cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evapotranspiration Mapping for Forest Management in California's Sierra Nevada

Author(s): Roche, James W; Ma, Qin; Rungee, Joseph; Bales, Roger C | Abstract: We assessed the response of densely forested watersheds with little apparent annual water limitation to forest disturbance and climate variability, by studying how past wildfires changed forest evapotranspiration, and what past evapotranspiration patterns imply for the availability of subsurface water storage for drought resistance. We determined annual spatial patterns of evapotranspiration using a top-down statistical model, correlating measured annual evapotranspiration from eddycovariance towers across California with NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) measured by satellite, and with annual precipitation. The study area was the Yuba and American River watersheds, two densely forested watersheds in the northern Sierra Nevada. Wildfires in the 1985-2015 period resulted in significant post-fire reductions in evapotranspiration for at least 5 years, and in some cases for more than 20 years. The levels of biomass removed in medium-intensity fires (25- 75% basal area loss), similar to magnitudes expected from forest treatments for fuels reduction and forest health, reduced evapotranspiration by as much 150-200 mm yr-1 for the first 5 years. Rates of recovery in post-wildfire evapotranspiration confirm the need for follow-up forest treatments at intervals of 5-20 years to sustain lower evapotranspiration, depending on local landscape attributes and interannual climate. Using the metric of cumulative precipitation minus evapotranspiration (P-ET) during multi-year dry periods, we found that forests in the study area showed little evidence of moisture stress during the 1985-2018 period of our analysis, owing to relatively small reliance on interannual subsurface water storage to meet dry-year evapotranspiration needs of vegetation. However, more-severe or sustained drought periods will push some lower-elevation forests in the area studied toward the cumulative P-ET thresholds previously associated with widespread forest mortality in the southern Sierra Nevada.
Long-lived marine species may be resilient to environmental variability through a temporal portfolio effect.

Maintenance of genetic variation may provide resilience of populations to natural environmental variability. We used Pacific ocean perch (POP; Sebastes alutus) to test for the maintenance of adaptive variation across overlapping generations. POP are a long-lived species characterized by widespread larval dispersal in their first year and a longevity of over 100 years. In order to understand how early marine dispersal affects POP survival and population structure, we used restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to obtain 11,146 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 401 young-of-the-year (YOY) POP collected during surveys conducted in 2014 (19 stations) and 2015 (4 stations) in the eastern Gulf of Alaska. Population clustering analysis showed that the POP samples represented four distinct ancestral populations mixed throughout the sampling area. Based on prior work on larval dispersal of POP, these larvae are most likely from distinct parturition locations that are mixing during their pelagic dispersal life stage. Latent factor mixed models revealed that POP larvae face significant selection during their first year at sea, which is specific to the year of their birth. Thus each adult cohort's genetic composition is heavily influenced by the environmental conditions experienced during their first year at sea. Long-lived species relying on broadcast spawning strategies may therefore be uniquely resilient to environmental variability by maintaining a portfolio of cohort-specific adaptive genotypes, and age truncation due to overfishing of older cohorts may have detrimental effect on the population viability.
Performance of peripheral arterial tonometry-based testing for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in a large sleep clinic cohort

Study Objectives:Peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT)–based technology represents a validated portable monitoring modality for the diagnosis of OSA. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of PAT-based ...
Anti-Ramsey theory on complete bipartite graphs

We consider quadruples of positive integers (a,b,m,n) with a≤b and m≤n such that every proper edge-coloring of the complete bipartite graph Km,n contains a rainbow Ka,b subgraph. We show that every...
Theory and Research on Tasks Revisited: Task as a Context for Students' Thinking in the Era of Ambitious Reforms in Mathematics and Science.

Informed by decades of research and standards-based policies, there has been a growing demand for high-quality teaching and learning in mathematics and science classrooms. Achieving these ambitious...
Effects of climate change on the movement of future landfalling Texas tropical cyclones.

The movement of tropical cyclones (TCs), particularly around the time of landfall, can substantially affect the resulting damage. Recently, trends in TC translation speed and the likelihood of stalled TCs such as Harvey have received significant attention, but findings have remained inconclusive. Here, we examine how the June-September steering wind and translation speed of landfalling Texas TCs change in the future under anthropogenic climate change. Using several large-ensemble/multi-model datasets, we find pronounced regional variations in the meridional steering wind response over North America, but―consistently across models―stronger June-September-averaged northward steering winds over Texas. A cluster analysis of daily wind patterns shows more frequent circulation regimes that steer landfalling TCs northward in the future. Downscaling experiments show a 10-percentage-point shift from the slow-moving to the fast-moving end of the translation-speed distribution in the future. Together, these analyses indicate increases in the likelihood of faster-moving landfalling Texas TCs in the late 21st century. How climate change affects the translation speed of tropical cyclones has been the subject of intensive debate. Here, the authors use models to show that future regional changes in the steering winds lead to faster-moving tropical cyclones as they make landfall in Texas.
Primary intraosseous carcinoma arising in dentigerous cyst: Case report.

Abstract Introduction Carcinomas arising in odontogenic cysts are uncommon. Malignant transformation of a dentigerous cyst is a rare observation. A primary intraosseous carcinoma from a dentigerous cyst in a 69 years old female is presented in this case report. Presentation of case The patient initially consulted for pain in the mandibular left molar region. Primary investigations firstly showed a probably benign lesion but immunochemistry analysis finally revealed a squamous cell carcinoma arising in a dentigerous cyst. An extension assessment was performed and no evidence of lymph node extension or distant metastasis were found. A non-interrupting mandibular bone resection without neck dissection was realized. The patient made a good recovery after surgery without postoperative complication. No clinical symptoms or sign of local recurrence or metastasis was detected after 17 months follow-up. Discussion PIOC arising in a dentigerous cyst is a rare observation. PIOC from odontogenic cysts have an incident rate of 0,3 to 2% and only 16%–51% of them are PIOC from dentigerous cyst. There are no clinical or radiological pathognomonic characteristics. They often look like benign lesion and the diagnosis is often made fortuitously. A surgical excision with clear margin is the cornerstone of treatment. Clinical and radiological follow-up of the patient is recommended. Conclusion This case underlines the importance of a systematic and careful microscopic analysis of any lesion, even benign at first sight. Surgeons and pathologists should be aware of the malignant potential of odontogenic cysts. This can modify the surgical management and the follow-up of the patient.
A Nutritional Comparison of Cow's Milk and Alternative Milk Products.

Abstract Objective Alternative milk products are becoming more visible and popular, but nutrient data to compare these products to traditional cow's milk are not easily accessible. By summarizing this nutritional information, this project aims to help primary care providers take better care of their patients by providing easy to access nutritional comparison between cow's milk and milk alternatives such as plant-based milks and goat's milk. Methods This project uses data from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Data Central database and publicly available nutrition label data to compare the nutritional content of selected milk. Results Almond and oat milks provide less than half of the protein provided by soy, goat's, and cow's milk. Goat's milk contains the most fat of the products surveyed, while skim milk contains the lowest fat per serving. Soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk contain at least half the fat of cow's milk. Almond milk contained the most calcium of the milks surveyed. Quantities of folate and vitamin B12 were most notably decreased in goat's milk and almond milk while soy milk had almost double the amount of folate and vitamin B12 present in cow's milk. Conclusion Cow's milk still remains the best source of fats, protein, and micronutrients. For parents who prefer an alternative to cow's milk, the child's health should be considered. Parents may consider nutrition information when making decisions for their families, and primary care pediatricians should be able to provide current nutritional data on frequently advertised products.
Apolipoprotein L1 and mechanisms of kidney disease susceptibility.

Purpose of review Allelic variants in the gene for apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1), found only in individuals of African ancestry, explain a majority of the excess risk of kidney disease in African Americans. However, a clear understanding how the disease-associated APOL1 variants cause kidney injury and the identity of environmental stressors that trigger the injury process have not been determined. Recent findings Basic mechanistic studies of APOL1 biochemistry and cell biology, bolstered by new antibody reagents and inducible pluripotent stem cell-derived cell systems, have focused on the cytotoxic effect of the risk variants when APOL1 gene expression is induced. Since the APOL1 variants evolved to alter a key protein-protein interaction with the trypanosome serum resistance-associated protein, additional studies have begun to address differences in APOL1 interactions with other proteins expressed in podocytes, including new observations that APOL1 variants may alter podocyte cytoskeleton dynamics. Summary A unified mechanism of pathogenesis for the various APOL1 nephropathies still remains unclear and controversial. As ongoing studies have consistently implicated the pathogenic gain-of-function effects of the variant proteins, novel therapeutic development inhibiting the synthesis or function of APOL1 proteins is moving toward clinical trials.
Microglial dyshomeostasis drives perineuronal net and synaptic loss in a CSF1R+/− mouse model of ALSP, which can be rescued via CSF1R inhibitors

Adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R). We sought to identify the role of microglial CSF1R haploinsufficiency in mediating pathogenesis. Using an inducible Cx3cr1 CreERT2/+-Csf1r +/fl system, we found that postdevelopmental, microglia-specific Csf1r haploinsufficiency resulted in reduced expression of homeostatic microglial markers. This was associated with loss of presynaptic surrogates and the extracellular matrix (ECM) structure perineuronal nets. Similar phenotypes were observed in constitutive global Csf1r haploinsufficient mice and could be reversed/prevented by microglia elimination in adulthood. As microglial elimination is unlikely to be clinically feasible for extended durations, we treated adult CSF1R+/- mice at different disease stages with a microglia-modulating dose of the CSF1R inhibitor PLX5622, which prevented microglial dyshomeostasis along with synaptic- and ECM-related deficits. These data highlight microglial dyshomeostasis as a driver of pathogenesis and show that CSF1R inhibition can mitigate these phenotypes.
Communities, Place, and Conservation on Mount Kilimanjaro

The Chagga people have lived and worked on Mount Kilimanjaro for more than 250 years. Through traditions and social practices within their communities and families, strong bonds are established between the Chagga and their home on the mountain. Kilimanjaro National Park and Forest Reserve (KINAPA) was established in the 1970s to protect and conserve the mountain, based on a long history of colonialism and western ideals. As KINAPA has attempted to preserve the flora and fauna on the uppermost portion of Mount Kilimanjaro, they have alienated local residents from the land through a conservation approach that relies on “fences and fines.” By analyzing the interaction between the organization of Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) and the Chagga people who live near its boundaries, I emphasize the social side of a conservation scenario by focusing on the cultural roots of the Chagga people’s sense of place and its influence on their interaction with the mountain. I take as a premise that place and culture are closely connected, and that both, in conjunction with an encroaching western influence in environmental approaches, influence environmental conservation in important ways at the local level on Kilimanjaro. By better understanding the motivations and priorities of the people who surround the lands they hope to protect, KINAPA could tap into some of the social resources it needs to sustain Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tax Reform in Transition Economies: Experience and Lessons

International Studies Program, Working paper 97-6, Prepared for the International Seminar in Public Economics, Tokyo, August 1997, SSRN-id470841
Detection and speciation of brominated flame retardants in high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) polymers.

Polymeric materials have been suggested as possible environmental sources of persistent organic pollutants such as flame retardants. In situ, micrometre-scale characterization techniques for polymer matrix containing flame retardants may provide some insight into the dominant environmental transfer mechanism(s) of these brominated compounds. In this work, we demonstrate that micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μXRF), focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) are promising techniques for the elemental and chemical identification of brominated fire retardant compounds (such as the deca-congener of polybrominated diphenyl ether, BDE-209) within polymeric materials (e.g. high-impact polystyrene or HIPS). Data from μXRF demonstrated that bromine (Br) inclusions were evenly distributed throughout the HIPS samples, whereas FIB SEM-EDS analysis revealed that small antimony (Sb) and Br inclusions are present, and regionally higher concentrations of Br surround the Sb inclusions (compared to the bulk material). Four prominent mass-to-charge ratio peaks (m/z 485, 487, 489 and 491) that correspond to BDE-209 were identified by ToF-SIMS and can be used to chemically distinguish this molecule on the surface of polymeric materials with respect to other brominated organic molecules. These techniques can be important in any study that investigates the route of entry to the environmental surroundings of BDE-containing materials. Language: en
LIMIT THEOREMS FOR RENEWAL PROCESSES

This article describes the key renewal theorem and the Blackwell's renewal theorem. These two limit theorems for renewal processes are equivalent but of different forms. They are particularly useful for characterizing the asymptotic behavior of a probabilistic quantity of interest in a renewal process. We present two classical applications of these limit theorems: the limiting distributions of recurrence times in a renewal process and the asymptotic expansion of a renewal function. Further readings on the theoretical development of these limit theorems and their applications in different areas are also provided. Keywords: renewal process; key renewal theorem; Blackwell's renewal theorem; current age; remaining life (excess life); total life; inspection paradox
A preliminary study of dopamine D2/3 receptor availability and social status in healthy and cocaine dependent humans imaged with [11C](+)PHNO

Abstract Background Previous work in healthy non-human primates and humans has shown that social status correlates positively with dopamine 2/3 receptor (D 2/3 R) availability imaged with antagonist radioligands and positron emission tomography (PET). Further work in non-human primates suggests that this relationship is disrupted by chronic cocaine administration. This exploratory study examined the relationship between social status and D 2/3 R availability in healthy (HH) and cocaine dependent (CD) humans using the D 3 -preferring, agonist radioligand, [ 11 C](+)PHNO. Methods Sixteen HH and sixteen CD individuals completed the Barratt Simplified Measure of Social Status (BSMSS) and underwent [ 11 C](+)PHNO scanning to measure regional brain D 2/3 R binding potentials ( BP ND ). Correlations between BP ND and BSMSS scores were then assessed within each group. Results Within HH and CD groups, inverse associations between BSMSS score and BP ND were observed in the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA) and the ventral striatum, and for the CD group alone, the amygdala. After adjusting for body mass index and age, negative correlations remained significant in the SN/VTA for HH and in the amygdala for CD subjects. Conclusion These preliminary data utilizing a dopamine agonist tracer demonstrate, for the first time, an inverse association between social status and D 2/3 R availability in the D 3 R rich extrastriatal regions of HH and CD humans.
The Effect of Culture upon Innovativeness

The classis study of the relationship between technological innovation and culture has been that of the influence and changes wrought by a technological innovation upon a culture. In our paper we examine the opposite flow: the influence of culture upon the technological innovative capabilities of a society. In particular we examine the United States and Japan and compare cultural attributes to the respective innovative strengths and weaknesses to determine possible relationships, which would allow greater understanding and explanation of the innovation phenomena.
Modification by pion exchange of near threshold resonance line shape in open heavy flavor channel

The effect of the pion exchange on the line shape of near threshold bottomoniumlike resonances decaying into an $S$ wave pair of ${B}^{(*)}$ mesons is considered. It is pointed out that this effect, parametrically enhanced by the heavy meson mass, can be of a practical significance in determining the parameters of the bottomoniumlike resonances such as the known ${Z}_{b}(10610)$ and ${Z}_{b}(10650)$ states.
Learning to navigate through crowded environments

The goal of this research is to enable mobile robots to navigate through crowded environments such as indoor shopping malls, airports, or downtown side walks. The key research question addressed in this paper is how to learn planners that generate human-like motion behavior. Our approach uses inverse reinforcement learning (IRL) to learn human-like navigation behavior based on example paths. Since robots have only limited sensing, we extend existing IRL methods to the case of partially observable environments. We demonstrate the capabilities of our approach using a realistic crowd flow simulator in which we modeled multiple scenarios in crowded environments. We show that our planner learned to guide the robot along the flow of people when the environment is crowded, and along the shortest path if no people are around.
Mechanisms of angiotensin II-induced expression of B2 kinin receptors.

Although the primary roles of the kallikreinkinin system and the renin-angiotensin system are quite divergent, they are often intertwined under pathophysiological conditions. We examined the effect...
Fabrication, characterization and simulation of high performance Si nanowire-based non-volatile memory cells

We report the fabrication, characterization and simulation of Si nanowire SONOS-like non-volatile memory with HfO2 charge trapping layers of varying thicknesses. The memory cells, which are fabricated by self-aligning in situ grown Si nanowires, exhibit high performance, i.e. fast program/erase operations, long retention time and good endurance. The effect of the trapping layer thickness of the nanowire memory cells has been experimentally measured and studied by simulation. As the thickness of HfO2 increases from 5 to 30 nm, the charge trap density increases as expected, while the program/erase speed and retention remain the same. These data indicate that the electric field across the tunneling oxide is not affected by HfO2 thickness, which is in good agreement with simulation results. Our work also shows that the Omega gate structure improves the program speed and retention time for memory applications.
Investigating the reproducibility of a complex multifocal radiosurgery treatment

Stereotactic radiosurgery has become a widely used technique to treat solid tumors and secondary metastases of the brain. Multiple targets can be simultaneously treated with a single isocenter in order to reduce the set-up time to improve patient comfort and workflow. In this study, a 5-arc multifocal RapidArc treatment was delivered to multiple PRESAGE® dosimeters in order to explore the repeatability of the treatment. The three delivery measurements agreed well with each other, with less than 3% standard deviation of dose in the target. The deliveries also agreed well with the treatment plan, with gamma passing rates greater than 90% (5% dose-difference, and 2 mm distance-to-agreement criteria). The optical-CT PRESAGE® system provided a reproducible measurement for treatment verification, provided measurements were made immediately following treatment.
Transcriptional implications of ultradian glucocorticoid secretion in homeostasis and in the acute stress response

Endogenous glucocorticoids are secreted by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to a wide range of stressors. Glucocorticoids exert significant downstream effects, including the regulation of many inflammatory genes. The HPA axis functions such that glucocorticoids are released in a pulsatile manner, producing ultradian rhythms in plasma glucocorticoid levels. It is becoming increasingly evident that this ultradian pulsatility is important in maintaining proper homeostatic regulation and responsiveness to stress. This is particularly interesting from a clinical perspective given that pathological dysfunctions of the HPA axis produce altered ultradian patterns. Modeling this system facilitates the understanding of how glucocorticoid pulsatility arises, how it can be lost, and the transcriptional implications of ultradian rhythms. To approach these questions, we developed a mathematical model that integrates the cyclic production of glucocorticoids by the HPA axis and their downstream effects by integrating existing models of the HPA axis and glucocorticoid pharmacodynamics. This combined model allowed us to evaluate the implications of pulsatility in homeostasis as well as in response to acute stress. The presence of ultradian rhythms allows the system to maintain a lower response to homeostatic levels of glucocorticoids, but diminished feedback within the HPA axis leads to a loss of glucocorticoid rhythmicity. Furthermore, the loss of HPA pulsatility in homeostasis correlates with a decrease in the peak output in response to an acute stressor. These results are important in understanding how cyclic glucocorticoid secretion helps maintain the responsiveness of the HPA axis.
Middle School Student and Parent Perceptions of Government-Sponsored Free School Breakfast and Consumption: A Qualitative Inquiry in an Urban Setting

Abstract Universal free access to school breakfast is available in large urban schools, but participation rates are less than half of what they are at lunch. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the discrepancy between access and participation in school breakfast in a low-income, urban school district. Youth (n=23) and parents (n=22) were recruited from three middle schools where ≥50% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Parent focus groups (n=2) and student focus groups (n=4) were conducted in the fall/winter of 2009/2010. Content analysis was conducted to code transcripts and a constant comparative technique was used to identify emergent themes. Findings were validated using triangulation methods. The following themes emerged from the student and parent perceptions: sociocultural beliefs, physical availability, economic accessibility, social stigma, and consumption practices. There was agreement between students and parents across most themes, except consumption practices. Students were commonly purchasing food and beverages on the way to school, which was in conflict with parent rules. Parents desired access to copies of the school menus to be more involved in breakfast decisions with their child and students desired input into menu planning and taste testing to overcome school meal quality concerns. Future research aiming to improve participation in the breakfast program should examine the impact of student involvement in school menu planning and environmental modifications to reduce the social stigma associated with the program.
AN EXPERIMENTAL AND MODELING STUDY ON MESO/MICRO END MILLING PROCESS

In this paper, mechanistic and finite element modeling of meso/micro end milling process with predictions of forces, stresses and temperature distributions in the presence of tool edge ploughing are presented. The finite element modeling of micro end milling without considering tool-workpiece dynamics interaction is introduced to study the effects of cutting conditions on the workpiece deformations in meso/micro end milling. Model is tested and validated for temperature and force predictions in meso/micro end milling of AL 2024-T6 aluminum.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Correction to: Further development in theory/data closure of the photoelectron-driven polar wind and day-night transition of the outflow

The publishers would like to apologize for a typographical error in the de®nition of a variable in Eq. (13) of the above-mentioned article. The published erroneous version reads where x  m= 2T0 p v;D s / sI0. The correct de®nition is: where x  m= 2T0 p v;D s / sT0. For the reader's clarity we include the entire equation including the corrected de®nition. n s  n0 p p Z1
Phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of whole wheat products

AbstractWhole wheat contains an array of phytochemicals. We quantified alkylresorcinols (AR), phenolic acids, phytosterols, and tocols in six whole wheat products and characterized their antioxidant capacity and ability to induce quinone reductase activity (QR). Total AR content ranged from 136.8 to 233.9 µg/g and was correlated with whole wheat content (r = 0.9248; p = 0.0083). Ferulic acid (FerA) was the dominant phenolic at 99.9–316.0 µg/g and mostly bound tightly to the wheat matrix. AR-C21 and total FerA predicted the whole wheat content in each product (R2 = 0.9933). Total phytosterol content ranged from 562.6 to 1035.5 µg/g. Total tocol content ranged from 19.3 to 292.7 µg/g. Phytosterol and tocol contents were independent of whole wheat content. Whole wheat biscuits and pasta were the most potent products to induce QR in Hepa1c1c7 cells. This study provides a platform to characterize the relationship between the phytochemical composition of whole wheat and products formulated with this whole grain.
Multivariate thurstonian models

The recent development of probabilistic Thurstonian choice models for analyzing preference data has been motivated by the need to describe both inter- and intra-individual difference, the multidimensional nature of choice objects, and the effects of similarity and comparability among choice objects. A common feature of these models is that they focus on asingle preference judgment. It is customary, however, to ask subjects not only for an overall preference judgment but also for additional paired comparison responses regarding specific attributes. This paper proposes a generalization of Thurstonian probabilistic choice models for analyzing both multiple preference responses and their relationships. The approach is illustrated by modeling data from two multivariate preference experiments.
Associations among children's situational motivation, physical activity participation, and enjoyment in an active dance video game

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between children's situational motivation and physical activity (PA) levels in a Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) program, and perceived PA enjoyment. Methods A sample of 215 elementary children participated in a weekly 30-min DDR program. Children's situational motivation toward DDR (intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, external regulation, and amotivation) was measured, followed by the measurement of their accelerometer-determined moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) in DDR. Children then reported their PA enjoyment. Results Only intrinsic motivation was positively related with children's MVPA in DDR and PA enjoyment. However, other motivational beliefs were not significantly related to MVPA and PA enjoyment. Regression analyses further suggested intrinsic motivation was the significant predictor for MVPA and PA enjoyment. Conclusion Children who experienced fun and learned new things when playing DDR reached high PA levels in DDR, as well as developed generalized feeling states of enjoyment.
A simple technique for the biochemical diagnosis of cystinosis.

T H E I-I v. R v. I) I T A R Y disorder cystinosis is characterized biochemically by large increases in the concentration of free cystine within cells of a variety of tissues leading to crystalline deposits of cystine in the eyes, bone marrow, and reticuloendothelial system. Within the first few years of life, affected children develop polyuria and the Fanconi syndrome, followed by growth retardation, rickets, and progressive glomerular insufficiency leading to: death from renal failure within the first decade? This is in marked contrast to the presentation and relatively benign course of the unrelated hereditary disorder of cystine transport, cystinuria, which may also have renal manifestations. A benign or "adult" form of cystinosis in which renal disease is not clinically apparent has also been described. 2 Intermediate variants with more slowly progressive renal disease may exist? In both major forms of cystinosis the di-
Colonization of the avian hindgut by cells derived from the sacral neural crest.

Studies were done to test the hypothesis that the chick hindgut is colonized by emigres from the sacral region of the neural crest. Crest-derived cells were identified immunocytochemically with the monoclonal antibody, NC-1, and by their ability to give rise to neurons or glia in the bowel. Neurons were recognized by demonstrating acetylcholinesterase activity, neurofilament immunoreactivity, or the immunoreactivity of a neurofilament-associated protein, NAPA-73, with a monoclonal antibody, E/C8. The visualization of glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity was employed to detect enteric glia. Separate rostral and caudal populations of NC-1-immunoreactive cells were detected in stage 21 embryos (Day E3.5) that extended in continuous streams from the sacral crest to the hindgut. The rostral group, coexpressed neural markers, while the caudal population did not. The rostral, dually labeled cells appeared to become embedded in the mesenchyme of the dorsal bowel by Day E4 and then to enter the mesentery by Day E5 to give rise to the ganglion of Remak. The caudal NC-1-immunoreactive group, which did not express neural markers, appeared to ascend within the colorectum and, in contrast to the rostral cells, fully encircled the gut. NC-1-immunoreactive neurons and glia developed in organotypic tissue cultures and chorioallantoic membrane grafts of both dorsal and ventral halves of the postumbilical bowel explanted at Days E4 and 5, ages known to precede the colonization of the hindgut by cells from the vagal crest. These observations are consistent with the view that NC-1-immunoreactive cells, which do not express neural markers, migrate from the sacral crest to the hindgut. A subset of these cells appears to be capable of giving rise to neurons in vitro, explaining the development of neurons in the explants of the ventral halves of the gut; however, the fate of the sacral crest-derived cells in situ remains to be established.
An intra-abdominal small round cell neoplasm with features of primitive neuroectodermal and desmoplastic round cell tumor and a EWS/FLI-1 fusion transcript

We report an intra-abdominal round cell tumor in a young man which exhibited the light and electron microscopic appearance of a peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), in addition to the clinical and topographic characteristics, desmoplasia and a complex immunophenotypic profile of the intra-abdominal desmoplastic round cell tumor (DSRCT). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed a EWS/FLI-1 fusion transcript as in PNET/Ewing's sarcoma, instead of the EWS/WT1 transcript of DSRCT. The tumor was also strongly positive for the mic2 protein. This is a unique case of a hybrid tumor arising in the peritoneal cavity of a young male. The existence of such a hybrid tumor in this location suggests that DSRCT and PNET may be related and possibly share a common histogenesis.
Integration of multiple copies of a foreign sequence into the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens

A method for constructing Ti plasmids bearing multiple copies of a sequence integrated in tandem is described. A small plasmid that confers tetracycline resistance (TcR), contains homology to a Ti plasmid, and is unable to replicate in Agrobacterium tumefaciens, was mobilized from Escherichia coli to A. tumefaciens. Ti plasmids of exconjugants selected for resistance to 12-14 micrograms Tc/ml all contained multiple tandem repeats of the integrative plasmid. Tc-sensitive variants with fewer integrated copies arose spontaneously at low frequency in the absence of Tc selection, or could be enriched for by selection on Tc in combination with the bactericidal antibiotic augmentin. Variants having an increased number of integrated copies were obtained by growth on high Tc concentrations. Tandem repeats integrated between border sequences provide, in principle, a way to reproducibly introduce many linked copies of any foreign gene into plants.
Assessment of the Frank-Starling relationship by two-dimensional echocardiography

Abstract The Frank-Starling relationship between left ventricular stroke work and end-diastolic minor-axis cross-sectional area was evaluated as a load-insensitive measure of inotropic state by two-dimensional echocardiography in 10 conscious dogs. Stroke work was calculated as the product of systolic change in cross-sectional area and either (1) beat-to-beat mean arterial pressure or (2) initial systolic blood pressure. Both Frank-Starling relationships were highly linear during preload variation (mean r = 0.96), sensitive to the inotropic state (slope increase with calcium 51% ± 43% and 62% ± 53%, respectively), and insensitive to afterload ( r x intercept versus afterload). Thus the Frank-Starling relationships derived from two-dimensional echocardiographic images and peripheral arterial pressure may be a useful and practical means of assessing inotropic state with minimally invasive measurements.
The basic glutathione S-transferases from human livers are products of separate genes.

We have characterized a second cDNA sequence, pGTH2, for the human liver glutathione S-transferases Ha subunits. It is 95% homologous base-for-base to the Ha subunit 1 cDNA, pGTH1, except for its longer 3′ noncoding sequences. Our results indicate that the multiple basic human liver glutathione S-transferases are products of separate genes. The proposal [Kamisaka, K., Habig, W. H., Ketley, J. N., Arias, I. M., and Jakoby, W. B. (1975) Eur. J. Biochem. 60, 153–161] that deamidation may be a physiologically important process for generating glutathione S-transferases isozyme multiplicity can be all but ruled out.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide as a neurotransmitter in the cerebral circulation

Abstract Cat cerebral arteries exhibit a non-cholinergic neurogenic vasodilation which is absent in rabbit cerebral arteries. Levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) measured by radioimmunoassay are correlated with the presence of a non-cholinergic vasodilation: 270±66 pmol/g in the cat anterior cerebral artery compared to 10±2.3 pmol/g in rabbit cerebral arteries. In the absence of endothelial cells, cat cerebral arteries do not relax to acetylcholine, but continue to relax to nerve stimulation. Relaxation responses to VIP also persist. These findings are consistent with the possibility that VIP mediates non-cholinergic vasodilator responses in the cerebral circulation.
Identification of mitochondrial cytochrome P450 induced in response to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus).

Increasing evidence suggests that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) are localized to the mitochondria. Because the toxic effects of many PAHs are the result of metabolism by cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A), it is important to investigate whether active forms of these enzymes can be identified in the mitochondria. In this study, we identified mitochondrial P450s with a monoclonal antibody against scup (Stenotomus chrysops) CYP1A in the isolated mitochondrial fraction of liver from adult male mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) livers. The size of the protein in the mitochondria was the similar to that of microsomal CYP1A. Fish dosed with 10 mg/kg BaP had increased EROD activity in the mitochondrial fraction compared to controls. In mummichog larvae dosed with 100 μg/L BaP and 100 μg/L benzo[k]fluoranthene, CYP1A protein levels as well as enzyme activity were elevated. However, fish from a PAH-polluted Superfund site (Elizabeth River, Portsmouth VA) showed recalcitrant mitochondrial CYP1A protein levels and enzyme activity in a similar manner to microsomal CYP1A.
Culture of normal human anterior pituitary cell monolayers

A detailed procedure is described for the culture of functional normal human anterior pituitary cell monolayers for periods up to 2 months. The tissue is dispersed using a double digestion method using collagenase and hyaluronidase followed by trypsin. Attachment of the cells is accomplished in 5 to 9 d. Verification of the presence of functional cells is demonstrated by release of prolactin and luteinizing hormone in response to appropriate stimuli.
Percolation in a composite of random stick-like conducting particles

Abstract We report measurements of the conductivity, σ, of carbon-PVC composite as a function of the carbon weight %, ω, in the composite. Below some critical carbon content, ω c , the conductivity drops sharply while above this ω c we find a power-low behavior σ ∝ (ω - ω c ) t . The best fits of the data with this power-law show that 1.5 t ω c >9.0. This is in good agreement with the predicted universal value, t = 1.7, and the experimental value obtained for a system containing sphere-like conducting particles, t = 1.9 ± 0.2.
Energy content of world trade

This paper constructs a comprehensive dataset of oil and total energy embedded in world trade of manufacturing goods for 73 countries from 1978 to 2000. Applying the data to debates on the dependency on foreign energy sources makes clear that achieving complete energy independence in the foreseeable future is unlikely to be feasible and may not be desirable. Applying it to the discussion of environmental Kuznets curves (EKCs) highlights an important distinction between production and consumption of energy. Richer countries use relatively less energy in their industrial production yet still consume relatively large amounts of energy indirectly. A further investigation largely excludes structural shifts of production in and out of the manufacturing sector as an explanation for the downward-sloping portion of the EKC. Country-level analyses add caveats but show tentative support for the cross-country conclusions.
Parallel micro component-to-substrate assembly with controlled poses and high surface coverage

We demonstrate a novel parallel micro assembly process based on both shape recognition and capillary-driven self-assembly in an air environment. Mechanically diced 790 µm square silicon parts with flat or step edges were used for proof-of-concept demonstrations. Each part had only one hydrophobic 790 µm × 790 µm face and its other faces were hydrophilic. On a vibrating plate, tumbling parts were captured by cavities having an opening clearance that only admitted a single part standing vertically. The trapped parts were then transferred to a substrate having an array of receptor sites covered with water droplets. The flat-edge parts attached vertically to these sites and then capillary forces from water condensate turned them to face the substrate with their 790 µm × 790 µm hydrophilic faces. The step-edge parts attached at a tilted angle due to their featured edges and then a pressing plate laid them down. This process assembled micro parts to 1000 densely packed receptor sites in about 2 min with a defect rate of ~1%. A single batch assembly process achieved 31% surface coverage, and a second batch doubled the ratio to 62%.
Navigating a Successful Course Through GI Fellowship: A Year-by-Year Perspective

The sense of accomplishment you felt as a resident newly-matched into your chosen field of gastroenterology gradually morphs into a combination of excitement, anticipation, and indeed a healthy amount of trepidation, as you inch closer to the start of your fellowship. But fear not. While fellowship is no doubt a character-building experience, presenting unique challenges, it can be effectively navigated with a deliberate approach. This article is intended to serve as a roadmap to guide you in successfully completing your gastroenterology fellowship.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 in hereditary breast cancer

The hereditary breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have established roles in genome integrity maintenance and in the control of homologous recombination. Recent work has produced valuable insights into the mechanisms of action of the gene products. This review summarizes some of these advances, and attempts to place them in the context of known functions of the genes.
Localization of Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone in the Preoptic Area and Hypothalamus of the Rat Using Radioimmunoassay

To determine the localization of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), five brains from adult male rats were serially sectioned in a cryostat at -10 C in either the frontal, horizontal or sagittal planes. Acetic acid-ethanol extracts of each section were assayed for LHRH using radioimmunoassay (RIA) and in some cases using bioassay as well. Approximately 0.2 ng LHRH was concentrated in medial basal preoptic (MB-PO) tissue overlying the rostral portion of the optic chiasm. This LHRH appears to be associated with the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis and/or adjacent neural tissue. Uniform, low levels of LHRH were detected in hypothalamic tissue between the preoptic area (POA) and arcuate-median eminence (ARC-ME) region. In the ARC-ME region, 2.7 ng of LHRH were concentrated primarily in the median eminence. The lateral distribution of LHRH in the ARC-ME region extended beyond the median eminence into tissue corresponding to the lateral aspect of the ventromedial nucleus. Concomitant bioass...
Characterization of Myosin V Binding to Brain Vesicles

Abstract Myosin II and V are important for the generation and segregation of subcellular compartments. We observed that vesicular myosin II and V were associated with the protein scaffolding of a common subset of vesicles by density sedimentation, electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence. Solubilization of either myosin II or V was caused by polyphosphates with the following efficacy at 10 mm: for myosin II ATP-Mg2+ = ATP = AMP-PNP (5′-adenylyl imidodiphosphate) > pyrophosphate = tripolyphosphate ≫ tetrapolyphosphate = ADP > cAMP = Mg2+; and for myosin V pyrophosphate = tripolyphosphate > ATP-Mg2+ = ATP = AMP-PNP ≫ ADP = tetrapolyphosphate > cAMP = Mg2+. Consequently, we suggest solubilization was not an effect of phosphorylation, hydrolysis, or disassociation of myosin from actin filaments. Scatchard analysis of myosin V binding to stripped dense vesicles showed saturable binding with a K mof 10 nm. Analysis of native vesicles indicates that these sites are fully occupied. Together, these data show there are over 100 myosin Vs/vesicle (100-nm radius). We propose that polyphosphate anions bind to myosin II and V and induce a conformational change that disrupts binding to a receptor.
Protein implicated in nonsyndromic mental retardation regulates protein kinase A (PKA) activity

Mutation of the coiled-coil and C2 domain-containing 1A (CC2D1A) gene, which encodes a C2 domain and DM14 domain-containing protein, has been linked to severe autosomal recessive nonsyndromic mental retardation. Using a mouse model that produces a truncated form of CC2D1A that lacks the C2 domain and three of the four DM14 domains, we show that CC2D1A is important for neuronal differentiation and brain development. CC2D1A mutant neurons are hypersensitive to stress and have a reduced capacity to form dendrites and synapses in culture. At the biochemical level, CC2D1A transduces signals to the cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway during neuronal cell differentiation. PKA activity is compromised, and the translocation of its catalytic subunit to the nucleus is also defective in CC2D1A mutant cells. Consistently, phosphorylation of the PKA target cAMP-responsive element-binding protein, at serine 133, is nearly abolished in CC2D1A mutant cells. The defects in cAMP/PKA signaling were observed in fibroblast, macrophage, and neuronal primary cells derived from the CC2D1A KO mice. CC2D1A associates with the cAMP-PKA complex following forskolin treatment and accumulates in vesicles or on the plasma membrane in wild-type cells, suggesting that CC2D1A may recruit the PKA complex to the membrane to facilitate signal transduction. Together, our data show that CC2D1A is an important regulator of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, which may be the underlying cause for impaired mental function in nonsyndromic mental retardation patients with CC2D1A mutation.
Correlation between fragment mass-distribution fine structure, charge distribution and nuclear structure for thermal-neutron-induced fission of 233U and 235U

Abstract Masses corresponding to observed fine-structure peaks in the fragment mass distributions for thermal-neutron-induced fission of 233 U and 235 U are shown to correspond to average measured masses for even-even nuclear charge splits. Evidence is presented that the yield enhancement for even- Z fragments is not restricted just to fission events with higher-than-average total kinetic energy. The anomalously high yield of fragments with mass 134 in 235 U(n, f) as opposed to 233 (n, f) is tentatively correlated with rapidly changing nuclear structure properties as a function of the mass of the complementary light ( Z = 40) fragments.