cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Insects in relation to plant diseases

Forty-three years ago Waite (78) reported his experiments with the honey-bee and fire-blight of pears, in which he demonstrated for the first time that insects could act as vectors for a plant disease. Today, after forty-three years of intensive research in plant pathology, the degree of importance of bees in the epiphytology of fireblight is still a debatable question. Rosen (60), on the one hand, contends that the beehive is a source of primary infection and a factor of prime importance in the development of epiphytotics of fire-blight. On the other hand, Pierstoff and Lamb (50), Hildebrand (31) and Thomas and Ark (76) maintain that the pathogen does not survive in the hive and that the hive is of no significance in initiating fire-blight epiphytotics. In a similar way the evidence presented by Tullis (77) in 1929, minimizing the role of aphids in the spread of fire-blight as presented in the earlier work of Stewart and Leonard (72) and Merrill (45, 46), leaves this aspect of the problem also in an equally uncertain state. A review of all the work dealing with insects as a factor in the spread and development of fire-blight impresses one with the fragmentary, superficial and conflicting nature of much of the evidence presented. This situation is cited primarily as an example of the unsatisfactory nature of much of our information on the role of insects in the spread and development of plant diseases. It is the writer's opinion that this field of research has not received the attention that its nature and importance justify. This would seem to be an opportune time to review the subject in such a way that its importance and promise as a field of research may be made evident.
Theory of linear chains of metamaterial/plasmonic particles as subdiffraction optical nanotransmission lines

Here we discuss the theory and analyze in detail the guidance properties of linear arrays of metamaterial/plasmonic small particles as nano-scale optical nanotransmission lines, including the effect of material loss. Under the assumption of dipolar approximation for each particle, which is shown to be accurate in the geometry of interest here, we develop closed-form analytical expressions for the eigen-modal dispersion in such arrays. With the material loss included, the conditions for minimal absorption and maximum bandwidth are derived analytically by studying the properties of such dispersion relations. Numerical examples with realistic materials including their ohmic absorption and frequency dispersion are presented. The analytical properties discussed here also provide some further physical insights into the mechanisms underlying the sub-diffraction guidance in such arrays and their fundamental physical limits. Possibility of guiding beams with sub-wavelength lateral confinement and reasonably low decay is discussed offering the possible use of this technique at microwave, infrared and optical frequencies. Interpretation of these results in terms of nanocircuit concepts is presented, and possible extension to 2-D and 3-D nanotrasnsmission line optical metamaterials is also foreseen.
NMR study of reactions of alcohols on solid acids

Abstract Contradictory evidence currently exists concerning the stability of small aliphatic carbenium ions on the surfaces of various zeolites. This question has been investigated using triphenylmeth-anol- 13 COH, 2-propanol-2- 13 C and propene-2- 13 C on a silica-alumina catalyst and H-Y, H-ZSM-5, and H-M (mordenite) zeolites using the 13 C MASNMR technique. The stable (C 6 H 5 ) 3 C − cation was used as a calibration standard and a test was devised (bleaching with NH 3 or H 2 O) to discriminate between carbenium ions and other nonionic species present. The data indicate that whereas carbenium ions have evidently been formed from 2-propanol and propene, they are not stabilized on these materials. Instead they react with olefin released from other sites to produce polymeric residues, some of which may be ionic.
Variable-temperature kinetic analysis of a three-site terminal ligand exchange in nickel A-frames by quantitative 31P{1H} EXSY NMR

Variable-temperature two-dimensional phase-sensitive 31P{1H} EXSY NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the kinetics and thermodynamics of terminal ligand redistribution in the nickel A-frames Ni2...
Optical methods for micromachine monitoring and feedback

Abstract Understanding the mechanisms that impact the performance of Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) is essential to the development of optimized designs and fabrication processes, as well as the qualification of devices for commercial applications. Silicon micromachines include engines that consist of orthogonally oriented linear comb drive actuators mechanically connected to a rotating gear. These gears are as small as 50 μm in diameter and can be driven at rotation rates exceeding 300,000 rpm. Optical techniques offer the potential for measuring long term statistical performance data and transient responses needed to optimize designs and manufacturing techniques. Optical techniques can also be used to provide feedback signals needed for engine control and state determination. We describe the development of Micromachine Optical Probe (MOP) technology for the evaluation of micromachine performance. The MOP approach is based on the detection of optical signals scattered by the gear teeth or other physical structures. We present experimental results for a prototype system designed to measure engine parameters as well as long term performance data. We also present the extension of the MOP technique to LIGA-fabricated milliengines. Concepts and technologies for the development of integrated micromachine metrology are detailed. This work is targeted at enabling routine use of optical feedback at the microelectromechanical device level for MEMS optimal control and lifetime monitoring.
The Effect of Changing Transfusion Practice on Rates of Perioperative Stroke and Myocardial Infarction in Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy: A Retrospective Analysis of 1114 Mayo Clinic Patients

Objective To evaluate changes in the institution's red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practice during the past 15 years and the influence of these changes on neurologic or cardiac morbidity after carotid endarterectomy. Patients and Methods Based on a retrospective analysis of the Mayo Clinic database, 1114 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy were stratified into 1 of 2 groups: (1) 1980 to 1985 (ie, pre-human immunodeficiency virus screening, early-practice group [n=552]) and (2) 1990 to 1995 (ie, recent-practice group [n=562]). Data were compared between time periods using the χ 2 test for categorical variables and the rank sum test for continuous variables. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between perioperative transfusion practice and the occurrence of stroke or myocardial infarction. Two-tailed P values=.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Patients in the recent-practice group were significantly older (mean ± SD age, 69.6±8.7 years) vs 65.9±8.3 years in the early-practice group ( P P P P P =.22]; myocardial infarction, 1.5% vs 2.3% [ P =.29]). Conclusions Our results suggest that elderly patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (ie, individuals known to be at high risk for cerebral and cardiac ischemia) can tolerate modest perioperative anemia despite a considerable change in the institution's transfusion practice (lower "transfusion trigger," the hemoglobin concentration or hematocrit value below which RBC transfusion is indicated).
Pregnancy causes diminished myogenic tone and outward hypotrophic remodeling of the cerebral vein of Galen

Pregnancy increases the risk of several complications associated with the cerebral veins, including thrombosis and hemorrhage. In contrast to the cerebral arteries and arterioles, few studies have focused on the effect of pregnancy on the cerebral venous side. Here, we investigated for the first time the effect of pregnancy on the function and structure of the cerebral vein of Galen in rats. Our major finding was that cerebral veins from late-pregnant (LP, n = 11) rats had larger lumen diameters and thinner walls than veins from nonpregnant (NP, n = 13) rats, indicating that pregnancy caused outward hypotrophic remodeling of the vein of Galen. Moreover, veins from NP animals had a small amount of myogenic tone at 10 mm Hg (3.9 ± 1.0%) that was diminished in veins during pregnancy (0.8 ± 0.3%; P < 0.01). However, endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation of the veins was unchanged during pregnancy. Using immunohistochemistry, we show that the vein of Galen receives perivascular innervation, and t...
Denomination and Participation in Charismatic Movements: A Case Study of Two Prayer Groups

Etude des differences entre deux groupes charismatiques catholiques et protestants sous certains aspects demographiques, professionnels et religieux
Queen, worker, and male yellowjacket wasps receive different nutrition during development

Nutritional variation among developing larvae is a long-standing hypothesis for how a sterile caste could evolve, with larvae deprived of nutrition becoming sterile or not leaving the nest. In this study, we test whether the three castes of the eusocial yellowjacket wasp (Vespula maculifrons) differ in the trophic source of their larval diet, their overall carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, as well as the distribution of C and N across body parts. Virgin queens (gynes) assimilated food from a higher relative trophic level compared to males, and workers were the lowest. Gynes, due to their much greater mass compared to the other castes are much more costly in terms of N, but males have the lowest C:N ratio. The variation in C:N is likely due to differences in life history between males and females (gynes and workers), where females invest more in energy storage (e.g., lipids) compared to males which have very short life spans; the major difference is in the abdomen, where fat is stored. The results of this study complement similar results in ants, which evolved a reproductive division of labor independently, and which diverged from vespid wasps near 150 million years ago. Similarities between how wasp and ant caste determination occurs suggest either a conserved mechanism that predates the evolution of eusociality or convergence on the same mechanism for generating alternative phenotypes. Provisioning N-expensive castes with food from a higher trophic level likely increases efficiency of N delivery because of N-enrichment with increasing trophic level.
The effect of exogenous testosterone upon serum FSH and LH concentrations in normal males

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the effect of pharmacologic doses of testosterone on serum FSH and LH levels in normal males. Testosterone proprionate, 100mgm, was administered intramuscularly daily for four days to four normal males. Serum samples for FSH and LH were collected from each subject daily before, during and for four days following the injections of testosterone. As anticipated, serum LH levels promptly suppressed to undetectable levels. Serum FSH levels suppressed significantly to 60–70% of baseline values in all four subjects. These results suggest that testosterone may have some part in the control of serum FSH as well as LH levels in normal males.
CCD focal-plane real-time image processor

CCD FOCAL-PLANE REAL-TIME IMAGE PROCESSORE-S. Eid and E.R. FossumDepartment of Electrical Engineering1312 S.W. Mudd BuildingColumbia UniversityNew York, New York 10027ABSTRACTA focal-plane-array chip designed for real-time, general-purpose,image preprocessing is reported. A 48 X 48 pixel detector array and a24 X 24 processing element processor array are monolithicallyintegrated on the chip. The analog, charge-coupled device-based VLSIchip operates in the charge domain and has sensing, storing, andcomputing capabilities. The chip was fabricated with a double-poly,double-metal process in a commercial CCD foundry. The simulation ofan edge detection algorithm implemented by the chip is presented. Anoverview of the chip performance is described as well.1. INTRODUCTIONImage preprocessing tasks can be performed using local neighborhoodoperations on image array picture elements (pixels). Generally, thesepreprocessing functions consume the greatest portion of time requiredby the vision process. In the course of effecting the preprocessingtasks, each pixel may undergo as many as 100 to 500 simple arithmeticoperations per frame. The frame rate may range from 1 Hz in low speedsystems, to 100 Hz in systems operating on a par with human vision, to1000 to 10,000 Hz in high performance systems. The number ofoperations required in a 100 Hz frame rate system with a modest arraysize of 100 X 100 pixels could easily exceed hundreds of millions ofoperations per sec (Mops). Advances in very high speed integratedcircuits (VHSIC) may allow serial computing systems to achieve suchhigh throughput, but a parallel computing approach can be used toalleviate the performance requirements. Unfortunately, massivelyparallel computing systems are presently incompatible with theportability needs of a mobile system. Furthermore, the advantages ofmassively parallel systems are often offset by the problem of loadingand unloading the parallel data from a serial data stream atsufficiently high data rates.Since the image data arrives in a parallel manner and is transducedto an electrical form in parallel, it seems natural to performspatially parallel image preprocessing on the image plane itself (asproposed by Fossum1, Joseph et al.2, and Beaudet3.) It alsoseems natural to integrate the sensing and computing circuits on thefocal plane. Charge-coupled device (CCD) structures are well-suited
From Their Perspective: A Qualitative Examination of Physical Activity and Sport Programming for Working Mothers

Abstract Research has long demonstrated the benefits of participation in sport, exercise, and physical activity, which include lower mortality and morbidity (National Heart Foundation of Australia, 2001; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1996). Still, research demonstrates that 60-80% of adults are not active at a level sufficient to derive health benefits (Armstrong, Bauman, & Davies, 2000; Bowles, Morrow, Leonard, Hawkins, & Couzelis, 2002; Pate et al., 1995), and working mothers may face particular challenges in pursuing physical activity and sport (Jackson & Henderson, 1995). Utilizing the exercise psychology and women's leisure literatures, this study examines not only the barriers or constraints to participation, but also the ways that working mothers negotiate these barriers and, very practically, the ways that sport managers can better structure program offerings to increase access for this group (Bauman, Smith, Maibach, & Reger-Nash, 2006; Jackson & Henderson, 1995; Shaw, 1994). Forty-four working mothers from a university in the Southwestern United States participated in focus group inquiry regarding their physical activity and sport participation, barriers to participation, ways that they negotiated those barriers, and recommendations for change. Results indicated that rigid scheduling, guilt, and narrow programming constrained activity participation, and those constraints varied by marital status and social class. Negotiations included reframing entitlement to participation, garnering social support, and combating rigid work structures. Specific programming recommendations for sport managers as well as implications for social change are also discussed.
Reoperative lymph node dissection for recurrent papillary thyroid cancer and effect on serum thyroglobulin.

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has an excellent prognosis with current treatment methods. However, the rates of locoregional recurrence after initial surgical management remain significant. This study evaluates the effect of reoperative neck dissection for locoregional recurrence of PTC after initial total thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy on the incidence of cervical recurrence and postoperative serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels. This is a retrospective cohort study conducted in a single academic medical center of patients with recurrent or persistent PTC isolated to the neck after previous total thyroidectomy with or without lymph node dissection and adjuvant I131 therapy who were treated with reoperative lymph node dissection. Outcomes including operative complications, pathologic findings, and effect of surgery on Tg levels and rates of recurrent disease were analyzed. From 2001 to 2010, a total of 61 patients had reoperative neck dissections for recurrent cervical PTC with a complication rate of 5 %. Seventy-two percent of patients were clinically free of detectable disease, and 28 % of patients had recurrent, persistent, or newly metastatic disease detected during the follow-up period. All patients had significant decreases in Tg levels, with a median 98 % reduction in preoperative levels. However, only 21 % of patients had an undetectable stimulated Tg (<0.5 ng/mL) during the follow-up period of 15.5 months. Reoperative treatment of recurrent or persistent PTC can be performed with low complication rates, and Tg levels greatly decrease in most patients; however, few achieve undetectable stimulated Tg.
ICU early physical rehabilitation programs: financial modeling of cost savings.

Objective:To evaluate the potential annual net cost savings of implementing an ICU early rehabilitation program.Design:Using data from existing publications and actual experience with an early rehabilitation program in the Johns Hopkins Hospital Medical ICU, we developed a model of net financial sav
Whole-exome sequencing: discovering genetic causes of orthopaedic disorders.

Sequencing technologies promising the “$1000 genome” have developed at a staggering pace, driven in part by the HapMap Project1 (which set out to catalog common variations throughout the genome in multiple ethnic populations) and the 1000 Genomes Project2 (a consortium to catalog rare variations from different ethnic populations worldwide). Commercial whole-genome sequencing platforms have yet to break the $1000 mark. However, sequencing throughput and accuracy are no longer limiting factors. Despite recent successes in patient-oriented whole-genome sequencing3-6, analyzing and interpreting these data sets represent a major challenge, particularly for the ∼98% of the genome that does not encode proteins. In 2009, an alternative to whole-genome sequencing was introduced7. Whole-exome sequencing uses high-throughput next-generation technologies to sequence only the portions of the genome that encode proteins (termed the exome). The goal of whole-exome sequencing is to identify sequence mutations that alter the amino acid content of a protein, potentially altering the protein’s function in a cell and leading to disease. Proof of concept for this approach was documented in a landmark paper that used whole-exome sequencing to identify the genetic cause of Freeman-Sheldon syndrome (OMIM [Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man] 193700)7. This study broke the technical and cost limitation barriers (compared with sequencing an entire genome) by sequencing only the protein-coding regions (∼1% of the genome) and showed that a study of only a few patients was sufficient to identify a disease-causing gene. Whole-exome sequencing has revolutionized disease-gene discovery and, supported by the 1000 Genomes Project2 and other large-scale sequencing studies (e.g., the NHLBI/NHGRI [National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/National Human Genome Research Institute] Exome Project), it promises to identify virtually all genes causing disorders with Mendelian inheritance—i.e., those disorders caused by single genes. In this review, we focus on …
SPECIAL DISTRICTS: A COMMON SOLUTION TO POLITICAL PRESSURES STEMMING FROM CITy‐COUNTy FISCAL INEQUALITIES

Fiscal inequalities between cities and counties have long strained intergovernmental relations between these general purpose local governments. Historically they have tended to be competitive in their search for revenues but this competitiveness changed to greater cooperation as a consequence of the taxpayer revolts of the 1970s. Both cities and counties favored creation of special districts (with taxing power) to relieve some of the pressure on their own property tax structures. Traditional theories of government fragmentation have maintained that creation of special district governments further widens city-county fiscal inequalities; however, newer theories suggest the opposite. Through an analysis of increases in special districts and changes in city-county property tax level differentials, this study shows that creation of special taxing districts in the 1970s reduced property tax level differentials between cities and counties—an important economic and political effect in an age of taxpayer revolts aimed at city, county, and state property taxes but never at special district taxes.
Detection of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase in the Skin of Blueberry and Cranberry Fruits

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) was extracted from the skin of individual berries and assayed spectrophotometrically under conditions minimizing interference from co-extracted constituents. Analyses for total anthocyanin (TAcy), soluble solids (SS), and titratable acidity (A) were performed on the same berries. In blueberry fruits, PAL activity was present at all maturity levels examined. Cultivar differences in anthocyanin accumulation were unrelated to PAL activity. PAL activity in cranberry fruit was unrelated to harvest date, cultivar differences in anthocyanin accumulation, or values of TAcy and SS/A in individual berries. Activity was retained in cranberries during 4 wk of refrigerated storage.
Help for the Significant Others of Bulimics

A quasi-experimental design was used to assess the effects of a 5-week assistance program for the significant others of bulimics. A knowledge test, an attitude survey, and a behavior device were used to evaluate the effects of the program. One or more of the three instruments was administered to an experimental group of significant others before (pretest) and after (posttest) they attended the assistance program. One or more of the three instruments was also administered to a control group of significant others before (pretest) and after (posttest) a 5-week period. During this period they did not attend the assistance program. No significant difference was found between the pretest and posttest scores of the control group on the three instruments at the .05 probability level. Experimental group posttest scores were significantly higher than their pretest scores on the three instruments at the .05 probability level. An anonymous evaluation conducted following the program also indicated significant others who attended the program found it to be beneficial.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACUTE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE TO EXPERIMENTAL CUTANEOUS MUCORMYCOSIS IN NORMAL AND DIABETIC RABBITS

The histologic changes associated with the development of the acute inflammatory response to experimental cutaneous mucormycosis were studied at various times from 5 minutes to 24 hours after inoculation into normal rabbits and in rabbits with acute alloxan diabetes and acidosis. In normal animals the response by polymorphonuclear leukocytes began within a few minutes after inoculation, increased rapidly in extent and intensity and reached its peak within 6 to 12 hours. By that time there was also early proliferation of fibroblasts and of large mononuclear cells and these cellular reactions, together with the accumulated granulocytes, began to produce a demarcation of the lesions. Beginning 4 to 6 hours after inoculation the fungus showed some growth but this remained confined to the necrotic center of the lesions. In the diabetic rabbits the onset of the response by polymorphonuclear leukocytes was delayed by several hours, reduced in intensity and was apparently less effective. There was no proliferation of fibroblasts and the lesions were spreading rather than circumscribed. Fungus growth in the tissues began shortly after inoculation, was marked, progressed rapidly, and soon extended beyond the site of inoculation. The large mononuclear cells, however, appeared at about the same time and in equal number in the lesions of both diabetic and non-diabetic animals and showed no morphologic changes. It is concluded that a significant delay and impaired effectiveness of the response by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, a lack of fibroblastic proliferation and an enhanced growth of the fungus lower host resistance to infection with it and are directly consequent on severe alterations in host metabolism.
Late Quaternary paleoenvironments in the southwestern Kalahari

Abstract Landforms of the southwestern Kalahari in southern Africa include linear dune systems, pans and associated lunette dunes and the valleys of ephemeral rivers. Present day climates in the region are transitional from arid to semi-arid, making the area sensitive to climatic change. The linear dunes are part of an extensive system of fixed dunes developed in the surface Kalahari sands. The dunes were in existence prior to 32,000 yr B.P., but have been reactivated on a number of occasions since then in conditions of increased wind velocities, more NW winds and reduced rainfall, especially in northern and eastern parts of the region. Periods of dune activity probably occurred at 19,000-17,000, 10,000-6000 and 4000-3000 yr B.P. The development of pans in the region has been strongly influenced by changes in groundwater conditions. Deflation from pans and formation of lunettes occurred in periods when groundwater levels were higher and fluctuated seasonally more than they do today. Such periods probably occurred 25,000–20,000 yr B.P., around 10,000 yr B.P. and just prior to 1000 yr B.P. Still higher groundwater discharges, promoted by increased regional rainfall, resulted in the formation of spring tufas and seasonal or permanent lakes in the pans, which were also fed by surface runoff, during the intervals between 33,000–28,000; 23,000–21,000; 17,000–15,000 and 12,000–11,000 yr B.P. The headwaters of the major ephemeral streams lie outside the region, but within the same climatic zone. Increased flow in the Molopo River occurred prior to 19,000, and between 15,000 and 13,000 yr B.P.
Government Information Collections in the Networked Environment: New Issues and Models

The purpose of this collection of articles is to explore the issues related to government information in the networked environment, as well as the opportunities that accompany them. To that end Che...
Negotiating a Media Effects Model: Addendums and Adjustments to Perloff’s Framework for Social Media’s Impact on Body Image Concerns

This paper is written in response to Perloff’s article for the Feminist Forum that proposes an agenda and a related model to guide future research conducted in the area of social media effects on young women’s body image concerns, especially as they occur in the United States. The current paper offers suggestions and considerations for ways to renegotiate and reconfigure Perloff’s agenda and model. Specifically, this paper argues for a model that makes space for both deleterious and salutary effects, not only the former, as a means to create a model that is malleable enough to provide heuristic value for future empirical research in this area. The current paper includes a United States-focused review of the recent research about online social support groups (OSGs) and internet-based health interventions that include social media applications and suggests that these media and their related effects be included in the proposed model moving forward. The current paper also contends that more concerted and prominent attention to the form, function, attributes and/or affordances of social media is needed in the proposed agenda and related model. The theory of affordances offers a comprehensive way to address the complexity of how social media is used and the related outcomes they bring about for a particular group of people (i.e., young women with body image concerns) and is therefore also suggested as an addition to the proposed model. Other related augmentations, addendums and revisions are suggested near the end of the current paper.
Colorimetric data for samples of OSA uniform color scales

Colorimetric specifications and measured values of one of the sets of cards issued by the Optical Society of America for its Committee on Uniform Color Scales are reported. In addition to the CIE values for illuminant D65 and color-mixture data for 10° observing fields, the corresponding L,j,g notations of the committee are also given. The average discrepancy between the actual colors and their specifications is 14% of the intended difference between pairs of nearest neighbors of the full-step set of colors. The full-step set of 424 colors exhibits 2058 pairs of nearest neighbors. The root-mean-square deviation from the average difference, evaluated by use of the committee’s formula for color difference, is 12%. To bisect the color differences in the frequently used medium-lightness range of low-saturation colors, 134 additional colors are included in the set. Together with 13 embedded and 38 immediately adjacent colors of the full-step set, they provide 740 half-step pairs of colors. The rms deviation is 17% of their average.
Antipsychotic drugs disrupt normal development in Caenorhabditis elegans via additional mechanisms besides dopamine and serotonin receptors

Abstract Antipsychotic drugs may produce adverse effects during development in humans and rodents. However, the extent of these effects has not been systematically characterized nor have molecular mechanisms been identified. Consequently, we sought to evaluate the effects of an extensive panel of antipsychotic drugs in a model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans , whose development is well characterized and which offers the possibility of identifying novel molecular targets. For these studies, animals were grown from hatching in the presence of vehicle (control) or antipsychotic drugs over a range of concentrations (20–160 μM) and growth was analyzed by measuring head-to-tail length at various intervals. First-generation antipsychotics (e.g., fluphenazine) generally slowed growth and maturation more than second-generation drugs such as quetiapine and olanzapine. This is consistent with in vitro effects on human neuronal cell lines. Clozapine, a second-generation drug, produced similar growth deficits as haloperidol. Converging lines of evidence, including the failure to rescue growth with high concentrations of agonists, suggested that the drug-induced delay in development was not mediated by the major neurotransmitter receptors recognized by the antipsychotic drugs. Moreover, in serotonin-deficient tph - 1 mutants, the drugs dramatically slowed development and led to larval arrest (including dauer formation) and neuronal abnormalities. Evaluation of alternative targets of the antipsychotics revealed a potential role for calmodulin and underscored the significance of Ca 2+ -calmodulin signaling in development. These findings suggest that antipsychotic drugs may interfere with normal developmental processes and provide a tool for investigating the key signaling pathways involved.
Assessing the equivalence of nonparametric regression tests based on spline and local polynomial smoothers

Abstract It is widely known that, in a certain sense, a smoothing spline estimate of the regression function is asymptotically equivalent to a kernel regression estimate. However, little information has been available about the equivalence between nonparametric regression tests, based on the smoothing spline and local polynomial regression methods. To assess their relative behaviors and to facilitate illustration, we consider in this paper the “generalized likelihood ratio” (GLR) test statistic, constructed from each type of smoother. For the resulting test statistics, we first establish their equivalent forms of the asymptotic distributions, under the null hypothesis. After that, we derive their equivalent optimal rates of smoothing parameters for nonparametric testing. Furthermore, we evaluate their relative asymptotic efficiency and characterize its relation to the magnitude of the smoothing parameters. Finally, we illustrate the large-sample behaviors of the cubic smoothing spline and local linear regression methods, in the GLR tests, with results from small-scale simulations.
Intercalation of trioxatriangulenium ion in DNA: binding, electron transfer, x-ray crystallography, and electronic structure.

Trioxatriangulenium ion (TOTA + ) is a flat, somewhat hydrophobic compound that has a low- energy unoccupied molecular orbital. It binds to duplex DNA by intercalation with a preference for G-C base pairs. Irradiation of intercalated TOTA + causes charge (radical cation) injection that results in strand cleavage (after piperidine treatment) primarily at GG steps. The X-ray crystal structure of TOTA + intercalated in the hexameric duplex d(CGATCG)2 described here reveals that intercalation of TOTA + results in an unusually large extension of the helical rise of the DNA and that the orientation of TOTA + is sensitive to hydrogen-bonding interactions with backbone atoms of the DNA. Electronic structure calculations reveal no meaningful charge transfer from DNA to TOTA + because the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of TOTA+, (LUMO)T, falls in the gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital, (HOMO)D, and the (LUMO)D of the DNA bases. These calculations reveal the importance of backbone, water, and counterion interactions, which shift the energy levels of the bases and the intercalated TOTA+ orbitals significantly. The calculations also show that the inserted TOTA+ strongly polarizes the intercalation cavity where a sheet of excess electron density surrounds the TOTA+.
The regionalization of defence in Southeast Asia

(1992). The regionalization of defence in Southeast Asia. The Pacific Review: Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 112-124.
Sexual ornaments as animal signals.

Workers in both animal communication and behavioral ecology have long been interested in animal signals. Animal-communication researchers often have a background in ethology or comparative psychology, and place priority on signal analysis, whereas modern behavioral ecologists are concerned with the effects of natural selection on the exaggeration or development of a trait. Although the two fields examine the same problems, this division has hindered the solution of the problems themselves. Recent theoretical and empirical work has started to bridge the gap, but several important questions, particularly regarding sexual selection, have remained unanswered. Here I examine the differences in these two approaches to the study of animal signals, and suggest additional areas that would benefit by combining the two viewpoints.
Effect of Carbon Addition on Elevated Temperature Crack Growth Resistance in (Mo,W)Si2–SiCp Composite

Experimental results on subcritical crack growth behavior of hot-pressed MoSi[sub 2]-50 mol% WSi[sub 2] alloy reinforced with 30 vol% SiC particles in the temperature range 1,200--1,300 C are presented. The effect of 2 wt % C addition on the stable crack growth resistance of this composite was investigated under both static and cyclic loading conditions. The results indicate that the addition off carbon to the composite improves the subcritical crack growth resistance under both static and cyclic loads and increases the elevated temperature capabilities of the (Mo, W) Si[sub 2] composite. Increasing the temperature from 1,200 to 1,300 C is found to increase the crack growth velocities with a concomitant decrease in the crack growth initiation thresholds. Electron microscopy of the crack-tip region indicates that the stable crack growth process is influenced primarily by interfacial cavitation. At 1,300 C, deformation processes such as twinning of the SiC particles and dislocation motion within the matrix grains appear to play an active role in determining the crack growth kinetics. The role of glassy phase in influencing the high-temperature fracture behavior and its implications for design of the microstructure of the brittle materials are discussed.
Sterically expanded CGC catalysts: substituent effects on ethylene and α-olefin polymerization

Several analogues of the sterically expanded constrained geometry catalyst Me2Si(η1-C29H36)(η1-N-tBu)ZrCl2·OEt2 (2) were synthesized to assess the effect on branching and molecular weight for ethylene homopolymerization. Catalysts based on tetramethyltetrahydrobenzofluorene (TetH), ethylTetH, t-butylTetH, and octamethyloctahydrodibenzofluorenyl (OctH) bearing a diphenylsilyl bridge were prepared and characterized: Me2Si(η5-C21H22)(η1-N-tBu)ZrCl2 (3); Me2Si(η5-C23H26)(η1-N-tBu)ZrCl2 (4); and Me2Si(η5-C25H30)(η1-N-tBu)ZrCl2 (5); Me2Si(η5-C21H22)(η1-N-tBu)ZrMe2 (6); and Ph2Si(η5-C29H36)(η1-N-tBu)ZrCl2 (7). Complexes 4, 5, 6, and 7 were characterized by X-ray crystallography and displayed η5 hapticity to the carbon ring in each case, in contrast to 2. In comparison to 2, complexes 3, 4, 5, and 7 (in combination with methylaluminoxane = MAO) showed diminished branching, higher molecular weight, and higher polydispersity indices for obtained ethylene homopolymers. While 4/MAO produced the greatest molecular weight polymers, no branching was observed. Reactivity ratios were determined for the copolymerization of ethylene and 1-decene with 2/MAO. A value of rethylene = 14.9 and an exceedingly high value of r1-decene = 0.49 were found—in line with previous reports of this catalyst's unusual affinity for α-olefins.
Particle production during inflation and gravitational waves detectable by ground-based interferometers

Inflation typically predicts a quasiscale-invariant spectrum of gravitational waves. In models of slow-roll inflation, the amplitude of such a background is too small to allow direct detection without a dedicated space-based experiment such as the proposed BBO or DECIGO. In this paper we note that particle production during inflation can generate a feature in the spectrum of primordial gravitational waves. We discuss the possibility that such a feature might be detected by ground-based laser interferometers such as Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo, which will become operational in the next few years. We also discuss the prospects of detection by a space interferometer like LISA. We first study gravitational waves induced by nonperturbative, explosive particle production during inflation: while explosive production of scalar quanta does not generate a significant bump in the primordial tensor spectrum, production of vectors can. We also show that chiral gravitational waves produced by electromagnetic fields amplified by an axionlike inflaton could be detectable by Advanced LIGO.
Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the early rbbit and mouse embryo.

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity was measured in individual preimplantation rabbit and mouse embryos. Substrate turnover by the enzyme is at least 30 times greater than glucose oxidation by the pentose shunt in the early rabbit embryo. There was no evidence during the preimplantation period of the embryos in either species of a bimodal distribution of G6PD activities among the embryos. Since cytological studies have not shown that inactivation of the X chromosome occurs during the early cleavage period and G6PD activity is sex-linked and gene-dose dependent in most higher animals, the evidence from the enzyme studies suggests that there is little or no synthesis of G6PD during the early preimplantation period. It is suggested that the enzyme is synthesized during oocyte development and the high levels of the enzyme found during the preimplantation period reflect the requirement of an earlier stage in oocyte development rather than the requirements of cleavage.
Reduced Flavin: Donor and Acceptor Enzymes and Mechanisms of Channeling

Although mechanisms of metabolite channeling have been extensively studied, the nature of reduced flavin transfer from donor to acceptor enzymes remains essentially unexplored. In this review, identities and properties of reduced flavin-producing enzymes (namely flavin reductases) and reduced flavin-requiring processes and enzymes are summarized. By using flavin reductase-luciferase enzyme couples from luminous bacteria, two types of reduced flavin channeling were observed involving the differential transfers of the reduced flavin cofactor and the reduced flavin product of reductase to luciferase. The exact mode of transfer is controlled by the specific makeup of the constituent enzymes within the reductase-luciferase couple. The plausible physiological significance of the monomer-dimer equilibrium of the NADPH-specific flavin reductase from Vibrio harveyi is also discussed.
Prostaglandin F2α induced luteolysis, hypothermia, and abortions in beagle bitches

Abstract Luteal phase plasma progesterone was radioimmunoassayed in samples collected before, during, and after a 72 hr treatment period during which Beagle bitches received repeated i.m. injections of prostaglandin F2α (n=17) or saline (n=3). PGF2α (20 ug/kg every 8 hr or 30 ug/kg every 12 hr) was administered to 7 pregnant and 8 nonpregnant bitches during the mid or late luteal phase of the cycle (Day 25–58) and to 2 nonpregnant bitches during the early luteal phase (Days 5 and 20). Progesterone was depressed from pretreatment levels (3 – 40 ng/ml) in each of the 15 bitches given PGF2α after Day 25 of the cycle. Mean progesterone (ng/ml plasma) at −24, 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 96 hr from the initial PGF2α injection were 16.6, 15.6, 9.3, 5.1, 2.1, 1.5, 1.4, 1.1 and 1.1 (±0.9, n=15). Thereafter, progesterone was nondetectable in the 8 nonpregnant bitches and in 4 pregnant bitches that aborted. Abortions occurred when progesterone was depressed to 0.6 – 1.4 ng/ml, 56–80 hr after starting PGF2α treatment on Days 33–53 of the cycle. Three pregnant bitches did not abort when progesterone was depressed to a mean low value of 2.1 ng/ml during PGF2α treatments begun on Day 31 – 40 of pregnancy. Progesterone in these bitches recovered to 5 – 10 ng/ml and was maintained until the normal prepartum decline. Since PGF2α can induce complete luteolysis it may be of use as an abortifacient in the bitch. A transient fall in rectal temperature occurred in each of 12 luteal phase bitches injected with PGF2α (20 ug/kg, i.m.). The hypothermia was detectable within 15 min, maximal at 45 – 60 min, and averaged 1.39° C. No temperature changes were noted in eight ovariectomized bitches similarly treated. In six luteal phase bitches, plasma progesterone fell 20–45% within the 15 min required to observe a consistent decline in rectal temperature following PGF2α administration. The transient hypothermia following PGF2α appears to be secondary to the luteolytic effect and dependent on a fall in progesterone.
Taking apart a cancer protein

Generation of a particular 'fusion' protein is characteristic of one type of leukaemia. But is it in fact the cleavage of this protein into smaller parts that is important? Provocative new findings suggest that it is.
Determination of binary mixture vapor-liquid critical densities from coexisting density data

Two-phase vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) isochores for binary mixtures are defined as the thermodynamic paths along which the overall density and composition are fixed. Data along such isochores are generated from a modified Leung-Griffiths model fit to experimental data for the binary system nitrogen-methane. The behavior of the liquid volume fraction along these isochores is found to be similar to that for pure fluids. Rectilinear diameters for varying overall densities (fixed composition) are seen to be nearly coincident. Straight-line diameters and the critical liquid volume fraction method are utilized to predict critical densities using data near and removed from the critical point. Both methods give acceptable results but the critical liquid volume fraction method is more accurate. A critical literature review of the need for binary mixture critical densities is presented and a proposed experimental procedure is given for the determination of mixture critical densities.
Development of Bifunctional Anion-Exchange Resins with Improved Selectivity and Sorptive Kinetics for Pertechnetate: Batch-Equilibrium Experiments

A novel class of strong-base anion-exchange resins, bearing two different types of exchange sites, is described. These bifunctional resins have anion-exchange sites composed of two separate and differently sized trialkylammonium groups. In pertechnetate (TcO4-) uptake experiments from a solution matrix containing anions commonly encountered in groundwater, bifunctional resins containing exchange sites derived from tri-n-hexylamine in combination with either triethylamine, tri-n-propylamine, or tri-n-butylamine were shown to possess superior 24-h distribution ratios (Kd) for pertechnetate over all monofunctional anion-exchange resins (derived from a single trialkylamine) examined. For example, although monofunctional resins containing a tri-n-hexylammonium exchange site possessed excellent selectivity for pertechnetate over other anions, the exchange kinetics were poor. The superior performance of these resins can be attributed to the combination of a large trialkylammonium site for enhanced selectivity fo...
Novel acid-type cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors: Design, synthesis, and structure–activity relationship for anti-inflammatory drug

Abstract Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a key rate-limiting enzyme for prostaglandin (PG) production cascades in the human body. The mechanisms of both the anti-inflammation effects and the side-effects of traditional COX inhibitors are associated with the existence of two COX isoforms. Thus while COX-1 is predominantly expressed ubiquitously and constitutively, and it serves a housekeeping role in processes such as gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa protection, COX-2 is absent or exhibits a low level of expression in most tissues, and is highly upregulated in response to endotoxin, virus, inflammatory or tissue-injury stimuli/signals, and tumour promoter in the various types of organs, tissues, and cells. Furthermore, COX-2 contribution to PGE2 and PGI2 production evokes and sustains systemic or peripheral inflammatory disease, but it is not involved in the COX-1-mediated GI tract events. Also, hypersensitivity of aspirin owing to its inhibitory action against COX-1 is a significant concern clinically. Consequently, highly selective COX-2 inhibitors have been needed for the treatment of inflammatory- and inflammation related-diseases that include pyrexia, inflammation, pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and cancers. In this study, a series of novel [2-{[(4-substituted or 4,5-disubstituted)-pyridin-2-yl]carbonyl}-(5- or 6-substituted or 5,6-disubstituted)-1H-indol-3-yl]acetic acid analogues was designed, synthesized, and evaluated to identify potent and selective COX-2 inhibitors as potential agents against inflammatory diseases. As significant findings, the present study clarified unique structure–activity relationship of the analogues toward potent and selective COX-2 inhibition in vitro, and identified 2-{6-fluoro-2-[4-methyl-2-pridinyl)carbonyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}acetic acid as a potent and selective COX-2 inhibitor in vitro that demonstrated orally potent anti-inflammation efficacy against carrageenan-induced oedema formation in the foot of SPF/VAF male SD rats as a peripheral inflammation model in vivo.