cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Downregulation of Metabolic Gene Expression in Failing Human Heart before and after Mechanical Unloading

Background: We have previously shown that several metabolic genes are downregulated in the failing human heart. We now tested the hypothesis that mechanical unloading might reverse
The Ndc80 Kinetochore Complex Forms Load-Bearing Attachments to Dynamic Microtubule Tips via Biased Diffusion

Kinetochores couple chromosomes to the assembling and disassembling tips of microtubules, a dynamic behavior that is fundamental to mitosis in all eukaryotes but poorly understood. Genetic, biochemical, and structural studies implicate the Ndc80 complex as a direct point of contact between kinetochores and microtubules, but these approaches provide only a static view. Here, using techniques for manipulating and tracking individual molecules in vitro, we demonstrate that the Ndc80 complex is capable of forming the dynamic, load-bearing attachments to assembling and disassembling tips required for coupling in vivo. We also establish that Ndc80-based coupling likely occurs through a biased diffusion mechanism and that this activity is conserved from yeast to humans. Our findings demonstrate how an ensemble of Ndc80 complexes may provide the combination of plasticity and strength that allows kinetochores to maintain load-bearing tip attachments during both microtubule assembly and disassembly.
A Note on the Role of Basic Theory in Thinking About Crime Prevention

Junger-Tas (Journal of Quantitative Criminology 8(1):9–28, 1992) studied the empirical validity of control theory and argued for a connection between basic theory and delinquency prevention policies (European Journal of Criminal Policy and Research 5(2):101–114, 1997). High quality experiments, including those with random assignment to different treatments and designs that include multiple indicators of outcome have produced a strong body of knowledge that may, and should, be used to assess the validity of basic theories of causation. One essential test of basic theories can thus be how well they can make sense of widely acknowledged facts produced by high quality policy research. To be sure, theories vary in scope, domain of application and level of abstraction, and policy implications can be difficult to infer, so care should be exercised in such an analysis. These notions are applied to control theories of delinquency which arguably provide clear expectations about the likely effectiveness of some public policies about crime. Recent research appears consistent with control theory expectations and with Junger-Tas’ long-standing view for a role for basic science for juvenile policy.
Monitoring Cocrystal Formation via In Situ Solid-State NMR.

A detailed understanding of the mechanism of organic cocrystal formation remains elusive. Techniques that interrogate a reacting system in situ are preferred, though experimentally challenging. We report here the results of a solid-state in situ NMR study of the spontaneous formation of a cocrystal between a pharmaceutical mimic (caffeine) and a coformer (malonic acid). Using 13C magic angle spinning NMR, we show that the formation of the cocrystal may be tracked in real time. We find no direct evidence for a short-lived, chemical shift-resolved amorphous solid intermediate. However, changes in the line width and line center of the malonic acid methylene resonance, in the course of the reaction, provide subtle clues to the mode of mass transfer that underlies cocrystal formation.
Mass Media and the Death Penalty: Social Construction of Three Nebraska Executions

This research analyzes local TV news coverage of three Nebraska executions in the 1990s, the first in the state since 1959. The three Nebraska executions allow us to see mass media coverage of the death penalty from four perspectives: 1) media organization routines, journalistic beliefs, and how source selection affected the content; 2) justice was portrayed through a consonant set of social symbols; 3) the public support for the death penalty in this country may have led journalists to avoid tough questioning of public officials; 4) the resulting coverage was a social construction of reality that might influence future public opinion. TV news reports emphasized the carnival‐like atmosphere at the state penitentiary during two of the three executions.
Some inverse problems for elliptic equations

We examine the question of identifying certain coefficients in elliptic equations from overposed boundary data . These coefficients have a known value in a subset of the domain, and another known value on its complement; the problem is to identify this set
Microfiberoptic Measurement of Extracellular Space Volume in Brain and Tumor Slices Based on Fluorescent Dye Partitioning

The fractional volume occupied by extracellular space in tissues, termed α, is an important parameter of tissue architecture that affects cellular functions and drug delivery. We report a technically simple fluorescent dye partitioning method to measure α in tissue slices based on microfiberoptic detection of dye fluorescence in tissue versus overlying solution. Microfiberoptic tip geometry and dyes were selected for α determination from fluorescence intensity ratios, without the need to correct for illumination profile, light scattering/absorption, or dye binding. The method was validated experimentally using cell-embedded gels of specified α-values and optical properties. In mouse brain slices, α was strongly location-dependent, ranging from 0.16 in thalamus to 0.22 in brainstem, and was sensitive to cell volume changes. Aquaporin-4 water channel gene deletion caused significant extracellular space expansion, with α = 0.181 ± 0.002 in cortex in wild-type mice and 0.211 ± 0.003 in Aquaporin-4 knockout mice. In slices of LLC1 cell tumors grown in mice to ∼5 mm diameter, α decreased remarkably from ∼0.45 in superficial tumor to 100 μm) tumor. Fluorescent dye partitioning with microfiberoptic detection permits rapid, accurate, and anisotropy-insensitive determination of α-values in tissue slices.
Infectious disease transmission and infection-dependent matching

This paper uses commonly available prevalence estimates to bound future incidence. The bounds rely on restricting the fraction of contacts between individuals of different infection statuses. It is argued that these bounds can be further tightened by restrictions of economic models of infectious disease that imply that uninfected individuals have larger incentives to avoid matching with infected individuals than do the infected individuals themselves. This implies that incidence predictions from canonical models of infectious disease are worst-case upper bounds, with the degree to which they overestimate new cases being monotonically related to this type of infection-dependent matching. Evidence in support of the economic type of infection-dependent matching is presented, by using data on the joint distribution of partners' HIV statuses in a random sample of couples from San Francisco in 1988-1989.
Integrating Environmental Management and Supply Chain Strategies

The decisions related to managing the supply chain and supply chain strategy are already considered important in many organizations. As more executives adopt environmental practices, supply chain strategies will only increase in importance. In this paper, we review how companies develop environmental supply chain strategies. Our interviews with companies from The United States, The United Kingdom, Japan and Korea, along with prior research, are used to develop a framework for environmental supply chain strategy decision-making. We then use this framework to suggest guidelines for how companies might change their current supply chain practices to successfully integrate environmental issues into their supply chain strategy. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Translating Western Modernity: The First Chinese Hospital in America

Since hospitals are often at the center of health care services, their foundation and evolution provides valuable insights into local political, economic, and cultural contexts. Based on Western and Chinese sources, this essay employs a transnational approach to explain the establishment of the Tung Wah or Oriental Dispensary in San Francisco. This article describes the institution's aims, financing, and combined operation of Western and Chinese medical staffs in an environment of racial discrimination and political power struggles, as well as deep social and cultural divisions during the early twentieth-century plague epidemic.
Spirochaeta litoralis sp. n., a strictly anaerobic marine spirochete

A strictly anaerobic spirochete was isolated from a sample of marine mud. The organism possessed two axial fibrils entwined with the regularly coiled protoplasmic cylinder. An outer envelope or sheath enclosed both protoplasmic cylinder and axial fibrils. The spirochete grew in chemically defined media containing glucose, amino acids or NH4Cl, sulfide, NaCl, vitamins, coenzyme A, and in-organic salts. A reducing agent, such as sodium sulfide or l-cysteine, as well as exogenous supplements of biotin, niacin and coenzyme A were required for growth. Pantothenate replaced coenzyme A as an exogenous growth factor, but the resulting cell yields were low. The spirochete grew in media prepared with sea water, but not in fresh water media containing less than 0.05 M NaCl (optimum concentration 0.35 M). Both Na+ and Cl- were required. Carbohydrates served as fermentable substrates. Amino acids, sugar alcohols, tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, and other organic acids and alcohols were not fermented. Glucose was fermented to ethyl alcohol, acetate, CO2, H2, and small amounts of lactate, formate and pyruvate. The guanine + cytosine content of the DNA of the spirochete was 50.5 moles-% (buoyant density). It is proposed that the marine isolate be considered a new species and that it be named Spirochaeta litoralis.
Two-photon resonance fluorescence

We present a theory of two-photon resonance fluorescence of an atom or molecule in which the excitation by an external electromagnetic field as well as fluorescence emission is mediated by two-photon processes. The treatment is based on first dressing the atom or molecule by the external field and then evaluating perturbatively the effect of the interaction with the vacuum or fluorescent field and so resonance fluorescence can be considered as spontaneous emission from the dressed atom. The introduction of the combined system of atom and external field via dressed states leads to simpler calculations and more transparent physics. The fluorescence spectrum derived by us has similarities as well as differences with that of one-photon resonance fluorescence and earlier theoretical predictions for the two-photon case.
Modernising town hall: capacity building with a political twist

Capacity building is a frequent tonic prescribed for local governments in poor performance health. Such initiatives purport to get to the heart of governance with technical approaches that are free of partisanship and political controversy. Data from municipal governments newly affected by decentralisation and democratisation indicate that, contrary to expectations, the destiny of capacity building initiatives is dependent upon politics. In the first instance, capacity building initiatives are dependent on the orientation of elected and appointed leaders who choose to invest in or ignore them. Second, capacity building initiatives are significantly affected by electoral cycles that create moments when significant new capacity initiatives can be introduced and abandoned. Third, capacity building initiatives are dependent on the formal and informal institutions that determine how much scope public officials have for introducing change. Thus, while part of the popularity of capacity building programs and projects is their apparent distance from politics, those who wish to see the performance of government improved need to be sensitive to how it is affected—in positive and negative ways—by political preferences, calendars, and institutions. Data on 57 capacity building initiatives carried out in 30 medium sized municipalities in Mexico suggest the ways in which such factors shape the destinies of capacity building initiatives. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors predicting malt extract within a single barley cultivar

Abstract The amount of extract a malting barley cultivar can produce in the brewhouse will always be of crucial economic importance, and malts with high extract are desired. While the extract level of a particular cultivar is influenced, by genetics, environment and malting practice, it is anticipated that if quality grain is selected and optimally malted, extract levels will not vary much within samples of the same cultivar. Nevertheless, differences are observed in commercial practice, and the objective of this study is to determine which factors are most important in determining extract within a narrow population by use of statistical analysis. Four barley samples of the six-rowed malting cultivar, Tradition, were selected for the current study. All were of acceptable quality for malting. A randomized complete block design using barley sample, kernel size, germination days, and malting type as independent variables was carried out to give a wide variation in extract. Using analysis of variance and stepwise regression, results showed that soluble protein contributed the major variation (79%) in extract under different modification levels. However, under the same modification level, barley protein, 1000-kernel weight, and diastatic power explained the most (74.3%) variation in extract. The predicted extract equation takes the form: Extract = 89.3 − 1.64 Pr + 0.16 KW + 0.019 DP .
Leader cognition in vision formation: Simplicity and negativity

Abstract Models describing how leaders think point to a complex set of cognitive processes. To execute these processes it may be necessary for leaders to simplify the problem at hand with respect to critical contingencies. In the present effort, undergraduates were asked to work on a vision formation task with the resulting vision statements being appraised for quality, originality, elegance, perceived utility, and affective reaction. Manipulations were made to encourage application of more or less complex mental models, a larger, or smaller, number of relevant concepts and cases, and forecasting of positive or negative outcomes. It was found that the strongest visions were produced when people used relatively simple mental models, few schema and cases, and they focused on forecasting negative outcomes. Thus leader performance appears to reflect simplification and an attempt to minimize negative outcomes. The implications of these observations for understanding leader cognition and leader performance are discussed.
Racial differences in predictive value of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio

OBJECTIVE: Blacks are known to have lower rates of respiratory distress syndrome when rates are adjusted for gestational age and to be more responsive to antenatal glucocorticoid administration compared with non blacks. These observations have been attributed to acceleration of the timing of lung maturation. An alternative hypothesis is that there are qualitative differences in the surfactants between races. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the medical records of a cohort of 702 non black and 135 black infants delivered within 72 hours of lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio testing from the presurfactant era and compared respiratory outcome stratified by lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio. RESULTS: Black newborns had less than one third the rate of respiratory distress syndrome (2.2% vs 8.0%, p 1.2. The protective effect was evident across all strata of lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios (odds ratio 0.25, p = 0.04). Parallel, highly significant reductions in non-respiratory distress syndrome pulmonary morbidity were also noted across all strata of lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios (odds ratio 0.35, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These differences in the predictive value of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio suggest that protection from respiratory distress syndrome must depend on factors independent of the ratio and that these factors differ between races. They also suggest that clinical interpretation of test results may be different between races.
Molecular genetic analysis of brassinosteroid action

Recent applications of molecular techniques to the study of brassinosteroid action have enhanced our understanding of these unique plant growth regulators. The cloning of genes regulated by brassinosteroids has revealed novel information on the control of gene expression by plant steroids and has extended our knowledge of brassinosteroid-promoted cell expansion. The analysis of brassinosteroid-deficient and brassinosteroid-insensitive mutants has implicated these growth regulators in a number of essential developmental programs including organ elongation, leaf development, photomorphogenesis, fertility, apical dominance and vascular differentiation.
Increasing acceptance and efficacy of zinc phosphide rodenticide baits via modification of the carbohydrate profile

Abstract Toxicant coated grain-based baits are widely used to control rodent pests throughout the world, but where alternative food sources are available, bait acceptance and efficacy are often less than optimal. In an attempt to develop baiting strategies to increase bait acceptance and efficacy of zinc phosphide-coated baits, a sugar-enhanced rolled oat based zinc phosphide bait was evaluated. With pre-baiting, 100 and 60% mortality was achieved for California and Belding's ground squirrels, respectively. A series of two-choice tests with a variety of potential bait matrices indicated that rolled oats was a desirable base matrix for both species but the lecithin sticker negatively impacted bait acceptance by Belding's ground squirrels.
Investigating Hapten Clustering as a Strategy to Enhance Vaccines against Drugs of Abuse

Vaccines for drugs of abuse have yet to achieve full clinical relevance, largely due to poor/inconsistent immune responses in patients. The use of multivalent scaffolding as a means to tailor drug–hapten density and clustering was examined in the context of drug-immune response modulation. A modular trivalent hapten containing a diglycine spacer, triAM1(Gly)2, was synthesized and shown to elicit anti-nicotine antibodies at equivalent affinity and concentration to the monovalent AM1 analog, despite in this instance having a lower effective hapten density. Augmenting this data, the corresponding monovalent hapten AM1(Gly)2 resulted in enhanced antibody affinity and concentration. Drug-hapten clustering represents a new vaccine paradigm, and, while examined only in the context of nicotine, it should be readily translatable to other drugs of abuse.
The treatment of colorectal liver metastases with conformal radiation therapy and regional chemotherapy

Purpose: Whole-liver radiation, with or without chemotherapy, has been of modest benefit in the treatment of unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. A Phase I/II study combining escalating doses of conformally planned radiation therapy (RT) with intraarterial hepatic (IAH) fluorodeoxyuridine (FdUrd) was performed. Methods and Materials: Twenty-two patients with unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer, 14 of whom had progressed after previous chemotherapy (2 with prior IAH FdUrd), were treated with concurrent IAH FdUrd (0.2 mgikg/day) and conformal bepatic radiation therapy (1.5-1.65 Gy/fraction twice a day). The total dose of radiation given to the tumor (48-72.6 Gy) depended on the fraction of normal liver excluded from the high-dose volume. All patients were assessed for response, toxicity, hepatohiliary relapse, and survival. Median potential follow-up was 42 months. Results: Eleven of 22 patients demonstrated an objective response, with the remainder showing stable disease. Actuarial freedom from hepatic progression was 25% at 1 year. The most common acute toxicity was mild to moderate nausea and transient liver function test abnormalities. There were three patients with gastrointestinal bleeding (none requiring surgical intervention) after the completion of treatment. Overall median survival was 20 months. The presence of extrahepatic disease was associated with decreased survival (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Combined conformal radiation therapy and IAH FdUrd can produce an objective response in 50% of patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. However, response was not durable, and hepatic progression was frequent. Improvements in hepatic tumor control for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer may require higher doses of conformal radiation and/or improved radiosensitization. In an effort to increase radiosensitization, we have recently initiated a clinical trial combining IAH bromodeoxyuridine, a tbymidine analog radiosensitizer, with conformal high dose radiation therapy. Colorectal cancer, Liver metastases, Conformal radiation therapy, Intraarterial chemotherapy.
Acquiring simultaneous EEG and functional MRI

Objective: Electroencephalography (EEG) is a challenge to record simultaneously with functional MRI (fMRI), for it is prone to large artifacts induced by both the static and the time-variant fields of the MR scanner. However, truly concurrent EEG/fMRI recording has great potential for clinical and scientific neurological applications. We have devised a method for acquiring EEG simultaneously with fMRI that minimizes contamination of the EEG signals. Methods: We recorded EEG differentially during fMRI using special twisted dual-lead electrodes in a bipolar montage, and a combination of analog pre-processing and digital post-processing of the EEG data. We implemented a functional scan protocol that typically yields artifact-free EEG over 87% of the MR scanning period. Results: Our approach greatly reduced gradient, radio frequency, motion and ballistocardiographic artifact in the EEG, and allowed continuous monitoring of the EEG during functional scanning. To illustrate the quality of the EEG following post-processing, we demonstrated that EEG recorded during fMRI retains useful spectral information. Conclusions: Quality EEG may be recorded simultaneously with fMRI. With this union, activation maps could be made of any relevant changes in the EEG, such as inter-ictal spikes or spectral variations, or of evoked response potentials (ERPs). q 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
TILT EFFECTS IN OPTICAL ANGLE MEASUREMENTS

Abstract The effect of tilt, the non-orthogonality between the artifact surfaces and the autocollimator axis, can be a significant contribution to the artifact angle measurement error. In fact, to reduce such an error in the angle measurements of angle blocks or polygons, these artifacts are measured in their top up and bottom up positions to cancel such an effect. This process is tedious since the same calibration is performed twice. In the case where an N-sided polygon (where N is 12 or more) is being calibrated, there would be 2*N2 number of moves to be made which is time consuming as well. Therefore, it is more efficient to calibrate the artifact only once and quantify the tilt effect. Intuitively, this may seem like a trivial problem where the effect of tilt seems to be similar to a cosine error. However, this problem is quite complicated and this presentation describes and analyzes rigorously the quantitative effect of the tilt on an angle block. The analysis shows that the error is proportional to the product of the square of the tilt angle, a sine term, and a cosine term. In fact, such an error depends not only on the tilt angle but also on the angle between the surfaces being measured. Furthermore, it is discovered that the tilt error can be eliminated by placing the angle block at designated positions with respect to the platform. Finally, this paper presents a formula which shows the quantitative effect of tilt on the accuracy of measurement. This formula can also be extended for use with artifacts of two or more surfaces including optical polygons.
Genotype × environment interactions on soft white winter wheat quality

Cultivars Daws, Lewjain, Nugaines, and Stephens were grown in 63 site years and evaluated for flour yield, cookie diameter, percent flour protein, alkaline water retention capacity (AWRC), hardness, and sedimentation. All cultivars had satisfactory overall SWW wheat quality, yet Lewjain and Stephens had be best cookie diameter and flour yield, respectively. Stephens and Lewjain were generally the least and most sensitive to environmental variation for quality parameters. Most quality traits were correlated (P<0.05) with each other within cultivars. Intragenotypic differences in grain yield and grain volume weight were correlated (P<0.05) with all quality traits except AWRC. Grain volume weight differences accounted for 26 to 40% and 36 to 67% of the variation in cookie diameter and flour yield, respectively
Crystalline organization in useful plastics

The size of the crystallites in nylon 66, polytetrafluoroethylene, and polyethylene correlates with the degree of crystallinity. This supports the suggestion that the amorphous content of partially crystallized polymers can be attributed to chain folds and other regions directly related to the crystalline structure, at least down to a level of 40–60% crystallinity. In all cases, the term “percent crystallinity” is a useful unifying concept expressing the over-all degree of order including mesomorphic structures, the relative amounts of ordered and disordered material, and the quality of the ordered regions.
General alliance experience, uncertainty, and marketing alliance governance mode choice

Drawing from transaction cost economics (TCE), the knowledge-based view (KBV), and real options theory (ROT), we propose that the general alliance experience of alliance partner firms moderates the impact of market uncertainty and alliance-specific uncertainty on the benefits and costs of the two marketing alliance governance modes, i.e., non-equity alliances and joint ventures. Based on our systematic study of 18,616 marketing alliances occurring in 48 industries across 164 countries between 1992 and 2008, we find general alliance experience significantly moderates firms’ marketing alliance governance mode choices. Our framework reconciles some contradictory empirical results in the interfirm relationship governance structure literature by emphasizing the moderating role of partner firms’ general alliance experience. Specifically, when alliances can be characterized has having a large cultural distance between the partners or having a market with a broad geographic scope, it seems that TCE predictions regarding the marketing alliance governance mode choice hold for inexperienced firms while KBV and ROT predictions hold for experienced firms. In addition, by incorporating key aspects of all three theories, our proposed framework has the potential to provide deeper insights into the role of alliance experience and uncertainty in firms’ marketing alliance governance mode choices.
Hadronic atoms in momentum space

A momentum space method for hadronic atoms is developed to incorporate relativistic, nonlocal, complex hadron-nucleus interactions. The logarithmic singularity due to the Coulomb interaction has been treated by Lande's subtraction technique. Vacuum polarization, and both nuclear and pion finite-size effects have been included in this momentum space method. Precision eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for the Schr\"odinger, relativistic Schr\"odinger, Klein-Gordon (of various types), and Dirac equations have been calculated using a rapid and convenient inverse iteration method. Reliability of this novel approach is confirmed by comparing with parallel coordinate space methods. Several illustrative applications are made to simple pionic, and kaonic cases to demonstrate possible applications. For example, it is found that: (1) to extract the pion size from pionic atom data, energy shifts must be measured to an accuracy of better than 50 eV; (2) to determine the form of Klein-Gordon equations appropriate for kaonic atoms, one needs a precision of better than 20 eV; (3) the finite-range of the $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}N$ interaction plays a non-negligible role and, therefore, should be carefully included in the pion-nucleus interaction. More extensive applications of these methods are suggested.NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Hadronic atoms, momentum space formulation, and its applications.
Mechanism in Polyoxometalate-Catalyzed Homogeneous Hydrocarbon Oxo Transfer Oxidation. The [Co4(H2O)2P2W18O68]10-/p-Cyano-N,N-dimethylaniline N-Oxide Selective Catalytic Epoxidation System

The Co-substituted heteropolyanions [Co4P2W18O68]10- and [CoPW11O39]5- catalyze the highly selective epoxidation of disubstituted alkenes and stilbenes by p-cyano-N,N-dimethylaniline N-oxide (CDMANO). Terminal alkenes are not readily epoxidized. The following d-electron transition metal-substituted (TMSP) complexes are less selective and two orders of magnitude less reactive than the Co complexes: [MnIIIPW11O39]4-, [MnIIPW11O39]5-, [FeIIIPW11O39]4-, and [NiIIPW11O39]5-. The system (TBA)8H2[Co4P2W18O68] (TBA = n-Bu4N+) (TBA1)/CDMANO/alkene/CH3CN solvent is homogeneous throughout. The values for K1 (constant for 1:1 association of the following ligands with 1 under the catalytic conditions in these studies = acetonitrile solution, 25 or 50 °C) are 275 ± 13 (N-methylimidazole), 4.3 ± 0.1 (pyridine), 59 ± 3 (4-picoline N-oxide), 22 ± 1 (4-cyanopyridine N-oxide), and 57 ± 5 (N-methylmorpholine N-oxide, MMNO, a model for CDMANO). Comparisons of the electronic absorption spectra of 1 under catalytic turnover an...
Effect of Undernutrition and Amino Acid Deficiency on the Timing of Puberty in Rats

Extract: Sexual maturation was examined in underfed or amino acid-deficient rats. We have demonstrated a highly significant negative linear relationship (r = −0.80, P < 0.001) between the age at puberty and the growth rate in rats under conditions of food restriction. The weight at puberty in animals growing at different rates because of undernutrition was not constant but behaved as a quadratic function of growth rate, as predicted from the assumption that growth rate was an independent variable. Growth rate is therefore more important than arrival at a particular fixed weight in determining the timing of puberty. Feeding of low valine diets resulted in delayed sexual maturation. Both the weight at vaginal opening (182 ± 5.9 g) and the weight at first estrus (187 ± 6.1 g) were significantly greater in the valine-deficient group when compared with growth-matched control (139 ± 10.7 g and 161 ± 9.3 g, respectively, P < 0.05). The valine-deficient group also had significantly later vaginal opening (98.8 ± 4.7 days) than growth-matched controls ( 76.6 ± 6.6 days, P < 0.02). Valine deficiency seemed to have a specific effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis since puberty in valine-deficient animals was delayed more than could be accounted for by impairment of growth. Speculation: In contrast with previous suggestions in animals and man, we have shown that in rats the weight at puberty is not constant under conditions of underfeeding or valine deficiency. Growth rate seems to be more important than arrival at a particular fixed weight in determining the onset of puberty, possibly through a linkage between growth rate and hormone production rates. Valine deficiency may cause delayed puberty by altering central nervous system neurotransmitters.
The Link 16 Contention Access protocol for multiple-reception terminals

Although conventional Link 16 terminals can receive only a single transmission per time slot, terminals capable of two receptions per time slot have recently been demonstrated in laboratory environments, and advances in RF and signal processing technologies suggest that terminals capable of two or more receptions per time slot may soon be practical. This paper presents analysis of the Contention Access (CA) protocol when used with multiple-reception Link 16 terminals. We show that, under mild conditions, the number of time slots per user per access interval that maximizes the resulting fraction of time slots containing between one and ρ transmissions is c = (1/ρ!)1/ρ, where ρ ≥ 1 is the number of transmissions a terminal can receive per time slot. We also show that a CA performance measure known as Average Receive Interval (ARI) essentially follows an Erlang distribution for multiple-reception terminals. This result simplifies the expression of certain CA performance statistics.
Changes of sugar profiles in canned clingstone peaches.

The effect of post-canning storage on sugar profiles in canned clingstone peaches (Primus persica var. ‘Halford’) sweetened with various combinations of sucrose, 62 D. E. corn syrup and 42% high fructose corn syrup was investigated. The sugars in the peach syrups were monitored at 1, 20 and 30° C after storage for 0, 6, 9 and 12 months. The individual sugars in the peach syrups were separated and analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Storage of the canned peaches at 30° C resulted in a rapid decrease in sucrose and a simultaneous increase in fructose and glucose. The hydrolysis of sucrose was successively slower at 20 and 1°C. It was observed that the sugar profiles were also dependent on the initial concentration of the sugar components, time of storage and acidity of the canned peaches. The concentration of maltose showed great fluctuation during storage. The rapid loss in quality acceptance of canned clingstone peaches at high storage temperature was explained by the changes in sugar profiles and the accompanying undesirable chemical and physical changes.
Secure the edge? Understanding the risk towards wireless grids Edgeware technology

This article contributes to the foundational understanding of the security vulnerabilities and risk towards wireless grid Edgeware technology. Since communication networks and devices are subject to becoming the target of exploitation by hackers (e.g., individuals who attempt to gain unauthorised access to computer systems), these individuals are gaining ever-increasing knowledge of the often widely-reported exploitable vulnerabilities in these types of innovative technologies; and thus are able to craft increasingly effective computer network attacks (CNA) against such technologies. This research responds to the overall proposition: what security vulnerability enumerations would contribute to the degradation and risk in using a wireless grid Edgeware application in a virtualised cloud environment? Using supporting research pertaining to cyber-attacks and vulnerabilities towards a wireless cloud (e.g., the integration of a cloud computing and a wireless grid architecture), security vulnerabilities in virtualisation environments and specific vulnerabilities exploited against a wireless grid Edgeware application, this research provides a greater understanding of the practical ways wireless grid Edgeware technology can be attacked and the risk in utilising this technology.
Nucleotide and deduced polypeptide sequences of the photosynthetic reaction-center, B870 antenna, and flanking polypeptides from R. capsulata.

Abstract The complete nucleotide sequence (8867 bp) and the deduced polypeptide sequence are given for 11 proteins from the photosynthetic gene cluster of R. capsulata (46 kb), including the photosynthetic reaction-center L, M, and H subunits and the B870α and B870β polypeptides (light-harvesting I). These polypeptides bind bacteriochlorophyll, bacteriopheophytin, carotenoids, and quinones that are involved in the primary light reactions of photosynthesis. Hydropathy plots indicate that the L and M subunits are transmembrane proteins that may cross the membrane five times, while the H subunit has only one hydrophobic section near the amino terminus, which may be transmembrane. The L and M subunits are homologous over their entire length and have a high degree of homology with the Q B protein from photosystem II of higher plants. An additional six genes were identified that may have some unknown role in bioenergetics since only mutations that affect the differentiation of the photosynthetic apparatus are known to map to this gene cluster.
Cigarette smoking alters hepatic estrogen metabolism in men: implications for atherosclerosis.

Studies of steroids and plasma lipoproteins in male cigarette smokers reveal that smoking is associated with an increase in peripheral estrogens and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). We hypothesized that the lower HDL-C in this setting results in part from induction of the hepatic metabolic pathway that inactivates estrogen. This pathway, estradiol 2-hydroxylation, produces the peripherally inactive catechol estrogens 2-hydroxyesterone and 2-methoxyestrone. We used an in vivo radiometric method to assess 2-hydroxylation in 20 male smokers and 16 nonsmokers. The extent of the reaction (±SEM) was significantly higher among the smokers (43.3% ± 1.9% v 24.6% ± 1.9%, P < .001). Smokers also excreted more urinary 2-hydroxyestrone (10.4 ± 1.3 μg/g creatinine v 6.3 ± 0.73 μg/g in nonsmokers, P = .011). The ratio of urinary 2-hydroxyestrone to estriol was higher on average among smokers (1.46 ± 0.19 v 0.81 ± 0.11, P = .006), and individual values correlated well with the radiometric test (r = .71, P < .002). These data indicate that smoking is associated with significantly increased estrogen 2-hydroxylation in men. Preliminary evidence suggests that the smoking effect on C-2 hydroxylation may be opposed by ethanol. Elevated 2-hydroxylation in smokers, in the setting of modestly increased peripheral estrogens and a net decrease in HDLC, may be explained by the fact that lipoprotein synthesis and estrogen 2-hydroxylation both occur predominantly in the liver. Thus, greater metabolic inactivation of hepatic estrogens in male smokers could reduce HDLC, despite a modest rise in circulating hormone levels.
Sugar feeding reduces short‐term activity of a parasitoid wasp

Adding sugar to agricultural habitats is expected to enhance pest control by improving the longevity and physiological status of parasitoids. How a sugar diet and physiological parameters affect the host-foraging behaviour of Diadegma insulare, a parasitoid of diamondback moth larvae (Plutella xylostella), is investigated in the laboratory. Newly-emerged females are given water or sucrose-water ad libitum for 1 day, and then monitored for movement onto and away from a single cabbage leaf infested with 30 host larvae for 1 h. A significantly lower percentage of sucrose-fed females enter the host patch than those with access to only water (starved) females (60% vs. 91%). Of the females that enter the patch, fed wasps spend significantly less time in the patch than starved wasps (32.2 vs. 25.7 min) but feeding does not significantly affect oviposition rate. Fed and starved females sting six to seven larvae, and 19–29% of females superparasitize host larvae. Wasps with higher levels of fructose are less likely to enter the host patch than wasps with lower fructose levels. The lower proportion of fed wasps entering the patch may be due to a period of inactivity after sugar feeding.
Extrapyramidal Side Effects of Antipsychotic Treatment: Scope of Problem and Impact on Outcome

Previously, clinicians worked with antipsychotic drugs (conventional or typical) that almost invariably caused extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) at clinically effective doses. This led to the false impression that all antipsychotics were the same, and that EPS were an unavoidable consequence of effective antipsychotic therapy. EPS adversely impact several aspects of antipsychotic efficacy and tolerability, thereby worsening outcome of afflicted individuals. EPS reduce beneficial effects of antipsychotic treatment on the negative, cognitive, and mood symptom domains, while increasing the risk of tardive dyskinesia and reducing compliance. By definition, the newer generation of "atypical" antipsychotic agents are significantly better than conventional agents with regard to EPS (i.e., they are clinically effective at doses at which they do not cause EPS). Pharmacologically, this difference is expressed in the greater degree of separation between respective dose response curves for antipsychotic and EPS effects observed for "atypical" in contrast to conventional agents. Clinically, this EPS advantage of atypical antipsychotics translates into several important benefits, including better negative symptom efficacy, less dysphoria, less impaired cognition, a lower risk of TD, and better overall outcome.
Vibrotactile feedback aids EMG control of object manipulation

We have previously shown that augmentative vibrotactile feedback can improve performance of a virtual object manipulation task using the finger. Here we studied the effects of vibrotactile feedback using instead electromyographic (EMG) control of object manipulation in N=6 healthy participants. Results showed that users were able to increase performance on an object manipulation task via EMG control when given augmentative vibrotactile feedback. Performance showed a strong effect of learning, which indicates further promise for utilization of this method in prosthetic hand users.
Dosimetric effect of contrast media for catheter-based intravascular brachytherapy

The purpose of this work is to calculate the dose perturbation in the presence of iodine contrast media during the procedure of catheter-based intravascular brachytherapy. The calculation was performed for two most commonly used /spl beta/ and /spl gamma/ sources (/sup 90/Sr and /sup 192/Ir) using EGS4 Monte Carlo system. A carefully chosen set of EGS4 transport parameters for the small geometry in question was used in the calculation, various contrast media with cylindrical-shell shape were considered. Calculations for a variety of monoenergetic sources were also included. Dose effects of iodine concentration, thickness (volume) of contrast media, energy of radioactive sources were studied. It is found that the dose perturbation due to a contrast medium is very significant. In the target region (the region beyond the contrast media), dose is generally increased (by up to 35%) for the /spl gamma/ source, while it is decreased (by 20-50%) for the /spl beta/ source. The dose enhancement is primarily due to the production of iodine K-edge characteristic X-rays. The dose perturbation strongly depends on (1) volume (thickness) of the contrast medium, (2) iodine concentration, and (3) type and energy of radioactive source. These dose effects due to a contrast medium should be recognized and may be considered in the dose prescription of intravascular brachytherapy.
Tracking Performance of Symbol Synchronizers for Manchester Coded Data

The implementation and tracking performance of symbol synchronizers for Manchester coded data is presented with motivation provided by maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation theory. In particular, it is shown herein that for uncoded data symbols, with, however, arbitrary data transition probabilities, certain physically realizable closed-loop structures, which are readily implemented in practice, are suggested by the theory. The tracking performance of these loops is optimized and comparisons are made among the various configurations over a wide range of system parameters. Although not the major intent of the paper, the acquisition problem is briefly addressed.
Carbon Nanospheres: “Green” Synthesis, Characterization, and Growth Kinetics

An attempt is made to understand the growth kinetics of carbon nanospheres (CNS) synthesized using a “green” technique. An aqueous solution of glucose, the precursor, was hydrothermally treated to produce porous CNS with homogeneous size distribution and smooth surfaces. The growth of CNS was studied by evaluating transmission electron microscope images as a function of hydrothermal reaction time and temperatures. Raman spectra revealed the presence of short-ordered graphitic nanostructures in an amorphous carbon matrix. FTIR spectroscopy confirms the carbonization of glucose and shows the presence of surface hydroxyl groups on CNSs. Based on various experimental observations it is proposed that the growth of CNSs is dictated by a reaction-controlled mechanism where long chain glucose-based oligomers bond to the CNS surface. The narrow size distribution and highly hydrophilic surface of these amorphous CNS makes them potential candidates for biomedical applications.
Hysteresis Effects on Wind Tunnel Measurements of a Two-Element Airfoil

Wind-tunnel tests were conducted on the GA(W)-2 airfoil with 25%-slotted flap at Reynolds number of 2.2x106 and Mach number of 0.13. The tests were made for flap nested and flap deflected cases of 30 and 40 deg with optimum and narrow gaps. Stall characteristics on the airfoil elements were examined through plots of force, moment, and surface pressure data and flow visualisation. Flap deflected configurations indicated a two-stage stall and hysteresis phenomenon. The hysteresis loop appeared to be a function of flap angle, gap geometry, and history of changes in air speed or angle of attack.
FOOD PRODUCTION CALENDAR FOR THE MIDDLE GILA RIVER, ARIZONA: AKIMEL O'ODHAM (PIMA) AND HOHOKAM

In this paper we present an Akimel O'odham (Pima) food production calendar. The environmental and biological data for the calendar derive in large part from information gathered in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries CE. The social and cultural data are derived from what we know of the Akimel O'odham (Pima) Indians, a Native American group that has lived along the Middle Gila River in southern Arizona. Plants considered include a Mesoamerican suite (maize, beans, cucurbits, cotton) as well as major local species (mesquite, agave, saguaro, cholla). Animals considered include lagomorphs, rodents, and deer. The major changes in Akimel O'odham (Pima) agriculture after the Spanish entrada are evaluated. We argue that much of the production calendar can plausibly be retrodicted into prehistory, specifically to that archaeological culture called Hohokam.
Object-based selection from spatially-invariant representations: evidence from a feature-report task

Attention selects objects as well as locations. When attention selects an object’s features, observers identify two features from a single object more accurately than two features from two different objects (object-based effect of attention; e.g., Duncan, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 113, 501–517, 1984). Several studies have demonstrated that object-based attention can operate at a late visual processing stage that is independent of objects’ spatial information (Awh, Dhaliwal, Christensen, & Matsukura, Psychological Science, 12, 329–334, 2001; Matsukura & Vecera, Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 16, 529–536, 2009; Vecera, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 126, 14–18, 1997; Vecera & Farah, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 123, 146–160, 1994). In the present study, we asked two questions regarding this late object-based selection mechanism. In Part I, we investigated how observers’ foreknowledge of to-be-reported features allows attention to select objects, as opposed to individual features. Using a feature-report task, a significant object-based effect was observed when to-be-reported features were known in advance but not when this advance knowledge was absent. In Part II, we examined what drives attention to select objects rather than individual features in the absence of observers’ foreknowledge of to-be-reported features. Results suggested that, when there was no opportunity for observers to direct their attention to objects that possess to-be-reported features at the time of stimulus presentation, these stimuli must retain strong perceptual cues to establish themselves as separate objects.