cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disappearance of the cascades frog Rana cascadae at the southern end of its range, California, USA

It has recently become evident that amphibian species in many areas of the world have suffered serious declines. Healthy, seemingly well-protected populations have disappeared for no obvious reason. Data from historic accounts and museum records indicate that the Cascades frog, Rana cascadae, was once abundant at the southern end of its range in the vicinity of Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, USA. We conducted intensive searches at all 16 sites where R. cascadae had previously been recorded in the Lassen area, plus 34 additional sites with suitable habitat. Whereas earlier biologists could sometimes find 40 or more frogs at some of these sites, we were only able to locate two frogs at a single locality. This represents a precipitous decline over a period of <15 years. The decline seems to have been caused by a combination of local factors, including (1) the presence of non-native, predatory fish which have restricted habitat and limited dispersal of frogs; (2) loss of breeding habitat due to a five-year drought; and (3) the gradual loss of open meadows and associated aquatic habitats. The loss of frogs suggests that some common management practices in parks and wilderness areas may be endangering some of the species these areas are intended to protect. Similar local factors may account for amphibian declines reported elsewhere and should be carefully evaluated along with possible global effects.
Stability Analysis of Yield in Maize, Wheat and Sorghum and its Implications in Breeding Programs*

Six stability statistics: (bi, s2di, , , and ) were estimated for maize, wheat and sorghum in different environments by using three statistical models. The significant linear portion of genotype × environment interaction for maize indicates different hybrids responded differently to environments, whereas the non-significant genotype × environment interaction (linear) were found for wheat and sorghum suggest that all genotypes responded similarly as the environments change. However, the highly significant pooled deviations (deviation from regression) for all three crops make yield predictions from the model less reliable. When regression coefficients (bi) were non-significant, s2di, became an important statistic in estimating stability. It appears that the regression coefficient, bi, was best used to estimate genotypic adaptability, whereas s2di, for stability. Maize and sorghum had negative correlations between the mean yield and stability statistics, s2di, , and , suggesting that high yield and stability are not mutually exclusive in the range of environments used in this study; however, such correlations did not occur in wheat. Thus, maize and sorghum hybrids with high yield potential and high stability could be identified and selected. Correlations between mean yield and bi, or , were positive and significant for maize and sorghum but were non-significant for wheat, indicating that such relationships may be species specific. Under a given set of testing environments, the stability ranking associated with each maize hybrid is correlated to and depends on other hybrids included in the analysis.
The use of cephalometric landmarks with 3-dimensional volumetric computer modeling to position an auricular implant surgical template: a clinical report

The number of tools available to make a correctly positioned surgical guide for auricular implant placement is rapidly expanding as advances in 3-dimensional computer modeling continue. While the correct orientation of a missing auricle previously relied solely on soft tissue topography, computer modeling software now allows for navigational viewing of hard tissue and cephalometric landmarks. This clinical report describes a technique to establish the orientation of an auricular surgical guide incorporating the use of fundamental cephalometry. Cephalometry as a treatment planning tool has been limited to orthodontics and maxillofacial surgery. This article describes its use in a patient with a missing ear.
A new radiation-hard plastic scintillator

Abstract Using commercially available products, a new plastic scintillator has been developed which is highly radiation-resistant at doses at 10 Mrad.
Target and trajectory guidance for interactive surgical navigation systems.

The proliferation of interactive surgical navigation systems (ISN) is evidence of their ability to provide useful information about current location and orientation at surgery. The utility of these sy
Butylated hydroxyanisole as an antioxidant for animal fats

Butylated hydroxyanisole has been developed as a new and very effective antioxidant for animal fats. It is readily soluble in fats, and practically insoluble in water. It exhibits synergism with acids, hydroquinone, methionine, lecithin, and thiodipropionic acid. It is very effective in protecting foods made with lard against rancidity.
A Parametric Wind–Pressure Relationship for Rankine versus Non-Rankine Cyclostrophic Vortices

AbstractA parametric tangential wind profile model is presented for depicting representative pressure deficit profiles corresponding to varying tangential wind profiles of a cyclostrophic, axisymmetric vortex. The model employs five key parameters per wind profile: tangential velocity maximum, radius of the maximum, and three shape parameters that control different portions of the profile. The model coupled with the cyclostrophic balance assumption offers a diagnostic tool for estimating and examining a radial profile of pressure deficit deduced from a theoretical superimposing tangential wind profile in the vortex. Analytical results show that the shape parameters for a given tangential wind maximum of a non-Rankine vortex have an important modulating influence on the behavior of realistic tangential wind and corresponding pressure deficit profiles. The first parameter designed for changing the wind profile from sharply to broadly peaked produces the corresponding central pressure fall. An increase in th...
A new strategy for the synthesis of axially chiral biaryl compounds

Abstract Axially chiral compounds can be synthesized in high atropisomeric purity by aryl coupling of a conformationally locked dihydroxy-stilbenoids, which are readily available via Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of olefin precursors.
Citizen-Centered Collaborative Public Management

Civic engagement and collaborative public management are concepts that are defined broadly, making theoretical explication challenging and practical application of empirical research difficult. In this article, the authors adopt definitions of civic engagement and collaborative public management that are centered on the citizen and the potential for active citizenship. Following a historical review of civic engagement in the United States, a conceptual model of five approaches to civic engagement is offered. Citizen-centered collaborative public management is enhanced through these approaches. The authors suggest the need for further empirical research on collaborative public management that is grounded in citizenship action.
Developmental stage-specific antigens in the nervous system of the cockroach

Abstract A specific effort was made to obtain monoclonal antibodies that bind to macromolecules that play a role in the development of the nervous system. It was considered that good candidates for such molecules were those that were only transiently present in the embryonic nervous system. Hybridomas were prepared from spleen cells taken from mice that had been immunized with nerve cords from cockroach embryos at the 43–50% stage of development. The hybridoma supernatants were screened for antibody binding to frozen sections of both embryonic and adult thoracic ganglia. Cell lines that produced monoclonal antibodies that transiently bound to the embryonic nervous system were saved and cloned. These developmental stage-specific monoclonal antibodies either did not bind to the adult nervous system or bound to it with a pattern very different from that in the embryonic nervous system. The developmental stage-specific antigens detected by these monoclonal antibodies were organized into four categories based on the part of the embryonic nervous system in which they were transiently localized. These include binding to the cell bodies of all neurons, cell bodies of subsets of neurons or neuroblasts, subsets of axons, and the neuropile. Preliminary biochemical characterization of the antigens showed that many of these antibodies were recognizing carbohydrate epitopes. Functions for these antigens, most of which are components of the cell surface, are tentatively proposed.
Nitrogen fixation in cell-free extracts of Clostridium pasteurianum.

Abstract Reproducible nitrogen fixation has been achieved in cell-free enzyme preparations. Extracts of Clostridium pasteurianum underwent enrichments averaging 0.7 atom % excess 15 N when exposed to 60 atom % excess 15 N 2 dor 1 h. Activity was not sedimented at 144,000 × g in 4 h, demonstrating that the nitrogenase is nonparticulate. Several experimental conditions were critical in securing active extracts. These included: (a) use of particular cell-breaking methods, (b) addition of an energy source, preferably sodium pyruvate, (c) close control of pH, and (d) strict exclusion of O 2 . Consistently active preparations were obtained by disrupting frozen cells in a Hughes press or by autolysis of specially dried cells resuspended in phosphate buffer. Nitrogen fixation in C. pasteurianum involves reduction to ammonia, since the 15 N 2 taken up by the extracts could be recovered quantitatively as 15 NH 3 . Coupling of fixation to the clostridial-type phosphoroclastic reaction is inferred. Differential spectral responses at 300–365 mμ in the presence and absence of N 2 are observed and may represent interaction of nitrogen with the enzyme system.
Growth kinetics of primary versus metastatic human melanoma xenografts in nude mice

Primary and metastatic tumors from a single patient with fatal malignant melanoma were heterotransplanted and maintained in BALBc/Nu mice. Kinetic parameters were determined using tritiated thymidine as a single injection for percent labeled mitoses studies and continuous infusion for growth fraction studies. Tumor growth characteristics in mice were also examined. Karyotyping and ouabain studies showed that the human chromosomes were maintained in serial transplantation and did not form hybrid cells with the mice. Results suggest that while the metastatic cells have longer cell cycle and duration of S phase, they possess other characteristics which permit faster growth and easier transplantation. The possible role of an "angiogenesis factor" in this situation is discussed.
Honey bee communication

MORE than fifty years ago von Frisch demonstrated that foraging honey bees aroused the interest of potential recruits by means of a ‘dance’1. These experiments showed that the forager's body provides sufficient information about the odour of the food source to enable other bees to find that food in the field. In addition von Frisch demonstrated that foragers also leave odours at the food source which aid recruits in their searches1,2. Von Frisch later found that the dance also contains distance and direction information which the recruits seem able to use3,4.
Nonperturbative Predictions for Cold Atom Bose Gases with Tunable Interactions

We derive a theoretical description for dilute Bose gases as a loop expansion in terms of composite-field propagators by rewriting the Lagrangian in terms of auxiliary fields related to the normal and anomalous densities. We demonstrate that already in leading order this nonperturbative approach describes a large interval of coupling-constant values, satisfies Goldstone's theorem, yields a Bose-Einstein transition that is second order, and is consistent with the critical temperature predicted in the weak-coupling limit by the next-to-leading-order large-N expansion.
Phytoseiid mites on unsprayed apple trees in Oregon, and other western states (USA): distributions, life-style types and relevance to commercial orchards.

In unsprayed apple trees in eastern Oregon, Galendromus flumenis(Chant), Galendromus occidentalis(Nesbitt), Typhlodromus caudiglans Schuster and Metaseiulus citri (Garman and McGregor) were common phytoseiid mites; common plant-feeding mites were the eriophyid, Aculus schlechtendali Nalepa, the brown mite, Bryobia rubrioculus (Scheuten) and Eotetranychus spp.; apple rust mites seemed to be the primary prey for phytoseiids; the spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch and Panonychus ulmi(Koch) were scarce except for a few local outbreaks; the stigmaeid Zetzellia mali(Ewing) was at 10% of sites and its densities were inversely related to phytoseiid densities; phytoseiids were absent at some sites, particularly at high elevations where winters are severe. In seven Oregon ecoregions, G. flumenis was often at lower elevations in valleys with moderate winters; T. caudiglans was often at higher elevations; G. occidentalis was often at intermediate elevations, in young trees, and near where pesticides were used; it dominated in unsprayed trees only in almost treeless, sage-covered areas; M. citri was usually in older apple trees near agriculture. In mixed phytoseiid populations, M. citri, a generalist, and G. occidentalis, a specialist, occurred more often than expected; G. occidentalis was mostly found with T. caudiglans, a generalist; G. flumenis, a generalist, occurred less with others, possibly because it competes with both specialists and generalists. Analyses of species’ distributions with multiple regression and genetic models gave explanatory r2s of 0.019–0.318. Of 29 variables, altitude of site, intensity of agricultural management, tree age, plant types, and Z. mali levels helped explain phytoseiid species presence. In the western USA, G. flumenis dominated in middle-southern latitudes; T. caudiglans dominated in the north near the Canadian border; G. occidentalis dominated in middle latitudes in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming; M. citri was at a few sites in these four states. Distributional and independent variable data were used to predict species presence at sites in Oregon with a 70% success rate. We discuss phytoseiid life-style types, community dynamics, presence in organic/conventional orchards, and trends as more selective IPM methods are used in apple orchards.
Hemolytic assay for goat (caprine) and swine (porcine) complement.

Abstract Optimal conditions for assaying hemolytic complement of goat (caprine) and swine (porcine) sera were determined. Effects of the following were tested: pH, ionic strength, calcium and magnesium ion concentrations, time and temperature of incubation, and ethylenediamine tetracetate concentration. Guinea pig erythrocytes sensitized with goat or cattle antibodies were the most sensitive target cells for goat complement. Sheep and cattle erythrocytes sensitized with rabbit hemolysin were the best target cells for swine complement. Barbital buffer, pH 7.3, ionic strength of 90 mM relative salt concentration, containing 0.5 mM CaCl 2 and 1 mM MgCl 2 was the best for swine complement assay. Goat complement lysed best in a barbital buffer, pH 8, ionic strength of 90 to 120 mM of relative salt concentration, in presence of 0.5 mM CaCl 2 and 1 mM MgCl 2 . The optimal incubation temperature was 37°C for both complements. The complement dependent lysis required 75 minutes to reach its maximum. Ethylenediamine tetracetate in 4 mM concentration completely inhibited lysis by both species complements. The CH50 for goat sera varied between 18 and 75 per ml, in swine sera between 75 and 210 per ml.
Semigroups of tolerance relations

Abstract We give an abstract algebraic characterization of semigroups of tolerance relations and semigroups of symmetric binary relations.
DISTANGLE: A FORTRAN program to analyze and simulate spacing behavior of animals

A FORTRAN IV program, DISTANGLE, was written to aid in analysis of orientation and spacing parameters among groups of animals within enclosures. The 700-statement program requires, as minimum input, individual animal identification, each animal’s X and Y coordinates on a grid basis, and each animal’s angle of orientation on a 360-deg basis. The program was designed to give versatility to the user. Input may be raw data from cards or simulated (random) observations generated by the program. The program calculates distances among group members and determines angle relationships among selected individuals. Frequency of nearest neighbor relationships, frequency of positioning of animals at locations within the enclosure, and movement distances are determined. DISTANGLE will determine the angles any two animals of a group would have to turn to be facing each other, regardless of their locations and/or orientations within the enclosure. The program permits analyses of spatial relationships among a maximum of 50 animals, either actual or simulated, per observation. Shape of enclosure can be either a square, a circle, or a triangle.
Comparison of separation performance of laser-ablated and wet-etched microfluidic devices

Laser ablation of glass allows for production of microfluidic devices without the need for hydrofluoric acid and photolithography. The goal of this study was to compare the separation performance of microfluidic devices produced using a low-cost laser ablation system and conventional wet etching. During laser ablation, cracking of the glass substrate was prevented by heating the glass to 300 °C. A range of laser energy densities was found to produce channel depths ranging from 4 to 35 μm and channel widths from 118 to 162 μm. The electroosmotic flow velocity was lower in laser-ablated devices, 0.110 ± 0.005 cm s−1, as compared to wet-etched microfluidic chips, 0.126 ± 0.003 cm s−1. Separations of both small and large molecules performed on both wet- and laser-ablated devices were compared by examining limits of detection, theoretical plate count, and peak asymmetry. Laser-induced fluorescence detection limits were 10 pM fluorescein for both types of devices. Laser-ablated and wet-etched microfluidic chips had reproducible migration times with ≤ 2.8% relative standard deviation and peak asymmetries ranged from 1.0 to 1.8. Numbers of theoretical plates were between 2.8- and 6.2-fold higher on the wet-etched devices compared to laser-ablated devices. Nevertheless, resolution between small and large analytes was accomplished, which indicates that laser ablation may find an application in pedagogical studies of electrophoresis or microfluidic devices, or in settings where hydrofluoric acid cannot be used.
Treatment of BK viremia in a pediatric heart transplant recipient

A 9-year-old, 16-kg (body surface area 0.7 m2) girl, 8 years post-transplant, was referred to our heart transplant clinic after a family relocation. She had developed renal insufficiency, which was attributed to calcineurin-induced nephrotoxicity. Multiple months prior to her presentation to our clinic, she was switched to a lower dose of tacrolimus, and sirolimus was added to her anti-rejection regimen. Despite these changes, her renal function worsened with a peak serum creatinine of 1.9 mg/dl, and she developed hematuria. Further evaluation included urine and serum BK viral polymerase chain reaction tests, which were positive at 1.22e10 copies/ml and 7.13e5 copies/ml, respectively (SmartCycler; Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA). Creatinine clearance at that time was measured by a 24-hour urine collection to be 20 ml/min/1.73 m2. Subsequent renal biopsy performed showed BK virus nephropathy (Figure 1). Figure 1 Immunohistochemical stain for big “T” antigen specific for polyoma virus replication. The tubule in the center of the figure is positive for big T antigen, as demonstrated by its dark brown color. The patient was initiated on leflunomide (Arava; Sanofi Aventis, Bridgewater, NJ) to aggressively treat BK virus nephropathy and to decrease the risk of rejection. Leflunomide was started 2 weeks after stopping the sirolimus. The tacrolimus goal level while on leflunomide was 8 to 10 ng/ml. Her leflunomide regimen consisted of 40 mg/day for 2 days, and then maintenance therapy at 10 mg/day.1 Teriflunomide (Mayo Medical Laboratories, St. Paul, MN) levels were checked monthly, with goal of 30 to 60 μg/ml. Liver chemistries, electrolytes and complete blood counts were checked bi-weekly. She was maintained on leflunomide 10 mg/day for the vast majority of treatment (range 7.5 to 15 mg/day). Therapy was withheld twice during the course of treatment due to mild rise in transaminases. After 10 months of therapy, serum BK viral load decreased to 1,176 copies/ml and creatinine was 1.1 mg/dl (Figure 2). Leflunomide treatment was stopped based on improved kidney function and reduced BK viremia. She was maintained on tacrolimus alone until teriflunomide levels were undetectable, and then sirolimus was restarted. The patient has maintained a serum creatinine of 1.2 mg/dl at 5 months after stopping leflunomide. Figure 2 Serum creatinine and serum BK viral load over time, with Week 0 being the time of biopsy. Therapy was held from Weeks 18 to 22 (influenza) and Weeks 36 to 38 (teriflunomide level 81 μg/ml). Leflunomide began at Week 4.
Effect of nitrogen‐mediated changes in alkalinity on pH control and CO2 supply in intensive microalgal cultures

The freshwater alga Scenedesmus obliquus was grown in continuous culture at a fixed dilution rate of 0.5 per day, but at varying pH in the range 4.17-10.67. The pH was regulated in the range 4.17-7.67 by continuously bubbling 1% CO/sub 2/-enriched air into the cultures and by varying the source of nitrogen (NO/sub 3/-, NH/sub 4/+, or urea) in the growth medium, which, in turn, led to changes in culture alkalinity. Culture alkalinity and PCO/sub 2/ were the sole determinants of pH. A pH-stat system, together with NO/sub 3/- in the medium, was used to regulate the pH in the range 7.92-10.67. Maximum productivity, which occurred at pH 6.6, was dependent on N source only to the extent that culture alkalinity was a function of nitrogen uptake. The results demonstrate that the choice of N is a critical factor in controlling the pH+ large-scale algal cultures. NH/sub 4/+ is a poor source of N because it leads to destruction of culture alkalinity and concomitant growth-inhibiting reductions in pH, whereas NO/sub 3/- has an opposite effect, although pH is not so severely affected in this case. Urea is, by far, the most suitable N source for maximising algal yield when itmore » is supplied in combination with the proper amounts of HCO/sub 3/- alkalinity in the growth medium and percent CO/sub 2/ in the bubbled gas that will lead to an equilibrium pH near the optimum pH. (Refs. 23).« less
Experimental infection of Old and New World phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) with Ascogregarina chagasi (Eugregarinorida: Lecudinidae).

The aseptate gregarine, Ascogregarina chagasi (Adler and Mayrink), found in a Colombian strain of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva), was fed to the larvae of seven species of laboratory-bred sand flies: Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli), P. argentipes Annandale and Brunetti, P. perniciosus Newstead, L. serrana (Damasceno and Arouck), L. abonnenci (Floch and Chassignet), L. columbiana (Ristorcelli and Van Ty), and a gregarinefree Brazilian strain of L. longipalpis . Trophozoites of the gregarine were recovered from adult sand flies of four species: P. papatasi, L. serrana, L. columbiana , and the Brazilian strain of L. longipalpis ; the parasites were able to complete their life cycle only in the Brazilian strain of L. longipalpis . The infection rate and parasite density of A. chagasi were higher in the Colombian strain of L. longipalpis than in the Brazilian strain. Infection with A. chagasi significantly reduced adult longevity of the Brazilian strain of L. longipalpis , but it had little effect on fecundity.
Neutron dosimetry, moderated energy spectrum, and neutron capture therapy for 252Cf medical sources

252 Cf dosimetry was examined by calculative and experimental means. The Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code was used in a distributed computing environment (PVM) to determine neutrondose and neutronenergyspectrum from 252 Cf in a variety of clinically relevant materials. A Maxwellianspectrum was used to model 252 Cf neutron emissions in these materials. Mixed-field dosimetry of 252 Cf applicator tube (AT) sources was measured using tissue-equivalent ion chambers and a miniature GM counter to formulate a dosimetry protocol. Neutrondose was determined using the AAPM TG-43 dosimetry protocol. Results demonstrate the overwhelming dependence of dosimetry on the source geometry and no significant neutron attenuation by the source or encapsulation. Gold foils and TLDs were used to measure thermal neutron flux near 252 Cf AT sources and compared with MCNP results. The fast neutronenergyspectrum did not change markedly at greater distances from the AT source. Calculations of moderated 252 Cf neutronenergyspectrum with various loadings of 10 B and 157 Gd were performed, in addition to analysis of neutron capture therapy dosimetry. Radiological concerns such as personnel exposure and shielding of 252 Cf emissions were examined. Feasibility of a high specific-activity HDR source was investigated through radiochemical and metallurgical studies using 252 Cf stand-ins such as Tb, Gd, and 249 Cf . Issues such as capsule burst strength due to helium production for a variety of proposed HDR sources were addressed. At least 1 mg of 252 Cf was necessary for a 252 Cf HDR source.
Role of vitamin D3 receptor in the synergistic differentiation of WEHI-3B leukemia cells by vitamin D3 and retinoic acid.

Abstract WEHI-3B D− cells differentiate in response to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) but not to all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) or other inducing agents. Combinations of RA with 1,25-(OH)2D3 interact to produce synergistic differentiation of WEHI-3B D− cells. To determine factors involved in the synergistic interaction, expression of the 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor (VDR) and retinoid receptors, RARα and RXRα, was measured. No VDR was detected in untreated WEHI-3B D− cells; however, RA and 1,25-(OH)2D3 when used as single agents caused a slight induction of the VDR and in combination produced a marked increase in the VDR. In contrast, no changes in RARα and RXRα were initiated by these compounds. An RAR-selective agonist combined with 1,25-(OH)2D3 produced synergistic differentiation of WEHI-3B D− cells, whereas an RXR-selective agonist did not. To gain information on the role of the VDR in the synergistic interaction, the VDR gene was transferred into WEHI-3B D+ cells, in which no VDR was detected and no synergism was produced. Expression of the VDR conferred differentiation responsiveness to 1,25-(OH)2D3 in WEHI-3B D+ cells. These findings suggest that (a) induction of VDR expression is a key component in the synergistic differentiation induced by 1,25-(OH)2D3 and RA and (b) RAR and not RXR must be activated for enhanced induction of the VDR and for the synergistic differentiation produced by RA and 1,25-(OH)2D3.
Design of Concrete Railing Reinforced with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bars

The use of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) reinforcement is a practical alternative to conventional steel rebars in concrete structures subjected to aggressive environments. The solution is attractive for bridge deck and rail applications, as it eliminates corrosion of the steel reinforcement, which is the major instrument of degradation. Due to the peculiar physical and mechanical characteristics of advanced composite materials, the design philosophy of FRP reinforced concrete (RC) structures differs from that of traditional RC. This paper introduces a systematic approach adopted for the structural and functional design of an open-post bridge railing reinforced with Glass FRP bars (GFRP) as compared to steel RC counterparts, according to the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. Design examples, accounting for different gap opening length and rail beam reinforcement, and based on the experimental static response of full-scale post/deck connections, are finally presented and discussed.
Initial reproductive investment and parental body size in Cryptocercus punctulatus (Dictyoptera: Cryptocercidae)

Females of the subsocial woodroach Cryptocercus punctulatus Scudder generally have a single oviposition period during which they produce one to four oothecae. Monogamous pairs and their recently deposited oothecae were collected in the field, and measured, weighed and analysed for nitrogen in the laboratory. Females put 9.8?2.4% (mean? SD) of their dry weight and 11.6 2 0.5% of their body nitrogen into oothecae. The total nitrogen and dry weight of the brood were positively related to the post-oviposition total nitrogen and dry weight of the mother. A female's investment, on a per nymph basis, averaged 0.06% of her post-oviposition dry weight. Females may be able to recover up to 58.7% of the nitrogen invested into a brood by consuming the egg cases after hatch. Overall, there was little variation in the width of head cap- sules of adults in this species, and this parameter was not significantly different between the sexes. Females were heavier than males (dry weight) (P= 0.06). Within pairs, the weights and nitrogen contents of males and females were positively correlated, probably because they feed together in the same log for nearly a year prior to reproduction.
Network coding for non-uniform demands

Non-uniform demand networks are defined as a useful connection model, in between multicasts and general connections. In these networks, each sink demands a certain number of messages, without specifying their identities. We study the solvability of such networks and give a tight bound on the number of sinks for which the min cut condition is sufficient. This sufficiency result is unique to the non-uniform demand model and does not apply to general connection networks. We propose constructions to solve networks at, or slightly below capacity, and investigate the effect large alphabets have on the solvability of such networks. We also show that our efficient constructions are suboptimal when used in networks with more sinks, yet this comes with little surprise considering the fact that the general problem is shown to be NP-hard
Open-system magmatic evolution of andesites and basalts from the Salmon Creek volcanics, southwestern Idaho, U.S.A.

Abstract The Salmon Creek volcanics (SCV) comprise 31-26-Ma orogenic andesites and mildly alkaline basalts. Detailed petrologic and geochemical studies of two thick, continuous sections of SCV lavas reveal cyclic compositional variations apparently produced by a systematic progression of magmatic processes through time. The earliest phase of SCV activity produced basalts with trace-element and isotopic compositions indicating an asthenospheric source enriched in subduction-related components. Following eruption of these basalts, an andesitic magma chamber was established within the continental crust. Near the base of the thickest andesite section, compositions of the lavas become more mafic upsection, indicating high rates of magma recharge relative to crystallization. Wall-rock assimilation was most significant in the earliest stages of magma chamber initiation and growth, as shown by the sharp increase in alkalies and covariant changes in Sr, Pb and Nd isotopes in the lowermost andesite lavas. Further upsection, compositional variations in the andesites are more consistent with fractional crystallization as the predominant magmatic process. Observed phenocryst assemblages in the andesites and mass-balance calculations indicate that crystallization was dominated by kaersutitic hornblende with relatively little plagioclase. Hornblende-dominated assemblages suggest that the magmas were hydrous (⩾2% H 2 O in the melt) and evolved at moderate pressures in the lower to middle crust (3–15 kbar).
Determination of ferrocene iron in protein matrices

Abstract Trichloroacetic acid (TCA; 5%) was found to release iron quantitatively from a number of ferrocene derivatives. Free iron was then determined spectrophotometrically, using 564 nm absorbance maximum of the Fe(ferrozine) 2+ 3 complex [ferrozine = 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-bis(4-phenylsulfonic acid)-1,2,4-triazine]. As TCA also deproteinizes solutions, the ferrocene concentration of solutions initially containing up to 7 mg ml −1 protein was readily found by the spectrophotometric determination of iron in protein-free filtrates. Use of ferrozine as a chromogenic reagent led to a lower detection limit (ca. 0.2 μM ferrocene, ca. 0.01 mg l −1 Fe) than flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the detection of ferrocene iron in protein matrices. Total protein was determined spectrophotometrically using Coomassie Brillant Blue R250, a ferrocene did not interfere with this protein assay. The procedure was used to determine routinely the extent of covalent modification of glucose oxidase and lysozyme with a number of ferrocene derivatives.
Chemical mechanical polishing of tantalum: oxidizer and pH effects

Chemical mechanical polishing of tantalum was carried out in alumina-dispersed deionized water, 5% H2O2 as well as 0.25 M KIO3 solution at pH ranging from 1 to 10. High polishing rates were observed in H2O2-containing slurry at low pH values, while KIO3 slurry showed no appreciable effect of pH and the polishing rates were low. While tantalum pentoxide readily forms in either slurry, electrochemical observations indicate a higher dissolution rate of the oxide in H2O2 slurry, particularly at low pH accounting for the greater polishing rate.
Determining polymeric glass transitions using thermogravimetric analysis

Abstract Thermogravimetric analysis is typically employed to study degradation and curing processes. The work presented here will show that thermogravimetry (TG) can also be used to probe other types of thermal processes. In particular, TG can be used to determine glass transitions T g in certain polymers. A premise of the technique is that low molecular weight species can be imbibed into a polymer sample. Upon heating, major gas evolution will take place in the glass transition region and such gas evolution can be utilized as an indicator of T g . This technique is particularly beneficial for determining T g values of semicrystalline polymers without major modifications of crystallinity. To demonstrate the concept, studies were carried out in two phases. Phase one looked at well characterized amorphous polymers using several solvents to show that the technique does indeed work. In phase two it was established that glass transitions of semicrystalline polymers could be detected.
Middle cerebral artery occlusive disease: The New England medical center stroke registry

To analyze the clinical features, vascular lesions, and infarct distribution in Asian and white patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory ischemia, we studied age, sex, race, risk factors, angiographic, and neuroimaging findings among patients in the New England Medical Center Stroke Registry. We included patients with well-defined intrinsic occlusive lesions of the MCAs and patients with embolic MCA territory infarcts. Among 695 patients in the stroke registry, 89 (12.8%) qualified. They had 28 MCA intrinsic stenoses, 17 MCA embolic occlusions (cardiogenic or unknown origin), and 44 carotid artery (CA) stenoses or occlusions. MCA intrinsic disease patients were more often Asians and women, and more often had hypertension. Asians were older than whites. Coronary artery disease (27%), peripheral vascular disease (20.5%), and smoking (39%) were more common in CA disease patients. The most common site of MCA intrinsic stenosis (78%) and embolic occlusion (59%) was the mainstem MCA. Infarcts in patients with MCA intrinsic disease mostly involved the striatocapsular area (61%). Infarcts in patients with MCA embolic occlusion (75%) and CA disease (43%) most often involved the parietal lobe. In our hospital, most patients with MCA intrinsic disease are Asians and women and have hypertension and striatocapsular infarctions. Asian patients are usually older than white patients. The most common site of vascular lesions is the mainstem MCA.
Modified nucleoside-dependent transition metal binding to DNA analogs of the tRNA anticodon stem/loop domain.

Biologically active DNA analogs of tRNAPhe (tDNAPhe) were used to investigate metal ion interaction with tRNA-like structures lacking the 2′OH. Binding of Mg2+ to the 76 oligonucleotide tDNAPhe, monitored by circular dichroism spectroscopy, increased base stacking and thus the conformational stability of the molecule. Mg2+ binding was dependent on a d(m5C) in the anticodon region. In contrast to Mg2+, Cd2+ decreased base stacking interactions, thereby destabilizing the molecule. Since alterations in the anticodon region contributed to most of the spectral changes observed, detailed studies were conducted with anticodon hairpin heptadecamers (tDNAACPhe). The conformation of tDNAACPhe-d(m5C) in the presence of 1 mm Cd2+, Co2+, Cr2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, VO2+ or Zn2+ differed significantly from that of the biologically active structure resulting from interaction with Mg2+, Mn2+ or Ca2+. Nanomolar concentrations of the transition metals were sufficient to denature the tDNAACPhe-d(m5C) structure without catalyzing cleavage of the oligonucleotide. In the absence of Mg2+ and at [Cd2+] to [tDNAAcPhe-d(m5C)] ratios of approximately 0.2–1.0, tDNAACPhe-d(m5C40) formed a stable conformation with one Cd2+ bound with a Kd = 3.7 × 10-7. In contrast to Mg2+, Cd2+ altered the DNA analogs without discriminating between modified and unmodified tDNAACPhe. This ability of transition metals to disrupt higher order DNA structures, and possibly RNA, at μM concentrations, in vitro, demonstrates that these structures are potential targets in chronic metal exposure, in vivo.
The macroeconomic impacts of increasing the minimum wage

Abstract The adjustment of the U.S. minimum wage to make up the erosion resulting from inflation has aroused controversy about the quantitative effects of the minimum wage on employment and inflation. This article examines the dimensions of this impact through analysis of the past experience and through macro-model simulation. The paper concludes that in the framework of current economic conditions—a sluggish economy but relatively strong labor markets, particularly for low wage workers—adjustment of the minimum wage would incur only small inflationary and employment costs.
Preoperative identification of coronary arterial anatomy in complete transposition, and outcome after the arterial switch operation

Background Perceived correlation between the coronary arterial anatomy in patients with complete transposition, and the outcome of the arterial switch procedure, has made preoperative identification of their patterns standard practice. Purpose Our purpose was to assess the accuracy of preoperative echocardiographic identification of coronary arterial patterns, to evaluate the necessity of preoperative imaging by angiography, and to determine the impact of the coronary arterial anatomy on outcome. Methods We reviewed the medical records of all patients referred for an arterial switch operation between August 1995 and January 2000. The anatomy as described at the time of the operation using the Leiden convention was compared to the preoperative echocardiographic and angiographic findings. Results The procedure had been performed in 67 patients, at a mean age of 9 days, with a range from 3 days to 15 months. In 42 patients, the ventricular septum was intact, while 21 patients had a ventricular septal defect, and the other four had double outlet right ventricle with the aorta anterior and rightward. In 52 patients, the left coronary artery arose from sinus #1, and the right from sinus #2. In 8 patients, the interventricular branch of the left coronary artery arose from sinus #1, with the circumflex coronary artery arising together with the right coronary artery from sinus #2. In three patients, all three coronary arteries arose from sinus #1, while in the remaining individual patients, a large conal branch arose with the left coronary artery from sinus #1, the right coronary and left anterior descending arteries arose from sinus #1, all three coronary arteries took origin from sinus #2, and the left anterior descending and right coronary artery arose from sinus #1 with no circumflex coronary artery identifiable, respectively. In two patients (4%), we identified an intramural coronary arterial course. Echocardiography and angiography were comparable (81% versus 86%) in delineating the coronary arterial anatomy. Patients with a single arterial orifice, or an atypical coronary arterial anatomy, had a slightly longer stay on the intensive care unit, and in the hospital, but showed no difference in mortality. In fact, there was no early mortality (70% confidence limits; 0-2.9%), while two patients died late (2.9%). Conclusion We conclude that complex coronary arterial anatomy does not preclude a successful arterial switch procedure, although patients with a single coronary artery, or other arterial patterns, had a slightly longer hospital course. Preoperative echocardiographic evaluation is comparable to nonselective coronary angiography. Irrespective of complexity, nonetheless, the coronary arteries can successfully be translocated, obviating the need for preoperative coronary angiography.
Feasibility and acceptability of an iPad application to explore symptom clusters in adolescents and young adults with cancer.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a computer-based symptom cluster heuristics tool designed to explore symptom clusters experienced by adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. The Computerized Symptom Capture Tool (C-SCAT) is a newly developed iPad application, which combines graphical images and free text responses in an innovative heuristics approach to explore symptoms and symptom clusters. Procedure Seventy-two AYAs (13–29 years of age) with cancer at five institutions across the US completed the C-SCAT 24–96 hours after the initial chemotherapy dose in a chemotherapy cycle. Results All participants completed the C-SCAT successfully in a mean of 25 minutes, with 74% reporting that the final image was an accurate or very accurate representation of their symptom experience. Little clarification/coaching was necessary while completing the C-SCAT. Few technical problems were encountered. Participants judged the C-SCAT questions to be clear and endorsed ease of following instructions, typing, and drawing. Conclusions The C-SCAT demonstrated feasibility and acceptability. With refinement based on study results, the C-SCAT has potential to: (a) empower AYAs to communicate their symptom experience and partner with providers in their care; (b) improve symptom management and ameliorate distress; and (c) translate to use with other highly symptomatic populations. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1996–2003. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of Kolmogorov flow and Rayleigh–Bénard convection using persistent homology

We use persistent homology to build a quantitative understanding of large complex systems that are driven far-fromequilibrium; in particular, we analyze image time series of ow eld patterns from numerical simulations of two important problems in uid dynamics: Kolmogorov ow and Rayleigh-B enard convection. For each image we compute a persistence diagram to yield a reduced description of the ow eld; by applying dierent metrics to the space of persistence diagrams, we relate characteristic features in persistence diagrams to the geometry of the corresponding ow patterns. We also examine the dynamics of the ow patterns by a second application of persistent homology to the time series of persistence diagrams. We demonstrate that persistent homology provides an eective method both for quotienting out symmetries in families of solutions and for identifying multiscale recurrent dynamics. Our approach is quite general and it is anticipated to be applicable to a broad range of open problems exhibiting complex spatio-temporal behavior.
Maximally concentrating collectors for solar energy applications

Abstract The performance characteristics of a solar energy collector can be described by a function relating the concentration to the direction of incident radiation. A strict bound on the integral of this function is established. This is used to define a realistic class of collectors with maximal concentration which can serve as a basis for design and optimality studies.
Parallel Genomic Alignments on the Cell Broadband Engine

Genomic alignments, as a means to uncover evolutionary relationships among organisms, are a fundamental tool in computational biology. There is considerable recent interest in using the Cell Broadband Engine, a heterogeneous multicore chip that provides high performance, for biological applications. However, work in genomic alignments so far has been limited to computing optimal alignment scores using quadratic space for the basic global/local alignment problem. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of developing alignment algorithms on the Cell, exploiting its thread and data level parallelism features. First, we develop a parallel implementation on the Cell that computes optimal alignments and adopts Hirschberg's linear space technique. The former is essential, as merely computing optimal alignment scores is not useful, while the latter is needed to permit alignments of longer sequences. We then present Cell implementations of two advanced alignment techniques-spliced alignments and syntenic alignments. Spliced alignments are useful in aligning mRNA sequences with corresponding genomic sequences to uncover the gene structure. Syntenic alignments are used to discover conserved exons and other sequences between long genomic sequences from different organisms. We present experimental results for these three types of alignments on 16 Synergistic Processing Elements of the IBM QS20 dual-Cell blade system.
Power-optimized cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks using bandit processes

Power saving and management is a critical aspect of cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks, in which a group of secondary cognitive radio nodes share the task of spectrum sensing in order to detect gaps in the spectral bands temporally or spatially not utilized by primary transceivers, facilitating dynamic allocation of physical layer and networking resources that finds application to emergency networks and the military, among others. We show how the problem of power-optimized cooperative spectrum sensing can be cast to a monotonic class of restless bandit processes and present analysis and computationally efficient solutions. Our numerical results verify the effectiveness of the proposed power-optimized spectrum sensing scheme.
An ℓ 1 -algorithm for underdetermined systems and applications

In this work, we consider a homotopic principle for solving large-scale and dense l 1 underdetermined problems and its applications. The idea consists of obtaining the solution of the problem by solving a sequence of linear equality constrained multiquadric problems that depends on a regularization parameter that converges to zero. The procedure generates a central path that converges to a point on the solution set of the l 1 -underdetermined problem. This allows us to mimic the path-following methodology for primal-dual interior-point methods. We present a numerical experimentation showing the capability and effectiveness of our algorithm for recovering sparse signals, and its applications to MRI compressed sensing, seismic reflection and speech separation problems.