cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validated Genomic Approach to Study Differentially Expressed Genes in Complex Tissues

Microarray-based genomic techniques allow the simultaneous determination of relative levels of expression of a large number of genes. Studies of the transcriptome in complex neurobiological systems are uniquely demanding due to the heterogeneous nature of these cells. Most brain regions contain a large variety of cell populations that are closely intermingled. The expression of any specific gene may be restricted to a subpopulation of cells, and changes in gene expression may occur in only a small fraction of the cells expressing that transcript. Due to this dilution effect, many genes of interest are expected to have relatively low levels of expression in tissue homogenates. Furthermore, biologically significant differences in expression may result in only small fold-changes. Therefore genomic approaches using brain dissections must be optimized to identify potentially regulated transcripts and differential expression should be confirmed using quantitative assays. We evaluated the effects of increasing tissue complexity on detection of regulated transcripts in focused microarray studies using a mouse cell line, mouse hypothalamus and mouse cortex. Regulated transcripts were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. As tissue complexity increased, distinguishing significantly regulated genes from background variation became increasingly more difficult. However, we found that cDNA microarray studies using regional brain dissections and appropriate numbers of replicates could identify genes showing less than 2-fold regulation and that most regulated genes identified fell within this range.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in U.S. Catholic High Schools: An Answer to the Church's Call to Global Solidarity

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme provides an academically challenging curriculum that when combined with moral and religious formation prepares graduates of Catholic secondary schools to succeed in college and to live as Christian citizens in an interconnected global society. Although the financial cost of the program is high, this paper will argue that the adoption of the International Baccalaureate Diploma increases academic rigor at the high school level and serves as an effective marketing tool to attract students to Catholic schools. Using examples from several Catholic high schools, this paper will also examine how the International Baccalaureate can help schools deepen the realization of Catholic identity and provide educators with an ordered, humanities-based curriculum that although secular in origin draws on Catholic intellectual tradition.
Abstract P378: Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats Exhibit Aberrant Renal Hemodynamic Responses to a High Salt Diet and Salt-Sensitive Hypertension as Compared to Consomic SS.BN1 Rats

Altered renal vascular responses to a high salt diet have been proposed to contribute to salt-sensitive (SS) hypertension. The goals of this study were to assess: 1) SS hypertension and renal injur...
Studying the effects of weather and roadway geometrics on daily accident occurrence using a multilayer perceptron model

One of the most common, yet dangerous, events that people face each day is driving. From unpredictable weather to hazardous roadways, there is a seemingly endless number of factors at play that can lead to vehicular accidents. Therefore, attempting to predict these accidents is a timely topic in today's research spectrum. The data used in this research consists of historical accident records from Hamilton County, Tennessee beginning in 2016 and continues to be updated daily, as well as the associated weather occurrences and roadway geometrics. To enhance heterogeneity a procedure was performed that generated non-accident traffic data based on our actual traffic accident data. This procedure is called negative sampling. These different data sets were combined and placed through a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) machine learning model. The end results displayed a high collective correlation between accident occurrence and the various features considered in our proposed model, allowing us to predict with 77.5% accuracy where and when an accident will occur.
Design and Pilot Implementation of an Electronic Health Record-Based System to Automatically Refer Cancer Patients to Tobacco Use Treatment.

Continued tobacco use after cancer diagnosis is detrimental to treatment and survivorship. The current reach of evidence-based tobacco treatments in cancer patients is low. As a part of the National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Cessation Initiative, the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center designed an electronic health record (EHR, Epic©)-based process to automatically refer ambulatory oncology patients to tobacco use treatment, regardless of intent to cease tobacco use(“opt out”). The referral and patient scheduling, accomplished through a best practice advisory (BPA) directed to staff who room patients, does not require a co-signature from clinicians. This process was piloted for a six-week period starting in July of 2019 at the Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. All oncology patients who were tobacco users were referred for tobacco treatment by the rooming staff (n = 210). Of these, 150 (71%) had a tobacco treatment appointment scheduled, and 25 (17%) completed their appointment. We conclude that an EHR-based “opt-out” approach to refer patients to tobacco dependence treatment that does not require active involvement by clinicians is feasible within the oncology clinical practice. Further work is needed to increase the proportion of scheduled patients who attend their appointments.
Heterotrimeric G-Protein Signaling Is Required for Cellulose Degradation in Neurospora crassa.

The filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa decomposes lignocellulosic biomass to generate soluble sugars as carbon sources. In this study, we investigated a role for heterotrimeric G-protein signaling in cellulose degradation. Loss of the Gα subunit genes gna-1 and gna-3, the Gβ subunit genes gnb-1 and cpc-2, the Gγ gene gng-1, or the gene for downstream effector adenylyl cyclase (cr-1) resulted in loss of detectable cellulase activity. This defect was also observed in strains expressing a constitutively active version of gna-3 (gna-3Q208L ). We found that GNA-1 levels are greatly reduced in Δgna-3, Δgnb-1, and Δgng-1 strains, likely contributing to cellulase defects in these genetic backgrounds. The observation that gna-3Q208L Δgnb-1 strains exhibit cellulase activity, despite greatly reduced levels of GNA-1 protein, is consistent with positive control of cellulase production by GNA-3 that is manifested in the absence of gnb-1 Expression patterns for five cellulase genes showed that Δgna-1, Δgnb-1, and Δgna-3 mutants produce less cellulase mRNA than the wild type, consistent with transcriptional regulation. Δcpc-2 mutants had wild-type levels of cellulase transcripts, suggesting posttranscriptional control. In contrast, results for Δcr-1 mutants support both transcriptional and posttranscriptional control of cellulase activity by cAMP signaling. Cellulase activity defects in Δgna-3 mutants were fully remediated by cAMP supplementation, consistent with GNA-3 operating upstream of cAMP signaling. In contrast, cAMP addition only partially corrected cellulase activity defects in Δgna-1 and Δgnb-1 mutants, suggesting participation of GNA-1 and GNB-1 in additional cAMP-independent pathways that control cellulase activity.IMPORTANCE Filamentous fungi are critical for the recycling of plant litter in the biosphere by degrading lignocellulosic biomass into simpler compounds for metabolism. Both saprophytic and pathogenic fungi utilize plant cell wall-degrading enzymes to liberate carbon for metabolism. Several studies have demonstrated a role for cellulase enzymes during infection of economically relevant crops by fungal pathogens. Especially in developing countries, severe plant disease means loss of entire crops, sometimes leading to starvation. In this study, we demonstrate that G-protein signaling is a key component of cellulase production. Therefore, understanding the role of G-protein signaling in the regulation of the unique metabolism of cellulose by these organisms can inform innovations in strain engineering of industrially relevant species for biofuel production and in combatting food shortages caused by plant pathogens.
Fog Formation Related to Gravity Currents Interacting with Coastal Topography

An interesting mixing-fog event was identified during the C-FOG field campaign, where a cold-frontal airmass arriving from the north-east collided with The Downs peninsula in Ferryland, Newfoundland, Canada, to produce misty/foggy conditions. A comprehensive set of field observations suggests that this collision caused turbulent mixing of nearly saturated ambient air with an almost saturated cold-frontal airmass, creating conditions for mixing fog. To delve into the physical processes underlying this phenomenon, laboratory experiments were performed on the interaction of lock-exchange-induced gravity currents with a rectangular obstacle. Instantaneous velocity and density fields were obtained using particle image velocimetry and planar laser-induced fluorescence. The observations suggest that the obstacle starts affecting the approaching gravity-current propagation at an upstream distance of 2H and, upon collision, the mixing occurs over a length of 0.83H, where H is the depth of the ambient fluid layer. The time for larger-scale turbulent stirring to permeate to the smallest scales of turbulence and activate the condensation nuclei is estimated as $$3t^*$$ , where $$t^*=\sqrt{H/g'}$$ is the intrinsic time scale of the gravity current, and $$g'$$ is the reduced gravity. Extrapolation of laboratory results to field conditions shows a good agreement with observations.
Relationships between physical activity, social isolation, and depression among older adults during COVID-19: A path analysis.

Abstract Background: There are known significant relationships between greater physical activity and less depression, and greater social isolation and greater depression; therefore, it is important to understand these relationships among older adults during COVID-19. Methods: The Physical Activity Scale for Elders, Geriatric Depression Scale, and PROMIS Social Isolation were administered. Path analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between physical activity, social isolation, and depression. Results: Of 803 surveys received, Consistent with our a-priori model, higher social isolation predicted greater depression. (p Conclusion: Older adults may suffer a high emotional price during times of imposed social distancing.
Evaluating Applicant Perceptions of the Impact of Social Media on the 2020-2021 Residency Application Cycle Occurring During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey Study.

Background Due to challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, residency programs in the United States conducted virtual interviews during the 2020-2021 application season. As a result, programs and applicants may have relied more heavily on social media-based communication and dissemination of information. Objective We sought to determine social media's impact on residency applicants during an entirely virtual application cycle. Methods An anonymous electronic survey was distributed to 465 eligible 2021 Match applicants at 4 University of California Schools of Medicine in the United States. Results A total of 72 participants (15.5% of eligible respondents), applying to 16 specialties, responded. Of those who responded, 53% (n=38) reported following prospective residency accounts on social media, and 89% (n=34) of those respondents were positively or negatively influenced by these accounts. The top three digital methods by which applicants sought information about residency programs included the program website, digital conversations with residents and fellows of that program, and Instagram. Among respondents, 53% (n=38) attended virtual information sessions for prospective programs. A minority of applicants (n=19, 26%) adjusted the number of programs they applied to based on information found on social media, with most (n=14, 74%) increasing the number of programs to which they applied. Survey respondents ranked social media's effectiveness in allowing applicants to learn about programs at 6.7 (SD 2.1) on a visual analogue scale from 1-10. Most applicants (n=61, 86%) felt that programs should use social media in future application cycles even if they are nonvirtual. Conclusions Social media appears to be an important tool for resident recruitment. Future studies should seek more information on its effect on later parts of the application cycle and the Match.
Interstitial Lung Abnormalities, Emphysema and Spirometry in Smokers

ABSTRACT Background Most pulmonary conditions reduce forced vital capacity (FVC), but studies of patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema demonstrate that reductions in FVC are less than expected when these two conditions coexist clinically. Research Question Do interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA), chest computed tomography (CT) imaging findings that may suggest an early stage of pulmonary fibrosis in undiagnosed individuals, affect the association between emphysema and FVC? Study Design and Methods Measures of ILA and emphysema were available in 9579 and 5277 participants from phases 1 (2007-2011) and 2 (2012-2016) of COPDGene, respectively. ILA were defined by Fleischner Society guidelines. Adjusted linear regression models were used to assess the associations and interactions between ILA, emphysema, measures of spirometry and lung function. Results ILA were present in 528 (6%), and 580 (11%), of participants in phases 1 and 2 of COPDGene, respectively. ILA modified the association between emphysema and FVC (P Interpretation The presence of ILA attenuates the reduction in FVC associated with emphysema.
Newton polygons and local integrability of negative powers of smooth functions in the plane

Let f(x,y) be any smooth real-valued function with f(0,0) = 0. For a sufficiently small neighborhood U of the origin, we study the number sup{∈: ∫ u |f(x,f)| -∈ < ∞}. It is known that sometimes this number can be expressed in a natural way using the Newton polygon of f. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for this Newton polygon characterization to hold. The behavior of the integral at the supremal e is also analyzed.
A 3D filtered back-projection algorithm for SPECT using a multi-segment rotating slant-hole collimator

The purpose of this study is to develop, implement and evaluate a 3D filtered back-projection (FBP) algorithm for SPECT using a multi-segment rotating slant-hole (RSH) collimator. Previously, the authors derived a 3D frequency-domain filter function used in a back-projection filtering (BPF) algorithm for multi-segment RSH SPECT. The 3D orientation of the projection direction from each segment, each collimator rotation angle and each collimator-camera position defines a 2D central section through the center of the 3D BPF reconstruction filter. For FBP, these central sections are determined analytically from the mathematical expression of 3D BPF filter, and are re-scaled and rotated before filtering the corresponding projections to avoid interpolation. The FBP algorithm was implemented to reconstruct simulated and experimentally acquired SPECT data from a four-segment RSH collimator. The reconstructed images were compared to those from BPF. The results of FBP are comparable to BPF, and with reduced low-intensity image artifacts. It is concluded that FBP is a superior alternative to BPF for RSH SPECT. It provides accurate reconstruction in relatively short computing time. In addition, it requires less computer memory, permits on-the-fly image reconstruction during data acquisition, and may facilitate additional processing during reconstruction to reduce truncation artifacts.
The Uptake of Fibrin and Fibrin-Degradation Products by the Isolated Perfused Rat Liver

The uptake of Se75-labeled rat fibrin and a specific preparation of fibrin degradation products by an isolated, perfused liver was studied. The rapid phase T ½ for fibrin in the perfusate was approximately 9 minutes. This is comparable to that found for aggregated I131 B.S.A. and colloidal gold in the same system. The loss of activity from the blood closely paralleled the increased activity recorded in the liver. No radioactivity was found in the bile samples or the T.C.A.-soluble fraction of plasma. Microradioautographs of washed liver tissue following the labeled, fibrin perfusion suggest the presence of the label on or in the Kupffer cells. Labeled rat fibrin preparations, digested by the action of "cold" rat plasmin to a distinct endpoint, were found to contain 3 distinct fractions on paper electrophoresis. Addition of these fractions to the perfusate resulted in approximately 25 per cent clearance of radioactivity over a 3-hour period. Hence, clearance of this specific F.D.P. preparation occurs at a much slower rate than that of fibrin. The T ½ as found to be in excess of 12 hours. These findings appear to confirm Lee’s observation that cells of the reticuloendothelial system are involved in the elimination of free circulating fibrin and its metabolic products.
The effects of network contention on processor allocation strategies

Various processor allocation strategies have been proposed for scalable parallel computers (SPCs). These strategies try to maximize the overall system utilization and, in the mean time, try to avoid network contention among different processor partitions. This paper provides an intensive simulation study investigating whether contention-free processor allocation strategies are indeed important. Our simulation considers both mesh- and MIN-based wormhole parallel computers, the communication characteristics of individual applications, and the impact due to communication software latency. We show that for systems with high software latency, there is no need of contention-free processor allocation policies. However, if the software latency is very small or the message size is very long, contention-free allocation policies should be developed.
Teaching Law to Accounting and Business Students: A Cumulative Dual Model

This article presents a reflection and comparison of two of my teaching pedagogical approaches for the Business Organisations Law curriculum to undergraduate non-law students at Charles Sturt University. The purpose is to compare and evaluate efficacy of a traditional, lecture-based learning (LBL) with a combination of LBL and problem-based learning (PBL) in improving performance and outcomes for students enrolled in the accounting and business degrees. Research methods to compare outcomes and performances were evaluated using modified versions of several LBL and PBL related survey questionnaires and a Study Process Questionnaire (SPV) developed by John Biggs for use with Australian tertiary students, and validated for use with students in several Asian countries. Data regarding students’ perceptions of LBL and a combination of LBL and PBL were further collected using a 13-point interview questionnaire. Responses from a Likert scale were calculated in percentages and considered in terms of a mean response and data from the qualitative responses coded in NVIVO and analysed thematically. Also, ‘tests scores’ (assignments and final exam results mostly problem questions) from a traditional LBL class were compared with the scores from a mixture of both LBL and PBL. Though groups’ means of both LBL and PBL were closer, the results combined with other indicia revealed that students studying the course through a combination of both lectures and PBL tutorials in a teaching session performed significantly better. The paper recommends a cumulative dual approach as effective course delivering methods. T e a c h in g L a w to A c c o u n t in g a n d B u s in e s s S tu d e n t s : A C u m u la t i v e D u a l M o d e l
Scientific collaboration networks. II. Shortest paths, weighted networks, and centrality

Using computer databases of scientific papers in physics, biomedical research, and computer science, we have constructed networks of collaboration between scientists in each of these disciplines. In these networks two scientists are considered connected if they have coauthored one or more papers together. Here we study a variety of nonlocal statistics for these networks, such as typical distances between scientists through the network, and measures of centrality such as closeness and betweenness. We further argue that simple networks such as these cannot capture variation in the strength of collaborative ties and propose a measure of collaboration strength based on the number of papers coauthored by pairs of scientists, and the number of other scientists with whom they coauthored those papers.
The History of Duke Thoracic Surgery

Since 1931, Duke Thoracic Surgery has been defined by excellence in patient care, research, and the education of leaders in surgery. In this work, the history, contributions, historic figures, and current structure of the program are reviewed. The program has cultivated a commitment to surgical investigation and training that persists to the present day. This commitment is manifest by the program's contributions to the field of cardiothoracic surgery, from the fundamental investigation of the coronary circulation and the development of the heat exchanger for myocardial preservation, to large-scale clinical trials in cardiac and thoracic surgery.
Changes produced by clofibrate in hepatocytes of rats with sucrose-induced hyperlipidemia.

Abstract Clofibrate has been used extensively to lower plasma lipids in humans. To examine the mechanism of the drug's action, cytochemical and ultrastructural studies were performed on the livers of an animal model of hypertriglyceridemia induced by a high sucrose diet. The four groups of rats studied were fed with (1) chow diet; (2) chow diet with added clofibrate (0.25%); (3) a semipurified high sucrose diet and (4) a high sucrose diet with 0.25% added clofibrate. Although hepatic fat, as demonstrated in frozen section stained with oil red O, was increased in animals given either a high sucrose diet or clofibrate, a much greater degree of fatty change was produced by a combination of both the drug and the diet. Hepatocytes of rats on the high sucrose diet displayed a prominent Golgi apparatus filled with large numbers of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles. Vacuoles transporting VLDL were abundant and were present adjacent to the sinusoidal surface, apparently discharging their contents into the space of Disse. With the addition of clofibrate to the diet the Golgi apparatus was small and vacuoles containing VLDL were rarely present. However, large droplets of storage lipid were abundant in the cytosol of these animals. These findings suggest that in the induced hypertriglyceridemic state clofibrate interferes with the formation and/or packaging of VLDL particles and their release from the liver. This results in a diminution of serum lipids and an increase of hepatic lipid stored in fat droplets.
Quantitation of o-, m- and p-cresol and deuterated analogs in human urine by gas chromatography with electron capture detection.

Abstract A gas chromatographic method for the analysis of cresol metabolites of toluene and [2H8]toluene in urine was developed. Cresol glucuronides and sulfates in urine were hydrolyzed with β-glucuronidase and arylsulfatase. Following extraction with tert.-butyl methyl ether and solvent exchange into benzene, the cresols were derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride to form the heptafluorobutyrate esters. The derivatives were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Chromatographic resolution was achieved between all cresol isomers and their 2H7 analogs. Calibration ranged from 0.001 to 500 μg/ml. Recoveries were 55–97% and showed no trend with respect to analyte concentration. Within-day precision of analyses of benchmark urine samples had a coefficient of variation of less than 4%. The assay sensitivity was limited by chromatographic background but was sufficient for quantification of the unlabeled cresols in urine from men with only environmental exposure to toluene. Average levels in urine samples from 45 men were 0.023, 0.054 and 37 μg/ml for o-, m- and p-cresol, respectively.
Effects of Coexposure with Echinostoma caproni and Schistosoma mansoni Miracidia on Glucose and Maltose Levels in Biomphalaria glabrata as Determined by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography–Densitometry

High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)–densitometry was used to determine maltose and glucose in Biomphalaria glabrata snails subjected to either Echinostoma caproni and Schistosoma mansoni miracidia coexposure or single exposure to each of these trematode parasites. Each culture contained 800 mL of artificial spring water; snails were maintained at 25 ± 1°C and fed boiled romaine lettuce ad libitum. A sample of each population was necropsied at 2, 4, and 6 weeks post-exposure to E. caproni. The whole body of each snail was extracted with 70% ethanol for sugar analysis. Sugars were separated on 10 × 20 cm EMD Millipore Corp. HPTLC silica gel plates with a preabsorbent zone, the mobile phase was 1-butanol–glacial acetic acid–diethyl ether–deionized water (27:18:5:3), and the detection reagent was naphthol–sulfuric acid. Quantitative densitometric analysis was performed using a CAMAG TLC Scanner 3 in the absorbance–reflectance mode at 515 nm. Significant differences in maltose concentrations wer...
A longitudinal look at parent-child diagnostic agreement in youth treated for anxiety disorders.

This study examined diagnostic agreement between children and their parents for seventy 9- to 13-year-olds (45 boys and 25 girls) who had received cognitive–behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. Parent-child diagnostic rates and agreements for generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and social phobia were evaluated at 3 time points: pretreatment, posttreatment, and 7.4-year follow-up. Results indicate that parent–child diagnostic agreement was typically poor to moderate (κ = –.03 to .64) and that estimates of agreement remained relatively unchanged (a) following treatment and (b) as the children enter adolescence and young adulthood. Parent–daughter agreement was better than parent–son agreement in some cases. Although it remains unclear whether parent or child diagnostic information is most accurate, positive treatment outcome appears to be possible despite poor parent–child diagnostic agreement.
Estimating exposure and dose to characterize health risks: the role of human tissue monitoring in exposure assessment.

Exposure assessment is an integral part of health risk characterization. Exposure assessments typically address three critical aspects of exposure: the number of people exposed to the environmental...
Enforcing media codes

The longstanding debates aver how to enforce codes of ethics reflect a serious flaw in understanding the nature of “accountability.”; Fuzziness aver that basic notion has allowed the quantity of codes to expand, without any improvement in their quality or in media behavior. The essay maintains that we repeat the same arguments today that moralistic journalists did in the 1920s, because we lack intellectual precision aver such issues as internal vis a vis external controls, ethics vis a vis First Amendment freedoms, and different forms and degrees of accountability to government, to fellow professionals, and to the general public. Self‐imposed media codes—with enforcement provisions—and thorough analysis of social ethics are recommended.
The isolation, characterization and synthesis of 10-ketotetracosyl arachidate from Ficus hispida

Abstract The bark of Ficus hispida, one component of a mixture used as a cancer-cure in Thailand, yielded a new and unusual compound when extracted with light petroleum. The structure of the new compound, 10-ketotetracosyl arachidate, was proven by degradation and synthesis. The lupeol acetate and β-sitosterol found in the light petroleum extract were identified by comparison with authentic samples.
Targeting the arginine phosphatase YwlE with a catalytic redox-based inhibitor.

Protein phosphatases are critical regulators of cellular signaling in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The majority of protein phosphatases dephosphorylate phosphoserine/phosphothreonine or phosphotyrosine residues. Recently, however, YwlE, a member of the low-molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) family, was shown to efficiently target phosphoarginine. YwlE shares several sequence motifs with this family including the C(X)4 CR(S/T) motif that is crucial for catalysis and redox regulation of the enzyme. Herein we confirm that Cys9 and Cys14 play important roles in YwlE catalysis and regulation. On the basis of these observations, we designed and synthesized a YwlE inhibitor, denoted cyc-SeCN-amidine, that irreversibly inhibits YwlE (kinact/KI = 310 M–1 min–1) by inducing disulfide bond formation between the two active site cysteine residues. Interestingly, inactivation appears to be catalytic, since the compound is neither destroyed nor altered after enzyme inhibition. Although the exact...
PHOTOEFFECTS OF VISIBLE AND ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION ON THE TWO-SPOTTED SPIDER MITE, TETRANYCHUS URTICAE

— The ability of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, to detect and avoid various wavelengths was examined. The mites were given a choice between two regions: an area on a leaf exposed to light of defined spectral composition or an area protected from certain selected wavelength components. The mites showed little avoidance of visible, UV-A or UV-C wavelengths. In contrast, the animals strongly avoided the UV-B spectral region, indicating that this arthropod can discriminate and respond to the presence of UV-B wavelengths. The adult mites did not appear to be killed by the amount of UV-B they could receive on a sunny summer day in Kentucky (i.e. 20 SU). However, the egg laying capacity of the females was reduced in a linear fashion as dose increased. Thus, avoidance of high UV-B regions on a leaf may contribute to the survival of the species in nature.
HSTP: hyperspeech transfer protocol

HTTP provides a mechanism to connect web sites. Almost all sites have a large amount of hypertext content that provides connection to other sites in the World Wide Web. The success of the WWW can be partly attributed to the seamlessly browsable web that is formed through this connectivity. However, navigation of hypermedia content through non-visual interfaces has not received as much attention. Specifically, telephony voice applications offer immense usability and penetration benefits and can act as alternate information access and delivery mechanisms. Connectivity across voice applications poses interesting and novel challenges. In this paper, we define Hyperspeech as a voice fragment in a voice application that is a hyperlink to a voice fragment in another voice application. Further, we present Hyperspeech Transfer Protocol (HSTP) - a protocol to seamlessly connect telephony voice applications. HSTP enables the users to browse across voice applications by navigating the Hyperspeech content in a voice application. HSTP can also be used for developing cross-enterprise applications that allow a user to transact across two or more voice applications.
Separate critical periods exist for testosterone-induced differentiation of the brain and genitals in sheep.

The prenatal critical period for masculinization of the ovine sexually dimorphic nucleus of the hypothalamuspreoptic area occurs later than, and can be separated temporally from, the period for masculinization of the external genitals.
On enhancing communication of the manufacturing service capability information using reference ontology

A manufacturing service capability (MSC) model is essential for correct communication of MSC information between dynamic supply chain (DSC) partners. MSC information elicits service details such as locations, specialisations, capacities, certifications, and software and material processing capabilities. Presently, as in the case of web portal-enabled supply chain communications, this information is communicated using models that provide limited semantic precision. These models are also proprietary to specific industry communities; hence, access to MSC information across communities is limited. This article describes deployment of the reference-ontology-based semantic mediation approach using Web Ontology Language (OWL). The mediation introduces shared semantics that enhances access to and precision of proprietary MSC models encoded in relational databases. Detailed deployment steps are discussed using a manufacturing sourcing use case. In the first step, we analyse three alternative conventions for encodi...
The importance of mangroves, mud and sand flats, and seagrass beds as feeding areas for juvenile fishes in Chwaka Bay, Zanzibar: gut content and stable isotope analyses

The relative importance of bay habitats, consisting of mangrove creeks and channel, seagrass beds, and mud and sand flats, as feeding grounds for a number of fish species was studied in Chwaka Bay, Zanzibar, Tanzania, using gut content analysis and stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen. Gut content analysis revealed that within fish species almost the same food items were consumed regardless of the different habitats in which they were caught. Crustaceans (mainly copepods, crabs and shrimps) were the preferred food for most zoobenthivores and omnivores, while fishes and algae were the preferred food for piscivores and herbivores, respectively. The mean d13C values of fishes and food items from the mangrove habitats were significantly depleted to those from the seagrass habitats by 6_9 and 9_7% for fishes and food items, respectively, and to those from the mud and sand flats by 3_5 and 5_8%, respectively. Fishes and food items from the mud and sand flats were significantly depleted as compared to those of the seagrass habitats by 3_4 and 3_9%, for fishes and food, respectively. Similar to other studies done in different geographical locations, the importance of mangrove and seagrass themselves as a primary source of carbon to higher trophic levels is limited. The different bay habitats were all used as feeding grounds by different fish species. Individuals of the species Gerres filamentosus, Gerres oyena, Lethrinus lentjan, Lutjanus fulviflamma, Pelates quadrilineatus and Siganus sutor appeared to show a connectivity with respect to feeding between different habitats by having d13C values which were in-between those of food items from two neighbouring habitats. This connectivity could be a result of either daily tidal migrations or recent ontogenetic migration.
Welfare economics and media performance

The author focuses on criteria for assessing the economic performance of media markets using three concepts from the field of welfare economics: efficiency, equity, and externalities. He argues that the ultimate purposes of media economics research are to identify market structure and conduct elements that harm or help these three criteria, and to suggest policy changes that would improve media market performance.
Analysis of the Schrödinger energy series

Abstract The rate of convergence of the Brillouin-Wigner and Schrodinger energy series can be modified by using elements of freedom present in the formulation of the perturbation problem. Two such elements of freedom are (a) a uniform displacement of the zeroth order energy spectrum and (b) a uniform change of scale in the spacing of the zeroth order energy levels. Transformation a is used to generate the Schrodinger energy series from the corresponding Brillouin-Wigner series. The effect of transformation b on the former series is worked out and exhibited explicitly. The problem of defining a criterion for determining the scale factor is bypassed by the observation that continued fraction approximants to the Schrodinger energy series are invariant under transformation b. Explicit formulas are given for the first three invariant forms.
Quantum fluctuations in radiographic screen-film systems

With the recent introduction of fast rare-earth screens into the market, the question of noise and how it influences image quality becomes particularly important. In this paper a compact formula involving familiar and measurable quantities is derived for the specification of the noise arising from the spatial fluctuations of the x-ray quanta absorbed in the screens. Experimental evidence in support of this concept is also given.
Postural hypotension following dorsal sympathectomy in coarctation of the aorta: Correction by resection of the coarctation

Abstract A patient with coarctation of the aorta is reported, in whom dorsal sympathectomy, 10 years earlier, left the arterial hypertension unchanged and caused severe postural hypotension. Both hypertension and postural hypotension were corrected by operative removal of the coarctation.
Ionic equilibria, selectivity and diffusion of cations in soil as influenced by anion additions

Abstract An experiment was carried under controlled conditions to investigate the influence of the anions, H2PO4 ‐. and Cl on the ionic equilibria, selectivity and effective diffusion of Rb, K, Na, Ca, Mg in two Indiana soils. Additon of anions to the soils increased the concentration of cations in soil solution. In both the soils receiving H2PO4 ‐, lower cation concentrations were found in the soil solution than in those receiving Cl‐ . Additon of H2PO4 ‐and Cl‐ reduced the ion selectivity coefficient, k, for various homovalent (Rb/K, Rb/Na, K/Na, Ca/Mg) and mono‐divalent ion pairs (Rb/Ca, Rb/Mg, K/Ca, K/Mg). In Zanesville soil treatments receiving H2PO4 ‐ had lower k values for mono‐divalent cations than treatments receiving Cl‐. However, no such conclusions could be drawn for Raub soil. Soils treated with H2PO4 ‐ had higher k values for homovalent cations than Cl‐ treated soils. The differences in the selectivity of adsorption in these two soils might be attributable to the differences in the type and ...
Nearest-surface distribution functions for polydispersed particle systems

Nearest-neighbor distribution functions characterize the probability of finding a nearest neighbor at some given distance from a reference point in systems of interacting particles and are of fundamental importance in a variety of problems in the physical and biological sciences. We extend the formalism of Torquato, Lu, and Rubinstein [Phys. Rev. A 41, 2059 (1990)] for identical spheres to obtain exact series representation of nearest-neighbor functions (void and particle probability densities) and closely related quantities for systems of interacting D-dimensional spheres with a polydispersivity in size. Polydispersivity constitutes a basic feature of the structure of random systems of particles and leads to a wider choice of possible definitions for nearest-neighbor functions. The most relevant definition for a polydispersed system of particles involves the ``nearest particle surface'' rather than the ``nearest particle center'' and thus we refer to them as ``nearest-surface distribution functions.'' For the special cases of D-dimensional hard and overlapping spheres, we obtain analytical expressions for the nearest-surface functions that are accurate for a wide range of sphere concentrations. Employing these results, we are able to compute the corresponding mean nearest-surface distances for polydispersed hard spheres. Finally, we determine the nearest-surface functions for bidispersed systems from Monte Carlo computer simulations and find that our theoretical results are in very good agreement with the data.
How extensive of a 4D dataset is needed to estimate cumulative dose distribution plan evaluation metrics in conformal lung therapy

The purpose of this study was to investigate the number of intermediate states required to adequately approximate the clinically relevant cumulative dose to deforming/moving thoracic anatomy in four-dimensional (4D) conformal radiotherapy that uses 6 MV photons to target tumors. Four patients were involved in this study. For the first three patients, computed tomography images acquired at exhale and inhale were available; they were registered using B-spline deformation model and the computed transformation was further used to simulate intermediate states between exhale and inhale. For the fourth patient, 4D-acquired, phase-sorted datasets were available and each dataset was registered with the exhale dataset. The exhale-inhale transformation was also used to simulate intermediate states in order to compare the cumulative doses computed using the actual and the simulated datasets. Doses to each state were calculated using the Dose Planning Method (DPM) Monte Carlo code and dose was accumulated for scoring on the exhale anatomy via the transformation matrices for each state and time weighting factors. Cumulative doses were estimated using increasing numbers of intermediate states and compared to simpler scenarios such as a '2-state' model which used only the exhale and inhale datasets or the dose received during the average phase of themore » breathing cycle. Dose distributions for each modeled state as well as the cumulative doses were assessed using dose volume histograms and several treatment evaluation metrics such as mean lung dose, normal tissue complication probability, and generalized uniform dose. Although significant 'point dose' differences can exist between each breathing state, the differences decrease when cumulative doses are considered, and can become less significant yet in terms of evaluation metrics depending upon the clinical end point. This study suggests that for certain ''clinical'' end points of importance for lung cancer, satisfactory predictions of accumulated total dose to be received by the distorting anatomy can be achieved by calculating the dose to but a few (or even simply the average) phases of the breathing cycle.« less
A Regional Model Simulation of the 1991 Severe Precipitation Event over the Yangtze–Huai River Valley. Part I: Precipitation and Circulation Statistics

Abstract The summer Mei-yu event over eastern China, which is strongly influenced by large-scale circulation, is an important aspect of East Asian climate; for example, the Mei-yu frequently brings heavy precipitation to the Yangtze–Huai River valley (YHRV). Both observations and a regional model were used to study the Mei-yu front and its relation to large-scale circulation during the summer of 1991 when severe floods occurred over YHRV. This study has two parts: the first part, presented here, analyzes the association between heavy Mei-yu precipitation and relevant large-scale circulation, while the second part, documented by W. Gong and W.-C. Wang, examines the model biases associated with the treatment of lateral boundary conditions (the objective analyses and coupling schemes) used as the driving fields for the regional model. Observations indicate that the Mei-yu season in 1991 spans 18 May–14 July, making it the longest Mei-yu period during the last 40 yr. The heavy precipitation over YHRV is found...
Slow tilt reversal of the Lesser Himalaya between 1862 and 1992 at 78°E, and bounds to the southeast rupture of the 1905 Kangra earthquake

Summary Measurements between 1862 and 1992 of a 77-km-long spirit levelling line that crosses the main frontal thrust of the Himalaya near Dehra Dun (78°E) reveal a slow reversal of tilt in the early part of the last century, unperturbed by the destructive 1905 April 4 Kangra earthquake, 200 km to the northwest. The Lesser Himalaya are inferred to be tilting currently to the northeast at 0.08 µrad yr−1, with similar rate but opposite sign to their tilt in 1862. The absence of co-seismic deformation near Dehra Dun in 1905 indicates that the Kangra rupture terminated short of Dehra Dun, consistent with a revised Ms = 7.8 estimate for the size of the Kangra earthquake, but inconsistent with previous analyses of the levelling data that interpret a large slope-dependent systematic error as co-seismic slip. The reversal in tilt corresponds to a linear northeast-down tilt acceleration of 0.0015 ± 0.0004 µrad yr−2.
Magnesium modulates contractile responses of rat aorta to thiocyanate: A possible relationship to smoking-induced atherosclerosis.

Abstract Thiocyanate anions (SCN − ) as the end products of tobacco smoke and found in the blood of cigarette smokers have been implicated in atherogenesis and heart diseases. Magnesium deficiency has also been implicated in the etiology of atherogenesis. The contractile responses of rat aorta to SCN − and the modulation of extracellular magnesium ions ([Mg 2+ ] o ) on the effect of SCN − were, therefore, studied in isolated rat aortic rings. SCN − exposure at a range of concentrations (from 10 −5 to 5 × 10 −2 M) induces contractile responses of isolated rat aortic rings with and without endothelium in a concentration-dependent manner. Significant differences in responsiveness to SCN − were found in rat aortic ring segments with and without endothelial cells. Preincubation of these vessels with low [Mg 2+ ] o markedly shifted the contractile concentration–effect curves to the left, and the contractile effects of SCN − in rat aortic rings were potentiated. In contrast to lowering [Mg 2+ ] o , increasing [Mg 2+ ] o to 2.4 mM was found to dramatically attenuate the contractile responses to SCN − . In the absence of extracellular Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+ ] o ), SCN − -induced contractions were, however, almost abolished after exposure to Mg 2+ -free medium. In order to investigate the mechanisms of [Mg 2+ ] o modulation of SCN − -induced contractile response of rat aorta, changes in intracellular Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+ ] i ) were measured in cultured primary smooth muscle cells isolated from rat aorta. The resting level of [Ca 2+ ] i in the rat aortic smooth muscle cells was 80.6 ± 6.6 nM. Exposure of these cells to SCN − (5 × 10 −5 to 5 × 10 −3 M) produced rises in [Ca 2+ ] i in a concentration-dependent manner. Preincubation of these cells with low [Mg 2+ ] o (0 or 0.3 mM, the lowest physiological range) for 24 h significantly potentiated increments in [Ca 2+ ] i induced by SCN − . These rises in [Ca 2+ ] i induced by SCN − were completely inhibited by pretreating the cells with 2.4 mM [Mg 2+ ] o for 24 h. These results support a hypothesis whereby cigarette smoking or exposure to smoking can induce cardiovascular diseases, at least partly, probably by causing spasm and thicknening of arterial blood vessels as a consequence of large rises in [Ca 2+ ] i in vascular smooth muscle cells. The chronic presence of or exposure to both thiocyanate and low Mg 2+ in the blood of smokers can result in rapid flux of Ca 2+ into vascular smooth muscle cells, thus accelerating or initiating atherosclerotic processes in smokers.