cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limitations of current fluorescent glucose sensing assays based on competitive binding

Competitive binding assays based on the protein Concanavalin A (ConA) have been proposed as potential sensors for continuous glucose monitoring applications. However, ConA-based assays in the literature have primarily displayed a lack of sensitivity or a lack of repeatability in their glucose response. This work explores this apparent trade-off by separating the measured glucose response into the recognition and fluorescence transduction mechanisms. The recognition responses are modeled for typical competing ligands/assays used in the literature, and they are combined with an optimized fluorescence approach to yield expected fluorescent glucose responses. Because aggregation is known to increase the apparent affinity between multivalent ligands and multivalent receptors, preliminary models are generated for assays that were initially optimized with multivalent ligands but increase in affinity over time. These models accurately predict the low sensitivity for monovalent ligands and the lack of repeatability in the responses with multivalent ligands as seen in the literature. This subsequently explains the aforementioned trade-off no matter the optical approach.
“Nearly White” and Clinging to “Bits of Finery”: Jim Crow Logic, Brazil, and Evelyn Scott's Escapade

Evelyn Scott's Escapade (1923) illustrates both the similarities and the differences between the U.S. South and South American Brazil, highlighting the former's privileged position as part of the U...
Conductance fluctuations in microstructures: Crossover between different transport regimes

Abstract We investigate the crossover from the ballistic, through the diffusive, into the localized transport regime by calculating the conductance and conductance fluctuations in different microstructures. The crossover is induced in two ways; by increasing the disorder strength while keeping the constriction length fixed, and by increasing the constriction length while keeping the disorder strength fixed. We show that the two methods result in qualitatively the same behavior. Two types of microstructures are studied; a smooth bottleneck constriction and a rectangular strip. We also illustrate how the filtering effect of the bottleneck constriction changes during the crossover between different transport regimes.
COMMUNICATION IN THE INTERVIEW AND THE DISENGAGED RESPONDENT

Abstract : The standard response in the survey interview was found to take on a specific kind of significance. The investigator need not ask himself whether any given response was ''truly'' representative of the person's opinion. Rather, given the type of situation represented by the survey interview,AND GIVEN THE TYPE OF QUESTION USED, IN WHAT OTHER SITUATIONS IS IT LIKELY THAT THIS SAME RESPONSE WILL OCCUR. Applying this reasoning, it might be anticipated that given the social nature of the interview, the elderly person can be expected to fail to respond or differentiate in numerous other superficial social situations. However, if one is interested in predicting flavor preference or voting behavior, for example, when the person is faced with a decision where more is at stake, different results might be expected. In terms of future investigations what seems to be indicated is a better understanding of significant learning experiences and of the conceptual commonalities of varying situations. (Author)
Rodent mounds facilitate shrubs and shrubs inhibit seedlings in the Mojave Desert, USA

The habitat immediately around long-lived desert shrubs often provides a favorable environment (‘fertile island’) for annual plants and shrub seedling establishment. However, adult shrubs can also compete with shrub seedlings. Part of the fertile island effect is due to rodent burrowing and seed caching but less is known about the effect of rodent mounds on short- and long-term desert shrub demography. We demonstrate that the indirect influences of rodent mounds on soil fertility and permeability create conditions favorable for adult shrubs, enhancing shrub size, density, and local species diversity in a nearly monospecific community of Coleogyne ramosissima in the Mojave Desert, in the southwestern USA. Shrubs facilitate seedling establishment but shrub canopies and fertile islands are not favorable for seedling survival. Occasional success of seedlings growing in open areas on mounds (where seedling densities are lowest) appear to have the biggest effect on long-term shrub demography of the dominant shrub, C. ramosissima, and, by inference, on other species of shrubs that are found only on mounds.
Object recognition and sensitive periods: A computational analysis of visual imprinting

Using neural and behavioral constraints from a relatively simple biological visual system, we evaluate the mechanism and behavioral implications of a model of invariant object recognition. Evidence from a variety of methods suggests that a localized portion of the domestic chick brain, the intermediate and medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV), is critical for object recognition. We have developed a neural network model of translation-invariant object recognition that incorporates features of the neural circuitry of IMHV, and exhibits behavior qualitatively similar to a range of findings in the filial imprinting paradigm. We derive several counter-intuitive behavioral predictions that depend critically upon the biologically derived features of the model. In particular, we propose that the recurrent excitatory and lateral inhibitory circuitry in the model, and observed in IMHV, produces hysteresis on the activation state of the units in the model and the principal excitatory neurons in IMHV. Hysteresis, when combined with a simple Hebbian covariance learning mechanism, has been shown in this and earlier work (Foldiak 1991; O'Reilly and McClelland 1992) to produce translation-invariant visual representations. The hysteresis and learning rule are responsible for a sensitive period phenomenon in the network, and for a series of novel temporal blending phenomena. These effects are empirically testable. Further, physiological and anatomical features of mammalian visual cortex support a hysteresis-based mechanism, arguing for the generality of the algorithm.
Radar studies of the non-spherically symmetric solar corona

We review the results of radar studies of the Sun made at El Campo, Texas 1961–69 with particular emphasis on the record of observed solar radar cross sections. Using ray traces which include the effects of refraction, absorption, and scattering in non-spherically symmetric models of the corona, we investigate the role of focusing by large-scale coronal geometries in enhancing the radar cross section. We find that certain coronal geometries (e.g. disk-center coronal holes) can, in principle, significantly increase the radar cross section. However the observations of large cross sections do not correspond very well with periods when such large-scale focusing geometries existed in the corona. We conclude that the present dataset does not support the hypothesis that radar observations of the Sun will be useful in determining the properties of large-scale coronal features.
Weak localization in short wires: Influence of boundary conditions

The existing theory of the weak-localization correction to resistance in the case of short metallic wires is discussed to obtain some new physical insights. A new theoretical formula for the commonly used four-terminal geometry is derived using the formalism proposed by Doucot and Rammal. It is shown that fits to experimental data can yield substantially different values for the electron-phase relaxation length depending on the boundary conditions imposed in the theory.
Spermatozoa motility and variation in the seminal plasma proteome of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) during the reproductive season.

This study evaluated physiological and functional sperm parameters and the seminal plasma proteome of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) over the course of their reproductive season. Spermatozoa velocity (169.56 ± 6.53 to 158.5 ± 7.4 µm sec−1), percent motility (95.89 ± 4.28% to 89.55 ± 4.5%), and osmolality of seminal plasma (290 ± 5 to 297 ± 12 mOsmol kg−1) remained stable throughout the reproductive season. Milt volume and protein concentration of seminal plasma gradually increased and reached the highest values late in the reproductive period. Spermatozoa concentration peaked in the mid-reproductive season (66.90 ± 13 × 109 spermatozoa ml−1) and decreased towards the end (54 ± 10 × 109 spermatozoa ml−1). A proteomic analysis of seminal plasma using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed 10 protein spots significantly altered over the course of the reproductive season. Subsequent protein characterization suggested that time in the reproductive season predominantly affected proteins involved in membrane trafficking, organization, cell motility, and oxido-reductase activity. This study provides new data on physiological properties of sperm and protein patterns of seminal plasma over the course of the reproductive season that should be considered in the development of methods for artificial reproduction of perch. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 879–887, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predicting redox-sensitive cysteines in plant enzymes by homology modeling

Resume L'un des problemes non encore parfaitement resolus de la biochimie des plantes est l'identification des residus cysteines qui interviennent dans la regulation des enzymes chloroplastiques activees et desactivees par la lumiere. La modelisation par homologie basee sur la connaissance des sequences de ces enzymes et des structures tridimensionnelles des enzymes homologues a maintenant permis une approche de l'identification des residus Cys sensibles au potentiel redox pour quatre enzymes chloroplastiques activees par la lumiere. Dans chaque cas les disulfites regulateurs ne sont pas situes dans le site actif, mais plutot dans des sites qui affectent la flexibilite ou la conformation de l'enzyme, modifiant ainsi ses caracteres catalytiques. Chez la glyceraldehyde-3-P deshydrogenase et la malate deshydrogenase, les mouvements inter-domaines seraient ainsi limites. Pour la fructose bisphosphatase et la sedoheptulose bisphosphatase, les residus Cys regulateurs sont localises sur le domaine lie au nucleotide dans une region connue pour sa sensibilite a l'AMP, effecteur allosterique des autres fructose bisphosphatases. Les resultats des experiences de mutagenese dirigee faites jusqu'a ce jour sont generalement en accord avec l'hypothese du blocage des domaines. La sensibilite au potentiel redox d'un certain nombre d'enzymes cytosoliques suggere que la modulation reductrice pourrait avoir lieu hors des chloroplastes dans les feuilles, et aussi dans les racines, les tiges et les graines en germination chez les plantes vertes. Cette meilleure comprehension du mecanisme de regulation par le potentiel redox devrait permettre de nouvelles approches du mecanisme de la regulation des activites enzymatiques et conduire a des applications en biotechnologie.
Brood parasitism among waterfowl nesting on islands and peninsulas in North Dakota

During 1985 and 1986 I studied interspecific brood parasitism among seven species of waterfowl nesting on 36 islands and 24 peninsulas in central North Dakota. On islands, 40% of 178 nests were parasitized with an average of 4.3 parasitic eggs, and on peninsulas 2% of 275 nests were parasitized with an average of 2.2 parasitic eggs. Redheads (Aythya americana) were the primary parasite, adding eggs to 92% of all parasitized nests. Species nesting in open cover were parasitized at a higher rate than species nesting in dense cover. Nests with parasitic eggs had fewer host eggs and there was a negative association between the number of parasitic eggs and the success of host eggs. Parasitized nests had lower success, but additional parasitic eggs had no added influence on nest success. Interspecific brood parasitism had significant negative effects on dabbling ducks on islands but Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) were little affected. Even so, the number of young hatched per nest was much higher on islands because of the high loss of eggs to predators on the mainland. Parasitic eggs were deposited during the middle of the nesting season, but the peak of parasitic laying occurred before the peak of normal nesting.
Doppler global velocimetry - The next generation?

A new measurement technique is being developed by NASA to measure off-surface flow fields. This method, Doppler global velocimetry, will allow quantification of complex three-dimensional flow fields at video camera rates. The entire flow field structure within a selected plane is measured simultaneously rather than by scanned, point-by-point measurements using conventional laser velocimetry. To assess the capability of this new technique, velocity measurements of the vortical flow field above a thin 75-degree delta wing were made in the NASA Langley Basic Aerodynamics Research Tunnel. The operation of the system is described along with the techniques developed to process the output images. The results are then compared with similar measurements obtained using a three component laser velocimeter.
Analysis of the arc-cathode interaction of free-burning arcs

A theoretical model has been formulated describing the influence of the arc condition and the cathode material and geometry on arc cathode erosion. To arrive at a self-consistent description for the entire arc cathode attachment region, a realistic one-dimensional sheath model has been used. This sheath model is supplemented by an integral energy balance of the ionization zone between the sheath and the arc, and by a differential energy balance of the cathode. For the case of a tungsten cathode in an argon arc, it has been shown that the ion current density is almost 50% of the total current density at low arc currents, while it decreases to about 18% of the total current density and the thermionic electron current density increases to about 82% of the total current density at high currents. It has also been found that heat conduction within the cathode and radiation from the cathode surface control energy transport from the cathode spot at low currents, and that dissipation by thermionic electron release dominates at high currents.
Validation of a 20-minute steady-state jog as an estimate of peak oxygen uptake in adolescents.

Abstract Distance run tests are often used to estimate peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) in children. This study examined the concurrent validity of a 20-min steady-state jog (20MSSJ). The sample consisted of 43 boys and 32 girls who performed a 20MSSJ and completed a maximal treadmill test 1 week later. Peak VO2 was measured by indirect calorimetry. Subject characteristics were as follows: boys, mean age = 15.1 ∓ 1.0 years, mean peak VO2 = 46.4 ∓ 7.7 ml·kg−1·min−1, mean 20MSSJ = 2.3 ∓ 0.5 miles; girls, mean age = 15.3 ∓ 1.1 years, mean peak VO2 = 40.4 ∓ 5.1 ml·kg−1·min−1, mean 20MSSJ = 2.1 ∓ 0.5 miles. The correlation between 20MSSJ and peak VO2 was. 68 across boys and girls. The regression slopes of the boys and girls were common, but the intercepts differed, F (1, 72) = 10.9, p < .05. The influence of weight and skinfold fat was examined. Separate models were developed, and the R for each was increased to .79 (SEE = 4.45 ml·kg−1·min−1) for the model using weight and .80 (SEE = 4.36 ml·kg−1·min−1) for the m...
High-speed flow measurements in a two-stroke engine by photon-correlation laser velocimetry

Three-dimensional mapping of the spatial structure and the temporal evolution of the air flow field in a commercially available two-stroke engine requires the ability to resolve a wide range of flow velocities (±250 m/s) at measurement locations near the cylinder wall and the piston crown. Laser-Doppler velocimetry that uses photon-correlation signal processing and Fourier-transform analysis permits ensemble-averaged velocity-distribution functions to be extracted from scattered-light signals that are sampled at nearly the Nyquist limit and whose strength is typically less than 1 photon per Doppler cycle. Selected results from a systematic study illustrate the impulsive jet-like flow through the transfer ports into the engine cylinder, the complexity of the resultant in-cylinder flow field, and the likelihood of large-scale flow-field variations from one engine cycle to another
Surface-enhanced circular dichroism spectroscopy mediated by nonchiral nanoantennas

We theoretically investigate light-matter interactions for chiral molecules in the presence of nonchiral nanoantennas. Isotropic nanostructures supporting optical-frequency electric or magnetic dipoles are sufficient to locally enhance the excitation of a molecule's chiral polarizability and thus its circular dichroism spectrum. However, simultaneous electric and magnetic dipoles are necessary to achieve a net, spatially averaged enhancement. Our contribution provides a theoretical framework to understand chiral light-matter interactions at the nanoscale and sets the necessary and sufficient conditions to enhance circular dichroism spectroscopy in the presence of nanoantennas. The results may lead to new, field-enhanced, chiral spectroscopic techniques.
Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition-grown AlN on 6H-SiC for metal-insulator-semiconductor device applications

Aluminum nitride is a promising insulator for the fabrication of 6H-silicon carbide (6H-SiC) metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) devices for high temperature and high power applications. Due to the fact that the electrical response of a Au/AlN/SiC MIS structure is sensitive to the quality of the insulator-semiconductor interface as well as the insulator itself, growth of AlN on 6H-SiC using different growth procedures will produce AlN/6H-SiC structures of different electrical characteristics. In this study, we compared the capacitance-voltage, dc current voltage and high electric field breakdown characteristics of various AlN/6H-SiC MIS structures grown by different low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition growth procedures. Our results demonstrated that depending on the growth procedure, Au/AlN/SiC MIS structures with low current leakage, low interface state density, good high temperature stability and high electric field breakdown voltage could be obtained.
Competition between the structural phase transition and superconductivity in Ir 1-x Pt x Te 2 as revealed by pressure effects

Pressure-dependent transport measurements of Ir${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Pt${}_{x}$Te${}_{2}$ are reported. With increasing pressure, the structural phase transition at high temperatures is enhanced while its superconducting transition at low temperatures is suppressed. These pressure effects make Ir${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Pt${}_{x}$Te${}_{2}$ distinct from other studied $\mathit{TX}$${}_{2}$ systems exhibiting a charge density wave (CDW) state, in which pressure usually suppresses the CDW state and enhances the superconducting state. The results reveal that the emergence of superconductivity competes with the stabilization of the low-temperature monoclinic phase in Ir${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Pt${}_{x}$Te${}_{2}$.
Free and Bound Gibberellin Activities and Ent-kaurene Synthesis during Induction of Cold Hardiness in Black Locust Seedlings

The role of gibberellin in the development of cold hardiness in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) seedlings was investigated. Free and bound gibberellin activities were followed during induction of cold hardiness using ethyl acetate partitioning and pH variation, with subsequent paper chromatographic fractionation and gibberellin bioassay. While total gibberellin activity decreased during the induction of cold hardiness in black locust seedlings, no convincing evidence was found to support conversion of free gibberellin to a bound form. However, bound gibberellin activity did appear to be more stable than did free gibberellin activity during the final stages of cold hardening at freezing temperatures. Gibberellin synthesis was followed using 14C-mevalonate conversion to ent-kaurene in a cell-free extract of the tissue. Ent-kaurene synthesis decreased during cold hardening with no detectable synthesis in fully hardened seedlings. However, since growth cessation precedes development of cold hardiness, decreased gibberellin synthesis and corresponding trends in free and bound fractions might have been expected, and a cause and effect relationship is difficult to establish. Even so, a decline in one step in gibberellin synthesis and a greater stability of bound than free gibberelin activity are associated with induction of cold hardiness in black locust seedlings.
Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis: A clinicopathologic review

Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis is a locally aggressive benign vascular neoplasm of the lung characterized by the presence of numerous cytologically benign thin-walled capillary-sized blood vessels proliferating diffusely through the pulmonary interstitium, in and around pulmonary vessels and airways. Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis is a rare disease characterized by pulmonary hypertension and a slowly progressive clinical course; it is frequently misdiagnosed clinically as primary pulmonary hypertension and veno-occlusive disease. The purpose of this review is to describe the clinical, radiologic, and histologic features of this rare form of pulmonary vascular neoplasm, which may present considerable diagnostic problems to both the clinician and the histopathologist. Fourteen cases of pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis have been previously reported. In this review we describe the fourth case of pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis in which the diagnosis was made antemortem, as well as the fourth to undergo lung transplantation.
A MATHEMATICAL TREATMENT OF THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF COLLOIDS AND CELL SUSPENSIONS.

Many extensive investigations have been made for the purpose of determining the electrical conductivity of cell suspensions such as blood, body tissues, bacterial suspensions, and the like; the biological importance of this constant being that it would give some idea of the permeability of the cells (or the cell walls) in question. The investigations of the conductivity of blood by Bugarszky and Tangl, t Fraenckelfl Oker-Blomfl Roth, 4 Stewart, 5 and others are well known. These investigators found that the red corpuscles act as perfect insulators, 8 so that the electric current exclusively passes in the space between them. Oker-Blom, for instance, showed that the resistance of a blood cell suspension of a certain volume concentra-
Simulation of average energy expenditures and related inhalation rates for the U.S. population

Inhalation rates (rVe) for determining intakes of air pollutants generally must be estimated because it is difficult to make direct inhalation measurements in free-standing populations. The key to quantifying rVe is to estimate the oxygen consumption rate (rO2) required to sustain an individual’s total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and then to convert rO2 to rVe using the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VQ). To estimate TDEEs for U.S. population cohorts, nonlinear equations that predict TDEE were developed using data derived from doubly labeled water metabolic studies involving 222 groups with a total of 6,027 subjects. Monte Carlo sampling of lognormally distributed body weights, VQ values, and error terms of the TDEE predictions were then used to simulate average TDEE and rVe for U.S. population cohorts. The maximum TDEE value for males was 13.5 MJ/day, which occurred within the 19–29 year age cohort, and for females it was 10.4 MJ/day at ages 18–19 years. Analyses of the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and physical activity level (PAL = TDEE ÷ resting metabolic rate) showed that PAL is not very sensitive to changes in BMI. The highest daily inhalation rates for males and females were 17 and 13 m3/day, respectively, and estimated breathing rates for active (nonresting) hours were about a factor of two greater than for inactive (sleep/resting) periods. Finally, it was shown that efforts to control obesity in the USA have the potential for reducing inhalation rates due to the decreased oxygen/energy requirements of lower body weights.
Elevations in serum and urinary calcium with parathyroid hormone (1-84) with and without alendronate for osteoporosis.

Context: The effect of PTH therapy on serum and urinary calcium levels and the risk of hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria has not been formally evaluated. Objective: The objective was to examine changes in serum and urinary calcium associated with PTH(1-84) therapy in the PaTH trial and the extent to which a defined algorithm resolved the elevated values. Design, Setting, Participants, and Intervention: A total of 178 postmenopausal women were randomized to PTH(1-84) either alone or in combination with alendronate during the first year of the PaTH study. Main Outcome Measure(s): The main outcome measures were fasting serum calcium at baseline and 1, 3, and 12 months and 24-h urinary calcium at baseline and 3 months. Results: In 14% of participants, serum calcium more than 10.5 mg/dl (>2.6 mmol/liter) developed. Following the defined algorithm, 58% of elevated measurements were normal on repeat testing; 38% required discontinuation of calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and one necessitated a decrease in P...
Electron microscope studies on the gill filaments of Fundulus heteroclitus from sea water and fresh water with special reference to the ultrastructural organization of the “chloride cell”

Gill filaments of Fundulus heteroclitus were examined with the electron microscope. The “chloride cell” contains two principal cytoplasmic components, numerous mitochondria, and an interbranching system of smooth-surfaced tubules representing a form of the endoplasmic reticulum. Golgi material and a small amount of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum are also present. The ultrastructural organization of the chloride cell is described and compared in sea-water- and fresh-water-adapted animals, and the possible significance discussed in view of the controversy regarding the function of the cells. A comparison is made of the ultrastructure of the chloride cell with the reportedly analogous cells of the pseudobranch gland.
RESONANT SCATTERING AND Lyα RADIATION EMERGENT FROM NEUTRAL HYDROGEN HALOS

With a state-of-the-art numerical method used for solving the integral-differential equation of radiative transfer, we investigate the flux of the Lyα photon ν0 emergent from an optically thick halo containing a central light source. Our focus is on the time-dependent effects of the resonant scattering. We first show that the frequency distribution of photons in the halo is quickly approaching a locally thermalized state around the resonant frequency, even when the mean intensity of the radiation is highly time dependent. Since initial conditions are forgotten during the thermalization, some features of the flux, such as the two-peak structure of its profile, are actually independent of the intrinsic width and time behavior of the central source, if the emergent photons are mainly from photons in the thermalized state. In this case, the difference |ν± – ν0|, where ν± are the frequencies of the two peaks of the flux, cannot be less than 2 times the Doppler broadening. We then study the radiative transfer in the case where the light emitted from the central source is a flash. We calculate the light curves of the flux from the halo. It shows that the flux is still a flash. The time duration of the flash for the flux, however, is independent of the original time duration of the light source but depends on the optical depth of the halo. Therefore, the spatial transfer of resonant photons is a diffusion process, even though it is not a purely Brownian diffusion. This property enables an optically thick halo to trap and store thermalized photons around ν0 for a long time after the cessation of the central source emission. The photons trapped in the halo can yield delayed emission, of which the profile also shows typical two-peak structure as that from locally thermalized photons. Possible applications of these results are addressed.
Who are the Debt Poor

Our previous research argued that interest payments on consumer debt should be subtracted from household income to measure poverty. We estimated 4 million additional poor Americans in 2007, calling them "debt poor." This paper finds that the debt poor are somewhat like the poor (they are unlikely to own a home or have private health insurance), somewhat like middle-class households (race), and in-between in other ways (education levels). Debt poor households were likely middle class once, having access to considerable consumer credit; but following a loss of income, their large debt burden put their living standard below their poverty threshold.
Competitive balance among tree species altered by forest tent caterpillar defoliation

Abstract In northern hardwood forests with a closed canopy, tree growth is largely driven by tree size and competition with neighboring trees. Canopy defoliation during insect outbreaks temporarily increases light availability and may decrease light competition among neighboring trees. Defoliation typically reduces tree growth, but canopy defoliation could also stimulate growth of trees that maintain some leaf area. We compared the growth responses of mature trees of non-host species Acer rubrum, and the three host species Acer saccharum, Quercus rubra and Tilia americana, to defoliation by forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria, Lasiocampidae), a native forest insect with a ∼10-year outbreak periodicity, in a northern hardwood forest in northern lower Michigan. We compared tree growth during the forest tent caterpillar outbreak in 2009, and in the following year, to the average growth before the outbreak in relation to the defoliation level of both the focal tree and its neighbors. Growth responses were related to focal tree defoliation, but we found little direct evidence for effects of neighborhood defoliation; relatively uniform defoliation within sites may have obscured detection of neighborhood effects. Growth of T. americana increased substantially in the year following defoliation, despite the growth reduction during the outbreak in 2009. T. americana rapidly produced new leaves after peak defoliation in 2009, which could explain increased growth in 2010. A. rubrum, which was not defoliated, decreased growth slightly during the outbreak. In 2010, however, one year after peak defoliation, A. rubrum growth was similar to pre-outbreak growth. The two other defoliated species, A. saccharum and Q. rubra, decreased growth in both 2009 and 2010. These strongly species-specific growth responses to canopy defoliation might result in changes in tree species’ interactions and shifts in species advantages over time.
Atrial fibrillation significantly increases total mortality and stroke risk beyond that conveyed by the CHADS2 risk factors.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of mortality and stroke. However, it is unclear if AF is independently associated with these poor outcomes or it is merely a risk marker of other processes that convey the risk. Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent angiography for suspicion of coronary artery disease, but without a history of AF, were studied. Traditional CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age >75 years, diabetes, stroke/transient ischemic attack) risk factors for each patient were recorded. Results: A total of 343 AF patients (age = 69 ± 10 years, 215 [63%] male) and 2,945 non-AF patients (age = 63 ± 12 years, 2,012 [67%] male) were studied. Among AF patients, 51 (15%) had a myocardial infarction (MI), 35 (10%) had a stroke, and 180 (52%) died. CHADS2 score incrementally increased risk of stroke (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for 1:1.92, 2:2.30, 3:1.14, 4:3.83, 5:10.96; P-trend = 0.14), death (HR for 1:1.83, 2:2.34, 3:3.69, 4:2.27, 5:4.53; P-trend < 0.001), and major adverse cardiac event (MACE)(HR for 1:1.29, 2:1.54, 3:2.07, 4:2.41, 5:2.68; P-trend = 0.002). Among non-AF patients, CHADS2 score incrementally increased risk of stroke (HR for 1:1.18, 2:3.17, 3:5.08, 4:10.78, 5:7.50; P-trend < 0.001), MI (HR for 1:1.05, 2:1.46, 3:1.57, 4:0.53, 5:4.76; P-trend = 0.002), death (HR for 1:1.79, 2:3.22, 3:6.23, 4:9.09, 5:14.00; P-trend < 0.001), and MACE (HR for 1:1.47, 2:2.36, 3:4.16, 4:5.91, 5:7.56; P-trend < 0.001). Among all patients, both CHADS2 score (all P ≤ 0.001) and AF were independent risk factors for stroke (AF: P = 0.002), MI (AF: P = 0.035), death (AF: P < 0.001), and MACE (AF: P < 0.001). Conclusion: The CHADS2 score is a powerful predictor of stroke and death. AF increases the risk of these outcomes in an independent manner. These data support the concept that AF is a risk factor of future cardiovascular disease.
Conditioning as disintegration

Conditional probability distributions seem to have a bad reputation when it comes to rigorous treatment of conditioning. Technical arguments are published as manipulations of Radon‐Nikodym derivatives, although we all secretly perform heuristic calculations using elementary definitions of conditional probabilities. In print, measurability and averaging properties substitute for intuitive ideas about random variables behaving like constants given particular conditioning information. One way to engage in rigorous, guilt-free manipulation of conditional distributions is to treat them as disintegrating measures—families of probability measures concentrating on the level sets of a conditioning statistic. In this paper we present a little theory and a range of examples—from EM algorithms and the Neyman factorization, through Bayes theory and marginalization paradoxes—to suggest that disintegrations have both intuitive appeal and the rigor needed for many problems in mathematical statistics.
Force History Dependence of Receptor-Ligand Dissociation

Receptor-ligand bonds that mediate cell adhesion are often subjected to forces that regulate their dissociation via modulating off-rates. Off-rates control how long receptor-ligand bonds last and how much force they withstand. One should therefore be able to determine off-rates from either bond lifetime or unbinding force measurements. However, substantial discrepancies exist between the force dependence of off-rates derived from the two types of measurements even for the same interactions, e.g., selectins dissociating from their ligands, which mediate the tethering and rolling of leukocytes on vascular surfaces during inflammation and immune surveillance. We used atomic force microscopy to measure survival times of P-selectin dissociating from P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 or from an antibody in both bond lifetime and unbinding force experiments. By a new method of data analysis, we showed that the discrepancies resulted from the assumption that off-rates were functions of force only. The off-rates derived from forced dissociation data depended not only on force but also on the history of force application. This finding provides a new paradigm for understanding how force regulates receptor-ligand interactions.
Esophagectomy with gastric reconstruction for achalasia

Abstract Purpose: Achalasia is a degenerative esophageal disorder that may result in esophageal failure necessitating resection for restoration of gastrointestinal function. This study evaluates a protocol of esophageal resection and gastric reconstruction for end-stage achalasia. Methods: Hospital records, radiographic studies, and resection specimens of patients undergoing esophagectomy and gastric reconstruction were reviewed. Patient outcome was defined by an evaluation of symptoms (early satiety, dysphagia, regurgitation, and reflux), dietary restrictions, and ability to maintain or gain weight. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables and pathologic features in the resection specimens were analyzed to determine predictors of outcome. Results: In a 10-year period, 32 patients underwent esophagectomy with gastric reconstruction for achalasia; 30 (94%) underwent elective surgery and 2 (6%), emergency surgery. No postoperative deaths occurred. Of 29 patients completing telephone interviews, 24 (83%) had no or mild dysphagia; 21 (72%), no or mild regurgitation; 20 (69%), no or mild reflux; and 19 (66%), no or mild early satiety. Twenty-four (83%) patients had no or minimal dietary restrictions; 26 (90%) had no or minimal social dietary restrictions. Postoperative weight was not different from preoperative weight. Of 30 patients, 26 (87%) felt better after esophagectomy and 25 (83%) would have the operation again. There were few predictors of outcome. Younger patients were more likely to have dysphagia ( P = .03). Conclusions: Esophagectomy with gastric reconstruction relieves preoperative dysphasia and regurgitation in the majority of patients. Dietary function and weight maintenance are excellent, attesting to the durability of the procedure in patients with end-stage achalasia. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:1077-85)
Selected Correlates of Creativity in Young Adults

A sample of 68 young adults responded to the Creativity Scale of the Adjective Checklist, the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ85) Part II, and the Lack of Soc...
Wild-type cells rescue genotypically Math1-null hair cells in the inner ears of chimeric mice.

Abstract The transcription factor Math1 has been shown to be critical in the formation of hair cells (HCs) in the inner ear. However, the influence of environmental factors in HC specification suggests that cell extrinsic factors are also crucial to their development. To test whether extrinsic factors impact development of Math1-null (Math1β-Gal/β-Gal) HCs, we examined neonatal (postnatal ages P0–P4.5) Math1-null chimeric mice in which genotypically mutant and wild-type cells intermingle to form the inner ear. We provide the first direct evidence that Math1-null HCs are able to be generated and survive in the conducive chimeric environment. β-Galactosidase expression was used to identify genetically mutant cells while cells were phenotypically defined as HCs by morphological characteristics notably the expression of HC-specific markers. Genotypically mutant HCs were found in all sensory epithelia of the inner ear at all ages examined. Comparable results were obtained irrespective of the wild-type component of the chimeric mice. Thus, genotypically mutant cells retain the competence to differentiate into HCs. The implication is that the lack of the Math1 gene in HC precursors can be overcome by environmental influences, such as cell–cell interactions with wild-type cells, to ultimately result in the formation of HCs.
Rb, Sr, Nd and Sm concentrations in quartz

The concentrations of Rb, Sr, Nd and Sm in quartz crystals from Crystal Peak, Colorado; Stewart Mine, California; Tomas Gonzaga, Minas Gerais, Brazil; and Coleman Mines, Arkansas, were determined by isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Concentrations ranged from: 1.17 to 177 ppb Rb; 3.26 to 1027 ppb Sr; 0.0159 to 0.48 ppb Sm; 0.127 to 2.81 ppb Nd. In the Brazilian crystal, concentrations of these elements were correlated with the amount of fluid inclusion water measured visually by turbidity and quantitatively with infrared adsorption spectroscopy. The highest Rb content was found for a crystal free of visible inclusions, indicating that small amounts of Rb can also occur in quartz itself. Rb and Sr contents are much lower in synthetic quartz grown commercially from the Arkansas quartz.
Heritability of functioning in families with schizophrenia in relation to neurocognition.

Abstract The role of daily functioning is an integral part of the schizophrenia (SZ) phenotype and deficits in this trait appear to be present in both affected persons and some unaffected relatives; hence we have examined its heritability in our cohort of African American schizophrenia families. There is now ample evidence that deficits in cognitive function can impact family members who are not themselves diagnosed with SZ; there is some, but less evidence that role function behaves likewise. We evaluate whether role function tends to “run in families” who were ascertained because they contain an African American proband diagnosed with SZ. Methods We analyzed heritability for selected traits related to daily function, employment, living situation, marital status, and Global Assessment Scale (GAS) score; modeling age, gender, along with neurocognition and diagnosis as covariates in a family based African-American sample (N = 2488 individuals including 979 probands). Results Measures of role function were heritable in models including neurocognitive domains and factor analytically derived neurocognitive summary scores and demographics as covariates; the most heritable estimate was obtained from the current GAS scores (h2 = 0.72). Neurocognition was not a significant contributor to heritability of role function. Conclusions Commonly assessed demographic and clinical indicators of functioning are heritable with a global rating of functioning being the most heritable. Measures of neurocognition had little impact on heritability of functioning overall. The family covariance for functioning, reflected in its heritability, supports the concept that interventions at the family level, such as evidenced-based family psychoeducation may be beneficial in schizophrenia.
Use of orlistat to treat chylous ascites: a case report

Orlistat, a potent lipase inhibitor that prevents fatty acid absorption, has been used effectively in the management of obesity. We present the first case describing the use of orlistat to treat chylous ascites. A 47 year-old Hispanic man with hepatitis C and alcohol cirrhosis was admitted with severe abdominal distention and dyspnea. He had a history of refractory ascites requiring serial paracentesis. Due to diabetes-associated renal insufficiency, he was on minimal diuretics. He was afebrile and stable. The physical exam demonstrated stigmata of chronic liver disease, decreased right breath sounds, and tense ascites. Blood tests showed a baseline chronic anemia, total bilirubin 2.2, INR 1.4, and albumin 1.4. Previously the ascitic fluid was clear with a high SAAG. On this admission however, the ascitic fluid was milky, pink-colored with triglyceride 585, total protein 0.7, albumin <0.1, RBC 8850, and WBC 300. He was concurrently found to have a new large right pleural effusion that was also milky in appearance with triglyceride 691. A nuclear medicine macroaggregated albumin study confirmed the chylothorax to be of hepatic origin. Extensive testing of the ascitic and pleural fluids showed negative cytology and cultures, including AFB. A colonoscopy and bone marrow biopsy were also normal. The chylous ascites and chylothorax were attributed to cirrhosis, and the patient was placed on a low-fat diet supplemented by medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil. The chylous ascites and chylothorax responded poorly, however. It was later determined to be due to dietary noncompliance. In an effort to limit his dietary fat intake, orlistat was then started with each meal. The MCT oil was taken independently. After orlistat supplementation, the chylous ascites and chylothorax both resolved. Although the high volume ascites and hydrothorax persisted, the ascitic triglyceride fell to 66 and pleural effusion triglyceride fell to 247. After placement of a TIPS shunt, the ascites and pleural effusion completely resolved. Chylous ascites can have various causes, including cirrhosis. Irrespective of the cause, the traditional management has been a low-fat diet supplemented with MCT oil. As our case shows, however, this can be difficult to implement successfully even in a hospital setting. We demonstrated that in this situation orlistat can be used effectively as an aid to achieve a truly low-fat diet.
A Review of the Species of Phileurus Latreille (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Phileurini) with Quadridentate Protibiae and Description of a New Species from Panama

ABSTRACT The five species of Phileurus Latreille with quadridentate protibiae are reviewed and placed in a key for identification. One new species, Phileurus zonianis Ratcliffe, from Panama is described and illustrated.
Are Wildfire Mitigation and Restoration of Historic Forest Structure Compatible? A Spatial Modeling Assessment

Abstract In response to catastrophic wildfires, wide-reaching forest management policies have been enacted in recent years, most notably the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003. A key premise underlying these policies is that fire suppression has resulted in denser forests than were present historically in some western forest types. Therefore, although reducing the threat of wildfire is the primary goal, forest managers commonly view fuel treatments as a means to restore historic forest structure in those forest types that are outside of their historic range of variation. This study evaluates where both wildfire mitigation and restoration of historic forest structure are potentially needed in the ponderosa pine–dominated montane forest zone of Boulder County, Colorado. Two spatial models were overlain: a model of potential fireline intensity and a model of historic fire frequency. The overlay was then aggregated by land management classes. Contrary to current assumptions, results of this study indicat...
Adaptive resonance associative map: a hierarchical ART system for fast stable associative learning

The author introduces a new class of predictive ART architectures, called the adaptive resonance associative map (ARAM), which performs rapid, yet stable heteroassociative learning in a real-time environment. ARAM can be visualized as two ART modules sharing a single recognition code layer. The unit for recruiting a recognition code is a pattern pair. Code stabilization is ensured by restricting coding to states where resonances are reached in both modules. Simulation results have shown that ARAM is capable of self-stabilizing association of arbitrary pattern pairs of arbitrary complexity appearing in arbitrary sequence by fast learning in a real-time environment. Due to the symmetrical network structure, associative recall can be performed in both directions. >
Shock consolidation: Microstructurally-based analysis and computational modeling

The most important microstructural processes involved in shock consolidation are identified and discussed; the energy dissipated by a shock wave as it traverses a powder is assessed. The basic microstructural phenomena are illustrated for a metal (nickel-based superalloy), an intermetallic compound (rapidly solidified Ti3Al), and ceramics (silicon carbide). Interparticle melting, vorticity, voids, and particle fracture are observed and the plastic deformation patterns are identified. Various energy dissipation processes are estimated: plastic deformation, interparticle friction, microkinetic energy, and defect generation. An analytical expression is developed for the energy requirement to shock consolidate a powder as a function of strength, size, porosity, and temperature, based on a prescribed interparticle melting layer. This formulation enables the prediction of pressures required to shock consolidate materials; results of calculations for the superalloy and silicon carbide as a function of particle size and porosity are represented. The fracture of ceramic particles under shock compression is discussed. Tensile stresses are generated during compaction that may lead to fracture. It is shown that the activation of flaws occurs at tensile reflected pulses that are a decreasing fraction of the compressive pulse, as the powder strength increases. These analytical results are compared to numerical solutions obtained by modeling the compaction of a discrete set of particles with an Eulerian finite element program. These results confirm the increasing difficulty encountered in shock consolidating harder materials, and point out three possible solutions: (a) reduction of initial particle size; (b) reduction of shock energy; (c) post-shock thermal treatment. Two possible and potentially fruitful approaches are to shock densify (collapse voids with minimum bonding) powders and to apply post-shock thermal treatments, and to shock consolidate nanosized powders. The latter method requires high shock energy and careful minimization of the shock reflections.