cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cd3P2 Cylinder Fibers

We are currently working on Semiconductor Cylinder Fibers (SCF), fibers with a thin semiconductor layer at the glass core glass cladding boundary. We hope that these fibers can eventually be used as both S aturable Absorbers (SA) and Fiber Light Amplifiers (FLA). We use a rod and tube method for fabricating these fibers. The three fabrication process steps, semiconductor deposition, collapse, and fiber drawing have been working well since the summer of 1 999. We have mathematical models for the fabrication process steps that allows us to calculate the required temperatures and pressures used. The fabrication process is very reproducible.
FleQ DNA Binding Consensus Sequence Revealed by Studies of FleQ-Dependent Regulation of Biofilm Gene Expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT The transcription factor FleQ from Pseudomonas aeruginosa derepresses expression of genes involved in biofilm formation when intracellular levels of the second messenger cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) are high. FleQ also activates transcription of flagellar genes, and the expression of these genes is highest at low intracellular c-di-GMP. FleQ thus plays a central role in mediating the transition between planktonic and biofilm lifestyles of P. aeruginosa. Previous work showed that FleQ controls expression of the pel operon for Pel exopolysaccharide biosynthesis by converting from a repressor to an activator upon binding c-di-GMP. To explore the activity of FleQ further, we carried out DNase I footprinting at three additional biofilm gene promoters, those of psl, cdrAB, and PA2440. The expression of cdrAB, encoding a cell surface adhesin, was sufficiently responsive to FleQ to allow us to carry out in vivo promoter assays. The results showed that, similarly to our observations with the pel operon, FleQ switches from a repressor to an activator of cdrAB gene expression in response to c-di-GMP. From the footprinting data, we identified a FleQ DNA binding consensus sequence. A search for this conserved sequence in bacterial genome sequences led to the identification of FleQ binding sites in the promoters of the siaABCD operon, important for cell aggregation, and the bdlA gene, important for biofilm dispersal, in P. aeruginosa. We also identified FleQ binding sites upstream of lapA-like adhesin genes in other Pseudomonas species. IMPORTANCE The transcription factor FleQ is widely distributed in Pseudomonas species. In all species examined, it is a master regulator of flagellar gene expression. It also regulates diverse genes involved in biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa when intracellular levels of the second messenger c-di-GMP are high. Unlike flagellar genes, biofilm-associated genes are not always easy to recognize in genome sequences. Here, we identified a consensus DNA binding sequence for FleQ. This allowed us to survey Pseudomonas strains and find new genes that are likely regulated by FleQ and possibly involved in biofilm formation.
Recursive least squares problem implementation on a generalized interconnection of DSP processors

The problem of implementing a recursive least squares (RLS) problem on a multiprocessor network comprising general-purpose digital signal processor is addressed. As an example of an application scenario, the adaptive beamforming problem has been chosen, where an RLS formulation has been adopted for obtaining the optimum weights. Although optimal array processors have been proposed for this problem, implementation on a generalized network affords a flexible as well as a modular and reconfigurable solution, suitable for a highly dynamic environment with changing applications and problem sizes. The parallelization issues are explored and a scheme for an efficient implementation is described. An implementation of the minimum-variance distortionless response (MVDR) problem on a network of DSP32C processors is evaluated. A 1024 size problem implementation is evaluated with the DSP32C as the computation engine, and it is shown that, when the number of processors in the system is constrained to be 10, near-optimal performance can be attained with four processors. Thus, this approach is a useful aid in determining optimal system performance parameters. >
A unified and preserved Dirichlet boundary treatment for the cell-centered finite volume discrete Boltzmann method

A new boundary treatment is proposed for the finite volume discrete Boltzmann method (FVDBM) that can be used for accurate simulations of curved boundaries and complicated flow conditions. First, a brief review of different boundary treatments for the general Boltzmann simulations is made in order to primarily explain what type of boundary treatment will be developed in this paper for the cell-centered FVDBM. After that, the new boundary treatment along with the cell-centered FVDBM model is developed in detail. Next, the proposed boundary treatment is applied to a series of numerical tests with a detailed discussion of its qualitative and quantitative properties. From the results, it can be concluded that the new boundary treatment is at least first-order accurate for a variety of Dirichlet boundary conditions (BCs). It can handle both the velocity and density Dirichlet BCs in a unified way and further realize some BCs that the conventional lattice Boltzmann model fails to simulate. In addition, such a boundary treatment can incorporate different lattice models without changing its framework, and it can preserve the Dirichlet BCs up to machine accuracy in different situations.
Serine 133-Phosphorylated CREB Induces Transcription via a Cooperative Mechanism That May Confer Specificity to Neurotrophin Signals

A mechanism has been characterized by which the transcription factor CREB regulates neurotrophin-induced gene expression. Whereas CREB can mediate calcium- or cyclic AMP-induced c-fos transcription independently of other promoter-bound transcription factors, CREB mediates NGF induction of c-fos transcription via a novel mechanism that appears to require a cooperative interaction with another transcription factor, the serum response factor. A similar transcriptional mechanism may explain how neurotrophins and growth factors induce distinct subsets of delayed response genes. Neurotrophins induce the phosphorylation of CREB at a key regulatory site, Serine 133, with prolonged kinetics that are distinct from the transient kinetics of CREB phosphorylation elicited by growth factors. These results indicate that CREB is a versatile transcription factor that activates transcription via distinct mechanisms in a stimulus-specific manner. In addition, by selectively activating delayed response genes, CREB may confer specificity to neurotrophin signals that promote the survival and differentiation of neurons.
Analysis and management of geometric distortions on multiview displays with only horizontal parallax

Light field (multi-view) displays are often designed to support horizontal parallax only (HPO) since this significantly reduces complexity compared to full parallax, and is commonly assumed to only cause small losses in 3D perceptual quality. In reality all HPO displays can produce severe geometric distortions because they use different projections in the horizontal and vertical directions. These distortions depend on the observer's position, and can only be eliminated in pre-defined viewing distances. In this paper we extend previous work on the theoretical analysis of the problem to create tools to manage the problem, enabling creators of multi-view 3D content to keep the distortion within acceptable ranges for all objects in a 3D scene, and all expected viewing positions. We present examples of simulated views of HPO displays, which demonstrate how the distortions can affect visual appearance, and how they are managed.
Studying the effect of elevated CO2 in the open in a naturally enriched environment in Central Italy

A gas vents area was recently localized in Central Italy. The gas emitted from the vents is composed by 92% of carbon dioxide and this produces an anomaly in the composition of the atmosphere over an area of about 2 ha. Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was measured by means of an infrared gas analyzer and diffusion tubes in several points and for some days within the area. Measurements revealed that the site can be at least divided into three sub-areas having increasing CO2 concentration in the air. A preliminary analysis of natural vegetation in the area was conducted by counting stomatal and epidermal cells number and measuring guard cell size on leaves of several oak trees growing both near and far away from the vents. This analysis suggested that elevated CO2 may have reduced the size of guard cells leaving stomatal density and stomatal index unaltered.
Tip-Sample Interactions in Atomic Force Microscopy: I. Modulating Adhesion Between Silicon Nitride and Glass

An adhesive interaction between a silicon nitride AFM tip and glass substrate in water is described. This adhesion is in the range 5-40 nN, of which a large component is likely to be due to hydrogen bonding between the silanol groups on both surfaces. The interaction can be modulated by a variety of buffers commonly used in biochemical and biological research, including sodium phosphate, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, glycine, and N-2-hydroxyethyl-piperazine N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid. Using these buffers it appears that there are effects of ion concentration, ion type and pH on the measured adhesion. Of the conditions examined, phosphate was most effective at reducing adhesion and could be used at concentrations as low as 10 mM at neutral pH. The results demonstrate that the chemical interactions between tip and sample can be modulated, and provide a basis for designing conditions for imaging and manipulating biological molecules and structures.
Gaddis's Kennan: A Different Kennan?

Nine experts on Cold War history offer commentaries about John Lewis Gaddis's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of George F. Kennan, the first head of the U.S. State Department's Policy Planning Staff. The commentators come from several countries and offer a wide range of perspectives about Gaddis's George F. Kennan: An American Life, published by Penguin Books in 2011. Although most of the commentators express highly favorable assessments of the book, they also raise numerous points of criticism. Two of the commentators, Barton J. Bernstein and Anders Stephanson, present extended critiques of Gaddis's biography. The forum concludes with a reply by Gaddis to all the commentaries, especially those by Bernstein and Stephanson.
Consistency in Patients' Health and Treatment Expectations at a Geriatric Clinic

: This study focused on predictors of consistency and inconsistency in health and treatment expectations among 77 new patients (mean age, 73) at a geriatric outpatient clinic. Just before their first appointment, and again one week afterward, the patients were asked about their overall health status, their specific illness complaints, their reasons for visiting the clinic, and their expectations regarding treatment and the future outlook. Few predictors of consistency were found for such outcome measures as the number of health problems reported, present and future health status, and the duration, difficulty and benefits of treatment. Inconsistency and uncertainty were more evident in these geriatric outpatients' perceptions, especially among those with self-rated poor health and mobility. This study emphasizes: 1) the importance to the treatment context of geriatric patients' inconsistencies about their health, and 2) the additional burden clinicians must bear in dealing with such discrepancies.
Neutrino or Electron Energy Needed for Testing Current Commutation Relations

For small leptonic invariant 4-momentum transfer ${q}^{2}$, we investigate what minimum neutrino or electron energy is needed to test current commutation relations. We find that at laboratory energies of order 5 BeV, it is reasonable to start trying to check the equalities or inequalities implied by the current algebra.
Motor and cognitive aspects of motor retardation in depression

Abstract Background: Motor retardation is a common feature of major depressive disorder having potential prognostic and etiopathological significance. According to DSM-IV, depressed patients who meet criteria for psychomotor retardation, must exhibit motor slowing of sufficient severity to be observed by others. However, overt presentations of motor slowing cannot distinguish slowness due to cognitive factors from slowness due to neuromotor disturbances. Methods: We examined cognitive and neuromotor aspects of motor slowing in 36 depressed patients to test the hypothesis that a significant proportion of patients exhibit motor programming disturbances in addition to psychomotor impairment. A novel instrumental technique was used to assess motor programming in terms of the subject’s ability to program movement velocity as a function of movement distance. A traditional psychomotor battery was combined with an instrumental measure of reaction time to assess the cognitive aspects of motor retardation. Results: The depressed patients exhibited significant impairment on the velocity scaling measure and longer reaction times compared with nondepressed controls. Approximately 40% of the patients demonstrated abnormal psychomotor function as measured by the traditional battery; whereas over 60% exhibited some form of motor slowing as measured by the instruments. Approximately 40% of the patients exhibited parkinsonian-like motor programming deficits. A five-factor model consisting of motor measures predicted diagnosis among bipolar and unipolar depressed patients with 100% accuracy. Limitations: The ability of motor measures to discriminate bipolar from unipolar patients must be viewed with caution considering the relatively small sample size of bipolar patients. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a subgroup of depressed patients exhibit motor retardation that is behaviorally similar to parkinsonian bradykinesia and may stem from a similar disruption within the basal ganglia.
Volcanism in the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica

Abstract Back-arc and marginal basins make up a significant portion of the earth's crust and they can represent the transition from continental to oceanic crust. The Bransfield Strait is a young marginal basin of the arc-trench system that lies off the northwestern edge of the Antarctic Peninsula. The strait is about 65 km wide and has a maximum water depth of 2000 m. “Active” volcanoes in the Bransfield Strait include two seamounts, which are south of the eastern end of King George Island, and three island volcanoes — Penguin, Deception, and Bridgeman Islands. Alkaline and calc-alkaline suites occur on these islands, and the seamounts are composed of tholeiites and basaltic andesites. This diversity is similar to that found in some back-arc basins, but the Bransfield Strait basalts as a group cannot be classified as back-arc basin or island-arc basalts. The diverse rock types and the chemical similarity of some of the Bransfield Strait basalts to ophiolite basalts suggests that some ophiolites were generated in back-arc basins.
Benzylmorpholine Analogs as Selective Inhibitors of Lung Cytochrome P450 2A13 for the Chemoprevention of Lung Cancer in Tobacco Users

Purpose 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), one of the most prevalent and procarcinogenic compounds in tobacco, is bioactivated by respiratory cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A13, forming DNA adducts and initiating lung cancer. CYP2A13 inhibition offers a novel strategy for chemoprevention of tobacco-associated lung cancer.
The influence of psychiatric comorbidity on perioperative outcomes following primary total hip and knee arthroplasty; a 17-year analysis of the National Hospital Discharge Survey database

Studies conflict regarding the impact of psychiatric illnesses including depression, anxiety, dementia and schizophrenia on perioperative outcomes following total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA). Psychiatric comorbidity incidence, in-hospital adverse events, discharge disposition, and mortality were assessed for THA or TKA patients between 1990 and 2007 using the US National Hospital Discharge Survey. A cohort representative of 8,379,490 patients was identified and analyzed using multivariable regression analysis. Diagnoses of depression, dementia and schizophrenia were associated with increased odds of adverse events (P<0.001). Schizophrenia and depression were associated with higher odds of perioperative blood transfusion (P<0.001). All psychiatric comorbidities were associated with higher odds of non-routine discharge (P<0.001). Diagnosis of dementia was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (P<0.001).
Color appearance of filled-in backgrounds affects hue cancellation, but not detection thresholds

A long-wavelength background can affect the appearance of an increment of light superimposed upon it in two ways. It can change the visual system's sensitivity to the increment, and it can change the appearance of the increment by directly adding redness to it. Through selective retinal-image stabilization, we evoked the filling-in phenomenon to change the appearance of 640- and 575-nm backgrounds. Either of these backgrounds could be made to appear red or yellow, depending upon whether it was viewed under stabilized or unstabilized conditions. When the appearance of the 640-nm background was altered by filling-in to appear less red, test probes superimposed upon it required less 540-nm component to achieve an equilibrium hue. Increment thresholds measured on the 640- and 575-nm backgrounds, however, did not change with the appearance of the backgrounds.
Image deblurring using diffraction gratings.

A method of deblurring an image is described that uses an achromatic, coherent optical-processing system and either one or two diffraction gratings. One grating, after differentiation, serves as a reference function that is cross correlated with the blurred image.
Wide-Field Magnetic Imaging using Nitrogen-Vacancy Color Centers in Diamond

We present recent work on developing a wide-field magnetic imaging system using the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color center in diamond. The NV centers can function as a robust and bio-compatible magnetic sensor at room temperature. Optical detection of the spin state of NV centers allows magnetic field imaging with sub-micron spatial resolution. We use this imaging system to study biomagnetism. Techniques to further improve the magnetic field sensitivity and the spatial resolution are also discussed.
Countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis in the evaluation of childhood infections.

Samples of CSF, serum, and urine from 162 children with a clinical diagnosis of possible bacterial infection were examined by CIE within 1 hr of admission to the hospital. Results obtained were compared to information derived from gram stain and bacterial cultures of these specimens. Thirty-eight of 59 patients with culturally proved bacterial infections had positive CIE determinations at the time of admission. Highest correlation between culture and CIE results was in patients with meningitis due to Hemophilus influenzae type b while poorest correlation was obtained in children with pneumococcal septicemia. PRP within serum or CSF was quantitated on 21 occasions in patients with H. influenzae meningitis. Patients who experienced sequelae of their meningitis had significantly (p
In Pursuit of Consensus: Disagreement and legitimization during small-group argumentation

In recent years, an emphasis on scientific argumentation in classrooms has brought into focus collaborative consensus-building as an instructional strategy. In these situations, students with differing and competing arguments are asked to work with one another in order to establish a shared perspective. However, the literature suggests that consensus-building can be challenging for students because their interpretations of the argumentative task and context may not enable their productive engagement with counter-arguments and evidence. In this paper, our goal is to explore the ways in which interactions of students support or inhibit their consensus-building. To that end, we examine and describe three cases that represent different ways in which initially dissenting students try to work towards a consensus with their peers. Through these cases, we demonstrate that legitimization of disparate or incorrect ideas can enable students whose arguments rely on incorrect ideas to feel that their ideas were heard ...
Scaffolding reflection and articulation of scientific explanations in a data-rich, project-based learning environment: An investigation of progress portfolio

In this study, we examined how learners developed scientific explanations about light with the assistance of various technology-based scaffolds. The study emphasis was on scaffolding processes of reflection and articulation. We used a content-neutral software program (Progress Portfolio) to create the instructional scaffolds. A qualitative research design was used to investigate two pairs of prospective teachers in a science content course in engineering. Our findings suggested that the computer-based scaffolds used in our study were useful to support articulation, reflection, and revision of explanations, when certain conditions were met. A major theme of our findings relates to interacting effects among learner characteristics, teacher coaching, software scaffolding design, and task characteristics.
A two-dimensional energy surface for a type II SN2 reaction in aqueous solution

The role of aqueous solvation on the potential surface of the S N 2 Menshutkin reaction between ammonia and methyl chloride has been examined by using a combined quantum mechanical and statistical mechanical method. In the present simulation approach, the reactant molecules are treated by the semiempirical AM 1 theory, while the solvent is represented by the empirical TIP3P model. Solute-solvent interactions are evaluated through Hartree-Fock molecular orbital calculations throughout the fluid simulation. In this paper, it is first demonstrated, by comparison with high-level ab initio results, that thid hybrid quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM-AM1/TIP3P) model can provide an adequate description of intermolecular interactions between the solute and solvent for the Menshutdin reaction
PROSTATIC ATROPHY FOLLOWING TESTICULAR FEEDING

There is an interesting correlation between the weight of the prostate gland and total body weight in the albino rat. Referring to Donaldson’s tables (1), one finds that the prostate gland, after maturity is reached, weighs approximately 1 mg. for each gram of total body weight until the animal reaches old age. For example, the average of 7 consecutive chronological figures in Donaldson’s tables between the time of maturity and old age gives an average body weight of 180.4 gm., while the average weight of the prostate gland during the same period is 180.5 mg. As old age occurs the relative weight of the prostate gland increases considerably. The figures following those referred to above, in chronological order, when averaged indicate an increase of 67 per cent over the relative weight of the prostate gland during middle-life. In attempting to account for the increase in the relative weight of the prostate in aging rats one might naturally consider the possible influence of decreasing function of the teste...
The efficiency of serologic and cultural methods in the detection of infection with Histoplasma and Blastomyces in mongrel dogs

Precipitin, complement fixation (CF) and culture methods were studied in 2 groups of mongrel dogs. The first group (442 dogs) was submitted to the precipitin test only and 101 (22·8%) were positive. From these 101 there were 51 isolations of H. capsulatum and 2 of B. dermatitidis.The second group (285 dogs) was necropsied prior to any serological test. Fifty-two were positive to the precipitin test and 125 to the CF test. Twenty-seven of the precipitin reactors yielded 26 isolates of H. capsulatum and 1 of B. dermatitidis (51·9% positive). Sixty-four of the CF reactors produced 62 isolates of H. capsulatum, 1 of B. dermatitidis, and 1 of both fungi (51·2% positive). The 132 non-reactors yielded 30 isolates of H. capsulatum and 1 of B. dermatitidis (23·5% positive). The serologic tests were thus not very effective in selecting infected dogs.Of 31 dogs, 18 yielded positive cultures on both yeast extract agar with antibiotics and Sabouraud's dextrose agar, while there were only 15 isolations on blood agar.Th...
The effects of propranolol on cardiac conduction

Propranolol effects on human cardiac conduction and intraventricular conduction in dogs studied by recording His bundle electrograms, noting P-H interval prolongation
The effects of intact platelets on cultured human endothelial cells

Abstract Effects of intact platelets on DNA synthesis, replication and the morphology of cultured human endothelial cells were studied. When either primary or first passage endothelial cells were seeded at a low density, the cells formed small clusters with large intercellular spaces. When intact platelets were added to these cultures, the cells appeared to migrate from these clusters and dispersed themselves more evenly over the culture surface. In addition, intact platelets were found to enhance the repair of a scratched defect produced in confluent primary cultures. Cells that were cultured with platelets also appeared to be changed from their ususal polygonal shape to a more elongated or bipolar form. This effect appeared at a platelet count of about 10,000 platelet/μl of medium and after 12 hours of culture. Maximal effects were seen at a platelet density of 100,000/μl and after 24 hours of cultivation. DNA synthesis and cell replication were not essential for this effect. However, if these cultures were incubated for an additional 48 hours, enhancement of DNA synthesis and the labelling index was found, but a significant increase in cell number was not yet apparent. If however, these cells were cultured for an additional 72 hours then a significant increase in cell growth was noted. Cells disrupted by either sonification or freeze-thawing were without effect. Treating the platelet with either neuraminidase or trypsin did not eliminate this effect. This effect appeared to be limited to intact platelets and not to leukocytes or erythrocytes. Examination of the platelet-treated cells by electron microscopy revealed a small number of cells that contained platelets within their cytoplasm. These observations may provide a mechanism by which platelets help to maintain and support the integrity of the vessel wall.
Removal of trace-level organics by slow-rate land treatment

Abstract A 2 yr study was performed on an outdoor, prototype, slow-rate system to determine the removal efficiency for 16 organic substances in wastewater. The 16 organics were chloroform, benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, bromoform, m -dichlorobenzene, dibromochloromethane, pentane, hexane, nitrobenzene, m -nitrotoluene, diethylphthalate, PCB 1242, napthalene, phenanthrene and pentachlorophenol. The initial concentration of each of these substances in the wastewater was approx. 50 μg l −1 . Initial removal was via volatilization during spray application. The final concentration of substances after spraying correlated well with their calculated liquid-phase transfer coefficients and the substances' initial concentration losses were up to 70% for the most volatile components. Total percent removal for the system, based on the residual concentration in the percolate, was >98% for all substances. Only chloroform, which has a low octanol-water partition coefficient and according to the literature is not degraded aerobically, was continuously detected in the percolate. Breakthrough of several other organics in early spring was also observed, apparently as a result of application in late fall. The two substances that were most persistent in the soil were PCB and diethylphthalate (DEP). PCB was retained near the surface while DEP leached deeper in the soil profile as predicted by their respective octanol-water partition coefficients.
Effects of Prostaglandin E1 in Postoperative Surgical Patients with Circulatory Deficiency

Hemodynamic and oxygen transport effects of PGE1 were observed in the early postoperative period before development of ARDS in two series of general surgical patients with circulatory deficiencies. The first was a series of 19 studies in 18 patients, the second was a placebo-controlled series of 20 patients (ten received PGE, and ten received a placebo). In the first series, PGE, was given as a trial of therapy after fluid therapy to pulmonary wedge pressures > 15 mm Hg failed to correct satisfactorily circulatory and metabolic functions. There were two deaths in the placebo group and none in the PGE, group. Previous studies indicated the PGE, disaggregates platelets and reduces local vasoconstriction in pulmonary circulation; this study suggests that PGE, improves tissue perfusion of systemic circulation. After fluid therapy to PaOP >15 mm Hg fails to restore circulatory function to optimal values, PGE, should he considered as ancillary therapy in critically ill postoperative patients.
Academic and School Adjustment Outcomes Following Placement in a Developmental First-Grade Program

Abstract The author examined the effectiveness of a developmental 1st-grade transition program by following the progress from kindergarten through 3rd grade of 34 children placed in a transition room program and 37 transition-room eligible (but not placed) children. The children were followed through the end of 3rd grade. The instructional context of the transition room was documented, and outcome measures included academic achievement (assessed through standardized achievement tests and teacher ratings), special education, and grade retention placements, social skills, behavior problems, and parent involvement By the end of the study, children in the transition room program showed some academic and socioemotional advantages over their recommended-but-not-enrolled peers. However, effect sizes declined in magnitude as the study progressed. Thus, it is not clear that the findings support the transition room policy, particularly in light of serious cautions in the literature about the assumptions that lead t...
Identification of a locus controlling Verticillium disease symptom response in Arabidopsis thaliana

Verticillium dahliae Klebahn is a soil-borne fungal pathogen causing vascular diseases. The pathogen penetrates the host through the roots, spreads through the xylem, and systemically colonizes both resistant and susceptible genotypes. To elucidate the genetic and molecular bases of plant-Verticillium interactions, we have developed a pathosystem utilizing Arabidopsis thaliana and an isolate of V. dahliae pathogenic to both cruciferous and non-cruciferous crops. Relative tolerance (based on symptom severity) but no immunity was found in a survey of Arabidopsis ecotypes. Anthocyanin accumulation, stunting, and chlorosis were common symptoms. Specific responses of the more susceptible ecotype Columbia were induction of early flowering and dying. The more tolerant ecotype C-24 was characterized by pathogen-induced delay of transition to flowering and mild chlorosis symptoms. Genetic analysis indicated that a single dominant locus, Verticillium dahliae-tolerance (VET1), likely functioning also as a negative regulator of the transition to flowering, was able to convey increased tolerance. VET1 was mapped on chromosome IV. The differential symptom responses observed between ecotypes were not correlated with different rates of fungal tissue colonization or with differential transcript accumulation of PR-1 and PDF1.2 defense genes whose activation was not detected during the Arabidopsis-V. dahliae interaction. Impairment in salicylic acid (SA)- or jasmonic acid (JA)-dependent signaling did not cause hypersensitivity to the fungal infection, whereas ethylene insensitivity led to reduced chlorosis and ABA deficiency to reduced anthocyanin accumulation. The results of this study clearly indicated that the ability of V. dahliae to induce disease symptoms is also connected to the genetic control of development and life span in Arabidopsis.
Analysing speech problems in a longitudinal case study of logopenic variant PPA

Background: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative form of dementia in which gradually worsening language impairments are the prominent feature in the initial stages. PPA is commonly differentiated into three variants: nonfluent agrammatic (PPA-NVF), semantic (PPA-SV), and logopenic (PPA-LV).Aims: This article provides a longitudinal description of changes in picture description produced by a woman with PPA-LV, introduces a reliable new measure that captures those changes, and relates the measured changes to raters’ perceptions of changes in discourse quality.Method & Procedures: Seven oral descriptions of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE) Cookie Theft picture were digitally recorded over the course of 27 months and later transcribed. Transcriptions were analysed using a new adaptation of the Linguistic Communication Measure (LCM) and the Linguistic Communication Measure-Revised Cantonese (LCM-RC) designed to be sensitive to the features of PPA-LV. We have named this third...
Bulwark-Catholics and Conciliar-Humanists in the Society of Jesus

Survey research, voting behavior, and participant observation of the world-wide Society of Jesus (Jesuits) indicate differing trends of religious life and practice. Delegates to the highest Jesuit legislature and a sample of Jesuit non-delegates from around the world show a factor-score polarity between traditional and modernized positions on change, values, social action, ministry and theological position. These styles illustrate clearly differing value survey profiles and contrasts in voting behavior on Jesuit legislation. On the basis of these differences, social differentiation is hypothesized as having taken place within the Society of Jesus in its prescriptive culture. The polarity is formed of changed and unchanged styles. The unchanged, undiffer-entiated style, Bulwark-Catholicism, is the style of the tradition of defender of the faith and reflects strong hierarchical and doctrinal structures of Catholicism in the mode of the Council of Trent. The changed, differentiated style, Concili-Humanism, reflects the modern hrmanist tradition in the mode of the Second Vatican Council and the vast experimentation and dissolution of structures that have occurred since that Council.
Stability evaluation for the siting of municipal landfills in karst

Abstract During the siting, construction, and maintenance of facilities in the karst terrain, the stability of the residual soils that overlie the cavitose limestone is often a concern. The development of arching in the residual soils and the associated distribution of stress is important to the stability. The economics of the landfill construction are usually improved by excavating a portion of the residual soil to increase the capacity of the landfill. However, it is generally accepted that for a given diameter of potential limestone cavity, the residual clay soil becomes less stable as the thickness of the soil cover decreases. Geotechnical engineers are often called upon to evaluate the stability of the residual soils as a part of the permitting process or prior to the construction of critical structures such as municipal landfills; yet, simple, rational methods are not available. Simplified methods are needed to estimate the thickness of the soil required to provide stability against soil collapse and the subsequent formation of sinkholes or distress to the surface structures. A simplified method is proposed, which consists of the evaluation of stability with respect to two potential modes of failure within the residual soil. Stability with respect to the first mode depends upon the development of arching in the residual soil, while the second failure mode corresponds to the yielding and plastic flow of the soils into the soil dome and/or rock void. The finite element method was used to conduct parametric studies of both stability modes for a typical residual clay soil over a range of cavity diameters. The results are presented in the form of a design chart. The application of the chart is demonstrated by an example. If a candidate site with a proposed cover soil depth appears to be stable for the anticipated range of cavity diameters, then a more comprehensive subsurface investigation and additional analysis can be conducted to evaluate the stability with respect to the proposed waste loading.
The Cost of Sex Revisited: Effects of Male Gamete Output of Hermaphrodites that are Asexual in their Female Capacity

Abstract The genetic cost of sexual reproduction has been attributed to two causes in mathematical formulations: male function or genome dilution. We develop and analyse a genetic model that shows that both costs occur, depending upon the conditions. The model differs from previous formulations in that the level of output and fertilization success of male gametes produced by hermaphrodites that are asexual in their female function (henceforth “parthenogenetic hermaphrodites”) are treated as variables, rather than constants fixed at 0 or 1, as has previously been the case. By expressing the cost of sex in terms of per capita egg loss of sexual individuals and parthenogenetic hermaphrodites, we partition the cost into components due to male function and genome dilution. Which component dominates the cost of sex depends upon the relative male gamete output of the parthenogenetic hermaphrodites. The cost of sex is observed to increase, or remain unchanged in some marginal cases, with increases in (i) frequency of parthenogenetic hermaphrodites, (ii) fertilization success of male gametes produced by parthenogenetic hermaphrodites and (iii) potential eggs lost by diverting resources to male gamete production. In certain situations, parthenogenetic hermaphrodites with an intermediate level of male gamete output have the greatest fitness advantage over sexual individuals. If heritable variation for levels of male gamete output exists among parthenogenetic hermaphrodites, this raises the possibility of the evolution of optimal levels of male gamete production by parthenogenetic hermaphrodites through natural selection, in situations of recurring invasion of asexual populations by propagules from sexual populations, a scenario that is increasingly being appreciated as potentially fairly likely to occur in nature.
SMALL-ANGLE PHOTOPRODUCTION OF POSITIVE PIONS FROM HYDROGEN

The angular distribution of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ mesons produced in hydrogen by 225-Mev photons has been measured in the small-angle region. The mesons were produced in a liquid hydrogen target placed in the x-ray beam of the 300-Mev betatron. A focusing magnet was used to select mesons of the desired momentum. The large electron pair background was avoided by use of a very short x-ray pulse and a counter system which operated only after the pulse, counting the decays of ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}$ mesons. Points have been obtained at center-of-mass angles of 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees. The observed angular distribution cannot be fitted by a quadratic in ${cos\ensuremath{\theta}}^{*}$, but is well fitted by the cross section calculated from the field theory of Chew, Goldberger, Low, and Nambu.
Development of Realizable and Adaptive Wheel Torque Allocation for the Control of Planar Vehicle Dynamics

A control allocation architecture is developed for the control of the planar dynamics of a wheel motored vehicle. First, a benchmark controller is presented which takes advantage of indeterminate tire information to make informed control allocation decisions. This optimal controller is then simplified by an assumption of small slip-ratio, resulting in a controller which relies on only estimable parameters and is thus practical. Unfortunately, this suboptimal control allocation receives no information relating to tire saturation and its performance is significantly degraded compared with the optimal controller. In response, a holistic measure of tire saturation based only on estimable quantities is proposed and incorporated into the suboptimal control allocation routine. The result is a real-time implementable control system whose performance approaches that of the optimal benchmark control system.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Automating pan evaporation measurements for irrigation control

Abstract Class A pan evaporation measurements are reasonable estimates of evapotranspiration in humid climates when soil water is not restricting plant growth. With the development of high-frequency irrigation systems where small quantities of water are applied often to replace evapotranspiration losses, frequent automatic water-level measurements are essential and can be used to control an irrigation system. A class A pan evaporation measurement and control instrument was developed to automatically measure pan evaporation with electronic analog or digital recording equipment. The instrument was a LVDT with a stainless-steel float adapted to a standard cylindrical stilling well. Measurement sensitivity of 4.542 ± 0.001 V cm−1 of evaporation and range of 5 cm was obtained with an input voltage of 24 V dc. The instrument's time response was 130 sec to a step change in water level of 0.27 cm. Automatic measurements obtained during a windstorm (average gusts of wind at 48 km h−1) indicated that this instrument could measure pan evaporation more precisely under adverse wind conditions when simultaneous manual measurements with the hook gauge were not possible. This instrument plus an electronic soil matric potential sensor was used in the field to control a high-frequency porous tube subirrigation system. Our results indicated that this control method could maintain the fluctuation of the soil matric potential in the root zone within a narrow range.
A new species of Micropithecus from the middle Miocene of Kenya

Abstract Recently recovered material of a small catarrhine primate from the middle Miocene locality of Maboko Island in Kenya (dated at 15–16 m.y.) can be referred to a new species of Micropithecus, M. leakeyorum. The dental differences between M. leakeyorum and the type species, M. clarki, suggest that M. leakeyorum was less specialised for frugivory than M. clarki, and probably included in its diet a greater proportion of young leaves or fruits of coarser consistency. This inference is concordant with a general shift in the diet of the catarrhine community from generalised frugivory during the early Miocene to an increased emphasis on folivory during the middle Miocene. This restructuring of the trophic and taxonomic composition of the primate paleocommunity is associated with an apparent increase in the occurrence of woodland habitats in East Africa, probably due to local tectonic events and possible also to global climatic changes. The recognition of a new species of Micropithecus from Maboko Island, along with other recent studies of the Miocene catarrhines from East Africa, demonstrates that middle Miocene apes were more diverse than had been previously thought. This finding has important implications for understanding the dynamics and evolution of the catarrhine community in East Africa during the early part of the Miocene.
REVIEW ■ : Prospects for a Visual Prosthesis

Diseases of the retina and optic nerve are common causes of irreversible blindness. Given the lack of effective treatments, several laboratories are utilizing microelectronic technology to develop either a cortical or retinal prosthesis. Each strategy offers certain advantages, but both face numerous and formidable chal lenges. Consequently, a clinically useful device of either type is still conceptual. The technological means to build prostheses are available, but the ultimate obstacle is the integration of the technology with the brain. This article reviews achievements of the ongoing efforts and focuses on our project to develop a retinal prosthesis. NEUROSCIENTIST 3:251-262, 1997
U.S. department of energy support of growth in industrial use of geothermal energy

Abstract The National Energy Strategy of the U.S. is designed to expand through federal policies the fuel and technology choices available to industry, utilities, and other energy users. It also promotes policies to encourage balanced integration of energy, economic, and environmental options in the selection of technologies for application in the marketplace. Consideration of each of these factors, separately and together, favors geothermal energy in many industrial applications. It is the policy of the Department of Energy to support growth in all uses of geothermal energy through focused R & D to improve technologies for its economic exploitation.
Identification of α-Chimaerin as a Candidate Gene for Critical Period Neuronal Plasticity in Cat and Mouse Visual Cortex

In cat visual cortex, critical period neuronal plasticity is minimal until approximately 3 postnatal weeks, peaks at 5 weeks, gradually declines to low levels at 20 weeks, and disappears by 1 year of age. Dark rearing slows the entire time course of this critical period, such that at 5 weeks of age, normal cats are more plastic than dark reared cats, whereas at 20 weeks, dark reared cats are more plastic. Thus, a stringent criterion for identifying genes that are important for plasticity in visual cortex is that they show differences in expression between normal and dark reared that are of opposite direction in young versus older animals. The present study reports the identification by differential display PCR of a novel gene, α-chimaerin, as a candidate visual cortex critical period plasticity gene that showed bidirectional regulation of expression due to age and dark rearing. Northern blotting confirmed the bidirectional expression and 5'RACE sequencing identified the gene. There are two alternatively-spliced α-chimaerin isoforms: α1 and α2. Western blotting extended the evidence for bidirectional regulation of visual cortex α-chimaerin isoform expression to protein in cats and mice. α1- and α2-Chimaerin were elevated in dark reared compared to normal visual cortex at the peak of the normal critical period and in normal compared to dark reared visual cortex at the nadir of the normal critical period. Analysis of variance showed a significant interaction in both cats and mice for both α-chimaerin isoforms, indicating that the effect of dark rearing depended on age. This differential expression was not found in frontal cortex. Chimaerins are RhoGTPase-activating proteins that are EphA4 effectors and have been implicated in a number of processes including growth cone collapse, axon guidance, dendritic spine development and the formation of corticospinal motor circuits. The present results identify α-chimaerin as a candidate molecule for a role in the postnatal critical period of visual cortical plasticity.