cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Arbitrary coherent superpositions of quantized vortices in Bose-Einstein condensates via orbital angular momentum of light

We recently proposed a scheme for the creation of coherent superpositions of vortex states in Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) using orbital angular momentum (OAM) states of light [Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 173601 (2005)]. Here we discuss further technical details of the proposal, provide an alternative, time-reversal-symmetric scheme for transfer of a superposition of OAM states of light to the BEC via a procedure analogous to the traditional stimulated Raman adiabatic passage technique, and discuss an alternative trap configuration conducive for sustaining large charge vortices. Superpositions of OAM states of light, that can be created using the existing experimental techniques, can be transferred to an initially nonrotating BEC via a specially devised Raman coupling scheme. The techniques proposed here open up avenues to study coherent interaction of OAM states of light with matter. The study could also be employed for performing various quantum-information-processing tasks with OAM states of light---including a memory for a quantum state of the initial superposition.
Estimates of five restricted partition functions that are quasi polynomials

A function f defined on N is said to be a quasi polynomial if, f ( α n + r ) is a polynomial in n for each r = 0 , 1 , … , α - 1 , where α is a positive integer. In this article, we show that the below given restricted partition functions are quasi polynomials: (i) a ( n , k ) -number of partitions of n with exactly k parts and least part being less than k , (ii) a q ( n , k ) -number of distinct partitions (partitions with distinct parts) of n with exactly k parts and least part being less than k , (iii) L e ( n , k , m ) -number of partitions of n with exactly k parts and m least parts, (iv) L a ( n , k , 1 ) -number of partitions of n with exactly k parts and one largest part and (v) d ( n , k ) -number of partitions of n with exactly k parts and difference between least part and largest part exceeds k - 2 . Consequently, following estimates were derived: (i) a ( n , k ) ∼ n k - 2 ( k - 2 ) ! 2 (ii) a q ( n , k ) ∼ n k - 2 ( k - 2 ) ! 2 (iii) L e ( n , k , m ) ∼ ( k - 1 ) ! ( k - m ) ! ( k - m - 2 ) ! n k - m - 1 (iv) L a ( n , k , 1 ) ∼ n k - 1 k ! ( k - 1 ) ! (v) d ( n , k ) ∼ n k - 1 k ! ( k - 1 ) !
Oscillations of the zero dispersion limit of the korteweg‐de vries equation

We attack the multiphase averaged systems for the zero dispersion limit of the KdV equation. Attention is paid to the most important case—the single phase oscillations. A scheme is developed to solve the Whitham averaged system (single phase averaged system). This system, under our scheme, is transformed to a linear over-determined system of Euler-Poisson-Darboux type whose solution can be written down explicitly. We show that, for any smooth initial data which has only one hump or is a nontrivial monotone function, the weak limit has single-phase oscillations within a cusp in the x-t plane for a short time after the breaking time for the corresponding Burgers equation. Outside the cusp, the limit satisfies the Burgers equation. More surprisingly, we also show that the weak limit has global single-phase oscillations within a cusp for any smooth nontrivial monotone initial data with only one inflection point. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Near ultraviolet induction of growth delay studied in a menaquinone-deficient mutant of Bacillus subtilis.

— The induction by near UV light of growth delay in Bacillus subtilis was studied utilizing a menaquinone-deficient (men–) strain. Menaquinone appears to be a target molecule in this bacterial species, in view of the following: (i) the men– strain requires menaquinone precursors to terminate growth delay; (ii) the menaquinone synthesis inhibitor diphenylamine prolongs growth delay; (iii) the men– strain must be phenotypically Men* at the time of near UV irradiation to induce growth delay. These findings suggest that growth delay in B. subtilis may be associated with a prerequisite removal of photochemically altered menaquinone from the cytoplasmic membrane, rather than simply the time required for resynthesis of menaquinone. Alternatively, the altered menaquinone may inhibit some critical reaction(s) of intermediary metabolism or macromolecular synthesis.
Effects of carbon monoxide on avian intrapulmonary carbon dioxide-sensitive receptors.

Abstract The effects of carbon monoxide (CO) on intrapulmonary carbon dioxide (CO2-sensitive receptors were investigated in unidirectionally ventilated chickens. Excluding CO from the ventilating gas stream produced maximal stimulation of the COa-sensitive receptors and induced apnea. Single-unit, afferent vagal activity from the CO2-sensitive receptors was not changed by including 0.1% CO in the ventilatory gas mixture; nor did CO alter the CO2-sensitivity of the receptors. However, 6 min after CO was administered, cyclic respiratory movements began. Rapid increases in HbCO to 50% with a simultaneous decrease in PaO2 from 85 to 62 torr developed in 15 min. The occurrence of respiratory movements during CO administration cannot be attributed to a direct action of CO on intrapulmonary CO2-sensitive receptors because their discharge frequency remained unchanged. Further, these movements were not caused by hypoxic stimulation of other chemoreceptors since these movements cannot be induced by severe hypoxia if the intrapulmonary CO2 concentration is kept low. The movements may have resulted from a depressing action by CO on inhibitory interneurons in the CNS that are normally activated by intrapulmonary CO2-sensitive receptors. Inactivity of those inhibitory interneurons would allow cyclic respiratory movements to resume from inherent rhythm of the respiratory neuronal pool even though continued high discharge of intrapulmonary CO2-sensitive receptors occurred.
A knockout for knockin.

Have you ever wondered what is next for genetically modified mouse research after knockout, floxed-out, and Cre -nased mice? If the study by Flick and colleagues in this issue of Blood is representative of what is yet to come, then we are in for a thrill. 1
INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON THE VITAMIN CONTENT OF GREEN PLANTS

Change in the temperature with seasons is such an important factor in plant growth that its influence on the vitamin content of plants deserves a thorough investigation. Yet very few such investigations have been made and all but one of these have been concerned with ascorbic acid. One of the peculiarities of these investigations has been that they do not agree as to the effect of temperature on the concentration of ascorbic acid in plants. Hamner et al. (5) found that tomato fruits produced at a temperature of 78? F (26? C) had a higher ascorbic acid content than fruits produced at 63? F (17? C), while ?berg (1) states that young tomato plants grown at 15.5? C had a 30% higher content of ascorbic acid than plants grown at 23? C. Re?d (8) found a lower concentration in cow pea seedlings grown at 29? than at 24? C and Moldtmann (7) noted that 10-day-old Vicia Faba seedlings had nearly twice as much ascorbic acid at 26? as at 14? C, whereas Pisum sativum seedlings had a much lower vitamin content at 26 than at 14? C. Avena sativa seedlings showed no essential difference at the two temperatures. Somers et al. (10) working with discs of turnip leaves floated on nutrient solution found that a higher concentration of ascorbic acid was obtained in discs grown at 24? C than in discs grown at 14? C. Rodahl (9) states that Empetrum nigrum has a higher concentration of ascorbic acid in northeast Greenland than in southeast Greenland. Presumably the former region has a lower temperature than the latter. Mitchell and Houlahan (?) reported a mutant of Neurospora which in order to make satisfactory growth has to be supplied with riboflavin at 28? C but not at lower temperatures. Wolf (11) found that excised leaves of Bryophyllum calycinum lost ascorbic acid at a temperature of 20? but not at 7? and 37? C.
Reactivation of latent HIV by histone deacetylase inhibitors

Latent HIV persists in CD4+ T cells in infected patients under antiretroviral therapy (ART). Latency is associated with transcriptional silencing of the integrated provirus and driven, at least in part, by histone deacetylases (HDACs), a family of chromatin-associated proteins that regulate histone acetylation and the accessibility of DNA to transcription factors. Remarkably, inhibition of HDACs is sufficient to reactivate a fraction of latent HIV in a variety of experimental systems. This basic observation led to the shock and kill idea that forcing the transcriptional activation of HIV might lead to virus expression, to virus- or host-induced cell death of the reactivated cells, and to the eradication of the pool of latently infected cells. Such intervention might possibly lead to a cure for HIV-infected patients. Here, we review the basic biology of HDACs and their inhibitors, the role of HDACs in HIV latency, and recent efforts to use HDAC inhibitors to reactivate latent HIV in vitro and in vivo.
Changes in carbonic anhydrase activity in coho salmon smolts resulting from physical training and transfer into seawater.

Abstract 1. 1. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity was measured in blood and in gill tissue of coho salmon smolts during chronic exercise and subsequent transfer into seawater. 2. 2. The mean level of CA activity was higher in blood than gill tissue in both freshwater and seawater. 3. 3. CA activity in gill tissue increased significantly after the smolts had adapted to seawater. 4. 4. CA activity in blood decreased significantly in the group of fish given the highest exercise level after they had adapted to seawater. 5. 5. There were no significant differences in CA activity in gill tissue between control and exercise groups in either freshwater or seawater.
Erbium nitrate complexation in aqueous DMSO

Abstract Ultrasonic absorption measurements have been utilized to investigate the complexation reaction between Er(III) and NO 3 − in aqueous DMSO. As water is added to 0.200 M Er(NO 3 ) 3 in DMSO, an additional reaction step is coupled to inner-sphere complexation, corresponding to a change in coordination number for the solvated Er(III) complex. At a water mole fraction of 0.163, the complex formation rate constant equals 5.6 × 10 7 sec −1 .
Quantitative Study of Shrinkage and Warpage Behavior for Microcellular and Conventional Injection Molding

This research investigated the effects of processing conditions on the shrinkage and warpage (S&W) behavior of a box-shaped, polypropylene part using conventional, microcellular, and microcellular co-injection molding. Three sets of 26-1 fractional factorial design of experiments (DOE) were employed to perform the experiments and proper statistical theory was used to analyze the data. After the injection molding process reached steady state, molded samples were collected and measured using an optical coordinate measurement machine (OCMM), which had been evaluated using a proper repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) measurement study. By analyzing the statistically significant main and two-factor interaction effects, the results show that the supercritical fluid (SCF) content (nitrogen in this case, in terms of SCF dosage time) and the injection speed affect the S&W of microcellular injection and microcellular co-injection molded parts the most, whereas pack/hold pressure and pack/hold time have the most significant effect on the S&W of conventional injection molded parts. Also, this study quantitatively showed that, within the processing range studied, a reduction in the S&W could be achieved with the microcellular injection molding and micro- cellular co-injection molding processes.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Electron microscopy evaluation of block needle-related trauma to the tibial nerve.

Background: Direct puncture by a needle is a risk factor for nerve damage. This investigation used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to attempt to visualize the damage caused by different needles. Method: A 15 cm section of the tibial nerve was removed from the ankle of a patient undergoing below-the-knee amputation. The nerve specimen was punctured perpendicular to the fibers once by each of four needles: an insulated 22 G short-beveled (30°), a 25 G long-beveled Quincke spinal needle, an 18 G Tuohy, and a 25 G Whitacre pencil point. The distal and proximal ends on either side of the needles were marked and the nerve was sectioned into 0.5 cm pieces. Each sample was preserved and then prepared for SEM. The needle tract was observed for evidence of mechanical damage at magnifications between × 47 and × 102 using SEM. Results: The epineurium, perineurium, fascicles, endoneurium, and vessels were identified in each sample. In both the short-beveled and the Whitacre samples, all fascicles along with the surrounding perineurium were intact. In both the Tuohy and the Quincke samples, obvious transection of fascicles and disruption of the perineurium were observed. Conclusions: This investigation suggests that both the Tuohy and the Quincke needles may be more likely to cause trauma to the tibial nerve than either the short-beveled or the Whitacre needles.
An altered immune response to Epstein‐Barr nuclear antigen 1 in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective New examples support the concept that host immune responses to pathogenic organisms can act as the nidus for autoimmunity. Two such examples implicate the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), i.e., data consistent with SLE anti-Sm and anti–60-kd Ro autoantibodies emerging from distinct humoral immune responses to Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1). We undertook this study to further test whether the humoral immune response to EBNA-1 is a risk factor for pediatric SLE. Methods Sera from pediatric lupus patients and healthy matched controls were tested for anti–EBNA-1 by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To define the fine specificity of their anti–EBNA-1 humoral immune response, fragments of EBNA-1 and the maximally overlapping unique octapeptides of EBNA-1 were tested by modified ELISAs. Results All 36 pediatric SLE patient sera tested recognized EBNA-1, while sera from only 25 of 36 matched EBV-positive controls targeted EBNA-1 (P < 0.005). Epitope mapping revealed that the humoral anti–EBNA-1 response in pediatric SLE was distinct from and less restricted than that in matched normal individuals. Meanwhile, no significant differences between SLE patient sera and control sera were observed in the responses to other herpesviruses or in binding to sequential epitopes from cytomegalovirus immediate-early antigen or EBNA-2. Conclusion Anti–EBNA-1 antibodies are associated with pediatric-onset SLE. Furthermore, an altered humoral immune response to EBNA-1, characteristic of SLE, has been found and may be an important SLE susceptibility factor.
Ground penetrating radar measurements: Applications to synthetic data generation and target characterization

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is widely studied for detection of landmines and mine-like targets; GPR is particularly useful for detecting minimum metal mines which are harder to detect using traditional metal detection devices alone. In order to expand the phenomenology for GPR, careful measurements of homogeneous and heterogeneous soils with and without targets (landmine simulants and metal objects) are performed in a controlled environment. These measurements will aid in the development of models for soil response beyond the initial air-ground interface. Such explicit models for soil will increase the effectiveness of algorithms designed to discriminate between returns from targets and from naturally occurring geologic materials and interfaces. Furthermore, careful measurement of soil characteristics will enable comparison and refinement of models of soil with embedded targets developed in electromagnetic simulations (using finite-difference time-domain codes (FDTD), e.g.).
Government and urban management in the 20th century: policies, contradictions, and weaknesses of the New Right

Throughout the 20th century, government in the U.S. has gone through significant changes; initially responding to the disorder of early capitalism, and later, to the economic crisis of the 1970s. This article will explore the changes in the U.S. political landscape over the last century, as well as the recent rise of neo-liberalism. In addition, with the analysis of the model laissez-faire municipal government, the City of Houston, the article will illustrate how the basic weaknesses of neoliberalism at the national level are also evident at the local scale of government.
A Numerical Study of Flow and Heat Transfer in a Smooth and Ribbed U-Duct With and Without Rotation

Computations were performed to study the three-dimensional flow and heat transfer in a U-shaped duct of square cross section under rotating and non-rotating conditions. The parameters investigated were two rotation numbers (0, 0.24) and smooth versus ribbed walls at a Reynolds number of 25,000, a density ratio of 0. 13, and an inlet Mach number of 0.05. Results are presented for streamlines, velocity vector fields, and contours of Mach number, pressure, temperature, and Nusselt numbers
Primary aberration contributions for curved Fresnel surfaces

Mathematical expressions are derived for the six monochromatic primary aberration contributions of a curved Fresnel surface. Some special cases are noted, and a numerical example is given.
Heavy ion fission — an inherently non-equilibrium process?

Abstract Recent measurements of neutron emission in coincidence with fission fragments indicate a strong enhancement of the neutron multiplicity preceeding fission compared with statistical model calculations. This enhancement has enabled the determination of the reduced nuclear dissipation coefficient β which, in turn, indicates that nuclear collective motion is overdamped. We examine some possible sources of error in this determination and speculate on the consequences of the obtained value of β.
The strategic role of gainsharing

Gainsharing is reported to greatly enhance organizational performance, but there is little empirical research that explains how gainsharing works and why companies adopt it. We employ a human resource control framework to examine the role gainsharing plays within the organization. Our analysis of 802 organizations suggests that gainsharing plans are used to enhance employee participation in organizations that employ marketbased control methods. Organizations that use bureaucratic or clan controls are not likely to adopt gainsharing; they are more likely to use participation initiatives that do not involve a group bonus.
Predictors of hemodynamic compromise with propofol during defibrillator implantation: a single center experience.

Intra-operative hypotension has been reported in cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) clinical trials but this phenomenon is not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to understand the frequency and determinants of intra-operative hypotension in patients undergoing defibrillator implantations. We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of all CRT-D implantations over a 21-month period. We compared a randomly selected contemporaneous group undergoing implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implantations as a reference group. Procedure protocol involved intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring throughout the case. Lidocaine (1%) was routinely used along with propofol for sedation in all patients. Procedure time was defined as the time from initial administration of lidocaine for arterial line access, to completion of defibrillator pocket closure. Cumulative dose of propofol was calculated in each patient. Hypotension was defined as a fall in the systolic blood pressure of ≥30% from baseline or a systolic blood pressure of ≤80 mm Hg for >3 min. CRT-D and ICD patients were divided into hypotensive and non-hypotensive subsets. The incidence of hypotension in the CRT-D group (N = 100) was 56%, as compared to 40% in the ICD group (N = 97). The mean duration of procedure in the CRT-D group was 114 ± 95 min in the hypotensive subset versus 69 ± 31.9 min in the non-hypotensive subset (p = 0.0015). The mean NYHA class in the hypotensive subset of the CRT-D group was 2.85 ± 1.2 vs 2.2 ± 1.5 in the non-hypotensive subset (p = 0.0179). Cumulative dose of propofol in the hypotensive subset of the CRT-D group was 386 ± 22 mg, while that in the non hypotensive subset was 238.3 ± 17 mg (p < 0.0001). Creatinine clearance in the hypotensive subset of the CRT-D group was 63.8 ± 12.8 ml/min, while that in the non-hypotensive subset was 78.7 ± 23.5 ml/min (p = 0.003). Patients in the CRT-D group who developed hypotension had a lower left ventricular ejection fraction of 21.1 ± 10.2% versus 29 ± 14.8% in the non-hypotensive subset (p = 0.0035). Hypotension is a common occurrence during defibrillator implantation under conscious sedation. Risk factors for significant hypotension include: higher NYHA class, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, lower creatinine clearance, higher doses of propofol and longer procedure times.
Implications of Similarity in Rare-Earth Fractionation of Nakhlitic Meteorites and Terrestrial Basalts

Determination of the absolute and normalized abundances of scandium and yttrium in nakhlitic meteorites by neutron activation techniques
Rewritable self-assembled long-period gratings in photonic bandgap fibers using microparticles

We report the demonstration of rewritable self-assembled long-period gratings in air-core photonic bandgap fibers. The long-period gratings are written by filling the air-core region of the fiber with a solution containing polystyrene microspheres. The microspheres are self-assembled into a periodic structure as the liquid inside the fiber evaporates, forming the long-period grating. The formed grating can then be easily erased for rewriting purposes by connecting the end of the fiber to a microfluidic pump through a microfluidic channel and washing out the microparticles with an appropriate liquid. The same microfluidic system can also be used to fine control the writing process of the gratings. This technique creates possibilities for writing various different filtering functions in air-core photonic bandgap fibers by varying the composition and/or the shape of the used microparticles. The presented technique is potentially applicable to solid-core photonic crystal fibers as well.
Usefulness of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels to Predict Left Ventricular Filling Pressures in Patients With Body Mass Index >35, 31 to 35, and ≤30 kg/m2

Noninvasive left ventricular (LV) pressure estimation in obese patients has not been well described. Simultaneous B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and echocardiographic Doppler examinations were performed in patients with dyspnea undergoing cardiac catheterization. Patients were divided into body mass index (BMI) >35 (markedly obese), 31 to 35 (obese), and 35 kg/m2.
Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Senescing Apple Fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.)

Total superoxide dismutase (SOD:superoxide: superoxide oxidoreductase; EC 1.15.1.1) activity and individual activities of its three different metalloenzymes, CuZn-SOD, Fe-SOD, and Mn-SOD, were investigated during senescence of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). Total SOD activity and relative activities of its three forms varied greatly among cultivars. Activities underwent considerable change during senescence of fruit, but changes were different among cultivars. Whether fruit senesced at 0 degrees C or 20 degrees C had little effect on SOD activities, and application of the antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA) did not alter activities. SOD activities increased with occurrence of the physiological disorder "senescent breakdown," but did not increase with occurrence of the disorder "superficial scald." In a given apple cultivar, changes in total SOD activity generally paralleled activities of the different SOD forms. Such activity may reflect changes affecting food and nutritive quality of the fruit.
Towards integrating level-3 Features with perspiration pattern for robust fingerprint recognition

Level-3 fingerprint features from fingerprint images like pores are difficult to capture detect, and involve high resolution scanners with higher ppi count. However, these features provide finer information about a fingerprint characteristics. Furthermore, fingerprint pores may be useful in determining liveness of fingerprint in order to prevent spoofing of fingerprint devices. In this study fingerprint pores along the ridges are used for fingerprint matching. Wavelet based fingerprint enhancement techniques are implemented to ease detection of the level-3 features. Delaunay triangulation based alignment and matching of the fingerprints is performed. The pores are checked for the liveness by perspiration activity in the time series captures. The developed matching scheme is tested for the high resolution data (686 ppi) for 114 live and spoof fingerprint classes. ROC is plotted and EER of 2.97% is obtained.
Tyrosine Phosphorylation Is Required for IκB Kinase-β (IKKβ) Activation and Function in Osteoclastogenesis

The transcription factor NF-κB is crucial for numerous cellular functions such as survival, differentiation, immunity, and inflammation. A key function of this family of transcription factors is regulation of osteoclast differentiation and function, which in turn controls skeletal homeostasis. The IκB kinase (IKK) complex, which contains IKKα, IKKβ, and IKKγ, is required for activation of NF-κB, and deletion of either IKKα or IKKβ resulted with defective osteoclast differentiation and survival. We have recently investigated the details of the mechanisms governing the role of IKKβ in osteoclastogenesis and found that constitutively active IKKβ in which serine residues 177/181 were mutated into negatively charged glutamic acids instigates spontaneous bona fide receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-independent osteoclastogenesis. To better understand and define the functional role of IKKβ domains capable of regulating the osteoclastogenic activity of IKK, we investigated key motifs in the activation T loop of IKKβ, which are potentially capable of modulating its osteoclastogenic activity. We discovered that dual serine (traditional serine residues 177/181) and tyrosine (188/199) phosphorylation events are crucial for IKKβ activation. Mutation of the latter tyrosine residues blunted the NF-κB activity of wild type and constitutively active IKKβ, and tyrosine 188/199-deficient IKKβ inhibited osteoclastogenesis. Thus, tyrosines 188/199 are a novel target for regulating IKKβ activity, at least in osteoclasts.
STRATEGIES FOR COLONIZATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY

Colonies of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) were established from field-collected pupae and reared for 12 generations (G) using 3 different methods; given special care (C). eased from special care into mass rearing (E), and forced directly into mass rearing (F). The respective average numbers of viable pupae per ♀ increased from 1.5, 1.7, and 2.0 at G1 to 6.3, 6.6, and 8.5 at G12. The number of viable eggs per fertile ♀, though varying greatly depending on generation, never had an increasing or decreasing trend. Thus, since the fertility of individual ♀ ♀ remained relatively constant, improved yields were primarily due to an increase in the proportion of reproducing females. Furthermore, switching the E colony to the F regimen after G5 was as detrimental as initial colonization. RESUME Strategies de colonisation et d'entretien deCeratitis capitata Des souches de Ceratitis capitata ont ete formees a partir de pupes recoltees dans la nature et elevees pendant 12 generations (G) suivant 3 methodes differentes: avec soins particuliers (C) soins particuliers pendant 5 generations puis tranfert sur regime et substrat artificiel en elevage de masse (E), elevage de masse continu sur regime et substrat artificiel (F). Les nombres moyens de pupes viables par femelle ont augmente respectivement de 1.5, 1.7, et 2.0 and G1 a 6.3. 6.6 et 8.5 en G12. Les nombres d'oeufs viables par femelle feconde ont varie beaucoup suivant les generations sans aucune tendence marquee. Ainsi, puisque la fecondite par femelle est restee relativement constante, l'augmentation de la production est parvenue avant tout de l'augmentation de la proportion de femelles fecondes. Par ailleurs, le transfert de la souche E en regime F apres G5 a eu des effets aussi negatifs que la colonisation initiale.
Cloning and sequencing of the cDNA encoding the murine mammary gland long-form prolactin receptor

The nucleotide sequence of a 1992-bp cDNA encoding the long form of the murine mammary prolactin receptor (PRL-R) has been determined. The deduced 68-kDa protein has high sequence identity with long forms of prolactin receptors from rat ovary and rabbit mammary gland.
Polyphenols in Regulation of Redox Signaling and Inflammation During Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases remain one of the major health problems worldwide. The worldwide research against cardiovascular diseases as well as genome wide association studies were successful in indentifying the loci associated with this prominent life-threatening disease but still a substantial amount of casualty remains unexplained. Over the last decade, the thorough understanding of molecular and biochemical mechanisms of cardiac disorders lead to the knowledge of various mechanisms of action of polyphenols to target inflammation during cardiac disorders. The present review article summarizes major mechanisms of polyphenols against cardiovascular diseases.
Seismic stratigraphy and coastal drainage patterns in the Quaternary section of the southern Delmarva Peninsula, Virginia, USA

Abstract Seismic-stratigraphic analysis of the coastal zone and inner shelf of Virginia's southern Delmarva Peninsula has revealed three geochronologically significant surfaces of post-Tertiary age that impose a relative chronostratigraphic framework on Quaternary marine transgressive and regressive events. Characteristics of these surfaces indicate that two are sequence boundaries, and one is a ravinement surface. Lying at depths of 18–70 m (msl datum), the LPb surface (a late Pleistocene basal unconformity) represents the sequence boundary separating the Tertiary Chesapeake Group from the overlying late Pleistocene Nassawadox Formation. High relief (approximately 50 m) on the LPb surface is associated with large fluvial channels. Higher in the stratigraphic section, the LPr, surface is found at depths of 6–28 m, and corresponds to a late Pleistocene transgressive, or ravinement surface. The surface dips southeastward with a regional dip of 0.04° and has local relief of less than 2 m. The LPr surface may represent a ravinement which extended to the west side of the Chesapeake Bay prior to the development of the Nassawadox barrier spit. However, the LPr surface may steepen between the axis of the southern Delmarva Peninsula and the Holocene lagoon to form a shoreface attached to one of several known late Pleistocene shorelines. Lying at depths of 0–20 m, the Hb surface is a basal unconformity that marks the Holocene sequence boundary. It deepens seaward, with maximum local relief of about 15 m, and has a topographic expression very similar to the present-day lagoonal drainage pattern. Maximum thicknesses of Holocene and Pleistocene sediments (12 and 70 m, respectively) are found above channels on the Hb and LPb surfaces. The Pleistocene channels are large and limited in number and represent high-order channels of a drainage system that drained the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. The greater density of low-order stream channels on the Hb surface suggests a relationship to much smaller drainage basins that were confined to the seaward part of the Coastal Plain east of the Delmarva Peninsula. These late Wisconsinan smaller Hb channels do not re-occupy the former drain paths of the much larger high-order LPb channels.
Progression of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease that is clinically manifested by a triad of cardinal motor symptoms — rigidity, bradykinesia and tremor — due to loss of dopaminergic neurons. The motor symptoms of PD become progressively worse as the disease advances. PD is also a heterogeneous disease since rigidity and bradykinesia are the major complaints in some patients whereas tremor is predominant in others. In recent years, many studies have investigated the progression of the hallmark symptoms over time, and the cardinal motor symptoms have different rates of progression, with the disease usually progressing faster in patients with rigidity and bradykinesia than in those with predominant tremor. The current treatment regime of dopamine-replacement therapy improves motor symptoms and alleviates disability. Increasing the dosage of dopaminergic medication is commonly used to combat the worsening symptoms. However, the drug-induced involuntary body movements and motor complications can significantly contribute to overall disability. Further, none of the currently-available therapies can slow or halt the disease progression. Significant research efforts have been directed towards developing neuroprotective or disease-modifying agents that are intended to slow the progression. In this article, the most recent clinical studies investigating disease progression and current progress on the development of disease-modifying drug trials are reviewed.
Cultural Competence: A Systematic Review of Health Care Provider Educational Interventions

Objective:We sought to synthesize the findings of studies evaluating interventions to improve the cultural competence of health professionals.Design:This was a systematic literature review and analysis.Methods:We performed electronic and hand searches from 1980 through June 2003 to identify studies
Coincidental pituitary adenoma and cerebral aneurysm with pathological findings.

Abstract A rare case of pituitary adenoma associated with an intrasellar cerebral aneurysm is presented with autopsy findings. The pertinent literature is reviewed.
A New Desolvation System for Use with Capacitatively Coupled Microwave Plasma and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry

A compact and highly efficient desolvation system with a pneumatic nebulizer was applied to capacitatively coupled microwave plasma and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Approximately 50% of the analyte (Mn) was introduced to the plasma, and 50 (CMP) and 16 (ICP) times improvement of the sensitivity could be achieved. In spite of slightly poorer stability caused by larger aerosol size, detection limits were 17 (CMP) and 10 (ICP) times superior to results achieved with conventional pneumatic nebulization.
Reactions of splenectomized calves to the inoculation of blood containing Babesia divergens from an infected animal during its reaction and carrier phases

Abstract A series of experiments was carried out to see if there was any change in the virulence of B. divergens parasites harvested from an infected animal at intervals after its original infection. Groups of cattle were inoculated with low and high doses of parasites 10, 48, 105 and 196 days after inoculation of the donor. Eight parameters of their reactions were measured, and subjected to statistical analysis. The only significant differences between groups were those related to parasite dose, notably the prepatent periods to detectable parasites in blood smears and to a febrile response. There was a suggestion that an avirulent population of parasites was becoming predominant in the donor 196 days after inoculation, but this tendency was not sufficiently marked to be detected by statistical analysis.
Differential Ability Scales–II prediction of reading performance: Global scores are not enough

This study investigated the effects of broad cognitive abilities derived from the Cattell–Horn–Carroll (CHC) taxonomy, together with the effect of the general factor (g), on Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Second Edition (WIAT-II) reading achievement. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and commonality analyses were applied to the Differential Ability Scales, Second Edition (DAS-II) standardization and clinical sample data. All seven DAS-II CHC broad cognitive abilities were shown to have significant effects on one or more WIAT-II reading domains with different patterns found across typical, poor reader, and reading specific learning disability (SLD) groups. In the SEM analyses, the general factor g had only indirect effects on reading achievement variance. In the commonality analyses, after the effects of the seven CHC factors had been accounted for, the six-factor commonality—which could be considered an alternative measure of global intelligence—accounted for only 1%–2% of reading measure variance. For children who are having difficulties with reading skill acquisition, the data suggest that primary emphasis on g will result in a major loss of DAS-II predictive validity. Results emphasize the importance of having a comprehensive cognitive assessment with the DAS-II in the evaluation of reading competency and disability. Links between CHC broad ability factors and neuropsychological constructs may provide a promising foundation for developing specific cognitive, academic, and behavioral interventions for children with reading SLD. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Delphacid planthoppers Sogatella kolophon and Delphacodes idonea (Homoptera: Delphacidae): descriptions of immature stages and notes on biology

Planthoppers Sogatella kolophon (Kirkaldy) and Delphacodes idonea Beamer were reared on torpedo grass, Panicum repens L., in the laboratory. Egg incubation periods averaged 11.0 and 10.0 d for S. kolophon and D. idonea , respectively. Total nymph periods were 20.3 d for S. kolophon and 16.8 d for D. idonea . Adult longevity for S. kolophon and D. idonea was 18.4 and 9.4 d, respectively. Immature stages of both species are described and illustrated and a key is provided to separate instars.
Factors Correlating with Burnout in Practicing Otolaryngologists

Objective. This study sought to determine which demographic and practice characteristics were predictive of professional burnout in otolaryngologists.Study Design. Cross-sectional survey.Setting. T...
Adaptive real-time resource management supporting composition of independently authored time-critical services

This paper describes ongoing investigations at Microsoft Research into algorithms for adaptive real-time scheduling and resource management. We are implementing a system which will allow sets of independently authored real-time applications to be scheduled, providing both initial resource negotiation and dynamic feedback to applications about their resource consumption. Instead of relying on human beings to pre-compute scheduling and resource requirements, applications will be able to dynamically adapt their run-time behavior to the resources available. Under overload conditions, user preferences and policies will be applied in order to bring the total resource requirements within available resources. This will permit chosen applications to continue executing perfectly even while others execute with dynamically renegotiated resource grants or are gracefully shut down, as per user preferences. We believe that this approach will lead to real-time scheduling and resource management algorithms which are appropriate for workstation and home multi-media environments. >
Using a Five-Step Procedure for Inferential Statistical Analyses

Many statistics texts pose inferential statistical problems in a disjointed way. By using a simple five-step procedure as a template for statistical inference problems, the student can solve problems in an organized fashion. The problem and its solution will thus be a stand-by-itself organic whole and a single unit of thought and effort. The described procedure can be used for both parametric and nonparametric inferential tests. The example given is a chi-square goodness-of-fit test of a genetics experiment involving a dihybrid cross in corn that follows a 9:3:3:1 ratio. This experimental analysis is commonly done in introductory biology labs.
Falls among hemodialysis patients: potential opportunities for prevention?

Background. Falls among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) have significant consequences for quality of life and functional independence, morbidity, healthcare utilization and even mortality, but studies on the etiology of falls within large HD cohorts are limited. Methods. Falls during the past 12 months were ascertained for a prevalent multi-center HD cohort (n = 762) aged 20–92 years, and associations with demographic and treatment characteristics, comorbidities, cognitive function, prescribed medications, balance tests, frailty and depressive symptoms were assessed. Results. Falls were sustained by 28.4% of participants. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, participants classified as frail were over two times more likely to report falls [odds ratio (OR): 2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22–4.71, P = 0.01], and participants with a CES-D score 18+ and/or prescribed antidepressants were over 80% more likely to be fallers (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.23–2.74, P = 0.003) than were participants with a CES-D score <18 and no prescribed antidepressants. Conclusions. Frailty and depressed mood, factors that are potentially modifiable, are prominently associated with falls.
Regional Distribution of Glycogen and Phosphorylase in the Ventricles of the Heart

In rat, rabbit, dog, and ox hearts, the glycogen concentration varied throughout the walls. The concentration gradient decreased from endocardium to epicardium in the right and left ventricles. In the septum, the interior part of the wall had a lower concentration of glycogen than tissue sections closer to the endocardial surfaces. The maximum values for glycogen concentration in endocardial sections were from two to six times higher than the minimum values. This gradient was much greater than the 30% differences observed between apex and base of the ventricles. Since our studies have demonstrated a very large variation for glycogen content in layers of myocardium parallel to sides of the ventricular wall, there is an obvious need for caution in sampling hearts for glycogen analysis. In the ox heart, the right bundle branch and A-V node were dissected out, and the glycogen values were compared with those for the rest of the myocardium. Glycogen values of the conduction system, especially of the bundle of ...
A Modified-Time-Sharing Switching Technique for Multiple-Input DC–DC Converters

In this paper, a switching strategy for multiple-input converters (MICs) is presented and analyzed. MICs have been identified to provide a cost-effective approach for energy harvesting in hybrid systems, and for power distribution in micro- and nanogrids. The basic principle of the proposed switching strategy is that the effective duty ratio of each switch is an integer multiple of a common duty ratio (CDR), the CDR being the duty ratio of a common switching function that is generated at a higher frequency by frequency division. The proposed strategy enables switching functions for MICs that have a greater number of input legs to be generated with relative ease. Another benefit of this scheme is that it allows an MIC's output voltage to be regulated by employing the CDR as the only control variable, irrespective of the number of input legs present. Essentially, the strategy transforms an MIC into an equivalent single-input single-output system for analysis, which simplifies controller design and implementation. Without loss of generality, this technique is demonstrated by analyzing a multiple-input buck-boost converter. A PI controller is shown to regulate the MIC's operating point. The analysis is verified by simulations and experiments.
Configurable and Expandable FFT Processor for Wideband Communication

A practical fast Fourier transform (FFT) processor can contain several millions of gates, so effective design techniques usually are required in order to guarantee high-speed products. A look-up table (LUT) methodology is developed and demonstrated on variable length (128-1024 point), variable bit-precision (6-12 b) FFT with uniform bit truncation and optimum bit truncation for wideband digital receiver in radar applications. The FFT processors are designed using a standard 130 nanometer CMOS process and operates down to 120 mV. The required processing time for the non-configurable 12-b 1024-point LUT FFT is 15.78 ns at a clock frequency of 470 MHz. The required time for configurable LUT 12-b 1024-point FFT processing is 61 ns. The configurable LUT FFT processor with short transform lengths can be expandable so that they can be used easily to form new FFT processors with longer transform lengths. The performance comparison of conventional FFT, LUT FFT, and configurable LUT FFT for digital wideband receiver application is discussed.
Using collection descriptions to enhance an aggregation of harvested item-level metadata

As an increasing number of digital library projects embrace the harvesting of item-level descriptive metadata, issues of description granularity and concerns about potential loss of context when harvesting item-level metadata take on greater significance. Collection-level description can provide valuable context for item-level metadata records harvested from disparate and heterogeneous providers. This paper describes an ongoing experiment using collection-level description in concert with item-level metadata to improve quality of search and discovery across an aggregation of metadata describing resources held by a consortium of large academic research libraries. We present details of approaches implemented so far and preliminary analyses of the potential utility of these approaches. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of related issues and future work plans.
Function of the rfb gene cluster and the rfe gene in the synthesis of O antigen by Shigella dysenteriae 1

A plasmid that included both an 8.9 kb chromosomal DNA insert containing genes from the rfb cluster of Shigella dysenteriae 1 and a smaller insert containing the rfp gene from a S. dysenteriae 1 multicopy plasmid resulted in efficient expression of O antigen in an rfb-deleted strain of Escherichia coli K-12. Eight genes were identified in the rfb fragment: the rfbB-CAD cluster which encodes dTDP-rhamnose synthesis, rfbX which encodes a hydrophobic protein involved in assembly of the O antigen, rfc which encodes the O antigen polymerase, and two sugar transferase genes. The production of an O antigen also required the E. coli K-12 rfe gene, which is known to encode a transferase which adds N-acetylglucosamine phosphate to the carrier lipid undecaprenol phosphate. Thus Rfe protein appears to function as an analogue of the Salmonella RfbP protein to provide the first sugar of the O unit. Functional analysis of the other genes was facilitated by the fact that partial O units of one, two or three sugars were efficiently transferred to the lipopolysaccharide core. This analysis indicated that the plasmid-encoded Rfp protein is the transferase that adds the second sugar of the O unit while the two rfb transferases add the distal sugars to make an O antigen whose structure is (Rha-Rha-Gal-GlcNAc)n. The use of the rfe gene product as the transferase that adds the first sugar of an O unit is a novel mechanism which may be used for the synthesis of other enteric O antigens.