cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of Senses: The Effect of Vision versus Touch on the Elongation Bias

We highlight the role of interacting senses on consumer judgment. Specifically, we focus on the role of the visual and haptic (touch) senses on the elongation bias, which predicts that the taller of two equivolume objects will appear bigger. We show that sensory modality will affect the extent (and even direction) of the elongation bias—with visual cues alone and with bimodal “visual and haptic cues” (seeing and handling the objects), we obtain the elongation bias; however, with haptic cues alone (handling the objects blindfolded) and in bimodal judgments with visual load, we obtain a reversal of the elongation bias.
What can we learn from a decade of database audits? The Duke Clinical Research Institute experience, 1997—2006:

Background Despite a pressing and well-documented need for better sharing of information on clinical trials data quality assurance methods, many research organizations remain reluctant to publish d...
Heating as a mechanism for ultrasonically-induced petechial hemorrhages in mouse intestine.

Abstract Anesthetized hairless mice were exposed to 1.035 MHz unfocused ultrasound in a temperaturecontrolled water bath. Visible petechial hemorrhages and hyperemia were produced in the intestines. Histologically, the petechiae appeared to be localized mostly to the lamina propria of the mucosa. For 2 min exposure, the number of petechiae and length of hyperemic tissue both increased with increasing spatial peak pressure amplitude above a threshold of about 0.4–0.57 MPa. The magnitude of these effects increased, and the threshold decreased, with increasing exposure duration from 1 min to 4 min. The effects also increased for increasing bath temperature from 32°C to 42°C. The effects decreased markedly for 1 ms burst-mode exposure with 2 ms and 4 ms repetition periods with constant pressure amplitude, but were essentially constant for constant temporal-average intensity. Both effects were also produced by heating from radio-frequency diathermy at 10.35 MHz. The effects were associated with abdominal temperatures above about 42–43°C, which were estimated with a thermocouple at the end of the exposure. The hyperemia is a clearly thermal effect, while the petechiae have been previously associated with the cavitation, mechanism. However, the ultrasonically-induced petechiae observed in this study do not represent an unequivocal marker for cavitation, but rather appear to be attributable to heating. These findings help to reduce the expectation of ultrasonic cavitation during medical therapy treatments.
ORGANIZATION OF ISOLATED EMBRYO SACS AND EGGS OF PLUMBAGO ZEYLANICA (PLUMBAGINACEAE) BEFORE AND AFTER FERTILIZATION

The organization of isolated embryo sacs and eggs of Plumbago zeylanica was described before and after fertilization using microscopic cytochemistry and scanning electron microscopy. Major developmental events of fertilization, including preferential fertilization and early embryogenesis, are described in isolated embryo sacs. The two sperms, one unassociated with vegetative nucleus (Sua) and the other physically associated with the vegetative nucleus (Svn), fuse with nuclei of egg and central cell, respectively. The zygote divides asymmetrically to form a two-celled embryo, consisting of a massive suspensor occupying most ofthe micropylar portion of the embryo during early embryogenesis. Plastids are distributed in the perinuclear and micropylar regions of the egg cell and in cytoplasmic strands of the central cell before fertilization. Calcofluor white-positive fibrillar material in the filiform apparatus (presumed B- 1,4 linked glucans) was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The egg of P. zeylanica can easily be divided into three cytologically distinct regions: 1) perinuclear cytoplasm, 2) lateral cytoplasm, and 3) micropylar cytoplasm. Cytological differences are evident in the organization of the cell walls, general degree ofvacuolization, and the distribution of heritable organelles, storage bodies, and microtubules. The present study supports the concept that the egg of P. zeylanica plays combined synergid and gamete functions. The mature embryo sac (ES) of Plumbago
Common factors in five measures of cognitive style

A review of five measures of cognitive style suggested three underlying dimensions despite differences in the terminology and theoretical bases of these instruments. Consequently, factor analytic methods were used on five measures completed by a sample of 143 students and faculty: the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Gregorc Style Delineator, Decision Style Indicator, Learning Style Inventory, and Lifescripts. Results of this analysis identified three underlying factors consistent with predictions, i.e., a thinking/feeling dimension, an information-processing domain, and an attentional focus dimension. Implications for future psychometric research are discussed.
A Simple Program Simplifies Moving and Integrating Serial Collections

In preparation for the merger of two libraries (with serial collections in four different buildings), shelf measurement data were manipulated with a simple QBASIC program. This in-house program generated a layout showing the shelving location for each serial title. Along with simplifying the merger of serials, the program proved to be invaluable for space planning. The layout program and the move are described.
Does health insurance reduce illness-related worker absenteeism?

The objective of this article is to examine whether having health insurance reduces illness-related absenteeism among older workers. A nationally representative sample of 1780 workers in the United States, aged 52–64, are drawn from the 2004–2006 Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Binary logistic regressions and censored Tobit models are estimated for workers’ likelihood of missing work days due to illness and the number of illness-related work days missed, respectively, while explicitly addressing the possibility of insurance-selection effects. The findings suggest that over a 12-month period, older workers without health insurance are as likely as insured workers to miss work days due to illness and there are no differences in the number of days missed between insured and uninsured workers. However, there is strong evidence that poor baseline health, onset of new diseases and longer hospitalization significantly increase an older worker's absenteeism at work. These results suggest that having health ins...
Surface Nonlinear Vibrational Spectroscopy of Energetic Materials: HMX

The surfaces of solution-grown β-HMX (β-octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine) crystals were studied using vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy (SFG). In earlier work (Kim, H.; Lagutchev, A.; Dlott, D. D. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics 2005, 31, 116), such SFG spectra evidenced considerable variability as the ∼200-μm diameter laser beam was translated over crystal surfaces. We have now found this variability results from ubiquitous small deposits of δ-HMX on the surface of β-HMX single crystals. SFG is a selective probe of molecules in noncentrosymmetric environments. Since β-HMX is centrosymmetric, only the surface is SFG-active; however, δ-HMX is noncentrosymmetric, so a tiny δ-HMX deposit on a β-HMX surface could dominate the SFG spectrum. We have found that rapid evaporation from tiny droplets of HMX solution produces only δ-HMX, presumably because the polar boat conformation of δ-HMX is stabilized in solution. We believe the δ-HMX deposits are created by the rapid dryin...
A convolution approximation for Van Hove correlation function in liquids

Abstract The relative motions of particles in a simple liquid may be described as one-dimensional radial diffusion in an effective potential of the mean force. This effective potential may be obtained by an iteration procedure with the Vineyard approximation as the initial step. Using a harmonic approximation for the potential, the “distinct” part of the Van Hove time-dependent correlation function is then the convolution of a modified radial distribution function with a modified self-correlation function. The former describes the average positions of particles whereas the latter describes the density profile around the average position. For liquid argon, this modified convolution procedure appears to give results in satisfactory agreement with molecular dynamics.
Determination of appropriate RF blocking impedance for MRI surface coils and arrays

Surface and phased array receiving coils in MRI typically require that RF excitation be accomplished using the body coil. This process requires that the receiving coils contain blocking circuitry to increase the overall circuit impedance during RF excitation and withstand the electromotive force induced by the applied electromagnetic field. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal impedance range required during RF excitation based on an assessment of image quality. The experimental results are fit by an exponential model and establish criteria that can be applied for general receiver coil design.
640-Gb/s Transmitter and Self-Tracked Demultiplexing Receiver Using Single Parametric Gate

We report the highest performance 640-Gb/s transmitter and receiver, based on cavity-less pulse generation and a novel sampling receiver constructed using a single fiber parametric gate capable of self-tracked 40-Gb/s tributary extraction. The performance of the transmitter and sampling receiver was measured with a 640-Gb/s return-to-zero on-off keying (RZ-OOK) signal. Error-free operation was achieved for all 16 tributaries of the 640-Gb/s input stream using the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) noise loading method. The error-free (bit-error rate (BER) =10-9 ) sensitivity of the sampling receiver was measured at an OSNR level of 33.5 dB, which is only 0.5 dB away from the practically achievable detection limit.
Modernization and crime patterns in China

Abstract Existing research on modernization and crime patterns largely focused on the volume of crime and its variation over periods of modernization. The empirical studies predominantly used cross-national data based on Western advanced capitalist societies and developing countries. To further discover patterns of crime during the modernization process in non-Western settings, the present study took a different approach. It examined the rate of change for property and violent crimes in China; and it employed longitudinal methods to analyze the crime series. The findings extended the conclusions of modernization theories regarding general crime patterns during modernization. Theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.
The oxymercuration—demercuration of alkenylsilanes in aqueous tetrahydrofuran

Abstract The oxymercuration—demercuration (OM—DM) of representative trimethylsilylalkenes in aqueous tetrahydrofuran was investigated. Vinyltrimethylsilane gives only the anti -Markovnikov alcohol, 2-trimethylsilylethanol in 90% yield. Allyltrimethylsilane gives mainly allylmercuric acetate which reacts further to give a 1,3-dimercurated-2-propanol. This species reacts slowly with allyltrimethylsilane to give allylmercuric acetate. 3-Buten-1-yltrimethylsilane gives only the Markovnikov product, 1-trimethylsilyl-3-butanol in 99% yield. cis -1-Propenyl-trimethylsilane gives 1-trimethylsilyl-2-propanol in 44% yield along with cleavage products. The formation of one of these products, 2-propanol, was found by PMR to arise from the OM—DM of cis -1-propenylmercuric acetate which gives the 1,1-dimercurated-2-propanol. While the oxymercuration of cis -1-propenyl-mercuric acetate is regiospecific giving exclusive placement of the mercury α to the silicon, it is completely nonstereospecific giving equal amounts of diastereomeric adducts. The OM—DM of 2-propenyl trimethylsilane (XIX) leads only to desilylation and oxidation products. Possible reasons for the diverse behavior of these silylated alkenes are discussed.
De novo emergence of growth factor receptors in activated human CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes.

Abstract Using phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-activated human T lymphocytes, we have demonstrated de novo emergence of growth factor receptors (insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1], and interleukin-2 [IL-2]) in the CD4+ and CD8+ subsets determined by flow cytometry. This activation was also associated with development of insulin-degrading activity (IDA) in a time-dependent fashion. These events, which are actinomycin- and cycloheximide-sensitive, occur only in activated, but not nonactivated, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. The emergence of these receptors, as well as IDA, which is preceded by CD69 emergence, reaches a plateau by 72 hours and is comparable in both subsets. The IDA is localized in the cytosol, and insulin binding is limited to the cell membrane. T-lymphocyte activation also initiates expression of the IL-2 gene with the transcription of IL-2 mRNA, the level of which is further enhanced by 38% with the addition of insulin. In these activated lymphocytes, insulin binding to its receptor also caused an 83% upregulation of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). In situ development of these growth factor receptors and signal transduction mechanisms in T lymphocytes upon activation, such as by proinflammatory cytokines or oxidative stress, could be an important defense mechanism in various disease states in man.
The effect of incidental out-of-stock options on preferences

While evaluating options for purchase, consumers often become aware that other, previously unconsidered options are no longer available. In a series of studies, we demonstrate that such incidental and de facto irrelevant out-of-stock options significantly increase purchase likelihood of target options consumers are considering for purchase. We find evidence that this effect occurs because out-of-stock options provide reasons for choice of target options, by showing that increases in purchase likelihood of target options are limited to consumers who rely on the out-of-stock option to justify choice of the target. We test several alternative explanations and further demonstrate that out-of-stock options increase purchase likelihood only when the perceived risk of the decision is relatively low.
Stress Plate Optical Modulator for Circular Dichroism Measurements

The fused silica stress plate modulator described below offers several advantages over the other known electrooptic modulation devices: primarily, high transmission over a broad wavelength range, and large aperture. When operated at its electromechanical resonance frequency of 16.7 kHz, the modulator requires only low voltage, low power drive to operate as a +/-lambda/4 plate. Complete constructional details are given, including a model from which resonance frequencies may be calculated. As part of a circular dichroism apparatus, the modulator has allowed measurement of effects as small as 1 part in 10(5). The possibility of extension of the operating range into the vacuum uv is discussed.
The Global Distribution of the Annual and Semiannual Cycles in Surface Temperature

Abstract The annual march of surface temperature is documented on a global basis by mapping the amplitudes and phases of the annual and semiannual cycles in a vectorial format. The annual cycle in Northern Hemisphere geopotential heights is discussed and the amplitude of the annual cycle in 300 mb geopotential height is presented.
Differential mechanisms mediating β-endorphin- and morphine-induced analgesia in mice

Abstract Effects of yohimbine, methysergide and naloxone given intrathecally (i.t.) and naloxone given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) on inhibition of the tail-flick and hot-plate response induced by β-endorphin and morphine given i.c.v. were studied in male ICR mice. Yohimbine (1.5 and 15 μg) and methysergide (1.5 and 15 μg) injected i.t. antagonized inhibition of the tail-flick response induced by morphine but not β-endorphin administered i.c.v. On the other hand, naloxone (20 ng) injected i.t. antagonized inhibition of the tail-flick response induced by i.c.v. administered β-endorphin but not morphine. Yohimbine and methysergide given i.t. did not antagonize inhibition of the hot-plate response induced by morphine nor did naloxone given i.t. antagonized i.c.v. β-endorphin-induced inhibition of the hot-plate response. Naloxone given i.c.v. was more effective in antagonizing morphine-induced inhibition of the tail-flick and hot-plate response than inhibition induced by β-endorphin given i.c.v. Naloxone at doses (0.1 and 1 μg) which effectively reversed inhibition of the tail-flick response to i.c.v. morphine was not effective in reversing the i.c.v. β-endorphin-induced inhibition of the tail-flick response. Our results indicate that β-endorphin and morphine produce analgesia by stimulating separate types of opioid receptors, ϵ- for β-endorphin and μ- for morphine, and activate separate descending pain modulatory control systems. The supraspinal ϵ system stimulated by β-endorphin is mediated by activation of spinal opioid receptors whereas the supraspinal μ system stimulated by morphine is mediated by activation of spinal α 2 -adreceptors and serotonin receptors for the production of analgesia.
MRI evaluation of "solitary" brain metastases with triple-dose gadoteridol: comparison with contrast-enhanced CT and conventional-dose gadopentetate dimeglumine MRI studies in the same patients.

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to compare the sensitivity and safety of high dose gadoteridol (ProHance) with routine dose gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist) in the detection of intracranial metastases on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when a solitary intracranial lesion was detected on contrast-enhanced cranial computed tomography (CT). Four patients, each with a solitary intracranial metastasis demonstrated on contrast-enhanced CT were studied prospectively with both 0.3 mmol/kg gadoteridol and 0.1 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine. Images were acquired before and immediately following contrast administration. Both of the MR studies were performed between two and six days of each other and within 1 wk of the cranial CT. Scan parameters and injection rates were identical on both occasions. Patient monitoring for the gadoteridol study included physical examination, vital signs and laboratory tests at several pre-determined times. Eighteen total metastases were demonstrated on MRI compared to the four on CT. Seven were visualized on the unenhanced MR images, nine on the scans using gadopentetate dimeglumine, and all eighteen on the scans using gadoteridol. Additional lesions were seen on the gadoteridol images in all four patients. No adverse events attributable to contrast media occurred. No significant changes in vital signs or laboratory values occurred.
The potential of child care tax credits to reduce poverty and welfare recipiency

As more and more mothers of young children enter the work force, interest in govern- ment financing of child care grows. The chief government subsidy for child care is the child care credit in the federal Internal Revenue Code. This is a nonrefundable credit and therefore provides benefits only to those with incomes high enough to require them to pay income tax. Yet of the $5.5 billion spent by the federal government on child care in 1986, this program accounted for $3.5 billion. This paper simulates the effects of expanding the child care tax credit by (1) doubling the reimbursement rates of the current credit; (2) making the credit refundable; and (3) both making the credit refundable and increasing its value for all families with income below $ 32,000. Results suggest that these changes will have modest effects on the income and earnings of mothers, and on the poverty gap and welfare recipiency. Costs, however, differ substantially. Doubling the value of the credit is far more expensive than either making the credit refundable or making it both refundable and more generous at the bottom of the income distribution. Making the credit refundable may cost taxpayers very little by leading to increases in hours worked and concomitant reductions in welfare payments.
Ataxia-Telangiectasia, Mutated (ATM)/Nuclear Factor κ Light Chain Enhancer of Activated B Cells (NFκB) Signaling Controls Basal and DNA Damage-induced Transglutaminase 2 Expression *

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a ubiquitously expressed enzyme that cross-links proteins and its overexpression, linked to a drug resistant phenotype, is commonly observed in cancer cells. Further, up-regulation of TG2 expression occurs during response to various forms of cell stress; however, the molecular mechanisms that drive inducible expression of the TG2 gene (TGM2) require elucidation. Here we show that genotoxic stress induces TG2 expression through the Ataxia-Telangiectasia, Mutated (ATM)/Nuclear Factor κ light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) signaling pathway. We further document that NFκB is both necessary and sufficient to drive constitutive TG2 expression in cultured cell lines. Additionally, shRNA-mediated knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of the ATM kinase results in reduced constitutive TG2 expression and NFκB transcriptional activity. We document that the NFκB subunit p65 (RelA) interacts with two independent consensus NFκB binding sites within the TGM2 promoter, that mutation of either site or pharmacological inhibition of NFκB reduces TGM2 promoter activity, and genotoxic stress drives heightened association of p65 with the TGM2 promoter. Finally, we observed that knockdown of either p65 or ATM in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells expressing recombinant TG2 partially reduces resistance to doxorubicin, indicating that the drug resistance linked to overexpression of TG2 functions, in part, through p65 and ATM. This work establishes a novel ATM-dependent signaling loop where TG2 and NFκB activate each other resulting in sustained activation of NFκB and acquisition of a drug-resistant phenotype.
Response to warfarin in hypothyroid rats.

Abstract Effects of a single intravenous dose of warfarin in thyroidectomized rats were compared with responses of sham-neck operated, euthyroid and control rats. Control prothrombin times were similar in thyroidectomized and control rats. Prolongation of the one-stage prothrombin time after warfarin was less at 24 hr in the thyroidectomized rats than in the control rats. However, if the prothrombin response was examined over the duration of its effect, the response to warfarin was significantly greater in the thyroidectomized rats; plasma half-life of warfarin was significantly longer in thyroidectomized rats. No differences were noted in the calculated volumes of distribution, the plasma protein binding of warfarin, or in the total plasma protein and plasma albumin concentrations between thyroidectomized and control rats. These findings emphasize the point that the hypoprothrombinemic effects of indirect anticoagulants must be followed over the entire period of increased prothrombin time in order to reach valid conclusions about the interference of disease, simultaneously administered drugs, genetic and other factors. We conclude that hypothyroid rats are not resistant to the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, as previously reported, but actually are more sensitive than are normal rats.
Neuroanatomy of the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

In this study, magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain of an adult common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) were acquired in the coronal plane at 66 antero-posterior levels. From these scans a computer-generated set of resectioned virtual images in orthogonal planes was constructed using the programs VoxelView and VoxelMath (Vital Images, Inc., Michigan State Univ.). Sections in all three planes reveal major neuroanatomical structures. These structures in the adult common dolphin brain are compared with those from a fetal common dolphin brain from a previously published study as well as with MR images of adult brains of other odontocetes. This study, like previous ones, demonstrates the utility of MR imaging (MRI) for comparative neuroanatomical investigations of dolphin brains.
A general approach for similarity-based linear projections using a genetic algorithm

A widely applicable approach to visualizing properties of high-dimensional data is to view the data as a linear projection into two- or three-dimensional space. However, developing an appropriate linear projection is often difficult. Information can be lost during the projection process, and many linear projection methods only apply to a narrow range of qualities the data may exhibit. We propose a general-purpose genetic algorithm to develop linear projections of high-dimensional data sets which preserve a specified quality of the data set as much as possible. The obtained results show that the algorithm converges quickly and reliably for a variety of different data sets.
Development of A9/A10 dopamine neurons during the second and third trimesters in the African green monkey.

Disruption in the development of dopamine-containing neurons has been postulated to underlie several CNS disorders. However, there have been no quantitative studies on the normal development of primate dopamine neurons. Thus, the fetal maturation of primate midbrain dopamine neurons was examined to establish changes that occur in the A9/A10 groups during the second and third trimesters. Eleven fetal African green monkey midbrains were immunostained for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH-ir) as a marker for dopamine neurons and quantified using stereological techniques (nucleator method). The number and size of defined dopamine neurons and the volume occupied by A9/A10 neurons increased in near linear fashion throughout the term. The estimated number of defined dopamine neurons in each hemisphere rose from ∼50,000 at embryonic day (E) 70 to 225,000 at birth (E165), similar to the adult population. The size and the area occupied by them at birth were, however, well below the estimated adult levels. Additionally, the younger fetal midbrains had far less diversity in dopamine cell volumes compared with older fetuses and adult brains. Until midway through gestation (E81), clusters of apparently immature midbrain TH-ir cells were observed, but could not be counted. Even though the majority of cells destined to become dopamine neurons are generated in the first trimester, phenotypical maturation of A9 and A10 cell bodies continues steadily throughout gestation and extends well into the postnatal period. These data have relevance to transplantation studies that employ fetal dopaminergic grafts, and to disorders hypothesized to result from damage to developing midbrain dopamine neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 488:215–223, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Expanding the Biological Periodic Table

Metal ions play an indispensable role in biology, enabling enzymes to perform their functions and lending support to the structures of numerous macromolecules. Despite their prevalence and importance, the metalloproteome is still relatively unexplored. Cvetkovic et al. (2010) now describe an approach to identify metalloproteins on a genome-wide scale.
SCALING UP ANIMAL MOVEMENTS IN HETEROGENEOUS LANDSCAPES: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEHAVIOR

Two major challenges of spatial ecology are understanding the effects of landscape heterogeneity on movement, and translating observations taken at small spatial and temporal scales into expected patterns at greater scales. Using a combination of computer simulations and micro-landscape experiments with Tribolium confusum beetles we found that conventional correlated random walk models with constant parameters severely underestimated spatial spread because organisms changed movement behaviors over time. However, a model incorporating behavioral heterogeneity between individuals, and within individuals over time, was able to account for observed patterns of spread. Our results suggest that the main challenge for scaling up movement patterns resides in the complexities of individual behavior rather than in the spatial structure of the landscape.
Agar-Block Microcosms for Controlled Plant Tissue Decomposition by Aerobic Fungi

The two principal methods for studying fungal biodegradation of lignocellulosic plant tissues were developed for wood preservative testing (soil-block; agar-block). It is well-accepted that soil-block microcosms yield higher decay rates, fewer moisture issues, lower variability among studies, and higher thresholds of preservative toxicity. Soil-block testing is thus the more utilized technique and has been standardized by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) (method D 1413-07). The soil-block design has drawbacks, however, using locally-variable soil sources and in limiting the control of nutrients external (exogenous) to the decaying tissues. These drawbacks have emerged as a problem in applying this method to other, increasingly popular research aims. These modern aims include degrading lignocellulosics for bioenergy research, testing bioremediation of co-metabolized toxics, evaluating oxidative mechanisms, and tracking translocated elements along hyphal networks. Soil-blocks do not lend enough control in these applications. A refined agar-block approach is necessary. Here, we use the brown rot wood-degrading fungus Serpula lacrymans to degrade wood in agar-block microcosms, using deep Petri dishes with low-calcium agar. We test the role of exogenous gypsum on decay in a time-series, to demonstrate the utility and expected variability. Blocks from a single board rip (longitudinal cut) are conditioned, weighed, autoclaved, and introduced aseptically atop plastic mesh. Fungal inoculations are at each block face, with exogenous gypsum added at interfaces. Harvests are aseptic until the final destructive harvest. These microcosms are designed to avoid block contact with agar or Petri dish walls. Condensation is minimized during plate pours and during incubation. Finally, inoculum/gypsum/wood spacing is minimized but without allowing contact. These less technical aspects of agar-block design are also the most common causes of failure and the key source of variability among studies. Video publication is therefore useful in this case, and we demonstrate low-variability, high-quality results.
Measurement of Refractive Index Change with Temperature Using Thermal Self-Phase Modulation

The thermal self-phase modulation effect, arising when a laser beam passes through absorbing materials, is used to measure the product of absorption coefficient and dn/dT (change of refractive index with temperature). By adding a dye so that absorption coefficient is readily measured, the value of dn/dT may be found. The advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed, with results for several liquids given and experiments on the effects of the added dye.
Neurite outgrowth traced by means of horseradish peroxidase inherited from neuronal ancestral cells in frog embryos

Abstract Outgrowing neurites in Xenopus embryos were labeled with horseradish peroxidase which had been injected into a single blastomere at the 32-cell stage and had been inherited by all the descendants, including neurons. Neurite outgrowth was traced from labeled trigeminal ganglion cells and most or all types of neurons present in the spinal cord at embryonic stages 20–30: primary motoneurons, commissural, dorsal longitudinal, ventral longitudinal, and Rohon-Beard neurons. All types of nerve fibers grew by the most direct pathway, apparently without errors of initial outgrowth, pathway selection, or target selection. An initial transient phase of outgrowth of filopodial processes from neuronal cell bodies and shafts of short neurites was observed which disappeared after further elongation of the neurites. The first pioneer fibers grew out from all types in a 2-hr period, from stage 20 to 22, and these fibers arrived at the targets within 3.5 hr after initial outgrowth. Additional fibers grew later in contact with the pioneers to form fascicles. Nerve fibers elongated without branching until they neared or contacted their targets. The rate of elongation at 20°C was 30–75 μm/hr. The rapid, unbranched, error-free initial outgrowth and elongation of neurites to their targets is discussed in relation to theories of development of nerve pathways.
Characterizing the molecular variation among American marten (Martes americana) subspecies from Oregon and California

We investigated the subspecific identity of a rediscovered population of American martens within the range of a presumed extinct subspecies (Martes americana humboldtensis) by comparing mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity from contemporary individuals within the described ranges of M. a. humboldtensis, nearby ranges of M. a. caurina and M. a. sierrae, and a museum specimen of M. a. humboldtensis. Martens from the rediscovered population shared a haplotype (#2) with the museum specimen. This haplotype was found only in the coastal regions of Oregon and California, suggesting that the rediscovered population represents descendants of a relictual population that previously existed in coastal California. The subspecific boundary between M. a. humboldtensis and M. a. caurina may not be valid, because haplotype #2 was shared between coastal Oregon and coastal California populations and no known contemporary or historical biogeographic barriers prevent north–south movement. Thus, marten populations currently located in coastal forests of California and Oregon should be managed collectively to preserve the connectivity that our data suggest occurred historically. M. a. sierrae differed substantially from both M. a. humboldtensis and M. a. caurina, suggesting marten populations were not a historically genetically homogeneous population and divergence may have occurred in separate glacial refugia.
44 ANALYSIS OF FINE MOTOR DYSFUNCTIONS IN CHILDREN WITH SEVERE WRITING DIFFICULTY

233 9–15 year old students from 3 towns were selected by school personnel as meeting present criteria for low academic productivity with normal IQ. Another cohort (n=426) were selected randomly from the same schools. 15% of all subjects and 29% of unproductive ones were rated by teachers as having severe writing problems. 13 items were devised and administered blindly to assess four fine motor components: Eye-hand coordination, Propriokinesthetic feedback (gnosia), Motor praxis/organization, and Motor memory. Eye-hand tests did not discriminate good from poor writers (p=NS), but other associations emerged: Highest correlations were between combinations of these dysfunctions and global writing impairment, as well as just low written volume. Fine motor disabilities are a common neurodevelopmental cause of low academic productivity. The tendency to equate fine motor ability soley with eye-hand coordination is misleading; more careful assessment of non-visual feedback, praxis, and memory is critical for the identification and management of hidden handicaps reducing output tn middle childhood.
Effect of type A behavior on exercise test outcome in coronary artery disease

The outcome of the diagnostic exercise test depends on such patient-related factors as age, maximum exercise heart rate, exercise time and severity of the underlying coronary artery disease (CAD). This study examined the hypothesis that type A behavior would affect the amount of effort expended, as indicated by the exercise time and the maximum heart rate achieved, thereby resulting in differences in exercise test outcome. A total of 1,260 patients with suspected CAD, all of whom had coronary angiography, a structured interview to assess type A behavior and a treadmill exercise test, participated. Of these patients, 818 (65%) had significant CAD, and 852 (68%) were type A. There were no differences between type A and B patients in either maximum heart rate or total exercise time. Among both type A and B subjects, 36% of treadmill tests were positive. Exercise test sensitivity was similar for both groups (69% for type A vs 72% for type B, p = 0.39). Similarly, specificity was similar for both groups (87% for type A vs 80% for type B, p = 0.09). Results did not change after using logistic regression to control for potential confounding factors. Thus, type A behavior does not need to be taken into account when interpreting exercise test outcome.
Empowering communities of research and practice by conducting research for change and including participant voice in reflection on research

In this paper, in response to Ajay Sharma’s paper titled “Portrait of a science teacher as a bricoleur: A case study from India” and associated reviews, I address the value of bridging two narrative styles for describing teacher development, discuss questions of over-essentializing an Indian school context, propose that teacher and student participants should be included in this type of writing series, and identify institutional barriers to researchers acting as agents-of-change.
Sensitivity to an Acute Gamma Radiation Exposure of Successively Irradiated Generations of the Cowpea Weevil

Five populations of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) were treated, respectively, with 0 (control), 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 krad of gamma radiation for 7 successive generations. Groups of 7th-generation adults were tested for resistance to acute irradiation by exposure to total doses of 16 and 50 krad. Unirradiated 8th-generation adults from each population were checked for mating success and fecundity. When longevity was checked after acute radiation exposures, no evidence of increased resistance to acute radiation exposures was found. Irradiated populations showed slight but not significant decreases in mean survival time. A reduction in fecundity in the irradiated populations indicated also a decrease in population fitness. Therefore, the possibility of development of radiation-resistant insect strains by accidental exposure of some insects to substerilizing dosages during commercial radiation disinfestation does not appear to be a problem.
The redundancy of multiple description source coding

Diversity techniques are commonly used to increase the robustness of communication systems. The corresponding source coding scheme in this field is multiple description coding (MDC). In this paper, we consider the problem of determining the redundancy of binary multiple description source coding in the case of no excess rate for the joint description.
pipsqueak, an early acting member of the posterior group of genes, affects vasa level and germ cell-somatic cell interaction in the developing egg chamber

We have identified a new member of the posterior group of genes, which we call pipsqueak. We show that pipsqueak acts after the establishment of the oskar posterior anchor but before the localization of vasa protein during oogenesis. Characterization of multiple alleles at the pipsqueak locus shows that pipsqueak, like vasa, is required for early stages of oogenesis, including but not limited to formation of the egg chamber and progression through Stage 6 of oogenesis. Genetic interaction studies suggest that pipsqueak acts at least partially through vasa; molecular studies indicate that pipsqueak affects vasa level in the ovary. We compare vasa and pipsqueak mutant phenotypes in order to determine whether pipsqueak acts solely through vasa, and present a model for the role of pipsqueak in posterior pattern formation.
‘Pressure shadow’ structures in foliated rocks from Bermagui, New South Wales

Abstract ‘Pressure shadow’ type structures, referred to here as ‘mica beards’ (Ransom, 1965), are described from a sequence of deformed Ordovician greywackes. The beards are very numerous and constitute a major fabric element in definition of an axial‐plane foliation. They consist of fine, polygonal grains of quartz and of layer silicates which are aligned approximately perpendicular to the surface of the host grain with which they are associated. Three possible explanations are offered for the formation of the structures and their relative merits are discussed briefly.
On bounding spline interpolation

Abstract : Upper and lower bounds for k-th order spline interpolation are obtained. Cubic spline interpolation at the averages of three successive knots is then shown to be bounded in the uniform norm independently of the knot sequence. (Author)
RICIN: MECHANISM OF ACTION, DETECTION, AND INTOXICATION

The many uses of ricin for basic research and clinical studies have made it an intensively studied molecule. Although the exact mechanism by which the toxin kills animals is unknown, ricin kills ce...
The continuum and dynamics of Northern Hemisphere teleconnection patterns

This study presents an alternative interpretation for Northern Hemisphere teleconnection patterns. Rather than comprising several different recurrent regimes, this study suggests that there is a continuum of teleconnection patterns. This interpretation indicates either that 1) all members of the continuum can be expressed in terms of a linear combination of a small number of real physical modes that correspond to basis functions or 2) that most low-frequency patterns within the continuum are real physical patterns, each having its own spatial structure and frequency of occurrence. Daily NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data are used that cover the boreal winters of 1958–97. A set of nonorthogonal basis functions that span the continuum is derived. The leading basis functions correspond to well-known patterns such as the Pacific–North American teleconnection and North Atlantic Oscillation. Evidence for the continuum perspective is based on the finding that 1) most members of the continuum tend to have similar variance and autocorrelation time scales and 2) that members of the continuum show dynamical characteristics that are intermediate between those of the surrounding basis functions. The latter finding is obtained by examining the streamfunction tendency equation both for the basis functions and some members of the continuum. The streamfunction tendency equation analysis suggests that North Pacific patterns (basis functions and continuum) are primarily driven by their interaction with the climatological stationary eddies and that North Atlantic patterns are primarily driven by transient eddy vorticity fluxes. The decay mechanism for all patterns is similar, being due to the impact of low-frequency (period greater than 10 days) transient eddies and horizontal divergence. Analysis with outgoing longwave radiation shows that tropical convection is found to play a much greater role in exciting North Pacific patterns. A plausible explanation for these differences between the North Atlantic and North Pacific patterns is presented.
Investigating the Cognitive Complexity of Science Assessments

How can knowledge of the development of expertise in a subject area inform the development of assessments in that area? How can one examine the relationship between what is anticipated from a performance assessment and what is actually seen?
Mutational analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae general regulatory factor CP1

Abstract The Saccharomyces cerevisiae general regulatory factor CP1, a helix-loop-helix protein that binds the centromere DNA element I (CDEI) of yeast centromeres, is required in yeast for optimal centromere function and for methionine prototrophy. Mutant alleles of CEP1, the gene encoding CP1, were generated by linker insertion, 5'- and 3'-deletion, and random mutagenesis and assayed for DNA binding activity and their ability to confer CP1 function when expressed in yeast. A heterologous CDEI-binding protein, TFEB, was also tested for CP1 function. The results suggested that DNA binding is required for both biological functions of CP1 but is not sufficient. A direct and quantitative correlation was observed between the chromosome loss and nutritional (i.e., Met) phenotypes of strains carrying loss of function alleles, but qualitatively the chromosome loss phenotype was more sensitive to decreased CP1 expression. The data are consistent with a model in which CP1 performs the same general chromatin-related function at centromeres and MET gene promoters and is normally present in functional excess.
Self-Healing: A Concept Analysis

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a rapidly growing specialty within the healthcare field. One concept that appears central to the notion of CAM therapies is the concept of self-healing. Although "self-healing" is addressed within several bodies of literature, the concept is ill-defined within the context of CAM therapies, specifically energy-based healing modalities such as reiki therapy. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the concept of self-healing through a concept analysis using Walker and Avant's technique (1995). The resultant operational definition of self-healing was the result of 6 weeks of study and is not considered to be a final product, but merely a beginning step to understanding this unique phenomenon.
Effects of weight regain following intentional weight loss on glucoregulatory function in overweight and obese adults with pre-diabetes.

Summary Objective To assess the extent to which initial, intentional weight loss-associated improvements in glucose tolerance and insulin action are diminished with weight regain. Methods 138 overweight and obese (BMI: 32.4 ± 3.9 kg/m 2 ), adults (59.0 ± 9.7 years), with pre-diabetes were followed through a 6-month weight loss intervention and subsequent 18-month weight maintenance period, or usual care control condition. Longitudinal change in weight (baseline, 6, 24 months) was used to classify individuals into weight pattern categories (Loser/Maintainer (LM), n = 50; Loser/Regainer (LR), n = 51; and Weight Stable (WS), n = 37). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months and model adjusted changes, by weight pattern category, were assessed. Results LMs and LRs lost 8.3 ± 4.7 kg (8.7 ± 4.5%) and 9.6 ± 4.7 kg (10.2 ± 4.7%) during the first 6 months, respectively. LM continued to lose 1.1 ± 3.4 kg over the next 18 months (9.9 ± 6.5% reduction from baseline; p p p Conclusions Significant weight loss followed by weight loss maintenance is associated with sustained improvements in FPG, insulin, and HOMA-IR; conversely, even partial weight regain is associated with regression of initial improvements in these risk factors towards baseline values.
Pancreatic β-Cell Response to Increased Metabolic Demand and to Pharmacologic Secretagogues Requires EPAC2A

Incretin hormone action on β-cells stimulates in parallel two different intracellular cyclic AMP-dependent signaling branches mediated by protein kinase A and exchange protein activated by cAMP islet/brain isoform 2A (EPAC2A). Both pathways contribute toward potentiation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). However, the overall functional role of EPAC2A in β-cells as it relates to in vivo glucose homeostasis remains incompletely understood. Therefore, we have examined in vivo GSIS in global EPAC2A knockout mice. Additionally, we have conducted in vitro studies of GSIS and calcium dynamics in isolated EPAC2A-deficient islets. EPAC2A deficiency does not impact GSIS in mice under basal conditions. However, when mice are exposed to diet-induced insulin resistance, pharmacologic secretagogue stimulation of β-cells with an incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 analog or with a fatty acid receptor 1/G protein–coupled receptor 40 selective activator, EPAC2A is required for the increased β-cell response to secretory demand. Under these circumstances, EPAC2A is required for potentiating the early dynamic increase in islet calcium levels after glucose stimulation, which is reflected in potentiated first-phase insulin secretion. These studies broaden our understanding of EPAC2A function and highlight its significance during increased secretory demand or drive on β-cells. Our findings advance the rationale for developing EPAC2A-selective pharmacologic activators for β-cell–targeted pharmacotherapy in type 2 diabetes.