cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seedling root traits strongly influence field survival and performance of a common bunchgrass

Abstract Seedling survival is a limiting factor in arid-land restoration. We investigated how variation in the root traits of glasshouse-reared seedlings related to the field performance of different genotypes from two populations of Elymus elymoides (squirreltail), a common bunchgrass native to the Western United States. Seeds from 100 E. elymoides individuals were collected from two sites in northern Nevada. We planted offspring of these 100 individuals in the glasshouse to characterize 10-day root traits of each maternal family. Root traits of glasshouse-reared plants and seed size measures were correlated with the performance of siblings grown in field plots close to the seed collection sites. Seedling root traits were related to performance of siblings at both sites. We estimate that within-population variation in root traits was associated with a more than six- to nine-fold increase in seedling survival probability and a two-fold increase in height at the less productive site, and a two-fold increase in survival and 1.2-fold increase in size at the more productive site. At both sites, effects of root traits were complex, with extreme values of some traits favoured and intermediate values of other traits favoured. There is a recognized need to integrate understanding of plant functional traits into larger conceptual frameworks of ecological restoration. Here we show that within-population variation in a suite of root functional traits relates to large variation in seedling survival and size of an arid-land grass species, improving our understanding of how trait variation affects performance in the field. Understanding such variation may be used to positively impact restoration outcomes.
Laboratory and field cage studies on female-targeted attract-and-kill bait stations for Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae).

BACKGROUND: Development of attract-and-kill bait stations for pest fruit flies has been limited by the water solubility of sugar needed as a feeding stimulant and by the volatility of chemical attractants. A wax-based matrix was developed that provides the longevity needed for field use and is biodegradable. RESULTS: Laboratory bioassays with the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew), confirmed the efficacy of bait stations containing avermectin, methomyl, spinosad and phloxine B. Field cage studies demonstrated that significant mortality occurred with either 1% (w/v) spinosad or 1% (w/v) methomyl bait stations versus pesticide-free bait stations. Bait stations were exposed to environmental conditions by placing them in trees at the ARS station in Miami, Florida, between tests. There was no loss in efficacy, in spite of exposure to over 360 mm of rainfall over the 56 days of the study, indicating that the bait stations could provide population suppression for at least 1–2 months when used in subtropical environments. CONCLUSION: A long-lasting, female-targeted fruit fly bait station, such as the one developed herein, could provide a cost-effective option for fruit fly population suppression that would be an important tool in tephritid pest management and control. Additional studies are needed to demonstrate efficacy against wild fruit fly populations and determine deployment strategies. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Suppression of flow–acoustic coupling in sidebranch ducts by interface modification

Abstract The flow–acoustic coupling of shear layer instabilities with the acoustic resonances at the interface of a closed sidebranch and main duct can produce high-amplitude pure-tone noise, known as “whistle”. This study investigates experimentally the effect of various interface geometry modifications on whistles. The objective of the modifications is to suppress the noise by redirecting the shear layer at the main duct–sidebranch interface. Interchangeable suppressor blocks of varying shapes and sizes mounted upstream and downstream of the sidebranch opening are used to change the geometry. The block shapes include those with square edges, ramps, bevelled edges, and curved (radiused) edges. The experiments are conducted in a flow facility at conditions that include certain ranges of Strouhal numbers known to coincide with significant noise generation. The effectiveness of various suppressors in reducing the noise is assessed by analyzing the measured sound pressure levels.
Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Prognosis of Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) comprise a group of underrecognized hematologic clonal malignancies with variable propensity for leukemic transformation that can present a diagnostic challenge because they lack hallmark symptoms. MDS can present with varying degrees of anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia, and at presentation can range from indolent to life threatening. The clinician should have a heightened level of suspicion when treating elderly patients and those with prior exposure to chemotherapy, radiation, and environmental toxins in the presence of unexplained cytopenias. Chronic anemia should not be considered a natural consequence of aging. Approximately 1 in 6 patients with unexplained anemia may have findings compatible with MDS, suggesting that MDS should be considered higher in the differential diagnosis. Primary care physicians are encouraged to conduct comprehensive evaluations to exclude non-MDS-related causes for persistent cytopenias. Patients with pancytopenia, bicytopenia, or any persistent and unexplained isolated cytopenia (and particularly unexplained macrocytic anemia) should be referred to a specialist to establish a diagnosis.
Engineering a Disulfide Bond to Stabilize the Calcium-binding Loop of Activated Protein C Eliminates Its Anticoagulant but Not Its Protective Signaling Properties

In addition to an anticoagulant activity, activated protein C (APC) also exhibits anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. These properties may contribute to the beneficial effect of APC in treating severe sepsis patients. A higher incidence of bleeding because of its anticoagulant function has been found to be a major drawback of APC as an effective anti-inflammatory drug. In this study, we have prepared a protein C variant in which an engineered disulfide bond between two beta-sheets stabilized the functionally critical Ca2+-binding 70-80 loop of the molecule. The 70-80 loop of this mutant no longer bound Ca2+, and the activation of the mutant by thrombin was enhanced 60-80-fold independently of thrombomodulin. The anticoagulant activity of the activated protein C mutant was nearly eliminated as determined by a plasma-based clotting assay. However, the endothelial protein C receptor- and protease-activated receptor-1-dependent protective signaling properties of the mutant were minimally altered as determined by staurosporine-induced endothelial cell apoptosis, thrombin-induced endothelial cell permeability, and tumor necrosis-alpha-mediated neutrophil adhesion and migration assays. These results suggest that the mutant lost its ability to interact with the procoagulant cofactors but not with the protective signaling molecules; thus this mutant provides an important tool for in vivo studies to examine the role of anticoagulant versus anti-inflammatory function of activated protein C.
Distribution of inulin space in the rabbit thoracic aorta.

Die ganze Lange und Dicke des extrazellularen Raumes der thorakalen Kaninchenaorta wurde gemessen. Der Raum ist unverandert die ganze Lange des Blutgefasses hindurch und entspricht 0,59 ml/g 0,39 ml/g fur die Adventitia und die Media. In jeder dieser Tunicae ist der Raum durch ihre ganze Dicke gleichmassig verteilt.
N-Substituted (β-d-galactopyranosylmethyl)amines as reversible inhibitors of β-d-galactosidase

Abstract Through the use of a series of N -substituted (β- d -galactopyranosylmethyl)amines (βGal-CH 2 NHR) and the corresponding N -substituted C -(β- d -galactopyranosyl)formamides (βGal-CO-NHR), it has been determined that the inhibitor binding constant is influenced more by the p K a of the amine group than by the nature of the hydrophobic group. It is concluded thatthe compounds that are the best inhibitors are those which allow proton donation in the active site to form an ion pair (βGal-CH 2 NHR + AH → βGal-CH 2 NH 2 R + + A − .
Application of parallel processing techniques to improving the efficiency of MM2 molecular mechanics calculations

The application of parallel processing techniques to molecular mechanics calculations is evaluated. Using the standard molecular mechanics package, MM2, four different parallel versions of the program are implemented in a four-processor computing environment. A set of 529 test structures is used to compare the efficiency of the parallel versions of MM2 to a standard serial version of the program. Statistics describing execution times and program execution cycles are gathered and analyzed. The effects of parallel processing overhead and computer system load are explored, and the practical utility of parallel processing in molecular mechanics is estimated. The results of these parallelization experiments indicate that for geometry optimizations requiring significant amounts of computing time an improvement in program execution speed approaching 50% is realizable. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
FIERY1 regulates light‐mediated repression of cell elongation and flowering time via its 3′(2′),5′‐bisphosphate nucleotidase activity

Light is one of the most important environmental factors that regulate plant development. Here we report that a mutation in the Arabidopsis FIERY1 gene (FRY1) caused a shortened hypocotyl and shorter petioles, most dramatically under low-intensity red light and less pronounced under far-red and blue-light conditions. Furthermore, the fry1 mutant flowered late, probably due to a reduced level of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) transcript. However, although the transcript level of FRY1 was light-regulated, the chlorophyll level and the expression of typical light-regulated genes were not affected in the fry1 mutant. FRY1 is known as a regulator of abiotic stress responses, and its protein product has dual enzymatic activity comprising inositol polyphosphate-1-phosphatase and 3'(2'),5'-bisphosphate nucleotidase activity. Genetic complementation data obtained using cDNA of the FRY1 paralog AHL (Arabidopsis HAL2-like) and the similar phenotype of an xrn2/xrn3 double mutant suggest that FRY1 attenuates light responses via its 3'(2'),5'-bisphosphate nucleotidase activity rather than its inositol polyphosphate-1-phosphatase activity. We discuss the relationship between the FRY1-associated nucleotidase activity, a step in the pathway for sulfur metabolism and utilization, and the Arabidopsis light response.
Protection of humanity's cultural and historic heritage in space

Abstract While the international community has acted forcefully since World War II to protect sites and objects of cultural or historic significance on Earth, little attention has been paid to the same kinds of sites and objects in space. There are important ethical and scholarly reasons for wanting to preserve sites and in situ objects in off-Earth contexts from destruction or commercial exploitation. Innovative space research equipment, such as spacecraft, satellites, and space stations, and the locations of historic missions, such as Tranquility Base, therefore deserve formal international recognition and protection. Appropriate models for developing a comprehensive protective scheme can be found in existing international protocols, especially the 1959 Antarctic Treaty (and later additions), the 1970 UNESCO Convention on Cultural Property, the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention, and the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Underwater Cultural Heritage. In addition, space agencies and professional organizations can mandate adequate and ethical planning for the post-operational phases of space missions to include arrangements for heritage protection.
Analysis of the step response function relating the interplanetary electric field to the dayside magnetospheric reconnection potential

[1] We present a statistical analysis of the response of the magnetic reconnection rate between the interplanetary magnetic field and the magnetosphere to southward turnings of the interplanetary magnetic field. The magnetic reconnection rate is calculated from Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) measurements. The polar cap boundary is identified as the offset circle (3° toward midnight from the magnetic pole) that best separates high spectral width backscatter, indicative of open magnetic field lines, from low spectral width backscatter. The electric potential on the boundary is determined from the best fit of the line-of-sight F region plasma velocity to an eighth-order spherical harmonic function of ionospheric electrical potential. The reconnection rate is determined from the electric potential on the boundary and the expansion rate of the polar cap. Solar wind data (velocity and magnetic field) are obtained from Wind spacecraft measurements and propagated to the magnetopause. The relationship between interplanetary electric field and the magnetic reconnection rate is analyzed by calculating linear response functions. We determine that the convection term in the reconnection rate measurement exhibits a unimodal response to the interplanetary electric field, whereas the boundary motion term in the reconnection rate measurement exhibits a bimodal response, with a positive mode (increase in polar cap expansion rate) followed by a negative mode. The response of the dayside reconnection rate to a step change in the interplanetary electric field exhibits a transient response of one hour duration followed by a steady state response at a level that is half of the peak response.
A new method of verifying analog computer problems and performances

During the past decade the electronic differential analyzer has become an effective research and development tool. Present techniques allow the computer user to translate nearly every conceivable physical system into computer wiring diagrams.
Wavelength registration of high resolution oxygen A-band spectral measurements

Abstract A wavelength registration algorithm has been developed for the high resolution oxygen A-band spectrometer (HABS). The concept of this algorithm is to extract the location of specific absorption features from the HABS measured oxygen A-band spectrum in pixel space and register them to the wavelengths corresponding to those features of the standard or reference spectrum in wavelength space. The dependence of the location of specific absorption features on airmass has been discussed and taken into account. The whole spectrum is then obtained by fitting the relationship between the known wavelengths and the corresponding pixels. This algorithm can register each measured spectrum individually and fast. The application on the measurements of two days demonstrates that this wavelength registration algorithm is feasible and accurate for the wavelength registration of the HABS high resolution spectra.
Algorithm development for the extended PMC model for fault detection

An algorithm is developed to study the concept of fault diagnosis for a system which has initially been designed for fault diagnosis without repair using an extended PMC (Preparata, Metze, Chien) model. The concept of artificial intelligence is applied to the fault analysis. The connection assignments of the PMC model are modified. The modified connection assignment of each unit starts the process of additional fault diagnosis in a stepwise manner and the process will stop when necessary and sufficient conditions for fault diagnosis are violated. For the process of stepwise fault analysis, the method of artificial intelligence based on the complete set of axioms is used. >
Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines: An Evaluation of Sustainable Development Metrics for Industry

How can we monitor companies' progress towards the goal of sustainability? No one set of metrics is recognized universally, although several approaches have been proposed. This article uses the environmental reports of ten leading companies to evaluate the GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Reply to comment by J. L. Lean on “Estimated solar contribution to the global surface warming using the ACRIM TSI satellite composite”

] Lean [2006] (hereinafter referred to as Lean) stressesthat our finding (that the Sun contributed at least 10–30%of the 0.40 ± 0.04 K global surface warming) dependscrucially on the adoption of ACRIM total solar irradiance(TSI) composite [Willson and Mordvinov, 2003], instead ofPMOD TSI composite [Fro¨hlich and Lean, 1998]. We agreeand clearly stated this fact in our paper. Also, we brieflydiscussed the difference between ACRIM and PMOD in theintroduction, as well. Of course, if PMOD is used, becauseit lacks any upward trend between solar cycles 21–23, thesolar contribution to the global warming would be negligi-ble during such a period, under the mathematical hypothe-ses made in our paper. Lean infers that our finding iserroneous because ACRIM is, in her opinion, erroneous.Nevertheless, solving and/or addressing the ACRIM-PMODcontroversy was not the purpose of our paper, particularlybecause there are no unequivocal criteria for choosing onedata set over the other yet.[
Effects of exercise on biobehavioral outcomes of fatigue during cancer treatment: results of a feasibility study.

Cancer treatment is associated with decreased hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and aerobic fitness (VO2 max), which may contribute to cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and decreased quality of life (QoL). Endurance exercise may attenuate CRF and improve QoL, but the mechanisms have not been thoroughly investigated. Objectives. To (a) determine the feasibility of conducting an exercise intervention among women receiving treatment for breast cancer; (b) examine the effects of exercise on Hb and VO2 max and determine their association with changes in CRF and QoL; and (c) investigate changes in selected inflammatory markers. Methods. Fourteen women receiving chemotherapy for Stages I–II breast cancer were randomly assigned to exercise (n = 7) or usual care (n = 7). Women in the exercise group performed supervised, individualized treadmill exercise 2–3 times/week for the duration of chemotherapy (9–12 weeks). Data were collected 4 times over 15–16 weeks. Results. Recruitment rate was 45.7%. Sixteen women consented and...
Effect of intranasal dexamethasone on endogenous cortisol level and intraocular pressure

Background Medical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) centers on the administration of steroids. High-dose topical nasal steroids (HDTNS) have shown promising results with less systemic effects than oral steroids. One promising HDTNS is 0.132% dexamethasone nasal spray. We investigated whether intranasal dexamethasone was associated with changes in serum cortisol and/or intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods Patients with CRSwNP were treated with dexamethasone sodium phosphate 0.132% nasal spray twice daily. Morning serum cortisol and IOP were checked after at least 6 weeks of therapy. Results Twenty-eight patients met study criteria. The average serum cortisol level after at least 6 weeks of therapy (average duration of 38.3 weeks) was 9.8 μg/dL (normal range, 4 to 22 μg/dL). Ten patients had suppressed cortisol levels (average, 2.5 μg/dL). Ten patients underwent IOP measurements and none revealed ocular hypertension on tonometry. Conclusion High-dose dexamethasone nasal spray given for a period of at least 6 weeks does appear to have the potential to cause a decrease in serum cortisol levels; however, future studies with greater power are necessary to support this claim. Additionally, similar administration of high-dose dexamethasone nasal spray did not reveal IOP diagnostic of ocular hypertension on single-measurement tonometry readings.
Candor and Integrity in Science

In the pursuit of researches and in the reporting of their results, the individual scientist as well as the community of fellow professionals rely implicitly on the researcher embracing the habit of truthfulness, a main pillar of the ethos of science. Failure to adhere to the twin imperatives of candor and integrity will be adjudged intolerable and, by virtue of science’s self-policing mechanisms, rendered the exception to the rule. Yet both as philosophical concepts and in practice, candor and integrity are complex, difficult to define clearly, and difficult to convey easily to those entering on scientific careers. Therefore it is useful to present operational examples of two major scientists who exemplified devotion to candor and integrity in scientific research.
Histomorphometric analysis of the repair of a segmental diaphyseal defect with ceramic and titanium fibermetal implants : effects of bone marrow

We used a rat femoral diaphyseal defect/implant model to quantify the ingrowth of bone, cartilage, and fibrous connective tissue in a comparative study of woven sintered titanium fibermetal and porous hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate ceramic implanted with and without the addition of syngeneic bone marrow cells. The patterns of tissue growth into the implants were analyzed with respect to time, type of implant, and the presence or absence of syngeneic marrow. Significantly more bone was found in ceramic implants than in fibermetal implants, with the addition of syngeneic marrow than without it, and at 4 months than at 2 months. Significantly more bone was found at both time periods in ceramic implants with bone marrow than in any other combination studied. We hypothesize that these findings resulted from interactions between the implanted material and its surroundings, specifically its ability to serve as a substratum for cell attachment, and cells in and around the defect, whether surgically implanted or arising from the soft-tissue bed.
Antiproliferative Effects of Yogurt Fractions Obtained by Membrane Dialysis on Cultured Mammalian Intestinal Cells

The consumption of yogurt has been associated with a reduced incidence of colon cancer in population groups. Bioactive peptides produced during bacterial fermentation may alter the risk of colon cancer via modification of cell proliferation in the colon. Using our previously described cell culture model system, we have isolated a yogurt fraction that decreases cell proliferation. Yogurt was fractionated using 10,000- and 500-Da membrane dialysis. When the yogurt fraction was incubated with IEC-6 or Caco-2 cells, cell division was decreased compared with control treatments, as determined by thymidine incorporation. Cell division was not inhibited in response to a similarly produced milk fraction or in response to solutions of lactic acid. The determination of cell kinetics by flow cytometry revealed a decrease in the number of cells in the initial growth phase in response to the yogurt fraction for the IEC-6 cells, but not the Caco-2 cells. α-Lactalbumin inhibited cell division of both cell lines, but β-casein did not.
Intensity autocorrelation measurements and spontaneous FM phase locking in a multimode pulsed dye laser

The intensity autocorrelation function of the output of a multilongitudinal-mode pulsed dye laser has been measured. Modeling of the results of these measurements suggests that our grazing-incidence dye laser can operate with various degrees of correlation between mode intensities and between mode phases. Two limiting types of behavior are found: When the mode intensities are correlated, the phases are random, and when the mode intensities are uncorrected, the phases are locked in an FM fashion. This result is found to be consistent with our previous study of the cross correlations between the individual mode intensities, in which we found that spatial hole burning in the standing-wave cavity influences the degree of competition and hence the degree of correlation between modes.
Temporal variation in tooth fracture among Rancho La Brea dire wolves

ABSTRACT Canis dirus preserved in the late Pleistocene Rancho La Brea tar seep deposits display a remarkably high incidence of teeth broken in life as compared with modern species. This might reflect greater carcass utilization in the Pleistocene relative to the present. Here we compare tooth fracture frequencies in C. dirus between two localities at Rancho La Brea, Pit 13 (about 15 ka) and Pit 61/67 (about 12 ka). Results indicate that Pit 13 C. dirus exhibited heavier tooth wear and fractured their teeth about three times more often than those of the younger Pit 61/67. This might reflect a difference in diet between the two periods or a greater preservation of older individuals (which are more likely to have broken teeth) in Pit 13. To test for differences in the mortality profiles of the two pits, we estimated individual age C. dirus from pulp cavity dimensions of lower canine teeth, as measured from radiographs of preserved mandibles. We first verified the validity of the approach using a sample of ex...
The Politics of Inequality in Russia: Democracy and Inequality in the Russian Regions

The previous chapters argued that Russian regional governors had substantial autonomy to develop institutional arrangements in response to the crisis and opportunity presented by the breakdown of the Soviet order. Some devised neopatrimonial, autarkic regimes, where the governor and his allies owned and controlled most major enterprises and used revenues from them to maintain themselves in power. Others established pluralistic regimes with coordinating institutions that distributed the risks and benefits of market adaptation among enterprises and government. Arrangements of the latter kind helped ensure that basic social stability was preserved (and that the cost of providing public services was shared broadly) while encouraging the pursuit of new investment and markets for local producers. The previous chapter presented six case histories of regimes illustrating these regime types. Most regional regimes combined neopatrimonial and pluralistic elements, and many regimes have shifted over time as a result of the succession of gubernatorial leadership. Moreover, even the most open, pluralistic regimes fall far short of the standards of liberal democracy. None, for example, has had a fully independent judiciary, a stable competitive party system, or (except sporadically) competitive elections capable of producing the alternation of leaders and opposition. The variation in scores reflects relative differences among the regimes in the degree to which they are open, pluralistic, and competitive. Still, the fact that these differences are significantly related to outcomes in the economy and society should alert us to the fact that dichotomous treatments of democracy may be less informative than continuous measures.
An RF-insensitive hybrid electroexplosive device incorporating an integral filter

As electroexplosive devices (EEDs) are increasingly exposed to the general public, their possible accidental initiation due to their susceptibility to electromagnetic interference (EMI) becomes a greater concern. Commonly, unintended signals coupled to the EED have been attenuated by the insertion of an L-C filter in the leads of the EED. However, these have typically been bulky, heavy, and expensive, and often cannot be installed close to the EED itself, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the filter. This paper discusses a filter and an EED which are mounted on the same substrate using hybrid microelectronics technology and surface-mount components. The resulting structure is small, lightweight, inexpensive and mechanically robust. Also, this application further demonstrates a new EMI insensitive EED, the semiconductor junction igniter. An electrical model was developed for the filter and EED and was verified with impedance measurements. Voltage attenuation and power dissipation were calculated, and temperature of the devices under excitation was measured, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the filter.
Under Arrest and Overexposed: The Fourth Amendment Allows Visual Body Cavity Inspections for Misdemeanors

The Fourth Amendment allows the government or its agents to search or seize an individual if the search or seizure is reasonable. And, pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, reasonableness has many interpretations, which are designed to protect all of the general interests affected — the government’s interest in protecting its citizenry and the individual’s interest in privacy. Yet, in Florence v. Board of Chosen Freeholders of Burlington County, the Supreme Court permitted prisons to create policies entailing the strip search and visual body-cavity inspection of any individual, both felon and misdemeanant, to discover and deter contraband smuggling during the prison-intake process without requiring a prerequisite reasonable suspicion. The author disagrees with this Supreme Court holding because the individual’s rights were not afforded enough weight when the Supreme Court balanced them against the government’s interest in maintaining safety in jails. The author discusses the case history leading to this decision, explains why a reasonable suspicion should still be required to strip search and inspect the body cavities of misdemeanants, and illustrates how determining a reasonable suspicion is possible, if not practical. Accordingly, this issue should be reconsidered so the privacy rights and interests of future misdemeanants are not gravely affected.
Buying from the Babbling Newsvendor: Availability Information and Cheap Talk

Provision of real-time information by a firm to its customers has become prevalent in recent years in both the service and retail sectors. In this paper, we study a retail operations model where customers are strategic in both their actions and in the way they interpret information, while the retailer is strategic in the way it provides information. This paper focuses on the ability (or the lack thereof) to communicate credibly unverifiable information. We develop a game-theoretic framework to study this type of communication and discuss the equilibrium language emerging between the retailer and its customers. We show that for a single-retailer setting, the equilibrium language that emerges carries no information. In this sense, a single-retailer providing information on its own cannot create any credibility with the customers. We explore several remedies so that the firm can credibly disclose availability information to its customers. While in these remedies we show that the firm may be able to reveal complete information, the firm would prefer to shade some information and use intentional vagueness.
The Utility of Witt: Understanding the Language of Death Qualification

Death qualification is the process by which prospective jurors are questioned at voir dire regarding their attitudes toward the death penalty. Those who indicate they are so opposed to capital punishment that they either (1) would not find the defendant guilty regardless of the evidence, or (2) would not consider death as a possible sentence regardless of the circumstances of the crime, are excused for cause. They are not “death qualified” and may not sit. Others have pressed for an end to the “disturbing practice” of death qualification because it denies capital defendants their constitutional rights to a jury drawn from a fair cross-section of the community and to an impartial jury. This article offers an understanding of the law of death qualification as it presently exists that ensures that capital defendants are provided the protections to which they are entitled, without requiring a change in the law.
UAV ROUTING IN A STOCHASTIC, TIME-VARYING ENVIRONMENT

Abstract In this paper we consider the following problem. An Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle (UAV), modeled as a vehicle moving at unit speed along paths of bounded curvature, must visit stochastically-generated targets in a convex, compact region of the plane. Targets are generated according to a spatio-temporal Poisson process, uniformly in the region. It is desired to minimize the expected waiting time between the appearance of a target, and the time it is visited. We present algorithms for UAV routing, and compare their performance with respect to asymptotic performance bounds, in the light and heavy load limits. Simulation results are presented and discussed.
Effect of dietary monosodium glutamate and cholesterol on growth and lipid metabolism in the rat.

SummaryMale weanling rats were divided into 4 isonitrogenous dietary treatment groups, all of the dietary N and glutamic acid in groups A and B being derived from casein whereas 20% of the N and 65% of the glutamic acid in diets C and D were derived from MSG. Diets B and D contained 1% cholesterol. At the end of a 28-day feeding period, the rats receiving MSG (groups C and D) exhibited the following statistically significant differences from the rats receiving N only from casein (groups A and B): depressed weight gain, heavier kidneys, higher levels of serum albumin, lower levels of serum globulin, and a greater percent incorporation of an ip injection of 14C acetate into hepatic TNS lipid. Rats fed the diets containing 1% cholesterol (groups B and D) exhibited the following statistically significant differences from those fed the cholesterol-free diets (groups A and C): heavier livers, higher levels of serum albumin, globulin and total protein, greater concentration of hepatic cholesterol, and lower perc...
EPR, ENDOR, and DFT Study of Free Radicals in l-Lysine·HCl·2H2O Single Crystals X-Irradiated at 298 K

With K-band EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance), ENDOR (Electron-Nuclear DOuble Resonance), and EIE (ENDOR-induced EPR) techniques, three free radicals (RI-RIII) in L-lysine hydrochloride dihydrate single crystals X-irradiated at 298 K were detected at 298 K, and six radicals (R1, R1', R2-R5) were detected if the temperature was lowered to 66 K from 298 K. R1 and RI dominated the central portion of the EPR at 66 and 298 K, respectively, and were identified as main chain deamination radicals, (-)OOCĊH(CH(2))(4)(NH(3))(+). R1' was identified as a main chain deamination radical with the different configuration from R1 at 66 K, and it probably formed during cooling the temperature from 298 to 66 K. The configurations of R1, R1', and RI were analyzed with their coupling tensors. R2 and R3 each contain one α- and four β-proton couplings and have very similar EIEs at three crystallographic axes. The two-layer ONIOM calculations (at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p):PM3) support that R2 and R3 are from different radicals: dehydrogenation at C4, (-)OOCCH(NH(3))(+)CH(2)ĊH(CH(2))(2)(NH(3))(+), and dehydrogenation at C5, (-)OOCCH(NH(3))(+)(CH(2))(2)ĊHCH(2)(NH(3))(+), respectively. The comparisons of the coupling tensors indicated that R2 (66 K) is the same radical as RII (298 K), and R3 is the same as RIII. Thus, RII and RIII also are the radicals of C4 and C5 dehydrogenation. R4 and R5 are minority radicals and were observed only when temperature was lowered to 66 K. R4 and R5 were only tentatively assigned as the side chain deamination radical, (-)OOCCH (NH(3))(+)(CH(2))(3)ĊH(2), and the radical dehydrogenation at C3, (-)OOCCH(NH(3))(+)ĊH(CH(2))(3)(NH(3))(+), respectively, although the evidence was indirect. From simulation of the EPR (B//a, 66 K), the concentrations of R1, R1', and R2-R5 were estimated as: R1, 50%; R1', 11%; R2, 14%; R3, 16%; R4, 6%; R5, 3%.
Reproductive Response of Glyptapanteles flavicoxis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to Various Densities and Instars of the Gypsy Moth, Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

The reproductive response of the gregarious parasite, Glyptapanteles flavicoxis (Marsh), to instars 2-5 of Lymantria dispar (L.) was examined for five host densities (1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 hosts per d). Fecundity was the same at all host densities and instars, but was positively correlated with female longevity. Production of progeny was generally highest on the day females emerged and decreased as the parasites aged. The most hosts parasitized during a 24-h period for any parasite was 12, with an average of 3.7 hosts for parasites exposed to 16 hosts per d. The parasitization rate of G. flavicoxis exhibited a type 2 functional response, such that total numbers of hosts parasitized increased with host densities, but the percentage declined. Females attacked greater numbers of early (second-third) instars than late (fourth-fifth) instars, but the number of progeny per parasitized host increased with host instar. Conversely, fewer progeny were produced per parasitized host as host density increased. Host density did not have any effect on sex ratio (percentage of females), but the sex ratio in progeny of females ovipositing in late instars was higher than in those ovipositing in early instars.
A Numerical Investigation of the Effects of Flow Pulsations on the Vortex Shedding, Drag and Lift Forces Over a Cylinder

Flow over a cylinder is a fundamental fluid mechanics problem that involves a simple geometry, yet increasingly complex flow patterns as the Reynolds number is increased, most notably the development of a Karman vortex with a natural vortex shedding frequency when the Reynolds number exceeds a value of about 40. The goal of this ongoing study is to numerically investigate the effect of an incoming free-stream velocity pulsation with a mean Reynolds number of 100 on the drag and lift forces over and vorticity dynamics behind a circular cylinder. This paper reports on initial results involving unsteady, laminar and incompressible flows over a circular cylinder. Sinusoidal free-stream pulsations with amplitudes Av varying between 25% and 75% of the mean free-stream velocity and frequencies varying between 0.25 and 5 times the natural shedding frequency fs were considered. Of particular interest to us is the interaction between the pulsating frequency and natural vortex shedding frequency and the resulting effects on drag. Interestingly, at frequencies close to the natural frequency, and to twice the natural frequency, a sudden drop in the mean value of the drag coefficient is observed. The first drop in the drag coefficient, i.e. near f = fs , is also accompanied by a change in the flow and vortex shedding patterns observed behind the cylinder. This change in vortex shedding pattern manifests itself as a departure from symmetrical shedding, and in a non-zero mean lift coefficient value. The second drop, i.e. near f = 2 fs , has similar characteristics, except that the mean lift coefficient remains at zero.© 2011 ASME
Expression of Ki-67 and MCM2 protein and their comparison in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose To investigate the level of minichromosome maintenance 2 protein(MCM2) and Ki-67 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and to compare the differences and correlation between them.Methods We examined the immunohistochemical staining of MCM2 and Ki-67 in 90 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,and quantified MCM2 and Ki-67 expression by calculating a labeling index(LI).The pattern and LI of MCM2 and Ki-67 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were compared.Results MCM2 and Ki-67 expressed in nearly all the 90 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.Compared with the LI of Ki-67,the LI of MCM2 was higher.The difference of LI between MCM2 and Ki-67 was significant(P0.05).A significant difference was found between MCM2 and Ki-67 LI and also between the differentiation degrees of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.In addition,the differences of MCM2 LI among the three grades of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were significant(P0.01).The difference of Ki-67 LI between the grades Ⅰ and Ⅲ of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was also significant(P0.01).Conclusion MCM2 is a better diagnostic marker for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma than Ki-67,and also useful in evaluating the degree of malignancy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,which helps predict the clinical prognosis.
Human Papillomavirus Type 31 Life Cycle Methods for Study Using Tissue Culture Models

The life cycle of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) has been difficult to study in tissue culture owing to its dependence on epithelial differentiation. In this chapter several methods are described to imitate the important steps in the HPV life cycle. Normal human keratinocytes (NHKs) harvested from neonatal foreskins were transfected with HPV type 31 genomes in order to generate stable cell lines containing episomal copies of HPV genomes. HPV-positive keratinocyte cultures were maintained in E medium in the presence of mitomycin C-treated J2 3T3 fibroblast feeders. Finally, the keratinocytes were induced to undergo epithelial differentiation in semisolid medium to provoke viral late functions like genomic amplification and late transcription.
Ibutilide: A new class III antiarrhythmic agent

The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, and dosage and administration of ibutilide are reviewed. Ibutilide is the first class III antiarrhythmic agent to rely on activation of a slow inward sodium current to prolong the action potential and effective refractory period of atrial and ventricular tissue. The drug is indicated for the rapid restoration of normal sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter of recent onset who are hemodynamically stable. The effects of ibutilide are concentration dependent. The drug undergoes rapid and extensive hepatic metabolism. The pharmacokinetics of ibutilide fumarate are linear well above the maximum proposed therapeutic dose of 2 mg. The elimination half-life averages six hours. Clinical trials have established ibutilide's efficacy in converting sustained atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm. It has been shown that patients with atrial flutter respond at a greater rate than patients with atrial fibrillation, but that atrial fibrillation is converted more rapidly than atrial flutter. In one study, atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation were successfully converted in significantly more patients receiving ibutilide than those receiving sotalol. Ventricular tachycardia is the adverse event of primary concern, occurring in 4.3% of patients in clinical trials. The recommended initial dose is 0.01 mg/kg for patients weighing less than 60 kg and 1 mg for patients weighing 60 kg or more, infused over 10 minutes. About 70% of patients will require a second dose. The list price is $119.75 per dose. Ibutilide appears to be an effective alternative to other antiarrhythmic agents for rapid conversion of arrhythmias to normal sinus rhythm in hemodynamically stable patients.
Fraud Risk Awareness and the Likelihood of Audit Enforcement Action

SYNOPSIS: Prior research indicates that issuing a going concern opinion to financially stressed clients generally reduces the risk of litigation against the auditor following a bankruptcy (Kaplan and Williams 2013; Carcello and Palmrose 1994). However, we propose that a going concern report may indicate prior knowledge of financial distress, an important fraud risk factor, and this may have repercussions for the auditor if a fraud is subsequently uncovered. Consistent with counterfactual reasoning theory, experimental research suggests that a documented awareness of fraud risk actually increases the likelihood of litigation against the auditor following a fraud (Reffett 2010). This concern has been echoed by the professional community (AICPA 2004; Golden, Skalak, and Clayton 2006) and may be exacerbated by the current outcome-based regulatory environment (Peecher, Solomon, and Trotman 2013). To examine this issue we review Auditing and Accounting Enforcement Releases (AAERs) issued by the Securities and E...
Abstract 818: Chronic oxidative stress induces conversion of estrogen-dependent non-aggressive breast cancer cells into estrogen-independent aggressive phenotype

We have recently reported increased growth and tumorigenic potential of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer cells with chronic exposure to oxidative stress. In this study, we evaluated mechanistic basis for chronic oxidative stress-induced aggressiveness in ER positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Loss of estrogen dependency is known to be associated with acquisition of aggressive form in breast cancer cells. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate changes in estrogen response in ER-positive breast cancer cells exposed to chronic oxidative stress. MCF-7 cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-induced oxidative stress for chronic period (6 months). Using these cells, growth response to 17-β estradiol was evaluated by MTT assay and cell cycle analysis. Surprisingly, in response to 17-β estradiol treatment, there was no significant growth stimulation in cells exposed to chronic oxidative stress. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry further confirmed the cell growth data. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis also revealed significant down regulation of ER-α in chronically exposed breast cancer cells. To understand the role of epigenetic mechanism, the expression of epigenetic regulatory genes were determined at both transcript and protein level. In addition, the levels of histone modifications were also evaluated by Western blot analysis. Changes in both the expression of epigenetic regulatory genes (DNMT1, DNMT3b, HDAC1, MBD4, and HAT1) and the levels of histone modifications (H3K27 tri-methylation and H3K18 acetylation) were observed in MCF-7 cells chronically exposed to H 2 O 2 . Treatment with DNA de-methylating agent (5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine) restored the ER-α expression level, estrogen-induced growth and oxidative stress induced histone modifications. To summarize, the findings of this study suggest that chronic exposure to oxidative stress can convert estrogen-dependent non-aggressive breast cancer cells into estrogen-independent aggressive form potentially by epigenetic mechanism. Citation Format: Prathap Kumar S. Mahalingaiah, Logeswari Ponnusamy, Kamaleshwar P. Singh. Chronic oxidative stress induces conversion of estrogen-dependent non-aggressive breast cancer cells into estrogen-independent aggressive phenotype. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 818. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-818
Migration in Colonial Spanish America

List of figures List of tables Notes on contributors Preface 1. Introduction: towards a typology of migration in colonial Spanish America David J. Robinson 2. Indian migration and community formation: an analysis of congregacion in colonial Guatemala George Lovell and William R. Swezey 3. Migration in colonial Peru: an overview Noble David Cook 4. Migration processes in Upper Peru in the seventeenth century Brian Evans 5. '... residente en esa ciudad ...': urban migrants in colonial Cuzco Ann Wightman 6. Frontier workers and social change: Pilaya y Paspaya (Bolivia) in the early eighteenth century Ann Zulawski 7. Student migration to colonial urban centers: Guadalajara and Lima Carman Castaneda 8. Migration, mobility, and the mining towns of colonial northern Mexico Michael M. Swann 9. Migration patterns of the novices of the Order of San Francisco in Mexico City, 1649-1749 Elsa Malvido 10. Migration to major metropoles in colonial Mexico John Kicza 11. Marriage, migration, and settling down: Parral (Nueva Vizcaya), 1770-1788 Robert McCaa 12. Informal settlement and fugitive migration amongst the Indians of late-colonial Chiapas, Mexico Rodney Watson 13. Migration and settlement in Costa Rica, 1700-1850 Hector Perez Brignoli 14. Seventeenth-century Indian migration in the Venezuelan Andes Edda O. Samudio A. 15. Indian migrations in the Audiencia of Quito: Crown manipulation and local co-optation Karen Powers Notes Index.