cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient Algorithms for Least-Squares Restoration

This paper introduces a new algorithm for the restoration of black and white photographic images that have been distorted by linear blurs and additive noise. The algorithm is iterative and particularly efficient for one-dimensional causal distortions, such as motion blur, and one- and two-dimensional symmetric distortions, such as out-of-focus blurs. It involves solving sets of Toeplitz or block Toeplitz linear equations. The algorithm is illustrated using an example involving motion blur.
Two-level non-overlapping Schwarz preconditioners for a discontinuous Galerkin approximation of the Biharmonic equation

We present some two-level non-overlapping additive and multiplicative Schwarz methods for a discontinuous Galerkin method for solving the biharmonic equation. We show that the condition numbers of the preconditioned systems are of the order O( H3/h3) for the non-overlapping Schwarz methods, where h and H stand for the fine mesh size and the coarse mesh size, respectively. The analysis requires establishing an interpolation result for Sobolev norms and Poincare--Friedrichs type inequalities for totally discontinuous piecewise polynomial functions. It also requires showing some approximation properties of the multilevel hierarchy of discontinuous Galerkin finite element spaces.
C4 photosynthetic modifications in the evolutionary transition from land to water in aquatic grasses.

Cladistic analysis supports the conclusion that the Orcuttieae tribe of C4 grasses reflect evolution from a terrestrial ancestry into seasonal pools. All nine species in the tribe exhibit adaptations to the aquatic environment, evident in the structural characteristics of the juvenile foliage, which persist submerged for 1–3 months prior to metamorphosis to the terrestrial foliage. Aquatic leaves of the least derived or basal genus Neostapfia have few morphological and anatomical characteristics specialized to the aquatic environment and have retained full expression of the C4 pathway, including Kranz anatomy. Orcuttia species have many derived characteristics and are more specialized to the aquatic environment. These latter species germinate earlier in the season and persist in the submerged stage longer than Neostapfia and evidence from the literature indicates length of submergence is positively correlated with fitness components. Aquatic leaves of Orcuttia species lack Kranz or PCR bundle sheath anatomy, yet 14C-pulse chase studies indicate >95% malate + aspartate as the initial products of photosynthesis and these products turn over rapidly to phosphorylated sugars, indicating a tight coupling of the C4 and C3 cycles. Presence of the C4 pathway is further supported by enzymological data. Contemporary dogma that Kranz anatomy is a sine qua non for operation of the C4 pathway is contradicted by the patterns in Orcuttia; however, it is unknown whether the pathway acts as a CO2 concentrating mechanism in these aquatic plants.
Housing for the Mentally Ill: An Unexpected Outcome of a Class-Action Suit Against SSA

The courts often seem blunt instruments indeed for ensuring the rights of the mentally ill. Cases take years to wind their way to resolution, frequently turning on technicalities of law to the exclusion of moral judgments about the rights and wrongs of the issue. Even when decisions endorse the rights asserted on behalf of mentally ill persons, their implementation-as in the right-to-treatment cases-can be problematic, dependent on the willingness of legislative and administrative bodies to carry out the courts’ decrees. And of course whether rights claimed for the mentally ill actually rebound to their benefit is a matter of dispute.
Semi-supervised classification of terrain features in polarimetric SAR images using H/A/α and the general four-component scattering power decompositions

In an effort to enhance image classification of terrain features in fully polarimetric SAR images, this paper explores the utility of combining the results of two state-of-the-art decompositions along with a semi-supervised classification algorithm to classify each pixel in an image. Each pixel is labeled either with a pre-determined classification label, or labeled as unknown.
The oxygen isotope record in Murchison and other carbonaceous chondrites

Abstract The ranges of δ18O and δ17O in components of the Murchison (C2) chondrite exceed those in all other meteorites analyzed. Previous authors have proposed that C2 chondrites are the products of aqueous alteration of anhydrous silicates. A model is presented to determine whether the isotopic variations can be understood in terms of such alteration processes. The minimum number (two) of initial isotopic reservoirs is assumed. Two major stages of reservoir interaction are required: one at high temperature to produce the16O-mixing line observed for the anhydrous minerals, and another at low temperature to produce the matrix minerals. The isotopic compositions severely constrain the conditions of the low-temperature process, requiring temperatures 44%. Extension of the model to the data on C1 chondrites requires aqueous alteration in a warmer, wetter environment.
Tyrosine phosphorylation controls nuclear export of Fyn, allowing Nrf2 activation of cytoprotective gene expression

Fyn, an Src kinase family member, acts as a negative regulator of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Under stressful conditions, Nrf2 translocates into the nucleus and binds to the antioxidant response element (ARE), activating defensive gene expression. Once Nrf2 completes activation, Fyn phosphorylates tyrosine 568 of Nrf2, resulting in the nuclear export and degradation of Nrf2. The present studies demonstrate that within 0.5 h of antioxidant treatment in human hepatoblastoma (HepG2) cells, Fyn exports out of the nucleus, allowing Nrf2 unimpeded movement to the ARE. Mutation of tyrosine 213 of Fyn stymied nuclear export, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation controls nuclear export. Mass spectrometry confirmed tyrosine 213 as the site of phosphorylation. ChIP and real-time PCR assays revealed that FynY213A mutant caused decreased binding of Nrf2 to the promoter of defensive gene NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and decreased NQO1 expression by 5-fold (P<0.0001) compared to wild-type Fyn. In addition, a putative nuclear export signal (NES) was identified, and mutation of it also inhibited nuclear export of Fyn. Furthermore, FynY213A caused an increased susceptibility to cell death following treatment with etoposide in mouse hepatoma (Hepa-1) cells. The preinduction regulation of Nrf2 is controlled by the nuclear export of Fyn, allowing for activation of defensive gene expression.—Kaspar, J. W., Jaiswal, A. K. Tyrosine phosphorylation controls nuclear export of Fyn, allowing Nrf2 activation of cytoprotective gene expression.
Localization of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha and c-ret mRNA in rat central nervous system.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a neurotrophic factor that influences the survival and function of several neuronal populations in the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems. The actions of GDNF are mediated by a multicomponent receptor complex composed of the tyrosine kinase product of c-ret and the ligand-binding protein GDNF receptor alpha (GDNFR-α). In the present study, we used in situ hybridization to localize cells expressing the mRNA for these GDNF receptor subunits in rat CNS. As reported previously, GDNFR-α and c-ret mRNA are present in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, regions containing GDNF-responsive dopamine neurons. However, both mRNA were found in motor neurons of spinal cord and brainstem nuclei that innervate skeletal muscle. These areas include alpha motor neurons in the ventral horn of spinal cord and neurons in hypoglossal, facial, trigeminal, and abducens nuclei. In areas rostral to the substantia nigra, c-ret mRNA is not detected, whereas GDNFR-α is found in numerous brain structures, including the hippocampus, cortex, medial geniculate, and the medial habenula, the latter area expressing the highest levels of GDNFR-α mRNA in brain. These results provide evidence that c-ret and GDNFR-α mRNA are expressed in neuronal populations involved in motor function and provides further support for GDNF as a target-derived neurotrophic for these motor neurons. The observation that GDNFR-α mRNA is localized in several brain structures that do not contain detectable levels of c-ret mRNA indicates that either GDNFR-α utilizes signal transduction molecules other than c-ret in these areas or that other GDNF-like ligands that utilize GDNFR-α as a receptor may be present. J. Comp. Neurol. 391:42–49, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Guidelines for sizing traffic queues in terminals of future protected satcom systems

Future Military Satellite Communication systems will feature Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA) uplinks in which uplink resources will be granted on demand to each terminal by a centralized resource controller. Due to the time-shared nature of the uplink, a terminal will not be constantly transmitting. It will only transmit in its assigned timeslots so as not to cause interference to other terminal transmissions. Packets arriving at a terminal during idle transmission periods will have to be buffered or queued, potentially in a terminal router, else they will be dropped. At the next assigned timeslot these queues will be serviced via a queue scheduling policy that maintains Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements to the different traffic classes. These queues must be sized large enough to ensure no packet loss when operating in an uncongested state; how large is a function of the distribution of timeslots assigned to the terminal. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between timeslot assignment distributions and queue requirements of a terminal router, providing insight of how to size router queues given an assigned timeslot distribution, or reciprocally, constraints placed on timeslot distribution given a set queue size, in order to avoid packet loss.
Effect of composition and nonideal solution behavior on desalination calculations for mixed electrolyte solutions with comparison to seawater

Abstract Proper evaluation of physical properties of aqueous solutions is essential in the analysis of desalination systems. While standard seawater property data are readily accessible, they are generally not accurate for aqueous solutions requiring desalination that have significantly different composition than seawater. Since experimental data for a given solution may be unavailable under the conditions of interest, thermodynamic models are needed for relevant physical properties, particularly, activity and fugacity coefficients. Effects of composition and nonidealities in mixed electrolyte solutions are considered through a parametric study of the least work of separation. Conditions under which existing single electrolyte solution models, including ideal solution approximation, Debye–Huckel theory (Davies equation), and Pitzer's ionic interaction model, are valid when analyzing mixed electrolyte solutions are examined by comparing them to the Pitzer–Kim mixed electrolyte model. It is found that single electrolyte models often result in greater error than the ideal solution approximation when studying all but the most dilute mixed electrolyte solutions. Additionally, an effective molality can be used with the Pitzer model to increase the accuracy of the single electrolyte model as applied to mixed electrolytes. Finally, composition is a significant variable in the overall work of separation requirements.
The Expression of Small Heat Shock Proteins in Seeds Responds to Discrete Developmental Signals and Suggests a General Protective Role in Desiccation Tolerance

To learn more about the function and regulation of small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) during seed development, we studied sHSP expression in wild-type and seed maturation mutants of Arabidopsis by western analysis and using an HSP17.4 promoter-driven β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene in transgenic plants. In the absence of stress, GUS activity increases during development until the entire embryo is stained before desiccation. Heat-stressed embryos stained for GUS at all stages, including early stages that showed no detectable HSP17.4::GUS activity without heat. Examination of HSP17.4 expression in seeds of the transcriptional activator mutants abi3-6 , fus3-3 (AIMS no. CS8014/N8014), and lec1-2 (AIMS no. CS2922/N2922) showed that protein and HSP17.4::GUS activity were highly reduced in fus3-3 and lec1-2 and undetectable in abi3-6 seeds. In contrast, heat-stressed abi3-6 , fus3-3 , and lec1-2 seeds stained for GUS activity throughout the embryo. These data indicate that there is distinct developmental and stress regulation of HSP17.4, and imply that ABI3 activates HSP17.4 transcription during development. Quantitation of sHSP protein in desiccation-intolerant seeds of abi3-6 , fus3-3 , lec1-2 , and line24 showed that all had emb266 (AIMS no. CS3049/N3049) and lec2-1 (AIMS no. CS2728/N2728) had wild-type levels of HSP17.4. These data correlate a reduction in sHSPs with desiccation intolerance and suggest that sHSPs have a general protective role throughout the seed.
Synergism and photocatalytic water splitting to hydrogen over M/TiO2 catalysts: Effect of initial particle size of TiO2

Abstract In order to study the effect of anatase/rutile phases of TiO2 on the photo-catalytic production of hydrogen (often invoked as synergism) two series of Pt/TiO2 materials were prepared. The initial phase of TiO2 in both series is anatase but their particle size is different. In one case the mean particle size of TiO2 is ca. 15–20 nm (nano) and in the other it is ca. 100 nm (micro). Before the deposition of Pt, the two semiconductors (nano and micro) were heated to elevated temperatures to obtain partial (and total) transformation of the anatase phase to the rutile phase (UV–vis, XRD, XPS-valence band). On this differently prepared mixed phases Pt was deposited (ca. 1 at.%; corrected XPS Pt4f/Ti2p = ca. 0.05) and each series was tested for the photocatalytic production of hydrogen from water in presence of ethanol (5 vol.%) as a sacrificial agent (under identical conditions). Based on rates per unit mass no synergism for hydrogen production was seen in both cases; this is in part due to the decrease in the BET surface area during the phase transformation. However, strong synergism was observed for hydrogen production rates per unit area when the initial starting semiconductor was anatase nano (while no synergism seen in the case of the micro crystals). Maximum rate observed was in the 10–30% rutile range. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.
Metabolism of progesterone by rat testicular homogenates III. Inhibitory effects of intermediates and other steroids

Abstract Rat testicular homogenates were indubated with various labeled steroids and the metabolic products isolated by thin-layer chromatography. Progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone acetate and methyl 3-oxoandrost-4-ene-17β-carboxylate were found to inhibit the utilization of progesterone-4-14C. Methyl 3-oxoandrost-4-ene-17β-carboxylate and testosterone acetate, not known to be participants in the normal pathways of progesterone metabolism in the testis, had the greatest inhibitory effects; the former compound also inhibited the metabolism of 17-hydroxypro-gesterone-4-14 C, androstenedione-4-14C and testosterone-4-14C. Androstenedione and testosterone had very little effect. These results suggest that neither testosterone nor androstenedione is involved in specific end-product inhibition of the conversion of progesterone to its testicular metabolites. However, the present results indicate that 17-hydroxyprogesterone may possibly play such a role through its inhibitory effect on the 17-hydroxylation of progesterone.
MANET: Applications, Issues and Challenges for the Future

This paper presents the current state of the art of mobile ad hoc network and some important problems and challenges related to routing, power management, location management as well as multimedia over ad hoc networks. A mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is a temporary self-organizing network of wireless mobile nodes without the support of any existing infrastructure that may be readily available on the conventional networks. Since there is no fixed infrastructure available for MANET with nodes being mobile, routing becomes a very important issue. In addition, we also explain the various emerging applications and future trends of MANET.
On cleaving a planar graph

Abstract We first show that the removal of 4√ n / ϵ vertices from an n -vertex planar graph with non-negative vertex weights summing to no more than 1 is sufficient to cleave or recursively separate it into components of weight no more than a given ϵ , thus improving on the 2√6 √ n / ϵ bound shown in [6]. We then derive worst-case bounds on the number of vertices necessary to separate a planar graph of a given radius into components of weight no more than ϵ .
A simple method for the assay of bile salt sulfotransferase using glycolithocholate coupled to Sepharose.

Abstract A simple procedure is described for measuring bile salt sulfotransferase. The system used glycolithocholate coupled to Sepharose as substrate. The assay is carried out directly in the scintillation counting vials. It is easy to perform and reproducible; and the results are comparable to those obtained from other established procedures. There is no thin-layer chromatographic separation of the reaction products.
The effects of dorsal hippocampal lesions on reinforcement shifts.

This experiment attempted to clarify the effects of dorsal hippocampal lesions on a lick-rate response to reinforcement shifts. Rats received preshift solutions of either 4% or 32% sucrose and were then shifted to the opposite concentration. The results indicated (1) that Ss shifted to the increased concentration quickly adjusted to the control levels, and (2) a negative contrast effect (NCE) for both hippocampal and sham downshift groups. These results are in contrast to earlier failures to find a NCE in hippocampal Ss (Franchina & Brown, 1971; Murphy & Brown, 1970). It was proposed that the immediate feedback inherent in the licking response resulted in the standard contrast effect not found when longer ITIs are introduced.
Electrophysiologic actions of pirmenol in dogs with recent myocardial infarction

The electrophysiologic actions of pirmenol, an investigational class I antiarrhythmic agent, were evaluated in eight anesthetized dogs, 5 to 10 days after anterior myocardial infarction. Before administration of the drug, programmed ventricular stimulation failed to initiate nonsustained or sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) in any of the postinfarction dogs. After the cumulative administration of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg pirmenol, programmed stimulation initiated sustained VT in six of the eight postinfarction dogs tested, with one additional dog responding with reproducible nonsustained VT (15 to 20 monomorphic complexes) after pirmenol administration. Only one of eight postinfarction dogs tested remained noninducible throughout the pirmenol dosing schedule. Administration of pirmenol tended to increase ventricular excitation thresholds, relative (p less than 0.05 after 10 mg/kg) and effective refractory periods in ischemically injured ventricular myocardium, and increased the difference or disparity in relative (p less than 0.05 after 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) and effective (p less than 0.01 after 2.5, 5, and 10, mg/kg) refractory periods between ischemically injured and normal noninjured ventricular myocardium. These findings suggest a potential for the provocation or aggravation of ventricular arrhythmias by pirmenol in the setting of recent myocardial infarction.
Mid-Wave and Long-Wave Infrared Dualband Megapixel QWIP Focal Plane Array

Mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) 1024x1024 pixel InGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs based quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal planes and a 320x256 pixel dual-band pixel co-registered simultaneous QWIP focal plane array have been demonstrated as pathfinders. In this paper, we discuss the development of 1024x1024 MWIR/LWIR dual-band pixel co-registered simultaneous QWIP focal plane array.
Reduced Th1 and enhanced Th2 immunity after immunization with Alzheimer's β-amyloid1–42

Abstract It has been demonstrated that immunization of transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with amyloid-β 1–42 peptide (Aβ 1–42 ) results in prevention of Aβ plaque formation and amelioration of established plaques in the brain. As the response of the T lymphocyte helper (Th) arm of the immune response had not yet been investigated after Aβ immunization, we i.p. immunized C57BL/6 mice with Aβ 1–42 , Aβ 1–40 , or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and examined markers of Th1 and Th2 immune responses in spleen and in splenocytes from these mice. Spleens from Aβ 1–42 -immunized mice demonstrated decreased interleukin-12 receptor beta chain expression compared to mice immunized with Aβ 1–40 or PBS. Consistently, following stimulation with concanavalin A or anti-CD3 antibody, primary splenocytes from Aβ 1–42 -immunized mice demonstrated elevated secretion of interleukin-4 and interleukin-10, and decreased levels of interferon-γ. To validate this Th1→Th2 shift in a transgenic mouse model of AD, we immunized Tg APP sw mice (line 2576) with Aβ 1–42 and found decreased Th1 (interleukin-2 and interferon-γ) and elevated Th2 (interleukin-4 and interleukin-10) cytokines in their stimulated primary splenocytes. Interferon-γ was markedly reduced and interleukin-10 was increased in blood plasma from these mice, effects that were associated with dramatically mitigated Aβ deposition after Aβ 1–42 immunization. Taken together, these results show enhanced Th2 and down-regulated Th1 immunity following immune challenge with Aβ 1–42 .
Detrital record of the Gravina arc, southeastern Alaska: Petrology and provenance of Seymour Canal Formation sandstones

Sandstones of the Upper Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous Seymour Canal Formation (northern Gravina belt, southeastern Alaska) are volcaniclastic wackes. They exhibit a variably developed solution cleavage and zeolite- to low-greenschist-grade metamorphic assemblages. Point counts of 37 lithofeldspathic sandstones, spanning the unit9s stratigraphic range, yield framework modes typical of detritus shed from undissected arc sources (Q 4 F 40 L 56 , Qm 3 F 40 Lt 57 , Qm 8 P 91 K 1 , Qp 3 Lvm 91 Lsm 6 ) with only minor detritus characteristic of older terranes or continental-margin sources. Sandstones of the dominant thinly bedded turbidite lithology were derived almost exclusively from the contemporaneous Gravina arc. In contrast, sandstones of channelized conglomeratic facies are richer in quartz, sedimentary, metasedimentary, and plutonic detritus derived from basement terrane(s). The compositional heterogeneity and grain size of conglomeratic facies are consistent with derivation from local source areas, and we interpret them to reflect minor unroofing of the Alexander terrane and the superposed Gravina arc, mostly during Early Cretaceous time. A distinctive, although volumetrically minor, clinopyroxene-rich sandstone petrofacies signals a change in modal expression of source-area volcanism during the Cretaceous, and it probably records initial eruption of pyroxene-rich basalts of the mid-Cretaceous Douglas Island Volcanics. Supracrustal records preserved in the Nutzotin Mountains sequence, Dezadeash flysch, and Gravina sequence are also dominated by shallow-level arc detritus, although coeval supracrustal units on the Insular terrane of British Columbia reflect deeper incision of arc basement, possibly due to along-strike variation in arc geometries or tectonics of the Jura- Cretaceous Insular terrane.
Attention enhancing effects of methylphenidate are age-dependent.

Abstract The psychostimulant methylphenidate (MPH, Ritalin®) is used to treat a variety of cognitive disorders. MPH is also popular among healthy individuals, including the elderly, for its ability to focus attention and improve concentration, but these effects have not been shown to be comparable between aged and adult subjects. Thus, we tested whether MPH would improve performance in sustained attention in both adult and aged rats. In addition, we tested the impact of visual distraction on performance in this task and the ability of MPH to mitigate the effects of distraction. Adult (6–12 months) and aged (18–22 months) male Sprague–Dawley rats were given oral MPH, and their cognitive and motor abilities were tested. Results suggest that while MPH improves task performance in adults; there is no improvement in the aged animals. These outcomes suggest that the use of MPH for cognitive enhancement in elderly individuals may be ineffective.
Comprehensive Planning and Sustainability in Georgia's Exurbs

This study examines how well Georgia's exurbs in the US promote sustainable development. We assessed 22 exurban plans in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area using an established content analysis method and compared sustainability scores of the exurban plans with those of other city and township plans. The key finding is that Georgia's state-based comprehensive planning programme enhances the sustainability scores of exurban plans by providing a guideline for local comprehensive planning efforts. However, exurban plans do not provide balanced support of sustainability principles but rather they focus on creating livable built environments.
Models and Modelling for Manpower Planning

Some parts of the long-range planning problem have been widely discussed. Other parts have received less attention. Of the relatively neglected areas, one of special importance is manpower planning. Manpower planning includes a specification of the kinds and numbers of men an organization will need to accomplish its profit, growth, or service objectives; a forecast from current personnel inventories of how well it is now set to meet the projected needs; and by a comparison of needs with forecasted supply, the formulation of plans for recruiting, assigning, and developing personnel. This paper explores some issues in manpower planning. We review some of the kinds of approaches that have been tried and look in some detail at two approaches which seem especially promising.
A thermodynamic analysis of the Al-Re system

Phase equilibria and thermodynamic data of the Al-Re system are critically reviewed. In addition to the three solution phases, liquid, fcc Al, and hcp Re, there exist six intermetallic compounds in this binary. The thermodynamic properties of the system are analyzed using thermodynamic models for the Gibbs energy of individual phases of the system. A regular solution model is used for the three substitutional solution phases, and the intermetallic phases are treated as stoichiometric compounds. The model parameters are optimized from a limited amount of experimental data. The calculated phase diagram and thermodynamic values are in accord with the available experimental values.
Responses of hypothalamic paraventricular neurons in vitro to norepinephrine and other feeding-relevant agents.

Abstract To investigate paraventricular hypothalamic neuronal actions responsible for the effects of neurotransmitters on feeding, and to test the notion that a single population of cells there could account for feeding effects, hypothalamic slices containing the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were prepared from rats. Electrophysiological responses of individual PVN neurons to feeding-inducing agents norepinephrine (NE) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and to anorexic agents serotonin (5-HT) and histamine (Hist) were examined. NE inhibited neuronal activity through α 2 -adrenergic receptors, and excited through α 1 -receptors. α 2 -receptors are known to mediate the behavioral effect of NE. NE inhibited most clearly those neurons that otherwise fired continuously in this type of in vitro preparation. GABA affected the activity of 37% of the neurons tested, primarily by inhibition. The inhibitory action of GABA can be related to its feeding-inducing effect. GABA in PVN can also attenuate excitatory responses and enhance inhibitory responses to NE or 5-HT. 5-HT caused excitatory and inhibitory responses with the former action outnumbering the latter by approximately 3 to 1. Since this would result in a net excitation, it appears that 5-HT in PVN inhibits feeding mainly by exciting neuronal activity. Hist excited 72% and inhibited only 2% of PVN neurons. The excitation was blocked by H 1 -antagonists, which have been shown to mediate Hist effect on feeding. Comparing across neurons, the inhibitory response to NE was correlated with that to GABA, but not with any responses to 5-HT or Hist. The excitatory responses to Hist correlated with 5-HT responses. Because the several feeding-inducing and feeding-reducing types of PVN responses are not all appropriately correlated with each other, it is not possible to maintain the notion that a single population of PVN neurons accounts for all transmitter effects there on feeding. Instead, these electrophysiological results suggest that there are at least two kinds of feeding-relevant neurons in the PVN, and that feeding-inducing agents stimulate feeding by inhibiting one, while the anorexic agents depress feeding by exciting the other.
Determining the sensitive developmental stages of intersex induction in medaka (Oryzias latipes) exposed to 17β-estradiol or testosterone

Abstract Certain environmentally persistent compounds can adversely affect reproduction by acting as steroid hormone agonists or antagonists. The goal of the present study was to determine the developmental stage most susceptible to exogenous hormone (estradiol and testosterone) exposure using a small teleost model. In the first (pilot study) of two experiments, medaka (Oryzias latipes), at varying developmental stages, were bath-exposed to 5 μg/l 17β-estradiol for 24 h. At 5 months of age, fecundity, fertility and embryo and larval viability (reproductive success) were investigated in control and exposed groups. Fish at 1, 1.5, 2 and 5.5 months of age were also sampled, processed and examined histologically for gonadal alteration. No significant differences in mortality, gonadal morphology, body weight, sex-ratio or time to maturity were seen between control and exposed fish. At 5 months, however, when exposure groups were compared to controls, significant differences were seen in reproductive success and viability of offspring. A second experiment exposed embryo stage 10, and 1-, 7- and 21-day-old larvae for 6 days to 15 μg/l 17β-estradiol or 100 μg/l testosterone. No significant differences were seen at 5 months in mortality, body weight, or time to sexual maturity. However, sex-ratios were significantly biased toward female in the stage 10, 1- and 7-day post-hatch estradiol exposure groups. No significant changes in sex-ratio were associated with testosterone exposure at any developmental stage. Further, intersex gonads were observed in fish from all groups exposed to 15 μg/l estradiol. Only those fish exposed as newly hatched fry or at 1 week post-hatch displayed intersex gonads following 100 μg/l testosterone exposure. Data from these experiments show that newly hatched fry are that life stage most sensitive to hormone exposure and the most appropriate to use in determining effects of known endocrine-disrupting compounds.
Safety of Feeding Aflatoxin-Inactivated Corn to White Leghorn Layer-Breeders

Abstract A two-year study was conducted to investigate the safety of feeding corn ammoniated to inactivate aflatoxins to White Leghorn layer-breeders. Four types of corn were used: 1) normal corn (control); 2) ammoniated control corn; 3) aflatoxin contaminated corn (754 ppb); and 4) ammoniated aflatoxin corn (resulting in an aflatoxin level of 3.5 ppb). Corn made up 66.3% of the total diet, resulting in an aflatoxin level in the feed of 500 ppb and 2.3 ppb for treatments 3 and 4, respectively. The study consisted of two trials each with a duration of ten 28-day periods. White Leghorn pullets used in the study were 26 weeks of age at the start of the first trial and 22 weeks of age at the start of the second trial. The birds receiving the ammoniated corn showed no deleterious effects on production, egg quality, reproduction, feed consumed per dozen eggs, or mortality rates. There was a trend for these birds, especially the aflatoxin-ammoniated group, to consume less feed and gain less body weight during the trial. However, as noted above, this did not cause any problems with other parameters. Therefore, these data indicate that corn treated by the ammoniation process used in this study would be safe in White Leghorn layer-breeder diets at levels up to 66.3% of the total diet. The presence of aflatoxin in the feed (500 ppb) did not cause any serious problems. Differences were observed for each of the following parameters but the differences were usually small and statistically significant in only one trial of the study: reduced egg weight (second trial), reduced total mass of eggs produced (second trial), increased percentage of blood spots (second trial), reduced feed consumption per bird per day (second trial), and reduced day-old chick weight (first trial).
Correction: Effects of Acyclovir and Meperidine

Excerpt To the editor: Two errors appeared in our letter in the December issue (1). The last two sentences of the fourth paragraph should read: "Tremors, myoclonus, seizures, and depressed consciou...
Segregation for endosperm lysine in F2, F3 and F4 progeny from a cross of in vitro-selected and unselected cultivar of rice

Lysine is a limiting amino acid for optimal nutritional quality in rice grain. In vitro selections using inhibitory levels of lysine plus threonine or s-aminoethylcysteine allow the predictable recovery of variants with elevated levels of lysine and protein. These methods may generate useful starting germplasm for plant breeders. This study was conducted to define the genetics of lysine mutants in progeny from crosses of mutants derived from cells cultured in vitro in the presence of inhibitory levels of lysine plus threonine and s-(2-aminoethyl)-cysteine. In vitro selections produce a wide range of mutants, including endosperm mutants with elevated lysine and protein levels as well as mutants for high and low seed weights. Mutants were analyzed for lysine content by the endosperm half-seed method in which the halves without the embryo were ground and acid hydrolyzed for amino acid determinations. The halves with the embryos were preserved for later germination. In two different F2 populations derived from a cross of a selected mutant x M-101, a parental marker, there was an inverse relationship between seed weight and percent lysine in endosperm protein (R2 0.52 and 0.56). The F2 segregation patterns show that elevated lysine is inherited as a recessive gene and that increased lysine is correlated with decreased seed size. F3 and F4 data provide evidence for the transmission of high lysine genes to advanced germplasm in rice. This work supports our earlier conclusions that high lysine phenotypes can be recovered predictably from in vitro selections. The elevated lysine phenotypes are frequently, but not exclusively, associated with opaque seed. Some segregants from crosses produced increased lysine in plants with near normal seed weight and good fertility.
The Mayo Ventilator-Dependent Rehabilitation Unit: A 5-Year Experience

Objective To describe the outcomes of 206 patients admitted to the Mayo Ventilator-Dependent Rehabilitation Unit (VDRU) during a 5-year study period. Design We analyze the patient data for 1990 through 1994, which had been prospectively entered into a computer database for a cohort of 206 patients who had become ventilator dependent during their current hospitalization. Material and methods Patients in the VDRU were classified into one of six categories that reflected the reasons for ventilator dependence. Ability to be weaned from mechanical ventilation, duration of hospital stay and ventilator dependence, outcome, disposition, demographics, and long-term survival were analyzed. The VDRU patient group was compared for hospital and follow-up outcomes with a group of historical control patients previously described by us. Results The Mayo VDRU was established in January 1990. During the first 5 years of its operation, 206 newly ventilator-dependent patients were admitted to the VDRU, 190 (92%) of whom survived to be dismissed; 16 patients (8%) died in the hospital. Of the 190 patients dismissed, 77% were able to return to their homes. Overall, 153 patients were liberated from mechanical ventilation, whereas 37 remained either completely or partially ventilator dependent. Of these 37 patients, 27 (73%) were receiving nocturnal mechanical ventilation only. The 4-year survival was 53%. Conclusion The Mayo VDRU has been highly successful in liberating newly ventilator-dependent patients from mechanical ventilation. The long-term survival after management in the VDRU has been excellent. In addition, the medical charges for care in the VDRU are less than intensive-care unit charges.
Impact of hexafluoroisopropylidene on the solubility of aromatic‐based polymers in supercritical fluids

Three different supercritical fluids (SCF), CO2, dimethyl ether (DME), and propane, are investigated as potential solvents for processing two lactide-based terpolymers and two perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether polymers. The repeat unit of the lactide-based terpolymers consists of a 1:1:1 ratio of L-lactide, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), and, in one case, 4,4′-hexafluoroisopropylidenediphenol (6F-Bis-A) and, in the other case, 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol (6H-Bis-A). The PFCB-based polymers are synthesized from 1,1-bis[4-[(trifluorovinyl)oxy]phenyl]hexafluoroisopropylidene (6FVE) and from bis(trifluorovinyloxy)biphenyl (BPVE). For both classes of polymer the steric effect of the hexafluoroisopropylidene (6F) group reduces chain–chain interactions, disrupts electronic resonance between adjacent aromatic groups, and improves solubility. The two lactide-based terpolymers do not dissolve in CO2 or propane, but dissolve in DME. At room temperature the poly(lactide 6F-BisA DGEBA) terpolymer dissolves at 700 bar lower pressure in DME compared to the poly(lactide 6H-Bis-A DGEBA) terpolymer. Although the 6FVE polymer dissolves in all three SCF solvents, pressures in excess of 800 bar are needed to dissolve this polymer in CO2 and propane while 6FVE dissolves in DME at pressure below 150 bar. The other PFCB-based polymer (BPVE) only dissolves in DME, again at low pressure, although BPVE drops out of solution as the system temperature is raised above ∼40°C, whereas 6FVE remains in solution in DME for temperatures up to 90°C. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1736–1743, 2005
Increasing Originality on Essay Examinations in Psychology

Most teachers would agree that education for original thinking is worthwhile. Two experiments reported here show how it may be accomplished within the class setting.
Is relative pollen production or removal a good predictor of relative male fitness? An experimental exploration with a wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana, Rosaceae).

Understanding plant reproduction requires knowledge of genetic contributions through pollen and seeds. Since direct genetic assessments of fitness through pollen are often intractable, reproductive ecologists use components of male fitness such as pollen production and pollen removal as surrogates for paternity. However, we know little of the strength of the relationship between these components and actual paternity. Here, I report on a study undertaken to examine the relationship of pollen production and removal with paternity in Fragaria virginiana, a wild strawberry. A morphological marker was used to track paternity in experimental arrays exposed to native pollinators. Relative pollen production proved to be a poor predictor of relative paternity in most arrays, and over all arrays there was no significant correlation between relative paternity and relative pollen production. In contrast, relative pollen removed correlated significantly and positively with proportion of seeds sired, suggesting that a plant’s contribution to the pool of removed pollen is a good predictor of its male reproductive success. Deviations from expected paternity based on relative pollen removal suggest a systematic overestimation of the siring success of plants with low pollen removal. And, in at least one specific case, low pollen removal may be explained by delayed anther dehiscence, which could lower the effectiveness of the removed pollen.
Poroelasticity Generalized for Polycrystalline Composites

Biot’s original papers on poroelasticity were written with very well-characterized scenarios of solids containing simply described pores and homogeneous fluids. However, a common goal is to apply these theories to much more complex situations in (for example) the earth. Generalizations to layered poroelastic media have appeared, and are relatively straightforward to derive and apply. A different type of generalization is considered here wherein the original Biot theory may apply locally to anisotropic poroelastic grains each having orthotropic elastic symmetry. But the key difference in this application takes the form of isotropic overall behavior due to random orientation of these individually orthotropic poroelastic fluid-saturated grains. Drained (freely flowing pore-fluid) results are relatively simple to derive. Undrained (trapped fluid) results for polycrystalline poroelastic systems are somewhat harder to obtain, but nevertheless perhaps easier than one might have expected for such complicated random systems. POLYCRYSTALS OF ORTHOTROPIC ELASTIC MATERIALS We will start with the common convention of reducing elastic tensors to 6× 6 matrices using the compliance version of the general Voigt prescription:      ǫ11 ǫ22 ǫ33 ǫ23 ǫ13 ǫ12
Lightning-initiated growing season fires characterized oakdominated ecosystems of southern Ohio

Abstract Petersen, S.M. and P.B. Drewa (Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106). Did lightning-initiated growing season fires characterize oak-dominated ecosystems of southern Ohio? J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 133(2): 217–224. 2006.—The persistence of oak-dominated ecosystems throughout the Central Hardwoods Region has been attributed to chronic, non-catastrophic fire regimes prior to Euro-American settlement. The nature of these fires is not well understood. We used lightning strike, thunderstorm activity, and precipitation data to elucidate the seasonal timing of natural fire regimes for southern Ohio. Our results suggest that fires are most likely to be initiated during the growing season (especially August) when there is a high frequency of lightning strikes and thunderstorm activity that occurs simultaneously with dry environmental conditions. We hypothesize that the use of prescribed growing season fires would effectively deter encroachment of shade tolerant hardwood vegetation and foster rege...
Pointillist rendering of electron charge and spin density suffices to replicate trends in atomic properties

The monotonic and non-monotonic variations of atomic properties within and between the rows of the periodic table underlie our understanding of chemistry and accounting for these variations has been a signature strength of quantum mechanics (QM). However, the computational burden of QM motivates the development of more efficient means of describing electrons and reactivity. The recently developed LEWIS• model incorporates lessons learnt from QM into a force field that includes electrons as explicit pseudo-classical particles. Here, we extend LEWIS• across the 2 p and 3 p elements, and show that it is capable of reproducing both monotonic and non-monotonic variations of chemically important atomic properties in a cost-effective manner. An indicator of the strength of the construct is the ability of pairwise potentials trained on ionization energies and the order of spin configurations to predict atomic polarizabilities. In this manner, some insights of QM are uncoupled from its onerous computational burden.
Reduction of wild-type X chromosomes with the Ybb− chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster

The Ybb− chromosome has been previously shown to induce reduction of X chromosome ribosomal genes in Xbb / Ybb− or Xbb+ / Ybb− flies. These reduction events are presumed to arise as one of the two products of unequal sister chromatid exchanges, which result in both magnified and reduced products. Bobbed reduced chromosomes may also arise as products of other recombinative events such as intrachromatid deletions. In this report we use the Ybb− chromosome to reduce the number of ribosomal genes present on X chromosomes from two wild-type stocks under ‘non-magnifying’ conditions. We then show that the bobbed reduced X chromosomes show no detectable difference in their Southern blot rDNA patterns when compared with the parental wild-type X chromosome. This indicates that reduction events do not preferentially delete certain repeat classes, and supports previous observations that the repeat types present in the D. melanogaster X chromosome nucleolus organizer are not significantly clustered.
Flow Characteristics of Sheet Molding Compound in Panels with Integrated Ribs

A series of experiments was conducted using two different formulations of sheet molding compound (SMC) materials in an instrumented ribbed mold with outside dimensions of 750 x 600 x 410 mm. The experiments showed that the flow of the material into the ribs (side flow) takes place long before the completion of the flow parallel to the flat surfaces of the mold (radial flow). This observation is in contrast to the general belief that the side flow starts after the completion of the radial flow. Also, the analysis of the data from the thermocouples showed that the rib filling takes place through a "bridging and looping" mechanism as well as "concurrent flow." The above findings were verified using short-shot moldings under various conditions. In these short-shot experiments the plaques were solidified at different stages of the flow and, hence, provided informative evidence with regard to the nature of the flow during the compression molding of SMC. The data from the pressure transducers showed that while t...
Preparing Reading Specialists to Become Competent Travelers in Urban Settings.

This article poses an alternative to traditional teacher education methods of preparing reading specialists in university programs focused solely on outcomes. An equally important issue to explore is that of process and how candidates are prepared. Studying outputs with limited attention to process factors leaves teacher educators with incomplete action steps and ambiguous mandates for change. Using qualitative applications, this case study of one university's preparation program for reading specialists reflects a phenomenological stance centered on the nature of the preparation process. Through methods of naturalistic inquiry-including field observations, interview data, written evaluations and use of applied research-the course instructor participates as the researcher, embracing the notion that "we can only know what we experience by attending to perceptions and meanings that awaken our conscious awareness." Because of that awakening, the author hopes that useful modifications to programs are made, which in turn lead to increased readiness of those who are prepared to teach in urban settings.