cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unsteady-State Airflow and Particle Deposition in a Three-Generation Human Lung Geometry

The study of particle transport and deposition in the human lung is critical in health risk assessment of air pollutants and in pharmaceutical drug delivery. Several computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies have investigated particle deposition in the lung for simplified airflow scenarios. A shortcoming with most CFD studies is uncertainty regarding flow boundary conditions, which directly impacts airflow and particle deposition. The influence of inlet and outlet conditions on airflow and particle deposition in lung common airways was assessed here. Common airways consisted of nine airways of the human lung ahead of lobes: the trachea, main, and lobar bronchi connected as a network of cylindrical tubes with dimensions based on morphometric measurements. Three different boundary conditions were used: (1) prescribed constant flow rate at the trachea entrance and atmospheric pressure at terminal branch exits, (2) atmospheric pressure at the trachea inlet and prescribed outlet flow rates corresponding to un...
Mispair correction in nucleic acids with alternate forms.

The effect of base mispair correction on nucleic acids able to alternate between different paired forms was studied by computer simulation. Several phenomena were observed and are described. They include the accumulation of internal homologies, the existence of nonrectifiable molecules which are perpetually corrected, and of hypervariable sequences in which a large proportion of the nucleotides can be altered by correction. The suggestion is made that hypervariability could account for antibody diversity and perhaps play other significant roles in development and evolution.
Nanoscale surficial films and a surface transition in V2O5–TiO2-based ternary oxide systems

Abstract Nanoscale, vanadia-based, quasi-liquid films of self-selecting (equilibrium) thickness were observed on TiO2 surfaces in six ternary oxide systems (Ti–V–X–O; X = P, Na, K, Nb, Mo or W). It is demonstrated that the film appearance and thickness could be tailored via co-doping or changing the equilibration temperature. Furthermore, the observed discontinuous changes in film thickness, hysteresis and bimodal thickness distributions indicate a first-order monolayer-to-multilayer adsorption transition, which is interpreted as a coupled prewetting and premelting transition. The film thickness and stability are measured as functions of equilibration temperature, anneal time, thermal treatment history, co-doping, overall composition and TiO2 phase and orientation. The characterization of more than 850 independent films represents the most systematic measurement of similar interfacial films to date, providing insights into the formation mechanisms and the thermodynamic stability of equilibrium-thickness surficial films and analogous intergranular films.
Cannibalism of parasitoid‐attacked conspecifics in a non‐carnivorous caterpillar

Cannibalism, the killing and consumption of conspecifics, can even occur in insect species typically considered to be non-carnivorous. Of particular interest is the cannibalism of parasitoid-attacked conspecifics, which could reduce parasitism levels in subsequent generations for that conspecific population. This study reports on the occurrence and some of the consequences of cannibalism in parasitoid-attacked obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). We show that larvae of C. rosaceana, which is considered to be an herbivorous caterpillar species, did not prey upon live conspecifics, but readily consumed conspecifics attacked by Habrobracon gelechiae Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Further examination found that C. rosaceana larvae feeding on parasitoid-attacked conspecifics, since their fourth instar, suffered a higher mortality and reduction in body size than those fed on plant material only. The cannibalism of attacked conspecifics did not appear to offer any nutrient benefits for the cannibal. To our best knowledge, this is the first empirical example of the occurrence and some of the consequences of cannibalism by a non-carnivorous insect on its parasitoid-attacked conspecifics. We discuss the adaptive significance of such cannibalism on parasitoid-attacked conspecifics with respect to a trans-generational fitness gain for the population through the killing of the parasitoids, thereby reducing parasitism in subsequent generations.
Clostridium difficile infection: current, forgotten and emerging treatment options.

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has increased in incidence and severity, and is now among the most common nosocomial infections. Several agents are available for the initial treatment of CDI, some of which are rarely used, and none of which is clearly superior for initial clinical cure. Fidaxomicin appears to offer a benefit in terms of preventing recurrent disease, although the cost–benefit ratio is debated. Recurrent CDI is a major challenge, occurring after 15–30% of initial episodes. The treatment of recurrent CDI is difficult, with sparse evidence available to support any particular agent. Fecal microbiota therapy, also known as ‘stool transplantation’, appears to be highly effective, although availability is currently limited, and the regulatory environment is in flux. Synthetic stool products and an orally available fecal microbiota therapy product are both under investigation, which may address the problem of availability. As with most infectious diseases, an effective vaccine would be a wel...
Cyclosporin enhancement of cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with refractory gynecologic cancer. A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

Background. Cyclosporin has been demonstrated to reverse resistance to several antineoplastic agents including cisplatin in vitro. The purpose of this Phase I trial was to study the potential clinical application of cyclosporin modulation of cisplatin and to establish a tolerable dose of cyclosporin when combined with a standard dose of cisplatin of 75 mg/m2. Methods. A course of therapy consisted of two cyclosporin infusions over 2 hours each, 24 hours apart, with cisplatin given 6 hours after the first dose. Treatment was repeated every 21 days. Cyclosporin was studied in a Phase I fashion at five different levels, from 1–5 mg/kg per dose. Twenty patients with refractory gynecologic cancer received 81 courses of therapy. All patients had received extensive prior chemotherapy containing cisplatin. Results. Grade 4 nephrotoxicity was seen in 4 of 20 patients: 1 treated at 1 mg/kg, 1 at 2 mg/kg, and 2 at 5 mg/kg of cyclosporin. The patient treated at the 1 mg/kg level was a partial clinical responder and tolerated six courses. The patient at the 2 mg/kg level had received 14 prior courses of cisplatin and tolerated only two additional courses before a Grade 4 renal toxicity developed. Grade 4 nephrotoxicity developed in the two patients receiving 5 mg after two courses of chemotherapy. Two of the 20 patients achieved a complete response (CR) and 3 patients achieved a partial response (PR), for a total response rate of 25% (5 of 20). The two women who achieved CR started treatment with symptomatic ascites; one of whom also had multiple pulmonary lesions that were no longer evident after three courses of therapy. Conclusions. Cyclosporin at a dose of 4 mg/kg per day given for 2 consecutive days in association with 75 mg/m2 of cisplatin can be given with reasonable assurance of safety.
Postpartum performance of dairy heifers freshening at young ages.

Abstract Records from Florida Agricultural Experiment Station dairy herd for 1144 heifers freshening from 1959 to 1979 were studied to evaluate effects of age and problems at parturition on subsequent yield and reproduction. Statistical analysis was by method of ordinary least squares analysis of variance; five measures of reproduction, survival to second lactation, and 15 measures of yield were studied. Mean first parturition age was 25.8 mo with 40% of individuals ≤23 mo; survival to second parturition was 67%. No effects of age at first parturition were detected on survival, postpartum reproductive performance, or milk composition other than lactose-mineral, chloride, and acidity percentages; effects on yield were similar to previous reports. Stillbirth did not affect subsequent reproductive performance but was associated with decreased milk yield: 181 kg or 5.2% of overall mean. Milk yield was depressed by 239 kg for retained fetal membrane, 173 kg for dystocia, and 98 kg for metritis; milk composition essentially was unaltered. Heritability of postpartum days to first estrus was .14; estimates were 0 for days to first service, days open, and calving interval. Additional research is needed on interrelationships of gestation length with subsequent yield and reproduction and in alleviating detrimental effects of problems at parturition.
Estimates of the precision of GPS radio occultations from the COSMIC/FORMOSAT‐3 mission

[1] The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC)/Formosa Satellite 3 (FORMOSAT-3) is a six-satellite radio occultation mission that was launched in mid-April, 2006. The close proximity of the COSMIC satellites provides a unique opportunity to estimate the precision of the radio occultation remote sensing technique from closely collocated occultations (<10 km separation of tangent points). The RMS difference of refractivity between 10 and 20 km altitude is less than 0.2%, which is approximately twice better than previous estimates obtained from CHAMP and SAC-C collocated occultations, apparently, due to smaller separation of the occultation pairs and due to parallel occultation planes. In the lower troposphere, the maximal RMS is ∼0.8% at 2 km altitude and decreases abruptly to ∼0.2% between 6 and 8 km altitude. The RMS difference of electron density in the ionosphere between 150 and 500 km altitude for collocated occultations is about 103 cm−3.
STRUCTURAL TRANSITIONS IN THE SCAFFOLDING AND COAT PROTEINS OF P22 VIRUS DURING ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY

An in vitro system for investigating the assembly of the Salmonella phage P22 has been exploited to elucidate the structural basis of recognition between scaffolding protein (gp8) and coat protein (gp5) subunits of the viral procapsid. Raman spectroscopy and circular dichroism have been employed to examine structural thermostabilities of both gp8 and gp5 in native procapsids, and to characterize structural changes accompanying scaffolding exit, procapsid expansion, and shell disassembly. It is found that the secondary structure of the isolated gp8 subunit is rich in α-helix (≈40%), is highly thermolabile, and is characterized by noncooperative unfolding (Tm ≈ 49 °C). Conversely, the procapsid-bound gp8 subunit exhibits stabilization of its α-helical secondary structure, characterized by cooperative unfolding. Because cooperative unfolding of gp8 coincides with exit from the procapsid, the present results suggest that unfolding and release are coupled processes. Structural differences between procapsid-fre...
Financial Stress in Agriculture: Implications for Producers

Significant changes have occurred in the financial environment for agriculture during the last few years. Farm incomes have declined substantially since the late 1970s, and debt use has continued to grow, resulting in a historically high debt load as measured by the debt to income ratio of approximately ten to one (USDA 1982). Along with this higher debt load, interest rates have risen dramatically in both real and nominal terms; the relative importance of interest as a percentage of all cash expenses has almost doubled since the mid1970s (USDA 1980). Farmers also restructured their balance sheets during the 1960s and 1970s, which reduced their liquidity and ability to service debt (USDA 1980). Many farmers converted assets in the form of grain and livestock inventories into intermediateand long-term assets, such as machinery, equipment, or land, which generate less cash flow and are not readily available to service debt. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the increased debt load is of a shorter term nature including short-term land contracts and one-year notes for capital items such as machinery and equipment. In essence, farmers are trying to pay higher principal and interest payments with less cash and liquid assets.
Effects of impurities and self-irradiation on the electrical resistivity of alpha-phase plutonium below 300°K

Abstract Electrical resistivities were measured as a function of temperature below 300°K on six α-phase plutonium specimens, each made from a different purity of plutonium metal. The observed resistivity behaviors are discussed and correlated with impurity contents and with other physical properties of plutonium. Possible electrical conduction mechanisms in α-phase plutonium are discussed. In addition, measurements were made showing that self-irradiation from the α-activity in plutonium produces damage at low temperatures. The resistivity was found to increase linearly with time at constant temperatures and annealing of stored damage was also studied. The radiation damage behavior of α-phase plutonium is discussed.
Oxygenation Index and Alveolar-arterial Oxygen Gradient Predict Mortality in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation • 211

Oxygenation Index and Alveolar-arterial Oxygen Gradient Predict Mortality in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation • 211
Caspase Inhibitor P35 and Inhibitor of Apoptosis Op-IAP Block in Vivo Proteolytic Activation of an Effector Caspase at Different Steps

Signal-induced activation of caspases, the critical protease effectors of apoptosis, requires proteolytic processing of their inactive proenzymes. Consequently, regulation of procaspase processing is critical to apoptotic execution. We report here that baculovirus pancaspase inhibitor P35 and inhibitor of apoptosis Op-IAP prevent caspase activation in vivo, but at different steps. By monitoring proteolytic processing of endogenousSf-caspase-1, an insect group II effector caspase, we show that Op-IAP blocked the first activation cleavage at TETD↓G between the large and small caspase subunits. In contrast, P35 failed to affect this cleavage, but functioned downstream to block maturation cleavages (DXXD↓(G/A)) of the large subunit. Substitution of P35's reactive site residues with TETDG failed to increase its effectiveness for blocking TETD↓G processing of pro-Sf-caspase-1, despite wild-type function for suppressing apoptosis. These data are consistent with the involvement of a novel initiator caspase that is resistant to P35, but directly or indirectly inhibitable by Op-IAP. The conservation of TETD↓G processing sites among insect effector caspases, including Drosophila drICE and DCP-1, suggests that in vivo activation of these group II caspases involves a P35-insensitive caspase and supports a model wherein apical and effector caspases function through a proteolytic cascade to execute apoptosis in insects.
Bilingual intercultural education in indigenous schools: an ethnography of teacher interpretations of government policy

Abstract This paper explores how teachers’ beliefs and practices create spaces for the contestation and innovation of bilingual intercultural education (BIE) policy, a policy of indigenous culture and language revitalization in Peru. Based on ethnographic research, there are two central arguments developed throughout this paper. First, the author argues that unaddressed issues in the definition of BIE policy, namely its top-down design and vague treatment of the intercultural element, contribute to its problematic implementation. Under BIE the school has likely remained a space of exclusion of indigenous languages and cultures. Second, using empirically documented teacher data, the author argues that teachers are central to reproducing inequalities and contesting social structures through the implementation of policy. This paper aims to challenge common assumptions about the limited (passive) role of teachers as policy actors. Although bilingual teachers continue to contest and transform BIE policy in rur...
An Airy gun: Self-accelerating solutions of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation in vacuum

Abstract We consider generalizations of the Berry and Balazs nonspreading and accelerating solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation in empty space, which has been experimentally demonstrated in paraxial optics. In particular, we show that the original nonspreading wave packet is unstable. An explicit variation of the initial Airy-state evolves into the self-accelerating and self-compressing solution presented here. Quasi-diffraction-free finite energy Airy beams that are more realistic for experimental study are obtained by analytic continuation and their Wigner function is evaluated. Nonlinear generalizations related to second Painleve transcendents are briefly discussed.
A multi-indicator framework for mapping cultural ecosystem services: The case of freshwater recreational fishing

Abstract Despite recent interest, ecosystem services are not yet fully incorporated into private and public decisions about natural resource management. Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are among the most challenging of services to include because they comprise complex ecological and social properties and processes that make them difficult to measure, map or monetize. Like others, CES are vulnerable to landscape changes and unsustainable use. To date, the sustainability of services has not been adequately addressed and few studies have considered measures of service capacity and demand simultaneously. To facilitate sustainability assessments and management of CES, our study objectives were to (1) develop a spatially explicit framework for mapping the capacity of ecosystems to provide freshwater recreational fishing, an important cultural service, (2) map societal demand for freshwater recreational fishing based on license data and identify areas of potential overuse, and (3) demonstrate how maps of relative capacity and relative demand could be interfaced to estimate sustainability of a CES. We mapped freshwater recreational fishing capacity at the 12-digit hydrologic unit-scale in North Carolina and Virginia using a multi-indicator service framework incorporating biophysical and social landscape metrics and mapped demand based on fishing license data. Mapping of capacity revealed a gradual decrease in capacity eastward from the mountains to the coastal plain and that fishing demand was greatest in urban areas. When comparing standardized relative measures of capacity and demand for freshwater recreational fishing, we found that ranks of capacity exceeded ranks of demand in most hydrologic units, except in 17% of North Carolina and 5% of Virginia. Our GIS-based approach to view freshwater recreational fishing through an ecosystem service lens will enable scientists and managers to examine (1) biophysical and social factors that foster or diminish cultural ecosystem services delivery, (2) demand for cultural ecosystem services relative to their capacity, and (3) ecological pressures like potential overuse that affect service sustainability. Ultimately, we expect such analyses to inform decision-making for freshwater recreational fisheries and other cultural ecosystem services.
The laser sensitized reaction SF†6 + NO + O3

Abstract A pulsed CO 2 laser was used to irradiate a rapidly flowing mixture of NO, O 3 , and SF 6 . When the laser was tuned to an SF 6 absorption line, an increase in the visible NO * 2 emission was observed. The laser-induced signal has two unusual features. First, the rise time is much longer than is observed when O 3 is excited directly, and, second, the signal decays to a value above the original baseline. The rise rate is attributed to VV energy transfer from SF † 6 to O 3 , while the baseline shift is attributed to a temperature jump resulting from rapid non-resonant VV relaxation within the SF 6 molecule. Both the size of the T -jump and the fraction of vibrationally excited ozone molecules vary inversely with NO pressure.
Relationships between a terrain-based hydrologic model and patch-scale vegetation patterns in an arctic tundra landscape

Implicit in the relationship between vegetation patterns and landforms is the influence of topography on the water regime at the patch scale. Hence, based on the numerous process-based studies linking plant structure and function to water in the arctic, we hypothesize that the general pattern of arctic landscapes can be explained by a mesotopographic variable such as water drainage. In this paper, we test this hypothesis by examining the spatial relationship between patterns of vegetation and the water regime in a small watershed in northern Alaska. Using gridded elevation data, we develop a model (T-HYDRO) to generate a 2-dimensional water flow field for the watershed and compare this to vegetation patterns as given by 1) a vegetation map developed from aerial photographs in conjunction with extensive field sampling; and 2) a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Our results show that it is possible to account for about 43% of the spatial variance in NDVI, which supports our hypothesis. In spite of its limitations, the correspondence of patterns presented in this paper provides encouraging evidence that we can find simple approaches to stratify landscapes and that it is possible to overcome the frequently made assumption of spatial homogeneity in ecosystems modeling.
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus: The high cost of viral survival

It has been almost 10 years and 2000 articles since the publication of the article identifying the etiologic agent of Kaposi's sarcoma, a virus appropriately called Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herp...
Effects of distance and driving force on photoinduced electron transfer between photosynthetic reaction centers and gold electrodes

The electron-transfer (ET) parameters for oriented and aligned monolayers of the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center (RC) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides formed on the top of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols of various lengths immobilized on gold electrode are estimated using cyclic voltammetry and photoelectrochemistry. Utilization of the unique polyHis tag in the protein and the Ni−NTA chelator complex in SAMs allows for specific protein orientation with the RC primary donor facing the electrode. To improve the efficiency of ET between the RC special pair and the electrode, an RC-Cyt complex was formed (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 12044−12045). The results are analyzed in terms of integrated Marcus formalism, taking into account the density of electronic states in the metal. The dependence of the ET rate on the distance between RC and electrode demonstrates an adiabatic region up to 10 A, typical for other proteins, followed by a nonadiabatic area of electron tunneling with a β-factor...
HAWAII HURRICANE WAVE AND SURGE MODELING AND FAST FORECASTING

The US Army Corps of Engineers’ Surge and Wave Island Modeling Studies developed a fast forecasting system for hurricane waves and inundation in Hawaii. The system is based on coupled high-resolution, high-fidelity simulations of waves and surge applying the SWAN and ADCIRC numerical models on a 2D finite-element grid. Additionally, wave runup is simulated on high-resolution cross-shore transects using the Boussinesq-equation model BOUSS-1D. Approximately 1500 storms were simulated to cover the range of hurricane parameters of landfall location, track angle at landfall, central pressure, forward speed, and radius of maximum winds expected to impact Hawaii. To create a forecast system that is fast and robust, a moving least-squares response surface surrogate model was developed based on the high-fidelity model results. The surrogate model is approximately seven orders of magnitude faster than the high-fidelity simulations. The efficiency of the surrogate model allows both deterministic and probabilistic simulations in seconds to minutes on a personal computer.
Impact of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments on Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Soybean Yield in Virginia and North Carolina

Currently there are several neonicotinoid insecticide seed treatments registered for use on soybean (Glycine max L.), with disparity in adoption rates in the eastern United States. A complex of seedling insect pests is found in mid-south soybean, but thrips are the primary early season pest of soybean in Virginia and North Carolina. Published knowledge regarding their impact on soybean yield is minimal, as is the impact of thrips on soybean yield; thrips species composition is also understudied. In 2008 through 2010, nine field experiments in Virginia and North Carolina were conducted to evaluate the impact on thrips population dynamics; the influence on yield of neonicotinoid seed treatments, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, was reported from nine of these experiments. Moreover, thrips species abundance was recorded in three of these experiments. Both imidacloprid and thiamethoxam reduced thrips densities compared with untreated soybean. Thiamethoxam was more effective than imidacloprid in reducing adult thrips densities at 5 wk after planting. Adult densities peaked at 3 wk after planting, followed by larval densities, which peaked at 4 wk after planting. The most abundant thrips species was Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), followed by Neohydatothrips variabilis (Beach). Other common species included F. occidentalis (Pergande) and F. tritici (Fitch). In general, F. fusca was more common earlier in the season, while N. variabilis was more common later in the season. There were no significant differences in yield among any of the treatments or in the untreated controls. Although neonicotinoid insecticides reduced thrips abundance, data collected in these studies demonstrated that there was no positive yield response.
Influencing scientists’ collaboration and productivity patterns through new institutions: University research centers and scientific and technical human capital☆

Abstract This paper analyzes the effect of university research centers on the productivity and collaboration patterns of university faculty. University research centers are an important subject for policy analysis insofar that they have become the predominant policy response to scientific and technical demands that have not been met by extant institutions, including academic departments, private firms, and government laboratories. Specifically, these centers aim to organize researchers from across the disciplines and sectors which, collectively as a research unit, possess the scientific and technical capacity relevant to scientific and technical goals of the sponsoring agencies. In this paper, we measure the productivity and collaboration patterns of university researchers affiliated with a relatively large-scale and “mature” university research center to discern the effects, if any, of the center mechanism on individual scientists and engineers. Based on an analysis of longitudinal bibliometric data, the results from this case study demonstrate affiliation with the center to be effective at enhancing overall productivity as well as at facilitating cross-discipline, cross-sector, and inter-institutional productivity and collaborations.
High efficiency and quantitatively reproducible protein digestion by trypsin-immobilized magnetic microspheres.

Abstract Aldehyde- and NHS-activated magnetic microspheres were used to immobilize trypsin (CHO-trypsin and NHS-trypsin), and their performance for protein digestion was evaluated by reversed phase liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry using an LTQ Orbitrap Velos instrument. NHS-trypsin provided greater sequence coverage and identified more peptides for the digestion of bovine serum albumin. A 1-min digestion at room temperature using the immobilized trypsin also identified more peptides (96 ± 6 vs. 48 ± 1) and produced higher sequence coverage (90 ± 2% vs. 75 ± 2%) than traditional free trypsin digestion for 12 h at 37 °C. Analysis of 15 nM (0.001 mg/mL) BSA digested by NHS-trypsin in 1 min at room temperature consistently yielded one detected peptide; 150 nM BSA generated 22 peptides. Peptide intensity and protein spectral count were used to evaluate the run-to-run digestion reproducibility of NHS-trypsin with a three-protein-mixture. Three high intensity peptides for each protein generated intensity ratios from 0.70 to 1.09 and spectral count ratios from 0.78 to 1.18. Finally, RAW 264.7 cell lysates were digested by NHS-trypsin for 10 min and 30 min at room temperature, 604 and 697 protein groups, respectively, were identified by RPLC–ESI-MS/MS, with a peptide false discovery rate of less than 1%. Digestion by solution phase trypsin for 12 h at 37 °C resulted in identification of 878 protein groups.
Composition and clumping of seeds deposited by frugivorous birds varies between forest microsites

More frequent deposition of seeds by frugivores beneath plants in fruit could impose spatial limits to the distribution of plants dispersed by animals and contribute to species coexistence. Also, differences in diet and use of microhabitats by seed dispersers could promote spatial variation in the combination of seed species deposited. We investigated patterns of seed deposition of Miconia fosteri and Miconia serrulata (Melastomataceae) by birds in the Amazon. The goal was to determine how distribution and abundance of fruiting plants, both con- and hetero-specifics, affect the spatial variability in clumping and composition of multi-specific seed deposition. We established two 9-ha plots in undisturbed terra-firme understory in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Seed rain was sampled with seed traps located in four microsites: below plants of the focal species, below Anthurium eminens (Araceae), and in randomly selected microsites. We examined seed deposition in these microsites in relation to habitat, fruiting neighborhood (fruit abundance, and distance to and density of plants of the target species), and crop size of M. fosteri or M. serrulata to determine if microsites differed in abundance and species composition of seeds. Seed traps below plants in fruit received more seeds than did randomly located traps. Seeds of the target species were, moreover, more commonly deposited below con- rather than hetero-specific plants. Seed aggregation below fruiting plants increased in forest neighborhoods where the abundance of fruits and the combination of fruiting plant species contributed to the arrival of seeds. Microsites differed notably in the combination of seeds deposited by frugivores, and differences were less pronounced among microsites that received seeds of M. fosteri and M. serrulata than among all microsites where at least some seed species were deposited by birds. We demonstrate that two closely related, ecologically similar species possess many similarities in their patterns of seed deposition and in the factors that affect those patterns. The combination of seed species deposited below foci of dispersal depended on the fruiting plant species, and the spatial patterns of seed deposition varied with the location of the microsite and the combination of co-dispersed species in the neighborhood. Similar species that share the same dispersers were confronted with different combinations of seeds depending on the microsite where they arrived, which could promote forest heterogeneity in the combination of plant species.
Impaired-UPS can be Compensated by Activation of Autophagy in Neurodegenerative Diseases

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a dynamic cellular pathway involved in the deaggregation of misfolded proteins through proteasome degradation. Impaired-UPS function is frequently observed in patients afflicted with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Increased oxidative stress has long been implicated with the pathogenesis of impaired-UPS function by promoting protein misfolding and the subsequent protein aggregate formation. Autophagy, a bulk lysosomal degradative process, mediates the clearance of toxic cellular constituents and protein aggregates via autophagosome formation and increasing evidence suggests an association between neurodegenerative disorders and defective autophagy. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the role of oxidative stress in impaired-UPS function and the sub-cellular source of oxidative stress. In addition, understanding the mechanism(s) by which autophaghy regulates UPS function will will allow us to develop novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. Here we demonstrated that rotenone activated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase (NADPH oxidase or Nox2) and Nox2-dependent oxidative stress resulted in impaired UPS machinery. Src kinase was persistently activated by Nox2-dependent superoxide production, which resulted in further Nox2 activation via p47phox phosphorylation and impaired autophagy by activating the autophagy repressor mTOR through PI3K/Akt phosphorylation. Inhibition of Nox2 or Src kinase mitigated excess oxidative stress, which induced autophagy and rescued UPS function. Our data highlight NADPH oxidase and Src kinase as possible autophagy modulators and potential therapeutic targets for common neurodegenerative diseases.
Development of the capillitium inPerichaena vermicularis A plasmodial slime mold

Development of the capillitium ofPerichaena vermicularis has been examined using light and electron microscopy. Two mechanisms are involved in the production of the thread-like structures. Initiation of capillitial development begins with the formation of long rows of vacuoles throughout the previous undifferentiated protoplasm of young plasmodiocarp. A homogeneous layer of amorphous material referred to as the cortical layer surrounds the vacuoles. Arrays of microtubules are present directly outside the cortical layer and apparently serve as a framework for the formation of the vacuolar system in which capillitial walls develop.
Phenol: a review of environmental and health risks.

Abstract Phenol, a waste product of industrial processes that is introduced into aquatic ecosystems, adversely affects the indigenous biota, including algae, protozoa, invertebrates, and vertebrates. In addition to overt toxicities, phenol causes many subtle effects to the biota, such as reduced fertility, decreased survival of the young, and inhibition of growth. The toxicity of phenol to the aquatic biota is modified by several abiotic (e.g., dissolved oxygen, salinity, water hardness, temperature) and biotic (e.g., age, size, nutritional status) factors. Phenol is also produced commercially and has many uses which bring it into direct contact with human beings. It is rapidly absorbed through the skin and by inhalation through the lungs. Upon absorption of moderate amounts of phenol, it is detoxified by conjugation with sulfuric and glucuronic acids and excreted in the urine. High exposures to phenol may be fatal to human beings; infants appear to be hypersusceptible to phenol. Although phenol is a tumor promoter, it is not a carcinogen, cocarcinogen, or teratogen and, most probably, is not a mutagen.
Glia delimit shape changes of sensory neuron receptive endings in C. elegans

Neuronal receptive endings, such as dendritic spines and sensory protrusions, are structurally remodeled by experience. How receptive endings acquire their remodeled shapes is not well understood. In response to environmental stressors, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans enters a diapause state, termed dauer, which is accompanied by remodeling of sensory neuron receptive endings. Here, we demonstrate that sensory receptive endings of the AWC neurons in dauers remodel in the confines of a compartment defined by the amphid sheath (AMsh) glial cell that envelops these endings. AMsh glia remodel concomitantly with and independently of AWC receptive endings to delimit AWC receptive ending growth. Remodeling of AMsh glia requires the OTD/OTX transcription factor TTX-1, the fusogen AFF-1 and probably the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR)-related protein VER-1, all acting within the glial cell. ver-1 expression requires direct binding of TTX-1 to ver-1 regulatory sequences, and is induced in dauers and at high temperatures. Our results demonstrate that stimulus-induced changes in glial compartment size provide spatial constraints on neuronal receptive ending growth.
Technique and Results of Urethroplasty for Female Stricture Disease

Purpose: Urethral stricture disease in females is uncommon and is often treated with repeat dilation or internal urethrotomies. Various surgical techniques to repair strictures have been described with successful results. However, these techniques are cumbersome to use. The vaginal inlay flap is simple and easy to learn. To our knowledge this is the first report of its use and clinical results in a series of patients from 2 institutions.Materials and Methods: Eight symptomatic women with a history of traumatic or difficult catheterization, a history of at least 1 urethral dilation or urethrotomy and difficult or a failed attempt at catheter placement underwent urethroplasty. The technique consisted of incising the posterior aspect of the stricture and advancing a vaginal inlay flap. A retrospective chart review was performed.Results: Followup was 1 to 9 years. All patients had subjective relief of symptoms and could easily catheterize with a 14Fr catheter. Average caliber of the urethra increased from 9.2...
The Color Evoked Potential and Comparison of Monocular and Binocular Effects

Evoked potentials (EP) elicited by the three basic colors show markedly different temporal characteristics. This effect is shown in new data together with a review and some replications of earlier studies. Under moderately light-adapted conditions the three color specific components of the response are 20 msec apart: red, green, and then blue. There are also marked interactions among these components, being manifested in our studies by significant variations in the latencies of the later components (green and blue).Color specific components of the EP are enhanced by both binocular summation and by unusual electrode montage. The latter suggest that the color EP may be in part a record of subcortical processes.Monocular and binocular comparisons were made under a variety of stimulus conditions. This approach is a highly sensitive maesure of individual differences in color strength and weaknesses, even among color-normal individuals.
GENETIC DIVERSITY OF CLETHRIONOMYS GLAREOLUS POPULATIONS FROM HIGHLY CONTAMINATED SITES IN THE CHORNOBYL REGION, UKRAINE

At radioactive sites, at least two mechanisms may affect the genetic diversity of populations of a given species. Increased mutation rates due to radiation exposure may increase the amount of genetic diversity in a population. Alternatively, population bottlenecks exacerbated by environmental degradation may lead to a reduction of diversity. The relationship between these two contradictory forces is complex. To explore this relationship, long-term monitoring of a genetic marker within a population is needed. To provide baseline data on the population genetics of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) living in the most contaminated regions at Chornobyl, Ukraine, we have sequenced 291 base pairs of the mitochondrial DNA control region. Bank voles were chosen as a model system because they have the highest levels of internal dose of cesium-134, cesium-137, and strontium-90 within the Chornobyl exclusion zone. We sampled three geographic sites, which were Oranoe, a reference site with virtually no radioactive contamination (<2 Ci/km2), and two highly contaminated sites, Glyboke Lake and the Red Forest (both 1,000 Ci/km2). Genetic diversity in the population from Red Forest (0.722 ± 0.024) was significantly greater than at the Oranoe reference site (0.615 ± 0.039), while genetic diversity at Glyboke Lake (0.677 ± 0.068) was intermediate. It is concluded that long-term studies of historical and demographic characteristics for experimental and reference populations are required in order to employ population genetics to understand the biological impact of environmental contaminants on the genetics of natural populations.
Renin-angiotensin activation in hyperacute renal xenograft rejection.

SummaryThe role of the renin-angiotensin system in pig-to-dog renal xenograft rejection has been studied. Both autograft and xenograft kidneys show an acute increase in renin and angiotensin I and II levels in renal-vein blood, but the increases are higher in the xenografts. The period of maximum secretion of renin and angiotensin is delayed when the hyperacute rejection is delayed by the infusion of sodium EDTA into the graft. The chelating agent also prevents the in vivo conversion of angiotensin I to II. During the rejection process, the generation of angiotensin by the secreted renin is so massive that the renin substrate is exhausted and therefore probably a limiting factor. These studies thus demonstrate that the renin-angiotensin system is markedly activated during hyperacute heterograft rejection.
Ethical Challenges in the Treatment of Infants of Drug-Abusing Mothers

Nationwide, almost 11% of women abuse drugs during their pregnancy. In some communities, these numbers are as high as 25–30%. Drug abuse is not limited to the poor or to African Americans, but is seen among affluent and white Americans as well. It is widespread, irrespective of race or social class. Annually, nearly 375,000 infants are exposed to drugs in America. Because of the terrible suffering caused by these births, and the conflicts caregivers experience in the treatment of these infants, Trollope's quote is very apropos. Although caregivers have good motives in trying to rescue these babies and helping place them in a nurturing environment, despair about this objective is always close to the surface.
Original Articles: Prostate Cancer: The Use and Accuracy of Cross-Sectional Imaging and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology for Detection of Pelvic Lymph Node Metastases Before Radical Prostatectomy

ABSTRACTThe role of cross-sectional pelvic imaging with computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and fine needle aspiration in the assessment of pelvic lymph nodes in patients with prostate cancer is undefined. To address this issue we used formal decision analysis, comparing an imaging arm to a no imaging arm. Patient utility values were calculated, and test parameters and complication rates were extracted from the literature. Imaging was superior to no imaging only when the pretest probability of pelvic lymph node metastases was high. The most important parameter was the sensitivity of cross-sectional imaging for lymphadenopathy. When the sensitivity was 36%, which was the baseline figure derived from the literature, the probability of lymph node metastases required for imaging to be beneficial overall was 32%.We also performed a retrospective review of magnetic resonance imaging examinations at our institution in 174 patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and pathological confirmati...
Bundle Theory’s Black Box: Gap Challenges for the Bundle Theory of Substance

My aim in this article is to contribute to the larger project of assessing the relative merits of different theories of substance. An important preliminary step in this project is assessing the explanatory resources of one main theory of substance, the so-called bundle theory. This article works towards such an assessment. I identify and explain three distinct explanatory challenges an adequate bundle theory must meet. Each points to a putative explanatory gap, so I call them the Gap Challenges. I consider three bundle-theoretic strategies for meeting these challenges. I argue that none of them goes very far. The upshot is that, absent other strategies for meeting the challenges, bundle theory involves a significant amount of stipulation. This black box makes bundle theory relatively weak with respect to its explanatory power—unless, of course, rival theories of substance are unable to do better.
Comparison of MODIS cloud microphysical properties with in-situ measurements over the Southeast Pacific

Abstract. Utilizing the unique characteristics of the cloud over the Southeast Pacific (SEP) off the coast of Chile during the VOCALS field campaign, we compared satellite remote sensing of cloud microphysical properties against in-situ data from multi-aircraft observations, and studied the extent to which these retrieved properties are sufficiently constrained and consistent to reliably quantify the influence of aerosol loading on cloud droplet sizes. After constraining the spatial-temporal coincidence between satellite retrievals and in-situ measurements, we selected 17 non-drizzle comparison pairs. For these cases the mean aircraft profiling times were within one hour of Terra overpasses at both projected and un-projected (actual) aircraft positions for two different averaging domains of 5 km and 25 km. Retrieved quantities that were averaged over a larger domain of 25 km compared better statistically with in-situ observations than averages over a smaller domain of 5 km. Comparison at projected aircraft positions was slightly better than un-projected aircraft positions for some parameters. Overall, both MODIS-retrieved effective radius and LWP were larger but highly correlated with the in-situ measured effective radius and LWP, e.g., for averaging domains of 5 km, the biases are up to 1.75 μm and 0.02 mm whilst the correlation coefficients are about 0.87 and 0.85, respectively. The observed effective radius difference between the two decreased with increasing cloud drop number concentration (CDNC), and increased with increasing cloud geometrical thickness. Compared to the absolute effective radius difference, the correlations between the relative effective radius difference and CDNC or cloud geometric thickness are weaker. For averaging domains of 5 km and 25 km, the correlation coefficients between MODIS-retrieved and in-situ measured CDNC are 0.91 and 0.93 with fitting slopes of 1.23 and 1.27, respectively. If the cloud adiabaticity is taken into account, better agreements are achieved for both averaging domains (the fitting slopes are 1.04 and 1.07, respectively). Our comparison and sensitivity analysis of simulated retrievals demonstrate that both cloud geometrical thickness and cloud adiabaticity are important factors in satellite retrievals of effective radius and cloud drop number concentration. The large variabilities in cloud geometrical thickness and adiabaticity, the dependencies of cloud microphysical properties on both quantities (as demonstrated in our sensitivity study of simulated retrievals), and the inability to accurately account for either of them in retrievals lead to some uncertainties and biases in satellite retrieved cloud effective radius, cloud liquid water path, and cloud drop number concentration. However, strong correlations between satellite retrievals and in-situ measurements suggest that satellite retrievals of cloud effective radius, cloud liquid water path, and cloud drop number concentration can be used to investigate aerosol indirect effects qualitatively.