cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The comparative morphology and evolution of the eyes of caecilians (Amphibia, Gymnophiona)

Caecilians (Amphibia, Gymnophiona) have been reported to have ‘vestigial’ eyes, to lack some or all of the extrinsic eye muscles and their nerves, and to utilize eye muscles and glands, or derivatives of them, to effect movement of the tentacle, a chemosensory structure unique among vertebrates. Morphological evidence indicates that the eye is a functional photoreceptor in virtually all species examined, with an intact retina and optic nerve. The pattern of retention of extrinsic muscles varies. The ontogeny of the eye of Dermophis mexicanus is typical of that of most vertebrates, though components of accommodation never develop. Several taxa are reported in the literature to lack various eye structures; the present study reveals them to be variously present. Evolutionary trends in caecilian eye morphology include the following: (1) the eye is overlain by thicker, often glandular skin, to overlain by bone as well as skin; (2) extrinsic muscles become attenuate, and some to all may be lost; (3) the retina has the typical vertebrate layered organization, to having a reduced cell number, to becoming net-like rather than stratal; (4) the optic nerve is present, becoming attenuate, perhaps represented only by glial cells; (5) the lens is round (aquatic forms, larval and adult) to spheroid; lens crystalline to cellular (retention of the embryonic condition) to amorphous to absent; (6) the vitreous body is reduced or lost; (7) the cornea adheres to the overlying dermis or periosteum; the lens is free to adherent to cornea to adherent to both cornea and retina. Scolecomorphids have the eye pulled out of the socket and embedded in the tentacle under the skin of the upper jaw. This pattern of trends in eye reduction is similar to that observed in other vertebrate lineages that are fossorial or troglobitic.
Grynfeltt's hernia

The aim of this study is to report a case and review the relevant literature. The patient was a 64-year-old male with a right lumbar mass of 5 × 6 cm, which protruded when abdominal pressure was increased. Surgery revealed a defect of 3 × 2 cm in the transversalis fascia in the superior lumbar triangle; prosthetic material was used in the preperitoneal space. Lumbar hernias are rare defects of the abdominal wall (2% of wall hernias); fewer than 300 cases have been reported in the literature. All lumbar hernias can be corrected with surgical treatment. A tension-free mesh repair is almost always necessary, and gives satisfactory results.
Photonic crystal devices for wavelength-division-multiplexing and optical modulation

This paper reviews photonic crystal (PC) based demultiplexers, and briefly reports our latest experimental achievement in ultra-compact, power-efficient silicon photonic crystal waveguide (PCW) modulators. We review the modeling techniques for photonic crystal superprism devices, which utilize anomalous refraction on a photonic crystal surface for wavelength demultiplexing. The finite difference time domain method tends to be time consuming for the superprism devices as such devices demand fine spatial grids to resolve fine wavelength difference. Other theoretical methods suffer a variety of other drawbacks. A general, efficient PC refraction theory that can handle any surface orientation is needed for scientific research and device design. We review a rigorous PC refraction theory that we recently developed for these needs. Essentially, the refraction problem can be rigorously solved by computing the electromagnetic field in only a single cell on the surface. A new concept, surface-orientation-dependent eigenmode degeneracy, is introduced to explain certain subtle effect that occurs when the surface orientation undergoes a slight change. In addition, the transmission of a Gaussian beam or other realistic beam profiles is discussed. A complete theoretical framework of the photonic crystal refraction and transmission has thus been established. The theory has been applied to design a high channel-count dense WDM demultiplexer with 3dB or lower losses. Lastly, a silicon PCW Mach-Zehnder modulator with an 80-micron interaction length is reported. The slow group velocity in PCWs is exploited to enhance the modulation efficiency and reduce the peak drive current to 0.15mA at a modulation depth over 90%.
Group B coxsackievirus myocarditis and pancreatitis : Connection between viral virulence phenotypes in mice

The group B coxsackieviruses (CVB) induce experimental pancreatitis and myocarditis in mice and are established agents of human myocarditis, especially in children. We tested the hypothesis that the development of CVB-induced myocarditis is linked to CVB-induced pancreatitis by studying the replication of different CVB strains in mice. Eight of nine genotypically different type 3 CVB (CVB3) strains induced acute pancreatitis in mice; of these, three viruses also induced acute myocarditis. One CVB3 strain was avirulent for both organs. Myocarditis was not observed in the absence of pancreatitis. The results obtained by inoculation of mice with strains of other CVB serotypes were consistent with these data. Infectious virus titers were measured in serum, pancreas, and heart as a function of time after inoculation of mice with three CVB3 strains. Each strain was representative of one of the three viral virulence phenotypes: avirulent, pancreovirulent only, and cardiovirulent. All strains replicated well and persisted in the pancreas through 8 days post-inoculation, but the cardiovirulent CVB3 strain tended to replicate to higher titer earlier and persist longer in sera, pancreatic, and cardiac tissues than the noncardiovirulent strains. Replication of the CVB3 strains were studied in two human pancreatic tumor lines and in primary human endothelial cell cultures derived from cardiac artery. Cardiovirulent strains, both individually and as a group, tended to replicate to titers as high as, or higher than, noncardiovirulent strains did in cell culture. The data are consistent with the possibility of an etiologic link between CVB-induced pancreatic and heart disease.
The record of horizontal gene transfer in Salmonella

The evolution of virulence in Salmonella is driven by horizontal gene transfer. This has given rise to highly flexible pathogens that are able to colonize new niches and extend their host range. Tracing the record of horizontal gene transfer can provide clues to the virulence factors that contribute to the formation of new pathovars.
Effects of a stepwise replacement of hay with corn silage on pH, some organic metabolites, and their changes in the rumen fluid of the bovine after feeding.

Abstract Feeding of acid preserved forages such as corn silage does not affect rumen fermentation adversely. A complete replacement of hay with corn silage in rations of equal dry matter intake did not change the average pH nor the total volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid. The content of total volatile bases and the proportion of acetic acid of the total volatile fatty acids decreased; however the proportions of propionic, iso-valeric, n -valeric and n -caproic acids increased. Changing proportions of iso-butyric and n -butyric acids were nonsignificant. Hay and corn silage, offered combined but not blended at 2 different proportions, decreased pH and the proportion of propionic acid and increased the total volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid. Significant changes with time after feeding were observed in all rumen fluid constituents. Significant hour × ration interactions occurred for total volatile bases, proportions of iso-butyric, n -butyric, isovaleric and n -valeric acids of the total volatile fatty acids. Prediction equations expressed changes as a function of time after feeding. Means of samples collected at 9 hourly intervals once a day were compared with means of samples taken at 3 hours after feeding. Results showed that knowledge of changes of a rumen constituent after feeding is essential for a correct interpretation of data from a single sample collected at a specified time after feeding.
Failure of digital echocardiography to accurately diagnose intracardiac shunts

Background Intravenous agitated saline injection during transthoracic echocardiography assists in the detection of right to left intracardiac and intrapulmonary shunts. Whether digital echocardiography offers comparable sensitivity and specificity to analog tape recording to assess shunts is unknown. Technical differences between methods could lead to significant differences in shunt detection. Methods Agitated saline was injected intravenously at rest and with Valsalva in 189 consecutive patient studies (406 injections). Echocardiographers assessed presence and degree of left ventricle contrast on simultaneously recorded analog tape and digital echocardiography images in blinded fashion. Results Digital echocardiography had low overall sensitivity (rest 0.50, valsalva 0.63, late 0.39) compared to analog tape. Longer clip lengths improved sensitivity for detection of late contrast passage (rest 0.50, valsalva 0.67, late 0.46). Conclusion Digital echocardiography saline contrast studies have poor sensitivity for assessment of intracardiac shunts versus analog tape, and increasing clip length only modestly increases sensitivity. Joint Photographic Experts Group digital compression losses may be an important cause of failure to detect intracardiac shunts, including patent foramen ovale.
Sub-exponential spin-boson decoherence in a finite bath

Abstract We investigate the decoherence of a two-level system coupled to harmonic baths of 4–21 degrees of freedom, to baths with internal anharmonic couplings, and to baths with an additional ‘solvent shell’ (modes coupled to other bath modes, but not to the system). The discrete spectral densities are chosen to mimic the highly fluctuating spectral densities computed for real systems such as proteins. System decoherence is computed by exact quantum dynamics. With realistic parameter choices (finite temperature, reasonably large couplings), sub-exponential decoherence of the two-level system is observed. Empirically, the time-dependence of decoherence can be fitted by power laws with small exponents. Intrabath anharmonic couplings are more effective at smoothing the spectral density and restoring exponential dynamics, than additional bath modes or solvent shells. We conclude that at high temperature, the most important physical basis for exponential decays is anharmonicity of those few bath modes interacting most strongly with the system, not a large number of oscillators interacting with the system. We relate the current numerical simulations to models of anharmonically coupled oscillators, which also predict power law dynamics. The potential utility of power law decays in quantum computation and condensed phase coherent control are also discussed.
Resonant non-linear vibrations of continuous systems—II Damped and transient behavior

Abstract The method presented in Part I is extended to cover the damped and transient behavior of nonlinear systems described by equations of the form uss−uyy−ef(u,uy, uyys,…,s) = 0. The method is presented by application to the equation uss−uyy−euyys−eu2yuyy= 0. Similar to the undamped case it is again shown that the PDE requires an infinite number of periodicity conditions to correctly characterize the resonant region. However, damping eliminates some of the branches of the amplitude-frequency spectrum of the undamped case. In fact, for e = 0.25 all but the outermost branch disappear. A method of multiple time scales is presented for the study of the transient behavior and the stability of the branches for steady vibrations. The stability analysis yields an interior stable point in the amplitude-frequency spectrum which has no analog in the Duffing equation. Finally via the multiple scale procedure in the spirit of the early work of Zabusky and Kruskal one obtains forced Burgers and Korteweg-de Vries equations on a finite interval.
Moving a ladder in three dimensions: upper and lower bounds

This paper summarizes two results in motion planning, the details of which are in two technical reports. The first establishes an O(n4) lower bound on moving a ladder (a line segment) in three dimensions in the presence of polyhedral obstacles with a total of n vertices. This bound is established via a complex arrangement of polygons in space that force a ladder to make O(n4 distinct moves between particular initial and final positions. The second report establishes an O (n6logn) upper bound by exhibiting an algorithm with that time complexity. The algorithm uses the cell decomposition approach pioneered by Schwartz and Sharir. We suspect that the lower bound is closer to the true complexity of the problem.
Application of nonlinear regression in the development of a wide range formulation for HCFC-22

An equation of state has been developed for HCFC-22 for temperatures from the triple point (115.73 K) to 550 K, at pressures up to 60 MPa. Based on comparisons between experimental data and calculated properties, the accuracy of the wide-range equation of state is ±0.1% in density, ±0.3% in speed of sound, and ±1.0% in isobaric heat capacity, except in the critical region. Nonlinear fitting techniques were used to fit a liquid equation of state based onP-ρ-T, speed of sound, and isobaric heat capacity data. Properties calculated from the liquid equation of state were then used to expand the range of validity of the wide range equation of state for HCFC-22.
Teaching Business Ethics: A Challenge for Business Educators in the 1990s:

This article discusses the major issues surrounding the teaching of business ethics and reports on a study conducted on business school sophomores and seniors. On the one hand, the results showed little change over time in students' attitudes towards corporate social responsibility and suggest that a specific course in business ethics has minimal impact. On the other hand, significant differences were found between sophomores and seniors and between males and females.
Multiuser DMT: a multiple access modulation scheme

We propose a multiuser DMT scheme for use in a frequency dispersive multiple access channel. We formulate the problem as an optimization problem for maximizing the rate-sum or a weighted sum of the rates. We establish the rate-sum maximizing solution which is a multiuser waterfilling scheme over the DMT tones. We propose a multiuser bit-loading algorithm which finds the rate-maximizing solution in a finite number of steps. We study coding strategies and examine some implementation issues. Finally we present some numerical results obtained by using this scheme and we draw some conclusions from these results.
Point‐ion‐lattice calculations on F+ centers in lithium niobate and lithium tantalate

Wave functions for the ground states and the first excited states of the F+ centers in lithium niobate and lithium tantalate are calculated by using the point-ion-lattice model exclusive of the effects of polarizations in the first approximation. The Schrodinger equation is solved variationally. The transition energies are obtained by this very simple treatment, which are compared with the available optical data. This calculation yields the results which agree within some 5% and 23% of the experimental values for LiNbO3 and LiTaO3, respectively. Mit dem Punkt-Ionengitter-Modell und unter Ausschlus von Polarisierungs-Effekten in erster Naherung werden die Wellenfunktionen der Grundzustande und der ersten angeregten Zustande der F+s-Zentren in Lithiumniobat und Lithiumtantalat berechnet. Die Schrodingergleichung wird mit einer Variationsmethode gelost. Mit dieser sehr einfachen Methode werden die Ubergangs-energien erhalten, die mit vorhandenen optischen Daten verglichen werden. Diese Berechnung liefert Ergebnisse, die innerhalb 5% und 23% mit experimentellen Werten fur LiNbO3 bzw. LiTaO3 ubereinstimmen.
ADP Ribosylation Factor 1 Is Required for Synaptic Vesicle Budding in PC12 Cells

Carrier vesicle generation from donor membranes typically progresses through a GTP-dependent recruitment of coats to membranes. Here we explore the role of ADP ribosylation factor (ARF) 1, one of the GTP-binding proteins that recruit coats, in the production of neuroendocrine synaptic vesicles (SVs) from PC12 cell membranes. Brefeldin A (BFA) strongly and reversibly inhibited SV formation in vivo in three different PC12 cell lines expressing vesicle-associated membrane protein-T Antigen derivatives. Other membrane traffic events remained unaffected by the drug, and the BFA effects were not mimicked by drugs known to interfere with formation of other classes of vesicles. The involvement of ARF proteins in the budding of SVs was addressed in a cell-free reconstitution system (Desnos, C., L. Clift-O'Grady, and R.B. Kelly. 1995. J. Cell Biol. 130:1041-1049). A peptide spanning the effector domain of human ARF1 (2-17) and recombinant ARF1 mutated in its GTPase activity, both inhibited the formation of SVs of the correct size. During in vitro incubation in the presence of the mutant ARFs, the labeled precursor membranes acquired different densities, suggesting that the two ARF mutations block at different biosynthetic steps. Cell-free SV formation in the presence of a high molecular weight, ARF-depleted fraction from brain cytosol was significantly enhanced by the addition of recombinant myristoylated native ARF1. Thus, the generation of SVs from PC12 cell membranes requires ARF and uses its GTPase activity, probably to regulate coating phenomena.
Science fiction survey

but also those of others. Likewise, comfort generates external effects, often negative ones. Look at the host of mechanical and electrical substitutes for human power. While they increase comfort, they generate large-scale negative externalities, noise, air pollution, etc. If the source of comfort to one person is a source of annoyance to another, then this indirect disutility must be subtracted from the direct benefit. He makes a further point. Income is payment for doing something, including hard or unpleasant work. Thus, working more and harder while producing greater income can have great disutility in reaching that income, not to speak of the difficulty of wisely spending it. Scitovsky has given us some superbly innovative ideas. If they can be incorporated into microeconomic theory they might redirect it in a no less profound manner than did those novel ideas about savings and investment which reoriented macroeconomics in the mid 1930s.
Male courtship pheromones as indicators of genetic quality in an arctiid moth (Utetheisa ornatrix)

One of the fundamental issues regarding sexual selection is whether females select males based on signals that represent direct phenotypic or indirect genetic benefits. In Utetheisa ornatrix (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), females choose males based on a courtship pheromone, hydroxydanaidal (HD), derived from defensive pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). At mating, virgin males transfer a spermatophore whose contents are proportional to the HD titer and body size; as a result, females receive both phenotypic benefits (more nutrients and PAs) and genotypic benefits (genes for larger body size inherited by the offspring). Previous data from field-collected individuals, however, indicated that the HD signal of nonvirgin males may not correlate with the spermatophore contents. Using chemical analyses, we determined that the HD signal does not change based on mating history, thereby supporting the importance of HD in advertising a male’s genetic quality. Thus, male HD represents original body size and PA levels, and females, by choosing males based on this pheromone, are providing their offspring with genes to sequester chemicals that confer survival and reproductive advantages. We discuss the implications regarding the relative importance of direct and indirect selection in maintaining female preferences. Key words: Arctiidae, genetic benefits, mate choice, pheromone, pyrrolizidine alkaloid, sexual selection. [Behav Ecol]
Carcinoma of the Anus: Strategies in Management

The management of anal cancer underwent an interesting transformation over the last two decades. Prior to this period, the standard definitive treatment for carcinoma of the anal canal was abdominal-perineal resection, which necessitated a permanent colostomy. The organ preservation concept appeared following the discovery of a high complete response rate from preoperative combined chemoradiation prior to abdominal-perineal resection. The organ preservation method of treatment rapidly gained popularity and ultimately saved a large number of patients from undergoing abdominal-perineal resection and colostomy. Chemoradiation treatment itself subsequently went through an evolutionary process. Several studies have sought to define the optimal chemotherapeutic regimen as well as radiation treatment dose and fractionation. Ongoing studies attempt to define an optimal treatment regimen that yields a higher cure rate while minimizing toxicity. We review the etiology, epidemiology, and treatment regimens for anal cancer. The Oncologist 2002;7:188-199
Significance of tumor size and radiation dose to local control in stage I-III diffuse large cell lymphoma treated with CHOP-Bleo and radiation

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was ti evaluate the possible effect of adjunctive involve field (IF) radiotherapy on long-term local control for patients with Ann Arbor Stage I–III diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) who achieved a complete remission on a combined modality program which included cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and Bleomycin (CHOP-Belo). Methods and Materials: One hundred and ninety patients with Ann Arbor Stage I–III DLCL were treated with CHOP-Bleo and radiotherapy. Analyses were undertaken to determine (a) response to treatment according to stage, extent of maximum local disease, and irradiation dose either Results: A complete remission (CR) was achieved in 162 patients. Among patients who achieved a CR, local control was better for those who received tumor doses of ≥ 40 Gy (97%) than for those who received p = 0.002.) Among those with extensive local disease, the corresponding control rates were 88% and 71%, respectively. A study of distant relapse patterns following a CR showed that the first relapse usually involved an extranodal site. Conclusion: Radiotherapy was an effective adjunctive treatment to CHOP-Bleo for patients with stage I–III DLCL who achieved a CR. Patterns of relapse suggested that total nodal irradiation (TNI) possibly could have benefited a small subset of patients.
Weighty Matters Balancing Weight Gain with Cardiovascular Risk among Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on Intensive Insulin Therapy

Type 1 diabetes mellitus, characterized by a deficiency of insulin production owing to damaged pancreatic β-cells, is associated with a 10-fold increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease in comparison with the general population.1,2 Intensive insulin therapy, whether administered by multiple daily injections or continuous infusion via a pump, is the cornerstone of glycemic control in the patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus.3 Much of what we know regarding the benefits of intensive insulin therapy is derived from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), a trial of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who were randomly assigned to either intensive or conventional insulin treatment. Article see p 180 The DCCT enrolled a total of 1441 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, beginning in 1983, with final closeout in 1993, for a total of 6.5 years of follow-up. Conventional therapy consisted of 1 or 2 daily injections of insulin with daily self-monitoring and examinations every 3 months, whereas intensive insulin therapy consisted of at least 3 insulin injections per day or external pump therapy with target blood glucose concentrations of 70 to 120 mg/dL fasting, postprandial glucose values of <180 mg/dL, and a target hemoglobin A1c goal in the normal range (<6.05%). The primary trial results showed that intensive therapy achieved a statistically significant lower hemoglobin A1c, evident by the first 3 months of the study, with a closeout A1c of 7.0% in the intensive therapy arm in comparison with 9.0% in the conventional arm. Importantly, those in the intensive insulin therapy arm experienced delayed progression of nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy.4 In the primary trial, the risk of major cardiovascular events trended to significance, although the young age of the participants (mean age, 27 years at enrollment) rendered it difficult to detect a statistically significant …
Are clustered genes in the genomes of Arabidopsis and Drosophila regulated differently

In the eukaryotic genome, genes with similar functions tend to co-localize in close proximity. Such gene clusters together with non-clustered genes constitute a chromatin domain which is a higher order regulatory unit. On a lower level co-expressed genes are regulated by differential activity of transcription factors (TF). We compared genome-wide distributions of TF in gene clusters in the genomes of Drosophila melanogaster and Arabidopsis thaliana. This revealed a significant excess of TF genes in gene clusters of the Arabidopsis genome, whereas in the genome of Drosophila distribution of TF in gene clusters did not differ from stochastic. We speculate that these alternatives could lead to different pathways of regulation of clustered genes in two species and to evolutionary-progressive changes in architecture of regulatory networks, governing the activity of clustered genes in the animal kingdom.
Towards an Architecture for Efficient Spectrum Slicing

With the increased demands for wireless spectrum, dynamic spectrum sharing is emerging as an important and powerful concept. Most research in this domain is being conducted in design of cognitive radios and on specific PHY and MAC layer challenges associated with them. However, for a dynamic spectrum sharing architecture to be viable, research is needed to resolve many other challenges, e.g., in the context of real-time spectrum management and enforcement. This paper is the first to present a study of some such important architectural considerations, driven by our ongoing design and implementation of a spectrum sharing system, called Spark. We propose some promising approaches to address these challenges, and enumerate the need and opportunities for significant future research in this domain.
Human duodenal mucosal brush border Na+/H+ exchangers NHE2 and NHE3 alter net bicarbonate movement

The proximal duodenal mucosa secretes HCO 3 − that serves to protect the epithelium from injury. In isolated human duodenal enterocytes in vitro, multiple luminal membrane proteins are involved in ...
Ionization of NO at high temperature

Space vehicles flying through the atmosphere at high speed are known to excite a complex set of chemical reactions in the atmospheric gases, ranging from simple vibrational excitation to dissociation, atom exchange, electronic excitation, ionization, and charge exchange. Simple arguments are developed for the temperature dependence of the reactions leading to ionization of NO, including the effect of vibrational electronic thermal nonequilibrium. NO ionization is the most important source of electrons at intermediate temperatures and at higher temperatures provides the trigger electrons that ionize atoms. Based on these arguments, recommendations are made for formulae which fit observed experimental results, and which include a dependence on both a heavy particle temperature and different vibration electron temperatures. In addition, these expressions will presumably provide the most reliable extrapolation of experimental results to much higher temperatures.
Variation in amount of surrounding forest habitat influences the initial orientation of juvenile amphibians emigrating from breeding ponds

Juvenile dispersal is important for the persistence of . amphibian populations. Previous studies have observed nonrandom orientation in juvenile amphibians emigrating from breeding ponds; however, the environmental cues associ- ated with these movements are not well understood. We examined the emigration behavior of recently metamorphosed ju- veniles of three pond-breeding amphibian species from three woodland ponds. We found that juvenile small-mouthed salamanders (Ambystoma texanum (Matthes, 1855)), American toads (Bufo americanus Holbrook, 1836), and wood frogs (Rana sylvatica LeConte, 1825) exhibited nonrandom orientation upon exiting the breeding ponds. Furthermore, we found a positive relationship between captures of juvenile small-mouthed salamanders and wood frogs and width of the surround- ing forest habitat, indicating that these species are selecting areas with broader forested habitat upon exiting the breeding ponds. Our results indicate that migrating juvenile amphibians may rely on direct environmental cues because the orienta- tion of small-mouthed salamanders and wood frogs was influenced by width of the surrounding forested habitat. These ob- servations support previous studies suggesting that maintaining forest habitat, along at least a portion of breeding ponds, is important for the persistence of amphibian populations. Resume ´ : La dispersion des jeunes est une etape essentielle pour la persistance des populations d'amphibiens. Des etudes anterieures ont notel'orientation non aleatoire des jeunes amphibiens qui quittent leurs etangs de reproduction; cependant, les signaux du milieu associesaces deplacements ne sont pas bien compris. Nous examinons dans trois etangs forestiers le comportement d'emigration de jeunes fraoˆchement metamorphoses de trois especes d'amphibiens qui se reproduisent en etang. Les jeunes de la salamandre a nez court (Ambystoma texanum (Matthes, 1855)), du crapaud d'Amerique (Bufo americanus Holbrook, 1836) et de la grenouille des bois (Rana sylvatica LeConte, 1825) adoptent une orientation non aleatoire en quittant les etangs de reproduction. De plus, il existe une relation positive entre les captures de jeunes sala- mandres a nez court et de grenouilles des bois et la largeur de l'habitat forestier environnant, ce qui indique que ces espe `- ces choisissent aleur depart des etangs de reproduction les zones possedant un habitat forestier plus etendu. Nos resultats laissent croire que les jeunes amphibiens en emigration peuvent utiliser des signaux environnementaux directs puisque l'orientation des salamandres anez court et des grenouilles des bois est influencee par la largeur de l'habitat forestier envi- ronnant. Ces observations viennent appuyer des etudes anterieures qui indiquent que le maintien de l'habitat forestier en bordure d'au moins une partie des etangs de reproduction est important pour la persistance des populations d'amphibiens. (Traduit par la Redaction)
Knowledge-directed query processing in expert database systems

The quality of an answer to a database query can be enhanced by utilizing semantic knowledge such that an expert would use if he/she were to answer the query. A system capable of utilizing such expert knowledge in a deductive database paradigm is presented. A given query is reformulated to reduce the cost of evaluation, to generate a subset of answers in the shortest amount of time, and/or to generate the set of good answers. Semantic knowledge is represented by a set of Horn clauses where a number of special predicates are used. The situations in which certain knowledge becomes relevant to a query are defined, and a method of identifying these situations is given. The authors present the ways in which semantic knowledge can be used and a backtracking scheme for inaccurate knowledge. >
Methods for Resolving Differences of Interest: A Theoretical Analysis1

Four methods are described for pursuing and resolving differences of interest in a dyad: bargaining, reliance on content-specific norms, reliance on equity norms, and reliance on the norm of mutual responsiveness. Bargaining entails a number of dilemmas and other problems that are largely avoided when dyads rely on norms. Reliance on content-specific and equity norms poses other problems that are avoided by mutual responsiveness. A theory of changing patterns in the use of these methods is advanced. The theory holds that (a) content-specific norms give way to the norm of mutual responsiveness in crises produced by changing needs, and (b) reliance on mutual responsiveness is replaced by bargaining in crises resulting from changes in the relative bargaining strength or capacity to be generous of the two members of the dyad, as perceived by one or both members. A revised norm of mutual responsiveness can be constructed in the latter kind of crisis provided the members of the dyad develop a consensus about their relative bargaining strength, feel dependent on one another, and have a minimal level of trust in one another.
Characterization of a Pseudomonas putida Allylic Alcohol Dehydrogenase Induced by Growth on 2-Methyl-3-Buten-2-ol

We have been working to develop an enzymatic assay for the alcohol 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (232-MB), which is produced and emitted by certain pines. To this end we have isolated the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida MB-1, which uses 232-MB as a sole carbon source. Strain MB-1 contains inducible 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol (321-MB) and 3-methyl-2-buten-1-al dehydrogenases, suggesting that 232-MB is metabolized by isomerization to 321-MB followed by oxidation. 321-MB dehydrogenase was purified to near-homogeneity and found to be a tetramer (151 kDa) with a subunit mass of 37,700 Da. It catalyzes NAD+-dependent, reversible oxidation of 321-MB to 3-methyl-2-buten-1-al. The optimum pH for the oxidation reaction was 10.0, while that for the reduction reaction was 5.4. 321-MB dehydrogenase oxidized a wide variety of aliphatic and aromatic alcohols but exhibited the highest catalytic specificity with allylic or benzylic substrates, including 321-MB, 3-chloro-2-buten-1-ol, and 3-aminobenzyl alcohol. The N-terminal sequence of the enzyme contained a region of 64% identity with the TOL plasmid-encoded benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase of P. putida. The latter enzyme and the chromosomally encoded benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus were also found to catalyze 321-MB oxidation. These findings suggest that 321-MB dehydrogenase and other bacterial benzyl alcohol dehydrogenases are broad-specificity allylic and benzylic alcohol dehydrogenases that, in conjunction with a 232-MB isomerase, might be useful in an enzyme-linked assay for 232-MB.
Spiritual Issues in Counseling: What Do Students Perceive They Are Being Taught?

Client religious and spiritual practices have recently emerged as beneficial to both mental and physical health. However, graduates of counseling programs indicate that they have not been adequately trained to address religious and spiritual issues with clients. This exploratory study focused on the perceptions of counselors-in-training regarding what messages they received about these issues during their training programs, as well as their potential behaviors when working with clients. Results indicated that potential behaviors are not always consistent with what they are taught. Implications for training and future research are discussed.
When Looks Are Everything Appearance Similarity Versus Kind Information in Early Induction

The goal of this research was to examine mechanisms underlying early induction—specifically, the relation between induction and categorization. Some researchers argue that even early in development, induction is based on category-membership information, whereas others argue that early induction is based primarily on similarity. Children 4 and 5 years of age participated in two types of tasks: categorization and induction. Both tasks were performed with artificial animal-like categories in which appearance was pitted against category membership. Although the children readily acquired category-membership information and subsequently used this information in categorization tasks, they ignored category membership during the induction task, relying instead on the appearance of items. These results support the idea that early in development, induction is similarity based.
Joint Estimation of Risk Preference Structure and Technology Using Expo-Power Utility

A method is developed to permit joint estimation of risk preference structure, degree of risk aversion, and production technology. The method is implemented using the Expo-Power utility function, which imposes no restrictions on risk preference structure. The empirical application uses data from a sample of Kansas wheat farmers Evidence rejects the null hypothesis of risk neutrality and suggests that Kansas farmers exhibit decreasing absolute risk aversion and increasing relative risk aversion. Results also show that combined estimation of production function parameters with the utility function parameter is more efficient than is separate estimation of each.
Signaling Equilibrium, Intergenerational Social Mobility and Long Run Growth

This paper provides a signalling model of intergenerational social mobility and economic growth, in which innate ability of workers, and the type of their education and jobs determine the rate of technological progress and social mobility. It is shown that in economies with one-time non-renegotiable wage contracts, there are generally multiple signaling equilibria, producing lower than the maximum attainable rate of social mobility and economic growth. The paper shows that various labor market practices such as quits, layoffs and promotions, can improve some of the inefficiencies, and improve the rate of economic growth and social mobility. The remaining inefficiencies in the economy can be removed by intervening in the educational system. The paper examines the role of school vouchers for the children of poor family backgrounds in improving the rate of economic growth and social mobility.
Evaluating ergonomics risks for digital radiologists

Modern radiology is digital and the work of the radiologist now shares many features with that of other high technology computer work. Many digital reading rooms are poorly designed in terms of ergonomics and how they accommodate computer technology. Lighting is typically inadequate resulting in visual health problems of eyestrain and headaches and inadequate lighting also adversely affects image reading performance. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among radiologists often exceeds levels seen among other computer workers. An innovative reading room design is briefly described that incorporates some ergonomic design features and this has resulted in high levels of workplace satisfaction. Finally, the Cornell Digital Reading Room Ergonomic Checklist is presented which aims to give guidance on the ergonomic design of future reading rooms.
Self-similarity in incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

The self-similarity conditions of the 3-dimensional (3D) incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are obtained by utilizing one-parameter Lie group of point scaling transformations. It is found that the scaling exponents of length dimensions in i = 1, 2, 3 coordinates in 3-dimensions are not arbitrary but equal for the self-similarity of 3D incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. It is also shown that the self-similarity in this particular flow process can be achieved in different time and space scales when the viscosity of the fluid is also scaled in addition to other flow variables. In other words, the self-similarity of Navier-Stokes equations is achievable under different fluid environments in the same or different gravity conditions. Self-similarity criteria due to initial and boundary conditions are also presented. Utilizing the proposed self-similarity conditions of the 3D hydrodynamic flow process, the value of a flow variable at a specified time and space can be scaled to a corresponding value in a self-similar domain at the corresponding time and space.
Family planning knowledge, attitudes and practices among bariatric healthcare providers.

Abstract Objective This survey aimed to identify the family planning knowledge, attitudes and practices of bariatric providers in the perioperative period. Study design We developed a quantitative survey based on semistructured interviews with six bariatric providers. We mailed the survey to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery members with plans to use data from the first 275 responders to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding family planning. Results Over 70% of 272 respondents recommended that women avoid pregnancy for 12–24 months after bariatric procedures. Most (73.0%) considered female reproductive health discussions very important, and most feel comfortable (70.4%) with these discussions. The majority considered the most effective contraceptive methods to be safe for women after gastric bypass; only a minority (35.3%) provided contraceptive services or referrals, and few (4.9%) have accurate knowledge of contraceptive effectiveness. Respondents most frequently preferred the patient's own gynecologist (80.9%) or bariatric surgeon (71.0%) discuss contraception. Discussing contraception was associated with provider age 40–49 years, training region in southeast or midwest and degrees of physician assistant or nurse practitioner with adjusted odds ratios exceeding 2.0. Conclusion Bariatric providers consider reproductive health very important, and while most are comfortable having these conversations, few have accurate knowledge of contraceptive safety and effectiveness. Most would prefer patients see their gynecologists to discuss contraception. These findings suggest an opportunity for gynecologists to educate themselves and bariatric colleagues about contraception recommendations after bariatric surgery and collaborate with bariatric centers in their area to meet the needs of these patients. Implications Gynecologists must become educated and involved in the care of female bariatric patients to discuss reproductive health concerns and to counsel effectively regarding contraception after bariatric surgery.
Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on Non-native Neotropical Ant-acacias (Fabales: Fabaceae) in Florida

Abstract One of the best-known symbioses in the Neotropics is the association between ant-acacias and Pseudomyrmex ants that live in the acacia’s hollow thorns. We surveyed ants on two species of ant-acacia, Acacia cornigera (L.) and Acacia sphaerocephala Schlechtendal & Chamisso, growing outside their native range at five sites in Florida. We found eleven ant species: five native Florida ants (Brachymyrmex sp. nr. obscurior, Camponotus floridanus (Buckley), Pseudomyrmex cubaensis (Forel), Pseudomyrmex ejectus (Smith), and Pseudomyrmex elongatus (Mayr)), two Neotropical exotics (Camponotus sexguttatus (Fabr.) and Pseudomyrmex gracilis (Fabr.)), and four Old World exotics (Monomorium floricola (Jerdon), Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille), Pheidole megacephala (Fabr.), and Technomyrmex albipes (Smith)). Only the two Neotropical exotics, Ps. gracilis and C. sexguttatus, inhabited thorns with holes that appeared to have been perforated by ants as entrances. For Ps. gracilis, and perhaps also for C. sexgutta...
Rattus exulans (Little rat)

The karyotypes presented here are gifts of Prof. Alfred Gropp, University of Bonn. The animals which belong to the subspecies R. e. concolor Blyth, were trapped by Dr. Gropp in November, 1969 near Chiang Mai, Thai Land. Bone marrows were used for cytological preparations. The identification numbers of the speciments are ♂83–644 and ♀84–799.
Computation of the autocovariances for time series with multiple long-range persistencies

Gegenbauer processes allow for flexible and convenient modeling of time series data with multiple spectral peaks, where the qualitative description of these peaks is via the concept of cyclical long-range dependence. The Gegenbauer class is extensive, including ARFIMA, seasonal ARFIMA, and GARMA processes as special cases. Model estimation is challenging for Gegenbauer processes when multiple zeros and poles occur in the spectral density, because the autocovariance function is laborious to compute. The method of splitting-essentially computing autocovariances by convolving long memory and short memory dynamics-is only tractable when a single long memory pole exists. An additive decomposition of the spectrum into a sum of spectra is proposed, where each summand has a single singularity, so that a computationally efficient splitting method can be applied to each term and then aggregated. This approach differs from handling all the poles in the spectral density at once, via an analysis of truncation error. The proposed technique allows for fast estimation of time series with multiple long-range dependences, which is illustrated numerically and through several case-studies.
Pregnancy after fimbriectomy reversal: results of microsurgery augmented by gamete intrafallopian tube transfer and embryo transfer.

Between 1986-1988 physicians at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland Oregon induced ovary hyperstimulation in 7 patients then performed a fimbriectomy reversal augmented by a simultaneous gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT) and embryo cryopreservation during the same treatment cycle to improve fecundability and the cumulative pregnancy rate in a cost effective way. 2 patients received 2 embryo thaw and transfers (ETTs) each (2-3 embryos/ETT) within 16-25 months after fimbriectomy. The physicians determined pregnancy rates (PRs) based on only the 1st conception that resulted from fimbriectomy GIFT or ETT. PRs included 14% for GIFT 25% for ETT and 43% for fimbriectomy. The combined PR was 57%. Fecundability matched the PRs for augmented GIFT and ETT. Monthly fecundability for just fimbriectomy stood at 6.6% whereas it stood at 7.8% when fimbriectomy GIFT and ETT were combined. Average ampullary width was 1.03 cm (.7-1.5 cm). 67% had distal tubal patency which was lower than reported in earlier research (83%). The lower tubal patency rate may have been due to hyperemia and edema of the tube. The 3 women who did not conceive had either bilateral tubal occlusion or abnormal spill. No one experienced an ectopic pregnancy. The fertilization rate for the 4 women who underwent in vitro fertilization and ETT stood at 90% which indicated that laparotomy did not adversely affect fertilization. Mean exposure before 1st conception following fimbriectomy was 10.5 months when the 2 women who had postoperative tubal occlusion are excluded from the analysis. The combination of microsurgery GIFT and embryo cryopreservation during the same treatment cycle saved the patient around 40% when compared to the cost of separate treatments in different cycles.
Production of L phase variants of bacteria with cycloserine.

SummaryL phase growth of bacteria was produced by exposing growing organisms to high concentrations of penicillin and D-cyclo-serine. Of 96 bacterial strains examined, 16 produced L growth which could be maintained in serial subculture. Exposure of bacteria to cycloserine gave L phase growth only in strains which also produced L growth on exposure to penicillin. The penicillin and cycloserine sensitivities of the bacteria from which the L forms were isolated were compared with the sensitivities of the L forms. The concentrations of penicillin which inhibited L growth ranged from 2 to 1000 times the concentrations required for inhibition of bacterial growth. The concentrations of cycloserine required for inhibition of L phase growth were 4 to 60 times greater than those required for inhibition of bacterial growth. Mycoplasma exhibited marked resistance to both agents. The resistance of the L phase growth and Mycoplasma to penicillin and cycloserine is evidence to substantiate the role of these antibiotics ...