cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Potential Attractants for Liposcelis bostrychophila (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae)

The psocid, Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae), can cause significant damage to stored commodities, and its pest status in the United States has been increasing over the last decade. Because L. bostrychophila is difficult to control with conventional methods, it is critical to explore alternative approaches such as the use of attractants that can be incorporated into integrated pest management programs for monitoring psocids. The orientation response of several L. bostrychophila life stages (first and second instars, third and fourth instars, 0- to 7-d-old adults, 21- to 28-d-old adults, and adults of mixed ages) to a range of potential attractants (including whole and cracked grains, grain-based oils, wheat germ, brewer's yeast, and commercially available kairomone lures) was studied using a two-choice pitfall test to identify candidates for further development as lures in traps. Amongthe potential attractants evaluated, the strongest response by all stages of L. bostrychophila was to brewer's yeast. Other materials for which there was consistently a strong response were psocid diet, wheat germ, and wheat germ oil. These results show the potential for developing monitoring tools for integrated pest management programs for L. bostrychophila and other psocid species.
NITROGENASE ACTIVITY IN WISCONSIN LAKES OF DIFFERING DEGREES OF EUTROPHICATION

Summary Nitrogen fixation in various Wisconsin lakes was compared using the C2H2 reduction technique. Rates of C2H2 reduction were unaffected by N2 when sufficient C2H2 was added to the gas phase. Thus in field studies the natural gas phase need not be removed before the addition of C2H2. C2H2 was reduced rapidly in eutrophic waters (Little Arbor Vitae Lake, Lake Mendota and southern Green Bay) but more slowly in oligotrophic waters (Crystal Lake, Trout Lake, Lake Mary and northern Green Bay). C2H2 reduction was greatest in the surface waters, was largely light-dependent and showed a marked diurnal variation. There was also significant variation with area and with time, and in general acetylene reduction was detected only when heterocystous algae were present. The rate of nitrogen fixation in Lake Mendota, calculated on the basis of weekly measurements taken during most of the ice-free season, was approximately 2.4 kg/ha/year.
Multi-task Learning for Classifying Proteins Using Dual Hierarchies

Several biological databases organize information in taxonomies/hierarchies. These databases differ in terms of curation process, input data, coverage and annotation errors. SCOP and CATH are examples of two databases that classify proteins hierarchically into structurally related groups based on experimentally determined structures. Given the large number of protein sequences with unavailable structure, there is a need to develop prediction methods to classify protein sequences into structural classes. We have developed a novel classification approach that utilizes the underlying relationships across multiple hierarchical source databases within a multi-task learning (MTL) framework. MTL is used to simultaneously learn multiple related tasks, and has been shown to improve generalization performance. Specifically, we have developed and evaluated an MTL approach for predicting the structural class, as defined by two hierarchical databases, CATH and SCOP, using protein sequence information only. We define one task per node of the hierarchies and formulate the MTL problem as a combination of these binary classification tasks. Our experimental evaluation demonstrates that the MTL approach that integrates both the hierarchies outperforms the base-line approach that trains independent models per task, as well as a MTL approach that integrates tasks across a single hierarchical database. We also performed extensive experiments that evaluate different regularization penalties and incorporate different task relationships that achieve superior classification performance.
Measuring volterra kernels III: How to estimate the highest significant order

Efficient methods were previously given for measuring the frequency-domain transfer functions, namely Volterra kernels of weakly non-linear systems. the success of these methods depends crucially on the assumption that the highest significant order of the system under test is known. Practical algorithms for determining the highest significant order of non-linear systems are presented in this paper. Our algorithm can be used not only to validate the measurement results obtained by the methods presented earlier but is also capable of determining whether a Volterra series representation actually exists for the system under test.
What is objective tumor response

When the decrease in tumor size is used to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of a promising anticancer agent in a short-term clinical trial, it is considered to reflect “objective” response to therapy. This paper discusses the two senses of the word “objective” in the clinical testing situation: (1) objectivity in measuring tumor and (2) objectivity in the evaluation process which utilizes the measurements for classification into response or no response categories. The tumor size data from 1312 patients who received one of five drugs in the Eastern Clinical Drug Program were used for this analysis. The process of evaluating change in tumor size was studied with procedures or criteria for classifying tumor response. The application of various response criteria caused the proportion of responding patients to vary between 0.00 and 0.50; however, regardless of the particular set of response criteria applied to the data, the difference between drugs apparently was maintained.
A rapid procedure to determine the content of 2'-O-methylation in RNA by homochromatography.

Abstract The content of 2′- O -methylated dinucleotides from 17 S rRNA of yeast and 18 S rRNAs of chicken cells and Novikoff rat cells was determined by a new procedure using homochromatography. The procedure is simple and can be used to compare the extent of 2′- O -methylation simultaneously in various RNAs. It was of interest that 18 S rRNAs of chicken and rat have two times more 2′- O -methylated dinucleotides as compared to yeast 17 S rRNA.
Control of pheromone quantity in odor trails of the ant Acanthomyops interjectus MAYR.

Die Menge Spurpheromon in den Duftspuren der AmeisenartAcanthomyops interjectus wird der Qualitat des Futters angepasst. Mit zunehmender Konzentration des gebotenen Zuckerwassers erhoht sich der Prozentsatz spurenlegender Ameisen. Jedes spurenlegende Tier setzt zudem mehr Duftmarken pro Wegeinheit. Gleichzeitig nimmt auch die Menge Spursubstanzlosung zu, die pro Marke ausgeschieden wird. Da die Anzahl der von einer Duftspur angelockten Nestinsassen mit zunehmender Pheromonmenge ansteigt, wird angenommen, dass dieser dreifache Kontrollmechanismus die Zahl der ausschwarmenden Arbeiterinnen der Futterqualitat entsprechend reguliert.
Gaps in depression care: why primary care physicians should hone their depression screening, diagnosis, and management skills.

Objective: To highlight the potential role that occupational and environmental physicians can play in providing high quality depression care by describing: the profound impact that depression can have on development and persistence of unexplained medical symptoms such as pain; the impact of depression on social and occupational functioning; the adverse effect of comorbid depression in patients with chronic medical illness on self-care and medical outcomes; and the significant direct and indirect costs associated with depression. Method: Literature review. Results: Despite evidence-based treatment guidelines, suboptimal depression care persists. Conclusions: Building on the tenets of the chronic illness care model as well as the principles of public health, three approaches are required to address the gaps between knowledge and practice: 1) improve accuracy of diagnosis; 2) prevent chronic depression; and 3) prevent relapse and recurrence.
Optimization of scandia thin films for high power laser coating applications

We discuss the physical and optical properties of Sc 2 0 3 single layers deposited by the dual ion beam sputtering technique at oxygen partial pressures ranging from 1.7 x 10 -5 to 5.1 × 10- 5 Torr. The films are amorphous with crystallite size ~10 nm and have surface roughness RMS values of 1.2 ± 0.3 nm. The refractive index at 1 μm is 1.95. Absorption loss is shown to be sensitive to the oxygen partial pressure during growth. Multiple-pulse damage experiments suggest that the scandia film deposited at the higher oxygen partial pressure accumulates laser-induced trap defects more slowly than the scandia film deposited in a lower oxygen partial pressure atmosphere.
Light dependent incorporation of 14CO2 into protein by mesophyll protoplasts and chloroplasts isolated from Pisum sativum

Summary Mesophyll protoplasts and chloroplasts isolated from protoplasts of Pisum sativum were found to incorporate 14 CO 2 into protein during light dependent carbon assimilation. Isolated chloroplasts from young developing leaves incorporated [ 3 H] leucine into protein in the light within 30 minutes while mesophyll protoplasts did not. After one hour of 14 CO 2 fixation by mesophyll protoplasts, approximately 1 % of the 14 C assimilated was found in protein. Upon fractionation of the protoplasts about 70 % of the 14 C labelled protein was found in the chloroplasts. The percentage of 14 C assimilated into protein with isolated chloroplasts was one-tenth that with protoplasts, even though the CO 2 fixation rates were similar (50 to 70 μmol · mg chl -1 · h -1 ). Two methods were found to give equivalent results for determining the incorporation of 14 CO 2 into protein: (1) loss of trichloroacetic acid-precipitable radioactivity by protease treatment and (2) trichloroacetic acid precipitable radioactivity after digestion with a mixture of amyloglucosidase, ribonuclease, deoxyribonuclease, and cellulase in the presence of 1 % bovine serum albumin. Polypeptides of labelled soluble chloroplast proteins were resolved by gel electrophoresis under dissociating conditions. When chloroplasts were incubated with 14 CO 2 for 30 min, only a pair of radioactive peaks were observed with a mobility similar to that of the large subunit of fraction 1 protein. When mesophyll protoplasts were incubated with 14 CO 2 and the soluble chloroplast proteins resolved under dissociating conditions, polypeptides were labelled throughout the gel including areas corresponding to both the large and small subunit of fraction 1 protein.
Campus portals: Supportive mechanisms for university communication, collaboration, and organizational change

CAMPUS PORTALS have become a topic of frequent discussion on many campuses. Should campuses consider creating a portal project and if so, what should be the approach? Beginning with an introduction to campus portals and possible features they may contain, nine strategies are presented for portal projects. Collaborative mechanisms to develop and implement portal projects are suggested and criteria for the determination of campus portal readiness listed. Potential pitfalls and implementation challenges for this process are discussed. Finally, the potential values from a campus portal project and future possibilities for portals are outlined.
On Sequencing n Jobs on One Machine to Minimize the Number of Late Jobs

An integer programming formulation for the problem of sequencing jobs on a single machine to minimize the number of late jobs is developed. The structure of the formulation is exploited to obtain the easily stated algorithm previously developed by Moore [5] for the solution of the problem and then to compare it to other similar allocation problems, among which is the Knapsack problem.
Acyl sulfonamide anti-proliferatives: benzene substituent structure-activity relationships for a novel class of antitumor agents

Two closely related diaryl acylsulfonamides were recently reported as potent antitumor agents against a broad spectrum of human tumor xenografts (colon, lung, breast, ovary, and prostate) in nude mice. Especially intriguing was their activity against colorectal cancer xenografts. In this paper, rapid parallel synthesis along with traditional medicinal chemistry techniques were used to quickly delineate the structure-activity relationships of the substitution patterns in both phenyl rings of the acylsufonamide anti-proliferative scaffold. Although the molecular target of the compounds remains unclear, we determined that the vascular endothelial growth factor-dependent human umbilical vein endothelial cells assay in combination with a soft agar disk diffusion assay allowed for optimization of potency in the series. The pharmacokinetic properties and in vivo activity in an HCT116 xenograft model are reported for representative compounds.
Anchor tags affect swimming performance and growth of juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)

Swimming efficiency and growth of anchor‐tagged red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) juveniles were compared with untagged controls. The O2 consumption of fish swimming at different speeds was measured in a Blazka‐type respirometer. Daily growth rates of tagged and untagged red drum were compared over 42 d of feeding fixed rations of live mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) to siblings held individually in 380 L tanks. At swimming speeds of ≤1.0 body lengths per second (bl s‐1), no differences in O2 consumption were found. However, at speeds of 1.5–2.5 bl s‐1, tagged red drum O2 consumption was significantly greater (by 36–39%) than that of untagged fish (ANOVA, P<0.05), indicating a substantially impaired swimming efficiency. Daily growth rates of tagged and untagged fish also differed significantly (P < 0.02). Tagged fish grew at a mean rate of 0.95 mm d‐1 and 1.45 g d‐1, while untagged fish (controls) grew at 1.14 mm d‐1 and 1.62 g d‐1. Results suggest that internal anchor tags, which weighed less than 1% offish...
The Evaluation of a Vacuum Storage Method for High Moisture Distillers Grain and Its Effect as a Protein and Energy Supplement for Beef Cows

Abstract The objectives of this study were to 1) evaluate a vacuum ensiling method for storing high moisture distillers grains with solubles (DG) and 2) determine the efficacy of vacuum stored DG as a substitute for shelled corn (SC) and soybean meal (SBM) in corn silage diets. Fresh DG were covered with plastic in 2 rows containing 49 or 63.6 metric tons. Perforated tubes laid on each side of each DG row and connected to vacuum pumps were operated for 2 to 5 min 3 times/d. Over 78 d of storage, VFA concentration decreased (P 0.05) were observed in cow BW, BCS changes, conception rates, estimated milk production, calf creep feed intake, and 205-d calf BW. Results suggest that feeding diets containing DG stored for up to 260 d using a vacuum preservation method can result in similar beef cow performance compared with cows fed CNTL diet.
On the integration of reinforcement learning and approximate reasoning for control

The author discusses the importance of strengthening the knowledge representation characteristic of reinforcement learning techniques using methods such as approximate reasoning. The ARIC (approximate reasoning-based intelligent control) architecture is an example of such a hybrid approach in which the fuzzy control rules are modified (fine-tuned) using reinforcement learning. ARIC also demonstrates that it is possible to start with an approximately correct control knowledge base and learn to refine this knowledge through further experience. On the other hand, techniques such as the TD (temporal difference) algorithm and Q-learning establish stronger theoretical foundations for their use in adaptive control and also in stability analysis of hybrid reinforcement learning and approximate reasoning-based controllers. >
A virtual input-output framework for transceiver analysis and design for multipath fading channels

An understanding of the interaction between the channel and the signal space is key to reliable communication. Multipath fading channels exhibit inherent diversity that can be exploited via appropriate signaling and reception. We develop a virtual multiple-input multiple-output framework for characterizing single-transmitter single-receiver multipath fading channels, where the virtual multiple inputs and outputs are created by the dimensions of the signaling scheme. The essence of the framework is a representation of the system with respect to appropriately chosen basis waveforms for the signal space that expose the inherent structure of the channel. The structure makes it possible to derive closed-form expressions for ergodic and outage capacity for a variety of transceivers and to design novel transceivers. In many cases, the analysis clearly reveals the key factors that affect system performance. We provide new capacity expressions for a variety of transceivers. In particular, by analyzing particular transceivers, we provide new expressions that bound the outage capacity performance of the multipath channel. A novelty of this work lies in being able to apply codes developed for orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing systems and multiple antenna systems to existing code-division multiple-access-based systems.
Antimicrobial polymers containing melamine derivatives. II. Biocidal polymers derived from 2‐vinyl‐4,6‐diamino‐1,3,5‐triazine

Poly(2-vinyl-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine) (PVDAT) and a series of poly(styrene-co-2-vinyl-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine) (PS-co-VDAT) copolymers were synthesized via conventional free-radical polymerizations. The polymer structures were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, NMR, and elemental analysis. The molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography studies, and the thermal properties were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. After treatment with chlorine bleach, PVDAT and PS-co-VDAT provided potent antimicrobial functions against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The antimicrobial functions were durable for longer than 3 months and rechargeable for more than 50 times. The structure–property relationship of the polymers was further discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4089–4098, 2005
Standardized diet compositions and trophic levels of sharks

Sharks are marine consumers believed to occupy top positions in marine food webs. But surprisingly, trophic level estimates for these predators are almost non-existent. With the hope of helping better define the ecological role of sharks in marine communities, this paper presents standardized diet compositions and trophic levels calculated for a suite of species. Dietary composition for each species was derived from published quantitative studies using a weighted average index that takes into account sample size in each study. The trophic level (TL) values of the 11 food types used to characterize the diet (obtained from published accounts) were then used to calculate fractional trophic levels for 149 species representing eight orders and 23 families. Sharks as a group are tertiary consumers (TL>4), and significant differences were found among the six orders compared, which were attributable to differences between orectolobiforms (TL<4) and all other orders, and between hexanchiforms and both carcharhiniforms and squatiniforms. Among four families of carcharhiniform sharks, carcharhinids (TL=4.1, n=39) had a significantly higher TL than triakids (TL=3.8, n=19) and scyliorhinids (TL=3.9, n=21), but not sphyrnids (TL=3.9, n=6). When compared to trophic levels for other top predators of marine communities obtained from the literature, mean TL for sharks was significantly higher than for seabirds (n=28), but not for marine mammals (n=97). Trophic level and body size were positively correlated (r s =0.33), with the fit increasing (r s =0.41) when the three predominantly zooplanktivorous sharks were omitted, and especially when considering only carcharhinid sharks (r s =0.55).
ESTIMATING POPULATION TRENDS WITH A LINEAR MODEL: TECHNICAL COMMENTS

Abstract Controversy has sometimes arisen over whether there is a need to accommodate the limitations of survey design in estimating population change from the count data collected in bird surveys. Analyses of surveys such as the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) can be quite complex; it is natural to ask if the complexity is necessary, or whether the statisticians have run amok. Bart et al. (2003) propose a very simple analysis involving nothing more complicated than simple linear regression, and contrast their approach with model-based procedures. We review the assumptions implicit to their proposed method, and document that these assumptions are unlikely to be valid for surveys such as the BBS. One fundamental limitation of a purely design-based approach is the absence of controls for factors that influence detection of birds at survey sites. We show that failure to model observer effects in survey data leads to substantial bias in estimation of population trends from BBS data for the 20 specie...
High-sensitivity infrared heterodyne radiometer using a tunable-diode-laser local oscillator

A blackbody heterodyne radiometer using a widely tunable PbSnSe-diode laser as the local oscillator (LO) achieved signal-to-noise performance that was an order of magnitude better than previously reported and only a factor of 2.5 below that obtained with a CO(2)-laser LO. The diode laser system performance was within a factor of 6 of an ideal radiometer. High-resolution blackbody heterodyne absorption spectra of ethylene at 10.6 microm were obtained with a 0.4-sec post-detection integration time by tuning the diode LO in a closed-cycle cryogenic cooler.
UG and acquisition in pidginization and creolization

I examine the target articles hypothesis in light of pidginization and creolization (P/C) phenomena. L1-to-L2 transfer has been argued to be the “central process” in P/C via relexification. This seems incompatible with the view that UC sans Li plays the central role in L2A. I sketch a proposal that reconciles the hypothesis in the target article with, inter alia, the effects of transfer in P/C.
Water balance, hydration status, and fat-free mass hydration in younger and older adults

Background—Older adults are at increased risk of dehydration, yet water balance is understudied in this population. Objective—This controlled diet study assessed the effect of age on water input, output, and balance in healthy adults. Hydration status (plasma osmolality and urine specific gravity) and body composition were also measured. Design—Eleven men and 14 women aged 23–46 y and 10 men and 11 women aged 63–81 y were subjects. Water balance was assessed during days 7–10 of three 18-d controlled feeding trials with protein intakes of 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 g · kg −1 · d −1 . Total water input included water from the provided foods and beverages, ad libitum intake, and metabolic production. Water output included the losses in urine and stool and the insensible losses from respiration and nonsweating perspiration. Results—Ad libitum water consumption, total water intake, water output through urine, total water output, and net water balance were not different in the older subjects than in the younger subjects. Markers of hydration status were within the range of clinical normalcy for all groups. Total body water (TBW) was not significantly different, fat-free mass (FFM) was significantly lower (P < 0.05), and FFM hydration (TBW:FFM) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the older subjects than in the younger subjects. Dietary protein intake did not influence any of these results.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the plural cooperatively breeding superb starling, Lamprotornis superbus

Superb starlings (Lamprotornis superbus) are separate nesting plural cooperative breeders endemic to East Africa that show high levels of reproductive conflict and low reproductive skew. I isolated 31 polymorphic microsatellite loci from the superb starling genome and characterized them in approximately 31 individuals. The numbers of alleles per locus ranged from two to 16 and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.03 to 0.88. Many of these loci amplified in other passerine species including the European starling, Sturnus vulgaris, and a variety of other starlings and mockingbirds.
Intervention Following Family Violence: Best Practices and Helpseeking Obstacles in a Nationally Representative Sample of Families With Children

Objective: To provide the first nationally representative data on service contact, police or advocate best practices, and helpseeking obstacles for family violence that involved exposure to children. Method: A nationally representative sample of 517 family violence incidents drawn from the 4,503 respondents to the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence II. Results: A range of 10 best practices were offered in 13‐58% of police contacts and 34‐97% of advocate contacts. Most police best practices were associated with increased likelihood of arrest. Referrals and information about restraining orders and shelter were associated with victim-perpetrator separation. There was marked case attrition for all criminal justice services, including reporting to police, in-person police responding, arrest, convictions, and incarceration. Only 10 cases resulted in jail time. Counter to hypothesis, higher rates of some police best practices were associated with lower likelihood of advocate contact. Also unexpectedly, higher rates of some obstacles, such as lack of transportation, were associated with higher use of police services. Conclusions: Referral to specific resources is recommended as a focus of crisis intervention efforts. Some family’s needs may be served by a single provider if best practices are used. Some obstacles may influence which services are sought rather than depress helpseeking altogether. These nationally representative data can be used as benchmarks for program evaluations and needs assessments.
Toward a Culturally Based Pedagogy: A Case Study of One Yup'ik Eskimo Teacher

This case study is part of an ongoing collaborative research project with Yup'ik teachers in southwest Alaska. On the surface, this lesson appears to be an art lesson, but a cultural interpretation suggests it is about subsistence and survival. Implicit in this case for minority education is the importance of adapting social interactions, knowledge, and values toward the minority culture as one possible means for improving schooling.
Magnetorheological polydimethylsiloxane micro-optical resonator

We investigate the possibility of using magnetorheological polydimethylsiloxane (MR-PDMS) spheres as micro-optical resonators. In particular, the effect of a magnetic field on the whispering gallery modes (WGM) of these resonators is studied. The applied field induces mechanical deformation, causing shifts in the WGM. The microspheres are made of PDMS with embedded magnetically polarizable particles. An analysis is carried out to estimate the WGM shifts induced by an external magnetic field. An experiment is also carried out to demonstrate the magnetic field-induced WGM shifts in an MR-PDMS microsphere. The results indicate that MR-PDMS microspheres can be used as high-Q-factor tunable optical cavities with potential applications in sensing.
Nursing Home Residents' Participation in a Creative Communication Course: The Influence of Age, Activity, and Attendance

Residents from three facilities located in one county in the southeastern United States partici pated in an in-house communication course made up of six weekly sessions. Activities for each session cncluded creative dramatics, interpretive reading, and group discussion. The subjects participated most in interpretive reading and participation levels remained high across the sessions. Participation in group discussion varied from session to session. The subjects participated least in creative dramatics, but willingness to participate increased throughout the course. Age appeared unrelated to subjects' level of participation. Among subjects who attended regularly (N = 19), participation across the three activities increased over time.
The Naked Mole-Rat: A New Long-Living Model for Human Aging Research

Tremendous variation in maximum life span among species overshadows modest increases in longevity resulting from experimental manipulation. Few aging studies focus on long-lived mammals even though these species may expose mechanisms involved in resisting aging. Naked mole-rats (NMRs approximately 35 grams) are the longest-living (>28.3 years) rodents known. This review describes their biology and potential use in aging research. Lifestyle features concur with most evolutionary theories with the exception of the disposable soma theory. Indeed, maximum life span is similar in breeders and nonbreeders, and these highly fecund animals reproduce until they die. Shared characteristics with calorie-restricted, methionine-restricted, and dwarf mice models of extended longevity include reduced body temperature; reduced thyroid, and blood glucose concentrations; and low glycated hemoglobin; in addition to reduced incidence of cancer. Young naked mole-rats surprisingly have high levels of accrued oxidative damage. With their similar longevity quotient to humans, these rodents may provide a novel opportunity to examine mechanisms modulating aging.
Genetic mating system of the brown smoothhound shark (Mustelus henlei), including a literature review of multiple paternity in other elasmobranch species

Although an understanding of mating systems is thought to be an important component of long-term population management, these life history characteristics are poorly known in sharks. Here, we employ polymorphic microsatellite markers to test for the occurrence and prevalence of multiple paternity in a population of the brown smoothhound shark, Mustelus henlei. We analyzed litters from 14 females sampled from the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur. The minimum number of sires ranged from one to three with an average of 2.3 sires per litter. Regression analyses did not indicate a relationship between female body size and number of sires, or female body size and size of the litter. A review of the existing literature on genetic mating systems in sharks suggests that polyandry may be common and that reproductive behavior may have evolved from conflicting selection pressures between the sexes.
The Cyclical Component in Brazilian GDP

This paper presents an estimate of the cyclical component in Brazilian GDP obtained by allowing the trend component to follow a stochastic process. It also compares this estimate with a more naive one, obtained by forcing the trend to be deterministic. The main result this paper conveys is that the cyclical component in Brazilian GDP is very small, and hence almost all output fluctuations have been caused by long-run (real) factors.
Role for sterol regulatory element binding protein in the regulation of farnesyl diphosphate synthase and in the control of cellular levels of cholesterol and triglyceride: evidence from sterol regulation-defective cells

In order to define the factors involved in the regulation of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase, we used sterol regulation-defective (SRD) cell lines that constitutively express either high (SRD-2) or low (SRD-6) levels of transcriptionally active sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP). FPP synthase mRNA levels were high in SRD-2 cells and low in SRD-6 cells and were unaffected by the addition or removal of sterols from the media. In contrast, the mRNA levels in parental CHO-7 cells were regulated by sterols. SRD-2, SRD-6, and CHO-7 cells were also transiently transfected with plasmids containing FPP synthase promoter-reporter genes. Reporter gene activity was significantly higher in SRD-2 cells than in either SRD-6 or CHO-7 cells, consistent with a higher rate of transcription of the reporter gene in SRD-2 cells. The high expression of the reporter gene in SRD-2 cells was not observed when the FPP synthase promoter contained a three base pair mutation within an SREBP binding site, termed sterol regulatory element-3 (SRE-3). These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that high levels of transcription of the FPP synthase gene are dependent on the availability of transcriptionally active SREBP. We also demonstrate that the incorporation of radioactive acetate into both cholesterol and fatty acids was enhanced in SRD-2 cells as compared to CHO-7 or SRD-6 cells. Finally, we demonstrate that the concentrations of cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, and triglyceride were all significantly elevated in SRD-2 cells. We conclude that SREBP is involved not only in the regulation of FPP synthase and cholesterogenesis but also in fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis.
Induction of Mutations by Bismuth-212 α Particles at Two Genetic Loci in Human B-Lymphoblasts

The human lymphoblast cell line TK6 was exposed to the alpha-particle-emitting radon daughter 212Bi by adding DTPA-chelated 212Bi directly to the cell suspension. Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity at two genetic loci were measured, and the molecular nature of mutant clones was studied by Southern blot analysis. Induced mutant fractions were 2.5 x 10(-5)/Gy at the hprt locus and 3.75 x 10(-5)/Gy at the tk locus. Molecular analysis of HPRT- mutant DNAs showed a high frequency (69%) of clones with partial or full deletions of the hprt gene among radiation-induced mutants compared with spontaneous mutants (31%). Chi-squared analyses of mutational spectra show a significant difference (P < or = 0.005) between spontaneous mutants and alpha-particle-induced mutants. Comparison with published studies of accelerator-produced heavy-ion exposures of TK6 cells indicates that the induction of mutations at the hprt locus, and perhaps a subset of mutations at the tk locus, is a simple linear function of particle fluence regardless of the ion species or its LET.
Making the Tough Team Call (a)

Set in a German automotive company, this case reports the actions taken and personal reflections by the team members described in the A case (UVA-OB-0705). In the A case, a decision had to be made immediately by the project director about what to do with the team. The B case focuses on how to make a tough management call with serious implications as well as on how to intervene constructively in a cross-functional, international team.
Effects of acidic precipitation, O3, and soil Mg status on throughfall, soil, and seedling loblolly pine nutrient concentrations

The individual and combined impacts of acidic precipitation, O3, and soil Mg status on nutrient concentrations of throughfall, soil solution, soil, and seedling components were evaluated after one growing season. Loblolly pine seedlings were planted in a sandy loam soil having approximately 15 or 35 mg kg−1 of exchangeable Mg and were exposed to subambient, ambient, or twice ambient concentrations of O3 in open top chambers from May through October. Seedlings also received ambient amounts of simulated precipitation at pH 4.0 or 5.3 during this period. Concentrations of nutrients analyzed increased slightly in throughfall, but did not respond significantly to precipitation pH treatments. No increased nutrient leaching and no soil acidification were evident in soil exposed to low pH precipitation after one growing season. Ozone treatments had no significant effects on tissue nutrient concentrations. Interaction responses were very limited and do not suggest any significant synergisms.
Solubility and Aggregation of Charged Surfactants in Ionic Liquids

Room-temperature ionic liquids (ILs) exhibit a unique set of properties, leading to opportunities for numerous applications. To obtain a better understanding of IL interfaces at a molecular level, we combined charged surfactants with ILs and studied their interfacial behavior. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) of each surfactant–IL pair was determined from both solubility phase diagrams and isotherms. Because the cmc is equivalent to the solubility at the Krafft temperature, a connection between the solubility of the surfactant and the physical properties of the underlying ionic liquid was established. Interfacial energy was found to be the major factor affecting the surfactant aggregation process, although its magnitude depends strongly on the IL structure. The results here give insight into explaining the nature of self-assembly of surfactants at IL interfaces and the interaction between solutes and IL solvents.
The nature and polygenetic origin of orbicular granodiorite in the Lower Castle Creek pluton, northern Sierra Nevada batholith, California

Mafic and granodioritic magmas mingled to produce a swarm of microdiorite enclaves in the granodiorite. The enclaves and rare hornfels inclusions were carried upward in an oval-shaped pipe, 30 m long and 15 m wide, probably as a gas-driven mass to a point where an H 2 O-rich, superheated felsic melt intruded the pipe and the enclave mass, and upon abrupt undercooling, deposited orbicular shells of tangentially oriented microcrystals of sodic plagioclase, quartz, K-feldspar, and biotite on 20% of the enclaves and inclusions now located only against the north margin of the pipe. The mass of orbicular and nonorbicular enclaves was then injected by a quartz monzodiorite magma that now comprises the matrix among the enclaves.
Quality of life following cerebral bypass surgery.

Information available for nurses on counseling cerebral bypass patients regarding the outcomes of surgery is limited. In order to assess the impact of surgery on the patient's quality of life, a questionnaire was mailed to a sample of cerebral bypass patients who were at least three months postoperative and had suffered an ischemic event prior to surgery. Objective and subjective indicators were used to assess quality of life. Objective measures included type and frequency of symptoms most often associated with ischemic events, as well as return to work status. Subjective aspects included an overall assessment of life satisfaction as measured by the Cantril Self Anchoring Scale and satisfaction with these related domains of life: family, social, sex and occupation. Perceptions of body image were also examined. One hundred and two questionnaires were analyzed. Results indicated that for patients who were working before surgery, return to work was significant (p less than .0001). The signs and symptoms most often associated with an ischemic event were identified and overall, the number of reported symptoms was significantly decreased (p less than .0001) after surgery. In addition, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures indicated that patients viewed present and future life as better than life prior to surgery. Patients also reported greater satisfaction with family life (p less than .0001) and body image (p less than .01) following surgery. This information will be useful to nurses in diagnosing and counseling patients with stroke symptoms as well as in developing a comprehensive plan of care for patients who may undergo cerebral bypass surgery.
Be careful what you wish for: On calls for mandatory second opinion

to be misdiagnosed, but this illustrates the effect of selection bias on studies of diagnostic error. Although the actual frequency of interpretive variation in routine surgical pathology practice may be lower than that suggested by some authors, these studies have resulted in calls for routine or ‘‘mandatory’’ review by a second pathologist. 2,3 For example, a recent conference on this subject concluded with recommendations for second opinion in a wide
Study of macroscopic regime of groundwater under dam section based on data fusion theory

The fusion efficiency of multi-sensor being theoretically proved to be better than that of any single sensor,analysis of groundwater macroscopic regime under a dam section was carried out by using a decision-making fusion method.As a result following aspects can be identified.(1) The macroscopic regimes under dam section 9 had the tendency of increasing with time between 2003 and 2004,the close relationship with the reservoir water level;(2) The macroscopic regimes of section 9 kept close relationship with the reservoir water level from 2004 to 2007;(3) the anti-seepage performance of the curtain-grouting was to be weakened locally.
Study on fault diagnosis system for aircraft hydraulic power cart based on fuzzy diagnosis theory

Aircraft hydraulic power carts are important aviation support equipment.Because of their complex structure they have high failure rate.Therefore fault diagnosis system for hydraulic power carts is necessary to ensure high reliability and maintainability for hydraulic power carts.This paper presents a diagnosis method based on fuzzy diagnosis theory in the developing process of a new type of hydraulic power carts.The fault symptom,critical value and fault origin are established based on the research of fault mode for hydraulic power carts.Also the mathematical model of fault diagnosis for hydraulic power carts is established based on fuzzy diagnosis theory.The practical test results and fault diagnosis instances show that with this fault diagnosis system fast fault diagnosis for hydraulic power carts can be successfully carried out.
Firing Patterns in the Parallel Chip-Firing Game

The $\textit{parallel chip-firing game}$ is an automaton on graphs in which vertices "fire'' chips to their neighbors. This simple model, analogous to sandpiles forming and collapsing, contains much emergent complexity and has connections to different areas of mathematics including self-organized criticality and the study of the sandpile group. In this work, we study $\textit{firing sequences}$, which describe each vertex's interaction with its neighbors in this game. Our main contribution is a complete characterization of the periodic firing sequences that can occur in a game, which have a surprisingly simple combinatorial description. We also obtain other results about local behavior of the game after introducing the concept of $\textit{motors}$.
Binding of synGAP to PDZ Domains of PSD-95 is Regulated by Phosphorylation and Shapes the Composition of the Postsynaptic Density

SynGAP is a Ras/Rap GTPase-activating protein (GAP) present in high concentration in postsynaptic densities (PSDs) from mammalian forebrain where it binds to all three PDZ (PSD-95, Discs-large, ZO-1) domains of PSD-95. We show that phosphorylation of synGAP by Ca^(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) decreases its affinity for the PDZ domains as much as 10-fold, measured by surface plasmon resonance. SynGAP is abundant enough in postsynaptic densities (PSDs) to occupy about one third of the PDZ domains of PSD-95. Therefore, we hypothesize that phosphorylation by CaMKII reduces synGAP′s ability to restrict binding of other proteins to the PDZ domains of PSD-95. We support this hypothesis by showing that three critical postsynaptic signaling proteins that bind to the PDZ domains of PSD-95 are present at a higher ratio to PSD-95 in PSDs isolated from synGAP heterozygous mice.
Fetal and maternal immunoglobulin levels during pregnancy.

The passive transfer of maternal immunoglobulins to the fetus is of importance not only because of the protection it offers the child but also because active antibody synthesis is inhibited by passively transferred antibody and because the antibody may be detrimental to the child. Immunoglobulins have been measured in the paired maternal and fetal sera in 175 pregnancies ranging from the twelfth to the thirty-eighth week of gestation. Fetal IgG serum concentrations equaled the maternal values by the thirty-third week of gestation, and IgA and IgM were infrequently found in fetal serum. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Short-term responses of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) to even-aged timber harvests in Indiana

Abstract The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is a species of conservation concern throughout much of the Midwestern United States. While the habitat preferences of Timber Rattlesnakes have been studied throughout much of its range, little empirical data is available on the effects of forest management on this species. During 2007–11, we monitored movements of 47 adult Timber Rattlesnakes using radio telemetry in southcentral Indiana. Snakes were tracked during one or more seasons (April-October) for two years prior to, and three years following scheduled timber harvests (4-ha clearcuts and 4-ha understory removal as the first stage of shelterwood harvests). Annual home range estimates (100% Minimum Convex Polygon [MCP]) for both sexes combined ranged from 1.6 ha to 271.3 ha. The average home range for males (68.8 ha) was larger than for either non-gravid females (22.7 ha) or gravid females (11.7 ha). Mean home range size using MCPs or kernel density estimates did not change from pre- to post-harvest in control sites or even-aged sites for either sex. The daily distance traveled by snakes and their proportional use of areas within harvest boundaries did not differ between treatment periods. Canopy and understory removal on a small scale (approx. 4 ha) in a forested landscape did not affect seasonal or fine-scale movements of adult Timber Rattlesnakes 1–3 years post-harvest. Our results suggest that this scale of timber harvesting is compatible with Timber Rattlesnakes.
Gestational trophoblastic neoplasms. The role of chemotherapy and surgery.

Current methods of diagnosis and treatment are reviewed. Special attention is directed to the diagnostic and therapeutic problems associated with the presence of brain metastases.
Design of Online Student Orientation with Conceptual and Procedural Scaffolding

This article reports a study about the design and development of an orientation course to prepare students’ readiness for online learning. Based on the Instructional Design Process Model, the research project applied the Analysis, Strategies, and Evaluation phases. The analysis identified the complexity of concepts and procedures to be addressed in preparing students and the technology affordance that could be utilized. The strategies of development focused on conceptual and procedural scaffolding that aligned with learning activities and assessment methods. The formative evaluation included collecting and analyzing data related to student performance in the course and students’ reflections in online discussions. More than 600 students voluntarily participated in the course. The formative evaluation results demonstrated that over 95 % of those who completed the course gained technology competency, understood learning strategies, and identified characteristics of successful online learners. The applied thematic analysis of student reflection transcripts revealed that perceived usefulness, readiness for online learning, and effective design were the top three themes with frequent code co-occurrence. The key takeaways include the design and development process of an online orientation course from an instructional design perspective and the methods used for assessment.
Book Review: Wendell Wallach's A Dangerous Master: How to Keep Technology from Slipping Beyond Our Control*

This book addresses the most fundamental challenge of the contemporary world: How to live with advancing science and technology. What follows is an initial, brief appreciation of a volume that will no doubt be returned to on other occasions ― for both positive and negative reasons. It tells many interesting stories and is full of useful information. Yet despite such virtues, it fails to deal in the deepest ways with its fundamental challenge. An alternative title for this book review could have been “A Responsible, All Too Responsible, Criticism of Technology.”