cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An ITS-based phylogenetic analysis of theEuryptera species group inLomatium (Apiaceae)

Lomatium, the largest genus of Apiaceae in western North America, includes many narrow endemics whose relationships are uncertain. Although no infrageneric classification exists forLomatium, several informal groups have been recognized. TheEuryptera group comprises seven narrowly endemic species distributed primarily in California. We conducted parsimony and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses using sequences of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA from species of theEuryptera group and several other species ofLomatium. When considered with distribution, morphological, and cpDNA data, the ITS analyses are consistent with the monophyly of theEuryptera group and suggests that speciation in this group has occurred through geographical divergence. Inferences from ITS data also identify putative progenitors of the polyploidEuryptera species.
ESTIMATION OF KINETIC PARAMETERS FOR ELEMENTARY SURFACE PROCESSES FROM INTEGRAL REACTOR DATA. CO OXIDATION OVER Pt/ Al2O3

A novel method has been developed which can be used for kinetic parameter estimation from laboratory reactor data. It is based on discrete modeling and variational techniques applied to an integral...
Detection of Homocysteine and Cysteine

At elevated levels, homocysteine (Hcy, 1) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, neural tube defects, and osteoporosis. Both 1 and cysteine (Cys, 3) are linked to neurotoxicity. The biochemical mechanisms by which 1 and 3 are involved in disease states are relatively unclear. Herein, we describe simple methods for detecting either Hcy or Cys in the visible spectral region with the highest selectivity reported to date without using biochemical techniques or preparative separations. Simple methods and readily available reagents allow for the detection of Cys and Hcy in the range of their physiologically relevant levels. New HPLC postcolumn detection methods for biological thiols are reported. The potential biomedical relevance of the chemical mechanisms involved in the detection of 1 is described.
Characterization of bias-enhanced nucleation of diamond on silicon by invacuo surface analysis and transmission electron microscopy.

An in-depth study has been performed of the nucleation of diamond on silicon by bias-enhanced microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition. Substrates were pretreated by negative biasing in a 2% methane-hydrogen plasma. The bias pretreatment enhanced the nucleation density on unscratched silicon wafers up to ${10}^{11}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ as compared with ${10}^{7}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ on scratched wafers. In vacuo surface analysis including x-ray photoelecton spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy, and combined XPS and electron-energy-loss spectroscopy were used to study systematically both the initial-nucleation and growth processes. High-resolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the physical and structural characteristics of the diamond-silicon interface as well as to complement and enhance the in vacuo surface-analytical results. Raman spectroscopy confirmed that diamond was actually nucleating during the bias pretreatment. Scanning electron microscopy has shown that once the bias is turned off, and conventional growth is conducted, diamond grows on the existing nuclei and no continued nucleation occurs. If the bias is left on throughout the entire deposition, the resulting film will be of much poorer quality than if the bias had been turned off and conventional growth allowed to begin. Intermittent surface analysis showed that a complete silicon carbide layer developed before diamond could be detected. High-resolution cross-sectional TEM confirmed that the interfacial layer was amorphous and varied in thickness from 10 to 100 \AA{}. A small amount of amorphous carbon is detected on the surface of the silicon carbide and it is believed to play a major role in the nucleation sequence. A model is proposed to help explain bias-enhanced nucleation on silicon, in hopes that this will improve the understanding of diamond nucleation, in general, and eventually result in the nucleation and growth of better-quality diamond films.
Culture and Well-Being: The Cycle of Action, Evaluation, and Decision:

Two studies were conducted to examine how European and Asian Americans experience and remember their task performance, make a decision about a future task, and how that decision affects enjoyment of the task. In Study 1, although Asians solved as many anagrams as European Americans, Asians remembered solving fewer than did European Americans at Time 2. European Americans' Time 2 choice of task was predicted from Time 1 performance, but Asians' Time 2 choice was not. In Study 2, European Americans chose the same task if they had previously done well and a different task if they had not. Their actual enjoyment of the Time 2 task, furthermore, was significantly higher than at Time 1. In contrast, there was no change in actual enjoyment of the task at Time 2 among Asians because their choice was not based on their performance at Time 1.
Making a fragile public: A talk-centered study of citizenship and power

Understanding how citizens create contexts for open-ended political conversation in everyday life is an important task for social research. The lack of theoretical attention to political conversation in the current renaissance of studies of civil society and the public sphere precludes a thoroughly social understanding of civic life. Participant-observation in U.S. recreational, volunteer, and activist groups shows how the very act of speaking itself comes to mean different things in different civic contexts. It shows dramatic contextual shills-the more public the context, the less public-spirited the discourse. Institutions encouraged groups to avoid public, political conversation. One group challenged the dominant etiquette for citizenship; the others considered talking politics out of place almost everywhere. The ways groups relate to public speech itself are themselves meaningful; the concept of civic practices highlights how groups develop not just the power to make a particular political program public, but the power to make the public itself
Experimental and theoretical studies of plasmon?molecule interactions

Plasmon?molecule interactions are widely believed to involve photo-induced interferences between the localized excitation of individual electrons in molecules and the large collective excitation of conduction electrons in metal particles. The intrinsic multi-scale characteristics of plasmon?molecule interactions not only offer great opportunities for realizing precise top-down control of the optical properties of individual molecules, but also allow for accurate bottom-up manipulation of light polarization and propagation as a result of molecular excitation. However, the temporal and spatial complexity of plasmon?molecule experiments severely limits our interpretation and understanding of interactions that have important applications in dye-sensitized solar cells, single-molecule detectors, photoconductive molecular electronics, all-optical switching and photo-catalytic water splitting. This review aims to outline recent progress in experimental practice and theory for probing and exploiting the subtle coupling between discrete molecular orbitals and continuous metallic bands. For each experimental technique or theoretical model, the fundamental mechanisms and relevant applications are discussed in detail with specific examples. In addition, the experimental validation of theoretical models and the computational design of functional devices are both highlighted. Finally, a brief summary is presented together with an outlook for potential future directions of this emerging interdisciplinary research field.
Scleromyxedema-like lesions of patients in renal failure contain hyaluronan: a possible pathophysiological mechanism.

Background: Patients with renal failure have been identified recently, some on dialysis, others with renal transplants, who have scleromyxedema-like skin changes. These lesions are characterized grossly by extensive thickening of skin, brawny pigmentation, papules, and subcutaneous nodules. Mucinous deposits are observed histologically that resemble those in scleromyxedema. Methods: Biopsies of these lesions were stained with a biotinylated hyaluronan (HA)-binding protein coupled to an avidin-peroxidase reaction. Results: These lesions are associated with marked deposition of HA in the papillary dermis. Conclusions: HA turnover is cleared rapidly in the circulation by both liver and kidney. Evidence suggests that high molecular size HA chains, which are anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and immuno-suppressive are cleared by the liver. By contrast, intermediate-size fragments, which are highly angiogenic, inflammatory, and a stimulus for fibrous deposition, are cleared by the kidney. The accumulation of such fragments in renal failure can account for HA deposition in the dermis and may be a mechanism for the nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy that can accompany these lesions.
Preparation of self-supporting, metallic foils of isotopic chromium☆

Abstract Electrodeposition has been developed into a dependable and reproducible technique for preparing self-supporting, metallic chromium foils in the real density range of 0.3 to 35 mg/cm 2 . Procedures minimize material losses so that chromium isotopes can be processed economically. Chemical purity of foils prepared by this method was greater than 99.87% and thickness variation of each foil was less than ±5% of the average value.
Apodization technique for spurious mode suppression in AlN contour-mode resonators

Abstract This paper reports on the application of apodization techniques to 900 MHz–1 GHz MEMS AlN Contour-Mode Resonators (CMRs [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] ) to efficiently suppress spurious modes in close proximity of the main mechanical resonance. This concept has been applied with excellent results to a variety of one port resonators formed by patterned top electrodes made out of aluminum, and a floating bottom electrode made out of platinum sandwiching the AlN film. As also predicted by 3D COMSOL analysis, a complete elimination of the spurious responses (>90% suppression) is attained without significantly impacting the quality factor, Q, and electromechanical coupling coefficient, k t 2 , of the device. On average, the Q improves except for resonators with thick (220 nm) top electrodes for which k t 2 reduction is 1% for all designs.
Crosslink distribution of epoxy networks studied by small-angle neutron scattering

Abstract Crosslink distribution of epoxy networks of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) cured with stoichiometric amounts of meta -phenylene diamine ( m PDA) was examined by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). A monodisperse DGEBA resin with the smallest molecular weight was used to enhance the crosslink density and to simplify the network structure for deuterium-labelling. Meta -phenylene-d 4 diamine ( m PDAd 4 ) was applied to label definitively the crosslinks. SANS measurements covered a reciprocal space range from 0.016 to 0.220 A −1 or, equivalently, real-space distances from 400 to 30 A. Application of SANS on the deuterium-labelled epoxy networks consistently produces a constant excess intensity over the unlabelled epoxy networks. Since the scattering intensity from total correlation of the network was negligible, as evident from measurements of SANS on the unlabelled epoxy networks and small-angle X-ray scattering on the epoxy networks, the constant excess SANS intensity can only be attributed to a uniform spatial distribution of the amine curing agent. In other words, the crosslinks are distributed uniformly throughout the epoxy network.
Queue length estimation from probe vehicle location and the impacts of sample size

Abstract Probe vehicles are increasingly receiving more attention as an alternative means of collecting real-time traffic data needed for system optimization. This paper focuses on real-time estimation of queue lengths from the location information of probe vehicles in a queue at an isolated and undersaturated intersection. The paper also addresses the evaluation of the accuracy of such estimates as a function of the market penetration of probe vehicles. An analytical formulation based on conditional probability distributions is developed for estimating the expected queue length and its variance. It is found that, for the given settings, only the location information of the last probe vehicle in the queue is sufficient for the estimation. Exact expressions for the conditional mean and variance of queue length are derived. Various numerical results are documented to show how estimation errors behave by the volume to capacity ratio and by market penetration.
Some Refinements of Nash Equilibria of Large Games

Abstract The notions of perfect, proper, and persistent equilibria for large games are introduced. It is shown that every large game has at least one perfect and proper equilibrium. An example is given to show that a persistent equilibrium may fail to exist in a game. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: C79.
A 750 MHz RF amplifier in 2-/spl mu/m CMOS

Low-power RF and IF components are essential building blocks for future portable wireless communicators. The conventional view holds that only GaAs or silicon bipolar technologies offer the required gain and low noise at an acceptably low power dissipation in an RF amplifier operating in the 900 MHz frequency band. A wireless transceiver will therefore consist of a mixture of technologies for RF, IF, and baseband signal processing. However, if the entire transceiver is integrated in a single technology, just the elimination of off-chip buffers between the RF and IF sections, say, can lead to considerable power savings. CMOS is the only viable technology for a digital transceiver. To this end, we describe here a 2-/spl mu/m CMOS tuned amplifier affording 14 dB gain centered at 750 MHz, 6 dB noise figure, and 7 mW power dissipation from a 3 V supply. The design of this prototype will be straightforwardly re-centered at 900 MHz in a future version.
31 P Magic Angle Spinning NMR Spectroscopy for Probing Local Environments in Paramagnetic Europium-Substituted Wells -Dawson Polyoxotungstates

A series of europium-substituted Wells-Dawson polyoxotungstates were addressed by 31P magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy. The electron-nuclear dipolar interaction dominates the 31P spinning-sideband envelopes. The experimental electron-nuclear dipolar anisotropies were found to be in good agreement with those calculated based on the known crystallographic coordinates and effective magnetic moments and assuming a point-dipole approximation. These electron-nuclear dipolar anisotropies directly report on the anion stoichiometry and on the positional isomerism, indicating that 31P MAS NMR spectroscopy may be a useful and quick analytical probe of the local environment in Wells-Dawson solids containing localized europium paramagnetic centers.
Differential inequalities and their application to a convergence proof of quasilinearization

Abstract Theorems concerned with differential inequalities are developed. These are then used to derive upper bounds on the norms of solutions to systems of second-order, linear differential equations and on the norms of solutions to associated two-point boundary-value problems. The theory is applied to a new convergence theorem for quasilinearization, an important method for the solution of two-point boundary-value problems associated with nonlinear differential equations.
Digital Simulaiion of a Commercial Scale High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) Steam Power Plant

A nonlinear dynamic model of a commercial scale high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) steam power plant was derived in state-space form from fundamental principles. The plant model is 40th order, time-invariant, deterministic and continuous-time. Numerical results were obtained by digital simulation. Steady-state performance of the nonlinear model was verified with plant heat balance data at 100, 75 and 50 percent load levels. Local stability, controllability and observability were examined in this range using standard linear algorithms. Transfer function matrices for the linearized models were also obtained. Transient response characteristics of 6 system variables for independent step disturbances in 2 different input variables are presented as typical results. Simulation of the HTGR steam power plant provides the basis for (a) understanding the complex and highly interactive process dynamics, (b) designing an interactive multivariable controller, and (c) studying plant dynamic performance under various operating and upset conditions. Modeling and simulation techniques developed in the work from which this paper is abstracted have general applicability, and can be readily adapted to the study of gas-cooled steam power plants.
Errors in Thyroid Gland Fine-Needle Aspiration

Scant published data exist on redesigning pathology practice based on error data. In this first step of an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality patient safety project, we measured the performance metrics of thyroid gland fine-needle aspiration, performed root cause analysis to determine the causes of error, and proposed error-reduction initiatives to address specific errors. Eleven cytologists signed out 1,543 thyroid gland aspirates in 2 years, and surgical pathology follow-up was obtained in 364 patients. Of the 364 patients, 91 (25.0%) had a false-negative diagnosis and 36 (9.9%) a false-positive diagnosis. Root cause analysis showed that major sources of error were preanalytic (poor specimen quality) and analytic (interpretation of unsatisfactory specimens as nonneoplastic and lack of diagnostic category standardization). We currently are evaluating the effectiveness of error reduction initiatives that target preanalytic and analytic portions of the diagnostic pathway.
POSITIVE CURVATURE AND EIGENFUNCTIONS OF THE LAPLACIAN

Examples are given of noncompact Riemannian manifolds having nonnegative Ricci cuvature and infinitely many square integrable eigenfunctions for the Laplace operator.
Macrolide biosynthesis. 6 Mechanism of polyketide chain elongation

Abstract Incorporation of the NAC thioester of (2 S , 3 R )-[3- 2 H, 3- 13 C]-2-methyl-3-hydroxypentanoic acid into both erythromycin A ( 9 ) and B ( 2 ) and nargenicin A 1 ( 3 ) takes place without loss of deuterium.
Developments and Applications of Structural Optimization and Robustness Methods in Vehicle Impacts

Finite element based full vehicle structural crash simulation is an analysis tool commonly used in automotive industry to evaluate vehicle impact performance. As the simulations are computation intensive, special optimization methods and processes are often required. This paper presents recent developments and applications of structural safety optimization and robustness methods for vehicle crashworthiness. It addresses advanced methods in gauge, size, shape, topology optimization, and robust, reliability-based design optimization methods. Recent applications in vehicle safety design are presented and discussed.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
The impact of new (orphan) drug approvals on premature mortality from rare diseases in the United States and France, 1999-2007.

This paper investigates the impact of the introduction of new orphan drugs on premature mortality from rare diseases using longitudinal, disease-level data obtained from a number of major databases. The analysis is performed using data from two countries: the United States (during the period 1999–2006) and France (during the period 2000–2007). For both countries, we estimate models using two alternative definitions of premature mortality, several alternative criteria for inclusion in the set of rare diseases, and several values of the potential lag between new drug approvals and premature mortality reduction. Both the United States and French estimates indicate that, overall, premature mortality from rare diseases is unrelated to the cumulative number of drugs approved 0–2 years earlier but is significantly inversely related to the cumulative number of drugs approved 3–4 years earlier. This delay is not surprising, since most patients probably do not have access to a drug until several years after it has been launched. Although the estimates for the two countries are qualitatively similar, the estimated magnitudes of the US coefficients are about four times as large as the magnitudes of the French coefficients. This may be partly due to greater errors in measuring dates of drug introduction in France. Also, access to new drugs may be more restricted in France than it is in the United States. Our estimates indicate that, in the United States, potential years of life lost to rare diseases before age 65 (PYLL65) declined at an average annual rate of 3.3% and that, in the absence of lagged new drug approvals, PYLL65 would have increased at a rate of 0.9%. Since the US population aged 0–64 was increasing at the rate of 1.0% per year, this means that PYLL65 per person under 65 would have remained approximately constant. The reduction in the US growth rate of PYLL65 attributable to lagged new drug approvals was 4.2%. In France, PYLL65 declined at an average annual rate of 1.8%. The estimates imply that, in the absence of lagged new drug approvals, it would have declined at a rate of 0.6%. The reduction in the French growth rate of PYLL65 attributable to lagged new drug approvals was 1.1%. Earlier access to orphan drugs could result in earlier reductions in premature mortality from rare diseases.
Where should we look for mental representations? On the need for epistemic ethics.

Recent scientific studies of consciousness reveal the challenges involved in striking the proper balance between concrete fact and abstract theory. Christof Koch believes he is on the road to a scientific understanding of consciousness because he has a research paradigm which appears to create solvable puzzles. Unfortunately, work in other areas of neuroscience reveal that these puzzles rely too heavily on Aristotelian common sense to account for the unique nature of connectionist processing. William Ramsey claims that biological versions of traditional theories of representation, of the sort embraced by Koch, Fodor, and others, are so inadequate that we should give up all attempts to create high level abstract theories about human cognition. I argue, however, that what is needed is more abstract theorizing, not less. The intelligible entities described by Dynamic Systems Theory should be seen as embodiments of mental representations. These embodiments are physical in the sense that they are comprehensibl...
Psychostimulant Abuse and Neuroinflammation: Emerging Evidence of Their Interconnection

During the past two decades, there has been a tremendous expansion of knowledge regarding the neurobiological effects of substance abuse and how these effects impact behavior. At the same time, there has been a profound change in our understanding of the way in which the central nervous system responds to noxious stimuli. Most often referred to as the innate immune response (IIR), this defense mechanism is activated by a number of agents (toxic, microbial, ischemic) and has been implicated in the progression of a number of neurodegenerative diseases. We review evidence that psychostimulants of abuse (cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy) are associated with activation of the IIR. We first present background on what is currently known about the IIR including some of the cellular elements involved (microglia, astrocytes, vascular endothelial cells), key receptor pathways, and primary inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). We then present a variety of protein and gene expression data taken from animal studies that show increased expression of various components of the IIR following acute or repeated psychostimulant administration. Collectively the data indicate an association of psychostimulant use with IIR activation in the brain even at exposures not traditionally associated with neurotoxicity. Thus, the gradually escalating deleterious effects of psychostimulant use could in part involve neuroinflammatory mechanisms. Finally, we offer one hypothesis of a possible mechanism by which psychostimulants result in IIR activation and discuss the potential therapeutic implications of these findings for treatment of the recovering addict.
Cyclocholates with 12-Oxo and 7,12-Oxo Groups

Syntheses of bile acid cyclooligomers with 12- and 7,12-oxo groups (6a−d, 7a−c, 8a−b) by the Yamaguchi method are described. Cyclotrimerization is the principal reaction route for these cholic acid systems. Conversion of 7- and 12-hydroxy groups in cholic acid (1a−b) to oxo groups (4a−c, 5a−c), followed by macrocyclization (6a−d, 7a−c, 8a−b) and selective reduction of the oxo groups back to hydroxy ones without cleaving the 24-carboxylic ester linkages (11) constitutes a new strategy in the synthesis of cyclocholates having unprotected hydroxy groups.
A rare form of crossed-fused renal ectopia: fusion anterior to the left orthotopic kidney.

A white girl with a history of spina bifida and severe kyphosis presented with recurrent urinary tract infections. Renal ultrasound revealed a crossed-fused renal ectopia with both kidneys located in the left renal fossa and the larger kidney fused anterior to the smaller kidney (Figure 1). Voiding cystourethrography during videourodynamic evaluation demonstrated an irregularly shaped neurogenic bladder with bilateral vesicoureteral reflux. Grade 4 reflux was noted in the right collecting system, which crossed the midline and was the larger anterior renal unit noted in the left renal fossa by renal ultrasound. Grade 3 reflux was noted in the smaller posterior left collecting system (Figure 2). The patient was treated with clean intermittent cath-
Space-time approach to holonomy scattering.

A general concept of holonomy scattering is defined. It applies, among other things, to imply a nontrivial (generally, inelastic) scattering amplitude for the scattering of pure flux tubes off one another, when these fluxes are non-Abelian and do not commute. The amplitudes for such processes, as well as the original Aharonov-Bohm cross section, are calculated directly from an expression for the propagator with a definite winding number.
The regional hypothalamic distribution of type II 5′-monodeiodinase in euthyroid and hypothyroid rats

Abstract The brain topographical distribution of type II 5′-monodeiodinase (5′D-II), which converts thyroxine (T 4 ) to triiodothyronine (T 3 ), was studied in euthyroid and hypothyroid rats. Low levels of 5′D-II activity were detected in the median eminence, but not in any other brain regions of euthyroid rats. The arcuate nucleus and median eminence were also the sites of highest 5′D-II activity in brains of hypothyroid rats. Under these conditions, the paraventricular nucleus contained almost no detectable 5′D-II, while intermediate enzyme activity was present in other medial basal hypothalamic sites.
Planktonic foraminiferal faunas across the Cretaceous-Tertiary succession of Mexico: Implications for the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary problem

Four consecutive planktic foraminiferal faunas characterize the planktic transformation recorded from continuous Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary successions of Mexico; from older to younger, these are mayaroensis , aegyptiaca , relict, and cancellate. The mayaroensis fauna, containing the nominal taxon and lacking gansseri , is followed by the aegyptiaca fauna, characterized by the absence of mayaroensis , indicating that this taxon disappeared before the major extinction of Cretaceous Hedbergellacea. The relict (“small globigerinas”) fauna contains taxa whose wall structure and umbilical apparatuses are directly linked to Cretaceous Hedbergellacea rather than Tertiary Globigerinacea. The cancellate fauna represents the first appearance of true Tertiary forms. The mayaroensis and aegyptiaca faunas are found immediately below the spherulite and clastic units attributed to the asteroid impact in Yucatan. The relict fauna is found immediately above the clastic unit, whereas the cancellate fauna is usually found ∼30 cm above this unit. The stratigraphic positions of the four consecutive faunas indicate that (1) the faunal changes observed started before the physical features attributed to the impact, and (2) the major evolutionary planktic event, i.e., the appearance of the cancellate wall, is the only unequivocal feature that defines the entry of the Tertiary planktic foraminiferal fauna.
Processing category terms in context: instantiations as inferences.

Three experiments were conducted to isolate conditions in which readers make their representations of text more concrete by instantiating (inferring a specific instance of) category terms. In previous research using single-sentence contexts and a modified Stroop task as an on-line measure of comprehension, no evidence for instantiation was obtained. In the present experiments, the modified Stroop task was used to test for instantiation when category terms were referred to anaphorically in subsequent sentences and when the category terms served as the subjects of single-sentence contexts. The pattern of the Stroop effects was dependent upon whether typical or atypical exemplars were suggested by the context. Facilitation of color naming was obtained in the former case, and interference was obtained in the latter case when the instances followed the appropriate biasing contexts. The results highlight the role of foregrounding and context in guiding the use of elaborative inferences.
Early growth of Potamogeton pectinatus L. in response to temperature and irradiance: Morphology and pigment composition

Abstract When recently germinated Potamogeton pectinatus L. tubers were grown at temperatures ranging from 10 to 37°C under low irradiances (6–120 μE m −1 s −1 ), temperature exerted a stronger influence on levels of the pigments chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b than did irradiance. Temperature and irradiance interacted to influence the level of total carotenoids. At low irradiances, changes in temperature modified the concentrations of accessory pigments relative to chlorophyll a . Two indicators of growth were also strongly affected by temperature. The relative rate of shoot elongation varied from −0.04 to 1.23 mm cm −1 day −1 . At 23–30°C, the relative shoot elongation rate was inversely related to irradiance, but at temperatures outside this range irradiance had no influence on the relative shoot elongation rate. The relative leaf production rate varied from 0 to 0.28 leaves leaf −1 day −1 and increased with temperature and irradiance. No leaves were produced at 37°C. These results indicate that the optimum temperature for early growth of P. pectinatus is near 23–30°C, and that, during the early growth period, temperature may be as important as irradiance in influencing growth of P. pectinatus .
Synergy between silver carp egestion and benthic fishes

Many studies have shown that negative interactions exist between the invasive silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and the associated native fish community. The primary negative effect relates to the filter feeding capacity of Asian carp and thus dietary overlap and decreased fitness of native planktivorous fishes. However, from a nutrient transfer perspective, an alternative feedback loop may exist between invasive Asian carps and native fishes. We postulate that silver carp consuming small planktonic particles with low assimilation efficiency can subsequently egest larger, nutrient rich fecal pellets consumable by other fauna, which may have otherwise been unavailable. To evaluate this feedback loop, we extracted fecal pellets from the hindgut of silver carp. Fecal pellets were fed to age-0 channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus (i.e., < 130 mm) in a controlled laboratory setting. Both species of catfish consumed the fecal pellets and subsequently survived and increased in body mass (i.e., weight) over the 20-day trial period. These results suggest that a potential alternative feedback loop may exist between silver carp and members of the benthic community and therefore provide a pathway by which nutrients are translocated between habitats (i.e., pelagia to benthos). We suggest that undigested plankton consumed by silver carp can be converted into nutrient packed pellets and may provide an additional food source to benthic organisms such as age-0 channel catfish and age-0 blue catfish.
Adrenal Imaging Agents: Rationale, Synthesis, Formulation and, Metabolism

In this introductory paper on radionuclide adrenal imaging, the rationale, synthesis, formulation, and metabolism of two clinically well-established and one promising adrenocortical imaging agents are reviewed. Their present clinical utility is reviewed in a separate presentation in this issue. Progress to date in developing a positive imaging agent of the adrenal medulla and tumors of chromaffin tissue will be given brief consideration because there is, as yet, no clinically successful radiolabeled adrenal medulla imaging agent.
A Meteor-Burst System for Extended Range VHF Communications

A low-power burst communication system has been designed and tested, utilizing the intermittent propagation path provided by ionized meteor trails. A test circuit has been installed between Bozeman, Mont. (Montana State College), and Palo Alto, Calif. Details of the burst control techniques and storage devices used to handle the intermittent information flow are discussed along with the over-all system design.
Abstract LB-80: Role of ER calcium in Bcl-2 resistance to dosage and duration-related cytotoxic efficacy of Taxol

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Background and Objectives: Calcium is one of the key regulators in apoptosis. Among various calcium sources, our previous study shows that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the main intracellular calcium storage site, provides a specific target for the chemotherapy agent Taxol and thus contributes to apoptosis. Although the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 has been shown to confer resistance to Taxol, the exact mechanism of how it inhibits apoptosis and the role of ER calcium in this process remains unclear. This study investigated whether ER-associated calcium changes were generated and related to resistance by Bcl-2 to Taxol-induced apoptosis. Materials and methods: Fluo4-AM and Cameleon D1ER was used to monitor cytosolic and ER calcium dynamics by advanced time-lapsed imaging. Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide were used to detect various phases of apoptosis induced by Taxol at different dosages from 10−12 to 10−5 M and at different durations from 5 min to 12 hours. Breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-M468 and MDA-MB-231 were used and Bcl-2 transfectant cell lines were constructed by stable transfection. Results and Significance: Our previous data shows that Taxol (above 10−6 M) induces a rapid ER calcium release (peaking at 5 minutes) that promotes apoptosis. In this study, upon the expression of Bcl-2, basal ER calcium levels are decreased and Taxol-induced ER calcium release is inhibited, playing a major role in Bcl-2 resistance to Taxol. Depending upon dose and exposure time, long-term (hours) Taxol treatment partially overcame the Bcl-2 inhibition of ER calcium release by continually stimulating the ER calcium release, ultimately inducing significant, although smaller apoptosis in the presence of Bcl-2 expression. In addition to the effect on ER calcium, our data shows that the extracellular calcium pool is involved in Bcl-2 resistance through increased capacitative calcium entry to refill the ER calcium store, preventing ER calcium depletion. Taxol does not have a significant effect on the enhanced calcium influx from the extracellular medium. Taken together, out results indicate that the ER calcium store is the focus of the Taxol attack and plays a key role in Bcl-2 resistance to cytotoxic efficacy of Taxol in breast cancer cells. This finding provides insight to better understand the complex relationship between Bcl-2, calcium and Taxol towards improving breast cancer chemotherapies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-80. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-80
Origin of Fe3+ in Fe-containing, Al-free mantle silicate perovskite

Abstract We have studied the ferrous (Fe2+) and ferric (Fe3+) iron concentrations in Al-free Fe containing Mg-silicate perovskite (Mg-Pv) at pressure (P), temperature (T), and oxygen fugacity (fO2) conditions related to the lower mantle using a thermodynamic model based on ab initio calculations. We consider the oxidation reaction and the charge disproportionation reaction, both of which can produce Fe3+ in Mg-Pv. The model shows qualitatively good agreement with available experimental data on Fe3+/ΣFe (ΣFe = total Fe in system), spin transitions, and equations of state. We predict that under lower-mantle conditions Fe3+/ΣFe determined by the charge disproportionation is estimated to be 0.01–0.07 in Al-free Mg-Pv, suggesting that low Al Mg-Pv in the uppermost pyrolitic mantle (where majoritic garnet contains most of the Al) and in the harzburgitic heterogeneities throughout the lower mantle contains very little Fe3+. We find that the volume reduction by the spin transition of the B-site Fe3+ leads to a minimum Fe3+/ΣFe in Mg-Pv at mid-mantle pressures. The model shows that configurational entropy is a key driving force to create Fe3+ and therefore Fe3+ content is highly temperature sensitive. The temperature sensitivity may lead to a maximum Fe3+/ΣFe in Mg-Pv in warm regions at the core–mantle boundary region, such as Large Low Shear Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs), potentially altering the physical (e.g., bulk modulus) and transport (e.g., thermal and electrical conductivities) properties of the heterogeneities.
Early-Appearing Antiviral Activity in Human Tears during a Case of Picornavirus Epidemic Conjunctivitis

The clinical, virological, and immunological courses of a laboratory-acquired hemorrhagic conjunctivitis were followed. Coxsackievirus type A24 (CA24) was isolated from tears for only two days but from sputum and fecal samples for 20 days. Maximal levels of virus were detected in the right eye (105.1 50% tissue culture infective doses/ ml) 5-7 hr before conjunctivitis in the right eye, and in feces (102.8 50% tissue culture infective doses/g) and sputum (102.5 50% tissue culture infective doses/ml) five and eight days after onset of conjunctivitis, respectively. Specific neutralizing activity against CA24 was detected in tear samples 48-56 hr after exposure, and elimination of virus was associated with the rise in the neutralizing activity in tears. This activity was detected earlier than previously reported antibody responses of the eye. The absence of interferon and the association of this early neutralizing activity in tears with early elimination of virus from the eye suggest that neutralizing activity may play a major role in the clinical and pathological manifestations of this infection.
Formation of crystallized titania nanotubes and their transformation into nanowires

Gram quantities of titania (TiO2) nanotubes, with a typical outside diameter about 9 nm, wall thickness of about 2.5 nm, and length of about 600 nm, were synthesized from anatase nanopowder and micropowder using the hydrothermal method. The crystallization, structure, and phase stability of the nanotubes at high temperatures were studied. A morphology change from nanotube to nanowire was observed at 650 °C. The as-prepared nanotubes were usually contaminated with sodium impurities and were poorly crystallized, but under optimized synthesis conditions the impurity phase was completely removed, resulting in highly crystallized nanotubes. The volume filling fraction of the autoclave as well as the concentration of the acid treatment were found to be particularly important for controlling the purity and crystallinity of the resulting nanotubes. The various TiO2-derived nanotube phases (sodium titanate and hydrogen titanate) reported previously by different groups were also observed under different synthesis conditions, resolving the contradiction among the previous results.
Fertility and Life Table Studies with Trichogramma pretiosum and T. retorridum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae),

Studies on life and fertility tables were undertaken with Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (uniparental race) and T. retorridum Girault to explore the potential for using the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) as a method for differentiating races and/or species of Trichogramma . The r value of the uniparental stock did not differ greatly from the corresponding value of 5 of its clones. These clones were selected on the basis of different adult longevities. However, each of these 6 values of r was consistently greater than the r of T. retorridum . Under the limited conditions of this study, there is some indication that the intrinsic rate of natural increase may be a reliable method for differentiating 2 species of Trichogramma . Other studies were conducted with T. pretiosum to determine the repeatability of r and of its component variables. Variation in mean fertility of T. pretiosum was not significant when host eggs were presented to females 1 day old or younger. However, the mean fertility of this parasite decreased significantly if females did not have the opportunity to lay eggs in the 1st 2 days. Adult fertility varied greatly within the uniparental race of T. pretiosum . The mean fertility of the parental line was significantly lower than that of any one of its 5 clones tested. Significantly high variation in mean fertility was also found between the 5 clones. A high adult density corresponded to a low mean fertility of the progeny, and vice versa.
Science to practice: can transarterial embolotherapy be used as a viable alternative to treat obesity?

Paxton et al showed significant reductions in both the systemic ghrelin level and the amount of weight gain over the course of the study when compared with systemic ghrelin level and amount of weight gain in animals that did not undergo embolization.
Evidence That Apolipoprotein A-IMilano Has Reduced Capacity, Compared With Wild-Type Apolipoprotein A-I, to Recruit Membrane Cholesterol

Abstract Human carriers of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I Milano are heterozygous for an Arg 173 →Cys substitution in the apoA-I primary sequence; despite severe reductions in HDL cholesterol concentrations, affected individuals do not develop coronary heart disease, suggesting that apoA-I Milano may possess antiatherogenic properties. As the beneficial effects of wild-type apoA-I are linked to its role in HDL cholesterol transport, we examined the capacity of apoA-I Milano to recruit cell cholesterol and activate lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) (two key events in the antiatherogenic reverse cholesterol transport pathway). ApoA-I Milano and wild-type apoA-I were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, and their ability to recruit membrane phospholipid and cholesterol for the assembly of nascent HDL was compared. Both clonal cell lines exhibited similar levels of apolipoprotein accumulation in serum-free medium (≈2 μg/mg cell protein per 24 hours), and 15% of each apolipoprotein was associated with membrane lipids to form nascent HDL ( d =1.063 to 1.21 g/mL). SDS-PAGE showed that a majority (66±12%) of the lipidated apoA-I Milano was in the homodimer form. Compositional analyses revealed that apoA-I Milano nascent HDL had a significantly lower ( P Milano had a reduced capacity to recruit cell cholesterol. In addition to the reduced unesterified cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, apoA-I Milano nascent HDL consisted mostly of small 7.4-nm particles compared with wild-type apoA-I, in which 11- and 9-nm particles predominated. Despite these changes in nascent HDL particle size and composition, apoA-I Milano activated LCAT normally. We conclude that, even though apoA-I Milano is a normal activator of LCAT, it is less efficient than wild-type apoA-I in recruiting cell cholesterol, suggesting that the putative antiatherogenic properties attributed to apoA-I Milano may be unrelated to the initial stages of reverse cholesterol transport.
Ring bands in fish skeletal muscle: reorienting the myofibrils and microtubule cytoskeleton within a single cell.

Skeletal muscle cells (fibers) contract by shortening their parallel subunits, the myofibrils. Here we show a novel pattern of myofibril orientation in white muscle fibers of large black sea bass, Centropristis striata. Up to 48% of the white fibers in fish >1168 g had peripheral myofibrils undergoing an ∼90o shift in orientation. The resultant ring band wrapped the middle of the muscle fibers and was easily detected with polarized light microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the reoriented myofibrils shared the cytoplasm with the central longitudinal myofibrils. A microtubule network seen throughout the fibers surrounded nuclei but was mostly parallel to the long-axis of the myofibrils. In the ring band portion of the fibers the microtubule cytoskeleton also shifted orientation. Sarcolemmal staining with anti-synapsin was the same in fibers with or without ring bands, suggesting that fibers with ring bands have normal innervation and contractile function. The ring bands appear to be related to body-mass or age, not fiber size, and also vary along the body, being more frequent at the midpoint of the anteroposterior axis. Similar structures have been reported in different taxa and appear to be associated with hypercontraction of fibers not attached to a rigid structure (bone) or with fibers with unusually weak links between the sarcolemma and cytoskeleton, as in muscular dystrophy. Fish muscle fibers are attached to myosepta, which are flexible and may allow for fibers to hypercontract and thus form ring bands. The consequences of such a ring band pattern might be to restrict the further expansion of the sarcolemma and protect it from further mechanical stress. J. Morphol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The use of optical emission spectroscopy for human 15N tracer studies.

Abstract Optical emission spectroscopy is a convenient method for determing 15N specific activity in a variety of metabolites following the administration of an 15N-labeled amino acid to humans. The only disadvantage, compared to the more conventional isotope ratio mass spectrometer analytical system is that more tracer is needed to give accurate results. When an 15N-labeled amino acid is used as the 15N carrier, the amount of 15N is not above a tracer dose. A suitable procedure is described for performing such studies using [15N]glycine as a tracer. As an experimental example, [15N]glycine was infused into a subject at a rate of 35 mg of N/hr for 8 hr. After 3 hr a meal was consumed by the subject. The urinary urea-15N, ammonia-15N and amino acid-15N profiles were determined.