cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Construction of a low cost and highly sensitive direct heat calorimeter suitable for estimating metabolic rate in small animals

Abstract Although the concept of a metabolic rate is readily understood, actual measurement of metabolism has proved much more difficult. The numerous strategies for estimation of metabolic rate all result in an incomplete accounting. Respirometry or gas exchange is the most widely used approach but mostly ignores the anaerobic component. Here, we describe a readily-built and low cost direct heat calorimeter that may be coupled with standard respirometry equipment to provide a more complete portrait of metabolism. The device is sensitive and provides a predictable measurement of heat flow from an organism.
Colleagues’ roles in the professional development of teachers: Results from a research study of National Board certification ☆

Abstract This study investigated the nature of interaction among teachers that occurred around the National Board certification (NBC) process and how that collegial interaction influenced teachers’ professional development. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 teachers who were either considering NBC, in the process, or had been awarded NBC. Interview data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Results indicated that teacher interactions triggered by NBC helped one another's professional development in several ways: (a) enhancing reflection on teaching practice, (b) establishing a professional discourse community, (c) raising the standards for teaching performances, and (d) facilitating collaboration. Implications for teacher professional development were discussed.
Role of water in the hydration force acting between lipid bilayers

To understand the nature of the hydration forces acting between biomembranes, we perform computer simulations on liquid crystalline dilauroylphosphatidylethanolamine (DLPE)/water and compare the results with previously reported dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)/water systems. From our simulations of both systems we find that the influence of the surface on water properties is detectable only over a short range and that the membrane surfaces are rough on a molecular scale. We find that the hydration force is due to (a) the removal of only one or two layers of solvating water from the membrane surface and (b) steric interactions. The detailed structure of the solvating water is responsible for the difference in the hydration force acting between DLPE membranes compared to DPPC membranes.
Filamentous growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by manganese.

The Candida albicans INT1 gene is a virulence factor that contributes to both adhesion and filamentous growth of the fungus. Expression of INT1 in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae directs both adhesion and filamentous growth. Because Int1p contains two predicted divalent cation-binding motifs, we asked whether divalent cations are important for the role of Int1p in filament formation. In this study, we found that INT1-induced filamentous growth (I-IFG) is sensitive to the divalent cation chelator EDTA and that this EDTA sensitivity can be ameliorated by the addition of Mn(2+), but not Mg(2+) or Ca(2+) ions. The addition of MnCl(2) restored both the proportion of cells forming filaments and the length of filaments formed. Expression of INT1 in S. cerevisiae mutants that reduce the intracellular concentration of Mn(2+) did not affect I-IFG. Interestingly, the Mn(2+) dependence of I-IFG is not dependent upon the presence of the putative divalent cation-binding domains found in INT1. Rather, we found that polarized growth induced by mutations in CDC12 and CLA4 or by expression of excess SWE1 was also sensitive to EDTA treatment and was restored by the addition of MnCl(2) but not by the addition of CaCl(2). Thus, our results suggest that in S. cerevisiae polarized growth is dependent upon the presence of Mn(2+) ions.
Persistent p21 expression after Nutlin-3a removal is associated with senescence-like arrest in 4N cells.

Nutlin-3a is a preclinical drug that stabilizes p53 by blocking the interaction between p53 and MDM2. In our previous study, Nutlin-3a promoted a tetraploid G1 arrest in two p53 wild-type cell lines (HCT116 and U2OS), and both cell lines underwent endoreduplication after Nutlin-3a removal. Endoreduplication gave rise to stable tetraploid clones resistant to therapy-induced apoptosis. Prior knowledge of whether cells are susceptible to Nutlin-induced endoreduplication and therapy resistance could help direct Nutlin-3a-based therapies. In the present study, Nutlin-3a promoted a tetraploid G1 arrest in multiple p53 wild-type cell lines. However, some cell lines underwent endoreduplication to relatively high extents after Nutlin-3a removal whereas other cell lines did not. The resistance to endoreduplication observed in some cell lines was associated with a prolonged 4N arrest after Nutlin-3a removal. Knockdown of either p53 or p21 immediately after Nutlin-3a removal could drive endoreduplication in otherwise resistant 4N cells. Finally, 4N-arrested cells retained persistent p21 expression; expressed senescence-associated β-galactosidase; displayed an enlarged, flattened phenotype; and underwent a proliferation block that lasted at least 2 weeks after Nutlin-3a removal. These findings demonstrate that transient Nutlin-3a treatment can promote an apparently permanent proliferative block in 4N cells of certain cell lines associated with persistent p21 expression and resistance to endoreduplication.
The Concept of Order of Conflict in Requirements Engineering

Conventional approaches to system design use requirements as boundary conditions against which the design activity occurs. Decisions at a given level of the architecture decomposition can result in the flowing down of conflicting requirements, which are easy to fulfill in isolation but extremely difficult when dealt with simultaneously. Designing against such sets of requirements considerably limits system affordability. Existing research on the evaluation of such conflicts primarily seek to determine the level of conflicts between pairs of requirements. We assert in this paper that these methods are incomplete and using traditional methodologies can result in missing significant conflicts between groups of requirements. We provide a mathematical proof for this assertion and present two case studies that support the mathematical proof. We present the concept of “order of conflict.” The objective of this paper is to prove why pairwise-based conflicting requirements identification and analysis methods based on pairwise comparisons are flawed.
Yohimbine-Induced Amygdala Activation in Pathological Gamblers: A Pilot Study

Rationale and Objectives There is evidence that drug addiction is associated with increased physiological and psychological responses to stress. In this pilot functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study we assessed whether a prototype behavioral addiction, pathological gambling (PG), is likewise associated with an enhanced response to stress. Methods We induced stress by injecting yohimbine (0.2–0.3 mg/kg, IV), an alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist that elicits stress-like physiological and psychological effects in humans and in laboratory animals, to four subjects with PG and to five non-gamblers mentally healthy control subjects. Their fMRI brain responses were assessed along with subjective stress and gambling urges ratings. Results Voxelwise analyses of data sets from individual subjects, utilizing generalized linear model approach, revealed significant left amygdala activation in response to yohimbine across all PG subjects. This amygdala effect was not observed in the five control individuals. Yohimbine elicited subjective stress ratings in both groups with greater (albeit not statically significantly) average response in the PG subjects. On the other hand, yohimbine did not induce urges to gamble. Conclusions The present data support the hypothesis of brain sensitization to pharmacologically-induced stress in PG.
Egg-mimics of Streptanthus (Cruciferae) deter oviposition by Pieris sisymbrii (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Streptanthus breweri, a serpentine-soil annual mustard, produces pigmented callosities on its upper leaves which are thought to mimic the eggs of the Pierid butterfly Pieris sisymbrii. P. sisymbrii is one of several inflorescence-infructescence-feeding Pierids which assess egg load visually on individual host plants prior to ovipositing. Removal of the “egg-mimics” from S. breweri plants in situ significantly increases the probability of an oviposition relative to similar, intact plants.
Malaysia's Syariah Judiciary as Global Assemblage:Islamization,Corporatization, and Other Transformations in Context

This essay concerns transformations in the judicial apparatus involved in implementing Islamic law (syariah/shari‘a) in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation in Southeast Asia. Three of my goals are to delineate some of the empirical complexities of the syariah judiciary's day-to-day operations and the mutually contradictory directions in which it is moving; to problematize the widely invoked trope of Islamization as a gloss for these phenomena; and to illustrate that this judiciary is profitably viewed as a global assemblage (Deleuze and Guattari 1987; Ong and Collier 2005). Another, more general, objective is to elucidate some of the ways that religion, law, and attendant phenomena are being bureaucratized, rationalized, corporatized, and otherwise transformed in an increasingly globalized world.
THE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF PREOPERATIVE EVALUATION OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING THORACIC SURGERY.

SUMMARY The charts of 533 patients with lung cancer who had had thoracic surgery preceded by pulmonary function tests were reviewed in an attempt to find possible definite criteria indicating whether or not surgery would be tolerated. Of the 533 patients, 11 died in the operating room or during the first day after surgery, 41 died before leaving the hospital, and 21 (seven living, 14 dead) developed respiratory failure. These 73 patients were considered not to have tolerated surgery. Thirty-four died of diseases other than pulmonary neoplasm, 50 are living without respiratory insufficiency (nine with cancer, 41 without), and 376 died of lung cancer. These 460 patients tolerated surgery. Factors considered in preoperative evaluation were chronic pulmonary disease in addition to the neoplasm, cardiovascular disease, associated serious illnesses (such as diabetes, peptic ulcer, alcoholism), vital capacity and maximum breathing capacity. No significant differences could be found among any of the six clinical groups regarding the presence or absence of any of these factors, singly or in combination. It was concluded that definite clinical criteria had not been found upon which to base the selection of patients for thoracic surgery.
Management of eosinophilic esophagitis in children

Eosinophilic esophagitis has recently emerged as a distinct clinical entity in children. The clinical spectrum varies with age and ranges from failure to thrive and food aversion in the toddler to gastroesophageal reflux disease-like symptoms in school-age children to solid food dysphagia and food impaction in adolescents. The diagnosis is based on the presence of at least 15 eosinophils per high power field in the esophageal biopsy in children pretreated with at least 8 weeks of adequate acid-suppression therapy. Although elemental diet is a more effective therapy than other less restrictive elimination diets, the latter has practical advantages over elemental therapy. Topical and systemic corticosteroids have also been used. Studies are underway to establish the safety and efficacy of anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibodies. The natural history of eosinophilic esophagitis is not known and prospective studies are required to understand the etiopathogenesis, optimal therapies and find noninvasive surroga...
High band gap oxide optical coatings for 0.25 and 1.06 μm fusion lasers

Abstract Optical coatings of the high band gap oxides ZrO 2 , Y 4 Al 2 O 9 , Al 2 O 3 , MgAl 2 O 4 and SiO 2 were prepared by reactive sputtering to evaluate their potential for use in fusion lasers operating at wavelengths ranging from the UV to the near IR. The optical properties (refractive index, band gap, absorption and scattering) and materials properties (crystalline structure, grain size, stoichiometry and surface topography) of these oxides are reported and their suitability for use at 0.25 and 1.06 μm is discussed. The deposition rates and the influences of deposition conditions on the optical and materials properties are also reported.
Readiness-potentials preceding unrestricted ‘spontaneous’ vs. pre-planned voluntary acts

Discovery of the ‘Bereitschafts’ - (BP) or ‘readiness’ -potential (RP), a scalp-recorded potential change that starts up to a second or more before a self-paced motor act (Kornhuber and Deecke 1965; Gilden et al. 1966), appeared to provide an electrophysiological indicator of neuronal activity that specifically precedes and may initiate a freely. voluntary movement. There have been at least two kinds of uncertainties in this proposition.
Induced Decay of Positronium and Grasers

The differential cross section and the total cross section for the stimulated decay of positronium by an incident photon of frequencyΩ is calculated as a function of the dimensionless variableξ=hΩ/mc 2. Forξ≫1 the total cross section is found to decrease asξ −2. We also look at the particular case of positronium in a black-body radiation field. Expressions for the number of induced annihilations per second as functions of the dimensionless ratiomc 2/kT and the number of positronium atoms are obtained. It is found that this rate is proportional to (kT/mc 2)2 forkT⩽mc 2 and to (kT/mc 2)ln(kT/mc 2) forkT≫mc 2. The possibility of utilizing induced two-photon decay of positronium as a γ-ray laser at the wavelength λ C /2 is examined, where λ C is the Compton wavelength.
Pharmacokinetics of amantadine in children with impaired consciousness due to acquired brain injury: preliminary findings using a sparse-sampling technique.

Objective To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of amantadine in children with impaired consciousness from acquired brain injury. Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study with sparse sampling for pharmacokinetics. Setting Tertiary care pediatric hospital. Participants Children, ages 6-18 years, with impaired consciousness 5-10 weeks after acquired brain injury. Methods Subjects received amantadine for 3 weeks. Subjects were randomized to placebo or amantadine 4 mg/kg/day for 7 days followed by 6 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Crossover was after a 7-day washout period. Main Outcome Measures The Coma/Near-Coma Scale and Coma Recovery Scale-Revised were done 3 times per week to evaluate arousal and consciousness. Plasma concentrations of amantadine were determined for pharmacokinetic parameter estimation and evaluation of the exposure-response relationship. Adverse events were monitored. Results Nine subjects met the final inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7 of whom agreed to participate. Five subjects completed both arms of the study. Amantadine total body clearance was 0.17 L/h/kg with a half-life of 13.9 hours. Higher exposure of amantadine (average concentration of amantadine during 6 mg/kg/day > 1.5 mg/L) may be associated with better recovery of consciousness. Conclusions Amantadine was well-tolerated in children with acquired brain injury and demonstrates pharmacokinetics similar to those reported for healthy young adults. Based on the preliminary data, higher dosing may be considered in the setting of brain injury.
Effects of Isolate and Social Toys on the Social Interactions of Preschoolers in an Inclusive Head Start Classroom.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of manipulating toy sets on the social verbal interaction that occurs between preschool-age children with disabilities and their typically developing peers. A single-subject alternating-treatments design was used to evaluate the effects of manipulating social toy sets and isolate toy sets on the social interactions of young children with disabilities. The targeted children included 1 girl and 3 boys with significant developmental delay. The study took place within an inclusive Head Start preschool setting. Children included in the study were presented with opportunities to play with the different toy sets on alternating days with their typically developing peers. The results indicate that social toy sets in isolation elicit a higher amount of social interaction compared with isolate toy sets in isolation. Given these preliminary results a discussion on whether or not manipulating toy sets is an effective, efficient, and socially valid means of increasi...
A theory of glass electrode response

The response of glass electrodes to rapid changes in ion concentrations is considered from a theoretieal viewpoint. An expression is derived which describes the potential vs. time behavior of glass eleotrodes in terms of a new constant which may be useful in the characterization and selection of glass compositions. Agreement between glass electrode response predicted by the theory and available experimental data is excellent.
Characteristics of the vertical ground reaction force component prior to gait transition.

Abstract The purpose of the study was to examine the vertical ground reaction force component when approaching the gait transition point from either a walk-to-run or run-to-walk perspective. The vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF) of five steps before gait transitions for both walk-to-run and run-to-walk were collected on a motor driven treadmill with embedded force plates. Transition specific characteristics of the VGRF were observed for both types of gait transition. Running peak force and time to peak force reduced dramatically in a quadratic fashion as approaching to the run-to-walk transition. The walking VGRF first peak increased linearly, and the second peak decreased quadratically prior to walk-to-run transition. Walking VGRF appearing to be more sensitive to acceleration than the running VGRF.
The macrophage inflammatory protein-1β in the supernatants of Mycoplasma gallisepticum-infected chicken leukocytes attracts the migration of chicken heterophils and lymphocytes

Chicken monocytes, macrophages, heterophils and thrombocytes were infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum, and their supernatants were collected and tested for the presence of chemotactic activities. The supernatants from MG-infected monocytes and macrophages were able to attract the migration of both heterophils and lymphocytes. The chemotactic activity in these supernatants could be abolished by antibodies prepared against the 10 amino acid peptides of the macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1beta, indicating that the released chemoattractant was a MIP-1beta-like compound. The supernatant from MG-infected heterophils was also able to attract the migration of chicken lymphocytes, but its activity could not be neutralized by the antibody to MIP-1beta, indicating that the chemoattractant is not related to MIP-1beta. The supernatants from both control and MG-infected thrombocytes were able to attract the migration of lymphocytes. These results indicate that there is more than one chemotactic factor that is released by these cells; one of the chemoattractants has been identified as a MIP-1beta. These results also show that MIP-1beta may play a role in the recruitment and accumulation of heterophils and lymphocytes to the sites of mycoplasma infection.
From Chicken Little to Dr. Pangloss: William Nierenberg, Global Warming, and the Social Deconstruction of Scientific Knowledge

In recent decades, historians and sociologists of science have been largely concerned with the social construction of scientific knowledge. This paper examines an important historical episode in the social deconstruction of scientific knowledge. In the early 1980s, a consensus emerged among climate scientists that increased atmospheric carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels would lead to mean global warming of 2––3°°C, probably by the mid-twenty-first century, and would have serious deleterious effects, including sea level rise of at least seventy centimeters. This consensus was challenged, however, by a committee of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, chaired by physicist William A. (Bill) Nierenberg, whose 1983 report arguably launched the climate change "debate." Drawing on perspectives provided by two economists on his committee, Nierenberg reframed the question not as a matter of climate change per se, but as a matter of the human capacity to adapt to change when it came, a capacity, his report asserted, that was very great. Thus, while accepting the scientific conclusion that warming would occur, Nierenberg rejected the interpretation that it would be a problem. In later years, he would play a major role in political challenges to the scientific conclusions themselves. Reframing was Nierenberg's first step on the road to the deconstruction of scientific knowledge of climate change.
Aerodynamic design of three-dimensional subsonic wind tunnel inlets

A NUMERICAL study was conducted in order to establish a set of preliminary design guidelines and performance criteria for three-dimensional subsonic wind tunnel contraction sections. Inlet geometries for both square and rectangular cross-sectional inlets were considered for a range of contraction ratios of 10-40. Wall geometries were defined using a single-parameter, matched cubic profile. Finite difference field solutions were developed for a potential flow model and the inlet performance quantified in terms of mean flowfield distortion and adverse wall pressure gradients. A turbulent boundary-layer separation prediction is included based on Stratford's criteria. The results are presented in terms of design charts that should prove useful for preliminary, three-dimensional inlet design.
Future Changes in Biogenic Isoprene Emissions: How Might They Affect Regional and Global Atmospheric Chemistry?

Abstract Isoprene is emitted from vegetation to the atmosphere in significant quantities, and it plays an important role in the reactions that control tropospheric oxidant concentrations. As future climatic and land-cover changes occur, the spatial and temporal variations, as well as the magnitude of these biogenic isoprene emissions, are expected to change. This paper presents a study of the change in biogenic isoprene emissions that would result from both anthropogenic land-cover and climate-driven changes. Annual global isoprene emissions were estimated to be 522 Tg yr−1 under current climatological and land-cover conditions. When climate-driven land-cover changes are predicted, but climate does not change, total global emissions did not change significantly, although regional impacts were important. However, the use of future temperature and land-cover drivers to estimate isoprene emissions produced a global estimate of 889 Tg yr−1. Anthropogenic land-cover changes, such as urbanization and changes of...
Palliatieve zorg buiten kantooruren

Schweitzer B. Palliatieve zorg buiten kantooruren. Huisarts Wet 2013;56(10):502-5. Huisartsen vinden het belangrijk dat ze op elk moment beschikbaar zijn voor patienten die palliatieve zorg nodig hebben. In de praktijk dragen ze deze zorg buiten kantooruren toch vaak over aan een huisartsenpost. Dan moeten zij een overdracht schrijven, want continuiteit is erg belangrijk voor patienten in de palliatieve fase. Huisartsen denken dat ze vaak zo’n overdracht schrijven en voldoende informatie geven, maar dat is niet zo. In slechts een kwart van de contacten met patienten die palliatieve zorg nodig hebben buiten kantooruren, blijkt de waarnemer over een adequate overdracht te beschikken. Formalisering van de procedure met behulp van een overdrachtsformulier brengt maar weinig verbetering. De sleutel ligt waarschijnlijk in een tijdig besef bij de huisarts dat een patient inderdaad in de palliatieve fase is beland, zodat hij kan anticiperen op een eventuele overdracht. Een elektronisch patientendossier en feedback vanuit de huisartsenpost over individuele gevallen waarin de overdracht tekortschoot, kunnen daarbij helpen en de continuiteit verbeteren.
The relation between wedge factors in air and water.

The wedge factor (WF) for an x-ray beam is defined as the ratio of doses with and without the wedge at a point on the central axis, in water. It is a function of depth d, field size s, and collimator setting c. It is demonstrated that WF can be calculated as WF(d,s,c) = WFairAw(d)Hw(c)/A0(d)H0(c), where WFair is a constant factor, namely, the ratio of the incident fluences measured "in air" with and without the wedge for reference conditions, e.g., at isocenter for a 10x10 cm2 collimator setting. Aw(d) and A0(d) are attenuation factors, and Hw(c) and H0(c) head-scatter factors, with and without the wedge and normalized to reference conditions. This expression is based on the approximation that the scatter factor is the same with and without the wedge. The field size, which affects the scatter factor, is therefore not an important variable for the wedge factor using this approach. The above relation has been evaluated at 6 and 25 MV for various depths (d < or = 25 cm) and field sizes (s < or = 25 cm) for built-in wedges (wedge angle approximately 60 degrees). The agreement was better than +/- 1.5%. This formulation of the wedge factor is easily implemented in calculations of dose and monitor settings.
Mirror Neurons, the Motor System and Language: From the Motor Theory to Embodied Cognition and Beyond

The motor theory of speech perception states that phonetic segments in the acoustic speech stream activate stored motor commands in the brain that give rise to perception of discrete speech sounds. The motor theory fell out of favor when growing evidence from lesion and behavioral studies led aspects of the theory to appear untenable. However, with the recent discovery of mirror neurons and their potential role in action understanding, interest in the motor theory of speech perception is renewed. We review the function and properties of mirror neurons in monkeys, and briefly describe the current literature that focuses on the role of a putative human mirror system in cognition and language processing. Further, we describe proposed evidence for the involvement of the motor system in perceptive speech processing, and point out ambiguities in the literature that arise from the tight coupling of sensory and motor processes in speech comprehension. An alternative theory proposing that sensory representations in superior temporal cortex are mapped onto frontal production networks is offered. We cite evidence that confirms the failure of the motor theory to accurately describe perceptive processes in speech, and promote the conclusion that speech representations are fundamentally sensory in nature.
The Psychological Aspects of Dental Therapy: A Diagnostic Problem

A review of the literature relating oral and psychological disease is presented, and two cases illustrating the need for psychological evaluation are discussed.
DETERMINATION OF THE TOTAL LIPID CONTENT OF PORK RETAIL CUTS AT TWO EXTERNAL FAT TRIM LEVELS

Currently, retailers are required to conduct semi-annual or annual analyses of their labeled products under the USDA's Nutritional Labeling Verification procedures. The following study analyzed pork retail cuts that were trimmed to 0.0 cm or 0.64 cm external fat remaining. Lipid content was analyzed to determine the cuts that met “lean” (<10% total fat) and “extra-lean” (<5% total fat) specifications. The tenderloin, inside ham steak, and inside ham roast trimmed to 0.0 cm external fat remaining met the requirements for “extra-lean” labeling. The loin chop, loin roast, tip steak and tip roast trimmed to 0.0 cm external fat remaining, and the inside ham steak and inside ham roast trimmed to 0.64 cm external fat remaining, met the specifications for “lean” labeling.
Water conservation and protein metabolism in northern elephant seal pups during the postweaning fast.

Urine production and N output were monitored in northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) pups progressing through 10 weeks of a natural postweaning fast. Urine output declind by 84% (to 69±12 ml·day−1) at 10 weeks (P<0.05). Glomerular filtration rate at 10 weeks was 51% of the 67±3 ml serum·min−1 observed during week 1 (P<0.05). Urine N excretion fell by 69% to 1.2±0.17 g·day−1, while urinary concentration increased (P<0.05). Serum urea declined from an initial 11 mmol·1−1 to 5–7 mmol·1−1 by 5 weeks. The fall in urinary N loss (and thus amino acid oxidation) was concomitant with depressed metabolic rate. Therefore, protein contributed little toward meeting energy demands (i.e., <4% of average metabolic rate) throughout fasting. These data indicate that fasting pups improve water conservation and minimize protein catabolism during prolonged natural fasts without an exogenous source of water.
Fauna of Çatal Hüyük: Evidence for Early Cattle Domestication in Anatolia

Analysis of the remains of cattle from Catal Huyuk indicates that cattle were domesticated in Anatolia by 5800 B.C., and strongly suggests that they were probably domestic at least 500 years earlier. This is the earliest known evidence for the domestication of cattle in the Near East.
Quantitative trait loci and psychopharmacology: response to commentaries.

The theme of our article was that a merger is needed between quantitative genetic and molecular genetic approaches in order to detect genes associated with psychopharmacological processes even when the genes account for small amounts of variance, so-called quantitative trait loci (QTL). The recombinant inbred (RI) QTL approach using the BXD RI series was discussed as a promising approach.The commentaries by Crabbe and by McGuffin and Buckland make several excellent points to which we have little to add. Goldman and Katz, on the other hand, disagree with some of our arguments and for this reason much of the limited space of our response to the commentaries is directed towards the commentary by Goldman and Katz. We focus on three general issues that they raise: the relationship between quantitative genetics and molecular genetics (single genes vs multiple genes), reverse genetics (anonymous markers) vs forward genetics (candidate genes) and heterogeneity (narrow vs broad assessment). Our response to Goldman...
Plagioclase and epidote buffering of cation ratios in mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal fluids: Experimental results in and near the supercritical region

Abstract Experiments have been performed with Na-Ca-K-Cl fluids of seawater chlorinity and diabase, basalt, and plagioclase bearing mineral mixtures at 350–425 °C and 250–400 bars to help constrain hydrothermal alteration processes at mid-ocean ridges. Dissolved Ca, Na, and pH for all experiments responded systematically to differences in dissolved SiO2 concentrations and the compositions of plagioclase reactants. Diabase alteration at low fluid/rock mass ratios (0.5 to 1) produces fluids undersaturated with respect to quartz during hydration of primary olivine and orthopyroxene, whereas basalt alteration under similar conditions yields fluids slightly supersaturated with respect to quartz during breakdown of glass to smectite and amphibole. Fluid chemistry in all experiments appears to approach a partial equilibrium state with the albite and anorthite components in plagioclase and approaches a pH consistent with plagioclase alteration to epidote. Trace element data from vent fluids, specifically B and Sr, together with major element chemistry (Ca, Na, SiO2, pH), provides evidence that the reaction zone for “black-smoker” fluids at mid-ocean ridges is composed of only slightly altered diabase and is characterized by small amounts of epidote, nearly fresh plagioclase and clinopyroxene, and partially to completely hydrated olivine and orthopyroxene. Fluids reacting with this rock may be undersaturated with respect to quartz so pressure estimates based on the quartz geobarometer should be regarded as minimums. Using equilibrium between plagioclase, the dominant reactant, and epidote, the dominant reaction product in experiments, we estimate that temperatures in reaction zones are in excess of 375°C for most vent systems. These temperatures are higher than measured vent temperatures, suggesting that hotspring fluids commonly loose heat during ascent to the seafloor.
Access (Not) Denied: The Impact of Financial, Human, and Cultural Capital on Entrepreneurial Entryin the United States

Entrepreneurship contributes to business dynamics in all economies, and the individual benefits of starting a business are clear. Nonetheless, access to business start-ups may not be available to all people because of resource constraints. Using a unique new data set for the United States, we examine the relative importance of three forms of resources in pursuing start-up ventures: financial, human, and cultural capital. Our analysis of the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics shows that neither financial nor cultural capital resources are necessary conditions for entrepreneurial entry. By contrast, potential entrepreneurs gain significant advantages if they possess high levels of human capital. Specifically, advanced education and managerial experience are significantly positively associated with entrepreneurial entry. Our findings suggest that attempts at entering entrepreneurship, at least in the short-term, may be increasing, as opportunities to acquire human capital are becoming more widespread.
Ecological responses to trout habitat rehabilitation in a northern Michigan stream.

Monitoring of stream restoration projects is often limited and success often focuses on a single taxon (e.g., salmonids), even though other aspects of stream structure and function may also respond to restoration activities. The Ottawa National Forest (ONF), Michigan, conducted a site-specific trout habitat improvement to enhance the trout fishery in Cook’s Run, a 3rd-order stream that the ONF determined was negatively affected by past logging. Our objectives were to determine if the habitat improvement increased trout abundances and enhanced other ecological variables (overall habitat quality, organic matter retention, seston concentration, periphyton abundance, sediment organic matter content, and macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity) following rehabilitation. The addition of skybooms (underbank cover structures) and k-dams (pool-creating structures) increased the relative abundance of harvestable trout (>25 cm in total length) as intended but not overall trout abundances. Both rehabilitation techniques also increased maximum channel depth and organic matter retention, but only k-dams increased overall habitat quality. Neither approach significantly affected other ecological variables. The modest ecological response to this habitat improvement likely occurred because the system was not severely degraded beforehand, and thus small, local changes in habitat did not measurably affect most physical and ecological variables measured. However, increases in habitat volume and in organic matter retention may enhance stream biota in the long term.
Income and occupation as explanatory variables: Their power combined vs. separate

Summary This study put a new explanatory variable, relative occupational class income (Y/O), through multivariate analysis in order to test the variable's predictive and marketing segmentation powers. Y/O was tested against income and occupation used separately as explanatory variables. The mid-1960s new-car market was used for the analysis. With respect to the power to predict individual buyer behavior, the new variable did not prove itself to be superior to income and occupation used separately. With respect to market segmentation, however, Y/O often identified more meaningful market segments, where the probability of buyers choosing the new car class involved was obviously much higher (or lower) than was true for the entire market. Whether it would be worthwhile to use the combination variable, Y/O, instead of occupation and income separately as segmentation variables is, nevertheless, a matter of marketing judgment and not of statistical power. It obviously takes time, money, and effort to build a combination variable such as Y/O, and it is often a complex procedure to use and interpret the results from such a variable. In a statistical sense, the difference in power in using Y/O as compared to using occupation and income separately in a multiple regression procedure is trivial. Y/O now needs to be tested as a market segmentation variable on other types of products. Yet, on the basis of the results from this study (and the previous studies involving income versus social class), one wonders if it is not better to use such demographic variables separately as explanatory variables.
Simple thermometric appratus for the estimation of carbon monoxide in air

Abstract A simple, inexpensive apparatus is described for estimating the amount of carbon monoxide in air over a range of concentration from 0.01 to 0.1% or higher, with an accuracy of 0.005 to 0.01%. Thc carbon monoxide is oxidised by passing through a layer of Hopcalite catalyst at room temperature, and the rise in temperature of the air stream due to the heat of combustion is measured with a thermometer. About 60% of the theoretically possible temperature rise is actually observed with the apparatus. By means of a calibration chart, the concentration of carbon monoxide present is read as a function of the temperature increase.
Economic Performance and Regime Legitimacy in Post-Communist Bulgaria

It is commonly assumed that socio-economic conditions strongly influence political attitudes. Since democratic rule is based on the consent of the ruled, a secure and stable democracy cannot be est...
SEM analysis of the developing tectorial membrane in the chick cochlea.

Abstract The development of the tectorial membrane in the embryonic chick cochlea was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Chick embryos ranged in age from embryonic day 7 (E7) to post-hatching day 15. Our studies revealed that a fine filamentous matrix arose on the apical surface of the basilar papilla at approximately E7. This matrix was secreted by the supporting cells which encircled the hair cells. By E9, the early matrix had increased in volume but remained filamentous in structure, except at the inferior edge of the basilar papilla where it was condensed into a layer of laterally-oriented columns. At E9 the TM exhibited an additional layer of matrix, called the amorphous component. It appeared to originate from the homogene cell population, and attached to the early columnar matrix at the inferior edge of the basilar papilla. The two components of the TM were separated by a longitudinal ridge, called the ‘track’, which marked the inferior edge of the amorphous component. As the cochlea developed, the basilar papilla increased in width, the columnar component elongated and the track appeared to recede. These morphological findings point to separate developmental origins for the two components of the tectorial membrane.
First observation of mechanochromism at the nanometer scale

A mechanically-induced color transition (''mechanochromism'') in polydiacetylene thin films has been generated at the nanometer scale using the tips of two different scanning probe microscopes. A blue-to-red chromatic transition in polydiacetylene molecular trilayer films, polymerized from 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (poly-PCDA), was found to result from shear forces acting between the tip and the poly-PCDA molecules, as independently observed with near-field scanning optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Red domains were identified by a fluorescence emission signature. Transformed regions as small as 30 nm in width were observed with AFM. The irreversibly transformed domains preferentially grow along the polymer backbone direction. Significant rearrangement of poly-PCDA bilayer segments is observed by AFM in transformed regions. The removal of these segments appears to be a characteristic feature of the transition. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of nanometer-scale mechanochromism in any material.
Simulation trainer for practicing emergent open thoracotomy procedures.

Abstract Background An emergent open thoracotomy (OT) is a high-risk, low-frequency procedure uniquely suited for simulation training. We developed a cost-effective Cardiothoracic (CT) Surgery trainer and assessed its potential for improving technical and interprofessional skills during an emergent simulated OT. Materials and methods We modified a commercially available mannequin torso with artificial tissue models to create a custom CT Surgery trainer. The trainer's feasibility for simulating emergent OT was tested using a multidisciplinary CT team in three consecutive in situ simulations. Five discretely observable milestones were identified as requisite steps in carrying out an emergent OT; namely (1) diagnosis and declaration of a code situation, (2) arrival of the code cart, (3) arrival of the thoracotomy tray, (4) initiation of the thoracotomy incision, and (5) defibrillation of a simulated heart. The time required for a team to achieve each discrete step was measured by an independent observer over the course of each OT simulation trial and compared. Results Over the course of the three OT simulation trials conducted in the coronary care unit, there was an average reduction of 29.5% ( P Conclusions In our preliminary evaluation, the CT Surgery trainer appears to be useful for improving team performance during a simulated emergent bedside OT in the coronary care unit.
Ethical Issues Concerning Potential Global Climate Change on Food Production

Burning fossil fuel in the North American continent contributes more to the CO2 global warming problem than in any other continent. The resulting climate changes are expected to alter food production. The overall changes in temperature, moisture, carbon dioxide, insect pests, plant pathogens, and weeds associated with global warming are projected to reduce food production in North America. However, in Africa, the projected slight rise in rainfall is encouraging, especially since Africa already suffers from severe shortages of rainfall. For all regions, a reduction in fossil fuel burning is vital. Adoption of sound ecological resource management, especially soil and water conservation and the prevention of deforestation, is important. Together, these steps will benefit agriculture, the environment, farmers, and society as a whole.
Individualistic patterns of annuals and biennials in early successional oldfields

The importance of Gleasonian species individuality, with its relation to life history strategies in succession, has been implied by studies lasting only a few years, or studies relying on chronosequences. Even in long-term studies, it has been addressed without statistical tests. Here, we examine the first six years of succession in permanent plots on ten contrasting oldfields to statistically determine the role of species individuality in early oldfield succession. Percent cover data were collected each summer in 48 permanent plots in ten oldfields as part of the Buell Succession Study at the Hutcheson Memorial Forest on the New Jersey Piedmont, USA. Congruent patterns of mean percent cover over time clearly reflect life history strategies of annuals and biennials. Kendall's coefficient of concordance, calculated for population patterns of annuals or biennials in each oldfield, confirms that population patterns within life form groups are similar and supports the contention that life history strategies are important in determining successional pattern once species become established in an oldfield. Profile analysis, a statistical test for parallelism among species patterns, performed on all population patterns in each oldfield, confirms that these patterns are individualistic. The individualistic pattern implies that succession may be driven by the different strategies of dispersal, growth, and resource use of the species involved.
Pediatric invasive aspergillosis.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) remains an infectious disease that causes numerous subspecialists, young and old alike, to cower with fear and lose sleep at night. The more seasoned pediatricians see those nondescript scattered pulmonary nodules on a CT and remember the thief that has stolen so many of their oncologic success stories during eras where they tried every antifungal therapy permutation, including several that were not antifungals at all. The more-junior specialists are amazed at our seeming ineptitude when confronted by such a devastating killer, marveling at how, despite all the advances in medicine today, we still cannot diagnose this disease in a timely fashion nor consistently treat it. Although the terror remains the same, the face of the demon has changed. This brief primer will highlight some of the important concepts for the current management of IA.
Zonal differences in phosphorus pools, turnover and deficiency across the tropical North Atlantic Ocean.

to west increase in P deficiency in the tropical North Atlantic. The maximal PO4− uptake rate (Vmax )o fTrichodesmium spp., a well‐studied nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacterium, also indicates higher P deficiency in the western compared to eastern basin. These data support the hypothesis that P could be an important nutrient limiting certain biological processes in the North Atlantic, although it may be spatially (as well as temporally) variable in this basin.
Extra-Pancreatic Features of Autoimmune Pancreatitis (IgG4-Related Disease)

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) was identified and recognized as a multi-organ disease during the first decade of this century. The disease is characterized by histopathology and immunohistochemical staining patterns that are consistent across many organ systems (54). It is easier to indicate which organs are affected seldom (if ever) than to list all of the systems involved by this condition. To date, it has been rare to find confirmed cases of IgG4-RD affecting the brain parenchyma, muscle tissue, synovium, and bone marrow. Virtually every other organ is now known to be affected by IgG4-RD, with some organs affected more commonly than others.
Parallelization of EMAP3D based on element-by-element Jacobi preconditioned conjugate gradient method

The demand for more accurate analyses of electromechanical systems, such as electromagnetic launchers and pulsed rotating power supplies, requires an increase in the size of the finite-element model of these systems. It is not uncommon for the number of unknowns for such a model to reach a half million. A parallel computing system with multiple processors and distributed memory, such as a PC cluster, makes it possible to obtain solutions for large-scale problems in reasonable times. In order to utilize this parallel hardware architecture, the software needs to be parallelized accordingly. Electromechanical Analysis Program in Three Dimensions (EMAP3D) is parallelized based on the element-by-element Jacobi preconditioned conjugate gradient (EBEJPCG) method because it is easily adopted into a parallel scheme and has low memory requirements because the formation of the global matrix is not necessary. The details of this algorithm are described in this paper. A block armature railgun was used to investigate this parallel algorithm on the Institute for Advanced Technology's (IAT's) eight-node PC-based Beowulf cluster. The performance of the algorithm in terms of speed-up ratio is presented.
Design of a nonblocking shared-memory copy network for ATM

A new nonblocking copy network is presented, for use in an ATM switch supporting BISDN, with a shared-memory input buffer. Blocked cells from any switch input are stored in a single shared input buffer. The copy network consists of three Omega networks and shared-memory queues. The design is scalable for large numbers of inputs due to a low hardware complexity, O(N log/sub 2/ N), and distributed operation and control. It is shown by simulation results that a switch incorporating the shared-memory copy network has increased throughput and lower buffer requirements to maintain low packet loss probability when compared to a switch with a discrete buffer copy network. >