cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of avian and arthropod predation on lepidopteran caterpillar densities and plant productivity in an ephemeral agroecosystem

. 1. Most studies evaluating the combined impact of spiders and other predators on herbivore densities in agroecosystems have focused primarily on their trophic connections with invertebrate predators (e.g. carabids, chrysopids); however linkages among spiders and vertebrate predators may also help structure the population dynamics of insect herbivores. A field experiment was conducted to examine the impact of avian and spider predation on lepidopteran caterpillar densities and plant productivity within a Brassica agroecosystem. 2. Arthropod abundance, leaf-chewing damage, and final plant productivity associated with broccoli, Brassica oleracea L. (var. italica), were recorded for four treatments: (1) bird present but spiders removed; (2) both birds and spiders present; (3) birds excluded, spiders present; and (4) birds and spiders both excluded. 3. Densities of Artogeia rapae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) and Trichoplusia ni Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) large caterpillars and post feeding stages were reduced significantly by bird predation. The abundance of large caterpillars was also reduced on spider-inhabited plants during early plant growth; however the assemblage of birds and spiders did not suppress caterpillar densities more significantly than either predator alone. 4. Plants protected by birds, spiders, and birds plus spiders sustained less folivory attributable to leaf chewing caterpillars than check plants. Plant productivity was also greater for predator-protected plants than check plants. 5. Although spiders and parasitoids were responsible for some of the mortality inflicted upon lepidopteran caterpillars, it was concluded that in this study system, birds are the most important natural enemies of folivores.
Sudden and unpredictable below-surface ablation pattern changes by CO2 laser beams: a qualitative description of five macroscopic cases observed in PMMA with high probability to occur during surgery in low-water-content tissues.

Objective: This paper describes five cases of macroscopic irregular CO2 laser-beam ablation patterns that can generate below-surface complications during surgery. These five cases are related to curved reflected beams, curved craters generation with abnormal superficial thermal damage, and craters that show irregular wall contours. Although these alterations have been observed during irradiation in PMMA samples (polymethilmethacrylate), it is possible that similar unpredictable changes also happen in low-water-content, hard and uniform biological tissues such as compact bone, enamel, and dentin. This fact can predict severe impacts on the quality of the final surgical outcome, especially there where precision surgery techniques are required. A qualitative description about the possible causes of these effects and how to avoid them during surgery have been suggested too. Background Data: In the past decades, daily surgery and research studies have provided useful information about the interaction between m...
“Out, Damned Spot!”

Mice transgenic for the Kit Val620Ala mutation, which in humans has been associated with progressive piebaldism, exhibit dominant white spotting but show no evidence of progressive depigmentation. These results are consistent with the previous hypothesis that progressive piebaldism might result from digenic inheritance, of the KIT V620A mutation that causes piebaldism and a second, unknown locus that causes progressive depigmentation.
GR SNP helps transform myelofibrosis.

In this issue of Blood , Poletto and colleagues examine the association of A3669G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of human glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF), demonstrating a significantly higher frequency of this allele in these patients than in 2 cohorts of healthy individuals. 1
Ascending back pain and headache during attempted epidural placement

A 30-year-old parturient requested epidural analgesia during labor. Immediately after the epidural space was presumably identified using the loss-of-resistance-to-air technique, she reported severe back pain, followed by neck pain, which progressed to severe unrelenting headache. An emergency computerized tomographic (CT) scan performed during labor showed air in the intracranial subarachnoid space.
Group G Streptococcus spinal epidural abscess: Case report and review of the literature

Group G streptococci have been identified as a recently emerging pathogen. Spinal epidural abscess is an infrequent but well described infection of the central nervous system that may present with non-specific clinical symptoms and physical examination findings. Group G streptococci are a rare cause of spinal epidural abscess that should be considered in the clinical picture so that appropriate therapy can be initiated in a timely fashion.
A note on the ratio of normal and Laplace random variables

The normal and Laplace are the two earliest known continuous distributions in statistics and the two most popular models for analyzing symmetric data. In this note, the exact distribution of the ratio | X / Y | is derived when X and Y are respectively normal and Laplace random variables distributed independently of each other. A MAPLE program is provided for computing the associated percentage points. An application of the derived distribution is provided to a discriminant problem.
Microsatellite (SSR) markers reveal genetic identities, genetic diversity and relationships in a Malus×domestica borkh. core subset collection

A collection of 66 Malus×domestica Borkh. accessions from the USDA-ARS Plant Genetic Resources Unit’s core collection was screened with a set of eight SSR (simple sequence repeat) primers developed at the PGRU in order to determine genetic identities, estimate genetic diversity, and to identify genetic relationships among these accessions. All eight primer pairs generated multiple fragments when used in amplification reactions with DNA from these accessions. High levels of variation were detected with a mean of 12.1 alleles per locus and a mean heterozygosity across all eight loci of 0.693. The eight primer pairs utilized in this study unambiguously differentiated all but seven pairs of accessions in this collection of 66 M.×domestica Borkh. genotypes. The probability of matching any two genotypes at all eight loci in this study was approximately 1 in 1 billion. The markers detected two misnamed accessions in the collection. Genetic-identity data produced a genetic-relatedness phenogram which was concordant with geographic origins and/or known pedigree information. These SSR markers show great promise as tools for managing Malus ex situ germplasm collections as well as for collection and preservation strategies concerning wild Malus populations in situ.
Early Intralipid Therapy May Have Prevented Bupivacaine-Associated Cardiac Arrest

Objective Local anesthetic-induced cardiotoxicity remains a complication of regional anesthesia, with the potential to result in cardiac arrest refractory to resuscitation. Successful resuscitation using Intralipid (Baxter Pharmaceuticals by Fresenius Kabi, Uppsala, Sweden), has been reported in 2 patients with bupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest. Case Report We report another case for which Intralipid was used as part of a successful resuscitation in a patient with local anesthetic-induced cardiotoxicity. Conclusions Early treatment with Intralipid may help prevent cardiac arrest and speed successful resuscitation efforts.
La polyvictimisation comme facteur de risque de revictimisation sexuelle

L’objectif etait de tester l’hypothese selon laquelle une exposition generale a la victimisation, ou victimisation multiple, expliquerait une conclusion de recherche frequente : la victimisation sexuelle accroit le risque de victimisation sexuelle ulterieure. L’etude utilise les donnees de deux phases de la National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV), menees en 2008 et en 2010. La NatSCEV est une enquete telephonique aupres d’un echantillon representatif d’enfants des Etats-Unis dont les menages ont ete selectionnes par une composition aleatoire des numeros de telephone. La presente analyse porte sur les 1186 enfants qui ont participe aux deux phases et qui etaient âges de 10 a 17 ans lors de la Phase 1. Le nombre total de victimisations a la Phase 1 constituait la meilleure variable predictive de la victimisation sexuelle a la Phase 2. A la Phase 1, la victimisation sexuelle n’apportait aucune contribution independante lorsque d’autres victimisations non sexuelles etaient incluses dans la prediction. Les recherches futures sur la prediction de la victimisation sexuelle et sur la recidive de la victimisation sexuelle devront egalement inclure et controler un large eventail d’autres victimisations non sexuelles.
Associations of metabolic syndrome with inflammation in CKD: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III)

Background: Although metabolic syndrome is associated with inflammation in the general population, it is unknown whether similar associations exist in patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods: +7Cross-sectional associations of metabolic syndrome and its component conditions (diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, abdominal obesity, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level) with inflammation (C-reactive protein level > 3 mg/L) were examined by using logistic regression models in groups with high (>90 mL/min/1.73 m 2 [>1.50 mL/s]), moderate (45 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m 2 [0.75 to 1.49 mL/s]), and low ( 2 [ Results: Adjusted for demographics, smoking, history of myocardial infarction or stroke, exercise level, and use of cholesterol medications, the presence of metabolic syndrome was associated with greater odds for inflammation in the groups with high (odds ratio, 2.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.99 to 3.27), moderate (odds ratio, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.81 to 2.60), and low (odds ratio, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.36 to 2.56) creatinine clearances. When all 5 components of metabolic syndrome were included in the same model, only hypertension, abdominal obesity, and low high-density lipoprotein level were associated significantly with inflammation in all 3 groups. There also was a graded association between number of component conditions of metabolic syndrome and inflammation within each creatinine-clearance group. Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is associated with inflammation in patients with varying levels of kidney function. Future studies are warranted to determine in patients with chronic kidney disease whether there is a synergistic effect of metabolic syndrome and inflammation on the incidence of atherosclerotic events and whether interventions targeted toward metabolic syndrome might modulate inflammation.
Parental Factors Impacting the Enrollment of Children in Cardiac Critical Care Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are abundant in adult cardiovascular medicine; however, they are rare in pediatric cardiology. Pediatric cardiac trial design may be impacted by the heterogeneous nature of the underlying cardiac defects, as well as by a strong emotional response from parents whose child will undergo a surgical intervention. The purpose of this study was to assess factors that may have an impact on parents considering enrollment of their child in a clinical trial at the time of surgical intervention. A voluntary, self-administered questionnaire (14 questions) was provided to parents of children 16 years of age or younger during the preadmission testing period. Demographic and procedure-related variables were collected for each patient. A total of 119 surveys were analyzed over a 1.5-year period. Only 8% of the parents had their child participate in a clinical trial in the past. Fifty-six percent of the parents preferred that their child’s cardiologist or surgeon explain clinical trial details, with 23% preferring the principal investigator and 3% preferring the research coordinator. Fifty percent of the parents were favorably disposed to participate in a clinical trial if the drug or device was currently used by their child’s doctor, and 19% were encouraged to participate if the drug or device was approved for use in adults. The majority of parents (64%) preferred to be asked about participating in a trial within 1 month prior to the planned procedure, and 40% preferred to discuss trial details at a remote time in an outpatient location. Sixty-three percent of parents believed that most of the medications currently used in children were already approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Most parents (91%) believed that clinical trials conducted in children will help improve pediatric health care; 74% believed that their child may receive potential benefit from enrolling in a trial. Finally, 43% believed that funding for trials should come from government and health care agencies, as opposed to pharmaceutical companies (24%). This survey reveals the importance of the attending physician and timing in educating parents regarding a cardiac critical care clinical trial. These data may impact the design and successful conduct of future trials.
Spread and adsorbed monolayers of hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose at the air—water interface

Abstract Spread and adsorbed monolayers at the air-water interface of various molecular weight grades of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) have been compared using a surface light scattering technique and have been shown to exhibit almost identical surface viscoelastic properties. Data from spread monolayer surface pressure isotherms have been used to analyze initial adsorption kinetics in the context of a simple diffusion model, and diffusion constants estimated are in very good agreement with independently determined values. Adsorption of HPC and HEC, which occurs independent of molecular weight over a wide concentration range, appears to produce a monolayer with about 64% and 49%, respectively, of the monomer units “adsorbed” at the interface and the rest “desorbed” into the aqueous subphase. This is consistent with the relative degree of hydrophobicity of these polymers.
Author and institution rankings in retail research: an analysis of the four retail journals from 1994–2008

The four retailing journals are reviewed over a 15 year period through 2008. Utilizing established methodology, the impact of scholars and institutions upon the retailing discipline is assessed using five measures. Over 1,800 articles were reviewed, coded for authorship and institutional affiliation and then analyzed based on several measures designed to control for quantity and quality of publication. Results by journal as well as overall are tabled by author and institutional appearance. Findings include a distinct division of European authors and institutions dominating the three European-based journals and North American authors dominating the American-based journal.
Endoloop-Assisted Polypectomy Technique

Abstract Endoscopic resection of large pedunculated colon polyps should be preferred over surgical resection; however, it carries the risk of associated significant postpolypectomy bleeding. With advances in endoscopic tools such as endoclips and endoloops, it has become safer to perform endoscopic resection of large pedunculated polyps. Herein are demonstrated some important aspects of the technique for endoscopic resection of a large pedunculated colon polyp. This article is part of an expert video encyclopedia.
A functional anatomic study of emotion in schizophrenia.

Abstract Using salient pictures with aversive (AV) and non-aversive (NA) content, we probed limbic-emotional function in schizophrenia, testing specific hypotheses that the amygdala would exhibit abnormal activity and a relationship with positive symptoms. Fourteen schizophrenic patients and 13 healthy comparison subjects viewed pictures during [15O] water positron emission tomography (PET). Both groups reported identical subjective experience of the aversive stimuli and both activated right insula (AV–NA). The schizophrenic group showed greater activation of the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) for the AV–NA comparison. Control subjects activated bilateral amygdaloid and orbitofrontal regions for NA relative to a blank condition (simple visual fixation, BL), whereas schizophrenic subjects only activated left orbitofrontal cortex. Activity in the left amygdala correlated with positive symptoms in the patients. Both groups activated visual cortex, and the schizophrenic subjects exhibited less modulation throughout visual cortex for NA–BL, as well as more focused deficits in the left fusiform and left mid-occipital gyrus for AV–NA, possibly related to decreased eye movements in the schizophrenic patients. Overall, the data are consistent with a general failure to process salient stimuli in schizophrenia, and the findings support the involvement of the amygdala in the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Receptivity of a supersonic boundary layer over a flat plate. Part 1. Wave structures and interactions

This paper is the first part of a two-part study on the mechanisms of the receptivity to disturbances of a Mach 4.5 flow over a flat plate by using both direct numerical simulations (DNS) and linear stability theory (LST). The main objective of the current paper is to study the linear stability characteristics of the boundary-layer wave modes and their mutual resonant interactions. The numerical solutions of both steady base flow and unsteady flow induced by forcing disturbances are obtained by using a fifth-order shock-fitting method. Meanwhile, the LST results are used to study the supersonic boundary-layer stability characteristics relevant to the receptivity study. It is found that, in addition to the conventional first and second modes, there exist a family of stable wave modes in the supersonic boundary layer. These modes play a very important role in the receptivity process of excitation of the unstable Mack modes, especially the second mode. These stable modes are termed mode I, mode II, etc., in this paper. Though mode I and mode II waves are linearly stable, they can have resonant (synchronization) interactions with both acoustic waves and the Mack-mode waves. Therefore, the stable wave modes such as mode I and mode II are critical in transferring wave energy between the acoustic waves and the unstable second mode. The effects of frequencies and wall boundary conditions for the temperature perturbations on the boundary-layer stability and receptivity are also studied.
Feeding Fish Meal and Extruded Soybeans Enhances the Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Content of Milk

Twelve multiparous Holstein cows averaging 65 (33 to 122) DIM were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square for 4-wk periods to determine whether feeding fish oil as fish meal would stimulate increased amounts of milk conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 C18:2; CLA) and transvaccenic acid (trans-11 C18:1; TVA) when the cows were fed extruded soybeans to supply additional linoleic acid. Treatment diets were 1) control; 2) 0.5% fish oil from fish meal; 3) 2.5% soybean oil from extruded soybeans; and 4) 0.5% fish oil from fish meal and 2% soybean oil from extruded soybeans. Diets were formulated to contain 18% crude protein and were composed (dry basis) of 50% concentrate mix, 25% corn silage, and 25% alfalfa hay. Intake of DM was not affected by diet. Milk production was increased by diets 2, 3, and 4 compared with diet 1 (control). Milk fat and milk protein percentages decreased with diets 3 and 4. Milk fat yield was not affected by treatments, but yield of milk protein was increased with supplemental fish meal and extruded soybeans or their blend. When diets 2, 3, or 4 were fed, concentrations of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat increased by 0.4-, 1.4-, and 3.2-fold, and TVA concentrations in milk fat increased by 0.4-, 1.8-, and 3.5-fold compared with the control milk fat. Increases in TVA and cis-9, trans-11 CLA were 91 to 109% greater when a blend of fish meal and extruded soybeans was fed than the additive effect of fish meal and extruded soybeans. This suggested that fish oil increased the production of CLA and TVA from other dietary sources of linoleic acid such as extruded soybeans.
Recent Applications of Digital Computers to Geophysical Problems: ABSTRACT

The oil-finder of the near future will carry out interpretation with the aid of recently developed computer techniques in which the functions of geology and geophysics are intimately interrelated and are guided by a highly skilled interpreter who operates in a man-computer feed-back loop. Geologic in-put data will be derived from computer well data files, similar to those now being developed in several cities. Geophysical data in digital form will be entered from mass storage devices capable of storing thousands of seismic records. The professional interpreter will select and control the sequence and type of operations carried out by the computer system. Such operations might typically include network adjustment of survey data, stacking and digital filtering of seismic data, creation of contour maps, derivation of trend surfaces of geologic and geophysical data, computations of continuations and derivatives of potential field data, detailed well log analysis, and other methods. Computed out-put will be displayed almost instantaneously on a cathode ray tube. The interpreter can communicate with the computer by means of a light-pen attached to the cathode ray tube. With the aid of the light-pen, the interpreter can cause the computer to modify displayed out-put such as seismograms, logs, and maps. The interpreter also initiates interpretive routines to act on the modified data in subsequent analyses. The advantages of such a man-machine system are: fast and effective retrieval of in-put data from mass storage, high-speed computation of complex and repetitive problems, almost instantaneous display of results, and feed-back from a highly skilled interpreter to direct the course of further analysis. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1089------------
The effects of climate change on density‐dependent population dynamics of aquatic invertebrates

Global climate change has the potential to alter aquatic communities through changes in evapotranspiration and increased variability in precipitation. We used aquatic mesocosms to test the impacts of variable precipitation on population dynamics of commonn mosquito (Culicidae) and midge (Chironomidae) larvae that inhabit vernal pools.In a mixed deciduous forest in northern Vermont, USA, we orthogonally crossed seven levels of mean water level (increased rainfall) with seven levels of water level coeffi cient of variation (more variable rainfall) to simulate a broad array of climate change scenarios in 49 experimental mesocosms. Th e average abundance of Culicidae was highest at low water levels, whereas the average abundance of Chironomidae was highest at higher water levels and low variability in water level. Treatments and environmental and spatial covariates collectively explained 49% of the variance in mean abundance. For both taxa, we fi t hierarchical Bayesian models to each 16-week time series to estimate the parameters in a Gompertz logistic equation of population growth with density dependence. We found that Culicidae population growth rate increased with decreasing water levels and that 87% of the variance in Chironomidae density dependence could be explained by treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that climate change can alter abundances aquatic invertebrate taxa but not necessarily through the same mechanism on all populations. In the case of Culicidae the abundance is aff ected by changes in growth rate, and in Chironomidae by changes in the strength of density dependence.
Blood Oxygen Depletion Is Independent of Dive Function in a Deep Diving Vertebrate, the Northern Elephant Seal

Although energetics is fundamental to animal ecology, traditional methods of determining metabolic rate are neither direct nor instantaneous. Recently, continuous blood oxygen (O2) measurements were used to assess energy expenditure in diving elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), demonstrating that an exceptional hypoxemic tolerance and exquisite management of blood O2 stores underlie the extraordinary diving capability of this consummate diver. As the detailed relationship of energy expenditure and dive behavior remains unknown, we integrated behavior, ecology, and physiology to characterize the costs of different types of dives of elephant seals. Elephant seal dive profiles were analyzed and O2 utilization was classified according to dive type (overall function of dive: transit, foraging, food processing/rest). This is the first account linking behavior at this level with in vivo blood O2 measurements in an animal freely diving at sea, allowing us to assess patterns of O2 utilization and energy expenditure between various behaviors and activities in an animal in the wild. In routine dives of elephant seals, the blood O2 store was significantly depleted to a similar range irrespective of dive function, suggesting that all dive types have equal costs in terms of blood O2 depletion. Here, we present the first physiological evidence that all dive types have similarly high blood O2 demands, supporting an energy balance strategy achieved by devoting one major task to a given dive, thereby separating dive functions into distinct dive types. This strategy may optimize O2 store utilization and recovery, consequently maximizing time underwater and allowing these animals to take full advantage of their underwater resources. This approach may be important to optimizing energy expenditure throughout a dive bout or at-sea foraging trip and is well suited to the lifestyle of an elephant seal, which spends > 90% of its time at sea submerged making diving its most “natural” state.
Expansion of the geographic distribution of a novel lineage of ϵ‐Proteobacteria to a hydrothermal vent site on the Southern East Pacific Rise

The diversity associated with a microbial mat sample collected from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent on the Southern East Pacific Rise was determined using a molecular phylogenetic approach based on the comparison of sequences from the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (16S rDNA). The DNA was extracted from the sample and the 16S rDNA was amplified by PCR. Sixteen different phylotypes were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis; four phylotypes were later identified as putative chimeras. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequences placed all the phylotypes within the Proteobacteria. The majority of the sequences (98%) were most closely related to a new clade of ϵ-Proteobacteria that were initially identified from an in situ growth chamber deployed on a deep-sea hydrothermal vent on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in 1995. The similarity between phylotypes identified from Atlantic and Pacific deep-sea hydrothermal vent sites indicates that this new clade of Proteobacteria may be endemic to and widely distributed among deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
An adaptive scheme for dynamic parallelization

In this paper, we present an adaptive dynamic parallelization scheme which integrates the inspector/executor scheme and the speculation scheme to enhance the capability of a parallelizing compiler and reduce the overhead of dynamic parallelization. Under our scheme, a parallelizing compiler can adaptively apply the inspector/executor scheme or the speculation scheme to a candidate loop that cannot be parallelized statically. We also introduce several techniques which enable dynamic parallelization of certain programs, including SPICE,TRACK and DYFESM in the Perfect Benchmark suite. The experimental results show that our adaptive scheme and techniques are quite effective.
Hydrogen-Oxidizing Capabilities of Helicobacter hepaticus and In Vivo Availability of the Substrate

Hydrogen-oxidizing hydrogenase activity was detected in Helicobacter hepaticus and compared to the activity in Helicobacter pylori for characteristics associated with hydrogen uptake respiratory hydrogenases. Intact whole cells could couple H(2) oxidation to oxygen uptake, and no H(2) uptake was observed without oxygen available to complete the respiratory pathway. The H. hepaticus enzyme coupled H(2) oxidation to reduction of many positive potential acceptors, and it underwent anaerobic or reductive activation. H. hepaticus had a strong affinity for molecular H(2) (apparent K(m) of 2.5 micro M), and microelectrode measurements on the livers of live mice demonstrated that H(2) is available in the host tissue at levels 20-fold greater than the apparent whole-cell K(m) value.
Treatment options for Cushing disease after unsuccessful transsphenoidal surgery.

Cushing disease is considered an aggressive pituitary endocrinopathy because of the devastating effects from untreated hypercortisolemia. Although they are histologically benign, these adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary tumors are associated with significant morbidity and premature death. Currently, transsphenoidal surgery is the primary treatment of Cushing disease associated with an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor, resulting in remission rates ranging from about 50 to 90%. Some patients, however, will not achieve sustained remission after transsphenoidal surgery and can exhibit persistent or recurrent Cushing disease that requires multimodal treatment to achieve remission. In these patients, options for treatment include repeat transsphenoidal resection, radiation therapy (including conventional fractionated radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery), and medical therapy. Despite undergoing multiple treatment modalities, some patients may ultimately require bilateral adrenalectomy for definitive treatment to eliminate hypercortisolemia associated with Cushing disease. In this article, the authors review the treatment options for patients who have persistent or recurrent Cushing disease after unsuccessful transsphenoidal surgery. The indications, current results reported in the literature, and complications of each treatment modality are discussed. (DOI: 10.3171/FOC-07/09/E8)
INDEPENDENT INHERITANCE OF PREFERENCE AND PERFORMANCE IN HYBRIDS BETWEEN HOST RACES OF MITOURA BUTTERFLIES (LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE)

Divergent natural selection contributes to reproductive isolation among populations adapting to different habitats or resources if hybrids between populations are intermediate in phenotype and suffer an associated, environmentally dependent reduction in fitness. This prediction was tested using two host races of Mitoura butterflies. Thirty-five F1 hybrid and parental lines were created, larvae were raised on the two host plants, and oviposition preferences were assayed in choice arenas. Larvae from both reciprocal hybrid crosses suffered a host-specific reduction in performance: when reared on incense cedar, hybrid survival was approximately 30% less than the survival of pure lines of the cedar-associated host race. The performance of hybrid larvae reared on the other host, MacNab cypress, was not reduced relative to parental genotypes. Females from both reciprocal hybrid crosses preferred to oviposit on incense cedar, the same host that resulted in the reduced survival of hybrid larvae. Thus, dominance is implicated in the inheritance of traits involved in both preference and performance, which do not appear to be genetically linked in Mitoura butterflies. Gene flow between host races may be reduced because the correlation between preference and performance that was previously described in parental populations is essentially broken by hybridization.
The Influence of Experimenter Gender and Race on Pain Reporting: Does Racial or Gender Concordance Matter?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA Abstract Background. Research on disparities in the treatment of pain has shown that minorities receive less aggressive pain management than nonminorities. While reasons include physician bias, the focus of this study was to examine whether differences in pain reporting behavior might occur when pain is reported to individuals of a different race or gender. Objective .T o test whether gender and racial concordance might influence pain reporting and pain behavior in a laboratory setting. Design/Setting. By using a two (subject race)-by-two (subject gender)-by-two (experimenter race)- by two (experimenter gender) quasi-experimental design, pain was assessed in a laboratory through a standard cold pressor task administered by someone whose gender and/or race was similar or dissimilar. Subjects. Subjects were 343 (156 men; 187 women) undergraduates whose ages ranged from 17 to 43 years (mean 20.27 years). Outcome Measures. Pain tolerance was assessed by total immersion time in the ice bath. Pain ratings were obtained by using Gracely scales, which rate the intensity and unpleasantness of the task. Results .T otal immersion time was shorter for both blacks and women, and both blacks and women reported higher pain intensity and unpleasantness. Racial and gender concordance did not influence pain reporting or pain tolerance, but interactions between subject race and experimenter gender, as well as subject gender and experimenter race, were revealed. Conclusions. Racial and gender concordance did not influence pain reporting; however, pain report- ing was influenced by interactions between gender and race in the subject-experimenter dyads.
The cultural convergence of Korean immigrants in Hawaii: an empirical test of a mathematical theory.

This paper presents a conceptual model developed by human-communication researchers that provides a description of human cultural and cognitive processes. The processes are at once useful informative quantitative and compatible with the emerging thermodynamic models of nonequilibrium processes. It uses empirical results of a survey on Korean immigrants in Hawaii to illustrate a mathematical theory of cultural convergence as described by Woelfel (1980) Woelfel and Fink (1980) and Barnett and Kincaid (1983). The convergence model of communication enables cultural processes to be subsumed within the laws of thermodynamics. Together these models predict that the members of a social system who share information with one another about a given topic will over time develop more similar conceptions of that topic. The main purpose of this paper is to test the hypothesis which states that if cultural systems behave according to the law of convergence then like the particle suspended by an extended spring the divergent subculture will tend to converge over time toward the position of maximum negentropy which is the average (equilibrium) position for the society as a whole.
Distress and Empathy: Two Qualitatively Distinct Vicarious Emotions with Different Motivational Consequences

ABSTRACT The construct of empathy may be located conceptually at several different points in the network of interpersonal cognition and emotion We discuss one specific form of emotional empathy—other-focused feelings evoked by perceiving another person in need First, evidence is reviewed suggesting that there are at least two distinct types of congruent emotional responses to perceiving another in need feelings of personal distress (e g, alarmed, upset, worried, disturbed, distressed, troubled, etc) and feelings of empathy (e g, sympathetic, moved, compassionate, tender, warm, softhearted, etc) Next, evidence is reviewed suggesting that these two emotional responses have different motivational consequences Personal distress seems to evoke egoistic motivation to reduce one's own aversive arousal, as a traditional Hullian tension-reduction model would propose Empathy does not The motivation evoked by empathy may instead be altruistic, for the ultimate goal seems to be reduction of the other's need, not reduction of one's own aversive arousal Overall, the recent empirical evidence appears to support the more differentiated view of emotion and motivation proposed long ago by McDougall, not the unitary view proposed by Hull and his followers
Numerical Evaluation of the “Dual-Kernel, counter-flow” matric convolution integral that arises in Discrete/Continuous (D/C) control theory

Discrete/Continuous (D/C) control theory is a new generalized theory of discrete-time control that expands the concept of conventional (exact) discrete-time control so that actuator commands need not be constant between control decisions, but can be more generally defined and implemented as functions that vary with time across each sample period in some beneficial manner. Because the plant/control system construct contains two linear subsystems arranged in tandem, a novel “dual-kernel counter-flow” convolution integral appears in the formulation; and, as part of the D/C control design and implementation process, numerical evaluation of that integral over each sample period is required. Three fundamentally different evaluation methods and associated algorithms are derived for the constant-coefficient case, and numerical results are matched against three available examples that have closed-form solutions.
Identification of a tyrosine residue responsible for N-acetylimidazole-induced increase of activity of ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 3

Chemical modification in combination with site-directed mutagenesis was used to identify a tyrosine residue responsible for the increase in ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 3 (NTPDase3) nucleotidase activity after acetylation with a tyrosine-selective reagent, N-acetylimidazole. The NTPDase3 ATPase activity is increased more than the ADPase activity by this reagent. Several fairly well conserved tyrosine residues (252, 255, and 262) that are located in or very near apyrase conserved region 4a (ACR4a) were mutated. These mutants were all active, but mutation of tyrosine 252 to either alanine or phenylalanine eliminated the activity increase observed after N-acetylimidazole treatment of the wild-type enzyme. This suggests that the acetylation of tyrosine 252 is responsible for the increased activity. Stabilization of quaternary structure has resulted in increased enzyme activities for the NTPDases. However, mutation of these three tyrosine residues did not result in global changes of tertiary or quaternary structure, as measured by Cibacron blue binding, chemical cross linking, and native gel electrophoretic analysis. Nevertheless, disruption of the oligomeric structure with the detergent Triton X-100 abolished the increase in activity induced by this reagent. In addition, mutations that abolished the N-acetylimidazole effect also attenuated the increases of enzyme activity observed after lectin and chemical cross-linking treatments, which were previously attributed to stabilization of the quaternary structure. Thus, we speculate that the acetylation of tyrosine 252 might induce a subtle conformational change in NTPDase3, resulting in the observed increase in activity.
A front-tracking/ghost-fluid method for fluid interfaces in compressible flows

A front-tracking/ghost-fluid method is introduced for simulations of fluid interfaces in compressible flows. The new method captures fluid interfaces using explicit front-tracking and defines interface conditions with the ghost-fluid method. Several examples of multiphase flow simulations, including a shock-bubble interaction, the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability, the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, the collapse of an air bubble in water and the breakup of a water drop in air, using the Euler or the Navier-Stokes equations, are performed in order to demonstrate the accuracy and capability of the new method. The computational results are compared with experiments and earlier computational studies. The results show that the new method can simulate interface dynamics accurately, including the effect of surface tension. Results for compressible gas-water systems show that the new method can be used for simulations of fluid interface with large density differences.
LT25, LT50, and LT75 floral bud cold hardiness determinations for a diverse selection of Vaccinium genotypes

Ehlenfeldt, M. K., Rowland, L. J., Ogden, E. L. and Vinyard, B. T. 2015. LT25, LT50, and LT75 floral bud cold hardiness determinations for a diverse selection of Vaccinium genotypes. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 491–494. Freeze-bath cold hardiness results were used to calculate LT25 and LT75 values (temperatures causing 25% and 75% lethality, respectively) for a diverse selection of Vaccinium genotypes which had been previously analyzed for LT50 values. Overall, LT25 and LT75 values paralleled the LT50 values. Across genotypes, the LT25 was approximately 1.7°C (3.1°F) higher than the LT50, and the LT75 approximately 1.6°C (2.9°F) lower than the LT50 for any given date.
Tudor-SN, a component of stress granules, regulates growth under salt stress by modulating GA20ox3 mRNA levels in Arabidopsis

The Tudor-SN protein (TSN) is universally expressed and highly conserved in eukaryotes. In Arabidopsis, TSN is reportedly involved in stress adaptation, but the mechanism involved in this adaptation is not understood. Here, we provide evidence that TSN regulates the mRNA levels of GA20ox3, a key enzyme for gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis. The levels of GA20ox3 transcripts decreased in TSN1/TSN2 RNA interference (RNAi) transgenic lines and increased in TSN1 over-expression (OE) transgenic lines. The TSN1 OE lines displayed phenotypes that may be attributed to the overproduction of GA. No obvious defects were observed in the RNAi transgenic lines under normal conditions, but under salt stress conditions these lines displayed slower growth than wild-type (WT) plants. Two mutants of GA20ox3, ga20ox3-1 and -2, also showed slower growth under stress than WT plants. Moreover, a higher accumulation of GA20ox3 transcripts was observed under salt stress. The results of a western blot analysis indicated that higher levels of TSN1 accumulated after salt treatment than under normal conditions. Subcellular localization studies showed that TSN1 was uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm under normal conditions but accumulated in small granules and co-localized with RBP47, a marker protein for stress granules (SGs), in response to salt stress. The results of RNA immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that TSN1 bound GA20ox3 mRNA in vivo. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that TSN is a novel component of plant SGs that regulates growth under salt stress by modulating levels of GA20ox3 mRNA.
A study of polypyrrole synthesized with oxidative transition metal ions

Polypyrrole powder and films were chemically synthesized by the reaction of AgNO3, FeCl3, Fe(NO3)3, Cu(NO3)2, or Cu(NO3)2-AlCl3 with pyrrole in an aqueous solution or a water—toluene two-phase system. Products were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray analysis (SEM with EDAX), and conductivity measurements. The polypyrrole synthesized from pyrrole with FeCl3 had a composition of C4.00H3.05N0.99Cl0.25. The pressed powder had a conductivity of 2.7 × 10−2 S/cm and the film 2.8 S/cm. All the other metal salts produced films that had the same organic backbone, morphology, and conductivity as the polymer synthesized using Fe(III) salts, regardless of the considerable differences in the reduction potentials of the metal ions. The nature of the anions of the transition metal salts had no effect on the reaction. Anions, however, were retained as the counterions of the cationic polypyrrole backbone and could be easily exchanged with other anions.
Proprotein convertase expression and localization in epidermis: evidence for multiple roles and substrates.

: Specific proteolysis plays an important role in the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes in the epidermis and several types of proteases have been implicated in this process. The proprotein convertases (PCs) are a family of Ca2+-dependent serine proteases involved in processing and activation of several types of substrates. In this study we examined the expression and some potential substrates of PCs in epidermis. Four PCs are expressed in epidermis: furin, PACE4, PC5/6 and PC7/8. Furin is detected in two forms, either with or without the transmembrane domain, suggesting occurrence of post-translational cleavage to produce a soluble enzyme. In addition the furin active site has differential accessibility in the granular layer of the epidermis relative to the basal layer, whereas antibodies to the transmembrane domain stain both layers. These findings suggest that furin has access to different types of substrates in granular cells as opposed to basal cells. PC7/8, in contrast, is detected throughout the epidermis with antibodies to both the transmembrane and active site and no soluble form observed. A peptide PC inhibitor (dec-RVKR-CMK) inhibits cleavage of Notch-1, a receptor important in cell fate determination that is found throughout the epidermis. Profilaggrin, found in the granular layer, is specifically cleaved by furin and PACE4 in vitro at a site between the amino terminus and the first filaggrin repeat. This work suggests that the PCs play multiple roles during epidermal differentiation.
Compensatory Damage Awards for Nonphysical Personal Injuries: The Murphy Pendulum

The Murphy case involves the question of whether compensatory damage awards received for nonphysical personal injury are subject to the federal income tax. Such awards had been excluded from a taxpayer's gross income since 1918, but in 1996, Congress amended I.R.C. Sec. 104(a)(2) with the intention of taxing these awards. The taxpayer (Murphy) received an award for nonphysical personal injuries after the 1996 amendment and has argued in three judicial proceedings that, despite the amendment, her award is not taxable. This paper traces the path of the Murphy case through the IRS and the courts, discusses the income tax issues raised in the various forums, and makes recommendations to clarify and improve the federal income tax treatment of compensatory damages for nonphysical personal injury.
Relative cost comparison of embolic materials used for treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.

Introduction Embolization of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms can be associated with excessive expense, especially for large/giant aneurysms. Depending on the material used, endovascular treatment may be cost prohibitive. The goal of this study was to evaluate the relative cost of various embolic agents. Methods Utilizing software available at http://www.angiocalc.com, theoretical aneurysm volumes were calculated using aneurysm diameters ranging from 3 to 25 mm increasing in 1 mm increments. For each volume, the software calculated the length of coil needed to fill each size of aneurysm to a consistent, standardized and desirable packing density (25% coil:aneurysm volume). Each theoretical aneurysm was embolized by filling volume in a consistent, standardized, step-wise fashion. The cost of liquid embolics was calculated by adding the cost of 1.5 ml vials of Onyx HD 500 required to fill each volume. The embolic agents were then grouped into seven categories depending on the coil type and the cost of each aneurysm size was averaged. Results The average embolization with small outer diameter (0.010 inches) helical coils ranged between $714 for a 3 mm aneurysm to $113 009 for a 25 mm aneurysm, and between $2855 and $157 245 for small diameter spherical coils. Large outer diameter (>0.010 inches) helical coils cost between $2195 and $34 034 and large diameter spherical coils cost between $2195 and $86 957. Bioactive coils ranged between $1984 and $172 179, liquid embolic $5950 and $35 700, and hydrocoils $1295 and $32 873. Conclusions Larger outer diameter helical coils, hydrocoils and liquid embolics provide a relative cost savings compared with standard, spherical or bioactive coils when aneurysm size, shape, packing density and embolic agent were controlled and standardized. This cost differential increases as the size of the aneurysm increases.