cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resistance to Aphids, Late Blight and Viruses in Somatic Fusions and Crosses of Solanum tuberosum L. and Solanum bulbocastanum Dun

Solanum bulbocastanum Dun. is a wild potato species resistant to late blight, Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas). Because of its reproductive incompatibility with S. tuberosum, S. bulbocastanum aphid resistance has been under-realized in potato breeding. Solanum tuberosum + S. bulbocastanum somatic fusions created for introgression of late blight resistance and subsequently backcrossed to cultivated potato were screened to determine if aphid resistance, virus resistance, and late blight resistance could be concurrently incorporated. Among the 63 lines screened, nine expressed resistance to green peach aphid and five lines expressed resistance to potato aphid. Virus resistance field screenings over 4 years indicated 29 lines were resistant to PVY and five were resistant to PLRV. Of those, two were resistant to both PVY and PLRV. Lines were tested with markers linked to R genes for resistance to PVY as well as the marker for late blight resistance. Line K7G-319 has pyramided M. persicae, M. euphorbiae, and PVY resistance and line K7G-329 has pyramided M. persicae, M. euphorbiae, PVY and late blight resistance into one clone, which can now be used as a breeding source for multiple resistance factors. This study has shown that somatic hybridization can be used to introgress aphid resistance from wild potato species that are sexually incompatible with S. tuberosum.
Sudan and South Sudan: From One to Two, by Bona Malwal

Born in 1928 and politically active since 1964, Bona Malwal is undoubtedly the veteran of Sudanese (and South Sudanese) politics. He has been a member of parliament, a newspaper editor, a cabinet m...
Digital Speech Interpolation Techniques

The problem of optimum utilization of a link of finite capacity has been of interest for a long time. The major effort in this direction, resulted in the Time Assignment Speech Interpolation (TASI) technique albeit a relatively poor method. The drawback was not so much the basic idea, but the difficulty of implementation. The advances in Digital Coding and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques have helped overcome most of the hurdles, and opened up possibilities for other techniques that would not have been possible with the conventional analog methods. Today we have a host of such methods, referred to generically as Digital Speech Interpolation (DSI) systems. In this paper we review some of the better known methods including Campanella's DSI which was the forerunner of the DSI era and present results of some of the recent DSI techniques implemented by the authors. Increase in channel capacity by a factor of at least 2 times can be achieved with little or no loss in quality. With a marginal reduction...
Practical principles of density functional theory for catalytic reaction simulations on metal surfaces – from theory to applications

In the past thirty years, molecular simulation techniques centred on density functional theory (DFT) calculations have quickly become a powerful research and technology development instrument. In p...
Nonsurgical management of primary vesicoureteral reflux in complete ureteral duplication: is it justified?

AbstractWe reviewed the treatment of 56 children with vesicoureteral reflux and complete duplication of the collecting system, including 14 who had complete bilateral duplication. A total of 70 refluxing duplicated systems was analyzed. Of the patients 18% demonstrated spontaneous resolution of reflux within 42 months, 23% are currently stable on prophylactic antibiotics and 57.1% underwent surgical correction. Spontaneous resolution of reflux occurred in 58% of the children with grades I to III/V reflux. In comparing the group with reflux and duplication to a group with reflux into single systems, we conclude that the patients with duplication and lower grades of reflux can be managed nonoperatively, while infection is prevented with antibiotic prophylaxis.
Direction selectivity starts early.

Disruption of retinal direction selectivity reveals both peripheral and central computations contributing to direction selectivity in mouse visual cortex. These mechanisms work together to better encode motion directions and speeds.
Approximation algorithms via the primal-dual schema: applications of the simple dual-ascent method to problems from logistics

The primal-dual schema has been employed to provide approximation algorithms for a large variety of combinatorial optimization problems. This technique relies upon simultaneously constructing a primal integer solution that is feasible for the minimization problem of interest, as well as a dual solution whose objective function value serves as a lower bound. By operating in this framework, the advantages of using an LP-based method are obtained, such as generating an instance-dependent approximation ratio that may greatly improve on the theoretical worst-case, while obviating the need to actually solve an LP. In this thesis, we focus on the application of the simple dual-ascent method, where the feasible dual solution is modified by increasing only a single dual variable at a time, and obtain approximation algorithms for the following problems: capacitated covering problems with lot-sizing applications, the location routing problem with a global limit on locations, and a variant of the generalized assignment problem. For each of these areas, we introduce an exponential number of valid inequalities to strengthen the LP-relaxation, thereby decreasing the integrality gap. As we are only increasing a single dual variable at a time, each of the primal constraints is effectively providing the mechanism by which both the primal and dual solutions can be modified at any given time.
Nano-modulated electron beams via electron diffraction for coherent x-ray generation

A new method for generation of relativistic electron beams with current modulation on the nanometer scale will be presented in addition to its use for coherent x-ray generation, performance parameters and ongoing preliminary experiments.
Synthesis and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of 4-oxobutanoate derivatives of carvacrol and thymol.

Abstract Carvacrol (1) and thymol (2) were converted to their alkyl 4-oxobutanoate derivatives (7–20) in three steps, and evaluated for tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The compounds showed structure-dependent activity, with all alkyl 4-oxobutanoates, except 7 and 20, showing better inhibitory activity than the precursor 4-oxobutanoic acids (5 and 6). In general, thymol derivatives exhibited a higher percent inhibitory activity than carvacrol derivatives at 500 μM. Derivatives containing three-carbon and four-carbon alkyl groups gave the strongest activity (carvacrol derivatives 9–12, IC50 = 128.8–244.1 μM; thymol derivatives 16–19, IC50 = 102.3–191.4 μM).
Carbon nanomaterial-based electrochemical biosensors for label-free sensing of environmental pollutants

Carbon allotropes such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, have been incorporated in electrochemical biosensors for highly sensitive and selective detection of various analytes. The superior physical and electrical properties like high carrier mobility, ambipolar electric field effect, high surface area, flexibility and their compatibility with microfabrication techniques makes these carbon nanomaterials easy to integrate in field-effect transistor (FET)/chemiresistor type configuration which is suitable for portable and point-of-use/field-deployable sensors. This review covers the synthesis of carbon nanostructures (graphene and CNTs) and their integration into devices using various fabrication methods. Finally, we discuss the recent reports showing different sensing platforms that incorporate biomolecules like enzymes, antibodies and aptamers as recognition elements for fabrication of simple, low cost, compact biosensors that can be used for on-site, rapid environmental monitoring of environmental pollutants like pathogens, heavy metals, pesticides and explosives.
Fostering Trauma Literacy: From the Classroom to the Newsroom:

Covering traumatic story assignments is often central to a journalist’s job. Violent crimes, natural disasters, and tragic personal struggles—these are newsworthy events. Studies have associated tr...
Posthuman Perspectivism and Technologies of the Self

Philosophical Posthumanism is a recent area of scholarship which Francesca Ferrando has introduced in her eponymous book. The author situates the subject as one closely related to Critical Posthumanism and Cultural Posthumanism. She also discusses its close relatives such as Transhumanism and its forebears such as Antihumanism and Poststructuralism. The present article is a discussion of Ferrando’s text, tracing its lineages and relating it to the ideas of thinkers such as Frederich Nietzsche, Gilles Deleuze and Sri Aurobindo.
The Madness Of Crowds And The Likelihood Of Bubbles

The limits-to-arbitrage framework explains how a speculative bubble can be sustained. But, it does not explain how often you should expect one to occur. To do that, you need to model the on/off switch which sporadically amplifies speculator biases, causing arbitrageur constraints to bind and a bubble to form. I propose a first such model with an on/off switch based on social interactions between speculators. In the model, bubbles occur more often when small increases in past returns make an asset’s speculators much more persuasive to their peers. I use industry-level stock returns to empirically verify this ex ante prediction about bubble likelihoods. And, in the process, I show it is possible to test such predictions even in the presence of ex post disagreement about how to define a speculative bubble.
Free-Edge Effects in the Characterization of Composite Materials

In the use of flat specimens for the characterization of composite materials, stress free edges often are encountered. In the case of laminated tension specimens, such free edges induce interlaminar stresses which can disturb the desired state of stress. Large stress concentrations can be induced by free edges, such as in the rail shear test. Other examples include the sandwich beam test. A general review of free-edge problems as related to composite characterization is presented, including a discussion of narrow versus wide specimens. Particular attention is given to the sandwich beam test where a preliminary analysis of the free-edge problem reveals a state of stress which differs from a tensile coupon.
Asymptotic Derivation of the Simplified PN Equations for Nonclassical Transport with Anisotropic Scattering

In nonclassical transport, the free-path length variable s is modeled as an independent variable, and a nonclassical linear Boltzmann transport equation incorporating s has been derived. To model t...
The Design of a Comparator [The Analog Mind]

Nyquist-rate and oversampling analog- to-digital converters (ADCs) incorporate comparators to perform quantization and possibly sampling. Comparators thus have a significant impact on the speed and precision of ADCs. This article presents the step-by-step design of a comparator and the discovery of its various trade-offs.
Designing Scholarly Introductions as Jobs to Be Done

This is the first editorial commentary in a three-part series that addresses introductions, implications, and interestingness. The first, focusing on the introduction design, is about what the begi...
Do Consumers Believe Product Reviews on Instagram? Comparing Review Source Type: Acquaintances and Social Media Influencers.

Instagram is a social media platform that is frequently used to share image- and video-based product reviews. Many consumers seek out reviews on Instagram to obtain product-related information prior to their purchases. As many people post product reviews on Instagram, consumers may have different perceptions on product reviews depending on ‘who’ posted the reviews. Therefore, this study investigated whether consumers have different perceptions about different review source types (i.e., acquaintances vs. social media influencers). Online survey data collected from 284 college students demonstrated that the review source type significantly impacted perceived ideal self-congruity and interactivity of the review source. Further, perceived actual self-congruity and credibility of the review source positively influenced review believability, ultimately influencing brand attitude. These findings add theoretical and empirical evidence of the roles of Instagram users in co-creating product and brand values by generating and consuming product reviews on this social media platform.
T-Martingales, Size Biasing, and Tree Polymer Cascades

Polymer models generally refer to random paths having probabilities induced by a random potential. In the case of tree polymers, the paths are defined by connecting vertices to a root of a binary tree, with probabilities given by a random multiplicative cascade normalized to a probability. The basic theory then concerns almost sure probability laws governing (asymptotically) long polymer paths. Weak and strong disorder refer to events in which the (non-normalized) cascade lives or dies, respectively. An almost sure central limit theorem (clt) is established in the full range of weak disorder, extending early results of Bolthausen. Also, almost sure Laplace large deviation rates are obtained under both disorder types. Open problems are included along the way.
Astrocytes regulate α-secretase-cleaved soluble amyloid precursor protein secretion in neuronal cells: Involvement of group IIA secretory phospholipase A2

Astrocytes are major supportive cells in brains with important functions including providing nutrients and regulating neuronal activities. In this study, we demonstrated that astrocytes regulate amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing in neuronal cells through secretion of group IIA secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2-IIA). When astrocytic cells (DITNC) were mildly stimulated with the pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF α and IL-1β, sPLA2-IIA was secreted into the medium. When conditioned medium containing sPLA2-IIA was applied to human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells, there was an increase in both cell membrane fluidity and secretion of α-secretase-cleaved soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPPα). These changes were abrogated by KH064, a selective inhibitor of sPLA2-IIA. In addition, exposing SH-SY5Y cells to recombinant human sPLA2-IIA also increased membrane fluidity, accumulation of APP at the cell surface, and secretion of sAPPα, but without altering total expressions of APP, α-secretases and β-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE1). Taken together, our results provide novel information regarding a functional role of sPLA2-IIA in astrocytes for regulating APP processing in neuronal cells.
Spironolactone improves the arrhythmogenic substrate in heart failure by preventing ventricular electrical activation delays associated with myocardial interstitial fibrosis and inflammation.

MR Blockade Reduces Electrical Delays and Fibrosis Introduction Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism reduces sudden cardiac death in heart failure, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Our previous studies indicate that treatment with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist prevents adverse ventricular electrophysiological remodeling and reduces ventricular tachyarrhythmia inducibility in the rapid ventricular pacing-induced heart failure model. This study's aim was to determine whether chronic spironolactone treatment prevents formation of local electrical activation delays in the cardiomyopathic ventricle by attenuating inflammatory pathways and myocardial fibrosis. Methods and Results Dogs subjected to rapid ventricular pacing at 220 bpm for 5 weeks in the absence or presence of spironolactone treatment were assessed by echocardiography, electrophysiology study, ventricular fibrosis measurements and inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression analysis. Spironolactone failed to prevent LV systolic dysfunction or chamber enlargement in dogs that underwent rapid ventricular pacing. Spironolactone prevented ventricular electrogram widening after premature stimulation at short coupling intervals, electrogram fractionation, interstitial fibrosis, and inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α) gene overexpression in ventricular paced dogs with heart failure. Conclusions Our findings establish an important link between inflammatory cytokine gene expression, interstitial fibrosis and myocardial electrical activation delays during premature excitation and provide insight into the mechanisms by which mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism may prevent development of an arrhythmogenic ventricular substrate in systolic heart failure.
Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

This chapter specifically addresses uterine bleeding due to alterations in the normal cyclical hormonal stimulation of the endometrium. This type of bleeding is commonly referred to as dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB).1–4 Clinically, DUB indicates ovulatory dysfunction. By definition, DUB excludes postmenopausal bleeding or bleeding due to the presence of specific pathologic processes such as inflammation, polyps, hyperplasia, carcinoma, exogenous hormones, and complications of pregnancy. The endometrial changes associated with DUB are important to recognize, because they may be confused with more serious lesions such as hyperplasia.
Idiopathic Mitral Annular PVCs with Multiple Breakouts and Preferential Conduction Unmasked by Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

A 39-year-old man with idiopathic monomorphic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), exhibiting a right bundle branch block and inferior axis QRS morphology, underwent electrophysiological testing. After a radiofrequency (RF) application to the anterior mitral annulus (MA) eliminated the spontaneous PVC morphology, a second PVC morphology occurred. Pacing from the first ablation site exhibited an excellent match to the second PVCs with a long stimulus to QRS interval. An RF application delivered near the first lesion eliminated all PVCs. The MA PVCs in this case exhibited a single origin with multiple breakouts and preferential conduction that were unmasked by RF ablation.
Progress toward forecasting of space weather effects on UHF SATCOM after Operation Anaconda

Space weather impacts on communications are often presented as a raison d'etre for studying space weather (e.g., Solar and Space Physics: A Science for a Technological Society, 2013). Here we consider a communications outage during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan that may have been related to ionospheric disturbances. Early military operations occurred during the peak of solar cycle 23 when ionospheric variability was enhanced. During Operation Anaconda, the Battle of Takur Ghar occurred at the summit of a 3191 m Afghan mountaintop on 4 March 2002 when the ionosphere was disturbed and could have affected UHF Satellite Communications (SATCOM). In this paper, we consider UHF SATCOM outages that occurred during repeated attempts to notify a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) on board an MH-47H Chinook to avoid a “hot” landing zone at the top of Takur Ghar. During a subsequent analysis of Operation Anaconda, these outages were attributed to poor performance of the UHF radios on the helicopters and to blockage by terrain. However, it is also possible that ionospheric anomalies together with multipath effects could have combined to decrease the signal-to-noise ratio of the communication links used by the QRF. A forensics study of Takur Ghar with data from the Global Ultraviolet Imager on the NASA Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics mission showed the presence of ionospheric bubbles (regions of depleted electron density) along the line of sight between the Chinook and the UHF communications satellites in geostationary orbit that could have impacted communications. The events of 4 March 2002 motivated us to develop the Mesoscale Ionospheric Simulation Testbed model, which can be used to improve warnings of potential UHF outages during future military operations.
Textual Harassment: A New Historicist Reappraisal of the Parol Evidence Rule on its Four Hundredth Anniversary

This year marks the four hundredth anniversary of the Parol Evidence Rule, the rule that dictates that the interpretation of a written contract should be determined solely according to its text and not influenced by prior contradictory external information. This article uses the occasion to offer a fresh interdisciplinary view of the Rule. The analysis presents a unique contribution to the heated debate regarding the desired levels of formalism and textualism in present-day contract law, by using New-Historicist tools. Unexplored aspects of the roots of the Rule are illuminated through an in-depth investigation of the first case of the contractual Parol Evidence Rule, the Countess of Rutland's Case (1604). To examine this Case, the article suggests the use of Legal New Historicism - researching both human and non-human actors who played a role in this Case, and re-narrating the story of Isabel, the Countess of Rutland. This method reveals, for example, rare maps and romantic stories which lead to a critical look at the Rule's total exclusion of context and helps to expose its gendered nature. The article further presents a close reading of the most influential paragraph in Sir Edward Coke's report of the Case. Coke's words and phrasing, it is proposed, should not be read as incidental choice of language, but rather as carefully planned and, as such, reflective of the dominant values of the legal culture within which they were written. It is further argued that the choice to exclude the context is far from a mere omission. De facto it can be seen as actively creating and then taking into account a manufactured context - one that does not exist and is deeply patriarchal. An exploration of the political and cultural contexts of Coke's report explains the possible motives for establishing the Rule and phrasing it in such manner. It is argued that the Case played an active role in Coke's efforts to strengthen the diminishing status of the Common Law, in the face of increasing threats, as a component of a marketing project aimed at improving the Common Law's image without significantly changing its content. Along the way the first Case is paired with an almost-twin contemporary case, which resulted from a Hollywood scandal, Clark v. Hannah-Clark (2003). Based upon the juxtaposition of this new legal narrative of Nicolette (Hannah-Clark) with the older story of Isabel (the Countess of Rutland), it is concluded that the flaws and biases underlying the Rule remain acute and call for a serious reconsideration of its justification. In this way the article offers an original and, hopefully, useful argument against excessive formalist textualism in present-day contract law.
Characteristics of the radiation emerging from the top of a Rayleigh atmosphere—II: Total upward flux and albedo

Abstract The solution of the equation of radiative transfer in a medium exhibiting Rayleigh scattering, as developed by S. Chandrasekhar, has been used for an extensive series of computations( 3 ) of the characteristics of the scattered and diffusely reflected radiation emerging from the top of an atmospheric model which corresponds in many respects to the sunlit portion of the earth's atmosphere. The first part of this two-part discussion dealt with the intensity, degree of polarization, plane of polarization and the neutral points of the emergent light as functions of sun elevation, direction in the downward hemisphere, optical thickness of the model atmosphere and reflectivity of the underlying surface. This second part is concerned with the upward flux obtained by an integration of the intensity over the entire hemisphere, for the incident radiation (a) being independent of wavelength or (b) having the spectral distribution of the extra-terrestrial solar radiation. Integration with respect to wavelength in the latter case, together with an approximation for the sphericity of the atmosphere, yields a value of 7.6 per cent for the earth's planetary albedo due to scattering by the clear atmosphere. An approximation for ozone absorption decreases the computed albedo to 6.9 per cent.
A Further Analysis of TASO Panel 6 Data on Signal to Interference Ratios and Their Application to Description of Television Service

Panel 6 of TASO performed a monumental and very creditable task in organizing and accumulating data on the signal to interference ratios required for television service, as presented in its report. Because the Panel was uncertain as to the uses to which the F.C.C. might eventually put the data, the presentations were left in a relatively unfinished form. It is the purpose of this report to develop the data further into a form more useful for certain purposes and to develop the formulae for the application of these signal to interference ratios to the description of television service. As a by-product of this analysis it is hoped that the reader will have a better understanding of the basic concepts of quality and service. The report will be divided into two parts. In Part I, the TASO data will be reanalyzed and developed into the new form, and in Part II these results will be applied to the description of television service.
Disulfide-linked S100β dimers and signal transduction

S100 beta is a calcium-binding protein with neurotrophic and mitogenic activities, both of which may be mediated by the protein's ability to stimulate an increase in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i). These extracellular trophic activities of S100 beta require a disulfide-linked, dimeric form of the protein. In this chapter, we present a minireview on the current state of knowledge concerning extracellular functions of S100 beta, with emphasis on the potential relevance of these activities to neuropathological disorders. We also report a simplified procedure for preparation of pharmacological amounts of biologically active S100 beta dimers, based on the finding that formation of disulfide-linked S100 beta dimers can be stimulated by the presence of calcium or lipid.
Prescott’s Microbiology, Eighth Edition

Review of : Prescott’s Microbiology , Eighth Edition. Joanne M. Willey, Linda M. Sherwood, and Christopher J. Woolverton. 2011. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, NewYork, NY. 1070 pages. ISBN- 978-0-07-337526-7.
Sympathetic influence on the pupillary light response in three red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans).

Objective We investigated the effects of phenylephrine and its combination with vecuronium bromide on the iris of turtles to determine if the pupillary light response is affected by sympathetic innervation. Animal studied Three red-eared slider turtles, Trachemys scripta elegans. Procedure Diameters of light-adapted pupils were tracked before and after topical application of drugs to eyes. Phenylephrine was applied independently; in a second group of trials, vecuronium bromide was applied with phenylephrine. Results Rates of pupil dilation in response to drugs were quantified by fitting data with time constant (tau) equations. Phenylephrine dilated the pupil 24%, tau = 29 min. Combination of phenylephrine with vecuronium bromide increased the pupil size 35%, and dilation was more rapid, tau = 14 min. We also were able to predict these time constants by performing different mathematical operations with an equation developed from a prior study using only vecuronium bromide. When this equation was subtracted from the equation for eyes treated with both vecuronium bromide and phenylephrine, the difference gave the observed tau for phenylephrine; when added to phenylephrine, the sum closely matched the tau for eyes treated with vecuronium bromide and phenylephrine. Further, the tau for vecuronium bromide treated eyes was predicted by subtracting the equation for phenylephrine from that of eyes treated with both vecuronium bromide and phenylephrine. Conclusions Our results suggest that sympathetic innervation interacts with the parasympathetic pathway to control the pupillary light response in turtles.
Factors influencing the accuracy of silicone impression materials

Abstract Seven popular silicone impression materials were investigated to determine various factors which influence their accuracy. The method of study involved the use of master castings tried on hydrocal dies poured in impressions treated in varying ways. MOD and full-crown steel dies and a series of dental preparations in technique teeth were employed. The following observations were made: 1. If there is a sufficiently long setting time, use of a double-mix procedure, either with or without a special viscosity syringe material, will produce more accurate impressions than a single-mix technique. 2. Although the accuracy of some of the products could be slightly improved by curing longer, 10 minutes appears to be adequate for materials presently available. 3. A uniformly thin (2.0 mm. or less) layer of silicone produces more accurate results than thicker or unevenly distributed masses of material. 4. Accuracy is improved by permitting the impression material to become very slightly elastic before seating of the band or tray; however, if it becomes too stiff, severe distortion may result. 5. With the different brands of materials, there is a wide difference in the rate and degree of distortion upon storage of the impression. As a group, the distortion is severe and storage is contraindicated. 6. Because of this continued polymerization and release of internal stress, the second or third hydrocal die poured from the same impression may be considerably less accurate than the first. 7. As with all elastic impression materials, the elasticity is limited, and any undercuts will increase distortion. 8. As a group, the present silicones show considerably more individual variations in handling characteristics and accuracy than do the Thiokols.
INCREASED DIPSOGENIC RESPONSIVENESS TO ANGIOTENSIN II IN RATS EXPOSED TO COLD : RATE OF LOSS AFTER RETURN TO THERMONEUTRAL AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

Subcutaneous administration of angiotensin II (Ang II) to rats exposed chronically to 5 degrees C induced an increased drinking response compared with that of warm-acclimated controls. The exaggerated drinking response was also observed when graded doses of Ang II were administered into the lateral cerebroventricle (icv) of chronically cold-exposed rats. A maximal drinking response occurred in cold-treated, but not in control, rats when the lowest dose of Ang II (1.6 ng/rat) was administered icv. Thus, it is clear that the dipsogenic responsiveness to either centrally or peripherally administered Ang II is increased by chronic exposure to cold. To assess whether the increased responsiveness was retained after removal from cold, graded doses of Ang II were administered to rats removed from cold to a thermoneutral environment. The results again showed a maximal responsiveness to the lowest dose of Ang II administered (25 micrograms/kg, sc) to cold-treated rats that had either just been removed from cold or removed from cold 2 hr prior to treatment. Cold-exposed rats had an ED50 for Ang II-induced drinking that was about half that of their warm-acclimated controls. To assess how long the cold-induced increase in dipsogenic responsiveness to Ang II lasted after return to a thermoneutral temperature, rats were removed from cold for 24, 48, or 60 hr and then administered graded doses of Ang II (25, 50, or 100 micrograms/kg, sc). The results suggest that between 46 and 52 hr after removal from cold, the cold-induced increase in dipsogenic responsiveness to Ang II returned to the level of the controls. Hence, the physiological changes in the dipsogenic mechanism induced by exposure to cold are not immediately reversible when the rats are returned to a thermoneutral ambient temperature.
Solving periodic block tridiagonal systems using the Sherman-Morrison-Woodbury formula

Many algorithms for solving the Navier-Stokes equations require the solution of periodic block tridiagonal systems of equations. By applying a splitting to the matrix representing this system of equations, it may first be reduced to a block tridiagonal matrix plus an outer product of two block vectors. The Sherman-Morrison-Woodbury formula is then applied. The algorithm thus reduces a periodic banded system to a non-periodic banded system with additional right-hand sides and is of higher efficiency than standard Thomas algorithm/LU decompositions.
Interferon Tau Regulates PGF2α Release from the Ovine Endometrial Epithelial Cells via Activation of Novel JAK/EGFR/ERK/EGR-1 Pathways

In ruminants, pulsatile release of prostaglandin F2α (PGF(2α)) from the endometrium is transported to the ovary and induces luteolysis thereby allowing new estrous cycle. Interferon tau (IFNT), a type 1 IFN secreted by the trophoblast cells of the developing conceptus, acts on endometrial luminal epithelial (LE) cells and inhibits pulsatile release of PGF(2α) and establishes pregnancy. One of the unknown mechanisms is that endometrial pulsatile release of PGF(2α) is inhibited whereas basal release of PGF(2α) is increased in pregnant compared with nonpregnant sheep. We have recently found that pulsatile release of PGF(2α) from the endometrium is regulated by prostaglandin transporter (PGT)-mediated mechanisms. We hypothesize that modulation in the endometrial pulsatile vs. basal release of PGF(2α) likely requires PGT-mediated selective transport, and IFNT interacts with PGT protein and modulates pulsatile vs. basal release of PGF(2α). The new findings of the present study are: 1) IFNT activates novel JAK-SRC kinase-EGFR-RAS-RAF-ERK1/2-early growth response (EGR)-1 signaling module in LE cells; 2) IFNT increases interactions between PGT and ERK1/2 or EGR-1 proteins and alters phosphorylation of PGT protein; 3) IFNT precludes action of protein kinase C and Ca(2+) on PGT function; and 4) IFNT inhibits 80% PGT-mediated but not 20% simple diffusion-mediated release of PGF(2α) from the endometrial LE cells through this novel signaling module. The results of the present study provide important new insights on IFNT signaling and molecular control of PGT-mediated release of PGF(2α) and unravel the underlying mechanisms responsible for the increased basal release of PGF(2α) at the time of establishment of pregnancy in ruminants.
Numerical Modeling of a Nonlinear MEMS Membrane

A numerical model is developed to understand the behavior of a laminated, piezoelectric, geometrically nonlinear MEMS device. The finite difference method is chosen, along with the Newmark technique to model the static and vibrational behavior. This technique is validated by comparison to empirical data. The developed model is exercised to understand and optimize the device by studying residual stress, layer thicknesses, and electrode sizes with the goal of reduction of fundamental frequency and increase of charge output.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Non-radiative relaxation in jet-cooled xanthione and some molecular complexes studied by fluorescence and phosphorescence excitation

Abstract The S 0 →S 2 excitation spectra for S 2 →S 0 fluorescence and T 1 →S 0 phosphorescence are reported for jet-cooled xanthione and some molecular complexes. Phosphorescence and fluorescence excitation were monitored simultaneously, and from their difference spectra it has been determined that the phosphorescence/fluorescence ratio is affected both by predissociational cooling of the triplet state and by non-radiative deactivation of the S 2 state. Evidence is presented for mode-specificity in the S 2 non-radiative relaxation of the bare molecule.
Effects of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine concentration and α-naphthoflavone on the association between smoking and the frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges in lymphocytes from maternal and cord blood

The frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges was analyzed in maternal and cord blood lymphocytes obtained at delivery from 23 nonsmokers and 21 smokers. Lymphocytes were cultured under 3 conditions: in the presence of 100 microM 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BUdR), 20 microM BUdR and 20 microM BUdR with 40 microM alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF). Under all assay conditions, frequencies of SCEs were consistently higher for maternal lymphocytes than for cord lymphocytes. There was no association between SCE values for cultures of the same blood specimen with 100 microM BUdR and 20 microM BUdR. When cultured with 100 microM BUdR, maternal lymphocytes from smokers had a mean SCE frequency of 13.5, which was significantly higher than the value of 11.1 observed for nonsmokers (p = 0.001 by the Wilcoxon rank sum test). Maternal smoking had no significant effect on overall frequencies of SCEs in maternal blood cultured with 20 microM BUdR either with or without ANF or when the differential between cells cultured with and without ANF was considered. Use of caffeinated beverages was associated with increased SCE values for maternal lymphocytes cultured with 20 microM BUdR (Tau beta = 0.36, p = 0.02 for the Kendall's Rank Correlation), but no such association was seen with 100 microM BUdR. For cord blood lymphocytes, however, neither smoking nor caffeine use were associated with SCE values obtained by any of the assay conditions used. The findings suggest that results of human monitoring studies using SCEs could differ depending on the concentration of BUdR used in cultures.
Novel vehicle and motorcycle classification using single element piezoelectric sensor

Accurate data reporting ensures suitable roadway design for safety and capacity. Currently, vehicle classifier devices employ inductive loops, piezoelectric sensors, or some combination of both to identify 13 different FHWA vehicle classifications. Systems using inductive loops have failed to accurately classify motorcycles and record relative pertinent data. Previous investigations have focused on classification techniques utilizing inductive loop signal output, magnetic sensor output with neural networks, or the fusion of several sensor outputs. This paper presents a novel vehicle classification setup that uses a single piezoelectric sensor placed diagonally across the traffic lane to accurately identify motorcycles from among other vehicles by detecting the number of vehicle tires. A vehicle classification algorithm based on number of tires detected and axle/tire spacing was formulated and deployed in an embedded system for field testing.
Tradable Environmental Pollution Credits: A New Financial Asset

A new financial asset (Allotment Trading Unit or ATU) that allows a firm to pollute was issued to a number of Chicago firms in 2000 as part of a cap‐and‐trade model to reduce emissions in the Chicago area. A model of this market was developed to enable us to: 1.) Estimate equilibrium tradable credit prices and quantities and calculate compliance costs for comparison with traditional environmental regulation; 2.) Estimate the consequences for prices and quantities of introducing changing emitter costs; and 3.) Estimate the impacts on prices and quantities of changing market features such as auctioning tradable credits instead of a free allocation, introducing spatial constraints, and changing the emissions cap. The model's results on the price determination of this new financial asset are of interest to accountants and financial analysts. A dated bankable ATU credit has a one‐year life expectancy, but future tradable credits can be bought or sold for use at the appropriate future date. It is an intangible asset that should be disclosed, measured and valued. The valuation to place on this asset is an important research topic in finance and accounting and various valuation approaches are discussed to handle the short‐term and long‐term price paths.
Comparison of 12-Month Outcomes with Zotarolimus- and Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents: A Meta-Analysis

Revascularization after myocardial infarction is often achieved via percutaneous coronary intervention, which often entails stenting. Drug-eluting stents have shown benefits over bare metal stents in this setting, and a variety of drug-eluting stents are now available, including sirolimus-, paclitaxel-, and zotarolimus-eluting stents. There are studies that have compared the various drug-eluting stents and this meta-analysis pools data comparing 12-month clinical outcomes of zotarolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents. End points studied were myocardial infarction, major adverse cardiac events, cardiac death, all-cause death, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization, and target lesion revascularization.There was a statistically significant reduction in risk of myocardial infarction (odds ratio, 0.250, confidence interval, 0.160 to 0.392) and statistically insignificant reductions in major adverse cardiac events (odds ratio, 0.813, confidence interval, 0.656 to 1.007), cardiac death (odds ratio, 0.817, confidence interval, 0.359 to 1.857), all cause death (odds ratio, 0.820, confidence interval, 0.443 to 1.516), and target lesion revascularization (odds ratio, 0.936, confidence interval 0.702 to 1.247). There was a statistically significant increase in target vessel revascularization (odds ratio, 1.336, confidence interval, 1.003 to 1.778) and a statistically insignificant increase in stent thrombosis (odds ratio, 1.174, confidence interval, 0.604 to 2.280). These findings are similar to the individual studies although other studies have noted increased late loss with zotarolimus-eluting stents and this current data associated with late loss should be kept in mind when makimg clinical decisions regarding sent selection.
More Growth or Better Growth

This article is not intended to discuss trade-offs between the environment and new employment through detailing specific statutes, regulations, options, and their results. However, as an initial step in evaluating the balance of economic and environmental needs of a region, it deals with these fundamental underlying issues: (1) that growth, which always produces environmental degradation of some degree, may or may not produce desired employment impacts, and (2) consequently that regions faced with increasing the number of jobs while meeting environmental standards need to analyze alternative-growth scenarios and, to the extent possible, provide selective incentives including tas credits, loans, and financing arrangements to effect desirable alternatives. This latter thesis does not necessarily mean that job-producing, potentially environmentally polluting activities must always be discouraged. It does suggest that such activities should be avoided that do not show promise for creating sufficient numbers of jobs to decrease regional unemployment significantly. This article is concerned with methods for (1) identifying those economic sectors that offer the best prospects for increasing employment, and (2) providing a conceptual basis for comparing economic and environmental trade-offs.
Field experiments on sugar-beet powdery mildew, Erysiphe betae

SUMMARY Sugar-beet powdery mildew, Erysiphe betae appeared in East Anglia in late July 1976 and became wide-spread in eastern England during August and September but was scarce in crops in the north and west of England. Fentinhydroxide, sulphur, benomyl and ethirimol controlled the disease but benomyl applied once only and ethirimol were less effective than the other materials. In heavily infected crops two sulphur sprays, the first applied at the onset of the mildew attack, increased sugar yield by 13%. A single early sulphur spray increased yield on average by 9% giving a return of six to seven times the cost of treatment. When the first spray was delayed, mildew control was less effective.
Drive level slider-suspension vibration analysis and its application to a ramp-load magnetic disk drive

An experimental method employing a piezoelectric transducer and a dual channel laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) is presented, that is capable of vibration analysis of the slider-suspension assembly in a production disk drive with minor modification. We then apply this method to a ramp-load disk drive to investigate the radial acceleration effect on slider dynamics at the beginning of radial loading motion while the suspension arm moves along the ramp structure. The results show that the slider's motion in the roll and vertical directions are strongly coupled by the radial vibration of the suspension, and that the radial acceleration at the beginning of the radial loading motion has only negligible effect on the parameters determining slider-disk contact. These parameters are the pitch, roll and loading velocities of the slider at the establishment of the air bearing, and they can be measured by the LDV during the ramp loading process by fixing the actuator and actuating the disk drive.
The dynamics of Young Men's career aspirations

Career aspirations have assumed a central place in our understanding of the process of social mobility, yet aspirations themselves have been subject to remarkably little scrutiny. We conduct an empirical analysis of the dynamics of aspirations in a cohort using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Young Men. Our results indicate that (1) occupational aspirations decline with age; (2) the overwhelming majority of young men have high aspirations at some point; (3) occupational aspirations, highly unstable among teenagers, become more stable with age; and (4) differences by race and social origin grow with age, reflecting growing race and social class differences in educational attainment.
Robust parameter design in embedded high-variability production processes: an alternative approach to mitigating sources of variability

Many of today’s industrial firms seek the continuous and systematic reduction of variability as a primary engineering goal across key production dimensions. Robust parameter design (RPD) is often considered among the most important methods for achieving these ends. Focused on statistical modelling and numerical optimisation strategies, most researchers typically assume processes possess moderate to low variability, which facilitates the use of ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Realistically, however, industrial processes often exhibit high variability. In such cases, many of the modelling assumptions underpinning OLS methods do not hold. Consequently, the results and recommendations provided to decision-makers using these could generate suboptimal modifications to processes and products. This paper proposes an alternative method for dealing with high process variability. Specifically, using the coefficient of variation to identify influential sources of variability between design points, the propos...
Histamine metabolism in the visual system of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus

There is now strong evidence that arthropod photoreceptors use histamine as a neurotransmitter. The synthesis, storage and release of histamine from arthropod photoreceptors have been demonstrated, and the postsynaptic effects of histamine and the endogenous neurotransmitter are similar. However, a full understanding of these photoreceptor synapses also requires knowledge of histamine inactivation and metabolism. Relatively little is known about histamine metabolism in the nervous system of arthropods, and mechanisms appear to differ with the species. This study focuses on histamine metabolism in visual tissues of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus, a chelicerate. We present two major findings: (1) histamine is metabolized to imidazole acetic acid and to γ-glutamyl histamine. (2) relatively low levels of histamine metabolites accumulate in Limulus visual tissues.