cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Field Trapping and Observations of Male Velvetbean Caterpillar Moths and Trapping of Mocis spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Catacolinae) with Calibrated Formulations of Sex Pheromone

Responses of male velvetbean caterpillar moths, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, were examined in field tests of cone-type traps baited with the female sex pheromone compounds, (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-eicosatriene (C20) and (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9, heneicosatriene (C21). Various blends, formulated on rubber septa, were quantified in the laboratory for release rate and release ratio of the C20 and C21 components; the optimum release ratio (C20:C21) and rate for the capture of males were 78:22 and 10 ng/h, respectively. This specificity was not apparent unless both parameters of release rate and ratio were tested. The number of males observed flying in a viewing area in the field was increased significantly by the presence of C20:C21 blends; however, the close approach of males and sustained hovering at baits were more blend sensitive than other behaviors. Three species of the genus Mocis also responded to the velvetbean caterpillar pheromone components: disseverans (Walker), latipes (Guenee), and marcida (Guenee). M. disseverans was captured in large numbers and responded preferentially to baits that released about 50% or more C21. The most M. disseverans were captured at traps containing only C21.
The equivocal text and the objective world: An ethnomethodological analysis of a news report

(1991). The equivocal text and the objective world: An ethnomethodological analysis of a news report. Continuum: Vol. 5, Media/Discourse, pp. 166-190.
Quantitative evolutionary dynamics using high-resolution lineage tracking

Evolution of large asexual cell populations underlies ∼30% of deaths worldwide, including those caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites, and cancer. However, the dynamics underlying these evolutionary processes remain poorly understood because they involve many competing beneficial lineages, most of which never rise above extremely low frequencies in the population. To observe these normally hidden evolutionary dynamics, we constructed a sequencing-based ultra high-resolution lineage tracking system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that allowed us to monitor the relative frequencies of ∼500,000 lineages simultaneously. In contrast to some expectations, we found that the spectrum of fitness effects of beneficial mutations is neither exponential nor monotonic. Early adaptation is a predictable consequence of this spectrum and is strikingly reproducible, but the initial small-effect mutations are soon outcompeted by rarer large-effect mutations that result in variability between replicates. These results suggest that early evolutionary dynamics may be deterministic for a period of time before stochastic effects become important.
A segmentation guided label propagation scheme for autonomous navigation

Navigating through unknown outdoor environments requires a robot to be able to see and model the far field terrain. In recent years this problem of seeing beyond reliable stereo readings into the far field has gained attention. Many proposed solutions involve using near field obstacle and ground plane regions labeled using stereo, to learn models which classify far field image regions. In this work we offer an alternative which exploits coherent image regions as determined by image segmentation to propagate obstacle and ground labels from the near and mid field to the image far field. Rather than relying on local features to classify individual pixels we model and compare appearance across the whole segment. New labels are determined by proximity in both image space and appearance space. Since both traversable and non-traversable surfaces can vary in appearance across the image, our approach has the advantage that each labeled segment acts as a distinct appearance model, which allows us to label similar neighbours. We evaluate our system using a publicly available dataset and compare its performance to a typical learning-based near-to-far labeling scheme.
Oliver Cromwell Cox Toward a Pan-Africanist Epistemology for Community Action

In many ways, Oliver Cromwell Cox's academic career was similar to those of other Black sociologists; however, his experiences, given his perspectives and their time and place, were unique. Like any other major Black sociologist, similar to Charles S. Johnson or E. Franklin Frazier, Cox endured the stigma of skin color produced by White supremacy. Yet Cox's approach differs markedly from the conciliatory sociological approach of Johnson's (1941) work or the more liberal/integrationist approach of the work of Frazier (Metzger, 1971; van den Berghe, 1981). Charles U. Smith and Lewis Killian suggested in their essay on Black sociologists and social protest that
Nitric oxide synthesis in retinal photoreceptor cells

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be synthesized in several tissues and to increase the formation of cyclic GMP through the activation of soluble guanylate cyclases. Since cyclic GMP plays an important role in visual transduction, we investigated the presence of nitric oxide synthesizing activity in retinal rod outer segments. Bovine rod outer segments were isolated intact and separated into membrane and cytosolic fractions. Nitric oxide synthase activity was assayed by measuring the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline. Both membrane and cytosolic fractions were active in the presence of calcium and calmodulin. The activity in both fractions was stimulated by the nitric oxide synthase cofactors FAD, FMN, and tetrahydrobiopterin and inhibited by the L-arginine analog, L-monomethyl arginine. The Km for L-arginine was similar, about 5 μM for the enzyme in both fractions. However, the two fractions differed in their calcium/calmodulin dependence: the membrane fraction exhibited basal activity even in the absence of added calcium and calmodulin while the cytosolic fraction was inactive. But the activity increased in both fractions when supplemented with calcium/calmodulin: in membranes from about 40 to 110 fmol/min/mg of protein and in the cytosol from near zero to about 350 fmol/min/mg of protein in assays carried out at 0.3 μM L-arginine. The two enzymes also responded differently to detergent: the activity of the membrane enzyme was doubled by Triton X-100 while that of the cytosolic enzyme was unaffected. These results show that NO is produced by cytosolic and membrane-associated enzymes with distinguishable properties. Investigations on the purity of isolated ROS showed that about 50% of the NOS activity is endogenous to the outer segments, and that the rest is due to membrane vesicles rich in Na, K-ATPase activity. If and how NO influences the rod outer segment physiology remains to be investigated.
Lower TSH and higher T4 levels are associated with current depressive syndrome in young adults.

Objective: The relationship of individual thyroid function indices to depression in those without a history of prior thyroid dysfunction is uncertain. Method: We examined the relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) levels and current or lifetime history of depressive symptoms using information from 6869 participants, aged 17–39 years, in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey without history of thyroid-related illness. Results: We found that lower TSH and higher T4 levels were associated with current depressive syndrome in men, but only higher T4 levels correlated with current depressive syndrome in women. Lifetime depressive syndrome was associated with neither TSH level nor T4 levels in men or women. Conclusion: These findings suggest that transient or ‘state dependent’ changes are associated with depression in those without a history of thyroid illness. Further studies to discern whether these depression-associated changes represent distinct endophenotypes of depression should be encouraged.
Conformational analysis of D1 dopamine receptor agonists: pharmacophore assessment and receptor mapping.

Compute-aided conformational analysis was used to characterize the agonist pharmacophore for D1 dopamine receptor recognition and activation. Dihydrexidine (DHX), a high-affinity full agonist with limited conformational flexibility, served as a structural template that aided in determining a molecular geometry that would be common for other more flexible, biologically active agonists. The intrinsic activity of the drugs at D1 receptors was assessed by their ability to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in rat striatal homogenates (the accepted measure of D1 receptor activation). In addition, affinity data on 12 agonists including six purported full agonists (dopamine, dihydrexidine, SKF89626, SKF82958, A70108, and A77636), as well as six less efficacious structural analogs, were obtained from D1 dopamine radioreceptor-binding assays. The active analog approach to pharmacophore building was applied as implemented in the SYBYL software package. Conformational analysis and molecular mechanics calculations were used to determine the lowest energy conformation of the active analogs (i.e., full agonists), as well as the conformations of each compound that displayed a common pharmacophoric geometry. It is hypothesized that DHX and other full agonists may share a D1 pharmacophore made up of two hydroxy groups, the nitrogen atom (ca. 7 A from the oxygen of m-hydroxyl) and the accessory ring system characterized by the angle between its plane and that of the catechol ring (except for dopamine and A77636). For all full agonists (DHX, SKF89626, SKF82958, A70108, A77636, and dopamine), the energy difference between the lowest energy conformer and those that displayed a common pharmacophore geometry was relatively small ( 300 nM) subsequently were used to define the receptor essential volume (i.e., sterically intolerable receptor regions). These volumes, together with the pharmacophore results, were integrated into a three-dimensional model estimating the D1 receptor active site topography.
Resonance Raman Spectra of a Perylene Bis(dicarboximide) Chromophore in Ground and Lowest Triplet States

Resonance Raman spectroscopy is employed to probe the ground (S0) and lowest triplet (T1) excited states of a perylene bis(dicarboximide) (PDI) dimer. Four bands at ∼1324, 1507, ∼1535, and 1597 cm–1 are signatures of the T1 excited state; a fifth band at ∼1160 cm–1 is tentatively assigned. Density functional calculations of an asymmetrically substituted PDI monomer match the experimental bands of the PDI dimer in both S0 and T1 states. The match supports a T1 excited state that is localized on a single PDI moiety of the dimer. The normal modes of the asymmetrically substituted PDI are correlated with ones calculated for the unsubstituted PDI in the D2h point group. Patterns in the Raman intensities are consistent with an A-term mechanism of enhancement. The positions of six bands are predicted for the resonance Raman spectrum of unsubstituted PDI in its T1 excited state. The spectra and normal-mode analysis reported here are expected to facilitate future studies of singlet fission in PDI crystals or other...
Gelling Properties of Tyrosinase-Treated Dairy Proteins

Protein-based viscous gels can augment or replace carbohydrate-based ones for specific nutritional formulations such as in reduced calorie or low-fat food applications. In this study, slurries of whey protein isolates and calcium caseinate mixed with alginic acid (20% T.S.) were subjected to high-shear homogenization (microparticulation) at 27,000 rpm for 2, 3, 4, and 6 min. The resulting slurries were incubated with mushroom tyrosinase (E.C. 1.14.18.1) at levels of 3, 6, and 9 mg/100 g for 15, 30, and 60 min to facilitate gel formation of the alginic acid with the homogenized dairy proteins. The results indicate that the time of high-shear homogenization had significant (P < 0.05) effect on the viscosities of the gels. Highest gel viscosity was obtained with 6 mg tyrosinase at 60 min, but increases in gel viscosity depended on time of shear, with 2 and 4 min shear resulting in higher viscosity (484 and 6,143 cP) and stronger complex viscosity (49 and 38 Pa.s at 1 rad/s), respectively, compared to the control (69 cP) and (12 Pa.s at 1 rad/s). Gels were stable in refrigerated storage up to 240 h, strengthened with time of refrigeration storage, and became significantly more viscoelastic. Optimal viscous properties were obtained at 4 min microparticulation, 60 min incubation, and 6 mg tyrosinase treatment.
Transient frequency modulation absorption spectroscopy of molecules produced in a laser ablation supersonic expansion source

Abstract Transient frequency modulation absorption spectroscopy has been applied to transition metal containing molecules generated in a laser ablation/chemical reaction supersonic expansion. The (0, 0) A ″ 1 Σ + – X 1 Σ + band system of PtC ( ν =12 643 cm −1 ) and the (1,0) C 3 Δ 1 – X 3 Δ sub-band system of TiS ( ν =12 065 cm −1 ) were recorded in single pass through the expanding gas 4 cm from the source.
Imaging of the Yellow Cameleon 3.6 indicator reveals that elevations in cytosolic Ca2+ follow oscillating increases in growth in root hairs of Arabidopsis

In tip-growing cells, the tip-high Ca(2+) gradient is thought to regulate the activity of components of the growth machinery, including the cytoskeleton, Ca(2+)-dependent regulatory proteins, and the secretory apparatus. In pollen tubes, both the Ca(2+) gradient and cell elongation show oscillatory behavior, reinforcing the link between the two. We report that in growing root hairs of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), an oscillating tip-focused Ca(2+) gradient can be resolved through imaging of a cytosolically expressed Yellow Cameleon 3.6 fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based Ca(2+) sensor. Both elongation of the root hairs and the associated tip-focused Ca(2+) gradient show a similar dynamic character, oscillating with a frequency of 2 to 4 min(-1). Cross-correlation analysis indicates that the Ca(2+) oscillations lag the growth oscillations by 5.3 +/- 0.3 s. However, growth never completely stops, even during the slow cycle of an oscillation, and the concomitant tip Ca(2+) level is always slightly elevated compared with the resting Ca(2+) concentration along the distal shaft, behind the growing tip. Artificially increasing Ca(2+) using the Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 leads to immediate cessation of elongation and thickening of the apical cell wall. In contrast, dissipating the Ca(2+) gradient using either the Ca(2+) channel blocker La(3+) or the Ca(2+) chelator EGTA is accompanied by an increase in the rate of cell expansion and eventual bursting of the root hair tip. These observations are consistent with a model in which the maximal oscillatory increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) is triggered by cell expansion associated with tip growth and plays a role in the subsequent restriction of growth.
Aśoka’s Disparagement of Domestic Ritual and Its Validation by the Brahmins

In his edicts, the emperor Aśoka Maurya extols brāhmaṇas, usually alongside ascetics (śramaṇas), as deserving honor and generosity, though he never alludes to their connection with ritual, the central theme of early Brahmanical literature. On the other hand, in Rock Edicts I and IX, he disparages sacrifices, and ceremonies performed by women, advocating instead the practice of ethical virtues. Close attention to the wording of Rock Edict IX shows that Aśoka and the Brahmanical Gṛhyasūtras talk about domestic rites in very similar terms, even describing them with the same adjective (uccāvaca). Both of them note the special role of women as a source of knowledge of such ceremonies, and differ only in how they evalute the value of such ceremonial: Aśoka disparages women’s rites, while some Gṛhyasūtras explicitly validate women as authorities in such matters. A comparison of these sources highlights the distinctive role of the term dhamma in Aśoka’s usage (in contrast to maṅgala (auspicious folk rites), and may provide some guidance for dating the Gṛhyasūtras. The fact that Aśoka does not explicitly connect such rites with the brāhmaṇas suggests that in his experience at least (i.e., in Magadha) Brahmins’ religious authority had nothing to do with domestic ritual. We may conclude that the Vedic canonization of Gṛhya ritual norms was not yet recognized outside of priestly circles, if it had developed yet at all.
A low-volume, high-pressure gas target for use in electron-scattering experiments

Abstract A thin-window, low-volume, high-pressure gas-target cell suitable for use in high-resolution electron-scattering investigations is described. Details of the design and construction as well as the results of several tests are discussed.
Correlation between G protein activation and reblocking kinetics of Ca2+ channel currents in rat sensory neurons.

Abstract Membrane depolarization relieves the G protein-mediated inhibition or block of high threshold Ca 2+ channel currents. We found that the net rate of reblocking depended on the extent of G protein activation. With low intracellular concentrations of GTPγS reblocking rates resembled inactivation rates; with higher concentrations reblocking rates increased progressively. Reblocking kinetics were fit with a sum of two exponential functions having time constants (in ms) τ F ⩾ 10 and τ S ⩾ 30. Unblock during depolarization was fit by a single exponential function with time constant τ A similar to τ F . A model was developed in which unblocking followed dissociation of a blocking molecule, possibly the G protein itself, from Ca 2+ channels, and reblocking occurred at rates that depended on the concentration of the blocking molecule. The time course of Ca 2+ entry and thus presynaptic Ca 2+ levels can be regulated by both the concentration of the G protein-dependent blocking particle and membrane potential.
Sources, degradation and recycling of organic matter associated with sinking particles in Lake Michigan

Sediment trap material collected at five depths from two locations in Lake Michigan has been studied to determine the sources of particulate organic matter and the early diagenetic changes which occur during sinking of particles. Aquatic material dominates in shallower depths whereas land-derived material is more important in near-bottom depths. Organic carbon concentrations decrease with depth as a result of remineralization of organic matter by microbial activity and dilution by resuspended bottom sediments. Preferential remineralization of algal organic matter and downslope transport of particulate matter from coastal areas create differences in the lipid biomarker characteristics of settling particles found at different depths in the water column. Calculations of apparent decomposition rate constants from lipid distri- butions at different depths show that shorter chainlength n-alkanoic acids are degraded faster than longer components. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions of total organic matter are nearly unaffected by large-scale amounts of remineralization during sinking.
Platelet and Red Blood Cell Utilization and Transfusion Independence in Umbilical Cord Blood and Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Hematopoietic Cell Transplants

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients have substantial transfusion requirements. Factors associated with increased transfusions and the extent of blood product use in umbilical cord blood (UCB) recipients are uncertain. We reviewed blood product use in 229 consecutive adult recipients of allogeneic HCT at the University of Minnesota: 147 with leukemia, 82 lymphoma or myeloma; 58% received unrelated UCB and 43% sibling donor peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts. Although neutrophil recovery was prompt (UCB median 17, range: 2-45 days, and PBSC 14, range: 3-34 days), only 135 of 229 (59% cumulative incidence) achieved red blood cell (RBC) independence and 157 (69%) achieved platelet independence by 6 months. Time to platelet independence was prolonged in UCB recipients (median UCB 41 versus PBSC 14 days) and in patients who had received a prior transplant (median 48 versus 32 days). Patients who received UCB grafts required more RBC through day 60 post-HCT (mean UCB 7.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.7-8.9) versus PBSC 5.2 (3.7-6.7) transfusions, P = .04), and more platelet transfusions (mean 25.2 (95% CI 22.1-28.2) versus 12.9 (9.4-16.4), P
Percutaneous Viabahn-assisted subintimal recanalization for severe superficial femoral artery occlusive disease.

Purpose To evaluate Viabahn-assisted subintimal recanalization (VASIR) in long recanalizations of the superficial femoral artery (SFA). Material and Methods Twenty-eight patients (15 men, 13 women; mean age, 70.6 years ± 11.2) were studied. Comorbidities were hypertension ( n = 24), coronary disease ( n = 16), and diabetes ( n = 11). Presenting symptoms were disabling claudication ( n = 14), rest pain ( n = 6), and tissue loss ( n = 8). Lesions were angiographically severe (TransAtlantic Intersociety Consensus [TASC] class D, n = 18; TASC class C, n = 8; TASC class B, n = 2); four of the 28 patients had no continuous run-off vessels. The SFA was recanalized percutaneously with standard subintimal techniques and then repaved with Viabahn stent-grafts. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was obtained and duplex imaging performed at 1 month and then every 3 months. Results Technical success was achieved in all 28 patients without complications. The mean ABI of 0.47 ± 0.18 before the procedure increased to 0.88 ± 0.20 after the procedure. Seventeen of the 28 patients developed palpable foot pulses. The mean follow-up was 8.2 months ± 3.6 (range, 1–13 months). Twelve recanalizations failed 1 day to 8 months after the procedure. Four patients underwent successful salvage, five underwent bypass, two chose no further therapy, and one required amputation. Thus, life-table primary patency is only 44% ± 16 but secondary patency is 57% ± 17. There was no correlation between failure and symptoms, lesion severity, or run-off status, but in eight of 12 failures, in which stents went from the adductor canal to just short of the SFA origin, stenosis occurred at the ends of the stent-grafts, which suggests that deformational forces from knee flexion may play an important role. Conclusions VASIR shows considerable promise as a primary treatment for SFA occlusions, with diligent follow-up and aggressive repeat intervention. When failure mechanisms are better understood, VASIR may be considered as a substitute for vein bypass in suitable patients.
The adoption of web banking at credit unions

Abstract This paper examines the decision to adopt web and personal computer banking by credit unions. It finds that larger credit unions are more likely to adopt new technologies, are more likely to adopt earlier, and are more likely to offer more advanced versions of the technology. There is also some evidence that credit unions that provide web access also tend to offer interest rate spreads that are less beneficial for their members.
Landscape project Pelican Bay

In 1972, Westinghouse Communities of Naples Inc. (WCN ) acquired the property that is now Pelican Bay (Fig. 1 ), a 2100-acre project located immediately north of Naples along Florida’s west Gulf Coast (Fig. 2). Pelican Bay is the first land development project to experience, from the very beginning, the full impact of the newly-passed regulations and policies and to catch the brunt of the new permitting process. This project, being located along the coast in Collier County, is ideally situated to take advantage of the wealthy seasonal clientele that visit Naples, Fort Myers and Tampa. It is an area known for its exclusive homes, fine restaurants and as one of Florida’s most affluent recreational areas. This rectangular-shaped project has 3 miles of coastline, over 500 acres of wetland and sizable areas of developable “upland” (Fig. 3 ) (Obley, 1983). After many years of uncontrolled land development activity, the state of Florida enacted numerous statutes to regulate the use of land. The regulatory system contains a framework of state, regional and local land use planning activities, a process for regional review of developments of regional impact and a program to protect areas of the state in which unsuitable land development practices could endanger resources of regional or statewide significance (deHaven-Smith, 1984), The state planning system requires local regulations to be consistent with a local comprehensive plan. The Local Government Comprehensive Planning Act of 1975 mandates local planning with regional authority being provided by the Florida Regional Planning Council Act of 1980. State planning is based on mandates provided by the Department of Community Affairs under the State Comprehensive Planning Act of 1972. Large-scale developments that have a substantial impact upon the health, safety or welfare of more than one county are assessed under the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) review process. A project designated as a DRI is subjected to approval at the local level, by the Regional Planning Council and Department of Community Affairs. Areas not suited to development are protected under the Areas of Critical State Con-
Imperial Consent and Post-Fordist Militarism in the USA

Without denying the culpability of officials who formulated and executed duplicitous policies of aggressive war, I suggest that imperial tendencies are deeply embedded in historical structures linking the US into the prevailing world order, and that in addition to political economy these historical structures encompass important areas of American popular culture and gender relations. Sin negar la culpabilidad de los oficiales que formularon y ejecutaron las politicas distorsionadoras de la guerra agresiva, yo sugiero que las tendencias imperiales estan profundamente integradas a las estructuras historicas, vinculando a los EE.UU. dentro del orden prevaleciente del mundo, y que ademas de la economia politica, estas estructuras rodean areas importantes de la cultura popular americana y de las relaciones de generos.
Comparison of semi-classical, exact quantum, and quasi-classical reactive transition probabilities for the collinear H + H2 reaction

The classical (CSC), primitive (PSC), and uniform (USC) semi-classical expressions for reactive transition probabilities of Miller and co-workers have been used to obtain reaction probabilities for the collinear H + H2 exchange reaction. Comparisons with exact quantum results for the 0 → 0 transition reveal that these semi-classical approximations are not very good, especially the CSC and PSC ones. The USC results are better, but the quasi-classical trajectory results give in average a more accurate description. For this transition, the extra effort required in going from the quasi-classical to the semi-classical probabilities did not produce an improvement in the results. For the 0 → 1 reactive transition the USC calculations are in fairly good qualitative agreement with the exact quantum results except for an upward shift of 0.08 eV in the effective threshold energy. They are somewhat better than the microscopically reversed quasi-classical ones.
Papaverine Delivery to the Internal Mammary Artery Pedicle Effectively Treats Spasm

Abstract Background Left internal mammary artery spasm is well recognized during coronary artery bypass operations. Papaverine has been used by many surgeons to maximize mammary artery flow perioperatively, but the best delivery method is not known. We analyzed two techniques used at our institution. Methods Fifty-eight patients were randomized into three groups to compare papaverine's ability to prevent spasm and to treat established spasm. Group 1 was control and no treatment was employed. In group 2, papaverine was injected with a blunt needle through the endothoracic fascia parallel to the mammary artery before harvest to assess spasm prevention. In group 3, papaverine was delivered perivascular in an identical manner to group 2 but after the mammary artery was dissected from the chest wall. This group was an evaluation of spasm treatment. Drug dosage was the same for both groups and routine bypass grafting was performed. Before anastomosing the mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery, blood flow was recorded for 15 seconds and flow per minute calculated. Cardiopulmonary bypass pressures were maintained at 70 mm Hg during collection. Results Mean blood flows were: group 1=86.2 mL/min, group 2=122.5 mL/min, and group 3=139.7 mL/min. Left internal mammary artery flow in group 3 was statistically different from control ( p = 0.0457). Group 2 flow approached but did not reach statistical significance ( p = 0.0874). Mammary artery dissection times for the three groups were not different. Conclusions Papaverine delivery to the left internal mammary artery after dissection treats spasm effectively, improves blood flow at the time of its anastamosis to the left anterior descending artery, and avoids any risk of intimal injury. Injection of papaverine before mammary artery harvest does not shorten dissection time, and flow is not statistically improved.
Surface covering curves

In this work, we present the concept of surface covering curves that can be used to construct wire sculptures or surface textures. We show that any mesh surface can be converted to a single closed 3D curve that follows the shape of the mesh surface. We have developed two methods to construct corresponding 3D ribbons and yarns from the mesh structure and the connectivity of the curve. The first method constructs equal thickness ribbons (or equal diameter yarns). The second method creates ribbons with changing thickness (or yarns with changing diameter) that can densely cover the mesh surface.Since each iteration of any subdivision scheme results in a denser mesh, the procedure outlined above can be used to obtain a denser and denser curve. These curves can densely cover a mesh surface in limit. Therefore, this approach along with a subdivision scheme provides visual results that are similar to space filling curves that are created by fractal algorithms. Unlike spacefilling curves which fills a square or a cube, our curves cover a surface, and henceforth, we called them "surface covering curves". Space covering curves also resemble TSP (traveling salesmen problem) art and Truchet-like curves that are embedded on surfaces.
Structure and activity of chloroplasts of sunflower leaves having various water potentials.

Changes in membrane integrity, conformation and configuration, and in photosystem II (PS II) activity (measured as dichloroindophenol photoreduction) of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) chloroplasts were studied after leaf tissue had been desiccated to various water potentials (ψw). Fixatives for electron microscopy were adjusted osmotically to within 1 bar of the ψw of the tissue to prevent rehydration during fixation. PS II activity decreased to 50% of the control activity at a ψw of-26 bar. At this ψw, leaf viability was being lost but there was virtually no loss of integrity of the thylakoid lamellar system. Even at extreme ψw (below-100 bar), thylakoids retained much structural detail but were less stained. At-26 bar, intrathylakoid spacing (configuration) and lamellar thickness (conformation) were decreased in vivo. Upon isolation of the plastids, the differences in configuration disappeared but the differences in conformation remained. The decreases in membrane conformation and PS II activity both, in vivo and in vitro suggest that alterations in conformation may cause decreases in chloroplast activity at ψw as low as-26 bar. Since structural detail was maintained, however, previous observations of altered membrane integrity, which involved tissue fixed without osmotic support, may have been affected by tissue rehydration during fixation.
TURNOUT AND REGISTRATION EFFECTS OF MOTOR VOTER LEGISLATION IN THE 1994 MIDTERM ELECTIONS

In this paper we examine the election registration and turnout effects of state level laws that resemble the National Voter Registration Act (also known as Motor Voter) in the 1994 Congressional elections. In 1994 there were 10 states and the District of Columbia with effective motor voter laws in statute. A multivariate analysis is applied to compare turnout differences, partisan distinctions, and registration levels in motor voter and non-motor voter states. We find that in motor voter states rates of voter registration and turnout are significantly higher. However, we find no statistical evidence that motor voter legislation leads to a partisan advantage for either of the two major parties.
Single-Chain Polymer Self-Assembly Using Complementary Hydrogen Bonding Units

A triblock copolymer containing the complementary hydrogen bonding recognition pair ureidoguanosine-diaminonaphthyridine (UG-DAN) as pendant functional groups is synthesized using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The norbornene-based DAN monomer is shown to allow for a controlled polymerization when polymerized in the presence of a modified-UG molecule that serves as a protecting group, subsequently allowing for the fabrication of functionalized triblock copolymers. The self-assembly of the copolymers was characterized using dynamic light scattering and (1) H NMR spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the polymers self-assemble via complementary hydrogen bonding motifs even at low dilutions, indicating intramolecular interactions.
BMP-2 vs. BMP-4 expression and activity in glucocorticoid-arrested MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts: Smad signaling, not alkaline phosphatase activity, predicts rescue of mineralization

Pharmacological glucocorticoids (GCs) inhibit bone formation, leading to osteoporosis. GCs inhibit bone morphogenetic protein-2 (Bmp2) expression, and rhBMP-2 restores mineralization in GC-arrested osteoblast cultures. To better understand how GCs regulate BMPs, we investigated Bmp transcription, as well as rhBMP-induced Smad and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Bmp2 cis-regulatory regions were analyzed by reporter plasmids and LacZ-containing bacterial artificial chromosomes. We found that GCs inhibited Bmp2 via a domain > 50 kb downstream of the coding sequence. Bmp expression was evaluated by RT-PCR; whereas GCs strongly inhibited Bmp2, Bmp4 was abundantly expressed and resistant to GCs. Both rhBMP-2 and rhBMP-4 restored mineralization in GC-arrested cultures; rhBMP-2 was 5-fold more effective when dosing was based on ALP activation, however, the rhBMPs were equipotent when dosing was based on Smad transactivation. In conclusion, GCs regulate Bmp2 via a far-downstream domain, and activation of Smad, not ALP, best predicts the pro-mineralization potential of rhBMPs.
Induction of collagenase-3 (MMP-13) in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts

There is a growing body of evidence that implicates matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) as major players in numerous diseased conditions. The articular cartilage degradation that is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is believed to be mediated by the collagenase subfamily of matrix metalloproteinases. The preference of collagenase-3 (CL-3) for collagen type II makes it a likely candidate in the turnover of articular cartilage and a potential target for drug development. In this study, RA synovial membrane tissue was shown to express CL-3 mRNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and protein by immunohistochemistry. Fibroblasts isolated and cultured from RA synovial membrane tissue were induced to express CL-3 mRNA. CL-3 mRNA was detected after PMA treatment in 16 of the 18 RA synovial membrane fibroblast cell lines established for this study. These fibroblasts also expressed mRNA for collagenase-1 (CL-1, MMP-1), membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase, gelatinase A, gelatinase B, stromelysin-1, stromelysin-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. They were further shown to express CL-1 mRNA constitutively and CL-3 mRNA only after stimulation with PMA, IL-1, TGF-beta1, TNF-alpha, or IL-6 with IL-6sR. These fibroblasts also expressed after induction both CL-1 and CL-3 at the protein level as determined by Western blot analyses and immunofluorescence.
Engineering Recoverability: A New Indicator of Design for Engineering Resilience

Design of engineering resilient systems is an emerging research field. The contribution of this paper is to i) define engineering resilience on the basis of various resilience concepts in different fields; ii) propose the engineering recoverability as a new component in the framework of designing engineering resilient systems; and iii) introduce a general mathematical formulation to quantify the engineering resilience. One case study of a CNC machining system is used to demonstrate the value of designing engineering resilient systems.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Systematic overview of Krigia (Asteraceae-Lactuceae)

Cytological and morphological variation among Krigia species is examined. Krigia exhibits a broad range of chromosome numbers including n = 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, and 30. Section Krigia is characterized by reflexed phyllaries and a base chromosome number of x = 5, while section Cymbia is characterized by erect phyllaries and chromosome numbers of n = 4, 6, and 9. The micromorphological characteristics of achenes, pappus, styles, corolla, pollen, stomata, and trichomes are documented using scanning electron microscopy. Among these, the pappus shows the greatest diversity and three major types are identified: 1) a pappus of many bristles and scales, as in K. dandelion, K. montana, and K. biflora; 2) a pappus of five bristles and five scales, as in K. virginica and K. occidentalis; and 3) an absent or highly reduced pappus, as in the K. cespitosa complex and K. wrightii. Thirty-five cytological and morphological characters are subjected to phylogenetic analyses. The two sections, Krigia and Cymbia, form monophyletic lineages. Within section Krigia, the annual species, K. virginica, forms an independent clade, while the perennial species, K. dandelion, K. biflora, and K. montana, form a monophyletic clade. Krigia montana and K. biflora are identified as sister species and a hybrid between these has been identified. The hybrid is more similar morphologically to K. montana than K. biflora. Within section Cymbia, phylogenetic relationships among K. wrightii, K. occidentalis, and K. cespitosa are uncertain. Nine taxa of Krigia are herein recognized: K. dandelion, K. biflora, K. biflora var. viridis (comb. nov.), K. montana, K. virginica, K. wrightii (comb. nov.), K. occidentalis, K. cespitosa, and K. cespitosa f. gracilis (comb. nov.). Phylogenetic relationships among 12 taxa of Krigia species are compared using various combinations of morphology, chloroplast DNA, and nuclear ribosomal DNA data. Tree topologies from different combinations of data are largely congruent. The most resolved phylogenetic tree is obtained using the combined data from morphology, chloroplast DNA, and nuclear ribosomal DNA.
Notions of Identity, Society, and Rhetoric in a Speech Code of Science Among Scientists and Engineers Working in Nanotechnology

This ethnography of communication was concerned with discovering a speech code in the discourse about values in science used by scientists and engineers working in nanoscale science and engineering...
More Than Just a “Reference Librarian”

In most undergraduate colleges, librarians are involved in conducting Information Literacy classes and helping students at the reference desk. I consider these two services to be teaching. Surely, ...
Localization of a Drosophila melanogaster homolog of the putative juvenile hormone esterase binding protein of Manduca sexta.

Abstract A putative juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) binding protein, P29, was isolated from the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta [J. Biol. Chem. 275(3), 1802–1806]. A homolog of P29 was identified in Drosophila melanogaster by sequence alignment. This gene, CG3776 was cloned, recombinant DmP29 expressed in Escheriscia coli and two anti-DmP29 antisera raised. In vitro binding of the P29 homolog to Drosophila JHE was confirmed. P29 mRNA and an immunoreactive protein of 25 kDa were detected in Drosophila larvae, pupae and adults. The predicted size of the protein is 30 kDa. Drosophila P29 is predicted to localize to mitochondria (MitoProt; 93% probability) and has a 6 kDa N-terminal targeting sequence. Subcellular organelle fractionation and confocal microscopy of Drosophila S2 cells confirmed that the immunoreactive 25 kDa protein is present in mitochondria but not in the cytosol. Expression of P29 without the predicted N-terminal targeting sequence in High Five TM cells showed that the N-terminal targeting sequence is shorter than predicted, and that a second, internal mitochondrial targeting signal is also present. An immunoreactive protein of 50 kDa in the hemolymph does not result from alternative splicing of CG3776 but may result from dimerization of P29. The function of P29 in mitochondria and the possible interaction with JHE are discussed.
Inhibition of glutamine synthetase reduces ammonia-induced astrocyte swelling in rat

Astrocyte hypertrophy and swelling occur in a variety of pathophysiological conditions, including diseases associated with hyperammonemia. Ammonia is rapidly incorporated into glutamine by glutamine synthetase localized in astrocytes. We tested the hypotheses that (1) 6 h of hyperammonemia (500–600 μM) is adequate for producing astrocyte enlargement, and (2) astrocyte enlargement is attenuated by inhibition of glutamine synthetase with methionine sulfoximine. Pentobarbital-anesthetized rats received an intravenous infusion of either sodium or ammonium acetate after intraperitoneal pretreatment with vehicle, methionine sulfoximine (0.8 mmol/kg) or buthionine sulfoximine (4 mmol/kg), an analogue that does not inhibit glutamine synthetase. Hyperammonemia produced enlarged cortical astrocytes characterized by (1) decreased electron density of cytoplasmic matrix in perikaryon, processes and perivascular endfeet, (2) increased circumference of nuclear membrane, (3) increased numbers of mitochondria and rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum in perikarya and large processes, and (4) less compact bundles of intermediate filaments. Pretreatment with methionine sulfoximine, but not buthionine sulfoximine, attenuated the decrease in cytoplasmic density and the increase in nuclear circumference; most perivascular endfeet remained as dense as occurred with sodium acetate infusion. However, increased numbers of organelles in expanded perikarya and large processes occurred after methionine sulfoximine treatment with and without ammonium acetate infusion. In separate groups of rats, hyperammonemia produced an increase in cortical tissue water content which was inhibited by methionine sulfoximine, but not buthionine sulfoximine. We conclude that clinically-relevant levels of hyperammonemia can cause astrocyte enlargement within 6 h in vivo characterized by both watery cytoplasm and increased organelles indicative of a cellular metabolic stress and altered astrocyte function. The watery cytoplasm component of astrocyte enlargement depends on glutamine synthesis rather than on ammonium ions per se, and is possibly caused by the osmotic effect accumulated glutamine.
A Combined Analysis of Agronomic Traits and Allozyme Allele Frequencies for 69 Cannabis Accessions

Abstract This study reports on a combined analysis of phenotypic traits and allozyme allele frequencies for 69 accessions from the CPRO Cannabis germplasm collection. Sample populations of each accession were evaluated for achene traits, cannabinoid content, days to maturity, plant height, leaflet shape, fiber traits, and root-knot nematode resistance. Sample populations were also assayed for 11 enzymes using starch gel electrophoresis and the frequencies of 49 alleles encoded at 17 gene loci were determined. The phenotypic and genetic data sets were combined and analyzed by principal components (PC) analysis. A scatter plot on the first two PC axes shows that southern and eastern Asian hemp (fiber/seed) accessions group apart from hemp accessions from Europe, Asia Minor, and central Asia. On average, the former group matured later and had significantly higher levels of THC and lower levels of CBD, wider leaflets relative to their length, longer xylem fibers, and lower bast fiber content.
Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: an uncommon pediatric renal mass.

Sir, We enjoyed reading the recent article of Smith et al. [1]. Even though xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is uncommon in children, more than 265 cases have been reported in the literature [2]. The only uniqueness of this case is the patient’s young age of 3 years, as has been mentioned. XGP is diffuse in more than 90% of cases, as described. XGP is most commonly caused by Proteus mirabilis, as in this case report, or Escherichia coli infection. We feel that we could add to the literature by presenting our case of focal XGP in a 17-year-old girl caused by a relatively uncommon Enterococcus infection. The girl had a liver transplant when she was 2 years old for autoimmune hepatitis. She presented with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and a 22 kg weight loss over a 3-month period. She also had poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and chronic transplant rejection. Two months prior to presentation, urine culture was positive for Enterococcus fecalis, which was treated with antibiotics. She was afebrile with negative urinalysis for infection at the time of presentation. To evaluate for hypertension and headaches on admission, renal sonogram was done which showed a focal hypoechoic hypovascular mass in the right kidney (Fig. 1). Since post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, lymphoma or other renal neoplasms were in the differential considerations along with atypical infection, a preand post-contrast-enhanced CT of abdomen and pelvis (DLP 761 mGy-cm, standardized for a 32-cm adult phantom) was done, which again showed a hypodense mass in the right kidney (Fig. 2). A core biopsy confirmed XGP (Fig. 3). A renal biopsy culture was positive for Enterococcus fecalis. This patient was successfully treated by conservative management with antibiotics, which is also very uncommon since most patients are managed with nephrectomy. The patient died 2 years later from other complications and on autopsy, the XGP lesion in the right kidney had resolved. In summary, XGP has to be considered in the differential diagnosis in a pediatric patient of any age