cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Climate, trees, pests, and weeds: Change, uncertainty, and biotic stressors in eastern U.S. national park forests

The US National Park Service (NPS) manages over 8900 km 2 of forest area in the eastern United States where climate change and nonnative species are altering forest structure, composition, and processes. Understanding potential forest change in response to climate, differences in habitat projections among models (uncertainty), and nonnative biotic stressors (tree pests and diseases and invasive plants) are vital for forward-looking land management. In this research, we examined potential changes in tree habitat suitability using two climate scenarios (‘least change’ and ‘major change’) to evaluate uncertainty in the magnitude of potential forest change. We further used nonnative tree pest and plant data to examine strengths and spatial patterns of these stressors and their correlations with projected changes in tree habitat. Analyses included 121 national parks, 134 tree species (from the US Forest Service Climate Change Atlas), 81 nonnative tree pests (from the US Forest Service Alien Forest Pest Explorer Database), and nonnative vascular plant presence data from each park. Lastly, for individual tree species in individual parks, we categorized potential habitat suitability change (from late 20th century baseline to 2100) into three change classes: large decrease ( 200%). Results show that the potential magnitude of forest change (percentage of modeled tree species in the large decrease and large increase classes, combined) varies from 22% to 77% at individual parks. Uncertainty (the percentage of tree species in differing change classes across climate scenarios) varies from 18% to 84% at parks. Nonnative plant species comprise from <10% to about 50% of the flora at parks. The number of nonnative tree pest species ranges from 15 to 70 among parks. Potential forest change, uncertainty, and nonnative pests and plants have significant positive correlations, illustrating the broad scope of potential compounding effects and future changes in many eastern forests. The combination of rapid climate change and nonnative stressors may accelerate decline of some tree species and inhibit other species from occupying climatically suitable habitat. Stewarding forests for continuous change is a challenge for park managers. Understanding and anticipating projected rates and directions of forest change and nonnative biotic stressors should facilitate monitoring and management efforts on park lands and across the broader landscape. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Are college students at greater risk of credit card abuse? Age, gender, materialism and parental influence on consumer response to credit cards

Two studies examine age, gender, parental influence and materialism effects on consumers’ credit card attitudes and behavior. Credit card commitment and use are greater among older adults than college students. Women outperform men in managing balances. Materialism heightens commitment, trust and use, but interferes with outstanding balance management. Parental influence can improve students’ commitment, trust, use and balance management while discouraging overuse. Parental influence also mediates materialism's effect on trust and balance management. Overall, findings show college students are not more vulnerable than older adults to credit card abuse, but that students who are female, materialistic and with less parental influence are at more risk.
Mutations in cardiac sodium channels: clinical implications.

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are critical transmembrane proteins responsible for the rapid action potential upstroke in most excitable cells. Recently discovered mutations in VGSCs, which underlie idiopathic clinical disease, have emphasized the importance of these channels in tissues such as skeletal muscle, nervous system, and myocardium. Mutations in the gene encoding the cardiac sodium channel isoform (SCN5A) have been linked to at least three abnormal phenotypes: variant 3 of the Long QT syndrome (LQT-3); Brugada’s syndrome (BrS); and isolated cardiac conduction disease (ICCD). Mutations in SCN5A manifest as one or more of these clinical phenotypes — the precise distinction between these diseases is increasingly subtle. Clinical management of LQT-3 and diagnosis of BrS with the local anesthetic flecainide has proven promising. Channels associated with LQT-3 (D1790G) and BrS (Y1795H) both show more sensitivity to flecainide than wild-type (WT) channels, while lidocaine sensitivity is unchanged. One plausible explanation for differential drug sensitivity is that mutant channels may allow more access to a receptor site compared with WT through altered protein allosteric changes during an action potential. The high affinity binding site for local anesthetic block has been identified in the pore region of the channel. This region is not water accessible during the closed state, thus requiring channel opening for charged drug (flecainide and mexiletine) access and block. Channel mutations which disrupt inactivation biophysics lead to increased drug binding by altering the time the binding site is accessible during an action potential. Neutral drugs (lidocaine) which are not dependent on channel opening for binding site access will not be sensitive to mutations that alter channel inactivation properties. Interestingly another LQT-3 mutant (Y1795C) shows no change in flecainide sensitivity, suggesting that although drug effects of SCN5A mutations cross disease boundaries, clinical management with flecainide will be beneficial to patients in a mutation-specific manner.
The rushton file: Racial comparisons and media passions

In October 1994, Transaction published J. Philippe Rushton's Race, Evolution and Behavior. Virtually simultaneously, The Free Press published The Bell Curve by Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray. Perhaps the contiguity of the dates of issuance stimulated the linkage of the two quite independent volumes in the popular press; but yoked together, they have become a media event. This statement reflects the views of its author, not only as an academic concerned with policy-making and social sciences, but a l s o a s a publisher of academic and scholarly books, and as a citizen who takes the First Amendment seriously. But the burden of this article is to distinguish the professional and publishing roles.
A Multidisciplinary, Experiential, Educational Curriculum in Child Abuse: The Pediatrician's Role in Early Recognition, Documentation, Management, and Legal Advocacy.

The authors would like to thank Scott Morris, JD, Jennifer Bassett, JD, and Jacob Mitchell, JD, with the Lubbock County District Attorney's Office for their assistance with the curriculum. Sarah McCartney provided assistance in evaluation of the curriculum.
Abstract 141: miR520d-3p regulates EphA2 and inhibits ovarian cancer growth

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL EphA2 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is over-expressed in various malignancies including ovarian cancer. EphA2 is known to promote tumor growth, however its regulation is not well understood. On the basis of data available from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we predicted that miR520d-3p would be a potent inhibition of EphA2. To investigate interaction between miR520d-3p and EphA2, we first examined the mRNA level of these genes in 123 tumors of ovarian cancer patients. There was an inverse correlation between miR520d-3p level and EphA2 mRNA levels (p<0.001); and the prognosis of patients with high miR520d-3p expression was significantly better than those with low miR520d-3p (p<0.001). Next, we established stable clones over-expressing miR520d-3p in HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 ovarian cancer cells, in which baseline EphA2 levels are high. Compared with parental cell and clones transfected empty vector, EphA2 protein levels were decreased by ∼60%. MiR520d-3p transfection also resulted in significantly decreased migration and invasion in vitro and tumor growth in vivo in orthotopic mouse models. Tumor with high miR520d-3p had decreased EphA2 levels and decreased microvessel density (p<0.01). In conclusion, miR520d-3p is a key regulator of EphA2 levels and may represent a novel therapeutic approach. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 141. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-141
Honor, Home, Heritage, and HIV

The experience of conducting research in my family's ancestral home had proven to be contradictory—the changes sweeping a new globalizing India were a world apart from my parents' memories of an un...
Adaptation responses in rats to long-term feeding of high-zinc diets: emphasis on intestinal metallothionein

Abstract When faced with an abundance of heavy metals in the diet, higher animals produce metallothionein (MT) in the intestinal mucosa to sequester the metals in an attempt to reduce their absorption into the body. This paper shows that this strategy may only be used for short-term exposure, and a more effective, sustainable strategy is adopted during long-term exposure. The concentration of dietary zinc was abruptly elevated and offered to rats continually for a specified period. The results showed that an abrupt change in dietary zinc caused an immediate elevation of intestinal MT concentration, which remained elevated for about 2 weeks and then began to decline. After about 5 weeks, MT concentrations in the intestines of rats fed high-zinc diets were not different from controls fed normal-zinc diets for the entire period. The concentrations of zinc in serum, liver, and kidney followed the same course as mucosal MT, elevated during the initial phase of feeding high-zinc and near control values during the latter phase of feeding. Although the rats were consuming diets with zinc concentrations about 7 fold higher than controls, and intestinal MT concentrations were not elevated, the serum and tissue concentrations of zinc were near control values. This suggests that the induction of intestinal MT may be an immediate and short-term strategy for coping with high intakes of certain metals, and that some other, more efficient mechanism is adopted during long-term exposure.
The Anisotropy of Precipitation Media

A FALLING raindrop may be considered to be an oblate spheroid with its minor axis vertical. A region of precipitation containing many such particles is in effect an array of particles of preferred orientation and will therefore be anisotropic. We have set out to determine the consequences of this effect on radar observations of rain and snow at a radar wavelength of 1.82 cm. Observations of hail at a wavelength of 10.4 cm may also show this effect.
Habitat complexity and sex-dependent predation of mosquito larvae in containers

Studies in aquatic systems have shown that habitat complexity may provide refuge or reduce the number of encounters prey have with actively searching predators. For ambush predators, habitat complexity may enhance or have no effect on predation rates because it conceals predators, reduces prey detection by predators, or visually impairs both predators and prey. We investigated the effects of habitat complexity and predation by the ambush predators Toxorhynchites rutilus and Corethrella appendiculata on their mosquito prey Aedes albopictus and Ochlerotatus triseriatus in container analogs of treeholes. As in other ambush predator-prey systems, habitat complexity did not alter the effects of T. rutilus or C. appendiculata whose presence decreased prey survivorship, shortened development time, and increased adult size compared to treatments where predators were absent. Faster growth and larger size were due to predator-mediated release from competition among surviving prey. Male and female prey survivorship were similar in the absence of predators, however when predators were present, survivorship of both prey species was skewed in favor of males. We conclude that habitat complexity is relatively unimportant in shaping predator-prey interactions in this treehole community, where predation risk differs between prey sexes.
Host Odor Mediated Response of Female Navel Orangeworm Moths (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) to Black and White Sticky Traps

In laboratory and field experiments, we used fatty acids found in crude almond oil and a crude almond oil/fatty acid blend (1:1) as attractants and found highly significant differences in numbers of navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), female moths that were attracted to and caught in black versus white sticky traps. In a mark-release-recapture experiment, 98.2% of the recaptured females were recovered in black traps after 7 d. Black traps also caught more than 85% of the wild A. transitella females compared with white traps. Wind tunnel bioassays on the upwind flight behavior of A. transitella females showed that females were more likely to approach, land, and become caught in black traps than in identically baited white traps.
Crack Detection in a Rotor Dynamic System by Vibration Monitoring—Part II: Extended Analysis and Experimental Results

An increase in the power-to-weight ratio demand on rotordynamic systems causes increased susceptibility to transverse fatigue cracking of the shaft. The ability to detect cracks at an early stage of progression is imperative for minimizing off-line repair time and cost. The vibration monitoring system initially proposed in Part I is employed herein, using the 2X harmonic response component of the rotor tilt as a signature indicating a transverse shaft crack. In addition, the analytic work presented in Part I is expanded to include a new notch crack model to better approximate experimental results. To effectively capture the 2X response, the crack model must include the local nature of the crack, the depth of the crack, and the stiffness asymmetry inducing the gravity-forced 2X harmonic response. The transfer matrix technique is well suited to incorporate these crack attributes due to its modular nature. Two transfer matrix models are proposed to predict the 2X harmonic response. The first model applies local crack flexibility coefficients determined using the strain energy release rate, while the second incorporates the crack as a rectangular notch to emulate a manufactured crack used in the experiments. Analytic results are compared to experimental measurement of the rotor tilt gleaned from an overhung rotor test rig originally designed to monitor seal face dynamics. The test rig is discussed, and experimental angular response orbits and 2X harmonic amplitudes of the rotor tilt are provided for shafts containing manufactured cracks of depths between 0% and 40%. Feasibility of simultaneous multiple-fault detection of transverse shaft cracks and seal face contact is discussed.
Expression of T-box genes Tbx2-Tbx5 during chick organogenesis

Abstract T-box genes encode putative transcription factors implicated in diverse developmental processes (Papaioannou, V.E. and Silver, L.M., 1998. BioEssays 20, 9–19). We have previously reported the embryonic expression patterns of T-box genes in mice (Chapman, D.L., Garvey, N., Hancock, S., Alexiou, M., Agulnik, S.I., Gibson-Brown, J.J., Cebra-Thomas, J., Bollag, R.J., Silver, L.M., Papaioannou, V.E., 1996. Dev. Dyn. 206, 379–390; Chapman, D.L., Agulnik, I., Hancock, S., Silver, L.M. and Papaioannou, V.E., 1996. Dev. Biol. 180, 534–542; Gibson-Brown, J.J., Agulnik, S.I., Chapman, D.L., Alexiou, M., Garvey, N., Silver, L.M., Papaioannou, V.E., 1996. Mech. Dev. 56, 93–101). Four of these genes (Tbx2–Tbx5) are represented in the mouse genome as two cognate, linked gene pairs (Agulnik, S.I., Garvey, N., Hancock, S., Ruvinsky, I., Chapman, D.L., Agulnik, I., Bollag, R., Papaioannou, V.E., Silver, L.M., 1996. Genetics 144, 249–254), and have all been implicated in playing important roles in limb development (Gibson-Brown, J.J., Agulnik, S.I., Chapman, D.L., Alexiou, M., Garvey, N., Silver, L.M., Papaioannou, V.E., 1996. Mech. Dev. 56, 93–101). To investigate the role of these genes in limb development, we cloned the chicken orthologs and report functional studies, as well as patterns of expression in the developing limbs, elsewhere (Gibson-Brown, J.J., Agulnik, S.I., Silver, L.M., Niswander, L., Papaioannou, V.E., Development, in press). This report details the patterns of expression of Tbx2–Tbx5 in chick embryonic tissues other than the limbs.
CRITICAL SCATTERING OF SOUND IN RARE-EARTH METALS.

We present ultrasonic attenuation measurements in the vicinity of the N\'eel temperature for terbium, dysprosium, and holmium. Longitudinal sound waves along the $c$ axis exhibit a large critical attenuation, whereas shear waves show only a small but measurable effect in dysprosium. The spin-phonon coupling responsible for this critical attenuation is predominantly of volume-magnetostrictive character for longitudinal waves and of linear-magnetostrictive (single-ion-type) character for shear waves. Longitudinal wave attenuation in the paramagnetic region gives the following critical exponent $\ensuremath{\eta}[\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}{(T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{N})}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\eta}}]:\mathrm{terbium} 1.24\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1, \mathrm{dysprosium} 1.37\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1, \mathrm{holmium} 1.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1$. Shear waves in dysprosium give $\ensuremath{\eta}=0.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15$. These exponents, with the exception of the shear-wave case, can be fairly well accounted for by recent theories of ultrasonic attenation at magnetic phase transitions. The critical exponent $\ensuremath{\eta}$ for shear waves in Dy, together with the magnitude of the effect, can tentatively be explained with present theories by considering higher-order terms in the spin-phonon coupling. For temperatures very close to ${T}_{N}$ the attenuation remains finite. We show this to be an impurity effect.
Global strategic linkages and industry structure

A theoretical framework is proposed to understand the structure of networks of strategic linkages in global industries. It is argued that global industry structure should be understood in terms of firm membership in ‘strategic groups’ and ‘strategic blocks’. Strategic groups are based on similarities in the strategic capabilities of firms. Strategic blocks, on the other hand, are based on similarities in their strategic linkages. Two types of strategic blocks are proposed: complementary blocks composed of firms from different strategic groups, and pooling blocks composed of firms from the same strategic group. It is further proposed that in equilibrium, each strategic block will have access to a similar set of strategic capabilities. Empirical support for these arguments is drawn from the global automobile industry during the period 1980-90. The implications of strategic blocks for intra-industry performance differences are discussed in the concluding section of this paper.
Modeling of occupant-roof interaction in an automobile rollover

An automobile can be conceived as a structure that houses living occupants within. During a crash environment interactions exist between the occupant and the vehicle interior. Deformations of the root of the vehicle play an important part in the mechanics of rollover accidents. An understanding of the interaction between the roof deformations and occupant kinematics leads to a better structural design of the vehicle and hence, an improved occupant protection against trauma. In this study, a multi-degree-of-freedom system lumped parameter model simulated a rollover accident during the initial phase wherein the airborne automobile is contacting the ground surface with a certain initial drop velocity. The vehicle is simulated by a mass-spring system, the mass representing the vehicle weight, the spring simulating the superstructure crushability characteristics of the roof and the pillars. The occupant torso, head and neck are simulated by a combination of mass and 2 springs. The effect of occupant restraint and the compressibility of the seat is incorporated by suitable tensile and compressive stiffnesses for the corresponding springs. The resulting coupled differential equation of motion can be solved numerically with suitable end conditions. The occupant survival space, defined as the net available clearance between the head of the occupant and the bottom of the vehicle roof interior, an important parameter that influences the forces in the occupant, is also included in the analysis. Parametric studies were conducted to study the effect of geometric and material variables on the forces imparted to the occupant. A direct relation was found to exist between the forces in the occupant and initial roll velocity. A reduction in the occupant force occurred due to an increase in the superstructure rigidity, increased survival space and decreased compressibility of the seat. These parameters had, on the contrary, only marginal effects on the vehicle dynamic forces. Decrease in vehicle mass resulted in a decrease of the forces both on the occupant and the vehicle. In addition, the restraining force on the occupant was small up until the time it comes in contact with the superstructure. This time it was found to be insensitive to changes in the structural stiffness of the vehicle. Lower vehicle stiffness delayed the time at which the peak force in the vehicle and occupant occurred. Whilst a detailed non-linear analysis is recommended to completely describe the mechanics of rollover, this simple linear multi-degree-of-freedom lumped parameter technique provides an insight into the modeling of the occupant-vehicle interaction.
Malignancy in Children with Trisomy 21

Patients with Down syndrome (DS) display a unique spectrum of malignancies, with a 10- to 20-fold higher risk of acute leukemias, and a markedly lower incidence of solid tumors. This review discusses the current understanding of the basis for this distinctive pattern of cancer incidence and the clinical and biologic features of the malignant disorders most frequent in DS individuals: transient myeloproliferative disease, acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We also review distinctive pharmacogenetic issues, highlighting the differential chemosensitivity and toxicity profiles of DS patients compared with the general population, and epidemiologic studies of protective and adverse environmental risk factors for the development of leukemia.
Photoresponsive Polymers Containing Nitrobenzyl Esters via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

This paper describes controlled ring-opening metathesis polymerizations (ROMP) of norbornene derivatives that bear photoreactive o-nitrobenzyl ester (NBE) moieties. Termination reactions have frustrated previous reported attempts to execute controlled radical polymerizations with nitrobenzyl ester-containing acrylate derivatives. We therefore prepared new NBE-containing norbornene derivatives, and found that polymerization with Grubbs’s ruthenium carbene catalysts led to complete consumption of monomer in minutes to hours and yielded polymers with predictable molecular weights. We also demonstrate the preparation of NBE-containing block copolymers and show through UV irradiation of these polymers in solution and in thin film that the NBE moieties remain photoreactive.
Ion-beam-induced intermixing of surface layers☆

Abstract Ion-beam-induced intermixing of a thin gold (or silver) film deposited onto a single-crystal copper substrate was investigated as an alternative to high dose implantation. Substitutional AuCu and AgCu solid solutions with about 12 at.% Au and about 7 at.% Ag were produced by implanting 300 keV Xe + ions through the AuCu or AgCu interface at a dose level of 5 × 10 15 ions cm -2 , a dose that is one to two orders of magnitude lower than those used for direct implantation. In addition, ion-induced mixing between metals (such as platinum and palladium) and silicon led to the formation of conventional silicides, such as Pt 2 Si, Pd 2 Si and PdSi, as well as producing the unusual metastable phases Pt 2 Si 3 and Pt 4 Si 9 . We propose this technique as a potential alternative for ion beam material modification because of the significantly lower doses required and the ability to use simple ion sources.
First-year and senior seminars: dual seminars = stronger mathematics majors

ABSTRACT We propose the introduction of dual seminars into the mathematics major: a first-year seminar and a senior seminar. These parallel seminars, whose implementation at our college we describe, subsume both our lower division proof/transition course and upper-division history of mathematics courses. Both seminars focus on critical developmental skills such as reading mathematics, writing in mathematics, proof, and recognizing the fundamental unity of the fields of mathematics. These skills are considered within contexts that provide our major students access to mathematics' seminal problems and results; a broader understanding of the driving questions, motivating trends, and the evolution of mathematics; an initiation into the culture of mathematics; and a broader appreciation of the role of mathematics in the world. Both of these seminars leave our students empowered, more mathematically mature, and better prepared to be active members of the mathematical community. * This paper is an invited paper ...
Real-time imaging of single engineered RNA transcripts in living cells using ratiometric bimolecular beacons.

The growing realization that both the temporal and spatial regulation of gene expression can have important consequences on cell function has led to the development of diverse techniques to visualize individual RNA transcripts in single living cells. One promising technique that has recently been described utilizes an oligonucleotide-based optical probe, ratiometric bimolecular beacon (RBMB), to detect RNA transcripts that were engineered to contain at least four tandem repeats of the RBMB target sequence in the 3’-untranslated region. RBMBs are specifically designed to emit a bright fluorescent signal upon hybridization to complementary RNA, but otherwise remain quenched. The use of a synthetic probe in this approach allows photostable, red-shifted, and highly emissive organic dyes to be used for imaging. Binding of multiple RBMBs to the engineered RNA transcripts results in discrete fluorescence spots when viewed under a wide-field fluorescent microscope. Consequently, the movement of individual RNA transcripts can be readily visualized in real-time by taking a time series of fluorescent images. Here we describe the preparation and purification of RBMBs, delivery into cells by microporation and live-cell imaging of single RNA transcripts.
The Supply Chain of Medicinal Controlled Substances: Addressing the Achilles Heel of Drug Diversion

The escalation of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. has attracted the attention of public health and safety officials as well as others puzzled by how such a tightly regulated enterprise could so easily be breached by those seeking controlled substances for nonmedical use. Prescribers and patients who use, misuse, or, in some cases, redistribute or divert these drugs have figured prominently in government strategies aimed at addressing this issue. This review departs from this paradigm and focuses on wholesale drug distributors, a highly efficient and largely behinds-the-scene link in the supply chain of controlled substances. By law, distributors are required to identify and report to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) orders for controlled substances that are suspicious and may indicate drug diversion. Ten cases are examined in which distributors were each charged with failing to prevent the diversion of millions of doses of controlled substances. Special attention is given to a payment system employed by the industry that may encourage this unlawful commerce. Court records, agency and industry reports, and other published sources are used to document referenced cases and their disposition, and recommendations are offered for improving distributors' compliance with the law.
Population difference thermometry for ultra-low temperatures

We report measurements of the asymmetry of the intensities of the quadrupolar fine structure of NMR lines in ferromagnetic MnSb down to 30 mK. The asymmetry ratios provide a means of measuring the temperature, and is an example of the use of population difference thermometry as a primary thermometer for ultra-low temperatures.
Sialic acid of mammalian cell lines.

Approximately two-thirds of the total sialic acid (S.A.) per cell of a number of cell lines (L-929, L5178Y, HeLa, C13, P183, and CHO) was located at the cell surface but was inaccessible to the action of trypsin, pronase, lysozyme, β-glucuronidase, or hyaluronidase. The mean surface density of S.A. ranged from 5.4 × 105 molecules/μ2 surface area for the L5178Y cell to 16.1 × 105 molecules/μ2 for the P183 cell. The P183 cell line, which is a polyoma virus-transformed derivative of Stoker's C13 line, consistently contained more S.A. per cell than the latter under a variety of growth conditions, although the two lines did not differ in mean cell volume. When mean cell volume of C13, P183, or CHO cells was experimentally manipulated by thymidine or colcemide blockade, S.A. content per cell followed size changes closely. No evidence could be found for a shift in total S.A. per unit cell volume accompanying the period of maximum mitotic activity of partially synchronized CHO suspension cultures. Comparisons between cells grown on glass and the same cells grown in suspension, or between cells grown to different densities on glass, indicated no differences in the characteristic S.A. content per cell.
The vasopressin test as an aid in the evaluation of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function.

. The effect of lysine vasopressin (LVP) on plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroids (11-OHCS), when administered intramuscularly at 10 p.m., and at one and two hours later has been studied in a series of 164 individuals, 43 of whom served as controls and the others represented groups of patients with hypopituitarism, glucocorticoid-treated patients and other metabolically interesting patients. There was a significantly smaller average rise of 11-OHCS in the hypopituitarism group and in the corticoid-treated groups than in the control group. Oestrogen-treated patients responded normally to LVP. The side-effects caused by the administration of LVP were slight and well tolerated in all patients. In a number of patients the adrenal function was studied with the aid of the 5 hours' intravenous adreno-corticotropic hormone (ACTH) test after the LVP test. The effect of LVP on the eosinophil cells in the blood was smaller than that caused by ACTH in the i.v. test. The LVP test can be used as a convenient screening test of the hypothalamic-adrenal system.
The October 1902 plinian eruption of Santa Maria volcano, Guatemala

Abstract The October, 1902, eruption of Santa Maria Volcano, Guatemala, was one of the largest this century. It was preceded by a great earthquake on April 19 centered at the volcano, as well as numerous other major earthquakes. The 18–20 hour-long plinian eruption on October 25 produced a column at least 28 km high, reaching well into the stratosphere. The airfall pumice deposit covered more than 1.2 million km2 with a trace of ash and was only two meters thick at the vent. White dacitic pumice, dark gray scoriaceous basalt (with physically and chemically mixed intermediate pumice) and loose crystals of plagioclase, hornblende, hypersthene, biotite and magnetite make up the juvenile components of the deposit. Lithic fragments are of volcanic, plutonic, and metamorphic origin. The plinian deposit is a fine-grained, crystal-rich, single pumice fall unit and shows inverse grading. Mapping of the deposit gives a volume of 8.3 km3 within the one mm isopach. Crystal concentration studies show that the true volume erupted was at least 20 km3 (equivalent to 8.5 km3 of dense dacite) and that 90% of the ejecta was less than 2 mm in diameter. The plinian volume eruption rate averaged 1.2 × 105 m3s−1 and the average gas muzzle velocity of the column exceeded 270 ms−1. A total of 8.3 × 1018 J of energy were released by the eruption. A knowledge of both theoretically derived eruption parameters and contemporary information allows a detailed analysis of eruption mechanisms. This eruption was the major stratospheric aerosol injection in the 1902–1903 period. However, mid- to low- latitude northern hemisphere temperature deviation data for the years following the eruption show no significant temperature decrease. This may be explained by the sulfur-poor nature of dacite magmas, suggesting that volatile composition, rather than mass of volatiles, is the controlling parameter in climatic response to explosive eruptions.
Longitudinal Effects of Nortriptyline on EEG Sleep and the Likelihood of Recurrence in Elderly Depressed Patients

Our objectives were to determine the effects of nortriptyline and placebo on subjective and EEG sleep measures over 1 year of maintenance therapy in elderly depressed patients and to determine the relationship of such effects to recurrence in nortriptyline or placebo-treated patients during maintenance therapy. EEG and subjective sleep assessments were conducted before and during a maintenance therapy study of patients suffering from major depression. During acute treatment all patients received nortriptyline plus interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). During maintenance treatment patients were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment in one of four cells: nortriptyline with IPT; nortriptyline with medication clinic (no IPT); placebo with IPT; or placebo with medication clinic. Sleep evaluations were conducted at one point before treatment, one point following remission during continuation nortriptyline/IPT treatment, and at three time points after random assignment to maintenance treatment. The setting was the sleep laboratory of the outpatient depression treatment clinic, and subjects were a convenience sample of media-recruited and clinically referred elderly outpatient depressed patients (n = 72). Complete sleep analyses were conducted for 21 nortriptyline- and 10 placebo-treated patients throughout 1 year of maintenance treatment. The main outcome measures were subjective and EEG sleep measures and the recurrence of major depression. Our results show that nortriptyline acutely and persistently decreased REM sleep, increased phasic REM activity, decreased sleep apnea, and had no effect on periodic limb movements during sleep. Recurrence on maintenance nortriptyline was associated with lower phasic REM activity during early continuation therapy, but EEG sleep measures did not predict recurrence during placebo maintenance therapy. Patients treated with nortriptyline had a lower recurrence rate than those treated with placebo. Better subjective sleep quality and maintenance IPT were associated with a lower rate of recurrence regardless of nortriptyline treatment. It seems that nortriptyline has persistent effects on REM sleep and sleep apnea in elderly depressed patients. Maintenance nortriptyline, maintenance IPT, good subjective sleep quality, and high-phasic REM activity are associated with a reduced likelihood of the recurrence of depression during maintenance therapy.
Electron-impact excitation autoionization of Ga II

The general-reaction theory of Feshbach is applied, within the framework of the distorted-wave approximation, to the calculation of excitation-autoionization resonances in the electron-impact ionization of ${\mathrm{Ga}}^{+}$. Although the spectrum of autoionizing levels for ${\mathrm{Ga}}^{+}$ is quite complex, we focus our attention on the important $3{d}^{10}4{s}^{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3{d}^{9}4{s}^{2}4p$ inner-shell excitations. For excitation of the $3{d}^{9}4{s}^{2}4p ^{1}P_{1}$ autoionizing level we make a general-reaction-theory calculation for the dominant partial-wave cross section and compute a typical resonance profile in the ejected-electron differential cross section. We find that the quantum-mechanical interference between the direct and indirect processes has a small effect on the total ionization cross section. Employing an independent-processes approximation we calculate excitation-autoionization contributions to all twelve levels of the $3{d}^{9}4{s}^{2}4p$ configuration. Using the results of our calculations and their comparison with a recent crossed-beam experiment by Rogers et al., we discuss the accuracy of the distorted-wave method and the effects of configuration interaction on energy levels and excitation cross sections.
Effect of preoperative renal insufficiency on postoperative outcomes after pancreatic resection: a single institution experience of 1,061 consecutive patients.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to adversely affect cardiac and vascular surgery outcomes. We examined the effect of preoperative renal insufficiency on postoperative outcomes after pancreatic resection. Study Design All patients who underwent pancreatic resection between January 2005 and July 2012 were identified. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. Severe CKD (stages 4–5) was defined as eGFR 2 . Renal function also was analyzed using serum creatinine (sCr) dichotomized at 1.8 mg/dL. Primary outcomes were any complication, major complications, and respiratory failure. Multivariate models for each endpoint were constructed by including all variables with p value ≤0.10 on univariate analysis. Results There were 1,061 patients identified; 709 underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, 307 distal pancreatectomy, and 45 central or total pancreatectomy. Median sCr value was 0.86 mg/dL (range 0.30 to 14.1 mg/dL). Eighteen patients (1.7%) had severe CKD and 31 (2.9%) had sCr ≥ 1.8 mg/dL. Complications occurred in 622 patients (58.6%), major complications in 198 (18.7%), and respiratory failure in 48 (4.5%). Both severe CKD and sCr ≥ 1.8 mg/dL were associated with any complication, major complications, and respiratory failure on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, severe CKD was associated with increased complications (odds ratio [OR] 5.5; 95% CI 1.3 to 25.5; p = 0.02) and respiratory failure (OR 6.1; 95% CI 1.8 to 20.5; p = 0.03), but not major complications. Using sCr ≥ 1.8 mg/dL as a surrogate marker for renal insufficiency, patients with sCr ≥ 1.8 mg/dL had increased risk of any complication (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.3 to 9.3; p = 0.01), major complications (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.04 to 4.8; p = 0.04), and respiratory failure (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.8 to 12.6; p = 0.002). Conclusions Few patients with significant renal insufficiency are candidates for pancreatic resection. Severe CKD (stages 4–5) is associated with increased risk of complication and respiratory failure. Serum creatinine ≥1.8 mg/dL may serve as a useful marker of renal insufficiency and identifies patients at significantly increased risk of any complication, major complication, and respiratory failure after pancreatic resection.
Optically Induced Transformations of Metal TCNQ Materials.

Abstract Photoinduced transformations of CuTCNQ and AgTCNQ films, and several metal TCNQ salts with visible light have been observed and studied by Raman spectroscopy. Both partial and complete transformations, leading to metal and TCNQ in various material forms, are affected, and implications for photoswitching and light writing discussed.
Defoliation increased above-ground productivity in a semi-arid grassland

Abstract In light of the continuing debate regarding overcompensation we studied the responses of above-ground biomass in a high-elevation, semi-arid grassland to defoliation, defoliation history, and livestock grazing. The above-ground annual net primary productivity (ANPP) was measured over 2 years in one-hundred twenty, 1-m2 plots that were exposed to single- and multi-year defoliation and grazing treatments. Plant communities showed an average increase in ANPP of 31%–45% due to a single defoliation event. The most conservative estimate of average ANPP of defoliated subplots was 29.4 g m−2 greater than the non-defoliated controls. A history of defoliation, due to clipping or grazing, lessened the magnitude of the compensatory response, but above-ground overcompensation of biomass was still observed, ranging on average from 17% to 26%. One dominant species, squirreltail grass [Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezeyi], accounted for nearly one-third of the community-level increases in ANPP. In contrast to above-...
Identification of an Inhibitory Budding Signal that Blocks the Release of HIV Particles and Exosome/Microvesicle Proteins

Animal cells bud exosomes and microvesicles (EMVs) from endosome and plasma membranes. The combination of higher-order oligomerization and plasma membrane binding is a positive budding signal that targets diverse proteins into EMVs and retrovirus particles. Here we describe an inhibitory budding signal (IBS) from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Gag protein. This IBS was identified in the spacer peptide 2 (SP2) domain of Gag, is activated by C-terminal exposure of SP2, and mediates the severe budding defect of p6-deficient and PTAP-deficient strains of HIV. This IBS also impairs the budding of CD63 and several other viral and nonviral EMV proteins. The IBS does not prevent cargo delivery to the plasma membrane, a major site of EMV and virus budding. However, the IBS does inhibit an interaction between EMV cargo proteins and VPS4B, a component of the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) machinery. Taken together, these results demonstrate that inhibitory signals can block protein and virus budding, raise the possibility that the ESCRT machinery plays a role in EMV biogenesis, and shed new light on the role of the p6 domain and PTAP motif in the biogenesis of HIV particles.
On the evolution of sex determination and the sex ratio in haplodiploid populations

Sex determination by ploidy, either of the entire genome (in haplodiploid populations) or of special chromosomes (XY or X0 systems) is a common occurrence. It is commonly held that observed sex ratios are an evolutionary consequence of the sex-determination system; for example, that the XY system helps produce and/or maintain sex ratios to 1: 1 (Edwards, 196 1; Williams, 1975). It should be noted, however, that factors such as segregation distortion in the sex chromosomes (see e.g. Curtsinger and Feldman, 1980, and references therein), sex-dependent fitness components (see e.g. Thomson and Feldman 1975, Charlesworth, 1977) as well as hermaphroditism, parthogenesis, and sex conversion (see e.g. Williams, 1975, Chapter 10) are all expected to affect the sex ratio in those XY systems for which they are relevant. On the other hand, sex ratios in species with other sex-determining systems may also be close to 1: 1 (Scudo, 1964; Spieth, 1974; Charlesworth, 1977). Thus the cytogenetic pattern can be regarded as neither a necessary nor a sufficient factor for the explanation of observed sex ratios. Nevertheless, the connection between sex determination and the sex ratio remains compelling to evolutionary theorists. The evolution of a sex ratio close to 1: 1 (or rather the evolution of sex determination which should determine such a ratio) was first explained by Fisher (1930) as a consequence of maximization of the number of grandoffspring through optimal allocation of parental investment in male and female offspring (see also Bodmer and Edwards, 1960). A crucial evolutionary assumption in Fisher’s argument is that each sex must supply
Design Optimization of a Truss-Braced-Wing Transonic Transport Aircraft

the conventional cantilever configuration. One comparison produces a reduction of 45% in the fuel consumption while decreasing the minimum takeoff gross weight by 15%. For a second comparison, the fuel weight is reduced by 33% with a decreased minimum takeoff gross weight of 19%. Very attractive vehicle performance can be achieved without the necessity of decreasing cruise Mach number. The results also indicate that a truss-braced wing has a greater potential for improved aerodynamic performance than other innovative aircraft configurations. Further studieswillconsidertheinclusionofmorecomplextrusstopologiesandotherinnovativetechnologiesthatarejudged to be synergistic with truss-braced-wing configurations.
Synthesis and Stabilization of a Monomeric Iron(II) Hydroxo Complex via Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding in the Secondary Coordination Sphere

Utilizing the pyridinediimine ligand [(2,6-iPrC6H3)N═CMe)(N(iPr)2C2H4)N═CMe)C5H3N] (didpa), the iron(II) complexes Fe(didpa)Br2 (1), [Fe(Hdidpa)Br2][PF6] (2), and [Fe(Hdidpa)CH3CN(OH)][2PF6] (3) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic methods. The X-ray data show that the didpa scaffold is capable of forming intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the solid state located within the secondary coordination sphere of complexes 2 and 3. These hydrogen bonds are responsible for stabilizing the iron(II) hydroxo ligand in 3, which originates from H2O.
The calcium code.

Calcium ions are perhaps the most versatile ions in the nervous system. In neurons (and other excitable cells) they participate directly in electrical events such as action potentials and slow oscillations, and at synapses they trigger the rapid release of neurotransmitter molecules. Furthermore, calcium ions act as important second messengers for regulating many biochemical processes including those associated with learning and memory and cell death (Ghosh and Greenberg, 1995; Teyler et al., 1994). It is no wonder then that biophysicists and neuroscientists are so interested in measuring changes in the intracellular concentration of calcium ions ([Ca2+]i). Through a number of important technical advances, rapid changes in [Ca2+]i have recently been measured in synaptic nerve terminals (Regehr and Atluri, 1995; Wu and Saggau, 1994), in dendritic spines, and in the large dendritic trees of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus and neocortex. In the paper by Helmchen et al. on page 1069 of the February, 1996 issue of the Biophysical Journal, the authors have further investigated dendritic [Ca2+]i in pyramidal neurons. In so doing they have addressed a number of thorny issues in the field and have made a potentially important discovery of yet another role for calcium ions in neuronal information processing. The ability to measure fast changes in [Ca2+]i in neurons has come about
Polymorphic microsatellite loci in a plural breeder, the grey-capped social weaver (Pseudonigrita arnaudi), isolated with an improved enrichment protocol using fragment size-selection

We isolated polymorphic microsatellite loci (mean number of alleles = 12) from the grey-capped social weaver ( Pseudonigrita arnaudi ) genome. We designed an experiment to test whether the addition of a fragment size-selection step at either of two different stages in an enrichment protocol increased the average insert size in transformants. Fragment size-selection produced significantly larger average insert sizes among our positive (microsatellite-containing) transformants. Size-selection just before ligation to the cloning vector was most effective. Eighteen independently-assorting polymorphic loci were characterized. Some amplified in other ploceid weavers and related species. Collectively, the markers provide a mean exclusion probability of 0.9999 for parentage analysis, and will be a powerful tool for reconstructing extended family membership in this highly social bird.