cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some Educational Innovations in Radar Meteorology

This study is aimed at describing past, current, and future thrusts associated with educating radar meteorologists. The study is geared toward graduate educational activities in academia and is purposely limited to the mid-1950s onward. The review is influenced by the personal experiences of the authors, in particular, through their experiences at their graduate institutions (S. Rutledge, University of Washington; V. Chandrasekar, Colorado State University) and via their faculty appointments at Colorado State University (CSU). The methods used to educate radar meteorologists have continually evolved with the arrival of new radar hardware, a rather expected occurrence, since this educational discipline is obviously hardware intensive. Today, many institutions have their own radar systems, which form focal points for their in-house educational activities. Still, other universities do not have ready access to radar systems, leaving their students to gain hands-on experience via field programs that employ radars, or by other means [e.g., viewing Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) data over the Internet]. To address this deficiency in the future, it is hoped that students can acquire “virtual” hands-on experience with radar systems through imaginative uses of the Internet. As will be discussed below in more detail, mobile radar systems can also fill this niche by moving around to various universities, providing valuable hands-on experience for students, even just for limited periods of time.
The contamination of ‘data impact’ in global models by rapidly growing mesoscale instabilities

This paper illustrates a caveat in the ‘data impact’ method, in which the influence of assimilating a specific set of observations on a numerical weather forecast is evaluated. The ‘signal’ of data impact is defined as the difference between two forecasts, which are identical except that one forecast withholds the data in question from the assimilation. While it is anticipated that a coherent signal from observations in the midlatitude storm track is propagated dynamically by a forecast model from the vicinity of the observation locations, the reality is that the signal may become contaminated by initially small instabilities in dynamically unrelated locations. The initial signal may be non-zero in these remote locations due to small differences between the two analyses arising from truncation errors in the data assimilation scheme and/or the model's truncated spectral basis. The notion that the dynamical signal is contaminated is corroborated by assessing the data impact in the Northern Hemisphere of one rawinsonde released over Antarctica. After just a few hours, an amplifying signal manifests itself in convective areas in the Tropics, and even in locations along the midlatitude storm track where moist instabilities exist. Rapid growth and upscale evolution from the mesoscale to synoptic scales is evident. We find that the evaluation of the efficacy of a given set of observations on weather forecasts of more than two days may be compromised by initially small instabilities, particularly for spectral models and data assimilation schemes. The effective time is expected to be shorter in the Tropics. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Transforming activity of nitrogen mustard-crosslinked DNA.

Nitrogen mustard-crosslinked Bacillus subtilis DNA was found to retain a high degree of activity for genetic transformation. Transforming activity remained even in molecules with at least two crosslinks. Crosslinking prevented the loss of transforming activity normally brought about by exposure of the DNA to mild denaturants. The transforming activity retained after exposure to denaturants was quantitatively correlated with the amount of helical DNA remaining. The mechanisms whereby DNA may be able to transform despite being crosslinked are discussed.
Masks for extreme ultraviolet lithography

In extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), the technology specific requirements on the mask are a direct consequence of the utilization of radiation in the spectral region between 10 and 15 nm. At these wavelengths, all condensed materials are highly absorbing and efficient radiation transport mandates the use of all-reflective optical systems. Reflectivity is achieved with resonant, wavelength-matched multilayer (ML) coatings on all of the optical surfaces - including the mask. The EUV mask has a unique architecture - it consists of a substrate with a highly reflective ML coating (the mask blank) that is subsequently over-coated with a patterned absorber layer (the mask). Particulate contamination on the EUVL mask surface, errors in absorber definition and defects in the ML coating all have the potential to print in the lithographic process. While highly developed technologies exist for repair of the absorber layer, no viable strategy for the repair of ML coating defects has been identified. In this paper the state-of-the-art in ML deposition technology, optical inspection of EUVL mask blank defects and candidate absorber patterning approaches are reviewed.
Discouraged vs. added workers: Variation by gender, age, and marital status

Abstract This paper analyzes the relationship between aggregate unemployment and the labor force participation of males and females of differing ages and marital circumstances. According to the discouraged-worker effect, a higher unemployment rate causes some workers to leave the labor force leading to a reduction in both the labor-force participation rate and the unemployment rate. To shed light on this statistical incongruity, a unique data set consisting of monthly observations from the Current Population Survey is used to extract the labor force participation rates of males and females of three different age categories and three different marital classifications. Impulse functions from vector error-correction models indicate that discouraged workers are more likely though not exclusively to consist of married males and females between 50 and 65 years of age. No statistically significant evidence of a net added-worker effect is found among married females or males in any age group.
Effect of Antilymphocyte Serum on Parameters of Growth of MCA-induced Tumours

A PREVIOUS study has shown that the administration of antilymphocyte serum (ALS) resulted in augmentation of “takes”, growth and metastases of transplanted mouse mammary tumours in their syngeneic C3HeB/FeJ hosts1. The mechanism concerned with this effect was not indisputably evident, although it seemed likely that it was related to the lymphopenic and/or other immuno-suppressive activity of ALS. Although tumour specific transplantation antigens (TSTA) have been demonstrated recently in “spontaneous” mammary tumours of C3H mice, there is some evidence that TSTA in such neoplasms are “weak”2. Because of this, we thought it worth while to explore the effects of ALS on parameters of tumour growth of MCA-induced tumours in which TSTA and immunological mechanisms are more firmly established.
Metalations utilizing aryllithiums; ortho-functionalization of p-bromoanisole (pBrA)

Abstract An ortho-metalation protocol has been developed, which permits the survival of a bromine substituent in p-bromoanisole. Eight derivatives of the generated ortho-lithiated intermediate have been prepared. A neglected metalation concept is being explored here; one which proposes that minimizing the pKa difference between the aryl substrate and the conjugate acid of the metalating agent will lead to a regiospecific and selective metalation process.
Use of T4 RNA ligase to construct model substrates for a ribosomal RNA maturation endonuclease

Abstract RNase M5 of Bacillus subtilis specifically cleaves a 179-nucleotide precursor 5S rRNA to yield mature 5S rRNA (116 nucleotides) and two fragments derived from the termini. Possible recognition elements for RNase M5 within the precursor structure include nucleotide sequences arranged with 2-fold rotational and translational symmetry about the substrate bonds. We have used bacteriophage T4 RNA ligase to construct, from synthetic oligonucleotides and mature or precursor 5S rRNA fragments, test substrates lacking these symmetry elements. The susceptibilities of the artificial substrates to RNase M5 demonstrate that the symmetrically arranged sequences are not used in the RNase M5 interaction with the precursor. Additionally, the synthetic protocols permitted the invention of an acid-soluble assay for RNase M5 and, potentially, other specific endoribonucleases.
In vivo inhibition of demineralization around orthodontic brackets.

Demineralization around orthodontic appliances is a problem. Suboptimal oral hygiene, long intervals between appointments, and potentially poor patient cooperation with using fluoride dentifrices and mouth rinses necessitate a compliance-free means of preventing tooth decay. The hypothesis of this study was that fluoride released by glass ionomer cement inhibits the formation of carious lesions around orthodontic brackets in vivo. Brackets were bonded on 2 first premolars in 21 randomized, consecutively selected patients 11 to 18 years old. Eleven test-group subjects were bonded with fluoride-releasing glass ionomer cement, and 10 control subjects were bonded with composite resin (no fluoride). The teeth were extracted after 4 weeks, sectioned, and evaluated quantitatively by cross-sectional microhardness testing. Fluoride levels in patient saliva were measured by the Taves diffusion method in samples taken at days 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 to determine whether fluoride from the glass ionomer cement influenced the overall intraoral fluoride levels. The results demonstrated significantly more demineralization around the brackets of the control patients (P .05) and no noticeable trend within groups (P >.05) were found. These results indicate that using fluoride-releasing glass ionomer cement for bonding orthodontic brackets successfully inhibited caries in vivo. This cariostatic effect was localized to the area around the brackets and was statistically significant after 4 weeks.
Disruption of cell cycle kinetics and cyclin-dependent kinase system by ethanol in cultured cerebellar granule progenitors.

Abstract An in vitro model of neuronal precursors, primary culture of cerebellar granule progenitors (CGPs), was used to investigate the mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced cell cycle damage. The CGP cultures were generated from 3-day-old rats. Ethanol significantly inhibited the proliferation of the CGPs in culture. Analysis of cell cycle kinetics by a cumulative 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling technique demonstrated that ethanol exposure increased the duration of the cell cycle and decreased the growth fraction (the cycling population). The duration of the S-phase and total cell cycle was significantly prolonged by ethanol exposure by 220% and 135%, respectively, while the growth fraction was decreased from 44% in the control groups to 22% in the ethanol-exposed cultures. Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) is a key protein that regulates both the passage from G1 into S, and the S phase progression. The results from in vitro phosphorylation assay and Western blot demonstrated that ethanol dramatically down-regulated both the activity and the expression of Cdk2. In addition, ethanol significantly decreased the expression of Cyclin A and Cyclin D2. Further studies using in situ TUNEL assay and DNA fragmentation ELISA showed that ethanol caused a delayed apoptosis, i.e. the ethanol-induced apoptosis was evident only after chronic exposure. On the other hand, ethanol did not affect the necrotic index. In conclusion, ethanol decreases the cycling pool of CGPs by inducing cell cycle delay and promoting apoptosis. Ethanol-mediated disturbance of the cyclin-dependent kinase system may be an important mechanism to account for cell cycle arrest in neuronal precursor cells.
Family-based association analysis of a statistically derived quantitative traits for ADHD reveal an association in DRD4 with inattentive symptoms in ADHD individuals.

The objective of this study was to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within candidate genes for ADHD are associated with quantitative phenotypes generated from inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. One hundred forty-three SNPs were genotyped in and around five ADHD candidate genes. A highly heritable quantitative phenotype was generated at each SNP by weighting inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. Once these phenotypes were generated, a screening procedure was used to select and test the five SNP/phenotype combinations with the greatest power to detect an association for each candidate gene. Adjacent SNPs in the promoter region of DRD4, hCV26775267 and hCV26775266, were associated with the quantitative phenotypes generated from the ADHD symptoms (corrected P-values = 0.012 for both SNPs). The correlations between the ADHD symptoms and quantitative phenotype revealed that inattentive symptoms had a strong influence on the generated phenotype. Subsequent family-based association test-principal components (FBAT-PC) analyses using inattentive symptoms only also had significant associations. SNPs in the promoter region of DRD4 are associated with the phenotypes generated from ADHD symptoms. The strong correlation of the inattentive symptoms with these quantitative phenotypes and the subsequent FBAT-PC analyses suggest this region is primarily associated with inattentive symptoms. This analysis adds to previous findings by suggesting that variants at these loci may be specifically associated with inattentive symptoms. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Object-oriented cosynthesis of distributed embedded systems

This article describes a new hardware-software cosynthesis algorithm that takes advantage of the structure inherent in an object-oriented specification. The algorithm creates a distributed system implementation with arbitrary topology, using the object-oriented structure to partition functionality in addition to scheduling and allocating processes. Process partitioning is an especially important optimization for such systems because the specification will not, in general, take into account the process structure required for efficient execution on the distributed engine. The object-oriented specification naturally provides both coarse-grained and fine-grained partitions of the system. Our algorithm uses that multilevel structure to guide synthesis. Experimental results show that our algorithm takes advantage of the object-oriented specification to quickly converge on high-quality implementations.
Electromagnetic transitions in 51Mn

Abstract The nuclear structure of 51 25 Mn was studied by γ-ray spectroscopy in the 54 Fe(p, α) 51 Mn reaction ( E p = 9.0–13.2 MeV) and the 14 N+ 39 K, 16 O+ 40 Ca and 14 N+ 40 Ca fusion-evaporation reactions ( E beam = 36 MeV). In the 54 Fe(p, αγ) 51 Mn reaction γ-rays were detected in coincidence with α-particles emitted near 180°; mean lifetimes and γ-ray mixing and branching ratios were deduced from Doppler shift attenuation and α-γ angular correlation measurements, respectively. Definite spin assignments are: 237 and 2416 keV, J π = 7 2 − ; 1140 keV, 9 2 − ; 1488 keV, 11 2 − ; 1825 and 2140 keV, 3 2 − . The results for other states below 3 MeV are consistent with the existence of rotational bands (/kh 2 /2/OI/t~ 95 keV) built on the ( 3 2 + ) 1817 keV and 1 2 + 2276 keV hole states. The various measurements together with an earlier value for the lifetime of the first-excited state determine unambiguously the B (M1) and B (E2) values for all of the decay branches of the 7 2 − , 9 2 − and 11 2 − lowest three excited states. From the γ-singles and γ-γ coincidence observations with fusion-evaporation reactions, the yrast cascade proceeds through these three states and higher states at 2957, 3250,3680 and 4139 keV which are suggested to have J π = 13 2 − , 15 2 − , 15 2 − and 19 2 − , respectively. The various experimental results for the 5 2 − → ( 19 2 − ) yrast states are in good overall agreement with shell-model calculations in the (f 7 2 ∗ space.
Technical Careers for Women: a Perspective From Rural Appalachia

The onset of the electronics-based information revolution will augur changes in the sociological perceptions of 'suitable careers' for women. This phenomenon is particularly evident in rural Appalachia.A planned, systematic delivery system was designed, developed, and implemented by Southwest Virginia Community College to introduce women to the challenges and possibilities of technical careers. This was accomplished through a gradualized phase-in to Technological Literacy, followed by in-depth involvement, culminating in an industrial internship experience. A special curriculum was designed to ease the transition of the women, most of whom were homemakers, into the fast-paced mainstream of the academic environment.Duration of the introductory segment was one academic quarter. All project participants were clustered in a peer group, led by the project director, a trained counselor. In addition to a central course on Career Directions for Women, the program design emphasized Industrial Dynamics, the variety...
Nano-scale liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and on-the-fly orthogonal array optimization for quantification of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and the application in preclinical analysis

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) constitute a group of highly effective agents for treating various refractory diseases. Nonetheless it is challenging to achieve selective and accurate quantification of mAb in pharmaceutical matrices, which is required by PK studies. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry under selected reaction monitoring mode (LC/SRM-MS) is emerging as an attractive alternative to immunoassays because of the high specificity and multiplexing capacity it provides, but may fall short in terms of sensitivity, reliability and quantitative accuracy. Moreover, the strategy for optimization of the MS conditions for many candidates of signature peptides (SP) and the selection of the optimal SP for quantification remains elusive. In this study, we employed a suite of technical advances to overcome these difficulties, which include: (i) a nano-LC/SRM-MS approach to achieve high analytical sensitivity, (ii) a high-resolution nano-LC/LTQ/Orbitrap for confident identification of candidate peptides, (iii) an on-the-fly orthogonal array optimization (OAO) method for the high-throughput, accurate and reproducible optimization for numerous candidate peptides in a single LC/MS run without using synthesized peptides, (iv) a comprehensive evaluation of stability of candidates in matrix using the optimized SRM parameters, (v) the use of two unique SP for quantification of one mAb to gauge possible degradation/modification in biological system and thus enhancing data reliability (e.g. rejection of data if the deviation between the two SP is greater than 25%) and (vi) the utilization of purified target protein as the calibrator to eliminate the risk of severe negative biases that could occur when a synthesized peptide is used as calibrator. To show a proof of concept, this strategy is applied in the quantification of cT84.66, a chimeric, anti-CEA antibody, in preclinical mouse models. A low detection limit of the mAb down to 3.2 ng/mL was achieved, which is substantially more sensitive than established immunoassay methods for anti-CEA antibodies. The quantitative method showed good linearity (within the range of 12.9 ng/mL to 32.3 μg/mL in plasma), accuracy and precision. Additionally, the ultra-low sample consumption (2 μL plasma per preparation) permits the acquisition of an entire set of time course data from the same mouse, which represents a prominent advantage for PK study using small-animal models. The developed method enabled an accurate PK investigation of cT84.66 in mice following intravenous and subcutaneous administrations at relatively low doses over an extended period of time. The strategy employed in this study can be easily adapted to the sensitive and accurate analysis of other mAb and therapeutic proteins.
Abnormal retinal artery responses to stress in patients with type I diabetes

The brachial artery pressure and retinal artery pressure responses to a one-minute cold pressor test were evaluated simultaneously in 14 patients with type I diabetes mellitus (six with and eight without diabetic retinopathy) and 10 age-matched control subjects. Five patients with type I diabetes had autonomic neuropathy. Mean baseline brachial artery pressure and retinal artery pressure were similar in patients with type I diabetes and control subjects. After cold pressor testing, the brachial artery pressure increased significantly (p less than 0.01) compared with baseline values in both groups. Retinal mean arterial pressures increased significantly (p less than 0.001) after cold pressor testing compared with the baseline values only in patients with type I diabetes. Positive correlation was found between the brachial and retinal mean arterial pressures after cold pressor testing (r = 0.48; p less than 0.05) in the diabetic patients but not in the control subjects (r = 0.10; p = NS). No correlation was found between the retinal artery pressure and age of onset of diabetes, duration of diabetes, the presence or absence of diabetic retinopathy, and glycemic control. Four patients with autonomic neuropathy and low retinal artery pressures, which remained unchanged after cold pressor testing, had no diabetic retinopathy. The fifth patient with autonomic neuropathy and exaggerated systolic brachial artery pressure (175 mm Hg) and retinal artery pressure (more than 80 mm Hg) responses had severe background diabetic retinopathy. In conclusion, abnormal retinal artery responses to stress are present in patients with type I diabetes. This may be modified by the presence or absence of both autonomic neuropathy and hypertension. The biologic significance of these findings is yet to be determined.
Impedance spectra of hydrating cement pastes

Complex impedance spectra were obtained over the frequency range 5 Hz to 13 MHz on Portland cement pastes with water/cement ratios of 0.3, 0.35, and 0.4 at various hydration times from 6 h to 24 days. Features of the spectra which could be associated with the bulk material and which could be separated from the electrode arc, were studied. The overall bulk resistance of each paste was thereby determined as a function of hydration time. Bulk features evolved from a simple high-frequency intercept to an intercept with a single arc, then an intercept with two overlapping arcs, and back to an intercept with a single arc. A plausible equivalent circuit was developed involving an electrodeR/C network and constant phase element in series with one or two bulkR/C networks and a bulk resistor. Possible physical interpretation is discussed but assignment of equivalent circuit elements to microstructural features and/or processes will require microstructural characterization and a knowledge of pore-phase chemistry and properties.
THE NEW FEDERALISM STRATEGY AND STATE‐LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES

The Reagan Administration has embarked upon a New Federalism strategy designed to improve the operation of the American federal system by determining the proper roles of the private and public sectors in the provision OJ services, and by correctly allocating service responsibilities within the public sector among the three levels of government. The purpose of our paper is to examine this proposed strategy and its potential impacts on state and local government fiscal behavior. Our conclusion is that the most important influences on state and local government have been the recession and self: imposed revenue and expenditure constraints. The reductions in federal aid have nor had the principal impacts.
Are patients with POEMS syndrome at increased risk of Salmonella aortitis

We report a case of Salmonella infectious aortitis in a patient with POEMS (peripheral neuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein and skin changes) syndrome, possibly indicating that vasculopathy associated with POEMS syndrome may increase the risk of Salmonella endovascular infection.
A fully three-dimensional size-independent parallelepipedal resonator partially filled with DNG metamaterial

A parallelepipedal cavity resonator consisting of eight equal-size parallelepipeds alternatively filled with doublepositive material and double-negative metamaterial is studied, in the frequency domain. The most general conditions under which resonant fields can exist independently of frequency are determined; these fields contain six independent amplitudes and six independent wavenumbers.
Responses of dairy cattle to long-term and short-term supplementation with oral selenium and vitamin E1.

Abstract In a two-lactation-gestation cycle experiment, 152 Holstein cows with low serum Se and vitamin E were fed total mixed rations and assigned at parturition to four groups (1, control; 2, 500 IU vitamin E/d; 3, 2mg Se/d; 4, 500 IU vitamin E plus 2mg Se/d). Supplements were not fed during dry periods. Serum Se and vitamin E were increased within 1 mo by oral supplements. Maximal mean serum Se in cycles 1 (67ng/ml at 7 mo) and 2 (74ng/ml at 4 mo) occurred in groups 3 and 4, respectively. Maximal mean serum vitamin E in cycle 1 (3.3 μ g/ml at mo 8) and 2 (3.03 μ g/ml at mo 2) occurred in groups 4 and 2, respectively. Selenium treatment of the dams increased Se in colostrum and in serum of presuckle calves. Vitamin E supplementation of dams did not affect vitamin E in serum of presuckled calves. Reproductive performance was not affected by supplement. In an 8-wk study, 24 lactating cows with low serum Se were assigned (6/group) to 0, 2.5, 5, and 10mg supplemental Se/d. Maximal mean serum Se concentrations of 23, 56, 71, and 79ng/ml were attained by wk 4 in the above respective groups. These data indicate that 2 to 2.5mg supplemental Se/cow per d were inadequate for desirable serum Se concentrations and support recent changes in allowed Se supplementation for dairy cattle.
Reduced activities of cytochrome P450 1A2 and xanthine oxidase in children with growth hormone deficiency.

Growth hormone (GH) regulates the sex-specific expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs),1 and it has been shown that the clearance of multi-enzymatic substrates is altered following GH replacement.2,3 Baseline pharmacokinetic alterations have also been described, suggesting that GH deficiency itself alters DME activity.3,4,5 However, the effects on individual enzymes have not been characterized. We therefore assessed the activity levels of DMEs that are likely to be affected in children with GH deficiency (a condition that affects 1 in 3,500 children)6 and compared them with pediatric historical controls.7 Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2008); 84, 6, 674–678 doi:10.1038/clpt.2008.185
GPR56 Is Essential for Testis Development and Male Fertility in Mice

Testis development is critical for male fertility and continuation of the mammalian species. Essential structural components of testes are seminiferous tubules, which are lined by Sertoli cells and provide nutrients and physical protection for the maturation of sperm. Seminiferous tubule formation is initiated in embryos as testis cords and relies on their remodeling for maturation during development. Recently, three-dimensional image analyses showed that testis cords in different parts of embryonic gonads undergo distinct remodeling processes. How this asymmetric remodeling is regulated has not been investigated. We report here that the absence of an adhesion G protein-coupled receptor, GPR56, leads to partial disruption of seminiferous tubules and reduced fertility in male mice. The defects appear to originate asymmetrically in embryonic gonads, but subsequent to the initial establishment of testis cords, suggesting that GPR56 might act to establish a spatial and/or temporal cue for asymmetric cord remodeling during male gonad development. Developmental Dynamics 239:3358–3367, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cyclotron heavy ion beam intensity enhancement by using an easily ionized support gas in the ion source

Abstract A large increase in the beam intensity of the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron (ORIC) has resulted from mixing easily ionized support gas with the primary gas in the cold cathode ion source.
An iterative procedure for the solution of constrained nonlinear equations with application to optimization problems

LetH 1 andH 2 denote Hilbert spaces and suppose thatD is a subset ofH 1. This paper establishes the local and linear convergence of a general iterative technique for finding the zeros ofG:D?H 2 subject to the general constraintP(x)=x, whereP:D?D. The results are then applied to several classes of problems, including those of least squares, generalized eigenvalues, and constrained optimization. Numerical results are obtained as the procedure is applied to finding the zeros of polynomials in several variables.
Attack preference of Ips pini on Pinus ponderosa in northern Arizona: tree size and bole position

1 The present study investigated the influence of tree size and bole position on selection of ponderosa pines (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) by Ips pini Say (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in a northern Arizona forest. Ips pini were attracted to lower and upper bole positions with pheromone lures, and the number of attacks counted. In addition, tree phloem and bark thickness, resin flow in response to wounding and characteristics of tree water and carbon relations were all measured. 2 Bark thickness was the most strongly related tree characteristic to number of I. pini attacks. Thin bark and a high number of attacks occurred at the lower bole position of 10-cm diameter trees and upper bole positions of 23-, 35-, and 50-cm diameter trees. 3 Phloem thickness increased directly with tree size, was greater at the upper bole compared with the lower bole, but was not associated with number of attacks. 4 Resin flow did not differ strongly over tree sizes or bole positions, and was not related to number of I. pini attacks. Attacks were not related to characteristics of tree carbon and water relations measured during I. pini flights.
Considering ecosystem-based fisheries management in the California Current

Abstract Recognizing that all management decisions have impacts on the ecosystem being exploited, an ecosystem-based approach to management seeks to better inform these decisions with knowledge of ecosystem structure, processes and functions. For marine fisheries in the California Current, along the West Coast of North America, such an approach must take into greater consideration the constantly changing climate-driven physical and biological interactions in the ecosystem, the trophic relationships between fished and unfished elements of the food web, the adaptation potential of life history diversity, and the role of humans as both predators and competitors. This paper reviews fisheries-based ecosystem tools, insights, and management concepts, and presents a transitional means of implementing an ecosystem-based approach to managing US fisheries in the California Current based on current scientific knowledge and interpretation of existing law.
Evolution of somatic sensory specialization in otter brains.

Expabsion of the coronal gyrus in Lutra and Pteroneura indicates a somatic sensory specialization of the head region, presumably in the form of extremely sensitive vibrissae. Enlargement of the primary somatic sensory projection area of the forelimb in Amblonyx, Aonyx, Parainyx and, in a different way, in Enhydra, correlates with anatomical and behavioral observations indicating increased tactile sensitivity of the hand of those otters. Fossil endocranial casts reveal that such specializations, at least in the Lutra and Aonyx groupe, were developed as far back as about ten million years ago. Potamotheirium, representing an independent line of aquatic mustelids, had an enlarged coronal gyrus 25 million years ago, at a time when in other respects it; brain was still quite primitive; descendants of Potamotherium survived until ten million years ago in North America.
A History of Drug Advertising: The Evolving Roles of Consumers and Consumer Protection

Direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs in the United States is controversial. Underlying the debate are disagreements over the role of consumers in medical decision making, the appropriateness of consumers engaging in self-diagnosis, and the ethics of an industry promoting potentially dangerous drugs. Drug advertising and federal policy governing drug advertising have both responded to and reinforced changes in the consumer's role in health care and in the doctor-patient relationship over time. This article discusses the history of DTCA in the context of social movements to secure rights for health care patients and consumers, the modern trend toward consumer-oriented medicine, and the implications of DTCA and consumer-oriented medicine for contemporary health policy debates about improving the health care system.
Production of 0.1–3 eV reactive molecules by laser vaporization of condensed molecular films: A potential source for beam-surface interactions

A versatile, repetitively pulsed source of translationally fast, reactive molecules is described that is suitable for materials processing experiments. The pulsed beams are generated by excimer laser vaporization of cryogenic molecular films that are continuously condensed on transparent substrates. The generation of fast, energy variable pulsed molecular sources of Cl2 and NO is demonstrated. The most probable translational energies of Cl2 and NO molecules can be reproducibly varied monotonically by adjusting the laser fluence or film thickness. Here, the most probable translational energy is quoted as the energy corresponding to the maximum of the time-of-flight trace. Using laser fluences of 2–25 mJ cm−2 from a 193 nm excimer laser, the most probable translational energies of Cl2 are 0.4–2 eV. Significant fractions of molecules with translational energies greater than 3 eV are observed at the leading edges of the distributions. Very similar results are obtained by vaporizing Cl2 with 248 and 351 nm radiation. Pulses of translationally fast NO molecules are generated in a similar manner; most probable energies from 0.1–0.4 eV, with the fastest molecules up to 0.8 eV, are obtained using laser fluences of 1–11 mJ cm−2 at 193 nm. Approximately 1013−1014 molecules per cm2 of the film are vaporized per laser pulse, depending on film thickness and laser fluence.
Evaluation of a Commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Diagnosis of Paratuberculosis in Dairy Cattle:

The performance of a commercially available ELISA for detection of antibodies to Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was evaluated using sera from 1,146 cows. Samples were from uninfected cattle, infected subclinical cattle shedding low numbers of organism in feces, subclinical heavy shedders, clinical cases, and randomly selected cattle in a slaughterhouse survey for paratuberculosis. The overall sensitivity of the test, using the manufacturer's recommended cutoff was 45% +/- 4.8%, and the specificity was 99% +/- 0.9%. The ELISA result was significantly correlated with the number of colonies of M. paratuberculosis detected by fecal culturing. The sensitivity of the test was highest for clinical cases of paratuberculosis (87% +/- 8.4%), and lowest for subclinical, light-shedding cattle (15% +/- 6.6%). Changing the cutoff point did not improve performance of the test. Evaluating ELISA results with a kinetic-based method reduced plate-to-plate variation in results but did not improve performance of the test based on receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis.
Water Requirements and Exhaust Products of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Systems with Embedded Sabatier Reactors for 100% Oxygen Regeneration

A solid oxide electrolysis system with embedded Sabatier reactors is being developed to completely recycle 100% of the oxygen consumed by a crew using only metabolic byproducts of the crew. For a given carbon dioxide and water vapor supply mixture and flow rate, oxygen regeneration and exhaust products can be estimated based on chemical thermodynamic equilibrium theory. If enough water vapor is supplied, full oxygen closure can be accomplished with only a subset of the unit’s SOE stack. However, the exhaust should be passed through the embedded Sabatier reactor to mitigate carbon deposition when the exhaust cools while exiting the unit. Doing so allows for further either additional water or additional oxygen regeneration by electrolyzing water vapor newly generated by the Sabatier reactor. If generating more oxygen, the design allows for over 95% single pass utilization of the input supply. Scaling equations for mass, power, and volume are provided that reflect the latest considerations from an actual SOE/embedded Sabatier reactor system built and tested.
The catalytic cycle for ribonucleotide incorporation by human DNA Pol λ

Although most DNA polymerases discriminate against ribonucleotide triphosphaets (rNTPs) during DNA synthesis, recent studies have shown that large numbers of ribonucleotides are incorporated into the eukaryotic nuclear genome. Here, we investigate how a DNA polymerase can stably incorporate an rNTP. The X-ray crystal structure of a variant of human DNA polymerase λ reveals that the rNTP occupies the nucleotide binding pocket without distortion of the active site, despite an unfavorable interaction between the 2′-O and Tyr505 backbone carbonyl. This indicates an energetically unstable binding state for the rNTP, stabilized by additional protein–nucleotide interactions. Supporting this idea is the 200-fold lower catalytic efficiency for rNTP relative to deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) incorporation, reflecting a higher apparent Km value for the rNTP. Furthermore, distortion observed in the structure of the post-catalytic product complex suggests that once the bond between the α- and β-phosphates of the rNTP is broken, the unfavorable binding state of the ribonucleotide cannot be maintained. Finally, structural and biochemical evaluation of dNTP insertion onto an ribonucleotide monophosphate (rNMP)-terminated primer indicates that a primer-terminal rNMP does not impede extension. The results are relevant to how ribonucleotides are incorporated into DNA in vivo, during replication and during repair, perhaps especially in non-proliferating cells when rNTP:dNTP ratios are high.
Activities and postantibiotic effects of gemifloxacin compared to those of 11 other agents against Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis

The activity of gemifloxacin against Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis was compared to those of 11 other agents. All quinolones were very active (MICs, ≤0.125 μg/ml) against 248 quinolone-susceptible H. influenzae isolates (40.7% of which were β-lactamase positive); cefixime (MICs, ≤0.125 μg/ml) and amoxicillin-clavulanate (MICs ≤4.0 μg/ml) were active, followed by cefuroxime (MICs, ≤16.0 μg/ml); azithromycin MICs were ≤4.0 μg/ml. For nine H. influenzae isolates with reduced quinolone susceptibilities, the MICs at which 50% of isolates are inhibited (MIC50s) were 0.25 μg/ml for gemifloxacin and 1.0 μg/ml for the other quinolones tested. All strains had mutations in GyrA (Ser84, Asp88); most also had mutations in ParC (Asp83, Ser84, Glu88) and ParE (Asp420, Ser458), and only one had a mutation in GyrB (Gln468). All quinolones tested were equally active (MICs, ≤0.06 μg/ml) against 50 M. catarrhalis strains; amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefixime, cefuroxime, and azithromycin were very active. Against 10 H. influenzae strains gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, and trovafloxacin at 2× the MIC and ciprofloxacin at 4× the MIC were uniformly bactericidal after 24 h, and against 9 of 10 strains grepafloxacin at 2× the MIC was bactericidal after 24 h. After 24 h bactericidal activity was seen with amoxicillin-clavulanate at 2× the MIC for all strains, cefixime at 2× the MIC for 9 of 10 strains, cefuroxime at 4× the MIC for all strains, and azithromycin at 2× the MIC for all strains. All quinolones except grepafloxacin (which was bactericidal against four of five strains) and all s-lactams at 2× to 4× the MIC were bactericidal against five M. catarrhalis strains after 24 h; azithromycin at the MIC was bactericidal against all strains after 24 h. The postantibiotic effects (PAEs) against four quinolone-susceptible H. influenzae strains were as follows: gemifloxacin, 0.3 to 2.3 h; ciprofloxacin, 1.3 to 4.2 h; levofloxacin, 2.8 to 6.2 h; sparfloxacin, 0.6 to 3.0 h; grepafloxacin, 0 to 2.1 h; trovafloxacin, 0.8 to 2.8 h. At 10× the MIC, no quinolone PAEs were found against the strain for which quinolone MICs were increased. Azithromycin PAEs were 3.7 to 7.3 h.
Abdominal wall reconstruction in the obese: an assessment of complications from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program datasets

Abstract Background This study utilizes the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to better understand the impact of obesity on perioperative surgical morbidity in abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR). Methods We reviewed the 2005 to 2010 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program databases, identifying cases of AWR and examining early complications in the context of obesity (body mass index > 30, World Health Organization classes 1 to 3). Results Of 1,695 patients undergoing AWR, 1,078 (63.2%) patients were obese (mean body mass index=37.6 kg/m 2 ). Major surgical complications (15.3% vs 10.1%, P = .003), wound complications (12.5% vs 8.1%, P = .006), medical complications (16.2% vs 11.2%, P = .005) and return to the operating room (9.1% vs 5.4%, P = .006) were significantly increased, while renal complications (1.9% vs .8%, P = .09) neared significance. On logistic regression, obesity only directly led to a significantly increased odds of having a renal complication (odds ratio=4.4, P = .04). Complications were still noted to increase with World Health Organization classification, including a concerning incidence of venous thromboembolism. Conclusions Although the incidence of complications increased with obesity, obesity itself does not appear to increase the odds of perioperative morbidity. Specific care should be given to VTE prophylaxis and to preventing renal complications.
Soluble CLEC2 Extracellular Domain Improves Glucose and Lipid Homeostasis by Regulating Liver Kupffer Cell Polarization

The polarization of tissue resident macrophages toward the alternatively activated, anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype is believed to positively impact obesity and insulin resistance. Here we show that the soluble form of the extracellular domain (ECD) of C-type lectin-like receptor 2, CLEC2, regulates Kupffer cell polarization in the liver and improves glucose and lipid parameters in diabetic animal models. Over-expression of Fc-CLEC2(ECD) in mice via in vivo gene delivery, or injection of recombinant Fc-CLEC2(ECD) protein, results in a reduction of blood glucose and liver triglyceride levels and improves glucose tolerance. Furthermore, Fc-CLEC2(ECD) treatment improves cytokine profiles and increases both the M2 macrophage population and the genes involved in the oxidation of lipid metabolism in the liver. These data reveal a previously unidentified role for CLEC2 as a regulator of macrophage polarity, and establish CLEC2 as a promising therapeutic target for treatment of diabetes and liver disease.
Enhancing Social Studies Vocabulary and Comprehension for Seventh-Grade English Language Learners: Findings from Two Experimental Studies.

Abstract Two experimental studies to improve vocabulary knowledge and comprehension were conducted in 7th-grade social studies classes with English language learners (ELLs). Two different nonoverlapping samples of classes of 7th-grade students (N = 381 and N = 507) were randomly assigned at the classroom (i.e., section) level to a social studies intervention or to business as usual comparison groups. The number of sections assigned to treatment was 7 and 9 in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Eight sections were assigned to comparison in each experiment. In addition, students were randomly assigned to sections prior to assignment of sections to treatment and control. Treatment students received a multicomponent social studies instruction including explicit vocabulary instruction, use of structured pairing, strategic use of video to build concepts and promote discussion, and use of graphic organizers for approximately 12 weeks daily during social studies class. Findings indicated significant differences i...
Facile Preparation of Substituted Allenic Esters via the Ortho Ester Claisen Rearrangement

Abstract Five substituted allenic esters were prepared in good yields through the ortho ester Claisen rearrangement of primary and secondary propargyl alcohols.
Hot, Crowded, and Legal: A Look at Industrial Agriculture in the United States and Brazil

This essay examines the impact of industrial animal agriculture in the United States and Brazil. It surveys the respective regulatory environments in the two countries and discusses how they have enabled the spread of factory farming while taking little heed of its pernicious effects. The authors focus on the United States and Brazil for several reasons. First, the two countries are the first and sixth largest economies in the world, respectively. Second, both countries have very large agricultural sectors and play significant roles internationally. In addition, both countries have begun to address the issues raised by factory farming while yet having much work yet to do. Part II of this essay provides an overview of industrial agriculture and the major impacts of industrial agriculture on the environment, animals, and people, including problems specific to the United States and Brazil. Part III examines the history and current state of industrial agriculture in the United States, and the laws pertaining to industrial agriculture. Part IV examines the history and current state of industrial agriculture in Brazil and the laws, or lack thereof, related to industrial agriculture. Part V provides a comparative analysis of the legal regimes of the United States and Brazil. It concludes with the observation that, in spite of the normalization of animal products as an everyday commodity, the United States and Brazil must adapt their legal regimes to address the costs of industrial agriculture to the environment, animals, and people.
Microelectronic engineering at RIT-10 years of industry partnership

The microelectronic engineering program at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is the only ABET accredited B.S. Microelectronic Engineering program in the United States. The program requires co-op, making it five years in length. Co-op students alternate six months of co-op employment with six months of school. Currently 250 students are in the program and more than 300 graduates are employed (mostly as process engineers) at semiconductor manufacturing locations nationwide. The undergraduate and graduate curricula are discussed. A description of the laboratory facility is included. >