cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in reproductive success of Hawaiian seabirds: is guild membership a good criterion for choosing indicator species?

Because it is rarely possible to monitor all species that occur in sensitive or threatened ecosystems, much theoretical consideration has been given to the process of choosing indicator species. We evaluated whether foraging guild classification or nest site might be an adequate means to select indicator species for monitoring the reproductive success of a suite of Hawaiian seabird species. We examined the reproductive success of six species representing three foraging guilds and two types of nest sites over an 18-year period. For two of the three foraging guilds, there was a strong correlation between the reproductive success of birds from the same guild, and there was a weaker correlation for the third guild. In contrast, there were no significant reproductive success correlations for pairs of species from different foraging guilds but with the same nest sites. Thus, the within-guild correlations are likely to be driven by guild-specific food availability rather than by similarity in nest site. Because of the weak nature of one of the within-guild correlations, and because there is little detailed information on the causes of nest failure in this system, we recommend continuing to monitor multiple indicator species per foraging guild.
Beyond Random Assignment: Factors Affecting Evaluation Integrity

This article draws on the experience gained from conducting a true experiment in the criminal justice field to discuss practical problems in maintaining the integrity of evaluation studies. Issues revolving around budgeting, randomization, data collectors, interview payments, and evaluation of black box treatments are addressed. While these nontechnical aspects of evaluation can significantly affect the validity and meaningfulness of research results, they are rarely discussed in research reports. The need to communicate both research experience and research methodology is stressed.
Ethical Responsibilities to Subjects and Documentary Filmmaking

Documentary filmmakers have ethical responsibilities to the subjects of their films. Specifically, they have an ethical responsibility to prevent harm to their subjects if they are in a position to do so, even harm not directly related to being in the film. Justification for this comes from documentary's status as a practice of a social institution and can be supported by Utilitarian and Kantian considerations, as well as the Aristotelian discussion of practices. Three films, The Thin Blue Line, Dope Sick Love, and Born Into Brothels, are used as examples for the requirement to prevent harm to subjects. These examples cover several different possibilities of how documentary filmmakers behave concerning the welfare of their subjects and are evaluated in light of ethical considerations offered.
Enumeration of virus particles in ultrathin sectioned pellets.

SummaryA method is described which permits a quantitative estimate of sample purity and virus particle concentration by ultrathin-section electron microscopy.
Correlating skill and improvement in 2 MOOCs with a student's time on tasks

Because MOOCs offer complete logs of student activities for each student there is hope that it may be possible to find out which activities are the most useful for learning. We start this quest by examining correlations between time spent on specific course resources and various measures of student performance: score on assessments, skill as defined by Item Response Theory, improvement in skill over the period of the course, and conceptual improvement as measured by a pre-post test. We study two MOOCs offered on edX.org by MIT faculty: Circuits and Electronics (6.002x) and Mechanics Review (8.MReV). Surprisingly, we find strong negative correlations in 6.002x between student skill and resource use; we attribute these findings to the fact that students with higher initial skills can do the exercises faster and with less time spent on instructional resources. We find weak or slightly negative correlations between relative improvement and resource use in 6.002x. The correlations with learning are stronger for conceptual knowledge in 8.MReV than with relative improvement, but similar for all course activities (except that eText checkpoint questions correlate more strongly with relative improvement). Clearly, the wide distribution of demographics and initial skill in MOOCs challenges us to isolate the habits of learning and resource use that correlate with learning for different students.
From Grace Alone to Grace Alone: Male Body Image and Intimacy at Princeton Seminary

This essay explores recent literature on male body image and reports the findings of empirical research of male body image on the campus of Princeton Seminary. While the author did not find that Princeton Seminary men suffer from what is being called the “Adonis Complex” in any pathological sense, the author did find that the “talking taboo” among seminary men regarding intimate matters is still operative and that these men seem to be longing for male intimacy, as evidenced by their eager and voluntary support of my study. Surprisingly, the author found that, during the course of his interviews, theological language about grace seemed to be subverting the experience of intimacy and, ironically, the experience of grace itself.
Interactive data analysis

Abstract Industrial Engineering no longer refers only to “production” type systems. New tools and techniques have been developed that allow the engineer to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and solve problems that have otherwise been reserved for statisticians, economists, accountants, etc. The computer has become a problem solving, time saving tool for the industrial engineer allowing this to happen. The observation of excess injuries at one of the nation's largest food processing plants leads to the development and implementation of an interactive data analysis system that allows for the analysis of the factors behind these injuries. This paper concerns itself with the technical description and documentation of the system that was developed. The system consists of four basic modes of operation: Create, Update, Interrogate, and Display. Programming considerations for each mode are presented as well as some interesting results from the standpoint of the application studied.
Characteristics of a CW CO laser resulting from a CS2-O2 additive flame

Abstract The use of a ribbon burner resulted in a 100 fold laser power enhancement from a CS 2 -O 2 free burning flame. The effect of He, SF 6 , N 2 O, CO, CO 2 , N 2 , SO 2 , and NO 2 on laser power was examined. The highest power, 0.6 W, was achieved from a mixture of CS 2 , O 2 , and N 2 O at flow rates of 3.9, 110, and 7.6 millimoles/sec, respectively.
Primary intravascular synovial sarcoma: a disease of young adult women? Report of a case diagnosed by aspiration biopsy and review of the literature.

Intravascular synovial sarcoma (IVSS) is an extremely rare tumor with only four well-documented cases in the English literature. All tumors were located in large veins of the lower extremities or trunk in young women except for one case occurring in a 54-yr-old woman. We report here an additional case of IVSS arising from the superior vena cava in a 32-yr-old woman who presented with a cervical mass and superior vena cava syndrome. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed and showed a malignant biphasic tumor with spindle cell and epithelioid components. The tumor cells were negative for CD31, CD34, factor VIII, desmin, smooth muscle actin, and S-100 protein, and had positive staining for vimentin and cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) predominantly in the spindle and epithelial components, respectively. A diagnosis of synovial sarcoma was made and confirmed in a subsequent transvascular biopsy demonstrating chromosomal translocation t(X, 18) by fluorescence in situ hybridization using a dual color, breakapart-style probe for SYT. Although clinically similar to previously reported IVSS, this is the first case arising in large veins of the upper portion of the trunk and diagnosed by FNAB. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006; 34:834–838. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Neuregulin 1-erbB signaling and the molecular/cellular basis of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a devastating psychiatric disease that affects 0.5-1% of the world's adult population. The hypothesis that this disease is a developmental disorder of the nervous system with late onset of its characteristic symptoms has been gaining acceptance in past years. However, the anatomical, cellular and molecular bases of schizophrenia remain unclear. Numerous studies point to alterations in different aspects of brain development as possible causes of schizophrenia, including defects in neuronal migration, neurotransmitter receptor expression and myelination. Recently, the gene that encodes neuregulin-1 (NRG1) has been identified as a potential susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, and defects in the expression of erbB3, one of the NRG1 receptors, have been shown to occur in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients, suggesting that NRG1-erbB signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. These findings open new approaches to defining the molecular and cellular basis of schizophrenia in more mechanistic terms.
Reduction of angle splitting and computational time for the finite volume method in radiative transfer analysis via phase function normalization

Abstract The commonly implemented splitting of solid angles to ensure scattered energy conservation in the finite volume method does not exactly conserve phase function asymmetry factor after directional discretization, leading to significant changes in scattering effect for radiative transfer analysis in highly anisotropic scattering media. In addition, use of a large number of split sub-angles results in drastic increases in computational CPU time and computer memory. The phase function normalization approach considered in this study is found to guarantee accurate conservation of both scattered energy and asymmetry factor simultaneously after directional discretization as well as depress solid angle splitting, vastly reducing the computational convergence time with improved accuracy. As a test, radial and axial radiative heat flux profiles in a scattering cylinder generated both with and without the phase function normalization are compared among different levels of angle discretization and splitting as well as with the discrete-ordinates method. The effects of changes in optical thickness, angular resolution, scattering albedo, and phase function approximation are examined.
On a conjecture of Bush and Mosteller

Twenty-four rats were run in a successive T maze discrimination, with unequal frequency of stimulus presentation, and mixed random reinforcement. The contingencies of reinforcement were such that consistent position-habit responding would yield 65% random reinforcement, whereas errorless discriminative responding would yield 90% random reinforcement. Learning proceeded in two distinct phases that differed in response content: a position-habit phase, followed by a discriminative phase.
Determination of 1-methoxy-2-propanol and its metabolite 1,2-propanediol in rat and mouse plasma by gas chromatography

A method utilizing capillary GC and flame ionization detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of 1-methoxy-2-propanol (propylene glycol monomethyl ether; PGME) and its metabolite 1,2-propanediol (propylene glycol; PG) in rat and mouse plasma. The calibration graphs for rat and mouse plasma were linear with correlation coefficients at > 0.997 over the range 2-700 micrograms/ml. The limit of quantification was ca. 2 micrograms/ml (2 ng on-column) for both compounds in plasma of each species. The ranges of the precision and accuracy for PGME were 2.8-8.8% and 3.2-13%, respectively, and for PG were 11-26% and 10-25%, respectively. The recovery of PGME from rat and mouse plasma was ca. 73% and for PG it was ca. 65 and 31% from rat and mouse plasma, respectively. The method was used to study the oral absorption and metabolism of PGME in mice. PGME was readily absorbed and metabolized to PG following oral gavage administration at 90 mg/kg. The maximum concentrations of PGME and PG in plasma were attained at 20 and 30 min following dosing, respectively.
Application of theorem of implicit function system existence for analysis and synthesis of linkages

Abstract This article states the implicit function system existence (i.f.s.e.) and makes use of the theorem for the determination :(a) of existence conditions of one and two cranks in a linkage; (b) of special link positions; (c) of the rotability of links of an overconstrained mechanism; (d) of such part of space where the proposed manipulator number of degrees-of-freedom is not observed.
Labour analgesia and obstetric outcomes

Summary Neuraxial analgesic techniques are the gold standards for pain relief during labour and delivery. Despite the increased use and known benefits of neuraxial labour analgesia, there has been significant controversy regarding the impact of neuraxial analgesia on labour outcomes. Review of the evidence suggests that effective neuraxial labour analgesia does not increase the rate of Caesarean delivery, even when administered early in the course of labour; however, its use is associated with a prolonged second stage of labour. Effective second-stage analgesia might also be associated with an increased rate of instrumental vaginal delivery.
X-ray scattering study of soft-optic-mode freezing in lead magnesium niobate single crystals

Abstract An elementary scattering equation is derived to show that diffuse X-ray scattering intensity near a Bragg reflection can be attributed either entirely to optic modes or to acoustic modes in simple cases. It is used to ascertain that the observed diffuse scattering near odd-integer reflections originates from 〈110〉 transverse optic modes. Detailed temperature-dependent measurements reveal that, unlike usual phase transition, freezing of the optic mode is dispersive. That is, the freezing temperature increases with q . At temperatures lower than ∼173 K, the modes of all length scale freeze to form a statically distorted structure.
Analysis of the 5-HT2 receptor ligands dimethoxy-4-indophenyl-2-aminopropane and ketanserin in ethanol discriminations

Previous studies have suggested a modulatory role of the 5HT 2 receptor system in the behavioral effects of ethanol. The present study examined the discriminative stimulus effects of the S-HT 2A/C2 agonist (-)-dinwthoxy-4-indophenly-2-aminopropane (DOI) and the 5-HT 2A antagonist ketanserin in rats trained to discriminate either 1,5 g/kg of ethanol from water (intragastrically, n = 7) or or 20 g/kg ethanol from water (intragastrically, n =8). In substitution tests, neither DOI (0.3 to 1.0 mg/kg, ip) nor ketanserin (3.0 to 17.0 mg/kg, in) produced discriminative stimulus effects similar to either training dose of ethanol, although decreases in rates of responding were significant at the highest doses tested. Ukewise, when given in combination with ethanol, neither 5-HT 2 ligand shifted the ethanol-dose response determination in either the 1.5 or 2.0 g/kg ethanol training groups. DOI in combination with ethanol did not alter rates of responding, whereas ketanserin in combination with ethanol signicantly decreased response rates. Thus, the 5-HT 2A receptor ligands do not appreciably affect the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol, in contrast to previous results with 5-HT 1B ligands.
A Chandra HETGS Observation of the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy Arakelian 564

We present results from a 50 ks observation of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Ark 564 with the Chandra HETGS. The spectra above 2 keV are modeled by a power law with a photon index of 2.56 ± 0.06. We confirm the presence of the soft excess below about 1.5 keV. If we fit the excess with a blackbody model, the best-fit temperature is 0.124 keV. Ark 564 has been reported to show a peculiar emission-line-like feature at 1 keV in various observations using lower resolution detectors, and the Chandra grating spectroscopy rules out an origin of blends of several narrow emission lines. We detect an edgelike feature at 0.712 keV in the source rest frame. The preferred interpretation of this feature is a combination of the O VII K edge and a number of L-absorption lines from slightly ionized iron, which suggests a warm absorber with ionization parameter ξ ~ 1 and NH ~ 1021 cm-2. These properties are roughly consistent with those of the UV absorber. We also detect narrow absorption lines of O VII, O VIII, Ne IX, Ne X, and Mg XI at the systemic velocity. From these lines, a second warm absorber having log ξ ~ 2 and NH ~ 1021 cm-2 is required.
Synthesis, structure, and reactions of a dimeric rhodium(I) complex with bridging σ- and π-bonded 2,5-dimethylpyrrolido ligands

Abstract Lithium 2,5-dimethylpyrrolide reacts with [RhCl(CO) 2 ] 2 in THF to give the novel dimeric Rh-carbonyl ( 1 ). The X-ray structure of 1 shows that two Rh(CO) 2 moieties are coordinated by two bridging pyroole rings, where each ring acts as both a σ and a π donor. Reactions of 1 with either PPh 3 ( 2 ) or AsPh 3 ( 3 ) proceed rapidly and produce yellow air stable compounds. The X-ray structure of 2 confirms that it is a square-planar Rh 1 complex with two PPh 3 groups in trans positions and the remaining positions occupied by CO and a σ-bonded pyrrolide ion. Corresponding reactions with lithium 2,5-dimethylpyrrolide and [IrCl(CO) 3 ] n yield products very similar to compounds 1 – 3 . Preliminary investigations of reactions between [RhCl(CO) 2 ] 2 and the anions of 3,4-dimethylpyrrole and of pyrrole suggested that the products were a mixture of compounds which were not identified.
The volatility transmission of stock returns across Asia, Europe, and North America

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the lead‐lag relationships between three major stock markets (Tokyo, London, and New York) over the period 1997‐2007, using the return‐volatility variable. The study aims to use new data to test how one national stock market affects another national stock market, which is one focus of the market integration literature.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs the traditional regression model because three stock markets (Tokyo, London, and New York) are in different time zones and trading takes place sequentially. Specifically, the intraday return is calculated from the daily open and close prices.Findings – This paper finds strong evidence that three stock markets are significantly interdependent: Tokyo leads London and New York; London leads New York and Tokyo; and New York leads Tokyo and London. In particular, the tie between London and New York is the strongest. Most of the author's results are consistent with those of previous studies.Practi...
Branch-point-tolerant least-squares phase reconstructor

In reconstructing images from coherently illuminated objects, the far-field two-dimensional phase function in the entrance pupil plane (measurement plane) of a coherent imaging system has to contend with the presence of point discontinuities or branch points. The general class of least-squares phase reconstructors that use phase gradients (or phase differences) on a grid of points in the entrance pupil measurement plane fails to correctly determine the two-dimensional pupil phase when branch points are present. The phase estimation error results from the fact that the phase gradient or phase difference inputs to the least-squares reconstructor are being wrapped by the measurement system into the principal-value range [-π, π]. Recently, the existence and the determination of a hidden phase term was presented that accounts for branch-point effects [ D. L. Fried , J. Opt. Soc. Am. A15, 2759 (1998)]. Fried’s hidden phase term is used in this study to present a branch-point-tolerant least-squares phase reconstructor for estimation of the two-dimensional measurement-plane phase function. Simulations of three different types of coherently illuminated object demonstrate the utility of this approach. The sensitivity of the reconstruction method to additive Gaussian noise is also presented.
Nicotine and the behavioral mechanisms of intertemporal choice

Abstract Nicotine has been found to produce dose-dependent increases in impulsive choice (preference for smaller, sooner reinforcers relative to larger, later reinforcers) in rats. Such increases could be produced by either of two behavioral mechanisms: (1) an increase in delay discounting (i.e., exacerbating the impact of differences in reinforcer delays) which would increase the value of a sooner reinforcer relative to a later one, or (2) a decrease in magnitude sensitivity (i.e., diminishing the impact of differences in reinforcer magnitudes) which would increase the value of a smaller reinforcer relative to a larger one. To isolate which of these two behavioral mechanisms was likely responsible for nicotine's effect on impulsive choice, we manipulated reinforcer delay and magnitude using a concurrent, variable interval (VI 30 s, VI 30 s) schedule of reinforcement with 2 groups of Long–Evans rats ( n = 6 per group). For one group, choices were made between a 1-s delay and a 9-s delay to 2 food pellets. For a second group, choices were made between 1 pellet and 3 pellets. Nicotine (vehicle, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 0.56 and 0.74 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent decreases in preference for large versus small magnitude reinforcers and had no consistent effect on preference for short versus long delays. This suggests that nicotine decreases sensitivity to reinforcer magnitude.
A Remarkably Resonant and Resilient Tang-dynasty Augural Stone: Empress Wu's Baotu

(2008). A Remarkably Resonant and Resilient Tang-dynasty Augural Stone: Empress Wu's Baotu. Tang Studies: Vol. 2008, Essays in Honor of the Sixtieth Birthday of Paul W. Kroll, pp. 99-124.
Level and pattern of overstory retention influence rates and forms of tree mortality in mature, coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest, USA

Abstract Mortality of retained trees can compromise the ecological objectives of variable-retention harvest. We used a large-scale experiment replicated at six locations in western Washington and Oregon to examine the influences of retention level (40% vs. 15% of original basal area) and its spatial pattern (aggregated vs. dispersed) on the rate and form of tree mortality for 11–12 years following harvest. Cumulative mortality of conifers was greater at lower levels of retention and in dispersed treatments—a result common to most seral groups and canopy strata. The greatest losses, averaging 18% of stems, occurred at low levels of dispersed retention. Mortality peaked in the first year in dispersed treatments and at low levels of aggregated retention, then rates declined to levels comparable to the controls (∼0.8% of stems/year). Harvest-related bole damage—common in the dispersed treatments—did not increase risk of mortality. Standing dead accounted for most mortality at greater levels of retention, but uprooting was nearly as common at lower retention—particularly in dispersed treatments. Forest aggregates (1 ha in size) did not exhibit greater overall mortality than controls. In fact, at 40% retention, mortality rates were reduced in the aggregates due to greater survival of late-seral and suppressed stems, presumably a response to edge creation and increased resource supply. Although cumulative mortality was no higher at 15% retention, larger harvest-unit openings and greater exposure of aggregates resulted in greater uprooting among dead trees. Current standards and guidelines for retention harvests on federal lands in the Pacific Northwest require a minimum of 15% retention within each harvest unit, with 70% of this distributed in aggregates of ⩾0.2 ha. Our results suggest that these minimum standards lead to greater risk of tree mortality in dispersed settings and to elevated rates of uprooting regardless of pattern, potentially compromising the objectives of live-tree retention. However, with larger (1-ha) aggregates and moderate levels of retention, managers have considerable flexibility in implementing variable retention without risk of excessive mortality.
Immunization of swine against Trichinella spiralis

Abstract Swine were immunized with partially purified stichosome antigens derived from Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae. In 3 trials, 500 to 600 μg of the solubilized particle component (S3) induced moderate levels of resistance to challenge inoculation; the percent reduction in larvae per gram of muscle ranged from 43 to 55. The effect of immunization with S3 on pig intestinal expulsion of adult worms was determined in one experiment, and the results indicated that S3 immunization was only weakly effective in enhancing gut expulsion. These results suggest that immunization with S3 induces a protective immune response in the pig that may be directed either against the migrating newborn larvae or against adult worm fecundity.
Effects of photoinduced toxicity of fluoranthene on amphibian embryos and larvae

Embryos and newly hatched larvae of three amphibian species, the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens), and the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), were exposed to fluoranthene and ultraviolet (UV) light in two scenarios. Embryos were exposed in a laboratory setting from an early developmental stage through hatching under artificial UV light, and newly hatched larvae were exposed outdoors in varying sunlight intensity levels. Outdoor exposures indicated greater sensitivity in the toxic response than did laboratory exposures. In the laboratory, mortality and malformation of X. laevis were the most sensitive indicators of exposure. Xenopus laevis was also the most sensitive species tested to the effects of UV light alone. Hatching success of R. pipiens was monitored outdoors and was not a useful predictive endpoint in the determination of photoinduced toxicity; however, newly hatched larvae were sensitive to the effects of photoinduced toxicity. Amybstoma maculatum and X. laevis larvae were affected by low (μg/L) concentrations of fluoranthene in sunlight. These findings suggest that low levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons could be acting synergistically with environmental factors such as UV light to place young amphibians at risk.
Foreign potato introductions

Thousands of varieties and seedlings of various species of potatoes have been introduced to this country during the past 35 years. Since 1930, two expeditions under the direction of the Division of Plant Exploration and Introduction have explored parts of Mexico and South America. Many smaller lots have been introduced from time to time. These included seed or tubers of the most promising sorts reported in the literature seed and tuber stock of varieties and species carrying genes for resistance to late blight, varieties resistant to scab and to leaf roll, and varieties reported to be high in dry-matter content. These have contributed much to the plant-breeding program. They have been introduced from a relatively large number of countries. Since 1943 the United States Department of Agriculture has sent potato stocks to 34 foreign countries.
Can Higher Reserves Help Reduce Exchange Rate Volatility

This paper studies the role of an increase in foreign exchange reserves in reducing currency volatility for emerging market countries. The study employs a panel of 28 countries over the period 1986-2002. Several control variables are introduced in the regressions to account for other factors affecting exchange rate volatility (monetary and external indicators as well as conventional macroeconomic fundamentals). The paper controls for the endogeneity induced by the role of the exchange rate regime, since the regime can affect both the level of reserves and exchange rate volatility. The results provide ample support for the proposition that holding adequate reserves reduces exchange rate volatility. The effect is strong and robust; moreover, it is nonlinear and appears to operate through a signaling effect.
Orientation and Interactions of an Essential Tryptophan (Trp-38) in the Capsid Subunit of Pf3 Filamentous Virus

The filamentous bacteriophage Pf3 consists of a covalently closed DNA single strand of 5833 nucleotides sheathed by ∼2500 copies of a 44-residue capsid subunit. The capsid subunit contains a single tryptophan residue (Trp-38), which is located within the basic C-terminal sequence (–RWIKAQFF) and is essential for virion assembly in vivo. Polarized Raman microspectroscopy has been employed to determine the orientation of the Trp-38 side chain in the native virus structure. The polarized Raman measurements show that the plane of the indolyl ring is tilted by 17° from the virion axis and that the indolyl pseudo-twofold axis is inclined at 46° to the virion axis. Using the presently determined orientation of the indolyl ring and side-chain torsion angles, χ1 (N–Cα–Cβ–Cγ) and χ2,1 (Cα–Cβ–Cγ–Cδ1), we propose a detailed molecular model for the local structure of Trp-38 in the Pf3 virion. The present Pf3 model is consistent with previously reported Raman, ultraviolet-resonance Raman and fluorescence results suggesting an unusual environment for Trp-38 in the virion assembly, probably involving an intrasubunit cation-π interaction between the guanidinium moiety of Arg-37 and the indolyl moiety of Trp-38. Such a C-terminal Trp-38/Arg-37 interaction may be important for the stabilization of a subunit conformation that is required for binding to the single-stranded DNA genome during virion assembly.
Osteitis Pubis as a Complication of Prostate Cryotherapy

Osteitis pubis is an inflammation of the symphysis pubis that is probably initiated by periosteal injury. I t has been described after pelvic surgery (retropubic, perineal and transurethral prostatectomy, and various gynecological operations), infection (prostatic abscess), pelvic irradiation, and vascular and athletic trauma.' Patients undergoing cryotherapy of the prostate after radiation therapy are at high risk for osteitis pubis since the periosteum of the symphysis pubis, already compromised by radiation, may be frozen during the procedure. We report a case of osteitis pubis after cryosurgery for locally recurrent prostate cancer following radiation therapy.
Sialyl ligands facilitate lymphocyte accumulation during inflammation of the central nervous system

Combined models of cytokine-induced inflammation in the skin and spinal cord of the rat were utilised to demonstrate in vivo that circulating lymphocytes depend upon sialylated adhesion molecules on their surface for maximal recruitment into inflammatory sites in both tissues. When radiolabelled normal spleen cells were incubated with sialidase from Vibrio cholerae or Clostridium perfringens, or with the specific sialic acid-binding lectin from Limax flavus, prior to being washed and injected intravenously into rats, they accumulated significantly less than untreated control cells into tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-activated spinal cord and skin. Pretreatment of splenocytes with sialidase plus the competitive inhibitor 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid (DDN) partially restored the accumulation of radiolabelled cells at both inflammatory sites, providing evidence for the specificity of sialidase treatment and the importance of sialyl residues. Pretreatment of macrophage-depleted spleen lymphocytes, or ovalbumin-specific W3/25+ (CD4) cell line T lymphocytes with sialidase produced similar decrements in accumulation at inflammatory sites, demonstrating that lymphocytes, including memory T cells, were relying on sialyl ligands for maximal recruitment. Results from this in vivo study are interpreted as providing indirect evidence that inducible sialyl-binding molecules, probably of the 'selectin' type, occur to a functionally significant extent on activated central nervous system (CNS) endothelium. We speculate that such carbohydrate-binding adhesion molecules may play an important role in the recruitment of inflammatory cells during the formation of CNS lesions in diseases such as the encephalomyelitides and multiple sclerosis.
Ca2+ transport properties and determinants of anomalous mole fraction effects of single voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in hair cells from bullfrog saccule

We studied the permeation properties of two distinct single voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in bullfrog saccular hair cells to assess the roles of the channels as physiological Ca2+ transporters and multi-ion pores. By varying the permeant ions (Ba2+, Ca2+) and concentrations (2–70 mm), we estimated the affinity constant (KD) of the two channels as follows (mm): L-type channel, KD,Ba= 7.4 ± 1.0, KD,Ca= 7.1 ± 2.2 (n= 7); non-L-type channel, KD,Ba= 5.3 ± 3.2, KD,Ca= 2.0 ± 1.0 (n= 8). Using ionic concentrations close to physiological conditions (2 mm Ca2+ and 1.0 mm Mg2+), the conductance of the L-type channel was ∼2 pS. We determined the mechanisms by which ions traverse the pore of these single Ca2+ channels, using mixtures of Ba2+ and Ca2+ at total concentrations above (70 mm) or close to (5 mm) the KD of the channels. We found evidence for an anomalous mole fraction effect (AMFE) only when the total divalent ion concentration was 5 mm, consistent with a multi-ion pore. We show that AMFE arises from the boundaries between the pore and bulk solution in the atria of the channel, which is derived from the presence of depletion zones that become apparent at low divalent cation concentrations. The present findings provide an explanation as to why previous whole-cell Ca2+ currents that were recorded in quasi-physiological Ca2+ concentrations (∼2–5 mm) showed clear AMFE, whereas single Ca2+ channel currents that were recorded routinely at high Ca2+ concentrations (20–110 mm) did not.
Comment on 'Bayesian parentage analysis with systematic accountability of genotyping error, missing data and false matching'.

Summary: We show the software SOLOMON is improved by using the likelihood ratio instead of an ad hoc statistic. Code: github.com/eriqande/solidmon/releases/tag/v0.1-bioinformatics
Modeling the thermal evolution of fault-controlled magma emplacement models: implications for the solidification of granitoid plutons

A two-dimensional finite diAerence model is used to simulate the conductive thermal regime attend- ing construction and maintenance of a continental magma chamber by intrusion of granite dikes into grano- diorite host rocks displaced at various spreading rates. Final intrusion shapes include tabular, square, and vertical rectangular bodies emplaced in the shallow crust (5-15 km) and tabular bodies emplaced in the middle crust (15-20 km) fed by dikes with widths of between 20 and 100 m. The formation of a steady-state chamber is defined as the point at which the ambient temperatures surpass the intrusion solidus forestalling the solidifi- cation of subsequently intruded material. For spreading rates <10 mm year ˇ1 , construction of a steady-state magma chamber in the shallow crust took 260 ka (rectangular), 360 ka (square), and 1 Ma (tabular), whereas in the mid crust a steady state was reached in less than 30 ka (tabular). At faster spreading rates (25 and 50 mm year ˇ1 ) ambient temperatures pass the solidus isotherm forming a steady-state reservoir within 55 ka, depending on intrusion depth and size. For 10-25 mm year ˇ1 spreading rates, sheeted dikes make up from 10 to 100% of the intrusion. The thermal modeling supports the following conclusions: (a) episodic magma emplacement into a fault-con- trolled setting is a thermally viable means of constructing a steady-state chamber at moderate to fast spreading rates only if the duration of faulting and intrusion are long enough to elevate ambient temperatures above the intrusion solidus, (b) isotherms will migrate outward during successive intrusion before converging back on the center of the intrusion after chamber construction, (c) the margins of most intrusions formed by this scen- ario should contain sheeted dikes, (d) the solidus isotherm, and thus the solidification front that it tracks, will become progressively curviplanar during the construction of the magma chamber and will not represent the in- itial shape of the intrusions (i.e. sheets), (e) the steady-state chamber will be smaller than the total intrusion dimensions, and (f) magmatic fabrics will form diachronously and not always parallel to sheet margins as they track the migrating solidification front. Because it is unlikely that most large intrusions formed instan- taneously, the eAects of continued addition of heat on the migration of solidification fronts may have signifi- cant implications for magmatic processes in many emplacement scenarios. # 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Parent Perspectives on Pain Management, Coping, and Family Functioning in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease

Pediatric sickle cell disease is a chronic illness for which recurrent pain is a ubiquitous experience. This study used quantitative and qualitative methods to examine relationships between patient and family coping and health care utilization in children with sickle cell disease and to assess parents' recommendations for ensuring patient and family-centered care. Participants were 53 parents of children aged 7 to 13 with sickle cell disease across three large urban children's hospitals. Data showed that positive patient coping was related to positive family functioning and lower health utilization. In addition, parents report the need for comprehensive health care approaches that meet the physical and psychologic needs of patients and families.
Elementary Students' Mathematical Explanations and Attention to Audience With Screencasts

AbstractReasoning and constructing mathematical explanations for an audience have become increasingly important activities in elementary classrooms with the implementation of reform-oriented curriculum and standards. Mobile learning tools and applications, such as screencasts, allow students to generate multimedia presentations of their solution strategies. Nine elementary students were interviewed as they generated screencasts to solve mathematics problems on a mobile tablet. A rubric was used to analyze 45 student-generated screencasts to investigate the characteristics of their explanations. The majority of students constructed explanations that described the procedures of their direct modeling strategies. Students' determination to be understood by the viewer appears to be a viable prediction for this approach. Students also provided evidence of attending to the audience in other ways, such as assuming teacher personas and adjusting their explanations to improve clarity. (Keywords: audience effect, ma...
Multiple colonization defects in a cysteine protease mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis

A cysteine protease mutant, G-102, of Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 defective in the rgp-1 gene has been recently constructed in this laboratory. In order to evaluate the role of the protease in the virulence properties of P. gingivalis, a number of putative periodontopathic properties of the mutant were evaluated. Relative to the parental strain, mutant G-102 was demonstrated to be defective in interacting with Gram-positive bacteria as well as cultured epithelial cells. In addition, the mutant was altered in attaching to the protein components of extracellular matrix as well as to type I collagen. Some of these alterations could result from the decreased autoaggregation displayed by mutant G-102 relative to strain 381. However, since the epithelial cell attachment assays were carried out at very low bacterial densities, it is unlikely that reduced autoaggregation of the mutant is responsible for its decreased ability to attach to these eucaryotic cells. Electron microscopic examination of the cells also revealed that mutant G-102 was altered in normal fimbrae expression. In addition, reduced expression of the 43 kDa fimbrial subunit in the mutant was detected with both Western and Northern blotting. These results indicated that the rgp-1 gene product can play either a direct or indirect role in the colonization properties of P. gingivalis.
Interrelationship of Lactobacillus and Zinc Bacitracin in the Diets of Turkey Poults

Abstract An experiment was conducted with Broad Breasted Large White turkey poults to study the effects of adding a microbial preparation or zinc bacitracin, either alone or in combination, to the diet. The addition of either Lactobacilli or zinc bacitracin resulted in numerically improved body weights and feed efficiency. The improvement in growth from the combination of the two supplements was not as great as when either was fed alone. The addition of Lactobacilli to the diet resulted in significantly decreased coliform and total aerobe counts in the feed and in the digestive system of turkey poults. When zinc bacitracin was added to the diet there was a signiificant reduction in coliform and total aerobe counts in the digestive system; however, this reduction was greater when Lactobacilli were added alone. The addition of the microbial preparation to the diet resulted in increased Lactobacillus count in the digestive system of the poults; however, the addition of bacitracin to the diet containing Lactobacilli resulted in decreased Lactobacillus count in the digestive system.
Reaction mechanism of chalcone isomerase. pH dependence, diffusion control, and product binding differences.

Abstract Chalcone isomerase (CHI) catalyzes the intramolecular cyclization of bicyclic chalcones into tricyclic (S)-flavanones. The activity of CHI is essential for the biosynthesis of flavanone precursors of floral pigments and phenylpropanoid plant defense compounds. We have examined the spontaneous and CHI-catalyzed cyclization reactions of 4,2′,4′,6′-tetrahydroxychalcone, 4,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone, 2′,4′-dihydroxychalcone, and 4,2′-dihydroxychalcone into the corresponding flavanones. The pH dependence of flavanone formation indicates that both the non-enzymatic and enzymatic reactions first require the bulk phase ionization of the substrate 2′-hydroxyl group and subsequently on the reactivity of the newly formed 2′-oxyanion during C-ring formation. Solvent viscosity experiments demonstrate that at pH 7.5 the CHI-catalyzed cyclization reactions of 4,2′,4′,6′-tetrahydroxychalcone, 4,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone, and 2′,4′-dihydroxychalcone are ∼90% diffusion-controlled, whereas cyclization of 4,2′-dihydroxychalcone is limited by a chemical step that likely reflects the higher pK a of the 2′-hydroxyl group. At pH 6.0, the reactions with 4,2′,4′,6′-tetrahydroxychalcone and 4,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone are ∼50% diffusion-limited, whereas the reactions of both dihydroxychalcones are limited by chemical steps. Comparisons of the 2.1–2.3 A resolution crystal structures of CHI complexed with the products 7,4′-dihydroxyflavanone, 7-hydroxyflavanone, and 4′-hydroxyflavanone show that the 7-hydroxyflavanones all share a common binding mode, whereas 4′-hydroxyflavanone binds in an altered orientation at the active site. Our functional and structural studies support the proposal that CHI accelerates the stereochemically defined intramolecular cyclization of chalcones into biologically active (2S)-flavanones by selectively binding an ionized chalcone in a conformation conducive to ring closure in a diffusion-controlled reaction.
Emplacement of the Ronda peridotite, Sierra Bermeja, Spain

Metasedimentary rocks of the Blanca unit, previously reported as roof pendants overlying the Ronda peridotite (Betic Cordilleras, southwest Spain), have been reinterpreted on the basis of field evidence to underlie this ultramafic body. Textural analysis of Blanca rocks reveals that they have experienced first mechanical degradation and later static metamorphism. Blastomylonites several hundred metres below the base of the peridotite show fluxion banding overprinted by the metamorphic assemblage crd + bio + sil + ksp + pla + qtz. In the intervening layer, the mylonitic texture has been totally annealed to form a medium-grained, nonfoliated gneiss of the same mineralogy (hornfels of some authors). Lithic fragments in the gneiss show mineralogical and textural similarities with underlying blastomylonites and are interpreted as resistant blocks in a subsequently metamorphosed tectonic breccia or melange. The structural position of the peridotite together with the mylonitic history of the Blanca rocks is most satisfactorily explained by the tectonic emplacement of the peridotite over the Blanca unit along a major thrust fault. The distribution of cordierite-bearing gneiss in a layer directly beneath the ultramafic sheet suggests that the peridotite was sufficiently hot to cause metamorphism at a temperature between 700 and 800 °C in an aureole at its base. To account for pressures of about 3.5 kb indicated by the cordierite assemblages, the metamorphic complex that overlies the peridotite (Casares unit) is interpreted as cover riding passively on the ultramafic sheet during thrusting. The interpretation of Ronda peridotite as part of a thrust sheet suggests that it has participated in Alpine nappe tectonics in the Betic Cordilleras. The magnitude and direction of apparent tectonic displacement are similar to those of nappes in the western end of this foldbelt.
The Phloem-Sap Feeding Mealybug (Ferrisia virgata) Carries ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ Populations That Do Not Cause Disease in Host Plants

‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (Las) is the primary causal agent of huanglongbing (HLB), the most devastating disease of citrus worldwide. There are three known insect vectors of the HLB-associated bacteria, and all are members of the Hemiptera: Diaphorina citri (Psyllidae), Trioza erytreae (Triozidae), and Cacopsylla (Psylla) citrisuga (Psyllidae). In this study, we found that another hemipteran, the striped mealybug Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), was able to acquire and retain Las bacteria. The bacterial titers were positively correlated with the feeding acquisition time on Lasinfected leaf discs, with a two-weeks feeding period resulting in Ct values ranging from 23.1 to 36.1 (8.24610 7 to 1.07610 4 Las cells per mealybug). We further discovered that the prophage/phage populations of Las in the mealybugs were different from those of Las in psyllids based on Las prophage-specific molecular markers: infected psyllids harbored the Las populations with prophage/phage FP1 and FP2, while infected mealybugs carried the Las populations with the iFP3 being the dominant prophage/phage. As in the psyllids, Las bacteria were shown to move through the insect gut wall to the salivary glands after being ingested by the mealybug based on a time-course quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay of the dissected digestive systems. However, Las populations transmitted by the mealybugs did not cause disease in host plants. This is the first evidence of genetic difference among Las populations harbored by different insect vectors and difference among Las populations with respect to whether or not they cause disease in host plants.
CMOS TFT Op-Amps: Performance and Limitations

In this letter, we demonstrate the feasibility of building thin-film transistor (TFT) complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) operational amplifiers (op-amps) at low temperature (180°C) for large-area sensor applications. The classic two-stage Miller-compensated CMOS design is built using a-Si:H and pentacene TFTs. In addition, we have studied the impact of electrical stress-induced aging of TFTs on op-amp performance using two different kinds of biasing circuits.