cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermally induced surface reconstruction of MnO(100)

Irreversible thermal reconstruction of vacuum-annealed MnO(100)−(1×1) to (2×2) and (6×6) structures has been observed with LEED with transition temperatures of 800 and 1000 K, respectively. The relatively weak (2×2) structure does not always precede (6×6) reconstruction and in particular is inhibited by the presence of small amounts of calcium impurities. The reconstructions occur with no detectable change in stoichiometry as measured by AES and XPS. The data are in general agreement with rumpling of surface oxygen as predicted by several theoretical studies of ionic crystal lattice stability.
Scaling non-unitary models with degenerate ground state. Thermodynamic Bethe ansatz approach

Abstract We discuss a class of the non-unitary minimal models with degenerate ground state, namely the M 3/ q theories perturbed by the operator o 1,3 . We show that the thermodynamic Bethe ansatz approach can be also applied to the second lowest state in these systems. We compare our results with perturbation theory and with the truncated conformal space method.
Calibration of Radiotracer Method to Study Protein Adsorption at Interfaces

Radiolabeled stearic acid, β-casein, and lysozyme were used to construct cpm versus surface radioactivity calibration curves to study the kinetics of adsorption of proteins at the air-water interface by the radiotracer method. It was observed that quantification of the rate and extent of adsorption of lysozyme was profoundly affected by the choice of the standard curve used. Whereas the calibration curve based on spreading 1-14C-stearic acid at the air-water interface underestimated the surface concentration of lysozyme, that based on spreading of lysozyme resulted in overestimation. Even though 1-14C-stearic acid and β-casein formed stable insoluble spread films at the air-water interface, the surface cpm versus surface radioactivity calibration curves were different. These differences presumably arose from differences in the depth of the 14 C nuclide from the air-water interface as well as from possible quenching of β- radiation by the protein matrix. Based on the observations it is proposed that the calibration curve obtained by spreading 14 C-labeled β-casein might be a better reference curve than the others to quantify the rate and extent of adsorption of proteins at the air-water interface using the radiotracer method.
Quality of life assessment in patients with bipolar disorder treated with olanzapine added to lithium or valproic acid

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the clinical and quality of life outcomes associated with adjunctive treatment of olanzapine added to either lithium or valproic acid/divalproex sodium in patients with bipolar disorder. Methods: Patients with bipolar I disorder, were randomized to receive either olanzapine (5–20 mg) added to mood stabilizer therapy (n=224), or placebo added to mood stabilizer therapy (n=112) for 6 weeks. Changes in clinical outcomes over 6 weeks were measured by the Young Mania Rating Scale (Y-MRS) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Quality of life was measured by the Lehman Brief Quality of Life Interview (QLI). Results: Patients treated with olanzapine added to mood stabilizers, experienced significantly greater mean clinical improvements from baseline on both the Y-MRS and the HAM-D compared to those treated with placebo added to mood stabilizers. Over 6 weeks, patients treated with olanzapine added to mood stabilizers had significantly greater mean improvements from baseline on five of the nine subjective scales on the QLI, compared to patients treated with placebo added to mood stabilizers. Changes in scores on the subjective scales of the QLI were more strongly correlated to changes in depressive symptomatology measured by the HAM-D, than to changes in symptoms of mania measured by the Y-MRS. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that patients receiving adjunctive treatment have significantly greater improvements in both clinical and quality of life outcomes compared to monotherapy with mood stabilizers.
Deposition and properties of polycrystalline β-SiC films using LPCVD with different dopant amount

The physical and electrical properties of polycrystalline β-SiC were studied according to different nitrogen doping concentration. The crystalline peaks SiC(111), SiC(220), SiC(311) and SiC(222) appeared in XRD analysis of poly-SiC films deposited on Si substrates covered with thermally-grown SiO2. Resistance of nitrogen-doped SiC films decreased with increasing temperature. The size of resistance ratio was much bigger in films with low doping. On the other hand, the linearity of resistance variation was better in films with high doping.
Tuned aperture computed tomography (TACT) for cross-sectional implant site assessment in the posterior mandible.

Purpose This study was designed to optimize a new radiographic modality known as tuned aperture computed tomography (TACT) for cross-sectional imaging of implant sites in human dry mandibles. Materials and Methods Five imaging modalities were compared for image quality and measurement accuracy: (1) conventional hypocycloidal tomograms, (2) TACT images reconstructed using the average method produced using a linear x-ray source movement, (3) TACT images reconstructed using the average method produced using a multidirectional x-ray source movement, (4) minimally reconstructed TACT images without a fiducial marker at the site of interest, and (5) minimally reconstructed TACT images with a fiducial marker at the site of interest. Results The extended Mantel-Haenszel mean score statistic was used to investigate the influence of modality on subjective image quality. A statistically significant difference for certain types of TACT images and multidirectional tomography (P < 0.0001) was observed. Linear TACT and multmin TACT were rated as significantly better than other image modalities (P < 0.0009), whereas multidirectional tomography was rated as being significantly worse than other radiographic modalities (P < 0.0001). For the quantitative assessment, data were normalized and analyzed statistically through a paired-comparisons t test. For each modality, the accuracy for maximum height and height was significantly different from ground truth (P < 0.05). Conclusion The qualitative data suggest that visibility of structures important to the choice of implant location and dimension were seen better with certain TACT methods. Quantitative differences from ground truth (actual measurements of the bone-absolute truth) were clinically negligible. TACT appears to offer the potential of superior image quality over the status quo.
Design and synthesis of ion‐conductive polyphosphazenes for fuel cell applications: Review

New proton-conductive fuel cell membranes have been produced by the linkage of acidic functional groups to aryloxy side units attached to a polyphosphazene macromolecular chain. The functional groups include sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, and sulfonimide units. The different functional groups impart different water retention, proton conduction, and methanol resistance to the membranes. Special advantages are foreseen for uses in direct methanol fuel cells. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2358–2368, 2006
Carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in female rats.

Abstract Intragastric administration of carbon tetrachloride to female rats induces rapid onset of peroxidative decomposition of lipids of the liver endoplasmic reticulum. The effect observed in female rats is indistinguishable from the same effect first observed in male rats.
Destroyers and other verses. Henry Head, the poet.

• Henry Head's literary contributions have gone virtually unnoticed despite Lord Brain's contention that "Had Henry Head not adopted medicine as a profession, he might have been equally distinguished as a writer." During World War I, Head published war poems in several literary journals and in 1919 they were compiled into a volume entitled Destroyers and Other Verses . Prior to Destroyers , Head published two other volumes of poetry and, in 1922, he wrote an introduction to a collection of works by Thomas Hardy, compiled by his equally literate wife, Ruth. That the literary influence between the Heads was mutual is revealed by the many references to medicine and physicians in the novels of Ruth Head. This article presents the literary works of Henry and Ruth Head and describes this little known but important part of Sir Henry's career.
A paleoecologic comparison of two edrioasteroid (echinodermata) encrusted pavements from the Upper Ordovician Corryville Formation of Florence, Kentucky and the Miamitown Shale of Sharonville, Ohio U.S.A.

ABSTRACT Occurrences of articulated, multi-element skeletons of edrioasteroids provide evidence of sudden burial and an opportunity for detailed paleoecologic analysis. This study examines two catastrophically buried communities of edrioasteroids from Florence, Kentucky and Sharonville, Ohio. In these two occurrences, the edrioasteroids Isorophus cincinnatiensis, Streptaster vorticellatus, and Carneyella pilea utilized brachiopod and mollusk shells as hard substrates for attachment. Age structure analysis for specimens of Isorophus cincinnatiensis on both pavements show right-skewed distributions that are attributed to high juvenile mortality. Thecae on the Florence pavement have slight bimodal preferential orientation, likely in response to current flow, whereas no preferential thecal orientation was noted for specimens on the Sharonville pavement. Spatial analysis of the Florence pavement indicates a clustered edrioasteroid distribution resulting from multiple edrioasteroids attached to single brachiopo...
Defining an ecological thermodynamics using discrete simulation approaches

Abstract New insights into interdisciplinary engineering endeavors, from classical modeling to nano–macroscale extrapolation and critical evaluation, weigh heavily on the pervasive nature of thermodynamics in the physical world. Just as statistical thermodynamic approaches provide a beneficial complement to a process-based macroscale thermodynamic approaches with physical systems, a Lagrangian approach to energetics in biological systems can, we believe, provide a beneficial complement to popular Eulerian approaches. Statistical thermodynamics is used as a springboard for some analogies that are similarly used to leap into the ecological scale. The Lagrangian simulation, a discrete simulation, is implemented with a spreadsheet approach, a discrete simulation approach, and a new stochastic differential equation solution approach. The Lagrangian approach complements the more widely used continuous (or Eulerian) simulation approaches such as STELLA or Environ theory approaches. The Lagrangian approach decomposes energy into small packets or ecological quanta. An ecological entropy is computed based on nodal contacts in the network, with the notion that nodal contact is analogous to molecular speed. In the cases shown, the results of ecological entropy appear generally consistent with thermodynamic entropy. A newly available simulation package (ECONET) enabled an easy Lagrangian approach to analyzing the Cone Springs and Oyster ecological models. An analogy between nodal contact numbers and molecular speed was developed to enable computation of an ecological entropy. There is a similarity between classical and ecological entropy based on similarity in shape of the Maxwell–Boltzmann distributions to the packet-nodal contact numbers. An ecological temperature can be defined based on this similarity. Selected ratios of ecological entropy versus classical macroscopic entropy appeared to have some degree of robustness. Other aspects of ecological thermodynamics remain to be developed. It is felt that the ecological thermodynamics approach presented offers an improved way to combine biochemical and ecological entropy. A sound combination of entropies at multiple scales will help bring together measurements at disparate scales.
Vessel segmentation analysis of ischemic stroke images acquired with photoacoustic microscopy

We have applied optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) for longitudinal monitoring of cerebral metabolism through the intact skull of mice before, during, and up to 72 hours after a 1-hour transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). The high spatial resolution of OR-PAM enabled us to develop vessel segmentation techniques for segment-wise analysis of cerebrovascular responses.
Pancreatic pseudocyst causing hemobilia and massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Summary A case of massive bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract associated with hemobilia caused by hemorrhage into a pancreatic pseudocyst and erosion into the common bile duct is reported. It was treated successfully by ligation of the bleeding vessel and cystoduodenostomy.
Nanotwin formation in copper thin films by stress/strain relaxation in pulse electrodeposition

Nanotwinned copper has been shown to greatly improve the yield strength while maintaining good electrical conductivity. It has great potential to be incorporated in the very-large-scale integration of Cu interconnect technology. The influence of stress/strain on nanotwin formation is studied using first principles calculations of the total crystal binding energy. Under biaxial stress, the total energy of strained Cu can be larger than that of strain-relaxed periodic nanotwinned Cu. We propose that, during pulse electrodeposition of Cu films, highly strained Cu can undergo recrystallization and grain growth to relax stress and form strain-relaxed nanotwins.
Enhancement of myelotoxicity induced by repeated irradiation in mice exposed to a mixture of groundwater contaminants.

As part of a program on the toxicology of chemical mixtures at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Toxicology Program (NIEHS/NTP), hematopoietic functions were studied in female B6C3F1 mice treated with 0, 1%, and 5% of a chemical mixture stock of 25 groundwater contaminants in drinking water for 31.5 weeks. The toxicologic interaction between continuous exposure to groundwater contaminants and stress induced by multiple irradiation on hematopoiesis was investigated. For those mice receiving both the chemical mixture and irradiation, the exposure to the former was continuous throughout the 31.5-week experimental period, whereas whole body irradiations (4 times at 200 rads/each) were carried out at 7-week intervals with the first one at 3.5 weeks. Myelotoxicity assessment was made by determining the number of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (CFU-GM) 1 week after each irradiation and also at 6 weeks following irradiation as a measure of recovery from stress. Non-irradiated mice treated with 5% chemical mixture solution showed suppression of CFU-GM after 15.5 weeks and became progressively more affected (only 70% of controls by 31.5 weeks of treatment). The population of CFU-GM in mice treated with 5% chemical mixture for 4.5 weeks plus irradiation (1 week after first irradiation) was only 22% of the non-irradiated vehicle control group. This combined (i.e., chemical mixture plus irradiation) suppression of CFU-GM intensified after repeated irradiation until the number of CFU-GM was only 10.7% following the fourth irradiation at 25.5 weeks. Thus, irradiation caused a significant reduction in CFU-GMs in all mice but the effects were more pronounced in mice treated with a chemical mixture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Gaylord's acquisitions system GS-500

Experiences menees a la bibliotheque Ekstrom de l'Universite de Louisville aux Etats-Unis lors de l'implantation d'un logiciel de gestion des acquisitions sur un microordinateur (APPLE IIplus)
An expected cost methodology for screening design selection

ABSTRACT When investigating many continuous factors under experi-mental cost constraints, an experimenter often selects a screening design from among a variety of published options. This article introduces a novel design selection methodology based on decision trees that identifies which screening design option minimizes the total expected cost of a multistage experiment under model uncertainty. The methodology is illustrated by an example in which a set of traditional and recently published experimental designs are considered for the screening of six potential factors.
Using False Models to Elaborate Constraints on Processes: Blending Inheritance in Organic and Cultural Evolution

Abstract Scientific models may be more useful for false assumptions they make than true ones when one is interested not in the fit of the model, but in the form of the residuals. Modeling Darwin’s (false) “blending” theory of inheritance shows how it illuminates features of Mendelian theory. Insufficient understanding of it leads to incorrect moves in modeling population structure. But it may prove even more useful for organizing a theory of cultural evolution. Analysis of “blending” inheritance gives new tools for recognizing population structure for culture and for understanding differences between biological and cultural inheritance.
Early morphological alteration of the pigment epithelium in streptozotocin-induced diabetes: increased surface area of the basal cell membrane.

We have observed a marked increase of membrane infolding at the basal surface of pigment epithelial cells in streptozotocin-diabetic rats after three to five weeks of hyperglycemia. The extent of basal infolding was determined by stereological analysis of electron micrographs. These measurements demonstrated that in 12 diabetic eyes, the average length of basal cell membrane per unit length of Bruch's membrane was 33% greater than in an equal number of control eyes (P < 0·001). The linear increase represents an approximate doubling of the area of the basal cell surface. This structural modification may be associated with the altered permeability of the cell layer indicated by our previous finding of abnormal penetration of fluorescein into the pigment epithelium in diabetic rats.
Reporting recent sexual practices: gay men's disclosure of HIV risk by questionnaire and interview.

AIDS-related research relies primarily on self-reports of sexual practices. Therefore, determining which data collection methods yield more candid information is critical. Data from a study of gay men's sexual adaptations to the AIDS epidemic provided an opportunity to explore the congruence of data collected using a self-administered questionnaire with data from an unstructured face-to-face interview designed to facilitate report of sexual risk behavior. We examined (i) the concordance of questionnaire and unstructured interview risk ratings when the two data sources are scored for the same 16 sexual behaviors; (ii) the concordance of questionnaire ratings and ratings obtained when all information on recent sexual practices available from the unstructured interview is considered; (iii) the relationship between serostatus and both concordance patterns between methods; and (iv) the difference by serostatus of reported risk level within method. Riskiest behaviors were reported on the questionnaire for all serostatus groups. Riskier behaviors were more likely to be reported on the questionnaire while more characteristic, safer behaviors were discussed in interview, regardless of HIV serostatus. The advantages of a combined methods—questionnaire/interview—strategy for sexual practice research are discussed.
Modeling of knickpoint retreat on the Roan Plateau, western Colorado

[1] The Roan Plateau in western Colorado constitutes a natural experiment for studying landscape response to a drop in base level. Late Cenozoic incision of the upper Colorado River led to elevational isolation of the Plateau and initiation of a wave of incision into its southern edge. Knickpoints (oversteepened reaches that contain waterfalls 60–110 m in height) mark the upstream extent of this headward propagating wave. That this incision has occurred in a laterally extensive, well-stratified, and essentially flat-lying bedrock and in an area with relatively uniform climate, implies that it should serve as a good test of existing knickpoint propagation models. We predict the locations of knickpoints by using a stream power-based celerity model, in which knickpoint recession rate is a power function of drainage area and is proportional to rock susceptibility to erosion. Models of the Parachute and Roan drainages (17 and 16 knickpoints, respectively) show expected rapid initial knickpoint propagation rates, which decline as drainage area decreases stepwise at tributary junctions. The modeled positions of knickpoints match well with observed features, using a single combination of parameters to model retreat in both drainage basins. We compare our celerity model results with past studies and explore how longitudinal profile analysis may be used to derive independently the exponent on drainage area in the celerity model.
Transferred and Delayed Care of Patients with Colorectal Cancer in a Safety-Net Hospital System—Manifestations of a Distressed Healthcare System

Background Safety-net hospital systems provide care to a large proportion of United States’ under- and uninsured population. We have witnessed delayed colorectal cancer (CRC) care in this population and sought to identify demographic and systemic differences in these patients compared to those in an insured health-care system.
Response To Human Recombinant Erythropoietin (Epo) in Infants With Congenital Heart Disease And Reduced Pulmonary Blood Flow 16

There is a selected group of infants with Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) characterized by reduced pulmonary blood flow. In them, arterial oxygen saturation levels (O2Sat) is persistently low (usually around 80%) until complete recovery or surgical repair. These infants require high Hemoglobin(Hb) concentrations and Hematocrit (Hct) levels to preserve adequate arterial content and delivery of O2. They frequently need blood transfusions to maintain Hct levels of at least 55%. Human EPO has been used clinically in infants with anemia of prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but there is no clinical experience with its use in newborns with cyanotic CHD. In this observational pilot study we evaluated whether early use of EPO in these infants blunts the physiological descent of Hb that occurs during the first 12 weeks after birth and reduces the need for transfusions. We present preliminary data in 10 infants. Six of them had Pulmonary Stenosis (PS) and poorly compliant right ventricle. They all showed significant improvement in O2Sat after valvular ballon dilation, but O2Sat remained below 86%. The other 4 infants had complex CHD not amenable to complete primary repair during the early neonatal period (i.e. AV canal. TGA with pulmonary stenosis). Infants were included in the study if the Hct was in progressive descent and it was 45%. While on EPO, two patients developed Hct>60%, though post-discharge follow-up and frequency of lab test was inappropiate. We conclude that the early use of EPO abolishes the physiologic descent of Hb and Hct in these infants. These findings may render EPO useful, safe and cost-efficient for the adjuvant management of patients with CHD and reduced pulmonary flow until the condition resolves completely, either spontaneously (i.e. improved compliance of right ventricle in cases of PS), or surgically.
How facile is CH activation?—A semi-empirical study

Abstract CH activation is studied by reaction path calculations for the CH insertion reactions of methane with BU + , B, B − , C, and Al atoms, by semi-empirical calculations. Low activation barriers are predicted for all atoms with p electrons in agreement with qualitative MO arguments and experimental results.
Fibrin clot formation and the release of carbohydrate

Abstract The role of Laki-Lorand factor (LLF) in the clotting process has been studied using pure firbrinogen, LLF-free fribrinogen, sialic acid free-fibrinogen and thrombin from the human source. It has been observed that LLF is necessary for the release of carbohydrates from fibrinogen during clotting and for the formation of urea-insoluble clot. The amount of carbohydrates released and the amount of insoluble clot formed increases as the concentration of LLF in the clotting mixture increases. LLF does not produce an insoluble clot from sialic acid-free fibrinogen nor does it release other carbohydrate residues from such a fibrinogen during clotting. These results suggest that the carbohydrate releasing enzyme and the clot stabilizing enzyme are very likely the same and that the carbohydrate releasing action occurs simultaneously with the formation of urea-insoluble clot.
Conformers of n-Si6Me14: Ab Initio, Molecular Mechanics, and Additive Increment Methods

The stable backbone conformers of n-Si6Me14 have been identified through geometry optimizations with the HF/3-21G(d), MM2, and MM3 methods. With the exception of the MM2 method, their relative potential energies, and also single-point energies calculated by the HF/6-31G(d) and MP2/6-31G(d) methods at HF/3-21G(d) optimized geometries (Ecalc), agree with energies , obtained using additive increment sets previously derived from results for n-Si4Me10 and n-Si5Me12, with mean deviations of 0.11−0.15 kcal/mol. The energy is a simple function of the number of gauche, ortho, and transoid Si backbone bond conformations and of SiSi adjacent bond interactions. With the MM2 method the deviations from additivity are larger; and Ecalc agree only with a mean deviation of 0.52 kcal/mol. Improved increment sets were obtained by a simultaneous least-squares treatment of data for n-Si4Me10, n-Si5Me12 and n-Si6Me14, including a few increments for interaction between next-nearest bond conformations. This yields energies that ...
Studies of surface-modified wood flour/polypropylene composites

Wood flour (WF)/polypropylene (PP) composites have been made by extrusion and hot press compression molding. The composite water uptake and flexural properties were investigated. The composite fracture surfaces were studied by SEM. WF esterified with octanoyl chloride was used in WF/PP composites to improve the composites’ water resistance. Maleated polypropylene (MAPP) was also studied and compared with esterification by acid chlorides. Esterification by octanoyl chloride reduced the composite water uptake. However, the C8 chain is still not long enough to form effective entanglements with the PP matrix. So, despite enhancements in hydrophobic interactions, flexural strengths and flexural moduli decreased. MAPP (MW = 47000) polymer chains can entangle with the matrix polypropylene molecules. Therefore, when MAPP’s maleic anhydride functions esterify WF surface hydroxyls, improved water resistance and composite flexural properties were achieved. The modifier chain length is of critical importance and more important than the surface density of hydrophobic groups for improving WF–PP interfacial adhesion and composite mechanical performance.
Nanoparticle-stabilised invert emulsion drilling fluids for deep-hole drilling of oil and gas

Invert emulsions are used to drill for oil and gas when good wellbore stability and high temperature tolerance are required. These drilling fluids contain a solid phase and two immiscible liquid phases stabilised with a polymeric surfactant. In ultra deep drilling, due to high temperature, the surfactant degrades causing phase separation. However, fine particles can be used as stabilisers, and the result is a Pickering emulsion. Here, we demonstrate that the use of a combination of hydrophobic nanoparticles and organically modified nanoclay results in stable water-in-oil invert emulsions model drilling fluids. These gel-like model fluids have the desired plastic viscosity and yield stress suitable for drilling fluid applications that can be modified by adjusting the nanoparticle-content. Aging experiments at 225 ◦ C showed that they also have high-temperature stability for demanding drilling operations.
Regrowth of damaged neurosecretory axons to fenestrated vessels of implanted peripheral tissues

A major target of neurosecretory axons (NSA) is the bassal lamina around fenestrated blood vessels (FBV) in the neural lobe of the pituitary gland. We have posed the question of whether there is nerurovascular specificity. Do mature, regenerating NSA terminate selectively on the FBV of the neural lobe compared with the FBV of other tissues that normally are not innervated by NSA? Three types of tissue were transplanted between inbred Fisher rats. Fragments, about 1 mm3, of pineawl, adrenal medulla, and neural lobe wwere grafted bilaterally to the hypothalamic, retro-chiasmatic area, which includes bundles of NSA from supraoptic and paraventricular neurosecretrory nuclei exclusively, but no FBV. Two and 4 weeks later, the grafts were prepared for the immunohistochemical localization of NSA and for electron micaroscopy. NSA-FBV proximity was measured, and the number of NSA, FBV, and of NSA-FBV associations was counted per surface area of each graft. Regenerating NSA can associate as closely with FBV of other tissues as they can with the FBV of the neural lobe. There does not appear to be specificity with respect to the closeness of association between neurosecretory terminals and fenestrated capillaries. However, the number of these associations is greater in neural lobe grafts than in adrenal or pineal grafts at 4 weeks. The number of FBV is also greatest, in neural lobe grafts at this time, an increase that would provide a greater opportunity for NSA-FBV associations.
Simple equations on real intervals

If A is an absolute retract in the class of metric spaces, and if Σ is a consistent set of simple equations, then A is compatible with Σ, i.e., there are continuous operations on A that model Σ.
Biology, ecology, and management of dogwood borer in eastern apple orchards

The dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), has the broadest host range of the clearwing moths and is considered to be an economically important pest of many ornamental, fruit, and nut trees. Since the 1980s, dogwood borer has been recognized as an increasingly important, indirect pest of apple, Malus domestica Borkh. (Rosaceae), in eastern North America, owing mainly to increased plantings of apple on size-controlling rootstocks that promote the formation of adventitious root initials (burr knots) on the rootstock and scion. Burr knots appear to be preferred oviposition sites for dogwood borer females, although infestations can also be initiated in wounds, pruning cuts, and crotches on the branches and trunk. Larval feeding in burr knots does not adversely affect the growth and vigor of apple trees, but their mining outward from burr knots into vascular tissue can ultimately cause tree decline and death. Chlorpyrifos is the most effective insecticide for controlling dogwood borer. A supplemental label in the United States permits post-bloom, trunk drench applications of chlorpyrifos specifically for control of borers in apple, with several restrictions that preclude control of infestations higher in the tree. The ongoing review of pesticide tolerances dictated by the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act of the United States of America makes the long-term availability of this chemical uncertain. Cultural practices, such as deeper planting or berming, can reduce the likelihood of infestation of new apple plantings by dogwood borer, although they do not preclude infestations from developing above the graft union. This review and discussion is based on our contention that research toward the development of alternative, behaviorally based management strategies for dogwood borer in apple and other economically important host plants is warranted. Our review and synthesis of the dogwood borer literature revealed important gaps in knowledge about basic aspects of its biology that pertain directly to the development of alternative control tactics based on behavioral manipulation. There is considerable confusion surrounding the sex pheromone of dogwood borer and conflicting results on the response of males to isomers and blends of isomers of its purported pheromone. Studies using sex attractants to monitor its phenology in apple and non-apple habitats have yielded discrepant results and conclusions. Differences in the effectiveness of commercially available pheromone lures for trapping dogwood borer have been reported and the ability of pheromone traps to accurately reflect emergence or population density remains in question. Regardless of pronounced differences in the duration and modality of the seasonal flight of dogwood borer among different geographical regions within its range, the conclusion of univoltinism across most of its range has been perpetuated, based on extremely limited developmental data collected exclusively from individuals that developed on dogwood.
Effects of wildfire and permafrost on soil organic matter and soil climate in interior Alaska

The influence of discontinuous permafrost on ground-fuel storage, combustion losses, and postfire soil climates was examined after a wildfire near Delta Junction, AK in July 1999. At this site, we sampled soils from a four-way site comparison of burning (burned and unburned) and permafrost (permafrost and nonpermafrost). Soil organic layers (which comprise ground-fuel storage) were thicker in permafrost than nonpermafrost soils both in burned and unburned sites. While we expected fire severity to be greater in the drier site (without permafrost), combustion losses were not significantly different between the two burned sites. Overall, permafrost and burning had significant effects on physical soil variables. Most notably, unburned permafrost sites with the thickest organic mats consistently had the coldest temperatures and wettest mineral soil, while soils in the burned nonpermafrost sites were warmer and drier than the other soils. For every centimeter of organic mat thickness, temperature at 5cm depth was about 0.51C cooler during summer months. We propose that organic soil layers determine to a large extent the physical and thermal setting for variations in vegetation, decomposition, and carbon balance across these landscapes. In particular, the deep organic layers maintain the legacies of thermal and nutrient cycling governed by fire and revegetation. We further propose that the thermal influence of deep organic soil layers may be an underlying mechanism responsible for large regional patterns of burning and regrowth, detected in fractal analyses of burn frequency and area. Thus, fractal geometry can potentially be used to analyze changes in state of these fire prone systems.
Influence of gap size on carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycling in Northern hardwood forests of the Upper Peninsula, Michigan

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of treefall gap size on carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry in the Northern hardwood forest. The size of the gap controls the microclimate, particularly solar radiation, soil temperature, and soil moisture, which can alter nutrient cycling. However, in Northern hardwood forests, our understanding of the relation between biogeochemistry and gap size is incomplete. Twelve natural treefall gaps ranging in size from 27 to 590 m2 and four control plots located under closed canopy were identified in Upper Michigan in May 2008. Concentrations of ammonium and nitrate were measured in throughfall and soil leachates; soil respiration rates were measured in soil; and nutrient pools were measured in vegetative biomass, forest floor (Oe, Oi horizons), mineral soil, and microbial biomass. Gap size was positively correlated with sapling biomass density and throughfall ammonium concentration but negatively correlated with microbial biomass, endomycorrhizal biomass, and soil respiration. Gap size was unrelated to all other parameters measured. The results of this study suggest that in the Northern hardwood forest, vegetative recovery and a reduction in microbial biomass may limit the influence larger gaps have on nutrient cycling.
Strip Kalman filtering for image restoration: new results

A new procedure for parameter identification of the image model in strip Kalman filtering is suggested. This method, which takes into account the vector nature of the image model, leads to a vector Yule-Walker system of equations. An algorithm for online adaptation of the image model parameters is also given. In the composite dynamic model for the image and degradation processes, the blur states are computed one step ahead of those of the image. Thus, a new set of Kalman filtering equations that accounts for both one-step prediction for the blur states and filtering for the image states is given. >
How Near and Yet How Far? Theorizing Distance Teaching

Abstract This article theoretically maps out the larger principles that we must consider when thinking about distance learning. I explore the ways in which students’ and teachers’ identities must shift in these new contexts. Pointing to the changes that will or could occur when we move writing courses online, I make the overarching argument that Composition Studies needs “a theorized preparation for shifts in pedagogy that distance courses make visible.”
Cancer: tilting at windmills?

One of the striking characteristics of cancer cells is their phenotypic diversity and ability to switch phenotypes in response to environmental fluctuations. Such phenotypic changes (e.g. from drug-sensitive to drug-resistant), which are critical for survival and proliferation, are widely believed to arise due to mutations in the cancer cell’s genome. However, there is growing concern that such a deterministic view is not entirely consistent with multiple lines of evidence which indicate that cancer can arise in the absence of mutations and can even be reversed to normalcy despite the mutations. In this Commentary, we wish to present an alternate view that highlights how stochasticity in protein interaction networks (PINs) may play a key role in cancer initiation and progression. We highlight the potential role of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and submit that targeting IDPs can lead to new insights and treatment protocols for cancer.
Oral choline decreases brain purine levels in lithium-treated subjects with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder: a double-blind trial using proton and lithium magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Objectives: Oral choline administration has been reported to increase brain phosphatidylcholine levels. As phospholipid synthesis for maintaining membrane integrity in mammalian brain cells consumes approximately 10–15% of the total adenosine triphosphate (ATP) pool, an increased availability of brain choline may lead to an increase in ATP consumption. Given reports of genetic studies, which suggest mitochondrial dysfunction, and phosphorus (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies, which report dysfunction in high-energy phosphate metabolism in patients with bipolar disorder, the current study is designed to evaluate the role of oral choline supplementation in modifying high-energy phosphate metabolism in subjects with bipolar disorder. Methods: Eight lithium-treated patients with DSM-IV bipolar disorder, rapid cycling type were randomly assigned to 50 mg/kg/day of choline bitartrate or placebo for 12 weeks. Brain purine, choline and lithium levels were assessed using 1H- and 7Li-MRS. Patients received four to six MRS scans, at baseline and weeks 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 of treatment (n = 40 scans). Patients were assessed using the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGIS), the Young Mania Rating Scale (YRMS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at each MRS scan. Results: There were no significant differences in change-from-baseline measures of CGIS, YMRS, and HDRS, brain choline/creatine ratios, and brain lithium levels over a 12-week assessment period between the choline and placebo groups or within each group. However, the choline treatment group showed a significant decrease in purine metabolite ratios from baseline (purine/n-acetyl aspartate: coef = −0.08, z = −2.17, df = 22, p = 0.030; purine/choline: coef = −0.12, z = −1.97, df = 22, p = 0.049) compared to the placebo group, controlling for brain lithium level changes. Brain lithium level change was not a significant predictor of purine ratios. Conclusions: The current study reports that oral choline supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in brain purine levels over a 12-week treatment period in lithium-treated patients with DSM-IV bipolar disorder, rapid-cycling type, which may be related to the anti-manic effects of adjuvant choline. This result is consistent with mitochondrial dysfunction in bipolar disorder inadequately meeting the demand for increased ATP production as exogenous oral choline administration increases membrane phospholipid synthesis.
GraphStep: A System Architecture for Sparse-Graph Algorithms

Many important applications are organized around long-lived, irregular sparse graphs (e.g., data and knowledge bases, CAD optimization, numerical problems, simulations). The graph structures are large, and the applications need regular access to a large, data-dependent portion of the graph for each operation (e.g., the algorithm may need to walk the graph, visiting all nodes, or propagate changes through many nodes in the graph). On conventional microprocessors, the graph structures exceed on-chip cache capacities, making main-memory bandwidth and latency the key performance limiters. To avoid this "memory wall," we introduce a concurrent system architecture for sparse graph algorithms that places graph nodes in small distributed memories paired with specialized graph processing nodes interconnected by a lightweight network. This gives us a scalable way to map these applications so that they can exploit the high-bandwidth and low-latency capabilities of embedded memories (e.g., FPGA Block RAMs). On typical spreading-activation queries on the ConceptNet Knowledge Base, a sample application, this translates into an order of magnitude speedup per FPGA compared to a state-of-the-art Pentium processor
Mass allocation, moisture content and dispersal capacity of wind-dispersed tropical diaspores

SUMMARY Among 34 wind-dispersed tree species on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, the wet mass of diaspores ranges over six orders of magnitude. The seed mass as a percentage of diaspore mass (S/D) varies greatly among species from 14 to 94 % with a mean value of 61 %. The mean percent moisture of diaspores is 10 %; no consistent differences occur between seed and non-seed components of diaspores in percent moisture. Wing-loading (weight/area) and hence dispersal capacity varies over one order of magnitude among these species and is correlated more highly with S/D than with percent moisture of diaspores. Compared to fruit diaspores, seed diaspores have less mass and a greater S/D, and are slightly more dehydrated. As a result, seed diaspores have lower wing-loading and greater dispersal capacity than fruit diaspores. The morphological/aerodynamic feactures of a diaspore also have a significant effect on the mass variables. Overall, the type of diaspore (fruit or seed) is of major importance in explaining mass differences of diaspores among these wind-dispersed species; morphological features and dehydration ability contribute secondarily.
Transcytosis of IgE–Antigen Complexes by CD23a in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Its Role in Food Allergy

Background & Aims: Secreted immunoglobulins play an integral role in host defense at mucosal surfaces, and recent evidence shows that IgG can participate in antigen sampling from the intestinal lumen. We examined whether IgE also could facilitate transepithelial antigen sampling. Methods: Stool samples from food-allergic patients undergoing oral food challenge were analyzed for CD23 and food-specific IgE. CD23 isoform expression on primary human intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. The role of CD23 isoforms in transcytosis of antigen and IgE–antigen complexes was assessed using polarized human T84 cells retrovirally transfected with CD23a or CD23b. Results: CD23 was expressed constitutively on IECs, and food-allergic patients had increased levels of soluble CD23 and food-specific IgE in the stool after challenge. CD23a, but not CD23b, was expressed by primary human IECs. We show in transcytosis assays that CD23a, but not CD23b, acts as a bidirectional transporter of IgE. In addition, specific IgE facilitated the uptake of antigen from the apical surface of an epithelial monolayer by diverting antigen from delivery to lysosomes. Finally, delivery of antigen–IgE complexes across the epithelial barrier could induce the degranulation of rat basophil leukemia cells transfected with the human high-affinity IgE receptor. Conclusions: These studies show that CD23a is expressed normally on human IECs, and in the presence of IgE can function as an antigen-sampling mechanism capable of activating subepithelial mast cells. IgE may serve as a secretory immunoglobulin that in concert with CD23 participates in food-induced pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract.
Susceptibility of four species of turfgrass-infesting scarabs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) to Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis strain Buibui.

Abstract Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis strain Buibui experimental formulations containing Cry8Ca1 δ-endotoxin were evaluated in the field for the control of oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis Waterhouse; Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman; Asiatic garden beetle, Maladera castanea (Arrow); and European chafer, Rhizotrogus majalis (Razoumowsky) larvae infesting turfgrasses. In 17 fall applications, control of A. orientalis and P. japonica was achieved at rates as low as 100 g of toxin per ha; however, rates of 301 or 593 g/ha were consistently more effective. A. orientalis larvae were the most susceptible followed by P. japonica, R. majalis, and M. castanea. Two spring applications of 120 g of toxin per ha were not effective against oriental or Japanese beetles.
Modulation of the atrial muscarinic-gated K current by phosphorylation

Acetylcholine released from vagus nerve binds to muscarinic receptors in atrial cells and activates an inwardly rectifying K current (iK.ACh). This results in hyperpolarization and slowing of the beating rate of the atrial and pacemaker cells. In 1985, it was discovered that iK.ACh was gated by a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G protein; GTP binding protein) that was pertussis toxin-sensitive (Breitwieser & Szabo, 1985; Pfaffinger et al., 1985). In 1986, ACh was found to activate iK.ACh in cell- free membrane and this required Mg (Kurachi et al., 1986a,b). Thus, it became clear that when ACh binds the muscarinic receptor, the G protein associated with the receptor is released and activates the K channel in a membrane-delimited pathway.