cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spread and phenology of Spathius galinae and Tetrastichus planipennisi, recently introduced for biocontrol of emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in the Northeastern United States

Abstract Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is an invasive wood-boring pest of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in the United States. It is responsible for catastrophic decline of ash in urban and forested ecosystems, resulting in millions of dollars in economic losses. Biological control is one of the most promising management options available to reduce A. planipennis spread and impact. From 2015 to 2017, two larval parasitoids from the native range of A. planipennis, Spathius galinae Belokobylskij & Strazenac (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Tetrastichus planipennisi Yang (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), were released in forested areas in New York and Connecticut. The purpose of this study was to measure the spread and seasonal phenology of these introduced parasitoids. From May to September 2020, sentinel ash logs containing EAB larvae were deployed in naturally occurring A. planipennis infested trees at each release site and at 2 km intervals up to 14 km away from the release site. Logs were replaced every two weeks and the parasitization rate was recorded. Each month, three trees from each release area were also cut and debarked to record A. planipennis infestation levels, natural parasitization rates, and A. planipennis and parasitoid phenology. We observed that both S. galinae and T. planipennisi emerged from the logs first deployed from the end of May to early June. Parasitization peaked in late July and mid-August, with sentinel logs deployed at each distance producing both species throughout the summer until mid-September. Both S. galinae and T. planipennisi were detected 14 km away from the release sites, the greatest distance away from the release sites sampled. Debarked trees produced similar seasonal patterns of parasitism. Our results indicate that the classical biological control program initiated several years ago has successfully produced a self-sustaining population of both S. galinae and T. planipennisi, which have been spreading widely and attacking the borer throughout the growing season. These findings strongly suggest that future release efforts may allow for wider temporal release windows and larger strategic spacing of release points across geographic regions.
Exploring Emotion Brushes for a Virtual Reality Painting Tool

We present emoPaint, a virtual reality application that allows users to create paintings with expressive emotion-based brushes and shapes. While previous systems have introduced painting in 3D space, emoPaint focuses on supporting emotional characteristics by allowing users to use brushes corresponding to specific emotions or to create their own emotion brushes and paint with the corresponding visual elements. Our system provides a variety of line textures, shape representations and color palettes for each emotion to enable users to control expression of emotions in their paintings. In this work we describe our implementation and illustrate paintings created using emoPaint.
Something Old and Something New to Unleash the Power of Natural Killer Cells Against Metastases.

Single-agent immunotherapy has improved outcomes for patients with cancer, but only a minority of patients respond, necessitating investigation of combinations of immunotherapy agents. In this issue of Cancer Immunology Research, Milling and colleagues show that neoadjuvant therapy with an intratumoral stimulator of interferon genes agonist combined with systemic IL2 and anti–PD-1 results in clearance of lung metastases mediated by natural killer cells in mouse models of triple-negative breast cancer. See related article by Milling et al. (4).
The development of lateral-line receptors in Eigenmannia (Teleostei, Gymnotiformes). II. The electroreceptive lateral-line system.

The South American weakly electric fish of the genus Eigenmannia were induced to spawn by simulating the conditions of the rainy season. Whole animals were viewed using scanning electron microscopy, and skin from embryos and larvae of different ages was prepared for histological examination. Additional live fish were stained with vital dyes. Neuromasts develop within the epidermis and then rise to the surface, at which time a cupula is forming. The first neuromasts appear on the head, forming the temporal, mechanoreceptive lateral line, at 3.5 days after spawning, and 1 day later neuromasts appear on the trunk as a ventral trunk line. On day 8 all the cephalic neuromasts have appeared and a secondary, medial trunk line begins to form. A dorsal trunk line forms when the fish are juvenile. Eight neuromasts of the cephalic lines, 7 neuromasts of the medial trunk line and all neuromasts of the ventral and dorsal trunk lines remain at the surface and do not become enclosed in canals. The opercular neuromasts and 7 neuromasts of the ventral trunk line degenerate later. The formation of the head canals begins on day 17, whereas the canal of the medial trunk line starts to develop on day 25, and both head and trunk canal systems are completed by day 33. The mechanosensory system develops before the electrosensory system. Behavioral observations also indicate that the mechanoreceptive system is functional as early as day 5.
Mis-representation of Identities in E-cash Schemes and how to Prevent it

In Crypto '93, S. Brands presented a very efficient off-line electronic cash scheme based on the representation problem in groups of prime order. In Crypto '95 a very efficient off-line divisible e-cash scheme based on factoring Williams integers was presented by T. Okamoto. We demonstrate one efficient attack on Okamoto's scheme and two on Brands' scheme which allow users to mis-represent their identities and double-spend in an undetectable manner, hence defeating the most essential security aspect of the schemes. The attack on Brands' scheme (which we suspect, given his previous related results, was an inadvertent omission) is also applicable to T. Eng and T. Okamoto's divisible e-cash scheme (presented in Eurocrypt '94) which uses Brands' protocols as a building block.
An electrostatic microresonant power conversion device

An electrostatically driven microstructure suitable for use in a monolithic resonant DC-DC converter is presented. The device can be manufactured using existing integrated circuit processing techniques, permitting integration with, switching devices in silicon. The mechanical resonant structure is used in place of an LC tank and in place of a transformer, avoiding the complexity of manufacturing integrated magnetic elements. A monolithic resonant converter using this technology offering high power density is proposed. The device can potentially be driven in a zero-voltage-switched (ZVS) mode, scaling well to higher operating frequencies. >
A framework for mesencephalic dopamine systems based on predictive Hebbian learning

We develop a theoretical framework that shows how mesencephalic dopamine systems could distribute to their targets a signal that represents information about future expectations. In particular, we show how activity in the cerebral cortex can make predictions about future receipt of reward and how fluctuations in the activity levels of neurons in diffuse dopamine systems above and below baseline levels would represent errors in these predictions that are delivered to cortical and subcortical targets. We present a model for how such errors could be constructed in a real brain that is consistent with physiological results for a subset of dopaminergic neurons located in the ventral tegmental area and surrounding dopaminergic neurons. The theory also makes testable predictions about human choice behavior on a simple decision-making task. Furthermore, we show that, through a simple influence on synaptic plasticity, fluctuations in dopamine release can act to change the predictions in an appropriate manner.
Reading the "Shibboleth": Derrida - De Man - Rousseau

Este artigo empreende uma leitura original de Acts, de Jacques Derrida, um memorial para Paul de Man que tenta responder a questao “Qual e o legado da desconstrucao?” sob a perspectiva que entende a desconstrucao como uma comunidade determinada, logo tambem como referencia as repercussoes da desconstrucao para nossa compreensao dos limites da comunidade (o problema do shibboleth). Ao focalizar a interrupcao que, em Acts, diz respeito ao debate travado em Rhetoric of Blindness entre Derrida e De Man, sobre se Rousseau deve ou nao ser lido como um membro da comunidade da desconstrucao avant la lettre, o presente artigo argumenta contrariamente a interpretacoes anteriores do debate que o entendiam nos termos de um simples antagonismo. Como Derrida deixa claro em Acts, o debate sobre se Rousseau expressa ou nao um tipo de shibboleth e se qualquer texto ou ato de fala pode ou nao oferecer shibboleth no que diz respeito ao uso autoconsciente de uma linguagem sempre ja indeterminada, destila o problema dos limites da comunidade e das condicoes de possibilidade da comunidade, uma questao que deve ser necessariamente pensada em meio a qualquer discussao do legado da desconstrucao. Palavras-chave : Desconstrucao. Comunidade. Shibboleth. Rousseau. Retorica.
Anisotropic thermal expansion effects in plasma-sprayed ZrO2-8 percent Y2O3 coatings

The thermal expansion properties of plasma-sprayed ZrO2-8-wt pct Y2O3 coatings, detached from the substrate, have been examined. Coatings were heat-treated in air or in argon. Anisotropic effects in the longitudinal (planar to the substrate surface) and transverse (perpendicular to the substrate surface) directions were measured and related to the coating structure. The thermal expansion coefficient of the coating is discussed in terms of the material's properties, such as the crack network and interlamellar boundary distribution. A precise model for the expansion behavior of coatings still needs attention, since no description of all of the contributing variables exists. A quantitative analysis of thermal properties of coatings will aid in future design and modeling of coating systems.
An objective technique for assessing video impairments

An objective video impairment assessment technique that appears to quantify the perceptual impact of video impairments in an accurate way is presented. The development uses 132 impaired video sequences that cover a remarkably wide range of motion, detail, impairment type, and impairment level. The approach discussed in based on digital image processing operations performed on digitized original and impaired video sequences. Measurements that quantify perceptual video attributes in both the spatial and the temporal domains are extracted from the digitized video. These measurements are then used to compute a single score that quantifies the perceptual impact of the impairments present in the video sequence. This objective impairment score is well-correlated (r=.92) with impairment assessments made by human viewers. Thus, it can be used to augment, or possibly to replace, the expensive and time-consuming subjective viewing tests that are typically used to evaluate video coding and transmission techniques. >
Dental School Administrators’ Attitudes Towards Providing Support Services for LGBT-Identified Students

A lack of curriculum time devoted to teaching dental students about the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) health care patient needs and biases against LGBT students and faculty have been reported. Understanding dental school administrators' attitudes about LGBT students' needs might provide further insight into these long-standing issues. The aims of this study were to develop a survey to assess dental administrators' attitudes regarding the support services they believe LGBT-identified students need, to identify dental schools' current diversity inclusion policies, and to determine what types of support dental schools currently provide to LGBT students. A survey developed with the aid of a focus group, cognitive interviewing, and pilot testing was sent to 136 assistant and associate deans and deans of the 65 U.S. and Canadian dental schools. A total of 54 responses from 43 (66%) schools were received from 13 deans, 29 associate deans, and 11 assistant deans (one participant did not report a position), for a 40% response rate. The findings suggest there is a considerable lack of knowledge or acknowledgment of LGBT dental students' needs. Future studies are needed to show the importance of creating awareness about meeting the needs of all dental student groups, perhaps through awareness campaigns initiated by LGBT students.
The Intergenerational Transmission of Social Capital: A Developmental Approach to Adolescent Social Capital Formation*: THE INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF SOCIAL CAPITAL

Previous scholarship has demonstrated the importance of individual characteristics and structural context for understanding social capital formation. However, a developmental approach to social capital formation has, so far, been absent. In this study, I argue that social capital formation must be understood intergenerationally as well as structurally. Using hierarchical linear modeling, I investigate the hypothesized intergenerational transmission of social capital using Waves 1 and 2 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The results show that, in addition to individual characteristics, neighborhood-level factors, and school-level variables, parental social capital is an important predictor of adolescent social capital. This study also suggests that the intergenerational transmission of social capital functions, in part, through family structure and that structural differences account for only a relatively small share of the variation in adolescent social capital. Potential explanations for these findings are discussed.
An assessment of the proximity of clothing to self scale for older persons

Sontag and Lee developed the Proximity of Clothing to Self (PCS) Scale, an objective measure of the psychological closeness of clothing to the self, and validated a 4-factor, 24-item scale with adolescents. The research reported here extends their work by validating a 3-factor, 19-item PCS Scale for use with older persons, age 65 and over. A mail survey was sent to a national random sample of 1700 older persons in the United States resulting in 250 respondents in the final sample. Three analytical rounds of confirmatory factor analysis to test the construct validity of the PCS Scale were conducted by using a structural equation modelling programme. The validated three PCS dimensions (i.e. factors) are clothing in relation to: (1) self as structure – process; (2) self-esteem – evaluative and affective processes; and (3) body image and body cathexis. The researchers recommend using this 19-item PCS Scale for future consumer behaviour research on older persons when investigating the importance of dress, clothing needs or clothing involvement to meet basic human needs, self-esteem, life satisfaction and successful aging.
Packaging of DNA by bacteriophage epsilon15: structure, forces, and thermodynamics.

Summary The structure of bacteriophage epsilon15 has recently been determined by 3D reconstruction of single particle cryo-electron microscopy images. Although this study revealed that the viral genome inside the bacteriophage is on average coaxially spooled, individual DNA conformations inside the capsid could not be determined. In the current study, we present the results of 40 independent simulations of DNA packaging into epsilon15 using the previously described low-resolution model for bacteriophages. In addition to coaxially spooled conformations, we also observe a number of folded-toroidal patterns, but the density averaged over all conformations closely resembles the experimental density. Thermodynamic analysis of the simulations predicts that a force of ∼125 pN would be required to package DNA into epsilon15. We also show that the origin of this force is predominantly due to electrostatic and entropic contributions. However, the DNA conformation is determined primarily by the need to minimize the DNA bending energy.
Reasoning about Structure and Function: Children's Conceptions of Gears

Twenty-three second graders and 20 fifth graders were interviewed about how gears move on a gearboard and work in commonplace machines. Questions focused on transmission of motion; direc- tion, plane, and speed of turning; and mechanical advantage. Several children believed that meshed gears turn in the same direction and at the same speed. Many second graders provided very incomplete expla- nations of transmission of motion. Most children confused mechanical advantage with speed. Yet as the interview proceeded, several fifth graders generalized conceptions about transmission of motion into a rule about turning direction. They increasingly justified their ideas about gear speed by referring to ratio. Chil- dren's reasoning became more general, formal, and mathematical as problem complexity increased, sug- gesting that mathematical forms of reasoning may develop when they provide a clear advantage over sim- ple causal generalizations. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 35: 3-25, 1998.
“Anemone” Cell (Villiform) Tumors: Electron Microscopy and Immunohistochemistry of Five Cases

Five large cell malignant neoplasms were studied by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Ultrastructural examination demonstrated numerous circumferential microvilli in 3 cases and a more polarized distribution in 2 cases. The tumor cells in 2 cases demonstrated the surface glycoprotein T29/33, indicative of a hematopoietic neoplasm. Two cases (including one positive for T29/33) contained intracytoplasmic IgG-kappa. Anti-keratin staining using both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies was negative. Two patients are alive and in remission after treatment for lymphoma. One died with tumor following a progressive course, and one has been lost to follow-up. A fifth patient died of tumor and at autopsy was found to have a disseminated pancreatic tumor. Microvilli around large malignant cells have been commonly associated with epithelial tumors; however, our findings indicate that, in the absence of intercellular junctions and tonofilaments, the possibility of malignant lymphoma should be considered and pursued immunohistochemistry.
Effect of β-haloalkylamines and ephedrine on noradrenaline release from the intact spleen of the cat

Abstract 1. The effects of β-haloalkylamines, phenoxybenzamine (PBZ), N-α-naphthyl-methyl-N-ethyl-β-bromoethylamine (SY28), N-cyclohexyl-methyl-N-ethyl-β-chloroethylamine (GD131) and ephedrine on noradrenaline (NA) output following nerve stimulation were studied in the intact spleen of the cat. Postganglionic sympathetic nerves were stimulated at frequencies of 10 and 30 Hz for a total of 210 stimuli. 2. PBZ and SY28 (10 mg/kg) increased the transmitter output at 10 Hz by nearly 5-10 times. 3. Administration of GD131 (10 mg/kg) had no effect on output at either frequency. Phentolamine (3 mg/kg) given after GD131 increased NA output at 10 Hz. 4. Ephedrine (0·5 mg/kg) caused no changes in catecholamine output, while higher doses of ephedrine (10-20 mg/kg) increased the amount released at 10 Hz. 5. Perfusion of the spleen with Krebs-bicarbonate solution containing either SY28, GD131 or ephedrine (10 μg/ml) increased the recovery of infused NA by 80-90%. 6. It is concluded that presynaptic as well as postsynaptic events determine the overflow of NA following stimulation of sympathetic nerves of the spleen.
Ferromagnetic Spin Excitations in a Metallic Loop: The Case of Two Degenerate Bands

We consider a system of $2N$ electrons in a periodic loop of $N$ lattice sites. These electrons are restricted to occupy the subspace of two degenerate bands. The interaction within a band is limited to nearest-neighbor and on-site Wannier integrals, but is otherwise arbitrary. The interaction between bands contains the complete set of intra-atomic terms but no nearest-neighbor term. The spectra of one-spin-flip excitations relative to the saturated ferromagnetic eigenstate are calculated exactly. The results show that it is necessary to have the intraband nearest-neighbor exchange coupling in order that the lowest spin-wave branch lie above the saturated ferromagnetic eignestate. Conditions for the local stability of the saturated ferromagnetic eigenstate are given. It is shown that the saturated ferromagnetic eigenstate can still be stable as a result of the nearest-neighbor exchange interaction $J$, even when the individual atoms would be non-magnetic when $J$ is turned off.
Tissue CEA in colorectal carcinoma

Immunoperoxidase method can be used to detect cellular or tissue CEA. Forty formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens of colorectal carcinoma, 19 from patients who survived for five years after resection, and 21 from patients who died within five years were studied. Cellular CEA was present in 100 per cent of the specimens. Accurate quantitative evaluation of cellular CEA is currently not feasible. Therefore, the mere presence of cellular CEA has no prognostic value.
Catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias originating in the vicinity of the His bundle: Significance of mapping the aortic sinus cusp

Background There is a close anatomical relationship between the right coronary cusp (RCC) and noncoronary aortic cusp (NCC) and sites recording His bundle (HB) activation in the right ventricle (RV). Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the electrocardiographic and electrophysiological characteristics of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) that originate near the HB and their potential as predictors of successful catheter ablation sites. Methods We studied 147 consecutive patients undergoing successful catheter ablation of idiopathic VAs originating from the ventricular outflow tract of either ventricle or the HB region. Results In 13 (9%) patients with an origin in the RCC (n = 5), NCC (n = 1), or RV HB region (n = 7), the local RV activation in the HB region preceded the QRS onset. In two VAs originating from the RCC or NCC, failed radiofrequency applications near the HB region in the RV delayed the near-field ventricular electrogram and separated the far-field electrograms before the QRS onset in the HB region. The QRS transition in the precordial leads did not discriminate between an RV origin near the HB and an NCC or RCC origin. A QS pattern in lead aVL might be helpful for predicting an RCC origin. Conclusions VAs originating near the HB have similar electrocardiographic and electrophysiological characteristics, regardless of whether the ablation site is in the RV or aortic sinuses because of the close anatomical relationship of these structures and rapid transseptal conduction. When RV mapping reveals an earliest ventricular activation in the HB region during VAs, mapping in the RCC and NCC should be added to accurately identify the site of origin.
Chemometrics: Its role in chemistry and measurement sciences

Abstract This keynote address briefly describes the field of chemometrics and provides philosophical explanation for its existence. The paper then focuses attention on two areas of chemometrics, exploratory data analysis and applied pattern recognition, that are receiving increased use among chemists. A brief description of principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and classification methods is provided.
The Wide-Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE)

The Wide-Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) has just been selected by NASA for development under the Small Explorer (SMEX) program, on a schedule leading to launch in 1998. WIRE is a cryogenically-cooled infrared telescope designed to study the evolution of starburst galaxies. It takes advantage of recent advances in infrared detector technology to carry out deep surveys designed to detect distant galaxies at 12 and 25 µm. The WIRE instrument will be integrated with a SMEX spacecraft bus to be provided by the Goddard Space Flight Center and launched into a 500 km orbit by a Pegasus XL launch vehicle.
An analysis of potential predictors of outcomes of therapy for urge urinary incontinence

Introduction: Overall success in the treatment of urge urinary incontinence may be predicated upon demographic, comorbid, and subjective factors that, in composite, could militate against or contribute to positive results after therapy administration. As part of a multi-institutional study, factors contributing to success after short-term therapy and the ability to discontinue therapy for urge urinary incontinence were assessed to determine whether certain pretreatment variables would be predictive of successful therapy.
Controlled spatiotemporal excitation of metal nanoparticles with picosecond optical pulses

We discuss realistic finite-difference time-domain simulations of chirped optical pulses interacting with silver nanowires and cone-shaped nanoparticles. These systems are differently shaped and larger than those previously studied [M. I. Stockman, S. V. Faleev, and D. J. Bergman, Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 067402 (2002)], but still allow for localized hot spots near the metal surfaces to be generated and controlled in a spatiotemporal manner. The control is made possible by chirping the pulses such that the effective frequency passes through surface plasmon resonances associated with different spatial regions of the nanostructure over the course of time. We demonstrate how this leads to counterintuitive, negative group velocities in some situations. The control is shown to scale with pulse duration from $\ensuremath{\approx}150\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{fs}$ to at least $\ensuremath{\approx}2200\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{fs}=2.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ps}$, and we anticipate it to scale to longer durations. We further show that the response of such nanostructures to chirped pulses can provide a means of encoding or decoding optical signals, which could be verified experimentally.
Italian Youths' Attitudes toward, and Concern for, Animals

ABSTRACTThis is the first comprehensive study of Italian youths'(9–18 years of age) attitudes and behaviors toward animals. Various aspects of child—animal relationships were analyzed, including pet ownership, pet attachment, pet loss, worries about pet, animal abuse (both perpetrated and witnessed), fears of animals, animals as a source of comfort, feelings toward road kill, and attitudes toward hunting, the use of furs and leather clothes, zoos, and the use of animals in circuses. Pupils from 12 schools anonymously completed a six-page self-administered questionnaire. From the total number of questionnaires received (about 2,200), 800 (403 F and 397 M) were randomly selected, which represented each school and all ages, and analyzed. Through this instrument numerous quantitative and qualitative data were obtained, some of which were also examined in the light of other significant aspects of Italian culture. One basic assumption underpinning this research is that attitudes and behaviors toward animals sho...
Immunosuppressive CD71+ erythroid cells compromise neonatal host defence against infection

Newborn infants are highly susceptible to infection. This defect in host defence has generally been ascribed to the immaturity of neonatal immune cells; however, the degree of hyporesponsiveness is highly variable and depends on the stimulation conditions. These discordant responses illustrate the need for a more unified explanation for why immunity is compromised in neonates. Here we show that physiologically enriched CD71(+) erythroid cells in neonatal mice and human cord blood have distinctive immunosuppressive properties. The production of innate immune protective cytokines by adult cells is diminished after transfer to neonatal mice or after co-culture with neonatal splenocytes. Neonatal CD71(+) cells express the enzyme arginase-2, and arginase activity is essential for the immunosuppressive properties of these cells because molecular inhibition of this enzyme or supplementation with L-arginine overrides immunosuppression. In addition, the ablation of CD71(+) cells in neonatal mice, or the decline in number of these cells as postnatal development progresses parallels the loss of suppression, and restored resistance to the perinatal pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli. However, CD71(+) cell-mediated susceptibility to infection is counterbalanced by CD71(+) cell-mediated protection against aberrant immune cell activation in the intestine, where colonization with commensal microorganisms occurs swiftly after parturition. Conversely, circumventing such colonization by using antimicrobials or gnotobiotic germ-free mice overrides these protective benefits. Thus, CD71(+) cells quench the excessive inflammation induced by abrupt colonization with commensal microorganisms after parturition. This finding challenges the idea that the susceptibility of neonates to infection reflects immune-cell-intrinsic defects and instead highlights processes that are developmentally more essential and inadvertently mitigate innate immune protection. We anticipate that these results will spark renewed investigation into the need for immunosuppression in neonates, as well as improved strategies for augmenting host defence in this vulnerable population.
The amino acid sequence of a high-redox-potential ferredoxin from the purple phototrophic bacterium, Rhodospirillum tenue strain 2761.

Abstract The 61-residue amino acid sequence of Rhodospirillum tenue, strain 2761, high-redox-potential ferredoxin (HiPIP) is GTNAAMRKAFNYQDTAKNGKCSGCAQ-FVPGASPTAAGGCKVIPGDNEIAPGGYCDAFIVKK. It differs from that of R. tenue strain 3761 by 16 amino acid substitutions plus two single-residue deletions. This 26% sequence difference is similar to that observed among separate species of chromatiaceae such as Chromatium vinosum, C. gracile, and Thiocapsa roseopersicina, and is suprising because there are no distinguishing microbiological characteristics separating these two R. tenue strains. The most interesting amino acid substitution in R. tenue 2761 HiPIP is Gly for Asn 45 (C. vinosum numbering). Besides the four cysteines required to bind the four iron-four sulfur cluster, only Tyr 19, Asn 45, and Gly 75 are absolutely conserved in the nine previously determined HiPIP sequences. If HiPIP is used as a measure of divergence of species, then R. tenue and C. vinosum are the most distant purple bacteria examined. Quite the opposite conclusion follows based on the sequences of the cytochromes c′. It is suggested that this anomaly is more likely owing to a change in function for HiPIP with subsequently rapid evolutionary change than to a relatively recent transfer of the cytochrome c′ gene between species.
Genes associated with tumor suppression and growth control in the human nervous system.

Cancer, the uncontrolled proliferation of a population of somatic cells, is fundamentally a genetic disorder. Although the specific array of genetic changes causing individual tumor types remains largely obscure, the past two decades have witnessed a tremendous increase in our understanding of the specific genes regulating cell differentiation, proliferation, and senescence. There appear to be two distinct fundamental genetic mechanisms of tumorigenesis. One mechanism is associated with the activation of growth-promoting factors such as proto-oncogenes. Altermatively, tumor formation may be induced as the result of the loss or inactivation of genes which normally regulate or suppress cell growth. These genes have been termed ‘tumor suppressor’ genes or ‘anti-oncogenes’. This review focuses on the role of ‘tumor suppressor’ genes in tumor formation and growth control of the human nervous system.
Bacterial utilization of algal extracellular products in a southwestern reservoir

Rates of carbon flow from phytoplankton to bacteria were estimated for Lake Arlington, Texas. The lake is a warm (annual temperature range 7 to 35 °C), shallow, monomictic reservoir with limited macrophyte development in the littoral zone. Samples were collected from 6 depths within the photic zone from a site located over the deepest portion of the lake. Primary production and exudate production were calculated from NaH14CO3 incorporation. Bacterial production was calculated from [methyl-3H]-thymidine incorporation. Depth averaged primary production ranged from a seasonal low of 9.0 µg C l−1 h−1 in January to a seasonal maximum of 153 µg C l−1 h−1 during holomixis in September. Annual depth-averaged production was 67.8 ± 7.3 µg C l−1 h−1. Exudate production ranged between 21.9 and 54.2% of primary production and annually averaged 30.8%. Bacterial production ranged between 1.7 and 46.0 µg C l−1 h−1 and annually averaged 16.0 ± 1.9 µg C l−1 h−1. Bacteria processed approximately 70% of exudate and incorporated 35% into biomass. Bacterial production was positively correlated with total primary production (r = 0.38, p < 0.003, n = 6), particulate primary production (r = 0.34, p < 0.004, n = 70) and bacterial uptake of exudate (r = 0.43, p < 0.001, n = 68). While exudate was readily utilized by bacteria it dit not appear to be produced in sufficient quantity or at a sufficient rate to serve as the sole or a major source of carbon supporting bacterial growth.
Influence of sham stomach loading on serum osmolality.

Abstract Stomach sham-loading in rats was accompanied by a significant increase in serum osmolality which was highly correlated with the time involved in the sham-loading procedure. A decrease in serum osmolality followed a stomach loading of 8 ml of distilled water, but the change was smaller than that observed to follow oral ingestion of the same volume of water.
Fungi as Eukaryotes: Understanding the Antifungal Effects of Immunosuppressive Drugs

The immunosuppressive agents cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and sirolimus are naturally occurring products of environmental fungi or bacteria, so the fact that they possess intrinsic antifungal activity is not surprising. Both calcineurin and the target of rapamycin (TOR) are conserved across eukaryotes and share a common function, regulating the organism’s ability to react to environmental changes and response to stress. In the medically important fungi Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus, mutations in the calcineurin gene affect in vitro patterns of growth and serum sensitivity, and attenuate virulence in animal models. Notably, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and sirolimus exhibit strong synergy with many classes of antifungal drugs including azoles, amphotericin B, and the echinocandins, with potentiation of fungicidal effects even against drug-resistant strains. Hopefully, future studies will realize the promise of exploiting the antifungal properties of the immunosuppressive drugs to help decrease the burden of these clinically important infections on patient survival.
MLL-AF9 and FLT3 cooperation in acute myelogenous leukemia: development of a model for rapid therapeutic assessment

Human leukemias harboring chromosomal translocations involving the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL, HRX, ALL-1) gene possess high-level expression, and frequent activating mutations of the receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3. We used a murine bone marrow transplant model to assess cooperation between MLL translocation and FLT3 activation. We demonstrate that MLL-AF9 expression induces acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in approximately 70 days, whereas the combination of MLL-AF9 and FLT3-ITD does so in less than 30 days. Secondary transplantation of splenic cells from diseased mice established that leukemia stem cells are present at a very high frequency of approximately 1:100 in both diseases. Importantly, prospectively isolated granulocyte macrophage progenitors (GMPs) coinfected with MLL-AF9 and FLT3-ITD give rise to a similar AML, with shorter latency than from GMP transduced with MLL-AF9 alone. Cooperation between MLL-AF9 and FLT3-ITD was further verified by real-time assessment of leukemogenesis using noninvasive bioluminescence imaging. We used this model to demonstrate that MLL-AF9/FLT3-ITD-induced leukemias are sensitive to FLT3 inhibition in a 2–3 week in vivo assay. These data show that activated FLT3 cooperates with MLL-AF9 to accelerate onset of an AML from whole bone marrow as well as a committed hematopoietic progenitor, and provide a new genetically defined model system that should prove useful for rapid assessment of potential therapeutics in vivo.
Examining Participation in School Sports and Patterns of Delinquency Using The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health

Abstract This project seeks to identify what factors can account for patterns of delinquency, with special attention given to the role of organized sports. We used The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a school-based sample of adolescents collected for the purpose of measuring the impact of social environment on adolescent health and social behaviors. The framework for this study rests on the social bond theory of delinquent behavior and social psychology of sports research. We hypothesize that organized sports participation, as a measure of involvement, mitigates youthful delinquent outcomes, as do attachment to parents and friends. Our findings indicate that social bond theory is not sufficient to explain the relationship between sports and delinquency, and social psychological approaches provide some context for understanding outcomes and conceptualizing sport as a complex domain for both exerting and experiencing social control. Although some involvement with sports does n...
Noninvasive discrimination of right atrial ectopic tachycardia from sinus tachycardia in “dilated cardiomyopathy”

Right atrial ectopic tachycardia (RAET) with secondary cardiac dysfunction can be difficult to differentiate from primary dilated cardiomyopathy (CMP) with sinus tachycardia. In an attempt to separate RAET from CMP by noninvasive testing, routine surface electrocardiograms (EGGs), 24-hour ambulatory ECGs (Holter monitors), and echocardiograms of patients with RAET (n = 34) and CMP (n = 33) were reviewed. RAET atrial rates were significantly faster than CMP rates on the resting ECG and on Holter monitoring; 12 of 33 patients with RAET had resting ECG rates greater than 150% of predicted normal values for age but none of 32 patients with CMPs had resting ECG rates in this range. Mean P wave axis in the horizontal plane was more posterior in patients with RAET and was less than 0 degrees (negative in lead V2) in 8 of 29 patients with RAET but in 1 of 33 patients with CMP. Second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block was observed in 12 of 33 patients with RAET but in none of 33 with CMP. Shortening fraction less than 10% was found in 13 of 33 individuals with CMP but in only 1 of 27 with RAET. We conclude that noninvasive studies can help identify RAET among patients with poor functioning hearts and right atrial tachycardia.
Analogue evaluation of the effects of opportunities to respond and ratios of known items within drill rehearsal of Esperanto words

Drill procedures have been used to increase the retention of various types of information, but little is known about the causal mechanisms of these techniques. The current study compared the effect of two key features of drill procedures, a large number of opportunities to respond (OTR) and a drill ratio that maintains a high percentage of known to unknown items (90% known). Using a factorial design, 27 4th graders were taught the pronunciation and meaning of Esperanto words using four versions of incremental rehearsal that varied on two factors, percentage of known words (high - 90% vs. moderate - 50%) and the number of OTR (high vs. low). A within-subject ANOVA revealed a significant main effect for OTR and non-significant effects for drill ratio and the interaction between the two variables. Moreover, it was found that increasing OTR from low to high yielded a large effect size (d=2.46), but increasing the percentage of known material from moderate (50%) to high (90%) yielded a small effect (d=0.16). These results suggest that a high number of OTR may be a key feature of flashcard drill techniques in promoting learning and retention.
Determination of fiber bridging stress profile by debond length measurement

Abstract A new technique is developed for measuring the fiber bridging stress in fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites (FCMCs). This technique is based on the direct measurement of the debond length associated with a bridged matrix crack in a composite. Theoretical formulations are developed to relate the debond length measurement (DLM) to the applied stress and fiber bridging stress. Subsequently, the DLMs of a bridged crack are used to calculate the bridging stress profile. Simultaneously, the crack opening displacements (CODs) are also measured from which the fiber bridging stress is determined independently. A comparison of the fiber bridging stress obtained from DLM and COD is made. Finally, a new bridging law is proposed and verified based on this study.
Theory of the driving force of electromigration: Weak-charge solutions

We evaluate several models for the electronic contribution to the driving force of electromigration. Both density-matrix and Green's-function methods are employed. The major approximations are a limitation to effects of lowest order in the charge of the migrating ion, an average treatment of the background scattering in jellium, and a mean-field treatment of screening. Within these limitations we study in detail the charge density induced around the ion in the presence of an external electric field.
Prediction of methane production in wastewater treatment facility: a data-mining approach

A prediction model for methane production in a wastewater processing facility is presented. The model is built by data-mining algorithms based on industrial data collected on a daily basis. Because of many parameters available in this research, a subset of parameters is selected using importance analysis. Prediction results of methane production are presented in this paper. The model performance by different algorithms is measured with five metrics. Based on these metrics, a model built by the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System algorithm has provided most accurate predictions of methane production.
Transgenic mice expressing a chimaeric anti-E. coli immunoglobulin α heavy chain gene

To induce constitutive immunity against a pathogenic strain ofEscherichia coli (K99), a rearranged immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain (HC) gene was constructed. Because the route ofE. coli infection is enteric, an IgA transgene was desirable. A chimaeric gene construct was cloned that coded for a HC that recognized a specificE. coli pilus antigen. The construct comprised a κ gene promoter, murine VDJ, and bovine α-HC constant region. Following microinjection of the HC construct into murine zygotes, of 50 liveborn mice, three were identified as transgenic. In all three transgenic founders, transgene-encoded mRNA expression was detected by northern blot. The transgenic founders were analysed for transgene-encoded RNA expression in splenic tissue before and after challenge with pathogenicE. coli. Founder 4-3♂ expressed transgene-encoded RNA both before and after challenge; expression was detected in the other two founders only post-challenge. As no differences were found when sera were analysed for bovine IgA in control and transgenic mice, protein expression was assessed by challenge of HC founders with K99E. coli by gavage. Control mice challenged with K99E. coli were moribund within 24 h post-gavage, but there was no observable affect in the three transgenic founders. Unfortunately, after obtaining offspring from all founders, no transgenic offspring were identified (0/108). The low yield of transgenic founders, coupled with the apparent germ-line mosaicism may point to either mechanical or critical developmental anomalies. However, the production of transgenic mice harbouring an Ig HC gene construct confirmed that an Ig transgene coding for an antibody to an animal pathogen could function in a tissue-specific and protective manner in a mammalian system.
A comparison of the step coverage of aluminum coatings produced by two sputter magnetron systems and a dual-beam ion system

Abstract We metallized features 0.6 μm deep on silicon integrated circuits using three different deposition systems to examine step coverage problems. These problems can be mitigated by changing the substrate mounting geometry, and/or by bombarding the coating with argon during deposition. The effects of changing the energy and the current density of the bombarding argon flux were investigated using a dual-beam ion system. Our results show that the best coatings from the standpoint of step coverage and electrical resistivity occur for extremely low energy (70 eV) argon bombardment. Porous irregular coatings with high resistivities result from argon bombardment at higher energies and higher current densities. These results are comparable with the results achieved using a d.c. magnetron system, where a substrate bias on the order of -200 to -250 V is necessary to obtain a similar degree of coating planarization.
Fiber optic delay lines for wideband signal processing

New methods for wideband signal processing using fiber delay lines are described. The processors make use of fixed and programmable reflective taps, all-fiber switches, and ladder networks. A tapped delay line with over 10 GHz bandwidth has been demonstrated, as have variable-length delay lines with up to 16 different delay times.
Micro-photonic cylindrical waveguide based protein biosensor

We have experimentally demonstrated the fabrication and the functioning of a rapidly prototyped optical cylindrical microcavity waveguide based biosensor. The device works on the principle of determination of the change to the light intensity of the input coupled light to the waveguide due to the interaction and binding of proteins to the cylindrical waveguide structure. The variation to the coupled light intensity is dependant on the nature of the protein i.e. its surface charge and the density of the proteins. This technique has been used to identify a specific protein biomarker associated with the identification of vulnerable coronary plaque -Myeloperoxidase (MPO). Detection sensitivity in the order of pg/ml has been demonstrated. The detection speed is in the order of seconds from the time of injection of the protein onto the sensor surface. The optical signature that is obtained to identify a protein is entirely dependant on the nature of adsorption of the protein on to the cylindrical cavity surfaces. This technique is a demonstration of detection of nanoscale proteins using a label free optical biosensor technique with unprecedented sensitivity.
Oral hemorrhage after the use of quinidine: report of case

Quinidine-induced thrombocytopenia was diagnosed in a patient whose initial complaint was bleeding of the gingiva around a decayed tooth. A patient with a history of heart disease took one dose of quinidine when he thought that his pulse rate was becoming irregular. Within a half an hour, he experienced a reaction to the drug and called his physician who prescribed dimenhydrinate and rest. The next day the patient noticed persistent bleeding of the gingiva.