cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imaging-and Imagining-Immune Responses to Infections: Laser-scanning confocal microscopy pinpoints responses of immune system components to bacterial infections in situ.

After Antonie van Leeuwenhoek viewed “animalcules” from the human oral mucosa during the 17th century, microscopy became an increasingly important tool for diagnosing infectious diseases and following host responses. Microscopy continues to advance technically, even during the past few years. For example, whereas traditional microscopy was used mainly to examine fixed or frozen tissues, recent innovations now allow us to visualize complex processes surrounding microbial pathogenesis and localized host responses.
Morphology of androgenetic and gynogenetic grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes)

Crosses between female carp x male grass carp resulted in androgenetic grass carp and hybrids. Fertilizing grass carp eggs with carp milt that had been irradiated with ultraviolet light for 15 min at 1.0 mW/cm2 produced gynogenetic grass carp. We compared the morphology of experimental progeny with that of the parental species to determine if inheritance was strictly matroclinous in gynogenesis and strictly patroclinous in andro-genesis. Dorsal and anal fin rays, lateral line scales, gill rakers, pharyngeal teeth, and the relative length of the dorsal fin all suggested that gynogenetic grass carp were identical with the maternal species and androgenetic grass carp with the paternal species. Hybrids were intermediate between the parents except that the number of anal rays was identical with that in carp. The number of dorsal rays, the body depth, and the pharyngeal teeth in hybrids were more like those in carp than in grass carp, whereas the number of gill rakers was more similar to that in the paternal species.
Invariantization of the Crank Nicolson method for Burgers’ equation

Abstract In this article, a geometric technique to construct numerical schemes for partial differential equations (PDEs) that inherit Lie symmetries is proposed. The moving frame method enables one to adjust the numerical schemes in a geometric manner and systematically construct proper invariant versions of them. To illustrate the method, we study invariantization of the Crank–Nicolson scheme for Burgers’ equation. With careful choice of normalization equations, the invariantized schemes are shown to surpass the standard scheme, successfully removing numerical oscillation around sharp transition layers.
The acquisition of English derivational morphology

Abstract Three paper-and-pencil measures were administered to students in fourth, sixth, and eighth grades to assess different aspects of their knowledge of English derivational suffixes. Children appear to develop a rudimentary knowledge of derivational morphology—the ability to recognize a familiar stem in a derivative—before fourth grade. Knowledge of the syntactic properties of derivational suffixes appears to increase through eighth grade. Knowledge of the distributional properties of suffixes also increases, with sixth-grade students showing an increase in overgeneralization errors parallel to that found for inflectional suffixes in much younger children.
Using Liu-Type Estimator to Combat Collinearity

Linear regression model and least squares method are widely used in many fields of natural and social sciences. In the presence of collinearity, the least squares estimator is unstable and often gives misleading information. Ridge regression is the most common method to overcome this problem. We find that when there exists severe collinearity, the shrinkage parameter selected by existing methods for ridge regression may not fully address the ill conditioning problem. To solve this problem, we propose a new two-parameter estimator. We show using both theoretic results and simulation that our new estimator has two advantages over ridge regression. First, our estimator has less mean squared error (MSE). Second, our estimator can fully address the ill conditioning problem. A numerical example from literature is used to illustrate the results.
Drospirenone- and levonorgestrel-containing oral contraceptives and the risk of gallbladder disease

Abstract Background Studies have found an association between the use of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives (OCs) and the risk of gallbladder disease. This study evaluated this relation as well as the role of progestogen on the risk of gallbladder disease among users of drospirenone-containing OCs compared to users of levonorgestrel-containing OCs. Study Design Database: The UK General Practice Research Database. We conducted a nested case–control analysis among women aged 14 to 60 years during 2001 through 2008 who had ever received drospirenone- or levonorgestrel-containing OCs. Cases were women with a first diagnosis of gallbladder disease during the study period. Women who received a study OC within 6 months of the index date were exposed. All other women were nonexposed. We matched two controls to each case on year of birth, index date, amount of recorded history and general practice attended. Results The adjusted odds ratio for gallbladder disease comparing drospirenone and levonorgestrel OCs to nonexposure were 0.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7–1.1] and 1.0 (95% CI 0.9–1.1), respectively. Conclusions There is no evidence in these data that drospirenone- or levonorgestrel-containing OC use confers an increased risk of gallbladder disease compared to women not currently exposed to an OC. Nor is use of drospirenone OCs associated with a higher risk of gallbladder disease than use of levonorgestrel-containing OCs.
The Sale of Two Cities: A Semiotic Comparison of Disneyland with Marriott's Great America

Much is revealed through the contrast of two related but divergent forms. In this essay, Elizabeth Mechlingand Jay Mechlingcontrast Disneyland with a later but more loosely themed park, Marriott's Great America in Santa Clara, California. Using the perspectives and methods of semiotics in Louis Marin's Marxist reading, this essay asks, “What are the stories that Disneyland and Marriott's Great America tell?…the ways in which popular culture both teaches and evokes stories that ‘think themselves’ in our minds.” These two parks, though allied in the theme format and rooted in a common bourgeois capitalist culture, are found to promote very different attitudes and values.
Resonance scattering by N2

A study is made of the intensity distribution among the bands of the Meinel and first negative system of N2+ due to resonance scattering of sunlight. Absolute transition probabilities are used to calculate the relative populations among the ion states under resonance scattering conditions; the mean lifetime for deactivation is the parameter which determines the amount of resonance scattering. Photon scattering rates are calculated for most of the ion bands and it is suggested that an appropriate value for the 3914 A band would be 0·050 photons/ sec per ion. Observations of the Δυ = −1 sequence of the first negative system in the twilight spectrum are reported. Extended vibrational development is detected which indicates that only about 80 per cent of the emission is resonance scattered. Sunlit auroral spectra of N2+, however, which have been generally considered to be due predominantly to resonance scattering, indicates only about 40 per cent of the emission is due to resonance scattering. Measurable effects resulting from a charge-transfer ion source (O+(2D)) are predicted.
Condensed-phase versus gas-phase ozonolysis of catechol: A combined experimental and theoretical study

Abstract Anthropogenic emissions of volatile aromatic compounds contribute to the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA), especially in urban environments. Aromatic SOA precursors typically require oxidation by hydroxyl radicals, although recent work suggests that ozonolysis of 1,2-benzenediols produces SOA in high yields. We employed attenuated total reflectance and transmission infrared spectroscopy to investigate the heterogeneous ozonolysis of catechol thin films. Formation of the dominant condensed-phase product muconic acid was highly dependent on relative humidity (RH) with few products detected below 40% RH and a maximum reactive uptake coefficient of γ = (5.6 ± 0.5) × 10−5 measured at 81.2% RH. We also performed quantum chemical calculations mapping out several reaction pathways for the homogeneous ozonolysis of gaseous catechol. 1,3-cycloaddition transition states were rate limiting with the most favorable activation energies at 45.4 and 47.1 kJ mol−1 [CCSD(T)/6-311++G(d,p)] corresponding to addition across and adjacent to the diol C C, respectively. Gas-phase rate constants, calculated using transition state theory, were six orders of magnitude slower than experimental values. In contrast, a calculated activation energy was lower for the ozonolysis of a catechol•H2O complex, which serves as a first-approximation for modeling the ozonolysis of condensed-phase catechol. These combined results suggests that homogeneous ozonolysis of catechol may not be important for the formation of secondary organic aerosols but that ozonolysis of surface-adsorbed catechol may contribute to SOA growth.
Guessing strategy constraints in the Bransford-Franks paradigm

The Bransford-Franks (1971) integration hypothesis and an alternative guessing strategy hypothesis were tested one against the other by varying the constraint under which the “atoms” comprising stimulus items could be arranged. Results showed that as constraint decreased, the slopes of the best-fitting linear curves for item “complexity” (i.e., number of atoms in an item) reversed direction, a finding which could only have been predicted by the guessing strategy hypothesis.
Effects of annealing on charge in HfO/sub 2/ gate stacks

This letter presents a systematic investigation of charge in HfO/sub 2/ gate stacks. Assuming that the majority of charge is associated with the stack interfaces, it is found that the charge at the HfO/sub 2//interfacial layer (IL) interface is negative while the charge at the Si/IL interface is positive. In general, the calculated charge densities at both interfaces are of order 10/sup 12/ cm/sup -2/. A forming gas anneal (FGA) reduces the interface charge greatly at both interfaces. However, the FGA temperature does not have much effect on the charge density. The effects of post deposition anneal at various temperatures and under various atmospheres are also studied. Its found that a high temperature dilute oxidizing atmosphere anneal reduces the charge at both interfaces.
A Slepian-Wolf based cross layer scheme suitable to sensor networks

Practical implementation of video compression for distributed sources is currently an active research area. The distributed compression paradigm based on the Slepian-Wolf model has been proposed for low-complexity video compression algorithms and energy efficient wireless sensor networks. In this paper we consider joint source-channel resource allocation for sensor network applications based on the Slepian-Wolf paradigm in fading channel environments. The sensor nodes are modelled as a multiuser uplink channel transmitting correlated information. We study an efficient cross layer variable source rate allocation for the individual nodes based on the multi-access channel capacity and discuss efficient ways to compress and transmit the data over the wireless channel.
Gene therapy: can we prevent/modulate apoptosis in EC?

Purpose Regardless of the inciting cause, CEC loss is a common denominator of corneal graft failure. CEC loss during storage results in significant loss of suitable tissue for grafting, CEC loss after transplantation is a major cause of graft failure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of apoptosis in CEC in order to prevent CEC loss during storage. Methods Gene transfer of Lenti-Bcl-xL or –p35 was accomplished in human donor corneas, primary cultured CEC and an immortalized CEC line and compared to untreated controls. Cell death (apoptosis) was induced by Actinomycin or Etoposide (external vs. internal apoptotic pathway, respectively). In addition, CEC loss during preservation was studied both during Optisol GS (4C) and organ culture storage (37C, Biochrome Medium I). Both storage media were diluted with PBS to promote cell loss. CEC were enumerated, apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining and confocal microscopy. Results The percentage of TUNEL-positive CEC provoked by the apoptotic inducers was significantly reduced relative to controls. Transfected corneas preserved an almost intact endothelial monolayer while controls nearly entirely lost vital CEC. During long-term storage experiments at 4C and at 37C, CEC counts in corneas expressing anti-apoptotic genes remained significantly higher compared to the controls. Conclusion Protection of CEC by anti-apoptotic genes appears to be an effective method to reduce CEC loss during storage. The application of this technique could increase the amount of high quality grafts in eye banking and further reduce graft failure following corneal transplantation, and is be of specific interest as to precut corneas and DSAEK procedures.
Confronting Environmental Challenges on the US–Mexico Border: Long-Term Community-Based Research and Community Service Learning in a Binational Partnership

Recent efforts to increase university involvement in addressing community problems and improving the way such problems are conceptualized and addressed have converged in discussions of community service-learning, community-based research, and community–university partnerships. Yet, the intersections among these approaches have not received much attention. This article addresses this gap by describing a multisectoral, binational partnership established to address significant environmental and environmental health issues on the US–Mexico border that includes academic institutions, and within which students play a key role in helping meet partnership goals while at the same time fulfilling their needs and desires for participating in community-based research and community service-learning. The article examines how the partnership has evolved, highlights 4 educational institutions that have been central to the partnership, and illustrates how community-based research and community service-learning have become...
Communications: Ammonia Excretion Rate Indicates Dietary Protein Adequacy for Fish

Abstract Yearling rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were used to determine whether ammonia excretion rate could serve as an indicator of the dietary protein requirement of fish. Over 10-d periods, fish were fed a fixed quantity of feeds containing 35, 40, or 45% protein. Ammonia excretion rate was not significantly different between fish fed the 35% (deficient) and 40% (optimum) protein diets, but increased significantly between fish fed the 40%n and the 45% (excessive) protein diets. Average gain in weight by fish increased significantly between the 35% and 40% protein diets but not between the 40% and 45% diets. Both ammonia excretion and weight gain consistently indicated that 40% crude protein was the optimum level. Ammonia excretion rate can serve as a good indicator of the optimum protein content in the diet, especially when combined with data on growth rate. This approach looks promising for determining protein requirements of fish through studies of relatively short duration.
Ribeiroia marini: surface ultrastructure of redia, cercaria, and adult.

Abstract Rediae, cercariae, and adults of Ribeiroia marini were examined using a scanning electron microscope to determine the types of tegumental sensory structures and their locations. Sensory structures were observed among numerous tegumental folds in the area immediately surrounding the mouth of the rediae. These sensory structures are similar in appearance, location and fine structure to sensory structures described from the anterior tips of rediae known to be predacious on the sporocysts of Schistosoma mansoni. These uniciliated structures may function as chemoreceptors to aid the redia in migration through snail tissue. Five types of sensory structures bearing one, two, or multiple cilia were distinguishable on the cercariae. These structures were located on and around the oral sucker, dorsal and ventral body surfaces and on the tail. They may be used by the cercariae to locate the intermediate host fish and to find suitable sites within the lateral line scales for encystment. The ventral surface of the adult fluke is covered with spines and shows an absence of sensory structures on the general body surface. Sensory structures were seen in the area surrounding the oral and ventral suckers. The extended cirrus organ has a folded tegument, but lacks spines or sensory structures.
Thymidylate synthase and 5-fluorouracil: a cautionary tale.

Commentary to:Evaluating the drug-target relationship between thymidylate synthase expression and tumor response to 5-fluorouracil: Is it time to move forward? Shayna L. Showalter, Timothy N. Showalter, Agnes Witkiewicz, Robert Havens, Eugene P. Kennedy, Tomas Hucl, Scott E. Kern, Charles J. Yeo, Jonathan R. Brody
Mass-Production Automation and Work-Group Solidarity in the Post-World War II Automobile Industry:

Did mass-production automation trigger a decline in shop-floor militancy in the post-World War II period? Was it responsible for deskilling and atomizing once militant occupation groups? Drawing on a rich array of archival and interview evidence, this article addresses these questions by tracing the impact of automation on the most militant work groups in the American automobile industry. These were the work groups who performed stamping, body-building, and trim operations. The findings suggest that mass-production automation failed both to atomize and to deskill these militant occupational groups. An alternative explanation for post-World War II declines in shop-floor militancy is proposed in the conclusion.
Microsurgery: A technical discussion for head and neck surgeons

Despite mechanical and technical advances that have been made in fields allied with microsurgery, Carrell and Guthrie's basic concept of small-blood-vessel anastomosis has not changed significantly. However, with refined, finer sutures and needles as well as improved jewelers' and ophthalmic surgical instruments, individuals can now readily practice under high magnification. With repeated practice using rats, the operator can successfully manage finer structures, such as blood vessels less than 1 mm in diameter. Head and neck surgeons have an advantage in this area because of their extensive experience and skill in manipulating operating microscopes.
The transnational view of sport and social development: the case of Dominican baseball

This essay examines social benefits of Major League Baseball's half century of dealings with the Dominican Republic. While the relationship was built along neo-colonial lines that heavily favoured the North American partner, structural events have unfolded in the past decade that have resulted in a levelling of the political-economic playing field. This is the outcome, not so much of MLB's sense of corporate responsibility, as it is the unforeseen consequences of its actions and the ability of Dominicans to take advantage of opportunities.
Simulation of the penetration of a sequence of bombs into granitic rock

This computational study was undertaken to investigate the penetration efficiency of a sequence of penetrating bombs into granitic hard rock. The main objective of the study was to ascertain the feasibility of using several bombs - all precision-guided to the same target point and detonated a few tens of milliseconds apart - to defeat a Hard and Deeply Buried Target (HDBT) that cannot be defeated using conventional means. Several simulations were performed in support of this objective, including a sequence of six consecutive bombs traveling with a velocity of 300 m/s, with each bomb being made to penetrate into the crater produced by its predecessor. The simulations were performed using GEODYN - a parallel Eulerian hydrocode with adaptive mesh refinement capabilities - and a constitutive model for granite that was calibrated using ground motion data from several underground explosions. The cumulative penetration depth from all six bombs was 5.7 m, with the first bomb penetrating as much as 2.1 m and the last one penetrating as little as 0.4 m. The general trend of decreasing penetration depth with each successive bomb was shown to be primarily attributed to crater geometry and to accumulation of high strength steel in the bottom of the crater. Shock conditioning of the rock was shown to have a favorable effect on penetration.
The cause of high-intensity long-duration continuous AE activity (HILDCAAs): Interplanetary Alfvén wave trains

It is shown that high intensity (AE of greater than 1,000 nT), long duration (T of greater than 2d) continuous auroral activity events are caused by outward (from the sun) propagating interplanetary Alfven wave trains. The Alfven waves are often (but not always) detected several days after major interplanetary events, such as shocks and solar wind density enhancements. Presumably, magnetic reconnection between the southward components of the Alfven wave magnetic fields and magnetospheric fields is the mechanism for transfer of solar wind energy to the magnetosphere.
Are Travel Times and Distances to Work Greater for Residents of Poor Urban Neighborhoods

The commuting patterns of low-income urban residents are discussed. On the basis of the spatial mismatch hypothesis, the question of whether central city low-income residents face an undue burden of commuting cost (time and distance) to work compared with the rest of the population is examined. Data from the 1995 Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey were used in the analysis. Models explaining travel time and distance to work are combined with a model explaining the probability of being employed on the basis of individual and neighborhood characteristics, thus correcting for sample selectivity. In general, it was found that urban residents are less likely to work than their suburban counterparts. Among the people who work, residents of low-income urban neighborhoods commute longer and farther than residents of low-income suburban neighborhoods. The average differences for the residents of the lowest-income neighborhoods are only 6 min and 2 mi (3 km). On the basis of the value of time, it is concluded that these national differences are not too large. The undue commute burden faced by residents of low-income neighborhoods may be shown to be a greater problem in some metropolitan areas than in others, suggesting further research at the metropolitan or regional level.
Robust optimization of total joint replacements incorporating environmental variables

Direct search techniques for the optimal design of biomechanical devices are computationally intensive requiring many iterations before converging to a global solution. This, along with the incorporation of environmental variables such as multiple loading conditions and bone properties, makes direct search techniques infeasible. In this study, we introduced new methods that are based on the statistical design and analysis of computer experiments to account efficiently for environmental variables. Using data collected at a relatively small set of training sites, the method employs a computationally inexpensive predictor of the structural response that is statistically motivated. By using this predictor in place of the simulator (e.g., finite element model), a sufficient number of iterations can be performed to facilitate the optimization of the complex system. The applicability of these methods was demonstrated through the design of a femoral component for total hip arthroplasty incorporating variations in joint force orientation and cancellous bone properties. Beams on elastic foundation (BOEF) finite element models were developed to simulate the structural response. These simple models were chosen for their short computation time. This allowed us to represent the actual structural response surface by an exhaustive enumeration of the design and environmental variable space, and provided a means by which to validate the statistical predictor. We were able to predict the structural response and the optimal design accurately using only 16 runs of the computer code. The general trends predicted by the BOEF models were in agreement with previous three-dimensional finite element computer simulations, and experimental and clinical results, which demonstrated that the important features of intramedullary fixation systems were captured. These results indicate that the statistically based optimization methods are appropriate for optimization studies using computationally demanding models.
Abstract B34: IKKalpha regulation of mTORC1 and modulation of prostate tumorigenesis through phosphorylation of mTOR

Abstract The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a critical mediator of cell growth, cell proliferation, survival, and energy metabolism. mTOR is activated downstream of growth factors, insulin, and Akt-dependent signaling associated with oncoprotein expression or loss of the tumor-suppressor PTEN. In this regard, mTOR activity is associated with cancer cell growth and survival. Here, we have explored an involvement of the I kappa B kinase (IKK) pathway, associated with nuclear factor-kappaB activation, in controlling mTOR activity. The experiments show that IKK alpha controls mTOR activity in Akt-active, PTEN-null prostate cancer cells by directly phosphorylation of mTOR at Serine 1415. In these cells, IKK alpha associates with mTORC1 and weaken the association between mTOR and Raptor, an important component of mTORC1, to increase mTORC1 kinase activity by phosphorylation in an Akt-dependent manner. Additionally, IKKalpha phosphorylation of mTOR is required for efficient induction of cell proliferation downstream of constitutively active Akt in these cells. The results indicate a novel role for IKKalpha in controlling mTOR function in protate cancer cells with loss of PTEN and constitutive Akt activity. Citation Format: Hancai Dan, Albert S. Baldwin. IKKalpha regulation of mTORC1 and modulation of prostate tumorigenesis through phosphorylation of mTOR [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr B34.
THE VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY CONSUMER

Most marketing executives are aware by now that some consumers believe that “small is beautiful” and “less is more.” Such executives may be surprised to find out that this type of voluntary simplicity consumer (VSC) is the fastest‐growing market segment in the U.S. Who the voluntary simplicity consumers are, how they came about, and how to cater to them profitably are the subjects of this article. The VSC is the outcome of a lifestyle trend toward voluntary simplicity (VS), but unlike any other market segment, the VSC prefers a lifestyle of low consumption, ecological responsibility, and self‐sufficiency. As a result, marketers are often puzzled as to how to market to the VSC.
Error and the spectrographic analysis of graywacke samples

Abstract Two separate experiments were set up in order to evaluate subsampling variation for both major/minor and trace elements. A total of 9 subsamples were prepared from a minus-200-mesh composite “homogeneous” sample (Mix) of 119 Rensselaer Graywacke samples and analyzed for major/minor elements. Since fluctuations in percentages were smaller than analytical error, subsampling variation appears to be negligible for major/minor elements when the samples are ground to minus-200-mesh. For trace elements the subsampled Mix was burned and recorded on 31 different spectrographic plates; the fluctuations in replicates are reflected in Table I. TABLE I Fluctuations in replicates Element C.V. Range in replicate value (p.p.m.) V 7.02 65.0–86.1 Be 13.28 2.3–3.8 Y 13.35 32.6–57.1 Sc 20.54 19.0–37.5 La 26.27 38.4–90.6 Zr 28.66 304.9–910.6 Cu 30.44 10.1–24.4 Cr 52.19 12.4–74.8 These trace-element fluctuations are the result of a combination of analytical and subsampling errors. The experiment on subsampling-analytical error for spectrographically determined trace element concentrations indicates that, even when samples are ground to minus-200-mesh, the replicated determinations of chromium, copper, lanthanum, and zirconium are still quite variable. Hence, the reliability of single or even duplicate determinations of trace concentrations of these elements by emission spectrography leaves something to be desired.
The eye and skeletal effects of two mutant alleles at the microphthalmia locus of Mus musculus.

The mi/mi mouse has a severe microphthalmia, its skeleton shows an almost complete absence of secondary bone resorption, and its eyes and hair have no pigment. The Miwh/Miwh mouse is white with a reduced eye size. The mi/mi eye was first distinguished during the tenth day of embryonic development by an abnormally thick pigment layer and a weakly invaginated optic cup. These abnormalities persisted in the older embryos. Normal closure of the mutant choroid fissure was prevented by the inversion of the pigment layer in this region. An eversion of the nervous retina and derangement of the pigment layer were observed in the Miwh/Miwh eye during the eleventh day of development. These abnormalities led to the formation of a typical coloboma. Subsequent abnormalities of the mi/mi and Miwh/Miwh eyes were attributable to the colobomata and the consequent lack of intraocular pressure. Counts of mitoses in the pigment and nervous layers of the optic cups showed that there were increased numbers of mitoses in the pigment layers of both the mi/mi and Miwh/Miwh eyes. The mi/mi osteoclasts were almost uniformly small and rounded and had significantly fewer nuclei than the large, irregular, multinucleated normal osteoclasts. Osteoclast counts indicated that the mutant parietal bone is not deficient in osteoclasts and may have higher than normal numbers. Mutant osteoclasts were not abnormal in the appearance of their nuclei, frequency of occurrence of cytoplasmic vacuoles, or amount of cytoplasmic basophilia, RNA, or foaminess. While normal osteoclasts contained essentially no glycogen, mi/mi osteoclasts contained, as a group, large amounts of glycogen.
Demography and phenology of the intertidal green algaCodium setchellii: The enigma of local scarcity on sand-influenced rocky shores

Demographic and phenological attributes that characterize rare and scarce species have not been extensively investigated for marine benthic organisms. From 1984 to 1987, 1 investigated the population ecology of the low intertidal, psammophytic green algaCodium setchellii Gardner that forms low-density populations on sand-influenced rocky benches on N.E. Pacific shores. To address why the alga is not more common in the habitat in which it is most abundant, I quantified sand fluctuations and population dynamics ofC. setchellii at several sites along the central coast of Oregon, USA. Sand movement was highly unpredictable both spatially and temporally on a local scale. AlthoughC. setchellii became fertile in late autumn to winter, the alga and rocky surfaces were often deeply buried by sand in these seasons. Algal recruitment was also spatially and temporally variable, and mortality of small thalli was high. Thallus growth was generally slow, and the alga had the capacity to persist at a given size for long periods. On sand-influenced rocky shores, mortality of largethalli was low, with some thalli persisting for several years. In laboratory experiments,C. setchellii lost substantial biomass during 4 to 5 wk sand burials, whereas two sympatric species of psammophytic algae lost little to no biomass. The within-site scarcity ofC. setchellii may be a consequence of (1) largely unpredictable environmental conditions that reduce algal recruitment and survival, and (2) apparent lack of specialized anatomical or reproductive adaptations to persist on sand-scoured rocky shores. The alga's persistence may be due to its slow growth and long lifespan.
Existential and Chaos Theory: "Calling" for Adaptability and Responsibility in Career Decision Making

Although the skills promoted by career decision-making models based on information processing, social cognition, and person–environment fit are necessary for general career success, they insufficie...
Epileptic seizures due to thrombotic and embolic cerebrovascular disease in older patients.

RESUME La maladie vasculaire thrombo-embolique provoque frequemment des crises et en represente l'etiologie la plus commune chez les patients âges. La survenue immediate de crises apres un ictus, cependant, n'indique pas necessairement que le patient continuera a en avoir apres la guerison du premier episode. Ceci est vrai meme s'il s'agit d'un etat de mal. Ceci est peut-etre du au fait que les crises precoces et les crises tardives repondent a des mecanismes physiopathologiques differents. RESUMEN Las enfermedades vasculares tromboembolicas son frecuentes precipitantes de ataques y es la etiologia mas comun de este trastorno en ancianos. De todos modos, la presentacion de ataques inmediatamente despues de un ictus no indica necesariamente que el enfermo va a continuar teniendo ataques una vez que se ha establecido la recuperacion inicial. Esta afirmacion es real incluso en enfermos que tienen status epilepticus. Esta observacion puede ser debida al hecho de que existen mecanismos fisiopatologicos distintos para la produccion de ataques precoces o tardios. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Thromboembolische vaskulare Erkrankungen gehen den epileptischen Anfallen haufig voran und sind bei alteren Patienten ihre haufigste Ursache. Das Auftreten von epileptischen Anfallen kurz nach einem Schlafanfall jedoch deutet nicht notwendigerweise darauf hin, das der Patient auch nach der initialen Erholung weiter Anfalle haben wird. Das gilt auch fur Patienten, die im Status epilepticus sind. Die Ursache hierfur liegt sicherlich darin, das fruhe und spatere Anfalle durch unterschiedliche pathophysiologische Mechanismen hervorgerufen werden. Summary: Thromboembolic vascular disease is a frequent precipitant of seizures, and is the most common etiology in older patients. The occurrence of seizures shortly after a stroke, however, does not necessarily indicate that the patient will continue to have seizures following initial recovery. This is true even when patients present in epileptic status. This may be because early and late seizures are produced by different pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Fibre strength unaffected by on-line writing of single-pulse Bragg gratings

Fibre Bragg gratings written with a KrF excimer laser on the draw tower suffer no degradation of strength due to the high-intensity laser exposure, and they exhibit tensile strength comparable to theoretical estimates for silica fibres. The high fibre strength critical for the use of fibres as distributed sensors is preserved, in contrast to the implications of a recent Letter.
Synoptic Classification of Snowfall Events in the Great Smoky Mountains, USA

Mean annual snowfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) exhibits considerable spatial variability, ranging from 30 cm in the valleys to 254 cm at higher elevations. Snowfall can be tied to a variety of synoptic classes (e.g., Miller A or B cyclones, 500 hPa cutoff lows), but the frequency and significance of different synoptic classes have not been fully assessed, particularly at higher elevations. In this paper, we manually classify all snowfall events during the period 1991 to 2004 according to a synoptic classification scheme, calculate mean annual snowfall by 850 hPa wind direction and synoptic class, and develop composite plots of various synoptic fields. Hourly observations from nearby first-order stations and 24 hr snowfall totals from five sites within the GSMNP are used to define snowfall events. NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data are used to develop composite plots of various synoptic fields for cyclones passing south and then east of the area (e.g., Miller A cyclones). Results indicate t...
Processing Rational and Emotional Messages: The Cognitive and Affective Mediation of Persuasion

Do rational and emotional appeals produce persuasion via the same process? We examined this question by exposing subjects experiencing a positive or neutral mood to a counterattitudinal message comprising strong or weak, rational or emotional arguments. Persuasion in response to rational messages was best accounted for by current models of persuasion: attitude change was mediated by the valence of the cognitive responses generated in neutral mood conditions but not in positive mood conditions. Persuasion in response to emotional messages, however, was best explained by a model which allowed for both the cognitive and affective mediation of persuasion: attitude change was mediated by the valence of both cognitive and affective responses generated in neutral mood conditions but these mechanisms were again disrupted in the positive mood conditions.
Abnormal neurulation induced by 7-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene and acetaminophen: evidence for catechol metabolites as proximate dysmorphogens.

Abstract Direct additions to culture media of either acetaminophen (APAP) or 7-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (7-OH-AAF) resulted in abnormal closure of the anterior neuropores of cultured rat embryos in the absence of an exogenous bioactivation system. Concentrations required to produce a 50% incidence of the defect were approximately 500 and 250 μ m for APAP and 7-OH-AAF, respectively. Losses of viability were not evident at these concentrations but 7-OH-AAF elicited a somewhat greater effect on growth parameters and generalized embryotoxicity. Transplacental induction with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) of P450IA1 in subsequently cultured rat embryos did not detectably alter the capacity of APAP or 7-OH-AAF to effect embryotoxicity or neuropore closure. However, additions to the culture medium of exogenous hepatic bioactivating systems (S9) from MC-induced vs phenobarbital (PB)-induced adult rats produced profoundly different effects on neuropore closure. Coincubation with S9 from MC-induced rats reduced the incidence of 7-OH-AAF-elicited abnormal neuropores from 45 to 19%, whereas coincubation with S9 from PB-induced rats increased the incidence to 77%. Coincubation with MC-induced S9 produced no statistically significant effect on APAP-elicited neuropore abnormalities but, with PB-induced S9, resulted in a significant increase from 60 to 86%. Additions of 3-OH-APAP (0.1 – 0.2 m m ) but not N -acetyl- p -benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI, 0.1 – 0.5 m m ) to the culture medium elicited the typical neuropore abnormality. Experiments with APAP and 7-OH-AAF as substrates demonstrated that embryonic enzymes catalyzed their conversion to the corresponding catechols. Considered together, the results provided evidence that embryonic conversion of APAP or 7-OH-AAF to the corresponding catechol metabolites may be instrumental in effecting the abnormal anterior neuropore closure observed after exposure of embryos to the respective parent compounds.
How thick is too thick? When endometrial thickness should prompt biopsy in postmenopausal women without vaginal bleeding.

Objective Transvaginal sonography (TVS) is routinely performed as part of a pelvic sonogram in postmenopausal women, and images of the endometrium are frequently obtained. In women without vaginal bleeding, the threshold separating normal from abnormally thickened endometrium is not known. The aim of this study was to determine an endometrial thickness threshold that should prompt biopsy in a postmenopausal woman without vaginal bleeding. Methods This was a theoretical cohort of postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older who were not receiving hormone therapy. We determined the risk of cancer for a postmenopausal woman with vaginal bleeding when the endometrial thickness measures > 5 mm, and then determined the endometrial thickness in a woman without vaginal bleeding that would be associated with the same risk of cancer. We used published and unpublished data to determine the sensitivity and specificity of TVS, the incidence of endometrial cancer, the percentage of women symptomatic with vaginal bleeding, and the percentage of cancer that occurs in women without vaginal bleeding. Ranges for each estimate were included in a sensitivity analysis to determine the impact of each estimate on the overall results. Results In a postmenopausal woman with vaginal bleeding, the risk of cancer is approximately 7.3% if her endometrium is thick (> 5 mm) and 11 mm) and 0.002% if the endometrium is thin (≤ 11 mm). The estimated risk of cancer was sensitive to the percentage of cancer cases that were estimated to occur in women without vaginal bleeding. For the base case we estimated that 15% of cancers occur in women without vaginal bleeding. When we changed the estimate to project that only 5% of cancers occur in women without vaginal bleeding, the projected risk of cancer with a thick measurement was only 2.2%, whereas when we estimated that 20% of endometrial cancers occur in women without bleeding, the projected risk of cancer with a thick measurement was 8.9%. As a woman's age increases, her risk of cancer increases at each endometrial thickness measurement. For example, using the 11 mm threshold, the risk of cancer associated with a thick endometrium increases from 4.1% at age 50 years to 9.3% at age 79 years. Varying the other estimates used in the decision analysis within plausible ranges had no substantial effect on the results. Conclusions In a postmenopausal woman without vaginal bleeding, if the endometrium measures > 11 mm a biopsy should be considered as the risk of cancer is 6.7%, whereas if the endometrium measures ≤ 11 mm a biopsy is not needed as the risk of cancer is extremely low. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating Watershed Evapotranspiration with PASS. Part II: Moisture Budgets during Drydown Periods

Abstract The second part of the parameterization of subgrid-scale surface fluxes model (PASS2) has been developed to estimate long-term evapotranspiration rates over extended areas at a high spatial resolution by using satellite remote sensing data and limited, but continuous, surface meteorological measurements. Other required inputs include data on initial root-zone available moisture (RAM) content computed by PASS1 for each pixel at the time of clear-sky satellite overpasses, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from the overpasses, and databases on available water capacity and land-use classes. Site-specific PASS2 parameterizations evaluate surface albedo, roughness length, and ground heat flux for each pixel, and special functions distribute areally representative observations of wind speed, temperature, and water vapor pressure to individual pixels. The surface temperature for each pixel and each time increment is computed with an approximation involving the surface energy budget, and the e...
Behavioural correlates of genetic divergence due to host specialization in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

Host specialization plays a central role in the diversification of herbivorous insects and yet we know very little about the evolution of this trait. Populations of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), are specialized and locally adapted to either alfalfa or clover. Preference for either plant produces assortative mating, and gene flow between alfalfa and clover populations is consistently restricted (Via, 1991a,b, 1994). Behavioural studies of freely-moving aphids on the plant surface for 30 min suggest that host preference is chemically mediated, involves chemoreception, and is most likely due to secondary compounds located in the epidermal or mesophyll cells. Pea aphids do not distinguish between hosts and non-hosts at a distance but determine whether the plant is suitable or not after only a short probe. Thirty-minute recordings of the activities of aphid stylets using an electrical monitoring system (EPG), where aphids are attached to a gold wire with silver paint, provide a different picture, suggesting that EPG experiments do not accurately reflect natural behaviour during the first 30 min of the aphid-plant interaction.
Rural High School Student Drug Use and the Effect of “Summer Jam, 1973” on Drug Use Patterns: The Watkins Glen Case

A sample of 138 rural high school students was surveyed with regard to their use of marijuana and other psychotropic drugs, factors influencing such use, and whether the rock music festival held in their community had an impact on marijuana use among these students. Users and nonusers were found to differ with regard to their use of other drugs, perception of sources influential in the users' decision to stop smoking marijuana, and in the nonusers' decision to not smoke marijuana. The rock music festival was not found to have had a direct impact on initiation into marijuana use. No users or nonusers used marijuana as a result of attending the festival.
High energy hybrid fiber - Yb:SFAP laser with dynamic spectral and temporal pulse shaping

We have commissioned a turnkey 500 mJ, 10 Hz front end laser. The system delivers temporally and spectrally tailored pulses to correct signal distortions within itself or subsequent amplifiers from single longitudinal mode to 250 GHz RF bandwidth.
Application of sequence-independent amplification (SIA) for the identification of RNA viruses in bioenergy crops

Miscanthus x giganteus, energycane, and Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) are three potential biomass crops being evaluated for commercial cellulosic ethanol production. Viral diseases are potentially significant threats to these crops. Therefore, identification of viruses infecting these bioenergy crops is important for quarantine purposes, virus resistance breeding, and production of virus-free planting materials. The application is described of sequence-independent amplification, for the identification of RNA viruses in bioenergy crops. The method involves virus partial purification from a small amount of infected leaf tissue (miniprep), extraction of viral RNA, amplification of randomly primed cDNAs, cloning, sequencing, and BLAST searches for sequence homology in the GenBank. This method has distinct advantage over other virus characterization techniques in that it does not require reagent specific to target viruses. Using this method, a possible new species was identified in the genus Marafivirus in switchgrass related to Maize rayado fino virus, its closest relative currently in GenBank. Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), genus Potyvirus, was identified in M.xgiganteus, energycane, corn (Zea mays), and switchgrass. Other viruses identified were: Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV), genus Potyvirus, in johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense); Soil borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV), genus Furovirus, in wheat (Triticum aestivum); and Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV), genus Comovirus, in soybean (Glycine max). The method was as sensitive as conventional RT-PCR. This is the first report of a Marafivirus infecting switchgrass, and SCMV infecting both energycane and M. x giganteus.
Use of observational patterns in geology

Many geologic generalizations are observational patterns that are used to organize and interpret our data base. These patterns play an important role in the logical structure of geologic reasoning. In some cases we use the patterns as empirical generalizasions, and in others we use the same patterns as rules in an explanatory framework. The interaction of these two uses allows us to develop an understanding of geologic processes. It is important to keep these uses separate because different types of problems are associated with each. I suggest that observational patterns in geology are used in the same way as law statements in other sciences.