cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compression and accelerated rendering of volume data using DWT

2D images cannot convey information on object depth and location relative to the surfaces. The medical community is increasingly using 3D visualization techniques to view data from CT scans, MRI etc. 3D images provide more information on depth and location in the spatial domain to help surgeons making better diagnoses of the problem. 3D images can be constructed from 2D images using 3D scalar algorithms. With recent advances in communication techniques, it is possible for doctors to diagnose and plan treatment of a patient who lives at a remote location. It is made possible by transmitting relevant data of the patient via telephone lines. If this information is to be reconstructed in 3D, then 2D images must be transmitted. However 2D dataset storage occupies a lot of memory. In addition, visualization algorithms are slow. We describe in this paper a scheme which reduces the data transfer time by only transmitting information that the doctor wants. Compression is achieved by reducing the amount of data transfer. This is possible by using the 3D wavelet transform applied to 3D datasets. Since the wavelet transform is localized in frequency and spatial domain, we transmit detail only in the region where the doctor needs it. Since only ROM (Region of Interest) is reconstructed in detail, we need to render only ROI in detail, thus we can reduce the rendering time.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Adaptive Distributed Fair Scheduling and Its Implementation in Wireless Sensor Networks

A novel adaptive and distributed fair scheduling (ADFS) scheme for wireless sensor networks is shown through hardware implementation. In contrast to simulation, hardware evaluation provides valuable feedback to protocol and hardware development process. The proposed protocol focuses on quality-of-service (QoS) issues to address flow prioritization. Thus, when nodes access a shared channel, the proposed ADFS allocates the channel bandwidth proportionally to the weight, or priority, of the packet flows. Moreover, ADFS allows for dynamic allocation of network resources with little added overhead. Weights are initially assigned using user specified QoS criteria. These weights are subsequently updated as a function of delay, enqueued packets, flow arrival rate, and the previous packet weight. The back-off interval is also altered using the weight update equation. The weight update and the back-off interval selection ensure that global fairness is attained even with variable service rates. The algorithm is implemented using UMR/SLU motes for an industrial monitoring application. Results the hardware implementation demonstrates improved performance in terms of fairness index, flow rate, and delay.
Rate Coefficients for the Reactions of BF with O and O2.

Abstract Bimolecular reaction rate coefficients of k = (1.4 ± 0.2) × 10 −10 and −17 cm 3 /molecule s have been measured at T = 294 K in a flowtube facility for BF + O → BO + F and BF + O 2 → products, respectively. These results are discussed in terins of the electronic structure of boron monofluoride.
EFFECT OF THE COMPOSITION OF THE GASEOUS AND AQUEOUS ENVIRONMENTS ON THE SURVIVAL OF TUBERCLE BACILLI IN VITRO

Tubercle bacilli die much more rapidly under anaerobic than under aerobic conditions. Anaerobically, the rate of death is accelerated by increased CO2 pressure, and when certain metabolites (lactate for example) are present in the medium. Death of the bacilli under certain conditions of anaerobiosis is accompanied by loss of ability to take the acid-fast stain and by progressive cellular disintegration. These findings are discussed in relation to (a) the glycolytic equipment of tubercle bacilli, (b) their fate in tuberculous lesions.
Asynchrony within estrous synchrony among ringtailed lemurs (primates : lemuridae)

Abstract Data from wild and semifree-ranging groups of ringtailed lemurs ( Lemur catta ) were combined to evaluate the hypothesis that female ringtailed lemurs exhibit asynchrony of estrus within seasonal synchrony of estrous cycles. Photoperiodic and probably social entrainments lead all females within social groups of ringtailed lemurs to experience estrus annually within periods of 7 to 20 days. Among an average of five adult females in each of 11 group-years, however, only 2 separate instances of dyadic estrous overlap were observed. Computer simulations of estrus occurring independently among group-living females revealed that this was unlikely to have occurred by chance. Recent research on social enhancement and suppression of ovarian cycles in mammals suggests that a single pheromone-based signal-response system could mediate both ringtailed lemurs' remarkable annual estrous synchrony and the subsidiary asnchrony reported here. Asynchrony of estrus probably functions to maximize each female's ability to exercise mate choice by circumventing temporal conflict among females. Asynchrony of estrus and female mate choice cause current models to explain male membership in primate groups to fail for ringtailed lemurs. Such results highlight the need for detailed information on behavioral and physiological reproductive tactics before generally applicable models of reproductive strategies can be developed.
Assessing the Information Base of Vegetarians

Abstract Design Survey Setting Midsize city located in Michigan Subjects (N=108) were participants in one of four vegetarian organizations. To be included in the survey, the subjects were required to be vegan, ovo, lacto or lacto-hovo vegetarians and had made this choice for health (n=33), animal rights (n=51) or religious (n=24) reasons. Main outcome measures-Thirty possible sources of nutrition information were listed on the survey tool. Participants were requested to (A) check off all possible sources used and then (B) indicate the three sources most often used. Statistical analyses performed-Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the significant difference (p Results-The three groups used a variety of sources to obtain vegetarian nutrition information. There was a significant difference in the health group for using nutrition books (p=.246; mean=.303). There was a significant difference for the animal rights group using club meetings (p=.041; mean=.106). There was a significant difference for the religion group using mother (p=.036; mean=.292). Application/Conclusions-Through further assessment of the nutrition information sources most often used by these groups, dietitians may determine if these vegetarians are obtaining accurate information to ensure a healthy diet.
Structure of the epididymal retinoic acid binding protein at 2.1 Å resolution

Abstract Background: Androgen-dependent proteins in the lumen of the epididymis are required for sperm maturation. One of these is a retinoic acid binding protein, E-RABP, which binds both all- trans and 9- cis retinoic acid. The other retinoid-binding proteins whose structures are known do not bind 9- cis retinoids. Results: We describe the X-ray structure determination of E-RABP with and without bound ligand. The ligand binds deep in the β-barrel of the protein, the β-ionone ring innermost. The binding site, like the ligand, is amphipathic and the deepest part of the cavity is formed by a ring of aromatic amino acids. The isoprene tail of all- trans retinoic acid is bound in a folded conformation which resembles that of the 9- cis isomer. Conclusion: E-RABP achieves high-affinity binding of both all- trans and 9- cis isomers of retinoic acid by forcing the all- trans form to bind in a folded conformation. The RAR family of nuclear receptors for retinoic acid also binds both isomers, and their binding sites may therefore be similar.
Geometric possibility- an argument from dimension

One cannot expect an exact answer to the question “What are the possible structures of space?”, but rough answers to it impact central debates within philosophy of space and time. Recently Gordon Belot has suggested that a rough answer takes the class of metric spaces to represent the possible structures of space. This answer has intuitive appeal, but I argue, focusing on topological characterizations of dimension, examples of prima facie space-like mathematical spaces that have pathological dimension properties, and endorsing a principle of plenitude for possibility, that we get a different rough answer: either the class of metrizable spaces or the class of separable metrizable spaces are possible structures of space.
Tests for Kronecker envelope models in multilinear principal components analysis

We develop likelihood methods for the Kronecker envelope model in the principal components analysis of matrix observations that have a multivariate normal distribution. Maximum likelihood estimates are derived and the associated likelihood ratio statistic for a test of this Knonecker envelope model is obtained. The asymptotic null distribution of the likelihood ratio statistic is derived as some nuisance parameters approach infinity, and a saddlepoint approximation for this limiting distribution is given. An alternative composite test for the Kronecker envelope model, which can be used when the sample size is too small to use the likelihood ratio test, is also given. Simulation results demonstrate the accuracy of our approximations.
Color-flow duplex-directed manual occlusion of femoral false aneurysms

Abstract Purpose: During the past 14 months we conducted a prospective clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of duplex-directed manual occlusion (DDMO) of iatrogenic femoral false aneurysms (FFAs) as an alternative to standard operative management. Methods: In all cases DDMO was performed with real-time color-flow imaging while steady, continuous external pressure was applied manually to the neck of the FFA by an experienced vascular technologist for a period of 10 minutes. Results: Ten of the 11 FFAs treated with DDMO in this series were thrombosed successfully, requiring a mean of 30 minutes of compression per aneurysm (three compressions of 10 minutes each). DDMO was unsuccessful in one patient, whose session was terminated because of severe discomfort as a result of the procedure. All 10 patients with successfully thrombosed FFAs are without recurrence at 1-month follow-up color-flow duplex examination, and there has been no morbidity attributable to DDMO. Conclusions: We conclude that DDMO of postcatheterization FFA can be performed safely and is an inexpensive, effective, nonoperative method of managing such lesions. The precise role of this technique would appear to be as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated iatrogenic FFAs. (J VASC SURG 1993;17:571-7.)
Radon–Nikodym property for the projective tensor product of Köthe function spaces

Abstract Let E be an order continuous Kothe function space (or an order continuous Banach lattice) and X be a dual Banach space. Then E ⊗ X , the projective tensor product of E and X, has the Radon–Nikodym property if and only if both E and X do.
Surgical and endovascular treatment of pediatric spinal arteriovenous malformations

Objective Pediatric spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare and complex lesions to treat. There are few reports of the endovascular and microsurgical treatment of these lesions in the pediatric population, and the treatment outcomes of these patients are not well described. The aim of this study was the clinical and radiographic outcomes of spinal AVMs in pediatric patients treated via endovascular and microsurgical modalities. Methods We identified nine children (5 boys, 4 girls; average age 11 years, range 3–17 years) treated for spinal AVMs between 1998 and 2010. Their charts were reviewed. Results Spinal AVMs most frequently involved the thoracic spinal cord. Four patients had associated Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome and one had hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. There were two intramedullary, four conus medullaris, and three mixed extradural-intradural lesions. The most common presenting signs and symptoms were subarachnoid hemorrhage ( n = 3) and paraparesis ( n = 5). Endovascular intervention was used exclusively in two patients, and combined endovascular and microsurgical intervention was used in four patients. Surgery was the sole treatment in three patients with excellent results. There were two treatment-related complications: one case of subarachnoid hemorrhage and one case of scrotal swelling. The mean follow-up was 28.5 months and the median was 8 months (range, 1–65 months). The mean pretreatment World Health Organization (WHO)/Zubrod score was 2.4 (range, 1–4), and the mean post-treatment score was 1.4 (range, 0–4). One patient (11%) had a recurrence. Conclusions Pediatric spinal AVMs require complex combined microsurgical and endovascular techniques to achieve favorable outcomes.
Vitamin D in the maternal-fetal-neonatal interface: clinical implications and requirements for supplementation.

AbstractIdentification of the current evidence regarding the pathophysiological and clinical facets of vitamin D in the maternal–fetal–neonatal interface is of value because of the significance of the vitamin D endocrine system in human health and high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in mothers and their infants. Although many questions have still not been answered by the existing literature, we found evidence that: (i) during pregnancy vitamin D participates in fetal skeletal mineralization and growth, (ii) neonatal vitamin D levels are dependent on the maternal vitamin D status at delivery, (iii) a vitamin D sufficient status at birth may decrease the risk for the development of asthma and type 1 diabetes mellitus in later life, (iv) recommendations for maintaining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels ≥32 ng/mL to avoid secondary hyperparathyroidism in adults have not been applied to mothers and their infants, (v) American Academy of Pediatrics recommended supplementation of 400 IU of vitamin D...
The mercury(II) and high‐salt‐induced conformational B↔Z transitions of poly[d(G‐m5C) · d(G‐m5C)] as studied by non‐polarized (ultraviolet) and circularly polarized (CD) ultraviolet spectroscopy

The BZ transition of poly[d(G-m5C) · d(G-m5C)] in buffered solution (0.002 M sodium cacodylate, pH 7) was studied by CD and ultraviolet spectroscopy as a function of the supporting electrolyte concentration (0.002–1.1 M NaClO4) in the absence of Hg(ClO4)2 [Hg(II)], and as a function of the Hg(II) concentration at a given NaClO4 level. NaClO4 alone changes the conformation of the polymer from BZ at approximately 0.7 M NaClO4. The spectral changes caused by Hg(II) in the B-form polymer (e.g. at 0.002 M ≤ [Na] ≤ 0.7) resemble those generated by salt alone during the BZ transition; the changes generated by Hg(II) in the Z-form polymer (e.g. in 1.1 M [Na]) leave principally intact the Z-form spectrum obtained at the higher levels of NaClO4 (e.g. at [Na] > 0.7 M) in the absence of Hg(II). It is concluded that particularly the long-wavelength positive-CD band, located at 274 nm, is a correct indicator of duplex DNA rightleft-screwness inversion. According to generally accepted criteria, the NaClO4-induced left-handed form is Z DNA; Hg(II) generates a left-handed form termed here ZHg(II). This form is close to (but not identical with) the salt-induced Z-form. All Hg(II)-induced spectral changes are reversible upon removal of Hg(II) with a suitable complexing reagent (e.g. NaCN).
Willing or able? The meanings of self-efficacy

Abstract One hundred and twenty college students (97 women) completed measures of anticipated performance for a fear-based snake behavioral avoidance task (BAT) and a skill-based basket-shooting task. Half of the participants were instructed to identify the task steps they believed themselves able to do (standard self-efficacy instructions). The remaining participants were instructed to identify the task steps they would be willing to try. Prior to completing the anticipatory performance measures, half of the participants in each of the “able to do” or “willing to try” conditions received information, called disambiguation instructions, about Kirsch's (1982) hypothesis that people frequently use these terms interchangeably for fear-based tasks but not skill-based tasks. Results revealed that, for participants who did not receive the disambiguation instructions, participants endorsed a similar number of BAT steps regardless of questionnaire instructions. On the basket-shooting task, participants asked to i...
Reseña del Libro “Debates sobre la Teoría Marxista del Valor”. Por P. Garegnani y otros

Se centra sobre las ponencias de Garegnani, sus argumentos son: 1- La teoria del valor trabajo de Ricardo es identica a la de Marx y cumple el mismo objetivo: una determinacion no circular de la tasa de ganancia y de los precios". 2. Para Marx la teoria de valor trabajo es independiente de su teoria de la explotacion. 3. La critica a la economia politica de Marx consiste solo en que "una misma teoria (Ricardo = Marx) puede poner de manifiesto en un autor implicaciones que no habian visto la luz en autores anteriores". Dichas implicaciones tendran como base la determinacion de la tasa de la ganancia. "
New applications of a simple mixed-layer model

Model formulation of the balance between surface heat and moisture fluxes and subsidence that determines the state of the mixed layer is used to estimate cooling and drying rates in the mixed layer above the tropical ocean based on GATE observations. Estimated cooling rates are comparable to observed radiative cooling rates for thick mixed layers characteristic of undisturbed conditions but are up to five times larger for shallow mixed layers observed during disturbed periods. The additional cooling and drying in the mixed layer needed to maintain shallow, cool mixed layers is hypothesized to be the net result of an assemblage of downdrafts.
Detection and mapping of QTL for temperature tolerance and body size in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) using genotyping by sequencing

Understanding how organisms interact with their environments is increasingly important for conservation efforts in many species, especially in light of highly anticipated climate changes. One method for understanding this relationship is to use genetic maps and QTL mapping to detect genomic regions linked to phenotypic traits of importance for adaptation. We used high-throughput genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to both detect and map thousands of SNPs in haploid Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). We next applied this map to detect QTL related to temperature tolerance and body size in families of diploid Chinook salmon. Using these techniques, we mapped 3534 SNPs in 34 linkage groups which is consistent with the haploid chromosome number for Chinook salmon. We successfully detected three QTL for temperature tolerance and one QTL for body size at the experiment-wide level, as well as additional QTL significant at the chromosome-wide level. The use of haploids coupled with GBS provides a robust pathway to rapidly develop genomic resources in nonmodel organisms; these QTL represent preliminary progress toward linking traits of conservation interest to regions in the Chinook salmon genome.
Mass conservation in the Community Multiscale Air Quality model

Mass conservation errors were discovered when the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model (version 4.3) was coupled with the Fifth-Generation PSU/NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5). These errors can be severe particularly over complex terrain. A recent correction made to the vertical advection module (in version 4.4) reduces the mass conservation errors, but does not completely eliminate them. This means that the method of renormalizing concentrations according to air density, which is currently applied to address the inconsistency problem, is not an ideal solution. Reconstruction of the wind fields by adjusting the vertical wind is proposed as a simple remedy to make CMAQ strictly mass conservative.
Regulation of Facial Morphogenesis by Endothelin Signaling: Insights from Mice and Fish

Craniofacial morphogenesis is accomplished through a complex set of developmental events, most of which are initiated in neural crest cells within the pharyngeal arches. Local patterning cues from the surrounding environment induce gene expression within neural crest cells, leading to formation of a diverse set of skeletal elements. Endothelin-1 (Edn1) is one of the primary signals that establish the identities of neural crest cells within the mandibular portion of the first pharyngeal arch. Signaling through its cognate receptor, the endothelin-A receptor, is critical for patterning the ventral/distal portion of the arch (lower jaw) and also participates with Hox genes in patterning more posterior arches. Edn1/Ednra signaling is highly conserved between mouse and zebrafish, and genetic analyses in these two species have provided complementary insights into the patterning cues responsible for establishing the craniofacial complex as well as the genetic basis of facial birth defect syndromes.
Inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase by naturally occurring quinols from spores of Agaricus bisporus.

γ-L-glutaminyl-4-hydroxybenzene, a stable phenol found in high concentrations in the gill tissue of the common mushroom, Agaricus bisporus , was shown to be capable of selectively inhibiting DNA synthesis in L1210 leukemia cells. Studies with isolated enzymes and permeabilized L1210 cells revealed that this compound inhibits ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) but has no effect on DNA polymerase. The results indicated a good correlation between the inhibition of DNA synthesis and the ability of this compound to inhibit RNR. The concentration of glutaminyl-4-hydroxybenzene required to elicit these inhibitory effects has physiological relevance to the gill tissue during the prodromal period of sporulation.
Field evaluation of some sand transport models

Fluorescent tracer procedures, originally developed for research on fluvial sediment movement, were used to monitor the movement of three commercially purchased sands in a natural dune environment. Results were compared with estimates of transport rates from three theoretical models. Estimates from models by Bagnold (1941) and Hsu (1971) were larger by as much as one order of magnitude than the rates observed in the tracer study. The model of A. A. Kadib (1965) provided closer correspondence to observed transport rates for medium sand (mean diam. 0.653 mm) but underestimated rates for coarse sand (mean diam. 0.992 mm).
Vocal fold proteoglycans and their influence on biomechanics

Objective/hypothesis To examine the interstitial proteins of the vocal fold and their influence on the biomechanical properties of that tissue. Study design Anatomic study of the lamina propria of human cadaveric vocal folds combined with some viscosity testing. Methods Identification of proteoglycans is performed with histochemical staining. Quantitative analysis is performed using an image analysis system. A rheometer is used for viscosity testing. Three-dimensional rendering program is used for the computer images. Results Proteoglycans play an important role in tissue biomechanics. Hyaluronic acid is a key molecule that affects viscosity. Discussion The proteoglycans of the lamina propria have important biological and biomechanical effects. The role of hyaluronic acid in determining tissue viscosity is emphasized. Viscosity, its effect on phonatory threshold pressure and energy expended due to phonation is discussed. Conclusion Proteoglycans, particularly hyaluronic acid, play important roles in determining biomechanical properties of tissue oscillation. Future research will likely make these proteins of important therapeutic interest.
Dynamic Modulus and Repeated Load Tests of Cold In-Place Recycling Mixtures Using Foamed Asphalt

As part of the validation effort to evaluate the consistency of a new cold in-place recycling using foamed asphalt (CIR — foam) mix design process for the Iowa Department of Transportation, the dynamic modulus and repeated load tests were conducted to evaluate the performance characteristics of CIR — foam mixtures over a wide range of loading and temperature conditions. The main objective of this research is to study the impacts of the foamed asphalt contents and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) material characteristics on dynamic modulus and flow number. Dynamic modulus and repeated load tests were conducted on CIR — foam mixtures with RAP materials collected from seven different CIR project sites located throughout Iowa. Dynamic modulus values of the RAP materials varied depending on the sources and foamed asphalt contents. Coarse RAP materials with a small amount of residual asphalt content exhibited a higher modulus value at 4.4°C but exhibited a lower dynamic modulus value at 37.8°C than fine RAP materials with a large amount of residual asphalt content. Flow numbers were varied significantly depending on their RAP sources and foamed asphalt contents. Fine RAP materials with a hard residual asphalt binder exhibited a higher flow number than coarse RAP materials with a soft residual binder. The relative rankings of RAP materials in terms of the flow number did not change when the foamed asphalt was increased from 1.0 to 3.0%, which supports the repeated load test being consistent in evaluating a rutting potential of RAP materials.
Tanford number two

The Hydrophobie Effect: Formation of Micelles and Biological Membranes. 2nd Edn. By Charles Tanford Pp.233. Published by (Wiley: 1980.) £10.50, $24.65
Autophagy, amyloidogenesis and Alzheimer disease

Autophagy is the sole pathway for organelle turnover in cells and is a vital pathway for degrading normal and aggregated proteins, particularly under stress or injury conditions. Recent evidence has shown that the amyloid β peptide is generated from amyloid β precursor protein (APP) during autophagic turnover of APP-rich organelles supplied by both autophagy and endocytosis. Aβ generated during normal autophagy is subsequently degraded by lysosomes. Within neurons, autophagosomes and endosomes actively form in synapses and along neuritic processes but efficient clearance of these compartments requires their retrograde transport towards the neuronal cell body, where lysosomes are most concentrated. In Alzheimer disease, the maturation of autophagolysosomes and their retrograde transport are impeded, which leads to a massive accumulation of `autophagy intermediates9 (autophagic vacuoles) within large swellings along dystrophic and degenerating neurites. The combination of increased autophagy induction and defective clearance of Aβ-generating autophagic vacuoles creates conditions favorable for Aβ accumulation in Alzheimer disease.
Backbone dynamics of Escherichia coli ribonuclease HI: correlations with structure and function in an active enzyme.

Abstract Ribonuclease H is an endonuclease that hydrolyzes the RNA moiety of RNA–DNA duplex molecules.Escherichia coliribonuclease H is involved in DNA replication, and retroviral ribonuclease H is essential for reverse transcription of the viral genome. To characterize the intramolcular dynamical properties ofE. coliribonuclease H, spin-lattic relaxation rate constants, spin-spin relaxation rate constants and steady state nuclear Overhauser effects for the15N nuclear spins were measured by using proton-detected heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. The relaxation data were analyzed by using a series of dynamical models in conjunction with a statistical model selection protocol. Ribonuclease H exhibits a complex array of dynamical features, most notably in the parallel β-strands of the principal five-stranded β-sheet, the coiled-coil helical interface, the active site, and the loop regions surrounding the active site. The dynamical properties are correlated with local structural environments of the15N spins and suggest possible relationships to the functional properties of ribonuclease H. Results forE. coliribonuclease H are compared to previously reported results for the human immunodeficiancy virus type 1 ribonuclease H domain of reverse transcriptase.
Simulated long‐term effects of harvest and biomass residue removal on soil carbon and nitrogen content and productivity for two Upper Great Lakes forest ecosystems

We used the ecosystem process model Biome-BGC to simulate the effects of harvest and residue removal management scenarios on soil carbon (C), available soil nitrogen (N), net primary production (NPP), and net ecosystem production (NEP) in jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh) ecosystems in northern Wisconsin, USA. To assess harvest effects, we simulated short (50-year) and long (100-year) harvest intervals, high (clear-cut) and low (selective) harvest intensities, and three levels of residue retention (15%, 25%, and 35%) over a 500-year period. The model simulation of NPP, soil C accumulation, and NEP agreed reasonably well with biometric and eddy-covariance measurements of these two ecosystems. The more intensive (50-year rotation clear-cuts with low residue retention) harvest scenarios tended to have the greatest NEP (420 and 678 t C ha−1 for the 500-year interval for jack pine and sugar maple, respectively). All the harvest scenarios decreased mineral soil C and available mineral soil N content relative to the no-harvest scenario for jack pine and sugar maple. The rate of change in mineral soil C decreased the greatest in the most intensive biomass removal scenarios (−0.012 and −0.072 t C ha−1 yr−1 relative to no-harvest for jack pine and sugar maple, respectively) and the smallest decrease was observed in the least intensive biomass removal scenarios (−0.002 and −0.009 t C ha−1 yr−1 relative to no-harvest for jack pine and sugar maple, respectively). The more intensive biomass removal harvest scenarios in sugar maple significantly decreased peak productivity (NPP) in the simulation period.
Moment-based Modeling of Extended Defects for Simulation of TED: What Level of Complexity is Necessary?

Accurate modeling of extended defect kinetics is of primary importance for predictive modeling of transient enhanced diffusion (TED). Our previously developed model accurately accounts for extended defects and can be used predictively for TED. Using some experimental knowledge about the distribution of the extended defect population we can simplify our model. We demonstrate that reducing the number of solution variables by one doesn’t affect the predictive capabilities of the model for extended defect kinetics and TED. However, some caution has to be used when applying the same principles to modeling of dopant deactivation.
Effects of an Efflux Mechanism and Ribosomal Mutations on Macrolide Susceptibility of Haemophilus influenzae Clinical Isolates

This study investigated macrolide resistance mechanisms in clinical Haemophilus influenzae strains with different levels of susceptibility to macrolides. A total of 6,382 isolates were collected during the Alexander Project from 1997 to 2000. For 96.9% of these isolates, the azithromycin MICs were 0.25 to 4 μg/ml, and these were defined as baseline strains. For 1.8% of the isolates, the azithromycin MICs were lower ( 4 μg/ml). These isolates were defined as hypersusceptible and high-level macrolide-resistant strains, respectively. To identify the mechanisms associated with these three susceptibility patterns, representative strains were studied for the presence of macrolide efflux pumps and for ribosomal alterations. Macrolide efflux was studied by measuring the accumulation of radioactive azithromycin and clarithromycin in the presence or absence of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), a protonophore. Treatment with CCCP increased the accumulation of macrolides in baseline as well as high-level resistant strains, demonstrating the presence of an efflux mechanism, but not in the 20 hypersusceptible strains tested. Among the 31 strains studied that showed high-level resistance to both azithromycin and clarithromycin, 28 had ribosomal alterations, 7 had mutations in ribosomal protein L4, 11 had mutations in L22, 2 had mutations in 23S rRNA, 8 had multiple mutations, and 3 had no mutations. From these results, we conclude that the vast majority (>98%) of H. influenzae strains have a macrolide efflux mechanism, with a few of these being hyperresistant (1.3%) due to one or several ribosomal mutations. Occasional hypersusceptible strains (1.8%) were found and had no macrolide resistance mechanisms and appeared to be the only truly macrolide-susceptible variants of H. influenzae.
Enabling conditions and children’s understanding of pretense

Two experiments examined whether preschoolers’ difficulties on tasks that required relating pretending and knowledge (e.g., Lillard, A. S. (1993a). Young children’s conceptualization of pretense: Action or mental representational state? Child Development, 64, 372–386) were due to children’s inability to appreciate the causal mechanism behind enabling conditions. In Experiment 1, 4-year-olds were told about a character who knew about one kind of animal and did not know about another. The character acted in a manner consistent with both animals. Children were asked whether the character was pretending to be the animal of which he was ignorant. The character’s knowledge was either represented in a generic manner (as a picture) or in a manner that suggested a particular enabling condition relation that children found accessible (as a battery, which most 4-year-olds recognize is critical for making toys work). Children were more successful at relating knowledge and pretending in the battery condition. This improvement in performance extended to another task in which children had to identify the enabling condition relation between knowledge and identification, in which there were reduced demands on the inhibitory mechanisms necessary for success. Experiment 2 found that the results in Experiment 1 were not due to demands of the procedure used in Experiment 1. These results are discussed in the context of recent theories of theory of mind that focus on the importance of causal relations among mental states.
Combined Effects of Heat Stress and Food Supply on Flight Performance of Olive Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

ABSTRACT The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a newly invasive pest of olives, Olea europaea L., in California. The table olive industry is located in California's Central Valley, where daily high summer temperatures can be >35.0°C. This study investigated the effects of high temperatures (heat stress) and food conditions on the flight performance of B. oleae in laboratory flight mill tests. Flies were provided food (honey and hydrolyzed yeast) and water for a 1-wk preconditioning period and then subjected to 24-h preflight exposure to diurnal temperature regimes (low-high temperatures of 18.3–35.0°C and 18–37.8°C) and deprivation of food. Flies with the preflight stress conditions had significantly lower flight performance (1,305 m and 0.989 h at 18.3–35.0°C and 1,152 m and 0.966 h at 18.3–37.8°C) than control files that were held under no-stress preflight conditions (constant 23.9°C, food, and water) and flew 1,982 m for 1.54 h. Flight distance and duration were furth...
Angiomyolipoma of the liver.

Background and Objectives Angiomyolipoma is a rare benign tumor that occurs in the liver and other organs. We provide data on eight cases of hepatic angiomyolipoma, regarding clinical presentations, diagnoses, management, and prognosis. Methods A retrospective review of medical records of the eight patients with hepatic angiomyolipoma treated at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Taipei between October 1988 and October 1999. Results Eight female patients with hepatic angiomyolipoma were identified, with ages ranging from 30 to 66 years (mean, 45.3 years). Abdominal pain was the most common symptom, occurring in six of eight patients (75%). Hepatocellular carcinoma was the most common preoperative diagnosis, occurring in three of eight patients (37.5%). Laparotomy was performed in seven of eight patients (87.5%). Among these seven patients, three patients (43%) received hepatic resection with 100% cure rate to date. One of the eight patients (12.5%) was closely follow up after diagnosis made by echo-guided needle biopsy. Conclusions Hepatic angiomyolipoma is a rare and benign entity. It has a wide variation and poses a diagnostic challenge clinically, radiologically, and pathologically. Its prognosis is good regardless of management, including hepatic resection or conservative treatment after tissue biopsy by echo-guided needle. To alleviate the mass effect, surgical resection may be needed for hepatic angiomyolipoma in selected cases. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001;77:195–200. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Liberatory Pedagogies in the Religious Studies Classroom

The author describes the risks and rewards of her use of liberatory pedagogies in a “Feminist and Womanist Ethics and Spirituality” course. In addition to defining liberation pedagogies and providing a brief bibliography, she includes classroom rules and the projects undertaken that contributed to the character and success of the course.
Apparent Digestibility of Gross Nutrients from Feedstuffs in Extruded Feeds for Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

.— The current experiment was performed to determine apparent protein and energy digestibility coefficients of feed ingredients by the fecal stripping technique using extruded diets. The ingredients tested included five fish meals, three terrestrial animal by-products, five plant protein concentrates, four plant meals, and seven low-protein plant ingredients. Protein digestibility differed among fish meals and ranged from 90% for fair and average quality menhaden meal to 97% for anchovy meal. Protein apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) in plant concentrates ranged from a low of 89% for rice protein concentrate to a high of 100% for wheat gluten meal. Apparent protein digestibility was lower in plant meals than fish meals with a low of 70% for flaxseed meal to a high of 89% for soybean meal. Low-protein plant meals had generally lower protein ADC from 64% for rice bran to 85% for whole wheat. A similar pattern for energy ADCs was observed; ADCs ranged from 106% for anchovy meal to 32% for whole wheat. In the current trial, divergent protein and energy ADC values were obtained most notably in ingredients known to be high in fiber or have very high starch content. The comparability of ingredients/diets processed by cold pelleting or extrusion thus appears questionable at this juncture.
Kappa opioid receptor activation of p38 MAPK is GRK3- and arrestin-dependent in neurons and astrocytes.

AtT-20 cells expressing the wild-type kappa opioid receptor (KOR) increased phospho-p38 MAPK following treatment with the kappa agonist U50,488. The increase was blocked by the kappa antagonist norbinaltorphimine and not evident in untransfected cells. In contrast, U50,488 treatment of AtT-20 cells expressing KOR having alanine substituted for serine-369 (KSA) did not increase phospho-p38. Phosphorylation of serine 369 in the KOR carboxyl terminus by G-protein receptor kinase 3 (GRK3) was previously shown to be required for receptor desensitization, and the results suggest that p38 MAPK activation by KOR may require arrestin recruitment. This hypothesis was tested by transfecting arrestin3-(R170E), a dominant positive form of arrestin that does not require receptor phosphorylation for activation. AtT-20 cells expressing both KSA and arrestin3-(R170E) responded to U50,488 treatment with an increase in phospho-p38 consistent with the hypothesis. Primary cultured astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive) and neurons (γ-aminobutyric acid-positive) isolated from mouse striata also responded to U50,488 by increasing phospho-p38 immunolabeling. p38 activation was not evident in either striatal astrocytes or neurons isolated from KOR knock-out mice or GRK3 knock-out mice. Astrocytes pretreated with small interfering RNA for arrestin3 were also unable to activate p38 in response to U50,488 treatment. Furthermore, in striatal neurons, the kappa-mediated phospho-p38 labeling was colocalized with arrestin3. These findings suggest that KOR may activate p38 MAPK in brain by a GRK3 and arrestin-dependent mechanism.
How many anticodons

Much new information on codon composition is becoming available from the sequencing of molecules of DNA and RNA. The "wobble rules" for codon-anticodon pairing are applicable to this information. These rules provide for only 54 anticodons to pair with 61 codons, because the base A is not found in the first position of anticodons.
The problem of journalism: A political economic contribution to an explanation of the crisis in contemporary US journalism

In this article I present a political economic critique of contemporary US journalism, emphasizing the origins and limitations of professional journalism, the commercial attack upon journalism, and the right-wing critique of the liberal media. In my view, the US polity is enmeshed in a deep crisis and the collapse of a viable journalism is a significant factor--but by no means the only one--in explaining the shriveled and dilapidated state of US democracy. A political economic analysis stresses that the reasons for lousy journalism stem not from morally bankrupt or untalented journalists, but from a structure that makes such journalism the rational result of its operations. Hence if we are serious about producing a journalism and political culture suitable to a self-governing society, it is mandatory that there be structural change in the media system. This means explicit and major changes in the public policies that have created and spawned the media status quo.
Eight Years Behind the Masthead

The editorship of Circulation Research changes as of this issue. We wish Dr. Marban and his new Associate Editors well and take this opportunity to highlight some of the key features of our editorship, which began in 1991 at Boston and ends in 1999 at Pittsburgh. It is important to keep in mind that in 1991 the application of molecular biology to cardiovascular research was well underway. Our goal at that time was not only to capitalize on the new science that was emerging but also to integrate it with physiology. This was difficult to accomplish, since the two scientific camps enjoyed little communication. We believe one of the major strengths of this Journal is its place as a forum to present the best of both of these scientific disciplines. At present, most articles use at least some part of a molecular approach, but most often combine it with some functional data. This integrative approach is becoming more popular in medical schools as well as at the National Institutes of Health in terms of new programs.1 A second goal was to incorporate more vascular biology into Circulation Research . We believe this effort has also been successful, as reflected by the increasing number of basic vascular biology …
Stratospheric Influence on the Tropospheric Circulation Revealed by Idealized Ensemble Forecasts

[1] The coupling between the stratosphere and troposphere following Stratospheric Sudden Warming (SSW) events is investigated in an idealized atmospheric General Circulation Model, with focus on the influence of stratospheric memory on the troposphere. Ensemble forecasts are performed to confirm the role of the stratosphere in the observed equatorward shift of the tropospheric midlatitude jet following an SSW. It is demonstrated that the tropospheric response to the weakening of the lower stratospheric vortex is robust, but weak in amplitude and thus easily masked by tropospheric variability. The amplitude of the response in the troposphere is crucially sensitive to the depth of the SSW. The persistence of the response in the troposphere is attributed to both the increased predictability of the stratosphere following an SSW, and the dynamical coupling between the tropospheric jet and lower stratosphere. These results suggest value in resolving the stratosphere and assimilating upper atmospheric data in forecast models.
Crystal structure and conformation of a DNA–RNA hybrid duplex with a polypurine RNA strand: d(TTCTTBr5CTTC)–r(GAAGAAGAA)

Abstract Background: DNA–RNA hybrids are substrates for RNase H. This enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of the RNA strand in the hybrid form. The polypurine tract (PPT) in human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) is a short stretch of purines (∼ 15 bases) located at the 3′-end of the U3 region of the RNA genome. The PPT has the unique ability to resist digestion by RNase H and serves as a primer for plus-strand DNA synthesis. Results: The crystal structure of a DNA–RNA hybrid duplex containing a polypurine RNA strand, d(TTCTTBr 5 CTTC)–r(GAAGAAGAA), has been determined at 1.8 a resolution. The structure was solved by molecular replacement methods and refined to a final R factor of 20.1% (R free 23.7%). The hybrid duplex adopts a standard A-form conformation. All of the sugar rings and glycosidic torsion angles are found in the standard C3′- endo/anti conformation, as seen in A-RNA or A-DNA. The crystal packing is dominated by the DNA strand, where the terminal base pairs of the hybrid abut the neighboring A-DNA sugar–phosphate backbone on the minor groove side. Conclusions: The present DNA–RNA hybrid duplex containing a polypurine RNA strand exhibits standard A-form geometry. This observation might suggest that the RNA PPT resists the RNase H activity of HIV reverse transcriptase as a result of its A-form conformation. In addition, there appears to be a correlation between the percentage purine content of the RNA and the DNA backbone conformation.
Weyl manifolds and Gaussian thermostats

* A relation between Weyl connections and Gaussian t he rmos t a t s is exposed and exploited. 2000 Mathemat ic s Subject Classification: 37D, 53C, 70K, 82C05.
Message-ordering for wormhole-routed multiport systems with link contention and routing adaptivity

We analyze the impact of message-ordering, between outgoing messages from a sender to multiple receivers (called multicasts), on the completion time of a program for wormhole-routed distributed-memory systems. In most existing systems, messages in a multicast are generally being sent as separate unicast messages by the source processor itself. We study how best to order a set of outgoing messages by taking into account message criticality and architectural issues including link contention, multiple ports and adaptivity in routing. First, the simple algorithm of (Dikaiakos et al., 1992) is extended to obtain a static algorithm for nonfully-connected systems. Next, a dynamic message-ordering algorithm is proposed which works for any number of ports and takes advantage of routing adaptivity. Simulation results on random task graphs show improvement in completion time by 34% for static and 44% for dynamic, over naive sequential message-ordering. >
Amicable divorce: Dissolving a partnership with simple mechanisms

Abstract This paper considers mechanisms for allocating the assets of a dissolving partnership that can be specified without information on the distribution of valuations of the asset or the level of risk aversion of the participants. For the case of a single asset and risk averse agents, three simple mechanisms are considered. These mechanisms can be ranked in terms of ex post efficiency and partially ranked in terms of interim expected utility. The efficiency of the “alternating selection” mechanism is considered for environments when there are many items to be allocated, agents are risk neutral, and transfers are prohibited. Conditions are given when a myopic strategy of picking the most preferred abailable item forms an equilibrium, and these conditions are satisfied under independence. Under the further assumption of identical distributions of valuations, it is shown that the total expected efficiency loss is at most 1 2 of the maximal value of a single item, regardless of how many items are to be allocated.