cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partial Dominance of Ems-Induced Mutations Affecting Viability in DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.

More than 700 EMS-treated second chromosomes marked with either cn (cinnabar) or bw (brown), and derived from long-inbred stocks, were measured for their heterozygous effects on viability in both isogenic (homozygous) and nonisogenic (heterozygous) backgrounds. Each test was replicated five times. When the background was homozygous, flies heterozygous for a treated chromosome were an average of 2.1 % less viable, per 0.005 M EMS, than flies heterozygous for an untreated chromosome. Classified according to their homogous effect in an accompanying series of crosses, the lethal-bearing chromosomes (L), which carry genes of less drastic effects as well, reduced the viability of their heterozygous carriers by 3.3%, severe detrimentals (D,) by 2.2%, and mild detrimentals (0,) by 1.2% at this dose. In the heterozygous background, the mean heterozygous disadvantage for the entire group was 1 %, or about half as large.--When computed separately for each count from a single mating, the heterozygous disadvantage was consistently greatest for the earliest counts (4.8%), next highest for the middle count (0.8%), and lowest in the latest count (0.5%), in the homozygous background, indicating that mutant heterozygotes were delayed in time of emergence. The figures in the heterozygous background were, again, reduced, but in the same direction.The relative viability disadvantage of the cn marker was about 2% times greater in the homozygous than in the heterozygous background, further supporting the conclusion that the homozygous background can accentuate differences. The enhancement of treatment and marker effects could be a direct result of the level of background heterozygosity per se or attributable to the reduced vigor of the inbred strain.-Dominance, a measure of the heterozygous effect of a mutant relative to its homozygous effect, is greater for genes with small homozygous disadvantage than for more drastic genes. In the homozygous background the average dominance for lethals was 0.019 in contrast to 0.183 for mild detrimentals, supporting other published results suggesting that genes with milder effect, because they occur more frequently, have a greater impact on a population.-The homozygous D:L ratio of EMS mutations was 0.266 and the D,, : L ratio, 0.092, which are lower than comparable load ratios for spontaneous mutations, but greater than for X-ray induced mutations. IN an effort to assess the populational impact of a general rise in mutation rate, several studies have investigated the fitness of heterozygotes carrying chromo* Paper Number 2184 from the Laboratory of Genetics. Supported by the Public Health Service (GM-15422 and GM-22038).
Spectroscopic, Microscopic, and Surface Analysis of Alkanethiol- and Fluoroalkanethiol-Modified Conducting Polymer Thin Films

Electrochemically grown films of polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, and poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) were treated with alkane- and fluoroalkanethiols for 1−24 h. The resulting films showed su...
Prostaglandin synthesis and release from cultured human trabecular-meshwork cells and scleral fibroblasts

Human trabecular-meshwork (HTM) cells in culture convert arachidonic acid to two products: PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha. Prostaglandin PGE2 was the major product of arachidonic-acid metabolism. The synthesis and release of PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha was inhibited by a 15-min pre-treatment with indomethacin (5 X 10(-6) M) or a 4-24-hr incubation with 10(-7) M dexamethasone. The effects of dexamethasone could be prevented by cycloheximide (0.5 micrograms ml-1), or actinomycin D (2 micrograms ml-1). Prostaglandin E2 synthesis and release by these HTM cells from two different individuals could be stimulated by bradykinin, arachidonic acid and the calcium ionophore, A23187.
Methods for whole-cell recording from visually preselected neurons of perirhinal cortex in brain slices from young and aging rats

This manuscript describes methods for preparing, visualizing, and recording from healthy perirhinal cortex neurons in brain slices from young and aging rats. We focused on perirhinal cortex because of its role in learning, memory, and aging-related cognitive decline. Detailed accounts of our dissection procedures are reported. Procedures that reliably yielded healthy neurons from juvenile rats were not conducive to obtaining healthy, readily-patchable neurons from aging rats, suggesting a procedure-by-age interaction. Performing an intracardiac perfusion, using a temperature-controlled vibratome, matching osmolarity between the cutting and incubation saline, using a slow cutting speed, and incubating slices at a warm temperature for 30 min were important when working with older tissue. Excellent visualization of neurons at depths of up to 100 microm was achieved in slices from all ages (without tissue clearing) avoiding the need to record from surface neurons, which are more likely to have truncated processes. Whole-cell recordings typically remained stable for several hours in neurons prepared from rats at all ages. These procedures should benefit neuroscientists interested in applying visually-guided whole-cell patch-clamp techniques to brain slice experiments using aged tissue. These methods should also facilitate the application of fluorescent imaging technology to brain slices for studying aging-related changes.
Light Signal Transduction in Plants

Plants, as sessile organisms, have developed intricate signal transduction networks used to adapt to the changing environment surrounding them. One of the most important dynamic environmental factors is light, and the light control of dicotyledonous seedling development is one of the best studied examples. Before the developing seedling emerges from the soil it has the classic skotomorphogenic or etiolated morphology, containing a long hypocotyl with closed cotyledons and an apical hook. Plastids remain as etioplasts that lack developed membrane structures and have no photosynthetic capacity. Emergence of the seedling into the light triggers a profound developmental switch to photomorphogenesis, which results in short hypocotyls, open and expanded cotyledons and the lack of an apical hook. Chloroplasts develop and photosynthetic gene expression is derepressed. This changing morphological pattern is the result of vastly different modes of gene expression in the dark and the light. The sunlight that reaches the earth's surface ranges from UV to visible to infrared. Although the visible light (400700 nm) is most effective in driving photosynthesis, higher plants have adapted a sophisticated sensory system that is also able to sense the UV and far-red light. Moreover, higher plants not only sense the quality of the light surrounding them but also the direction and quantity of light. Extensive research in the past decades, particularly the last few years, has significantly improved our understanding of the photosensory system and the downstream signaling processes. Many components involved in this regulatory network have been identified and some of them have been characterized molecularly. This review attempts to provide a brief summary of recent progress, with particular emphasis on the effect of light on Arubidopsis seedling development. There are several excellent reviews on this and related subjects in the last 2 years (1-6) that are recommended for further information.
Mecillinam, a Novel Penicillanic Acid Derivative with Unusual Activity Against Gram-Negative Bacteria

The in vitro activity of mecillinam, a 6 β-amidinopenicillanic acid derivative, was investigated. Mecillinam is not active against most gram-positive coccal or bacilliary forms. Many members of the Enterobacteriaceae are inhibited, with 86% of Escherichia coli , 71% of Klebsiella, 62% of Enterobacter , 75% of Salmonella , 69% of Shigella , and 70% of Citrobacter inhibited by 6.3 μg/ml. Indole-positive Proteus and Serratia were generally resistant as are Pseudomonas strains. Although mecillinam is hydrolyzed by gram-negative β-lactamases, the compound inhibits β-lactamase-producing organisms, particularly E. coli . The conductivity of medium used to determine minimal inhibitory concentration and inoculum size produce markedly different values. In medium of high conductivity, 10 mS, mecillinam is inactive against many strains of bacteria. In all media there is a great difference between the minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal levels.
Adenomatous polyposis coli associates with the microtubule-destabilizing protein XMCAK

Abstract During cell division, the proper formation of a bipolar spindle and its function to segregate chromosomes requires precise coordination of microtubule-stabilizing and destabilizing activities. Globally destabilized, dynamic microtubules radiating from duplicated centrosomes are locally regulated by chromosomes [1]. Proteins at the kinetochore of each sister chromatid mediate a dynamic attachment, allowing chromosome movement coupled to microtubule polymerization/depolymerization and error-correction mechanisms for improperly attached chromosomes [2]. The tumor suppressor protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) stabilizes microtubules both in vitro and in vivo [3–5] and is implicated in mitosis [6–9], although its mechanisms of action are not well characterized. Here, we show that in mitotic Xenopus egg extracts, the carboxyl-terminus of APC can associate with the amino terminus of the microtubule-destabilizing KinI, Xenopus mitotic centromere-associated kinesin (XMCAK) [10], in a cytoplasmic complex. We find that like XMCAK, APC can localize to the centromere as well as the kinetochore region of mitotic chromosomes and does not require microtubules for chromosomal targeting in Xenopus egg extracts. We propose that the presence of these proteins in a complex brings together both positive and negative microtubule effectors, whose opposing activities may be regulated by additional factors, thereby providing precise control of both global and local microtubule dynamics.
Competition in Major League Baseball: the impact expansion

Numerous empirical studies of competition within Major League Baseball (MLB) have highlighted the recent rise in competitive balance. While most explanations for the increased competitiveness have revolved around the establishment of the amateur draft or the introduction of free agency, the present paper maintains that the movement towards increased competition occurred much earlier. In particular, it is an outgrowth of the move to expand beyond the original 16 teams. The results from estimating the time-series behaviour of competitive balance within the two leagues suggests that the movement toward greater competitive balance occurred quickly after the two leagues began expanding. Finally, rather than use the conventional standard deviation measure for competitive balance, the present paper incorporates a more traditional measure of inequity, the Gini coefficient.
Imperforate hymen with bilateral hydronephrosis: An unusual emergency department diagnosis

Imperforate hymen is a rare diagnosis to make in the emergency department and important to treat immediately. Hydronephrosis is a known but rare complication of an imperforate hymen. We present the case of a premenstrual adolescent with an undiagnosed imperforate hymen complaining of increasing abdominal pain. The article discusses the history, physical examination, evaluation, differential diagnosis, ultrasound findings, complications, and prompt surgical treatment necessary.
Larval mortality and development for rotation‐resistant and rotation‐susceptible populations of western corn rootworm on Bt corn

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is one of the most economically important insect pests threatening the production of corn, Zea mays (L.), in the United States. Throughout its history, this insect has displayed considerable adaptability by overcoming a variety of pest management tactics, including the cultural practice of annual crop rotation. Since first reported in Illinois in the late 1980s, populations of the rotation-resistant western corn rootworm have spread over a wide area of the eastern Corn Belt. Currently, little information is available concerning the interaction of rotation resistance with the use of genetically modified corn expressing insecticidal toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt), a popular tactic for preventing larval injury and its associated yield loss. The goal of this greenhouse experiment was to determine whether rotation-resistant and rotation-susceptible western corn rootworm larvae differ with respect to survival or development when exposed to single- or dual-toxin (pyramided) Bt corn. Individual corn plants were infested with 225 near-hatch eggs at the V5 (five leaf collar) growth stage. Larvae developed undisturbed on the root systems for 17 days, after which they were recovered using Berlese–Tullgren funnels. Surviving larvae were counted to estimate mortality, and head capsule widths were measured to assess development. Rotation-resistant and rotation-susceptible larvae had statistically similar mean levels of mortality and head capsule widths when exposed to both single-toxin (Cry3Bb1 or Cry34/35Ab1) and pyramided (Cry3Bb1+ Cry34/35Ab1) Bt corn, suggesting that these two populations do not differ with respect to survival or development when exposed to Bt corn. Additionally, the statistically similar mean levels of mortality for larvae exposed to single-toxin and pyramided Bt corn suggest that pyramided Bt hybrids containing the Cry3Bb1 and Cry34/35Ab1 toxins do not result in additive mortality for western corn rootworm larvae. Implications for management of this economically important pest are discussed.
The sequence of Sol i 1 the cross-reactive allergen of imported fire ant venom

Abstract Rationale Sol i 1 is cross-reactive with phospholipases from vespid venoms. Methods The venom protein was isolated and the amino acid sequences of tryptic and endoproteinase Glu-C peptides were determined. The cDNA sequence was determined by RACE pcr based cloning. Three dimensional models were constructed using Swiss-Model with pancreatic lipoprotein lipase template structures. Results The sequence identified Sol i 1 as a lipase of the GX class, lipoprotein lipase superfamily, pancreatic lipase homologous family and RP2 subgroup phospholipases as are the vespid venom phospholipases. The 148 residues identified by amino acid sequencing represent about 48% of the translated cDNA sequence. Sol i 1 was 31-32% identical to yellow jacket phospholipases. The identical regions of sequence were clustered in the domain which forms the serine hydrolase active site. The conformation of this domain is very similar to that of vespid phospholipases consistent with the observed immunologic cross-reactivity. Conclusions Sol i 1 is a phospholipase of the pancreatic lipoprotein lipase RP2 subgroup with significant sequence similarity to vespid venom PL's and a domain of homologous 3-dimensional structure.
Underpotential Codeposition of Fe–Pt Alloys from an Alkaline Complexing Electrolyte: Electrochemical Studies

The availability of electrochemical growth processes for Fe―Pt alloys may facilitate their integration within microfabrication manufacturing lines and enable novel functionalities in microsystems. In this paper, the electrodeposition of Fe―Pt from slightly alkaline solutions containing citrate, glycine, and amino-nitrite complexes is studied by means of electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and analytical/structural investigations. Pt is reduced from its amino-nitrite complex while Fe is reduced from Fe 3+ citrate/glycinate complexes through a two-step process. At variance with similar films grown from acidic solutions, the electrolyte is stable over months and the resulting films are smooth, dense, and homogeneous. Most importantly, oxygen incorporation is limited to 1―6 atom %. Significant carbon incorporation from decomposition of the complexants and kinetic trapping during growth is observed. The dependence of alloy composition on applied potential can be explained by assuming underpotential codeposition of iron from a Fe 2+ intermediate; the experimentally determined alloy composition dependence on applied potential was in agreement with an estimate of the redox potential for the Fe 2+ /Fe reaction obtained by EQCM and the reported enthalpy of mixing of the bulk Fe―Pt phase at high temperature.
Semiautomated Method for the Quantitation of Plasma or Sera Androstenedione, Testosterone, and Dihydrotestosterone in Population Studies

Abstract A method is presented that analyzes quantitatively and reproducibly the androgens testosterone, androstenedione, and dihydrotestosterone from human sera or plasma. The chromatographic separation step generates an unattended throughput of one preparative separation per hour. Controls are built into the method to account for changing chromatographic conditions that otherwise result in shifts in retention characteristics. Separation factors for the three androgens are as follows (mean ± standard deviation): α = 1.23 ± 0.011 between androstenedione and testosterone and α = 1.38 ± 0.025 between testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Sensitivities of the method are androstenedione 5 pg, testosterone 3 pg, and dihydrotestosterone 14 pg. A study of procedural losses associated with initial sample processing, a validation, and application to two sample sets which demonstrates the methods utility for the analysis of hypoandrogenic populations (postmenopausal women) and hyperandrogenic groups (prostate cancer patients) is also reported. The precision for replicate aliquots of control plasma is androstenedione and testosterone = 5–11% CV and dihydrotestosterone = 10–20% CV.
Antitumor Agents XXVII: Effects of Helenalin on Anaerobic and Aerobic Metabolism of Ehrlich Ascites Cells

Evidence is presented that the antitumor agent helenalin, a sesquiterpene lactone, suppresses anaerobic glycolytic enzymes of tumor cells at a number of sites and not exclusively at glycogen synthetase and phosphofructokinase, previously proposed sites for inhibition by alpha-methylene-gamma-lactones. Of the enzymes tested, the sulfhydryl-containing enzyme hexokinase was inhibited the maximum, i.e., 83%, by helenalin treatment, whereas phosphofructokinase and glycogen synthetase were suppressed approximately 45%. Another sulfhydryl-bearing enzyme, aldolase, was decreased approximately 43%. Phosphorylase a was inhibited 65%, glucose-6-phosphatase was inhibited 46%, and succinic dehydrogenase was inhibited 59% by helenalin treatment. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation processes were also significantly depressed in the presence of helenalin in vitro with either succinate or alpha-ketoglutarate as substrates. Thus, a number of enzymes of anaerobic and aerobic carbohydrate metabolism of Ehrlich ascites cells appear to be inhibited by helenalin, which supposedly can alkylate functional groups, e.g., sulfhydryl groups of these enzymes, by a rapid Michael-type addition.
A torque balance for precision measurements

A TORQUE BALANCE was developed for the purpose of measuring torque-motor stall torques in the range of 0.05 to 100,000 dyne-cm. The torques are measured at various angular positions of the torque-motor rotor with respect to the stator. In this torque range, the primary measurement problem is the friction in the pivots or bearings of the measuring instrument. Of the many pivot types tried, the crossed-reed pivot had the lowest friction level.
Regional heterogeneity in the ratio of α-MSH:β-endorphin in rat brain

Abstract The molar ratio of α-MSH:β-endorphin varies markedly among discrete microdissected regions of rat brain ranging from 0.57 in the median eminence to 2.74 in the lateral septum. This finding demonstrates that α-MSH and β-endorphin (β-END) are not uniformly distributed in a 1:1 molar ratio in rat brain as one might predict based on the consideration that the two peptides are synthesized in equimolar amounts as part of a common precursor molecule, pro-opiomelanocortin. The data indicate instead that the concentrations of α-MSH and β-END, the two predominant peptides expressed by opiomelantropinergic neurons, are independently regulated in rat brain. The heterogeneity of α-MSH:β-END ratios suggests that the regulation of α-MSH and β-END is regionally specific and may impart functional selectivity to the multisecretory opiomelanotropinergic neuronal system.
MoBILAB: an open source toolbox for analysis and visualization of mobile brain/body imaging data.

A new paradigm for human brain imaging, mobile brain/body imaging (MoBI), involves synchronous collection of human brain activity (via electroencephalography, EEG) and behavior (via body motion capture, eye tracking, etc.), plus environmental events (scene and event recording) to study joint brain/body dynamics supporting natural human cognition supporting performance of naturally motivated human actions and interactions in 3-D environments (Makeig et al., 2009)⁠. Processing complex, concurrent, multi-modal, multi-rate data streams requires a signal-processing environment quite different from one designed to process single-modality time series data. Here we describe MoBILAB (more details available at sccn.ucsd.edu/wiki/MoBILAB), an open source, cross platform toolbox running on MATLAB (The Mathworks, Inc.) that supports analysis and visualization of any mixture of synchronously recorded brain, behavioral, and environmental time series plus time-marked event stream data. MoBILAB can serve as a pre-processing environment for adding behavioral and other event markers to EEG data for further processing, and/or as a development platform for expanded analysis of simultaneously recorded data streams.
Accurate, smooth, local, energy-dependent optical potentials for electron scattering

We present a new method for obtaining local, energy-dependent, single-channel or multichannel optical potentials. The optical potential is obtained by calculating and smoothing a potential that yields the correct scattering matrix for a sequence of truncated interaction-potential matrices. The new method is illustrated by applications to electron-hydrogen-atom scattering in a truncated Hilbert space. The resulting optical potentials accurately reproduce the original close-coupling calculations in the same Hilbert space, and they show clearly the effects of charge polarization and flux absorption. The coordinate dependence and energy dependence of the smoothed optical potentials are compared to models in the literature.
Detection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi within colonised roots of the Gramineae family members by nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

In this study, it is aimed to asses the association of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi within colonised rhizosphere of Gramineae family members through a survey by using nested- polymerase chain reaction method in Van province (Turkey). From 24 agro-ecological fields, a total of 82 samples belonging to Gramineae family were tested by molecular methods. The presence of Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae was ascertained in 10 plants belonging to eight different species by using fungus specific primers. Root colonisation ranged from 6 to 37% within rhizosphere of Gramineae family members and the average root colonisation by AM fungi was 22%.
Kinetics and thermodynamic behavior of carbon clusters under high pressure and high temperature

Abstract Physical processes that govern the growth kinetics of carbon clusters at high pressure and high temperature are: (a) structural sp3-to-sp2 and sp2-to-sp bonding changes and (b) cluster diffusion. Our study on item (a) deals with ab initio and semi-empirical quantum mechanical calculations to examine effects of cluster size on the relative stability of graphite and diamond clusters and the energy barrier between the two. We have also made molecular dynamics simulations using the Brenner bond order potential to show that the melting line of diamond based on the Brenner potential is reasonable and that the liquid structure changes from mostly sp-bonded carbon chains to mostly sp3-bonding over a narrow pressure interval. We examined item (b) by using the time-dependent cluster size distribution function obtained from the relevant Smoluchowski equations. The resulting surface contribution to the Gibbs free energy of carbon clusters was implemented in a thermochemical equilibrium code and also to a new detonation model in a hydrodynamic code to examine the behavior of carbon-rich explosives. We find that carbon-rich explosives are sensitive to the metastability of graphitic carbon clusters and also to a delayed release of the surface energy of carbon clusters by the slow diffusive clustering processes.
Continuous gamma radiation accompanying nuclear beta decay

Abstract The photon spectrum associated with the internal bremsstrahlung of the nucleus 35 S is computed. Relativistic Coulomb wave functions are used for the final states of the negaton. The Green function for the Dirac equation is computed using a potential based on a finite size nucleus of uniform charge density. The equivalence between the two methods of calculation originally proposed by Knipp and Uhlenbeck is proven. The results of our calculation agree with those of Mau. Since the present calculation includes Coulomb effects completely, the discrepancy between theory and experiment may now be attributed to either the neglecting of screening effects in the calculations or to experimental procedures.
Nuclear test instrumentation with miniature superconductive cables

The instrumentation requirements for nuclear testing are particularly stringent because of the nature of the transients involved and because of the distance at which instrumentation must be placed. Presently used high-quality transmission lines are not capable of nanosecond performance where cable runs of approximately 1000 meters are concerned. Experimental data from the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission's Nevada Test Site show that 30-ns rise times are attainable for a superconductive cable 7620 meters long. Although the performance of conventional cables (normal conductors) can be improved by low-temperature operation, superconductive cables operated at the same temperature offer bandwidths 100 times greater.
Kinetic effects in the ionic association of poly(ethylene oxide)-lithium triflate complexes

Abstract Ionic association in the high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide)-lithium triflate (PEO) n LiCF 3 SO 3 complexes (n=120 to n=3), has been studied using infrared spectroscopy. With increase in salt concentration, the intensity of the peaks due to the crystalline compound (PEO) 3 LiCF 3 SO 3 increases relative to the intensity of peaks due to ion pairs and “free” ions. However, the ionic association in complexes with n=40 and 60 shows an interesting kinetic behavior in that the relative concentration of the compound grows at the expense of ion pairs and “free” ions with increasing time. The rate of growth of the compound is much faster in the 40:1 complex than in the 60:1 complex. Temperature variation infrared studies of the 40:1 and 60:1 complexes indicate that there is a dramatic change in ionic association at ∼60°C, a temperature which can be identified with the melting of the crystalline PEO fraction. A mechanism has been proposed to describe the observed kinetic behavior.
Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Diurnal Den Use within an Intensively Managed Forest in Central West Virginia

Abstract Intensive forest management may influence the availability of suitable den sites for large den-seeking species, such as Procyon lotor (Raccoon). As part of a Raccoon ecology study on an industrial forest in the Allegheny Mountains of central West Virginia, we radio-tracked 32 Raccoons to 175 diurnal den sites to determine relative use of dens that included cavity trees, rock dens, log piles, slash piles, and exposed limbs. Patterns of den use significantly differed between sexes and among seasons. Overall, we recorded 58 cavity dens in 12 tree species with 7 maternal dens found in 5 tree species. Raccoons selected larger-diameter den trees than available cavity trees and non-cavity trees. Because the abundance of suitable tree cavities is known to influence Raccoon densities and recruitment at fine spatial scales and female Raccoons in this study used tree cavities as maternal den sites, the continued harvest of large-diameter trees (i.e., those capable of developing den cavities) without replace...
Developmental Dynamics of Forage Chicory

Most studies on forage chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) are empirical, and very little information exists regarding the growth of chicory as it relates to development, productivity, persistence, and stand age. Development of uncut Grasslands Puna' chicory was studied in southern West Virginia on previously established plots at the Scott Farm in 1997 and 1998 and on 1-yr-old plantings at the Plumley Farm in 1998 and 1999. Chicory developmental parameters were modeled as a function of growing degree days (GDD) from Calendar Day 90 using a base of 5°C. On average, only 58% of the chicory plants became reproductive in any single growing season or location after the establishment year. Mean time to initiation of bolting and first open flower occurred consistently at approximately 400 and 1030 GDD, respectively, across locations and years. The indeterminate meristem of vegetative plants continuously produced leaves of relatively uniform mature area throughout the growing season. In comparison, the determinate meristem of reproductive plants rapidly expressed progressively smaller leaves on the main stem from initiation of bolting only until the time of first open flower. The developmental data herein create a framework with which to begin optimizing strategies for pasture and livestock grazing management of forage chicory.
Rampant host‐ and defensive phenotype‐associated diversification in a goldenrod gall midge

Natural selection can play an important role in the genetic divergence of populations and their subsequent speciation. Such adaptive diversification, or ecological speciation, might underlie the enormous diversity of plant-feeding insects that frequently experience strong selection pressures associated with host plant use as well as from natural enemies. This view is supported by increasing documentation of host-associated (genetic) differentiation in populations of plant-feeding insects using alternate hosts. Here, we examine evolutionary diversification in a single nominal taxon, the gall midge Asteromyia carbonifera (O.S.), with respect to host plant use and gall phenotype. Because galls can be viewed as extended defensive phenotypes of the midges, gall morphology is likely to be a reflection of selective pressures by enemies. Using phylogenetic and comparative analyses of mtDNA and nuclear sequence data, we find evidence that A. carbonifera populations are rapidly diversifying along host plant and gall morphological lines. At a broad scale, geography explains surprisingly little genetic variation, and there is little evidence of strict co-cladogenesis with their Solidago hosts. Gall morphology is relatively labile, distinct gall morphs have evolved repeatedly and colonized multiple hosts, and multiple genetically and morphologically distinct morphs frequently coexist on a single host plant species. These results suggest that Asteromyia carbonifera is in the midst of an adaptive radiation driven by multitrophic selective pressures. Similar complex community pressures are likely to play a role in the diversification of other herbivorous insect groups.
Expression of constitutively active Nuclear-κB RelA transcription factor in blasts of acute myeloid leukemia

The nuclear transcription factor NF-kappa B regulates cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Little is known about NF-kappa B in myeloid malignancies. In this report, we assessed NF-kappa B in a group of myeloid neoplasms by using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and immunofluorescence methods in freshly isolated leukemia cells. We analyzed 30 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 5 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 3 cases of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), 15 cases of chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP), and 2 cases of chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis (CML-BC). Unstimulated cells (bone marrow and peripheral blood) from 17 normal donors and apheresis samples from 6 peripheral blood stem cell donors treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were used as controls. When EMSA was used, NF-kappa B was elevated in 14 of 30 (47%) cases of AML, in both cases of CML-BC, and in all reference donors treated with G-CSF, but it was at basal levels in all cases of MDS and CML-CP and in normal donors (P = <.01). Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed strong nuclear RelA/NF-kappa B immunoreactivity in AML blasts but not in normal bone marrow. Bcl-2, a downstream molecule, was expressed in cases with elevated NF-kappa B, but not in cases with basal levels of NF-kappa B, suggesting that NF-kappa B is active and provides the cells with survival advantages in vivo. These results suggest that suppression of NF-kappa B may be a useful therapeutic strategy for a subset of patients with AML.
Femtosecond planar electron beam source for micron-scale dielectric wake field accelerator

A new accelerator, LACARA (laser-driven cyclotron autoresonance accelerator), under construction at the Accelerator Test Facility at Brookhaven National Laboratory, is to be powered by a 1 TW ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ laser beam and a 50 MeV injected electron pulse. LACARA will produce inside a 2 m, 6 T solenoid a 100 MeV gyrating electron bunch, with $\ensuremath{\sim}3%$ energy spread, approximately 1 psec in length with particles advancing in phase at the laser frequency, executing one cycle each 35 fsec. A beamstop with a small off axis channel will transmit a short beam pulse every optical cycle, thereby producing a train of about 30, 3.5 fsec long, 1--3 pC microbunches for each laser pulse. We describe here a novel accelerator, a micron-scale dielectric wake field accelerator driven by a 500 MeV LACARA-type injector that takes the output train of microbunches and transforms them into a near-rectangular cross section having a narrow dimension of $\ensuremath{\sim}10\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ and height of $\ensuremath{\sim}150\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ using a magnetic quadrupole; these bunches may be injected into a planar dielectric-lined waveguide (slightly larger than the bunch) where cumulative buildup of wake fields can lead to an accelerating gradient $g1\mathrm{GV}/\mathrm{m}$. This proposed vacuum-based wake field structure is physically rigid and capable of microfabrication accuracy, factors important in staging a large number of accelerator modules. Furthermore, the accelerating gradients it promises are comparable with those for plasma accelerators. A LACARA unit for preparing suitable bunches at 500 MeV is described. Physics issues are discussed, including bunch spreading and transport, bunch shaping, coherent diffraction radiation from the aperture, dielectric breakdown, and bunch stability in the rectangular wake field structure.
The Sensitivity of Momentum Transport and Severe Surface Winds to Environmental Moisture in Idealized Simulations of a Mesoscale Convective System

AbstractAnalysis of a pair of three-dimensional simulations of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) reveals a significant sensitivity of convective momentum transport (CMT), MCS motion, and the generation of severe surface winds to ambient moisture. The Weather Research and Forecasting model is used to simulate an idealized MCS, which is compared with an MCS in a drier midlevel environment. The MCS in the drier environment is smaller, moves slightly faster, and exhibits increased descent and more strongly focused areas of enhanced CMT near the surface in the trailing stratiform region relative to that in the control simulation.A marked increase in the occurrence of severe surface winds is observed between the dry midlevel simulation and the control. It is shown that the enhanced downward motion associated with decreased midlevel relative humidity affects CMT fields and contributes to an increase in the number of grid-cell occurrences of severe surface winds. The role of a descending rear-inflow jet in prod...
Effect of hydrophilic gums on frozen dough. I. Dough quality

ABSTRACT Disadvantages of frozen doughs are their variable performance and loss of stability over long-term frozen storage. Changes in rheological properties of frozen doughs have been reported to be due to the physical damage of the gluten network caused by ice crystallization and recrystallization. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of hydrophilic gums on ice crystallization and recrystallization for improvement of the shelf-life stability of frozen dough. The present research involved use of the Hard Red Spring wheat cultivar Grandin and hydrophilic gums such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), gum arabic, kappa carrageenan (κ-carrageenan), and locust bean gum at three different levels each on doughs stored frozen for up to 16 weeks. The dough characteristics were analyzed after day 0, day 1, and after 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks of frozen storage using data from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), water activity, extensigraph, and proof time. The ΔH value of freezable water endother...
Seasonal north-south asymmetry in solar radiation incident on jupiter's atmosphere

A selected set of planetocentric latitudes is used in calculations of the seasonal solar radiation pattern incident on top of the Jovian atmosphere, thereby demonstrating the combined effect of solar distance and declination. Attention is given to hemispheric asymmetries in the Jovian atmosphere's average zonal winds and cloud system morphologies. Marked hemispheric asymmetries are noted in the cloud morphology and in the magnitude and latitudinal position of eastward and westward maxima in the average zonal winds, suggesting seasonal forcing on the order of magnitude presently considered. Supporting observations by Voyagers 1 and 2 are cited.
Context-dependent modulation reconfigures interactive sensory-mediated microcircuits in Caenorhabditis elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans navigates sensory landscapes by integrating inputs from 14 pairs of polymodal sensory neurons. Sensory neurons interact synaptically and through gap junction networks and are modulated by complex local/humoral, nutritionally dependent, monoaminergic and peptidergic signaling cascades that dynamically reconfigure individual sensory-mediated locomotory circuits. Monoaminergic/peptidergic signaling modifies the sensory signal by providing, first, feedback loops between sensory neurons and postsynaptic partners to fine tune inputs, second, crosstalk between sensory neurons to integrate responses and third, local/humoral extrasynaptic signals to facilitate broader, long term system-wide modulation. Overall, these observations highlight the differences between an anatomical wiring diagram and 'functional connectomes' that are essential to generate the alternative circuit configurations required to choose different behavioral outcomes in the face of changing environmental inputs.
The role of exercise testing in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The assessment of exercise capacity is of critical importance in the evaluation and management of patients with moderate to severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The practicing clinician uses various exercise modalities in evaluating and managing patients with PAH. These include the 6-minute walk test (6MW), cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and exercise echocardiography. The change in exercise capacity appears to parallel other clinical indicators of disease severity, such as survival, hemodynamics, and time to clinical worsening. Exercise testing can aid the clinician in outlining the nature of a patient’s exercise limitation, noninvasively assessing disease severity, establishing prognosis, and evaluating the response to therapy. Additional work must be done to validate the utility of measuring exercise capacity in patients with less severe PAH.
Outward Currents Contributing to Inspiratory Burst Termination in preBötzinger Complex Neurons of Neonatal Mice Studied in Vitro.

We studied preBotzinger Complex (preBotC) inspiratory interneurons to determine the cellular mechanisms that influence burst termination in a mammalian central pattern generator. Neonatal mouse slice preparations that retain preBotC neurons generate respiratory motor rhythms in vitro. Inspiratory-related bursts rely on inward currents that flux Na+, thus outward currents coupled to Na+ accumulation are logical candidates for assisting in, or causing, burst termination. We examined Na+/K+ ATPase electrogenic pump current (Ipump), Na+-dependent K+ current (IK-Na), and ATP-dependent K+ current (IK-ATP). The pharmacological blockade of Ipump, IK-Na, or IK-ATP caused pathological depolarization akin to a burst that cannot terminate, which impeded respiratory rhythm generation and reversibly stopped motor output. By simulating inspiratory bursts with current-step commands in synaptically isolated preBotC neurons, we determined that each current generates approximately 3-8 mV of transient post-burst hyperpolarization that decays in 50-1600 ms. Ipump, IK-Na, and -to a lesser extent - IK-ATP contribute to terminating inspiratory bursts in the context of respiratory rhythm generation by responding to activity dependent cues such as Na+ accumulation.
Managing fixity and fluidity in data repositories

Data repositories walk a fine line between the fixity and fluidity of the data they curate. Change is constant, but too much change affects the integrity of data. This paper examines data transformations in three repositories, serving the zoological, archaeological, and quantitative social science research communities. Based on in-depth analysis of 27 interviews, we identify a typology of changes: adding value; correcting errors; creating consistency; changing representations of data to reflect new knowledge; responding to designated communities; and evolving practices around collecting. Then we discuss the nature of these changes in terms of the data and collections. Our findings indicate that organizational differences and the diverse needs of the repositories' designated communities play a large role in how they manage change.
Leaf wax of oats.

Leaf wax of oats (Kelsey variety) consists of hydrocarbons (5%), esters (10%), free alcohols (45%), free acids (2.5%), β-diketone (5.5%), hydroxy-β-diketones (2.5%), and unidentified (29%). Wax on leaf blades contains more free alcohols than wax on leaf sheaths, and wax on the flag leaf sheath contains more β-diketone than wax on the rest of the plant. Principal hydrocarbons are C29, C31, and C33. The esters, mainly C44-C48 and C52, are probably C18-C22 and C26 esters of hexacosanol. Free alcohols are almost entirely hexacosanol. The β-diketone is hentriacontane-14, 16-dione. Hydroxy β-diketones are a mixture of 5-, 6- and 7-hydroxyhentriacontane-14, 16-diones in the proportions 58∶35∶7. The wax also contains a small amount (0.5%) of 1,16-hexacosanediol.
Desulfurization of JP-8 Jet Fuel by Selective Adsorption over a Ni-based Adsorbent for Micro Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

This work focuses on optimizing the performance of a Ni/SiO2−Al2O3 adsorbent for the adsorptive desulfurization of jet fuel, including JP-8 jet fuel containing around 736 ppmw sulfur and a light JP-8 jet fuel having around 380 ppmw sulfur, obtained by fractionation for micro solid oxide fuel cell applications. The fractionated light JP-8 jet fuel had only traces of heavier alkylated benzothiophenes (C3-BTs). The removal of C3-BTs such as sterically hindered 2,3, 7-trimethylbenzothiophene from the JP-8 jet fuel by fractionation improved the adsorbent capacity by 2.5 times. The particle sizes of the adsorbent and its bed dimensions were examined and optimized to achieve targeted sulfur adsorption capacity of over 10 mg of S/g of adsorbent without encountering pressure drop across the bed. The adsorptive desulfurization of fractionated light JP-8 over the Ni/SiO2−Al2O3 adsorbent having particle sizes between 0.15 and 0.25 mm offered a sulfur breakthrough adsorption capacity of about 11.5 mg of S/g of adsorbe...
The phylogenetic relationships of flies in the family drosophilidae deduced from mtDNA sequences

The phylogenetic relationships of several taxa from representative genera, subgenera, groups, and subgroups in the Drosophilidae were examined using sequences from a 905-bp mtDNA fragment. Conventional cloning and sequencing techniques were used to obtain nucleotide sequences. In addition, polymerase chain reaction primers were designed for the rapid amplification and sequencing of this region for the species examined in the Drosophilidae. Phylogenetic analysis was done by cladistic techniques. Because of the coding nature of the 905-bp mtDNA fragment, several separate analyses of these sequences were performed. The genera Scaptomyza and Hirtodrosophila occupy ancestral branching positions in the molecular phylogeny. The genera Chymomyza and Zaprionus have intermediate branching positions, while the subgenera Drosophila and Sophophora are in the most derived position in the molecular phylogeny. Within the subgenus Sophophora, there is little resolution using these sequences, while within the subgenus Drosophila, D. melanica, D. funebris, and D. pinicola form a clade in a derived part of the phylogeny, with D. robusta and D. immigrans branching in an intermediate position in the phylogeny. D. mercatorum, a member of the repleta species group, occupies an ancestral position in the molecular phylogeny.
On the triple jump of the set of atoms of a Boolean algebra

We prove the following result concerning the degree spectrum of the atom relation on a computable Boolean algebra. Let C be a computable Boolean algebra with infinitely many atoms and a be the Turing degree of the atom relation of C. If d is a c.e. degree such that a"' ≤T d"', then there is a computable copy of C where the atom relation has degree d. In particular, for every high 3 c.e. degree d, any computable Boolean algebra with infinitely many atoms has a computable copy where the atom relation has degree d.
Fast algorithms for comprehensive n-point correlation estimates

The n-point correlation functions (npcf) are powerful spatial statistics capable of fully characterizing any set of multidimensional points. These functions are critical in key data analyses in astronomy and materials science, among other fields, for example to test whether two point sets come from the same distribution and to validate physical models and theories. For example, the npcf has been used to study the phenomenon of dark energy, considered one of the major breakthroughs in recent scientific discoveries. Unfortunately, directly estimating the continuous npcf at a single value requires O(Nn) time for $N$ points, and n may be 2, 3, 4 or even higher, depending on the sensitivity required. In order to draw useful conclusions about real scientific problems, we must repeat this expensive computation both for many different scales in order to derive a smooth estimate and over many different subsamples of our data in order to bound the variance.We present the first comprehensive approach to the entire n-point correlation function estimation problem, including fast algorithms for the computation at multiple scales and for many subsamples. We extend the current state-of-the-art tree-based approach with these two algorithms. We show an order-of-magnitude speedup over the current best approach with each of our new algorithms and show that they can be used together to obtain over 500x speedups over the state-of-the-art in order to enable much larger datasets and more accurate scientific analyses than were possible previously.