cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of solar radiation on the survival of Entomophaga grylli (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) conidia

Abstract Laboratory studies on the effects of simulated solar radiation on Entomophaga grylli conidial viability showed definite interactions between the duration and intensity of exposure to the light source. When either variable was increased, the viability of E. grylli conidia was reduced. An exponential decay model was developed based on combining these two factors into a single predictive variable, exposure to cummulative solar radiation in Langleys. A minimum of approximately 3 Langleys was required before conidial viability decreased, with nearly 100% noted after exposure to 20 Langleys. The exponential decay model when applied to conidial viability data collected in the field provided an excellent fit; however, parameter estimates were significantly different from laboratory estimates as conidia were found to survive different periods of time in different habitats. The model predicted over 95% mortality in the most open habitats after exposure to ca. 50 Langleys. As expected, conidia exposed in lower canopy areas and in canopies with more dense foliage survived significantly longer (ca. 95% mortality after exposure to 700 Langleys).
The big constant out, the small constant in

Abstract Some time ago, Tseytlin has made an original and unusual proposal for an action that eliminates an arbitrary cosmological constant. The form of the proposed action, however, is strongly modified by gravity loop effects, ruining its benefit. Here I discuss an embedding of Tseytlin's action into a broader context, that enables to control the loop effects. The broader context is another universe, with its own metric and dynamics, but only globally connected to ours. One possible Lagrangian for the other universe is that of unbroken AdS supergravity. A vacuum energy in our universe does not produce any curvature for us, but instead increases or decreases the AdS curvature in the other universe. I comment on how to introduce the accelerated expansion in this framework in a technically natural way, and consider the case where this is done by the self-accelerated solutions of massive gravity and its extensions.
Cervical primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

Abstract Background. Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are rare and potentially aggressive malignancies. Case. A 24-year-old woman in her eighth week of pregnancy presented with a cervical mass. Tissue biopsy demonstrated poorly differentiated carcinosarcoma with neuroendocrine features. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed the diagnosis of PNET. Treatment included alternating courses of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine (CAV) and ifosfamide, etoposide (IE). A radical hysterectomy with bilateral ovarian transposition and periaortic lymphadenectomy was performed with postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The patient remains disease free 2 years from therapy. Conclusion. This is a rare case of cervical PNET occurring in a pregnant patient. A review of the literature indicates that cervical PNET is distinguishable from uterine PNET. This tumor affects younger women and may have a different histogenesis. Pregnancy should not delay diagnosis of this potentially aggressive tumor.
Age-related response to redeemed antidepressants measured by completed suicide in older adults: a nationwide cohort study.

Objective To examine if the suicide rate of older adults prescribed antidepressants varies with age and to assess the proportion of older adults who died by suicide that had recently been prescribed antidepressants. Methods A population-based cohort study using a nationwide linkage of individual-level records was conducted on all persons aged 50+ living in Denmark during 1996–2006 (1,215,524 men and 1,343,568 women). Suicide rates by treatment status were calculated using data on all antidepressant prescriptions redeemed at pharmacies. Results Individual-level data covered 9,354,620 and 10,720,639 person-years for men and women, respectively. Men aged 50–59 who received antidepressants had a mean suicide rate of 185 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 160–211) per 100,000, whereas for those aged 80+ the rate was 119 (95% CI: 91–146). For women, the corresponding values were 82 (95% CI: 70–94) and 28 (95% CI: 20–35). Logistic regression showed a 2% and 3% decline in the rate for men and women, respectively, considered in treatment with antidepressants, with each additional year of age. An opposite trend was found for persons not in treatment. Fewer persons aged 80+ dying by suicide had received antidepressant prescriptions during the last months of life than younger persons. Conclusion An age-dependent decline in suicide rate for antidepressant recipients was identified. One reason could be that older adults respond better to antidepressants than younger age groups. Still, the increasing gap with age between estimated prevalence of depression and antidepressant prescription rate in persons dying by suicide underscores the need for assessment of depression in the oldest old.
Advances in the helium-jet coupled on-line mass separator RAMA

Abstract General improvements to the on-line mass separator RAMA have yielded a greater reliability and efficiency for some elements. A new utilitarian helium-jet chamber has been installed to facilitate quick target and degrader foil changes in addition to a new ion source holder. A higher efficiency hollow-cathode, cathode-extraction ion source for lower melting point elements ( 37 Ca showed a factor of five increase in yield over the old hollow-cathode, anode-extraction source. A differentially-pumped tape drive system compatible with both γ − γ and β − γ experiments has been incorporated into the general detection system. All major operating parameters will soon be monitored by a complete stand-alone microprocessor system which will eventually be upgraded to a closed-loop control system.
Effects of plumbous ion on some functions of transfer RNA.

Abstract Plumbous ion has been shown to catalyze the degradation of RNA, and the effects of lead-catalyzed depolymerization on some of the functions of tRNA has been investigated. Exposure to Pb2+ brings about a rapid decrease but not a complete loss of amino acid acceptance capacity. The tRNA molecules responsible for this residual activity have not been degraded and represent a class of molecules that are resistant to Pb2+. The ratio of susceptible to resistant tRNA increases when the temperature is raised. The effect of varying the Pb2+ concentration was studied, and there is a threshold Pb2+ concentration below which the tRNA is not inactivated. The ability of Pb2+ depolymerized tRNA to bind to ribosomes in response to its appropriate codon is impaired to a greater extent than the ability of the tRNA to accept amino acids. The Pb2+ concentration at which binding capacity is lost is at least two orders of magnitude above the level at which protein synthesis is inhibited in mammalian erythroid cells.
The Impact of Latin American Debt Moratoria on Canadian Bank Stocks

In this paper, we examine the impact of four Latin American debt moratorium announcements on the stock prices of Canadian banks that have a Latin American exposure. The results indicate that the Mexican, Argentinean, and Bolivian moratoria have no effect on bank share prices. We maintain that the strong capital position of Canadian banks might have precluded the decline in the market value of their stocks. The conservative approach of bank regulators towards capital regulation enabled the Canadian banks to be strongly capitalized The Brazilian moratorium resulted in significant negative excess returns. The element of surprise, the emergence of secondary markets for sovereign debt, and the impending risk-based capital guidelines for banks suggest that the Brazilian event had rich information content. Resume Dans ce document, nous examinons l'impact de quatre annonces de moratoire de dette latino-americaine sur les prix des fonds des banques canadiennes qui ont une exposition aux dangers latino-americains. Les resultats indiquent que les moratoires du Mexique, de l'Argentine, et de la Bolivie ne produisent aucun effet sur les prix des actions de banques. Nous pretendons que la position solide des fonds des banques canadiennes aurait probablement empeche le declin dans la valeur des actions. L'approche conservatrice des regulateursdes banques vers le reglement des fonds a aide la capitalisation solide des banques canadiennes. Le moratoire du Bresil a abouti a de grands profits negatifs. L'element de surprise, la naissance des marches secondaires pour la dette sourveraine, les directives imminentes en ce qui concerne les risques pour les banques, suggerent que cet evenement au Bresil a un contenu riche en renseignements.
Asymptotic behavior in a deterministic epidemic model.

The effects of a periodic contact rate and of carriers are considered for a generalization of Bailey's simple epidemic model. In this model it is assumed that individuals become susceptible again as soon as they recover from the infection so that a fixed population can be divided into a class of infectives and a class of susceptibles which vary with time. If the contact rate is periodic, then the number of infectives as time approaches infinity either tends to zero or is asymptotically periodic depending on whether the total population size is less than or greater than a threshold value. The behavior for large time of the number of infectives is determined for three modifications of the model which involve carriers.
Ceramide-1-phosphate is required for the translocation of group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 and prostaglandin synthesis

Little is known about the regulation of eicosanoid synthesis proximal to the activation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha), the initial rate-limiting step. The current view is that cPLA(2)alpha associates with intracellular/phosphatidylcholine-rich membranes strictly via hydrophobic interactions in response to an increase of intracellular calcium. In opposition to this accepted mechanism of two decades, ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P) has been shown to increase the membrane association of cPLA(2)alpha in vitro via a novel site in the cationic beta-groove of the C2 domain (Stahelin, R. V., Subramanian, P., Vora, M., Cho, W., and Chalfant, C. E. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282, 20467-204741). In this study we demonstrate that C1P is a proximal and required bioactive lipid for the translocation of cPLA(2)alpha to intracellular membranes in response to inflammatory agonists (e.g. calcium ionophore and ATP). Last, the absolute requirement of the C1P/cPLA(2)alpha interaction was demonstrated for the production of eicosanoids using murine embryonic fibroblasts (cPLA(2)alpha(-/-)) coupled to "rescue" studies. Therefore, this study provides a paradigm shift in how cPLA(2)alpha is activated during inflammation.
Dietary fat dose dependently increases spontaneous caloric intake in rat.

Objective: To characterize the dose-response relationship between dietary fat to carbohydrate ratio and spontaneous caloric intake. Research Methods and Procedures: Male Long-Evans rats consumed milk-based liquid diets that differed in fat content (17% to 60% of kilocalories) but had equivalent protein content and energy density. In Experiment 1, rats consumed one of the diets (n = 9/diet group) as the sole source of nutrition for 16 days. In Experiment 2, diets were offered as an option to nutritionally complete chow for 4 days followed by a 3-day chow-only washout in a randomized within-subjects design (n = 30). In Experiment 3, nine rats received isocaloric intragastric infusions of diet overnight, with chow available ad libitum. At least two no-infusion days separated the different diet infusions, which were given in random order. Food intake was measured daily Results: Dietary fat dose dependently increased total daily kilocalories in each of the three paradigms. Discussion: These data imply that the postingestive effects of carbohydrate and fat differentially engage the physiological substrates that regulate daily caloric intake. These findings reiterate the importance of investigating macronutrient-specific controls of feeding, rather than prematurely concluding that dietary attributes that covary with fat content (e.g., caloric density and palatability) drive the overeating associated with a high-fat diet.
High order finite difference methods with subcell resolution for advection equations with stiff source terms

A new high order finite-difference method utilizing the idea of Harten ENO subcell resolution method is proposed for chemical reactive flows and combustion. In reaction problems, when the reaction time scale is very small, e.g., orders of magnitude smaller than the fluid dynamics time scales, the governing equations will become very stiff. Wrong propagation speed of discontinuity may occur due to the underresolved numerical solution in both space and time. The present proposed method is a modified fractional step method which solves the convection step and reaction step separately. In the convection step, any high order shock-capturing method can be used. In the reaction step, an ODE solver is applied but with the computed flow variables in the shock region modified by the Harten subcell resolution idea. For numerical experiments, a fifth-order finite-difference WENO scheme and its anti-diffusion WENO variant are considered. A wide range of 1D and 2D scalar and Euler system test cases are investigated. Studies indicate that for the considered test cases, the new method maintains high order accuracy in space for smooth flows, and for stiff source terms with discontinuities, it can capture the correct propagation speed of discontinuities in very coarse meshes with reasonable CFL numbers.
Identification of the cloud pulse responsible for a trans-ionospheric pulse pair

The Blackbeard VHF radio receiver on the Alexis satellite detects pairs of broadband chirps, each lasting about four microseconds. These chirps are separated by several tens of microseconds and extend in frequency to over 166 MHz. The characteristics of these signals suggest that they are caused by electrical discharges in the Earth's atmosphere, but there is some debate as to whether the discharges occur in the middle atmosphere or within tropospheric clouds. Previously, by comparing the time of the occurrence of these Trans-Ionsopheric Pulse Pairs (TIPPs) with the occurrence of electric pulses recorded by the National Lightning Detection Network, we have found that they are associated with events classified as positive cloud pulses. Herein we examine one TIPP event that is associated with a near simultaneous (0.75 ms) detection at two stations of the ground network allowing us to determine that the causative event occurred over southeastern Kansas. Knowing the longitude and latitude of the pulse, we show that the interchirp separation time is consistent with the generation of the first chirp of the pair at 8 km altitude followed by the ground reflection of that signal to produce the second chirp of the TIPP.
Trephocytes in Arbacia punctulata and their role in ovular growth and in respiration.

STUDIES on tunicates, insects, annelids and the cœlenterate Tubularia1,2 have revealed the presence of two main types of leucocytes in them: (a) agranular, amœboid phagocytes, and (b) granular, poorly or non-amœboid and non-phagocytic elements, for which I have proposed the term ‘trephocytes'. In the organisms mentioned above, trephocytes frequently constitute 50–75 per cent of all leucocytes. Their inclusions are of a nutritive nature and are released into the blood, the tissues, or directly into other cells, a function referred to as ‘trephocytosis'. Trephocytes are highly active in growth, and the study of trephocytosis proved instrumental in elucidating some of its manifestations and correlations.
The Development of Group Interaction Patterns: How Groups Become Adaptive, Generative, and Transformative Learners

This article integrates the literature on group interaction process analysis and group learning, providing a framework for understanding how patterns of interaction develop. The model proposes how adaptive, generative, and transformative learning processes evolve and vary in their functionality. Environmental triggers for learning, the group’s readiness to learn, stage of development, control mechanisms, and facilitation influence the interaction patterns that emerge, are reinforced, and repeated over time. The model has implications for research on the evolution of adaptive, generative, and transformative group learning and for diagnosing group conditions and implementing interventions that promote group learning.
Application of wavelet-based RF fingerprinting to enhance wireless network security

This work continues a trend of developments aimed at exploiting the physical layer of the open systems interconnection (OSI) model to enhance wireless network security. The goal is to augment activity occurring across other OSI layers and provide improved safeguards against unauthorized access. Relative to intrusion detection and anti-spoofing, this paper provides details for a proof-of-concept investigation involving “air monitor” applications where physical equipment constraints are not overly restrictive. In this case, RF fingerprinting is emerging as a viable security measure for providing device-specific identification (manufacturer, model, and/or serial number). RF fingerprint features can be extracted from various regions of collected bursts, the detection of which has been extensively researched. Given reliable burst detection, the near-term challenge is to find robust fingerprint features to improve device distinguishability. This is addressed here using wavelet domain (WD) RF fingerprinting based on dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DT-CWT) features extracted from the non-transient preamble response of OFDM-based 802.11a signals. Intra-manufacturer classification performance is evaluated using four like-model Cisco devices with dissimilar serial numbers. WD fingerprinting effectiveness is demonstrated using Fisher-based multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) with maximum likelihood (ML) classification. The effects of varying channel SNR, burst detection error and dissimilar SNRs for MDA/ML training and classification are considered. Relative to time domain (TD) RF fingerprinting, WD fingerprinting with DT-CWT features emerged as the superior alternative for all scenarios at SNRs below 20 dB while achieving performance gains of up to 8 dB at 80% classification accuracy.
Global Knotting in Equilateral Random Polygons

In this paper, we study the knotting probability of equilateral random polygons. It is known that such objects are locally knotted with-probability arbitrarily close to one provided the length is sufficiently large ([4]). For Gaussian random polygons, it has been shown that the probability of global knottedness also tends to one as the length of the polygon tends to infinity [8]. In this paper, we prove that global knotting also occurs in equilateral random polygons with a probability approaching one as the length of the polygons goes to infinity.
Correction of Perfusate Concentration for Sample Removal

Repeated sampling of a drug solution that is recirculated through a perfused body increases the rate of drug disappearance from the perfusate. When the volume of the drug solution (VT) is maintained constant by addition of drug-free perfusate after sampling, the measured drug concentration (Ci) can be corrected for drug removed in previous samples by using the equation C'i = CiVTC'i-1/(VT - VS)Ci-1, where C'i is the corrected drug concentration in the ith sample, VS is the volume of the sample, and C'1 = C1. An error in an particular Ci is not transmitted to a subsequent C'i value. The method can be used when the time interval between samples and when VS vary from sample to sample, but return of the drug from the perfused body to the perfusate after sampling may cause C'i to be overestimated.
Introduction to the special issue on spatial analysis for agricultural economists

Abstract The goal of this special issue is to introduce agricultural economists to new analytical approaches involving spatial data. This paper provides a brief history of the special issue and an introduction to von Thunen’s model of the determinants of land use and rent that underlies all spatial analysis.
Combination of Fludarabine and Mitoxantrone in Untreated Stages III and IV Low-Grade Lymphoma: S9501

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of combination fludarabine and mitoxantrone (FN) in untreated stages III and IV low-grade lymphoma. The major end point was to estimate progression-free survival (PFS) in all eligible patients. Patients and Methods: Seventy-eight eligible patients were registered. Chemotherapy courses were administered every 4 weeks with mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 on day 1 and fludarabine 25 mg/m2 on days 1, 2, and 3 for a total of six to eight cycles. Pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis was required. Results: Seventy-three patients (94%) attained an objective response. Complete remission was demonstrated in 34 patients (44%) and partial remission was demonstrated in 39 patients (50%). With a median follow-up time of 5.5 years, the median PFS was 32 months, with a 4-year PFS rate of 38%. Median survival has not been reached and 88% of all patients are alive at 4 years. The application of the International Prognostic Index and serologic staging showed significant differences in PFS in all risk gr...
Large deletion mutants of Escherichia coli tRNA1Tyr

Abstract Two suppressor-negative derivatives (9311 and 9313) of bacteriophage φ80 su3 + have been shown to contain deletions of 110 base-pairs starting in the 3′-terminal part of the tRNA 1 Tyr gene and extending downstream. These mutations delete a 3′-proximal RNA processing site, thereby leading to the accumulation of an abnormal, unstable gene transcript. One of the suppressor-negative derivatives (9313) contains a second deletion of 178 base-pairs further downstream from the first one. The ability of 9313 to regain the parental su3 + phenotype with a frequency of 1% may be related to the presence of the second deletion. The deletions, which resulted originally from an ICR364-OH (an aza-quinacrine compound)-induced mutagenic event, have exactly repeated sequences of nine and six base-pairs, respectively, at their termini.
Identity conditions for nearest-neighbor and potential-function classifiers

The nearest-neighbor rule and the potential-function classifier are nonparametric discrimination methods that require the storage of a set of sample patterns. Here, a relationship between the two methods in terms of subclasses and superclasses is developed. Considering an exponential potential function, necessary and sufficient conditions for identity of their decision surfaces are obtained. Based on these conditions, an algorithm for establishing identity is introduced.
Pushing, Patience, and Persistence: Peer Providers' Perspectives on Supportive Relationships

Little is known about the experiences of peer support providers. This report describes a qualitative study of such experiences drawn from a project offering peer support to persons with mental illnesses who had multiple inpatient admissions within an 18-month period. Interviews focused on peer staff's relationships with participants; identifying and exploring participant interests, strengths, and aspirations; use of self-disclosure; and connecting participants to other services. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using established phenomenological data analytic strategies. Peer staff described a tension between pushing and patience and the need for gentle persistence, the art and value of adopting an accepting and nonjudgmental attitude, and the process of identifying and building on strengths in pursuit of personal goals. The mutual identification between peer supporters and clients represented both an advantage and a potential liability, in that peer staff tied their own feelings of self-worth to ...
Programmed aging or error catastrophe? an examination by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

We have examined newly synthesized proteins in the young adult and in older populations of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE). A temperature-sensitive mutant strain, DH26, with a mean life span of about 15 days, under our conditions, was used to block progeny development. Nematodes of several different ages were pulse-labeled for 5 h, in vivo, with 35S-labeled E. coli, A subsequent 30-min chase with unlabeled E. coli served to rid the worms of endogenous labeled E. coli proteins. We resolve 700 or more proteins by 2D PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of extracts of young nematodes. The patterns of these proteins are highly reproducible in comparisons of independent repeats of identical experiments. No new major proteins are synthesized at any time during the adult phase (4-22 days) nor are any of the most abundant proteins not made during this period. At our level of detectability (estimated as a satellite spot containing 4% of the amount of label in a major spot) we see no misincorporation of radioactive amino acids into newly synthesized proteins. These data are inconsistent with predictions by any one of several, so called, "error catastrophe" models of senescence and also show that modulation of the highest abundancy classes of proteins are also not involved in senescence.
Prompt Neutron Emission from Spontaneous-Fission Modes of Cf 252

The number of prompt neutrons emitted and the velocities of the fragment pairs have been measured for individual spontaneous fissions of ${\mathrm{Cf}}^{252}$. The time-of-flight measurements of the fragment velocities have sufficient resolution to provide a good determination of the mode of fission as characterized by the total kinetic energy ${E}_{K}$ and the mass ratio ${R}_{A}$ of the fragments. The neutrons are detected with high efficiency in a large cadmium-loaded liquid scintillator. It is found that the dependence of the average number of neutrons per fission, $\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$, on the parameters ${E}_{K}$ and ${R}_{A}$ may be approximated by a plane $\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}({E}_{K}, {R}_{A})$ over the region that includes the majority of the fission events. The slopes that specify the orientation of this plane are determined to be $\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}({E}_{K}, {R}_{A})}{\ensuremath{\partial}{E}_{K}}=\ensuremath{-}0.143\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.020$ (neutrons/fission)/Mev and $\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}({E}_{K}, {R}_{A})}{\ensuremath{\partial}{R}_{A}}=\ensuremath{-}6.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.1$ (neutrons/fission)/unit mass ratio. The value of the first slope indicates that the average total excitation energy of the fragments, required for the emission of one more neutron on the average, is 7.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0 Mev. From this number and the measured dependence of $\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ on mass ratio, the average excitation energy ${\overline{E}}_{X}$ of the fragments is determined as a function of the mass ratio. This function ${\overline{E}}_{X}({R}_{A})$ and the measured dependence ${\overline{E}}_{K}({R}_{A})$ determine the average prompt energy of fission as a function of mass ratio. The widths of the neutron-number distributions have been obtained as functions of ${E}_{K}$ and ${R}_{A}$. The data do not support the statistical theory of fission proposed by Fong.
On CMOS Memory Design in Low Supply Voltage for Integrated Biosensor Applications

Storage arrays are widely used in integrated biosensor systems to store detected signals before and after they are processed. As integrated biosensor systems often require very low power consumption to extend battery life and to maintain low cost, power consumption for storage arrays in integrated biosensor systems should be kept low, whereas the speed requirement is usually not high such that state-of-the-art IC technology is not usually needed. This paper presents the results of our investigation of designing low power memory structures in sub 1-V operation with high reliability for biosensor systems. Rather than using the state-of-the-art 45nm/32nm technology, 0.18 um CMOS technology is used for the design to keep the overall cost down while achieving read and write performance of 200MHz cycle rate. The results show that the use of body back bias in systems with low supply voltage can improve memory's static noise margin (SNM) and memory write performance by as much as 25%.
Pyelonephritis in a mature gelding with an unusual urinary bladder foreign body: A Case Report

Chronic septic pyelonephritis is an uncommon disease entity in the mature horse. It may be seen as a consequence of urolithiasis, trauma, or neurological disease of the urinary tract predisposing to secondary, ascending bacterial in fect ions. 1,2,a Pyelonephritis is primarily reported in mares. TM Mares, and females of other species, have a higher incidence of ascending urinary tract infections due to the anatomically shorter distance between the external environment and the urinary bladder. This ease represents a rare finding of pyelonephritis and hydronephrosis in a mature gelding where the predisposing cause was a urinary bladder foreign body.
Determining activities of radionuclides from coincidence signatures

The spectral analysis of simultaneously observed photons in separate detectors may provide an invaluable tool for radioisotope identification applications. A general recursive method to determine the activity of an isotope from the observed coincidence signature rate is discussed. The method coherently accounts for effects of true coincidence summing within a single detector and detection efficiencies. A verification of the approach with computer simulations is also discussed.
Foraminifera of Sangamon(?) Estuary, Central San Francisco Bay: ABSTRACT

Up to 30 m of muds deposited in a Sangamon(?) estuary are found in boreholes drilled for the proposed Southern Crossing of central San Francisco Bay. Microfossils and plant fragments in the core samples represent deposits of shallow estuarine and deeper marine environments. The most abundant species is Elphidium excavatum (including its variants E. selseyense, E. lidoense, and E. clavatum). It occurs with Elphidiella hannai to comprise over 70% of the total population in all samples. Bucella frigida, Elphidium gunteri, and Ammonia beccari comprise at least 15-25% of the taxa in many samples. All other species occur with frequencies of less than 2%. Two associations are defined: (a) one in which E. excavatum comprises over 50% of the total population, and A. beccari and E. gunteri are also abundant; and (b) one in which E. excavatum is common but less abundant, and Elphidiella hannai and B. frigida are also common. The Elphidium excavatum association is found in the lower samples in each core, the Elphidiella hannai association in the upper samples. In the present bay, E. hannai is most abundant at depths greater than about 12 m, whereas Elphidium excavatum and associated species are the most common species at shallower depths, which suggests that the Sangamon(?) estuary was of moderate depth and gradually became deeper. The presence of B. frigida, a species not found in the present bay but common in inner netritic environments of the West Coast, suggests that the later Sangamon(?) bay may have had a more open-marine aspect. Foraminifera common to shallow-bay environments are apparently not preserved in the cores. End_of_Article - Last_Page 448------------
Flight motor activity of houseflies as affected by temperature and insecticides

Abstract Muscle potentials recorded extracellularly from one pair of fibers of the dorsal longitudinal flight muscle in the housefly, Musca domestica L., show a very regular pattern with both pairs driven in alternating sequence. Houseflies with chronically implanted electrodes activated the flight muscles without externally observed motion, either walking or in flight, in apparent shivering responses. The frequency of activation of the flight muscle in shivering was temperature dependent below 25°C with Q10 of 2.57. No shiver was recorded above 26°C. During insecticide poisoning, both gross locomotory activity and flight muscle activation first increased, then decreased slightly, then gradually increased again to a condition of tetany. After treatment with lethal doses of peripheral nerve poisons such as DDT, and pyrethrin analogs, the flight muscle activity pattern gradually increased in tetany and was constantly active for several hours. When poisoned with central nervous poisons such as lindane, dieldrin, endrin, and organophosphorus and carbamate anticholinesterase poisons, the post-tetanic period of poisoning was characterized by discrete bursts of motor unit activation interrupted by inactivity. The high-frequency spasms of flight muscle activity during poisoning resembled hyperactivity obtained due to overheating of houseflies.
Effect of nickel, iron and cobalt on growth of aligned carbon nanotubes

The effect of pure nickel, iron and cobalt on growth of aligned carbon nanotubes was systematically studied by plasma-enhanced hot-filament chemical vapor deposition. It is found that the catalyst has a strong effect on the nanotube diameter, growth rate, wall thickness, morphology and microstructure. Ni yields the highest growth rate, largest diameter and thickest wall, whereas Co results in the lowest growth rate, smallest diameter and thinnest wall. The carbon nanotubes catalyzed by Ni have the best alignment and the smoothest and cleanest wall surface, whereas those from Co are covered with amorphous carbon and nanoparticles on the outer surface. The carbon nanotubes produced from Ni catalyst also exhibit a reasonably good graphitization. Therefore, Ni is considered as the most suitable catalyst for growth of aligned carbon nanotubes.
Cooperative games with imcomplete information

A bargaining solution concept which generalizes the Nash bargaining solution and the Shapley NTU value is defined for cooperative games with incomplete information. These bargaining solutions are efficient and equitable when interpersonal comparisons are made in terms of certainvirtual utility scales. A player's virtual utility differs from his real utility by exaggerating the difference from the preferences of false types that jeopardize his true type. In any incentive-efficient mechanism, the players always maximize their total virtual utility ex post. Conditionally-transferable virtual utility is the strongest possible transferability assumption for games with incomplete information.
Structural studies of the natriuretic peptide receptor: A novel hormone-induced rotation mechanism for transmembrane signal transduction

The atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptor is a single-span transmembrane receptor that is coupled to its intrinsic intracellular guanylate cyclase (GCase) catalytic activity. To investigate the mechanisms of hormone binding and signal transduction, we have expressed the extracellular hormone-binding domain of the ANP receptor (ANPR) and characterized its structure and function. The disulfide-bond structure, state of glycosylation, binding-site residues, chloride-dependence of ANP binding, dimerization, and binding stoichiometry have been determined. More recently, the crystal structures of both the apoANPR dimer and ANP-bound complex have been determined. The structural comparison between the two has shown that, upon ANP binding, two ANPR molecules in the dimer undergo an inter-molecular twist with little intra-molecular conformational change. This motion produces a Ferris wheel-like translocation of two juxtamembrane domains with essentially no change in the inter-domain distance. This movement alters the relative orientation of the two domains equivalent to counter-clockwise rotation of each by 24 degrees . These results suggest that transmembrane signaling by the ANP receptor is mediated by a novel hormone-induced rotation mechanism.
Dominant Frequency Increase Rate Predicts Transition from Paroxysmal to Long-Term Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Background—Little is known about the mechanisms underlying the transition from paroxysmal to persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). In an ovine model of long-standing persistent AF we tested the hypothesis that the rate of electric and structural remodeling, assessed by dominant frequency (DF) changes, determines the time at which AF becomes persistent. Methods and Results—Self-sustained AF was induced by atrial tachypacing. Seven sheep were euthanized 11.5±2.3 days after the transition to persistent AF and without reversal to sinus rhythm; 7 sheep were euthanized after 341.3±16.7 days of long-standing persistent AF. Seven sham-operated animals were in sinus rhythm for 1 year. DF was monitored continuously in each group. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, patch clamping, and histological analyses were used to determine the changes in functional ion channel expression and structural remodeling. Atrial dilatation, mitral valve regurgitation, myocyte hypertrophy, and atrial fibrosis occurre...
Is the fast Givens transformation really fast

During the Eigensystem Workshop at Argonne National Laboratory, June 23-29, 1973, several attendees (including the author) listened to instruction regarding the use of the eigenvalue software product of NATS. [EISPACK. User's Information, from Argonne National Laboratory.]
Acid phosphatase activity in the isolated brush border membrane of the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta: Partial, characterization and differentiation from the alkaline phosphatase activity

The isolated brush border membrane of the tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, hy-drolyzes p-nitrophenyl phosphate over a broad pH range. Acid phosphatasc activity (pH optimum at 4.0) is inhibited specifically by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and NaF, while the alkaline phosphatase activity (pH optimum at 8.8) is inhibited specifically by levamisole, 2-mercaptoethanol, and ethylenediaminetetra-acetate (EDTA). These two phosphatase activities are further differentiated in that (1) there is a rapid decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity when the membrane preparation is incubated at pH 4.0, while there is little loss of acid phosphatase activity, and (2) the alkaline phosphatase activity is solubilized with no loss of activity when the membrane is treated with Triton X-100, while such treatment causes a significant loss of acid phosphalase activity. Both activities are nonspecific and hydrolyze a variety of phos-phorylated compounds, but the relative activities of the two phosphatases against these substrates vary significantly.
Fundamental radio scatter propagation theory

The paper presents a detailed theoretical treatment of the beyondhorizon radio scatter propagation problem. The form for the spectral density of refractive-index fluctuation, assumed to be the same as that of velocity fluctuation, is derived from the universal equilibrium theory of turbulence. It is used to predict the spectral densities and magnitudes of brightness fluctuation and angular deflection fluctuation for light from a stellar source, and of field-strength fluctuation for line-of-sight radio propagation. These predictions are compared with experimental data, and support is thereby obtained for the theoretical form of the refractive-index fluctuation spectrum. The height variation of the intensity of the refractive-index fluctuations is derived from the experimental data. There follows a detailed treatment of the beyondhorizon case of radio scatter propagation, including a full analysis of the influence of the geometry of the scattering volume on the received field-strength. It is shown that the form of the scattering crosssection implied in the results is compatible with those obtained in different treatments, based on idealized assumptions.
Lactational Evaluation of Ruminally Protected Methionine in Diets Containing Extruded Soybeans and Urea

The addition of urea to diets containing extruded soybeans may sufficiently increase ruminal lysine production so that the diet would then be limiting for methionine. Twentyeight Holstein cows were fed a diet containing extruded soybeans
Biological Functions of Activity-Dependent Transcription Revealed

Neuronal activity regulates the transcription of a large set of genes, many of which encode proteins that modify synaptic function. In this issue of Neuron , Hong et al. selectively impair activity-dependent Bdnf transcription and demonstrate that this process is required for inhibitory synapse development.
Dopants in HgCdTe

In this paper we discuss our ab initio calculations of native point defect and impurity densities in HgCdTe. Our calculations have explained the experimental finding in general, and in particular have explained the in-active incorporation of the group VII elements under mercury-deficient conditions; have shown that the group I elements have a large fraction of interstitial incorporation, thereby explaining their fast diffusion; and have described a microscopic mechanism for the amphoteric behavior of the group V elements. We discuss the trends found among the compounds in terms of the underlying bond strengths to understand why the various elements behave the way they do.
Precipitation of Iron in Aerated Ground Water

A survey of 31 iron removal plants conducted in Illinois in 1960 revealed that, at the time of sampling, the finished water in 18 of these plants contained iron in excess of 0.3 mg per 1. All the plants used aeration and the aeration device at every plant could effectively introduce dissolved oxygen into the raw water in excess of the stoichiometric requirement for oxidizing the soluble ferrous iron present. However, the question was raised whether the detention time provided in these plants was sufficient to allow for oxidation and complete precipitation of iron. The purpose of the present study was to determine the factors that govern the kinetics of iron precipitation so that a more rational approach could be applied to the engineering design of reaction basins in iron removal plants. The conclusion that may be drawn from the results obtained, is that the use of a single specified reaction time for iron precipitation is not applicable for all groundwaters. A more suitable approach to the selection of a reaction time would be the direct measurement of the rate of iron precipitation. (13 refs.)
"Repeated Disappointment": The Rockefeller Foundation and the Reform of the Greek Public Health System, 1929-1940

Des organisations privees volontaires telle que la Fondation Rockefeller ont contribue au developpement et a l'amelioration de la sante publique internationale
Effect of exercise training and chronic ethanol digestion on cholinesterase activity and lipid peroxtoation in blood and brain regions of rat

Abstract 1. 1. This study examines the effects of exercise training and chronic ethanol consumption on cholinesterase activity and its relationship to lipid peroxidation in blood and brain regions of rat. 2. 2. Exercise training (6.5 weeks) decreased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity significantly (64% of control) in hypothalamus and increased AChE activity in cerebral cortex (149% of control), whereas, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased in hypothalamus (129% of control) and decreased in cortex, striatum, and cerebellum (50%, 69% and 75% of control), respectively. 3. 3. Chronic ethanol ingestion (2.0 gm/Kg P.O. for 6.5 weeks) significantly increased butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity in plasma (136% of control) and decreased AChE activity in hypothalamus (63% of control), whereas, MDA levels increased in hypothalamus, cortex, and plasma (140%, 130% and 220% of control), respectively. 4. 4. The combination significantly increased BuChE activity (173% of control) in plasma and decreased AChE activity (71% of control) in hypothalamus and (57% of control) in cerebellum, whereas, MDA levels increased in hypothalamus, cerebellum, medulla and plasma (134%, 128%, 140% and 309% of control), respectively. 5. 5. Exercise training, chronic ethanol ingestion, and combination selectively inhibited hypothalamic AChE and the inhibition was correlated with increased lipid peroxidation (r = 0.11, 0.41 and 0.45) which may perturb hypothalamic function. The combination enhanced the peripheral stress response by increasing plasma BuChE activity and lipid peroxidation.
Stereochemistry of the jaborandi alkaloids

Abstract The relative configurations of pilocarpine and isopilocarpine, the major alkaloids of jaborandi leaves, have been established as cis and trans, respectively. Degradation of their oxidation product, homoisopilopic acid, to an optically active 2,3-diethylbutane-1,4-diol proves the trans sterochemistry of the iso series. Assignment of absolute configuration is based on (a) conversion of homoisopilopic acid to (2R:3R) 2,3-diethyl-γ-butyrolactone and (b) interrelation of isopilopic acid with R(+)-ethylsuccinic acid.
Electron scattering with and without vibrational excitation. VIII. Comment on a theory of small-energy-transfer collisions dominated by long-range forces

Two methods [D. G. Truhlar and J. K. Rice, J. Chem. Phys. 52, 4480 (1970)] and B. Ritchie, Phys. Rev. A 6, 1456 (1972)] for calculating cross sections for vibrational excitation of molecules by electron impact are compared. The former method is shown to have a greater range of applicability. Cross sections computed by the two methods differ by about a factor of 2 for excitation to the first vibrationally excited level of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$. The neglect of the short-range potential in Ritchie's method is shown to be an important source of error in that method.
The Drosophila bunched gene is a homologue of the growth factor stimulated mammalian TSC-22 sequence and is required during oogenesis

Abstract A Drosophila melanogaster sequence homologous to the mammalian growth factor-stimulated TSC-22 gene was isolated in an enhancer trap screen for genes expressed in anterodorsal follicle cells during oogenesis. This sequence includes a 225 aa residue open reading frame that encompasses a leucine zipper motif immediately preceded by a highly conserved region (TSC box), similarly located but distinct from the basic domain of bZIP proteins. The gene encoding this sequence, bunched (bun), has been independently isolated and characterized with respect to its role in peripheral nervous system development and eye development (Treisman, J.E., Lai, Z.-C. and Rubin, G.M. (1995) Shortsighted acts in the decapentaplegic pathway in the Drosophila eye development and has homology to a mouse TGF-β-responsive gene. Development 121, 2835–2845). In agreement with the expression of the enhancer detector insertion, in situ hybridization reveals that bun transcripts localize to the anterior dorsal follicle cells at stages 10–12 of oogenesis. Changes in bun enhancer trap expression in genetic backgrounds that disrupt the grk/Egfr signaling pathway suggest that bun is regulated by growth factor patterning of dorsal anterior follicle cell fates. Clonal analysis shows that bun is required for the proper elaboration of dorsal cell fates leading to the formation of the dorsal appendages.
Lesbian Disclosure, Social Support, and Depression: A Geopolitical Perspective

For lesbian women, both identity disclosure (“coming out”) and nondisclosure (“remaining closeted”) may have life-altering consequences to health and overall well-being. As with most countries, the USA may have specific regions where disclosure may have more severe consequences and nondisclosure may therefore be a pragmatic and a self-protective decision. This study explored disclosure, social support, and depression in 265 self-identified lesbian women by geographic sectors and political differences in the USA and Canada. The South was found to have less legal protection, less disclosure by geographic sector, more religiosity and less family support. Improvement and furthering protections for LGBT citizens in these states may promote their health and well-being. Legislators of all political persuasions and in all geographic locations are called upon to serve all of their citizens by promoting legal and social protections and equality at the local, state, and federal levels.