cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic relationships of horned lizards (Phrynosoma) based on nuclear and mitochondrial data: evidence for a misleading mitochondrial gene tree.

It has proven remarkably diYcult to obtain a well-resolved and strongly supported phylogeny for horned lizards (Phrynosoma) because of incongruence between morphological and mitochondrial DNA sequence data. We infer the phylogenetic relationships among all 17 extant Phrynosoma species using >5.1 kb of mtDNA (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, ND1, ND2, ND4, Cyt b, and associated tRNA genes), and >2.2 kb from three nuclear genes (RAG-1, BDNF, and GAPD) for most taxa. We conduct separate and combined phylogenetic analyses of these data using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods. The phylogenetic relationships inferred from the mtDNA data are congruent with previous mtDNA analyses based on fewer characters and provide strong support for most branches. However, we detected strong incongruence between the mtDNA and nuclear data using comparisons of branch support and Shimodaira– Hasegawa tests, with the (P. platyrhinos + P. goodei) clade identiWed as the primary source of this conXict. Our analysis of a P. mcallii £ P. goodei hybrid suggests that this incongruence is caused by reticulation via introgressive hybridization. Our preferred phylogeny based on an analysis of the combined data (excluding the introgressed mtDNA data) provides a new framework for interpreting character evolution and biogeography within Phrynosoma. In the context of this improved phylogeny we propose a phylogenetic taxonomy highlighting four clades: (1) TAPAJA, containing the viviparous short-horned lizards P. ditmarsi, P. hernandesi, P. douglasii, and P. orbiculare; (2) ANOTA, containing species with prominent cranial horns (P. solare, P. mcallii, and the P. coronatum group); (3) DOLIOSAURUS, containing three species lacking antipredator blood-squirting (P. modestum, P. platyrhinos, and P. goodei); and (4) BREVICAUDA, containing two viviparous species with extremely short tails that lack blood-squirting (P. braconnieri and P. taurus).
New insights into the epidemiology of chronic kidney disease in US Asians and Pacific Islanders.

Purpose of review In contrast to advances in our understanding of health disparities in other ethnic groups within the US, differential outcomes associated with chronic kidney disease among US Asians have gone largely unexamined. Until recently, risk estimates for chronic kidney disease outcomes among US Pacific Islanders were virtually unknown. This review highlights recent contributions to our understanding of chronic kidney disease outcomes in US Asians and Pacific Islanders. Recent findings Asians in the US appear to have a higher risk of end-stage renal disease relative to US whites after accounting for baseline kidney disease and many of the known risk factors for end-stage renal disease. The origins of the discrepancy in risk for end-stage renal disease between US Asians and whites do not appear to be explained by the socioeconomic and comorbidity disparities paradigm present in the US black vs. white model. Mounting evidence suggests that US Asians and Pacific Islanders receive substantially less predialysis care and proportionally fewer kidney transplants compared with US whites. Paradoxically, these populations have equivalent or better survival on dialysis. Summary These data highlight the need for studies to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the differential outcomes observed among US Asians and Pacific Islanders. Efforts to identify ethnicity-specific risk factors for kidney disease and interventions aimed at promoting predialysis care and kidney transplantation among US Asians and Pacific Islanders could substantially reduce morbidity, mortality, and costs.
Aripiprazole brain concentration is altered in P-glycoprotein deficient mice.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a transporter that mediates the tissue disposition of numerous drugs. To evaluate the role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in aripiprazole tissue distribution and penetration across the blood-brain barrier, mice deficient in the P-gp gene (Abcb1a/b−/−) were dosed intraperitoneally with 2 µg/g mouse of the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole. Wildtype FVB mice were administered the same dose as transgenic animals. At one, two, and three hours after dosing, blood and tissue samples were collected and assayed for aripiprazole concentration by HPLC. Deficiency of P-gp did not result in significantly altered plasma drug concentrations but had dramatic effects on drug concentrations in brain tissue. At 1, 2, and 3 h after dosing, aripiprazole brain concentrations in the Abcb1a/b−/− mice were 4.6-, 4.1- and 3.0-fold higher, respectively (P < 0.01), compared with the wildtype mice. Increases in drug concentration were also observed in testes and muscle in Abcb1a/b −/− mice. All other tissues including gut, lung, heart, kidney, liver, and spleen did not show significant differences between the two groups. These data provide evidence that aripiprazole is a transportable substrate of P-gp. Thus, factors influencing P-gp activity within the blood brain barrier in humans may have implications for the therapeutic effects and tolerability of aripiprazole.
Phosphatidylserine synthesis in adult Dirofilaria immitis females.

Abstract Crude homogenates of adult Dirofilaria immitis females were able to incorporate choline into phosphatidylcholine (PC) and also were able to methylate phosphatidyl ( N , N -dimethyl)-ethanolamine, using S -adenosylmethionine as the methyl donor, to form PC. The finding of choline phosphotransferase (EC 2·7·8·2) and phosphatidyl ( N , N -dimethyl) ethanolamine methyltransferase activity in the paniculate (mainly microsomal) fraction of the homogenates provided further evidence that adult D. immitis females can synthesize PC by way of choline and cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (Kennedy pathway) and also by way of S -adenosylmethionine-mediated sequential methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (Bremer-Greenberg pathway).
RELATIONSHIP OF CALCIUM UPTAKE BY THE SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM TO TENSION DEVELOPMENT AND RIGOR MORTIS IN STRIATED MUSCLE

SUMMARY Concentrations of phosphocreatine (PC), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and lactic acid were determined in longissimus muscle from 7 “stress-resistant” Chester White pigs and 8 “stress-susceptible” Poland China pigs at several intervals during the loss of extensibility postmortem. Calcium-binding ability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and postmortem tension development of longissimus muscle also ware determined. Loss of extensibility was completed sooner in longissimus muscle from stress-susceptible pigs than from stress-resistant pigs. For the most part, longissimus muscle samples from stress-susceptible pigs had lower (P <.05) levels of PC and ATP and higher (P < .05) levels of lactic acid at identical stages of change in extensibility than did samples from stress-resistant pigs. At identical stages of change in extensibility in “fast” and “slow-glycolyzing” muscles, there were no significant differences in the ability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum preparations to bind calcium or in the muscle's ability to develop isometric tension.
Permanent suppression of phase separation cataract in calf lens using amine modification agents.

Abstract Low temperature induced opacification (cold cataract) of the nucleus of young mammalian lenses is associated with a phase separation of proteins in the lens cell cytoplasm. Calf lenses were treated with a variety of imido-esters and N-hydroxysuccinimide-esters, which react specifically with amino groups. Many potent inhibitors of phase separation cataract were identified which lower the opacification temperature by 6°C or more. Lenses generally remain clear, colorless and soft. Furthermore, suppression of the cold cataract temperature is permanent upon removal of excess reagent.
The Stratigraphy of the Amsden Formation of Wyoming: ABSTRACT

The Amsden Formation was studied in 1) western Wyoming, 2) the Wind River Mountains, and 3) the Big Horn Mountains area. Thirteen sections were measured in detail and representative samples collected for petrographic analysis. Based upon the range of percentage of clastic quartz and clasticity, the Amsden Formation is divisible, in ascending order, into: Subunit 1--the Darwin Sandstone and, where present, the overlying siltstone/shale; Subunit 2--a quartz-poor, predominantly carbonate sequence; Subunit 3--many thin, quartz-poor, cyclic pairs of carbonate/non-carbonate beds; and Subunit 4--many thin, quartz-rich, cyclic pairs of carbonate/non-carbonate beds. The greater amount of clastic quartz in the Wind River Mountains compared with areas to the north and west suggests a source area south of the Wind River Mountains. The clasticity and percentage of clastic quartz, in conjunction with lithologic curves, indicate that shallow water environments persisted in the area of the Wind River and northern Big Horn Mountains, whereas the central and southern Big Horns and western Wyoming areas were deeper water environments. Subunits 1 and 2 represent a general transgression, and Subunits 3 and 4 a general regression. The presence of many diastems and clastic/carbonate pairs of cyclic sediments in the Wind River Mountains and northern Big Horn Mountains sections and their absence in the deeper water environments suggest many minor oscillations in sea level during both the transgressive and regressive phases. End_of_Article - Last_Page 341------------
Improving Native American children's listening comprehension through concrete representations.

Abstract The primary purpose of the present study was to determine whether recent findings documenting the benefits of text-related motor activity on young children’s memory for reading passages [Glenberg, A. M., Gutierrez, T., Levin, J. R., Japuntich, S., & Kaschak, M. (2004). Activity and imagined activity can enhance young readers’ reading comprehension. Journal of Educational Psychology, 96, 424–436.] could be extended to the text processing of Native American children. Forty-five third through seventh-grade students with academic learning difficulties listened to four narrative passages under one of three instructional conditions: manipulate, where students moved toy objects to represent the story’s content; visual, where students observed the results of an experimenter’s toy manipulations; and free-study, where students thought about the content of the presented story sentences. Findings were consistent with the literature documenting the comprehension and memory benefits of text-relevant concrete representations, with students in the manipulate and visual conditions statistically outrecalling students in the free-study condition. In contrast to the results of the Glenberg et al. (2004) reading study, no conditions-related differences were observed on a final passage where students were instructed to generate internal visual images of story events in the absence of external visual support (i.e., when no toys were present).
The Effect of Anonymity and Increased Accountability on the Linguistic Complexity of Teaching Evaluations

ABSTRACT We examined the impact of anonymity and accountability on the linguistic complexity of teacher-evaluation questionnaires. Undergraduate students volunteered to participate in a study that assessed the evaluations of their instructors. Subjects were asked to complete two closed-ended and one open-ended questionnaire(s) evaluating their general psychology professor. Anonymity and accountability were manipulated in the questionnaire instructions. Consistent with previous findings, few significant anonymity differences occurred on the closed-ended questionnaires. There was, however, some evidence that increases in accountability and a reduction in anonymity were related to the increased linguistic complexity of responses on the open-ended questionnaire.
Efficacy of prophylactic flavan-3-ol in permanent focal ischemia in 12-mo-old mice

The consumption of flavan-3-ol-containing foods, including (−)-epicatechin (EC), has been linked to lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and stroke. We previously demonstrated nuclear transcription factor erythroid 2p45-related factor-2 (Nrf2) -dependent EC efficacy in reducing stroke-induced deficits in 2-mo-old mice; yet stroke is primarily a disease of the elderly. Because neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction are hallmarks of aging, we tested whether Nrf2 mediates EC efficacy in aging mice through modulation of glial responses and blood brain barrier permeability. First, we compared anastomosis in naive wild-type and C57BL/6 Nrf2−/− mice to identify potential differences in cerebrovascular architecture. Data showed no significant differences in the number of anastomoses or mean intersection points, indicating similar gross vascular physiology. To assess efficacy and mechanisms of protection, wild-type or Nrf2−/− mice were administered the minimum effective EC dose established in our previous studies before the permanent distal middle cerebral artery occlusion. Similar to previous results with young mice, 12-mo-old wild types also showed significant reductions in infarct volume (41.01 ± 29.57%) and improved performance in removing adhesive tape relative to vehicle-treated controls, whereas a trend toward protection was observed in Nrf2−/−. However, EC did not reduce immunoreactivity for the microglia/macrophage marker anti-ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1, suggesting that dampened activation/recruitment did not account for EC protection. Furthermore, there were no differences in mouse IgG extravasation or spontaneous hemorrhage between EC-treated groups. These data demonstrate that EC protection occurs independent of microglia/macrophage modulation or blood brain barrier preservation, suggesting that the glial cell responses in young mice are compensatory to another, and potentially novel, protective mechanism.
The Psychap inventory : A multi-scale test to measure happiness and its concomitants

The measurement of personal happiness in past research is examined. Although a plethora of valid instruments are available to assess the felt, affective components of happiness, none go beyond this to encompass the many personality, behavioral, and situational attributes long associated with it — except for the Psychap Inventory (PHI). A decade of ongoing research on the PHI is reviewed. The Inventory provides subscale measures of the achieved happiness, personality, attitude and value, and life-style domains of happiness as they have come to be defined in the literature. The PHI comes in two sets of equivalent forms and seems remarkably reliable and valid, reasonably free of response bias, and quite consistent across a long history of time and sampling. PHI interpretations not only hold great interest for examinees, researchers, and clinicians — they also prescribe a specific program for happiness self-improvement.
Squamous carcinoma of the vagina: Treatment, complications and long-term follow-up

Seventy-five cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina treated at the University of Pennsylvania are reviewed with long-term follow-up presented. These comprised 2.5% of all female genital malignancies treated during 1958 to 1980 inclusive. Patients treated during that time with non-squamous cell cancers have been excluded. Patients are analyzed with regard to stage, therapy, complications, and survival. Sixty-five percent of patients were stage I or II. Five-year survival for the entire group was 45%. Patients treated with radical surgery other than exenteration did well, with 7 of 8 surviving 5 years. Serious treatment complications were mostly related to radiation therapy and primarily involved the bowel and bladder. Three patients died of complications. Recurrence carried a grave prognosis as 30 of 33 patients with recurrence died of disease. Most recurrences were diagnosed within the first year following treatment. Patients with advanced disease were more likely to have distant recurrences. Although radiation therapy is generally the treatment of choice, radical surgery can yield excellent results when used in carefully selected patients. With meticulous attention to radiation dosage and technique it is hoped that treatment morbidity can be reduced. Optimal treatment of advanced disease may require some form of adjuvant systemic therapy.
Beastly Bodies in Human Hands, Heads, and Hearts: Reflections on Animal Abuse as Dirty Play

Growing up in rural Missouri in the 1950s, animals, of wide variety, were our constant companions and sources of amusement. It wasn’ t always pretty. I recall at least one occasion when four or e ve of us kids decided to drop kittens from the top of staked bales in a barn hayloft to see if they would land on their feet. We watched with excited glee as one kitten after another twisted and turned while falling to the e oor below. We assumed that the loose hay on the e oor would uneventfully break their fall, which, luckily for the hapless kittens, it did. Nonetheless, I doubt that the kittens found it as pleasant an experience as we did. That was the least of our childish cruelties toward animals. We captured and cone ned e ree ies in mason jars with perforated lids, constructing our own bioluminescent lanterns that transformed into jars of dead bugs overnight. We squeezed grasshoppers until they spit their “ bacca juice” and pulled off their back legs for reasons I don’ t recall. We shot BBs at just about every living form, including an occasional human, just to see how they would react if hit. We killed frogs with BBs and arrows for the ostensive purpose of obtaining their delectable legs, although the legs of our dead quarry seldom made it to the table. We held down squealing pigs while our fathers methodically castrated them. Such was life on the farm for us kids and our animal companions. By some psychological accounts, as Arluke points out, my childhood friends and I should all now be violent sociopaths. Yet, as far as I know, none of us are. I, for one, am a vegetarian of twenty-e ve years’ standing (although I still exempt seafood from my taboo on e esh eating for reasons I cannot explain to myself or anyone else). I am the companion of cats whose greatest abuse has been a stern verbal command that went largely ignored. I hastily retreat from even a hint of possible interpersonal violence and divert my eyes from violent mayhem on television and movie screens. My most serious crime to date has been driving a car with expired license plates. Perhaps I am an anomaly, but Arluke’ s e ndings suggest otherwise. It seems that the slippery slope of the psychologists’ “ graduation” model of escalating violence up the phylogenetic scale isn’ t all that slippery. Some youthful animal abusers may graduate to brutalizing humans, but many more apparently graduate to remorseful
Pseudoneurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

A 61-year-old man developed progressive weakness, numbness, and exercise-induced vascular symptoms in the left hand. There was left thenar wasting. The presence of a supraclavicular bruit and vascular studies indicated left subclavian artery stenosis, but electrophysiological studies demonstrated no evidence for brachial plexopathy. Subsequent neuroimaging studies revealed multifocal right cerebral infarction. Focal atrophy and weakness from a cerebral lesion can simulate a brachial plexus lesion. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Improved method for designing a cylindrical Zhang–Enke ion mirror

Abstract A series solution for the potential within a cylindrical, three-element Zhang–Enke ion mirror has been obtained. The only simplification is that the small gaps between mirror elements are ignored. Automated function minimization by the simplex method has been used to optimize the mirror region lengths and voltages. Flight times only along the central axis were used here for convenience, but the potential can be calculated fully in three dimensions. The mirror designed by this method has good focusing characteristics. Additional refinement could be obtained by optimization of three-dimensional ion trajectories starting from the one-dimensional parameters obtained here.
Short bowel syndrome: Metabolic and surgical management

The management of short bowel syndrome requires long-term nutritional support and monitoring, medication, and occasionally additional surgical procedures. Constant attention is required to ensure adequate adaptation of the gut. This article reviews the normal function of the small bowel, adaptation following resection, total parenteral and enteral nutrition, and the role of adjunctive surgical procedures in the management of short bowel syndrome.
Abdominal injuries in pregnancy: a 155-month study at two level 1 trauma centers

Abstract Introduction Trauma in pregnancy is the leading cause of non-obstetrical maternal death and remains a major cause of fetal demise. The objective of this study was to examine the outcomes of pregnant patients sustaining abdominal injury. Patients and methods This is a retrospective analysis of all pregnant trauma patients admitted to two level 1 trauma centers from February 1, 1996 to December 31, 2008. Patient data abstracted included mechanism of injury, physiologic parameters on admission, Injury Severity Score (ISS), abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), gestational age, diagnostic and surgical procedures performed, complications, and maternal and fetal mortality. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used. Results During the 155-month study period, 321 pregnant patients were included, of which 291 (91%) sustained a blunt injury, while 30 (9%) were victims of penetrating trauma. Of the penetrating injuries, 22 (73%) were gunshot wounds, 7 (23%) stab wounds, and 1 (4%) shotgun injury. The overall maternal and fetal mortality was 3% ( n = 9) and 16% ( n = 45), respectively. Mean age was 22 ± 6 year-old, and the mean ISS was 12 ± 16. The overall mean abdominal AIS was 2 ± 1.2. When adjusted for age, abdominal AIS, ISS, and diastolic blood pressure, the penetrating trauma group experienced higher maternal mortality [7% vs. 2% (adjusted OR: 7; 95% CI: 0.65–79), p = 0.090], significantly higher fetal mortality [73% vs. 10% (adjusted OR: 34; 95% CI: 11–124), p p Conclusions Fetal mortality and overall maternal morbidity remains exceedingly high, at 73% and 66%, respectively, following penetrating abdominal injury. Penetrating injury mechanism, severity of abdominal injury and maternal hypotension on admission were independently associated with an increased risk for fetal demise following traumatic insult during pregnancy.
Frequency regulation from flexible loads: Potential, economics, and implementation

Thermostatically Controlled Loads (TCLs) such as air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters and refrigerators have a great potential for providing regulation reserve to the grid. This paper aims to provide a foundation for a practical method of enabling TCLs to provide regulation service. We study the economic, regulatory, and practical aspects to realize such a vision. We show that the potential of TCLs in California is more than enough for both current and predicted near-future regulation requirements. Moreover, we estimate the cost and revenue of TCLs, discuss the qualification requirements and participation incentive methods, and present a practical control framework for TCLs to provide regulation service. Numerical experiments are also provided to illustrate the efficacy of our methods in addressing practical issues such as short cycling of units, latency in communications, and dynamics modeling errors. I. INTRODUCTION
Recent Research on the Economics Major: Comment

The common purpose of these studies is to explain the recent decline in the number of economics majors. They represent the most significant research on the major since the survey studies of John Siegfried and colleagues over 15 years ago (Siegfried and Wilkinson 1982; Siegfried and Raymond 1984). Although each study approaches the issue from a different angle and draws different conclusions, each advances our understanding of factors affecting economics majors. Margo and Siegfried (1996) examine the long-run trend in economics majors and discover a tendency for the number of economics degrees to return to a fixed share after short-term fluctuations. Willis and Pieper (1996) draw an intriguing connection between the decrease in demand for workers in the financial services
The global blood supply: a literature review

Abstract Background A safe and sufficient blood supply is requisite for a functional surgical system. Although the disparity in blood donation rates between low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries is well documented, less is known about the reasons for this inequity, which compromises efforts to remedy it. We aimed to review the state of the blood supply and elucidate unique country-specific challenges in each of the world's 196 countries. Methods We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and WHO reports using the search terms "blood donor", "blood donation","blood safety", "blood bank", "transfusion safety", and "blood services". After an initial review of existing literature, we did a comprehensive country-by-country search of the aforementioned electronic databases, WHO regional reports, Ministry of Health websites, and National Blood Transfusion Services data for specific indicators and data points used to compare blood supply and safety across countries. These included donation rate per 1000 population, percent of donations from voluntary non-remunerated donors, number of blood banks or centres, and national blood policies. Both quantitative and descriptive data are included in a summary table in the appendix of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. Findings Our review yielded 117 publications with data for 188 countries: 101 peer-reviewed manuscripts with 13 reporting data for high-income countries and 88 for LMICs, 16 WHO publications, and a subsequent search of select websites to collect additional country-specific indicator data. Generally, blood donation is limited because of poor health infrastructure (28 LMIC and four high-income country manuscripts), low public awareness of donation practices and safety (22 LMIC manuscripts), and stigmas surrounding voluntary blood donations, especially in LMICs. Most blood banks and donation centres are located in urban centres, inaccessible to those in rural areas. The prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections in the blood supply is higher in LMICs (30 LMIC manuscripts), resulting in high discard rates and increased transfusion risks. Two-thirds of countries have a national blood policy in place, but are often unable to efficiently coordinate and regulate blood services nationwide. To overcome these barriers, some countries have developed innovative solutions. Interpretation The blood supply in LMICs is of insufficient quantity and safety, and the reasons for these deficits are multifactorial. Addressing blood supply inadequacies requires focused attention at both local and global levels. Political prioritisation and innovative solutions to the blood crisis will be necessary to improve this situation and will require a culturally cognizant, pro-poor, pro-equity approach. Reviewing successful approaches to this crisis employed by some countries can be helpful in charting a way forward. Funding None.
Crisis management: the psychological dimension

In the last decade an enormous amount of research has been conducted on the psychological aspects of the human response to traumatic events. During the same period managers and management consultants have developed sophisticated procedures for responding to traumatic events that occur in the work place. This paper combines a number of key aspects of both and proposes strat egies for enhancing the overall effectiveness of crisis management by focusing upon the stress experienced by management and employees in the aftermath of traumatic events.
Bandwidth and power management of glueless 8-socket SPARC T5 system

Continuous advancement in multicore and multi-threaded design requires optimized integration of hardware and software to address increasing bandwidth and power management challenges for high-end system designs. The next generation Oracle T-series systems utilizing the SPARC T5 processor address these challenges. These systems scale from one to eight sockets using a 1-hop glueless connection. The processor implements 16 8-threaded cores, an 8MB L3 cache, four on-chip memory controllers and two on-chip PCIE Gen 3 interfaces [1]. The 8-socket system comprises an unprecedented 1024 threads to deliver the highest thread count ever in any T-series system. The fully configured 8-socket T5 system supports DDR3-1066-based memory bandwidth, which reaches over 2.9TB/s, coherence bandwidth of 2+TB/s and PCI Gen 3 bandwidth with 256GB/s to deliver 5+TB/s throughput (Fig. 3.7.1).
Combining Theory and Experiment to Interpret the EPR Spectra of VO2+-Exchanged Zeolites

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of VO2+-exchanged zeolites were interpreted by comparing theoretical calculations of the EPR parameters for VO2+ model complexes with experimental EPR data. This is the first report in which density functional theory (DFT) has been used to calculate the EPR parameters in order to reproduce an empirical correlation between the electronic g-factor and the nuclear hyperfine coupling constant, A. In this study, a series of VO2+-exchanged zeolites (ZSM5, mordenite, Beta and Y) were prepared by a standard aqueous ion exchange procedure. EPR spectra of the samples were obtained before and after dehydration and in the presence of ammonia. The EPR parameters were determined by applying a least-squares fitting routine to the data. The EPR spectra of the hydrated VO2+-exchanged zeolites exhibited similar EPR spectral features that were independent of the identity of the parent zeolite. After dehydration, the EPR spectra were broad relative to the EPR spectra of the h...
Thermodynamic properties of charge-density waves.

Low-temperature thermodynamic properties of linear-chain compounds exhibiting charge-density waves (CDW) are examined theoretically within a mean-field theory. A result for the spin susceptibility \ensuremath{\chi} is obtained which agrees with the clear-cut available data on ${\mathrm{K}}_{0.3}$${\mathrm{MoO}}_{3}$ for T0.9${T}_{P}$, where ${T}_{P}$ is the Peierls transition temperature. The influence of ordinary impurities on the order parameter \ensuremath{\Delta}, the half-gap ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{G}$, and spin susceptibility \ensuremath{\chi} is calculated. Numerical results are obtained for \ensuremath{\Delta} and ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{G}$ as a function of the impurity concentration x. Substantial difference is found between the lattice distortion parameter \ensuremath{\Delta} and the half-gap ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{G}$ even for relatively small impurity concentration x, which is directly accessible to experimental verification. Beyond a critical concentration ${x}_{c}^{\mathcal{'}}$, the excitation spectrum of CDW condensate does not exhibit a gap. The order parameter also yields the transition temperature as a function of x, in agreement with earlier results of Patton and Sham and with recent experiments on ${\mathrm{TaS}}_{3}$ doped with Nb and Se impurities. Impurities are found to enhance spin susceptibility. However, the susceptibility at zero temperature remains zero for all concentrations, except in the gapless regime.
Production of cosmogenic nuclides in thick targets by alpha bombardment. Part I — short-lived radioisotopes

Abstract Production of short-lived cosmogenic nuclides in planetary surfaces and remote spacecraft detectors was simulated by bombarding “thick” C, Mg, Al, Si, SiO2, Fe, Ni, and Ge targets with 60, 90 and 120 MeV alpha particles. Gold foils were used to monitor alpha particle fluence; product nuclides were measured by gamma ray spectroscopy. The results were used to calculate production yields for each alpha energy, as well as cross sections averaged over the energy ranges 60–90 and 90–120 MeV.
Optics for the next generation of telescopes: ambitious, or insane?

Telescopes with apertures between 20m and 100m will rely heavily on advances in optical fabrication and testing. Diverse designs have emerged for telescopes that would have appeared crazy a decade ago (and perhaps still do).
Attitudes Towards Reference and Replaceability

Robert Kraut has proposed an analogy between valuing a loved one as irreplaceable and the sort of “rigid” attachment that (according to Saul Kripke’s account) occurs with the reference of proper names. We wanted to see if individuals with Kripkean intuitions were indeed more likely to value loved ones (and other persons and things) as irreplaceable. In this empirical study, 162 participants completed an online questionnaire asking them to consider how appropriate it would be to feel the same way about a perfect replica of a loved one, as well as other questions about replaceability. Participants who previously had endorsed Kripkean reference (n = 96) rated loved ones as less replaceable on two different measures than participants who had previously endorsed Descriptivist reference (n = 66, t(160) ≥ 2.27, p ≤ 0.02, η 2 ≥ 0.03). Additional results suggest that this difference extends to other targets as well and is at least partially dependent on sentimental attachment.
Syntactic characterization of appearance and its application to image retrieval

The goal of image retrieval is to retrieve images 'similar' to a given query image by comparing the query and database using visual attributes like color, texture and appearance. In this paper, we discuss how to characterize appearance and use it for image retrieval. Visual appearance is represented by the outputs of a set of Gaussian derivative filters applied to an image. These outputs are computed off-line and stored in a database. A query is created by outlining portions of the query image deemed useful for retrieval by the user (this may be changed interactively depending on the results). The query is also filtered with Gaussian derivatives and these outputs are compared with those from the database. The images in the database are ranked on the basis of this comparison. The technique has been experimentally tested on a database of 1600 images which includes a variety of images. The system does not require prior segmentation of the database. Objects can be embedded in arbitrary backgrounds. The system handles a range of size variations and viewpoint variations up to 20 or 25 degrees.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mathematical model for the intensity-dependent spread (IDS) filter and its inverse

ABSTRACT Cornsweet and Yellott invented the nonlinear Intensity Dependent Spread (IDS) filter based on the human visual system. They showed that this filter shares certain characteristics with the human visual system suchas Mach bands, Weber's Law, and Ricco's Law, which account for the band pass characteristic, brightness constancy, arid trade off between stability and resolution. Up to now, because of its nonlinearity and mathematicalcomplexity, the study of its response has been limited to simple images such as step edges or sinusoidal gratings.Also no good inverse models have been introduced to allow this filter to possibly be used for image compression.In this paper we provide a more complete model for the IDS filter and its inverse and show that for all circularlysymmetric spread functions, the band-pass characteristic of the IDS filter can be modeled as spatial summationof spatially varying high pass filter, and that the high pass filter can be modeled as the Laplacian of a low passfilter. We then show that the image can be recovered by inverting the effects of the Laplacian, followed by adeblurring stage and then computing the reciprocal of the result.Keywords: intensity dependent spread, intensity dependent spatial summation,spatially varying, nonlinear, human visual system, band pass.
Organohalogen contaminants in blood of Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract The threat that exposure to organohalogen (OH) contaminants poses to endangered populations of Kemp’s ridley ( Lepidochelys kempii ) and green sea turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) is not well understood, partly because few OH data are available. Blood samples from live juvenile and sub-adult L. kempii ( n = 46) and C. mydas ( n = 9) from the Gulf of Mexico and from L. kempii from the southeastern US coast ( n = 3) were extracted using microwave-assisted extraction, and analyzed by large volume injection gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for 85 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 25 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and 27 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Plasma chemistries, hematology and immune responses were also assessed. Concentrations of ΣPCBs (geometric mean, range: 3190 pg g −1 , 227–21 590 pg g −1 blood), ΣDDTs (geometric mean, range: 541 pg g −1 , 161–4310 pg g −1 blood) and OCPs in L. kempii from the Gulf were comparable to those reported in L. kempii from the Atlantic. ΣPBDEs were detected in all samples (geometric mean, range: 146 pg g −1 , 19.5–1450 pg g −1 blood), with PBDE 47, 99, 100, 153 and 154 being the predominant congeners. ΣPCBs, ΣDDTs and Σchlordanes were one order of magnitude lower in green turtles, and ΣPBDE concentrations were lower by half due to trophic level differences. L. kempii from the southeast USA had higher percentages of highly chlorinated PCBs indicating exposure to Aroclor 1268. Blood urea nitrogen was positively correlated to Σchlordanes, and ΣPCBs were inversely correlated to creatine phosphokinase in L. kempii . These data help establish baseline contaminant concentrations in live L. kempii and C. mydas .
HERBIVORY MODIFIES THE LIFETIME FITNESS RESPONSE OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA TO ELEVATED CO2

Future increases in atmospheric CO2 may not lead to enhanced plant performance, as has been predicted, when herbivory is considered as an interactive factor. This study provides experimental evidence that herbivory by the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, either decreased or suppressed the lifetime fitness response of Arabidopsis thaliana to elevated CO2 (significant CO2 × herbivory interaction). In addition, even though A. thaliana genotypes had significant differences in their fitness response to increased CO2, the inclusion of herbivory cancelled this genotype-specific response to enriched CO2 conditions. These results have direct implications for evolutionary outcomes in plant populations exposed to elevated CO2 and emphasize the need to evaluate CO2 responses in light of other environmental factors that plants may commonly encounter in natural situations.
Manifestations of the axial anomaly in finite temperature QCD

We compute the flavor singlet meson correlators and screening masses in quenched and N{sub {ital f}} = 2 QCD at N{sub {ital t}} = 8. The consequences of our results for the realization of the U{sub A}(1) symmetry at finite T are discussed and an interpretation of our measurements in terms of the behavior of the low lying fermionic modes is proposed.
The genetics of melezitose fermentation in Saccharomyces.

A multiple series of alleles of the gene MZ exist inSaccharomyces. The members of this series are differentiated from one another by their adaptive response to maltose, turanose, sucrose, melezitose and alpha-methyl glucoside. The more capable members of the series can ferment all five sugars while various multiple alleles are characterized by loss of ability to act on alpha-methyl glucoside, melezitose or sucrose. MZ is linked to the gene MA which controls the production of a specific maltase and to the gene MG which controls the production of a specific alpha-methyl glucosidase. All members of the series of multiple alleles produce the same enzyme showing that the gene and the enzyme are not identical. The enzyme is produced in three different steps, the initial one being a specific reaction of gene with substrate and the final one being a non-specific elicitation of enzyme.
Effects of cyclosporin A administration in cats.

Abstract Cyclosporin A was administered orally to 10 cats for 28 consecutive days at a dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight daily divided into 2 equal doses. Serum trough CyA concentrations ranged from 134 to 902 ng/ml with a mean of 567 ± 249 ng/ml ( X ± SD ). Immunosuppression by CyA was suggested in 5 cats by significantly depressed lymphoblast transformation responses. Various hematologic, serum chemical, and urinalysis parameters were monitored on a weekly basis in 10 cats. Serum urea nitrogen concentration increased significantly from baseline values on days 7, 14, and 21, but not on day 28. Urine concentrating ability was unimpaired. Alanine aminotransferase activity was decreased significantly from baseline values at each sample period during CyA administration. Drug-related side effects were minor; one cat developed gingival hypertrophy which regressed within 21 days of CyA withdrawal.
Role of divalent cations in plasma opsonin-dependent and-independent erythrophagocytosis by hemocytes of the Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea

Abstract The in vitro phagocytosis-promoting properties of hemolymph from the freshwater clam, Corbicula fluminea , are described. Hemocytes were capable of phagocytosing aldehyde-fixed erythrocytes (RBCs) of seven vertebrate species with equal facility, but only in the presence of homologous clam plasma. The plasma factors mediating erythrophagocytosis were heat sensitive. Pretreatment (opsonizing) of target RBCs with plasma also resulted in enhancement of hemocyte particle uptake in the absence of plasma. Opsonin-dependent phagocytosis required the presence of divalent cations, especially calcium, although not in free ionic form. Evidence suggests that the plasma opsonin may normally exist as a divalent cation-macromolecular complex since opsonizing activity was retained after dialysis against Tris-buffered saline (TBS), but was lost following TBS/EDTA or TBS/EGTA dialysis. We also have identified an opsonin-independent phagocytosis mechanism in which Corbicula hemocytes are able to ingest nonopsonized RBCs in the absence of homologous plasma. Extracellular calcium or magnesium in the incubation medium is needed for particle uptake, although the direct binding of free ions to the target RBC surface does not appear to be mediating enhanced phagocytosis. From the present data, it is concluded that hemocyte recognition of aldehyde-fixed RBCs can be accomplished by either of two mechanisms: (1) by the coating of cells with plasma factors capable of triggering the phagocytic process (opsonization) or (2) by a plasma opsonin-independent mechanism in which extracellular divalent cations (e.g., Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ ) in the incubation buffer stimulate uptake of nonopsonized RBCs. The factors regulating in vitro erythrophagocytosis by clam hemocytes are considered to be analogous to those involved in nonimmune opsonin-dependent and -independent phagocytosis in mammalian macrophages.
On cropping and related processes

Abstract Two distinct aspects of cropping and related processes are considered, (i) the maximum in punch force caused by plastic instability and (ii) the initiation and propagation of cracks after the onset of plastic flow. An expression for punch travel at the peak load is derived in terms of the work hardening index of the workpiece, its thickness and state of prestrain. Good agreement is found with experimental results from a variety of sources. The expression is also modified to include cases where cracks appear before the peak in load. A re-examination of experimental autographic punch load-punch penetration traces shows that it is possible, within the limitations of a single shear plane model, to partition the total work of deformation into flow and fracture components. It would seem that crack propagation in cropping or blanking starts when the incremental energy consumed by cracking plus flow is smaller than the alternative process of carrying on flowing over a larger plastic volume with no cracking. Estimates for fracture toughness are possible by this method, e.g. 500–600 lbf-in/in 2 for brass and aluminium and 170 lbf-in/in 2 for lead from the results of Chang and Swift[1]. A criterion for the occurrence of multiple cracking on the cropped faces is derived in terms of toughness, flow stress and workpiece/punch geometry and is shown to agree with experimental observations. An appendix highlights some more general aspects of the area of combined flow and fracture, and discusses how cracks in plastic flow fields may be identified and dealt with analytically.
Feeble magnetic fields generated by thermal charge fluctuations in extended metallic conductors: Implications for electric-dipole moment experiments

A simple formulation for calculating the magnetic field external to an extended nonpermeable conducting body due to thermal current fluctuations within the body is developed, and is applied to a recent experimental search for the atomic electric-dipole moment (EDM) of {sup 199}Hg. It is shown that the thermal fluctuation field is only slightly smaller in magnitude than other noise sources in that experiment. The formulation is extended to permeable bodies, and the implications for general EDM experiments are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
The Tail that Wags the Dog: The Globular Tail Domain Defines the Function of Myosin V/XI

Actin-based organelle movements are driven by the related multifunctional myosin motors of class V in animals and fungi and class XI in plants. The versatility of these motors depends critically on their C-terminal globular tail domain that allows them to bind to a broad variety of cargo molecules. Regulation of this motor–cargo attachment is frequently employed to modulate organelle movement. While the overall structure of the cargo-binding globular tail appears to be conserved between myosin V and XI, it has become apparent that the motor–cargo interactions differ widely even within a single organism and involve protein complexes with different architecture and completely unrelated protein domains. At the same time, indirect evidence suggests that adaptor or receptor dimerization could facilitate efficient myosin capture. Comparison of myosin V and XI across the large evolutionary distance between animals and plants will likely reveal more fundamental insights into these important motors.
The use of early chick embryos in experimental embryology and teratology: Improvements in standard procedures

The chick embryo is a convenient experimental system for embryologic and teratologic studies. However, windowing eggs during the first day of incubation, a procedure that is required to expose embryos in ovo, frequently results in dysmorphogenesis. The frequency and severity of the particular anomalies caused by windowing are greater the younger the embryo at the time this procedure is done. At all stages examined, dysraphic defects of the neural tube are the most common anomaly present following windowing. Defects of the neural tube are virtually eliminated if the air space introduced over the embryo by windowing is filled with albumen or saline, and the egg (with its window sealed with tape) rotated 180 degrees, so that the embryo rests subjacent to an undisturbed area of the shell. Subblastodermic injection of saline, a vehicle often used for teratogenic agents, has no adverse effects when eggs are subsequently filled with albumen or saline and rotated. Furthermore, known teratogens (e.g., colchicine, hyaluronidase) injected subblastodermically after windowing are active in eggs that are then filled with albumen or saline and rotated. Finally, the addition of albumen or saline, followed by rotation, may be delayed up to 3 hours without reducing the restorative effects of these two procedures. Our modified procedures for the handling of windowed eggs significantly increase the value of young chick embryos for studies of early developmental events.