cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping the Functional Roles of Cap Cells in the Response of Arabidopsis Primary Roots to Gravity

The cap is widely accepted to be the site of gravity sensing in roots because removal of the cap abolishes root curvature. Circumstantial evidence favors the columella cells as the gravisensory cells because amyloplasts (and often other cellular components) are polarized with respect to the gravity vector. However, there has been no functional confirmation of their role. To address this problem, we used laser ablation to remove defined cells in the cap of Arabidopsis primary roots and quantified the response of the roots to gravity using three parameters: time course of curvature, presentation time, and deviation from vertical growth. Ablation of the peripheral cap cells and tip cells did not alter root curvature. Ablation of the innermost columella cells caused the strongest inhibitory effect on root curvature without affecting growth rates. Many of these roots deviated significantly from vertical growth and had a presentation time 6-fold longer than the controls. Among the two inner columella stories, the central cells of story 2 contributed the most to root gravitropism. These cells also exhibited the largest amyloplast sedimentation velocities. Therefore, these results are consistent with the starch-statolith sedimentation hypothesis for gravity sensing.
MEAN LIFETIMES OF LOW-LYING LEVELS OF $sup 34$S.

The mean lifetimes of the levels of $^{34}\mathrm{S}$ below 5.0-MeV excitation energy have been measured by the Doppler-shift attentuation method. The $^{31}\mathrm{P}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, p)^{34}\mathrm{S}$ reaction was used to populate these states. GaP targets evaporated onto 1-\ensuremath{\mu} Ni foils were bombarded with $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles ranging in energy from 5.0 to 7.3 MeV. $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were detected with a 30-cc Ge(Li) detector at 0, 90, and 143\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to the beam axis. The following mean lifetimes were found: $\ensuremath{\tau}(2.13\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{MeV}\mathrm{level})=400\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}32$ fsec, $\ensuremath{\tau}(3.30)=175\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}25$ fsec, $\ensuremath{\tau}(3.92)g1.39$ psec, $\ensuremath{\tau}(4.07)l24$ fsec, $\ensuremath{\tau}(4.11)=110\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10$ fsec, $\ensuremath{\tau}(4.62)=135\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}17$ fsec, $\ensuremath{\tau}(4.69)=131\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}13$ fsec, $\ensuremath{\tau}(4.88)=(57\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}22 \mathrm{fsec})$,, $\ensuremath{\tau}(4.89)=(52\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}14 \mathrm{fsec})$.
Cryptic Met-enkephalin in adrenal and portal vein during splanchnic artery occlusion shock in cats.

Adrenal vein (AD), portal vein (PV), and femoral artery (FA) plasma levels of immunoreactive (IR) Met-enkephalin pentapeptide (ME) and extended ME-IR forms, obtained after sequential incubation of plasma with trypsin and carboxypeptidase B, were examined in 4 cats during splanchnic artery occlusion shock at baseline (S1), during early shock (S2), late shock (S3), and after naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.v.) administration (S4). Early shock (S2) led to a significant increase in levels of extended and fully processed Met-enkephalin IR at all 3 collection sites (AD, PV, FA) without a change in proportional levels of extended Met-enkephalin IR to the pentapeptide IR (ME). Naloxone administration during late shock (S4), however, resulted in a disproportionate increase (150-fold from baseline) in adrenal vein plasma levels of extended Met-enkephalin IR forms, as compared to ME IR (23-fold). In contrast, no changes in plasma levels occurred in PV and FA.
Age, Growth, and Fecundity of Yellow Perch, Perca flavescens, in Lake Michigan near Ludington, Michigan

Abstract Yellow perch were studied as a portion of a total environmental baseline study in 1972 before operation of a new pumped storage power plant on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan near Ludington. Of 1,546 perch taken by gill nets, age III (1969 year class) and IV fish contributed 40.1% and 27.4% of the total number, with male fish being taken much more frequently than females in all age classes during spring sampling. Comparative growth and length-weight data indicated that the perch were generally growing to larger sizes than those reported previously from the Great Lakes. Most fish older than age I were sexually mature and spawned in shallow littoral waters from mid-May to late June. Mature fish spent the summer in the littoral zone and moved to deeper water by late fall. The ratio of ovary weight to body weight was 20-25% before spawning, declined sharply, and increased again in fall. Ninety-six female fish examined for fecundity had a range of 10,654 to 157,594 eggs, and in general, because of ...
Experimental and theoretical study of the sign preference in the nucleation of water vapor

Abstract The nucleation of water vapor on ions in atmospheres of helium and argon was studied using an expansion type cloud chamber. Separation of the positive and negative ions was achieved so that the nucleation could be studied as a function of both the sign of the ionic charge and the supersaturation. A semiphenominological theory was developed as an extension of the classical liquid drop theory to include the effects of the ionic charge on the nucleation process. The theoretical model of the prenucleation embryo was assumed to possess an oriented dipole surface layer with the direction of orientation dependent on the sign of the ionic charge. The theory predicts not only the increase in the nucleation rate compared to that for homogeneous nucleation and a difference in rate between positive and negative ions, the negative ions having the higher nucleation rate, but also predicts a correction term to the classical theory of homogeneous nucleation for polar molecules which exhibit an electrical double layer at the liquid surface. Comparison of the theoretical and experimental results for nucleation on both positive and negative ions yields good agreement and indicates the prenucleation embryo is probably a tightly bonded highly structured cluster possessing an oriented dipole surface layer.
Testicular torsion: is there a seasonal predilection for occurrence?

Abstract Objectives To test the hypothesis that there is a bimodal spring-fall seasonal predilection for acute testicular torsion and to compare our series with those previously reported outside the United States that support a seasonal predilection. Methods A retrospective chart review of operative notes was performed for all cases of acute torsion of the testis confirmed at surgery during a 15-year period at our institution. The diagnosis, child’s age, and date of occurrence were verified; 135 confirmed cases were identified. Results The months with the highest incidences of acute testicular torsion were December (14%) and January (11%). Thirty percent of cases occurred in the fall (October, November, December), 24% in the winter (January, February, March), 22% in the summer (July, August, September), and 23% in the spring (April, May, June). Conclusions No statistically significant differences were seen with regard to seasonal or monthly occurrence of acute torsion. However, the “cold” weather trend identified is consistent with those of larger international studies. It is possible that our regional monthly temperatures do not vary enough to demonstrate whether cold weather influences the incidence of torsion. To our knowledge, this is the only reported series regarding a seasonal predilection for torsion in the United States. A multi-institutional, prospective study representing all regions within the United States is needed to establish the significance of season and climate on testicular torsion.
The effect of pore structure on the char-steam reaction

The kinetics of the char-steam gasification reaction and the accompanying pore structure changes have been investigated experimentally and interpreted through the use of the random pore model of Bhatia and Perlmutter (1980) and its extensions developed in this study. To allow model evaluations, surface areas and pore-size distributions were obtained for various partially-reacted char samples. Surface areas follow the reaction rates as a function of conversion, supporting the interpretation that the reaction of porous char with steam is governed by the structural changes that occur as conversion proceeds. Reaction rate constants were obtained from the kinetic data. A pyrolytic change of char mass was observed during the heatup period from room temperature to reaction temperature for each of the two char samples tested. This results in a significant increase in surface area and a decrease in pore structure parameter. It is shown that this pore structure parameter is very sensitive to changes in conversion when the initial parameter is large and the conversion is small.
Reversals in Wine Auction Prices

This paper investigates reversals in wine auction prices following a series of strong positive and negative returns. Using the Chicago Wine Company's auction data, we find evidence of reversals after extreme wine price changes. There is a clear asymmetry in the market reaction to wine price increases and declines. Wine price declines after strong price increases are not, in general, as significant as wine price increases after strong price declines. The strongest reversal occurs for wines that have declined in price by more than 30 percent. (JEL Classifications: D44, G14)
Transhiatal esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus: experience with 26 patients.

Abstract Transhiatal esophagectomy was performed in 26 patients with esophageal carcinoma. The patients were selected for this procedure by means of transhiatal palpation of the tumor at laparotomy. Twenty had squamous cell carcinoma and 6, adenocarcinoma. The tumor locations were the upper third in 8, middle third in 12, and lower third in 6. On postoperative staging, 15 patients had Stage III and 6, Stage IV neoplasms. Among 25 elective resections there was 1 hospital death, which was due to severe coronary artery disease. One patient who had an urgent resection for a perforated carcinoma died of multisystem failure 32 days postoperatively. Complications included splenic injury requiring splenectomy in 5 patients; tracheal laceration in 2 patients (only 1 requiring a thoracotomy); azygos vein laceration requiring sternotomy for repair in 1 patient; chylothorax in 1; recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis in 3 (temporary in 2); and transient anastomotic leaks in 3. Five patients had pneumonia with transient respiratory failure. Twelve of the operative survivors died of cancer 3.2 to 32 months postoperatively, and 12 are alive 3 to 28 months after operation. The actuarial survival is 53 ± 11% (± standard error) at one year and 46 ± 12% at two years. Transhiatal esophagectomy is a reasonable, safe operation that should be considered for tumors at all levels of the esophagus.
Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease, and its effect on the QT interval

BACKGROUND Prolongation of corrected QT interval (QTcp) can result in arrhythmias, which may, in part, be responsible for the increased cardiovascular mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Since hypocalcemia can cause QTcp, we postulated a link between QTcp and disturbances in divalent ions seen in CKD patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT). METHODS We prospectively determined the prevalence of sHPT, hypocalcemia, and QTcp in 97 CKD patients. Patients with a parathyroid hormone (PTH) level ≥200 pg/mL were initiated on a vitamin D protocol for 1 year. QTc was measured at baseline and follow-up using an electrocardiogram (ECG) recorder. RESULTS The initial mean value for PTH was 343 ± 334 pg/mL. Nearly two-thirds of the patients had PTH values >200 pg/mL. The mean QTc was 441 ± 41.9 msec. There was no significant change in the QTc for treated and untreated patients. PTH had a significant decrease in the treated patients, from 522 ± 379 to 312 ± 244 pg/mL. The mean PTH significantly increased in the untreated patients from 227 ± 197 to 302 ± 322 pg/mL. The corrected calcium non-significantly decreased from 9.4 ± 1.0 to 9.0 ± 2.2. At 5 years follow-up, nearly half of this cohort had died; however we did not observe any significant difference in mortality between treated and untreated patients. CONCLUSIONS We observed a 44.7% prevalence of prolonged QTc in an unselected population of CKD patients. This cohort had a high prevalence of sHPT. Treatment of sHPT did not appear to have an effect on QTc or mortality.
Differential susceptibility of Aedes aegypti to infection by the American and Southeast Asian genotypes of dengue type 2 virus.

Outbreaks of dengue hemorrhagic fever have coincided with the introduction of the Southeast (SE) Asian genotype of dengue type 2 virus in the Western Hemisphere. This introduced genotype appears to...
Use of commercial ‘authoring systems’ for medical education

Summary A recent development in computer-assisted medical instruction has been the introduction of ‘authoring systems’. Authoring systems are computer programs which can allow an instructor to prepare computer-based medical instructional materials without the need to know programming languages or have more than minimal familiarity with the computer hardware. This report documents the use of a commercially available authoring system that was used to prepare a tutorial for medical student instruction. This lesson presented information about paediatric developmental disabilities in both a text and question-and-answer format. Significant improvement in knowledge was demonstrated by the pre-and post-test results of the study group compared to the control group. The control group consisted of students who did not view the tutorial but had been assigned to a paediatric developmental disabilities clinic. The medical students who viewed the tutorial generally had very favourable comments about the use of such a system for the presentation of new information.
Nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulator for mimicking laser speckle contrast imaging

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a non- or minimally- invasive modality for observing relative blood flow or perfusion. Recently, there has been an effort to use LSCI for truly quantitative blood flow measurements. However, this effort has been hampered not only by real theoretical issues, but also by challenges associated with numerous experimental parameters that can potentially impact the calculated contrast values. In this work, we present our efforts at using a nematic liquid crystal, phase-only, spatial light modulator (SLM) to mimic LSCI experiments with precisely controlled experimental parameters. This approach permits the rapid experimental investigation of numerous factors including: The effects of different flow models on LSCI contrast values; the effects of multiple decorrelation times in the same depth of field; the effects of ‘static’ scatterers; and the effects of camera settings relative to speckle decorrelation times, just to name a few. We have found that an SLM is a useful tool for the experimental investigation of LSCI that eliminates many of the experimental variables associated with typical flow model experiments or in vivo experimentation. LSCI experiments with SLMs are a useful intermediary between computer simulations and physical flow models.
Accuracy and stability of time-split finite-difference schemes

In a recently published work by Abarbanel and Gottlieb (1980), a new class of explicit time-split algorithms designed for application to the compressible Navier-Stokes equations was developed. These algorithms, which utilize locally-one-dimensional (LOD) spatial steps, were shown to possess stability characteristics superior to those of other time-split schemes. In the present work, the properties of an implicit LOD method, analogous to the Abarbanel-Gottlieb algorithm, are examined using the two-dimensional heat conduction equation as the test problem. Both temporal and spatial inconsistencies inherent in the scheme are identified, and a new consistent, implicit splitting approach is developed and applied to the linear Burgers' equation. The relationship between this new method and other time-split implicit schemes is explained and stability problems encountered with the method in three dimensions are discussed.
Ancient world cities 4000–1000 BC: Centre/hinterland in the world system

(1999). Ancient world cities 4000–1000 BC: Centre/hinterland in the world system. Global Society: Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 383-392.
Infrared Study of the Structure and Composition of Rabbit Lens Membranes: a Comparative Analysis of the Lipids of the Nucleus, Cortex and Epithelium

Infrared spectra of the phospholipids extracted from the nuclear, cortical and epithelial regions of the rabbit lens membrane bilayers are examined for the first time. Major structural, conformational and compositional differences in the lens membrane are correlated at physiological temperature. Vibrational data distinguish two classes of the phospholipids present in the rabbit lens membranes. Sphingolipids with a sphingosine backbone are largely concentrated in the nucleus whereas phospholipids with a glycerol backbone (glycero-lipids) such as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine are abundant in the cortical region of the lens. Nuclear lipids are more saturated by a factor of four over the lipids of the cortical region. Nuclear lipids also exhibit increased headgroup and interface hydration and stronger hydrogen bonding over cortical lipids which provide them additional structural stability needed for the clarity of the lens. The lipid composition of the epithelial membranes is structurally similar to that of the cortical region but the hydrocarbon chains are more saturated. Epithelial membranes are largely shielded from bilayer water indicating hydrophilic lipid-water interactions are not important for the stability of these membranes. These membranes exhibit much stronger lipid-lipid interactions, vital for many physical properties like membrane fluidity and permeability. The fiber cell membranes are stabilized by hydrogen bonding of the carbonyls of the interface region and by headgroup-specific lipid-water interactions, while epithelial membranes are stabilized primarily through hydrophobic lipid-lipid interactions. Data also exhibit two phase transitions around 16 and 35 degrees C corresponding to the melting of the hydrocarbon chains from two pools of the phospholipids i.e. glycero- and sphingophospholipids, respectively. The first transition is caused by disruption of the carbonyl hydrogen bonding and disordering of the acyl chains of the glycero-lipids, while second transition is driven mainly from the hydrogen bonding effects of the carbonyls of the sphingolipids followed by acyl/sphingosine chain disordering. Upon transition to the liquid-crystalline phase, a sizable amount of the fiber cell membranes are disordered (approximately 33%) due to increased conformational motion of the acyl chains resulting from a loss of extended CH2 trans segments. These chains of the fully hydrated lipids pack in an hexagonal or triclinic unit cell in rabbit lens membranes.
Small-time expansions for the transition distributions of Lévy processes

Abstract Let X = ( X t ) t ≥ 0 be a Levy process with absolutely continuous Levy measure ν . Small-time expansions of arbitrary polynomial order in t are obtained for the tails P ( X t ≥ y ) , y > 0 , of the process, assuming smoothness conditions on the Levy density away from the origin. By imposing additional regularity conditions on the transition density p t of X t , an explicit expression for the remainder of the approximation is also given. As a byproduct, polynomial expansions of order n in t are derived for the transition densities of the process. The conditions imposed on p t require that, away from the origin, its derivatives remain uniformly bounded as t → 0 . Such conditions are then shown to be satisfied for symmetric stable Levy processes as well as some tempered stable Levy processes such as the CGMY one. The expansions seem to correct the asymptotics previously reported in the literature.
Scaling relations between adsorption energies for computational screening and design of catalysts

Adsorption energies have significant value as predictors of catalytic performance. An important method of increasing efficiency of adsorption energy calculations is to employ scaling relations, which are linear relationships between adsorption energies of similar adsorbates. They are most commonly used to unify the description of adsorbates that bind to the surface through a particular type of atom. In this work, we review the development and applications of scaling relations. Scaling relations have been observed for a variety of adsorbates bonding through C, O, H, N, and S atoms to the surfaces of transition metals, oxides, nitrides, sulfides, carbides, and nanoparticles. They can be used to increase the efficiency of predictions, simplify descriptions of surface reactivity, and sometimes to derive limits on the effectiveness of a catalyst. Because scaling relations can impose a significant limitation on catalyst design, it is also useful to explore how to design active sites that significantly deviate from them. We discuss applications to a variety of processes, including methane reforming and synthesis, alcohol decomposition and synthesis, electrochemical systems, and conversion of biomass derivatives.
A survey of sexual attitudes and sex education programs among facilities for the mentally retarded.

Abstract To explore sexual policies and problems in patient facilities for the mentally retarded, questionnaires concerning this issue were sent to institutions for the mentally retarded. One hundred thirty-one questionnaires were returned (response rate of 40%). Information concerning sex education programs and attitudes and policies toward sexuality of the mentally retarded was collected. Most facilities provided sex education (84%) and social activities (95%). However, explicit sexual activity other than masturbation by the mentally retarded was generally disapproved of and in many cases forbidden.
Body mass index and headaches: findings from a national sample of US adults.

The objective was to study the cross-sectional association between body mass index (BMI) and the prevalence of severe headaches or migraines in a national sample of US adults. We used data from 7601 men and women aged > or = 20 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. The age-adjusted prevalence of severe headaches or migraines during the previous 3 months was 34.0, 18.9, 20.7 and 25.9% among participants with a BMI or = 30 kg/m(2), respectively. After adjusting for a variety of covariates in a logistic regression model, those with a BMI or = 30 kg/m(2 )(OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.09, 1.72) had a significantly elevated OR for having a headache compared with participants with a BMI of 18.5-< 25 kg/m(2). BMI is associated with the prevalence of severe headaches or migraines in a non-linear manner.
MediaFranca: ubiquitous computing for youth engagement

Networking technology strives for maximizing the possibilities of connection among people; however, communication technology also promotes atomistic individualism in narrow communities of interest. Today's youths experience this paradox as the increasing emergence of mobile communication technology and networked devices contribute to a steady decline of social capital. This research explores opportunities for using ubiquitous computing and location-based media in order to develop design strategies for engaging young adults in the issues of their communities and providing them with a space where they can raise their voice.
Automated fabrication of mobility aids (AFMA): below-knee CASD/CAM testing and evaluation program results.

Abstract In 1988 the Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, under the directorship of Margaret J. Giannini, M.D., began a nationally directed computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) research program for the Automated Fabrication of Mobility Aids (AFMA). Under this program CAD/CAM research and development centers were established at the Prosthetics Research Study in Seattle, WA; at Northwestern University and the VA Lakeside Medical Center in Chicago, IL; and at the VA Medical Center and New York University Medical Center in New York, NY. These three centers conducted a collaborative program: (a) to introduce CAD/CAM technologies to prosthetists, physicians, therapists, and rehabilitation health care professionals in the United States; (b) to evaluate the feasibility of using CAD/CAM systems in clinical prosthetics settings; (c) to test and evaluate the University College London-Bioengineering Center's and the University of British Columbia-Medical Engineering Resource Unit's respective systems for the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture of prosthetic sockets (CASD/CAM) for below-knee amputees; and, (d) to obtain quantitative data for refinement of the CASD/CAM systems tested, and for the development of new, enhanced, more efficacious, and expedient systems.
A feeding stimulant to increase effectiveness of, and a field test with, a nuclear-polyhedrosis virus of Heliothis☆☆☆

Abstract Water extracts of plant parts were used to stimulate bollworm and tobacco-budworm feeding on virus-treated surfaces. Combinations of virus and water extracts of corn were more effective than virus alone in both laboratory and field tests.
Catalyst/cocatalyst nuclearity effects in single-site polymerization. Enhanced polyethylene branching and α-olefin comonomer enchainment in polymerizations mediated by binuclear catalysts and cocatalysts via a new enchainment pathway

The binuclear “constrained geometry catalyst” (CGC) (μ-CH2CH2-3,3‘){(η5-indenyl )[1-Me2Si(tBuN)](ZrMe2)}2 [EBICGC(ZrMe2)2; Zr2] and the trityl bisborate dianion (Ph3C+)2[1,4-(C6F5)3BC6F4B(C6F5)3]2-...
Growth potential of juvenile southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, in low salinity nursery areas of Pamlico sound, North Carolina, USA

Field growth experiments were conducted in cages during June–August 1993, to compare growth rates of juvenile southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma (standard length (SL) 37 to 70 mm), in historically utilized (two creeks) and underutilized (two creeks) low salinity nursery areas within the Pamlico River Estuary of Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. Growth rates from five sequential trials were used to estimate the nursery areas' productive capacities for juveniles of this species. Instantaneous daily growth rates, measured as a function of changes in weight, showed that southern flounder placed in underutilized creeks exhibited significantly higher mean instantaneous daily growth rates (3.94·10−2±0.47) than southern flounder placed in utilized creeks (1.66·10−2±0.49). Thus, other factors such as colonization rate must be limiting production in nursery areas. Temperature was positively correlated with growth rate and accounted for about 20% of the variability in growth rates. The approach used in this study provides an alternative method of assessing critical nursery habitats for juvenile flatfish in estuarine environments. Assessment of nursery value in terms of potential productive capacity rather than realized production should prevent underassessment of value due to low levels of colonization in some years.
Evaluating the Combined Effectiveness of Influenza Control Strategies and Human Preventive Behavior

Control strategies enforced by health agencies are a major type of practice to contain influenza outbreaks. Another type of practice is the voluntary preventive behavior of individuals, such as receiving vaccination, taking antiviral drugs, and wearing face masks. These two types of practices take effects concurrently in influenza containment, but little attention has been paid to their combined effectiveness. This article estimates this combined effectiveness using established simulation models in the urbanized area of Buffalo, NY, USA. Three control strategies are investigated, including: Targeted Antiviral Prophylaxis (TAP), workplace/school closure, community travel restriction, as well as the combination of the three. All control strategies are simulated with and without regard to individual preventive behavior, and the resulting effectiveness are compared. The simulation outcomes suggest that weaker control strategies could suffice to contain influenza epidemics, because individuals voluntarily adopt preventive behavior, rendering these weaker strategies more effective than would otherwise have been expected. The preventive behavior of individuals could save medical resources for control strategies and avoid unnecessary socio-economic interruptions. This research adds a human behavioral dimension into the simulation of control strategies and offers new insights into disease containment. Health policy makers are recommended to review current control strategies and comprehend preventive behavior patterns of local populations before making decisions on influenza containment.
Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Myths, Models, and Molecular Mechanisms

SUMMARY The aim of this review is to present the current state of knowledge on human latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) based on clinical studies and observations, as well as experimental in vitro and animal models. Several key terms are defined, including “latency,” “persistence,” “dormancy,” and “antibiotic tolerance.” Dogmas prevalent in the field are critically examined based on available clinical and experimental data, including the long-held beliefs that infection is either latent or active, that LTBI represents a small population of nonreplicating, “dormant” bacilli, and that caseous granulomas are the haven for LTBI. The role of host factors, such as CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, T regulatory cells, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and gamma interferon (IFN-γ), in controlling TB infection is discussed. We also highlight microbial regulatory and metabolic pathways implicated in bacillary growth restriction and antibiotic tolerance under various physiologically relevant conditions. Finally, we pose several clinically important questions, which remain unanswered and will serve to stimulate future research on LTBI.
Trypanosoma brucei sspp.: cleavage of variant specific and common glycoproteins during exposure of live cells to trypsin.

Intact bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T.b. gambiense, and T.b. rhodesiense and procyclic forms of T.b. brucei and T.b. gambiense were incubated in trypsin, solubilized for gel electrophoresis, and analyzed for removal of surface molecules. Silver-stained gels and transfer blots probed with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated or radiolabeled lectins revealed that only three glycoproteins, Gp120p, Gp91p, and Gp23p, were removed from the surface of procyclic forms by trypsin. The variant specific glycoproteins, Gp23b, Gp120b, and in some clones Gp91b were surface molecules cleaved from bloodstream forms. Greater than 90% of the variant specific glycoprotein (VSG) was removed from the surface of all clones studied within 1 hr following the addition of trypsin. The removal of VSG was coincident with appearance of 37 to 50 kDa glycopeptide fragments of VSG with different clones yielding different sized fragments. Detailed kinetic analysis of proteins from whole cell extracts and supernatants of the DuTat 1.1 clone of T.b. rhodesiense using concanavalin A (Con A) and polyclonal antibodies revealed that three major VSG fragments were released during trypsinization. The electrophoretic mobility of the three VSG fragments of DuTat 1.1 was not altered when samples were boiled in sodium dodecyl sulfate to inhibit the endogenous phospholipase C. Antiserum to the cross-reactive determinant bound to intact VSG, but did not bind VSG fragments. Thus, the major Con A binding fragments of DuTat 1.1 VSG and perhaps those of the other clones we studied were probably derived from the N-terminal domain of the molecule. The data suggest that VSG is cleaved by trypsin in situ at the hinge region, but remains attached to the cell surface via weak interaction with neighboring molecules.
A system of clothes matching for visually impaired persons

Choosing clothes is a challenge task for blind people. In this paper, we propose a proof of concept system to match a pair of image from different clothes for both pattern and color. Our system consists of 1) a camera and a computer to perform color detection, pattern and color matching process; 2) supporting speech commands to flexibly control and configure; and 3) audio feedbacks to provide matching results of both color and pattern. The system can deal with clothes in uniform color without any pattern, as well as clothes with multiple colors and complex patterns. Furthermore, our method is robust to variations of illumination, clothes rotation, and clothes wrinkles. The proposed method is evaluated on two challenge databases of clothes. Experimental results demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness on clothes matching.
Cultural Similarities and Differences in Emblematic Gestures

Despite longstanding interest in cultural differences in emblems, there have only been a few systematic investigations of those differences, and to date there is no study that catalogues and compares emblems across different cultural groups to a standard list of verbal messages. This study does so. Encoders from six world regions produced potential emblems from a standard verbal message list. Gestures that were encoded by at least 70% of the encoders in a region were shown to observers from the same regions, and gestures that were judged correctly as the message intended by at least 70% of the decoders in that region were considered emblems. These procedures resulted in the cataloguing of cultural differences in emblems to the same verbal message list. Surprisingly, the results also indicated a small group of emblems that were similarly encoded and decoded across cultures.
Algorithm 862: MATLAB tensor classes for fast algorithm prototyping

Tensors (also known as multidimensional arrays or N-way arrays) are used in a variety of applications ranging from chemometrics to psychometrics. We describe four MATLAB classes for tensor manipulations that can be used for fast algorithm prototyping. The tensor class extends the functionality of MATLAB's multidimensional arrays by supporting additional operations such as tensor multiplication. The tensorlaslmatrix class supports the “matricization” of a tensor, that is, the conversion of a tensor to a matrix (and vice versa), a commonly used operation in many algorithms. Two additional classes represent tensors stored in decomposed formats: cpltensor and tuckerltensor. We describe all of these classes and then demonstrate their use by showing how to implement several tensor algorithms that have appeared in the literature.
Crosslinked polyimide foams derived from poly(imidepropylene oxide) copolymers

A new route for the synthesis of high glass transition temperature, thermally stable polymer foams has been developed, using compositionally asymmetric microphase-separated block copolymers where the minor component (poly(propylene oxide)) is thermally labile and the major component (polyimide) is thermally stable. The minor component decomposes to low molecular weight species upon heating, and the decomposition products diffuse out of the film, leaving behind pores embedded in a matrix of the thermally stable component. In this study, the polyimide block was crosslinked with ethynyl functionalities to obtain a stable porous structure. The decomposition of the propylene oxide in the block copolymer was studied by thermogravimetric, dynamic mechanical and thermomechanical analyses. Mild conditions were required to avoid rapid depolymerization of the propylene oxide and plasticization of the polyimide matrix. The foams showed pore sizes with diameters up to a micrometer in size as well as the expected reduction in the mass density.
Developing a hypertext World Wide Web vertical file

Describes how the reference service provided by the Rod Library Information File has recently been enhanced by the creation of a World Wide Web extension of this vertical file. Like the Information File, the WWW Info File provides Rod Library patrons with subject access to Iowa, corporate, and general information. States that benefits and pitfalls of developing and maintaining this additional system are many and argues that though a final verdict on this system has yet to be pronounced, this and other efforts at vertical file automation may herald renewed interest in this backwater of library and information research.
Characterization of the Frequency-Force Relationship in the Dog Atrium In Situ

Isometric developed tension and rate of development of tension in the in situ atrium of the anesthetized dog have been shown to increase consistently with increasing heart rate over a wide range. This study thus definitely demonstrates that both the ascending and descending staircase effects occur in the dog atrium in situ. At high cardiac rates the velocity of force development may increase without a change in the extent of force development. These changes were independent of variations in aortic pressure, intactness of betaadrenergic receptors, level of cardiac catecholamine stores, cardiac innervation, or changes in coronary flow. The character of the frequency-force relationship was found to be markedly influenced by isolation of the heart with its concomitant depression of contractility.
Multiracial feminist theorizing about eating problems: Refusing to rank oppressions

Abstract In the past few years, there has been increasing recognition that eating problems affect a diverse group. However, this awareness has not significantly changed theories about etiology. Most research focuses on the impact of gender on women's eating patterns, while placing issues of race, class, and sexuality outside the frame of reference. This article, based on life history interviews with African American, Latina, and white women (both lesbian and heterosexual), scrutinizes the standard profile of eating problems and offers a theory that refuses to rank oppression. A multiracial focus demonstrates that the origins of eating problems have little to do with vanity or an obsession with appearance. Rather, they begin as survival strategies in response to racism, homophobia, classism, the stress of acculturation, and emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. A multiracial focus also underscores why the prevention of eating problems depends not simply upon individual healing but also on changing the soc...
Noise-Immune Coil for Unshielded Magnetic Resonance Measurements

A modified split-loop resonator that is electrically balanced and that has no magnetic dipole moment is shown to be relatively immune to environmental noise. Using a magnetic resonance surface coil of this design for 14N NQR at 3.4 MHz, it is demonstrated that magnetic resonance measurements can be made in the laboratory without additional RF shielding and with less than a 2 dB increase in the rms noise. Compared to more traditional designs, the modified split-loop resonator showed a net 17-dB gain in sensitivity for unshielded measurements. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.
Pentoxifylline prevents endothelial damage due to ischemia and reperfusion injury.

Background. Endothelial injury after ischemia and reperfusion is characterized by an increase in permeability, cellular edema, and loss of acetylcholine-mediated vasorelaxation. Three hours of ischemia followed by 2 hr of reperfusion in the New Zealand white rabbit hindlimb has been shown to result in loss of acetylcholine-induced superficial femoral artery vasorelaxation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraarterial pentoxyfylline (PTX) on this endothelial injury. Methods. New Zealand white rabbits underwent 3 hr of complete hindlimb ischemia followed by 2 hr of reperfusion. Twenty milliliters of either 100 μM PTX or normal saline was infused over 20 min via the circumflex iliac artery at initiation of reperfusion. Superficial femoral artery rings were then evaluated in vitro for endothelial cell-mediated relaxation. Rings were exposed to standardized incremental doses of acetylcholine after norepinephrine-induced contraction and percentage relaxation was measured. Sections of arteries were also sent for hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results. Similar contraction responses following NE stimulation were observed between control and PTX-treated rings. Control rings relaxed a mean of 14.97 ± 3.64, 23.17 ± 5.61, and 31.84 ± 8.43% in response to acetylcholine doses of 6 x 10 -8 , 1 X 10 -7 , and 1.5 x 10 -7 M, respectively. In contrast, PTX-treated segments relaxed a mean of 47.52 ± 8.88, 62.32 ± 6.83, and 76.73 ± 4.91% to the same doses of acetylcholine. Differences in relaxation between control and PTX-treated vessels were significantly different at each dose (P < 0.05, Student's t test). Histologic examination of the PTX-treated and control arteries revealed an intact endothelium without morphologic differences between the two groups. Conclusion. In this model of rabbit hindlimb ischemia, endothelial cell-mediated vasorelaxation was preserved with the administration of intraarterial PTX during reperfusion compared to controls. The different relaxation responses could not be attributed to altered arterial contractility in response to norepinephrine, or explained by histologic changes in the arterial wall. These studies demonstrate a potential modality for therapeutic intervention to reduce reperfusion injury after acute limb ischemia.
See me, Feel me, Touch me, Heal me: Wind turbines, culture, landscapes, and sound impressions

Community-based wind energy projects, with their small-scale, yet sizeable presence, provide a valuable opportunity to understand how individuals make sense of changes to their communities and to the surrounding landscape. Here, we examine the results of a 2013 mail survey of individuals residing in the vicinity of a 2 MW wind turbine that is located on the edge of the historic coastal town of Lewes, Delaware in the United States, and adjacent to Delaware Bay and the Great Marsh Preserve. The wind turbine, which was constructed in 2010, primarily serves the University of Delaware's coastal campus, and to a lesser extent the town of Lewes. Seventy-eight percent hold positive or very positive attitudes toward the wind turbine, with only 10% having negative or very negative attitudes, and 82% like the look of the wind turbine. Socially constructed aspects find more resonance than physical ones (e.g., attractiveness) in explaining this latter finding, with the wind turbine being reflective of a transformation to a clean energy future for those residents who like the way the turbine looks. On the other hand, those objecting to its look, find the turbine does not fit the landscape. Policy implications of these findings and others related to wind turbine sound are considered, and recommendations for better understanding of proposed developments from the vantage point of the affected communities, including how a community views itself and its surrounding landscape, are made.
Reliability considerations in composite laminate tailoring

Abstract In this study, a structural synthesis procedure has been developed to tailor composite laminates to meet the reliability-based (ply) strength requirements and achieve desirable laminate responses. Specifically, the main thrust of the paper is to demonstrate how to integrate optimization techniques in the probabilistic composite laminate tailoring process. The question of reliability arises in fiber composite analysis and design because of the inherent scatter that is observed in the constituent (fiber and matrix) material properties during experimentation. Symmetric and asymmetric composite laminates subject to mechanical loadings are considered as application examples. These application examples illustrate the effectiveness and ease with which reliability considerations can be integrated in the design optimization model for composite laminate tailoring.
The filament-forming protein Pil1 assembles linear eisosomes in fission yeast

The cortical cytoskeleton mediates a range of cellular activities such as endocytosis, cell motility, and the maintenance of cell rigidity. Traditional polymers, including actin, microtubules, and septins, contribute to the cortical cytoskeleton, but additional filament systems may also exist. In yeast cells, cortical structures called eisosomes generate specialized domains termed MCCs to cluster specific proteins at sites of membrane invaginations. Here we show that the core eisosome protein Pil1 forms linear cortical filaments in fission yeast cells and that purified Pil1 assembles into filaments in vitro. In cells, Pil1 cortical filaments are excluded from regions of cell growth and are independent of the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Pil1 filaments assemble slowly at the cell cortex and appear stable by time-lapse microscopy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. This stability does not require the cell wall, but Pil1 and the transmembrane protein Fhn1 colocalize and are interdependent for localization to cortical filaments. Increased Pil1 expression leads to cytoplasmic Pil1 rods that are stable and span the length of cylindrical fission yeast cells. We propose that Pil1 is a novel component of the yeast cytoskeleton, with implications for the role of filament assembly in the spatial organization of cells.
Composite Analysis of Winter Cyclones in a GCM: Influence on Climatological Humidity

Abstract The role of midlatitude baroclinic cyclones in maintaining the extratropical winter distribution of water vapor in an operational global climate model is investigated. A cyclone identification and tracking algorithm is used to compare the frequency of occurrence, propagation characteristics, and composite structure of 10 winters of storms in the Goddard Institute for Space Studies general circulation model (GCM) and in two reanalysis products. Cyclones are the major dynamical source of water vapor over the extratropical oceans in the reanalyses. The GCM produces fewer, generally weaker, and slower-moving cyclones than the reanalyses and is especially deficient in storms associated with secondary cyclogenesis. Composite fields show that GCM cyclones are shallower and drier aloft than those in the reanalyses and that their vertical structure is less tilted in the frontal region because of the GCM’s weaker ageostrophic circulation. This is consistent with the GCM’s underprediction of midlatitude cir...
Validity of Students' Teaching Evaluation Scores: The Wimberly-Faulkner-Moxley Questionnaire

We present evidence for the validity of scores on a published instrument for student evaluations of teaching performance. We replicated the instrument's factor structure very closely, yielding five factors virtually identical to those of a previous study that used two different populations. For construct validation, we developed a preliminary theoretical model that predicts different effects of three sets of variables on student ratings of teachers. Student expectations about teachers had noteworthy effects on all dimensions of teaching effectiveness. Class size and teacher experience had much weaker effects on the ratings.
Dressed-particle approach in the nonrelativistic classical limit.

For a nonrelativistic classical particle undergoing arbitrary oscillations in external fields, the generalized effective potential $\ensuremath{\Psi}$ is derived through calculating the nonlinear eigenfrequencies of the particle-field system. Specifically, the ponderomotive potential is extended to a nonlinear oscillator, resulting in multiple branches near the primary resonance. For a pair of particle natural frequencies in a beat resonance, $\ensuremath{\Psi}$ scales linearly with the internal actions and is analogous to the dipole potential for a two-level quantum system. Thus cold quantum particles and highly excited quasiclassical objects permit uniform manipulation tools, particularly, one-way walls.