cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plant Age and Growing Season Nutritional Content Relationships of Three Artemisia tridentata Subspecies

Abstract The effect of plant age on growing season chemical compositions and rumen fermentation characteristics was determined for three subspecies of big sagebrush: basin ( Artemisia tridentata [Nutt.] subsp. tridentata ), mountain ( A. tridentata subsp. vaseyana [Rybd.] Beetle), and Wyoming ( A. tridentata subsp. wyomingensis [Beetle and Young]). In vitro dry matter (IVDMD) and organic matter (IVOMD) disappearance, ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 N), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) content were determined at the end of two fermentation periods (24 h and 48 h) by combining rumen inocula with age-classified vegetative samples from each sagebrush subspecies. An additional one-way analysis of variance was performed to investigate potential differences among subspecies in IVDMD, IVOMD, total VFA, and NH 3 N following a 48-h fermentation period. Crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) components were also compared among sagebrush subspecies. Age class responses were variable across the spectrum of sagebrush subspecies and response variables. Where plant age effects were indicated, the small numeric differences probably have little biological or ecological significance. Mountain sagebrush was lower in IVOMD and total VFA concentrations ( P 3 N concentration and CP were higher ( P P 3 N concentration for all three subspecies was lower than the minimum level (20 mg · 100 mL −1 ) required for uninhibited rumen activity. Overall, this research questions the contention that older sagebrush plants offer less nutritional value than younger ones, at least for growing season conditions. The results also provide information that can be utilized in designing supplementation strategies for domestic animals on diets with characteristically high utilization of big sagebrush.
Moral judgment and antisocial behavior in early adolescence

This project was designed to assess the relationship of moral judgment to a naturalistic measure of antisocial behavior--delinquent and predelinquent behavior. As a prelude, observations were made which confirmed that delinquents not only have low scores on the Kohlberg Moral Judgment Interview, but also that Rest's Defining Issues Test distinguishes incarcerated delinquent from nondelinquent groups. In the present study, each of a group of boys with disruptive and antisocial behavior was matched with a counterpart on 14 variables so designed as to minimize the effect of factors other than the stage of development of moral judgment in members of the two groups on the outcome of the testing procedures. When the impact of these extraneous factors was so minimized, results of Rest's Defining Issues Test revealed significant differences between the groups, while Kohlberg's interview did not. Clinical implications of this project are discussed. Language: en
Controlling Deoxygenation Selectivity by Surface Modification: Reactions of Ethanol on Oxygen- and Sulfur-Covered Mo(110)

The selectivity for ethylene production from the reactions of ethanol on oxygen-covered and sulfur-covered Mo(110) is significantly increased from that on the clean surface. The presence of these s...
BMEC-1: a human bone marrow microvascular endothelial cell line with primary cell characteristics.

Bone marrow microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) are a functional component of the bone marrow stroma and have been shown to release hematopoietic regulatory factors as well as to selectively adhere and support the proliferation and differentiation of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors. An early passage of these cells was immortalized by transfection with a vector (pSVT) encoding the large T antigen of SV40. The transformed cell line (CDC/CU.BMEC-1) expresses the SV40 transcript, retains the primary cell expression of Ulex europeaus and vWF/ FVIII, and incorporates acetylated low-density lipoprotein. In addition, BMEC-1 mirrors the phenotype of the primary cells with only a few exceptions. Both cell populations express the cellular adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and PECAM and also VCAM-1 and ELAM-1 after upregulation by tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The fibronectin receptor, hyaluronate receptor, collagen receptor, integrins VLA-alpha 3, VLA-alpha 4, and beta 4, endoglin, collagen IV, CD58, and CD61 are also expressed. The only differences are that BMEC-1 expresses higher levels of ICAM-1, CD58, CD34, CD36, and c-kit than the primary cells. The supernatants of primary cell and BMEC-1 contain stem cell factor, interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-1 alpha, IL-11, and G-CSF. The functional significance of these hematopoietic cytokines was demonstrated in transwell cultures. Both cell populations supported the expansion of progeny from CD34+ cell-enriched cord blood mononuclear cells suspended in the upper chamber. These characteristics, plus the fact that BMEC-1 can be maintained independently of exogenous growth factors and exhibit contact inhibition, indicate that this cell line can be used to further define the role of BMEC in hematopoiesis.
Non-Iterative Solution of Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations Using Spreadsheets

Typically, in a basic course, the equations are derived and the solutions are presented in tabular or chart from. Spreadsheets provide an attractive option, as most students have access to and are familiar with their use. In this paper, a classic algorithm, called Thomas algorithm, used for the solution of set of algebraic equations whose coefficient matrix is tri-diagonal, is adopted to spreadsheets. It is used to obtain solutions to a number of classical problems in fluid mechanics and heat transfer non-iteratively, and in some cases where the governing equations are non-linear via some iterations. Without needing much programming skills, or needing to learn specialized software, undergraduate students can use this approach and easily obtain the solution to many otherwise difficult problems and study the impact of different parameters.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Myelotoxicity From Chemotherapy

Myelosuppression continues to be a major dose-limiting toxicity for most chemotherapy regimens. While the development of growth factors has changed the approach to myelosuppression, costs remain high and can be measured both in terms of quality of life (QOL) and economic outcomes. Growing data suggest that there may also be effects on response and survival in some tumors. This review will highlight the incidence, effect, and treatment/prevention of myelosuppression and briefly discuss the questions that remain.
Ageing alters the competence of the immune system to control parasitic infection

The elderly are more susceptible to infections with various pathogenic organisms that are young-adults or middle-aged individuals. Certain microorganisms that are non-pathogenic in adults may cause serious infections in the elderly. This heightened susceptibility of the elderly is most likely a reflection of the age-associated decline in the competence of the immune system. It appears that the population of T cells is altered with advanced age and, possibly, the efficiency of the monocyte/macrophage cells to destroy microbial invaders declines. There is a small, but compelling, body of literature which shows that the elderly are particularly susceptible to protozoan and metazoan parasites. We have studied the markedly increased severity of infections in aged mice with the mouse-specific Trypanosoma musculi; both the parasite burden and the duration of infection are substantially greater in old compared to young mice. It appears that this difference is due, to a large extent, to the relatively weak ability of aged animals to generate cytokines associated with the TH1 subset of CD4+ T cells; in particular, the weak ability to generate IL-2 and IFN gamma which are involved in the selective expression of curative, parasite-specific antibody of the IgG2a isotype. A striking difference between young and aged mice is in the response of IL-3 producing cells to the parasite infection; IL-3-producers decline during infection in young mice but increase markedly in aged animals. There are several advantages to using T. musculi as a prototype pathogen for studying age-related susceptibility to infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Postsynaptic membranes in the electric tissue of Narcine: I. Organization and innervation of electric cells. Fine structure of nicotinic receptor-channel molecules revealed by transmission microscopy

Abstract The ventral, postsynaptic membranes of the electroplaques of Narcine were examined for structures corresponding in location, numbers, position and form with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-channel molecules. Electron micrographs of conventionally fixed material showed that the thickened outer lamina of these membranes contained about 6100 stained structures/μm 2 ; and calculations from this packing density and the estimated area of postsynaptic membranes/g tissue yielded a total number of structures within a factor of two of the number of receptor molecules/g determined from the binding of alpha-bungarotoxin. Examination of tissue prepared with a tannic acid/glutaraldehyde fixative revealed that the structures were uniform in character, cylindrical in shape, transmembrane in position, and that each contained a central core. Their diameter matched that of isolated receptor molecules, and their size can account for most of the receptor protein. We conclude that these receptor molecules are largely intramembranous, cylindrical and exhibit transmembrane pores.
Prograde metamorphism, strain evolution, and collapse of footwalls of thick thrust sheets: a case study from the Mesozoic Sevier hinterland U.S.A.

Abstract Analysis of prograde metamorphic fabrics in the exhumed footwall of the Mesozoic Windermere thrust, northeast Nevada, reveals fabrics and style of ductile flow developed during tectonic burial metamorphism of a sedimentary footwall of a thick thrust sheet. In response to structural burial, footwall strata underwent Barrovian metamorphism synchronous with development of bedding-parallel or near parallel S and S – L tectonites. Footwall rocks range from unmetamorphosed at high structural levels and progressively increase in metamorphic grade to upper amphibolite facies at deep levels. Attenuation of footwall stratigraphic units accompanied tectonite development whereby the amount of attenuation varies with metamorphic grade from ∼0% in lower greenschist facies to ∼30–50% in upper amphibolite facies rocks. Microstructures in metacarbonate, metapsammite, and metapelite, and analysis of crystallographic preferred orientations of quartz c -axes in quartzite, suggest a dominantly coaxial strain path with flattening strain predominating at lower metamorphic grade and plane strain more dominant at higher metamorphic grade. The microstructural data indicate that dominantly coaxial deformation during metamorphism accommodated extension of the footwall. Ductile extension most likely records footwall collapse induced by a loss of strength due to relative upward migration of isotherms during and or following burial. Extension may act as a mechanism that in part facilitates isostatic accommodation or sinking of the overlying load resulting in a reduction of topography. Attenuation of footwalls of thick thrust sheets and production of predominantly coaxial layer-parallel or near parallel fabrics may be an intrinsic process once sufficient structural overburden is developed and thermal relaxation and prograde metamorphism ensues.
Effects of the Convulsant Methionine Sulfoximine on Striatal Dopamine Metabolism

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of the convulsant L-methionine-DL-sulfoximine (MSO) on striatal dopamine (DA) metabolism. Intraventricular injections of MSO produced a transient increase in striatal DA release followed by inhibition of DA release for up to 3 days, which paralleled the inhibition by MSO of the enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS). DA synthesis was decreased for up to 24 h after injection of MSO, but returned to normal within 3 days after MSO administration. Intrastriatal injections of MSO produced a pronounced decrease in striatal DA release and inhibition of striatal GS activity 24 h postinjection but, unlike intraventricular MSO, did not produce behavioral convulsions. Glutamate-DA interactions may be responsible for the observed effects.
Immunohistochemistry and gene rearrangement studies in the diagnosis of malignant lymphomas: a comparison of 152 cases.

Abstract One hundred fifty-two cases (155 specimens) of lymphoproliferative disorders were studied by immunohistochemistry and gene rearrangement analysis. Ninety-five of 96 B-cell lymphomas (99%) showed genotypic B-cell monoclonality. Of these, five cases had rearranged T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain gene in addition to immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) and kappa light chain (Ig-K), one case had rearranged IgH and TCR-γ chain but not Ig-K or TCR-β, and two cases had only Ig-K rearrangement. One exceptional case in the B-cell lymphoma group had unrearranged, germline genotypes. In contrast, only 10 of 19 (53%) phenotypic T-cell lymphomas had rearranged TCR-β, eight with concurrent TCR-γ rearrangement. Of the remaining nine cases, six had germline configuration, two had rearranged Ig-K only, and one had both IgH and Ig-K rearrangement. This last case was reclassified as T-cell predominant, B-cell lymphoma. Thirteen of 16 cases of Hodgkin's discase had germline configuration; three cases had rearranged IgH and Ig-K, of which two were lymphocyte predominant with light chain monoclonality and one was a recurrence. Among 21 reactive lesions, 17 had germline configuration and four had rearranged IgH and Ig-K genes. Of these four cases, two were orbital lesions, one was a partially involved lymph node, and one developed a nodular lymphoma 9 months later. Our results indicate that almost all B-cell lymphomas have IgH and/or Ig-K rearrangement. In contrast, peripheral T-cell lymphomas have greater genotypic heterogeneity, and germline patterns for TCR genes are not uncommon. Reactive lesions and Hodgkin's disease tend to retain germline configuration, and any exception is often associated with an unusual clinical setting and/or histology. Genotypic analysis is thus most indicated in B-cell lymphomas with equivocal immunohistochemistry findings, T-cell lymphomas, and atypical cases of Hodgkin's disease and reactive lesions.
Comparison of potential cytoprotective action of sucralfate and cimetidine: Studies with experimental feline esophagitis

The potential mucosal protective effects of a liquid sucralfate preparation and the histamine (H2)-antagonist cimetidine on acid-induced esophagitis were studied. Esophagitis was induced in adult cats using a constant infusion of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid at 1 ml/minute for 20 minutes. Mucosal lesions were evaluated by blinded investigators using both fiber-optic endoscopy and light microscopy. Histology was scored for basal cell hyperplasia, intraepithelial leukocytosis, and subepithelial leukocytosis. Liquid sucralfate given prior to acid infusion consistently prevented acid-induced lesions, demonstrated by quantitative histologic scoring. Although cimetidine did not show the same degree of protection as sucralfate, the results did show a trend towards a cytoprotective effect.
Simplification of Hydraulic Line Dynamics by Use of Infinite Products

Dynamic response of hydraulic line studied from basic water hammer equations, using infinite products
Nanotechnology: The Visible and the Invisible

Science and technology have become geologic phenomena: like grinding tectonic plates, subtle incremental movements over time add up to decisive transformations of our cultural topography. According...
Alternative splicing in the cytoplasmic II-III loop of the N-type Ca channel alpha 1B subunit: functional differences are beta subunit-specific.

Structural diversity of voltage-gated Ca channels underlies much of the functional diversity in Ca signaling in neurons. Alternative splicing is an important mechanism for generating structural variants within a single gene family. In this paper, we show the expression pattern of an alternatively spliced 21 amino acid encoding exon in the II–III cytoplasmic loop region of the N-type Ca channel α1B subunit and assess its functional impact. Exon-containing α1B mRNA dominated in sympathetic ganglia and was present in ∼50% of α1B mRNA in spinal cord and caudal regions of the brain and in the minority of α1B mRNA in neocortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum (<20%). The II–III loop exon affected voltage-dependent inactivation of the N-type Ca channel. Steady-state inactivation curves were shifted to more depolarized potentials without affects on either the rate or voltage dependence of channel opening. Differences in voltage-dependent inactivation between α1Bsplice variants were most clearly manifested in the presence of Ca channel β1b or β4, rather than β2a or β3, subunits. Our results suggest that exon-lacking α1B splice variants that associate with β1b and β4 subunits will be susceptible to voltage-dependent inactivation at voltages in the range of neuronal resting membrane potentials (−60 to −80 mV). In contrast, α1B splice variants that associate with either β2a or β3 subunits will be relatively resistant to inactivation at these voltages. The potential to mix and match multiple α1B splice variants and β subunits probably represents a mechanism for controlling the plasticity of excitation–secretion coupling at different synapses.
Embracing the East: White Women and American Orientalism. By Mari Yoshihara. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003; pp. 242. $55 cloth, $19.95 paper; Cold War Orientalism: Asia in the Middlebrow Imagination, 1945–1961. By Christina Klein. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2003; pp. 316. 55 cloth, $21.95 paper.

Since Edward Said's influential formulation, scholars in a variety of disciplines have unpacked orientalism in its various incarnations. Within American studies, theories of orientalism have been used to understand more fully both the relationship of the United States to Asia during the “Pacific century” and the history of racial formation and racism with regard to Asian Americans. One of the prevailing tendencies has been to posit the Oriental as that which is marginalized and excluded, as either the exotic Other or the yellow peril. Both Mari Yoshihara's Embracing the East and Christina Klein's Cold War Orientalism do much to refocus this discussion, using contexts that demonstrate how Asia and Asian Americans were not just treated as, to use Alexander Saxton's phrase, “the indispensable enemy,” but rather held, both politically and culturally, within a much more paradoxical “embrace.”
Electrocardiographic findings in healthy premature infants.

The electrocardiographic findings in 87 healthy premature infants, ranging in age from 1 day to 1 month, are presented. The data illustrate the problems inherent in establishing "normal" standards in the neonatal period since exceptional figures are encountered for most of the parameters measured. Analyses of time intervals and amplitudes are therefore tabulated by frequency distribution, range and median values. The general configuration of the electrocardiogram closely resembles that observed in full-term infants of comparable age. In both, the precordial pattern is that of right ventricular preponderance. The electrocardiogram of the premature infants differs chiefly in the lower voltage of all the major complexes in the limb leads.
Gelation of Turkey Breast and Thigh Myofibrils: Changes During Isolation of Myofibrils

The relationship between functional properties of meat and myofibrils was examined for turkey breast and thigh by determining gel-forming ability of proteins at each step in a myofibril isolation procedure. Physical properties of thermally induced gels (70 o C for 30 min) were determined by torsional fracture analysis. Maximum shear stress (force) was obtained after removal of water-soluble components, whereas filtration was required to achieve maximum shear strain (deformability). Shear stress increased 150% and shear strain 59%. Changes in fracture properties were similar between meat types, and therefore, not the cause of meat type-associated differences in comminuted turkey
Dental Structural Diseases Mapping to Human Chromosome 4q21

Genetic diseases affecting tooth structure have been classified by the tissue affected enamel versus dentin, and their pattern of inheritance autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or X-linked. Advances in molecular genetics and the Human Genome Project have provided substantial progress regarding the identification of genes involved in the pathogenesis of human diseases. These include dental diseases affecting enamel and dentin formation: amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), dentinogenesis imperfecta (DGI) types II and III, and dentin dysplasia (DD) type II. Linkage studies using large informative families have provided insight identifying two proximal gene clusters on human chromosome 4q21 that contain the critical loci for five dental structural diseases. Studies related to the autosomal dominant forms of AI, representing ~85% of all cases, have established linkage to 4q21 for two forms: local hypoplastic and smooth hypoplastic AI. Two enamel matrix proteins, ameloblastin and enamelin, have been mapped with...
A novel approach to achieving modular retrovirus clearance for a parvovirus filter

Viral filtration is routinely incorporated into the downstream purification processes for the production of biologics produced in mammalian cell cultures (MCC) to remove potential viral contaminants. In recent years, the use of retentive filters designed for retaining parvovirus (~20 nm) has become an industry standard in a conscious effort to further improve product safety. Since retentive filters remove viruses primarily by the size exclusion mechanism, it is expected that filters designed for parvovirus removal can effectively clear larger viruses such as retroviruses (~100 nm). In an attempt to reduce the number of viral clearance studies, we have taken a novel approach to demonstrate the feasibility of claiming modular retrovirus clearance for Asahi Planova 20N filters. Porcine parvovirus (PPV) and xenotropic murine leukemia virus (XMuLV) were co-spiked into six different feedstreams and then subjected to laboratory scale Planova 20N filtration. Our results indicate that Planova 20N filters consistently retain retroviruses and no retrovirus has ever been detected in the filtrates even when significant PPV breakthrough is observed. Based on the data from multiple in-house viral validation studies and the results from the co-spiking experiments, we have successfully claimed a modular retrovirus clearance of greater than 6 log10 reduction factors (LRF) to support clinical trial applications in both USA and Europe.
Evaluation of smartphone oral contraceptive reminder applications

Abstract Background Oral contraceptives (OCs) are the most widely used contraceptive method among women of reproductive age in the United States (US). Routine download and use of health-related smartphone applications (apps) continues to increase. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of English-language, smartphone-platform OC reminder apps currently available for download in the US. Methods During June–July 2013, official Internet-based, mobile app platforms for the two major smartphone operating systems in the US—Android (Google Play Store) and iPhone (iTunes)—were searched. “Birth control,” “the pill,” and “contraception” were entered into the search-bar of each Smartphone store. Apps were assessed for the following: cost, health care professionals' involvement in app development, reminder mechanisms, and functionality. Results Of the 39 unique OC reminder apps meeting inclusion criteria, 7 (18%) did not operate as intended when downloaded. Most apps functioned without an Internet connection (97%) and included pop-up notifications (84%). Conclusions Certain app features overcome common causes of missing an alarm, and hypothetically, may minimize likelihood of an OC user missing a daily pill. Health care providers should inform users of potential pitfalls and advise them that an OC reminder app should be not be used as a sole reminder method.
Thinking the unthinkable: sacred values and taboo cognitions.

Many people insist that their commitments to certain values (e.g. love, honor, justice) are absolute and inviolable - in effect, sacred. They treat the mere thought of trading off sacred values against secular ones (such as money) as transparently outrageous - in effect, taboo. Economists insist, however, that in a world of scarce resources, taboo trade-offs are unavoidable. Research shows that, although people do respond with moral outrage to taboo trade-offs, they often acquiesce when secular violations of sacred values are rhetorically reframed as routine or tragic trade-offs. The results reveal the peculiar character of moral boundaries on what is thinkable, alternately punitively rigid and forgivingly flexible.
Characterization of two populations of human coronary artery endothelial cells

Abstract Background Heterogeneity of endothelial cells may affect angiogenesis, vascular healing, and cardiovascular disease formation. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize populations of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), their gene expression levels, and response to TNF-α stimulation. Materials and methods Commercial HCAECs were cultured with EGM-2 complete medium. Cell population was determined by flow cytometry analysis based on size-scatter distribution. Gene expression for each population with or without TNF-α (1 ng/ml) stimulation for 16 h was also studied by flow cytometry analysis with proper gating and fluorescence labeling of antibodies. Results Two distinguished populations, HCAEC-I (small) and HCAEC-II (large), were identified through all passages (from 2 to 10) during cultures. Both HCAEC-I and HCAEC-II showed more than 90% positive staining for both von Willebrand factor and CD31 and were negative for CD34 and CD4 (less than 2%). HCAEC-I had substantially higher expression of cadherin-5 (71.91% versus 51.07%) than HCAEC-II. HCAEC-I also expressed much higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGF-R2) (17.35% versus 0.77%), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (44.64% versus 2.54%), VCAM-1 (6.08% versus 1.18%), E-selectin (18.68% versus 1.42%), CXCR4 (61.05% versus 7.98%), and CCR5 (48.66% versus 1.97%) than HCAEC-II. HCAEC-II, however, had substantially higher expression of P1H12 (93.07% versus 58.73%) and ICAM-1 (94.37% versus 58.62%) than HCAEC-I. Following TNF-α stimulation, both populations substantially increased the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin. HCAEC-I, however, had much higher expressions of VEGFR-2, eNOS, CXCR4, and CCR-5 than HACEC-II after TNF-α stimulation. Conclusions These data demonstrate that commercial HCAECs have two distinguished populations with different gene expression patterns and different responses following TNF-α stimulation. This study indicates that the heterogeneity of HCAECs may have biologic or pathologic significances in coronary arteries.
A Comparative Study of the California Achievement Test (Forms C and D) and the KeyMath Diagnostic Arithmetic Test with Secondary LH Students

Teachers are always looking for effective achievement tests for use with mildly handicapped students at the secondary level. One popular measure is the KeyMath Diagnostic Arithmetic Test, an individually administered measure which is not time efficient. This study compared the KeyMath with a group-administered test, the California Achievement Test (Forms C and D), to determine each measure's effectiveness in assessing students' math performance on the secondary level. The tests yielded similar scores which were stable across both tests and their subtests, with a mean performance at approximately the fifth-grade level. A qualitative analysis, comparing the tests in the areas of content, quality, time efficiency and relevance for instruction, found the California Achievement Test to be the superior, more efficient measure for accessing secondary LH students' achievement levels in math.
Remote Sensing of Terrestrial Primary Production and Carbon Cycle

The objective of this chapter is to review the historical development of and the recent advances in the application of satellite remote sensing data for estimating terrestrial gross and net primary production (GPP and NPP), while also monitoring carbon cycle related ecosystem dynamics and changes. We achieve this objective by separating the topic into five sections: 1. A review of the history of using satellite data to study the carbon cycle, con- centrating on using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and its derived Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR) and Leaf Area Index (LAI) for biomass and NPP estimations 2. A description of recent advances in the application of Moderate Resolution Imag- ing Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data to estimates of GPP and NPP, along with related findings using MODIS Land Surface Temperature (LST) and the En- hanced Vegetation Index (EVI) 3. A discussion of the application of long-term satellite data to the study of ter- restrial ecosystems, including phenology monitoring, changes in regional carbon storage resulting from land use change, carbon flux changes induced by climate change, disturbance detection, and validation of ecosystem models 4. A proposed general scheme for applying satellite data to terrestrial ecosystem studies, highlighting the role of modeling 5. A summary that emphasizes the continuity of vegetation monitoring with satel- lites The use of remote sensing information for studying terrestrial primary production and the global carbon cycle is significant both for an increased understanding of the earth system and improved management of land and natural resources.
Hematological values for free-ranging yellow-bellied marmots

Abstract 1. 1. Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocytes, leucocytes, MCV, MCH and MCHC were determined for a population of Marmota fiaviventris over a period of seven years. 2. 2. There was no significant difference in hematology among years, between sexes, or between seasons for adults and yearlings. 3. 3. Early season juveniles had significantly lower PCV, Hb and erythrocyte counts than did late season juveniles. There were no significant differences in hematological values among adults, yearlings and late season juveniles. 4. 4. Juveniles had significantly lower leucocycte counts than adults and yearlings. 5. 5. PCV of marmots responds to acclimatization. 6. 6. Hematological values of scuirids are adaptive to environmental factors such as hypoxia of burrows and high altitude, temperature and metabolic rate. 7. 7. PCV of yellow-bellied marmots evidences an adaptive response to high altitude when compared to the closely-related woodchuck, M. monax.
RAS Is Regulated by the let-7 MicroRNA Family

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory RNAs found in multicellular eukaryotes, including humans, where they are implicated in cancer. The let-7 miRNA times seam cell terminal differentiation in C. elegans. Here we show that the let-7 family negatively regulates let-60/RAS. Loss of let-60/RAS suppresses let-7, and the let-60/RAS 3'UTR contains multiple let-7 complementary sites (LCSs), restricting reporter gene expression in a let-7-dependent manner. mir-84, a let-7 family member, is largely absent in vulval precursor cell P6.p at the time that let-60/RAS specifies the 1 degrees vulval fate in that cell, and mir-84 overexpression suppresses the multivulva phenotype of activating let-60/RAS mutations. The 3'UTRs of the human RAS genes contain multiple LCSs, allowing let-7 to regulate RAS expression. let-7 expression is lower in lung tumors than in normal lung tissue, while RAS protein is significantly higher in lung tumors, providing a possible mechanism for let-7 in cancer.
Ligand Substitution Effect on Optical Properties in Conducting Tetraazaporphyrines

Self-consistent Density Functional calculations have been performed on a variety of planar conjugated Ni-centered macrocycles with a basic tetraazaporphyrinic core and dithiolene groups (PZ) or fused-benzo groups (PC). Theoretical energy diagrams, charge and spin distributions and densities of states have been obtained in order to understand the electronic structure modifications due to peripheral ligand substitution. The substituents role in altering electronic properties and charge distribution of the porphyrazine macrocycles has been used to interpret the observed variations in optical absorption profiles. In the Q-band (∼ 680 nm) region, a single peak is seen for high symmetry (D4h) macrocycles and a double peak for lower symmetry (D2h and C2v) systems. Calculated intensities and band splittings are compared in detail with qualitative molecular orbital models and experiment in the visible and UV regions. Predictions are made for the infrared absorption and semiconducting band gap.
Improved simulation of poorly drained forests using Biome-BGC

Forested wetlands and peatlands are important in boreal and terrestrial biogeochemical cycling, but most general-purpose forest process models are designed and parameterized for upland systems. We describe changes made to Biome-BGC, an ecophysiological process model, that improve its ability to simulate poorly drained forests. Model changes allowed for: (1) lateral water inflow from a surrounding watershed, and variable surface and subsurface drainage; (2) adverse effects of anoxic soil on decomposition and nutrient mineralization; (3) closure of leaf stomata in flooded soils; and (4) growth of nonvascular plants (i.e., bryophytes). Bryophytes were treated as ectohydric broadleaf evergreen plants with zero stomatal conductance, whose cuticular conductance to CO 2 was dependent on plant water content. Individual model changes were parameterized with published data, and ecosystem-level model performance was assessed by comparing simulated output to field data from the northern BOREAS site in Manitoba, Canada. The simulation of the poorly drained forest model exhibited reduced decomposition and vascular plant growth (-90%) compared with that of the well-drained forest model; the integrated bryophyte photosynthetic response accorded well with published data. Simulated net primary production, biomass and soil carbon accumulation broadly agreed with field measurements, although simulated net primary production was higher than observed data in well-drained stands. Simulated net primary production in the poorly drained forest was most sensitive to oxygen restriction on soil processes, and secondarily to stomatal closure in flooded conditions. The modified Biome-BGC remains unable to simulate true wetlands that are subject to prolonged flooding, because it does not track organic soil formation, water table changes, soil redox potential or anaerobic processes.
Adaptive grid refinement and multigrid on cluster computers

It has been shown that the combination of adaptive grid refinement and multigrid solution, known as adaptive multilevel methods, provide effective methods for solving partial differential equations on sequential computers. Recently, research has been performed on parallelizing these procedures. Effective parallelization is difficult because of the irregular nature of both adaptively refined grids and the multigrid process. This is particularly true on cluster computers which have slow communication channels that require algorithms with infrequent communication. An approach to parallelizing adaptive multilevel methods with few communication steps is presented. Numerical results on an 8-processor PC cluster demonstrate 60-90% efficiency.
Electrical actuation of electrically conducting and insulating droplets using ac and dc voltages

Electrical actuation of liquid droplets at the microscale offers promising applications in the fields of microfluidics and lab-on-chip devices. Much prior research has targeted the electrical actuation of electrically conducting liquid droplets using dc voltages (classical electrowetting). Electrical actuation of conducting droplets using ac voltages and the actuation of insulating droplets (using dc or ac voltages) has remained relatively unexplored. This paper utilizes an energy-minimization-based analytical framework to study the electrical actuation of a liquid droplet (electrically conducting or insulating) under ac actuation. It is shown that the electromechanical regimes of classical electrowetting, electrowetting under ac actuation and insulating droplet actuation can be extracted from the generic electromechanical actuation framework, depending on the electrical properties of the droplet, the underlying dielectric layer and the frequency of the actuation voltage. This paper also presents experiments which quantify the influence of the ac frequency and the electrical properties of the droplet on its velocity under electrical actuation. The velocities of droplets moving between two parallel plates under ac actuation are experimentally measured; these velocities are then related to the actuation force on the droplet which is predicted by the electromechanical model developed in this work. It is seen that the droplet velocities are strongly dependent on the frequency of the ac actuation voltage; the cut-off ac frequency, above which the droplet fails to actuate, is experimentally determined and related to the electrical conductivity of the liquid. This paper then analyzes and directly compares the various electromechanical regimes for the actuation of droplets in microfluidic applications.
Relationship Organization and Price Delegation: An Experimental Study

Price delegation to the salesforce is a practice widely adopted by firms. This paper examines the relationship between price delegation and managerial profits using a laboratory economics experiment. A novel feature of our experiment is that we study how varying the relationship organization of the sales manager and salesperson to allow for 1 requests by the salesperson for the manager to choose price delegation, and for 2 the manager to award a small bonus after observing the salesperson's decisions, can affect behavior. The results show that, contrary to the theoretical prediction, managers choose price delegation frequently and salespeople respond reciprocally, leading to higher manager profits under price delegation. Moreover, this behavior increases when requests and bonuses are allowed. We show that a behavioral economics model that incorporates positive reciprocity can explain these results well. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2013.1778 . This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
A conservation-based approach to compensation for livestock depredation: The Florida panther case study

Calf (Bos taurus) depredation by the federally endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) on ranches in southwest Florida is an important issue because ranches represent mixed landscapes that provide habitat critical to panther recovery. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify calf depredation by panthers on two ranches in southwest Florida, and (2) develop a habitat suitability model to evaluate the quality of panther hunting habitat on ranchlands, assess whether the model could predict predation risk to calves, and discuss its potential to be incorporated into an incentive-based compensation program. We ear-tagged 409 calves with VHF transmitters on two ranches during 2011-2013 to document calf mortality. We developed a model to evaluate the quality of panther hunting habitat on private lands in southwest Florida using environmental variables obtained from the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) Cooperative Landcover Database and nocturnal GPS locations of panthers provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). We then tested whether the model could predict the location of calf depredation sites. Tagged calf loss to panthers varied between the two ranches (0.5%/yr to 5.3%/yr) and may have been influenced by the amount of panther hunting habitat on each ranch as the ranch that experienced higher depredation rates contained a significantly higher probability of panther presence. Depredation sites of tagged calves had a significantly greater probability of panther presence than depredation sites of untagged calves that were found by ranchers in open pastures. This suggests that there may be more calves killed in high risk environments than are being found and reported by ranchers and that panthers can hunt effectively in open environments. It also suggests that the model may provide a means for evaluating the quality of panther hunting habitat and the corresponding risk of depredation to livestock across the landscape. We suggest that our approach could be applied to prioritize and categorize private lands for participation in a Payment for Ecosystem Services program that compensates landowners for livestock loss and incentivizes conserving high quality habitat for large carnivores where livestock depredation is a concern.
Evolvability of an Optimal Recombination Rate

Evolution and maintenance of genetic recombination and its relation to the mutational process is a long-standing, fundamental problem in evolutionary biology that is linked to the general problem of evolution of evolvability. We explored a stochastic model of the evolution of recombination using additive fitness and infinite allele assumptions but no assumptions on the sign or magnitude of the epistasis and the distribution of mutation effects. In this model, fluctuating negative epistasis and predominantly deleterious mutations arise naturally as a consequence of the additive fitness and a reservoir from which new alleles arrive with a fixed distribution of fitness effects. Analysis of the model revealed a nonmonotonic effect of recombination intensity on fitness, with an optimal recombination rate value which maximized fitness in steady state. The optimal recombination rate depended on the mutation rate and was evolvable, that is, subject to selection. The predictions of the model were compatible with the observations on the dependence between genome rearrangement rate and gene flux in microbial genomes.
The cost-effectiveness of training US primary care physicians to conduct colorectal cancer screening in family medicine residency programs.

Abstract Background Demand for a wide array of colorectal cancer screening strategies continues to outpace supply. One strategy to reduce this deficit is to dramatically increase the number of primary care physicians who are trained and supportive of performing office-based colonoscopies or flexible sigmoidoscopies. This study evaluates the clinical and economic implications of training primary care physicians via family medicine residency programs to offer colorectal cancer screening services as an in-office procedure. Methods Using previously established clinical and economic assumptions from existing literature and budget data from a local grant (2013), incremental cost-effectiveness ratios are calculated that incorporate the costs of a proposed national training program and subsequent improvements in patient compliance. Sensitivity analyses are also conducted. Results Baseline assumptions suggest that the intervention would produce 2394 newly trained residents who could perform 71,820 additional colonoscopies or 119,700 additional flexible sigmoidoscopies after ten years. Despite high costs associated with the national training program, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios remain well below standard willingness-to-pay thresholds under base case assumptions. Interestingly, the status quo hierarchy of preferred screening strategies is disrupted by the proposed intervention. Conclusions A national overhaul of family medicine residency programs offering training for colorectal cancer screening yields satisfactory incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. However, the model places high expectations on primary care physicians to improve current compliance levels in the US.
In vitro localization of thermosensitive neurons in the rat diencephalon

Many thermosensitive neurons in the preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus (POAH) are believed to function in thermoregulation. Although many other diencephalic regions are implicated in thermoregulat...
Quality Control for Artifacts Seen on Pinhole Thyroid Images and Caused by a Collimator Shielding Defect

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate artifacts seen on several pinhole thyroid imaging studies at one of our institutions and to determine their cause. Methods: The pinhole collimator was tested using radioactive point sources and a thyroid phantom to determine the presence and location of a suspected shielding defect and to confirm its subsequent repair. A 14-mo retrospective review of 99mTc and 123I pinhole thyroid imaging studies was performed. Results: The point source and thyroid phantom studies confirmed the defect, its location and repair. The patient review revealed extra thyroidal activity in 38% of the studies. The artifacts evoked several misinterpretations, but none were of clinical significance. Conclusion: Artifacts seen during patient studies were caused by a collimator shielding defect. Due to the lack of standardized quality control for pinhole collimators, point source testing is recommended for all new and existing pinhole collimators and after any suspected damage.
In Vitro Approaches to Study Regulation of Hepatic Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A Expression by Paclitaxel and Rifampicin

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide; however the response rate to chemotherapy treatment remains slow, mainly due to narrow therapeutic index and multidrug resistance. Paclitaxel (taxol) has a superior outcome in terms of response rates and progression-free survival. However, numerous cancer patients are resistant to this drug. In this investigation, we tested the hypothesis that induction of cytochrome P450 (Cyp)3a11 gene by paclitaxel is downregulated by the inflammatory mediator, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and that the pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, attenuates human CYP3A4 gene induction by rifampicin. Primary mouse hepatocytes were pretreated with LPS (1 μg/ml) for 10 min, followed by paclitaxel (20 μM) or vehicle for 24 h. RNA was extracted from the cells by trizol method followed by cDNA synthesis and analysis by real-time PCR. Paclitaxel significantly induced gene expression of Cyp3a11 (~30-fold) and this induction was attenuated in LPS-treated samples. Induction and subsequent downregulation of CYP3A enzyme can impact paclitaxel treatment in cancer patients where inflammatory mediators are activated. It has been shown that the nuclear receptor, pregnane X receptor (PXR), plays a role in the induction of CYP enzymes. In order to understand the mechanisms of regulation of human CYP3A4 gene, we co-transfected HepG2 cells (human liver cell line) with CYP3A4-luciferase construct and a PXR expression plasmid. The cells were then treated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNFα, followed by the prototype CYP3A inducer rifampicin. It is well established that rifampicin activates PXR, leading to CYP3A4 induction. We found that induction of CYP3A4-luciferase activity by rifampicin was significantly attenuated by TNFα. In conclusion, we describe herein several in vitro approaches entailing primary and cultured hepatocytes, real-time PCR, and transcriptional activation (transfection) assays to investigate the molecular regulation of CYP3A, which plays a pivotal role in the metabolism of numerous chemotherapeutic drugs. Genetic or drug-induced variation in CYP3A and/or PXR expression could contribute to drug resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in cancer patients.