cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AGE, SEX CLASS, AND PREY ABUNDANCE INFLUENCE THE FREQUENCY AND TYPE OF PERCUSSIVE BEHAVIOR IN THE SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALE (ORCINUS ORCA) POPULATION AT LIME KILN POINT STATE PARK

The endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca, SRKW) is an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest. Although many ecological aspects of this population have been studied, why SRKW perform above-surface “percussive” behavior such as breaching, cartwheeling, pectoral-fin slapping, tail lobbing, and dorsal-fin slapping remains unclear. In the present study, we observed SRKW in Haro Strait, Washington, to evaluate trends in percussive behavior by age and sex class during the summer of 2016, and used long-term data (1996–2016) to compare the relationship between the seasonal frequency of percussive behaviors and the abundance of Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) the primary food source of SRKW. Over the summer season in 2016, we documented 24 encounters involving percussive behavior. We found a significant difference between ages and sexes in the rate of percussive behaviors performed, with adult females performing the most behaviors among these groups, and tail slaps comprising the most frequent behavior performed. We also found a significant positive relationship between the rate of percussive behaviors and Chinook Salmon abundance in the Salish Sea over the past 2 decades. These findings present a preliminary investigation into the potential for behavioral observations to serve as indicators of population-level health or behavioral trends, which could be important for this population's conservation.
ERADicating stem cells from their niche.

Protein homeostasis preserves stem cell function, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. A study reveals that protein quality control mediated by the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation pathway ensures proper expression of MPL, a key cell surface receptor that promotes haematopoietic stem cell function through niche interaction.
Land cover and climate changes drive regionally heterogeneous increases in US insecticide use

Global environmental change is expected to dramatically affect agricultural crop production through a myriad of pathways. One important and thus far poorly understood impact is the effect of land cover and climate change on agricultural insect pests and insecticides. Here we address the following three questions: (1) how do landscape complexity and weather influence present-day insecticide use, (2) how will changing landscape characteristics and changing climate influence future insecticide use, and how do these effects manifest for different climate and land cover projections? and (3) what are the most important drivers of changing insecticide use? We use panel models applied to county-level agriculture, land cover, and weather data in the US to understand how landscape composition and configuration, weather, and farm characteristics impact present-day insecticide use. We then leverage forecasted changes in land cover and climate under different future scenarios to predict insecticide use in 2050. We find different future scenarios—through modifications in both landscape and climate conditions—increase the amount of area treated by ~ 4–20% relative to 2017, with regionally heterogeneous impacts. Of note, we report large farms are more influential than large crop patches and increased winter minimum temperature is more influential than increased summer maximum temperature. However, our results suggest the most important determinants of future insecticide use are crop composition and farm size, variables for which future forecasts are sparse. Both landscape and climate change are expected to increase future insecticide use. Yet, crop composition and farm size are highly influential, data-poor variables. Better understanding of future crop composition and farm economics is necessary to effectively predict and mitigate increases in pesticide use.
Early Dietary Exposures Epigenetically Program Mammary Cancer Susceptibility through IGF1-mediated Expansion of Mammary Stem Cells

Dietary exposures at early developmental stages have been shown to program lifetime breast cancer susceptibility. We previously reported that manipulation of gestational and postweaning diets leads to different mammary tumor outcomes in carcinogen-treated mice. The high tumor incidence (HT) groups (average 61.5% tumor incidence) received a low-fat, low-sugar, mildly restricted (12%v/v) (DR) diet during gestation, followed by a high-fat, high-sugar (HF) diet postweaning. Conversely, the low tumor incidence (LT) groups (average 20% tumor incidence) received the HF diet during gestation, followed by the DR diet postweaning. Herein, we extended these findings by demonstrating that HT animals had an expanded mammary stem cell (MaSC) population compared to LT animals before puberty, and this expansion persisted into adulthood. IGF1 expression was increased in mammary stromal cells from HT animals, which promoted the self-renewal capacity of MaSCs in a paracrine fashion. This increased IGF1 expression was programmed prepubertally through DNA hypomethylation of the IGF1 promoter 1, mediated by decreased DNMT3b levels. IGFBP5 mRNA and protein levels were also reduced in mammary tissues from HT animals, indicating an increased bioavailability of tissue IGF1. In association with these changes, mammary tissues from carcinogen-treated HT animals developed an increased proportion of mammary adenosquamous carcinomas compared to carcinogen-treated LT animals. This study provides novel mechanistic insights into how early dietary exposures program mammary cancer risk and tumor phenotypes by increasing IGF1 expression through epigenetic alterations, thereby expanding the MaSC population, resulting in a higher number of carcinogen targets susceptible to transformation in adulthood.
Mentoring Graduate Students Online: Strategies and Challenges

The proliferation of online graduate programs, and more recently, higher education institutions’ moves to online interactions due to the COVID-19 crisis, have led to graduate student mentoring increasingly occurring online. Challenges, strategies, and outcomes associated with online mentoring of graduate students are of primary importance for the individuals within a mentoring dyad and for universities offering online or blended graduate education. The nature of mentoring interactions within an online format presents unique challenges and thus requires strategies specifically adapted to such interactions. There is a need to examine how mentoring relationships have been, and can best be, conducted when little to no faceto-face interaction occurs. This paper undertook a literature review of empirical studies from the last two decades on online master’s and doctoral student mentoring. The main themes were challenges, strategies and best practices, and factors that influence the online mentoring relationship. The findings emphasized the importance of fostering interpersonal aspects of the mentoring relationship, ensuring clarity of expectations and communications as well as competence with technologies, providing access to peer mentor groups or cohorts, and institutional support for online faculty mentors. Within these online mentoring relationships, the faculty member becomes the link to an otherwise absent yet critical experience of academia for the online student, making it imperative to create and foster an effective relationship based on identified strategies and best practices for online mentoring. © 2021
Abstract 2309: Predicting molecular networks mediating colorectal cancer neoplastic progression by integrative transcriptome-wide meta-analysis

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the United States. While survival rates have increased in part due to enhanced detection and targeted therapeutics, mortality remains high, highlighting a need to further investigate novel targetable pathways along the neoplastic axis. To explore potential molecular networks involved in pre- and post-malignant processes, we implemented a bioinformatics-based pipeline to meta-analyze multiple microarray datasets for predicting differentially active/inhibited pathways. Methods: We constructed a curated, batch-corrected Meta-dataset comprising twelve microarray datasets including GSE4183, GSE8671, GSE9348, GSE15960, GSE20916, GSE21510, GSE22598, GSE23194, GSE23878, GSE32323, GSE33113, and GSE37364, harboring normal (n = 221), adenoma (n = 137), and CRC (n = 452) samples. The Meta-dataset expression set was validated against the TCGA-COAD dataset with functional adenoma and CRC signatures confirmed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified for Adenoma:Normal (A v N), CRC:Adenoma (C v A), and CRC:Normal (C v N) comparison groups and submitted to IPA. To identify relevant gene clusters between DEGs, a heatmap was constructed and arranged by Euclidean distance-weighted unsupervised hierarchal clustering. The same was done regarding IPA-predicted mediators with analysis being restricted to upstream regulators with activation Z-scores > I 2 I in at least two of the three comparison groups. Results: Using ComBat, inter-study batch effects were removed from the Meta-dataset whilst preserving normal, adenoma, and CRC signatures. We found a high degree of correlation between the Meta- and the TCGA-COAD dataset (rho = 0.89, p = 2.2e-16) with functional validation of both adenoma (FDR Conclusion: We identified both known and novel pathways involved in the neoplastic progression of CRC through transcriptome-wide pooled analysis. These pathways may be attractive candidates for future investigation of tumorigenic mechanisms, prognostication, and therapeutics. Citation Format: Michael W. Rohr, Deborah Altomare. Predicting molecular networks mediating colorectal cancer neoplastic progression by integrative transcriptome-wide meta-analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2309.
Modern Prospect Theory: The Missing Link Between Modern Portfolio Theory and Prospect Theory

Kahneman-Tversky’s (KT) seminal paper on Prospect Theory (PT) found that individuals placed value on changes in wealth. Individuals appeared to display different reactions to gains and losses and, displayed loss aversion, which depended on the distance from a “critical value”. These two findings, and the notion that MPT was missing a “reference point”, appeared to ring the death knell for MPT. They suggested replacing utility curves with a value curve and Expected Utility Theory with PT. However, KT and others also struggled with practical notions of “reference wealth”. We argue that the true reference point, for both MPT and PT, should be the liability of an individual/institution (and not an asset position or the level of the stock market), as all investment decisions are made to meet some liability. The original KT paper touches on this point but does not appear to explore this further. If we assume that investors derive utility from funded status, borne out in survey results of institutional investors, then we have a clearly articulated and legitimate reference point, liabilities, that KT and Markowitz highlighted, but did not nail down. It is possible to derive a version of the value curve from this adjusted utility curve that reflects KT’s notion of a “critical value” – namely, the point of full funding. When we re-do KT’s questions to individuals with an explicit statement of wealth and liabilities, we find that some results may be reversed and that loss aversion and risk aversion may be linked to funded status. This behavior is very clearly exhibited in the actual portfolio choices of institutional investors and in their survey responses. Hence, if a liability-centric view is taken of both utility theory and PT, as opposed to a simple wealth-centric view, one may find the missing link between these seemingly contradictory approaches.
Active Damping of Engine Idle Speed Oscillation by Applying Adaptive Pid Control

This paper investigates the use of an adaptive proportional-integral-derivative (APID) controller to reduce a combustion engine crankshaft speed pulsation. Both computer simulations and engine test rig experiments are used to validate the proposed control scheme. The starter/alternator (S/A) is used as the actuator for engine speed control. The S/A is an induction machine. It produces a supplemental torque source to cancel out the fast engine torque variation. This machine is placed on the engine crankshaft. The impact of the slowly varying changes in engine operating conditions is accounted for by adjusting the APID controller parameters on-line.
Tumors of the urethra

Abstract Urethral caruncles of the vascular type tend toward recurrence and when they do recur, may reappear as hemangiomatous tumors which are difficult to eradicate and are locally malignant. The presence of chronic infections or caruncles seems to be the precursor of urethral neoplasms. Early diagnosis of carcinoma of the urethra is of the greatest importance because otherwise operative treatment is extremely unsatis-factory. Radical surgery followed by adequate plastic procedure offers the only desirable treatment for carcinoma of the urethra. Radium is difficult to apply and is extremely likely to cause incurable vesico-vaginal fistula. Surgical excision, if possible, is the treatment of choice.
Rate and Risk Factors of Recurrent 30-Day Readmissions following Hospitalization for Ischemic Stroke (S47.003)

OBJECTIVE: We studied the rate and risk factors of recurrent 30-day readmissions (30-day readmission after initial 30-day readmission) following hospitalization for ischemic stroke. BACKGROUND: 30-day readmission rate is an indicator of quality of care and efficiency. DESIGN/METHODS: California state inpatient database of all acute care hospitalizations was searched for adults (18+ years) discharged alive between 2003 and 2011 with primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Index cases were followed up for all-cause recurrent 30-day readmissions. A readmission could serve as an index case for the outcome of 30-day readmission, and each patient could provide more than one index admissions if admitted multiple times with stroke during the study period. We used logistic regression to identify factors independently associated with recurrent 30-day readmission. RESULTS: We analyzed 270,876 ischemic stroke cases, of whom, 43,140 (15.9[percnt]) and 9,708 (3.6[percnt]) resulted in 30-day readmissions and recurrent 30-day readmissions respectively. 68.7[percnt] cases of 30-day readmissions were readmitted again within 15 days of discharge, and the median number of days spent outside the hospital between discharge from the index admission and the recurrent 30-day readmission was 21 days. The most common principle diagnoses responsible for recurrent 30-day readmission were recurrent stroke (10.3[percnt]), sepsis (10.2[percnt]), pneumonia (8.8[percnt]), urinary tract infection (3.7[percnt]) and congestive heart failure (3.7[percnt]). The recurrent 30-day readmission rate was higher among younger (18-64 vs. 65+), males, non-white race, Medicare or Medicaid insurance (vs. private), hospitals with lowest case volume quartile, higher comorbidity index, and discharge to home health care, facility or against medical advice (vs. home/self-care). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with 30-day readmissions after index hospitalization for ischemic stroke remain at further risk for recurrent 30-day readmissions. Characterization of magnitude and risk factors of recurrent 30-day readmissions may provide framework for reducing such preventable readmissions. Disclosure: Dr. Moradiya has nothing to disclose. Dr. Murthy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Modi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Naval has nothing to disclose.
The Legal Counterrevolution: The Jurisprudence of Constitutional Reform in 1787

This article asks whether a historically distinct constitutional “counterrevolution” took place in 1787-88. It concludes one did, but contends that neither economic interests, nor political ideology, nor general cultural trends in the decade after Independence, fundamentally impelled this counterrevolution’s leading figures. Rather, a counterrevolutionary jurisprudence did. At the heart of this jurisprudence lay a new set of attitudes about the relationship between law and coercion that, notwithstanding the enormous outpouring of scholarly commentary on the framing and ratification of the Constitution in the last century, has gone unappreciated by legal scholars and constitutional historians alike. The attitudinal transformation vis-a-vis coercion among reformers proceeded in two nested intellectual shifts -- the first discursive, the second positional -- which together form the basis for what I shall call the legal counterrevolution of 1787. The article's historical analysis of the American constitutional founding through this contextually grounded conceptual prism offers new insight into original understandings of the Supremacy Clause, the scope of Article III jurisdiction, and judicial review under the Constitution.
Computation of the fast fourier transform on the star-connected cycle networks

Abstract Two parallel algorithms for computing fast Fourier transform (FFT) on a new type of architecture called the n-star-connected , cycles ( n -SCC) have been considered. The n -SCC architecture is based on the n-star interconnection graph and has all the desirable features which exist in the n -star interconnection graph. To demonstrate the main properties of an n -SCC network, we present two parallel algorithms for computing the FFT. These algorithms are based on the Cooley-Tukey FFT algorithm and combine the principles of parallelism and pipelining. Considering the same number of inputs, the second algorithm in this paper has better performance in compare to the algorithm implemented on star graph.
Validity of the RIAS for assessing children with traumatic brain injury: sensitivity to TBI and comparability to the WISC-III and WISC-IV.

Intelligence tests are commonly administered to children following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS) is a recently developed measure of intellectual ability that has a number of appealing features for assessing individuals with brain damage, but as yet has little validity information when applied to children with TBI or other forms of brain injury. It is therefore unclear whether RIAS scores are sensitive to brain injury and how they compare to older more well-established tests such as the Wechsler scales. The current article reports two studies that examine these matters in youth with TBI. The first study examined sensitivity of the RIAS to TBI in 110 children. Results indicated the TBI sample performed significantly worse compared with the standardization sample on all RIAS index scores. The second study included 102 children who were administered either the RIAS, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III), or WISC-...
A generalized diffusion layer model for condensation of vapor with noncondensable gases

The diffusion layer model for condensation heat transfer of vapor with noncondensable gases was originally derived on a molar basis and developed from an approximate formulation of mass diffusion, by neglecting the effect of variable vapor-gas mixture molecular weights across the diffusion layer on mass diffusion. This is valid for gases having a molecular weight close to that of the vapor or for low vapor mass transfer rates, but it may cause serious error if a large gradient in the gas concentration exists across the diffusion layer. The analysis herein shows that, from the kinetic theory of gases, Fick's law of diffusion is more appropriately expressed on a mass basis than on a molar basis. Then a generalized diffusion layer model is derived on a mass basis with an exact formulation of mass diffusion. The generalized model considers the effect of variable mixture molecular weights across the diffusion layer on mass diffusion and fog formation effects on sensible heat. The new model outperforms the one developed by Peterson when comparing with a wide-ranging experimental database. Under certain limiting conditions, the generalized model reduces to the one developed by Peterson.
Dynamic scene analysis

The three major components of dynamic scene analysis, namely segmentation, occlusion and the computation of three-dimensional information from images are discussed in depth. Segmentation refers to the process of determining features of interest, occlusion analysis includes the deriving of changes due to projection perspective, and computation of three-dimensional information entails the constructing of structural models and describing motions from image information. The purpose of the review is to give the reader a coherent view of the issues and the manner in which researchers are currently addressing these issues. Detailed descriptions of the systems developed at The University of Texas are presented.
Improving water quality through California’s Clean Beach Initiative: an assessment of 17 projects

California's Clean Beach Initiative (CBI) funds projects to reduce loads of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) impacting beaches, thus providing an opportunity to judge the effectiveness of various CBI water pollution control strategies. Seventeen initial projects were selected for assessment to determine their effectiveness on reducing FIB in the receiving waters along beaches nearest to the projects. Control strategies included low-flow diversions, sterilization facilities, sewer improvements, pier best management practices (BMPs), vegetative swales, and enclosed beach BMPs. Assessments were based on statistical changes in pre- and postproject mean densities of FIB at shoreline monitoring stations targeted by the projects. Most low-flow diversions and the wetland swale project were effective in removing all contaminated runoff from beaches. UV sterilization was effective when coupled with pretreatment filtration and where effluent was released within a few hundred meters of the beach to avoid FIB regrowth. Other BMPs were less effective because they treated only a portion of contaminant sources impacting their target beach. These findings should be useful to other coastal states and agencies faced with similar pollution control problems.
Self-Dual Transitive Spin 1/2 Models

Most general self-dual spin 1/2 models in any dimension, with interaction that is translation-invariant in a suitable sense (‘transitive models’), are determined. In the process of classification of such systems, a class of models which are self-dual in a particularly strong sense is introduced.
Boron isotope systematics of slab fluids as inferred from a serpentine seamount, Mariana forearc

Abstract Serpentinite clasts and muds erupted from Conical Seamount, Mariana forearc, show substantial enrichment in boron (B) and 11B (δ11B up to +15‰) relative to mantle values. These elevated B isotope signatures result from chemical exchange with B-rich pore fluids that are upwelling through the seamount. If the trends of decreasing δ11B with slab depth shown by cross-arc magmatic suites in the Izu and Kurile arcs of the western Pacific are extended to shallow depths (∼25 km), they intersect the inferred δ11B of the slab-derived fluids (+13‰) at Conical Seamount. Simple mixtures of a B-rich fluid with a high δ11B and B-poor mantle with a low δ11B are insufficient to explain the combined forearc and arc data sets. The B isotope systematics of subduction-related rocks thus indicate that the fluids evolved from downgoing slabs are more enriched in 11B than the slab materials from which they originate. Progressively lower δ11B in arc lavas erupted above deep slabs reflects both the progressive depletion of 11B from the slab and progressively greater inputs of mantle-derived B. This suggests that the slab releases 11B-enriched fluids from the shallowest levels to depths greater than 200 km.
Morphology and structure of the passive interphase formed during aqueous electrodeposition of polypyrrole coatings on steel

An iron(II) oxalate dihydrate passive interphase was electrodeposited on steel substrate from aqueous oxalate solutions prior to the electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole. The effect of electrochemical process parameters on the morphology and structure of the passive interphase was systematically investigated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Our results reveal that the passive interphase is composed of a monolayer of closely packed crystals. The size of the crystals is dependent on the experimental conditions. The iron(II) oxalate dihydrate interphase formed on steel by electrochemical deposition has an orthorhombic structure irrespective of the reaction condition. The unit cell dimensions of the passive interphase formed by electrodeposition are slightly different from those formed by conventional chemical process.
Third-generation imaging sensor system concepts

Second generation forward looking infrared sensors, based on either parallel scanning, long wave (8 - 12 um) time delay and integration HgCdTe detectors or mid wave (3 - 5 um), medium format staring (640 X 480 pixels) InSb detectors, are being fielded. The science and technology community is now turning its attention toward the definition of a future third generation of FLIR sensors, based on emerging research and development efforts. Modeled third generation sensor performance demonstrates a significant improvement in performance over second generation, resulting in enhanced lethality and survivability on the future battlefield. In this paper we present the current thinking on what third generation sensors systems will be and the resulting requirements for third generation focal plane array detectors. Three classes of sensors have been identified. The high performance sensor will contain a megapixel or larger array with at least two colors. Higher operating temperatures will also be the goal here so that power and weight can be reduced. A high performance uncooled sensor is also envisioned that will perform somewhere between first and second generation cooled detectors, but at significantly lower cost, weight, and power. The final third generation sensor is a very low cost micro sensor. This sensor can open up a whole new IR market because of its small size, weight, and cost. Future unattended throwaway sensors, micro UAVs, and helmet mounted IR cameras will be the result of this new class.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Nerve growth factor increases cortical choline acetyltransferase-positive fiber staining without affecting cortical cholinergic neurons.

Lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) increased the number of neurons in the frontal neocortex staining for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Intracerebroventricular treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF; 10μg per day for 6 weeks) did not further increase this number. NGF increased the size of NBM neurons [Brain Res., 584 (1992) 55–63], but not those in the neocortex. However, NGF increased the area of ChAt-positive fiber staining in the neocortex. These data suggest that NGF enhances cholinergic innervation to the neocortex by affecting residual NBM neurons, rather than cortical cholinergic neurons.
Long-term vitamin E supplementation reduces atherosclerosis and mortality in Ldlr−/− mice, but not when fed Western style diet

Objectives Epidemiological and experimental evidence have indicated potential health benefits of vitamin E supplementation on coronary heart disease (CHD), but several clinical trials have reported no benefit from vitamin E supplementation on CHD. We hypothesized that supplemental intake of vitamin E from an early age may prevent or retard the development and progression of atherosclerosis and CHD mortality.
Three-Dimensional Rough Surface Contact Model for Anisotropic Materials

By applying the line integral of Barnett-Lothe tensors on oblique planes, the three-dimensional rough surface contact problem for a semi-infinite anisotropic elastic half-plane in contact with a rough rigid sphere is formulated. The conjugate gradient technique of analytical continuation was employed to determine the contact parameters. The general solutions due to varying degrees of anisotropy and mechanical boundary conditions are obtained, and examples with fiber-reinforced composites are presented.
Giardia lamblia: Localization of hydrolase activities in lysosome-like organelles of trophozoites

Homogenates of Giardia lamblia trophozoites exhibited the following hydrolase activities: acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2), proteinase (EC 3.1.4) with urea-denatured hemoglobin and N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-naphthylamide as substrates, deoxyribonuclease (EC 3.1.4.5), and ribonuclease (EC 2.7.7.16). beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30), beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23), beta-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31), alpha-D-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20), beta-D-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21), and beta-D-xylosidase (EC 3.2.1.37) activities were below the level of detection. Differential and isopycnic centrifugation of homogenates demonstrated that giardial hydrolases were localized in a single-particle population sedimenting at 7200g for 30 min. The particles had a buoyant density in sucrose of 1.15 and exhibited latency. Latency was completely destroyed by Triton X-100 or 15 cycles of freezing and thawing. After centrifugation of Triton- or freeze-thaw-treated particle fractions, the hydrolase activities, though no longer latent, were still sedimentable suggesting tight binding to the organelle membrane. Latency was destroyed simultaneously for all hydrolases, in direct proportion to the amount of Triton added to a particle preparation or to the number of times a particle preparation was subjected to freezing and thawing. These results support the suggestion that the hydrolases of G. lamblia trophozoites are localized in a single-particle population of lysosome-like organelles.
Acute administration of high doses of estrogen increases glucose utilization throughout brain.

Abstract The effects of high intravenous doses of estradiol benzoate on local cerebral glucose utilization were studied by the [ 14 C]2-deoxyglucose method in conscious ovariectomized adult rats. Statistically significant increases in glucoser utilization averaging 20% were observed in 42 of 60 anatomically discrete regions of the estrogen-treated animals. The possible role of catechol estrogen, a potent inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase, in these effects is considered.
Coronary Arteries in Fatal Acute Myocardial Infarction

The coronary arteries are diffusely involved by atherosclerotic plaques in fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The degree of luminal narrowing may vary but plaques are present in practically every millimeter of extramural coronary artery. Usually the lumens of at least two of the three major coronary arteries are narrowed > 75% by old plaques in patients who die suddenly (< 6 hours) from cardiac disease with or without myocardial necrosis. Coronary thrombi occur in about 10% of patients who die suddenly or in whom necrosis is limited to the left ventricular subendocardium, and in about 50% of patients with transmural myocardial necrosis. Coronary thrombi usually indicate the presence of shock or congestive heart failure or both during the development of myocardial necrosis. The infrequency of coronary thrombi in patients dying suddenly of cardiac disease and in those with transmural necrosis who never have shock or congestive heart failure suggests that the thrombi may be consequences rather than cau...
EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SAMPLES ON ITEM AND TEST CHARACTERISTICS OF CRITERION‐REFERENCED TESTS

Although many have rejected classical test construction and analysis procedures for criterion-referenced tests, the present study was concerned with the possibility that classical procedures are both applicable and appropriate when samples of both mastery and nonmastery examinees are employed. A rationale for using these samples was presented, and empirical evidence was gathered which supported the practice of combining samples to increase the variance of test scores and thereby permit the proper estimate of reliability and item validities.
Chondroitin sulfate expression is required for cardiac atrioventricular canal formation.

Defects in cardiac valvulogenesis are a common cause of congenital heart disease, and the study of this process promises to provide mechanistic insights and lead to novel therapeutics. Normal valve development involves multiple signaling pathways, and recently roles have been identified for extracellular matrix components, including glycosaminoglycans. We, therefore, explored the role of the glycosaminoglycan chondroitin sulfate during zebrafish cardiac development. Beginning at 33 hr, there is a distinct zone of chondroitin sulfate expression in the atrioventricular (AV) boundary, in the cardiac jelly between the endocardium and myocardium. This expression is both spatially and temporally restricted, and is undetectable after 48 hr. Chemical as well as genetic inhibition of chondroitin synthesis results in AV canal (AVC) defects, including loss of the atrioventricular constriction, blood regurgitation, and failure of circulation. Lack of chondroitin disrupts a marker of cell migration, results in a loss of myocardial and endothelial markers of valvulogenesis, and misregulates bone morphogenetic protein expression, supporting an early role in AVC development. In summary, we have defined a requirement for chondroitin sulfate expression in the normal patterning of the AV boundary, suggesting that this component of the cardiac jelly provides a necessary signal in this critical transition in vertebrate cardiogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 238:3103–3110, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Methyl methacrylate obturation of the pneumatized articular eminence of the temporal bone.

Eminectomy, or eminoplasty, of the articular eminence of the temporal bone is part of the surgical treatment of a variety of disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The presence of a pneumatized articular eminence can result in a large void in the superior surface of the TMJ when this procedure is used. Unobturated, this void could result in damage to the superior surface of the meniscus. The following procedure can be used to avoid this problem.
Irreversible Sorption of Neutral Hydrocarbons to Sediments: Experimental Observations and Model Predictions

Contaminants of environmental concern commonly reside in the sediment or solid phase. The extent and rate of desorption has heretofore been particularly unpredictable. In the present research, the adsorption and desorption of seven organic compounds with water solubilities ranging from 0.005 to 517 mg/L have been studied in natural sediments. In every case, a fraction of the adsorbate was adsorbed irreversibly (i.e., desorption was not the opposite of adsorption, yet the sorbate is not covalently bonded to the sediment). Each sediment-contaminant combination exhibited a fixed maximum irreversible adsorption, , which could be filled in one or several steps and which is related to common molecular properties and sediment organic carbon content (OC). For most compounds, (μg/g) ≈ 103.8OC. Furthermore, the OC-normalized partition constant for this irreversible compartment is es sentially constant for the compounds and sediments studied with = 105.53±0.48 mL/g. After about 1−3 days of contact time, all laborato...
XIV—Reasons for Action

Donald Davidson opens ‘Actions, Reasons, and Causes’ by asking, ‘What is the relation between a reason and an action when the reason explains the action by giving the agent's reason for doing what he did?’ His answer has generated some confusion about reasons for action and made for some difficulty in understanding the place for the agent's own reasons for acting, in the explanation of an action. I offer here a different account of the explanation of action, one that, though minimal and formal, preserves the proper role for the agent's own reasons for acting.
Improvement in the growth rate of cubic silicon carbide bulk single crystals grown by the sublimation method

Abstract Silicon carbide (SiC) is a valuable electronic material for high-temperature and high-power applications. The two most studied forms of SiC are the 6H and 3C-SiC polytypes. Cubic SiC is attractive because of the high low field mobility and the zincblende crystal structure. Presently, 3C-SiC is usually produced using chemical vapor deposition CVD techniques on silicon substrates. Because of a large lattice mismatch (∼ 20%), the quality of the CVD films is low, and therefore, several investigators have tried to produce bulk 3C-SiC using sublimation technology. We have investigated the growth of 3C-SiC in close space environment. Utilizing this geometry, we have been able to obtain growth rates in excess of 251 μm/h by optimizing source powder height, temperature gradient, seed temperature and system pressure. The seed crystals utilized for this study were off-axis (1 0 0) 3C-SiC films grown on Si substrates (substrates removed prior to growth). On these substrates a clear yellow 3C-SiC material was grown. Etch results indicate a lower density of stacking faults (by at least three orders of magnitude) for the bulk crystals. Additionally, second generation growths using sublimation bulk crystals as substrate material were investigated.
Qualitative and quantitative alterations in serum seromucoid in malignant neoplastic disease

Comparisons were made between the seromucoid (perchloric acid soluble, phosphotungstic acid precipitable glycoprotein) fraction of serum from normal subjects and from patients with malignant neoplastic diseases. The seromucoid of normal human serum was separated into eight (I through VIII) fractions by DEAE-cellulose chromatography using a phosphate buffer gradient. The protein, hexose and hexosamine contents and hexosamine/protein ratios were different for the various fractions. Immunoelectrophoretic activity against commercially available antisera was detected in fractions III to VII of normal seromucoid. The fractions differed from each other in disc electrophoresis patterns. Seromucoid from patients with certain diseases revealed alterations in the above parameters. It is possible that some of the evidence of heterogeneity of the fractions is due to preparative artefacts; however, it is also evident that the seromucoid fractions from pathologic sera differ from normal, despite the same preparative treatments. Malignant neoplasms are characterized by alterations in the fractions eluted early in the scheme and other diseases by fractions eluted in the intermediate range. Immunoelectrophoretic and disc electrophoretic studies further demonstrate qualitative differences between the seromucoid fractions from normal and pathologic states.
Quick polarization analyzer (QPAN)

Abstract A high count rate polarimeter for the measurement and monitoring of the polarization of an intermediate energy neutron beam has been developed. The device, QPAN, consists of a double arm telescope with adjustable copper absorbers. The asymmetry of the protons scattered from the liquid hydrogen (LH2) target is calculated from the count differential between two arms, positioned above and below the beam.
First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Leveillula taurica on Giant Blazing Star (Mentzelia laevicaulis).

Mentzelia laevicaulis (Dougl. ex Hook.) Torr. & Gray (Loasaceae; common names are giant blazing star and smoothstem blazing star) is widely distributed throughout western North America in sites ranging from lowland deserts to mountainous areas in Canada and the United States. During a plant disease survey in June 2007 in the Owyhee Mountains, Canyon County, Idaho, leaves of M. laevicaulis displaying whitish, mycelial growth were collected from plants growing on stream banks and gravelly road embankments. Diseased leaves exhibited localized, chlorotic discolorations associated with signs of a powdery mildew. Of approximately 20 plants at the site, 50% were infected. White mycelia and conidia were more abundant on the adaxial leaf surfaces than on the abaxial surfaces. Severely diseased leaves were buckled and slightly twisted. By August and through September, sporulation was greatest on mature plants, and lowermost leaves were completely covered with flocculose, dense, white mycelia. Dimorphic conidia were lanceolate or cylindrical and measured (44-) 46 to 67 (-71) × (14-) 14.5 to 20 (-21) μm. DNA was extracted and PCR was used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region as described previously (2), except that primers ITS 5 and P3 (4) were used. The resulting 633-bp sequence (GenBank Accession No. GQ860947) included a 616-bp region identical to a sequence reported previously for Leveillula taurica (Lev.) Arnaud from eastern Washington (GenBank No. AY912077), as well as ITS regions from L. taurica previously reported from Iran (GenBank No. AB048350) (2) and Australia (GenBank No. AF 073351) (2). Based on the ITS sequence, the present fungus grouped within Khodaparast et al. (3) Clade 1 that included L. taurica strains they distinguished from other, superficially similar species of Leveillula. On the basis of morphological and sequence data, the fungus was determined to be L. taurica (1,3). A voucher specimen was deposited in the Mycology Herbarium (WSP) at Washington State University. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a named powdery mildew species from a member of the Loasaceae. The only previous report of a powdery mildew on a loasaceous host was an undetermined Oidium sp. on a species of Mentzelia (1). The discovery of L. taurica on a previously unknown native host species is further evidence that this introduced pathogen is becoming endemic to the Pacific Northwest. Native host species, such as M. laevicaulis, may play a role in the epidemiology of powdery mildew diseases caused by L. taurica on crop and ornamental species in the Pacific Northwest. References: (1) U. Braun. Beih. Nova Hedwigia 89:1, 1987. (2) D. A. Glawe et al. Mycol. Prog. 4:291, 2005. (3) S. A. Khodaparast et al. Mycol. Res. 105:909, 2001. (4) S. Takamatsu and Y. Kano. Mycoscience 42:135, 2001.
Inhibitors of protein–protein interactions: New methodologies to tackle this challenge

Several advances in the fields of crystallography, molecular modeling, biophysical assays and chemistry are converging to making protein–protein interaction targets more amenable to drug design. These include steps towards improving crystallization of protein–protein complexes, identifying the clusters of residues that constitute putative small molecule binding ‘hot spots’, generating new methods for detecting the binding of small molecules to target proteins, and generating custom libraries via diversity oriented synthesis to enable the identification of natural-product-like hits.
Identification of small inhomogeneities of extreme conductivity by boundary measurements: a theorem on continuous dependence

We consider an electrostatic problem for a conductor consisting of finitely many small inhomogeneities of extreme conductivity, embedded in a spatially varying reference medium. Firstly we establish an asymptotic formula for the voltage potential in terms of the reference voltage potential, the location of the inhomogeneities and their geometry. Secondly we use this representation formula to prove a Lipschitz-continuous dependence estimate for the corresponding inverse problem. This estimate bounds the difference in the location and in certain geometric properties of two sets of inhomogeneities by the difference in the boundary voltage potentials corresponding to a fixed current distribution.
Parallel flow in Hele-Shaw cells

We consider the parallel flow of two immiscible fluids in a Hele-Shaw cell. The evolution of disturbances on the fluid interfaces is studied both theoretically and experimentally in the large-capillary-number limit. It is shown that such interfaces support wave motion, the amplitude of which for long waves is governed by a set of KdV and Airy equations. The waves are dispersive provided that the fluids have unequal viscosities and that the space occupied by the inner fluid does not pertain to the Saffman-Taylor conditions (symmetric interfaces with half-width spacing). Experiments conducted in a long and narrow Hele-Shaw cell appear to validate the theory in both the symmetric and the non-symmetric cases.
Migratory hydroamination: A facile enantioselective synthesis of benzomorphans

We describe a highly efficient, general strategy for the enantioselective synthesis of benzomorphans (45-46% overall yield from commercially available material). The new synthesis demonstrates the effectiveness of an unprecedented diastereoselective cycloisomerization via migratory hydroamination and the power of palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) of simple ketone enolates in the context of complex synthesis. The strategy outlined here for the enantioselective synthesis of three contiguous stereogenic centers and the novel cycloisomerization should have many applications in alkaloid synthesis.
Supereulerian graphs: a survey

A graph is supereulerian if it has a spanning eulerian subgraph. There is a rduction method to determine whether a graph is supereulerian, and it can also be applied to study other concepts, e.g., hamiltonian line graphs, a certain type of double cycle cover, and the total interval number of a graph. We outline the research on supereulerian graphs, the reduction method, and its applications.
Pituitary-adrenal function during pseudopregnancy and early pregnancy in rats.

NUMEROUS studies have demonstrated an increase in adrenal-like function during pregnancy. Pregnancy and pseudopregnancy increase the survival time of adrenalectomized mammals (Firor and Grollman, 1953; Rogoff and Stewart, 1927; Swingle, et al. 1937). During late pregnancy adrenal hypertrophy occurs in rats (Mutow, 1937), guinea pigs (Hewitt and Van Liere, 1941) and rabbits (Randall and Graubard, 1940). In human beings during pregnancy, an increased urinary corticosteroid excretion (Venning, 1946) and an increased blood level of 17-hydroxycorticosterone (Gemzell, 1953) occur, even in Addisonian patients (Knowlton, et al., 1949), and there is often an amelioration of rheumatoid arthritis (Hench, 1938). The extent to which the fetal adrenal-pituitary system and the maternal placenta are responsible for the above findings is not completely known. The fetal pituitary probably secretes ACTH since decapitation causes fetal adrenal atrophy (Wells, 1948) and unilateral adrenalectomy induces hypertrophy in the rema...
Lesbians Grieving the Death of a Partner: Recommendations for Practice

ABSTRACT Spousal loss is a common event that has been associated with risk of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Practitioners working with lesbians need comprehensive clinical guidelines that integrate research about lesbian partner loss with contemporary views of grief and bereavement. Using this literature, we make recommendations for clinical practice that address the possible contributions of several factors—social support, emotional closeness, relationship satisfaction, disclosure or non-disclosure of sexual identity and the relationship, faith and/or spirituality, and meaning-making—to the grieving process and positive psychological adjustment of lesbians grieving the death of a partner.