cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lightiella Serendipita Gen. Nov., Sp. Nov., a Cephalocarid From San Francisco Bay, California

Ein neuer Vertreter der Cephalocarida aus der Bucht von San Francisco, Californien, wird beschrieben. Auf Grund von Unterschieden in der Zahl der Korperanhange, in der Struktur der Segmente, der Gesamtzahl von Segmenten in Jungstadien und der Zahl der Gelenke der Endopoditen wird die Errichtung der neuen Familie Lightiellidae vorgeschlagen. Die Familie enthalt ein einziges Genus, Lightiella, dessen Speziestyp L. serendipita sp. nov. ist. Vergleiche mit der einzigen anderen beschrieben Cephalocaride, Hutchinsoniella macracantha Sanders (Hutchinsoniellidae), werden angestellt.
Calcium sensitive feedback release of parathyroid hormone as a potential treatment of hypoparathyroidism

Abstract Introduction. The most common cause of hypoparathyroidism is iatrogenic injury to the parathyroid glands during thyroid resection. To avoid adverse side effects of long-term calcium and vitamin D therapy, we are investigating ways to maintain calcium homeostasis through the controlled release of parathyroid hormone (PTH) from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres. An ideal delivery vehicle for this purpose would be biodegradable and sensitive to calcium concentrations. Since calmodulin undergoes a conformational change when bound with calcium, we hypothesized that calmodulin, co-encapsulated with PTH, may alter the PTH release kinetics from biodegradable PLGA microspheres. Methods. Using double emulsion solvent evaporation technique, PLGA microspheres loaded with 0.5 mg of PTH and 50 mg of calmodulin were made. In vitro release profiles for the microspheres were determined by incubating them in a Tris-HCl buffer at pH 7.5, 37°C and varying calcium chloride (CaCl2) concentration. The effluent was serially sampled and PTH concentration measured. First, we compared release of PTH with (2mM) CaCl2 and without CaCl2 in the buffer. Second, we constructed the release profile with CaCl2 at concentrations of 1 and 2 mM. Next, bioactivity of the PTH released from these microspheres was evaluated in vivo by injecting 25 mg subcutaneously in a rat and obtaining serial serum levels. Results. (1) In experiments in which effect of calcium chloride was compared to no CaCl2, after 3 h, 2 mM Ca2+ buffer had reduced the release of PTH by 20%. In the experiments with buffer containing 1 and 2 mM of CaCl2, the microspheres released 110 ng less of PTH at a CaCl2 concentration of 2 mM than at 1 mM. When the buffers were reversed, rate of release of PTH from the microspheres increased in the microspheres that were initially in 2 mM CaCl2 and decreased in those which were at 1 mM CaCl2. (2) When these microspheres were injected subcutaneously in a rat, serum calcium rose from baseline of 10.6 to 12.2 mg/dl. Conclusions. Calmodulin can be used to develop calcium sensitive PLGA microspheres for the delivery of PTH. Bioactivity of PTH is preserved with coencapsulation of calmodulin.
The location of placement and juvenile delinquency: Do neighborhoods matter in child welfare?

Abstract This study aims to advance the knowledge base by investigating where foster youth are placed in terms of neighborhood characteristics and whether specific neighborhood characteristics were associated with delinquency for adolescents in the child welfare system. This study followed the placement experiences of 2360 foster youth in Chicago from birth to 16 years of age. The study used State administrative data, census data, and the community survey of the Project of Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods. The results indicated that foster care placements cluster in neighborhoods characterized by high concentrated disadvantage, low ethnic heterogeneity, low collective efficacy, prevalent neighborhood disorder and violent culture. The results indicated that neighborhood ethnic heterogeneity is positively associated with delinquent offending. The implications for policy and practice are discussed.
Probing the chemistry and manipulating surfaces at the atomic scale with the STM

Abstract The STM can be used both as a probe of local surface electronic structure and chemistry and as a tool for the atomic scale manipulation of materials. We demonstrate the use of the STM as a local probe by investigating the spatial distribution of the initial stages of oxidation of Si(111)-7×7 and Si(100)-2×1. We find that the oxidation reaction is very site selective. On the Si(111) surface. Si corner adatom sides on the faulted-half of the 7 × 7 unit cell are most reactive and defects play no significant role. On the Si(100) surface, on the other hand, the Si dimer majority sites are unreactive while C-defects dominate the early stages of oxidation. This apparent difference in the reactivity of the two surfaces is resolved by tunneling spectroscopy which shows that a common factor, namely the density of occupied states near EF, determines the reactivity on both surfaces. Next we consider the use of STM as a manipulation tool. We first discuss a general scheme, termed chemically-assisted field-evaporation, which allows the atomic scale manipulation of materials. This scheme involves a combination of chemical tip-sample interactions produced by bringing the tip very close to the site to be affected, and electrostatic forces produced by the application of a voltage pulse. The chemical interaction significantly reduces the barrier for atom transfer between sample and tip, while the electrostatic force introduces directionality and further reduces the barrier. We illustrate the power of this approach by (a) removing individual Si atoms or clusters of atoms from Si(111) with a W tip and then redepositing them at predetermined surface sites, and (b) depositing Al atoms from and Al tip to the Si(111) surface.
The Rawlsian Theory of International Law

Teson critiques a recent article by John Rawls in which Rawls extends his acclaimed political theory to include international relations. Teson first summarizes Rawls' theory and then presents a critique. With this essay, Rawls joins an already vigorous scholarly reaction against traditional state-centered models of international law and relations. When measured against such models, Rawls' theory of international law moves in the right direction in assigning a role, albeit a modest one, to human rights and political legitimacy. However, to the extent that Rawls' effort purports to be a rational reconstruction of international law for our new era (as he certainly intends it to be), it fails to capture central moral features of the international order. His proposal is still too forgiving of serious forms of oppression in the name of liberal tolerance. The theory thus falls short of matching the considered moral judgments prevailing in today's international community. Moreover, it fails Rawls' own test of epistemic adequacy.
Phosphorus Availability in an Artificially Flooded Southeastern Floodplain Forest Soil

Studies of how flooding affects P availability in natural floodplains are rare. We examined the effects of artificial flooding on P availability in a Georgia floodplain forest. We hypothesized that P availability would increase with flooding, because of the flooding-induced solubilization of phosphate minerals. Field mesocosms (n = 4 per treatment) were flooded with river water according to one of four treatments over ∼6 mo: (i) continuously flooded; (ii) flooded for 3 mo and then drained; (iii) flooded for 2 mo, drained for 1 mo, and repeated; and (iv) nonflooded control. Two additional sets of 3-mo flooded-drained mesocosms (n = 4 per set) received added P or N (1 and 10 mg L -1 , respectively) with flooding. Soils were collected monthly from both inside and outside of the mesocosms and analyzed by Hedley fractionation; anion-exchange resins (AER) were used to estimate P availability in situ. As indexed by daily supply to AER, P availability was significantly greater in flooded versus control soils, and decreased significantly following drainage, in all treatments at some time during the study. Total P supply to AER was significantly greater in flooded versus control mesocosms regardless of treatment. No significant changes were observed in Fe/Al phosphate fractions. Microbial P was significantly lower in flooded versus control mesocosms during the first 3 mo of flooding and decreased significantly over time in two treatments. In this natural floodplain, biological processes are a more probable explanation for flooding-induced increases in P availability than solubilization of mineral phosphates.
Neutron Diffraction Texture Analysis

An intrinsic property of polycrystalline materials is the orientation distribution of crystallites. In some cases this distribution is random, yet often there is preferred orientation of crystallites relative to macroscopic axes that may have been attained during a deformation process. Many rocks—metamorphic, igneous as well as sedimentary—display non-random orientation distributions that are the cause for anisotropy of macroscopic physical properties. Interpretation of textures in materials has to rely on a quantitative description of orientation characteristics. Two types of preferred orientations need to be distinguished: The shape preferred orientation (or often abbreviated SPO) describes the orientation of grains with anisotropic shape. The lattice preferred orientation (LPO) or “texture” refers to the orientation of the crystal lattice. (LPO is an unfortunate term since the lattice does not always uniquely describe the crystal orientation, as in the trigonal mineral quartz with a hexagonal unit cell. “Crystallographic preferred orientation,” CPO, would be more appropriate). Shape and crystal orientation can be correlated, such as in sheet silicates with a flaky morphology in schists, or fibers in fiber reinforced ceramics. In other cases they are not. In a rolled cubic metal or a plastically deformed quartzite, the grain shape depends on the deformation and is not directly related to the crystallography. Many methods have been used to determine preferred orientation. Geologists have applied extensively the petrographic microscope equipped with a Universal stage to measure the orientation of morphological and optical directions in individual grains (e.g., Wahlstrom 1979; Wenk 1985). More recently electron diffraction, both with transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM) have been used to measure orientation of crystals (e.g., Schwarzer and Weiland 1988; Randle and Engel 2000). In this case, the location of a grain can be determined, which permits to correlate microstructures, neighbor relations and texture. Also from individual orientation measurements …
Reaction sequences for (Na+ + K+)-dependent ATPase hydrolytic activities: new quantitative kinetic models

To delineate better the reaction sequence of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and illuminate properties of the active site, kinetic data were fitted to specific quantitative models. For the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase reaction, double-reciprocal plots of velocity against ATP (in the millimolar range), with a series of fixed KCl concentrations, are nearly parallel, in accord with the ping pong kinetics of ATP binding at the low-affinity sites only after Pi release. However, contrary to requirements of usual formulations, Pi is not a competitor toward ATP. A new steady-state kinetic model accommodates these data quantitatively, requiring that under usual assay conditions most of the enzyme activity follows a sequence in which ATP adds after Pi release, but also requiring a minor alternative pathway with ATP adding after K+ binds but before Pi release. The fit to the data also reveals that Pi binds nearly as rapidly to E2 X K X ATP as to E2 X K, whereas ATP binds quite slowly to E2 X P X K: the site resembles a cul-de-sac with distal ATP and proximal Pi sites. For the K+-nitrophenyl phosphatase reaction also catalyzed by this enzyme, the apparent affinities for both substrate and Pi (as inhibitor) decrease with higher KCl concentrations, and both Pi and TNP-ATP appear to be competitive inhibitors toward substrate with 10 mM KCl but noncompetitive inhibitors with 1 mM KCl. These data are accommodated quantitatively by a steady-state model allowing cyclic hydrolytic activity without obligatory release of K+, and with exclusive binding of substrate vs. either Pi or TNP-ATP. The greater sensitivity of the phosphatase reaction to both Pi and arsenate is attributable to the weaker binding by the occluded-K+ enzyme form occurring in the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase reaction sequence. The steady-state models are consistent with cyclical interconversion of high- and low-affinity substrate sites accompanying E1/E2 transitions, with distortion to low-affinity sites altering not only affinity and route of access but also separating the adenine- and phosphate-binding regions, the latter serving in the E2 conformation as the active site for the phosphatase reaction.
Malignant transformation in non-irradiated recurrent respiratory papillomatosis†

The clinical, radiographic and post mortem findings occurring in a 6-year-old female with a four-year history of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) are described. At autopsy, there were two separate foci of malignant transformation (malignant degeneration) in the bronchioloalveolar papillomata. This patient is the youngest in whom such changes have been described. Malignant transformation is a rare occurrence and is usually seen in older patients with longstanding papillomatosis, therapeutic irradiation, or a history of smoking. Pulmonary spread represents the majority of cases with "spontaneous" malignant transformation.
Interdisciplinary discussion of volcanic processes beneath the Long Valley Caldera‐Mono Craters Area

Volcanism in the Long Valley Caldera-Mono Craters (LVCMC) volcanic field in eastern California over the past 4 Ma is dominated by the 0.76 Ma caldera-forming eruption of 600 km3 of rhyolite to form the Bishop Tuff. Over the last 150 k.y., volcanism has concentrated along the Mono-Inyo chain, which extends 45 km north from Mammoth Mountain to Mono Lake (Figure 1, below). Recent eruptions along this chain have occurred from multiple vents 650±50 yr B.P. and from a vent in the middle of Mono Lake ∼300 yr B.P. An earthquake swarm in May 1980, including four M6 earthquakes accompanied by uplift of the resurgent dome in the center of the caldera, called attention to the restless nature of Long Valley caldera. Subsequent activity has included recurring swarms of earthquakes (M≤5.8), episodic uplift of the resurgent dome, diffuse outgassing of magmatic CO2, and mid-crustal (10- to 25- km deep), long period (LP) volcanic earthquakes.
Hmong Gardens: Botanical Diversity in an Urban Setting

Abstract Since the end of the Vietnam War, thousands of Laotian Hmong have immigrated to the United States, many ultimately resettling in the Central Valley of California. In the inner-city environment of Sacramento, the Hmong continue their agrarian traditions by creating urban gardens where they grow traditional plants. In this study, we document 59 Hmong garden species grown at a site in South Sacramento. Most of these species are documented in the Southeast Asian botanical literature as either food or medicinal plants. Uses of the plants are discussed as is the importance of urban gardens in maintaining Hmong cultural identity and practices.
Statistical validation of classification and calibration models using bootstrapped latin partitions

Unbiased evaluation of classification and calibration methods is important, especially as these methods are applied to increasingly complex data sets that are under-determined. Precision bounds, such as confidence intervals, are required for interpreting any experimental result. Using bootstrapped Latin partitions to evaluate classification and calibration models, bounds on the average predictions were obtained. These bounds characterize sources of variation attributed to building the model and the composition of the training set with respect to the test set. Furthermore, precision bounds on the average of the model-variable loadings allow the significance of characteristic features to be estimated. The procedure for bootstrapped Latin partitions is given and demonstrated with synthetic data sets for classification using linear discriminant analysis and fuzzy rule-building expert systems, and for calibration using partial least squares regression with one and three properties. All analyses were implemented on a personal computer with the longest evaluation requiring 6-h processing time. Analysis of variance and matched sample t-tests were also used to demonstrate the statistical power of these tests.
If It Dries Out, It's No Good: Women, Hair and Rusalki Beliefs

INTRODUCTION There is something instinctual about communicating social behavior and intentions through hair. I have spent summers in Russia with my hair pulled back demurely, trying to remain inconspicuous, the observer rather than the observed. I noticed how, almost uniformly, little girls wear hair ribbons which are bigger than their heads; how mod young women in mini skirts wear their hair loose; how relatively reserved women pull their hair back; how the older ones keep their heads covered in kerchiefs. In his article "Magical Hair" (1957), Edmund Leach discusses hair as a prominent feature of rites of passage across cultures. He writes: From [an] anthropological point of view, [rites of passage] retlectthe progression of the individual through set stages in the social system; these stages correspond to different degrees of maturity, different types of permitted sexual behavior, different allocations of social power ...Even the most skeptical anthropologist must admit that head hair is rather frequently employed as a public symbol with an explicitly sexual significance ...Marked changes in hairdressing vel)' commonly accompany the changes in sexual status that occur at puberty and marriage, but the pattern of change varies.(I) In Russia today, age and sexuality are expressed through hair, but the type of expression has changed, reflecting changes in society and worldview.(2) This paper examines earlier manifestations of East Slavic beliefs about hair and sexuality as expressed in the traditional wedding ritual complex and in customs related to the rusalko. In the wedding ritual, the bride is "sold" to her new husband and his family, and must leave her home and village. As part of the ritual, she "sells" her braid to her new husband, and is valued for the thickness of her braid I will argue that this act is symbolic of a woman's giving over her sexual potency and autonomy to her husband and to her new marriage. In addition to discussing the role of hair in ritual, I will suggest an interpretation of the wedding as a sort of a blueprint of the histol)' of the wedding ritual itself. The ritual itself: in my opinion, reflects a transition in the role of women in a society increasingly influenced by the Orthodox Church. THE RITUALS As with all folklore, beliefs are articulated in a variety of ways. Traditionally, young girls and women were distinguished from each other by dress; they were also distinguished by hair and headgear. Customs and rituals involving hair portray a system of social position. A young girl wore her hair either loose or in one braid on the back of her head. The single braid may have been adorned
Effects of food, proximity, and kinship on social behavior in ringtailed lemurs.

Efforts to understand the variation in primate social systems and their underlying interaction patterns have focused on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In the socioecological model, food distribution and abundance have been argued to be the primary influences on the social behavior of primate species. We examined the relationship of food resources and two intrinsic factors—kinship and proximity—with patterns of affiliative and agonistic relationships in two semi-free ranging ringtailed lemur, Lemur catta, social groups (N=14) at The Duke Lemur Center in Durham, NC. In analyzing these three factors concurrently within the same system, we attempt to establish their relative power in explaining the characteristics of social relationships. Patterns of affiliation and high-intensity agonism were best explained by kinship. Proximity also explained affiliation but did not explain agonism, which varied considerably between groups. The influence of food on social interactions was highly variable between the two groups and, therefore, did not convincingly account for the social behavior patterns we observed. Finally, different intensities of agonism have different patterns and should be analyzed individually. The variation between social groups makes it difficult for us to conclude that any one factor is primarily and universally responsible for patterns of social behavior in this species. Am. J. Primatol. 72:981–991, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Variations in mutual coupling correction factors for resonant dipoles used in site attenuation measurements

Site attenuation measurements using resonant dipole antennas are commonly used to certify test sites for compliance testing to the Federal Communication Commission Part 15 requirements. Mutual coupling has previously been shown to affect the impedance of resonant dipole antennas. It is pointed out that a correction factor must be added to ANS C63.4 normalized site attenuation for these measurements to agree with theoretically calculated results below 200 MHz. An accurate method-of-moments technique of predicting horizontal and vertical site attenuation at three meters with resonant antennas is presented. The electrical properties of the antenna balun can be input directly into the model, the exact antenna wire structure including the segmented elements can be included, and all mutual coupling effects are modeled in the problem solution. >
Sense, Nonsense, and Violence: Levinas and the Internal Logic of School Shootings

Utilizing a broadly Levinasian framework, specifically the interplay among his ideas of possession, violence, and negation, Gabriel Keehn and Deron Boyles illustrate how the relatively recent sharp turn toward the hypercorporatized school and the concomitant transition of the student from simple (potential) customer to a type of hybrid consumer/consumable has rendered it more difficult for students to see themselves as engaged in any type of serious ethical relationship with those around them. To be unable to see their peers as Others, in other words, makes it easier for students to perpetrate a specific type of violence against them. Keehn and Boyles suggest that current popular policy responses to gun violence in schools (such as increased security, zero-tolerance policies, antibullying initiatives, and mental-health policy revisions) are approaches that, at best, fail to address the root cause of gun violence in schools and, at worst, are themselves branches of that root: namely, a homogenizing corporatism that creates an ethical vacuum in the schoolhouse.
String phenomenology and the cosmological constant

It is argued that classical string solutions should not be fine tuned to have a positive cosmological constant (CC) at the observed size, since even the quantum corrections from standard model effects will completely negate any classical string theory solution with such a CC. In fact it is even possible that there is no need at all for any ad hoc uplifting term in the potential since these quantum effects may well take care of this. Correspondingly any calculation of the parameters of the MSSM has to be rethought to take into account the evolution of the CC. This considerably complicates the issue since the initial conditions for RG evolution of these parameters are determined by the final condition on the CC! The anthropic principle is of no help in addressing these issues.
Fast Multidimensional Subset Scan for Outbreak Detection and Characterization

Multidimensional Subset Scan (MD-Scan) is a new method for early outbreak detection and characterization using multivariate case data from individuals in a population. MD-Scan extends previous work on multivariate event detection by identifying the characteristics of the affected subpopulation (e.g. affected gender(s), age groups, and behavioral risk factors), and enables more timely and more accurate detection while maintaining computational tractability.
Interpreting the Opposition between Two Block-Onset Forcing Mechanisms

Abstract The opposition between two block-onset forcing mechanisms, previously identified in midtropospheric analyses over the Southern Hemisphere midlatitudes, is analytically interpreted with an idealized model. These mechanisms are the interaction (Finter) between deformation and potential vorticity and the advection (Fadv) of meridionally varying potential vorticity. Weather systems of concern, primarily consisting of planetary- and synoptic-scale waves, mostly fall into two regimes of zonal and meridional wavenumber space in which the opposition between the two block-onset forcing mechanisms is analytically derived. A synoptic interpretation of this opposition is schematically presented within the framework of barotropic dynamics. It is found that whether blocking occurs in diffluent or confluent flow depends upon the critical wavelength associated with the geostrophic flow. Blocking tends to take place in the diffluent flow of long waves in which Finter dominates over Fadv. In addition, blocking als...
Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

The etiology of somatic symptomatology in children is occasionally difficult to ascertain in spite of vigorous investigative efforts. This paper explores a case of illness in a child in which psychological and somatic factors in both parent and child interact in a complex, pathological way. The case is one of Munchausen syndrome by proxy which is unique in its presentation in that the child's mother has Munchausen syndrome. A literature review of Munchausen syndrome and Munchausen syndrome by proxy is included.
Accurate battery lifetime estimation using high-frequency power profile emulation

For accurate estimation of battery lifetime, researchers have developed analytical and empirical models and applied them to representative load profiles. However, accurate battery models are not available for most batteries on the market. Although high-accuracy simulation models exist for certain battery chemistries, they are computationally intensive and still require calibration through trial and error. To address this problem, this paper presents a low-cost load emulation platform for automated, accurate battery estimation. By draining a battery with high-frequency emulation of a system power profile, all of the battery characteristics are accounted for, including the discharge rate and recovery effects. A designer can then accurately observe how the system effects battery life, quantify lifetime performance for multiple batteries, and ultimately optimize the system's power scheduling around a particular battery.
Clinical considerations of the thoracic limb

The avian skeleton is significantly different from the mammalian skeleton, and these differences are important when providing fracture repair and postoperative care for the avian patient. Successful repair depends on an understanding of fracture management and healing and of the anatomical, physiologic, and behavioral concerns of avian patients. Having knowledge of fracture repair without an understanding of the unique needs of avian patients' results in a disappointing treatment response.
Signaling by Nuclear Receptors

Nuclear receptors are activated by lipid-soluble signals (e.g., steroid hormones) that cross the plasma membrane. Once activated, most function as transcription factors to control gene expression for numerous biological processes.
The indeterminate floral apex1 gene regulates meristem determinacy and identity in the maize inflorescence

Meristems may be determinate or indeterminate. In maize, the indeterminate inflorescence meristem produces three types of determinate meristems: spikelet pair, spikelet and floral meristems. These meristems are defined by their position and their products. We have discovered a gene in maize, indeterminate floral apex1 (ifa1) that regulates meristem determinacy. The defect found in ifa1 mutants is specific to meristems and does not affect lateral organs. In ifa1 mutants, the determinate meristems become less determinate. The spikelet pair meristem initiates more than a pair of spikelets and the spikelet meristem initiates more than the normal two flowers. The floral meristem initiates all organs correctly, but the ovule primordium, the terminal product of the floral meristem, enlarges and proliferates, expressing both meristem and ovule marker genes. A role for ifa1 in meristem identity in addition to meristem determinacy was revealed by double mutant analysis. In zea agamous1 (zag1) ifa1 double mutants, the female floral meristem converts to a branch meristem whereas the male floral meristem converts to a spikelet meristem. In indeterminate spikelet1 (ids1) ifa1 double mutants, female spikelet meristems convert to branch meristems and male spikelet meristems convert to spikelet pair meristems. The double mutant phenotypes suggest that the specification of meristems in the maize inflorescence involves distinct steps in an integrated process.
Towards Automated Requirements Triage

Budgetary restrictions and time-to-market deadlines often require stakeholders to prioritize requirements and decide which ones to include in a given product release. Lack of an effective prioritization and triage process can lead to problems such as missed deadlines, disorganized development efforts, and late discovery of architecturally significant requirements. Existing prioritization techniques do not provide sufficient automation for large projects with hundreds of stakeholders and thousands of potentially conflicting requests and requirements. This paper therefore proposes an approach for automating a significant part of the prioritization process. The proposed method utilizes a probabilistic traceability model combined with a standard hierarchical clustering algorithm to cluster incoming stakeholder requests into hierarchical feature sets. Additional cross-cutting clusters are then generated to represent factors such as architecturally significant requirements or impacted business goals. Prioritization decisions are initially made at the feature level and then more critical requirements are promoted according to their relationships with the identified cross-cutting concerns. The approach is illustrated and evaluated through a case study applied to the requirements of the ice breaker system.
Uniformly Minimum Variance Unbiased Estimation of Gene Diversity

Gene diversity is an important measure of genetic variability in inbred populations. The survival of species in changing environments depends on, among other factors, the genetic variability of the population. In this communication, I have derived the uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimator of gene diversity. The proposed estimator of gene diversity does not assume that the inbreeding coefficient is known. I have also provided the approximate variance of this estimator according to Fisher's method. In addition, I have developed a numerical resampling-based method for obtaining variances and confidence intervals based on the maximum likelihood estimator and the uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimator. Efficiency in estimation of the gene diversity based on these two estimators is discussed. In accordance with the simulation results, I found that the uniformly minimum variance estimator developed in this report is more accurate for estimation of gene diversity than the maximum likelihood estimator.
The influence of the dental papilla on the development of tooth shape in embryonic mouse tooth germs

Studies of epithelio-mesenchymal interactions during embryonic organogenesis have led to a number of conclusions regarding the nature of cellular and tissue differentiation (McLoughlin, 1963; Grobstein, 1967). For example, the importance of both the epithelium and the mesenchyme and the dependence of some systems on a limited number of specific mesenchymal tissues have been pointed out (Hilfer, 1968). Intimately connected with the analysis of the factors that elicit differentiation during such interactions is the question of structural specificity of the differentiated structure. Is the directive for the final form of the structure resident in the epithelium, in the mesoderm, or in both? Can a seemingly stable epithelium undergo transformation to a more labile state and respond to a new interaction with the result that a new epithelial structure is formed (Billingham & Silvers, 1963, 1968)?
On-state characteristics of SiC thyristors for the 8–20 kV regime

Silicon carbide is attractive for high-voltage power switching applications because its critical field is 8–10x higher than silicon. In SiC MOSFETs, the drift region resistance increases as the square of the blocking voltage, and for sufficiently high voltages (!10 kV) this resistance becomes a major limitation. Bipolar devices (BJTs, IGBTs, and thyristors) inject minority carriers into the drift region, resulting in conductivity modulation that dramatically reduces this resistance. BJTs and IGBTs are single-injection devices, but thyristors inject carriers into the drift region from both sides, resulting in increased conductivity modulation. Hence, thyristors are attractive for high-voltage, low-frequency applications such as electric power utility distribution.
The role of object categories in hybrid visual and memory search

In hybrid search, observers search for any of several possible targets in a visual display containing distracting items and, perhaps, a target. Wolfe (2012) found that response times (RTs) in such tasks increased linearly with increases in the number of items in the display. However, RT increased linearly with thelogof the number of items in the memory set. In earlier work, all items in the memory set were unique instances (e.g., this apple in this pose). Typical real-world tasks involve more broadly defined sets of stimuli (e.g., any “apple” or, perhaps, “fruit”). The present experiments show how sets or categories of targets are handled in joint visual and memory search. In Experiment 1, searching for a digit among letters was not like searching for targets from a 10-item memory set, though searching for targets from anN-item memory set of arbitrary alphanumeric characters was like searching for targets from anN-item memory set of arbitrary objects. In Experiment 2, observers searched for any instance ofNsets or categories held in memory. This hybrid search was harder than search for specific objects. However, memory search remained logarithmic. Experiment 3 illustrates the interaction of visual guidance and memory search when a subset of visual stimuli are drawn from a target category. Furthermore, we outline a conceptual model, supported by our results, defining the core components that would be necessary to support such categorical hybrid searches.
Characterization of fetal and postnatal enteric neuronal cell lines with improvement in intestinal neural function

Background & Aims: The isolation and culture of primary enteric neurons is a difficult process and yields a small number of neurons. We developed fetal and postnatal enteric neuronal cell lines using H-2K b -tsA58 transgenic mice (immortomice) that have a temperature-sensitive mutation of the SV40 large tumor antigen gene under the control of an interferon γ–inducible H-2K b promoter element. Methods: Enteric neuronal precursors were isolated from the intestines of E13-mouse fetuses and second day postnatal mice using magnetic immunoselection with a p75NTR antibody. The cells were maintained at the permissive temperature, 33°C, and interferon-γ for 24 or 48 hours, and then transferred to 39°C in the presence of glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor for 7 days for further differentiation. Neuronal markers were assessed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry. Neuronal function was assessed by transplanting these cells into the colons of Piebald or nNOS −/− mice. Results: Expression analysis of cells showed the presence of neuronal markers peripherin, PGP9.5, HuD, tau, synaptic marker synaptophysin, characteristic receptors of enteric neurons, Ret, and 5-hydroxytryptamine–receptor subtypes at 33°C and 39°C. Nestin, S-100β, and α-smooth muscle actin were expressed minimally at 39°C. Glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor resulted in increased phosphorylation of Akt in these cells, similar to primary enteric neurons. Transplantation of cells into the piebald or nNOS −/− mice colon improved colonic motility. Conclusions: We have developed novel enteric neuronal cell lines that have neuronal characteristics similar to primary enteric neurons. These cells can help us in understanding newer therapeutic options for Hirschsprung's disease.
Identification of N-Nitrosodimethylamine in Ambient Air by Capillary Gas-liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry-Computer

Organic vapors in ambient air, at or near an industrial site in Baltimore, Maryland, were collected by adsorption on a sorbent of porous polymer (Tenax GC, 35/60). The pollutants were recovered by thermal desorption and analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry computer using capillary glass SCOT columns. N-Nitrosodimethylamine was identified from its mass spectrum as a constituent of the atmosphere in the areas sampled. The identification of this compound was confirmed by comparison of its mass spectrum with that of authentic N-nitrosodimethylamine; identical retention times of unknown and authentic compound on three different capillary columns were observed.
An Ethnography of Improvisation Training in a Music Methods Course

In the belief that the strengthening of secondary school music programs is at least partially linked to the training of prospective teachers in the techniques of improvisation, me have examined the process by which music education students reveal an understanding of improvisation, its relationship to analytical listening, the musical and social interactions that can result from its study and practice in a group setting, and ways to integrate it into the curriculum. A 5-week improvisation training segment was included in a secondary music methods course. Five 90-minute sessions were focused on listening and analyzing model pieces and consequent small-group improvisations “in the style of the model.” Data were analyzed using ethnographic techniques. The profiles of two students were developed to trace emerging thoughts and behaviors regarding improvisation training. Although the profiled students differed as to prior experiences and personal perspectives on music-making and teaching, both showed evidence of...
Biotechnology report: single cell proteins from cellulosic wastes.

Conventional sources of protein cannot meet the present or projected needs for human consumption. Single cell proteins from fermentation of petroleum and cellulosic wastes are likely sources of additional protein. The volume of cellulosic wastes is sufficient to supply all additional protein needs on a continuing basis for cellulose is a renewable resource. Both mesophilic and thermophilic microorganisms utilize cellulose at reasonable rates. Biodegradation of lignin and lignin–cellulose complexes constitutes a major obstacle to commercial utilization of cellulosic wastes. Thermophilic actinomyces appear to be the most effective organisms for single cell protein production from cellulosic wastes.
Monitoring Change in Child Mortality through Household Surveys

Background Most low- and middle-income countries lack fully functional civil registration systems. Measures of under-five mortality are typically derived from periodic household surveys collecting detailed information from women on births and child deaths. However, such surveys are expensive and are not appropriate for monitoring short-term changes in child mortality. We explored and tested the validity of two new analysis methods for less-expensive summary histories of births and child deaths for such monitoring in five African countries. Methods and Findings The first method we explored uses individual-level survey data on births and child deaths to impute full birth histories from an earlier survey onto summary histories from a more recent survey. The second method uses cohort changes between two surveys in the average number of children born and the number of children dead by single year of age to estimate under-five mortality for the inter-survey period. The first method produces acceptable annual estimates of under-five mortality for two out of six applications to available data sets; the second method produced an acceptable estimate in only one of five applications, though none of the applications used ideal data sets. Conclusions The methods we tested were not able to produce consistently good quality estimates of annual under-five mortality from summary birth history data. The key problem we identified was not with the methods themselves, but with the underlying quality of the summary birth histories. If summary birth histories are to be included in general household surveys, considerable emphasis must be placed on quality control.
Incidence of postangiographic abnormalities revealed by diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Occasionally we have observed anecdotal cases of asymptomatic hyperintensities on diffusion-weighted MR (DW-MR) examinations of the brain of patients who previously underwent routine cerebral angiography. These observations, as well as MR imaging and transcranial Doppler data in the literature suggesting a high rate of procedure-associated emboli, raise concern regarding the underdiagnosis of asymptomatic focal infarction associated with cerebral angiography. In order to determine whether asymptomatic diffusion abnormalities are frequently associated with procedures, we prospectively obtained DW-MR images before and after routine cerebral angiography. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients, who met protocol criteria and received a routine three- or four-vessel diagnostic cerebral angiogram at our institution, were evaluated. Using a Bayesian estimate to establish an upper bound for the incidence of an event with zero occurrences in a study sample, the study group size was selected to exclude a 10% incidence of abnormalities revealed by DW-MR imaging of patients who underwent previous cerebral angiography. Two neuroradiologists evaluated imaging studies. RESULTS: Neither clinical signs nor abnormalities on DW-MR images were found, which suggested no infarction after angiography in our patient sample. Based on this data, an upper bound of 9% (95% confidence) is predicted for the appearance of abnormalities revealed by DW-MR imaging after cerebral angiography. CONCLUSION: Cerebral angiography is associated with an incidence of asymptomatic cerebral infarction of no more than 9%. It well may be substantially lower than this estimate; a more accurate evaluation of the true incidence would require a significantly larger study population. This test provides a convenient noninvasive means of assessing procedure-related cerebral infarction, such as that which occurs after carotid endarterectomy or vascular angioplasty and stenting.
Design and Development of Enzymatic Organic Synthesis

The rate acceleration and selectivity of various enzymatic reactions operated under mild conditions are the major attractive features of enzymes for use as catalysts in organic synthesis. Many natural and unnatural enzymatic reactions have been demonstrated for multigram scale synthesis of chiral organic molecules1. The number of enzymes isolated (about 2,500), however, only represents approximately 2% of the total number of enzymes which may exist in nature. So far, there have been only about 50 enzymes exploited for use in organic synthesis. With an increasing number of enzymes available, the synthetic methods based on enzyme catalysis are being extended from the preparation of small chiral molecules to the synthesis of more complex molecules such as oligosaccharides, polypeptides, nucleotides and their conjugates. This review describes the most recent developments in my laboratory in this area with emphasis on the synthesis of carbohydrates and polypeptides.
Zebrafish Biogenic Amine Transporters and Behavior in Novel Environments: Targets of Reuptake Inhibitors and Pesticide Action as Tools for Neurotoxicology Research

Central monoamine systems (e.g., dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine) are associated with motivation, locomotion, social behavior, emotion, and mood. Biogenic amine transporters regulate neurotransmission by removing neurotransmitters from synapses and extracellular fluid. Despite evolutionary divergence, teleost fish and mammalian transporter proteins appear similar, particularly at active binding sites. However, it is not clear if the similarities extend to functional responses, reuptake-inhibiting drugs, or involvement in delayed neurotoxic responses to pesticide exposures. Under certain exposure conditions, alterations in expression and function of these transporters may be more sensitive biomarkers of pesticide exposure or neurodegenerative disease risk than acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavioral assays targeting associative responses such as anxiety are useful as pharmacological and toxicological screens, or for studying modulation of behavior by central neurotransmitter systems. In novel environments, zebrafish go to tank bottoms and dark backgrounds, a stereotypical behavior (attributed to predator anxiety) forming the basis of the novel light/dark aquatic plus maze characterized in this chapter. Such behavioral paradigms are an essential component to establish zebrafish as pharmacological and toxicological research models. Herein adult zebrafish are exposed to reuptake inhibitors and representative organochloride, organophosphate, or pyrethroid pesticides at 1 μg day−1 for 21 days, tested for anxious response in the light/dark plus maze, then assayed for dopamine and serotonin transporter density by radioligand binding. Exposures to these compounds variably affect dopamine and serotonin transporter density and alter behavior in the maze as compared to controls.
Parent health literacy and adherence-related outcomes in children with epilepsy

Abstract Background The relationship between parent health literacy and adherence to treatment in children with epilepsy has not been fully explored. The purpose of this study was to determine whether parent health literacy and other variables predicted factors associated with adherence, such as missed medication doses, missed medical appointments, and seizure frequency, in children with epilepsy between 1 and 12 years old. Methods It was hypothesized that parents with adequate parent health literacy would report fewer missed doses, missed appointments, and seizure occurrences. Using a nonexperimental, cross-sectional study design, interviews were conducted with 146 parents and guardians of children with epilepsy who resided in rural communities. Univariate analyses, including ANOVA, and multiple linear regressions were conducted. Results Results indicated that parent health literacy was the strongest predictor of two of the adherence-related factors. Higher health literacy scores were associated with fewer missed medication doses and seizure occurrences. However, health literacy was not associated with missed medical appointments. Among other study variables, higher household income was also predictive of fewer missed doses. Conclusion The study findings suggest that inadequate health literacy among parents may serve as an independent risk factor for adherence-related outcomes among children with epilepsy. Further research, as well as effective, targeted parent health literacy strategies used to improve epilepsy management and care in children, is recommended.