cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modified plant architecture to enhance crop disease control: genetic control and possible value of upright fruit position in cucumber

Plant architectural features can facilitate disease control by creating unfavourable environments for pathogen growth or limiting pathogen contact with the host. In the case of Phytophthora capsici infection of cucumber (Cucumis sativus), the susceptible fruit typically lie in contact with soil under warm, moist conditions of a full canopy, an ideal location for exposure to inoculum and disease development. We have shown that increased row spacing, trellising and architectural variants that allow for more open canopies, such as shorter vines, reduced branching, or smaller leaves, can modify microclimate as assessed by temperature at the location of developing fruits. However, only trellising reduced infection rates (<3 % infection vs. 22 % for control). A cucumber accession PI308916, with extremely short internodes and resulting upright position of young fruit, also exhibited reduced disease. Fruit of PI308916 were susceptible when inoculated with P. capsici, indicating that reduced infection likely resulted from decreased soil contact. The compact trait is inherited as a single recessive gene, cp. Like many architectural traits, cp may be pleiotropic; PI308916-derived breeding lines were reported to have poor seedling emergence. PI308916 exhibited inconsistent apical hook formation that co-segregated with short internodes in F2 and backcross generations, and disorganized internodal cortical cell arrangement. The combined phenotypes suggest either pleiotropy or very tight linkage of genes affecting hormone balance or cell division. The narrow chromosome region recently defined by QTL analysis includes candidate gene homologs of meristem related genes modulating cell division or spacing of lateral shoot organs and genes associated with brassinosteroid signaling or cytokinin content.
Stathmin levels in growth plate chondrocytes are modulated by vitamin D3 metabolites and transforming growth factor-β1 and are associated with proliferation

Stathmin is a highly conserved, phosphorylated cytosolic protein that is found at decreased levels in all cells as they become more terminally differentiated, or when they decrease in their rate of proliferation. This study examined the hypothesis that stathmin levels in growth plate chondrocytes decreases as endochondral maturation increases. To test this hypothesis, we used a costochondral growth plate chondrocyte cell culture model. Cells derived from the resting zone (RC) express twice as much stathmin mRNA in culture and have twice as much stathmin protein as cells derived from the post proliferative growth zone ([GC];prehypertrophic and upper hypertrophic cell zones). Stathmin levels in vivo were assessed by immunohistochemistry. To assess the effects of agents that modulate proliferation and differentiation, RC and GC chondrocytes were cultured in the presence of 10−10 to 10−8M 1α,25-(OH)2D3, which regulates proliferation in both cell types but affects differentiation of only GC cells, or 10−9 to 10−7M 24R,25-(OH)2D3, which regulates differentiation and maturation of RC cells, but decreases proliferation of GC cells. In addition, RC cells were treated with 0.44 or 0.88 ng/mL of recombinant human transforming growth factor β1 (rhTGF-β1), which stimulates proliferation of RC cells and regulates proteoglycan production, but not alkaline phosphatase activity. Stathmin protein levels were determined using quantitative immunoblots, with recombinant human stathmin as a standard. The results show that stathmin levels are associated with proliferation. Proliferating chondrocytes in vivo exhibited higher levels of immunoreactive stathmin than either RC or GC cells in the growth plate. In culture, 1α,25-(OH)2D3 caused a dose-dependent de-crease in stathmin in RC and GC cells within 24 h. 24 R, 25-(OH)2D3 also reduced stathmin levels in GC cells within 24 h but only affected RC cells after prolonged exposures (96 h), at which time RC cells express a GC-like phenotype. rhTGF-β1 caused an increase in stathmin levels in RC cells. Stathmin levels are sensitive to protein kinase C (PKC) in other cells. Inhibition of PKC with chelerythrine had no effect on the response of RC cells to 1α,25-(OH)2D3 but it blocked the effect of rhTGF-β1, indicating that decreases in stathmin by vitamin D3 metabolites may not be modulated by PKC, whereas increases in stathmin via rhTGF-β1 may be regulated via a PKC-dependent mechanism. These results support the hypothesis that constitutively expressed levels of stathmin are related to cell maturation state and that they are modulated by factors that regulate proliferation.
Verbal Identification of Music Concepts

The purpose of this study was to determine (1) what terminology from their own vocabulary subjects would use to label music concepts and (2) if consistent terminology would be selected by children in grades two, three, and four, and by college students majoring in elementary or music education. A group-listening test was administered to the subjects. One music concept was varied in each of the 10 presentations of a well-known melody. Subjects were asked to write a word that described the characteristic change in each playing. When correctly describing music concepts, subjects of all ages used consistent and traditional terminology. However, when incorrect terms were chosen, there was little similarity in vocabulary between children and adults.
Deep defect density imaging

Abstract Contour and surface plots of S and T parameters were generated for a 2D slice of four 304L steel specimens inserted in a 5 cm × 5 cm plastic holder. This was achieved by performing Doppler broadening spectroscopy (DOBS) coupled with in situ pair-production using a 1 kHz repetition rate linear accelerator (LINAC) at the physics department of Idaho State University. The results confirmed the imaging potential of this technique and also revealed its limitations.
Subtle electrocardiographic changes in children with high levels of blood pressure.

One hundred thirty-four children, aged 8 to 17 years, were studied to evaluate differences in left ventricular (LV) voltages with mid-range and high blood pressure (BP) levels. The children were selected from 1,604 children after a series of replicate measurements of BP over a 4-month period. Ninety children were selected from those whose BP persisted at the upper 10% and 44 whose BP remained at the middle range (between the fiftieth and sixtieth percentiles). Factors influencing the electrocardiographic voltage (i.e., triceps skinfold, weight, age, race and sex) were also analyzed. Children in the upper 10 % of BP levels showed larger LV voltages R 1 + SV 1 + RV 4 than did those in the middle range. This difference was strongly influenced by larger voltages shown by white children. Males showed larger voltages than females using the same index. Triceps skinfold, age and BP account for 6 to 14 % of the electrocardiographic variability in the high BP group. Thus, subtle voltage differences in children with early elevations of BP levels do occur. The larger ventricular voltages on the electrocardiogram may represent an early sign of increased LV mass, as has been noted by echocardiography.
Quantization of gauge theories

Abstract A path-integral procedure for quantizing gauge theories is proposed (on a heuristic level). The Hilbert space of physical states is constructed. Each physical state is represented by an infinite set of gauge equivalent configurations. All physical transition amplitudes are defined. In this approach, the “natural” value of parameter θ is zero.
Influence of ethanol dependence on regional brain content of β-endorphin in the mouse

β-Endorphin-like immunoreactivity (BE-LI) was measured in 7 brain regions of Swiss-Webster mice after 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure to ethanol vapor following a priming injection of ethanol and daily injections of pyrazole HCl to inhibit ethanol metabolism. Control mice in identical chambers received pyrazole injections but breathed air only. Ethanol dependence was confirmed by scoring additional groups of mice for handling-induced convulsions during withdrawal after each exposure duration. Measurement of anterior and neurointermediate (NIL) pituitary BE-LI, α-MSH and ACTh and plasma corticosterone confirmed earlier results showing NIL depletion of all 3 peptides at 24 h and increased plasma corticosterone concentrations at 72 h in ethanol-exposed mice. In brain extracts from ethanol-dependent mice, BE-LI was significantly reduced in the hypothalamus and midbrain with the greatest reduction occurring at 24 h. In forebrain, cerebral cortex, septum and hippocampus, pyrazole treatment significantly reduced BE-LI relative to an unhandled control group, and ethanol exposure tended to reverse this effect. HPLC of hypothalamic extracts revealed no differences in proportions of molecular forms of β-endorphin-like peptides between 24 h control and ethanol-exposed groups. The predominant BE-LI peak in both groups co-eluted with opiate-active unmodified β-endorphin 1–31 . Ethanol dependence in mice is associated with regionally selective decreases in brain β-endorphin concentration.
Mobility: Disability and Life in the Spirit

: The author employs the narrative of his own personal experience of disability as an entry to several large issues: the place of body; the challenge of mobility; the processes of medical treatment, therapy, and fitness training; the network of dependence upon family, friends, and society; and the challenge to actively avail oneself of the resources of this network. The power of the human spirit is affirmed as the prerequisite for moving the body and attaining the possibilities of one's life. This power is the work of God's Spirit. A concept of body-spiriting is suggested. The argument is framed in two parts: (1) in the world in my own skin, and (2) living in the presence of God.
Male Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence and Involvement in Abortions and Abortion-Related Conflict

Men aged 18 to 35 years (n = 1318) completed assessments of perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV), abortion involvement, and conflict regarding decisions to seek abortion. IPV was associated with greater involvement by men in pregnancies ending in abortion and greater conflict regarding decisions to seek abortion. IPV should be considered within family planning and abortion services; policies requiring women to notify or obtain consent of partners before seeking an abortion should be reconsidered; they may facilitate endangerment and coercion regarding such decisions.
The Grants Economy and Study of the American Family: A Possible Framework for Trans‐Disciplinary Approaches1

Use and allocation of family and societal resources are guided by market forces and the grants economy. This paper expands on the grants economy with special reference to the family. Examples of grants within families and between families and society are cited as well as the possible ramifications on the grants economy of cross-generational estrange ment and impeded communications, lengthened period of economic dependence of the younger generation, changes in family stability, more married women working for pay, and shifts of functions from family to organizations outside the family. Finally, a plea is made for greater trans-disciplinary cooperation in research on the family to yield more complete and meaningful results-e.g., on topics such as estimating the costs and benefits of public programs as well as changes in the market economy affecting families, estimating the “worth” to society of integrative structures that result in large part from family experi ence, delegation outside the family, and monetization of functions previously performed by family members for family members, estimation of the relative “worth” of different family forms, and determination of the multidimensional effects of divorce, alternative child care arrangements, and various care and living arrangements for the elderly.
Controlled placement of CdSe nanoparticles in diblock copolymer templates by electrophoretic deposition.

An electrophoretic deposition process is shown to be an effective means of placing CdSe nanoparticles into nanopores and nanotrenches in templates prepared from polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) diblock copolymers. CdSe nanoparticles covered with α,ω-thiocarboxylic acid ligands were used in these studies, and an electric field was used to drive the nanoparticle deposition. Photoluminescence of the quantum dots was maintained within the nanostructures.
Exquisite specificity of adoptive immunization in arenavirus-infected mice.

Abstract Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-infected mice can be adoptively immunized with T cells from immune mice sharing MHC compatibility in H-2K or D, suggesting direct cytotoxic effects of T cells in vivo. However, T cells, upon recognition of an appropriate target, secrete lymphokines which may be capable of mediating antiviral effects nonspecifically. In this report we show that LCMV-immune cells reduced LCMV spleen titers in mice infected with LCMV alone or with LCMV and Pichinde virus(PV), but had no effect on PV titers in these mice or in mice infected with PV alone. Titers of PV were reduced by PV-immune cells transferred into mice infected with PV alone or with PV and LCMV, while LCMV titers were not altered. PV and LCMV antigens were shown by fluorescence microscopy to be in proximity in the spleen prior to cell transfer. These data suggest that adoptive immunization against these arenaviruses involves direct cytotoxicity or an extremely localized effect of nonspecific soluble factors elaborated following antigen recognition, rather than generalized nonspecific antiviral effects of a more systemic nature.
The evaluation of biological interactions using response surface methodology.

Response surface methodology was employed in the statistical analysis of the combination exposures of genotoxic agents, bischloroethylnitrosourea with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) with X rays. The measured endpoint in each case was sister chromatid exchanges in V79 Chinese hamster cells. The combination experiments employed a factorial design in which cells were treated, in various concentration combinations, with two agents simultaneously. Bis-chloroethylnitrosourea and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) each exhibited curvilinear concentration-related increases in sister chromatid exchanges. X rays exhibited a dose-dependent increase in sister chromatid exchanges. For the cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II)/X ray combinations, response surface methodology indicates a less-than-additive interaction, suggested by the non parallel concentration-response curves of one agent at varying concentrations of the other, and a slight dose-dependent increase in sister chromatid exchanges due to X rays alone. Both cis-diamminedichloroplatinum and bis-chloroethylnitrosourea exhibited concentration-related increases in sister chromatid exchanges, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) being 8-10 times (dependent on what level of effect was compared) more potent than bischloroethylnitrosourea. For the cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II)/bis-chloroethylnitrosourea combinations, an increasingly less-than-additive interaction was detected. The analysis of these combinations demonstrates the strength of response surface methodology, a collection of mathematical and statistical techniques for detecting, analyzing and describing the biological effects resulting from exposures to multiple cytotoxic agents. The descriptive ability of these procedures is shown to be useful in that it leads to the suggestion of hypotheses regarding mechanisms of action.
Photoelastic and elastic properties of the fluorite structure materials, LiF, and Si

We present computational results of the photoelastic and elastic properties of ${\mathrm{CaF}}_{2},$ ${\mathrm{SrF}}_{2},$ ${\mathrm{BaF}}_{2},$ ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{x}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{F}}_{2},$ $x=0.25,0.50,0.75,$ LiF, and Si. We also present measurements of the photoelastic properties in the visible through the ultraviolet of ${\mathrm{CaF}}_{2},$ ${\mathrm{SrF}}_{2},$ and ${\mathrm{BaF}}_{2}.$ At least semiquantitative agreement is obtained with most experimental results for all properties, including the low-frequency behavior and dispersion of the photoelastic tensor components.
Sequential and simultaneous SLAR block adjustment

Two sequential methods of planimetric SLAR (Side Looking Airborne Radar) block adjustment, with and without splines, and three simultaneous methods based on the principles of least squares are evaluated. A limited experiment with simulated SLAR images indicates that sequential block formation with splines followed by external interpolative adjustment is superior to the simultaneous methods such as planimetric block adjustment with similarity transformations. The use of the sequential block formation is recommended, since it represents an inexpensive tool for satisfactory point determination from SLAR images.
Some General Results about Uncorrelated Statistics

Abstract Hogg [2, 3, 4], Hollander [5], and Randies and Hogg [10] have obtained interesting results about zero correlation and certain symmetry properties for classes of statistics. One of the purposes of this article is to collect some of their results and extend them where possible. Several examples are presented demonstrating the broad applicability of the extended results.
No First Use: The Next Step for U.S. Nuclear Policy

The release of the Barack Obama administration's much-anticipated Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) concluded an intense, yearlong effort to revamp U.S. nuclear weapons policy to better address modern threats. Despite general agreement that the United States' nuclear policy and posture was in need of overhaul, there were strong disagreements over what kinds of changes should be made. At the core of these debates was the issue of U.S. declaratory policy—the stated role and purpose of U.S. nuclear weapons. Whereas some members of the administration advocated that the United States retain all of the flexibility and options afforded by the policy of calculated ambiguity, others contended that to fulfill President Obama's commitment to “put an end to Cold War thinking” and “reduce the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. national security strategy,” the United States should adopt a more restrictive nuclear policy such as no first use (NFU), perhaps in the form of a declaration that the “sole purpose” of U.S. nuclear wea...
Multiple Effects of 5,5'-Diphenylhydantoin on the Thyroid Hormone System*

The studies described above indicate the likelihood of a significant effect of DPH on cellular functions that are regulated by T3 at concentrations of DPH that occur during treatment of patients with Dilantin. Thus, it is possible that sensitive measures of cellular thyroid status in man, if available, might indicate that DPH treatment causes a mild hypothyroid state which may be partially compensated for by an activity of DPH as a partial thyroid hormone agonist. This review illustrates the complex array of interactions of DPH with multiple elements of the thyroid hormone system ranging from effects on T4 and T3 metabolism, serum protein binding, serum and cellular concentration of thyroid hormones, nuclear T3 binding and biologic actions of T3, to effects on hypothalamic and pituitary regulation of TSH. At the present time, no single biological mechanism common to these manifold interactions is apparent. Moreover, many of these interactions are not yet completely understood despite clinical and basic biological investigation for over 20 years. Continued investigation would appear fruitful especially for further understanding of hypothalamic regulation of TSH secretion, of cellular uptake of T3, and of the use of DPH as a partial thyroid hormone agonist. Finally, since DPH attenuates the effect of T3 at the level of the nuclear T3 receptor, the drug may serve as a prototype of agents that may be useful in the management of thyrotoxicosis.
Mirror reflectometer based on optical cavity decay time.

Described is a reflectometer capable of making reflectivity measurements of low-loss highly reflecting mirror coatings and transmission measurements of low-loss antireflection coatings. The technique directly measures the intensity decay time of an optical cavity comprised of low-loss elements. We develop the theoretical framework for the device and discuss in what conditions and to what extent the decay time represents a true measure of mirror reflectivity. Current apparatus provides a decay time resolution of 10 nsec and has demonstrated a cavity total loss resolution of 5 ppm.
SU‐FF‐J‐105: Predicting Late Skin Effects Using Digital Infrared Imaging for Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Radiation

Purpose: Establish a methodology based on digital infrared imaging (DII) to predict skin reaction after breast irradiation using the Skin Radiosensitivity Index (SRI) derived from early skin temperature changes. Method and Materials: Five breast cancer patients treated with accelerated partial breast irradiation to a total dose of 3850cGy over 10 fractions were imaged using a digital infrared camera, including DII images obtained before and after radiation treatment, and a baseline image.Images obtained at scheduled follow‐ups were also included in the analysis of the late skin effect. DII derived temperatures were averaged over regions of interest (ROIs) in the irradiated and normal breast, the latter used as control. The SRI was calculated based on the early pattern of change in skin temperature relative to the normal breast. SRI = Δ T/N avg, Base = ( T avg, FX 1 − N avg, Base )/ N avg, Base where Tavg, FX1 is the average temperature in the ROI of the irradiated breast after the 1st fraction (i.e. after 385 cGy), and Navg, Base is the average temperature in the normal breast ROI at baseline. Results: In all patients, higher temperature was observed in the irradiated breast than in the normal breast. However, only patients with higher temperature differences at follow up between the normal and irradiated breast reported skin problems early after treatment. For these patients, ΔTs were greater than 3°C and corresponded to SRI values greater than 0.1, values that might be considered as threshold for mild skin reaction. None of the five patients imaged had severe skin reaction. A threshold SRI value to determine severe skin reaction was therefore not established. Conclusion: Although the small number of patients in this study make the results anecdotal, the evidence supports the potential use of DII derived SRI in predicting late skin effects in patients treated with radiation.
Characterizing and predicting species distributions across environments and scales: Argentine ant occurrences in the eye of the beholder

Aim Species distribution models (SDMs) or, more specifically, ecological niche models (ENMs) are a useful and rapidly proliferating tool in ecology and global change biology. ENMs attempt to capture associations between a species and its environment and are often used to draw biological inferences, to predict potential occurrences in unoccupied regions and to forecast future distributions under environmental change. The accuracy of ENMs, however, hinges critically on the quality of occurrence data. ENMs often use haphazardly collected data rather than data collected across the full spectrum of existing environmental conditions. Moreover, it remains unclear how processes affecting ENM predictions operate at different spatial scales. The scale (i.e. grain size) of analysis may be dictated more by the sampling regime than by biologically meaningful processes. The aim of our study is to jointly quantify how issues relating to region and scale affect ENM predictions using an economically important and ecologically damaging invasive species, the Argentine ant ( Linepithema humile ). Location California, USA.
Tube Milking Device

Abstract A new milking device for tubing is described. Two rollers built into a stainless-steel spring clip both compress the tube and discharge the intraluminal debris. Threading the tube through the device automatically orients it for proper function and prevents it from accidentally falling off. While this device was designed primarily for chest tubes, it may be used in many drainage tube systems in which intraluminal blockage may cause malfunction. A few of its other applications would be for clearing operating room suction lines, nephrostomy tubes, tube cecostomy, and urinary drainage tubes.
Role of lactic acid bacteria as a biosanitizer to prevent attachment of Listeria monocytogenes F6900 on deli slicer contact surfaces.

The study was conducted to evaluate the attachment of three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains and their combination in a cocktail, to stainless steel coupons from a deli slicer, and their ability to inhibit the attachment of Listeria monocytogenes. In a previous study, three LAB strains, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus amylovorus, and Lactobacillus animalis, were isolated from ready-to-eat meat and exhibited antilisterial effect. In the study reported here, hydrophobicity tests were determined according to the method of microbial adhesion to solvent. The attachment of the cells was evaluated on stainless steel coupons from deli slicers. Extracellular carbohydrates were determined with a colorimetric method. Based on these tests, L. animalis exhibited the greatest hydrophobicity (26.3%), and its adherence increased sharply from 24 to 72 h, whereas L. amylovorus yielded the lowest hydrophobicity (3.86%) and was weakly adherent. Although P. acidilactici had moderate hydrophobicity (10.1%), it adhere...
The effect of carbon dioxide cooling on trends in the F2-layer ionosphere

Abstract The effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) cooling on trends of hmF2 and NmF2 are investigated using a coupled thermosphere and ionosphere general circulation model. Model simulations indicate that CO2 cooling not only causes contraction of the upper atmosphere and changes of neutral and ion composition but also changes dynamics and electrodynamics in the thermosphere/ionosphere. These changes determine the altitude dependence of ionospheric trends and complex latitudinal, longitudinal, diurnal, seasonal, and solar cycle variations of trends of hmF2 and NmF2. Under the CO2 cooling effect, trends of NmF2 are negative with magnitude from 0% to ∼−40% for doubled CO2, depending on location, local time, season, and solar activity. The corresponding trends of hmF2 are mostly negative with a magnitude from 0 to −40 km, but can be positive with a magnitude from 0 to ∼10 km at night, with maximum positive trends occurring after midnight under solar minimum conditions.
Smallholders and the ‘Household Responsibility System’: Adapting to Institutional Change in Chinese Agriculture

During the last quarter century, China’s agricultural sector has undergone a dramatic transformation from collective to private production under the so-called “Household Responsibility System.” This incentive system, designed to increase yields, reallocated communal land to peasant households, creating hundreds of millions of smallholders with relative autonomy over land use decisions and crop selection. Based on recent ethnographic research, this paper discusses the smallholder farming system of a mixed-ethnic community that intensively cultivates small land plots for subsistence and market exchange in China’s populous southwestern province of Sichuan. The paper characterizes the smallholder system in terms of biodiversity of plant and animal species, market distribution of crops, multiple cropping systems, and labor and technology inputs. The paper also describes how smallholders adapt their agricultural practices and decisions to changing market conditions and agricultural policies. Significantly, these adaptive strategies focus on shifting to the production of various cash crops, including melons and mangoes. Implications for the long-term viability of China’s smallholders, particularly in ecologically and economically marginal areas, are also discussed.
Determination of an unknown forcing function in a hyperbolic equation from overspecified data

The determination of a forcing function depending only upon the space variable in a hyperbolic equation is achieved by the over-specification of the bouudary data. The problem is an example of a not-well posed problem in the sense of Hadamard.
Mechanisms of photorefractivity in polymer composites

We present a summary of the underlying mechanisms which govern the appearance and dynamics of the photorefractive effect in polymeric materials. Charge transport properties in polymers and their influence on the build-up of space- charge fields are discussed, and the beneficial effects from orientational enhancement of in situ room-temperature poling of nonlinear optical chromophores are reviewed. We introduce a new high performance low-glass-transition-temperature polymer composite and discuss its photorefractive properties as characterized by a thorough investigation of photoconductivity, two-wave beam coupling gain, grating phase shift, and diffraction efficiency as a function of intensity, applied electric field, and grating spacing.
The location of tantalum atoms in Ni 3 (Al, Ta)

An x-ray powder diffraction method was used to determine the location of tantalum atoms in Ni 3 Al. A series of Ni 3 (Al, Ta) alloys were produced with tantalum contents ranging from 0.1 to 3.0 at.%. Fine powders with average particle sizes less than 80 μ m were made from melt-spun ribbons by a grinding process. The values of the intensity of the (100) superlattice peak normalized to that of the (200) fundamental peak as a function of tantalum content agreed with the calculated values, assuming that tantalum atoms substitute on aluminum sites, not on nickel sites, and also assuming small amounts of anti-site defects exist in the ordered fee structure of Ni 3 (Al, Ta) alloys. It is concluded from our experiments that tantalum atoms substitute for aluminum in Ni 3 Al. The long-range order parameters thus calculated of the Ni 3 (Al, Ta) alloys are generally above 0.84 and below 0.95, except for Ni 75 Al 24.8 Ta 0.2 , at which composition the long-range order parameter is close to unity.
Ground‐water for air‐conditioning on Long Island, New York

During the last five years ground-water has been more and more extensively used for air-conditioning on Long Island, New York. The wide-spread occurrence of highly permeable water-bearing material and the relatively small cost of installation and operation of a ground-water, air-conditioning system has resulted in many such installations by theaters, restaurants, stores, and other establishments. Many companies likewise have taken advantage of these favorable factors and are utilizing low-temperature ground-water for cooling purposes in the manufacture of ice. This new use of ground-water has considerably increased the draft in the western end of Long Island where there had already been so much over-development that the watertable was below sea-level in an area of more than 40 square miles. In 1933 the State Legislature, recognizing the seriousness of this over-development, passed a law requiring that the approval, of the State Water Power and Control Commission be secured before constructing a well with a capacity greater than 100,000 gallons a day. Since the passage of the law the-policy of the Commission has been to require water pumped from new-wells for cooling purposes to be returned to the ground. This requirement has resulted in the construction of many recharge-wells (locally called diffusion-wells) through which the warm water is returned to the ground.
The chloroplast affects the transcription of a nuclear gene family

Carotenoid deficient, maize seedlings ordinarily incur extensive photooxidative damage to their chloroplasts. This damage can be minimized by growing seedlings in very dim light. Cytosolic mRNA encoding a prevalent chloroplast protein, the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein (LHCP), accumulates under low-intensity light, but rapidly disappears when plants are exposed to higher intensity light. Transcription studies were performed in vitro on nuclei isolated from carotenoid deficient seedlings grown first in low-intensity light and then transferred to higher intensity light. The rate of LHCP gene transcription was rapidly reduced in high intensity light. We propose that a signal of chloroplast origin is a necessary component of optimal transcription of LHCP genes and other nuclear genes encoding chloroplast proteins. Our data indicate that the signal originates at an early stage of chloroplast development, is continuously required, for LHCP gene transcription and has a short half-life. Photooxidative damage to the chloroplast destroys its capacity for further synthesis of the signal. A significant diurnal fluctuation in LHCP transcriptional activity was also observed.
More on symmetries in heavy quark effective theory.

We present a general classification of all normal and ``chiral`` symmetries of heavy quark effective theories. Some peculiarities and conundrums associated with the ``chiral`` symmetries are discussed.
Hydrothermal synthesis and structures of materials of the M(II)/tetrazole/sulfate family (M(II) = Co, Ni; Tetrazole = 3- and 4-pyridyltetrazole and pyrazinetetrazole)

Abstract Hydrothermal reactions of cobalt or nickel sulfate with the appropriate substituted tetrazole yielded a series of compounds of the M(II)/tetrazolate/sulfate family. While the parent compound [Co(prztet)2(H2O)2]·0.5H2O (1·0.5H2O; prztet = pyrazinetetrazolate) is molecular, the remaining materials exhibit extended structures. Thus, [Co2(4-pyrtet)(SO4)(OH)(H2O)]·1.5H2O (2·1.5H2O), [Co3F2(SO4)(3-pyrtet)2(H2O)4] (4) and [Ni3F2(SO4)(3-pyrtet)2(H2O)4] (5) are two-dimensional, in contrast to [Co4(prztet)6(SO4)(H2O)2] (3) and [Ni5(3-pyrtet)4(SO4)2(OH)2(H2O)2]·0.5H2O (6·0.5H2O) which are three-dimensional (3-pyrtet = 3-pyridinetetrazolate; 4-pyrtet = 4-pyridinetetrazolate). The sulfate-containing phases exhibit a variety of cluster-based secondary building units: variants of the common trinuclear motifs in 2, 4 and 5, a tetranuclear cluster core in 3, and a pentanuclear building block in 6. The sulfate ligands adopt monodentate and μ2-, μ3- and μ4-bridging modes in the structures.
Cardiorenal syndrome: new perspectives.

Maintenance of blood volume, vascular tone, and hemodynamic stability depends on a set of elegant interactions between the heart and kidney. For some time, physicians have recognized that severe dysfunction in either of these organs seldom occurs in isolation. However, only recently have we attempted to define and apply the widespread concept of the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). Despite our growing use of the term, there is still some debate as to its true definition. More important, the process itself remains enigmatic; our understanding of the complex physiological, biochemical, and hormonal derangements that encompass the CRS is woefully deficient and may lead to improper medical management of patients. Because renal dysfunction portends such a dismal prognosis in cardiac failure and vice versa, there has been a recent surge of interest in identifying precise pathophysiological connections between the failing heart and kidneys. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the CRS will allow us to target therapies that interrupt this dangerous feedback cycle. In 2004, a working group of investigators at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute defined the CRS as a state in which therapy to relieve heart failure (HF) symptoms is limited by further worsening renal function.1 Although this definition is succinct and understandable and probably reflects the most common use of the term, some authors argue that it is simplistic to the point of being inaccurate.2 Several groups have recently proposed that the definition of CRS be broadened in an attempt to stress the complex and bidirectional nature of pathophysiological interactions between the failing heart and kidneys. That is, each dysfunctional organ has the ability to initiate and perpetuate disease in the other organ through common hemodynamic, neurohormonal, and immunologic/biochemical feedback pathways. Proper use of the term CRS should correct a common misunderstanding: that kidney dysfunction in HF …
Distance Learning: A Principal's Perspective on a New Kind of Graduate Program.

What is distance learning? Is this something more than a mail order degree? Is this graduate program simply a correspondence course—an easy way to earn a master's degree? What do teachers actually learn? Is there any transfer of learning to what they actually do in the class room ?
Diversity, adaptation, and endemism in neotropical Ericaceae: biogeographical patterns in the Vaccinieae

In the Neotropics, the Ericaceae are an Andean-centered family, adapted to moist, open, cool montane environments. Overall species richness increases nearer the Equator, with the highest species numbers concentrated in Colombia and Ecuador between 1000 m and 3000 m. There are 46 genera (70% endemic) and about 800 species (ca. 94% endemic) of Ericaceae native to the Neotropics. Five biogeographical regions are recognized for the neotropical Ericaceae, with the greatest species diversity found in the Andes of northwestern South America. Following Pliocene/Pleistocene mountain-building and climatic events, neotropical Ericaceae underwent dynamic speciation and extensive adaptive radiation due to their ecological and life-form plasticity, colonization abilities, adaptation to epiphytic habits, and coevolution with hummingbirds. Given high diversity and singularity within neotropical Ericaceae, along with high levels of habitat alteration, protection of Andean montane ecosystems should become a priority for the conservation of Ericaceae in the Neotropics.
PATH INTEGRAL CALCULATION OF GREEN’S FUNCTION FOR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION IN UNITARY GAUGE

Green’s function of Schrodinger equation is represented as a time-reparametrization invariant path integral. Unitary gauge fixing enables us to get the WKB preexponential factor without calculating determinants of operators containing derivatives.
Structural, EPR, and Mössbauer Characterization of (μ-Alkoxo)(μ-Carboxylato)Diiron(II,III) Model Complexes for the Active Sites of Mixed-Valent Diiron Enzymes

To obtain structural and spectroscopic models for the diiron(II,III) centers in the active sites of diiron enzymes, the (μ-alkoxo)(μ-carboxylato)diiron(II,III) complexes [FeIIFeIII(N-Et-HPTB)(O2CPh)(NCCH3)2](ClO4)3 (1) and [FeIIFeIII(N-Et-HPTB)(O2CPh)(Cl)(HOCH3)](ClO4)2 (2) (N-Et-HPTB = N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-(1-ethyl-benzimidazolylmethyl))-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane) have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV–visible absorption, EPR, and Mossbauer spectroscopies. Fe1–Fe2 separations are 3.60 and 3.63 A, and Fe1–O1–Fe2 bond angles are 128.0° and 129.4° for 1 and 2, respectively. Mossbauer and EPR studies of 1 show that the FeIII (SA = 5/2) and FeII (SB = 2) sites are antiferromagnetically coupled to yield a ground state with S = 1/2 (g= 1.75, 1.88, 1.96); Mossbauer analysis of solid 1 yields J = 22.5 ± 2 cm–1 for the exchange coupling constant (H = JSA·SB convention). In addition to the S = 1/2 ground-state spectrum of 1, the EPR signal for the S = 3/2 excited state of the spin ladd...
Forearm Vascular Reactivity and Arterial Stiffness in Asymptomatic Adults From the Community

Vascular reactivity may affect the stiffness characteristics of the arterial wall. We investigated the association between forearm microcirculatory and conduit artery function and measures of arterial stiffness in 527 asymptomatic non-Hispanic white adults without known cardiovascular disease. High-resolution ultrasonography of the brachial artery (ba) was performed to assess forearm microcirculatory function (ba blood flow velocity, local shear stress, and forearm vascular resistance at rest and during reactive hyperemia) and conduit artery function (ba flow-mediated dilatation [baFMD] and ba nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation [baNMD]). Arterial stiffness was assessed by cuff-derived brachial pulse pressure and aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) measured by applanation tonometry. In regression analyses that adjusted for heart rate, mean arterial pressure, height, cardiovascular risk factors, and hypertension medication and statin use, higher baseline ba systolic velocity and systolic shear stress were associated with greater pulse pressure (P=0.0002 and P=0.006, respectively) and higher aPWV (each P<0.0001). During hyperemia, lower ba mean velocity and lower mean shear stress were associated with higher pulse pressure (P=0.045 and P=0.036, respectively), whereas both systolic and mean velocity (P<0.0001 and P=0.002, respectively) and systolic and mean shear stress (P<0.0001 and P=0.003, respectively) were inversely associated with aPWV. baFMD was not associated with pulse pressure but was inversely associated with aPWV (P=0.011). baNMD was inversely associated with pulse pressure (P=0.0002) and aPWV (P=0.008). Our findings demonstrate that impaired forearm microvascular function (in the form of elevated resting blood flow velocity and impaired flow reserve) and impaired brachial artery reactivity are associated with increased arterial stiffness.
Injury and control of onion thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on edible podded peas.

Harvests of edible podded peas from commercial fields in upstate New York during 1984 contained two types of injury previously unreported in the United States. Damage to pods consisted of either small raised bumps or scars appearing as silver mottling. Field sampling indicated the presence of onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, so greenhouse and field tests were designed to assess its ability to cause this injury and strategies for control. Result from greenhouse and field trials demonstrated that the scars were caused by T. tabaci. In greenhouse trials, T. tabaci reproduced on peas and caused scars. A single application of parathion at the per bloom or bloom stage was effective in eliminating all thrips and scarring, whereas an application at pod initiation allowed a low but noticeable level of damage. In field trials, applications of parathion and dimethoate provided comparable control of scars. In one field trial it was necessary to apply an application at either the per bloom or bloom stage, followed by an additional application at the next crop stage (i.e., bloom or pod-initiation stage, respectively), to achieve >70% scar-free pods. Counts of total thysanopteran larvae in treated plots before harvest indicated that both insecticides were effective in reducing larval populations. In another field trial in which thrips populations were much higher, no treatments were effective in reducing scarring injury. In greenhouse and field trials the occurrence of bumps was not reduced by the use of insecticides, nor did it appear related to thrips numbers, thus indicating that they were not the cause of this blemish.
Testing for complementarities in reduced-form regressions: A note

Abstract In many cases it is important to know whether choice variables for a decision maker are mutual complements, but a structural model cannot be estimated. A unified framework for testing for complementarity through reduced-form regressions is provided.
Substituent Effects on the Sensitivity of a Quinoline Photoremovable Protecting Group to One- and Two-Photon Excitation

Photoremovable protecting groups that can reveal biologically important functional groups through one- and two-photon excitation (1PE and 2PE, respectively) have promise in regulating physiological function in a temporally and spatially restricted manner. Only a few chromophores have sufficient sensitivity to 2PE suitable for use as “caging groups” in physiology experiments. It would be useful to develop structure−property relationships of chromophores, so that chromophores with high two-photon uncaging action cross-sections (δu) can be designed. The 8-bromo-7-hydroxyquinolinyl chromophore (BHQ) releases a variety of functional groups through 1PE and 2PE. Swapping the bromine substituent for a nitro (NHQ), cyano (CyHQ), or chloro (CHQ) or exchanging the hydroxy for dimethylamino (DMAQ and DMAQ-Cl) or sulfhydryl (TQ) significantly alters the photochemical and photophysical properties of the quinoline chromophore. CyHQ-OAc demonstrated a 3-fold increase in sensitivity for acetate release, whereas NHQ-OAc wa...
Current Perceptions Regarding Surgical Margin Status After Breast-Conserving Therapy: Results of a Survey

Objective: The surgical margin status after breast-conserving surgery is considered the strongest predictor for local failure. The purpose of this study is to survey how radiation oncologists in North America (NA) and Europe define negative or close surgical margins after lumpectomy and to determine the factors that govern the decision to recommend reexcision based on the margins status. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to active members of the European Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology who had completed training in radiation oncology. Respondents were asked whether they would characterize margins to be negative or close for a variety of scenarios. A second survey was sent to 500 randomly selected radiation oncologists in the United States to assess when a reexcision would be recommended based on surgical margins. Results: A total of 702 responses were obtained from NA and 431 from Europe to the initial survey. An additional 130 responses were obtained from the United States to the second survey regarding reexcision recommendations. Nearly 46% of the North American respondents required only that there be no tumor cells on the ink to deem a margin negative (National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project definition). A total of 7.4% and 21.8% required no tumor cells seen at 5 mm) between tumor cells and the inked edges before considering a margin to be negative. Conclusion: This study revealed significant variation in the perception of negative and close margins among radiation oncologists in NA and Europe. Given these findings, a universal definition of negative margins and consistent recommendations for reexcision are needed.
Gastric emptying scintigraphy results in children are affected by age, anthropometric factors, and study duration.

Background A standardized 4-h adult-based gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) protocol is increasingly being used in children to evaluate for gastroparesis. We sought to determine the effect of age, anthropometrics, and study duration on GES results using this protocol in children. Methods Retrospective review of children who underwent a 4-h solid-meal GES study at a tertiary care center. GES results and anthropometric data (e.g., weight, stature, body surface area [BSA]) were systematically captured. Key Results Of 216 children, 188 (87%) were able to complete the study meal. Children unable to complete the meal were younger and smaller. In multivariate analysis, only increasing BSA was identified as being positively associated with ability to complete the meal (odds ratio: 19.7; p 10%). These children were significantly younger and smaller than those with normal emptying. In multivariate analysis of those completing the meal, only increasing BSA (odds ratio: 0.26; p = 0.006) was identified as being negatively associated with delayed emptying. There was a progressive increase in the positive predictive value for identification of delayed gastric emptying as the duration of the study increased (0.25, 0.60, and 0.71 at 1, 2, and 3 h, respectively) using the 4-hr value as a comparator. Conclusions & Inferences Young children have more difficulty completing the GES meal. Childhood gastric retention is affected by age and anthropometric factors, primarily BSA. The standardized 4-h GES protocol may need to take these factors into account in children.