cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic control of vegetative growth index in oats (Avena spp.)

Vegetative growth index of cereals is defined as the mean quantity of vegetative tissue produced per unit land area per day. Thus, increasing vegetative growth index is a route by which biomass yield can be increased. The proportion of biomass that is translocated to grain is defined as harvest index. In midwestern USA, where harvest index of oats is optimum at ca. 45% and growth duration is restricted to 100–110 days by high temperature, diseases, and drought, breeding for higher vegetative growth index has been proposed as a way to increase grain yield potential for new cultivars.
Impact of Free Spectral Range Optimization on RZ/NRZ DQPSK Modulation Format with Strong Optical Filtering for Ultra-High Data Rate Systems

We present experimental and simulation results for RZ/NRZ DQPSK decoder free spectral range optimization for high bit rates in the presence of strong optical filtering and show that filtering degradations can be relieved by higher FSR.
Treatment of chronic obstruction as late complication of adjustable gastric band

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is growing in popularity in the United States. A rare late complication is obstruction at the level of the band, with concentric gastric pouch dilation. In our patient, endoscopy showed gastric pouch dilation with food impaction and a restricted outlet. We describe the combined endoscopic and laparoscopic approach for alleviation of chronic obstruction as a late complication of an adjustable gastric band. This combined approach included laparoscopic band removal and scar excision with intraoperative endoscopic dilation.
The Guided Hike in Banff National Park: A Hermeneutical Performance

Sharpley identifies the need to help the public adopt a new paradigm of sustainable development through learning and understanding. The example of a guided hike in Banff National Park, Canada, that communicates to visitors ideas about sustainable development – and sustainable tourism – is examined in this paper to gain some sense of the world of the hike. The paper is based on a hermeneutical theatrical model derived from the philosophical hermeneutics of Gadamer, which includes play, festival, mimesis, gaze and beauty. Through the use of the model, the paper examines the present day performance of the hike, including the narratives of hikers and those involved in presenting the hike. The examination also includes relevant legislation, history and the setting. The result explores the nature and process of understanding a sustainable development paradigm on a guided hike in a natural protected area.
Coping With Communication Breakdown: A Program of Strategy Development for Children Who Have Hearing Losses.

Eight years of experience with the Communication Strategies Program have provided evidence that participation in a program of this type can lead to marked improvement in children's abilities to cop...
Nearly optimal singular controls for wideband noise driven systems

Singular stochastic control problems arise in many applications, for example, in storage, inventory, finite fuel, consumption and investment and limits of impulsive control problems. Here, the increment of the control effort is not of the usual form $u(t)dt$, but is the differential of a nondecreasing and suitably adapted process. The diffusion process models used are only approximations to some “physical” process—which might be a “wideband” noise driven system or a suitably scaled discrete parameter process. Since the optimal controls for the “physical” processes are usually impossible to obtain, it is of interest to know whether “nearly” optimal controls for the diffusion model are “nearly” optimum when applied to the physical problem. It is shown that this is true under broad conditions, for discounted and average cost per unit time problems. The usual weak convergence analysis via the Skorokhod topology on $D[0,\infty ]$ is not appropriate here, due to the nature of the singular controls, and it is ne...
Non-mosaic trisomy 20 presenting at 21 weeks' gestation as a thoraco-abdominal mass.

Non-mosaic trisomy 20 is rare in fetuses surviving beyond the first trimester. We report a case of a fetus with non-mosaic trisomy 20 in amniotic fluid cultures obtained during the prenatal evaluation of an unusual thoraco-abdominal mass which was found at autopsy to be pulmonary sequestration. Gross inspection and autopsy of the fetus revealed multiple anomalies.
Antiphospholipid antibodies lead to increased risk in cardiovascular surgery

Abstract Background : Antiphospholipid (APL) antibodies are a heterogenous group of antibodies that have been associated with an increase in bleeding complications and a marked increase in thrombotic events, both of which result in significant patient morbidity and mortality. Patients and methods : A retrospective analysis of patients identified to be positive for APL via a university thrombosis registry who had cardiovascular surgery between 1989 and 1994. Results : Seventy-one patients positive for APL antibodies were identified. Of those patients, 19 had cardiovascular surgical procedures (11 women and 8 men, mean age 58.4 years, range 38 to 78). A total of 48 cardiovascular surgical procedures (mean 2.5 procedures/patient) were performed in the 19 patients. These procedures included 13 lower-extremity reconstructions, 11 upper-extremity reconstructions/fistulas, 8 cardiac valve replacements, 5 coronary artery by-pass procedures, 5 major amputations, 4 infrarenal aortic reconstructions, and 2 carotid endarterectomies. Sixteen of the 19 patients (84.2%) suffered major postoperative complications. These included 16 thrombosed gratts, 5 strokes, 5 major bleeding events, 2 pulmonary emboli, and 2 myocardial infarctions. Ultimately, 12 of the 19 patients (63.2%) died of complications related to surgery. Conclusions : This series of patients confirms that patients with circulating APL antibodies are prone to excessive postoperative morbidity and mortality after cardiovascular surgical procedures. The presence of APL antibodies may be a marker of increased risk of complications after cardiovascular surgery.
The effect of surface contamination on thermocapillary flow in a two-dimensional slot

In an analysis of the effect of insoluble surfactants on the steady capillary flow in a shallow slot, the problem is formulated as a two-dimensional channel heated differentially from the side, with a free surface on which an insoluble surface species is adsorbed. The vertical boundaries are considered to be isothermal and impenetrable and the lower horizontal boundary to be insulated and impenetrable. Lubrication theory and matched asymptotic expansions are used to reduce the problem to a single nonlinear integral-algebraic equation. For small elasticity E, the surface velocity is nearly constant, with the result that, for small Pe, the surface concentration is nearly uniform while, for large Pe, it develops a boundary layer near the stagnation point at the cold wall, resulting in high local surface concentrations. Condensed surfactant layers will form only with E much less than one and Pe much greater than one.
CUTE: a concolic unit testing engine for C

In unit testing, a program is decomposed into units which are collections of functions. A part of unit can be tested by generating inputs for a single entry function. The entry function may contain pointer arguments, in which case the inputs to the unit are memory graphs. The paper addresses the problem of automating unit testing with memory graphs as inputs. The approach used builds on previous work combining symbolic and concrete execution, and more specifically, using such a combination to generate test inputs to explore all feasible execution paths. The current work develops a method to represent and track constraints that capture the behavior of a symbolic execution of a unit with memory graphs as inputs. Moreover, an efficient constraint solver is proposed to facilitate incremental generation of such test inputs. Finally, CUTE, a tool implementing the method is described together with the results of applying CUTE to real-world examples of C code.
Noun, verb, or adjective? L2 learners' sensitivity to cues to word class

This study investigates learners' knowledge of word classes (i.e. noun, verb, adjective) in their second language (L2). Although some L2 studies have examined the problem of word class indirectly through a focus on vocabulary and the teaching of derivational morphology (Morin, 2003, 2006; Schmitt & Zimmerman, 2002), little is known about learners' sensitivity to word class contrasts (e.g. fuerte ‘strong’ versus fuerza ‘strength’). The present study utilised concurrent and retrospective think-aloud protocols to examine learners' attention to different sorts of cues to word class in Spanish. The participants, beginning-level learners of Spanish (n = 35), completed a forced-choice task that targeted word class contrasts in various syntactic contexts. The results indicate that learners attended to grammatical cues frequently, with these accounting for 45% of the total cue usage. Among the various grammatical cues, learners showed a marked preference for inflections (i.e. gender and number). The use of semanti...
Metabolism: Digging up enzyme functions

Advances in genome sequencing and structural biology mean that we are now buried under an avalanche of predicted domains and structures of proteins with unknown functions. Two groups have used different methods to unearth the functions of previously cryptic bacterial enzymes, illuminating new reactions and metabolic pathways.
Mouse brain deoxyglucose uptake after footshock, ACTH analogs, α-MSH, corticosterone or lysine vasopressin

Abstract The cerebral uptake of subcutaneously injected [3H]2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) in 16 brain regions was examined following 30 noncontigent random footshocks or the acute injection of saline, ACTH1–24 (0.5 μg/g), ACTH/MSH4–10 (0.25 μg/g), [D-Phe7]ACTH4–10 (0.25 μg/g), [Met4SO2,D-Lys8,Phe9]ACTH4–9 (0.01 μg/g), α-MSH (0.5 μg/g), corticosterone (2.5 μg/g) or lysine vasopressin (0.05 μg/g). Footshock selectively decreased 2DG uptake in parietal cortex and brain stem, and increased that in the hypothalamus. Whole brain 2DG uptake was decreased by injection of saline or most of the hormones relative to uninjected animals, but this effect was probably peripheral since plasma glucose content was increased by the injections. The only regionally specific effect of the hormones was an increased 2DG uptake in olfactory bulb by saline, ACTH/MSH4–10 and corticosterone relative to uninjected animals. Since α-MSH had been reported previously to decrease blood flow (measured by antipyrene uptake) in all brain regions except occipital cortex [5,6], we directly compared antipyrene uptake with 2DG uptake in the same animals using a double-isotope procedure. The results revealed an increase in 2DG uptake relative to antipyrene in cortical regions relative to subcortical regions, contradicting earlier assumptions [19].
Three-dimensional shape rendering from multiple images

A paradigm for automatic three-dimensional shape and geometry rendering from multiple images is introduced in this paper. In particular, non-photorealistic rendering (NPR) techniques in the style of pen-and-ink illustrations are addressed, while the underlying presented ideas can be used in other modalities, such as halftoning, as well. Existing NPR approaches can be categorized in two groups depending on the type of input they use: image based and object based. Using multiple images as input to the NPR scheme, we propose a novel hybrid model that simultaneously uses information from the image and object domains. The benefit not only comes from combining the features of each approach, it also minimizes the need for manual or user assisted tasks in extracting scene features and geometry, as employed in virtually all state-of-the-art NPR approaches. As particular examples we use input images from binocular stereo and multiple-light photometric stereo systems. From the image domain we extract the tonal information to be mimicked by the NPR synthesis algorithm, and from the object domain we extract the geometry, mainly principal directions, obtained from the image set without explicitly using 3D models, to convey shape to the drawings. We describe a particular implementation of such an hybrid system and present a number of automatically generated pen-and-ink style drawings. This work then shows how to use and extend well-developed techniques in computer vision to address fundamental problems in shape representation and rendering.
Ultra-Near Fields of Bodies of Translation With Discontinuities: ω-κ Representations

Ultra-near fields scattered from bodies of translation (BOTs) with surface and gap discontinuities are analyzed using frequency wave vector (w-k) representations. The scattering surfaces are assumed to be perfectly electrically conducting (p.e.c.) and can be electrically large. The theoretical formulation is based on first principles. The electric field integral equation (EFIE) for the BOT scatterer is solved by the method of moments (MM). Next the scattered fields in the operator form of the EFIE are Fourier transformed over the spatial domain. The resulting ω-κ representation delineates the propagated and evanescent waves near the scattering surface. The analytical results are compared with experimental data.
Vibration suppression of a flexible manipulating system by using transfer matrix method

This paper models a two-arm flexible manipulating system by a set of generic partial differential equations, from which the transfer matrices for the flexible arms and revolute joints have been constructed. Based upon the compatibility conditions at the connecting points, the global system dynamic equation has been derived. Joint moments are used as the control actions. A typical control problem for end-effector vibration suppression has been investigated. Control law computation proceeds in the frequency domain based on the pole- placement method. The effectiveness of the vibration suppression by using distributed parameter modeling technique along with the application of transfer matrix method is indicated by means of the decay of the end-effector response time history computed based upon the modal expansion method.
Adjustment of global precipitation data for orographic effects using observed annual streamflow and the LaD model

[1] Precipitation is one of the most important forcing data sets to drive land surface models to simulate global and regional water balances. However, precipitation cannot be accurately measured in high-latitudes and mountainous regions because of gauge undercatch and orographic effects, and estimation of precipitation is also difficult in these regions. In this study, a calibration method is developed to make a globally consistent adjustment for the underestimation of gridded precipitation in mountainous regions. This method contains an optimization algorithm, a land surface model, and a global digital elevation model. The calibration results show that when precipitation is adjusted by orographic bias and gauge undercatch, the optimization algorithm gives the smallest root mean square error (RMSE) between the observed and modeled runoff ratio in 24 basins over the world. Either gauge undercatch correction or orographic bias correction of precipitation can only reduce the error between observed and modeled runoff ratio; however, it cannot generate the smallest RMSE. Evaluation and validation of 12 basins in the continental US (CONUS) show that optimally adjusted precipitation is close to reference precipitation.
Foveal warning stimuli and predictive saccades to a constant-location target

The frequency of predictive saccades to a constant-location target was investigated as a function of a number of foveal warning stimulus conditions. The offset of a fixation stimulus led to a high level of predictive responding, whereas much lower response levels were found with other warning conditions, including the onset or offset of a stimulus in a defined fixation area and the onset of a target without defining fixation lines. It was concluded that the continuing presence of a foveal stimulus during the warning interval resulted in little predictive responding. Various interpretations of this finding are discussed.
Engineering cyclic tetrapeptides containing chimeric amino acids as preferred reverse-turn scaffolds.

Four residues making almost a complete 180° turn in the direction of the peptide chain define a reverse turn, a common motif and recognition site in proteins. Cyclization between residues i and i + 3 and incorporation of heterochiral dipeptides (such as d-Pro-l-Pro) in the i + 1 and i + 2 positions are used to constrain a peptide to a reverse-turn conformation. A combined approach, cyclic tetrapeptides (CTPs) based on heterochiral dipeptides of chimeric amino acids, is evaluated as minimalist scaffolds for reverse-turn conformations. Cyclo-(d-Pro-l-Pro-d-Pro-l-Pro) has been studied with density functional theory (DFT) calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. The all-trans amide conformer was the most stable in vacuo, while the cis-trans-cis-trans (ctct) or trans-cis-trans-cis (tctc) amide conformer was more favored in water due to its large dipole moment. Different conformations could be selectively stabilized by different substitutions on the proline rings. Due to the small 12-membered ring and e...
Effects of evapotranspiration on treatment performance in constructed wetlands: Experimental studies and modeling

Abstract Evapotranspiration (ET) can affect treatment performance on constructed wetlands by enhancing constituent transport through the hydrosoil where treatment reactions occur. Additionally, ET can decrease volumetric flow thereby increasing hydraulic retention time and increasing concentrations of dissolved constituents. This research aims to assess the net effects of water loss attributed to ET on constructed wetland performance and determine the significance of plant transpiration on vertical transport of constituents. A flowing wetland lysimeter constructed using 265-L storage containers filled with sand and Typha latifolia was used to record ET and determine crop coefficient during summer 2011. Results indicate that ET from the lysimeter was 2.5 times greater than calculated reference ET (Kc = 2.5; R2 = 0.96). The calculated crop coefficient was used in conjunction with a first-order tank-in-series model to predict removal of a conservative constituent (k = 0.2 d−1) and readily treatable constituent (k = 1.2 d−1) in a constructed wetland (20 cm and 40 cm water depths, 4-day nominal HRT, and 100 mg L−1 constituent loading) operating under a range of ET (0, 10, 20, and 30 mm d−1). The model predicts that removal efficiency of the conservative constituent decreases with increasing ET, while removal efficiency of the readily treatable constituent increases with increasing ET. In addition, eight vertical tracer tests were performed on wetland cells with either trimmed or untrimmed T. latifolia to measure transport time of tracer solution from the water surface to a depth of 5 cm. Mean tracer arrival time differed significantly (p = 1.2 × 10−8) between the untrimmed and trimmed cells (104 min versus 450 min, respectively) demonstrating that plant transpiration contributes significantly to vertical flow through hydrosoil.
Inhibition of CEM calcification by the sequential pretreatment with ethanol and EDTA.

The major object of the present study is to optimize the anticalcification activity of ethanol on bioprosthetic heart valve (BHV) calcification. We hypothesize that the chelating agent, in combination with ethanol, will synergistically prevent aortic wall calcification. Collagen-elastin matrix (CEM) was developed as a calcifiable matrix for simulating the calcification process of implantable biomaterials. The efficacy of the combination effects of ethanol and EDTA on the calcification process of CEMs was investigated by implanting them after pretreatment with various conditions of ethanol and EDTA in the rat subdermal model. The relationship between calcium concentrations and pretreatment conditions (a series vs. simultaneous, i.e., first ethanol and then EDTA in water solution, the reverse, or EDTA in ethanol) was established and the optimal condition for prevention of BHV calcification was determined. The mechanistic studies on anticalcification effects exerted by particular pretreatment sequences were also conducted using FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The sequential pretreatment of CEM first with ethanol and then EDTA in water solution significantly decreased the calcification rate of CEM compared the control. The percentage of prevention of calcification by the serial treatment of ethanol (80% v/v) and then EDTA in water solutions decreased, as the concentration of elastin in the CEM increased. The percentage of preventing calcification was 42%, 28.6%, and 22.9% for CEM containing collagen and elastin ratios of 90:10, 50:50, 20:80, respectively. These results indicate that elastin is the major regulatory component of BHV calcification, and preventive effects on calcification increased only when CEM were pretreated with first ethanol and then EDTA in water solution. Moreover, the sequential effect is more apparent in the matrix of less elastin content, which is close to the physiological range. The sequential inhibitory effects of ethanol and EDTA could occur due to the distinct separate actions of each agent, thereby achieving a relatively greater inhibition of calcification.
Prediction of preterm delivery with transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix in patients with high-risk pregnancies: does cerclage prevent prematurity?

Objectives: We sought to determine the predictive accuracy for preterm delivery of transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix between 14 and 24 weeks’ gestation in high-risk patients and to determine whether cerclage prevents preterm delivery in patients with ultrasonographic cervical changes. Study Design: Patients with asymptomatic singleton pregnancies at high risk for preterm delivery were followed prospectively from 14 weeks’ to 23 weeks 6 days’ gestation with transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix. The subgroup of patients with either a cervical length of 25% or both was offered McDonald salvage cerclage, which was performed at the discretion of the patient and the obstetrician. The 2 groups (with and without cerclage) were compared for the primary outcome of preterm delivery at 25% or both were 74%, 70%, 37%, and 92%, respectively. Of 63 pregnancies in which there were cervical changes, 39 underwent cerclage and 24 did not. These 2 groups were similar for demographic characteristics, risk factors, and transvaginal ultrasonographic cervical length and funneling but dissimilar for gestational age at identification of cervical changes (18.3 vs 21.2 weeks’ gestation in the groups with and without cerclage, respectively; P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjustment for gestational age at cervical changes showed no difference in the rate of preterm delivery between the groups with and without cerclage (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-4.6). Stratified analysis of patients identified between 18 and 24 weeks revealed 22 pregnancies with cerclage and 22 pregnancies without cerclage, which was similar for all characteristics studied. The incidence of preterm delivery remained similar (27% vs 23%, respectively; P = .7), as did days from cervical changes to delivery (111 vs 96, respectively; P = .2). Conclusions: Transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix between 14 and 24 weeks’ gestation is a good predictor of preterm delivery in high-risk pregnancies. Cerclage may not prevent preterm delivery in patients identified to be at high risk for this outcome by transvaginal ultrasonography. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:809-15.)
SU‐E‐J‐07: A Preliminary Study on Optimal Dose‐Allocation Parameters for Low‐Dose Cone‐Beam CT

Purpose: Cone‐beam CT(CBCT) is widely used for providing image guidance in radiotherapy and interventional procedures. Due to the patient safety concern involved in repetitive CBCT scans, significant effort has been devoted to possibly lowering imagingdose in CBCT. For a given total dose, it is also important to investigate how image quality can be affected by dose allocations over projection views and by image‐reconstruction algorithms. In this work, we investigate quantitatively how image quality changes resulted from different combinations of dose‐allocation parameters and some existing reconstruction algorithms. Methods: We performed simulation studies by using a numerical phantom containing structures ofdifferent contrast levels. We also acquired real data of a Catphan phantom (The Phantom Laboratory, Salem, NY) by using the on‐board imaging system (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). At three different total dose levels, we allocated each of them to different numbers of views ranging from 120 to 650. For each allocation scheme we applied the FDK and ASD‐POCS algorithms to obtain reconstructed images. A set of quantitative metrics were used to evaluate image quality based on relevant tasks. Results: Preliminary results showed that for total dose levels under study, both FDK and ASD‐POCS algorithms yield images with comparable quality when a large number of views are considered and that imagesreconstructed by the ASD‐POCS from smaller number of views generally exhibit higher quality. Overall, for each given total dose level the ASD‐POCS algorithm yields images of comparable or higher quality than does the FDK algorithm. Conclusions: We demonstrated that CBCTimage quality can be optimized for a fixed total dose by choosing an appropriate combination of dose‐ allocation parameters and reconstruction algorithm. This finding may potentially be used for improving current CBCTimage quality and for designing innovative, low‐dose CBCTimaging protocols.
A note on measuring response learning during paired-associate learning

An analysis of a technique commonly used to measure the relative lengths of the two stages of paired-associate learning (response learning and associative learning) was presented. This technique involves using the “first given” (FG) as a measure of the duration of the response-learning stage. FG is the number of trials before S gives a response anywhere in the list, disregarding the appropriateness of the stimulus to which it is given. On the basis of studies existing in the verbal-learning literature, it was shown that FG overestimates the time required for response learning, probably because S s wait to give a response until a certain level of confidence about the correctness of the response is reached. This level was termed the confidence threshold. The amount of interference present in the learning situation is likely to be one of the determinants of the time required to reach the threshold. In order to measure accurately the response-learning stage, a procedure similar to that of Underwood et al. (1959) may be followed: PA learning is stopped at various points and response learning is measured by free recall with a “paced” procedure. A second alternative is the use of free learning to study the effects of variables on the response-learning stage of PA learning.
Wnt inhibitory factor 1 induces apoptosis and inhibits cervical cancer growth, invasion and angiogenesis in vivo

Wnt inhibitory factor 1 induces apoptosis and inhibits cervical cancer growth, invasion and angiogenesis in vivo
Enhanced glutathione depletion, protein adduct formation, and cytotoxicity following exposure to 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) in cells expressing human multidrug resistance protein-1 (MRP1) together with human glutathione S-transferase-M1 (GSTM1)

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is one of the most reactive products of lipid peroxidation and has both cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in cells. Several enzymatic pathways have been reported to detoxify HNE, including conjugation by glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs). Removal of the resulting HNE-glutathione conjugate (HNE-SG) by an efflux transporter may be required for complete detoxification. We investigated the effect of expression of GSTM1 and/or the ABC efflux transporter protein, multidrug-resistance protein-1 (MRP1), on HNE-induced cellular toxicity. Stably transfected MCF7 cell lines were used to examine the effect of GSTM1 and/or MRP1 expression on HNE-induced cytotoxicity, GSH depletion, and HNE-protein adduct formation. Co-expression in the MCF7 cell line of GSTM1 with MRP1 resulted in a 2.3-fold sensitization to HNE cytotoxicity (0.44-fold IC(50) value relative to control) rather than the expected protection. Expression of either GSTM1 or MRP1 alone also resulted in slight sensitization to HNE cytotoxicity (0.79-fold and 0.71-fold decreases in IC(50) values, respectively). Co-expression of GSTM1 and MRP1 strongly enhanced the formation of HNE-protein adducts relative to the non-expressing control cell line, whereas expression of either MRP1 alone or GSTM1 alone yielded similarly low levels of HNE-protein adducts to that of the control cell line. Glutathione (GSH) levels were reduced by 10-20% in either the control cell line or the MCF7/GSTM1 cell line with the same HNE exposure for 60min. However, HNE induced >80% depletion of GSH in cells expressing MRP1 alone. Co-expression of both MRP1 and GSTM1 caused slightly greater GSH depletion, consistent with the greater protein adduct formation and cytotoxicity in this cell line. Since expression of GSTM1 or MRP1 alone did not strongly sensitize cells to HNE, or result in greater HNE-protein adducts than in the control cell line, these results indicate that MRP1 and GSTM1 collaborate to enhance HNE-protein adduct formation and HNE cytotoxicity, facilitated by GSH depletion mediated by both MRP1 and GSTM1.
Sequential changes in red cell glycolytic enzymes and intermediates and possible control mechanisms in the first two months of postnatal life in lambs.

ABSTRACT: The sequential changes in several glycolytic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycolytic intermediates, and adenosine triphosphate, as well as intracellular pH and plasma inorganic phosphorus were followed simultaneously in eight lambs from birth to 2 months of age. The activities of all glycolytic enzymes and glucose- 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were elevated at birth. The 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration increased markedly postnatally and was associated with a simultaneous increase in the concentrations of red cell glucose-6-phosphate and total triose phosphate and a decrease in intracellular pH. Inorganic phosphorus also increased and correlated with the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration in the first 10 days of postnatal life. The content of red cell 3-phosphoglycerate, 2-phosphoglycerate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and ATP increased slightly. These results suggested increased glycolytic flux through the diphosphoglycerate mutase reaction which resulted in net synthesis of 2,3- diphosphoglycerate. The red cell total triose phosphate peaked and fell initially, followed by glucose-6-phosphate and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate suggesting inhibition of phosphofructokinase activity and a decrease in glycolysis secondary to decreased red cell intracellular pH. After 10 days of postnatal life all glycolytic intermediates fell simultaneously, which correlated with a decrease in activity of the glycolytic enzymes.
Adsorption of Polyelectrolytes at Oppositely Charged Surfaces

We have developed a scaling theory of polyelectrolyte adsorption at an oppositely charged surface. At low surface charge densities, we predict two-dimensional adsorbed layers with thickness determined by the balance between electrostatic attraction to the charged surface and chain entropy. At high surface charge densities, we expect a 3-dimensional layer with a density profile determined by the balance between electrostatic attraction and short-range monomer-monomer repulsion. These different stabilizing mechanisms result in a nonmonotonic dependence of the layer thickness on the surface charge density. For adsorption of polyelectrolyte chains from salt solutions, the screening of the electrostatic repulsion between adsorbed polyelectrolyte chains results in large overcompensation of the surface charge for two-dimensional adsorbed layers. At higher salt concentrations this overcompensation of the surface charge by the 2-d adsorbed layer is independent of the original surface charge and depends only on the fraction of the charged monomers on the polyelectrolyte chains and increases with ionic strength. The polyelectrolyte surface excess in 3-d adsorbed layers increases at low ionic strength and decreases at higher ionic strength.
The effect of self-affirmation on sexual prejudice

Abstract In three experiments, we explored the impact of a self-affirmation treatment on sexual prejudice (i.e., negative attitudes toward gays and lesbians). Studies 1 and 2 found that participants who were affirmed by valuing relationships with family and friends were significantly more prejudiced than participants who were affirmed by valuing other self-relevant characteristics. Relative to a non-affirmed control, the family/friends affirmation did not actually increase prejudice; however, other affirmations decreased bias. Study 3 replicated the finding that prejudice was higher among participants who affirmed to family/friends compared to those who affirmed to other values, and showed a mediator of the effect: the endorsement of traditional family values. That is, affirming to family/friends was associated with support for family values, which was positively associated with prejudice. These findings add to a growing body of evidence demonstrating the potential for self-affirmation to reduce bias, but establish that the type of value affirmed is an important consideration. Specifically, familial-based affirmations may undermine reduction of sexual prejudice because they remind individuals of values that many people see as being in conflict with expressing tolerant attitudes toward gays and lesbians.
Protective role of aerodigestive reflexes against aspiration: study on subjects with impaired and preserved reflexes.

Background & Aims Direct evidence to support the airway protective function of aerodigestive reflexes triggered by pharyngeal stimulation was previously demonstrated by abolishing these reflexes by topical pharyngeal anesthesia in normal subjects. Studies have also shown that these reflexes deteriorate in cigarette smokers. Aim of this study was to determine the influence of defective pharyngeal aerodigestive reflexes on airway protection in cigarette smokers. Methods Pharyngoglottal Closure reflex; PGCR, Pharyngo-UES Contractile reflex; PUCR, and Reflexive Pharyngeal Swallow; RPS were studied in 15 healthy non-smokers (24.2 ± 3.3 SD y, 7 males) and 15 healthy chronic smokers (27.3 ± 8.1, 7 males). To elicit these reflexes and to evaluate aspiration, colored water was perfused into the hypopharynx at the rate of 1 mL/min. Maximum volume of water that can safely dwell in the hypopharynx before spilling into the larynx (Hypopharyngeal Safe Volume; HPSV) and the threshold volume to elicit PGCR, PUCR, and RPS were determined in smokers and results compared with non-smokers. Results At baseline, RPS was elicited in all non-smokers (100%) and in only 3 of 15 smokers (20%; P P = .1). Conclusions Deteriorated reflexive pharyngeal swallow in chronic cigarette smokers predispose them to risks of aspiration and similarly, abolishing this reflex in non-smokers also results in laryngeal spillage. These observations directly demonstrate the airway protective function of RPS.
Kinetic and stereochemical factors in the hydralumination of alkenes and the configurational stability of the resulting carbonaluminum bond

Abstract A series of cyclic olefins was subjected to hydralumination by diisobutyl-aluminum hydride, in order to determine the stereochemistry, the regiochemistry and the influence of structure on reactivity. The reactivity gradation observed was: acenaphthylene > 1,1-dimethyl-3-trimethylsilylindene > 1-methylacenaphthylene > 1,1-dimethylindene > 1-phenylacenaphthylene ⪢ 1,1-dimethyl-3-phenylindene. By working in donor solvents it was demonstrated that cis-hydralumination is the kinetically controlled mode of addition. The reactivity for 3-substituted-1,1-dimethylindenes reflected polar effects, whereas that for 1-substituted acenaphthylenes responded to steric effects. The regiochemistry of hydralumination was generally determined by steric factors, except for the case of the silylindene. The isomerization of the hydralumination adduct could occur either by carbonaluminum bond inversion or by dehydralumination. The former process took place readily in the absence of Lewis bases, but the latter process required elevated temperatures and protracted times. The stable cis-hydralumination adducts could be protodealuminated with retention of configuration at the CAl bond, although acenaphthenyl systems gave significant amounts of 1,3-dihydroacenaphthylenes. The nature of these unusual hydrolysis products was elucidated by deuterium labeling, 1H NMR and chemical degradation studies. A complete series of C2- and C3-deuterated-1,1-dimethylindenes was synthesized unambiguously in order to permit these foregoing studies. The configurational stability of these organoaluminum compounds toward heat, neutral Lewis bases and carbanions was evaluated. These observations, together with the temperature-dependent 1H NMR spectrum of 1-acenaphthenyl(diisobutyl)aluminium, lend some insight into the pathways of carbonaluminum bond inversion.
Microsatellite Instability in Malignant Melanoma

Defective mismatch repair has been detected in human colorectal and endometrial carcinomas which exhibit microsatellite instability (MIN). The purpose of this study was to search for MIN in melanoma. Paraffin-embedded neoplastic and non-neoplastic control cells were obtained from 20 untreated individuals with cutaneous malignant melanoma. Breslow thickness ranged from 0.2-7.4 mm (mean 1.4). Cells were carefully scraped from glass slides so that tumor and control DNA could be isolated and then amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at seven separate microsatellites localized to specific chromosome regions: 1p22 (D1S187), 5q11.2-13.3 (D5S107), 6q21-23.3 (D6S357), 9p21 (IFNA), 11p15.2 (D11S861), 17p13.1 (D17S786), and 18q11 (D18S34). Heterozygosity indices were > or = 0.70. Loci from these chromosome regions were chosen because of cytogenetic abnormalities reported in melanoma (1p, 6q, 9p), location of common oncogenes (11p-HRAS, 17p-TP53), or use in other MIN studies (5q, 18q). Five individuals (25%) demonstrated MIN. There was no correlation with tissue thickness. One individual demonstrated MIN at two loci and one individual demonstrated loss of heterozygosity. The results indicate that MIN occurs in melanoma, albeit less frequently than reported in carcinomas.
Factors associated with successful denture therapy.

Purpose The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate complete denture patients at pretreatment and postinsertion, 6 months and 18 months after denture delivery in order to develop an explanatory model of successful denture therapy to better understand patient acceptance of complete dentures. Materials and Methods Sixty complete-denture patients treated at a dental student clinic were followed through denture therapy and for 18 months thereafter. Subjects were examined and completed pretreatment questionnaires and posttreatment interviews. Three outcome measures of denture success were tested, and factors considered substantive in achieving a successful denture outcome were examined using multivariate analyses. Results At post-insertion, 76.7% of subjects were satisfied with their dentures, 74.6% said their expectations were met, and 66.7% said they adjusted easily to their new dentures; reports at 6 and 18 months were similarly high. Logistic regression findings suggest that psychological and interpersonal factors are more important determinants of denture satisfaction than anatomic or clinical factors. Conclusions Subject characteristics including age, gender, race, income level, education, marital status, and maxillary and mandibular anatomy were not significantly associated with denture success as defined by the three outcome measures used in this study. Although these variables may represent important co-factors in the patient's acceptance of dental services and may affect the way a patient perceives dental care outcomes, statistically significant relationships were not found within our sample. Psychosocial variables, such as pretreatment expectations, satisfaction with the dental care received, and mental health showed a stronger relationship to a successful outcome.
Rotational and vibrational temperature measurements in a high-pressure cylindrical dielectric barrier discharge (C-DBD)

The rotational (TR) and vibrational (Tv) temperatures of N2 molecules were measured in a high-pressure cylindrical dielectric barrier discharge (C-DBD) source in Ne with trace amounts (0.02 %) of N2 and dry air excited by radio-frequency (rf) power. Both TR and Tv of the N2 molecules in the C 3Πu state were determined from an emission spectroscopic analysis the 2nd positive system (C 3Πu B3Πg). Gas temperatures were inferred from the measured rotational temperatures. As a function of pressure, the rotational temperature is essentially constant at about 360 K in the range from 200 Torr to 600 Torr (at 30W rf power) and increases slightly with increasing rf power at constant pressure. As one would expect, vibrational temperature measurements revealed significantly higher temperatures. The vibrational temperature decreases with pressure from 3030 K at 200 Torr to 2270 K at 600 Torr (at 30 W rf power). As a function of rf power, the vibrational temperature increases from 2520 K at 20 W to 2940 K at 60 W (at 400 Torr). Both TR and Tv also show a dependence on the excitation frequency at the two frequencies that we studied, 400 kHz and 13.56 MHz. Adding trace amounts of air instead of N2 to the Ne in the discharge resulted in higher TR and Tv values and in a different pressure dependence of the rotational and vibrational temperatures. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterisation of Two New Reference Materials: STL‐1, the Stewart Lepidolite and ZA‐1, the Zapot Amazonite

The analysis of granitic pegmatites still remains a challenge because suitable natural reference materials are scarce or not available. Two new reference materials were prepared at the Smithsonian Institution, to provide an avenue to pursue the geochemical analysis of micas and feldspars in granitic pegmatites: STL-1, the Stewart lepidolite (NMNH 174041) and ZA-1, the Zapot amazonite (NMNH 174042). STL-1 was prepared from lepidolite collected from the lithium-rich Stewart pegmatite, San Diego County, California (33°22′52′’N, 117°03′41′’W). ZA-1 was prepared from an amazonite from the topaz-bearing Zapot pegmatite, Mineral County, Nevada, (38° 41’N, 118 °33’W). The results of this study indicated that STL-1 and ZA-1 are homogeneous and could be used as reference materials that would allow the expansion of calibration curves in XRF analysis up to 16000 μg g−1 for Rb, 2000 μg g−1 for Cs and 100 μg g−1 for Tl. STL-1 and ZA-1 also contain unusually high concentrations of Ga and Tl, and STL-1 of Nb. L'analyse de pegmatites granitiques reste encore un defi parce qu'il n'y a pas ou peu de materiaux de reference disponibles. Deux nouveaux materiaux de reference ont ete prepares a la Smithsonian Institution afin de permettre l'analyse geochimique de micas et feldspaths presents dans des pegmatites granitiques. Il s'agit de STL-1, la lepidolite de Stewart (NMNH 174041) et ZA-1 l'amazonite de Zapot (NMNH 174042). STL-1 a ete preparea partir d'une lepidolite appartenant a la pegmatite riche en lithium de Steward (Conte de San Diego, Californie (33°22′52′’N, 117°03′41′’W). ZA-1 a ete preparea partir d'une amazonite appartenant au gisement de pegmatite riche en topaze de Zapot, comte de Mineral, Nevada (38° 41’N, 118°33’W). Les resultats de cette etude montrent que STL-1 et ZA-1 sont homogenes et peuvent etre utilises comme materiaux de reference qui pourront permettre de prolonger les courbes de calibration en analyse XRF jusqu'a 16000 μg g−1 pour Rb, 2000 μg g−1 pour Cs et 100 μg g−1 pour Tl. STL-1 et ZA-1 contiennent aussi des concentrations anormalement elevees en Ga et Tl, ainsi qu'en Nb pour STL-1.
Nonlinear system identification of a cantilever beam with attached cubic nonlinear spring at its free end

This paper presents the identification of the local nonlinear effects on the essential dynamics of distributed parameter systems. The system considered is a simple cantilever beam with an attached cubic nonlinear spring at its tip. Nonlinear system identification (NSI) method applied in this work uses numerical simulation results and combines slow-flow dynamic analysis and empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to reconstruct the dynamics in modal coordinates as reduced-order models. The reduced-order models are single-degree-of-freedom linear oscillators, which are termed intrinsic modal oscillators (IMOs), with a forcing computed through slow-flow analysis. These forced oscillators are capable of reproducing the modal dynamics, and their forcing amplitudes provide essential information about modal interactions and energy transfer. The proposed NSI method was applied to 3 main cases, corresponding to weakly nonlinear, strongly nonlinear and linear dynamics, respectively. A discrete model of the original system is used to investigate the internal resonances and nonlinearity effects in the original system, by making use of Frequency-Energy plots (FEPs).Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The very structure of scientific research mitigates against developing products to help the environment, the poor, and the hungry

From the arguments I have presented, I hope it is clear that the distinction between basic and applied research is tenuous. Certain areas of research and methods may be favoured over others because of intrinsic biases, which are predictive of the type of application possible. Believing in the neutrality of pure knowledge is like wearing blinders: scientists need not be too concerned about the way in which the knowledge they generate is used. In my own case, this belief led to my participation in a system of agriculture to which I do not subscribe. Scientists should be willing to take responsibility for how they function in the system as a whole. Given the social structure of science, it is difficult for basic researchers to see their connections with the larger issues, much less to control them. Perhaps new ways of constructing knowledge-generating societies will be necessary in order to encourage individual responsibility.
Variability in growth of Deladenus siricidicola on strains of the white rot fungus Amylostereum areolatum

Deladenus siricidicola nematodes are used extensively for biological control of Sirex noctilio in the southern hemisphere. They have one morph that is parasitic on S. noctilio and another that feeds on the white rot fungus Amylostereum areolatum and is used for mass production of the nematode. To examine potential effects of strains of A. areolatum found in North America on D. siricidicola in a biological control program, first we compared the growth of four isolates of A. areolatum on several types of artificial media. We then evaluated the ability of D. siricidicola to survive and increase on five isolates of A. areolatum and found that nematode populations persisted on all five isolates. One of the slowest growing fungal isolates, ScyME, produced the most nematodes when the fungus was given five and ten days of growth prior to nematode inoculation, while the fastest growing fungus, Aussie, never produced the most nematodes. Although nematodes in all treatments produced eggs, D. siricidicola populations were unable to replace themselves when feeding on the fungal isolate SedDF. The differential ability of D. siricidicola to persist on different isolates of A. areolatum found in North America could affect multiple aspects of a biological control program to control S. noctilio.