cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure and Control of Duet Singing in the White - Crested Laughing Thrush, (Garrulax Leucolophus)

The organization and control of the duet song of the White-crested Laughing Thrush, (Garralux leucolophus), was analyzed using programmed associative memory. Each member of a pair has a distinct vocabulary of syllables (Fig. 3). In a single duet sequence each bird utters syllables in alternation or in regular simultaneity with its mate (Fig. 1). Specific instances of exogenous and endogenous determination of call sequences exist which organize each bird's contribution to a duet. Song control programs (Figs. 6 and 7) derived from transition tables are statistically weighted and demonstrate the dependent (i.e. when the call is determined by the partner's previous utterance) and independent (when the call is determined by the endogenous pattern) parts of each bird's sequence. The song control programs present an accurate model of both the communication process and the mechanisms of control. The following results were obtained: 1) M6/22-F1 are linked to each other in a stimulus-response fashion. 2) If M24 is given, it initiates a new sub-sequence: (24-3-24). In this instance, the male initiates a shift in the female sequence and is an example of exogenous control. 3) Linear dependencies exist within both male and female sequences which are evidence for an endogenous component in the determination of syllables. 4) Exogenous control predominates early in the duet while an endogenous component predominates toward the end of a duet. The probability that a particular syllable will be uttered seems to depend on 1) the previous syllabie given by the partner, 2) the previous syllable given in the bird's own song sequence, 3) syllable sequence-position dependent periodicity (endogenous drift). It has been shown that duet sequences are sequence-position dependent and not entirely stationary processes. This means that the probability of a syllable being uttered at sequence-position T depends strongly on T. Hence, the probability of transitions from syllable to syllable is strongly event dependent and as a result, transitions early in the sequence cannot be treated with the same statistics as those occurring toward the end of the song.
Usefulness of pindolol for treatment of neurocardiogenic syncope.

This study evaluated the efficacy of pindolol, a noncardioselective β blocker with intrinsic sympathetic activity, on neurocardiogenic syncope using a head-up tilt-table test in 66 patients. Pindolol was equally effective in men and women and the 2 age groups (>60 and
Belief in the Existence and Nature of Life after Death: A Research Note:

The authors posed two questions regarding the notion of an afterlife to respondents in a recent thanatological investigation. Respectively, these concerned belief in a personal afterlife and—among ...
TRECVID: the utility of a content-based video retrieval evaluation

TRECVID, an annual retrieval evaluation benchmark organized by NIST, encourages research in information retrieval from digital video. TRECVID benchmarking covers both interactive and manual searching by end users, as well as the benchmarking of some supporting technologies including shot boundary detection, extraction of semantic features, and the automatic segmentation of TV news broadcasts. Evaluations done in the context of the TRECVID benchmarks show that generally, speech transcripts and annotations provide the single most important clue for successful retrieval. However, automatically finding the individual images is still a tremendous and unsolved challenge. The evaluations repeatedly found that none of the multimedia analysis and retrieval techniques provide a significant benefit over retrieval using only textual information such as from automatic speech recognition transcripts or closed captions. In interactive systems, we do find significant differences among the top systems, indicating that interfaces can make a huge difference for effective video/image search. For interactive tasks efficient interfaces require few key clicks, but display large numbers of images for visual inspection by the user. The text search finds the right context region in the video in general, but to select specific relevant images we need good interfaces to easily browse the storyboard pictures. In general, TRECVID has motivated the video retrieval community to be honest about what we don't know how to do well (sometimes through painful failures), and has focused us to work on the actual task of video retrieval, as opposed to flashy demos based on technological capabilities.
To initiate or react; a factor related to two sets of mental disorder.

In this report, a variable calledinitiate-react, which seems relevant to dividing mental disorders into depressive and schizophrenic sets, has been defined. Some properties of this variable are noted, and it is related to existing concepts. In exploration of the variable, data are presented on recent events of significance to patients and on prescribed therapies, and the data tend to confirm the position taken. The authors conclude that the variable merits further attention.
André–Quillen cohomology and rational homotopy of function spaces

We develop a simple theory of Andre–Quillen cohomology for commutative differential graded algebras over a field of characteristic zero. We then relate it to the homotopy groups of function spaces and spaces of homotopy self-equivalences of rational nilpotent CW-complexes. This puts certain results of Sullivan in a more conceptual framework.
Electron Nuclear Double Resonance of Neodymium

The method of electron nuclear double resonance has recently been employed by Feher for investigation of some solid-state problems. In this letter the application of this method for an investigation of Nd/sup 3+/ in LaCl/sub 3/ crystals is discussed. A tabulation is made of the frequencies so far observed at which the second resonance for Nd/sup 145/ occurs when the c axis is parallel to H. The remainder of the measurements are in progress. (A.C.)
Historicity, fieldwork, and the allure of the post-modern: a reply to Ryan and Gu.

Abstract In the past two decades, the field of tourism studies has expanded far beyond laments for the presumed destruction of 'authentic' culture at the hands of an all-pervasive mass tourism. Researchers in a variety of fields and disciplines increasingly are cognizant of the fluidity of cultural practices and norms, the role factors such as gender, age, socio-economic class, and ethnicity play in tourist-local encounters, and the de-centering of Europe and North America in the discussion of the source of tourist flows. Yet these welcomed changes also bring potential research problems, not least of which are the practical and theoretical limits to a wholesale embrace of unreflective social constructivism.
Androgen receptor gene and sex-specific Alzheimer's disease

Women are at a 2-fold risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) (onset at 65 years of age or older) compared with men. During perimenopausal years, women undergo hormonal changes that are accompanied by metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory changes. These all together have been suggested as risk factors for late-onset AD. However, not all perimenopausal women develop AD; we hypothesize that certain genetic factors might underlie the increased susceptibility for developing AD in postmenopausal women. We investigated the Androgen Receptor gene (AR) in a clinical cohort of male and female AD patients and normal control subjects by sequencing all coding exons and evaluating the length and distribution of the CAG repeat in exon 1. We could not establish a correlation between the repeat length, sex, and the disease status, nor did we identify possible pathogenic variants. AR is located on the X chromosome; to assess its role in AD, X-inactivation patterns will need to be studied to directly correlate the actual expressed repeat length to a possible sex-specific phenotypic effect.
A silicon single-electron transistor memory operating at room temperature

A single-electron memory, in which a bit of information is stored by one electron, is demonstrated at room temperature. The memory is a floating gate metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor in silicon with a channel width (∼10 nanometers) smaller than the Debye screening length of a single electron and a nanoscale polysilicon dot (∼7 nanometers by 7 nanometers) as the floating gate embedded between the channel and the control gate. Storing one electron on the floating gate screens the entire channel from the potential on the control gate and leads to (i) a discrete shift in the threshold voltage, (ii) a staircase relation between the charging voltage and the shift, and (iii) a self-limiting charging process. The structure and fabrication of the memory should be compatible with future ultralarge-scale integrated circuits.
SURVEY OF RESONANCE REACTION THEORIES.

Resonances, will play a central role in the discussions of this Conference. On the one hand we shall be concerned with the extraction of the parameters describing a resonance, its energy, its half width, etc., from experiment. On the other hand we shall want to be able to interpret these results in terms of the structure of the interacting nuclear systems--ultimately in terms of the wave function of the system or (a lesser but physically as significant a goal) for statistical parameters suitably related to that wave function. Ancient as these problems (the description of a resonance, the extraction of resonance parameters from experiment, their interpretation) are, their solution has remained the subject of a debate which has been argued by some with fanatical fervor. One of my objectives in today’s talk is to take the heat out of this quarrel. It is my thesis that each of the methods (although they may have had some deficiencies in their original formulation) have been or can be adapted by sufficiently clever men so as to become equivalently valid. I will not therefore, be an advocate for any particular formalism. I like my own [1,2,3,4] but all that means is that I am more comfortable in using its constructs and concepts, not that it is superior. The final expressions obtained for experimental observables are in fact very similar so that, as far as fitting the data is concerned, the experimentalist or theorist can choose whichever suits his fancy. In passing, it would however, be useful to have programs which would translate between possible forms.
55.1: Development of a CD‐ROM Interactive Information Display Tutorial: A Project in Display Education

An interactive program on flat panel displays is being developed as an educational resource for the display community. While it will introduce the scientific, mathematical, engineering, and human factors concepts that influence display design, it is intended to complement traditional training in the sciences and engineering for those entering the display field and to serve as a comprehensive resource for display engineers.
Comparison and Interpretation of Urinalysis Performed by a Nephrologist Versus a Hospital-Based Clinical Laboratory

Background: Urinalysis (UA) is considered the most important laboratory test in evaluating patients with kidney disease. Anecdotally, we have observed differences between results of UA performed by nephrologists compared with those performed by certified medical technologists or clinical laboratory scientists that could affect a clinician's diagnosis. Whether there are differences between UA performed by the clinical laboratory and that performed by a nephrologist was determined, and accuracy of diagnosis based on interpretation of the UA was compared. Methods: Urine samples were obtained from 26 patients with acute renal failure (ARF). An aliquot of urine was sent to the clinical laboratory for UA. Nephrologist A, blinded to the patient's clinical information, performed a UA on the other aliquot of urine, generated a report, and assigned the most likely diagnosis for ARF based on UA findings. Nephrologist B, also blinded to the clinical information, reviewed nephrologist A's UA reports and assigned a diagnosis for ARF to each report. Nephrologists A and B both assigned a diagnosis (or diagnoses) for the ARF based on laboratory UA results. These 4 sets of diagnoses were compared with those assigned by the consult nephrologists. Results: Nephrologist A correctly diagnosed the cause of ARF in 24 of 26 samples (92.3% success rate) based on his performance of the UA. Diagnoses by nephrologists A and B, based on their review of the clinical laboratory UA report, were correct in only 23.1% and 19.2% of the samples, respectively. Accuracy of diagnosis for nephrologist B improved to 69.3% when she reviewed UA reports from nephrologist A. Nephrologist A's review of urine sediment was significantly more accurate than interpretations by nephrologist A or B of clinical laboratory reports (sign test, P P P = 0.0017), hyaline casts ( P = 0.0233), RTE casts ( P = 0.0008), and dysmorphic red blood cells. The laboratory noted a greater number of squamous cells ( P = 0.0034). Conclusion: A nephrologist is more likely to recognize the presence of RTE cells, granular casts, RTE casts, and dysmorphic red blood cells in urine. The laboratory may be reporting RTE cells incorrectly as squamous epithelial cells. Nephrologist-performed UA is superior to laboratory-performed UA in determining the correct diagnosis.
Influence of core protein sequence on glycosaminoglycan assembly

Recent studies have revealed a correlation between amino acid sequences around glycosylation sites in proteoglycans and the ability of cells to initiate and process glycosaminoglycan chains. Initiation depends on Ser-Gly/Ala dipeptides that have one or more acidic amino acids in close proximity. The formation of heparan sulfate chains depends on a nearby cluster of acidic residues, hydrophobic amino acids, and the close spacing of glycosylation sites.
Where Have All the Teachers Gone? The Selling Out of Social Work Education

This article addresses a significant challenge in social work education: the move to emphasize research and the downgrading of teaching and practice. We argue that this is a disturbing trend that has the potential to diminish the education of social work students. Grant-funded research has become the end all of social work education. We propose that the profession needs to endorse the scholar-teacher-practitioner that will be able to combine scholarship, teaching, and practice so that students will benefit from teachers who bring their scholarship and practice into the classroom. Further, we argue that teaching requires a great deal of investment and the focus on grant-funded research ignores the investment needed for teaching.
Libyan Desert glass: A review

Abstract Libyan Desert Glass occurs as a concentration of glass fragments of a broad range of sizes strewn across the desert surface between the NNW-SSE-trending linear sand dunes along the southwestern margin of the Great Sand Sea in western Egypt; it was discovered by the international scientific community in 1932. Despite the difficulty of access to the region where the glass occurs, at least 20 geologists have examined its field context in the course of at least 10 expeditions since 1932. Many more individuals have undertaken laboratory analyses of materials brought back by the various field parties. These analyses have established that the gross chemical composition of Libyan Desert Glass approximates that of both the sandstone of the Nubia Formation that underlies the Great Sand Sea and the quartz aggregate of the dunes. A fissiontrack age of 28.5×10 6 y has been assigned to the glass. The quality of internal equilibration among various components distributed through the glass supports the interference that the fusion process that presumably formed the glass occurred at a high temperature: that temperature was sustained for a long time; and that the glass cooled to ambient temperature slowly. The 1981 expedition, described herein, established that the present mass of glass exceeds 1.4×10 9 g; the original mass of glass may have been 10 000 times greater. The glass has been dispersed across a limited area of the desert surface by Earth-surface processes during a period of erosional lowering that is still in progress. No glass fragment representing an edge of the original mass of glass or a transition zone with the precursor material from which it presumably formed has yet been found. The origin of Libyan Desert Glass remains as much a physical and geologic enigma today as it was in 1932.
The dynamical influence of large‐scale heat sources and sinks on the quasi‐stationary mean motions of the atmosphere

The classical convective theory for the influence of large-scale zonally asymmetric heating and cooling on the quasi-stationary mean motions is re-examined and shown to be inconsistent with observation. Scale considerations indicate that the classical mechanism cannot be applied to heating on a scale larger than that responsible for sea-breezes. In analogy with the theory of orographically produced stationary disturbances, heat sources and sinks of planetary dimensions produce quasi-static and quasi-geostrophic perturbations. A thermally active model is constructed in which all motions except those of large scale are filtered out a priori. The small perturbations produced by an idealized large-scale distribution of heat sources and sinks acting on a horizontally uniform baroclinic zonal current confined between rigid horizontal planes are then studied. The influence of surface friction is taken into account. Calculations are also performed on a model with no friction and on the assumption that entropy is advected horizontally. The results generally show good agreement with those for the more general model. When the stratosphere is taken into account, the disturbances in the upper troposphere are reduced in magnitude. The conditions for resonance in the absence of friction are determined. The passage through the resonant state is shown to modify significantly the character of the motions. The observed normals are discussed at some length in light of the theoretical computations. It is found that the magnitude and spatial distribution of the model disturbances display substantial correspondence with observation when allowance is made for orographic effects. Finally a method is suggested for quantitatively deducing the three-dimensional field of non-adiabatic heating and cooling from the observed normal maps by dynamical considerations.
Dopamine D1 receptor development in the rat striatum: early localization in striosomes.

The development of dopamine D1-receptors in rat striatum during the early postnatal period is examined, using autoradiography and [3H]SCH 23390 as ligand. Dopamine D1-receptors are present in striatum at birth and are more dense than in any adjacent region. The receptors are preferentially localized in striosomes and to some extent in a subcallosal streak. The density of D1-receptors in the matrix increases with age so that by two weeks postnatally the striosomal pattern is no longer evident, and the overall dense labelling is the same as seen in adults. Dopamine D1-receptor development seems to take place earlier than that of dopamine terminals but at the same time as or somewhat later than that of acetylcholinesterase. The D1-defined striosomes move from ventrolateral towards dorsomedial striatum with increasing age and from anterior to posterior striatum. This direction is nearly perpendicular to the direction of development of several other markers, including dopamine terminals and D2-receptors. The present studies indicate that for markers appearing in the striosomal compartment there are different patterns of development with respect to time and spatial pattern. Regulation of striatal development by interaction of neuronal systems with one another and with other factors is complex and will require extensive study to clarify the mechanisms involved.
Corticosteroids in severe alcoholic hepatitis.

Excerpt Alcoholic hepatitis is the term for a clinicopathologic syndrome resulting from prolonged excessive alcohol consumption characterized by an acute or subacute clinical presentation and a dis...
UNAVAILABILITY OF ADVERTISED PRODUCTS IN SELECTED NON‐FOOD STORES

Five major non-food chains in Syracuse, New York were surveyed to determine the extent of unavailability of advertised products. Over a 6-month period, 3, 725 products from twenty-three separate newspaper advertisements were checked. Criteria based on FTC substantive policies used in regulating food store practices were developed as benchmark data for this study. The 11·8% average rate of unavailability found in Syracuse was significantly higher than the calculated performance index. Practices found to be significantly related to unavailability were sale period duration, number of items advertised, product type, chain outlet, and whether or not there had been a statement of limited quantities. If future work supports the preliminary findings discussed here, consideration should be given to extending the 1971 Trade Regulation to non-food chain retailers.
'Conceptual distance' and interface-supported visualization of information objects and patterns

Users of information systems must deal with a great variety of visualizable objects and patterns of objects. Representations of those objects are distinguished according to five different spaces (physical, logical, software, interface, user-conceptual) within which they may be defined and/or visualized. The conceptual framework, although based in the user's mind, must reflect and transcend the other four spaces. 'Conceptual distance' is proposed as a measure having different effects on the user's required mental effort, depending upon which of the information spaces is involved. The challenge is to determine user-oriented structures and techniques that can be used to display information objects and patterns on the visible surface (interface space), in a manner that will minimize the user's mental (visualization) efforts.
Attenuated natriuretic response to adrenomedullin in experimental heart failure

Abstract Background: The recently discovered vasodilating and positive inotropic peptide, adrenomedullin (ADM), has strong natriuretic actions. ADM-induced natriuresis is caused by an increase in glomerular filtration rate and a decrease in distal tubular sodium reabsorption. Although ADM is activated in human and experimental heart failure, the role of ADM in the kidney in heart failure remains undefined. Methods and Results: The present study was performed to determine the renal hemodynamic and urinary excretory actions of exogenously administered ADM in a canine model of acute heart failure produced by rapid ventricular pacing. Experimental acute heart failure was characterized by a decrease in cardiac output and an increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure with an increase in plasma ADM concentration. Intrarenal infusion of ADM (1 and 25 ng/kg/min) induced an increase in urinary sodium excretion in the normal control dogs (change in urinary sodium excretion [ΔUNaV], +94.5 μEq/min during 1 ng/kg/min ADM infusion and +128.1 μEq/min during 25 ng/kg/min ADM infusion). In the acute heart failure dogs, intrarenal ADM infusion resulted in an attenuated increase in urinary sodium excretion (ΔUNaV, +44.8 μEq/min during 1 ng/kg/min ADM infusion and +51.8 μEq/min during 25 ng/kg/min ADM infusion). Both glomerular and tubular actions of ADM were attenuated in the acute heart failure group compared with responses in the normal control group. Conclusion: The present study shows that the renal natriuretic responses to ADM are markedly attenuated in experimental acute heart failure. This study provides insight into humoral mechanisms that may promote sodium retention in heart failure via a renal hyporesponsiveness to natriuretic actions of ADM.
Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopic Investigation of Benzamide Thin-Film Formation, Stability, and Catalysis on Gold and Silver Nanostructures

Benzamide (BA), a simple molecule that can be utilized in material chemistry and chemical engineering as well as pharmacological and medicinal applications, has been characterized on vacuum-evaporated silver and gold nanostructures with SEIRA spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculation under ambient conditions. Assessments of thin-film formation on the metal nanoparticles indicated that BA readily ionizes in both the monolayer and multilayer when deposited from nonpolar solvents. Investigation on the stability of BA on metal nanostructures showed that unionized BA desorbs from the nanosurface within days while ionized BA on silver nanostructures can undergo further oxidation over time, producing surface-adsorbed phenyl isocyanate. Also, a brief investigation on variables influencing IR signal enhancement provided by the metal nanosurfaces was conducted; in general, gold nanostructures provide more enhancement than silver.
Comparative Literature and Cultural Identity

In her article, "Comparative Literature and Cultural Identity," Jola Skulj proposes a framework inspired by Mikhail Bakhtin's work. Skulj argues that the validity of cultural identity cannot be an equivalent to the measure of originality of an inherent national subjectivity in it. Such an idea of identity concept, quite acceptable in the nineteenth century, is insufficient to the views in literary studies today. From the standpoint of comparative literature, cultural identity exists only through its own deconstruction and permanent multiplication of several cultural relations. The identity principle of individual cultures is in fact established through the principle of otherness or -to use Bakhtin's terminology -through the principle of dialogism. As any individuality, cultural identity is a meeting point of several cross-cultural implications. It is of a complex plurivocal character, open to its own changes in order to preserve its own being in a new context of interests. Skulj argues that cultural identity is genuinely an intertext expressed in many instances in and via culture texts including literature. Thus, permanently re-interpreted cultural identity undoubtedly refers to the field of research of cross-cultural interactions and such a concept of cultural identity pre-eminently belongs to an expanded field of comparative studies. Jola Skulj, "Comparative Literature and Cultural Identity" page 2 of 7 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 2.4 (2000):
Polar mixed-solid solute systems in supercritical carbon dioxide: Entrainer effect and its influence on solubility and selectivity

The equilibrium solubilities of benzoic acid (BA), salicylic acid (SAL), and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) were determined in binary (solute + CO2), ternary (two solutes + CO2), and quaternary systems (three solutes + CO2) at temperatures ranging from (308 to 328) K and pressures ranging from (10.1 to 28.0) MPa. Solubility data were obtained using a dynamic approach with a simple and reliable apparatus. Polar mixed-solid solute systems demonstrated solubility enhancements, which were consistent with the entrainer effect. In all the polar ternary systems studied, at least one component exhibited solubility enhancements. In the polar quaternary system studied, the solubility of each component increased in comparison to each binary system; the solubility of ASA, SAL, and BA was enhanced up to 484 %, 248 %, and 43 %, respectively. The high solubility enhancements observed in our study indicate that solute–solute interactions are significant in the supercritical fluid (SCF) phase. The solubility enhancements obse...
Natural Nanochemical Building Blocks: Icosahedral Virus Particles Organized by Attached Oligonucleotides

Virus particles, like metal nanoparticles and organic polymer beads, may be induced to assemble together by virtue of duplex base pairing of attached oligonucleotide chains and to disassemble on heating with unusually sharp temperature profiles. Icosahedral virions of the type used here have the added property of being structurally known to atomic resolution, offering unique opportunities to program assembly characteristics at the level of particle structure.
Estimations of formation velocity, permeability, and shear-wave anisotropy using acoustic logs

Field data sets collected by an array monopole acoustic logging tool and a shear wave logging tool are processed and interpreted. The P‐ and S‐wave velocities of the formation are determined by threshold detection with cross‐correlation correction from the full waveform and the shear‐wave log, respectively. The array monopole acoustic logging data are also processed using the extended Prony’s method to estimate the borehole Stoneley wave phase velocity and attenuation as a function of frequency. The well formation between depths of 2950 and 3150 ft (899 and 960 m) can be described as an isotropic elastic medium. The inverted VS from the Stoneley wave phase velocity is in excellent agreement with the shear‐wave log results in this section. The well formation between the depths of 3715 and 3780 ft (1132 and 1152 m) can be described as a porous medium with shear‐wave velocity anisotropy about 10% to 20% and with the symmetry axis perpendicular to the borehole axis. The disagreement between the shear‐wave vel...
Effects of three diets on mercury excretion after methylmercury administration.

In contrast to adults, suckling mice excrete minimal amounts of their mercury body burdens until the approximate time of weaning to a solid diet, when there is an abrupt increase in mercury elimination. Increased gut absorption of inorganic Hg in rats fed a milk diet has been reported. These observations suggest that dietary components may influence absorption and excretion of Hg compounds. This possibility was examined by determining the effects of (1) an evaporated whole milk diet, (2) a chemically defined liquid diet, and (3) a pelleted rodent diet on Hg retention in mice after administration of an apparently non-toxic dose of methylmercury (MeHg). Whole body Hg elimination and fecal and urinary Hg excretion were measured daily for two weeks. Two weeks after MeHg administration, Hg concentrations in whole body, brain, liver, kidney and whole blood were determined. The diet groups showed differences in whole body Hg retention and fecal Hg excretion.
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome

The term ‘upper airway resistance syndrome’ denotes an entity characterized by the presence of daytime fatigue or sleepiness in the presence of a normal respiratory disturbance index and oxygen satura
Spatial diffusion of raccoon rabies in Pennsylvania, USA.

Abstract Identification of the geographic pattern of diffusion of a wildlife disease could lead to information regarding its control. The objective of this study was to model raccoon-rabies diffusion in Pennsylvania to identify geographic constraints on the diffusion pattern for potential use in bait-vaccination strategies. A trend-surface analysis (TSA) was used as a spatial filter for month to first report by county location. A cubic polynomial model was fitted (R2 = 0.80). Velocity vectors were calculated from the partial derivatives of the model and mapped to demonstrate the instantaneous speed of diffusion at each location. A main corridor of diffusion through the ridge and valley section of the state was evident early in the outbreak. Once the disease reached the northern counties, the disease moved west toward Ohio. I believe that TSA was useful in identifying the pattern of raccoon-rabies diffusion across the state from the inherent noise of disease-reporting data.
Neonatal hyperthyroidism and maturation of the rat hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal axis.

SummaryThe 12-day-old pups of rats fed 0.05% thyroid during gestation and lactation revealed normal levels of adrenal and serum corticosterone. However, thyroid feeding accelerated the maturation of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal axis as ether stress and ACTH resulted in both corticosterone synthesis and release in 12-day-old pups whereas steroid release was not invoked in euthyroid rats. Hyperthyroidism may shorten the stress nonresponsive period.
Livelihood Decision Making and Environmental Degradation: Small-Scale Gold Mining in the Suriname Amazon

This study examines why mining booms occur and why some people participate in them while others, living in comparable conditions, do not. Ethnographic data were collected among the Ndjuka Maroons, forest peoples in the Suriname Amazon. The occupational justifications of 41 gold miners and 34 nonminers generated a decision-tree model with a 95.5% prediction rate. The results suggest that decisions about mining are rational given the present economic conditions of both Ndjuka households and of Suriname as a whole. The author argues that environmental awareness campaigns and stricter law enforcement are not likely to encourage more sustainable resource use in Suriname, and probably not in other parts of the Amazon rainforest. Rather, more effective conservation policy would be to promote people-centered development in rural regions through improved public education and health care, while stabilizing national economies.
Local-Field Effects in the Optical Spectrum of Silicon

We have calculated the dielectric response matrix ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{G},{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{G}}^{\ensuremath{'}}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}=0, \ensuremath{\omega})$ for silicon and have obtained the macroscopic frequency-dependent dielectric function. Contrary to recent calculations, local-field corrections do not shift the prominent peak positions of the imaginary part of the dielectric function; further the calculated dielectric function is improved as compared with experiments at higher energies. In particular, agreement with measured energy-loss spectra is significantly better when local-field effects are included.
Invariant Subspace Theorems for Positive Operators

Abstract We establish new invariant subspace theorems for positive operators on Banach lattices. Here are three sample results. • If a quasinilpotent positive operator S dominates a non-zero compact operator K (i.e., | Kx | ≤ S | x | for each x ), then every positive operator that commutes with S , in particular S itself, has a non-trivial closed invariant ideal. • If a positive kernel operator commutes with a quasinilpotent positive operator, then both operators have a common non-trivial closed invariant subspace. • Every quasinilpotent positive Dunford-Pettis operator has a non-trivial closed invariant subspace.
The absorption of radioactive 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and the translocation of C14 by bean plants.

Abstract A small amount of radioactivity was found in different parts of bean plants as early as 2 hr. after treatment with radioactive 2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), indicating that it is quickly absorbed and the C 14 translocated. Only a small amount of C 14 is translocated to the untreated leaf, root, and terminal bud. The stem (first internode and hypocotyl) is the area where the greatest amount of radioactivity accumulates and increases with time. Young plants will absorb 2,4-D and translocate C 14 more quickly than will the older plants. The absorption of 2,4-D and translocation of C 14 is not dependent on the amount applied above 50 μg. when applied to a single leaf. A small amount of 2,4-D was found to be broken down and metabolized in the bean plant with consequent loss of radioactive CO 2 .
Fas receptor expression on B-lineage cells.

Mice homozygous for the lpr mutation have B and T cell defects and develop autoantibodies, suggesting that lpr plays a role in their genesis. The lpr defect has been identified as a mutation in the apoptosis-associated Fas receptor (FasR) gene. To begin to define the role of FasR in B cells, we have surveyed FasR expression on B-lineage cells from early progenitors in the bone marrow through their maturation in the periphery. Contrary to some reports, we found that FasR is expressed on B cells at all stages of their development and is highest on germinal center B cells. FasR is not expressed on lpr!lpr-derived cells. These data are consistent with the idea that lpr/lpr mice have an intrinsic B cell defect that may be manifested in developing as well as peripheral B cells. An unexpected finding is that B-1 (CD5) B cells do not constitutively express FasR: FasR becomes detectable on B-1 B cells only after activation.
Multidimensional scaling of musks.

Abstract Twenty subjects discriminated 14 commercial musks which varied in chemical structure. With the possible exception of 4 stimuli, the 14 musks could be discriminated from one another at a level greater than chance. Confusabilities and similarities were analyzed by the Guttman-Lingoes nonmetric multidimensional scaling procedure, SSAI, yielding a three-dimensional space. The multidimensional space achieved arranged the macrocyclic and nitro musks in separate regions of the space. Multidimensional scaling of confusabilities and similarties proved to be a more stable means of characterizing the differences between the 14 musks than ratings on adjective scales.
Male-killing Wolbachia in a live-bearing arthropod: Brood abortion as a constraint on the spread of a selfish microbe

Maternally inherited, cellular endosymbionts can enhance their fitness by biasing host sex ratio in favor of females. Male killing (MK), an extreme form of sex-ratio manipulation, is selectively advantageous, if the death of males results in increased microbe transmission through female siblings. In live-bearing hosts, females typically produce more embryos than are brought to term, and reproductive compensation through maternal resource reallocation from dead male embryos to female siblings provides a direct, physiological mechanism that could increase the number of daughters born to infected females, thereby promoting MK endosymbiont spread. In this study, a Wolbachia-infected line and an uninfected line of the viviparous pseudoscorpion, Cordylochernes scorpioides were genetically homogenized for nuclear DNA by repeated backcrossing of the infected line with the uninfected, laboratory population. Photomicroscopy of early-stage embryos demonstrated that female C. scorpioides invariably produced an excess of embryos, with Wolbachia-infected females producing as many early-stage embryos as uninfected female controls. However, Wolbachia-infected females that successfully carried broods to term gave birth to significantly fewer offspring, indicating that the extreme female bias characteristic of their broods results from the killing rather than the feminization of male embryos. Infected females that carried broods to term gave birth to significantly larger nymphs and did produce 10% more female offspring than uninfected females. However, the slight transmission advantage that the MK Wolbachia accrued from this reproductive compensation appears to be heavily outweighed by the high rate of spontaneous brood abortion suffered by infected females.
Misleading observable analogues in paleontology

Abstract Carman argues, in ‘The electrons of the dinosaurs and the center of the Earth’, that we may have more reason to be realists about dinosaurs than about electrons, because there are plenty of observable analogues for dinosaurs but not for electrons. These observable analogues severely restrict the range of plausible ontologies, thus reducing the threat of underdetermination. In response to this argument, I show that the observable analogues for ancient organisms are a mixed epistemic blessing at best, and I discuss some cases from the history of paleontology in which the observable analogues—ducks, shrimp, and lizards—have led scientists into persisting error. I also give reasons for thinking that underdetermination will be just as serious a problem in historical as in experimental science. I conclude that Carman has not succeeded in showing that dinosaurs ‘come off better’ than electrons.
Siderophores of Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus thuringiensis.

Abstract Three Bacillus anthracis Sterne strains (USAMRIID, 7702, and 34F2) and Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 excrete two catecholate siderophores, petrobactin (which contains 3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl moieties) and bacillibactin (which contains 2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl moieties). However, the insecticidal organism Bacillus thuringiensis ATCC 33679 makes only bacillibactin. Analyses of siderophore production by previously isolated [Cendrowski et al., Mol. Microbiol. 52 (2004) 407–417] B. anthracis mutant strains revealed that the B. anthracis bacACEBF operon codes for bacillibactin production and the asbAB gene region is required for petrobactin assembly. The two catecholate moieties also were synthesized by separate routes. PCR amplification identified both asbA and asbB genes in the petrobactin producing strains whereas B. thuringiensis ATCC 33679 retained only asbA . Petrobactin synthesis is not limited to the cluster of B. anthracis strains within the B. cereus sensu lato group (in which B. cereus , B. anthracis , and B. thuringiensis are classified), although petrobactin might be prevalent in strains with pathogenic potential for vertebrates.
Transnational Ties and Mental Health of Caribbean Immigrants

Immigration scholars have demonstrated the increasing importance of transnational activities among contemporary immigrants. While much of the previous research has emphasized social and economic outcomes, very little attention has been paid to psychological well-being or mental health. Using a community sample of West Indian immigrants, we developed an empirical measure of the nature and frequency of transnational practices. The resulting Transnationalism Scale is examined for psychometric properties using an exploratory principal components factor analysis, and bivariate correlations with pre-existing measures of psychological well-being, perceived social support, and ethnic identity. Results reveal five factors, some of which are significantly correlated with measures of psychological well-being, social support, and ethnic identity. Findings suggest that transnationalism, as a construct, is a valid measure for this population. We argue that transnational ties shape various aspects of immigrants' lives.
A developmental view of system security

Security policy can't be timeless, static, and universal. Security is more of a developmental problem than a technical one. Security should be integrated into an organization in such a way as to enhance and safeguard each facet in the least intrusive yet most effective way possible at a given time. Gradually, as the organization and the technology it uses "grow up together," security should become less intrusive, until at some point it's almost invisible. This article presents a developmental view of system security.
Health and Hope, Rights and Responsibilities: Action Agenda, Global Roundtable: Countdown 2015

Health and Hope, Rights and Responsibilities: Action Agenda, Global Roundtable: Countdown 2015All of us came to London this week with a vision: a vision shaped by Cairo and based on a profound resp...
Covariant operators and higher-spin conformal algebras

Abstract We construct the most general operators transforming covariantly under the action of Diff S 1 . These operators are used as Lax operators to study the second hamiltonian structure of the Lax equations. The classical spin-4 algebra is obtained explicitly. It contains the spin-3 algebra as a proper subalgebra. The associated nonlinear equations are also investigated.
Trafficking Mesenchymal Stem Cell Engraftment and Differentiation in Tumor-Bearing Mice by Bioluminescence Imaging†‡

The objective of the study was to track the distribution and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in tumor-bearing mice. The 4T1 murine breast cancer cells were labeled with renilla luciferase-monomeric red fluorescence protein (rLuc-mRFP) reporter gene. The MSCs labeled with firefly luciferase-enhanced green fluorescence protein (fLuc-eGFP) reporter gene (MSCs-R) were isolated from L2G85 transgenic mice that constitutively express fLuc-eGFP reporter gene. To study the tumor tropism of MSCs, we established both subcutaneous and lung metastasis models. In lung metastasis tumor mice, we injected MSCs-R intravenously either on the same day or 4 days after 4T1 tumor cell injection. In subcutaneous tumor mice, we injected MSCs-R intravenously 7 days after subcutaneous 4T1 tumor inoculation. The tumor growth was monitored by rLuc bioluminescence imaging (BLI). The fate of MSCs-R was monitored by fLuc BLI. The localization of MSCs-R in tumors was examined histologically. The osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of MSCs-R was investigated by alizarin red S and oil red O staining, respectively. The mechanism of the dissimilar differentiation potential of MSCs-R under different tumor microenvironments was investigated. We found that the 4T1 cells were successfully labeled with rLuc-mRFP. The MSCs-R isolated from L2G85 transgenic mice constitutively express fLuc-eGFP reporter gene. When injected intravenously, MSCs-R survived, proliferated, and differentiated in tumor sites but not elsewhere. The localization of GFP(+) MSCs-R in tumor lesions was confirmed ex vivo. In conclusion, the MSCs-R can selectively localize, survive, and proliferate in both subcutaneous tumor and lung metastasis as evidenced by noninvasive bioluminescence imaging and ex vivo validation. The MSCs-R migrated to lung tumor differentiated into osteoblasts, whereas the MSCs-R targeting subcutaneous tumor differentiated into adipocytes.
Research News: Nurse Anesthesia

IS THE PRACTICE of nurse anesthetists nursing? The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), representing more than 42,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), clearly defines the role as advanced practice nursing. Thehistory of nurse anesthetists is long and impressive. As early as theCivilWar (1861-1865), nurseswereproviding anesthesia care. In 1877, SisterMaryBernard of Pennsylvaniawas recognized as the first nurse to specialize in anesthesia. Today, few in the United States would argue against their legitimacy. ‘‘CRNAs practice in every setting where anesthesia is available and in some states are the sole anesthesia professionals in nearly 100% of rural hospitals.’’
Silicon nanofilter with absolute pore size and high mechanical strength

Microfabricated silicon filters with a nominal pore size of 20 nm have been successfully fabricated and characterized. The filter consists of a filtration membrane on top of a silicon surface and a mechanical support on the silicon substrate. Two polysilicon layers together with a low temperature oxide layer are used to generate the filtration membrane on the front side of silicon wafers. The filtration function is accomplished by the flow channel generated from a sandwiched thin silicon dioxide layer. The thickness of the sandwiched oxide determines the particle size that can pass through the filter. Both distilled water and cell culture medium have been used to test the flow rate for this nanofilter. We have found that the flow rate of the nanofilter is highest at the beginning of the test, and then slowly decreases to its asymptotic values for both water and the cell culture medium. The observed flow rate is linearly proportional to the applied pressure in the ranges tested. The typical flow rate of distilled water for 20 nm filter with 1.19 cm2 effective filtration area is about 0.07 ml/min for applied pressure of 8 PSI. The filter successfully sustained pressure of up to 20 PSI.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.