cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fetal calf serum contains heat-stable nucleases that degrade neutrophil extracellular traps

To the editor: Extracellular traps (ETs) have been recently discovered as a new paradigm in the innate immune function of leukocytes.[1][1] Released by neutrophils,[1][1] mast cells,[2][2] or eosinophils[3][3] in response to various infectious or proinflammatory stimuli, ETs represent complexes of
Detecting the intersection of convex objects in the plane

Abstract Numerous applications require intersection detection. Many algorithms have been developed for telling whether two convex polygons intersect. We have revised and generalized one such algorithm to allow us to detect in C log n operations the intersection of two convex planar regions with piecewise curved boundaries, where n represents the number of curved segments. The constant C depends strictly upon the complexity of the n curved segments. The algorithms presented here have been implemented and details of their implementation are included.
A microtechnique for measurement of oxygen tension in capillary blood

Summary An adaptation is described for the Radiometeroxygen cell whereby accurate measurements of arterial oxygen tension can be made with 80 μ l "arterialized" capillary blood specimens.
Formulation and Analysis of EHL Problems for Soft Materials

This paper presents a qualitative and numerical analysis of the new formulation of a steady problem for lubricated rollers made of elastic materials with low Young's modulus. The feature that makes this formulation different from the classic one is that the linear velocities of the surfaces take into account tangential deformations of elastic materials. Therefore, in Reynolds equation, the surface linear velocities are represented by functions of the location in the contact region instead of constants. The new formulation predicts the formation of a significant depression (dimple) in the contact surfaces of soft materials as opposed to flat surfaces in the classic EHL theory, The paper also describes the dependence of dimple sizes on problem parameters.
Absorbing Boundary Conditions on Circular and Elliptical Boundaries

Finite difference methods are becoming increasingly popular in the computational electromagnetics community. A major issue in applying these methods to electromagnetic wave scattering is to limit the computational domain to a finite size, which is accomplished by selecting an outer boundary and imposing absorbing boundary conditions to simulate free space. In this paper, the pseudo-differential operator approach is employed to derive absorbing boundary conditions for both circular and elliptical outer boundaries. The pseudo-differential operator approach employed by Engquist and Majda is modified to derive improved absorbing boundary conditions. In the case of the circular outer boundary, the modified pseudo-differential operator approach leads to a condition equivalent to that of Bayliss and Turkel's second-order condition. The modified pseudo-differential operator is then used to derive the second-order absorbing boundary condition for the elliptical outer boundary. The effectiveness of the second-order...
DABIGATRAN AND MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, DRUG OR CLASS EFFECT. META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED TRIALS WITH ORAL DIRECT THROMBIN INHIBITORS

The recent trial on dabigatran versus warfarin in Atrial Fibrillation (RELY) demonstrated dabigatran 150 mg twice daily was associated with small but statistically significant increased number of Myocardial Infarction (MI) as compared to warfarin. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether
Missing Eu anomaly and Archean high-grade granites

Granites emplaced in low-grade (granite-greenstone) Archean terranes typically exhibit negative Eu anomalies, and such Eu anomalies have been transmitted to post-Archean cratonic sediments by weathering and erosion. Because average continental crust does not exhibit an Eu anomaly, a complementary reservoir with a positive Eu anomaly must exist to balance the low-grade granites. Neither the upper mantle nor average Archean lower crust appears to represent this reservoir. Archean lower crustal rocks, which are dominantly plutonic rocks of tonalitic composition, have REE distributions indicative of a mafic parentage. However, Archean high-grade granites in southern India exhibit the required positive Eu anomalies and may be representative of a widespread positive Eu anomaly reservoir in the lower crust. Geochemical model studies indicate that Archean low- and high-grade granites may represent residual liquid and cumulate, respectively, from the fractional crystallization of a granite parent magma produced by partial melting of tonalitic rocks in the lower crust. Such melting may occur at the wave front of a CO 2 -rich fluid that dehydrates the lower crust and produces granulites.
Clinical attachment level gain enhanced by addition of deproteinized bovine bone and barrier membrane to papilla preservation technique.

Original Article Tonetti MS, Cortellini P, Lang NP, Suvan JE, Adriaens P, Dubravec D, et al. Clinical outcomes following treatment of human intrabony defects with GTR/bone replacement material or access flap alone. A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial. J Clin Periodontol 2004;31(9):770-6. Level of Evidence 1b Purpose The investigators sought to determine whether the addition of a “GTR/bone” system improved clinical outcomes over that observed following open debridement using a papilla preservation technique. Source of Funding Industry Type of Study/Design Randomized controlled trial
Recall of childhood neglect and physical abuse as differential predictors of current psychological functioning

The differential effects of neglect and physical abuse on psychological functioning are not well understood. The present study examined the relationship between reported neglect and physical abuse and symptomatology and attachment styles in a sample of 236 male and 276 female undergraduates. In contrast to physical abuse, which must involve some parental involvement in a child's life, neglect is characterized by a lack of parent-child interaction. As such, it was hypothesized that childhood neglect would be more predictive of symptomatology and dysfunctional attachment styles than would physical abuse. Results confirmed the expected relationship between neglect and more severe psychological problems and anxious attachment styles. Implications of these results point to the need to focus both empirically and theoretically on neglect and physical abuse as potentially separate moderators of psychosocial functioning.
Limits on the neutrino magnetic moment from SN1987A.

A neutrino magnetic moment greater than $10_{}^{\ensuremath{-}12}{}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}\mathrm{B}}{}^{}$, the Bohr magneton, would have important implications for gravitational-collapse supernovae. Also, it has been suggested that $\frac{\ensuremath{\mu}}{{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}}\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}10}$ might solve the solar neutrino problem. However, we show that the neutrino observations of SN1987A and general optical observations of supernovae set a firm upper limit of $\frac{\ensuremath{\mu}}{{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}}l5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$. This limit is about 100 times better than the best experimental determination and previous astrophysical limits, and 10-20 times better than a previous limit based on big-bang nucleosynthesis.
Efficient optical packet-generation and -compression scheme

An efficient optical packet-generation and -compression scheme is proposed. Packet compression is achieved when the packet is sent through a series of semiconductor optical amplifiers, which have either a transmitting or an absorbing state. The proposed scheme requires no fast electronics and uses exceptionally simple devices such as a tapped series of D flip-flops and frequency dividers. A detailed performance analysis on the system size limitations is also provided by the consideration of pulse-spreading effects and semiconductor optical-amplifier noise.
The Oxidative Stress Product Carboxyethylpyrrole Potentiates TLR2/TLR1 Inflammatory Signaling in Macrophages

Oxidative stress is key in the pathogenesis of several diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), atherosclerosis, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. It has previously been established that a lipid peroxidation product, carboxyethylpyrrole (CEP), accumulates in the retinas of AMD patients. Retinal infiltrating macrophages also accumulate in the retinas of both AMD patients and in a murine model of AMD. We therefore investigated the ability of CEP-adducts to activate innate immune signaling in murine bone-marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs). We found that CEP specifically synergizes with low-dose TLR2-agonists (but not agonists for other TLRs) to induce production of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, CEP selectively augments TLR2/TLR1-signaling instead of TLR2/TLR6-signaling. These studies uncover a novel synergistic inflammatory relationship between an endogenously produced oxidation molecule and a pathogen-derived product, which may have implications in the AMD disease process and other oxidative stress-driven pathologies.
Temporal homogenization of viscoelastic and viscoplastic solids subjected to locally periodic loading

As a direct extension of the asymptotic spatial homogenization method we develop a temporal homogenization scheme for a class of homogeneous solids with an intrinsic time scale significantly longer than a period of prescribed loading. Two rate-dependent material models, the Maxwell viscoelastic model and the power-law viscoplastic model, are studied as an illustrative examples. Double scale asymptotic analysis in time domain is utilized to obtain a sequence of initial-boundary value problems with various orders of temporal scaling parameter. It is shown that various order initial-boundary value problems can be further decomposed into: (i) the global initial-boundary value problem with smooth loading for the entire loading history, and (ii) the local initial-boundary value problem with the remaining (oscillatory) portion of loading for a single load period. Large time increments can be used for integrating the global problem due to smooth loading, whereas the integration of the local initial-boundary value problem requires a significantly smaller time step, but only locally in a single load period. The present temporal homogenization approach has been found to be in good agreement with a closed-form analytical solution for one-dimensional case and with a numerical solution in multidimensional case obtained by using a sufficiently small time step required to resolve the load oscillations.
Predicting age at loss of ambulation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy with deep phenotypic measures

Although Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the most common single-gene lethal disorder, is caused by a homogeneous biochemical defect in all patients, substantial patient-patient variety in disease progression is observed. The loss of ambulation (LoA) is a functional milestone of DMD progression and the age at LoA is often used as an indication of disease severity. But as age at LoA is not always available, such as when patients remain ambulant at study end, its use has been limited. In this paper, we report machine learning approaches to predict age at LoA based on clinical measures of muscular strength and motor function, and validate the algorithms using the CINRG dataset. With extensive experiments and rigorous statistical analysis, we found that (1) the utilization of multiple clinical features yields better prediction than using any of the single measures, and (2) the prediction based on Lasso is more accurate than other multivariate analytical approaches such as ordinary least squares and ridge regression. To our knowledge, we are the first to provide point predictions for age at LoA in DMD using clinical phenotypic measures. Importantly, we find that not all clinical measures contribute to the prediction. Age at the last visit (before LoA), velocity of walking 10 meters, and velocity of climbing 4 steps are selected as important predictors by Lasso. The usefulness of the prediction model is illustrated with evidence that the association between a well-known modifier of DMD severity and age at LoA has better power when the predicted values are utilized.
Psychiatrists and the General Hospital Ethics Committee

General Hospital Ethics Committees (GHECs) have emerged as institutional forums for addressing bioethical dilemmas. Hospital psychiatrists have important roles to play on these committees. Their skills in group process assessment, mental status examination, and character assessment have diverse applications. Psychiatrists can facilitate communication, both on the committee and as GHEC-based clinical ethics consultants. Ethics committees must be concerned with how they arrive at ethical decisions, guarding against political influence or individual monopolization. Psychiatrists can assist these efforts as organizational consultants to GHECs. The perception of psychiatrists as reflective, tolerant of ambiguity, humanizing, and approachable about moral aspects of health care suggests they would make excellent committee leaders. Hospital psychiatrists also have important committee roles to play as ethics educators and policy-makers. More demographic research is needed to investigate psychiatrists' participation on GHECs. Studies of how they are perceived by their ethics committee colleagues may reveal new roles and potential pitfalls for GHEC psychiatrists.
Fine structure of collagen fibrils as revealed by ruthenium red.

Abstract The unit collagen fibril in connective tissue was studied by electron microscopy utilizing the ruthenium red staining technique of Luft for mucopolysaccharide. Ruthenium red-reactive material, presumably mucopolysaccharide, was demonstrable at the center and at the periphery of each unit fibril, associated with the periodic bands d − a 4 in a rather specific manner. The periodic bands d − a 4 were the site of interconnection with the network of the connective tissue matrix. Ruthenium red reactivity at these sites was significantly increased in pathological conditions.
Ethnicity and cultural diversity: An analysis of work published in community psychology journals, 1965–1985

The purpose of this survey was to examine the extent to which community psychology has committed itself to one of its original missions: to foster cultural relativity and diversity. Content analyses were conducted of all articles published in the American Journal of Community Psychology, Community Mental Health Journal, and the Journal of Community Psychology from the journals' inception through 1985. Of all articles published, 13% furthered the goals of cultural diversity, and 86% did not. Further breakdown revealed that 5.5% of the articles were on a single U.S. ethnic minority group, 5% compared an ethnic minority group(s) to Whites, 2% were on an international cultural group, and .5% compared two or more ethnic minority groups to each other. Compared to CMHJ, a higher proportion of articles published in AJCP and JCP were devoted to cultural diversity. Greater attention has been given to the study of Blacks and Hispanics/Puerto Ricans than to Asian Americans or Native Americans. For all journals combined, there was an overall increase in the proportion of articles devoted to cultural diversity and ethnicity over time. Still, 5% to 11% was considered short of the proportion of ethnic minorities in the United States (over 20%), leading the researchers to conclude that progress has been made, but more needs to be done.
A kinetic study of C- and O-alkylation of some cyclic β-keto esters☆

Abstract The reactions of sodio-2-carbethoxycyclanones of 5, 6 and 8 ring members (I-5, I-6, I-8) with isopropyl iodide in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) have been studied kinetically at three temps. Three competing second order reactions occur: isopropylation at carbon, isopropylation at oxygen and propene formation. The total rate constants were dissected into individual rate constants by an independent measurement of propene formation and by GLC of the alkylation product mixtures. At 30°, the C/O ratios for I-5, I-6 and I-8 are 1·74, 1·34 and 7·72 respectively. Increasing temps favor O-alkylation in all cases since it has the higher enthalpy of activation of the two alkylation processes. Relative rates of C-alkylation at 30° for I-5:I-6:I-8 are 1·7:1:4·4 whereas for O-alkylation the relative rates are 1·3:1:0·8. The insensitivity of the O-alkylation process to structural change in the anion and the anomalous position of I-8 in the reaction series for O-alkylation are attributed to a coincidence of the experimental temperature and the isokinetic temp.
SOCK: a sociometric analysis system

The SOCK system is intended to provide a set of procedures for sociometric clique identification. The procedures in SOCK are based upon numerical clustering techniques which isolate highly interrelated subsets of individuals. Since clustering techniques do not generally work well when operating on simple dichotomous choice data, i.e., on adjacency matrices, these procedures involve the derivation of some matrix of pairwise social distance or proximity from the dichotomous choice data.
Toward a Mandatory Work Policy for Men

Lawrence Mead addresses the problem of nonwork among low-income men, particularly low-income black men, and its implications for families and children. The poor work effort, he says, appears to be caused partly by falling wages and other opportunity constraints but principally by an oppositional culture and a breakdown of work discipline. Mead argues that if government policies are to increase work among poor men, they must not merely improve wages and skills but enforce work in available jobs. Using the same "help with hassle" approach that welfare reform has used successfully to increase work among poor mothers, policymakers should adapt the child support enforcement and criminal justice systems so that both actively help their clients find employment and then back up that help with a requirement that they work. Men with unpaid child support judgments and parolees leaving prison would be told to get a job or pay up, as they are now. But if they did not, they would be remanded to a required work program where their efforts to work would be closely supervised. They would have to participate and get a private job and have their subsequent employment verified. Failing that, they would be assigned to work crews, where again compliance would be verified. Men who failed to participate and work steadily would--unless there were good cause--be sent back to the child support or parole authorities to be imprisoned. But men who complied would be freed from the work program after a year or two. They would then revert to the looser supervision practiced by the regular child support and parole systems. If their employment record deteriorated, they could again be remanded to the work program. Mead estimates that such a program would involve as many as 1.5 million men who are already in the child support and criminal justice systems and would cost $2.4 billion to $4.8 billion a year. It is premature, says Mead, for such a program to be mandated nationwide. Rather, the best role for national policy at this point is to establish and evaluate promising model programs to see which work best.
Relation of nephron recruitment to detectable filtration and recovery of function after release of ureteral obstruction

In this study, the role of nephron recruitment to measurable filtration in the recovery of whole kidney GFR following release of ureteral obstruction of 18 hr duration was characterized in the young rat with a modification of Hanssen's technique. Following release of bilateral (BUO) or unilateral (UUO) ureteral obstruction, the expected increases in fractional sodium and water excretion were observed and remained constant throughout the interval of the study (approximately 3 hr). However, the GFR of the postrelease kidney of rats subjected to BUO and UUO increased significantly within this time frame. Surprisingly, the percent increase in GFR was greater in the the UUO group. In both groups, there was a positive correlation between the number of filtering nephrons and time after release. The increase in the number of filtering juxtamedullary and superficial nephrons detectable with this technique was symmetrical after release of UUO and BUO. However, at all intervals of study, there were significantly fewer filtering nephrons in the postrelease kidney of the UUO and the BUO group. These studies indicate that the mechanism of recovery of GFR in the postrelease kidney in the two settings of ureteral obstruction is quite different.
Alternative nested logit models: structure, properties and estimation

Two distinctly different nested logit models have been widely used in both research and applications. The differences, not widely recognized, between these models will substantially influence estimation results, behavioral interpretation and policy analysis. The McFadden nested logit model is derived from random utility theory; the Daly or non-normalized nested logit model is based on probability relationships and is not consistent with utility maximization. This paper describes and compares the model structure and properties of these different nested logit models identifying important differences between the different model structures. An empirical application demonstrates that the different nested logit models produce dramatically different results with respect to nesting structure and the relative importance of utility components. Thus, the selection of one or another of the nested logit models has important consequences for model interpretation and prediction with consequent impacts on policy analysis. The authors prefer the McFadden model because of its basis in utility theory, intuitively reasonable elasticity relationships and a clear interpretation of utility function parameters across alternatives.
The failure of negative pressure rewarming (Thermostat) to accelerate recovery from mild hypothermia in postoperative surgical patients.

The ThermostatTM device (Aquarius Medical Corp., Phoenix, AZ) is used in a new technique to accelerate recovery from hypothermia by mechanically distending blood vessels in the hand, thereby increasing transfer of exogenous heat to the body core. We evaluated the use of the ThermostatTM device in patients with mild postoperative hypothermia (<36°C). We studied adult patients undergoing elective surgery, general anesthesia, and neuromuscular blockade. Patients with an initial postoperative tympanic membrane temperature < 36°C were randomized into two groups: 1) ThermostatTM, which consisted of a hypothermia warming mitt/seal and thermal exchange chamber for 60 min, and 2) conventional treatment, which consisted of warm blankets and/or radiant heat. Of the 191 patients enrolled, 60 (31%) developed hypothermia and were randomized to receive the ThermostatTM (n = 30) or conventional methods (n = 30). Fourteen patients in the ThermostatTM group and 17 patients in the conventional group rewarmed to 36°C before discharge from the recovery room (P is not significant). There were no differences in vital signs, rewarming time, time to discharge from the recovery room, or postoperative temperature between groups. We conclude that patients with mild postoperative hypothermia rewarmed in a similar fashion, regardless of whether the ThermostatTM or conventional methods were used. We found that a commercially available negative pressure rewarming device (ThermostatTM; Aquarius Medical Corp., Phoenix, AZ) was not effective in accelerating rewarming in postoperative hypothermic surgical patients after general anesthesia.
Radiation damage in protein crystallography

Abstract A general model is derived to describe the rate of radiation damage in protein crystals. This model and some of its special cases are tested against the Blake and Phillips data on X-irradiation effects in myoglobin crystals. The results point to a sequential process of damage and suggest an improved method for correcting diffraction data for the effects of radiation damage.
Reminiscence in children as a function of sex

Psychomotor reminiscence was measured in 40 children (20 males, 20 females) on two tasks, inverted alphabet printing and mirror tracking, administered in counterbalanced orders. The sexes reminisced alike on alphabet printing, as commonly found with young adults. On mirror tracking, however, males reminisced more than females, contrary to findings with young adults. These results in conjunction with others show that sex dominance in reminiscence tendencies depends upon task structure and that it undergoes reversal across pubescence.
GROWTH STIMULATION AND PHOSPHORUS ABSORPTION OF MYCORRHIZAL AND NON-MYCORRHIZAL NORTHERN WHITE PINE AND DOUGLAS FIR SEEDLINGS IN RELATION TO FERTILIZER TREATMENT.

Although there is no longer much question of the dependence of pines and many conifers on fungal symbionts forming mycorrhizae, there is considerable disagreement concerning the manner in which this symbiosis stimulates the growth of trees. A marked change and enlargement of the tree seedling root system follows mycorrhiza formation, and according to various authors the fungus partner makes available to the tree organic nitrogen (6), carbohydrates (4,11), water (1), nutrients (2, 4, 5,10), auxins and enzymes (3, 4, 8), arid in addition destroys toxic soil compounds resulting from certain types of organic decomposition (7, 8). In a recent paper one of the authors (5) described a case of the dependence of pines grown on prairie soil on mycorrhizal symbionts, showing the importance of phosphorus and suggesting that growth stimulation was due to increased respiratory activity associated with higher levels of phosphorus and with growth stimulators derived from the fungus. Routien and Dawson (10) have shown increased salt absorption associated with the heightened oxygen intake and carbonic acid production of mycorrhizal Pinus echinata. MacDougal and Dufrenoy (4) indicate that mycorrhizal fungi supply phosphorus and other nutrients, carbohydrates, auxins, and ? vitamins and suggest that much of the increased activity of mycorrhizal roots is keyed to the metabolism of phosphorus. This investigation was concerned with the growth and phosphorus absorption of two conifers on inoculated and uninoculated soil given several fertilizer treatments. Its primary object was to determine what combination of phosphorus application and/or soil inoculation produced best development and how phosphorus absorption was affected.
Hysteresis and Multiple Stable Configurations in a Magnetic Fluid System

A magnetic liquid in a horizontal Hele-Shaw cell is subjected to a vertical magnetic field. The width of the magnetic fluid finger is measured as a function of applied field and compared to a theoretical model. The theoretical model uses an energy minimization procedure and predicts a double energy minimum, hysteresis, and discontinuous transitions between a circle and a finger. The experimental data set agrees very well with the theory for a well-defined magnetic fluid finger. Near the transitions, the experiments show hysteresis and support for a double energy minimum; however, the agreement is not quite so good. The discrepancy between theory and experiment near the transition region is likely due to the simplified finger model used in the theory.
The Effect of Total Hip Arthroplasty Surgical Approach on Postoperative Gait Mechanics

Surgical approach for total hip arthroplasty (THA) is determined by clinician preference from limited prospective data. This study aimed to examine the effect of surgical approach (direct lateral, posterior, and anterolateral) on 6-week postoperative gait mechanics. Thirty-five patients (direct lateral, 8; posterior, 12; anterolateral, 15) were tested preoperatively and 6 weeks after THA. Patients underwent a gait analysis at a self-selected walking speed. A 2-way analysis of variance was used for analysis. Stride length, step length, peak hip extension, and walking speed increased after THA. The 3 surgical approach variables were not significantly different for any of the study variables after THA. All patients showed some increase in selected variables after THA regardless of surgical approach. In this study, surgical approach did not appear to significantly influence the early postoperative gait mechanics that were quantified.
P02.96. Effects of deep breathing on pulse pressure harmonics

Purpose Pulse pressure waveforms can be decomposed into individual harmonics using frequency-domain analyses. Based on the well-recognized phenomenon of pulse wave reflections, these harmonics are purported to play important physiological functions and form the basis for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pulse diagnosis. Although breathing is considered an essential part of TCM and Qi Gong, its effects on pulsatile hemodynamics are unknown. This study explored the effects of slow, deep breathing on blood pressure harmonics.
Effects of sample size on the noise floor and distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

This study investigated the effects of sample size on the noise floor and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in 55 normal-hearing subjects as a function of intensity. More specifically, we investigated the effects of sample size (12-400 sweeps) as a function of intensity (L1 = L2 = 35, 45 and 55 dB SPL), firstly, on the identifiability of DPOAEs (2F1-F2), secondly, on the noise floor adjacent to DPOAEs, and thirdly, on the magnitude of DPOAEs centred around geometric means of 531 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz. Testing was conducted with a commercially available system for measuring DPOAEs (Grason-Stadler, GSI-60). A constant F2:F1 ratio of 1.21 was used. As sample size increased from 12 to 400 sweeps, the noise floors decreased by about 13 dB; this closely corresponds to the expected 15 dB reduction based on the square root rule of noise reduction. The highest noise floors were measured at 531 Hz and the lowest noise floors at 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz. Identifiability increased as intensity i...
Placement of Visible Implant Tags in the Anal Fin of Wild Coastal Cutthroat Trout

Abstract Typical periocular (adipose eyelid) placement of visible implant tags proved inadequate for tagging wild coastal cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki clarki in our research because of individual variation in periocular tissue, excessive stress of tagging procedures, and the inability to consistently tag fish smaller than 150-mm fork length (FL). A novel technique for placement was developed which alleviated these problems. Tags were placed in the clear tissue between rays of the anal fin. Migrating smolts and adults 110–451 mm FL were successfully tagged in this manner, Adults recaptured 4–85 d after tag placement (N = 59) exhibited 98% retention, with all but two tags readable in situ. Smolts held in stream enclosures 24 h after tagging (N = 120) exhibited 97% tag retention with all tags readable in situ. Inspection of insertion points revealed significant tissue healing which rendered future tag losses unlikely.
Grain Nitrogen Source Changes over Time in Maize: A Review

Understanding the sources of grain N uptake (Grain N) in maize ( Zea mays L.) and especially the trade-off between reproductive-stage shoot N remobilization ( remobilized N) and reproductive-stage whole-plant N uptake (reproductive N) is needed to help guide future improvements in yield and N use efficiency (NUE). Therefore, a literature review was performed to investigate the knowledge gap concerning changes over time in Grain N sources and on N partitioning to the grain and stover plant fractions at maturity. The synthesis-analysis was based on 100 reports, which were divided into two time intervals: (i) research conducted from 1940 to 1990—"o ld Era"—and (ii) research conducted from 1991 to 2011—"New Era." The most remarkable results were (i) Grain N concentration was the main parameter that has changed over time, (ii) reproductive N contributed proportionally more to Grain N for the New Era while r eproductive
Distribution of certain neuropeptides in the primate thalamus

The distributions of fibers and terminals immunoreactive for somatostatin (SRIF), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP) and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK), were studied in the diencephalon of cynomolgus monkeys. Immunoreactivity for all 4 peptides is found in extrinsic afferent fibers innervating the dorsal thalamus, ventral thalamus and epithalamus. The distributions of such fibers are more extensive than previously described and include many relay nuclei in their zones of terminations. SP fibers are particularly concentrated in the ventral posteromedial nucleus. All peptides are especially concentrated in fibers in the intralaminar and reticular nuclei. Afferent fibers immunoreactive for each of the 4 peptides approach the thalamus by two pathways. An anterior route is formed by the classical periventricular system ascending from the hypothalamus to the epithalamus. A posterior pathway ascends in the lateral midbrain tegmentum and provides innervation to posterior, intralaminar, and many relay nuclei, plus the ventral thalamus. A basal forebrain pathway, containing SRIF and NPY immunoreactive fibers, enters the thalamus in association with the ansa lenticularis and SP fibers also ascend from the substantia nigra.
The chicken trigeminal ganglion I. An anatomical analysis of the neuron types in the adult

An anatomical analysis of the chicken trigeminal ganglion was made using light microscopy on specimens prepared by usual chemical fixation or freeze-drying methods and by electron microscopy. Two types of neurons were consistently seen, dark and light cells. Dark cells contained a dense cytoplasm with Nissl substance distributed evenly throughout, whereas light cells had a less dense cytoplasm containing clumps of Nissl substance. The Nissl bodies in light cells contained only a few small cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum as compared with many stacked cisternae in Nissl bodies of dark cells. The ratio of dark to light cells was approximately 62:38 in all regions of the ganglion. Dark cells were consistently smaller than light cells. In the seven-day old chick, the mean diameters of the dark and light neurons were 21.4 μ and 29.5 μ respectively; in the adult the values were 29.9 μ and 39.7 μ respectively. It is concluded that the dark and light cells belong to two distinct neuronal cell populations.
Robotic Approaches to Augmentation Cystoplasty: Ready for Prime Time?

Robotic technology provides the advantages of minimally invasive surgery with the ability to replicate open approaches, leading to similar functional outcomes in both adult and pediatric urology. Therefore, it is being increasingly used for complex reconstructive procedures such as augmentation cystoplasty. Though this is only being performed at select centers, institutional reports have documented outcomes comparable to the open approach in properly selected patients. The technical demand of robotic augmentation cystoplasty necessitates a learning curve, making it longer and more expensive than the open approach. However, potential advantages include faster convalescence and decreased postoperative narcotic use and adhesion formation. Operative steps differ between surgeons, and variations in port placement have permitted some to perform concomitant procedures such as appendicovesicostomy, antegrade colonic enema (ACE), bladder neck closure, and double Yang-Monti conduit formation. Clarification of the role of robotic augmentation cystoplasty will come from continued evaluation with larger series and long-term follow-up.
Genetic and molecular insights into the development and evolution of sexual dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism is common throughout the animal kingdom. However, a molecular understanding of how sex-specific traits develop and evolve has been elusive. Recently, substantial progress has been made in elucidating how diverse sex-determination systems are integrated into developmental gene networks. One common theme from these studies is that sex-limited traits and gene expression are produced by the combined action of transcriptional effectors of sex-determination pathways and other transcription factors on target gene cis-regulatory elements. Sex-specific traits evolve by the gain, loss or modification of linkages in the genetic networks regulated by sex-determination transcription factors.
Some recent advances in the study and characterization of f-element materials via optical spectroscopy

Abstract Continuing our recent tradition of using optical spectroscopic probes of crystal structure, we describe here some examples of our more recent uses of optical methods to characterize and study f-element materials. Included are the determination of the phase relationships of the 4f sesquioxides under pressure and the observations of pressure-induced d- to f-orbital energy crossover in Sm 2+ ion in CsSmI 3 , amorphization of Eu(OH) 3 with pressure, and relatively strong blue up-conversion emission from an Er 3+ -doped glass ceramic upon green light excitation.
Studies in listeriosis show the strong symbiosis between the innate cellular system and the T‐cell response

Resistance to infection with Listeria monocytogenes involves a series of cellular interactions, many of which are carried out by cytokines. Macrophages, NK cells and neutrophils participate in early stages of Listeria resistance. The neutrophil is specially important for clearance of the liver phase of listeriosis. Macrophages and NK cells interact by way of IL-12 and TNF, which induce the NK cell to produce IFN-gamma. IFN-gamma is the major macrophage-activating cytokine. The CB-17 SCID mouse shows these cellular interactions restricting the growth of Listeria, without its elimination. CD4 and/or CD8 T cells bring about sterilizing immunity. Macrophages influence the lymphocyte response by way of antigen presentation and also by promoting Th 1 differentiation. Thus, elimination of Listeria requires a symbiosis between innate immunity and the T-cell system.
Dilated canine hearts: A specimen for teaching cardiac anatomy

Dilated canine hearts were used to teach undergraduate students internal and external cardiac anatomy. The specimens were dilated using hydrostatic pressure and then fixed using 5% formalin. These specimens provided the students with an alternative to prepackaged embalmed hearts and anatomical models for studying the external and internal cardiac anatomy. In addition, the dilated hearts are more similar to the organ they encounter within the thoracic cavity of their dissected animal. This gives the students a better chance of developing a three-dimensional understanding of the heart. Anat Sci Ed 1:207–211, 2008. © 2008 American Association of Anatomists.
Osmoticum, water and dry matter deposition rates in the growth zone of sorghum leaves under water deficit conditions

Abstract Osmotic adjustment is an important mechanism to maintain turgor in the leaf. By use of the fluid dynamic model, the net local deposition rates for osmotica, water and dry matter content were calculated at 1-cm intervals through the sorghum leaf growth zone. The deposition rates per unit length for the well-watered leaves peaked at about 2 cm from the attachment point and decreased to slower rates at 4 cm. Under a mild water stress the rates in the first 2 cm were approximately the same and then dropped sharply to near zero at 3 cm. To take into consideration the local growth increments in three dimensions, the net deposition rate was calculated on a per unit volume basis. In well-watered leaves, the deposition rate on a per unit volume basis was maximal up to 2 cm and then declined, compared to the continuous decline from the point of attachment to nil at 3 cm for the mildly water-stressed treatment. This changed pattern of deposition reflects the shortening of growth zone and shows that the osmotic adjustment is largely the result of the restriction of growth.
ON THE MECHANISM OF LARGE-SCALE VERTICAL MOTION

Abstract An equation is derived from the linearized equations of planetary aerodynamics which expresses the vertical component of velocity as a function of baroclinity, static stability, geostrophic vorticity, and geostrophic wind speed toward the north. The properties of this equation are compared with those of other equations and it is concluded that the linear equation provides an insight into the mechanism of large-scale vertical motion and that it is simple enough for easy application to real data. Calculations of vertical velocity using the linear theory are compared with calculations using the adiabatic method, with calculations using two nonlinear methods, and with cloudiness and precipitations. The linear theory yields results which are relatively insensitive to errors in observation and analysis, and which compare favorably with results calculated from other methods. On the other hand, it is not notably more accurate than are other methods; all introduce errors which are comparable to the calcul...
Period three may not mean chaos: An example of a piecewise linear map

This paper presents an example of a piecewise linear map used to model the dynamics of certain nonlinear mechanical systems. It is shown that a period three solution exists, and computational study seems to indicate that it is a global attractor except possibly over a set of measure zero. The computations are performed using the cell mapping approach from both the deterministic and probabilistic points of view.
Visual control of precise foot placement when walking over complex terrain

1) Motivation When a person walks over complex terrain such as a rocky trail, obstacles and other impediments may render desirable foothold locations unavailable, so visual information from the upcoming terrain must be utilized in order to select safe footholds from among the available options. Our goal is to understand the way in which humans use visual information to guide foothold selection and foot placement when walking over complex terrain.
High-Resolution Subsurface Imaging of Deeply Submerged Targets Based on Distributed Near-Ground Sensors

A high-resolution subsurface imaging technique based on distributed near-ground sensor networks that utilize ultrawideband waveforms in the very high frequency (VHF) range is presented. An accurate scattering model for a target buried in realistic subsurface environment, modeled as a vertically stratified medium, is presented first. Then an inversion technique that uses ultrawideband near-field focusing is described. The signal penetration depth as a function of frequency and various subsurface parameters is calculated based on the developed forward model. The imaging resolution as it relates to the accuracy of background retrieval is also analyzed. A semi-empirical soil dielectric model that is originally developed for the ultra high frequency band is modified and validated at the VHF range with measured results available in the literature. For a given soil textural composition and frequency, the model predicts the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant as a function of soil moisture content. This soil dielectric model is utilized to make the inversion more efficient. To address the challenge associated with the design of compact and ultrawideband VHF antennas, a scheme utilizing multiple antennas and reduced number of frequency points is proposed. The sensor arrangement both in terms of spatial distribution and polarization of each antenna as it relates to the lateral resolution, as well as minimizing the direct coupling between the Tx and Rx antennas, is analyzed. The proposed subsurface imaging approach is validated based on numerical techniques and a laboratory scale model measurement results.
Multiple cool flames in static, unstirred reactors under reduced-gravity and terrestrial conditions

Abstract Multiple cool flames have been observed experimentally in a static, unstirred reactor at reduced gravity in an equimolar n -butane–oxygen premixture diluted with helium. These are the first observations of sustained cool flame oscillations in a static reactor when transport is governed by diffusive fluxes of heat and species. To date, only single cool flames have been reported at reduced gravity, while oscillatory cool flames have long been observed in static reactors at terrestrial conditions. The results suggest that enhanced conduction heat transfer can provide the required heat loss to sustain cool flame oscillations.
An improved empirical fit to Baraff's universal curves for the ionization coefficients of electron and hole multiplication in semiconductors

Since its introduction in 1966, an empirical quadratic fit to Baraff's curves due to Crowell and Sze, has been widely used, in conjunction with the use of Baraff's theory to extrapolate experimental data for electron and hole ionization coefficients to conditions-notably temperature-differing from those under which those data were derived. The quality of that quadratic fit is reexamined, and an improved cubic fit is proposed.
Physical and Biochemical Effects of Broiler Breast Tenderization by Aging after Pre‐rigor Deboning

Shear values of breast fillets were greater after 0 hr than after either 23 or 47 hr aging, which were both greater than after 71 hr post harvest aging. However, the 71 hr shear value was still greater than that for breast muscle aged 24 hr on the carcass. The 0 hr fillets had shorter sarcomeres than fillets frozen after 47 or 71 hr aging. Myofibrillar fragmentation increased from 0 to 47 hr and from 47 to 71 hr post-harvest aging. Decreased residual calpain and calpastatin activities, combined with the appearance and accumulation of the 30 kDa protein is characteristic of calpain activity. This suggested that the myofibrillar fragmentation during post-harvest aging involved calpain-mediated proteolysis similar to that occurring during normal meat aging.
Serum androgens as a continuing index of adequacy of treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Longitudinal studies in 19 girls and 17 boys with congenital adrenal hyperplasia were carried out to correlate the degree of control with serum concentrations of testosterone (T), Δ4−androstenedione (Δ4) and dehydroepiandrosterone. All serum values were compared with those of normal children in the same pubertal stage. Good or poor control was judged by growth rate, bone age advancement, signs of virilization, and urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion. DHEA was suppressed in all treated patients whether in good or poor control. Serum T and Δ4 were within the normal range for boys in good control. Serum T and Δ4 were within normal limits for pubertal girls in good control but were below normal for prepubertal girls. Serum T and Δ4 in girls in poor control were elevated in all pubertal stages. In prepubertal boys in poor control, serum T was elevated. However, in pubertal and postpubertal boys in poor control, serum T was in the lower range of normal. Δ4 was the single androgenelevated in all boys in poor contro...
Exact solutions for the ZK-MEW equation by using the tanh and sine–cosine methods

The tanh and sine–cosine methods are used to handle the two-dimensional ZK-modified equal-width equation (ZK-MEW). The two methods work well to obtain exact solutions of different physical structures; solitary wave solutions and periodic solutions are also obtained. The framework presented here reveals a number of useful features of the methods applied.
Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Manifestations of Tickborne Diseases in the United States

Signs and symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract and liver may provide important clues for the diagnosis of various tickborne diseases prevalent in different geographic areas of the United States. We review clinical and laboratory features that may be helpful in detecting a tickborne infection. Physicians evaluating patients who live in or travel to areas where tickborne diseases are endemic and who present with an acute febrile illness and gastrointestinal manifestations should maintain a high index of suspicion for one of these disease entities, particularly if the patient has received a tick bite. If detected early, many of these potentially serious illnesses can be easily and effectively treated, thereby avoiding serious morbidity and even death.