cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How is Prospective Memory Used to Complete Instrumental Activities of Daily Living? Examining the Topic Through Focus Groups with Older Adults: Pilot Results

A key goal of many older adults is to maintain an independent lifestyle, but in order to live independently in the community, it is necessary that older adults are able to perform instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Many IADLs require the use of prospective memory (PM), however the research documenting the specific PM tasks people encounter when performing IADLs is scant. The current paper describes a proposed study and lessons learned from a pilot study aimed at narrowing the gap in the literature, by identifying common PM tasks older adults encounter when performing IADLs. Specifically, we aim to 1) identify PM tasks older adults must remember and those they forget when performing IADLs, 2) describe the nature of the PM tasks, 3) pinpoint memory aids that are used to help remember the PM tasks, and 4) offer human factors design recommendations based on our findings to help improve memory aids and decrease forgetting.
Protestants and the Mexican Revolution: Missionaries, Ministers, and Social Change

Protestants and the Mexican Revolution: Missionaries, Ministers, and Social Change. Deborah J. Baldwin. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1990. xii. 203 pp., bibliography, notes, index. 26.95 (cloth). ISBN 0-252-01659-9.
Lattice dynamics of hcp ortho-deuterium

Abstract : The phonon spectrum of hcp o-D2 is calculated using a self consistent phonon theory and a Jastrow function. TO and LO phonons are compared with recent values obtained by neutron inelastic scattering. (Author)
Cholesterol lowering and endothelial function

The pathophysiology of the association between cholesterol and atherosclerosis has been thought to involve the deposition, modification, and cellular uptake of cholesterol. We now believe that the process begins with vascular injury and involves inflammation and vessel remodeling. The vascular endothelium actively regulates vascular tone, lipid breakdown, thrombogenesis, inflammation, and vessel growth, all of which are important factors in the development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction promotes atherosclerosis through vasoconstriction, monocyte and platelet adhesion, thrombogenesis, and cytokine and growth factor stimulation and release. An important component of endothelial dysfunction is reduced availability of nitric oxide, which is caused by low-density lipoproteins, especially if they are oxidized. This reduced availability appears to occur through a combination of decreased production, abnormal signaling, and increased destruction by oxygen-free radicals. Concurrently, endothelium-mediated vasoconstrictors, adhesion molecules, cytokines, growth factors, and thrombogenic factors, such as endothelin, are increased by oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Several studies have shown improvements in endothelial function with cholesterol lowering, which may explain the early and substantial reductions in major cardiovascular events associated with cholesterol lowering.
Bush administration proposes criteria for basic research programs

Concerns about a tight economy, an increasing number of Congressional earmarks for research and development, and a desire to better justify the spending of taxpayer dollars on research has led the Bush administration to propose preliminary criteria for federal basic research programs. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) presented the proposal with its three broad principles—quality, relevance, and performance—at an overflow meeting at the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) on 27 February.
Matrices of operators and regularized semigroups

where (p~.;) is a matr ix of polynomials in n variables and iA1, ", iA, is a family of c o m m u t i n g generators of bounded linear strongly cont inuous groups of operators, intuitively, one wants to take the exponent ia l of the matr ix of opera to r s (p~,;(A)). Since the spec t rum of Ak is real, for all k, this means we want the complex matr ix (pi,j(x)) to be contained in a left half-plane, " in some sense," for all x in R". The strongest sense is to have the numerical range of the complex matr ix conta ined in a half-plane R e ( z ) 0 , xeR" . A sense that is easier to calculate, or at least estimate, is to have the spectrum of (p~d(x)) conta ined in a left half-plane, for all x~R". The system (1.1) is then said to be Petrowsky correct (see [9]). The intuit ion we just described is not quite true, in general, wi thout some
Effect of dopamine on intracellular sodium: a common pathway for pharmacological mechanism of action in bipolar illness.

Background. The pathogenesis of bipolar illness is unknown. A search for common mechanism of action in effective medications has been utilized as a method to gain clues into mechanisms of illness. The recent increase of reports of documented efficacy of first- and second-generation antipsychotics in the control of mania offers a new opportunity to gain insight into the pathophysiological mechanism of bipolar disorder. Methods. A selected critical review of the literature is performed to gain insights into the effect of antipsychotic medications on ion regulation. Results. Dopamine D1 and D2 receptor stimulation increases intracellular sodium concentrations. D1 and D2 blockade normalizes stimulated intracellular sodium concentrations, and increases active sodium pump expression. Conclusions. A similar exercise has previously suggested that lithium and effective anticonvulsants reduce sodium influx in an activity-dependent manner. The current review suggests that antipsychotic medications may have a similar...
Instructional Designers' Decisions and Priorities: A Survey of Design Practice.

ABSTRACT For a number of years there has been a continuing debate on the degree to which instructional design models are used in practice. A study was conducted to determine if and how practicing course developers include instructional design activities in their projects. A survey was distributed to 73 practicing course developers who were asked to indicate how often they used eleven instructional design activities in their design projects and, as appropriate, to indicate why an activity was excluded from some projects. Survey findings indicate that in practice design activities occur on an irregular basis, with some activities occurring most of the time and others more infrequently. Almost no one used all “model design activities in all of their projects. Reasons given for omitting a design activity varied, but several factors were prominent. In short, practitioners regularly use some instructional design activities in their projects but do not complete any number of other design activities in doing so. The utility and adaptability of ID models to meet practitioner needs is discussed in light of survey results. Summary In general, the results of this study confirm that practicing instructional designers do not complete all ID activities for all projects. Indeed, a designer may omit any number of ID activities from a project for any number of reasons. These findings suggest that no single ID model with a pre–set list of activities can accommodate all design and development projects. Rather, a more appropriate and practical approach would select only those activities that are matched to the situational requirements and constraints surrounding a given project. The theory of instructional design and development will benefit from research which contributes to an understanding of situated ID practice.
It’s My (National) Stage Too: Sabina Berman and Jesusa Rodríguez as Public Intellectuals

The fissure between past and present was defied by the woman who walked toward Mexico City’s zocalo, the main meeting place for demonstrators who in this case had come (by foot, on the metro) to listen to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the man who, for a time, and without irony, was considered by millions to be the “presidente legitimo de Mexico,” the legitimate president of Mexico, and who continues to be known as Peje or AMLO (“Te AMLO,” a play on “I love you,” reads a common slogan). The woman was clad as a nun, “suffering” silently in the heat as she played the role of seventeenth-century poet Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Her performance of resistance was a fitting combination of word and image: the many depictions of Sor Juana, often seated in her library, were recalled through the habit donned by the performance artist who marched assertively among a sea of yellow AMLO T-shirts, visors, and umbrellas; and the large placard she carried presented a productive parody of Sor Juana’s untitled poem known as “Hombres necios” (Foolish men). The first four verses of the re-inscription read: “Foolish priests who accuse / Resistance in act ion / Knowing that it is you / Who are accomplices of corruption.”1 In this case, the ridiculous men of Sor Juana’s iconoclastic poem are converted into present-day priests accused of active complicity in a web of corruption, among other key issues related specifically to the 2006 elections.
Reimbursement for Professional Psychological Services

A brief history of the professionalization of psychology precedes a section of how psychological services became reimbursable. Specific focus is placed on reimbursement for psychological services, especially the distinction between medical and psychiatric diagnoses as well as procedures or services. Specific guidelines for appropriate reimbursement are provided. Future directions for reimbursement for mental health and related services are considered.
Relational messages in conflict situations among siblings

The purpose of this study was to explore the association of sibling conflict style (i.e., integrative, distributive, avoidant) with perceived relational communication themes (i.e., immediacy, simil...
ENCODING SENSITIVITIES TO PHONOLOGICAL MARKEDNESS AND TRANSITIONAL PROBABILITY: EVIDENCE FROM SPOONERISMS

This study examined laboratory-induced spoonerisms; the type of speech error in which a phoneme unit from one word switches position with a phoneme unit from another word. Three experiments test hypotheses which assume that spoonerism errors are facilitated by the presence of certain inherent differences between the switched phonological units. Experiment I tests for facilitation based upon differences in the phonological markedness of the switched units. Experiment II and Experiment III test for facilitation based upon differences in the second-order transitional probabilities and third order transitional probabilities (respectively) of the switched units. Evidence of transitional probability effects was found, with implications for the phonological encoding processing of both naturally occurring spoonerisms and normal speech.
Generic tasks for knowledge-based reasoning: the “right” level of abstraction for knowledge acquisition

Our research strategy has been to identify generic tasks—basic combinations of knowledge structures and inference strategies that are powerful for solving certain kinds of problems. Our strategy is best understood by considering the “interaction problem”, that representing knowledge for the purpose of solving some problem is strongly affected by the nature of the problem and by the inference strategy to be applied to the knowledge. The interaction problem implies that different knowledge-acquisition methodologies will be required for different kinds of reasoning, e.g. a different knowledge-acquisition methodology for each generic task. We illustrate this using the generic task of hierarchical classification. Our proposal and the interaction problem call into question many generally held beliefs about expert systems such as the belief that the knowledge base should be separated from the inference engine.
Terahertz Detection of Concealed Vibrations with a Sub-Micron Noise Floor

Our terahertz interferometer senses at a standoff sub-wavelength vibrations behind optically opaque barriers, such as cardboard, clothing and plastic. Measured spectral response compares favorably with optical vibrometry without barriers.
Anesthetic management of a patient with neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is an uncommon, idiosyncratic, and sometimes life-threatening disorder associated with the use of neuroleptic drugs. The pathogenesis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome is uncertain, but it may be similar to that of malignant hyperthermia (MH). Some of the symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome are similar to those of MH. We anesthetized a 17-year-old man with this syndrome multiple times for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) using a variety of anesthetic techniques. In this patient, dantrolene pretreatment and the use of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants did not relieve symptoms of the syndrome, including fever and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) increases.
Molecular band variations as a probe of the vertical structure of a Jovian atmosphere

Abstract A variational technique is used to compute synthetic spectra for models of cloudy Jovian planetary atmospheres which incorporate abrupt changes in their vertical structure. The dependence of the center-to-limb variations in equivalent widths of molecular bands upon the properties of the various scattering layers in the model is examined. A range of theoretical models are delineated on the basis of their ability to reproduce observational results for the specific case of Jupiter.
The crystal structure of Sr(OD)2

Abstract The crystal structure of Sr(OD) 2 has been determined from a Reitveld refinement of time-of-flight neutron diffraction data, and the deuterium atom positions have been determined for the first time. The structure is orthorhombic: Pnma , a = 9.8269(5) A, b = 3.9051(2) A, c = 6.0733(3) A, V = 233.06 A 3 , D x = 3.466 g cm −3 , R wp = 3.93%, R p = 2.95%, reduced X 2 = 4.774 for 81 variables. Although the data were collected at 12 K, the H atoms have large thermal parameters suggesting the possibility of some disorder. Relationships of the structure to the structures of YOOH, SrBr 2 , SrI 2 , and SrBr 2 · H 2 O are discussed.
U.S. Farm Women Their Part in Farm Work and Decision Making

This article uses data from a 1980 national survey of farm women to describe the range of tasks and decisions in which they take part on their operations, some of the determinants of their participation, and the women's own feelings about the places they hold on their farms. These women were found to be involved in a wide range of farm tasks and decisions. The characteristics of the farm and farm labor force affected the extent of their involvement, as did factors that affect the extent of women's employment outside the home—education, age, presence of small children, husband's employment, experience, and region. These farm women tended to identify with their farms as a family unit and did not see themselves as some separate group called “farm women.” Yet over half said “yes” when asked if they considered themselves to be one of the farm's main operators, and over half said they could continue farming if something happened to their husbands.
Origin and Maintenance of Ripple Marks

SUMMARY A mechanical analog has been designed, constructed, and operated to produce a variety of ripple marks. Ripple-mark maintenance has been studied in a wave tank, in an experimental flume, on tidal flats, and on dune fields.
Which universals are laws

(1994). Which universals are laws? Australasian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 72, No. 4, pp. 492-496.
Differential Conditioning of Environmental Cues With Amygdala Kindling

Recent evidence suggests that the pairing of environmental cues with kindling stimulation can affect the rate at which seizures develop. In the present study, the effect of differential conditioning was evaluated. Rats were kindled in either a black box or a highly illuminated white box. Half of the subjects in each of these groups (discrimination groups) was placed in the opposite box on separate days without receiving kindling stimulation. The remaining subjects (control groups) were placed only in the box in which they received stimulation. Subjects kindled in the white box developed stage 5 (clonic) seizures significantly faster than those kindled in the black box. Those subjects that received discrimination training with the white box positive kindled faster than all other groups. However, after reaching stage 5, both discrimination groups, regardless of which box was positive, had significantly shorter afterdischarge (AD) durations during threshold testing as compared with the control groups. Seizure thresholds did not differ for the different groups. No evidence for conditioned seizures was found. The results were discussed in terms of the potential facilitory and inhibitory effects of environmental cues on seizures.
Large scale nonlinear programming

Abstract Our ability to solve large nonlinear programs has increased significantly in the last several years. New algorithms have been developed, existing ones have been refined, some good software has been developed, and there has been some computational experience and practical applications. This paper summarizes some of this activity, focusing on Successive Linear Programming (SLP), Successive Quadratic Programming (SQP), and Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) algorithims.
Evidence of absence or absence of evidence? A reanalysis of the effects of low-dose aspirin in in vitro fertilization.

Objective To assess the conflicting evidence whether low-dose aspirin is beneficial in IVF and to evaluate the meta-analysis performed by Gelbaya et al. and reported in March 2007 in Human Reproduction Update, in which they found no effects of low-dose aspirin and recommended discontinuing its use in IVF. We present a reanalysis of the effects of low-dose aspirin in IVF and raise methodological questions regarding the analysis by Gelbaya et al. Design A meta-analysis of prospective randomized trials evaluating the effects of low-dose aspirin in IVF. Patient(s) Women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Intervention(s) Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Main Outcome Measure(s) Pregnancy rates, implantation rates, miscarriage rates. Result(s) Ten randomized clinical trials were included in the analysis. Clinical pregnancy rate per ET was significant when low-dose aspirin was compared with no treatment (risk ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.27). Nonsignificant estimates comparing low-dose aspirin with no treatment were found for implantation and miscarriage rates. Conclusion(s) Our results suggest that aspirin may increase clinical pregnancy rates and that more data are needed to resolve the issue. At this point, there is no reason to change clinical management and discontinue the use of aspirin.
Distal arthrogryposis type II: A family with varying congenital abnormalities

Five family members with distal arthrogryposis in two generations are reported. Cleft lip and palate, micrognathia, ptosis, webbed neck, kyphoscoliosis, and short stature are seen in one or more affected family members. All individuals with distal arthrogryposis also have trismus. This family does not fit any of the recently proposed five subcategories of type II distal arthrogryposis, nor does it fit any other recognized autosomal dominant condition with distal contractures.
A simplex-like algorithm for the relaxation labeling process

A simplex-like algorithm is developed for the relaxation labeling process. The algorithm is simple and has a fast convergence property which is summarized as a one-more-step theorem. The algorithm is based on fully exploiting the linearity of the variational inequality and the linear convexity of the consistent-labeling search space in a manner similar to the operation of the simplex algorithm in linear programming. >
Unbalanced Data Classification Using Support Vector Machines with Active Learning on Scleroderma Lung Disease Patterns

Unbalanced data classification has been a long standing issue in the field of Medical Vision Science and Pattern Recognition. In our research, we introduced the methods of Support Vector Machines (SVM) with Active Learning (AL) to improve prediction of unbalanced classes of Scleroderma Lung Disease, Lung Fibrosis (LF) and Honeycomb (HC). Four different SVM with AL approaches are proposed: 1) random sampling to select the initial pool to begin the AL algorithm; 2) doubling the training instances of Honeycomb to reduce the imbalance ratio before the AL algorithm; 3) a balanced pool with equal number Honeycomb instances and Lung Fibrosis instances; 4) a balanced pool of Honeycomb and Lung Fibrosis and implements balanced sampling throughout the AL algorithm. Grid pixel data of Lung Fibrosis and Honeycomb was extracted from computed tomography (CT) images of 71 patients from 13 clinical centers around the United States to produce a training set of 348 HC and 3009 LF instances and a test set of 291 HC and 2665 LF. From our research, SVM with AL using balanced sampling compared to random sampling increased the sensitivity of HC by 0.56 (0.175 vs. 0.735) and 0.47 (0.23 vs. 0.70) for the original and de-noised dataset respectively. These results show that by implementing SVM with Active Learning paired with balanced sampling, we can improve the prediction performances of unbalanced data classification.
Comparison of IR Techniques for the Characterization of Construction Cement Minerals and Hydrated Products

The influence of FT-IR sampling techniques on the characterization of cement systems was investigated. Three FT-IR techniques were used to study tricalcium silicate (C3S), hydrated C3S, calcium hydroxide, and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H). They include transmission spectroscopy (TS), photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). The TS technique (using KBr pellets) was the most labor-intensive but was found to give the simplest spectra with well-defined bands. The PAS technique was found to be the simplest technique but yielded bands at lower wavenumber than TS. DRIFTS was determined to be a good alternative for cement powders since it provided spectra similar to those for the TS technique. DRIFTS required more sample preparation than PAS but less sample preparation than the KBr pellet technique.
Reaction pathways for intrinsic and extrinsic defect metastability in light-soaked hydrogenated amorphous silicon—the Staebler–Wronski effect

Abstract Reaction pathways are presented for photogeneration of defects in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). Ab initio calculations performed on small molecular clusters demonstrate that proposed pathways are exothermic with reaction barriers of 0.25–0.40 eV. Pathways are based on optical absorption at defect precursors which include Si–H bonds in close proximity to: (i) strained Si–Si bonds, and/or (ii) Si–O–Si (or Si–(NH)–Si) groups. In each instance there is a hydrogen-bonding or weak electrostatic interaction involving the H-atom of the precursor Si–H group with its nearest neighbor. The demarcation between intrinsic and extrinsic pathways is estimated to be at defect concentrations of ∼1019 cm−3.
Portable open-path chemical sensor using a quantum cascade laser

Remote sensing of enemy installations or their movements by trace gas detection is a critical but challenging military objective. Open path measurements over ranges of a few meters to many kilometers with sensitivity in the parts per million or billion regime are crucial in anticipating the presence of a threat. Previous approaches to detect ground level chemical plumes, explosive constituents, or combustion have relied on low-resolution, short range Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), or low-sensitivity near-infrared differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS). As mid-infrared quantum cascade laser (QCL) sources have improved in cost and performance, systems based on QCL's that can be tailored to monitor multiple chemical species in real time are becoming a viable alternative. We present the design of a portable, high-resolution, multi-kilometer open path trace gas sensor based on QCL technology. Using a tunable (1045-1047cm-1) QCL, a modeled atmosphere and link-budget analysis with commercial component specifications, we show that with this approach, accuracy in parts per billion ozone or ammonia can be obtained in seconds at path lengths up to 10 km. We have assembled an open-path QCL sensor based on this theoretical approach at City College of New York, and we present preliminary results demonstrating the potential of QCLs in open-path sensing applications.
Identification of naturally occuring cyclic sulfides in a wilmington, calif., crude oil distillate boiling from iii° to 150° by use of a series of gas-liquid chromatography stationary phases

Abstract This paper describes the positive identification of I8 cyclic sulfides in a Wilmington ,Calif., iii ° to 150° distillate. The systematic procedures employed for separating and identifying the cyclic sulfides included isothermal distillation, vacuum fractionation, liquid—solid chromatograpy (alumina adsorption), gas—liquid chromatography, microdesulfurization, and infrared spectrometry. The isolation of each individual cyclic sulfide required the use of more than one GLC stationary phase. Final identification of isolated sulfides was established by infrared spectral comparisons with reference compounds.
An Institutional Perspective On Communicating Corporate Responsibility

Recent corporate scandals have once again raised questions about the responsibility of corporations to their constituencies. In the past, corporations scandalized the public with the exploitation of workers or the abuse of natural environments. In the most recent scandals, however, corporate leaders and managers have reportedly misstated their firms’ economic worth, hidden liabilities to improve the appearance of economic performance, and allowed privileged insiders to benefit from artificially inflated stock prices. A new example of corporate irresponsibility is the practice of allowing (in some cases requiring) company employees to invest their retirement funds in company stocks to sustain high paper values. In the meantime, privileged executives profit by selling shares before public information brings down the value of the shares and retirement funds. Taken together, these developments raise new questions not only about corporate social responsibility but also about organizational communication theory.
Yield and chemical composition of Cucurbita moschata poir., cultivar butternut, as affected by nitrogen and carbohydrate status of the plants

In order to investigate the effect of the N and carbohydrate status of developing plants ofCucurbita moschata, cultivar Butternut, on yield and chemical composition of the fruits, the foliar N and carbohydrates were varied by means of differential N and moisture supply. Periodic leaf analyses were made up to the time of harvest. When the fruits at harvest were separated into large (1000 or more g) and small (less than 1000 g) squash, number and weight of the large fruits were positively correlated with the N content of the leaves and, conversely, negatively correlated with carbohydrates and C/N ratio. For small fruits the correlations were reversed. The highest r values were obtained when foliar analysis data were used from a sampling date about 7 to 10 days following anthesis of the first pistillate flowers. Thus, leaf analyses about 5 weeks prior to harvest could be used to predict the yield.
Steel Girder Stability during Bridge Erection: AASHTO LRFD Check on L/b Ratios

The erection of steel plate girders during the construction process of a steel bridge is a complex operation, which is often left to the contractor and/or the subcontractor to plan and execute. Rules of thumb have been developed through experience to check the lateral torsional buckling of the steel girder during erection using the maximum L/b (unbraced length/compressive flange width) ratio, below which no lateral torsional buckling would occur. Although the L/b ratio check has proven to be useful and convenient on-site, it is necessary to provide a more rational basis for the rules of thumb, and find the maximum L/b ratios by checking the lateral torsional buckling failure of girders under erection according to the latest AASHTO LRFD code. A series of parametric studies were conducted on cantilever and simply supported girders under self-weight as well as self-weight plus wind load, in order to: (1) check the rules of thumb on L/b ratios and (2) determine the effects of girder flange width, flange thick...
Wavelet domain partition-based image denoising

Wavelet transforms are extensively used for image denoising and compression problems. The sparse property is the major reason for the effectiveness of the nonlinear operation such as thresholding of wavelet-transformed coefficients. Applying the thresholds to all coefficients uniformly, however, produces oversmoothing results on edges, or undersmoothing on uniform regions. Using statistical parameterized models often produces some artifacts because of overparameterizing. Recently, adaptive wavelet thresholding utilizing the correlation of space and adjacent scale has been introduced. This paper introduces a related, but more direct, technique of adaptively processing wavelet coefficients based on partitioning of the coefficient space. In the wavelet domain, the coefficient space is partitioned by a vector quantization method and the mask functions are used to obtain the denoised wavelet coefficients. Simulations show that the proposed technique yields a superior performance compared with current wavelet denoising methods.
Potential effects of global climate change on small north-temperate lakes: Physics, fish, and plankton

A lo-yr record of the thermal characteristics of four lakes at the North-Temperate Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research site was analyzed and used to validate simulations of lake physics with the dynamic reservoir simulation model. Simulations of cool, warm, and intermediate years were rerun with meteorology from four general circulation models with a doubling of CO,. In all simulations with doubled COZ there is an earlier onset of stratification, increased summer epilimnetic temperature (l-7”C), and an increased intensity and longer duration of stratification. Maximum surface temperatures at times may exceed upper lethal limits of warm and cool water fish in some scenarios. Suitable thermal habitat for cold water, cool water, and warm water fish generally increases in all scenarios after climate change. Changes in the vertical migration of Daphnia, however, are expected to vary depending on the interaction of thermal stratification and fish habitat use. In northern Wisconsin lakes with cold water planktivores, habitat overlap between fish and zooplankton is expected to decrease, while in southern Wisconsin lakes habitat overlap is expected to increase. Although most physical responses of lakes to climate change are consistent among all climate scenarios, biological responses will likely be more variable owing to the complex nature of factors determining ecological interactions in lakes.
New technologies for infectious screening of organ donors.

Viral, bacterial, parasitic, prion, and fungal infections, although uncommon, have been transmitted via organ and tissue allografts. Improved screening techniques for infectious diseases in organ donors have helped to reduce disease transmission. Reports of clusters of donor-derived infections illustrate the need to improve the screening of tissue and organ donors. Available microbiologic assays, including molecular tests, are generally designed for use as diagnostic tools in individuals believed to have a specific infection based on clinical or epidemiological criteria. These assays are frequently unsuitable in the screening of deceased organ donors. Nucleic acid testing may reduce the risk of disease transmission by detecting early-stage infection, including those from human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus in the “window” period before antibody seroconversion can be documented. Screening of organ donors for potential pathogens cannot completely exclude the risk of disease transmission. The process of donor screening must continue to evolve with advances in diagnostic technologies for infectious diseases.
Extracellular Calcium Is Required for Copper-Amplified Prostaglandin E2 Stimulation of the Release of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone from Median Eminence Explants*

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is known to stimulate the release of LHRH from hypothalamic tissue incubated under in vitro conditions. We have previously shown that a short preincubation of explants of the median eminence area with copper(II) [Cu(II)] complexed to histidine (CuHis) markedly amplifies PGE2 stimulation of LHRH release. In this study, we wished to ascertain if Cu-amplified PGE2 stimulation of LHRH release is dependent on influx of extracellular calcium (Ca) and, if so, whether it is the copper and/or PGE2 action that is Ca dependent. Median eminence area explants were incubated for 5 min with 200 microM CuHis, then for 15 min with 10 microM PGE2, and finally for 45 min in buffer (Cu/PGE2). Controls were incubated with CuHis or PGE2. In the presence of Ca (1.8 mM), Cu/PGE2 stimulation of LHRH release reached a peak value within 15 min of exposure to PGE2 (accelerated phase), after which the rate of release declined, with a half-life of about 20 min (decelerated phase). In the absence of Ca, Cu/PGE2 stimulation of LHRH release was inhibited by 70% during the accelerated phase, and it was completely inhibited during the decelerated phase. When incubation was carried out in the presence of Ca and 100 microM verapamil, Cu/PGE2 stimulation of LHRH release was similar to that seen in the absence of extracellular Ca. When Ca was omitted from the incubation medium during the exposure to CuHis but was included during and after the exposure to PGE2, the response to PGE2 was fully restored. In addition, we evaluated the extracellular Ca requirement for stimulation of LHRH release by PGE2 alone (without pretreatment with CuHis) and found that release was inhibited by 65% in the absence of Ca. These results indicate that the process of PGE2 stimulation of LHRH release is partially dependent on extracellular Ca, that the process of Cu-amplified PGE2 stimulation of release is highly dependent on influx of extracellular Ca, and that PGE2 action, but not Cu action, is dependent on Ca influx. Since cAMP has been implicated in Ca2+-dependent secretion in other cells, we propose that Cu amplifies the functional state of a postreceptor component involved in the Ca-cAMP secretory pathway stimulated by PGE2.
Surgery Versus Radiation Therapy in Symptomatic Malignant Spinal Cord Compression

Malignant epidural spinal cord compression is an oncologic emergency that often results in pain and neurologic dysfunction, which may be permanent. Few prospective studies have been performed to determine whether surgical intervention confers a significant benefit over radiation therapy. We believe the small amount of existing evidence to support surgical intervention or radiation therapy alone suffers from patient selection bias, and that such bias tends to bear out in practice as well. In addition to the objective benefits achieved by surgical decompression, practitioners need to consider the subjective benefits such as increased ambulatory ability, increased spine stability, and improved pain management provided by timely surgical decompression of metastatic spinal cord lesions.
Azimuthal position dependent optical drop filters based on periodically patterned silicon microring resonators

Using the unique beating patterns in periodically-patterned ring resonators operating in the slow light regime, we demonstrate a novel drop filter with channels outputs depending on the relative azimuthal position between the input and drop port waveguides.
A 21st century northward tropical precipitation shift caused by future anthropogenic aerosol reductions.

The tropical rain belt is a narrow band of clouds near the equator, where the most intense rainfall on the planet occurs. On seasonal timescales, the rain moves across the equator following the Sun, resulting in wet and dry seasons in the tropics. The position of the tropical rain belt also varies on longer timescales. Through the latter half of the twentieth century, for example, shifts in tropical rainfall have been associated with severe droughts, including the African Sahel and Amazon droughts. Here I show that climate models project a northward migration of the tropical rain belt through the 21st century, with future anthropogenic aerosol reductions driving the bulk of the shift. Models that include both aerosol indirect effects yield significantly larger northward shifts than models that lack aerosol indirect effects. Moreover, the rate of the shift corresponds to the rate of the decrease of anthropogenic aerosol emissions across different time periods and future emission scenarios. This response is consistent with relative warming of the Northern Hemisphere, a decrease in northward cross-equatorial moist static energy transport, and a northward shift of the Hadley circulation, including the tropical rain belt. The shift is relatively weak in the Atlantic sector, consistent with both a smaller decrease in aerosol emissions and a larger reduction in northward cross-equatorial ocean heat flux. Although aerosol effects remain uncertain, I conclude that future reductions in anthropogenic aerosol emissions may be the dominant driver of a 21st century northward shift of the tropical rain belt.
First Distance-of-Flight Instrument: Opening a New Paradigm in Mass Spectrometry

A new instrumental concept, distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS), is demonstrated experimentally. In DOFMS the mass-to-charge ratio of ions is determined by the distance each ion travels during a fixed time period; the mass spectrum is then recorded with a position-sensitive detector. The DOF approach provides a new way to separate and quantify components of complex samples. Initial results are demonstrated with a glow discharge ion source and a microchannel plate–phosphor screen detector assembly for atomic ion determination. This detection system demonstrated mass spectral peak widths of approximately 0.65 mm, corresponding to resolving powers of approximately 400–600 for a number of elemental samples.
Role of lysophosphatidic acid receptor LPA2 in the development of allergic airway inflammation in a murine model of asthma

Background Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) plays a critical role in airway inflammation through G protein-coupled LPA receptors (LPA1-3). We have demonstrated that LPA induced cytokine and lipid mediator release in human bronchial epithelial cells. Here we provide evidence for the role of LPA and LPA receptors in Th2-dominant airway inflammation.
THE BEHAVIOR OF ISOLATED HEARTS OF THE GRASSHOPPER, CHORTOPHAGA VIRIDIFASCIATA, AND THE MOTH, SAMIA WALKERI, IN SOLUTIONS WITH DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF SODIUM, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM, AND MAGNESIUM

1. The blood of Chortophaga viridifasciata was analyzed. The average concentrations of inorganic cations expressed as milligrams per cent are: sodium, 250.66; potassium, 13.52; calcium, 11.40; and magnesium, 51.15. The osmotic pressure of the blood at 0°C. is 10.7 atmospheres. Protein and non-protein nitrogen, expressed as milligrams per cent, are 253.4 and 140.0, respectively. 2. The blood of Samia walkeri has an osmotic pressure of 13.36 atmospheres at 0°C. Its protein nitrogen is 628.58, and its non-protein nitrogen, 441.20 milligrams per cent. 3. The effects of isotonic chloride solutions of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium and of distilled water on the heart beat of these two species were determined. The heart of the grasshopper failed to beat in isotonic solutions of KCl, MgCl2, or in distilled water. For both insects, sodium was found to be the least toxic ion. In the case of the grasshopper, calcium ranks next in order. In the case of the moth, potassium ranks next after sodium and is followed by calcium and magnesium. 4. The ratio of sodium to potassium in milligrams per cent, necessary for maintaining the normal heart beat of Chortophaga viridifasciata is 3 to 1, but it may be increased to at least 34 to 1 without any appreciable effects. The ratio of potassium to calcium necessary for maintaining the normal heart beat of this insect is 1 to 1, and may be increased to as much as 3 to 1. 5. The ratio of sodium to potassium, in milligrams per cent, necessary for maintaining the normal heart beat of Samia walkeri was found to be equal to or to exceed 1 to 13.8. The sodium content may be increased so that the ratio of sodium to potassium is 34 to 1 without any toxic effects. The ratios of potassium to calcium required for normal heart beat in this insect may be 1 to 1, 2 to 1, or 3 to 1. 6. The hearts of the grasshoppers beat normally in isotonic solutions having an osmotic pressure of 10.7 atmospheres. They beat equally well in solutions having an osmotic pressure of 13.4 atmospheres. The hearts of the cynthia pupae beat normally in isotonic solutions having an osmotic pressure of 13.36 atmospheres. However, they also beat normally in solutions having an osmotic pressure of 10.02 atmospheres. Therefore, although the blood of the cynthia moth and of the grasshopper have different osmotic pressures, their hearts are tolerant to solutions having the same tonicity. Because of this, and since the ratios of potassium to calcium necessary for maintaining normal heart beats of both insects are the same, solutions favorable to the grasshopper may also be favorable to the cynthia moth.
Halothane Requirement during Pregnancy and Lactation in Rats

Near-term pregnancy is associated with a decrease in the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for halothane in ewes. Although increased progesterone levels might account for this change, a correlation between MAC and the known variations of progesterone levels which occur throughout gestation and the postpartum period has not been performed. Therefore, MAC for halothane was determined in nonpregnant, 10 days pregnant, term, and postpartum lactating rats. MAC values were significantly decreased by 19 per cent on the tenth day of pregnancy, and by 16 per cent at term, but they returned to control values 5 days postpartum. These changes did not correlate with the known changes in progesterone levels during pregnancy and lactation, and the authors conclude that progesterone is not responsible for the reduction in halothane MAC.
Mature Black Cherry Used as a Bioindicator of Ozone Injury

Incidence and severity of foliar symptoms due to ambient ozone exposures were documented on mature black cherry (Prunus serotina) in two National Parks [Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) and Shenandoah National Park (SHEN)] in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern USA during the summer of 1991-1993. Three plots in each park containing 30 trees each (Big Meadows in SHEN had 60 trees) with 90 and 120 trees total trees were evaluated in GRSM and SHEN, respectively. Plots were established at different elevations adjacent to ozone monitoring stations. Samples of foliage were collected and three exposed branches from the upper- crown and three branches from the mid-to-lower crown were examined for symptoms of foliar ozone injury. Incidence was greatest in 1991 at both locations; 60% and 45% for GRSM and SHEN, respectively. In 1992 and 1993, incidence was very similar in both parks, with approximately 33% of the trees affected. Black cherry at the highest elevations exhibited the greatest amount of symptoms in both parks all three years of the study. These sites also exhibited the highest ozone concentrations. In addition, the percent of trees injured by ozone was positively correlated with SUM06 and W126. These results along with forest surveys and open-top chamber studies indicate that black cherry may be a reliable bioindicator of foliar injury due to ambient ozone.
Signatures and Methods for the Automated Nondestructive Assay of ${\rm UF}_{6}$ Cylinders at Uranium Enrichment Plants

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors currently perform periodic inspections at uranium enrichment plants to verify UF6 cylinder enrichment declarations. Measurements are typically performed with handheld high-resolution sensors on a sampling of cylinders taken to be representative of the facility's entire cylinder inventory. These measurements are time-consuming, expensive, and assay only a small fraction of the total cylinder volume. An automated nondestructive assay system capable of providing enrichment measurements over the full volume of the cylinder could improve upon current verification practices in terms of manpower and assay accuracy. The 185-keV emission from U-235 is utilized in today's cylinder measurements, but augmenting this “traditional” signature with more-penetrating “non-traditional” signatures could help to achieve full-volume assay in an automated system. This paper describes the study of non-traditional signatures that include neutrons produced by F-19 (α, n) reactions (spawned primarily from U-234 alpha emission) and the high-energy gamma rays (extending up to 8 MeV) induced by those neutrons when they interact in the cylinder wall and nearby materials. The potential of these non-traditional signatures and assay methods for automated cylinder verification is explored using field measurements on a small population of cylinders ranging from 2.0% to 5% in U-235 enrichment. The standard deviation of the non-traditional high-energy gamma-ray assay approach was 4.7% relative to the declared cylinder enrichments; the standard deviation of the traditional enrichment meter approach using a well-collimated high-resolution spectrometer was 4.3%. The prospect of using the non-traditional high-energy gamma-ray signature in concert with the traditional 185-keV signature to reduce the uncertainty of automated cylinder assay is discussed.
The Decision to Publish an Avian H7N1 Influenza Virus Gain-of-Function Experiment

Dr. Simon Wain-Hobson has written an opinion piece (1) questioning the decision of the American Society for Microbiology to publish in the Journal of Virology a paper by Sutton et al. that reports mutations in H7N1 influenza virus associated with airborne transmission in ferrets (2). We, the group of editors constituting an ASM committee that evaluates papers containing potential dual-use research of concern (DURC), provide responses to the three main concerns offered by Dr. Wain-Hobson and explain the rationale underlying the decision to publish this paper. The underlying science.Dr. Wain-Hobson questions the importance of this work given the paucity of human infections with H7N1 influenza virus and the absence of human-to-human transmission of H7N1 strains. There appears to be confusion between the scientific value and rigor of the work and the medical importance of the virus studied. We used standard practice to assess the scientific quality of the Sutton et al. (2) study, which consisted of anonymous review by experts in the field and editorial evaluation of those reviews. The paper was reviewed twice by three senior influenza virologists with ample experience in studies of influenza transmission and pathogenesis. These reviewers concurred that the results were novel, significant, and scientifically sound. Furthermore, the experiments described are consistent with normative and epistemic standards …