cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gateways to high-perfomance and distributed computing resources for global health challenges

Computational simulations for disease modeling and efficient analysis tools using large data collections have become invaluable tools for Global Health programs fighting infectious diseases. Simulations are used in many ways e.g., from predicting the effectiveness of interventions for certain diseases through Bayesian-based data-model assimilation to genomic analysis of diverse vector species in their different growth states. Even though the approaches and technologies vary, they have several common requirements on the underlying infrastructure. Simulations for infectious diseases, for example, rely on environmental data like weather, geospatial data, biodiversity and transmission complexity. Data-intensive applications need efficient distributed data management capabilities facilitating replication services or Software-as-a-Service solutions. Such solutions might follow the paradigm to transfer applications to the data instead of transferring data to where the applications are deployed. In this paper we present our work towards providing a common extensible platform to build the computational investigation environment. This platform will provide an API for developers of science gateways, which can be adapted for specific simulations, various distributed data management technologies and diverse data structures. Furthermore, it will include metadata to increase the quality and the information about the data, its provenance and its context. Such an API will ease the development of new science gateways and the core technologies for both modeling and running the models. Developers can focus on the targeted domain and are relieved from re-developing core features for the underlying infrastructure. These gateways also enable the stakeholders (scientists, policy makers, etc.) in using the sophisticated tools and/or offer a single point of entry to large data collections and data analytics tools.
Design and performance of a ceramic preconverter system

Abstract The preconverter is an essential element of exhaust gas treatment to help meet the tighter emission stnadards of TLEV and LEV levels. Its design must be so chosen as to meet the simultaneous requirements of compactness, faster light-off, low back pressure, high temperature durability and low cost. This paper presents design options and performance data for a ceramic preconverter system which meets the above requriements. In addition, the high temperature physical durability data for selected preconverter systems are presented. These durability back pressure, light-off and aging data presented here clearly demonstrate that a propertly designed ceramic preconverter system is a viable and cost-effective approach to meeting TLVE and LEV emission standards.
Acute granulomatous lupus pneumonitis: the first case report

Acute lupus pneumonitis is a rare form of pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We present herein a patient with acute lupus pneumonitis who presented with acute onset of fever, cough, dyspnea and a miliary pattern on chest radiographs and computer tomography. Lung histopathology revealed bronchocentric granulomatosis. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of granulomas in lung parenchyma believed to be caused by SLE. The differential diagnoses of acute lupus pneumonitis and the pertinent literature are discussed.
Skin cancer in transplant recipients, out of the woods. Scientific retreat of the ITSCC and SCOPE

The International Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative (ITSCC) is an organization of more than 300 members dedicated to the study and care of skin changes that develop in solid-organ transplant recipients. This group of medical and surgical dermatologists, transplant surgeons and basic science researchers was formed to better understand the basic science of transplant dermatology, and to work collaboratively to address the clinical challenges in this patient population. Transplant patients have an ∼100-fold increased risk of developing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma than the general population and are also at an increased risk of developing basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma and Kaposi's sarcoma. In October 2010, ITSCC and its European counterpart Skin Care in Organ Transplant Patients Europe (SCOPE) held a joint biennial 4-day scientific retreat in the woods near Essex, Massachusetts. In this meeting report we provide an up-to-date distillation of the novel findings presented in the 21 oral abstracts, at the tumor board and within the working groups.
Dark pixel intensity determination and its applications in normalizing different exposure time and autofluorescence removal

The purpose of this study is to investigate how to scale pixel intensity acquired from one exposure time to another. This is required when comparing grayscale images acquired at different exposure times and other image processing such as autofluorescence removal. Pixel intensity is linear to exposure time as long as images are acquired at the linear range of a camera, but importantly there exists an intercept, which is set by the camera. We termed this intercept as dark pixel intensity, as it is the pixel intensity under conditions of no light and zero exposure time. Dark pixel intensity is determined by camera's readout noise (electron/pixel), gain, and DC offset. Knowing dark pixel intensity, image acquired from one exposure time can be linearly scaled to an image at a different exposure time. Dark pixel intensity can be directly measured by obtaining an image at no light and zero (or minimum) exposure time. It can be also indirectly calculated by capturing images at a series of exposure times. Finally, the prestained and poststained images were acquired at their optimal exposures and autofluorescence was completely removed by normalizing images with the exposure time ratio and dark pixel intensity followed by subtraction.
Multi-scalar influence of weather and climate on very large-fires in the Eastern United States

A majority of area burned in the Eastern United States (EUS) results from a limited number of exceptionally large wildfires. Relationships between climatic conditions and the occurrence of very large-fires (VLF) in the EUS were examined using composite and climate-niche analyses that consider atmospheric factors across inter-annual, sub-seasonal and synoptic temporal scales. While most large-fires in the EUS coincided with below normal fuel moisture and elevated fire weather, VLF preferentially occurred during a long-term drought accompanied by more acute sub-seasonal drought realized through fuel moisture stress and elevated fire-weather conditions. These results were corroborated across the EUS, with varying influences of drought, fire danger and fire weather discriminating VLF from other large fires across different geographical regions. We also show that the probability of VLF conditioned by fire occurrence increases when long-term drought, depleted fuel moisture and elevated fire weather align. This framework illustrates the compounding role of different timescales in VLF occurrence and serves as a basis for improving VLF predictions with seasonal climate forecasts and climate change scenarios.
11 - Inversion of Surface Waves: A Review

This chapter reviews the progress made in the analysis of teleseismic and regional surface wave data for the retrieval of earthquake source parameters and global and regional Earth structure. It focuses on key theoretical developments that are relevant and have been applied to inversion. Surface wave studies have benefited from progress in computer speed and capacity, which, together with the deployment of a new generation of digital, broadband, high dynamic range global and regional seismic networks, has opened the way to large-scale source and structure inversions, with recent efforts to include anisotropic and anelastic contributions, as well as to systematically exploit information contained in overtones. Most inversions are performed under the assumption that the effects of propagation in the laterally heterogeneous Earth can be accounted for using the simple great circle path average approximation, which assumes that surface waves are sensitive only to the structure in the vertical plane containing the source and the receiver, and to the laterally averaged structure along this path. The computation of more accurate kernels for propagation in the vertical plane containing the source and the receiver is important for waveform inversion that includes body waveforms and is relevant to the inversion of overtone waveforms sensitive to the mantle transition zone and greater depths.
Organizations and the Evolution of Cooperation

The Repeated Prisoner’s Dilemma (RPD) is a metaphor for the difficulties of achieving cooperation in social life. We present results from an agent-based model (ABM) of the RPD in which agents interact in a “market,” equivalent to interactions within the standard RPD, within networks, where agents acquire information or select with whom to interact, or within hierarchies that enforce cooperation by the threat of third party punishment. Organizations affect the evolution of cooperation in significant ways. In relatively nice worlds, agents join network, insulating themselves against often devastating defections of nasty players. In nasty worlds, nice agents enter hierarchies and increase or sustain their share of the population. In moderate worlds, contingent strategies typically decline as a share of the population. Organizations improve the welfare of all agents, but only in relatively nice worlds. We find the benefits of civil society are contingent on the population in which it emerges.
Nucleation-Initiated Solidification of Thin Si Films

Thin Si films on SiO2 that are completely melted by pulsed laser irradiation cool rapidly and eventually solidify via nucleation and growth of solids. It has been observed that a variety of solidified microstructures can be obtained, depending primarily (but not exclusively) on the degree of supercooling achieved prior to the onset of nucleation. This paper focuses on investigating one particular and unusual polycrystalline microstructure that consists of “flowerlike” grains, the interiors of which can be described as being made up of two distinct regions: (1) an extremely defective core region consisting of fine-grained material, and (2) an outer region consisting of relatively defect-free crystal “petals” that radiate outwards. After considering the microstructural details and experimental behavior of the microstructure, we have formulated a growth-based physical model to account for the formation of the microstructure. The model is found to be also capable of accounting for other complex and unusual microstructures obtained via nucleation and growth in the complete melting regime.
Abnormal blood group galactosyltransferase in blood type A1B-subjects whose sera contain anti-B agglutinin.

A blood type A1B female, whose plasma agglutinates B red blood cells from other subjects but not her own, was found. Her sister with blood type A1B (sister-1) exhibited the same peculiarity. The agglutination titer of red cells from these two subjects is lower than that of normal B. Her father is blood type B, and his plasma did not agglutinate B red cells from other subjects and his own. Her mother and another sister (sister-2) were usual blood type A1. Blood group galactosyltransferase (B-enzyme) activity of plasma from the propositus, sister-1, and their father was very low. Km for 2′-fucosyllactose of B-enzyme of these subjects was 1.3 mM, which was more than two times higher than that of the normal value. Km for UDP-Gal was similar, but the pH-activity profile differed for the two enzymes.
Differential cell cycle-specificity for chromosomal damage induced by merbarone and etoposide in V79 cells

Merbarone, a topoisomerase II (topo II) inhibitor which, in contrast to etoposide, does not stabilize topo II-DNA cleavable complexes, was previously shown to be a potent clastogen in vitro and in vivo. To investigate the possible mechanisms, we compared the cell cycle-specificity of the clastogenic effects of merbarone and etoposide in V79 cells. Using flow cytometry and BrdU labeling techniques, etoposide was shown to cause a rapid and persistent G2 delay while merbarone was shown to cause a prolonged S-phase followed by a G2 delay. To identify the stages which are susceptible to DNA damage, we performed the micronucleus (MN) assay with synchronized cells or utilized a combination of BrdU pulse labeling and the cytokinesis-blocked MN assay with non-synchronized cells. Treatment of M phase cells with either agent did not result in increased MN formation. Etoposide but not merbarone caused a significant increase in MN when cells were treated during G2 phase. When treated during S-phase, both chemicals induced highly significant increases in MN. However, the relative proportion of MN induced by merbarone was substantially higher than that induced by etoposide. Both chemicals also caused significant increases in MN in cells that were treated during G1 phase. To confirm the observations in the MN assay, first division metaphases were evaluated in the chromosome aberration assay. The chromosomes of cells treated with merbarone and etoposide showed increased frequencies of both chromatid- and chromosome-type of aberrations. Our findings indicate that while etoposide causes DNA damage more evenly throughout the G1, S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, an outcome which may be closely associated with topo II-mediated DNA strand cleavage, merbarone induces DNA breakage primarily during S-phase, an effect which is likely due to the stalling of replication forks by inhibition of topo II activity.
The floating aorta in computerized tomography: A sign of retroperitoneal pathology

Abstract The diagnosis of retroperitoneal disease including mass lesions has been a difficult one to make in the past and many conventional radiologic modes, including arteriography, ultrasonography, excretory urography and lymphangiography, have been used. A reliable sign of retroperitoneal pathology is anterior displacement of the abdominal aorta which was previously described utilizing lateral roentgenology (1), arteriography, (2) and ultrasonography (3).
The Anxiety Sensitivity Index--Revised: Confirmatory Factor Analyses, Structural Invariance in Caucasian and African American Samples, and Score Reliability and Validity.

The most commonly used measure of anxiety sensitivity is the 36-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R). Exploratory factor analyses have produced several different factors structures for the ASI-R, but an acceptable fit using confirmatory factor analytic approaches has only been found for a 21-item version of the instrument. We evaluated the fit of all published factor models for the 36- and 21-item ASI-R, modified the hierarchical model using an approach that does not eliminate items, evaluated the invariance of the modified model across Caucasian and African-American subsamples, and compared the reliability and validity of the 36-item and 21-item versions. The 21-item version of the ASI-R fit a four factor model, as did the 36-item version after several meaningful model modifications. The modified 36-item model was replicable in independent cases and its structural properties were generally invariant across race. Scores from the 36-item version exhibited superior reliability and criterion-related validity.
Hippocampal function in the rat: Cognitive mapping or vicarious trial and error?

The most prominent hypothesis of hippocampal function likens the hippocampus to a "cognitive map," a term used by a famous learning theorist, E. C. Tolman, to explain maze learning. The usual application of this concept of cognitive map, as it applies to the hippocampus, is to what is called spatial learning, mainly in the radial-arm maze of Olton and the Morris water maze. In a recent Hippocampus Forum, evidence for the cognitive map hypothesis was reviewed in a lead article by Nadel, followed by a series of commentaries by leading investigators of hippocampal function. This speculative commentary offers an alternative not represented in the forum--that the function of the hippocampus in spatial learning is not as a cognitive map, but that it subserves another function proposed by Tolman in his work on simple discrimination learning, vicarious trial and error, based on incipient, conflicting dispositions to approach and avoid.
Effect of polymerization on the subdomain 3/4 loop of yeast actin.

The Holmes F-actin model predicts a polymerization-dependent conformation change of a subdomain 3/4 loop with a hydrophobic tip (residues 266–269), allowing interaction with a hydrophobic surface on the opposing strand of the filament producing filament stabilization. We introduced cysteines in place of Val266, Leu267, and Leu269 in yeast actin to allow attachment of pyrene maleimide. Pyrene at each of these positions produced differing fluorescence spectra in G-actin. Polymerization decreased the fluorescence for the 266 and 267 probes and increased that for the 269 probe. The direction of the fluorescence change was mirrored with a smaller and less hydrophobic probe, acrylodan, when attached to 266 or 269. Following polymerization, increased acrylamide quenching was observed for pyrene at 266 or 267 but not 269. The 267 probe was the least accessible of the three in G- and F-actin. F-actin quenching was biphasic for the 265, 266, and 269 but not 267 probes, suggesting that in F-actin, the pyrene samples multiple environments. Finally, in F-actin the probe at 266 interacts with one at Cys374 on a monomer in the opposing strand, producing a pyrene excimer band. These results indicate a polymerization-dependent movement of the subdomain 3/4 loop partially consistent with Holmes' model.
Prognostic factors in supratentorial ganglioglioma.

Although gangliogliomas are often associated with long survival, efforts to identify specific prognostic factors in these tumors have been largely unsuccessful. To identify factors associated with long survival, we retrospectively reviewed 42 cases of supratentorial ganglioglioma surgically treated at our institution since 1985. Data analysis included Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank tests of the effects of individual variables. The Cox proportional hazards method was used to fit a model incorporating several variables simultaneously. The 42 cases included 21 male and 21 female patients with an average age at surgery of 31 years. Length of follow-up averaged 48 months. Ten patients died an average of 38 months after surgery. Factors found to have a significant correlation with mortality were older age at diagnosis (P=0.012), male gender (P=0.034), and malignant glial features (P=0.020). Presenting symptoms, location of tumor, adjuvant radiation therapy, and extent of surgical resection were not significantly related to survival. These results are the first to demonstrate an association between prognostic factors and outcome in patients with supratentorial ganglioglioma.
Complexity and computability of solutions to linear programming systems

Through key examples and constructs, exact and approximate, complexity, computability, and solution of linear programming systems are reexamined in the light of Khachian's new notion of (approximate) solution. Algorithms, basic theorems, and alternate representations are reviewed. It is shown that the Klee-Minty example hasnever been exponential for (exact) adjacent extreme point algorithms and that the Balinski-Gomory (exact) algorithm continues to be polynomial in cases where (approximate) ellipsoidal “centered-cutoff” algorithms (Levin, Shor, Khachian, Gacs-Lovasz) are exponential. By “model approximation,” both the Klee-Minty and the new J. Clausen examples are shown to be trivial (explicitly solvable) interval programming problems. A new notion of computable (approximate) solution is proposed together with ana priori regularization for linear programming systems. New polyhedral “constraint contraction” algorithms are proposed for approximate solution and the relevance of interval programming for good starts or exact solution is brought forth. It is concluded from all this that the “imposed problem ignorance” of past complexity research is deleterious to research progress on “computability” or “efficiency of computation.”
p38 MAP kinase activation mediates γ-globin gene induction in erythroid progenitors

Abstract Objective Our goal was to determine the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction. Two histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDAIs), sodium butyrate (NB), and trichostatin (TSA) and hemin were analyzed. In addition, the effect of direct activation of p38 MAPK on γ-globin gene activity was studied. Method Primary erythroid progenitors derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cell and K562 erythroleukemia cells were analyzed. Cells were grown in NB, TSA, hemin, or anisomycin either alone or in the presence of the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. The effects of the various treatments on γ-globin RNA, HbF, and phosphorylated p38 MAPK levels were measured by RNase protection assay, alkaline denaturation, and Western blot analysis, respectively. A K562 stable line overexpressing constitutively active p38 MAPK was established using MAPK kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) and MKK6, the immediate upstream activators of p38. The direct effect of p38 MAPK overexpression on γ-globin mRNA synthesis was analyzed. Results NB and TSA activated p38 MAPK and increased γ-globin mRNA levels in K562 cells and primary erythroid progenitors. Pretreatment with SB203580 blocked p38 MAPK and γ-globin gene activation. In contrast, no change in p38 activity was observed with hemin inductions. Direct activation of p38 by anisomycin or constitutive overexpression also increased γ-globin mRNA in the absence of HbF inducers in wild-type K562 cells and in the MKK stable lines. Conclusion This study supports a novel role for p38 MAPK in γ-globin regulation in human erythroid progenitors.
Housing Constraint and Household Complexity in Metropolitan America Black and Spanish-Origin Minorities

The extent to which minority group members live in nuclear family households may be mediated by factors other than choice. Using data from the 1970 Census, we test the relationship between certain aspects of housing constraint/availability and household complexity for the black and Spanish-origin populations in SMSAs in the United States. In particular, we examine the effects of residential segregation, income, new housing, and housing vacancy on a measure of the tendency for adults to live in households in which they are nonnuclear members while controlling for other relevant variables. The results support our hypotheses for both the black and Spanish-origin groups, suggesting that factors determining the availability of housing do have implications for the household structure of these populations.
Preliminary Report on BoLA Polymorphism in Guernsey Cattle

Abstract A total of 95 registered Guernsey cows and heifers sired by 34 bulls were typed for class I antigens encoded by the bovine major histocompatibility complex (BoLA). A panel of alloantisera was used to detect 21 of the 33 internationally recognized BoLA specificities. Fourteen BoLA specificities were detected in the herd using a standard lymphocyte microcytotoxicity test The most frequent BoLA specificity detected was w6; but in 85% of these animals, a subtype of w6, either w17 (13.7%) or UR6.2 (34.7%), could be assigned. The next most common BoLA specificities, by frequency, were w12, w15, UR1, and w21. Specificities not detected were w2, w3, w5, w7, w11, w16, w19, w20, and w24.
Equivalent Low-Pass Representations for Bandpass Volterra Systems

Relationships are derived for finding equivalent low-pass representations of the Volterra kernels corresponding to a widely used model for a nonlinear communication channel. The results are a logical extension of the usual complex envelope representation for bandpass signals. The equivalent low-pass representations are useful for simplifying calculations in cases where the input and output signals of the system are bandpass.
Assortative Mating and Sexual Size Dimorphism in Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers

Paynter, Jr., Ed.). Publications of the Nuttall Ornithological Club No. 15. SCHOLANDER, P. F, R. HOCK, V. WALTERS, AND L. IRVING. 1950. Adaptation to cold in arctic and tropical mammals and birds in relation to body temperature, insulation, and basal metabolic rate. Biological Bulletin (Woods Hole) 99:259271. SKUTCH, A. F. 1961. The nest as a dormitory. Ibis 103a:50-70. SKUTCH, A. F. 1989. Birds asleep. University of Texas Press, Austin. TOOLSON, E. C. 1987. Water profligacy as an adaptation to hot deserts: Water loss rates and evaporative cooling in the Sonoran Desert cicada, Diceroprocta apache (Homoptera: Cicadidae). Physiological Zoology 60:379-385. VLECK, C. M., AND D. VLECK. 1979. Metabolic rate in five tropical bird species. Condor 81:89-91. WALSBERG, G. E. 1985. Physiological consequences of microhabitat selection. Pages 389-413 in Habitat selection in birds (M. L. Cody, Ed.). Academic Press, Orlando, Florida. WALSBERG, G. E. 1986. Thermal consequences of roost site selection: The relative importance of three modes of heat conservation. Auk 103:1-7. WEATHERS, W. W. 1979. Climatic adaptation in avian standard metabolic rate. Oecologia 42:81-89. WHITTOW, G. C. 1986. Energy metabolism. Pages 253-268 in Avian physiology (P. D. Sturkie, Ed.). Springer-Verlag, New York. WUNDERLE JR., J. M., M. S. CASTRO, AND N. FETCHER. 1987. Risk-averse foraging by Bananaquits on negative energy budgets. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 21:249-255. ZAR, J. H. 1968. Standard metabolism comparisons between orders of birds. Condor 70:278.
Minority Groups in the Economics Profession

The primary objective of this paper is to provide information about minorities (blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans)in economics, at various stages in the education pipeline, and in the labor market. Despite sustained increases in the numbers and percentages of minorities earning bachelors degrees and Ph.D.s, the absolute numbers remain very small--only about 36 new Ph.D.s per year, including permanent residents. Minority economists are relatively underrepresented on four-year college faculties and in government employment. The paper also discusses activities by the AEA's committee on minority groups, aimed at increasing minority representation in the profession.
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF AN EXTRUSION-TEXTURIZED PEANUT PROTEIN

A commercial defatted peanut flour was analyzed for texturization properties in a Wenger X-25 extruder. Extrusion of the flour with addition of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate resulted in a steady state operation and uniform texturized products. Functional properties of the extrudates such as water retention, hardness, and product integrity upon retorting: were similar to those of textured soy protein. Organoleptic properties of prepared patties (30:70 hydrated textured protein to meat ratio) were not different from the all-meat control for the analyzed sample; cooking losses and shrinkage were lower. Flavor was the most limiting factor for higher levels of incorporation and acceptance. A scanning electron microscopy study showed correlation between microstructure and the properties of the extrudates.
Is self special? A critical review of evidence from experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience.

Varied research findings have been taken to support the claim that humans’ representation of the self is “special,” that is, that it emerges from systems that are physically and functionally distinct from those used for more general purpose cognitive processing. The authors evaluate this claim by reviewing the relevant literatures and addressing the criteria for considering a system special, the various operationalizations of self, and how the studies’ findings relate to the conclusions drawn. The authors conclude that many of the claims for the special status of self-related processing are premature given the evidence and that the various self-related research programs do not seem to be illuminating a unitary, common system, despite individuals’ subjective experience of a unified self. A basic goal of information-processing psychology is to characterize the computational architecture of the mind, that is, to delineate the components of the information-processing system and describe their functions. Within this common framework, theories differ according to how many distinct components are posited and how specialized their functions are. In the case of some kinds of human information processing, claims of extreme specialization have been made. Language, for example, is often said to be a product of systems that are physically and functionally distinct from those used for more general-purpose cognitive processing—in other words, language has been claimed to be special. Evidence for the claim that language is special includes its reliance on a network of perisylvian brain areas that are not needed for nonlinguistic sound recognition or vocalization and its species specificity. Face recognition is also considered special by many because it relies on parts of ventral visual cortex that are not needed for visual recognition of nonface objects and because face representation is more holistic than the representation of other objects.
Forging the Link Between Multicultural Competence and Ethical Counseling Practice: A Historical Perspective

Recognition of multicultural competence as an essential component of ethical counseling practice is a growing trend. This article presents a historical perspective of salient events that have contributed to forging a link between multicultural competence and ethical behavior. Multicultural counseling is traced from its beginnings to its emergence at a position of prominence in the profession, along with the development of ethical guidelines over time. This time line depicts the infusion of multicultural considerations into ethical standards and provides a perspective for examining the current status of multicultural competence as an ethical mandate. Implications for the counseling profession are offered.
Ribosome-Inactivating Protein Production from Trichosanthes kirilowii Plant Cell Cultures

Two ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) found in Trichosanthes kirilowii root tuber, trichosanthin (27 kDa) and TAP-29 (29 kDa), have been reported to exhibit antiviral (including HIV-1) and antitumor activities. Using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analyses, we have studied the production of intracellular and extracellular proteins from T. kirilowii callus grown on semisolid medium, callus grown in suspension, and Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4 transformed callus grown in suspension. This transformation resulted in callus rather than hairy root growth, although the growth rate of the transformed callus on hormone-free medium was similar to that obtained for the nontransformed callus on hormone medium. Trichosanthin, identified through SDS/ PAGE and Western blotting, was detected only in root tuber and cell extracts of the transformed cell line. A 29-kDa protein was found in intracellular extracts and extracellular solutions from all of the above samples; however, the highest yield was obtained from the broth of the agrobacterium-transformed callus. Following ion-exchange purification of the shake flask broth on a strong cation-exchange column (S-Sepharose), elution fractions containing the 29-kDa protein showed a high degree of RIP activity, as evidenced by total inhibition of protein synthesis using an in vitro protein translation assay. The yield of the 29-kDa protein recovered from the broth was greater than 1.0 % (w/w) of the dry weight of the callus. For comparison, the yield of TAP-29 obtained by extraction of dried root tuber is on the order of 0.01% (w/w) of the dry weight (Lee-Huang et al., 1991); our estimate of the 29-kDa protein from our fresh root tuber is between 0.4% and 1% (w/w) on a dry weight basis.
Optical tweezers assisted quantitative phase imaging led to thickness mapping of red blood cells

Quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) allows dynamic mapping of optical path length of microscopic samples with high temporal and axial resolution. However, decoupling of the geometric thickness from the refractive index in phase measurements is challenging. Here, we report use of optical tweezers combined with QPM for decoupling geometric thickness from the refractive index. This is demonstrated by orienting the microscopic sample (red blood cell) by optical tweezers and imaging the phase at various orientations. Since optical tweezers can orient wide variety of micro and nanoscopic objects, this integrated method can be employed to accurately determine their physical properties.
On General Measures of Deformation

Summary. Each particle of a continuum is assigned a second order tensor which is taken as a measure of the deformation of some neighborhood of the particle, and which is determined by a functional depending on the configurations of that neighborhood. Two invariance restrictions are imposed on the functional whose values are spatial strain tensors, that is, associated with the deformed configuration. The first requirement is that a time shift and rigid transformation of the deformed configuration leave the spatial deformation tensor unaltered relative to it. The second requires that if particles of distinct continua undergo the same deformation, the corresponding deformation tensors should be the same. For the special case in which the functional depends on the deformation in the smallest neighborhood of a particle, the restrictions imply that the deformation tensors associated with the deformed and reference configurations arc isotropic functions of the ]eft and right CAITClVZGREEN tensors, respectively. Zusammenfassung. Jedem Teilchen eines Kontinuums wird ein Tensor zwciter Stufe als Mal3 fiir die Deformation einer gewissen Nachbarschaft dieses Teilchen zugeordnet, der durch ein Funktional bestimmt wird, das yon der I~onfiguration dieser Nachbarschaft abh~Lng~. Zwei Invarianzbcdingu ngen werden diesem Funktional, dessen Werte raumliche Verzerrungstenso ren darstellen, auferlegt, und zwar im Hinblick auf die deformierte Konfiguration. Die erste Forderung besagt, dal3 eine Zeitverschiebung und eine starre Transformation der deformierten ]~onfiguration den rgumlichen Verzerrungstenso r im Hinblick auf diese unge~ndert lassen. Die zweite Einschr~nkung besag% dal3 entsprechende Deformationstens oren von Partikcln verschiedener Kontinua, die dieselbe Verformung erlitten haben, gleich scin sollen. Im Spezialfall, dal3 die Funktionale nur yon der Deformation in der n~ichsten Umgebung des Partikels abh~Lngen, beinhalten die Einschrgnkungcn die Aussage, daf3 die mit dem deformierten ned dem undcformierten Zustand verkniipften Deformationstensoren nur isotrope Funktionen des linken und des rechten CAIse~u GREEN Tensors sein k6nnen.
Effect of x irradiation on increase in rat liver tryptophan peroxidase produced by adrenal steroids.

SummaryOn the basis of effectiveness in increasing tryptophan peroxidase activity of the liver, there was no evidence for an increased utilization of cortisone or hydrocortisone by X-irradiated adrenalectomized rats.
Fossilized Lies: A Reflection on Alessandro Portelli's The Order Has Been Carried Out

The Order Has Been Carried Out is a sobering, probing, moving, and deeply-researched study of an “open wound” in the Italian memory. Individuals and societies need memory, but it also is part of th...
Detection of some aliphatic saturated long-chain hydrocarbon derivatives by thin-layer chromatography

The aliphatic saturated long-chain alcohols, aldehydes, and diols were identified to a sensitivity of 50 μg from the parent hydrocarbons (C10, C12, C14 and C16) by thin-layer chromatography using “Silica Gel G”-coated pyrex chromatoplates for the fixed phase and ethyl acetate-n-hexane mixtures as the mobile phase. Identification of the developed spots was made by a modified charring technique employing ground glass pyrex plates coated with pyrosulfuric acid. Identification of the 1,n-dicarboxylic acid from the n-mono- or the 1,n-hydroxycarboxylic acid derived from the same parent hydrocarbon was effected in a mobile phase of 7:3:3 v/v ethanol- ammonia (conc.)-tetrahydrofuran. The indicator spray employed was an ethanolic solution of bromothymol blue. The spray was followed by exposure to ammonia vapor for intensification of the yellow acid spots. RF value trends for the n-mono- and 1,n-bifunctional derivatives of the C10 C12, C14 and C16 aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons based on the—OH, —COOH and —CHO groups as the possible substituents are outlined.
On a class of quasilinear problems with sign-changing nonlinearities

Abstract We prove existence and nonexistence of positive solutions for the quasilinear problem - Δ p u + m ψ p ( u ) = λ a ( x ) f ( u ) in Ω , u = 0 on ∂ Ω , where Δ p u = div ( | ∇ u | p - 2 ∇ u ) , ψ p ( u ) = | u | p - 2 u , p > 1 , m ⩾ 0 , Ω is a bounded domain in R N , and the coefficient a ( x ) , is allowed to change sign.
First-trial guessing and verbal-discrimination learning

Several sets of data from verbal-discrimination learning experiments were analyzed to determine if guessing right or wrong on Trial 1 affected performance on the following trials. In some analyses, correct guessing facilitated subsequent performance. The results were related to a frequency theory of verbal-discrimination learning.
Determinants of disaster aid: donor interest or recipient need?

This article examines the motivations behind the provision of disaster aid. Is this aid provision driven more by ‘humanitarian’ variables such as the severity of the political or natural emergency in the recipient state or ‘political’ variables such as the economic or strategic interest of the donor state? Through a statistical analysis of the aid activity of 22 donor states between 1997 and 2008, it is found that, contrary to much of the literature on humanitarian aid in general, humanitarian variables are consistently significant predictors of disaster aid provision. However, certain political variables are also significant, in that donor states provide more disaster aid to trading partners, former colonies, and military allies.
FORAMINIFERAL ASSEMBLAGES FROM A VIRGINIA SALT MARSH, PHILLIPS CREEK, VIRGINIA

Phillips Creek is a salt marsh located on the seaward side of the southern Delmarva Peninsula of Virginia, is part of the World Biosphere Reserve designated by the United Nations, and is situated within the Virginia Coast Reserve/Long Term Ecological Research area (VCR/LTER). This marsh does not exhibit well-defined vegetational zones but rather tends to be a patchy mix of vegetation. Cluster analysis indicates that the area can be divided into low, middle or transitional and high marsh. The low marsh zone does not exhibit any unique assemblages of agglutinated foraminifera that would allow further subdivision of this area. The fact that no calcareous species were found may be due to the season (May) when sampling was done. The low marsh is dominated by M. fusca and T. inflata. The occurrence of a transitional or middle marsh zone appears to be dependent upon gradient. Traverse 1 with a gradient of 3 percent has a poorly defined middle marsh zone while Traverse 2 with a gradient of 0.6 percent has a broad, well defined transitional zone. Tiphotrocha comprimata and T. inflata are the dominant species in this zone. The high marsh can be subdivided into two subzones. The lower part of the high marsh is dominated by T. inflata, T. comprimata and J. macrescens while the upper part has a relief ranging between 5 and 8 cm, has a reduced population and contains J. macrescens and T. salsa almost to the exclusion of all other foraminiferal species. This subzone, marking the occurrence of highest high water, is topographically very narrow, requiring closely spaced sampling to detect its presence. The highest high water zone can be extended southward into Virginia.
Evaluating reserves for species richness and representation in northern California

The Klamath-Siskiyou forests of northern California and southern Oregon are recognized as an area of globally outstanding biological distinctiveness. When evaluated at a national or global level, this region is often, necessarily, considered to be uniformly diverse. Due to large variation in biotic and abiotic variables throughout this region, however, it is unlikely that biological diversity is uniformly distributed. Furthermore, land management decisions nearly always occur at spatial scales smaller than this entire region. Therefore, we used field data from a random sampling design to map the distribution of local and regional richness of terrestrial molluscs and salamanders within northern California's portion of the Klamath-Siskiyou region. We also evaluated the protection afforded by reserves established for varying reasons (e.g. for inspiration and recreation for people vs. species conservation) to hotspots of species richness and species representation of these taxa. No existing reserves were created with these taxa in mind, yet it was assumed that reserves established largely around considerations for the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) would afford adequate protection for many lesser-known species. Species of terrestrial molluscs and salamanders share two general features: (1) they have extremely low vagility, and (2) they are often associated with moist, cool microclimates. Existing reserves disproportionately included areas of hotspots of species richness for both taxa, when hotspots included the richest c. 25% of the area, whereas non-reserved lands contained greater than expected areas with lower species richness. However, when a more strict definition of hotspot was used (i.e. the richest c.10% of areas), local hotspots for both taxa were not disproportionately found in reserves. Reserves set aside largely for human aesthetics and recreation and those set aside for biodiversity both contributed to the protection of areas with high (greatest 25%) species richness. Existing biodiversity reserves represented 68% of mollusc species and 73% of salamander species, corresponding to the 99th and 93rd percentiles, respectively, of species representation achieved by simulating a random distribution of the same total area of reservation. Cumulatively, however, reserves set aside for inspiration and biodiversity represented 83% of mollusc species and 91% of salamander species. The existing reserves provide conservation value for terrestrial molluscs and salamanders. This reserve network, however, should not be considered optimal for either taxa.
MACH'S Principle, Gravitation and Electromagnetism: The Electromagnetic Inertia of Charged Elementary Particles

Die Frage nach der Grose und dem Verhalten des elektromagnetischen Anteils eines geladenen Elementarteilchens zur Masse wird untersucht. Es wird gezeigt, das die elektromagnetische Masse eines solchen Teilchens immer endlich ist, auch wenn der Radius des Teilchens null wird, vorausgesetzt, das der “cut-off” der relativistischen Quantenelektrodynamik als Approximation des physikalischen Prozesses angenommen wird, der durch die folgenden Postulate dargestellt wird: I. Die blose Ladung eines Elementarteilchens kann nur virtuelle Photonen mit Energien, die ein integrales Vielfaches einer fundamentalen Energie sind, emitieren und absorbieren. II. Die beobachtete Ladung eines Elementarteilchens ist eine von seinem “Radius” unabhangige Konstante. Alternativen, die das “cut-off”-Dilemma losen, werden kurz diskutiert. Es wird bemerkt, das der MACHsche Aspekt einer elektromagnetischen Masse (entsprechend PAULIS Kriterium fur den MACHschen Aspekt) von der detaillierten Struktur des Postulates II abhangt und das vorhandene experimentelle Ergebnisse gegenwartig den Sachverhalt nicht mit Sicherheit zu entscheiden erlauben. The question of the magnitude and behaviour of the electromagnetic contribution to the mass of an elementary charged particle is explored. It is shown that, if the “cut-off” of relativistic quantum electrodynamics is taken as an approximation to the physical process embodied in the postulates: I. That the bare charge of an elementary particle may only emit and absorb virtual photons having energies that are integral multiples of some fundamental energy, and II. that the observed charge of an elementary particle is a constant independent of its “radius”, the electromagnetic mass of such a particle is always finite, even when the radius of the particle becomes zero. Alternative postulates that will resolve the cut-off dilemma are briefly discussed. It is noted that the “MACHianess” of electromagnetic mass (in terms of PAULI'S criterion for “MACHianess”) depends on the detailed structure of postulate II, and that extant experimental results do not permit one, at present, to decide the issue with certainty.
Prediction of viscosity for partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide solutions in the presence of calcium and magnesium ions

The purpose of this study is to establish relationships between total ionic strength, concentration of calcium or magnesium ions, polymer concentration of calcium or magnesium ions, polymer concentration, and the resulting viscosity for partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamides with varying degrees of hydrolysis. Solutions at constant ionic strength with varying ratios of calcium or magnesium to sodium ions are compared, and the loss of viscosity as a function of the fraction of divalent cations in the system is determined. For shear rates in the power-law region, the fractional loss in viscosity is a function of the fraction of multivalent cations and, in the range studied, is independent of the total ionic strength. A more complicated relationship is found at lower shear rates where the fractional viscosity loss does vary with total ionic strength. 11 refs.
Forage Nutritive Value and Morphology of Three Old World Bluestems under a Range of Irrigation Levels

Introduced forages offer alternatives to traditional cropping systems in the semiarid Texas High Plains, but effects of irrigation on nutritive value are not well known. Three old world bluestem (Bothriochloa) species [B. bladhii (Retz) S.T. Blake 'WW-B. Dahl', B. ischaemum (L.) Keng. var. ischaemum (Hack.) 'WW-Spar', and B. caucasica (Trin.) C.E. Hubbard 'Caucasian'] were surface drip-irrigated with zero (dryland) and low, medium, and high irrigation levels, to determine nutritive value and morphological development in 2001 to 2003 under a completely randomized block design, a split-plot treatment arrangement, and three replicates. Water applied in the high treatment was 100% replacement of potential evapolranspiration minus precipitation. Medium and low treatments were 66 and 33% of the high treatment. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) of all species was higher (P < 0.05) at low irrigation than at other levels (580, 560, 550, and 570 g kg -1 for low, medium, high, and dryland, respectively; SE = 4.0). Dahl was higher (P < 0.05) in crude protein (87 g kg -1 ) than Spar (76 g kg -1 ) and Caucasian (75 g kg -1 ; SE = 2.0) during the growing season. In all species, total nonstructural carbohydrates and DMD declined while neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber increased with increasing irrigation. Before hay harvest, leaf blade: stem-plus-sheath ratio declined also, but after hay harvest, effects of irrigation were less consistent. Results suggested that irrigation likely affected nutritive value through effects on plant morphology and physiological age. Thus, irrigation strategies and species selection may aid in optimizing forage quality.