cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steroid-dependent auditory plasticity for the enhancement of acoustic communication: recent insights from a vocal teleost fish.

The vocal plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) has become an excellent model for identifying neural mechanisms of auditory perception that may be shared by all vertebrates. Recent neuroethological studies of the midshipman fish have yielded strong evidence for the steroid-dependent modulation of hearing sensitivity that leads to enhanced coupling of sender and receiver in this vocal-acoustic communication system. Previous work shows that non-reproductive females treated with either testosterone or 17β-estradiol exhibit an increase in the degree of temporal encoding by the auditory saccular afferents to the dominant frequency content of male vocalizations produced during social-reproductive behaviors. The expanded frequency sensitivity of steroid treated females mimics the reproductive female’s auditory phenotype and is proposed to improve the detection and localization of calling conspecific mates during the summer breeding season. This review focuses on the novel form of steroid-dependent auditory plasticity that is found in the adult midshipman fish and its association with the reproductive biology and behavior of this species. Evidence for midshipman reproductive-state and steroid-dependent auditory plasticity is reviewed and the potential mechanisms that lead to this novel form of adaptive plasticity are discussed.
Mitochondrial DNA and electronic tracking reveal population structure of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)

Population subdivision was examined in Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) through sequencing of the control region of the mitochondrial genome. A total of 178 samples from the spawning grounds in the Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas and Mediterranean Sea were analyzed. Among the samples from these locations were 36 electronically tagged bluefin tuna that were tagged in the North Atlantic and subsequently traveled to one of these known spawning grounds during the spawning season. Bluefin tuna populations from the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea were found to be genetically distinct based on Φst, and sequence nearest neighbor analyses, showing that these two major spawning areas support independent stocks. Sequence nearest neighbor analysis indicated significant population subdivision among the Gulf of Mexico, western Mediterranean and eastern Mediterranean Sea. However, it was not possible to find significant pairwise differences between any sampling areas when using all samples. If only samples that had a high likelihood of assignment to a specific spawning site were used (young of the year, spawning adults), the differentiation increased among all sampling areas and the Western Mediterranean Sea was distinct from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It was not possible to distinguish samples from the Bahamas from those collected at any of the other sampling sites. These data support tagging results that suggested distinctness of the Gulf of Mexico, Eastern and Western Mediterranean Sea spawning areas. This level of stock differentiation is only possible if Atlantic bluefin tuna show strong natal homing to individual spawning grounds.
Effect of nutrients and salinity pulses on biomass and growth of Vallisneria americana in lower St Johns River, FL, USA

We determined the interactive effects of nutrient loading and salinity pulsing on Vallisneria americana Michx., the dominant submerged aquatic vegetation species in the lower St Johns River (LSJR),...
Nonparametric Prediction Intervals for a Future Sample Median

Abstract In this article distribution-free prediction intervals for a future sample median are discussed. Large-sample normal approximations to the coverage probabilities are presented. Asymptotic relative efficiency comparisons are made between the distribution-free procedures and analogous parametric prediction intervals, the resulting values demonstrating the good properties of the nonparametric prediction intervals.
Structure of calmodulin-target peptide complexes

Abstract The structures of the complexes between calcium-bound calmodulin and synthetic peptides comprising the calmodulin-binding domain of skeletal and smooth muscle myosin light-chain kinase have now been solved by NMR and X-ray crystallography, respectively. Within coordinate errors, there are no significant differences between the two structures. The two domains of calmodulin (residues 6–73 and 83–146) remain essentially unchanged upon complexation. The long central helix (residues 65–93) which connects the two domains in the crystal structure of calcium-bound calmodulin, however, is disrupted in the complex into two helices connected by a long flexible loop (residues 74–82), thereby enabling the two domains to clamp the bound peptide which adopts a helical conformation. The overall structure of the complex is globular, approximating an ellipsoid of dimensions 47 × 32 × 30 A . The helical peptide is located in a hydrophobic channel which passes through the center of the ellipsoid at an angle of 45° to its long axis.
Social wasps use nest paper hydrocarbons for nestmate recognition

Abstract The role of nest paper hydrocarbons in nestmate recognition was examined in the social wasp Polistes metricus. Newly emerged workers were allowed to spend 4 days on their nest in the absence of other wasps. The nests were either (1) untreated, (2) extracted with hexane to remove surface hydrocarbons, or (3) extracted with hexane and then reapplied with surface hydrocarbons. The newly emerged workers were tested for nestmate recognition with a nestmate and a non-nestmate in blind triplet tests. These tests indicated that it was necessary for the surface hydrocarbons to be on the nest paper for newly emerged wasps to recognize their nestmate.
Investigation of Low Mole Ratio UF and UMF Resins Aimed at Lowering the Formaldehyde Emission Potential of Wood Composite Boards

Urea-melamine-formaldehyde (UMF) resins with 2.5% and 5.0% melamine levels added at the beginning of the third step of the typical urea-formaldehyde (UF) synthesis procedure were synthesized with an F/(U+M) mole ratio of 1.05 and evaluated as particleboard binders to investigate the positive effects of melamine on the formaldehyde content and physical performance of boards. Resins were tested for storage properties and analyzed by 13C NMR. Curing catalysts were studied, curing rates were measured, and laboratory particleboards were prepared and tested for formaldehyde contents as well as strength and water-soak test values. The UMF resins resulted in slower curing rates but had adequate board strength values. The formaldehyde content values were within the newly created California emission law (5.2 to 8.0 mg/100 g board). Another objective of this work was to establish the baseline performance of these resins for use in subsequent studies that will aim to reveal the effects of methylene-ether group contents on formaldehyde emissions.
Lower closure and existence theorems for optimal control problems with infinite horizon

Lower closure theorems are proved for optimal control problems governed by ordinary differential equations for which the interval of definition may be unbounded. One theorem assumes that Cesari's property (Q) holds. Two theorems are proved which do not require property (Q), but assume either a generalized Lipschitz condition or a bound on the controls in an appropriateLp-space. An example shows that these hypotheses can hold without property (Q) holding.
The effect of sliding time and speed on the wear of composite materials

Abstract The friction and wear properties of an Al 201 alloy and a unidirectionally oriented graphite fiber-aluminum matrix composite (T50-Al 201) were investigated. The experiments were conducted on a pin-on-disc type friction machine. The diameter of the pin was 0.22 cm and the load 4.46 N. The sliding velocity varied between 0.17 and 0.43 m s −1 . The disc counterface was of commercially pure iron. It has been found that the friction coefficient μ and the wear rate W L of the composite material decrease as the sliding time is increased until a steady state value is reached. The steady state wear rate is proportional to the reciprocal of the sliding speed in accord with a recently proposed model. Scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy observations indicate that the high initial values of μ and W L are due to a high degree of matrix adhesion to the counterface accompanied by fiber breaking and transfer. The low steady state values of μ and W L are due to the formation of a film that impedes adhesion and confers some degree of self-lubrication. It is suggested that the observed variation of W L with sliding speed is related to changes in the degree of subsurface damage as the velocity is varied.
Ecological boundary detection using Bayesian areal wombling

The study of ecological boundaries and their dynamics is of fundamental importance to much of ecology, biogeography, and evolution. Over the past two decades, boundary analysis (of which wombling is a subfield) has received considerable research attention, resulting in multiple approaches for the quantification of ecological boundaries. Nonetheless, few methods have been developed that can simultaneously (1) analyze spatially homogenized data sets (i.e., areal data in the form of polygons rather than point-reference data); (2) account for spatial structure in these data and uncertainty associated with them; and (3) objectively assign probabilities to boundaries once detected. Here we describe the application of a Bayesian hierarchical framework for boundary detection developed in public health, which addresses these issues but which has seen limited application in ecology. As examples, we analyze simulated spread data and the historic pattern of spread of an invasive species, the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), using county-level summaries of the year of first reported infestation and several covariates potentially important to influencing the observed spread dynamics. Bayesian areal wombling is a promising approach for analyzing ecological boundaries and dynamics related to changes in the distributions of native and invasive species.
Effect of halogenated hydrocarbon insecticides on the metabolism and uterotropic action of estrogens in rats and mice

Abstract Treatment of immature female rats with chlordane, dieldrin, heptachlor, lindane, p,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDE, or toxaphene for 7 days stimulated the metabolism of estrone by liver microsomal enzymes and inhibited the increase in uterine wet weight caused by estrone. The daily administration of as little as 2–5 mg/kg of chlordane ip for 7 days reduced the uterotropic action of tritiated estrone and decreased the concentration of tritiated estrogen in the uterus. The total body metabolism of tritiated estrone was enhanced in rats pretreated with 10 or 50 mg/kg of chlordane daily for 7 days. Treatment of adult ovariectomized mice with 25 mg/kg of chlordane once a week for 3 wk increased the metabolism of estradiol-17β by liver microsomal enzymes, reduced the estradiol-17β- or estrone-induced increases in uterine wet weight and decreased the amount of tritiated estrogen found in the uterus after injection of tritiated estradiol-17β or estrone. The administration of 25 mg/kg of p,p′-DDD to mice once a week for 3 wk failed to increase the metabolism of estradiol-17β by liver microsomal enzymes and did not affect the increase in uterine wet weight caused by estradiol-17β or estrone. A decrease in reproductive success was observed when female mice were treated with 25 mg/kg of chlordane once a week for 3 wk.
Assessing presidential character: Degradation rituals in political campaigns

When political candidates blunder, the press and public note such departures from carefully staged routines. This essay takes gaffes seriously and examines the ways candidates seek to repair them and the ways the public may use them.
Palmar dislocation of the trapezoid: a case report

A case is presented of an open palmar dislocation of the trapezoid in conjunction with dorsal dislocations of the carpometacarpal joints of the index and long fingers. Open reduction and a primary limited wrist arthrodesis were performed with good results.
The Effects of Game Design on Learning Outcomes

This article details the administration and results of an experiment conducted to assess the impact of three video game design concepts upon learning outcomes. The principles tested include game aesthetics, player choice, and player competition. The experiment participants were asked to play a serious game over the course of a week, and the learning outcomes were measured by comparing their pretest and posttest scores. The results of a one-tailed t test indicated, with a p value of 0.043, that there was a statistically significant effect of the aesthetic presentation of the game upon the learning outcome. There was no indication of a significant effect by the player choice or player competition conditions, but the results from these experiment groups point to some potentially interesting interactions between the conditions and learning, as well as possible future lines of experimental inquiry.
Ensuring quality in resource constrained project scheduling

This study constitutes an initial effort for modeling and solving resource constrained project scheduling problems with the objective of maximizing quality. Two mixed integer formulations of the problem are introduced. The first formulation assumes integral activity durations and completion times. These assumptions are relaxed in the second formulation. In both formulations the quality of a project is measured by the amount of rework required and the corresponding additional cost incurred. These quality measures are expressed in a common unit of measure and incorporated into the objective function. The second mixed integer formulation is found to be more efficient and thus computational results are reported based on that model. A set of resource constrained scheduling problems are solved using the quality objective and traditional objective functions from the literature. In general it is found that the schedules obtained when maximizing quality outperform the schedules obtained with minimizing makespan or maximizing the net present value of project cash flows objectives in terms of makespan, cost and computational times.
Effect of cholesterol on molecular order and dynamics in highly polyunsaturated phospholipid bilayers.

Abstract The effect of cholesterol on phospholipid acyl chain packing in bilayers consisting of highly unsaturated acyl chains in the liquid crystalline phase was examined for a series of symmetrically and asymmetrically substituted phosphatidylcholines (PCs). The time-resolved fluorescence emission and decay of fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) was used to characterize equilibrium and dynamic structural properties of bilayers containing 30mol % cholesterol. The bilayers were composed of symmetrically substituted PCs with acyl chains of 14:0, 18:1n9, 20:4n6, or 22:6n3, containing 0, 1, 4, or 6 double bonds, respectively, and mixed-chain PCs with a saturated 16:0 sn- 1 chain and 1, 4, or 6 double bonds in the sn- 2 chain. DPH excited-state lifetime was fit to a Lorentzian lifetime distribution, the center of which was increased 1–2ns by 30mol % cholesterol relative to the cholesterol-free bilayers. Lifetime distributions were dramatically narrowed by the addition of cholesterol in all bilayers except the two consisting of dipolyunsaturated PCs. DPH anisotropy decay was interpreted in terms of the Brownian rotational diffusion model. The effect of cholesterol on both the perpendicular diffusion coefficient D ⊥ and the orientational distribution function f ( θ ) varied with acyl chain unsaturation. In all bilayers, except the two dipolyunsaturated PCs, 30mol % cholesterol dramatically slowed DPH rotational motion and restricted DPH orientational freedom. The effect of cholesterol was especially diminished in di-22:6n3 PC, suggesting that this phospholipid may be particularly effective at promoting lateral domains, which are cholesterol-rich and unsaturation-rich, respectively. The results are discussed in terms of a model for lipid packing in membranes containing cholesterol and PCs with highly unsaturated acyl chains.
Effects of testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone on luteal lifespan in dairy heifers

Abstract Endogenous concentrations of testosterone increase approximately 7 d prior to estrus in cattle and goats. Inhibition of testosterone synthesis results in a delay of luteal regression in both species. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if treatment with testosterone or 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 2 to 6 d prior to the endogenous rise in testosterone, would result in premature luteal regression. Sixteen heifers were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 1) Control (n = 6); 2) testosterone (100 μg, n = 5); or 3) DHT (100 μg, n = 5). Each heifer received a single injection of the appropriate steriod on Day 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 post estrus. Jugular venous blood samples were collected at frequent intervals for 24 h to quantify testosterone, and then daily for 14 d to quantify progesterone. Concentrations of testosterone increased within 15 min of injection of testosterone, and reached a maximum at 30 min. Concentrations were maintained at > 2 ng/ml throughout the first 24 h after injection. Based on concentrations of progesterone, neither androgen had any effect on the lifespan of the corpus luteum or the level of luteal function.
Securitization and the balance sheet channel of monetary transmission.

Abstract This paper shows that the balance sheet channel of monetary transmission is stronger for US banks that securitize their assets. This finding is different, in spirit, from the widely-found negative relationship between financial development and the strength of the lending channel of monetary transmission. Focusing on the balance sheet channel, and using bank-level observations, we find that securitizing banks are more sensitive to borrowers’ balance sheets and that monetary policy has a greater impact on this sensitivity for securitizing banks. The optimality conditions from a simple partial equilibrium framework suggest that the positive effects of securitization on policy effectiveness could be due to the high sensitivity of security prices to policy rates.
The lethal and sublethal effects of three pesticides on the striped lynx spider (Oxyopes salticus Hentz)

The striped lynx spider, Oxyopes salticus Hentz, is found in high abundances in agricultural fields where it forages on many agricultural pests. Pesticides are applied to these fields and can therefore impact these natural pest predators. Researchers have examined the effects of a number of pesticides on this spider and other pest predators, but many of these studies only examine how these pesticides affect mortality. More recently, researchers have begun to examine the sublethal effects of these chemicals. We examined both the lethal and sublethal effects of three common pesticides with the active ingredients bifenthrin, carbaryl and malathion. We found that only malathion significantly reduced the post-exposure lifespan of these spiders; however, each pesticide had sublethal effects on behaviour. Exposure to malathion reduced jumping, likely an important foraging and escape behaviour. Spiders exposed to bifenthrin spent increased time grooming, which can reduce the time spent performing other important behaviours. Finally, spiders that were exposed to carbaryl surprisingly increased their prey capture rate. We show here that pesticides can not only directly affect the lifespan of the striped lynx spider but that each pesticide can cause different sublethal effects that likely impact the survival and ecology of these important pest predators.
Targeting the adventitial microenvironment in pulmonary hypertension: A potential approach to therapy that considers epigenetic change.

AbstractExperimental data indicate that the adventitial compartment of blood vessels, in both the pulmonary and systemic circulations, like the connective tissue stroma in tissues throughout the body, is a critical regulator of vessel wall function in health and disease. It is clear that adventitial cells, and in particular the adventitial fibroblast, are activated early following vascular injury, and play essential roles in regulating vascular wall structure and function through production of chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The recognition of the ability of these cells to generate and maintain inflammatory responses within the vessel wall provides insight into why vascular inflammatory responses, in certain situations, fail to resolve. It is also clear that the activated adventitial fibroblast plays an important role in regulating vasa vasorum growth, which can contribute to ongoing vascular remodeling by acting as a conduit for delivery of inflammatory and proge...
Palifermin: a keratinocyte growth factor that reduces oral mucositis after stem cell transplant for haematological malignancies.

Mucositis occurs in ≤ 98% of patients undergoing stem cell transplant for haematological malignancies and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with severe mucositis have more pain, more difficulty with daily activities such as talking and eating, and are more likely to have bacteraemia. Palifermin is a keratinocyte growth factor that has been shown to decrease severity and duration of mucositis with a concurrent decrease in patient-reported symptoms and use of narcotics and total parenteral nutrition. Research is ongoing into palifermin’s potential ability to decrease graft-versus-host disease and improve reconstitution of functional T lymphocytes after allogeneic stem cell transplant, to hasten wound healing and to reduce mucositis following external beam radiation therapy in solid tumour patients.
Resonance raman calculations in mixed-valence systems. Wolffram's red and the creutz-taube complex

Abstract A simple vibronic coupling model is used to explore the resonance Raman characteristics of mixed-valence systems. Spectra are predicted to be sensitive to degree of delocalization and should be highly informative. The known spectrum of Wolffram's red and the anticipated spectrum of the Creutz-Taube complex are discussed.
Event-duration discrimination by pigeons: The choose-short effect may result from retention-test novelty

Pigeons trained on a conditional event-duration discrimination typically “choose short” when retention intervals are inserted between samples and comparisons. In two experiments, we tested the hypothesis that this effect results from ambiguity produced by the similarity of the novel retention intervals and the familiar intertrial interval by training pigeons with retention intervals from the outset and, for one group, in addition, making retention intervals distinctive from the intertrial intervals. In Experiment 1, when the retention intervals (0–4 sec) were not distinctive from the intertrial intervals, the pigeons did not show a clear choose-short effect even when extended retention intervals (8 sec) were introduced. When the retention intervals were distinctive, the pigeons showed a choose-long effect (they appeared to time through the retention interval), but it was relatively weak until the retention intervals were extended to 8 sec. In Experiment 2, when pigeons were discouraged from timing through the retention intervals by making the intertrial intervals and retention intervals salient distinct events and using long (up to 16-sec) retention intervals in training, parallel retention functions were found. It appears that when ambiguity is removed, forgetting by pigeons does not occur by the process of subjective shortening. These experiments suggest that the accurate interpretation of results of animal memory research using differential-duration samples must consider the novelty of the retention intervals on test trials as well as their similarity to other trial events.
Small-Scale, Green-Powered Hydrogen Generation System

One of the major road blocks in the transition from the current oil economy to the future hydrogen fuel economy is the availability of low cost hydrogen fuel for the average consumer. Currently, the price per kilogram of hydrogen fuel is higher than the cost of an equivalent measure of gasoline and its availability is limited to large metropolitan areas. Both of these factors prevent hydrogen from being an attractive alternative to gasoline for most consumers. The goal of this project, in a senior thermal design course, is to design and construct a low-cost hydrogen generation system for residential hydrogen fuel production and storage. The system will be powered by renewable sources of energy; namely a micro-scale wind turbine and a solar panel. The power generated will be used to power a small-scale PEM electrolyzer to produce hydrogen gas that will then be stored at low pressure in a safe, metal hydride storage tank. This relatively low cost system will provide the average consumer with the ability to safely produce hydrogen fuel for use in residential fuel cells or fuel cell-powered vehicles, making hydrogen fuel an attractive alternative to fossil fuels.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The Persistence Process: Development of a Stage Model For Goal-Directed Behavior:

This paper provides a theoretical framework for persistence as a process in goal-directed behavior. The theoretical foundation builds on the recent formulation of an instability function in planned behavior and develops a stage model of persistence. Stages discussed in this paper include those related to decision-making, implementation and evaluation.
Effect of noise in quantum communications

New methods in optical communications rely on the quantum properties of photons to assure link security and data privacy. However, optical quantum communications make several assumptions, among them that the quantum properties of photons are preserved over many-kilometer long continuous fiber, which additionally is free from absorbing and scattering centers. In this paper we review quantum communication methods based on photon polarization, single and entangled, and we investigate the impact of noise sources on quantum signal propagation.
A Digital Dual-State-Variable Predictive Controller for High Switching Frequency Buck Converter With Improved $\Sigma-\Delta$ DPWM

This paper presents a novel digital controller for the high-switching-frequency buck converter based on the principle of predictive control. Compared with a traditional current-mode predictive controller, the prediction of the inductor current and the output voltage are performed at the same time by adding a control variable to the DPWM signal that can dynamically adjust the time of voltage jump. It accelerates the convergence rate during transient states, while inherently preserving the rejection of power and reference perturbations. The analysis of controller's operation illustrates the dual-state-variable predictive attributes that lead to the digital implementation. To further enhance the power efficiency of the controller, an 1-1 MASH Σ- Δ DPWM with a feasible dither generation module is proposed to restrain the idle-tone effects without deteriorating the closed-loop stability as well as to preserve reasonable cost in silicon area. Experimental results verify closed-loop operations at switching frequency up to 4 MHz only limited by the discrete buck converter. The converter is well regulated over a large output range with excellent dynamic performances.
NASA's hypersonic fluid and thermal physics program (Aerothermodynamics)

This survey paper gives an overview of NASA's hypersonic fluid and thermal physics program (recently renamed aerothermodynamics). The purpose is to present the elements of, example results from, and rationale and projection for this program. The program is based on improving the fundamental understanding of aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic flow phenomena over hypersonic vehicles in the continuum, transitional, and rarefied flow regimes. Vehicle design capabilities, computational fluid dynamics, computational chemistry, turbulence modeling, aerothermal loads, orbiter flight data analysis, orbiter experiments, laser photodiagnostics, and facilities are discussed.
Comprehension and production of gestures by children with normal and impaired language at ages 4, 5, and 6.

12 children with normal verbal language, ages 4, 5, and 6, were matched with 12 children with impaired verbal language. When the two groups were compared for comprehension and production of nonverb...
AN APPROACH TO IDENTIFICATION AND PREVENTION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFICULTIES AMONG MEXICAN‐AMERICAN CHILDREN

This paper reviews the relevant literature and discusses the nature of Chicano concerns in regard to the implementation of legislation mandating developmental assessment of poor children. An approach to providing screening and remedial services responsive to the needs of Mexican-Americans is outlined.
Semiempirical Cepheid Period-Luminosity Relations in Sloan Magnitudes

In this paper we derive semiempirical Cepheid period-luminosity (P-L) relations in the Sloan ugriz magnitudes by combining the observed BVI mean magnitudes from the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) Cepheids and theoretical bolometric corrections. We also constructed empirical gr band P-L relations, using the publicly available Johnson-Sloan photometric transformations, to be compared with our semiempirical P-L relations. These two sets of P-L relations are consistent with each other.
Circulation dynamics: A planning model

A mathematical model is presented that can be used to predict a library's circulation. Variables considered include changing user population, decreasing demand for older items in the collection, purchasing and circulation policies, weeding and other losses, and inflation. The model requires little data other than what libraries normally collect. An example of applying the model to a particular library is discussed. Possible extensions of the model are noted.
Grazing Incidence X-Ray Microscopy Of Laser Fusion Targets

Grazing-incidence x-ray microscopy is used extensively at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory to diagnose laser fusion plasmas. The design, fabrication, and imaging characteristics of two microscope systems are discussed. These systems are based upon orthogonal, cylindrical mirror pairs and axisymmetric, hyperboloid/ ellipsoid x-ray optics.
Ventilatory responses to CO2, and hypoxia in the two-toed sloth Choloepus Hoffmanni

Abstract Sloths are unusual in that they have a low metabolic rate, a low body temperature and a low rate of secretion of thyroxine in comparison with most other mammals. Since it is known that any one of these features, if induced in a characteristic mammal, results in some altered state of the ventilatory control system, and its responses to hypoxic and/or hypercapnic stimuli, the sloth was studied in order to determine whether its control of breathing was in any way unusual. Two mature animals, one female and one male, were studied on many occasions, under unanesthetized and unrestrained conditions, and under graded CO2, hypoxic, and asphyxie states. There was considerable day-to-day variation, and the two sloths had generally different responses, but when compared with other species, their responses were well within the range of typical mammals. In its normal resting position, as studied, the sloth has certain decerebrate characteristics, and this feature, as well as other aspects of neuro-muscular function, are discussed in terms of the respiratory patterns observed.
Methionine metabolism of healing bone fractures.

Abstract 1. 1. Protein metabolism has been studied in vivo and in vitro using S35 methionine. The 3-hr. protein uptake of S35 has been expressed in terms of micrograms of administered S35 methionine/μg. of protein nitrogen. This expression has been utilized as a metabolic index of muscle, bone, and healing fractures. 2. 2. The metabolic index of healing fractures is 3–5 times greater than for control bones, whether the metabolism was determined in vivo or in vitro.
Gene therapeutic approaches to primary and metastatic brain tumors: II. ribozyme-mediated suppression of CD44 expression.

Glioblastomas are highly invasive intracerebral tumors that are known to express the CD44 cell adhesion molecule. Human glioma cell adhesion and invasionin vitro may in part be mediated by the interaction of CD44 with extracellular matrix proteins. To suppress the growth and invasive effects of CD44 expression on primary brain tumors we have designed two hammerhead ribozymes as potential gene therapeutic agents. Both ribozymes designed to target exon 2 of CD44 exhibitedin vitro cleavage ofin vitro transcribed CD44s and CD44R1 RNAs. The anti-CD44 effect of these ribozymes results from directed RNA cleavage, requiring both a target sequence and an appropriate catalytic center. Further, following transient transfection of one of these ribozymes into the SNB-19 glioma cell line, significantin vivo cleavage activity against cellular CD44 transcripts was demonstrated by flow cytometrical analysis. These preliminary results suggest that CD44-directed hammerhead ribozymes may be useful as gene therapeutic agents.
Mechanisms of process-induced heating of MEMS structures during plasma release etch

The temperature rise on suspended MEMS structures during a Si plasma release etch process is investigated experimentally using in situ infrared imaging. The process is performed on a commercially available inductively coupled plasma etch chamber and comprises an anisotropic, Bosch-type Si DRIE step, an O 2 inhibitor removal step and a SF 6 isotropic Si etch. Temperatures up to 150°C were observed during the isotropic etch and indicate the exothermic reaction of Si and F is the dominant source of heat. Temperature trends with test structure geometry suggest interplay between radiative cooling and etchant transport determines maximum structure temperature.
Checklist content on a standardized patient assessment: an ex post facto review

While checklists are often used to score standardized patient based clinical assessments, little research has focused on issues related to their development or the level of agreement with respect to the importance of specific items. Five physicians independently reviewed checklists from 11 simulation scenarios that were part of the former Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduate's Clinical Skills Assessment and classified the clinical appropriateness of each of the checklist items. Approximately 78% of the original checklist items were judged to be needed, or indicated, given the presenting complaint and the purpose of the assessment. Rater agreement was relatively poor with pairwise associations (Kappa coefficient) ranging from 0.09 to 0.29. However, when only consensus indicated items were included, there was little change in examinee scores, including their reliability over encounters. Although most checklist items in this sample were judged to be appropriate, some could potentially be eliminated, thereby minimizing the scoring burden placed on the standardized patients. Periodic review of checklist items, concentrating on their clinical importance, is warranted.
Scale invariance of water stress and scarcity indicators: Facilitating cross-scale comparisons of water resources vulnerability

Abstract Several indicators are commonly used to measure the degree of water resources vulnerability (e.g., water stress and scarcity) in different populations and regions. Little is known, however, about how these indicators respond to changes in the scale of data used to derive them. Two of the most widely used water resources vulnerability metrics, conventionally computed for mean annual values at the country level are Falkenmark Index (FI) for per capita water availability and the Criticality Ratio (CR) for water use to availability. This study computes FI and CR values at a wide range of scales and tests for trends with scale in three river basins: Missouri (North America), Danube (Europe) and Ganges (South Asia) Basins. Gridded sub-continental hydro-climatic data sets at 0.5° resolution are used and aggregated at multiple scales from 0.5° to 5.0°. Analytical logic and empirical evidence show that mean grid-cell values of these vulnerability metrics are in fact scale-independent (scale-invariant) for a given basin. When unscaled variables like water availability and use are ratioed to variables that depend on area, such as population, their dependency on scale may be lost and they become spatially scaled variables. For example, grid-cell mean values of water availability are scale dependent, but grid-cell mean values of the ratio of water availability to population (i.e. FI) are not. This implies that, for a particular river basin, average water resources vulnerability computed by FI and CR at one scale should apply to all scales. This has tremendous implications to applied geographic studies of water resources, and is especially interesting since the unscaled variables used to derive the two indices are scale dependent and vary greatly with scale. The paper and findings highlight the multi-scale complexities of water resources and the geographic nature of water resources and vulnerability metrics.
Editorial: Why H-infinity?

H-infinity is a performance index (norm) measuring the maximum value of a sensitivity or other transfer matrix (which is a function of a complex variable) in the frequency domain. It sounds simple when stated in terms that control engineers can relate to. Why, then, use an obscure mathematical term that is expected to scare engineers away? The author's objective is to address a critical problem: what is the purpose of a title (and abstract) of a technical paper published in the IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control. He argues that one needs to carefully pick titles so that they can be understood by the typical reader. He does not ask that every paper be accessible, only that every title be accessible. Once the problem of the title is solved engineers can turn their attention to the problem of unreadable abstracts. It is important that every paper use an abstract that is readable by many and that describes the objectives of the paper clearly. The abstract should not contain equations or numbered references. He notes that the abstract of a paper is used for indexing and abstracting (A&I) services, and must be in a form that contains only english characters. After these objectives have been met, engineers may then tackle the problem of the readability and accessibility of the entire paper. If some of these suggestions are followed by our authors, reviewers, and associate editors, we would have made an important step toward a readable and accessible Transactions.
Quantum dot single molecule tracking reveals a wide range of diffusive motions of membrane transport proteins

Single particle tracking (SPT) provides information about the microscopic motions of individual particles in live cells. We applied SPT to study the diffusion of membrane transport proteins in cell plasma membranes in which individual proteins are labeled with quantum dots at engineered extracellular epitopes. Software was created to deduce particle diffusive modes from quantum dot trajectories. SPT of aquaporin (AQP) water channels and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channels revealed several types of diffusion. AQP1 was freely mobile in cell membranes, showing rapid, Brownian-type diffusion. The full-length (M1) isoform of AQP4 also diffused rapidly, though the diffusion of a shorter (M23) isoform of AQP4 was highly restricted due to its supermolecular assembly in raft-like orthogonal arrays. CFTR mobility was also highly restricted, in a spring-like potential, due to its tethering to the actin cytoskeleton through PDZ-domain C-terminus interactions. The biological significance of regulated diffusion of membrane transport proteins is a subject of active investigation.
Decreased Anterior Cingulate Myo-inositol/Creatine Spectroscopy Resonance with Lithium Treatment in Children with Bipolar Disorder

This project was designed to compare differences in brain proton spectra between children and adolescents with bipolar disorder (BPD) and gender and age-matched normal controls, and to measure changes in myo-inositol levels following lithium therapy, utilizing in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS). A single voxel (2x2x2 cm3) was placed in brain anterior cingulate cortex for acquisition of the 1H spectra at baseline and after acute (7 days) lithium administration in 11 children (mean age 11.4 years) diagnosed with BPD, and in 11 normal controls. Acute lithium treatment was associated with a significant reduction in the myo-inositol/creatine ratio. This decrement was also significant in lithium-responders when analyzed separate from non-responders. Compared to normal controls, BPD subjects showed a trend towards a higher myo-inositol/creatine during the manic phase. These preliminary data provide evidence that a significant reduction in anterior cingulate myo-inositol magnetic resonance may occur after lithium treatment, especially among responders. Follow-up studies involving a larger sample may allow us to confirm whether changes in myo-inositol associated with acute lithium therapy persist in long-term clinical response of patients with and without lithium compliance.
A Wide Dynamic Range Portable 60-Hz Magnetic Dosimeter with Data Acquisition Capabilities

A portable dosimeter has been developed for monitoring human exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields in residential and occupational environments. The microprocessor-controlled dosimeter has been designed to measure 60-Hz field intensities that vary from 20 ?G to 600 mG, thereby covering the broad range of field levels generally encountered in households and occupational settings. A digitized resolution of 2.5 ?G is provided in the 20 ?G to 10 mG range, and 150 ?G resolution in the 10 mG to 600 mG range. Automatic range switching is implemented for both signal processing and data acquisition.
Correlating Nanoparticle Dispersion to Surface Mechanical Properties of TiO2/Polymer Composites

The objective of this study is to characterize the nanoparticle dispersion and to investigate its effect on the surface mechanical properties of nanoparticle-polymer systems. Two types of TiO 2 nanoparticles were chosen to mix in two polymeric matrices: solvent-borne acrylic urethane (AU) and water-borne butyl-acrylic styrene latex (latex) coatings. Nanoparticle dispersion was characterized using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Overall, Particle A (P A , without surface treatment) dispersed better than Particle B (P B , organic treatment) in both systems. The AU-P A system exhibited the best dispersion of the four systems, however P B forms big clusters in both of the matrices. Surface mechanical properties, such as surface modulus at micron and sub-micron length scales were determined from depth sensing indentation equipped with a pyramidal tip or a conical tip. The surface mechanical properties were strongly affected by the dispersion of nanoparticle clusters, and a good correlation was found between dispersion of nanoparticle clusters near surface and the modulus-depth mapping using a pyramid tip.
A comparative study of the water budgets of lawns under three management scenarios

The fate of irrigation in urban ecosystems is highly uncertain, due to uncertainties in urban ecohydrology. We compared irrigation rates, soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), stomatal conductance, and water budgets of landscape ecosystems managed with different turfgrass species and irrigation technologies. The “Typical” landscape had a cool-season fescue and was irrigated by an automatic timer. The “Alternative1” landscape had a warm-season paspalum and a “smart” soil moisture sensor-based irrigation system. The “Alternative2” landscape had a cool-season native sedge and a “smart” weather station-based drip irrigation system. ET was measured with a portable closed chamber and modeled using a Penman-Monteith approach, and the two methods agreed well. The water applied to the Alternative1 was 54 % less than the water applied to the Typical landscape, and the water applied to the Alternative2 was 24 % less. Soil moisture was similar in the Typical and Alternative2, while Alternative1 was drier in spring. The stomatal conductance of sedge was lower than the other two species, but its ET was not lower due to higher leaf area. Irrigation efficiencies (ET/applied irrigation) were 57 - 58 %, 86 – 97 %, and 78 - 80 % for the Typical, Alternative1, and Alternative2 landscapes, respectively. Runoff was less than 2 % in each landscape, and excess irrigation primarily drained below the root zone. Differences in irrigation efficiency between landscapes were due mainly to irrigation application, which varied more than species water use. Smart irrigation systems provided substantial water savings relative to a timer-based system, and prevented significant drainage losses. The utilization of smart sensors was more important than the choice of turfgrass species for irrigation efficiency.
Differential effects of human papillomavirus DNA types on p53 tumor-suppressor gene apoptosis in sperm.

Abstract Objective. Sperm DNA undergoes apoptotic fragmentation when exposed to HPV DNA. Details of the specific gene regions targeted by HPV in sperm are lacking. The objective of this study was to determine the integrity of exons 5 and 8 of the p53 gene in sperm exposed to HPV DNA. Methods. Washed sperm were exposed to either HLA-DQA1 (control) or HPV type 6b/11, 16, 18, 31, or 33 DNA fragments for 24 h at 37°C. The integrity of sperm p53 exons 5 and 8 was assessed using a novel DNA disc chip assay based on comparative genomic hybridization. Results. Fragmentation of exon 5 occurred after exposure to HPV DNA type 18. In contrast, only exon 8 was affected by HPV type 16. HPV DNA from type 31 or 33 was without effect on the p53 exons. Sperm motility but not hyperactivation was reduced in all HPV groups. Conclusions. The data suggest that different HPV types preferentially degrade different exons of important genes. Decreased motility but not hyperactivation in HPV-exposed sperm suggests retention of some fertilizing capacity and the possibility of transmitting virus-destabilized genes through fertilization.
Evaluation of the “hanging cast” as a method of treating fractures of the humerus

Abstract 1. 1. The method does not depart from established principles as widely as is generally supposed. 2. 2. It is applicable to most fractures of the humerus. 3. 3. It is cheap, simple and easy to apply. 4. 4. It is comfortable. 5. 5. The method permits the patient to be ambulatory and allows early mobilization of joints. 6. 6. The number of hospital days and the amount of physiotherapy are reduced to a minimum. 7. 7. The incidence of delayed and nonunion is very low. 8. 8. The end results, particularly as to function, are equal to or better than those obtained by other methods. In conclusion, we believe that the “hanging cast” method of treatment for fractures of the humerus is most effective and should be given a prominent position in the list of the various forms of therapy utilized for these lesions.