cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for effective seed dispersal by the Sulawesi red-knobbed hornbill, Aceros cassidix

The Sulawesi red-knobbed hornbill (Aceros cassidix) is a large-bodied, frugivorous bird that nests in high densities in the Tangkoko-DuaSudara Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. I measured seedling abundance and species richness, diversity, and dominance in plots placed below and immediately behind 20 active nest sites to evaluate the role of red-knobbed hornbills as agents of seed dispersal. Comparisons of treatment (below nests) and control plots (behind nests) show that hornbills affect the abundance and distribution of diet-species seedlings. Nondiet and nest tree seedlings did not differ between control and treatment plots suggesting that differences in diet species were the result of additional input by hornbills rather than by random or other dispersal events. Significantly greater numbers of diet seedlings germinated below nests, and the diversity of diet species was greater than that of nondiet species. Dominance of a few species in the treatment plots is consistent with the hypothesis that hornbills are effectively dispersing seeds of some, but not all, of their diet species. Although seedlings under nests may eventually experience density-dependent mortality, seedlings survived at least 12 months, indicating that red-knobbed hornbills were effectively dispersing seeds and influencing the initial fate of seeds of several tropical forest tree species. ABSTRAK Rangkong Sulawesi (Aceros cassidix) adalah jenis burung frugivora yang hidup dan bersarang dengan kepadatan tinggi di Cagar Alam Tangkoko-DuaSudara Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia. Untuk megetahui peran rangkong Sulawesi dalam proses penyebaran biji, telah dilakukan penelitian tentang kelimpahan semai dan kekayaan jenis serta keanekaragaman dan dominansi dari jenis-jenis pohon bukan pakan dan pohon pakan rangkong. Penghitungan dilakukan pada plot-plot yang dibuat tepat di bawah dan di belakang 20 pohon sarang yang masih aktif. Perbandingan antara plot di bawah sarang (perlakuan) dan di belakang sarang (kontrol) memperlihatkan bahwa rangkong Sulawesi mempengaruhi kelimpahan dan distribusi semai jenis pohon pakan. Tidak adanya perbedaan untuk semai jenis bukan pohon pakan dan jenis pohon sarang antara plot perlakuan dan kontrol, menunjukkan bahwa perbedaan untuk jenis pohon pakan di kedua plot terjadi lebih karena pengaruh rangkong daripada peristiwa penyebaran biji lainnya. Jumlah biji pohon pakan yang berkecambah di bawah sarang dan keanekaragamannya, ternyata lebih tinggi daripada jenis pohon bukan pakan. Adanya dominansi beberapa jenis pohon di bawah sarang tersebut sesuai dengan hipotesa bahwa rangkong secara efektif menyebarkan biji beberapa jenis pohon pakannya. Walaupun pada akhirnya sebagian semai di bawah sarang akan mati akibat kepadatan yang tinggi, namun semai tersebut dapat bertahan sedikitnya selama 12 bulan. Hal itu menunjukkan bahwa rangkong Sulawesi secara efektif ikut menyebarkan biji dan mempengaruhi awal kehidupan beberapa jenis pohon hutan tropis.
Serum CD44 levels and overall survival in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer

CD44 is an adhesion molecule involved in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The function of CD44 in breast cancer is not understood completely, or is its role as a predictive or prognostic factor. In this study, we tested for the hypothesis that the concentration of soluble CD44 (sCD44) in serum is correlated with clinicopathological factors, especially HER2, and survival in patients with breast cancer. We retrospectively identified 110 patients with breast cancer who had been treated at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) from September 2001 to May 2004. Sera were collected before definitive surgery in patients with stage I or II breast cancer, before initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (if indicated) for patients with stage I–III breast cancer, and before initiation of systemic therapy in patients with stage IV breast cancer. sCD44 levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The median age at diagnosis was 51 years (range, 28.6–87.1 years). sCD44 concentration was correlated with tumor stage (P = 0.0308). sCD44 serum concentration did not predict pathological response in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Among patients with distant metastases, sCD44 levels were significantly higher in patients with liver involvement than in patients with metastases at other sites. The overall survival rate did not differ between patients with high sCD44 concentration and patients with low sCD44 concentration. However, sCD44 concentration was a significant predictor of overall survival for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, while no difference in overall survival rates was observed in patients with HER2-negative breast cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show an association between circulating sCD44 levels and survival in HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Our results suggest a role for sCD44 as a prognostic marker. Furthermore, sCD44 level may offer a new clinical therapeutic target in HER2-positive breast cancer.
A sensitivity scale for targeting T cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and bispecific T-cell Engagers (BiTEs)

Although T cells can mediate potent antitumor responses, immune tolerance mechanisms often result in the deletion or inactivation of T cells that express T-cell receptors (TCRs) against potentially effective target epitopes. Various approaches have been devised to circumvent this problem. In one approach, the gene encoding an antibody against a cancer-associated antigen is linked, in the form of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv), to genes that encode transmembrane and signaling domains. This chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is then introduced into T cells for adoptive T-cell therapy. In another approach, the anti-cancer scFv is fused to a scFv that binds to the CD3e subunit of the TCR/CD3 complex. This fusion protein serves as a soluble, injectable product that has recently been termed bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE). Both strategies have now been tested in clinical trials with promising results, but the comparative efficacies are not known. Here, we performed a direct comparison of the in vitro sensitivity of each strategy, using the same anti-cancer scFv fragments, directed against a tumor-specific glycopeptide epitope on the sialomucin-like transmembrane glycoprotein OTS8, which results form a cancer-specific mutation of Cosmc. While both approaches showed specific responses to the epitope as revealed by T cell-mediated cytokine release and target cell lysis, CAR-targeted T cells were more sensitive than BiTE-targeted T cells to low numbers of antigens per cell. The sensitivity scale described here provides a guide to the potential use of these two different approaches.
Xenopus laevis B4, an intron-containing oocyte-specific linker histone-encoding gene

We have isolated genomic clones of the Xenopus laevis B4 gene, which encodes a linker histone, and characterized the B4 promoter. B4 mRNA is synthesized in X. laevis oocytes and disappears from the embryo by gastrulation. We find that B4 is present in only one or two copies per haploid genome and that it contains introns. Tissue-specific expression, a low copy number and presence of introns are all unusual features for vertebrate genes encoding linker histones.
Electrophysiologic Properties of Diphenylhydantoin

The electrophysiologic properties of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) (5-10 mg/kg) intravenously was studied in 14 subjects using His bundle recordings and correlated with blood levels. Conduction through the A-V conducting system (AVCS) was studied at various paced atrial rates and refractory periods determined using programmed atrial premature depolarization within 10 min of drug administration. In 11 of 14 subjects the sinus cycle length was shortened by an average of 110 msec, lengthened in three (average 116 msec). Conduction through the A-V node (AVN) was shortened in seven subjects (average 10 msec), lengthened in one (5 msec), and unchanged in the remaining six. Conductinged by 5 msec). Prior to DPH, the longest mained constant in all but two subjects (proloengthened in four, and was unchanged in the re-refractory period of the AVCS was in the AVN in nine subjects, the atrium in four and the HPS in one. After DPH, the following effects were noted: (1) the effective refractory period (ERP) of the atria shor...
BRST anomalies and anomalous U(1) gauge symmetries in string theory

Abstract The heterotic string, when compactified from ten to four-dimensional space-time, has a gauge group that often includes apparently anomalous U(1) gauge symmetries which lead to the generation of masses. The resulting mass shifts violate conformal symmetry and BRST invariance, leading to BRST anomalous correlations. Mass renormalisation is carried out in the BRST framework and BRST invariance for both bosons and fermions is restored. This is shown to be a consistent procedure by explicit calculations, using local properties, up to one loop. Extensions to higher loops are briefly discussed.
An interaction radius independent theory of resonance and direct nuclear reactions

Abstract A general theory of nuclear reactions is formulated which is valid for arbitrary short-range interactions between identical nucleons and which is independent of any assumptions about the existence of a nuclear radius. Assumptions are made, instead, about the analytic character of the reduced transition matrix. Both resonance and direct reactions, as well as the relation between them, follow directly from the formalism.
Relations of work identity, family identity, situational demands, and sex with employee work hours

Abstract This study examined relations of multiple indicators of work identity and family identity with the number of weekly hours worked by 193 married business professionals. We found that men generally worked long hours regardless of the situational demands to work long hours and the strength of their work and family identities. Women's work hours, on the other hand, were associated with their work and family identities when weak situational demands permitted discretion over their work hours. We suggest that these sex differences can be explained by the ways in which women and men construe their work and family identities.
A Note on Availability for a Finite Interval

A definition of availability having a probabilistic guarantee for a finite interval is made. Examples and asymptotic solution are presented.
Atomic and electronic structure of graphene/Sn-Ni(111) and graphene/Sn-Cu(111) surface alloy interfaces

First-principles density functional theory calculations were performed to investigate the effect of Sn surface alloying on the strength of interface interactions between graphene and Ni(111) or Cu(111) substrates. A substantial reduction of graphene-metal interactions was observed for the graphene/Sn-Ni(111) interface: binding energy was reduced from 0.055 eV/(C atom) to 0.015 eV/(C atom); interface distance was increased from 2.12 A to 3.52 A. The initially weak graphene/Cu(111) interface was hardly affected by Sn surface alloying. Electronic structure calculations, including local density of states and simulated scanning tunneling microscopy images, provide further details on the changing character of graphene-Ni(111) interactions upon Sn alloying.
The transition between granular and discontinuous GMR in sputtered Co/sub 90/Fe/sub 10//Ag multilayers

The giant magnetoresistance (GMR), structure, and magnetic properties of DC magnetron sputtered (Co/sub 90/Fe/sub 10/ 9.2 /spl Aring//Ag X /spl Aring/) multilayer films have been investigated. This CoFe thickness is unique in that a Ag thickness and annealing condition dependent transition is observed between layered granular GMR and "discontinuous" GMR behavior.
Bladder diverticula in infants and children.

Abstract Eighteen cases of bladder diverticula are presented and the clinical features discussed.Most children had urinary tract infection. Two thirds of the children had no demonstrable outlet obstruction. Reflux was present in those cases in which there was an intimate relationship between the ureteral orifice and the diverticulum. Theories for development of this abnormality are discussed.
Geometry and scaling relations of a population of very small rift-related normal faults

Exceptionally well exposed normal faults within the Solite Quarry of the Dan River rift basin range in length from a few millimetres to a few metres and are possibly the smallest visible faults studied to date. Displacement is greatest at or near the center of isolated faults and decreases toward the fault tips. Relay structures form between closely overlapping faults. The distribution of fault sizes in the study area follows a power-law (fractal) relation, and the maximum observed displacement scales linearly with fault length. The new fault data extend the global data set to more than eight orders of magnitude of fault length and indicate that there is no significant change in displacement geometry and the linear length-displacement scaling relation between small and large faults.
Synthesis and biophysical characterization of a multidomain peptide from a Saccharomyces cerevisiae G protein-coupled receptor.

Abstract We attached peptides corresponding to the seventh transmembrane domain (TMD7) of the α-mating factor receptor (Ste2p) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to a hydrophilic, 40-residue fragment of the carboxyl terminus of this G protein-coupled receptor. Peptides corresponding to (a) the 40-residue portion of the carboxyl tail (T-40), (b) the tail plus a part of TMD7 (M7-12-T40), and (c) to the tail plus the full TMD7 (M7-24-T40) were chemically synthesized and purified. The molecular mass and primary sequence of these peptides were confirmed by mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry procedures. Circular dichroism (CD) revealed that T-40 was disordered in phosphate buffer and in the presence of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-racemic-(1-glycerol)] bilayers. In contrast, M7-12-T40 and M7-24-T40 peptides were partially helical in the presence of vesicles, and difference CD spectroscopy showed that the transmembrane regions of these peptides were 42 and 94% helical, respectively. CD analysis also demonstrated that M7-24-T40 retained its secondary structure in the presence of 1-palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-racemic-(1-glycerol)] micelles at 0.5 mm concentration. Thus, the tail and the transmembrane domain of the multidomain 64-amino acid residue peptide manifest individual conformational preferences. Measurement of tryptophan fluorescence indicated that the transmembrane domain integrated into bilayers in a manner similar to that expected for this region in the native state of the receptor. This study demonstrated that the tail of Ste2p can be used as a hydrophilic template to study transmembrane domain structure using techniques such as CD and NMR spectroscopy.
ACCURACY OF GREY-SCALE ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS OF ABDOMINAL AND PELVIC ABSCESSES IN 220 PATIENTS

Abstract The accuracy of grey-scale ultrasound in the detection and localisation of abdominal and pelvic abscesses was assessed retrospectively in 220 patients in whom an abscess had been suspected at presentation. Thirty-six out of forty abdominal abscesses were correctly diagnosed (90%), while an abscess was correctly excluded in 112 out of 113 patients (99%). Thirty-two out of thirty-three pelvic abscesses were diagnosed (97%), and a pelvic abscess was correctly excluded in 33 out of 34 patients (97%). Thus the overall accuracy of the method was 96·8%, with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 98·6%.
Compliance constants and interaction coordinates of the hexacarbonyls of chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten☆

Abstract Compliance constants and interaction coordinates have been calculated for the hexacarbonyls of chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten in the vapor phase and in solution. A statistical analysis shows that most of the constants are not significantly different, at the 95% confidence level, among the three molecules and two phases. A brief discussion is given pointing out that many of the interaction compliance constants should be suitable for transfer to other metal carbonyls.
Investigation on micro-trench formation of alternating aperture phase shift masks

Phase Shift Masks (PSMs) have been widely used in the photomask industry for nowadays. Among several types of PSMs, Alternating Aperture PSM (AAPSM) allows for better resolution within other advantages. This paper deals with micro-trench formation during quartz etching. Micro-trench can produce distortion of the light intensity and lead unwanted results on wafer. Several experiments are performed with respective etch conditions; fluorine (F) gas species, gas flow rates, bias powers, and substrate temperatures while other conditions are fixed. Quartz etching is processed with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) system. Etched morphologies are observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and a surface profiler to select the best condition as functions of etch parameters. Results show that bias power is the most important factors to decide quartz surface morphologies. Finally, mask image is simulated by AIMS system under given condition.
Influence of Coolant Density on Turbine Blade Film-Cooling With Axial and Compound Shaped Holes

Adiabatic film-cooling effectiveness is examined systematically on a typical high pressure turbine blade by varying three critical flow parameters: coolant blowing ratio, coolant-to-mainstream density ratio, and freestream turbulence intensity. Three coolant density ratios 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 are chosen for this study. The average blowing ration and the turbulence intensity are 1.5% and 10.5%, respectively. Conduction-free pressure sensitive paint (PSP) technique is used to measure film-cooling effectiveness. Foreign gases are used to study the effect of coolant density. Two test blades feature axial angle and 45 deg compound-angle shaped holes on the suction side and pressure side. Both designs have 3 rows of 30 deg radial-angle cylindrical holes around the leading edge region. The inlet and the exit Mach number are 0.27 and 0.44, respectively. Reynolds number based on the exit velocity and blade axial chord length is 750,000. Overall, the compound angle design performs better film coverage that axial angle. Greater coolant-to-mainstream density ratio results in lower coolant-to-mainstream momentum and prevents coolant to lift-off.
Fgf signaling controls the telencephalic distribution of Fgf-expressing progenitors generated in the rostral patterning center.

The rostral patterning center (RPC) secretes multiple fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) essential for telencephalon growth and patterning. Fgf expression patterns suggest that they mark functionally distinct RPC subdomains. We generated Fgf8 CreER and Fgf17 CreER mice and used them to analyze the lineages of Fgf8- versus Fgf17-expressing RPC cells. Both lineages contributed to medial structures of the rostroventral telencephalon structures including the septum and medial prefrontral cortex. In addition, RPC-derived progenitors were observed in other regions of the early telencephalic neuroepithelium and generated neurons in the olfactory bulb, neocortex, and basal ganglia. Surprisingly, Fgf8+ RPC progenitors generated the majority of basal ganglia cholinergic neurons. Compared to the Fgf8 lineage, the Fgf17 lineage was more restricted in its early dispersion and its contributions to the telencephalon. Mutant studies suggested that Fgf8 and Fgf17 restrict spread of RPC progenitor subpopulations. We identified the RPC as an important source of progenitors that contribute broadly to the telencephalon and found that two molecularly distinct progenitor subtypes in the RPC make different contributions to the developing forebrain.
Vehicular communications 2500 feet underground

An underground communications system has been installed in Bethlehem Mines Corporation's Grace Iron Mine. The system provides communications for trackless vehicles and roving personnel without the requirement for a dispatcher. UHF/VHF repeaters are combined with coaxial "leaky-feeder" and twin-lead transmission line to form an operational and emergency communication network not previously found in mine communication systems. Key functions are evacuation alarming, personnel paging and communications with maintenance personnel and the underground ambulance.
Social Mobility and Kinship: A Reexamination of the Hypothesis

Two hypotheses relating occupational mobility to kinship involvement are examined: (1) the interaction hypothesis, which argues that the occupationally mobile, either upward or downward, have less involvement with their kin, and (2) the median hypothesis, which argues that occupational mobility has no uniformly depressing effect on kinship involvement but rather that kinship involvement is simply an additive function of the class of origin and the class of destination. The median hypothesis is supported. On the other hand, the interaction hypothesis is supported in the case of religious mobility. The implications of these different findings are explored.
Mental models of mirror-self-recognition: Two theories

Mirror-self-recognition is usually indicated by an organism's passing the mark test—that is, wiping a mark off its face upon observing its reflection in a mirror or on a video-screen. Two theories are presented to explain mirror-self-recognition. One theory relies upon the organism making an inductive (plausible but not necessary) inference utilizing (1) mature kinesthetic-visual matching and (2) understanding of mirror-correspondence. The other theory relies upon the organism making a deductive inference, and this theory states that necessary and sufficient conditions for mirror-self-recognition are (1) fully understanding object permanence, (2) understanding mirror-correspondence, and (3) objectifying body-parts. Both theories suggest that limited self-knowledge is required for mirror-self-recognition. Available evidence supports both theories to some degree. Organisms passing the mark test may not, however, be recognizing their own images: human infants passing the mark test also attempt to wipe a mark off their face upon observing another human with a mark on its face. Passing the mark test, then, may result solely from an organism's wondering if it is similar to other organisms in having a mark on its face, with the idea that it may be similar deriving from imitation via kinesthetic-visual matching. Self-recognition is variable in different species and during human ontogeny, such that variable explanations may be required for different species and at different ages. Humans appear unique in using mirrors to create an image of themselves to conform to others' desires concerning their appearance, thereby exhibiting a “reflective self-awareness” which incorporates their awareness of another's perspective into their own self-awareness.
NMR Studies of Structure-Reactivity Relationships in Carbonyl Reduction: A Collaborative Advanced Laboratory Experiment.

An upper-division laboratory project has been developed as a collaborative investigation of a reaction routinely taught in organic chemistry courses: the reduction of carbonyl compounds by borohydride reagents. Determination of several trends regarding structure–activity relationship was possible because each student contributed his or her results to an overall data set in a situation similar to a research environment. The students learned to use 1H NMR techniques for in situ kinetic determinations and collaborated with classmates to develop a complete theory for structure–activity effects in the kinetics of this fundamental organic reaction.
Storytelling: An Informal Mechanism of Accountability for Voluntary Organizations

Using observations, interviews, and archival research of an organization that coordinates the annual Burning Man event, I argue that storytelling is a mechanism by which stakeholders can demand acc...
Mitosis-specific monoclonal antibodies block cleavage in amphibian embryos.

By microinjecting monoclonal antibodies that bind specifically to mitotic and meiotic cells of a variety of species, we studied the biological ac-tivity of antigens recognized by these antibodies. The antibodies recognize a family of phosphoprotein antigens that are found throughout the cytoplasm of mitotic cells and particularly at microtubule organizing centers, including centrosomes and kinetochores. Their binding is dependent on phosphorylation of the polypeptides. Immunoglobulins were introduced into Xenopus laevis and Rana pipiens oocytes or cleaving embryos using glass micropipettes. The ability of the antibody-injected oocytes to undergo mitosis or meiosis was compared with those injected with control mouse immunoglobulins. The antibodies failed to block chromosome condensation and germinal vesicle breakdown in pro-gesterone-treated oocytes. However, functional mitotic spindles were not assembled in cleavage stage frog embryos injected with antibodies. In vitro, the binding of the antibodies to the antigens inhibited the dephosphorylation of the antigens by alkaline phosphatase. The antibody binding to the activated microtubule organizing centers (MTOC) seems to block not only the nucleation of microtubules and the organization of the mitotic spindle, but also the dephosphorylation of proteins associated with the MTOC that normally occurs at the mitosis-G1 transition.
Changing Places: Conjugal Careers and Women's Marital Mobility

This paper investigates the relationship between the socioeconomic status of successive husbands for two national [U.S.] samples of women who married two or more times. Data are from a sample of 743 women included in the National Longitudinal Survey of Mature Women and 413 younger women from the National Longitudinal Survey of Young Women of 1967 who were followed up after remarriage in 1978. "Socioeconomic homogamy as indicated by the educational attainment and occupational status of spouses is quite similar in first and second marriages for both cohorts. On average the socioeconomic standing of husbands in subsequent marriages is about equal to those in previous marriages when one adjusts for the career trajectories of the men involved. Socioeconomic variables timing and the presence of children all influence the chances of finding an accomplished second husband. The implications of these findings for the welfare of children of disrupted families and for future trends in the socioeconomic homogamy are discussed." (EXCERPT)
Stress Management: How Cells Take Control of Their Transposons

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Dai et al. (2007) describe their exciting discovery that, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the integrase of retrotransposon Ty5 is phosphorylated, and this modification stabilizes the interaction between integrase and Sir4p that directs integration to heterochromatin.
P1-S4.34 Can RDS be used to recruit unbiased samples from the same population with repeated sampling?

Background Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) is a modified snowball sampling method that allows for recruitment of a probability sample, even when we cannot enumerate the population of interest. The National HIV Behavioural Surveillance project, designed to assess trends in risky behaviours, used RDS to recruit injection drug users (IDU) and heterosexuals at high risk of HIV infection (HET). In order to examine changes in behaviours over time, the sampling method must recruit homogeneous populations, so that observed differences across cycles can be attributed to changes in behaviour, rather than to errors in recruitment. This analysis was designed to determine if crude and adjusted measures within and between the IDU and HET cycles, are homogeneous on basic demographic characteristics. Our goal to assess if the samples may be considered to be from the same target population. Methods Data are from the Houston Texas site of NHBS-IDU 1 and 2 (2005, 2009), and HET 1 and 2 (2006, 2010). Adjusted population prevalence estimates are calculated using RDSAT, adjusting for design effect and sampling characteristics. Estimates were compared using the Mantel Haenszel test for heterogeneity. Results Comparing IDU1 to IDU2, we found similar population estimates (p for heterogeneity >0.05) for age 40–49 years; Black race; had current health insurance; and currently homeless. The populations differed (p for heterogeneity Conclusion Using RDS to assess behaviour changes over time will be difficult if the study samples do not represent a fixed population. We looked at variables we thought would be stable over the two cycles and were surprised to find instability. With these differences, we cannot attribute the observed changes in risky behaviour solely to prevention efforts that occurred between the surveillance cycles. However, RDS remains an exceedingly easy and efficient sampling method and with appropriate multivariable analysis techniques can be used with repeated samples over time.
What More in the Name of God?: Theologies and Theodicies of Faith Healing

The recent deaths of two children from parental decisions to rely on faith healing rather than medical treatment raises fundamental questions about the extent and limits of religious liberty in a liberal democratic society. This es- say seeks to identify and critically examine three central issues internal to the ethics of religious communities that engage in faith healing regarding children: (1) the various forms of religious and nonreligious justification for faith healing; (2) the moral, institutional, or metaphysical wrong of medical practice from the perspectives of faith-healing communities; (3) the explanation or "theodicy" articulated by the religious community when faith healing does not occur and a child dies. The essay finds that the holding in Prince v. Massachusetts that parents with religious convictions cannot enforce martyrdom on their children presents a guiding principle for medicine and public policy. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (Epistle of James 5:14-15).
Hydrothermal alteration in the Valles caldera ring fracture zone and core hole VC-1: evidence for multiple hydrothermal systems

Two types of hydrothermal mineral assemblages, kaolinite-alunite and sericite-chlorite were recognized in outcrop and core samples from the Jemez volcanic field, New Mexico. Active and fossil acid-sulfate hydrothermal activity, producing kaolinite-alunite alteration occurs along the caldera ring fracture and within the resurgent dome, whereas alterations of the chlorite-sericite type are mostly confined to subsurface rocks. K/Ar dates on illitic clays (<2 μm, 2-0.25 μm and <0.25 μm) separated from hydrothermally altered samples are used to document hydrothermal episodes in pre-caldera rocks of the Jemez volcanic field. The clay separates are illitic (75–95% illite layers) with K2O contents of 8.24–8.95% in the core samples and 4.22–6.67% in the outcrops. Three episodes of hydrothermal alteration are now recognized in the Jemez Mountains region based on K/Ar age dates of illites. The earliest event (≤17-11 Ma, n=4) occurred within altered and illite-rich (≥90% illite layers) lowermost Paleozoic rocks in core hole VC-1 and may correlate with the inception of volcanism in the Jemez region (≤16.5 Ma). Illitic clays from altered andesite and rhyolite from the topographic rim of the Valles caldera were dated at 8.2 and 6.96 Ma, suggesting that a hydrothermal event related to the waning stages of the Keres Group volcanism (13-5.8 Ma) was responsible for the alteration. These dates overlap minimum ages obtained on slightly altered basalt (8.05 Ma) and andesite lava (7.07 Ma) from the southern and northwestern topographic rim of the Valles caldera, respectively. Ages of 1.21 and 1.34 Ma from illite-rich (≥90% illite layers), hydrothermally altered Paleozoic sandstone at a depth of 479 m in VC-1 suggest hydrothermal activity contemporaneous with the formation of the Toledo (1.45 Ma) and Valles (1.12 Ma) calderas. Ore minerals of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, barite, and molybdenite mineralization occur in the lower half of VC-1 and are related to the Toledo and Valles caldera-forming eruptions.
A new species of Prodiplosis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) found in leaf curls on Populus deltoides.

Prodiplosis morrisi , which causes leaf curls on cottonwood, is described and illustrated from material collected in Mississippi; leaf damage typical of this species has been observed also in Washington, D. C. The genus Prodiplosis Felt, 1908, is discussed. P. fitchii Felt, 1912, is transferred to Contarinia and a lectotype is designated for it.
Don't Take Unnecessary Chances!

The dominant argument for the introduction ofpropensities or chances as an interpretation of probabilitydepends on the difficulty of accounting for single caseprobabilities. We argue that in almost all cases, the``single case'' application of probability can be accountedfor otherwise. ``Propensities'' are needed only intheoretical contexts, and even there applications ofprobability need only depend on propensities indirectly.
Molecular mechanisms of estrogen actions on the vasculature

In summary, clinical and animal studies demonstrate that the effects of estrogen in the cardiovascular system protect against the development of histologic and clinical atherosclerosis. However, because estrogen affects so many cellular processes (Figure 4), there are many known adverse effects, including oncogenic and potential negative consequences on the vasculature, including procoagulant and plaque-destabilizing effects. Selective estrogen receptor modulators may allow us to target specific pathways that selectively and favorably effect beneficial responses. However, we must first gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which estrogen induces cellular signals, both genomic and nongenomic, before we can take full advantage of selective estrogen receptor modulators. As our ability to selectively modulate vascular responses to injury improves, it will be imperative that we have the ability to assess vascular structure, function and pathology with more practical, logistically accessible and biologically targeted approaches than those currently available. Such tools will allow us to test a broad spectrum of agents aimed at pharmacologic therapy for vascular disease.
State Standards: Authenticity vs. Diversity

This article reviews problems associated with the current movement to use National Standards and Performance Assessment to reform education. The characteristics of standards, as they are currently being employed, are discussed. In addition, issues related to measurement, reliability and validity are reviewed. The impact of the Standards on students with disabilities is also discussed. The article ends with an expression of concern that the emphasis on performance accountability may spawn a new wave of speculation about the potential of some students to learn.
Comparison of Species Composition and Richness of Fish Assemblages in Altered and Unaltered Littoral Habitats

ABSTRACT Species composition and richness of fish assemblages in altered and unaltered littoral habitats in Lake St. Clair, Michigan, differed between areas. A percid-cyprinid-cyprinodontid assemblage dominated in the unaltered area, Muscamoot Bay, which has a natural shoreline (with almost no alteration due to dredging or bulkheading), high water quality, and high species richness of aquatic macrophytes. A centrarchid assemblage dominated in the altered area, Belvidere Bay, which has a bulkheaded shoreline, many dredged areas, reduced water quality due to inputs of nutrients from a nearby river, and relatively low species richness of aquatic macrophytes. Habitat factors, species richness and abundance of aquatic macrophytes, had the most influence on fish community structure in both areas. The percid-cyprinid-cyprinodontid assemblage was significantly correlated with six species of macrophytes whereas the centrarchid assemblage was significantly correlated with only four. These patterns suggested that pr...
INTERMITTENT TESTICULAR TORSION IN A 58-YEAR-OLD MAN

Intermittent testicular torsion is a commonly reported event in the pediatric and adolescent population but is rare in adults. To ourknowledge only 1 case of inter mittent testiculartor sion has previously been reported in a man older than 50 years. CASE REPORT A 58-year-old male presented with acute onset of left scrotal pain and swelling several hours in duration. The patient reported a vague history of similar symptoms occurring for short periods during the last several years. He denied any history of trauma, epididymitis, inguinal hernia or hydrocele. On evaluation the pain had subsided significantly. Physical examination was remarkable for left scrotal swelling. The testes were palpable within the scrotum, and were smooth and of normal lie bilaterally. The left testis was mildly tender to palpation. Spermatic cord structures were normal bilaterally. The cremasteric reflex was intact bilaterally. Initial scrotal ultrasound with Doppler flow revealed normal blood flow to both testes (fig. 1). Testicularpain wor sened within 3 hours. Scrotal ultrasound was repeated, demonstrating minimal flow to the left testicle, consistent with torsion of the spermatic cord (fig. 2). Scrotal exploration showed the left testis was torsed 360 degrees. After detorsion the testicle appeared viable. Bilateral orchiopexy was performed. Pain resolved postoperatively. At followup the patient had not experienced any further episodes of scrotal pain, and both testes were normal by palpation. DISCUSSION Intermittent testicular torsion should be included in the differential diagnosis for adult patients presenting with acute onset of scrotal pain, particularly with a history of episodic pain interspersed with long asymptomatic periods. On physical examination the patient may have eitherhor izontal orvertical testicularlie, with variable pain and swelling. The patient may be entirely pain-free.1 The testis may be hypermobile with a more anteriorly located epididymis.2 Bulkiness of the spermatic cord and inflammation of the epididymis may be present secondary to partial or recent torsion.2 Testicular sonography is helpful in confirming the diagnosis, with a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 98%.2 In adults with suspected intermittent torsion ultrasound with Doppler flow is particularly useful when observing the patient in whom pain has temporarily subsided. At scrotal exploration a bell clapper deformity may be present.1 As is the case in the pediatric population, intermittent testicular torsion may be treated temporarily with manual detorsion but definitive therapy with bilateral orchiopexy is mandatory to prevent recurrence and permanent testicular damage. While the most common causes of acute scrotal pain in this age group do not include testicular torsion, our case illustrates that intermittent testicular torsion should be considered as a possible cause.
Re: Urethral Rest: Role and Rationale in Preparation for Anterior Urethroplasty

Objectives To report the outcomes of men treated initially with a period of urethral rest to allow tissue recovery before anterior urethroplasty. Many men referred to referral centers for anterior urethral reconstruction often present soon after the endoscopic manipulation of severe strictures. Methods We reviewed our database of all anterior urethroplasties performed by a single surgeon from 2007 to 2009. Urethral rest was accomplished by removal of the indwelling catheter, cessation of self-catheterization, and/or suprapubic urinary diversion before urethral reconstruction. Results During the study period, 210 patients underwent urethral reconstruction at our center. Men who had undergone meatoplasty or posterior urethroplasty were excluded, leaving 128 anterior urethroplasty patients available for analysis. Of these men, 28 (21%) were preoperatively given an initial period of urethral rest (median duration 3 months) because of recent urologic manipulation occurring immediately before referral. Of the 28 patients, 15 (54%) received suprapubic catheters. Urethral rest promoted identification of severely fibrotic stricture segments, enabling focal or complete excision in 75% (excision and primary anastomosis in 12 [43%] and augmented anastomosis in 9 [32%]), a percentage similar to that for those undergoing reconstruction without preliminary manipulation mandating urethral rest (82%). Stricture recurrence developed in 4 (14%) of the 28 rest patients, a rate again similar to that for the remainder of the urethroplasty population (10%). Conclusions The results of our study have shown that recently manipulated anterior urethral strictures often declare themselves to be obliterative within several months of urethral rest, thus enabling successful urethroplasty by focal or complete excision.
Synthesis of anti-inflammatory α-and β-linked acetamidopyranosides as inhibitors of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)

The low-molecular weight isopropyl 2-acetamido-α-glucoside 16 (C34) inhibits toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in enterocytes and macrophages in vitro, and reduces systemic inflammation in mouse models of endotoxemia and necrotizing enterocolitis. We used a copper(II)-mediated solvolysis of anomeric oxazolines and an acid-mediated conversion of β-glucosamine and β-galactosamine pentaacetates to generate analogs of 16 at the anomeric carbon and at C-4 of the pyranose ring. These compounds were evaluated for their influence on TLR4-mediated inflammatory signaling in cultured enterocytes and monocytes. Their efficacy was confirmed using a NF-kB-luciferase reporter mouse, thus establishing the first structure-activity relationship (SAR) study in this series and identifying the more efficacious isopropyl 2-acetamido-α-galactoside 17.
Involvement of cholinergic mechanisms in the behavioral effects of dietary fat consumption.

Clinical reports suggest a positive association between fat consumption and the incidence of hyperactivity, impulsivity and cognitive abnormalities. To investigate possible mechanisms underlying these disturbances under short-term conditions, we examined in Sprague-Dawley rats the influence of 7-day consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) compared to chow on anxiety, novelty-seeking and exploratory behaviors and also on acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmission that may mediate these behaviors. The HFD consumption, which elevated circulating fatty acids but produced no change in caloric intake or body weight, stimulated novelty-seeking and exploration in an open field, while reducing anxiety in an elevated plus maze. Using the Ellman assay to measure ACh esterase (AChE) activity that breaks down ACh, the second experiment showed HFD consumption to significantly reduce AChE activity in the frontal cortex, hypothalamus and midbrain. With measurements of [125I]-epibatidine or [125I]-bungarotoxin binding to nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) containing β2 or α7 subunits, respectively, the results also showed HFD consumption to increase both β2-nAChR binding in the medial prefrontal cortex and substantia nigra and α7-nAChR binding in the lateral and ventromedial hypothalamus. When treated with an acute dose of the nicotinic antagonist, mecamylamine (0.5 mg/kg, sc), the HFD animals responded with significantly reduced exploratory and novelty-seeking behaviors, whereas the chow-consuming rats exhibited no response. These findings suggest that the exploratory and novelty-seeking behaviors induced by dietary fat may be mediated by enhanced nicotinic cholinergic activity, which is accompanied by increased density of β2-nAChRs in cortical and midbrain regions associated with impulsivity and locomotor activity and of α7-nAChRs in hypothalamic regions associated with arousal and energy balance.
Error Diagnosis and Compensation Using Kinematic Models and Position Error Data

Abstract A method is described in this paper for obtaining values of coefficients in a kinematic model can be developed Next, the kinematic modal is fitted to position data. Then, coefficients of the model are analyzed so that a diagnosis of the source of errors in the mechanism can be made The results can be used for mechanical or software error correction of machine tools, robots, linkages in sensing mechanisms, etc.
Temporal Regulation of Shaker - and Shab -Like Potassium Channel Gene Expression in Single Embryonic Spinal Neurons during K+ Current Development

A developmental increase in density of delayed rectifier potassium current ( I Kv) in embryonic Xenopus spinal neurons shortens action potential durations and limits calcium influx governing neuronal differentiation. Although previous work demonstrates that maturation of I Kv depends on general mRNA synthesis, it is not known whether increases in K+ channel gene transcripts direct maturation of the current. Accordingly, the developmental appearance of specific Kv potassium channel genes was determined using single-cell reverse transcription-PCR techniques after whole-cell recording of I Kv during the period of its development. Detection of a coexpressed housekeeping gene along with the potassium channel gene controlled for successful aspiration of cellular mRNA and allowed scoring of cells in which Kv gene transcripts were not detected. Diverse types of Xenopus spinal neurons exhibit homogenous development of I Kv both in vivo and in culture. In contrast, transcripts of two genes encoding delayed rectifier current, Kv1.1 ( Shaker ) and Kv2.2 ( Shab ), are expressed heterogeneously during the period in which the current develops. Kv1.1 mRNA achieves maximal appearance in ∼30% of cells, while I Kv is immature; Kv2.2 mRNA appears later in ∼60% of mature neurons. Kv1.1 and 2.2 are thus candidates for generation of I Kv, and spinal neurons are a heterogeneous population with respect to potassium channel gene expression. Moreover, correlation of gene expression with current properties shows that neurons lacking Kv2.2 have a characteristic voltage dependence of activation of I Kv.
Stability of Vanadium Electrolytes in the Vanadium Redox Flow Battery

The stability of the negative electrode electrolyte affects the efficiency and capacity of energy storage in the vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) system. To explore the stability of vanadium electrolytes, the study prepared five types of V(II) electrolytes that were exposed to air in a fixed open area and monitored the charge state of vanadium ions over time by UV/Visible spectrophotometer. This study succeeded in preparing pure V(II) electrolytes. Five characteristics are found in the UV/Visible spectra, respectively, during the oxidation process from V(II) electrolytes to V(III) electrolytes and V(III) electrolytes to V(IV) electrolytes. The experimental results show that the oxidation rate of a solution of 1 M V(II) electrolytes to V(III) electrolytes and 1 M V(III) electrolytes to V(IV) electrolytes under an atmosphere of air is 4.79 and 0.0089 mol/h per square meter. The oxidation rates of 0.05-1 M V(II) electrolytes to V(III) electrolytes are approximately 96-538 times than that of V(III) electrolytes to V(IV) electrolytes.
Comparison of Singular Value Decomposition and Principal Component Analysis applied to Hyperspectral Imaging of biofilm

Different degrees of bacterial attachment to various surface morphologies observed by Hyperspectral Imaging Method are studied. Fore-ground and back-ground distinction performed by Singular Value Decomposition and Principal Component Analysis is also discussed.