cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Project Hoover: auto-scaling streaming map-reduce applications

Real-time data processing frameworks like S4 and Flume have become scalable and reliable solutions for acquiring, moving, and processing voluminous amounts of data continuously produced by large numbers of online sources. Yet these frameworks lack the elasticity to horizontally scale-up or scale-down their based on current rates of input events and desired event processing latencies. The Project Hoover middleware provides distributed methods for measuring, aggregating, and analyzing the performance of distributed Flume components, thereby enabling online configuration changes to meet varying processing demands. Experimental evaluations with a sample Flume data processing code show Hoover's approach to be capable of dynamically and continuously monitoring Flume performance, demonstrating that such data can be used to right-size the number of Flume collectors according to different log production rates.
Improvements in the Production System for Green Lacewings: An Adult Feeding and Oviposition Unit and Hot Wire Egg Harvesting System

Abstract Green lacewings ( Chrysoperla spp.) are used in augmentative release programs against a variety of arthropod pests. As part of an ongoing research program to improve the mass production technology for green lacewings, an "Adult Feeding and Oviposition Unit" (AFOU) and a hot wire egg harvesting system were developed. The AFOU is a cylindrical unit, which can be unrolled to facilitate egg harvest with a hot wire system. The hot wire egg harvesting system consists of two devices, one of which uses a pneumatic cylinder to pull the cylinder portion of the AFOU past the hot wire and the other which is used to harvest eggs from the top of the AFOU. These improvements make adult handling and egg harvesting easier. The improved system requires less manual labor than the conventional paper cartons and manual egg harvesting system commonly used in the United States. Egg recovery was higher when a hot wire egg harvesting system was used than when the traditional loose ball of nylon netting was used. There was no difference in the percentage hatch of eggs recovered with either of these systems or with a sodium hypochlorite based egg harvesting system. This equipment may provide the basis for an automated adult handling and egg harvesting system for the mass production of green lacewings.
Immune responses of infants to infection with respiratory viruses and live attenuated respiratory virus candidate vaccines

Respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the parainfluenza viruses (PIV), and the influenza viruses cause severe lower respiratory tract diseases in infants and children throughout the world. Experimental live attenuated vaccines for each of these viruses are being developed for intranasal administration in the first weeks or months of life. A variety of promising RSV, PIV-3, and influenza virus vaccine strains have been developed by classical biological methods, evaluated extensively in preclinical and clinical studies, and shown to be attenuated and genetically stable. The ongoing clinical evaluation of these vaccine candidates, coupled with recent major advances in the ability to develop genetically engineered viruses with specified mutations, may allow the rapid development of respiratory virus strains that possess ideal levels of replicative capacity and genetic stability in vivo. A major remaining obstacle to successful immunization of infants against respiratory virus associated disease may be the relatively poor immune response of very young infants to primary virus infection. This paper reviews the immune correlates of protection against disease caused by these viruses, immune responses of infants to naturally-acquired infection, and immune responses of infants to experimental infection with candidate vaccine viruses.
Naïve and memory B cells in the rhesus macaque can be differentiated by surface expression of CD27 and have differential responses to CD40 ligation

The rhesus macaque (RM) model has the potential to be an invaluable tool for studying B cell populations during pathogenic infections, however, to date, there has been no definitive delineation of naive and memory B cell populations in the RM. This has precluded a rigorous analysis of the generation, persistence and resolution of a pathogen-specific memory B cell response. The present study utilized multiple analyses to demonstrate that CD27 expression on B cells is consistent with a memory phenotype. Compared to CD20+CD27- B cells, CD20+CD27+ B cells were larger in size, and preferentially accumulated at effector sites. Direct sequence analysis revealed that CD20+CD27+ B cells had an increased frequency of point mutations that were consistent with somatic hypermutation and at a functional level, CD40 ligation improved CD20+CD27- but not CD20+CD27+ B cell survival in vitro. These data provide definitive evidence that the naive and memory B cell populations of the RM can be differentiated using surface expression of CD27.
Pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease.

Congenital heart disease is the most common form of structural heart disease affecting women of childbearing age in developed countries. Pregnancy in these patients is associated with an increased risk to both mother and fetus. Appropriate prepregnancy evaluation and counseling is recommended to assess the pregnancy-related maternal and fetal risk and to identify patients who should avoid pregnancy. Once pregnancy occurs, cardiovascular reevaluation is generally recommended; the frequency is individualized. Monitoring during delivery may be necessary and the post-partum period is a concern in select individuals. Data regarding the outcome of pregnancy in patients with operated congenital cardiac defects are available. Individualized care is mandatory.
Hepatoid Esophageal Carcinoma: a Rare Cause of Elevated Alfa Fetoprotein

AFP-producing tumors are uncommon. They have mostly been described of pulmonary origin. However, they have also been described from gastrointestinal tract. Esophageal involvement with hepatoid tumor has been rarely described. The diagnosis is clinically challenging in patients with metastatic disease to liver. We present an interesting case of AFP-producing esophageal tumor, describing its clinical presentation, endoscopic manifestation, as well as histological features.
Characteristics of RNA release from rat brain nuclei and effect of neurocarcinogenesis.

Abstract The release of functional messenger RNA from isolated brain nuclei is dependent on energy (ATP) and cytosol factors. The ATP-dependence is not modified by pre-treatment of the donor rats with the neurocarcinogen ethyl-nitrosourea, nor by neoplastic transformation (e.g. gliomas). Thus the loss of ATP-dependence of RNA release observed earlier in several non-neural cell-types after exposure to carcinogens, or after neoplastic transformation, is not an essential attribute of the carcinogenic process.
Excited atomic and molecular states in strong electromagnetic fields

Abstract Large changes in atomic and molecular structure can occur when strong static or oscillating electromagnetic fields are present. Such fields also can ionize atoms. Strong oscillating fields induced multiphoton transitions between bound states as well as to the continuum. What is known about these phenomena is reviewed, with emphasis on theories and experiments concerned with the field-sensitive excited and highly-excited states.
Magnetocaloric properties of doped lanthanum manganite films

LaMnO3 films doped with Ca, Ba, or Sr have been fabricated using the metalorganic decomposition technique. These films exhibit paramagnetic‐to‐ferromagnetic phase transitions at 250, 300, and 350 K, respectively. By measuring the film magnetization as a function of field and temperature we have determined the entropy change associated with these transitions. The large magnetization of these materials results in a total entropy change a factor of five less than that of gadolinium, the prototypical high‐temperature magnetocaloric material. Improvements in film morphology and composition may provide a further increase in the magnetization and total entropy change in these materials.
Ligand-Specific Function of Transforming Growth Factor Beta in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Heart Development

The ligand specificity of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) in vivo in mouse cardiac cushion epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is poorly understood. To elucidate the function of TGFbeta in cushion EMT, we analyzed Tgfb1(-/-), Tgfb2(-/-), and Tgfb3(-/-) mice between embryonic day (E) 9.5 and E14.5 using both in vitro and in vivo approaches. Atrioventricular (AV) canal collagen gel assays at E9.5 indicated normal EMT in both Tgfb1(-/-) and Tgfb3(-/-) mice. However, analysis of Tgfb2(-/-) AV explants at E9.5 and E10.5 indicated that EMT, but not cushion cell proliferation, was initially delayed but later remained persistent. This was concordant with the observation that Tgfb2(-/-) embryos, and not Tgfb1(-/-) or Tgfb3(-/-) embryos, develop enlarged cushions at E14.5 with elevated levels of well-validated indicators of EMT. Collectively, these data indicate that TGFbeta2, and not TGFbeta1 or TGFbeta3, mediates cardiac cushion EMT by promoting both the initiation and cessation of EMT.
The expression platform and the aptamer: cooperativity between Mg2+ and ligand in the SAM-I riboswitch.

Riboswitch operation involves the complex interplay between the aptamer domain and the expression platform. During transcription, these two domains compete against each other for shared sequence. In this study, we explore the cooperative effects of ligand binding and Magnesium interactions in the SAM-I riboswitch in the context of aptamer collapse and anti-terminator formation. Overall, our studies show the apo-aptamer acts as (i) a pre-organized aptamer competent to bind ligand and undergo structural collapse and (ii) a conformation that is more accessible to anti-terminator formation. We show that both Mg2+ ions and SAM are required for a collapse transition to occur. We then use competition between the aptamer and expression platform for shared sequence to characterize the stability of the collapsed aptamer. We find that SAM and Mg2+ interactions in the aptamer are highly cooperative in maintaining switch polarity (i.e. aptamer ‘off-state’ versus anti-terminator ‘on-state’). We further show that the aptamer off-state is preferentially stabilized by Mg2+ and similar divalent ions. Furthermore, the functional switching assay was used to select for phosphorothioate interference, and identifies potential magnesium chelation sites while characterizing their coordinated role with SAM in aptamer stabilization. In addition, we find that Mg2+ interactions with the apo-aptamer are required for the full formation of the anti-terminator structure, and that higher concentrations of Mg2+ (>4 mM) shift the equilibrium toward the anti-terminator on-state even in the presence of SAM.
On optimal guillotine partitions approximating optimal d -box partitions

Abstract Given a set of n points, P, in Ed (the plane when d = 2) that lie inside a d-box (rectangle when d = 2) R, we study the problem of partitioning R into d-boxes by introducing a set of orthogonal hyperplane segments (line segments when d = 2) whose total (d − 1)-volume (length when d = 2) is the least possible. In a valid d-box partition, each point in P must be included in at least one partitioning orthogonal hyperplane segment. Since this minimization problem is NP-hard and thus likely to be computationally intractable, we present an approximation algorithm to generate a suboptimal solution. This solution is obtained by finding an optimal guillotine partition, i.e., a special type of rectangular partition, which can be generated in O(dn2d+1) time. We present a simple proof that the (d − 1)-volume of an optimal guillotine partition is not greater than 2d − 4 + 4/d times the (d − 1)-volume of an optimal d-box partition.
Structural Basis of Antibody Specificity

Immunologic methods for steroid determination depend on the ability of antibodies directed against a steroid determinant group to react preferentially with that particular steroid. The specificity of the reaction depends on a complementary fit of the combining site of the antibody with the steroid of interest.
Stimulatory as well as inhibitory effects of ethinyloestradiol on the metabolic clearances of propranolol in young women.

1. The metabolism of a single 80 mg oral dose of propranolol was determined in nine young women before and after administration of ethinyloestradiol alone (EE2) or in combination with norethindrone (OC). 2. Whereas the total clearance of propranolol (2713 +/- 404 ml min-1 (mean +/- s.e.mean)) was not significantly altered by either EE2 (3365 +/- 347 ml min-1) or the combined OC (2905 +/- 345 ml min-1), significant changes in all three primary metabolic pathways were observed. 3. The clearance through side-chain oxidation decreased from 345 +/- 55 ml min-1 to 262 +/- 33 ml min-1 after EE2 (P < 0.05). A similar reduction of cytochrome P450 metabolism by EE2 has been observed for other drugs. 4. The clearance through glucuronidation increased from 364 +/- 61 ml min-1 to 625 +/- 117 ml min-1 after EE2 (P < 0.01). Similar stimulation of glucuronic acid conjugation by EE2 has also been observed for other drugs. 5. The clearance through ring oxidation increased from 697 +/- 109 ml min-1 to 1280 +/- 162 ml min-1 after EE2 (P < 0.01). This observation appears to be a novel finding with EE2 and cytochrome P450 metabolism. 6. The treatment with OC produced changes in propranolol's metabolic clearances which were qualitatively similar to those generated by EE2.
562 BLOOD PRESSURE AND SODIUM SENSITIVITY IN CHILDREN THE MUSCATINE STUDY

In contrast to normotensive adults, borderline hypertensives do not demonstrate forearm vasodilation with a high sodium diet and show augmented neurogenic vasoconstrictor responses during baroreflex stimulation. Children from the lower (LoQ) and upper (HiQ) quintiles of blood pressure (BP) distribution were examined. Six adolescent males from each group were studied on each of three diets: ad lib, low sodium (10 mEq) and high sodium (310 mEq). Urinary sodium, aldosterone and kallikrein and plasma renin confirmed dietary compliance and sodium balance. Weight, BP and heart rate (HR) did not change. During high sodium, forearm vascular resistance (FVR) decreased from 16.2 to 10.4 U (p 0.05). Both groups responded similarly to cardiopulmonary baroreflex inhibition induced by lower body negative pressure with significantly (p<0.01) increased HR, decreased forearm blood flow and increased FVR. HR response was augmented during low sodium (p<0.001). Positive and negative pressure applied to the neck affected the high pressure baroreflex control of HR and BP similarly in both groups. Children from HiQ appear to be unable to vasodilate in response to high sodium intake, but do not have altered baroreflex control. This abnormal vascular response to high sodium may be an important factor in the subsequent development of sustained hypertension.
Properties of a three-dimensional poisson-voronoi tesselation: A Monte Carlo study

A complete statistical description of the properties of a cellular microstructure generated by a three-dimensional Poisson-Voronoi tesselation has been obtained by a rigorous computer simulation involving several hundred thousand cells. A two-parameter gamma distribution is found to be a good fit to the cell's face, volume, and surface area distributions. For a sample size of several thousand cells or less, a lognormal distribution can also be used to approximate these distributions. The individual face, area, and edge length distributions are also obtained.
Interaction of a negatively buoyant line plume with a density interface

Abstract Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the interaction between turbulent line buoyant plumes and sharp density interfaces, with the aim of using the results to interpret oceanic observations pertinent to crack openings in the polar ice-cap (leads). These openings take the form of long narrow channels, and are often modeled as line bouyant plumes. The plumes descend as in a homogenoous fluid, impinge on the density interface, and then spread horizontally as gravity currents. Depending on the Richardson number Ri = Δ bl d /q 0 2 3 , where Δb is the buoyancy jump across the interface, lD is the half-width of the plume before the impingement and q0is the buoyancy flux per unit length of the source, different flow patterns were identified. When Ri 10, the penetration was small and a sharp-nosed gravity current emerged some time after the impact. Measurements were made on the penetration depth, the velocities of the gravity current and the subsurface flow towards the plume, the entrainment rate and other wave parameters. Possible implications of the results for oceanic cases are also discussed.
Evidence for coordinate genetic control of Na,K pump density in erythrocytes and lymphocytes☆

Abstract The erythrocyte is widely used as a model cell for studies of the Na,K pump in health and disease. However, little is known about the factors that control the number of Na,K pumps expressed on the erythrocytes of a given individual, nor about the extent to which erythrocytes can be used to validly assess the pump density on other cell types. In this report, we have compared the interindividual variance of Na,K pump density in erythrocytes of unrelated individuals to that seen with identical twins. Unlike unrelated individuals, in whom pump parameters, ie, ouabain binding sites, 86Rb uptake, cell Na concentration vary widely, identical twin pairs showed no significant intrapair variation for these values. Thus, a role for genetic factors is suggested. In addition, we established and validated a method for determining Na,K pump density and pump-mediated 86Rb uptake in human peripheral lymphocytes. Using this method, we show that whereas Na,K pump density differs markedly between erythrocytes (mean of 285 sites per cell) and lymphocytes (mean 40,600 sites per cell), there is a strong and highly significant correlation (r = 0.79, P
Snake Infrared Receptors: Thermal or Photochemical Mechanism?

It appears that the two most sensitive infrared receptors known in the biological world are found in two widely different families of snakes, the pit vipers and the boas. After an infrared stimulus from a carbon dioxide laser, which has a monochromatic output at 10.6 micrometers, we find evoked potentials in boas with chronically implanted electrodes. Our data suggest that the receptors operate on a thermal principle.
Photon Counting Using Microchannel Plate Intensified Electrographic Cameras

Electrography has proven to be a useful tool for astronomical and aeronomical investigations. The addition of microchannel plate intensification provides significant enhancements in responsivity and resolution and offers the potential of providing detection of single photon events. In practice, long exposures and film fog have precluded the use of this kind of detector as a photon counting device. For low light levels or short exposures, it is possible with the correct algorithm to separate individual photon events from the film fog. This has several advantages including increased low light sensitivity, increased photometric accuracy, and increased resolution. A computer algorithm has been developed and applied to microchannel plate intensified electrographic emulsions to identify and centroid individual photon events. Modifications of this algorithm which treat the case of occasional overlap of photon events are discussed. This algorithm is very general and can be applied to other imaging detection techniques and can be used to analyze starfields in conventional astronomical photography.
Depth of cure of sealants polymerized with high‐power light emitting diode curing lights

Objective To determine whether recommended short curing times of three high-power light emitting diode (LED) curing lights are sufficient to polymerize sealant materials. Methods Opaque-unfilled sealant (Delton LC Opaque), opaque-filled sealant (UltraSeal XT plus), and clear-filled sealant (FluroShield) were light cured in a covered slot-mold using the manufacturers' shortest recommended curing times with three high-power LED lights (3-s VALO, 5-s Fusion, 10-s Smartlite). A 40-s cure with a quartz-tungsten halogen (QTH) light was used as control. Vickers hardness was measured 24 h after curing at the sealant surface and through the depth (0.5 mm increments) (N = 10). Results were analyzed with two-way anova (pair-wise multiple comparisons, significance level 0.05). Results The high-power LEDs did not cure the sealants as deep as the QTH. Delton LC Opaque showed the least depth of cure as hardness values beyond a depth of 0.5 mm were not measurable regardless of the curing light. Even for UltraSeal XT plus, when surface hardness was about the same with all lights, hardness decreased more rapidly with depth for the LEDs. FluroShield showed the slowest decline in hardness through the depth for all lights. Conclusions Manufacturers' recommendations for shortest possible curing time with high-power LEDs were not sufficient for adequate polymerization of the tested sealants.
An automatic temperature control device.

Summary This automatic system for controlling the temperature of biological materials is designed to allow the selection of cooling rates, freezing rates, storage temperatures, and warming and thawing rates. These programs are easily obtained by drawing a suitable time-temperature curve on a plastic-coated card. The control device follows the line drawn on the card and regulates the flow of the refrigerani, liquid nitrogen. This automatic control system has been used to control liquid bath temperatures, to control set point storage refrigerators, with a heat exchanger to control the temperature of a moving fluid, and to control a variable rate freezer. Biological materials have been frozen, stored, and thawed automatically. The main advantages of this automatic temperature control system are that it is easy to program, it is economical to operate, and it is versatile in its application.
Fatigue cracking of a bare steel first wall in an inertial confinement fusion chamber

Abstract Inertial confinement fusion power plants will deposit high energy X-rays onto the outer surfaces of the first wall many times a second for the lifetime of the plant. These X-rays create brief temperature spikes in the first few microns of the wall, which cause an associated highly compressive stress response on the surface of the material. The periodicity of this stress pulse is a concern due to the possibility of fatigue cracking of the wall. We have used finite element analyses to simulate the conditions present on the first wall in order to evaluate the driving force of crack propagation on fusion-facing surface cracks. Analysis results indicate that the X-ray induced plastic compressive stress creates a region of residual tension on the surface between pulses. This tension film will likely result in surface cracking upon repeated cycling. Additionally, the compressive pulse may induce plasticity ahead of the crack tip, leaving residual tension in its wake. However, the stress amplitude decreases dramatically for depths greater than 80–100 μm into the fusion-facing surface. Crack propagation models as well as stress-life estimates agree that even though small cracks may form on the surface of the wall, they are unlikely to propagate further than 100 μm without assistance from creep or grain erosion phenomena.
Win-win interactions between the public and private sectors

Amie Batson (formerly with the WHO's Global Programme for Vaccines and Immunization and currently a World Bank Health Specialist) explains the relationship between public sector agencies and industry—each at the mercy of the other's strategic policies and both able to benefit from collaboration. Batson explores how a greater understanding and collaboration can lead to better strategies to assure global vaccine supply.
Delayed graft function, acute rejection, and outcome after cadaver renal transplantation: A multivariate analysis

The impact of delayed graft function on outcome after cadaver renal transplantation has been controversial, but most authors fail to control their analyses for the presence or absence of rejection. We studied 457 adult recipients of primary cadaver allografts at a single institution during the cyclosporine era. All patients received sequential immunosuppression. The incidence of delayed graft function (defined as dialysis being required during the first week after transplant) was 23%. There was a significant association between delayed graft function and cold ischemia time > 24 hr (P = 0.0001) and between delayed graft function and the occurrence of at least one biopsy-proven rejection episode (P = 0.004). Actuarial graft survival was not significantly different when comparing delayed graft function versus no delayed graft function for patients without rejection (P = 0.02). However, it was significantly worse for patients with both delayed graft function and rejection versus those with delayed graft function but no rejection (P = 0.005), as well as for grafts preserved > 24 hr versus 24 hr was also a significant risk factor (relative risk = 1.9, P = 0.02), other variables (preservation mode, 0 HLA Ag mismatch, age at transplantation, gender, diabetic status, and panel-reactive antibody at transplantation) had no impact on graft survival. Patient survival was significantly affected by the combination of delayed graft function and rejection (relative risk = 3.1, P 50 years (relative risk = 2.6, P < 0.0001), and diabetes (relative risk = 1.8, P = 0.006). Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms linking delayed graft function and rejection, which, in combination, lead to poor allograft outcome.
Tunable detection sensitivity of opiates in urine via a label-free porous silicon competitive inhibition immunosensor.

Currently, there is need for laboratory-based high-throughput and reliable point-of-care drug screening methodologies. We demonstrate here a chip-based label-free porous silicon (PSi) photonic sensor for detecting opiates in urine. This technique provides a cost-effective alternative to conventional labeled drug screening immunoassays with potential for translation to multiplexed analysis. Important effects of surface chemistry and competitive binding assay protocol on the sensitivity of opiate detection are revealed. Capability to tune sensitivity and detection range over ∼3 orders of magnitude (18.0 nM to 10.8 μM) was achieved by varying the applied urine specimen volume (100−5 μL), which results in systematic shifts in the competitive binding response curve. A detection range (0.36−4.02 μM) of morphine in urine (15 μL) was designed to span the current positive cutoff value (1.05 μM morphine) in medical opiate urine screening. Desirable high cross-reactivity to oxycodone, in addition to other common opi...
Maize Aflatoxin Accumulation Segregates with Early Maturing Selections from an S2 Breeding Cross Population

Maize breeders continue to seek new sources of aflatoxin resistance, but most lines identified as resistance sources are late maturing. The vast difference in flowering time makes it hard to cross these lines with proprietary commercial lines that mature much earlier and often subjects the reproductive phase of these resistant lines to the hottest and driest portion of the summer, making silking, pollination and grain fill challenging. Two hundred crosses from the GEM Project were screened for aflatoxin accumulation at Mississippi State in 2008, and a subset of these lines were screened again in 2009. The breeding cross UR13085:S99g99u was identified as a potential source of aflatoxin resistance, and maturity-based selections were made from an S2 breeding population from this same germplasm source: UR13085:S99g99u-B-B. The earliest maturing selections performed poorly for aflatoxin accumulation, but later maturing selections were identified with favorable levels of aflatoxin accumulation. These selections, while designated as “late” within this study, matured earlier than most aflatoxin resistant lines presently available to breeders. Two selections from this study, designated S5_L7 and S5_L8, are potential sources of aflatoxin resistance and will be advanced for line development and additional aflatoxin screening over more site years and environments.
REACTIVITY AND THERMOCHEMISTRY OF QUADRICYCLANE IN THE GAS PHASE

The gas-phase acidity of quadricyclane, C7H8, has been determined using a flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube at room temperature. Measurements of forward and reverse rate constants for the proton transfer reactions B- + C7H8 ⇄ C7H7- + BH where BH = NH3, CH3NH2, and C6H6 give ΔacidG300(C7H8) = 394.7 ± 0.8 kcal/mol and ΔacidH300(C7H8) = 403.0 ± 1.1 kcal/mol. Combining this value with the electron affinity, 0.868 ± 0.006 eV, of the quadricyclyl radical, gives 109.4 ± 1.3 kcal/mol for the C−H bond dissociation energy of quadricyclane at C1. Reactions of quadricyclanide ion with various reagents have been studied, and branching ratios of product channels have been determined. These results, along with ab initio calculations and a companion photoelectron spectroscopy study, indicate that there are two isomers of quadricyclanide ion which have similar energies.
Multifractal and directional wavelet analysis for accurate detection of precipitation events in weather radar images

In this paper, we propose the use of directional Gabor filtering and multifractal analysis based quality control (QC) to provide accurate identification of precipitation in weather data collected from meteorological-radar volume scans. The QC algorithm is an objective algorithm that minimizes human interaction. The algorithm utilizes both textural and intensity information obtained from the two lower-elevation reflectivity maps. Computer simulations are provided to show the effectiveness of this algorithm.
Reply to Harrison and Warren

understanding of the context in which my original remarks were made-namely, to a group of persons having, by and large, no academic anthropological background or abstract scholarly interests. Clearly, my comments had to be tailored, as well as I could do so, to meet the needs of the audience, and Drs. Harrison and Warren perceived this-as well as the fact that the time and space contingencies placed upon me allowed that only a sketch of the presumptively most relevant factors could be included in what was programmed as a 20 minute presentation. Nor can I quarrel with the substantive additions and recommendations that they have made; I think these are valuable additions indeed, and I would strongly endorse all our efforts as, not final products, but contributions toward a process by which the relevance of cultural knowledge to creating health programs that are successful (meaning accepted) may be enhanced. Dr. Warren raises other points with which I do not seriously disagree, e.g., the problems inherent in use of the terms "indigenous" or "traditional" as against "modern." I take from his remarks that he would stress the question of what meaning does use of the hospital and modern medical system have for those who use it. Certainly, if one tenet of the contemporary "traditional" culture is that one uses whatever is effective in alleviating physical or psychological distress, then the use of the "hospital" facilities could be defined in either camp. But I don't wish to quibble, merely to agree that we must go beyond the terms themselves and not reify such a simplistic division. Finally, I also agree (as Warren states) that one important role the anthropologist can fill is that of broker as in the facilitation of communication among members of the various "tribes" involved in institutionalized health care delivery; in our own society, this would include physicians, nurses, medical technicians, social workers, etc., all of whom are characterized by distinctive sets of territorial imperatives, skill agendas, vested interests, and professional goals. Those of us in "medical anthropology" who are involved, daily, in such cross-fire in a medical education setting are acutely sensitive to this problem and have had to develop survival skills (based, very often, largely upon such an anthropological perspective).
A comparison of UP‐PCR and RAPD markers to study genetic diversity of Fusicladium effusum (G. Winter), cause of pecan scab

Summary Fusicladium effusum infects pecan causing yield loss, but no information is available on the genetic diversity of F. effusum. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) and universally primed polymerase chain reaction (UP-PCR) were compared to detect polymorphisms on a group of 20 isolates of F. effusum from 11 geographical locations in the southeastern USA. Two tests (run 1 and 2) of both the RAPD and UP-PCRs were conducted to assess the repeatability of the methods, and the markers scored on agarose gels. In addition, the UP-PCR markers from run 1 were scored using an automated capillary system. Both RAPDs and UP-PCR markers detected a high level of polymorphism among the scored markers (92 and 91% of RAPD markers, and 86 and 87% of manually scored UP-PCR markers in run 1 and 2 were polymorphic, respectively; 93% of UP-PCR markers were polymorphic when scored using the automated system). Unweighted paired group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) analysis showed both RAPDs and UP-PCR markers individually identified each isolate, producing three groupings, but only the groupings based on run 1 and 2 of the UP-PCR contained the same isolates. Bootstrap analysis based on the Dice coefficient produced phenograms from the UP-PCR data with weak to moderate node support (≥54) for the primary branch, but no support for the RAPDs data (≤34). A Mantel test of runs 1 and 2 using RAPDs or UP-PCR showed good agreement (r = 0.8761 and 0.8289, p < 0.0001), but poor agreement between RAPDs and UP-PCR. UP-PCR results based on the interisolate Dice coefficients showed a weak to strong association with distance. Based on these results, both RAPDs and UP-PCR markers were capable of demonstrating polymorphisms and identifying relationships among isolates of F. effusum; however, UP-PCR markers appear to be more reliable.
Constructing Piecewise Linear Homeomorphisms of Simple Polygons

LetPandQbe simple polygons with vertex sets {p1,?,pn} and {q1,?,qn}, respectively. We present an algorithm to construct a piecewise linear homeomorphism betweenPandQmapping each vertexpi?Ptoqi?Qby constructing isomorphic triangulations ofPandQ. These isomorphic triangulations consist ofO(Mlogn+nlog2n) triangles whereMis the size of the optimal (minimum size) solution. The algorithm runs inO(Mlogn+nlog2n) time. We also give anO(n+L+klogk) algorithm for constructingkpairwise disjoint interior paths betweenkpairs of vertices in a simple polygon onnvertices usingO(L+klogk) links. The numberLis the sum of the interior link distances between thekpairs of vertices.
Wide Field Infra-Red Survey Telescope (WFIRST) 2.4-meter Mission Study

The most recent study of the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) mission is based on reuse of an existing 2.4m telescope. This study was commissioned by NASA to examine the potential science return and cost effectiveness of WFIRST by using this significantly larger aperture telescope. We review the science program envisioned by the WFIRST 2012-2013 Science Definition Team (SDT), an overview of the mission concept, and the telescope design and status. Comparisons against the previous 1.3m and reduced cost 1.1m WFIRST design concepts are discussed. A significant departure from past point designs is the option for serviceability and the geostationary orbit location which enables servicing and replacement instrument insertion later during mission life. Other papers at this conference provide more in depth discussion of the wide field instrument and the optional exoplanet imaging coronagraph instrument.
The Control of the Upstream Movement of Fish with Pulsated Direct Current

Abstract Alternating-current electromechanical devices installed in the mouths of streams have proved effective in stopping the spawning migrations of the parasitic sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) which has seriously damaged Great Lakes fisheries. In a few streams, excessive mortality has occurred to other fish at the alternating-current barriers. A direct-current unit was developed in an attempt to reduce this mortality. This direct-current “diversion device” consists of a row of suspended negative electrodes which begins at the end of a trap wing and extends across the river at a downstream angle of 45° and a series of pipes (positive electrodes) driven into the stream bank. A second array, consisting of horizontal pipes installed downstream and parallel to the suspended electrodes and connected to a series of rods driven into the bank near the positive electrodes, controls the electrical field and dissipates the collecting influence of the positive side of the circuit. The electrical field is establis...
Negative feedback regulation of fatty acid production based on a malonyl-CoA sensor-actuator.

Engineering metabolic biosynthetic pathways has enabled the microbial production of many useful chemicals. However, pathway productivities and yields are often limited by metabolic imbalances. Synthetic regulatory circuits have been shown to be able to balance engineered pathways, improving titers and productivities. Here we developed a negative feedback regulatory circuit based on a malonyl-CoA-based sensor–actuator. Malonyl-CoA is biosynthesized from acetyl-CoA by the acetyl-CoA carboxylase, which is the rate-limiting step for fatty acid biosynthesis. Overexpression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase improves fatty acid production, but slows down cell growth. We have devised a malonyl-CoA sensor–actuator that controls gene expression levels based on intracellular malonyl-CoA concentrations. This sensor–actuator is used to construct a negative feedback circuit to regulate the expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. The negative feedback circuit is able to up-regulate acetyl-CoA carboxylase expression when the malon...
Eshelby’s tensors for plane strain and cylindrical inclusions based on a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory

The Eshelby tensor for a plane strain inclusion of arbitrary cross-sectional shape is first presented in a general form, which has 15 independent non-zero components (as opposed to 36 such components for a three-dimensional inclusion of arbitrary shape). It is based on a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory that involves one material length scale parameter. The Eshelby tensor for an infinitely long cylindrical inclusion is then derived using the general form, with its components obtained in explicit (closed-form) expressions for the two regions inside and outside the inclusion for the first time based on a higher-order elasticity theory. This Eshelby tensor is separated into a classical part and a gradient part. The latter depends on the position, the inclusion size, the length scale parameter, and Poisson’s ratio. As a result, the new Eshelby tensor is non-uniform even inside the cylindrical inclusion and captures the size effect. When the strain gradient effect is not considered, the gradient part vanishes and the newly obtained Eshelby tensor reduces to its counterpart based on classical elasticity. The numerical results quantitatively show that the components of the new Eshelby tensor vary with the position, the inclusion size, and the material length scale parameter, unlike their classical elasticity-based counterparts. When the inclusion radius is comparable to the material length scale parameter, it is found that the gradient part is too large to be ignored. In view of the need for homogenization analyses of fiber-reinforced composites, the volume average of the newly derived Eshelby tensor over the cylindrical inclusion is obtained in a closed form. The components of the average Eshelby tensor are observed to depend on the inclusion size: the smaller the inclusion radius, the smaller the components. However, as the inclusion size becomes sufficiently large, these components are seen to approach from below the values of their classical elasticity-based counterparts.
The Effect of Vertically Decreasing Macropore Fractions on Simulations of Non-Equilibrium Solute Transport

The effects of a depth-decreasing macropore fraction and the corresponding decrease in the diffusive mass-transfer coefficient for solute exchange between soil matrix and macropore regions were simulated for a hypothetical, one-dimensional, mobile–immobile, transport domain. These effects are illustrated using an expression for a Damkholer number, and with numerical simulations with a dual-porosity module within the HYDRUS-2D code. The depth-wise change in the macroporosity was represented with an exponentially decreasing macropore fraction, based on a pore-network model. Five simulations were run, four with various steady infiltration rates (two at water saturation and two at different levels of unsaturation) and one with transient infiltration rates. Deviations between the predicted solute breakthrough curves (BTCs) for simulations using depth-variable parameters and those using spatially averaged parameters were minor at the lowest infiltration rate, indicating little effect of non-equilibrium conditions. However, at higher infiltration rates, the BTC peak height and peak timing varied by as much as a factor of two, indicating significant influence of the variability of the macropore fractions with depth. Using depth-averaged values to represent the variable macropore fraction will closely approximate the BTC of a spatially variable case for both steady-state and transient infiltration; however, the concentration profile within the transport domain will not be accurately predicted. A sensitivity analysis conducted for the saturated hydraulic conductivity, length of the soil ped, and dispersivity parameters shows that changes in the prediction error between the spatially variable and surface-valued simulations are most sensitive to these parameters as the soil approaches water saturation.
Metal ion reconstitution studies of yeast copper-zinc superoxide dismutase: the "phantom" subunit and the possible role of Lys7p

Using a corrected molar extinction coefficient for yeast apo copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), we have confirmed that the metal binding properties of this protein in vitro differ greatly from those of the bovine and human CuZnSOD enzymes. Thus yeast apo CuZnSOD was found to bind only one Co2+ per protein dimer under the conditions in which the bovine and human CuZnSOD apoenzymes readily bind two per dimer. The spectroscopic properties characteristic of the two Cu2+ plus two Co2+ per dimer or four Cu2+ per dimer metal-substituted bovine apo CuZnSOD derivatives were obtained for the yeast apoprotein but by the addition of only half of the appropriate metals, i.e., one Cu2+ plus one Co2+ per dimer or two Cu2+ per dimer. This half-metallated yeast CuZnSOD has been characterized by UV-visible and EPR spectroscopy as well as by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We conclude that yeast apo CuZnSOD, unlike the bovine and human apoproteins, cannot be reconstituted fully with metal ions under the same conditions. Instead, only one subunit of the homodimer, the "normal" subunit, can be remetalled in a fashion reminiscent of the well-characterized bovine protein. The other "phantom" subunit is not competent to bind metals in this fashion. Furthermore, we have shown that CuZnSOD protein isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae that lacks the gene coding for the copper chaperone, Lys7p, contains only one metal ion, Zn2+, per protein dimer. The possibility that yeast CuZnSOD can exist in multiple conformational states may represent an increased propensity of the yeast protein to undergo changes that can occur in all CuZnSODs, and may have implications for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Elevated concentrations of mercury in dentists' hair.

The exposure of dentists to mercury present in amalgams used in dental restorations has been studied and reviewed (RUPP and PAFFENBARGER 1971; GRONKA et al. 1970; JOSELOW et al. 1968; CHAN and SVARE 1972; HOOVER and GOLDWATER 1966). Since mercury can be cumulative in certain species (BACHE et al. 1971), it was of interest to learn if accumulation of it occurs in dentists as a function of their number of years in practice under a variety of typical operating conditions. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining samples of body fluids for monitoring mercury in a significant number of dentists, hair was chosen as the biopsy nmterial for analysis. The analysis of human hair as an indicator of the extent of body exposure to heavy metals has been performed in other studies (MAHLER et al. 1970; YURACHEK et al. 1969; ANONYMOUS 1970; SUZUKI et al. 1972; KLEVAY, 1970b; MCBEAN et al. 1971).
Prevention of occupational transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus among anesthesiologists: A survey of anesthesiology practice

In light of the increasing prevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), anesthesiologists are now likely to see more patients who are at high risk for these viruses. Therefore, it is important that they adopt infection control policies aimed at preventing occupational transmission of these and other pathogens during their clinical practice. This study was designed, using a questionnaire format, to evaluate anesthesiologist compliance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for the prevention of occupational transmission of HIV and HBV. A total of 1149 questionnaires were mailed to anesthesiologists randomly selected from the members' directory of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). Of these, 493 (44%) were completed and returned. Eighty-eight percent of respondents reported that they always complied with CDC guidelines when presented with an HIV-infected patient, but only 24.7% adhered to the guidelines when the patient was considered low risk (P < 0.01). This trend was also reflected in the use of gloves and other protective wear in the perioperative period. Although 70% of respondents indicated that they recapped needles on a regular basis, this practice was not associated with an increased incidence of needlestick injuries. However, anesthesiologists who reported recapping needles using the one-handed technique were less likely to sustain a needlestick injury than those who recapped using the two-handed technique. Thirty-one percent and 72% of respondents respectively reported a clean or contaminated needlestick within the preceeding 12 mo. Only 45.4% of those receiving a contaminated needlestick sought treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Choosing among alternative discrete investment projects under uncertainty

Abstract Irreversible choice among mutually exclusive projects under output price uncertainty is considered. Increasing returns are shown to make it optimal to wait for the largest project. Greater uncertainty of the price process makes it optimal to wait for a larger project.
Misremembering as Mediated Action: Schematic Narrative Templates and Elementary Students' Narration of the Past.

The purpose of this article is to explore three fifth grade students' misremembering of the beginnings of American history as a form of mediated action, active agents using cultural tools provided by a sociocultural setting to represent and interpret the past (Wertsch, 2000). Data come from a 10-month qualitative case study of history instruction in one fourth grade and two fifth grade classrooms, and include student interviews, videotaped observations of lessons, and curricular materials and student work. Drawing on Wertsch's (2002, 2004) distinction between specific narratives and schematic narrative templates, the author argues that three fifth grade students' mistaken narration of the beginnings of American history was informed by their use of a schematic narrative template that was present in the enacted curriculum. The author concludes the article with a discussion of the implications of the presence of this cultural tool and its use by students for the teaching of history and students' development ...