cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Devonian Paleogeography and Paleoenvironments in Northern Arizona: ABSTRACT

Devonian strata in the northern half of Arizona are mostly early Upper Devonian (Frasnian) carbonate rocks up to 160 m thick but include some terrigenous clastics of latest Middle Devonian (Givetian) and Frasnian age. Devonian sediments were deposited on a shallow-marine cratonic platform bordered by the Defiance lowland area to the east and by the continental shelf adjacent to the Cordilleran geosynclinal belt to the west. The Beckers Butte Member of the Martin Formation accumulated as fluvial to subtidal sands in a small embayment End_Page 676------------------------------ southwest of the Defiance area during latest Givetian or earliest Frasnian time. In early Frasnian time, the Aneth Formation and unit 1 of the Jerome Member, Martin Formation, were deposited as fine-grained intertidal carbonates in northeastern and central Arizona, while the lower Temple Butte Formation carbonates formed in a more open circulation subtidal marine environment in northwestern Arizona. Between these two areas the Marble Canyon-eastern Grand Canyon area was a positive feature (here called the Grand Canyon shelf) that remained very near sea level and received little or no sediment. By late Frasnian time depositional environments in northeastern Arizona had changed from intertidal-supratidal conditions to those of a shallow subtidal sea with restricted circulation in the east (the Elbert Formation pelleted carbonate rocks) and more open-marine circulation toward the south and west (the fossiliferous carbonate rocks of the upper Jerome Member and western Temple Butte Formation). The Grand Canyon shelf received carbonate sediments in intertidal channels and on a shallow subtidal platform to form the thin Temple Butte Formation. End_of_Article - Last_Page 677------------
Reinstatement of methamphetamine seeking in male and female rats treated with modafinil and allopregnanolone

Abstract Background Sex differences in methamphetamine (METH) use (females > males) have been demonstrated in clinical and preclinical studies. This experiment investigated the effect of sex on the reinstatement of METH-seeking behavior in rats and determined whether pharmacological interventions for METH-seeking vary by sex. Treatment drugs were modafinil (MOD), an analeptic, and allopregnanolone (ALLO), a neuroactive steroid and progesterone metabolite. Method Male and female rats were trained to self-administer i.v. infusions of METH (0.05 mg/kg/infusion). Next, rats self-administered METH for a 10-day maintenance period. METH was then replaced with saline, and rats extinguished lever-pressing behavior over 18 days. A multi-component reinstatement procedure followed whereby priming injections of METH (1 mg/kg) were administered at the start of each daily session, preceded 30 min by MOD (128 mg/kg, i.p.), ALLO (15 mg/kg, s.c.), or vehicle treatment. MOD was also administered at the onset of the session to determine if it would induce the reinstatement of METH-seeking behavior. Results Female rats had greater METH-induced reinstatement responding compared to male rats following control treatment injections. MOD (compared to the DMSO control) attenuated METH-seeking behavior in male and female rats; however, ALLO only reduced METH-primed responding in females. MOD alone did not induce the reinstatement of METH-seeking behavior. Conclusions These results support previous findings that females are more susceptible to stimulant abuse compared to males, and ALLO effectively reduced METH-primed reinstatement in females. Further, results illustrate the utility of MOD as a potential agent for prevention of relapse to METH use in both males and females.
Modeling secondary health conditions in adults aging with physical disability

Objectives: To test a conceptual model of secondary health conditions, age, and function in persons aging with long-term physical disabilities. Methods: Surveys were collected from 1,862 adults with spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disease, multiple sclerosis, or post-polio syndrome. Structural equation modeling was used to build a model describing relationships among physical and psychosocial secondary health conditions, pain, functional impairments, chronic medical conditions, and age. Results: In total, 12 individual symptom or function domains (latent factors) were identified, grouped into 5 broader factors. Increasing age was associated with greater rates of physical and health problems and poorer function, and showed curvilinear relationships with pain and psychosocial difficulties. Discussion: These data support a biopsychosocial model of secondary health conditions in adults aging with physical disability and suggest a five-factor approach for conceptualizing secondary conditions and their impact...
GENERAL JAMES MURRAY'S MAP OF THE ST LAWRENCE

The writer describes the survey of the St. Lawrence River prepared under General James Murray following the British conquest of Canada. A bitter rivalry between the brilliant engineers Samuel Holland and John Montresor kept affairs in constant turmoil while William Spry did his utmost to gain recognition at Murray's expense. Perversities of man and nature notwithstanding, the finished copies display exceptional craftsmanship and beauty combined with a thorough examination of the land and its people. One knows at a glance such details as ownership; population, mills and history. Each copy is a manuscript measuring approximately 45 x 36 feet and occurs either in as few as four sheets or as many as 63 individually drawn ones. The former version may well be the basic pattern intended for official use whereas the more portable type was better suited for display. L'auteur decrit les leves du fleuve Saint-Laurent effectues sous la direction du general James Murray apres la Conquete. Une puissante rivalite entre ...
Managed care and patient ratings of the quality of specialty care among patients with pain or depressive symptoms

Background Managed care efforts to regulate access to specialists and reduce costs may lower quality of care. Few studies have examined whether managed care is associated with patient perceptions of the quality of care provided by physician and non-physician specialists. Aim is to determine whether associations exist between managed care controls and patient ratings of the quality of specialty care among primary care patients with pain and depressive symptoms who received specialty care for those conditions.
Social science research and the crafting of policy on population resettlement

This article explores the obliviousness syndrome—how research relevant for practice is ignored—and the premises for overcoming this syndrome. It analyzes how and why a certain body of social science concepts and research findings, generated through decades of field study, had been long abandoned “on the shelf,” ignored and unused in relevant policies and programs. This body of knowledge became influentiial only after being incorporated into the policy of an international organization. In turn, the organization and its policy became more effective in that field once this long discounted knowledge was absorbed. The article discusses the cognitive dissonance displayed by governments and development agenciesvis-a-vis relevant research findings, and how such dissonance inhibits the natural flow of knowledge supply and demand. It also describes how an organization’s culture and habits of knowledge-rejection or knowledge-absorption can be changed. The author explores some key methodological and epistemological issues of translating theory and research findings into policy prescriptions and germane implementation procedures.
Dose response of sodium nitrite on vasoactivity associated with HBOC-201 in a swine model of controlled hemorrhage.

AbstractSodium nitrite (NaNO2) was evaluated in a 55% EBV hemorrhage swine model to mitigate the increased blood pressure due to HBOC-201. Animals were resuscitated by three 10ml/kg infusions of either HBOC-201 or Hextend with and without NaNO2. All vital signs, coagulation and blood chemistry were measured for 2hr. HBOC-201-vasoconstriction was attenuated only after the first 10.8μmol/kg NaNO2 infusion. Complete abolition was obtained with the highest 3 NaNO2 dose, but side effects were observed. There was no reduction in platelet function due to NaNO2. NaNO2 ability to reduce HBOC-201 vasoactivity was transient and 10.8μmol/kg NaNO2 seems an acceptable dose for further investigation.
Improved Bevatron Local Injector Ion Source Performance

Performance tests of the improved Bevatron Local Injector PIG Ion Source using particles of Si 4+, Ne 3+, and He 2+ are described. Initial measurements of the 8.4 keV/nucleon Si 4+ beam show an intensity of 100 particle microamperes with a normalized emittance of .06 ? cm-mrad. A low energy beam transport line provides mass analysis, diagnostics, and matching into a 200 MHz RFQ linac. The RFQ accelerates the beam from 8.4 to 200 keV/nucleon. The injector is unusual in the sense that all ion source power supplies, the A.C. distribution network, vacuum control equipment, and computer control system are contained in a four bay rack mounted on insulators which is located on a floor immediately above the ion source. The rack, transmission line, and the ion source housing are raised by a D.C. power supply to 80 kilovolts above earth ground. All power supplies, which are referenced to rack ground, are modular in construction and easily removable for maintenance. A.C. power is delivered to the rack via a 21 kVA, 3-phase transformer.
Parallel Adaptive Finite Element Euler Flow Solver for Rotary Wing Aerodynamics

We discuss the development of a code for the automated reliable numerical simulation of rotor aerodynamics. The code performs all the stages of the analysis-finite element solution, error indication, mesh adaptation-in a parallel multiple-instruction/multiple-data environment making use of efficient scalable parallel algorithms. The main features of all the building blocks of the implemented approach are detailed and discussed. The capabilities and performance characteristics of the parallel automated adaptive procedure are demonstrated with regard to subsonic and transonic compressible flow problems. In particular, different hovering rotor problems are analyzed.
Structural and Biophysical Characterization of the GAF Domains from Phosphodiesterases 5 and 6

Phosphodiesterases 5 and 6 control the intracellular levels of cGMP through hydrolysis. The catalytic domains of both proteins are regulated by allosteric binding of cGMP to the N-terminal GAF domain (GAF A) of a tandem pair. We present the atomically detailed structures of both cGMP-bound GAF A domains as determined by NMR (PDE5A) and x-ray crystallography (PDE6C). Each domain adopts a conserved overall fold with well-defined cGMP binding pockets. However, the nucleotide coordination is distinct with a series of altered binding contacts. Nucleotide binding specificity is provided in each by the orientation of an Asp/Asn residue that is within hydrogen bond distance of the guanine ring. In PDE5A, a D196A mutation disrupts cGMP binding and increases cAMP affinity causing an altered cAMP-bound structural conformation in constructs containing only GAF A. NMR studies reveal that both GAF domains undergo significant cGMP-dependent conformational changes. In PDE5A, GAF B stabilizes the highly dynamic multi-state apo GAF A domain, presumably via direct interaction. In contrast, cGMP-free GAF A from PDE6C is more defined and in a single “open” state with flexible elements. Biophysical characterization of the GAF domains by Circular Dichroism and Analytical Ultracentrifugation further underlines the difference between the two PDEs. The structural features of the GAF domains from PDE5 and PDE6 revealed here provide a basis for future investigations of the regulatory mechanism of both PDEs and the design of GAF-specific small molecule inhibitors of PDE function.
Conformal and confocal mantle cloaking of elliptical cylinders using sub-wavelength metallic meshes and patches

In this paper, we present a conformal mantle cloak design in order to realize the invisibility of dielectric and conducting elliptical cylinders using 2-D sub-wavelength metallic meshes and patches. Although the electromagnetic wave scattering of an elliptical cylinder is pertinent to the angle of incidence, it is shown that the cloak design is robust for any incident angle. The scattering behavior of the cloaked objects is analyzed by expressing the incident and scattered fields in terms of radial and angular Mathieu functions and applying sheet impedance boundary conditions at the interface of the sub-wavelength elements.
Temporal changes as event boundaries: Processing and memory consequences of narrative time shifts

Readers comprehend narrative texts by constructing a series of mental models of the situations described in the text. These models are updated when readers encounter information indicating that the current model is no longer relevant, such as a change in narrative time. The results of four experiments suggest that readers perceive temporal changes in narrative texts as event boundaries, and that when a temporal change is encountered during reading, readers are slower and less able to accurately retrieve prior information from memory. However, the slower responses following temporal changes may be due to processing costs associated with the temporal change, rather than decreased availability in memory. The results of these experiments suggest that readers may use event boundaries as a means for controlling the contents of memory.
A transcriptional regulator and ABC transporters link stress tolerance, (p)ppGpp, and genetic competence in Streptococcus mutans.

ABSTRACT Streptococcus mutans , a primary agent of dental caries, has three (p)ppGpp synthases: RelA, which is required for a mupirocin-induced stringent response; RelP, which produces (p)ppGpp during exponential growth and is regulated by the RelRS two-component system; and RelQ. Transcription of relPRS and a gene cluster ( SMu0835 to SMu0837 ) located immediately upstream was activated in cells grown with aeration and during a stringent response, respectively. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that SMu0836 and SMu0837 encode ABC exporters, which we designated rcrPQ (r el c ompetence- r elated) genes, respectively. SMu0835 ( rcrR ) encodes a MarR family transcriptional regulator. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that RcrR functions as an autogenous negative regulator of the expression of the rcrRPQ operon. A mutant in which a polar insertion replaced the SMu836 gene (Δ 836polar ) grew more slowly and had final yields that were lower than those of the wild-type strain. Likewise, the Δ 836polar strain had an impaired capacity to form biofilms, grew poorly at pH 5.5, and was more sensitive to oxidative stressors. Optimal expression of rcrPQ required RelP and vice versa. Replacement of rcrR with a nonpolar antibiotic resistance marker (Δ 835np ), which leads to overexpression of rcrPQ , yielded a strain that was not transformable with exogenous DNA. Transcriptional analysis revealed that the expression of comYA and comX was dramatically altered in the Δ 835np and Δ 836polar mutants. Collectively, the data support the suggestion that the rcrRPQ gene products play a critical role in physiologic homeostasis and stress tolerance by linking (p)ppGpp metabolism, acid and oxidative stress tolerance, and genetic competence.
Cultural Cognitive Style and Web Design: beyond a Behavioral Inquiry into Computer-Mediated Communication

Numerous studies have identified links among culture, user preferences, and Web site usability. Most of these studies were reports of findings from a behavioral perspective in explaining how cultural factors affect processes of Web-related content design and use. Based on the research of Vygotsky and Nisbett, the authors propose a broader model, referred to as ‘‘cultural cognition theory,’’ by which Web design, like other types of information production, is seen as being shaped by cultural cognitive processes that impact the designers’ cognitive style. This study explores issues related to Web designers’ cultural cognitive styles and their impact on user responses. The results of an online experiment that exposed American 1 and Chinese users to sites created by both Chinese and American designers indicate that users perform information-seeking tasks faster when using Web content created by designers from their own cultures.
Quality Randomized Clinical Trials of Topical Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing Agents.

Significance: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) significantly add to global economic, social, and clinical burdens. Healing a DFU fast and well limits complications that can lead to lower extremity amputation, morbidity, and mortality. Recent Advances: Many promising topical DFU healing agents have been studied in randomized clinical trials (RCT), but only one, becaplermin, has been cleared for this use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Critical Issues: This critical review of DFU topical healing RCTs summarizes issues identified in their design and conduct, highlighting ways to improve study quality so researchers can increase the likelihood of RCT success in propelling effective topical DFU healing agents toward clinical use. Key issues include (1) inadequate sample size, (2) risk of bias, (3) irrelevant or unreported inclusion criteria, (4) substandard outcome measures, (5) unmatched group characteristics that predict nonhealing at baseline, (6) unequal or uncontrolled concurrent interv...
Non-mean-square error criteria

While in the engineering literature non-mean-square error criteria for predictors are often presented as physically significant and then shunted aside because of mathematical unmanageability, it is shown here that ia the case of Gaussian processes all such criteria given ia three recent textbooks yield the same predictor as the linear minimum mean-square predictor of Wiener.
Ideal free flight through multiple aircraft neighboring optimal control

The general term for any air traffic management concept that minimizes restrictions on aircraft operations while maintaining or improving upon the current level of safety is free flight. This paper proposes an ideal free night concept and develops a practical algorithm based on neighboring optimal control. The mathematical development is carried out for a two-aircraft conflict resolution scenario, followed by the presentation of a simulation example. The benefits of the resulting algorithm are that it approaches single-aircraft optimal guidance as the distance between aircraft increases, and it achieves optimal safe inter-aircraft separation while maintaining near-optimality under disturbances (e.g. initial condition and wind modeling errors).
Development of an infusible-grade solution for non-cryopreserved hematopoietic cell storage.

Background Various tissue culture medium formulations currently are used to transport, store and process stem and progenitor cells for transplantation, although these solutions are not manufactured for clinical use. Methods
A hybrid approach for compressive neural activity detection with functional MR images

In this paper, we present a framework for neural activity detection using fMRI data, based on both statistical data analysis (data-driven) and graphical information modeling (model-based). The data-driven approaches do rough prediction when an extraordinary amount of neural activities arise. By proper exploration of spatial, temporal, inter-subject correlations, the model-based approaches can provide more insights to details, and physiological meaning from high data volume, low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) fMRI measurements. Through temporal cluster analysis (TCA), matched filtering, linear predictive coding (LPC), and variational Bayesian Gaussian mixture modeling (VBGMM), the temporal fMRI signals are converted into event prototypes associated with three neural statuses: activation, deactivation, and normality. As a result, the high volume fMRI data generated from multiple subjects can be statistically modeled as coupled finite-state sequences. Based on the graphical-model representation, the neural activities captured through fMRI can be classified and detected at reduced computational cost. The whole framework consists of three components: 1) image enhancement, event prediction and capture; 2) event feature extraction and modeling; and 3) graphical model based Bayesian inference. The experiment results demonstrate the advantages of the proposed hybrid, compressive signal processing approach in terms of computational cost and robustness against inter-subject variability as well as various artifacts.
Roller coasters: a source of fun and tears

A previously fit 43-year-old man presented with sudden onset, severe, tearing intrascapular chest pain one day after visiting an amusement park where he had engaged in a number of high-speed rides. Examination was unremarkable apart from a prominent diastolic murmur; blood pressure was 144/61 mm Hg. There was biochemical evidence of acute renal failure and microscopic haematuria. His electrocardiogram showed non-specific infero-lateral T-wave changes. Urgent trans-thoracic echocardiography (figure 1) demonstrated evidence of a …
Triple-Doppler Analysis of a Discretely Propagating, Long-Lived, High Plains Squall Line

Abstract A nonsevere squall line that developed on 21 June 1993 along the northern foothills of the Colorado Rocky Mountains is analyzed using a series of triple-Doppler analyses. This squall line developed in a relatively dry environment characterized by weak low-level but strong upper-level vertical shear of the horizontal winds. The drier thermodynamic profile, as characterized by a higher lifting condensation level, and weak low-level shear resulted in convection forming not along, but rather 7–10 km behind the leading edge of the shallow cold pool. The strong upper-level shear established a predominantly leading anvil. This led to a suppression zone immediately ahead of the leading line, which in turn resulted in a discrete mode of propagation of the squall line. Three different cycles were observed: each cycle had a distinct line of convective cells that initiate, intensify, and then decay. In each case the new cells developed 20–40 km out ahead of the decaying line of the previous cycle. Many studi...
X-ray specular reflectivity of the 4He liquid-vapor interface

Abstract X-ray specular reflectivity measurements of a saturated film of helium absorbed onto an atomically flat silicon substrate have been made at several temperatures. The thickness of the film has been determined and some preliminary data on the structure of the 4 He liquid-vapor interface are reported.
Unpowered resonant wireless sensor nets for structural health monitoring

The primary objective of this work is the development of low-cost, wireless, unpowered, resonant sensor nets that can be used to monitor large areas in civil infrastructure systems. A critical new area of research relates to the coupling of individual sensors into a net to produce collective, crystal-like behavior, allowing large area coverage with high sensitivity to damage. We are investigating such collective phenomena in arrays of passive resonant sensors. The goal is to provide information about corrosion (or some other ldquotargetrdquo) anywhere within the sensor array. An electronic structural surveillance (ESS) net is formed from an array of inductively coupled, resonant sensors, such as those developed in our previous work. Here we present results showing the collective behavior of such a system that should lead to both larger areal coverage and more sensitive detection of small defects.
Rare plants are common where you find them

Broad patterns in distribution and abundance can elucidate processes of evolution. A positive association between local abundance and the size of the geographic range has been demonstrated for closely related species across many taxa. This pattern is usually explained by assuming that species with smaller ranges are ecologically inferior (e.g., poor competitors or dispersers). Many areas of high endemism support local species that have evolved recently. The distribution of these neoendemics may reflect historical processes not accounted for by ecological, equilibrium hypotheses. We asked whether such traditional macroecological hypotheses also applied to the local abundance of seven narrowly endemic species and ecologically similar widespread congeners in the northern Rocky Mountains. For each of the 14 species, we estimated abundance of five randomly chosen populations by counting plants in 10 randomly located plots. The association between range size and local abundance was not positive. Instead, all seven narrow endemics were more abundant than their widespread congeners. Ecological specialization or differences in dispersal ability are not likely explanations for our results. We believe the local abundance of narrowly endemic species may be a sign of recent speciation. Most or all of our narrowly distributed species have probably not yet had time to spread to their full potential. Furthermore, theory predicts that speciation is more likely to occur in locally abundant populations. Our results suggest that strictly ecological mechanisms cannot explain abundance and distribution in regions with high neoendemism.
DNA sequence changes of mutations altering attenuation control of the histidine operon of Salmonella typhimurium

Abstract The DNA sequence changes of 31 mutations altering the attenuation control mechanism of the histidine operon are presented. These mutations are discussed in terms of a model for operon regulation that involves a his leader peptide gene whose translation regulates formation of alternative stem-loop structures in the his leader messenger RNA. Three suppressible mutations generate nonsense codons (ochre and UGA) in the his leader peptide gene, demonstrating that translation of this gene is essential for operon expression. Eight mutations presumably reduce the efficiency of translation initiation of the his leader peptide gene, causing reduced levels of operon expression. Five of these mutations directly alter the leader peptide gene initiator codon (AUG). Three mutations alter sequences just in front of the initiator codon and presumably alter the ribosome recognition site. Fourteen mutations reduce the stability of the his leader mRNA stem-loop structures that are alternatives to the attenuator stem. The properties of these mutations provide support for the role of these stem-loop structures in preventing formation of the attenuator stem. Finally, we show that mutations that alter the attenuator stem suppress hisO mutations. This lends support to the proposal that these hisO mutations cause reduced levels of operon expression due to excessive attenuator stem formation. The properties of these 31 mutations provide substantial support for the model of his operon regulation described in this paper.
TRKing Signals Through the Golgi

The subcellular localization of transmembrane receptors and other signaling proteins has emerged as a key component in the regulation of the intensity and specificity of their activity. Recent research indicates that immature TrkA neurotrophin receptors are transactivated in the Golgi apparatus after stimulation of neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase–activating polypeptide PAC1 receptors or adenosine A 2A receptors. Transactivation occurs independently of the TrkA extracellular ligand, nerve growth factor (NGF), through a signaling pathway that is distinct from that used in the transactivation of other receptor tyrosine kinases and has consequences distinct from those elicited by NGF at the plasma membrane.
Pathologic quiz case: incidental brain masses in a 68-year-old woman.

68-year-old woman had spinal cord surgery for degenerative lumbar disc disease. During the workup, which included magnetic resonance imaging, two 1.2- to 1.4-cm nodules were discovered in the brain. Suspecting that the lesions were metastases, we obtained a chest radiograph, which revealed a 5.0-cm mass in the lower lobe of the right lung. A chest computed tomography scan confirmed that the lung contained a subpleural tumor. Transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the lung was performed. The aspirate contained malignant cells ar
Engineering Codes of Ethics and the Duty to Set a Moral Precedent

Each of the major engineering societies has its own code of ethics. Seven "common core" clauses and several code-specific clauses can be identified. The paper articulates objections to and rationales for two clauses that raise controversy: do engineers have a duty (a) to provide pro bono services and/or speak out on major issues, and (b) to associate only with reputable individuals and organizations? This latter "association clause" can be justified by the "proclamative principle," an alternative to Kant's universalizability requirement. At the heart of engineering codes of ethics, and implicit in what it is to be a moral agent, the "proclamative principle" asserts that one's life should proclaim one's moral stances (one's values, principles, perceptions, etc.). More specifically, it directs engineers to strive to insure that their actions, thoughts, and relationships be fit to offer to their communities as part of the body of moral precedents for how to be an engineer. Understanding codes of ethics as reflections of this principle casts light both on how to apply the codes and on the distinction between private and professional morality.
Larval Responses of Aphidophagous Lady Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Weevil Larvae versus Aphids as Prey

Adult and larval aphidophagous lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feed on alfalfa weevil larvae, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), and aphids in alfalfa fields. We studied the development of first and fourth instars of two lady beetle species ( Coccinella septempunctata L. and Harmonia axyridis Pallas) when provided live or dead weevil larvae versus pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris). No individuals of either species survived to the second stadium on a diet of weevils (dead or alive), whereas almost 100% of first instars of both species did so on a diet of aphids. Nearly all individuals of H. axyridis that were provided weevils (dead or alive) during the fourth stadium survived and subsequently completed pupation. However, these individuals weighed significantly less as newly molted adults than did conspecifics that had fed on aphids as fourth instars. Only 5% of fourth-instar C. septempunctata survived to adulthood when provided live weevils (versus 100% provided aphids), but 70% did so when provided dead weevils. Both first and fourth instars of both species attacked both dead and live weevil larvae much less readily than aphids, and were often deterred from persisting in the attack by the defensive wriggling of live weevil larvae (in contrast to their persistence and success in attacking aphids). Nevertheless, even first instars of the predators succeeded in some instances in overcoming weevil larvae, and proceeded to feed upon the prey for up to the maximum of 10 min of observation. Our results suggest that although weevil larvae are not very suitable as substitute prey for aphids for the larvae of C. septempunctata and H. axyridis, consumption of weevil larvae especially by older larvae of the predators (particularly H. axyridis) may enable them to complete development in alfalfa fields even when aphid populations fall to low levels.
Aortic dissection and DNA repair

24. Hendricks KB, Shanahan F, Lees E. Role for BRG1 in cell cycle control and tumor suppression. Mol Cell Biol. 2004;24:362-76. 25. Bai J, Mei PJ, Liu H, Li C, Li W, Wu YP, et al. BRG1 expression is increased in human glioma and controls glioma cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2012;138:991-8. 26. Roy N, Malik S, Villanueva KE, Urano A, Lu X, Von Figura G, et al. Brg1 promotes both tumor-suppressive and oncogenic activities at distinct stages of pancreatic cancer formation. Genes Dev. 2015;29:658-71. 27. Griffin CT, Brennan J, Magnuson T. The chromatin-remodeling enzyme BRG1 plays an essential role in primitive erythropoiesis and vascular development. Development. 2008;135:493-500. 28. Zhang QJ, Goddard M, Shanahan C, Shapiro L, Bennett M. Differential gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells in primary atherosclerosis and in stent stenosis in humans. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2002;22: 2030-6. 29. Mo Y, Midorikawa K, Zhang Z, Zhou X, Ma N, Huang G, et al. Promoter hypermethylation of Ras-related GTPase gene RRAD inactivates a tumor suppressor function in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Cancer Lett. 2012;323: 147-54.
Umbilical venous blood flow and its distribution before and during autonomic blockade in fetal lambs.

Abstract In nine chronically catheterized fetal lambs (120 to 135 days; term 147 days), umbilical venous blood flow and its distribution were measured by the radionuclide-labeled microsphere technique before and during autonomic blockade with atropine (0.20 to 0.25 mg/kg; seven studies) or phentolamine (0.10 to 0.12 mg/kg; six studies). Atropine significantly increased mean fetal heart rate (182 to 207 beats/min), descending aortic blood pressure (49 to 55 mm Hg), and umbilical venous blood flow (210 to 239 ml/min/kg fetus), without changing umbilical venous blood pressure. Phentolamine decreased mean descending aortic pressure (48 to 45 mm Hg), but did not affect heart rate, umbilical venous blood pressure, or umbilical venous blood flow. Neither atropine nor phentolamine altered the distribution of umbilical venous blood flow to the ductus venousus, the liver, or the other fetal organs. These data indicate that the cholinergic nervous system only indirectly affects the basal umbilical venous blood flow in the near-term fetal lamb. This effect is small and is secondary to associated changes in heart rate and arterial blood pressure. Neither the cholinergic nor the α-adrenergic systems influence the basal distribution of umbilical venous blood flow.
Seeing Minds in Others – Can Agents with Robotic Appearance Have Human-Like Preferences?

Ascribing mental states to non-human agents has been shown to increase their likeability and lead to better joint-task performance in human-robot interaction (HRI). However, it is currently unclear what physical features non-human agents need to possess in order to trigger mind attribution and whether different aspects of having a mind (e.g., feeling pain, being able to move) need different levels of human-likeness before they are readily ascribed to non-human agents. The current study addresses this issue by modeling how increasing the degree of human-like appearance (on a spectrum from mechanistic to humanoid to human) changes the likelihood by which mind is attributed towards non-human agents. We also test whether different internal states (e.g., being hungry, being alive) need different degrees of humanness before they are ascribed to non-human agents. The results suggest that the relationship between physical appearance and the degree to which mind is attributed to non-human agents is best described as a two-linear model with no change in mind attribution on the spectrum from mechanistic to humanoid robot, but a significant increase in mind attribution as soon as human features are included in the image. There seems to be a qualitative difference in the perception of mindful versus mindless agents given that increasing human-like appearance alone does not increase mind attribution until a certain threshold is reached, that is: agents need to be classified as having a mind first before the addition of more human-like features significantly increases the degree to which mind is attributed to that agent.
The potential role of protein in the absorption of fat.

Stabilization of triglyceride emulsions by proteins was studied in vitro using either chemical or optical methods to measure to amount of fat emulsified under standard conditions of emulsification. Concentrations, pH, and degree of digestion of protein emulsifiers were varied to determine how such manipulations affected emulsion stabilization. Proteins from endogenous as well as exogenous sources were capable of stabilizing triglyceride emulsions, and this effect varied with protein concentration. Peptic digests of a prototype protein retained the efficacy of the undigested protein, while further digestion of the protein in pancreatic proteases decreased, but did not abolish, the emulsifying power of the protein. Emulsion stabilization by peptic digests of protein still persisted despite alterations in pH from 1 to 7. Such emulsions were capable of being hydrolyzed by pancreatic lipase and could be absorbed from the gut of bile-deficient rats. These emulsions also sped the initial rates of fat absorption from animals with an intact bile supply. We conclude that stabilization of luminal emulsions by dietary or endogenous protein may facilitate fat absorption similar to the way that detergent-stabilized emulsions have been previously shown to have these effects.
Vicarious trial and error.

Sometimes when rats come to a location where a choice has to be made, they pause and look around, a behaviour that has been termed 'vicarious trial and error' (VTE). Redish reviews this behaviour and its underlying neurophysiology, and argues that VTE is probably the behavioural phenotype of a deliberative process.
The formation of transferrin receptor-positive sickle reticulocytes with intermediate density is not determined by fetal hemoglobin content.

Erythrocyte dehydration is an important feature of sickle cell disease, leading to increased sickle hemoglobin polymerization and decreased red blood cell survival. Substantial in vivo dehydration appears to occur in reticulocytes or in an even younger subset of reticulocytes that are positive for transferrin receptor. Previous studies have suggested both sickling-dependent and sickling-independent components of dehydration for these cells. Two types of investigations are reported here. The first series of experiments explored the possibility that fetal hemoglobin (HbF ) content influences the in vivo dehydration of very young, transferrin receptor-positive (T+) cells. These studies confirmed that in most patients the T+ cells in the densest fraction lacked HbF (T+F−). However, T+F− and T+F+ cells appeared to have the same tendency to become moderately dense. The second type of investigation examined moderately dense T+ cells with normalized K+ content and determined the effect of HbF content on KCl cotransport-mediated dehydration in oxygenated incubations. Under these conditions, both T+F− and T+F+ cells had an equal tendency to become more dense by this pathway. Taken together, these studies indicate that at least some young sickle cells become moderately dense due to higher KCl cotransport activity independent of HbF content (and by inference, independent of sickling). However, to become very dense, it appears that further dehydration through a sickling-mediated pathway is required. We suggest that the dehydration of young sickle cells occurs in two steps, with the first dominated by KCl cotransport and the second having an important sickling-dependent component.
Defect Structure of the Epitaxial Pd2 Si-Silicon Interface

The crystallography of the epitaxial Pd2Si-silicon interface has been analyzed with special reference to the character of interfacial dislocations. It is proposed that the Pd2Si which forms at the interface does so by the diffusion stimulated glide of transformation dislocations.
Computer-Based Self-Help Groups: On-Line Recovery for Addictions

The growth of the self-help movement and the rapid expansion of computer communications has led to a variety of computer-based self-help/mutual aid (CSHMA) groups, including computer-based 12-Step groups for problems with alcohol, narcotics., eating, gambling, compulsive sexuality, relationships, smoking, and others. This paper introduces professionals to this emerging resource and provides preliminary data about the extent of use and participation patterns of these CSHMA groups. In addition, the potential benefits and problems of CSHMA groups for people with addictions are discussed. Benefits include greater access to support, diffusion of dependency, meeting the needs of those with esoteric concerns, reduction of barriers related to social status cues, encouraging participation of reluctant members, promoting relational communication, and enhancing communication of those with interpersonal difficulties. Potential disadvantages, including destructive interactions, lack of clear and accountable l...
Excretion of Adrenal Corticoids in the Sweat

ConclusionThere is a significant excretion of adrenal corticoids in sweat induced by exercise and thermal stimulation.
Accuracy of Phenotyping Chronic Rhinosinusitis in the Electronic Health Record

BackgroundChronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is prevalent, morbid, and poorly understood. Extraction of electronic health record (EHR) data of patients with CRS may facilitate research on CRS. However, t...
Comparison of Phenols in Smokes of Lamina and Midrib of Flue-cured Tobacco

In order to reveal the difference of the main stream smoke composition between lamina and midrib of flue-cured tobacco, the yields of neutral, basic, acidic and phenolic fractions of the smoke condensates of lamina and midrib cigarettes were compared. The composition of the phenolic fractions were also compared by glass capillary gas chromatography. Neutral and basic fractions were dominant in lamina smoke condensate, while ether insoluble fraction was dominant and formed about a half in midrib smoke condensate. For the semi-quantitative analysis of phenols with gas chromatography mono- and dihydroxybenzenes were extracted from the smoke condensate and missing of these compounds by oxidation was prevented by addition of dl-ascorbic acid. After trimethylsilylation they were simultaneously examined with gas chromatography. It was found that 4-methyl, 4-ethyl and 4-vinylcatechol in lamina smoke were much more rich than those in midrib smoke, while coniferylalcohol (a compound found first in cigarettes smoke ...
Effect of hyperoxia management strategy during deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing total aortic arch replacement

Objective To compare the effect of conventional and hyperoxia management strategy during deep hypothermia in patients with DeBake type 1 aortic dissection or aortic arch aneurysm undergoing total aortic arch replacement.Methods 32 adult patients undergoing total aortic arch replacement were randomly allocated to one of two groups(n=16 each):conventional(C)and hyperoxia group(H).The patients had no history of cerebral vascular disease.Left radial artery and dorsal artery of left foot were cannulated for monitoring of blood pressure of upper and lower limbs.Right internal jugular vein was cannulated for CVP monitoring and administration of drug and fluid.Anesthesia was induced with etomidate 10-15 mg,fentanyl 5-10 μg·kg~(-1) and pancuronium 0.1 mg·kg~(-1) and maintained with fentanyl(total amount was＜20 μg·kg~(-1)),isoflurane and pancuronium after tracheal intubation.Intermittent i.v.boluses of diazepam,sodium thiopental or propofol were given during cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB).Another catheter was inserted into right internal jugular vein eephalad until resistance was met.The tip of the catheter was at the level of mastoid process.The hyperoxia management involved the following steps:FiO_2 was gradually reduced with decreasing body temperature(T_0)from 70%(36～ 37℃)to 60%-40%(35.9-34℃),38%-30%(32-26℃),30%(26-24℃)and finally to 21%.When nasopharyngeal T_0 was reduced to 22℃ or 5-10 min before selective cerebral peffusion(SCP),FiO_2 was raised to 60%-100% to maintain PjvO_2＞20 mm Hg or SjvO_2＞60%.FiO_2 was maintained at 60%-100% during SCP until T_0 was rewarmed to 22℃,then reduced to 30%.FiO_2 was then gradually increased to 40%(when T_0 reached 28℃),to 50%-70% (34-37℃)and finally to 80%(T_0＞37℃).Blood samples were taken from jugular venous bulb and arterial port of oxygenator for determination of PjvO_2,SjvO_2 and PaO_2 before skin incision (T_1),at 15 min of CPB(T_2),10 min of SCP(T_3),5 min after descending aorta unclamping(T_4),5 min after left subclavian artery unclamping(T_5),5 min after left common carotid artery unclamping(T_6),anonymous artery unclamping(T_7),when nasopharyngeal To returned to 35℉(T_8)and 10 min after CPB was terminated(T_9).The awakening time and the duration of ICU stay(days)were recorded.Pre- and postoperative neurological examination and brain CT scan were performed.Results All patients survived the operation and were discharged from hospital.No new brain infarction occurred.Transient neurologic dysfunction occurred in 2 patients in group H and 3 patients in group C.There was a positive linear relationship between PaO_2 and PjvO_2 during deep hypothermia in group H (r=0.541,P＜0.01).The PjvO_2 and SjvO_2 were significantly higher in group H than in group C.The awakening time and the ICU stay were significantly shorter in group H than in group C.Conclusion The hyperoxia management strategy can provide clinical prognosis than the conventional management strategy during deep hypothermia for total aortic arch replacement by supplying more dissolved oxygen.
Urinary cAMP and Calcium Excretion in the Fasting State and Their Response to Oral Calcium Loading in patients with Calcium Urolithiasis

AbstractFifty-two patients with idiopathic calcareous urolithiasis (ICU) were studied with an oral calcium loading test. Twenty-one subjects were normo-calciuric with no other detectable abnormalities (NDA). Of 31 patients with hypercalciuria, 16 had elevated fasting urinary calcium excretion (UCaE) (HFC), and 15 had normal UCaE (NFC).The fasting UCaE was significantly higher and the theoretical renal threshold for phosphate (TmPO4) was significantly lower in ICU patients as compared to 19 control individuals. The mean post oral calcium loading (Post Ca) UCaE rose significantly in hypercalciuric patients compared with control subjects; however, only 18/31 (58 per cent) had values above the normal range. There was no correlation between the fasting UCaE and either the immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) or nephrogenous cAMP (ncAMP) in ICU patients. The fasting ncAMP was normal in all subjects with ICU and 7 of 52 subjects had elevated fasting iPTH values.When ranked according to the fasting UCaE valu...
Transmissible encephalopathies and biopharmaceutical production

The use of post-mortem tissues as sources for the production of biologicals, vaccines and feedstuffs has led to the transmission or generation of transmissible encephalopathies in some recipients. For example, the use of pituitary-derived human growth hormone and gonadotropins has resulted in the transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease to other humans [1], the use of formalin-inactivated sheep brain as a source for louping ill vaccine led to the transmission of scrapie to over 1,000 sheep from one vaccine lot [2], and the use of rendered products from ruminant carcasses in the domestic animal food chain led to the emergence and epizootic of bovine spongifrom encephalopathy in the United Kingdom [3]. Infection with transmissible encephalopathies by iatrogenic or other mechanisms is difficult to predict or control. The characteristics of these pathogens do not permit easy detection, clearance, or inactivation in routine biopharmaceutical production environments.
Computing Ensembles of Transitions with Molecular Dynamics Simulations

A molecular understanding of conformational change is important for connecting structure and function. Without the ability to sample on the meaningful large-scale conformational changes, the ability to infer biological function and to understand the effect of mutations and changes in environment is not possible. Our Dynamic Importance Sampling method (DIMS), part of the CHARMM simulation package, is a method that enables sampling over ensembles of transition intermediates. This chapter outlines the context for the method and the usage within the program.