cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of MODIS data-based algorithm for retrieving sea surface temperature in coastal waters

A new algorithm was developed for retrieving sea surface temperature (SST) in coastal waters using satellite remote sensing data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard Aqua platform. The new SST algorithm was trained using the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) method and tested using 8 years of remote sensing data from MODIS Aqua sensor and in situ sensing data from the US coastal waters in Louisiana, Texas, Florida, California, and New Jersey. The ANN algorithm could be utilized to map SST in both deep offshore and particularly shallow nearshore waters at the high spatial resolution of 1 km, greatly expanding the coverage of remote sensing-based SST data from offshore waters to nearshore waters. Applications of the ANN algorithm require only the remotely sensed reflectance values from the two MODIS Aqua thermal bands 31 and 32 as input data. Application results indicated that the ANN algorithm was able to explaining 82-90% variations in observed SST in US coastal waters. While the algorithm is generally applicable to the retrieval of SST, it works best for nearshore waters where important coastal resources are located and existing algorithms are either not applicable or do not work well, making the new ANN-based SST algorithm unique and particularly useful to coastal resource management.
Driving in search of analyses

Although transportation safety has greatly improved over the past 2 decades, motor vehicle crash injuries remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly among young drivers. Driver errors and behaviors such as speeding and distraction contribute disproportionately to crashes among inexperienced novices, who develop safe driving judgment only with substantial driving experience, commonly described as the “young driver problem.” Research on young drivers has applied a range of research methods, including analyses of national archival data (mainly from police reports), crash analyses, observation of driver behavior, surveys of driver behavior and dispositions, and experimental research on driver behavior and vehicle crash worthiness. Prominent research questions regarding young driver safety include what and how do novices learn to drive safely, what are the predictors of young driver crashes, what is the variability and overtime trajectories of young driver performance and outcomes, and to what extent is the young driver problem due mainly to average population risk or high-risk groups? Current research on young drivers is complicated by small sample sizes, relatively rare events, high within and between group variability, missing data, the need to estimate exposure, and the lack of longitudinal and experimental designs, problems that require complex analytic methods. In this paper, we provide an overview of driving research methods, examples of research addressing the young driver problem, and examples of statistical collaboration on young driver research, focusing particularly on estimating prediction of crash risk and estimating variability in young driver performance and outcomes.
Mesoamerican flat curved sticks: Innovative “toltec” short sword, fending stick, or other purpose?

Flat and curved sticks with longitudinal facial grooves were dredged from the Sacred Cenote at Chichen Itza in the early 1900s. They are similar to specimens recovered from the North American Southwest, where a suggested function was for defense against atlatl darts. By accepting this interpretation, Mesoamerican archaeologists identified such artifacts as fending sticks. Hassig (1992:112–114, 126–127, 2001:810–811) disputes this role, arguing that the sticks were specialized short swords for close fighting. This sword interpretation is not supported by my analysis of the Chichen Itza artifacts or the mural evidence at that site. Defense against atlatl darts is possible but unlikely to have occurred in warfare and, in any case, Maya/Toltec warriors carried shields to protect themselves against darts and other weapons. Fending darts in ritual fights such as an atlatl duel is a plausible scenario, perhaps to prove warrior mettle or as a gladiatorial blood sport. Another possible use is for subduing captives after military victory: a throwing stick to disable humans for later sacrifice.
Licensing of VP

I argue in this chapter that VP must meet both conditions of the Full Interpretation Principle, repeated below as (1): (1) Principle of Full Interpretation: At PF and LF, every element must be licensed by some appropriate interpretation, where interpretation can be achieved through: (i) (i) Subcategorization (ii) (ii) Predication
Learning From Past Failures of Oral Insulin Trials

Very recently one of the largest type 1 diabetes prevention trials using daily administration of oral insulin or placebo was completed. After 9 years of study enrollment and follow-up, the randomized controlled trial failed to delay the onset of clinical type 1 diabetes, which was the primary end point. The unfortunate outcome follows the previous large-scale trial, the Diabetes Prevention Trial–Type 1 (DPT-1), which again failed to delay diabetes onset with oral insulin or low-dose subcutaneous insulin injections in a randomized controlled trial with relatives at risk for type 1 diabetes. These sobering results raise the important question, “Where does the type 1 diabetes prevention field move next?” In this Perspective, we advocate for a paradigm shift in which smaller mechanistic trials are conducted to define immune mechanisms and potentially identify treatment responders. The stage is set for these interventions in individuals at risk for type 1 diabetes as Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet has identified thousands of relatives with islet autoantibodies and general population screening for type 1 diabetes risk is under way. Mechanistic trials will allow for better trial design and patient selection based upon molecular markers prior to large randomized controlled trials, moving toward a personalized medicine approach for the prevention of type 1 diabetes.
Are Content-Specific Curricula Differentially Effective in Head Start or State Prekindergarten Classrooms?

Head Start and state prekindergarten (pre-K) programs can boost the school readiness of low-income children through the use of effective preschool curricula. Encouraging results from some studies s...
Computation of 3-D turbulent boundary layers using the V2F model

The V2F model makes use of the standard k–e model, but extends it by incorporating near-wall turbulence anisotropy and non-local pressure-strain effects, while retaining a linear eddy viscosity assumption. It has the attraction of fewer equations and more numerical robustness than Reynolds stress models. The model is presented in a form that is completely independent of distance to the wall. This formalism is well suited to complex, 3-D, multi-zone configurations. It has been applied to the computation of two complex 3-D turbulent flows: the infinitely swept bump and the appendage-body junction; some preliminary results for the flow in a U-bend are also presented. Despite the use of a linear, eddy viscosity formula, the V2F model is shown to provide excellent predictions of mean flow quantities. The appendage-body test case involves very complex features, such as a 3-D separation and a horseshoe vortex. The V2F simulations have been shown to successfully reproduce these features, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The calculation of the complex flow structure inside and downstream of the U-bend also shows very promising results.
Following the Party in Time of War? The Implications of Elite Consensus

Prominent perspectives in the study of conflict point to two factors that exert substantial influence on public opinion about foreign intervention: (1) news about casualties and (2) signals from pa...
Detecting southern California’s white sharks with environmental DNA

To improve ability to detect white sharks without the need for tags, or visual census, we developed a species-specific environmental DNA (eDNA) assay that targets a 163 bp fragment of the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) mitochondrial cytochrome B gene on a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) platform. We used this marker to detect white shark DNA in 250 ml water samples taken from across two sites in Santa Barbara, California (USA) frequented by juvenile white sharks. We did not detect white shark DNA in samples from two neighboring sites where sharks are presumably absent, suggesting that eDNA can indicate nearby white sharks. This marker development, testing, and opportunistic application in a region with known distributions of white sharks indicates that environmental DNA could be developed further to monitor white sharks, thereby informing conservation planning and public safety. With the potential increase in white shark populations due to decades of protection, there is a need for fishery independent methods for assessing white shark distributions, and eDNA may provide be an ideal, non-intrusive tool for coastal assessments.
The challenge and potential of photosynthesis: unique considerations for metabolic flux measurements in photosynthetic microorganisms.

Photosynthetic microorganisms have the potential for sustainable production of chemical feedstocks and products but have had limited success due to a lack of tools and deeper understanding of metabolic pathway regulation. The application of instationary metabolic flux analysis (INST-MFA) to photosynthetic microorganisms has allowed researchers to quantify fluxes and identify bottlenecks and metabolic inefficiencies to improve strain performance or gain insight into cellular physiology. Additionally, flux measurements can also highlight deviations between measured and predicted fluxes, revealing weaknesses in metabolic models and highlighting areas where a lack of understanding still exists. In this review, we outline the experimental steps necessary to successfully perform photosynthetic flux experiments and analysis. We also discuss the challenges unique to photosynthetic microorganisms and how to account for them, including: light supply, quenching, concentration, extraction, analysis, and flux calculation. We hope that this will enable a larger number of researchers to successfully apply isotope assisted metabolic flux analysis (13C-MFA) to their favorite photosynthetic organism.
Marijuana and Tobacco Coexposure in Hospitalized Children.

BACKGROUND: The impact of secondhand marijuana smoke exposure on children is unknown. New methods allow for the detection of marijuana smoke exposure in children. METHODS: We studied children who were hospitalized in Colorado and had a parent participating in a smoking cessation study; all children had urine samples remaining from the original study as well as consent for future research. Parents completed a survey and urine samples were analyzed for cotinine and marijuana metabolites, including 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (COOH-THC), by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The median age of the children was 6.0 years (range 0–17 years); 57% were boys. Half (55%) were white, 12% were African American, and 33% were of another race; 39% identified as Hispanic. Approximately 46% had detectable COOH-THC, and 11% had detectable THC. Of those with detectable THC, 3 were teenagers, and 6 were CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the children who qualified for our study had biological evidence of exposure to marijuana. Researchers in studies such as this provide valuable data on secondhand exposure to children from parents using tobacco and marijuana and can inform public health policies to reduce harm.
Interpreting Interactions in Linear Fixed-Effect Regression Models: When Fixed-Effect Estimates Are No Longer Within-Effects

Fixed-effect regression models use within-firm variation to identify coefficient estimates, which is advantageous for mitigating certain endogeneity concerns and ruling out spurious relationships. ...
Molecular Surface Functionalization of Carbon Materials via Radical-Induced Grafting of Terminal Alkenes.

Formation of functional monolayers on surfaces of carbon materials is inherently difficult because of the high bond strength of carbon and because common pathways such as SN2 mechanisms cannot take...
Forecasted Size of Measles Outbreaks Associated With Vaccination Exemptions for Schoolchildren.

Importance Vaccine exemptions, which allow unvaccinated children to attend school, have increased by a factor of 28 since 2003 in Texas. Geographic clustering of unvaccinated children facilitates the spread of measles introductions, but the potential size of outbreaks is unclear. Objective To forecast the range of measles outbreak sizes in each metropolitan area of Texas at 2018 and future reduced school vaccination rates. Design, Setting, and Participants An agent-based decision analytical model using a synthetic population of Texas, derived from the 2010 US Census, was used to simulate measles transmission in the Texas population. Real schools were represented in the simulations, and the 2018 vaccination rate of each real school was applied to a simulated hypothetical equivalent. Single cases of measles were introduced, daily activities and interactions were modeled for each population member, and the number of infections over the course of 9 months was counted for 1000 simulated runs in each Texas metropolitan area. Interventions To determine the outcomes of further decreases in vaccination coverage, additional simulations were performed with vaccination rates reduced by 1% to 10% in schools with populations that are currently undervaccinated. Main Outcomes and Measures Expected distributions of outbreak sizes in each metropolitan area of Texas at 2018 and reduced vaccination rates. Results At 2018 vaccination rates, the median number of cases in large metropolitan areas was typically small, ranging from 1 to 3 cases, which is consistent with outbreaks in Texas 2006 to 2017. However, the upper limit of the distribution of plausible outbreaks (the 95th percentile, associated with 1 in 20 measles introductions) exceeded 400 cases in both the Austin and Dallas metropolitan areas, similar to the largest US outbreaks since measles was eliminated in 2000. Decreases in vaccination rates in schools with undervaccinated populations in 2018 were associated with exponential increases in the potential size of outbreaks: a 5% decrease in vaccination rate was associated with a 40% to 4000% increase in potential outbreak size, depending on the metropolitan area. A mean (SD) of 64% (11%) of cases occurred in students for whom a vaccine had been refused, but a mean (SD) of 36% (11%) occurred in others (ie, bystanders). Conclusions and Relevance This study suggests that vaccination rates in some Texas schools are currently low enough to allow large measles outbreaks. Further decreases are associated with dramatic increases in the probability of large outbreaks. Limiting vaccine exemptions could be associated with a decrease in the risk of large measles outbreaks.
More than a feeling

Emojis have become a key part of how we interact using technology and present lots of potential for learning. Judith Harries suggests we embrace this new form of communication to help children reco...
Greening Atomic Bomb Survivor Trees: Ecological Literacy and ENGOs as LIASE Institutional Partners

This article considers Oberlin College’s collaboration with an environmental non-governmental organization (ENGO) in Japan, centering on projects designed to strengthen ecological literacy in the college curriculum, and in the community outreach component of a LIASE implementation grant. The NGO, Green Legacy Hiroshima, exists to “safeguard and spread worldwide the seeds and saplings of Hiroshima’s A-bomb survivor trees” (被爆樹木, hibaku jumoku in Japanese). Trees, however, tell only so much of their own stories. Oberlin’s LIASE team developed course units, community outreach initiatives, and supplementary materials in order to encourage knowledge about the social, historical, and ecological aspects of the environmental issues that trees face in wartime and the nuclear age. Curricular and community engagement distinguishes the Green Legacy Project from token tree planting.
Tactile Skill-Based Neurosurgical Simulators Are Effective and Inexpensive

Background Regulations limit residency work hours and operating time, limiting the amount of hands-on surgical training. To develop alternative hands-on training, many programs teach surgical skills in laboratories and workshops with the use of simulators. The expense of computer simulators and lack of replication of the manual skills and tactile feedback of surgery limit their usefulness. We have developed 2 replicable simulators constructed from low-cost materials, which allow residents to practice the manual skills required in key portions of minimally invasive lumbar decompression and Chiari decompression surgeries. The objective was to review the efficacy of our lumbar and Chiari decompression simulators in improving resident and medical student surgical skills. Methods Resident and medical student participants completed one or both simulators 10 times. The lumbar decompression simulations were evaluated by the length of time participants blocked the field of view and by the number of times they lost control of the drill. Chiari decompression simulations were evaluated by the length of time to complete the simulation and by the regularity of their sutures. Results After 10 attempts, participants of the lumbar decompression simulator decreased the amount of time blocking the field of view by 52% and decreased the number of times they lost control of the drill by 69%. Participants of the Chiari decompression simulator decreased their suturing time by 56% and improved the regularity of their sutures. Conclusions The simple and inexpensive simulators evaluated in this study were shown to improve the speed, quality of work, and comfort level of the participants.
Chapter 6 – Looking

Publisher Summary This chapter defines looking that relies on a number of oculomotor activities. Looking involves several subsystems. Some rotate the eyeball; others do not. The oculomotor activities in which the eyes do not rotate are blinking, accommodation, and pupillary responses. The activities in which the eyes do rotate include saccades, pursuit movements, and nystagmus. Eye movements of the latter kind are conjugate; they turn the eyes in the same direction. In contrast, vergence movements carry the eyes in opposite directions and so are disjunctive. Vergence movements occur when you shift your gaze between near and far objects or when you visually track an object, such as your fingertip, as it moves toward or away from your face. The chapter details that blinking protects and moistens the cornea. Blinks can be trained to occur after an unconditioned stimulus such as a tone is associated with a conditioned stimulus such as an airpuff delivered to the eye.
Patterns of Genital Examination and Vulvovaginal Graft-Versus-Host Disease in a Pediatric Post-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Population.

Abstract Study Objective To determine vulvovaginal graft-versus-host disease (vvGVHD) incidence among pediatric patients who have received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and who already have graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) involving any organ system and characterize patterns of genital examination and referral to pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) in the post-HSCT population. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Large tertiary children's hospital in Texas. Participants Eighty-six post-HSCT female patients 21 years old and younger with GVHD involving any organ system. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures vvGVHD among post-HSCT children, referrals to PAG, genital examinations documented by any clinician. Results Eighty-six patients met inclusion criteria. Most HSCTs were bone marrow transplants, typically for leukemia. Median ages of indication diagnosis and HSCT were 5.1 and 7.5 years, respectively. Median time from HSCT to first GVHD diagnosis (eg, skin, intestine) was 96 days. Nearly all patients had at least 1 genital exam documented in the first 2 years post-HSCT, with a median of 17 exams. Twenty-eight patients were seen by PAG post-HSCT, with 7 of these patients seen within the first 2 years post-HSCT. Four symptomatic patients were diagnosed with vvGVHD. Median time from HSCT to vvGVHD was 398 days. Conclusion The small number of vvGVHD cases in our study population is likely because of lack of symptom reporting from patients and families and difficulty with vvGVHD diagnosis. Further training for non-PAG physicians, including pediatricians and oncologists, in identifying and managing vvGVHD might prevent delayed diagnosis and severe sequelae. Earlier referral to PAG or a gynecologist versed in post-HSCT survivorship is also recommended.
Speed Up Quantum Transport Device Simulation on Ferroelectric Tunnel Junction With Machine Learning Methods

As the device size scales down to the nanometer regime, quantum effects play an important role in device characteristics and performance. Quantum transport device simulation based on the nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) has been extensively applied to simulate the nanoscale devices. The NEGF simulations, however, can be computationally expensive, especially in the presence of scattering. In this study, a machine learning (ML)-based framework is developed, targeting on replacing the computationally intensive NEGF simulations. This framework first learns a sparse representation of a quantum transport property of interest and then trains a model to describe the quantitative mapping relation between the device parameters and properties. Also, the accuracy is further improved with the application of feature engineering. As an example, a graphene–ferroelectric–metal (GFM) ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ) is simulated. The results show that the ML-based framework allows circumventing the NEGF calculation and simultaneously maintaining high accuracy in quantum transmissions and tunneling ${I}$ – ${V}$ characteristics. This ML-based framework can be applied to speed up the quantum transport device simulations and enable efficient tunneling device design.
Using 3D Printing and Mirror Image Modeling in Orbital Floor Reconstruction.

ABSTRACT Three-dimensional (3D) modeling and printing technologies are increasingly utilized as tools to assist in complex craniofacial reconstructions. Herein, the authors report the intraoperative use of sterilized 3D models printed in-house to mold a custom resorbable implant in the case of a pediatric patient with a unilateral complex orbital fracture. The imaging was processed with open-source software. Two patient-specific orbital models were 3D-printed (Fig. 2): a life-size print of the patient's preoperative CT scan and a left orbit reconstructed to resemble its uninjured state using mirrored-imaging of the uninjured side. This construct ultimately served as a sterilized template to mold a resorbable implant intraoperatively. Post-operatively, the patient experienced no complications. At the 18-month follow-up, the patient had done well without diplopia, headaches or visual problems. The authors report a case of a successful orbit reconstruction assisted by mirrored-image computer modeling and patient-specific 3D printing.
The Exploration of Applying of Spatial Information Technology in General Plan for Regional Cultural Heritage Conservation

Abstract. With the rapid urbanization and the sharp increasing of the amount of official identification cultural heritages, the Chinese government and public are paying more attention to the regional comprehensive preservation, exhibition and utilization of the cultural heritages in recent years. “General Plan for Regional Cultural Heritage Preservation” offers a new systematic conservating solution for the cluster of cultural heritages in an administrative region. For the past few years, lots of new spatial information technologies have been applied in the preservation of cultural heritages, which tremendously improved the level and effectiveness of cultural heritage recording, management, monitoring and exhibition. This article will focus on discussing the methods and applying prospect of the technologies of geographic information system, 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry modeling in general planning for regional cultural heritage preservation and utilization. In recent years, with the continuous development of cultural heritage preservation in China, an increasing number of provinces and cities began to organize General Plans for regional cultural heritage preservation (hereinafter called "General Plan"), through which local governments are able to control the risk and improve the preservation level of cultural heritage (IAH, 2004). This paper will introduce the working framework of the General Plan and the core problems to be solved, and then analyze the application mode and prospect of spatial information technology in the General Plan.
Review of Radiofrequency Ablation for Peripheral Nerves.

Purpose of review Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become an increasingly widespread treatment tool for various chronic pain syndromes within the last two decades with the majority of publications on the topic coming after 2006. Not only are clinicians using RFA to treat more peripheral nerve pain syndromes but the technology itself is evolving quickly to the point that it is nearly impossible to stay abreast on the complexity of such a diversely utilized instrument. This review summarizes studies that focus on the use of RFA for peripheral nerve neurotomy and anatomical studies regarding RFA published between 2015 and 2020. Recent findings Topics in this review include anatomical regions or nerves of the body published since 2015. Significant findings are summarized in each section. Peripheral nerve RFA is rapidly changing. Many studies have been performed over the last 5 years showing the usefulness of RFA.
PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEFT BUNDLE CONDUCTION DEFECTS FOLLOWING AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT

The association of intraventricular conduction defects and aortic valvular disease is widely recognized. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects on survival of left bundle conduction defects (LBCDs) as a consequence of aortic valve replacement. A total of 133 patients were followed between 1 and 70 months after operation, with a mean follow-up of 32.1 months. The incidence of intraoperative LBCDs was 31.6% or 42 patients. There were 13 deaths in the group of 42 patients with LBCDs compared to eight deaths in the group of 91 patients without such abnormalities (p
Second European Workshop on Low Temperature Detectors. Annecy, France, 2-6 May 1988

Abstract The workshop was concluded with a comprehensive summary and discussion (Pretzel, MPI, Munich, FRG). Clearly there is a growing interest in the development of low temperature devices for neutrino and dark matter detectors. Other applications are spectroscopic ultra-high spatial resolution X-ray imaging, optical and infrared radiation detectors, cold neutron and other low energy particle detectors, and phonon detectors. However, it is also clear that the fundamental experiments that were the original motivation of this research are a long way from realization. Slow but steady progress is being made on all fronts. In the process this research is enhancing an understanding of the particle/radiation interactions and revealing important phenomena in cryogenic devices. Each of the technologies under development has individual strengths and weaknesses so no single device is expected to solve all the detection problems. The state of the current research is still exploratory. It appears that at least two to three years of research will be required to demostrate the viability of one or more of these ideas. At that point, full-scale development of one or more detector systems will hopefully begin to address the many fundamental problmes posed at this workshop.
Floristic List for Oklahoma County

This list, generated on 19 February 2001, is an ongoing project. The most complete records at this time are from the Robert Bebb Herbarium at the University of Oklahoma. Others [indicated with *] are from Oklahoma State University, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
A comparison of the L-arabinose- and D-galactose-binding proteins of Escherichia coli B-r.

Abstract d-Galactose-binding protein was purified from cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli B/r and crystallized using 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol. This material appeared homogeneous following electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels in either the presence or absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The amino acid composition of this protein was determined and found to be similar to the amino acid composition of d-galactose-binding protein isolated from E. coli K12 but different from the amino acid composition of l-arabinose binding protein from E. coli B/r. Ligand-binding specificities and affinities for the d-galactose-binding protein from E. coli B/r were determined and found to be distinctly different from the ligand-binding characteristics of the l-arabinose-binding protein isolated from the same organism. Peptide map patterns of peptides generated by tryptic digestions of both the d-galactose-binding protein and the l-arabinose-binding protein have demonstrated additional differences between these two proteins. Cross-reactivity was observed between antisera directed against either the d-galactose- or the l-arabinose-binding protein and the heterologous protein, suggesting that although these are two distinctly different proteins, they have some similar structural relationships.
The effects of OCR error on the extraction of private information

OCR error has been shown not to affect the average accuracy of text retrieval or text categorization.Recent studies however have indicated that information extraction is significantly degraded by OCR error. We experimented with information extraction software on two collections, one with OCR-ed documents and another with manually-corrected versions of the former. We discovered a significant reduction in accuracy on the OCR text versus the corrected text. The majority of errors were attributable to zoning problems rather than OCR classification errors.
THE GENETIC CONTROL OF MATING TYPE DIFFERENTIATION IN PARAMECIUM

Within wild-type stocks of syngen 7 of Paramecium aurelia, a high positive correlation in mating type occurs between sister caryonides and between parent and cytoplasmic progeny. On the basis of these observations, syngen 7 is classified into group B. Two mutations are described which affect mating type determination in this syngen. The first, designated mt/sup XIII/, has a recessive effect causing homozygotes to become type XIII regardless of the mating typedetermining state of the cytoplasm received from the previous generation. The second mutation, designated n, has an identical effect. The wild-type alleles of these mutations, designated mt/sup XIII/,/sup XIV/ and N, respectively, permit the expression of either mating type XIII or XIV, which one depending on the kind of cytoplasm transmitted by the previous generation. In addition to its effect on mating type potentialities, the mt/sup XIII/ gene has a second effect which causes a carrier's cytoplasm to be type XIV-determining regardless of its mating type. mt/sup XIII/ is dominant to mt/sup XIII/,/sup XIV/ for this effect. The mt/sup XIII/ gene was found in a stock collected from nature; the n mutation arose following ultraviolet irradiation of wild-type cells. mt/sup XIII/ and n are at separate, unlinked loci. (auth)
Charm Production at RHIC

Observations by the PHENIX and STAR collaborations suggest that a strongly coupled quark-gluon plasma is produced in heavy-ion collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). After a brief introduction to heavy-ion physics, measurements of heavy-quark production in heavy-ion collisions and the modification of heavy-quark spectra by the QGP are presented. Measurements of the total charm cross-section in several
A polymorphism maintained by opposite patterns of parasitism and predation

Although polymorphism is a widespread phenomenon that hasbeen recognized for nearly two centuries, the basic mechanisms maintaining most polymorphisms in nature are unknown1,2. We present evidence that a polymorphism can be maintained exclusively by balanced selection from two predatory species. For fieldand laboratory experiments, we used the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, which occurs as ‘green’ and ‘red’ colour morphs, and two species that attack pea aphids, the parasitoid Aphidius ervi and the predator Coccinella septempunctata. We found that when parasitism rates in the field were high relative to predation rates, the proportion of red morphs increased relative to green morphs, whereas the converse was true when predation rates were high relative to parasitism rates. Detailed laboratory and field studies confirmed that green morphs suffer higher rates of parasitism than red morphs, whereas red morphs are more likely to be preyed on by predators than green morphs are. We present a mathematical model that demonstrates that biased density-dependent parasitism and/or predation on different morphs is sufficient to maintain the colour polymorphism in the population. Our findings support an important role for predation in the maintenance of genetic diversity.
Differential Effects of Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (rhG-CSF) on the Radiation Sensitivity of Normal Versus Leukemic Bone Marrow Progenitor Cell Populations

We examined the effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), interleukin 3 (rhIL-3) and interleukin 6 (rhIL-6) on the radiation sensitivity of normal and leukemic bone marrow progenitor cell populations. Conditioning of leukemic progenitor cells (LPC) from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients with rhG-CSF enhanced their radiation sensitivity, whereas conditioning with rhIL-3 or rhIL-6 had the opposite effect. In contrast to its effects on LPC derived from ALL patients, rhG-CSF reduced the radiation sensitivity of normal myeloid progenitor cells as well as LPC from acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) patients. Differential modulation of the radiation sensitivity of LPC by rhG-CSF may provide the basis for better total body irradiation (TBI) regimens for ALL patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT).
The Perils of Deprofessionalizing Laboratory Test Ordering: Are We Headed Down a Costly Path?

Direct-access testing (DAT), in which the patient rather than the physician orders laboratory testing, continues to be a growing market. Demand has been driven by direct-to-consumer marketing, convenience, cost savings, and patient empowerment in managing his or her healthcare. In April 2015, Arizona passed House Bill 2645 (HB2645), which rewrites state law in regard to laboratory testing. HB2645 relaxes regulations related to DAT and allows individuals to ( a ) order any laboratory test without a physician's request or written authorization and ( b ) directly receive test results. The new bill does not require the patient to coordinate with a physician for consultation or interpretation of the results. Furthermore, healthcare providers are not liable for the failure to review or act on a laboratory test …
Methamphetamine oxidatively damages parkin and decreases the activity of 26S proteasome in vivo.

Methamphetamine (METH) is toxic to dopaminergic (DAergic) terminals in animals and humans. An early event in METH neurotoxicity is oxidative stress followed by damage to proteins and lipids. The removal of damaged proteins is accomplished by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and the impairment of this system can cause neurodegeneration. Whether dysfunction of the UPS contributes to METH toxicity to DAergic terminals has not been determined. The present investigation examined the effects of METH on functions of parkin and proteasome in rat striatal synaptosomes. METH rapidly modified parkin via conjugation with 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) to decrease parkin levels and decreased the activity of the 26S proteasome while simultaneously increasing chymotrypsin-like activity and 20S proteasome levels. Prior injections of vitamin E diminished METH-induced changes to parkin and the 26S proteasome as well as long-term decreases in DA and its metabolites’ concentrations in striatal tissue. These results suggest that METH causes lipid peroxidation-mediated damage to parkin and the 26S proteasome. As the changes in parkin and 26S occur before the sustained deficits in DAergic markers, an early loss of UPS function may be important in mediating the long-term degeneration of striatal DAergic terminals via toxic accumulation of parkin substrates and damaged proteins.
Lithium transp⊙rt across erythrocyte membranes

Abstract Bovine red blood cells (erythrocyte) were used to study the influx of lithium under varying conditions at 37°C. The initial transport of lithium obeyed pseudo first order kinetics for periods of up to 30 min. By examining the difference between k e (pseudo first order rate constant for efflux) and k i (rate constant for influx) it was possible to calculate a minimum value of 3·4 × 10 5 sec −1 for k 1 , the rate constant for the formation of an average lithium-carrier complex. Choline enhanced both lithium influx and efflux. The effect of choline, lithium, potassium and sodium on the size of bovine erythrocytes is also reported.
Aggression and Mating Success in Three Species of Drosophila1

Three closely related species of Drosophila: D. virilis, D. americana, and D. novamexicana, are known to differ in levels of male-male aggression. Through direct observation in the laboratory, we attempted to determine and characterize the relationships between intrasexual aggression and mating success in males of each of these species. Our results indicated that the most important determinant of male mating success was not the amount of aggression performed by a male, but rather the amount of aggression directed towards him.
A microtiter virus yield reduction assay for the evaluation of antiviral compounds against human cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus

Although the virus yield reduction assay is a powerful technique for evaluating the efficacy of antiviral compounds, it is not routinely utilized due to its labor-intensive nature. This procedure was modified, developed, thereby reducing greatly the time and effort required to perform yield reduction assays. Monolayer cultures of mammalian cells were grown in 96-well microtiter tissue culture plates and infected with virus. Test compounds were added and serially diluted directly with the plates. Following a cycle of virus replication, culture lysates were made and serially diluted in a separate set of uninfected cultures grown in microtiter plates. The cultures were incubated, plaques were enumerated in wells containing 5 to 20 plaques, and virus titers were calculated. To illustrate the use of the assay the known antiviral drugs acyclovir and ganciclovir were evaluated using this procedure. Ninety percent inhibitory concentrations for the respective drugs were 3 microM and 0.7 microM against herpes simplex virus type 1 and 60 microM and 1 microM against human cytomegalovirus.
Effect of sperm depletion and starvation on female mating behavior in the water strider, Aquarius remigis

The resolution of intersexual conflict over mating should be dependent on the current state of each individual. In this study, I used a factorial design to examine the influence of two physiological factors, sperm depletion and food deprivation, on resistance to mating by females of the water strider, Aquarius remigis. Females employ several different mate-resisting tactics during an encounter with a male. Five measures of female resistance to mating were identified: jumping, rolling, dunking, time spent dunking, and struggle duration. Jump, roll, and dunk rates were highly correlated with each other and combined into one metric of resistance to mating (PC1) using principal components analysis. Time per dunk (T/D) and struggle duration were also analyzed. Discrete male behaviors during the struggle could not be identified. Two measures of female resistance, PC1 and T/D, were significantly lower in sperm-depleted females than in sperm-replenished females. Struggle duration did not differ between the two treatments. Starvation had no effect on any of the measures of resistance. Sperm depletion significantly enhanced the probability of mating (54% vs. 24% for replenished females), while starvation had no effect on the probability of mating. I pooled all the females and compared females that mated with those that did not mate. Nonmating females resisted significantly more than mating females in all three measures of resistance. Path analysis indicated that PC1 was the only measure of resistance that was significantly negatively related to the probability of mating. Almost half (46%) of sperm-depleted females showed no resistance to males, while only 3% of sperm-replenished females were nonresistant. When nonresisters were removed from the analysis, sperm depletion had no effect on any of the measures of female resistance to mating and no effect on the probability of mating. In A. remigis, female resistance appears to be a yes/no phenomenon with respect to sperm depletion and not affected directly by starvation.
10Be and36Cl depth profiles in an Apollo 15 drill core

Cosmic-ray-produced10Be (t1/2 = 1.6 × 106 years) and36Cl (t1/2 = 3.0 × 105 years) have been measured in the Apollo 15 long core for study of galactic cosmic ray production profiles using tandem accelerator mass spectrometry. From these experiments, the half-attenuation length for10Be production and36Cl production were calculated to be 120 g/cm2 and 132 g/cm2 (150–400 g/cm2 region). The measured half-attenuation length for10Be is slightly longer than that predicted by the Reedy-Arnold theoretical model. The flatter and somewhat deeper maximum seen in the36Cl profile compared to the10Be,26Al and53Mn profiles can be explained by production from secondary thermal neutrons on35Cl.
System for the implementation and kinesthetic display of virtual environments

A system for kinesthetic and visual display of virtual environments has been developed which includes a four degree-of-freedom, force-controlled manipulation and a parallel processing architecture for performing real-time environment simulation, manipulation control, and graphics display. The system allows a user to interact with a virtual environment via a virtual hand tool. 'Forces' at the handle of the virtual tool are experienced as real forces at the handle of the manipulandum. The problem of modeling environments composed of rigid bodies with intermittent contact has been addressed. Dynamic equations for environment simulations are generated and solved in real time by an array of interconnected microprocessors. Additional microprocessors safeguard against dangerous motor accelerations and potentially damaging manipulator configurations.
Quality of frozen cooked snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) meat: The effect of the pre-processing condition

Abstract Controlled studies were conducted to assess the effect of the pre-processing condition of raw crab upon the quality of cooked snow crab ( Chionoecetes opilio ). The results of two different methods of assessing raw snow crab (i.e. (i) visual assessment of the heart action of raw snow crab, and (ii) visual assessment of leg movement of raw snow crab immediately after the raw snow crab were electrically stimulated) were compared to the results of sensory assessment of crab meat from the same snow crab that were cooked, shucked, frozen, stored at −26°C, thawed and served. These results clearly revealed that visual assessment of heart action was not a relevant method. In contrast, visual assessment of electrical stimulation was revealed to be a reliable method as well as being an inexpensive, non-destructive, portable and rapid method. Since this study was conducted, the electrical stimulation method has been commercialized.
Antifriction Bearing Sleeves for Diagnostics and Energy Harvesting

Roller ball bearings are the most common and one of the most important components in rotating machinery. Bearings, in general produce vibrations which can be harvested to produce energy and analysis of these vibrations can also be used to determine the condition of ball bearing. In this paper we discuss how to use the bearings for energy harvesting and conditioning monitoring in machines. A sleeve, padded with piezoelectric material, is designed to solve the dual purpose. Piezo electric materials have the ability to generate an electric field or electric potential in response to applied mechanical strain. Tests are conducted on the good and defective bearings to study the effectiveness of the sleeve. Phase fluctuation based processors are found to be effective in ball bearing condition monitoring. For condition monitoring the signature responses for a given time period are studied. At a constant speed of increase in load leads to an increase in voltage generated. For a single non-coated piezo film, voltage varies from 383 mV at 80 lbf to 683 mV at 320 lbf at 40Hz. With the increased stacking of non-coated piezo films at 320 lbf, voltage generated shows an increase of 23 %. Nano-coating mixture (Ferrofluid and Zinc oxide nanoparticles) causes an additional piezoelectric effect on the surface of piezo film as ZnO acts as an additional source of electrons, due to its ability to emit charges at room temperature. The single piezo film configuration at 320 lbf generates a voltage of 663 mV while the voltage increases 2.1 times for a single nano-coated piezo film. Introduction of defects causes increases in the contact stress at the asperities leading to an increase in the vibrations and forces. Also, an increase in vibration and force, leads to an increase in the voltage generated. For a single piezo film configuration, in a normal bearing, the voltage generated is 663 mV while a defective bearing gives a voltage of 698 mV.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Drosophila UNC-45 prevents heat-induced aggregation of skeletal muscle myosin and facilitates refolding of citrate synthase

UNC-45 belongs to the UCS (UNC-45, CRO1, She4p) domain protein family, whose members interact with various classes of myosin. Here we provide structural and biochemical evidence that Escherichia coli-expressed Drosophila UNC-45 (DUNC-45) maintains the integrity of several substrates during heat-induced stress in vitro. DUNC-45 displays chaperone function in suppressing aggregation of the muscle myosin heavy meromyosin fragment, the myosin S-1 motor domain, α-lactalbumin and citrate synthase. Biochemical evidence is supported by electron microscopy, which reveals the first structural evidence that DUNC-45 prevents inter- or intra-molecular aggregates of skeletal muscle heavy meromyosin caused by elevated temperatures. We also demonstrate for the first time that UNC-45 is able to refold a denatured substrate, urea-unfolded citrate synthase. Overall, this in vitro study provides insight into the fate of muscle myosin under stress conditions and suggests that UNC-45 protects and maintains the contractile machinery during in vivo stress.
Transition intermittency in open flows, and intermittency routes to chaos

Abstract The intermittent transition to turbulence in open flows (mainly pipe flows) is examined in the context of intermittency routes to chaos. Preliminary conclusions are that some quantitative connections can be discerned, but that they are incomplete. In a similar manner, connections with phase transition and other critical phenomena are also imperfect. Some measurements which we hope will be helpful in developing alternative models describing the essentials of the phenomenon are described. Some difficulties are highlighted.