cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The reduced genome of a heritable symbiont from an ectoparasitic feather feeding louse.

Feather feeding lice are abundant and diverse ectoparasites that complete their entire life cycle on an avian host. The principal or sole source of nutrition for these lice is feathers. Feathers appear to lack four amino acids that the lice would require to complete development and reproduce. Several insect groups have acquired heritable and intracellular bacteria that can synthesize metabolites absent in an insect’s diet, allowing insects to feed exclusively on nutrient-poor resources. Multiple species of feather feeding lice have been shown to harbor heritable and intracellular bacteria. We expected that these bacteria augment the louse’s diet with amino acids and facilitated the evolution of these diverse and specialized parasites. Heritable symbionts of insects often have small genomes that contain a minimal set of genes needed to maintain essential cell functions and synthesize metabolites absent in the host insect’s diet. Therefore, we expected the genome of a bacterial endosymbiont in feather lice would be small, but encode pathways for biosynthesis of amino acids. We sequenced the genome of a bacterial symbiont from a feather feeding louse (Columbicola wolffhuegeli) that parasitizes the Pied Imperial Pigeon (Ducula bicolor) and used its genome to predict metabolism of amino acids based on the presence or absence of genes. We found that this bacterial symbiont has a small genome, similar to the genomes of heritable symbionts described in other insect groups. However, we failed to identify many of the genes that we expected would support metabolism of amino acids in the symbiont genome. We also evaluated other gene pathways and features of the highly reduced genome of this symbiotic bacterium. Based on the data collected in this study, it does not appear that this bacterial symbiont can synthesize amino acids needed to complement the diet of a feather feeding louse. Our results raise additional questions about the biology of feather chewing lice and the roles of symbiotic bacteria in evolution of diverse avian parasites.
Semiautomated Generation of Logic Rules for Tabular Information in Building Codes to Support Automated Code Compliance Checking

AbstractTo fully automate building code compliance checking, regulatory requirements need to be automatically extracted and transformed from building codes. Existing regulatory requirement processi...
United We Suffer: Sixteenth-Century Anabaptism and Twentieth-Century «Auslandsdeutschtum» in M. V. Rubatscher’s «Das Lutherische Joggele»

The sixteenth-century migrations of Anabaptist communities within Europe, particularly Tyrol, becomes an important literary theme for the Austrian novelist Maria Veronika Ru­batscher who draws parallels between the relocated fellowship and the German-speaking minority in Italy after the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Discussing the portrait of Tyrolean Anabaptism in her novel Das Lutherische Joggele , this paper shows how the author utilizes the movement’s history as a means of expressing her nationalistic iden­tity.
Perfusion MR I

There has been an increasing interest in studying microvascular and brain perfusion abnormalities in multiple sclerosis (MS) due to the accumulating evidence regarding the primary vascular pathogenesis in MS [1, 2, 3, 4]. Early microscopic investigations demonstrated perivascular inflammatory infiltrates, including macrophages, often found in close contact with the disintegrating myelin sheath [5], which were later described as a T-cell-mediated immune reaction causing the activation of macrophages that contained intracytoplasmic, myelin-reactive degradation products [6]. The intravascular fibrin deposition [7, 8] and venous occlusive changes with hemodynamic impairment have also been demonstrated in active MS lesions [9]. Therefore, not surprisingly, these essential vascular pathologies have effects on the cerebral blood perfusion, which may cause mitochondrial dysfunction and axonal degeneration. However, only recently, due to the major achievements of in vivo perfusion imaging, have we started to understand the mechanisms of hemodynamic changes and neurodegeneration occurring in MS. This chapter focuses on some of the recent developments in the field of vascular pathology and on some ongoing research using perfusion MRI, particularly dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MRI (DSC-MRI), to investigate vascular neuropathology in MS.
Test Results of the Vapor-Cooled Leads for the IFSMT

A vapor-cooled lead system that used six pairs of leads in twelve separate dewars was built for the International Fusion Superconducting Magnet Test Facility (IFSMTF). Each of these leads was cooled by helium vapor from a reservoir separate from the pool-boiling or force-flow coil. Satisfactory acceptance tests were performed on the early production runs of the leads. Inconsistent and anomalously high heat losses were observed on the two pairs of lead assemblies used in the partial-array test. Subsequent tests on the leads and their associated dewars confirmed satisfactory performance of the lead and dewar and offered an explanation for the excessive losses during the partial-array test.
"Insignificant" mechanism of injury: not to be taken lightly.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Trauma resources should be spent rationally. The mechanism of trauma is used extensively to triage patients to appropriate levels of care. We examine the hypothesis that patients with "insignificant" mechanism of trauma may have major injuries that require expert trauma care. STUDY DESIGN: Over 9 months at a high-volume Level I trauma center, a prospective study was done on patients who sustained ground-level falls (GLF), low-level falls (LLF) from less than 10 feet, or were found down (FD) with no external evidence of significant trauma, and required evaluation by the trauma team. Of 301 patients included, 110 (37%) had GLF, 95 (31%) LLF, and 96 (32%) FD. Our main outcomes measure was significant injuries, defined as visceral or intracranial injuries, long-bone, pelvic, facial, or spinal fractures. RESULTS: One hundred ten patients (37%) had significant injuries, 20 (7%) were admitted to the ICU, 14 (5%) required an operation, and 4 (1%) died. The most common injuries were intracranial and skeletal. Almost all patients were evaluated by CT (95%), but only one-quarter had abnormal findings on it. LLF, age more than 55 years, and the absence of severe intoxication (blood alcohol level of less than 200 mg/dL) were independent risk factors for significant injuries. A statistical prediction model showed that, when all risk factors are present, the probability of significant injuries is 73%; when all risk factors are absent, there is still a 16% chance for significant injuries. Patients with significant injuries had more operations, longer hospital stays, and higher hospitalization costs compared with patients without significant injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Low-energy trauma may produce significant injuries, predominantly intracranial and skeletal. Trauma care providers should be cautious about dismissing such patients based on the trivial mechanism of injury. Patients with LLF who are older than 55 years and not severely intoxicated have a high likelihood for significant injuries. Resources should be spent rationally for patients who do not have these characteristics, because the probability of significant injuries among them is low, but not zero.
Porosity, nowhere dense sets and a theorem of Denjoy

In the 1940’s, A. Denjoy proved that the typical point of a perfect nowhere dense set in \(\mathbb{R}\) is a point of strong porosity for that set. We prove two stronger versions of this for arbitrary metric spaces. Theorem 3 says that if \(E\) is any closed nowhere dense set in a metric space, and \(h\) is any porosity scale function, then the typical point in \(E\) is a point at which \(E\) is \(h\)-porous. Thus, if the metric space is complete, then “most” points of \(E\) are points at which \(E\) is very thin in the sense of porosity. Theorem 4 says that if \(F\) is closed and \(h\)-porous in \(\mathbb{R}\), then there exists a closed nowhere dense set \(E\) in \(\mathbb{R}\) containing \(F\) such that \(F\) is \(h\)-porous in the subspace \(E\). Therefore, in the sense of \(h\)-porosity, no nontrivial information about the porosity of a closed set in \(\mathbb{R}\) can be inferred from its porosity relative to some closed nowhere dense set in \(\mathbb{R}\).
On-line planning simulation

MESS is a substrate for building simulation environments suitable for testing plans and on-line or real-time planners. The article describes the design of MESS, how simulations are built and how on-line planners integrate with the substrate. MESS supports activities, defined as processes over some time interval, and interactions between activities and other simulation events. MESS interfaces with TCL, which is a portable, extensible definition of computation time, enabling MESS to be used for platform-independent simulations of real-time planning. MESS has been used to re-implement the PHOENIX testbed, which simulates forest fires and planning for fire-fighting agents.
Parametrization of macrolide antibiotics using the force field toolkit

Macrolides are an important class of antibiotics that target the bacterial ribosome. Computer simulations of macrolides are limited as specific force field parameters have not been previously developed for them. Here, we determine CHARMM-compatible force field parameters for erythromycin, azithromycin, and telithromycin, using the force field toolkit (ffTK) plugin in VMD. Because of their large size, novel approaches for parametrizing them had to be developed. Two methods for determining partial atomic charges, from interactions with TIP3P water and from the electrostatic potential, as well as several approaches for fitting the dihedral parameters were tested. The performance of the different parameter sets was evaluated by molecular dynamics simulations of the macrolides in ribosome, with a distinct improvement in maintenance of key interactions observed after refinement of the initial parameters. Based on the results of the macrolide tests, recommended procedures for parametrizing very large molecules using ffTK are given.
Discrete model of DCS controlled half-bridge with current doubler for digital controller design

In this paper, a discrete model is developed for DCS controlled half-bridge topology with current-doubler to facilitate digital controller design when operating at high switching frequencies. The discrete model is derived and then compared with the classical continuous model. The model is represented in the versatile state-space form, which allows the application of a wide range of modern and classical control theories. The pulse transfer function for the modulator input to converter output voltage is derived for use in voltage mode control. To verify the theoretical frequency response predicted by the presented model, a laboratory prototype is built
Sex bias or equal opportunity? Patterns of maternal investment in bison

In polygynous mammals, it may be adaptive for mothers to invest more in sons and/or to adjust the sex ratio of offspring in relation to body condition. Calving patterns were examined over an 8-year period (1982–1989) for a population of Bison bison in which barren females are not selectively culled. From these data, we tested predictions of the sex ratio adjustment hypothesis as well as two assumptions: (1) that offspring weight at the end of the period of parental investment (PI) is correlated with later condition, and (2) that maternal and offspring condition during the period of PI are correlated. In contrast to predictions, there was little evidence that mothers in better condition bear more sons. Short- and long-term measures of maternal condition (previous reproductive status, age, dominance status, pre-pubertal body weight, age at first reproduction, birth date, and the duration of the mother's own suckling period) were little related to offspring sex ratio, although the last calves of old females were nearly always female. Similarly, there was little evidence for sex-biased PI. Weights at about 7 months of age were greater for males than females; males also had somewhat later birth dates, suggesting either longer gestation or later conception. However, maternal reproductive costs, as measured by subsequent fecundity, weight loss, and interbirth intervals, did not vary with calf sex. Both assumptions of the model received some support. However, while maternal condition was correlated with offspring condition, there may be sex differences in investment patterns. Mothers appear better able to influence the condition of daughters than of sons. This sex difference may negate any benefit from male-biased investment.
Optimization of isolated perfused/ventilated mouse lung to study hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

AbstractHypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is a compensatory physiological mechanism in the lung that optimizes the matching of ventilation to perfusion and thereby maximizes gas exchange. Historically, HPV has been primarily studied in isolated perfused/ventilated lungs; however, the results of these studies have varied greatly due to different experimental conditions and species. Therefore, in the present study, we utilized the mouse isolated perfused/ventilated lung model for investigation of the role of extracellular Ca2+ and caveolin-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression on HPV. We also compared HPV using different perfusate solutions: Physiological salt solution (PSS) with albumin, Ficoll, rat blood, fetal bovine serum (FBS), or Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). After stabilization of the pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), hypoxic (1% O2) and normoxic (21% O2) gases were applied via a ventilator in five-minute intervals to measure HPV. The addition of albumin or Ficoll with...
Bone Marrow Examination in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Excerpt To the editor: Campling and colleagues (1) on the basis of a review of their own material, do not recommend bone marrow examination as part of the routine staging of small cell lung cancer....
A streamlined life cycle assessment on the fabrication of WC–Co cermets

Abstract Tungsten carbide–cobalt (WC–Co) cermets have been widely used because of their high hardness and excellent wear-resistant properties. In this study, the environmental burdens related to WC–Co component fabrication were evaluated to compare the Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS ® ) process and the conventional powder metallurgy (P/M) process. Sensitivity analysis revealed that choice of weighting scheme does not significantly affect the final result; the LENS ® process is more preferable if powder recycling is applied, part size is small, or part shape is complex; and the P/M process provides more benefits to produce large parts of simple shape.
Systems identification in biology

The nature of system identification in biological systems is analysed, in order to show what are the special features of biological systems in relation to the identification process, and to reveal what general lessons for measurement and control can be learned from the quantitative study of biological systems. Approaches to be adopted in the identification process are ou tlined, highlighting the importance of adopting an appropriate mathematical model. It is shown that biological systems constitute a paradigm for the application of identification procedures in the observational sciences generally. The paper sets the scene for the four application studies which follow, illustrating the application of identification methods to mechanical parameters of the lung, to elements of the neuromuscular system, to the blood pressure control system and in pharmacokinetics.
Modification of polyuridylic acid by bisulfite. II: Studies on ribosomal binding and enzymatic hydrolysis.

The reaction of polyuridylic acid with sodium bisulfite produces modified polymers in which up to 95% of the uracil residues have been converted to uracil-6-sulfonate residues. A 91.6% bisulfite-saturated polymer was found to resist hydrolysis by spleen phosphodiesterase and phosphorolysis by polynucleotide phosphorylase. Digestion by pancreatic ribonuclease was successful and gave the bisulfite adduct of uridine-3′-phosphate. Treatment of this nucleotide adduct with acid phosphatase afforded the bisulfite adduct of uridine. The ability of polyuridylic acid to bind to ribosomes, and to stimulate the binding of phenylalanine tRNA to ribosomes was abolished by progressive bisulfite saturation of the polymer. The rate of decline of these functionsf with increasing bisulfite content, was less sharp than the loss of phenyl-alanine coding ability o, the modified polymer.
cKit and CD38 are Expressed by Long-term Reconstituting Cells Present in Murine Yolk Sac and Bone Marrow † 759

cKit and CD38 are Expressed by Long-term Reconstituting Cells Present in Murine Yolk Sac and Bone Marrow † 759
Long-Term Dependence and Least Squares Regression in Investment Analysis

It is widely assumed that common stock returns approximate a random walk, i.e., the returns are assumed to be serially independent. As a consequence, estimates of systematic risk and efficient portfolios are usually developed using any convenient differencing interval with the implication that they are applicable to any investor regardless of his horizon period. This paper derives the relationships between least-squares estimators and the differencing interval in the presence of long-term dependence. These relationships are then used to show how long-term dependence affects estimates of systematic risk and efficient portfolios selected with the Sharpe index model. The major implication is that, because of long-term dependence, systematic risk estimates and efficient portfolios must be developed using a differencing interval exactly equal to the investor's horizon period.
Electrostatic-field effects on adsorbate bonding and structure at metal surfaces: parallels between electrochemical and vacuum systems

Abstract The observed effects of varying the surface potential, and hence the accompanying electrostatic fields, upon adsorbate bonding at ordered monocrystalline metals in electrochemical environments are summarized and discussed in comparison with field effects at related metal-vacuum interfaces for the specific case of carbon monoxide. The dependencies of the C-O stretching frequency, νCO, upon the electrochemical surface potential, E (and interfacial field, E ), as evaluated for CO adlayers at a fixed coverage, θ;CO, and surface binding site are summarized as a function of θCO, the metal substrate, and the double-layer ionic environment, in order to illustrate the virtues of electrochemical systems for exploring such interfacial field effects. The increasing preference for multifold versus terminal CO binding commonly observed towards lower potentials (and at larger negative fields) is also noted. These findings are compared with related field-induced effects observed for metal-CO adlayers in vacuum and also for chargeable metal-carbonyl clusters in solution. Variations in field for the former systems are induced by postdosing dipolar or ionizable coadsorbates, or by applying an external electrostatic field. Some physical differences as well as similarities in the electrostatic fields present for such systems are noted. The νCO- E dependencies observed for the different systems are compared briefly with the predictions of theoretical models which account for potential-dependent surface-adsorbate bonding and interfacial field-induced Stark effects.
Presidential Selection and Democratic Government

The recent submission of a constitutional amendment limiting the President to two terms,' and the probable submission of another amendment abolishing the Electoral College,2 have attracted attention to the problems of selection and tenure in respect to the Presidency, and probably justify a review of certain of these problems at this time. The records of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 show that of all the problems relating to the Presidency, that of the method of election was the most puzzling to the delegates and a matter on which they changed their minds again and again. It was this problem to which George Mason referred when he said, on July 26: "In every stage of the Question relative to the Executive, the difficulty of the subject and the diversity of the opinions concerning it have appeared. Nor have any of the modes of constituting that department been satisfactory." And when the Convention was in its last stages and was considering the final report on the most controversial matters, presented by the Committee of Eleven, James Wilson remarked, with reference to the same problem: "This subject has greatly divided the House, and will also divide the people out of doors. It is in truth the most difficult of all on which we have to decide."3 At least ten different methods of choosing the Executive were
On the Relation between Recall and Recognition.

The relation between recallability and recognizability was determined in four experiments. The procedures involved presenting a study list and then giving a recall test for some items, followed by a recognition test for all items. The “reduction method” ( Tulving & Watkins, 1975 ) was then used to derive estimates of the recallability—recognizability contingency relation without recourse to data for items encountered in a prior test. The results were consistent across experiments in suggesting that the set of recallable items was substantially, if not wholly, included within the set of recognizable items.
An analysis of non-reciprocal cross incompatibility in Mormoniella vitripennis (Walker)

1. Crosses ofRpe333.5/Rpe333.5 XR+ andRti277/Rti277 XR+ resulted in lowered percentages of biparental (female) progeny, with no reduction in the total numbers of progeny. The reciprocal crosses yielded normal percentages of female progeny. 2. The agents controlling the incompatibility between theRpe333.5 andR+ stocks are different from those controlling theRti227-R+ stock incompatibilities. Neither type appears to be related to the eye color genes in the mutant stocks. 3. The incompatibility betweenRpe333.5 and R+ is transmitted, apparently cytoplasmically, to the much reduced numbers of female progeny ofRpe333.5/Rpe333.5 XR+. The cross ofRti277/Rti277 XR+ yields no female progeny. 4. No genic control over either case of incompatibility has yet been demonstrated. Evidence is presented in support of the theory that the reduced percentages of F1 females are due to failure of sperm to fertilize the eggs successfully, rather than to death of embryos.
The hydroboration of 3-butenyl derivatives with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane

The hydroboration of 3-butenyl derivatives, CH2CHCH2CH2X where X represents OH, OMe, OAc, Cl, as well as the related carboxylic ester, CH2CHCH2COOEt, and the nitrile CH2CHCH2CN, with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN) proceeds with remarkably high regio-selectivity. The boron is placed essentially on the terminal carbon (⩾98%), yielding stable organoboranes which can be readily oxidized to alcohols or subjected to other reactions. The yields of alcohols in the hydroboration-oxidation procedure are satisfactory, in the range of 82–99%. The hydroxy group liberates hydrogen rapidly and quantitatively but no further reaction is observed and hydroboration of the carboncarbon double bond then proceeds normally. The chloro and methoxy groups are not affected by 9-BBN, whereas, the ester and nitrile groups are slightly (1.5–4.0%) reduced by the reagent at 25°C. Even this small amount of reduction can be circumvented or minimized by carrying out the hydroboration at 0°C. Although this procedure requires somewhat longer reaction times, the products are cleaner and the yields are higher.
Relationship of size at return with environmental variation, hatchery production, and productivity of wild pink salmon in Prince William Sound, Alaska: does size matter?

Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) returning to Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska, have increased to historically high levels of abundance in recent years, but average body size at return has declined. We examined how body size at return of PWS pink salmon was related to 10 biophysical factors, including the scale of hatchery production. We also examined the effect of body size at return on productivity of wild pink salmon in PWS. For the 1975–1999 brood years, we found that an index of total abundance of pink salmon in the Gulf of Alaska and sea surface temperature during the year of return best explained the variation in pink salmon body size over time. Body size at return was significantly correlated with productivity of wild pink salmon. We used stepwise-regression to fit a generalized linear version of the Ricker spawner-recruit model to determine if body size would explain significant variation in wild-stock productivity in context with other environmental variation, including hatchery production. The results indicate that variability in wild-stock productivity is primarily driven by density-independent factors in the marine environment, but that body size of wild spawners also significantly affects productivity of wild PWS pink salmon. We conclude that the success of large-scale enhancement increasing the total run in PWS may have contributed to the decline in body size because of density-dependent growth in the Gulf of Alaska. We used a simulation model to estimate the impact of hatchery-induced changes in adult body size on wild-stock production in PWS. We estimated an annual wild-stock yield loss of 1.03 million pink salmon, less than 5% of the annual hatchery return of 24.2 million adult pink salmon for brood years 1990–1999.
The stereochemistry of hydrogen addition by a Δ1-steroid reductase in baker's yeast

The reduction of the Δ1 double bond in 5α-androstan-1-en-3-one was investigated utilizing a reductase present in fermenting baker's yeast. The stereochemistry of the hydrogen addition was found to be trans diaxial, as determined by suitable deuterium labeling and lanthanide induced shift nmr spectroscopy.
Nucleophiles useful for the transfer of fluorinated moieties to organic and inorganic substrates

Abstract The reactions of R f Si(CH 3 ) 3 (Rf = CF 3 , C 2 F 5 , C 3 F 7 ) with a variety of fluorinated organic and inorganic substrates containing a sulfur- or carbon-oxygen double bond have received some attention [1,2]. In order to extend our work, we have synthesized several interesting new as well as previously reported perfluoroalkyl and perfluoroaryl silanes. These reactive materials can be used effectively to replace directly active fluorine atoms bound to carbon with a number of fluorinated moieties, e.g., polyfluorinated polynitrogen compounds containing perfluoroaryl groups are prepared simply by using these silyl reagents. This powerful technique provides a direct route to previously known compounds, thus making them readily available for further study, as well as to a variety of heretofore unknown compounds. The reaction chemistry of these silanes with carbon-fluorine bonds will be discussed, and characterization of selected products will be presented.
Comparison of the UV resonance Raman spectra of bacteria, bacterial cell walls, and ribosomes excited in the deep UV

Resonance Raman spectra have been obtained with 218-nm excitation for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Large intensity differences seen in the tryptophan-associated 1556-cm−1 peak appear to be strongly related to Gram type. Unlike E. coli, S. epidermidis possess a very intense peak at 1658 cm−1 which varies in intensity with cultural conditions. Spectra excited from E. coli and Enterobacter aerogenes with 200-nm light show peaks which strongly reflect nucleic acid composition, unlike spectra excited at 218 nm. Purified, separated ribosomes of E. coli produce spectra which are dominated by nucleic acid vibrations when excited at 242 nm, but have peaks belonging nearly exclusively to protein aromatic amino acids when excited at 222 nm. The relative weakness of bacterial RNA modes excited at 222 nm from whole cells and ribosomes is attributed to nucleic acid hypochromism.
Porcellanidae (Decapoda, Anomura) From the Seychelles, Western Indian Ocean

Dix-sept especes de crustaces de la famille des Porcellanidae sont signalees des iles Seychelles, aux littoral et a des profondeurs n'excedant pas 65 m. Huit de ces especes sont nouvelles pour les Seychelles, et deux especes sont signalees pour la premiere fois de l'Ocean Indien..
Achieving knowledge about self and others through physical object and social fantasy play

This article synthesizes the literature on social comparison activity and on the spontaneous, self-initiated play of young children. Specifically, a brief overview of the research on social comparison in young children is offered. Next, a depiction is provided of how young children exhibit social comparisons during two types of play activity-namely, physical object and social fantasy play. Finally, research and pedagogical implications emanating from the discussion are examined.
Dr. Weinstein replies

To the Editor: Dr. Andres and colleagues report an interesting case of clinically significant axial gout quickly responsive to prednisone therapy1. We previously described that … Address correspondence to Dr. A. Weinstein, Division of Rheumatology, Suite 2A-66, Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA. E-mail: arthur.weinstein{at}MedStar.net
Life satisfaction time components among the elderly. Toward understanding the contribution of predictor variables.

This research examines the relative contribution of health, life staging, activity level, and socioeconomic status in predicting life satisfaction of the elderly as measured by a self-anchoring scale technique (Cantril, 1965). With these measures of life satisfaction (present, past, future, and average) and three difference scores (present in relation to the other three), a series of regression equations were established using a 1982 survey sample (N = 231). Health, continuity in work, and activity level were critical to present life satisfaction. Employment continuity helped explain improvement from past and higher future level of life satisfaction. Age was significant in predicting the estimate for the average same age person's life satisfaction and anticipated change in the future (both inverse relationships). Socioeconomic status, although generally unimportant to self-anchored scale life satisfaction, was significant in predicting the self's relative position to the average and the anticipated change...
Effects of Drinking Hot Water, Cold Water, and Chicken Soup on Nasal Mucus Velocity and Nasal Airflow Resistance

Nasal mucus velocity and nasal airflow resistance were measured in 15 healthy subjects before and at 5 and 30 minutes after drinking hot water by sip or straw, hot chicken soup by sip or straw, and cold water by sip. A sham drinking procedure with straw was also employed. Hot water by sip increased nasal mucus velocity from 6.2 to 8.4 mm per min, hot chicken soup by sip from 6.9 to 9.2 mm per min, and chicken soup by straw from 6.4 to 7.8 mm per min five minutes after administration. These increases were statistically significant compared to cold water, hot water by straw and sham. All values returned to their baseline at 30 minutes except cold water which significantly decreased the nasal mucus velocity from 7.3 to 4.5 mm per min. There were no significant changes from baseline in nasal airflow resistance 5 and 30 minutes following the above treatments. We conclude that drinking hot fluids transiently increases nasal mucus velocity in part or totally through the nasal inhalation of water vapor. Hot chicken soup, either through the aroma sensed at the posterior nares or through a mechanism related to taste, appears to possess an additional substance for increasing nasal mucus velocity. Finally, hot liquid might be superior to cold liquids in the management of fluids in upper respiratory tract infections.
New exact solution to the Einstein-Dirac equations

A new exact solution to the Einstein-Dirac equations is presented. The solution represents neutrinos moving in a static plane-symmetric curved space-time which the neutrinos themselves generate.
How the Differential Treatment of Siblings Is Linked With Parent-Child Relationship Quality.

Little is currently known about the significance of parents' unequal treatment of siblings and their relationships with their children; for example, are high levels of differential treatment consistently indicative of poorer parent-child relationships? Associations among differential parenting practices, perceptions of the fairness of these practices, and parent-child relationship quality were assessed from the perspectives of adolescent siblings and their parents in 74 maritally intact families. Multilevel random coefficient modeling revealed that the magnitude of differential treatment was associated with more negative parent-child relationships only when adolescents perceived differential treatment to be unfair. Differential treatment judged to be fair is not linked with negative parent-child relationships. Results highlight the importance of examining all family members' viewpoints about the legitimacy of differential treatment and of encouraging family members to discuss their understanding of these events.
A model describing the effect of sex-reversed YY fish in an established wild population: The use of a Trojan Y chromosome to cause extinction of an introduced exotic species

A novel means of inducing extinction of an exotic fish population is proposed using a genetic approach to shift the ratio of male to females within a population. In the proposed strategy, sex-reversed fish containing two Y chromosomes are introduced into a normal fish population. These YY fish result in the production of a disproportionate number of male fish in subsequent generations. Mathematical modeling of the system following introduction of YY fish at a constant rate reveals that female fish decline in numbers over time, leading to eventual extinction of the population.
Managerial utility‐maximizing operating decisions under compound demand risk

This paper examines the demand and cost conditions under which utility maximizing pricing-risk and advertising-risk relationships are determinate. The structure of the firm's demand uncertainty captures both uncertain customer arrivals and uncertain individual customer demand. In addition to standard demand restrictions and constant marginal cost, determinate results depend upon the degree of managerial risk-aversion, the correlation between individual demand and customer arrival disturbances, the firm's cost fixity, and bounded product differentiation effects of advertising. The symmetry between price-cuts and advertising as demand-increasing costs is extensively examined; firm equilibrium requires that price-cuts not be an inferior input for increasing demand.
Dry Matter Partitioning in a True vs. Facultative Annual Forage Legume

Differential partitioning of photosynthate has been suggested as the reason for low early-season (8 to 12 wk post planting) dry matter (DM) yield of 'Savanna' stylo [Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw.], a facultative annual over much of its Florida range. In a 3-yr field study (1991-1993), the effect of planting date (April vs. June) on root-to-shoot ratio (g g -1 ), leaf-to-stem ratio (g g -1 ), and total plant weight (g) of Savanna stylo was compared with common alyceclover [Alysicalpas vaginalis (L.) DC.], a true annual, for 16 wk post planting. Only time post planting consistently affected root-to-shoot ratio, which declined as time post planting increased. Within years, leaf-to-stem ratio also declined with increasing time post planting, but, on average, Savanna stylo had a higher leaf-to-stem ratio than alyceclover. There was a planting date x legume x year x time post planting interaction for total plant weight. This was because total plant weights, although similar regardless of planting date or legume in 1991 and 1993, differed in 1992, when April-planted Savanna stylo plants had greater total plant DM than June-planted Savanna stylo or either planting date of alyceclover. Across the 16-wk post-planting period, there was a consistent legume x planting date interaction each year for total plant weight. This was because both April-planted legumes were vegetative for the full 16-wk post-planting period (April-August) and total plant weight remained similar, but only Savanna stylo remained vegetative for the full 16-wk post June-planting period (June-October). Total plant weight of June-planted alyceclover was lower due to flowering and leaf loss in the later part of the 16-wk post-planting period. These data indicate that the lower early-season DM yield of Savanna stylo compared with alyceclover is not due to physiological differences associated with perennial and annual growth habits.
Sprout inhibition of fall-grown potatoes by airplane applications of maleic hydrazide

In Tulare County, California, airplane application of maleic hydrazide as MH-30 on fall grown potatoes retarded sprouting in field storage and in subsequent common storage. Weight loss in common storage was significantly reduced. Total yield was not significantly affected. Three pounds of maleic hydrazide per acre were generally as effective as were 6 pounds. There was a wide range in the amount of maleic hydrazide residue found in the tubers at harvest. On the average, about twice as much maleic hydrazide was found in the tubers from plants treated with 6 pounds of maleic hydrazide per acre than was found in those from the 3-pound plots. Specific gravity of tubers harvested on February 26, 1959 and on March 23, 1960, was not affected by treatment. Preliminary results in 1957–58 showed that hand-sprayed maleic hydrazide prevented a reduction in specific gravity of soil-stored potatoes when harvest was delayed.
Analysis of continuous dosage isotope experiments

Abstract The continuous dosage type of kinetic isotope experiment has been partially analyzed mathematically to demonstrate the effects of various types of subdivisions and patterns of organization, as well as of variations of the turnover times of individual subdivisions on the specific radioactivity vs. time curves of complex organisms. Net and mean turnover times are defined and their graphic determinations from the specific radioactivity curves of the organism and the excrement are described.
Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia induces accelerated transplant vascular sclerosis in syngeneic and allogeneic rat cardiac transplants.

Chronic rejection (CR) and transplant vascular sclerosis (TVS) cause the majority of graft failures in cardiac transplantation. Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia [hH(e)] is associated with human TVS without a proven causal relationship. This study investigated the effect of hH(e) on graft survival and TVS in allogeneic and syngeneic rat cardiac transplants. Lewis recipients of heterotopic F344 heart allografts, received normal or hH(e)-inducing (folate, methionine) diets {controls: syngeneic transplanted [± hH(e), + CsA] and nontransplanted rats [± hH(e), ± CsA]}. Serial plasma homocyst(e)ine [H(e)] levels were measured. TVS was assessed in clinically rejected grafts and a subset of pre-rejection normal diet allografts (day 64) (neointimal index, NI). The hH(e) diet elevated plasma H(e) levels. When compared with normal diet controls (n = 9), hH(e) diet allografts (n = 9) had decreased time to onset of CR (40 ± 9 vs. 72 ± 10 d, p = 0.02), and graft failure (64 ± 10 vs. 107 ± 12 d, p = 0.009). hH(e) diet allografts at rejection (n = 9, 64 d) had more severe TVS (NI = 68 ± 2) than both time-matched normal diet allografts (NI = 49 ± 6, n = 8, 64 d, p < 0.001) and normal diet allografts at rejection (NI = 58 ± 5, n = 9, 107 d, p = 0.007). hH(e) induced TVS in syngeneic grafts (NI = 50 ± 3, n = 10 vs. NI = 5 ± 3, n = 10, 130 d, p < 0.001). hH(e) accelerated rejection and increased the severity of TVS in allogeneic cardiac transplants, and induced TVS in syngeneic cardiac transplants.
Hematopoietic growth factor mimetics.

: Hematopoietic growth factors are glycoproteins of 15–70 kDa. Although much clinical success has been obtained using recombinant proteins produced in mammalian cell lines and in microbial fermentation processes, the full-length polypeptides necessarily are expensive to produce, require parenteral administration, and in some cases have provoked detrimental immune responses. With the availability of high throughput biological function and receptor binding assays it has become possible to screen millions, if not billions, of randomly produced organic compounds and relatively short peptides to identify lead compounds for the development of small molecular mimetics of hematopoietic growth factors. Herein the strategies used to screen libraries of small molecules and peptides and the successes in finding mimetics and antagonists for/to erythropoietin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and thrombopoietin are reviewed. Finally, the structural study of mimetic-receptor complexes has provided us with many molecular details of growth factor-induced receptor activation and is likely to yield new insights into the molecular basis of hematopoietic signal transduction.
Pharmacokinetics of Anticancer Drugs in Children

Several comprehensive reviews of the disposition of anticancer drugs in children with cancer have been published (1–7). However, recent advances in cellular and molecular biology techniques have led to the design and analysis of clinical pharmacology studies, which have increased our understanding of the age-related changes that govern drug disposition: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. Moreover, recent studies have characterized the disposition of new anticancer drugs in children, as well as contributed new insights into the use of currently available anticancer drugs. Thus, an update on pediatric pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs in children is warranted.
Low-reflection-coefficient liquid interfaces for system characterization.

Abstract The use of liquid brominated hydrocarbons to form a planar reflecting interface with water is described. Gravity-based planar reflecting surfaces with known reflection coefficients can be used in system characterization for quantitative ultrasonics, and a set of surfaces with a range of reflection coefficients allows calibration of the output power and receiver gain of ultrasonic imaging systems. The substances reported here are immiscible in water and form interfaces with water, resulting in a broad range of acoustic reflection coefficients. Reflection coefficients were measured at temperatures from 18–24°C for “pure” substances and for mixtures of two brominated hydrocarbons. Results show that reflection coefficients are weakly dependent on temperature and that, at a specific temperature, a significant range of arbitrarily small reflection coefficients is available, in the case of the mixtures, by the appropriate choice of weight-percents of the two brominated hydrocarbons. (E-mail: thall@kumc.edu)
Coding of temporal-spatial patterns in short-term memory*

Short-term retention of temporal and spatial order information were compared using the distractor paradigm. Whereas subjects employed phonemic coding when they recalled the temporal order of letters, they coded information about temporal-spatial patterns for spatial order recall. When phonemic coding was eliminated by forcing the subjects to pronounce irrelevant items during the presentation of the letter string, subjects employed the pattern strategy even in temporal order recall. Distractor tasks involving digit shadowing were effective at disrupting temporal order recall, but caused little disruption of spatial order recall. However, distractor tasks involving the processing of spatial order information did interfere with spatial order recall.
MODIS-informed greenness responses to daytime land surface temperature fluctuations and wildfire disturbances in the Alaskan Yukon River Basin

Pronounced climate warming and increased wildfire disturbances are known to modify forest composition and control the evolution of the boreal ecosystem over the Yukon River Basin YRB in interior Alaska. In this study, we evaluate the post-fire green-up rate using the normalized difference vegetation index NDVI derived from 250 m 7 day eMODIS an alternative and application-ready type of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer MODIS data acquired between 2000 and 2009. Our analyses indicate measureable effects on NDVI values from vegetation type, burn severity, post-fire time, and climatic variables. The NDVI observations from both fire scars and unburned areas across the Alaskan YRB showed a tendency of an earlier start to the growing season GS; the annual variations in NDVI were significantly correlated to daytime land surface temperature LST fluctuations; and the rate of post-fire green-up depended mainly on burn severity and the time of post-fire succession. The higher average NDVI values for the study period in the fire scars than in the unburned areas between 1950 and 2000 suggest that wildfires enhance post-fire greenness due to an increase in post-fire evergreen and deciduous species components.
Simple ODE models of tumor growth and anti-angiogenic or radiation treatment

Models of tumor growth and treatment based on one or two ordinary differential equations are heavily used in practice because they are simple but can often still capture the essence of complicated interactions. Currently relevant examples of such models are given here: some classic growth equations, an ODE pair for the interplay between tumor and neovascularization during cancer growth or therapy, and an ODE pair for response to ionizing radiation. Mathematically more sophisticated generalizations of various kinds, usually more realistic but less practical, are mentioned very briefly.
Which principal components to utilize for principal component regression

Principal components (PCs) for principal component regression (PCR) have historically been selected from the top down for a reliable predictive model. That is, the PCs are arranged in a list starting with the most informative (PC associated with the largest singular value) and proceeding to the least informative (PC associated with the smallest singular value). PCs are then chosen starting at the top of this list. This paper discusses an alternative procedure of treating PC selection as an optimization problem. Specifically, without any regard to the ordering, the optimal subset of PCs for an acceptable predictive model is desired. Five data sets are analyzed using the conventional and alternative approaches. Two data sets are spectroscopic in nature, two data sets deal with quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) and one data set is concerned with modeling. All five data sets confirm that selection of a subset without consideration to order secures the best results with PCR. One data set is also compared using partial least squares 1.
Electroabsorption and Related Spectroscopic Studies of Bimetallic Tetraiminoethylenedimacrocyclic Complexes: Corroboration of Valence Electron Delocalization.

Electroabsorption studies of a diruthenium tetraiminoethylenedimacrocycle show that very little change in molecular dipole moment or polarizability accompanies excitation of the high-intensity band...
Aberrant carotid vessels as a cause of pseudotumour of the pharynx: CT, MRI and angiographic findings

Aberrant internal carotid arteries presenting as pharyngeal masses are described in the literature. Eight patients were evaluated by CT, angiography or MRI. Our studies indicated that the phyaryngeal pseudo masses were due to aberrant carotid vessels. Unlike the previous reports, in tour of our eight cases both common and internal carotid arteries were the cause of the suspected mass. Contrast-enhanced CT studies consistently demonstrated the abnormalities. MRI may be done if patients have a contraindication to intravenous iodinated contrast administration.