cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel pre-amplifier for ICF driver

The design and performance of a novel array preamplifier prototype are described in this paper. A new and simple architecture is adopted in this preamplifier; uniformity gain profile and higher storage efficiency are obtained. Other preamplifier modules are compared with this preamplifier. Based on the results, an array preamplifier will satisfy a modern inertial confinement fusion (ICF) driver.
The Pitx2:miR-200c/141:noggin pathway regulates Bmp signaling and ameloblast differentiation

The mouse incisor is a remarkable tooth that grows throughout the animal’s lifetime. This continuous renewal is fueled by adult epithelial stem cells that give rise to ameloblasts, which generate enamel, and little is known about the function of microRNAs in this process. Here, we describe the role of a novel Pitx2:miR-200c/141:noggin regulatory pathway in dental epithelial cell differentiation. miR-200c repressed noggin, an antagonist of Bmp signaling. Pitx2 expression caused an upregulation of miR-200c and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed endogenous Pitx2 binding to the miR-200c/141 promoter. A positive-feedback loop was discovered between miR-200c and Bmp signaling. miR-200c/141 induced expression of E-cadherin and the dental epithelial cell differentiation marker amelogenin. In addition, miR-203 expression was activated by endogenous Pitx2 and targeted the Bmp antagonist Bmper to further regulate Bmp signaling. miR-200c/141 knockout mice showed defects in enamel formation, with decreased E-cadherin and amelogenin expression and increased noggin expression. Our in vivo and in vitro studies reveal a multistep transcriptional program involving the Pitx2:miR-200c/141:noggin regulatory pathway that is important in epithelial cell differentiation and tooth development.
Lack of LDL receptor aggravates learning deficits and amyloid deposits in Alzheimer transgenic mice

Emerging evidence indicates that cholesterol metabolism affects the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The LDL receptor (LDLR) is obligatory in maintaining cholesterol homeostasis in the periphery. To investigate the role of LDLR in the development of AD-like behavior and pathology, Tg2576 mice, a well-characterized transgenic mouse model of AD, with different genotypes of LDLR were generated. Here we show that LDLR-deficient Tg2576 mice developed hypercholesterolemia and age-dependent cerebral -amyloidosis. Before the manifestation of amyloid- (A) deposition, these mice displayed hyperactivity, reduced anxiety, and impaired spatial learning regardless of LDLR genotypes. After the manifestation of A deposition, LDLR-deficient Tg2576 mice showed more spatial learning deficits than LDLR-intact Tg2576 mice. Although LDLR genotypes did not affect the expression level of the amyloid- precursor protein transgene, there was a significant increase in A deposition accompanied with an increase of apoE expression in LDLR-deficient Tg2576 mice. Our results suggest that the LDLR plays a role in the development of Alzheimer-type learning impairment and amyloidosis and can be a novel therapeutic target for AD.
How permanent was permanent employment?: Patterns of organizational mobility in Japan, 1916-1975

Using work histories in three Japanese social stratification and mobility surveys, we examined assertions about permanent employment. We measured its extent and estimated the number of employers typical employees would have during their worklife. Our results suggest that macrohistorical events and postwar economic developments affected permanent employment, which differed by firm size and occupations. Mobility differences were most marked among young workers, with white-collar, large-firm workers having the lowest mobility and blue-collar, small-firm workers having the highest. This order was reversed as workers aged, resulting in a similar number of total employer changes over the life for both groups.
An "in the limit" view*

The continuum of systems, based on consequences of failure, range from the completely benign , as in video games, to the extreme, "in the limit" case of nuclear weapons. As a function of consequences, we must apply engineering skill during all phases of system creation to 1) provide for intrinsic surety and 2) allow for systems that yield sufficiently to intellectually based analysis.
Defect Characterization in and Precipitation from CaO:Yb2O3 Crystalline Solutions

The defects formed when trivalent rare earth ions are accepted into the sodium chloride structure of CaO were determined from precise measurement of lattice parameters and densities to be predominantly cation vacancies. The exsolution kinetics of Yb2O3 from CaO crystalline solutions were studied in situ using high-temperature X-ray methods. Kinetic plots for this reaction show that it is diffusion-controlled, at least in the initial stages. Quantitative information could not easily be extracted from the results of this study because of the appearance of a reaction intermediate. The appearance of this intermediate is rationalized by depicting the free energy-composition relations which exist at the decomposition temperatures used.
Infant and childhood diet and type 1 diabetes risk: recent advances and prospects.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by a preclinical period of autoimmunity. It is well accepted that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to disease risk. Given that type 1 diabetes, and its preclinical autoimmunity, appear early in life, infant and childhood diet have been implicated as potential initiating exposures in the etiology of the disease. Several publications in the past year have provided further evidence for existing hypotheses regarding the roles of wheat, cow’s milk, omega-3 fatty acids, and the maternal diet during pregnancy. However, inconsistencies in findings between studies suggest the need for collaboration and standardization of study methods to move forward in research in this area. One such example of this is the TEDDY (The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young) study, which is an international, multicenter birth cohort study with standardized recruitment, dietary collection methodologies, and analytic approaches.
MIT's CWSpace project: packaging metadata for archiving educational content in DSpace

This paper describes work in progress on the research project CWSpace, sponsored by the MIT and Microsoft Research iCampus program, to investigate the metadata standards and protocols required to archive the course materials found in MIT's OpenCourseWare (OCW) into MIT's institutional repository DSpace. The project goal is “to harvest and digitally archive OCW learning objects, and make them available to learning management systems by using Web Services interfaces on top of DSpace.” The larger vision is one of complex digital objects (CDOs) successfully interoperating amongst MIT's various learning management systems and learning object repositories, providing archival preservation and persistent identifiers for educational materials, as well as providing the means to richer shared discovery and dissemination mechanisms for those materials. The paper describes work to date on the analysis of the content packaging metadata standards METS (Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard) and especially IMS-CP (IMS Global Learning Consortium, Content Packaging), and issues faced in the development and use of profiles, extensions, and external schema for these standards. Also addressed are the anticipated issues in the preparation of transformations from one standard to another, noting the importance of well-defined profiles to making that feasible. The paper also briefly touches on the DSpace development work that will be undertaken to provide new import and export functionalities, as the technical specifications for these will largely be determined by the packaging metadata profiles that are developed. Note that the degree of interoperability considered herein might be referred to as “first level,” as this paper addresses the packaging metadata only, which in turn is the carrier or envelope for the descriptive (and other kinds of) metadata. It will no doubt be an even more challenging task to ensure interoperability at what might be referred to as the “second level,” that of semantic metadata.
The Analysis of an Unsuccessful Novice Teacher's Induction Experiences: A Case Study Presented Through Layered Account

Although induction support is heralded as an effective way to reduce high attrition among beginning teachers, nationwide increases in induction participation have not been accompanied by a comparable reduction in attrition rates. This inconsistency suggests some induction programs may not provide adequate support. This article presents the results of a case study that explored the experiences of a beginning teacher who left the profession despite participation in an induction program. The research question was: “Why was Stella unsuccessful in her second year of teaching?” The results are presented through the postmodern ethnographic method of layered account (Ronai, 1997). In addition to raising questions about how to effectively support new teachers, this article includes a discussion of methodological limitations, ethics, subjectivity, and researcher response to participant distress. Key Words: Induction, Struggling Teachers, Case Study, and Layered Account
Range collapse in the Diana fritillary, Speyeria diana (Nymphalidae)

Global warming can affect the distributions, phenology and, ultimately, conservation status of species worldwide, but most published studies on its biological effects have focused on higher latitude species. We extended this work to the Diana fritillary, a butterfly which once ranged throughout the Southeastern United States but now is severely restricted in range. We searched for all scientific records of this species, from publications, catalogued and uncatalogued specimens in public and private collections in the United States and Europe, online databases, contemporary field surveys by scientists and amateurs, and our own field surveys. We analysed these records for shifts in latitude, longitude, elevation and phenology. We found that the Diana fritillary has disappeared entirely from the Atlantic coastal plain, where it was first described, and from interior lowland sites. It now persists in two disjunct parts of its former range, the Southern Appalachian Mountains and the Interior Highlands of Oklahoma and Arkansas, and is shifting to higher elevations at about 18 m per decade. In addition, females are being collected 4.3 days earlier per decade though males, which emerge first, have not shifted their phenology. All these patterns are weakly dependent on latitude. These shifts in distribution and phenology are consistent with the predicted effects of global warming, but we review other large scale changes to the region which also might contribute singly or jointly to these patterns. We also comment on the implications for the conservation of this species.
Moving objects appear to slow down at low contrasts

Moving cars give the illusion of slowing down in foggy conditions, because low contrast reduces perceived speed. A grey square that drifts horizontally across a surround of black and white vertical stripes appears to stop and start as it crosses each stripe, because its contrast keeps changing. A moving square whose vertical and horizontal edges have different contrasts will show illusory distortions in perceived direction. Contrast also affects the apparent amplitude and salience of back-and-forth apparent motion. Finally, a line of black and white dots on a grey surround moves in illusory directions, because of a mismatch in the contrasts along and across the dotted line. Thus, motion signals in the early parts of the visual system are profoundly altered by stimulus luminance and contrast. This suggests that motion is coded by the relative firing rates of neural channels tuned to fast and slow motion, with contrast-dependence being a motion analog of the Bezold-Brucke hue shift.
New dibenzofuran-bridged bis(amidoamine) and bis(ethylenediamine) ligands and their dinuclear zinc and aluminium complexes

A new class of dibenzofuran-bridged bis(amidoamine) and bis(ethylenediamine) ligands are used to prepare structurally-characterized dinuclear zinc and aluminium complexes.
RATIONAL AND EMPIRICAL MEDICINE IN NINTH-CENTURY BAGHDAD: QUSṬĀ IBN LŪQĀ'S QUESTIONS ON THE CRITICAL DAYS IN ACUTE ILLNESSES

The article considers a brief catechistic presentation of a Galenic medical doctrine, the critical days, by the 9th century translator and thinker, Qusṭā ibn Lūqā (d. 912/3), found in a manuscript in Iran. The piece is first shown to have been derived from Galen's treatise on the critical days. Then, it is discussed section by section, in commentary form, to elucidate the medical doctrines Qusṭā propounds. Lastly, the piece is compared with an earlier attempt, by al-Kindī (d. c. 870), to describe the critical days mathematically. The various medical doctrines behind the treatise are discussed, as are the varying approaches to scientific method. The article concludes with contrasting the a priori mathematical scientific method of al-Kindī with the a posteriori empirical method of Galen/Qusṭā, and offers suggestions about the chronologies of the appearances of these doctrines and texts in Arabic. A transcription of the Arabic text is appended.
Cuticular differences associated with aridity acclimation in African malaria vectors carrying alternative arrangements of inversion 2La

Principal malaria vectors in Africa, An. gambiae and An. coluzzii, share an inversion polymorphism on the left arm of chromosome 2 (2La/2L+a) that is distributed non-randomly in the environment. Genomic sequencing studies support the role of strong natural selection in maintaining steep clines in 2La inversion frequency along environmental gradients of aridity, and physiological studies have directly implicated 2La in heat and desiccation tolerance, but the precise genetic basis and the underlying behavioral and physiological mechanisms remain unknown. As the insect cuticle is the primary barrier to water loss, differences in cuticle thickness and/or epicuticular waterproofing associated with alternative 2La arrangements might help explain differences in desiccation resistance. To test that hypothesis, two subcolonies of both An. gambiae and An. coluzzii were established that were fixed for alternative 2La arrangements (2La or 2L+a) on an otherwise homosequential and shared genetic background. Adult mosquitoes reared under controlled environmental conditions (benign or arid) for eight days post-eclosion were collected and analyzed. Measurements of cuticle thickness were made based on scanning electron microscopy, and cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) composition was evaluated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. After removing the allometric effects of body weight, differences in mean cuticle thickness were found between alternative 2La karyotypes, but not between alternative environments. Moreover, the thicker cuticle of the An. coluzzii 2La karyotype was contrary to the known higher rate of water loss of this karyotype relative to 2L+a. On the other hand, quantitative differences in individual CHCs and overall CHC profiles between alternative karyotypes and environmental conditions were consistent with expectation based on previous physiological studies. Our results suggest that alternative arrangements of the 2La inversion are associated with differences in cuticle thickness and CHC composition, but that only CHC composition appears to be relevant for desiccation resistance. Differences in the CHC composition were consistent with previous findings of a lower rate of water loss for the 2L+a karyotype at eight days post-eclosion, suggesting that CHC composition is an important strategy for maintaining water balance in this genetic background, but not for 2La. Despite a higher rate of water loss at eight days, higher body water content of the 2La karyotype confers a level of desiccation resistance equivalent to that of the 2L+a karyotype.
College Women’s Attributions of Blame for Experiences of Sexual Assault

Little research has examined the factors that help to explain or predict different attributions of blame that rape survivors assign to their assault experiences. The current study sought to examine (a) rape survivors’ attributions of blame to themselves and to external sources, specifically the perpetrator, the circumstances surrounding the assault (i.e., the situation), and society; (b) whether or not rape survivors attribute more blame to certain sources than others; and (c) which individual and situational factors that have been discussed in the sexual assault research literature help to explain self-blame, perpetrator blame, situational blame, and societal blame within a college sample (N = 129). Results indicated that rape survivors attributed the most blame to themselves and to society, some blame to the situation, and the least blame to the male involved. Multiple regression analyses revealed that, for the most part, variables specific to the rape survivor (e.g., history of childhood sexual abuse, ...
Changes in eye colour during early childhood: sex and genetic differences

SummaryEye colour was assessed routinely from 3 months to 6 years for children participating in a longitudinal study of twins. There were 169 female twin pairs, 161 male pairs, and 60 opposite-sex pairs. Age trends, established by sampling only one member of every pair, showed a marked decrease in lighter colours and a corresponding increase in darker colours with age. The eye colour of females was more represented by darker shades, and was more likely to be changing rather than remaining stable with age. Within-pair concordance rates were calculated for same-sex pairs whose zygosity had been determined independently through bloodtyping. A high rate of concordance was found for MZ twins at every age in spite of the general change toward darker colours with age, indicating a strong genetic influence in the timing of eye colour changes. In contrast, the rate of concordance for DZ twins decreased regularly so that, by 6 years, only about 50 per cent of fraternal pairs were concordant for eye colour. Results ...
Laminin-Induced Change in Conformation of Preexisting α7β1 Integrin Signals Secondary Myofiber Formation

Abstract Two distinct populations of myoblasts, distinguishable by α7 integrin expression have been hypothesized to give rise to two phases of myofiber formation in embryonic limb development. We show here that α7 integrin is detectable far earlier than previously reported on both “primary” and “secondary” lineage myoblasts and myofibers. An antibody (1211) that recognizes an intracellular epitope allowed detection of α7 integrin previously missed using an antibody (H36) that recognizes an extracellular epitope. We found that when myoblasts were isolated and cultured from different developmental stages, H36 only detected α7 integrin that was in direct contact with its ligand, laminin. Moreover, α7 integrin detection by H36 was reversible and highly localized to subcellular points of contact between myoblasts and laminin-coated 2.8-μm microspheres. Prior to secondary myofiber formation in limb embryogenesis, laminin was present but not in close proximity to clusters of primary myofibers that expressed α7 integrin detected by antibody 1211 using deconvolution microscopy. These results suggest that the timing of the interaction of preexisting α7 integrin with its ligand, laminin, is a major determinant of allosteric changes that result in an activated form of α7 integrin capable of transducing signals from the extracellular matrix commensurate with secondary myofiber formation.
Sonographic Imaging of Maternal Complications of Pregnancy

Objective. To show the role of diagnostic sonography in delineating pathologic conditions occurring during and immediately after pregnancy. Methods. Cases illustrative of a broad range of pathologic conditions were collected primarily from personal experience in a busy ultrasound clinic serving highand low-risk pregnancies over the past 15 years, with supplemental cases drawn from departmental teaching files. Sonography was the primary diagnostic tool, with confirmation obtained from other imaging modalities in select instances. Results. Cases were organized on an anatomic and time-ofonset basis. For conditions occurring during pregnancy, the following anatomic areas are considered: the liver and biliary tree, urinary tract, bowel, ovary, and uterus and placenta. For postpartum complications, the following conditions are discussed: subfascial and bladder flap hematomas, retained products of conception, and ovarian vein thrombophlebitis. Although the main imaging modality in these conditions was sonography, correlation with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging was also made in several cases. Conclusions. A broad variety of conditions can affect the pregnant patient, both during and immediately after pregnancy. Sonography can show many of these disease processes, with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging useful selectively as
Nonlinearities enhance parameter convergence in output-feedback systems

While the parameter convergence properties of standard adaptive algorithms for linear systems are well established, there are no similar results on the parameter convergence of adaptive controllers for nonlinear systems which have gained popularity in recent years. In this paper we focus on a recently developed class of adaptive schemes for output-feedback nonlinear systems and show that parameter convergence is guaranteed if and only if an appropriately defined signal vector, which does not depend on closed-loop signals, is persistently exciting. Then we develop an analytic procedure which allows us, given a specific nonlinear system and a specific reference signal, to determine a priori whether or not this vector is persistently exciting (PE) and, hence, whether or not the parameter estimates will converge. In the process we show that the presence of nonlinearities usually reduces the sufficient richness (SR) requirements on the reference signals and hence enhances parameter convergence. This is the first result on the relationship between PE and SR for adaptive nonlinear control systems.
Hierarchical Inference of Unicast Network Topologies Based on End-to-End Measurements

In this paper, we address the problem of topology discovery in unicast logical tree networks using end-to-end measurements. Without any cooperation from the internal routers, topology estimation can be formulated as hierarchical clustering of the leaf nodes based on pairwise correlations as similarity metrics. Unlike previous work that first assumes the network topology is a binary tree and then tries to generalize to a nonbinary tree, we provide a framework that directly deals with general logical tree topologies. A hierarchical algorithm to estimate the topology is developed in a recursive manner by finding the best partitions of the leaf nodes level by level. Our simulations show that the algorithm is more robust than binary-tree based methods
The Impact Of Communication On The Accounting Firm/Client Relationship

This paper presents the results of a study designed to gather information on communication between an accounting firm and its clients. We first provide descriptive information on clients’ perceptions regarding the frequency, method, and importance of communication with their accounting firm. We then provide evidence on the relationship between effective communication and both client satisfaction and accounting firm/client conflict. We find that that the use of effective communication techniques by an accounting firm is positively related to client satisfaction and negatively related to firm/client conflict. The overall results of this study suggest that accounting firms can effectively use collaborative communication, which focuses on using communication to build better relationships between firms, to manage client relations.
Dyslipidemias in diabetes

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are responsible for 75% of the morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes accelerates plaque formation and progression in coronary, cerebrovascular and peripheral arteries. Patients with diabetes obtain less benefit from invasive procedures such as angioplasty and coronary revascularization than do patients without diabetes. Survival following a cardiovascular event is lower in patients with diabetes, particularly in women. It is estimated that 50% of patients have CVD at the time of diagnosis with diabetes. This emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of comorbidities and risk factors. Dyslipidemias in diabetes are characterized by elevated triglycerides, small dense LDL, and decreased HDL. The atherosclerotic process is associated with inflammatory changes with deposition of lipids in the arterial walls. Diabetes also accelerates this process by altering the structure and function of circulating lipoproteins. In a seven year study in a population in Finland, the incidence of myocardial infarctions (MI) in patients with diabetes without a prior MI was similar to patients without diabetes but with a previous MI. Thus, there is a linkage between diabetes and CVD at epidemiologic and pathophysiologic levels, and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP-III) designated diabetes as a CVD risk equivalent. Treatment of LDL cholesterol is the first priority, followed by HDL and triglycerides: the goals are LDL 40 mg/dL in men or HDL > 50 mg/dL in women, and triglycerides < 150 mg/dL. Statins are the drugs of choice. Benefits of aggressive lipid management with statins have been shown in primary prevention studies (AFCAPS /TexCAPS, ASCOT) and secondary prevention studies (4S, CARE, LIPID, HPS) in patients with varying degrees of dyslipidemias and other risk factors. The Heart Protection Study (HPS) has shown that high risk patients benefit from statins regardless of the LDL levels. Other drugs, e.g., fibrates, nicotinic acid, bile acid sequestrants have a role in selected patients. A new class of drag, ezetimibe, blocks cholesterol absorption in the gastrointestinal tract: it is synergistic with the statins and effective as a single agent when statins are contraindicated. Aggressive therapy to treat diabetic dyslipidemias has been shown to reduce the risk of CVD.
Adrenergic Excess, hNET1 Down-Regulation, and Compromised mIBG Uptake in Heart Failure: Poverty in the Presence of Plenty

An increased adrenergic drive contributes to augmented myocyte contractility and altered peripheral vasoreactivity in heart failure (HF) and appears intuitively compensatory ([1][1]). The increased adrenergic contents in the synaptic cleft eventually result in desensitization of the post-synaptic
The Security Council as World Legislator?: Theory, Practice and Consequences of an Expanding World Power

In the 1990s the UN Security Council accreted new functions and responsibilities: to administer territories, establish tribunals to try individuals for war crimes, delineate borders, decide on questions of compensation, and determine juridically-salient facts. This paper considers the relevant resolutions, but argues that until 2001, these activities were linked directly to a territorially-specific international conflict aimed at restoring peace and order. With SC-Resolution 1373(2001) the Security Council created general and abstract obligations in the field of counter-terrorism that, under Chapter VII of the Charter, are immediately binding on all States. While one such legislative act could be considered an aberration, the acceptance of SC-1373 by the states, and the prevailing political dynamic, has prompted the Council to engage in more of this generally-applicable non-localized law-making. Resolution 1540 (2004) on obligations of all states concerning weapons of mass destruction, has provoked much more intense reactions. This paper analyzes the implications of these two resolutions, and argues that continuation of this trend may have significant consequences for the creation of international law. Traditionally, states have the freedom to choose whether they wish to be bound by a norm: they can choose not to sign treaties or they can persistently object to the formation of custom. The creation of international law also relies on the principle of legal equality of the states creating the norm. General legislation by the Council via Chapter VII of the Charter supersedes both these principles. This paper assesses advantages and disadvantages of such lawmaking by the Council as well as possible remedies for potential problems.
Synergistic and antagonistic effects of mitogens on proliferation of lymphocytes from spleens of Rana pipiens.

Phytomitogens such as phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) bind to cell surface receptors of thymus-derived (T) and bone marrow-derived (B) lymphocytes but stimulate only T-cells to divide and transform into blast cells (1, 2, 3). These mitogens can also stimulate lymphocytes from fish (4, 5, 6, 7) and amphibians (8, 9, 10). In the absence of biological markers at this level of phylogeny, however, evidence is lacking as to whether the responding cells belong to specific lymphocyte subpopulations.
Toward Determining Best Practices for Recruiting Future Leaders in Food Science and Technology.

There is a shortage of qualified food scientists in the workforce that has adverse consequences for the quality and safety of our food supply. The Institute of Food Technologists and other institutions have initiated and continue to initiate outreach programs; however, an analysis of the effectiveness of these efforts has not yet come to fruition. The potential for determining best practices in recruitment is infinite. This manuscript provides a brief review of the possibilities for leveraging Social Cognitive Career Theory and various research instruments toward determining best practices in recruiting future generations of food science and technology professionals.
Theta-glass capillaries in electrospray ionization: rapid mixing and short droplet lifetimes.

Double-barrel wire-in-a-capillary electrospray emitters prepared from theta-glass capillaries were used to mix solutions during the electrospray process. The relative flow rate of each barrel was continuously monitored with internal standards. The complexation reaction of 18-crown-6 and K+, introduced from opposite barrels, reaches equilibrium during the electrospray process, suggesting that complete mixing also occurs. A simplified diffusion model suggests that mixing occurs in less than a millisecond, and contributions of turbulence, estimated from times of coalescing ballistic microdroplets, suggest that complete mixing occurs within a few microseconds. This mixing time is 2 orders of magnitude less than in any mixer previously coupled to a mass spectrometer. The reduction of 2,6-dichloroindophenol by l-ascorbic acid was performed using the theta-glass emitters and monitored using mass spectrometry. On the basis of the rate constant of this reaction in bulk solution, an apparent reaction time of 274 ± ...
THE SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF AVIAN WINTER PLUMAGE VARIABILITY.

Animal species vary enormously in the degree to which individuals are similar or different from one another in appearance. In some birds, such as juncos and Harris sparrows, most individuals look different from each other, while in others, such as chickadees and song sparrows, there is little individual variation. These differences in appearance among species require several levels of interpretation. First, an understanding of their social significance is required for us to know what is being communicated by these differences. Second, we should understand the proximate mechanisms by which a correspondence between signal and message is achieved. Finally, we must understand the ecological factors which are ultimately responsible for the social systems and their associated plumage patterns. This paper is addressed only at the social significance of winter plumage variability versus monomorphism. Ordering principles pertaining to animal coloration-theories relating appearance to camouflage, advertisement, physiology, or the formation of search images-are of little help in explaining why some winter birds are highly variable and others monomorphic. The first three of these theories invoke selective principles which are expected to produce monomorphic patterns within populations and, thus, do not relate to plumage variability. Camouflage coloration is expected to select for monomorphism achieved through mimicry of environmental background, substrate color or specific objects. Likewise, advertisement or poster coloration (Lorenz, 1967), evolved by selection for warning coloration, mimicry, species or sex recognition, or advertisement of territorial possession, is not expected to lead to intra-population variability. In some cases of mimicry this is not true, but these cases always select for discontinuous variation, with morphs mimicking various discrete models. Finally, selection upon color pattern for physiological efficiency depends upon assuming one of the radiation colors, generally either black or white (Hamilton, 1973). Small temperate land birds are rarely uniformly white or black, suggesting that physiological needs have probably not been primal in determining their color patterns. Formation of search images does anticipate variability in populations and is sometimes raised to explain the highly variable plumages of certain birds. Clarke (see 1969, and references cited therein) originated the idea to explain the Cepaea snail polymorphisms through apostatic predation, and Croze (1970) has done much
The Larvae of Pompilidae (Hymenoptera)

The larvae of only about ten species of Pompilidae have been described, and no attempts have ever been made to make a comparative study to see what characters of classificatory value the larvae may offer. In this paper the larvae of 21 North American species belonging to 9 genera and subgenera are described for the first time, and the published descriptions (which include members of three additional genera) are reviewed. This is still too poor a representation to permit many conclusions regarding the evolution or the major phyletic lines of the Pompilidae. It does, however, permit one to make certain generalizations regarding family characters which will serve to separate the larvae of Pompilidae from those of other digger wasps. Chief among these is the fact that the second pair of thoracic spiracles is vestigial. Within the family, one finds only nebulous differences between the two major subfamilies, the Pepsinae and the Pompilinae. However, certain complexes of genera do stand together as they do on adult structure. A general trend in the reduction of the mandibular dentition can be noted in the Pompilinae. It seems probable that larval characters may someday prove of considerable value in helping to classify these wasps, and the collection and description of the larvae of additional species is urgently needed.
Effect of Calcitriol Administration on Urinary Excretion of Nephrocalcin, A Calcium-Oxalate Crystal-Growth Inhibitor

Nephrocalcin (NC) is an acidic glycoprotein that contains several residues of gamma-carboxyglutamie acid (Gla), and that inhibits the growth of calcium oxalate (CaOx) monohydrate crystals in vivo (1). Nephrocalcin has been purified from human urine (2), rat kidneys and urine (3), and from culture supernatants of both human and mouse kidney-tissue culture (4, 5). Nephrocalcin isolated from the urine of stone formers has several molecular abnormalities, including an absence of Gla residues and a decreased affinity for crystal surfaces (6). Nephrocalcin may play a role in inhibition of CaOx crystal growth in vivo, thereby preventing formation of kidney stones.
Investigation of Electric Pulse Compound Modification of Al-Si Alloy

The effect of borax refinement modifier(Na2B4O7),mixture of grain refiner(Al-5%Ti) and sodium modifier(NaF(2/3)+NaCl(1/3)),pulse electric current on the solidified microstructure of Al-11.6wt%Si alloy was contrastively investigated,and the mechanical properties of specimens prepared at the four casting conditions were measured respectively.The four conditions are as follows: the molten alloy only with the addition of deoxidant during melting;only applying high-density pulse electric current on castings during solidification;compound addition of grain refiner and sodium modifier,and addition of borax r modifier liquid along with applying pulse electric current during melting.The experimental results show that pulse electric current have a remarkable refining effect on α-dendrite and have a certain modification effect on eutectic silicon flake;the compound-modification of anhydrous-borax and pulse electric current coarsen eutectic silicon flake;the compound addition grain refiner and sodium modifier along with pulse current can refine the dendritic structure of α-Al and decrease the dendritic arm spacing.The elongation and tensile strength increase by 77.1% and 36.7% respectively in comparison with original specimen.
Early excision and prompt wound closure supplemented with immunosuppression.

A rational approach to the problem of extensive skin destruction secondary to burns appears to be early excision of devitalized tissue and immediate closure of the wound. This concept, coupled with strict protection of the patient against cross-infection, and nutritional support, may be employed successfully as routine burn care for small as well as moderate burns that require hospitalization. A key addition to treatment of massive deep burns is the use of immunosuppression.
Age-associated functional impairments of specific neurotransmitter systems: detection by pharmacological brain metabolism studies and criteria for design of human investigations.

Abstract Although brain aging is accompanied by measurable deficits in cognitive and motor function, and frequently by selective loss of neurons, neurotransmitters and their receptors, resting brain energy metabolism, purported to reflect neural function, undergoes little or no quantitative change during aging in experimental animals or in man. A method is described for assessing the functional capacity of aging neurotransmitter systems in rats by measuring changes in regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose in response to drug administration. Preliminary studies identified the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors that determine cerebral metabolic responses to drugs, and established a relation between those responses and altered brain function. In awake, aged Fischer-344 rats, cerebral metabolic responses to the dopaminergic agents haloperidol and bromocriptine and to the serotonergic agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine were reduced when compared to responses in young adult rats, despite similar or greater concentrations of drug in the brains of older animals. The metabolic response to arecoline, a muscarinic cholinergic agonist, was age-invariant. It was concluded that the cerebral metabolic response to drug administration is a useful measure of the functional capacity of neurotransmitter systems. Pharmacological brain metabolism studies demonstrated selective functional impairments in certain transmitter systems of the aged rat brain that were not detected by metabolic measurements in the resting state, nor predicted by changes in transmitter receptors. Specific criteria are proposed for pharmacological brain metabolism studies in man, using in vivo imaging, to identify functionally impaired neurotransmitter systems in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Cold War Greenland as a Space for International Scientific Collaboration

Henrik Knudsen examines Denmark’s and the USA’s distinct views of Arctic research in the 1960s and discusses the political and geostrategic factors that shaped and limited international research activities in Greenland during this period. He argues that when Denmark tried to create Arctic test stations in 1964 that could be open to Soviet researchers, the USA opposed them because of its own defense considerations. Knudsen concludes that the Danish government did invite Soviet researchers into this contested space in Greenland, while banning US-developed projects that it thought could potentially harm the international process of detente.
Alfalfa mosaic virus

Publisher Summary In 1931, Weimer reported that the causal agent of a mosaic disease of alfalfa was a virus, which he named alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV). This virus has subsequently received several other designations, including Alfalfa Virus I, Medicago Virus 2, Marmor rnedicaginis, and Lucerne Mosaic Virus, and R/1 1.3/18 U/U s/Ap. Various research workers have shown that this virus causes diseases in other crops, e.g., Potato Calico, noted by Hungerford. AMV was partially purified by Ross; thus it was the first aphid-transmitted virus to be purified. However, there was little interest in purified AMV until around 1960, when Bancroft and Kaesberg, Kelley and Kaesberg, and Gibbs et al., showed that virus preparations contain several components and that the virus particles, unlike those of other plant viruses, have a bacilliform shape, Subsequently, work on this virus has intensified with the studies on the structure and function of the components. This chapter is intended to bring together information on a wide range of topics and to offer some possible explanations of the unusual in vivo and in vitro behavior of this virus.
Media Deserts: Monitoring the Changing Media Ecosystem

This chapter describes the Media Deserts Project, which allows researchers to monitor the health of media ecosystems and provides a valuable tool in policy and resource allocation. By mapping circulation data onto geographies, the Media Deserts Project relies on a geographic framework and a geographic information system technology to assess and track the changes in the information health of communities across the USA. The team behind the project is working to create new mapping tools for researchers, policymakers, and local leaders to help them identify communities lacking access to local news and information, as well as measure trends in access to critical news and information needs and where valuable human and capital resources might be deployed to establish or restore news and information coverage.
Inequality of educational opportunity: the relationship between access, affordability, and quality of private schools in Lagos, Nigeria

AbstractUsing data from a census of private schools in one of Lagos, Nigeria’s administrative jurisdictions, this paper explores the linkages between a heterogeneous sector of private schools and issues of school access, affordability, quality, and ultimately social mobility for households at the bottom of the income distribution. Although a large private education market has buoyed Lagos’s growth towards near-universal primary enrolment, this heterogeneous school sector appears to be providing socially stratifying paths towards educational attainment. We apply Lucas’s theory of effectively maintained inequality to assess the extent to which access to higher quality education services within the private sector is determined by cost. We find that higher-cost private schools provide students with greater opportunities to study in institutions with higher quality inputs and increased potential for progression within the educational system. As such, it is highly likely that these schools are primarily accessi...
Tuning the Dipole-Dipole Interaction in a Quantum Gas with a Rotating Magnetic Field

We demonstrate the tuning of the magnetic dipole-dipole interaction (DDI) within a dysprosium Bose-Einstein condensate by rapidly rotating the orientation of the atomic dipoles. The tunability of the dipolar mean-field energy manifests as a modified gas aspect ratio after time-of-flight expansion. We demonstrate that both the magnitude and the sign of the DDI can be tuned using this technique. In particular, we show that a magic rotation angle exists at which the mean-field DDI can be eliminated, and at this angle, we observe that the expansion dynamics of the condensate is close to that predicted for a nondipolar gas. The ability to tune the strength of the DDI opens new avenues toward the creation of exotic soliton and vortex states as well as unusual quantum lattice phases and Weyl superfluids.
Application of Water-Soluble Palladium-Catalyst Systems for Introduction of CC Bonds in Nucleosides

Abstract Palladium-catalyzed aqueous-phase coupling of nucleosides provides an efficient route to a wide variety of modified nucleosides. By performing the reaction in water, protection of the nucleoside to make it more lipophilic is avoided. The application of this methodology to add carbon groups to nucleosides through the Suzuki, Sonogashira, and Heck couplings has become a standard method for nucleoside chemistry.
A Method to Detect DNA Methyltransferase I Gene Transcription In Vitro in Aging Systems

Epigenetic alterations of DNA play key roles in determining gene structure and expression. Methylation of the 5-position of cytosine is thought to be the most common modification of the genome in mammals. Studies have generally shown that hypermethylation in gene regulatory regions is associated with inactivation and reduced transcription and that alteration in established methylation patterns during development can affect embryonic viability. Changes in methylation have also been associated with aging and cellular senescence as well as tumorogenesis. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is thought to play an important role in maintaining already established methylation patterns during DNA replication and catalyzes the transfer of a methyl moiety from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to the 5-position of cytosines in the CpG dinucleotide. Several studies illustrate changes in activity and transcription of DNMT1 during aging and here we show a comprehensive method of detection of DNMT1 mRNA transcription from senescing cells in culture.
Chapter 11 Methods for silicon analysis in plants, soils, and fertilizers

The classical method for determining total silicon (Si) content of various materials has been conversion of insoluble silicates into sodium silicate through high temperature fusion with sodium hydroxide, or other sodic bases. The Si can then be determined by a variety of methods, including gravimetric, colorimetric, and absorption/emission spectrometry. Silicon also has been determined gravimetrically in plant tissue as the residue after acid digestion. We have developed a simple inexpensive, and rapid method for solublizing Si in plant tissue that facilitates analysis of a large number of samples. When analyzing soils and fertilizers, a method for gauging the plant-available Si, rather than total Si, generally is desired. A number of soil-test methods have been developed. Some require extended incubation periods, field-moist soil, or other procedures that inhibit adoption by routine soil-testing laboratories. Silicon extracted by acetic acid has been correlated to Si uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L.) and rice grain yield. Using this method, the Everglades Soil Testing Laboratory analyses nearly five thousand samples annually. Since Si fertilizer sources differ in Si content and Si solubility, analytical methods have been developed for predicting their relative ability to provide plant-available Si. We use a column leaching method based on Si elution in Tris buffer (pH 7) for the evaluation of potential Si soil amendments. However, greenhouse and field evaluations are essential for making final determinations.
Phenomenology and the Clinical Event

Attention to the clinical event for its own sake and as an exemplification are distinguished. Several of its essential features are delineated: situational and contextual determinants, complex asymmetry, inherently moral character, and reflexive nature of any clinical event. Dialogue is suggested as illuminating each of these features.