cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Body Size and Fur on Heat Loss of Collared Lemmings, Dicrostonyx groenlandicus

Collared lemmings ( Dicrostonyx groenlandicus ) differ from many arvicoline rodents by increasing in size and developing white pelage in response to short photoperiod. I examined the relative contributions of body size and fur changes to heat loss in photoperiod-induced morphs. Heat loss as a function of ambient temperature was calculated from metabolic data and a heat-transfer model, and measured directly on pelts. Winter-morph lemmings were significantly longer and heavier than summer morphs; they were significantly rounder than both summer morphs and colony lemmings. The white winter pelage was significantly longer, thicker, and more dense than that of summer morphs. Calculated heat losses did not differ between morphs; however, heat loss through winter pelts was significantly lower than for summer pelts. Simulations predicted that heat loss of lemmings was more sensitive to changes in fur thickness and density than body mass; however, optimal body size increased by 10 g for lemmings at low temperatures. These results suggest that changes in size and shape may be of significance; nevertheless, fur insulation has the greatest influence on the energy budget of collared lemmings. The energetics of environmentally induced changes in body size of small mammals should be re-evaluated in the context of pelage response. I conclude with an evaluation of the thermal-conductance index as a measure of fur insulation, with recommendations for its replacement by more biologically relevant measures.
Microscopy of the interaction of hrp mutants of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola with a nonhost plant

Abstract Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola is a pathogen of green bean and induces localized, rapid plant cell death (the hypersensitive response or HR) when placed into leaves of the nonhost plant tobacco. The hrp genes control both pathogenicity and the ability to cause the HR. In this study we examined the interaction of the wild-type parent strain (NPS3121) and three independent, prototrophic hrp mutants (NPS4000, NPS4003, NPS4005) with tobacco by use of light and transmission electron microscopy. Even though the hrp mutants did not induce macroscopic symptoms on leaves by 48 h postinoculation, localized disruption of parenchyma cells did occur. The rapidity and severity of microscopic symptoms was related to the relative abilities of the mutants to cause macroscopic symptoms on green bean. Cells of the hrp mutants exhibited extensive surface blebbing. The increased surface blebbing of the mutants may reflect either outer membrane disorganization and/or a reduced ability to cope with an hypoosmotic apoplastic environment by production of periplasmic glucans. Unlike induction of a macroscopic HR, induction of more subtle responses by nonhost plant cells is not dependent on the presence of an intact hrp cluster.
Plasma Actuator Control of a Lifted Ethane Turbulent Jet Diffusion Flame

A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuator is used to stabilize the base of a lifted ethane turbulent jet diffusion flame by modifying the coflow velocity field. The velocity field and flame base are measured by particle image velocimetry and unfiltered flame chemiluminescence imaging, respectively. An axisymmetric DBD actuator, integrated onto the nozzle body and driven by 8 kHz, 10-12-kV peak-to-peak sinusoidal voltage, generates the directional flow that opposes the coflow that surrounds the jet nozzle. This flow induces a separation bubble that retards and diverts the surrounding fluid further away from the fuel jet. The turbulent jet diffusion flame liftoff height is found to be significantly reduced by this plasma actuation.
Association of entomophilic rhabditoid nematode populations with natural control of first-instar larvae of the grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis, in concord grape vineyards

Abstract Four Concord grape vineyards in Georgia were examined to determine the levels of infestation by the grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis . Additionally, the soil at each vineyard site was assayed to determine relative levels of entomophilic rhabditoid nematode activity. An inverse correlation was shown to exist between severity of V. polistiformis infestation and activity of the entomophilic rhabditoid nematode fauna in the vineyard soils. Laboratory and field bioassays determined the susceptibility of first-instar grape root borer to the entomophilic rhabditoid nematode, Neoaplectana carpocapsae . This insect-nematode interaction was posited as a mechanism of natural control of grape root borer populations. Augmentation of entomophilic rhabditoid nematode populations during the critical period of oviposition and eclosion is suggested as a preventative control technique for V. polistiformis .
A class of nonlinear fourth order variant of a generalized Camassa–Holm equation with compact and noncompact solutions

Abstract In this paper we study a class of nonlinear fourth order analogue of a generalized Camassa–Holm equation. It is shown that this class gives compactons, conventional solitons, solitary patterns and periodic solutions. It is also found that the qualitative change in the physical structure of solutions depends mainly on the exponent of the wave function u ( x , t ), positive or negative, and on the coefficient of ( u n ) ξξ as well.
Empirical Analysis of the Size Distribution of Farms: Discussion

to this model most recently by exploring the implication of the assumption that managers are heterogenous. (See Brock and Evans for a review of Lucas, Kihlstrom and Laffont, and Jovanovic, which are the major papers.) These models have motivated several empirical studies. Evans (1987a) tests some of the assumptions and implications of alternative theories of firm growth using data on a cross section of firms. Blau, Brock and Evans, Evans (1985), and Rees and Shah use data on self-employed workers to test Lucas' managerial ability model and to examine the effect of "human capital" variables on firm size. Sumner and Leiby have made a useful contribution to this empirical literature for at least two reasons. (The other papers in this session are also valuable case studies of firm growth. My comments are restricted to Sumner and Leiby because this paper is most closely related to my own research.) The first is that their study is done at a much finer level of detail than are the papers cited above, which generally pool observations across industries and occupations. The second is that their empirical constructs have a closer connection to the theoretical constructs than is often the case in this literature. Several interesting empirical findings do emerge from Sumner and Leiby's research. First, farm growth decreases with farm size. This result is consistent with most of the studies of firm growth that have included small firms. See Evans (1987a, b) and Hall for some recent results that control for sample selection. Second, farm growth decreases at a diminishing rate with the owner's farming experience. This result is consistent with my work on the relationship between firm growth and firm age which also finds a convex relationship (firm age in my studies is analogous to operator experience in Sumner and Leiby's study). Third, farm size increases with the owner's age and farming experience. The age relationship is consistent with Rees and Shah, who find that self-employment earnings increase (although at a diminishing rate) with age. The experience relationship is broadly consistent with preliminary results by myself and Leighton for self-employed workers. We find that self-employment earnings (one measure of firm size) increase with the length of time the owner has operated his business. (These results are based on data drawn from the "National Longitudinal Survey of Young Men.") Fourth, farm growth increases with the owner's age holding experience constant. This result is new as far as I know.
Dynamic Characteristics of a Fast-Response Aerosol Size Spectrometer

The fast integrated mobility spectrometer (FIMS) is a highly sensitive instrument with a fast response time. The time response of the FIMS is limited by the mixing of the aerosol in the inlet of the instrument, which “smears” the detected aerosol over a range of time. The response time is also limited by the different transit times that particles experience in the instrument due to differences in particle classification trajectories. Experiments show that the difference in particle transit times can be corrected using a simple model of the particle trajectories. Furthermore, the “smearing” effects in the inlet can be corrected by de-convolving the time series of particle counts (the temporal de-convolution) in each size bin before inverting the data. The dynamic response of the FIMS was investigated by measuring an aerosol subjected to a step-change and sinusoidal-change in number concentration. The attenuation of the FIMS signal, without using the temporal de-convolution, was measured with and without an...
DYNAMICS OF THE LUNAR SPIN AXIS

The evolution of the lunar spin axis is studied. Prior work has assumed that the inclination of the lunar orbit is constant and that the node regresses uniformly. This work takes into account the nonconstant inclination and nonuniform regression of the node as determined from averaged models of the motion of the lunar orbit. The resulting dynamics is considerably more rich, exhibiting additional resonances, period doubling and tripling, and chaos.
Outcomes of surgery for retinal detachment associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy using perfluoro-n-octane: a multicenter study

Abstract Purpose To report visual acuity and anatomical outcomes, as well as complications, of management of complex retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy using pars plana vitrectomy and intraoperative perfluoro-n-octane (PFO), and to investigate clinical features associated with anatomical and visual acuity outcomes. Design Prospective, noncomparative, interventional multicenter study. Methods The study included 555 patients (555 eyes) 15 months of age or older who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for complex retinal detachment associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy with intraoperative PFO at 24 study sites between April 1994 and February 1996. Main outcome measures included visual acuity and rates of retinal reattachment, reoperation, retained PFO, corneal edema, elevated intraocular pressure ([IOP] > 25 mm Hg), hypotony (IOP Results The study included 555 eyes of 555 patients followed up at a median of 5.6 months. Visual acuity of 20/200 or better was recorded in 51 (10%) patients preoperatively and 85 (24%) at 6 months postoperatively. Among the 465 eyes with both preoperative and final visual acuities available, postoperative visual acuity improved in 274 (60%) eyes, remained stable in 106 (23%), and worsened in 85 (18%) eyes. Six-month follow-up data were obtained for 356 (65%) eyes; the retina was attached in 279 (78%) eyes and retained PFO was noted in 20 (6%). Throughout follow-up, 238 of 555 (43%) eyes underwent reoperation for recurrent retinal detachment. At 6 months, corneal edema, elevated IOP, and hypotony were noted in 26 of 356 (7%), 6 of 356 (2%), and 48 of 356 (15%) eyes, respectively. Of the 114 phakic eyes without significant cataract preoperatively, 105 (92%) developed a significant cataract or underwent cataract surgery during study follow-up. Operative factors significantly ( P 6 ) gas tamponade, air tamponade, or no tamponade (compared with perfluoropropane [C 3 F 8 ] or silicone oil tamponade). Factors significantly associated with final vision of 20/200 or better include first operation anatomic success, prior scleral buckling procedure, no diabetes mellitus, no prior vitrectomy, no silicone oil retinal tamponade, and no relaxing retinotomy. Cases that require relaxing retinotomy generally represent more severe cases of complex retinal detachment and, therefore, relaxing retinotomy is likely associated with a poorer visual outcome owing to the nature of the cases selected for this procedure. Conclusions In the management of complex retinal detachment associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy, pars plana vitrectomy and use of intraoperative PFO was associated with retinal reattachment and preserved visual acuity in most eyes.
Linkages Between Gender Equity and Intimate Partner Violence Among Urban Brazilian Youth

Abstract Purpose Gender inequity is a risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV), although there is little research on this relationship that focuses on youth or males. Using survey data collected from 240 male and 198 female youth aged 15–24 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we explore the association between individual-level support for gender equity and IPV experiences in the past 6 months and describe responses to and motivations for IPV. Methods Factor analysis was used to construct gender equity scales for males and females. Logistic and multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between gender equity and IPV. Results About half of female youth reported some form of recent IPV, including any victimization (32%), any perpetration (40%), and both victimization and perpetration (22%). A total of 18% of male youth reported recently perpetrating IPV. In logistic regression models, support for gender equity had a protective effect against any female IPV victimization and any male IPV perpetration and was not associated with female IPV perpetration. Female victims reported leaving the abusive partner, but later returning to him as the most frequent response to IPV. Male perpetrators said the most common response of their victims was to retaliate with violence. Jealousy was the most frequently reported motivation of females perpetrating IPV. Conclusion Gender equity is an important predictor of IPV among youth. Examining the gendered context of IPV will be useful in the development of targeted interventions to promote gender equity and healthy relationships and to help reduce IPV among youth.
Active Site Blockade of Factor VIIa Alters Its Intracellular Distribution

Factor VIIa binding to tissue factor on cell surfaces not only triggers the coagulation cascade but also induces various intracellular responses that may contribute to many pathophysiological processes. Active site-inhibited factor VIIa, similar to factor VIIa, binds to tissue factor on cell surfaces and subsequently gets internalized and degraded. At present, it is unknown whether factor VIIa and active site-inhibited factor VIIa undergo a similar intracellular processing. The data presented herein show that although a fraction of both the internalized factor VIIa and active site-inhibited factor VIIa recycle back to the cell surface, the amount of active site-inhibited factor VIIa recycled back to the cell surface was substantially higher than that of factor VIIa. Furthermore, internalized factor VIIa and not active site-inhibited factor VIIa associates with nuclear fractions. Factor VIIa associated with the nuclear fraction was intact and functionally active. In contrast to factor VIIa, tissue factor is not found in the nuclear fraction. Additional studies show that the internalized factor VIIa specifically associates with cytoskeletal proteins, actin, and tubulin. In summary, the present data reveal that despite the common pathway of tissue factor-mediated processing, considerable differences exist in the trafficking of factor VIIa and active site-inhibited factor VIIa in fibroblasts.
Can Truth Alone Guide Journalism

Jacquette, D. (2007). Journalistic ethics: Moral responsibility in the media. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. 312 pp. $30.60 (Pbk). Journalistic Ethics by Dale Jacquette is an instal...
Excitable properties and underlying Na+ and K+ currents in neurons from the guinea-pig jugular ganglion

Neurons in the superior vagal (jugular) ganglion relay afferent information from thoracic visceral organs and may be important in inflammatory processes due to the peripheral release of bioactive neuropeptides such as substance P. We characterized the excitable properties and underlying voltage-gated Na+ (INa) and K+ (IKv) currents in acutely dissociated guinea pig jugular ganglion neurons with microelectrode and whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques. Current clamp recordings revealed a resting potential of approx. −55 mV and input resistance of approx. 100 MΩ. Brief depolarizing steps evoked an overshooting action potential (approx. 2 ms duration), fast ( 1 s) Cd2+-sensitive afterhyperpolarization (AHPS) in 45% of the neurons. The AHPS was implicated in limiting repetitive action potential firing during maintained depolarizing steps. The action potential in 1517 neurons, and a major component of the whole cell INa in 1313 neurons were insensitive to TTX (1–10 μM), indicating that jugular neurons express predominantly a TTX-resistant type of INa. Cd2+ (200 μM) did not affect action potential repolarization, while tetraethylammonium (TEA; 10 mM) in the presence of Cd2+ markedly prolonged action potential repolarization, and blocked the AHPF in 1111 neurons. This suggested that the action potential repolarization and the AHPF are mediated by IKv, with little contribution by Ca2+-dependent IK (IK(Ca). Whole cell IKv activated rapidly (τ < 1.5 ms), and inactivated variably over a time period of seconds. IKv activation and inactivation voltage dependencies and TEA sensitivity were compatible with its availability during the action potential and AHPF. Only 126 neurons exhibited current with the rapid inactivation kinetics and voltage-dependencies characteristic of classic IA-type current. These results highlight differences in the properties of jugular neurons (e.g., deficiency of rapid IA, and lack of a TTX-sensitive subpopulation), relative to those known for other visceral and somatic afferents, and thus provide a basis for further functional studies.
Relationship between sleep quality and quantity and weight loss in women participating in a weight-loss intervention trial

Evidence suggests that individuals who report fewer total hours of sleep are more likely to be overweight or obese. Few studies have prospectively evaluated weight-loss success in relation to reported sleep quality and quantity. This analysis sought to determine the association between sleep characteristics and weight loss in overweight or obese women enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of a weight-loss program. We hypothesized that in overweight/obese women, significant weight loss would be demonstrated more frequently in women who report a better Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Global Score or sleep >7 h/night as compared to women who report a worse PSQI score or sleep ≤7 h/night. Women of ages 45.5 ± 10.4 (mean ± SD) years and BMI of 33.9 ± 3.3 (n = 245) were randomized and completed PSQI at baseline and 6 months; 198 had weight change assessed through 24 months. At baseline, 52.7% reported PSQI scores above the clinical cutoff of 5. Better subjective sleep quality increased the likelihood of weight-loss success by 33% (relative risk (RR), 0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.52–0.86), as did sleeping >7 h/night. A worse Global Score at 6 months was associated with a 28% lower likelihood of continued successful weight loss at 18 months, but unassociated by 24 months. These results suggest that sleep quality and quantity may contribute to weight loss in intervention-based studies designed to promote weight control in overweight/obese adult women.
Managing a community mental health agency: A Theory of Constraints based framework

The Theory of Constraints (TOC) is a powerful new management philosophy that recognizes system constraints limit the performance of a system and proposes a set of concepts to manage the constraints. TOC management philosophy (i) suggests the goal of an organization is to make money without violating certain necessary conditions such as customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction and security; (ii) proposes three performance measures: throughput, inventory, and operating expenses; and (iii) improves the process by focusing improvement efforts on its weakest link or constraint. Although originally developed for manufacturing operations, TOC appears to be equally applicable to service operations, including health delivery systems such as Community Mental Health Centres (CMHCs). In this article, we report on a TOC-based operations analysis of a Chemical Dependency (CD) unit within a Midwest community mental health system and implementation of recommended changes. TOC performance measures encourage finding...
Synthesis of ribonucleic guanidine: replacement of the negative phosphodiester linkages of RNA with positive guanidinium linkages

Replacement of the negatively charged phosphodiester linkages of RNA with positively charged guanidinium linkages provides the polycationic ribonucleic guanidine (RNG). RNG is designed to bind strongly to target DNA/RNA through the specific interactions of nucleobases and the attractive electrostatic interactions of backbones, thus RNG is a putative antisense/antigene agent. Preparation of uridine and adenine building blocks for the RNG synthesis, as well as the stepwise synthesis of oligomeric RNG are reported. Pentameric homo uridyl, adenyl, and a pentameric mixed base sequence have been synthesized. The methods were also applied to a convenient solid-phase synthesis of RNG.
Synchronous Tumors: Adenosquamous Carcinoma of Pancreas and GIST of Stomach

We report herein a unique case of an adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the pancreas and a synchronous gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of stomach in a 75-year-old Caucasian male. He presented with painless jaundice and generalized pruritus and was found to have a pancreatic head mass. Whipple's procedure was performed and yielded the above diagnoses. Ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma, not a much rarer and more aggressive ASC subtype, has previously been shown to co-exist with GIST in some surgical series. In addition, the incidentally discovered GIST in our patient involved the stomach and not the small intestine, which is the predominant GIST location when concurrently diagnosed with other GI tumors. At the time of this publication, our patient, who received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, remains disease-free 14 months after the abdominal surgery.
Analytic continuation of the Fourier series on connected compact Lie groups

Abstract For a connected compact real Lie group K with complexification G , we study the class of C ∞ functions on K having an analytic continuation into a neighborhood of K in G . The main result describes such a function in terms of its Fourier coefficients, showing that they have to decrease exponentially. The region of analyticity naturally arising from the analytic continuation of the Peter-Weyl expansion is shown to be a domain of holomorphy. These results yield as an application the Gegenbauer polynomial expansion of an analytic function.
Conceptualizing Openness to Diversity and Challenge: Its Relation to College Experiences, Achievement, and Retention

Openness to diversity and challenge (ODC) constitutes an integral outcome of the undergraduate experience. However, ODC may also serve as a form of generalized openness to experience; if so, then it should be positively related to a host of college experiences as well as student success. The study reported here explored this possibility within a longitudinal sample of 8,475 first-year students at 46 institutions. Results of hierarchical linear modeling analyses showed that ODC is positively and significantly related to several broad measures of college experiences and first-year GPA, and it is also a marginally significant predictor of first-to-second year retention.
Analysis of Riboswitch Structure and Function by an Energy Landscape Framework

The thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) riboswitch employs modular domains for binding TPP to form a platform for gene expression regulation. Specifically, TPP binding triggers a conformational switch in the RNA from a transcriptionally active "on" state to an inactive "off" state that concomitantly causes the formation of a terminator hairpin and halting of transcription. Here, clustering analysis of energy landscapes at different nucleotide lengths suggests a novel computational tool for analysis of the mechanics of transcription elongation in the presence or absence of the ligand. Namely, we suggest that the riboswitch's kinetics are tightly governed by a length-dependent switch, whereby the energy landscape has two clusters available during transcription elongation and where TPP's binding shifts the preference to one form. Significantly, the biologically active and inactive structures determined experimentally matched well the structures predominant in each computational set. These clustering/structural analyses combined with modular computational design suggest design principles that exploit the above features to analyze as well as create new functions and structures of RNA systems.
Real-time multi-modality imaging of glioblastoma tumor resection and recurrence

The lack of relevant pre-clinical animal models incorporating the clinical scenario of Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) resection and recurrence has contributed significantly to the inability to successfully treat GBM. A multi-modality imaging approach that allows real-time assessment of tumor resection during surgery and non-invasive detection of post-operative tumor volumes is urgently needed. In this study, we report the development and implementation of an optical imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach to guide GBM resection during surgery and track tumor recurrence at multiple resolutions in mice. Intra-operative fluorescence-guided surgery allowed real-time monitoring of intracranial tumor removal and led to greater than 90 % removal of established intracranial human GBM. The fluorescent signal clearly delineated tumor margins, residual tumor, and correlated closely with the clinically utilized fluorescence surgical marker 5-aminolevulinic acid/porphyrin. Post-operative non-invasive optical imaging and MRI confirmed near-complete tumor removal, which was further validated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Longitudinal non-invasive imaging and IHC showed rapid recurrence of multi-focal tumors that exhibited a faster growth rate and altered blood-vessel density compared to non-resected tumors. Surgical tumor resection significantly extended long-term survival, however mice ultimately succumbed to the recurrent GBM. This multi-modality imaging approach to GBM resection and recurrence in mice should provide an important platform for investigating multiple aspects of GBM and ultimately evaluating novel therapeutics.
Lesions of the dorsomedial frontal cortex block sensitization to the positive-reinforcing effects of cocaine

Previous studies have reported that rats exposed to a binge-abstinence history of cocaine self-administration exhibit sensitization to the positive-reinforcing effects of cocaine on a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether lesions of the dorsomedial frontal cortex block sensitization to the reinforcing effects of cocaine in rats with a history of binge-abstinence self-administration. Separate groups of male rats received bilateral infusions of either ibotenic acid (lesion) or sterile saline (sham) into the dorsomedial frontal cortex, or were left undisturbed (intact). All rats were then implanted with jugular catheters and trained to self-administer cocaine. Following acquisition, cocaine was made available on a PR schedule of reinforcement and breakpoints were determined in each group. Rats were then exposed to a discrete-trials (DT) procedure in which cocaine was made available during 10-min discrete-trials that occurred every 15 min (i.e., 4 times per hr) during daily, 24-hr sessions. This procedure elicited a "binge" in all groups, during which high rates of responding were maintained over a period of 1-2 days. After 10 days, the DT procedure was terminated, and no cocaine was available for the next 7 days. Following 7 days of forced "abstinence", cocaine-reinforced breakpoints were redetermined on the PR schedule. Prior to the DT procedure, no differences were observed in breakpoints across the three groups. Following the 7-day abstinence period, breakpoints on the PR schedule increased significantly in intact and sham rats, indicating an increase in the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine. In contrast, breakpoints did not increase in lesion rats, and were similar to those obtained prior to the binge-abstinence history. These data suggest that lesions of the dorsomedial frontal cortex block sensitization to the positive-reinforcing effects of cocaine in rats with a history of binge-abstinence self-administration.
Effects of COR6.6 and COR15am polypeptides encoded by COR (cold-regulated) genes of Arabidopsis thaliana on dehydration-induced phase transitions of phospholipid membranes

Cold acclimation of Arabidopsis thaliana includes the expression of cold-regulated (COR) genes and the accumulation of COR polypeptides. The hydration characteristics of two COR polypeptides, COR6.6 and COR15am, have been determined and their effects on the dehydration-induced liquid crystalline-to-gel and lamellar-to-hexagonal II phase transitions in phospholipid mixtures have been examined. After dehydration at osmotic pressures between 8 and 150 MPa, the water content of the COR polypeptides was less than that of bovine serum albumin, with COr15am the least hydrated: bovine serum albumin > COR6.6 > COR15am. Neither COR6.6 nor COR15am altered the dehydration-induced gel lamellar --> fluid lamellar phase transition temperature of either dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine or dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC). In multilamellar vesicles of dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine:DOPC (1:1, mol:mol) prepared by either freeze-thaw or reverse-phase evaporation methods, neither COR6.6, COR15am, nor bovine serum albumin altered the incidence of the dehydration-induced formation of the inverted hexagonal phase as a function of osmotic pressure. However, a specific ultrastructural alteration--the formation of a striated surface morphology in the lamellar domains--was observed in mixtures of dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine:DOPC that were dehydrated in the presence of COR15am. Nevertheless, neither COR6.6 nor COR15am appears to participate in a specific protein-phospholipid interaction that alters the dehydration-induced phase behavior of phospholipid vesicles.
Functional Stability in Language Change: The Evolution of Tense and Aspect in Tamil

This article addresses the question of whether tense markers in Modern Tamil were historically aspectual in function, as Zvelebil (1962) has claimed. The methodological approach employed is that developed by Hopper (1979a, 1979b, 1982) for the analysis of foreground and background in narrative discourse. Narrative texts representing three historical periods — Old Tamil (5th c), Middle Tamil (12th c), and Modern Tamil (20th c.) — are analyzed for correlations between foreground-background marking and the distribution of alleged 'tense' forms. On the basis of the grounding analysis, it is discovered that the forms function aspectually in Old Tamil, analogous to the functioning of aspectual auxiliary verbs in the modern language. The overall diachronic picture which emerges is one in which surface forms and categories undergo change, while underlying functional contrasts remain remarkably stable over time.
Complications of tetracycline therapy

S I N c E the introduction of chlortetracycline in 1948, tetracycline and its derivatives have been used extensively in medical practice and accepted as safe and effective drugs. In fact, considering the incidence of allergic reactions to penicillin and certain other antibacterial agents, the tetracyclines have been thought by many to be the least toxic of the commonly used antimicrobial drugs. In recent years, however, increasing evidence has accumulated from various complications associated with therapy with these agents. I t is the purpose of this paper to review some of the actions of the tetracyclines and to describe the known and suspected complications associated with their use.
Measurement and analysis of the variation of sidemode noise with cavity length for a semiconductor laser in an external grating cavity

We report on an experiment to study the properties of nonlasing subthreshold sidemodes in a semiconductor laser operating in an external grating cavity configuration. We measure optical spectra consisting of the lasing mode and subthreshold nonlasing sidemodes, as well as radio frequency spectra at low frequency (0-100MHz) and at high frequency near the external grating cavity mode frequency. As the laser frequency is varied, the features of the rf spectra and the optical sidemode spectra all vary systematically. We present results on how these variations depend upon the external grating cavity mode frequency. Our results are compared with previous experiments and with theoretical predictions based upon four-wave mixing between the lasing mode and the adjacent sidemodes.
Firearm-related injury surveillance in California

Abstract Context: Although firearms are the leading cause of injury death in California, no staff resources were devoted to surveillance of firearm-related injuries until 1995, when The California Wellness Foundation funded the Firearm Injury Surveillance Program (FISP). Objective: To develop and evaluate surveillance of serious firearm-related injuries and risk factors. Design: Passive surveillance using several data sources: death records, homicide data, hospital discharge data, and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveys. To evaluate FISP, we follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Guidelines for Evaluating Surveillance Systems. Setting: State of California. Participants: California Department of Health Services, Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch. Main Outcome Measures: Deaths and hospitalizations resulting from firearm-related injuries and presence and storage of firearms in the home. We evaluated FISP’s utility, simplicity, flexibility, acceptability, representativeness, and timeliness. Results: Firearm-related injuries were the leading cause of death among children as young as 13 or 14 years of age. In 1994, more than 13,000 California residents died or were hospitalized as a result of firearm-related injuries. Except among whites, most of these serious firearm-related injuries were from assaults. The predominance of handguns as murder weapons increased with time and was more marked among younger and racial/ethnic minority victims. FISP provides data needed for setting policy and preventing firearm-related injuries. The system is acceptable and represents the serious firearm-related injury problem well, but lacks flexibility, timeliness, and detail. Conclusions: Despite the limitations inherent in passive surveillance, FISP serves many of our surveillance needs well.
Novel imaging modalities in gynecologic cancer

Novel imaging modalities continue to emerge in medicine, and the advent of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) has had a significant impact in the imaging of gynecologic malignancies. In cervical cancer, FDG-PET has excellent sensitivity and specificity for evaluation of initial disease, as well as assessment of post-treatment response and long-term surveillance. In ovarian cancer, FDG-PET can be a useful tool in assessing recurrent disease, especially in the setting of a rising cancer antigen-125 with a negative or equivocal CT or MRI. In uterine cancer, FDG-PET has been investigated in evaluating the extent of disease including nodal metastases, and in assessing recurrence. This article reviews novel imaging modalities in gynecologic cancer, with a special focus on FDG-PET/CT.
Executive subprocesses in working memory: relationship to catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met genotype and schizophrenia.

Background Cognitive dysfunction in the working memory domain seems to be under genetic control and is a candidate intermediate phenotype in schizophrenia. Genes that affect working memory processing may contribute to risk for schizophrenia. Methods Working memory and attentional processing were assessed in a large and unselected sample of schizophrenic patients, their healthy siblings, and controls(N = 250). We used the n-back task because it allows parametric analysis over increasing loads and delays and parsing of subcomponents of executive cognition and working memory, including temporal indexing and updating. Participants were genotyped for catechol- O -methyltransferase ( COMT ) at the Val158Met locus, which has been shown to affect executive cognition and frontal lobe function, likely because of genetically determined variation in prefrontal dopamine signaling. Results A significant COMT genotype effect was found: Val/Val individuals had the lowest n-back performance, and Met/Met individuals had the highest performance. Effects were similar in the 1- and 2-back conditions and across all groups, whereas no effect on the Continuous Performance Test was seen, suggesting that genotype was not affecting working memory subprocesses related to attention, load, or delay. Siblings also performed significantly worse than controls on the 1- and 2-back conditions. Conclusions A prefrontal cognitive mechanism common to the 1- and 2-back conditions, probably executive processes involved in information updating and temporal indexing, is sensitive to the COMT genotype. Considering that the 3 participant groups were affected more or less linearly by the COMT genotype, an additive genetic model in which the effect of allele load is similar in its effects on prefrontally based working memory irrespective of the genetic or environmental background in which it is expressed is suggested. The findings also provide convergent evidence that an intermediate phenotype related to prefrontal cortical function represents a viable approach to understanding neuropsychiatric disorders with complex genetic etiologies and individual differences in cognition.
Dextromethorphan does not protect against quinolinic acid neurotoxicity in rat striatum.

Dextromethorphan (DM, 40 or 80 mg/kg, i.p.) and MK-801 (3 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.) were compared in their ability to prevent the depletion of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in the rat striatum following intrastriatal injection of quinolinic acid. DM did not reduce striatal ChAT depletion following injection of either 300 or 150 nmol of quinolinic acid. Following injection of 300 nmol of quinolinic acid, MK-801 significantly reduced striatal ChAT depletion at a dose of 3 mg/kg and completely prevented striatal ChAT depletion at a dose of 10 mg/kg. In contrast to the potent neuroprotective action of MK-801, DM does not protect striatal cholinergic neurons from an acute challenge by an NMDA receptor agonist.
Design concepts of modern accelerator vacuum systems-prediction vs. experimental data

Design parameters for accelerator vacuum systems are studied with reference to the requirements which appear in modern strong-focusing machines. The two major problems considered are restrictions in both pumpdown time and system base pressure created by trends toward very small apertures. Basic kinetic equations are used in a method of estimating performance. Assuming a time-dependent outgassing rate from vacuum chamber walls, equations are offered for predicting progression of evacuation and base pressure distribution throughout the system. Results from small-scale experimental systems are reported and compared with predicted performance. Influence of various pumping systems on prediction is discussed, and design recommendations are offered.
The colonization and success in greece of some importedAphytis spp. [Hym. aphelinidae] parasitic on citrus scale insects [Hom. Diaspididae]

Quatre especes d'Aphytis ont ete introduites dans le Sud de la Grece fin 1962 et debut 1963 en vue de completer l'action des ennemis naturels contre plusieurs cochenilles diaspines ennemies desCitrus. Plusieurs milliers de femelles de chacune des especes suivantes:Aphytis melinusDeBach,A. lingnanensisCompere etA. coheniDeBach ont ete liberees dans des fortes infestations deAonidiella aurantiiMaskell etChrysomphalus dictyospermi (Morgan).Aphytis lepidosaphes a ete introduit contreLepidosaphes beckii (Newmann).A. lingnanensis etA. coheni ne se sont pas etablis.A. melinus s'est par contre installe dans les divers points de lâchers du Peloponnese et de la Crete et a ramene rapidement les populations deA. aurantii etC. dictyospermi a de faibles niveaux si bien qu'en 1965, ces cochenilles etaient tres rares dans les foyers originaux de liberation.A. melinus s'etablit egalement surAspidiotus hederae sur Olivier et Citronnier; sa dispersion fut efficace et rapide, couvrant de 75 a 100 km par an. Il semble en train de supplanterA. chrysomphali (Mercet), espece presumee indigene.Aphytis lepidosaphes s'est installe a la suite d'un tres petit lâcher de 85 femelles seulement a Trejenia (Peloponnese) et 20 femelles seulement a Gerani (Crete). En 1965, il avait reduit a de bas niveaux des populations hotes anterieurement fortes. Son expansion a ete plus faible que celle deA. melinus. Les perspectives d'une lutte biologique efficace apparaissent tres favorables dans le Sud de la Grece pour les 3 principales cochenilles considerees.
A Review of Carbon Nanotube Ensembles as Flexible Electronics and Advanced Packaging Materials

The exceptional electronic, thermal, mechanical, and optical characteristics of carbon nanotubes offer significant improvement in diverse applications such as flexible electronics, energy conversion, and thermal management. We present an overview of recent research on the fabrication, characterization and modeling of carbon nanotube (CNT) networks or ensembles for three emerging applications: thin-film transistors for flexible electronics, interface materials for thermal management and transparent electrodes for organic photovoltaics or light emitting diodes. Results from experimental measurements and numerical simulations to determine the electrical and thermal transport properties and characteristics of carbon nanotube networks and arrays used in the above applications are presented. The roles heterogeneous networks of semiconducting and metallic CNTs play in defining electrical, thermal, and optical characteristics of CNT ensembles are presented. We conclude with discussions on future research directions for electronics and packaging materials based on CNT ensembles.
On the advantages of the vorticity-velocity formulations of the equations of fluid dynamics

The mathematical properties of the pressure-velocity and vorticity-velocity formulations of the equations of viscous flow are compared. It is shown that a vorticity-velocity formulation exists which has the interesting property that non-inertial effects only enter the problem through the implementation of initial and boundary conditions. This valuable characteristic, along with other advantages of the vorticity-velocity approach, are discussed in detail.
RNA synthesis by temperature-sensitive mutants of vesicular stomatitis virus, New Jersey serotype

Abstract One member of each of the six complementation groups of temperature-sensitive mutants derived from the wild type New Jersey serotype of vesicular stomatitis virus was assayed for its ability to carry out primary transcription and amplification of RNA synthesis at the nonpermissive temperature. Mutants C1 and D1 were able to amplify at the nonpermissive temperature and therefore are not defective in any aspect of RNA synthesis. Mutants A1 and E1 were able to carry out primary transcription at the nonpermissive temperature but failed to amplify. The results of temperature shift experiments indicate that these mutants are defective in replication. Mutants B1 and F1 were unable to synthesize any RNA at the nonpermissive temperature and are therefore defective in primary transcription. Following a temperature shift up to the nonpermissive temperature, mutant B1 synthesized low levels of all species of RNA whereas mutant F1 remained unable to synthesize any RNA. These data indicate a functional link between transcription and replication. A functional comparison with the Indiana serotype mutants suggested that Groups A, B, and E correspond to groups IV, I, and II, respectively. The RNA-positive groups C and D have their equivalents in groups III and V; however, no distinction can be made at present. Group F so far has no counterpart among the complementation groups of the Indiana serotype.
Creatine supplementation and exercise performance: recent findings.

Creatine monohydrate (Cr) is perhaps one of the most widely used supplements taken in an attempt to improve athletic performance. The aim of this review is to update, summarise and evaluate the findings associated with Cr ingestion and sport and exercise performance with the most recent research available. Because of the large volume of scientific literature dealing with Cr supplementation and the recent efforts to delineate sport-specific effects, this paper focuses on research articles that have been published since 1999. Cr is produced endogenously by the liver or ingested from exogenous sources such as meat and fish. Almost all the Cr in the body is located in skeletal muscle in either the free (Cr: ~40%) or phosphorylated (PCr: ~60%) form and represents an average Cr pool of about 120–140g for an average 70kg person. It is hypothesised that Cr can act though a number of possible mechanisms as a potential ergogenic aid but it appears to be most effective for activities that involve repeated short bouts of high-intensity physical activity. Additionally, investigators have studied a number of different Cr loading programmes; the most common programme involves an initial loading phase of 20 g/day for 5–7 days, followed by a maintenance phase of 3–5 g/day for differing periods of time (1 week to 6 months). When maximal force or strength (dynamic or isotonic contractions) is the outcome measure following Cr ingestion, it generally appears that Cr does significantly impact force production regardless of sport, sex or age. The evidence is much more equivocal when investigating isokinetic force production and little evidence exists to support the use of Cr for isometric muscular performance. There is little benefit from Cr ingestion for the prevention or suppression of muscle damage or soreness following muscular activity. When performance is assessed based on intensity and duration of the exercises, there is contradictory evidence relative to both continuous and intermittent endurance activities. However, activities that involve jumping, sprinting or cycling generally show improved sport performance following Cr ingestion. With these concepts in mind, the focus of this paper is to summarise the effectiveness of Cr on specific performance outcomes rather than on proposed mechanisms of action. The last brief section of this review deals with the potential adverse effects of Cr supplementation. There appears to be no strong scientific evidence to support any adverse effects but it should be noted that there have been no studies to date that address the issue of long-term Cr usage.