cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ANO1 Activation does not require Calmodulin

The Ca2+-activated Cl channel anoctamin-1 (ANO1, also called TMEM16A), a member of the Anoctamin superfamily, plays a variety of important physiological roles including epithelial fluid secretion. ANO1 is activated and gated by intracellular Ca2+, but there is uncertainty whether Ca2+ binds directly to ANO1 or whether an additional Ca2+-binding subunit such as calmodulin (CaM) is required. Here, we report that CaM is not a necessary component for ANO1 activation for the following reasons: 1) ANO1 activation by photolysis of caged Ca2+ is very rapid (<1ms), suggesting that Ca2+ binds directly to the channel. 2) Exogenous CaM has no effect on the currents generated by either the ac or abc isoforms of ANO1 in inside-out excised patches. 3) Over-expression of functionally defective CaM has no effect on ANO1 (abc isoform) currents while it eliminates the small conductance Ca-activated K (SK2) current. 4) CaM does not physically interact with ANO1 as determined by co-immunoprecipitation. 5) ANO1 is activated in excised patches by Ba, which is a very poor CaM activator. We also re-examined the effect of the CaM inhibitor trifluoperazine (TFP). TFP blocks ANO1 in a voltage-dependent manner, suggesting that TFP blocks the current by lodging in the ANO1 pore. These results show CaM is not required for ANO1 activation and supports the hypothesis that Ca binds directly to ANO1.
Control of analyzer slope and intercept in the measurement of packed red cell volume (PCV): part II.

A majority of packed cell volume (PCV) assays performed in the United States are performed by multichannel hematology analyzers rather than by centrifugation of blood samples in glass capillary tubes. PCV results from both analytical approaches were compared to the recently described ICSH reference method to determine the effect of assay slope on clinical utility. Though not controllable by the end user, the slope of the PCV assay versus the reference was satisfactory when performed in centrifuged glass capillaries. In the small sample of multichannel analyzers surveyed, only two of six machines functioned as well in this respect as did the glass capillaries. The worst of the unsatisfactory multichannel analyzers would have identified correctly only about half of the anemic and the polycythemic patients in the 12,623 males surveyed in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). The performance on the females in this U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study would have been similarly poor. It is important that manufacturers of multichannel analyzers attend to the slopes of their PCV assays if the results are to be diagnostically useful.
Co-transcriptional splicing of pre-messenger RNAs: considerations for the mechanism of alternative splicing

Nascent transcripts are the true substrates for many splicing events in mammalian cells. In this review we discuss transcription, splicing, and alternative splicing in the context of co-transcriptional processing of pre-mRNA. The realization that splicing occurs co-transcriptionally requires two important considerations: First, the cis-acting elements in the splicing substrate are synthesized at different times in a 5' to 3' direction. This dynamic view of the substrate implies that in a 100 kb intron the 5' splice site will be synthesized as much as an hour before the 3' splice site. Second, the transcription machinery and the splicing machinery, which are both complex and very large, are working in close proximity to each other. It is therefore likely that these two macromolecular machines interact, and recent data supporting this notion is discussed. We propose a model for co-transcriptional pre-mRNA processing that incorporates the concepts of splice site-tethering and dynamic exon definition. Also, we present a dynamic view of the alternative splicing of FGF-R2 and suggest that this view could be generally applicable to many regulated splicing events.
(Q,r) Inventory policies in a fuzzy uncertain supply chain environment

Abstract Managers have begun to recognize that effectively managing risks in their business operations plays an important role in successfully managing their inventories. Accordingly, we develop a ( Q , r ) model based on fuzzy-set representations of various sources of uncertainty in the supply chain. Sources of risk and uncertainty in our model include demand, lead time, supplier yield, and penalty cost. The naturally imprecise nature of these risk factors in managing inventories is represented using triangular fuzzy numbers. In addition, we introduce a human risk attitude factor to quantify the decision maker’s attitude toward the risk of stocking out during the replenishment period. The total cost of the inventory system is computed using defuzzification methods built from techniques identified in the literature on fuzzy sets. Finally, we provide numerical examples to compare our fuzzy-set computations with those generated by more traditional models that assume full knowledge of the distributions of the stochastic parameters in the system.
Optimal pest management: A reproductive pollutant perspective

Abstract Regarding pests as reproductive pollutants, pest management can be considered as an optimal stock management problem similar to that faced in fishery and forestry. Taking this view, an optimal control model with N heterogeneous farmers sharing a mobile pest is developed to investigate the conventional pest management tactic on a farm-by-farm basis and the innovative area-wide pest management tactic on a regional basis. The study results indicate that area-wide pest management (APM) is superior to farm-by-farm pest management in the presence of pest movement. We proceed to examine the stability of the cooperative solution under APM by formulating the pest management problem as a repeated game of infinite duration. The results suggest that a one-off pest suppression campaign can be a practical strategy for initiating APM programs.
“The Reign of God Has Come”: Eschatology and Empire in Late Antiquity and Early Islam

For much of the 20th century, scholarship on Muḥammad and the beginnings of Islam has shown a reluctance to acknowledge the importance of imminent eschatology in earliest Islam. One of the main reasons for this resistance to eschatology would appear to be the undeniable importance of conquest and political expansion in early Islam: if Muḥammad and his followers believed that the world would soon come to an end, why then did they seek to conquer and rule over so much of it? Nevertheless, there is no real contradiction between the urgent eschatology revealed by the Qurʾān and other early sources on the one hand, and the determination of Muḥammad and his followers to expand their religious policy and establish an empire on the other. To the contrary, the political eschatology of the Byzantine Christians during the sixth and early seventh centuries indicates that these two beliefs went hand in hand, offering important contemporary precedent for the imperial eschatology that seems to have fueled the rise of Islam.
Compensating for non-homogeneity in decision-making units in data envelopment analysis

Abstract Data envelopment analysis (DEA) assumes homogeneity among the decision-making units (DMU) in terms of the nature of the operations they perform, the measures of their efficiency, and the conditions under which they operate. When the DMU are not homogeneous, the efficiency scores may reflect the underlying differences in environments rather than any inefficiencies. One strategy to overcome this is to separate DMU into homogeneous groups. However, one needs large numbers of DMU to do this. Another strategy is to adjust for non-homogeneity. This paper presents three adjustment techniques along with the basic Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes (CCR) model. We do two simulation experiments where we know the underlying efficiencies of the DMU and the parameters of the non-homogeneities. We also compare the four models using actual data from a DEA evaluation of municipal reverse logistics channels. The results show none of the adjustment mechanisms are clearly superior to the unadjusted CCR model. Consequently, what makes a good adjustment mechanism is open at this time.
Towards an anthrax detector using the femtosecond adaptive spectroscopic technique for coherent anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy: Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy signal from dipicolinic acid in bacterial spores

Abstract We present experimental evidence of a resonant coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) signal from dipicolinic acid, a marker molecule in anthrax spores. We also show some evidence of resonant CARS signal associated with the 1000 cm−1 resonance from Bacillus Globigii spores which are similar to anthrax spores. These results constitute a first step towards developing a rapid identification technique for bacterial spores.
Manufacturing and Regenerating of Gametes

Abstract: The decline of human fecundability stems from compromised quality and reduced quantity of gametes. The age-related female infertility and spermatogenic failure have been the major obstacle to overcome in ART with only limited success unless donated gametes are used. I review the different approaches to manufacturing and regenerating gametes. Attempts of nuclear transplantation for preventing oocyte aneuploidy thereby enhancing the developmental competence or for inducing haploidization of somatic cell nuclei aiming to generate oocytes and spermatozoa are explored by highlighting advantages and limitations of these strategies. In addition, approaches to differentiate precursor cells or pluripotent stem cells to their progenies or mature gametes are revisited. Finally, I also report preliminary data on enhancing the reproductive performance of a single spermatozoon by male genome cloning utilizing micromanipulation techniques.
Duplex perception with musical stimuli

Duplex perception, a phenomenon previously demonstrated for speech stimuli, is demonstrated here for musical stimuli. In the first experiment, major and minor chords are produced by dichotic fusion of two simultaneous piano notes presented to one ear (perfect fifth) with a “natural” or “flat” single note presented to the opposite ear. Musically trained subjects perceive simultaneously both the single tone and a fused (major or minor) chord. The chords are labeled more consistently than the single notes, even though the fused chords differ solely in terms of the contralateral notes. In a second experiment, using pure tones in place of piano notes, other musically trained subjects individually exhibited categorical perception for either the fused chord or the single tones, but never for both types of stimuli. The duplex phenomenon is discussed in terms of its implications for its specific component modes of perception.
CHROMOSIN, A DESOXYRIBOSE NUCLEOPROTEIN COMPLEX OF THE CELL NUCLEUS

A desoxyribose nucleoprotein complex, which we have referred to as a chromosin, has been prepared from a great variety of cells, mainly animal but also plant and bacterial. A chromosin is derived from the cell nucleus. In the course of preparation precautions have been taken to prevent contamination by cytoplasmic constituents. To assure the nuclear origin of all components of chromosin, nuclei have in several instances been isolated before extraction was begun. Because of the precautions taken, chromosins do not contain detectable quantities of ribose nucleoproteins; but, incidentally, extraction of ribose nucleoproteins, free of desoxyribose compounds, has also been described in this paper. A typical chromosin contains 3 components: desoxyribose nucleic acid, histone, and non-histone protein. The nucleic acid, being highly polymerized, is exceedingly viscous when dissolved and fibrous when precipitated. Histone and non-histone protein differ from each other in a number of ways, of which one of the most definite is that whereas a histone contains no more than traces of tryptophane, the non-histone protein of chromosin contains nearly 1 per cent of tryptophane. In neutral physiological saline both proteins can combine with nucleic acid. With the isolation of chromosins from so many different kinds of cells, it can now be seen that (contrary to the view expressed by Kossel) histones are present in most animal cells and at least in some plant and bacterial cells. Chromosin prepared from the Type III pneumococcus is active in transforming the type of a pneumococcus culture. It has been pointed out that it is not yet known whether or not protein is a necessary constituent of the transforming agent. To extract chromosin from a cell M NaCl is used. When dissolved in M NaCl the nucleic acid and histone components of a chromosin are to a considerable extent dissociated. They are not dissociated when the chromosin is dissolved in 0.02 M NaCl, but in this medium a partial depolymerization of the nucleic acid occurs. A chromosin should certainly not be considered to be a definite chemical compound. It is a complex extracted from chromatin, which is itself a complicated nuclear structure. And in the course of extraction, it need hardly be said, the structure of chromatin has been considerably changed. To avoid complications it has been considered an advantage in this work to begin with isolated nuclei, and it would clearly be a further simplification to begin chemical procedures only after the chromosomes themselves have been isolated. This is now being accomplished, and it is found that the methods described in this paper are of value in learning how the substances present in a chromosin are put together in a chromosome.
Role of L-carnitine in apnea of prematurity: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE Carnitine is thought to be a conditionally essential biological cofactor for premature infants. A preliminary study suggested that carnitine could significantly reduce apnea of prematurity. The objective of this study was to evaluate critically the role of carnitine in idiopathic apnea of prematurity and to determine whether the use of carnitine would facilitate discontinuation of mechanical ventilatory support, shorten the duration of ventilatory support, and reduce the amount of time that such infants are exposed to both mechanical ventilation and oxygen. We also wanted to determine the effects of supplemental carnitine on weight gain, time to regain birth weight, time to achieve full enteral feedings, and length of hospital stay. METHODS A prospective, randomized, blinded trial was conducted on 44 preterm infants who were from the same neonatal intensive care unit and who were < or =32 weeks' gestational age with a postnatal age <48 hours and a birth weight <1500 g and required total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Infants were randomized to receive carnitine supplementation or placebo without crossover. Carnitine-supplemented infants received 30 mg/kg/d carnitine in their TPN until the they were tolerating 120 mL/kg/d enteral feedings, and then they received 30 mg/kg/d oral carnitine. The placebo group received TPN without supplemental carnitine; when they tolerated 120 mL/kg/d enteral feedings, they received an oral placebo. The 2 groups continued on their respective supplemental carnitine or placebo until 34 weeks' adjusted age, at which time the study period was completed. Twelve-hour cardiorespiratorygrams to record heart rate, respiratory impedance, and oxygen saturation, and a nasal thermistor to detect expiratory airflow were performed every 4 days on 3 occasions and at 30 and 34 weeks' adjusted age. Plasma carnitine levels were measured at day 14. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the occurrence of apnea as detected by cardiorespiratorygram or nursing observation. There were no significant differences between the groups in regard to total days on ventilator, days of nasal continuous positive airway pressure, time to regain birth weight, time to reach enteral feedings of 120 mL/kg/d, discharge weight, adjusted age at discharge, need for oxygen at 28 days' and 36 weeks' adjusted age, or length of stay. The plasma carnitine level was a median of 15.5 micromol/L (range: 7.6-30.5) for the placebo infants compared with a median of 195.3 micromol/L (range: 71.7-343.6) for the carnitine infants. CONCLUSIONS In this blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study, we found that infants who received supplemental carnitine did not demonstrate any reduction in apnea of prematurity, ventilator or nasal continuous positive airway pressure days, or the need for supplemental oxygen therapy. Although carnitine may be of significant nutritional benefit for very low birth weight infants, our study does not support its use to reduce apnea of prematurity or decrease dependence on mechanical ventilation.
Surface aerosol radiative forcing derived from collocated ground-based radiometric observations during PRIDE, SAFARI, and ACE-Asia

An approach is presented to estimate the surface aerosol radiative forcing by use of collocated cloud-screened narrowband spectral and thermal-offset-corrected radiometric observations during the Puerto Rico Dust Experiment 2000, South African Fire Atmosphere Research Initiative (SAFARI) 2000, and Aerosol Characterization Experiment-Asia 2001. We show that aerosol optical depths from the Multiple-Filter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer data match closely with those from the Cimel sunphotometer data for two SAFARI-2000 dates. The observed aerosol radiative forcings were interpreted on the basis of results from the Fu-Liou radiative transfer model, and, in some cases, cross checked with satellite-derived forcing parameters. Values of the aerosol radiative forcing and forcing efficiency, which quantifies the sensitivity of the surface fluxes to the aerosol optical depth, were generated on the basis of a differential technique for all three campaigns, and their scientific significance is discussed.
Hepatic galactosylceramide in globoid cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe's disease)

Glycosphingolipids were isolated from the liver of four patients with globoid cell leukodystrophy and compared to those from normal liver. The ratio of glucosylceramide to galactosylceramide was 0.8, 1.2, 1.3 and 7.5 in the four cases studied, compared to a value of greater than 10 in liver from control patients of the same age and sex. In addition to this accumulation of galactosylceramide, all four livers showed an elevated level of sulfatide, and in one case trihexosylceramide and globoside were also markedly elevated.
Monochromatic photographs of giantHii regions in the Magellanic Clouds

Narrow band-pass direct photographs have been secured of the central region of 30 Doradus and of several other nebulosities in the Magellanic Clouds. We have utilized an image tube camera attached to the Yale one-meter telescope at the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory. Interference filters whose band passes were selected to allow for the radial velocities of the Magellanic Clouds have been utilized to record monochromatic images of [Nii] λ6584, Hα, Hei λ5876, and [Oiii] λ5007. In 30 Doradus the main filamentary structures appear to be very similar in Hα, Hei, [Nii], and [Oiii] at least in the inner regions where most spectroscopic measurements have been made. The features appear to be material bounded rather than radiation bounded and the excitation differences are very small. Likewise, in NGC 346 in the Small Magellanic Cloud the [Oiii] and Hα images are very similar, but in N44 in the Large Magellanic Cloud excitation differences do appear. The implications of these observations for chemical compositions of nebulosities in the Magellanic Clouds would appear to be that spectroscopic and scanner studies should be supplemented by monochromatic photographs. Some nebulosities can be handled by simple models while for others excitation differences must be taken into account.
Diabetic Retinopathy and Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System: So What is New?

The pathogenesis and medical management of diabetic retinopathy is reviewed. The importance of good control of blood glucose and blood pressure remain key elements in the prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, and a number of specific metabolic pathways have been identified that may be useful additional targets for therapeutic intervention. Trial data, however, aimed specifically to answer the questions of optimum medical management are limited, so the DIRECT study of renin-angiotensin blockade using oral candesartan 32 mg daily is a welcome addition to our knowledge. This arose from the promising improvement of retinopathy outcomes in the EUCLID study of lisinopril in type I diabetes. In DIRECT, 5 years of candesartan treatment in type I diabetes reduced the incidence of retinopathy by two or more steps (EDTRS) in severity by 18% (P=0.0508) and, in a post hoc analysis, reduced the incidence of retinopathy by three-step progression by 35% (P=0.034). In type I diabetes patients there was no effect on progression of established retinopathy. In contrast, in type II diabetes, 5 years of candesartan treatment resulted in 34% regression of retinopathy (P=0.009). Importantly, an overall significant change towards less-severe retinopathy was noted in both type I and II diabetes (P≤0.03). Although there is still no absolute proof that these effects were specific to RAS blockade, or just an effect of lower blood pressure, it is reasonable to conclude that candesartan has earned a place in the medical management of diabetic retinopathy, to prevent the problem in type I diabetes and to treat the early stages in type II diabetes.
Worldwide Military Spending, 1990-95

The decline in military spending that began in the mid-1980s continued through 1995, and this decline was widespread both geographically and by level of development. Cuts in military spending appear to have potentially important implications for nonmilitary spending and fiscal adjustment. In contrast to findings for previous periods, military spending has declined more than proportionately in those countries that have reduced total spending. Countries with Fund programs have reduced military spending more sharply than other developing countries, largely reflecting outcomes in the transition economies. Further, military spending appears to have been less resilient in program countries than other developing countries.
Making and Remaking the World for IR 101: A Resource for Teaching Social Constructivism in Introductory Classes

Social constructivism is now the main theoretical challenger to established perspectives within the discipline of international relations. Unfortunately, the contributions and standing of constructivist approaches in the discipline are not mirrored in undergraduate textbooks for introductory international relations courses. In this article, we present a lecture template containing a broad synthesis of the main tenets of constructivist thought and discuss how constructivism approaches patterns and phenomena of world politics. The lecture is framed by comparing constructivism with the generally statist treatment that topics receive in mainstream international relations as exemplified by neorealism and neoliberalism. This article is designed to provide accessible supporting material for teaching social constructivism to introductory international relations classes.
CBS Promotion of Future Programming During the 2011 NCAA Tournament

The simple goal of television promotions is to increase viewership of future programming. The promotion of future programming during sports telecasts is valuable primarily because promotions can air during the game. The purpose of this paper is to provide a network perspective of its promotions strategy by identifying how often CBS promoted its future programming, which type of future programs CBS chose to promote (established or non-established), and how CBS implemented the prominent promotional techniques identified in the literature during its coverage of the 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The findings show that 21% of total promotions were during the game, 42% of total promotions by CBS were for non-established programming, and genre compatibility was the most used technique with the Masters Golf Tournament being the most promoted future program.
Cerebral protein synthesis inhibition and discrimination training: effects of D-amphetamine

brain protein synthesis inhibition can sometimes be reversed by drugs that affect brain catecholamine metabolismZ,10,13. These findings have been interpreted to mean that CXM interferes with retrieval rather than with the formation of long-term memory, and that the action of CXM might be mediated by catecholamines rather than by inhibition of brain protein synthesis 10. In the present study we have explored the effect of D-amphetamine on the amnesia produced by protein synthesis inhibition. We found that D-amphetamine reversed amnesia, but this effect was due to facilitation of performance during retention testing, rather than to a specific improvement in retrieval of previously unavailable information. These results are consistent with the view that CXM inhibits protein synthesis required for the formation of long-term memory.
Natural convection near and above thermal leading edges on vertical walls

Abstract The natural convection from the neighborhood of several types of thermal leading edges on vertical walls is investigated. The influence of leading edge conditions for uniform and special variable wall temperature cases is determined. It is shown for the constant temperature case that leading edge conditions effect, at suitable distances above the leading edge, only the relative vertical position of the boundary layer and not its thermal or velocity form. Universal curves which may be used with relatively arbitrary initial boundary conditions are presented for the uniform wall temperature case at Prandtl number 0·7. It is indicated how these curves may be used in a piece-wise manner to investigate relatively arbitrary wall temperature cases.
Unloading effects in crystals—I the unloading yield point effect

Abstract The orientation dependence of the “unloading yield effect” in copper single crystals was investigated. The maximum relative increase in flow stress due to unloading was observed to be orientation independent. An orientation dependence of the variation of the unloading yield with prestrain was observed. The role of secondary slip systems in establishing the unloading yield effect was investigated utilizing combined tensile-torsion deformation. A mechanism for the establishment of the unloading yield effect based on a forest dislocation interaction is proposed.
Heart healthy eating behaviors of children following a school-based intervention: a meta-analysis.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to estimate the effects of school-based interventions on heart healthy eating behaviors of fourth and fifth grade students. The overall effect size (d value) across 12 studies was .24. The 95% confidence interval ranged from .174 to .301. It can be concluded that the school-based cardiovascular health promotion programs had a significant effect on the heart healthy eating behaviors of student participants. Recommendations include identification of reliable measures and inclusion of culturally diverse populations in future studies.
A Novel Ranking Framework for Linked Data from Relational Databases

Abstract This paper investigates the problem of ranking linked data from relational databases using a ranking framework. The core idea is to group relationships by their types, then rank the types, and finally rank the instances attached to each type. The ranking criteria for each step considers the mapping rules and heterogeneous graph structure of the data web. Tests based on a social network dataset show that the linked data ranking is effective and easier for people to understand. This approach benefits from utilizing relationships deduced from mapping rules based on table schemas and distinguishing the relationship types, which results in better ranking and visualization of the linked data.
Examples of non-formal closed (k-1)-connected manifolds of dimensions ≥ 4k-1

We construct closed (k - 1)-connected manifolds of dimensions ≥ 4k - 1 that possess non-trivial rational Massey triple products. We also construct examples of manifolds M such that all the cup-products of elements of H k (M) vanish, while the group H 3k-1 (M; Q) is generated by Massey products: such examples are useful for the theory of systols.
Development of a Palliative Education Assessment Tool for Medical Student Education

Studies assessing palliative care education in U.S. medical schools reveal that little attention is paid to this topic. Although core competencies have been defined, few schools have implemented effective means to incorporate formal palliative care education into undergraduate curricula. To promote reform, each school needs to conduct a thorough assessment to identify palliative care content throughout the four-year curriculum. The authors developed an innovative assessment instrument to facilitate curricular mapping of palliative care education. The Palliative Education Assessment Tool (PEAT) comprises seven palliative care domains: palliative medicine, pain, neuropsychologic symptoms, other symptoms, ethics and the law, patient/family/nonclinical caregiver perspectives on end-of-life care, and clinical communication skills. Each domain details specific curricular objectives of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Designed as a flexible self-assessment tool, PEAT helps determine the existence of palliative care education, which usually is found in various formats throughout a medical school’s curriculum and thus sometimes ‘‘hidden.’’ PEAT enables educators to describe a specific, multidimensional aspect of the curriculum and use the information for strategic planning, educational reform, and evaluation. The curricular reform implications of such an instrument are broader than palliative care assessment. A modified version of PEAT can be used to assess systematically other topics that are taught in various formats in the curriculum and to develop collaborative approaches to fulfilling the educational objectives of those topics. Acad. Med. 2000;75:986‐992.
Cells in cells: morphogenetic and metabolic strategies conditioning rice infection by the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae

The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is a global food security threat due to its destruction of cultivated rice. Of the world's rice harvest, 10-30 % is lost each year to this pathogen, and changing climates are likely to favor its spread into new areas. Insights into how the fungus might be contained could come from the wealth of molecular and cellular studies that have been undertaken in order to shed light on the biological underpinnings of blast disease, aspects of which we review herein. Infection begins when a three-celled spore lands on the surface of a leaf, germinates, and develops the specialized infection structure called the appressorium. The mature appressorium develops a high internal turgor that acts on a thin penetration peg, forcing it through the rice cuticle and into the underlying epidermal cells. Primary then invasive hyphae (IH) elaborate from the peg and grow asymptomatically from one living rice cell to another for the first few days of infection before host cells begin to die and characteristic necrotic lesions form on the surface of the leaf, from which spores are produced to continue the life cycle. To gain new insights into the biology of rice blast disease, we argue that, conceptually, the infection process can be viewed as two discrete phases occurring in markedly different environments and requiring distinct biochemical pathways and morphogenetic regulation: outside the host cell, where the appressorium develops in a nutrient-free environment, and inside the host cell, where filamentous growth occurs in a glucose-rich, nitrogen-poor environment, at least from the perspective of the fungus. Here, we review the physiological and metabolic changes that occur in M. oryzae as it transitions from the surface to the interior of the host, thus enabling us to draw lessons about the strategies that allow M. oryzae cells to thrive in rice cells.
Rate constants for one-electron oxidation by methylperoxyl radicals in aqueous solutions

Rate constants for one-electron oxidation by the methylperoxyl radicals (CH3O2, HOCH2O2, −O2CCH2O2, and CCI3O2) in aqueous solutions have been measured by pulse radiolysis and found to be in the range of 3 × 105 to 6 × 108 M−1 s−1 for compounds with redox potentials between 0.6 and 0.1 V. Substitution on the methylperoxyl radical with OH or CO2− has only a minor effect on the rate of oxidation but substitution with three chlorines increases the rate constants by two orders of magnitude. The redox potential of the CH3O2 radical is estimated to be 0.6–0.7 V.
Like Water for Chocolate: Feasting and Political Ritual among the Late Classic Maya at Xunantunich, Belize

Subtle differences in the context of feasting and manners of food consumption can point to underlying levels of civil and social competition in state-level societies. Haute cuisine and high styles of dining are characteristic of societies with fully developed civil and social hierarchies such as Renaissance Europe and the Postclassic Aztec. Competitive yet socially circumscribed political and social organizations such as the Classic lowland Maya may have prepared elaborate diacritical meals that marked status, but the nature of feasting remained essentially patriarchal. Ancient Maya feasting is recognizable through archaeologically discernible pottery vessel forms that were used to serve festival fare such as tamales and chocolate. Comparison of ceramic assemblages across civic and household contexts at the site of Xunantunich, Belize, demonstrates that drinking chocolate, more so than eating tamales, served as a symbolic cue that established the political significance of events among the Classic Maya. [feasting, ancient Maya, pottery analysis, chocolate]
Papel de la cartografía arterial con eco-Doppler en la toma de decisiones terapéuticas en la isquemia crítica de los miembros inferiores

Retinitis pigmentosa is the name given to a heterogeneous group of hereditary retinal degenerations characterized by progressive visual field loss, pigmentary changes of the retina, abnormal electroretinograms, and, frequently, night blindness. In this study, we investigated a family with dominant cone-rod degeneration, a variant form of retinitis pigmentosa. We used microsatellite markers to test for linkage to the disease locus and exluded all mapped autosomal loci. However, a marker from the short arm of the X chromosome, DXS989, showed 0% recombination to the disease locus, with a maximum lod (log-odds) score of 3.3. On the basis of this marker, the odds favoring X-linked dominant versus autosomal dominant inheritance are > 10{sup 5}:1. Haplotype analysis using an additional nine microsatellite markers places the disease locus in the Xp22.13-p22.11 region and excludes other X-linked disease loci causing retinal degeneration. The clinical expression of the retinal degeneration is consistent with X-linked dominant inheritance with milder, variable effects of Lyonization affecting expression in females. On the basis of these data we propose that this family has a novel form of dominant, X-linked cone-rod degeneration with the gene symbol {open_quotes}RP15{close_quotes}. 17 refs., 2 figs., 4 tabs.
The extraordinary evolutionary history of the reticuloendotheliosis viruses.

The reticuloendotheliosis viruses (REVs) comprise several closely related amphotropic retroviruses isolated from birds. These viruses exhibit several highly unusual characteristics that have not so far been adequately explained, including their extremely close relationship to mammalian retroviruses, and their presence as endogenous sequences within the genomes of certain large DNA viruses. We present evidence for an iatrogenic origin of REVs that accounts for these phenomena. Firstly, we identify endogenous retroviral fossils in mammalian genomes that share a unique recombinant structure with REVs—unequivocally demonstrating that REVs derive directly from mammalian retroviruses. Secondly, through sequencing of archived REV isolates, we confirm that contaminated Plasmodium lophurae stocks have been the source of multiple REV outbreaks in experimentally infected birds. Finally, we show that both phylogenetic and historical evidence support a scenario wherein REVs originated as mammalian retroviruses that were accidentally introduced into avian hosts in the late 1930s, during experimental studies of P. lophurae, and subsequently integrated into the fowlpox virus (FWPV) and gallid herpesvirus type 2 (GHV-2) genomes, generating recombinant DNA viruses that now circulate in wild birds and poultry. Our findings provide a novel perspective on the origin and evolution of REV, and indicate that horizontal gene transfer between virus families can expand the impact of iatrogenic transmission events.
Critical considerations in becoming literacy educators: pre-service teachers rehearsing agency and negotiating risk

This article looks closely at the talk of two pre-service teachers over time to examine how they used language as a way of rehearsing their evolving agency as literacy educators. Drawing on critical sociocultural theory, I use Agency Tracing to highlight how pre-service teachers’ agentic actions are not isolated phenomena but ones developed and planned with others in language. Through rehearsals, they considered possible options and outcomes of actions before taking risks, therefore bolstering their confidence to act and resist individual and institutional Discourses of literacy. Analysis reveals that because pre-service teachers rehearse agency over time via language, such agency can be developed in teacher education coursework and field experiences. Findings indicate four recommendations to foster agency: rehearsals over time, dissonance to the point of frustration, observations and approximations in field experiences, and interactional spaces for critical reflection.
A Joint Location-Inventory Model

We consider a joint location-inventory problem involving a single supplier and multiple retailers. Associated with each retailer is some variable demand. Due to this variability, some amount of safety stock must be maintained to achieve suitable service levels. However, risk-pooling benefits may be achieved by allowing some retailers to serve as distribution centers (and therefore inventory storage locations) for other retailers. The problem is to determine which retailers should serve as distribution centers and how to allocate the other retailers to the distribution centers. We formulate this problem as a nonlinear integer-programming model. We then restructure this model into a set-covering integer-programming model. The pricing problem that must be solved as part of the column generation algorithm for the set-covering model involves a nonlinear term in the retailerdistribution-center allocation terms. We show that this pricing problem can (theoretically) be solved efficiently, in general, and we show how to solve it practically in two important cases. We present computational results on several instances of sizes ranging from 33 to 150 retailers. In all cases, the lower bound from the linear-programming relaxation to the set-covering model gives the optimal solution.
Spin-cast thin films of polyaniline

Abstract Thin films of polyaniline have been spin cast from solutions of formic acid in concentrations of up to 3 wt.% which give thicknesses between 80 and 250 nm. These films have been patterned using positive photoresist and etched in an oxygen plasma. Silicon wafers with 200 nm of dry thermal oxide and 100 nm of sputtered silicon nitride were used as substrates. Platinum leads in a four-probe configuration were built on top of the insulators and the polyaniline was spun on top of these. Different adhesion promoters were examined for electrical interference. The spin-cast films are sufficiently electroactive to allow for the growth of polyaniline on top of them by electrochemical means.
Socially distributing public relations: Twitter, Haiti, and interactivity in social media

Abstract Social media and communication technology have shifted the power of communication from public relations practitioners to social media users who may not have a recognized role or defined interest in an organization. What results is a social model of public relations in which traditional public relations responsibilities are distributed to social media users, and which depends on interactivity, legitimacy, and a user's social stake. This study explores social public relations through a qualitative analysis of user involvement on Twitter regarding relief efforts to support Haiti following the 7.0 earthquake that hit Port-Au-Prince in January, 2010. This analysis of Twitter posts also expands understanding of interactivity online and demonstrates social media user fulfillment of public relations objectives.
Alopecia associated with underlying nerve sheath myxoma

This report describes a 16-year-old girl who was referred for a 2.5-cm macular area of alopecia of the posterior portion of the scalp. A subcutaneous nerve sheath myxoma was found underlying the area of alopecia. Hair growth resumed within 4 weeks after removal of the nerve sheath tumor.
Predictive monitoring for respiratory decompensation leading to urgent unplanned intubation in the neonatal intensive care unit

Predictive monitoring for respiratory decompensation leading to urgent unplanned intubation in the neonatal intensive care unit
Low (40 mg) Versus High (80 mg) Dose Methadone in a 180-Day Heroin Detoxification Program

Methadone Transition Treatment (MTT) is a treatment program for opioid-addicted individuals that takes advantage of a 1989 change in federal guidelines permitting the establishment of 180-day detoxification programs. Thirty-eight subjects were assigned to either high-dose (80 mg) or low-dose (40 mg) methadone in a double-blind design. Both conditions showed initial dramatic decreases in illicit drug use and distress symptoms (opioid craving, withdrawal symptoms, and dysphoria). The high-dose condition showed a nonsignificant trend toward less frequent illicit drug use during the period of stable methadone dosing. We speculate that intensive psychosocial treatment, including weekly individual counseling and three-times a week group therapy, may have dampened outcome differences between high- and low-dose methadone conditions. Treatment retention was high for both dosage conditions.
Negative Observations Concerning Approximations from Spaces Generated by Scattered Shifts of Functions Vanishing at

Approximations by scattered shifts {?(·? ?)}??A of a basis function ? are considered, and different methods for localizing these translates are compared. It is argued in the note that the superior localization processes are those that employ the original translates only.
Perinatal Nitrogen Accretion in Muscles and Fingernails

Paired triceps muscle and fingernail samples were obtained at autopsy from 25 normally grown (NG) and 16 intrauterine growth-retarded (IGR) neonates who died within 28 days of birth. Gestational ages ranged from 21--46 weeks and birthweights ranged from 425--3750 g. Muscle samples were desiccated, defatted and ground to powder. Nitrogen content of muscle and fingernail were determined by a modified micro-Kjeldahl technique. Muscle nitrogen (MN) content averaged 12.1 +/- 1.89 g/100 g fat-free dry solids (FFDS) (mean +/- SD) and was similar for NG and IGR neonates and, within these two groups, for premature and mature babies. Fingernail nitrogen (FN) content averaged 13.8 +/- 0.95 g/100 g and no variations with duration and quality of intrauterine growth were identified. Fingernail nitrogen content correlated linearly with muscle nitrogen content in both NG (n = 0.48, P less than 0.002) and IGR (n = 0.67, P less than 0.005) neonates. The regression equation for the entire study population was: FN = 0.31MN + 9.96, Syx = +/- 0.778, r = 0.59, P less than 0.001. These data suggest the possibility of using simple, noninvasive fingernail "biopsies" to monitor protein economy and quality of perinatal growth.
Understanding complexity in the human brain

Although the ultimate aim of neuroscientific enquiry is to gain an understanding of the brain and how its workings relate to the mind, the majority of current efforts are largely focused on small questions using increasingly detailed data. However, it might be possible to successfully address the larger question of mind–brain mechanisms if the cumulative findings from these neuroscientific studies are coupled with complementary approaches from physics and philosophy. The brain, we argue, can be understood as a complex system or network, in which mental states emerge from the interaction between multiple physical and functional levels. Achieving further conceptual progress will crucially depend on broad-scale discussions regarding the properties of cognition and the tools that are currently available or must be developed in order to study mind–brain mechanisms.
A survey of styrene monomer levels in foods and plastic packaging by coupled mass spectrometry--automatic headspace gas chromatography.

An extensive UK survey of styrene monomer levels in styrene based plastic packaging materials and their contained foods (133 samples) has been carried out, examining a wide range of retail foods of different brand names and including yogurts, creams, salads, coleslaws, soft cheeses, margarines, hot and cold beverages from dispensing machines, spreads, fresh and cooked meats, candied fruits, fresh strawberries, and take-away ‘fast’ foods. Analysis by headspace gas chromatography of styrene levels in the plastic containers showed levels of monomer ranging from 16 to 1300 mg kg−1 although the majority of containers (73%) had styrene levels in the range 100–500 mg kg−1 and only five plastic tubs had levels exceeding 1000 mg kg−1. Analysis of the food contents of the plastic containers by automated headspace gas chromatography with single ion monitoring mass spectrometric detection showed levels of the monomer ranging from < 1 μg kg−1 to 200 μg kg−1, although the majority of foods (77%) had styrene levels below 10 μg kg−1, and 26% of the total number analysed had levels below 1 μg kg−1.
Ultra-wideband, true-time-delay, metamaterial-based reflectarray antenna

With the recent progress in the areas of periodic structures and metamaterials, numerous innovative designs of reflectarray antenna systems have been reported as potential replacements of parabolic antennas. Reflectarrays have also found applications in at phased arrays that are used for many high-gain antenna applications such as satellite communications and radar systems. Reflectarray antennas are generally composed of locally-periodic structures with unit cells that act as spatial phase shifters or spatial time-delay units. These unit cells are commonly implemented from resonant building blocks (e.g. patch antennas). Such reflectarrays suffer from relatively small bandwidths and tend to be highly dispersive. Moreover, in situations where reflectarrays are fed with multiple feed antennas to achieve a multi-beam aperture, the sensitivity of the responses of these spatial phase shifters to the angle of incidence of the electromagnetic wave can seriously deteriorate the response of the structure. Hence, in applications where signals with instantaneously broad bandwidths are used, reflectarray antennas free of chromatic aberration must be employed.