cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polypeptide products of nonsense mutations: II. Minor fragments produced by nonsense mutations in the z gene of the lactose operon of Escherichia coli

Abstract Untreated extracts of z -gene nonsense mutants of Escherichia coli were found to function as α-donors in a complementation reaction with XA21. In mutants which are operator-proximal to a certain point (mutant AP2177), the α-donating material was the nonsense fragment. In the region bounded by and including mutants AP2177 and NG521, extracts of mutants contained two species of polypeptides. One was the principle auto-α donor and corresponded to the nonsense fragment. A second fragment, α U1 , with a molecular weight of 46,000, functioned as the principle α-complementing material in untreated extracts. α U1 is a minor component (~10%) of the total z -gene protein. In extracts of nonsense mutants which are operator-distal to NG521, untreated extracts showed several peaks of α-complementing activity. One of these peaks was α U1 . In the two most operator-distal nonsense mutants studied, two peaks of auto-α donating activity were found. The map position of the end of α U1 coincides, as nearly as can be determined, with π(β).
Cutting glycolipids down to size

Proteins are digested into peptides for presentation by MHC to T cells. A recent paper in Science reports that some lipids also undergo processing in order to be presented by the unconventional class I protein CD1.
Design, simulation, and operation of an instrumented HF digital network for USAF's Air Mobility Command

The USAF Air Mobility Command (AMC) has been developing an Information Processing System (IPS), with associated communications, for worldwide command and control of Air Force deliveries. The IPS must quickly process, coordinate, and send information about transport flights to fixed air bases and "contingency bases" (usually in foreign countries) set up to handle flights to areas of conflict or emergency. The messages, of various lengths and priorities, have one or more recipients, and copies are usually sent to one or more nodes besides the primary recipient. The main performance requirement of the IPS communications system (which uses several media) is the rapid delivery of error-free messages. For IPS communications over high frequency (HF) radio, this is accomplished with an automatic repeat request (ARQ) protocol, aided by powerful error-correction and signal-processing firmware in an HF data modem, which is described. Also described in detail is the Mitre data acquisition system for monitoring the network. >
A Retrospective View of Corn Genetic Resources

Corn genetic resources include wild relatives, races, open pollinated varieties, genetic and cytogenetic markers, synthetics, and elite inbreds. Popular modern hybrids contain one or more elite inbreds. Successful corn breeders use the best genetic resources available; elite inbreds are now the best genetic resource
Mirror Movements Complicate Interpretation of Cerebral Activation Changes during Recovery from Subcortical Infarction

In recovered stroke patients, performance of motor tasks with the affected limb has been reported to activate cortical areas ipsilateral to the affected side. The better to determine the causal rol...
Differential expression of myc-family genes during development: normal and deregulated N-myc expression in transgenic mice.

The myc-family of cellular oncogenes is a dispersed multi-gene family that includes the c-, N- and L-myc genes (For review see Alt et al., 1986). The human and murine c-, N, and L-myc genes encode related but distinct nuclear proteins and have a similar overall organization (Kohl et al., 1986; DePinho et al., 1986, Stanton et al., 1986; DePinho et al., 1987; Legouy et al., 1987; Kay et al., 1988); all have three exons with the first encoding a potentially untranslated leader sequence. All three genes also cooperate similarly with an activated Ha-Ras oncogene to transform primary rat embryo fibroblasts (REFs) (Yancopoulos et al., 1985; DePinho et al., 1987). Despite striking similarities of regions of the myc proteins and the in vitro transforming activities, the three genes are conserved as distinct sequences throughout vertebrate species suggesting unique functional roles. This possibility is supported by findings that the genes are differentially expressed in a stage-and tissue-specific manner during human and murine differentiation (Zimmerman et al., 1986). In addition, deregulated c-myc expression has been causally implicated in the genesis of a wide variety of different tumor types and occurs by a variety of different mechanisms; deregulation of the N- and L-myc genes has been clearly implicated only in a few naturally occurring tumors (eg. human neuroblastomas and small cell lung carcinomas) and only by the mechanism of gene amplification (reviewed by Alt et al., 1986).
Contraction mappings underlying undiscounted Markov decision problems—II

Abstract Let Q denote the one-step value-iteration operator in undiscounted Markov decision problems. This paper gives necessary and sufficient conditions for Qj to be a contraction in span-norm, for sufficiently large J. It is shown that the phenomenon of noncontraction for every J is associated with the occurrence of unbounded vectors. Since all computations in practice use bounded vectors, in practice QJ will be a contraction for sufficiently large J.
Inhibition of the peroxidatic activity of catalase towards alcohols by the aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor cyanamide

Recent results have suggested that catalase is responsible for activating cyanamide to a metabolite which is a potent inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase. In the present report, cyanamide was shown to inhibit the peroxidatic activity of catalase with alcohols such as ethanol or methanol. Inhibition by cyanamide required a brief incubation period with catalase. Ethanol prevented this inhibition of catalase if added before or at the same time as cyanamide, suggesting that ethanol may protect against the activation of cyanamide by catalase.
Relationships between T Lymphocyte Apoptosis and Anergy Following Trauma

Abstract Background. Severely injured trauma patients experience T cell depletion. A subset of these patients also develop T cell unresponsiveness (anergy), as characterized by the failure of their T cells to proliferate or to produce T lymphokines in response to a direct stimulus through the T cell receptor. We hypothesized that T cell apoptosis plays a role in the development of posttrauma T cell depletion and/or T cell anergy by deleting an activated T cell population. We found that moderately increased T cell depletion posttrauma is not innately deleterious or immediately responsible for anergy, but may predispose to later development of T cell anergy, possibly due to a more stringent requirement for activation of the remaining naive T cells. Methods. A total of 30 blunt trauma and burn patients were assessed twice weekly for the following parameters: (1) clinical outcome expressed as severity of organ dysfunction as measured by the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome score, (2) proliferative response of highly purified T cells to anti-CD3/anti-CD4, (3) level of apoptosis as determined by flow cytometric analysis of propidium iodide-stained monocyte reduced peripheral blood mononuclear cells, either unstimulated or in response to mitogenic challenge or Fas (CD95) stimulation. Results. A wide range of apoptosis levels are seen in the patients' T cells. Apoptosis is increased when all trauma patients' T cells are compared to T cells of normal volunteers. However, at the time a patients' T cells are anergic, there is no increased level of apoptosis. In fact, the point of maximum anergy (lowest proliferative response) correlates to diminished apoptotic response. Increased T cell apoptosis can be stimulated by anti-Fas antibody in trauma patients' responsive T cells but not in maximally anergic T cells. These data suggest that patients' T cell anergy is not an immediate result of apoptotic T cell depletion upon stimulation. However, patients who later develop T cell anergy have increased T cell apoptosis earlier in their clinical course than patients who never experience T cell anergy. Conclusions. Increased levels of apoptosis are not directly associated with negative trauma patient outcome nor the immediate cause of T cell anergy. However, unusually high levels of apoptosis and development of severe T cell depletion occurring before complete activation and expansion of the posttrauma T cell response may presage anergy and subsequent organ failure.
Contribution to Activity of Histidine−Aromatic, Amide−Aromatic, and Aromatic−Aromatic Interactions in the Extended Catalytic Site of Cysteine Proteinases†

Within the papain family of cysteine proteinases few other residues in addition to the catalytic triad, Cys25-His159-Asn175 (papain numbering) are completely conserved [Berti & Storer (1995) J. Mol. Biol. 246, 273-283]. One such residue is tryptophan 177 which participates in a Trp-His-type interaction with the catalytic His159. In all enzymes of this class for which a three-dimensional structure has been reported, an additional highly conserved tryptophan, Trp181, also interacts with Trp177 via an aromatic-aromatic interaction in which the planes of the indole rings are essentially perpendicular. Also, both indole rings participate as pseudo-hydrogen bond acceptors in interactions with the two side chain amide protons of Asn175. Clearly, the proximity of Trp177 and Trp181 to the catalytic triad residues His159 and Asn175 and their network of interactions points to potential contributions of these aromatic residues to catalysis. In this paper, using cathepsin S, a naturally occurring variant that has a phenylalanine residue at position 181, we report the kinetic characterization of mutants of residues 175, 177, and 181. The results are interpreted in terms of the side chain contributions to catalytic activity and thiolate-imidazolium ion-pair stability. For example, the side chain of Asn175 has a major influence on the ion-pair stability presumably through its hydrogen bond to His159. The magnitude of this effect is modulated by Trp177, which shields the His159-Asn175 hydrogen bond from solvent. The His159-Trp177 interaction also contributes significantly to ion-pair stability; however, Trp181 and its interactions with Asn175 and Trp177 do not influence ion-pair stability to a significant degree. The observation that certain mutations at positions 177 and 181 result in a reduction of kcat/Km but do not appear to influence ion-pair stability probably reflects the contributions of these residues to substrate binding.
Effect of recess dimensions on performance of the needle-type dissolved oxygen microelectrode sensor

Abstract In this work, needle-type recessed dissolved oxygen (DO) microelectrode sensors with different recess dimensions were fabricated and characterized to investigate the relationship between recess dimensions and sensor performance. The square-ring type cathode geometry inside the recess was formed by wet etching, with the recess length ranging from ∼35 to ∼247 μm and the average length to hydraulic diameter (Lave/Dh) ratio ranging from 3.0 to 12.3. Sensor performance was characterized by three concentrations of dissolved oxygen (0, 4.1, and 8.7 mg/L O2) in 0.85% saline solution. Response time, stirring effect (e.g., sensitivity to physical interference), and current sensitivity were investigated. The longer recess increased sensor sensitivity. Sensors with recesses dimensions of Lave/Dh > 5 were found to be stable, exhibiting performance without stirring effect, and sensitivities in excess of 500 pA/mg/L. This work will permit better understanding of DO sensor performance with recessed structure for the accurate DO measurements.
The Paradox of Evil in Tiantai Buddhist Philosophy

A unique thesis of Tiantai Buddhism is the claim that human nature contains evil and that even the Buddha cannot be completely rid of his evil nature. The thesis was most vigorously defended and developed by a Tiantai monk, Zhili (ad 960–1028). This thesis has attracted a lot of discussion among Tiantai scholars. Their debate focuses on whether this thesis is truly representative of the original doctrine of the Tiantai founder, Zhiyi (of the sixth century ad). In 2000, Brook Ziporyn published a book Evil and/or/as the Good, which offers Tiantai's evil-nature thesis a novel explanation and justification. This book sparked a series of discussion on whether evil is not only necessary but also ‘valuable’. This present project gives an overview of these debates and provides a fresh insight on the topic.
Role of VIN3-LIKE 2 in facultative photoperiodic flowering response in Arabidopsis

In Arabidopsis, expression of FLC and FLC-related genes (collectively called FLC clade) contributes to flowering time in response to environmental changes, such as day length and temperature, by acting as floral repressors. VIN3 is required for vernalization-mediated FLC repression and a VIN3 related protein, VIN3-LIKE 1/VERNALIZATION 5 (VIL1/VRN5), acts to regulate FLC and FLM in response to vernalization. VIN3 also exists as a small family of PHD finger proteins in Arabidopsis, including VIL1/VRN5, VIL2/VEL1, VIL3/VEL2, and VIL4/VEL3. We showed that the PHD finger protein, VIL2, is required for proper repression of MAF5, an FLC clade member, to accelerate flowering under non-inductive photoperiods. VIL2 acts together with POLYCOMB REPRESSIVE COMPLEX 2 (PRC2) to repress MAF5 in a photoperiod dependent manner.
Validation of the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score for unstable angina pectoris and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction in the TIMI III registry.

The 1.4 million patients admitted with unstable angina pectoris and non‐ST-elevation myocardial infarction (UAP/NSTEMI) each year are a heterogenous population with varying risks of death and recurrent cardiac events. The Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score for UAP/NSTEMI was created to better stratify patients according to easily obtainable information gathered from the initial history, electrocardiogram, and cardiac markers. 1 The TIMI risk score was derived and validated in the TIMI 11B and Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Enoxaparin in Non‐Q-wave Coronary Events (ESSENCE) trials and accurately predicted adverse outcomes through 14 days. It has also been applied in the Platelet Receptor Inhibition for Ischemic Syndrome Management in Patients Limited by Unstable Signs and Symptoms (PRISM-PLUS) and Treat Angina with Aggrastat and determine Cost of Therapy with an Invasive or Conservative Strategy (TACTICS)-TIMI 18 Trials. 2,3 However, because clinical trials of UAP/ NSTEMI usually select higher risk patients (with electrocardiographic changes and/or positive cardiac markers), there has been questions whether the TIMI risk score would be valid in an unselected population of patients representative of general clinical practice. The goal of this study was to validate the TIMI risk score in a large unselected population of patients with UAP/NSTEMI and assess its long-term predictive value. ••• The details of the TIMI III Registry have been previously reported. 4 Briefly, patients admitted be
Use of Picosecond Lasers in Measuring Ultrafast Molecular Processes

AbstractPicosecond lasers can be used to observe the kinetics of two rapid processes in solution: relaxation ofexcited molecules prior to Stokes -shifted fluorescence and relaxation of oriented molecules. Experimentally,the measurements are similar. An ultrafast shutter driven by a picosecond pulse and an optical multichannelanalyzer (OMA) enable the rise of fluorescence to be observed during a single, picosecond exciting pulse.For excitation at 355 nm risetimes are: 4.2 ± 2.2 psec for esculin, 1.0 ± 2.2 psec for dimethyl POPOP, and5.3 ± 2.2 psec for tetraphenylbutadiene. The shutter is an optical Kerr cell in which an intense pulse in-duces birefringence by orienting the molecules in the liquid. As orientational relaxation occurs, birefrin- gence decays. Using the OMA to observe a scattered picosecond pulse through the shutter enables the decayto be measured in a single shot. Rotational relaxation times for pure liquids and mixtures vary from 2 psecfor carbon disulfide to 21 psec for nitrobenzene.IntroductionThe availability of lasers capable of producing picosecond duration pulses makes possible the directobservation of many ultrafast events in liquids. Well- suited for study are the kinetics of molecular relax-ation processes induced by perturbing a liquid system with a picosecond light pulse. Orientational relaxa-tion times for molecules in liquids can be obtained from the kinetics of the optical Kerr effect.
Influence of strain on the conduction band structure of strained silicon nanomembranes.

The influence of in-plane biaxial strain on the conduction bands of Si is explored using elastically strained Si(001) nanomembranes and high-resolution x-ray absorption measurements with electron yield detection. The strain-induced splitting of the conduction band minimum and the energy shifts of two higher conduction bands near ${L}_{1}$ and ${L}_{3}$ are clearly resolved. The linear increase of the splitting of the conduction band minimum with increasing strain and the nonlinear shift of the ${L}_{1}$ point toward the conduction band minimum agree quantitatively with current theories.
A Multiple-Smoker Model for Predicting Indoor Air Quality in Public Lounges

A mathematical multiple-smoker model for predicting the minute-by-minute indoor time series and time-averaged pollutant concentrations from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was developed and tested during 10 visits to glass-enclosed public smoking lounges at two international airports in the San Francisco Bay Area. The model is based on the mass balance equation and uses counts of active smokers as input. Its predictions were compared with the time series measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) and respirable suspended particles (RSP). The experimental time series for RSP was determined by averaging the readings (2-min averages) from moni tors at three widely-spaced locations in the lounge. At 8 out of the 10 visits, instantaneous CO concentrations also were measured every 2−3 min from a single monitor at the center of the room. The average emission rates per cigarette for CO and RSP for two visits in which the air exchange rates were measured were found to be 11.9 and 1.43 mg/min, respectively, which are c...
What is the true tethered cord syndrome

Introduction The tethered cord syndrome (TCS) is a stretch-induced functional disorder of the spinal cord with its caudal part anchored by an inelastic structure.
Effect of oxygen in photoluminescence from chromium-doped semi-insulating GaAs

Abstract Photoluminescence measurements have been performed on chromiumdoped semi-insulating GaAs as a function of temperature. The effect of oxygen is explained in terms of the relative strength of the oxygen-emission at ∼ 0.62 eV and the chromium-emission at ∼ 0.81 eV. An explanation of chromium emission at ∼ 0.81 and 0.54 eV in terms of a static Jahn-Teller distortion in the ground state of Cr 2+ is proposed.
Carbon monoxide and smoking behavior.

Abstract This paper reviews the health risks of carbon monoxide and its relationship to smoking behavior. Special emphasis is placed on behavioral determinants of carbon monoxide uptake. The role of carbon monoxide in measurement and modification of smoking risk is also discussed.
Review of results from the Tube Versus Trabeculectomy Study

Purpose of review The Tube Versus Trabeculectomy (TVT) Study is a multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of tube-shunt surgery to trabeculectomy with mitomycin (MMC) in eyes with previous cataract and/or unsuccessful glaucoma surgery. This article reviews published results from the TVT Study. Recent findings Tube-shunt surgery had a higher success rate than trabeculectomy with MMC during the first 3 years of follow-up. Trabeculectomy with MMC produced greater intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction in the early postoperative period compared with tube-shunt placement, but similar IOPs were observed after 3 months. Tube-shunt surgery was associated with greater use of adjunctive-medical therapy than trabeculectomy with MMC during the first 2 years of the study, but no difference in medication use was seen at 3 years. The incidence of postoperative complications was higher after trabeculectomy with MMC compared with tube-shunt surgery, but serious complications associated with vision loss and/or reoperation developed with similar frequency after both surgical procedures. No difference in the rate of vision loss was present following trabeculectomy with MMC and tube-shunt surgery after 3 years of follow-up. Cataract progression was common, but occurred with similar frequency with both procedures. Summary Intermediate-term results of the TVT Study support the expanded use of tube shunts beyond refractory glaucomas. Tube-shunt surgery is an appropriate surgical option in patients who have undergone prior cataract and/or unsuccessful filtering surgery.
The esterification in vitro of free cholesterol in human and rat plasma

The transformation in vitro of the plasma free cholesterol first observed by Sperry has been further studied. The drop in free cholesterol occuring on the incubation of rat plasma has been shown to be due to esterification by fatty acids. Radioactive cholesterol incubated in vitro in rat or human plasma becomes incorporated into each of the cholesterol ester subfractions obtained by silicic acid column chromatography. Under similar conditions of incubation no incorporation of free fatty acids into any of the plasma ester fractions has been demonstrated. However, when [14C]linoleic acid-labeled lecithin is incubated in vitro with rat or human plasma, radioactive cholesterol linoleate is formed as well as 14C free fatty acid, triglycerides, mono- and diglycerides, and probably also cephalin. Similarly, when [14C]palmitic acid-labeled tripalmitin is incubated with rat or human plasma, [14C]cholesterol palmitate results as well as 14C-labeled free fatty acid, mono- and diglycerides, cephalin and lecithin. It is concluded that the preformed fatty acid esters of the plasma are the source of the fatty acids for the cholesterol esterification reaction in vitro.
Ionization of middle mass molecules: ejection of ions from solution

Abstract Attention is directed to the role of the solution in a number of liquid phase ionization techniques and to common elements among these techniques as they are used for analysis of middle molecules. One important feature is the role of the solvent in ionizing the samples. A second feature is the thermodynamic contribution of the solvent to the desorption process. A third feature is the role solution chemistry plays in determining the nature of the ions detected in the spectrum.
Use of receptor chimeras to identify small molecules with high affinity for the dynorphin A binding domain of the κ opioid receptor

Abstract A series of 2-substituted sulfamoyl arylacetamides of general structure 2 were prepared as potent κ opioid receptor agonists and the affinities of these compounds for opioid and chimeric receptors were compared with those of dynorphin A. Compounds 2e and 2i were identified as non-peptide small molecules that bound to chimeras 3 and 4 with high affinities similar to dynorphin A, resulting in Ki values of 1.5 and 1.2 nM and 1.3 and 2.2 nM, respectively.
Dense sensor array topography of the event-related potential to task-relevant auditory stimuli.

Abstract High spatial density recording and better topographic mapping algorithms have improved the spatial resolving power of the event-related potential (ERP), adding to its already excellent temporal resolution. This study used a 64 channel recording array and spherical spline interpolation to create topographic descriptions of the voltage and current density scalp distributions of the ERP in an auditory oddball paradigm. Frequent (standard) and infrequent (target) tones were presented at a rate of one every approximately 2500 ms to a group of 20 college undergraduates in passive listening and active (count the infrequent tones) task blocks. ANOVAs and topographic analyses were performed on the primary deflections in the `late' portion of the ERP: the P1, N1, P2, N2 and P3. A target minus standard difference wave was also created for each task. The difference wave contained a mismatch negativity (MMN), an N2b and a P3d. The MMN did not differ between the passive and active tasks and had a topography similar to the N1; also the difference wave P3d was topographically similar to the target P3. The N2b, which occurred only to targets in the active condition, and was the first index of target detection, had a scalp distribution consistent with generation in frontal and superior temporal cortex, suggesting activity in cortical areas of selective attention and auditory stimulus representation.
Purification and properties of soil-borne wheat mosaic virus.

Abstract Electron micrographs of leaf dips of soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV)-infected wheat revealed rod-shaped particles with two peaks of particle length distribution. The most frequent lengths were 148 nm and 295 nm. Two virus zones were also observed following centrifugation of purified SBWMV in sucrose density-gradient columns. Virus particles from the slower sedimenting zone had a sedimentation coefficient of 173 S, a particle length of 148 nm, and were noninfectious when inoculated to wheat. Particles from the faster sedimenting zone had a sedimentation coefficient of 212 S and were 300 nm long. Some 148 nm rods were also present in this zone. The material from this faster sedimenting zone was infectious. Two nucleic acid components, both single-stranded RNA, were observed after phenol treatment of purified virus containing both particle sizes. They sedimented at 24 S and 33 S, respectively. The smaller 24 S RNA had a molecular weight of 9.48 × 10 5 and was noninfectious. This piece of RNA could be recovered by phenol treatment of 148 nm particles. The 33 S RNA had a molecular weight of 1.84 × 10 6 and was obtained from the 300 nm particles; it was infectious on wheat.
Impact of computed tomography on the care of patients with suspected hydrocephalus

To assess the impact of computed tomography (CT) on patient care, a cohort of patients with suspected hydrocephalus admitted before installation of CT was compared to a similar cohort admitted after installation of CT. The after CT cohort used significantly fewer pneumoencephalograms and radionuclide brain scans. The average cost of neurodiagnostic evaluation was 22% less after CT. However, speed of workup, therapy, institution of therapy, discharge plans, and discharge diagnoses were not different for the two cohorts. We conclude that CT has made the diagnostic evaluation of patients who otherwise would have required pneumoencephalography for suspected hydrocephalus less expensive and less hazardous.
Statistical correlation between the crankshaft's speed variation and engine performance: Part I: Theoretical model

The goal of this two-part paper is to develop a methodology using the variation of the measured crankshaft speed to calculate the mean indicated pressure (MIP) of a multicylinder engine and to detect cylinders that are lower contributors to the total engine output. Both the gas pressure torque and the crankshaft's speed are, under steady-state operating conditions, periodic functions of the crank angle and may be expressed by Fourier series. For the lower harmonic orders, the dynamic response of the crankshaft approaches the response of a rigid body and that makes it is possible to establish correlations between the amplitudes and phases of the corresponding harmonic orders of the crankshaft's speed and of the gas pressure torque. The inherent cycle-to-cycle variation in the operation of the cylinders requires a statistical approach to the problem. The first part of the paper introduces the statistical model for a harmonic component of the gas pressure torque and determines the correlation between the amplitudes and phases of the harmonic components of the gas pressure torque and the MIP of the engine. In the second part of the paper the statistical model is used to calculate the MIP and to detect deficient cylinders in the operation of a six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine.
Anisotropic flow at RHIC: constituent quark scaling

Elliptic flow of identified particles recently measured in Au + Au collisions at RHIC exhibits a remarkable constituent quarks scaling in the intermediate transverse momentum region. In this talk, I discuss if and how the observed constituent quark scaling indicates the deconfinement in the created system, and how much it tells us about the hadronization process.
Influence of growth regulator treatments on dry matter production, fruit abscission, and14C-assimilate partitioning in citrus

Experiments were performed to monitor (1) uptake and translocation of foliar-applied microdroplets of14C hormones and (2) effects of multiple growth regulator sprays on foliar and fruit growth variables and photosynthate partitioning in Valencia orange trees (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck). The uptake of14C-sucrose,14C-paclobutrazol (PP333), and14C-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in 6-month-old greenhouse-grown trees exceeded that of14C-abscisic acid (ABA) and14C-benzyladenine (BA) 48 h after microdroplet application.14C-sucrose transport from the application site was much greater than any other source, especially14C-BA. In a second study, 2-year-old Valencia orange trees were maintained under field conditions and were sprayed to foliar runoff (3 × /week for 3 weeks) with BA, NAA, ABA, PP333, and gibberellic acid (GA3) at 100 μM during flowering and early fruit set. Select branches were then briefly exposed to14CO2 and harvested 24 h later. Both GA3 and BA sprays promoted foliar growth. BA also stimulated fruit growth, whereas GA3 sharply increased fruit dry weight while fruit number decreased. BA and GA3 enhanced14C assimilate export by the foliage to the developing fruit, and GA3 was especially active in promoting fruit sink intensity (14C/dry wt). The other compounds (NAA, ABA, PP333) restricted foliar and fruit growth. They also inhibited transport of14C assimilate from the leaves to the fruit. Results indicate that foliar-applied growth regulators can influence source-sink relations in citrus early in reproductive development by manipulating photoassimilate production and partitioning.
The Effects of Non-Legislative Approaches to Redistricting on Competition in Congressional Elections

Growing concern over gerrymandering has led some states to transfer redistricting responsibility from legislatures to commissions, boards, or other less overtly partisan bodies. These transfers in redistricting responsibility offer scholars an opportunity to study the impact of redistricting processes on elections. This study, focusing on congressional elections for the years 1982–2008, suggests that non-legislative methods of redistricting encouraged strong, well-financed challengers to step forward, and decreased the likelihood that incumbents would run unopposed. The data, however, do not show that non-legislative redistricting either reduced the typical margins of incumbents’ victories or increased the likelihood that incumbents would lose. In fact, the data sometimes run contrary to expectations. This raises questions about the common contention (especially by reformers) that non-legislative approaches (NLA) will promote turnover of elected officials. The benefits of non-legislative redistricting depend both on the types of outcomes that are desired, and on the specific NLA that is adopted.
THE EFFECT OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITY CONTEXT ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

The purpose of the current study was to develop and test a method for assessing the effect of outdoor activity context on level of physical activity in preschool children. The Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children was used to define the test conditions and various levels of physical activity within a multielement design. In general, all participants were fairly sedentary during the analysis. The fixed playground equipment condition produced the most moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, a finding that does not correspond to the descriptive assessment literature on childhood physical activity.
Smoking, Tobacco Exposure Through Breast Milk, and SIDS-Reply

In Reply. —Thank you for your comments regarding our article. In this study, breast-feeding was defined as exclusive, partial (a combination of breast and formula feeding), or bottle feeding (formula). Furthermore, for the total time period the mother breast-fed (days, weeks, or months), we recorded the number of breast-feedings and the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The three most common reasons for not choosing breast-feeding cited by case and control mothers were not wanting to, tried but failed (eg, infant would not take the breast), and postnatal use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. The logistic regression model containing the interaction term between breast-feeding and smoking did adjust for passive tobacco smoke exposure from all adults smoking in the vicinity of the infant, including the mother. Although there were only a small number of women who breast-fed and smoked (sample was weighted toward nonsmokers), the results demonstrated an increased
Principal descriptors of body condition score in Holstein cows.

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess objectively the ability of observers to assess body condition of dairy cows. Four observers independently assigned a body condition score (five-point scale, .25 increments) and described the appearance of seven body regions of 225 Holstein cows. Areas described were the thurl region, ischial and ileal tuberosities, ilio-sacral and ischio-coccygeal ligaments, transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae, and spinous processes of the lumbar vertebrae. An absolute body condition score was designated for each cow based on the modal body condition score for all observers. If there was no modal body condition score, the mean score was used for the absolute body condition score. Statistical analysis of principal components was used to examine the relationship between body region description and absolute body Condition score. Descriptions of body regions were highly correlated across all absolute body condition scores. Four principal component vectors explained 83.6% of the variation of the body region correlation matrix. The first principal latent vector accounted for 55% of the variation and was uniformly correlated with all body regions. Analysis of variance of first principal latent vector as the dependent variable and absolute body condition score as the class variable indicated that body condition could be separated into .25 units between 2.5 and 4.0, inclusively. Below 2.5 and >4.0, body condition could only be separated by .5 units. Distinct changes in specific body regions were associated with change in absolute body condition score. Observers agreed with the absolute score 58.1% of the time, deviating by .25 units 32.6% of the time. A body condition score can be given to a cow based on principal descriptors of specific body regions between 2.5 and 4.0 by .25 units.
Hormonal regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor messenger ribonucleic acid levels in cultured rat granulosa cells

The maturation of ovarian granulosa cells is dependent upon the pituitary gonadotropin FSH, the actions of which are mediated via specific plasma membrane receptors. To study the regulation of ovarian FSH receptor expression at the mRNA level, we used a specific cRNA probe to evaluate changes in FSH receptor transcripts in cultured granulosa cells. Granulosa cells obtained from immature estrogen-treated rats contained two predominant FSH receptor mRNA transcripts (7.0 and 2.5 kilobases), the levels of which declined in a time-related manner during a 2-day culture period. However, inclusion of FSH (30 ng/ml) in the culture medium prevented the decline in FSH receptor mRNA levels. Compared to controls, treatment of granulosa cells for 48 h with FSH (1-100 ng/ml) increased FSH receptor mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner (ED50, 4.5 ng/ml), with a maximal 5.9 +/- 0.7-fold increase observed in response to 30 ng/ml FSH. The stimulatory actions of FSH were mimicked by the adenyl cyclase activator forskolin (0.1-30 microM), suggesting the involvement of cAMP in FSH receptor gene transcription and/or mRNA stability. Incubation of granulosa cells for 48 h with epidermal growth factor (EGF; 0.3-10 ng/ml), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; 1-30 ng/ml), or insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I; 1-30 ng/ml) did not affect basal FSH receptor mRNA levels, whereas the highest doses of EGF and bFGF, but not IGF-I, completely suppressed the stimulatory effects of FSH (30 ng/ml) on its own receptor mRNA levels. Similarly, GnRH (10-1000 nM) attenuated the actions of FSH on its receptor mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner (ID50, 8 nM). The inhibitory effects of GnRH (100 nM) were reversed by cotreatment with a GnRH antagonist ([Ac-D-Phe1,D-pCl-Phe2,D-Trp3,6]GnRH; 100 nM), indicating that the actions of GnRH are mediated via specific GnRH receptors. These data indicate that treatment of granulosa cells with FSH increases the levels of two FSH receptor mRNA transcripts. However, this positive feedback system, which may lead to an amplification of FSH action, is tightly regulated by the inhibitory actions of EGF, bFGF, and GnRH. Thus, the use of cultured rat granulosa cells provides a model system to analyze the hormonal regulation of FSH receptor gene expression in the ovary.
The starved kidney: a defect in renal concentrating ability.

The renal tubular responsiveness to antidiuretic hormone was assessed in seven obese patients during starvation and feeding by an overnight dehydration test followed by exogenous vasopressin. All seven subjects showed a mean reduction of one-third in their maximum urinary osmolality on day 4 of starvation. Thes- data show that the renal tubule is partially insensitive to antidiuretic hormone at a time when it is also insensitive to mineralocorticoids.?Author
3-D Inverse Heat Transfer in a Composite Target Subject to High-Energy Laser Irradiation

A new numerical model is developed to simulate the 3-D inverse heat transfer in a composite target with pyrolysis and outgassing effects. The gas flow channel size and gas addition velocity are determined by the rate equation of decomposition chemical reaction. The thermophysical properties of the composite considered are temperature-dependent. A nonlinear conjugate gradient method (CGM) is applied to solve the inverse heat conduction problem for high-energy laser-irradiated composite targets. It is shown that the front-surface temperature can be recovered with satisfactory accuracy based on the temperature/heat flux measurements on the back surface and the temperature measurement at an interior plane.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Re-entrant critical field behavior in GdxTh1−xRu2: Correlation with EPR☆

Abstract The correlation between re-entrant critical field behavior and the EPR g shift enables us to estimate the conduction electron spin orbit scattering for the system GdxTh1−xRu2
Social Experiment to Encourage Drive-Alone Commuters to Try Transit

This study reports on a social experiment conducted in summer 2008 to convert solo drivers to transit. During a 3-month period, which was a time of rising gas prices, drivers were offered a no-cost bus pass if they turned in their commuter parking permits. At the end of 3 months, participants could either regain their parking permits or purchase regular bus passes, which were subsidized at 50%. Of the 381 enrolled in the experiment, 70% continued to use transit (or alternative transportation) after the trial. Only 114 (30%) returned to parking, even as gasoline prices started to moderate. The experiment built on the experience of social marketing programs and other campaigns that have explicitly tried to change habitual driving habits. Typically, these studies track changes in participants' attitudes and behaviors. Researchers measured the attitudes and behaviors of participants, as well as changes in those who sought information but did not sign up and those who did sign up but later retreated to solo dr...
Kinematic and electromyographic characteristics of children with cerebral palsy who exhibit genu recurvatum

The objective of this article was to determine, using selected computerized gait analysis procedures, whether variation exists in the gait patterns of children with cerebral palsy who exhibit genu recurvatum. This descriptive study compared differences in kinematic, temporal-distance, and electromyographic (EMG) variables between two groups of children with cerebral palsy who exhibited genu recurvatum and age-matched controls. The setting was a motion analysis laboratory. Six children with cerebral palsy who showed genu recurvatum and a control group of four normal children participated in this study. Main outcome measures were hip-knee angle-angle diagrams, knee phase plane plots, knee angle versus time diagrams, stride length, cadence, single-limb support, and EMG data. Through use of hip-knee angle-angle diagrams, knee phase plane plots, and knee angle versus time diagrams, distinctive kinematic patterns emerged, allowing for grouping of subjects. Kinematic measures of knee angle at foot-floor contact and knee angle at greatest extension provided further support for the groups created, as did temporal-distance measures of stride length, cadence, and single-limb support. Analysis of variance procedures for the EMG data showed selected time points in the gait cycle during which differences between the groups were observed. Because differences in kinematic, temporal-distance, and EMG variables existed in this study to warrant grouping into two categories, physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons may need to vary the treatments they introduce dependent on the nature of the child's gait pattern.
Clinical determinants and utility of early postnatal maximum weight loss in fluid management of extremely low birth weight infants.

Abstract Background The early postnatal physiological body weight loss process is poorly understood in preterm infants. It is complicated by clinical conditions which adversely affect the body fluid balance during 1st two weeks of life. A lack of physiological weight loss potentially could result in significant morbidities. Body weight is utilized in determining daily fluid volume intakes. Extremely low birth weight infants (birth weight Aim/objective The objective was to evaluate the early postnatal weight changes and its clinical determinants in ELBW infants. We examined the maximum weight loss from birth weight (MWL) in ELBW infants and tested its association with clinical variables which could potentially implicate the body fluid balance during the first two weeks of life. Study design Prospectively entered data in the computerized radiology, biochemical and hematological records, and daily case notes were retrospectively extracted during a 3-year study period. The infants' and maternal demographic, clinical course and outcome variables relevant to body fluid balance during the first two weeks of life were correlated with MWL. Pearson's correlation coefficient and Pearson's partial correlation tests were utilized for data analysis. Results Data are presented as mean±SD. MWL in the entire cohort ( n =102) was 14.2±5.4%. Day of life of MWL was 5.5±2.1 and that of birth weight regained 14.5±4.2 days. MWL correlated negatively with gestational age, antenatal steroid receipt (ANS) and pregnancy associated hypertension and positively with total days on oxygen, fluid intake, urinary output and the day of life when birth weight was regained. All these correlations were lost after controlling for GA except for the day of life when birth weight was regained. MWL did not correlate with RDS or its severity, hypotension, PIE, IVH, PDA and length of stay. Over 91% infants had MWL within 3.1–25%. Male, Caucasian and ELBW infants unexposed to ANS tended to have weight loss in excess of 25%. Conclusion MWL is governed by maturation and is not affected by concurrent clinical factors including fluid intakes during the 1st two weeks of life in ELBW infants. MWL within the estimated range of 14.5+4.2% of birth weight does not promote morbidities. Male, Caucasian and ELBW infants unexposed to ANS are susceptible to excessively high weight losses in early postnatal period.
ON THE PRE‐ATMOSPHERIC GEOCENTRIC VELOCITIES OF METEORITES*

An error in O. C. Farrington's treatise on Meteorites (1915) concerning the pre-atmospheric velocities of those bodies is pointed out; and an extremely simple method of evaluating the velocities and the change produced in them by the Earth's attraction is developed.
Relation of Sex and Estrogen Therapy to Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 23, Serum Phosphorus, and Urine Phosphorus: The Heart and Soul Study

Background Menopause is associated with urine phosphorus retention, which is mitigated by estrogen therapy. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) is a hormone originating from bone that regulates urine phosphorus excretion. Whether sex or estrogen therapy is associated with different FGF-23 levels is unknown. Study Design & Setting Cross-sectional study of ambulatory individuals with prevalent cardiovascular disease. Predictors Sex and, in women, use or nonuse of estrogen. Outcomes Serum phosphorus, tubular maximum reabsorption of phosphorus indexed to glomerular filtration rate (TMP/GFR), and plasma FGF-23 concentrations. Results For 987 participants, mean age was 67 ± 11 years, 182 (18%) were women, and 46 (25%) were using estrogen. Mean estimated GFR was 71 ± 23 (SD) mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Compared with women who were not using estrogen, both women on estrogen therapy and men had significantly lower serum phosphorus concentrations, lower TMP/GFR values (indicating higher urine phosphorus excretion), and lower FGF-23 concentrations with adjustment for age, demographics, and kidney function ( P P Limitations Most participants were men. Estrogen therapy was not randomly assigned. Conclusions Older women who are not using estrogen have higher FGF-23 levels than either men or women using estrogen. In the context of prior literature, these data suggest that postmenopausal phosphorus retention may stimulate higher FGF-23 concentrations after menopause.