cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conjugated Linoleic Acid Inhibits Proliferation but Stimulates Lipid Filling of Murine 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

This study documented the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. During proliferation, preadipocytes were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM), 100 g/L fetal bovine serum (FBS), 0. 584 g/L L-glutamine and 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 or 10.0 mg/L CLA. Proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was measured directly by cell counting and indirectly by radiolabeled thymidine incorporation into DNA at 96 h postinoculation. Conjugated linoleic acid was not cytotoxic during proliferation or differentiation. The 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 or 10.0 mg/L CLA treatments inhibited proliferation by 8, 12, 31 and 36%, respectively (all P 50% (P < 0.05). These data indicate that CLA inhibited proliferation and promoted de novo lipogenesis and lipid filling in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, suggesting that CLA may reduce overall fat accumulation in growing animals by inhibiting stromal vascular preadipocyte hyperplasia.
Recent work towards understanding defect evolution in thin molybdenum foils through in situ ion irradiation under TEM and coordinated cluster dynamics modeling

Abstract This paper provides a brief review of a recent joint effort towards better understanding of defect evolution in thin molybdenum foils during ion irradiation. In situ TEM ion irradiation experiments and spatially dependent cluster dynamics modeling were closely combined to reveal the fine details of the dose, dose rate and sample dimension dependencies of defect density and size distribution in the early stage of irradiation, and to validate different assumptions with respect to the damage production and defect mobilities. Earlier experimental and computational studies in Mo and in BCC iron as well as outstanding problems yet to be resolved are also discussed in this paper.
Singular Value Decomposition for Constrained Dynamical Systems

On montre que la methode de decomposition des valeurs singulieres est utile dans le probleme de reduction des equations de mouvement pour une classe de systemes dynamiques contraints, a leur dimension minimale
Long-chain acyl coenzyme A synthetase activity during the postnatal development of the mouse brain.

Palmitic, linoleic, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic acids were used as substrates to study fatty acid activation in the mouse brain and liver during postnatal development. Long-chain acyl coenzyme A synthetase showed peak activity during the period of rapid oligodendroglial proliferation and myelination. In brain, activation of linoleic and arachidonic acids was highest, followed by palmitic and docosahexaenoic acids. In liver, no appreciable change in enzyme activity was seen during the period of development studied. Palmitic and arachidonic acids showed the highest rate of activation, followed by docosahexaenoic acid. These ontogenic data suggest the presence of a single long-chain acyl coenzyme A synthetase in brain.
Nanomedicine: promises and challenges for the future of public health.

As the scope of nanotechnology applications in medicine evolves, it is important to simultaneously recognize and advance contributions germane to public health. A wide range of innovations in nanomedicine stand to impact nearly every medical specialty and unveil novel ways to improve the quality and extend the duration of life – these gains can be measured at both individual and population levels. For example, heart disease and cancer combined make up approximately half of all deaths in the United States per year, and already, advances in nanomedicine demonstrate great potential to reduce rates of morbidity and mortality due to these diseases. Meanwhile, public health applications of nanomedicine such as rapid and portable diagnostics and more effective vaccinations have the potential to revolutionize global health. Research driven by innovators across disciplines such as engineering, biology, medicine, and public health should collaborate in order to achieve maximal potential impact in health for individuals and populations. In turn, knowledge gaps regarding the potential health and safety implications of exposure to engineered nanomaterials must be continuously addressed and actively researched. Dynamic, proactive, and socially responsible research will drive nanomedicine as it plays an increasingly integral and transformative role in medicine and public health in the 21st century.
Wandering the Tactical: From Interview to Intraview

In this article, we address the simplistic use of the interview as a methodological technique that abstracts the humanist subject as an object for analysis. Rather than simply a tool of inquiry, we...
Recrystallization of Ion Implanted Amorphous and Heavily Damaged Semiconductors

The use of energetic ion beams to modify the physical and electrical properties of materials has become widely adapted in the last decade. Ion implantation doping of semiconductors, such as silicon and gallium arsenide, has become accepted as a standard industrial process for device fabrication in these materials. Since an energetic ion can create lattice defects in a crystalline material, the understanding of both the removal or intentional stabilization of this lattice damage is an area of significant importance. In this paper we shall review the present understanding of the removal of high dose implant damage in semiconductor materials.
The blame attributed to rape victims.

Holding the rape victim more responsible was associated with femininity scores of both 21 male and 53 female college students.
Determination of Specific Storage by Measurement of Aquifer Compression Near a Pumping Well

Aquifer tests of confined aquifers in deep formations can yield inaccurate specific–storage and storage-coefficient estimates if the distance between the pumped and observation wells is imprecisely known. The distance between the wells can be uncertain because small deviations in the vertical alignment of deep wells can markedly change the distance between the perforated intervals of the wells. Uncertain distance between wells may seriously degrade the accuracy of specific-storage or storage–coefficient values calculated from aquifer–test data obtained from closely spaced wells. A method is proposed whereby compression of the aquifer matrix can be measured during an aquifer test and used to calculate specific-storage and storage–coefficient values without knowledge of the distance between the pumped and observation wells. In a field trial of the method, specific–storage and storage-coefficient values calculated from aquifercompression data were 8.16 × 10 -7 and 3.04 × 10 -4, which is nearly identical to values (8.04 × 10 -7 and 2.99 × 10 -4) obtained from longer–term monitoring of aquifer barometric efficiency. Additional comparison with results of a Theis analysis of drawdown data indicates that the aquifer compression data may provide a more accurate determination of specific–storage and storage–coefficient values than would be possible even if the vertical alignment of the pumped and observation wells had been surveyed.
Use of an insertion sequence for laboratory diagnosis and epidemiologic studies of tuberculosis

A dramatic improvement in the rapidity and accuracy of laboratory testing for tuberculosis is anticipated in the near future from the application of molecular biology techniques. The polymerase chain reaction and other nucleic acid amplification methodologies have the potential to detect, amplify, and identify very small quantities of Myocobacterium tuberculosis DNA directly in a clinical specimen, even on the same day it is collected. Within the past 3 years, a number of polymerase chain reaction-based assays for tuberculosis have emerged. The development and evaluations of the polymerase chain reaction assay based on the insertion sequence IS6110 are described. For practical application in the clinical setting, amplification assays require a simple, reliable sample preparation method; an internal positive control to monitor for inhibitors; a method for eliminating contamination with amplicon (a polymerase chain reaction product) to prevent false-positive results; and a simple, sensitive detection method. The DNA fingerprinting method that uses IS6110 probes provides a means of differentiating individual strains of M tuberculosis and is a powerful tool for epidemiologic studies. The method and its applications are described.
Adult development in individuals and relationships

Abstract The association between a measure of individual maturity (Loevinger's test of ego development) and a measure of relationship maturity (the Intimate Relationships Interview) was explored in a sample of 31 married couples. Pearson correlations revealed linear positive correlations between ego development and intimacy maturity in women but not in men. Use of the prediction logic system provided moderate support for the hypothesis that stages of ego development precede (are necessary but not sufficient for) the corresponding stages of intimacy maturity in both men and women. Thus, in both husbands and wives there is some moderate support for the hypothesis that ego development sets an upper limit on imtimacy maturity, but in the women, ego development and intimacy maturity appear to develop in a more integrated fashion than in men.
An epidemiologic study of insect allergy in children. I. Characteristics of the disease

Of 235 children with a history of allergic reactions to insect stings studied, 59 had severe life-threatening systemic reactions 123 had mild, non-life-threatening systemic reactions, and 53 had large local reactions. The overall male-female ratio was 2:1. Venom skin tests were positive in approximately 89% of each group. Prior whole body extract therapy increased the likelihood of venom skin test reactivity to multiple insect venoms from 51 to 78%. Venom skin test results did not correlate with the severity of previous allergic reactions. One hundred and nine children with NLTR and positive venom skin tests were entered into one of two groups—venom immunotherapy or observation only. During the first six months the treatment group had the expected fourfold rise in venom-specific IgE antibody titers, whereas the observation group had a decline of the mean IgE titer. Patients in the observation group who were accidentally stung had a transient rise in IgE antibody titers. The small number of accidental stings which occurred in both groups resulted in reactions milder than the original reactions. Although based on preliminary data, venom immunotherapy may not be necessary for some children with previously mild systemic symptoms.
Scaling in Surface Hydrology: Progress and Challenges

: This paper presents a review of the challenges in spatial and temporal scales in surface hydrology. Fundamental issues and gaps in our understanding of hydrologic scaling are highlighted and shown to limit predictive skill, with heterogeneities, nonlinearities, and non-local transport processes among the most significant difficulties faced in scaling. The discrepancy between the physical process scale and the measurement scale has played a major role in restricting the development of theories, for example, relating observational scales to scales of climate and weather models. Progress in our knowledge of scaling in hydrology requires systematic determination of critical scales and scale invariance of physical processes. In addition, viewing the surface hydrologic system as composed of interacting dynamical subsystems should facilitate the definition of scales observed in nature. Such an approach would inform the development of careful, resolution-dependent, physical law formulation based on mathematical techniques and physical laws.
Chapter 4: Protein Interactions and Disease

Proteins do not function in isolation; it is their interactions with one another and also with other molecules (e.g. DNA, RNA) that mediate metabolic and signaling pathways, cellular processes, and organismal systems. Due to their central role in biological function, protein interactions also control the mechanisms leading to healthy and diseased states in organisms. Diseases are often caused by mutations affecting the binding interface or leading to biochemically dysfunctional allosteric changes in proteins. Therefore, protein interaction networks can elucidate the molecular basis of disease, which in turn can inform methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In this chapter, we will describe the computational approaches to predict and map networks of protein interactions and briefly review the experimental methods to detect protein interactions. We will describe the application of protein interaction networks as a translational approach to the study of human disease and evaluate the challenges faced by these approaches.
The Influence of Early Drinking Contexts on Current Drinking Among Adult Lesbian and Bisexual Women

BACKGROUND: Differences exist in alcohol-related outcomes across subgroups of sexual minority women. Likewise, stressors associated with coming out and living as lesbian or bisexual are hypothesized to be highly variable. Lesbians’ and bisexual women’s risks for hazardous drinking are explored in a 2006 NIAAA-funded interview study of women living in the Northeastern United States. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the present study is to replicate and extend an earlier analysis of the relationship between early drinking contexts and current drinking outcomes of adult lesbians with a convenience sample that includes a subgroup of self-identified bisexual women. Potential differences in the early drinking contexts of these two groups of self-identified lesbian and bisexual women are also explored. DESIGN: Bivariate and multiple regression analyses are used to examine relationships between early drinking contexts and current drinking of a racially and age-diverse convenience sample of 145 adult lesbian (...
Tracking Intraoperative Complications

Background Relatively little is known or understood about the nature of complications that occur during a surgical procedure. Definitions, classification, and documentation are substantive challenges to comprehensive event capture. We hypothesized that our prospective complication database (ie, Surgical Activity Tracking System) would supplement traditional sources of intraoperative complication reporting. Study Design Consecutive patients undergoing surgery on a single general surgical service from June 2005 through May 2010 were selected for analysis. All cases had been entered into the Surgical Activity Tracking System, a prospective complication database that identifies and captures complications in real time, using a specially trained nurse practitioner. Intraoperative complications were grouped into 1 of 9 categories. Operative reports and discharge summaries were analyzed by an independent reviewer to determine if the complication(s) had been documented by a traditional data source. Results Eight thousand eight hundred and ninety-six operations were performed on 7,729 patients during the study period. One hundred and thirty-seven patients (1.5%) experienced an intraoperative complication. Nonintestinal organ lacerations, inadvertent enterotomies, and hemorrhage were the most common adverse events. The operative reports failed to mention 20 of the 151 complications (13%), and discharge summaries failed to report 22 complications (14%). Some complications, such as inadvertent enterotomy, were almost always reported, but others such as arrhythmia, were only occasionally described (25%). Conclusions Our prospective complication tracking system identified a considerable number of complications that were not available in either the operative report or discharge summary. The number of unreported adverse events varied greatly by category, suggesting opportunities for improvement in both complication identification and tracking.
Refinements of the lime requirement procedure for fish ponds

Agricultural limestone reacted to a depth of approximately 15 cm in pond sediment during a period of 2 years. The weight of the upper 15-cm layer of sediment in fish ponds averaged 1 407 000 kg/ha. The estimated number of sediment samples required for allowable errors in lime requirement of ± 500, ± 750, and ± 1000 kg/ha of CaCO3 are presented for ponds with areas of < 0.4–10.3 ha. The residual effect of liming, based on results from laboratory mud-water systems, should last for about 10 water exchanges.
Disconnection of the basolateral amygdala complex and nucleus accumbens impairs appetitive Pavlovian second-order conditioned responses.

There is considerable evidence that the basolateral complex of the amygdala (ABL) is involved in learning about the motivational value of otherwise neutral stimuli. The authors examined the role in this function of the ABL and one of its major efferent structures, the nucleus accumbens. Male Long-Evans rats received either sham, ipsilaterally, or contralaterally placed unilateral lesions of the ABL and accumbens and were trained in an appetitive Pavlovian second-order conditioning task. Sham-lesioned and ipsilaterally lesioned rats acquired the task normally, but contralaterally lesioned rats, in which the ABL and accumbens were functionally disconnected, failed to acquire second-order conditioned responses (although they did acquire second-order conditioned orienting responses). The results suggest that the ABL and accumbens are part of a system critical for processing information about learned motivational value.
A Mechanism for Reducing Entropic Cost of Induced Fit in Protein−RNA Recognition†

Induced fit has been postulated to be an important component of ligand interactions with proteins, including protein−DNA interactions. We imagined that the entropic cost of induced fit might be highly dependent on the local protein sequence context around critical contact residues. To investigate this question, we analyzed the basis for active or inactive phenotypes found in a library of combinatorial sequence variants of a surface-located helix−loop peptide which is essential for the anticodon-binding activity of a class I tRNA synthetase. Molecular dynamics simulations of the domain encompassing the helix−loop peptide of the active variants consistently demonstrated fixation of the local motion of five critical (for function) residues which are highly mobile in inactive variants. Additional experiments with other rationally chosen mutants extended the correlation between phenotype and motion of these vital residues. We propose that the need for fixation of local motion is an important constraint on sequ...
Uncertainty quantification using evidence theory in multidisciplinary design optimization

Abstract Advances in computational performance have led to the development of large-scale simulation tools for design. Systems generated using such simulation tools can fail in service if the uncertainty of the simulation tool's performance predictions is not accounted for. In this research an investigation of how uncertainty can be quantified in multidisciplinary systems analysis subject to epistemic uncertainty associated with the disciplinary design tools and input parameters is undertaken. Evidence theory is used to quantify uncertainty in terms of the uncertain measures of belief and plausibility. To illustrate the methodology, multidisciplinary analysis problems are introduced as an extension to the epistemic uncertainty challenge problems identified by Sandia National Laboratories. After uncertainty has been characterized mathematically the designer seeks the optimum design under uncertainty. The measures of uncertainty provided by evidence theory are discontinuous functions. Such non-smooth functions cannot be used in traditional gradient-based optimizers because the sensitivities of the uncertain measures are not properly defined. In this research surrogate models are used to represent the uncertain measures as continuous functions. A sequential approximate optimization approach is used to drive the optimization process. The methodology is illustrated in application to multidisciplinary example problems.
The gene for a human microfibril-associated glycoprotein is commonly deleted in Smith-Magenis syndrome patients

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a clinically recognizable multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation syndrome associated with deletion of chromosome 17p11.2. Here we report the identification of a novel gene encoding a human microfibril-associated glycoprotein (MFAP4), which has been mapped to the SMS region. A full-length cDNA corresponding to this gene has been sequenced, and reveals a coding region of 255 amino acids. MFAP4 has a fibrinogen-like domain and shares a high level of sequence homology to a fragment of a bovine 36 kDa microfibril-associated glycoprotein. The N-terminus of the protein bears an Arg-Gly-Asp sequence that serves as the ligand motif for cell surface receptor integrin. These structural features of MFAP4 suggest that it is an extracellular matrix protein involved in cell adhesion or intercellular interactions. Deletion analysis has been conducted on 31 SMS patients by polymerase chain reaction and Southern analysis of somatic cell hybrids retaining the del(17)(p11.2) chromosome or by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The MFAP4 locus is deleted in 30 of 31 SMS patients. Thus, the function of this gene must be considered in the pathogenesis of SMS. Given our previous hypothesis that SMS is a contiguous gene syndrome, complete and exhaustive definition of the critical deletion interval and a thorough phenotype-genotype correlation is required to demonstrate the role and importance of the MFAP4 gene in SMS.
Design and Implementation of a Research-Informed Water Conservation Education Program

Informed by the results of a baseline research study of regional citizen knowledge and understanding concerning watershed issues, a team of university faculty and classroom teachers designed and implemented a water conservation education program to address lacking areas of watershed knowledge. The authors developed age-appropriate, hands-on lessons, aligned with local and national educational standards, for an audience of school-aged children (5–10 years), which was representative of the surveyed population. The authors present the results of the baseline watershed survey, a description of the implemented educational program, and how the program was received. Responses to the water conservation education program (as ascertained by teacher participant evaluations and student participant commitments) suggest involvement in the educational program may positively effect current and future water conservation behaviors.
Do I Stay or Do I Go? Exploring the antecedents of category spanning

Within organization theory, the prevailing view of categories is of obdurate and discrete entities that shape actors’ identities and practices by setting boundaries and specifying what appropriately falls within them. Spanning multiple categories is thought to be detrimental because it makes an actor’s identity unclear and dilutes their focus. Still, straddling categories is an important driver of innovation and has implications for the emergence, evolution, and redirection of institutional fields. Despite this, understandings about the mechanisms which affect category spanning are limited. Building on insights from structural approaches in cultural sociology, I provide evidence that evolving relationships among categories facilitate spanning by linking particular categories together in meaningful ways. Moreover, I show how the relational structure of categories is shaped endogenously by prominent actors in ways that condition the effects of alternate explanations based on category richness, networks, and...
Quantum groups, braiding matrices and coset models

We discuss a few results on quantum groups in the context of rational conformal field theory with underlying affine Lie algebras. A vertex-height correspondence — a well-known procedure in solvable lattice models — is introduced in the WZW theory. This leads to a new definition of chiral vertex operator in which the zero mode is given by the q-Clebsch Gordan coefficients. Braiding matrices of coset models are found to factorize into those of the WZW theories. We briefly discuss the construction of the generators of the universal enveloping algebra in Toda field theories.
Microstructures of two-phase Ti–Cr alloys containing the TiCr2 Laves phase intermetallic

Microstructures of two-phase Ti–Cr alloys (Ti-rich bcc + TiCr2 and Cr-rich bcc + TiCr2) are analyzed. A variety of TiCr2 precipitate morphologies is encountered with different nominal alloy compositions and annealing temperatures. Lattice constants and crystal structures are determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Orientation relationships between the beta bcc solid solution and C15 TiCr2 Laves phase are understood in terms of geometrical packing, and are consistent with a Laves phase growth mechanism involving twinning.
The influence of vegetational diversity on the population ecology of a specialized herbivore, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

The population ecology of Phyllotreta cruciferae Goeze, a flea beetle which is an important pest of cole crops (Brassica oleracea) in central New York was studied in experimental gardens of differing vegetational diversity over a three year period. Adult beetles were more abundant on collards (B. oleracea var. acephala) grown in monocultures than on those grown adjacent to natural vegetation. The emergence of individuals forming the new annual generation was also greater in the pure stands. Predators and parasites appeared to have a negligible influence on the adult beetles in both habitats. Further experiments demonstrated that monocultures were colonized more rapidly and experienced greater feeding damage than stands in which collards had been interplanted with tomatoes and tobacco. Choice experiments in the laboratory showed that chemical stimuli given off by non-host plants (tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, and ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia) interfered with the host finding and feeding behaviour of P. cruciferae. These results indicate that vegetational diversity can exert a direct influence on populations of phytophagous insects.We conclude that the environmental capacity (Determination in Schwerdtfeger's terminology) of diverse natural communities is lower than that of natural or man-made monocultures. The "associational resistance" resulting from the higher taxonomic and microclimatic complexity of natural vegetation tends to reduce outbreaks of herbivores in diverse communities.
A tutor programme in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Summary A Tutor Programme was created in a third-year clerkship in obstetrics and gynaecology to remedy a student complaint of insufficient contact with teaching staff. Data obtained through the use of observational methodologies were integrated with data from questionnaires and student/teacher interviews to assess programme content, its contribution to student education, and the characteristics of student-teacher interactions. Teachers and students both expressed satisfaction at this opportunity to ‘get to know each other’. A unique contribution of the programme was the discussion of a set of topics categorized as ‘Medicine as a Career and Lifestyle’, e.g. how to make career decisions, residency selection, etc.). These topics were not addressed elsewhere in the curriculum yet were of great importance to the students. The value of observational methods in comprehensive programme evaluation was reaffirmed.
Genetic studies of the b incompatability locus of Ustilago maydis

The b locus of Ustilago maydis is both an incompatibility locus and a pathogenicity locus. There are several different b factors, and they are randomly distributed and equally frequent in the natural population. A sample of 62 lines contained 18 b groups and permitted an estimate of no more than 25 b groups in the natural population. All lines within the same b group are indistinguishable in their mating behaviour. No linkage was detected between b and any of the four biochemical markers tested. No intrafactor recombinants at b were found among more than 6700 progeny. Differences in degree of pathogenicity between solopathogenic diploids and comparable haploid by haploid crosses were detected.
An information measure of retrieval performance

Abstract The classical measures of information retrieval quality, namely precision and recall, each have disadvantages depending on the circumstances. In judging the output of an automatic retrieval procedure it would be useful to have a single number which is practical to compute and summarizes the quality of the output. Such a measure could facilitate the study of retrieval methodology and clarify efforts to optimize retrieval. We show how such a measure may be defined for retrieval methods with ranked output. It is based on the change in the Shannon entropy of the distribution of relevant documents in the database that is produced by the act of retrieval. Properties of this new measure are derived and reveal that it conforms to intuitive expectations.
Particle collection performance of impactors in different gases

Abstract The particle collection performance of round jet impactors was measured as a function of particle size, flow rate, impactor size, and gas viscosity. Two impactor sizes covering a flow rate between 8 and 18 liter/min and a particle size between 2.5 and 16.2 μm were evaluated. The effect of gas property on impactor performance was emphasized. Nitrous oxide, air, and argon were used to vary gas viscosity from 148 to 222 μP. The experimental results indicated that gas viscosity plays an important role in impactor performance, while gas density, which was varied from 1.20 to 1.96 g/liter, does not. The wall loss of particles was measured and compared to the impactor particle collection efficiency. The measured efficiency data were successfully correlated with the square root of the Stokes number. Existing impactor theories were compared to the measured data.
Nonthermal Radio Emission from Hot Star Winds: Its Origin and Physical Implications

Nonthermal radio emission has been observed from some of the most luminous hot star winds. It is understood to be synchrotron radiation of the relativistic electrons in the winds. To understand how the electrons are accelerated to such high energies and to correctly explain the observed radio flux and spectra require an exhaustive investigation of all the relevant physical processes involved and possibly point to a complex wind structure. In this paper we discuss the logical path toward a comprehensive model of the nonthermal radio emission from hot star winds. Based on the available observational data and fundamental theoretical considerations, we found that the only physically viable and self-consistent scenario is: the nonthermal radio emission is synchrotron radiation of relativistic electrons (left right harpoon) the electrons are accelerated by shocks via the first-order Fermi mechanism (left right harpoon) the acceleration has to be in situ in the radio emitting region (left right harpoon) the shocks formed at the base of the winds have to propagate to beyond the radio photosphere.
Nectar Sources of Day-Flying Lepidoptera of Central Illinois

Abstract We tabulated flowering plant species visited by 98 species of Lepidoptera as extracted from records of C. Robertson, who observed >15,000 insect visitors of flowering plants in central Illinois during a 33-yr period. Diversity of Lepidoptera was highest on plant species of the Asclepiadaceae and Verbenaceae, and the greatest number of lepidopteran species visited Verbena stricta Ventenat (Verbenaceae), Aster pilosus Willdenow (Asteraceae), Cephalanthus occidentalis L. (Rubiaceae), and Pycnanthemum flexuosum (Walter) Britton, Sterns, Poggenberg (Lamiaceae). Lepidopterans were particularly abundant on A. pilosus and C. occidentalis. The most polyphagous lepidopteran species were Colias philodice Godart (Pieridae), Danaus plexippus (L.) (Danaidae), Artogeia rapae (L.) [=Pieris rapae (L.); Pieridae], Phyciodes tharos (Drury) (Nymphalidae), Polites themistocles (Latreille) (Hesperiidae), Pontia protodice (Boisduval & LeConte) (Pieridae), and Everes comyntas (Godart) (Lycaenidae), each of which visited...
Transformation of recalcitrant maize elite inbreds using in vitro shoot meristematic cultures induced from germinated seedlings

Two new methods of transformation for recalcitrant maize elite inbreds (B73 and a Pioneer Hi-Bred inbred) were successfully developed using shoot meristematic cultures (SMCs) derived from germinated seedlings. One of the methods – the sector proliferation method – involved in vitro induction and proliferation of SMCs from transgenic sectors. These transgenic sectors derived from the bombardment of shoot apical meristems in immature embryos. Using this method, transgenic T1 and T2 progeny were obtained from the Pioneer Hi-Bred maize inbred, PHTE4. The other method – the SMC method – involved direct bombardment of SMCs. Using the second method, transgenic T1 and T2 progeny were produced from the publicly held maize inbred B73. Cellular and molecular analyses showed that SMCs were mainly induced from the nodal regions within the elongating in vitro stem tissues. The induced SMCs, characterized by large numbers of cells expressing KN1, have the potential to produce multiple adventitious shoot meristems. The use of induction and maintenance media containing higher levels of Cu2+ or Zn2+, not needed in earlier investigations on sweet corn, was found to be critical for the successful in vitro culture and transformation of some maize inbreds.
A universal pathway for kinesin stepping

Kinesin-1 is a motor protein that transports cargo unidirectionally along microtubules by alternatively advancing each of its two heads. Here single-molecule approaches show that kinesin-1 mutants in which both motor heads remain bound to the microtubule are able to step forward as well as backward, allowing the development of a five-state kinetic model that accounts quantitatively for both forward and backward stepping by kinesin-1.
Minimum uncertainty robot path planning using a POMDP approach

We propose a new minimum uncertainty planning technique for mobile robots localizing with beacons. We model the system as a partially-observable Markov decision process and use a sampling-based method in the belief space (the space of posterior probability density functions over the state space) to find a belief-feedback policy. This approach allows us to analyze the evolution of the belief more accurately, which can result in improved policies when common approximations do not model the true behavior of the system. We demonstrate that our method performs comparatively, and in certain cases better, than current methods in the literature.
Aseptic knee effusion associated with calcified guinea worms

Reported is a case of aseptic knee effusion associated with the presence of a calcified guinea worm, Dracunculus medinensis , in close proximity to the joint. The patient, a native of Nigeria, presented with chronic right knee pain and swelling. He did well with symptomatic treatment including nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, rest, ice, and elevation of the leg. Dracunculiasis is prevalent in parts of Asia and Africa, but has been described only rarely in the United States.
A description of the jousts of Manuel I Komnenos

The thirteenth-century manuscript Greek 1409 in the Vatican Library contains an anonymous Greek ekphrasis of the jousts of an unnamed Byzantine emperor. The text, which has interest for both historians and art historians, has been cited on several occasions in the scholarly literature, but never analyzed in detail. In the following pages we provide a translation of the text, together with a commentary upon the context of the piece. We will argue that the ekphrasis not only describes a specific work of art, depicting a specific event, but also gives valuable information about the visual language through which Byzantine emperors of the twelfth century expressed their power.
Freestanding Graphene and Its Applications

The ability to fabricate freestanding graphene opens up the door for new applications in the electronic, optoelectronic, bio-chemical and electro-chemical areas. We follow the advent of this remarkable crystallographic phase through examples.
Studying Amino Acid Sequence Using Word Processing Programs

"Functional workhorse molecules of the cell . . . basic molecular building blocks." These are phrases that are often employed in biology courses to describe the importance and function of proteins. Proteins are indeed ubiquitous molecules that play enzymatic, structural and multiple complex roles in cells and living systems. The teaching of introductory biology is enhanced by a basic understanding of the structure and function of proteins. However, the importance of proteins and their diverse roles is often glossed over and not communicated well in the classroom because of the difficulty of developing visual aids and laboratory studies that focus on protein chemistry and biology. Proteins can be readily isolated by gel electrophoresis, but obtaining enough purified protein to analyze by other methods becomes a time-consuming and expensive proposition. However, students do have access to amino acid sequences of proteins through journal articles or databases that are accessible via electronic-mail (e-mail), or computer networks. In this report we describe exercises that involve studying protein amino acid sequences with the aid of word processing programs. Because these assignments do not require specialized software, they can be readily performed by students who have access to a personal computer. Analysis of protein structure occurs at four levels of complexity:
Seismicity and tremor in a submarine hydrothermal field: the northern Juan De Fuca Ridge

We have made the first multi-year deployments of a small number of ocean bottom seismometers on a mid-ocean ridge. We located our instruments in and around a vigorous hydrothermal vent field on the Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The deployments have revealed a consistent pattern of activity comprising several types of events. Most abundant are swarms of extremely small microearthquakes that we suggest are associated with cracking of the oceanic crust. We also observe local tectonic earthquakes that occur about four times per day. Preliminary hypocentral locations place these tectonic events away from the ridge axis and outside the hydrothermal field. The seismicity on the Endeavour Segment is remarkably different from the southern Juan de Fuca Ridge where little, if any, tectonic activity is occurring. We speculate that the Endeavour and southern Juan de Fuca Ridge are in two different phases of their long-term evolution. The latter has only rare activity that is only beginning to focus hydrothermal circulation along faults. In contrast, the Endeavour Segment is in an active tectonic phase; and the faults have had time to develop robust hydrothermal circulation, resulting in large hydrothermal vent deposits.
THE PERFORMANCE OF A SIMPLE INCREMENTAL LOT‐SIZING RULE IN A MULTILEVEL INVENTORY ENVIRONMENT

A simple incremental cost approach to lot sizing was tested in a multilevel inventory environment. The incremental approach has not previously been tested in a large-scale study involving multiple product-structure levels. Using the Wagner-Whitin (WW) algorithm as a benchmark, the simple incremental rule (IPPA) was compared to three heuristic procedures (LFL, EOQ, and POQ) frequently used in material requirements planning (MRP) lot-sizing research. The incremental rule consistently generated lower total order/setup and carrying costs than the three heuristics across the 3,200 multilevel test situations examined. In many of the test situations, the incremental rule also outperformed the WW benchmark.
Information-theoretic treatment of axial imaging

We present an information theoretic formulation of imaging resolution for axially extended objects, and use it to compare the performance of confocal microscopes and volume holographic imaging systems.
A carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) specific monoclonal hybridoma antibody that reacts only with high-molecular-weight CEA

A monoclonal antibody secreted by a hybridoma, formed by the fusion of a spleen cell from an immunized mouse and a myeloma cell, has been shown to react only with a form of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with a molecular weight of 180,000 daltons. The monoclonal antibody precipitates a 180,000-dalton form of CEA from colorectal carcinoma cell lysates, purified iodinated CEA and iodinated CEA-S, but does not precipitate the ‘cross-reactive’ antigen (NCA) from normal colon.
Annealing effects on the mechanical properties of near-frictionless carbon thin films

Abstract In this work, the near-frictionless carbon (NFC) thin films developed at Argonne National Laboratory were annealed at 100 °C, 150 °C, 200 °C, 400 °C, and 600 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. The changes of the NFC mechanical properties were measured with both static and dynamic nanoindentation methods. It was found that the Young's modulus and hardness decreased with increasing annealing temperatures. Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the film's structural change before nanoindentation testing. Raman characterization indicated that the G peak shifted upwards as the annealing temperature was increased above 150 °C, which indicated decreasing sp 3 content. The intensity of the D peak was shown to increase with annealing temperature indicating that the NFC film became more graphite-like. AFM analysis showed an increase of sp 2 clustering with annealing temperature, which resulted in an increase in surface roughness. SEM characterization indicated that as the films were annealed large cracks and numerous pinholes were generated. The characterization results were in good agreement with the measured mechanical properties.
Three‐dimensional structure of the type 1 inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor at 24 Å resolution

We report here the first three‐dimensional structure of the type 1 inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor (IP 3 R). From cryo‐electron microscopic images of purified receptors embedded in vitreous ice, a three‐dimensional structure was determined by use of standard single particle reconstruction techniques. The structure is strikingly different from that of the ryanodine receptor at similar resolution despite molecular similarities between these two calcium release channels. The 24 A resolution structure of the IP 3 R takes the shape of an uneven dumbbell, and is ∼170 A tall. Its larger end is bulky, with four arms protruding laterally by ∼50 A and, in comparison with the receptor topology, probably corresponds to the cytoplasmic domain of the receptor. The lateral dimension at the height of the protruding arms is ∼155 A. The smaller end, whose lateral dimension is ∼100 A, has structural features indicative of the membrane‐spanning domain. A central opening in this domain, which is occluded on the cytoplasmic half, outlines a pathway for calcium flow in the open state of the channel.
Utilizing the Flexibility of the Epsilon-Skew-Normal Distribution for Tobit Regression Problems

In this note, we extend the Tobit model first introduced by James Tobin in 1958. The Tobit model is a regression model used when the dependent variable is truncated or censored to the left and assumes the error term is normally distributed. It has been shown in subsequent research that even small violations of this assumption may lead to inconsistent estimators. The log and other Box–Cox transformations to the data are often utilized in an attempt to compensate for this weakness. However, we illustrate that for many biological applications this approach is oftentimes inadequate. An alternative approach is to consider other parametric models. We consider the utilizing the epsilon-skew-normal distribution to provide a more flexible model. We show this model provides consistent and efficient parameter estimates.
Water allocation under alternative water supply conditions

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for estimating the marginal value of water to alternative users. The framework developed employs input-output and linear programming methods and is applied to a rural area of South Carolina. Pricing water resources according to their value of marginal product will lead to efficient allocation of the water and maximum Gross Regional Product under alternative water supply conditions.
Psychological characteristics and development of narcotic-addicted infants

This paper reviews neonatal and developmental behavioral characteristics of children born to heroin- and methadone-addicted women. Evidence of behavioral effects is clearer and more consistent for the neonatal period than in later infancy and childhood. It has not been shown that additional risk for psychological disturbance in childhood is contributed by passive addiction in utero. Methodologic problems in this literature are described and suggestions for strategies and directions in research are offered.
Comparison of three assays for total serum prostate-specific antigen and percentage of free prostate-specific antigen in predicting prostate histology.

Abstract Objectives To determine the statistical performance of three different assays for prostate specific antigen (PSA) and the percentage of free PSA with respect to the differentiation of histologic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer in men who underwent surgical removal of prostate tissue. Methods Serum of 86 men scheduled for prostate surgery (transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP], simple open prostatectomy, radical prostatectomy, cystoprostatectomy) was frozen and subjected to measurement in batches using three different assays for total PSA (Hybritech Tandem-E, Abbott IMx, Tosoh AIA-600) and free PSA by the Hybritech method after a single freeze-thaw cycle. The histologic diagnosis of the removed tissue (35 BPH and 51 cancer) was used as a “gold standard” for classification of disease status. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic efficiency were calculated for the three total PSA assays and the free/total PSA ratios for the entire cohort and subsets. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to compare the performance of the assays and ratios. Results Mean and median total PSA values differed slightly between the three assays for all patients, and for those with BPH and cancer, but this difference was not significant. Because of a considerable overlap, the differences between the mean PSA values for men with BPH and prostate cancer were not significant. At a cutpoint of 4.0 ng/mL, sensitivity with respect to the differentiation between BPH and prostate cancer was 68.6% for all three total PSA assays; the respective AUCs (0.613–0.625) were not significantly different. While the performance of the free/total PSA ratios was superior, the differences were only significant when subsets of patients were considered with a total PSA between 4 and 10 ng/mL or 4 and 15 ng/mL (AUCs 0.789–0.816). Likewise, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic efficiency was better in these subsets of patients. Conclusions In this study in which a “gold standard” based on histologic analysis of the entire (or large part of) the prostate gland was used to classify disease status, the three assays for total serum PSA (Hybritech Tandem-E, Abbott IMx, and Tosoh AIA-600) performed very similarly with identical sensitivities (at a cutpoint of 4.0 ng/mL) and comparable AUCs with respect to the differentiation of men with histologic BPH and prostate cancer. The ratios of free/total PSA calculated as free PSA by the Hybritech manual immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) method over all three total PSA assays, performed marginally better in the entire patient population. However, in the subsets of patients with a PSA of 4–10 ng/mL and 4–15 ng/mL, all three ratios performed significantly better than the three total PSA assays. The proper choice of a cutpoint for the ratio (15%, 17%, 19%, or 21%) depends on the desirability of maximizing either sensitivity or specificity while optimizing diagnostic efficiency.