cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of deficit irrigation on physiology, plant growth, and fruit yield of cucumber cultivars

Abstract Increased water scarcity necessitates the implementation of water-conserving irrigation management practices to sustain crop production,especially in water-limited areas. A two-year field study was conducted during 2019 and 2020 to evaluate the effect of deficit irrigation on physiology, plant growth, and yield of cucumber cultivars. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with four irrigation levels (100% ETc (crop evapotranspiration), 80% ETc, 60% ETc, and 40% ETc) as main plot factor and two cultivars (Poinsett 76 and Marketmore 76) as subplot factor with three replications. Results showed that stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), photosynthesis rate (Pn), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and leaf area were significantly lower in 60% ETc and 40% ETc compared to 100% ETc while stomatal limitations, intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi), and relative leaf temperature were significantly higher in 60% ETc and 40% ETc compared to 100% ETc. The observed values of these aforementioned parameters were comparable between 100% ETc and 80% ETc. A decrease in leaf area, as well as a decrease in Pn, resulted in a decline in overall photosynthesis per plant in 60% ETc and 40% ETc compared to 100% ETc. As a consequence of this, plant dry biomass and total fruit yield were significantly lower in 60% ETc and 40% ETc compared to 100% ETc. However, photosynthesis per plant was comparable between 100% ETc and 80% ETc due to comparable Pn and leaf area between them. Because of comparable photosynthesis per plant, plant dry biomass and fruit yield were comparable between 100% ETc and 80% ETc. Marketmore 76 had significantly higher gs, E, Pn, Ci, and leaf area and it had significantly lower stomatal limitations, WUEi, and relative leaf temperature than Poinsett 76. Vegetative dry biomass and total above-ground dry biomass were higher in Marketmore 76 but fruit yield was higher in Poinsett 76. These results suggest that 80% ETc irrigation level and Poinsett 76 cultivar can be recommended for successful cucumber production without causing a significant decline in fruit yield in water-limited Southern High Plains of United States.
Multiscale 3D printing of nanomaterial-based electronics and ingestible biomedical devices

My research group strives to address unmet clinical needs by creating tailorable three-dimensional free-form electronics and biomedical devices with 3D printing technologies. As an example, I will highlight the development of 3D printed quantum-dots light-emitting diode, which extended the reach of 3D printing and demonstrated that active electronic materials and devices can be entirely 3D printed. I will then highlight the latest development of a 3D printed gastric resident electronics system, which leverages the significant space and immune-tolerant environment available within the gastrointestinal tract to circumvent the potential complications associated with surgically placed medical implants.
Illusory Conjunctions in Speech Perception as a Lens into the Characteristics of Hearing Loss

This study explores the formation of a complex illusory conjunction in simulated speech perception that has yet to see a parallel in visual cognition. The illusory conjunction dealt with in this paper is confounded by 2 disparate spatial modalities – a) spatialization of competing formant features across high and low frequency bands on one hand and b) high-level expectation of speech content competing with the low level processing of auditory objects (such as speechmodulated noise). This paper has extended on a previous initial study around this topic, by controlling for the illusory conjunctions in one of the spatial dimensions (formant space) to then account for specific individual differences as possible correlations with individual hearing abilities across the audible frequency range. The results are an encouraging direction towards a better understanding of audition through the controlled perception of illusory conjunctions.
The efficiency of dehydrating desiccants by centrifugation: An assessment of superabsorbent polymers

The centrifugal drying response from a sodium acrylate superabsorbent copolymer saturated with water, saline, and a synthetic urine mimic was evaluated. It was hypothesized that drying using mechan...
Acute LPS exposure increases synaptosomal metabolism during estrus but not diestrus.

Abstract The hormones estrogen and progesterone alter physiological functions, including the estrus cycle and relevant neurological and synaptic activity. Here, we determined the extent to which estrus cycle stage interacts with an inflammatory stimulus, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to alter synaptic mitochondrial respiration in female rats. LPS elevated synaptic mitochondrial respiration of rats in estrus, but not diestrus. Likewise, estrogen concentration correlated with multiple respiratory metrics in LPS treated females in estrus. These data suggest estrogen likely modulates synaptic mitochondrial respiration in a high progesterone environment.
Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor use in patients with left ventricular assist devices: A single-center experience:

Though left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are an increasingly common therapy for ACC/AHA Stage D heart failure, the optimal medical therapy for patients with LVADs is not known. We sought to e...
Therapeutic angiogenesis in coronary artery disease: a review of mechanisms and current approaches

INTRODUCTION Despite tremendous advances, the shortcomings of current therapies for coronary disease are evidenced by the fact that it remains the leading cause of death in many parts of the world. There is hence a drive to develop novel therapies to tackle this disease. Therapeutic approaches to coronary angiogenesis have long been an area of interest in lieu of its incredible, albeit unrealized potential. AREAS COVERED This paper offers an overview of mechanisms of native angiogenesis and a description of angiogenic growth factors. It progresses to outline the advances in gene and stem cell therapy and provides a brief description of other investigational approaches to promote angiogenesis. Finally, the hurdles and limitations unique to this particular area of study are discussed. EXPERT OPINION An effective, sustained, and safe therapeutic option for angiogenesis truly could be the paradigm shift for cardiovascular medicine. Unfortunately, clinically meaningful therapeutic options remain elusive because promising animal studies have not been replicated in human trials. The sheer complexity of this process means that numerous major hurdles remain before therapeutic angiogenesis truly makes its way from the bench to the bedside.
Identification of long noncoding RNAs in injury-resilient and injury-susceptible mouse retinal ganglion cells.

Background Emerging evidence indicates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators of various biological processes, and their expression can be altered following certain pathological conditions, including central nervous system injury. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), whose axons form the optic nerve, are a heterogeneous population of neurons with more than 40 molecularly distinct subtypes in mouse. While most RGCs, including the ON-OFF direction-selective RGCs (ooDSGCs), are vulnerable to axonal injury, a small population of RGCs, including the intrinsically photosensitive RGCs (ipRGCs), are more resilient. Results By performing systematic analyses on RNA-sequencing data, here we identify lncRNAs that are expressed in ooDSGCs and ipRGCs with and without axonal injury. Our results reveal a repertoire of different classes of lncRNAs, including long intergenic noncoding RNAs and antisense ncRNAs that are differentially expressed between these RGC types. Strikingly, we also found dozens of lncRNAs whose expressions are altered markedly in response to axonal injury, some of which are expressed exclusively in either one of the types. Moreover, analyses into these lncRNAs unraveled their neighboring coding genes, many of which encode transcription factors and signaling molecules, suggesting that these lncRNAs may act in cis to regulate important biological processes in these neurons. Lastly, guilt-by-association analysis showed that lncRNAs are correlated with apoptosis associated genes, suggesting potential roles for these lncRNAs in RGC survival. Conclusions Overall, the results of this study reveal RGC type-specific expression of lncRNAs and provide a foundation for future investigation of the function of lncRNAs in regulating neuronal type specification and survival.
Comparing Implementing the Transformation to Quality Mental Health Systems in England and the United States with Recommendations for Areas of International Shared Learning and Collaboration

The United Kingdom and the United States are working to transform their mental health systems. Based on extensive interviews in the United Kingdom, these systems are compared with a primary focus on how the Institute of Medicine organizational strategies, the President's Commission on Mental Health recommendations, and the principles of the U.K. National Service Framework are being envisioned and implemented in both countries in the public and private sectors: what these strategies currently are in behavioral health in the United States and England and the extent to which they are being utilized; what are likely to be future strategies and the challenges of implementing them; how can the understandings from quality improvement in health care be applied to behavioral health? This study shows that there are strengths and weaknesses in each country's systems, that they share many common problems, that healthcare quality improvement strategies can be applied to behavioral health, just as mental health and sub...
POLLUTION PREVENTION: A NEW PARADIGM FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION

It is estimated that our materials-dominated society consumes about 10 metric tons of raw materials per person per year in the production of consumer goods. Within 6 months of extraction or production of these materials, 94% of them become waste. More efficient manufacturing practices are needed to lessen the demands for raw materials and to reduce the amounts and toxicity of waste materials. It is estimated that 70% of this waste material could be eliminated through better design decisions and reuse of materials. Engineering education has evolved into fairly segregated disciplines which focus on narrowly defined design and manufacturing functions, often without consideration of the environmental consequences of these functions. This is no longer the case in industry, however, where pollution prevention and waste minimization have become very important. Unfortunately, most of our engineering graduates are not prepared to step into a role where “green engineering” principles are espoused. We must quickly incorporate the “green engineering” principles into the engineering curriculum in all disciplines to ensure that all engineering graduates understand the environmental and economic consequences of engineering decisions. This paper describes methods that can be used to introduce the principles of pollution prevention, environmentally conscious products, processes and manufacturing systems. Students will learn the impacts of wastes from manufacturing and post-use product disposal, environmental cycles of materials, sustainability, and principles of environmental economics. Materials selection, process and product design, and packaging are also addressed.
Day 3 estradiol serum concentrations as prognosticators of ovarian stimulation response and pregnancy outcome in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization

Objective To test the hypothesis that elevated E 2 levels on day 3 of IVF cycles without GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) are associated with reduced oocyte numbers and pregnancy rates (PRs). Design Day 3 levels of E 2 and FSH were obtained from patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation without GnRH analogue for IVF. Patients Five hundred ninety-two consecutive IVF cycles. Results Patients were grouped according to their day 3 E 2 levels ( 75pg/mL [conversion factor to SI unit, 3.671]). The ongoing PR per retrieval for patients with E 2 levels 2 levels 31 to 75pg/mL. There were no pregnancies if the E 2 level was >75pg/mL. The mean number of oocytes per retrieval was significantly lower in patients from the E 2 groups with E 2 >60pg/ mL compared with patients in groups with E 2 2 levels also were evaluated simultaneously. In patients with the lowest levels of FSH and E 2 , the PR was the highest. No pregnancies occurred if the FSH level was >17 mIU/mL (conversion factor to SI unit, 1.00) and the E 2 level was >45pg/mL on day 3. Conclusions For patients undergoing IVF without GnRH analogue, oocyte numbers and PRs decrease with increasing levels of day 3 E 2 . Combining day 3 FSH and E 2 improved the prognostic ability of either of these hormones used alone.
How do dendrites take their shape

Recent technical advances have made possible the visualization and genetic manipulation of individual dendritic trees. These studies have led to the identification and characterization of molecules that are important for different aspects of dendritic development. Although much remains to be learned, the existing knowledge has allowed us to take initial steps toward a comprehensive understanding of how complex dendritic trees are built. In this review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying dendritic morphogenesis, and discuss their cell-biological implications.
Teaching programs in geriatric dentistry

A Questionnaire was sent to 110 dental schools in 11 countries in order to evaluate the amount and content of didactic and clinical geriatric dentistry being taught in each school. The overall response rate was 91.8%. The approach to Geriatric Dentistry seemed to vary by country, but with considerable differences among schools in the same countries. The content of the majority of curricula was clinical material related to medical and prosthetics problems rather than gerontological in nature, but varied by country. Clinical experiences were mainly associated with ambulatory elderly patients being treated in dental schools with remote site experiences existing mainly in the U.S.A.
CASE REPORT Treatment of a Lower Extremity Lymphocele With Intraoperative Lymphatic Mapping

Objective: Lower extremity lymphoceles secondary to saphenous vein grafting are exceptionally rare and there is only 1 previously reported case in the English literature. Data on treatment of lower extremity lymphoceles are limited and based on studies of groin lymphoceles. We discuss operative resection with selective ligation of feeding lymphatic vessels as a treatment option of lower extremity lymphoceles. Methods: A 64-year-old man who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting 6 years prior presented with a left lower extremity mass at the site where his saphenous vein had been harvested. Examination demonstrated a 12-cm, mobile, nonpulsatile mass at his medial left calf. The findings of magnetic resonance imaging were consistent with a lymphocele. Results: Intraoperative injection of isosulfan blue dye was used to identify feeding lymphatic vessels and the lymphocele cavity was excised. Leg drains were discontinued after 3 days, and the patient was discharged home after 6 days. Conclusion: Operative resection with isosulfan blue dye lymphatic mapping and selective ligation of lymphatic vessels is a viable treatment of lower extremity lymphoceles.
Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in California Over 2000-2009: Implications for Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Patients who require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) often represent a sequence of care between the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU). Despite being the most populous state, little information exists to define patterns of IMV use within the state of California. Methods: We examined data from the masked Patient Discharge Database of California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development from 2000-2009. Adult patients who received IMV during their stay were identified using the International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision and Clinical Modification procedure codes (96.70, 96.71, 96.72). Patients were divided into age strata (18-34yr, 35-64yr, and >65yr). Using descriptive statistics and regression analyses, for IMV discharges during the study period, we quantified the number of ED vs. non-ED based admissions; changes in patient characteristics and clinical outcome; evaluated the marginal costs for IMV; determined predictors for prolonged acute mechanical ventilation (PAMV, i.e. IMV>96hr); and projected the number of IMV discharges and ED-based admissions by year 2020. Results: There were 696,634 IMV discharges available for analysis. From 2000–2009, IMV discharges increased by 2.8%/year: n=60,933 (293/100,000 persons) in 2000 to n=79,868 (328/100,000 persons) in 2009. While ED-based admissions grew by 3.8%/year, non-ED-based admissions remained stable (0%). During 2000-2009, fastest growth was noted for 1) the 35–64 year age strata; 2) Hispanics; 3) patients with non-Medicare public insurance; and 4) patients requiring PAMV. Average total patient cost-adjusted charges per hospital discharge increased by 29% from 2000 (from $42,528 to $60,215 in 2014 dollars) along with increases in the number of patients discharged to home and skilled nursing facilities. Higher marginal costs were noted for younger patients (ages 18-34yr), non-whites, and publicly insured patients. Some of the strongest predictors for PAMV were age 35-64 years (OR=1.12; 95% CI [1.09-1.14], p<0.05); non-Whites; and non-Medicare public insurance. Our models suggest that by 2020, IMV discharges will grow to n=153,153 (377 IMV discharges/100,000 persons) with 99,095 admitted through the ED. Conclusion: Based on sustained growth over the past decade, by the year 2020, we project a further increase to 153,153 IMV discharges with 99,095 admitted through the ED. Given limited ICU bed capacities, ongoing increases in the number and type of IMV patients have the potential to adversely affect California EDs that often admit patients to ICUs.
Laminar Boundary Layers

The concept of boundary layer is central to understanding and prediction of viscous flow effects in high-Reynolds-number aerodynamics. Here we review classical boundary layer concepts and analysis techniques for two-dimensional laminar boundary layers. The theoretical framework first introduced by Prandtl in 1904 is outlined. Important concepts like the boundary layer equations, vorticity dynamics, boundary layer separation, and the viscous–inviscid coupling are discussed. Exact similarity solutions are presented in detail to examine the effect of pressure gradient and to support approximate methods. The application to internal and external flows of one-parameter approximate methods based on the Karman integral equation is also discussed in detail. Two-parameter approximate methods based on integral momentum and energy equations are introduced. The more recent development of aerodynamic design codes implementing coupled viscous/inviscid equations using two-parameter integral formulations of the viscous problem is noted. Keywords: viscous flows; laminar flow; boundary layers
Capturing Capital to Negotiate the Intersections of Motherhood and Work

Women are judged and judge themselves in response to cultural norms about motherhood and employment. While much has been written in sociology and other disciplines about the intersections of motherhood and work, there is not much on their ideals and the enactment of the ideals of womanhood and worker in connection to various forms of capital. In this paper, we review the literature on motherhood to explore the ways in which these ideals are related to the meanings of mother and worker. Further, we highlight how differential access to economic and non-economic capital due to one's social location influences a woman's ability to be viewed successful simultaneously as mother and worker.
Major arc mitochondrial DNA deletions in cytochrome c oxidase-deficient human cochlear spiral ganglion cells.

AbstractConclusions: This study suggests that cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 (COX 3) expression is diminished in spiral ganglion cells from individuals with presbycusis. In addition to the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) common deletion (CD), other deletions involving the mtDNA major arc contribute to the observed deficit in COX 3 expression. Objectives: To assess COX 3 deficiency in spiral ganglion cells from individuals with presbycusis and to determine whether deletions other than the CD contribute to this deficiency. Methods: COX 3 immunofluorescence staining of archival human temporal bone tissue sections from individuals with presbycusis and from age-matched normal-hearing individuals was performed and the intensity of spiral ganglion cell immunostaining was measured. Single COX 3-deficient spiral ganglion cells were isolated by laser microdissection (LMD) and the DNA was analyzed with duplex real-time PCR assays to assess the CD level and the total mtDNA major arc deletion level. Results: A statistically...
Mechanisms of Disease: the role of stem cells in the biology and treatment of gliomas

Brain tumors may harbor small subpopulations of cells that share characteristics of neural stem cells. The use of neural stem cells and progenitor cells as delivery vehicles of molecules toxic to tumors offers a promising experimental treatment strategy. This Review summarizes recent advances in the basic understanding of neural stem cell and cancer-stem-cell biology and the progress towards translating these novel concepts into the clinic. The study of neural stem cell and progenitor cell biology has improved our understanding of the biology of brain tumors in a developmental context. Recent work has demonstrated that brain tumors may harbor small subpopulations of cells that share characteristics of neural stem cells. There is still an ongoing debate about the specific role of these stem-like cells in cancer initiation, development and progression. Nonetheless, the concept of cancer stem cells has offered a new paradigm to understand tumor biology and resistance to current treatment modalities. Molecular aberrations in these cancer stem cells might be crucial targets for therapeutic intervention, with the hope of achieving more durable clinical responses. Recent studies have demonstrated that endogenous and transplanted neural stem cells and progenitor cells show a marked tropism to brain tumors. Although the mechanisms that govern these processes are poorly understood, the use of neural stem cells and progenitor cells as delivery vehicles for molecules toxic to tumors offers a promising experimental treatment strategy. This Review summarizes recent advances in the basic understanding of neural stem cell and cancer stem cell biology and the progress towards translating these novel concepts into the clinic.
Maximum black-hole spin from quasicircular binary mergers

Black holes of mass M must have a spin angular momentum S below the Kerr limit (χ ≡ S/M^2 ≤ 1), but whether astrophysical black holes can attain this limiting spin depends on their accretion history. Gas accretion from a thin disk limits the black-hole spin to χ_(gas) ≲ 0.9980 ± 0.0002, as electromagnetic radiation from this disk with retrograde angular momentum is preferentially absorbed by the black hole. Extrapolation of numerical-relativity simulations of equal-mass binary black-hole mergers to maximum initial spins suggests these mergers yield a maximum spin χ_(eq) ≲ 0.95. Here we show that for smaller mass ratios q ≡ m/M ≪ 1, the superradiant extraction of angular momentum from the larger black hole imposes a fundamental limit χ_(lim) ≲ 0.9979 ± 0.0001 on the final black-hole spin even in the test-particle limit (q→0) of binary black-hole mergers. The nearly equal values of χ_(gas) and χ_(lim) imply that measurement of supermassive black-hole spins cannot distinguish a black hole built by gas accretion from one assembled by the gravitational inspiral of a disk of compact stellar remnants. We also show how superradiant scattering alters the mass and spin predicted by models derived from extrapolating test-particle mergers to finite mass ratios.
Drugs and Glaucoma

IT is indeed a distinct privilege to take part in a symposium honoring Drs Paul Chandler and Peter Kronfeld. Their professional careers, spanning the last 50 years, not only dealt extensively with the diagnosis and treatment of the glaucomas, but reflected the broad interests that so often characterize the inquiring mind and superior intellect. Dr Chandler is as well known for his considerations on the treatment of congenital cataract in infancy and childhood as for his insights into the medical and surgical management of malignant glaucoma. Reflecting the complete clinician, the subject of his Jackson Lecture in 1951 was "Practical Considerations Concerning Choice of Operation in Convergent Squint." Dr Kronfeld's early professional career, beginning in the mid 1920s, first reflected his primary interest in physiology with basic studies on the aqueous humor, the lens, physiologic optics, and the retina. These interests continued throughout his career while
Passive uncooled subMMW focal plane array imager for person-borne explosives detection

We review our previous work to develop an uncooled subMMW detector capable of achieving an NEΔT ~0.5K at 30Hz frame rate and describe our approach to develop a staring subMMW camera based on a 2D array of such detectors. Both predicted and measured results of performance metrics (responsivity, NEP, response time, spectral bandwidth, NEΔT) are presented. The measured performance agrees reasonably well with predictions and is consistent with attaining our NEΔT goal. Thus far, 1×4 detector arrays have been fabricated, and 1×8 focal plane arrays have been developed and tested. We briefly discuss our vision to achieve a128×128 detector array needed for a practical staring subMMW imager and describe the technology challenges needed to realize it.
Milk Fat as Related to Vitamina B12 Status

Two experiments examined whether vitamin B12 status of liver affects milk fat percentage or yield. In Experiment 1 B12 concentration in liver, measured at approximately 8 and 15 wk postpartum in 35 cows, was not correlated significantly with milk fat percentage or yield. In Experiment 2 twenty-two cows were fed a ratio similar to one used to depress milk fat percentage. The B12 status of 12 of these cows was enhanced by intramuscular injection of vitamin B12 while the other 10 served as controls. During wk 2 to 8 of lactation, milk fat percentages were almost identical for the two groups. A difference in milk fat yield in favor of the B12-treated group resulted from a difference in milk yield. The data do not support a recent hypothesis of the metabolic cause of milk fat depression.
Effect of forage physical form on chewing activity, dry matter intake, and rumen function of dairy cows in early lactation.

Abstract To examine the effects of reducing forage particle size on production, chewing, and digesta kinetic parameters in early lactation, 42 Holstein cows (9 ruminally cannulated) were assigned 14 d postpartum to one of three experimental diets with concentrate:alfalfa haylage:alfalfa pellets ratio of A) 60:40:0; B) 60:28:12; and C) 60:12:28 on a DM basis. The trial ran through the 12th wk postpartum, and measurements of chewing activity and rumen parameters were made during the 4th, 8th, and 12th wk postpartum. Dry matter intake (kg/d), milk production (kg/d), and milk fat percentage for diets A, B, and C were 23.1, 23.0, 18.8; 33.7, 35.5, 31.8; and 3.1, 2.9, 2.6, respectively. Rumen parameters and chewing activities were linearly related to haylage in the diet. Ruminal fluid dilution rate (%/h), volume (L), and outflow (L/d), rumination (min/d), total chewing (min/d), total chewing (min/kg DM intake), ruminal acetate (molar %), and NDF digestibility (%) were 16.6, 13.8, 10.0; 62, 58, 54; 243, 193, 137; 437, 367, 204; 649, 566, 376; 28.2, 24.1, 20.0; 58.6, 56.3, 53.8; and 32, 37, 23, respectively. These results suggest that dairy cattle in early lactation require a minimum amount of effective fiber to optimize production and intake. This requirement was met when 28%, but not 12%, of dietary DM was alfalfa haylage.
Disorders of the reticular activating system

The organization of components of the reticular activating system and their role in sleep-wake mechanisms and arousal are described. A functional model is proposed based on known neuroanatomical and neurophysiological findings. The involvement of these elements of the reticular activating system in various neurological and psychiatric disorders is discussed. A series of hypotheses are advanced to account for the role of these nuclei in such diverse disorders as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, REM behavior disorder, Parkinson's disease and narcolepsy. This line of reasoning suggests that, when neurological or psychiatric disorders manifest symptoms related to arousal and sleep-wake control, disturbances of elements of the reticular activating system must be considered responsible.
Comparing carbon flux and high-resolution spring phenological measurements in a northern mixed forest

Abstract Vegetative canopies play a crucial role in the energy balance and composition of the atmospheric boundary layer via biotic control over evapotranspiration and carbon sources/sinks. Accurately predicting the onset/increase of carbon uptake/transpiration during the spring leaf development period using coarse resolution tower-based and satellite-derived data alone is difficult. Thus, understanding stand-level spatial patterns of spring plant phenological development and the processes that drive them may be crucial for improving landscape level estimates of evapotranspiration and carbon accumulation. In this study, high-resolution spatial and temporal tree phenology data were recorded in field campaigns over approximately 5 weeks during spring 2006 and 2007 (within a 625 m × 275 m area), and over similar periods during spring 2008, 2009, and 2010 (within two 625 m × 625 m areas) near the WLEF eddy covariance flux tower site near Park Falls in northern Wisconsin. Our findings demonstrate that phenological variations between individual trees in a specific microclimate can be adequately represented with a sample of 30 or more individuals. Further, visual phenological observations can be generally related to under-canopy light levels, and for spring phenology measurements in similar microclimates, a sampling interval of every 4 days minimizes data uncertainty and field work expenses. An analysis of the relationships among phenology, climate, and gross primary productivity (GPP) during the spring indicate that the phenology of the dominant tree species is responsible for an overall positive trend in carbon assimilation, but climate is the cause of day-to-day variation.
Meadow fescue: Festuca elatior L. or F. pratensis Hudson?

The grass commonly called “meadow fescue” is known in the United States asFestuca elatior L. and in Europe asF. pratensis Hudson. Study of the literature and type specimen shows that the nameF. elatior L. is ambiguous and confused. The earliest correctly applied name isF. pratensis Hudson, hence it should be universally adopted.
Spontaneous Regression of Primary and Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Spontaneous regression of metastases in renal cell carcinoma has been occasionally described since the first report in 1928 by Bumpus.' The majority of cases involve regression of pulmonary metastases after removal of the primary tumor.2-4 We report a case in which pulmonary metastases and the primary renal tumor regressed in association with significant hemorrhage at the time of biopsy. CASE REPORT
Use of Covered Stent Devices for False Lumen Embolization in Chronic Dissection: A Novel Approach

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is effective in treating acute complicated dissection, but in the chronic state it is frequently complicated by persistent retrograde false lumen perfusion that results in treatment failure. We describe a novel endovascular technique and present an illustrative case of a patient with chronic dissection for which covered stent devices were used as an adjunct to TEVAR to occlude the distal thoracic false lumen and interrupt retrograde perfusion. The case demonstrates that this strategy promotes remodeling when used in addition to stent grafting the true lumen for chronic dissection.
Tongue Operated Assistive Technologies

Assistive technologies help improving the quality of life for severely disabled individuals by enabling them to pursue self-care, educational, vocational, and recreational activities. Tongue has a set of unique characteristics that makes it a suitable appendage for manipulating paralyzed individuals' environments through the use of tongue-operated assistive devices. A number of these devices have been reviewed and a new one, called Tongue Drive, has been introduced.
Imaging in Neurologic Infections I: Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases

Often presenting as medical emergencies, nervous system infections can be diagnostically challenging. Knowledgeable utilization of neuroimaging modalities and the understanding of characteristic imaging findings facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. In the first part of this two-part review, we address common and unique diagnostic imaging features of bacterial and parasitic nervous system infections.
Isospin Formulation of the Theory of a Granular Superconductor

The properties of a granular superconductor are studied with the aid of the isospin formulation of the microscopic theory of superconductivity. The system consists of grains of homogeneous superconductor separated by insulating but tunnelable barriers (Josephson junctions). The general nonlinear equations of motion are set up for the isospins, "spin up" representing the absence, and "spin down" the presence, of a given Cooper pair. These equations are like torque equations for each isospin moving in an effective pseudomagnetic field due to all the other isospins. Linearized solutions result in various single-particle and collective excitations. A certain class of nonlinear solutions is shown to satisfy a Ginzburg-Landau-like differential equation. The effects of electric fields (within the junctions) and real magnetic fields are studied, one result being that there are bulk electromagnetic modes, analogous to the surface modes known to be associated with a single isolated Josephson junction. Consequences of changes in temperature and changes in effective electron-electron interaction are studied.
Cholesterol side-chain cleavage, cytochrome P450, and iron-sulfur protein in human placental mitochondria

Abstract Cytochrome P450 and the associated iron-sulfur protein have been characterized in human placental mitochondria by means of optical absorbance difference spectrophotometry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry. These two proteins occur in a molar ratio of about 1:1 in human placental mitochondria, and the cytochrome P450 appears to be that form involved in cholesterol side-chain cleavage. Pregnenolone formation from endogenous mitochondrial cholesterol, as measured by radioimmunoassay, follows a biphasic time-course similar to the situation in other steroidogenic tissues. The specific activity of cholesterol side-chain cleavage, and the specific contents of cytochrome P450 and the iron-sulfur protein in the mitochondria, are 2- to 3-fold higher at term than in the 1st and 2nd trimesters. When expressed in terms of the cytochrome P450 content, the rate of pregnenolone formation is high, suggesting that cholesterol side-chain cleavage in human placenta is in an activated state.
K-Ar dating using neutron activation for Ar analysis: granitic plutons of the eastern Great Basin, Nevada and Utah

Abstract A new technique of Ar analysis by neutron activation utilizing the reactions Ar 40 (n,γ) Ar 41 (half-life 110 min) and Ar 36 (n,γ) Ar 37 (half-life 35 days) has been perfected for use in potassium-argon dating. The gas is extracted from minerals by fusion, and a known fraction sealcd in an ultra-pure silica vial. Unknowns and standards are irradiated together and immediately after irradiation each sample is repurified in the presence of carrier argon and pumped into calibrated counter tubes, which are finally filled to 76 cm pressure with counting gas. Measurement of the Ar 41 and Ar 37 activities, which are distinguished by their differing half-lives, permits analysis for both Ar 40 and Ar 36 .By comparison with air standards of known volume and fixed Ar 40 to Ar 36 ratio it is possible to obtain an analysis for argon and a correction for air contamination. The precision and accuracy of the analysis are ~5 per cent; due to Ar losses during sample preparation the confidence limits of the dates reported are +15 per cent, −5 per cent; counting statistics and uncertainity in the blank correction limit the precision and accuracy for very young samples with K contents greater than 5 per cent to ~±2 m.y. Thirty granitic plutons in eastern Nevada and western Utah have been dated. Plutons in the Southern Snake Range, Dolly Varden Mountains, Whitehorse Range, Cortez Range, Austin mining district, and at Mount Hamilton and Whistler Mountain are of Jurassic and early Cretaceous age. The Ruby Hill stock. Eureka mining district is latest Cretaceous, the Bingham Canyon stock early Eocene in age. All other dated plutons east of the Antler orogenic belt are of Oligocene and Miocene age, synchronous with major volcanism in the region. The older plutons and orogenic structures which they cross cut indicate that the Nevadan orogeny affected all of Nevada and not just the western half where eugeosynclinal rocks occur. There is no obvious association of age with chemical composition, association of ore deposits, petrography, or depth of emplacement; there appears to be a positive correlation between shallow depth of emplacement and association of major mineral deposits and occurrence of porphyritic texture. Most lead-alpha dates agree with the K-Ar results but a few are unrealistically old and must be explained by inherited radiogenic lead or contamination with common lead.
Turbulent motion and mixing in a pipe

Turbulent mixing of a dye solution injected at the center of a pipe was studied by means of a new light probe developed for the measurement of concentration fluctuations were made both along the axial distance and across the pipe. The concentration fluctuations persisted longer at the center-line region than anywhere else; this suggested the use of the decay of intensity at the center as an upper limit. Approximately 99% of the initial intensity decayed within 7.5 ft. (30 L/d). The concentration spectra along the axial distance indicated that the eddies initially undergo a scalar energy cascade. Because of the huge difference in the kinematic viscosity and molecular diffusivities the concentration spectra extend much farther toward high wave numbers than the velocity spectrum. Apparently a state of imbalance resulted between the supply of small eddies and their dissipation; this was marked by the appearance of a small hump in the spectra. The phenomenological approximations of Corrsin and of Beek and Miller could be used for the practical problem of predicting the decay of the intensity of the concentration fluctuations or mixing in the pipe geometry studied.
The inclusive reactions π + d → π - + anything and π + d → π - π - + anything at 6 and 24 GeV/c

Inclusive production of π− mesons has been studied with 6 and 24 GeV/c π+ beams interacting in deuterium bubble chambers. The energy dependence of the inclusive spectra is discussed. In comparisons with π+p inclusive interactions, we observe that projectile fragmentation is not independent of the nature of the target at 6 GeV/c. Cross sections and ratios of cross sections are presented. Two-particle correlations are found to be similar at both energies.
RECOMBINATION OF ALKALI PLASMA IONS ON HOT TUNGSTEN SURFACES.

The rate of surface recombination of cesium and potassium plasma ions on the hot tungsten end plates of a $Q$ machine has been measured with a Langmuir-Taylor detector. Good agreement of the measurements with the equilibrium theory of electrostatic confinement is found under conditions in which the plasma potential is not highly negative or positive ($|V|l\frac{2kT}{e}$). Corrections to the equilibrium theory for ion heating (highly negative plasma) and ion drifts (highly positive plasma) bring theory into good agreement with experiment over a range in density of 2 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{9}$ to 2 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{12}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$.
A light microscopic study of the developing human neural retina.

Human embryonic and fetal eyes from 4 mm to 200 mm crown-rump length (26 days to 21 weeks of gestation) were studied in 0.75-micron sections impregnated with silver and toned with gold. The layer of Chievitz was formed by an inward migration of ganglion-cell and Muller-cell nuclei from the outer neuroepithelium and then, after further changes in nuclear location, the layer of Chievitz was cleared of ganglion-cell nuclei to become the definitive inner plexiform layer. Muller-cell nuclei later populated all retinal layers in the fetus. The argyrophilic Muller-cell cytoplasm associated with neuronal development is discussed in relation to glia-neuron interactions, with emphasis on the particular needs of retinal tissue.
Macroblock-level adaptive error concealment methods for MDC

Multiple Description Coding (MDC) is one of the most efficient error resilient video coding methods especially when retransmissions are not acceptable. For applications in scalable, multicast and P2P environments, it is advantageous to use more than two descriptions. In this paper, we present two macroblock-level adaptive error concealment methods to improve the performance of MDC with four descriptions. A Gilbert model is used as the channel model to simulate burst packet loss. Experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of the two proposed methods.
The characterization of radioimmunoassay for rat pancreatic polypeptide in serum.

A radioimmunoassay for the measurement of rat pancreatic polypeptide (RPP) in serum or plasma has been developed and characterized using a new guinea-pig anti-rat-PP antibody. The assay provides a high degree of sensitivity and lacks cross-reactivity (CR less than 0.01%) to neuropeptide Y and peptide YY. It also does not interact with PPs of other species or peptide hormones namely, amylin, glucagon, human insulin, human-PP, human-proinsulin, rat C-peptide and rat insulin. The assay employs synthetic rat PP as standards from concentrations of 21-2100 pg/ml (i.e., 5-500 pM) and produces a sensitivity limit of 19 pg/ml (4.5 pM) PP at +/- 3 S.D. The intra- and interassay % coefficient of variations are 6.4% and 5.9%, respectively. The % recovery of RPP added to rat serum samples ranges from 98% to 103%. Assay of serum volumes ranging from 25 microliters to 100 microliters does not significantly alter the expected RPP level. The migration patterns of rat serum PP and that of a synthetic RPP are identical by Sephadex G-50 chromatographic analysis. The mean values of fasting and a 2 h post-feeding plasma RPP levels in normal rats are 40 +/- 2 and 80 +/- 10 pg/ml (9.5 pM and 19.0 pM), respectively. Rat-PP release during insulin induced hypoglycemia in conscious rats rises from 38 +/- 5 pg/ml to 261 +/- 34 pg/ml (9.0 to 62.1 pM, P less than 0.005) by 30 min. Additionally, the antibody used in this study cross-reacts well with mouse-PP as determined by linear serum dilution curves, thus making it useful in the measurement of murine-PP. In conclusion, we have developed and validated a sensitive and specific rat-PP assay. This assay provides a new tool for the reliable measurement of PP in physiologic studies using rat and mouse animal models.
Microscopic Lagrangian description of warm plasmas: 4. Macroscopic approximation

The averaged-Lagrangian method is applied to linear wave propagation and nonlinear three-wave interaction in a warm magnetoplasma, in the macroscopic approximation. The microscopic Lagrangian treated by Kim and Crawford (1977) and by Galloway and Crawford (1977) is first expanded to third order in perturbation. Velocity integration is then carried out, before applying Hamilton's principle to obtain a general description of wave propagation and coupling. The results are specialized to the case of interaction between two electron plasma waves and an Alfven wave. The method is shown to be more powerful than the alternative possibility of working from the beginning with a macroscopic Lagrangian density.
THE ROLE OF THE SRC HOMOLOGY-2 DOMAIN IN THE LETHAL EFFECT OF SRC EXPRESSION IN THE YEAST SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

Abstract Expression of the retroviral transforming gene v-src arrests the proliferation of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A functional Src SH2 (Src homology 2) domain is required for this arrest. To examine the mechanism by which Src blocks yeast cell proliferation, and to determine the role of the Src SH2 domain in the growth arrest, src variants were expressed in yeast under the control of the galactose-inducible GAL1 promoter. Following galactose induction of Src expression, phosphotyrosyl-proteins were isolated by immunoprecipitation with beads coupled to either anti-phosphotyrosine antibody or to a recombinant fusion protein containing the Src SH2 domain. A group of SH2-binding phosphotyrosyl-proteins was detected in cells expressing toxic forms of Src, but were not detected in cells expressing non-toxic variants. This group of phosphotyrosyl-proteins represents a minor subset of the proteins phosphorylated by v-Src. The lethality of v-Src and the phosphorylation of SH2-binding proteins were co-ordinately affected by alterations in phosphotyrosine-phosphatase activity. These observations indicate that the lethality of Src is correlated with the phosphorylation of proteins that bind to the Src SH2 domain. The role of the SH2 domain in determining the lethal effects of Src in yeast may be similar to its role in targeting Src to substrates necessary for its biological effects in vertebrate cells.