cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impacts of nutrient competition on microalgae biomass production

Marine microalgae cells are key environmental players as they transform inorganic nutrients dissolved in oceans into biomass. Most prominent among these inorganic compounds is bicarbonate, which originates in considerable quantities from atmospheric CO2, a potent greenhouse gas. Because microalgae cells act as a sink of anthropogenic CO2, understanding phytoplankton's carbon sequestration is a crucial link between environmental chemistry and ecology. The impact of ambient chemical and physical parameters onto phytoplankton and their chemical composition have been investigated in some detail. However, speciesspecies interactions, namely their nutrient competition, require in-depth investigations of the impact of competing species on the dynamics of biomass production as well as the amount of biomass produced. Experimental studies presented here have been based on two marine microalgae species, that is, Nannochloropsis oculata and Dunaliella parva. For investigating dynamic aspects of biomass production, the species growth rates have been measured, under otherwise identical conditions, in single-species cultures as well as in competition situations. Depending on the species and nutrient type the cells compete for, growth rates in species mixtures were found to change from 50% to 200% of the corresponding single-species cultures. Competition impacts regarding the maximum cell concentration in a culture were even more drastic as the cell production was reduced, in some cases, down to 11% of the corresponding single-cell culture's growth rate. Furthermore, a slight but significant shift in cell size distributions toward smaller cell sizes was found in competition situations. This study demonstrates that biomass production is also driven by the cells' biological environment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A scalable method for solving satisfiability of integer linear arithmetic logic

In this paper, we present a hybrid method for deciding problems involving integer and Boolean variables which is based on generic SAT solving techniques augmented with a) a polynomial-time ILP solver for the special class of Unit-Two-Variable-Per-Inequality (unit TVPI or UTVPI) constraints and b) an independent solver for general integer linear constraints. In our approach, we present a novel method for encoding linear constraints into the SAT solver through binary “indicator” variables. The hybrid SAT problem is subsequently solved using a SAT search procedure in close collaboration with the UTVPI solver. The UTVPI solver interacts closely with the Boolean SAT solver by passing implications and conflicting assignments. The non-UTVPI constraints are handled separately and participate in the learning scheme of the SAT solver through an innovative method based on the theory of cutting planes. Empirical evidence on software verification benchmarks is presented that demonstrates the advantages of our combined method.
Reliability of the 400-M Usual-Pace Walk Test as an Assessment of Mobility Limitation in Older Adults

Objectives: To assess the test-retest reliability of the 400-m usual-pace walk test (400-MWT), and to determine whether the 4-m walk test predicts inability to walk 400 m. Design: Observational. Setting: Community, 20-m tract course. Participants: Sixty study participants (aged≥65) were enrolled from the community and met the following eligibility criteria: self-reported difficulty in two or more of four functional domains (mobility and exercise tolerance, upper extremity function, basic self-care, higher functional tasks of independent living) and a score of 18 or higher on the Mini-Mental State Examination. Methods: The 400-MWT and 4-m walk test were each repeated within 7 days. Results: The mean age±standard deviation of the study population was 84.3±6.3; 88.3% were women. Nineteen participants (31.7%) failed both 400-MWTs, and 41 successfully completed both tests (kappa=1). Mean walking speed for the 4-m test was 0.87±0.18 m/s for those who completed the 400-MWT and 0.53±0.17 m/s for those who failed (P<.001). The Spearman correlation coefficient between 4-m and 400-m walking speeds was 0.93. The estimated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve between 4-m walking speed and the ability to perform the 400-MWT was 0.91. The 4-m gait speed averaged less than 0.6 m/s in 80% of subjects who failed the 400-MWT. Conclusion: The test-retest reliability for inability to complete the 400-MWT is high. Four-m walking speed is highly predictive of ability to perform the 400-MWT. These findings may prove useful to future clinical trials and observational studies that involve assessment of mobility limitations in older adults.
Physical activity and inactivity in Girl Scout Junior troop meetings

Purpose: To describe the environmental context, physical activity, and inactivity levels in Girl Scout Junior troop meetings. Methods: Forty-two girls (mean age 10.8 ± 1.2) from four troops wore accelerometers during 28 meetings. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SED) were assessed during a six-month period. Minutes spent in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous PA were summed and averaged. Direct observation measures assessed the environmental context of activity/inactivity. Results: In an average troop meeting, girls spent 94.4 min of time in SED, 26.3 min in light physical activity (LPA), and 2.0 min in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). There was no significant difference for time spent in PA at various levels among girls of different socio-economic status, racial/ethnic background, or weight status (F [3,238] .05). Troop leaders were more likely to discourage PA (0.6% of time) than to promote PA (0.0%), and no PA related educational content was observed. Conclusion: Girls accumulated two min MVPA, and >90 min SED per meeting. Based on our observations, these troop meetings currently are missing opportunities to contribute positively to the health and fitness of attending girls. Interventions providing opportunities for enjoyable PA specifically catering to needs and interests of girls are warranted.
Surface expression of Rh-associated glycoprotein (RhAG) in nonerythroid COS-1 cells

In the Rh blood system, RhAG (Rh-associated glycoprotein, or Rh50) is thought to be involved in Rh30 (D, CE) expression by forming a protein complex on the red cell surface. To obtain further insight into the Rh complex, we chose nonerythroid COS-1 cells instead of proerythroblast-like K562 cells, which produce endogenous Rh proteins as cell host, for the expression of both RhAG and RhD. The RhAG cDNA was subcloned into a retroviral vector, and a stable COS-1 cell line was then established via retroviral transduction. Surface expression of RhAG on the COS-1 cells was monitored by flow cytometry using mouse monoclonal anti-RhAG(2D10). Under these conditions, we detected significant expression of RhAG on the cell surface, compared to stable COS-1 cells transduced with the vector alone. To confirm the results, we isolated RhAG by immunoprecipitation from the lysate of the COS-1 cells, which were metabolically labeled with [35S]-methionine. A strong band of the 32 kd on SDS-PAGE was obtained, corresponding to the results obtained from other cultured cells (K562 cell and others), which always produce partially glycosylated RhAG with a molecular weight of 32 kd. Thus, RhAG was expressed without Rh30 and other Rh-related glycoproteins (LW, glycophorin B) in nonerythroid cells. Using the same strategy, however, we could not express RhD epitopes on COS-1 cells even in the presence of RhAG cDNA, suggesting that other factors might be required for the surface expression of RhD antigen. (Blood. 2000;95:336-341)
Self-Induced and Machine-Induced Specimen Vibrations in Fretting Testing

Vibrations are often observed overlapping unidirectional sliding in wear testing. The vibrations are either an effect of sliding at the contact interface (self-induced), or induced as a secondary effect by unavoidable vibrations in the load transfer system of the testing machine (system-induced). In the present work the effects of overlapping vibrations have been studied in an actuator for tangential vibrations. Longitudinal vibrations are generated by a giant-magnetostrictive rod, and fed, via a mechanical load transfer system, to a vibrating specimen, clamped against a stationary specimen. The actuator was designed to minimize system-induced vibrations. In particular, possible machine resonance conditions were analyzed, with the purpose of choosing unavoidable resonance frequencies as far from the applied vibrational frequencies as possible. A number of mechanical models were set up, analyzed with respect to spring and damping constants and vibrating masses, and adapted to the design of the different parts of the machine. Spring constants were controlled by the size and elastic modulus of relevant machine elements. An evaluation of the vibrator shows that system-induced vibrations can be effectively controlled within large frequency intervals. It will be demonstrated how the device makes it possible to distinguish between self-induced and machine-induced vibrations of the "stationary" specimen. A fiber optic specimen displacement transducer system is used to measure the relative specimen displacements, which are found to be considerably smaller than the displacement of the vibrating specimen, and can be measured with an accuracy of 2 nm. Tangential and normal forces are measured and recorded as functions of time, compared as to phase and amplitude. A "vibrational friction coefficient" is discussed.
Distributed-Memory Algorithms for Maximal Cardinality Matching Using Matrix Algebra

We design and implement distributed-memory parallel algorithms for computing maximal cardinality matching in a bipartite graph. Relying on matrix algebra building blocks, our algorithms expose a higher degree of parallelism on distributed-memory platforms than existing graph-based algorithms. In contrast to existing parallel algorithms, empirical approximation ratios of the new algorithms are insensitive to concurrency and stay relatively constant with increasing processor counts. On real instances, our algorithms achieve up to 300x speedup on 1024 cores of a Cray XC30 supercomputer. Even higher speedups are obtained on larger synthetically generated graphs where our algorithms show good scaling on up to 16,384 processors.
Properties of diamond composite films grown on iron surfaces

We report for the first time that diamond composite films consisting of diamond particles, hydrogenated amorphous carbon, and/or fluorocarbon films can be successfully deposited on carbon steel and 304 stainless‐steel substrates by plasma‐assisted chemical vapor deposition. The use of thin (∼200 A) silicon buffer layer proves to be effective in inhibiting surface catalytic effect of iron and also prevents carbon species from diffusing into the bulk. The composite films adhere well to the substrates even upon imposing a scratch load of 68 newtons. They can also be bent up to 10° and still remain chemically inert and impermeable to salt solution. One of the potential applications of these films is for protective coating on sheet metal surfaces.
Reducing the Vulnerability of Space Assets: A Multitiered Microsatellite Constellation Architecture

The United States military is very dependent on satellites. The existing satellite architecture used has single point failures to existing recognized threats. A concept that could provide a significant part of the solution of how the United States, as well as other states, can overcome such vulnerabilities is discussed. The prescription centers on a new type of satellite architecture—the Multitiered Microsatellite Constellation Architecture—which reduces risks to space assets by increasing system redundancy, modularity, and dispersion through the use of microsatellite constellations in several orbital tiers. An example constellation design is given for each of the five major contemporary military space uses—early warning, reconnaissance, signals intelligence, military communications, and navigation. The scheme is placed in the context of other complimentary elements that are likely to be necessary to enable security of space assets, in particular: protection of space systems; responsive space access; terr...
Pursuing a faculty position

After watching fellow members of my pharmacy residency class accept pharmacist positions, I realized the wide variety of career options available to pharmacists, from clinical specialist positions with minimal teaching responsibilities to nontenure-track faculty positions with colleges of pharmacy
Relationships among CSF monoamine metabolite levels, alcohol sensitivity, and alcohol-related aggression in rhesus macaques

A relationship between alcohol intake and aggressive behavior has been demonstrated in both associational and laboratory studies. Among the factors that contribute to aggression during intoxication are a history of violence and the level of alcohol-induced stimulation. In humans, excessive alcohol intake and alcoholism are predicted by decreased sensitivity, or a low level of response (LOR), to alcohol. In addition, aggressive behavior, LOR, and alcoholism have been attributed to CNS serotonergic dysfunction. Given that they are both related to diminished CNS serotonin, in this study we wanted to determine whether a low LOR to alcohol would be associated with aggression during intoxication in rhesus macaques. Adolescent rhesus macaques (N=115) received an intravenous dose of ethanol (2.2g/kg) and were scored for their levels of response for 30 minutes. Following provocation by an investigator, animals were then scored for aggressive behaviors (lunges, open-mouth threats, stares, head-bobs, and barks) for five minutes. At the approximate age of five years, animals were entered into a free-access alcohol consumption study, during which they were allowed voluntary access for one hour/day, four days/week to aspartame-sweetened alcohol or vehicle. Alcohol intake for each subject was determined using a computerized collar, which was detected by a station system that measured individual subject consumption rates. Data were analyzed using regression analyses and t-tests. Decreased sensitivity to alcohol, alcohol-induced increases in CSF MHPG, and pre-alcohol CSF levels of 5–HIAA were associated independently with aggression during intoxication (r= −0.32, P= 0.0006 , r = − 0.29, P=0.01, and r= −0.21, P=0.02, respectively). High rates of alcohol-related aggression predicted future alcohol consumption (r=0.27, p=0.004), even after controlling for rearing condition and monoamine metabolite concentrations, previously shown in these animals to predict alcohol consumption. By investigating the relationships between LOR, central catecholamine reactivity and function, and alcohol-induced aggression in alcohol-naive nonhuman primates, this report provides evidence that alcohol-induced stimulation and neurotransmitter-linked predisposition to impulsive aggression independently contribute to aggression during intoxication. This paper further emphasizes the importance of the nonhuman primate model for studying susceptibility to alcohol-related aggression and alcoholism, because variables such as prior exposure to alcohol are difficult to control in human subjects. Aggr. Behav. 29:288–301, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Aneurysm shape reconstruction from biplane angiograms in the ISUIA collection

The International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms (ISUIA) is an epidemiologic international study of the natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms that enrolled 4,060 subjects. A conventional biplane cerebral angiogram available for central review was required for enrollment resulting in a large database. Data on aneurysms that ruptured during follow-up of the 1,692 untreated subjects provides an opportunity to investigate the anatomic features that may be predictive of future rupture. The objective of the study is to develop and test a method for three-dimensional (3D) shape reconstruction of aneurysms using biplane angiographic data in the ISUIA for retrospective morphometric assessment. Beginning with the two boundaries of the biplane views, curve morphing techniques were employed to estimate a number of intermediate boundaries around the aneurysm sac resulting in the creation of a 3D sac surface. The method was tested using simulated biplane "angiograms" of pre-reconstructed 3D models of patient-specific aneurysms. An algorithm to perform the image analysis was developed, and the morphometric indices of 150 intracranial aneurysms in the ISUIA database were estimated. Simultaneously, experienced neuroradiologists made manual measurements of key dimensions in the sac from the biplane angiograms for all cases. 3D reconstructions using our proposed method matched well with the original pre-reconstructed 3D geometries and were consistent with manual measurements of the neuroradiologists for the ISUIA aneurysms. A method for reconstructing the 3D geometry of the intracranial aneurysm sac from biplane angiograms in the ISUIA database with reasonable fidelity has been developed.
Issues on group decision support system (GDSS) design

This software development proposal addresses the im portant managerial problem of effective and efficient use of groups. Empirically based tool modules are to be selected contingent upon situational variables. A rule-based expert sys tem is recommended for choosing tool modules and linking them into a coherent system.
Breaking with tradition: Using the conference paper as a case for alternative assessment in physics

This paper will provide an overview of an alternative model for assessment of student learning in introductory physics. A synopsis of how assessment methods can be designed to better capture what students are actually learning will be shared. This synopsis will include a general discussion of assessment, assessment methods, and the “language of assessment.” Following this synopsis one model of non-traditional assessment will be highlighted. The assessment model described makes use of student writing as a mechanism for assessment of learning. A second-level physics course entitled Physics for a New Millennium (PNM) at American University provides the setting for this work. Following a description of the course curriculum, the specific structure for the writing activity will be outlined as it relates to the learning outcomes for the course. Following the presentation of the course-specific learning outcomes, a description of the strategies used to uncover student learning will be shared. These strategies provide an opportunity for multiple assessment “snapshots” to be made throughout various phases of the learning process. These strategies can be used as an alternative, or as a supplement to more traditional pencil and paper examinations, quizzes, and homework assignments. Whether used as a stand-alone assessment tool or coupled with more traditional measures, alternative assessment strategies can provide an enhanced and more realistic way to capture what students are actually learning.
Endoscopic endonasal approach for nonvestibular schwannomas.

Background Nonvestibular schwannomas of the skull base often represent a challenge owing to their anatomic location. With improved techniques in endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery, resection of various ventral skull base tumors, including schwannomas, has become possible. Objective To assess the outcomes of using endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for nonvestibular schwannomas of the skull base. Methods Seventeen patients operated on for skull base schwannomas by EEA at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 2003 to 2009 were reviewed. Results Three patients underwent combined approaches with retromastoid craniectomy (n = 2) and orbitopterional craniotomy (n = 1). Three patients underwent multistage EEA. The rest received a single EEA operation. Data on degree of resection were found for 15 patients. Gross total resection (n = 9) and near-total (>90%) resection (n = 3) were achieved in 12 patients (80%). There were no tumor recurrences or postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks. In 3 of 7 patients with preoperative sensory deficits of trigeminal nerve distribution, there were partial improvements. Patients with preoperative reduced vision (n = 1) and cranial nerve VI or III palsies (n = 3) also showed improvement. Five patients had new postoperative trigeminal nerve deficits: 2 had sensory deficits only, 1 had motor deficit only, and 2 had both motor and sensory deficits. Three of these patients had partial improvement, but 3 developed corneal neurotrophic keratopathy. Conclusion An EEA provides adequate access for nonvestibular schwannomas invading the skull base, allowing a high degree of resection with a low rate of complications.
Using Hospitality Coursework and Internships to Develop Student Leadership Abilities

There is continual interest in developing leadership in today’s college level students. This is evident in the increasing number of leadership courses in the college curriculum. One of the more popular student leadership models is the student leadership practices inventory (SLPI). This study compares Kouzes and Posner’s national means with those of two groups of hospitality leadership students from a major university in the southeastern part of the United States. Findings indicated higher means for each of the five components of the SLPI for students completing a senior level internship program when compared to lower-class hospitality management students and to national norms. These findings led to the recommendation of designing internship experiences to develop leadership skills in hospitality management students.
Prospective risk assessment of bacteremia and other infectious complications in patients undergoing EUS-guided FNA

Abstract Background: There are few data regarding the risk of bacteremia with EUS-guided FNA. This study prospectively evaluated the frequency of bacteremia and other infectious complications after EUS-guided FNA. Methods: Patients referred for EUS-guided FNA of the upper GI tract lesions were considered for enrollment. Patients were excluded if there was an indication for preprocedure administration of antibiotics based on ASGE guidelines, had taken antibiotics within the prior 7 days, or if they had a pancreatic cystic lesion. Blood cultures were obtained immediately before the procedure, after routine endoscopy/radial EUS, and 15 minutes after EUS-guided FNA. Results: Fifty-two patients underwent EUS-guided FNA at 74 sites (mean 1.4 sites/patient) totaling 266 passes of the fine needle (mean 5.1 FNA/patient). Coagulase negative Staphylococcus was grown in cultures from 3 patients (5.8%; 95% CI [1%, 15%]) and was considered a contaminant. Three patients (5.8%; 95% CI [1%, 15%]) developed bacteremia: Streptococcus viridans (n = 2), unidentified gram-negative bacillus (n = 1). No signs or symptoms of infection developed in any patient. Conclusion: EUS-guided FNA of solid lesions in the upper GI tract should be considered a low-risk procedure for infectious complications that does not warrant prophylactic administration of antibiotics for prevention of bacterial endocarditis. (Gastrointest Endosc 2003;57:672-8.)
Legionnaires disease among pneumonias in Iowa (FY 1972-1978) II. Epidemiologic and clinical features of 30 sporadic cases of. L. pneumophila infection

Abstract We reviewed retrospectively the clinical records of 30 cases of sporadic Legionella pneumophila infection that occurred in Iowa between FY 1972 and 1978. Cases occurred throughout the year, most between May and December. Twenty-one male patients and 9 female patients ranging in age from 5-80 years were infected. Half the patients smoked or had an underlying illness; five were receiving corticosteroids or immunosuppressive therapy. Occupations and exposures related to hospitals, construction and travel were common; four patients had been exposed to birds. In addition to L. pneumophila infection, six patients had evidence of infection with a viral, mycoplasmal, bacterial, mycobacterial or fungal pathogen; three had had preceding dental infections. Twenty-seven cases were pneumonias Visible on radiographs. Fever, cough, chills, myalgia and rales occurred in over half the cases. Headache, gastrointestinal symptoms and encephalopathy also were seen. Upper respiratory symptoms were uncommon. Urinalysis and blood studies often suggested renal and hepatic involvement, but other routine laboratory diagnostic tests were not helpful. All but two patients were hospitalized; seven required intensive care. The median duration of hospitalization was 12 days. Two patients who did not receive erythromycin or tetracycline therapy died.
CFD Modeling for Patient-Specific Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow

Chiari malformations are characterized by the cerebellar tonsils extending into the upper cervical spinal canal. Many patients with Chiari malformation experience headaches or develop a cyst in the spinal cord inferior to the cerebellar tonsils. Some symptomatic patients benefit from a surgical procedure to enlarge the foramen magnum and others do not. The causes of symptoms and variable response to surgery remain unknown. Imaging studies have shown that patients with a Chiari malformation exhibit increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) velocities compared to subjects without the malformation. Improved methods of analyzing the CSF fluid dynamics are needed to evaluate the impact of increased fluid velocities on pressure differentials in the upper cervical spinal canal and the potential impact of surgery on flow dynamics in patient specific geometries.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
NULL EXPERIMENTS FOR NEUTRINO MASSES

Taken at face value, experimental central values of the masses of the electron and muon neutrinos suggest that they are faster-than-light particles. We summarize the current experimental situation and propose a class of null experiments to settle this issue. We also comment on some theoretical aspects.
Numerical experiments on the climatic sensitivity of an atmospheric hydrologic cycle

It is shown for an intermediate numerical model that fractional cloudiness and relative humidity decrease with increasing temperature. The fractional cloudiness decreases at a rate about 1 per deg K. This occurs in spite of an increase in the evaporation, water transport, condensation, precipitation and cloud water content with increasing temperature. These results are quite similar to those found from models with more highly parameterized clouds, notably the NCAR model. The fractional cloudiness in this model is measured by the fractional coverage of total cloud water and the fractional coverage of positive condensation, in addition to the relative humidity. It is also shown that some of the characteristics of a temperate climate can be simulated in an intermediate numerical model with periodic, antisymmetric and symmetric boundary conditions on an f plane. Intermediate models of this sort may therefore be useful to investigate general questions about the earth's hydrologic cycle on climatic space and time scales
Prediction of protein-folding mechanisms from free-energy landscapes derived from native structures

Guided by recent experimental results suggesting that protein-folding rates and mechanisms are determined largely by native-state topology, we develop a simple model for protein folding free-energy landscapes based on native-state structures. The configurations considered by the model contain one or two contiguous stretches of residues ordered as in the native structure with all other residues completely disordered; the free energy of each configuration is the difference between the entropic cost of ordering the residues, which depends on the total number of residues ordered and the length of the loop between the two ordered segments, and the favorable attractive interactions, which are taken to be proportional to the total surface area buried by the ordered residues in the native structure. Folding kinetics are modeled by allowing only one residue to become ordered/disordered at a time, and a rigorous and exact method is used to identify free-energy maxima on the lowest free-energy paths connecting the fully disordered and fully ordered configurations. The distribution of structure in these free-energy maxima, which comprise the transition-state ensemble in the model, are reasonably consistent with experimental data on the folding transition state for five of seven proteins studied. Thus, the model appears to capture, at least in part, the basic physics underlying protein folding and the aspects of native-state topology that determine protein-folding mechanisms.
New derivatives of [NHMe3][7-Me-μ-(9,10-HMeC)-nido-7-CB10H10]

[NHMe3][7-Me-μ-(9,10-HMeC)-nido-7-CB10H10] (1) reacts with [PdCl2(PPh3)2] in refluxing ethanol solutions to afford four compounds which are the result of PPh3 addition. Three of the products are structural isomers, viz. [5-PPh3-7-Me-μ-(9,10-HMeC)-nido-7-CB10H9] (2), [6-PPh3-7-Me-μ-(9,10-HMeC)-nido-7-CB10H9] (3), and [2-Me-3-{CHMe(PPh3)}-closo-2-CB10H9] (4), and the fourth is [7-Me-8-OEt-9-{CHMe(PPh3)}-nido-7-CB10H10] (5). The compounds were characterized by NMR spectrometry, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and are the first derivatives of the “unreactive” [7-R-μ-(9,10-HRC)-nido-7-CB10H10]- anion (R = Me) not involving degradation.
Splendid songs: the vocal behaviour of Splendid Fairy-wrens (Malurus splendens melanotus)

Here we describe the vocal repertoire of a population of Splendid Fairy-wrens (Malurus splendens melanotus) in South Australia. During 2005 and 2006 we identified 14 different vocalisations. The primary vocalisation, Type I song, was given by both males and females throughout the breeding season and appeared to function in territorial defence. Type I song was structurally similar between the sexes, although males sang a more complex version of the song with greater note-versatility (number of note types divided by total number of notes). The rate of female singing did not differ between breeding stages, but the rate of male singing was higher in the early breeding stages than in the later breeding stages. The second major vocalisation, Type II call, was given almost exclusively by males. Type II calls were generally given in response to avian predators, but males also appended Type II calls to the primary song. Additionally, Type II calls featured prominently in the dawn chorus, and the structure of these calls varied significantly between males. We discuss hypotheses for the function of Type I songs and Type II calls and describe the structure of 12 other vocalisations, using contextual information to infer their function.
The effect of large and small magnitude of intertrial reinforcement on successive contrast effects

To investigate the effect of magnitude of intertrial reinforcement (ITR) on successive contrast effects, a total of 128 albino rats was assigned to 32 groups to form a Preshift ITR by Postshift ITR by Preshift Incentive by Postshift Incentive by ITR-Incentive Interval factorial design. Of major importance was the observation that “elation” and “depression” effects occurred solely for Ss receiving a large preshift magnitude of ITR. The results were explained in terms of frustration theory.
Automated multilayer segmentation and characterization in 3D spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) is a 3-D imaging technique, allowing direct visualization of retinal morphology and architecture. The various layers of the retina may be affected differentially by various diseases. In this study, an automated graph-based multilayer approach was developed to sequentially segment eleven retinal surfaces including the inner retinal bands to the outer retinal bands in normal SD-OCT volume scans at three different stages. For stage 1, the four most detectable and/or distinct surfaces were identified in the four-times-downsampled images and were used as a priori positional information to limit the graph search for other surfaces at stage 2. Eleven surfaces were then detected in the two-times-downsampled images at stage 2, and refined in the original image space at stage 3 using the graph search integrating the estimated morphological shape models. Twenty macular SD-OCT (Heidelberg Spectralis) volume scans from 20 normal subjects (one eye per subject) were used in this study. The overall mean and absolute mean differences in border positions between the automated and manual segmentation for all 11 segmented surfaces were -0.20 ± 0.53 voxels (-0.76 ± 2.06 μm) and 0.82 ± 0.64 voxels (3.19 ± 2.46 μm). Intensity and thickness properties in the resultant retinal layers were investigated. This investigation in normal subjects may provide a comparative reference for subsequent investigations in eyes with disease.
Assessment of Behavioral Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Dementia Patients

The authors compared the CERAD Behavior Rating Scale for Dementia (CBRSD) with the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) for their ability to detect behavioral symptoms in community-dwelling dementia patients with mild-to-moderate global impairment. Both instruments were administered to caregivers of 33 cognitively impaired patients seen in a dementia clinic at initial evaluation or follow-up visit. Endorsement of a higher percentage of items on the CBRSD than the CMAI suggests greater sensitivity of this instrument to the behavioral symptoms seen in community-dwelling patients. There was good correlation between the number of items endorsed on both scales but not between subscales of the CMAI and factors of the CBRSD that appeared related to agitation. Thus, the CBRSD and CMAI both seem to measure behaviors that occur in dementia patients, but the CBRSD's two agitation-related factors do not appear to measure agitation as defined by the CMAI.
An asymptotic analysis of supersonic reacting mixing layers

The purpose of this paper is to present an asymptotic analysis of the laminar mixing of the simultaneous chemical reaction between parallel supersonic streams of two reacting species. The study is based on a one-step irreversible Arrhenius reaction and on large activation energy asymptotics. Essentially it extends the work of Linan and Crespo to include the effect of free shear and Mach number on the ignition regime, the deflagration regime and the diffusion flame regime. It is found that the effective parameter is the product of the characteristic Mach number and a shear parameter.
Crackpot Realists and Other Heroes: The Rise and Fall of the Postwar American Diplomatic Elite

Review in this Article Walter Isaacson and Evan Thomas. The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made—Acheson, Bohlen, Harriman, Kennan, Lovett, McCloy. New York T. Michael Ruddy. The Cautious Diplomat: Charles E. Bohlen and the Soviet Union, 1929–1969. Kent, OH Robert Paul Browder and Thomas G. Smith. Independent: A Biography of Lewis Douglas. New York Forrest C. Pogue. George C. Marshall: Statesman, 1945–1959. New York
Unit responses in the medial forebrain bundle to rewarding stimulation in the hypothalamus

Abstract The effects of different intensities of stimulation were studied on self-stimulation behavior and on the neural responses in the medial forebrain bundle correlated with it. Of the two neural responses observed, an excitatory type was more diffusely distributed throughout this pathway than an inhibitory type, and its properties varied more as a function of the rate of self-stimulation at the various intensities tested than the properties of the inhibitory responses did. The latter were more localized to the caudal portion of the medial forebrain bundle studied, and their threshold was generally lower than the threshold of self-stimulation behavior. Also, the inhibitory responses appeared to be more sensitive indicators of stimulation applied to the medial forebrain bundle, whereas the excitatory responses were more sensitive indicators of variations in the rate of responding for brain reward. The neural responses in the MFB to rewarding stimulation are evaluated in terms of the possibility that they are specific to the positive reinforcement mechanism in the diencephalon.
Identifying a suitable combination of classification technique and bandwidth(s) for burned area mapping in tallgrass prairie with MODIS imagery

Abstract Prescribed fire is crucial to the ecology and maintenance of tallgrass prairie, and its application affects a variety of human and natural systems. Consequently, maps showing the location and extent of these fires are critical to managing tallgrass prairies in a manner that balances the needs of all stakeholders. Satellite-based optical remote sensing can provide the necessary input for this mapping, but it requires the development mapping methods that are specific to tallgrass prairie. In this research, we devise and test a suitable mapping method by comparing the efficacy of seven combinations of bands and indices from the MODIS sensor using both pixel and object-based classification methods. Due to the relatively small size of many prescribed fires in tallgrass prairie, scenarios based on the 250 m spatial resolution red and NIR bands outperformed those based on the coarser 500 m spatial resolution bands, and a combination of both red and NIR performed better than each 250 m band individually. Object-based classification offered no improvement over pixel-based classification, and performed poorer in some cases. Our results suggest that mapping burned areas in tallgrass prairie should be done at a minimum of 250 m spatial resolution, should used a pixel-based classification technique, and should use a combination of red and NIR.
Evolution of plant shape: Design constraints

The fossil record documents the morphological and anatomical changes that have occurred over more than 400 million years of land plant evolution. Many of these changes can be interpreted, and even predicted, on the basis of standard engineering principles pertaining to mechanical stability, hydraulics, and the rescaling of form to maintain a constant level of performance or function. Theoretically based hypotheses, constructed using modern computer technology, can be compared with the major trends seen in the evolution of land plants and so provide insights into the factors motivating morphological and anatomical changes during the Phanerozoic.
International Evidence on the Value of Corporate Diversification

The valuation effect of diversification is examined for large samples of firms in Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom for 1992 and 1994. We find no significant diversification discount in Germany, but a significant diversification discount of 10 percent in Japan and 15 percent in the U.K. Concentrated ownership in the hands of insiders enhances the valuation effect of diversification in Germany, but not in Japan or the U.K. For Japan, only firms with strong links to an industrial group have a diversification discount. These findings suggest that international differences in corporate governance affect the impact of diversification on shareholder wealth.
The development of adult responses from responses given during imprinting by the domestic chick

The responses of a naive day-old chick to a three-dimensional motionless object of about its own size include: (a) Approach, (b) investigatory pecks at points on its surface, (c) pecks which are often rapidly repeated, are aimed at the object in general, and are often delivered immediately after an approach from a distance, (d) pressing part of the body against the object, (e) climbing on top of the object. Pecks are most common during the first two days of life and decrease during tests on subsequent days. Testosterone causes both single and repeated pecks to increase in number again. The change becomes both marked and significant after about ten days at the dosage use. Bodily contacts and mounting show similar changes. In experiments with an object which moved more variably, pecks and attempts to mount developed into aggressive behaviour, and mounting into copulation. The wing lowering and scratching of the waltz, which also appears, and the cloacal lowering of copulation are not obviously related to responses present in naive chicks, and are best regarded as new patterns. However, the direct relation between the other components of aggressive and sexual behaviour, and responses shown by the naive day-old chick suggests that the attachment of the latter to an imprinting object may be the first step leading to the later evocation of the adult response systems by such objects. A similar situation may exist in the guinea pig. Visually naive animals mount a moving block, and such behaviour is probably increased in frequency by testosterone.
Role of the yeast Snf1 protein kinase in invasive growth.

The sucrose non-fermenting 1 (Snf1) protein kinase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is important for transcriptional, metabolic and developmental responses to glucose limitation. Here we discuss the role of the Snf1 kinase in regulating filamentous invasive growth. Haploid invasive growth occurs in response to glucose limitation and requires FLO11 , a gene encoding a cell-surface adhesin. Snf1 regulates transcription of FLO11 by antagonizing the function of two repressors, Nrg1 and Nrg2. Snf1 and the Nrg repressors also affect diploid pseudohyphal differentiation, which is a response to nitrogen limitation, suggesting an unexpected signalling role for the Snf1 kinase.
Effect of mannan oligosaccharides (Bio-Mos) and outdoor access housing on pig growth, feed efficiency and carcass composition

The present study was conducted as a 3 × 2 factorial experiment in 7 pen replications conducted using progeny (n = 360) of successive farrowings of 1 Landrace breeding female population. Grower-finisher dietary treatments included the addition of Bio-Mos (BM; at 0.2, 0.1 and 0.05% inclusion rates for phase 1 (30.2 to 63.5 kg), 2 (63.5 to 90.5 kg), and 3 (90.5 to 113.6 kg), respectively), the inclusion of a subtherapeutic antibiotic (AB; tetracycline; at 0.0055% inclusion rate in all dietary phases) and a no additive control (CON) diet. Housing systems were a conventional, indoor (IN) facility providing 1.0 m(2)/pig solid concrete and 0.3 m(2)/pig slatted floor with 12 pigs per pen and an outdoor access (OUT) system providing 1.1 m(2)/pig indoor, bedded concrete, and 1.9 m(2)/pig outdoor solid concrete with 6 pigs per pen. Housing systems analyses acknowledge confounding of space with number of pigs per pen. Daily growth rate (ADG), feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion (G:F), ultrasonic carcass composition, blood hematocrit (1 group), and observed illnesses were measured. Dietary × housing treatment interactions were not observed. Pigs reared in OUT had greater ADFI (0.1 kg/d; P = 0.01) resulting in greater ADG (0.04 kg/d; P < 0.0005) and required fewer days to reach a standard 113.6 kg endpoint (4.0 d; P < 0.0005) but had reduced (poorer) G:F (0.01 kg gain/kg feed; P = 0.05) when compared to IN. Pigs fed BM and CON diets had greater ADG (0.02 kg/d; P < 0.05) and required 3 fewer days to 113.6 kg (P < 0.05) when compared with pigs fed AB. Carcass composition measures were not different across dietary or housing treatments. Hematocrit was 2 units greater (P < 0.05) at the end of the trial (d 84) for OUT housed pigs but not different at the start, d 28, or d 56 of the trial. In the present study, the addition of a subtherapeutic antibiotic in swine finisher diets did not improve pig growth, efficiency, or health whereas the addition of BM did not increase growth performance compared to the CON diet in both housing systems, a finding suggesting the potential for improved gut health and or improved appetite in pigs not fed an antibiotic. Whereas pigs reared OUT had greater growth rate and a more desirable hematocrit level, the observed differences may be attributed to stocking density, number of pigs per pen, or outdoor access, effects that are not able to be fully described under the experimental design.
The Structural Complexity of the Human BORIS Gene in Gametogenesis and Cancer

Background BORIS/CTCFL is a paralogue of CTCF, the major epigenetic regulator of vertebrate genomes. BORIS is normally expressed only in germ cells but is aberrantly activated in numerous cancers. While recent studies demonstrated that BORIS is a transcriptional activator of testis-specific genes, little is generally known about its biological and molecular functions. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we show that BORIS is expressed as 23 isoforms in germline and cancer cells. The isoforms are comprised of alternative N- and C-termini combined with varying numbers of zinc fingers (ZF) in the DNA binding domain. The patterns of BORIS isoform expression are distinct in germ and cancer cells. Isoform expression is activated by downregulation of CTCF, upregulated by reduction in CpG methylation caused by inactivation of DNMT1 or DNMT3b, and repressed by activation of p53. Studies of ectopically expressed isoforms showed that all are translated and localized to the nucleus. Using the testis-specific cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST) promoter and the IGF2/H19 imprinting control region (ICR), it was shown that binding of BORIS isoforms to DNA targets in vitro is methylation-sensitive and depends on the number and specific composition of ZF. The ability to bind target DNA and the presence of a specific long amino terminus (N258) in different isoforms are necessary and sufficient to activate CST transcription. Comparative sequence analyses revealed an evolutionary burst in mammals with strong conservation of BORIS isoproteins among primates. Conclusions The extensive repertoire of spliced BORIS variants in humans that confer distinct DNA binding and transcriptional activation properties, and their differential patterns of expression among germ cells and neoplastic cells suggest that the gene is involved in a range of functionally important aspects of both normal gametogenesis and cancer development. In addition, a burst in isoform diversification may be evolutionarily tied to unique aspects of primate speciation.
A Proposed Method for Observing the Effect of Electric Fields on Oxidation

RECENTLY a technique has been developed1 for impressing an electrical potential difference across a growing oxide film; in this technique a metallic film, porous to oxygen is used as an electrode. The success of this technique, in contrast to earlier techniques2,3, is attributed3 to the fact that the potential drop occurs primarily across the oxide film instead of across some other portion of the circuit (for example, the vacuum portion of a capacitor). Some difficulties may arise in the interpretation of experimental results using such a technique, however, due to the introduction of a second metal–oxide junction4 not intrinsically a part of the oxidation system.
Dynamic Structural Changes in a Molecular Zeolite-Supported Iridium Catalyst for Ethene Hydrogenation

The structure of a catalyst often changes as a result of changes in the reactive environment during operation. Examples include changes in bulk phases, extended surface structures, and nanoparticle morphologies; now we report real-time characterization of changes in the structure of a working supported catalyst at the molecular level. Time-resolved extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data demonstrate the reversible interconversion of mononuclear iridium complexes and tetrairidium clusters inside zeolite Y cages, with the structure controlled by the C(2)H(4)/H(2) ratio during ethene hydrogenation at 353 K. The data demonstrate break-up of tetrairidium clusters into mononuclear complexes indicated by a decrease in the Ir-Ir coordination number in ethene-rich feed. When the feed composition was switched to first equimolar and then to a H(2)-rich (C(2)H(4)/H(2) = 0.3) feed, the EXAFS spectra show the reformation of tetrairidium clusters as the Ir-Ir coordination number increased again. When the feed composition was cycled from ethene-rich to H(2)-rich, the predominant species in the catalyst cycled accordingly. Evidence confirming the structural change is provided by IR spectra of iridium carbonyls formed by probing of the catalyst with CO. The data are the first showing how to tune the structure of a solid catalyst at the molecular scale by choice of the reactant composition.