cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy metabolism as part of the anticonvulsant mechanism of the ketogenic diet

The efficacy of the ketogenic diet (KD) develops gradually over a period of 1-3 weeks, suggesting that adaptive changes in gene expression are involved in its anticonvulsant effects. Previously, microarrays were employed to define patterns of gene expression in the hippocampus of rats maintained on either a KD or a control diet for 3 weeks. The density of mitochondria in hippocampal tissue was assessed by electron microscopy. Levels of selected energy metabolites, enzyme activities, and the effect of low glucose on synaptic transmission were also investigated in hippocampal tissue taken from either KD- or control-fed animals. We found a coordinated up-regulation of transcripts encoding energy metabolism enzymes and a dramatic 46% increase in the density of mitochondria observed in neuronal processes. These changes were accompanied by an increased phosphocreatine (PCr):creatine (Cr) energy-store ratio. Consistent with heightened energy reserves, hippocampal synaptic transmission in KD-fed animals was maintained approximately 50% longer compared to controls after exposure to a mild metabolic stressor. Taken together, several lines of evidence indicate that the KD enhances energy production in the brain. As a consequence, brain tissue appears to become more resistant to metabolic stress. It is proposed...that the observed KD-induced enhancements in energy metabolism help to compensate for the metabolic deficits exhibited (interictally) within epileptic foci and transient failures of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) ergic inhibition, which would otherwise favor the initiation and propagation of seizure activity.
SOFIA mission operations

The SOFIA Airborne Observatory will operate a 2.5 m aperture telescope with the goal of obtaining over 960 successful science hours per year at a nominal altitude of 12.5 km and covering a wavelength range from 0.3 mm to 1.6 mm. The observatory platform is comprised of a Boeing 747SP with numerous significant modifications. The ground and flight mission operations architectures and plans are tailored to keep the telescope emissivity low and achieve high observing efficiency.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering study of the red dye laccaic acid

FT-Raman and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy were applied to the study of lac dye, a highly fluorescent anthraquinone red dye. The SERS spectra were obtained at different pH values, on Ag nanoparticles prepared by chemical reduction with citrate and hydroxylamine, and at several excitation wavelengths, in order to find the best experimental conditions for the detection of the lac dye. The lower detection limit was achieved using nanoparticles prepared by reduction with hydroxylamine, excitation at 514.5 nm, and slightly acidic pH conditions, thus exploiting a combination of factors including lower electrostatic repulsion between dye and nanoparticles and resonance Raman enhancement. A comparison between the adsorption of laccaic acid (LA) and carminic acid (CA), another anthraquinone red dye, was also done, based on the SERS spectra of both dyes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemoprevention of cervix cancer: Phase I–II: A feasibility study involving the topical vaginal administration of retinyl acetate gel

Abstract A Phase I–II clinical trial has been conducted with a retinyl acetate (RA) gel applied cervicovaginally in women having a histopathologic lesion diagnosed as mild or moderate dysplasia. With informed consent, volunteer subjects were observed and followed with Pap smears and colposcopy in a standardized protocol involving a self-administered 7-day treatment course for three successive menstrual cycles. Varying dosages of RA including placebo, 3, 6, 9, and 18 mg per 6 g of an inert vehicle were employed. A total of 50 subjects were monitored for local and systemic side effects. No intolerable side effects or disturbing toxicity was reported or detected at any of these doses. With the 18-mg dosage, significant discomfort was reported by all women. Despite associated side effects and a considerable patient effort involved in carrying out the self-administration of the gel, a high level of compliance was achieved in this trial. It has been established that women will voluntarily participate in an intervention clinical trial to determine whether retinyl acetate is an alternative method of therapy of presumed precancerous lesions of the cervix. The analysis of the side effects of the gel at the various dosage concentrations favors the selection of the 9-mg dosage for a multicenter Phase III clinical trial to determine efficacy.
Inverse scattering for the heat operator and evolutions in $2+1$ variables

The asymptotic behavior of functions in the kernel of the perturbed heat operator δ12−δ2−u(x) suffice to determineu(x). An explicit formula is derived using the\(\bar \partial \) method of inverse scattering, complete with estimates for small and moderately regular potentialsu. Ifu evolves so as to satisfy the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP II) equation, the asymptotic data evolve linearly and boundedly. Thus the KP II equation has solutions bounded for all time. A method for calculating nonlinear evolutions related to KP II is presented. The related evolutions include the so-called “KP II Hierarchy” and many others.
Morphophysiological dormancy in seeds of six endemic lobelioid shrubs (Campanulaceae) from the montane zone in Hawaii

The purpose of this study was to investigate seed dormancy breaking and germination requirements of six woody Hawaiian endemic lobelioids (Campanulaceae). Seeds of all species had underdeveloped, p...
Reproductive processes in two oak (Quercus) contact zones with different levels of hybridization

Patterns of reproductive isolation between two sympatric species of oaks, Quercus gambelii and Q. grisea, that exhibit strong ecological differentiation were examined. A full diallel cross using four trees of each species (i.e. all possible pollinations among eight trees) was performed. This design was repeated at two sites that represent different outcomes of sympatry: (1) a xeric mountain ridge where many hybrids are established (HZ); and (2) a mesic valley bottom where virtually no hybrids are established (MOCYN). By measuring fruit survival at several developmental stages, both the timing and strength of reproductive barriers within and between sites, species, cross types, and pollen dosage levels were examined. In three of four cases, heterospecific fruit set was significantly reduced compared to conspecific fruit set. This reduction occurred after the time of fertilization, but before the onset of embryo growth. Increasing the dose of pollen from an average of 9–194 grains/stigma did not affect this result. Thus, early postfertilization processes play a strong role in species fidelity in these oaks. Quercus gambelii experienced a five-fold decrease in conspecific fruit set at HZ relative to MOCYN. In contrast, heterospecific fruit set of Q. gambelii was the same at both sites. Poor Q. gambelii pollen performance is implicated as playing the major role in this result. One Q. gambelii individual at HZ was highly fecund, and had higher heterospecific than conspecific fruit set; slight introgression in this tree was detected uisng RAPD markers. The Environmental Emasculation Hypothesis that posits that environmental stress can increase the probability of hybrid formation by reducing the competitive ability of male gametes of one species is proposed.
Cooperative Research Program Goals in New England: Perceptions of Active Commercial Fishermen

Abstract Cooperative fisheries research will continue to expand throughout the United States with the 2007 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which called for the development of regionally-based cooperative research programs nationwide. We report on a survey of individuals actively engaged in commercial fishing in New England (N = 295) that asked how important and achievable cooperative research programmatic goals are and why. One goal, “the promotion of partnerships between fishermen and scientists,” was particularly important to fishermen because partnerships are believed to be in everyone's interests, enhance the quality of the science, lead to better management decisions, improve the professional relationships between fishermen and scientists, and speak to a fishermen's sense of professional duty. However, fewer respondents considered the partnership goal achievable because of a wide range of obstacles. Based upon the findings and published studies on the perceptions of scientists and manger...
Two types of crust without ``granitic'' layer in northern Baltic Shield

In the Laplandian norite-dioritic crustal block, the granitic layer originally present was eroded, in the course of the very slow ascent of the block; the granites found locally are products of the subsequent granitization of the basaltic layer. In the Pechanga trough, the granitic layer was forced downwards by basic effusives and was assimilated by basalts in the depths; the andesiteporphyrite dikes in the area are products of that assimilation. The two different mechanisms responsible for degranitization of the crust are believed to be fairly common, under similar conditions, e.g. in the Anabar and the Ukrainian shields or elsewhere. – V.P. Sokoloff.
Selective fusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a radiographic evaluation of risk factors for imbalance.

Abstract Study design Retrospective database, chart and medical imaging review. Objectives To report on the outcome and evaluate possible risk factors for postoperative complications following selective spinal fusion in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Materials and methods All patients with AIS who underwent either a selective thoracic or selective thoracolumbar/lumbar spinal fusion at our institution from January 2001 to December 2011 inclusive were included in this study. The minimum postoperative follow-up period of all patients was 2 years. Results During the 11-year study period, 157 patients with AIS underwent surgery for their progressive spinal deformity. Thirty patients (19 %) had a selective spinal fusion, with 16 patients (group A) having a selective thoracic, and 14 patients (group B) having a selective thoracolumbar/lumbar spinal arthrodesis. In both groups the main postoperative complications were adding-on (25 % group A, 36 % group B) and coronal decompensation (25 % gr...
India ink : a potential clinically applicable EPR oximetry probe

Using a material that already is in widespread use in humans, India ink, the first EPR measurements in a human have been made, using the India ink in a pre-existing tattoo. The EPR spectra of India ink are very sensitive to the partial pressure of oxygen (pO 2 ), thereby making it feasible to use this approach to measure pO 2 in tissues in patients. This potentially provides a means to measure this parameter directly with a sensitivity, accuracy, and repeatability that have not been available previously, and thereby to be able to individualize and guide treatment of diseases such as cancer and peripheral vascular insufficiency
Dynamic patterns in the reduced Craik–Leibovich equations

Numerical simulations of an asymptotically reduced version of the Craik–Leibovich (CL) equations are described. By filtering surface waves, the CL equations facilitate simulations of surface-wave driven or surface-wave modified phenomena in the upper ocean—most notably, Langmuir circulation (LC)—with time scales long relative to the period of the dominant waves. Although numerical simulations of the fully three-dimensional CL equations are now routine, simulations in spatially extended domains, hundreds of times the characteristic width of individual LC vortices, require immense computing resources. The reduced CL (rCL) equations render numerical simulations in very long domains more feasible by exploiting the strongly anisotropic structure of LC that emerges in the strong CL “vortex force” limit. Here, simulations of the rCL equations are performed to explore the dynamics admitted by the reduced system. Spatially quasi-coherent, three-dimensional flow structures that drift downwind are found to be a prominent feature of the reduced dynamics in the parameter regime explored. The spatial form and temporal variability of these structures are associated with a resonance between pairs of LC vortices with cross-wind (transverse) wavenumbers in a 2:1 ratio. Depending upon the strength of the wind and surface-wave forcing, this spatial resonance leads to either periodic or aperiodic temporal oscillations in the number of LC vortices crossing a fixed downwind station, a process that is accompanied by the formation of Y-shaped features in Lagrangian surface patterns. The stems of these “Y-junctions” are preferentially oriented downwind, as is commonly reported in field observations of LC.
CNTF protection of oligodendrocytes against natural and tumor necrosis factor-induced death

A proportion of developing oligodendrocytes undergo natural cell death by apoptosis, and mature oligodendrocytes die, either by apoptosis or necrosis, in response to injurious signals such as cytotoxic cytokines and complement. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), a trophic factor found in astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS), promoted the survival and maturation of cultured oligodendrocytes. This trophic factor also protected oligodendrocytes from death induced by tumor necrosis factors (apoptosis) but not against complement (necrosis). These results suggest that CNTF functions in the survival of oligodendrocytes during development and may lead to therapeutic approaches for degenerative diseases of the CNS that involve oligodendrocyte destruction.
Biliary and urinary elimination of methadone and its metabolites in the rat.

Abstract The biliary and urinary elimination of 3H-methadone and its metabolites was quantitatively studied after various routes of administration of the drug to rats. The biliary excretion products consisted largely of the N-demethylated metabolite of methadone, 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), and a highly water-soluble compound which is apparently a glucuronide conjugate of a hydroxylated derivative of EDDP. Phenobarbital pretreatment of rats was found to decrease the total excretion of EDDP in the bile, possibly through enhancement of another metabolic pathway, and at the same time to decrease the duration of narcosis resulting from the administration of methadone. Pretreatment with methadone was observed to greatly enhance the rate of biliary EDDP excretion in the first 4 hr after methadone administration.
Interview of Visiting Health Administrators from the Ministry of Health, Beijing, China

In April 1998, four health care administrators from Beijing, China visited the United States. During their visit, they were interviewed by Wen-Yin Chang, a doctoral student in nursing administration, at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The four administrators were: Dr. Aiming Sun, Deputy Director- General, Department of Medical Administration, Ministry of Health; Dr. Yuxiu Gong, Chief Nursing Division, Department of Medical Administration, Ministry of Health; Ms. Hanjun Men, Nursing Division, Ministry of Health, and Ms. Jing Yang, Vice-director, Nursing Management, Ministry of Health. Interview comments were translated to English by Ms. Chang.
An Analytical Approach to the Problem of Core Fracture During Extrusion of Bimetal Rods

The process of core fracture in bimetals during extrusion was reexamined. The new analysis, based on the upper-bound theorem in limit analysis, eliminated the lengthy numerical computations employed in the previous work [1]. The criterion for core fracture was derived and discussed.
Mean square spline approximation

Abstract The approximation to a specified function on the real line by fitting a cubic in a piecewise fashion is achieved by minimizing the deviations in the mean square sense. The coefficients of the cubic are determined sequentially employing the method of dynamic programming. Employing this method a known function is approximated and the results of the computation are tabulated.
Stereoselective synthesis of a C-glycoside analogue of N-Fmoc-serine β-N-acetylglucosaminide by Ramberg-Bäcklund rearrangement

A C-glycoside analogue of N-Fmoc-serine β-N-acetylglucosaminide 1 was synthesized stereoselectively from a sulfone derivative of serinol thio-N-acetylglucosamide 8 using a Ramberg–Backlund rearrangement as a key step.
Toward a Cultural Studies Approach for the Sociology of Popular Culture

This article urges sociologists interested in popular culture to adopt a phenomenological perspective focused upon the problem of the meaning of popular culture as world of symbolic forms. It is argued that this problem requires a conceptual apparatus that focuses directly upon culture, now seen as not wholly derivative of social structure, and a view of society as a socially constructed meaningful world rather than an external container that determines action. The proposed approach, which looks at popular culture as a documentary record of the meaningful realities built by social groups, is illustrated by application to recent American developments.
New Course Design: Classification Schemes and Information Architecture

L'A. presente le contenu du cours d'architecture de l'information concu pour la Division des Science de l'Information a l'Universite St. John. Les concepts traditionnels de la theorie de la classification sont appliques a l'analyse des structures hierarchiques du cyberespace, et s'averent tout a fait pertinents pour ameliorer l'organisation du Web.
Experimental analyses and optimization of equalization techniques for 60-GHz OFDM radio-over-fiber system

We experimentally investigated transmission performance of 16QAM-OFDM signal over 25-km fiber and 5-m air distance using 60GHz ROF technology. It is the first time that the details of optimal equalization technique for 60GHz OFDM-ROF systems are presented.
Priming effect of glucose polymers in soil-based biodegradation tests

Abstract Plastics formulated for biodegradability often contain glucose polymers as modified starch or cellulose. When measured by the net CO2 evolution method, the mineralization of glucose in soil is overestimated due to its priming effect on soil organic matter mineralization. Measuring both net CO2 evolution and 14CO2 evolution from soil spiked with 14C-labeled starch and cellulose, we found their priming indexes similar to that of glucose. Priming by glucose monomers formed during depolymerization of starch or cellulose-based plastics may lead to an overestimation of their biodegradability in the net CO2 evolution test. Though structurally-close to glucose, fructose and inositol failed to elicit any priming.
A Comparison of Acti*Tip™ Allerg*E™ and Allerg*ENS™ System to Phadebas RAST® and Phadebas IgE PRIST® in Assaying Total IgE and Specific IgE in Human Serum:

Two in vitro systems of measuring total IgE and specific IgE antibodies were compared using serum of patients suspected of having allergic rhinitis due to inhalation of grass pollen. One in vitro s...
DNA sequence analysis and structural relationships among the cytoskeletal actin genes of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.

The general organization and primary amino acid sequences of theS. purpuratus cytoskeletal actin genes CyIIb and CyIIIb have been determined from restriction enzyme analysis, DNA sequencing, and RNA mapping studies. As is the case with the other sea urchin cytoskeletal actin genes previously studied, the CyIIb and CyIIIb genes contain two introns that interrupt the coding DNA following codon 121 and within codon 204. An intron ending 26–27 nucleotides (nt) upstream of the initiation codon has also been localized in the 5′-flanking region of both genes. The CyIIb gene, which is part of a cluster of three genes linked in the order CyI-CyIIa-CyIIb, encodes a protein that differs from CyI by a single residue and from CyIIa by three residues. The substitutions observed within this linkage group are relatively conservative changes, and pairwise comparisons between genes indicate less than 5% mismatch in nucleotide sequence within the coding region. Nucleotide sequence comparisons of 5′-flanking region and intron DNA, however, indicate greater similarity between the CyI and CyIIb genes than the CyIIa gene that separates them, suggestive of a potential gene conversion event between the flanking genes in the CyI-CyIIa-CyIIb linkage. The CyIIIb gene, part of a separate cluster of two functional genes ordered CyIIIa-CyIIIb, shares little similarity outside of coding DNA with genes of the other linkage group. Although CyIIIb exhibits strong nucleotide sequence similarity outside of coding DNA with the neighboring CyIIIa gene, it differs from that gene at six codons. The CyIIIb gene encodes a protein considerably different from all cytoskeletal actins previously reported, with changes clustered in the latter 40% of the coding sequence. An 81-nt tandem duplication of the C-terminal coding region is located adjacent to the termination codon of the CyIIIb gene, a potential relic of a slipped mispairing and replication event.
Effects of rumen-protected choline with calcium salts of long chain fatty acids on milk yield and milk composition of middle and late lactation Holstein cows

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of rumen-protected choline (RPC) supplementation on milk production and milk composition of dairy cows. Fifty lactating multiparous Holstein cows >80 days in milk were randomly assigned to one of two treatments groups. Cows were fed with: (1) control diet (CON; n =25), not supplemented with RPC and (2) supplemented diet (RPC; n =25), supplemented with RPC (115 g/cow/d). Control and supplemented cows were fed at ad libitum intake twice daily. Body weight and body condition score were measured weekly. Milk production and dry matter intake were recorded daily. Milk samples were collected twice weekly on week 3, 6, and 9 and analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, urea nitrogen, somatic cell count, fatty acid (FA) composition, and free choline concentration. Plasma was obtained on week 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 and analyzed for concentrations of free choline and non-esterified fatty acids. Cows remained in the experiment for 9 weeks. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (v9.4). Higher free choline concentration in plasma ( P P >0.05) by RPC supplementation (CON vs. RPC, respectively). There was no difference ( P >0.05) on milk yield (36.72 and 36.81 kg/d, respectively), 3.5% fat corrected milk, or energy corrected milk between supplemented and non-supplemented cows, respectively. Although production parameters were not affected by RPC supplementation, they were significantly affected ( P cis -9 16:1) FA in milk fat were greater in CON cows, preformed FA were greater in RPC ( P P cis and trans ) and cis polyunsaturated FA concentrations were greater in RPC cows ( P
The relative importance of hotel attributes to motorcoach tour operators

This study examines the relative importance of hotel attributes to motorcoach tour overators. Differences in attribute importance ratings were observed between operators of different size, bus ownershiv status, degree of senior orientation, and trade association membership. The results of this study should provide hotel managers with insight into how to best approach this growing market segment.
Global web archive integration with memento

In this poster, we describe the approach taken to designing and implementing a tera-scale multi-repository index of archived web resources using massively parallel processing.
Cardiovascular actions of angiotensin(1–7)

Abstract Angiotensin(1–7) had a compound effect on blood pressure of pithed Sprague-Dawley rats. The initial phase of the response consisted of an increase in MAP of short duration and independent of injected dose, followed by a decline of arterial pressure to values below baseline. Both the magnitude (range: −4 ± 1 to −13 ± 1 mmHg ) and the duration (range: 83 ± 13 to 255 ± 17 s ) of the depressor response correlated with the dose of peptide. Indomethacin (5 mg/kg) eliminated the depressor component. Only [Sar1,Thr8]Ang II inhibited the effect of Ang(1–7) completely. We conclude that angiotensin(1–7) possesses myotonic actions that are in part related to release of vasodilator prostaglandins through an angiotensin receptor other than AT1 or AT2.
Atmospheric Lifetime of CHF2Br, a Proposed Substitute for Halons.

The rate coefficients, k{sub 1}, for the reaction of OH with CHF{sub 2}Br have been measured using pulsed photolysis and discharge flow techniques at temperatures (T) between 233 and 432 K to be k{sub 1} = (7.4 {plus minus} 1.6) {times} 10{sup {minus}13} exp({minus}(1,300 {plus minus} 100)/T) cubic centimeters per molecule per second. The ultraviolet absorption cross sections, {sigma}, of this molecule between 190 and 280 nanometers were measured at 296 K. The k{sub 1} and {sigma} values were used in a one-dimensional model to obtain an atmospheric lifetime of approximately 7 years for CHF{sub 2}Br. This lifetime is shorter by approximately factors of 10 and 2 than those for CF{sub 3}Br and CF{sub 2}ClBr, respectively. The ozone depletion potentials of the three compounds will reflect these lifetimes.
Asymmetric Nickel-Catalyzed Negishi Cross-Couplings of Secondary α-Bromo Amides with Organozinc Reagents

A Ni/Pybox catalyst achieves the asymmetric cross-coupling of secondary α-bromo amides with organozinc reagents. The process tolerates a variety of functional groups and affords the desired product in good yield and in high enantiomeric excess.
A note on “Zippel denesting”

Radical simplification is an important part of symbolic computation systems. Zippel [7] gave a sufficient condition for a nested radical to be expressed in terms of radicals of lower nesting depth. We fill a lacuna in his proof, and show that his sufficient condition is also necessary. Previous work by Landau and Miller [4] leads to an algorithm for the problem.
Occurrence of Macrophytes in the Nearshore Waters of Lake Ontario

Abstract Growth of the submersed macrophytes was determined from biomass of samples collected at Wautoma Shoal in the nearshore waters of Lake Ontario from June to October, 1986. Growth began in June, peaked in September, and decreased by October. Plants dominated by Potamogeton pectinatus L. were observed growing only in the relatively quiet water of the trough between the shoal and shoreline. In the generally productive waters of Lake Ontario, the low biomass of macrophytes (5.0 g ash-free dry weight/m 2 ) in comparison to other bodies of water suggests this plant community is living marginally at the extremes of their tolerances. Anecdotal evidence suggests macrophytes were present at Wautoma Shoal from 1930 to the early 1940s, but were absent from 1950 to the late 1970s. The establishment of the macrophyte bed at Wautoma Shoal is associated with a significant decrease in turbidity of the nearshore waters during the summer. The reestablishment of macrophytes may be a result of the phosphorus abatement program and could represent a tangible first step in the recovery and rehabilitation of the littoral zone of Lake Ontario.
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus pyogenes M1 476, Isolated from a Patient with Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome

Here, we report the completely annotated genome sequence of Streptococcus pyogenes M1 476 isolated from a patient with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) during pregnancy. The genome sequence will provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying STSS.
Rapid Definitive Diagnosis of Legionnaires Disease

We describe a sporadic case of Legionnaires' disease in which the diagnosis was made by direct immunofluorescence of material obtained by percutaneous aspiration of the involved lung via a needle. Employment of this technique among selected patients with suspected Legionnaires' disease would provide for more rapid diagnosis and more prompt initiation of definitive therapy for some patients.
Short-Term Influence of Tank Tracks on Vegetation and Microphytic Crusts in Shrubsteppe Habitat

/ I examined vegetation and microphytic crust cover on two sites in burned and two sites in unburned big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) habitat within the Idaho Army National Guard Orchard Training Area in southwestern Idaho. The purpose of this study was to determine the short-term (1-2 years) influence of tank tracks on vegetation and microphytic crusts in shrubsteppe habitat. The two types of tank tracks studied were divots (area where one track has been stopped or slowed to make a sharp turn) and straight-line tracks. Divots generally had a stronger influence on vegetation and microphytic crusts than did straight-line tracks. Tank tracks increased cover of bare ground, litter, and exotic annuals, and reduced cover of vegetation, perennial native grasses, sagebrush, and microphytic crusts. Increased bare ground and reduced cover of vegetation and microphytic crusts caused by tank tracks increase the potential for soil erosion and may reduce ecosystem productivity. Reduced sagebrush cover caused by tank tracks may reduce habitat quality for rodents. Tank tracks may also facilitate the invasion of exotic annuals into sagebrush habitat, increasing the potential for wildfire and subsequent habitat degradation. Thus, creation of divots and movement through sagebrush habitat by tanks should be minimized.KEY WORDS: Divots; Fire history; Idaho; Military; Sagebrush; Straight-line tracks
Effect of notch toughness and hardness on sliding wear of Cu50Hf41.5Al8.5 bulk metallic glass

Dry sliding wear experiments with a Cu50Hf41.5Al8.5 bulk metallic glass were conducted following different annealing times of the glass at 510 °C. For as-cast and structurally relaxed samples and for the initial devitrification stage, wear is hardness controlled and improves with annealing. Upon longer annealing at 510 °C, the decrease in toughness increasingly controls the wear behavior. For prolonged annealing times, wear deteriorates and is toughness controlled. The wear stages can be quantified based on the theory of brittle wear.
Coping Strategies Following a Child's Violent Death: How Parents Differ in their Responses:

This study examined coping strategies used by bereaved parents whose adolescent and young adult children died by accident, suicide, or homicide. Death event data were verified from Medical Examiner's records. A community-based sample of 261 parents was recruited 6 to 28 weeks following the deaths and followed prospectively up to five years postdeath. Coping data were obtained five times during the study, using COPE, a 53-item standardized questionnaire with 13 conceptually distinct subscales (Carver, Scheier,&Weintraub, 1989). The data provide partial support for the gender socialization hypothesis. Bereaved mothers reported using emotion-focused strategies in conjunction with other coping methods. Similarly, bereaved fathers did not report problem-focused coping at the exclusion of other strategies. Nonetheless, logistic regression analyses showed that 4 of the 53 COPE items correctly predicted gender 75 percent of the time. Current conceptualizations of coping are called into question.
The impact of public information on investors

Abstract This study investigates the trading behavior of institutional and individual investors around both firm-specific news releases in the Wall Street Journal and macro-economic announcements. For the firm-specific news releases we find that investors conduct a high degree of trading around news releases, especially earnings and dividend news. Institutions buy and sell on both good and bad news, while individual investors only trade on good news. The length of the news article (visibility) is also an important attribute to motivate individual investor trading. Lastly, both institutions and individuals buy large firms after good economic news and sell large firms after bad economic news. The trading of small firms does not appear to be motivated by macro-news.
Mathematical stability analysis for an age-structured population with finite life span

The system ρ 1 + ρ a = − λ L − a ρ P ( t ) = ∫ 0 L ρ ( a , t ) d a ρ ( 0 , t ) = ∫ 0 L β ( a , P ) ρ ( a , t ) d a is used to model population density, π, of age a individuals at time t. The maximum life span is allowed to depend on net population density L = L(P). Equilibrium, time independent solutions are shown to exist, provided L, P, λ and β are suitably related. Linearized stability analysis for constant L, shows βp
THE ROLE OF RESERVES IN LEAVES, BRANCHES, STEMS, AND ROOTS ON SHOOT GROWTH OF RED PINE

By defoliation, girdling, and various combinations of these before the growing season began, the role of foods in old needles, branches, main stems, and roots on shoot growth of 8-yr-old red pine (Pinus resinosa) trees was studied in northern Wisconsin. Defoliation and girdling, alone or in combination, reduced shoot growth but defoliation reduced shoot dry weight more than it reduced shoot elongation. Reductions in shoot growth due to treatment were in the following decreasing order: branch girdling + needle removal > girdling at stem base + needle removal > needle removal > branch girdling > base girdling. The old needles were the major source of food for shoot growth and accounted for four-fifths or more of all shoot growth. The combined reserves in the branches, main stem, and roots accounted for less than 15% of shoot growth. The contribution of reserves from tissues other than old leaves was in the following order: branches > main stem > roots. Defoliation weakened apical dominance relations. In defoliated trees, many secondary axes elongated more than the terminal leader, and secondary axes in lower whorls often grew more than those in upper ones. The data suggest an important role of nutritional factors in correlative growth inhibition. IN MANY woody plants of the Temperate Zone, shoot formation is a 2-yr process involving bud differentiation during the first year and extension of parts within the bud into a shoot during the second year. For example, winter buds of most pines contain unextended internodes with all the growth primordia for shoot elongation the following season (Sacher, 1954). Exceptions to this pattern are species such as the southern pines that produce shoots from recurrent forming and breaking of buds on the same shoot within the
Feeling Aware: Investigating the Use of a Mobile Variable-Friction Tactile Display for Awareness Information

Providing the initiator of a conversation with awareness information about their target's availability can improve interruption timing. Providing this information, however, can be particularly challenging with mobile devices, which are carried by users in a range contexts and have limited audible and visual display possibilities due to possible background noise and small screen size. Haptic or tactile displays present a potentially useful alternative, as interaction with mobile devices is often by touch. This paper reports on a dual-task comparison of awareness information usage on a mobile variable-friction tactile display vs. a visual display under conditions that varied in task type and task workload. Participants using the tactile display performed marginally better on the primary task, but were less accurate and slower on the awareness task. However, there is evidence that some of the awareness task differences dissipated over time. Self-report data also suggests that people's experience with the tactile display was generally positive and improved over time.
Syntheses of p-aminophenyl α-d-talopyranoside and 1-thio α-d-talopyranoside as analogs of glycosidase substrates☆

Abstract p -Nitrophenyl and p -aminophenyl α- d -talopyranoside and 1-thio-α- d -talopyranosides were prepared for studies on specificity of glycosidases. Reaction of α- d -talopyranose pentaacetate with p -nitrophenol gave exclusively p -nitrophenyl 2,3,4,6-tetra- O -acetyl-α- d -talopyranoside ( 2 ) in 63% yield. A similar reaction with p -nitrobenzenethiol afforded the 1-thio analog ( 3 ) of 2 in 41.8% yield; the p -nitrophenyl 2,3,4,6-tetra- O -acetyl-1-thio-β- d -talopyranoside ( 6 ) was also obtained in low yield (6.7%). The two α- d -talosides 2 and 3 were catalytically deacetylated in near-quantitative yields by methanolic sodium methoxide. The p -nitrophenyl α- d -talopyranoside ( 4 ) and 1-thio-α- d -talopyranoside ( 5 ) were reduced with palladium on barium sulfate catalyst to the corresponding p -aminophenyl talosides. The acetylated p -nitrophenyl d -talosides 2 , 3 , and 6 were determined, from their 250-MHz n.m.r. spectra, to exist in the 4 C 1 ( d ) conformation in chloroform solution.
Diversity of Methylxanthine Content in Ilex cassine L. and Ilex vomitoria Ait.: Assessing Sources of the North American Stimulant Cassina

Indigenous people of southeastern North America drank cassina, a stimulant and emetic decoction that the colonial British termed “black drink.” Though most authors cite Ilex vomitoria Ait. as the botanical source of cassina, confusion persists because some researchers identify the source as I. cassine L. To clarify the link between plant and product, the methylxanthine alkaloid contents of I. vomitoria and I. cassine were compared. Since methylxanthines (i.e., caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline) have pharmacological properties congruent with the recorded effects of cassina consumption, the alkaloids provide a chemical basis for the evaluation of both taxa as sources of the beverage. Methylxanthine levels are higher in I. vomitoria than in I. cassine, and the principal alkaloid of the former is caffeine. Based on its alkaloid content, I. vomitoria is the best-supported candidate source of cassina.
Excitation and study of subcritical waves on a magnetic fluid surface

Abstract We find that subcritical standing waves are excited when a time-periodic field is superposed collinearly on a steady field with normal orientation to a pool of magnetic fluid. The wavelengths of the disturbance undergo repeated, stepwise reductions as the steady field intensity is increased. A theory of the onset is derived and comparison is made with the data.
Mechanistic analysis of iron accumulation by endothelial cells of the BBB

The mechanism(s) by which iron in blood is transported across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) remains controversial. Here we have examined the first step of this trans-cellular pathway, namely the mechanism(s) of iron uptake into human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMVEC). We show that hBMVEC actively reduce non-transferrin bound FeIII (NTBI) and transferrin-bound FeIII (TBI); this activity is associated with one or more ferrireductases. Efficient, exo-cytoplasmic ferri-reduction from TBI is dependent upon transferrin receptor (TfR), also. Blocking holo-Tf binding with an anti-TfR antibody significantly decreases the reduction of iron from transferrin by hBMVEC, suggesting that holo-Tf needs to bind to TfR in order for efficient reduction to occur. Ferri-reduction from TBI significantly decreases when hBMVEC are pre-treated with PtII, an inhibitor of cell surface reductase activity. Uptake of 59Fe from 59Fe-Tf by endothelial cells is inhibited by 50 % when ferrozine is added to solution; in contrast, no inhibition occurs when cells are alkalinized with NH4Cl. This indicates that the iron reduced from holo-transferrin at the plasma membrane accounts for at least 50 % of the iron uptake observed. hBMVEC-dependent reduction and uptake of NTBI utilizes a PtII-insensitive reductase. Reductase-independent uptake of FeII by hBMVEC is inhibited up to 50 % by ZnII and/or MnII by a saturable process suggesting that redundant FeII transporters exist in the hBMVEC plasma membrane. These results are the first to demonstrate multiple mechanism(s) of TBI and NTBI reduction and uptake by endothelial cells (EC) of the BBB.
Early Mars and early Earth: paleoenvironments for the emergence of life

There are good reasons to believe that environmental conditions on the martian surface during the first 500 million years (Ma) of its history were dramatically different from those at present. At or before the time at which the early Earth first supported both liquid water and life, before 3850 Ma, Mars apparently underwent erosional processes that strongly suggest a warmer, wetter climate and an operating hydrologic cycle. Martian life may have later become extinct as surface conditions gradually became intolerable, primarily due to atmosphere loss. If it is assumed that life is a 'cosmic imperative', constrained by appropriate environmental conditions conducive to the stability of liquid water, it becomes logical to extend the search for geochemical evidence of past life on the ancient martian surface; a surface that is as old or older than the oldest rocks on Earth. The search fortraces of such life via sample return missions from Mars could be focused on investigating the chemofossil record in ancient water-lain sediments such as paleo-lake beds, fossil hydrothermal fields, and stream channels. Alternatively, martian organisms could have disappeared into the crust, sequestered in discrete P-T microenvironments where liquid water remains stable. Such environments would include deep hydrothermal systems and groundwater aquifers; perhaps such regions continue to support organisms up to the present time.
Grafting of ARPE-19 and Schwann cells to the subretinal space in RCS rats.

METHODS. Cell suspensions of both donor types were injected into the subretinal space of 3-week-old dystrophic RCS rats through a transscleral approach, human fibroblast and medium were used as control grafts. All animals were maintained on oral cyclosporine. At 1, 2, 4, 6, 15, 28, and 36 weeks after grafting, animals were killed. Human cell-specific markers were used to localize donor cells. RESULTS. Both donor cell types, as revealed by antibodies survived for a substantial time. Their distribution was very different: hRPE cells formed a large clump early on and, with time, spread along the host RPE in a layer one to two cells deep, whereas hSCs formed many smaller clumps, mainly in the subretinal space. Both cells rescued photoreceptors beyond the area of donor cell distribution. The number of surviving cells declined with time. CONCLUSIONS. Both hRPE and hSC grafts can survive and rescue photoreceptors for a substantial time after grafting. The number of both donor cell types declined with time, which could be an immune-related problem and/or due to other factors intrinsic to the host RCS retina. The fact that rescue occurred beyond the area of donor cell distribution suggests that diffusible factors are involved, raising the possibility that the two cell types function in a similar manner to rescue photoreceptors. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005;46:2552‐2560) DOI:10.1167/ iovs.05-0279
New antimicrobial flavanones from Physena madagascariensis.

Two new flavanones (1 and 2) with antibacterial activity were isolated from the methanolic extract of the dried leaves of Physena madagascariensis using activity against Staphylococcus aureus to guide the isolation. A third flavonoid, a flavanone dimer linked by a methylene group (3) was also isolated and proved to be inactive. The structures of 1 and 2 were established primarily from NMR studies, while that of 3 required more extensive mass spectrometric analysis. All three flavanones had lavandulyl units in the limonene form. Flavanones 1 and 2 were active against several bacteria at concentrations as low as 4 μM.
Identification of the basal bodies and kinetodesmal fibers in living cells of Paramecium tetraurelia Sonneborn, 1975 and Paramecium sonneborni Aufderheide, Daggett & Nerad, 1983.

. Critical use of Nomarski DIC optics and a rotocompressor permits basal bodies and kinetodesmal fibers to be visualized in the cortices of living Paramecium tetraurelia and Paramecium sonneborni. The identification of these structures is confirmed by the correspondence of the images obtained by DIC optics of living cells and by brightfield optics of fixed cells stained by the Fernandez-Galiano silver technique. Examination of cells carrying cortical inversions (portions of the cortex rotated 180°) shows that inverted regions may be identified and distinguished from normal regions by the orientation of the kinetodesmal fibers of the kinetids (cortical units) within the kineties (ciliary rows). This demonstrates that both the asymmetry and the polarity of each cortical unit may be assessed in the living cell. This technique has useful applications in the study of morphogenesis and patterning in living cells and for the screening of mutations and variants conferring altered cortical phenotypes.
Preliminary investigation and application of a novel deformable PRESAGE® dosimeter

Deformable 3D dosimeters have potential applications in validating deformable dose mapping algorithms. This study evaluates a novel deformable PRESAGE® dosimeter and its application toward validating the deformable algorithm employed by VelocityAI. The deformable PRESAGE® dosimeter exhibited a linear dose response with a sensitivity of 0.0032 ΔOD/(Gy/cm). Comparison of an experimental dosimeter irradiated with an MLC pencilbeam checkerboard pattern under lateral compression up to 27% to a non-deformed control dosimeter irradiated with the same pattern verified dose tracking under deformation. CTs of the experimental dosimeter prior to and during compression were exported into VelocityAI and used to map an Eclipse dose distribution calculated on the compressed dosimeter to its original shape. A comparison between the VelocityAI dose distribution and the distribution from the dosimeter showed field displacements up to 7.3 mm and up to a 175% difference in field dimensions. These results highlight the need for validating deformable dose mapping algorithms to ensure patient safety and quality of care.
Reduction of Radiation-Induced G2 Arrest by Caffeine

A large number of studies have been undertaken in an attempt to define the mechanism by which caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) reduces the duration of radiation-induced arrest of cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. These studies are summarized and those agents which mimic the action of caffeine are listed in the order of their potency. This ranking does not match any activities of these agents described previously, but provides a comparison for future studies, which might profitably include measurement of the ability of these agents to inhibit protein kinases.
Chicken FK506-binding protein, FKBP65, a member of the FKBP family of peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerases, is only partially inhibited by FK506.

The chicken FK506-binding protein FKBP65, a peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase, is a rough endoplasmic reticulum protein that contains four domains homologous to FKBP13, another rough endoplasmic reticulum PPIase. Analytical ultracentrifugation suggests that in FKBP65 these four domains are arranged in a linear extended structure with a length of about 26 nm and a diameter of about 3 nm. All four domains are therefore expected to be accessible to substrates. The specificity of FKBP65 towards a number of peptide substrates was determined. The specific activity of FKBP65 is generally lower than that of FKBP12 when expressed as a per domain activity. The substrate specificity of FKBP65 also differs from that of FKBP12. Inhibition studies show that only one of the four domains can be inhibited by FK506, a powerful inhibitor of all other known FKBPs. Furthermore, the same domain seems to be susceptible to inhibition by cyclosporin A. No other FKBPs were shown to be inhibited by cyclosporin A. It is also shown that FKBP65 can catalyse the re-folding of type III collagen in vitro with a kcat/Km = 4.3 x 10(3) M-1.s-1.