cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enamel microstructure in lemuridae (mammalia, primates): Assessment of variability

This study describes the molar enamel microstructure of seven lemurid primates: Hapalemur griseus, Varecia variegata, Lemur catta, Lemur macaco, Lemur fulvus rufus, Lemur fulvus fulvus, and Lemur fulvus albifrons. Contrary to earlier accounts, which reported little or no prism decussation in lemurid enamel, both Lemur and Varecia molars contain a prominent inner layer of decussating prisms (Hunter-Schreger bands), in addition to an outer radial prism layer, and a thin, nonprismatic enamel surface layer. In contrast, Hapalemur enamel consists entirely of radial and, near the surface, nonprismatic enamel. In addition, for all species, prism packing patterns differ according to depth from the tooth surface, and for all species but Varecia (which also has the thinnest enamel of any lemurid), average prism area increases from the enamel-dentine junction to the surface; this may be a developmental solution to the problem of accommodating a larger outer surface area with enamel deposited from a fixed number of cells. Finally, contradicting some previous reports, Pattern 1 prisms predominate only in the most superficial prismatic enamel. In the deeper enamel, prism cross-sections include both closed (Pattern 1) and arc-shaped (Pattern 2 or, most commonly, Pattern 3). This sequence of depth-related pattern change is repeated in all taxa. It should also be emphasized that all taxa can exhibit all three prism patterns in their mature enamel. The high degree of quantitative and qualitative variation in prism size, shape, and packing suggests that these features should be used cautiously in phylogenetic studies. Hapalemur is distinguished from the other lemurids by unique, medially constricted or rectangular prism cross-sections at an intermediate depth and the absence of prism decussation, but, without further assessment of character polarity, these differences do not clarify lemurid phylogenetic relations. Some characters of enamel microstructure may represent synapomorphies of Lemuridae, or of clades within Lemuridae, but homoplasy is likely to be common. Homoplasy of enamel characters may reflect functional constraints. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
HIV/AIDS case histories: indinavir crystalluria.

A38-YEAR-OLD WOMAN with HIV infection for 4 years was being evaluated for chest pain on exertion. A recent CD4 count was 341/ml and viral load was 1790 RNA copies/mL. Her past medical history included asthma for over 10 years. A tuberculin skin test (PPD) was negative. The patient was taking Combivir (Indinavir), Crixivan, and Proventyl. Physical examination was essentially unremarkable. Laboratory studies revealed a red cell macrocytosis with an MCV of 104 fL, but normal WBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Renal related serum chemistries were normal, including creatinine 0.9 mg/dL, urea nitrogen 14 mg/dL, and calcium 9.3 mg/dL. During examination, a routine urinalysis was performed. The urine was yellow; pH was 8.0, and specific gravity was 1.020. Protein, glucose, bilirubin, and ketones were negative. A few red cells were present and white cells were not increased.
A molecular dynamics based investigation of thermally vibrating graphene under different boundary conditions

Abstract In this paper we have investigated the ripples in graphenes under thermal agitation. It is known that as temperature increases ripples originate in the flat landscape of a graphene sheet which is responsible for changing its properties. Among a limited number of works available in literature the role of length scales and temperature on the characteristics of the ripples has been investigated. However it is important to include the boundary conditions with other parameters in order to get a broader picture. In this work graphenes with three different sizes (2 nm, 10 nm and 50 nm) were considered under both simply supported and free-opposite-sides boundary conditions at different temperatures (e.g. 10 K, 100 K and 500 K) using molecular dynamics simulations. The variation in natural frequencies and their dependency on the boundary condition, length scale and temperature was thoroughly studied. Change in the boundary condition can introduce new modes of vibrations in graphenes. A combined effect of length scale, boundary condition and temperature was shown to be responsible for developing the geometrical patterns in the ripples. With free-opposite-sides boundary conditions the ripples are more harmonic in larger graphene than other cases. It was also noticed that the probability distribution for the off-plane displacements of the carbon atoms in graphene is typically non-stationary at small length scales. Variation in boundary conditions and length scales may affect the kurtosis of the distribution. The results showed adequate agreement with available data in the literature.
Determination of agmatine in brain and plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Decarboxylated arginine, agmatine, is a neurotransmitter candidate for imidazoline receptors. A method is described to measure agmatine in rat brain and human plasma by isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection and o-phthalaldehyde derivatization. Quantitation is based on the method of additions of internal agmatine spikes. This assay has sensitivity in the low picomole range and a detection limit of 100 fmol. The correlation coefficient for the agmatine standard curve was 0.999+/-0.001 S.D., and intra- and inter-assay C.V.s were less than 8%. The accuracy of our isocratic method compared favorably with a gradient HPLC protocol, originally developed for bacterial agmatine, which we modified for use with tissues. Agmatine concentrations in rat brain were proportioned similarly to the regional distribution of imidazoline-1 receptors. These methods can be used as reliable research tools in various biological samples.
Vortex flow of low concentration NH4Cl–H2O solution during the solidification process

This paper reports an interesting new phenomenon that occurred during the solidification process of a low-concentration NH4Cl–H2O solution in a rectangular cavity. Vortex flow occurred in the liquid region of the test rectangular cavity during the later stage of the solidification process of the low-concentration NH4Cl–H2O solution. During the solidification process, the vortex flow made the original flow (downward along the vertical frozen surfaces in the liquid region of the test chamber) change and flow upward. The vortex flow was found by using advanced Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV).
Optimal semistable control for continuous-time linear systems

Abstract In this paper, we develop a new H 2 semistability theory for linear dynamical systems. Specifically, necessary and sufficient conditions based on the new notion of weak semiobservability for the existence of solutions to the semistable Lyapunov equation are derived. Unlike the standard H 2 optimal control problem, a complicating feature of the H 2 optimal semistable control problem is that the semistable Lyapunov equation can admit multiple solutions. We characterize all the solutions using matrix analysis tools. With this theory, we present a new framework to design H 2 optimal semistable controllers for linear coupled systems by converting the original optimal control problem into a convex optimization problem.
CHRONIC EXPOSURE OF CULTURED RAT ANTERIOR PITUITARY CELLS TO GRF CAUSES PARTIAL LOSS OF RESPONSIVENESS TO GRF

Pretreatment of primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells with 500 pM rhGRF for 24 h resulted in a partial loss of responsiveness to GRF. When pretreated cells were rechallenged with increasing concentrations of rhGRF, maximal GH secretion was significantly lower than control, since prolonged exposure to the peptide resulted in depletion of releasable GH pools: 3.04 +/- 0.39 and 0.63 +/- 0.08 micrograms GH per 0.15 X 10(6) cells in control and treated cells, respectively. Possible desensitization, however, was indicated, since chronic exposure to rhGRF increased the EC50 for GH secretion by 5.5-fold. Pretreatment with 2 mM 8BrcAMP for 24 h also caused significant depletion of cellular GH. Consequently, maximal GH secretory response of these cells was blunted as well. However, in contrast to rhGRF-pretreatment, 8BrcAMP-pretreatment did not significantly affect the EC50 value for GH secretion. As another index for cellular responsiveness, cAMP production was also monitored. After a 24-h incubation with 500 pM rhGRF, attenuation of adenylate cyclase activity was evident, since the EC50 value for cAMP production was 2.8-fold greater than control. These results suggest that prolonged pretreatment with GRF results in a partial loss of responsiveness to GRF and this may be explained by desensitization and to some extent by depletion of GH stores.
The effects of goal progress cues: An implicit theory perspective

Abstract Consumers often encounter goods and services that provide cues to mark their progress. We define the term “goal progress cues” to reflect the diverse category of cues that highlight progress towards a goal. Across a series of three studies, we show that entity theorists, who rely on cues that highlight completion in order to signal their abilities to others, evaluate tasks that include these cues more favorably than those that lack these features. In contrast, incremental theorists, who focus on improving competence, are impacted only by progress cues that highlight learning. We demonstrate these findings across a variety of goal pursuit contexts that represent a mix of customer-centric (retail queues), service-oriented managerial (sales calls), and personal achievement consumer product (mazes) domains using both behavioral and self-reported measures. We conclude with a discussion about the theoretical and substantive implications of our findings.
US money announcements and covered interest parity: The case of Japan

Abstract This paper examines the effects of US money announcements on dollar-and yen-denominated securities in their respective onshore markets. The effects are consdered over several periods corresponding to possible US and Japanese policy regimes. The consistency of the responses is further examined by testing whether the responses of dollar-denominated securities, yen-denominated securities, the spot yen/dollar exchange rate, and the forward yen/dollar exchange rate violate covered interest parity. Given the results of previous studies, the evidence suggests that restrictions on capital mobility in Japan have not allowed complete international integration of Japanese financial markets.
Error Estimates for Rayleigh–Ritz Approximations of Eigenvalues and Eigenfunctions of the Mathieu and Spheroidal Wave Equation

Error estimates are derived for the computation of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of infinite tridiagonal matrices by the Rayleigh–Ritz method. The results are applied to the Mathieu and spheroidal wave equation.
Theory of 2-D complex seismic trace analysis

The ideas of 1-D complex seismic trace analysis extend readily to two dimensions. Two-dimensional instantaneous amplitude and phase are scalars, and 2-D instantaneous frequency and bandwidth are vectors perpendicular to local wavefronts, each defined by a magnitude and a dip angle. The two independent measures of instantaneous dip correspond to instantaneous apparent phase velocity and group velocity. Instantaneous phase dips are aliased for steep reflection dips following the same rule that governs the aliasing of 2-D sinusoids in f-k space. Two-dimensional frequency and bandwidth are appropriate for migrated data, whereas 1-D frequency and bandwidth are appropriate for unmigrated data. The 2-D Hilbert transform and 2-D complex trace attributes can be efficiently computed with little more effort than their 1-D counterparts. In three dimensions, amplitude and phase remain scalars, but frequency and bandwidth are 3-D vectors with magnitude, dip angle, and azimuth.
Concentration of terahertz radiation through a conically tapered aperture

We demonstrate that conically tapered cylindrical apertures can be used to efficiently concentrate broadband terahertz (THz) radiation. Keeping the aperture diameter on the input plane fixed, we show that as the diameter of the aperture on the exit plane is decreased, we obtain an increase in the magnitude of the transmitted electric field that varies inversely with the output aperture diameter. Correspondingly, the transmitted THz intensity concentration increases inversely with the square of the output aperture diameter. For the smallest aperture that we fabricated, we obtain a ~50 fold increase in the transmitted THz intensity. We expect further increases in the intensity concentration with smaller output apertures. As the output aperture diameter is decreased with a corresponding increase in the concentration factor, we directly measure an increase in the propagation time delay of a narrowband pulse through the structure. Finally, we demonstrate that further increase in the concentration factor can be achieved by engraving circular grooves around the input aperture.
P‐1: The Application of Tetraethooxysilane (TEOS) Oxide to a‐Si:H TFTs as the Gate Insulator

A bottom gate a-Si:H thin film transistor (TFT) with tetraethooxysihme (TEOS) oxide as a gate insulator has been made for the first time. TEOS oxide film of 2000 A has high breakdown strength as twice as the SiNx film of 2000 A prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). A proper thickness combination of SiNx / TEOS oxide double layer for the high production yield will be discussed. and the characteristics of a-Si:H TFT fabricated with SiNx / TEOS oxide will be presented. The pixel charging properties and the Ωvalues of the SiNx / TEOS oxide double layered a-Si:H TFT-LCD will be compared with those Of the SiNx/Al2O3 double layered a-Si:H TFT-LCD by panel simulation.
An Improved Method for Postulating Fabrication Flaws in Reactor Pressure Vessels for Structural Integrity Evaluation

This paper presents an improved model for postulating fabrication flaws in reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) and for the treatment of measured flaw data by probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) codes that are used for structural integrity evaluations. The model used to develop the current pressurized thermal shock (PTS) regulations conservatively postulated that all fabrication flaws were inner-surface breaking flaws. To reduce conservatisms and uncertainties in flaw-related inputs, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) has supported research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) that has resulted in data on fabrication flaws from non-destructive and destructive examinations of actual RPV material. Statistical distributions have been developed to characterize the number and sizes of flaws in the various material regions of a vessel. The regions include the main seam welds, repair welds, base metal of plates and forgings, and the cladding that is applied to the inner surface of the vessel. Flaws are also characterized as being located within the interior of these regions or along the weld fusion lines that join the regions. Flaws are taken that occur at random locations relative to the embrittled inner region of the vessel. The probabilistic fracture mechanics model associates each of the simulated flaw types with the fracture properties of the region being addressed.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
RDS and tracheal phospholipid composition in twins: independent of gestational age.

The surfactant phospholipids in the tracheal effluent of eight pairs of preterm twins were followed, serially. In four pairs only one the twins had RDS; in the other four pairs both twins had RDS. Twins with an without RDS had markedly different surfactant phospholipids. Phosphatidylglycerol was absent in all twins with RDS. L/S ratios in tracheal effluent increased after birth in infants with and without RDS. With recovery from RDS, phosphatidylinositol increased. The study helps confirm previous studies of the necessity of the acidic phospholipids, PI and PG, in stabilizing lecithin, as well as that surfactant composition can be independent of gestational age.
The nature of the muon

A quarklike model of the muon based upon the Thomson formula for the electron is correlated with a recent account of the muong-factor and shown to determine the muon-electron mass ratio. The theory indicates that this is 206.7687, in close accord with its measured value. The model involves a resonance governed by the period at which a disturbance propagates around the electron charge, the radius of which is the same as that of the de Sitter microuniverse model of the electron suggested by Caldirola.
Chemosensors — Welcome to a New Open Access Journal Intended to Cover All Aspects of Chemical Sensing

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Chemosensors, a new online-only journal established by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI, Basel, Switzerland) with the intent of covering all aspects of chemical sensing. The ability to sense or detect/identify and quantitate a chemical entity, and in particular accomplish this through the use of chemical means, has never been a more important part of our society. Chemosensing permeates diverse fields including healthcare (e.g., blood chemistry analysis), food safety (e.g., detecting contamination and spoilage), environmental monitoring (e.g., air and water quality), product and manufacturing assurance (e.g., purity and efficacy), household safety (e.g., smoke detection), forensics (e.g., drug analysis), and biological research (e.g., quantitating DNA or monitoring intracellular homeostasis), to name but a paltry few areas. Indeed, the application of chemosensing has become such an integrated aspect of modern society that trying to compile a comprehensive list of where it is utilized or relied on is almost impossible. Equally daunting is trying to compile a comprehensive list of all the different sensing techniques, types of analysis, modes of signal transduction, instruments and similar type aspects. The pace of new developments in this field is both remarkable and continuously accelerating with new products and applications being developed on an almost unceasing basis. [...]
Emerging techniques for long lived wireless sensor networks

In recent years, sensor networks have transitioned from being objects of academic research interest to a technology that is frequently being deployed in real-life applications and rapidly being commercialized. However, energy consumption continues to remain a barrier challenge in many sensor network applications that require long lifetimes. Battery-operated sensor nodes have limited energy storage capability due to small form-factors, or operate in environments that rule out frequent energy replenishment, resulting in a mismatch between the available energy budget for system operation and the required energy budget to obtain desired lifetimes. This article surveys several techniques that show promise in addressing and alleviating this energy consumption challenge. In addition to describing recent advances in energy-aware platforms for information processing and communication protocols for sensor collaboration, the article also looks at emerging, hitherto largely unexplored techniques, such as the use of environmental energy harvesting and the optimization of the energy consumed during sensing.
Measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase activity in mammalian kidney

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase activity in mammalian kidney, and describes the method that increases the sensitivity of the assay, permits accurate estimation of reaction product recovery, and limits the purification procedures necessary to adequately prepare the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 for quantification. The renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase enzyme is a mitochondrial mixed-function oxidase consisting of three proteins. Two of these, a nonheme iron protein, ferredoxin, and ferredoxin reductase function in the transfer of electrons from NADPH to the terminal component cytochrome P -450. The 1α-hydroxylation is supported by succinate, malate, or almost any other Krebs cycle substrate, and is inhibited by carbon monoxide–oxygen mixtures, glutethimide and metyrapone. In the assay method, unlabeled 25-hydroxyvitamin D is added to crude renal homogenates at a concentration sufficient to both saturate the inhibitory factor present in mammalian systems and provide optimal substrate for 1α-hydroxylation. Production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is quantified by a competitive binding protein radioassay of the purified reaction product, a method which confers great sensitivity to the measurement. The high-performance liquid chromatography step is crucial for accurate assay of lα-hydroxylase activity. Examination of a representative sample HPLC elution profile reveals a substantial amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 still present in the sample following Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. Since measurement of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 biosynthesized by the renal preparation is achieved by either (1) competitive binding protein radioassay of the unlabeled metabolite, as one shall describe, or (2) determination by scintillation counting of the amount of 25-hydroxy[ 3 H]vitamin D 3 converted to 1,25-dihydroxy[ 3 H]vitamin D 3 , as performed by others, accurate quantification depends upon a priori removal of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 substrate. This can only be achieved by using prohibitively longer LH-20 columns or by the inclusion of further purification steps following LH-20 chromatography.
A no observed adverse effect level for DNA adduct formation in rat liver with prolonged dosing of the hepatocarcinogen 2-acetylaminofluorene

We have previously reported that the DNA-reactive hepatocarcinogen 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) produced in rat liver several key effects that were less than linear over a range of repeat doses, and that at low cumulative doses, no-adverse-effect-levels (NOAEL) were observed for several effects including hepatocellular cytotoxicity, enhanced cell proliferation, induction of preneoplastic foci and promotable liver neoplasms, although DNA adducts were still formed at dosages below the lowest NOAEL of 28 mg kg−1 cumulative dose for these other effects. This report details two further dose-effect studies at lower repeat doses than those previously used as well as identification of the specific types of DNA adducts formed. AAF was administered orally to male F344 rats by gavage at repeat dosages which in one experiment (A) ranged from 0.01 to 2.24 mg kg−1 bw per day, 7 days per week for 12 weeks followed by recovery for 4 weeks, and in a second (B) at lower dosages of 0.0026 or 0.026 mg kg−1 bw per day 3 days per week for 16 weeks. Initially the nonacetylated guanine adduct, N-(deoxyguanosine-8-yl)-aminofluorene, predominated. With continued dosing, the pattern of adducts changed such that by 4 weeks more acetylated, N-(deoxyguanosine-N2-yl)-AAF and N-(deoxyguanosine-8-yl)-AAF, adducts were present. In experiment A, total adducts reached a maximum by 12 weeks with levels of 6.0 adducts per 108 nucleotides at the lowest dosage. In experiment B, the total DNA adducts at the lowest dosage was below the limit of detection at 12 weeks, and at 0.6 in 108 nucleotides at 16 weeks, levels within the background range of 1.0–3.1 per 108 nucleotides. Thus, the cumulative dose of 0.125 mg kg−1 bw over 16 weeks was a NOAEL for adducts and hence would be predicted to be a threshold for hepatocarcinogenicity.
Analysis of vertical pneumatic conveying of solids using multiphase flow models

The multiphase flow models were used to predict pressure drop and segregation of particles flowing in a vertical pipe. To compare calculations with data, it was necessary to assume an effective particle size based on a coefficient of restitution and on inlet void fractions. Different partifle size distributions with equal average particle size generate distinctly different pressure drops and segregations. Contribution of solid interaction force is very important in accounting for the segregation of the particles in a vertical pipe. All models gave a reasonable prediction of the design parameters. The pressure drops predicted by the models agreed well with both high- and low-pressure experiments.
The role of tumor necrosis factor receptors in tumor necrosis factor-α - mediated cytolysis of ovarian cancer cell lines☆☆☆★

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to define the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptors on ovarian cancer cells and determine what role these receptors play in tumor necrosis factor-α - mediated cytolysis. STUDY DESIGN: Cell surface expression of tumor necrosis factor-α receptors was determined on ovarian cancer cell lines Caov-3, SK-OV-3, NIH : OVCAR-3, and A2780 by a tumor necrosis factor-α binding assay that used iodine 125 - labeled tumor necrosis factor-α. Monoclonal antibodies specific for the 55 to 60 kd (TR60) and 75 to 80 kd (TR80) tumor necrosis factor receptors were used to determine the relative density of each receptor type. To elucidate which receptor(s) was responsible for mediating the signal for cytolysis, 24-hour MTT cytolytic assays that used tumor necrosis factor-α and emetine were performed in the presence or absence of receptor-specific monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: The four ovarian cell lines expressed a similar number of surface receptors, 4500 to 7000 per cell, had similar dissociation constants, 0.3 to 0.6 nmol/L, and expressed predominately the TR60 receptor subtype. Receptor function studies showed that the presence of the monoclonal antibody to the TR60 receptor completely inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α - mediated cytolysis, whereas the monoclonal antibody to the TR80 receptor only partially blocked cytolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian cancer cell lines express both tumor necrosis factor receptors, with the TR60 receptor being the dominant subtype. Tumor necrosis factor-α - mediated cytolysis appears to be dependent on the presence of a functional TR60 receptor. The TR80 receptor does not appear requisite for cytolysis; however, a complementary role cannot be excluded. Manipulation of tumor necrosis factor receptor subtypes on ovarian cancer cells may enhance the cytotoxic effects, thus improving the therapeutic efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-α. (AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1996;174:145-53.)
A Comparison of Cottonseed and Soybean Meals in Diets for Laying Chickens

Abstract DURING recent years numerous studies have been made on the value of soybean meal as a supplement to relatively small quantities of animal protein in diets for laying chickens. Cottonseed meal, another vegetable protein concentrate produced in considerable quantities, has received little attention along this line, at least partly because of the substances in it that cause olive-colored yolks and pink yolks and whites in stored eggs. The appearance of olive-colored yolks in eggs laid by chickens receiving cottonseed meal was apparently first reported by Lamon and Lee (1917), and the responsible substance was first identified as gossypol by Schaible and co-workers (1934). The studies of Swensen and co-workers (1942) indicate the possibility of using iron salts to “tie-up” gossypol and thus eliminate it as a cause of olive-colored yolks. The recent report of Schaible and Bandemer (1946) shows that the substance responsible for pink yolks and whites is localized . . .
Optimism Biases Among Brokerage and Non-Brokerage Firms' Equity Recommendations: Agency Costs in the Investment Industry

This paper studies the investment recommendations made by brokerage and nonbrokerage firms in an effort to examine the differential agency costs across three unique recommendation production environments. Using the ACE database, recommendation production environments are categorized into national, regional, and non-brokerage firms. The results prove that differences exist between brokerage and nonbrokerage firms: 1) brokerage firms significantly inflate recommendations; 2) regional firms significantly inflate recommendations, compared to national firms; 3) brokerage firms' recommendations, compared to nonbrokerage firms' recommendations, are less credible and less predictive of future stock performance; 4) national firms have more reputational capital, and therefore, their recommendations are more predictive of investment performance than the regional brokerage firms' recommendations.
Juvenile intradural chordoma: case report.

OBJECTIVE: We report the youngest known case of a prepontine intradural chordoma. These tumors are exceedingly rare. Unlike their more common extradural counterparts, no recurrence of an intradural chordomas has been reported. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 9-year-old boy underwent diagnostic imaging for evaluation of headaches. Although neurologically intact, a magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed a large prepontine mass with focal enhancement. INTERVENTION: Endoscopic-assisted gross total resection was attained with staged bilateral retrosigmoid approaches. There were no additional adjuvant therapies. At the time of the 1-year follow-up evaluation, the patient had no recurrence. CONCLUSION: By using an endoscopic-assisted procedure, we achieved complete resection of an intradural chordoma offering a potential for surgical cure. Resection is particularly advantageous because it spares the young child the need for radiation treatment. Close follow-up is warranted because we postulate that this tumor exists in a biological continuum between benign notochordal hamartomatous remnants and typical invasive chordomas.
Remarks on Thurston’s Construction of Pseudo-Anosov Maps of Riemann Surfaces

It is well known that certain isotopy classes of pseudo-Anosov maps on a Riemann surface \( \tilde S \) of non-excluded type can be defined through Dehn twists \( t_{\tilde \alpha } \) and \( t_{\tilde \beta } \) along simple closed geodesics \( \tilde \alpha \) and \( \tilde \beta \) on \( \tilde S \), respectively. Let G be the corresponding Fuchsian group acting on the hyperbolic plane \( \mathbb{H} \) so that \( {\mathbb{H}}/G \cong \tilde S \). For any point a ∈ \( \tilde S \) define \( S = \tilde S\backslash \{ a\} \). In this article, the author gives explicit parabolic elements of G from which he constructs pseudo-Anosov classes on S that can be projected to a given pseudo-Anosov class on \( \tilde S \) obtained from Thurston’s construction.
Optimization of large-scale truss structures using sparse SAND formulations

Sparsity features of simultaneous analysis and design (SAND) formulations are studied and exploited for optimization of large-scale truss structures. Three formulations are described and implemented with an existing analysis code. SAND formulations have large number of variables; however, gradients of the functions and Hessian of the Lagrangian are quite sparsely populated. Therefore, this structure of the problem is exploited and an optimization algorithm with sparse matrix capability is used to solve large-scale problems. An existing analysis software is integrated with an optimizer based on a sparse sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm to solve sample problems. The formulations and algorithms work quite well for the sample problems, and their performances are compared and discussed. For all the cases considered, the SAND formulations out perform the conventional formulation except one case. Further research is suggested to fully study and utilize sparse features of the alternative SAND formulations and to develop more efficient sparse solvers for large-scale and more complex applications.
C. elegans Major Fats Are Stored in Vesicles Distinct from Lysosome-Related Organelles

Genetic conservation allows ancient features of fat storage endocrine pathways to be explored in C. elegans. Multiple studies have used Nile red or BODIPY-labeled fatty acids to identify regulators of fat mass. When mixed with their food, E. coli bacteria, Nile red, and BODIPY-labeled fatty acids stain multiple spherical cellular structures in the C. elegans major fat storage organ, the intestine. However, here we demonstrate that, in the conditions previously reported, the lysosome-related organelles stained by Nile red and BODIPY-labeled fatty acids are not the C. elegans major fat storage compartment. We show that the major fat stores are contained in a distinct cellular compartment that is not stained by Nile red. Using biochemical assays, we validate oil red O staining as a method to assess major fat stores in C. elegans, allowing for efficient and accurate genetic and functional genomic screens for genes that control fat accumulation at the organismal level.
A processing method for weighing lysimeter data and comparison to micrometeorological ETo predictions

Abstract Weighing lysimeters make direct measurements of water loss from a growing crop and the soil surface around a crop (evapotranspiration, ET), and thus, provide basic data to validate other ET prediction methods. The objective of this study was the improvement of the lysimeter data processing to eliminate bad data and minimize the effect of random variations in the measurements. Also, grass evapotranspiration rates (ETo) were compared with evapotranspiration rates predicted from data taken at a nearby weather station that is part of the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS). Hourly data for a 2-year period from a grass lysimeter located at Five Points, California were screened to remove questionable data and data taken on rainy days (38% of all data). The hourly ETo rate was calculated for the remaining data from lysimeter mass measurements using a seven-point Savitsky–Golay (S–G) approximation of the derivative at the central point. The data were plotted against the CIMIS hourly ETo predictions using the Pruitt–Doorenbos (PD) model and the least-squares best-fit line was close to the 1:1 line indicating that CIMIS PD predictions were reasonably accurate for this time period. Comparing the S–G method with a two-point finite difference method, the S–G method reduced the root-mean-squared error between lysimeter ETo and CIMIS predictions from 0.112 for the two-point method to 0.074 mm h −1 . Slopes of zero-intercept, best-fit lines to CIMIS PD versus lysimeter ETo for data representing each hour during the day exceeded unity from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. but were less than unity at other times. An improved daytime result was obtained with the CIMIS Penman–Monteith (PM) model. The daytime soil heat flux calculated by the PM model is not included in the PD model and could account for this improvement. Correlation of hourly CIMIS and lysimeter ETo was poor during the night so CIMIS hourly ETo predictions at this site could be improved by characterization of factors that would improve prediction of ETo at night. Daily CIMIS ETo predictions were in good agreement with daily lysimeter ETo measurements for ETo −1 but tended to be smaller when ETo > 6 mm d −1 .
Stem hypoxia and root respiration of flooded maple and birch seedlings

Some researchers have attributed flood tolerance of woody plants to air entering the shoot through stems, leaves, or lenticels and diffusing to the roots to sustain aerobie respiration. The purpose of this study was to determine if internal aeration of roots by lower stems, changes in gross morphology of lower stems, or both, contribute to flood tolerance of certain tree species. Greenhouse-grown seedlings of red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and river birch (Betula nigra L.) tolerated at least 30 days of flooding, where as sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh) and European white birch (also called silver birch, Betula pendula Roth) were intolerant. Flood treatment induced lentieel intumescences and adventitious root formation on red maple stems, but only adventitious roots formed on river birch stems. Stem morphology of sugar maple and European birch was unchanged by flooding. Flood stress decreased oxygen consumption capacity of excised roots from both tolerant and intolerant species. Exclusion of oxygen from the lower stems of flooded red maple and river birch prevented lenticel intumescence and adventitious root formation, but flood tolerance and root respiration capacity were unchanged. Neither internal aeration nor changes in stem morphology appear to account for flood tolerance of red maple and river birch.
Biological studies on Entamoeba histolytica. IV. Direct action of the antibiotic, prodigiosin.

Summary and conclusions(1) Prodigiosin was employed in the range 1:20,000,000 to 1:100,000 against two distinct strains of E. histolytica.(2) The monobacterial culture (NRS strain grown with A. aerogenes) proved more susceptible, failing to survive at 1:400,000. The mixed culture (UC strain) failed to survive at 1:100,000, even with relatively huge inocula of amoebae.(3) Analysis disclosed that the bacterial flora, oxidation-reduction potentials and pH were not adversely affected by the experimental treatment.(4) The general conclusion is reached that prodigiosin exerts a profound, direct action against E. histolytica in vitro. This is apparently the first record of proved direct action of an antibiotic against E. histolytica.
Taxonomy of Buying Decision Approaches

The author reports the development of a classification scheme of buying patterns and situations. Unlike previous conceptual schemes, it consists of six prototypical “buying decision approaches” ide...
The Mind's Irreducible Structure

The human mind is one of our most compelling subjects of scientific inquiry—and perhaps our most elusive. Despite impressive biological advances, neuroscience has yet to produce a logical and empirical analysis of the mind that exhibits universal, objective explanatory power of human mental phenomena on both an individual and species level. This article first explores the limitations of the current neuroscientific approach to the human mind and then argues for a reconceptualization of the relationship between human mental phenomena and the brain. Here I introduce a new interpretation of neuroscientific data and argue that this framework has the capacity to causally explain the link between social, psychological and biological levels of analysis.
Structural and Mutational Studies of a Hyperthermophilic Intein from DNA Polymerase II of Pyrococcus abyssi

Protein splicing is a precise self-catalyzed process in which an intein excises itself from a precursor with the concomitant ligation of the flanking polypeptides (exteins). Protein splicing proceeds through a four-step reaction but the catalytic mechanism is not fully understood at the atomic level. We report the solution NMR structures of the hyperthermophilic Pyrococcus abyssi PolII intein, which has a noncanonical C-terminal glutamine instead of an asparagine. The NMR structures were determined to a backbone root mean square deviation of 0.46 A and a heavy atom root mean square deviation of 0.93 A. The Pab PolII intein has a common HINT (hedgehog intein) fold but contains an extra β-hairpin that is unique in the structures of thermophilic inteins. The NMR structures also show that the Pab PolII intein has a long and disordered loop in place of an endonuclease domain. The N-terminal Cys-1 amide is hydrogen bonded to the Thr-90 hydroxyl in the conserved block-B TXXH motif and the Cys-1 thiol forms a hydrogen bond with the block F Ser-166. Mutating Thr-90 to Ala dramatically slows N-terminal cleavage, supporting its pivotal role in promoting the N-S acyl shift. Mutagenesis also showed that Thr-90 and His-93 are synergistic in catalyzing the N-S acyl shift. The block F Ser-166 plays an important role in coordinating the steps of protein splicing. NMR spin relaxation indicates that the Pab PolII intein is significantly more rigid than mesophilic inteins, which may contribute to the higher optimal temperature for protein splicing.
DNA QUALITY AND ACCURACY OF AVIAN MALARIA PCR DIAGNOSTICS: A REVIEW

Abstract Birds have become increasingly prominent in studies focusing on natural populations and their coevolved pathogens or examining populations under environmental stress from novel and emerging infectious diseases. For either type of study, new DNA-based diagnostic tests, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), present challenges in detecting the DNA of pathogens, which exist in low copy number compared with DNA of the host. One example comes from studies of avian malaria: conflicting claims are made by different laboratories about the accuracy of tests using various sets of primers and reagents, especially in relation to blood smears and immunological methods. There is little standardization of protocol or performance among laboratories conducting tests, in contrast to studies of human malaria. This review compares the problems of detecting avian malaria with those of detecting human malaria, and shows definitively that the buffer used to store blood samples following collection is associated wit...
Effects of fertilizer applications on growth and nutrition of pole sized Sitka spruce on oligotrophic peat

During the early 1990s a marked decline in health of 20-30-year-old Sitka spruce in plantations on deep oligotrophic blanket peat across Northern Ireland was reported to research foresters by local managers. This site type represents a very significant proportion of plantations in this age class managed by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, and was predominantly planted with pure Sitka spruce, in contrast to similar site types in Britain and the Republic of Ireland, on which lodgepole pine was the preferred species (Edwards, 1962; O'Carroll, 1962). Within affected stands the decline in health was often more pronounced in trees adjacent to roadside or internal drains. Trees in affected plantations presented symptoms of K deficiency in pole-sized Sitka spruce described by Binns et al. (1980) and illustrated by Taylor (1991); although this nutrient is applied to spruce plantations on organic soils in Britain as a standard procedure (Mclntosh, 1981; Dutch et al., 1990), early applications in Ireland are considered unnecessary except on flushed and fen peats
Modeling Coastal Eutrophication at Florida Bay using Neural Networks

Abstract Nutrient loading and eutrophication in coastal waters are the causes of water quality degradation and loss of marine biota, which has led to ecological imbalance. Understanding and modeling the level of eutrophication as a function of environmental parameters can be beneficial to coastal ecosystem management. The limitation of deterministic and empirical models in accurately predicting the level of algal blooms, and the nonlinear relationship between the water quality and environmental parameters and that of the level of chlorophyll a necessitate a new approach using machine learning and data-driven modeling. A multilayer perceptron-back propagation (MLP-BP) algorithm of artificial neural network (ANN) was used to predict the level of eutrophication (chlorophyll a) from water quality parameters monitored at two Florida Bay water quality monitoring stations (FLAB03 and FLAB14). Based on the correlation of monthly nutrients (total phosphate, nitrite, ammonium) and other water data (temperature, tur...
An integrated design for personal computers in the marketing curriculum

This article discusses the role of personal computer applications in courses throughout the marketing curriculum. Learning theory suggests that PC applications be introduced in modules over the entire marketing program and not concentrated in just one or two courses. The final capstone course in marketing is seen as the logical place for a culminating, integrative learning experience with software applications. Software recommendations are provided for each typical marketing course and a decision support exercise is described for the capstone course.
The Relationship Between Cultural Diversity and User Needs in Virtual Reference Services

While the racial diversity of academic library users continues to grow, research on the effects of this diversity remains scarce. This study looks at similarities and differences between non-traditional Caucasian and African American library users through content analysis of ninety-four virtual reference transactions.
Sorption of cationic oligomers on sediments

The adsorption and desorption of oligomers of cationic poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) a poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDAM) were measured on several sediments. The adsorption isotherms have a Langmuir shape, with high initial slopes for PEI and adsorption capacities of up to 13% oligomer adsorbed by weight for PDAM. Sorption capacity correlates with the cation exchange capacity for both oligomers. Sorption capacity increases with PEI molecular weight but is independent of PDAM molecular weight. Adsorption/desorption reversibility is less than 15% at all surface coverages for PDAM and for PEI at low surface coverage, but increases up to 50% for PEI at high surface coverage. These data indicate that PDAM adsorbs with all protonated nitrogens directly attached to cation exchange sites at all surface coverages. In contrast, PEI appears to adsorb with a significant mass of adsorbed material in loops and tails indirectly attached to the surface. Adsorption of PDAM appears to increase dramatically if the sediment pH is basic enough to allow bilayer adsorption in the interlamellar region of the sediment. Preadsorption of PDAM on a sediment significantly increased the adsorption of naphthalene from water, suggesting that the lipophilicity of sediments or soils can be substantially increased by oligomer adsorption.
Cultural immersion experience: promoting an understanding of Mexican American nutrition and food traditions.

immersion experience to Guanajuato, Mexico. After sponsoring this travel health course for 10 years, public health faculty from this university designed this year’s travel course to focus on nutrition and Mexican food traditions to help public health and nutrition students improve their understanding of these topics. The target audience for this course included graduate and undergraduate public health and nutrition students. The key objectives were to (1) improve students’ understanding of the dimensions involved in caring for people from culturally diverse backgrounds, (2) encourage students to dialogue with health and nutrition Guanajuato representatives about health and nutritional needs of Mexican families, and (3) increase students’ knowledge of traditional Mexican food and culture.
Excited State Energy Transfer Pathways in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers. 3. Ultrafast Emission from the Monomeric Bacteriochlorophylls

Ultrafast singlet excited state energy transfer occurs from the monomeric bacteriopheophytin (H) and bacteriochlorophyll (B) chromophores to the primary electron donor or special pair (P) in bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers. Because of rapid quenching of the singlet excited state of B by energy transfer to P, 1B emission has not previously been observed in functional reaction centers. Using fluorescence upconversion, spontaneous fluorescence associated with the monomeric bacteriochlorophylls is observed for excitation of the monomeric bacteriochlorophylls and bacteriopheophytins at 85 K. The decay kinetics of the fluorescence match the kinetics of the rise of emission from 1P, the ultimate acceptor of singlet energy. Together with measurements of the time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy, the data suggest that 1B is populated in the energy transfer pathway from 1H to P. By exciting H in wild-type and in the reaction center mutant M182HL, where contributions from the chromophores in the B sites on...