cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene dispersal within forest tree populations

Patterns of gene dispersal by seeds and pollen greatly influence the genetic structure of plant populations and their effective size. This paper reviews methods of measuring gene dispersal and current information on patterns of dispersal within local populations of forest trees. Recently, a number of statistical procedures for investigating gene movement based on the use of large numbers of isozyme loci have been described. These procedures include various forms of parentage analysis and the fitting of mating models to genotypic arrays of offspring from individual maternal plants. With the levels of genetic discrimination currently possible in forest trees, the model approach appears to be the most reliable means of estimating gene dispersal parameters. Too little data are available to draw general conclusions about patterns of gene movement within natural populations. Nevertheless, reports to date indicate that dispersal by both pollen and seed can be considerable. For any one mother tree, the bulk of effective pollen in conifers may come from distant males in the same stand or from surrounding stands (gene flow). In insect-pollinated angiosperms, gene flow may also be substantial, but cross-fertilization within stands may primarily be between nearest flowering trees.
Carbon isotopic compositions of Recent planktonic foraminifera of the Indian Ocean

Abstract Carbon and oxygen isotopic determinations have been made of 29 species of Recent Indian Ocean planktonic foraminifera. Fourteen core-top samples were used and as many as 18 species were chosen from a single core-top sample. The δ13C of the foraminifera was compared with that of total dissolved CO2 (ΣCO2) and of calcite precipitated in isotopic equilibrium with ΣCO2. The foraminiferal calcite is always at least 1.2‰ less than the value estimated for equilibrium calcite. This carbon isotopic disequilibrium suggests the partial utilization of13C-depleted metabolic CO2. The calcite tests of several species, however, have δ13C values which are similar to the δ13C of ΣCO2 in seawater. This relationship suggests that important paleohydrographic information may be obtained from carbon isotope records based on analyses of several foraminiferal species from single deep-sea sediment samples.
PRODUCTION OF CHARGED PIONS IN N-P COLLISIONS

The differential cross section and energy spectra for the production of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ mesons by the 400-Mev neutron beam of the Chicago synchrocyclotron on liquid hydrogen has been measured at 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} in the laboratory, using photographic emulsions as detectors. At 65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} (corresponding to 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} in the center-of-mass system), roughly equal numbers of positive and negative pions were observed, while at 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} the ratio of positive to negative pions was found to be 2.01\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.24. The laboratory integrated cross sections ${(\frac{d{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{Av}}}{d\ensuremath{\Omega}})}_{\mathrm{Av}}$, in ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sterad, are: for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ at 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} (2.296\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.363)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}29}$, for $Tg14$ Mev; for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ at 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, (1.56\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.357) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}29}$ for $Tg14$ Mev; for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ at 65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, (1.22\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.30)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}29}$, for $Tg41$ Mev; and for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ at 65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, (1.31\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.63)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}29}$. These experimental cross sections are the result of production due to neutrons of all energies above the threshold for pion production in the neutron beam.A phenomenological analysis is made for the reaction $N+P\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ under the hypothesis of charge independence and the energy and angular distributions of the pions at a single neutron energy are deduced from the experimental cross sections. The total cross section for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ or ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ production, at neutron energy 409 Mev, is determined to be $\ensuremath{\sigma}({\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+})=\ensuremath{\sigma}({\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}})=0.16\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 \mathrm{millibarn},$ and the differential cross section for the same neutron energy is calculated to be ${{(\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{d\ensuremath{\omega}})}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}=(1.07\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.39)\ensuremath{\mp},(1.38\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.78)cos\ensuremath{\theta}}{+(0.57\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.14){cos}^{2}\ensuremath{\theta}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}29} {\mathrm{cm}}^{2}/\mathrm{sterad}.}$
The relationship between mathematics preparation and conceptual learning gains in physics: A possible “hidden variable” in diagnostic pretest scores

There have been many investigations into the factors that underlie variations in individual student performance in college physics courses. Numerous studies report a positive correlation between students’ mathematical skills and their exam grades in college physics. However, few studies have examined students’ learning gain resulting from physics instruction, particularly with regard to qualitative, conceptual understanding. We report on the results of our investigation into some of the factors, including mathematical skill, that might be associated with variations in students’ ability to achieve conceptual learning gains in a physics course that employs interactive-engagement methods. It was found that students’ normalized learning gains are not significantly correlated with their pretest scores on a physics concept test. In contrast, in three of the four sample populations studied it was found that there is a significant correlation between normalized learning gain and students’ preinstruction mathematics skill. In two of the samples, both males and females independently exhibited the correlation between learning gain and mathematics skill. These results suggest that students’ initial level of physics concept knowledge might be largely unrelated to their ability to make learning gains in an interactive-engagement course; students’ preinstruction algebra skills might be associated with their facility at acquiring physics conceptual knowledge in such a course; and between-class differences in normalized learning gain may reflect not only differences in instructional method, but student population differences (“hidden variables”) as well.
Dr. David Harold Blackwell, African American Pioneer

Dr. David Blackwell is an African American educational pioneer and eminent scholar in the fields of mathematics and statistics, whose contributions to our society extend beyond these fields. This paper highlights his significant contributions and the personal, educational, and professional experiences that groomed and nurtured him for leadership as a civic scientist. We hope this account of Dr. Blackwell's life will enhance the literature on African American achievers, and motivate students majoring in, or considering careers in mathematics and statistics, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
WE-G-BRCD-06: Knowledge-Based Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) Treatment Planning for Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: To verify that a knowledge‐based approach to intensity modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)treatment planning can create clinically acceptable plans of higher or comparable dosimetric quality than prior clinically approved plans. Methods: Each case in a database of 140 IMRT prostate plans treated to 54 – 74Gy (28–41 fractions) is used as a query case and is compared to the other 139 cases in the database (match cases) using a case‐ similarity algorithm. 2D beam's eye view (BEV) projections of the query and match cases anatomies (planning target volume (PTV), rectum, bladder, right and left femoral heads) at treatment gantry angles are captured. To quantify similarity between the query and match cases, mutual information (MI) values of the query vs. match BEVs are averaged over all treatment gantry angles. The BEV PTV projections of the best match case, identified by the highest average MI value, are deformed to the query's PTV BEVs. The deformation maps are applied to deform the match case's fluences to suit the query case and further tweaked by running 50–100 iterations (without manual intervention) of the Eclipse optimization engine with constraints directly imported from the match case. Results: Approximately 84.3% of the bladder and rectum dose constraints were achieved for the original plans whereas 86% were achieved for the post‐optimized plans. On average, the rectum and bladder volume receiving 65Gy was smaller for the original plans than the post‐optimized plans by (4.52±30.84) % and (3.44±33.55) % respectively. However, the rectum and bladder volume receiving 40Gy was smaller for the post optimized plans than the original plans by (1.53±24.66) % and (3.65±24.44) % respectively. Conclusions: The knowledge‐based approach produces treatment plans of greater or equivalent dosimetric quality to prior clinically approved plans. This work has the potential to semi‐automatically provide high quality plans while dramatically reducing treatment planning time.
Mechanical Properties of Some Silicon Carbide Reinforced Aluminum Composites

The mechanical properties of several particulate and continuous fiber silicon carbide-reinforced aluminum composites were examined. The tensile strength of a 47 percent silicon carbide fiber unidirectionally-reinforced aluminum composite was 1273 and 76 MPa parallel and normal to the fiber direction, respectively. The tensile strength of (0 deg/90 deg) 4s and (0/sub 2/90/0)s composites were 629 and 864 MPa, respectively. The tensile properties of a 30 percent silicon carbide particulate reinforced aluminum were found to depend on the chemistry of the metal matrix. The endurance limits of the fiber and the particulate reinforced aluminum were at the most 55 percent and 33 percent of the respective tensile strengths. The fracture toughness of the fiber reinforced composite varied with specimen width, while that of the particulate reinforced composite was 21-29 MPa sq rt m. The fatigue crack growth rate in the latter composite decreased with material thickness. There were indications that the fatigue crack growth rate in the silicon carbide particulate reinforced aluminum may be independent of variations in the chemistry of the metal matrix. 6 references.
Genetic Dissection of an Exogenously Induced Biofilm in Laboratory and Clinical Isolates of E. coli

Microbial biofilms are a dominant feature of many human infections. However, developing effective strategies for controlling biofilms requires an understanding of the underlying biology well beyond what currently exists. Using a novel strategy, we have induced formation of a robust biofilm in Escherichia coli by utilizing an exogenous source of poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) polymer, a major virulence factor of many pathogens. Through microarray profiling of competitive selections, carried out in both transposon insertion and over-expression libraries, we have revealed the genetic basis of PNAG-based biofilm formation. Our observations reveal the dominance of electrostatic interactions between PNAG and surface structures such as lipopolysaccharides. We show that regulatory modulation of these surface structures has significant impact on biofilm formation behavior of the cell. Furthermore, the majority of clinical isolates which produced PNAG also showed the capacity to respond to the exogenously produced version of the polymer.
Two dimensional photonic crystal biosensors as a platform for label-free sensing of biomolecules

Resonant optical microcavites of two-dimensional photonic crystals (2D PhC) are responsive to refractive index changes in the immediate vicinity and thus provide a label-free platform for sensing biological molecules. Because their active sensing volume is ~ 1 μm 3 , exceptionally sensitive detection of biomolecules is, in principle, achievable from complex biological samples. Previously, we have demonstrated detection of human-IgG protein and virus-like particles by measuring changes in the optical transmission spectrum from the 2D PhC after it has been treated with analyte and dried. However, this drying step restricts practical utility of the platform especially in the case of clinical diagnostics wherein multiple samples need to be tested in short duration. In our progress toward this, we have demonstrated successful integration of microfluidic channels with the 2D PhC device and we further characterized the temperature and bulk refractive index sensitivity of the device.
Perceived direction of motion under retinal image stabilization.

Abstract For slowly drifting gratings, contrast thresholds for discrimination of direction are higher than for detection. The effect is unaltered by retinal image stabilization, and consequently is unlikely to be caused by spontaneous eye movements.
The dynamical differential forms of the Klein—Gordon field

We classify the conserved currents for the Klein-Gordon field. We show that there are many which are not associated with invariances of the Lagrangian.
Down-regulation of Manganese-Superoxide Dismutase through Phosphorylation of FOXO3a by Akt in Explanted Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells from Old Rats

Manganese-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is one of the major cellular antioxidant defense systems. To study the effect of age on the regulation of MnSOD in the vasculature, we compared MnSOD expression and its transcriptional regulation in explanted vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) isolated from old (24 months old) versus young (6 months old) rats and grown in a normal (5 mM) or high (12.5 and 25 mM) glucose or tumor necrosis factor alpha (5 ng/ml) environment to induce oxidative stress. Both MnSOD protein and activity were reduced in VSMC from old compared with young animals. FOXO3a, a member of the family of Forkhead transcription factors, interacted with the promoter of the rat MnSOD gene at a specific binding site. Inhibition of FOXO3a transcription with small interfering RNA led to a reduction in MnSOD gene expression. VSMC from old rats had increased phosphorylated FOXO3a at Ser(253), which paralleled the reduction of MnSOD protein. Treatment of VSMC with 5 nm insulin-like growth factor-1 induced phosphorylation of Akt and FOXO3a over time, repressing FOXO3a DNA binding and consequently MnSOD gene expression. Furthermore, Akt activity was selectively increased in VSMC from the old, supporting the hypothesis that increased age-related Akt activity might be responsible for the phosphorylation and inactivation of FOXO3a, which in turn down-regulates MnSOD transcription.
Salmonella colonization in commercial pet turtles (Pseudemys scripta elegans).

Abstract An epidemiological survey was conducted on two commercial turtle farms in southern Louisiana to determine the reason for an apparent increase in the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in turtle hatchlings at the time of pre-export certification examination. Pond water was consistently found to be contaminated (6/36 samples) with either Salmonella newport, S. arizonae, or S. poona. Environmental specimens obtained from eggs and turtle hatcheries (204 specimens) failed to yield Salmonella spp. A sample comprising 197 hatchlings, derived from a batch previously demonstrated to be contaminated, showed a salmonella prevalence of 12%, with S. arizonae and S. poona the only serotypes isolated. Four serotypes of Salmonella sp. isolated by a certifying laboratory in 1988, and 20 salmonella isolates obtained from hatchling turtles, were all resistant to gentamicin. The emergence of gentamicin resistance in Salmonella spp. isolated from turtles will reduce the effectiveness of preventive measures in use in Louisiana since 1984.
Preparation and Characterization of Polyoxometalate/Protein Ultrathin Films Grown on Electrode Surfaces Using Layer-by-Layer Assembly

We report a new electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly method for the controlled deposition of electrocatalytically active enzymes onto electrode surfaces using polyoxometalate as the counteranion. Cytochrome c (cyt c), a redox active protein, and P2W18O626-, a Dawson-type polyoxometalate, were deposited onto glassy carbon electrodes by two procedures: static dipping and electrochemical cycling. Cyclic voltammetry and UV−vis spectroscopy reveal that approximately 1.5 × 10-10 mol/cm2 of P2W18O626- and 2.2 × 10-11 mol/cm2 of cytochrome c are deposited per cycle, which correspond to approximately one monolayer of each molecule. The thicknesses of the resulting films measured by atomic force microscopy also indicate that the films are formed in a layer-by-layer fashion. Experimental factors that affect electron-transfer rate in these films, such as scan rate and film thickness, were systematically analyzed. The use of {P2W18O626-/cyt c}n films to catalyze hydrogen peroxide reduction was demonstrated.
Long-term conservation efforts contribute to positive green turtle Chelonia mydas nesting trend at Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Abstract Worldwide, green turtle Chelonia mydas populations have declined and the species is classified as globally endangered. Tortuguero, Costa Rica, hosts the largest remaining green turtle rookery in the Atlantic basin. Tortuguero green turtles have been hunted since pre-Columbian times. Monitoring and conservation of the green turtle population began in 1955. The long-term efforts provide an excellent opportunity to evaluate the success of sea turtle conservation action and policies. Nest counts conducted 1971–2003 were analyzed to: (1) determine the nesting trend, (2) estimate rookery size and (3) identify events and policy decisions influencing the trend. A nonparametric regression model indicates a 417% increase in nesting over the study period. Rookery size was defined as the mean number of nests 1999–2003 and estimated at 104,411 nests year−1, corresponding to 17,402–37,290 nesting females year−1. A comparison with 34 index populations verifies Tortuguero as one of the two largest green turtle rookeries worldwide. Events and policy decisions in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama that comprise the main nesting, feeding and mating grounds for the Tortuguero population are likely to have had the greatest influence on green turtle survivorship. Conservation efforts and policies catalyzing increased hatchling production and decreased adult and juvenile mortality since 1963 have contributed to the positive nesting trend. The trend demonstrates that long-term conservation efforts can reverse nesting declines and offers hope that adequate management can result in recuperation of endangered sea turtle species.
Implication Structures for System Interconnection Matrices

The problem of interconnecting two multilevel subsystem models defined by binary matrices A and B and a common, transitive, contextual relation to form a system model defined by matrix M is solved. The entries of the unknown interconnection matrices X and Y are shown to form a multilevel implication structure. A method for finding this structure is given. The implication matrix that defines the structure furnishes a simple means of determining the inference opportunity of any unknown in X or Y at any point in the development of these matrices. Transitive bordering of A corresponds to the special case B = 1. When the system has many elements, it may be advisable to form a matrix A for a subset and then use transitive bordering iteratively to complete the structuring process.
Effects of sensory deprivation on discrimination learning

Twenty-four college students were tested under 15, 30, or 60 min of sensory deprivation (SD) or social isolation conditions. Results on a subsequent visual discrimination task indicated that sensory or social deprivation reduced visual discrimination errors; however, deprivation degree effects were not monotonie as hypothesized. Results favored a drive-reduction interpretation and indicated an adaptation variable relevant to specific deprivation times.
The Dialogue of Marriage

This article, framed in relational dialectics theory, argues for dialogic creativity as an alternative to extant companionate and institutional conceptualizations of marital quality. Dialogic creativity-dialogue forecloses monologic calcification of meaning in marriage, including the evaluative judgment of what constitutes marital quality, through the ongoing interplay of competing discourses. Four potential discursive sites are discussed through the Bakhtinian concept of the utterance chain as a way to frame the kinds of discursive struggles that are prevalent in marriage; two of these discursive sites capture struggles among socio-cultural discourses, and two capture struggles among idiosyncratic systems of meaning that reflect the unique history ofa given marriage and the unique pattern of'similarities and differences between partners in a given marriage. Dialogic creativity is enacted communicatively through three forms of dialogic expansion: diachronic separation, synchronic interplay, and hybrid and aesthetic-moment enactments. The three kinds of communicative practices are contrasted with dialogically contractive monologue, in which a single monolithic discourse silences all competing discourses in the struggle of meaning.
Stabilization of the Escherichia coli elongation factor Tu-GTP-aminoacyl-tRNA complex.

Abstract The effect of ammonium sulfate on the Escherichia coli elongation factor Tu-GTP-aminoacyl-tRNA complex has been studied. The half-lives of 12 E. coli aminoacyl-tRNA species were determined at 37 °C in the presence and absence of an equimolar amount of EF-Tu-GTP and in the presence and absence of 1.5 m ammonium sulfate. The results indicate that the addition of 1.5 m ammonium sulfate to the ternary complex increased the stability of all 12 complexes studied. In addition, the effects of various salts and crystallization agents on the stability of the E. coli EF-Tu-GTP-phenylalanyl-tRNA complex was studied in detail. Binding parameters were also measured under various conditions at 37 °C. The results indicate that the stability and the K assoc . of the ternary complex, using phenylalanyl-tRNA, can be increased by the presence of polyethylene glycol or ammonium sulfate.
Springtime Thaw Weakening and Load Restrictions in Minnesota

In regions of the United States where pavements are constructed in freeze-thaw environments, springtime load restrictions are used to reduce distress caused by truck loads. During the spring, the pavement layers can be saturated and weakened because of partial thaw conditions and trapped water. Knowledge of the timing of freeze-thaw events is crucial to a successful load restriction strategy. Several studies in Minnesota are being done to evaluate criteria used to predict when to place and remove springtime load restrictions. The objectives are to evaluate current load restriction procedures, investigate pavement strength changes in relation to freeze-thaw events, and suggest improvements to current procedures. Data collected from eight Minnesota Road Research Project (Mn/ROAD) flexible pavement test sections, including falling weight deflectometer, response, and environmental data, were used to assess the effects on pavement strength. In conjunction with the Mn/ROAD work, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is conducting a statewide study using resistivity probes to monitor frost depth beneath various roads around the state. It was found that the existing procedure works well in predicting the thaw if the warming trend is uniform. In addition, over the past four springs the predicted thaw duration was greater than field observations. The date of maximum deflection occurs about 1 to 3 weeks after thawing is complete; the rate of strength recovery is quicker in sections constructed on higher quality base materials with low fines content. On the basis of the results a new criteria and equation for predicting the beginning and duration of the thaw are proposed.
Rush of regret: a longitudinal analysis of naturalistic regrets

The current research examines immediate regrets occurring at the time of a meaningful life outcome to better understand influences on real-life regrets. This research used a longitudinal approach to examine both initial severity and the rate of change in immediate regrets. Initial severity was associated with greater past control over the outcome and lower levels of future ability to attain goals relevant to the regret and correct the regretted situation. Regret decreased over time, but less so if it concerned attainable ongoing goals. These contrasting effects of future opportunity on initial severity and change over time support a Dynamic Opportunity Principle of regret. Furthermore, the effects of past opportunity and of actions versus inactions on immediate regrets diverged from past findings about retrospective regrets. Immediate regrets may fundamentally differ from retrospective regrets, and implications for our understanding of regret are discussed.
Recent advances in scanning electron microscopy of surface topography

(1973). Recent advances in scanning electron microscopy of surface topography. C R C Critical Reviews in Solid State Sciences: Vol. 4, No. 1-4, pp. 333-351.
The Impact of Stocking on the Current Ancestry in Twenty Native and Introduced Muskellunge Populations in Minnesota

Abstract Fish stocking, often from multiple source populations, is a common management practice frequently conducted without the means or effort to determine the reproductive contributions of stocked fish. Historically, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has stocked four strains of muskellunge Esox masquinongy, but the contribution of these strains to current populations was unknown. Two strains came from Minnesota lakes, Shoepack Lake and Leech Lake, and the other strains came from Wisconsin and Iowa hatcheries and were of uncertain origin. The MNDNR discontinued stocking the Shoepack strain in the 1980s when that strain displayed poor growth in stocked waters. Managers were concerned that ancestry from this strain might be limiting the genetic potential for muskellunge to attain trophy size in stocked populations. Using 13 microsatellite DNA markers, we determined the ancestry of muskellunge in 10 supplemented native populations and 10 introduced populations. The ancestry from each of...
Phosphate oxygen isotope analysis on microsamples of bioapatite: removal of organic contamination and minimization of sample size.

Modern and fossil teeth record seasonal information on climate, diet, and migration through stable isotope compositions in enamel and dentine. Climatic signals such as seasonal variation in meteoric water isotopic composition can be recovered through a microscale histology-based sampling and isotopic analysis of enamel phosphate oxygen. The phosphate moiety in bioapatite is particularly resistant to post mortem diagenesis. In order to determine the phosphate oxygen isotope composition of enamel, phosphate must be chemically purified from other oxygen sources in the enamel lattice and matrix, mainly hydroxyl and carbonate ions, and trace quantities of organics. We present a wet chemical technique for purifying phosphate from microsampled enamel and dentine. This technique uses a sodium hypochlorite oxidation step to remove interferences from residual organic constituents of the enamel and/or dentine scaffold, isolates phosphate as relatively large and easily manipulated Ag3PO4 crystals by using a strongly buffered, moderate-temperature microprecipitation, and preserves the oxygen isotope composition of the initial tooth phosphate. The reproducibility of phosphate oxygen isotope compositions thus determined (measured as δ18O, V-SMOW scale) is typically 0.2–0.3‰ (1 s.d.) on samples as small as 300 µg of enamel or dentine, a considerable improvement over available techniques for analyses of bioapatite phosphate oxygen. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Light-ion production from intermediate-energy Heavy-Ion interactions

The production of light ions such as protons, neutrons, deuterons, tritons, 3He and 4He from heavy ion interactions still remains as a key issue to be investigated for the purposes of radiation protection in space. Ultimately, we will produce double-differential spectra for high-energy light ion production from several heavy-ion experiments conducted at the Heavy-Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) facility in Japan. The analysis will entail pulse-shape discrimination techniques folded with a time-of-flight reconstruction of particle energy that will involve corrections due to energy loss in intervening materials between the target and detectors. The data were measured at angles between 5 and 80 degrees in the laboratory, over a wide range of systems.. The data, together with previously measured neutron spectra from the same experiments, can help further investigate various physics models used to produce light ions in transport calculations, such as the commonly-used coalescence model. 1 2
Altered expression of annexin II in human B-cell lymphoma cell lines.

Abstract Annexin II is a growth-regulated gene, whose expression is significantly increased in various human cancers. We examined annexin II expression in 11 human B-cell lymphoma cell lines and in normal B-cells. Wide variation was observed in the levels of annexin II in these cell lines. Annexin II overexpression was observed in 5 cell lines, while significantly reduced expression was observed in Raji, OMA-BL-1 and REH cell lines. Analysis of the annexin II gene, mRNA and protein in Raji and OMA-BL-1 cell lines indicated that annexin II gene was unaltered and that a low level of annexin II transcripts are produced in these cells. Down-regulation of annexin II expression was at the transcriptional level, and no reexpression of annexin II was observed after treatment of cells with demethylating agents. Thus methylation of the annexin II gene does not appear to be responsible for annexin II down-regulation. A slow migrating altered form of annexin II was detected in Raji and OMA-BL-1 cells, which was detected with the anti-chicken annexin II antiserum, but not with the anti-human annexin II antiserum. The slow migrating annexin II species was found to be sensitive to dephosphorylation by calf intestinal alkaline phosphattase, resulting in reduction of the size of the protein on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The phosphorylated annexin II was also observed in nuclear extracts of human K562 and HeLa cells. Thus, Raji and OMA-BL-1 cells exclusively produce a phosphorylated form of annexin II, and phosphorylated annexin II may be important for cell survival and proliferation.
The antioxidant nutrients and disease prevention--what do we know and what do we need to find out?

The symposium started with several lectures that outlined and explained the mechanistic background necessary to understand free radical reactions, and especially those reactions that are important in free radical biology. These lectures stressed the widespread nature of radical-mediated oxidative processes in normal biochemistry as well as in pathology and also the role ofantioxidant nutrients in protecting biological systems against oxidative stress. Some speakers addressed the difficulty in proving that a given biological effect results from free radical-mediated processes. Free radicals are so reactive that they cannot be directly observed in biological systems. Thus, we are on the trail ofan elusive species, and we must look for its “footprints.” Although a number of footprints that mark free radical activity in biological samples have been reported (1, 2), there is a need both to validate those that we have and to develop newer methods that are more sensitive and more specific. The task of proving radical involvement in chronic disease conditions is often difficult. For example, smokers do not have a reduced level of vitamin E in blood plasma, but they do have a strikingly lower level of vitamin E in their pulmonary lavage fluid (3). Also, smokers have blood plasma that gives very nearly normal values ofthiobarbaturic acid reactive materials (TBARS), but smokers exhale elevated amounts ofethane and pentane (4). Thus, cigarette smoke puts the greatest oxidative burden on the lung, as seems reasonable. Therefore, methods for detecting radical involvement must be targeted to, and sensitive to, oxidative damage to the lung when probing oxidative stress in smokers. Several speakers provided insights into the rates at which vitamins E and C are oxidized in model systems, ranging from simple phospholipids to human blood serum and the LDL partide. More studies are needed of the mechanisms by which antioxidant nutrients protect model systems against oxidation. For example, Professor Niki presented data on the oxidation of human blood serum, showing that vitamin E in the LDL particle disappears very much faster than does vitamin E in the red blood cell membrane. While reasons for this can be hypothesized, it is an interesting observation that is worthy of further work. Professor Esterbauer presented studies of the oxidation of the LDL particle, a process that may be involved in the development offatty streaks in atherosclerosis. Esterbauer’s group has shown, for example, that oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) leads to the production ofa number ofaldehydes, most notably malonaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) (5). These aldehydes can diffuse farther in the cell than can reactive radicals, and HNE therefore may be implicated in damage to LDL.
On connectivity, observability, and stability in distributed estimation

We introduce a new model of social learning and distributed estimation in which the state to be estimated is governed by a potentially unstable linear model driven by noise. The state is observed by a network of agents, each with its own linear noisy observation models. We assume the state to be globally observable, but no agent is able to estimate the state with its own observations alone. We propose a single consensus-step estimator that consists of an innovation step and a consensus step, both performed at the same time-step. We show that if the instability of the dynamics is strictly less than the Network Tracking Capacity (NTC), a function of network connectivity and the observation matrices, the single consensus-step estimator results in a bounded estimation error. We further quantify the trade-off between: (i) (in)stability of the parameter dynamics, (ii) connectivity of the underlying network, and (iii) the observation structure, in the context of single timescale algorithms. This contrasts with prior work on distributed estimation that either assumes scalar dynamics (which removes local observability issues) or assumes that enough iterates can be carried out for the consensus to converge between each innovation (observation) update.
Aberrations from a prism and a grating

Formulas for the wave aberrations introduced into a beam by a prism or a plane grating are derived from the theory of plane symmetric systems. Emphasis is made on the field-dependent aberrations.
Length and Condition of Wild Chinook Salmon Smolts Influence Age at Maturity

AbstractAnadromous Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha commonly mature at 3–5 years of age. Age at maturity is an important measure of population diversity, and has ecological importance. In the John Day River, a northeast Oregon tributary of the Columbia River, we tagged 24,240 wild Chinook Salmon smolts from 10 successive cohorts with passive integrated transponder tags and subsequently monitored their age at maturation. We used multinomial logistic regression and multimodel selection to assess the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on age at maturity. Smolt fork length, condition factor, and day of tagging all had significant associations with age at maturity. Conversely, we found no significant association between ocean conditions and age at maturity. The probability of age-3 maturation increased concomitant with increased smolt length. In contrast, the probability of maturation at age-5 was inversely related to smolt condition factor. Day of tagging had a significant effect, indicating that ...
Making one object look like another: controlling appearance using a projector-camera system

We present a method for controlling the appearance of an arbitrary 3D object using a projector and a camera. Our goal is to make one object look like another by projecting a carefully determined compensation image onto the object. The determination of the appropriate compensation image requires accounting for spatial variation in the object's reflectance, the effects of environmental lighting, and the spectral responses, spatially varying fall-offs, and non-linear responses in the projector-camera system. Addressing each of these effects, we present a compensation method which calls for the estimation of only a small number of parameters, as part of a novel off-line radiometric calibration. This calibration is accomplished by projecting and acquiring a minimal set of 6 images, irrespective of the object. Results of the calibration are then used on-line to compensate each input image prior to projection. Several experimental results are shown that demonstrate the ability of this method to control the appearance of everyday objects. Our method has direct applications in several areas including smart environments, product design and presentation, adaptive camouflages, interactive education and entertainment.
Playing with History: A Look at Video Games, World History and Libraries

The ubiquity of video games in today's society presents unique challenges and opportunities for librarians and faculty. A significant subset of video games use historical periods as a setting, some with greater adherence to history than others. Many students are playing these games and bringing preconceived ideas of the historical period to the classroom. This article demonstrates how a working librarian has explained how video games and gaming technology can be used by history faculty in teaching Asian history and provides a brief look at the content of some of the more popular games available.
The rapamycin-regulated gene expression signature determines prognosis for breast cancer.

Background: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase involved in multiple intracellular signaling pathways promoting tumor growth. mTOR is aberrantly activated in a significant portion of breast cancers and is a promising target for treatment. Rapamycin and its analogues are in clinical trials for breast cancer treatment. Patterns of gene expression (metagenes) may also be used to simulate a biologic process or effects of a drug treatment. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the gene-expression signature regulated by rapamycin could predict disease outcome for patients with breast cancer. Results: Colony formation and sulforhodamine B (IC50 75th percentile) RMI was significantly associated with longer survival (P = 0.015). On multivariate analysis, RMI (P = 0.029), tumor size (P = 0.015) and lymph node status (P = 0.001) were prognostic. In van 't Veer study, RMI was not associated with the time to develop distant metastasis (P = 0.41). In the Wang dataset, RMI predicted time to disease relapse (P = 0.009). Conclusion: Rapamycin-regulated gene expression signature predicts clinical outcome in breast cancer. This supports the central role of mTOR signaling in breast cancer biology and provides further impetus to pursue mTOR-targeted therapies for breast cancer treatment.
Analysis of functional cooperativity between individual transcription-stimulating elements in the proximal region of the rat prolactin gene.

The proximal region of the rat PRL gene contains at least five transcription-stimulating elements that are located within a 170-basepair region up-stream of the TATA box. These cis-acting elements include four binding sites for the pituitary-specific transcription factor Pit-1 as well as another site for an unidentified factor. In this study interactions between different DNA elements have been examined through the construction of PRL-luciferase fusion genes containing mutations that disrupt various combinations of the individual DNA elements. In general, the disruption of multiple factor-binding sites had a much more than additive effect on expression of the luciferase constructs. Interestingly, comparison of the effects of disrupting pairs of binding sites demonstrated substantial differences in the effects of different combinations of mutations, suggesting that cooperative interactions may reflect specific interactions. Mutations that disrupted all five cis-elements of the PRL proximal region essential...
Disengagement From Mental Health Treatment Among Individuals With Schizophrenia and Strategies for Facilitating Connections to Care: A Review of the Literature

Disengagement from mental health services can lead to devastating consequences for individuals with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses who require ongoing treatment. We review the extent and correlates of dropping out of mental health treatment for individuals with schizophrenia and suggest strategies for facilitating treatment engagement. Although rates vary across studies, reviews of the literature suggest that up to one-third of individuals with serious mental illnesses who have had some contact with the mental health service system disengage from care. Younger age, male gender, ethnic minority background, and low social functioning have been consistently associated with disengagement from mental health treatment. Individuals with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders, as well as those with earlyonset psychosis, are at particularly high risk of treatment dropout. Engagement strategies should specifically target these high-risk groups, as well as high-risk periods, including following an emergency room or hospital admission and the initial period of treatment. Interventions to enhance engagement in mental health treatment range from low-intensity interventions, such as appointment reminders, to high-intensity interventions, such as assertive community treatment. Disengagement from treatment may reflect the consumer’s perspective that treatment is not necessary, is not meeting their needs, or is not being provided in a collaborative manner. An emerging literature on patient-centered care and shared decision making in psychiatry provides suggestive evidence that efforts to enhance client-centered communication and promote individuals’ active involvement in mental health treatment decisions can also improve engagement in treatment.
High-Throughput Genomic Data in Systematics and Phylogenetics

High-throughput genomic sequencing is rapidly changing the field of phylogenetics by decreasing the cost and increasing the quantity and rate of data collection by several orders of magnitude. This deluge of data is exerting tremendous pressure on downstream data-analysis methods providing new opportunities for method development. In this review, we present (a) recent advances in laboratory methods for collection of high-throughput phylogenetic data and (b) challenges and constraints for phylogenetic analysis of these data. We compare the merits of multiple laboratory approaches, compare methods of data analysis, and offer recommendations for the most promising protocols and data-analysis workflows currently available for phylogenetics. We also discuss several strategies for increasing accuracy, with an emphasis on locus selection and proper model choice.
Clinical and Experimental Advances in Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniaisis (kala-azar) is a disseminated protozoal infection transmitted by sandfly bite in which macrophages of the liver spleen and bone marrow are preferentially parasitized and support intracellular replication. Most human infections caused by visceralizing strains of Leishmania are probably subclinical attesting to innate resistance or more likely to T (Th1)-cell-dependent immune responses which induce acquired resistance. While treatment is not given for subclinical infection remote recrudescence still remains a possibility especially if the host becomes T-cell deficient. In contrast if the initial Th1-cell-associated immune response fails to develop or its effector mechanisms are disabled or not properly maintained recently acquired (or reactivated) kala-azar evolves to full expression as a subacute or chronic illness for which treatment is required. (excerpt)
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in adults

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become one of the leading etiologies of nosocomial pneumonia as a result of an increase in staphylococcal infections caused by methicillin-resistant strains paired with extended ventilatory support of critically, and often, chronically ill patients. The prevalence of community-acquired MRSA pneumonia, which historically affects younger patients and is often preceded by an influenza-like illness, is also increasing. A high index of suspicion and early initiation of appropriate antibiotics are key factors for the successful treatment of this disease. Even with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, MRSA pneumonia still carries an unacceptably high mortality rate. This article will review historical differences between hospital-acquired and community-acquired MRSA pneumonia, as well as, clinical features of, diagnosis and treatment of MRSA pneumonia.
Regulation of cytokine production in carcinoembryonic antigen stimulated Kupffer cells by β-2 adrenergic receptors: implications for hepatic metastasis

Elevated Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in the serum indicate a poor prognosis for colorectal cancer patients. Induction of proinflammatory cytokines by CEA interaction with Kupffer cells has been proposed as a mechanism for hepatic metastasis formation. Studies show that the cytokine response in circulating and peritoneal macrophages is regulated by beta-adrenergic receptor signals, though little information is available regarding Kupffer cells. We investigated the relationship between beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation and the response of Kupffer cells to CEA. Comparisons between unstimulated and CEA stimulated rat Kupffer cells, using cDNA arrays, showed up-regulation (>4 fold) of the beta2-adrenergic receptor mRNA. Peak up-regulation occurred after 30 min with a decline at 1 h. We examined the effects of the specific beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist terbutaline on cytokine production by CEA stimulated rat Kupffer cells. Pre-treatment of Kupffer cells with terbutaline followed by CEA caused a significant increase in IL-6 and IL-10 production, but a significant reduction in TNF-alpha production (>3 fold). mRNA levels reflected those of the ELISA assays for IL-6 and IL-10 but not for TNF-alpha. For IL-6 and TNF-alpha, these changes were serum independent, while IL-10 was serum dependent. This response is different from LPS treated Kupffer cells where all three cytokines showed serum dependency. Overall, these data suggest that Kupffer cell stimulation by CEA is under beta-adrenergic receptor control and induction of the beta-receptor is an early event following CEA binding to its receptor. Control of TNF-alpha production is negatively affected by terbutaline, while that of IL-6 and IL-10 is positively controlled suggesting that very different beta-adrenergic receptor signaling pathways are involved.