cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Holocene coral patch reef ecology and sedimentary architecture, northern Belize, central America

Coral patch reefs are major components of Holocene platform carbonate facies systems in tropical and subtropical areas. The biotic composition, growth and relationship to sea level history, and diagenetic attributes of a representative Holocene patch reef ([open quotes]Elmer Reef[close quotes]) in the Mexico Rocks complex in northern Belize are described and compared to those of Holocene patch reefs in southern Belize. Elmer Reef has accumulated in shallow (2.5 m) water over the last 420 yr, under static sea level conditions. Rate of vertical construction is 0.3-0.5 m/100 yr, comparable to that of patch reefs in southern Belize. A pronounced coral zonation exists across Elmer Reef, with Monastrea annularis dominating on its crest and Acropora cervicornis occurring on its windward and leeward flanks. The dominance of Montastrea on Elmer Reef is unlike that of patch reefs in southern Belize, in which this coral assumes only a subordinate role in reef growth relative to that of Acropora palmata. Elmer Reef locally is extensively biodegraded and marine, fibrous aragonite and some bladed high-magnesium calcite cements occur throughout the reef section, partially occluding corallites and interparticle pores in associated sands. Patch reefs in southern Belize have developed as catch-up and keep-up reefs in amore » transgressive setting. In contrast, the dominant mode of growth of Elmer Reef, and perhaps other patch reefs in Mexico Rocks, appears to be one of lateral rather than vertical accretion. This style of growth occurs in a static sea level setting where there is only limited accommodation space because of the shallowness of the water, and such reefs are referred to as [open quotes]expansion reefs[close quotes]. 39 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.« less
Vidicon flame emission spectroscopy of Li+, Na+, and K+ fluxes mediated by acetylcholine receptor in Electrophorus electricus membrane vesicles.

Abstract A vidicon flame spectroscopic method was developed to determine Li+, Na+, and K+ fluxes mediated by the acetylcholine receptor protein in vesicles prepared from Electrophorus electricus electroplax. Although analysis by the vidicon system is susceptible to trace element contamination, the problem can be overcome by taking adequate precautions. The results obtained by flame emission spectroscopy were directly compared to those obtained by using radioactive tracers. Also, the acetylcholine receptor-formed channels were shown to be non-selective for the monovalent metal ions tested.
Orthotopic liver transplantation with selective use of venovenous bypass.

Abstract Background : To determine the utility of selective use of venovenous bypass (VVB), an algorithm based upon hemodynamic criteria was instituted at Stanford University Medical Center: the bypass was used if the systolic blood pressure decreased below 100 mm Hg with a trial of caval and portal clamping. Patients and methods : Eleven consecutive patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with use of VVB on a selective basis; using the hemodynamic exclusion criteria, none required VVB. A group of 20 patients undergoing OLT with VVB served as historical controls. Results : Overall patient and graft survival were identical in both groups (75%). Avoidance of VVB decreased operative and warm ischemia time and decreased peak transaminase and total bilirubin values, but increased rates of intraoperative blood loss. However, the absolute numbers of blood products administered were not different between groups. Conclusion : Selective use of VVB for OLT does not incur increased morbidity or mortality. Potential advantages include cost savings with decreased operative and anesthetic time.
Specificity of the dRP/AP Lyase of Ku Promotes Nonhomologous End Joining (NHEJ) Fidelity at Damaged Ends

Nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) is essential for efficient repair of chromosome breaks. However, the NHEJ ligation step is often obstructed by break-associated nucleotide damage, including base loss (abasic site or 5′-dRP/AP sites). Ku, a 5′-dRP/AP lyase, can excise such damage at ends in preparation for the ligation step. We show here that this activity is greatest if the abasic site is within a short 5′ overhang, when this activity is necessary and sufficient to prepare such termini for ligation. In contrast, Ku is less active near 3′ strand termini, where excision would leave a ligation-blocking α,β-unsaturated aldehyde. The Ku AP lyase activity is also strongly suppressed by as little as two paired bases 5′ of the abasic site. Importantly, in vitro end joining experiments show that abasic sites significantly embedded in double-stranded DNA do not block the NHEJ ligation step. Suppression of the excision activity of Ku in this context therefore is not essential for ligation and further helps NHEJ retain terminal sequence in junctions. We show that the DNA between the 5′ terminus and the abasic site can also be retained in junctions formed by cellular NHEJ, indicating that these sites are at least partly resistant to other abasic site-cleaving activities as well. High levels of the 5′-dRP/AP lyase activity of Ku are thus restricted to substrates where excision of an abasic site is required for ligation, a degree of specificity that promotes more accurate joining.
Assessing Judicial Elections: Effects Upon the Electorate of High and Low Articulation Systems:

AN UNAVOIDABLE tension between two important aims of government is built into modern state judiciaries.1 Judges, as major governmental actors, perform two distinct functions namely, that of resolving individual disputes between litigants and, on increasingly frequent occasion, that of establishing directions for public policy. Clearly, to resolve conflicts between contending litigants jurists must remain independent of the interests of those parties. Fairness and due process demand no less. However, on those frequent occasions when judicial decisions affect much of the citizenry, judges must be held accountable for those decisions. Democracy demands no less. Consequently, while judges must be independent of public pressures to settle disputes fairly, they must also be subject to public accountability for decisions that carry broad public import.2 This inevitable tension between judicial independence and public accountability is encountered directly in the consideration of judicial recruitment (Wasby 1978: 155; Nejelski 1975). It is precisely through the process of recruitment that expectations regarding accountability and independence are exchanged between judicial recruiters and would-be recruits. Our concern in this study is to determine the impact of variations in judicial selection circumstances on the attitudes and behavior of one of the major types of recruitment actors in the process the judicial voter. How do different recruitment systems influence the behavior of the electorate, and how do they affect the attitudes of thejudicial voter toward the accountability-independence dilemma?
Synthesis of group III antimonide nanowires

Synthesis of nanowires of Group III antimonides (GaSb and InSb) is studied in detail using two approaches: (i) direct antimonidization of Group III metal droplets and (ii) reactive vapor transport of Group III metals in the presence of antimony in the vapor phase. The diameter of the GaSb nanowires ranged from 30 to 700 nm and length from a few to hundreds of micrometers. GaSb nanowires as long as 1 millimeter have been synthesized using direct antimonidization of large (several millimeters) sized gallium droplets. Reactive vapor transport of Group III metals in the presence of antimony in the vapor phase led to the formation of homoepitaxially oriented GaSb nanowire arrays on top of GaSb crystals. In the case of InSb, 100-nm-thick nanowires were obtained by direct antimonidization of indium droplets. Optical and electrical measurements of the GaSb nanowires, performed using photoluminescence and scanning tunneling spectroscopy, reveal a band gap of ∼0.72 eV, similar to that of bulk GaSb.
Sexual maturation in the female rhesus monkey and the development of estrogen-induced gonadotropic hormone release.

The subcutaneous administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) consistently induces acute discharges of LH and FSH in adult female rhesus monkeys but not in sexually immature animals. To determine when, during the course of sexual maturation, the hypothalamo-hypophysial unit becomes competent to respond to estrogen, single injections of EB were administered to females at various times before and after the first spontaneous vaginal bleeding. Estrogen induced gonadotropin surges were not demonstrable until 4-8 months after menarche. The pituitaries of 6 premenarchial monkeys responded to the administration of synthetic LRF by a release of gonadotropin and their content of FSH was in the adult range. Spontaneous cyclic gonadotropin discharges, which eventuated in ovulation, first occurred approximately a year after menarche. The functioning of the control system that responds to the positive feedback action of estrogen could not be advanced by chronic treatment with estradiol or progesterone. (Endocrinology 94: ...
Which fractures are most attributable to osteoporosis

Abstract Background Determining anatomic sites and circumstances under which a fracture may be a consequence of osteoporosis is a topic of ongoing debate and controversy that is important to both clinicians and researchers. Methods We conducted a systematic literature review and generated an evidence report on fracture risk based on specific anatomic bone sites and fracture diagnosis codes. Using the Research and Development/University of California at Los Angeles appropriateness process, we convened a multidisciplinary panel of 11 experts who rated fractures according to their likelihood of being because of osteoporosis based on the evidence report. Fracture sites (as determined by International Classification of Diseases Clinical Modification codes) were stratified by four clinical risk factor categories based on age, sex, race/ethnicity (African American and Caucasian), and presence or absence of trauma. Results Consistent with current clinical experience, the fractures rated most likely because of osteoporosis were the femoral neck, pathologic fractures of the vertebrae, and lumbar and thoracic vertebral fractures. The fractures rated least likely because of osteoporosis were open proximal humerus fractures, skull, and facial bones. The expert panel rated open fractures of the arm (except proximal humerus) and fractures of the tibia/fibula, patella, ribs, and sacrum as being highly likely because of osteoporosis in older Caucasian women but a lower likelihood in younger African American men. Conclusion Osteoporosis attribution scores for all fracture sites were determined by a multidisciplinary expert panel to provide an evidence-based continuum of the likelihood of a fracture being associated with osteoporosis.
Effects of fourth ventricle bombesin injection on meal-related parameters and grooming behavior

Injections of bombesin (BN) into the vicinity of the caudal brainstem suppress food intake in rats. In the present study, the food intake parameters [meal size (MS), intermeal interval (IMI), satiety ratio (SR)] affected by 4th ventricle BN injections were determined. Following a 15-h food deprivation, rats were administered 4th ventricle injections of saline (0.15 M) and BN in doses of 1, 5, 10, and 20 ng BN, and were then given access to sweetened milk. The animals' behaviors (feeding, resting, grooming, exploring) were scored every one min and milk intake every five min for 60 min following the injections. Fourth ventricle injections of 5 ng BN and greater reliably suppressed milk. intake. This reduction was reflected in a significant reduction in the MS. The IMI was not affected. As a result, the SR (IMI2/MS1), which is thought to represent the satiating property of food, was reliably greater following BN than following saline administration. The reduced food intake was accompanied by a significant increase in grooming behavior and a corresponding decrease in exploring. The amount of time spent resting (inactive) was similar following saline and all but the highest dose of BN. To demonstrate that the behavioral effects of BN were mediated by specific caudal brainstem BN receptors, 4th ventricle injections of [D-Phe12,Leu14]BN, a BN receptor antagonist, or saline preceded the 4th ventricle injection of 5 ng BN. Pretreatment with [D-Phe12,Leu14]BN reliably blocked the effects of BN on food intake and grooming.
Blind Fair Routing in Large-Scale Service Systems with Heterogeneous Customers and Servers

In a call center, arriving customers must be routed to available servers, and servers that have just become available must be scheduled to help waiting customers. These dynamic routing and scheduling decisions are very difficult, because customers have different needs and servers have different skill levels. A further complication is that it is preferable that these decisions are made blindly; that is, they depend only on the system state and not on system parameter information such as call arrival rates and service speeds. This is because this information is generally not known with certainty. Ideally, a dynamic control policy for making routing and scheduling decisions balances customer and server needs by keeping customer delays low but still fairly dividing the workload amongst the various servers. In this paper, we propose a blind dynamic control policy for parallel-server systems with multiple customer classes and server pools that is based on the number of customers waiting and the number of agents idling. We show that in the Halfin-Whitt many-server heavy-traffic limiting regime, our proposed blind policy performs extremely well when the objective is to minimize customer holding costs subject to “server fairness,” as defined by how the system idleness is divided among servers. To do this, we formulate an approximating diffusion control problem DCP and compare the performance of the nonblind DCP solution to a feasible policy for the DCP that is blind. We establish that the increase in the DCP objective function value is small over a wide range of parameter values. We then use simulation to validate that a small increase in the DCP objective function value is indicative of our proposed blind policy performing very well.
Changes in coronary flow following repeated brief coronary occlusion in the conscious dog.

Studies were conducted in 12 conscious, unsedated dogs instrumented for measurements of subendocardial segment length in the area perfused by the left circumflex coronary artery, blood flow velocity of this artery, and left ventricular pressure. An externally inflatable pneumatic occluder was placed to occlude the circumflex coronary artery for selected durations at selected intervals. Resting coronary blood flow velocity was measured before and after collateral development induced by repeated brief coronary occlusion. Under conditions of comparable myocardial oxygen consumption, shown by the similar pressure-rate product, preocclusion resting coronary blood flow velocity of the repeatedly occluded artery decreased by 21.3% (P<0.001) in association with collateral growth. These findings strongly suggest that the perfusion territory of the collateralized artery decreases considerably secondary to the periodic ischemic stimulus.
Amblyomma americanum: Sequential histological analysis of adult feeding sites on guinea pigs

Abstract Sequential histological analysis of the lesions caused by the feeding of adult Amblyomma americanum ticks in guinea pigs were examined. Biopsies of female feeding sites were taken at 12, 48, 96, 240 hr (mated and unmated ticks at this time) postattachment and 96 hr postrepletion. Male feeding sites were biopsied at 12, 48, and 96 hr postattachment. The following parameters were measured: size of the cavity beneath the mouthparts, size of the lesion, degree of extension of the epidermal and perirostral cement layers from the tick, and thickness of the female cuticle. The numbers and types of cells within the definitive cavities were also recorded along with a general description of the major cell types in the lesion. At the female feeding sites, all parameters increased progressively from 12 to 96 hr postattachment. Mated female sites biopsied at 240 hr postattachment revealed an increase of all parameters from the 96-hr observation with the exception of perirostral cement which decreased. Unmated female sections also biopsied at 240 hr postattachment showed an increase in only cavity and epidermal cement size, with the other parameters showing a substantial decrease. Analysis of the 96-hr postrepletion biopsies revealed an obvious lesion in the dermis with a small layer of perirostral cement engulfed in a scab-like structure on the epidermal surface. In the cavities formed by feeding females, erythrocytes and neutrophils, and to a lesser extent eosinophils, were the dominant cell types. Within the lesions outside the cavities, neutrophils dominated with eosinophils predominating in the postrepletion biopsies. Analysis of male feeding sites showed no cavities or lesion formation at 12 hr postattachment, but by 48 hr a lesion was apparent. At 96 hr postattachment, the last day of feeding and attachment, a lesion and cavity was observed in each section. Neutrophils and eosinophils dominated the cavities and lesions with only a few erythrocytes apparent. The extent and sequence of tissue damage and cellular infiltration are described and the significance of these reactions is discussed.
Memory and Executive Functions in Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease

This study examined the memory and executive functioning of children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The sample included 20 children and adolescents with CKD ranging in age from 7.50 to 19.04 years (M = 13.41, SD = 3.20). Intellectual function for the group was within the low average to average range (M = 89.32, SD = 14.80). Of the participants with CKD, 12 were receiving maintenance dialysis therapy at the time of testing and 8 were managed with conservative therapy. Healthy controls were used as a comparison group (n = 18). This group ranged in age from 7.47 to 18.37 years (M = 12.93, SD = 2.90). Intellectual function was within the average range (M = 112.18, SD = 13.14). All subjects received a comprehensive battery of memory and executive function tasks as part of a larger neuropsychological evaluation. Preliminary examinations of the data revealed a significant difference between the groups in IQ, with the typical group being significantly higher than the CKD group. A multivariate analysis controlling for chronological age revealed significant group differences, with specific differences being noted in all of the memory functions, and the Initiation and Sustaining executive function domains. In all instances the CKD group performed lower than the typical group. The CKD group was particularly deficient in their initiation behaviors within the executive function domain. The groups did not differ on Set-Shifting or Inhibition. These findings remained present even when IQ and chronological age were controlled in the analyses, suggesting the possibility of specific encroachment of renal disease on memory and executive functions beyond the generalized effects of lower IQ. This study represents one of the most extensive examinations of memory and executive functions that has been conducted to date on children and adolescents with CKD. While pervasive dysfunction was not apparent in the children with CKD, they clearly appeared to be at risk for lower IQ as well as inefficiencies in key neurocognitive domains.
Hemagglutinating antibodies to grass in maternal and cord sera

Twelve of 24 sera from nonimmunized atopic mothers at delivery contained hemagglutinating antibody to ryegrass, but no cord sera contained this. Naturally occurring hemagglutinating antibody did not pass through the placenta in demonstrable quantities. In two nonatopic and two atopic mothers immunized with mixed grass during pregnancy, maternal and cord sera contained hemagglutinating activity in equal titers. Artificially induced hemagglutinating antibody passed freely through the placenta. None of the sera obtained from 58 nonatopic mother-cord pairs contained hemagglutinating antibody. Since hemagglutinating antibody to ryegrass in the nonimmunized individual does not cross the placenta, it is probably associated withγ 1A - orγ 1M -globulin
Acute liver failure in children: They really are not just small adults: Acute liver failure in children: The first 348 patients in the Pediatric Acute Liver Failure Study Group. Squires RH Jr, Shneider BL, Bucuvalas J, Alonso E, Sokol RJ, Narkewicz, et al. J Pediatr 2006;148:652‐658.

Objectives To determine short-term outcome for children with acute liver failure (ALF) as it relates to cause, clinical status, and patient demographics and to determine prognostic factors. Study design A prospective, multicenter case study collecting demographic, clinical, laboratory, and short-term outcome data on children from birth to 18 years with ALF. Patients without encephalopathy were included if the prothrombin time and international normalized ratio remained ≥20 seconds and/or >2, respectively, despite vitamin K. Primary outcome measures 3 weeks after study entry were death, death after transplantation, alive with native liver, and alive with transplanted organ. Results The cause of ALF in 348 children included acute acetaminophen toxicity (14%), metabolic disease (10%), autoimmune liver disease (6%), non-acetaminophen drug-related hepatotoxicity (5%), infections (6%), other diagnosed conditions (10%); 49% were indeterminate. Outcome varied between patient sub-groups; 20% with non-acetaminophen ALF died or underwent liver transplantation and never had clinical encephalopathy. Conclusions Causes of ALF in children differ from in adults. Clinical encephalopathy may not be present in children. The high percentage of indeterminate cases provides an opportunity for investigation. (J Pediatr 2006;148:652-658.)
Cytostatic and tumoricidal activities of tumor necrosis factor-treated neutrophils

Abstract When incubated with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (TNF), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) were highly cytostatic to all three tumor cell lines tested. The cytostasis was dose-dependent for both PMN and TNF, and could be neutralized by antibodies specific for TNF. It could also be abrogated by catalase but not by superoxide dismutase (SOD), suggesting that the hydrogen peroxide generated by the TNF-activated PMN was involved in the cytostatis. TNF-treated PMN were also cytotoxic to the tumor cells. However, high level of tumor cytolysis was not evident until after long (24 h) incubation.
HOBOs, Tidbits and lizard models: the utility of electronic devices in field studies of ectotherm thermoregulation

1. A replicated experiment tested the null hypothesis that stand-alone electronic temperature recording devices produce sets of operative temperatures similar to those produced using lizard models. 2. Commercially available electronic temperature recording devices (HOBO XT™ with external probe and Tidbit™) produced sets of operative temperatures nearly identical to models designed to mimic the size, shape, scale architecture and colour of two species of common North American lizards. 3. Tidbits™ performed better than external probes. 4. These results suggest that electronic devices (especially Tidbits™) can be substituted for models in many applications and that size, morphology, scale architecture and colour contribute very little to temperature change in small-sized life-like models widely used in field-based studies on the thermal ecology of vertebrates. 5. Small differences between temperatures recorded by electronic devices and detailed lizard-shaped models fitted with thermal probes suggest that these models may nevertheless be necessary for certain kinds of studies.
A new non-isotopic detection system for immunoassays

A new technology for conducting immunoassays that uses an electrochemiluminescence detection system, eliminates the use of radioisotopes and offers improved assay performance.
Polar ring galaxies

The geometric properties of the dark halo in polar ring galaxies are studied. The S0 disk is used to define one principal plane of such a galaxy, and the dark halos are investigated in terms of rotation curves, stable and massless rings, transient rings, and self-gravitating rings. Whether polar rings are stable or are transient structures is considered. 30 refs.
Theory of surface polaritons in anisotropic dielectric media with application to surface magnetoplasmons in semiconductors

A theory is presented for surface polaritons associated with the planar surface of a semi-infinite anisotropic dielectric medium. Retardation is included. In general, two attenuating components with different attenuation constants must be superposed within the medium in order to satisfy the boundary conditions, and the macroscopic electric field vector does not lie in the sagittal plane. For special cases, however, only one attenuating component is required, and the electric vector does lie in the sagittal plane. The theory is applied to the specific case of surface magnetoplasmons in a semiconductor for magnetic fields either perpendicular or parallel to the surface. In the latter case, propagation directions parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field are considered. Possibilities for the experimental observation of the effects predicted are discussed.
The effects of thiamine hydrochloride upon pentobarbital sodium (“nembutal”) hypnosis and mortality in normal, castrated, and fasting rats†

The action of thiamine hydrochloride upon pentobarbital hypnosis was observed. Normal rats and castrated male and female rats of different ages were given, into the peritoneum, pentobarbital sodium in dosages ranging from 25 mg./Kg. to 110 mg./Kg., accompanied in some cases by thiamine hydrochloride orally or 10 mg./ Kg. parenterally. The effects of fasting upon barbiturate hypnosis were also determined. Thiamine hydrochloride injections accompanying pentobarbital administration rendered normal rats more susceptible to near lethal doses of the hypnotic. Thiamine appeared to decrease the sleeping time in castrated female rats when it was given several weeks after spaying, but subsequent injections did not decrease the sleeping time below that of normals. Oral administration of thiamine increased the duration of hypnosis in normal males but did not significantly increase the sleeping time in castrated males beyond the effect of castration. The prolongation of hypnosis in fasting animals given thiamine was not greater than the increased sleeping time of “control” fasting animals.
Risk factors for urinary lithotripsy-associated sepsis.

Objectives: To identify risk factors for sepsis following urinary extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Design: Retrospective case-control study with two control groups. Setting: A rural, 570-bed, regional referral center. Results: Six cases (four bacteremias and two fungemias) were compared with two sets of 18 controls. Cases had a higher frequency and number of urinary tract infections prior to the procedure and tended to have larger stone size. Conclusions: Patients undergoing ESWL who are at high risk for infectious complications may be identified by preprocedure evaluation. Such patients may require alternative prophylactic regimens and close postprocedure follow-up.
Bernard Häring and the Second Vatican Council

This article examines the life and work of Bernard Haring, C.SS.R., especially his valuable contributions to the Second Vatican Council and his dedication to the council's vision of renewal. It begins with an overview of Haring's preconciliar religious and theological formation in his family, seminary and university, during World War II, and during his teaching in Rome. The next section deals with Haring's work at the council, especially his efforts on the original Theological Commission to resist the rigidity of the first drafts, and his contributions to Lumen Gentium (“The Constitution on the Church”), Unitatis Redintegratio (“The Decree on Ecumenism”), Dignitatis Humana (“The Declaration on Religious Freedom”), Gaudium et Spes (“The Constitution on the Church and the Modern World”), and Optatam Totius (“Decree on Priestly Formation”). The final section considers Haring's mission to spread the council's message of renewal to the world, his conflicts with the forces attempting to repress the progressive agenda, and his courageous visioning of what a renewed church might look like in the future.
Optical methods for detecting Escherichia coli O157:H7 spiked on cantaloupes

Outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 by the consumption of contaminated cantaloupes fruits have been documented. Pathogens harbored in the networked but porous veins in khaki colored skin are difficult to remove. Thus, sensitive and efficient methods are needed to detect the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in cantaloupes. In this work, known quantities of the E. coli were inoculated on cantaloupe skins or flesh at room temperature for 1 h. The contaminated samples were incubated in growth media at 37°C for 3.3h. The bacteria captured by magnetic beads coated with anti E. coli O157 antibodies were further sandwiched by second anti E. coli O157 antibodies containing peroxidase for chemiluminescent measurements of captured bacteria. Alternatively, the captured bacteria were treated with electron-shuttering reagent to detect the cellular level of NAD(P)H via bioluminescence. The detected enzyme activity (peroxidase) and the NAD(P)H were used to measure the presence of the pathogen. The results indicated both the chemiluminescence and the fluorescence methods, in 96 well microplate format, could be applied to detect the E. coli contamination of cantaloupes.
Drug development: The modelling challenge

Researchers have made good progress with animal tests for cognition. The next step is to devise a rodent model for drug development.
Brief communication: The human humerus from the Broken Hill Mine, Kabwe, Zambia

The distal half of a right human hu- merus (E.898), recovered ex situ in 1925 by Hrdlicka at the Broken Hill Mine, Kabwe, Zambia, has figured prom- inently in assessments of Middle Pleistocene Homo post- cranial variation and of the phylogenetic polarity and functional anatomy of Pleistocene Homo upper limb mor- phology. Reassessment of distal humeral features that distinguish modern human and some archaic Homo humeri, especially relative olecranon breadth and medial and lateral pillar thicknesses, confirm previous studies placing it morphologically close to recent humans, as well as possibly to Early Pleistocene Homo. However, it completely lacks stratigraphic context, and there is fau- nal and archeological evidence for human activity at Broken Hill from the Middle Pleistocene to the Holocene. Given its uncertain geological age and modern human morphology, the Broken Hill E.898 humerus should not be used in analyses of Pleistocene humans until it is securely dated. Am J Phys Anthropol 149:312-317, 2012. V C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reexamination of β-alumina doped with chromium using photoacoustic spectroscopy

Abstract A previous publication presented evidence that supported the hypothesis that chromium-doped β-alumina was oxidized to Cr(IV) during air-sintering. This evidence included chemical reactions observed, magnetic susceptibility, and conductivity, but, in particular, the strongest supporting evidence came from absorption spectroscopy. However, the technique used, powder dispersed in a KBr pellet, was not conducive to high quality spectra. For this reason, a much more powerful technique for solid samples, photoacoustic spectroscopy, has been applied to chromium-doped β-alumina. Additional absorption peaks have been observed that now clearly show that chromium remains as Cr(III) in β-alumina. The other previous evidence has been reexamined and it too can be interpreted as resulting from the presence of chromium(III).
Proceedings of the 37th SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education

Welcome to Houston for the 37th year of the SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. We are excited about SIGCSE 2006, and we hope you have as much fun attending the Symposium as we have had planning it. There is much to see and do, with paper presentations, panels, special sessions, workshops, posters, birds-of-a-feather, keynote talks, and exhibits. We also hope you take some time to relax and enjoy Houston: dining, museums, arts, and even a rodeo, are within easy reach of the Symposium site. Enjoy a reunion with old friends, find colleagues with whom to discuss topics of mutual interest over a meal, make plans for collaboration, or meet new friends in the inviting atmosphere of the Symposium setting.We are pleased to honor the winners of the two annual SIGCSE awards: Richard Pattis for Outstanding Contributions to Computer Science Education, and Joyce Currie Little for Lifetime Service. Rich will give the opening keynote talk on Thursday morning. Other invited speakers at the Symposium are Chris Stephenson and Robb Cutler of the Computer Science Teachers Association, and William LaBarge from Sony Pictures Imageworks. Chris and Robb will give the Friday keynote, and Bill will be the luncheon speaker on Saturday.This year, 294 papers, 26 panels, 18 special sessions, and 50 workshops were submitted to the Symposium. 608 people helped review these submissions. All papers received at least 4 reviews, and most received 5 or 6. Panels, special sessions, workshops, faculty posters, and birds-of-a-feather proposals were also carefully reviewed. Using the proposals and the reviewers' feedback, the Program Committee then chose a program that balances quality and diversity of topics against available space and time. We hope you enjoy the result.In addition to the technical sessions and invited talks, we once again provide a Thursday first-timers' lunch, and a Thursday reception. This year's reception will be held at Minute Maid Park (home of the Houston Astros), about 3 blocks from the Symposium hotel. Like last year, this year's Symposium luncheon will be held on Saturday, as the culminating event of the Symposium. The large exhibit hall is the place to view and experiment with the latest in instructional software, hardware, and publications. Events co-located with the Symposium include a new Workshop for Department Chairs, the SIGCSE Doctoral Consortium, and the ACM SIGCSE Student Research Competition.
The Identification of Adoption-Proneness Among Secondary Home Economics Teachers

This study was conducted in two phases. The first phase examined 19 independent variables relating to the personal characteristics of 202 vocational teachers from the state of Virginia for the purpose of explaining a criterion variable, proneness toward the adoption of educational innovations. It was established that a teacher's age, number of professional publications read monthly, number of years teaching in the present school district, satis faction with teaching, and perception of influence an academic teacher should have on a vocational teacher's classroom procedures all related to adoption-proneness (dependent variable). Phase two of the study isolated 39 home economics teachers from the composite sample in order to determine whether certain groups existed within this subsample that had similar characteristics based upon their measured degree of adoption-proneness and personal characteristics found significant in phase one of the study. Cluster analysis indicated that the home economics teachers could be clustered into three distinct groups. Furthermore, there were indications that certain clusters existed that were not fully explained in the first phase of the study. The study should prove particularly useful to those responsible for the diffusion of educational innovations, especially across broad geographical areas.
Field and Laboratory Evaluation of Parasitism of the Face Fly in Virginia

Experiments were conducted in the field and laboratory to determine parasitism of an exotic pest, the face fly, Musca autumnalis De Geer, and other native dung-inhabiting Diptera, Ravinia querula (Walker), Ravinia spp., and Orthellia caeserion (Meigen). Cattle droppings in the field were placed in large metal funnels, and fly pupae were allowed to fall into jars of sand attached to the bottom of the funnels. The pupae were held in the laboratory for emergence of the parasite or host. After early efforts to propagate native parasites on the face fly proved to be unsuccessful, colonies of the previously mentioned native dung-inhabiting Diptera were established to act as alternate hosts for the parasites Aphaereta pallipes (Say) and Eucoila impatiens (Say). Experiments were conducted with these 2 parasites against native hosts and face fly to determine their hostal preferences.
Priority cell discarding for overload control in BISDN/ATM networks: An analysis framework

The broadband integrated services digital networks (BISDNs) of the future will use asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) for switching and transport of basic transport units called cells. These networks are likely to exhibit extremely bursty traffic characteristics which could cause significant queue overload conditions. This paper suggests that priority cell discarding, in which a delivery priority (also known as a loss priority) is assigned to each cell, is a viable alternative for controlling this overload. We also present a framework for the analysis and comparison of the performance of such priority discarding systems. The framework consists of a general analysis model appropriate for BISDNs using ATM, a two-dimensional structural classification of priority discarding algorithms and suggestions for performance measures, one of which is a generalization of the often-used throughput measure. We illustrate how this framework can be useful in systems analysis by introducing a specific discarding optimization problem.
Apoptosis and heart failure.

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) was unknown to William Osler and Paul Dudley White, but physicians today must grapple with the uneasy knowledge that all of our cells actively maintain the machine...
Infrared spectra of isotopic nitryl halides

Abstract The infrared spectra of nitrogen-14 and 15 isotopic species of nitryl chloride and fluoride have been examined in the vapor and solid states. Assignments of two fundamentals in both halides have been changed from those proposed by earlier investigators. A band at 460 cm−1 reported earlier for the fluoride and assigned to ν3 was shown to originate from an impurity. Thermodynamic functions and new sets of force constants from both the valence and the Urey—Bradley force fields have been calculated.
Student hypertexts: The perils and promises of paths not taken

This article is a study of the problems students face when visualizing a hypertext audience. Beginning with Ede and Lunsford's working definition of audience addressed/audience invoked, the author traces the students' problems with audience analysis to three interdependent issues: (a) a tendency to let the operational and functional levels of construction take precedent over figurative meaning, (b) confusion over the demands of print and oral audience expectations, and (c) an inability to conceive of hypertext as anything other than “pure process” and of the reader as anyone other than the writer.
Oxidation of thiocyanate by iron(V) in alkaline medium

Abstract The oxidation of thiocyanate by iron(V) (Fe(V)) was studied as a function of pH in alkaline solutions by a premix pulse radiolysis technique. The rates decrease with an increase in pH. The rate law for the oxidation of SCN− by Fe(V) was obtained as −d[Fe(V)]/dt = k10{[H+]2/([H+]2 + K2[H+] + K2K3)}[Fe(V)][SCN−], where k10 = 5.72 ± 0.19 × 106 M−1 s−1, pK2 = 7.2, and pK3 = 10.1. The reaction precedes via a two-electron oxidation, which converts Fe(V) to Fe(III). Thiocyanate reacts approximately 103× faster with iron(V) than does with iron(VI).
Comparison of Infant Sleep Practices in African–American and US Hispanic Families: Implications for Sleep-Related Infant Death

African–American and Hispanic families share similar socioeconomic profiles. Hispanic rates of sleep-related infant death are four times lower than African–American rates. We conducted a cross-sectional, multi-modal (surveys, qualitative interviews) study to compare infant care practices that impact risk for sleep-related infant death in African–American and Hispanic families. We surveyed 422 African–American and 90 Hispanic mothers. Eighty-three African–American and six Hispanic mothers participated in qualitative interviews. African–American infants were more likely to be placed prone (p < 0.001), share the bed with the parent (p < 0.001), and to be exposed to smoke (p < 0.001). Hispanic women were more likely to breastfeed (p < .001), while African–American women were more knowledgeable about SIDS. Qualitative interviews indicate that, although African–American and Hispanic parents had similar concerns, behaviors differed. Although the rationale for infant care decisions was similar for African–American and Hispanic families, practices differed. This may help to explain the racial/ethnic disparity seen in sleep-related infant deaths.
A model for ground-state and excited-state microwave optical double resonance

Abstract A model is developed to describe the physical principles of both ground-state and excited-state microwave optical double resonance. This model uses a steady-state kinetic analysis to determine the populations of three quantum levels in the presence of two monochromatic radiation fields. The microwave transition rate and the laser transition rate are obtained from separate analyses using the semiclassical two-state transition probability averaged over the effects of collisions. The Doppler effect of the optical transition rate is explicitly included. The competing effects of laser power, microwave power, and pressure on signal intensity and lineshape are described. Calculated lineshapes and relative signal intensities based on this model are in good agreement with previous measurements on BaO and NO 2 .
Is cyclooxygenase-2 important in skin carcinogenesis?

Our studies have focused on the role of arachidonic acid and its products in chemically and UV light-induced murine models of skin carcinogenesis, with an emphasis on determining the importance of prostaglandins (PGs), which are synthesized by the two isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX). Different types of tumor promoters elevate COX-2 expression in keratinocytes, with little change in COX-1, suggesting that there are multiple signaling pathways by which COX-2 expression can be regulated. We found that the expression of both COX isoforms is increased by treatment with PGs and that this autoregulation occurs via PG receptors linked to a cAMP signaling pathway. We also observed that COX-2 is constitutively upregulated in papillomas and carcinomas from either chemical initiation-promotion or UV-irradiation carcinogenesis experiments. We next investigated cis- and transacting factors required for COX-2 expression. Two regions of the COX-2 promoter, an E box and a nuclear factor-IL6 (NF-IL6) site, were identified as positive regulatory elements through transient transfection with luciferase reporter vectors containing various 5'-flanking regions of the promoter. We found that overexpression of COX-2 in tumors may be caused by a dysregulation in the expression pattern of the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors. To demonstrate the importance of PG synthesis in the carcinogenesis process, several nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs were administered either orally or topically during UV carcinogenesis. Dietary administration ofindomethacin, piroxicam, or the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib prevented the development of UV-induced skin cancers by up to 85%. In addition, celecoxib had therapeutic efficacy in that it caused regression of preexisting tumors. Topical administration of indomethacin after each UV exposure was also effective, suggesting that a postexposure approach to skin cancer prevention may be effective. Collectively, these studies suggest that prostaglandins play a critical role in skin cancer development.
Estimates of commercial profitability in hybrid seed production of the small grains

"Hybrid" is a glamour term in agriculture today, due largely to the phenomenal success of hybrid corn (maize). In 1935, before hybrids were common, average corn yields in the United States were. about 24 bushels per acre; by 1969 the national average was 80 bushels per acre. Though not all of this upward shift in yield can be attributed directly to the superior performance of hybrids, it is clear that the change agent was hybridization and that hybrid vigor itself accounted for a substantial portion of the gain. In 1969, farmers of the United States planted approximately 60 million acres of hybrid com and 15 million acres of hybrid sorghum. Hybridization of corn and sorghum has made possible the formation of a multimillion dollar specialized hybrid seed industry. At present, only corn and sorghum hybrids are available to the American farmer. The possibilities for profitable commercial hybridization of wheat, rice, barley, oats and rye remain to be demonstrated. Hybridization has special interest to the seedsman as well as to the farmer, for hybridization based on privately controlled parent stocks and pedigrees converts the commercial seed business from one with a speculative commodity market to one with a controllable product market. With corn and sorghum, this conversion has already been achieved. Private pedigree hybrids produced by specialized commercial concems are being sold and used successfully on a vast scale. In the United States, where the hybrid corn seed business-a typically American enterprise-had its first success, hybrid corn is now used to plant almost 100% of the acreage of field, sweet and popcorn. Almost all the grain sorghum acreage in the United States is now hybrid
Synthesis of honeycomb coordination networks by self-assembly of the tetradentate ligand 1,2-bis(5′-dipyrimidyl)ethyne with copper(I) halides

Abstract The structure of the honeycomb-like three-dimensional networks formed on self-assembly of the tetradentate ligand 1,2-bis(5′-dipyrimidyl)ethyne with copper (I) iodide and copper (I) bromide are presented.
TUNNELING MEASUREMENTS OF THE ENERGY GAP IN HIGH-Tc SUPERCONDUCTORS

The current status of tunneling measurements of the superconducting density of states near the Fermi level of high-Tc superconductors is reviewed. A number of the characteristics of the tunneling data that had previously been considered to be "non-ideal" follow quite naturally from conventional tunneling theory, if the effects of the unusually large energy gap, often unusually small tunneling barriers, and gap anisotropy and/or inhomogeneity are correctly accounted for. Despite formidable problems in making these measurements, due to both the very short coherence lengths and materials problems in these superconductors, a consistent body of data is emerging. A consistent picture can be drawn from this data with the aid of the new modelling presented here.