cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hematology, Parasitology, and Serology of Free-Ranging Coyotes (Canis latrans) from South Carolina.

Blood and feces were collected from 34 adult (19 males, 15 females) and seven juvenile (three males, one female, three not reported) free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) on the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (South Carolina, USA). Significant (P<0.05) hematologic differences by sex were noted for red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Biochemical differences by sex occurred only for albumen (P<0.05). Twenty-one adults were antibody positive for at least one of four viruses: canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1; 68%), West Nile virus (WNV; 60%), Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV; 38%), and Canine distemper virus (CDV; 15%). Of the seven Leptospira serovars tested for, seven (25%) of 28 adults were positive for one or more of five serovars: Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Bratislava, and Autumnalis. Three (43%) of seven juveniles had seropositivity for a virus, one each for CDV, CAV-1, and WNV. No juveniles were seropositive for EEEV or any of the seven Leptospira serovars. Blood smears of 12 adults were positive for Dirofilaria immitis microfilaria, but blood smears from all juveniles were negative. Parvovirus was identified by electron microscopy from the feces of one adult. Ancylostoma spp., Trichuris spp., and Isospora spp. were observed in fecal samples. These data may aid in understanding the role of coyotes in disease ecology.
Structurally‐selective gas‐phase ion‐molecule reactions of dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5 compounds

Steric and substituent effects can play large roles in influencing the outcomes of organic reactions. In this work, the use of ion-molecule reactions of dibenzo-16-crown-5 compounds (lariat ethers) by tandem mass spectrometry to probe the influence of the pendant groups on the selectivity of their gas-phase reactions was evaluated. Lariat ethers are macrocyclic ethers with pendant substituents that have been developed as new types of hosts for molecular recognition. Dimethyl ether (DME) was the reactant chosen because of its well characterized reactivity with various organic substrates possessing different functional groups. Only those dibenzo-16-crown-5 compounds with no or at most one substituent at the center carbon of the three-carbon bridge form the diagnostic [M + 13]+ product ion through a methylene substitution process. Dibenzo-16-crown-5 compounds with geminal substituents on the center carbon of the three-carbon bridge form the [M + 45]+ ion, but not the characteristic [M + 13]+ ion. Causative factors may be steric blocking of the reaction pathway by the geminal groups or a requirement for the presence of at least one hydrogen on the center carbon of the three-center bridge for formation of the [M + 13]+ ion. CAD, deuterium labelling, molecular orbital calculations and comparisons with model compounds provide additional information about the reaction pathways.
Influence of trap design and location on the capture of Plodia interpunctella (Indian meal moth) (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae) in a release-recapture study

Five commercial pheromone trap designs were tested simultaneously in a warehouse to determine the most effective design for capturing Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) (the Indian meal moth). About 72% of the males released were recaptured. The most effective trap was the wing trap (Pherocon 1c), which significantly exceeded the expected value. The remaining trap designs in order of effectiveness were the diamond trap (Pherocon II), Multipher, Delta and Unitrap. Of these four traps, only the diamond trap equalled or slightly surpassed the expected catch number. The location of the traps affected the catch, with traps located near the walls of the warehouse capturing the most insects. Unbaited traps caught few insects, and the necessity of using unbaited traps in tests is discussed.
Life history characteristics of a lightly exploited stock of Squalus suckleyi

The purpose of this study was to examine the basic life history of a lightly exploited stock of Squalus suckleyi in the Gulf of Alaska to establish a baseline for future comparison and to provide critical information for stock assessments. Average total length (total length extended) of females (87· 7c m) was significantly larger (t-test, t =− 12·57, d.f. = 1533, P< 0·01) than males (80·3 cm); size at 50% maturity (74·5 and 97·3 cm, males and females, respectively) and age at 50% maturity (21 and 36 years, respectively) were also significantly different between the sexes (i.e. bootstrapped 95% c.i. did not overlap). Total average fecundity was 8·5 pups per female, and individual fecundity was a linear function of either length or whole mass. The best estimate of instantaneous natural mortality was 0·097. The delayed age of maturity, low natural mortality and low rates of reproduction imply that only very low rates of fishing mortality are sustainable. Finally, this paper provides the first reported evidence that a small percentage of the adult females may undergo an extended resting period between pregnancies of ≥1 years. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Interplanetary fields and plasmas

This report attempts to summarize work by U.S. scientists published during the period 1967 through 1970 on the topics of the solar wind (including plasma, magnetic and electric fields, and the relation to the sun, but excluding the transport of cosmic rays) and its interaction with the planets and the moon (including, for the interaction with the earth, the bow shock, the magnetosheath, the distant magnetospheric tail, and the geomagnetic effects directly attributed to the solar wind, but excluding the magnetosphere and related topics, which are covered in the report by Neil M. Brice).
Connecting students and families for support during the college transition

My dissertation work focuses on increasing students' perceptions of family support as they adjust to college, a challenging and often stressful life transition. This project draws on research in social support, college transitions, emerging adulthood, and family communication as well as my background in computer science and communication studies. I will be designing, building, and evaluating a mobile application that connects new college students to their families. Specifically, the app I design will provide students with family awareness in order to remind them of their existing family support systems and increase their perceptions of family support while they are adjusting to college.
Identification of Soundbite and Its Speaker Name Using Transcripts of Broadcast News Speech

This article presents a pipeline framework for identifying soundbite and its speaker name from Mandarin broadcast news transcripts. Both of the two modules, soundbite segment detection and soundbite speaker name recognition, are based on a supervised classification approach using multiple linguistic features. We systematically evaluated performance for each module as well as the entire system, and investigated the effect of using speech recognition (ASR) output and automatic sentence segmentation. We found that both of the two components impact the pipeline system, with more degradation in the entire system performance due to automatic speaker name recognition errors than soundbite segment detection. In addition, our experimental results show that using ASR output degrades the system performance significantly, and that using automatic sentence segmentation greatly impacts soundbite detection, but has much less effect on speaker name recognition.
Efficacy and task structure of bimanual training post stroke: a systematic review.

AbstractBackground: Bimanual training has been shown to be as effective as, but not superior to, unimanual paretic upper extremity (UE) training interventions in improving paretic UE function and use post stroke. However, it is still unclear whether different training interventions or task structures within bimanual interventions may differentially affect the outcomes. Objective: The objectives of this review were to (1) systematically determine the efficacy of bimanual training in relation to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model components and (2) explore the structure of current bimanual training interventions. Method: A systematic review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eleven studies were accepted for review. Results: Three main types of bimanual training emerged: functional task training (FTT), bilateral training with rhythmic auditory cues (BATRAC), and robot-assisted training (RAT). Bi...
Control charts for monitoring fault signatures: Cuscore versus GLR

It is commonly assumed that an assignable cause may shift a process mean persistently to an unknown but constant value. However, there are situations such that a mean change is not persistently constant but time varying, which is known as the signature of a fault. Different forms of fault signatures may arise, especially when a residuals control chart is used to monitor an autocorrelated or closed-loop controlled process. Incorporating a priori knowledge of a fault signature, fault-sensitized control charts may be developed. In this paper, we investigate two control charts of this kind: generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) and cumulative score (Cuscore) charts. A sine wave representing a bounded signal and a linear trend representing an unbounded signal are used as fault signatures for investigation purposes. Two different cases are analyzed, a known fault signature and parameter and a known fault signature but unknown parameter. Both the initial performances and steady-state performances of these charts are analyzed. The former case is somewhat artificial since it is synchronizing the control statistic and the fault signature; the latter one is more realistic since time of the occurrence of a fault is unknown. Simulation results show that GLR charts are robust to unknown signal start times and perform better than the alternatives for the cases compared. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence that rabbit cytochrome P-450 K is encoded by the plasmid pP-450 PBc2.

The complete coding sequence for P-450 PBc2 was inserted into a T7-phage promoter system, and a capped cRNA was generated using T7 RNA polymerase. The P-450 PBc2 cRNA was translated in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The in vitro translation product was indirectly immunoprecipitated by the monoclonal antibodies 2F5 and 3C3 that recognize P-450 K. SDSpolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the translated protein product exhibits the same relative electrophoretic mobility as P-450 K. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was determined to be MDLVVVLGL-LS-LLLLSL- for P-450 K immunopurified from rabbit kidney using the monoclonal antibody 2F5. This sequence agrees with the predicted amino acid sequence derived from the P-450 PBc2 cDNA. These results indicate that P-450 K or a protein closely related to P-450 K is encoded by the plasmid pP-450 PBc2.
Overnight branched-chain amino acid infusion causes sustained suppression of muscle proteolysis

Short-term (3 to 4 hours) infusion of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) has been shown to suppress muscle protein breakdown. Whether these effects are sustained with chronic elevations of BCAA is not known. In the present study, we examined the effect of an overnight (16-hour) systemic BCAA infusion on whole-body and skeletal muscle amino acid metabolism, as assessed by simultaneously measured 3H-phenylalanine and 14C-leucine kinetics in eight normal volunteers; 10 overnight-fasted subjects studied during a 4-hour saline infusion served as controls. Overnight BCAA infusion increased plasma BCAA concentrations by fivefold to eightfold, and this was associated with a 20% to 60% decline in arterial concentrations of other amino acids. For Phe, this decline was mediated by a reduction in the systemic rate of appearance ([Ra] 0.38 +/- 0.03 v 0.60 +/- 0.01 mumol/kg/min for BCAA and saline, respectively, P < .001). Endogenous Leu Ra, calculated more indirectly as the difference between the total Leu Ra and the unlabeled Leu infusion rate, did not differ between groups. In the forearm, overnight BCAA infusion resulted in a diminished net release of Phe (-3 +/- 2 v -18 +/- 4 [saline] nmol/min/100 mL, P < .02), and BCAA balance became markedly positive (751 +/- 93 v -75 +/- 30, P < .001). The diminished net forearm Phe release was accounted for by a decrease in local Phe Ra (P < .02). As with the systemic endogenous Leu Ra, forearm Leu Ra was not reproducibly affected by infused BCAA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Emotional Responses to Environmental Messages and Future Behavioral Intentions

The present research investigated effects of message framing (losses-framed or gains-framed), message modality (video with text or text-only) and emotional arousal on environmentally responsible behavioral intentions. The sample consisted of 161 college students. The present research did not find a significant difference in behavioral intentions between the losses-framed and gains-framed groups. Results suggest a significantly higher environmentally responsible behavioral intent in the video group than in the text-only group. Results from the correlational analyses showed a reliable relation between emotional arousal and environmentally responsible behavioral intentions. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Ultracompact Plasmonic Waveguide Bend Based on Nanoscale Cavity Resonance

It is well-known that incorporating resonant cavities into dielectric waveguide bends can improve their transmission efficiency. Using 3D simulations, we demonstrate that the technique can generate ~3dB improvement in ultracompact plasmonic waveguide bends as well.
Life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions, water and land use for concentrated solar power plants with different energy backup systems

Abstract Concentrated solar power (CSP) is unique among intermittent renewable energy options because for the past four years, utility-scale plants have been using an energy storage technology that could allow a CSP plant to operate as a baseload renewable energy generator in the future. No study to-date has directly compared the environmental implications of this technology with more conventional CSP backup energy options. This study compares the life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water consumption, and direct, onsite land use associated with one MW h of electricity production from CSP plants with wet and dry cooling and with three energy backup systems: (1) minimal backup (MB), (2) molten salt thermal energy storage (TES), and (3) a natural gas-fired heat transfer fluid heater (NG). Plants with NG had 4–9 times more life cycle GHG emissions than plants with TES. Plants with TES generally had twice as many life cycle GHG emissions as the MB plants. Dry cooling reduced life cycle water consumption by 71–78% compared to wet cooling. Plants with larger backup capacities had greater life cycle water consumption than plants with smaller backup capacities, and plants with NG had lower direct, onsite life cycle land use than plants with MB or TES.
Electrocatalytic flow detection of amino acids at ruthenium dioxide‐modified carbon electrodes

Fixed-potential anodic detection of ammo acids and peptides can be carried out at ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) -modified carbon paste and graphite epoxy electrodes. The effect of various experimental variables on the electrocatlytic response is explored. Optimal detection is obtained under strongly alkaline conditions and a low ( + 0.45 v vs. Ag/AgCl) operating potential. With flow injection, the response is fast, linear, and reproducible )relative standard deviations of 1.5 to 1.7%, n = 32). Similar advantages are reported for the incorporation of cobalt oxide (CO3O4) into carbon paste detectors.
Long-term follow-up of children with steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome

The natural history of lipoid nephrosis, as modified by glucosteroid therapy, wasstudied in 61 children who were between one and six years of age at onset. Follow-up was at least 5 years in all cases, 10 years or more in 51 patients, and 15 years in 21 patients; the average period of observation was 13.7 years. A relapsing course was evident early; complete resolution was likely in the absence of relapse during the first three years after onset. As long as 15 years after onset, 20 per cent of the relapsing patients were continuing to have recurrences. A trend toward a decreasing number of relapses per patient was not evident until after the tenth year of disease. At the end of the follow-up, 4 patients were dead, 35 had sustained a remission of at least two years' duration 19 continued to relapse, and 3 had persistent proteinuria.
Strain-tunable photonic bandgap microcavity waveguides in silicon at 1.55 μm

The majority of photonic crystals developed till-date are not dynamically tunable, especially in silicon-based structures. Dynamic tunability is required not only for reconfiguration of the optical characteristics based on user-demand, but also for compensation against external disturbances and relaxation of tight device fabrication tolerances. Recent developments in photonic crystals have suggested interesting possibilities for static small-strain modulations to affect the optical characteristics [1-3], including a proposal for dynamic strain-tunability [4]. Here we report the theoretical analysis, device fabrication, and experimental measurements of tunable silicon photonic band gap microcavities in optical waveguides, through direct application of dynamic strain to the periodic structures [5]. The device concept consists of embedding the microcavity waveguide [6] on a deformable SiO2 membrane. The membrane is strained through integrated thin-film piezoelectric microactuators. We show a 1.54 nm shift in cavity resonances at 1.56 um wavelengths for an applied piezoelectric strain of 0.04%. This is in excellent agreement with our modeling, predicted through first-order semi-analytical perturbation theory [7] and finite-difference time-domain calculations. The measured microcavity transmission shows resonances between 1.55 to 1.57 um, with Q factors ranging from 159 to 280. For operation at infrared wavelengths, we integrate X-ray and electron-beam lithography (for critical 100 nm feature sizes) with thin-film piezoelectric surface micromachining. This level of integration permits realizable silicon-based photonic chip devices, such as high-density optical filters and spontaneous-emission enhancement devices with tunable configurations.
Bioinspired self-assembly for organic elctro-optics

Organic electro-optic materials have potential applications in optical communication and data processing. One major obstacle to the realization of the full potential of OEO materials is the interchromophore electrostatic interactions which have prevented the poling-induced chromophore order parameter from reaching above 0.3. In this presentation, we show designs of new chromophores that have ring structures surrounding the center of chromophores to prevent chromophores from packing in the antiparallel fashion, and modification of such chromophores with complementary DNA nucleobases to strengthen head-tail interactions.
Development of Inherently Echogenic Liposomes as an Ultrasonic Contrast Agent

Abstract Ultrasonic contrast agents have been developed for improved assessment of blood flow and tissue perfusion. Many of these agents are not inherently acoustically reflective (echogenic), and nearly all are not suitable for tissue specific targeting. The purpose of this study was to develop acoustically reflective liposomes, which are suitable for antibody conjugation, without using gas or any other agent entrapment. Echogenic liposomes were prepared from phosphatidylcholine (PC), phophatidyl-ethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and cholesterol (CH), using a dehydration/rehydration method. The formulation was optimized for higher acoustic reflectivity by varying the lipid composition. Liposomes were imaged with a 20 MHz intravascular ultrasonic imaging catheter. Echogenicity levels were expressed using pixel gray scale. The presence of PE and PG at specific concentrations improved echogenicity due to their effects on liposomal morphology as confirmed by freeze-etch electron microscopy. The acoustic reflectivity of liposomes was retained when liposomes were treated with blood at room temperature and 37°C under in vitro conditions. It was demonstrated that the liposomes were also acoustically reflective in vivo after they were injected into a miniswine model. We have developed echogenic liposomes that are stable and suitable for tissue specific targeting as a novel contrast agent. This new contrast agent can be used for ultrasonic image enhancement and/or treatment of targeted pathologic sites.
Intracranial atherosclerosis: correlation between in-vivo 3T high resolution MRI and pathology.

Background: High-resolution MRI (HRMRI) is a promising tool for studying intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) in-vivo, but its use to understand the pathophysiology of ICAD has been limited by a lack of correlation between MRI signal characteristics and pathology in intracranial arteries. Description of case: A patient with symptomatic left cavernous carotid stenosis underwent 3T HRMRI and died 4 days later. In-vivo HRMRI and postmortem histopathology images were compared. MRI signal characteristics consistent with atherosclerotic plaque composed of lipid and loose matrix, fibrous tissue, and calcium were correlated with pathology findings. Intraplaque hemorrhage was not present on HRMRI or pathology. Conclusions: This report demonstrates correlation between atherosclerotic plaque components visualized on 3T HRMRI images obtained in-vivo and pathological specimens of a symptomatic ICAD plaque, providing an important step in developing HRMRI as an in-vivo research tool to understand ICAD pathology.
Optimal Theory and Career Assessment: Towards an Inclusive, Global Perspective:

This article explores the impact of limiting the analysis of human experience to one cultural mindset using career development and assessment as a field of inquiry to illustrate the point. The aim is to reveal considerations for the enhancement of the applicability of psychological theory to broader segments of the world's population, particularly African and other so-called third world populations. Specific attention is given the role of worldview in social context and the shaping of inquiry and research; the natural limits of a fragmented, yet hegemonic mindset; the value of an alternate perspective in expanding scope and insight for future reference; and, recommendations for implementing these insights in career assessment with implications for career counselor training.
PINOCYTOTIC ACTIVITY OF THE UTERUS OF THE RAT

With both scanning and transmission electron microscopy, large ectoplasmic projections are found intruding into the lumen from the epithelial cells of the rat uterus. These projections, which are abundant both prior to implantation and during delayed implantation, communicate with the underlying cytoplasm only by a small pedicel as though in the process of pinching off. However, introduction of tracer material into the uterine lumen demonstrates the pinocytotic nature of these projections. Within three minutes after introduction of tracer the projections, termed pinopods, contain numerous vacuoles filled with tracer. Within ten minutes large vacuoles containing tracer are present in the apical cytoplasm subjacent to the individual pinopods. The varied images observed in the experimental and control materials suggest that there is a continual turnover of pinopods. Initially a simple ectoplasmic projection, the pinopod apparently develops rapidly into a mass of ectoplasm 2–3 μ in diameter with multiple folds and pockets at its surface and numerous internal vacuoles. Following a period of active endocytosis of fluid, the pinopod becomes more spherical and, together with contained material, is withdrawn into the apical cytoplasm. It is suggested that pinocytosis might play a role in producing apposition of the blastocyst to the luminal epithelium, in passing information from the blastocyst to the stroma, and in diminishing the molecular contents of the uterine lumen during specific times in the reproductive process.
The Effects of Hypnosis and Motivational Instructions on Kinesthetic Learning

Abstract Twenty-four male volunteer undergraduate students were equally divided into four groups—(a) hypnosis and task motivating instructions, (b) deep hypnosis and task motivating instructions, (c) task motivating instructions alone, and (d) control. Kinesthetic learning, as measured by a 10-choice-point stylus maze, was unaffected by the experimental conditions. Possible interpretations in light of recent work on physical endurance tasks are discussed.
A New Record for Leptopenus , a Rare Deep-water Coral

AMONG the rarest of the deep-water corals are specimens of Leptopenus (family Micrabaciidae). At present the only records of this delicate coral I have verified are those of the Challenger Expedition1, which took 5 specimens from 4 localities, all from depths in excess of 2,700 m. Reported occurrences of the genus off the South Australian coast2 are probably incorrect and are more possibly worn specimens of Letepsammia, another micrabaciid coral. The Verco Collection examined by Dennant cannot now be located (F. McNeill, in lit.), but specimens of Letepsammia have been taken from South Australia in comparable depths3.
Catch-up and targeted growth following variable duration protein restriction: Effects on bone and body mass

Protein malnutrition leads to growth retardation that can be reversed through catch-up growth, once normative nutrition is restored. Because growth is a dynamic process, catch-up capacity is likely influenced by the maturity of the animal and/or the duration of the insult, in addition to the type of insult experienced. We compared length of malnutrition, sexual dimorphism, body mass, and skeletal growth. Eighty Rattus norvegicus were divided into 10 treatment groups (five diets; male and female) and followed for more than 1 year. At weaning, animals were placed on either a control or low-protein isocaloric diet. Three experimental groups were switched to the control diet at 40, 60, or 90 days. Beginning with 21 days of age, animals were weighed daily and radiographed throughout the study. To determine the presence of catch-up growth, growth rates (GRs) were calculated (linear regression) for 20-day time spans before and after diet changes and compared among treatment groups. Targeted growth was measured as final size or as the coefficient of variation with age. These results show that 1) protein-restricted animals experience catch-up growth with dietary rehabilitation; 2) for females, catch-up GRs are proportional to GRs in control animals at the same age as the timing of dietary rehabilitation but not for males; and 3) targeted growth was observed in some, but not all, aspects of anatomy. The length of the tibia and humerus was indistinguishable from controls, regardless of length of malnutrition or gender, whereas the ulna and male body mass exceeded control sizes. Although most measures decreased in variation with ontogeny, the tibia failed to do so. These results support a complex biological regulation of catch-up and targeted growth. The implications for selection are that flexible and responsive developmental trajectories may have an advantage over those programed into a single size. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Building component families to support adaptation

Autonomic systems undergo dynamic compositional adaptation that often require state transfer and synchronization to correctly initialize the state of the new component, while ensuring that multiple fractions of the component are added and removed consistently. In general, if there are n different components for a given functionality, then there exist n(n - 1) possible adaptations for selecting an appropriate component. Identifying all these adaptations is not an easy task. Moreover, as verification of such adaptations is also difflcult, it is desirable to reduce total number of these adaptations.We propose a component family design for systematically building a repository of components from the perspective of dynamic adaptation. For a family of n components, we show that it suffices to identify n different adaptations. Moreover, to add a new component to this family, it suffices to consider only two adaptations. We also propose a design to separate the adaptation concern from component functionality for simplifying the specification and verification of adaptation. We introduce the enhanced-primitive relation between two components; when such a relation is known to exist, we show that it is possible to simplify the adaptation and its verification.
Preliminary identification of the number of sarc gene protein products of Rous sarcoma virus.

Abstract In a previous report we have utilized a nuclease-treated reticulocyte lysate system to translate virion RNA of Prague B Rous sarcoma virus and compared these translation products to those of RNA from a transformation-defective deletion mutant of Prague B RSV. We were able to identify two proteins of 25,000 daltons and 18,000 daltons on SDS-polyacrylamide gels that were synthesized from RNA of the transforming virus and were missing from the translation products of the transformation-defective RSV, lacking the sarc gene. We proposed that these are the protein products of the sarc gene and that they might be responsible for the oncogenic transformation caused by these viruses in infected cells. In the present report we have separated RSV-virion RNA on sucrose gradients and have determined that the two putative sarc gene products are synthesized as doublets from an mRNA of approximately 18S. There also appear to be several other sizes of virion mRNA that direct the synthesis of other viral proteins. These data are discussed in terms of the genetic structure of the RSV genome and what is known about the viral-specific RNAs of RSV-infected cells. In addition to the 25K- and 18K-dalton doublets, 18S viral RNA from transforming virion of RSV also directs the synthesis of a 60K-dalton protein, which might be either a precursor of the doublets or an additional sarc gene product. The use of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis has allowed us to resolve both bands of the 25K-dalton doublet into several differently charged species.
Utility of wood anatomical characters in cladistic analyses

Wood anatomy is an important source of systematically informative character information that can and should be used in cladistic phylogenetic analyses of relationships in flowering plants. However, the results of a cladistic analysis are only as good as the characters and observations, which together comprise the data set that is analyzed. The goal of this paper is to address the former of these issues, specifically the definition and use of wood anatomical characters in cladistic analyses. We first provide a brief introduction to the principles of cladistics. We then discuss the standard IAWA List of wood anatomical characters, which are defined primarily for identification, and recast them in a format that is more appropriate for cladistic analysis. As a means of illustrating some common problems and their possible solutions, we conclude with a brief discussion of recent cladistic analyses that have included wood anatomical characters.
Ureteral stents: coil strength and durometer.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the coil strength before and after urine exposure and the stiffness of commercially available double- J ureteral stents because both properties may affect stent performance and patient comfort. Methods Twelve commercially available 6F ureteral stents were tested for coil strength before and after 30 days of urine exposure. The proximal end of each stent was inserted through a 2-mm hole in bologna, allowed to recoil, and then pulled using a handheld force gauge. Ten different commercially available ureteral stent models were tested for tensile strength using an MTS MicroBionix Testing System and Testworks II software and a 5 N load cell. Results The Cook Black Silicone and Cook C-Flex stents had the strongest coil strengths before urine exposure at 0.480 ± 0.0 lb (P ≤0.0006) and were also the stents that had the greatest decrease in coil strength after urine exposure. After urine exposure, the weakest stent was the Applied Vertex stent at 0.088 ± 0.008 lb (P ≤0.02) and the strongest was the Cook Endo-Sof AQ at 0.223 ± 0.014 lb (P ≤0.03). Calculating the Young’s modulus, E, the Cook C-Flex stent was the stiffest (E = 1472 ± 196 KPa) and the Cook Black Silicone was the least stiff (E = 122 ± 18 KPa). The stent models that demonstrated consistent E values across different lot numbers were the Circon Double J stent and Bard InLay. Conclusions Ureteral stents can be differentiated according to their coil strength and stiffness. The impact of these properties on stent performance and patient comfort deserve additional evaluation. The significant variability found in stent stiffness among stents from different lot numbers suggests poor quality assurance in biomaterials or stent processing and increases the complexity of cross-stent comparisons.
Pulmonary artery agenesis Diagnosis with ventilation and perfusion scintiphotography.

Pulmonary artery agenesis is one of several diagnostic possibilities which may present with similar chest roentgenographic features, including unilateral pulmonary hypoperfusion and nonvisualization of a pulmonary artery. We have applied ventilation and perfusion scintiphotography as an aid in differentiating agenesis from the other conditions with which it may be confused. Four patients presenting with the chest roentgenographic features suggestive of pulmonary artery agenesis were evaluated, when possible, with complete pulmonary function studies, bronchography, cardiac catheterization, and pulmonary and aortic angiography. In all patients, the distribution of ventilation and perfusion were evaluated with the Anger scintillation camera, 133xenon being used for the ventilation study and 131I-MAA for the perfusion study. In each patient, perfusion scintiphotography showed no blood flow to the affected lung, while ventilation scintiphotography disclosed preservation of homogeneous ventilation to that lung....
An investigation into water and thermal balance for a liquid fueled fuel processor

To better understand the sizing and performance issues associated with water and energy balances of a fuel processor for a PEM fuel cell, a process flow system has been programmed into the ASPEN® simulator for a reference system supplying 600 W electrical power. The fuel processor consists of an autothermal reformer (ATR), single-stage water gas shift (WGS), dual-stage PROX reactors and an anode gas burner (AGB) operating on sulfur-free JP8. The reactor components were modeled using RGIBBS for the ATR and actual experimental kinetics for the WGS and PROX reactors. Simulations investigating thermal management, ATR and WGS performance and system efficiencies were done. Using realistic temperature approaches for heat exchangers it is likely that integrated systems will have to discard heat to the surroundings. Also, depending on the operating conditions, water will either be in surplus or deficit. At 1 atm pressure there is no condition that will enable complete water capture. The minimum pressure where water independence can be achieved is at 1.23 atm with a fuel cell utilization of 60% and a S/C = 1.5 and O/C = 1.0. The complete fuel processor is expected to be 0.46 L and 2.02 kg. This paper will expand on these findings with suggestions for optimal operating efficiencies and sizing for JP8 fuel processors.
TITRATION CURVES OF ETIOLATED AND OF GREEN WHEAT SEEDLINGS REPRODUCED WITH BUFFER MIXTURES.

The titration curve for the expressed juice of etiolated wheat seedlings has a pronounced inflection above pH 8.0 (fig. 4), which does not occur in the curve for fully green seedlings (fig. 5). An intermediate type of curve, linear between pH 8.5 and 11.0, is characteristic of very young seedlings just after their emergence from the ground, when, from the standpoint of chemical composition, they are partially etiolated (fig. 6). The characteristic inflection in the etiolated-seedling curve seemed due to some buffer present in maximum concentration in the absence of chlorophyll, and the change in the form of the curve during the period of seedling development appeared to be caused by a progressive diminution in the amount of this buffer as assimilation processes became established. The object of the present investigation was to identify this buffer, and to determine whether the titration curves of etiolated and of green wheat seedlings could be reproduced by varying its concentration in chemical mixtures containing it in combination with other buffer compounds known to occur in plant juices. Material
Constraint enforcement for scramjet-powered hypersonic vehicles with significant aero-elastic-propulsion interactions

In this paper, we examine the control of a scramjet-powered hypersonic vehicle with significant aero-elastic-propulsion interactions. Such vehicles are characterized by open loop unstable non-minimum phase dynamics, low frequency aero-elastic modes, significant coupling, and hard constraints (e.g. control surface deflection limits, thrust margin). Within this paper, attention is placed on maintaining acceptable closed loop performance (i.e. tracking of speed and flight path angle commands) while satisfying hard control surface deflection constraints as well as stoichiometrically normalized fuel-equivalency-ratio (FER) margin constraints. Control surface constraints are a consequence of maximum permissible aerodynamic loading. FER margin constraints are a consequence of thermal choking (i.e. unity combustor exit Mach number) and the fact that thrust loss may not be captured for FER greater than unity. Such limits are particularly important since the vehicle is open loop unstable and “saturation” can result in instability. To address these issues, one can design conservative (i.e. less aggressive or lower bandwidth) controllers that maintain operation below saturation levels for anticipated reference commands (and disturbances). Doing so, however, unnecessarily sacrifices performance - particularly when small reference commands are issued. Within this paper, the above issues are addressed using generalized predictive control (GPC). A 3DOF longitudinal model for a generic hypersonic vehicle, which includes aero-elastic-propulsion interactions, is used to illustrate the ideas.
Cardiac adrenergic activity in experimental heart failure assessed with beta receptor blockade.

Abstract The role of cardiac adrenergic activity in supporting the performance of the heart in calves with chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension was assessed by beta adrenergic blockade acutely induced with the intravenous administration of propranolol. Studies were performed in animals with chronic ventricular failure. There was a minimal hemodynamic response to propranolol in animals before failure. However, in those animals with clinical and hemodynamic evidence of failure, further marked deterioration of ventricular performance occurred, with a fall in cardiac output and an increase of right ventricular end-diastolic pressure. These changes were more pronounced in the animals that had had a longer period of failure. A consistent reduction in the norepinephrine content of the heart was demonstrated only in those animals with failure, and the reduction was greater in animals in which failure had been present for a longer period. Plasma catecholamine levels tended to be elevated in those animals with failure that had marked depletion of cardiac norepinephrine, and these values were increased further after administration of propranolol. The striking deterioration in ventricular performance observed with propranolol in the norepinephrine-depleted failing heart suggests that adrenergic support is necessary in maintaining the ventricular function of these hearts but that this support is now derived primarily from circulating catecholamines arising from adrenal medullary secretion.
Structural and thermodynamic consequences of burial of an artificial ion pair in the hydrophobic interior of a protein

An artificial charge pair buried in the hydrophobic core of staphylococcal nuclease was engineered by making the V23E and L36K substitutions. Buried individually, Glu-23 and Lys-36 both titrate with pKa values near 7. When buried together their pKa values appear to be normal. The ionizable moieties of the buried Glu–Lys pair are 2.6 A apart. The interaction between them at pH 7 is worth 5 kcal/mol. Despite this strong interaction, the buried Glu–Lys pair destabilizes the protein significantly because the apparent Coulomb interaction is sufficient to offset the dehydration of only one of the two buried charges. Save for minor reorganization of dipoles and water penetration consistent with the relatively high dielectric constant reported by the buried ion pair, there is no evidence that the presence of two charges in the hydrophobic interior of the protein induces any significant structural reorganization. The successful engineering of an artificial ion pair in a highly hydrophobic environment suggests that buried Glu–Lys pairs in dehydrated environments can be charged and that it is possible to engineer charge clusters that loosely resemble catalytic sites in a scaffold protein with high thermodynamic stability, without the need for specialized structural adaptations.
Digitalis Therapy for Patients in Clinical Heart Failure

The most commonly used preparation of digitalis is digoxin, which is obtained from the leaves of Digitalis lanata , a common flowering plant called “foxglove.” The words digitalis and digoxin in this article are used interchangeably. An exhaustive review published in 19961 cited a large number of references and had detailed data and descriptions of a large number of studies and all early trials. The present article summarizes those data but focuses on and emphasizes data collected since that time. These have been described in detail previously1 and are briefly summarized. ### Inotropic Effects The inotropic effects have been documented in the isolated papillary muscles and in the normal hearts of animals and humans. The inotropic action occurs in both ventricles and in both atria. In the normal heart and in those with coronary artery disease and normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function, with digitalis the LV function curve is moved upward and to the left.1 As a result, LV end-diastolic pressure and LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes are reduced, and there is an increase of LV ejection fraction (LVEF).1 ### Patients With Heart Failure In patients with heart failure (HF), digoxin slows the ventricular rate (1) in sinus rhythm because of an improvement in HF and withdrawal of sympathetic stimulation and (2) in atrial fibrillation by increasing parasympathetic tone. The combination of digoxin and carvedilol is superior to digoxin or carvedilol alone.2 ### Peripheral Vessels In normal subjects given intravenous ouabain, there is arterial and venous vasocontriction.3 The vasoconstriction is obviated by administering digoxin slowly over a period of 15 to 20 minutes1; moreover, the vasoconstriction lasts up to 30 minutes. The seminal study of Mason and Braunwald3 showed that in HF, the effects are different. Digitalis produces an increase of blood flow, a decrease of vascular resistance, venodilation, and a …
Cochannel interference mitigation and cooperative processing in downlink multicell multiuser MIMO networks

Recently, the remarkable capacity potential of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems was unveiled. The predicted enormous capacity gain of MIMO is nonetheless significantly limited by cochannel interference (CCI) in realistic cellular environments. The previously proposed advanced receiver technique improves the system performance at the cost of increased receiver complexity, and the achieved system capacity is still significantly away from the interference-free capacity upper bound, especially in environments with strong CCI. In this paper, base station cooperative processing is explored to address the CCI mitigation problem in downlink multicell multiuser MIMO networks, and is shown to dramatically increase the capacity with strong CCI. Both information-theoretic dirty paper coding approach and several more practical joint transmission schemes are studied with pooled and practical per-base power constraints, respectively. Besides the CCI mitigation potential, other advantages of cooperative processing including the power gain, channel rank/conditioning advantage, and macrodiversity protection are also addressed. The potential of our proposed joint transmission schemes is verified with both heuristic and realistic cellular MIMO settings.
An evaluation of nutritional practice in a paediatric burns unit.

Introduction. Burn injuries evoke a systemic metabolic response with profound effects on organ function, susceptibility to infection, wound healing, growth and development, and mortality. Children are especially vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies owing to their limited energy reserves. Methods. We evaluated the feeding practice in a paediatric burns unit. All children admitted to the unit were studied for a minimum of 3 consecutive days. Patients were divided into two groups: those with prescriptions, intake, compliance with feeding practices, and the use of supplementary nutrition were assessed. Underfeeding and over-feeding were defined when there was a discrepancy between prescribed and actual food intake. Results. Forty children (mean age 5.8 years) were studied. They sustained between 2% and 55% TBSA burns. Inadequate caloric intake was seen in 19 of 29 patients and in 9 of 11 patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. In contrast, excess protein supplementation was seen in 24 of 29 group 1 patients and 6 of 11 group 2 patients. The dietician’s food prescription was followed for 170 of 211 days; prescription compliance was correct in only 39 of 211 days. Conclusion. Adequate nutrition is essential for burns patients, but several factors can lead to either under- or over-feeding. A daily dietary consumption chart and evaluation of compliance are essential for each patient. There should be greater acceptability of tube enteral feeding. S Afr Med J 2010; 100: 383-386.
Measurement and communication of greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. food consumption via carbon calculators

article i nfo Food consumption may account for upwards of 15% of U.S. per capita greenhouse gas emissions. Online carbon calculators can help consumers prioritize among dietary behaviors to minimize personal "carbon footprints," leveraging against emissions-intensive industry practices. We reviewed the fitness of selected carbon calculators for measuring and communicating indirect GHG emissions from food consumption. Calculators were evaluated based on the scope of user behaviors accounted for, data sources, transparency of methods, consistency with prior data and effectiveness of communication. We found food consumption was under-represented (25%) among general environmental impact calculators (n=83). We identified eight carbon calculators that accounted for food consumption and included U.S. users among the target audience. Among these, meat and dairy consumption was appropriately highlighted as the primary diet-related contributor to emissions. Opportunities exist to improve upon these tools, including: expanding the scope of behaviors included under calculations; improving communication, in part by emphasizing the ecological and public health co-benefits of less emissions-intensive diets; and adopting more robust, transparent methodologies, particularly where calculators produce questionable emissions estimates. Further, all calculators could benefit from more comprehensive data on the U.S. food system. These advancements may better equip these tools for effectively guiding audiences toward ecologically responsible dietary choices.