cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure-material relations in the buckling problem of asymmetric composite columns

Abstract The paper examines the effects of material composition and properties on the non-linear buckling response of asymmetric laminated structures. The problem is studied through the analysis of asymmetric laminated columns composed of an arbitrary number of different material layers. The non-linear buckling behavior of the columns subjected to combined compression and bending is examined depending on parameters such as the number, orientation and stacking sequence of the layers that make up the laminate. The analysis demonstrates that, under certain conditions, asymmetric laminated columns subjected to combined compression and bending exhibit bifurcation. In such cases, the onset of lateral deformations of the columns is delayed until the applied moment–force system attains its critical value. Based on the analytical solution of the non-linear buckling problem under consideration, the potentials for maximizing the critical load and controlling the buckling characteristics of laminated composites through tailoring their material properties are analyzed.
Prospective epidemiological cohort study of reduced risk for incident cataract with vigorous physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness during a 7-year follow-up.

Age-related cataract is an opacity of the crystalline lens or its envelope and is the leading cause of blindness [1]. The occurrence may arise as part of the natural aging of the nucleus or represent the cumulative effects of exposure to risk factors over time. More than one-half of Americans over the age of 65 have cataracts of some form [2]. Although the economic and quality of life benefits of postponing the development of cataract is manifest, there are few established cataract risk factors amenable to intervention. In addition to age and trauma, possible risk factors for cataract include sunlight exposure, diabetes, smoking, intake of alcoholic beverages, and obesity. [1] Currently, lack of exercise and low cardiorespiratory fitness are not recognized cataract risk factors. [1] I am aware of only one published case–control study linking cataract to insufficient physical activity [3]. This study was undertaken to test prospectively whether greater physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness (10-km performance) affect the risk for self-reported clinically diagnosed cataracts and whether leanness associated with activity and fitness mediate these effects. Most epidemiologic cohort studies are geographically or occupationally defined and tend to include few vigorously active men and women. The National Runners’ Health Study was specifically designed to target vigorously active men and women who regularly run for exercise [4–9]. Prospective analyses of this cohort have demonstrated that running greater distances attenuates age-related weight gain [4] and reduces the incidence of diabetes [5] in proportion to the exercise dose.
Short-lived radioactive tracer methods for the dynamic analysis and control of continuous comminution processes by the mechanistic approach

Abstract An approach to the analysis of continuous comminution processes commonly called the mechanistic approach is presented which includes the development of suitable mathematical models. The present paper reviews this approach and describes the development of a short-lived radioactive tracer method for obtaining the model parameters on full-scale, industrial mills without interruption of the process. The work to date on the development of mathematical models is reviewed; the mathematical and experimental techniques previously developed for evaluation of model parameters is reviewed; and the present short-lived radioactive tracer method is developed, discussed and evaluated with preliminary feasibility experimental results.
Benefits of green energy and proportionality in high speed wide area networks connecting data centers

Many companies deploy multiple data centers across the globe to satisfy the dramatically increased computational demand. Wide area connectivity between such geographically distributed data centers has an important role to ensure both the quality of service, and, as bandwidths increase to 100Gbps and beyond, as an efficient way to dynamically distribute the computation. The energy cost of data transmission is dominated by the router power consumption, which is unfortunately not energy proportional. In this paper we not only quantify the performance benefits of leveraging the network to run more jobs, but also analyze its energy impact. We compare the benefits of redesigning routers to be more energy efficient to those obtained by leveraging locally available green energy as a complement to the brown energy supply. Furthermore, we design novel green energy aware routing policies for wide area traffic and compare to state-of-the-art shortest path routing algorithm. Our results indicate that using energy proportional routers powered in part by green energy along with our new routing algorithm results in 10x improvement in per router energy efficiency with 36% average increase in the number of jobs completed.
Lattice fringe studies of (100) defects in enamel crystallites

Lattice imperfections in the structure of shark (Nataprion brevirostrais) enamel crystallites have been studied by means of lattice-imaging in a high-resolution transmission electron microscope. Line defects exhibiting various lengths (100-2500 A) and widths (10-30 A) and demonstrating phase behaviour different from that of the host crystal were observed along the fringes representing (100) lattice planes. When defect sites were subjected to an electron beam, an annealing process was observed in which the difference in phase contrast eventually disappeared and the defect itself became an intricate part of the (100)-type lattice planes. A through-focal series of the defects show a reversal in phase contrast. By examining the contrast behaviour under certain focal conditions and by adopting the Fresnel diffraction mode, the refractive index of the defect regions was determined to be lower than that of the apatite crystal. Present findings suggest that the interlayering structure along the (100) planes is responsible for the line defects observed in enamel apatites.
Changes in Rat Parotid Salivary Proteins Induced by Chronic Isoproterenol Administration

Changes in the rat parotid gland and its secretion, brought about by chronic isoproterenol administration, were studied. In addition to the expected enlargement, morphological and biochemical analyses of the glands showed evidence of changes in the secretory components. Chromatographic and electrophoretic experiments revealed both qualitative and quantitative changes in the secretory proteins.
Biochemical and genetic characterization of Yra1p in budding yeast.

Yra1p and its vertebrate homologues bind to the mRNA export factor Mex67p/TAP and are thought to play a role in mRNA export in vivo. To further characterize Yra1p, we used immunoaffinity chromatography to purify endogenous Yra1p complexes. These experiments demonstrated that two importin β homologues (Kap123p and Pse1p) and the poly A tail-binding proteins Pab1p and Nab2p associate with Yra1p. The other major proteins that associate with Yra1p include proteins involved in mRNA and rRNA processing and the Yra1p-related protein Yra2p. Additional biochemical and genetic experiments suggest a close functional relationship between Yra1p and Yra2p. We generated a temperature-sensitive allele of YRA1 and used it to demonstrate that cells which lack the function of both Yra1p and Yra2p are able to exit a G0 arrest and go through several rounds of cell division before arresting. We also identified high-copy suppressors of the yra1-2 temperature-sensitive growth defect. These include SUB2, a splicing factor important in mRNA export, ULP1, a nuclear cysteine protease localized to the nuclear pore and involved in Smt3p/SUMO processing, and YRA2. Taken together, these results suggest that Yra1p has roles in diverse RNA processing events in addition to a role in mRNA export. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Absolute Measurements of the 2 1 P and 2 3 P Electron Excitation Cross Sections of Helium Atoms

The apparent cross sections for electron excitation of the ${2}^{1}P$ and ${2}^{3}P$ states of helium are examined in the light of new and detailed information concerning the cascading to these levels from higher states, particularly in the low-energy region near onset. Excitation functions of the $^{1}S$, $^{1}D$, $^{3}S$, and $^{3}D$ states from $n=3$ to $n=7 or 8$ are presented in this energy range. Absolute measurements of the apparent cross sections of 22 of these states are also given. Excitation functions for the $2P$ states are presented for low-energy and extended-energy ranges. After allowance is made for imprisonment in the ${2}^{1}P$ state, the cascading corrections yield the cross sections for direct electron excitation to the ${2}^{1}P$ and ${2}^{3}P$ states over the energy range from onset to 450 eV. The maximum value for the ${2}^{1}P$ state is 9.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, and for the ${2}^{3}P$ state is 2.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The results show good agreement with theoretical calculations for energies greater than 100 eV, but poor agreement in the low-energy range.
Effect of CryIC toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis on larval feeding behavior of Spodoptera exigua

The lack of data on the effect of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) toxins on larval feeding behavior of the pest Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) (Noctuidae: Amphypyrini) prompted us to investigate the effect of three delivery systems of CryIC, a commercial formulation, inclusion bodies, and the activated CryIC toxin. The commercial formulation was the least and CryIC toxin the most lethal form to neonates of susceptible colonies. All but two of the treatments in choice tests with neonates and third instars showed significant avoidance of B.t. treated diet, with greater proportion of larvae from susceptible (UCR-S and AUBURN-S) and resistant (AUBURN-R) colonies on untreated diet than on diet treated with any of the CryIC forms and concentrations tested. Furthermore, third instars consumed significantly more control than treated diet for all CryIC forms, colonies and concentrations. The avoidance of CryIC toxin by neonates and third instars strongly suggests that CryIC, which also is present in the commercial formulation and in the inclusion bodies, is responsible for eliciting avoidance behavior by S. exigua larvae. Behavioral observations of third instars in a no-choice test on either treated or control diet indicated that questing behavior in susceptible larvae appears to be positively related with presence of CryIC toxin in the diet. Furthermore, resistant third instars were on the whole more active than susceptible thirds on both treated and control diet. Resistant thirds raised on CryIC treated diet (AUBURN-RC) spent more time eating treated diet than resistant larvae raised on control diet (AUBURN-R), suggesting that diet conditioning plays an important role on feeding behavior of S. exigua. The implications of these results are discussed.
Models and Tools for Stability and Change in Human Systems

I n this article, I will rst differentiate types of change that occur in human systems and will then provide a model that makes it possible to understand not only the nature of change but, equally important, the nature of stability. Change and stability are two sides of the same coin. Hence, consultants and managers have to be concerned about the management of both processes. Within the framework of stability and change, I will then examine what we mean by learning, especially as we apply that term to groups, organizations, and larger social systems. As we will see, learning is a perpetual process and one of many types of change that occur in human systems all the time. If such learning did not occur, such systems would not survive. But the learning that creates stability and culture is different from the learning that enables organizations to innovate as they encounter changing conditions in both their external and internal environments.
Cyclic variability of pulsed spray vapor fields

A two wavelength extinction technique is used to quantitatively measure the temporal fuel vapor field produced by pulsed automotive fuel injectors. Line-of-sight measurements are spatially deconvoluted to yield a picture of the overall, cycle-averaged, radial vapor concentration profiles. Vapor measurements are also given for single, consecutive, injection pulses, showing cycle-to-cycle variations in the vapor field. Methods to characterize the cyclic variability in the vapor field of a pulsed spray are discussed. As an illustrative example, the differences between an air assist and a non-air assist injector are shown as a function of duty cycle and axial location.
To avert impending disaster: American military plans to use atomic weapons during the Korean War

Though historians continue to argue about the role of American nuclear threats in producing an armistice in the Korean War, by 1953 the United States was moving closer to actually escalating the war with the employment of atomic bombs. While military studies and unsatisfactory exercises during the first two years of the conflict had relegated such weapons to a role just as a last resort to prevent a catastrophe, frustration with stalemated peace talks and the aggressiveness of General Mark Clark combined to produce a set of contingencies envisioning an expanded war involving nuclear air strikes.
The blind leading: Power reduces awareness of constraints

Abstract Previous research has found that power increases awareness of goal-relevant over goal-irrelevant information. However, this work has failed to distinguish between goal-facilitating and goal-inhibiting information, both of which are goal relevant. The current research investigated whether power increases the cognitive resources devoted to goal-facilitating information or reduces the cognitive resources devoted to goal-constraining information. Two experiments found that, compared to low-power individuals, high-power individuals recalled less goal-constraining information and generated fewer potential constraints that would prevent the protagonist of a story from completing his goal. However, there was no difference between the powerful and powerless in their recall or generation of goal-facilitating information. These results suggest that the powerful are more likely to act on their goals because the constraints that normally inhibit action are less psychologically present for them.
37. Long-Term Expression of Mini-Human Dystrophin in Transgenic mdx Mice Improves Dystrophic Muscle Functions

BACKGROUND: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal genetic muscle disorder caused by recessive mutations in the dystrophin gene and affects one in every 3500 males. The clinical and pathological characteristics of DMD patients show progressive myopathy of skeletal and cardiac muscles and premature death of patients. The huma |[ldquo]|mini- or micro -dystrophines|[rdquo]| with different truncated central rod domains have been proven to ameliorate dystrophic pathology. In this study, our purpose is to investigate the long-term expression of human mini-dystrophin and therapeutic benefits in transgenic mdx mice.
Housing quality, psychological distress, and the mediating role of social withdrawal : A longitudinal study of low-income women

Abstract This longitudinal study examined the relation between housing quality and psychological distress among a group of low-income women relocating from inadequate to newly constructed homes. Social withdrawal was examined as a potential underlying process to account for the predicted association between housing and psychological distress. Significant improvements occurred from pre-move to post-move in all variables measured including housing quality, psychological distress, and social withdrawal. Longitudinal results indicated that changes in housing quality predict post-move psychological distress, after controlling for pre-move psychological distress. Social withdrawal was found to mediate the relation between housing quality and mental health. Additional analyses suggest that improvement in psychological distress from improved housing was largely due to one subcomponent of housing quality—crowding. The implications of this finding for theory and policy are discussed.
Counter-examples to the Baker-Gammel-Wills conjecture and patchwork convergence

I review some of the by now classic conjectures concerning the pointwise convergence of the diagonal Pade approximants and the very recent counter-examples to all of them. As the counter-examples all correspond to bounded associated continued fractions (Wall's family of complex, bounded J-matrices), I review and extend some of the known convergence results. I propose a new conjecture which I call the patchwork conjecture, which restores uniform convergence by means of the use of a finite number of infinite sequences of diagonal Pade approximants instead of just one as in the classic conjectures.
Evolution of faculty affairs and faculty development offices in U.S. medical schools: A 10-year follow-up survey

PurposeTo determine how U.S. MD-granting medical schools manage, fund, and evaluate faculty affairs/development functions and to determine the evolution of these offices between 2000 and 2010.MethodIn December 2010, the authors invited faculty affairs designees at 131 U.S. MD-granting medical school
Remarks on lattice gauge theories with infrared-attractive fixed points

Theories of interacting gauge fields and fermions can possess a running gauge coupling with an infrared-attractive fixed point (IRFP). We present a minimal description of the physics of these systems and comment on some simple expectations for results from lattice simulations done within the basin of attraction of the IRFP in these theories.
Important variables in granulocyte chemiluminescence.

SummaryA CL system consisting of canine granulocytes stimulated with opsonized zymosan was used to examine factors which lead to variability in light production. Variability of CL response was associated with granulocyte aggregation. Granulocyte aggregation was reduced by: (i) reducing centrifu-gation and mixing forces used to prepare cell suspensions, (ii) preparing cell suspensions at 4° in Ca2+- and Mg2+-free cell media containing divalant cation chelating agents, and (iii) lysing red blood cells by the ammonium chloride technique.The type of cell media used during the CL run was another important variable. Solutions containing complex mixtures of amino acids and vitamins gave markedly reduced levels of CL. Tryptophan, ascorbic acid, iron salts, and all proteins tested caused significant suppression of CL. Glucose, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in the final reaction mixture were necessary for maximal CL response. The optimal cell media for CL, therefore, was buffered salt solution containing glucose, Ca2+, and Mg2+, ...
Analytical Boundaries of Controller Gains for Delay-independent Stability of LTI Systems with Single Output Delay

Abstract We present a controller-design strategy for linear time invariant (LTI) systems with a single output delay. This strategy is based on the discriminant calculations of polynomials associated with the stability transitions of the LTI system at hand. It reveals the closed-form solutions only in terms of controller gains, for which the system at hand remains delay-independent stable, and it allows preserving the controller structure while complying with the necessary and sufficient conditions of delay-independent stability (DIS).
Monoliths of Aligned Silica-Polypeptide Hexagonal Platelets

Water soluble α-helical polypeptides were used to prepare silica coated hexagonal single crystal platelets in concentrated solutions. To our knowledge, there is no other instance where polymer single crystals, typically formed under high dilution, can be grown in a bulk material. This unprecedented self-assembly process relies on complex cooperative interactions where silica condensation mediates the growth of polypeptide crystals, which in turn template silica overgrowth. The helices were also used to align samples giving monoliths composed of highly oriented layers of platelets. Overall, this procedure allows preparation of composites with good structural order and complexity via a simple biomimetic process.
Laser induced fluorescence studies of ion acceleration in single and multiple species expanding plasmas

Ion acceleration in single (Ar) and two positive ion species plasmas (Ar-Xe and He-Ar) has been investigated through laser induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements of the ion velocity distribution function (ivdf). The investigations focused on the expansion region of a helicon plasma source where, for certain operating conditions (pressure in the source less than 2 mTorr, rf driving frequency of 9.5 MHz, source axial magnetic field strength of 700 G, and expansion chamber magnetic field strength between 0 and 70 G), an electric double layer (EDL) was observed to form. In pure argon plasma, 4 cm upstream from the helicon source-expansion chamber junction, the Ar+ ivdf is bimodal - comprised of a slow, nearly stationary ion population (∼2.3 km/s) and a fast, supersonic ion population (∼6 km/s ≅ 1.8c Ar+ ) created by the acceleration through the EDL. As the divergence of the field is increased, 19 cm deeper in the expansion region the fast ion group peak velocity determined by oblique incidence LIF is shifted toward higher speeds (∼10.5 km/s ≅ 2.9c Ar+ ), indicative of a second ion acceleration mechanism presence. In He-Ar plasma the Ar+ ivdf is also bimodal. As the helium fraction increases from 0 to 30%, the axial flow speed of the fast ion group increases from 5.3 to 7.8 km/s. Both the fast and slow argon ion group population densities (proportional to LIF amplitude), decrease as the helium fraction increases. The slow population almost completely disappears at a helium fraction of ∼ 30%. Similar effects were observed for Ar-Xe plasmas in which the lighter ion was argon. Although no Xe+ beam was observed, addition of argon led to an increase in the speed of the background ion population from 1.3 km/s in pure xenon to 2.2 km/s for an 87.5% Ar/(Ar+Xe) ratio. In pulsed argon plasma, time resolved LIF measurements showed a time lag in the appearance of the fast ion population. The time lag was found to be a function of the pulse repetition frequency and duty cycle. Two-dimensional LIF provided additional insights into the origins of the accelerated ion population: the nearly isotropic slow population is a locally created background population whereas the distorted velocity distribution of the fast population is consistent with an origin upstream of the measurement location.
HYPOTHESIS : PROGESTERONE PRIMES BREAST CANCER CELLS FOR CROSS-TALK WITH PROLIFERATIVE OR ANTIPROLIFERATIVE SIGNALS

In the breast, data from numerous laboratories suggest that cross-talk exists between PR and growth factor and cytokine signaling pathways at multiple levels (Fig. 4). At the cell surface (level 1), progestins up-regulate growth factor and cytokine receptors. We have expanded this observation by examining the effects of progestins in the cytoplasm (level 2) where progestins regulate several intracellular effectors by increasing the levels and altering the subcellular compartmentalization of Stat5, increasing the association of Stat5 with phosphotyrosine-containing proteins and tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2, Cbl, and Shc, and potentiating EGF-stimulated p42/p44 MAPKs, p38 MAP kinase, and JNK activities. Together, these events lead to sensitization of downstream signaling pathways to the actions of locally acting secondary factors. Finally, inside the nucleus (level 3), agonist-occupied PR synergize with nuclear transcription factors that are growth-factor regulated, to control the activity of key genes involved in breast cell fate (Figs. 1 and 4). We speculate that after progesterone treatment, orchestrated combinations of steroid hormones and growth factors or cytokines can fine tune the timing and degree of expression of a subset of genes that determine whether progestin-primed cells undergo proliferation, differentiation, or programmed cell death. The paradoxical effects of progesterone have presented a longstanding conundrum to the scientist and clinician. Why are physiological levels of progesterone proliferative in the breast but antiproliferative and protective in the uterus? If progesterone is proliferative in the breast, why is high-dose progestin therapy successful in treating breast cancer? Our intent here has been to open a dialogue addressing these questions. Our data and that of others are beginning to show that one cannot approach the question of progestin actions in isolation. Other important regulatory proteins, whose expression may vary in tissue-specific ways, work in concert with progesterone to decide cell fate. The timing and dose of progesterone may also influence the biological response. Since progestins are widely used in oral contraception, in hormone replacement therapy, and in cancer treatments, it is becoming critically important that the subtleties of their mechanisms of action be clearly understood.
Parenting: Have We Arrived? Or Do We Continue the Journey?

This article challenges the premise that either the content or process of parenting education is fully developed. The authors argue that important developments in educating children and in educating parents challenge any sense of arrival. It is possible that the new answers discovered in recent years only challenge us to ask better questions about how to improve parent effectiveness.
Scaled silicon MOSFETs: degradation of the total gate capacitance

We use a fully quantum-mechanical model to study the influence of image and exchange-correlation effects on the inversion layer and total gate capacitance in scaled Si MOSFETs. We show that, when the device is in weak and moderate inversion, the inclusion of image and many-body exchange-correlation effects increases both the inversion layer and total gate capacitances and shifts the N/sub s/=N/sub s/(VG) characteristics of the device toward lower gate voltages.
Male Factor Assessment in Infertility

Male infertility assessment is more than a semen analysis. By interpreting a semen analysis, clinicians recognize its uses and limitations. Once understood, clinicians can then apply modern techniques of endocrine and radiologic evaluation to diagnosis of male reproductive dysfunction. It is important to identify patients with infertility not only to allow reproductive potential but also to identify a population susceptible to future disease states.
Galphas-coupled receptor signaling actively down-regulates α4β1-integrin affinity: A possible mechanism for cell de-adhesion

Activation of integrins in response to inside-out signaling serves as a basis for leukocyte arrest on endothelium, and migration of immune cells. Integrin-dependent adhesion is controlled by the conformational state of the molecule (i.e. change in the affinity for the ligand and molecular unbending (extension)), which is regulated by seven-transmembrane Guanine nucleotide binding Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). α4β1-integrin (CD49d/CD29, Very Late Antigen-4, VLA-4) is expressed on leukocytes, hematopoietic stem cells, hematopoietic cancer cells, and others. Affinity and extension of VLA-4 are both rapidly up-regulated by inside-out signaling through several Gαi-coupled GPCRs. The goal of the current report was to study the effect of Gαs-coupled GPCRs upon integrin activation. Using real-time fluorescent ligand binding to assess affinity and a FRET based assay to probe α4β1-integrin unbending, we show that two Gαs-coupled GPCRs (H2-histamine receptor and β2-adrenergic receptor) as well as several cAMP agonists can rapidly down modulate the affinity of VLA-4 activated through two Gαi-coupled receptors (CXCR4 and FPR) in U937 cells and primary human peripheral blood monocytes. This down-modulation can be blocked by receptor-specific antagonists. The Gαs-induced responses were not associated with changes in the expression level of the Gαi-coupled receptors. In contrast, the molecular unbending of VLA-4 was not significantly affected by Gαs-coupled GPCR signaling. In a VLA-4/VCAM-1-specific myeloid cell adhesion system, inhibition of the VLA-4 affinity change by Gαs-coupled GPCR had a statistically significant effect upon cell aggregation. We conclude that Gαs-coupled GPCRs can rapidly down modulate the affinity state of VLA-4 binding pocket through a cAMP dependent pathway. This plays an essential role in the regulation of cell adhesion. We discuss several possible implications of this described phenomenon.
Organically pillared microporous zirconium phosphonates

There is great technological interest in the design of multifunctional microporous materials, particularly those with pores in the 10–20 A range. The many attempts to achieve this goal through cross-linking zirconium phosphate-like layers by use of several types of diphosphonic acids will be described. A variety of functionalized pillared materials are also described with potential as sorbents and catalysts. The advances in synthetic methods now achieved promises to produce a wide variety of porous materials with controlled pore sizes and varying degrees of hydrophilic–hydrophobic character whose chemical behavior will be mediated by the incorporation of diverse functional groups as part of the pillars.
Prenatal growth of the human vomeronasal organ.

Background:Vomeronasal organs (VNOs) are paired epithe- lial structures located adjacent to the nasal septum that form in the late first trimester of human fetal development.Although VNOs have long been known to exist in fetal and adult humans, some studies continue to suggest that these structures may be degenerative or functionless. Little is known of the growth of the VNO. Methods: The present study examined length and volume changes of the human VNO in 26 ''normal'' (10 female, 16 male) histologically prepared fetuses from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Michigan across three trimesters (8-30 weeks postmenstrual age). A computer reconstruction technique was used to quantify lengths and volumes of right and left VNOs, and regression equations were generated to assess growth rates. Results: A linear increase in VNO length and a logarithmic increase in VNO volume with increasing postmenstrual age was found. Volume in- crease was noted for both the vomeronasal epithelium and the lumen of the VNO. A comparison with most estimates of adult human VNO length suggested that further prenatal or postnatal size increase occurs. The growth curves also suggested a more rapid growth in VNO length and volume for females than for males. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that the fetal human VNO commences volumetric increase in the early second trimester but does not achieve maximum size during fetal development. Further investigation is needed to determine whether the human VNO is sexually dimorphic in size. Anat. Rec., 248:447-455, 1997. r 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Teaching a topic in cybernetics with APL: An introduction to neural net modelling

This paper describes a curriculum unit in which APL is used to introduce models of neural networks. It begins with a simple model for transmitting impulses among a vector of logical neurons; then a more sophisticated model is developed with thresholds, decay, and inhibition in a matrix of neurons; then a general model is offered for higher order arrays of neurons, with dynamic input and automated impulse propagation; and, finally, the APL functions are embodied in an easy-to-use simulation package.Possible extensions of these models are proposed as student programming projects; some other related topics are identified as potentially suitable for teaching with APL; and implications for computer science education are mentioned.
Species-specific nuclear and chloroplast single nucleotide polymorphisms to distinguish Picea glauca, P. mariana and P. rubens

Picea rubens (red spruce) and P. mariana (black spruce) are closely related species which are difficult to differentiate morphologically. They are sympatric with P. glauca (white spruce) in the northern portion of their ranges. In order to identify potential interspecific polymorphisms, the chloroplast trnK intron and rpl33-psaJ-trnP region were sequenced, and the nuclear-encoded ITS region of the rDNA repeat was partially sequenced. Thirteen chloroplast and 12 nuclear candidate interspecific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. The species-specificity of several SNPs was determined by surveying DNAs amplified from trees representing range-wide provenance tests; these included 46 red spruce from 11 provenances, 84 black spruce from 30 provenances and 90 white spruce from 22 provenances. Two SNPs (1 chloroplast and 1 nuclear), which distinguish black spruce from red and white spruce, were consistent among 96–100% of the trees surveyed. Five SNPs (4 chloroplast and 1 nuclear), which distinguish white spruce from red and black spruce, were consistent among 100% of surveyed trees. These species-specific SNPs were used to identify anonymous spruce samples in a blind test, and their utility for small amounts of tissue, as little as single needles, was demonstrated. Scoring these SNPs is much less labor intensive than previous molecular methods for taxa differentiation (restriction fragment length polymorphisms or random amplified polymorphic DNAs), therefore they can be applied to large population studies.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): gene integration, expression and inheritance

A reproducible method of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was developed for Cicer arietinum (chickpea). Initial explants consisted of longitudinal slices from embryonic axes of imbibed, mature seed. The plasmid contained a bi-functional fusion gene conferring both β-glucuronidase and neomycin phosphotransferase activities, under the control of a 35S35SAMV promoter. Using a series of tissue culture media for co-cultivation, shoot initiation and rooting, we recovered transgenic plants from approximately 1.3% of the sliced embryo axes. The addition of a shoot elongation medium to the protocol improved the success rate to 3.1% but increased the time in tissue culture. Inheritance of the gus gene was followed through four generations, both through expression and Southern hybridization assays, and showed the expected Mendelian inheritance pattern.
Optimal dynamic redistribution of divisible load in distributed real-time systems

The problem of optimizing the balancing of processing load originating at the various sites of an interconnected set of heterogeneous processors of a real-time system is examined. The distributed load is assumed to be homogeneous and arbitrarily divisible with no particular affinity to individual processors. The heterogeneous processors may or may not have front-end subprocessors, and are characterized by their load processing speeds and I/O speeds pertaining to the transmission of excess load or reception of additional load. The objective of load redistribution, which is carried out during runtime, is to minimize the job execution completion time consisting of the sum of processing lime and I/O time. Depending on the value of total load, the optimal load redistribution is found to be either unique or to admit a multiplicity of solutions. In the first case, all processors complete processing in the same amount of time, which is equal to the minimum job completion time. In the second case, the infinite set of optimal redistributions is represented by load allocations for the individual processors that can range over specified intervals, and the completion limes for the different processors are generally not equal. >
High-Confidence Discovery of Genetic Network Regulators in Expression Quantitative Trait Loci Data

Expression QTL (eQTL) studies involve the collection of microarray gene expression data and genetic marker data from segregating individuals in a population to search for genetic determinants of differential gene expression. Previous studies have found large numbers of trans-regulated genes (regulated by unlinked genetic loci) that link to a single locus or eQTL "hotspot," and it would be desirable to find the mechanism of coregulation for these gene groups. However, many difficulties exist with current network reconstruction algorithms such as low power and high computational cost. A common observation for biological networks is that they have a scale-free or power-law architecture. In such an architecture, highly influential nodes exist that have many connections to other nodes. If we assume that this type of architecture applies to genetic networks, then we can simplify the problem of genetic network reconstruction by focusing on discovery of the key regulatory genes at the top of the network. We introduce the concept of "shielding" in which a specific gene expression variable (the shielder) renders a set of other gene expression variables (the shielded genes) independent of the eQTL. We iteratively build networks from the eQTL to the shielder down using tests of conditional independence. We have proposed a novel test for controlling the shielder false-positive rate at a predetermined level by requiring a threshold number of shielded genes per shielder. Using simulation, we have demonstrated that we can control the shielder false-positive rate as well as obtain high shielder and edge specificity. In addition, we have shown our method to be robust to violation of the latent variable assumption, an important feature in the practical application of our method. We have applied our method to a yeast expression QTL data set in which microarray and marker data were collected from the progeny of a backcross of two species of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Brem et al. 2002). Seven genetic networks have been discovered, and bioinformatic analysis of the discovered regulators and corresponding regulated genes has generated plausible hypotheses for mechanisms of regulation that can be tested in future experiments.
Twenty-year-old female with leiomyosarcoma of the breast

Primary leiomyosarcoma is a disease with <50 documented cases in the literature worldwide. The standard of care for these tumors has not been established. Physicians who have seen these cases in the past have used wide local excision with or without adjunctive chemo-radiation therapy. We review the literature concerning the mainstay of treatment as well as present a new case of an adolescent with primary leiomyosarcoma.
Participation in research and social context: the case of population-based cancer registration, surveillance, and research.

Dr. de Melo-Martin (2008) productively links the question of an individual's obligation to participate in biomedical research with an accounting of social context. De Melo-Martin recognizes that fr...
Immunological differences in allergic and intrinsic asthma

Intrinsic asthmatics have a different pattern of T cell activation which can be observed in periphal blood but more pronouced in BAL. In contrast to allergic asthmatics CD23+ B cells are not elevated in the periphal circulation of intrinsic asthmatics.
Fabrication of pressurized 2 mm beryllium targets for ICF experiments

AbstractWe have successfully fabricated 2 mm beryllium targets pressurized with a gas mixture of ~20 atm deuterium and ~0.1 atm argon. These targets have been used for indirect drive Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) experiments on the Z-pinch machine at Sandia National Laboratories leading to record neutron yields of ~3.5 × 1011 [J.E. Bailey, et al., “Be Capsule Implosions Driven by Dynamic Hohlraum X-rays,” Bull. Am. Phys. Soc. 51, 107 (2006)]. This paper will discuss the process of fabricating such targets from intact shells (Be sputter coated CH mandrels). These processes include laser drilling a ~6 μm diameter fill hole in a shell, removing the CH mandrel by pyrolysis, pressurizing the target with a deuterium/argon gas mixture and sealing the fill hole using UV glue while under pressure. The targets were characterized for gas pressure and deuterium gas permeation half-life by utilizing techniques including mass spectrometry, x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and controlled shell bursting.
The effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha on mitochondrial election dense inclusions and secretory granules of the bovine large luteal cell during late pregnancy.

The bovine corpus luteum has been shown to contain two populations of electron dense granules which are morphologically distinct (Fields et al., 1985). One population consists of small (100–300 nm diameter) membrane bounded granules that are readily observed to undergo exocytosis (Singh, 1975; Heath et al., 1983; Fields et al., 1985). The product of these small luteal granules has not been identified in the pregnant cow. However, in the nonpregnant cow luteal secretory granules have been shown to contain oxytocin associated neurophysin (Fields and Fields, 1986).
The Influence of Learning on Host Plant Preference in a Significant Phytopathogen Vector, Diaphorina citri

Although specialist herbivorous insects are guided by innate responses to host plant cues, host plant preference may be influenced by experience and is not dictated by instinct alone. The effect of learning on host plant preference was examined in the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri; vector of the causal agent of citrus greening disease or huanglongbing. We investigated: a) whether development on specific host plant species influenced host plant preference in mature D. citri; and b) the extent of associative learning in D. citri in the form of simple and compound conditioning. Learning was measured by cue selection in a 2-choice behavioral assay and compared to naive controls. Our results showed that learned responses in D. citri are complex and diverse. The developmental host plant species influenced adult host plant preference, with female psyllids preferring the species on which they were reared. However, such preferences were subject to change with the introduction of an alternative host plant within 24–48 hrs, indicating a large degree of experience-dependent response plasticity. Additionally, learning occurred for multiple sensory modalities where novel olfactory and visual environmental cues were associated with the host plant. However, males and females displayed differing discriminatory abilities. In compound conditioning tasks, males exhibited recognition of a compound stimulus alone while females were capable of learning the individual components. These findings suggest D. citri are dynamic animals that demonstrate host plant preference based on developmental and adult experience and can learn to recognize olfactory and visual host plant stimuli in ways that may be sex specific. These experience-based associations are likely used by adults to locate and select suitable host plants for feeding and reproduction and may suggest the need for more tailored lures and traps, which reflect region-specific cultivars or predominate Rutaceae in the area being monitored.
New Genus of Blood Fluke (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea) from Malaysian Freshwater Turtles (Geoemydidae) and its Phylogenetic Position Within Schistosomatoidea

Abstract Baracktrema obamai n. gen., n. sp. infects the lung of geoemydid turtles (black marsh turtle, Siebenrockiella crassicollis [type host] and southeast Asian box turtle, Cuora amboinensis) in the Malaysian states of Perak, Perlis, and Selangor. Baracktrema and Unicaecum Stunkard, 1925 are the only accepted turtle blood fluke genera having the combination of a single cecum, single testis, oviducal seminal receptacle, and uterine pouch. Baracktrema differs from Unicaecum by having a thread-like body approximately 30−50× longer than wide and post-cecal terminal genitalia. Unicaecum has a body approximately 8−12× longer than wide and terminal genitalia that are anterior to the distal end of the cecum. The new genus further differs from all other accepted turtle blood fluke genera by having a cecum that is highly convoluted for its entire length, a spindle-shaped ovary between the cirrus sac and testis, a uterine pouch that loops around the primary vitelline collecting duct, a Laurer's canal, and a dorsa...
Developmental Biology: We Are All Walking Mutants

What is Developmental Biology? Developmental Biology is a discipline that evolved from the collective fields of embryology, morphology, and anatomy, which firmly established that structure underpins function. In its simplest terms, Developmental Biology has come to describe how a single cell becomes a completely formed organism. However, this definition of Developmental Biology is too narrow. Developmental Biology describes the properties of individual cells; their organization into tissues, organs, and organisms; their homeostasis, regeneration, aging, and ultimately death. Developmental Biology provides a context for cellular reprogramming, stem cell biology, regeneration, tissue engineering, evolutionary development and ecology, and involves the reiterated use of the same cellular mechanisms and signaling pathways throughout the lifespan of an organism. Using neural crest cells as an example, this review explores the contribution of Developmental Biology to our understanding of development, evolution, and disease.
Macroeconomic Effects of Capital Account Regulations

We analyze the effects of capital account regulations (CARs) across a large sample of emerging economies on a range of macroeconomic outcomes. We use composite indices of these regulations to capture their intensity in coverage and employ an instrumental variables strategy to overcome the endogeneity of regulations to outcomes. We estimate the effects of CARs on real exchange rate appreciation, foreign exchange pressure, crisis resilience, and post-crisis overheating using annual data from 1995 to 2011 for 51 emerging economies. We find that all CARs, except the financial sector-specific restrictions, reduce foreign exchange pressure and real exchange rate appreciation, contributing to greater macroeconomic stability. Our results further indicate that increasing the restrictiveness of CARs in the run-up to the crisis moderates the growth decline, thus enhancing crisis resilience, and that countries that used CARs experienced less overheating from capital inflow surges during post-crisis recovery. The latter two results imply that CARs are useful countercyclical policy instruments. Our estimates provide evidence in favor of models in which imperfect capital mobility can generate sustained effects on real exchange rates.
The Uses of Cloud Models in Weather Modification

This paper updates a report to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1981 made by a "panel of experts" in cloud modeling, chaired by the author. The primary uses of cloud models are reviewed and two tables constructed, one which details the types and uses of cloud models in weather modification and references to the models, and a second table describing the computational tasks involved in running the models. Some outstanding problems are mentioned and reasons given for hope regarding the numerical simulations of cloud seeding effects.
Surgical and Endovascular Management of Ruptured Posterior Circulation Aneurysms

This chapter will review the endovascular and surgical treatment of ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms. About 5–15% of all intracranial aneurysms are located in the posterior circulation, and the most common aneurysm types will be illustrated. Posterior circulation aneurysms, especially basilar tip aneurysms, demonstrate a high risk of rupture. The higher risk natural history is also associated with higher treatment risk. Surgical exposure of posterior circulation aneurysms is more challenging than that of anterior circulation aneurysms. Standard surgical and endovascular approaches will be described. The treatment of ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms requires a multidisciplinary effort with microsurgical and endovascular specialists for treatment selection, performance of procedures, and management of complications.