cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in cultivated rice contributing to field resistance to sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani)

Sheath blight, caused by Rhizoctonia solani, is one of the most important diseases of rice. Despite extensive searches of the rice germ plasm, the major gene(s) which give complete resistance to the fungus have not been identified. However, there is much variation in quantitatively inherited resistance to R. solani, and this type of resistance can offer adequate protection against the pathogen under field conditions. Using 255 F4 bulked populations from a cross between the susceptible variety ‘Lemont’ and the resistant variety ‘Teqing’, 2 years of field disease evaluation and 113 well-distributed RFLP markers, we identified six quantitative trait loci (QTLs) contributing to resistance to R. solani. These QTLs are located on 6 of the 12 rice chromosomes and collectively explain approximately 60% of the genotypic variation or 47% of the phenotypic variation in the ‘Lemont’x‘Teqing’ cross. One of these resistance QTLs (QSbr4a), which accounted for 6% of the genotypic variation in resistance to R. solani, appeared to be independent of associated morphological traits. The remaining five putative resistance loci (QSbr2a, QSbr3a, QSbr8a, QSbr9a and QSbr12a) all mapped to chromosomal regions also associated with increased plant height, three of which were also associated with QTLs causing later heading. This was consistent with the observation that heading date and plant height accounted for 47% of the genotypic variation in resistance to R. solani in this population. There were also weak associations between resistance to R. solani and leaf width, which were likely due to linkage with a QTL for this trait rather than to a physiological relationship.
Investment bank reputation and relaxed listing requirements: Evidence from infrastructure firm IPOs in Hong Kong

Abstract In early 1996, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong allowed firms focusing on infrastructure projects to issue initial public offerings (IPOs) under a relaxed set of listing requirements, allowing these firms to go public with a shorter history or lower profitability levels. We provide evidence that these firms are no more speculative than firms listing under the regular requirements. To the contrary, we find that firms listed under the relaxed requirements are taken public by reputable investment banks and that these firms have characteristics that otherwise mitigate their lack of earnings history. These patterns are consistent with investment banks avoiding highly speculative issues to protect their reputations.
Capacity region and optimum power allocation strategies for fading cognitive relay multiple access channels

We consider a fading Gaussian cognitive relay multiple-access channel (CR-MAC), consisting of K sources and an active cognitive relay that wish to simultaneously communicate with a single destination. We assume that the relay has its own message to communicate and is aware of the messages of the other K sources non-causally. Furthermore, the message of the relay and the messages of the other K sources are independent. Assuming that all the sources, the cognitive relay and the destination are aware of the instantaneous channel state information (CSI) we characterize the ergodic capacity region. For the case where the cognitive relay does not have its own message to transmit, we derive the optimal power allocation strategies that achieve any arbitrary point on the boundary surface of the capacity region.
Novel Cancer Chemopreventive Effects of a Flavonoid Antioxidant Silymarin: Inhibition of mRNA Expression of an Endogenous Tumor Promoter TNFα

Abstract In this study we describe exceptionally high protective effects of silymarin, a flavonoid antioxidant isolated from milk thistle, against 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)- and okadaic acid (OA)-caused tumor promotion in SENCAR mouse skin. Pre-application of silymarin to that of TPA in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-initiated mouse skin resulted in almost complete protection in terms of tumor incidence (85%) as well as multiplicity (94%). In OA-caused tumor promotion studies, application of silymarin prior to that of OA in DMBA-initiated mouse skin resulted in a complete protection against tumorigenicity. We next assessed the effect of silymarin on TPA- and OA-caused induction of mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) which is an endogenous tumor promoter and a central mediator of tumor promotionin vivoin the case of both TPA and OA tumor promotion. Topical application of silymarin on mouse skin prior to that of TPA or OA resulted in a highly significant to complete inhibition in a dose-dependent manner against both TPA- and OA-caused induction of TNFα mRNA expression in mouse epidermis. These results indicate that silymarin exerts novel chemopreventive effects against tumorigenicity by inhibiting endogenous tumor promoter TNFα. Additional studies are warranted in other tumor models to further evaluate the cancer chemopreventive effect of silymarin and to define the involvement of TNFα as a molecular target for such an effect.
The United States and the Caribbean Republics, 1921-1933

Between 1921 and 1933, the United States moved from a policy of active intervention to a policy of noninterference in the internal political affairs of the Caribbean states. How the shift from the diplomacy of the Taft and Wilson administrations to the Good Neighbor policy of Franklin Roosevelt occurred is the subject of Dana Gardner Munro's book. The author draws on official records and on his personal experience as a member of the Latin American Division of the United States Department of State to piece together the history of the transition in diplomatic policy.Professor Munro concentrates on several important issues that changed the tone of the relations of the United States with Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the five Central American Republics: the failure to compel political reforms in Cuba from 1921 to 1923; the withdrawal of the occupations from the Dominican Republic and Haiti; the intervention in Nicaragua; the response to the Machado and Trujillo dictatorships; and the refusal to recognize revolutionary governments in Central America. The author's analysis sheds new light on the much-discussed Clark memorandum, on the degree to which policy furthered the interests of bankers and businessmen, and on the attitude of the American government toward dictatorial regimes.Originally published in 1974.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.
State-space models of 3-D transfer function matrix

An algorithm for obtaining two different state-space models of all three-dimensional (3-D) transfer function matrices is given. The resulting 3-D models are the 3-D analogue of the Roesser 2-D model and Eising 2-D model. The relation between these two models is also given. The approach is based on the construction of the Hankel matrix from the polynomial coefficients of a negative power series expansion of 3-D, 2-D, and 1-D transfer function matrices, respectively. The proposed algorithm results in a few large system matrices for the 3-D model analogue of the Roesser 2-D model, while there are more system matrices for the 3-D model analogue of the Eising 2-D model but of a smaller order.
Debriefing red cross disaster personnel: The multiple stressor debriefing model

During the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, Red Cross disaster personnel were involved in providing services which put them at risk for developing stress reactions including Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. This article describes the disaster relief effort in San Francisco and Oakland made by Red Cross workers and the debriefing which was provided to these personnel. Mitchell's Model for Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) was modified to fit the broad spectrum of needs and stresses experienced by disaster relief personnel. The Multiple Stressor Debriefing Model (MSDM) which evolved from this experience is discussed with specific recommendations for mental health workers involved in Debriefing Red Cross and other emergency personnel who face multiple stressors over an extended period of relief operations.
Delayed Presentation of Traumatic Diaphragmatic Rupture

We present the case of a 57-year-old woman who suffered a delayed presentation of a traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (TDR). Because TDR is frequently missed on initial presentation, a delay between trauma and diagnosis can present a unique diagnostic dilemma for the emergency physician. Important historical clues and physical examination findings are the keys to making this diagnosis.
Radar waveform optimization to minimize spectral spreading and achieve target detection

Spectral spreading in radar systems is a concern that is related to the radar waveform. This paper describes a procedure to optimize a linear frequency-modulated chirp waveform for a desired ambiguity function while meeting spectral requirements. The minimax approach used for the optimization is described, and some example results for the optimization are presented. The integration of bench-top spectrum analyzer measurements into the optimization is presented, and the way forward in terms of measurement-based optimization is discussed.
Base-station repositioning for optimized performance of sensor networks

Most of the energy aware routing approaches for unattended wireless sensor networks pursue multi-hop paths in order to minimize the total transmission power. Since almost in all sensor networks data are routed towards a single sink (base-station), hops close to that sink become heavily involved in packet forwarding and thus their batteries get depleted rather quickly. In this paper we investigate the potential of base-station repositioning for enhanced network performance. We address issues related to when should the base-station be relocated, where it would be moved to and how to handle its motion without any effect on data traffic. Our approach tracks the distance from the closest hops to the base-station and the traffic density through these hops. When a hop that forward high traffic is further than a threshold the base-station qualifies the impact of the relocation on the network performance and moves if the overhead is justified. The presented approach is validated in a simulated environment.
Practical evaluation of several cone beam orbits for SPECT

Several alternative orbits have been suggested for cone beam single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), since the standard circular orbit provides incomplete sampling. The authors' computer simulation evaluates the practicality of several orbits, using the following criteria: spatial resolution, sensitivity, elimination of truncation, and theoretical completeness of the acquired data. All orbits are evaluated for brain imaging with a realistic human model. The results indicate that the simple transverse circular orbit has high sensitivity and resolution. The acquired data are incomplete. Modest improvement in resolution is obtained with a contoured transverse plane orbit. A single straight line orbit was inadequate. Three orbits, each composed of two noncoplanar curves, satisfy the completeness condition, and thus should produce more accurate reconstructions. Their resolution is similar to the circle, but the sensitivity is reduced by 15-30%. None of the orbits studied are as good in both resolution and sensitivity as the transverse plane orbits (circle and contoured), which do not satisfy the completeness condition. >
JPEG-Compatibility steganalysis using block-histogram of recompression artifacts

JPEG-compatibility steganalysis detects the presence of embedding changes using the fact that the stego image was previously JPEG compressed. Following the previous art, we work with the difference between the stego image and an estimate of the cover image obtained by recompression with a JPEG quantization table estimated from the stego image. To better distinguish recompression artifacts from embedding changes, the difference image is represented using a feature vector in the form of a histogram of the number of mismatched pixels in 8×8 blocks. Three types of classifiers are built to assess the detection accuracy and compare the performance to prior art: a clairvoyant detector trained for a fixed embedding change rate, a constant false-alarm rate detector for an unknown change rate, and a quantitative detector. The proposed approach offers significantly more accurate detection across a wide range of quality factors and embedding operations, especially for very small change rates. The technique requires an accurate estimate of the JPEG compression parameters.
Global change and modern coral reefs: New opportunities to understand shallow-water carbonate depositional processes

Human activities are impacting coral reefs physically, biologically, and chemically. Nutrification, sedimentation, chemical pollution, and overfishing are significant local threats that are occurring worldwide. Ozone depletion and global warming are triggering mass coral-bleaching events; corals under temperature stress lose the ability to synthesize protective sunscreens and become more sensitive to sunlight. Photo-oxidative stress also reduces fitness, rendering reef-building organisms more susceptible to emerging diseases. Increasing concentration of atmospheric CO2 has already reduced CaCO3 saturation in surface waters by more than 10%. Doubling of atmospheric CO2 concentration over pre-industrial concentration in the 21st century may reduce carbonate production in tropical shallow marine environments by as much as 80%. As shallow-water reefs decline worldwide, opportunities abound for researchers to expand understanding of carbonate depositional systems. Coordinated studies of carbonate geochemistry with photozoan physiology and calcification, particularly in cool subtropical-transition zones between photozoan-reef and heterotrophic carbonate-ramp communities, will contribute to understanding of carbonate sedimentation under environmental change, both in the future and in the geologic record. Cyanobacteria are becoming increasingly prominent on declining reefs, as these microbes can tolerate strong solar radiation, higher temperatures, and abundant nutrients. The responses of reef-dwelling cyanobacteria to environmental parameters associated with global change are prime topics for further research, with both ecological and geological implications.
A Functional Role for Specific Spliced Variants of the α7β1 Integrin in Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering

The clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChR) on skeletal muscle fibers is an early event in the formation of neuromuscular junctions. Recent studies show that laminin as well as agrin can induce AChR clustering. Since the α7β1 integrin is a major laminin receptor in skeletal muscle, we determined if this integrin participates in laminin and/or agrin-induced AChR clustering. The alternative cytoplasmic domain variants, α7A and α7B, and the extracellular spliced forms, α7X1 and α7X2, were studied for their ability to engage in AChR clustering. Immunofluorescence microscopy of C2C12 myofibers shows that the α7β1 integrin colocalizes with laminin-induced AChR clusters and to a much lesser extent with agrin-induced AChR clusters. However, together laminin and agrin promote a synergistic response and all AChR colocalize with the integrin. Laminin also induces the physical association of the integrin and AChR. High concentrations of anti-α7 antibodies inhibit colocalization of the integrin with AChR clusters as well as the enhanced response promoted by both laminin and agrin. Engaging the integrin with low concentrations of anti-α7 antibody initiates cluster formation in the absence of agrin or laminin. Whereas both the α7A and α7B cytoplasmic domain variants cluster with AChR, only those isoforms containing the α7X2 extracellular domain were active. These results demonstrate that the α7β1 integrin has a physiologic role in laminin-induced AChR clustering, that alternative splicing is integral to this function of the α7 chain, and that laminin, agrin, and the α7β1 integrin interact in a common or convergent pathway in the formation of neuromuscular junctions.
Calibration of a reconfigurable array of omnidirectional cameras using a moving person

Reconfigurable arrays of omnidirectional cameras are useful for applications where multiple cameras working together are to be deployed at a short notice. This paper addresses the important issue of calibration of such arrays in terms of the relative camera positions and orientations. The location of a one-dimensional object moving parallel to itself, such as a moving person is used to establish correspondences between multiple cameras. In such case, the non-linear 3-D problem of calibration can be approximated by a 2-D problem in plan view. This enables an initial solution using factorization method. A non-linear optimization stage is then used to account for the approximations, as well as to minimize the geometric error between the observed and projected omni pixel coordinates. Experimental results with simulated and real data illustrate the effectiveness of the method.
Perioperative pulmonary outcomes in patients with sleep apnea after noncardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND:Although patients with sleep apnea (SA) are considered to be at increased risk for postoperative complications, evidence supporting increased risk of perioperative pulmonary morbidity is limited. The objective of this study, therefore, was to analyze perioperative demographics and pulmona
Lorentz Parameters and Vibration–Rotation Interaction Constants for the Fundamental Band of HF†

The Lorentz parameter Δν has been obtained by the equivalent-width method for the pressure-broadened spectral lines of low-J value in the HF fundamental. These values have been compared with values obtained directly from the line shapes after correction for the effect of instrumental broadening. From the line intensities I01(m), the square of the matrix element of the electric dipole moment for a nonrotating anharmonic oscillator |R01|2, and a set of rotational-correction factors F01(m) have been calculated. The effective charge M1 and the vibration-rotation interaction constant θ have been calculated. Experimental and theoretical values of the F01(m) have been compared.
The role of cytokines in chronic pain processing and opioid tolerance: An australian study

In this issue of Pain Medicine , an Australian group of researchers studied two cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10, in the patients receiving intrathecal (IT) opioid analgesics via implantable drug delivery system [1]. These cytokines have been shown to play opposite roles in pain processing with IL-6 being a pro-inflammatory and pronociceptive cytokine whereas IL-10 possesses anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties. Zin and colleagues compared the plasma and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of these two cytokines and assessed pain intensity in a group of 50 patients (Group A) receiving long-term (mean 5 years) IT infusion of either morphine or hydromorphone as monotherapy or in combination with a local anesthetic. Additionally, they studied the same parameters in a pilot group of 10 patients (Group B), who were followed for 3 months from the time of the initiation of IT therapy. Cytokines are released in the periphery by a variety of cells such as macrophages, …
Atrial fibrillation and nortriptyline in the elderly

Seven cases of atrial arrhythmia associated with nortriptyline in elderly patients are presented. The clinical and therapeutic significance of our observations is discussed.
Modeling the provenance of the Apollo 16 regolith

[1] The regolith at the Apollo 16 landing site, the only Apollo landing site in the central lunar highlands, contains material derived from a number of sources. A model that accounts for the introduction of basin ejecta and mixing of the megaregolith is used to estimate the abundance of basin material in the Apollo 16 regolith. Megaregolith mixing model estimates of the abundance of primary ejecta from the Imbrium, Serenitatis, and Nectaris basins are found to be present in roughly equal (8–10%) proportions. Additionally, the presence of mare-derived material in the Apollo 16 regolith suggests that a significant component of the regolith (15–23%) is derived from lateral transport. There are inherent difficulties in directly comparing model results with ground truth at Apollo 16. Results suggest shallower mixing during ejecta emplacement than predicted by Oberbeck et al. (1975).
On Fringes of Defocusing and Fringes of Lateral Displacement

The two terms "fringes of defocusing" and "fringes of lateral displacement" are used in the interferometric testing of lens aberrations. The definition of these terms can be related to the three-dimensional intensity distribution near the focus of a spherical wave. 14 In this note we will relate these two usages of the terms.
A Niche Theory of Interest Representation

The theory of organizational niches may provide important bridging concepts upon which an integrated theory of interest groups might be developed. After discussing Hutchinson's (1957) n-dimensional niche concept, we develop several hypotheses about the reliance of interest organizations on multiple resource dimensions. These are tested with survey data on interest group leaders in the American states. On the basis of preliminary evidence of niche partitioning, we conclude that internal resource dimensions--exclusive access to members and finances--may be more critical than securing exclusive access to officials in a balkanized policy process in defining viable interest group niches. We conclude by outlining a research agenda using niche theory.
Influences of Primary Cilia on Cortical Morphogenesis and Neuronal Subtype Maturation

Recognition that virtually every neuronal progenitor cell and neuron in the cerebral cortex is ciliated has triggered intense interest in neuronal cilia function. Here, we review recent studies that suggest the primary cilia of cortical progenitor cells are required for establishing and maintaining the organization within pools of proliferative cells. In addition, signaling via primary cilia differentially influence the migration and differentiation of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the developing cortex. Specifically, the primary cilia of excitatory neurons appear to play a significant role in regulating the post-migratory differentiation of these neurons whereas cilia of inhibitory neurons appear to be required for the proper migration and positioning of those cells in cortex. Given the recently discovered functions of cilia in proliferation, neuronal migration, and differentiation, it is likely that further studies of cilia signaling will improve our understanding of how these basic developmental processes are regulated and may provide insight into how mutations in specific cilia genes linked to ciliopathies lead to the many neurological deficits associated with these diseases.
Family Risk and Resiliency Factors, Substance Use, and the Drug Resistance Process in Adolescence:

Recent approaches to drug prevention have emphasized risk and resiliency factors. Two models have been developed to explain these factors, one which posits that separate elements make up each set and the other which posits that a single factor can be either a risk or a resiliency factor depending on, for example, if it is present (resiliency) or absent (risk). This study tested these models and attempted to compare the effects of risk and resiliency across gender and ethnicity. Results support the model in which risk and resiliency are discrete sets of factors and demonstrate that overall resiliency factors play a larger role than risk factors in substance use and drug resistance processes. However, gender proved to be an important moderator of these effects. For adolescent males, resiliency has an indirect effect on overall substance use through age of first use, while risk has a direct effect on overall substance use. For adolescent females, resiliency has a direct effect on overall substance use and risk has an indirect effect through age of first use. This indicates that while early interventions are important for both genders, resiliency factors must be dealt with before initiation of substance use for males. Findings did not differ substantially across ethnicity, although the small African-American sample size may have limited power to detect differences.
Growth factors and medium hyperglycemia induce Sox9+ ductal cell differentiation into β cells in mice with reversal of diabetes

We previously reported that long-term administration of a low dose of gastrin and epidermal growth factor (GE) augments β-cell neogenesis in late-stage diabetic autoimmune mice after eliminating insulitis by induction of mixed chimerism. However, the source of β-cell neogenesis is still unknown. SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 9(+) (Sox9(+)) ductal cells in the adult pancreas are clonogenic and can give rise to insulin-producing β cells in an in vitro culture. Whether Sox9(+) ductal cells in the adult pancreas can give rise to β cells in vivo remains controversial. Here, using lineage-tracing with genetic labeling of Insulin- or Sox9-expressing cells, we show that hyperglycemia (>300 mg/dL) is required for inducing Sox9(+) ductal cell differentiation into insulin-producing β cells, and medium hyperglycemia (300-450 mg/dL) in combination with long-term administration of low-dose GE synergistically augments differentiation and is associated with normalization of blood glucose in nonautoimmune diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Short-term administration of high-dose GE cannot augment differentiation, although it can augment preexisting β-cell replication. These results indicate that medium hyperglycemia combined with long-term administration of low-dose GE represents one way to induce Sox9(+) ductal cell differentiation into β cells in adult mice.
Five- and 10-Year Cause-Specific Survival Rates in Carcinoma of the Minor Salivary Gland

Importance Previous studies of prognostic factors of carcinoma of the minor salivary gland (MSG) have been limited to single-institution studies and small case series. Thus, limited data are available to guide the head and neck oncologist in counseling patients on the prognosis and management of these malignant neoplasms. Objective To examine 5- and 10-year cause-specific survival (CSS) rates of MSG carcinomas across all histologic subtypes and head and neck tumor subsites. Design, Setting, and Patients Retrospective, population-based study using National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data from January 1, 1988, through December 31, 2009. The study included 5334 patients diagnosed as having MSG carcinoma and registered in the SEER database. Patients without follow-up, diagnostic confirmation, and/or race designation were excluded from the analysis (131 [2.4%]). Final follow-up was completed on December 31, 2009, and data were analyzed from August 5, 2013, to July 1, 2014. Main Outcomes and Measures Five- and 10-year CSS rates for US patients with MSG carcinoma. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs. Results Among the 5334 patients with MSG carcinoma included, the most common histologic subtypes included mucoepidermoid carcinoma (1568 [29.4%]), adenoid cystic carcinoma (1228 [23.0%]), and adenocarcinoma (1313 [24.6%]). The most frequent sites of primary tumor were the oral cavity (3132 [58.7%]) and pharynx (1130 [21.2%]). Five-year CSS rate was significantly worse for MSG malignant neoplasms located in the larynx (HR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.67-3.50) and nasal cavity and/or paranasal sinus (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.29-2.32). Being older than 75 years was associated with a significantly worse 5-year CSS rate (HR, 2.88; 95% CI, 2.05-4.06). Compared with no surgery, local tumor destruction (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.30-0.64), partial surgery (HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.23-0.47), and total surgery (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.41-0.74) were each found to be a significant positive prognostic factor. No differences were observed in the 5-year hazard of death for race/ethnicity, sex, diagnosis year, or socioeconomic status, and 10-year adjusted HRs were similar to the 5-year patterns. Conclusions and Relevance This study, to date, represents the largest US survival analysis of carcinoma of the MSG. Prognosis is associated with histologic subtype, tumor subsite, age at diagnosis, grade, and surgical therapy.
Some Effects of Intrauterine Devices on Reproductive Function in the Ewe

This presentation is limited to the antifertility effect of the IUD in ewes and to some of the changes in uterine function caused by its presence. Some of these changes may occur only in sheep. A custom-made plastic spiral 5 cm long and 5-8 mm outside diameter was inserted into the lumen of only 1 uterine horn. Ovum fertility occurred normally in control ewes but the fertility rate of IUD-wearing ewes was very low as determined by ovum cleavage at 3 days after breeding. None of the 17 ova was cleaved when ovulation occurred on the spiral side and only 1 in 10 was cleaved when ovulation occurred opposite the spiral. Accessory sperm were not found in the zona pellucidae of any ovum in IUD-carrying ewes while in controls accessory sperm ranged from 10 to over 60. These findings indicate the IUD did more than interfere physically with the passage of sperm up the reproductive tract. The ova was found not defective nor was ovulation interfered with. Myometrial tissue removed and tested in vitro showed adequate contractility. However an altered motility pattern in test animals was shown by in vivo observations of exteriorized uteri. This might partly account for the absence of sperm from the oviducts. Sperm cells placed into the uterine horns were found to be broken into heads and tails or to have disappeared after 5 hours. This effect was markedly greater in horns containing the IUD. Some sperm cells were observed being phagocytized by leukocytes. Spermicidal activity in excised and washed uterine horns could be observed as early as 1 hour after semen injection. This activity was largely stopped when total uteri were excised. Phagocytosis of sperm cells was increased when an inflammatory reaction was producted by bacterial inoculation. Iv dye injections showed resulting dye concentrations directly beneath the turns of the spiral (p less than .01) which was considered to indicate the degree of leakage from the endometrial vascular system. Other experiments showed an IUD intensifies bacterial capabilities of the uterus by increasing the inflammatory response to the presence of foreign substances whether semen or bacteria. It was concluded that as IUD in the sheep uterus inhibits sperm transport and ovum fertilization perhaps by changing the nature of uterine motility.
INBREEDING DEPRESSION IN FOUR POPULATIONS OF COLLINSIA HETEROPHYLLA NUTT (SCROPHULARIACEAE)

The effects of one and two generations of inbreeding were studied in plants from four natural populations of the annual plant, Collinsia heterophylla, using inbred and outcrossed plants generated by hand pollinations to create expected inbreeding coefficients ranging from 0-0.75. The selfing rates of the populations were estimated using allozyme markers to range from 0.37-0.69. Inbreeding depression was mild, ranging from 5-40%, but significant effects were detected for characters measured at all stages of the life cycle. Fitness components declined significantly with the inbreeding coefficient, and regression of fitness characters on inbreeding coefficients gave no evidence of any strongly synergistic effects attributable to the different genetic factors that contribute to decline in fitness under inbreeding. The magnitude of inbreeding depression did not clearly decrease with the populations' levels of inbreeding. This is not surprising because the selfing rates are similar enough that it is unlikely that the populations have been characterized for long periods of time by these different inbreeding levels.
Oxidation and reduction of bis(imino)pyridine iron dicarbonyl complexes.

The oxidation and reduction of a redox-active aryl-substituted bis(imino)pyridine iron dicarbonyl has been explored to determine whether electron-transfer events are ligand- or metal-based or a combination of both. A series of bis(imino)pyridine iron dicarbonyl compounds, [(iPrPDI)Fe(CO)2]−, (iPrPDI)Fe(CO)2, and [(iPrPDI)Fe(CO)2]+ [iPrPDI = 2,6-(2,6-iPr2C6H3N═CMe)2C5H3N], which differ by three oxidation states, were prepared and the electronic structures evaluated using a combination of spectroscopic techniques and, in two cases, [(iPrPDI)Fe(CO)2]+ and [(iPrPDI)Fe(CO)2], metrical parameters from X-ray diffraction. The data establish that the cationic iron dicarbonyl complex is best described as a low-spin iron(I) compound (SFe = 1/2) with a neutral bis(imino)pyridine chelate. The anionic iron dicarbonyl, [(iPrPDI)Fe(CO)2]−, is also best described as an iron(I) compound but with a two-electron-reduced bis(imino)pyridine. The covalency of the neutral compound, (iPrPDI)Fe(CO)2, suggests that both the oxidati...
Earthquake modeling in a homogeneous half-space

Abstract Ground motion produced by finite, kinematic fault surface is modeled at the surface of a homogeneous half-space. The Green9s functions for point dislocations are summed to investigate the effects of different rupture velocities and source rise times. Displacements and velocities are compared for a bilateral and unilateral rupture. The method is used to model the displacements for a laboratory experiment involving a dynamic rupture in a homogeneous block of foam rubber. Good agreement between synthetic and model displacements is obtained at distances ranging from zero to somewhat greater than one fault length. The half-space Green9s function summation method is then used to model the N65°E (transverse) component of displacement for the 1966 Parkfield earthquake. The 26-cm displacement pulse on this record is fit with a buried dislocation of 100 cm over a rectangular fault 30 km long and 6 km wide, with a depth of 3 km.
Emblica officinalis extract downregulates pro-angiogenic molecules via upregulation of cellular and exosomal miR-375 in human ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer (OC) is highly resistant to current treatment strategies based on a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. We have recently demonstrated the anti-neoplastic effect of Amla extract (Emblica officinalis, AE) on OC cells in vitro and in vivo. We hypothesized that AE attenuates growth of OC through microRNA (miR)-regulated mechanism(s). The inhibitory effect of AE on proliferation, migration and invasiveness (P≤0.001) of SKOV3 cells and >90% attenuation of tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model suggested multiple targets. RT-qPCR analysis of microRNAs associated with OC showed a >2,000-fold increase in the expression of miR-375 in AE-treated SKOV3 cells that was blocked by an exogenous miR-375 inhibitor (P≤0.001). AE also decreased the gene and protein expression of IGF1R, a target of miR-375 (P≤0.001), and SNAIL1 (P≤0.002), an EMT-associated transcription factor that represses E-cadherin expression (P≤0.003). AE increased E-cadherin expression (P≤0.001). Treatment of SKOV3 cells with AE resulted in increased miR-375 in exosomes in the medium (P≤0.01). Finally, AE significantly decreased the expression of IGF1R and SNAIL1 proteins during attenuation of SKOV3-derived xenograft tumor. Together, these results show that AE modulates cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment via activation of miR-375 and by targeting IGF1R and SNAIL1 in OC cells.
Religion and the Law: The Secularization of Testimonial Procedures

Until the nineteenth century, the testimonial oath (the oath taken by witnesses on the occasion of giving testimonial evidence) played a vital role in the determination of legal evidence. At present, however, the oath is a mere formality in judicial proceedings. Its role in the determination of legal evidence has been completely subordinated to rational procedures associated with modem rules of evidence. Originally, the oath was decisively religious in nature. This paper will assess the development of a secularized oath, a development occurring over several centuries of Anglo-legal history (approximately 1650-1915). The changes reveal two significant undlerying processes: rationalization and the differentiation of religion and the law.
Epidemiological analysis of non-occupational CO poisoning in Baoding City from 2010-2011

[Objective]To understand the incidence and basic conditions of non-occupational CO poisoning in Baoding City in recent years,and identify high risk factors affecting residents of CO poisoning.[Methods]The CO poisoning cases in Baoding City in 2010 and 2011 were analyzed statistically.And the systematic analysis was performed on the factors which affected CO poisoning and death,including gender,age,occupation,time of onset,type of housing residence,heating methods,etc.[Results]In 2010,a total of 54 CO poisoning accidents occurred,with 11 death case;21 cases in 2011,13 death cases.The proportion of CO poisoning among bungalow living type was 64%;the proportion of CO poisoning among population with heating stove type was up to 70.7% peasants was higher than other population.[Conclusion]The incidence of CO poisoning is high in winter,concentrated in December and January.The risk factor of non-occupational CO poisoning is coal-fired heating in winter.The different heating methods are the main reasons for CO poisoning and death.
And this little pig saved lives

The harvesting and transplantation of organs from genetically altered pigs has sparked an escalating debate within the transplant community worldwide. The ethical and moral arguments against using another life form to save humans--as well as using humans for experimentation--run side by side with the potential medical considerations of inadvertently unleashing heretofore unknown virulent agents on the public. Nonetheless, the ethical case against xenografting, while compelling and worthy of more public and expert debate and discussion, is not persuasive. Genetically altered pigs might not be able to save human lives at present, but the time has come to take a tentative step to see whether they can in the future.
Anatomy of molecular properties evaluated with explicitly correlated electronic wave functions

ABSTRACTStatic electric dipole and quadrupole moments were evaluated at the explicitly correlated second-order Moller–Plesset (MP2-F12) level for BH, CO, H2O, and HF molecules. The electron correlation contributions to the multipole moments were further decomposed into the direct (unrelaxed) and indirect (orbital response) components; we found that both components are equally important for the conventional (MP2) contribution, whereas the F12 correction to these properties originates primarily from the orbital response effects. Finally, the direct contribution dominates in the perturbative Hartree–Fock basis set incompleteness (CABS singles) correction. Two basis set families were employed: the standard aug-cc-pVXZ series and the cc-pVXZ-F12 series designed specifically for the F12 methods. The aug-cc-pVXZ MP2-F12 multipole moments usually have smaller basis set errors than the cc-pVXZ-F12 counterparts, albeit their differences are small at the triple (X = T) and quadruple (X = Q) zeta level. With the MP2-...
Visualization of nucleate flow boiling for an R22/R114 mixture and its components

Visualization of bubble nucleation during forced-convective flow inside a horizontal, electrically heated quartz tube was done in order to establish a comparison of this phenomenon between refrigerant mixtures and their pure components. The specific phenomena investigated were the suppression of nucleation due to increased mass flow quality while holding all other conditions fixed, and the comparison of the nucleate activity of the binary mixture to the nucleate activity of the pure components. The fluids investigated were a 37.7 mol° R22/62.3 mol° R114 binary mixture and the individual components R22 and R114. These fluids were pumped through an abraded, electrically heated quartz tube. A 16-mm high-speed camera was used, at 7000 frames/s, to film the boiling process. Detailed measurements of bubble frequency and bubble size were possible at low pressures, allowing direct calculation of the latent heat load required to nucleate a single bubble. Further work is required to develop a method that ensures st...
Utility and techniques of intraoperative endoscopy and interventions

Abstract Intraoperative endoscopy is an indispensable tool for gastrointestinal surgery. Advent of CO 2 endoscopy has allowed for incremental expansion of its applications. With experienced endoscopist surgeon and operating room staffs, intraoperative endoscopy can be done without added morbidity in time-efficient manner, while providing value in diagnosis and treatment. Intraoperative endoscopy has long been used to localize small tumor when palpation and preoperative endoscopic tattoo do not clarify the precise location of the tumor. It can be used to ascertain distal transection point in rectum, to assess integrity and perfusion of pelvic anastomosis, to aid in laparoscopic sleeve cecectomy or combined endo-laparoscopic surgery (CELS), and to localize small intestine bleeding. Intraoperative endoscopy is invaluable in the case of anastomotic leak and bleeding. Utility of intraoperative endoscopy is expected to grow as new device and platform become available.
Fish Assemblages, Habitat Conditions, and Grazing Effects in Rolling Prairie and Badlands Streams of the Northern Great Plains

Fish sampling was conducted over a two-year period (May to August, 2004 and 2005) in seven streams traversing the Little Missouri River National Grassland and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, western North Dakota. Fish communities of the two stream types in the region (rolling prairie and badlands) differed significantly despite their close geographic proximity, overlapping by only 18% in species composition and having only 8 of the 21 total fish species in common. As summer progressed, rolling prairie streams showed an increase in total fish density while total fish density in badland streams decreased. Badland and rolling prairie stream fish communities responded differently to the physical habitat variables of pool surface area, volume, mean depth, maximum depth, and width-to-depth ratio. Fish in badland streams appeared to be more susceptible to rapid physical habitat changes associated with late summer dewatering, while the more stable flows of rolling prairie streams prevented significant isolation...
Discovery and hit-to-lead evaluation of piperazine amides as selective, state-dependent NaV1.7 inhibitors

NaV1.7 is a particularly compelling target for the treatment of pain. Herein, we report the discovery and evaluation of a series of piperazine amides that exhibit state-dependent inhibition of NaV1.7. After demonstrating significant pharmacodynamic activity with early lead compound 14 in a NaV1.7-dependent behavioural mouse model, we systematically established SAR trends throughout each sector of the scaffold. The information gleaned from this modular analysis was then applied additively to quickly access analogues that encompass an optimal balance of properties, including NaV1.7 potency, selectivity over NaV1.5, aqueous solubility, and microsomal stability.
Inhibition effect of aromatic aldehydes on butanol fermentation by Clostridium acetobutylicum

A large number of degradation compounds are formed during biomass pretreatment and they significantly inhibit the efficiency of biomass conversion to biofuels. Of those identified potential inhibitors, aromatic aldehydes play an important role in inhibition activity. Hence the effect of 13 aromatic aldehydes on acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation was assessed at four concentrations in the present work. It was found that the inhibition severity was affected by the ortho substituents (OH > OCH3 > CHO) and strongly related to the position of hydroxyl group instead of the number of hydroxyl groups. The ortho-hydroxyl group significantly contributed to the aromatic aldehyde inhibition. The ortho-substituted 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde caused at least 20-fold stronger inhibition than meta- and para-substituted analogues of 3- and 4-hydroxybenzaldehydes. The presence of ortho-hydroxyl group can form an intramolecular hydrogen bond with carbonyl hydrogen and potentially increase the cell membrane permeability and electrophilicity. Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) analysis was used to establish a correlation between inhibition activity (IC50) and physicochemical descriptors. A strong correlation was observed between IC50 and the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital EHOMO.
1,4-Dioxane-degrading consortia can be enriched from uncontaminated soils: prevalence of Mycobacterium and soluble di-iron monooxygenase genes.

Summary Two bacterial consortia were enriched from uncontaminated soil by virtue of their ability to grow on 1,4-dioxane (dioxane) as a sole carbon and energy source. Their specific dioxane degradation rates at 30°C, pH = 7 (i.e. 5.7 to 7.1 g-dioxane per g-protein per day) were comparable to those of two dioxane-metabolizing archetypes: Pseudonocardia dioxanivoransCB1190 and Mycobacterium dioxanotrophicusPH-06. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing, Mycobacterium was the dominant genus. Acetylene inhibition tests suggest that dioxane degradation was mediated by monooxygenases. However, qPCR analyses targeting the tetrahydrofuran/dioxane monooxygenase gene (thmA/dxmA) (which is, to date, the only sequenced dioxane monooxygenase gene) were negative, indicating that other (as yet unknown) catabolic gene(s) were responsible. DNA sequence analyses also showed threefold to sevenfold enrichment of group 5 and group 6 soluble di-iron monooxygenase (SDIMO) genes relative to the original soil samples. Whereas biodegradation of trace levels of dioxane is a common challenge at contaminated sites, both consortia degraded dioxane at low initial concentrations (300 μg l−1) below detectable levels (5 μg l−1) in bioaugmented microcosms prepared with impacted groundwater. Overall, this work shows that dioxane-degrading bacteria (and the associated natural attenuation potential) exist even in some uncontaminated soils, and may be enriched to broaden bioaugmentation options for sites experiencing insufficient dioxane catabolic capacity.
Facilitating an L2 Book Club: A Conversation‐Analytic Study of Task Management

Abstract: This study employs conversation analysis to examine a facilitator's interactional practices in the post‐expansion phase of students’ presentations in the context of a book club for second language learning. The analysis shows how the facilitator establishes intersubjectivity with regard to the ongoing task and manages students’ task performance. The empirical data suggest that the facilitator's orientation to the task was achieved in 3 important ways: through (a) task resumption (Excerpts 1 and 2), (b) task summary (Excerpts 3 and 4), and (c) task mediation (Excerpts 5–7). As the data presented in this study demonstrate, the facilitator's task orientation practices created opportunities for the students (and herself) to gain more understanding of the presenters’ task answers, which was one of the fundamental pedagogical goals of the book club activity. By providing insights into the way the facilitator managed students’ task performance in this book club context, the study expands our understanding of the intricate maneuvers involved in task interactions. I conclude by addressing the study's pedagogical implications for language teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]