cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dimensions of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Eukaryotic Microbial Pathogens.

Comparative genomic studies of microorganisms have disrupted the paradigm of vertical inheritance with modification. First in bacteria, and more recently in microscopic and even multicellular eukaryotes, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has been implicated in genomic and ecological evolution. HGT is the exchange of genetic material between organisms that occurs independently of meiotic and mitotic recombination between mating or hybridizing individuals. HGT occurs as viral and plasmid-mediated transfer, and transformation by environmental DNA via known or yet-unknown mechanisms [1]. The existence of environmental gene pools and pan-genomes is supported by decades of functional and phylogenetic studies in bacteria that have highlighted the exchange and proliferation of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance mechanisms [2–4]. Presently, accumulating reports of HGT in eukaryotes raise similar questions of how exposure to such gene pools has impacted the evolution of eukaryotic microbes, and whether or not human activities influence HGT dynamics. Here, we describe the evidence supporting HGT in eukaryotic microbial pathogens from divergent lineages that impact human, animal, and plant health (S1 Table). We consider three interacting dimensions affecting the prevalence of HGT (genetic network structure, selectable functions, and opportunity for contact) in order to better understand how HGT manifests in this important group of organisms.
Photosynthetic Electron Transport in Single Guard Cells as Measured by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is a powerful new tool for studying chemical and biological processes. It records changes in faradaic current as a microelectrode ([less than equal]7 [mu]m in diameter) is moved across the surface of a sample. The current varies as a function of both distance from the surface and the surface9s chemical and electrical properties. We used SECM to examine in vivo topography and photosynthetic electron transport of individual guard cells in Tradescantia fluminensis, to our knowledge the first such analysis for an intact plant. We measured surface topography at the micrometer level and concentration profiles of O2 evolved in photosynthetic electron transport. Comparison of topography and oxygen profiles above single stomatal complexes clearly showed photosynthetic electron transport in guard cells, as indicated by induction of O2 evolution by photosynthetically active radiation. SECM is unique in its ability to measure topography and chemical fluxes, combining some of the attributes of patch clamping with scanning tunneling microscopy. In this paper we suggest several questions in plant physiology that it might address.
Transcriptional profiling for understanding the basis of mitochondrial involvement in disease and toxicity using the mitochondria-specific MitoChip

It is well documented that mitochondrial dysfunction significantly contributes to a number of degenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and drug- and chemical-induced toxicities. Thus far, information gained by several molecular and biochemical techniques used to delineate the mechanism of impaired mitochondrial activity underlying different diseases and various toxicities is still limited due to their low throughput potential. Here, we describe the development of mitochondria-specific mouse oligonucleotide microarray and its potential to define mechanisms of disease progression and drug toxicities associated with mitochondrial dysfunction at both nuclear and mitochondrial genome level.
Systemic contact dermatitis to raw cashew nuts in a pesto sauce

Systemic contact dermatitis from the cashew nut shell oil resorcinol allergens cardol and anacardic acid is recognized clinically as a dermatitis with flexural accentuation, typically distributed on the extremities, groin, and buttocks, and occurring generally 1 to 3 days after ingestion of raw cashew nuts contaminated with allergenic oil. We report a case of systemic contact dermatitis to raw cashew nuts, an atypical and unexpected ingredient flavoring an imported pesto sauce. Plants with allergens that potentially cross-react with poison ivy and other Toxicodendrons, and the concepts of systemic contact dermatitis and hyposensitization are reviewed.
Variations on Debris Disks: Icy Planet Formation at 30-150 AU for 1-3 M☉ Main-Sequence Stars

We describe calculations for the formation of icy planets and debris disks at 30-150 AU around 1-3 M☉ stars. Debris disk formation coincides with the formation of planetary systems. As protoplanets grow, they stir leftover planetesimals to large velocities. A cascade of collisions then grinds the leftovers to dust, forming an observable debris disk. Stellar lifetimes and the collisional cascade limit the growth of protoplanets. The maximum radius of icy planets, -->rmax ≈ 1750 km, is remarkably independent of initial disk mass, stellar mass, and stellar age. These objects contain 3%-4% of the initial mass in solid material. Collisional cascades produce debris disks with maximum luminosity ~ -->2 × 10−3 times the stellar luminosity. The peak 24 μm excess varies from ~1% times the stellar photospheric flux for 1 M☉ stars to ~50 times the stellar photospheric flux for 3 M☉ stars. The peak 70-850 μm excesses are ~30-100 times the stellar photospheric flux. For all stars, the 24-160 μm excesses rise at stellar ages of 5-20 Myr, peak at 10-50 Myr, and then decline. The decline is roughly a power law, -->f t−n with -->n ≈ 0.6–1.0. This predicted evolution agrees with published observations of A-type and solar-type stars. The observed far-IR color evolution of A-type stars also matches model predictions.
Antibody-mediated in-vivo cytotoxicity to Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae in immune rats

Summary The antibody-dependent cell-mediated larvicidal response of AO rats against Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae was studied in vivo. Rats were immunized with 2000-3000 muscle larvae orally and then challenged 6-20 days later with 10 000-20 000 newborn larvae intraperitoneally. Newborn larvae recovery from the peritoneal cavity decreased significantly and was accompanied by cuticular cell adherence and killing of newborn larvae by day 9 of infection. Similar effects were observed when newborn larvae were incubated with blood obtained from immunized rats. The cell adherence and larvicidal responses reached their peak by day 16 of the primary infection. Passive transfer experiments demonstrated that newborn larvae infectivity was substantially impaired once cell adherence occurred. Culicular adherence took place in vitro only when immune serum was added to the incubation medium. Complete destruction of newborn larvae in vivo after passive transfer, as measured by muscle larvae burden was only evident after exposure to both immune serum and immune cells, not to either alone. Non-specific stimulation of the peritoneal cavity with a sterile intestinal infection failed to induce cuticular adherence or larval killing in these rats. We conclude that a stage-specific antibody-dependent cell-mediated larvicidal response is rapidly generated in vivo after the host is exposed to newborn larvae. It is a systemic response which impairs the infectivity of newborn larvae and can destroy them before they reach muscle tissue.
The Smoluchowski equation for colloidal suspensions developed and analyzed through the GENERIC formalism

Abstract The Smoluchowski equation (SE) and the mechanical stress tensor for the over-damped dynamics of colloidal particles is derived directly at the pair distribution level starting from a thermodynamic basis using the general equations for equilibrium non-equilibrium reversible and irreversible coupling (GENERIC) formalism. Within the GENERIC formalism, the effect of the non-trivial convection due to hydrodynamic interactions is incorporated for the first time. The method generates a thermodynamically valid set of transport equations for the colloidal dispersion, thus properly identifying the extra stress due to the presence of the colloids. The derivation connects a formal entropy expansion to the many-body terms that arise in both the transport equation and the stress tensor, thus unifying their origin and providing a systematic path forward for improvement in the theory. The analysis identifies the thermodynamically valid stress expression, thus clarifying a long-standing problem in the literature that arises when separate derivations are performed for the transport equations and the stress tensor. The results of previous investigators are analyzed within this framework. Comparison with alternate methods of deriving the many-body Smoluchowski equation provide new insight into the nature of the many-body terms.
Clinical implications of aneuploid cyto genetic profiles in adult acute leukemia

In a series of 170 adult patients with acute leukemia, sequential cytogenetic studies were conducted during a period which included either the initial and, at times, the terminal phase of the disease, or the relapse and remission phases. On the basis of morphological similarities in the karyotype changes, the patients carrying aneuploid clones were categorized into several profiles of aneuploidy. Analysis of the survival times determined from the time of diagnosis suggested that some of these abnormal cytogenetic profiles may have definite clinical implications.
Landsat 7 thermal-IR image sharpening using an artificial neural network and sensor model

The enhanced thematic mapper (plus)(ETM+) instrument on Landsat 7 shares the same basic design as the TM sensors on Landsats 4 and 5, with some significanti mprovements. In common are six multispetral bands with a 30-m ground projected instantaneous field of view (GIFOV). However, the thermal-IR (TIR) band now has a 60-m GIFOV, instead of 120- m. Also, a 15-m panchromatic band has been added. The artificial neural network (NN) image sharpening method described here uses data form the higher spatial resolution ETM+ bands to enhance (sharpen) the spatial resolution of the TIR imagery. It is based on an assumed correlation over multiple scales of resolution, between image edge contrast patterns in the TIR band and several other spectral bands. A multilayer, feedforward NN is trained to approximate TIR data at 60m, given degraded (from 30-m to 60-m) spatial resolution input from spectral bands 7,5, and 2. After training, the NN output for full-resolution input generates an approximation of a TIR image at 30-m resolution. Two methods are used to degrade the spatial resolution of the imagery used for NN training, and the corresponding sharpening results are compared. One degradation method uses a published sensor transfer function (TR) for Landsat 5 to simulate sensor coarser resolution imagery form higher resolution imagery. For comparison, the second degradation method is simply Gaussian low pass filtering and subsampling, wherein the Gaussian filter approximates the full width at half maximum amplitude characteristics of the TF-based spatial filter. Two fixed-size Nns (that is, number of weights and processing elements) were trained separately with the degraded resolution data, and the sharpening results compared. The comparison evaluates the relative influence of the degradation technique employed and whether or not it is desirable to incorporate a sensor TF model. Preliminary results indicate some improvements for the sensor model-based technique. Further evaluation using a higher resolution reference image and strict application of sensor model to data is recommended.
How Much of the Incumbency Advantage is Due to Scare-Off?

This paper uses a regression discontinuity design to estimate the degree to which incumbents scare off challengers with previous officeholder experience. The estimates indicate a surprisingly small amount of scare-off, at least in cases where the previous election was nearly tied. As Lee and others have shown (and as we confirm for our samples) the estimated party incumbency advantage in these same cases is quite large—in fact, it is about as large as the average incumbency advantage for all races found using other approaches. Drawing from previous estimates of the electoral value of officeholder experience, we thus calculate that scare-off in these cases accounts for only about 5–7 percent of the party incumbency advantage. We show that these patterns are similar in elections for US House seats, statewide offices and US senate seats, and state legislative seats.
Identification of type II collagen peptide 261-273-specific T cell clones in a patient with relapsing polychondritis.

Objective To characterize and clone T cells specific for type II collagen (CII) in a patient with relapsing polychondritis (RP) and to establish whether the immunodominant epitope of CII determined in HLA transgenic mice is used in the human autoimmune response to CII. Methods T cell responses to CII were examined in a patient with RP, who was heterozygous for the HLA-DR allele DRB1*0101/DRB1*0401. T cell clones were established from this patient and characterized for peptide specificity, class II restriction, cytokine production, and staining with HLA-DRB1*0401 class II tetramers. Results A response to CII and the peptide 255–273 was present in this patient. T cells specific for the CII epitope 261–273 were cloned. Evaluation of these clones demonstrated a response to CII 261–273 in the context of both DR alleles. HLA-DR4 CII tetramer did not demonstrate staining of either CII-specific DRB1*0401-restricted T cell clones or a polyclonal population of CII-reactive T cells from this individual. Conclusion T cells directed against CII were present in this patient with RP. Also, T cell clones isolated from this individual were found to be specific for the CII peptide 261–273 and were restricted to either the DRB1*0101 or the DRB1*0401 allele. These findings establish that a T cell response directed against CII is present in this patient with RP and that the CII peptide 261–273 plays a role in the human immune response to CII.
Spinal mechanisms ofΔ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced analgesia

Abstract Cannabinoids have been demonstrated to be effective antinociceptive agents when given intravenously. In order to determine whether spinal antinociception can be achieved while minimizing psychotomimetic properties, the pharmacological activity ofΔ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was evaluated after intrathecal injection in male ICR mice. AlthoughΔ9-THC produced potent antinociception, it also caused hypoactivity, hypothermia, and catalepsy. Intrathecal administration ofΔ9-THC in mice which had their spinal cord transected at T12 also produced potent antinociception suggesting a spinal component to the antinociceptive effect. Biodispositional studies of[3H]δ9-THC demonstrated that brain levels of the drug following intrathecal injection in spinally transected animals were not sufficient to produce the antinociceptive effect. These studies suggest the involvement of a spinal component in the antinociceptive action of the cannabinoids.
Effects of Eating Frequency, Snacking, and Breakfast Skipping on Energy Regulation: Symposium Overview

The ASN hosted a symposium entitled "Eating Patterns and Energy Balance: A Look at Eating Frequency, Snacking, and Breakfast Omission" at the Experimental Biology 2009 annual meeting on April 19, 2009, in New Orleans, LA. The symposium was chaired by Megan McCrory and co-chaired by Wayne Campbell, both from Purdue University. The goal of the symposium was to bring together experts to provide an overview of research on the potential role of eating patterns in the development of overweight and obesity. Studies on eating frequency, snacking, and breakfast skipping were highlighted. In particular, evidence both for and against their roles were discussed, methodological issues that underlie controversies were addressed, and suggested future directions for research were outlined. Appetite regulation and hormonal effects were also reviewed. Megan McCrory introduced the session then discussed studies on eating frequency and energy regulation in free-living adults consuming self-selected diets. Heather Leidy summarized the state of the research on eating frequency and energy regulation in adults from controlled feedings studies. Didier Chapelot discussed various usages of "snack" and argued for a physiological basis to distinguish snacks from meals. Mark Pereira presented information on the effects of breakfast skipping and the macronutrient composition of breakfast in energy regulation and mood. A panel discussion/question and answer session ended the symposium. The symposium was videotaped and can be viewed at www.nutrition.org.
Total Synthesis of the Natural Product (±)-Dibromophakellin and Analogues

(±)-Dibromophakellin has been synthesized in two steps from a known alkene intermediate. The key step in the synthesis is the NBS olefin activation to facilitate the addition of a guanidine molecule across the double bond.
Detection-time-bin-shift schemes for polarization encoding Quantum Key Distribution system

Detection-time-bin-shift (DTBS) is a scheme that projects the measurement bases or measured photon values into detection time-bins and then time division multiplexes a single photon detector in a quantum key distribution (QKD) system. This scheme can simplify the structure of a QKD system, reduce its cost and overcome the security problems caused by the dead-time introduced self-correlation and the unbalanced characteristics of detectors. In this paper, we present several DTBS schemes for QKD systems based on attenuated laser pulses and entangled photon sources. We study the security issues of these DTBS schemes, especially the time-bin-shift intercept-resend attack and its countermeasures. A fiber-based DTBS QKD system has been developed and its results are presented in this paper.
Mathematical–Statistical Treatment of Data and Errors for 230Th/U Geochronology

The various methods of geochronology have, as a rule, evolved along a characteristic path whereby the earliest work lays out the physical and mathematical foundation and demonstrates its practicality for a few cases using optimal samples. Later work confronts the problems and failures of early assumptions on more general problems, and as the method matures and becomes more generally applied, a standard toolkit of more-or-less rigorous protocols for data interpretation and error estimation is developed. The 230Th/U dating method has evolved along broadly similar lines, but with a discontinuity arising from the revolutionary application by Chen et al. (1986) and Edwards et al. (1987) of TIMS (thermal ionization mass spectrometry), which not only improved the precision of the analyses by an order of magnitude, but also changed the “culture” and mind-set of the practitioners from a small community trained largely in AS (alpha spectrometry) to a larger community that included the TIMS and ICP-MS (inductively-coupled polarization mass-spectrometry) laboratories as well. At this writing, these two cultures have not completely integrated their approaches, so that there is little practical consensus on a “standard” way of evaluating common types of 230Th/U data-sets for geochronology, in contrast to geochronology by the U-Pb, Rb-Sr, or Ar-Ar methods. The viewpoint taken in this chapter is to outline the basic tools of data handling and evaluation for 230Th/U geochronology, while at the same time pointing out the limitations of these tools and possible directions of improvement. Though this chapter is focused on the 230Th/U method, most of the concepts are directly applicable to other uranium-series chronometers, such as 231Pa/235U, 231Pa/230Th or 226Ra/230Th. However, because the details of individual applications of these methods are more varied than for the 230Th/U method, and in …
Self-Disclosure and Romantic Attraction

(1978). Self-Disclosure and Romantic Attraction. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 106, No. 1, pp. 127-128.
Characterization of the photoisomers from cis- and trans-chlordanes, trans-nonachlor and heptachlor epoxide

Abstract Irradiation of acetone solutions of trans-chlordane (4a) and trans-nonachlor (4b) with UV light produces new half-cage photoisomers (5a or 6a and 5b or 6b, respectively) with bridging that differs from that of the photoisomers (2 and 8a) obtained from cis-chlordane (1b) and heptachlor epoxide (7). A new photoisomer (10) obtained from heptachlor epoxide is transformed into photoisomer 8a on further irradiation. Detailed PMR and 13C-NMR studies establish the structures of the new photoisomers and permit a decision between alternative formulations for the structures of the half-cage photoisomers of heptachlor epoxide and cis-chlordane,
Measles virus: study of induced transfer of biological properties. II. Fluorescence studies on rescue of neurotropic strain in cell culture.

HeLa cells are non-permissive for the neurotropic suckling mouse strain of measles virus (MMV), but are permissive for cell-adapted Edmonston strain of measles virus (Edm). Fluorescence and electron microscopy demonstrated no membrane fluorescence and no membrane associated viral components, as well as characteristic lack of nuclear antigen after MMV infection of HeLa cells. This appearance differs markedly from the membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear fluorescence after Edm infection of HeLa cells. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrates fusion of the two dissimilar syncytia after mixed infection. This suggests Edm envelopment of MMV nucleocapsids may be the means of MMV rescue in this system.
Control of Synthesis of RNA and Protein in Diapausing and Injured Cecropia Pupae

Injury to diapausing pupae of the cecropia silkworm moth stimulates the synthesis of RNA in all pupal tissues and the synthesis of several blood proteins; such injury also induces the precocious synthesis of a protein, termed "injury protein," which normally appears in the blood during adult development. Actinomycin D, injected in concentrations of 2 micrograms per gram of body weight, blocks the injury-stimulated increase in blood protein synthesis and the injury-induced synthesis of injury protein. However, at concentrations of 0.5 micrograms per gram it prevents the induction of injury-protein synthesis but does not prevent the increased synthesis of other blood proteins. These results suggest that low concentrations of actinomycin may inhibit the synthesis of new kinds of messenger RNA but still permit the continued synthesis of messenger RNA's already in production at the time the actinomycin is injected.
Axonal transport of vasoactive intestinal peptide in sciatic nerve

Dense plexuses of neurones containing immunoreactive vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) have been found in discrete areas of the central nervous system and in peripheral organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and urogenital system1–7. In many of these locations VIP is concentrated in nerve endings, where it can be released by high K+ concentrations in a Ca2+-dependent manner8,9. VIP release may also be provoked by electrical stimulation of nerves, for example the vagus10. VIP thus shows some of the features of neurotransmitter or neuromodulator substances. The presence of immunoreactive VIP in the fine terminal varicosities as well as in the cell bodies of neurones4,11 suggests that it might be transported from the perikaryon, where it is presumably formed, to the nerve endings, through the axonal transport system12–14. Such transport would be in keeping with a role for the peptide as a neurohumor or neurohormone15. We report here that VIP accumulates in constricted rat sciatic nerves in a manner suggesting fast, anterograde axonal flow.
The influence of the level of schema abstractness upon the processing of social information

Abstract The influence of the level of schema abstractness upon the processing and recall of behavioral information which varied in its schema relevance was examined. In the first study the speed with which subjects could classify behaviors as consistent, inconsistent, or irrelevant to a concrete schema was found to be faster than the speed with which they could classify behaviors in relation to an abstract schema. Experiment 2 demonstrated that schema inconsistent behaviors were remembered better in an impression formation task if the schema was concrete as compared to abstract. It was theorized that the concrete schemata prompted more spontaneous classification of the inconsistent items as schema discrepant than the abstract schemata. This was postulated to result in more immediate explanatory analyses and better recall for inconsistent information when the schemata were concrete. In the third experiment, an analysis of subjects' on-line thoughts in the impression formation task lent support to this analysis. These findings are discussed with regard to the need to question the generality of schematic processing principles and to refine our understanding of the variety of possible schemata.
Women and anger: Relearning in a group context

Abstract This article describes the development of workshops and groups that provide a therapeutic climate for exploring anger. Outcomes include increased self-esteem, assertiveness, and awareness.
Ecology: Into the (re)wild

Shahid Naeem examines the seductive concept of repopulating habitats with locally extinct species.
Enzymology of ADP-ribose polymer synthesis

In this minireview, we summarize recent advances on the enzymology of ADP-ribose polymer synthesis. First, a short discussion of the primary structure and cloning of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) [EC 2.4.2.30], the enzyme that catalyzes, the synthesis of poly(ADP-ribose), is presented. A catalytic distinction between the multiple enzymatic activities of PARP is established. The direction of ADP-ribose chain growth as well as the molecular mechanism of the automodification reaction catalyzed by PARP are described. Current approaches to dissect ADP-ribose polymer synthesis into individual reactions of initiation, elongation and branching, as well as a partial mechanistic characterization of the ADP-ribose elongation reaction at he chemical level are also presented. Finally, recent developments in the catalytic characterization of PARP by site-directed mutagensis are also briefly summarized.
The structure of food webs

Abstract For nonrandom models of species interaction there is a precipitous decrease in stability as connectance increases. However, the range of stability for different models of the same connectance is large; stability also depends on how the species interactions are organized. Systems with species feeding on more than one trophic level (omnivores) are likely to be unstable, the extent depending on the number and position of the omnivores. For systems of equal connectance, those that are completely compartmentalized are less likely to be stable than those that are not.
Current and Future Prospects in Electron Microscopy for Observations in Biomolecular Structure

The factors limiting observations with the transmission electron microscope on structure and configuration of biomacromolecules are discussed and evaluated. The present limitations are set by methods of specimen preparation and mounting. The experimental instrument we have developed that will be used to extend the spatial information content obtainable from the weakly scattering biological materials is described.
Analytical Correlations for Risk Parameters Involved in CO2 Storage

Abstract Large deep saline aquifers are present in different sedimentary basins throughout the world. The storage potential in these reservoirs is estimated at several thousands Gt CO 2 . The selection among the large number of prospective saline aquifers for CO 2 sequestration can be expedited with analytical correlations which can be used in place of a full field reservoir modeling and simulation study for each and every saline reservoir. The effectiveness of any CO 2 sequestration operation depends on pore volume and the sequestration efficiency of the saline reservoir. Sequestration efficiency is defined here as the maximum storage with minimum risk of leakage to the overlying reservoirs and to the surface. This can be categorized using three variables: time the plume takes to reach the top seal of the storage formation, maximum lateral distance the plume travels and the percentage of mobile CO 2 present at any time. A database has been created by performing a large number of compositional reservoir simulation studies for different elementary reservoir parameters. A single set of relative permeability curves is used in all simulation cases to maintain the consistency of the simulation parameters. A constant pressure far-field boundary is enforced by putting a number of producers at the boundary of the reservoir producing at constant bottom hole flowing pressure. This database is used to formulate different correlations that relate the sequestration efficiency to reservoir properties and operating conditions. The various elementary reservoir parameters are grouped into a dimensionless ratio of gravity forces and viscous forces. This ”gravity number” can be calculated for any saline reservoir without performing any simulation study, which makes it handy to use in different analytical models with various risk parameters. We improve the correlation for time to hit top seal proposed by Kumar and develop correlations for other two risk parameters by assuming radial grid system in place of Cartesian grid system. We find that normalizing all risk parameters with their respective characteristic values yields reasonable correlations with different variants of dimensionless gravity number. The characteristic values are determined with a characteristic flow speed equal to its value at the sand face. All correlations confirm the physics behind plume movement in a reservoir. For low gravity number displacement the plume travels preferentially in lateral direction due to high viscous forces and contacts more rock and brine volume, resulting in more trapping and less risk. On the other hand a high gravity number allows the plume to move faster in vertical direction due to strong gravity forces. This causes less interaction time and volume of resident brine and rock and results in less trapping of CO 2 . These analytical correlations are useful in characterizing a saline reservoir in terms of its sequestration efficiency without any reservoir simulation study, which in turn reduces the cost and time for commissioning a geological site for CO 2 sequestration.
Resistance and eigenstates in a tight-binding model with quasiperiodic potential

A one-dimensional tight-binding model on a spatially periodic lattice of lengthN, with quasiperiodic potential strength given by the Fibonacci sequence, is investigated numerically. We elucidate theN-dependence of the resistence and the nature of the wave functions. For energies belonging to the spectrum, the results provide strong evidence for algebraic localization and algebraicN-dependence of the resistance, with a distribution of exponents. Implications for quantum chaos are also discussed.
Detection and Estimation of Multiple Fault Profiles Using Generalized Likelihood Ratio Tests: A Case Study

Abstract Aircraft and spacecraft electrical power distribution systems are critical to overall system operation, but these systems may experience faults. Early fault detection makes it easier for system operators to respond and avoid catastrophic failures. This paper discusses a fault detection scheme based on a tunable generalized likelihood algorithm. We discuss the detector algorithm, and then demonstrate its performance on test data generated from a spacecraft power distribution testbed at NASA Ames. Our results show high detection accuracy and low false alarm rates.
Impaired Vitamin E Status of Chicks Fed T-2 Toxin

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the toxicity of dietary T-2 toxin (4,15-diacetoxy-8-(3-methylbutyryloxy)-12,13-epoxy-delta 9-tricothecen-3-ol) in young pullets. Growth of day-old chicks fed a practical-type diet containing the toxin was described by the following function: Y = .152 + 58.497e(.305X1-.005X2(1.66); where Y = gain as percentage starting weight per week; X1 is time in weeks and O less than or equal to X2 is T-2 content of diet in ppm and O less than or equal to X2 less than or equal to 15. Chicks chronically exposed to the toxin showed compensatory growth upon its removal from the diet; however, latent effects on energy utilization were observed. Lesions of the oral mucosa produced by T-2 toxin showed spontaneous remission after about 14 days. T-2 toxin consistently produced depressed concentrations of vitamin E in plasma. Addition of micelle-promoting compounds (taurocholic, monoolein, and oleic acids) alleviated depressions in both plasma vitamin E and growth.
Cytologic features of lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas: two preoperatively diagnosed cases based on fine-needle aspiration.

We describe the cytologic features seen in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens from two cases of preoperatively diagnosed lymphoepithelial cyst (LEC) of the pancreas. Pancreatic LEC is a rare, true cyst of uncertain histogenesis that may clinically and radiologically mimic a pseudocyst or cystic neoplasm. Both our patients were middle-aged men who presented with vague abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed a mass in or around the pancreas, and CT-guided percutaneous FNA (patient 1) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided FNA (patient 2) yielded paste-like yellow-gray material. Cytologic smears showed numerous anucleated squamous cells in a background of keratinous and amorphous debris. A few benign nucleated squamous cells and plate-like cholesterol crystals were also seen. Unlike LEC of the head and neck region, only rare lymphocytes and histiocytes were present. Pancreatic LEC was diagnosed based on these cytologic findings and was histologically confirmed following cyst enucleation (patient 1) and partial pancreatectomy (patient 2). We conclude that preoperative FNA and recognition of the characteristic cytologic pattern will enable conservative surgical management of pancreatic LEC. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:346-350.
Streptozotocin effect on the development of the exocrine pancreas in neonate rats

Summary Neonatal rats receiving streptozotocin at birth resulted in an acute but transient hyperglycemia for about ten days. This early transient hyperglycemic condition led to a reduced body weight gain in the suckling period but body weights were normalized by day 42. Streptozotocin pups had higher pancreatic wet weights and pancreatic protein and DNA contents at day 16 as compared to control pups, but not thereafter. At day 16, pancreatic trypsinogen in streptozotocin pups showed a transient increase over control pups but amylase and lipase were similar in the two groups. No difference was observed between the streptozotocin pups and the control group in their pancreatic lipase and trypsinogen concentrations after 16 days. In contrast, pancreatic amylase concentrations were lower in streptozotocin pups from day 18 to day 42 but the difference between the groups was significant only from days 18 to 24. Insulin supplementation of streptozotocin pups for four days in the neonatal period restored the pancreatic amylase concentration to the control level at days 18 and 20. These results indicate that acute streptozotocin administration at birth to neonates affects subsequent exocrine pancreatic development, particularly that of amylase, and that exogenous insulin attenuated the effect.
Her2/neu signaling blockade improves tumor oxygenation in a multifactorial fashion in Her2/neu+ tumors

Tumor hypoxia reduces the efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy as well as altering gene expression that promotes cell survival and metastasis. The growth factor receptor, Her2/neu, is overexpressed in 25–30% of breast tumors. Tumors that are Her2+ may have an altered state of oxygenation, relative to Her2− tumors, due to differences in tumor growth rate and angiogenesis. Her2 blockade was accomplished using an antibody to the receptor (trastuzumab; Herceptin). This study examined the effects of Her2 blockade on tumor angiogenesis, vascular architecture, and hypoxia in Her2+ and Her2− MCF7 xenograft tumors. Treatment with trastuzumab in Her2+ tumors significantly improved tumor oxygenation, increased microvessel density, and improved vascular architecture compared with the control-treated Her2+ tumors. The Her2+ xenografts treated with trastuzumab also demonstrated decreased proliferation indices when compared with control-treated xenografts. These results indicate that Her2 blockade can improve tumor oxygenation by decreasing oxygen consumption (reducing tumor cell proliferation and inducing necrosis) and increasing oxygen delivery (vascular density and architecture). These results support the use of trastuzumab as an adjunct in the treatment of breast tumors with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as improvements in tumor oxygenation should translate into improved treatment response.
THE MAGNITUDE OF CARDIOVASCULAR CHANGE IN CIRRHOTIC CARDIOMYOPATHY IN PREDICTING OF HEPATORENAL SYNDROME

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy describes a constellation of cardiovascular abnormalities that can be present in cirrhotic patients. There remains a scarcity of data studying the relationship between cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). We sought to identify cardiovascular abnormalities
Psychic ageusia in rats lacking gustatory neocortex

Abstract Rats trained to avoid drinking a distinctive taste solution displayed no retention of the learned aversion after ablation of the gustatory neocortex, but they were capable of relearning the aversion. Ablations of other neocortical regions had no effect on retention. Gustatory neocortex therefore appears to be functionally similar to other sensory neocortical regions with respect to its involvement in sensory specific associative processes.
Shale gas produced water treatment using innovative microbial capacitive desalination cell

a b s t r a c t The rapid development of unconventional oil and gas production has generated large amounts of waste- water for disposal, raising significant environmental and public health concerns. Treatment and beneficial use of produced water presents many challenges due to its high concentrations of petroleum hydrocar- bons and salinity. The objectives of this study were to investigate the feasibility of treating actual shale gas produced water using a bioelectrochemical system integrated with capacitive deionization—a microbial capacitive desalination cell (MCDC). Microbial degradation of organic compounds in the anode gener- ated an electric potential that drove the desalination of produced water. Sorption and biodegradation resulted in a combined organic removal rate of 6.4 mg dissolved organic carbon per hour in the reactor, and the MCDC removed 36 mg salt per gram of carbon electrode per hour from produced water. This study is a proof-of-concept that the MCDC can be used to combine organic degradation with desalination of contaminated water without external energy input.
Viscosity Measurement of Highly Viscous Liquids Using Drop Coalescence in Low Gravity

The method of drop coalescence is being investigated for use as a method for determining the viscosity of highly viscous undercooled liquids. Low gravity environment is necessary in this case to minimize the undesirable effects of body forces and liquid motion in levitated drops. Also, the low gravity environment will allow for investigating large liquid volumes which can lead to much higher accuracy for the viscosity calculations than possible under 1 - g conditions. The drop coalescence method is preferred over the drop oscillation technique since the latter method can only be applied for liquids with vanishingly small viscosities. The technique developed relies on both the highly accurate solution of the Navier-Stokes equations as well as on data from experiments conducted in near zero gravity environment. In the analytical aspect of the method two liquid volumes are brought into contact which will coalesce under the action of surface tension alone. The free surface geometry development as well as its velocity during coalescence which are obtained from numerical computations are compared with an analogous experimental model. The viscosity in the numerical computations is then adjusted to bring into agreement of the experimental results with the calculations. The true liquid viscosity is the one which brings the experiment closest to the calculations. Results are presented for method validation experiments performed recently on board the NASA/KC-135 aircraft. The numerical solution for this validation case was produced using the Boundary Element Method. In these tests the viscosity of a highly viscous liquid, in this case glycerine at room temperature, was determined to high degree of accuracy using the liquid coalescence method. These experiments gave very encouraging results which will be discussed together with plans for implementing the method in a shuttle flight experiment.
Transverse conductivity and longitudinal shear of elliptic fiber composite with imperfect interface

Abstract The paper addresses the problem of calculating the local fields and effective transport properties and longitudinal shear stiffness of elliptic fiber composite with imperfect interface. The Rayleigh type representative unit cell approach has been used. The micro geometry of composite is modeled by a periodic structure with a unit cell containing multiple elliptic inclusions. The developed method combines the superposition principle, the technique of complex potentials and certain new results in the theory of special functions. An appropriate choice of the potentials provides reducing the boundary-value problem to an ordinary, well-posed set of linear algebraic equations. The exact finite form expression of the effective stiffness tensor has been obtained by analytical averaging the local gradient and flux fields. The convergence of solution has been verified and the parametric study of the model has been performed. The obtained accurate, statistically meaningful results illustrate a substantial effect of imperfect interface on the effective behavior of composite.
Bottleneck Concepts in Psychology: Exploratory First Steps:

The authors take an initial step in identifying potential bottleneck concepts in psychology, that is, concepts that are deceptively difficult, perhaps due to student overconfidence. In order to first identify bottleneck concepts, faculty (n = 65) rated the difficulty of 91 psychological concepts from across the discipline. Students (n = 35) rated both the difficulty of terms and their confidence in their own knowledge of 107 terms typically found in introductory psychology research methods and learning chapters. Additional research into psychology's bottleneck concepts may help instructors to focus more on the content that students struggle with, especially the content in which students overconfidence.
Can semi-classical wormholes solve the cosmological horizon problem?

Measurements of the cosmic microwave background (cmb) radiation provide the strongest evidence for the isotropy of the observable universe on the largest scales. However, thecmb is received from regions which were not in causal contact at the time of last scattering. This is the horizon problem and the generally accepted solution is to invoke an inflationary period in the early universe. We consider the possibility that the universe did not necessarily inflate, but was filled with a network of evolving wormholes connecting otherwise causally disjoint regions. These wormholes emerged naturally from the Planck epoch and need only have stayed open for a very brief time (δt<10−34 sec) in order to have thermalized the early universe.
Effect of mixing aids on the transport behavior of particulate solids

Abstract The behavior of particulate materials being transported through rotary drums is strongly affected by the addition of mixing aids to the system. This effect is reflected in three main dependent parameters: holdup, variance of the residence-time distribution, and extent of particulate segregation in the drum. In addition, the discharge rate of material fluctuates widely due to the presence of mixing aids. The holdup decreases to a limiting value with increasing volume of mixing aids. The dimensionless variance of the residence time distribution increases with increasing volume of mixing aids up to a certain limit, beyond which it remained constant. This is the same that controls the constancy of holdup. In a system with segregating components due to differences in such physical properties as density, particle size, particle shape and roughness, the presence of mixing aids virtually eliminates segregation or at least minimizes its effect in all cases.
Sex Composition, Masculinity Stereotype Dissimilarity and the Quality of Men's Workplace Social Relations

Previous research suggests that the quality of men’s work group social relations varies depending on the sex composition of the work unit. Previous studies also suggest that men derive different benefits from working with other men than with women and that the higher status associated with men and masculinity advantages men in their relations with women workers. Previous sex composition studies tell us little, however, about the extent to which the quality of men’s work group social relations with women and other men depends on how well a man fits dominant masculinity stereotypes. Drawing on sex composition and gender constructionist approaches to gender and work I investigate in this study the effects of men’s individual similarity to masculinity stereotypes on the affective quality of their social relations with coworkers, given the sex composition of their work groups. The data for this study consist of male, mostly white, non-faculty employees of a public university in the northwest United States. I discuss my results in terms of both individual outcomes and implications for understanding sex and gender inequalities in work organizations.
Fibromuscular dysplasia unraveled: The pulsation-induced microtrauma and reactive hyperplasia theory

Abstract Introduction Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a relatively uncommon, non-inflammatory, non-atherosclerotic vascular condition of unknown etiology. There have been no major advancements in understanding FMD in the past 30–40 yrs. We hypothesize that the vascular changes seen in FMD are a direct result of recurrent mechanical trauma in susceptible vessels and reflect a compensatory response to recurrent pulsation-induced mechanical trauma. Methods Radiology records at a large tertiary care medical center were queried for cases of cervical carotid FMD. Cases with viewable sequential angiographic evidence of FMD were selected and analyzed for degree of vessel tortuosity, FMD type, degree of vessel movement, and association with the FMD lesion. Images were independently analyzed by 1 neurologist and 2 neuroradiologists. Results Twenty-four carotid vessels in fourteen patients were identified to have FMD, 100% of patients were female, average age was 58.43 ± 8.72 yrs (range 45–73), 35.7% were black, 35.7% had HTN, 7.14% had CKD and 7.14% used tobacco in the past year. Associated findings included aneurysms and dissections. All but 1 patient had at least mild vessel tortuosity, and 28.6% were moderate or severe. All but 1 patient had at least “some” pulsation-like vessel movement, 16.7% had “significant” movement, and all movement was focally associated with the FMD abnormality. Conclusion Pulsatile vascular movements were observed in high frequency and in high association with FMD. We propose a theoretical connection between the pulsation-induced movement and a process of reactive vascular hyperplasia and fibrosis responsible for the FMD phenotype and is consistent with previous findings.