cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maternal Hypoxia as a Model for Intrauterine Growth Retardation: Effects on Insulin-Like Growth Factors and Their Binding Proteins

Evidence suggests that IGF and their binding proteins play a role in fetal growth, but more knowledge concerning their regulation is essential. We examined the expression of IGF and their binding proteins in experimental intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) rat fetuses of hypoxic dams (13-14% oxygen, d 14-21 of gestation). The mean body weight of the fetuses (d 21 of gestation, n = 72) of the six hypoxic dams was 24% lower (p < 0.0001) than the mean weight of the fetuses of six control dams (n = 82). Wet liver weights demonstrated a 20% decrease (p < 0.0001) and placentas a 10% decrease (p < 0.01) compared with control fetuses. The mean serum concentrations of immunoreactive IGF-I in both groups were low but did not differ significantly. The mean serum concentrations of immunoreactive IGF-II, however, were higher in IUGR fetuses. As assessed by Northern blot analysis, there was a 4-fold increase in insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) mRNA expression in the livers of the IUGR fetuses compared with controls. IGFBP-2 mRNA expression was 6-fold increased in IUGR fetal livers. No difference was found in IGFBP-4 mRNA. An increase in IGFBP-1, -2, and -4 concentrations could be seen by Western ligand blotting in the serum of growth-retarded fetuses compared with control fetuses. This finding was verified by immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies, which demonstrated increases in IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2. Our results validate the use of maternal hypoxia as an experimental model of intrauterine growth retardation and indicate that increased IGFBP-1 and -2 expression may be of importance in the etiology of fetal growth retardation caused by maternal hypoxia.
Pollen dispersal and representation in a neotropical rain forest

Results of 3 years of pollen trapping on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, are presented. Minimum pollen dispersal distances are estimated for the most abundant pollen taxa. Dispersal distances for some taxa appear to be as low as 5 m, while for other taxa at least 50% of the trapped pollen had travelled more than 40 m. No consistent pattern of spatial variation was reflected in the pollen rain, however, samples close to large canopy gaps had exceptional abundances of ‘disturbance’ taxa. A preliminary analysis of the representation of canopy components indicates that as much as 19% of pollen caught in the traps was derived from large tree species.
Stackelberg solutions for two-level dynamic systems

In this paper, we study some aspects of performance optimization of dynamic systems upon which control action is exerted at two different levels. The system considered is composed of N subsystems each controlled by a local controller and a central controller. The objective function of each local controller assesses the performance of the corresponding subsystem, and the objective function of the central controller assesses the performance of the overall system. Such optimization problems often arize in practice, such as in many computer-controlled engineering processes, economic systems and power networks. In this paper the Stackelberg approach of game theory is considered for the optimization of such systems.
Playing the double agent: an indian story in english

AbstractHow may one write an Indian story in English without replicating the violences of colonial narrative practices? Historiographers, novelists and translators often find themselves caught in the same double bind, responding to (and responsible for) two distinct audiences whose response to (and responsibility for) the other has been decidedly unequal. A similar disparity plays out between indigenous language communities within India as well, as the folktale-inspired fiction of Rajasthani writer Vijay Dan Detha shows. Detha’s narrative strategies play with these fixed divisions that trouble so many postcolonial critics, using humour to establish a more flexible, self-conscious narrative community necessarily in transition. This article suggests a more complex approach to postcolonial concerns regarding the question of agency in the project of translation, by showing how one may follow Detha’s lead in adapting storytelling techniques to a version of his work in English translation.
Influence of glutathione on the electrochemical and enzymatic oxidation of serotonin

Abstract Aberrant oxidative transformations of the indolic neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) might occur in serotonergic neurons in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In the event that such reactions occur in serotonergic nerve terminals or axons, they would do so in the presence of glutathione (GSH). In this investigation the electrochemically driven and tyrosinase + O 2 -mediated oxidation of 5-HT in the presence of GSH has been studied. In the absence of GSH, 5-HT is oxidized to a C(4)-centered carbocation intermediate ( 9a ) which reacts either with 5-HT, to give 5,5′-dihydroxy-4,4′-bitryptamine ( 2 ) as the major product along with a number of other carbon-carbon and ether-linked dimers and oligomers, or with water to give tryptamine-4,5-dione ( 11 ). In the presence of GSH this reaction is partially diverted as a consequence of nucleophilic addition of the tripeptide to 9a to give 4- S -glutathionyl-5-hydroxytryptamine ( 1 ). Other products formed include isomers of the 6- S -glutathionyl conjugates of dimer 2 , 7- S -glutathionyltryptamine-4,5-dione ( 5 ) and glutathionyl conjugates of an indolic trimer and of two tetramers. Compound 1 might be a useful analytical marker molecule for unusual oxidation reactions of 5-HT in the Alzheimer brain.
Characterizing the zonally asymmetric component of the SH circulation

Much research concerning the Southern Hemisphere (SH) zonally asymmetric circulation has focused on the Pacific-South American mode (PSA) or the major zonal waves. However, these large-scale decompositions may mask important local variability. In this paper the month-to-month variability explained by the zonal waves 1 and 3 is examined, and an alternative representation of the SH circulation is presented based on two quasi-stationary anticyclones in the sub-Antarctic western hemisphere. These anticyclones are related to the zonal waves, but features of their variability are masked by the zonal wave decomposition; in particular, the anticyclones’ strengths are not positively covariant. They are also compared with the leading Principal Components of the SH atmosphere. We show that they capture variance independent of the Southern Annular Mode. Additionally, they explain a generally greater fraction of the variability than the PSA, and in a manner that also includes information regarding spatial variability. These results have implications for analysis of the atmospheric-forcing of western Antarctic climate.
Effect of Channel Catfish Stocking Rate on Yield and Water Quality in an Intensive, Mixed Suspended-Growth Production System

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the effect of stocking rate on yield of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and water quality in a mixed suspended-growth (biofloc) production system with zero water exchange. Channel catfish (National Warmwater Aquaculture Center 103 strain; average fish weight = 13 g) were stocked into nine 35-m2 tanks (28 m3/tank) at a rate of 2.9, 5.7, or 8.5 fish/m2 for a 238-d grow-out period. One 1.865-kW blower for every three tanks supplied air continuously through a diffuser grid (constructed of 2.5-cm-diameter polyvinyl chloride pipe) on the bottom of each tank. Well water was added only periodically to replace evaporative losses. Fish in each tank were fed daily as much floating catfish feed (32% protein, extruded pellets) as they could consume in a 20-min period. Channel catfish net yield ranged from 0.99 to 3.71 kg/m3 and increased linearly with stocking rate (r 2 = 0.87). At harvest, mean individual weight (0.54 kg/fish), survival (62.1%), specific growth rate ...
HUMESIANA, A REMARKABLE NEW CUMACEAN GENUS FROM THE CARIBBEAN SEA

Abstract Most nannastacid cumaceans collected from tropical waters belong to just a few genera, among them the nearly ubiquitous genus Cumella. A new nannastacid genus is described from the West Indian island of Guadeloupe. Members of the genus possess a very long and robust pleonite 6 and short and stubby uropods and share the loss of the ischium on pereiopod 2 and maxilliped 2. This new genus is clearly allied to three species within the genus Cumella, all of which have elongate pleonite 6 and short, but not robust, uropods. These three species are known from the Caribbean Sea, Red Sea, and Gulf of Thailand.
DEVise (demo abstract): integrated querying and visual exploration of large datasets

DEVise is a data exploration system that allows users to easily develop, browse, and share visual presentations of large tabular datasets (possibly containing or referencing multimedia objects) from several sources. The DEVise framework, implemented in a tool that has been already successfully applied to a variety of real applications by a number of user groups, makes several contributions. In particular, it combines support for extended relational queries with powerful data visualization features. Datasets much larger than available main memory can be handled—DEVise is currently being used to visualize datasets well in excess of 100MB—and data can be interactively examined at several levels of detail: all the way from meta-data summarizing the entire dataset, to large subsets of the actual data, to individual data records. Combining querying (in general, data processing) with visualizations gives us a very versatile tool, and presents several novel challenges.Our emphasis is on developing an intuitive yet powerful set of querying and visualization primitives that can be easily combined to develop a rich set of visual presentations that integrate data from a wide range of application domains. In this demo, we will present a number of examples of the use of the DEVise tool for visualizing and interactively exploring very large datasets, and report on our experience in applying it to several real applications.
DNA Methylation Regulated Nucleosome Dynamics

A strong correlation between nucleosome positioning and DNA methylation patterns has been reported in literature. However, the mechanistic model accounting for the correlation remains elusive. In this study, we evaluated the effects of specific DNA methylation patterns on modulating nucleosome conformation and stability using FRET and SAXS. CpG dinucleotide repeats at 10 bp intervals were found to play different roles in nucleosome stability dependent on their methylation states and their relative nucleosomal locations. An additional (CpG)5 stretch located in the nucleosomal central dyad does not alter the nucleosome conformation, but significant conformational differences were observed between the unmethylated and methylated nucleosomes. These findings suggest that the correlation between nucleosome positioning and DNA methylation patterns can arise from the variations in nucleosome stability dependent on their sequence and epigenetic content. This knowledge will help to reveal the detailed role of DNA methylation in regulating chromatin packaging and gene transcription.
Lead isotope constraints on the origin of Hawaiian basalts

The linear Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain is the best example of intraplate hotspot volcanism. The nature and number of sources involved in generating the Hawaiian basalts have been subjects of great interest1–11. Trace element abundances1,4,6 and Sr, Nd1–4,6,9 and He11 isotope ratios of the Hawaiian basalts are consistent with a petrogenetic model involving mixing of components from two mantle sources. However, multiple-source models2,5,7–10 were proposed to explain the heterogeneous Pb isotope ratios in the Hawaiian basalts. Here I re-evaluate the Pb isotope ratios in the Hawaiian basalts and show that the Pb isotope ratios can also be explained by the mixing of components from two mantle sources, a primitive mantle source and a mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB) source. The primitive mantle source is seen as a plume rising from beneath the asthenosphere with Pb, Sr, Nd and He isotope ratios similar to the bulk Earth estimates. The MORB source is envisioned as the wall rock in the lithosphere and asthenosphere which is heterogeneous and has ranges of Pb, Sr, Nd and He isotope ratios similar to those observed in the northern Pacific MORB.
Delay Line MWPC Hazard Signals Inspector

The Hazard Inspector is a CAMAC module which divides a MWPC delay line into 8 independent signal monitor and control segments. Independent control effectively reduces delay line occupation time and cuts the number of background and non-trigger particles accepted by the 4XQT charge-time-pulse-width digitizer, a device presented in a separate communication. Only segments containing legitimate information are digitized. Non-trigger related events are gated out at the digitizer, and contaminating hits are noted for computer correction.
Inductive Arguments for the Non-coprime k(GV)-Problem

We present some arguments that can be used in an inductive approach to the non-coprime k(GV)-problem.
Transport properties of p-type Bi2Te3Sb2Te3 alloys in the temperature range 80–370°K

Abstract The Seebeck coefficients, electrical and thermal conductivities and Hall coefficients of a number of p-type alloys from the (Bi,Sb)2Te3 pseudo-binary system have been measured in the temperature range 80–370°K. The results are found to be generally consistent with the assumptions of a many-valley valence band and charge carrier mobility limited by acoustical scattering, once corrections for the effects of degeneracy have been made using exact statistics. The possibilities of temperature and degeneracy-dependent band structures are discussed in relation to anomalies in the Hall and Seebeck coefficients. The Klemens-Drabble theory of thermal resistance due to point defect scattering (with a slightly modified form for the mass fluctuation parameter) is in good agreement with the experimental values for the lattice thermal conductivity of these alloys. The doping behavior of the alloys at room temperature also confirms the assumption of acoustical scattering of the charge carriers.
Geochemical relationships between dikes and lavas at the Hess Deep Rift: Implications for magma eruptibility

[1] Differences in composition and phenocryst assemblages between dikes and lavas collected from 1-m.y.-old oceanic crust exposed at the Hess Deep Rift have important implications for density filtering of magmas ascending through the upper crust in mid-ocean ridge settings. The majority of crystalline lavas collected have lower FeOT and MgO, and elevated Al2O3 and CaO concentrations compared to crystalline samples of dikes. These chemical differences, as well as associated modal variations, can be attributed to the accumulation of plagioclase in the magmas that ultimately erupt as lavas on the seafloor. The accumulation of plagioclase combined with the fractionation of mafic phases lowers the magma density by more than 0.04 g/cm3 relative to most magmas represented by the dikes. We suggest that these lower-density magmas are preferentially erupted because of their increased buoyancy, resulting in the predominance of this magma type as lavas. Conversely, the majority of dikes are crystallized from the higher-density magma type, which is rarely represented by lavas. These relationships suggest that most dikes never reach the surface and erupt lava. Examination of phenocryst contents and modal abundances in mid-ocean ridge basalts worldwide indicates that magma density variations and crustal heterogeneity may influence magma eruptibility across a range of spreading rates. Specifically, lavas from slow spreading ridges have a wider range of modal phenocryst proportions compared to lavas from intermediate or fast spreading ridges. Presumably, these lavas will have a greater range of densities and their eruption on the seafloor may reflect the heterogeneous upper crust of slow spreading ridges compared to that of fast spreading ridges.
North Atlantic tropical storm frequency response to anthropogenic forcing: Projections and sources of uncertainty

The impact of future anthropogenic forcing on the frequency of tropical storms in the North Atlantic basin hasbeenthesubjectofintensiveinvestigation.However,whetherthenumberofNorthAtlantictropicalstorms will increase or decrease in a warmer climate is still heavily debated and a consensus has yet to be reached. To shed light on this issue, the authors use a recently developed statistical model, in which the frequency of North Atlantic tropical storms is modeled by a conditional Poisson distribution with rate of occurrence parameter that is a function of tropical Atlantic and mean tropical sea surface temperatures (SSTs). It is shown how the disagreementamongdynamicalmodeling projectionsoflate-twenty-first-centurytropicalstorm frequencycan be largely explained by differences in large-scale SST patterns from the different climate model projections used in these studies. The results do not support the notion of large (;200%) increases in tropical storm frequency in the North Atlantic basin over the twenty-first century in response to increasing greenhouse gases (GHGs). Because the statistical model is computationally inexpensive, it is used to examine the impact of different climate models andclimate change scenarios on the frequency of North Atlantic tropical storms. The authors estimate that the dominant drivers of uncertainty in projections of tropical storm frequency over the twenty-first century are internal climate variations and systematic intermodel differences in the response of SST patterns to increasing GHGs. Relative to them, uncertainties in total GHG emissions or other climate forcings, within the scenarios explored here, represent a minor source of uncertainty in tropical storm frequency projections. These results suggest that reducing uncertainty in future projections of North Atlantic tropical storm frequency may depend as critically on reducing the uncertainty in the sensitivity of tropical Atlantic warming relative to the tropical mean, in response to GHG increase, as on improving dynamical or statistical downscaling techniques. Moreover, the large uncertainties on century-scale trends that are due to internal climate variability are likely to remain irreducible for the foreseeable future. As a further illustration of the statistical model’s utility, the authors model projected changes in U.S. landfalling tropical storm activity under a variety of different climate change scenarios and climate models. These results are similar to those for the overall number of North Atlantic tropical storms, and do not point to a large increase in U.S. landfalling tropical storms over the twenty-first century in response to increasing GHGs.
Meniscal repair with fibrocartilage engineering.

Injuries to the knee meniscus, particularly those in the avascular region, pose a complex problem and a possible solution is tissue engineering of a replacement tissue. Tissue engineering of the meniscus involves scaffold selection, addition of cells, and stimulation of the construct to synthesize,
Sex role orientation and social skill: A naturalistic assessment of assertion and conversational skill

This study evaluated the relationship between sex role orientation and social skill, improving upon previous research by utilizing a more naturalistic role-play assessment, and by assessing both assertion and conversational skills. Fifty-nine female psychology students were classified as masculine, feminine, androgynous, or undifferentiated based on the PRF-ANDRO scale. These subjects interacted with a confederate who engaged them in a standardized conversation including requests to borrow psychology class notes. The masculine, feminine, and androgynous groups displayed similar levels of assertion and conversational skill, even though masculine subjects rated themselves as more skillful and had fewer negative thoughts associated with being assertive than feminine subjects. Correlational analyses among continuous sex role and behavioral measures revealed that both masculinity and femininity scores were positively correlated with overall conversational skill. These results are interpreted in light of methodological difficulties in previous research, and in light of recent evidence that both masculine and feminine capabilities contribute to social competence in certain behavioral domains.
Lipopolysaccharide structures of Helicobacter pylori wild-type strain 26695 and 26695 HP0826::Kan mutant devoid of the O-chain polysaccharide component.

We describe a re-investigation of the structure of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Helicobacter pylori genomic strain 26695 and its corresponding HP0826::Kan mutant lacking the O-chain component based on the in-depth NMR analysis of the oligosaccharide products obtained through the use of various degradation procedures performed on the purified LPS from both strains, as well as CE–MS data. New structural evidence indicates the presence of the linear arrangement of glucan and heptan portions of the LPS attached through -6-α-ddHep-3-α-l-Fuc-3-β-GlcNAc- fragment to the inner core dd-heptose residue. This structure differs from previously reported structures of the H. pylori 26695 LPS in several aspects.
Solid state chemistry of proteins IV. What is the meaning of thermal denaturation in freeze dried proteins

This research addresses the thermodynamic significance of the denaturation endotherm observed during differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) scans of proteins in dry formulations, such as freeze dried solids. Human growth hormone formulations are the chosen representative examples. We employ observations of denaturation temperature, glass transition temperature, and the differences between estimated molecular mobilities to argue that unfolding is under partial thermodynamic control. Further, unfolding during a DSC scan is simulated using a three state kinetic model, which is a two state unfolding model followed by aggregation. Kramers-type rate constants are used, where the preexponential term is dominated by viscous forces. Simulation results are in qualitative agreement with experiment, and clearly show that while the denaturation endotherm is impacted by irreversibility, caused by nonzero scan rate and aggregation, the position of the endotherm peak is changed only slightly. Thus, the denaturation peak is a good approximation for the thermodynamic denaturation temperature. Using data for denaturation temperature, heat of denaturation, and heat capacity of denaturation, free energy versus temperature curves were calculated. We find that even formulations with added saccharides are thermodynamically unstable near ambient temperature; significant denaturation in the solid state is prevented by low mobility.
A Putative DNA Binding Surface in the Globular Domain of a Linker Histone Is Not Essential for Specific Binding to the Nucleosome

Abstract A fundamental step in the assembly of native chromatin is the specific recognition and binding of linker histones to the nucleoprotein subunit known as the nucleosome. A first step in defining this important interaction is the determination of residues within linker histones that are important for the structure-specific recognition of the nucleosome core. By combining in vitro assays for the native binding activity of linker histones and site-directed mutagenesis, we have examined a cluster of basic residues within the globular domain of H10, a somatic linker histone variant from Xenopus laevis. We show that these residues, which comprise a putative DNA binding surface within the globular domain, do not play an essential role in the structure-specific binding of a linker histone to the nucleosome.
Electoral and welfare consequences of political manipulation of the economy

Abstract This paper examines the long-term electoral and welfare consequences of repeated strategies whereby a political office-holder induces cycles in economic variables to maximize his chances of re-election. Unlike other studies of political business cycles, we focus on questions of the desirability of these cyclical patterns and on the long-run properties of these political economic models. Noting that the welfare costs of vote maximizing in a single term extend beyond that term, we examine in detail the properties of the ‘long-run equilibrium path’ to which such cycles converge. If the economy starts above this path, vote maximizing can lead to increased social welfare and vote margins. However, if the economy starts below this path, vote-maximizing in the present can cause reduced votes and electocal defeat in subsequent terms. This possibility should lead a far-sighted, enlightened politician or political party to eschew vote-maximizing tactics and the political business cycles which accompany them and thus canhelp explain why empirical studies have not found convincing evidence of the existence of such cycles. This paper also quantifies the dependence of this long-run equilibrium path on the important political and economic parameters of the model.
Knowledge transfer between groups via personnel rotation: Effects of social identity and knowledge quality

Abstract The study examines the effects of social identity and knowledge quality on knowledge transfer across groups. One hundred and forty-four students performed a production task in three-person groups. Midway through the task, a member from a different group rotated into each group. The primary dependent variable was whether the group adopted the production routine of the rotating member. Analyses revealed the predicted main and interactive effects. Groups were more likely to adopt the routine of a rotator when they shared a superordinate social identity with that member than when they did not. Groups were also more likely to adopt a routine from a rotator when it was superior than when it was inferior to their own. Further, superordinate groups adopted the production routine of the rotator when it was superior but not inferior to their own, whereas groups that did not share a superordinate identity with the rotator generally did not adopt the rotator’s production routine, even when it was superior to their own and would have improved their performance.
Identifying cutaneous allodynia in chronic migraine using a practical clinical method

Cutaneous allodynia is common in migraine. In the majority of previous studies on allodynia in migraine, only patients with episodic migraine (EM) were included. Little is known on patterns of allodynia in chronic migraine (CM). Since the presence of allodynia is associated with a poor response to triptans, a clinically practical method to test migraine patients for allodynia would be useful to the clinician. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dynamic mechanical (brush) allodynia (BA) in CM, using a clinically practical method. Eighty-nine CM patients were prospectively recruited. Patients were given a structured questionnaire regarding demographic data and migraine characteristics. Allodynia was tested using a 10 x 10-cm gauze pad to brush various areas of the skin lightly. The prevalence of BA in the entire study population and in different patient subgroups was calculated. BA was present in 42.7% (38/89) of the patients. The presence of allodynia was unrelated to age, disease duration or to the occurrence of an acute headache exacerbation at the time of testing. Allodynia was positively associated with a history of migraine aura. BA was most common in the cephalic area, but was also seen in cervical dermatomes. BA is common in CM and, unlike in EM, is not significantly affected by the occurrence of an acute headache exacerbation. This suggests that central trigeminovascular neurons are chronically sensitized in patients experiencing migraine headache >15 days per month. The testing of BA in the clinical setting is possible using a simple and brief approach. It allows the clinician to determine whether the patient is sensitized, a diagnosis that affects treatment decisions.
Stable Expression of Brain Sodium Channels in Human Cells by Multiplexed Transposon-Mediated Gene Transfer

Generation of cultured human cells stably expressing one or more recombinant gene sequences is a widely used approach in biomedical research, biotechnology and drug development. Conventional methods are not efficient and have severe limitations especially when engineering cells to co-express multiple transgenes or multi-protein complexes. We harnessed the highly efficient, nonviral and plasmid-based piggyBac transposon system to enable concurrent genomic integration of multiple independent transposons harboring distinct protein-coding DNA sequences. Flow cytometry of cell clones derived from a single multiplexed transfection demonstrated ∼60% (three transposons) or ∼30% (four transposons) co-expression of all delivered transgenes despite selection of a single marker transposon. We validated multiplexed piggyBac transposon delivery by co-expressing large transgenes encoding a multi-subunit neuronal voltage-gated sodium channel (SCN1A) containing a pore-forming subunit and two accessory subunits while using two additional genes for selection. Previously unobtainable robust sodium current was demonstrated through 38 passages, suitable for use on an automated high-throughput electrophysiology platform. Co-transfection of three large (up to 10.8 kb) piggyBac transposons generated a heterozygous SCN1A stable cell line expressing two separate alleles of the pore-forming subunit and two accessory subunits (total of four sodium channel subunits) with robust functional expression. We concluded that the piggyBac transposon system can be used to perform multiplexed stable gene transfer in cultured human cells and this technology may be valuable for applications requiring concurrent expression of multi-protein complexes.
Thermodynamic Properties of Block Copolymer Electrolytes Containing Imidazolium and Lithium Salts

We report on the thermal properties, phase behavior, and thermodynamics of a series of polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers (SEO) mixed with the ionic species Li[N(SO2CF3)2] (LiTFSI), imidazolium TFSI (ImTFSI), and an equimolar mixture of LiTFSI and ImTFSI (Mix). Differential scanning calorimetric scans reveal similar thermal behavior of SEO/LiTFSI and SEO/ImTFSI at the same salt concentrations. Phase behavior and thermodynamics were determined using a combination of small-angle X-ray scattering and birefringence. The thermodynamics of our mixtures can be mapped on to the theory of neat block copolymer phase behavior provided the Flory−Huggins interaction parameter, χ, between the blocks is replaced by an effective χ (χeff) that increases linearly with salt concentration. The phase behavior and the value of m, the slope of the χeff versus salt concentration data, were similar for SEO/LiTFSI, SEO/ImTFSI, and SEO/Mix blends. The theory developed by Wang [J. Phys. Chem. B. 2008, 41, 16205] provi...
Experience with Fiber Optics in Industrial Applications

Recent fiber optic applications in industry are discussed. Application problems, user and supplier expectations, and industry's acceptance level of fiber optics is reviewed. The problems discussed reflect experience with today's mature fiber optic products. Detailed recommendations are included to help users and suppliers alike in path-forward planning in the use of fiber optics.
What’s left out and why? Informal provisions in formal international law

When states face an international cooperation problem requiring enforcement, when do they decide to make that enforcement formal versus informal? I introduce a research design for investigating how informal mechanisms might be relevant to formal international agreements. I present an overall theory of punishment provisions and a set of hypotheses about whether any needed punishments will be formalized or not. This theory gives rise to a two-part empirical analysis conducted on a large-n dataset. First, the presence of enforcement mechanisms in agreements is predicted, and, second, those cases that are “misclassified”—ones in which the model predicts the presence of such mechanisms, but the agreements lack them—are analyzed. These misclassified agreements, candidates for informal enforcement, are characterized by regime heterogeneity and military asymmetries among parties. Case study evidence supports the results.
An Analytic Toolbox for Simulated Filament Networks

Semi-flexible polymer networks generate a diverse family of structures. The network generating behaviors of specific semi-flexible biological filaments are well known (i.e. F-actin, microtubules, DNA etc.), however recent developments in tunable synthetic filaments extend the range of accessible structures. A similarly tunable model was developed using the molecular dynamics platform NAMD to provide a guide for generating synthetic filament networks. Structural characteristics of simulated networks may be quantitatively examined using connectivity analysis, radial pair distribution functions and scaling analysis. These methods provide a basis to calculate morphological properties, including mesh size, packing order, network connectivity, avg. cluster size, filaments per bundle, and space-filling dimensionality. An analytic toolset for describing the structure of filament networks is thus provided by detailing these methods.
Examination of the stomach contents from a Mediterranean sperm whale found south of Crete, Greece

The stomach contents from a male sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, first located floating a short distance off the south coast of Crete were examined. The remains within the stomach consisted almost exclusively of cephalopod mandibles, or beaks, though other material was found including a piece of rigid plastic mesh. Of the beaks found, 1714 were upper beaks and 2178 were lower beaks, that were used to identify the species. A total of seven species was identified, all of which have been previously recorded in the eastern Mediterranean though are rarely caught by man. Of these Histioteuthis bonnellii was found to be the most important species in terms of both weight and numbers. Although it must be borne in mind that the whale may not have followed its normal feeding habits prior to its premature death, an important insight into its prey items can be revealed. This is the first documented account of the stomach contents of a sperm whale from the Mediterranean, and helps to complete a global record of sperm whale diets.
Coexpression of angiopoietin-1 with VEGF increases the structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier and reduces atrophy volume

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced neovasculature is immature and leaky. We tested if coexpression of angiopoietin-1 (ANG1) with VEGF improves blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and VEGF neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects using a permanent distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) model. Adult CD-1 mice were injected with 2 × 10(9) virus genomes of adeno-associated viral vectors expressing VEGF (AAV-VEGF) or ANG1 (AAV-ANG1) individually or together in a 1:1 ratio into the ischemic penumbra 1 hour after pMCAO. AAV-LacZ was used as vector control. Samples were collected 3 weeks later. Compared with AAV-LacZ, coinjection of AAV-VEGF and AAV-ANG1 reduced atrophy volume (46%, P=0.004); injection of AAV-VEGF or AAV-ANG1 individually reduced atrophy volume slightly (36%, P=0.08 and 33%, P=0.09, respectively). Overexpression of VEGF reduced tight junction protein expression and increased Evans blue extravasation. Compared with VEGF expression alone, coexpression of ANG1 with VEGF resulted in upregulation of tight junction protein expression and reduction of Evans blue leakage (AAV-ANG1/AAV-VEGF: 1.4 ± 0.3 versus AAV-VEGF: 2.8 ± 0.7, P=0.001). Coinjection of AAV-VEGF and AAV-ANG1 induced a similar degree of angiogenesis as injection of AAV-VEGF alone (P=0.85). Thus, coexpression of ANG1 with VEGF improved BBB integrity and resulted in better neuroprotection compared with VEGF expression alone.
Changes in amino acids in Cucumis melo in relation to life-history traits and flight propensity of Bemisia tabaci.

Phloem amino acids in Cucumis melo L. were measured to determine whether changes in nitrogen availability might affect life-history traits and flight activity of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). During plant development, nineteen of the twenty common amino acids, plus hydroxyproline, citrulline, ornithine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were identified. For most essential amino acids, there were two peaks observed: an initial large peak associated with young plants, and a later small peak associated with senescing plants. For histidine, ornithine and citrulline, medium to large peaks in relative abundance were observed in mature plants. Arginine peaked during the first few weeks of development and was no longer detectable after wk 7. Serine and glutamine/glutamic acid were the only amino acids that peaked during plant senescence. Factor analysis was used to create a reduced number of orthogonal factors, which corresponded well with the trends that were observed for the various groups of amino acids. No single or combination of factors explained a significant amount of the variability in oviposition. For both males and females, factor 1 (predominantly essential amino acids) was the single most important predictor of adult weight. As the relative concentrations of essential amino acids decreased, whitefly weights decreased. Factors 1 and 3 (predominantly histidine and ornithine) were the most important predictors of developmental time. As these amino acids decreased in relative concentration, developmental time increased. Percent emergence was positively associated with factor 1 and negatively associated with factor 6 (predominantly aspartic acid). The distributions of flight duration for whiteflies emerging from young, mature and senescing melon plants were compared and they were always skewed towards short flights; however, the frequency of long-duration flights increased when melon plants began to senesce. Whiteflies from all plant-age categories were capable of flying for more than 2 h with fully developed eggs, but the presence of more than four mature eggs was associated with flights of reduced duration.
Prevalence, demographics, and complications of cleft palate surgery.

Abstract Introduction Current published data on the demographics of cleft lip and palate is sparse and differs intranationally in reported incidence, demographics, and complication rates, making accurate local data both valuable and useful. We investigate the prevalence, demographics, and complications of cleft palate correction surgery in the inpatient setting over a 15-year period. Methods A retrospective review of The California Hospital Discharge Data sets of all pediatric patients who underwent cleft palate repair or cleft palate revision from 1997 to 2011. Children's hospitals (CHs) were analyzed as a separate group. For each record, age, gender, ethnicity, length of stay, total charges, principal payer, complications, and disposition were analyzed. Results 10,450 correction surgeries were performed during 1997–2011. This was an annual case-volume of 697 and annual population-adjusted rate of 2.0, neither of which changed over time (p = 0.9 and 0.06, respectively). Of all surgeries, 21.5% were revisions, 48.3% were performed in CHs, 56.2% were performed on males, and 65.5% were performed on Caucasians. The median length of stay was 1 day, which did not change over time (p = 1.0). The median total charges increased from $9.074 to $35,643 over the studied period (p Conclusions Our study constitutes the entire surgical cohort within a state, allowing for an accurate representation of the true perioperative complication rate of these procedures. The prevalence, demographics, and outcomes of the cleft palate correction surgery have remained unchanged during 1997–2011. Collectively, our data suggest that primary and secondary palatoplasty present low perioperative risk.
The evolution and current concepts of the surgical treatment of constrictive pericarditis.

Summary The history of constrictive pericarditis has been summarized with emphasis upon the surgical approach to its treatment. The important aspects of the etiology, pathologic physiology and diagnosis of this disease have been discussed. The surgical treatment of constrictive pericarditis has been reviewed with particular stress upon the technics of pericardiectomy. Certain controversial points have been emphasized. The most significant of these concerns the approach to be used and the extent of pericardiectomy which will provide the best results with the least risk. Although no answers are provided to these or to other disputed questions, certain preferences are implied. Finally, the evaluation of surgical therapy is discussed and the composite results of many reported series are presented along with the more recent experience at the University of Virginia Medical Center.
Anther and tissue culture-induced grain chalkiness and associated variants in rice

Rice, Oryza sativa, plants regenerated from anther culture with and without in vitro selection pressure were evaluated for chalky seed. Progeny evaluated included 21 spontaneously doubled haploids selfed 4 times, progeny from plants regenerated from S-aminoethylcysteine resistant callus selfed 4 times and backcrosses of both types to the parental type. All lines with in vitro histories had higher seed chalkiness than the controls both in the intensity of chalkiness and in the number of seeds expressing the character. The full range of intensity and amount of chalkiness was expressed in the progeny. The average intensity of anther/tissue culture-derived progeny was 4–5, based on a scale of 1 (translucent) to 10 (fully opaque), and the average amount of chalkiness within plants sampled was 50–75 percent. The chalky characteristic is transmitted from parent to offspring into a range of identifiable F2 segregants.
Revised sedimentation constants for fibrinogen determined at various temperatures and speeds of rotation.

Abstract While the formula for correcting sedimentation data using an experimental solvent at the experimental temperature to water as solvent at 20 °C. does not fail nearly so much as was believed in the original paper, yet it can be seen that significant differences do occur for data collected at temperatures other than 20 °C. The degree of difference depends on the solvent used and the amount the temperature is removed from 20 °C. Certainly there is significant variation of the sedimentation constant at zero concentration with speed of rotation.
Defining and characterizing the “nutty” attribute across food categories

Abstract The term “nutty” has been used to describe a vast array of foods including many foods outside the realm of nuts. However, it is not clear if “nutty” is a single term or if it takes various forms, depending on the type of product. The objective of this study was to determine whether a single nutty term could be used to describe nuttiness in all food products or if additional terms were needed. More than 200 products with potential nutty flavor, including nuts, nut spreads, grains/cereals, seeds, beans/legumes, oils, cheeses, fish, and beverages, were studied. Five “nutty” concepts were found and described with terms, definitions, and references with intensity ratings: overall nutty, nutty-beany, nutty-buttery, nutty-grain-like, and nutty-woody. Four of those attributes, excluding overall nutty, were single concept attributes that described subgroups of nuttiness. Specific terms, such as peanut or almond, that describe a certain type of nut but are separate from the “nutty” character were excluded intentionally because they do not describe nutty, they describe an overall concept flavor beyond nutty. A second panel of trained assessors was used to review the lexicon. This panel used this lexicon to describe a set of 10 products (nuts, grains, beans, seeds, cheeses) and determine if any additional attributes were needed to describe nuttiness. All of the products displayed varying intensities of the nutty attributes and the panel found no additional terms for the “nutty” component were needed. The development and verification of the lexicon has real-world application because it can assist in product development and quality assurance when describing foods with a “nutty” attribute. These terms can be applied across all food categories and is not exclusive to characterizing nuts.
Purine composition of the crystalline cytoplasmic inclusions of Paramecium tetraurelia.

Summary Crystalline cytoplasmic inclusions were isolated by differential centrifugation from mass cultures of Paramecium tetraurelia feeding on Klebsiella pneumonia. Physical and chemical measurements of intact and solubilized crystals determined that they consist primarily of guanine and hypoxanthine with traces of xanthine. Crystals from the mutant sombre consist primarily of xanthine, suggesting there is a disorder of purine metabolism in this mutant.
Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride as a covalent cross-linking agent for cell encapsulation within protein-based hydrogels.

Native tissues provide cells with complex, three-dimensional (3D) environments comprised of hydrated networks of extracellular matrix proteins and sugars. By mimicking the dimensionality of native tissue while deconstructing the effects of environmental parameters, protein-based hydrogels serve as attractive, in vitro platforms to investigate cell–matrix interactions. For cell encapsulation, the process of hydrogel formation through physical or covalent cross-linking must be mild and cell compatible. While many chemical cross-linkers are commercially available for hydrogel formation, only a subset are cytocompatible; therefore, the identification of new and reliable cytocompatible cross-linkers allows for greater flexibility of hydrogel design for cell encapsulation applications. Here, we introduce tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC) as an inexpensive, amine-reactive, aqueous cross-linker for 3D cell encapsulation in protein-based hydrogels. We characterize the THPC-amine reaction by demon...
Reactivity of "Eu(OiPr)2" with phenols: formation of linear Eu3, square pyramidal Eu5, cubic Eu8, and capped cubic Eu9 polymetallic europium complexes.

The direct reaction of europium with 2-propanol and phenols has been investigated under a variety of conditions. The reaction of europium metal with 2,6-dimethylphenol and 2,6-diisopropylphenol in 2-propanol at reflux revealed that polymetallic europium complexes could be generated by this method. Hx[Eu8O6(OC6H3Me2-2,6)12(OiPr)8], 1, and H5[Eu5O5(OC6H3iPr2-2,6)6(NCCH3)8], 2, were isolated by recrystallization in the presence of hexanes and acetonitrile, respectively, and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 has a cubic arrangement of europium ions with face-bridging μ4-O donor atoms, edge-bridging μ-O(phenoxide/phenol) ligands, and terminal O(isopropoxide/2-propanol) ligands. Complex 2 is mixed valent and has a square pyramidal europium core with four Eu(II) ions at the basal positions and one Eu(III) ion at the apex. Since these reactions gave complicated mixtures of products from which 1 and 2 could only be obtained in low yields, direct reactions under less forcing reaction conditions were...