cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multivariate analysis of the Scarr-Rowe interaction across middle childhood and early adolescence

Abstract Numerous studies have found interactions between socioeconomic status (SES) and the heritability of cognitive ability in samples from the United States, with individuals from lower SES backgrounds showing decreased heritability compared to those reared in higher SES environments. However, nearly all published studies of the Scarr-Rowe interaction have been univariate and cross-sectional. In this study, we sought to maximize statistical power by fitting multivariate models of gene (G) x SES interaction, including longitudinal models. Cognitive ability data collected at up to five time points between ages 7 and 15 years were available for 566 twin pairs from the Louisville Twin Study. We used multilevel and latent factor models to pool intelligence subtest scores cross-sectionally. To examine interactions longitudinally, we fit latent growth curve models to IQ scores. Power analysis results indicated that the multivariate approach substantially boosted power to detect G x SES interaction. The predicted interaction effect was observed at most ages in cross-sectional multivariate analyses. In longitudinal analyses, we found significant G x SES interactions on mean-level (intercept) full scale IQ and performance IQ (ps
Monocyte-Derived Macrophages Are Necessary for Beta-Adrenergic Receptor-Driven Choroidal Neovascularization Inhibition.

Purpose Beta-adrenergic receptor (AR) antagonists, like propranolol, inhibit angiogenesis in multiple ocular conditions through an unknown mechanism. We previously showed that propranolol reduces choroidal neovascularization (CNV) by decreasing interleukin-6 levels. Since macrophages are one of the central producers of interleukin-6, we examined whether macrophages are required for propranolol-driven inhibition of choroidal angiogenesis. Methods We tested the anti-angiogenic properties of propranolol in the choroidal sprouting assay and the laser-induced CNV model. Bone marrow-derived monocytes (BMDMs) were added to the choroidal sprouting assay and Ccr2-/- mice were subjected to laser-induced CNV. Multi-parameter flow cytometry was performed to characterize the ocular mononuclear phagocyte populations after laser injury and during propranolol treatment. Results Propranolol reduced choroidal angiogenesis by 41% (P < 0.001) in the choroidal sprouting assay. Similarly, propranolol decreased laser-induced CNV by 50% (P < 0.05) in female mice, with no change in males. BMDMs increased choroidal sprouting by 146% (P < 0.0001), and this effect was ablated by propranolol. Beta-AR inhibition had no effect upon laser-induced CNV area in female Ccr2-/- mice. MHCII+ and MHCII- macrophages increased 20-fold following laser treatment in wildtype mice as compared to untreated mice, and this effect was completely attenuated in lasered Ccr2-/- mice. Moreover, propranolol increased the numbers of MHCII+ and MHCII- macrophages by 1.9 (P = 0.07) and 3.1 (P < 0.05) fold in lasered female mice with no change in macrophage numbers in males. Conclusions Our data suggest that propranolol inhibits angiogenesis through recruitment of monocyte-derived macrophages in female mice only. These data show the anti-angiogenic nature of beta-AR blocker-recruited monocyte-derived macrophages in CNV.
A diffusion-weighted imaging tract-based spatial statistics study of autism spectrum disorder in preschool-aged children

The core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are widely theorized to result from altered brain connectivity. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) has been a versatile method for investigating underlying microstructural properties of white matter (WM) in ASD. Despite phenotypic and etiological heterogeneity, DWI studies in majority male samples of older children, adolescents, and adults with ASD have largely reported findings of decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) across several commissural, projection, and association fiber tracts. However, studies in preschool-aged children (i.e., < 30–40 months) suggest individuals with ASD have increased measures of WM FA earlier in development. We analyzed 127 individuals with ASD (85♂, 42♀) and 54 typically developing (TD) controls (42♂, 26♀), aged 25.1–49.6 months. Voxel-wise effects of ASD diagnosis, sex, age, and their interaction on DWI measures of FA, mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD) were investigated using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) while controlling mean absolute and relative motion. Compared to TD controls, males and females with ASD had significantly increased measures of FA in eight clusters (threshold-free cluster enhancement p < 0.05) that incorporated several WM tracts including regions of the genu, body, and splenium of the corpus callosum, inferior frontal-occipital fasciculi, inferior and superior longitudinal fasciculi, middle and superior cerebellar peduncles, and corticospinal tract. A diagnosis by sex interaction was observed in measures of AD across six significant clusters incorporating areas of the body, genu, and splenium of the corpus collosum. In these tracts, females with ASD showed increased AD compared to TD females, while males with ASD showed decreased AD compared to TD males. The current findings support growing evidence that preschool-aged children with ASD have atypical measures of WM microstructure that appear to differ in directionality from alterations observed in older individuals with the condition. To our knowledge, this study represents the largest sample of preschool-aged females with ASD to be evaluated using DWI. Microstructural differences associated with ASD largely overlapped between sexes. However, differential relationships of AD measures indicate that sex likely modulates ASD neuroanatomical phenotypes. Further longitudinal study is needed to confirm and quantify the developmental relationship of WM structure in ASD.
TEMPORAL TREND IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND ATRIAL FLUTTER ASSOCIATED MORTALITY IN THE UNITED STATES (1999-2017)

Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter (AF) are a major burden on public health. The prevalence of AF increases with age, but representative national data about AF associated mortality are limited. We sought to examine the trends of deaths due to AF in the United States (U.S). A retrospective
Effects of upscaling temporal resolution of groundwater flow and transport boundary conditions on the performance of nitrate-transport models at the regional management scale

Managed aquifer recharge and changes in crop type or nutrient management on agricultural lands are promising approaches to address groundwater quality degradation by nitrate. Tools to assess nonpoint-source contaminant transport are needed to better understand the interaction between agricultural management practices and long-term nitrate dynamics in groundwater basins. This study investigates the impact of time-resolution upscaling of groundwater flow stresses (i.e., recharge, pumping, and evapotranspiration rates) on the long-term prediction of nitrate transport at the regional scale. A three-dimensional, monthly transient flow and nitrate-transport model using MODFLOW and MT3D is applied as the reference simulation. The reference model results are compared to temporally upscaled models with (1) upscaled annual-averaged flow and transport stresses and (2) steady-state flow stresses, across different management scenarios. Models with annual-averaged flow and nitrate-loading stresses were found to be the best alternative to the reference model. However, employing a steady-state flow field to parameterize transient transport models, using a time series of spatially variable annual total contaminant loading, provides a useful alternative to predict the trend and variability of nitrate-concentration breakthrough curves at wells across the regional scale and to differentiate the effects of various agricultural management scenarios, if the history of the source contaminant mass is known. The difference between concentrations resulting from steady-state-flow versus transient-flow models is less than 2 mgN/L for nearly 75% of shallow groundwater cells in the model. However, the steady-state-flow-model-based transport simulation does not capture short-term oscillations of nitrate concentrations in pumping wells at the local scale.
Association Between Mode of First Delivery and Subsequent Fecundity and Fertility

Importance More than 20% of births globally are by cesarean delivery, including more than 30% in the US. Prior studies have reported lower rates of childbearing after cesarean delivery, but it is not clear if this is due to maternal choice or lower conception rates. Objective To investigate the association between mode of first delivery and subsequent conceptions and live births. Design, Setting, and Participants The First Baby Study was a multicenter prospective cohort study of women aged 18 to 35 years with singleton pregnancies, enrolled and interviewed before first childbirth, who delivered in Pennsylvania from 2009 to 2011 and were followed up for 36 months after delivery (until April 2014). Data analysis for this study took place between May and July 2019 and in January 2020. Exposures Mode of first delivery (cesarean or vaginal). Main Outcomes and Measures Rates of subsequent conceptions and live births. Discrete-time Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to compare the rate of subsequent conception (vaginal vs cesarean) among those who completed the 36-month survey, accounting for reported months of unprotected intercourse during the follow-up period and adjusting for relevant covariates. A log binomial regression was used to compare the age-adjusted rate of subsequent live birth (vaginal vs cesarean) among those who completed the 36-month survey. Results The study population consisted of 2423 women who were retained to the 36-month survey (mean [SD] age at baseline was 27.2 [4.4] years and 712 [29.4%] delivered by cesarean). There were 2046 women who had unprotected intercourse during the follow-up period, 2021 of whom provided data on months of unprotected intercourse. Cesarean delivery was associated with lower rates of conception after unprotected intercourse during the follow-up period (413 of 599 [68.9%]) compared with vaginal delivery (1090 of 1422 [76.7%]) (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74-0.96). Cesarean delivery was also associated with reduced likelihood of a subsequent live birth (305 women [42.8%]) compared with vaginal delivery (857 women [50.1%]), with an age-adjusted risk ratio of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75-0.92). Conclusions and Relevance In the 3 years following first childbirth, women who delivered their first child by cesarean had lower rates of conception after unprotected intercourse, and fewer of these women had a second child than those who delivered vaginally.
Comparison of Current Interrupt Device and Vent Design for 18650 Format Lithium-ion Battery Caps

Abstract The current interrupt device (CID) and vent mechanism in the cap of 18650 lithium-ion cells decrease thermal runaway risks by electrically isolating the cell upon internal pressure increase and relieving internal pressure before case rupture, respectively. Geometry analysis, CID- and vent-activation pressure measurement, and finite element analysis mechanical simulation of the vent mechanism were performed for MTI and LG MJ1 18650 caps. The MTI cap used a spot-weld and the LG MJ1 cap used a notch-groove connection for the CID. The vent-activation mechanism was a notch-grooved disk for both caps. The CID-activation pressures were 1.058 ± 0.053 and 1.293 ± 0.119 MPa at ambient temperature and 0.920 ± 0.076 and 1.066 ± 0.068 MPa at 100°C for the MTI and LG MJ1 caps, respectively. The vent-activation pressures were 2.308 ± 0.196 and 2.202 ± 0.083 MPa at ambient temperature and 1.919 ± 0.132 and 1.866 ± 0.084 MPa at 100°C for the MTI and LG MJ1 caps, respectively. Mechanical simulations predicted vent-activation pressures in agreement with experiments and showed decrease maximum stress sensitivity to applied pressure near the vent-activation pressure, consistent with observed sample-to-sample vent-activation pressure variation. Mechanical simulation also predicted vent-activation pressures of 0.448 and 0.400 MPa for the MTI and LG MJ1 caps, respectively, at 300°C.
Tuberculosis biomarkers discovered using Diversity Outbred mice

Abstract Background Biomarker discovery for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) may be accelerated by modeling human genotypic diversity and phenotypic responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). To meet these objectives, we use the Diversity Outbred (DO) mouse population and apply novel classifiers to identify informative biomarkers from multidimensional data sets. Method To identify biomarkers, we infected DO mice with aerosolized Mtb confirmed a human-like spectrum of phenotypes, examined gene expression, and inflammatory and immune mediators in the lungs. We measured 11 proteins in 453 Mtb-infected and 29 non-infected mice. We have searched all combinations of six classification algorithms and 239 biomarker subsets and independently validated the selected classifiers. Finally, we selected two mouse lung biomarkers to test as candidate biomarkers of active TB, measuring their diagnostic performance in human sera acquired from the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics. Findings DO mice discovered two translationally relevant biomarkers, CXCL1 and MMP8 that accurately diagnosed active TB in humans with > 90% sensitivity and specificity compared to controls. We identified them through the two classifiers that accurately diagnosed supersusceptible DO mice with early-onset TB: Logistic Regression using MMP8 as a single biomarker, and Gradient Tree Boosting using a panel of 4 biomarkers (CXCL1, CXCL2, TNF, IL-10). Interpretation This work confirms that the DO population models human responses and can accelerate discovery of translationally relevant TB biomarkers. Funding Support was provided by NIH R21 AI115038; NIH R01 HL145411; NIH UL1-TR001430; and the American Lung Association Biomedical Research Grant RG-349504.
Stishovite nucleation at low shock pressures in soda-lime glass

Abstract Highly dense and ultra-hard Stishovite phase is the most stable form of SiO2. It is formed when fused silica is subjected to extreme pressures (>34 GPa). In this communication, we report nucleation of the Stishovite phase in shock-loaded soda-lime glass (SLG) samples at a remarkably low compressive stress of 7 GPa. Although it falls within the reported Hugoniot Elastic Limit of SLG between 2.5 and 7 GPa, it is significantly below the crystallization threshold of 34 GPa observed for fused silica. SLG plates were shock loaded by impacting them at 1–2.5 km/s using a table-top experimental setup in which 1 mm-dia Al micro flyer plates of 25–50 μm thickness were generated and propelled using a top-hat Nd:YAG laser pulse of 8 ns duration. The shocked samples were imaged using High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and further analyzed using Selected Area Electron Diffraction and FFT analyses. All samples showed nucleation of 4 nm Stishovite crystals distributed within the amorphous SLG matrix. The stress state was determined by directly measuring the flyer speed, particle velocity, and shockwave speed by using a state-of-the-art Photonic Doppler Velocimeter (PDV).
Fatigue Performance of Aged SAC-Bi Solder Joint under Varying Stress Cycling

SAC solder alloys have been widely used in electronic assembly, and its fatigue resistance is a critical factor that affects the reliability of electronics. Bi is one of the candidate doped materials for SAC solder alloys to improve the fatigue properties of solder joints. Much research using accelerated test was proposed to investigate the fatigue property of SAC-Bi solder alloys. However, it has been proved that the fatigue property of the standard tested bar performs differently from the actual solder joints. Additionally, solder joints are expected to fail earlier under realistic service conditions with varying amplitude cycling. In this study, three kinds of individual solder joints (SAC305, SAC-Q, and SAC-R) are aged for 10 hours and 1000 hours, and then cycled to total failure under both single and varying stress amplitude conditions. It indicates that the life of all solder joints is degraded after aging. However, SAC-Q and SAC-R showed more aging resistance than SAC305 under single stress amplitude conditions. In varying cycling with two stress amplitudes, the inelastic work of lower stress always rises after switching from high to low stress cycles. This leads to more damage per cycle and, thus, faster damage accumulation and early failure.
Human-Guided Modality Informativeness for Affective States

This paper studies the hypothesis that not all modalities are always needed to predict affective states. We explore this hypothesis in the context of recognizing three affective states that have shown a relation to a future onset of depression: positive, aggressive, and dysphoric. In particular, we investigate three important modalities for face-to-face conversations: vision, language, and acoustic modality. We first perform a human study to better understand which subset of modalities people find informative, when recognizing three affective states. As a second contribution, we explore how these human annotations can guide automatic affect recognition systems to be more interpretable while not degrading their predictive performance. Our studies show that humans can reliably annotate modality informativeness. Further, we observe that guided models significantly improve interpretability, i.e., they attend to modalities similarly to how humans rate the modality informativeness, while at the same time showing a slight increase in predictive performance.
Treatment of viral hepatitis in children

In children, the natural history of chronic hepatitis B and C is different from that in adults. There are also different guidelines on therapy. So far, only conventional interferon alfa and lamivudine have been approved for the treatment of children with chronic hepatitis B before the age of twelve. For the older ones, tenofovir and adefovir are also an option. All of them are used as monotherapy. Treatment should be carried out only in certain indications, provided by predictors that favor a positive outcome. Therapeutic goal is to stop the progression of the disease in order to reduce the risk of complications (cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma) later in life. There is also no urgency to start treatment in children with chronic hepatitis C, as the disease in children generally has slow progression. Therefore, therapy is indicated in those with progressive liver disease (with a significant degree of fibrosis). The recommended treatment is a combination of pegylated interferon alfa 2b and ribavirin. For all children with chronic viral hepatitis, annual screening for hepatocellular carcinoma must also be conducted, as it has been shown that the risk is higher here than in healthy children.
Long-term management of gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications

Although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is believed to be primarily a motor disorder, current medical therapy is based on the inhibition of acid secretion, since it is the deleterious effects of the acidic refluxate that lead to the symptoms and complications of GERD. Goals of long-term management include the relief of symptoms, healing of esophagitis and prevention of its relapse, and prevention of complications with safe, cost-effective therapy. Maintenance therapy depends on disease severity. Prokinetic drugs have a limited role except in symptomatic nonerosive GERD. Likewise, H2-receptor antagonists are useful in relapsing, nonerosive GERD or in cases of mild initial esophagitis. For severe reflux esophagitis, even high doses of H2-receptor antagonists do not appear to be as effective as proton pump inhibitors. GERD patients with severe reflux esophagitis or complications such as peptic stricture or Barrett's esophagus should be maintained on proton pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole or omeprazole. For young and otherwise healthy patients, antireflux surgery is a viable option.
Conocimientos y percepción sobre el tabaquismo y sus efectos dañinos a la salud entre los estudiantes adolescentes de Venecia y Aguas Zarcas, Costa Rica

Tobacco addiction represents one of the most grave worldwide public health problems, especially within populations of developing countries. Studies in Costa Rica and other countries demonstrate that this addiction frequently begins during adolescence. This study evaluated with a written questionnaire the general and specific knowledge of 529 students between the ages of 12 and 18 years of the health risks associated with tobacco addiction. It also evaluated their perceptions of the factors that predict the onset of adolescent tobacco addiction. The questionnaire was applied in three of the schools of Venecia and Aguas Zarcas, districts of the San Carlos canton of Costa Rica. The students demonstrated a basic knowledge of the health risks of tobacco addiction on the lungs, pregnancy complications, and cancer. The study indicated a lack of student knowledge of the adverse effects of tobacco on cardiovascular and female reproductive health. There existed a positive linear relation between median knowledge level and age (P≤0,0001; R 2 =5,45), as well as academic grade (P≤0,0001; R 2 =10,2). The predictive factors of adolescent tobacco addiction considered the most influential by the students were the influence of smokers within family and friend groups. The implementation of a comprehensive academic program for prevention of tobacco use and addiction that addresses both lack of knowledge and perceptions of these students related to tobacco addiction is recommended.
Entranced by the Goddess: Folklore in North Indian Religion

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Sudha Chandola Year: 2007 Pages: xvi + 205 Publisher: Heart of Albion ISBN: 978-1-905646-08-1 (soft cover). Prices: £12.95(soft cover).
Relationship of the actions of neuroleptic drugs to the pathophysiology of tardive dyskinesia.

Publisher Summary This chapter surveys and synthesizes the adaptive responses to the neuroleptic drugs that may bear on the mechanisms underlying the late and persistent or tardive dyskinesias associated with their use in the treatment of patients with severe chronic neuropsychiatric illnesses. The chapter provides an overview of the current use of the neuroleptic drugs, their neurological side effects, and their currently suspected mechanisms of action. There is a need for carefully controlled neuropathologic studies in animals and man following prolonged exposure to neuroleptic agents, using classical neurohistology and newer techniques such as chemical assays of transmitters and their metabolites, as well as biochemical and immunohistologic assays of neuron-specific enzymes, and the new labeling assays for neurotransmitter and drug receptors. Such methods are applicable to postmortem human brain tissue for a more direct evaluation of the current pathophysiologic hypotheses concerning the response of the brain to prolonged exposure to neuroleptic drugs, and the development of tardive dyskinesia. The precise pathophysiology of tardive dyskinesia remains uncertain. The study of neurological, behavioral, and endocrinological effects of the neuroleptic agents on the CNS has contributed to an improved understanding of their actions, which is at least equal to that of many other drugs used in medicine.
Management of recurrent carcinoma of the cervix

Abstract Early diagnosis and management of recurrent cervical carcinoma are the most difficult problems encountered by physicians. In this study there were 145 patients with recurrent disease who were re-treated by additional radiation and 17 patients were treated by radical operation. In the patients treated by reirradiation, there were 4 patients who survived 5 years (3.1 per cent). Satisfactory palliation was achieved in 54 per cent of the patients without an excessive number of serious complications. The unanswered question is: How can operable recurrence be detected earlier in our Stage I and Stage II cases?
Proteomics of reproductive systems: Towards a molecular understanding of postmating, prezygotic reproductive barriers

Following mating and insemination, fertility is dependent on the successful execution of a complex array of morphological, physiological and molecular interactions between male and female proteins, cells and tissues. Many of these interacting components bear hallmarks of co-evolving systems and are suspected to contribute to postmating, prezygotic (PMPZ) reproductive barriers involved in the formation of new species. Although PMPZ reproductive isolation has historically been more difficult to study than precopulatory and postzygotic barriers, recent research has highlighted its potential role in speciation and revealed the impact of molecular investigation utilizing proteomic approaches. Proteomics, in conjunction with transcriptomic and evolutionary genomic studies, has been widely used to identify rapidly evolving male and female reproductive proteins. Increased access to high-throughput and quantitative proteomic techniques, as well as the ease of generating genomic and transcriptomic resources necessary for protein identification, can facilitate the extension of proteomics from traditional model species to systems of relevance to PMPZ phenotypes and hence greatly expand our understanding of how rapidly diverging molecular systems may contribute to PMPZ barriers. Here we review the influence proteomic analyses can have on our understanding of the function and evolution of the complex cellular and molecular processes governing postcopulatory male-female interactions and the study of PMPZ reproductive isolation, with the goal of expanding our understanding of the contribution of PMPZ processes to speciation.
Is Māori food sovereignty affected by adherence, or lack thereof, to Te Tiriti O Waitangi?

Māori food sovereignty was and continues to be severely affected by British colonisation and influence. This situation and its causes, both past and present, will be examined in the context of Māori culture, especially Te Tiriti, a founding document of New Zealand. The general concept of food sovereignty is introduced, and its key principle: having power over one's own food system. A brief history of Māori food systems is necessary as context–their adaptation from Polynesia to New Zealand and later, to European settlement. Te Tiriti and the Treaty of Waitangi are explained: how they were created and why Te Tiriti is authoritative. Then, different aspects of Te Tiriti are linked to various parts of Māori food sovereignty and traditional Māori concepts. Through breaching tuku whenua in Te Tiriti, land issues have arisen: the methods used to confiscate Māori land and the effects this had on traditional food, health and urbanisation are discussed. Culture as taonga is examined: the ways in which losing a food system leads to losing traditions, and how this breaches Te Tiriti. Then the (mostly negative) effects of this shift in food systems on the environment is examined, and how this relates back to taonga as well as the traditional duty of kaitiakitanga and, again, the breaching of Te Tiriti. Lastly, the underlying issue of power is examined in relation to rangatiratanga and overall sovereignty–this is also linked to Te Tiriti. Keywords: Food Sovereignty; Māori Land; Indigenous Rights; Colonisation Submitted: 15 September 2012; Revised 10 October 2013; Accepted for publication: 11 October 2013; Published :20 December 2013 urn:nbn:de:hebis:34-2014021145097
The Interrelationship of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

The article discusses the interrelationship of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. In many organizations, budget performance is used as the basis for allocating extrinsic rewards while budget motiv...
Appraising nutrient availability of household food supplies using Block Dietary Screeners for individuals.

Appraising nutrient availability of household food supplies using Block Dietary Screeners for individuals
Transboundary river floods: examining countries, international river basins and continents.

The objectives of this study were (1) to quantify river floods shared by more than one country, that is, transboundary river floods and (2) to grasp more fully the degree of vulnerability of people to such events on a global, international river basin (IRB) and country level. To these ends, publicly available data were combined to identify such events and the resultant losses of life, flood-related affected individuals and financial damage statistics were related to national levels of development. It was determined that in the period 1985‐2005, some 175 of the 1,760 river floods were transboundary, but globally accounted for 32% of all casualties and almost 60% of all affected individuals, illustrating the massive impact of shared floods. This database of transboundary floods was then merged with socio-economic and biophysical data, enabling analyses that revealed the degree of vulnerability of people to transboundary floods from a global to a country level. Selecting one country, continent or IRB most vulnerable to transboundary floods proofed to be unfeasible since the answer heavily depended upon the specific definition of vulnerability, illustrating the complexity of this phenomenon. However, together, the results significantly increased our current knowledge of shared floods which could aid policy-makers in identifying and evaluating potential vulnerability to transboundary river floods.
The T box transcription factor no tail in ciliated cells controls zebrafish left-right asymmetry.

Abstract The heart, brain, and gut develop essential left-right (LR) asymmetries. Specialized groups of ciliated cells have been implicated in LR patterning in mouse, chick, frog, and zebrafish embryos [1]. In zebrafish, these ciliated cells are found in Kupffer's vesicle (KV) and are progeny of dorsal forerunner cells (DFCs) [1–3]. However, there is no direct evidence in any vertebrate that the genes involved in LR development are specifically required in ciliated cells. By using a novel method in zebrafish, we knocked down the function of no tail ( ntl , homologous to mouse brachyury ) in DFCs without affecting its expression in other cells in the embryo. We find that the Ntl transcription factor functions cell autonomously in DFCs to regulate KV morphogenesis and LR determination. This is the first evidence that loss-of-gene function exclusively in ciliated cells perturbs vertebrate LR patterning. Our results demonstrate that the ciliated KV, a transient embryonic organ of previously unknown function, is involved in the earliest known step in zebrafish LR development, suggesting that a ciliary-based mechanism establishes the LR axis in all vertebrate embryos.
Direct numerical simulations of transverse and spanwise magnetic field effects on turbulent flow in a 2:1 aspect ratio rectangular duct

Abstract Magnetic fields are used extensively to direct liquid metal flows in material processing. Continuous casting of steel uses different configurations of magnetic fields to optimize turbulent flows in rectangular cross-sections to minimize defects in the solidified steel product. Realizing the importance of a magnetic field on turbulent flows in rectangular cross-sections, the present work is aimed at understanding the effect of a magnetic field on the turbulent metal flow at a nominal bulk Reynolds number of ∼5300 (based upon full duct height) (Re τ = 170, based upon half duct height) and Hartmann numbers (based upon half duct height) of 0, 6.0 and 8.25 in a 2:1 aspect ratio rectangular duct. Direct numerical simulations in a non-MHD 2:1 aspect ratio duct followed by simulations with transverse and span-wise magnetic fields have been performed with 224 × 120 × 512 cells (∼13.7 million cells). The fractional step method with second order space and time discretization schemes has been used to solve the coupled Navier–Stokes-MHD equations. Instantaneous and time-averaged natures of the flow have been examined through distribution of velocities, various turbulence parameters and budget terms. Spanwise (horizontal) magnetic field reorganizes and suppresses secondary flows more strongly. Turbulence suppression and velocity flattening effects are stronger with transverse (vertical) magnetic field.
An Experiential Approach to Marketing Education

This article reports a procedure for leading a class to generate product ideas, select one, produce a product or service, develop and implement a marketing plan, and distribute the profits. Marketing comes alive as students relate the textbook to the real world through this experiential approach to marketing education.
Genetically restricted antigen presentation for immunological tolerance and suppression

The activation of some subsets of T cells requires the recognition of antigen in association with self Ia determinants1,2. It is not clear, however, whether this is also necessary for the induction of unresponsiveness and the active suppression of haptenspecific T cells. We have studied the regulation of the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in mice. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of haptenated syngeneic cells primarily activates T helper cells, while intravenous (i.v.) injection results in unresponsiveness and the activation of T suppressor cells3. Presentation of antigen by an I–A-positive antigen-presenting cell (APC) seems to be critical for T helper cell activation4. We now show that the activation of first-order T suppressor cells requires the presentation of hapten on an I–J-positive APC. However, i.v. injection of I–J-depleted haptenated cells also results in haptenspecific unresponsiveness. This non-transferable T-cell tolerance requires the presence of an I–A-positive APC and is genetically restricted. These results suggest that distinct modes of antigen presentation and administration are required for immunity, suppression and non-transferable tolerance.
URINARY PROTEIN EXCRETION IN CLIMBERS AT HIGH ALTITUDES

Abstract Early-morning specimens of urine were collected about 14 hours after the cessation of exercise from thirteen climbers on a month-long trek in the central Himalayas. All had normal 24-hour creatinine clearance rates and exercising protein excretion rates at the start of the trek, which took the expedition to just over 18,000 ft. (5550 m.). It was found that the mean protein concentration in the urine correlated with the altitude at which the samples were taken. This correlation was increased when the effect of osmolar changes was removed or the protein concentration expressed as the protein/osmolar (P/O) ratio. The correlation was further increased both individually and collectively when the altitude 24 hours before sampling was considered, despite considerable individual variation both in urine concentrations and the correlations of altitude with P/O ratios. There was a time-lag before P/O ratio reflected altitude changes, this lag being greater when ascending than when descending, and being similar to the lag in onset of symptoms and signs described by other workers in acute mountain sickness. The alterations in P/O ratio with changes in altitude were not caused by variations in exercise. Moderate, though not " critical ", hypoxis, affecting the kidney indirectly, was a likelier cause.
Correlation and prediction of salt effects on vapor–liquid equilibrium in alcohol–water–salt systems

Abstract A modification of the solvation model of Ohe is proposed for the calculation of vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE) in alcohol–water–salt systems. The modified method employs the Bromley equation to calculate the activity of water in salt solutions, and a one-parameter empirical expression to calculate the activity of the alcohol. The single parameter is obtained by fitting ternary alcohol–water–salt data. The method is simple to use and does not require data on the vapor-pressures of alcohol–salt mixtures that are seldom available in the literature. Experimental data for 17 salts in 36 alcohol–water–salt systems, covering a temperature range from 298 to 375 K, and salt concentrations up to about 8 m, were correlated using the new approach. In all, 69 data sets and 1045 data points were correlated satisfactorily. The method was also used to predict VLE in four ternary alcohol–alcohol–salt systems and one quaternary alcohol–alcohol–water–salt system with satisfactory results.
Effect of soil applied systemic insecticides on yield of Norland potato

The effects of systemic phosphate insecticide applications in the fertilizer band at planting were studied on Norland variety potatoes grown on irrigated Plainfield sand for 3 years while the effects of systemic carbamate insecticides were studied for 2 years. Systemic carbamate and phosphate insecticides were studied on Norland variety potatoes grown on non-irrigated Parr silt loam for 2 years. A trend toward increased tuber yield over the untreated control when systemic carbamate insecticides were applied and decreased yield when systemic phosphate insecticides were applied on the irrigated Plainfield sand was evident. All systemic insecticide treatments yielded significantly more tubers than did the untreated conrol on the non-irrigated Parr silt loam.
The specificity of TCR/pMHC interaction.

Crystal structures of 11 complexes of TCRs with peptide/MHC (pMHC), that represent 6 independent TCRs, constitute the current structural database for deriving general insights into how αβ TCRs recognise peptide-bound MHC class I or class II. The TCRs adopt a roughly diagonal orientation on top of the pMHCs, but the identification of a set of conserved interactions that dictate this orientation is not apparent. Furthermore, the specific interaction of each TCR with its cognate pMHC partner is quite variable and also involves bound water molecules at the TCR/pMHC interface. In two of the systems, the structural basis for binding of altered peptide ligands has illustrated that the only significant conformational changes occur in the TCR/pMHC interface, but their small magnitude is inconsistent with the enormous variation in signalling outcomes. The TCRs adjust to different agonist, partial agonist and antagonist peptides by subtle conformational changes in their complementarity-determining regions, as previously observed in induced-fit mechanisms of antibody/antigen recognition. Alloreactive-complex structures determined or modelled so far indicate increased interactions of the TCR β-chain with the pMHC compared with their syngeneic counterparts.
Exploring nematode diversity

A massive study of expressed-sequence tags from both free-living and parasitic nematodes identifies tens of thousands of genes not present in Caenorhabditis elegans. Half of these are unique to nematodes and should provide new insights into the lifestyles of parasitic nematodes.
Collisional perturbation of radio-frequency E1 transitions in an atomic beam of dysprosium

We have studied collisional perturbations of radio-frequency (rf) electric-dipole (E1) transitions between the nearly degenerate opposite-parity levels in atomic dysprosium (Dy) in the presence of 10 to 80 {mu}Torr of H{sub 2}, N{sub 2}, He, Ar, Ne, Kr, and Xe. Collisional broadening and shift of the resonance, as well as the attenuation of the signal amplitude are observed to be proportional to the foreign-gas density with the exception of H{sub 2} and Ne, for which no shifts were observed. Corresponding rates and cross sections are presented. In addition, rates and cross sections for O{sub 2} are extracted from measurements using air as foreign gas. The primary motivation for this study is the need for accurate determination of the shift rates, which are needed in a laboratory search for the temporal variation of the fine-structure constant [A. T. Nguyen, D. Budker, S. K. Lamoreaux, and J. R. Torgerson, Phys. Rev. A 69, 22105 (2004)].
Metallic Cations Affect Functional Performance of Spray-Dried Heat-Treated Egg White

The functional performance of four metallic cations (Cu ++ , Al +++ , Fe +++ , Zn ++ ) in spray-dried, heat-treated egg white were evaluated. Cu ++ excelled in all functional categories involving foams and angel food cakes. Zn ++ was least effective. These data suggest that Cu ++ would be a suitable additive to spray-dried egg white systems
A local pheromone initialization approach for ant colony optimization algorithm

Ant Colony Optimization Algorithms are the most successful and widely accepted algorithmic techniques based on the decentralized collaborative behavior of real ants when foraging for food. The initialization of pheromone in these algorithms is an important step because it dictates the speed of the system's convergence to the optimal solution. All the proposed initialization techniques in the literature use a single value to initialize the pheromone on all edges. In our paper, instead of using a constant or a pre-calculated value to initialize the pheromone the edges, we propose a local pheromone initialization technique that involves the ants initializing the edges, using local information, as they encounter the edges for the first time. We tested our proposed local initialization using the Ant Colony System algorithm to solve the Travelling Salesman Problem. Our approach, when compared to the standard initialization approaches, provided better results in more than 70% of the tested datasets. Also, our algorithm did not require an initialization for all edges. In general, our local pheromone initialization approach was successful in achieving a balance between the solution quality and the time required to construct that solution even in the cases in which it was not able to find the optimal path.
An Absolutely Calibrated Time-Resolving X-Ray Spectrometer

We present details of an absolutely calibrated twin channel x-ray spectrometer employing elliptically curved x-ray analyzer crystals. The spectrometer utilizes high-energy cut-off grazing incidence mirrors, low-energy cut-off K-edge filters and a stable of analyzer crystals including naturally occurring crystals and molecular multilayers, allowing coverage of the spectral region from 100 to 10,000 eV with a resolution of - 3 eV. One channel of the spectrometer is recorded on photographic film; the second is coupled to an x-ray streak camera of novel design which incorporates a large aperture (40 mm) photo-cathode and has a time resolution of less than 10 ps. All of the components of the spectrometer have been absolutely calibrated using a monochromatic D.C. x-ray source and proportional counter system. By cross-calibrating the time-resolving channel with the time integrating channel we obtain absolutely calibrated time-resolved spectra. This instrument has been used extensively to diagnose laser-produced plasmas at the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics. In this paper we will present some typical time-resolved spectra to illustrate the capabilities of the spectrometer, its sensitivity and wide application. In addition, we discuss the performance characteristics of the x-ray streak camera design.
Mother and Adolescent Reports of Interparental Discord among Parents of Adolescents with and without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Evidence is scarce regarding the prevalence of interparental discord in families of adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using data collected from adolescents with chil...
To denoise or deblur: parameter optimization for imaging systems

In recent years smartphone cameras have improved a lot but they still produce very noisy images in low light conditions. This is mainly because of their small sensor size. Image quality can be improved by increasing the aperture size and/or exposure time however this make them susceptible to defocus and/or motion blurs. In this paper, we analyze the trade-off between denoising and deblurring as a function of the illumination level. For this purpose we utilize a recently introduced framework for analysis of computational imaging systems that takes into account the effect of (1) optical multiplexing, (2) noise characteristics of the sensor, and (3) the reconstruction algorithm, which typically uses image priors. Following this framework, we model the image prior using Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), which allows us to analytically compute the Minimum Mean Squared Error (MMSE). We analyze the specific problem of motion and defocus deblurring, showing how to find the optimal exposure time and aperture setting as a function of illumination level. This framework gives us the machinery to answer an open question in computational imaging: To deblur or denoise?.
Beyond canonical inflammasomes: emerging pathways in IL-1-mediated autoinflammatory disease

In recent years, non-communicable chronic diseases that are potentiated by sterile inflammation have replaced infectious diseases as the major threat to human health. Sterile inflammation that results from aberrant tissue damage plays pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of numerous acute and chronic inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, and multiple neurodegenerative diseases. The cellular events and molecular signaling pathways that govern sterile inflammation currently remain poorly defined; however, emerging data suggest central roles for IL-1 in driving autoimmune and inflammatory disease pathogenesis. Improved characterization of the immunological pathways that contribute to sterile inflammation are desperately needed to develop effective therapeutics to treat these devastating diseases. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of how IL-1 is regulated in response to tissue damage. In particular, we highlight recent studies that describe novel roles for conventional cell death molecules in the regulation of IL-1β production.
Fractionation of heparin on an anion exchanger.

PREPARATIONS of heparin have been shown to be heterogeneous by a variety of techniques1,2, but no method is available for the fractionation of bulk quantities of heparin or of other sulphomucopolysaccharides. These compounds carry a strong negative charge over a wide range of pH, and, therefore, it seemed possible that they could be purified on basic resins. Five anion-exchange resins (‘Dowex–1’, ‘Dowex–2’, ‘Dowex–3’, ‘Amberlite CG–45’, and ‘Duolite A–4’), each buffered at pH 6.0, readily adsorbed heparin, which was easily eluted with strong salt solutions, but the eluates differed from the original material in having greater absorption at 400 mµ than at 535 mµ in the carbazole reaction3. However, ‘Ecteola’4,5 (exchange capacity = 0.3 m.equiv./gm.) resolved a commercial preparation of bovine heparin (obtained from Nutritional Biochemicals Corp.) into four major and one minor carbazole-positive fractions (Fig. 1), each with maximum absorption at 535 mµ, and all showing metachromasia6. 90 per cent of the original material was recovered. Heparin-35SO4, extracted from a mast-cell tumour of the mouse7, gave only one peak on chromatography on ‘Ecteola’ (Fig. 2), and only 50 per cent of the material was eluted.
National Ignition Facility small optics laser-induced damage and photometry measurements program

The National Ignition Facility will require upwards of 25,000 small optical components in its various beam conditioning and diagnostic packages. A quality control program designed to ensure that the elements meet the required specifications will test these optical elements. For many of the components, damage performance is one of the critical specifications, which will require state-of-the-art performance from the industry participants. A program was initiated to understand the current performance level of such optics. The results of this study as it pertains to laser-induced damage is shown. The use of ratio reflectometry is also addressed as the method of choice for photometry measurements on these industry supplied optics. Key words: Optical coatings, qualification, specifications, laser-induced damage, photometry, ratio reflectometry