cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bone marrow transplantation beyond treatment of aplasia and neoplasia.

Abstract Marrow transplantation has proved to be an important modality in the treatment of aplastic anemia, acute leukemia, and some other malignant diseases of hemopoietic cells. Much less attention has been paid to the role of marrow transplantation in the treatment of stem cell disorders such as sickle cell disease, chronic granulomatous disease, or Gaucher's disease. Allogeneic transplantation is successful in these disorders, but carries a considerable risk to the recipient. Autologous transplantation becomes a reality when efficient gene transfer with sustained expression is developed. As methods are developed to harvest hemopoietic stem cells from the peripheral blood and to amplify these cells without causing them to differentiate, transplantation will become increasingly valuable in the treatment of stem cell disorders.
Searches for the Supersymmetric Partner of the Bottom Quark

We have performed a search for the scalar bottom quark from gluino decays in an R-parity conserving SUSY scenario with m(gluino) > m(sbottom), by investigating a final state of large missing transverse energy, with three or more jets, and some of them from the hadronization of b-quarks. A data sample of 156pb-1 collected by the Collider Detector at Fermilab at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96TeV was used. For the final selection, jets containing secondary displaced vertices were required. This analysis has been performed 'blind', in that the inspection of the signal region was only made after the standard model prediction was fina lized. Comparing data with SUSY predictions, we can exclude masses of the gluino and sbottom of up to 280 and 240GeV/c^2 respectively.
The Water Use of Sweet Sorghum and Development of Crop Coefficients

Reliable estimates of crop water use are essential to economic production of sweet sorghum under irrigated conditions. In Tucson, Arizona, USA, two planting dates, May 5th and June 15th, and four sweet sorghum varieties (M81E, ST, SM and A4) were evaluated to estimate crop coefficients (kc) based on the heat unit accumulation concept (GDD). One irrigation level at 50% depletion of available water capacity prior to irrigation and its effect on juice, biomass and ethanol yields was evaluated. Results show that it was possible to develop heat unit based kc´s for two day-neutral varieties (ST and SM) and that they required 25% less water than the photo-sensitive varieties. Peak crop coefficients were determined as 1.13, 1.05, 1.16 and 1.22 for M81E, ST, SM and A4. Results also showed that growing degree days accumulated to flowering were 2226 and 1759 GDD for ST and SM respectively. At a P-value of 5% there were differences in crop water use, juice yields and bagasse production among treatments. For the May planting there was a slight effect on ethanol yields but no effect for the June planting, showing that regardless of the planting date and variety they are more likely to be similar. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lesão de nervo cutâneo antebraquial lateral relacionada à venipuntura: o que saber?

Justificativa e objetivos: a venipuntura e um dos procedimentos mais comuns na pratica anestesica cotidiana. Embora geralmente inocuas, lesoes de nervos perifericos com sequelas graves foram descritas apos venipuntura. Apresentamos um caso de lesao de nervo cutâneo antebraquial lateral relacionada a venipuntura, juntamente com as informacoes de diagnostico e prognostico essenciais para a pratica cotidiana. Relato de caso: paciente do sexo masculino, 27 anos, submetido a venipuntura de fossa antecubital direita, com uma agulha de calibre 20, para avaliacao metabolica de rotina. O paciente sofreu uma dor aguda, tipo choque eletrico, que percorreu a face lateral do antebraco desde a fossa antecubital proximal ate o pulso lateral direito e a base do polegar direito. Apos 24 horas, o paciente ainda sentia a dor semelhante a choque eletrico que foi classificada como 8/10 no braco distal lateral direito, no pulso lateral direito e na base do polegar, acompanhada de parestesia. Fizemos uma revisao da literatura e o paciente recebeu orientacao sobre os resultados publicados a respeito desse tipo de lesao. Durante o acompanhamento, o paciente relatou que a disestesia diminuiu cerca de 3-4 semanas apos a lesao inicial e que nao restou deficit neurologico. Conclusoes: lesoes de nervos perifericos foram descritas pos-venipuntura, mas a literatura e limitada. Os nervos da fossa antecubital estao classicamente localizados em um plano logo abaixo - e muito proximos - das veias, o que os torna susceptiveis a lesoes durante a flebotomia; alem disso, sabe-se que existe uma extensa variacao anatomica, o que sugere que mesmo uma venipuntura satisfatoria nao traumatica pode danificar diretamente esses nervos. O anestesiologista deve estar ciente dessa possivel complicacao e tambem do diagnostico e prognostico para orientar os pacientes de forma adequada, caso essa complicacao ocorra.
Stabilization of Zirconia with Calcia and Magnesia

The minimum amount of calcia or magnesia required to stabilize zirconia into the cubic form is about 16 mole %. X-ray diffraction studies show that both calcia and magnesia are in solid solution in cubic zirconia. This solid-solution phase extends from 16 to 30 mole % in the case of calcia and from 16 to 25 mole % in the case of magnesia. These results are for specimens cooled from 2000°C. After heating at various temperatures between 815° and 1375°C., the calcia-stabilized zirconia remains cubic, whereas the magnesia-stabilized zirconia reverts to the monoclinic form. On the basis of the results obtained from X-ray diffraction and dilatometric measurements, information was obtained on the phase relationships in the systems zirconia-calcia and zirconia-magnesia, and some modifications to the previously published phase diagrams of these systems are proposed.
Glass Houses? Market Reactions to Firms Joining the UN Global Compact

We examine market reactions to publicly held multinational firms announcing their affiliation with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). The UNGC is a voluntary initiative to support four areas of United Nations viz. Human Rights, Labor, Environmental, and Anti-Corruption. Because firms must file annual Communication on Progress (COP) reports toward these initiatives, we argue this creates a differentiating transparency of interest to stakeholders. Using a sample of 175 global firms, we find support to the theory for joining the UNGC. Returns differ markedly, however, between multinational firms headquartered in the United States (negative) and Europe (positive). We also find that failing to complete the annual COP generates a negative market reaction.
Response of nuclear emulsion to electron beams

Abstract A recent theory of particle tracks assumes that the probability P for grain development in nuclear emulsion depends on the local dose E of ionization energy deposited by secondary electrons (delta rays) in the neighborhood of the particle track. The response is assumed to be one of exponential survival; that is, if E 0 is the dose for 37% survival, then P =1−exp(− E / E 0 ). By calculation of the dose E ( t ) deposited at depth t in the emulsion by normally incident, monoenergetic electron beams, and applying the assumed dose-effect relationship, response curves giving blackness versus electron fluence are obtained, in terms of E 0 and a second parameter combining the effects of the density of undeveloped grains, the developed grain size, densitometer optics, and light scattering. Calculated and measured curves are compared.
Signal-To-Noise Enhancement Of Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTS) By Electrical Filter Compensation Of Slide Velocity Errors

The S/N capability of an Idealab Fourier Transform Spectrometer using a HgCdTe detector was improved by a factor of 30 to a level where system performance with a Nernst glower source was limited only by the extrinsic detector noise. The results reported here constitute a hardware demonstration of an analysis recently performed by Zachor and Aaronson. Our analysis and hardware demonstration are in substantial agreement with the work of Zachor and Aaronson which was carried out independently. Diagnostic data will be presented which illustrate the distortion to the spectrum caused by errors in sampling. The characteristics/specifications for signal and sampling control electronics which provide dynamic compensation for sampling errors will be discussed, and test data showing the 30 fold improvement in S/N will be presented.
I think therefore I feel: Possible neural mechanisms for knowledge-based pleasure

How do we feel pleasure from acquiring new information? How is that pleasure related to our curiosity about that information? We outline a neural theory of how information-based pleasure arises from a network involving association cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, striatum, opioids, and dopamine.
Successful treatment of severe spontaneous periampullary bleeding with argon plasma coagulation.

Periampullary bleeding is an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage, which is typically iatrogenic in origin occurring as the result of endoscopic intervention of the papilla. Spontaneous, non-iatrogenic periampullary bleeding is extraordinarily rare with only a few cases reported in the literature to date. Vascular malformations, including angiodysplasia and Dieulafoy’s lesions, have been implicated in several reports as the etiology but endoscopic intervention is often unsuccessful in achieving durable hemostasis with surgery being required for definitive management in many cases. Herein is reported the case of a 67-year-old male on anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation who presented with severe upper GI bleeding determined to be arising from underneath the hood of the major papilla. No distinct lesion was seen endoscopically but the presumed etiology was an unidentified vascular malformation. Successful treatment was achieved with argon plasma coagulation (APC) applied circumferentially around the papilla. No subsequent endoscopic or surgical intervention was required for durable hemostasis and the patient was able to resume anticoagulation shortly after the procedure. This is the first reported case of spontaneous periampullary bleeding successfully treated with APC.
Developmental requirements of the univoltine species Chrysopa downesi: Photoperiodic stimuli and sensitive stages

Abstract Chrysopa downesi reproduces only in the spring and the resulting adults enter an aestival-autumnal-hibernal diapause which is primarily controlled by photoperiod. In the laboratory, constant photoperiods result in diapause induction and maintenance, whereas a series of short days followed by long days prevents or terminates diapause and promotes reproduction. The stages most sensitive to the diapause-averting stimulus are the free-living third instar, the third instar within the cocoon, and the pupa. C. downesi responds in different ways to three aspects of photoperiod: (a) an all-or-none response (diapause prevention or induction) to a sequence of two critical photoperiods, (b) an all-or-none response (diapause prevention or induction) to the difference between the long and short daylengths (a 4 hr difference is sufficient to avert diapause but a 2 hr difference is not), and (c) a quantitative response to the absolute duration of day (or night) length (after the short day requirement is fulfilled the rate of diapause termination is related to daylength). Differences and similarities in phenological adaptations and in photoperiodic responses of C. downesi, C. carnea , and C. harrisii reflect the degree of phylogenetic relationship between these closely related species.
Stress analysis of Tellus Regio, Venus, based on gravity and topography: Comparison with Venera 15/16 radar images

The tectonics of the Tellus Region highland on Venus is examined using the altimetry and gravity data collected by Pioneer Venus, which were incorporated into a thin elastic shell model to calculate both the global (long-wavelength) and the regional (short-wavelength) stresses for various assumed values of crust, lithosphere, and mantle thickness and modes of compensation. The resultant stress fields were compared to the surface morphology observed in the Venera 15/16 radar images and interpreted in terms of stress history of Tellus Regio. The best fitting parameters were found to be consistent with minor amounts of lithospheric flexure being necessary to produce the observed surface features of this region.
Protease inhibitors and penetration enhancers as approaches to modify peptide absorption

Abstract The proteolytic and penetration barriers are formidable barriers that must be overcome in considering any non-parenteral route of peptide and protein drug delivery. While chemical modification of the primary structure has been successful in protecting peptides from proteolysis, this is not so in the case of proteins because of their structural complexity. Consequently, the use of protease inhibitors must be considered. The selection of protease inhibitors depends on the principal proteases mediating the degradation of a given peptide or protein, their subcellular compartmentalization, their ability to reach the target and the mechanisms by which the peptide or protein crosses the mucosal epithelial layer. In addition to protease inhibitors, penetration enhancers are also required. Penetration enhancers act by diverse mechanisms, including fluidization of the plasma membrane, loosening of the tight junctions between cells, inhibition of proteases and increasing the thermodynamic activity of proteins prone to self-association. Before protease inhibitors and penetration enhancers can be used on a routine basis, however, their short- and long-term effects on the well-being of the mucosal cells and the rest of the body must be ascertained. This paper will review the experience with protease inhibitors and penetration enhancers to date, address the concerns with their routine use and examine some alternative approaches to promote mucosal peptide and protein absorption.
Cocaine-induced behavior in the developing rat

In this study, the ontogenetic pattern of psychopharmacological responsiveness to the indirect noradrenergic agonist cocaine was compared with that of the α-adrenergic agonist clonidine. Male and female Sprague—Dawley albino rats were given saline or 5, 10, or 25 mg/kg cocaine hydrochloride and were tested using a behavioral time-sampling procedure on Postnatal Days 7, 14, 21, 28, or 35. For comparison, other animals were given 0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg clonidine and tested using the same procedures on Postnatal Days 7, 14, and 21. During the first 2 weeks of life, administration of either noradrenergic agonist resulted in an increase in locomotor movements and matrix crossings. However, during this time interval, clonidine induced marked wall climbing behavior which was not seen after cocaine administration at any age. Moreover, although the amounts of locomotor movement induced by the two drugs at these ages were of the same magnitude, cocaine administration induced much more of an increase in matrix crossings on Postnatal Day 14 than did clonidine. On Postnatal Day 21, cocaine administration continued to produce an increase in locomotor movements and matrix crossings while clonidine induced cataleptic behavior. Cataleptic behavior was not seen after cocaine administration at any age. The two noradrenergic agonists also had opposite effects on grooming behavior at certain postnatal ages. These results suggest that the ontogenetic patterns of behavior response to these two noradrenergic agonists show not only some similarities but also some notable differences. Possible explanations of these results are discussed. Caution must be exerted in generalizing from the ontogenetic responses to one drug acting upon a neurotransmitter system to the ontogeny of that system in general.
Trade, tribute, and neutron activation: The colonial political economy of Xaltocan, Mexico

Abstract In Trade, Tribute, and Transportation , Ross Hassig argues that indigenous towns in the northern Basin of Mexico during the colonial period were largely self-sufficient. They traded with Mexico City mostly in elite goods, but for the most part they produced for their own subsistence or traded with nearby towns. Chemical characterization by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) of ceramics and obsidian from post-conquest contexts in Xaltocan, a site in the northern Basin of Mexico, reveals that Hassig’s model is partly correct for describing Xaltocan. The town focused on trade with nearby towns and it produced some ceramics for local consumption. However, Xaltocan was hardly isolated and self-sufficient in the post-conquest period. Instead, the data suggest that the people of Xaltocan also obtained ceramics and obsidian from a greater variety of sources than under Aztec domination. Rather than being an isolated rural site, Xaltocan either increased its external connections and number of trading partners after the Spanish conquest, or it managed to obtain a greater variety of products than before through a bustling market system.
Soft-Decision Feedback Turbo Equalization for LDPC-Coded MIMO Underwater Acoustic Communications

In this paper, a low-complexity turbo-detection scheme is proposed for single-carrier multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) underwater acoustic (UWA) communication systems that employ low-density parity-check (LDPC) channel coding. The proposed iterative soft-decision feedback equalization (SDFE) algorithm offers a novel approach to combat error propagation by utilizing the past soft decisions to mitigate intersymbol interference. In addition, we utilize an iterative data detection and channel estimation scheme to reduce the pilot overhead used in the data communication system. Performance of the proposed detection scheme is demonstrated through extensive communication data from two undersea experiments. The results show that the proposed SDFE algorithm provides robust detection for MIMO UWA communications with different modulations and different symbol rates, at different transmission ranges.
Mechanism of formation of (η5-C5H5)2NbH3 from the reaction of (η5-C5H5)2NbCl2 with hydridoaluminate reducing agents

The mechanism of the transformation of (η5-C5H5)2NbCl2 to (η5-C5H5)2NbH3 by hydridoaluminate reducing agents has been investigated. Results suggest disproportionation of a niobium(IV) hydrite, leading to the trihydride product and a niobium(III) hydridoaluminate, (η5-C5H5)2NbH2AlR2, which in turn is converted to the trihydride on hydrolysis. (η5-C5H5)2NbH2AlH2 has been isolated; deuterium labelling shows that hydrogens exchange between ring and metal-bridging positions in this molecule.
Novel mechanism of surface catalysis of protein adduct formation. NMR studies of the acetylation of ubiquitin.

Abstract Reactivity of surface lysyl residues of proteins with a broad range of chemical agents has been proposed to be dependent on the catalytic microenvironment of the residue. We have investigated the acetylation of wild type ubiquitin and of the UbH68N mutant to evaluate the potential contribution of His-68 to the reactivity of Lys-6, which is about 4 A distant. These studies were performed using [1-13C]acetyl salicylate or [1,1′-13C2]acetic anhydride, and the acetylated products were detected by two-dimensional heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that His-68 makes a positive contribution to the rate of acetylation of Lys-6 by labeled aspirin. Additionally, a pair of transient resonances is observed after treatment of wild type ubiquitin with the labeled acetic anhydride but not upon treatment of the H68N mutant. These resonances are assigned to the acetylated His-68 residue. The loss of intensity of the acetylhistidine resonances is accompanied by an increase in intensity of the acetyl-Lys-6 peak, supporting the existence of a transacetylation process between the acetylhistidine 68 and lysine 6 residues located on the protein surface. Hence, this may be the first direct demonstration of a catalytic intermediate forming on the protein surface.
Circulating plasma testosterone in the XYY male.

Abstract A population of 6 XYY and 6 XY individuals participated in a study to compare the levels of free circulating testosterone. No significant differences were found in the amounts of free circulating testosterone or total plasma testosterone. The plasma testosterone levels of the twelve subjects were within the normal range of values (596ng/dl ± 232ng/dl) obtained in our laboratory. Estrogen levels were assayed to determine estrogen influence on testosterone levels. Estrogens were not significantly different in the two groups. Plasma estrogens were within the limits of a random normal population (15–55pg/nl).
A variational principle for non-linear elastodynamics and its application to the hybrid stress model

Abstract A variational principle is derived for the mixed initial-boundary value problem of non-linear elastodynamics. This principle involves stress quantities only. It is an extension of a similar one derived by Gurtin[1] for linear elastodynamics. The principle is then specialized to the class of semilinear materials, and generalized for the use in the hybrid stress model of finite element analysis. An incremental procedure for the numerical solution is described.
Disk electrophoresis of isolated chylomicrons

Abstract The disk electrophoresis of chylomicrons, which were ultracentrifugally isolated from either human plasma or rat serum, is described. The bulk of the chylomicron fraction did not penetrate appreciably into the spacer gel. As many as 6–7 electrophoretic components were observed with rat serum chylomicrons. These chylomicrons have been fractionated successively at three different centrifugal fields and their electrophoretic patterns were obtained. On the basis of these experiments, a tentative estimate of the particle sizes of the major electrophoretic components of the chylomicron fraction has been provided. The pore size of the spacer gel has been estimated to be 200 mμ.
Reactions of α-acetoxy-N-nitrosopyrrolidine with deoxyguanosine and DNA

We investigated the reactions of alpha-acetoxy-N-nitrosopyrrolidine (alpha-acetoxyNPYR) with dGuo and DNA. Alpha-acetoxyNPYR is a stable precursor to the major proximate carcinogen of NPYR, alpha-hydroxyNPYR (3). Our goal was to develop appropriate conditions for the analysis of DNA adducts of NPYR formed in vivo. Products of the alpha-acetoxyNPYR-dGuo reactions were analyzed directly by HPLC or after treatment of the reaction mixtures with NaBH3CN. Products of the alpha-acetoxyNPYR-DNA reactions were released by enzymatic or neutral thermal hydrolysis of the DNA, then analyzed by HPLC. Alternatively, the DNA was treated with NaBH3CN prior to hydrolysis and HPLC analysis. The reactions of alpha-acetoxyNPYR with dGuo and DNA were complex. We have identified 13 products of the dGuo reaction-6 of these were characterized in this reaction for the first time. They were four diastereomers of N2-(3-hydroxybutylidene)dGuo (20, 21), 7-(N-nitrosopyrrolidin-2-yl)Gua (2), and 2-(2-hydroxypyrrolidin-1-yl)deoxyinosine (12). Adducts 20 and 21 were identified by comparison to standards produced in the reaction of 3-hydroxybutanal with dGuo. Adduct 2 was identified by its spectral properties while adduct 12 was characterized by comparison to an independently synthesized standard. With the exception of adduct 2, all products of the dGuo reactions were also observed in the DNA reactions. The major product in both the dGuo and DNA reactions was N2-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)dGuo (10), consistent with previous studies. Several other previously identified adducts were also observed in this study. HPLC analysis of reaction mixtures treated with NaBH3CN provided improved conditions for adduct identification, which should be useful for in vivo studies of DNA adduct formation by NPYR.
Cross-shaped bandpass filters for the near- and mid-infrared wavelength regions.

A photolithographic process has been used to form cross-shaped patterns in 3-μm-thick nickel foils. Patterns with cross arm dimensions in the 10–20-μm range, and with periodicities in the 16–26-μm range, yield self-resonant bandpass filters for wavelengths in the 20–25-μm region. Transmittances as high as 80% were achieved with center wavelength-to-bandwidth ratios (λR/Δλ) of ∼5. We present a simple empirical formula that relates the wavelength of peak transmittance, or resonant frequency, with cross dimensions and periodicity.
Scarcity, Sufficiency, and Abundance: Hegel and Marx on Material Needs and Satisfactions

Hegel and Marx see scarcities as inherent, necessary, and constructive in the good societies each envisions. They see that human beings develop themselves and their culture by having needs, working to satisfy those needs, and in the process creating new needs that require new types of thought and action for their satisfaction. At the same time, since all needs cannot be pursued, human beings must reflect on which needs to try to satisfy; this reflection leads, Hegel and Marx think, to concern not with the material and atomistic, but with cultural and social needs and their satisfaction. While Hegel and Marx differ in their assessment of nineteenth-century European civilization or capitalism, they agree that the pursuit of affluence as a primary goal is misleading and misguided, and they do imply some suggestions for treating contemporary ecological scarcities.
Development of a laser-induced cell lysis system.

A novel cell lysis system was developed that is based on laser-induced disruption of bacterial and yeast cells. It will find application as a rapid, efficient and clean sample preparation step in bioanalytical detection systems. Using E. coli as our model analyte, we optimized cell lysis with respect to optimal laser wavelength, lowest energy input requirements, RNA release from the cells, and potential protein damage. The optimized system was finally applied to the lysis of four additional microorganisms. All experiments were carried out with about 2000 cells per sample or less. Initially, lysis was determined by the detection of cell survival after laser treatment using standard microbiological techniques, (i.e., cells were grown on nutrient agar plates). Then, actual release of mRNA from the cells was proven. Wavelengths investigated ranged from 500 nm to 1550 nm. An average power of 100 mW for the lasers was shown to be sufficient to obtain cell lysis at wavelengths above 1000 nm, with optimal wavelengths between 1250 nm and 1550 nm. Since water absorbs energy at those wavelengths, it is assumed that laser exposure results in an instantaneous increase of the cell temperature, which causes rupture of the cell membrane. Second, damage to protein solutions treated under optimized laser-lysis conditions was also studied. Using a pure solution of horseradish peroxidase as a model protein, no loss in enzyme activity was observed. Thus, it was concluded that damage to intracellular proteins is unlikely. Third, RNA release was tested using an E. coli specific RNA biosensor. Release of RNA was not detected from untreated cells, but laser-treated E. coli cells displayed significant RNA release due to laser-induced cell lysis. Finally, lysis of M. luteus, B. subtilis, B. cereus, and S. cerevisiae were investigated under optimized conditions. In all cases, laser-induced lysis of the cells was confirmed by determination of cell survival. Hence, laser-induced cell lysis is an efficient procedure that can be used for sample preparation, without damage to macromolecules, in bioanalytical detection systems for microorganisms. Miniaturized lasers and miniaturized cell-lysis chambers will create a simple, field-usable cell lysis system and allow the application of laser-induced cell lysis in micro Total Analysis Systems.
Saturation controller-based ripple reduction for direct torque controlled permanent-magnet synchronous machines

This paper proposes a novel direct torque control (DTC) scheme to reduce the torque and stator flux ripples for permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives using a relatively low sampling frequency. Unlike the conventional DTC in which the voltage vectors are determined by hysteresis controllers, the proposed DTC uses nonlinear saturation comparators and a duty ratio modulation scheme for switch selection and switching duration determination. Compared to the conventional DTC, the proposed DTC scheme significantly reduces the steady-state torque and flux ripples of PMSMs while preserving most of the intrinsic properties of the conventional DTC, e.g. fast dynamic, robust to disturbances, no coordinate transformation, etc. The effectiveness of the proposed DTC scheme is verified by simulation and experimental results on a 200W PMSM drive system.
Signalling pathways initiated by receptor protein tyrosine kinases in Drosophila

The isolation and characterization of Drosophila mutations in receptor protein tyrosine kinases (RPTKs) have allowed a detailed analysis of the cellular processes regulated by these proteins. Recent investigations have identified a number of putative ligands involved in the activation of the receptors, and have demonstrated that these RPTKs trigger an evolutionarily conserved biochemical pathway. In addition to molecules previously identified from vertebrate studies, i.e. Grb2, Sos, Ras-Gap, p21ras, Raf, MEK and MAPK, genetic studies have suggested that two novel proteins, the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) Csw and the transmembrane protein Rho, are involved in RPTK signalling.
Synthesis of a Novel Polyfunctional Anionic Macroinitiator from a Polyfunctional 1,1‐Diphenylethylene Agent

A polyfunctional 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) agent was prepared by ring-opening metathesis polymerization of a DPE-functionalized norbornene monomer. Its reaction with sec-butyllithium gave a novel polyfunctional anionic macroinitiator with one 1,1-diarylalkyllithium initiation functionality per repeating unit. The significant applicability of this polyfunctional anionic macroinitiator was demonstrated by its excellent initiation efficiencies in anionic polymerization and a preparation of a graft copolymer with well-controlled long and dense diblock grafts.
Bedrock controls on barrier island development: West-central Florida coast

Abstract Fifty vibracores and 130 km of high-resolution seismic profiles were taken in the lagoons and nearshore area of northern Pinellas County, Florida, to determine the role of antecedent topography upon barrier island location, origin and development. East—west seismic profiles show a terrace with 1–1.5 m of relief located along the seaward trend of the barrier islands between −4 and −6 m MSL. This antecedent topography is composed of a relatively erosion resistant Miocene limestone and the terrace is usually present as an increase in slope. A contour map of the pre-Holocene surface shows that this subsurface feature is continuous along the entire study area and is mimicked by the opposing orientations of Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands. The correspondence of the modern barrier system to the antecedent topography indicates that: (1) the islands formed on the terrace; or that (2) landward migration of the barriers was stopped by grounding on this feature. Stratigraphic analyses of lagoonal and nearshore environments were conducted in order to establish the overall response of the northern Pinellas coastal system to the late Holocene sea-level rise. This analysis indicates a basically transgressive Holocene sequence with lagoonal sediments occurring seaward of the islands. Underlying the lagoonal deposits in all areas is a 1 m thick relict Pleistocene unit that has been flooded, reworked and vegetated by intertidal to subtidal organisms. A model of development for these barriers is proposed which incorporates an early transgressive history followed by a recent progradational phase. The progradational phase was probably initiated by the late Holocene slowdown in sea-level rise and an increased sediment supply as the barrier islands migrated over a relict sediment source. The antecedent topography thus served as a stabilization point for landward barrier migration and seaward progradation. The antecedent topographic control of barrier island location described by this model is dependent upon the coincident decline in the rate of sea-level rise and an increased sediment supply.
Replication-deficient adenovirus vector transfer of gfp reporter gene into supraoptic nucleus and subfornical organ neurons

The present studies used defined cells of the subfornical organ (SFO) and supraoptic nuclei (SON) as model systems to demonstrate the efficacy of replication-deficient adenovirus (Ad) encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) for gene transfer. The studies investigated the effects of both direct transfection of the SON and indirect transfection (i.e., via retrograde transport) of SFO neurons. The SON of rats were injected with Ad (2 x 10(6) pfu) and sacrificed 1-7 days later for cell culture of the SON and of the SFO. In the SON, GFP fluorescence was visualized in both neuronal and nonneuronal cells while only neurons in the SFO expressed GFP. Successful in vitro transfection of cultured cells from the SON and SFO was also achieved with Ad (2 x 10(6) to 2 x 10(8) pfu). The expression of GFP in in vitro transfected cells was higher in nonneuronal (approximately 28% in SON and SFO) than neuronal (approximately 4% in SON and 10% in SFO) cells. The expression of GFP was time and viral concentration related. No apparent alterations in cellular morphology of transfected cells were detected and electrophysiological characterization of transfected cells was similar between GFP-expressing and nonexpressing neurons. We conclude that (1) GFP is an effective marker for gene transfer in living SON and SFO cells, (2) Ad infects both neuronal and nonneuronal cells, (3) Ad is taken up by axonal projections from the SON and retrogradely transported to the SFO where it is expressed at detectable levels, and (4) Ad does not adversely affect neuronal viability. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using adenoviral vectors to deliver genes to the SFO-SON axis. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.
Public health nurses used 4 strategies to facilitate client empowerment.

(2001) ANS Adv Nurs Sci 24, 1. Falk-Rafael AR. . Empowerment as a process of evolving consciousness: a model of empowered caring. . Sep; . : . –16 . [OpenUrl][1][PubMed][2] QUESTION: What is the practical meaning of empowerment to public health nurses and their clients? Exploratory qualitative design. 1 urban/rural and 2 rural health units in southwestern Ontario, Canada. 24 public health nurses (100% women, mean 14.2 y in public health nursing) and 6 clients (83% women). Nurses participated in a series of 3 two hour focus groups (5–9 participants per group; 71% participated in all 3 groups). Research questions were addressed using the nominal group technique. The researcher took field notes during the focus groups. Nurses identified clients whom they thought were empowered through their practice, and consenting clients were interviewed for about 1 hour using an interview guide. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. All data were coded and used to develop a model of empowerment. Nurses conceptualised empowerment as an active, internal process of growth that was … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DChang%2BGung%2Bmedical%2Bjournal%26rft.stitle%253DChang%2BGung%2BMed%2BJ%26rft.aulast%253DWang%26rft.auinit1%253DH.%2BS.%26rft.volume%253D24%26rft.issue%253D1%26rft.spage%253D1%26rft.epage%253D10%26rft.atitle%253DAcute%2Bnecrotizing%2Bencephalopathy%2Bof%2Bchildhood.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F11299971%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=11299971&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F5%2F3%2F94.atom
Average high latitude magnetic field: Variation with interplanetary sector and with season. I - Disturbed conditions.

Abstract High latitude magnetic field data from 16 northern observatories are averaged during periods of magnetic disturbance level Kp = 2− to 3+. Within this disturbance level, variations between interplanetary magnetic field sector (toward and away from the Sun) and geomagnetic season (dipole latitude of the Sun: > 10° = summer, Features unrelated to sector or season also occur: (1) A significant Y component is present in both the positive and negative bays. (2) The vertical disturbance (¦ΔZ¦) to the north of the auroral belt is much larger than that to the south. (3) Two distinct regions of maximum activity are present in the ΔZ accompanying the positive bay disturbance.
Differences in sexual health, risk behaviors, and substance use among women by sexual identity: Chicago, 2009-2011.

BackgroundLesbian women may perceive themselves to be at lower risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and use reproductive health care at lower rates compared with heterosexual women. Therefore, STIs in sexual minority women may go undetected. The prevalence and risk factors of urogenital S
Activation behavior of Ni/hydrous titanium oxide (HTO) catalysts

The activation of Ni-TiO2 catalysts prepared via both impregnation on commercial TiO2 and by ion exchange on hydrous titanium oxide (HTO) supports was investigated. The reactivity of these catalysts for a structure-sensitive reaction (n-butane hydrogenolysis) was investigated as a function of different activation treatments (temperature, time) in a H2 atmosphere. Complete activation of the ion exchanged Ni/HTO catalyst in H2 required temperatures > 623 K and times > 18 h. Low temperature (573 K) activation of the ion exchanged Ni/HTO catalyst in H2 was not possible without performing a mild (573 K) reduction/oxidation/reduction cycle. Observations of the ion exchanged Ni/HTO catalyst microstructures by transmission electron microscopy revealed that inactive samples contained a distinct film which covered Ni particle surfaces. The exact nature of this film has not yet been determined; experimental evidence is consistent with the film being composed of either carbonaceous residue or TiOx which has migrated to the Ni particle surfaces from the bulk support phase.
Characterization of Resistance to Fusarium graminearum in a Recombinant Inbred Line Population of Wheat: Resistance to Fungal Spread, Mycotoxin Accumulation, and Grain Yield Loss, and Trait Relationships

Fusarium head blight (FHB or scab) caused by Fusarium species can lead to tremendous loss of grain yield and quality in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as well as severe mycotoxin contamination. Characterization of different types of resistance is of great significance for genetics and breeding studies. One hundred fifty-two F 6:7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross CJ 9306/Veery were assessed in the greenhouse by single-floret inoculation to analyze three types of FHB resistance, i.e., resistance to fungal spread within spikes, deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation, and grain yield loss. Each of the investigated resistance types exhibited a large and continuous variation in the RIL population, and thus was inherited quantitatively. Estimates of broad-sense heritability varied with resistance types, higher and less variable for spread resistance (0.85-0.93), but lower and more variable for resistance to DON accumulation (0.64-0.92) and/or resistance to grain yield loss (0.61-0.83). For spread resistance parameters (the number and percentage of scabby spikelets) and DON content, frequency distributions exhibited a few peaks and/or were skewed toward resistance, suggesting the existence of major resistance genes. Genetic correlation coefficients of spread resistance parameters with DON content and yield loss parameters were 0.85 to 0.92 and 0.78 to 0.94, respectively. The genetic correlations ranged from 0.63 to 0.77 between DON content and yield loss parameters. There were no noticeable genetic associations between FHB resistance and agronomic traits such as plant height, spike length, number of spikelets and grains per spike, grain weight, and heading date.
Crystal growth and characterization of lithium metasilicate

The Czochralski pulling technique was used to study the crystal growth of lithium metasilicate, a potential piezoelectric and electrooptic material of the A2BO3 type compounds. Crystalline Li2SiO3 has an orthorhombic unit cell with space group Cmc21 and (Si2O6)∞ chains oriented parallel to the piezoelectric c-axis. Li2SiO3 melts congruently at 1201°C, but is highly viscous in the molten state which causes difficulties when growing large single crystal boules by pulling. In spite of difficulties with cracking in planes parallel to the chain direction, crystals of good optical quality with areas up to 5 mm × 5 mm normal to c have been grown. Growth parameters and characterization of these Li2SiO3 crystals are discussed.
Generation of PVY Coat Protein siRNAs in Transgenic Potatoes Resistant to PVY

Global climate change has the potential to quickly alter the distribution and profile of crop pests and pathogens. Ready tools for mobilization of resistance into elite crops will be part of an integrated strategy to maintain agricultural productivity. Engineered virus resistance through expression of coat protein is well established. The mechanisms of virus suppression by small RNAs (sRNAs) have only recently been elucidated. Understanding the role of sRNAs in gene regulation and development is rapidly evolving. High throughput sequencing (HTS) can generate large data sets of sRNA sequences which can be analyzed to recognize the abundant sRNAs that result from transcript degradation and to identify the regulatory micro RNAs (miRNA) involved in gene regulation and small inhibitory RNAs (siRNA) that confer virus resistance. Transgenic Solanum tuberosum that are glass house or field grown and that express the potato virus Y coat protein (PVY-CP) inverted hairpin RNA (ihRNA) from the 409s promoter with GBSS6 intron as a spacer exhibited resistance to PVY. Southern blots of genomic DNA indicated one or two copies of the transgene and analysis of HTS data of the small RNA population indicated high levels of siRNA production from the transgenic hairpin construct. Up to 47 of the top 200 most frequent sRNA reads were attributable to the PVY-CP transgenic construct in Ranger Russet line #5. This combination of transgene and transcription strength is functional for constructing efficient resistance cassettes for crop protection. Up to 95 of the top 200 sRNA sequences were 21 nucleotides in length with as many as 19 sequences corresponding to known miRNA transcripts. Additional endogenous sRNAs with homology to resistance gene analogs may be indicative of additional or complimentary resistance mechanisms produced in concert with the PVY siRNAs arising from PVY-CP RNA transcription.
Distributed Rate Allocation for Network-Coded Multicast Networks

This letter addresses a distributed rate allocation for a class of multicast networks employing linear network coding. The goal is to minimize the cost, e.g., the sum rate allocated to links in the network, while satisfying a multicast rate requirement for each users in the network. In essence, it aims to achieve the network capacity while ensuring that the operation cost is minimal. This letter uses an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) framework to obtain a distributed algorithm for the rate allocation. Simulation results demonstrate the convergence of this algorithm to the optimal solution.
Extreme ultraviolet emission from chromospheric inhomogeneities An analysis of the extreme ultraviolet flash spectrum of the sun

An Aerobee 170 rocket carried five slitless extreme ultraviolet (XUV) spectroheliographs into the March 7, 1970, solar eclipse. Salt water damage left latent images on 16 exposures of the XUV camera covering the wavelength range from 1390 A to 1945 A. The salt water damage made the absolute calibration of the spectroheliograms uncertain. Therefore, the analysis in this paper is based on a comparison of the extent of flash spectrum crescents from emission lines formed in the chromosphere-corona transition zone with two simple but fundamentally different models describing this region. The observations can be satisfactorily described by an inhomogeneous model where cool spicules are surrounded by a transition zone which has the same temperature and density structure as the chromospheric coronal transition zone customarily used in spherically symmetric models of the quiet Sun.
A new modification of the cloud method of measuring the elementary electrical charge, and the most probable value of that charge

(1910). XXII. A new modification of the cloud method of determining the elementary electrical charge and the most probable value of that charge. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 19, No. 110, pp. 209-228.
Formation of negative-index-change waveguide lenses in LiNbO(3) by using ion milling.

We report, for the first time to our knowledge, fabrication of two types of negative-index-change waveguide lens in LiNbO3 by using ion milling. The first type is an analog Fresnel lens formed by grooves milled into the waveguide. The second is a hybrid lens that combines analog Fresnel zones in the central region with chirp gratings on the sides formed by the same means. We have obtained simultaneously high-efficiency and near-diffraction-limited focusing characteristics in both types of lens. The ion-milling technique employed should be capable of producing similar lenses in any other waveguide substrate, such as GaAs.
Exploring the Complex Folding Kinetics of RNA Hairpins: I. General Folding Kinetics Analysis

Depending on the nucleotide sequence, the temperature, and other conditions, RNA hairpin-folding kinetics can be very complex. The complexity with a wide range of cooperative and noncooperative kinetic behaviors arises from the interplay between the formation of the loops, the disruption of the misfolded states, and the formation of the rate-limiting base stacks. With a rate constant model and a kinetic-cluster theory, we explore the broad landscape for RNA hairpin-folding kinetics. The model is validated through direct tests against several experimental measurements. The general kinetic folding mechanisms and the predicted great variety of folding kinetics are directly applicable and quantitatively testable in experiments. The results from this study suggest that 1), previous experimental findings based on the individual hairpins revealed only a small fraction of much broader and more complex RNA hairpin-folding landscapes; 2), even for structures as simple as hairpins, universal folding timescales and pathways do not exist; and 3), to treat the loop size as the sole factor to determine the hairpin-folding rate is an oversimplification.