cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imaging of convection in a Czochralski crucible under ultrasound waves

The influence of ultrasound on natural and forced convection in a Czochralski crucible was investigated experimentally. We present a method for simulation of ultrasound influence on convection in the melt during Czochralski growth. Distilled water is used as model fluid contained in a stainless-steel crucible with two glass windows. An aluminum cylinder is used to simulate the growing crystal. Flow and standing waves visualization and flow velocity measurements were performed. We report the flow patterns observed under ultrasound influence at frequencies of 0.6 and 1.25 MHz in the fluid for different conditions: temperature difference, cylinder rotation and fluid depth.
Variation in AKR1C3, which encodes the neuroactive steroid synthetic enzyme 3α-HSD type 2 (17β-HSD type 5), moderates the subjective effects of alcohol

Animal models suggest that neuroactive steroids contribute to alcohol’s acute effects. We previously reported that a common nonsynonymous polymorphism, AKR1C3*2 in the gene encoding the enzyme 3α-HSD2/17β-HSD5, and a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs248793, in SRD5A1, which encodes 5α-reductase, were associated with alcohol dependence (AD). The aim of the study was to investigate whether these polymorphisms moderate subjective effects of alcohol in humans and whether AKR1C3*2 affects neuroactive steroid synthesis. Sixty-five Caucasian men (34 lighter and 31 heavier drinkers; mean age 26.2 years) participated in a double-blind laboratory study where they consumed drinks containing no ethanol or 0.8 g/kg of ethanol. Breath alcohol, heart rate (HR), and self-reported alcohol effects were measured at 40-min intervals, and genotype was examined as a moderator of alcohol’s effects. Levels of the neuroactive steroid 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol and its precursors, 3α,5α-androsterone and dihydrotestosterone, were measured at study entry using GC/MS. Initially, carriers of the AD-protective AKR1C3*2 G allele had higher levels of 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol relative to the precursor 3α,5α-androsterone than C allele homozygotes. AKR1C3*2 G allele carriers exhibited greater increases in heart rate and stimulant and sedative effects of alcohol than C allele homozygotes. The genotype effects on sedation were observed only in heavier drinkers. The only effect of the SRD5A1 SNP was to moderate HR. There were no interactive effects of the two SNPs. The observed effects of variation in a gene encoding a neuroactive steroid biosynthetic enzyme on the rate of 17β-reduction of androsterone relative to androstanediol and on alcohol’s sedative effects may help to explain the association of AKR1C3*2 with AD.
Targeted gene mutation of E2F1 evokes age-dependent synaptic disruption and behavioral deficits

Aberrant expression and activation of the cell cycle protein E2F1 in neurons has been implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases. As a transcription factor regulating G1 to S phase progression in proliferative cells, E2F1 is often up-regulated and activated in models of neuronal death. However, despite its well-studied functions in neuronal death, little is known regarding the role of E2F1 in the mature brain. In this study, we used a combined approach to study the effect of E2F1 gene disruption on mouse behavior and brain biochemistry. We identified significant age-dependent olfactory and memory-related deficits in E2f1 mutant mice. In addition, we found that E2F1 exhibits punctated staining and localizes closely to the synapse. Furthermore, we found a mirroring age-dependent loss of post-synaptic protein-95 in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb as well as a global loss of several other synaptic proteins. Coincidently, E2F1 expression is significantly elevated at the ages, in which behavioral and synaptic perturbations were observed. Finally, we show that deficits in adult neurogenesis persist late in aged E2f1 mutant mice which may partially contribute to the behavior phenotypes. Taken together, our data suggest that the disruption of E2F1 function leads to specific age-dependent behavioral deficits and synaptic perturbations. E2F1 is a transcription factor regulating cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Although E2F1 dysregulation under toxic conditions can lead to neuronal death, little is known about its physiologic activity in the healthy brain. Here, we report significant age-dependent olfactory and memory deficits in mice with dysfunctional E2F1. Coincident with these behavioral changes, we also found age-matched synaptic disruption and persisting reduction in adult neurogenesis. Our study demonstrates that E2F1 contributes to physiologic brain structure and function.
Detecting gradual and abrupt changes in hydrological records

Hydrological time series increasingly exhibit non-stationarity, e.g., variables such as precipitation and streamflow values do not maintain a consistent mean over long periods, due to natural and anthropogenic changes. Detecting whether such shifts are gradual or abrupt is a growing concern for water resources planning and management. This paper shows that conventional trend and change-point tests do not adequately enable these two types of change to be distinguished. We propose a method for combining the rank correlations of the Mann–Kendall and Pettitt statistics to extract an indicator whose value determines whether a shift observed in a given time series is gradual or abrupt. This method allows the success rate to be independent of the length of record, and it is validated with Monte-Carlo experiments. The limitations caused by the short and noisy nature of hydroclimatic time series are discussed. As an application, the proposed method provides useful insights on changes in hydroclimatic variables in the United States during 1910–2009 using time series from 1217 stations in the United States Hydroclimatic Data Network (USHCN).
Determining β-sheet stability by fourier transform infrared difference spectra

We describe here a new method for determining the conformational stability of antiparallel beta-sheets. Due to coupling between the transition dipoles, beta-sheet conformations typically exhibit a characteristic high-frequency amide I component centered at approximately 1680 cm(-1). Using one beta-sheet protein and two small beta-hairpins, we demonstrate that this high-frequency component, which is fairly narrow (approximately 8-10 cm(-1)), can be quantitatively resolved and used in thermal stability determination. Compared with the commonly used CD and fluorescence techniques, this ir method offers advantages. Since the area of this high-frequency component is only proportional to the folded population, it eliminates the need for a priori information of the folded and unfolded baselines encountered in other methods. Thus, it is applicable to a variety of beta-sheet systems.
Neurotoxic methamphetamine regimen severely impairs recognition memory in rats

Methamphetamine (mAMPH), when administered repeatedly to rodents or primates, is neurotoxic to some cortical neurons and to forebrain dopaminergic and serotonergic axon terminals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a neurotoxic regimen of mAMPH on two hippocampus-dependent memory tasks: object recognition, a nonspatial memory task, and the Morris water maze, a spatial memory task. Male rats were treated with mAMPH (4 x 4.0 mg/kg, s.c.) or saline and trained in the object recognition task 1 week and 3 weeks later. During training, animals explored two identical copies of the same object. In retention test sessions one of the objects was replaced by a novel object. mAMPH-treated rats showed no recognition memory during the short-term memory (STM) test, given 90 min after the training session, and showed marked impairments in the long-term memory (LTM) test, given 24 h after training. Even 3 weeks after drug injections, the mAMPH-treated animals were unable to discriminate between the novel and familiar objects during both STM and LTM tests. Despite the severe deficits observed in the recognition memory, no effects of prior mAMPH treatment were seen in the water maze task. Damage to monoamine terminals was confirmed by significant 30-40% losses of [(125)I]RTI-55 binding to striatal dopamine transporter and hippocampal serotonin transporter sites at both 1 and 3 weeks after mAMPH treatments. Thus, administration of mAMPH restricted to a single day can produce a profound, persistent, and selective deficit in a nonspatial hippocampus-dependent memory.
Crystal structure of Eu3Ni4Ga4

Eu/sub 3/Ni/sub 4/Ga/sub 4/ was found to have a b.c. cubic crystal structure, oI22, I43m, a/sub o/ = 7.505 A. The compound is isostructural with Na/sub 3/Pt/sub 4/Ge/sub 4/. Other lanthanide elements form ternary compounds of the TiNiSi-type (e.g., GdNiGa) instead of a 3:4:4 compound.
Different Drummer: Vision and the Anthropological Text

The quote from Thoreau "If a man does not keep step with his fellows, it may be because he hears a different drummer" might well refer to the textual expression of anthropological knowledge. I have experimented with poetry and a novel to explore concepts of vision, the anthropological gaze, and narratives of multicultural meaning. The essay combines various textual styles to analyze the different ways symbol, concepts of vision, and conflicting perceptual fields may be expressed within the discourse of anthropology.
An Efficient Algorithm for Computing QFT Bounds

An important step in Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) design is the translation of closed-loop performance specifications into QFT bounds. These bounds, domains in a Nichols chart, serve as a guide for shaping the nominal loop response. Traditionally, QFT practitioners relied on manual manipulations of plant templates on Nichols charts to construct such bounds, a tedious process which has recently been replaced with numerical algorithms. However, since the plant template is approximated by a finite number of points, the QFT bound computation grows exponentially with the fineness of the plant template approximation. As a result, the designer is forced to choose between a coarse approximation to lessen the computational burden and a finer one to obtain more accurate QFT bounds. To help mitigate this tradeoff, this paper introduces a new algorithm to more efficiently compute QFT bounds. Examples are given to illustrate the numerical efficiency of this new algorithm.
Evaluation of immune response to artificial infections of Haemonchus contortus in Gulf Coast Native compared with Suffolk lambs.

Abstract The Gulf Coast Native (Native) breed of sheep among many others is identified as being relatively resistant to Haemonchus contortus , an abomasal nematode parasite of small ruminants. Understanding the mode of immune response that helps these breeds of sheep control infection could help design and implement appropriate control programs. In this experiment, the components of the immune response during the early infection period in resistant Native lambs were evaluated and compared with susceptible Suffolk breed of sheep. Groups ( n = 5) of six month old Native and Suffolk lambs were given infective larvae as one time (single) or trickle experimental infections. Fecal, blood, and serum samples were collected on days 0, 2, 7, 14 and 21 post-infection. Abomasal mucosa and regional lymph node samples were collected at the time of necropsy on days 14 and 21. There was no significant difference in number of worms recovered at necropsy but the ratio of adult versus larvae was significantly greater in single infected Suffolk than Native lambs. Native lambs had significantly greater numbers of mast cells and eosinophils in the abomasal mucosa and serum IgG production was significantly greater compared to Suffolk lambs. Native lambs also showed a trend of increased level of serum IgA and IgE compared to Suffolk lambs.
Patterns of interferon-γ production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

ABSTRACT A number of immune parameters have been described as impaired in AIDS patients. The patterns of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from AIDS-related complex (ARC) and AIDS patients in response to specific and nonspecific mitogens and their relationship to proliferative responses, interaction with exogenous interleukin 2 (IL-2), and absolute CD4 cell counts were studied. The PBMC were exposed to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen (Ag) and/or 10 units of IL-2. At selected times, culture supernatants were tested for IFN-γ production by radioimmunoassay and at identical times proliferative responses were determined by [3H]thymidine uptake. IFN-γ production in response to PHA or CMV Ag was inhibited significantly and appeared dependent on absolute CD4 cell counts. Proliferative responses were also similarly decreased. While IFN-γ production to PHA was severely inhibited in PBMC only from patients with less than 100 CD4 cells/mm3, equival...
Left and right visual field superiority for letter classification.

Two letter classification experiments examine the hypothesis that lateral asymmetries in perceptual processing are sensitive to subtle changes in task demands. The first experiment reports a right visual field superiority for an easy letter classification, but a left field superiority for a difficult classification using the same population of stimuli. Experiment II demonstrates that the right field superiority can be reversed if the easy classification trials are embedded among more difficult trials. The implications of these results for theories of hemispheric localization are discussed.
Suppression of superconducting transition temperature in orthorhombic La2-xCaxCuO4

Abstract The calcium solid-solubility limit in La 2- x Ca x CuO 4 has been extended from x ≈0.10 for air-synthesized material to x =0.2 using synthesis at an oxygen pressure of 600 atm and 1110°C. The tetragonal-to-orthorhombic transition occurs at higher temperatures, or larger doping levels, than for the isostructural Sr-substituted material. The superconducting transition temperature increases with doping to 34 K at x =0.15 and is suppressed for x>0.15, similar to the Sr-substituted material. Comparison of structural and superconducting properties for Ca- and Sr-substituted materials indicated that: (1) both orthorhombic and tetragonal structures are superconducting; (2) at a fixed doping level, the optimum superconducting properties (the highest T c ) are found for a perfectly flat and square CuO 2 plane; (3) T c is suppressed by the distortions of the CuO 2 plane or by overdoping resulting in a maximum of T c found at x =0.15 under ambient conditions.
Threatened fishes of the world: Notropis sabinae (Jordan and Gilbert 1886) (Cyprinidae)

status: Listed as endangered by the Missouri Department of Conservation; species of conservation concern by US Forest Service Region 8 and US Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2. Systematics: Member of Notropis dorsalis species group (N. dorsalis, N. buccatus, N. longirostris, N. ammophilus and N. rafinesquei) (Raley and Wood 2001). Identification: N. sabinae is strawcolored with an arched body and colorless fins (Robison and Buchanan 1988). Small eyes are directed slightly upward (Pflieger 1997). Snout is rounded and ventral side of head is distinctly flattened. Mouth is large, subterminal, and nearly horizontal (Robison and Buchanan 1988; Pflieger 1997). Maximum total length is 64 mm. D 8, A 6–8 (7), lateral line scales 31–37, pharyngeal teeth 0.4–4.0 (1.4–4.1 in the Big Black drainage; Ross 2001). Photograph by Chad Thomas, Texas State University – San Marcos. Distribution: White, Black and St. Francis Rivers in Arkansas and Missouri; Big Black and Yazoo drainages of Mississippi and westward through central Louisiana to the San Jacinto river of East Texas (Robison and Buchanan 1988; Pflieger 1997; Ross 2001). Abundance: Ranges from locally common to rare (Gilbert 1978). Habitat and ecology: N. sabinae inhabits relatively shallow slow flowing runs and riffles of small to large rivers and streams, and is often associated with sandy substrate (Moriarty and Winemiller 1997). Estimated life span is 2.5 years (Williams and Bonner 2006). Diet consists mainly of aquatic invertebrates (Williams and Bonner 2006). Reproduction: The Sabine shiner reaches sexual maturity at age 1 and spawns multiple clutches of eggs over an extended spawning period in central Louisiana (April through September; Heins 1981) and in east Texas (May through October; Williams and Bonner 2006). Evidence suggests that N. sabinae is a broadcast spawner and that spawned eggs and larvae disperse downstream via drift during early development (Williams and Bonner 2006). Threats: Altered flow regimes and habitat fragmentation potentially disrupt reproductive processes by impeding downstream drift of early life stages and upstream migration of adults. Conservation action: Although considered currently stable by Warren et al. (2000), Notropis sabinae is C. S. Williams (&) AE T. H. Bonner Department of Biology, Texas State University – San Marcos, Freeman Aquatic Biology Building, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA e-mail: cw1057@txstate.edu Environ Biol Fish (2007) 80:7–8 DOI 10.1007/s10641-006-9118-0
EFFECTS OF ADVERTISED HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON ATTRACTION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN APPLICANTS

Student members of a national organization of African American engineers (n= 1019) and currently employed African American engineers (n= 303) responded to a hypothetical job advertisement differing by staffing policy (identity-blind vs. identity-conscious), advertised work characteristics (i.e., individual-based vs. team-based), and compensation system characteristics (pay based on individual performance vs. pay based on work-group performance). Both groups of respondents reported being more likely to apply when the staffing policy was identity conscious (i.e., affirmative action) than when it was identity blind (i.e., equal-employment opportunity). However, only the student sample reported being more likely to apply when the advertisement described team-based work instead of individual-based work. Both groups reacted negatively to the combination of individual-based work and group-performance based pay systems.
Regulation of Foxo-Dependent Transcription by Post-Translational Modifications

The Forkhead Box O (Foxo) proteins represent an evolutionarily conserved family of transcription factors that play an important role in regulating processes including metabolism, longevity, and cell death/survival. How is it that a single transcription factor can initiate such divergent cellular responses? We will review the evidence that specific patterns of post-translational modifications play a key role in directing Foxo into various transcriptional readouts. This regulation appears to take on a two tiered regulatory model; with a group of well defined post-translational modifications regulating nuclear localization and transcriptional activity while a second set of modifications regulate the transcriptional specificity of Foxo.
A second mutation enhances resistance of a tobacco mutant to sulfonylurea herbicides

Cultures of Nicotiana tabacum cells homozgous for a mutation (S4) at the SuRB locus that confers resistance to the sulfonylurea herbicides chlorsulfuron and sulfometuron methyl (Chaleff and Ray 1984; Chaleff and Bascomb 1987) were used to isolate a doubly mutant cell line (S4 Hra/S4+) resistant to even higher herbicide concentrations. Growth of cells homozygous for both the S4 and Hra mutations (S4 Hra/S4 Hra) was uninhibited by a herbicide concentration 500-fold higher than a concentration by which growth of S4+/S4+ callus was inhibited by 75%. Plants homozygous for both mutations were at least five-fold more resistant to foliar applications of chlorsulfuron than were singly mutant S4+/S4+ plants. This enhanced resistance was inherited as a single, semidominant, nuclear trait that is genetically linked to the S4 mutation. Acetolactate synthase (ALS) activity in extracts of leaves of doubly mutant (S4 Hra/S4 Hra) plants was approximately 20-fold more resistant to inhibition by chlorsulfuron and sulfometuron methyl than was ALS activity in singly mutant (S4+/ S4+) leaf extracts, which was in turn more resistant to inhibition by these compounds than was the normal enzyme. Extracts prepared from plants of these three genotypes possessed the same ALS specific activities. Therefore, Hra represents a second independent mutation at or near the SuRB locus that reduces the sensitivity of tobacco ALS activity to inhibition by sulfonylurea herbicides.
Effect of Fv-1 gene product on synthesis of N-tropic and B-tropic murine leukemia viral RNA

Abstract The production of virus and the synthesis of virus-specific RNA has been studied in Fv-1nn (NIH/3T3, SIM) and Fv-1bb (BALB/3T3, SIM.R) cell lines after infection with N- or B-tropic MuLV. It was found that virus production, measured by reverse transcriptase activity in the medium, was 70–100 fold lower in cells resistant at the Fv-1 locus than in permissive cells. The virus-specific RNA, detected by hybridization in RNA excess with complementary DNA, was reduced by approximately 70–100 fold in cytoplasm of resistant cells compared to permissive cells. A reduction of the same magnitude was also observed in the levels of virus-specific RNA extracted from nuclei of resistant cells. Our data therefore show that virus-specific RNA levels are reduced in cells nonpermissive at the Fv-1 locus, suggesting that restriction of the Fv-1 gene product occurs at the level of transcription of the viral genome or at a pre-integration step, or, alternatively, that the RNA transcripts are rapidly degraded after their synthesis.
Clinical features and current treatment of diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer for which the major risk factor is prior asbestos exposure. During the past decade, there has been progress in the diagnosis, staging and biology of mesothelioma. Treatment remains controversial and ranges from supportive care alone to aggressive multimodality therapy. Prospective clinical trials in carefully staged patients are needed to determine what approaches to treatment may confer a survival benefit.
Relationship Between Diastolic Function and Heart Rate Recovery After Symptom-limited Exercise

Abstract Background Autonomic abnormalities have been implicated in both diastolic dysfunction and abnormal heart rate (HR) recovery; however, few studies have assessed whether diastolic dysfunction is associated with abnormal HR recovery and whether both modify exercise capacity. Methods and Results Exercise echocardiography with diastolic assessment was performed in 2,826 patients with normal wall motion responses to symptom-limited exercise testing. HR recovery was defined as the difference in HR from peak exercise to 1 minute in recovery; abnormal HR recovery was defined as the lowest quartile. Mean HR recovery was 32 ± 14 beats per minute. Patients with diastolic dysfunction or abnormal HR recovery had lower exercise capacity, and those with both had the lowest exercise capacity ( P Conclusions Diastolic dysfunction is independently associated with abnormal HR recovery after symptom-limited exercise. Further studies are needed to determine if diastolic function modifies the adverse outcomes observed in those with abnormal HR recovery.
Revised Eh-pH Diagrams (25 C, One Bar) for Uranium and Transuranic Elements: Application to Radioactive Waste Studies

Eh-pH diagrams are useful for comparing the probable geochemical behavior of many elements including U and the transuranics Np, Pu, Am. Revised Eh-pH diagrams have been constructed for U, Np, Pu and Am at 25 C, 1 bar conditions. These diagrams, based on new and revised thermodynamic data, include aqueous and solid species in the generic system M-C-O-H. The species M(OH)− is considered herein, although it’s existence has not been verified. Aqueous U(VI) species are dominated by UO 2 2+ below pH 5 and by carbonate complexes at higher pH. U(IV) species include important fields of UO2, U(OH) 3 − and U(OH)4. If Si is present, USiO4 may be important. U3O8, occurs between the U(IV) and U(VI) species. Np(IV) solid species are problematic. NpO2 covers a wide range of Eh-pH, but its precursors, NpO. (OH)2 and Np(OH)4 cover more restrictive Eh-pH ranges with Np(OH) 5 − more important. This increases potential for radionuclide migration. Np(V, VI) carbonate complexes are important only at high Eh. Pu(IV) species are dominated by PuO2, but Pu(OH)4 does not occupy as much Eh-pH space, being replaced in large part by PU(OH) 5 - . With carbonate present, Pu(III) species also replace part of the Pu(OH)4 field, and Pu2 (CO3)3 becomes important. Pu(VI) carbonate complexess occur only at high Eh. Am(III) species dominate Eh-pH space in the system Am-C-O-H, with Am2 (CO3)3 a major phase. Under carbonate-poor conditions, Am(OH) 3 is important. AmO2 occurs at high Eh, pH, and Am(OH) 5 - at high Eh and very high pH. The importance of the M(OH)4 precursors to MO2 species is the enhanced possibility of radionuclide migration from buried spent fuel rods, even under reducing condtions.
Activity coefficients in dilute aqueous solutions from free energy simulations

Aqueous mixtures are encountered in a large number of industrial operations, such as petroleum processing, coal gasification, separations, and waste treatment. The free energy perturbation method with Monte Carlo simulations has been used to calculate relative solvation free energies and ratios of activity coefficients of organic solutes at infinite-dilution in water at 25 C. System studied include hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and alcohols. Analysis of the free energy simulations reveals that a major limitation of current methodologies is the authors inability to determine a priori the electron density distribution of a molecule in a condensed, polarizing medium. Moreover, currently employed simulation lengths may be inadequate for convergence of the averages in some aqueous systems. These problems do not, however, appear to be insurmountable. In contrast to group contribution methods, free energy simulations are still rather primitive to be applied in a routine fashion for the quantitative prediction of thermodynamic properties, but dramatic improvements in the technique are still to be made.
Seed plant phylogeny and the origin of angiosperms: An experimental cladistic approach

We present a numerical cladistic (parsimony) analysis of seed plants plus progymnosperms, using characters from all parts of the plant body, outgroup comparison, and a method of character coding that avoids biases for or against alternative morphological theories. The robustness of the results was tested by construction of alternative trees and analysis of subsets of the data. These experiments show that although some clades are strongly supported, they can often be related to each other in very different but nearly equally parsimonious ways, apparently because of extensive homoplasy. Our results support Rothwell’s idea that coniferopsids are derived fromCallistophyton- like platyspermic seed ferns with saccate pollen, but the hypothesis that they evolved fromArchaeopteris- like progymnosperms and the seed arose twice is nearly as parsimonious. Meyen’s division of seed plants into radiospermic and primarily and secondarily platyspermic lines is highly unparsimonious, but his suggestion that ginkgos are related to peltasperms deserves attention. Angiosperms belong among the platyspermic groups, as the sister group of Bennettitales,Pentoxylon, and Gnetales, and this “anthophyte” clade is best related toCaytonia and glossopterids, although relationships with other combinations of Mesozoic seed fern taxa are nearly as parsimonious. These results imply that the angiosperm carpel can be interpreted as a modified pinnate sporophyll bearing anatropous cupules (=bitegmic ovules), while gnetalian strobili are best interpreted as aggregations of highly reduced bennettitalian flowers, as anticipated by Arber and Parkin and Crane. Our most parsimonious trees imply that the angiosperm line (though not necessarily all its modern features) extended back to the Triassic, but a later derivation of angiosperms from some species ofCaytonia or Bennettitales, which would be nearly as parsimonious, should also be considered. These results raise the possibility that many features considered key adaptations in the origin and rise of angiosperms (insectpollinated flowers, rapid reproduction, drought tolerance) were actually inherited from their gymnospermous precursors. The explosive diversification of angiosperms may instead have been a consequence of carpel closure, resulting in increased speciation rates due to potential for stigmatic isolating mechanisms and/or new means of dispersal. DNA sequencing of extant plants and better information on anatomy, chemistry, sporophyll morphology, and embryology of Bennettitales and Caytoniales and the morphological diversity of Mesozoic anthophytes could provide critical tests of relationships.
Cognitive deficit reversal as shown by changes in the Veterans Affairs Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) examination scores 7.5 years later.

Abstract Objective The Veterans Affairs Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) examination is a screening tool that has the sensitivity to detect mild neurocognitive impairment and dementia. This study explores patients' cognitive impairment trajectories based on the SLUMS examination score changes after 7.5 years. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting The Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), St Louis, MO. Participants A review of 533 charts indicated that 357 patients who had participated in the SLUMS examination validation study in 2003 were still alive. Measurement Charts were screened for indicators of cognitive status in both 2003 and 2010 and interventions after baseline evaluation. Results The mean age of the 357 individuals in 2003 was 74, all were men, and 73% had a high school education or more. A total of 223 (62%) of the 357 completed the SLUMS examination at baseline and at the 7.5-year follow-up visit; of those, 33 (15%) progressed to mild cognitive deficit, 20 (9%) progressed to severe cognitive deficit, and 53 (24%) improved or reverted back to normal. Further exploration revealed that at least one reversible cause was identified for most (n = 36/53, 68%) of the reversions. The primary interventions that differentiated reversers from nonreversers were correction of visual loss (P = .005) and discontinuation of anticholinergic medications (P = .002). Conclusion Cognitive improvement (reversion) as indicated by the SLUMS examination after 7.5 years was associated with the correction of some reversible causes. This stresses the importance of early detection and exclusion of reversible causes for persons screened for cognitive dysfunction using the SLUMS examination.
Fluidization of micron-size ceramic powders in a small-diameter fluidized bed

Fluidization characteristics of nine micron-size ceramic powders (Group C powders in Geldart's classification) have been investigated in a small-diameter transparent column. Three types of fluidization were observed. Type I fluidization was similar to that observed by Chaouki et al., J. Powder Technol., 43 (1985) 117, and Morooka et al., J. Chem. Eng. Jpn., 21 (1988) 41. In type II fluidization, two regimes of flow patterns were distinguished with increasing gas velocity. Initially, solid powder with channels was observed in the bed, and within the channels, powder moved as very small agglomerates forming spouts in the freeboard from the top surface of the bed. With an increase in superficial velocity, the channels enlarged and powder from the channels spouted much higher from the top surface of the bed. In the second flow regime, two layers were formed in the fluidized bed: the top layer was well fluidized, and the bottom layer consisted of bigger agglomerates. Type III fluidization was for those powders which had small agglomerates before fluidization started. The process of fluidization of these materials was very similar to that of Group A powders. Experiments showed that even with drying and vibration, some powders could never be fluidized stably and reproducibly.
Sweet 'n' sour: the impact of differential glycosylation on T cell responses

The fate and functional activity of T lymphocytes depend largely on the precise timing of gene expression and protein production. However, it is clear that post-translational modification of proteins affects their functional properties. Although modifications such as phosphorylation have been intensely studied by immunologists, less attention has been paid to the impact that changes in glycosylation have on protein function. However, there is considerable evidence that glycosylation plays a key role in immune regulation. We will focus here on examples in which differential glycosylation affects the development, survival or reactivity of T cells.
Inhibitory phosphorylation of the APC regulator Hct1 is controlled by the kinase Cdc28 and the phosphatase Cdc14.

Abstract Background: Exit from mitosis requires inactivation of mitotic cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). A key mechanism of CDK inactivation is ubiquitin-mediated cyclin proteolysis, which is triggered by the late mitotic activation of a ubiquitin ligase known as the anaphase-promoting complex (APC). Activation of the APC requires its association with substoichiometric activating subunits termed Cdc20 and Hct1 (also known as Cdh1). Here, we explore the molecular function and regulation of the APC regulatory subunit Hct1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Results: Recombinant Hct1 activated the cyclin–ubiquitin ligase activity of APC isolated from multiple cell cycle stages. APC isolated from cells arrested in G1, or in late mitosis due to the cdc14-1 mutation, was more responsive to Hct1 than APC isolated from other stages. We found that Hct1 was phosphorylated in vivo at multiple CDK consensus sites during cell cycle stages when activity of the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc28 is high and APC activity is low. Purified Hct1 was phosphorylated in vitro at these sites by purified Cdc28–cyclin complexes, and phosphorylation abolished the ability of Hct1 to activate the APC in vitro . The phosphatase Cdc14, which is known to be required for APC activation in vivo , was able to reverse the effects of Cdc28 by catalyzing Hct1 dephosphorylation and activation. Conclusions: We conclude that Hct1 phosphorylation is a key regulatory mechanism in the control of cyclin destruction. Phosphorylation of Hct1 provides a mechanism by which Cdc28 blocks its own inactivation during S phase and early mitosis. Following anaphase, dephosphorylation of Hct1 by Cdc14 may help initiate cyclin destruction.
Vaginal smooth muscle cell apoptosis is increased in women with pelvic organ prolapse

To compare the smooth muscle content and apoptosis of the vagina in women with and without anterior vaginal wall prolapse. Vaginal tissues were sampled in women with (n = 6) or without (n = 6) anterior vaginal wall prolapse undergoing hysterectomy. Smooth muscle of the vagina was studied by immunohistochemistry. Digital image analysis was used to determine the fractional area of smooth muscle in the histologic cross-sections. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay. The fractional area of non-vascular smooth muscle in the vagina of women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse was significantly decreased compared to women without prolapse (0.36 ± 0.12 vs. 0.16 ± 0.12 P = 0.021) and the apoptotic index was significantly higher compared to women without prolapse (0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.02 ± 0.03, P = 0.041). The fraction of smooth muscle in the vagina is significantly decreased and the rate of apoptosis is higher in women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse compared to women without prolapse.
Antigen Combining Activity Associated with Immunoglobulin D

The titers of antibodies to the benzylpenicilloyl antigenic determinant are increased with specific antiserum to immunoglobulin D, as shown by the enhancement method. This increase in titer is blocked by purified immunoglobulins D protein but not by immunoglobulins of the other four classes.
Feasibility study of chemical liquid deposition based solid freeform fabrication

Abstract The Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) process has been used in Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) for several years, and it has faced some critical problems in deposition rate, product accuracy and facility cost. To overcome these shortcomings and explore new chemical deposition methods and materials, a new rapid tooling and SFF technique named Chemical Liquid Deposition based Solid Freeform Fabrication (CLD-SFF) is proposed. CLD-SFF can further be sub-divided as Thermochemical Liquid Deposition Based SFF (TCLD-SFF) and Electrochemical Liquid Deposition Based SFF (ECLD-SFF). TCLD-SFF is based on the following experimental fact: when cold (room temperature) liquid reactants are sprayed from a nozzle and come in contact with a hot substrate, the reactants can decompose or react with one another, and then the solid products are deposited on the substrate. By controlling the motion of the nozzle and the spray time, a desired three-dimensional shape of deposited material can be formed through layer-by-layer scanning. In ECLD-SFF a special anode was designed to deposit metallic materials among powder particles on a plate cathode. By controlling the motion of the anode and the current and voltage of the electrical field, a desired three-dimensional part made of connected powder particles can be formed through layer-by-layer scanning. According to our initial experimental results, the feasibility of CLD-SFF is discussed and demonstrated.
Managing Behavioral Processes: Applications of Theory and Research

The article reviews the book “Managing Behavioral Processes: Applications of Theory and Research,” by Richard E. Simmons.
Validation of MODIS land surface reflectance and vegetation indices with multi-scale high spatial resolution data

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), on board the Terra platform launched in 1999, is a highly evolved successor to the AVHRR for providing data on terrestrial biospheric dynamics and process rates. A shift from the AVHRR to MODIS sensor will involve improved sensor characteristics and atmospheric contamination correction, which will inevitably result in more accurate global vegetation studies. However, the success and accuracy of MODIS spectral measures for improved global vegetation monitoring will also depend on how well the vegetation algorithms themselves are able to depict actual spatial and temporal vegetation differences. The MODIS VI products use MODIS surface reflectance, corrected for molecular scattering, ozone absorption, and aerosols, and adjusted to nadir with use of a BRDF model, as input to the VI equations. Two vegetation index (VI) algorithms are to be produced globally for land, at launch. One is the standard normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), which is referred to as the "continuity index" to the existing NOAA-AVHRR derived NDVI to provide a long term data record for use in operational monitoring studies. The other is an "enhanced" vegetation index (EVI) with improved sensitivity into high biomass regions and improved vegetation monitoring through a de-coupling of the canopy background signal and a reduction in atmosphere influences. The authors attempt to validate the MODIS land surface reflectance and derived vegetation index (VI) products, including 250 m NDVI at 16 day; 500m NDVI and EVI at 16 day; 1 km NDVI and EVI at 16 day. Their validation will be implemented at a number of validation sites by scaling fine-grained surface measurements to several levels of MODIS pixel size (250m, 500m, and 1000m), then assessing the differences between these surfaces and the MODIS products.
Relational Aggression and the DSM-V: What Can Clinicians Tell Us about Female Juvenile Offenders?

Including relational aggression as part of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder (CD) has been a focus of the DSM-V. Whether clinicians can reliably assess such behavior is unclear. The present study tested correspondence between self- and clinician-reported reactive and proactive overt aggression (required) and reactive and proactive relational aggression (under consideration). Results indicated that clinicians were able to detect all subtypes of girls' aggression—including retaliatory yet covert reactive relational aggression. The present research contributes to the relational aggression in the DSM-V debate by: distinguishing between relational aggression subtypes, including self- and clinician-reported aggression in a population of adolescent female offenders, and providing information about the validity of clinician reports.
Analyzing the temporal association between health disorders and medical treatments using probability models and Monte Carlo simulation

Statistical analysis is often used in medical studies to provide evidence for an association between a treatment and a patient condition. The work in this paper is motivated by a recent medical study which analyzes the temporal association between a treatment (i.e., an implant procedure) and the rare autoimmune disorders, polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM). To address this association mathematically, this paper develops a probability model based on the multinomial distribution that can be used to make statistical inferences about the timing of incidences of a treatment/condition pair. This paper details an empirical study of this model using Monte Carlo simulation. It also describes some analytical results developed in subsequent research efforts. Data from the medical study illustrate the application of this model and its results.
Estimating the Number of Marine Mammals Using Recordings of Clicks from One Microphone

An important but challenging task is to extract information on the location and/or number of marine mammals present given recordings from an array of hydrophones. Systems such as the Marine Mammal Monitoring on Navy Ranges (M3R) attempt to localize marine mammals as well as to get an estimate of their number using cross-correlation techniques on all available hydrophones. Our methodology offers the possibility to extract an estimate of the number of marine mammals given recordings from a single hydrophone, thus providing information to a researcher who does not have access to a larger array. The algorithm is based on three steps: detection of the clicks in the spectrogram using their energy, extraction of meaningful features, such as cepstral coefficients that are descriptive of the detected calls, and, lastly, choosing the appropriate number of clusters when using spectral clustering through the maximization of a given metric. The chosen number of clusters that best represents the data is an estimate of marine mammals present in the area. Informal analysis of the clustered clicks from example recordings shows that they are a good fit of the data, although a formal evaluation would require additional ground-truth. The algorithm was performed on several hydrophones in order to obtain some cross-validation of our results. Finally, the clusters were tracked in time using KL divergence. This algorithm could provide a first approximation on the number of vocalizing marine mammals using only one hydrophone.
Resurgence of Long-Acting Antipsychotic Formulations

Lauriello J, Lambert T, Andersen S, et al.: An 8-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of olanzapine long-acting injection in acutely ill patients with schizophrenia. J Clin Psychiatry 2008, 69:790–799. Kramer M, Litman R, Hough D, et al.: Paliperidone palmitate, a potential long-acting treatment for patients with schizophrenia. Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy and safety study. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2009 Nov 27 (Epub ahead of print).
Surgical site infections after hysterectomy among HIV-infected women in the HAART era: a single institution's experience from 1999-2012.

Objective We sought to determine risk factors associated with surgical site infection (SSI) among a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women undergoing hysterectomy during the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Study Design This is a retrospective study of HIV-infected women who underwent a hysterectomy for benign indications at a tertiary care center. Electronic medical records were reviewed from January 1999 through December 2012. SSI was defined using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Results There were 77 HIV-infected women who underwent a hysterectomy: 47 (61%) were abdominal; 16 (21%) were laparoscopic or robot-assisted; and 14 (18%) were vaginal. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome was diagnosed in 58% of patients, and 75% of patients self-reported use of highly active antiretroviral therapy at the time of surgery. There were 17 (22%) SSIs; 5 (29%) superficial incisional wound infections, 3 (18%) vaginal cuff cellulitis, and 9 (53%) pelvic abscesses were diagnosed. After multivariable logistic regression, preoperative albumin level (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02–0.86) and minimally invasive hysterectomy (aOR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03–0.84) were associated with decreased SSI. Preoperative absolute CD4 count was not associated with SSI (aOR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.99–1). Conclusion Low preoperative serum albumin levels and abdominal hysterectomy are associated with increased risk of SSIs in HIV-infected women.
Regulation of Cellular Metabolism and Cytokines by the Medicinal Herb Feverfew in the Human Monocytic THP-1 Cells

The herb feverfew is a folk remedy for various symptoms including inflammation. Inflammation has recently been implicated in the genesis of many diseases including cancers, atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The mechanisms of action of feverfew in the human body are largely unknown. To determine the cellular targets of feverfew extracts, we have utilized oligo microarrays to study the gene expression profiles elicited by feverfew extracts in human monocytic THP-1 cells. We have identified 400 genes that are consistently regulated by feverfew extracts. Most of the genes are involved in cellular metabolism. However, the genes undergoing the highest degree of change by feverfew treatment are involved in other pathways including chemokine function, water homeostasis and heme-mediated signaling. Our results also suggest that feverfew extracts effectively reduce Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-mediated TNF-α and CCL2 (MCP-1) releases by THP-1 cells. We hypothesize that feverfew components mediate metabolism, cell migration and cytokine production in human monocytes/macrophages.
Can Grammar Win Elections

The wording of political messages is known to affect voting behavior, including judgments about whether or not candidates will be elected. Yet the question remains whether voting behavior can be influenced by fine-grained grammatical details of political messages. In this paper, two studies examined how subtly different grammatical forms in descriptions of political candidates' past actions can affect attitudes about electability. Specifically, participants read about a senator who was seeking reelection and then indicated whether they thought the politician would be reelected. In Study 1, the senator had done either negative or positive actions, and these were described using imperfective (was VERB + ing) or perfective (VERB + ed) aspect. In Study 2, the senator had done a negative and a positive action, one of which was described using imperfective and the other with perfective aspect. Results revealed that imperfective descriptions of negative actions resulted in greater confidence that the candidate would not be reelected. Imperfective descriptions also led people to think that the candidate had done more negative action. When a negative and positive action were described together, grammar again influenced electability such that people reasoned in line with whatever action was highlighted by imperfective aspect. In both studies, subtle differences in grammar influenced whether people thought a political candidate would be reelected. These findings provide novel insights about how language can shape thought in the political realm.