cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Significance of Persistent Vocalisation By the Spring Peeper, Pseudacris Crucifer (Anura: Hylidae)

1. Male spring peepers exhibit individual variation in calling persistence within as well as between nights. 2. Weather conditions influence nightly variation in calling persistence throughout the reproductive season, but there is a pronounced decrease in calling persistence late in the season which appears to be independent of climate. 3. In four speaker experiments simulating males calling 20, 40, 60, and 80% of the time, there is a positive correlation between time spent calling and mating success. 4. On nights when there is significant variation in calling persistence, females likely respond to those males which are most persistent (i.e. , produce the most conspicuous calls). 5. In four speaker experiments simulating males calling 80, 85, 90 and 95% of the time, mating success is random, suggesting that during periods of peak mating activity the importance of female choice is diminished. 6. Calling persistence is not correlated with body size, therefore males of any age or size class have an opportunity to experience mating success. 7. Anuran vocalization is known to be energetically expensive, and persistent callers (regardless of their size) are likely in good physical condition. 8. We suggest that by responding (either actively or passively) to the most conspicuous calls, females convey to their offspring an advantage above and beyond that accrued by random mating.
Teachers and Library Awareness: Using Bibliographic Instruction in Teacher Preparation Programs

Librarians working in public service posts are well aware that students possess varying levels of library skills. High school librarians bemoan the fact that students seem to have learned little about libraries during their elementary school years, college librarians bemoan secondary level preparation, and all librarians wonder at the assignments students bring with them. The assignments seem to range from trivia quizzes to inappropriately advanced research tasks, and, inevitably, the students seem to lack complete information and adequate direction.
Gliomes diffus de bas grade et neuroplasticité

Resume La vision traditionnelle en neuro-oncologie est d’etudier extensivement la tumeur, avec in fine assez peu de consideration pour le cerveau lui-meme. Pourtant, selectionner la meilleure strategie therapeutique pour chaque patient porteur d’un gliome diffus de bas grade, a savoir optimiser la balance onco-fonctionnelle, implique non seulement une parfaite connaissance de l’histoire naturelle de cette maladie chronique, mais egalement une comprehension de l’adaptation cerebrale en reaction aux croissance et migration du gliome. Le but de cette revue est d’analyser les mecanismes qui sous-tendent cette neuroplasticite, permettant une compensation fonctionnelle lors de la progression tumorale et ouvrant la porte a de nouvelles perspectives therapeutiques. Le principe est d’evoluer vers une « neuro-oncologie fonctionnelle et personnalisee », ameliorant a la fois les medianes de survie et la qualite de vie.
Some Nucleosynthesis Effects Associated with r-Process Jets

In a recent work, I have discussed some of the consequences of including rotation and magnetic fields in a model of a core-collapse supernova. Rotation produces equatorial flattening in the resultant neutron star and also produces a surrounding accretion disk. Magnetic fields wrap into a toroid that extrudes material in the equatorial plane. The combination of these effects is an accretion-extrusion disk that feeds material into bipolar jets rooted in the disk where the inward and outward flows meet. The extrusion flow is the site of an r-process in which the seed nuclei embedded in the neutron Fermi sea in the outer neutron star envelope capture the neutrons in which they are embedded. At high latitudes on the neutron star a large neutrino-antineutrino flux drives a neutron wind of the type previously discussed for spherical models, and this is a separate site for a less efficient r-process. In the high-temperature accretion disk, nuclear statistical equilibrium exists, with an abundance peak near mass number 90. The jets are expected to have a velocity of about 0.5c (140 MeV nucleon-1) and to blast holes in the expanding envelope of the supernova, causing large secondary explosions and extensive spallation of both the envelope and jet nuclei. The general purpose of this paper is to discuss nuclear processes and effects associated with this rather complicated scenario and to identify features in the nuclidic abundances in solar system materials that are probably associated with these effects. One discussion tentatively identifies the fission point for r-process fission recycling with the nuclide 297Bh and argues for fission peaks around mass numbers 132 and 165, identifying the latter with an r-process abundance hump in the rare earth region. The equilibrium abundance peak at mass number 90 should be involved in creating the abundance peak in the p-process in that region, previously not understood. Spallation of r-process nuclei near the mass number 132 peak can be identified with an unusual Xe component in interstellar nanodiamonds called Xe-HL. A discussion is given of other isotopic anomalies in meteoritic components that imply mixing and turbulence in the expanding supernova envelope, and it identifies the macroscopic calcium-aluminum inclusions in meteorites as originating in the envelope of a supernova responsible for triggering formation of the primitive solar nebula. Spallation can also be expected to produce DLiBeB fragments in the CO and He layers of the envelope as a primary process, in contrast to cosmic-ray production of such fragments in secondary processes.
Developmental relaxation of transposable element silencing in plants: functional or byproduct?

In plants, the d evelopmental r elaxation of t ransposable element s ilencing (DRTS) occurs at distinct spatial and temporal points in the normal development of a wild-type individual. Several examples of DRTS have now been described, including in maize shoot apical meristems, and in Arabidopsis meiocytes, endosperm and nurse cells of gametophytes. In this opinion article, we review the known DRTS events and speculate on the function, if any, of DRTS in plants.
Smart grid coordination in building HVAC systems: EMPC and the impact of forecasting ☆

Abstract Energy consumption by heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems exhibits a clear correlation with electricity prices. The method of economic model predictive control (EMPC) can be used in conjunction with thermal energy storage (TES) to time-shift power consumption away from periods of high demand to periods of low energy cost. Dynamic electricity pricing and weather condition forecasts can be readily incorporated within this methodology. Unfortunately, the receding horizon nature of this control strategy makes it very susceptible to the quality of the forecasts used. To this end, the development and implementation of several forecasting methods will be discussed. Finally, the EMPC performance of these methods will be assessed on a simple building example using active TES.
600 V-class trench-filling super junction power MOSFETs for low loss and low leakage current

Trench-filling technology realizes an outstanding productivity for fabricating the Super Junction (SJ) structure of SJ-MOSFETs. However, crystal defects that occur during epitaxial growth are causing poor electrical characteristics. Our optimized process reduced the number of crystal defects from over 2000/mm2 to under 10/mm2. As a result, we have achieved both low loss and low leakage current and high ruggedness for the first time with the SJ-MOSFET fabricated by the trench filling epitaxial growth technique. The drain leakage current decreased from tens of micro amperes to tens of nano amperes. The improved SJ-MOSFET has achieved an avalanche current of 35 A, a specific on-resistance (RonA) of 13.5 mΩcm2, an output capacitance stored energy (Eoss) of 10.3 μJ, and a diode commutation speed (di/dt) of over 2000 A/μs, respectively.
Formation of steady-state oxygen gradients in vitro: application to liver zonation.

We have developed a perfusion bioreactor system that allows the formation of steady state oxygen gradients in cell culture. In this study, gradients were formed in cultures of rat hepatocytes to study the role of oxygen in modulating cellular functions. A model of oxygen transport in our flat-plate reactor was developed to estimate oxygen distribution at the cell surface. Experimental measurements of outlet oxygen concentration from various flow conditions were used to validate model predictions. We showed that cell viability was maintained over a 24-h period when operating with a physiologic oxygen gradient at the cell surface from 76 to 5 mmHg O(2) at the outlet. Oxygen gradients have been implicated in the maintenance of regional compartmentalized metabolic and detoxification functions in the liver, termed zonation. In this system, physiologic oxygen gradients in reactor cultures contributed to a heterogeneous distribution of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (predominantly localized upstream) and cytochrome p450 2B (predominantly localized downstream) that correlates with the distribution of these enzymes in vivo. The oxygen gradient chamber provides a means of probing the oxygen effects in vitro over a continuous range of O(2) tensions. In addition, this system serves as an in vitro model of zonation that could be further extended to study the role of gradients in ischemia-reperfusion injury, toxicity, and bioartificial liver design.
Microscale gradients and their role in electron-transfer mechanisms in biofilms

The chemical and electrochemical gradients in biofilms play a critical role in electron-transfer processes between cells and a solid electron acceptor. Most of the time, electron-transfer processes have been investigated in the bulk phase, for a biofilm electrode or for an isolated component of a biofilm. Currently, the knowledge of chemical and electrochemical gradients in living biofilms respiring on a solid surface is limited. We believe the chemical and electrochemical gradients are critical for explaining electron-transfer mechanisms. The bulk conditions, an isolated part of a biofilm or a single cell cannot be used to explain electron-transfer mechanisms in biofilm systems. In addition, microscale gradients explain how the reactor configuration plays a critical role in electron-transfer processes.
Design of a Child Localization System on RFID and Wireless Sensor Networks

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and wireless sensor networks are wireless technologies that rapidly emerge and show great potential. Combining RFID and wireless sensor networks provides a cost-efficient way to expand the RFID system's range and to enable an RFID system in areas without a network infrastructure. These two technologies are employed to build a wireless localization system in a children's theme park. The main purpose of this child localization system is to track and locate children within a certain range near some landmarks in the park. The design experience in this project can be exported to other applications such as object tracking and surveillance.
Physiological and pathological actions of sphingosine 1-phosphate

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a product of sphingomyelin (SM) metabolism, occurs widely in nature. Although, originally described as an intracellular second messenger, its role as an extracellular lipid mediator in higher organisms has recently been shown with the discovery of the G protein-coupled receptors (GRCR) for S1P. In mammals, S1P receptors are widely expressed and are thought to regulate important physiological actions, such as immune cell trafficking, vascular development, vascular tone control, cardiac function, and vascular permeability, among others. In addition, S1P may participate in various pathological conditions. For example, S1P has been implicated as an important mediator in autoimmunity, transplant rejection, cancer, angiogenesis, vascular permeability, female infertility, and myocardial infarction. It is important to emphasize that these findings represent an early understanding of the physiological and pathological roles of S1P. The ubiquity of the mediator and its receptors, as well as the evolutionary conservation of S1P metabolism and action, argues that it is a potent and ubiquitous physiological factor in many contexts, and warrant a fuller understanding of its actions at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels.
Effects of simulated herbivory and resources on Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum, Euphorbiaceae) invasion of native coastal prairie

Trade-offs associated with maintaining herbivory resistance and herbivory tolerance are frequently inferred in plant life histories. Invasive success for many non-native plants is often attributed to novel resistance that repels native herbivores. Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum, Euphorbiaceae) is a non-native invader that threatens ecosystems throughout the southeastern United States, including imperiled coastal prairie regions. Low herbivore loads due to costly resistance are generally assumed to give Sapium a competitive advantage over native plants. We predicted that if Sapium experienced higher damage levels it would show significant decreases in growth and reduced ability to compete with native prairie vegetation. We conducted full-factorial, paired greenhouse and field experiments designed to assess the effects of simulated leaf herbivory on Sapium growth in the presence of prairie vegetation at different levels of light and nitrogen. Contrary to our expectations, neither low-intensity, chronic defoliation nor high-intensity, acute defoliation negatively affected Sapium seedlings in any resource combination in either experiment. These studies reveal that Sapium possesses considerable phenotypic plasticity, and herbivory tolerance is a newly appreciated trait that likely contributes to its invasive potential.
Interactions between motor commands and somatic perception in sensorimotor cortex

For many years, it has been postulated that interactions between motor commands and somatic perception in the sensorimotor cortices exist, but they have been difficult to demonstrate. Recent studies have made demonstration of this interaction easier and suggest that cortical activity related to somatic sensation and perception is modified by movement-generating mechanisms. Corollary discharge and efference copy may also play a role in motor behavior.
Pyrometallurgical Separation of Boron from Iron in Ludwigite Ore

Laboratory scale experiments and industrial scale tests have been performed in order to develop a new pyrometallurgical process for the separation of boron from iron in ludwigite ore. The results indicate that boron can be effectively separated from iron in ludwigite ore meantime two products can be got. The boron-containing pig iron can be a good substitute for the expensive boron alloys to produce B-series wear resistant cast while the boron-rich slag can be used to extract borax or boric acid.
A local region of interest image reconstruction via filtered backprojection for fan-beam differential phase-contrast computed tomography

Recently, x-ray differential phase contrast computed tomography (DPC-CT) has been experimentally implemented using a conventional source combined with several gratings. Images were reconstructed using a parallel-beam reconstruction formula. However, parallel-beam reconstruction formulae are not directly applicable for a large image object where the parallel-beam approximation fails. In this note, we present a new image reconstruction formula for fan-beam DPC-CT. There are two major features in this algorithm: (1) it enables the reconstruction of a local region of interest (ROI) using data acquired from an angular interval shorter than 180°+ fan angle and (2) it still preserves the filtered backprojection structure. Numerical simulations have been conducted to validate the image reconstruction algorithm.
The Value of Nasopharyngeal Recording in Psychiatric Patients

The utility of nasopharyngeal (NP) recording in psychiatry is controversial. To assess its value, 302 NP recordings from patients with psychiatric illnesses were reviewed. Among the 81 patients whose electroencephalograms (EEGs) demonstrated spikes or sharp waves, 10 patients (12%) were found to have epileptic foci at the mesiobasal temporal region recorded exclusively by NP leads. However, all of these recordings showed additional independent epileptic foci detected by scalp electrodes. Five patients (6%) had epileptic discharges simultaneously recorded from NP and scalp electrodes. No recording showed all epileptic discharges to be exclusively recorded by NP leads. These findings suggest that although NP recording may not be absolutely required to determine if an EEG contains epileptiform discharges, in a psychiatric population, it may be useful to detect additional epileptic foci at the mesiobasal temporal region.
Phylogeographic structure and historical demography of the western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox): A perspective on North American desert biogeography.

The western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is a prominent member of North American desert and semi-arid ecosystems, and its importance extends from its impact on the region’s ecology and imagery, to its medical relevance as a large deadly venomous snake. We used mtDNA sequences to identify population genetic structure and historical demographic patterns across the range of this species, and relate these to broader patterns of historical biogeography of desert and semi-arid regions of the southwestern USA and adjacent Mexico. We inferred a Late Pliocene divergence between peninsular and continental lineages of Crotalus, followed by an Early Mid Pleistocene divergence across the continental divide within C. atrox. Within desert regions (Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, Southern Plains, and Tamaulipan Plain) we observed population structure indicating isolation of populations in multiple Pleistocene refugia on either side of the continental divide, which we attempt to identify. Evidence of post-glacial population growth and range expansion was inferred, particularly in populations east of the continental divide. We observed clear evidence of (probably recent) gene Xow across the continental divide and secondary contact of haplotype lineages. This recent gene Xow appears to be particularly strong in the West-to-East direction. Our results also suggest that Crotalus tortugensis (Tortuga Island rattlesnake) and a population of ‘C. atrox’ inhabiting Santa Cruz Island (in the Gulf of California) previously suggested to be an unnamed species, are in fact deeply phylogenetically nested within continental lineages of C. atrox. Accordingly, we suggest C. tortugensis and ‘C. atrox’ from Santa Cruz Island be placed in the synonymy of C. atrox.
Radio-tracer techniques for the study of flow in saturated porous materials

Abstract An experiment was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey to determine the feasibility of using a radioactive substance as a tracer in the study of microscopic flow in a saturated porous solid. A radioactive tracer was chosen in preference to dye or other chemical in order to eliminate effects of the tracer itself on the flow system such as those relating to density, viscosity and surface tension. The porous solid was artificial “sandstone” composed of uniform fine grains of sand bonded together with an epoxy adhesive. The sides of the block thus made were sealed with an epoxy coating compound to insure water-tightness. Because of the chemical inertness of the block it was possible to use radioactive phosphorus (P 32 ). Ion-exchange equilibrium was created between the block and nonradioactive phosphoric acid. Then a tracer tagged with P 32 was injected into the block in the desired geometric configuration, in this case, a line source. After equilibrium in isotopic exchange was reached between the block and the line source, the block was rinsed, drained and sawn into slices. It was found that a quantitative analysis of the flow system may be made by assaying the dissected block.
Vaginal pH during estrus in mares

Abstract Vaginal hydrogen ion concentration of Saddlebred mares was measured throughout the behavioral estrous period. The mean pH on the day of ovulation was significantly (P=
Rebuilding the liver with adult hepatic and embryonic stem cells

Abstract An efficient system for differentiation, expansion and isolation of hepatic progenitor cells from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in vitro has been established. Using mouse ES cells transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene regulated by albumin (ALB) enhancer/promoter, we show that serum-free, chemically defined medium supports formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) and differentiation of hepatic lineage cells in the absence of exogenous growth factors or feeder cell layers. The GFP+ cells acquired hepatocyte-like morphology and hepatocyte-specific markers (i.e. ALB, AAT, TO and G6P) and by 28 days represented more than 30% of cells isolated from EB outgrowths. The GFP+ cells developed into functional hepatocytes without cell fusion and participated in repairing of diseased liver when transplanted into MUP-uPA/SCID mice. In conclusion, a highly enriched population of committed hepatocyte precursors can be generated from ES cells in vitro for effective cell replacement therapy.
Evaluation and comparison of space solar power concepts

Abstract The SSP Exploratory Research and Technology (SERT) program undertaken by NASA in the 1999–2000 timeframe was the third in a recent series of NASA sponsored studies of Space Solar Power (SSP) that began with the 1995 SSP “Fresh Look” Study, and was followed by the SSP Concept Definition Study in 1998. In all three studies, a major focus has been on identifying system concepts, architectures and technologies that may ultimately produce a practical, economically viable source of electrical power to help satisfy the world's growing energy needs. As part of the SERT program, members of the study team developed several new and innovative SSP concepts that sprung from a desire to address the problem areas of previous system concepts with new technology and system solutions. In the previous SSP studies it has been shown that systems analyses and sensitivity studies are key to understanding the merits of different system concepts and technologies, particularly with respect to their impact on the mass and cost of space hardware and their ultimate economic impact on the cost of SSP-produced electricity. Enabled by analytical models and tools developed over the series of SSP studies, seven different system concepts as well as different technology choices within these concepts were quantitatively compared with one another on the basis of the mass and cost metrics suggested above. Accompanying sensitivity studies have permitted examination of how variations in the projected capabilities of different technologies could affect conclusions drawn from these analyses. This paper summarizes the results of these analytical efforts and from those results, identifies the most promising SSP concepts, including their key technologies and their comparative advantages and disadvantages.
Have we got a theory for you! Feminist theory, cultural imperialism and the demand for ‘the woman's voice’

Pero este querer se me va cuando veo que he confundido la solidaridad con la falta de diferencia. La solidaridad requiere el reconocer, comprender, respetar y amar lo que nos lleva a llorar en distintas cadencias. El imperialism0 cultural desea lo contrario, por eso necesitamos muchas votes. Porque una sola voz nos mata a las dos. No quiero hablar por ti sino contigo. Pero si no aprendo tus modos y tu 10s mios la conversaci6n es s610 aparente. Y la apariencia se levanta corn0 una barrera sin sentido entre las dos. Sin sentido y sin sentimiento. Por eso no me debes dejar que te dicte tu ser y no me dictes el mio. Porque entonces ya no dialogamos. El dialog0 entre nosotras requiere dos votes y no una. Tal vez un dia jugaremos juntas y nos hablaremos no en una lengua universal sino que vos me hablaras mi voz y yo la tuya.
Writing and Guidelines for Nurse Authors and Editors

PURPOSE: The following two statements were presented by the authors on August 18, 1993, at the annual meeting of the International Academy of Nursing Editors in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Following discussion, both statements were endorsed by the editors in attendance. The statements are intended for use as a guide and to educate authors and editors about authorship and fraudulent publication. The statements are not covered by copyright and may be copied or reprinted without permission so long as their use is not for profit.
Overview of garbage collection in symbolic computing

Many readers of this article have heard the term "garbage collection" on occasion without being given much explanation as to what it is. One purpose of this paper, therefore, is to describe what garbage collection is and why it is a subject of concern for computing in general and symbolic computing in particular. The first section briefly describes garbage collection. The next section gives a general description of what has come to be known as the "classical" garbage collection algorithms. A few of the classical algorithms' shortcomings for use in today's systems are described in the next section. This is followed by a section on a few techniques in garbage collection which address the needs of today's and tomorrow's symbolic computing systems.
Three-Dimensional Interface Cracks in Anisotropic Bimaterials: The Non-Oscillatory Case

Two-dimensional interface cracks in anisotropic bimaterials have been studied extensively in the literature. However, solutions to three-dimensional interface cracks in anisotropic bimaterials are not available. In this paper, a penny-shaped crack on the interface between two anisotropic elastic half-spaces is considered. A formal solution is obtained by using the Stroh method in two-dimensional elasticity in conjunction with the Fourier transform method. Fracture mechanics parameters such as the stress intensity factor, crack-opening displacement, and energy release rate are obtained in terms of the interfacial matrix M. To illustrate the solution procedure, a circular delaminations in a unidirectional and a cross-ply composite are considered. Numerical results for the stress intensity factors and energy release rate along the crack front are presented.
Association between initial morphine intake and body weight change, acoustic startle reflex and drug seeking in rats

Although chronic use of opiates can induce physical dependence and addiction, individual differences contributing to these symptoms are largely unknown. Using intravenous morphine self-administration (MSA), we investigated whether individual differences in drug intake are associated with weight change, acoustic startle reflex (ASR), pre-pulse inhibition (PPI), and drug seeking during spontaneous withdrawal. Male Sprague-Dawley rats self-administered morphine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion) or saline for 3 weeks (4–6 h/day, 5 days/week) and drug intake and body weight were monitored daily. The ASR and the PPI (baseline, 1 day and 1 week) and drug seeking (1 week) were measured during spontaneous withdrawal. Morphine animals did not gain weight (101 % ± 0.69), while the control animals did (115 % ± 1.06) after 3 weeks of self-administration. The ASR and the PPI were not significantly different between morphine and saline animals in 1-day or 1-week withdrawal. However, individual differences in initial (first 10 min), but not total (4–6 h), morphine intake of the daily sessions were positively correlated with weight change (r = 0.437, p = 0.037) and drug seeking (r = 0.424, p = 0.035) while inversely correlated with the ASR (r = −0.544, p = 0.005) in 1-week withdrawal from chronic morphine. A subgroup of animals that self-administered a larger amount of morphine at the beginning of the daily sessions exhibited subsequent weight gain, reduced ASR, and enhanced drug seeking in morphine withdrawal. Thus, individual differences in initial morphine intake may reveal a novel behavioral phenotype in opioid addiction.
Periodicities of 10-11bp as indicators of the supercoiled state of genomic DNA.

DNA sequences contain information about the bendability and native conformation of DNA. For example, a repetition of certain dinucleotides at distances of 10–11 bp supports wrapping around nucleosomes and supercoiled structures of bacterial DNA. We analyzed 86 eubacterial genomes, 16 archaea, and six genomes of higher eukaryotes. First, we discuss whether or not the observed periodicities represent indeed bendability signals. This claim is confirmed since: (1) dinucleotide signals are of comparable size to mononucleotide signals, (2) the signals are present in non-coding DNA as well, and (3) repeat masking has only a minor effect on 10–11 bp periodicities. Moreover, the periodicities persist up to 150 bp, comparable to the nucleosome size. We show that doublet peaks in Caenorhabditis elegans and some prokaryotes can be traced back to long-ranging modulations. In mammalian genomes, we find consistently spectral peaks as observed earlier in human chromosomes 20, 21 and 22. It has been shown in previous studies that archaea have periods of 10 bp, whereas eubacteria exhibit 11 bp periodicities. These differences reflect different supercoiled states of microbial DNA. Is the period of 10 bp an archaeal or a thermophilic feature? This question is addressed by relating periodicities to optimal growth temperatures. It turns out that the archaea Methanopyrus kandleri ( t opt =80 °C) and a Halobacterium strain ( t opt =42 °C) both have longer periods of about 11 bp. Eubacterial genomes have consistently periods around 11 bp indicative of negative supercoiling.
β-Adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase of denervated sarcolemmal membrane

Abstract Five days after motor denervation, mammalian skeletal muscle sarcolemma undergoes a 50% decline in basal and catecholamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Sodium fluoride- and 5′-guanylyl imidophosphate [Gpp(NH)p)]-stimulated activities also are depressed. However, properties of the β-adrenergic receptor in the plasma membrane preparation of denervated muscle are similar to those of normal innervated muscle. The number and affinity of specific (−)-[ 3 H]dihydroalprenolol binding sites, the effects of catecholaminergic ligands on binding (isoproterenol > epinephrine > norepinephrine), the stimulatory effects of Gpp(NH)p on adenylate cyclase activity, and the shift in concentration of catecholamines required to activate adenylate cyclase in the presence of Gpp(NH)p were similar in normal and denervated membranes. Thus denervation appears to uncouple the adenylate cyclase response from β-adrenergic stimulation primarily by a loss of adenylate cyclase activity with no change in receptor properties.
Multiple echo NMR velocimetry: Fast and localized measurements of steady and pulsatile flows in small channels

The understanding of fluid transport in miniaturized flow devices is an important component in the design of flow cells, micromixers, and microreactors. In this manuscript, we employ NMR in the form of a voxel-selective multiple modulation multiple echo sequence (MMMEV) to monitor average velocities in individual microchannels inside a six-channel network. The technique produces average velocities which are consistent with the imposed flow rates. In addition, we take advantage of the short acquisition time (32 ms per velocity component) of the technique to quantitatively track the time evolution of the fluid velocity in a pulsatile flow phantom.
An autoradiographic study of cellular proliferation in degenerating rat optic nerve.

Young adult rats were injected with tritiated thymidine, either before or after removal of one eye, to investigate: (1) the possibility of a leukocytic infiltration into degenerating optic nerve during the first six days following the operation, (2) the origin of the increased number of cells seen in degenerating tissue during the first few weeks after operation, and (3) the possibility of a change in the generation pattern of neuroglial cells in degenerating tissue. In order to investigate the possibility of a leukocytic invasion, rats were injected three times before enucleation to label a high percentage of circulating leukocytes while only labeling a few neuroglial cells. On the operated side of these animals, a small increase in the number of labeled cells above control values occurs only on the third day following enucleation. Another experiment shows that this increase can be explained by a change in the genratiion pattern of the neuroglial cells from two to four days postoperative (2–4 d.p.o.). In degenerating optic nerves, the number of labeled neuroglial cells increase almost tenfold in a 28 hour period from 2–3 d.p.o. While a week is required for a similar increase in normal optic nerve. From 1–3 d.p.o., astrocytes and astrocyte-like cells constitute 30–50% of the labeled cells observed in a pulse label while the remainder of the labeled cells (unclassifiable neuroglia) cannot be categorized as either astrocytes or oligodendrocytes in light micrographs. Our autoradiographic and morphologic studies indicate neuroglial proliferation during the first two weeks of degeneration can account for the numerical increase of cells in optic nerves undergoing Wallerian degeneration. There is no evidence for an important infiltration of leukocytes and/or pericytes into the optic nerve.
Brain patterning perturbations following PTEN loss

This review will consider the impact of compromised PTEN signaling in brain patterning. We approach understanding the contribution of PTEN to nervous system development by surveying the findings from the numerous genetic loss-of-function models that have been generated as well as other forms of PTEN inactivation. By exploring the developmental programs influenced by this central transduction molecule, we can begin to understand the molecular mechanisms that shape the developing brain. A wealth of data indicates that PTEN plays critical roles in a variety of stages during brain development. Many of them are considered here including: stem cell proliferation, fate determination, polarity, migration, process outgrowth, myelination and somatic hypertrophy. In many of these contexts, it is clear that PTEN phosphatase activity contributes to the observed effects of genetic deletion or depletion, however recent studies have also ascribed non-catalytic functions to PTEN in regulating cell function. We also explore the potential impact this alternative pool of PTEN may have on the developing brain. Together, these elements begin to form a clearer picture of how PTEN contributes to the emergence of brain structure and binds form and function in the nervous system.
Rosuvastatin for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia

Rosuvastatin, a new hydrophilic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin), is approved as an adjunct to diet in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia, mixed dyslipidemia, or Fredrickson type IV hypercholesterolemia. Because of its increased affinity for the reductase, rosuvastatin reduces the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) level more than atorvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin do, without additional adverse effects. In addition, cytochrome P450 isoenzymes do not extensively metabolize rosuvastatin, and inhibitors of these isoenzymes do not substantially affect it. Rosuvastatin could be a first-line option for patients requiring a reduction of 50% or more to reach the LDL goal of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Rosuvastatin monotherapy may allow patients to achieve this LDL goal earlier, and it may help them avoid combination therapy or potential adverse effects of high-dose statin therapy. However, because cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality data are lacking for rosuvastatin (but available for all other marketed statins) and because its postmarketing data are limited, rosuvastatin should be reserved for patients requiring an LDL reduction of 50% or less who cannot reach the recommended goal with other statins because of adverse effects, drug interactions, or cost.
Erythropoietin receptor expression in the human urogenital tract: immunolocalization in the prostate, neurovascular bundle and penis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the erythropoietin (EPO) receptor is expressed in human periprostatic (including the neurovascular bundles) and penile tissues, and define its distribution in these tissues, as the administration of exogenous EPO in cavernous nerve injury promoted the recovery of erectile function in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human prostate (six samples) and penile (two) tissue were collected and paraffin-embedded. Tissue was sectioned and processed for immunohistochemical studies using an antibody for the EPO receptor; immunolocalization was assessed using light microscopy. RESULTS There was prominent staining for the EPO receptor in neuronal cell bodies of the periprostatic neurovascular bundles, and in the axons emanating from these ganglia. The glandular epithelium of the prostate also had weak staining. There was EPO receptor immunoreactivity in the penile specimens in the penile dorsal nerves, sinusoidal endothelium of the corpus cavernosum, and endothelial cells lining the dorsal veins and arteries. All slides processed with no primary antibody or blocking peptide showed no staining. CONCLUSIONS EPO receptor expression was identified and localized in human penile tissues and in the periprostatic neurovascular bundles responsible for erectile function. This suggests a likely role for endogenous EPO within these tissues, and provides the rationale for its clinical use as a protective agent locally.
Ion imaging study of IO radical photodissociation: Accurate bond dissociation energy determination

Abstract We have studied the photodissociation dynamics of expansion-cooled IO radicals at 454.9 nm, corresponding to the A 2 Π 3/2 –X 2 Π 3/2 (1–0) bandhead, using velocity map ion imaging. The radicals were generated using a late-mixing dual-valve photolytic reactor source. Analysis of the I( 2 P 3/2 ) photofragment speed distribution provides a direct determination of the ground state bond energy of D 0 0 ( IO ) = 54.9 - 0.4 + 0.2 kcal/mol and a heat of formation 298 K of Δ H f 298 ( IO ) = 29.2 - 0.2 + 0.4 kcal/mol.
Scanning electron microscopic study of a Ciloxan bottle blocked by ciprofloxacin crystals.

Purpose To report blockage of a commercially available ciprofloxacin bottle by white crystalline deposits. This study evaluated the ultrastructural features of the ciprofloxacin crystals. Methods A patient underwent intensive topical treatment of an infectious corneal ulcer with commercially available ciprofloxacin 0.3% ophthalmic solution. During treatment, the patient was unable to obtain medication from the ciprofloxacin bottle and required a new prescription. Examination of the bottle revealed that about 50% of the medication remained, but compression of the bottle with any amount of force failed to deliver any medication. On closer examination, a white material partially filled the nozzle track of the bottle and was on the outer bottle near the nozzle and the inner surface of the bottle cap. These white crystalline deposits were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Results Plate-like, needle, cable and spaghetti-like crystals were found. The needle crystals formed multiple petaloid patterns. Conclusions This is the first report of blockage of a commercially available ciprofloxacin 0.3% bottle by ciprofloxacin crystals and the inability to deliver medication from the bottle. Ultrastructural study of the white crystalline deposits revealed four types of ciprofloxacin crystals.
TCE Remediation Using In Situ, Resting-State Bioaugmentation

A field test has demonstrated that an in situ biofilter using resting-state cells effectively remediated groundwater with about 425 ppb of trichloroethene (TCE) as the sole contaminant species. About 5.4 kg (dry weight equivalent) of a strain of methanotrophic bacteria (Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b) was suspended in 1800 L of groundwater (5.4 x 10{sup 9} cells/mL) and injected into an aquifer through a single well at a depth of 27 m, several meters below the water table. The injected groundwater was devoid of TCE and growth substrates but was amended with a phosphate solution (10 mM) to buffer the pH and phenol red (20 {mu}m) to act as a tracer. Approximately 50% of the injected bacteria attached to the sediments, forming an in situ, fixed-bed bioreactor of unknown geometry. Contaminated groundwater was subsequently withdrawn through the biofilter region by extracting at 3.8 L/min for 30 h and then at 2.0 L/min for the remaining 39 days of the field experiment. TCE concentrations in the extracted groundwater decreased from 425 to less than 10 ppb during the first 50h of withdrawal, which is equivalent to a 98% reduction. TCE concentration extracted through the biofilter gradually increased to background values at 40 daysmore » when the experiment was terminated. 31 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.« less
Multitone harmonic radar

Nonlinear radar exploits the electronic response from a target whose reflected frequencies are different from those transmitted. Reception of frequencies that are not part of the transmitted probe distinguishes the received signal from a linear return produced by clutter and indicates the presence of electronics. Presented in this paper is a type of nonlinear radar that transmits multiple frequencies and listens for a harmonic of these frequencies as well as other frequencies near that harmonic. A laboratory test-bed has been constructed to demonstrate the multitone radar concept. Measurements of nonlinear responses from RF devices probed by multiple tones are reported.
Legionnaires’ Disease Following Cardiac Transplantation

The first two cases of Legionnaires' disease in heart transplant patients are reported. Of interest in these cases were culture of the organism from sputum, diagnosis by percutaneous lung aspiration, bronchopleural fistula formation in the first case, which was then successfully treated with multiple-tube thoracostomies, early cavitation of lesions in both cases after the start of antibiotic therapy, positive direct fluorescent antibody staining from transtracheal aspirate 42 days after starting appropriate antibiotic therapy in the first case, apparent superiority of intravenous erythromycin therapy in the first case, and survival of both patients. Our laboratory isolated and identified the organism in both cases.
The Settlement of Sargassum Muticum Propagules in Stationary and Flowing Water

Waves and currents render the shallow sea a chaotic environment. Seaweeds broadcast into the water tiny dissemination phases whose powers of locomotion are at best puny in relation to the water forces that act upon them.
Selection for individual recognition and the evolution of polymorphic identity signals in Polistes paper wasps

Individual recognition (IR) requires individuals to uniquely identify their social partners based on phenotypic variation. Because IR is so specific, distinctive phenotypes that stand out from the crowd facilitate efficient recognition. Over time, the benefits of unique appearances are predicted to produce a correlation between IR and phenotypic variation. Here, we test whether there is an association between elevated phenotypic polymorphism and IR in paper wasps. Previous work has shown that Polistes fuscatus use variable colour patterns for IR. We test whether two less variable wasp species, Polistes dominulus and Polistes metricus, are capable of IR. As predicted, neither species is capable of IR, suggesting that highly variable colour patterns are confined to Polistes species with IR. This association suggests that elevated phenotypic variation in taxa with IR may be the result of selection for identity signals rather than neutral processes. Given that IR is widespread among social taxa, selection for identity signalling may be an underappreciated mechanism for the origin and maintenance of polymorphism.
Don't settle for eventual consistency

Geo-replicated storage provides copies of the same data at multiple, geographically distinct locations. Facebook, for example, geo-replicates its data (profiles, friends lists, likes, etc.) to data...
A Mechanics of Materials Model for the Creping Process

The manufacture of low density paper such as tissue and towel utilizes the creping process that consists of adhesively bonding the paper in wet state onto the surface of a smooth drying cylinder and scraping it off with a blade once dried. In this paper, a mechanics of materials description of the creping process is presented. Based upon previous experimental observations, the mechanism of this creping process is proposed as a periodic debonding with a strength-of-materials failure criterion applied and buckling sequence of an elastic thin film. Numerical calculations show results consistent with experimental data and known industrial observations. Crepe wavelength versus creping angle data from experiments can be satisfactorily reproduced by a reasonable set of values for input parameters to the model. Parametric study shows the adhesive shear strength and the sheet stiffness most significantly affect the crepe wavelength and the creping force. The model provides guidance in understanding and optimizing the creping process to produce high quality products.
Developmental changes of CD34 expression by murine hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract Objective It has been reported that fetal murine hematopoietic stem cells are CD34 + , whereas adult stem cells are CD34 − . We sought to delineate the developmental changes of CD34 expression by hematopoietic stem cells and carried out systematic analysis of long-term engrafting cells in the bone marrow and/or blood of perinatal, juvenile, and adult mice. Materials and Methods To obtain information on the total population of stem cells, we prepared CD34 + and CD34 − populations of mononuclear cells without prior enrichment and assayed their long-term reconstituting abilities by transplantation into lethally irradiated Ly-5 congenic mice. Results All stem cells from perinatal to 5-week-old mice were CD34 + . In 7-week-old mice, CD34 − stem cells began to emerge, and the majority of the stem cells were CD34 − in the 10- and 20-week-old mice. Approximately 20% of adult stem cells expressed CD34. Conclusions Developmental changes of CD34 expression from the positive to the negative state takes place between 7 and 10 weeks of age for the majority of murine stem cells. Approximately 20% of adult stem cells remain CD34 + . These observations provide insight into the current controversy regarding CD34 expression by adult hematopoietic stem cells and suggest that the majority of stem cells in human umbilical cord blood and bone marrow of young children are CD34 + .