cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does delayed fertilization facilitate sperm competition in bats

Reproductive delays between mating and birth may provide a previously unconsidered avenue for post-copulatory sexual selection in mammals. In particular, delayed fertilization could provide an enhanced opportunity for sperm competition by extending the time for ejaculates to interact in the female reproductive tract. We tested the prediction that species with delayed fertilization exhibit greater degrees of sperm competition than those without delays by examining testis volume (a proxy for sperm competition) in 38 species of bats. Examination of fluid-preserved museum specimens of bat species with and without delays revealed that species with delays (in particular those with delayed fertilization) had significantly larger testes than species without them. Although it predicts the presence of delayed fertilization, hibernation did not predict relative testis size. We conclude that, once they evolve, reproductive delays may facilitate sperm competition.
A computational study of strain inhomogeneity in wire drawing

Abstract Inhomogeneous plastic deformation that develops during wire-drawing, and its impact on the drawing force, are investigated with a computational method. The effects of critical parameters, including die angle, area reduction, friction coefficient, and material hardening are sorted out, and the accuracy of certain simple formulas presented in the literature is assessed. The results suggest that the redundant strains (strains beyond those necessary for area reduction) are dependent principally on the die angle and area reduction; the interfacial friction and the strain hardening tend to have little influence on the strains. In addition, the impact of spatial inhomogeneity in hardness induced by strain hardening from prior passes is investigated.
Effects of urea, trimethylamine oxide, and osmolality on respiration and citrulline synthesis by isolated hepatic mitochondria from Squalus acanthias

Abstract 1. 1. The effects of osmolality and of urea and trimethylamine oxide on citrulline synthesis and respiration by isolated hepatic mitochondria from Squalus acanthias (spiny dogfish) were determined. 2. 2. Optimal rates of citrulline synthesis and of respiration, as well as maximal respiratory control ratios, were obtained when the osmolality was about 300 mOsm when physiological concentrations of urea and trimethylamine oxide were present, analogous to mammalian mitochondria. Urea and trimethylamine oxide do not act as osmolytes and do not significantly affect these rates. 3. 3. When glutamate is not saturating, increasing concentrations of urea over the range of concentrations of physiological significance (e.g. 0.1–0.5 M) significantly inhibit citrulline synthesis, but not respiration. This response to urea concentration may reflect a specific homeostatic mechanism for maintaining physiological concentrations of urea.
Surface roughness prediction in machining using soft computing

A study is presented to model surface roughness in end milling using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and genetic algorithms (GAs). The machining parameters, namely, the spindle speed, feed rate, depth of cut and the workpiece-tool vibration amplitude have been used as inputs to model the workpiece surface roughness. The number and the parameters of membership functions used in ANFIS along with the most suitable inputs are selected using GAs maximising the modelling accuracy. The ANFIS with GAs (GA-ANFIS) are trained with a subset of the experimental data. The trained GA-ANFIS are tested using the set of validation data. The procedure is illustrated using the experimental data of a CNC vertical machining centre in end-milling of 6061 aluminum. Results are compared with other soft computing techniques like genetic programming (GP) and artificial neural network (ANN). The results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach in modelling the surface roughness.
Essential fatty acids predict metabolites of serotonin and dopamine in cerebrospinal fluid among healthy control subjects, and early- and late-onset alcoholics

Abstract Background: Impulsive violence, suicide, and depression are strongly associated with low concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (CSF 5-HIAA). Increased suicide and trauma reported in some cholesterol-lowering trials may be related to altered concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids rather than cholesterol, a possible surrogate marker. Methods: CSF 5-HIAA and homovanillic acid (HVA), total cholesterol, and plasma fatty acid concentrations were examined in 176 subjects, including 49 healthy volunteers, and 88 early- and 39 late-onset alcoholics. Results: Among each group, polyunsaturated fatty acids predicted both CSF 5-HIAA and CSF HVA concentrations, but total cholesterol was unrelated to either neurotransmitter metabolite. The relationships between plasma 22:6n3 and CSF 5-HIAA were significantly different when healthy volunteers ( r = .35) were compared to early-onset alcoholics ( r = −.38) ( p Conclusions: Dietary studies are indicated to determine if essential fatty acid supplementation can influence central nervous system serotonin and dopamine metabolism and modify impulsive behaviors related to these neurotransmitters.
Hematuria associated with hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria: a practical approach.

Hematuria is one of the most common urinary abnormalities found in children. When hypercalciuria was identified as a potential etiology of painless hematuria, many questions arose concerning the general importance of this observation. Subsequently, increased uric acid excretion also has been purported to cause hematuria in children. This review traces the history of these observations and describes the clinical characteristics of the clinical syndrome of hematuria associated with hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria. Diagnostic criteria of excessive urinary excretion of calcium and uric acid are reviewed; differences in urinary calcium and uric acid excretion between infants and older children are emphasized. Aside from urolithiasis, few long-term consequences from hypercalciuria or hyperurcosuria have been identified, although some debate exists concerning the effect of chronic hypercalciuria upon bone mineralization.
Female Fertility and Male Mating: Women's Ovulatory Cues Influence Men's Physiology, Cognition, and Behavior

Evolutionary theories of mating suggest that shifting fertility levels during a woman’s menstrual cycle play an important role in the formation and maintenance of romantic relationships. In this article, we review a burgeoning literature that has applied this framework to the investigation of male adaptations to female fertility. The studies reviewed here illuminate the ways in which men evolved to overcome the challenge of finding and attracting mates with peak levels of fertility. In particular, we review research that highlights the types of cues men may use to detect heightened fertility as well as the types of mating processes men display when encountering those cues. We discuss important avenues for future research on this topic as well as implications for psychological theories of romantic attraction. Romantic relationships play a central role in people’s lives. Indeed, people are highly motivated to find a romantic partner and, consequently, devote an extraordinarily large amount of time, energy, and resources to this pursuit. But, what causes someone to pursue romantically one individual rather than another? What factors lead a person to appear sexually and romantically attractive? A useful framework for answering such questions is provided by an evolutionary approach to the study of romantic relationships. From this perspective, the factors influencing romantic attraction are those that, throughout evolutionary history, have recurrently influenced differential reproductive success (Buss & Schmitt, 1993; Gangestad & Simpson, 2000; Kenrick & Keefe, 1992). Successful reproduction is the driving force of evolution, and like all sexually reproducing species, humans cannot reproduce without a mate. However, not all mates are created equal; they can vary along any number of dimensions, many of which may be important for reproduction. Because the pursuit of romantic partners requires a substantial amount of time and energy, people should be equipped with adaptive 1 psychological and biological mechanisms designed to promote sensitivity and attraction to characteristics in potential mates that are associated with a high likelihood of reproductive success. Although many factors may influence the probability of successful reproduction (e.g., a partner’s genes, a partner’s health; for a review see Sugiyama, 2005), one of the most critical factors is a woman’s current level of fertility. An emerging literature suggests that, as a consequence, men are attuned to subtle cues to heightened female fertility and, when exposed to those cues, display a cascade of mating-related processes – ranging from basic physiology to lower-order cognition to behavior. In this article, we review recent research examining the implications of women’s fertility levels for romantic attraction. In addition to illuminating the types of factors influencing romantic attraction, the studies described in this article provide insight into the ways in which humans evolved to overcome fundamental reproductive challenges.
A method of augmenting equipment used for functional capacity evaluations

Functional capacity evaluations are performed on workers who have suffered an injury to determine their capability and the limitations for returning to work. Currently, these evaluations are administered by an occupational therapist whose job requires them to use their subjective judgment at times to determine the capability of the worker. The authors of this paper propose a system that wirelessly transmits heart rate, blood pressure and lifting force and three axis acceleration force data to a graphical users interface for evaluation. This method of augmenting and combing this equipment to assess and log data from the individual undergoing testing removes the subjectivity of the therapist. This augmented equipment implementation was then tested on nine human test subjects to prove concept and ensure feasibility.
Thermal stability of 3-deoxyanthocyanidin pigments.

Abstract 3-Deoxyanthocyanidins are promising natural colourants due to their unique properties compared to anthocyanins. However, thermal stability of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins is largely unknown. Thermal stability of crude and pure 3-deoxyanthocyanidins was determined at 95 °C/2 h and 121 °C/30 min, at pH 1–7 using HCl, formic or citric acid as acidulants. The colour retention of crude and pure 3-deoxyanthocyanidins (79–89% after 95 °C/2 h and 39–118% after 121 °C/30 min) was high compared to literature reports for anthocyanins under similar treatments. pH significantly affected the thermal stability of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins: Colour retention was better at pH 1–2 (70.2–118%) than at pH 3–7 (39.0–86.8%). Chalcones were identified as the major heat degradation products at pH 3–7. Slow rate of chalcone formation and resistance to C-ring fission were identified as the major contributors to thermal stability of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins. Overall, the heat stability of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins indicates good potential for food use.
Wind power forecasting and error analysis using the autoregressive moving average modeling

This paper presents a method for wind power forecasting and studies the relationship between the accuracy of the forecast and wind power variability. Actual wind power measurement data is applied to model an auto regressive moving average (ARMA) process. Burg and Shanks algorithms are then utilized to determine the model coefficients. Variability, accuracy and measured error in forecasts generated by the model are used to asses the data and the quality of the forecast. The model is shown to have good accuracy in forecasts within one hour and declines in accuracy further ahead in time. Drawing comparisons between forecasts generated for cases of differing data variability, the aggregate power generation of a group of wind farms is shown to have better accuracy in forecasts than the single wind farm.
Measuring Unilateral Market Power in Wholesale Electricity Markets: The California Market, 1998-2000

This paper measures the unilateral incentive each of the five largest electricity suppliers in the California had to exercise market power in the state's wholesale market during the five month period June 1 to September 30 of 1998, 1999 and 2000. Using the actual bids submitted to the California Independent System Operator's (CAISO) real-time energy market, I compute the hourly price elasticity of the ex post residual demand curve faced by each supplier evaluated at the market-clearing price for that hour. The inverse of this hourly ex post residual demand elasticity quantifies the extent to which that supplier is able to raise the hourly real-time energy price above its marginal cost of supplying the last megawatt-hour (MWh) it sells in the CAISO's real-time energy market. I use the average hourly value of the inverse of the firm-level residual demand elasticity over the four month sample period of each year as a summary measure of the extent of unilateral market power possessed by each supplier. For each firm, this measure of unilateral market power is significantly higher in 2000 relative to the corresponding firm-level values in 1998 and 1999. For each of the five firms, this measure is slightly higher in 1998 than 1999. The firm-level results presented below are consistent with the view that the enormous increase in the amount market power exercised in the California market beginning in June of 2000 documented in Borenstein, Bushnell and Wolak (2002) was due to a substantial increase in the amount of unilateral market power possessed each of the five large suppliers in California.
Middleware for Wireless Sensor Networks: A Survey

Given the fast growing technological progress in microelectronics and wireless communication devices, in the near future, it is foreseeable that Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) will offer and make possible a wide range of applications. However real world integration and application development on such networks composed of tiny, low power and limited resources devices are not easy. Therefore, middleware services are a novel approach offering many possibilities and drastically enhancing the application development on WSN. This survey shows the current state of research in this domain. It discusses middleware challenges in such networks and presents some representative middleware specifically designed for WSN. The selection of the studied methods tries to cover as many views of objectives and approaches as possible. We will focus on discovering similarities and differences by making classifications, comparisons and appropriateness studies. At the end we argue that most of the proposed work is at an early stage and there is still a long way to go before a middleware that fully meets the wide variety of WSN requirements is achieved.
On the eventual invertibility of discrete event systems and its applications

Considers a discrete event system (DES) modeled by a generalized semi-Markov scheme. The authors view the system as an input-output system, where the input is a sequence of event lifetimes, and the output is the resulting sequence of events, states, and transition epochs. The system is observed via an observation map. In a previous paper (1993), the authors investigated the problem of extracting the event lifetimes from observations of the output without delay, referred to as inversion. In this paper, the authors consider the problem of extracting event lifetimes associated with the output up to a finite time in the past, referred to as eventual inversion. The authors give a general set of necessary and sufficient conditions for eventual invertibility of the system. For an eventually invertible system, the authors give an algorithm to invert the observations to get the event lifetimes. As an application, they describe a method of constructing sample paths of alternative DESs using the extracted event lifetimes by the inversion process. >
Pollen-mediated introgression and hybrid speciation in Louisiana irises.

Abstract Populations of the "Louisiana iris" species Iris fulva, I. hexagona, and I. nelsonii were examined genetically to test for interspecific gene flow between I. fulva and I. hexagona, for pollen- versus seed-mediated introgression between these species, and for the presumed hybrid origin of I. nelsonii. Genetic markers were identified by using both a polymerase chain reaction-like method that allows the identification of random, nuclear markers and standard polymerase chain reaction experiments involving specific chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) oligonucleotides. Restriction endonuclease digestions of the cpDNA amplification products resolved diagnostic restriction site differences for I. fulva and I. hexagona. The distribution of the species-specific nuclear markers supports a hypothesis of bidirectional introgression between I. fulva and I. hexagona. Thus, individuals analyzed from a contemporary hybrid population demonstrate multilocus genotypes that are indicative of advanced-generation hybrid individuals. Furthermore, several markers from the alternate species were present in low frequency in one allopatric population each of I. fulva and I. hexagona. Data from the nuclear analysis also support the hypothesized hybrid origin of I. nelsonii from the interaction of I. fulva and I. hexagona. Finally, cpDNA data support the hypothesis that the localized and the dispersed introgression are largely due to pollen transfer. In addition to the biological implications, this study demonstrates the power of the polymerase chain reaction methodology for the rapid identification of random and specific genetic markers for testing evolutionary genetic hypotheses.
AnomBench: A Benchmark for Volume-Based Internet Anomaly Detection

Developing algorithms to detect anomalies in network traffic is an important goal to achieve secure and efficient operation of the Internet. To evaluate different algorithms, it is crucial to have a set of standardized test cases. We propose a benchmark suite called "AnomBench" that consists of sixteen different traffic scenarios that contain various different traffic anomalies. We describe why these scenarios are representative and show the results of a prototype implementation on DETER-lab.
Enhancing irrigation through water user associations: Ecuador

Private irrigation is traditional in the highlands of Ecuador. In more recent decades, irrigation has expanded throughout coastal areas as well. Private sector water user associations have been organized to administer, co-ordinate and manage the distribution of this water. In addition to private sector irrigation activities, the government has, since the 1940s, engaged in the development and exploitation of large-scale irrigation projects in both highland and coastal areas. However, during this period of expansion of the public sector into irrigation development and control, there has been little interaction or coordination with private sector efforts and, in effect, parallel systems of irrigation water management and delivery are currently operative. This paper explores recent recommendations extended to the government of Ecuador vis-a-vis its philosophy toward private sector irrigation and suggests that the strengths, human resources and widespread social legitimacy of private user organizations can be a vehicle for promoting and enhancing water development and improved water distribution and use in the country.
“It would be scary not to know anyone.”: Caregiver Confirmation and Children's Initiation of Kindergarten Transition Topics

This study explores the role of caregiver-child communication in kindergarten transition and has 3 purposes: 1) to gather descriptive information about topics caregivers and children discuss as they reduce uncertainty and prepare for kindergarten, 2) to gather information about who initiates discussion of those topics, and 3) to determine whether who initiates them varies depending on caregivers’ confirmation. Caregiver-child dyads (N = 50) reported on whether or not they had discussed 10 kindergarten transition topics, indicated who initiated conversations about topics which had been discussed, and read a story together. Caregivers also responded to 6 hypothetical child statements of concern about the transition to kindergarten. Segments within the storybook task and all 6 responses to hypothetical child statements of concern were coded for verbal and nonverbal confirmation as acceptance and verbal confirmation as challenge. Key significant findings include positive relationships between caregiver confir...
Nitrous Oxide (N2O): The Dominant Ozone-Depleting Substance Emitted in the 21st Century

By comparing the ozone depletion potential-weighted anthropogenic emissions of N2O with those of other ozone-depleting substances, we show that N2O emission currently is the single most important ozone-depleting emission and is expected to remain the largest throughout the 21st century. N2O is unregulated by the Montreal Protocol. Limiting future N2O emissions would enhance the recovery of the ozone layer from its depleted state and would also reduce the anthropogenic forcing of the climate system, representing a win-win for both ozone and climate.
Stress testing FET gates without the use of test patterns

A test technique is described for stressing each FET gate in multiphase dynamic random logic FET circuits incorporated in a large-scale integrated (LSI) device. This 100 percent gate stressing essentially results from sequencing the clock signals in reverse order to that sequence required to transfer information through the logic paths to perform the circuit logic functions. When the clock signals are run in this reverse order, no input test patterns are required. Stressing by this method helps guarantee the reliability of shipped devices by preventing the shipment of possible bad lots or devices which are likely to fail in the field due to device failure mechanisms such as sodium ion migration and/or gate breakdown.
Sedimentology, facies architecture and chemostratigraphy of a continental high-latitude Paleocene–Eocene succession—The Chickaloon Formation, Alaska

Abstract The Paleocene–Eocene Chickaloon Formation of southern Alaska represents rapid deposition in a floodbasin setting, contains abundant and diverse fossil plant material, and spans the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). Sedimentologic, lithofacies, and chemostratigraphic analyses of exposures of the Chickaloon Formation were conducted in order to provide a contextual framework for this, late Paleocene–early Eocene high-latitude sedimentary succession and to test if hyperthermal conditions are recorded in the unit. At the main study area in the Evan Jones Coal Mine, strata represent an alluvial sequence dominated by floodplain, channel sandstone, crevasse lobe, crevasse channel, and mire deposition. Floodplain environments are represented by medium-gray, commonly nodular and/or carbonate-cemented, shaly siltstone and centimeter-scale thick sheet-sandstone interbeds. Most channel sandstone deposits are interpreted to be crevasse channels and are generally small (2–5 m thick), rarely coarser than medium-grained sandstone, and sand grains are commonly coated with Fe-oxides. Carbonaceous shale and coal are localized and indicate a high-rate of organic carbon accumulation in the area. δ13C analyses of bulk organic carbon from the succession at the Evan Jones Mine are internally consistent with this interpretation; they yield uniformly negative values that are typical of continental organic matter (− 21.7‰ to − 28.5‰; X = − 25.4‰). Fossil plant material is also very common and includes leaves, wood, seeds, and resins from broad leaf angiosperms, conifers, ferns, and sphenopsids. Considered together, lithologic and paleontologic data suggest that these strata represent a floodbasin environment; the observed crevasse channels probably originate from a main channel located within several kilometers of the depocenter. Ash-fall tuffs punctuate the studied sequence and contain abundant reworked or recycled zircons, indicating that the depocenter was proximal to a volcanic source. Across all of these Chickaloon depositional environments, a significant negative isotopic shift (− 5.8‰) occurs, which we hypothesize to represent a short-lived perturbation associated with a global hyperthermal event.
The importance of fossils in elucidating seed plant phylogeny and macroevolution

Doyle, J.A. and Donoghue, M.J., 1987. The importance of fossils in elucidating seed plant phylogeny and macroevolution. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 50: 63--95. In order to gain insights on the controversial question of the value of fossils in understanding phylogeny and macroevolution, we used numerical parsimony methods to analyze a data set amassed for a cladistic study of living and fossil seed plants, variously modified by subtraction and re-addition of fossil groups. Some cladograms based on extant groups alone are consistent with relationships derived from the whole data set, but the direction of leaf and sporophyll evolution in seed plants and floral evolution in angiosperms and Gnetales is equivocal. However, use of Carboniferous seed ferns as outgroups favors the concept that all seed plants were derived from ancestors with fernlike leaves, that there was a double trend to linear-dichotomous leaves in coniferopsids and Gnetales, and that gnetalian flowers are reduced relative to those of angiosperms and Bennettitales, as inferred from the whole data set. With the whole data set, it is slightly more parsimonious to assume that coniferopsids were derived from Callistophyton-like platyspermic seed ferns than from Archaeopteris-like progymnosperms, but if Archaeopteris were unknown the seed fern hypothesis would be strongly favored, while if Callistophyton were unknown both hypotheses would be equally parsimonious. Bennettitales strengthen relationships between Gnetales and angiosperms, which are only slightly stronger than links between Gnetales and coniferopsids when extant data alone are considered, while Caytonia clarifies reproductive homologies of angiosperms, Bennettitales, and Gnetales and their origin from platyspermic ancestors. Although fossil information does not radically alter inferred relationships among extant taxa in seed plants, it may in other groups, and it provides unique evidence on the sequence of events and possible adaptive factors involved in the origin of groups. Both contributions are especially important when there has been extensive homoptasy and/or when living groups are isolated from each other by large gaps, as is often true of higher taxa.
Non-Cancer-Related Deaths From Suicide, Cardiovascular Disease, and Pneumonia in Patients With Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Squamous Carcinoma

Objective To study non–cancer-related mortality rates over time and examine the possible causes for several major deaths in patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal (OC/OP) cancer. Design Retrospective cohort analysis using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry data of the National Cancer Institute. Main Outcome Measure Cause-specific mortality rates during the first year after diagnosis of OC/OP cancer were calculated for 4 cohorts (1980-1984, 1990-1994, 2000-2003, and 2004-2007). The percentage changes over time were calculated. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for suicide, cardiovascular disease, and pneumonia were calculated and compared with patient demographic and clinical characteristics. Results We analyzed data for 32 487 patients in 4 cohorts. From 1980-1984 to 2004-2007, mortality from suicide increased by 406.2% (P = .01), cardiovascular disease–related and pneumonia–related mortality decreased by 45.9% (P Conclusions Suicide rates have significantly increased in patients with OC/OP cancer since 1980 to 1984. Although cardiovascular disease–and pneumonia-related deaths have significantly decreased over time, they remain higher than the general US population. Increased knowledge of risk factors associated with non–cancer-related mortality in OC/OP cancer may lead to early intervention and enhanced overall survival.
15-F2t-Isoprostane Concentrations and Oxidant Status in Lactating Dairy Cattle with Acute Coliform Mastitis.

Background Severe mammary tissue damage during acute coliform mastitis in cattle is partially caused by oxidative stress. Although considered a gold standard biomarker in some human conditions, the utility of 15-F2t-Isoprostanes (15-F2t-Isop) in detecting oxidative stress in dairy cattle has not been validated. Hypothesis Concentrations of 15-F2t-Isop in plasma, urine, and milk correlate with changes in oxidant status during severe coliform mastitis in cattle. Animals Eleven lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in their 3rd–6th lactation. Methods A case–control study using cows with acute coliform mastitis and matched healthy controls were enrolled into this study. Measures of inflammation, oxidant status, and redox status in plasma and milk samples were quantified using commercial assays. Plasma, urine, and milk 15-F2t-Isop were quantified by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and ELISA assays. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum tests (α = 0.05). Results Plasma 15-F2t-Isop quantified by LC-MS/MS was positively correlated with systemic oxidant status (r = 0.83; P = .01). Urine 15-F2t-Isop quantified by LC-MS/MS did not correlate with systemic oxidant status, but was negatively correlated with redox status variables (r = −0.83; P = .01). Milk 15-F2t-Isop quantified by LC-MS/MS was negatively correlated (r = −0.86; P = .007) with local oxidant status. Total 15-F2t-Isop in milk quantified by a commercial ELISA (cbELISA) was positively correlated with oxidant status in milk (r = 0.98; P < .001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Free plasma 15-F2t-Isop quantified by LC-MS/MS and total milk 15-F2t-Isop quantified by cbELISA are accurate biomarkers of systemic and mammary gland oxidant status, respectively. Establishing reference intervals for free and total 15-F2t-Isops for evaluating oxidative stress in dairy cows should currently be based on the LC-MS/MS method.
Mutations in the Drosophila gene bullwinkle cause the formation of abnormal eggshell structures and bicaudal embryos

Subcellular localization of gene products and cell migration are both critical for pattern formation during development. The bullwinkle gene is required in Drosophila for disparate aspects of these processes. In females mutant at the bullwinkle locus, the follicle cells that synthesize the dorsal eggshell filaments do not migrate properly, creating short, broad structures. Mosaic analyses demonstrate that wild-type BULLWINKLE function is required in the germ line for these migrations. Since the mRNA for gurken, the putative ligand that signals dorsal follicle cell fate, is correctly localized in bullwinkle mutants, we conclude that our bullwinkle alleles do not affect the dorsoventral polarity of the oocyte and thus must be affecting the follicle cell migrations in some other way. In addition, the embryos that develop from bullwinkle mothers are bicaudal. A KINESIN:beta-GALACTOSIDASE fusion protein is correctly localized to the posterior pole of bullwinkle oocytes during stage 9. Thus, the microtubule structure of the oocyte and general transport along it do not appear to be disrupted prior to cytoplasmic streaming. Unlike other bicaudal mutants, oskar mRNA is localized correctly to the posterior pole of the oocyte at stage 10. By early embryogenesis, however, some oskar mRNA is mislocalized to the anterior pole. Consistent with the mislocalization of oskar mRNA, a fraction of the VASA protein and nanos mRNA are also mislocalized to the anterior pole of bullwinkle embryos. Mislocalization of nanos mRNA to the anterior is dependent on functional VASA protein. Although the mirror-image segmentation defects appear to result from the action of the posterior group genes, germ cells are not formed at the anterior pole. The bicaudal phenotype is also germ-line dependent for bullwinkle. We suspect that BULLWINKLE interacts with the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix and is necessary for gene product localization and cell migration during oogenesis after stage 10a.
Empowerment of children and youth for consumer self-care.

To maximize opportunities for exchange of ideas, the content of this section changes from issue to issue. In this issue of the Journal, Judith Igoe provides an informative overv#w of social trends and research related to empowering children and youth to participate actively in their own health care. She calls for renewed attention on the part of health practitioners and researchers to develop and test innovative approaches for enhancing children’s participation in care, self-confidence in health encounters, and sense of control of personal health. Directions for research and theory development are addressed. Most importantly, she identifies the need for a societal shift in expectations from health encounters -a shift that could portend more involvement and, as a result, improve health and quality of life for future generations.
Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) Elastomers from Aqueous Emulsions: III. Effects of Blended Silica Fillers and γ-Radiation-Induced Crosslinking

Abstract The morphologies of the reinforced elastomers prepared from emulsions were found to depend greatly on how the silica phases were introduced. More specifically, blending colloidal silica into the elastomer prior to film formation was found to yield a highly unusual elastomer in which the continuous phase was the silica and the dispersed phase the elastomer. This is the opposite of the usual case in which, for example, the silica is generated in-situ within the continuous elastomeric phase. These morphological differences were used to explain the different shapes of the stress—strain isotherms of these materials in simple elongation. Results on the crosslinking effects of gamma radiation demonstrated that this treatment represents another useful technique for optimizing the properties of these emulsion-derived materials.
Sedimentary chromium isotopic compositions across the Cretaceous OAE2 at Demerara Rise Site 1258

Abstract In order to advance our understanding of the emerging chromium (Cr) isotope system as a paleoredox proxy, we measured the 53Cr/52Cr of black shales deposited before, during, and after Cretaceous Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2). We observed a > 1‰ coherent negative 53Cr/52Cr excursion and significant drawdown in Cr enrichments during OAE2 coincident with a large positive carbon isotope excursion. Our observed negative 53Cr/52Cr excursion during OAE2 is most easily linked to an increase in the ratio of euxinic to reducing conditions. Additional work on other OAE sections is needed to determine the spatial significance of this Cr isotope trend.
PTPS-06SINGLE-CELL TRANSCRIPTOME ANALYSIS IN PEDIATRIC HIGH-GRADE GLIOMA

Human tumors are complex systems containing cells with diverse phenotypes, genotypes and epigenetic states; but current treatment strategies and models do not adequately reflect tumor composition in patients. High-grade gliomas are particularly heterogeneous tumors and currently represent the most common cause of cancer-related death in children. Increasing evidence indicates that treatment failure and resistance are at least in part due to this heterogeneity. We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to profile the transcriptome of thousands of single cells in pediatric high-grade glioma and reconstructed their cellular architecture. We found restricted expression of neural stem/progenitor expression programs in distinct subsets of cells, and observed that cellular programs evolve during genetic evolution. This suggests that both genetic and superimposed developmental programs contribute to tumor heterogeneity. These results provide unparalleled insight into the cellular composition of pediatric high-grade gliomas at the level of single-cell resolution, and open up new avenues for discovering novel therapeutic targets.
Metropolitan Structural Development: The Territorial Imperative

Annexation has been an important factor in the growth of American cities. This continues to be the case in many southern and western cities. Thus, turf politics has figured prominently in the structural development of most metropolitan areas in the United States. Divisions of the local landscape are largely determined through negotiations and bargains among local citizens and their representatives. However, several complicating factors can make local bargains unstable and draw other institutions and governments, such as the state, into the bargaining process, thereby adding a further intergovernmental dimension to local territoriality and requiring accommodations of wider interests. These dynamics are studied here through a detailed examination of annexation policies in the Houston metropolitan area.
Simultaneous measurement of complementary observables with compressive sensing.

The more information a measurement provides about a quantum system’s position statistics, the less information a subsequent measurement can provide about the system’s momentum statistics. This information trade-off is embodied in the entropic formulation of the uncertainty principle. Traditionally, uncertainly relations correspond to resolution limits; increasing a detector’s position sensitivity decreases its momentum sensitivity and vice versa. However, this is not required in general; for example, position information can instead be extracted at the cost of noise in momentum. Using random, partial projections in position followed by strong measurements in momentum, we efficiently determine the transverse-position and transverse-momentum distributions of an unknown optical field with a single set of measurements. The momentum distribution is directly imaged, while the position distribution is recovered using compressive sensing. At no point do we violate uncertainty relations; rather, we economize the use of information we obtain.
Superior analytic characteristics of an immunometric assay for gonadotropins also provides useful clinical prediction of in vitro fertilization outcomes

Objective To determine whether an analytically superior gonadotropin assay, the monoclonal, two-site immunometric assay, also provided superior prediction of clinical outcomes when compared with conventional RIA methodology. Design Methods comparison study. Setting Tertiary academic center. Patients One hundred fifty-seven consecutive IVF patients. Intervention Comparisons of FSH and LH levels on cycle day 3 were made using paired RIA and immunometric assay procedures. The ability of day 3 LH, FSH, and their ratio in predicting IVF performance was determined using regression analyses. Results The predictive ability of FSH as assayed by immunometric assay at least equaled that obtained by RIA for both peak E 2 levels and the number of mature oocytes retrieved. Conclusion Results from this study indicate that gonadotropin levels as measured by immunometric assay represent an effective clinical tool in predicting IVF outcomes that may prove superior to RIA.
Histological characteristics of prostatic biopsies after 125iodine implantation.

AbstractThere were 39 prostatic needle biopsies obtained from 33 patients with carcinoma of the prostate 1 to 3 years after definitive treatment with interstitial implantation using 125iodine radioactive sources. Of these biopsies 57 per cent obtained at 12 to 18 months and 73 per cent obtained at 19 to 36 months after implantation were negative for malignancy. All biopsies revealed histologic evidence of significant radiation injury. Neither the presence or absence of malignancy on biopsy nor the degree of radiation injury could be related to the initial stage and grade of the prostatic neoplasm.
Learning to identify the benign thoracic manifestations of asbestosis from a single patient

A 76-year-old man was referred for evaluation of an asymptomatic left lower lobe mass. He had a history of asbestos exposure, as he worked aboard a navy ship in the 1950s for 5 years. He carried a 60 pack-year smoking history but had quit smoking 30 years earlier. Cardiopulmonary examination was unremarkable. Pulmonary function test (PFT) demonstrated a restrictive pattern with normal diffusion capacity. CT of the chest revealed five benign findings of pleural asbestosis (figures 1⇓–3). Figure 1 CT of the chest demonstrates bilateral calcified pleural plaques (yellow arrow), pleural thickening (light-blue arrow) with trace left pleural effusion (red arrow), and the right upper lobe fibrotic band (green arrow). Figure 2 CT of the chest demonstrates discrete areas of calcified diaphragmatic pleura …
Detection probability analysis of airborne radar for marine target

The method of airborne radar searching for marine target has the virtue of fast speed, working day and night, and little effecting by the sea. But it is difficult to determine the detection probability analysis of airborne radar searching for marine target because of target characteristics, environmental factors and search methods. Generally through the repeated search to improve the target detection probability, it is limited to the application of detection technology of airborne radar. This paper analyzes the basic theory of airborne radar searching for marine target, and established a research model of the way of using for typical tasks to calculate and estimate the detection ability of marine target. The paper finally gives the detection probability calculation results and provides a reference for the technology application of airborne radar searching for marine target.
Robot-Server Architecture for Optimizing Solar Panel Power Output

Solar panel facilities for generating electricity have increased exponentially in the recent years. Dust and bird droppings on the solar panels inhibit the energy production. Having people to inspect them and, if needed, clean them is expensive and increases the energy cost. In this research paper we introduce a robot-server architecture for the purpose of inspecting the panels and cleaning them if there is a need for it. The general architecture of the robot consists of a mechanical part, an electromechanical part, an electronic part, and a software part. The mechanical and electromechanical parts consist of an all-terrain vehicle, two electric brushless motors, a telescopic vision system, and telescopic cleaning system with a brush, stepper motors controlling the telescopic vision system, and the telescopic vacuum system with a brushless electric motor. The electronic system consists of three electronic speed controllers, navigation sensors, a computer board, a hard disk, a transceiver, and an antenna for wireless communication. The software consists of a scalable operating system, an intelligent vision system with pattern recognition, a communication software system, an intelligent navigation system, and a file server with a database, TLS security, network communication software based on UDP, and internet communication based on websockets and TCP-IP. In addition to that for street solar lights we designed a PCB board with a sensor that activates a mechanism similar to windshield wipers that cleans the glass of the solar panels powering the lights automatically when needed.
Sensitivity to a frequency-dependent circular polarization in an isotropic stochastic gravitational wave background

We calculate the sensitivity to a circular polarization of an isotropic stochastic gravitational wave background (ISGWB) as a function of frequency for ground- and space-based interferometers and observations of the cosmic microwave background. The origin of a circularly polarized ISGWB may be due to exotic primordial physics (i.e., parity violation in the early universe) and may be strongly frequency dependent. We present calculations within a coherent framework which clarifies the basic requirements for sensitivity to circular polarization, in distinction from previous work which focused on each of these techniques separately. We find that the addition of an interferometer with the sensitivity of the Einstein Telescope in the southern hemisphere improves the sensitivity of the ground-based network to circular polarization by about a factor of two. The sensitivity curves presented in this paper make clear that the wide range in frequencies of current and planned observations ($10^{-18}\ {\rm Hz} \lesssim f \lesssim 100\ {\rm Hz}$) will be critical to determining the physics that underlies any positive detection of circular polarization in the ISGWB. We also identify a desert in circular polarization sensitivity for frequencies between $10^{-15}\ {\rm Hz} \lesssim f \lesssim 10^{-3}\ {\rm Hz}$, given the inability for pulsar timing arrays and indirect-detection methods to distinguish the gravitational wave polarization.
Imaging performance measurements for a 1mm 3 resolution clinical PET system

BREAST cancer is the most common cancer in women [1]. High-resolution, breast-dedicated PET can provide complementary information to guide cancer management, alongside traditional imaging modalities such as mammography, MRI, and ultrasound [2]. A dual-panel PET camera dedicated to breast imaging (Fig. 1) is being constructed and tested in our lab, with high sensitivity, 1mm3 spatial resolution, and capability for 3-D positioning of one or more interactions per event. Each 8×8 LYSO crystal array is coupled to a position-sensitive avalanche photodiode (PSAPD), and 2 PSAPDs are multiplexed together into a dual-module, which provides energy, timing, and crystal identification capabilities [3]. 16 dual-modules are assembled side-by-side to form a detector layer, 8 detector layers are stacked vertically to form a cartridge, and 9 cartridges make up one detector head for a total panel area of ∼10 × 16cm2.
Applying arc resistant technologies to medium voltage variable frequency drives

Arc resistant low/medium voltage switchgear and motor controls continue to provide proven levels of additional personnel safety in most every petroleum and chemical facility. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) generated testing guides and standards for these products which are open to some level of interpretation when applied to products other than traditional medium voltage circuit breaker or fundamental motor controller structures for which the current available standards and guides were intended when they were initially written. All medium voltage variable frequency drives, because of their inherent designs, require high volumes of cooling air which pose a real challenge in regards to providing full arc resistant capabilities and compliance to the present testing guides, procedures, and standards. This paper will deliver real solutions to this problem through the application of unique cooling processes, arc channeling technologies, structural enhancements, arc fault energy limiting methodologies and special application considerations when applying arc resistant medium voltage drives.
Solar Photovoltaic Array's Shadow Evaluation Using Neural Network with On-Site Measurement

This paper proposes a method to accurately predict the maximum output power of the solar photovoltaic arrays under the shadow conditions by using neural network, a combined method using the multilayer perceptrons feed forward network and the backpropagation algorithm. Using the solar irradiation levels, the ambient temperature and the sun's position angles as the input signals, and the maximum output power of the solar photovoltaic array as an output signal, the training data for the neural network is received by measurement on a particular time, when solar panel is shaded. After training, the neural network model's accuracy and generalization are verified by the test data. This model, which is called the shading function, is able to predict the shadow effects on the solar PV arrays for long term with low computational efforts.