cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RF Backscatter-Based Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring

There is a growing need for accurate and reliable assessment of conditions of a variety of engineering structures and for monitoring of their performance. Miniaturized, passive, backscatter-based RF sensors with embedded computational capabilities could enable advanced structural health monitoring at high fidelity and at large-scale. Specifically, these RF-powered devices, pervasively embedded and dispersed within the structural material, can sense parameters of interest throughout large volumes of instrumented structure, perform modest local computations to infer structural conditions, and communicate via backscatter modulation while consuming near-zero power. We demonstrate that the backscatter channel phase sensing enables quantification of a size of air gap between two RF sensors embedded in sand. Additionally, we demonstrate the sensitivity of the phase to the strain of the sand.
Host specificity of the symbiotic cyanobacterium Oscillatoria spongeliae in marine sponges, Dysidea spp.

Marine sponges can host a variety of cyano- bacterial and bacterial symbionts, but it is often unclear whether these symbionts are generalists that occur in many host species or specialists that occur only in cer- tain species or populations of sponges. The filamentous cyanobacterium Oscillatoria spongeliae is found in the sponges Dysidea n. sp. aff. herbacea 1A and 1B, and similar cyanobacteria are found in D. n. sp. aff. granul- osa. We amplified and sequenced sponge nuclear ribos- omal DNA (rDNA) and cyanobacterial 16S rDNA from specimens of these three sponges. We then used these sequences to construct phylogenies for host sponges and their symbiotic cyanobacteria. Each of these three sponge species hosts a distinct cyanobacterial clade, suggesting a high degree of host specificity and potential coevolution between symbiotic cyanobacteria and their host sponges.
Cerebellar Development and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Approximately 50% of patients with the genetic disease tuberous sclerosis complex present with autism spectrum disorder. Although a number of studies have investigated the link between autism and tuberous sclerosis complex, the etiology of autism spectrum disorder in these patients remains unclear. Abnormal cerebellar function during critical phases of development could disrupt functional processes in the brain, leading to development of autistic features. Accordingly, the authors review the potential role of cerebellar dysfunction in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder in tuberous sclerosis complex. The authors also introduce conditional knockout mouse models of Tsc1 and Tsc2 that link cerebellar circuitry to the development of autistic-like features. Taken together, these preclinical and clinical investigations indicate the cerebellum has a profound regulatory role during development of social communication and repetitive behaviors.
Achieving flexible manufacturing competence: The roles of advanced manufacturing technology and operations improvement practices

Purpose – To respond to increasing environmental uncertainty, manufacturers are enhancing flexible manufacturing competence (FMC) as a source of competitive advantage. This study aims to extend research on FMC to its antecedent variables by investigating the impacts of advanced manufacturing technology and operations improvement practices (OIP) on FMC.Design/methodology/approach – Using survey data from 273 manufacturing firms, this research tests additive, mediating, and moderating models that relate these variables.Findings – Among three alternative models, the moderating model is best supported. The results indicate that advanced manufacturing technology has a stronger positive impact on FMC when OIP are effectively implemented than when they are not.Research limitations/implications – The research focuses attention on the antecedent variables to production competence, rather than on the concept and positive performance effect of production competence.Practical implications – For managers, the issue is...
Properties of high-frequency granular magnetic materials

Soft magnetic materials, i.e. materials with a high permeability, are used in various devices for power, RF, and microwave applications. It is particularly important to engineer high-mu and low-loss magnetic materials. Permeability of a material is an extrinsic property, i.e. it is determined not only by intrinsic bulk parameters but also by the material composition. Granular magnetic materials are comprised of randomly hard magnetic grains that are exchanged coupled to result in soft properties. These materials combine the ability to have a high permeability with low conductivity. Generally, these materials are characterized by non-reciprocal dispersive tensors and identifying their properties can be a complicated task.
Metaphor Clusters: Characterizing Instructor Metaphorical Reasoning on Limit Concepts in College Calculus

Novice students have difficulty with the topic of limits in calculus. We believe this is in part because of the multiple perspectives and shifting metaphors available to solve items correctly. We investigated college calculus instructors' personal concepts of limits. Based upon previous research investigating introductory calculus student metaphorical reasoning, we examined 11 college instructors' metaphorical reasoning on limit concepts. This paper focused on previous research of metaphor clusters observed among students to answer the following: (a) Do college instructors use metaphorical reasoning to conceptualize the meaning of a limit? (b) Can we characterize instructor metaphorical reasoning similar to those observed among students? (c) Will an instructor's self-identification of metaphor clusters be consistent with our metaphor coding? We found that college instructors' perspectives vary, either graphical or algebraic, in their explanations of limit items. All the instructors used metaphors, and instructor metaphorical reasoning aligned with student metaphor clusters. Instructors tended to change their metaphors with respect to the limit item. Instructors were not aware of their use of metaphors, nor were they aware of their inconsistency in their choice of metaphor. We believe that instructor awareness of their own distinct perspectives and metaphors would assist students' understanding of limit concepts.
A selective sandwich technique of adjuvant radiotherapy in the treatment of rectal cancer: a preliminary experience.

In this pilot study of 21 patients with rectal cancer, we found that the “selective sandwich technique” balances the risks and benefits of aggressive therapy for the treatment of rectal cancer without undue complications, and that it has considerable potential for improving the survival rate of patients with this disease.
Phospholipid-assisted Refolding of an Integral Membrane Protein: MINIMUM STRUCTURAL FEATURES FOR PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE TO ACT AS A MOLECULAR CHAPERONE *

Escherichia coli-derived phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) or PE with fully saturated fatty acids was able to correct in vitro a defect in folding in the lipid-dependent epitope 4B1 of lactose permease (LacY) resulting from in vivo assembly in the absence of PE. PE plasmalogen, PE with two unsaturated fatty acids, and lyso-PE, which all do not favor bilayer organization, did not support proper refolding. Proper refolding occurred when these latter lipids were mixed with a bilayer-forming lipid (phosphatidylglycerol), which alone could not support refolding. L-Phosphatidylserine (PS; natural diastereomer) did support proper refolding. PE derivatives of increasing degrees of methylation were progressively less effective in supporting refolding, with phosphatidylcholine being completely ineffective. Therefore, the properties of nonmethylated aminophospholipids capable of organization into a bilayer configuration are essential for the recovery of the native state of epitope 4B1 after misassembly in vivo in the absence of PE. Neither D-PS (sn-glycero-1-phosphate backbone) nor P-D-S (D-serine in the head group) is competent in supporting proper refolding unless used in binary mixtures with phosphatidylglycerol. The detailed characterization of phospholipid-assisted refolding reported here further supports a specific rather than nonspecific role for PE in structural maturation of lactose permease in vivo (Bogdanov, M., and Dowhan, W. (1998) EMBO J. 17, 5255-5264).
Managing Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation Projects under Budget Uncertainties

A well-developed and maintained pavement management system (PMS) empowers a decision maker to select the best maintenance program, i.e., which maintenance treatment to use and where and when to apply it, so that a maximum utilization of available resources can be achieved. This paper addresses a decision making problem for managing pavement maintenance and rehabilitation projects under budget uncertainty (MPMRPBU). A stochastic linear programming model is formulated and solved for the MPMRPBU so that a set of candidate projects can be optimally selected from the highway network over a planning horizon. Numerical results are discussed based upon a pilot case study. Different optimization solutions based on deterministic optimization and stochastic programming approaches are discussed and compared. The effect of the budget constraint on the optimized solutions is investigated. The computational result indicates a high quality MPMRPBU solution using stochastic programming approach, suggesting that there is a potential that the algorithm can be used for real world applications.
Mastoiditis in Children

Fifty-seven children were seen over a 10-year period, 1984-1994, at two large pediatric referral centers with a diagnosis of mastoiditis. Twelve had acute infection and 45 had chronic manifestations. Clinical presentations and recovered bacterial pathogens were identical to those reported in earlier literature although the incidence of both acute and chronic mastoiditis has decreased markedly since 1950. The availability of computed tomographic (CT) scans during this decade has improved the management of chronic disease by defining the location of cholesteatomas and the extent of disease as well as possible anatomic variations and potential complications encountered during surgery. CT scanning is indicated in acute disease when there is suspicion of chronic suppuration or destruction of the mastoid.
An Overview of Dependence in Cross-Section, Time-Series, and Panel Data

In this overview we present a summary of the contents of a collection of latest papers to deal with several aspects of dependence in time-series, cross-section and panels. These papers are collecte...
Degrees of dysplasia based on viral typing in patients with cidofovir use and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Summary Objectives/Hypothesis To evaluate the degree of dysplasia following cidofovir injections while documenting human papillomavirus (HPV) type in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Study Design Retrospective chart review. Methods Demographic data, operative reports, and pathology results were reviewed from 25 patients with RRP who had had cidofovir injections. All patients included had adult onset RRP, no history of immunosuppression, well-controlled laryngopharyngeal reflux, and no current smoking history. Eight patients were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Results Seventeen patients had adequate data for analysis and 40 subsites were identified with sufficient data for analysis. Patients negative for both low and high risk did not have progressive dysplasia at the conclusion of the study. Of the patients with positive viral typing, 70% had progressive disease at the conclusion of the study. No patients progressed to carcinoma or carcinoma in situ . The average pre- and post-treatment dysplasia scores were analyzed using a Student paired t test. There was no difference in mean dysplasia score, indicating that there was no increased risk of dysplasia following cidofovir treatment. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study looking at the degree of dysplasia while documenting HPV types in RRP. Our study suggests that HPV type appears to be relevant in the disease progression of RRP and that cidofovir does not increase the risk of dysplasia.
Effectiveness of early intervention for children with Down syndrome

This article reviews studies evaluating the effectiveness of early intervention for children with Down syndrome. Evaluation of early intervention programs is difficult and challenging, given the wide variety of experimental designs and the limitations of research studies. Overall, however, positive changes were seen in the development of children who were exposed to early intervention programs. Children with Down syndrome and their families are likely to benefit from early intervention. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Identification of a novel gene (ADPRTL1) encoding a potential poly(ADP- ribosyl)transferase protein

Abstract Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins plays a significant role in the maintenance of genomic DNA stability. To date, four poly(ADP-ribosyl)ating proteins have been identified in humans. We now report the full-length sequence, expression profile, and chromosomal localization of a novel gene, ADPRTL1, encoding an ADP-ribosyltransferase-like protein. The predicted open reading frame encodes a protein of 1724 amino acids with a molecular mass of 192.8 kDa. The protein contains a region showing homology to the catalytic domains of the nuclear-localized ADP-ribosyltransferase proteins (Adprt), two recently identified Adprt-like proteins (Adprtl2 and Adprtl3), and the telomere-associated protein tankyrase. Key amino acids known to be important for the activity of these enzymes are conserved within this region of the Adprtl1 protein, indicating that Adprtl1 is a functional poly(ADP-ribosyl)transferase. As has been noted for tankyrase, sequence analysis of the Adprtl1 protein suggests that it is not capable of binding DNA directly. Thus, the transferase activity of Adprtl1 may be activated by other factors such as protein–protein interaction mediated by the extensive carboxyl terminus. We have subsequently refined the location of the ADPRTL1 genomic locus to 13q11, close to the recently cloned ZNF198 gene.
Failed ACL Repair

Dr Sekiya is from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr Sekiya is a consultant for and receives royalties from Arthrex, Inc. Correspondence should be addressed to: Jon K. Sekiya, MD, MedSport, University of Michigan, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr, PO Box 0391, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 (sekiya@umich.edu). doi: 10.3928/01477447-20100722-14 In this issue of ORTHOPEDICS, Dr Sekiya discusses the causes and complications of failed ACL reconstruction and indications for revision ACL repair.
Amniotic fluid infection, cytokines, and adverse outcome among infants at 34 weeks’ gestation or less☆

Abstract OBJECTIVE: We examined the hypothesis that amniotic fluid (AF) infection and elevated cytokine concentrations may cause neonatal injury beyond that expected solely from prematurity. METHODS: The effects of exposure to AF infection and elevated cytokine concentrations were measured in 151 infants born to afebrile women in preterm labor with intact membranes at less than or equal to 34 weeks’ gestation. Amniotic fluid was collected by amniocentesis for culture and determination of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Cytokine concentrations, stratified by AF infection, were compared for three gestational age groups. We then examined the associations between a positive AF culture or elevated AF tumor necrosis factor-α concentration and adverse neonatal outcomes, adjusted for birth weight. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid from 45 (30%) of 151 pregnancies had microorganisms, an elevated tumor necrosis factor-α concentration, or both. Amniotic fluid cytokine concentrations were significantly higher among women in preterm labor at less than or equal to 30 weeks, compared with 31–34 weeks. Nine of 11 infants who died at less than or equal to 24 hours of age had AF infection or elevated AF tumor necrosis factor-α. For the 140 surviving infants, AF infection and/or an elevated AF tumor necrosis factor-α was associated with respiratory distress syndrome (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.7), grade 3–4 intraventricular hemorrhage (adjusted OR 2.2), necrotizing enterocolitis (adjusted OR 1.8), and multiple organ dysfunction (adjusted OR 3.0). CONCLUSION: Among infants born at less than or equal to 34 weeks to women who have intact membranes and are initially afebrile, those exposed to AF bacteria or cytokines have more adverse neonatal outcomes than unexposed infants of similar birth weight.
Genotypic variability in mineral composition of switchgrass

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm season perennial grass with great potential as an energy crop in the USA. It is widely adapted to many regions of the country, produces large amounts of biomass, serves as a useful forage grass, and provides ecosystem services that benefit soil and water quality and wildlife. Biological and thermochemical technologies are being developed to convert herbaceous biomass, including switchgrass, to energy. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of genotype and production environment on the concentration of minerals that affect the suitability of switchgrass for thermochemical conversion and to quantify the amount of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) removed from the production system by harvest of the aboveground biomass, a measure of the sustainability of the practice. Straw dry biomass contained from 1.3 to 6.4 kg Mg(-1) and from 6.2 to 15.8 kg Mg(-1) of P and K, respectively. Variability in aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), chloride (Cl), K, P, silicon (Si), and sulfur (S) concentrations across locations was relatively high, ranging from twofold (Al) to eightfold (Cl). Location had a strong impact on mineral concentrations among switchgrass genotypes evaluated in this study. Latitude of origin impacted the Cl and Si concentrations measured in plant tissues, but none of the other minerals analyzed in this study. Upland and lowland cytotypes explained some of the observed differences, but populationxlocation interactions were the primary source of variability in the concentration of these minerals.
Kinetic studies of polyurethane polymerization with Raman spectroscopy

In this study, the polymerization kinetics of an uncatalyzed polyester based thermoplastic polyurethane formulation was characterized with Raman spectroscopy. Measuring the normalized scattering intensity of a band originating from the TPU diisocyanate, conversion was calculated as a function of time. Kinetic parameters obtained from these experiments correlated well with those obtained from analogous calorimetric experiments and with literature values. It was concluded that Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for characterizing the polymerization kinetics of polyurethanes in situ.
The Biologically Active Isomers of Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Numerous physiological effects are attributed to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The purpose of this presentation is to consider these effects with respect to the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers. We review previously published data and present new findings that relate to underlying biochemical mechanisms of action. Both isomers are natural products. The cis-9,trans-11 isomer is the principal dietary form of CLA, but the concentrations of this isomer and the trans-10,cis-12 isomer in dairy products or beef vary depending on the diet fed to cows or steers, respectively. The trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomer exerts specific effects on adipocytes, in particular reducing the uptake of lipid by inhibiting the activities of lipoprotein lipase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase. The trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomer also affects lipid metabolism in cultured Hep-G2 human liver cells, whereas both the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers appear to be active in inhibiting carcinogenesis in animal models. We present new findings indicating that the cis-9,trans-11 CLA isomer enhances growth and probably feed efficiency in young rodents. Accordingly, the effects of CLA on body composition (induced by trans-10,cis-12 CLA) and growth/feed efficiency (induced by cis-9,trans-11 CLA) appear to be due to separate biochemical mechanisms. We also show that a 19-carbon CLA cognate (conjugated nonadecadienoic acid, CNA) inhibits lipoprotein lipase activity as effectively as CLA in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Presumably, CNA is metabolized differently than the 18-carbon CLA isomers, so this finding indicates direct activity of the administered compound as opposed to acting via a metabolite.
Preintegration HIV-1 Inhibition by a Combination Lentiviral Vector Containing a Chimeric TRIM5α Protein, a CCR5 shRNA, and a TAR Decoy

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gene therapy offers a promising alternative approach to current antiretroviral treatments to inhibit HIV-1 infection. Various stages of the HIV life cycle including pre-entry, preintegration, and postintegration can be targeted by gene therapy to block viral infection and replication. By combining multiple highly potent anti-HIV transgenes in a single gene therapy vector, HIV-1 resistance can be achieved in transduced cells while prohibiting the generation of escape mutants. Here, we describe a combination lentiviral vector that encodes three highly effective anti-HIV genes functioning at separate stages of the viral life cycle including a CCR5 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) (pre-entry), a human/rhesus macaque chimeric TRIM5α (postentry/preintegration), and a transactivation response element (TAR) decoy (postintegration). The major focus on designing this anti-HIV vector was to block productive infection of HIV-1 and to inhibit any formation of provirus that would maintain the viral reservoir. Upon viral challenge, potent preintegration inhibition of HIV-1 infection was achieved in combination vector–transduced cells in both cultured and primary CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC)–derived macrophages. The generation of escape mutants was also blocked as evaluated by long-term culture of challenged cells. The ability of this combination anti-HIV lentiviral vector to prevent HIV-1 infection, in vitro, warrants further evaluation of its in vivo efficacy.
Predictors of union election outcomes and union support in the hospitality industry

Abstract Given the growth in employment in the hospitality industry and the relatively low wages when compared with manufacturing, hospitality employees may be likely targets of union organizing drives. Very little research has been conducted on union election activity in the hospitality industry. The purpose of this paper was to examine factors which may influence union organizing in this industry. Predictors of union success as well as union support were investigated in order to determine which factors affected unionization. Results indicated that union organizing was influenced by the union involved, unit size, type of employee, type of election, presence of multiple unions, and industry segment. It is concluded that unions may not be overly successful organizing in the industry unless organizing patterns change.
High-dose platinum for the treatment of refractory ovarian cancer

Abstract High-dose cis -diamminedichloroplatinum, 120 mg/m 2 , produced six clinical responses (three complete) for 12 patients with advanced ovarian adenocarcinoma failing initial therapy with an alkylating agent. Responders survived 8+ to 20+ months. The same dosage produced four (zero complete, one short) responses for 20 patients refractory to a 50 mg/ m 2 dosage. Ten instances of nephrotoxicity and five of neurotoxicity were apparently related to a total cumulative dose of DDP and were predominantly seen in patients with prior DDP therapy and in patients with maintained responses to high-dose DDP.
Effect of interferon on the exogenous friend murine leukemia virus infection

Interferon treatment (600 U/ml) of NIH/3T3 cells induced greater than 90% reduction in the de novo production of Friend MuLV when measured 24 hr postinfection. Early events in viral replication such as the synthesis of proviral DNA and its subsequent integration into the cell genome were not inhibited by interferon treatment indicating that the suppression of virus production by interferon appears to occur after synthesis of proviral DNA. Analysis of viral RNA species present in controls and interferon-treated cells 24 hr after infection show that the same RNA species were present in the presence and absence of interferon. Synthesis of viral polypeptides was reduced but not blocked in interferon-treated cells when measured within 24 hr after infection while processing of gag precursor, Pr65gag, and glycoprotein precursor, gPr85env, to viral proteins was not altered. Phosphorylation of viral protein p12 but not that of the precursor, Pr65gag, was inhibited in newly infected interferon-treated cells. In contrast to the first replicative cycle, interferon did not inhibit synthesis of viral proteins, and phosphorylation of p12 in those cells chronically infected with F-MuLV.
Quantitative assessment of microbicide-induced injury in the ovine vaginal epithelium using confocal microendoscopy.

Background The development of safe topical microbicides that can preserve the integrity of cervicovaginal tract epithelial barrier is of great interest as this may minimize the potential for increased susceptibility to STI infections. High resolution imaging to assess epithelial integrity in a noninvasive manner could be a valuable tool for preclinical testing of candidate topical agents.
A Mechanism of Thrombosis Requiring Neither Platelets Nor Thrombin

A unique form of thrombosis results when sodium acetrizoate 70 % is administered i.v. This radiocontrast agent long ago was withdrawn from clinical investigational use as a cardiovascular visualization medium because cardiac arrhythmias and cerebrovascular accidents were encountered. Thrombosis results because acetrizoate extracts an endothelial component, a heat stable glycoprotein, which together with the radiocontrast agent produces an insoluble fibrillary fibrinogen derivative. These fibrils attach to endothelium and entrap erythrocytes in arterial, capillary and venous thrombi obstructing and embolizing in the microcirculation. Such thrombi form in our experimental preparation in the simultaneous absence of platelets and of all plasma coagulation factors except fibrinogen.
Mechanical properties of silicon-oxynitride glasses

Abstract Silicon-oxynitride glasses were prepared in the NaSiON, NaSiON, and the NaBSiON systems by conventional melting techniques. Increasing amounts of nitrogen were substituted for oxygen to a two weight percent level of nitrogen. The Young's elastic moduli, Vicker's microhardnesses, and the fracture toughnesses were measured and observed to increase linearly with nitrogen content in each of these systems. These results are consistent with the incorporation of nitrogen into the glass structure in three-fold coordination with silicon.
The Principia's theory of the motion of the lunar apse

An analysis of Newton's theory of the lunar apsidal motion in the Principia shows an inadequacy for which he attempted to compensate by adjusting his numerical assumptions.
Lateral collection doping superlattice photodiodes

Ultralow-capacitance, lateral collection photodiodes with high quantum efficiency have been fabricated in the GaAs system by utilizing a nearly depleted doping superlattice as the active region of a photodetector. The devices are fabricated from symmetric n-p-n-p-... doping superlattices with 1500-AA-thick layers doped to 2*10/sup 17/ cm/sup -3/. The total thickness of the active region is 1 mu m. Contact to the individual n and p layers of the devices is effected by ion implanting the sidewalls of a mesa with Si and Be, respectively. The devices exhibit capacitances in the range of 50 fF at zero bias, decreasing abruptly to 4 fF at a reverse bias of 20 V. Beyond this bias the device behaves as a lateral p-i-n device, and the capacitance decreases slowly with further reverse bias. The reverse leakage current in such a large area device is less than 2*10/sup -5/ A/cm/sup 2/. The forward I-V characteristics exhibit nonideal behavior. The devices exhibit high quantum efficiency at all reverse biases, but are limited above 20 V by the optical thickness of the active region. A strong enhancement of the absorption below the bandgap with reverse bias is attributed to the Franz-Keldysh effect. A shift of the band edge absorption of 0.036 eV has been observed, and a peak in the below band edge photoresponse is observed at biases above 5 V, exceeding the near band edge response at a bias of 15 V. The speed of these devices is expected to be limited by the lateral transit time between contacts, and the geometry of the contacts provides no obscuration of the optical input. >
Design of decoupled optimal stochastic systems for low sensitivity to small time delays

In this paper the problem of decoupling in the presence of time delays and external noise disturbances is addressed. By constructing a performance measure that incorporates trajectory sensitivity, a controller is formulated which decouples the overall system in spite of the time delay or noise sources. An example is provided to illustrate the approach and to demonstrate the effects of the choice of sensitivity weighting matrix on the state trajectory perturbation.
Reversibility of Photosynthetic Inhibition in Cotton after Long-Term Exposure to Elevated CO2 Concentrations

Cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L. cv Stoneville 213) was grown at 350 and 1000 microliters per liter CO 2 . The plants grown at elevated CO 2 concentrations contained large starch pools and showed initial symptoms of visible physical damage. Photosynthetic rates were lower than expected based on instantaneous exposure to high CO 2 . A group of plants grown at 1000 microliters per liter CO 2 was switched to 350 microliters per liter CO 2 . Starch pools and photosynthetic rates were monitored in the switched plants and in the two unswitched control groups. Photosynthetic rates per unit leaf area recovered to the level of the 350 microliters per liter CO 2 grown control group within four to five days. To assess only nonstomatal limitations to photosynthesis, a measure of photosynthetic efficiencies was calculated (moles CO 2 fixed per square meter per second per mole intercellular CO 2 ). Photosynthetic efficiency also recovered to the levels of the 350 microliters per liter CO 2 grown controls within three to four days. Recovery was correlated to a rapid depletion of the starch pool, indicating that the inhibition of photosynthesis is primarily a result of feedback inhibition. However, complete recovery may involve the repair of damage to the chloroplasts caused by excessive starch accumulation. The rapid and complete reversal of photosynthetic inhibition suggests that the appearance of large, strong sinks at certain developmental stages could result in reduction of the large starch accumulations and that photosynthetic rates could recover to near the theoretical capacity during periods of high photosynthate demand.
Erratum to: Control of renin gene expression

K. W. GrossDepartment of Molecular and Cellular Biology,Roswell Park Cancer Institute,Elm and Carlton Streets,Buffalo, NY 14263-0001, USAe-mail: Sean.Glenn@roswellpark.orgL. PanDepartment of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital,Boston, MA 62115, USAPflugers Arch - Eur J Physiol (2013) 465:23DOI 10.1007/s00424-012-1118-7
Are Energy Dense Diets Also Nutrient Dense

Objective: Some beverages are nutrient dense, but they are often excluded from nutrient density calculations. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the energy-nutrient association changed when beverages were included in these calculations.Design: Applying a cross-sectional design, a 24-hour dietary recall was collected on each participant.Subjects/Setting: 440 young adults (ages 19–28 years) in Bogalusa, Louisiana participated in this study.Statistical Analysis: Mean nutrient intakes and food group consumption were examined across the energy density (ED) tertiles using two calculation methods: one with food and all beverages (excluding water) (ED1) and one including food and only energy containing beverages (ED2). Regression models were used and multiple comparisons were performed using the Tukey-Kramer procedure. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to be significant.Results: With increasing ED, there was a significant increase in the consumption of total meats (ED1 p < 0.05; ED2 p < 0.01). In contr...
Modeling prosthetic heart valves for numerical analysis of blood flow in the heart

This paper extends our previous work on numerical analysis of blood flow in the heart. In that work the boundary forces were evaluated by solving a fixed-point problem, which we now reformulate as a problem in optimization. This optimization problem, which involves the energy function from which the boundary forces are derived, is solved by Murray's modification of Newton's method. The energy function turns out to be an extremely useful tool in modeling prosthetic heart valves. To enforce a constraint on the valve, we use an energy function which is zero when the constraint is satisfied and positive otherwise. The energy function must be invariant under translation and rotation so that conservation of momentum and angular momentum will be satisfied. We use this technique to construct computer models of several prosthetic valves, and we study the flow patterns of these valves in our computer test chamber.
Beyond art as product: Using an artistic perspective to understand classroom life

(1993). Beyond art as product: Using an artistic perspective to understand classroom life. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 32, Using the Arts to Inform Teaching, pp. 199-203.
An algorithm for sharing costs of operating a computer network

Abstract The managers of computer networks are frequently faced with an important administrative problem—how to share the common cost of operating the network among its users. The traditional methods to solve this problem are examined and shown to be inadequate for the task. The Shapley value and three derived simplifications are introduced as a new technique for this purpose. The approach is explained and then demonstrated on data collected from an actual computer network. The solution provided by the method is discussed and appraised.
Nitric oxide synthase activity and mRNA expression in chicken macrophages

The activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzyme was quantified in chicken macrophages. Macrophages from Cornell K-strain (B15B15), GB1 (B13B13), and GB2 (B6B6) chickens and a transformed cell line (MQ-NCSU) were incubated with or without varying concentrations of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The culture supernatants were tested for the presence of nitrite. Macrophages from either source produced minimal nitrite (< 4.4 microM/1 x 10(6) cells) levels without LPS stimulation. However, nitrite levels produced by K-strain (42 microM) and MQ-NCSU (41 microM) macrophages were higher (P < 0.05) than those produced by the GB1 (14 microM) and GB2 (14 microM) per 1 x 10(6) macrophages with optimum LPS concentration range of 50 ng to 1 microgram/mL. The addition of an L-arginine analog, NGMMLA, at a concentration of 200 microM completely abolished nitrite production. The addition of 10% vol/vol lymphokines exhibited an additive effect on nitrite production in conjunction with LPS. The increased nitrite production by the K-strain and MQ-NCSU macrophages corresponded to an increased expression of iNOS mRNA as compared to the mRNA produced by GB1 and GB2 macrophages. The iNOS mRNA kinetics study revealed that mRNA levels peaked between 6 to 12 h. The cells from avian lymphoid lineage failed to produce any detectable iNOS activity. These studies showed that macrophages from varying sources differ in NOS activity and implied that genetic background may dictate the extent of arginine-mediated contribution in various biological and immunological functions.
Juvenile hormone and moulting hormone titres in diapause-and non-diapause destined flesh flies.

Abstract Failure of the brain to stimulate the prothoracic gland to release ecdysone has been widely regarded as the basis for diapause in insect pupae. In diapause-destined flesh flies, the absence of a peak of moulting hormone around the time of pupal head eversion supports this contention, but in addition, major pulses of juvenile hormone (JH) activity with a rhythmicity of 24 hr are unique to flesh flies destined for pupal diapause. JH activity persists during diapause, and a pulse of JH precedes the rise of moulting hormone that initiates adult development.
Tissue-specific regulation of cell-cycle responses to DNA damage in Arabidopsis seedlings

DNA damage-induced cell-cycle "checkpoint" responses reduce the mutagenic effects of this damage. However, the maintenance of genomic stability comes at a price: the slowing of growth and a delay in the development of critical tissues. In mammals, every mutated cell has the potential to become cancerous and therefore lethal. In plants, the risk of lethal cancers is essentially nil and the costs of delays in development are very high. Here, we investigate DNA damage checkpoint responses in meristematic (root and shoot tip) versus strictly somatic (stomatal and endoreduplicating) tissues in plants. We find that the ionizing radiation (IR)-induced cell-cycle responses observed in the root and shoot tip meristems do not apply to more differentiated tissues.
Direct involvement of the isotype-specific C-terminus of β tubulin in ciliary beating

In previous studies in Drosophila , Nielsen et al. hypothesized that the β tubulin C-terminal axonemal motif `EGEFXXX', where X is an acidic amino acid, is required for ciliary function and assembly ([Nielsen et al., 2001][1], Curr. Biol. 11, 529-533). This motif is present in some but not all mammalian β tubulin isotypes. We therefore investigated whether this motif is important in ciliary function in mammals. In a preparation of isolated, ATP-reactivated bovine tracheal cilia, we found that monoclonal antibodies directed against the C-terminus of βI, βIV and βV tubulin blocked ciliary beating in a concentration dependent manner. Antibodies against other epitopes of β tubulin were ineffective, as were antibodies against α tubulin. Peptides consisting of the axonemal motif and motif-like sequences of these isotypes blocked ciliary beating. These results suggest that the axonemal motif sequences of βI, βIV and βV tubulin are essential for ciliary function. Peptides consisting of corresponding C-terminal sequences in α tubulin isotypes were also ineffective in blocking ciliary beating, which suggests that the C-terminus of α tubulin is not directly involved in cilia function in mammals. [1]: #ref-31
The Use of Pulse-Interrupted Radiofrequency Excitation to Study Energy Transport and Analyte Excitation in the Inductively Coupled Plasma

Extensive study of the analytical inductively coupled plasma (ICP) by conventional spectroscopic techniques has failed to produce an adequate model of the discharge. That such is the case was emphasized in a recent summary by L. de Galan of efforts to model the ICP. The discharge is not in local thermodynamic equilibrium. An understanding of the microscopic processes that give the plasma its desirable analytical characteristics is difficult to obtain because conventional measurement techniques record only steady-state values in a dynamic system. These values reflect a balance among a variety of competing or interactive processes, without providing specific information about what those processes may be. Some information about energy transport and excitation mechanisms is present in the spatial structure of the ICP. Any model of the ICP must account for observed spatial variations in emission intensities, particle densities, and temperatures. Additional information is present in the spatial and temporal changes in the same quantities as the power applied to the plasma is systematically varied. Hieftje et al. have described experiments in which they sinusoidally modulated the power applied to an ICP, then monitored phase and magnitude changes in signals from the plasma as the frequency was varied. Interpretation of these experiments has been difficult because the response of the plasma is extremely nonlinear, and because rate information is present only indirectly in the form of frequency-dependent phase shifts and rolloffs in the magnitude of signals from the plasma. This note describes preliminary experiments with an alternative form of power modulation that promises to yield more direct results. The power applied to an analytical ICP was repetitively pulsed off, and emission signals were monitored as a function of position and time.
Disappearing headwaters: patterns of stream burial due to urbanization

Headwater streams provide important ecosystem services, including clean drinking water, habitat for aquatic life, and rapid processing and uptake of nutrients, which can reduce delivery of nitrogen and phosphorus to downstream coastal waters. Despite their importance to ecosystem functioning, very little research has addressed the extent to which headwater streams are buried beneath the land surface during urbanization. We measured the occurrence of stream burial within a major tributary to the Chesapeake Bay, for streams with catchment areas ranging from 10 ha to 104 ha. We used hydrologic modeling to identify where streams should be and then calibrated a map of impervious surface area, using high-resolution aerial photography to build a stream channel decision-tree classification. We found that 20% of all streams were buried, with streams in low-residential and suburban areas outside Baltimore City exhibiting 19% burial rates. Smaller headwater streams were more extensively buried than larger streams, a...
Dilaton ß-function on a Kähler manifold

Abstract We study the N = 2 superspace description of the coupling of supergravity to the N = 2 supersymmetric σ-model in two dimensions. The reduction to an n = 1 superfield formulation allows us to identify the dilaton coupling and to conclude that all the relevant information about the dilaton s-function for the N = 2 theory is contained in the radiative corrections to the Kahler potential. In particular we show that the dilation s-function can be determined, at any loop-order, from the knowledge of the lower-loop divergences and the use of the renormalization group pole equations. We present results up to five-loop order for the N = 2 theory and up to four loops for the N = 1 case.
The Hypercube as a Dynamically Reconfigurable Processor Mesh

We describe a technique for the efficient processing of large, multidimensional arrays on a MIMD hypercube. The technique allows the hypercube to be used as a processor mesh whose relative dimension sizes may be changeddynamically, while always keeping adjacent array elements on the same node or on physically adjacent nodes. The technique is based on a mapping scheme, calledpermuted Gray code mapping, which is a generalization of the binary reflected Gray code mapping. We also extend the technique to allowinterleavingof the array data over the nodes of the hypercube. This technique can be used to efficiently parallelize scan-line algorithms, including operations such as volume rotation and volume rendering.
Self-report study of impulsive and delinquent behavior in college students.

Abstract Purpose: This self-report study of college students sought to examine the relationship between risk-taking and delinquent behavior, to develop reliable measures of impulsiveness and attraction to thrill-seeking and risk-taking, and to measure the relationships among conventional correlates of delinquent behavior, personality factors, and delinquent behavior itself. Methods: A sample of 296 undergraduate college students completed questionnaires pertaining to delinquent behavior and other activities, identification with educational goals and behavior, and attraction to thrill-seeking and risk-taking behavior, as well as items from the Self-Control and Socialization scales of the California Personality Inventory. Results: Males who measured high in thrill-seeking behavior and low in self-control reported significantly more property delinquency. Interpersonal delinquency was most influenced by a lack of self-control. There was a negative correlation between substance abuse and socialization. The reasons most often given for property and substance delinquency were "fun/thrills" while those most often given for interpersonal delinquency involved "anger/revenge." Conclusion: Variables representing conventional sociological theories have often been treated as the immediate causal factors in juvenile delinquency, but their impact may be mediated through factors such as impulsiveness and an attraction to thrill-seeking and risktaking.
Evidence for Coherent Energy Transfer in Allophycocyanin Trimers

We have performed two-color femtosecond pump-probe anisotropy experiments on allophycocyanin trimers, a photosynthetic light-harvesting system located at the core of the phycobilisome of cyanobacteria. The anisotropy decays in a multiexponential manner from an initial maximum in the 0.58-0.7 range, with components exhibiting time constants of 10-30 fs, 280 fs, and 1 ps. The observation that the initial anisotropy is significantly larger than 0.4 evidences the initial presence of coherently excited molecular dimers in allophycocyanin trimers. The 10-30-fs anisotropy component reports the time scale for interexciton state relaxation, while the slower components report the time scale for localization of excitation on one of the dimer chromophores; the rate constant for localization is expected to be comparable with that estimated for Foerster energy transfer between the two chromophores in a dimer. We suggest that the initial presence and decay of dimer electronic coherence might play a role in enhancing the energy-transfer function of allophycocyanin in the phycobilisome. 76 refs., 3 figs.
Sexual Differentiation in the Male and Female Mouse from Days 0 to 21: A Detailed and Novel Morphometric Description

Purpose: We hypothesized that a significant portion of sexual differentiation of mouse external genitalia occurs postnatally. To establish a baseline of normal development to which genital abnormalities could be compared, we determined morphometric measurements and morphological descriptions of the postnatal period of sexual differentiation in mice from birth to 21 days postnatally.Materials and Methods: The external genitalia of male and female CD-1® mice were serially sectioned for histological staining. Mice were studied by age group, including ages 0 to 1, 2 to 3, 4 to 5, 10 and 21 days. Three-dimensional reconstructions were created to visually compare differences. Morphometric measurements were made of the distal mouse external genitalia and compared across age groups, and between males and females.Results: The morphology of male and female mouse external genitalia is similar at 0 to 1 days but undergoes dramatic changes during 21 days. The changes include the development of mesenchymal extensions, ...
Evaluation of Two Commercial Broiler Male Lines Differing in Efficiency of Feed Utilization

Abstract Factors potentially influencing feed conversion were studied in two lines of broilers known to differ in efficiency of feed utilization. When fed diets differing in energy, line by diet interactions were seldom significant and line effects were greater than those between diets. Chicks from the more efficient line had less plumage cover, less fat, and spent more time sitting than those from the less efficient line. These data imply that improved feed conversion is a function of several traits.