cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying Students' Conceptions of Basic Principles in Sequence Stratigraphy

Sequence stratigraphy is a major research subject in the geosciences academia and the oil industry. However, the geoscience education literature addressing students’ understanding of the basic concepts of sequence stratigraphy is relatively thin, and the topic has not been well explored. We conducted an assessment of 27 students’ conceptions of four central principles of sequence stratigraphy. Ten juniors, 15 seniors, and two graduate-level students were enrolled in undergraduate stratigraphy courses at three research-intensive universities in the midwestern United States. Fifty percent of students were majoring in geology and forty percent in environmental geosciences. Data collection methods included semistructured (videotaped) interviews, which were conducted after the sequence stratigraphy lectures. Using constant comparative analysis, we documented students’ conceptions about eustasy, relative sea level, base level, and accommodation. Results indicated that students poorly integrated temporal and spatial scales in their sequence stratigraphic models, and that some alternative conceptions are more deeply rooted than others, especially those related to eustasy and base level. Additionally, students frequently omitted subsidence as another controlling factor on accommodation. Other findings indicated a low level of familiarity with the classic marginal marine profile and associated sedimentary structures. This study documents the most critical concepts likely to be resistant to conceptual change through instruction in sequence stratigraphy. 2013 National Association of Geoscience Teachers. [DOI: 10.5408/12-290.1]
Leaf Chemical and Optical Properties of Metrosideros polymorpha Across Environmental Gradients in Hawaii

Leaf chemical, biophysical, and optical properties were measured in 13 populations of Metrosideros polymorpha across gradients of soil fertility and climate in Hawaii. Climate (predominantly temperature) caused large changes in specific leaf area (SLA) and SLA-linked traits, including nitrogen (N) and pigment contents, as did conditions of highest soil fertility on 20 ky old substrates. When averaged by site, chemical constituent ratios containing chlorophyll (Car/Chl, Chl/N) varied more across climate than substrate gradients, while the Chl a/b ratio was similarly influenced by climate and substrate. Variations in Chl a/b ratios and SLA were similar to those found previously in a common garden of M. polymorpha taken from our climate gradient, suggesting strong genetic control over these traits. Optical reflectance indices related to photosynthetic function were closely correlated to pigment changes, varying three times more in response to climate than across substrate ages. Combined, our results suggest that variation in leaf structure, composition, and function of M. polymorpha is a result of genetic and phenotypic adaptation to environmental differences, and that these variations are greater in response to climate (especially temperature) than to soil fertility.
The NK-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant as a broad spectrum antitumor drug.

Aprepitant is a selective high-affinity antagonist of human substance P (SP)/Neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptors. Until now this drug has been used as anxiolytic, antidepressant and antiemetic. It has been demonstrated that SP induces cell proliferation and NK-1 receptor antagonists different to aprepitant inhibit growth in several human cancer cell lines, where NK-1 receptors are overexpressed. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the antitumor action of aprepitant. We performed an in vitro study of the growth inhibition capacity of the NK-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant against glioma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma and pancreas, larynx, gastric and colon carcinomas cell lines. Coulter counter was used to determine viable cell numbers followed by application of the MTS colorimetric method. Furthermore, a DAPI method was applied to demonstrate apoptosis. We have demonstrated: aprepitant at (5–70 μM) concentration elicits growth cell inhibition in a concentration dependent manner in all tumor cell line studied. Maximum inhibition (100%) was observed when the aprepitant was administered at a concentration of ≥70 µM in all tumor cell lines studied. The specific antitumor action of aprepitant occurs through the NK-1 receptor and tumor cells death was by apoptosis pathway. These findings reported here for the first time indicate that aprepitant is a new and promising broad spectrum antitumor drug in the treatment of cancer.
Genetic effects on dietary response of Lp(a) concentrations in baboons

We subjected 263 baboons to different diets to determine the effects of diet on serum Lp(a) concentrations. Lp(a) levels increased when saturated fat and cholesterol were added to the diet. A subset of 139 baboons were fed a third diet containing saturated fat but no cholesterol, permitting the estimation of effects of fat alone and of cholesterol in the fat environment. Both components of the diet significantly increased Lp(a) concentrations. Sire group membership also affected the responses of Lp(a) concentrations to diet, indicating genetic control of diet response. In a different protocol, 124 baboons were fed a diet enriched with saturated fat and cholesterol for more than 18 months. As expected, Lp(a) increased after 8 weeks of feeding the atherogenic diet; there were no additional changes during long-term feeding of the diet. However, sire group affected the response to the long-term feeding. These results indicate that there are significant genetic effects on the response of Lp(a) serum levels to dietary lipid components and to time on diet.
Queueing analysis of manufacturing systems with set ups

A manufacturing system with one server (machine), two classes of jobs, finite buffer sizes, and non-negligible set-up times is analysed. A cycling service discipline with a ’wait and see‘ set-up policy is invoked by the server. The state of the machine, whether in set up or in processing, is explicitly considered in the model. Utilization, mean queue length, and cycle time are derived using markovian analysis, first under a fixed lot size environment and then with random lot sizes. With lot sizes fixed, increasing arrival rates, set-up times, and service times generally increase the utilization, cycle time, and queue lengths. When lot sizes are random, there are negligible variations in the cycle time result, with somewhat smaller queue lengths compared to the fixed lot size case. An approximate mean value analysis is also developed and results are compared to those of the markovian analysis. Numerical studies show the robustness of the mean value analysis for most of the system parameters tested.
Prostaglandins: A New Approach to Glaucoma Management with a New, Intriguing Side Effect

This introductory overview considers the advantages of a class of local hormones-the prostaglandins (PGs)-for the management of intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma, over agonists and antagonists of neurotransmitters that dominated this field in the 20th century. PGs and PG analogues, in particular esterified prodrug forms of PGF2 alpha, are effective ocular hypotensive agents, but cause some conjunctival hyperemia and corneal sensory irritation at higher concentrations. Based on structure-activity studies, a 17-phenyl PGF2 alpha prodrug, latanoprost (PhXA41), was found to have a greatly improved therapeutic index, without compromising the ocular hypotensive potency of PGF2 alpha prodrugs. The IOP lowering mechanism of such PGF2 alpha s, increased uveoscleral outflow, can be expected to have great physiologic advantages, especially with respect to normal tension glaucoma, over most currently used ocular hypotensive drugs. The introduction of this new approach has already led to a new insight into the control and clinical significance of this outflow route. Similarly, the newly discovered ocular side effect, PG-induced increase in iridial pigmentation, can be expected to provide insight into the oculo-protective role of iridial melanocytes and into the punative association between a decline in the ocular melanin system and the vulnerability of the eye to some age-related diseases.
Cascaded edge illuminated holograms in phenanthrenequinone-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) polymers for optical code division multiplexing applications

ABSTRACT Edge illuminated holographic Bragg filters formed in phenanthrenequinone (PQ) doped poly (methyl-methacrylate) (MMA) are evaluated for optical c ode division multiple access (OCDMA) coding and decoding applications. The polyme r characteristics are optimized usin g a factorial design technique. Experimental cascaded Bragg filters are formed to sel ect two different wavelengths with a fixed distance between the gratings and are directly coupled to a fiber measurement system. The configuration and tolerances of the cascaded gratings are shown to be practical for time/wavelength OCDMA applications. 1. INTRODUCTION Several multiplexing schemes have been suggested to increase the spectral efficiency of fiber communication systems. These include time-division multiplexing (TDM), wavelength division multiplying (WDM), and code division multiple acce ss (CDMA) techniques. Opti cal CDMA is attractive for a number of reasons [1, 2]. It provides asynchronous multiple access with 1:1 or 1:N access and routing operations without the need for optical switches. It can also accommodate different optical bandwidth assignment. A variety of coding methods for OCDMA have been proposed including the encoding and decoding of wavelength, time, or phase of the optical signal. Multidimensional codes increase the number users that can access a channel. Wavelength and time can be encoded in a straightforward manner by recording a series of reflective Brag g gratings that filter different wa velengths with different separation distances between the gratings. The separation between gratings introduces a time delay between wavelengths forming a distinct pattern for a O -t codeword. Encoders and decoders of this type have been implemented using fiber Bragg gratings [3]. The intent of this work is to determine if similar code-words can be implemented in low-cost polymer materials using holographic techniques.
Storage, Retrieval, and Editing of Information for a Dictionary

A computer system has been designed for storing, retrieving, and editing data for the Dictionary of American Regional English (D.A.R.E.). This dictionary, in contrast to most commercial dictionaries, will consist of words which have regional rather than national currency and will derive its entries from data collected by its own fieldworkers, readers, and researchers. Entries, consisting of a headword or phrase, plus descriptors for such items as the user, meaning, pronunciation, and collection technique for this word or phrase are stored in a central file. Interrogations on this file can be made on the value of any headword or description, or any logical combination of such values. Any portion of an entry which satisfies an interrogation may be designated for retrieval. An experimental editing system employing an on-line CRT terminal has been developed for the editing process, although a more flexible system will be needed for the actual editing which is scheduled to begin in approximately three years.
Possible tests for the presence of an isotensor current

The possibility that the electromagnetic current has an isotensor component has never been excluded. To be sure, if an I ~ 2 electromagnetic current existed, it would have rather peculiar properties provided one wants to maintain the usual structure ot the charge operator. (In particular, the elastic electric isotensor form factors must vanish at zero momentum transfer.) However unattract ive the existence of isotensor currents may be from the theoretical point of view, the question ultimatel~ has to be answered experimentally. In recent works, BLIN-STOYLE analysed possible isotensor electromagnetic effects in nuclear physics (1) with the conclusion that an isotensor admixture-i f present-is at most of the order of ~ 20~o; while SANDA and SHAW claim from their analysis of pion photoproduetion off nucleons (2) that there is a substantial isotensor admixture present (of the order of 20 ~o). While the results of ref. (1.2) are not inconsistent with each other, in our opinion, they are not quite conclusive. In nuclear physics on the one hand, various effects tend to suppress an isotensor contribution, mainly due to the fact that nucleons in a nucleus are almost on their mass shells. On the other hand, the quanti tat ive analysis of Sands and Shaw is based on some dynamical calculations which may not be entirely reliable. In view of the importance of the problem, in this note we want to suggest some further--essential ly quali tat ive--tests to decide whether the electromagnetic current has an isotensor component. Specifically, we propose that double pion photoproduction and electron-positron annihilation into 7:+re-T: ° can provide adequate tests. Assume that an isotensor current exists. Our tests depend crucially on its charge parity. If the isotensor current had C = ~1 (abnormal charge parity), its presence could be perhaps best tested in the processes ~o__> ~+7:-~0 or ~o~ r:+7:-y. Such tests have been performed by a number of groups and the (( Rosenfeld Tables ~> (3) give a small world average ((1--2)% with a large error) for the asymmetry parameter. (The a n a -
What is the Role of Language Planning in Post-Apartheid South Africa?

The applied branch of linguistics known as language planning (LP) is traditionally seen as a way to provide governments with policy-level guidance regarding the choice of official and national languages. This paper examines LP as a concern of both political and sociolinguists in the context of a post-apartheid South Africa. For this context, I suggest a politically minimal approach to language planning.
Photorefractive flip-flop.

We demonstrate an optical flip-flop that consists of two unidirectional ring resonators that are coupled competitively through two-beam interactions in a photorefractive BaTiO3 crystal. This crystal provides an active loss for each ring that depends on the oscillation intensity of the other. The coupled rings exhibit flip-flop bistability when the net gain, given by the product of the passive cavity losses and the gain, is greater than unity but is less than the small-signal active loss. The state of the system can be switched with an injected signal.
Teacher Educators as Students: A University Shares its Faculty ESOL Professional Development Model

: In 1990, the Florida Department of Education was sued by several minority organizations for neglecting the needs of students of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). Subsequently, legislation mandated that teachers of ESOL students must complete extensive training. Thus, beginning in 1991, school districts were required to provide staff development to most of their teachers. In 1996, this responsibility was transferred to Florida colleges of education. Unfortunately, most teacher educators lacked expertise in ESOL strategies. To address this issue, the colleges of education created various professional development models, one of which was implemented at a large, metropolitan university in Central Florida. The model, eclectic in nature, provided the flexibility in delivery that the faculty required and serves as a model for faculty professional development at all levels of instruction.
Community-Oriented Programming through Instant Messaging

Programming for end users is difficult due to lack of incentive and accessible low barrier tools. We propose to address both of these issues through a community-oriented approach to programming. With millions of users already using instant messaging, it is natural to build a programming environment that leverages the existing community amongst users. Thus we provide an automated agent that users can interact with to learn programming concepts. Through this approach a diverse population will have incentive and no extra required tools to experiment with programming concepts in a communal environment
Trends and subgroup differences in transportation-related injury risk and safety behaviors among US high school students, 1991-2007.

BACKGROUND: Seventy percent of unintentional injury-related fatalities--the leading cause of death among youth in the United States--are motor vehicle traffic related. Examining traffic-related safety, therefore, is crucial to public health. This study examines trends in traffic safety issues among US high school students: helmet use while riding a bicycle, seat belt use as a passenger, driving when drinking alcohol, and riding in a car with a driver who had been drinking alcohol. METHODS: Data from the 1991-2007 national Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS) were analyzed. The YRBS is a self-administered, anonymous survey that uses a national probability sample of US students in public and private schools in grades 9-12. Demographic subgroup differences were determined for 2007 data using t tests. Temporal changes were analyzed using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: From 1991 to 2007, the percentage of high school students who rarely or never wore bicycle helmets decreased from 96.2% to 85.1%; decreases were also seen in the percentage who never wore a seat belt (from 25.9% to 11.1%), rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol (39.9-29.1%), and who drove when drinking alcohol (16.7-10.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Although the trends are encouraging, many students still put themselves at risk. Policy approaches (eg, state or local laws or ordinances) complemented by community and school programs may be the best approach to reducing transportation-related injuries and fatalities. Language: en
Commentary: The Importance of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

known by most people on either side of the US-Canadian border, but it is important. The International Joint Commission (IJC), the USCanadian body that advises both governments on issues around the boundary waters is also an important organization, but not well known. The article by Gilbertson and Watterson raises questions about the politicalization of the IJC and the effect it has on the interpretation of the GLWQA. The debate currently ongoing within the IJC around the GLWQA deserves thoughtful attention on both sides of the border. Gilbertson and Watterson frame the central question around whether water quality is of primary importance, or alternatively whether the agreement should focus on "ecosystem integrity", defined as a much broader approach to Great Lakes issues. Of particular concern is the question of whether "ecosystem integrity" has become a buzzword for an approach that detracts from the focus on water quality, particularly the concern about the presence of persistent toxic substances in the waters of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River basin. The concern about persistent toxic substances is well founded. The Great Lakes remain highly contaminated (i). The fish are not safe to eat, and while levels of at least some contaminants have declined somewhat, even those appear to have plateaued at concentrations that are still dangerous. At the same, time other
Synthesis of two mirror image 4-helix junctions derived from glycerol nucleic acid.

Structural DNA nanotechnology relies on Watson−Crick base pairing rules to assemble DNA motifs into diverse arrangements of geometric shapes and patterns. While substantial effort has been devoted to expanding the programmability of natural DNA, considerably less attention has been given to the development of nucleic acid structures based on non-natural DNA polymers. Here we describe the use of glycerol nucleic acid (GNA), a simple polymer based on an acyclic repeating unit, as an alternative genetic material for assembling nucleic acid nanostructures independent of RNA or DNA recognition. We synthesized two 4-helix junctions based entirely on GNA self-pairing and showed that GNA provides easy access to highly stable nanostructures with left- and right-handed helical configurations.
Vortices near surfaces of Bose-Einstein condensates

The theory of vortex motion in a dilute superfluid of inhomogeneous density demands a boundary layer approach, in which different approximation schemes are employed close to and far from the vortex, and their results matched smoothly together. The most difficult part of this procedure is the hydrodynamic problem of the velocity field, many healing lengths away from the vortex core. This paper derives and exploits an exact solution of this problem in the two-dimensional case of a linear trapping potential, which is an idealization of the surface region of a large condensate. It thereby shows that vortices in inhomogeneous clouds are effectively ``dressed'' by a nontrivial distortion of their flow fields, that image vortices are not relevant to Thomas-Fermi surfaces, and that for condensates large compared to their surface depths, the energetic barrier to vortex penetration disappears at the Landau critical velocity for surface modes.
Reprint of “Multi-scale cohesive laws in hierarchical materials” [In. J. Solids Struct. 44 (2007) 8177–8193]☆

Abstract Motivated by the observations that natural materials such as bone, shell, tendon and the attachment system of gecko exhibit multi-scale hierarchical structures, this paper aims to develop a better understanding of the effects of structural hierarchy on flaw insensibility of materials from the viewpoint of multi-scale cohesive laws. We consider two idealized, self-similar models of hierarchical materials, one mimicking gecko’s attachment system and the other mimicking the mineral–protein composite structure of bone, to demonstrate that structural hierarchy leads to multi-scale cohesive laws which can be designed from bottom up to enable flaw tolerance from nanoscale to macroscopic length scales.
Electronic displays for information technology

The principal channel of interactive communication from a computer to a person is an electronic display. The amount of information shown and the way in which it can be exhibited depend on successfully matching the capabilities of the display to the human visual system. Making this channel as wide, as fast, and as effective as possible has been the goal of electronic display development for the last fifty years. The cathode ray tube (CRT), which has been the dominant display device used in offices and homes, is the display device on which the personal computer and the graphical user interface were developed. Today, the capabilities of information technology are brought to new environments by new display technologies. Active-matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs) have freed the personal computer from the desktop, projection displays bring the power of information technology into meetings, small liquid crystal displays have allowed the development of hand-held computers, and head-mounted displays are bringing wearable computer technology onto the factory and warehouse floor.
A qualitative study of the implementation of a bioinformatics tool in a biological research laboratory.

Abstract Objective To explore how the implementation of a comprehensive new bioinformatics analysis system would affect workflow, collaboration and information management in a small genetic research lab. Design This was a longitudinal qualitative study of seven individuals involved in genomic and proteomic research. The study data were gathered using the illuminative/responsive approach of immersion in the environment. Additional qualitative data were gathered using informal semi-structured interviews, participant observation in lab meetings, and direct observation of lab researchers engaged in specific tasks. Measurements Interview, observation and field note data were coded and analyzed based on three analysis perspectives. A subset of the data was independently evaluated by an external researcher to enhance the trustworthiness of results. Results Three reoccurring themes were observed in the study. (1) Satisfaction and acceptance of software tools tended to be role and goal specific. (2) The system was seen primarily as a measurement system rather than a “total laboratory analysis system”. (3) Lab meetings deemphasized the system, preferring more traditional data analysis techniques. These themes support the observations that the system was not used to its full potential in the lab. Conclusion Themes identified in this study suggest that sophisticated genetic researchers face similar problems of technology implementation as do professionals in other fields. We recommend that leadership support and on-going training and evolution of academic curricula can improve chances of bioinformatics analysis systems becoming used more effectively.
Variational Analysis on the Ground State of a Charged-Boson System

The ground state of a charged-boson system is studied throughout the entire density range in a variational formalism based on the correlated wave functions. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian operator $H$ is evaluated in the hypernetted-chain approximation using a simple trial radial distribution function which contains three variational parameters. The resulting ground-state energies are found to be higher than the exact values by 0.05 and 7.5% at high- and low-density limits, respectively. At the intermediate densities ($0.01{\ensuremath{\leqq}}_{\mathrm{rs}}\ensuremath{\leqq}100$), the ground-state energies computed numerically lie slightly below the known results. It is conjectured, but not proved, that the extremum values of $〈H〉$ obtained in the present analysis are upper bounds to the exact ground-state eigenvalues.
Big five personality and academic dishonesty: A meta-analytic review.

Abstract Academic dishonesty is widespread within secondary and higher education. It can include unethical academic behaviors such as cheating, plagiarism, or unauthorized help. Researchers have investigated a number of individual and contextual factors in an effort to understand the phenomenon. In the last decade, there has been increasing interest in the role personality plays in explaining unethical academic behaviors. We used meta-analysis to estimate the relationship between each of the Big Five personality factors and academic dishonesty. Previous reviews have highlighted the role of neuroticism and extraversion as potential predictors of cheating behavior. However, our results indicate that conscientiousness and agreeableness are the strongest Big Five predictors, with both factors negatively related to academic dishonesty. We discuss the implications of our findings for both research and practice.
Taking up binge drinking in college: the influences of person, social group, and environment

Abstract Purpose To identify person, social group, and environmental factors associated with uptake of binge drinking among a national sample of college students. Methods Using self-reported responses of students in the 1999 Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (CAS), we regressed conceptually important predictors of binge drinking onto a dichotomized variable describing uptake in the freshman year. This was a random sample of full-time undergraduates provided by the registrar at each participant school ( n = 119). For this study, we analyzed data describing a subset of the total sample comprising first year students aged ≤19 years, excluding transfers ( n = 1894). The student CAS is a 20-page voluntary, anonymous mailed questionnaire containing student reports about their alcohol and substance use, school activities, and background characteristics. Analyses included univariate and multivariate logistic regression adjusting for school response rate and using the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) in the Statistical Analysis Software package to handle the within-college clustering owing to the sampling scheme. Results College students who reported that they were exposed to "wet" environments were more likely to engage in binge drinking than were their peers without similar exposures. Wet environments included social, residential, and market surroundings in which drinking is prevalent and alcohol cheap and easily accessed. Findings held up in multivariate analyses that included variables describing person and social group characteristics. Students who picked up binge drinking in college also were more likely than their peers to report inflated definitions of binge drinking and more permissive attitudes about appropriate ages for legal consumption. Conclusions Binge drinking can either be acquired or avoided in college among students who report they did not binge drink in high school. Reducing college binge uptake may require efforts to limit access/availability, control cheap prices, and maximize substance free environments and associations.
Stereoselective Inhibition of Aromatase by Enantiomers of Aminoglutethimide

The dextrorotatory enantiomer of aminoglutethimide is 38 times more potent than the levoenantiomer in inhibiting aromatization of testosterone by human placental microsomes. The spectral affinity constant for microsomal cytochrome P-450 is 36 times greater for the d-enantiomer. Enzymatic inhibition and affinity are highly correlated for each of the isomers as well as for the racemic mixture. Spectral analysis of the interactions of the inhibitors with the substrate supports the evidence for participation of cytochrome P-450 in aromatization.
The Auditory Brain Stem Response in Five Vertebrate Classes

Auditory brain stem responses (ABRs) are short latency microvolt potentials evoked by acoustic stimuli and recordable by computer averaging with electrodes located centimeters from the active tissue. These responses were first recognized in cats by Jewett (1970) and soon reported from humans (Jewett et al. 1970). In the clinic ABRs have provided useful measures for hearing and for physiological evaluation of the brain stem’s integrity (Hecox and Galambos 1974; Starr and Achor 1975).
Role of older adult's illness schemata in coping with mild cognitive impairment.

Abstract Objective 1) To describe the illness representations of older persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); 2) to describe how older adults cope with MCI; 3) to examine the relationships between illness representations and coping. Methods Sixty-three older adults with MCI completed questionnaires on demographic and health information, beliefs about MCI (Illness Perception Questionnaire-MCI), and coping with MCI (brief COPE and Self-care Behaviors Checklist). Results Participants endorsed an average of 7 symptoms that they experienced and believed were related to MCI and an average of 7 potential causes of MCI. Participants tended to believe MCI was chronic, not cyclic, and controllable, but they differed in their beliefs about the consequences, understandability and emotional impact of MCI. Participants used many dementia prevention behaviors and memory aids, some problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies, and few dysfunctional coping strategies. Cluster analysis identified three clusters of beliefs about MCI: “few symptoms and positive beliefs,” “moderate symptoms and positive beliefs,” and “many symptoms and negative beliefs.” Those in the “many symptoms and negative beliefs” cluster had significantly more negative beliefs about the consequences, unpredictability (cyclic timeline), and emotional impact of MCI than those in the other clusters. Participants in the “few symptoms and positive beliefs” cluster used significantly fewer memory aids, problem-focused coping strategies, emotion-focused coping strategies, and dysfunctional coping than those in the other two clusters. Conclusion As suggested by the Common Sense Model, older adults with MCI have beliefs about their MCI and these beliefs are associated with how older adults cope with MCI.
Growth and elemental content of several sagebrush-steppe species in unburned and post-wildfire soil and plant effects on soil attributes

Fire is the principal means of stand renewal in big sagebrush-steppe communities of western North America. Plant growth following fire may be influenced by heat-induced changes in the nutrient status of the soil. Moreover, post-wildfire pioneer plant species may alter soil properties, and thereby, impact subsequent plant recruitment. Our study compared the growth and elemental content of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), and Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides), grown under greenhouse conditions in post-wildfire and similar unburned soil. We also examined soil attributes following plant growth. Cheatgrass and squirreltail, grown in post-wildfire soil, had significantly (p≤0.05) greater aboveground mass than plants grown in unburned soil. As compared with unburned soil, post-wildfire soil engendered the following significant (p≤0.05) differences in leaf elemental content: 1) big sagebrush had higher levels of P and lower levels of Mn; 2) squirreltail accumulated more P and N; and 3) all grass species had higher SiO2 content. Following harvest of plants, post-wildfire soil generally contained significantly (p≤0.05) more KCl-extractable ortho-P, NH inf4 + , and SO 4 − , than unburned soil. Plant growth in both burned and unburned soils fostered a significant (p≤0.05) increase in the bicarbonate-extractable pool of P as compared with unplanted controls. Soil Kjeldahl-N was significantly (p≤0.05) greater after plant growth in burned treatments as compared with the control. This study demonstrates that post-wildfire soil can have a stimulatory effect on plant growth for some species. Squirreltail deserves consideration as a post-wildfire revegetation species. Furthermore, pioneer plant growth following wildfires can attenuate soil properties and therefore influence plant succession.
The structural alignment between two proteins: Is there a unique answer?

Structurally similar but sequentially unrelated proteins have been discovered and rediscovered by many researchers, using a variety of structure comparison tools. For several pairs of such proteins, existing structural alignments obtained from the literature, as well as alignments prepared using several different similarity criteria, are compared with each other. It is shown that, in general, they differ from each other, with differences increasing with diminishing sequence similarity. Differences are particularly strong between alignments optimizing global similarity measures, such as RMS deviation between C alpha atoms, and alignments focusing on more local features, such as packing or interaction pattern similarity. Simply speaking, by putting emphasis on different aspects of structure, different structural alignments show the unquestionable similarity in a different way. With differences between various alignments extending to a point where they can differ at all positions, analysis of structural similarities leads to contradictory results reported by groups using different alignment techniques. The problem of uniqueness and stability of structural alignments is further studied with the help of visualization of the suboptimal alignments. It is shown that alignments are often degenerate and whole families of alignments can be generated with almost the same score as the "optimal alignment." However, for some similarity criteria, specially those based on side-chain positions, rather than C alpha positions, alignments in some areas of the protein are unique. This opens the question of how and if the structural alignments can be used as "standards of truth" for protein comparison.
Comparison of different techniques for processing evoked potentials.

A comaprison is made of three techniques for processing evoked potentials. These techniques are conventional signal averaging, crosscorrelation averaging and latency corrected averaging. Results obtained for 20 subjects are shown in the Appendix and the results for two of the subjects are analysed in detail.
Nonmucosal predominantly serosal eosinophilic enteritis A case report

A unique case of eosinophilic enteritis with predominant serosal involvement and mucosal sparing, ascites and abdominal adenopathy is reported with computed tomography (CT) and barium study correlation. The clinical presentation may mimic lymphoma or granulomatous disease, (e.g. tuberculosis) but peripheral eosinophilia is a strong differentiating point.
Initial Characterization of the Dosimetry and Radiobiology of a Device for Administering Interstitial Stereotactic Radiosurgery

OBJECTIVE We report the design and initial characterization of the dosimetry and radiobiology of a novel device for interstitial stereotactic radiosurgery. INSTRUMENTATION The device is lightweight, handheld, and battery-powered, and it emits x-ray radiation from the tip of a probe 3 mm in diameter by 10 cm in length. METHODS The dosimetry was characterized by two independent methods: thermoluminescent dosimeters and radiochromic film. The radiobiology was characterized by in vivo irradiation of rat liver, dog liver, and dog brain. The animals were killed at varying intervals of time, and histological examinations were performed. Heat transfer from the probe to dog brain was studied in vivo by placing thermocouple sensors around the probe tip before irradiating. RESULTS Both dosimetric methods showed a steep dose-distance fall-off relationship (proportional to the reciprocal of the cube of the distance from the probe tip). Rats and dogs that were killed weeks to months after liver irradiation tended to have sharply demarcated lesions. Liver enzyme levels, measured serially in the dogs, did not give evidence of chronic inflammation. Histological examination of the brains of dogs that were killed acutely after irradiation did not show evidence of inflammation, edema, or hemorrhage. The tissue temperature elevation 1 cm from the tip never exceeded 0.5 degree C, thereby excluding hyperthermia as a significant contributor to the formation of lesions. CONCLUSIONS Because this device requires relatively few supporting resources, has sharp dosimetric properties, and seems to be safe, it may be useful as a clinical tool for interstitial stereotactic radiosurgery.
Trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations in deep Gulf of Mexico sediments

Abstract The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace elements were determined for surface (top 2 cm) sediment samples collected during the deep Gulf of Mexico benthos (DGoMB) study .These elements and compounds are known to be toxic to organisms at high concentrations and may affect biological communities. There is no indication of major anthropogenic input of the elements Be, Co, Cr, Fe, Si, Tl, V, K, Mg, Ca, Sr and Zn, based on normalization to Al. The concentrations of these metals in the sediment are a function of the relative amounts of trace-metal-rich Mississippi River-derived silicate material and trace-metal-poor plankton-derived carbonate. This is not true for the elements Ba, Ni, Pb, Cd, As, Cu and Mn, whose concentrations show considerable scatter when normalized to Al and a general enrichment. On a normalized basis, Mn is enriched 5–10 fold, Cu and Ni 2–3 fold and Pb 2 fold over Mississippi River-derived material. These enrichments are likely the result of remobilization of metals from depths in the sediment column where reducing conditions exist. The Ba concentrations at selected sites are higher than those of average clay-rich sediments, but are typical of sediments from near oil well platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In the case of Ba, it seems likely that the enrichments, as high as a factor of 10, are due to disposal of oil well drilling mud. The Ba-enriched samples are from the three shallowest water sites in the Mississippi Trough (sites MT1, 2 and 3) and from site C1 and WC5. All are in an area of intense petroleum exploration and development. PAH concentrations are also elevated at MT1, MT3 and C1. The total PAH concentration ranged from not detected (ND) to 1033 ng/g with a mean of 140 ng/g. Even at the sites most enriched in PAHs and trace elements, the concentrations are not at the levels expected to adversely affect the biota. However, these predicted non-effects are based on research using mostly near-shore estuarine species, not on the indigenous species at the sampling sites.
SHAPE UP—a management program for chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a disease of epidemic proportions, affecting 11% of the population and having far-reaching consequences in quality of life, mortality, and overall cost of health. So far, CKD care has been suboptimal. Evidence-based guidelines for management of patients with CKD have been established by the National Kidney Foundation. Early recognition of CKD and its associated complications and timely referral to a nephrologist are the key components of management. Coordinated care and effective communication between the primary care physician, the nephrologist, and other providers are critical to improve the outcome. Using a simple mnemonic, SHAPE UP, we outline a program for comprehensive care of patients with CKD. We believe that implementing this program in medical and renal clinics will enhance the care of CKD patients.
Chemical and morphological studies on garfish peripheral nerves.

Gangliosides were extracted, separated by thin layer chromatography, and quantitated in three cranial nerves of the garfish (Lepisosteus osseus): the completely unmyelinated olfactory nerve (OLF), and two nerves composed of both myelinated and unmyelinated fibers, viz., the main trunk of the maxillary nerve (MAX) and a branch of the maxillary nerve (BR-MAX). Morphological studies on each of these nerves were done to verify that the OLF had been excised free of any contamination from the accompanying myelinated BR-MAX, to aid in the interpretation of the biochemical findings, and to clarify the nature of the OLF supporting cell. The chief chemical findings were (1) documentation of the presence of gangliosides in nerves previously thought not to contain them, (2) demonstration that gangliosides can be associated with unmyelinated nerves, (3) demonstration of a greater proportion of one simple ganglioside (G-6) in the OLF but greater proportions of two complex gangliosides (G-2 and G-O) in the MAX and BR-MAX, and (4) that either GM4 or a variant of the GM3 is present in OLF. The morphological findings with respect to the difficulty of ascribing only peripheral nervous system characteristics to the OLF supporting cell are discussed in relation to the ganglioside band chromatographing slightly ahead of GM4 in the OLF.
Effect of human hydrosalpinx fluid on the development of mouse embryos and role of the concentration of growth factors in culture medium with and without hydrosalpinx fluid

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of human hydrosalpinx fluid (HF) on the development and blastulation of mouse embryos and the role of the concentration of growth factors in culture medium with and without HF. In total, 2100 mouse embryos were cultured. Female mice were induced to superovulate and then mated with males. Two-cell-stage embryos were recovered from the oviduct and cultured in Ham's F-10 medium with bovine serum albumin and HF. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were analyzed by quantitative enzyme immunoassay. Mean blastulation index of 1.11, 0.97 and 0.98 was found at HF concentration of 5%, 20% and 30%, respectively (p = 0.8). The mean value of EGF in the control culture medium without HF was 11.2 pg/ml, which was statistically significantly different from that in culture medium containing HF (p < 0.001). The mean value of IGF-I in the control group without HF was 1.30 pg/ml and was not statistically significantly different from that in culture medium containing HF. Development of the two-cell-stage embryos was not affected at low (< 30%) HF concentrations. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that even apparently normal blastulation is affected by any concentration of HF because of low embryonic EGF.
Placebo expectations and the detection of somatic information

In a laboratory study we examined the hypothesis that placebo expectations enhance the initial identification of placebo-relevant sensations over placebo-irrelevant sensations. Participants (N = 102) were randomly assigned to one of three expectation groups. In the first group, participants ingested a placebo capsule and were told it was caffeine (deceptive expectation). In a second group, participants ingested a placebo capsule and were told it may be caffeine or it may be a placebo (double-blind expectation). Participants in the third group were given no expectation. All participants then tallied the placebo-relevant and placebo-irrelevant sensations they experienced during a 7-min period. Participants in the deceptive expectation group identified more placebo-relevant sensations than placebo-irrelevant sensations. No-expectation participants identified more placebo-irrelevant sensations than placebo-relevant sensations. Participants given the double-blind expectation identified an equal amount of placebo-relevant and irrelevant sensations. The amount of both placebo-relevant and placebo-irrelevant sensations detected mediated the relationship between the expectation manipulation and subsequent symptom reports. These data support the position that expectations cause placebo responding, in part, by altering how one identifies bodily sensations.
Technique of exploratory laparotomy and staging in Hodgkin's disease.

Exploratory laparotomy, splenectomy, liver biopsy, multiple lymph node biopsy, and bone biopsy have been successfully carried out in 76 patients with Hodgkin's disease. The superiority of these procedures for accurate determination of extent of abdominal disease is clear. A surgical technique of staging is described that has, to date, no mortality and insignificant morbidity.
Carbohydrate transport in Trypanosoma gambiense.

SYNOPSIS. The uptake of 14C-labeled carbohydrates by Trypanosoma gambiense was studied. Glucose, mannose, glycerol, 2-deoxyglucose and fructose were rapidly absorbed by the parasite, and all had saturation kinetics. The glucose analog 3-O-methylglucose was not taken up by T. gambiense. Competitive inhibition experiments indicate that there are 2 transport loci for the tested substrates. It is suggested that there is a “glucose site” thru which glucose, mannose and glycerol, but not fructose, are transported and a “fructose site” thru which only fructose is transported. The specificity of the glucose-transporting mechanism appears to differ from those of other animals.
REVIEW SYMPOSIUM: INTRODUCTION: Profit Cycles, Oligopoly, and Regional Development, Ann R. Markusen. The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA 1985. xx + 357 pp., figures, tables, maps, notes, bibliography, index, $25.00

(1987). REVIEW SYMPOSIUM: INTRODUCTION: Profit Cycles, Oligopoly, and Regional Development, Ann R. Markusen. The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA 1985. xx + 357 pp., figures, tables, maps, notes, bibliography, index, $25.00. Urban Geography: Vol. 8, Review Symposium on Ann R. Markusen's Profit Cycles, Oligopoly, and Regional Development, pp. 161-163.
Subjective Image Quality Tradeoffs Between Spatial Resolution and Quantization Noise

The importance of tradeoffs between spatial resolution and quantization noise has been examined in our previous work. Subjective experiments indicate that as the bitrate decreases, human observers generally prefer to reduce image resolution in order to maintain image quality, but the amount of distortion they are willing to accept increases with decreasing resolution. In this paper, we conducted further experiments with several images, different encoders, and a finer set of bitrates to determine the preferred resolution at each bit rate, and also the resolution at which there are no visible coding artifacts. Analysis of the subjective results using a wavelet-based perceptual quality metric verifies our earlier conclusion that human observers tend to reduce resolution in order to maintain image quality, but are willing to accept more artifacts as image size decreases.