cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breeding Durum and Bread Wheat Lines Resistant to High Temperatures during Grain Filling Period

This study involves three growing seasons (1996 to 1999) under Bornova conditions in Izmir. A total of 90 durum and bread wheat genotypes were grown to define the most desirable genotypes in terms of grain yield and heading date as a selection criteria of earliness in the 1996–97 crop season. Ten durum and five bread wheat parents were selected based on the results of the first year preliminary experiment. Ten durum and five bread wheat parent-diallel crosses without reciprocals were made by hand pollination in 1997–98 crop season. Forty-five durum and ten bread wheat F1 crosses obtained were grown in progeny rows with two replications in 1998–99 crop season. Variance analyses performed indicated that there were statistically significant differences among the F1 cross combinations for grain yield and heading date which didn’t have any significant correlation with each other in both durum and bread wheat cross populations. The analyses of general and specific combining ability showed that Tokak Schka Eid (durum) and Atay 85 (bread) wheat genotypes were the best combiner parents. Epidur × 97mbvd-12, Tokak Schka Eid × Firat 93, Cosmidur × Gokgol 79 and Cosmidur × Ambral durum and Atay 85 × Kirgiz bread wheat crosses having higher specific combining abilities were determined as promising cross populations in further generations.
Critical condition of electrohydrodynamic jetting from a polymer-solution droplet on a conductive wire

An experimental study was conducted to determine the threshold electrostatic field to initiate electrohydrodynamic jetting from a polymer solution droplet wetting on a conductive wire. The study is crucial to understand the roles of the material and process parameters in wire-based needleless electrospinning for controllable mass production of continuous nanofibers. Two types of polymer solutions, i.e., polyacrylonitrile/N,N-dimethylformamide (PAN/DMF) and aqueous polyethyloxide solution (PEO/H2O), with the mass concentrations of 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16% for PAN and 1%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% for PEO, respectively, were considered in the experiments. Taut thin copper wires with diameters of 0.254, 0.508, 1.016, and 1.524 mm (i.e., 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06 in.) were utilized, respectively, as the positive electrodes. The effects of the polymer concentration and wire diameter on the threshold electrical voltage for jetting initiation and nanofiber diameter were examined. Given the droplet volume and spacing between the copper wire and fiber collector, experimental observations show that the threshold electrical voltage increases with increasing either polymer mass concentration or wire diameter. In addition, the effects of polymer mass concentration on the transient shear viscosity and surface tension of the PAN/DMF solutions were examined. It shows the positive correlation between the transient shear viscosity and polymer mass concentration, shear thinning of the polymer solution at a high shear rate, and nearly constant surface tension of the polymer solution in the range of the present PAN mass concentration. Furthermore, a simple electrostatic model is formulated to phenomenologically elucidate the experimental observations. The present study provides useful scaling laws for controllable scale-up nanofiber fabrication by means of a wire-based needleless electrospinning technique.
CHD-Squared: Congenital Heart Disease and Complex Hematologic Decision-Making in a Pregnant Patient

Introduction: Adult congenital heart disease is a quintessential representation of the unique diagnostic and management dilemmas seen in medicine/pediatrics. Patients with Fontan physiology are particularly complex as they are prone to many late complications: this complexity is compounded in pregnancy. Case Report: A 19 year-old G2P1001 with past medical history significant for pulmonary atresia with intact intraventricular septum status post Fontan presented to the emergency department with dyspnea and chest pain. She had been evaluated two days earlier for right leg swelling: ultrasound done at that time was negative for …
Visit-to-visit blood pressure variability and sleep architecture

Visit-to-visit blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Sleep architecture characterizes the distribution of different stages of sleep and may be important in CVD development. We examined the association between visit-to-visit BPV and sleep architecture using in-lab polysomnographic data from 3,565 patients referred to an academic sleep center. BPV was calculated using the intra-individual coefficient of variation of BP measures collected 12 months before the sleep study. We conducted multiple linear regression analyses to assess the association of systolic and diastolic BPV with sleep architecture-rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep duration. Our results show that systolic BPV was inversely associated with REM sleep duration (p = .058). When patients were divided into tertile groups based on their BPV, those in the third tertile (highest variability) spent 2.7 fewer minutes in REM sleep than those in the first tertile (lowest variability, p = .032), after adjusting for covariates. We did not find an association of systolic BPV with other measures of sleep architecture. Diastolic BPV was not associated with sleep architecture either. In summary, our study showed that greater systolic BPV was associated with lower REM sleep duration. Future investigation is warranted to clarify the directionality, mechanism, and therapeutic implications.
Communicating with Memes: Consequences in Post-Truth Civilization: Grant Kien. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2019, 250 pp., ISBN No. 978-1-4985-5133-5 (hardcover).

In his book Communicating with Memes: Consequences in Post-Truth Civilization, Grant Kien talks about the political, social, global, and ethical aspects of memetic communication. These aspects comp...
Strong earthquakes in Azerbaijan for historical and contemporary periods (conceptual review)

Based on the results of the study of literary and archival primary sources, the paper clarifies the available information about catastrophic and destructive earthquakes in Azerbaijan for the historical period with a magnitude of M≥6. Among the strong historical earthquakes in Azerbaijan there are the following: earthquakes in 427, the Ganja (Goygol in 1139), the Ganja in 1235, the East Caucasian in 1667 (± 1 year), the Mashtaga (1842), numerous Shamakhi earthquakes (1192, 1667, 1668, 1669, 1828, 1859, 1868, 1872, 1902), Ardebil (1924), Lankaran (1913), Caspian earthquakes (957, 1812, 1842, 1852, 1911, 1935, 1961, 1963, 1986, 1989, 2000), which caused both changes in the relief of the Earth’s surface, and the destruction of buildings and numerous human casualties. The background seismicity was investigated based on the results of continuous instrumental observations for the period 1902—2019. Seismic processes are unevenly distributed on the territory of Azerbaijan. Existing catalogs of seismic events have been investigated. The behavioral changes in seismicity parameters have been studied. An overview conceptual analysis of two main methods for assessing seismic hazard is given: probabilistic and deterministic, which have found their wide application in recent decades. In conclusion, the most important and general tasks of future seismological studies are emphasized, which are to be performed in the next decades.
The WTO Agreement on Government Procurement: A Necessary Evil in the Legal Strategy for Development in the Poor World

Save for limited flexibilities, such as those introduced by Article XVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade ("GATT") at the 1954-55 GATT Review Session, few options are left for poor development-conscious members of the World Trade Organization ("WTO") that wish to nurture domestic industries in this era of intense cross-border business competition.1 On the strength of GATT Article XVIII, developing countries that are WTO Members are allowed to advance the "infant-industry argument" 2 to back
The Strengths Model: Case Management with People with Psychiatric Disabilities

1. History, Critique, and Useful Conceptions: Toward a Strengths Paradigm 2. A Beginning Theory of Strengths 3. The Purpose, Principles, and Research Results of the Strengths Model 4. Engagement and Relationship: A New Partnership 5. Strengths Assessment: Amplifying the Well Part of the Individual 6. Personal Planning: Creating the Achievement Agenda 7. Resource Acquisition: Putting Community Back into Community Mental Health 8. Supportive Case Management Context: Creating the Conditions for Effectiveness 9. Strenghts Model Epilogue: Commonly Asked Questions (Objections) and Managed Care
La posición intermediaria de los afroamericanos de clase social media en Estados Unidos

El presente articulo tiene como objetivo brindar perspicacia sobre la posicion socioeconomica de los afroamericanos en comparacion con los blancos y entre si en Estados Unidos (EU), y reflexionar sobre el rol sociopolitico de la clase social media y media alta negra dentro de la comunidad negra. Se presentan dos tendencias que caracterizan la estratificacion de raza y de clase social en EU, incluyendo la existencia de desigualdades generalizadas entre blancos y negros, y el surgimiento de una clase media y media alta negra que, a pesar de su exito, sigue experimentando desventajas con respeto a los blancos. Estas realidades socioeconomicas senalan que los afroamericanos con recursos ocupan un rol intermediario en la vida social y politica de los barrios y organizaciones negros, y esto es el tercer aporte del articulo. Mediante una investigacion etnografica de un barrio negro en la ciudad de Chicago, se demuestra como los afroamericanos de clase media manejan este rol intermediario y como es posible que sus intervenciones puedan mejorar o perjudicar el bienestar de los afrodescendientes mas vulnerables.
Effects of Dietary Leucine, α-Ketoisocaproate and Isovalerate on Antibody Production and Lymphocyte Blastogenesis in Growing Lambs

The chronic effects of oral leucine and leucine metabolites on sheep immune function were determined in two experiments. In replicate experiments, 30 mixed-breed ram lambs were individually fed diets supplemented with approximately 0.05% ruminally protected limestone (control), alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC), isovalerate (IVA) or leucine (Leu). Serum titers of antibodies produced in response to Brucella abortus antigen and porcine red blood cells were determined. Mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenesis was determined in experiment 2 by adding phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) or pokeweed mitogen (PWM) to isolated lymphocytes and measuring [3H]thymidine incorporation. In both experiments, in lambs fed Leu, antibody production to porcine red blood cells was approximately 80% (P less than 0.05) of that in control animals. When KIC was fed, antibody titers to porcine red blood cells were approximately 120% (P less than 0.05) of that of controls. Compared to controls background lymphocyte blastogenesis was higher when KIC was fed, whereas background blastogenesis was lower when Leu was fed (KIC vs. Leu; P less than 0.05). IVA did not significantly affect either measurement. These data indicate that feeding Leu may adversely affect immune function by suppressing lymphocyte activity, whereas oral administration of KIC has a positive influence on immune function in sheep by increasing lymphocyte activity.
Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Supracerebellar-Infratentorial Surgery of the Pineal Region: Anatomical Comparison of Four Variant Approaches

Objective The endoscopic supracerebellar-infratentorial (SCIT) approach is a viable method to access pathology of the posterior incisura, but a narrow working space and frequent instrument conflict can potentially limit its surgical efficacy. Until now, no rigorous studies were available comparing surgical freedom and angle of attack for four previously well-described approaches to pineal region targets. Methods Four formalin-fixed cadaver heads were dissected bilaterally (eight sides). A midline approach and three progressively lateral approaches to the pineal region were performed (paramedian, lateral, extreme lateral), and anatomical targets were identified. Utilizing frameless stereotaxy, we calculated surgical freedom using the vector cross-product method for all approaches for the exposed area and for three anatomical targets (pineal gland, ipsilateral superior colliculus, splenium). The mean and maximum possible angles of attack were calculated in the axial and sagittal planes. Results Point target surgical freedom, exposed area surgical freedom, and angle of attack for each individual pineal region target can be maximized depending on the medial-to-lateral location of the craniotomy. For endoscopic-controlled approaches, the extreme lateral approach provides the largest surgical freedom when accessing the ipsilateral superior colliculus ( P P P P P Conclusions Presurgical planning and a detailed understanding of the important neurovascular structures in the pineal region are paramount to safe and successful surgical execution. Our current cadaveric study indicates that the medial-to-lateral location of craniotomy can maximize access to pineal region targets. Furthermore, the endoscope is a viable alternative to the microscope for identifying pathology of the posterior incisura. These differences in surgical freedom and angle of attack to the pineal region may be useful to consider when planning minimal-access approaches.
Kinetic Modeling of Normal ATRP, Normal ATRP with [CuII]0, Reverse ATRP and SR&NI ATRP

The kinetics of various ATRP systems, including normal ATRP, normal ATRP in the presence of initially-added CU II , reverse ATRP and SRN in contrast, SR&NI ATRP undergoes a continuous increase in radical concentration, leading to an increase of the polymerization rate. All of these ATRP methods can afford a relatively fast polymerization rate and retain good polymerization control.
Theoretical bound on the thermoelectric figure of merit

An attempt to determine the upper theoretical limit of the well-known materials parameter, the figure of merit z.
Laparoscopic Renal Descensus for Upper Tract Reconstruction

We describe a modern use of laparoscopic renal descensus during the reconstruction of the upper urinary tract. The patient is a 76-year-old mononephric man with recurrent carcinoma in situ in the distal ureter. Using the described technique, we produced an additional 8 to 10 cm of ureteral length and performed a simple ureteroneocystotomy instead of using a traditional psoas hitch and Boari flap creation, bowel interposition, or autotransplantation. Laparoscopic renal descensus is an uncommonly used but simple procedure that may prevent the need for bladder mobilization or Boari flap creation, particularly in the setting of a hostile pelvis.
Differential alterations in muscarinic receptor subtypes in Alzheimer's disease: Implications for cholinergic-based therapies

Abstract Molecular subtypes of muscarinic receptors (m1–m5) are novel targets for cholinergic replacement therapies in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, knowledge concerning the relative distribution, abundance and functional status of these receptors in human brain and AD is incomplete. Recent data from our laboratory have demonstrated a defect in the ability of the M1 receptor subtype to form a high affinity agonist-receptor-G protein complex in AD frontal cortex. This defect is manifested by decreased M1 receptor-stimulated GTPγS binding and GTPase activity and by a loss in receptor-stimulated phospholipase C activity. Normal levels of G proteins suggest that the aberrant receptor-G protein interaction may result from an altered form of the m1 receptor in AD. The combined use of radioligand binding and receptor-domain specific antibodies has permitted the re-examination of the status of muscarinic receptor subtypes in the human brain. In AD, normal levels of m1 receptor [3H]-pirenzepine binding contrasted with diminished m1 immunoreactivity, further suggesting that there is an altered form of the m1 receptor in the disease. Reduced m2 immunoreactivity was consistent with decreased numbers of m2 binding sites. Increased levels of m4 receptors were observed in both binding and immunoreactivity measurements. These findings suggest one possible explanation for the relative ineffectiveness of cholinergic replacement therapies used to date and suggest potential new directions for development of effective therapeutic strategies for AD.
2‐methoxyestradiol inhibits differentiation and is cytotoxic to osteoclasts

2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME), a naturally occurring metabolite of 17beta-estradiol, is highly cytotoxic to a wide range of tumor cells but is harmless to most normal cells. However, 2-ME prevented bone loss in ovariectomized rats, suggesting it inhibits bone resorption. These studies were performed to determine the direct effects of 2-ME on cultured osteoclasts. 2-ME (2 microM) reduced osteoclast number by more than 95% and induced apoptosis in three cultured osteoclast model systems (RAW 264.7 cells cultured with RANKL, marrow cells co-cultured with stromal support cells, and spleen cells cultured without support cells in media supplemented with RANKL and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF)). The 2-ME-mediated effect was ligand specific; 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE), the immediate precursor to 2-ME, exhibited less cytotoxicity; and 2-methoxyestrone (2-MEOE1) the estrone analog of 2-ME, was not cytotoxic. Co-treatment with ICI 182,780 did not antagonize 2-ME, suggesting that the cytotoxicity was not estrogen receptor-dependent. 2-ME-induced cell death in RAW 264.7 cells coincided with an increase in gene expression of cytokines implicated in inhibition of differentiation and induction of apoptosis. In addition, the 2-ME-mediated decrease in cell survival was partially inhibited by anti-lymphotoxin(LT)beta antibodies, suggesting that 2-ME-dependent effects involve LTbeta. These results suggest that 2-ME could be useful for treating skeletal diseases in which bone resorption is increased, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis and cancer metastasis to bone.
The determination of traces of organic material in aqueous solutions

Abstract Trace quantities of organic material in aqueous solution are determined by wet oxidation of the organic material and volumetric measurement of the resulting carbon dioxide. Recovery of CO 2 from standard samples averages ⪢97 %. The sensitivity of the method is limited only by a blank determination of 2 · 10 −7 mol per sample. The method has been applied to the measurement of tributyl phosphate (TBP) in equilibrium with water.
Gas evolution from cathode materials: A pathway to solvent decomposition concomitant to SEI formation

Abstract This work reports a method to explore the catalytic reactivity of electrode surfaces toward the decomposition of carbonate solvents [ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and EC/DMC]. We show that the decomposition of a 1:1 wt% EC/DMC mixture is accelerated over certain commercially available LiCoO 2 materials resulting in the formation of CO 2 while over pure EC or DMC the reaction is much slower or negligible. The solubility of the produced CO 2 in carbonate solvents is high (0.025 g mL −1 ) which masks the effect of electrolyte decomposition during storage or use. The origin of this decomposition is not clear but it is expected to be present on other cathode materials and may affect the analysis of SEI products as well as the safety of Li-ion batteries.
Roughness, bluntness, and angle-of-attack effects on hypersonic boundary-layer transition

An investigation was conducted in a hypersonic shock tunnel to study the laminar boundary-layer transition on a highly cooled 10° cone of 4 ft. length over the Mach-number range of 8·5 to 10·5 with a stagnation temperature of 1400 °K. The effects on transition of tip surface roughness, tip bluntness, and ± 2° angle of attack were investigated. With fast-response, thin film surface heat-transfer gauges, it was possible to detect the passage of turbulent bursts which appeared at the beginning of transition. Pitot-tube surveys and schlieren photographs of the boundary layer were obtained to verify the interpretation of the heat-transfer data. It was found that the surface roughness greatly promoted transition in the proper Reynolds-number range. The Reynolds numbers for the beginning and end of transition at the 8·5 Mach-number location were 3·8 × 106−9·6 × 106 and 2·2 × 106−4·2 × 106 for the smooth sharp tip and rough sharp tip respectively. The local skin-friction data, determined from the Pitot-tube survey, agreed with the heat-transfer data obtained through the modified Reynolds analogy. The tip-bluntness data showed a strong delay in the beginning of transition for a cone base-to-tip diameter ratio of 20, approximately a 35% increase in Reynolds number over that of the smooth sharp-tip case. The angle-of-attack data indicated the cross flow to have a strong influence on transition by promoting it on the sheltered side of the cone and delaying it on the windward side.
Breast cancer vaccines: maximizing peptide-based vaccines by regulatory T cell depletion and toll-like receptor 9 activation

Background Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world due to high incidence and favorable prognoses. Relapse is the major cause of mortality and will occur in up to 65% of patients with node-positive disease. Thus, effective longterm protection strategies are needed for preventing relapse. One approach that has generated interest in recent years is cancer vaccines. One of the problems with the translation of cancer vaccines is that multiple boosters are required in order to generate high-avidity memory immunity that is able to recognize naturally processed antigens. Our goal in this study was to determine if the need for boosters could be eliminated by preconditioning the immune system with anti-CD25 antibodies, which is known to deplete regulatory T cells, the latter of which are known to regulate the development of high-avidity memory T cells.
Remission induction with lenalidomide alone in a patient with previously untreated plasmablastic myeloma: a case report.

Abstract Multiple myeloma patients with plasmablastic morphology of tumor cells and extramedullary presentation of disease often have an aggressive clinical course and resistance to chemotherapy. We describe a case of an elderly patient who presented with extramedullary, IgA-λ—secreting multiple myeloma with plasmablastic features who demonstrated impressive clinical response to single-agent lenalidomide. This is the first description of a plasmablastic variety of multiple myeloma successfully treated with lenalidomide alone.
Confidential reproductive health services for minors: the potential impact of mandated parental involvement for contraception.

CONTEXT: Recent legislative efforts to implement mandated parental involvement for minor adolescents seeking family planning services threaten the rights of adolescents younger than 18 to access reproductive health care. METHODS: State and federal laws and policies pertaining to minor adolescents' rights to access services for contraception and sexually transmitted diseases are reviewed, and research examining issues of parental involvement among adolescents using clinic-based reproductive health services is synthesized. RESULTS: Attempts to mandate parental involvement for reproductive health care often focus on contraceptive services and are typically linked to federal or state funding. Studies of teenagers using clinic-based family planning services suggest that slightly more than one-half would obtain contraceptives at family planning clinics even if parental notification were required. Mandated parental involvement for contraception would discourage few teenagers from having sex, but would likely result in more teenagers' using the least effective methods, such as withdrawal, or no method at all. Family planning clinics encourage teenagers to voluntarily talk to their parents, but relatively little information is available about the extent to which activities to promote parent-child communication have been adopted. CONCLUSIONS: Mandated parental involvement for teenagers seeking contraceptive care would likely contribute to increases in rates of teenage pregnancy. Research that will help clinics implement and improve efforts to encourage voluntary parental involvement is urgently needed.
Collisional effects in laser detection of tropospheric OH

The use of laser-induced fluorescence to measure OH in the troposphere is discussed. It is noted that quantitative laser detection of OH requires knowledge of collisional processes affecting the measurements and interference effects due to OH generated by laser photolytic processes. Collisions induce quenching of the excited A-state, as well as vibrational and rotational energy transfer in the excited and ground states. It is noted that the state-specific nature of these processes is important, especially the rotational level dependence of quenching and vibrational transfer in excited OH. Also important is the temperature dependence according to which quenching cross sections sharply increase with decreasing temperature. Laboratory experiments studying these collisional processes are described, and their implications for laser detection of tropospheric OH are examined.
Will You Covenant Marry Me? A Preliminary Look at a New Type of Marriage

In a backlash to the growing divorce rate, three states have begun to offer covenant contracts — a more binding form of legal marriage. From a policy and public finance standpoint, it is important to understand how covenant availability may change the marrying and divorcing behavior of couples. This paper serves as a preliminary analysis of covenant marriage contracts. It describes who is choosing these unions and why. It uses both standard and behavioral economic approaches to explore theoretically why whether couples are using this new type of marriage to signal to or screen potential partners, or perhaps as a commitment device. Empirical evidence suggests that this marriage may be a commitment device and draws into question whether or not this option is effective in its goal of creating stronger, happier unions, and decreasing divorce rates.
Accessibility Changes and Urban House Price Appreciation: A Constrained Optimization Approach to Determining Distance Effects

Abstract Land use and location theory suggests that accessibility is an important determinant of residential land values, and of changes in those values. This study explores the construction of the Dames Point Bridge over the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida, to examine the impact of changes in accessibility on housing values. Benefits to the north, from increased accessibility from the urban perimeter, are of primary interest. Additionally, dis-benefits to the south, (from increased traffic congestion and crime), are also investigated. A constrained optimization approach is used to determine the extent (distance from the bridge) to which changes in accessibility benefits or dis-benefits are reflected in urban house price appreciation.
Automated on-chip droplet dispensing with volume control by electro-wetting actuation and capacitance metering

Abstract In this work, a method is presented for controlling on-chip droplet dispensing by electro-wetting actuation in conjunction with capacitance feedback. The method exploits the built-in capacitance of an electro-wetting device to meter the droplet volume and control the dispensing process. A self-contained system is built to provide continuous-flow loading, capacitance measurement, and electro-wetting chip control. Automated droplet generation at rates up to 120 droplets/min is demonstrated for droplets of 0.1 M KCl aqueous solution dispensed onto 1 mm pitch buried electrodes and a 500 μm channel gap. The reproducibility of the droplet volumes is tested against dispensing parameters including production rate, fluid viscosity, channel aspect ratio, dispensing needle position and dispensing volume. The overall reproducibility is ±5% for production rates varying from 8 to 45 droplets/min and ±6% for fluidic viscosity ranging from 1 to 58 Cst, which implies the application of the method to wide ranges of solutions and pressures. Feedback metering compares well with droplet dispensing without capacitance feedback, which gives a reproducibility of ±13% for on-chip dispensing from a reservoir and ±12% for constant pressure-assisted dispensing.
Immunolocalization of myosin and tropomyosin in cells undergoing ciliogenesis during regeneration of rat tracheal epithelium.

Abstract During the regeneration of the mucociliary lining of the respiratory airways, many cells differentiate into ciliated cells. Early stages of ciliogenesis in these cells is characterized morphologically by appearance of MTOC, filosomes and centrioles throughout the apical cytoplasm. Tracheas removed during the period of ciliated cell differentiation which occurs 50–60 hr after minor mechanical injury were paraformaldehyde fixed and specific affinity sites for antitropomyosin and antimyosin antibodies were demonstrated by an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The epithelium, after development of the osmiophilic reaction product, was embedded in epoxy and observed unstained with an electron microscope. Both antibodies had similar and specific binding sites in filosomes, MTOCs, microfilaments and on the microtubule triplets and foot processes of centrioles. Such localization suggests that these mechanochemical proteins may in addition to microfilament stabilization and contraction serve a specialized function in ciliogenesis.
Weight Relation between Paired Ovaries of Blueback Herring

Abstract A strong linear relation existed between paired left and right ovary weights in both gravid and spawned blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis). Tests of the mean weight differences between left and right ovaries were significant for two data sets for ovaries in each condition. Regression equations were derived to predict right ovary weights from observed left ovary weights. Predictive errors of mean right ovary weight were only 0.6 and 1.4% for gravid and spawned ovaries, respectively. The study indicated that labor and cost in blueback herring fecundity studies can be reduced with little loss of precision.
Reduced body mass index is associated with increased angiotensin II in young women with postural tachycardia syndrome.

Altered peripheral haemodynamics, decreased cardiac output, decreased blood volume and increased AngII (angiotensin II) have been reported in POTS (postural tachycardia syndrome). Recent findings indicate that BMI (body mass index) may be reduced. In the present study, we investigated the hypothesis that reduced BMI is associated with haemodynamic abnormalities in POTS and that this is related to AngII. We studied 52 patients with POTS, aged 14-29 years, compared with 36 control subjects, aged 14-27 years. BMI was not significantly reduced on average in the POTS patients, but was reduced in patients with decreased peripheral blood flow. POTS patients were then subdivided on the basis of BMI, and supine haemodynamics were measured. There was no difference in blood volume or cardiac output once BMI or body mass were accounted for. When POTS patients with BMI 50th percentile. There was no relationship between blood flow, resistance or maximum venous capacity with BMI in control subjects. BMI was inversely related to plasma AngII concentrations in those POTS patients with decreased peripheral blood flow, consistent with cachectic properties of the octapeptide. Patients with low-flow POTS had decreased body mass, but decreased body mass alone cannot account for findings of peripheral vasoconstriction. In conclusion, the findings suggest that reduced body mass relates to increased plasma AngII.
Nonuniform Spectral Phase Encoding in Optical CDMA Networks

We utilize a nonuniform encoding scheme for spectral phase encoding in optical code-division-multiple-access networks. This method improves the orthogonality of encoded waveforms between multiple users under synchronous transmission by compensating for the nonideal spectral shape of the subpicosecond mode-locked laser pulse source. Simulation results demonstrate five orders of magnitude of bit-error-rate reduction compared with the traditional uniform encoding scheme
Spatial Variation in Spawning Habitat of Cutthroat Trout in a Sediment-Rich Stream Basin

Abstract We examined distribution and habitat characteristics of spawning sites of cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki at various spatial scales to assess effects of sedimentation within a large basin in Montana. Redd density varied widely across the basin; nearly all (99%) of the 362 redds observed occurred in two high-elevation headwater tributaries. Redd density at the reach scale was positively correlated (r 2 = 0.72, P = 0.001) with abundance of spawning gravels. Other habitat variables, such as gradient, width, depth, embeddedness, bank stability, and percent riffle, were not significantly correlated to redd density. Taylor Fork redds contained some of the highest proportions of fine sediments (<6.35 mm, mean = 41.6%; <0.85 mm, 17.9%) observed in egg pockets of salmonid redds in the Rocky Mountain region. Cache Creek, a highly disturbed subbasin, had significantly greater proportions of fine sediments smaller than 0.85 mm in redds than the undisturbed Wapiti Creek subbasin. High fine-sediment levels...
Anomalous Energy Minima Studies by Mindo/3

Abstract A previous publication1 utilizing the INDO2 and CND0/23 semi-empirical SCF-MO techniques has shown that these methods predict anomalous minima in the potential surfaces of small molecules and molecular ions, particularly those of type 0-X-0. Two studies have bcmen published concerning the removal of such anomalous pre-dictiors. The first approach4 involved reparameterization of the INDO method – specifically involving the Slater exponents α, and the bonding parameters B° of carbon and oxygen – to remove the anomalous iinimum from the potential surface of C02. It was de-monstrated that reparameterization could be used to remove the Salse minimum in this case; but only at the expense of the other predictive qualities of INDO, or with the prediction of an unreal-istically broad energy minimum – neither of which could b e con-sidered an acceptable solution.
Calcium ion produces graded changes in permeability of membrane channels in cell junction

THE permeability of the membrane channels in Chironomus salivary gland cell junction depends on the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) (refs 1, 2). At the normal [Ca2+]i, < 10−7 M, the channels are highly permeable to a wide range of molecular sizes; the upper size limit for peptide molecules is about 1,200–1,900 molecular weight (MW) (refs 3,4). When the [Ca2+]i is elevated above 5×10−5 M in the junctional locale, the permeability falls drastically for all molecular species including the small inorganic ions2,5,6. With elevations ranging up to about 5×10−5 M the channel permeability is reduced for the 330-MW fluorescein molecule with little or no detectable reduction of electrical coupling7. This suggested the interesting possibility that in this range the permeability change may be selective, that is, the permeability may fall for the larger molecular species but not for the small inorganic molecules carrying the electrical current. An alternative—that a fraction of the junctional channels closed unselectively (that is, completely)—could not be excluded, however, because the sensitivities of the methods for discriminating changes in the junctional permeabilities of the large and small molecular species were not equivalent; the measurements of electrical coupling, while quite sensitive to changes in junctional permeability in the low range of electrical coupling, are relatively insensitive at high levels of coupling7. Here we investigate this point by testing junctional permeability with fluorescent molecules of various sizes. In each test we use a pair of molecular species and compare their transit times during simultaneous diffusion in the same direction across the junction. If and only if the non-selective mechanism governs the Ca2+-mediated permeability reduction, the transit for both species should be equally retarded, irrespective of size or structural differences between the probe molecules. We show that, at low [Ca2+]i elevation, the junctional permeability reduction is indeed selective and that the molecular size limit for junctional channel permeation changes in a graded manner.
The behavior of chromium in laminar hydrogen and ethene diffusion flames

The fate of chromium has been studied in laminar hydrogen and ethene diffusion flames. Nitrogen was added in order to vary the flame temperature in hydrogen flames. Ethene flames were used in order to investigate the potential for interaction between the soot aerosol that is formed in these flames and the chromium aerosol. Two sources of chromium compounds were introduced: chromium nitrate and chromium hexacarbonyl. Samples of the vapor and particle phases of chromium compounds emitted from the flames were collected by an isokinetic dilution sampling probe. The amounts of Cr(VI) and total Cr were determined by a spectrophotometric method and by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, respectively. Results of Cr(VI) analysis in the hydrogen flame showed that the emission of Cr(VI) from the undiluted H 2 flame was more than 10 times larger than in the 50% H 2 /50% N 2 flame on a mass basis. Approximately 50% of the total chromium emission from the pure H 2 flame was in the form of Cr(VI). This fraction dropped to about 1% in the heavily diluted H 2 flames. The relative amount of Cr(VI) in the vapor phase decreased by adding N 2 to the flame. The results indicated that flame temperature is an important factor with regard to emission of Cr(VI). In the ethene flame, the fraction of Cr(VI), which was found in the condensed phase, decreased slightly with increasing soot levels. It was not possible to detect chromium as a separate particle phase within the soot matrix.
The genetic and neurobiologic compass points toward common signaling dysfunctions in autism spectrum disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with high heritability. Here, we discuss data supporting the view that there are at least two distinct genetic etiologies for ASD: rare, private (de novo) single gene mutations that may have a large effect in causing ASD; and inherited, common functional variants of a combination of genes, each having a small to moderate effect in increasing ASD risk. It also is possible that a combination of the two mechanisms may occur in some individuals with ASD. We further discuss evidence from individuals with a number of different neurodevelopmental syndromes, in which there is a high prevalence of ASD, that some private mutations and common variants converge on dysfunctional ERK and PI3K signaling, which negatively impacts neurodevelopmental events regulated by some receptor tyrosine kinases.
Study on Acceleration Control Algorithm of Blood Pump Driven by Large Gap Magnetic Force

Based on the startup dynamics model axial flow blood pump system driven by large gap magnetic force, a method that realized optimal control in the blood pump acceleration by using VB programming was brought forward. In this method, Runge-Kutta algorithm was used to solve and analysis the model and the result that speed, flow and net head etc. time-domain curves were obtained; further more, suitable stable points in the speed curve could be found by setting threshold, and finally Hermite interpolation was used to discrete speed curve in conditions to get time constant and steps etc. speed control parameter. Relative to the old method for the speed control of blood pump, it is more accurate and controllability condition.
An accurate and inexpensive uroflowmeter.

SUMMARY Previously reported means of measuring the flow rate and velocity of the urinary stream are reviewed. A simple, accurate and inexpensive flowmeter is described.
Oligonucleotide-Based Tools for Studying Zebrafish Development

Synthetic and nonnatural oligonucleotides have been used extensively to interrogate gene function in zebrafish. In this review, we survey the capabilities and limitations of various oligonucleotide-based technologies for perturbing RNA function and tracking RNA expression. We also examine recent strategies for achieving spatiotemporal control of oligonucleotide function, particularly light-gated technologies that exploit the optical transparency of zebrafish embryos.
Atomic force microscope study of etched tracks of low-energy heavy ions in mica

Abstract Atomic force microscopy has been used to study the surface of lepidolite and muscovite mica before and after etching in hydrofluoric acid. Before etching, scans with atomic resolution show that alternating oxygen atoms in the hexagonal rings differ in height by 0.015 to 0.040 nm. Whether all six or only the three highest oxygen atoms in a ring are imaged varies from region to region. After etching, we have measured the surface structure of etch pits at tracks of two types of low-energy heavy ions: recoil daughter nuclei emitted in alpha decay of uranium and thorium impurity atoms in the mica over geological time, and 400 keV cesium ions produced at an accelerator. The etch pit structure evolves with etching time by rapid increase in depth of a central core followed by spreading of steps laterally from the core. The rate of growth of etch pit depth is faster for alpha-recoils than for cesium ions, which suggests a method of rough identification of low-energy heavy ions. As measured by steepness of etch pit wall slope, lepidolite is more sensitive to low-energy particles than is muscovite.
Electroporation-delivered fluorescent protein biosensors for probing molecular activities in cells without genetic encoding

Fluorescent protein biosensors are typically implemented via genetic encoding which makes the examination of scarce cell samples impractical. By directly delivering the protein form of the biosensor into cells using electroporation, we detected intracellular molecular activity with the sample size down to ∼100 cells with high spatiotemporal resolution.
Dietary Formulation with Cottonseed Meal on a Total Amino Acid Versus a Digestible Amino Acid Basis

The results of previous experiments indicated that performance of chicks fed corn-cottonseed meal (CSM) diets was inferior to performance of chicks fed a corn-soybean meal (SBM) diet and that true digestibilities of amino acids (AA) in CSM were lower than those in SBM. Therefore, the current study evaluated the formulation of diets containing expander-solvent CSM on an equivalent total AA basis vs an equivalent digestible AA basis compared to a corn-SBM diet. True digestibility of AA in the CSM, corn, and SBM were determined using the precision-feeding assay, with cecectomized roosters and TMEn was determined using conventional roosters. One-week-old male chicks were then fed diets containing corn and SBM only or diets containing increasing levels of CSM from 5 to 40% that were formulated to be equal in total or digestible AA to the corn-SBM diet. All diets contained 20.7% CP and 3,200 kcal TMEn/kg. Weight gain and feed efficiency of chicks fed 20% or more CSM on a total AA basis were less (P < .05) than those of chicks fed the corn-SBM diet. Growth performance of chicks fed up to 20% CSM on a digestible basis was equivalent to that of chicks fed the corn-SBM diet, but dietary levels of 30 or 40% CSM depressed performance even on a digestible basis. Increasing most essential AA by 15% in the 40% CSM (digestible basis) diet had no effect on performance. True digestible AA and ME values determined in chicks were similar to those determined in roosters. These results indicate that formulation of diets containing CSM on a digestible AA basis is superior to formulation on a total AA basis and that at least 20% CSM could be fed to chicks if the diet contains adequate levels of digestible AA and Fe to bind gossypol. The results also indicated that the depression in performance from feeding 30 or 40% CSM diets was not associated with dietary AA levels.
Chance Encounter with a Stratospheric Kerosene Rocket Plume from Russia Over California

A high-altitude aircraft flight on April 18, 1997, detected an enormous aerosol cloud at 20 km altitude near California (37°N). Not visually observed, the cloud had high concentrations of soot and sulfate aerosol, and was over 180 km in horizontal extent. The cloud was probably a large hydrocarbon-fueled rocket vehicle, most likely burning liquid oxygen and kerosene. One of two Russian Soyuz rockets could have produced the cloud: a launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on April 6; or one from Plesetsk, Russia on April 9. Parcel trajectories and long-lived trace gas concentrations suggest the Baikonur launch as the cloud source. Cloud trajectories do not trace the Soyuz plume from Asia to North America, illustrating the uncertainties of point-to-point trajectories. This cloud encounter is the only stratospheric measurement of a hydrocarbon-fueled rocket.
Mesencephalic trigeminal sensory neurons of cat: axon pathways and structure of mechanoreceptive endings in periodontal ligament.

We injected 3H-proline into cat brainstem in order to label the entire mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Mes-V) for autoradiographic analysis of the size and pathways of Mes-V sensory axons and for microscopic study of. Mes-V receptor structure in dental tissue. Labeled sensory axons were found in the trigeminal motor and sensory tracts and roots; approximately equal numbers of axons were found in both roots. The sensory root and all three divisions of the trigeminal nerve contained larger Mes-V axons than the motor root. Labeled Mes-V axons were found at the ganglion in the dorsomedial (infratrochlear) branch of the ophthalmic nerve but not in the ventrolateral branch. The mean diameter of Mes-V axons in periodontal ligament was 4.0 ± 1.9 μm compared to 7.3 ± 2.1 μm in maxillary and mandibular nerve, suggesting axonal arborization prior to innervation of ligament. Mes-V receptors in dental tissue were confined to ipsilateral periodontal ligament close to the root apex, with greater innervation on the posterior side. Receptor incidence was moderate for most teeth; however, maxillary first and second incisors and maxillary and mandibular canines had focal areas with remarkably dense innervation. No labeled axons were found in pulp of any ipsilateral teeth, and none was found in any contralateral dental tissue. EM-autoradiography demonstrated that Mes-V axons form unencapsulated Ruffini-like mechanoreceptors in periodontal ligament. The preterminal axons were small and myelinated. Neighboring bundles of unmyelinated axons and rare encapsulated endings were not labeled. The labeled mechanoreceptors branched to varying degrees among the ligament fibers; they contained numerous mitochondria and glycogen particles, as well as some vesicles and rare multivesicular bodies. They were surrounded by special Schwann cells that formed one or several layers around the ending. The endings were exposed to the basal lamina at numerous sites and occasionally extended fingers beyond the lamellar Schwann cells to contact ligament collagen.
Stability of impregnated-paper insulation

Results obtained in the AIEE-Engineering Foundation research project on the stability of impregnated-paper insulation, since its inception in 1936, are reported briefly. Some unexpected properties of impregnated-paper insulation have been discovered and findings pertaining to paper density, high-stress internal ionization as the origin of failure, and impregnation temperature versus dielectric strength and life indicate that further research in these fields is desirable.