cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of fungal toxins on renal slice calcium balance.

Abstract Citrinin and ochratoxin A disrupt renal function in many animal species. The mechanism(s) underlying these actions is (are) unclear. Although citrinin has been shown to bind covalently to renal tissue, there also is evidence that it is active in the unmetabolized form. Altered calcium homeostasis has been suggested as an event which might mediate cell injury and/or death; a possible role for calcium in citrinin- or ochratoxin A-induced nephrotoxicity is reported here. Renal cortical slice calcium balance was monitored by the uptake of 45Ca. Either ochratoxin A or citrinin added to fresh renal cortex slices enhanced 45Ca accumulation. These effects were evident as early as 5 min after addition of the toxins. Greater 45Ca uptake occurred with bathing solution calcium concentration of 1.1 m m than in the absence of added carrier calcium. Finally, the effect of citrinin to reduce p-aminohippurate accumulation by renal cortical slices was greater in the presence of calcium than in its absence.
Relationship of Riparian Buffer Type to Water Temperature in the Driftless Area Ecoregion of Minnesota

Abstract We used the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Stream Network Temperature Model to examine the role of riparian buffer type in mediating summer water temperatures for the reintroduction of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis into Wells Creek, a tributary to the Mississippi River located in southeastern Minnesota. Stream temperatures measured from 23 July to 3 September 1997 were used to calibrate the model, evaluate existing temperatures, generate simulations for different shade conditions and channel morphologies, and generate simulations for “average” and “warm” summers (we define a warm summer as one that is 2.8°C above the 30-year mean). The simulations indicated that successional buffers (grasses and forbs) provided as much shade as wooded buffers in streams with a width less than 2.5 m. With a low width:depth ratio, the successional buffer vegetation mediated mean temperature as well as the wooded buffer when discharge was held constant. At a discharge characteristic of our study reach, the mea...
Adaptive control using models with adjustable structure

The formulation of a parameter adaptive control problem is discussed in which a reference model with adjustable structure is updated along with the controller parameters in order to be assured that the performance index is a convex function over each evaluation interval.
The role of kairomones and other behavioral chemicals in host finding by parasitic insects.

Chemical cues are apparently the predominant mediators used in the host-selection sequence of parasitoids. Kairomones emanating from the host insects and acting by themselves or together with host plant components and utilized by the parasitoid appear to be the key factors governing the host-finding process. A summary-analysis is made of the behavior sequence of host selection by parasitoids, the chemistry of kairomones and their role in the host-finding process, and the basis for their potential employment in pest management programs.
Antigenic mapping of the envelope proteins of equine infectious anemia virus: identification of a neutralization domain and a conserved region on glycoprotein 90.

Monoclonal antibodies (MCAbs) were used to dissect the antigenic sites of the surface glycoproteins of the prototype cell-adapted Wyoming strain of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) Serologic reactivities of these MCAbs were determined by ELISA, additive ELISA, competitive ELISA, and Western blot assays. The results indicated that antigenic reactivity of gp90 was localized on at least four distinct epitopes, two of which were important in neutralization. Our studies also revealed that these epitopes were localized on overlapping antigenic sites on gp90. On the other hand, only two distinct non-overlapping epitopes were identified on gp45. Competitive binding studies of neutralizing MCAbs and reference EIA-positive horse serum delineated the presence of a neutralization domain on gp90 that appears to be immunodominant both in naturally infected horses and in mice immunized with EIAV. Limited proteolytic fragmentation of the gp90 component of several serologically distinct EIAV isolates produced common 12K immunoreactive fragments that contained a conserved epitope. These results indicate the occurrence of conserved antigenic regions on EIAV glycoproteins as well as a neutralization domain on gp90, which can be used as potential targets for vaccine development.
Kinematic analysis of human upper extremity movements in boxing

Using two synchronized cameras, four experienced boxers were filmed while they threw a series of punches at a practice bag. Three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of each boxer's shoulder, elbow, wrist, and glove were used to estimate linear and angular kinematics of the upper extremity. Average velocities at contact ranged from 5.9 to 8.2 m/s with peak velocities of 6.6 to 12.5 m/s reached 8 to 21 ms prior to hand/grove contact with the bag. Significant differences in shoulder and wrist velocitie, elbow angle excursions, and elbow angular velocities were seen when comparing hooks and jabs. Few differences were evident when comparing the kinematics of gloved versus bare-handed punches. Results are significant in providing kinematic data characteristic of experienced performers, which may be used in a kinetic model of punch impact and its relationship to potential injury mechanisms.
Metabolism of methadone by chicken embryos prevents induction of chronic opioid-type dependence after a single injection: use of osmotic pumps for continuous infusion.

Unlike N-desmethyl-1-alpha-acetylmethadol (NLAAM), a single injection of methadone (METH), near domestic chicken embryos early during development, cannot induce and sustain opioid-type dependence in the older embryo (i.e., days 14-17 of development). Injection of [3H]-METH near the 14-day-old embryo, followed by differential extraction, indicated that significant quantities of unmetabolized METH gained entrance to the brain, peaking at about 1 hr and declining with a half-life of about 2.8 hr. Thus, it is probably not practical to use a single injection of this shorter-acting opioid for studying biobehavioral effects of sustained dependence and withdrawal during development in this species. Chronic infusion of METH for 7 days via an externalized Alza osmotic mini-pump resulted in significant, dose-dependent brain concentrations of [3H]-METH on day 14. Even though the opioid antagonist naloxone (Nx) was unable to induce withdrawal, manifest as a significant increase in embryonic motility above that of controls, it partially reversed the depressed motility caused by the chronic infusion of [3H]-METH. Since 7-day-old embryos exposed to NLAAM, at doses which can be demonstrated to produce dependence by precipitating withdrawal on day 17 of development, were also unable to express withdrawal on day 14, it is possible that either 14-day-old chicken embryos cannot yet fully respond with an adaptive process (i.e., dependence) or its expression (i.e., withdrawal).
Effect of predation on male mating behaviour in a unisexual-bisexual mating system

Mate choice for conspecifics is beneficial when closely related species live in sympatry, but mate choice can be costly in the presence of predators. Male sailfin mollies are sexually parasitized by gynogenetic Amazon mollies. Amazon mollies must mate with male sailfin mollies to initiate embryogenesis, but inheritance is maternal. We tested if male sailfin molly mate choice for conspecific females is affected by predation risk. Male mate choice was tested in one of four treatments: (1) predation/no refuge, (2) predation/refuge, (3) no predation/refuge and (4) no predation/no refuge. Predation consisted of dipping the beak of a great blue heron decoy in the aquarium prior to a mating trial. Refuge was provided by java-moss. For each trial the number of mating attempts toward each female was recorded. There was a significant interaction between predation and refuge on strength of preference (SOP) for conspecific females. The highest SOP was in the no predator/no refuge treatment, and the lowest SOP was in the predator/no refuge treatment. These results suggest that the cost of predation is higher than the cost of mating with heterospecifics, and that the presence of a refuge may reduce this cost. This could explain the continued maintenance of Amazon mollies.
Melatonin protects against neurobehavioral and mitochondrial deficits in a chronic mouse model of Parkinson’s disease

Neuronal oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have been implicated in Parkinson's disease. Melatonin is a natural antioxidant and free radical scavenger that has been shown to effectively reduce cellular oxidative stress and protect mitochondrial functions in vitro. However, whether melatonin is capable of slowing down the neurodegenerative process in animal models of Parkinson's disease remains controversial. In this research, we examined long-term melatonin treatment on striatal mitochondrial and dopaminergic functions and on animal locomotor performance in a chronic mouse model of Parkinson's disease originally established in our laboratory by gradually treating C57BL/6 mice with 10 doses of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (15 mg/kg, s.c.) and probenecid (250 mg/kg, i.p.) over five weeks. We report here that when the chronic Parkinsonian mice were pre-treated and continuously treated with melatonin (5mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 18 weeks, the defects of mitochondrial respiration, ATP and antioxidant enzyme levels detected in the striatum of chronic Parkinson's mice were fully preempted. Meanwhile, the striatal dopaminergic and locomotor deficits seen in the chronic Parkinson's mice were partially and significantly forestalled. These results imply that long-term melatonin is not only mitochondrial protective but also moderately neuronal protective in the chronic Parkinson's mice. Melatonin may potentially be effective for slowing down the progression of idiopathic Parkinson's disease and for reducing oxidative stress and respiratory chain inhibition in other mitochondrial disorders.
The consequences of an unusual Robertsonian translocation in celery (Apium graveolens var dulce)

A Robertsonian translocation found in a cultivar of celery is described which is unusual because half the small product of the exchange survives as a telocentric chromosome. The change has no drastic effect on the overall fitness of the translocation homozygote. The consequences of such a change for karyotype evolution are shown to be, karyotype asymmetry, the possible genesis of B-chromosomes and the possibility of a chromosome change becoming established even though it has no adaptive value.
Piezoelectric resonance enhanced optical transmission at microwave frequencies

Both the intrinsic and secondary contributions to the electrooptic (EO) coefficients in ferroelectric PMN-PT, PZNPT, and (Sr,Ba)Nb2O6 crystals, were studied. At low frequencies space charge and acousto-optic coupling effects dominate the apparent EO effect measured, which however decreases steeply upon increasing of frequency. At certain frequencies relevant to piezoelectric resonance frequencies of given mode, it is found that EO coefficient and the optical transmission are greatly enhanced. Such enhancement is explained qualitatively using the theoretical model of transverse optical phonons of lattice wave. When being coherent in scale with crystal dimensions, the displacive current created by transverse optical phonons could enhance the EO coefficient at the given frequency. The implication of the lattice vibration EO amplification and the feasibility of engineering single crystal resonators as detectors or modulators in selected frequencies as microwave photonic devices are explored and discussed.
From a theorem of Radner

Abstract This note, by means of an example, shows the distinction of the monotonicity assumption and the free disposal assumption in the context of differential information. Equilibrium prices could be negative even with monotone preferences.
Power prior distributions for generalized linear models

In this article, we propose a class of prior distributions called the power prior distributions. The power priors are based on the notion of the availability of historical data, and are of great potential use in this context. We demonstrate how to construct these priors and elicit their hyperparameters. We examine the theoretical properties of these priors in detail and obtain some very general conditions for propriety as well as lower bounds on the normalizing constants. We extensively discuss the normal, binomial, and Poisson regression models. Extensions of the priors are given along with numerical examples to illustrate the methodology.
Picosecond cross-phase modulation in silicon photonic wire waveguides

We demonstrate strong cross-phase modulation in Si photonic wire waveguides using picosecond pulses. The tight optical confinement of wire waveguides enhances the nonlinearity, allowing a scheme for all-optical control of optical pulses.
Voltage-activated proton currents in human lymphocytes

Voltage-activated proton currents are reported for the first time in human peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes and in the human leukaemic T cell line Jurkat E6-1. The properties of H(+) currents studied using tight-seal voltage-clamp recording techniques were similar in all cells. Changing the pH gradient by one unit caused a 47 mV shift in the reversal potential, demonstrating high selectivity of the channels for protons. H(+) current activation upon membrane depolarisation had a sigmoidal time course that could be fitted by a single exponential function after a brief delay. Increasing pH(o) shifted the activation threshold to more negative potentials, and increased both the H(+) current amplitude and the rate of activation. In lymphocytes studied at pH(i) 6.0, the activation threshold was more negative and the H(+) current density was three times larger than at pH(i) 7.0. Increasing the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration to 1 microM did not change H(+) current amplitude or kinetics detectably. Extracellularly applied Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) inhibited proton currents, slowing activation and shifting the voltage-activation curve to more positive potentials. The H(+) current amplitude was 100 times larger in CD19+ B lymphocytes and in Jurkat E6-1 cells than in CD3+ T lymphocytes. Following stimulation with the phorbol ester PMA, the H(+) current density in peripheral blood T lymphocytes and Jurkat T cells increased. In contrast, the H(+) current density of phorbol ester (PMA)-stimulated B lymphocytes was reduced and activation became slower. The pattern of expression of H(+) channels in lymphocytes appears well suited to their proposed role of charge compensation during the respiratory burst.
Time evolution of overstress profiles near broken fibers in a composite with a viscoelastic matrix

Abstract The shear-lag model is applied to a monolayer, unidirectional, fiber-reinforced composite loaded in tension. The monolayer contains an infinite number of parallel fibers, with an arbitrary number of them broken simultaneously. While the fibers are modeled as linear elastic, a linear viscoelastic constitutive law is assumed for the matrix material. The time evolution of the overstress profiles in the fibers and matrix near breaks is determined and the time dependence of the effective load transfer length is calculated. Exact closed-form solutions as well as approximate evaluations of the above quantities are given for a power-law creep compliance model, suitable for most epoxy thermosetting resins as matrix materials. These results are also extended to the case of sequential breaks in time and the ease of an idealized indentation test.
Hysteresis in liquid-solid tapered fluidized beds

We report the occurrence of the remarkable or profound pressure drop-flow rate hysteresis in the liquid-solid fluidized bed in a tapered column around the condition of incipient fluidization, even when the bed is operated under the conditions that do not induce hysteresis in a straight column
The Cotranslational Maturation of the Type I Membrane Glycoprotein Tyrosinase: The Heat Shock Protein 70 System Hands Off to the Lectin-based Chaperone System

The maturation of eukaryotic secretory cargo initiates cotranslationally and cotranslocationally as the polypeptide chain emerges into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. Here, we characterized the cotranslational maturation pathway for the human type I membrane glycoprotein tyrosinase. To recapitulate the cotranslational events, including glycosylation, signal sequence cleavage, chaperone binding, and oxidation, abbreviated transcripts lacking a stop codon were in vitro translated in the presence of semipermeabilized melanocyte membranes. This created a series of ribosome/translocon-arrested chains of increasing lengths, simulating intermediates in the cotranslational folding process. Initially, nascent chains were found to associate with the heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 family member BiP. As the nascent chains elongated and additional glycans were transferred, BiP binding rapidly decreased and the lectin-based chaperone system was recruited in its place. The lectin chaperone calnexin bound to the nascent chain after the addition of two glycans, and calreticulin association followed upon the addition of a third. The glycan-specific oxidoreductase ERp57 was cross-linked to tyrosinase when calnexin and calreticulin were associated. This timing coincided with the formation of disulfide bonds within tyrosinase and the cleavage of its signal sequence. Therefore, tyrosinase maturation initiates cotranslationally with the Hsp70 system and is handed off to the lectin chaperone system that first uses calnexin before calreticulin. Interestingly, divergence in the maturation pathways of wild-type and mutant albino tyrosinase can already be observed for translocon-arrested nascent chains.
Multiple proton-conducting pathways in cytochrome oxidase and a proposed role for the active-site tyrosine

During each turnover of cytochrome oxidase (dioxygen reduced to water), eight protons are taken up from the inside of the membrane, four protons being used for chemistry (water formation) and four protons being pumped across the membrane. The two available X-ray structures of cytochrome c oxidases indicate three possible pathways for proton conduction within the enzyme: the D-, K- and H-channels. The putative H-channel is most clearly defined in the structure of the bovine oxidase. Mutants designed to examine the role of the H-channel in bacterial oxidases have failed to provide convincing evidence, so far, concerning the functional importance of this putative channel. In contrast, studies utilizing site-directed mutants provide strong evidence that the D-channel and K-channel are functionally important. Mutants in the K-channel are clearly defective in one or more steps associated with the first part of the catalytic cycle, i.e., the reduction of the heme/copper binuclear center. Mutants in the D-channel are defective in steps following the interaction of dioxygen with the reduced heme/copper center. A possible explanation of these observations is offered that proposes a direct hydrogen atom transfer from a modified tyrosine at the active site to the distal oxygen atom of dioxygen bound to heme a3.
Variance within homogeneous phytoplankton populations, III: Analysis of natural populations†

A theoretical framework for interpreting flow cytometric histograms from homogeneous phytoplankton populations was developed in part I of this series of articles and applied to chlorophyll fluorescence histograms from clonal cultures in part II. In this paper, we demonstrate the application of this framework to the analysis of cell volume distributions found in a natural assemblage of phytoplankton from the Gulf of California. Flow cytometric analyses of a surface water sample incubated for a period of 61 h revealed the sequential growth and decline of three distinct subpopulations. Cell volume distributions for each subpopulation measured at different times were analyzed, and the theoretical density function described in parts I and II was fitted to these distributions. The range of cell volumes within each subpopulation was similar to that predicted for asynchronous populations.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for spinal metastases with or without separation surgery

OBJECT In patients with significant epidural spinal cord compression, initial surgical decompression and stabilization of spinal metastases, as opposed to radical oncological resection, provides a margin around the spinal cord that facilitates subsequent treatment with high-dose adjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). If a safe margin exists between tumor and spinal cord on initial imaging, then high-dose SRS may be used as the primary therapy, eliminating the need for surgery. Selecting the appropriate approach has shown greater efficacy of tumor control, neurological outcome, and duration of response when compared with external beam radiotherapy, regardless of tumor histology. This study evaluates the efficacy of this treatment approach in a series of 57 consecutive patients. METHODS Patients treated for spinal metastases between 2007 and 2011 using the Varian Trilogy Linear Accelerator were identified retrospectively. Each received SRS, with or without initial surgical decompression and instrumentati...
Transcortical sensory aphasia: evidence for subtypes.

Abstract Impaired auditory comprehension and fluent but semantically empty speech in conjunction with preserved repetition characterize the syndrome of transcortical sensory aphasia (TSA). Repetition, however, may be mediated by at least two distinct processes—a lexical process that may involve the recognition and subsequent activation of discrete stored word representations and a nonlexical process that involves phonologic decoding and immediate phonologic encoding from immediate memory. We investigated the spontaneous speech, reading, and tendency to recognize and spontaneously correct syntactic errors in four patients with TSA; this analysis suggests there are two subtypes of TSA. We contend that in one subtype both the lexical and direct reptition (or speech production) mechanisms are preserved, but in the second subtype the lexical mechanism is disrupted and repetition is mediated by the nonlexical mechanism.
A frightening nuclear legacy

Early expansion of nuclear energy resulted in dangerous dispersal of fissile material and weapons proliferation— threats that persist today. Is it possible to prevent history from repeating itself?
Chronic facial pain associated with endodontic therapy

Retrospective study was done on 118 patients who underwent nonsurgical endodontics and then surgical endodontics. Seventy-nine patients had pain before nonsurgical endodontics, and an additional 39 were pain free. After the open surgical procedure, six patients (5%) had continual pain and were considered failures. Three patients (2.5%) were thought to have had posttraumatic dysesthesia, and the other three (2.5%) were considered to have phantom tooth pain. Possible mechanisms for each chronic pain type are discussed.
Vertical habitat and behaviour of the bluntnose sixgill shark in Hawaii

Bluntnose sixgill sharks are apex predators and scavengers that are near-globally distributed in slope and shelf habitats, but many aspects of their behaviour and ecology are poorly understood. A better understanding of how oceanographic variables influence sixgill shark behaviour may help predict their distribution, response to increasing anthropogenic stressors including climate change, and role in ecosystems throughout their geographic range. We used satellite telemetry to observe the vertical behaviour of four bluntnose sixgill sharks in the subtropical oligotrophic waters of Hawaii. A strong diel vertical movement cycle was observed, with sharks spending nighttime in thermocline waters and descending into the oxygen minimum zone in daytime. Depth changes generally occurred between nautical twilight and sunrise/sunset. Dive initiation and dive completion were significantly correlated with nautical dawn and sunrise, respectively. A stepwise generalised estimating equations model was used to investigate vertical speeds in the daytime and nighttime depth habitats, and this analysis revealed that photic zone light level was the primary factor correlated with vertical speed. Outside of the depth transitions, higher vertical speeds were observed when photic zone light was low, suggesting more active foraging in the shallow nighttime habitat than the deep daytime habitat.
Prophylactic lidocaine: uncertain benefits in emergency settings.

Summary The need to determine whether prophylactic lidocaine has any therapeutic value is generally recognized, and further investigations have been urged: A carefully designed clinical trial of routine lidocaine administration should be carried out to provide definitive information for the physician treating patients who have had myocardial infarction. Such trials should begin immediately, in view of the magnitude of the problem and the fact that routine prophylaxis of arrhythmias after myocardial infarction is not common policy. Such a study, if well designed, can answer the question … 33 Carefully designed trials must be conducted with patients included in the study as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms, preferably during the prehospital phase, and the medication must be administered in a random-controlled fashion. Although these requirements pose no extraordinary problems of research design and method, they lead to prohibiting ethical conflicts. Without resolving these conflicts, through the elaboration of acceptable standards which bypass traditional informed consent, the value of lidocaine prophylaxis will remain uncertain, as will the many other emergency therapeutic maneuvers of unproven effectiveness.
Effects of energy content and energy density of pre-portioned entrées on energy intake.

Pre-portioned entrees are commonly consumed to help control portion size and limit energy intake. The influence of entree characteristics on energy intake, however, has not been well studied. We determined how the effects of energy content and energy density (ED, kcal/g) of pre-portioned entrees combine to influence daily energy intake. In a crossover design, 68 non-dieting adults (28 men and 40 women) were provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner on 1 day a week for 4 weeks. Each meal included a compulsory, manipulated pre-portioned entree followed by a variety of unmanipulated discretionary foods that were consumed ad libitum. Across conditions, the entrees were varied in both energy content and ED between a standard level (100%) and a reduced level (64%). Results showed that in men, decreases in the energy content and ED of pre-portioned entrees acted independently and added together to reduce daily energy intake (both P < 0.01). Simultaneously decreasing the energy content and ED reduced total energy intake in men by 16% (445 ± 47 kcal/day; P < 0.0001). In women, the entree factors also had independent effects on energy intake at breakfast and lunch, but at dinner and for the entire day the effects depended on the interaction of the two factors (P < 0.01). Simultaneously decreasing the energy content and ED reduced daily energy intake in women by 14% (289 ± 35 kcal/day; P < 0.0001). Both the energy content and ED of pre-portioned entrees affect daily energy intake and could influence the effectiveness of such foods for weight management.
Investigations into the causes of early larval mortality in cultured summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus L.)

Abstract Experiments were conducted to investigate larval mortality in cultured summer flounder during the first 2 weeks after hatch. The influence of feeding success, parentage, addition of algae, water quality, and the microbial community on mortality during this period were investigated. Larvae were raised in 2-l bowls at initial densities of 50 or 75/l with mild aeration, 12 L:12 D photoperiod, and regular 50% water changes. In all experiments, mortalities were recorded and removed daily. In the first two experiments, daily samples of larvae were taken to assess feeding success and to relate that to survival. The second experiment investigated the effects of both feeding success and the addition of algae to larval culture bowls on larval survival. The third experiment investigated the effects of water quality and bacterial load on survival during the experimental period. The first two experiments indicated that failure to establish feeding is probably not the cause of catastrophic mortality of the larvae, although a statistical relationship existed between feeding incidence and survival in two of six cases. High variability (34±38%, n=82) in survival was seen in the first two experiments (both within and between parental crosses) suggesting that catastrophic mortalities were due to rearing conditions in addition to gamete quality. The addition of algae to larval cultures increased survival from 13±24% (n=33) in the absence of algae during the first experiment to 46±39% (n=49) with the addition of algae during the second experiment. The final experiment indicated that larval mortality was not linked to the measured microbial or water quality conditions. The relationship between the percentage of floating eggs at time of fertilization and survival at 10 days after hatch was not significant.
Ulnar nerve compression at the elbow caused by a prominent medial head of the triceps and an anconeus epitrochlearis muscle

A number of musculo-tendinous variations around the medial epicondyle have been alleged to cause ulnar nerve compression. Subluxation of the ulnar nerve, a "snapping" separate medial head of triceps, a prominent medial head of triceps covering the ulnar nerve, anconeus epitrochlearis, Osborne's band, and the ligament of Struthers have been implicated. We present a case of clearcut compression of the ulnar nerve at two levels just at and posterior to the epicondyle by a tightly applied prominent head of the triceps, and at a more distal level beneath an anconeus epitrochlearis muscle.
Effects of improved energy efficiency on U.S. energy use: 1973–1980

Abstract Between 1973 and 1980, U.S. energy use grew at an average annual rate that was only one-tenth the pre-embargo rate. This dramatic change in energy growth was caused by a combination of rapidly rising fuel prices, slower economic growth, occasional shortages of fuels, and government and utility conservation programs. This paper examines the post-embargo period in terms of energy use in each of the major sectors: residential and commercial buildings, transportation, and industry. The analysis deals with two issues: what changes occurred in energy use during this period relative to pre-embargo trends and why these changes occurred. Energy use in 1980 (76 quads) was about 20 quads lower than pre-embargo trends would suggest. About half of this reduction was due to slower growth in economic activity. The remainder was due to improvements in energy efficiency, spurred primarily by rising fuel prices and also by government and utility conservation programs. The 1980 increase in overall energy efficiency (10 quads) was due primarily to technical efficiency improvements and secondarily to operational changes.
Density matrix for non-Markovian dissipative dynamics: A numerical method

Abstract A general numerical method is presented for the Liouville–von Neumann integro-differential equation of motion of a reduced density matrix ρ , for molecular systems which arise when delayed (non-Markovian) dissipative dynamics are considered. Our method is a fourth-order extended Runge–Kutta integration scheme, which can be generalized for use with matrices. The method is applied to a spin-boson model. A comparison is made with results in the limits of instantaneous dissipation and Markovian dissipation.
Biometrics: techniques for personal identification

Personal identification is to associate a particular individual with an identity. It plays a critical role in our society, in which questions related to the identity of individuals such as Is this the person who he or she claims to be?, Has this applicant been here before?, Should this individual be given access to our system?, etc. are asked millions of times every day by hundreds of thousands of organizations in financial services, health care, electronic commerce, telecommunication, government, etc. With the rapid evolution of information technology, people are becoming even more and more electronically connected. As a result, the ability to achieve highly accurate automatic personal identification is becoming more critical. Biometrics, which refers to identifying an individual based on her physiological or behavioral characteristics (biometric identifiers), 1,2 relies on something which you are or you do to make a positive personal identification. It is inherently more reliable and more capable than knowledge-based and token-based techniques in differentiating between an authorized person and a fraudulent impostor, because the physiological or behavioral characteristics are unique to every person. Biometrics provides a solution for the security requirements of our electronically inter-connected information society.
Laboratory aspects of pancreatic evaluation.

This has been an abbreviated survey of what the laboratory can offer the clinician investigating the patient in terms of currently available technics of quantitating secretory and digestive function. There is little to offer from the structural point of view. As far as the etiologic concepts are concerned, almost everyone interested in pancreatic disease is searching for patients who have essential hyperlipemia, hyperparathyroidism, or fibrocystic disease. We have not evaluated urinary amino acids in patients with pancreatitis, looking for sporadic cases of the familial variety.
Regulation of rat pancreatic glucocorticoid receptors by thyroxine during development.

The effect of T4 on the development of pancreatic glucocorticoid receptors was studied in normal and adrenalectomized rat pups. Daily injection of T4 (0.1 μg/g BW) to intact pups starting 3 days before death at 10, 15, and 20 days of age resulted in a precocious increase in pancreatic glucocorticoid- binding capacities. Intact pups made hypothyroid by propylthiouracil feeding exhibited lower glucocorticoid-binding capacities in their pancreata. Scatchard analysis demonstrated an increase in the number of glucocorticoid-binding sites in the pancreata of T4-treated intact rats compared to that in normal intact rats. In hypothyroid groups the number of glucocorticoidbinding sites was much lower than that in normal intact rats. The Kd values, however, were unchanged in hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, and control groups. Rat pups who underwent adrenalectomy at 12 days of age had undetectable plasma corticosterone levels and showed an increase in their pancreatic glucocorticoidbinding capacity 3 days after operation...
A Study of the Demographic and Attitudinal Differences Between Paraprofessionals and Teachers in Self-Contained Special Education Classrooms

Paraprofessionals have been serving students with exceptionalities for over 30 years. Research exploring their relationship with the teachers with whom they work is scarce. This study examined demographics of teachers and paraprofessionals and attitudes regarding teacher/paraprofessional interaction in the classroom. A questionnaire was sent to 379 teachers and 394 paraprofessionals working together in self-contained classrooms in a large public school district in the Southwest. Fifty-one percent of the questionnaires were returned. Data indicated that teachers and paraprofessionals form two distinct demographic groups. Paraprofessionals were more likely to be married, have children, be of an ethnic minority, belong to an established religion, be of a lower economic bracket, be life-long residents of the community, and be older than teachers. Teachers and paraprofessionals overwhelmingly reported that a positive relationship existed between them. Teachers did not agree that unpleasant duties were evenly shared or that paraprofessionals were subordinate. In addition, women expressed a marked disinclination to work with men. Implications of the results of this study are discussed.
Reinventing Academic Publishing-Part 1

The nature of academic publishing is changing, and computer scientists need to lead the way.
Vectorial beam propagation method

The existing beam propagation method is based on the scalar Helmholtz wave equation and cannot adequately describe the vectorial properties of fields in optical structures. In particular, the coupling of the transverse and the longitudinal field components and the characteristics of the field line patterns imposed by the waveguide geometry are not considered. To take into account the vectorial field properties imposed by the structural geometry and the properties of the medium without this limitation, a vectorial beam propagation method based on the vectorial wave equation is developed. Considerations for computational efficiency are addressed. Representative examples are given to demonstrate the applicability of this method. The limitations and the possible extensions of the form are also discussed.
Equivalence between S-systems and Volterra systems

S-systems and Volterra systems have been developed independently of each other in different branches of biology. We show that these systems are mathematically equivalent.
Laboratory observations of altered porous fluid flow behavior in Berea sandstone induced by low-frequency dynamic stress stimulation

It has been observed repeatedly that low-frequency (1–500 Hz) seismic stress waves can enhance oil production from depleted reservoirs and contaminant extraction from groundwater aquifers. The physics coupling stress waves to fluid flow behavior in porous media is not understood, although numerous physical mechanisms have been proposed to explain the observations. To quantify the effects of low-frequency, dynamic-stress stimulation on multiphase fluid flow and in situ particle behavior in porous media, laboratory experiments were conducted with a core flow stimulation apparatus that allows for precise control and measurement of applied stress and strain, static confinement, and fluid flow parameters. Results are reported for experiments on stimulated single-phase and two-phase fluid flow behavior in 2.54-cm-diameter Berea sandstone cores. For all experiments, stimulation was applied to the cores in the form of sinusoidal, axial, mechanical stress coupled to the solid porous matrix at frequencies of 25 to 75 Hz. Applied stress RMS amplitudes ranged from 300 to 1200 kPa and, at these levels, produced coupled, pore-pressure fluctuations of much less than 1.2 to 4.8 kPa, respectively. During single-phase brine flow, stimulation increased the absolute permeability of the rock by 10–20%. This was caused by mobilizing in situ clay particles that were partially plugging the pore throats. During two-phase, steady-state, constant-rate flow of oil-brine and decane-brine mixtures, stimulation caused significant changes in the bulk fluid pressure drop across the core. The pressure changes showed a strong dependence on the viscosity of the nonwetting fluid phase (oil or decane) relative to the wetting phase (brine). This may indicate that relative changes in the mobility of wetting versus nonwetting fluid phases were induced by the dynamic stress. Under the specific experimental conditions used, pore-scale particle perturbation and altered wettability are possible physical mechanisms that can explain the results.
Cerebrovascular disease and varicella in children

Varicella-associated stroke has been reported with increasing frequency in recent years. In many cases, diagnosis is difficult because of the late onset of manifestations after the acute infectious episode. Four cases of cerebrovascular disease after varicella infection were observed. Three children presented hemiparesis and one facial paresis. The neuroradiological findings comprised stenosis/occlusion of middle cerebral artery or nucleo capsular signal alteration. Because, several pathogenetic mechanisms have been proposed as the cause of stroke, the relationship between prothrombotic conditions, antipospholipid antibodies and stroke in these patients is discussed. The difficulty in defining the pathogenesis of the ischemic episode is related to problems in the choice of antithrombotic treatment, which is still not standardized and must be decided on individual basis. In the event of rapid onset of stroke after exanthem high dose antiviral therapy seems to be justified. On the basis of our experience and of literature data on varicella-associated stroke, we recommend that VZV infection be taken into account in every episode of stroke in children.
Modeling of composite fracture using cohesive zone and bridging models

The present work studies the modeling aspect of composite fracture in the presence of crack face fiber bridging using both a combined cohesive/bridging zone model and a standard bridging model. It is found that when the bridging energy density is comparable to or less than the critical energy release rate the peak load predicted from the combined cohesive/bridging model is generally significantly lower than that obtained from the standard bridging zone/crack tip energy release approach if the peak cohesive traction is not significantly higher than the peak bridging traction. Hence, care must be exercised when combining the bridging and cohesive zones into to a single cohesive zone for evaluating crack growth behavior.
A differential version of the Efron−Stein inequality: bounding the variance of a function of an infinitely divisible variable

Abstract Upon a suitable passage to the limit, the Efron-Stein inequality produces a general variance bound for an absolutely continuous function of an infinitely divisible variable. A necessary and sufficient condition for attainment of the bound is also given.
Epizoötic vesicular stomatitis in Colorado, 1982: isolation of virus from insects collected along the northern Colorado Rocky Mountain Front Range.

Field studies were conducted during an epizootic of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in Colorado to further assess the possible role of insects in the transmission of VSV. Insects associated with domestic livestock were collected at 11 premises along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado during the 1982 epizootic of vesicular stomatitis. Insects were pooled by date, location, species, and sex and were processed for virus isolation in three cell culture systems. Thirty-four isolates of vesicular stomatitis virus, New Jersey serotype, were obtained from 51,036 insects. Of these, 27 isolates were from Musca domestica (126 pools/5,285 specimens), 5 from other nonhematophagous Diptera (56 pools/936 specimens), and 2 from unengorged black flies (Simuliidae) (55 pools/1,221 specimens). Results suggest that nonblood-feeding insects, such as houseflies, play a role in VSV transmission and that black flies also serve as vectors.
Effects of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Work Hour Restrictions on Medical Student Experience

Background Residents have a major role in teaching students, yet little has been written about the effects of resident work hour restrictions on medical student education.
Economic factors influencing potential use of cellulosic crop residues for electricity generation

Abstract This study examines cellulosic crop residues for biopower production in the context of (greenhouse gas) GHG emission mitigation. We employ sector modeling to simulate future market potential for biopower production from crop residues. Our findings suggest that in order for crop residues to have any role in electricity generation either the carbon or (carbon dioxide) CO 2 equivalent GHG price must rise to about 15 dollars per ton or the price of coal has to increase to about 43 dollars per ton. We find that crop residues with higher heat content have greater opportunities in biopower production than the residues with lower heat content. In addition, our evidence shows that improvements in crop yields do not have much impact on biopower production. However, the energy recovery efficiency does have significant positive impact but only if the CO 2 equivalent price rises substantially. Moreover, our analysis indicates the desirability of cofiring biomass as opposed to 100% replacement because this reduces transportation cost and increases the efficiency of heat recovery. In terms of policy implications, imposing carbon emission pricing could be an important step in inducing electric power producers to include biomass feedstocks in their fuel-mix power generation portfolios and achieve GHG emission reductions.
Activated NKT Cells and NK Cells Render T Cells Resistant to Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Result in an Effective Adoptive Cellular Therapy against Breast Cancer in the FVBN202 Transgenic Mouse

Attempts to cure breast cancer by adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) have not been successful. This is primarily due to the presence of tumor-induced immune-suppressive mechanisms as well as the failure of tumor-reactive T cells to provide long-term memory responses in vivo. To address these clinically important challenges, we developed an ex vivo protocol for the expansion of tumor-reactive immune cells obtained from tumor-bearing animals prior to or after local radiation therapy. We used an Ag-free protocol that included bryostatin 1/ionomycin and sequential common γ-chain cytokines (IL-7/IL-15 + IL-2). The proposed protocol expanded tumor-reactive T cells as well as activated non-T cells, including NKT cells, NK cells, and IFN-γ-producing killer dendritic cells. Antitumor efficacy of T cells depended on the presence of non-T cells. The effector non-T cells also rendered T cells resistant to myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Radiation therapy altered phenotypic distribution and differentiation of T cells as well as their ability to generate central memory T cells. ACT by means of the expanded cells protected animals from tumor challenge and generated long-term memory responses against the tumor, provided that leukocytes were derived from tumor-bearing animals prior to radiation therapy. The ex vivo protocol was also able to expand HER-2/neu-specific T cells derived from the PBMC of a single patient with breast carcinoma. These data suggest that the proposed ACT protocol should be studied further in breast cancer patients.
Crystallization studies of poly(ε‐caprolactone).I. Morphology and kinetics

The crystallization behavior of three molecular weight samples of poly(e-caprolactone) has been studied as a function of temperature. Crystallization begins in the form of axialities and changes to spherulite growth as time progresses, presumably owing to the molecular weight distribution. Determinations of equilibrium melting point and analyses of growth kinetics are complicated by a major lamellar thickening process occurring at the crystallization temperature. Secondary nucleation analyses of spherulitic growth rates, carried out assuming a similar growth face to that of polyethylene, result in values of σσe. Use of the Thomas–Stavely relation to calculate a value of σ results in values of fold-surface free energy, σe, similar to that of polyethylene.