cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relative costs and benefits of territorial defense and the two conditional male mating tactics in the Comanche Springs pupfish (Cyprinodon elegans)

We examined the aggressive costs and reproductive benefits of territorial defense and its alternatives in a population of the Comanche Springs pupfish (Cyprinodon elegans). The breeding system was characterized by three different male mating tactics: territorial defense, satellite positioning, and sneak spawning. The mating tactic adopted by males reflected the males' sizes. Territorial residents were the largest, satellites were medium-sized, and sneakers were the smallest adult males observed. Consistent with the hypothesis that primary mating tactics are relatively high-cost, high-benefit strategies, we found that territorial males engaged in a number of aggressive encounters but had higher reproductive successes than any other males. However, our observations did not support the premise that conditionally breeding males engage in relatively low-benefit, low-cost tactics. Medium satellites and small sneakers acquired fewer spawns than did territorial males, but both satellites and sneakers were involved in as much aggression as territorials. That is, the data supported the prediction that satellite or sneaker males with the inability to compete for territories would attempt to accrue some reproductive opportunities in the presence of territorial males despite the high costs of spending time on the breeding grounds. Adopting conditional tactics appeared to allow satellites and sneakers to make the best of a bad situation. During a subsequent breeding season, large males were absent from the population, and medium-sized males established territories. The aggressive behavior exhibited by medium residents was similar to the previous year, but these males did not acquire higher reproductive successes than medium satellites had. The implications of switching tactics and the influence of operational sex ratios on the costs and benefits of the male tactics are briefly addressed.
Social systems engineering in the '70's

In recent years there has been an increasing interest shown by engineers and scientists in problems of ecology and sociology. Many of these problems when viewed as a set of interacting variables take on the characteristics of a large scale system of the man-machine-environment type, and are in many ways similar to those found in the aerospace and process control industries. Because of his special skills in system modeling and optimization, the control systems engineer can make a significant contribution in this area. This paper is directed toward getting control system engineers to exhibit a greater interest in this expanding area. After establishing a reference framework, the paper categorizes problems and gives selective bibliography to assist newcomers in this area. The bibliography is in no way considered exhaustive nor complete, but should serve as an introduction to the problems existing in this area.
Recognition Memory in Bilingual Subjects.

Bilingual Ss were given a continuous recognition memory test. All items were English or German nouns and were repeated twice, either in the same language or with a language change. Group I identified each item as either new, repeated in the same language, or repeated in the other language. In Group II, Ss responded YES only if an item was repeated in the same language, while in Group III YES responses were given even when items were repeated with a language change. Results showed that, depending upon task demands, Ss could respond either on the basis of language-specific or general semantic cues. However, certain interference effects indicated that the two sets of cues were not independent.
Mercury burdens in crayfish from the Wisconsin River

Abstract Mercury determinations were made on crayfish, Orconectes virilis, sampled at 34 locations along the Wisconsin River. Residue levels of mercury in crayfish abdominal muscle ranged from 0·07 to 0·56 ppm on a wet weight basis. The pattern of mercury accumulation in crayfish showed a striking similarity to that in bottom sediment, fish and mammals along the Wisconsin River. Based on this observation, the crayfish seems an accurate and convenient indicator species of mercury contamination along a river system, since it is easily obtained and provides an estimate of organic mercury accumulation for other species from the same area.
Intracellular localization of certain photosynthetic enzymes in bundle sheath cells of plants possessing the C4 pathway of photosynthesis.

Bundle sheath cells were enzymatically isolated from representatives of three groups of C4 plants: Zea mays (NADP malic enzyme type), Panicum miliaceum (NAD malic enzyme type), and Panicum maximum (phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase type). Cellular organelles from bundle sheath homogenates were partially resolved by differential centrifugation and on isopycnic sucrose density gradients in order to study compartmentation of photosynthetic enzymes. A 48-h-dark pretreatment of the leaves allowed the isolation of relatively intact chloroplasts. Enzymes that decarboxylate C4 acids and furnish CO2 to the Calvin cycle are localized as follows: NADP malic enzyme, chloroplastic in Z. mays; NAD malic enzyme, mitochondrial in all three species; PEP carboxykinase, chloroplastic in P. maximum. The activity of NAD malic enzyme in the three species was in the order of P. miliaceum > P. maximum > Z. mays. There were high levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases in bundle sheath extracts of P. miliaceum and P. maximum and substantial activity in Z. mays. In all three species, aspartate aminotransferase was mitochondrial whereas alanine aminotransferase was cytoplasmic. Based on the activity and localization of certain enzymes, the concept for aspartate and malate as transport metabolites from mesophyll to bundle sheath cells in C4 species of the three C4 groups is discussed.
USE OF Q-FACTOR ANALYSIS FOR INITIAL INSTRUMENT VALIDATION

This study presents the unique advantages of Q-factor analysis, an infrequently used multivariate approach, for initial instrument validation. The study demonstrates that with relatively few subjects initial data on predictive validity can be obtained for instruments when large populations are either not available or infeasible. For 18 subjects, 9 male and 9 female, the results of a Q-factor analysis indicated that a newly developed diagnostic instrument to assess fully-functioning behavior had significant correspondence to clinical prediction measures. The implications for Q-methodology are discussed.
Comparison of different measurement methods for transmittance haze

Transmittance haze is increasingly important to the LCD and solar cell industry. Most commercial haze measurement instruments are designed according to the method recommended in the documentary standards like ASTM D 1003 (ASTM 2003 Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics), JIS K 7361 (JIS 1997 Plastics—Determination of the Total Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Materials—Part 1: Single Beam Instrument) and ISO 14782 (ISO 1997 Plastics—Determination of Haze of Transparent Materials). To improve the measurement accuracy of the current standards, a new apparatus was designed by the Center for Measurement Standards (Yu et al 2006 Meas. Sci. Technol. 17 N29–36). Besides the methods mentioned above, a double-beam method is used in the design of some instruments. There are discrepancies between the various methods. But no matter which method is used, a white standard is always needed. This paper compares the measurement results from different methods, presents the effect of the white standard, and analyses the measurement uncertainty.
Cationic amphiphiles increase activity of aminoglycoside antibiotic tobramycin in the presence of airway polyelectrolytes.

It is empirically known that anionic polyelectrolytes present in cystic fibrosis (CF) airways due to bacterial infection significantly decrease the activity of cationic antimicrobials via electrostatic binding. In this work, we use synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering to investigate the interaction between tobramycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic commonly administered to CF patients via inhalation, with DNA, which is found in high concentrations in the CF airway. We find that interactions between DNA and tobramycin are significantly modified by the presence of mixtures of amphiphilic molecules. We measure a hierarchy of self-assembled structures formed between tobramycin, DNA, and the amphiphile mixtures and show how interactions between these components can be controlled. Results indicate that mixtures of cationic and negative curvature amphiphiles optimized for DNA binding via charge matching and curvature matching can competitively displace bound tobramycin from DNA and thereby drastically suppress...
Practical implementation of a modified continual reassessment method for dose-finding trials

Purpose: We describe a practical, reliable, efficient dose-finding design for cytotoxic drugs applied in a multi-institutional setting. Methods: The continual reassessment method (CRM) was modified for use in phase I trials conducted through the New Approaches to Brain Tumor Therapy (NABTT) Consortium. Our implementation of the CRM uses (1) a simple dose-toxicity model to guide data interpolation, (2) groups of three patients to minimize calculations and stabilize estimates, (3) investigators' clinical knowledge or opinion in the form of data to make the process easier to understand, and (4) a flexible computer program and interface to facilitate calculations. Results: The modified CRM was used in two dose-finding trials of 9-aminocamptothecin in patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma who were taking anticonvulsant medication. The CRM located the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) efficiently in both trials. Compared to conventional designs, the CRM required slightly more than half the number of patients expected, did not greatly overshoot the MTD (i.e. no patients were treated at dangerously high doses), and did not underestimate the MTD. Conclusions: Our experience demonstrates the feasibility of implementing this design in multi-institutional trials and the possibility of performing dose-finding studies that require fewer patients than conventional methods.
Alcohol intoxication and withdrawal in inbred strains of mice: behavioral and endocrine studies.

C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ, and DBA/2J male mice were tested for withdrawal reaction after 5 days on a liquid alcohol diet. DBA/2 mice showed the most severe withdrawal reaction as determined by convulsion which peaked at 5–6 hr after withdrawal. In contrast, C57BL mice exhibited no seizures and BALB/c mice were intermediate in the withdrawal reaction. Blood alcohol levels were stabilized in DBA/2 mice, showing high morning and night levels, whereas C57BL and BALB/c mice had moderately high alcohol levels at night, but very low levels in the morning. Pretreatment with alcohol greatly increased the intake of liquid alcohol diet in all genotypes, thus raising blood ethanol levels. The plasma corticosterone levels were significantly elevated in alcohol-consuming DBA/2 mice and the hormone levels further increased during the period corresponding to the peak withdrawal reaction. C57BL mice demonstrated no significant increase in plasma corticosterone while on the alcohol diet or during the withdrawal period.
Frequency-dependent regulation of rat hippocampal somato-dendritic excitability by the K+ channel subunit Kv2.1.

The voltage-dependent potassium channel subunit Kv2.1 is widely expressed throughout the mammalian CNS and is clustered primarily on the somata and proximal dendrites, but not axons, of both principal neurones and inhibitory interneurones of the cortex and hippocampus. This expression pattern suggests that Kv2.1-containing channels may play a role in the regulation of pyramidal neurone excitability. To test this hypothesis and to determine the functional role of Kv2.1-containing channels, cultured hippocampal slices were incubated with antisense oligonucleotides directed against Kv2.1 mRNA. Western blot analysis demonstrated that Kv2.1 protein content of cultured slices decreased > 90 % following 2 weeks of treatment with antisense oligonucleotides, when compared with either control missense-treated or untreated cultures. Similarly, Kv2.1 immunostaining was selectively decreased in antisense-treated cultures. Sustained outward potassium currents, recorded in both whole-cell and outside-out patch configurations, demonstrated a selective reduction of amplitude only in antisense-treated CA1 pyramidal neurones. Under current-clamp conditions, action potential durations were identical in antisense-treated, control missense-treated and untreated slices when initiated by low frequency stimulation (0.2 Hz). In contrast, spike repolarization was progressively prolonged during higher frequencies of stimulation (1 Hz) only in cells from antisense-treated slices. Similarly, action potentials recorded during electrographic interictal activity in the ‘high [K+]o’ model of epilepsy demonstrated pronounced broadening of their late phase only in cells from antisense-treated slices. Consistent with the frequency-dependent spike broadening, calcium imaging experiments from single CA1 pyramidal neurones revealed that high frequency Schaffer collateral stimulation resulted in a prolonged elevation of dendritic [Ca2+]i transients only in antisense-treated neurones. These studies demonstrate that channels containing Kv2.1 play a role in regulating pyramidal neurone somato-dendritic excitability primarily during episodes of high frequency synaptic transmission.
Consulting with a surgeon before breast cancer surgery: patient question asking and satisfaction.

Research has found a negative association between patient question asking and aspects of their satisfaction. In the context of surgical oncology, the aim of this exploratory study was to test the association between patient question asking and 3 indices of their satisfaction. Participants included 51 women who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer engaged in presurgical consultations with a surgical oncologist from a National Cancer Institute–designated cancer center in the Northeastern United States. Outcomes were patients' postconsultation reports of their satisfaction with the treatment plan, intentions to adhere to the treatment plan, and satisfaction with the surgeon. The main predictor was the frequency of patients' self-initiated questions coded from videotapes of consultations. The frequency of patients' self-initiated questions was negatively associated with their satisfaction with the treatment plan (p = .02), intentions to adhere to the treatment plan (p = .02), and satisfaction with the surg...
Betrachtungen über die Biegsamkeit der Stickstoffketten in Aziden und Diazo‐aziden auf der Grundlage der einfachen Molecular Orbital‐Theorie

Im Zusammenhang mit der Bildung des Phenyl-pentazols aus Benzol-diazoazid verdienen die unterschiedlichen Konfigurationen des Diazoazid-Systems und ihre Energiewerte Aufmerksamkeit. Die Berechnungen mit der einfachen Molecular Orbital-Theorie (LCAO) gestatten Aussagen uber Vorzugskonfigurationen und Biegsamkeit der Diazoazid-Kette und die Leichtigkeit obigen Ringschlusses. Die Frage einer Winkelung des linearen Azidsystems besitzt Bedeutung fur die Interpretation von 1.3-Dipolaren Additionen.
Formation of Structure in an Axion Dominated Universe

Abstract We consider the formation of structure in a Universe dominated by axions of mass ≈10 −5 eV (ƒ a ≈10 12 GeV ) . Because of their high phase space density and very low temperature, it is not difficult for axions to find their way into galactic haloes. With a suitable initial spectrum of density fluctuations, the present observed structure of the universe could have evolved. However, the Zel'dovich spectrum, which is predicted by some inflationary universe scenarios, is difficult to accommodate.
Baby bond connect: software for combined value trading

BabyBondConnect (BBC) is a software package for trading goods with combined-value in a call market. The software was developed at Caltech under the direction of Dr. John O. Ledyard.The poster session will explain in detail the problem of trading combined-value goods, the mechanism used by BBC, and the technical specification of the software package. The poster will suggest further development of the BBC software package, the role software engineering and experimental economics can play in understanding traditional markets and electronic markets, and how new market mechanisms can be developed and tested.
Effect of linaclotide in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Treatment options for constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) are limited. While linaclotide improved IBS-C symptoms in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), results vary among studies and the magnitude of benefit is unclear. Methods Two investigators independently extracted data on study participants, methods and outcomes (i.e., symptoms, quality of life, and adverse events) from eligible articles i.e., RCTs comparing linaclotide with placebo in adult patients with IBS-C with a follow-up of 12 weeks or longer. The grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) methodology was used to rate the quality of evidence. Key Results Of 182 identified citations, three RCTs enrolling 1773 patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared with placebo, fewer patients on linaclotide failed to achieve responses i.e., FDA endpoint (1604 patients, risk ratio [RR] = 0.80; 95%CI 0.76–0.85), adequate IBS symptom relief (1773 patients, RR = 0.73; 95%CI 0.65–0.82), and clinically meaningful improvement in IBS-QOL (1659 patients, RR = 0.78; 95%CI 0.72–0.86). The incidence of diarrhea leading to discontinuation of treatment was higher for linaclotide (1773 patients, RR = 14.75; 95%CI 4.04–53.81). The quality of evidence was rated as moderate for FDA endpoint and adequate relief response, high for diarrhea, and low for IBS-QOL. Generalizability may be limited by the study population (i.e., predominantly white female patients), lack of data regarding prior therapy, and availability of few RCTs. The number of patients is insufficient to identify rare adverse events. Conclusions & Inferences Linaclotide is moderately effective in improving symptoms of IBS-C with diarrhea being the major side effect. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of linaclotide for IBS-C.
A New Approach to Diastereoselective and Enantioselective Cyclopropane Syntheses Using the Chiral Iron Carbene Complexes S - and R -[(η 5 -C 5 H 5 )(CO) 2 Fe CH[(η 6 - o -CH 3 OC 6 H 4 )Cr(CO) 3 ]] +

Abstract Different methods for the synthesis of iron carbene complexes or their precursors have been summarized. New diastereomerically pure carbene precursors RR-(+)- and SS-(−)-(η5-C5H5)(CO)2FeCH(OSiMe3)[η6-o-CH3OC6H4Cr(CO)3] have been prepared by the reaction of the Fp anion with enantiomerically pure S-(+) or R-(−)-o-anisaldehyde(tricarbonyl)chromium complexes. They were then converted to the corresponding iron carbene complexes S- and R-[(η5-C5H5)(CO)2Fe CH[(η6-o-CH3OC6H4)Cr(CO)3]]+. Enantioselective carbene transfers from these complexes to 2-methylpropene, 1,1-diphenylethylene, styrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene, and p-trifluoromethylstyrene gave o-methoxyphenylcyclopropanes with high diastereoselectivities and moderate to excellent enantioselectivities.
IV. Effects of bombesin on behavior

This report describes the influence of bombesin on the gross behavior of goldfish, frogs, mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, chicks, pigeons and monkeys. Goldfish, frogs, chicks and pigeons were overtly unaffected by bombesin given centrally and/or peripherally. Mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and monkeys responded quickly to intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) and/or intrathecal (i.th.) administration of bombesin by displaying a range of behaviors suggestive of altered skin sensation. In mice, bombesin was essentially equipotent as a scratch inducer by i.c.v. and i.th. routes (A50 = 0.010-0.019 microgram) but 6800 times less potent i.p. In rats, bombesin-induced grooming and scratching behaviors were shown to be qualitatively different from those associated with ACTH-(1-24) and thyrotropin releasing hormone. Spantide and [D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]substance P (both at 0.20, 0.50 and 0.80 microgram i.c.v.), two proposed bombesin receptor antagonists, did not markedly influence bombesin-induced scratching or hypothermia in rats.
Pain Tolerance and Athletic Participation

Using thermal, gross pressure, and muscle ischemia testing procedures to induce pain, an effort was made to determine the relationship between pain response and athletic participation by measuring the pain threshold and pain tolerance levels of three groups of Ss, i.e., contact athletes, non-contact athletes, and non-athletes. There were no significant differences between groups in pain threshold, but a highly significant difference between groups on pain tolerance, wherein the contact athlete tolerated more pain than the non-contact athlete, who in turn tolerated more pain than the non-athlete. Correlation between pain threshold and pain tolerance was .38 and that between the two measures of pain tolerance, .82.
Method for analyzing exponential decays

Abstract The non-linear least-squares routine KPS1 is presented for the analysis of data from counting experiments which follow single exponential decays. It gives appropriate weighting to individual points, is compact (52 statements) and converges more rapidly than the widely used CURFIT program of Bevington. The routine quantifies the goodness of fit and the uncertainty in the decay coefficient. KPS1 is particularly useful for microcomputer analysis when interfaced directly to laboratory equipment. A FORTRAN listing is included which may easily be adapted for BASIC.
Integrating phenotypic small-molecule profiling and human genetics: the next phase in drug discovery

Over the past decade, tremendous progress in high-throughput small molecule-screening methods has facilitated the rapid expansion of phenotype-based data. Parallel advances in genomic characterization methods have complemented these efforts by providing a growing list of annotated cell line features. Together, these developments have paved the way for feature-based identification of novel, exploitable cellular dependencies, subsequently expanding our therapeutic toolkit in cancer and other diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the evolution of phenotypic small-molecule profiling and discuss the most significant and recent profiling and analytical efforts, their impact on the field, and their clinical ramifications. We additionally provide a perspective for future developments in phenotypic profiling efforts guided by genomic science.
Anelastic Behavior of Plasma-Sprayed Zirconia Coatings

Low-temperature thermal cycling of plasma-sprayed zirconia coatings reveals unique mechanical responses in their curvature measurements, namely nonlinear and cyclic hysteresis, collectively termed as anelastic. These features arise from the inherent layered, porous, and cracked morphology of thermal-sprayed ceramic materials. In this paper, the mechanisms of anelasticity are characterized by crack closure and frictional sliding models, and stress–strain relations of various thermal-sprayed zirconia coatings were determined via an inverse analysis procedure. These results demonstrate process conditions such as powder morphology and spray parameters significantly influence the mechanical behaviors of coatings. The unique anelastic responses can be used as valuable parameters in identifying coating quality as well as process reliability in manufacturing.
Microfabricated Fuel Cell with Composite Glass∕Nafion Proton Exchange Membrane

The performance of microfabricated fuel cells with Nafion-coated glass composite membranes was investigated. The performance and durability of the fuel cells with silica glass membranes were improved by casting a thin film of Nafion on the anode side of the thin, phosphosilicate glass membrane. Nafion increased the strength of the glass membrane and provided a better chemical environment for the air-cathode. The use of a two-layer anode catalyst improved the anode performance by increasing the catalyst loading while maintaining catalyst porosity for proton transport. The performance, durability, and fuel utilization of the fuel cells using hydrogen and methanol as fuel were studied.
Girard's Reagent P Derivative of β-Apo-8′-carotenal: A Potent Photoprotective Agent†,¶

Abstract A cationic carotenoid derivative (GRP-carotenal) was synthesized by the reaction of Girard's reagent P and β-apo-8′-carotenal. The singlet-oxygen quenching constants for GRP-carotenal were 1.3 ± 0.1 × 1010 and 1.0 ± 0.1 × 1010 M−1 s−1 in acetonitrile and in detergent micelles, respectively. Photosensitized damage to K562 leukemia cells from cis-di(4-sulfonatophenyl)diphenylporphine, hypericin and protoporphyrin IX was inhibited by GRP-carotenal under conditions where β-apo-8′-carotenal, β-carotene and crocetin were ineffective. The unique cytoprotective properties of GRP-carotenal, relative to the other carotenoids studied, could not be explained by the differences in the cell content of the various carotenoids or by the changes in the cell content of the photosensitizers used. Photosensitizer fluorescence from labeled K562 cells was reduced by GRP-carotenal but not by the other carotenoids studied. The novel photoprotective properties of GRP-carotenal may be due to its subcellular distribution. ...
STIMULATION OF FUNDULUS BY HYDROCHLORIC AND FATTY ACIDS IN FRESH WATER, AND BY FATTY ACIDS, MINERAL ACIDS, AND THE SODIUM SALTS OF MINERAL ACIDS IN SEA WATER.

1. Fundulus heteroclitus was found to be a reliable experimental animal for studies on chemical stimulation in either fresh or sea water. 2. The response of Fundulus to hydrochloric, acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and caproic acids was determined in fresh water, while the same acids plus sulfuric and nitric, as well as the sodium salts of the mineral acids, were tested in sea water. 3. Stimulation of Fundulus by hydrochloric acid in fresh water is correlated with the effective hydrogen ion concentration. Stimulation by the n -aliphatic acids in the same environment is correlated with two factors, the effective hydrogen ion concentration and the potential of the non-polar group in the molecule. However, as the number of CH2 groups increases the stimulating effect increases by smaller and smaller amounts, approaching a maximum value. 4. Stimulation of Fundulus by hydrochloric, sulfuric, and nitric acids in sea water is correlated with the forces of primary valence which in turn are correlated with the change in hydrogen ion concentration of the sea water. The n -aliphatic acids increase in stimulating efficiency in sea water as the length of the carbon chain increases, but a limiting value is not reached as soon as in fresh water. 5. Only a slight difference in stimulation by hydrochloric acid is found in sea water and in fresh water. However, there is a significant difference in stimulation by the fatty acids in fresh and in sea water, which is partly explained by the different buffering capacities of the two media. It is to be noted that in the same environment two different fish, Fundulus and Eupomotis , give different results, while the same fish ( Fundulus ) in two different environments responds similarly to mineral acids but differently to fatty acids. These results illustrate that stimulation is a function of the interaction between environment and receptors, and that each is important in determining the response. 6. Stimulation by sodium chloride, nitrate, and sulfate is correlated with equivalent concentrations of the salts added to sea water, or with the forces of primary valence. Although the threshold for stimulation by the salts is considerably higher than for the acids, the efficiency of stimulation by the salts is greater.
The Evolution of Research Methods for the Study of Human Experience

Mainstream and not-so-mainstream shifts in human science methodology are reviewed, and new bases for standards for doing research are proposed. Implications based on Polanyi and Kuhn are used as starting points. With them in mind, recent developments in the evolution of research methods are traced, and the characteristics of new paradigm research are explored. The key is to recognize that the study of human experience is primarily a personal and a social process that is (a) only complete when it involves personal growth and (b) only acceptable if it improves human relationships. Objectivity is important, but not primary. Investigators do not exercise unilateral control over their research; rather, everyone who participates in the process is viewed as a collaborator.
Long-distance movement and replication maintenance functions correlate with silencing suppression activity of potyviral HC-Pro.

The tobacco etch potyviral protein, HC-Pro, is a multifunctional proteinase required for long-distance movement in plants and maintenance of genome replication at the single-cell level. It also functions in a counterdefensive capacity as a suppressor of posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS). To determine whether the requirements for HC-Pro during long distance movement and replication maintenance are due to the silencing suppressor function of the protein, a series of HC-Pro alanine scanning and other site-directed mutants were analyzed. Using a transient silencing suppression assay in Agrobacterium-injected leaf tissue, several suppression-defective mutants were identified. Each of six HC-Pro mutations, which were shown previously to confer long-distance movement and replication maintenance defects, conferred PTGS suppression defects. Interestingly, the genes encoding these defective HC-Pro derivatives were themselves susceptible targets of PTGS, resulting in low levels of mRNA and protein accumulation. Mutations that inactivated the proteinase domain active site had no effect on PTGS suppression function. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the role of HC-Pro in long-distance movement and genome replication depends on PTGS suppression function and that this function is independent of HC-Pro proteolytic activity.
Reliability, validity, and imprecision in fuzzy multicriteria decision-making

There has been a great deal of interest in the application of fuzzy sets for representing uncertainty in management decision models. One of the important steps in the decision process is the elicitation of fuzzy judgments from the decision-makers. There are two elicitation procedures used in the existing literature: (1) direct numerical assessment and (2) linguistic variables. We introduce a third procedure, which we term the "fuzzy spatial instrument." We examine some characteristics of judgment elicitation procedures as measurement instruments. In particular, we conduct an empirical test of fuzzy measurement instruments using a set of subjects and evaluate the instruments on the criteria of reliability, validity, and imprecision. We conclude that the use of fuzzy instruments will introduce some level of imprecision into the decision-making process due to the nature of the instruments themselves.
Children's Home Environments in Great Britain and the United States

This study analyzes the effects of human, social, and financial capital on children’s home environments in the United States and Great Britain by comparing a sample of 5- to 13-year-old children from the United States with a similar sample from Britain. In both countries, the authors find weaker home environments for boys, minority children, and those with more siblings. Parental education and maternal cognitive ability are linked to stronger home environments. The effects of family structure, maternal school track, grandparents’ education, and paternal work vary by society. The authors conclude that parents are important in both societies and that evidence for the notion that the more developed welfare state in Britain may substitute for capital at home in promoting children’s home environments is weak.
Economic returns from fungicide application to control foliar fungal diseases in winter wheat

Fungicides are commonly applied to control foliar fungal diseases of winter wheat in the central Great Plains of the United States and often are routinely recommended. However, economic benefits from fungicide application in winter wheat have rarely been quantified in this region. A total of eight field experiments were conducted in 2006 and 2007 in Nebraska, USA to quantify yield increases from fungicide applications to control foliar fungal diseases in winter wheat. Experiments were conducted at the same four locations (Mead, Clay Center, North Platte and Sidney) in both years. The fungicides used were azoxystrobin + propiconazole, pyraclostrobin, propiconazole, azoxystrobin and trifloxys trobin + propiconazole applied at varying rates and growth stages. Average wheat prices were calculated from data provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Average fungicide and fungicide application costs were obtained through surveys of local retailers, chemical manufacturers and commercial applicators. These prices and costs were used to calculate net returns from fungicide treatments. The probability of a positive net return was 0.60, 1.00 and 0.80 in 2006 (dry, low disease severity), 2007 (wet, moderate to high disease severity) and both years combined, respectively. Net returns ranged from $−101 ha −1 to $172 ha −1 in 2006 and from $60 ha −1 to $294 ha −1 in 2007. Net returns were at least two times the total cost ($2 return on $1 investment) in 4 out of 60 or 6.7% of treatments in 2006 and 51 out of 60 or 85% of treatments in 2007. In 2006, the best net returns occurred at Mead and Clay Center and resulted from the treatments 1) azoxystrobin + propiconazole applied at Zadoks growth stage (GS) 31 (first node detectable) at a rate of 0.58 l ha −1 and 2) azoxystrobin + propiconazole applied at GS 31 at a rate of 0.58 l ha −1 and again at GS 37 (flag leaf just visible) at the same rate. In 2007, the treatments that resulted in the best net returns were 1) azoxystrobin + propiconazole applied at GS 39 (ligule/collar of flag leaf just visible) at a rate of 1.02 l ha −1 , 2) pyraclostrobin applied at GS 39 at a rate of 0.66 l ha−1, 3) propiconazole applied at GS 39 at a rate of 0.29 l ha−1, and 4) trifloxys trobin + propiconazole applied at GS 39 at a rate of 0.73 l ha −1 . For the same fungicide applied at the same rate at GS 31 and GS 39 in 2007 (wet, moderate to high disease severity), the GS 39 application generally resulted in a higher net return than the GS 31 application. Averaged across treatments and locations, net returns were $6 ha −1 and $183 ha −1 in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The results from this study indicate that foliar fungicide application to winter wheat can be profitable in years with moderate to high disease severity; however, net loss can result if fungicides are applied in years with low disease severity.
Biomedical applications of boronic acid polymers

Boron-containing organic compounds have found widespread use in synthetic organic chemistry. More recently, boronic acid-containing polymers have proven valuable in a variety of biomedical applications, including the treatment of HIV, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. However, as compared to many other classes of functional polymers, boronic acid-containing (co)polymers remain underutilized, despite their unique reactivity, solubility, and responsive nature. This Feature Article highlights research in this area, with particular focus on recent developments in synthesis, processing, and materials development that have enabled the preparation of new biomaterials. In addition to providing an overview to the current state of the art, we emphasize the versatility of boronic acid polymers and suggest routes for their further employment in other potential biomedical applications.
Hormonal etiology of epithelial ovarian cancer, with a hypothesis concerning the role of androgens and progesterone.

In the United States, ovarian cancer is the fourth most frequent cause of cancer death among women, following lung, breast, and colorectal cancers. Each year, approximately 26,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 14,000 die of it. Germline mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, or other genes have been implicated in a small fraction of cases. However, it has been suggested that, for the great majority of patients, the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer could be related to "incessant ovulation" (i.e., to the chronically repeated formation of stromal epithelial clefts and inclusion cysts following ovulation) or to some type of hormonal stimulation of ovarian epithelial cells, either on the surface of the ovary or within ovarian inclusion cysts, possibly mediated through excessive gonadotropin secretion. From the evidence to date, the relative importance of these two hypotheses--incessant ovulation and gonadotropin stimulation--cannot be distinguished. While either or both may play a role in the development of ovarian cancer, it appears that an additional major factor must also be involved. The purpose of this review is to evaluate evidence for and against the incessant ovulation and gonadotropin hypotheses, as well as to consider the possibility that risk of ovarian cancer may be increased by factors associated with excess androgenic stimulation of ovarian epithelial cells and may be decreased by factors related to greater progesterone stimulation. Many features of the evidence bearing on the pathophysiology of ovarian cancer appear to support a connection with androgens and progesterone.
A monolithic asynchronous sample-rate converter for digital audio

The theory of asynchronous sample-rate conversion is presented using both the highly-interpolated signal-processing model, as well as the polyphase filter model. A closed-loop address-tracking system is disclosed. It solves the problem of clock-edge arrival estimation while, at the same time, providing a low-jitter selection of the correct polyphase filter for each sampling instant. The proposed signal-processing algorithm is implemented in an all-digital VLSI chip. Measurement results show good agreement with theory. >
Dyadic Green's function for an electric current source in the unit cell of a periodic structure

A dyadic Green's function for rectangular waveguides has been derived and discussed in [1–5]. None of these works, however, discusses the Green's function for a unit cell of a periodic structure. In this work the dyadic Green's function for an electric current source in a Floquet phase-shift-wall waveguide (unit cell) is derived using the magnetic vector potential. Complete solutions for the electric and magnetic fields in the unit cell, including the source region, are obtained in the form of known waveguide modes with periodic boundary conditions. To validate the theory the scattered field from an array of z-directed strips is computed using the new Green's function and compared with results obtained by the HFSS code. This dyadic Green's function can be used to analyze various periodic structures such as large array antennas and metamaterials.
Mediastinal involvement in ovarian cancer.

A 57-year-old woman was diagnosed with serous papillary ovarian adenocarcinoma, for which she underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy and appendectomy (omentum, appendix and other organs other than left ovary were grossly normal). CT scan of the chest was done, which showed prevascular lymph node measuring up to 4.5 cm (figure 1). The lymph node was biopsied, which stained …
Ablation of intact hypothalamic and/or hindbrain TrkB signaling leads to perturbations in energy balance

Objective Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), play a paramount role in the central regulation of energy balance. Despite the substantial body of genetic evidence implicating BDNF- or TrkB-deficiency in human obesity, the critical brain region(s) contributing to the endogenous role of BDNF/TrkB signaling in metabolic control remain unknown.
An unexpected left ventricular outpouching detected during transesophageal echocardiography in a patient scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

A 52-YEAR-OLD African-American woman with coronary artery disease and a past medical history of hypertension and abuse of cocaine and heroin was scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The coronary angiogram showed severe 2-vessel disease: occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery and subtotal occlusion of the mid right coronary artery. Left ventricular systolic function was reported as normal with an ejection fraction of 73% and no regional wall motion abnormalities. The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was elevated at 27 mmHg. A recent electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm, and an inferior Q-wave myocardial infarction, also noticed on a previous electrocardiogram, could not be ruled out. After uneventful induction of general anesthesia and insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter, transesophageal echocardiography detected a left ventricular outpouching (Figs 1 and 2). Heart rate was 81 beats/min, blood pressure was 133/88 mmHg, and pulmonary artery pressure was 25/12 mmHg. What is the differential diagnosis?
The Varieties of Resource Experience: How Natural Resource Export Structures Affect the Political Economy of Economic Growth *

Many oil, mineral, and plantation crop-based economies experienced a substantial deceleration of growth since the commodity boom and bust of the 1970s and early 1980s. Rodrik (1999) has demonstrated that the magnitude of a countrys growth deceleration since the 1970s is a function of both the magnitude of the shocks and a countrys social capability for adapting to shocks. In this paper, we demonstrate that in this respect countries, with what we term point source natural resource exports are doubly disadvantaged. Not only are countries with these types of exports exposed to terms of trade shocks, but the institutional capability for responding to shocks is itself endogenous and negatively related to export composition. Using two different sources of export data and classifications of export composition, we show that point source and coffee/cocoa exporting countries do worse across an array of governance indicators (controlling for a wide array of other potential determinants of governance). This is not just a function of being a natural resource exporter, as countries with natural resource exports that are diffuse do not show the same strong differencesand have had more robust growth recoveries.
Hydrothermal synthesis of LTA-encapsulated metal clusters and consequences for catalyst stability, reactivity, and selectivity

Noble metal clusters (Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Re, and Ag) are selectively encapsulated within LTA voids via hydrother- mal synthesis using metal precursors with ligands (NH3 for Pt and Ir; ethylenediamine for Pd, Rh, Re and Ag) that prevent their premature precipitation as colloidal oxyhydroxides. Such stability appears to be neces- sary and sufficient for successful encapsulation of cationic precursors during nucleation and growth of zeo- lite frameworks. Mean cluster diameters measured by titration of exposed metal atoms (H2 on Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir and Re; O2 on Ag; 1.1-1.8 nm) and by transmission electron microscopy (1.2-1.9 nm) were similar, indicat- ing that cluster surfaces were clean and accessible to molecules used as titrants or reactants. Metal clusters were narrowly distributed in size and stable against sintering and coalescence during oxidative thermal treatments (573-873 K). Encapsulation selectivities were measured from turnover rates for reactions of small and large reactants, specifically hydrogenation of alkenes (ethene and isobutene) and oxidation of alkanols (methanol, ethanol, and isobutanol), which reflect the restricted access to encapsulated clusters by the larger molecules. These encapsulation selectivities, which reflect the ratio of metal surface areas within and outside LTA crystals ranged from 7.5 to 83 for all samples. Confinement within LTA crystals pro- tects clusters from contact with thiophene and allows ethene hydrogenation to proceed at thiophene con- centrations that fully suppressed reactivity for metal clusters dispersed on mesoporous SiO2. These protocols provide a general strategy for encapsulating clusters within small-pore zeolite voids, for which post-synthesis exchange is infeasible. Their successful encapsulation protects such clusters from coales- cence and growth and allows them to select reactants and reject poisons based on their molecular size.
Territoriality and Compliance: The Influence of Gender and Location on Willingness to Sign Petitions

Abstract The effects of territory type and gender on compliance behavior were examined in a field experiment. Undergraduate students (N = 180; 90 men, 90 women) were approached by male experimenters in primary and public territories and in nonterritories (mobile individuals outdoors) and were asked to sign either an unappealing counterattitudinal petition or a petition more neutral in content. It was hypothesized that subjects would comply with the negative request most often in the nonterritory condition, least often in the primary territories, and an intermediate amount in public territories and that territory type would not affect compliance with the neutral request. The results fully supported all the hypotheses. In addition, an unexpected interaction occurred between territory type and sex of subject for the unappealing petition: Although female behavior paralleled male behavior in central and public territories, women in nonterritories resisted compliance more than men did.
Sizing Up Cell-Free DNA

In 1947, Mandel and Metais discovered the unusual phenomenon of circulating cell-free DNA (1). Although one might naively think that DNA is found only in the nuclei of cells, it turns out that a substantial amount of small DNA fragments circulates within the blood. These molecules are not part of intact cells but are the detritus of dead and apoptosed cells that have spilled their guts into the blood. Their genomes are chewed up into little pieces, the presence of which can be measured like any other blood analyte. Although great effort has been expended to try to understand how the relative concentrations of these DNA species may correlate with health, their greatest value has been to measure the proportion of foreign genomes within an individual. In certain cases that is quite straightforward: Cancer-related mutations can be used to some extent to determine the progress of disease (2), male chromosomal markers can be used for prenatal sex determination (3), and, in a similar fashion, women who have received organ transplants from males can be monitored for the amount of organ-specific DNA (4, 5). The cell-free DNA phenomenon might have …