cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlation of NIH Stroke Scale Change and Vascular Risk Factors in Acute Stroke Patients (P7.164)

Objective: We propose to test for correlation between stroke risk factors and NIH stroke scale change admission through discharge. Background: The NIH stroke scale is a validated tool in acute stroke patients and correlates with stroke outcomes. We are studying NIH Stroke scale change admission through discharge as an outcome measure for quality. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the demographic variables and stroke risk factors in a stratified random sample of 98 acute stroke patients admitted to an academic stroke center. NIH stroke scales at admission and discharge were extracted and tabulated for each patient and the difference between initial and final NIH stroke scales was calculated. We tested for any correlation between various stroke risk factors and change in NIH stroke scales using bivariate analysis, regression analysis, and Shewhart control charts. Results: Average improvement in NIH stroke scale was 1.33 points at discharge. Tobacco use was correlated with NIHSS decline (p < 0.05). Statistical process control analysis with Shewhart control charts revealed frequent special cause improvements exceeding 3 SD in hypertensive patients, while non-hypertensives did worse by NIH stroke scale change. Absence of diabetes revealed frequent special cause variations with NIH stroke scale improvement exceeding 2 SD compared to diabetics. Conclusion: In this small sample, change in NIH stroke scale admission through discharge may be a useful quality outcome measure in acute stroke. Tobacco use was harmful in this sample. Presence of hypertension and absence of diabetes showed benefit in select acute stroke outcomes. Investigating the special cause improvements in this population may help identify ways to improve outcomes. Shewhart control charts may provide useful information when examining quality that might be missed on routine statistical methods. Disclosure: Dr. Krishnamohan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dobbs has nothing to disclose.
Is market liberalization compatible with food security?: Storage, trade and price policies for maize in Southern Africa

Abstract Concern for the negative impacts of staple food price fluctuations limits the extent to which governments in low-income countries are willing to liberalize their agricultural markets. These concerns are legitimate, as such price fluctuations can lead to high transactions costs for poor consumers in the short run and low growth in the long run. However, past government attempts to stabilize food prices completely have been expensive and ineffective. Use of a dynamic programming optimization model suggests that a different type of policy regime could reduce price variability significantly compared to what would prevail in free markets, and could accomplish this at relatively low cost. This policy regime includes allowing some official price flexibility with respect to changes in production and world price, exporting when regional market opportunities exist, and holding considerably lower stocks than in the past.
Improving hybrid seed production in corn with glyphosate-mediated male sterility.

BACKGROUND Hybrid corn varieties exhibit benefits associated with heterosis and account for most of the corn acreage in the USA. Hybrid seed corn is produced by crossing a female parent which is male-sterile and therefore incapable of self-pollination with a male parent as the pollen donor. The majority of hybrid seed corn is produced by mechanical detasseling which involves physically removing the tassel, a process that is laborious and costly. RESULTS Glyphosate-resistant corn was developed via expression of a glyphosate insensitive 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimate 3-phosphate synthase enzyme (CP4-EPSPS). Experimentation with molecular expression elements resulted in selective reduction of CP4-EPSPS expression in male reproductive tissues. The resulting plant demonstrated sterile tassel following glyphosate application with little to no injury to the rest of the plant. Using 14C-glyphosate as a marker, we also examined the translocation of glyphosate to the tassel via spray application in a track sprayer to simulate field application. The results allowed optimization of spray parameters such as dose, spray timing and target to maximize tassel delivery of glyphosate for efficient sterilization. CONCLUSION The Roundup hybridization system (RHS) is a novel process for hybrid seed production based on glyphosate-mediated male sterility. RHS replaces mechanical detasseling with glyphosate spray and greatly simplifies the process of hybrid seed corn production. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Vision-based teleoperation of a stroboscopic microscopic interferownetric system for remote dynamic MEMS testing

We demonstrate a system that automatically locates MEMS structures under a microscope equipped with a 3 DOF stage. It correlates images directly with the chip-mask layout and is especially useful for teleoperated experiments
Effect of salinity on Rhizobium growth and survival.

This study examines the effect of salinity on the growth and survival of Rhizobium spp. in culture media and soil. Eleven isolates from saline and nonsaline environments were compared. The growth (mean doubling time) of all strains and species tested decreased when the electrical conductivity of the culture medium (yeast extract-mannitol) was raised from 1.2 mS cm−1 to 6.7 mS cm−1 (15% seawater equivalent) or to 13.1 mS cm−1 (28% seawater equivalent). Three of eleven strains failed to grow at 13.1 mS cm−1. Although growth was affected by salinity, four strains selected from the growth rate study could survive in extremely high concentrations of salt. Two strains with growth rates sensitive to salt and two strains with growth rates relatively unaffected by salt were inoculated into solutions with electrical conductivities of up to 43.0 mS cm−1 (92% seawater equivalent). Not only did all four strains survive the initial osmotic shock (at 5 h after inoculation), but it was not until 27 days after inoculation that the sensitive strains exhibited a significant reduction in viable numbers. The salt-tolerant strains survived for more than 65 days with no reduction in viable counts. The interaction between soil moisture tension and soil salinity in relation to Rhizobium survival in gamma-irradiated soil was also examined. Six treatment combinations were used, ranging from −0.1 bars and 0.2 mS cm−1 to −15 bars and 12 mS cm−1. Sensitive strains declined from 107 to 105 organisms per g of soil after 84 days of incubation at −15 bars and 12 mS cm−1. Tolerant strains survived for the same period with no loss in viable numbers. The results of these experiments indicate that many strains of Rhizobium can grow and survive at salt concentrations which are inhibitory to most agricultural legumes. The emphasis of research concerning the effects of salinity on symbiotic nitrogen fixation should, therefore, be directed to aspects of the symbiosis other than the survival of the Rhizobium spp.
Indoles by Annelation of Pyrroles

Indoles are usually constructed from aromatic nitrogen compounds by formation of the pyrrole ring as has been the case for all of the synthetic methods discussed in the preceding chapters. Recently, methods for construction of the carbocyclic ring from pyrrole derivatives have received more attention. Two strategies help in forming pyyroles. One strategy for building up 2-substituted pyrroles capable of cyclization to indole involves addition of a Grignard reagent to a 2-acylpyrrole. An alternative strategy is to put a 3-(-2-dioxolanyl)ethanoyl substituent in place first and then add the C7-substituent by a Grignard addition. Both 2-vinylpyrroles and 3-vinylpyrroles are potential precursors of 4, 5, 6, 7-tetrahydroindoles via Diels-Alder cyclizations. Vinylpyrroles are relatively reactive dienes. However, they are also rather sensitive compounds and this has tended to restrict their synthetic application. While 1-methyl-2-vinylpyrrole gives a good yield of an indole with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, α-substituents on the vinyl group result in direct electrophilic attack at C5 of the pyrrole ring. This has been attributed to the steric restriction on access to the necessary cisoid conformation of the 2-vinyl substituent.
Hydrothermal circulation within topographically rough basaltic basement on the Juan de Fuca Ridge flank

[1] We use coupled heat and mass transport models to investigate the basement permeability distribution and hydrothermal circulation patterns in an area with large basement relief below flat seafloor on the eastern flank of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. If heat transport around Ocean Drilling Program Sites 1026 and 1027 were purely conductive, the top of basement at Site 1027 (below ∼600 m of sediment) would be ∼50°C warmer than at Site 1026 (below ∼250 m of sediment), but the top of basement in this area is nearly isothermal. Vigorous fluid circulation in hydrothermal (uppermost) basement is required in order to maintain a near isothermal sediment-basement contact. We estimate the magnitude of hydrothermal basement permeability, test the reliability of conductive-proxy models used to estimate basement permeability for this setting, and examine the evolution of the hydrothermal circulation system as sediment accumulates. We find hydrothermal basement permeabilities ≥10−10 m2 are required for the top of basement near Sites 1026 and 1027 to be nearly isothermal, consistent with results from the conductive-proxy models. Modelled fluid circulation in the direction that allows both the observed sign of temperature difference between Sites 1026 and 1027 (warmer in the basement high) and a close approximation of the observed relative basement pressures is only achieved with a heterogeneous permeability distribution, connected high permeability conduits hosted within low permeability rock. This suggests that ridge flank hydrothermal circulation in this setting occurs dominantly within narrow zones of elevated permeability, consistent with observed, scale-dependent variations in permeability in this region, and conceptual models of heterogeneous hydrogeologic systems in general.
Mass Spectrometric Studies of Laser Damage in Calcium Fluoride

Both electron impact- and laser-ionization-mass spectrometry have been used to prove the material spalled from CaF/sub 2/ surfaces by the fundamental (1.06..mu..) and harmonic (355 nm and 266 nm) outputs from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. We have identified a number of gas phase products, including Ca, CaF and tentatively, CaF/sub 2/, and have measured their translational and internal energy distributions. Results suggest that while the 1.06..mu.. experiments can be adequately modeled in terms of a single damage mechanism (likely avalanche breakdown), the short-wavelength results suggest the onset of second mechanism, perhaps multiphoton absorption. This is consistent with both the observed bimodal velocity distribution following short-wavelength damage, and with the decrease in CaF vibrational and rotational excitation.
Patients’ perception about risks and benefits of antithrombotic treatment for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after orthopedic surgery: a qualitative study

Background The 9th edition of the American College of Chest Physicians’ Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis guidelines emphasize the importance of considering the risk–benefit ratio of “patient-important” outcomes. However, little is known about patients’ perception and understanding regarding the different outcomes of antithrombotic treatment after orthopedic surgery, and the factors that influence their decision to use these treatments. Using a series of semi-structured interviews, we explored patients’ understanding and perception concerning the benefits and risks of antithrombotic treatment for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after joint replacement surgery.
On discrete-time nonlinear control

The authors first derive a necessary condition and some sufficient conditions for a class of discrete-time nonlinear systems to be asymptotically stabilizable via smooth state feedback. Then, the authors investigate a necessary and sufficient condition characterizing the existence of exponential observers for Lyapunov stable discrete-time autonomous systems. This condition, together with the previous stabilization results, leads to a separation principle for asymptotic stabilization in discrete-time. As an application, the authors solve the error feedback regulator problem. >
Health-related impact of deployment extensions on spouses of active duty army personnel.

ABSTRACT This study examined problems pertaining to the health and well-being of Army spouses during deployment, comparing those whose experienced extensions of their partners' deployments with those whose partners returned home on time or early. It used data from a 2004 survey of 798 spouses of active duty personnel. Controlling for demographic and deployment characteristics, spouses who experienced extensions fared worse on an array of measures, including mental well-being (e.g., feelings of depression), household strains (e.g., problems with household and car maintenance), and some areas of their jobs (having to stop work or to work fewer hours). There were no statistically significant differences regarding problems pertaining to their overall health, marriage, other work issues, finances, relationships with Army families, or safety. However, spouses who experienced extensions were more likely to perceive the Army negatively during deployment. These findings suggest that deployment extensions may exace...
Variable-temperature study of the heme-reorientation process in equine myoglobin.

Abstract The redistribution of the initially-formed myoglobin heme-insertion isomers from the initially formed 50 50 mixture to the equilibrium ratio of 90 10 has long been assumed to occur by one of two mechanisms, both of which require the rupture of the heme iron-protein bond (La Mar, G.N., Toi, H. and Krishnamoorthi, K. (1984) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106, 6395–6401). In this study we compared the use of nuclear magnetic resonance and optical spectroscopic techniques as methods for studying the reorientation of heme within myoglobin. We found that kinetics determinations of the heme insertion isomer redistribution process in Mb by optical spectroscopy are quantitatively compatible with the results obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A variable-temperature analysis for horse myoglobin using the optical method at pH 8.4 ± 0.1 yielded the following activation energy parameters: ΔH † = 31 kcal/mol , ΔS † = 34 cal/mol per K, and ΔG 21°C † = 21 kcal/mol . The value of ΔG † expected for complete dissociation of the heme from myoglobin can be estimated, from its dissociation constant and insertion rate, to be on the order of 23–27 kcal/mol under the same conditions as our determination. Therefore, although the mechanism for heme reorientation in Mb is likely non-dissociatioe, it has an activation energy which is not far from the lower bound expected for a complete-dissociation/recombination mechanism. Our measured entropy of activation is not especially large, perhaps owing to a large contribution by the solvent.
Are limb development and limb regeneration both initiated by an integumentary wounding?: A hypothesis

It is proposed that, whereas an actual wound to a salamander limb may initiate limb regeneration, a local and developmentally programmed integumentary wound may initiate limb development. The electrophysiological changes induced by these lesions of the skin may be a common denominator linking limb regeneration and limb development. Such early electrical events are considered to initiate or guide the early accumulation of cells, and to help to produce the local environment in which a limb will arise. This scheme provides a self-limiting positive-feedback mechanism for the production of a localized area where other developmental mechanisms act in concert with endogenous electrical fields (or in their complete absence), thereby leading to limb differentiation. This hypothesis may not be restricted to limb formation; it may be of more general significance, i.e. in the process of organogenesis in embryos. One might reasonably suggest that, by such a mechanism, any developing placode (for example, auditory or olfactory placodes) might form and localize.
Depressogenic vulnerability and gender-specific patterns of neuro-immune dysregulation: What the ratio of cortisol to C-reactive protein can tell us about loss of normal regulatory control

We examined whether the ratio of cortisol (CORT) to high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), an index that captures the integrity of homeostatic regulation between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammatory processes, is associated with vulnerability to depression in a gender specific manner and whether glucocorticoid receptor (GR) sensitivity plays a role in these associations. Fasting blood samples were collected between 08:45 and 09:15 and assayed for CORT, hsCRP, and leukocyte count in 213 healthy, medication-free men and women. The NEO-Personality Inventory was used to assess neuroticism, extraversion and anxiety. We used the Hamilton Depression Interview to assess depressive symptoms, the Buss-Perry anger subscale to measure anger, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to evaluate subjective sleep quality and its components. Log-transformed CORT/CRP values were analyzed using multiple regression with Holms' adjusted p-values and age, body mass index (BMI), and race as covariates. GR sensitivity was estimated using the log-transformed ratio of neutrophils (N)-to-monocytes (M). The log-transformed ratio of CORT/CRP did not differ between men and women but was significantly and negatively associated with age and BMI. Severity of depressive symptoms, extraversion, anxiety, and sleep quality were associated with the CORT/CRP ratio in a gender-specific manner. For women, decreasing CORT/CRP ratios, suggestive of an insufficient release of CORT coupled with a heightened inflammatory state, were associated with increasing severity of depressive symptoms, decreasing quality of sleep, increasing frequency of sleep disturbance, and decreasing extraversion. For men, increasing frequency of daytime disturbance and levels of anxiety were associated with increasing CORT/CRP ratio, suggestive of an enhanced release of CORT relative to attenuated levels of hsCRP. For both genders, increasing anger was associated with decreasing CORT/CRP ratios. Although results suggested GR downregulation in women but not men, such differences did not mediate the observed associations. With the use of the CORT/CRP ratio, we showed that vulnerability factors for depression are associated with a loss of normal regulatory controls resulting in gender-specific patterns of neuro-immune dysregulation. That GR downregulation did not influence these associations suggests that the loss of regulatory controls in at risk individuals is primarily at the level of the hormone. Beyond the individual contribution of each component of the CORT/CRP ratio, disruption of normal neuroimmune regulatory feedback provides a plausible biological framework useful in understanding biobehavioral vulnerabilities to depression in a gender specific manner. The CORT/CRP ratio may be a viable biomarker not only for delineating risk for MDD but also progression and treatment responses among patients with MDD; possibilities that are testable in future studies.
Things they would not teach me of in college: what Microsoft developers learn later

There has always been a gap between what college graduates in any field are taught and what they need to know to work in industry. However, today the gap in computer science has grown into a chasm. Current college hires who join Microsoft development teams only know a small fraction of their jobs and cannot be trusted to write new code until they have received months of in-depth training. The cause of this growing gap is a fundamental shift in the software industry, which now demands higher quality and greater attention to customer needs. This paper presents five new courses to add to computer science curriculums to help close this gap.
Time-Resolved PIV for Space-Time Correlations in Hot Jets

Temporally resolved particle image velocimetry (TR-PIV) is being used to characterize the decay of turbulence in jet flows -a critical element for understanding the acoustic properties of the flow. A TR-PIV system, developed in-house at the NASA Glenn Research Center, is capable of acquiring planar PIV image frame pairs at up to 10 kHz. The data reported here were collected at Mach numbers of 0.5 and 0.9 and at temperature ratios of 0.89 and 1.76. The field of view of the TR-PIV system covered 6 nozzle diameters along the lip line of the 50.8 mm diameter jet. The cold flow data at Mach 0.5 were compared with hotwire anemometry measurements in order to validate the new TR-PIV technique. The axial turbulence profiles measured across the shear layer using TR-PIV were thinner than those measured using hotwire anemometry and remained centered along the nozzle lip line. The collected TR-PIV data illustrate the differences in the single point statistical flow properties of cold and hot jet flows. The planar, time-resolved velocity records were then used to compute two-point space-time correlations of the flow at the Mach 0.9 flow condition. The TR-PIV results show that there are differences in the convective velocity and growth rate of the turbulent structures between cold and hot flows at the same Mach number.
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 in osteogenesis: Facilitator or inhibitor?

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) play a central role in controlling somatic growth in mammals and exert anabolic effects on most tissues, including bone. IGF action is mediated by the IGF-I receptor and additionally is regulated by six high-affinity IGF binding proteins (IGFBP-1 through IGFBP-6), of which IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 are most abundant in bone. The focus of this brief review is on the role of IGFBP-5 in bone biology. IGFBP-5 has been implicated as a pro-osteogenic factor in several studies but conversely has been shown to act as an inhibitor of bone formation, primarily by interfering with IGF actions on osteoblasts. These potentially contradictory effects of IGFBP-5 in bone are further complicated by observations indicating that IGFBP-5 additionally may function in an IGF-independent way, and may have been accentuated by differences in both experimental design and methodology among published studies. Suggestions are made for a more systematic approach to help discern the true roles of IGFBP-5 in bone physiology.
The Amplifying and Buffering Effects of Virtuousness in Downsized Organizations

Virtuousness refers to the pursuit of the highest aspirations in the human condition. It is characterized by human impact, moral goodness, and unconditional societal betterment. Several writers have recently argued that corporations, in addition to being concerned with ethics, should also emphasize an ethos of virtuousness in corporate action. Virtuousness emphasizes actions that go beyond the “do no harm” assumption embedded in most ethical codes of conduct. Instead, it emphasizes the highest and best of the human condition. This research empirically examines the buffering and amplifying effects of virtuousness in organizations. The study hypothesizes that virtuousness has a positive effect on organizations because amplifying dynamics make subsequent virtuous action more likely, and buffering dynamics reduce the harmful effects of downsizing. The study reveals that two types of virtuousness – tonic and phasic – are associated with these effects.
Regulated de novo biosynthesis of fibrinogen in extrahepatic epithelial cells in response to inflammation

Hepatic fibrinogen (FBG) is upregulated during an acute phase response (APR) induced by glucocorticoids and interleukin (IL)-6. Furthermore, intestine and lung epithelium synthesize FBG after exposure to inflammatory mediators, and both plasma and lung cell-derived FBG, along with fibronectin, assemble in detergent-insoluble extracellular matrices (ECM) of pneumocytes and fibroblasts independent of thrombin or plasmin cleavage. An epitope cryptic in soluble FBG (β15-21) but exposed in matrix-FBG and fibrin induces cell proliferation and actin cytoskeleton reorganization during wound repair and angiogenesis. Although fibrin(ogen) is involved in hemostasis and homeostasis, mechanisms regulating extrahepatic FBG expression remain unexplored. Herein we examined FBG production by lung compared to liver epithelial cell lines in response to dexamethasone (DEX)+IL-6. Regulated synthesis of HepG2-FBG follows the pathway shown for constitutive synthesis by liver epithelium. Constitutive A549-FBG expression was not detectable, however, intracellular FBG precursors in DEX+IL-6-treated A549 lung cells were similar to HepG2 cells with two notable exceptions. The relative rate of chain synthesis in HepG2 cells was unequal, whereas nascent synthesis of all three chains occurred at equivalent rates in stimulated A549 cells. Unlike HepG2 cells, which rapidly secreted intact FBG, nascent dimeric FBG accumulated in the A549 cell-associated fraction prior to release into medium. Furthermore, soluble A549-FBG was susceptible to thrombin and plasmin cleavage. Interestingly, many functionally diverse proteins possess FBG-related domains that direct cell-fate determination during development or wound repair, suggesting that extrahepatic FBG biosynthesis evoked only during inflammation plays such a role during localized injury and repair to restore tissue homeostasis.
McMillan-Rowell tunneling spectroscopy in the Nb-Zr system

Abstract We report the first full application of tunneling spectroscopy to a superconducting transition metal alloy: Nb1−xZrx at x = 0.25, corresponding to the maximum Tc in the Nb-Zr system. The spectral function α2 F(ω) and related parameters, when compared to those for the Nb, confirm that the increase in Tc from 9.22 K (x = 0) to 10.8 K(x = 0.25) arises largely by softening of the effective phonon spectrum.
Constructing a Merged Cloud–Precipitation Radar Dataset for Tropical Convective Clouds during the DYNAMO/AMIE Experiment at Addu Atoll

AbstractTo improve understanding of the convective processes key to the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) initiation, the Dynamics of the MJO (DYNAMO) and the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) MJO Investigation Experiment (AMIE) collected 4 months of observations from three radars—the S-band dual-polarization Doppler radar (S-Pol), the C-band Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching Radar (SMART-R), and Ka-band ARM zenith radar (KAZR)—along with radiosonde and comprehensive surface meteorological instruments on Addu Atoll, Maldives, in the tropical Indian Ocean. One DYNAMO/AMIE hypothesis suggests that the evolution of shallow and congestus cloud populations is essential to the initiation of the MJO. This study focuses on evaluating the ability of these three radars to document the full spectrum of cloud populations and to construct a merged cloud–precipitation radar dataset that can be used to test this hypothesis. Comparisons between collocated observations from the three radars show ...
Improved wavelengths for prominent lines of Ni x to Ni xxvi

New measurements of 62 spectral lines of highly ionized Ni ions in the range of 83–320 A have been made with an uncertainty of ±0.005 A. The light source was the TEXT tokamak at the University of Texas in Austin. Lines of Li-like to K-like ions are included, along with visually estimated relative intensities, previous measurements, and classifications. The uncertainty of more than half of the previous best measurements is ±(0.02–0.03) A.
Using conditioned place preference to identify relapse prevention medications

Stimuli, including contexts, which predict the availability or onset of a drug effect, can acquire conditioned incentive motivational properties. These conditioned properties endure after withdrawal, and can promote drug-seeking which may result in relapse. Conditioned place preference (CPP) assesses the associations between drugs and the context in which they are experienced. Here, we review the potential utility of CPP procedures in rodents and humans to evaluate medications that target conditioned drug-seeking responses. We discuss the translational potential of the CPP procedure from rodents to humans, and review findings with FDA-approved treatments that support the use of CPP to develop relapse-reduction medications. We also discuss challenges and methodological questions in applying the CPP procedure to this purpose. We argue that an efficient and valid CPP procedure in humans may reduce the burden of full clinical trials with drug-abusing patients that are currently required for testing promising treatments.
A RADIATION TARGET METHOD FOR SIZE DETERMINATION OF SUPERCOILED PLASMID DNA

Supercoiled DNA plasmids were exposed in the frozen state to high-energy electrons. Surviving supercoiled molecules were separated from their degradation products (e.g., open circle and linear forms) by agarose gel electrophoresis and subsequently quantified by staining and image analysis. Complex survival curves were analyzed using radiation target theory, yielding the radiation-sensitive mass of each form. One of the irradiated plasmids was transfected into cells, permitting radiation analysis of gene expression. Loss of this function was associated with a mass much smaller than the entire plasmid molecule, indicating a lack of energy transfer in amounts sufficient to cause structural damage along the DNA polynucleotide. The method of radiation target analysis can be applied to study both structure and function of DNA.
Use of plant cell cultures to study production and phytotoxicity of Alternaria solani toxin(s)

Abstract The effect of toxin preparations from culture filtrates of Alternaria solani (TPA) on the growth of cell suspensions of A. solani host and non-host plants was examined. Cells of host species were more sensitive to TPA than cells of non-host species. Both the inoculum density and the stage of growth of cells used for inoculum affected the tolerance of the cells to TPA. The inhibitory effects of TPA on cell growth are reproducible when the cells are obtained from a defined stage of growth and are inoculated at a predetermined inoculum density. Thus cultured cells provide an accurate assay for quantification of TPA phytotoxicity. This standardized growth assay was used to measure changes in production of phytotoxic activity of TPA during the growth of A. solani cultures. Results indicated that maximum production of extracellular phytotoxic activity occurred in the early log phase of fungal growth. The growth assay was used also to measure changes in tolerance of potato cells to TPA after selection. By repeated exposure to increasing amounts of TPA, potato cells became successively more tolerant to TPA. At least a 4-fold increase in tolerance was observed.
A cooperative Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamoylase without regulatory subunits .

Here we report the isolation, kinetic characterization, and X-ray structure determination of a cooperative Escherichia coli aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase) without regulatory subunits. The native ATCase holoenzyme consists of six catalytic chains organized as two trimers bridged noncovalently by six regulatory chains organized as three dimers, c6r6. Dissociation of the native holoenzyme produces catalytically active trimers, c3, and nucleotide-binding regulatory dimers, r2. By introducing specific disulfide bonds linking the catalytic chains from the upper trimer site specifically to their corresponding chains in the lower trimer prior to dissociation, a new catalytic unit, c6, was isolated consisting of two catalytic trimers linked by disulfide bonds. Not only does the c6 species display enhanced enzymatic activity compared to the wild-type enzyme, but the disulfide bonds also impart homotropic cooperativity, never observed in the wild-type c3. The c6 ATCase was crystallized in the presence of phosp...
On the stability of the kinetics of a certain class of biomolecular reactions.

By means of a formal kinetic model, an analysis of the behavior of a certain type of unbranched sequences of biomolecular reactions is made. The main results are in (i) the characterization of the steady-state, (ii) the specification of a condition under which the largest physically admissible invariant set, containing the steady-state as invariant subset, can be obtained, and (iii) the deduction of parameter restrictions sufficient to assure asymptotic stability in the large in the given invariant set with respect to the steady-state.
47.2: Luminance Management for Seamless Multi-Projector Displays

Multi-projector displays exhibit severe luminance variation. Matching luminance at every pixel to the pixel with most limited luminance range leads to severe degradation in the dynamic range of the display, rendering it practically useless. We present a new optimization technique to manage the luminance in a smooth constraint manner to maintain a perceptual seamlessness while improving the dynamic range of the display dramatically.
Structure and petrology of a cumulus norite boulder sampled by Apollo 17 in Taurus-Littrow Valley, the Moon

A glass-coated half-meter-size boulder was sampled by the Apollo 17 crew at station 8 near the foot of the Sculptured Hills. The rock proved to be a coarse-grained (0.5-cm) plagioclase-orthopyroxene cumulate, and the samples are the only true norites returned from the lunar surface. Photographs of the boulder showed it to contain at least nine structural surfaces and four glass veins. Orientation and inspection of three of the returned samples resulted in the identification of six surfaces and one vein. One of the structural surfaces visible in the boulder was identified as primary cumulus planar lamination, which was folded through an angle of at least 35° between two oriented samples, whereas fracture sets representing the other surfaces were coincident. The boulder is believed to be a sample of the deeper highlands or submare lunar crust, derived from a depth of 8 to 30 km and somewhat shock-metamorphosed during at least two excavation events. The chemical composition of the norites, when determined, should be of special interest in view of the large amount of literature concerning glass, cataclasite, hornfels, and “basalt” of noritic composition returned by other Apollo missions. However, the cumulus texture of the boulder precludes its being representative of any magmatic liquid composition, suggests that the lunar crust is heterogeneously layered, and that plagioclase sank, not floated, in magmatic liquids that formed the lunar crust.
The Cellular Basis of Salt Tolerance Studied with Tissue Cultures of the Halophytic Grass Distichlis spicata

Summary Cell suspension cultures of the halophytic grass Distichlis spicata do not require prior adaptation to express considerable tolerance to NaCl. Salt-stressed cultures are characterised by lowered ψs and increased levels per cell of sodium, proline, and protein. No significant differences in salt tolerance can be demonstrated for three enzymes (MDH, PER, LAP) extracted from stressed or unstressed Distichlis cultures or cultures derived from glycophytes. Distichlis cultures or cultures derived from glycophytes. Distichlis cultures grown in saline medium do however contain higher levels of enzyme activity per cell than salt free Distichlis cultures. When salt free cultures are challenged with 200 mM salt, the Distichlis cells undergo rapid osmotic adjustment, reaching lowest ψs within 12 h, after which intracellular proline accumulates rapidly. Osmotically adjusted cultures also contain elevated levels of Na + . The final amount of proline and Na + accumulated is positively correlated with the level of salt stress. All these data are consistent with the model in which vacuolar compartmentation of salt is followed by osmotic compensation in the cytoplasm by an organic solute, in this case, proline.
Hydrolytic weakening of experimentally deformed Westerly granite and Hale albite rock

Abstract In order to determine the effect of water on deformation in the brittle-ductile transition region of crustal rocks, experiments have been conducted on Westerly granite and a polycrystalline albite rock, comparing samples dried at 160°C for 12 h (‘dry’) and samples with about 0.2 wt% water added (‘wet’). The deformation mechanisms and style of deformation of the wet and dry samples, determined using optical and transmission electron microscopy, have been found to depend on temperature, pressure, strain rate, and strain. At 15 kb and 10−6, the added water reduces the temperature of the transition between microcracking and dislocation glide and climb by about 150–200°C for both quartz and feldspar. However, the penetration of ‘water’ into the grains is slow compared with the time of the experiments and many of the wet samples show evidence of initial microcracking and later dislocation creep. Wet samples deformed at 10 kb show less hydrolytic weakening than wet samples deformed at 15 kb. Because the deformation mechanism and strength of silicates depend so sensitively on trace amounts of water, and because the water content of experimental samples varies with temperature and pressure and thus with time, flow laws for any samples are only meaningful if the water content has been carefully controlled or characterized.
Factors affecting couples' decisions to jointly shop

Abstract This paper explores the factors that influence individuals' decisions to jointly shop. Drawing from qualitative interviews and relevant theories, the researchers present a model of couple's likelihood of joint shopping. The model includes utilitarian motives (product purchase relevance and perceived financial risk), hedonic motives (expected shopping pleasure with one's partner), and a situational motive (time availability), along with two moderators (gender and relationship length). Online survey respondents answer questions relative to an experimental scenario involving the purchase of furniture or electronics. Results indicate that while all variables studied are influential, expected shopping pleasure and relevance of the purchase to both parties are the most influential aspects in the decision to shop together. Additionally, for males perceived financial risk has a stronger effect on their decision to jointly shop than it does for females.
The neuropsychology of communication: Spontaneous and symbolic aspects

Abstract The neuropsychological bases of communication are reviewed, with emphasis upon spontaneous communication as forming an emotional basis for the communication process as a whole, including the linguistic communication process. Evidence presented for emotional preattunements, involving innate knowledge of the ‘meaning’ of the display. The neurological bases for displays are discussed in terms of the Jurgens-Ploog hierarchical model, which is compatible with the Arndt and Janney (1991) distinction of emotional, emotive, and cognitive communication. Cerebral lateralization is discussed — the lateralization both of the temporal limbic system and of the neocortex — with implications for the relationship of language and emotion.
NOVEL LINKER FOR THE SOLID-PHASE SYNTHESIS OF GUANIDINES

Abstract A novel linker for the generation of alkyl-, acyl- and arylguanidines as an attachment point in solid phase synthesis has been developed. Introduction of a suitably functionalized thiourea to Wang resin via a carbamate linkage, followed by displacement of sulfur with a 1° or 2° amine affords resin bound guanidines suitably protected for further manipulation. Activation of the thiourea with Mukaiyama's reagent allows for the generation of arylguanidines. Mild acid treatment effects deprotection and liberation from the resin to afford guanidines in good yield and high purity.
The Evaluation of a Peer Tutoring Program: A Quantitative Approach:

Over the past several years, peer tutoring programs have been developed and utilized in higher education. Subjective studies have been made on the effectiveness of these programs, but no quantitative measures of effectiveness exist in the literature. We present a quantitative way of measuring peer tutor training programs and peer tutor effectiveness. Since so many peer tutoring programs are fashioned in a similar way, this quantitative measure will be easily adaptable to most situations.
Coexistence of phonon and nonphonon mechanisms of superconductivity and a method of their separation

The problem of the coexistence of phonon and nonphonon mechanisms in superconductivity is discussed. A method which allows separation of their contributions is proposed. It is based on analysis of tunneling data and the temperature dependence of electronic heat capacity.
Enhanced functions of osteoblasts on nanometer diameter carbon fibers

The present in vitro study investigated select functions (specifically, proliferation, synthesis of intracellular proteins, alkaline phosphatase activity, and deposition of calcium-containing mineral) of osteoblasts (the bone-forming cells) cultured on carbon fibers with nanometer dimensions. Carbon fiber compacts were synthesized to possess either nanophase (i.e., dimensions 100 nm or less) or conventional (i.e., dimensions larger than 100 nm) fiber diameters. Osteoblast proliferation increased with decreasing carbon fiber diameters after 3 and 7 days of culture. Moreover, compared to larger-diameter carbon fibers, osteoblasts synthesized more alkaline phosphatase and deposited more extracellular calcium on nanometer-diameter carbon fibers after 7, 14, and 21 days of culture. The results of the present study provided the first evidence of enhanced long-term (in the order of days to weeks) functions of osteoblasts cultured on nanometer-diameter carbon fibers; in this manner, carbon nanofibers clearly represent a unique and promising class of orthopedic/dental implant formulations with improved osseointegrative properties.
The pineal gland influences rat circadian activity rhythms in constant light.

Mammalian circadian organization is believed to derive primarily from circadian oscillators within the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). The SCN drives circadian rhythms of a wide array of...
Atmospheric Tides on Venus. IV. Topographic Winds and Sediment Transport

A novel theory is presented for the Venus boundary layer which encompasses the effects of topography and uses the mixing-length hypothesis to preclude the unknown eddy viscosity. The maps of mass-flux and erosion/deposition rate presented are based on Pioneer Venus orbiter relief measurements. The typically 19 cm/sec friction speeds associated with the present theory are several times greater than those estimated on the basis of Venera 9 and 10 anemometry, and mean aeolian transport is generally away from the equator, contrary to Magellan orbiter windstreak directions.
Finding a Voice of Her Own in La plaça del Diamant

Rodoreda's La placa del Diamant can be examined as a novel of female development as it depicts the self-realization of a female central character. In this article, I delineate a set of characterizing elements of novels of female development to uncover how the young and obedient Natalia at the beginning of the novel comes to acquire the voice she possesses at the point of narration. Hindering factors —an oppressive social environment, the absence of the mother, the Svengali-type character, and sexuality— are a set of characterizing elements that the protagonist has to shake off in order to assert herself. Promoting factors —travel, education, (female) mediators, the natural world, rebellion, and shedding— are conditions that the protagonist has to go through to achieve self-realization. By learning to disengage herself emotionally from the hostility orchestrated by patriarchy, the protagonist acquires the strength to overcome those obstacles and maintain her self-integrity.
Applying yield management pricing to your service business

Abstract Yield management pricing is a broad term that describes how a service provider can secure higher revenues from its relatively fixed capacity. There are several major advantages associated with the use of yield management pricing. Through use of yield management, a firm can better compete against a low-cost provider. Yield management pricing is an effective mechanism to allocate a service provider's relatively fixed capacity, and is also a more efficient alternative to providing discounts on a much broader scale. This article discusses how a service provider can develop and maintain a yield management system through completion of eight interrelated steps.
Random and Non-Random Monoallelic Expression

Monoallelic expression poses an intriguing problem in epigenetics because it requires the unequal treatment of two segments of DNA that are present in the same nucleus and which can have absolutely identical sequences. This review will consider different known types of monoallelic expression. For all monoallelically expressed genes, their respective allele-specific patterns of expression have the potential to affect brain function and dysfunction.
Cross-resistance of horseweed (Conyza canadensis) populations with three different ALS mutations

BACKGROUND: Horseweed is a weed commonly found in agronomic crops, waste areas and roadsides. Resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides in horseweed was first reported in 1993 in a population from Israel. Resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides in horseweed is now widespread, but, as of now, the resistance mechanism has not been reported. RESULTS: Two of three populations evaluated (P116 and P13) were found to be uniform for resistance (>98% of individuals survived 8.8 g AI ha−1 of cloransulam), whereas a third population, P525, contained about 85% resistant individuals. Cross-resistance to cloransulam, chlorimuron, imazethapyr and bispyribac was observed in the P116 population. P525 and P13 were both sensitive to imazethapyr but resistant to chlorimuron, imazethapyr and bispyribac. Enzyme activity assays indicated that resistance in P13 was due to an altered target site. Southern blot analysis indicated that the ALS target site is encoded by a single copy gene. Overlapping ALS gene regions were amplified and sequenced from each population. Amino acid substitutions of Ser for Pro at position 197 (P197S) was detected from P13, Ala for Pro (P197A) was identified from P525 and substitution of Glu for Asp (D376E) at position 376 was found in P116. Molecular markers were developed to differentiate between wild-type and resistant codons at positions 197 and 376 of horseweed ALS. CONCLUSION: Resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides in horseweed is conferred by target-site mutations that have also been identified in other weed species. Identification of the mutations within horseweed ALS gene sequence enables molecular assays for rapid detection and resistance diagnosis. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry