cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On groups and fields definable in o-minimal structures

The structure M = (M, <, R1, R2,…) is o-minimal if every definable set X ⊂ M is a finite union of intervals (a, b) and points. Let G be a group definable in M (i.e. G is a definable subset of Mn and the graph of multiplication is also definable). We show that G can be definably equipped with the structure of a ‘manifold’ over M in which multiplication and inversion are continuous. In the special case M = (R, <, +, ·) our construction gives G the structure of a Nash group. These results are also used to show that an infinite field definable in an o-minimal structure is real closed or algebraically closed.
Effects of light-dark cycle and a corticosteroid on the diurnal variation in corneal thickness.

Abstract The diurnal variation in corneal thickness was studied on rabbits under exact control of light and darkness. The average value of the diurnal change (daytime thinning) was 22·4 μm for the normal cornea and 35·5 μm for the swollen cornea (closed eye). These values are significantly larger than those obtained under continuous light. Effect of intravenous injection of a corticosteroid on the diurnal variation in corneal thickness was studied. When administered during the morning hours, the corticosteroid augmented the daytime thinning, and when administered at about midnight, it caused a reversal of the night-time hydration process. The effects were considered to be due to the corneal dehydrating effect of the corticosteroid. The corneal thinning effect of the corticosteroid was also confirmed by subconjunctival injection.
Transmural heterogeneity of microstructural remodeling in pacing induced heart failure measured by diffusion tensor MRI

Background Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) enables 3D evaluation of whole heart microstructure. DT invariants evaluate microstructural remodeling by quantifying trace (increases with decreasing cellularity), fractional anisotropy (FA, decreases with increasing fibrosis), and tissue mode (decreases with increasing fiber disarray) [1]. We have shown that DT invariant data identifies significant global microstructural remodeling (increase in trace and decrease in FA) in the pacing induced heart failure (HF) model [2]. The objective of this study was to quantify transmural microstructural remodeling between normal and HF myocardium using DT invariants.
A gas-flow soil core method to measure field denitrification rates

A method was developed for rapid measurement of soil denitrification under conditions where natural soil structure and aeration status is maintained. Air was continuously recirculated by means of a membrane pump through a soil core and a sample loop of a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. Addition of acetylene to the recirculating air permitted measurement of denitrification in the soil core. Because of the rapid distribution of C2H2 and removal of N2O provided by the gas flow, denitrification rates could usually be determined in less than 2 h. By means of external 6-way and 8-way valves, four soil cores could be simultaneously analyzed on one gas Chromatograph equipped with dual detectors. Soil cores could also be stored at 4°C for later analysis without affecting the denitrification rate. The detection limit for denitrification rate measurements was 0.5 ngN g−1 soil day−1 or approximately 2.6 g N ha−1 day−1. Coefficients of variation for repeated measurements on the same soil core were usually less than 15%, but coefficients of variation for repacked or natural cores of the same soil were much higher (70–90%) Disruption of the natural soil structure by sieving increased the denitrification rate in an aggregated clay loam soil, but decreased the rate in a non-aggregated sandy soil. These results illustrate the importance of maintaining natural soil structure during denitrification measurements. The effect of pumping gas through soil was evaluated by comparing denitrification rates in soil cores where C2H2 was allowed to distribute into the soil by passive diffusion with rates obtained by pumping. Lower denitrification rates were observed in the static incubation presumably due to limited diffusion of C2H2 into or N2O out of the denitrifying sites in the soil. This diffusion limitation could be overcome in the static incubations if C2H2 was initially distributed through the soil by pumping. This gas flow method is well suited to the study of soil denitrification rates under nearly natural conditions because the indigenous substrates and anaerobic microsites are preserved, the rapidity in which denitrification rates can be measured, and the high sensitivity and relatively low analytical variability of the method.
Alkaline phosphatase activity in the osteoid matrix of healing alveolar socket.

Abstract Tissue specimens exhibiting various stages of newly formed intramembranous bone with a fair amount of the osteoid matrix were obtained from the healing alveolar sockets of monkeys 1 and 2 weeks after tooth extraction. Comparison of adjacent sections demonstrating alkaline phosphatase activity and bone minerals, respectively, showed that, in the developing immature bone, extracellular enzyme activity was present not only in the osteoid matrix but also in the diffuse calcifying bone matrix.
ON ARITHMETIC VARIETIES II

An arithmetic variety is the quotient space of a symmetric space with complex structure by an arithmetic subgroup of the associated algebraic Lie group. It is shown that the variety obtained from an arithmetic variety by a base change corresponding to any automorphism ofC is again an arithmetic variety.
A multiaxial fatigue damage model for orthotropic materials under proportional loading

A new multiaxial fatigue damage model for orthotropic materials is proposed based on the strain vector. Six material constants are included in the model. These material constants represent the dependence of fatigue resistance on material orientation, and they can be obtained by conducting strain-controlled uniaxial fatigue tests along the three principal orthotropic directions of an orthotropic material. The model can also be transformed in new coordinate systems to predict the fatigue lives of new material orientations. Biaxial low-cycle fatigue tests are conducted to verify the model. The prediction of the model agrees with the experimental results reasonably well.
Reliability analysis for simple systems

Abstract This paper presents simple analytical techniques by which the reliability of small systems can be assessed, with and without error correction, and the effect of the constituent subsystems can be investigated without detailed numerical computation so as to provide insight into the sensitivity of the overall reliability to the reliability of the individual components.
Comparison of heteroepitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ and TiO2 thin film growth

Abstract The growth of heteroepitaxial YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− δ and TiO 2 thin films has been investigated as a function of deposition rate, film thickness, and deposition temperature. In spite of the fact that the two materials are grown at very different rates and undercoolings, the films are found to have similar growth mechanisms and dependences on film thickness and deposition temperature. Both types of films were found to have an island growth morphology, as shown by STM and AFM. The diameter of the islands was found to increase with the film thickness through a power law dependence. It is shown that this is not the result of a grain growth mechanism, but is consistent with that predicted for a coarsening mechanism. The density of the islands decreased exponentially with increasing substrate temperature. The temperature dependence is consistent with those of homogeneous nucleation and of a diffusion-controlled process. The similar characteristics of the films of these two different materials suggest that YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− δ may be useful as a model system for studying heteroepitaxial oxide film growth.
Sorghum genotype differences in phosphorus uptake rate and distribution in plant parts

Abstract Relatively low amounts of the phosphorus (P) added to soils is recovered by plants. Many plants show differences in their ability to take up and use P, but the mechanisms for these differences are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to determine differences among sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes for P uptake rates and distribution in plant parts. Differences in P uptake rates were determined for six sorghum genotypes at 24, 38, and 52 days of age at three P levels. Larger differences were noted among genotypes in 24‐day‐old plants than for older plants. Uptake rates were 6‐ to 14‐times higher (dependent on genotype) in 24‐day‐old plants than in 52‐day‐old plants. NB9040 which had the highest dry matter yield at each age had the lowest rate of P uptake, and CK60‐Korgi which had the lowest dry matter yield at each age had the highest rate of P uptake. Only small differences were noted among genotypes for distribution of P within plant parts for younger plants. Older p...
The Language of Higher Education Assessment: Legislative Concerns in a Global Context

In recent years, state and federal legislatures have taken increasingly outspoken stands as guardians of the public interest regarding the costs and benefits of higher education, particularly state-funded higher education. In the 1980s, several states passed legislation requiring educational outcomes assessment for state-funded colleges and universities. Very recently, federal legislators have, while in the process of reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, begun asking for assessment regulation in all higher education, public and private. Assessment issues are not new. The search for means to measure educational outcomes emerged around 1900 with the development of educational foundations and the movement to accredit higher education institutions. This movement was motivated by a concern for commensurateness, or lack thereof, among the structurally various institutions of higher education of the late nineteenth century. In contrast, current calls for assessment are motivated by concerns for the spiraling cost of education. Nevertheless, throughout the history of U.S. higher education, the question underlying all concerns for assessment is: “What is the outcome of that education supposed to be?” While most academics have never found any simple answers to this question, the corporate and government voices initiating these calls for assessment have tended for the past century to see higher education in terms of workforce preparation. Since 1980 or so, a globalized rhetoric of skills and workforce preparedness has emerged with which U.S. discourses of education, skills, and work have become tightly coherent. In effect, this has become the new global “common sense” rhetoric of workforce preparedness. Moreover, this globalized neoliberal discourse has often taken place in conservative social and political
Circle size discrimination and transposition behaviour in cichlid fish.

Abstract Eight cichlid fish (Astronotus ocellatus) were trained to choose the larger of two circles. Of six fish that learned the discrimination only one showed any evidence of transposition to a problem using a second pair of circles of different sizes. This animal performed at chance level when the absolute size of the circles was changed from trial to trial. The results are contrasted with those obtained from other species on apparently similar discrimination problems.
Multiresolution image retrieval through fusion

In this paper, we consider the problem of searching large image databases on the basis of the similarity between a query image submitted to the system and a set of target images in a database. In particular, we propose a system that combines results from several independent query configurations run in parallel. We provide a comparative analysis of performance of the individual configurations, which include four combinations of two color spaces (RGB and YIQ) and two wavelet composition algorithms (Haar and Daubechies), and an approach that combines the four configurations (fusion ).© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Strategic Use of Immunoprecipitation and LC/MS/MS for Trace-Level Protein Quantification: Myosin Light Chain 1, a Biomarker of Cardiac Necrosis

Myosin light chain 1 (Myl3) is a 23-kDa isoform of one of the subunits of myosin, a protein involved in muscle contraction. Myl3 is presently being studied as a biomarker of cardiac necrosis to predict drug-induced cardiotoxicity, and in the work presented here, an LC/MS/MS assay was developed and validated to measure Myl3 in rat serum. The key steps in this approach involved immunoaffinity purification of Myl3 from serum followed by on-bead digestion with trypsin to release a surrogate peptide. This tryptic peptide was quantified using a synthetic peptide standard and a corresponding stable isotope-labeled internal standard, and the results were stoichiometrically converted to Myl3 serum concentrations. Myl3 concentrations were corrected for peptide recovery following immunoprecipitation and digestion (85%) and showed excellent agreement with synthetic peptide standards. Both the synthetic peptide and His-Myl3 protein were used to evaluate assay accuracy (% RE) and precision (% CV), which were measured on each of 3 days. The synthetic peptide was evaluated over the range of 0.073-7.16 nM, while Myl3 protein QC samples prepared in rat serum were evaluated over the range of 0.13-6.62 nM. To prepare control matrix, endogenous Myl3 was immunodepleted from pooled rat serum. Peptide interday accuracy and precision did not exceed 7.6 and 11.1%, and Myl3 interday accuracy and precision did not exceed 12.9 and 13.2%, respectively. Data are presented from the application of this assay to establish a time course in which rats demonstrated a marked increase in Myl3 serum concentrations following administration of isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist known to induce cardiac injury. This assay is an example of a larger effort in our laboratory to use LC/MS/MS in conjunction with immunoaffinity techniques to evaluate candidate biomarkers of target organ toxicity and to expedite the development of biomarker assays for drug development.
Progesterone modulation of gonadotropin secretion by dispersed rat pituitary cells in culture. II. Intracellular metabolism and progestin receptors.

Abstract Dispersed, estradiol (E2)-treated, rat pituitary cell cultures were used to examine the intracellular processing of progesterone (P) associated with its modulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Enhancement and suppression of LH release was only observed with acute and chronic exposures to P or other naturally occurring and synthetic progestins avidly bound by pituitary progestin receptors; such responses were inhibited by cotreatment with the antiprogestin RU486 but not with the antiandrogen flutamide, illustrating the importance of the P + receptor interactions. However, cotreatment with a 100-fold molar excess of the 5α-reductase inhibitor 17β-N, N-diethyl-carbamoyl-4-methyl-4-aza-5α-androstan-3-one (4-MA) had no effect on the expression of P's modulatory actions. Additional studies using different E2 pretreatments revealed that P enhanced LH release when progestin receptor levels were elevated. Moreover, the magnitude and duration of P's influences on LH release increased in cells with higher receptor levels. However, there were several instances in which progestin receptor level and P modulation of LH release did not correlate. In several instances E2-induced progestin receptor levels stabilized at a maximal level whereas P enhancement of LH secretion continued to increase in size and duration. These findings underscore the importance of progestin receptors for P-induced modulation of LH secretion and illustrate that 5α-reduction and further metabolism of P is not obligatory for the expression of these responses. In addition, our data demonstrate that the important cellular mechanisms underlying E2 priming of gonadotroph responsiveness to P entail the induction of progestin receptor levels and other as yet unidentified cellular processes.
The cellular localization of prosystemin: a functional role for phloem parenchyma in systemic wound signaling.

The systemin precursor, prosystemin, has been previously shown to be sequestered in vascular bundles of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants, but its subcellular compartmentalization and association with a specific cell type has not been established. We present in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical evidence at the light, confocal, and transmission electron microscopy levels that wound-induced and methyl jasmonate-induced prosystemin mRNA and protein are exclusively found in vascular phloem parenchyma cells of minor veins and midribs of leaves, and in the bicollateral phloem bundles of petioles and stems of tomato. Prosystemin protein was also found constitutively in parenchyma cells of various floral organs, including sepals, petals and anthers. At the subcellular level, prosystemin was found compartmentalized in the cytosol and the nucleus of vascular parenchyma cells. The cumulative data indicate that vascular phloem parenchyma cells are the sites for the synthesis and processing of prosystemin as a first line of defense signaling in response to herbivore and pathogen attacks.
The multiple roles of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitory protein p57KIP2 in cerebral cortical neurogenesis

The members of the CIP/KIP family of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitory proteins (CKIs), including p57KIP2, p27KIP1, and p21CIP1, block the progression of the cell cycle by binding and inhibiting cyclin/CDK complexes of the G1 phase. In addition to this well-characterized function, p57KIP2 and p27KIP1 have been shown to participate in an increasing number of other important cellular processes including cell fate and differentiation, cell motility and migration, and cell death/survival, both in peripheral and central nervous systems. Increasing evidence over the past few years has characterized the functions of the newest CIP/KIP member p57KIP2 in orchestrating cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration during neurogenesis. Here, we focus our discussion on the multiple roles played by p57KIP2 during cortical development, making comparisons to p27KIP1 as well as the INK4 family of CKIs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 72: 821–842, 2012
Study of Thermal Oscillations at the Dryout Front in Half Heated Tubes

Etude experimentale et analytique des oscillations de temperature au front d'assechement dans un tube vertical composite d'Inconel et de verre chauffe electriquement en utilisant de l'eau deionisee et du Freon 113 comme liquide d'essai
The formation of lanthanide (III) pyromethylphosphonates by thermal decomposition of tris-(isopropoxymethylphosphonato)Ln(III) complexes

Abstract Polynuclear tris-(isopropoxymethylphosphonato)Ln(III)complexes are depropylated at 317 °–363 °C yielding the corresponding Ln(III) hydrogen methylphosphonates. The latter products undergo condensation reactions immediately after their formation to produce Ln(III) pyromethylphosphonates. Differential scanning calorimetric studies of these reactions are reported. The Ln(III) pyromethylphosphonates were characterized by means of infrared studies.
Tyrosine Phosphorylation of the β2 Subunit of Clathrin Adaptor Complex AP-2 Reveals the Role of a Di-leucine Motif in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Trafficking

Tyrosine phosphorylation of the β2 subunit of clathrin adaptor complex AP-2 was detected in three types of cells treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF). The tyrosine phosphorylation was observed during recruitment of EGF receptors into coated pits at 4 °C and reached maximum at 37 °C at post-recruitment stages of endocytosis. An inhibitor of EGF receptor kinase completely abolished this phosphorylation in all cell types, whereas the inhibitor of Src family kinases partially inhibited β2 phosphorylation in A-431 cells but not in HeLa cells. By using β2 subunit tagged with yellow fluorescent protein that is effectively assembled into AP-2 complex, the major phosphorylation site of β2 was mapped to Tyr-6. Analysis of cells expressing dominant-interfering mutant μ2 subunit of AP-2 suggested that β2 phosphorylation is partially mediated by the receptor interaction with the μ2 subunit. Mutation of leucine residues 1010 and 1011 motif in the EGF receptor resulted in the severe inhibition of β2 tyrosine phosphorylation. From these data, we propose that interactions of the EGF receptor with AP-2 mediated by the receptor 974YRAL and di-leucine motifs may contribute to β2 tyrosine phosphorylation. Surprisingly, mutation of the Leu-1010/Leu-1011 motif resulted in impaired degradation of EGF receptors, suggesting the role of this motif in lysosomal targeting of the receptor.
SU-E-T-736: Dosimetric Evaluation with Heterogeneity in Eclipse Treatment Planning Dose Calculation Algorithms

Purpose: Dose calculation accuracy utilizing anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) and pencil beam convolution (PBC) with multiple inhomogeneous phantoms was evaluated with measurements. Methods: A five layer virtual phantom was created in the Eclipse planning system. Each 5 cm layer was assigned in terms of water, air, water, bone, and water materials. Plans with a 6MV beam in different field sizes were calculated in AAA_8615 (with heterogeneity correction) and PBC_8615 (with and without heterogeneity correction). Combinations of solid water, PVC, and Styrofoam were then manufactured to acquire doses with parallel plate chamber and EDR2 films. Next, a seven field IMRT plan in PBC without heterogeneity was created within a Rando phantom. A cylindrical target volume was defined and 95% target was covered by prescription doses. Plans were then regenerated by recalculating this optimized base plan with keeping identical beam parameters but switching algorithms. The base plan was delivered to the phantom with TLDs and films. Measurements were compared with all calculations at same locations. Results: AAA shows a better dose prediction in all materials from measurements (Fig. 1–Fig.4). Discrepancies in air and bone regions due to lacks of lateral scatters and beam hardening were observed. In IMRT, both PBC with heterogeneity and AAA mean calculated target doses were <1% compared to TLD measurements; and PBC without heterogeneity values were lower by 11%. AAA produced better matches in profiles (Fig.5) as well. Conclusions: The findings suggest that AAA is more appropriate in dose predictions especially when lung and bone are involved.
Correlation of muscle biopsy, clinical course, and outcome in PM and sporadic IBM

Objective: To correlate muscle biopsy findings with prebiopsy and postbiopsy clinical course and response to therapy in polymyositis (PM) and sporadic inclusion body myositis (IBM). Background: Existence of pure PM has recently been questioned; subsequently, the definition and criteria for diagnosing PM were debated. Methods: Patient records, follow-up information, and muscle biopsies were analyzed in 107 patients whose biopsies were initially read as PM and IBM. Results: The patients fell into three groups by combined biopsy and clinical criteria: PM, 27 patients; IBM, 64 patients; PM/IBM, 16 patients with biopsy diagnosis of PM but clinical features of IBM. For the three groups, the respective mean periods from disease onset to end of follow-up were 5.9, 8.5, and 9.6 years. Another autoimmune disease was present in 4 of 27 PM, 8 of 64 IBM, and 1 of 16 PM/IBM cases. An autoimmune serologic marker occurred in one-third of each group. Nineteen PM patients had no associated autoimmune disease or marker. Nonnecrotic fiber invasion by mononuclear cells appeared in all IBM, 17 of 27 PM, and 13 of 16 PM/IBM patients. The density of both invaded fibers and cytochrome- c oxidase–negative fibers was higher in IBM and PM/IBM than in PM. Immunotherapy improved 22 of 27 PM patients but had only transient beneficial effects in 2 of 32 IBM and 1 of 14 PM/IBM patients. Conclusions: 1) Sixteen of 43 patients (37%) with biopsy features of polymyositis (PM) had clinical features of inclusion body myositis (IBM). 2) Absence of canonical biopsy features of IBM from clinically affected muscles of IBM patients challenges biopsy criteria for IBM, or the IBM markers appear late in some patients, or their distribution in muscle is patchy and restricted compared with that of the inflammatory exudate. 3) The muscle biopsy is a reliable instrument in the diagnosis of PM and IBM in close to 85% of the patients. Errors of diagnosis in the remaining 15% can be avoided or reduced by combined evaluation of the clinical and pathologic findings.
Phytochrome-controlled rapid contraction and recovery of contractile vacuoles in the motor cells of Mimosa pudica as an intracellular correlate of nyctinasty.

Using living thin sections (ca. 70–80 μ thick) of tertiary pulvini of Mimosa pudica, we have quantitatively determined that the bahavior of the contractile tannin vacuoles in the motor cells is under phytochrome control. Using material in which these vacuoles were in their most expanded state in white light, contraction was observable 3 min after the material was placed in continuous darkness. No contraction occurred if the cells were irradiated with 90 sec of far-red light; red light reversed this effect. Futhermore, the kinetics of change of the vacuolar conformation was closely paralled by that of the nyctinastic changes of the pinnule closure during the different treatments. When the section of pulvinus was irradiated with a microbeam of far red light in one part of the section, and the motor cell vacuoles in another area were monitored for contraction, they almost always responded. We therefore conclude that the contractile vacuole of the motor cell is an excellent cellular correlate of phytochrome-mediated nyctinasty in M. pudica, and discuss its possible causal role in regulating the phenomenon. It is further concluded that functional phytochrome is present in all parts of the pulvinus and that, upon absorption of the stimulus energy, an intercellular messenger is released which stimulates all the motor cells in the pulvinus.
Isotopic difference in trap loss collisions of laser cooled rubidium atoms.

We report measurements of collisional rate constants for cold Rb atoms held in a magneto-optical trap. $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ and $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ display significantly different behavior. At low trap laser intensities, atoms which undergo a hyperfine-changing collision gain sufficient velocity to escape the trap. Since the hyperfine splittings are quite different for the isotopes, the loss rates display a large isotopic dependence in this regime. At higher trap laser intensities, where trap loss is due to inelastic collisions involving excited atoms, a dramatic and unexpected isotopic dependence is seen. Under identical conditions, the loss rate for $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ is 3.3 times that of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$.
Numerical calculation of the limiting properties of Coulomb excitation functions

Abstract We present techniques for evaluating the coefficients of the leading terms for both the high (ξ = 0) and low (ξ a 1) energy limits of classical nuclear Coulomb excitation. Results are given for ion-induced electric and magnetic transitions up to λ = 10 that are required for astrophysical calculations of the effectiveness of certain stellar environments in enhancing the radiative deexcitation rates of important long-lived isomeric states.
Lack of evidence for transmission of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' through citrus seed taken from affected fruit.

Citrus huanglongbing, putatively caused by the associated bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus', is the greatest threat to the world citrus industry today. The bacterium is spread locally and regionally by the citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri, and also can be disseminated by propagation of contaminated scion budwood that is grafted to the appropriate rootstock. The planting of 'Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus'-free trees is a component of a comprehensive strategy to manage huanglongbing. In contrast to the scion budwood, the rootstocks used to produce these trees are grown from seed. This research was undertaken to provide evidence as to whether or not 'Ca. L. asiaticus' can be transmitted through seed. Two groups of 360 or more seedlings each of various citrus species were grown from seed removed from fruit on trees that were symptomatic for huanglongbing and confirmed to be infected with 'Ca. L. asiaticus' by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. These seedlings were tested multiple times over periods of up to 3 years. No symptoms typical of huanglongbing, such as blotchy leaf mottle, chlorotic shoots, or dieback of branches, were observed in these seedlings, and none of these 723 seedlings tested positive for the presence of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' even after repeated testing by sensitive quantitative PCR assays. Some sour orange seedlings did have quite pronounced and atypical growth, including stunting and mild to severe leaf malformation. These atypical growth habits were limited to seedlings that arose from zygotic embryos as determined by expressed-sequence tag simple-sequence repeat analyses. Thus, no evidence of transmission of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' via seed was obtained, and an earlier report of transmission of the pathogen through seed was not confirmed.
Fatigue in PLZT: acoustic emission as a discriminator between microcracking and domain switching

Acoustic emission study of electric fatigue in hot pressed PLZT ceramics during DC field poling and AC field switching shows that the count rate for domain switching is nearly two order of magnitude smaller than that for microcracking. The amplifier gain setting can be used to discriminate the two processes.
Kinetic characteristics of the acetylation of isoniazid and p-aminosalicylic acid by a liver-enzyme preparation.

Abstract Spectrophotometric measurement of the acetylation of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid) by acetyl-CoA in presence of a pigeon-liver-enzyme preparation shows that the apparent Km for both isoniazid and acetyl-CoA increases with the concentration of the other substrate. The kinetic data are compatible with the formation of an acetyl-enzyme by reaction with acetyl-coenzyme A, followed by reaction of the acetyl-enzyme with isoniazid to give acetyl isoniazid. p-Aminosalicylate inhibits the acetylation of isoniazid competitively, and the Ki for such inhibition is similar to the apparent Km for p-aminosalicylate acetylation. Both substances thus appear to be acetylated by the same enzyme in this preparation.
Bond failure between steel and concrete

Abstract An extensive set of experiments indicate that bond failure between steel and concrete is a propagation phenomenon associated with shear in the concrete matrix. Subsequent motion is governed by considerations of tribophysics. Mathematical formulations of these phenomena are given.
Elucidating graphene–ionic liquid interfacial region: A combined experimental and computational study

Abstract Graphene and ionic liquids are promising candidates for electrode materials and electrolytes, respectively, for modern energy storage devices such as supercapacitors. Understanding the interactions at the interfacial region between these materials is crucial for optimizing the overall performance and efficiency of supercapacitors. The interfacial region between graphene and an imidazolium-based ionic liquid is analyzed in a combined experimental and computational study. This dual approach reveals that the imidazolium-based cations mostly orient themselves parallel to the graphene surface due to π–π stacking interaction and form a primary interfacial layer, which is subsequently capped by a layer of anions from the ionic liquid. However, it also becomes apparent that the molecular interplay at the interfacial region is highly influenced by functional group defects on the graphene surface, in particular by hydroxyl groups.
Parental divorce, life-course disruption, and adult depression

We examine the association between adult depression and childhood parental divorce, and the explanations for this association, using a representative national sample of 2,592 adults interviewed by telephone in 1995. Parental divorce may disrupt the life course, with lifelong consequences for adult well-being in two ways: lowered socioeconomic status and problems in interpersonal relationships. Compared with individuals who grew up with both parents, adult children of divorce have lower levels of education, occupational status, and income, higher levels of economic hardships (both current and past), more often marry young, divorce and remarry several times, find themselves in unhappy relationships, and mistrust people in general. However they do not have lower levels of social support. These associations hold when we adjust for sex, minority status, age, parental death, and parental education. The disadvantaged socioeconomic and interpersonal statuses link parental divorce to adult depression because more education is associated with lower levels of depression and because economic hardship, early marriages, unhappy relationships and mistrust are associated with high levels of depression. There are no direct intrapsychic effects of parental divorce on adult depression. Low socioeconomic status and problems in interpersonal
Differential and ergodic transforms

In this paper we consider weighted differences of ergodic averages and averages associated with differentiation. These weighted differences are shown to converge a.e., as well as in $L^p, 1<p<\infty$ . These results have consequences for unconditional convergence of the series of differences, and give some information about how the averages converge.
Prediction of Rice Sensory Texture Attributes from a Single Compression Test, Multivariate Regression, and a Stepwise Model Optimization Method

: Sensory texture characteristics of cooked rice (92 samples) were predicted using a compression test and a novel multivariate analysis method (that is, Partial Least Squares Regression optimized by a stepwise method). 11 sensory texture characteristics were evaluated via a trained descriptive panel, and 14 instrumental parameters from a compression test were used in combination with Partial Least Squares Regression to evaluate predictive models for each of the sensory attributes studied. Among the texture attributes evaluated by the panel, 7 (cohesion of bolus, adhesion to lips, hardness, cohesiveness of mass, roughness of mass, toothpull, and toothpack) were satisfactorily predicted after the optimization by the stepwise method (optimized Rcal > 0.6).
From China to Palmyra

Until a few years ago our information about silk brought from China to the Roman Orient was almost exclusively based on occasional references and vague allusions in classical authors. It was not even certain whether silk fabrics actually reached the West although raw silk and silk yarn certainly did. Neither in Egypt where the climatic conditions for the preservation of textiles are so favorable, nor elsewhere in the Mediterranean region or the Near East, has a single piece of Chinese silk been found.1 As late as 1931 G. F. Hudson could write: “There is no evidence that there was ever in the Roman world a taste for Chinese patterned silk.”2 Under these circumstances Strzygowski's attempt3 to trace back the lozenge pattern in occidental silk style to China did not meet with approval;4 similar later attempts to establish a relationship between Chinese and late-antique textile patterns were equally unsuccessful.5 The evidence for such far-reaching theories was too slight.
Youth varicocele and varicocele treatment: a meta-analysis of semen outcomes

Objective To study youth who have a varicocele or are undergoing varicocele treatment, in relation to changes in semen, as measured by semen analysis (SA). Design Meta-analysis of studies identified via a search of PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library covering the last 40 years. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) Youth from studies that assessed the presence and/or treatment of varicocele with SA. Intervention(s) Selected studies were analyzed in two separate meta-analyses: one for the effect of varicocele on semen, as measured by SA (hypothesis #1), the other for the effect of treatment on semen, as measured by SA (hypothesis #2). Main Outcome Measure(s) A random-effects model was used to calculate weighted mean difference (WMD) of semen outcomes. Heterogeneity was calculated. Bias was assessed with funnel plots and Egger's test. Result(s) The initial literature search returned 1,180 potentially relevant articles. For hypothesis #1, 10 studies with a total of 357 varicocele and 427 control subjects were included. Sperm density, motility, and morphology were significantly decreased when associated with a varicocele, with a WMD of −24.0 × 10 6 /mL (95% confidence interval [CI; −39.5 to −8.6]), −7.5% (95% CI [−12.3% to −2.7%]), and −1.7% (95% CI [−2.4% to −1.1%]), respectively. Another 10 studies with 379 treated and 270 untreated subjects were analyzed for hypothesis #2. Sperm density and motility were significantly improved following treatment, with a WMD of 14.6 × 10 6 /mL (95% CI [7.1–22.1]) and 6.6% (95% CI [2.1%–11.2%]), respectively. Conclusion(s) The presence of varicocele in youth appears to negatively affect sperm density, motility, and morphology. Treatment appears to result in moderate improvement of sperm density and mild improvement in sperm motility.
Density functional theoretical studies of the isomers of croconic acid and their dimers

Abstract The gas-phase structures of croconic acid and its dimers have been examined using the density functional methods B3LYP, M06 and M06-2X in conjunction with 6-311++G ** basis set. The calculations revealed that among the two isomers of croconic acid, the one in which both hydroxyl groups are oriented in opposite directions ( A ) has a lower energy (more negative) than the other isomer in which both hydroxyl groups are oriented in the same direction ( B ). The binding energy of the dimer calculated with respect to the monomers is larger for that formed from B than formed from A . The formations of dimers by hydrogen bonding from all possible sites have been examined.
Plastic deformation kinetics of fine-grained alumina

The plastic deformation kinetics of a commercial fine-grained alumina with ∼300 ppm MgO and grain sizes from 1.4 to 2.9 µm were determined in tension at 1475 °C to 1600 °C and strain rates from 10−5 to 10−3 s−1, employing stress relaxation (SR) as the principal test mode. The constants in the Weertman-Dorn (W-D) equation were determined and had the following values: A=2.9±0.5×109, n=2.2±0.1, p=1.9±0.1, Q=492±3 kJ/mole, and threshold stress σ0=0. These constants are in accord with grain boundary sliding (GBS) accommodated by dislocation glide and climb with Al3+ ion lattice diffusion as the rate-controlling mechanism.
Recombinant alpha2 interferon-related cardiomyopathy

I nterferons are naturally occurring proteins with antiviral, antitumor, and immune-modulating activities. Three groups of interferons have been identified: alpha interferon, derived from leukocytes; beta interferon, from fibroblasts, and most recently, gamma interferon, which is derived from lymphocytes. Recombinant alpha interferon has been used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma with modest success [l], as well as other malignancies [2]. Virtually all patients experience some toxicity during therapy. Primarily, this involves flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and malaise. However, transient leukopenia, asymptomatic increases in hepatic transaminase levels, somnolence, confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rashes may occur. Cardiovascular toxicity has been reported, consisting primarily of hypotension and tachycardia that is generally mild or moderate in severity [2]. We describe a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received recombinant alphas interferon and subsequently experienced the rapid onset of congestive heart failure due to a dilated cardiomyopathy. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of alpha* interferon-related cardiomyopathy.
An array processing system with a Fortran-based realization

A general purpose array processing system called APS is described. The system is designed to simplify the programming and testing of image processing algorithms. The data structure for an image uses a bit-plane format rather than the more conventional sequential file. To assist with the processing of large arrays, APS features include dynamic array storage allocation and a virtual memory for arrays. This system was originally designed to simulate a binary array processor called BASE. As a consequence of this, program written in APS are well structured for parallel array processing. APS is written in Fortran for portability but contains some assembly code sections. The present version runs on a PDP 11 computer under the UNIX operating system. A library of image processing subroutines is being developed which is completely portable with respect to any machine which runs APS. The system has been coupled with a high-level language interpreter so that both high-level interactive programming and efficient execution can be achieved.
Recognition and management of the depressed dental patient.

Effects of depression on dental care and treatment are examined, along with factors in the recognition and management of patients with depressive illness. Depressive illness may affect the patient’s response to dental care. It has been implicated both as a causal factor and a sequela in facial pain syndromes. Depression is treated with various medications that may influence function and health of the oral cavity and that may adversely interact with drugs used to control pain and anxiety.
Risk factors for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in a large cohort of volunteers.

Background The role of intra- and extra-cranial venous system impairment in the pathogenesis of various vascular, inflammatory and neurodegenerative neurological disorders, as well as in aging, has not been studied in detail. Nor have risk factors been determined for increased susceptibility of venous pathology in the intra-cranial and extra-cranial veins. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between presence of a newly proposed vascular condition called chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and environmental factors in a large volunteer control group without known central nervous system pathology. Methods and Findings The data were collected in a prospective study from 252 subjects who were screened for medical history as part of the entry criteria and participated in the case-control study of CCSVI prevalence in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and then were analyzed post-hoc. All participants underwent physical and Doppler sonography examinations, and were assessed with a structured environmental questionnaire. Fullfilment of ≥2 positive venous hemodynamic (VH) criteria on Doppler sonography was considered indicative of CCSVI diagnosis. Risk and protective factors associated with CCSVI were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Seventy (27.8%) subjects presented with CCSVI diagnosis and 153 (60.7%) presented with one or more VH criteria. The presence of heart disease (p = .001), especially heart murmurs (p = .007), a history of infectious mononucleosis (p = .002), and irritable bowel syndrome (p = .005) were associated with more frequent CCSVI diagnosis. Current or previous smoking (p = .029) showed a trend for association with more frequent CCSVI diagnosis, while use of dietary supplements (p = .018) showed a trend for association with less frequent CCSVI diagnosis. Conclusions Risk factors for CCSVI differ from established risk factors for peripheral venous diseases. Vascular, infectious and inflammatory factors were associated with higher CCSVI frequency.
Analysis of Transient Heat Transfer Measurements on Porous Thermal Insulations

This paper presents the results on developing an appropriate heat transfer model for analyzing transient thermal measurements on porous insulation using the flat- screen tester at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A transient radiation and con duction model that employed the two-flux equations for describing radiation ex change was considered. The details of the finite-difference method used to solve the two-flux equations implicitly and the energy equation explicitly are presented Calculations for the screen temperature rise for two test insulations were made and compared to the measured results. The two test insulations were the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) fiberglass batt transfer standard and the NBS standard reference material 1450b fiberglass board. It was concluded that the heat transfer model was suitable to be used as a data-reduction model for deducing the thermophysical prop erties of porous insulation from transient flat-screen test data.
Continuity of solutions to discrete fractional initial value problems

In this paper, we consider a fractional initial value problem (IVP) in the case where the order @n of the fractional difference satisfies 0<@n@?1. We show that solutions of this IVP satisfy a continuity condition both with respect to the order of the difference, @n, and with respect to the initial conditions, and we deduce several important corollaries from this theorem. Thus, we address a complication that arises in the fractional case but not in the classical (integer-order) case.
A method for high purity intestinal epithelial cell culture from adult human and murine tissues for the investigation of innate immune function

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) serve as an important physiologic barrier between environmental antigens and the host intestinal immune system. Thus, IECs serve as a first line of defense and may act as sentinel cells during inflammatory insults. Despite recent renewed interest in IEC contributions to host immune function, the study of primary IEC has been hindered by lack of a robust culture technique, particularly for small intestinal and adult tissues. Here, a novel adaptation for culture of primary IEC is described for human duodenal organ donor tissue as well as duodenum and colon of adult mice. These epithelial cell cultures display characteristic phenotypes and are of high purity. In addition, the innate immune function of human primary IEC, specifically with regard to Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression and microbial ligand responsiveness, is contrasted with a commonly used intestinal epithelial cell line (HT-29). Specifically, TLR expression at the mRNA level and production of cytokine (IFNγ and TNFα) in response to TLR agonist stimulation is assessed. Differential expression of TLRs as well as innate immune responses to ligand stimulation is observed in human-derived cultures compared to that of HT-29. Thus, use of this adapted method to culture primary epithelial cells from adult human donors and from adult mice will allow for more appropriate studies of IECs as innate immune effectors.
Pre-steady-state kinetics of RB69 DNA polymerase and its exo domain mutants: effect of pH and thiophosphoryl linkages on 3'-5' exonuclease activity.

DNA polymerases from the A and B families with 3‘−5‘ exonucleolytic activity have exonuclease domains with similar three-dimensional structures that require two divalent metal ions for catalysis. B family DNA polymerases that are part of a replicase generally have a more potent 3‘−5‘ exonuclease (exo) activity than A family DNA polymerases that mainly function in DNA repair. To investigate the basis for these differences, we determined pH−activity profiles for the exonuclease reactions of T4, RB69, and φ29 DNA polymerases as representatives of B family replicative DNA polymerases and the Klenow fragment (KF) as an example of a repair DNA polymerase in the A family. We performed exo assays under single-turnover conditions and found that excision rates exhibited by the B family DNA polymerases were essentially independent of pH between pH 6.5 and 8.5, whereas the exo activity of KF increased 10-fold for each unit increase in pH. Three exo domain mutants of RB69 polymerase had much lower exo activities than ...