cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of vortex structure and vortex translation on the tropical cyclone boundary layer wind field

The effects of vortex translation and radial vortex structure in the distribution of boundary layer winds in the inner core of mature tropical cyclones are examined using a high-resolution slab model and a multilevel model. It is shown that the structure and magnitude of the wind field (and the corresponding secondary circulation) depends sensitively on the radial gradient of the gradient wind field above the boundary layer. Furthermore, it is shown that vortex translation creates low wave number asymmetries in the wind field that rotate anticyclonically with height. A budget analysis of the steady state wind field for both models was also performed in this study. Although the agradient force drives the evolution of the boundary layer wind field for both models, it is shown that the manner in which the boundary layer flow responds to this force differs between the two model representations. In particular, the inner core boundary layer flow in the slab model is dominated by the effects of horizontal advection and horizontal diffusion, leading to the development of shock structures in the model. Conversely, the inner core boundary layer flow in the multilevel model is primarily influenced by the effects of vertical advection and vertical diffusion, which eliminates shock structures in this model. These results further indicate that special care is required to ensure that qualitative applications from slab models are not unduly affected by the neglect of vertical advection.
The changing demographic of blunt smokers across birth cohorts

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that African-American males, born in the 1970s, initiated the practice of smoking blunts during the rise of the hip-hop subculture in the 1990s. The objective of this study was to determine if other racial/ethnic groups from more recent birth cohorts adopted the practice as well. METHODS: Data from seven cross-sectional surveys, the 2004-2010 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, were aggregated for constructing six five-year birth cohorts (n=297,478), starting with the 1970-1974 cohort. Age-stratified regression models were then developed to test the effect of the interaction between race/ethnicity and birth cohort on the past-year use of blunts. RESULTS: Fewer differences in the prevalence of past-year blunt smoking were observed between African-Americans and other racial/ethnic groups from more recent birth cohorts. Statistically significant interaction terms in age-stratified models indicated that relative to African-Americans, the odds ratios of blunt smoking were greater in Caucasians and Hispanics born in the1980s compared to those born in the late 1970s. These results were replicated when the sample was limited to past-year cannabis users (n=61,038). CONCLUSIONS: African-Americans, who likely initiated blunt smoking as adolescents/young adults in the 1990s, continued the practice into adulthood. As characterized by other drug eras, the drug became popular over time and expanded into other demographic groups. The additional exposure to tobacco should alert tobacco-control advocates about blunt smokers' risk of developing nicotine dependence. Language: en
Natural history of neurofibromatosis 1-associated optic nerve glioma in mice.

Children affected with the inherited tumor predisposition syndrome, neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), are prone to the development of low-grade astrocytic optic pathway tumors (optic pathway glioma [OPG]). Previously, we developed a model of NF1-associated astrocytoma (GFAPCre; Nf1flox/mut mice) in which mice develop optic nerve and chiasm glioma. To define the molecular pathogenesis of OPG, we used this mouse model to study the natural history of OPG formation using immunohistological and radiographic approaches. We observed that whereas astrocyte hyperplasia is present in the optic nerves associated with gross optic nerve thickening at 3 weeks of age, overt neoplastic changes were not seen until 2 months of age. Astrocyte proliferation was maximal between 3 weeks and 2 months of age, suggesting that the most rapid period of growth occurs early. Mouse OPG tumors were detected by magnetic resonance imaging at 2 months of age and exhibited contrast enhancement, as seen in human OPG. In addition, the mouse OPG tumors exhibited expression of proteins associated with astroglial progenitors, including nestin and brain lipid binding protein. Last, we observed neovascularization and microglial cell infiltration by 3 weeks of age before overt neoplastic transformation, suggesting that these cellular changes participate in the early stages of tumor formation. Ann Neurol 2005;57:119–127
Crystallization of lysozyme at high pressures

Abstract Crystallization of lysozyme, initially at a concentration of 40 mg/mL, a pH of 4.5 and 0.8M NaCl was carried out at pressures of 0.1, 50, 100, and 150 MPa (1–1500 bar). Pressurization increased the rate of nucleation but reduced the rate of the subsequent crystal growth. An overall enhancement of the rate of crystallization could be obtained by a period of pressurization followed by growth at atmospheric pressure. Initial durations at elevated pressure of either 10 min or 2 h, followed by growth at atmospheric pressure for a total period (including the time of pressurization) of 12, 24, 30 and 36 h resulted in overall crystallization rates that were 2–3 times higher than obtained without pressurization. Enhancements were not evident when the same procedure was used with initial lysozyme concentrations of 19 and 28 mg/mL. No loss of enzymatic activity was observed in these treatments.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Moisture Sorption Isotherms

This article illustrates how thermodynamic functions can be calculated from moisture sorption isotherms for water–solid systems. The materials evaluated include the drugs albuterol sulfate and indomethacin, the carbohydrates sucrose, raffinose, and trehalose, and the polymers poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and microcrystalline cellulose. The results demonstrated that significant positive and negative deviations from ideality occurred for water and solid components, respectively, producing higher free energy materials than for the ideal mixtures. The calculations quantitatively discriminated major differences in thermodynamic activity and free energy for all of the solid phases studied, arising from the uniqueness in chemical interactions. This approach to analyzing moisture sorption data is invaluable in advancing our understanding of the physical chemistry of water–solid systems.
Integral‐equation‐based analysis of transient scattering from surfaces with an impedance boundary condition

A marching-on-in-time (MOT)-based scheme for the analysis of transient scattering from closed surfaces characterized by an impedance boundary condition (IBC) is described. The time-domain integral equations being solved involve no analytical approximation and are free of spurious solutions. The proposed scheme is validated by a host of numerical examples. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 42: 213–220, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20256
Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor NS-398 Improves Survival and Restores Leukocyte Counts in Burn Infection

Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a key enzyme in the production of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) from activated macrophages. PGE 2 is increased during trauma and sepsis and has been implicated as a negative immunomodulator. The objective of this study was to determine the therapeutic benefits of a COX-2 inhibitor (NS-398) on survival and leukocyte production in a murine model of burn sepsis. Methods: To determine the in vitro ability of NS-398 to inhibit macrophage production of PGE 2 , peritoneal elicited macrophages were stimulated for 18 hours with medium alone, endotoxin (ETX) (1 μmol/L), or ETX plus NS-398 (0.3 μmol/L). Macrophage supernatant PGE 2 levels were determined by an enzyme immunoassay. To test the in vivo efficacy of NS-398, mice subjected to a 15% dorsal scald burn plus 1,000 colony-forming units of topical Pseudomonas aeruginosa received either 10 mg/kg NS-398 intraperitoneally or placebo 4 to 6 hours after infection and twice daily for 3 days, Survival was measured up to 14 days, and circulating white blood cell (WBC) count and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) were determined 3 days after injury. Results: Macrophage PGE 2 production was significantly increased in the ETX-treated group compared with the medium-alone group, and this increase was completely normalized with the addition of NS-398. NS-398 also augmented WBC count (4,288± 649 vs. 7.866± 435 per mm 3 ; p < 0.01) and ANC (1,068± 255 vs. 3,663± 474 per mm 3 ) after burn infection and attenuated macrophage depression of hematopoietic proliferation. Finally, NS-398 treatment significantly improved survival after burn infection, from 0 to 45.5%, Conclusion: Inhibition of the COX-2 isoform of cyclooxygenase with NS-398 inhibited macrophage PGE 2 production, restored ANC, and improved survival during burn infection. NS-398, therefore, has potential therapeutic benefits in septic patients who have developed neutropenia.
Media-based continuing engineering education

Continuing education activities in universities and within companies themselves have seen phenomenal growth over the last decade because of the economic competition faced by business to utilize the most recent technology available to them. Engineers and scientists have, as have all citizens, had to cope with this changing technology and the pressures of greater productivity required of them. This paper deals with the interfaces between the individual working in business and the universities, professional societies, and industry to help them maintain their professional competence throughout a rapidly changing career. Individual motivation to maintain a learning attitude and the willingness to accept new techniques is a paramount problem to lifelong learning. The time constraints, cost, availability of programs, and the necessity to set individual goals are a few of the problems facing the professional today. This paper addresses the programs being developed by industry, universities, and the professional societies. Emphasis on the IEEE programs are an example of how the professional societies are attempting to meet the needs of their membership.
Metal complexes and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy for sensing applications

Abstract This feature article will cover our efforts to sense biologically relevant molecules using photoluminescent metal complexes. Photoluminescent metal complexes possess large Stokes shifts, long lifetimes and tunable photoluminescence maxima. We have developed probes for DNA and RNA detection containing metal complexes of ruthenium and iridium as photoluminescent reporters. Iridium complexes have also been modified to serve as probes for amino acids such as cysteine, homocysteine, and histidine. In addition, probes sensible to the aggregation state of proteins such as amyloid-β and alpha-synuclein were developed, which display changes in photoluminescence (ruthenium dipyridophenazine complexes) or birefringence (ruthenium red). Finally, we will present the detection of solvent vapors using a photoluminescent rhenium complex within a zeolite matrix. The long photoluminescence lifetime of the aforementioned complexes has been synergistically combined with advanced time-resolved methods to enhance the detection scope of these probes. For example techniques such as time-gating have been used to detect oligonucleotides, amino acids and protein aggregation even in highly autofluorescent media. Time-gating allows selecting a time-window in a time-resolved emission spectrum where the long-lived photoluminescence of the probes can be preferentially detected from the short-lived autofluorescence of the medium. In addition, we have used time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy to extract the photoluminescence of free histidine from the photoluminescence of histidine-containing proteins. Also, a combination of photoluminescence intensity, maximum and lifetime was used to detect solvent vapors. These examples testify on the advantages of time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy for enhancing the detection of analytes using probes with long-lived photoluminescence.
Temperature and Impurity Concentration Effects on Degradation of Nickel/Yttria‐stabilised Zirconia Anode in PH3‐Containing Coal Syngas

Degradation of the Ni/yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ) anode of the solid oxide fuel cell has been evaluated in the coal syngas containing different PH3 concentrations in the temperature range from 750 to 900 °C. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations show that PH3 in the coal syngas gas is converted mostly to P2O3 at 750–900 °C. The phosphorous impurity reacts with the Ni-YSZ anode to form phosphates. The P-impurity poisoning leads to the deactivation of the Ni catalyst and to the reduction in the electronic conductivity of the anode. The impurity poisoning effect on the anode is exacerbated by increase in the temperature and/or the PH3 concentration.
Targeting existing power plants: EPA emission reduction with wind and demand response

Abstract Electricity generation accounts for 40% of CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United States. Section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) allows for greenhouse gas emission regulation by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In June 2014, EPA issued the Clean Power Plan that proposes regulation of existing power plants via a “best system of emission reduction” or BSER. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions caused by electricity generation is one of the main motivations for increasing wind power and other renewable energy use, and this option is included in the BSER. This paper applies Monte Carlo simulation with a two-stage power flow optimization framework to analyze the potential CO 2 emission reduction with 10% and 20% wind penetration using the proposed BSER. The results show that EPA's BSER does achieve significant emission reduction, but an increase in cost of electricity and load curtailment can result if significant wind is installed without other measures. These concerns are eliminated by including recourse to real-time demand response along with EPA's BSER, suggesting that the proposed BSER, implemented alone, could be insufficient for reaching EPA's target CO 2 reductions while also safeguarding power system reliability and cost.
An evaluation of articulatory working space area in vowel production of adults with Down syndrome.

Many adolescents and adults with Down syndrome have reduced speech intelligibility. Reasons for this reduction may relate to differences in anatomy and physiology, both of which are important for creating an intelligible speech signal. The purpose of this study was to document acoustic vowel space and articulatory working space for two adult speakers with Down syndrome who had reduced speech intelligibility (mean = 56% based on single words). Articulatory data for the tongue were collected using a real-time flesh-point tracking method (i.e. X-ray microbeam). Results show smaller F1–F2 acoustic vowel space area for both speakers with Down syndrome compared with the control speakers. Reduced articulatory working space area and slower movement speed were also found for three of the four tongue points analysed. Although generalizations are limited by the small number of participants, findings warrant further investigation of the underlying articulatory characteristics of speech production for individuals with...
QUANTUM THEORY OF INTERACTING BOSONS

Abstract Some qualitative features of the ground state of a system of interacting bosons are discussed using wave functions suggested by the semiclassical theory of boson wave fields. For the case where one deals with weak repulsions, one is lead to a variational extension of Bogolyubov's work. A finite fraction of the N particles occupies the zero momentum single particle state, and the dynamic correlations are described by pair excitations. When attractive forces play a decisive role, two cases are found. In one case a finite fraction of the particles occupies a single particle state, which is now periodic in space. The dynamic correlations are described as a generalization of pair excitations which is different in character for excitation momenta of the order of the inverse of the range of the attractive forces. The single particle state and dynamic correlations are codetermined in a systematic way. The approximate ground state shows long range order which is destroyed at finite temperatures. A second case where attractions are important is the solid state of the boson system. The ground state has the property that of the order of N orthogonal single particle states are occupied, each with an average of approximately one particle.
The vestibular complex of the american opossum, Didelphis virginiana. I. Conformation, cytoarchitectur and primary vestibular input

Degeneration experiments reveal that the vestibular nerve of the adult opossum distributes to an extensive and diverse area of the brainstem and, as in placental mammals, the traditionally named nuclei do not receive a uniform distribution of primary afferent fibers. Nevertheless, such nuclei as well as other nearby cell groups have been considered as vestibular since they share other mutual connections. Except for subgroups. “1”, “g” and the nucleus suprvestibularis all of the vestibular subdivisions generally recognized in more specialized placentals (e.g., the cat) have been identified in the marsupial opossum. Each of the vestibular nuclei and “extra-nuclear” cell stations are described as to their boundaries, cytoarchitecture and dendritic domain. Whenever possible we have employed a terminology consistent with that used for the cat. In several instances we have used results from experimental degeneration material to identify nuclear boundaries and divisions which are not apparnt in routine Nissl, Golgi or silver preparations.
Remote sensing of Earth resources: Emerging opportunities for developing countries

Abstract Land information from remote sensing satellites contributes substantially to the quality of decision making in development activities. However, participation in space-related activities by developing countries has historically been low due in part to the high costs and advanced technology inputs required. The paper discusses several technological and socio-political trends which now offer increasingly affordable opportunities for developing countries to increase their level of participation in activities related to satellite remote sensing of earth resources. Benefiting from these opportunities requires appropriate encouragement and support from national governments.
Simultaneous Measurement of Local Glucose Utilization and Blood Flow in the Rat Brain: An Autoradiographic Method Using Two Tracers Labeled with Carbon-14:

A simplified technique that uses two radionuclide tracers has been devised to measure local cerebral glucose utilization (ICGU) and local cerebral blood flow (ICBF) in the same rat. The method employs [14C]-2-deoxyglucose and [14C]iodoantipyrine to produce an autoradiogram before and another after extraction into chloroform of the [14C]iodoantipyrine from the brain sections. The chloroform-extracted autoradiogram yields ICGU, and the difference in tissue carbon-14 concentration between the two autoradiograms permits calculation of ICBF. The double-isotope technique provides values of ICGU and ICBF that are statistically indistinguishable from those derived from conventional single-isotope methods.
Distinction of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma from adenoid cystic and small cell undifferentiated carcinoma by immunohistochemistry

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a recently recognized variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with a predilection to occur in the tongue base, hypopharynx, and supraglottic larynx. In small biopsy specimens, these tumors can be difficult to distinguish from small cell undifferentiated carcinoma (SCUC) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Monoclonal antibodies reactive with cytokeratin (AE1/AE3, 34βE12, Cam 5.2) as well as a variety of other cellular antigens (vimentin, actin, desmin, chromogranin, synaptophysin, CD57, neuron-specific enolase [NSE], and S100) were used in an immunoperoxidase method with paraffin-embedded tissue to phenotypically characterize 23 cases of BSCC, 10 cases of SCUC, and 15 cases of ACC. The neoplastic cells in 22 of the 23 cases of BSCC reacted with the high-molecular-weight cytokeratin antibody 34βE12, whereas no reactivity was seen in any of the 10 cases of SCUC. This pattern of 34βE12 reactivity more consistently differentiated BSCC from SCUC than did reactivity with the neuroendocrine markers chromogranin, synaptophysin, CD57, and NSE. These findings show that immunoperoxidase stains performed on paraffin-embedded tissue are potentially useful in establishing a diagnosis of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma.
Dependence of Renal Clearance of Radioiodide on Sex, Age and Thyroidal Status

Data on the renal clearance rate (k2) for radioiodine have been analyzed statistically for 2 patient populations, Australian (1335 subjects) and United States (474 subjects), to establish whether significant differences are related to the sex, age or thyroidal status of the subject. In both groups there was a significant decline of k2 with age (about 0.7%/yr) and a significant lowering with both hypothyroidism (13–30%) and hyperthyroidism (9–16%). The value of k2 was lower in males than in females (9 %, significant in the Australian group; 3 %, not significant in the U. S. group). The average values of k2 were not very different for the 2 patient populations in spite of a wide difference in the mean dietary intake of iodine.
Data Validation and Other Strategies for Data Entry

Data entry can result in errors that cause analytic problems and delays in disseminating research. Invalid responses can lead to incorrect statistics and statistical conclusions. The purpose of this article is to provide researchers some basic strategies for avoiding out-of-range data entry errors and streamlining data collection. This article identifies some basic strategies using Microsoft® Excel, which is an inexpensive method of data entry that can be used when research budgets are constrained. Data files can be structured so that out-of-range values cannot be entered. When string variables are entered, researchers may be inconsistent in the way they code responses. Data validation can be accomplished through the use of restricting response options and skipping items can be avoided by using count functions to tabulate the number of valid responses. We also discuss advantages and disadvantages of several methods of data entry, including using web-based data entry and relational databases.
Exclusion of forensically important flies due to burying behavior by the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) in southeast Texas

On March 3, 2009, the remains of an adult male were partially buried at the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science (STAFS) Facility at the Center for Biological Field Studies (CBFS), Sam Houston State University, Texas. The individual was buried except for a small portion of the left abdominal region. A postmortem incised wound was created in the exposed area with the intention of attracting carrion flies. Worker ants of a colony of Solenopsis invicta Buren 1972 (red imported fire ant) filled in the wound with soil, thereby monopolizing the exposed area of the corpse and excluding expected carrion insects from the wound. During the bloating phase, approximately nine days after burial, normal decomposition processes of the gut created a sufficient disruption of the ants, such that flies oviposited and larvae were able to colonize the corpse. Estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) based on the minimum period of fly activity would be severely skewed should the remains be discovered at this point and growth rate of Diptera larvae be used as the primary determinant for the PMI. While S. invicta is an expected member of a carrion ecosystem in southeastern Texas, and is known to distort the PMI estimation through larval and egg removal, the complete exclusion of flies from the wound by the burial behavior of S. invicta was an unexpected and until now an unpublished occurrence.
A methodology for processing problem constraints in genetic programming

Search mechanisms of artificial intelligence combine two elements: representation, which determines the search space, and a search mechanism, which actually explores the space. Unfortunately, many searches may explore redundant and/or invalid solutions. Genetic programming refers to a class of evolutionary algorithms based on genetic algorithms, but utilizing a parameterized representation in the form of trees. These algorithms perform searches based on simulation of nature. They face the same problems of redundant/invalid subspaces. These problems have just recently been addressed in a systematic manner. This paper presents a methodology devised for the public domain genetic programming tool lil-gp. This methodology uses data typing and semantic information to constrain the representation space so that only valid, and possibly unique, solutions will be explored. The user enters problem-specific constraints, which are transformed into a normal set. This set is checked for feasibility, and subsequently, it is used to limit the space being explored. The constraints can determine valid, possibly unique spaces. Moreover, they can also be used to exclude subspaces the user considers uninteresting, using some problem-specific knowledge. A simple example is followed thoroughly to illustrate the constraint language, transformations, and the normal set. Experiments with Boolean 11-multiplexer illustrate practical applications of the method to limit redundant space exploration by utilizing problem-specific knowledge.
Effect of dietary selenium supplementation on resistance to baculovirus infection

Abstract We have examined the effects of dietary selenium (Se) supplementation on larval growth and immunocompetence of the lepidopteran pest, the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni. Supplementation of the diet of T. ni larvae with 10–20 ppm Se resulted in a 1 day delay in pupation. The effects of the addition and/or removal of dietary Se on total Se bioaccumulation and sequestration were determined by neutron activation analysis of pupae. Early penultimate instar larvae moved from selenium containing diet to basal diet lost total pupal Se content down to the level of those fed basal diet. Conversely, larvae moved from basal diet to diet containing additional Se rapidly attained pupal Se levels comparable to larvae fed Se throughout larval development. Therefore, dietary Se is rapidly accumulated or lost during larval development, but significant amounts are sequestered from diet into pupae. Larvae were reared on diet supplemented with 5 or 10 ppm Se until the onset of the penultimate instar then infected per os with increasing concentrations of the fatal baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). Larvae fed Se in the penultimate and ultimate instars were more resistant to viral infection than larvae not fed Se in the final instars. This study indicates that dietary Se levels rapidly impact Se assimilation and sequestration and that tissue Se levels are an important factor in resistance to AcMNPV infection in larval T. ni.
Modulating contact angle hysteresis to direct fluid droplets along a homogenous surface.

The shape and motion of drops on surfaces is governed by the balance between the driving and the pinning forces. Here we demonstrate control over the motion of droplets on an inclined surface by exerting control over the contact angle hysteresis. The external modulation of contact angle hysteresis is achieved through a voltage-induced local molecular reorganization within the surface film at the solid–liquid interface. We show that tuning contact angle hysteresis alone is sufficient to direct and deform drops when subjected to a constant external driving force, here gravity, in the absence of a pre-defined surface energy gradient or pattern. We also show that the observed stretching and contraction of the drops mimic the motion of an inchworm. Such reversible manipulation of the pinning forces could be an attractive means to direct drops, especially with the dominance of surface forces at micro-/nanoscale.
“You, I, we Created the Poet”: Anne Sexton’s Recorded Therapy, November 1963

In 1991, when it was revealed that the psychiatrist Martin Orne had released tapes of his therapy sessions with Anne Sexton to her biographer, mental health professionals expressed concern and outrage. Those who actually listen to the controversial tapes would be curious to find a debate between Sexton and Orne about mental illness, creativity, and therapeutic process. To what extent did Sexton's creative accomplishments point to aspects of her psychiatric progress that might otherwise have been overlooked? While Sexton asserted her achievements and sought affirmation from her psychiatrist, Orne persistently responded by stating that the poetry is not as important as the person. Their different ways of understanding the relationships between poetry and therapeutic process speak volumes about the power of the creative imagination to challenge existing structures of thought, even structures designed to define the psyche itself.
Distribution of natural beds and stocks estimate of Genera Mytella in the Cananéia estuary, São Paulo State, Brazil.

The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution and size of natural stocks of the mussels Mytella guyanensis (Lamarck, 1819) and M. falcata (d’Orbigny, 1846) in the Cananeia–Iguape–Ilha Comprida lagoon estuarine system. Samples of mussels and related information were collected in four areas distributed along Cubatao Sea (I), Trapande Bay (II), Ararapira Channel (III) and Cananeia Sea (IV) from June 2004 to June 2005. Each area was subdivided in plots that represented the mussels natural banks. The total area occupied by the mussels was estimated. From each one of the 48 delimited plots, 120 samples were collected along 2 transects, summing up 5.760 samples. The animals were counted, measured for length and weight. It was impossible to estimate the stock of M. falcata, due the very low number of individuals. The data presented are from M. guyanensis. The bivalves’ density (no/m²) ranged from 0.64 to 188.35, showing a heterogeneous distribution among plots. The total area occupied by the bivalves was 438.824 m², with an estimated population of 18.646.453 mussels. Within this population 44.5 % were of commercial size (> 40 mm). The maximum length observed was 72 mm. The most appropriate sites for mussel extraction are located in Cubatao Sea (I) and Cananeia Sea (IV) as these had higher biomass and greater numbers of individuals of commercial size. The results of this research shall contribute to a rational extraction policy.
The phenomenon of conglomerate crystallization—XXXII. The crystallization behaviour of [cis-Co(en)2(NO2)2]I (I). Counter-ion effects on crystallization pathway of racemate solutions—III

Abstract [Cis-Co(en)2(NO2)2]I (I), ICoO4N6C4H16, cystallizes from water at 18°C as both a racemate and a conglomerate. The structure of the latter was determined in this study. Unlike its chloride and bromide brethren, which crystallize exclusively as conglomerates, in the space group P21, the iodide crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P41 (No. 76). The absolute configuration was determined by comparison with that of the parent compound, (−)589-[Λ(δλ)-cis-Co(en)2(NO2)2]Br (III), from which it was made by metathesis. Unlike the chloride and parent bromide, whose chiroptical symbols are [cis-(−)589-Λ(δλ)-Co(en)2(NO2)2]Cl (II) and [cis-(−)589-Λ(δλ)-Co(en)2(NO2)2]Br (III), in the solid state that of [cis-(−)589-Co(en)2(NO2)2]I (I) is Λ(λλ). The cations of I form infinitely hydrogen-bonded, homochiral, helical strings about the four-fold screw axis of the crystals. In turn, adjacent helical strings are held together by hydrogen bonds between the iodides and—NH2 hydrogens of the amine ligands. Such an arrangement is also present in the isomorphous chloride and bromide derivatives; however, in those compounds the infinite spirals are wound about the two-fold screw axis of the space group P21.
Placement of attine ant-associated Pseudonocardia in a global Pseudonocardia phylogeny (Pseudonocardiaceae, Actinomycetales): a test of two symbiont-association models

We reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships within the bacterial genus Pseudonocardia to evaluate two models explaining how and why Pseudonocardia bacteria colonize the microbial communities on the integument of fungus-gardening ant species (Attini, Formicidae). The traditional Coevolution-Codivergence model views the integument-colonizing Pseudonocardia as mutualistic microbes that are largely vertically transmitted between ant generations and that supply antibiotics that specifically suppress the garden pathogen Escovopsis. The more recent Acquisition model views Pseudonocardia as part of a larger integumental microbe community that frequently colonizes the ant integument from environmental sources (e.g., soil, plant material). Under this latter model, ant-associated Pseudonocardia may have diverse ecological roles on the ant integument (possibly ranging from pathogenic, to commensal, to mutualistic) and are not necessarily related to Escovopsis suppression. We test distinct predictions of these two models regarding the phylogenetic proximity of ant-associated and environmental Pseudonocardia. We amassed 16S-rRNA gene sequence information for 87 attine-associated and 238 environmental Pseudonocardia, aligned the sequences with the help of RNA secondary structure modeling, and reconstructed phylogenetic relationships using a maximum-likelihood approach. We present 16S-rRNA secondary structure models of representative Pseudonocardia species to improve sequence alignments and identify sequencing errors. Our phylogenetic analyses reveal close affinities and even identical sequence matches between environmental Pseudonocardia and ant-associated Pseudonocardia, as well as nesting of environmental Pseudonocardia in subgroups that were previously thought to be specialized to associate only with attine ants. The great majority of ant-associated Pseudonocardia are closely related to autotrophic Pseudonocardia and are placed in a large subgroup of Pseudonocardia that is known essentially only from cultured isolates (rather than cloned 16S sequences). The preponderance of the known ant-associated Pseudonocardia in this latter clade of culturable lineages may not necessarily reflect abundance of these Pseudonocardia types on the ants, but isolation biases when screening for Pseudonocardia (e.g., preferential isolation of autotrophic Pseudonocardia with minimum-nutrient media). The accumulated phylogenetic patterns and the possibility of isolation biases in previous work further erode support for the traditional Coevolution-Codivergence model and calls for continued revision of our understanding how and why Pseudonocardia colonize the microbial communities on the integument of fungus-gardening ant species.
Laboratory-simulated thermal maturation of Recent sediments

Abstract Samples of 2 Recent sediments, one containing humic and the other containing sapropelic proto-kerogen, were heated under a partial helium atmosphere at various temperatures and times. The isolated kerogens were characterized by elemental analysis, pyrolysis, vitrinite reflectance, electron spin resonance, and stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The study shows that elemental compositions of laboratory heated proto-kerogens do not evolve along the same “evolution paths” as natural kerogens, which experience thermal maturation due to burial. A temperature-time dependent set of constructive and destructive reactions plays a role in determining the quantity and quality of kerogen in each sample. Short-term, high-temperature heating, typical of many laboratory simulations of burial maturation, results in selective degradation of heat-labile fractions of the kerogen and loss of free-lipids. Stabilization of these components may occur by cross-linkage and binding of free lipids in lower temperature, longer term heating experiments or during natural burial. Pyrolysis indicates 2 distinctly nonlinear changes in Tmax (the Rock-Eval temperature for maximum generation of hydrocarbons) as a function of atomic H C or vitrinite reflectance. These 2 changes or “jumps” appear to define the boundaries of the oil generation window for sapropelic kerogen. The higher temperature jump closely corresponds to a sharp peak in ESR spin density, and suggests a complete reorganization of molecular structure after the oil deadline.
Patterns of fracture and tidal stresses on Europa

A comparison of dark band, triple band, and cuspate ridge orientations with the fracture patterns predicted for tidal distortion due to orbital recession and eccentricity is undertaken, to test the hypothesized identification of Europa's lineaments as tidal distortion and planetary volume change fractures. Short, reticule dark bands near the anti-Jove point could be tension cracks caused by orbital eccentricity. Long, arcuate dark bands and triple bands peripheral to the anti-Jove point may be strike-slip faults due to orbital recession. The orientation and distribution of cuspate ridges, if they are compressional, suggests their formation in response to a combination of orbital recession and planetary volume decrease. If surface fracturing is due to tidal deformation, important constraints are exerted by it on Europa's orbital evolution.
Culture, food, and language: Perspectives from immigrant mothers in school science

The article explores the role of immigrant parents in middle school science as both teachers and learners as part of an urban middle school curriculum, the Linking in Food and the Environment (LiFE) program. The curriculum engaged parents as partners with science teachers to teach science through food. Over a 2-year period, parents attended a series of bilingual workshops, collaborated with classroom teachers, managed activities, guided student inquiry, and assisted in classroom management. The following study analyzes the role of culture, language, and identity as four mothers navigated their position as ‘insiders’ in a science classroom.
Challenges of directing Lemkin's house

Jean Randich discusses the challenges and choice made in staging a production of Catherine Filloux's difficult and imaginative play Lemkin's House. Randich provides a historic background for a play that stages no less than three genocides and the difficult human task of conceiving of the scale of such crimes. Randich continues to discuss the aesthetic and creative choices that were made to both “imagine” and bring to this play to life on the stage.
Changes in the activities of D-glycerate and D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenases in the developing rat liver

Abstract 1. 1. The levels of activity of D -glycerate dehydrogenase ( D -glycerate: NAD (P) oxidoreductase) and D -3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase ( D -3-phosphoglycerate: NAD oxidoreductase) in fetal, neonatal, and adult rat liver were determined. 2. 2. On development from the fetal to the postnatal (13–17 day) stage there is an inverse relationship in the levels of activity per gram of liver of the two dehydrogenases. D -Glycerate dehydrogenase activity increases ten-fold and D -3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase activity decreases three-fold. Further development of the 13–17-day-old rat to the adult is marked by a decrease in the activities of both dehydrogenases.
SAM-animation software for simulating articulated motion

Abstract A collection of software used for interactive specification, motion control and graphics simulation of articulated objects of arbitrary complexity is described. While used primarily for simulating and evaluating robotic manipulators, it has also been applied to the animation of biological models. One of the key issues discussed involves a flexible and intuitive approach to the motion specification for that large class of objects which possess redundant degrees of freedom.
Manual Materials Handling and the Biomechanical Basis for Prevention of Low-Back Pain in Industry—An Overview

Two different but dependent strategies must be developed to prevent low-back pain in industry. One is of an administrative nature and is concerned with whether the worker who performs activities that stress back tissues is appropriately evaluated and trained for such work. The second strategy is of an engineering type, dealing with methods to assure that the workplace and work tasks are specified in ways that minimize injurious stresses to the low back. Both of these strategies rely on knowledge of the biomechanical requirements of a job. These must be carefully evaluated by informed observers using prescribed measurement and analysis procedures. The fundamental biomechanics of heavy lifting and observational procedures developed by an expert panel for NIOSH are described. The procedure rates the difficulty of a lifting task and then recommends whether administrative or engineering controls are warranted to reduce low-back stresses. Some suggestions for preventing excessive low-back stress by redesigning ...
Promoting Functional Health in Midlife and Old Age: Long-Term Protective Effects of Control Beliefs, Social Support, and Physical Exercise

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have examined physical risk factors in relation to functional health, but less work has focused on the protective role of psychological and social factors. We examined the individual and joint protective contribution of control beliefs, social support and physical exercise to changes in functional health, beyond the influence of health status and physical risk factors in middle-aged and older adults. Given that functional health typically declines throughout adulthood, it is important to identify modifiable factors that can be implemented to maintain functioning, improve quality of life, and reduce disability. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a national longitudinal study, Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), with assessments in 1995-1996 and 2004-2006, and 3,626 community-residing adults, aged 32 to 84, were included in the analyses. Functional health (Physical Functioning subscale of the SF-36) and protective factors were measured at both occasions. While controlling for socio-demographic, health status, and physical risk factors (large waist circumference, smoking, and alcohol or drug problems), a composite of the three protective variables (control beliefs, social support, and physical exercise) at Time 1 was significantly related to functional health change. The more of these factors at Time 1, the better the health maintenance over 10 years. Among middle-aged and older adults, declines in health were significantly reduced with an increased number of protective factors. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Age-related declines in health were reduced among those with more protective factors up to a decade earlier in life. Modifiable psychological, social, and physical protective factors, individually and in the aggregate, are associated with maintenance of functional health, beyond the damaging effects of physical risk factors. The results are encouraging for the prospect of developing interventions to promote functional health and for reducing public health expenditures for physical disability in later life.
Incision of trivalent chromium [Cr(III)]-induced DNA damage by Bacillus caldotenax UvrABC endonuclease

Some hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]-containing compounds are lung carcinogens. Once within cells, Cr(VI) is reduced to trivalent chromium [Cr(III)] which displays an affinity for both DNA bases and the phosphate backbone. A diverse array of genetic lesions is produced by Cr including Cr-DNA monoadducts, DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs), DNA-Cr-protein crosslinks (DPCs), abasic sites, DNA strand breaks and oxidized bases. Despite the large amount of information available on the genotoxicity of Cr, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in the removal of these lesions from damaged DNA. Recent work indicates that nucleotide excision repair (NER) is involved in the processing of Cr-DNA adducts in human and rodent cells. In order to better understand this process at the molecular level and begin to identify the Cr-DNA adducts processed by NER, the incision of CrCl(3) [Cr(III)]-damaged plasmid DNA was studied using a thermal-resistant UvrABC NER endonuclease from Bacillus caldotenax (Bca). Treatment of plasmid DNA with Cr(III) (as CrCl(3)) increased DNA binding as a function of dose. For example, at a Cr(III) concentration of 1 microM we observed approximately 2 Cr(III)-DNA adducts per plasmid. At this same concentration of Cr(III) we found that approximately 17% of the plasmid DNA contained ICLs ( approximately 0.2 ICLs/plasmid). When plasmid DNA treated with Cr(III) (1 microM) was incubated with Bca UvrABC we observed approximately 0.8 incisions/plasmid. The formation of endonuclease IV-sensitive abasic lesions or Fpg-sensitive oxidized DNA bases was not detected suggesting that the incision of Cr(III)-damaged plasmid DNA by UvrABC was not related to the generation of oxidized DNA damage. Taken together, our data suggest that a sub-fraction of Cr(III)-DNA adducts is recognized and processed by the prokaryotic NER machinery and that ICLs are not necessarily the sole lesions generated by Cr(III) that are substrates for NER.
Abortive headache therapy in the office with intravenous dihydroergotamine plus prochlorperazine.

SYNOPSIS Over two years, 92 patients were treated in the office for 146 severe headache episodes. Headaches were aborted using four different intravenous regimens containing 0.5 or 1 mg. of dihydroergotamine and 3.5, 5, or 10 mg. of prochlorperazine. The speed and rate of response were directly proportional to the prochlorperazine dose used. High prochlorperazine doses (10 mg.) aborted the most headaches (95%) in the shortest time, but caused more sedation and akathesia. Low doses (3.5 mg.) aborted less headaches (89%) and responses were delayed; but, on the other hand, sedation was minimal and akathesia mild and uncommon. Dihydroergotamine given alone caused intolerable side effects; but, when it was given with prochlorperazine, efficacy was enhanced and side effects were greatly reduced. Aborting headaches in the office can be reliably achieved with minimal side effects by administering an intravenous mixture containing 1 mg. of dihydroergotamine and 3.5 mg. of prochlorperazine.
Presidential Debates: The Challenge of Creating an Informed Electorate

How important are presidential debates today? To answer this question, the authors place modern debates in their cultural and historical context, tracing their origins and development in the American political tradition, from the eighteenth century to the present, and concluding with some thoughtful suggestions for improving their current effectiveness.
Tissue-specific genome editing in Ciona embryos by CRISPR/Cas9

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has ushered in a new era of targeted genetic manipulations. Here, we report the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to induce double-stranded breaks in the genome of the sea squirt Ciona intestinalis. We use electroporation to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 components for tissue-specific disruption of the Ebf (Collier/Olf/EBF) gene in hundreds of synchronized Ciona embryos. Phenotyping of transfected embryos in the ‘F0’ generation revealed that endogenous Ebf function is required for specification of Islet-expressing motor ganglion neurons and atrial siphon muscles. We demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9 is sufficiently effective and specific to generate large numbers of embryos carrying mutations in a targeted gene of interest, which should allow for rapid screening of gene function in Ciona.