheimer and Kahne’s three models of citizenship and the curricular models designed to foster them, we specify a number of our own pedagogical choices, offer some examples of student responses, and consider other examples of democratic inclusiveness from the course. Taken together, we argue that these practices make for a rich, democratically engaging and fun experience and may effectively motivate students to seek out and form other democratic communities throughout the course of their lives.
Nonvascular, Symplasmic Diffusion of Sucrose Cannot Satisfy the Carbon Demands of Growth in the Primary Root Tip of Zea mays L.

Nonvascular, symplasmic transport of sucrose (Suc) was investigated theoretically in the primary root tip of maize (Zea mays L. cv WF9 x Mo 17) seedlings. Symplasmic diffusion has been assumed to be the mechanism of transport of Suc to cells in the root apical meristem (R.T. Giaquinta, W. Lin, N.L. Sadler, V.R. Franceschi [1983] Plant Physiol 72: 362-367), which grow apical to the end of the phloem and must build all biomass with carbon supplied from the shoot or kernel. We derived an expression for the growth-sustaining Suc flux, which is the minimum longitudinal flux that would be required to meet the carbon demands of growth in the root apical meristem. We calculated this flux from data on root growth velocity, area, and biomass density, taking into account construction and maintenance respiration and the production of mucilage by the root cap. We then calculated the conductivity of the symplasmic pathway for diffusion, from anatomical data on cellular dimensions and the frequency and dimensions of plasmodesmata, and from two estimates of the diffusive conductance of a plasmodesma, derived from independent data. Then, the concentration gradients required to drive a growth-sustaining Suc flux by diffusion alone were calculated but were found not to be physiologically reasonable. We also calculated the hydraulic conductivity of the plasmodesmatal pathway and found that mass flow of Suc solution through plasmodesmata would also be insufficient, by itself, to satisfy the carbon demands of growth. However, much of the demand for water to cause cell expansion could be met by the water unloaded from the phloem while unloading Suc to satisfy the carbon demands of growth, and the hydraulic conductivity of plasmodesmata is high enough that much of that water could move symplasmically. Either our current understanding of plasmodesmatal ultrastructure and function is flawed, or alternative transport mechanisms must exist for Suc transport to the meristem.
Cutting a Cake for Five People

Given a heterogeneous cake and 5 players, we give the first bounded algorithm for computing an envy-free division of the cake, such that each person thinks he gets the largest piece. The case with 4 players was solved in a famous paper by Brams et al. in 1997. Our algorithm can be discretized to obtain an *** envy-free division in $O({\rm polylog} \left( 1 / \epsilon \right))$ time. The algorithm is based on augmenting the irrevocable advantage graph in a new way. We also look at the open problem of finding discrete procedures for computing envy-free division among 4 players. We present a simple algorithm that finds an envy-free division of a portion of the cake, such that each player gets at least 1/4 of the whole cake (in his valuation).
World Models: Who is the Guarantor?

There is an old saying, “War is too important to be left to the Generals.” To this I would add, “World models are too important to be left to the model builders.” This does not mean that the burden of the model building effort should not be borne by operations researchers and modeling experts. However, as the ultimate stakes are so terribly high, I do mean that the model builders should not do it alone. The possible survival of mankind is simply too much responsibility for one small segment of society to bear. Consequently, any policy model which is constructed needs a socially recognized guarantor. The data and assumptions of a model must be warranted and secured by some person, process or belief. This is an awesome responsibility to be assumed by a lonely model-builder. It is a responsibility that I believe must be shared by the body politic on whose behalf the model is constructed.
A proposed course on numerical techniques in electromagnetics

A description is given of the establishment and content of a senior/first-year graduate course in numerical methods in electromagnetics. Examples of sample problems suitable for the course are presented. The problems encountered in offering such a course and suggestions for improvements are discussed. >
Applications of selective complexation by a europium(III) coordination polymer sorbent for the pre-fractionation of volatile compounds

Abstract Non-volatile coordination polymers of the lanthanides can be formed from the reaction of the metal salt with a bis(β-diketonate) ligand. The resulting polymer is incorporated into the stationary phase of a small, pre-analytical column and used selectively to retain nucleophilic organic compounds through complexation. Compounds which do not form complexes, or form weak complexes, are eluted through the pre-column and analyzed by high resolution capillary gas chromatography. The retained compounds are subsequently removed from the pre-column by heating, which dissociates the complex. Carrier gas seeps the pre-column and the presorbed compounds are deposited in the analytical column for analysis as a separate fraction. The technique is applied here to the separation of complex forming and non-complex forming components arising from volativel urinary metabolites and gasoline decomposition products.
Preparation of arene ruthenium(II) complexes with activated ligands for protein labeling

Abstract Ruthenium–arene complexes that contain either 4-vinylpyridine, an alkylating agent for sulfhydryl groups, or a pentachlorophenol ester, a known acylating agent, have been prepared and characterized by 1 H NMR, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Neutral complexes (η 6 -C 6 H 6 )Cl 2 (4-vinylpyridine)Ru(II), (η 6 -C 6 H 6 )Cl 2 pentachlorophenylisonicotinateRu(II), and (η 6 -C 6 H 6 )Cl 2 pentachlorophenyl-3-(4-pyridyl)propionateRu(II) were synthesized from the arenedichlororuthenium dimer. Dicationic complexes [(η 6 -C 6 H 6 )(NN)(4-vinylpyridine)Ru(II)](BF 4 ) 2 and [(η 6 -C 6 H 6 )(NN)pentachlorophenylisonicotinateRu(II)](BF 4 ) 2 (where NN = 2,2′-bipyridyl and ethylenediamine) were made from the monocation [(η 6 -C 6 H 6 )(NN)ClRu(II)]BF 4 . These complexes may serve as protein-labeling agents because they contain activated organic ligands which can covalently bind to proteins. Metal-bound ligands modification reactions were performed with the reactive [(η 6 -C 6 H 6 )(NN)pentachlorophenylisonicotinateRu(II)](BF 4 ) 2 and isopropylamine. [(η 6 -C 6 H 6 )(NN)(N-isopropylisonicotinamide)Ru(II)](BF 4 ) 2 was isolated in moderate yield and characterized.
A Melnikov Method for Homoclinic Orbits with Many Pulses

We present an extension of the Melnikov method which can be used for ascertaining the existence of homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits with many pulses in a class of near‐integrable systems. The Melnikov function in this situation is the sum of the usual Melnikov functions evaluated with some appropriate phase delays. We show that a nonfolding condition which involves the logarithmic derivative of the Melnikov function must be satisfied in addition to the usual transversality conditions in order for homoclinic orbits with more than one pulse to exist.
Cancer surgeons' distress and well-being, II: modifiable factors and the potential for organizational interventions.

We showed in a companion paper that the prevalence of burnout among surgical oncologists at a comprehensive cancer center was 42% and psychiatric morbidity 27%, and high quality of life (QOL) was absent for 54% of surgeons. Here we examine modifiable workplace factors and other stressors associated with burnout, psychiatric morbidity, and low QOL, together with interest in interventions to reduce distress and improve wellness. Study-specific questions important for morale, QOL, and stressors associated with burnout were included in an anonymous Internet-based survey distributed to the surgical faculty at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Among the 72 surgeons who responded (response rate of 73%), surgeons identified high stress from medical lawsuits, pressure to succeed in research, financial worries, negative attitudes to gender, and ability to cope with patients’ suffering and death. Workplace features requiring greatest change were the reimbursement system, administrative support, and schedule. Work-life balance and relationship issues with spouse or partner caused high stress. Strongest correlations with distress were a desire to change communication with patients and the tension between the time devoted to work versus time available to be with family. Surgeons’ preferences for interventions favored a fitness program, nutrition consultation, and increased socialization with colleagues, with less interest in interventions conventionally used to address psychological distress. Several opportunities to intervene at the organizational level permit efforts to reduce burnout and improve QOL.
ASSOCIATION OF SELF-REPORTED HOSPITAL DISCHARGE HANDOFFS WITH 30-DAY READMISSIONS

Importance Poor health care provider communication across health care settings may lead to adverse outcomes. Objective To determine the frequency with which inpatient providers report communicating directly with outpatient providers and whether direct communication was associated with 30-day readmissions. Design We conducted a single-center prospective study of self-reported communication patterns by discharging health care providers on inpatient medical services from September 2010 to December 2011 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Setting A 1000-bed urban, academic center. Participants There were 13 954 hospitalizations in this time period. Of those, 9719 were for initial visits. After additional exclusions, including patients whose outpatient health care provider was the inpatient attending physician, those who had planned or routine admissions, those without outpatient health care providers, those who died in the hospital, and those discharged to other healthcare facilities, we were left with 6635 hospitalizations for analysis. Interventions Self-reported communication was captured from a mandatory electronic discharge worksheet field. Thirty-day readmissions, length of stay (LOS), and demographics were obtained from administrative databases. Data Extraction We used multivariable logistic regression models to examine, first, the association between direct communication and patient age, sex, LOS, race, payer, expected 30-day readmission rate based on diagnosis and illness severity, and physician type and, second, the association between 30-day readmission and direct communication, adjusting for patient and physician-level factors. Results Of 6635 included hospitalizations, successful direct communication occurred in 2438 (36.7%). The most frequently reported reason for lack of direct communication was the health care provider's perception that the discharge summary was adequate. Predictors of direct communication, adjusting for all other variables, included patients cared for by hospitalists without house staff (odds ratio [OR], 1.81 [95% CI, 1.59-2.08]), high expected 30-day readmission rate (OR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.10-1.28] per 10%), and insurance by Medicare (OR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.16-1.56]) and private insurance companies (OR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.18-1.56]) compared with Medicaid. Direct communication with the outpatient health care provider was not associated with readmissions (OR, 1.08 [95% CI, 0.92-1.26]) in adjusted analysis. Conclusions and Relevance Self-reported direct communication between inpatient and outpatient providers occurred at a low rate but was not associated with readmissions. This suggests that enhancing interprovider communication at hospital discharge may not, in isolation, prevent readmissions.
Flaking Stone with Wooden Implements: Flaked stone artifacts from Palliaike, Chile, suggest that wooden flaking tools were used in the New World.

Two of the seven Palliaike points show better quality workmanship than the other five. The better workmanship seems to result from use of a material superior to basalt rather than from greater skill. All seven examples show surface smoothing to a varying degree. The bifacial smoothing could be either intentional abrading by the worker or unintentional smoothing by function. Without the aid of considerable magnification and further experiment, it is difficult to pass final judgment. If these points were hafted, it would seem that the bifacial basal smoothing could not be the result of function. Hafting could be accomplished by using resins and adhesives to affix the base of the point to a wooden shaft, as was done by the Kimberley aborigines. Many Clovis points from western North America are smoothed to an even greater degree—for example, those found at the Simon Site in Idaho. Some points show the detachment of short flakes terminating in step fractures. But this may be a result of the Palliaike points being made of basalt, a very difficult material to work, of the worker being less skilled, or of the wooden flaker being inadequate to overcome the coarse-grained material. All the Palliaike points are thick in relation to their width, which makes them resistant to breakage. However, since only one point in the collection (Fig. 1a) shows an attempt at basal thinning, the worker may have been unable to control the coarse-grained basalt, which is difficult to thin with a wooden flaker, or he may simply have wanted the point thick for a particular function.
4D embryonic cardiography using gated optical coherence tomography

Simultaneous imaging of very early embryonic heart structure and function has technical limitations of spatial and temporal resolution. We have developed a gated technique using optical coherence tomography (OCT) that can rapidly image beating embryonic hearts in four-dimensions (4D), at high spatial resolution (10-15 um), and with a depth penetration of 1.5 - 2.0 mm that is suitable for the study of early embryonic hearts. We acquired data from paced, excised, embryonic chicken and mouse hearts using gated sampling and employed image processing techniques to visualize the hearts in 4D and measure physiologic parameters such as cardiac volume, ejection fraction, and wall thickness. This technique is being developed to longitudinally investigate the physiology of intact embryonic hearts and events that lead to congenital heart defects.
There's more than rugged individualism in coping. Part 1: Even the lone ranger had tonto

Abstract A multiaxial model of coping and instrument were developed to explore communal aspects of coping and move beyond the current individualistic perspective. The model suggests that coping strategies differ on level of activity, prosocial and antisocial demeanor, and directness. Individualistic models of coping tend to ignore the social aspects of coping and neither see prosocial coping as healthy nor antisocial coping as unhealthy, despite a wealth of psychological theory that conceptualizes healthy functioning as both active and prosocial. Individualistic models also imply that direct action is preferred, whereas communal models emphasize that social coping may often be indirect. In a series of studies we found support for the muitiaxial model among both student and inner-city samples. Women were found to be as active as men, but more prosocial in their coping. Men were more antisocial in their coping. Indirect coping, however, was either less well conceptualized or measured as the results regardin...
In search of an intrinsic chemical bond

Abstract The chemical bond, as a link between atoms, is an intrinsic property of the charge density. However, bond energy, which is commonly seen as the energy difference between a molecular state and an arbitrary dissociated state, depends extrinsically on the charge density. This view of a bond as a natural link possessing properties that are externally determined is at best clumsy, and often leads to contradictory interpretations as to the origins of the structure and properties of molecules and solids. Ideally, one would like to uncover an intrinsic property of the chemical bond that gives similar information content as that provided by bond energy. To this end, we report on our ongoing work exploring the intrinsic geometry imposed on the charge density by mapping it onto the smallest volumes bounded by zero flux surfaces in the gradient of the charge density. These natural volume elements of the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules have well defined properties, and hence, this mapping produces a set of property distributions with a quantifiable geometric structure that varies from molecule to molecule. Here, we examine the intrinsic geometry of the kinetic energy distribution for a series of homonuclear dimers and compare the geometric properties of these distributions with the bond energies of the same dimers.
Mechanical system reliability analysis using a combination of graph theory and Boolean function

Abstract A new method based on graph theory and Boolean function for assessing reliability of mechanical systems is proposed. The procedure for this approach consists of two parts. By using the graph theory, the formula for the reliability of a mechanical system that considers the interrelations of subsystems or components is generated. Use of the Boolean function to examine the failure interactions of two particular elements of the system, followed with demonstrations of how to incorporate such failure dependencies into the analysis of larger systems, a constructive algorithm for quantifying the genuine interconnections between the subsystems or components is provided. The combination of graph theory and Boolean function provides an effective way to evaluate the reliability of a large, complex mechanical system. A numerical example demonstrates that this method an effective approaches in system reliability analysis.
Biomimetic robotics: self-propelled physical models test hypotheses about the mechanics and evolution of swimming vertebrates

Biologists are beginning to combine biomimetic and robotic methods to generate and test biological hypotheses about animal function and evolution. Notable progress has been made studying aquatic vertebrate systems and their locomotor mechanisms, with self-propelled physical models improving our ability to simulate complex behavioural and mechanical sys- tems. As biomimetic robots gain popularity as model simulations, it is essential to characterize explicitly the investigator's scientific intent and method of evaluating the robot in regards to testing hypotheses. Intent and evaluation can be characterized using Webb's seven-dimensional hyperspace for biorobotic model simulations. After reviewing this hyperspace approach, it is used to discuss three different kinds of biomimetic, swimming robots that differ in their accu- racy, concreteness, and specificity with regard to their biological targets. Although each robotic system occupies a different position in Webb's hyperspace, because of the investigators' choice of biological target and method of evaluation, explicit justification of the robot's position makes it clear that no single position is better than another. Thus, biomimetic robotics is a flexible mod- elling methodology, addressing different kinds of biological questions and, in addition, providing engineers with plausible biological mechanisms and a library of implemented biorobotic designs.
Commentary: Convicting the innocent

(1989). Commentary: Convicting the innocent. Criminal Justice Ethics: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 2-59.
Evolutionary Significance of the Role of Family Units in a Broader Social System

Indirect benefits to individual fitness in social species can be influenced by a variety of behavioral factors. Behaviors which support the fitness of kin provide indirect benefits in the form of evolutionary success of relatives. Further, individuals may obtain additional indirect benefits via participation in a well-organized social environment. Building on previous models of selfishly-motivated self-organizing societies, we explore the evolutionary trade-off between inclusion and maintenance of family groups and the ability of a population to sustain a well-organized social structure. Our results demonstrate that the interactions between Hamiltonian and organizationally-based indirect benefits to individual fitness interact to favor certain types of social affiliation traits. Conversely, we show how particular types of social affiliation dynamics may provide selective pressures to limit the size of behaviorally-defined familial groups. We present the first studies of the evolution of social complexity differentiating affiliation behavior between kin and non-kin.
Direct Observation of Microgel Erosion via in-Liquid Atomic Force Microscopy

Degradable hydrogel particles have been integrated into a variety of biomedical applications, but there are no studies to date illustrating the detailed morphological changes that occur in single m...
Modeling visibility through vegetation

The calculation of visibility patterns associated with past monuments and sites is an important element in modern landscape archaeology. These types of investigations have been limited by the inability of current viewshed routines to incorporate vegetation information. The following paper presents a new viewshed algorithm aimed at calculating the probability of locations being visible in the presence of vegetation. To this day, little work has been done to address this limitation, a notable exception is Dean's Permeability Index Model (1997). A review of Dean's model is provided here in the light of the new proposed algorithm. The new algorithm is based on mathematical principles found in Beer-Lambert's Attenuation Law, a physics law governing the attenuation of light through a medium. In addition to common viewshed parameters, the routine requires a 3D model of a tree/plant and a layer indicating the spatial distribution and density of vegetation on the landscape. The possibility of varying both, the spatial and density distribution of tree/plants, and the three-dimensional model representing vegetation makes the model well suited to investigate the impact that vegetation may have on visibility patterns.
Pollutant Transport and Diffusion in Katabatic Flows

Abstract The characteristics of pollutant transport and diffusion of a passive contaminant in a two-dimensional katabatic flow over a simple slope are examined using a primitive equation hydrodynamic model. It is shown that pollutants released above the drainage layer can be entrained into the layer and diffused to the ground surface. For elevated release within the drainage layer, subsidence in the flow leads to relatively high surface concentrations of pollutants close to the stack. Pollutants released at ground level can spread through the entire depth of the drainage layer. This vertical diffusion is more effective for a shallow slope, resulting in higher concentrations at all heights, than for a steeper slope. These dispersion characteristics are quite different from those for stable flows over flat terrain. The differences result from increases of boundary-layer depth, wind speed, and turbulence as the katabatic flow develops downslope. The katabatic flow and dispersion model is tested by simulating...
Introduction and integration of strangers into captive groups of tufted capuchins (Cebus apella)

We introduced two to four unfamiliar animals into three established groups (N = 6–9 per group) of tufted capuchins (Cebus apella).We present findings on the behavioral consequences of introductions as a function of age, sex, and residency status and long-term consequences for health and reproduction. No morbidity from aggression occurred at the time of introductions or during several months following, and reproduction was not compromised. Activity budgets and patterns of social spacing and interaction were little changed following the introductions except for increases in vigilance behavior, especially by newly introduced adult females. Adult females exhibited the strongest and longest-lasting response to changes in group composition. The results indicate that in this species (1) introductions of adult females can be carried out with acceptable risk to the newcomers provided that careful monitoring occurs, so that the onset of severe aggression instigated by resident females toward new females can be avoided, (2) juveniles can be introduced with minimal risk, and (3) adult males can be introduced into groups lacking resident adult males with minimal risk. Capuchins differ in important ways from the better-studied Old World monkeys in their response to introductions of strangers. The differences are instructive with regard to processes supporting species-typical social structure, which is less overtly hierarchical in capuchins than in macaques.
Lateralization and adaptation of a continuously variable behavior following lesions of a reticulospinal command neuron

Abstract This study utilizes digitized cinematic data and lesions of individual Mauthner (M−) cells, large medial reticulospinal command neurons, to examine their role in goldfish C-starts elicited by displacement stimuli. Our results show a major difference in response lateralization in animals with only one M-cell compared to those with both cells intact, or both cells absent. Animals with one M-cell responded by turning to the side opposite the remaining M-cell in 94% of the trials, whereas those with both M-cells intact or both cells absent responded with equal probability to both sides. When the M-cells were absent, the responses were on the average 4 ms longer in latency. This difference may confer a behaviorally significant advantage to the M-cell in blocking other networks that can trigger C-starts. Nevertheless, with the exception of latency, the central program producing the escape behavior adapts automatically to the absence of both M-cells: animals with bilateral M-cell lesions continued to produce the full spectrum of kinematic performance levels seen in intact animals.
The Impact of Gang Violence on the Decisions of Everyday Life: Disjunctions between Policy Assumptions and Community Conditions

This article examines the relationship between gang violence and everyday decisions about caregiving and work made by welfare recipients living in an innercity public housing development. It explor...
Diurnal lunar temperatures.

Thermal properties of moon by comparing IR and microwave measurements of spectrum with theoretical calculation of upper layer temperature distribution
A behavioral observation method for differentiating hyperactive and aggressive boys

This study employed a playroom observation technique to examine the behavioral differences between hyperactive and aggressive boys. Subjects were clinic-referred boys assigned to Hyperactive, Aggressive, or Hyperactive plus Aggressive goups on the basis of behavior checklists and ratings of psychiatric chart information. While significant discrimination was obtained in all three settings (free play, restricted play, and restricted academic), behavioral differences among the subject groups were most pronounced during the restricted academic period. Discriminant function analysis for the restricted academic period resulted in accurate classification of 86% of the subjects as hyperactive, aggressive, or hyperactive plus aggressive. The present findings suggest that children with externalizing disorders can be distinguished in light of their observed clinic behavior in the restricted academic setting.
OPERANT CONDITIONING OF HEART RATE SLOWING

The purpose of this study was to see if heart rate (HR) slowing could be operantly conditioned. Ten experimental Ss and five yoked-control Ss were studied. Experimental Ss were positively reinforced for slowing their HR on a beat-by-beat basis, whereas yoked-control Ss were reinforced in a pattern based on the performance of paired experimental Ss. The data showed that: some Ss can be taught to slow their HR by means of an operant conditioning procedure; Ss appear to learn better when they do not infer correctly what the response is that they are controlling; the conditioned HR response is apparently not mediated by changes in breathing; and reinforcement, per se, is not adequate to lower HR.
Concurrent use of quinidine and disopyramide: Evaluation of serum concentrations and electrocardiographic effects

The effects of concurrent disopyramide phosphate and quinidine sulfate therapy were studied in 16 normal healthy adults. No adverse effects serious enough to warrant discontinuation of therapy were observed. There was a small but significant increase in disopyramide serum concentration when concurrent quinidine therapy was given and a small decrease in quinidine serum concentration when disopyramide was added. No significant change in elimination half-life was seen for either drug. Both drugs produced prolongation of the corrected QT interval. This QT prolongation was greater for quinidine than for disopyramide.
Effects of Chemotherapy on Immune Responses in Dogs with Cancer

Chemotherapy is assumed to be immunosuppressive; yet to the authors' knowledge, the effects of common chemotherapy protocols on adaptive immune responses in dogs with cancer have not been fully evaluated. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 2 common chemotherapy protocols on T- and B-cell numbers and humoral immune responses to de novo vaccination in dogs with cancer. Twenty-one dogs with cancer (12 with lymphoma, 9 with osteosarcoma) were enrolled in a prospective study to assess effects of doxorubicin versus multi-drug chemotherapy on adaptive immunity. Numbers of circulating T and B cells were assessed by flow cytometry, and antibody responses to de novo vaccination were assessed before, during, and after chemotherapy. The T- and B-cell numbers before treatment also were compared with those of healthy, age-matched, control dogs. Prior to treatment, dogs with cancer had significantly fewer (P < .05) CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells than did healthy dogs. Doxorubicin treatment did not cause a significant decrease in T- or B-cell numbers, whereas treatment with combination chemotherapy caused a significant and persistent decrease in B-cell numbers. Antibody titers after vaccination were not significantly different between control and chemotherapy-treated dogs. These findings suggest that chemotherapy may have less impact on T-cell numbers and ability to mount antibody responses in dogs with cancer than was previously anticipated, though dogs with lymphoma or osteosarcoma appear to be relatively T-cell deficient before initiation of chemotherapy.
Neuraminidase Treatment of Isolated Rat Adipocytes and Differential Regulation of Basal and Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Transport

The role of membrane carbohydrate in the function of insulin receptors and glucose transporters was investigated with neuraminidase to release sialic acid from isolated rat adipocytes. Pretreatment of adipocytes with neuraminidase resulted in an increase in basal glucose transport. At the same time, insulin-stimulated glucose transport was reduced by an average of 30%. The enzyme action on glucose transport was not due to a nonspecific membrane perturbation because neuraminidase caused only a nonsignificant decrease in the uptake of the amino acid analog alpha-(methylamino)isobutyric acid and had no effect on basal or insulin-stimulated protein synthesis. Insulin binding was slightly increased in neuraminidase-treated cells, yet the shapes of the dose-response curves for insulin stimulation of glucose transport were similar (EC50 = 0.087 +/- 0.010 and 0.082 +/- 0.008 nM for control and treated cells, respectively). The neuraminidase-induced increase in basal transport was the result of an increase in the affinity of the glucose-transport system (Km = 7.3 +/- 1.4 and 3.6 +/- 0.7 mM before and after treatment, respectively) with no change in Vmax. Conversely, enzyme treatment decreased the Vmax of insulin-stimulated 3-O-methylglucose transport from 87.8 +/- 13.2 to 41.3 +/- 4.9 pmol.2 x 10(5) cells-1.s-1 while not altering the Km. These changes in glucose-transport activity resulting from enzyme treatment were not due to alterations in glucose-transporter concentration on the plasma membrane as measured by the D-glucose-inhibitable binding of [3H]cytochalasin B. Thus, sialic acid plays multiple roles in the control of glucose-transport activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)