cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LITTLE EFFECT OF EXTRAPAIR PATERNITY ON THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SEXUAL SELECTION IN SAVANNAH SPARROWS (PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS)

Extrapair paternity (EPP) can dramatically increase the opportunity for sexual selection if relatively few males are able to monopolize the majority of fertilizations in a population. Although recent work with birds suggests that EPP can increase the standardized variance in male reproductive success (Is) as much as 13-fold, only a male's within-pair success is typically quantified with any accuracy. In most cases, nearly half of all extrapair young are of unknown parentage. A strong, negative correlation across studies between the proportion of extrapair young for which parentage is known and the apparent effect of EPP on Is (r(s) = -0.71, P = 0.013, N = 13 studies) suggests that the incomplete sampling of extrapair sires has greatly exaggerated the influence of EPP. To achieve a more thorough accounting of EPP and its importance to variation in male fitness, we used a suite of four to six microsatellite loci to identify extrapair young and their sires in a polygynous population of Savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis). Pooling over the 2002 and 2003 breeding seasons, 79 of 116 females (68.1%) produced young outside of the pairbond and 194 of 411 offspring (47.2%) were extrapair. We identified sires for 96.4% of all young (N = 396), including sires for 92.3% of the extrapair young (N = 179), allowing us to partition Is into within-pair and extrapair components. In both years, EPP-related fitness components generated more variation in male reproductive success than the number or quality of within-pair mates. Differences among males in the number of extrapair mates alone accounted for 56.6% of Is in 2002 and for 23.6% of Is in 2003. Nonetheless, in absolute terms, the occurrence of EPP on Kent Island increased the opportunity for sexual selection less than two-fold. Averaging over the two years, Is was only 78% higher than Is,app, the variance in male reproductive success that would have occurred had EPP been nonexistent and males sired all young on their territories. Likewise, across nine socially monogamous species, we found no correlation between the extent of EPP and its effect on the opportunity for sexual selection (Is/Is,app) and only a marginally significant positive correlation between EPP and Is itself. Taken together, our results suggest that the relationship between EPP and sexual selection in birds may be much less strong and much less straightforward than commonly thought.
The effect of load imbalances on the performance of Monte Carlo algorithms in LWR analysis

A model is developed to predict the impact of particle load imbalances on the performance of domain-decomposed Monte Carlo neutron transport algorithms. Expressions for upper bound performance "penalties" are derived in terms of simple machine characteristics, material characterizations and initial particle distributions. The hope is that these relations can be used to evaluate tradeoffs among different memory decomposition strategies in next generation Monte Carlo codes, and perhaps as a metric for triggering particle redistribution in production codes.
Changes in the titer of the female-predominant storage protein (81K) during larval and pupal development of the waxmoth, galleria mellonella

The levels of an 81K storage protein in the waxmoth, Galleria mellonella, were monitored during the course of development using rocket immunoelectrophoresis. During the fifth and sixth larval stadia, 81K protein levels increased during feeding and growth but sharply declined at each larval molt. During the fifth and sixth stadia hemolymph levels of the 81K protein increased to about 1 and 2.5 mg/ml, respectively, with no discernible differences between levels in males and females. Neither the fat body nor the remainder of the carcass contained the 81K protein, indicating that the accumulation of this protein during the intermolt period was exclusively in the hemolymph and redistribution of the 81K protein into other tissues does not occur at the final two larval molts. During the seventh (final) larval stadium the absolute quantities of the 81K protein increased from 23 μg per insect to over 1,600 μg in females and to 300 μg in males. The hemolymph concentration of the 81K protein reached 28 mg/ml in females and 6 mg/ml in males with only low levels found in the remaining tissues. Shortly after pupal apolysis, marked by eyespot retraction, the fat body in both sexes rapidly and quantitatively sequestered the 81K protein from the hemolymph. The 81K protein in the hemolymph of both males and females rapidly dropped to nearly zero concentration by pupation. The 81K storage protein remained localized in the fat body cells after uptake occurred, even though the fat body cells disaggregate and reaggregate during metamorphosis. During pharate adult development the 81K storage protein disappeared from the fat body without entering the hemolymph. At adult eclosion 81K was virtually absent from the tissues of both males and females.
Mechanisms and temporal variability of dissolved gaseous mercury production in coastal seawater

Coastal waters are regions of rapid and significant biogeochemical transformations of mercury, but they have received little attention with regards to the mechanisms and seasonality of processes driving measured air–sea fluxes. We examined controls on the net rate of Hgo production from additions of Hg(II) to dark and light-incubated coastal seawater samples from Long Island Sound, CT. Multiple controls were evident, with approximately 70% of bulk reduction driven photochemically, 20% by microbial mediation, and 10% by uncharacterized dark reduction in the dissolved phase. Positive relations were observed between (1) dark bottle reduction rates and total bacterial abundance and (2) light bottle rates and total solar irradiance. Evasional fluxes were estimated for LIS using a simple model framework, with an estimated 363 pmol Hgo m−2 day−1 delivered to the atmosphere (∼35% of annual inputs to LIS). This value agrees well with an independent estimate, and underscores the geochemical significance and complexity of Hgo cycling within LIS and other coastal zones.
Adapting an existing visualization application for browser-based deployment: A case study from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission

THOR, the Tool for High-resolution Observation Review, is a data viewer for the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and the upcoming Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. THOR began as a desktop application, but now it can be accessed with a web browser, making THOR one of the first online tools for visualizing TRMM satellite data (http://pps.gsfc.nasa.gov/thor). In this effort, the reuse of the existing visualization code was maximized and the complexity of new code was minimized by avoiding unnecessary functionality, frameworks, or libraries. The simplicity of this approach makes it potentially attractive to researchers wishing to adapt their visualization applications for online deployment. To enable THOR to run within a web browser, three new pieces of code are written. First, the graphical user interface (GUI) of the desktop application is translated into HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. Second, a simple communication mechanism is developed over HTTP. Third, a virtual GUI is created on the server that interfaces with the image-generating routines of the existing desktop application so that these routines do not need to be modified for online use. While the basic functionality of THOR is now available online, prototyping is ongoing for enhanced 3D imaging and other aspects of both THOR Desktop and THOR Online. Because TRMM data products are complex and periodically reprocessed with improved algorithms, having a tool such as THOR is important to analysts at the Precipitation Processing System where the algorithms are tested and the products generated, stored, and distributed. Researchers also have found THOR useful for taking a first look at individual files before writing their own software to perform specialized calculations and analyses.
The kinetics of selective oxidation of propene on bismuth vanadium molybdenum oxide catalysts

Abstract We report the results of a systematic investigation of the kinetics of propene oxidation to acrolein over Bi 1− x /3 V 1− x Mo x O 4 . BET isotherms were measured to determine catalyst surface area, and powder X-ray diffraction was used to characterize the bulk structure. Further characterization by X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) was used to determine the oxidation states of Bi, Mo, and V before and after exposure of the catalyst to propene at 713 K. We find that, contrary to previous discussions of the mechanism of propene oxidation on Bi 1− x /3 V 1− x Mo x O 4 , Bi remains in the 3+ state and only V and Mo undergo reduction and oxidation during reaction. The kinetics of propene oxidation were examined to establish the activation barrier for acrolein formation, and how the partial pressure dependences on propene and oxygen change with the value of x . The data obtained from this study were then used to propose a generalized model for the kinetics of propene oxidation over Bi 1− x /3 V 1− x Mo x O 4 that is consistent with our findings about the reducibility of the three metallic elements in the oxide. According to this model, vanadium and molybdenum are randomly distributed to form three types of sites each associated with its own rate parameters. Mo V sites are found to exhibit the highest activity. The proposed model provides a good description of the experimental data for all catalyst formulations examined, for a range of propene and oxygen partial pressures, and for temperatures above 653 K.
Rod outer segment lipids in vitamin A-adequate and -deficient rats ☆

Abstract Weanling albino rats were fed a vitamin-A-adequate diet or vitamin-A-deficient diet and maintained in a cyclic light or dark environment for up to 14 weeks. One half of the rats were supplemented with additional dietary linolenic acid in the form of linseed oil. The lipid composition and rhodopsin-opsin contents of isolated rod outer segments were determined after 6–7 weeks or 12–14 weeks on diet. This study shows that feeding rats a standard vitamin A-adequate or -deficient diet results in an age-dependent loss of omega three docosahexaenoic acid and a concomitant increase in omega six docosapentanoic acid in the rod outer segments. The loss of docosahexaenoate appears to be caused by insufficient dietary omega three fatty acids. The increase in omega six docosapentanoic acid appears to arise from the high concentration of linoleic acid in standard diets containing either cottonseed, or peanut oil or supplemental corn oil. Feeding rats diets supplemented with linseed oil, however, results in a rod outer-segment lipid profile which is the same as for chow-fed animals. The same effects were seen in the fatty-acid profile of lipids from liver, although the content of polyunsaturates was much lower than in rod outer segments. Vitamin A deficiency, itself, does not lead to changes in the fatty-acid composition of either the rod outer segments or liver. After 6–7 weeks on A + or A − diet, rhodopsin levels were, as expected, higher in dark-reared rats than in cyclic-light animals. Although the rhodopsin levels in dark-reared vitamin A-adequate rats were significantly higher than in vitamin A-deficient animals, measurements of the lipid to opsin ratio of rod outer segments indicate that the rods of vitamin A-deficient rats are not markedly different than those of vitamin A-adequate rats. It is concluded that these diets may be useful in providing a means for evaluating the role of docosahexaenoic acid in visual cell death from damaging light.
Size and Scaling in Human Evolution

Our general conclusion is simply stated: many lineages display phyletic size increase; allometric changes almost always accompany increase in body size. We cannot judge adaptation until we separate such changes into those required by increasing size and those serving as special adaptations to changing environments. In our view, the three australopithecines are, in a number of features, scaled variants of the "same" animal. In these characters, A. africanus is no more "advanced" than the larger, more robust forms. The one early hominid to show a significant departure from this adaptive pattern toward later hominids—cranially, dentally, and postcranially—is H. habilis from East Africa. The australopithecines, one of which was probably a precursor of the Homolineage, were apparently a successful group of basically vegetarian hominids, more advanced behaviorally than apes (87), but not hunter-gatherers. The fossil hominids of Africa fall into two major groupings. One probable lineage, the australopithecines, apparently became extinct without issue; the other evolved to modern man. Both groups displayed steady increase in body size. We consider quantitatively two key characters of the hominid skull: cranial capacity and cheek tooth size. The variables are allometrically related to body size in both lineages. In australopithecines, the manner of relative growth neatly meets the predictions for functional equivalence over a wide range of sizes (negative allometry of cranial capacity with a slope against body weight of 0.2 to 0.4 and positive allometry of postcanine area with a slope near 0.75). In the A. africanus to H. sapiens lineage, cranial capacity increases with positive allometry (slope 1.73) while cheek teeth decrease absolutely (slope — 0.725). Clearly, these are special adaptations unrelated to the physical requirements of increasing body size. We examined qualitatively other features, which also seem to vary allometrically. Of course, many characters should be studied quantitatively, but we think that the scheme outlined here should be treated as the null hypothesis to be disproved.
Organic carbon - A nonspecific water quality indicator for Lake Superior.

Abstract Organic matter is ubiquitous in surface waters and its presence is generally recognized as being detrimental to water quality. Historically, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) has been used to assess the effects, and indirectly the concentration, of organic matter in water. However, BOD measurements are not adequate for characterization of high quality natural waters. Measurement of organic carbon by combustion and infrared absorption is a promising technique for monitoring high quality water. This paper is the first part of a study of the distribution of organic carbon in Lake Superior Basin waters. Temporal and spatial distribution of organic carbon in open waters and in the vicinity of pollution inflows are described. Base line concentration levels have been established, and the use of organic carbon measurements as an overall indicator of water quality is discussed.
Ignition on catalytic wires: Kinetic parameter determination by the heated‐wire technique

A new analysis is presented for the extraction of Arrhenius parameters from experimental measurements of ignition temperatures during catalytic oxidation over electrically-heated metal wires. Butane oxidation on high purity platinum wires has yielded reproducible experimental results for the reaction rate and has provided consistent estimates of the Arrhenius parameters. First-order kinetics was assumed. The present treatment contains explicit consideration of: (1) the ohmic heating term; and (2) the end conduction heat loss from the catalytic wire. The effects of wire length, diameter, and configuration are reconciled when the ignition phenomenon is refferred to the center-point temperature of the wire.
The effect of tibial plateau angle on ground reaction forces 4-17 months after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in Labrador Retrievers.

Objective To assess the relationship between postoperative tibial plateau angle (TPA) and ground reaction forces (GRFs) in Labrador Retrievers at least 4-months after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery. Study design A retrospective longitudinal study. Animals Thirty-two Labrador Retrievers with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease that had TPLO and concurrent meniscal surgery. Methods TPA and GRFs were measured pre- and > or = 4 months postoperatively. Preoperative GRFs, preoperative TPA, duration of injury, postoperative TPA and degree of rotation were each compared with postoperative GRFs using correlation analysis. Dogs were also grouped by postoperative TPA and compared using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Postoperative function was compared with meniscal release/meniscectomy, patient age, sex, body weight and follow-up time using ANOVA. Results No significant relationship was found between preoperative GRFs, preoperative TPA, duration of injury, postoperative TPA, degree of rotation, or meniscal release/meniscectomy and postoperative function. Mean preoperative GRFs for all dogs were 28.8 +/- 9.5 for peak vertical force (PVF) and 9.3 +/- 3.1 for peak vertical impulse (VI). Mean postoperative GRFs for all dogs were 40.4 +/- 5.0 for PVF and 14.1 +/- 1.9 for VI. Conclusions No statistically significant relationship was found between postoperative TPA and GRFs after TPLO > or = 4 months after surgery, where the postoperative angle was between 0 and 14 degrees. No significant relationship was found between the preoperative TPA and postoperative function. Clinical relevance Limb function in Labrador Retrievers was not affected by postoperative TPA and re-operation for cases with a postoperative TPA between 0 and 14 degrees is not recommended.
Environment-adaptive speech enhancement for bilateral cochlear implants using a single processor

A computationally efficient speech enhancement pipeline in noisy environments based on a single-processor implementation is developed for utilization in bilateral cochlear implant systems. A two-channel joint objective function is defined and a closed form solution is obtained based on the weighted-Euclidean distortion measure. The computational efficiency and no need for synchronization aspects of this pipeline make it a suitable solution for real-time deployment. A speech quality measure is used to show its effectiveness in six different noisy environments as compared to a similar one-channel enhancement pipeline when using two separate processors or when using independent sequential processing.
Prevalence of Arcobacter and Campylobacter on broiler carcasses during processing

Abstract Broiler carcasses ( n = 325) were sampled in a U.S. commercial poultry processing plant for the prevalence of Arcobacter and Campylobacter at three sites along the processing line: pre-scald, pre-chill and post-chill. Samples (75–125 broilers per site) were collected during five plant visits from August to October of 2004. Arcobacter was recovered from pre-scald carcasses more frequently (96.8%) than from pre-chill (61.3%) and post-chill carcasses (9.6%). Campylobacter was isolated from 92% of pre-scald carcasses, 100% of pre-chill carcasses, and 52% of post-chill carcasses. In total, Arcobacter was isolated from 55.1% (179 of 325), while Campylobacter was isolated from 78.5% (255 of 325) of the carcasses from the three collection sites. For Arcobacter identification, a species-specific multiplex PCR showed that A. butzleri was the most prevalent species (79.1%) followed by A. cryaerophilus 1B (18.6%). A. cryaerophilus 1A was found at low levels (2.3%). PCR identified the most common Campylobacter species as C. jejuni (87.6%) followed by C. coli (12.4%). Overall, significant contamination of broiler carcasses by Arcobacter was observed, although less than that found for Campylobacter . From pre-scald to post-chill, a far greater reduction in Arcobacter numbers was observed than for Campylobacter . Our results for Arcobacter , obtained from the same environment as the closely related pathogen Campylobacter , will aid in the development of control measures for this emerging pathogen.
The rate of the in vivo dithiocarbamate-induced mobilization of hepatic and renal cadmium deposits.

The dithiocarbamate-induced removal of aged cadmium from intracellular sites in the kidneys and liver of mice has been followed as a function of time. The processes are quite rapid with the entire course of the cadmium-removal process being completed in 60–90 min. An examination of the rates at which a dithiocarbamate removes cadmium from hepatic and renal deposits in vivo and from metallothionein in vitro, suggests strongly that the processes are similar. A common mechanism is proposed for both processes which involves the direct attack by the dithiocarbamate on cadmium ion incorporated into metallothionein. Such a mechanism is consistent with the similarities in rates and the degree of overall mobilization of cadmium by the same dithiocarbamate both in vitro and in vivo. The administration of 1 mmol/ky of sodium N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MeOBDCG) to cadmium-loaded mice leads to a reduction of in vivo renal and hepatic cadmium levels of 45% and 30%, respectively, over a period of only 1 h. Previously the incubation of metallothionein in vitro in the presence of 1 mmol/l of MeOBDCG was found to lead to the reduction of the cadmium content of metallothionein of approximately 60% over a period of 1 h. The administration of higher doses of this compound ( 2 mmol/kg and 4 mmol/kg) to cadmium-loaded mice led to an even more rapid and more extensive removal of cadmium from both the liver and the kidney. The major factors which limit the ability of dithiocarbamates to mobilize cadmium form in vivo sites appear to be molecular structural features which hinder or prevent the access of the dithiocarbamates to the intracellular sites at which the majority of aged cadmium deposits are held.
Diffusion of condensable vapors in single adsorbent particles measured via concentration-swing frequency response.

A concentration-swing frequency response method is extended to examine mass transfer mechanisms and the concentration dependence of mass transfer rates for adsorption of condensable vapors in single adsorbent particles. The adsorption kinetics of water and hexane in BPL activated carbon and the adsorption of water in silica gel are determined at several different concentrations. The mechanism that best describes the adsorption of water in BPL activated carbon is nanopore diffusion. The diffusivity of water in BPL activated carbon has a clear minimum at approximately P/Po = 0.5, and the concentration dependence of the diffusion data are not described well by the Darken relationship. Both nanopore diffusion and the Glueckauf linear driving force models can be used to describe the diffusion of hexane in BPL activated carbon for the pressure range studied, and the dependence of the diffusivity on concentration can be described approximately using the Darken relationship. However, the diffusion of water in sil...
Measurement of space charge generation-recombination current in Hg1−xCdxTe photodiodes by deep level transient spectroscopy

Abstract Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) measurements have been used to characterize n+ − pHg1−xCdxTe junction photodiode performance. Deep level results obtained on a x = 0.320 liquid phase epitaxial grown photodiode and a x = 0.219 bulk quench anneal-grown photodiode have identified deep Shockley-Read recombination centers. Detailed characterization of trap energy, trap density, and capture cross sections for these traps located within the diode depletion region have been used to predict a space charge generation-recombination current and dynamic resistance-area product at zero bias voltage. This paper presents for the first time a direct correlation of DLTS parameters with photodiode device performance.
Staying out of trouble

Natural Hazards. By David Chapman. Oxford University Press: 1995. Pp. 174. £12.50, $15 (pbk).
Tissue specific differences in rate limiting factors of glutamate metabolism in enzyme systems of kidney and liver.

Abstract In kidney tissue, the quantity of glutamate dehydrogenase limits metabolic flux of glutamate in accordance with predicted linear kinetic coupling of the dehydrogenase with transaminases (cf. 2). In liver tissue, however, control mechanisms of the glutamate system are not related in an obvious manner to the quantity of enzymes for which glutamate is a common substrate.
El Niño, Expectations, and Fishing Effort in Monterey Bay, California

Abstract This article uses vector autoregressions (VARs) and a dynamic linear rational expectations model to analyze the effects of sea surface temperatures and catch prices on fishing effort for albacore tuna, Chinook salmon, sablefish, and squid in Monterey Bay, California. The VAR results show that fluctuations in sea surface temperatures, including El Nino events, have significant effects on effort and prices for these fisheries. Estimation of the model shows that El Nino has positive effects on the abundance in Monterey Bay of albacore and negative effects on Chinook, sablefish, and squid. Testing of the model supports rational expectations by harvesters of albacore, Chinook, and sablefish but not squid. Test results also suggest that dynamic adjustment costs are not significant for albacore, Chinook, or sablefish fisheries.
New Twists, More Intricate Configurations: The Changing Israel-Palestinian Regional Security Complex

Policies adopted by Syria, Hizbullah, and Israel have generated a major transformation in the Israel-Palestinian regional security complex. In the months after the United States-led overthrow of the Ba'thi regime in Iraq in March 2003, each of these three leaderships confronted a severe domestic political-economic crisis, and reacted to the crisis in ways that not only heightened the potential for conflict in regional affairs but also transformed the regional security complex into a more extensive constellation of alliances and adversarial relations.
Terminal chalcogenido complexes of zirconium: Syntheses and reactivity of Cp2*Zr(E)(NC5H5) (E = O, S, Se, Te)

Abstract The terminal zirconium chalcogenido complexes Cp2*Zr(E)(NC5H5)(Cp* = η5-C5Me5; E = O, S, Se, Te) are conveniently synthesized by the reactions of Cp2*Zr(CO)2 with either N2O or the elemental chalcogen (S, Se, Te) in the presence of pyridine. The [Zr=E] functionalities in these complexes are highly reactive and undergo a variety of 1,2-addition and cycloaddition reactions, resulting in a diverse array of products. For example, reactions of the zirconium oxo complex Cp2*Zr(O)(NC5H5) yield Cp2*Zr(OH)2, Cp2*Zr(η2-O2CMe)(η1-OCOMe), Cp2*Zr(OPh)2, Cp2*Zr(OH)(NH2), Cp2*Zr(OH)(NHPh), Cp2*Zr(OH)[η2-N(Ph)NH2], Cp2*Zr(H)(OSiH2Ph), [Cp2*Zr(H)](μ-O)[Cp2*Zr(OH)], Cp2*Zr(OH)[η1-OC(R)=CH2] (R = Me, Ph, But), Cp2*Zr(OH)I, Cp2*Zr(OMe)I, Cp2*Zr(OSiMe3)Cl, Cp2*Zr[η2-OCH(R)OCH(R)O] (R = H, Pri, But), and Cp2*Zr[η2-OC(Ph)NC(Ph)N].
Provider counseling to young women seeking family planning services.

CONTEXT: Contraceptive nonuse and misuse contribute to rates of unintended pregnancy and STDs among young women in the United States. Clinical providers assume an important role in guiding youths contraceptive method choices. METHODS: Sixty-seven women aged 16-21 were recruited as part of a cohort study conducted in 2009-2012 that examined provider-patient interactions during family planning visits at six San Francisco clinics. Interactions between patients and providers were audio-recorded. Participants completed questionnaires about method preference immediately before seeing the provider; they reported on method choice immediately after the visit and by telephone three and six months later. Transcripts were analyzed to examine providers strategies for guiding decision making and addressing youths contraceptive concerns. Missed opportunities for promoting young womens reproductive health were identified. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent of young women who did not report desiring a hormonal or long-acting reversible method (IUD or implant) before seeing their provider chose one after counseling. Use of a hormonal or long-acting reversible contraceptive method at follow-up was more common among women who had received interactive counseling by providers who guided them to consider contextual influences than among those who had not received such counseling. Attention to relationship characteristics sexual behavior patterns and STD risk was largely absent from contraceptive counseling. CONCLUSION: High-quality strategies used by providers to guide contraceptive decision making were tailored to adolescents developmental and environmental needs. Several areas of counseling require increased attention and seem vital to providing comprehensive reproductive health care to adolescents. Copyright (c) 2014 by the Guttmacher Institute.
Transforming growth factor-beta protein and messenger RNA expression is increased in the closing ductus arteriosus.

In full-term newborns, permanent closure of the ductus arteriosus is associated with the formation of a neointima that is characterized by extracellular matrix deposition and smooth muscle cell migration. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a potent modulator of extracellular matrix deposition and smooth muscle cell migration, has been found to play a role in the remodeling associated with several forms of vascular disease. We examined the protein and mRNA expression of the three mammalian isoforms of TGF-β(TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) during ductus arteriosus closure in full-term lambs. We found that the temporal changes and cellular localization of the proteins and mRNAs of all three TGF-β isoforms were similar. TGF-β proteins and mRNAs were present in very low levels in the late-gestation fetal ductus. Within 24 h of delivery, there was enhanced expression of TGF-β in the newly forming neointima and outer muscle media; this continued to increase over the next 10 d. Increased expression of TGF-β in the inner muscle media and adventitia lagged behind that of the neointima and outer muscle media. TGF-β was not found in the luminal endothelial cells at any time. In contrast to the pattern described above, the appearance of TGF-β protein differed from that of mRNA in the vasa vasorum of the ductus wall. After delivery, there was an increase in TGF-β immunoreactivity in the smooth muscle cell layers of the vasa vasorum without any concurrent mRNA expression. The appearance of TGF-β at the time of ductus closure suggests an important role for this growth factor in the reorganization of the ductus wall after birth.
Synthesis of solution-soluble pentacene-containing conjugated copolymers.

We have synthesized new-type of pentacene copolymers containing linear- and branched-dialkoxylphenyldiethynylene units via a modified Sonogashira coupling reaction at room temperature to prepare low-band gap polymers (<1.7 eV). The structures of polymers were confirmed by 1H NMR and the molecular weights were determined by size exclusion chromatography. The electrochemical and optical properties of the polymers were studied using cyclic voltammetry and UV−vis absorption to estimate the HOMO and LUMO levels as well as their optical bandgaps. Branch-type pentacene copolymer 2 exhibited good solubility in common organic solvents as well as good film-forming ability, while linear-type polymer 1 has poor solubility owing to stronger interaction between polymer chains. Notably, in terms of optical stability, our pentacene copolymers exhibit much better stability in solution than TIPS-ethynyl substituted pentacene (TIPSEP).
The relationships between first name desirability and school readiness, IQ, and school achievement

The relationships between first name desirability and school readiness, IQ, and school achievement were explored using 1,727 elementary school children. Ratings of the desirability of first names were completed by 2,212 boys and girls in elementary and secondary schools. School readiness, IQ, and achievement variables showed small, but significant, correlations with first name desirability for girls; boys also showed a first name effect, but the magnitude was less. Most correlations remained significant even when the effects of parental education and ethnicity were partialled out. First name desirability was discussed as a specific case of stereotyping.
Polynomial evaluation in VLSI using distributed arithmetic

Alternate formulations of Horner's rule which partitions the algorithm into inner-product computations are studied. Fixed-point inner products may be implemented with distributed arithmetic structures that use table-lookup in place of multiplication. Distributed arithmetic can be smaller and faster than lumped arithmetic in technologies where memory is cheaper than logic. The partitioned algorithms may be mapped to mesh-connected or tree-connected VLSI architectures. The partitions may be chosen to optimize cost measures and constraints that are functions of area, latency, period, and arithmetic precision. These structures are compared with a tree structure for polynomial evaluation. It is considered that each has advantages depending on problem size and target technology. >
Effect of Nicotinic Acid on Rumen Fermentation In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract A series of in vitro studies tested effects of nicotinic acid on rumen fermentation. Urea was the nitrogen supplement for all substrates. As expected, a substrate of corn produced the most gas and microbial protein followed by a substrate of corn plus brome hay (1:1). A substrate of brome hay produced the least amount of gas and microbial protein. Niacin had no effect on gas production but significantly increased synthesis of microbial protein. The most protein was synthesized with the corn substrate, but the greatest percentage increase due to niacin was with the substrate of corn plus hay. Six rumen-fistulated cows were fed a ration of grain and grass hay (1:1) with 2.3% urea. The rations were supplemented with 0 or 200ppm niacin. Niacin had no important effect on the concentration of rumen dry matter or lactic acid, or the molar proportions of acetic, butyric, or valeric acids. Niacin increased the concentration of rumen bacterial protein, ammonia, and propionic acid. Niacin reduced the rumen concentration of urea nitrogen. There were no differences in the amino acid composition of rumen bacteria due to niacin.
Giant Pyogenic Granuloma in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Pyogenic granuloma, also known as lobular capillary hemangioma, is a common benign vascular proliferative lesion that can present at any age on the skin or mucous membranes. Most lesions do not exceed 2 cm, but there are a handful of giant cutaneous pyogenic granulomas that have been reported, often in individuals with underlying immune dysfunction. Here, we report the first giant pyogenic granuloma in a patient with a hematological malignancy, chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
PARTICIPATION OF THE Ca2+-CALMODULIN-ACTIVATED KINASE II IN THE CONTROL OF METAPHASE-ANAPHASE TRANSITION IN HUMAN CELLS

Treatment of HeLa S3 cells growing in suspension, and of endothelial cells ECV 304 growing as a monolayer, with the inhibitor of the Ca(2+)-calmodulin activated Kinase II KN-93, blocks cells at metaphase for 15 min (HeLa cells) and 30 min (ECV cells). Thereafter cells resume mitosis and enter anaphase. The inactive isomer KN-92 does not show such effects. The results show the involvement of the CaM K II system in the regulation of the metaphase-anaphase transition whereby the activation of the Kinase II, in particular by calmodulin appears to be affected, the residual autophosphorylation of the CaM K II system apparently sufficing after 15 to 30 min to release the cells into anaphase. The results are compared with the metaphase-blocking effects of the noble gas xenon, where the xenon-induced block can be overcome by small intracellular increases of Ca(2+), thus indicating the CaM K II system as a possible target for xenon.
Eco-Design Value Alignment: Keys to Success

This article analyzes the eco-design challenges in the 21st century. In a world of globalization and outsourcing, environmental legislation became a main driver for doing eco-design. Eco-innovation and green money are concepts to create marketing advantages and differentiation from their competitors, transforming a legislative handicap into financial benefits and societal recognition. This paper introduces Life cycle Environmental Value Chain Analysis (LC-EVCA) and Environmental Worth Analysis (EWA) to identify the stake-holders implementing environmental improvement programs and the value relationships among them. Life cycle information and societal concerns are the keys to success for the eco-design value alignment. Philips environmental programs and a brief example illustrate how eco-design can be integrated into product development, and how both customer (society) and producers find themselves in a win-win situation.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
On the brink: searching for drops in sensor data

Sensor networks have been widely used to collect data about the environment. When analyzing data from these systems, people tend to ask exploratory questions---they want to find subsets of data, namely signal, reflecting some characteristics of the environment. In this paper, we study the problem of searching for drops in sensor data. Specifically, the search is to find periods in history when a certain amount of drop over a threshold occurs in data within a time span. We propose a framework, SegDiff, for extracting features, compressing them, and transforming the search into standard database queries. Approximate results are returned from the framework with the guarantee that no true events are missed and false positives are within a user specified tolerance. The framework efficiently utilizes space and provides fast response to users' search. Experimental results with real world data demonstrate the efficiency of our framework with respect to feature size and search time.
Autonomous Helicopter Aerobatics through Apprenticeship Learning

Autonomous helicopter flight is widely regarded to be a highly challenging control problem. Despite this fact, human experts can reliably fly helicopters through a wide range of maneuvers, including aerobatic maneuvers at the edge of the helicopterâs capabilities. We present apprenticeship learning algorithms, which leverage expert demonstrations to efficiently learn good controllers for tasks being demonstrated by an expert. These apprenticeship learning algorithms have enabled us to significantly extend the state of the art in autonomous helicopter aerobatics. Our experimental results include the first autonomous execution of a wide range of maneuvers, including but not limited to in-place flips, in-place rolls, loops and hurricanes, and even auto-rotation landings, chaos and tic-tocs, which only exceptional human pilots can perform. Our results also include complete airshows, which require autonomous transitions between many of these maneuvers. Our controllers perform as well as, and often even better than, our expert pilot.
Chronic tributyltin toxicity experiments with the chesapeake bay copepod, Acartia tonsa

Repeated chronic toxicity experiments were conducted with the Chesapeake Bay zooplankter Acartia tonsa to evaluate its sensitivity to tributyltin (TBT). Experiments were initiated with A. tonsa nauplii <48 h old. All tests were conducted with continuous-flow conditions and measured TBT concentrations. Results from a 9-d range finding experiment and two 6-d chronic experiments are presented. TBT test concentrations were maintained with minimal fluctuations over time and toxicity results were similar in the repeated chronic experiments. The range-finding experiment demonstrated severe reductions in survival of A. tonsa at the lowest measured concentration (0.029 μg TBT/L). In the 6-d experiments, 0.023 and 0.024 μg TBT/L were the lowest measured TBT concentrations to significantly reduce survival relative to the controls (i.e., lowest observed effect concentration [LOEC]). No observed effect concentrations (NOEC) measured at 0.012 and 0.010 μg TBT/L were used to calculate chronic values of 0.016 and 0.017 μg TBT/L for these two experiments. A. tonsa nauplii are very sensitive to TBT relative to other estuarine organisms. These toxicity data are environmentally relevant since TBT concentrations exceeding the chronic value for A. tonsa have been reported from numerous locations in Chesapeake Bay.
Free-choice feeding of free-range meat chickens

SUMMARY Interest in small- and medium-scale free-range poultry production for local and regional markets is growing, and alternative feeding methods should be considered. Free-choice feeding is a method that offers birds separate feedstuffs, such as grains, protein concentrates, and natural vitamin and mineral sources, from which they can self-select a diet suited to their changing needs. Free-choice feeding may prove useful in production systems with outdoor access because nutrient needs change widely due to temperature fluctuations and bird activity. Many small producers do not have access to the nutritional services that large producers do and may have specific goals in regard to nutrition, such as using farm-raised feed ingredients and pasture forage to provide nutrients. In addition, most organic programs do not permit the use of synthetic amino acids in feed. Free-choice methods have been used historically and can be useful for alternative producers, making use of farm-raised feeds to improve savings and increase nutrient cycling. In the current study, a fully formulated diet and free-choice diet were compared in a free-range system using slow-growing meat chickens. The formulated diet was a commercial product (20% CP), whereas the free-choice diet chosen by birds was much lower in CP (13%). Final live weights did not differ between treatments; however, ready-to-cook yield and breast yields were higher in the birds from the formulated treatment, most likely due to amino acid supplements in the formulated feed. The diet chosen by free-choice birds was less expensive than the formulated diet.
Lipid peroxidation, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase during post-harvest deterioration of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root tubers

The alterations in the level of lipid peroxidation, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were studied during physiological post-harvest deterioration of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root tubers for four days. The peak level of lipid peroxidation was observed on the 1st day, which also coincided with the peak activities of total SOD, CuZnSOD and catalase. With the exception of the 1st day, the activity of Mn-SOD was consistently higher than that of CuZnSOD. The data presented here may suggest that the enhanced level of lipid peroxidation on the 1st day and the sustained decrease in the activities of SOD and catalase could contribute to the post-harvest deterioration of cassava root tubers.
Hedges, Tag Questions, Message Processing, and Persuasion

This study explored the effects of tag questions, hedges, and argument quality on receivers’ perceptions of a speaker, perceptions of message quality, cognitive responses, and attitude change. The results showed that tag questions and argument quality directly affected speaker and message quality perceptions and cognitive responses. They also interacted to directly affect perceptions of the speaker’s power and credibility. Mediational analyses also showed that tag questions and argument quality had indirect effects on attitude change. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for the cognitive processing of and research on linguistic markers of powerlessness.
What Is Appropriate Mathematics Education for Four-Year-Olds?: Pre-Kindergarten Teachers' Beliefs.

This study explored pre-kindergarten teachers' beliefs about the appropriateness of early mathematics education. Thirty pre-kindergarten teachers of four-year-olds, half working with low-SES children at publicly funded pre-kindergartens and the other half with middle-SES children at private pre-kindergartens, were interviewed concerning written vignettes describing two fictitious pre-kindergarten teachers' contrasting pedagogies concerning key issues in teaching mathematics to young children. The low-SES publicly funded pre-kindergarten teachers tended to support a strong focus on goal-based mathematics teaching at pre-kindergarten and at home to get children ready for kindergarten. The middle-SES private pre-kindergarten teachers tended to endorse flexible mathematics education relying on a child-centered curriculum and child-initiated learning and to oppose the instructional use of computers. Both groups, however, were similarly likely to mention that with increased academic demands, pre-kindergarten te...
Joint Timing Recovery and Data Detection for High Density Perpendicular Recording

In this paper, we utilize the general joint ML idea of Moon et al. [Timing recovery in conjuntion with maximum likelihood sequence detection in the presence of intersymbol interference] but with a new phase error function and consider application to high density perpendicular recording. The new phase error function provides performance similar to that of Moon's but allows easier implementation.
Acute Kidney Injury in Cancer Patients

Patients with cancer are at a high risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI). Notwithstanding the considerable advances in cancer care over the past decade, the incidence of AKI among patients with cancer remains high. This high incidence of AKI is multifactorial with many contributory factors including cancer-related and patient-specific factors as well as chemotherapy-related renal toxicity. Patients are aggressively treated even at an older age with the complicating predispositions to AKI that are associated with aging. Furthermore, the success of cancer treatment has transformed it from a short-term to an increasingly chronic therapeutic regimen. Chronic treatments bring out renal toxicities of both the underlying disease as well as its treatments not readily apparent with short-term treatment. In turn, AKI can negatively impact the outcome of management of cancer patients by limiting the dosage of chemotherapy, reducing the likelihood of achieving complete remission, increasing frequency and length of hospitalization, increasing cost of care, and risk of CKD, ESKD, and mortality. Therefore, prevention and timely management of AKI should be a central focus of oncologists, nephrologists, other subspecialists and primary care physicians who provide care to cancer patients. In this chapter we review the current knowledge of AKI in cancer patients, focusing on epidemiology, etiology, and its consequences.
Estate Planning for United States Clients Who Own Property Abroad

Estate planners are accustomed to clients who own property in more than one state and consequently are familiar with the planning exigencies required by the multistate estate. Now, however, estate planners increasingly find themselves encountering clients who own property located outside of the United States, who present multinational planning concerns. This article highlights some factors to consider and problems to avoid when creating an estate plan for a client who owns "foreign" assets.