cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytopathology fellowship recruitment: Has the time come to consider a unified approach?

Introduction Cytopathology (CYP) fellowship training is a critical component of maintaining a skilled group of cytopathologists. For years, the recruitment process for CYP fellowship programs has remained unchanged, with individual programs outlining their own requirements and timeline, and applicants bearing the cost of travel and dealing with the variable processes outlined by individual programs. However, there has been renewed interest in analyzing the recruitment process for CYP fellowships to look for areas of potential improvement and uniformity. Methods With the goal of gauging the interest of CYP fellowship program directors (PDs) in a more unified approach to recruitment or a formal match process, the ASC Cytopathology Program Directors Committee (CPDC) surveyed PDs via SurveyMonkey and organized special webinars with polling over a 4-year time frame (2017-2021), and examined Qualtrics survey data collected by the American Board of Pathology (ABPath) in 2020. Results The response rate for PDs was greatest in a formal survey by the ABPath (66 respondents; 71% of PDs) conducted in 2020, and lower for an ASC survey in 2021 (61 respondents, 66% of PDs) and 2017 (19 respondents; 21% of PDs) and two recent ASC webinars (10 and 26 respondents; 11% and 28% of PDs). Support for a fellowship match process varied from 29% to 77%, respondent uncertainty ranged from 13% to 50%, and a lack of support ranged from 10% to 60%. In aggregate, approximately 56% of respondents would be in favor of a more standardized process. Recently, after hearing about other fellowships experimenting with a standardized process, the interest in a unified approach doubled from approximately 29% to 60%, and the percentage of PDs with uncertainty decreased from 50% to 26%. In the most recent follow up survey, interest reached the highest level of 77% among PDs. Conclusions Herein we present several years of feedback from the CYP fellowship PD community regarding a more standardized approach to CYP fellowship recruitment, culminating in the latest survey with 77% of CYP fellowship PDs expressing interest. Thus, details about what a unified timeframe may look like for CYP fellowships is presented to show how this may improve the recruitment process for the mutual benefit for programs and applicants.
Strike-Induced Chemosensory Searching in Reptiles: A Review

Chemosensory searching in squamates with specialized tongue–vomeronasal systems is well-documented. By tongue-flicking, these reptiles gather important chemical cues from their environment to guide their feeding behavior. Strike-induced chemosensory searching (SICS) is a specific expression of chemosensory reception that is central to the predatory strategy used by venomous reptiles that strike, release, and relocate their prey. This complex behavioral process consists of multiple sequential steps and has been mainly studied in viperids, particularly rattlesnakes. Although this phenomenon has been extensively researched, there is no comprehensive review of the SICS literature. Here, we provide such a review, centered on the idea that SICS is a result of suppression, and then enhancement, of chemosensory searching that serves as a key element of the ambush hunting strategy that most viperid snakes use to consume large and well-defended prey. SICS is also present in other venomous and nonvenomous taxa, and we include a taxonomic categorization of SICS studies in our review. We summarize the key findings discovered during decades of research into this remarkable feeding behavior and highlight areas where our knowledge remains incomplete in an effort to foster further research that will increase our understanding of reptilian feeding ecology.
Global Confidence, Uncertainty, and Business Cycles

This paper investigates the role of global confidence cycles, measured as the common factor across a wide range of survey-based business or consumer confidence indicators on global macroeconomic fluctuations over 1970-2019. I estimate a factor-augmented vector autoregression model, where global confidence shocks are identified through recursive restriction. I report three main results. First, the global confidence cycle, in particular that of consumer confidence, has played a key role in global business cycle fluctuations, explaining over a third and over a half, respectively, of total variation in global industrial production and employment over 1985-2019. Second, the results suggest that while global business confidence shocks are in nature demand-driven, global consumer confidence seems to reflect macroeconomic shocks in both demand and supply sides, in line with “animal spirit” and “news” views on the relation between confidence and economic activities. Third, the empirical results suggest that the plunges in economic confidence caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to around 25 percent decline in global industrial production by the end of 2020. The results are robust to the ordering of variables or alternative identifying schemes that include external instrument identification.
Hydrocyclone Separation in Combination with Mature Separation Techniques to Treat Produced Water

Existing produced water treatment technologies were analyzed, and a modular and small-footprint treatment train centered around hydrocyclone separation is proposed to meet clean brine specifications requested by the Produced Water Society. Bench scale testing is used to verify the performance of this system, finding a 14:1 flow split (oil rich: solids rich) in the hydrocyclone was optimal. An economic analysis was done to verify the feasibility of scale up. Typical produced water treatment techniques have a cost between $6 and $60 per cubic meter and this proposed treatment has an estimated cost of $4 per cubic meter.
The number of Follicle Stem Cells in a Drosophila ovariole

A paper by Reilein et al (2017) presented several fundamental new insights into the behavior of adult Follicle Stem Cells (FSCs) in the Drosophila ovary, including evidence that each ovariole hosts a large number of FSCs (14-16) maintained by population asymmetry (Reilein et al., 2017), rather than just two FSCs, dividing with largely individually asymmetric outcomes, as originally proposed (Margolis and Spradling, 1995; Nystul and Spradling, 2007). Fadiga and Nystul (2019) contest some of these conclusions on the basis of their repetition of a multicolor lineage strategy used by Reilein et al (2017) and repetition of earlier single-color lineage analysis. Here we outline a number of shortcomings in the execution and interpretation of those experiments that, in our opinion, undermine their conclusions. The central issue of general relevance concerns the importance of comprehensively analyzing all stem cell lineages, independent of any pre-conceptions, in order to identify all constituents and capture heterogeneous behaviors.
Equations Depicting the Operation of the D-C Motor [includes discussion]

This paper shows how mathematical systems of straight lines or simple curves may be developed to represent the performance of the ordinary d-c motor. The study deals with the shunt and the series motor. Because of the association of the engineer in his early college study with simple mathematical curves such as the straight line and hyperbola, the developed motor equation will enable him to use such curves as references in his thinking when applying a motor to a particular situation.
Dose-volume relationship of acute and late small bowel toxicity from radiation therapy for prostate cancer: a Veterans Affairs study

The objective of this study was to characterize the dose-volume relationship of small bowel toxicity during prostate radiation therapy in a homogenous Veterans Affairs population using modern IMRT/VMAT radiation techniques. All records of patients receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer at the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Hospital between 2009 and 2011 were analyzed (n = 73). Peritoneal space contents were contoured on each slice of the planning CT scan. A median dose of 75.6 Gy was delivered with either intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The small bowel constraint used was V45 < 200 cc. Median follow-up was 2.4 years. Toxicity was scored using CTCAE v4.0 to grade acute and late small bowel toxicity. Seventeen patients (23 %) experienced acute grade 1 small bowel toxicity. Twenty-seven patients (37 %) experienced acute grade 2 small bowel toxicity. There was 3 % grade 1 and 10 % grade 2 late small bowel toxicity. There was no grade 3 or higher acute or late bowel toxicity. The mean volume of a small bowel receiving a dose of 45 Gy was 58 cc, range (2–193 cc). Nineteen patients (26 %) received greater than 52 Gy, range (52–80 Gy) and had no late small bowel toxicity. Multivariate analysis showed that prior abdominal surgery predicted acute small bowel toxicity HR = 4.6 (95 % CI 1.24–20.5) p = 0.03. In this Veterans Affairs population of prostate cancer patients treated with radiation, V45 < 200 cc minimizes small bowel toxicity. However, we show this constraint can possibly be exceeded without significant short- and long-term complications. Further studies should explore maximum tolerated dose-volume relationship to maximize tumor control without increasing the small bowel toxicity profile.
Survivorship of the Pupal Stages of the Mexican Fruit Fly Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in an Agricultural and a Nonagricultural Situation

Pupae of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (=mexfly), were placed outdoors at two localities in northeastern Mexico in order to measure mortality rates during this phase of the life c...
Advanced Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Since the first edition of this textbook, advances in laparoscopic colorectal surgery have been made in the arenas of education, research, and practice. In education, the vast majority of, if not all, trainees now finishing colorectal surgery fellowships have learned laparoscopic techniques. All laparoscopic colorectal procedures continue to be considered advanced procedures and are considered as such in this chapter. In the research arena, a multicenter randomized controlled trial is in progress evaluating the safety and other outcomes of laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer. In clinical practice, single-incision laparoscopic surgery has sparked interest in making these procedures even less invasive, and there is at least intellectual and experimental interest in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) even though this approach has not yet made its way into practice. This chapter will review these issues and provide an assessment of the use of laparoscopic techniques for the common disease processes seen by colorectal surgeons.
The effect of O/sub 2/ on H/sub 2/Se selenization in a continuous flow reactor

Cu-In bilayers were reacted to form CuInSe/sub 2/ in a continuous flow tubular reactor using a dilute H/sub 2/Se mixture. The system was evacuated to 1/spl times/10/sup -6/ torr prior to the introduction of the reacting gas to remove all gas phase contaminants. High efficiency solar cells could not be made on CuInSe/sub 2/ films formed using only H/sub 2/Se as the reacting gas. However, by mixing O/sub 2/ with the H/sub 2/Se, CuInSe/sub 2/ was formed and cells with efficiencies over 10% were fabricated. The O/sub 2/ reacts with the H/sub 2/Se in the gas phase forming Se/sub x/ species. At O/sub 2H/sub 2/Se ratios of 0.9 to 0.2, Cu/sub 7/Se/sub 4/ and In/sub 2/O/sub 3/ along with CuInSe/sub 2/ are formed. At low O/sub 2H/sub 2/Se ratios, 0.02 to 0.004, single phase CuInSe/sub 2/ films are formed which are suitable for devices. >
Apoptosis in Viral Infections

Publisher Summary Although apoptosis can be induced by a number of stimuli, it has become apparent that there are common connecting themes linking the diverse systems covered in this chapter. Entry into the cell cycle can sensitize cells to apoptosis and abnormal regulation of growth-promoting genes, such as the protooncogenes c-myc and c-fos or of the transcription factor E2F, which can enhance expression of c-myc, results in apoptosis. Lymphocytes responding to viral infection are also more sensitive to apoptosis when in cycle. A second recurring theme is that the tumor suppressor protein p53 will shunt cells into an apoptotic pathway under the conditions of dysregulated expression of growth-promoting genes, and several viruses encode proteins that hind to p53 and interfere with its function. The protective effect of the Bcl-2 protein against apoptosis has been demonstrated repeatedly in viral systems. Apoptosis induced in target cells by either Sindbis or influenza virus infections is greatly inhibited in cells expressing bcl-2. A fourth theme involves the FasITNF receptor system. Activated lymphocytes responding to viral infections express high levels of Fas and are susceptible to apoptosis. Fas is related to the TNF receptor and both are down-regulated when TNF is added to cells. CTL and NK cells encode proteases (granzymes, fragmentins) that induce apoptosis in target cells. It is, therefore, clear that apoptosis plays a major role in viral infections and in the host response to them. Apoptosis is the mechanism, by which many viruses induce cell death and transforming viruses encode proteins that inhibit cellular apoptotic pathways. CTLs, NK cells, and cytotoxic cytokines, all kill virus-infected target cells through apoptotic pathways. In the infected host, T lymphocyte apoptosis plays a role in the natural history of the T cell responses to viral infection.
Nociceptive behavior following hindpaw burn injury in young rats: response to systemic morphine.

Objective. Develop a burn injury model in young age rats. Background. Management of pain after burn injury in pediatric patients is an unresolved clinical issue. Methods. A burn injury model in young rats of 3–4 weeks old was developed by briefly immersing the dorsal part of the right hindpaw in a hot water bath (85°C) for 12 seconds under pentobarbital anesthesia. Results. Burn injury, but not sham control, induced nociceptive behaviors (mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia) when examined on post-injury day 2, 4, and 7. In burn-injured rats, there was the upregulated expression of the NR1 subunit of the N -methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, Akt1, Akt2, and protein kinase C γ (PKCγ), but downregulated expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS), inducible NOS, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β, within the spinal cord dorsal horn ipsilateral to burn injury. Moreover, intraperitoneal administration of a clinically available NMDA receptor antagonist dextromethorphan (30 mg/kg, once daily × 7 days beginning on day 7 after burn injury) attenuated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in burn-injured rats. Different from our previous finding in adult burn-injured rats; however, burn injury in young rats of this age did not spontaneously shift the morphine antinociceptive response curve to the right within the dose range used in the study when exposed to morphine for the first time, suggesting that the development of intrinsic tolerance to morphine antinociception may be different from adult rats following burn injury. Conclusions. Our data suggest that this model may be used to explore the mechanisms of burn injury-induced nociception in young rats and to differentiate the sequelae from burn injury between adult and young rats under certain experimental conditions.
An efficient method for tuning handwriting parameters

Many problems in recognition involve making linear combinations of results from various experts. Computing the coefficients can be expensive because a single test run can take many minutes, hours, or even days, and many values need to be evaluated to find an optimum. This paper describes an algorithm that can make a good approximation to the optimum value for a parameter in a single pass over the tuning data and also outlines methods for tuning several parameters at once.
Subclinical Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Outpatients with Heart Failure Detected by a Novel Non-invasive Wireless Remote Monitoring Platform

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent and important comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the frequency of subclinical paroxysmal AF (PAF) in HF patients has not been well-characterized. We have developed a novel wireless remote monitoring platform (BodyGuardian ) which provides continuous 24/7 real-time cardiac telemetry including automated rhythm classification supported by a dedicated 24/7 monitoring center with technician over-read. Herein we report our initial experience with deployment of the BodyGuardian platform in HF subjects for detection of PAF. Hypothesis: Subclinical PAF is frequent in outpatients with chronic stable HF. Methods: We performed continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring using the BodyGuardian platform over an interval of 2-4 weeks in ambulatory subjects (n524) with stable chronic NYHA class I-IV HF receiving standard therapy. The platform includes an external removable sensor-patch on the frontend which acquires EKG signals wirelessly transmitted via cell-phone technology to Cloud servers for storage, summary and analysis and down-loaded on the backend for technician over-read with reporting to the electronic medical record for review by providers. Automated rhythm classification, alerts and summaries provide clinical decision-support. Proprietary technology enables assessment of EKG and HR reliability with appropriate filtering for reported data. The system also enables two-way communication between providers and patients (subjects) with programmable thresholds for automated alerts as well as subject-activated alerts by button-push. AF ! 30 seconds duration was not considered for analysis. Results: Subjects (4 women, 20 men) were 32-84 years old (mean 63.4 years) with LVEF 15-72% (mean 32.6%); 18 subjects were NYHA class I-II and 6 class III-IV. The sensor-patch was well tolerated; compliance with sensor-patch was high. Mean monitoring interval was 23.2 6 18.0 days. EKG signal reliability was 93.1% before filtering. 11 subjects had no history of AF. During the study period 19 separate subjects had remotely detected AF including 4 individuals with no prior history of AF. Hence, 4 of 11 (36%) HF subjects with no AF history developed at least one episode of PAF during the study period. Conclusion: Subclinical PAF is frequently detected in outpatients with chronic, stable HF monitored continuously by an external wireless remote monitoring platform over an interval of 2-4 weeks. Remote telemetry may potentially increase detection rates and quantification of PAF burden in HF patients and support outpatient management of AF where hospital monitoring might otherwise be required. These findings are important as they may enable modification of management strategies.
Physical Model Based Recovery of Displacement and Deformations from 3D Medical Images

Estimating tissue displacement and deformation from time-varying medical images is a common problem in biomedical image analysis. For example, in order to better manage patients with ischemic heart disease, it would be useful to know their current extent of injury. This can be assessed by accurately tracking the motion of the left ventricle of the beating heart. Another example of this type of application is estimating the displacement of brain tissue during neurosurgery. The latter application is necessary because the presurgical planning for these delicate surgeries is based on images that may not accurately reflect the intraopertave brain (due to the action of gravity and other forces). In both examples, the tissue deformation cannot be measured directly. Instead, a sparse set of (potentially noisy) displacement estimates are extracted from acquired images. In this chapter, we explain how to use the physical properties of underlying organs or structures to guide such estimations of deformation, using neurosurgery and cardiac motion as example cases.
Overview of physiatric approaches to cancer pain.

The role of the rehabilitation team in the management of the cancer patient with pain is not well understood by either oncologists or physiatrists. Readily available analgesic interventions at the rehabilitationist's disposal may be easily employed in this population as part of a multi modality and interdisciplinary approach to pain. This article describes the role of the rehabilitation team and highlights techniques which are appropriate for cancer pain management. Benefits realized in addition to analgesia from physiatric intervention are also described.Cancer, in all its varieties, is inherently destructive and thereby, a potentially disabling process.1,2 Typical examples of the deleterious physical consequences associated with cancer include primary and metastatic disease of the bone and brain, epidural spinal cord compression, and invasion or compression of nerves by malignant spread.Options available for the treatment of cancer, including radical surgery, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, administered individually or in combination, are also noxious to native tissues. Therefore, antineoplastic therapies may also lead to, or exacerbate, physical impairments. Examples include surgical amputation of a limb, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, and radiation osteonecrosis.Pain is one of the most common causes of disability in the cancer population.3,4 Thirty to 50% of all cancer patients suffer pain, and 70 to 90% of terminal patients have pain. Pain contributing to functional impairment has been noted in 44% of patients seen on a cancer rehabilitation service.5 The World Health Organization has developed clear guidelines for the assessment and recommended treatment of cancer pain.6 Pharmacologic and anesthetic interventions, as well as ablative and electro-stimulatory neurosurgical procedures, provide significant pain relief in the majority of cancer patients.7 These techniques, employed by a cogent multidisciplinary team including supportive and palliative care specialists, psychiatric liaison, and rehabilitation professionals may be the most efficacious approach in optimizing pain relief for this population.8-11This article will review options available to the physiatrist for the treatment of cancer pain and related disabilities.
A randomized controlled trial of muscle strengthening versus flexibility training in fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a muscle strengthening program compared to a stretching program in women with fibromyalgia (FM). METHODS: Sixty-eight women with FM were randomly assigned to a 12 week, twice weekly exercise program consisting of either muscle strengthening or stretching. Outcome measures included muscle strength (main outcome variable), flexibility, weight, body fat, tender point count, and disease and symptom severity scales. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences between groups were found on independent t tests. Paired t tests revealed twice the number of significant improvements in the strengthening group compared to the stretching group. Effect size scores indicated that the magnitude of change was generally greater in the strengthening group than the stretching group. CONCLUSION: Patients with FM can engage in a specially tailored muscle strengthening program and experience an improvement in overall disease activity, without a significant exercise induced flare in pain. Flexibility training alone also results in overall improvements, albeit of a lesser degree.
Ion channels in axon and Schwann cell membranes at paranodes of mammalian myelinated fibers studied with patch clamp

While recent studies have established the presence of voltage-gated ion channels on Schwann cells in culture and on freshly isolated fibers from mature mammals, an important issue not yet explored is whether Schwann cell channels are regionally specialized. In the nodal region, the intimate association between the Schwann cell and its axon suggests that this is a likely site for functional specialization. Here, we examine whether there is a localized expression of channels in the Schwann cell paranodal regions, in a manner similar to that already shown for the nodal axon. Cell-attached and outside-out patch-clamp recordings were made from paranodal regions of rat myelinated sciatic nerve fibers where the myelin on both sides of the node was retracted by enzymatic treatment. Even though no myelin was visible on the surface of the retracted paranode, significant portions of this surface were found to stain positively with a marker (anti-galactocerebroside) for Schwann cell membranes, suggesting that part of the axon still was covered by glial membranes. Using Lucifer yellow in the recording pipettes, we observed that the dye diffused into either axons or Schwann cells when the membrane under the tip was ruptured. Using this as a criterion to identify membranes obtained from retracted paranodes, we found delayed and inwardly rectifying potassium channels on both axon- and Schwann-derived patches. However, sodium channels were detected only in axon patches. This is the first report that voltage- gated glial channels are present in immediate vicinity to axons of the PNS. This finding, coupled with earlier reports that functional channels are absent in soma of mature myelinating Schwann cells, suggests that ion channels in these cells are regionally specialized for functional interaction with axons.
A low power programmable logic device reconfigurable for 3.3 V or 5.0 V operation during and after fabrication

A programmable logic device which is reconfigurable to operate at either a 3.3 V or 5.0 V supply specification has been fabricated. On-chip circuitry is dynamically adjusted for 3.3 V or 5.0 V operation. The voltage supply configuration can be changed after fabrication by opening a fuse or writing into a selection register. The device consumes less than 500 /spl mu/W of power at 3.3 volts. >
Effect of Sulfur Amino Acid Supplementation of Raw Soy Flour on the Growth and Pancreatic Weights of Rats

Rat feeding studies showed that L-cystine, L-cysteine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and L-methionine enhance the nutritional quality of raw (unheated) soy flour as measured in rats by the protein efficiency ratio (PER). Pancreas weights of rats fed diets supplemented with sulfur amino acids were higher than those of rats fed unsupplemented diets. In some instances this increase resulting from nutritional improvement of the diet was relatively greater than that in total body weight. Explanations are offered for these effects in terms of the proposed biofeedback mechanism involving the gastrointestinal endocrine system and the hormone cholecystokinin. The observed stimulation of pancreatic growth by added sulfur amino acids may be closely associated with this pancreatic regulatory mechanism when activated in response to dietary trypsin inhibitors present in unheated soy protein. The extent to which pancreatic hypertrophy develops as a result of a given exposure to trypsin inhibitors may be limited when the total amount or quality of the protein in the diet is less than optimal.
%(G+C) variation and prediction by a model of bacterial gene transfer and codon adaptation.

The %(G + C) of bacterial genomes ranges from 25% in Mycoplasma to 75% in Micrococcus. Our model for horizontal gene flow enabled a theoretical study of the adaptation of relative codon frequency to match the pattern of the tRNA set of a new host. This study explored the dynamic relationship of %(G + C) to vectors of relative codon frequency (Fγ), relative amino acid coding frequency (Fα), and absolute codon frequency (F|γ|) in chromosomes of nine, fully sequenced bacterial genomes that varied widely in %(G + C). At constant Fα, the theoretical maximum average range possible was %(G + C) = 37.4 ± 0.9%. In simulations of Fγ adaptation to a new host following hypothetical gene transfer, we modeled %(G + C) as a function of Fγ and Fα. The simulation revealed that %(G + C) is dependent on Fγ and Fα in an explicit relationship described in this paper. We conclude that (1) Fγ and Fα determine %(G + C), and (2) the degree of adaptation of %(G + C) in a transferred gene depends upon the degree of Fγ equilibration...
DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES IN PTYCHOSPERMA (PALMAE). I. THE INFLORESCENCE AND THE FLOWER CLUSTER

A B S T R A C T This paper describes inflorescence structure, including organogenesis of the panicle and flower clusters and vasculature of flowering branches, for two species of PtychlospemnBla, a genus of arecoid palms. The inflorescence is an infrafoliar panicle with up to four orders of branches in a spirodistichous arrangement conforming to an irregular one-half phyllotaxy. The primordium of the inflorescence is crescentic and the apex has two tunica layers, a group of central cells, and a rib meristem. The distal flower-bearing parts or rachillae of all branches develop acropetally early in ontogeny and are vertically oriented in the bud. Although these rachillae terminate branches of different sizes and orders, they are similar in size and in number of flower clusters produced. Internodes and lower parts of branches develop later. Bracts of four types are produced: a prophyll and empty peduncular bract, bracts which subtend lateral branches, bracts subtending triads, and floral bracteoles. The prophyll and peduncular bracts are tubular and completely closed around all branches until about three months before the flowers reach anthesis. Bracts subtending lateral branches and those that subtend triads enlarge by small amounts of apical, adaxial, and marginal growth to cover subtended apices during early ontogeny, but are small to absent at maturity. Flower clusters are triads of two lateral staminate and a central pistillate flower. Organogenesis indicates that the triad is a sympodial unit. Flowers develop successively, each floral apex bearing a bracteole that subtends the next flower. The vasculature of the inflorescence may be divided into two systems. Bundles of the main axis extend acropetally into the vertically oriented branches as they are initiated and form a central cylinder of larger bundles in each branch. Flower clusters are supplied by a peripheral system of smaller bundles that develop later in relation to the developing floral organs. Bundles of the peripheral system branch frequently, but branching levels are irregular. The irregular branching of peripheral bundles appears related to the phyllotaxy of the flower clusters and the random right or left position of the first flower of the triad. The level of branching of a bundle may depend on the position of a floral primordium with respect to an existing procambial strand. Three (-4) bundles supply each staminate flower and six (-10) the pistillate flower. The histologically specialized inflorescence has stomata and contains abundant starch. Tannins and raphides, spherical silica bodies, and various forms of sclerenchyma appear in sequence and apparently provide support and protection during the long exposure of the branches.
Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities actuated by an external magnetic field

The solar wind crosses the magnetic field of the earth and mixes with the plasma of terrestrial origin. The fast particles from the solar wind are responsible for satellite damage, communication disruptions and power blackouts on earth. A better understanding of this penetration process is needed in order to be able to accurately predict it. One experiment attempting to accomplish this was performed at the Nevada Terawatt Facility. This experiment used a short-pulse laser to produce a plasma plume and a pulsed-power generator to independently produce a magnetic field. The magnetic field actuated a sheared flow along the boundary of the plasma plume which caused a Kelvin–Helmholtz instability similar to that found in the interaction between the solar wind and the magnetosphere that leads to the penetration of the fast particles. The instability produced in the experiment will be discussed along with its relevance to the solar wind/magnetosphere interaction.
Dimensional anisotropy during phase transformations in a chemically banded 5140 steel. Part II: modeling

Dimensional anisotropy associated with chemical banding was investigated using a material point model to simulate transformation anisotropy due to manganese inhomogeneity. A manganese dependent, internal state variable model for athermal martensite transformation was used to estimate the strains that develop in two layers of differing manganese content which maintain a coherent interface. Classical plasticity and transformation plasticity were included in simulations and compared to measured values for a steel with an engineered manganese segregation pattern presented in a companion paper (Jaramillo et al. Acta Mater., submitted). The results are consistent with the hypothesis that transformation plasticity is the mechanism by which shape change occurs in the chemically banded steel.
Multiaxial Constitutive Behavior of Ferroelectric Materials

Multiaxial ferroelectric/ferroelastic constitutive laws governing the behavior of ceramic lead zirconate titanate (PZT) are needed for numerical calculations of stress and electric field in the vicinity of field concentrators such as cracks, inhomogeneities, and partial electrodes. Multiaxial constitutive behavior was measured using tubular specimens, both poled and unpoled. The specimens were subjected to simultaneous axial load, internal pressure, and external pressure. Deformation was measured using strain gages. The results were used to map out a yield (ferroelastic polarization reorientation threshold or switching) surface. The composition used, 8/65/35 PLZT, was found to obey a Tresca criterion when in the unpoled state. The switching surface was found to be a function of the polarization state. Kinematic and isotropic hardening appear to be good candidates for describing subsequent switching surfaces.
Anti-gp120 Minibody Gene Transfer to Female Genital Epithelial Cells Protects against HIV-1 Virus Challenge In Vitro

Background: Although cervico-vaginal epithelial cells of the female lower genital tract provide the initial defense system against HIV-1 infection, the protection is sometimes incomplete. Thus, enhancing anti-HIV-1 humoral immunity at the mucosal cell surface by local expression of anti-HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (BnAb) that block HIV-1 entry would provide an important new intervention that could slow the spread of HIV/AIDS. Methods and Findings: This study tested the hypothesis that adeno-associated virus (AAV)-BnAb gene transfer to cervicovaginal epithelial cells will lead to protection against HIV-1. Accordingly, a recombinant AAV vector that encodes human b12 anti-HIV gp120 BnAb as a single-chain variable fragment Fc fusion (scFvFc), or ‘‘minibody’’ was constructed. The secreted b12 minibody was shown to be biologically functional in binding to virus envelope protein, neutralizing HIV-1 and importantly, blocking transfer and infectivity of HIV-1bal in an organotypic human vaginal epithelial cell (VEC) model. Furthermore, cervico-vaginal epithelial stem cells were found to be efficiently transduced by the optimal AAV serotype mediated expression of GFP. Conclusion: This study provides the foundation for a novel microbicide strategy to protect against sexual transmission of HIV-1 by AAV transfer of broadly neutralizing antibody genes to cervico-vaginal epithelial stem cells that could replenish b12 BnAb secreting cells through multiple menstrual cycles.
Hydrogen ion budget of an aggrading forested ecosystem

A detailed hydrogen ion budget was developed for the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, in W. Thornton, New Hampshire, U.S.A. Hydrogen ion sources (2541 eq H + ha -1 yr -1 ) were found to approximately balance hydrogen ion sinks (2428 eq H + ha -1 yr -1 ). Atmospheric hydrogen ion inputs contributed 52% of the total hydrogen ion sources for the ecosystem. Based on this budget, projections of changes in precipitation hydrogen ion loading on water quality were made. Changes in H 2 SO 4 precipitation inputs would have more influence on water quality than HNO 3 inputs. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1982.tb01817.x
Finite-difference time-domain (FD-TD) modeling of electromagnetic wave scattering and interaction problems

This article, based upon invited papers at the XXII URSI General Assembly (Tel Avic, August 1987) and the URSI National Radio Science Meeting (Boulder, January 1988), reviews recent applications of the finite-diffrerence time-domain (FD-TD) method for numerical modeling of electromagnetic waves scattering and interaction problems. One of the goals of this article is to demonstrate that recent advances in FD-TD modeling concepts and software implementation, combined with advances in computer technology, have expanded the scope, accuracy, and speed of FD-TD choice for structures that cannot be easily treated by conventional integral equation and asymptotic approaches. As a class, such structure are electrically large and have complex shapes, material compositions, apertures, and interior cavities
Biotinylated quercetin as an intrinsic photoaffinity proteomics probe for the identification of quercetin target proteins

Quercetin is a flavonoid natural product, that is, found in many foods and has been found to have a wide range of medicinal effects. Though a number of quercetin binding proteins have been identified, there has been no systematic approach to identifying all potential targets of quercetin. We describe an O7-biotinylated derivative of quercetin (BioQ) that can act as a photoaffinity proteomics reagent for capturing quercetin binding proteins, which can then be identified by LC-MS/MS. BioQ was shown to inhibit heat induction of HSP70 with almost the same efficiency as quercetin, and to both inhibit and photocrosslink to CK2 kinase, a known target of quercetin involved in activation of the heat shock transcription factor. BioQ was also able to pull down a number of proteins from unheated and heated Jurkat cells following UV irradiation that could be detected by both silver staining and Western blot analysis with an anti-biotin antibody. Analysis of the protein bands by trypsinization and LC-MS/MS led to the identification of heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90 as possible quercetin target proteins, along with ubiquitin-activating enzyme, a spliceosomal protein, RuvB-like 2 ATPases, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3. In addition, a mitochondrial ATPase was identified that has been previously shown to be a target of quercetin. Most of the proteins identified have also been previously suggested to be potential anticancer targets, suggesting that quercetin's antitumor activity may be due to its ability to inhibit multiple target proteins.
Rowlinson's concept of an effective hard sphere diameter.

Attention is drawn to John Rowlinson’s idea that the repulsive portion of the intermolecular interaction may be replaced by a temperature-dependent hard sphere diameter. It is this approximation that made the development of perturbation theory possible for realistic fluids whose intermolecular interactions have a steep, but finite, repulsion at short separations.
Nuclear localization of a foreign gene product in tobacco results in increased accumulation due to enhanced stability

Abstract The short persistence of some foreign gene products remains as a post-translational barrier to effectively expressing desirable traits in transgenic plants. We hypothesized that localization of these proteins within the nucleus may enhance their stability relative to what is possible in the cytosol, a much more common choice as final destination. Here we show that directing the bacterial reporter β -glucuronidase (GUS) to the nucleus using a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) from simian virus 40 (SV40) resulted in an increase in accumulation of approximately 50% when expressed transiently in tobacco protoplasts. Results from assays designed to quantify enzymatic activity or GUS-specific RNA strongly suggested that the increased accumulation was due to enhanced stability. Stable expression of the same nuclear-targeted enzyme in transgenic tobacco plants generally resulted in higher (up to ten-fold) activity levels and a similar argument of enhanced stability as an explanation for these data is discussed.
Numerical modeling and optimization of bundled fiber optic FTIR probes for spectroscopy of small targets

Abstract Fiber optic probes coupled to a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer allow sample analysis without the need to place the sample directly into the instrument. This is particularly attractive for spacecraft lander/rover applications where the additional mechanics, mass and cost associated with excavating and placing a small sample in a sample bay is not desirable. This paper uses numerical modeling to analyze fiber bundle array configurations and fiber numerical apertures to determine their light gathering efficiency and sample size as a function of probe-to-sample distance. The model was validated against experimental measurements for a selection of off the shelf fiber optic probes. The collection efficiency of a probe can be optimized by using a hexagonal packing method, and by using fibers with high numerical apertures. By increasing the numerical aperture of the fibers used in our model probes from 0.2 to 0.5, we were able to increase the collection efficiency of a seven fiber probe from 4.5% to 9.5%, with the peak collection efficiency corresponding to a spot size of diameter 3 mm.
Interaction of idiotype-specific T suppressor factor with the hapten-specific third-order T suppressor subset results in antigen-nonspecific suppression.

Abstract The interaction between the third-order T suppressor (Ts 3 ) cell and the idiotype (Id)-specific second-order Ts factor (TsF 2 ) was studied in the phenyltrimethylamino (TMA) hapten system. The experimental system which we used allowed the independent analysis of induction and activation requirements of Ts 3 . The procedure consisted of inducing the Ts 3 in vivo and activating the enriched T-cell populations containing Ts 3 in vitro with TsF 2 . The suppressive potential was then tested in mice previously primed for delayed-type hypersensitivity responses which were also treated with cyclophosphamide to deplete Ts 3 and other drug-sensitive Ts cell types. Using this experimental system, it was found that the Id-specific TsF 2 was required for the in vitro activation of Ts 3 . Furthermore, the TsF 2 activated only the homologous and not heterologous antigen-primed Ts 3 -containing T cells and moreover, the target of TsF 2 was found to be the Ts cells bearing hapten-specific receptors. Once the TMA hapten-specific Ts 3 was activated with TsF 2 , the ensuing suppression was antigen nonspecific. The data demonstrate that the Ts 3 represents a final effector Ts cell type in the TMA system.
Microarray-Based Comparative Genomic Hybridization Using Sex-Matched Reference DNA Provides Greater Sensitivity for Detection of Sex Chromosome Imbalances than Array-Comparative Genomic Hybridization with Sex-Mismatched Reference DNA

In array-comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) experiments, the measurement of DNA copy number of sex chromosomal regions depends on the sex of the patient and the reference DNAs used. We evaluated the ability of bacterial artificial chromosomes/P1-derived artificial and oligonucleotide array-CGH analyses to detect constitutional sex chromosome imbalances using sex-mismatched reference DNAs. Twenty-two samples with imbalances involving either the X or Y chromosome, including deletions, duplications, triplications, derivative or isodicentric chromosomes, and aneuploidy, were analyzed. Although concordant results were obtained for approximately one-half of the samples when using sex-mismatched and sex-matched reference DNAs, array-CGH analyses with sex-mismatched reference DNAs did not detect genomic imbalances that were detected using sex-matched reference DNAs in 6 of 22 patients. Small duplications and deletions of the X chromosome were most difficult to detect in female and male patients, respectively, when sex-mismatched reference DNAs were used. Sex-matched reference DNAs in array-CGH analyses provides optimal sensitivity and enables an automated statistical evaluation for the detection of sex chromosome imbalances when compared with an experimental design using sex-mismatched reference DNAs. Using sex-mismatched reference DNAs in array-CGH analyses may generate false-negative, false-positive, and ambiguous results for sex chromosome-specific probes, thus masking potential pathogenic genomic imbalances. Therefore, to optimize both detection of clinically relevant sex chromosome imbalances and ensure proper experimental performance, we suggest that alternative internal controls be developed and used instead of using sex-mismatched reference DNAs.
Effect of muscle loads and torque applied to the tibia on the strain behavior of the anterior cruciate ligament: An in vitro investigation

Background Very little is known about the effects of applied torque about the long axis of the tibia in combination with muscle loads on anterior cruciate ligament biomechanics. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of muscle contraction and tibial torques applied about the long axis of the tibia on anterior cruciate ligament strain behavior.
Interaction Effects Among Two-Dimensional Electrons and Holes

We report large logarithmic corrections to the conductivity of two-dimensional electrons and holes in GaSb-InAs-GaSb double heterostructures. From \ensuremath{\sim} 40 mK to 1 K, the conductivity increased with the logarithm of the temperature but with a slope as much as 30 times larger than estimated from the theories of weak localization and carrier interaction. The discrepancy apparently results from electron-hole interactions not included in the theory.
Advances in Sandwich Structural Optimization for Noise Transmission Reduction

The sandwich structures in aerospace industry experience high noise transmissions since they are often stiff and light, and have low damping. Optimization studies of sandwich structures for noise transmission are relatively fewer. Most optimization studies in composite sandwich community seek for high stiffness with minimal weight. Advanced sandwiches must meet not only stiffness to weight ratio demands, but also have improved acoustic transmission performance. This paper presents recent advances in optimization of sandwich structures for minimum sound transmission. The finite element models of sandwich beams and plates are presented in this paper. The acoustic radiation of the structure is computed by using the Rayleigh integral. Sensitivity plays an important role in optimization studies. Analytical expressions of sensitivity can improve computational efficiency dramatically and accuracy at the same time. The explicit sensitivity functions of power and natural frequencies with respect to design parameters are derived in this work. In the optimization studies, we have considered structural parameters that can influence the transverse propagation of sound from the sandwich to the acoustic medium. These parameters include core topology and coupling stiffiness between in- and out-of-plane strains. We also study the optimization of the structure with respect to the structural boundary conditions to minimize the sound transmission. Numerical examples of single tone and broadband applications are presented in the paper. The results show that significant reduction of sound transmission across sandwich structures can be obtained. Finally, it should be noted that the novel optimized sandwich structures can meet not only stiffness to weight ratio demands, but also have significantly improved acoustic performance.Copyright © 2006 by ASME