cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer-enhanced photon tunneling microscopy for composite materials characterization and durability assessment

In an effort to reduce cost and maximize the utility of each test specimen, our laboratory has incorporated several types of non-intrusive techniques for surface analysis and sample characterization. The newest and one of the most promising techniques is computer enhanced photon tunneling microscopy. This paper describes our current photon tunneling microscopy system and its use in the characterization of polymer matrix composite materials surfaces. The technique of photon tunneling microscopy was first made available commercially through a licensee of the Polaroid Corporation in 1992. Our system was purchased in 1994 and has been used primarily to study the effects of accelerated aging on composite materials.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Oxygen consumption in the prosobranch snail Viviparus contectoides (mollusca: Gastropoda)—II. Effects of temperature and pH*

Abstract 1. Metabolic rate (oxygen consumption) of Viviparus contectoides is directly dependent on temperature. 2. Males have a rectilinear relationship between weight-adjusted oxygen consumption and temperature. Females have a curvilinear relationship. 3. There was a significant sexual difference in the relationship of weight-adjusted oxygen consumption and temperature, with the mean value for males being higher than for females at 22 and 27°C. 4. Q10 values for males decreased with increasing temperature, and for females they increased with increasing temperature. 5. Metabolic rate (Vo2) of V. contectoides is dependent on pH, with two pH optima at pHs 7.1 and 8.9 with an intervening trough.
Photon-exchange energy transfer of an electron–hole plasma between quasi-two-dimensional semiconductor layers

Abstract Photon-mediated energy transfer is shown to play an important role for transfer of an electron–hole plasma between two quasi-two-dimensional quantum wells separated by a wide barrier. The magnitude and the dependence of the transfer rate of an electron–hole plasma on the temperature, the well-to-well distance, and the plasma density are compared with those of the standard Forster ( i.e. , dipolar) rate and also with the exciton transfer rate. The plasma transfer rate through the photon-exchange mechanism decays very slowly as a function of the well-to-well distance and is larger than the dipolar rate except for short distances. The transfer rate of plasmas saturates at high densities and decays rapidly with the temperature.
Dopaminergic mechanisms of neural plasticity in respiratory control: transgenic approaches.

Data supporting the hypothesis that dopamine-2 receptors (D(2)-R) contribute to time-dependent changes in the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) during acclimatization to hypoxia are briefly reviewed. Previous experiments with transgenic animals (D(2)-R 'knockout' mice) support this hypothesis (J. Appl. Physiol. 89 (2000) 1142). However, those experiments could not determine (1) if D(2)-R in the carotid body, the CNS, or both were involved, or (2) if D(2)-R were necessary during the acclimatization to hypoxia versus some time prior to chronic hypoxia, e.g. during a critical period of development. Additional experiments on C57BL/6J mice support the idea that D(2)-R are critical during the period of exposure to hypoxia for normal ventilatory acclimatization. D(2)-R in carotid body chemoreceptors predominate under control conditions to inhibit normoxic ventilation, but excitatory effects of D(2)-R, presumably in the CNS, predominate after acclimatization to hypoxia. The inhibitory effects of D(2)-R in the carotid body are reset to operate primarily under hypoxic conditions in acclimatized rats, thereby optimizing O(2)-sensitivity.
Estimation of new production from remotely-sensed data in a coastal upwelling regime

Abstract We present a comparison of new production estimates derived from traditional shipboard experiments (15N-tracer methodology) with the results of a model incorporating remotely-sensed data from the coastal upwelling region of Monterey Bay, CA (USA) in May, 1993. The model utilized sea-surface temperature derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) to drive a physiologically-based estimate of nitrate uptake in upwelling phytoplankton communities. A direct comparison indicates that the modeled results accurately predict the physiological status of the phytoplankton community. However, these data also demonstrate the difficulty of direct comparison of shipboard estimates of productivity with a synoptically derived estimate for the same study site.
Correlation between morphological and biochemical effects of ethanol on neuroblast-enriched cultures derived from three-day-old chick embryos

We have shown that ethanol exposure during embryogenesis affects a variety of parameters of neuronal growth. In this study we examined the direct effects of ethanol exposure on developing neuroblasts in culture. Neuroblast-enriched cultures derived from 3-day-old whole chick embryos were grown in the presence of ethanol at doses ranging from 12.5 to 50 mM from culture day 3–14. Cholinergic and GABAergic phenotypic expression were both significantly reduced following ethanol exposure as assessed by the activities of choline acetyltransferase and glutamate decarboxylase, respectively. Morphometric analysis of the growth patterns showed significant differences between control and ethanol-treated cultures. Control cultures exhibited the characteristic pattern of growth consisting of neuronal aggregation with neuritic arborization, i.e., neuritic bundles and fasciculation. Cultures grown in ethanol from culture day 3 consisted of aggregates that measured significantly greater in size than those observed in control cultures. In addition, in ethanol-treated cultures, the primary pattern of neuritic bundles was replaced by a complex network of individual neurites radiating from the central aggregate, forming a defined “neuritic field.” Morphometric analysis revealed that both neurite number and neurite length were significantly reduced in ethanol-treated cultures. The biochemical data confirm earlier reports from this laboratory suggesting that ethanol exposure during early embryogenesis alters the normal neuronal pattern of phenotypic expression. In addition, we have presented evidence in this study that ethanol alters the morphological growth patterns of developing neurons. Although ethanol does not alter the ability of these cells to aggregate, there is a significant alteration in neuritic outgrowth. We conclude that the alterations in the growth patterns induced by ethanol hinder full neurotransmitter phenotypic expression.
Atrial fibrillation following open heart surgery: long-term incidence and prognosis.

While early postoperative atrial fibrillation (post op AF) following valve and coronary artery bypass surgery is a known common cause of increased morbidity and mortality, the late recurrence of AF long term in this group of patients has not been well studied. The objective of this study was to assess the late recurrence and predictors of AF in patients undergoing open heart surgery. From a prospective cardiovascular surgery registry, 519 patients with no prior history of AF who underwent open heart surgery for cardiac bypass/valvular surgeries between May 2000 and April 2004 were followed until May 2009. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the impact of early post op AF on the long-term AF after adjusting for significant covariates Of these patients, 25.6 % (133) had early (0–3 months) post op AF (group A). The remainder of patients were considered as controls (group B, n = 386). Late occurrence of AF (3–84 months) was 5.3 % (n = 28) after a mean follow up duration of 5 ± 1.9 years. The late occurrence of AF in group A (recurrent AF) was significantly higher than in group B (11 vs 3 % n = 15 vs 13, p = 0.0002). Early postoperative AF was a significant predictor of late recurrence of AF in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio (HR) 3.9, CI 1.8–8.4, p = 0.0003). Group A also had higher mortality compared to group B (21 vs 13 %, n = 28 vs n = 51, p = 0.003) with early postoperative AF showing a trend towards higher mortality on multivariate analysis (HR 1.7, p = 0.06). Late recurrence of AF is higher than was previously thought to be in patients experiencing early post operative AF with a trend towards higher long-term mortality. Post op AF should not be dismissed as a benign entity and these patients should be followed closely.
Surface map traffic intent displays and net-centric datalink communications for NextGen

By 2025, U.S. air traffic is predicted to increase three fold and may strain the current air traffic management system, which may not be able to accommodate this growth. In response to this challenge, a revolutionary new concept has been proposed for U.S. aviation operations, termed the Next Generation Air Transportation System or “NextGen”. Many key capabilities are being identified to enable NextGen, including the use of data-link communications. Because NextGen represents a radically different approach to air traffic management and requires a dramatic shift in the tasks, roles, and responsibilities for the flight deck, there are numerous research issues and challenges that must be overcome to ensure a safe, sustainable air transportation system. Flight deck display and crew-vehicle interaction concepts are being developed that proactively investigate and overcome potential technology and safety barriers that might otherwise constrain the full realization of NextGen. The paper describes simulation research, conducted at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center, examining datalink communications and traffic intent data during envisioned four-dimensional trajectory (4DT)-based and equivalent visual (EV) surface operations. Overall, the results suggest that controller pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) with the use of mandatory pilot read-back of all clearances significantly enhanced situation awareness for 4DT and EV surface operations. The depiction of graphical traffic state and intent information on the surface map display further enhanced off-nominal detection and pilot qualitative reports of safety and awareness.
The role of the medial preoptic area in appetitive and consummatory reproductive behaviors depends on sexual experience and odor volatility in male Syrian hamsters

In Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), the expression of reproductive behavior requires the perception and discrimination of sexual odors. The behavioral response to these odors is mediated by a network of ventral forebrain nuclei, including the medial preoptic area (MPOA). The role of MPOA in male copulatory behavior has been well-studied, but less is known about the role of MPOA in appetitive aspects of male reproductive behavior. Furthermore, many previous studies that examined the role of MPOA in reproductive behavior have used large lesions that damaged other nuclei near MPOA or fibers of passage within MPOA, making it difficult to attribute post-lesion deficits in reproductive behavior to MPOA specifically. Thus, the current study used discrete, excitotoxic lesions of MPOA to test the role of this nucleus in opposite-sex odor preference and copulatory behavior in both sexually-naive and sexually-experienced males. Lesions of MPOA eliminated preference for volatile, opposite-sex odors in sexually-naive, but not sexually-experienced, males. When males were allowed to contact the sexual odors, however, preference for female odors remained intact. Surprisingly, lesions of MPOA caused severe copulatory deficits only in sexually-naive males, suggesting previous reports of copulatory deficits following MPOA lesions in sexually-experienced males were not due to damage to MPOA itself. Together, these results demonstrate that the role of MPOA in appetitive and consummatory aspects of reproductive behavior varies with the volatility of the sexual odors and the sexual experience of the male.
House money effects in public good experiments: Comment

We reconsider evidence from experiments that claim to show that using “house money” in standard public goods experiments has no effect on behavior. We show that it does have an effect when one examines the data using appropriate statistical methods that consider individual-level responses and account for the error structure of the panel data.
Hypothalamic Hormones and Metabolism

The ketogenic diet is an effective treatment for medically intractable epilepsy and may have antiepileptogenic, neuroprotective, and antitumor properties. While on a ketogenic diet, the body obtains most of its calories from fat rather than carbohydrates. This dramatic change in caloric composition results in a unique metabolic state. In turn, these changes in caloric composition and metabolism alter some of the neurohormones that participate in the complex neuronal network regulating energy homeostasis. Two observed changes are an increase in serum leptin and a decrease in serum insulin. These opposing changes in leptin and insulin are unique compared to other metabolic stimuli and may modify the activity of several cell signaling cascades including phosphoinositidyl-3 kinase (PI3K), adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). These cell signaling pathways may mediate the anticonvulsant and other beneficial effects of the diet, though the neurohormonal changes induced by the ketogenic diet and the physiological consequences of these changes remain poorly characterized.
Integrating competitor identification and organisational identity: a new framework of competitor sensemaking

Working within a strategy-as-practice framework, this paper extends our current understanding of managerial competitor identification by addressing two gaps in the literature. First, this area of research lacks a framework which illustrates the process of competitor identification. Second, current perspectives have ignored the concept of organisational identity. Accordingly, this paper frames competitor identification as a sensemaking process that is affected by organisational identity. The paper concludes by offering insights as to how this expanded understanding of managerial competitor identification impacts an organisation’s strategic practices.
Religion, humanism, marketing, and the consumption of socially responsible products, services, and ideas: Introduction to a special topic section

Abstract This introduction to the special issue provides an overview and brief summary of the eight articles that follow and take up the issue's theme. Despite the fact that religion and religious world views exert considerable influence on consumer attitudes and behavior, mainstream business journals have presented little research that explores the relationship between religion and marketing. Articles featured in this special issue examine three themes of interest: (1) the influence of strongly held religious or non-religious world views on the marketing of socially responsible behaviors; (2) how religious world views influence the conduct of marketing; and (3) what marketing scholars can learn from the marketing practices of various religious organizations. The authors extend a note of appreciation to the reviewers of the many papers submitted to the issue and to the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Business Research , Arch Woodside.
Effect of HCO3- on glutamine and glucose metabolism in lymphocytes.

Abstract Lymphocytes play a quantitatively important role in glutamine utilization in the body. We hypothesized that in metabolic acidosis characterized by decreased extracellular HCO3−, concentration ([HCO3−]), glutamine utilization by lymphocytes may decrease to compensate partially for the increased uptake of glutamine by the kidneys for ammoniagenesis. This study was therefore designed to quantify the effect of extracellular [HCO3−] on glutamine metabolism in lymphocytes relative to glucose utilization. Mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes were incubated at 37°C for 1 hour in Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing 0, 12.5, and 25 mmol/L HCO3− at a constant pH of 7.4 or 15.7 and 25 mmol/L HCO3− at a constant CO2 concentration of 1.25 mmol/L. Reducing extracellular [HCO3−] from 25 to 12.5 mmol/L at constant pH or from 25 to 15.7 mmol/L at constant CO2 concentration decreased glutamine utilization and the production of glutamate and ammonia. A reduction in [HCO3−] from 12.5 to 0 mmol/L further decreased glutamine utilization, as well as the production of all measured glutamine metabolites. Interestingly, decreasing [HCO3−] from 25 to 0 mmol/L had no significant effect on glucose metabolism, although the production of pyruvate (a minor product of glucose in lymphocytes) was decreased in the absence of medium HCO3−. The contribution of glutamine but not of glucose to lymphocyte adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production was decreased with reduced extracellular [HCO3−]. Thus, glucose was a more important fuel for lymphocytes than was glutamine at low [HCO3−]. Our results demonstrate for the first time that a decrease in extracellular [HCO3−] reduces glutamine utilization and metabolism by lymphocytes, which may help to increase the availability of glutamine for renal ammoniagenesis under conditions of metabolic acidosis.
Changes in the Nuclear Envelope Environment Affect Spindle Pole Body Duplication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae nuclear membrane is part of a complex nuclear envelope environment also containing chromatin, integral and peripheral membrane proteins, and large structures such as nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and the spindle pole body. To study how properties of the nuclear membrane affect nuclear envelope processes, we altered the nuclear membrane by deleting the SPO7 gene. We found that spo7Δ cells were sickened by the mutation of genes coding for spindle pole body components and that spo7Δ was synthetically lethal with mutations in the SUN domain gene MPS3. Mps3p is required for spindle pole body duplication and for a variety of other nuclear envelope processes. In spo7Δ cells, the spindle pole body defect of mps3 mutants was exacerbated, suggesting that nuclear membrane composition affects spindle pole body function. The synthetic lethality between spo7Δ and mps3 mutants was suppressed by deletion of specific nucleoporin genes. In fact, these gene deletions bypassed the requirement for Mps3p entirely, suggesting that under certain conditions spindle pole body duplication can occur via an Mps3p-independent pathway. These data point to an antagonistic relationship between nuclear pore complexes and the spindle pole body. We propose a model whereby nuclear pore complexes either compete with the spindle pole body for insertion into the nuclear membrane or affect spindle pole body duplication by altering the nuclear envelope environment.
Bioconjugation of ultra-high-Q optical microcavities for label-free sensing

The development of label-free biosensors with high sensitivity and specificity is of significant interest for medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring, where rapid and real-time detection of antigens, bacteria, viruses, etc., is necessary. Ultra-high-Q optical microcavities are uniquely suited to sensing applications, but previous research efforts in this area have focused on the development of the sensor itself. While device sensitivity is crucial to sensor development, specificity is an equally important feature. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a high density, covalent surface functionalization process, which also maintains the device's performance. Here, we demonstrate a facile method to impart specificity to optical microcavities, without adversely impacting their optical performance. In this approach, we selectively functionalize the surface of the silica microtoroids with amine-terminated silane coupling agents, and examine the impact of differing reaction schemes on the overall quality of the devices. The chemistries investigated here result in uniform surface coverage, and no microstructural damage, and do not adversely impact the optical performance of the devices, as measured by their quality factors before and after functionalization. This work represents one of the first examples of non-physisorption-based bioconjugation of optical microtoroid resonators, which can be used for the label-free detection of biomolecules.
Hydrogen-Bonded Complexes of Methanol and Acetylides. Structure and Energy Correlations

We examine the connection between acid−base chemistry and hydrogen bond stability for anionic ion−molecule complexes. Ion−molecule complexes of substituted acetylides, RCC- (R = tert-butyl, H, phenyl, p-tolyl), and methanol were studied using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. These complexes, RCC-·HOCH3, all have complexation energies of −21 kcal/mol and are, therefore, hydrogen bonded. The acetylides vary in basicity over an 8 kcal/mol range, but all have the same complexation energy with methanol. In contrast, results reported by Bartmess show that the complexation energies of aliphatic alcohols with phenyl acetylide vary with the acidity of the alcohol. These results show that the frequently observed relationship between acid−base energetics and complexation energy is a property of the specific system and not a general one. We believe that these results demonstrate that the existence, and magnitude, of these correlations cannot be used to infer structural information about th...
Role of N-heterocyclic carbenes in glucose conversion into HMF by Cr catalysts in ionic liquids

Abstract As N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) can be readily formed from deprotonation of their precursors—imidazolium salts ( i.e. , ionic liquids, ILs) that are typically used as solvent in homogenous glucose-to-5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) conversion systems with CrCl x ( x = 2 or 3) as catalyst—the hypothesis that the (NHC)–CrCl x complex is the true catalyst for such conversion exists in the literature, but it has not been tested. Reported herein are three sets of mechanistic probes to address the role of the NHC ligand in the glucose-to-HMF conversion by CrCl x in ILs. Specifically, controls with all additives (reagents) involved in the conversion system, performances of in situ generated NHC ligands or Cr complexes as well as discrete NHC ligands and Cr complexes that were proposed to be the true catalyst, and quantitative NHC titration (poisoning) experiments conclusively show that the NHC ligand actually serves as a poison to the chromium catalyst system and that a superstoichiometric amount (2 or 3 equiv.) of the NHC ligand can completely shut down the catalysis.
Substrate smoothing for high-temperature condenser operation in EUVL source environments

We are developing polymer smoothing processes on diamond-turned (metal) and ground (metal or ceramic) substrates to reduce high and mid-spatial frequency roughness, for implementation as EUVL condenser optics. Diamond-turning or grinding can be used as relatively inexpensive processes to obtain the specified optic figure, however, the resulting surface has high-spatial roughness in the order of tens or hundreds of Angstroms, which would prohibit normal incidence operation at EUV wavelengths due to extremely low reflectance. Our polymer smoothing process reduces roughness to a few Angstroms, thus enabling normal-incidence operation. The substrate material and smoothing film have to combine a unique set of properties such as chemical compatibility, high thermal stability and low stress to be able to operate inside alternative-fuel EUVL source environments. Experimental results are presented on the development, testing and performance of these novel substrates.
Essential tremor and Parkinson's disease: Lack of a link

The relationship between essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD) has been debated for years. Whether ET is actually a risk factor for developing PD, or whether the relationship is merely coincidental remains unclear. In this issue of Movement Disorders Fekete and Jankovic discuss clinical, epidemiological, genetic, neuroimaging, pathological, and therapeutic evidence which they interpret as proving a causal relationship between these disorders. This paper will discuss mainly the pathological data and the lack of clear evidence that the disorders are causally related. A major confounding factor when trying to determine whether ET and PD are related is the fact that currently we have limited knowledge regarding the cause of these two disorders. It is very likely that these are syndromes and not diseases with a single cause and therefore if a link exists it may well be in a subgroup of these individuals. As there is no diagnostic test for either ET or PD, and the only definitive diagnostic finding for either is the presence of Lewy bodies and neuronal loss in the substantia nigra (SN) of subjects with PD, neuropathologic studies will be the focus of this review. Clinically there appears to be clear overlap between ET and PD. Postural and kinetic tremor are common in PD while the presence of rest tremor is common in ET. Bradykinesia and rigidity can occur in ET and at what point patients with these findings become clinically classified as PD is unclear. Finally, it is clear that there are patients with long-standing ET who go on to develop PD, but whether this is greater than the general population, as suggested in some studies,1 and even if it is, whether the actual cause of PD in these cases relates to ET or other factors, has not been established. Until the cause(s) of these disorders are delineated, linking the two may be impossible. In our opinion all of these issues very much require well designed longitudinal cohort studies that have pathologic confirmation as the gold standard outcome measure. From a clinico-pathological standpoint there are two ways one can approach determining whether ET and PD are related: 1) Is there an increased occurrence of Lewy bodies in cases of ET, and 2) Is there an increase in ET in subjects with Lewy body pathology. We will first address published reports of Lewy bodies in ET.
Kinetics of octylphenyl polyoxyethylene alcohol micelle dissociation by a stopped-flow technique

Abstract The kinetics of dissociation of micelles of the nonionic detergent octylphenyl polyoxyethylene alcohol in aqueous solution and in 0.1 M KCl at 25° were studied by a stopped flow technique. The rate constant of dissociation of the first detergent molecule from the micelle, kn, n-1, was found equal to 510 sec−1. A value of 73 sec−1 for kn, n−1 had been found previously, using a temperature jump technique. These results suggest that the rate determining step seen in a temperature jump experiment is not the release of the first molecule of detergent from the micelle.
Hepatitis A exposure in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection in central Pennsylvania

Hepatitis A exposure in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection in central Pennsylvania
A New Look at Children's Understanding of Mind and Emotion: The Case of Prayer.

Multiple methods were used to examine children's awareness of connections between emotion and prayer. Four-, 6-, and 8-year-olds and adults (N = 100) predicted whether people would pray when feeling different emotions, explained why characters in different situations decided to pray, and predicted whether characters' emotions would change after praying. Four- and 6-year-olds exclusively judged that positive emotions motivate prayer, whereas 8-year-olds and adults most often predicted that negative emotions would cause people to pray and that praying could improve emotions. There was also a significant increase between 4 and 8 years in explaining prayer as motivated by need for assistance, for thanksgiving, and for conversation, as well as for explaining postprayer emotions in relation to God or prayer. Religious background predicted individual differences in reasoning only for 4-year-olds.
Interfacial stresses in viscoelastic adhesive-layers due to moisture sorption

Abstract This paper concerns the mechanical behavior of an epoxy adhesive layer that is located between stiff adherends as the adhesive absorbs moisture from the ambient environment. As the moisture penetrates the layer by an extremely slow diffusion process the eposy undergoes a simultaneous process of stress-relaxation. Calculations of viscoelastic interfacial stresses were performed for a time-dependent response which is typical of epoxy for a layer geometry as encountered in practice. The results show that for exposure to steady ambient humidity the viscoelastic stresses are smaller than their elastic counterparts. However, under fluctuating ambient humidity the viscoelastic response may cause stress reversals, and thereby failure modes, which are not predicted by elasticity theory.
Variegated expression of the Sgs-4 locus in Drosophila melanogaster.

Experiments on T(1;4)wm258-21larvae of Drosophila melanogaster are described which establish the existence of a salivary gland specific marker for position-effect variegation. The marker is a glue protein gene called Sgs-4 which is expressed during the third larval instar. Using temperature as a variegation modifier, we showed that cytological compaction for the Sgs-4 chromosomal locus is enhanced at 17° C and reduced at 29° C. We also found that the Sgs-4 protein and transcript from salivary glands at 17° C accumulate to roughly half the levels found in salivary glands at 29° C. Southern analysis suggested that the Sgs-4 locus at 17° C is polytenized to roughly one-third the level at 29° C. The results are discussed with respect to alternative models of variegation.
Inverted sand dollars actively orient themselves in flow to increase likelihood of righting

The fact that sand dollars are often dislodged and inverted is an inescapable consequence of living at or slightly below the sediment–water interface. Once inverted, however, how do sand dollars effectively right themselves, given their small spines and stiff internal skeletons? Here, we examined the possibility that individuals of Mellita quinquiesperforata and Dendraster excentricus may take advantage of the interaction of their morphology and flow to increase the likelihood of righting. Based on flow tank observations, the critical velocity required to flip an inverted sand dollar varies with orientation and increases with test size. For both species, the critical velocity was lower when inverted sand dollars were oriented with the posterior margin facing directly downstream, compared with when the posterior margin was positioned in an upstream orientation. To test whether inverted sand dollars would actively rotate into a more advantageous position for flipping, we exposed inverted animals in three starting orientations – with their posterior edge directed upstream (the least favored position for flipping), perpendicular, and downstream to flow – to the minimum flow expected to induce flipping and compared their responses. Time-lapse photography showed that regardless of initial orientation, within one hour, a majority of individuals of both species rotated into positions that were not statistically different from the downstream orientation (the most favored position for flipping). These results for D. excentricus were further confirmed in a field experiment. Taken together, these data suggest that inverted sand dollars are able to recognize flow direction and respond by modifying their orientation to maximize lift and drag for righting.
Caspase- and serine protease-dependent apoptosis by the death domain of FADD in normal epithelial cells.

The adapter protein FADD consists of two protein interaction domains: a death domain and a death effector domain. The death domain binds to activated death receptors such as Fas, whereas the death ...
Two-component signal transducers and MAPK cascades

Two-component signal transducers, which are characterized by the histidine-to-aspartate phospho-transfer mechanism, were once thought to be restricted to prokaryotes. They have, however, now been identified in diverse eukaryotic species including plant, fungus, yeast and slime mold. In yeast, a two-component osmosensor has been found to regulate a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, a ubiquitous eukaryotic signaling module.
Habitat use by Red-tailed Hawks in surface-mined areas

Habitat use by 4 radio-tagged red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) was monitored during 708 transmitter-days in coal surface-mined areas in northern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in 1977 and 1978. Mean cumulative home range size for the 3 adults was 316.8 ha (3.2 km2). Red-tailed hawks showed significant (P<0.005) tendencies to elect certain habitats over others. Descending order of habitat electivity was: 1) woods edge with open area not surfacemined. 2) woods edge with surface-mined area. 3) deciduous woods, 4) open area not surface-mined, and 5) surface-mined area. Red-tailed hawks' flexibility in niche requirements allowed them to exploit reclaimed area. Recommendations for surface mine reclamation are given.
Microwave soil moisture retrieval under trees using a modified tau-omega model

During 2007–2009 field experiments have been conducted using the ComRAD microwave truck instrument system with a goal of optimizing microwave soil moisture retrieval algorithms for small to medium deciduous and coniferous trees. A joint effort of NASA / GSFC and George Washington University, ComRAD consists of a quad-polarized 1.25 GHz radar and a dual-polarized 1.4 GHz radiometer sharing the same antenna. In the current study, ComRAD microwave data and ground truth measurements of soil moisture, temperature, soil texture, and vegetation water content and geometry statistics have been used to assess whether the zero-order tau-omega model can be employed successfully to retrieve soil moisture under tree canopies using effective values for tau (the vegetation opacity) and omega (the single scattering albedo). In addition, the tauomega model has been modified to include a first-order scattering term, which will be discussed in a companion paper [1].
Addendum to avoiding a giant component

We take this opportunity, which is kindly provided by the editors, to add a theorem and to correct the proof of one of the lemmas in the article 'Avoiding a Giant Component' [Bohman and Frieze, Avoiding a giant component, Random Struct Alg 19 (2001), 75-85]. The subject of the said article is the following guided random process. Let e1, e'1; e2, e'2;... ; ei, e'i;... be a sequence of ordered pairs of edges chosen uniformly at random from the edge set of the complete graph Kn. This sequence is used to form a graph by choosing at stage i, i = 1,..., one edge from ei, e'i to be an edge in the graph, where the choice at stage i is based only on the observation of the edges that have appeared by stage i. In Bohman and Frieze [Avoiding a giant component, Random Struct Alg 19 (2001), 75-85], we proved that these choices can be made so that whp, (A sequence of events en is said to occur with high probability (whp) if limn → ∞ Pr(en) = 1.) the size of the largest component of the graph formed at stage .535n, is polylogarithmic in n. Here, we make a correction to that proof and prove that the graph formed at stage cn for any constant c > 1 will contain a component of size Ω(n) (regardless of how the edges are chosen at each stage).
Spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) do not respond to thymus-independent type 2 antigens.

Analysis of the immune system of spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) has been limited. Originally grouped with Mus, Acomys has recently been placed closer to Meriones (gerbils). This study compared immunity in Acomys, Mus, and Meriones. Lymphocytes from all rodents examined proliferated in response to mitogen and superantigen stimulation. Only Mus T cells responded to anti-CD3 stimulation. Acomys, like Meriones, and Mus that express xid, did not respond to thymus-independent type 2 antigens. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that T cell-specific MAbs did not bind Acomys or Meriones lymphocytes. The B cell-specific anti-CD45R (B220) MAb detected all rodent B cells and revealed the absence of a CD45Rlo subset in the peritoneal cavity of Acomys and Meriones. Bone marrow from Acomys and Meriones failed to reconstitute B cell function in SCID mice. Thus, in terms of immunity, Acomys appears to be more similar to Meriones than Mus.
Statistical Methods for Degradation Data With Dynamic Covariates Information and an Application to Outdoor Weathering Data

Degradation data provide a useful resource for obtaining reliability information for some highly reliable products and systems. In addition to product/system degradation measurements, it is common nowadays to dynamically record product/system usage as well as other life-affecting environmental variables, such as load, amount of use, temperature, and humidity. We refer to these variables as dynamic covariate information. In this article, we introduce a class of models for analyzing degradation data with dynamic covariate information. We use a general path model with individual random effects to describe degradation paths and a vector time series model to describe the covariate process. Shape-restricted splines are used to estimate the effects of dynamic covariates on the degradation process. The unknown parameters in the degradation data model and the covariate process model are estimated by using maximum likelihood. We also describe algorithms for computing an estimate of the lifetime distribution induced...
Clonal culture and cytogenetics: Indicators of a variant of chronic myelogenous leukemia

The clonal growth pattern of bone marrow and peripheral blood cells from 16 patients with clinically suspected chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) was evaluated in the double-layer agar system. Cytogenetic studies were performed on parallel marrow and peripheral blood samples. In four cases a unique growth pattern emerged, characterized by normal or increased colony-forming units (CFUc), and markedly elevated cluster-forming units (CIFUc). Three of these were Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)-negative (atypical CML) and the fourth showed a mixture of Ph1-positive and chromosomally normal cells (Ph1-negative). Of the remaining cases, five proved to be CML Ph1-positive with progression to blast crisis on the basis of clinical data, clonal culture, and cytogenetics, and seven proved to be disorders other than myeloid leukemia. The combined results from clonal growth and cytogenetics have added a new parameter in the diagnosis of atypical CML and may aid in the earlier diagnosis and treatment of patients with this CML variant.
Determining Thermodynamic Parameters of Protein Interactions By Global Analysis of Data From Multiple Techniques

When studying macromolecular interactions, the thermodynamics and stoichiometry of binding are of considerable interest because they indicate the physical-chemical nature of the biological mechanism. Since a single biophysical technique is limited in the number of observable properties and may provide only insufficient information for more complex systems, one promising approach is the simultaneous consideration of data from multiple biophysical methods. In the past, we have developed a robust computational framework (SEDPHAT) for this purpose which has been widely used in the biophysical community. However, the best strategy for assembling individual data sets into a global analysis has not been explored. It requires understanding of the limitations and consideration of possible systematic errors for each method. In this work, we have performed experiments on a model system (α-chymotrypsin binding to soybean trypsin inhibitor) to study the detailed compatibility of data from calorimetry (ITC), surface binding (SPR), sedimentation (SV) and fluorescence anisotropy. The significance of each data set from the different techniques has been explored through both individual and global analysis with detailed error surface projection using the program, SEDPHAT. We propose a rational strategy for global analysis that deviates from the purely statistical point of view, by rescaling the weights of each data set such that all techniques can make significant contributions. This allows a more detailed picture of the interaction to emerge.
Where are public transit needed - Examining potential demand for public transit for commuting trips

Abstract This study investigates the potential demand for public transit for commuting trips – a rarely explored perspective for the study of public transit systems. Potential demand for public transit refers to the kind of demand that is not explicitly expressed or realized but will be present if condition permits (i.e. when public transit facility is accessible). In this study, potential demand is surrogated by the proportion of people who may potentially use public transit as primary transportation mode, once public the transit facility becomes available and accessible to these people. A Need Index is introduced to measure the relative magnitude of potential demand. Multiple regression is employed to identify predictive variables for the share of public transportation for work trips. Given the predictive variables, two independent methods are developed to examine potential demands across the space. One method is the abovementioned Need Index method and the other is a data mining approach. The Need Index is mathematically modeled which computes a numeric measure for each spatial unit. The second method uses self-organizing maps (SOM) to find clusters in the high-dimensional vector space of the predictive variables. The study then presents a cross-examination analysis between the results from two methods. An empirical study of Atlanta, Georgia is carried out. In the case study, The United States Census Transportation Planning Package 2000 data at the traffic analysis zones (TAZ) level are used. Existing transit network data are prepared and preprocessed in GIS for spatial analysis. The results of both methods are compared and displayed in GIS for visual examination of spatial distribution of the potential demands. A critique on the comparison of advantages and shortcomings between both methods is provided. It shows that the need index is superior due to its simplicity and its higher level of measurement of potential demands.
Localization of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGFJ) protein and mRNA in human pituitaries: regulation of bFGF mRNA by gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Distribution of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in non-neoplastic and adenomatous human pituitaries was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, in situ, and Northern hybridization analyses. Basic FGF protein and mRNA were present in most hormone-producing cells of the non-neoplastic pituitary and in all pituitary adenomas examined. Northern hybridization analysis revealed 7.3 kb and 3.7 kb transcripts, which were most abundant in PRL-and ACTH-secreting adenomas. Three null cell and 3 gonadotroph adenomas were cultured for 7 days in the presence of 10-7 mol/L GnRH. There was an increase (range, 0.4-1.8-fold based on mean grain counts after in situ hybridization) in bFGF in most adenomas (5 of 6). Northern analysis showed an increase in the 7.3-kb transcript in a null-cell adenoma. Chromogranin B mRNA was also increased by Northern analysis in the same neoplasm. These results indicate that bFGF protein and mRNA are widely distributed in non-neoplastic and adenomatous human pituitaries and that the mRNA levels of bFGF in null cell and gonadotroph adenomas can be modulated by GnRH, implicating hypothalamic peptides in regulating bFGF in the anterior pituitary.
Larger hippocampal dimensions in meditation practitioners: differential effects in women and men.

On average, the human hippocampus shows structural differences between meditators and non-meditators as well as between men and women. However, there is a lack of research exploring possible sex effects on hippocampal anatomy in the framework of meditation. Thus, we obtained high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging data from 30 long-term meditation practitioners (15 men / 15 women) and 30 well-matched control subjects (15 men / 15 women) to assess if hippocampus-specific effects manifest differently in male and female brains. Hippocampal dimensions were enlarged both in male and in female meditators when compared to sex- and age-matched controls. However, meditation effects differed between men and women in magnitude, laterality, and location on the hippocampal surface. Such sex-divergent findings may be due to genetic (innate) or acquired differences between male and female brains in the areas involved in meditation and/or suggest that male and female hippocampi are differently receptive to mindfulness practices.
Mineral Association Changes the Secondary Structure and Dynamics of Murine Amelogenin

Amelogenin is one of the key protein constituents responsible for the exquisite organization of the calcium phosphate crystals in enamel. Amelogenin forms into nanospheres in solution, while its association with hydroxyapatite is also essential to enamel development. Structural information of full-length amelogenin in either of these physiologically important forms has the potential to provide mechanistic information; however, these data are limited because of the difficulty of determining the structure of large protein complexes and proteins bound to surfaces. To obtain structural insights into amelogenin during these early stages of enamel development, we used a lysine-specific (13)C-, (15)N-labeled sample of murine amelogenin to provide insight into the structure of the hydroxyapatite (HAP)-binding domains of the protein. A combination of one-and two-dimensional solid-state NMR experiments was used to obtain molecular-level insights into the secondary structure and dynamics of full-length amelogenin within a nanosphere-gel and on the surface of HAP. Regions of amelogenin that appear to be primarily random coil in the nanosphere-gel adopt a β-strand structure and are less mobile with HAP binding, indicative of a structural switch upon binding that may be important in the role of amelogenin in enamel development.
An antiserum that recognizes mesotocin and isotocin: Development of a homologous radioimmunoassay for plasma mesotocin in chickens (Gallus domesticus)

This report presents characteristics of an antiserum raised in a rabbit immunized with synthetic mesotocin (MT) conjugated to bovine thyroglobulin. Cross-reactivity studies indicate that the antiserum (Kl-II) recognizes the carboxyl-terminal “tail” of MT and isotocin (IT). A homologous, disequilibrium radioimmunoassay (RIA) for MT has been developed that can detect <1 pg of peptide. Plasma was extracted with octadecasilyl-silica. Recovery of MT from plasma was correlated with the amount added and averaged 70%. Different volumes of plasma and posterior pituitary extract, when measured in the assay system, yielded inhibition curves that were parallel with standard MT. Immunoreactive MT and AVT of plasma and neural lobe coeluted with synthetic standards after gel filtration. The ED50 of a heterologous, sequential saturation RIA for IT was 17.4 pg, suggesting that the MT antiserum may be useful for measuring the oxytocin-like principle in bony fishes. Immunoreactive MT in plasma of cockerels increased and decreased with iv infusion of hypoand hyperosmotic saline, respectively. The changes in plasma MT were inversely related to osmolality. Hyperosmotic saline infusion resulted in correlated increases in plasma AVT and osmolality. The data suggest that MT may be released by dilution and/or expansion of extracellular fluid in chickens.