cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of warming rate, temperature, and antifreeze proteins on the survival of mouse spermatozoa frozen at an optimal rate

We have recently reported that the survival of mouse spermatozoa is decreased when they are warmed at a suboptimal rate after being frozen at an optimal rate. We proposed that this drop in survival is caused by physical damage derived from the recrystallization of extracellular ice during slow warming. The first purpose of the present study was to determine the temperatures over which the decline in survival occurs during slow warming and the kinetics of the decline at fixed subzero temperatures. The second purpose was to examine the effects of antifreeze proteins (AFP) on the survival of slowly warmed mouse spermatozoa, the rationale being that AFP have the property of inhibiting ice recrystallization. With respect to the first point, a substantial loss in motility occurred when slow warming was continued to higher than -50 degrees C and the survival of the sperm decreased with an increase in the temperature at which slow warming was terminated. In contrast, the motility of sperm that were warmed rapidly to these temperatures remained high initially but dropped with increased holding time. At -30 degrees C, most of the drop occurred in 5 min. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that damage develops as a consequence of the recrystallization of the external ice. AFP ought to inhibit such recrystallization, but we found that the addition of AFP-I, AFP-III, and an antifreeze glycoprotein at concentrations of 1-100 microg/ml did not protect the frozen-thawed cells; rather it led to a decrease in survival that was proportional to the concentration. There was no decrease in survival from exposure to the AFP in the absence of freezing. AFP are known to produce changes in the structure and habit of ice crystals, and some have reported deleterious consequences associated with those structural changes. We suggest that such changes may be the basis of the adverse effects of AFP on the survival of the sperm, especially since mouse sperm are exquisitely sensitive to a variety of mechanical stresses.
Repair of gingival clefts

Two cases of extensive gingival clefts are presented with suggested methods for repair of these defects. Two cases of extensive gingival clefts are presented. Therapy and theories on the pathogenesis of such defects are reviewed.
Cost Differences Between the Anterior and Posterior Approaches to the Iliac Crest for Alveolar Bone Grafting in Patients With Cleft Lip/Palate

Purpose There has been debate in the literature regarding the advantages of an anterior versus posterior approach to the iliac crest harvest for alveolar bone grafting (ABG) in patients with cleft lip and palate. The purpose of this study was to add a cost perspective to the discussion. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective microcost analysis for the perioperative period for 2 approaches to graft harvest for ABG in patients with cleft lip and palate. Patient charts and hospital and physician financial databases were searched for detailed cost data in the 30 days before and after ABG for 18 patients who underwent anterior or posterior iliac crest harvest at Children's Hospital Boston. In addition, short-term outcomes for these 18 patients were documented (duration of operation, need for physical therapy services, complications, and hospital length of stay) and compared with the larger study group at the same institution. Results There was a trend toward lower overall median costs for posterior compared with anterior iliac crest harvest ($18,269 vs $21,801, respectively; P = .15). The differences in cost were seen in inpatient hospital services after the operation, including ward and physical therapy costs, which were significantly lower for the posterior versus the anterior approach. This corresponded with a shorter median length of stay (1 day vs 2 days, respectively; P = .03). There was no significant difference in operating room, recovery room, or outpatient costs. More patients undergoing posterior harvest had bilateral ABG, offsetting the decreased inpatient costs with increased physician costs. Conclusions The overall cost for ABG in patients with cleft lip and palate was not significantly different between the anterior and posterior approached to iliac crest harvest. Inpatient cost was lower in the posterior group because of a shorter length of stay.
Thomas Berry, Buddhism, and the New Cosmology

Our contemporary awareness of an environmental ethic is understood to be based on representing a cosmology of the inter- connection of all beings. This construct is coincident with the emerg- ing sense of our present view of the phenomenal world and resonant with the insights of Theravada Buddhism.
No effects of adaptation to dietary caffeine on calcium excretion in young women

Abstract Seventeen young women aged 24.4±3.8 years abstained from dietary methylxanthines for 3 weeks. Two urine collections were made on day 7 of each week: 1 hour after drinking 120 ml water, then 2 hours after 240 ml decaffeinated beverage. During the control week subjects had no caffeine during the week or day 7. For the “abstention” week no caffeine was consumed during the week then 6 mg caffeine per kg lean body mass (LBM) was consumed on day 7 in the second beverage. During an “adaptation” week subjects consumed 300 mg caffeine daily, then on day 7, 6 mg caffeine/kg LBM was consumed. After both abstention and adaptation weeks, addition of caffeine significantly increased excretion from 2.9 to 6.7 mg Ca/hr (p
NEUROANATOMY OF THE HUMAN FEMALE LOWER UROGENITAL TRACT

ABSTRACTPurpose:: The neuroanatomy of the female lower urogenital tract remains controversial. We defined the topographical anatomy and differential immunohistochemical characteristics of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris, the cavernous nerve and the nerves innervating the female urethral sphincter complex.Materials and Methods:: A total of 16 normal female human pelvic specimens at 14 to 34 weeks of gestation were studied by immunohistochemical techniques. Serial sections were stained with antibodies raised against the neuronal markers S-100 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), vesicular acetylcholine transporter, calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P. The serial sections were computer reconstructed into 3-dimensional images.Results:: Under the pubic arch at the hilum of the clitoral bodies the branches of the cavernous nerves joined the clitoral dorsal nerve to transform its immunoreactivity to nNOS positive. The cavernous nerves originated from the vaginal nervous plexus occupying the 2 ...
Economic development through state ownership of oil and gas: evaluating Alaska's royalty-in-kind programme

Government owners of petroleum subsurface rights often face constituent pressure to exercise control over the disposition of these resources in pursuit of economic development objectives. At the same time, states cannot simply dissipate the potential rent from their resources without losing a principal revenue source. The paper takes a retrospective look at the state of Alaska's policies and programmes regarding the disposition of oil and gas resources, focusing on the evolution of the royalty-in-kind programme. It examines the relative success of different programmes in achieving the objectives of import substitution and value-added export relative to the cost in foregone revenue. The analysis leads to general conclusions about programmes of this type, along with specific insights as the state prepares to embark on the biggest test yet related to the disposition of North Slope natural gas.
Test of the equivalence principle for ordinary matter falling toward dark matter

We tested the equivalence principle (EP) for Be, Cu, and Al falling toward the galactic center, and found [Delta][ital a](Be,Cu)=[minus](0.1 [plus minus]5.8)[times]10[sup [minus]12] cm/[ital s][sup 2] and [Delta][ital a](Be,Al)=(3.6[plus minus]6.9)[times]10[sup [minus]12] cm/[ital s][sup 2]. As dark matter is thought to account for (25--30)% of our galacticentric acceleration, the EP parameters for Be/Cu, or Be/Al, falling toward dark matter, are [eta](Be,Cu)=(0.0[plus minus]1.2)[times]10[sup [minus]3] and [eta](Be,Al)=(0.7[plus minus]1.4)[times]10[sup [minus]3] (1[sigma] errors). This limits any EP-violating component of our acceleration toward dark matter and provides laboratory evidence that gravitation is the only significant long-range interaction between dark and ordinary matter.
Environmentally adaptive segmentation algorithm for outdoor image segmentation

An environmentally adaptive segmentation algorithm (EASA) was developed for outdoor field plant detection. Based on a partially supervised learning process, the algorithm can learn from environmental conditions in outdoor agricultural fields and build an image segmentation look-up table on-the-fly. Experiments showed that the algorithm can adapt to most daytime conditions in outdoor fields, such as changes in light source temperature and soil type. When compared to a static segmentation technique which was trained under sunny conditions, the EASA improved the image segmentation by correctly classifying 26.9 and 54.3% more object pixels under partially cloudy and overcast conditions, respectively. The improved image segmentation of the EASA technique also allowed up to 32 times more plant cotyledons to be recognized (by leaf morphology) under overcast lighting conditions when compared with a static segmentation technique trained under sunny conditions.
Depressive symptom patterns in patients with chronic schizophrenia and subsyndromal depression.

Abstract Background Since subsyndromal depressive symptoms (SDS) are prevalent, under-recognized and clinically important problems in patients with schizophrenia, as well as in the elderly, the association and correlates of SDS in mid-life and older age patients with schizophrenia deserves more investigation. The purpose of this study is to learn more about the occurrence, pattern of symptoms and associated features of subsyndromal depressive symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Method The first 165 participants from the “Citalopram Augmentation in Older Adults with Psychoses” (NIH RO1 # 63931) study comprised the sample. Inclusion criteria included: age ≥ 40, DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, outpatient status, > 2 DSM-IV symptoms of MDE and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score ≥ 8. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 17-item version of the HAM-D and the Calgary Depression Rating Scale (CDRS). Results The most prevalent symptoms cut across several domains of the depressive syndrome: psychological (e.g., depressed mood, depressed appearance, psychic anxiety); cognitive (e.g., guilt, hopelessness, self depreciation, loss of insight); somatic (insomnia, anorexia, loss of libido, somatic anxiety); psychomotor (e.g., retardation and agitation) and functional (diminished work and activities). Participants diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder appeared more depressed, endorsed more intense “guilty ideas of reference” and had higher total CDRS scores than patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Conclusion This study confirms the high prevalence of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older persons with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder who were selected on the basis of having subsyndromal symptoms of depression.
Ligands of the Mn2+ Bound to Porcine Mitochondrial NADP-Dependent Isocitrate Dehydrogenase, as Assessed by Mutagenesis†

Pig heart mitochondrial NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase requires a divalent metal ion for catalysis, and metal-isocitrate is its preferred substrate. On the basis of the crystal structure of the enzyme-Mn(2+)-isocitrate complex, Asp(252), Asp(275), and Asp(279) were selected as targets for site-directed mutagenesis to evaluate the roles of these residues as ligands of the metal ion. The circular dichroism spectra of the purified mutant enzymes are similar to that of wild-type enzyme indicating there are no appreciable conformational changes. The K(m) values for isocitrate and for Mn(2+) are increased in the asparagine and histidine mutants at positions 252 and 275; while for cysteine mutants at the same positions, the K(m)'s are not changed appreciably. Mutants at position 279 exhibit only a small change in K(m) for isocitrate. These results indicate that Asp(252) and Asp(275) are ligands of enzyme-bound Mn(2+)and influence the binding of Mn(2+)-isocitrate. Cysteine is an acceptable substitute for aspartate as a ligand of Mn(2+). The pK(aes)'s of D252C and D275C enzymes are similar to that of the wild-type enzyme (about 5.2), while the pK(aes) of D279C is a little lower (about 4.7). These findings suggest that the V(max)'s of the D252C, D275C, and D279C enzymes depend on the ionizable form of the same group as in wild-type enzyme and neither Asp(252), Asp(275), nor Asp(279) acts as the general base in the enzymatic reaction. For wild-type enzyme, the pK(aes) varies with the metal ion used with Mg(2+) > Cd(2+) > Mn(2+) > Co(2+), similar to the order of the pK's for these four metal-bound waters. We therefore attribute the pH dependence of V(max) to the deprotonation of the metal-coordinated hydroxyl group of isocitrate bound to isocitrate dehydrogenase.
Effects of fuel type on the safety characteristics of a sodium cooled fast reactor

Abstract The objective of this investigation is to examine the impact of the fuel type on the inherent safety characteristics of Liquid Metal Fast Reactors (LMFRs). To perform this study, the responses to various transient conditions are examined for metallic, oxide and nitride cores of a baseline LMFR. GE-Hitachi’s Super Power Reactor Innovative Small Module (S-PRISM) was chosen as the baseline LMFR. In this paper the background on S-PRISM’s metal and oxide cores are described and the redesign of a new nitride fueled S-PRISM core is introduced. Reactivity feedback and power profile data necessary for transient simulations with RELAP5-3D/ATHENA code are also presented and discussed. Part II of this paper will present the results of accident simulations and a comparison between the metal, oxide and nitride cores based on their performance during the selected accident scenarios.
Thyroid hormone-dependent regulation of the intestinal fatty acid-binding protein gene during amphibian metamorphosis

Abstract To investigate, at the molecular level, the remodeling of small intestine during amphibian metamorphosis, a subtractive hybridization approach was used to identify genes that are differentially regulated by thyroid hormone. A frog cDNA was isolated from Xenopus laevis and determined to be the gene encoding the intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (IFABP) based on its high sequence hormology to the previously cloned mammalian IFABP gene. Northern blot analyses and in situ hybridization histochemistry also showed that, like the mammalian IFABP genes, frog IFABP gene expression is restricted to the intestinal epithelium. Xenopus embryos express detectable IFABP mRNA at stage 33/34, suggesting that intestinal epithelial cells differentiate well before feeding begins at stage 45. Moreover, during metamorphosis, levels of IFABP mRNA were gradually down-regulatod over a period of about 20 days between stages 54 and 62, reaching a minimum at metamorphic climax, after which they were reelevated as the secondary epithelium forms. This reduction in IFABP gene expression could be reproduced in only 3 days by treating premetamorphic tadpoles with thyroid hormone. Our findings also show that this effect, while likely to be indirect, takes place before overt morphological changes are evident in primary epithelial cells. Thus, the down-regulation of IFABP mRNA is one of the early molecular events preceding epithelial cell death during intestinal remodeling.
Whispering-gallery laser resonators. I. Diffraction of whispering-gallery modes

Whispering-gallery optics for use at soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet wavelengths are examined for their potential applications in laser resonators. An examination is made of beam divergence at the exit of a whispering gallery resonator. The properties of whispering-gallery eigenmodes are reviewed, and the features of their Fourier transforms discussed. The Fraunhofer approximation is then used to describe the farfield pattern resulting from the diffraction of a whispering-gallery eigenmode. Explicit formulas are given for the farfield beamwidth and the Rayleigh distance. For modes of high order the results can be understood in terms of geometrical optics. >
Perceptions of affordability: Their role in predicting purchase intent and purchase

While consumer researchers have found that attitudes and purchase intentions are important predictors of purchase, they have neglected the role of affordability concerns that should be equally important. We examined the role of perceptions of affordability in predicting purchase intent and actual purchase. We found that (1) perceptions of affordability improve the prediction of purchase intent over and above that provided by attitude and subjective norms. Also, affordability perceptions are not mediated by attitude, but rather have a direct influence on purchase intention; (2) affordability perceptions also improve prediction of purchase over and above that provided by purchase intent, but only when consumers perceive the product to be relatively expensive. In addition, the effect of affordability perceptions on actual purchase is not mediated by purchase intent when the product is viewed as relatively expensive, but completely mediated by purchase intent when the product is viewed as more easily affordable; (3) perceptions of affordability moderate the attitude-intention, subjective norm-intention, and the purchase intention-purchase relationships.
Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers: A New Class of High Capacity Chelating Agents for Cu(II) Ions

This communication describes preliminary results of an experimental investigation of the binding of Cu(II) ions to poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers in aqueous solutions. Dendrimers are highly branched polymers with controlled composition and architecture consisting of three structural components: a core, interior branch cells, and terminal branch cells. PAMAM dendrimers possess functional nitrogen and amide groups arranged in regular “branched upon branched” patterns which are displayed in geometrically progressive numbers as a function of generation level. Terminal groups of PAMAM dendrimers may be any organic substituent such as primary amines, carboxylic groups, etc. In aqueous solutions, PAMAM dendrimers can serve as high capacity nanoscale containers for toxic metal ions such as Cu(II). Compared to traditional chelating agents (e.g., triethylene tetramine) and macrocyles (e.g., cyclams) with nitrogen donors, which can typically bind only one Cu(II) ion per molecule, a generation eight (G8) PAMAM ...
Lower bound for the suboptimality of cross correlators.

Operation de correlation croisee pour la detection d'un signal meme quand le bruit de fond n'est pas blanc. Rapport signal sur bruit du correlateur optique
Metalloproteinase/Presenilin1 processing of ephrinB regulates EphB-induced Src phosphorylation and signaling.

Bidirectional signaling triggered by interacting ephrinB receptors (EphB) and ephrinB ligands is crucial for development and function of the vascular and nervous systems. A signaling cascade triggered by this interaction involves activation of Src kinase and phosphorylation of ephrinB. The mechanism, however, by which EphB activates Src in the ephrinB-expressing cells is unknown. Here we show that EphB stimulates a metalloproteinase cleavage of ephrinB2, producing a carboxy-terminal fragment that is further processed by PS1/γ-secretase to produce intracellular peptide ephrinB2/CTF2. This peptide binds Src and inhibits its association with inhibitory kinase Csk, allowing autophosphorylation of Src at residue tyr418. EphrinB2/CTF2-activated Src phosphorylates ephrinB2 and inhibits its processing by γ-secretase. These data show that the PS1/γ-secretase system controls Src activation and ephrinB phosphorylation by regulating production of Src activator ephrinB2/CTF2. Accordingly, γ-secretase inhibitors prevented the EphB-induced sprouting of endothelial cells and the recruitment of Grb4 to ephrinB. PS1 FAD and γ-secretase dominant-negative mutants inhibited the EphB-induced cleavage of ephrinB2 and Src autophosphorylation, raising the possibility that FAD mutants interfere with the functions of Src and ephrinB2 in the CNS.
The cooperative international neuromuscular research group Duchenne natural history study-a longitudinal investigation in the era of glucocorticoid therapy: Design of protocol and the methods used

Contemporary natural history data in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is needed to assess care recommendations and aid in planning future trials. Methods The Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group (CINRG) DMD Natural History Study (DMD-NHS) enrolled 340 individuals, aged 2–28 years, with DMD in a longitudinal, observational study at 20 centers. Assessments obtained every 3 months for 1 year, at 18 months, and annually thereafter included: clinical history; anthropometrics; goniometry; manual muscle testing; quantitative muscle strength; timed function tests; pulmonary function; and patient-reported outcomes/ health-related quality-of-life instruments.
CONSECUTIVE SKIN GRAFTING IN SWISS-WEBSTER MICE.

Werder and Hardin1,2 have reported that splenectomy prolongs the survival time of homologous skin grafts on CFW mice, and that application of consecutive, randomly selected homografts would produce permanent survival of homologous skin grafts on heterozygous CFW mice. In view of this unexpected finding and its possible significance to present theories of the mechanisms of homograft rejection, a similar investigation was made in a strain of non-inbred mice.
The effect of growth parameters on the intrinsic properties of large-area single layer graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition on Cu

Abstract We present a comprehensive study of the parameter space for single layer graphene growth by chemical vapor deposition on Cu. The temperature is the most widely recognized control parameter in single layer graphene growth. We show that the methane-to-hydrogen ratio and the growth pressure also are critical parameters that affect the structural perfection and the cleanliness of graphene. The optimal conditions for suppressing double and multilayer graphene growth occur near 1000 °C, 1:20 methane-to-hydrogen ratio, and a total pressure in the range from 0.5 to 1 Torr. Raman mapping of a 40 × 30 μm2 area shows single layer domains with 5–10 μm linear dimensions. Atomic resolution imaging of suspended graphene by aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy shows that the single layer graphene consists of areas of 10–15 nm linear dimensions and smaller patches of residual contamination that was undetected by other characterization methods.
Persistent bradycardia with episodic sinus arrest after sufentanil and vecuronium administration—Successful treatment with isoproterenol

S INCE THE FIRST reports using “highdose” morphine as the anesthetic for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD),’ similar techniques using the newer narcotic agonists, such as fentanyl and sufentanil, have become increasingly popular. These techniques, in combination with neuromuscular blockade and benzodiazepines, are associated with hemodynamic stability and low heart rates.2 Vecuronium, the monoquaternary analog of pancuronium, has been increasingly used as the neuromuscular blocking agent in these techniques since it has been demonstrated to produce minimal alterations in cardiovascular homeostasis.3 The following case report describes episodic sinus arrest following anesthetic induction with sufentanil and vecuronium in combination with diazepam.
Somatosensory evoked potentials of the dog: recording techniques and normal values

Abstract Median and tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) of 5 sedated dogs were studied to determine their normal features and optimal stimulation and recording techniques. Cortical potentials were mapped from an extensive array of skull electrodes as each limb was independently stimulated with subdermal needles. The effects of bandpass and stimulus intensity and rate were also assessed. Three cortical components (P1, N1, P2) were evoked by median or tibial nerve stimulation and were localized along the coronal suture at lateral and medial electrodes, respectively. SSEP voltage varied much more than morphology, topography, or latency. The inion was a stable, indifferent reference site. Cortical SSEP frequency content was mostly below 250 Hz. Maximal SSEP voltage was achieved only at stimulus intensities 2–3 times motor threshold. Appropriate methods minimize technical difficulties and consistently yield legible SSEPs.
EERI Annual Student Paper Award a Multidisciplinary Urban Earthquake Disaster Risk Index

Abstract The Earthquake Disaster Risk Index (EDRI) is a composite index that will allow direct comparison of the relative overall earthquake disaster risk of cities worldwide, and will describe the relative contributions of various factors to that overall risk. The basic development of the EDRI involves (1) creating a conceptual framework of all the factors that contribute to earthquake disaster risk—geological, engineering, economic, social, political, and cultural factors; (2) identifying simple, measurable indicators to represent each of the factors in the framework; (3) combining the indicators mathematically into the composite EDRI; and (4) presenting the results in an easily understandable form. The index is being created using a holistic, multidisciplinary approach that aims to synthesize knowledge of urban earthquake disaster risk into a concise, easily accessible summary that is currently unavailable from any other source.
Growth and nitrogen retention of rats fed bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and bean and rice diets

Abstract The protein quality of bean diets was compared to the protein quality of bean and rice complementary diets in rat feeding studies assaying growth and nitrogen balance. Amino acid analyses of the diets indicated that methionine and cysteine were limiting in beans and lysine was limiting in rice. Weight gain of rats fed whole black beans either alone or in combination with rice was significantly smaller ( p ≤0·05) than the weight gain of rats fed dehulled black or white beans either alone or in combination with rice. Protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and relative PER (rPER) were significantly greater ( p ≤0·05) for bean and rice diets than bean diets. Total serum protein concentration of rats was correlated ( r =0·63) with weight gain. True digestibility coefficient (DC), biological value (BV) and net protein utilization (NPU) of bean and rice diets were significantly greater ( p ≤0·05) than the DC, BV and NPU of bean diets. The DC, BV and NPU for the whole black bean diet were significantly smaller than the DC, BV and NPU of the other bean diets. The BV of bean and rice diet proteins were statistically similar ( p >0·05) to the BV of the control casein diet. In conclusion, the protein quality of beans was improved by combining with rice. Dehulling of whole black beans improved the protein quality of black beans to the same level as the protein quality of white beans when fed alone or in combination with rice.
Effect of internal relief, vibration, and venting on the vertical seating of cemented crowns

Abstract The presence of a vent hole in the occlusal surface, vibration during seating, and internal relief inside cast crowns were investigated individually and in all combinations for their effect on vertical seating on metal dies, using zinc phosphate cement. It was found that: 1. Vibration, applied horizontally, had no effect by itself or any interaction with venting or internal crown relief. 2. Venting and internal relief alone effectively achieved good seating. 3. Venting and internal relief together were the most effective combinations. 4. When crowns were seated well, they tended to tilt less.
Properties of Nonturbulent Round Liquid Jets in Uniform Crossflows

A computational and experimental study of the deformation and breakup properties of nonturbulent round liquid jets in uniform gaseous crossflows is described, seeking to develop numerical predictions to find these properties at conditions that are difficult to address using experiments. The time-dependent incompressible two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations were solved in the gas and liquid phases in conjunction with the level-set method to determine the position of the liquid/gas interface of the deforming liquid jets. The computations were evaluated satisfactorily based on earlier measurements for solid circular cylinders in crossflow (recirculating wake lengths, drag coefficients, conditions for the onset of eddy shedding, and frequencies of eddy shedding) and present measurements of the properties of nonturbulent round liquid jets in crossflow (liquid jet crosstream deformation, liquid jet streamwise deformation and deflection, and breakup regime transitions). Subsequent computations to find liquid jet deformation and breakup properties revealed relatively small effects of liquid/gas density ratios on deformation and breakup regime boundaries. Small Reynolds number conditions approaching the Stokes flow regime, however, resulted in a significant increase of the resistance of liquid jets in crossflow
Conservation and divergence of Bmp2a, Bmp2b, and Bmp4 expression patterns within and between dentitions of teleost fishes

The diversity of tooth location in teleost fishes provides an excellent system for comparing genetic divergence between teeth in different species (phylogenetic homologs) with divergence between teeth within one species (iterative homologs). We have chosen to examine the expression of three members of the bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) family because they are known to play multiple roles in tooth development and evolution in tetrapod vertebrates. We characterized expression of Bmp2a, Bmp2b, and Bmp4 during the development of oral and pharyngeal dentitions in three species of teleost fishes, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus), and Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). We found that expression in teleosts is generally highly conserved, with minor differences found among both iteratively homologous and phylogenetically homologous teeth. Expression of orthologous genes differs in several ways between the teeth of teleost fishes and those of the mouse, but between these vertebrate groups the summed expression pattern of Bmp genes is highly conserved. Significantly, the toothless oral region of the zebrafish lacks Bmp expression domains found in teleosts with oral teeth, implicating these genes in evolutionary tooth loss. We conclude that Bmp expression has been largely conserved in vertebrate tooth development over evolutionary time, and that loss of Bmp expression is correlated with region-specific loss of the dentition in a major group of fishes.
AREA-SENSITIVE DISTRIBUTIONS COUNTERACT NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF HABITAT FRAGMENTATION ON BREEDING BIRDS

We used a modeling approach to determine the conditions under which frag- mentation of breeding habitat can cause landscape-scale population declines in songbirds. The simulated species resided in a system of forest patches (a landscape) and could po- tentially disperse among patches between breeding seasons. The model combined: (1) the frequency distribution of patch sizes in the landscape, (2) the distribution of individuals across the range of patches in the landscape, and (3) the fecundity of individuals as a function of patch size in the landscape. Simulated landscapes varied in patch size distribution while holding total forest area constant. Three distribution patterns were modeled: the classic ''area-sensitive'' pattern in which density increased as patch size increased, an area-insen- sitive pattern in which density was independent of patch size, and an ''inverse-area-sen- sitive'' pattern in which density increased as patch size decreased. We used this model to examine population growth under various landscape, distribution, fecundity, and survival scenarios. In the ''fragmentation hypothesis'' simulations, in which fecundity decreased as patch size decreased within the landscape, population growth rates were highly sensitive to dis- tribution patterns and to landscape composition. When landscapes consisted of both large and small patches for breeding, populations were either above or below replacement, de- pending on how individuals were distributed among patches: Classic area-sensitive distri- butions produced growth rates above replacement levels, whereas inverse-area-sensitive distributions produced growth rates below replacement levels. The results of the model suggest that reduced fecundity associated with habitat fragmentation could lead to popu- lation declines when (1) landscapes are highly fragmented, or (2) landscapes offer both large and small patches for breeding, but distribution patterns place a high proportion of the breeding population on small patches that are less favorable for breeding.
Introducing Democracy across Borders: from dêmos to dêmoi

Before launching into the precis of my book, let me first describe the state of democracy, as I see it, in order to discuss the motivations for writing a book about democracy across borders. It is the best of times and the worst of times. According to the current wisdom, we live in the golden age of democracy. In the absence of any viable alternative, liberal democracy is taken to be the only feasible form of democracy and goes unchallenged. Democracy is now recognized in international documents as ‘the best means to realize human rights,’ so that some now argue that international law, formerly unconcerned with internal affairs of states, establishes a ‘democratic entitlement.’ At the same time, it is often claimed that democracy has never been weaker. It is increasingly unable to solve many collective problems and to gain legitimacy, thus leading to economic crisis, to the declining legitimacy of states in ever more numerous demands for succession, and to greater internal conflicts and even civil wars. As a result, some electoral and representative democracies increasingly cede many areas of social policy to delegated and increasingly non-democratic forms of authority. Possible responses to these facts lie between two extremes of a continuum. On the one hand, liberal nationalists call for the renewal of social consensus through a democratic ethos, and some participatory democrats demand decentralization into smaller units. On the other hand, cosmopolitans argue that only supranational levels of governance can solve the many collective action and coordination problems ranging from global warming to sustainable growth to grave human rights abuses and genocide. (Published: 5 February 2010) Citation: Ethics & Global Politics, Vol. 3, No. 1, 2010, pp. 1-11. DOI: 10.3402/egp.v3i1.4849
Preparation of 111In-DTPA morpholino oligomer for low abdominal accumulation

An ability to quantitate the beta cell mass by noninvasive nuclear imaging will be very useful in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes. However, to be successful, radioactivity from the pancreas must not be obscured by the background radioactivity in the abdomen. Pretargeting offers the promise of achieving high target organ to normal tissue ratios. In preparation for pancreas imaging studies by pretargeting using morpholino oligomers (MORF/cMORF), it was necessary to develop a simple and efficient method to radiolabel the cMORF effector. Because we have shown that labeling the cMORF with (111)In via DTPA reduces excretion into the intestines compared to labeling with (99m)Tc via MAG(3), the conjugation of DTPA to cMORF was investigated for (111)In labeling. The amine-derivatized cMORF was conjugated with DTPA using 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) as an alternative to the conventional cyclic anhydride. The conjugation efficiency (represented by the number of DTPA groups attached per cMORF) was investigated by changing the EDC, DTPA, and cMORF molar ratios. Different open columns were considered for the purification of DTPA-cMORF. Before conjugation, each cMORF molecule was confirmed to have an amine by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) assay using the omega-amino butyric acid as positive standard and the non-amine derivatized cMORF as negative standard. The average number of DTPA groups per cMORF was 0.15-0.20 following the conjugation over a cMORF/DTPA molar ratio of 0.5-5 and over a cMORF/EDC molar ratio of 20-60. The conjugation efficiency was lower than expected probably due to steric hindrance. A 1 x 50cm P-4 column using ammonium acetate as eluting buffer provided an adequate separation of DTPA-cMORF from free DTPA. The (111)In labeling efficiency by transchelation from acetate exceeded 95%, thus avoiding the need for postlabeling purification. Despite the lower than expected conjugation efficiency in which no more than one-fifth of the cMORF were DTPA-derivatized, a specific radioactivity of at least 300microCi/microg or 1.90Ci/micromol of cMORF was achieved. In conclusion, a protocol is described for (111)In-DTPA-cMORF that provides the high specific activity favorable to beta cell imaging because of the low mass fraction of beta cells in pancreas (1-2%) and obviates the need for postlabeling purification.
Cuttings of a tobacco mutant, rae, undergo cell divisions but do not initiate adventitious roots in response to exogenous auxin

Numerous studies have shown that auxin induces adventitious root initiation in stem explants from a variety of species, including tobacco. A dominant, monogenic mutation previously identified in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthii), rac, confers tenfold auxin resistance to mesophyll-derived cell suspensions and an impaired primary root development phenotype to seedlings. Results presented here demonstrate that adventitious root formation does not occur when heterozygous and homozygous rac stem cuttings are treated in vitro with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations ranging from 0.5 μM to 500 μM. Histological analysis showed that some phloem parenchyma or inner cortical parenchyma cells in wild-type stem cuttings undergo adventitious root morphogenesis when they are treated with 5 μM IBA. The same cell types in heterozygous and homozygous rac stem cuttings undergo mitoses in response to auxin, but never form adventitious root meristems. The lack of adventitious root initiation in rac stem cuttings is phenotypically distinct from the aberrant primary root development in rac seedlings. The rac mutation appears to block an essential process for auxin induction of adventitious root initiation but not cell division in phloem parenchyma or inner cortical parenchyma cells. Comparisons of rac heterozygous and homozygous seedling primary root length and callus formation in response to auxin in stem cuttings indicate that rac copy number is correlated to the degree of expression of these two phenotypes.
Disparities in mammographic screening for Asian women in California: a cross-sectional analysis to identify meaningful groups for targeted intervention

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among the rapidly growing population of Asian Americans; it is also the most common cause of cancer mortality among Filipinas. Asian women continue to have lower rates of mammographic screening than women of most other racial/ethnic groups. While prior studies have described the effects of sociodemographic and other characteristics of women on non-adherence to screening guidelines, they have not identified the distinct segments of the population who remain at highest risk of not being screened. To better describe characteristics of Asian women associated with not having a mammogram in the last two years, we applied recursive partitioning to population-based data (N = 1521) from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), for seven racial/ethnic groups of interest: Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, South Asian, Vietnamese, and all Asians combined. We identified two major subgroups of Asian women who reported not having a mammogram in the past two years and therefore, did not follow mammography screening recommendations: 1) women who have never had a pap exam to screen for cervical cancer (68% had no mammogram), and 2) women who have had a pap exam, but have no women's health issues (osteoporosis, using menopausal hormone therapies, and/or hysterectomy) nor a usual source of care (62% had no mammogram). Only 19% of Asian women who have had pap screening and have women's health issues did not have a mammogram in the past two years. In virtually all ethnic subgroups, having had pap or colorectal screening were the strongest delineators of mammography usage. Other characteristics of women least likely to have had a mammogram included: Chinese non-U.S. citizens or citizens without usual source of health care, Filipinas with no health insurance, Koreans without women's health issues and public or no health insurance, South Asians less than age 50 who were unemployed or non-citizens, and Vietnamese women who were never married. We identified distinct subgroups of Asian women at highest risk of not adhering to mammography screening guidelines; these data can inform outreach efforts aimed at reducing the disparity in mammography screening among Asian women.
Visualization of a confined accelerated bubble

High-speed photography was used to study the collapse of a confined two-dimensional, air cavity in water, subjected to a propagating pressure disturbance. The 5–6 mm diameter cavity was confined in a rectangular duct. A sustained pressure disturbance was created by an accelerating piston in contact with the water 240 mm away from the bubble. The pressure increased from 0.1 MPa to about 0.12 MPa with a rise time of the order of 2 ms. The pressure pulse was not reflected until its arrival at the end of the duct, 320 mm from the piston. A microjet was produced at the proximal wall which penetrated the distal cavity wall, thereby producing a pair of bubbles which was thought to be regions of intense vorticity. The features of such confined bubble collapse were not found in previous investigations of unconfined bubble accelerations by weak pressure disturbances. Confinement apparently intensified the effect of the disturbance significantly.
Analyzer-based phase-contrast imaging system using a micro focus x-ray source

Here we describe a new in-laboratory analyzer based phase contrast-imaging (ABI) instrument using a conventional X-ray tube source (CXS) aimed at bio-medical imaging applications. Phase contrast-imaging allows visualization of soft tissue details usually obscured in conventional X-ray imaging. The ABI system design and major features are described in detail. The key advantage of the presented system, over the few existing CXS ABI systems, is that it does not require high precision components, i.e., CXS, X-ray detector, and electro-mechanical components. To overcome a main problem introduced by these components, identified as temperature stability, the system components are kept at a constant temperature inside of three enclosures, thus minimizing the electrical and mechanical thermal drifts. This is achieved by using thermoelectric (Peltier) cooling/heating modules that are easy to control precisely. For CXS we utilized a microfocus X-ray source with tungsten (W) anode material. In addition the proposed system eliminates tungsten's multiple spectral lines by selecting monochromator crystal size appropriately therefore eliminating need for the costly mismatched, two-crystal monochromator. The system imaging was fine-tuned for tungsten Kα1 line with the energy of 59.3 keV since it has been shown to be of great clinical significance by a number of researchers at synchrotron facilities. In this way a laboratory system that can be used for evaluating and quantifying tissue properties, initially explored at synchrotron facilities, would be of great interest to a larger research community. To demonstrate the imaging capability of our instrument we use a chicken thigh tissue sample.
Speaking fundamental frequency and chronologic age in males

Data are presented on the mean speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) of 175 male talkers, ranging in age from 20 to 89 years. Mean frequency levels by age decade show a progressive lowering of SFF f...
Empirically Based School Interventions Targeted at Academic and Mental Health Functioning.

This review examines empirically based studies of school-based mental health interventions. The review identified 64 out of more than 2,000 articles published between 1990 and 2006 that met methodologically rigorous criteria for inclusion. Of these 64 articles,only 24 examined both mental health and educational outcomes.The majority of school-based mental health intervention studies failed to include even rudimentary measures of school-related outcomes. Analysis of the 24 studies yielded several key findings:The types of mental health outcomes most frequently assessed included self-, peer-, teacher-, or parent-reported measures of social competence, aggression, or problem behaviors. Academic scores and school attendance were the types of educational outcomes most frequently assessed.The majority of interventions focused on elementary students, had a preventive focus, and targeted prosocial, aggressive, and antisocial behaviors. Only 15 of the 24 studies demonstrated a positive impact on both educational a...
Learning analytics in CSCL with a focus on assessment: an exploratory study of activity theory-informed cluster analysis

In this paper we propose an automated strategy to assess participation in a multi-mode math discourse environment called Virtual Math Teams with Geogrebra (VMTwG). A holistic participation clustering algorithm is applied through the lens of activity theory. Our activity theory-informed algorithm is a step toward accelerating heuristic approaches to assessing collaborative work in synchronous technology mediated environments like VMTwG. Our Exploratory findings provide an example of a novel, time-efficient, valid, and reliable participatory learning assessment tool for teachers in computer mediated learning environments. Scaling online learning with a combination of computation and theory is the overall goal of the work this paper is situated within.
Effects of Hurricane Katrina on the Urban Resident Landbirds of New Orleans, Louisiana

Abstract Hurricane landfalls pose a potential threat to coastal landbird populations. The effects of Hurricane Katrina's landfall in August 2005 on the suburban and urban resident landbird community of Greater New Orleans, Louisiana was assessed beginning five weeks after landfall. Compared to numbers tallied during surveys from 1994 to 2000 on 2.2 km of transects, the 10 most numerous bird species all showed strong declines, as did tree squirrels (Sciurus spp.). Additional transect surveys at 100 random locations citywide showed the overall bird numbers on the initial 2.2 km to be similar to those in the city overall. Additional surveys conducted in the Lower Ninth Ward, Arabi, and the site of the Murphy Oil spill showed numbers of birds to be extremely low in these especially heavily affected areas. The impact of the oil contamination was difficult to assess, with bird numbers low, but not obviously lower than in uncontaminated areas.