cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tolerance of native and exotic prairie grasses to herbivory by Melanoplus grasshoppers: application of a nondestructive method for estimating plant biomass changes as a response to herbivory1

Abstract Plant tolerance to herbivory is an important component of plant competitive ability, which can facilitate the plant invasion process. The prediction of higher tolerance to herbivory in invasive plants has received mixed support in experimental studies, partially because of differences in methods of estimating plant tolerance in terms of plant growth. Using nondestructive methods to accurately estimate aboveground biomass, a standard measure of plant growth, can be challenging, especially for grasses. In addition, using different proxies for plant biomass may potentially cause mixed results in the estimation of plant tolerance. To address these issues, in our study, we conducted field and greenhouse experiments using native Andropogon gerardii Vitman and Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. and exotic Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng and Miscanthus sinensis Andersson grasses and examined their relative response to nymphal Melanoplus spp. grasshoppers. We first determined that, in most grass speci...
A Role of the Parasympathetic Nervous System in Cognitive Training.

Background: Vision-based speed of processing (VSOP) training can result in broad cognitive improvements in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). What remains unknown, however, is what neurophysiological mechanisms account for the observed training effect. Much of the work in this area has focused on the central nervous system, neglecting the fact that the peripheral system can contributes to changes of the central nervous system and vice versa. Objective: We examined the prospective relationship between an adaptive parasympathetic nervous system response to cognitive stimuli and VSOP training-induced plasticity. Method: Twenty-one participants with aMCI (10 for VSOP training, and 11 for mental leisure activities (MLA) control) were enrolled. We assessed high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) during training sessions, and striatum-related neural networks and cognition at baseline and post-training. Results: Compared to MLA, the VSOP group showed a significant U-shaped pattern of HF-HRV response during training, as well as decreases in connectivity strength between bilateral striatal and prefrontal regions. These two effects were associated with training-induced improvements in both the trained (attention and processing speed) and transferred (working memory) cognitive domains. Conclusion: This work provides novel support for interactions between the central and the peripheral nervous systems in relation to cognitive training, and motivates further studies to elucidate the causality of the observed link.
Dielectrophoresis-assisted plasmonic trapping of dielectric nanoparticles

A method for efficiently trapping nanoparticles using a dielectrophoresis (DEP)-assisted plasmonic trap is presented. The proposed method overcomes the range limitations of a conventional plasmonic trap by employing a long-range DEP force to draw a nanoparticle closer to the plasmonic trap. To create the plasmonic trap, a $\mathsf{C}$-shaped engraving is used as it can trap a nanoparticle in a very small volume near the surface. A nanopillar is selected as the electrode to generated the DEP force as its height allows the force to extend further away from the surface. Extensive numerical simulations are performed to evaluate the performance improvement of the proposed scheme over conventional plasmonic trapping methods. The simulations show that the proposed scheme increases the probability of a successful trapping event by a factor of approximately three.
Bistable morphing composites with selectively pre-stressed laminae

Bistable laminated composites are candidates for morphing structures as they are capable of large deflections without actuation and can exhibit drastic shape change when actuated. The coupled stable shapes of traditional thermally-cured fiber-reinforced polymeric laminates are the result of a globally-prestressed matrix and hence cannot be tailored independently. In this paper, we address this limitation by presenting an equivalent laminated composite in which mechanical prestress is applied to the matrix of selected laminae to achieve bistability; shapes are tailored individually by changing the magnitude of prestress in each lamina. The application of mechanical prestress is associated with an irreversible non-zero stress state which when combined with smart materials with controllable stress-states results in multifunctional morphing composites. The proposed bistable composite consists of a core that is sandwiched between two prestressed fiber-reinforced elastomers and is actuated by shape memory alloy wires. Composite mechanics is modeled analytically by incorporating the material and geometric nonlinearities of prestressed elastomers and the 1-D constitutive behavior of a shape memory alloy (SMA). The experimentally-validated model of the passive composite has an accuracy of 94%. A sensitivity study is conducted that shows the effects of prestress and SMA properties on composite curvature and serves as a guide for the design of active bistable composites. Simulations with the chosen parameter set resulted in the exact compensation of the nonlinear effects of applied stress and phase transformation kinetics to yield a linear response of composite curvature to Martensitic volume fraction.
Mechanical behavior and matrisome gene expression in the aneurysm-prone thoracic aorta of newborn lysyl oxidase knockout mice.

Absence of lysyl oxidase (Lox) causes thoracic aortic aneurysms. The aortic mechanical behavior of Lox−/− mice is consistent with reduced elastin and collagen cross-linking but demonstrates vascula...
Abstract 142: Modeling Drug-Induced Long QT Syndrome with Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is characterized by prolonged cardiac repolarization time and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmia. LQTS can be either inherited or induced notably after drugs intake. M...
The Temperature Dependence of Predation Stress and Prey Nutritional Stoichiometry

Prey at risk of predation may experience stress and respond physiologically by altering their metabolic rates. Theory predicts that such physiological changes should alter prey nutrient demands from N-rich to C-rich macronutrients and shift the balance between maintenance and growth/reproduction. Theory further suggests that for ectotherms, temperature stands to exacerbate this stress. But, the behavior of many prey species facing perceived predation risk is the opposite of these predictions, consuming more N-rich resources. Here we revisit the original Threshold Elemental Ratio (TER) theoretical framework that inspired the idea of shifts in elemental (C:N) stoichiometry in response to chronic predation stress to reconcile the different prey responses. We examine the interactive effects of predation stress and temperature stress by exploring mathematically how the component physiological variables that determine TER vary individually with temperature. These functional relationships are then embedded into the equation for TER to predict how C and N intake should vary with and without predation stress across temperature gradients. This new theory reconciles the different prey responses and explains why and when species ought to consume more N vs more C when stressed by perceived predation, depending on the nature of their thermal performance with rising temperature. The theory also points to new ways to conduct experimental evaluations testing the temperature sensitivity of prey to predation stress.
She got game: Investigating how reputation can be leveraged to improve recruiting effectiveness in National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s basketball:

Although recruiting processes and outcomes in National Collegiate Athletic Association sports is an incredibly important facet of collegiate athletics, it is underdeveloped in several areas. Gaps i...
Quantitative profiling of carbonyl metabolites directly in crude biological extracts using chemoselective tagging and nanoESI-FTMS

The extensive range of chemical structures, wide range of abundances, and chemical instability of metabolites present in the metabolome pose major analytical challenges that are difficult to address with existing technologies. To address these issues, one approach is to target a subset of metabolites that share a functional group, such as ketones and aldehydes, using chemoselective tagging. Here we report a greatly improved chemoselective method for the quantitative analysis of hydrophilic and hydrophobic carbonyl-containing metabolites directly in biological samples. This method is based on direct tissue or cells extraction with simultaneous derivatization of stable and labile carbonylated metabolites using N-[2-(aminooxy)ethyl]-N,N-dimethyl-1-dodecylammonium (QDA) and 13CD3 labeled QDA. We combined innovations of direct quenching of biological sample with frozen derivatization conditions under the catalyst N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine, which facilitated the formation of oxime stable-isotope ion pairs differing by m/z 4.02188 while minimizing metabolite degradation. The resulting oximes were extracted by HyperSep C8 tips to remove interfering compounds, and the products were detected using nano-electrospray ionization interfaced with a Thermo Fusion mass spectrometer. The quaternary ammonium tagging greatly increased electrospray MS detection sensitivity and the signature ions pairs enabled simple identification of carbonyl compounds. The improved method showed the lower limits of quantification for carbonyl standards to be in the range of 0.20–2 nM, with linearity of R2 > 0.99 over 4 orders of magnitude. We have applied the method to assign 66 carbonyls in mouse tumor tissues, many of which could not be assigned solely by accurate mass and tandem MS. Fourteen of the metabolites were quantified using authentic standards. We also demonstrated the suitability of this method for determining 13C labeled isotopologues of carbonyl metabolites in 13C6-glucose-based stable isotope-resolved metabolomic (SIRM) studies.
Teacher questioning and invitations to participate in advanced mathematics lectures

We were interested in exploring the extent to which advanced mathematics lecturers provide students with opportunities to play a role in considering or generating course content. To do this, we examined the questioning practices of 11 lecturers who taught advanced mathematics courses at the university level. Because we are unaware of other studies examining advanced mathematics lecturers’ questioning, we first analyzed the data using an open coding scheme to categorize the types of content lecturers solicited and the opportunities they provided students to participate in generating course content. In a second round of analysis, we examined the extent to which lecturers provide students with opportunities to generate mathematical contributions and to engage in reasoning that researchers have identified as important in advanced mathematics. Our findings highlight that, although lecturers asked many questions, lecturers did not provide substantial opportunities for students to participate in generating mathematical content and reasoning. Additionally, we provide several examples of lecturers providing students with some opportunities to generate important contributions. We conclude by providing implications and areas for future research.
Far-field directivity of parametric loudspeaker arrays set on curved surfaces

Abstract Parametric loudspeaker arrays comprise arrangements of piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers that emit highly directive audible sound, thanks to the nonlinear parametric array phenomenon. Most parametric loudspeakers consist of planar arrays of transducers though, lately, devices have been developed which involve their distribution on curved surfaces. In this work, we present an extension of the recently proposed convolution model for planar arrays to predict the far field directivity of curved parametric loudspeakers. An expression is first given to compute the audible secondary pressure field generated by a single ultrasonic transducer placed at any point on a general curved surface, and pointing in its normal direction. Assuming weak non-linearity, the total audible pressure produced by all transducers on the surface is then recovered from the superposition principle. As an application, we predict the far-field pressure generated by an omnidirectional parametric loudspeaker consisting of hundreds of ultrasonic transducers set on a sphere. A critical aspect for the performance of the omnidirectional source is that of finding a proper distribution for them on the spherical surface. Two options are analyzed: getting an optimal solution for a Fekete-like problem, and resorting to an equal-area partitioning scheme, which is more feasible for a practical construction of the source. Numerical simulations are carried out for both alternatives.
The relationship between instruction specificity and resistiveness to care during activities of daily living in persons with dementia

It is common for persons with dementia to display resistant behaviors during activities of daily living (ADLs) and caregiver communication skills can influence the likelihood of these behaviors. Previous research suggests that the type of instructions issued by caregivers is related to rates of compliance during ADLs in persons with dementia. It is unclear, however, if these instruction types affect the likelihood resistiveness to care (RTC) during ADLs. The purpose of the current study was to examine how the use of different types of instructions relate to instances of RTC during ADLs. Results indicated that vague and ambiguous instructions (i.e., beta instructions) were more likely to precede and follow physical aggression compared to instructions that were more specific, clear and feasible (i.e., alpha instructions). Results also indicated that alpha instructions were more likely to precede verbal agitation. These findings have implications for communication training programs for caregivers working with persons with dementia.
Interpretation of Laboratory Values in the Elderly

In order to be effective a practitioner must be capable of not only collecting a considerable amount of clinical and laboratory data, but also utilizing the findings to arrive at a correct diagnosis. Interpretations of all findings, regardless of whether they are derived from the history, physical examination, or laboratory data, are subject to error.1–10 When treating the elderly, errors are often magnified by such factors as an inaccurate history, misleading physical findings, and poorly established “normal” laboratory values. This chapter will discuss problems often encountered when interpreting laboratory data in the elderly, with specific examples given to help illustrate some major principles that merit special consideration.
Studies of Achieving Buildup Against Charge-Exchange Losses in a Mirror-Confined Plasma

AbstractMirror plasma buildup via neutral beam injection into a small low-density target is strongly affected by plasma losses resulting from charge-exchange (CX) with cold neutrals entering via chamber structures. The influence of CX events extends beyond the collision site due to the large ion orbits typical of small mirror plasmas. This study examines effects of key parameters that influence plasma buildup, using a 2½-dimensional, energy-dependent finite gyroradius model. Results presented for a 2X-like plasma show that buildup occurs if a “critical density” is achieved before CX losses erode the central plasma region. An efficient way to attain this density is to position the injected beams so that trapped ions have orbits circling inward, toward the plasma center.
Robot Combat for 2D District

Consider an example of a search problem. Here, and in the following chapters, we call it the 2D/4A problem. This is a problem of simplified air combat with four aircraft and 2D operational district. We will show how to solve this problem employing the LG approach. The chosen problem is simple enough to be used as the first demonstration of the LG approach. Nevertheless, it is not trivial and requires significant search to be solved employing conventional approaches.
Theological Librarians and Collection Management

Theological libraries exist in a changing educational environment. New technologies impact how library services and library resources are managed and provided for students and faculty. This essay describes the formation of the 2015 collection management policy for the libraries of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a multi-campus graduate school that trains students for service in congregations, religious organizations and ministries, and in mental health practice. The article suggests that collection management policy development must be collaborative and align with the mission, degree programs, and courses offered by the school. Moreover, it must serve all students--those in residence, those who commute to campus, and those who study through distance courses and programs. Library directors must engage their library professionals, faculty, students, and senior administrators.
What Is the Phenomenology About

The Introduction to the Phenomenology sets out, with a clarity and accessibility that are remarkable for Hegel, a program for the book, at least as Hegel conceived it when he wrote the Introduction. In this paper I give a detailed reading of the main points in the Introduction. The Introduction provides an answer to the question what the Phenomenology is supposed to teach us. The plan Hegel explains for the work is to describe a progressive series of self-understandings for a human consciousness, starting out in a state of philosophical naivete about the power of knowing understood in a way that characterizes it as human. The way in which one stage is succeeded by the next will be determined, in a way that Hegel explains, so that once the series has begun, its progressive trajectory will be inexorable. His idea is that the progression will culminate in a complete understanding of what is distinctive about human mindedness.
Implementation of Mock Acute Care Advance Pharmacy Practice Experience Simulations and an Assessment Rubric

Objective. To implement a mock acute care advanced pharmacy practice experience series into the didactic training of second-year pharmacy students and validate an accompanying assessment rubric.Met...
Might all Infinities Be the Same Size

ABSTRACTCantor proved that no set has a bijection between itself and its power set. This is widely taken to have shown that there infinitely many sizes of infinite sets. The argument depends on the...
A Prospective Survey of Outpatient Medication Adherence in Adult Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients.

ABSTRACT Limited data exist regarding the prevalence and outcome of medication nonadherence in the adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) population. The objective of this cross-sectional survey study is to determine the prevalence of medication nonadherence to immunosuppressant and nonimmunosuppressant medications in adult recipients of allo-HSCT. An electronic survey using previously validated medication adherence scales was distributed between December 2014 and April 2015 to 200 adult patients with at least 3 months of follow-up after allo-HSCT. Immunosuppressant serum drug levels and prescription refill records were retrospectively collected to assess correlation with survey responses. In the entire cohort, 51% of subjects (n = 102) reported nonadherence to nonimmunosuppressant medications (95% confidence interval [CI], 44.07% to 57.93%) on the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Of the 153 patients taking oral immunosuppressant medications at the time of the survey, 58 (37.9%) reported nonadherence to immunosuppressant therapy (95% CI, 30.22% to 45.6%), as measured by the Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence Scale. Younger age and distress were associated with medication nonadherence. Nonadherence to immunosuppressant therapy was associated with mild chronic graft-vs-host disease (cGVHD), and a similar trend was observed for moderate cGVHD. Medication nonadherence was found to be highly prevalent for both immunosuppressant and nonimmunosuppressant medications in adult allo-HSCT recipient, and further study to identify interventions to improve adherence in these patients is warranted.
Can a Dyadic Resiliency Program Improve Quality of Life in Cognitively Intact Dyads of Neuro-ICU Survivors and Informal Caregivers? Results from a Pilot RCT

Neuro-ICU hospitalization for an acute neurological illness is often traumatic and associated with heightened emotional distress and reduced quality of life (QoL) for both survivors and their informal caregivers (i.e., family and friends providing unpaid care). In a pilot study, we previously showed that a dyadic (survivor and caregiver together) resiliency intervention (Recovering Together [RT]) was feasible and associated with sustained improvement in emotional distress when compared with an attention placebo educational control. Here we report on changes in secondary outcomes assessing QoL. Survivors (n = 58) and informal caregivers (n = 58) completed assessments at bedside and were randomly assigned to participate together as a dyad in the RT or control intervention (both 6 weeks, two in-person sessions at bedside and four sessions via live video post discharge). We measured QoL domain scores (physical health, psychological, social relations, and environmental), general QoL, and QoL satisfaction using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated Instrument at baseline, post treatment, and 3 months’ follow-up. We conducted mixed model analyses of variance with linear contrasts to estimate (1) within-group changes in QoL from baseline to post treatment and from post treatment to 3 months’ follow-up and (2) between-group differences in changes in QoL from baseline to post treatment and from post treatment to 3 months’ follow-up. We found significant within-group improvements from baseline to post treatment among RT survivors for physical health QoL (mean difference 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39–3.06; p = 0.012), environmental QoL (mean difference 1.29; 95% CI 0.21–2.36; p = 0.020), general QoL (mean difference 0.55; 95% CI 0.13–0.973; p = 0.011), and QoL satisfaction (mean difference 0.87; 95% CI 0.36–1.37; p = 0.001), and those improvements sustained through the 3-month follow-up. We found no significant between-group improvements for survivors or caregivers from baseline to post treatment or from post treatment to 3 months’ follow-up for any QoL variables (i.e., domains, general QoL, and QoL satisfaction together). In this pilot study, we found improved QoL among survivors, but not in caregivers, who received RT and improvements sustained over time. These RT-related improvements were not significantly greater than those observed in the control. Results support a fully powered randomized controlled trial to allow for a definitive evaluation of RT-related effects among dyads of survivors of acute brain injury and their caregivers.
Huntingtin Polyglutamine Fragments Are a Substrate for Hsp104 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The aggregation of huntingtin fragments with expanded polyglutamine repeat regions (HttpolyQ) that cause Huntington's disease depends on the presence of a prion with an amyloid conformation in yeast. As a result of this relationship, HttpolyQ aggregation indirectly depends on Hsp104 due to its essential role in prion propagation. We find that HttQ103 aggregation is directly affected by Hsp104 with and without the presence of [RNQ+] and [PSI+] prions. When we inactivate Hsp104 in the presence of prion, yeast cells have only one or a few large HttQ103 aggregates rather than numerous smaller aggregates. When we inactivate Hsp104 in the absence of prion, there is no significant aggregation of HttQ103, whereas with active Hsp104, HttQ103 aggregates accumulate slowly due to the severing of spontaneously nucleated aggregates by Hsp104. We do not observe either effect with HttQ103P, which has a polyproline-rich region downstream of the polyglutamine region, because HttQ103P does not spontaneously nucleate and Hsp104 does not efficiently sever the prion-nucleated HttQ103P aggregates. Therefore, the only role of Hsp104 in HttQ103P aggregation is to propagate yeast prion. In conclusion, because Hsp104 efficiently severs the HttQ103 aggregates but not HttQ103P aggregates, it has a marked effect on the aggregation of HttQ103 but not HttQ103P.
Symposium on the Politics of Immigration: Introduction

Political scientists have the potential and responsibility to illuminate distinctive dimensions of immigration politics. The papers in this Symposium do so by mapping the persistence of anti-immigrant stereotypes and “strange bedfellow” immigration politics; the neglected history of state and federal struggles for immigration policy control; the rise of new immigrant advocacy forces; and the manner in which policymakers use facially neutral means, such as measures of time, to pursue controversial ends.
The Hasse Principle for Complete Intersections in Projective Space

Assuming the existence of a smooth geometrically integral complete intersectionXof dimension ≥ 3 in Pnover a number fieldKsuch that the Zariski closure ofX(K)is nonempty but of codimension > 2 inXwe construct a 3-dimensional smooth geometrically integral complete intersectionX’in \( P_K^n \) that violates the Hasse principle. Such a violation could not be explained by the Brauer-Manin obstruction or Skorobogatov’s generalization thereof.
Ownership and Evolution of Local Process Representations

Knowledge workers tailor collaborative business processes to local conditions. They own (i.e., create and maintain) representations of these local processes (such as checklists) to guide the work. Our goal is to design tools to support the ownership of collaborative local processes by enabling workers to flexibly adapt process representations to work situations. This paper focuses on how workers evolve representations for collaborative, locally-owned processes by updating them from situated experiences to keep up with changing business conditions. To understand this, we conducted a field study and a lab study. From the field study, we describe how factors like group roles and documentation purposes affect the evolution of process representations. Based on these observations, we propose a model of the practice of evolving local process representations that provides a framework for understanding activity documentation needs. The lab study then provides behavioral details on the ways people carried out the evolution practice. These studies yield design implications for collaborative activity support tools.
Characterization of a chromosomal gene and the antigen it expresses from the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi

The sequence and characterization of a chromosomal gene from the Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi and the antigen it encodes are described. The gene was cloned and expressed in transformed Escherichia coli cells. The gene is composed of 597 bases and expresses a predicted protein of 199 amino acids. Antibodies specific for the recombinant antigen reacted with a single B. burgdorferi protein with a molecular mass of approximately 22 kDa. The protein was not susceptible to proteinase digestion but was extracted by n-butanol phase partitioning, suggesting a periplasmic location of the antigen. Sera from humans and canines seropositive for B. burgdorferi reacted with the recombinant antigen. The antigen characterized in this report appears to be immunologically significant in naturally infected hosts.
Genetic Differences in the Extent of Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylase Induction in Mouse Fetal Cell Cultures

Abstract Benz[a]anthracene induces aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in secondary fetal cell cultures derived from various inbred mouse strains. The maximally inducible level of hydroxylase activity from the C57BL/6N strain is 4 to 6 times higher than that from the DBA/2N strain in cell cultures derived from the entire mouse fetus. There are no differences between C57BL/6N and DBA/2N cell cultures in the rate of uptake of benz[a]anthracene by the cells, in the binding of polycyclic hydrocarbon to cellular material, or in the rate of degradation of the induced hydroxylase activity. A 24-hour treatment of the cell cultures with benz[a]anthracene produces increases in the microsomal content of total protoheme and CO-binding cytochrome (about 88% and 120%, respectively) in C57BL/6N cells compared to about 31% and 33%, respectively, in DBA/2N cells. Concomitantly, the blue spectral shift in the absorption maximum of the reduced hemoprotein-CO complex is at least 4 nm in microsomal fractions from C57BL/6N cells and between 1 and 2 nm in DBA/2N microsomes. In cells exposed to benz[a]anthracene plus cycloheximide and then grown in fresh growth medium, the rise in hydroxylase activity in C57BL/6N cells is at least 4 times greater than that from DBA/2N cells. In cells exposed to benz[a]anthracene and then treated with actinomycin D, the stimulatory phenomenon by the antibiotic is at least 4 times greater in C57BL/6N cells than that in DBA/2N cells. These experiments provide indirect evidence for a decreased expression of an induction-specific RNA in DBA/2N cells. The decreases in (a) formation of CO-binding hemoprotein, (b) spectral shift in the absorbance peak of the reduced microsomal cytochrome-CO complex, and (c) expression of induction-specific RNA may be related to the decreased extent of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction in DBA/2N cells.
Rotational band structures in doubly odd 138Pm.

High-spin states in the doubly odd nucleus $^{138}\mathrm{Pm}$ have been studied via gamma-ray spectroscopic methods following the $^{116}\mathrm{Cd}$${(}^{27}$Al,5n\ensuremath{\gamma}) heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reaction. Several rotational bands have been populated in the nucleus. The yrast cascade is based on two signature components of the \ensuremath{\pi}${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}$\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\ensuremath{\nu}${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}$ configuration. A sideband was observed, which is probably based on the \ensuremath{\pi}[413]5/${2}^{+}$\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\ensuremath{\nu}${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}$ configuration. Similar rotational bands built on these configurations have been observed in the neighboring doubly odd $^{134}\mathrm{Pr}$ and $^{136}\mathrm{Pm}$ nuclei. An additional \ensuremath{\Delta}I=2 band structure, not observed in these other nuclei, has also been populated. At low rotational frequencies, this band is possibly based on the \ensuremath{\pi}${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}$\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\ensuremath{\nu}[400]1/${2}^{+}$ configuration. At a frequency \ensuremath{\Elzxh}\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\sim}0.31 MeV it is crossed by a band based on the favored signature of the \ensuremath{\pi}${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}$\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\ensuremath{\nu}${\mathit{i}}_{13/2}$ configuration with an accompanying gain in alignment of \ensuremath{\sim}6\ensuremath{\Elzxh}.
Axonal sprouting in layer V pyramidal neurons of chronically injured cerebral cortex.

We performed experiments to determine whether axonal sprouting occurs in neurons of chronic neocortical epileptogenic lesions. Partially isolated somatosensory cortical islands with intact pial blood supply were prepared in mature rats. Neocortical slices from these lesions, studied 6–39 d later, generated spontaneous and/or evoked epileptiform field potentials (Prince and Tseng, 1993) during which neurons displayed prolonged polyphasic excitatory and inhibitory synaptic potentials/currents. Single electrophysiologically characterized layer V pyramidal neurons in control and epileptogenic slices were filled with biocytin using sharp and patch-electrode techniques, their axonal arbors reconstructed and compared quantitatively. Neurons in injured cortex had a 56% increase in total axonal length, a 64% increase in the number of axonal collaterals and more than a doubling (115% increase) of the number of axonal swellings. The presumed boutons were smaller and more closely spaced than those of control cells. In some neurons the main descending axon had hypertrophic segments from which branches arose. These highly significant changes were most marked in the perisomatic region of layer V. The axonal sprouting was associated with a decrease in somatic area but no significant change in dendritic arbors. Results suggest that a significant degree of axonal reorganization takes place in the chronically injured cortex where it might be an adaptive mechanism for recovery of function after injury, or might be maladaptive and play an important role in the generation of epileptiform events by increasing the numbers and density of synaptic contacts between neurons.
Ethanol-stimulated endorphin and corticotropin secretion in vitro.

Abstract Although acute administration of ethanol in vivo results in increased plasma glucocorticoid concentration, it is unclear whether this effect is mediated by corticotropin (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary. Secretion of beta-endorphin-like (BE-IR) and corticotropin-like (ACTH-IR) immunoreactivity from perifused, dispersed mouse adenohypophyseal cells was used to evaluate the effect of 17 mM ethanol on secretion of pituitary peptides. Cells were also exposed to 10 nM synthetic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), 1 μM vasopressin, 54 mM KCl, 100 nM corticosterone, and calcium-free medium, separately and in combination. Secretion of BE-IR and ACTH-IR were markedly sensitive to low concentrations of ethanol. Exposure to 17 mM ethanol produced 3-fold stimulation of the rate of hormone release. This represented one-third to two-thirds that of the rate of maximum stimulation by CRF. Unlike CRF-stimulated secretion, ethanol-stimulated secretion was transient. Further, a second ethanol exposure 1 h after the first did not stimulate peptide secretion. Similar to CRF-stimulation, ethanol-stimulated peptide secretion required extracellular calcium and was inhibited by the glucocorticoid corticosterone. We suggest that this system is a useful model for investigation of the actions of low concentrations of ethanol at the cellular level.
Durability study of proton exchange membrane fuel cells under dynamic testing conditions with cyclic current profile

Abstract This work addresses issues of long-term durability of hydrogen–air proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) under cyclic current loading conditions, simulating the real road driving conditions for automotives. The same type of membrane–electrode assembly (MEA) was also aged under constant current mode as a control and the results were compared with those of the cyclically aged MEA. Both MEAs were characterized for cell polarizations, impedance spectra, Tafel plots, hydrogen crossover rates as well as electrochemical active surface areas at intervals of 100 h of aging. It was demonstrated that hydrogen crossover increased dramatically after 500 h of current cycling due to pinhole formation and was the most dominant degradation source. The fuel cell approached the end of its useful lifetime after 1000 h of operation. On the other hand, the hydrogen crossover rate remained approximately constant for the MEA under constant current operation. Mass transport limitations were identified as the major source of decreased performance during the constant current operation. This decrease in performance was partially reversible when cathode flooding was resolved by setting the cell at lower current densities. At the end, a phenomenological durability model was established successfully to describe the aging processes and cell performance at different time nodes.
The Quandary of Post-Public Space: New Urbanism, Melrose Arch and the Rebuilding of Johannesburg after Apartheid

As city builders in post-apartheid Johannesburg have struggled to attach themselves to a new identity as an African ‘world-class’ city, they point with pride to what leading local architects and design specialists have glowingly hailed as a novel experiment with New Urbanism called Melrose Arch. With its stress on mixed-use facilities, its pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and its ‘small town’ atmosphere, Melrose Arch represents a real-life variant of a ‘utopia in miniature’, a signature place offering the type of authentic community lacking in the sprawling residential suburbs. Yet despite its outward appearance as an exemplar of New Urbanist principles, Melrose Arch actually falls far short of the philosophical ideals embodied in the Charter for New Urbanism. As a self-contained urban enclave disconnected from the surrounding cityscape and accessible only by automobile, this affluent, mixed-used precinct has reinforced the trend toward up-market, stand-alone commercial retail environments for all those w...
Erratum to “Tryptophanyl phosphoramidates as prodrugs of synadenol and its E-isomer: synthesis and biological activity” [Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 12 (2002) 2467] ☆

Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201-1379, USA Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510-8066, USA Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48019-1078, USA Department of Pediatrics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA Experimental Retrovirology Section, Medicine Branch, Division of Clinical Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Insitutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA Department of Internal Medicine II, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto 860, Japan
Fusarium moniliforme detection in corn (Zea mays L.) stalk tissue: identification of specific ribosomal proteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Ribosomes isolated from etiolated corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings and Fusarium moniliforme were electrophoresed on sodium dodecyl sulfate Polyacrylamide gels. The resultant patterns revealed that significant differences exist in the ribosomal proteins of the plant compared to the fungus. Subsequent isolation and electrophoresis of ribosomal proteins from field-grown corn stalks inoculated with F. moniliforme demonstrated that protein bands characteristic of the fungus could be distinguished in the composite electrophoretic pattern. The potential utilization of ribosomal protein differences to detect specific fungi in plant tissue is discussed.
Increased permeability of sheep lung vessels to proteins after Pseudomonas bacteremia

To see whether lung transvascular protein sieving occurred during the period of increased microvascular permeability in response to Pseudomonas bacteremia, we measured lung lymph flow and concentrations of eight protein fractions with molecular radii from 36–96 A during steady state base line periods and during periods of steady state increased permeability after Pseudomonas infusion in five unanesthetized sheep. Lymph clearance (lymph flow × lymph-plasma concentration ratio) for all of the proteins was markedly increased after Pseudomonas, but, as during base line, clearance still decreased with increasing molecular size. We conclude that Pseudomonas bacteremia causes a marked increase in filtration through lung exchanging vessels. The changes in vessel walls result in decreasing passage of protein molecules with increasing molecular size from 36–96 A.
METABOLIC AND ENDOCRINE DISORDERS IN CARBOHYDRATE DEFICIENT GLYCOPROTEIN SYNDROME

Carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome [CDGS] was recently described and includes acquired microcephaly, developmental delay, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, congenital hypotonia, progressive peripheral neuropathy and retinal degeneration, failure to thrive, hepatic steatosis, skeletal abnormalities and lipodystrophy. Secretory glycoproteins are deficient in carbohydrate moities; elevated levels of disialotransferrin and asialotransferrin are diagnostic. Three patients with this condition manifest the following metabolic and endocrine disorders:
Dynamic model for power systems with multiple FACTS controllers

Computer simulation and analysis of power systems are necessary for both planning and operation. This requires an appropriate mathematical model of the system that includes many inter-related linear/nonlinear differential and algebraic equations. Such mathematical model is also needed for the design of globally coordinated controllers to improve power system dynamic performance and stability. This paper presents a procedure for finding comprehensive dynamic models of power systems fitted with shunt and/or series connected FACTS controllers such as STATCOM, SSSC, and UPFC. In this procedure, individual components of a power system are modeled using appropriate frame of references. Then all related equations are transformed to a common network frame of reference and tied to each other through the Y-matrix of the transmission network. The procedure is tested on the Western System Coordinating Council (WSCC) test system including FACTS controllers by performing computer simulations of the system for three-phase short circuit faults. MATLAB/Simulink software package is used for the simulations.
A re‐evaluation of the phylogenetic relationships in the Apidae (Hymenoptera)

. The relationships between the four tribes in the bee family Apidae are re-examined. Characteristics of the postgena, presternum, antenna cleaner, arolium, female hind tibia and male genitalia, among others, support the placement of these tribes in three subfamilies: Meliponinae (Meliponini), Apinae (Apini) and Bombinae (Euglossini + Bombini). The Apinae is the sister group of the Bombinae. This tribal arrangement was originally proposed, using different characteristics, by Winston & Michener (1977).
SU-GG-T-537: Dosimetric Effect of Residual Tumor Motion in Phase and Amplitude-Based Gated Lung Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Purpose To evaluate dosimetric effect of residual tumor motion in lung Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy(SBRT) with two gating methods using external markers: amplitude‐(AG) and phase‐based(PG). Methods and Materials The 3D tumor motion data were obtained from the treatment logs of 6 lung patients with various target size, each treated with 3 fractions of SBRT using Cyberknife Robotic Radiosurgical System and Synchrony™(Accuray, Sunnyvale CA). Amplitude and phase‐based gating treatments were simulated with a gating window of 5 mm. Planning target volume(PTV) was defined as physician‐contoured clinical target volume(CTV) surrounded by isotropic 5 mm margin. Each patient was prescribed with 60Gy/3fractions prescribed to 80% isodose line which covered at least 95% of the PTV. In order to reconstruct the dose with motion, the multileaf collimator(MLC) leave positions at each segment were resorted according to the residual tumor motion. The newly created MLC file was imported back to treatment planning system(Eclipse™; Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) for dose recalculation. Results In either AG or PG, with a 5‐mm margin, CTV coverage is not affected as much as PTV. With residual tumor motion constrained within gating window(5 mm), both gating methods result in an insignificant decrease(<1%) in dose coverage on PTVs and CTVs. With baseline shift(2–10 mm), the residual motion during PG has higher probability of excursion outside gating window. The PTV D95 decreases by 9–14% with PG and 5–9% with AG. Overall, AG appears to offer greater target dose coverage compared to PG, however at the expense of reduction of the duty cycle. Compared with PG, AG increases the fractional treatment time by up to 46%, which may be undesirable in gated lungSBRT treatments. Conclusion The ideal gating method for lungSBRT requires further investigation and optimization but may be individualized dependent on the empirical pattern of motion observed in each case.
Effects of BAY K 8644 on Ca-channel currents and electrical activity in mouse melanotrophs.

The effects of BAY K 8644 on both evoked and spontaneous electrical activity were studied in mouse melanotrophs. The action potential in these cells consisted of both a Na and a Ca component. BAY K 8644 greatly increased the duration of the evoked action potential apparently by enhancing the Ca component since this prolongation remained when the Na component was blocked by tetrodotoxin but was diminished by the Ca-channel antagonists Co2+ or nimodipine. In addition to its effects on the evoked action potential, BAY K 8644 sometimes caused action potentials of long duration to occur in otherwise quiescent melanotrophs, even in the presence of tetrodotoxin. These action potentials appeared to be triggered by small, depolarizing prepotentials. Voltage-clamp experiments suggested the existence of 3 types of Ca-channel currents in these cells: one low-threshold current and two high-threshold currents, one of which rapidly inactivated and another which did not. BAY K 8644 caused a shift in theI–V relation for Ca-channel current to more negative values and reduced or abolished the hump in the initial part of theI–V curve produced by the low-threshold current suggesting that BAY K 8644 selectively affects high-threshold Ca current. The action of BAY K 8644 to initiate trains of long-lasting Ca spikes and thereby increase Ca influx, might explain its secretagogue effect on the unstimulated melanotroph.
Prophylaxis against middle ear barotrauma in US hyperbaric oxygen therapy centers

The most common complication of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment is middle ear barotrauma, which can lead to permanent hearing loss and vertigo. Unconscious patients and infants present a special diagnostic challenge because of difficulties in communicating pain and equalizing pressure across the ears. This study involved a phone survey to all hospital-based HBO centers in the United States concerning routine practice for middle ear barotrauma prophylaxis. Results indicate that more than a fifth of centers always do routine prophylactic myringotomies on intubated patients (30 of 126) and infants (19 of 86). Less than half of centers never performed the procedure as routine prophylaxis. A third of centers (49 of 145) routinely administered prophylactic drugs before HBO treatment. Topical nasal decongestants, particularly oxymetazoline, were preferred to systemic oral medications (chi2 = 20.8, P<.001). These results show that there is great variance in clinical practice with regard to middle ear barotrauma prophylaxis among US HB0 centers. Many centers are using unproven therapies such as topical nasal decongestants.