cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Effect of Carbohydrate on Flowering in Lemna perpusilla: III. Effects of Respiratory Intermediates, Amino Acids, and CO(2). Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity.

A study was done on the effects of various factors on carbohydrate inhibition of flowering and on in vitro activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in Lemna perpusilla 6746 grown on dilute Hutner9s medium in short days. Autoclaving decreased the flower inhibitory effect of sucrose but increased the effects of glucose and fructose. Sucrose inhibition was mimicked by CO 2 and was partially reversed by agitation of the cultures. Inhibition by sucrose was also partially reversed by ATP and intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the glycolytic pathway, or the pentose phosphate pathway. Tartaric acid was inactive. Glycine, l-alanine, l-aspartate, l-asparagine, l-serine, l-glutamate, and l-glutamine were active, whereas l-cysteine, l-arginine, l-lysine, l-leucine, l-isoleucine, l-proline, l-tyrosine, l-tryptophane, and l-phenylalanine were not. Incubation of cultures on distilled water during a single inductive long night prevented flowering. This inhibition was partially reversed by l-alanine and glucose 6-phosphate. There was a correlation between carbohydrate inhibition of flowering and enhancement of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Possible mechanisms for the carbohydrate inhibition of flowering are discussed.
Visually Driven Modulation of Glutamatergic Synaptic Transmission Is Mediated by the Regulation of Intracellular Polyamines

Ca2+-permeable AMPARs are inwardly rectifying due to block by intracellular polyamines. Neuronal activity regulates polyamine synthesis, yet whether this affects Ca2+-AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission is unknown. We test whether 4 hr of increased visual stimulation regulates glutamatergic retino-tectal synapses in Xenopus tadpoles. Tectal neurons containing Ca2+-AMPARs form a gradient along the rostro-caudal developmental axis. These neurons had inwardly rectifying AMPAR-mediated EPSCs. Four hours of visual stimulation or addition of intracellular spermine increased rectification in immature neurons. Polyamine synthesis inhibitors blocked the effect of visual stimulation, suggesting that visual activity regulates AMPARs via the polyamine synthesis pathway. This modulation resulted in changes in the integrative properties of tectal neurons. Regulation of polyamine synthesis by physiological stimuli is a novel form of modulation of synaptic transmission important for understanding the short-term effects of enhanced sensory experience during development.
Expression of the spleen focus-forming virus envelope gene in a polarized epithelial cell line

Friend spleen focus-forming virus (F-SFFV) encodes a glycoprotein designated gp52, which is defective in its intracellular transport and accumulates in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Only 3-5% of the mature form of gp52 eventually reaches the cell surface. Compared to transport-competent murine leukemia virus (MuLV) glycoproteins, the gp52 molecule exhibits several structural differences which may have resulted in the possible loss of signals required for transport to the cell surface. To determine the effect of these alterations on the specific sites of surface expression of the molecule, the SFFV env gene was expressed from a vaccinia virus recombinant in a polarized epithelial cell line in which retrovirus glycoproteins are expressed exclusively on basolateral surfaces. We also determined the site of expression of a chimeric env protein which contains the external domain of SFFV gp52 the transmembrane, and the cytoplasmic tail residues of Friend MuLV. The wild-type and chimeric env gene products were defective in transport, and remained primarily in an unprocessed form in MDCK cells or CV-1 cells. However, both glycoproteins were detected at low levels on the basolateral surfaces of MDCK cells, a line of polarized epithelial cells. These results indicate that the presence or absence of a cytoplasmic tail as well as a 585-base deletion in the external domain has no affect on the site of polarized expression of a murine retrovirus glycoprotein.
Genetics of autism: Characteristics of affected and unaffected children from 37 multiplex families

Evidence from twin and family studies strongly suggests that genetic factors play a prominent role in the etiology of some cases of infantile autism. Genetic factors would be expected to be especially strong in families with multiple autistic members (multiplex families). This report describes the identification and evaluation of 44 families with two or more autistic children collected as part of a genetic linkage study in autism. Families were referred with a presumptive classification of multiplex autism. Children referred as autistic, as well as their presumptively normal siblings, were assessed using the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS). Thirty-seven of the 44 families (87%) had at least two children who met diagnostic criteria for autism on the ADI. Of the total group of 117 children evaluated in those families, 83 (71%) met all ADI criteria and could be unambiguously classified as autistic (affected), 26 (22%) met none of the ADI criteria and were classified as not autistic (unaffected), and 8 (7%) were classified as uncertain because they met one or more but not all of the ADI cutpoints. Autistic siblings were not significantly concordant for most autism characteristics, for IQ, or for verbal ability. Significant concordances were found, however, for behaviors related to rituals and repetitive play, and for social impairments in the expression and understanding of facial expressions of emotion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comparison of transformation by manganese sulfate and 5-azacytidine in Rat 6 cells overexpressing the c-myc oncogene

Rat 6 cells are not transformed by treatment with the well-known carcinogens benzo[a]pyrene (BP) or N-methyl-N-nitro-N'-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Upon retroviral transduction of the mouse c-myc gene, Rat 6 cells showed mildly altered morphology and formed microcolonies in soft agar; furthermore, they could be transformed by BP and MNNG to form large colonies in agar (Hsiao et al. (1992) Mol. Carcinogenesis, 5, 140-154). In the current report, we tested the sensitivity of the c-myc-overexpressing cells (Rat 6/c-myc) to two additional chemicals: 5-azacytidine and MnSO4. These chemicals differ from the direct-acting mutagens tested previously. 5-Azacytidine, a potent DNA methylation inhibitor, induced growth of large colonies in soft agar cultures of Rat 6 or Rat 6/c-myc cells. On the other hand, MnSO4 only induced transformation in Rat 6/c-myc cells, but not the parental Rat 6 cells. Transformants induced by 5-azacytidine lost c-myc-induced apoptotic cell death, whereas MnSO4-induced transformants showed a higher degree of apoptosis than the parental Rat 6/c-myc cells. These results suggest that MnSO4 co-operates with overexpressed c-myc in inducing transformation, while 5-azacytidine transformation is independent of c-myc overexpression and may involve alterations in the regulation of apoptosis.
Functional differentiation of virgin mouse mammary epithelium in explant culture is dependent upon extracellular proline

Depletion of proline from insulin, hydrocortisone, and prolactin-containing medium prior to incubating virgin mouse mammary explants prevents both DNA synthesis and functional differentiation in the mammary epithelial cells; however, DNA synthesis in the mammary stroma and total incorporation of radioactive amino acids into total protein appears to continue without hindrance. Removal of glycine instead of proline had no deleterious effect on either DNA replication in the hormone-stimulated epithelium or in its functional differentiation. Functional differentiation was determined by the induction of casein and alpha-lactalbumin synthesis in the insulin, hydrocortisone, and prolactin (IFPrl)-treated explant cultures. As a control, the induction of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) gene expression, a corticosteroid-regulated function, was also measured. Neither the absence of proline or glycine prevented the glucocorticoid stimulation of MMTV gene expression. In contrast to mammary tissue from virgin mice, explants from nonpregnant primiparous mice responded fully to IFPrl stimulation with respect to DNA, casein, and alpha-lactalbumin synthesis in medium depleted of proline. These data suggest that the uncommitted epithelium of virgin mouse mammary glands requires the presence of exogenous proline in order to respond to lactogenic hormonal signals. We have demonstrated earlier that DNA synthesis is a prerequisite of functional differentiation in virgin mouse mammary explants (Smith and Vonderhaar, 1981, Dev. Biol., 88:167-179; Vonderhaar and Smith, 1982, J. Cell Sci, 53:97-114), although cytological differentiation proceeded unencumbered in explants prevented from synthesizing DNA. Here, without proline, neither cytological nor functional differentiation can be induced; this suggests that proline provides an essential metabolic interlock in the acquisition of lactogenic hormone responsiveness in uncommitted mouse mammary tissue.
Juror Responses to Direct and Mediated Presentations of Expert Testimony1

One hundred twenty-one King County (Washington) jurors viewed one of four videotaped versions of medical testimony relevant to the determination of a claim for damages against an employer in an industrial accident case. Two versions presented the claimant's physician (direct testimony), and two presented an attorney reading the physician's testimony verbatim (mediated testimony). Two professional actors (one female, one male) portrayed the physician in one version and the attorney in the other. Videotape presentations were introduced by written material and followed by a questionnaire in which Ss answered a number of legal, attitudinal, and factual questions. Responses to direct testimony differed from those to mediated testimony on several dimensions: number of items listed as significant to the determination of a cash award, estimates of sufficiency of material presented to determine an award, estimates of physician's competence, estimates of confidence in ratings of physician's competence, and number of correct items in a factual retention test. Significant correlations were found between scores on some of these dimensions and number of dollars awarded as compensation. Differences between the actors produced no significant effects, nor were there any significant interactions. It is concluded that, ceteris paribus, direct testimony is to be preferred to mediated testimony.
Spaltrohrmotorpumpen zur Förderung von Fettsäuren

Eine wichtige apparative Komponente in verfahrenstechnischen Anlagen ist die Pumpe. Spezielle Fordermedien verlangen spezielle Behandlung und somit auch spezielle Pumpen. Die Spaltrohrmotorpumpe ist konstruiert, um die Forderung nach Betriebssicherheit, Wartungsfreiheit, hohen Standzeiten und Umweltschutzanforderungen zu erfullen. Ihr Einsatzgebiet umfast auch das gesamte Spektrum der Fettsaureverarbeitung bezuglich Temperature, Druck, unterschiedlicher Viskositaten und Materialbestandigkeit. Besonders in unter Vakuum arbeitenden Anlagen ist eine absolute Abdichtung gegenuber der Atmosphare notwendig, was idealerweise von der Spaltrohrmotorpumpe verwirklicht wird und sich naturgemas zusatzlich in der vollkommenen Leckagefreiheit als Umweltschutzattribut auswirkt. Betriebssicherheit und Wartungsfreiheit werden durch serienmasige Komponenten zur auseren Uberwachung des Zustands von verschleisanfalligen Pumpenteilen erhoht. Die permanente Auswertung von Betriebserfahrungen zeigt, das diese Pumpenkonstruktion zur Fettsaureforderung als zuverlassige und problemfreie Anlagenkomponente gilt. Canned Motor Pumps for Fatty Acid Conveyance The pump is an important apparative component in process technological plants. Special conveyance media demand special treatment and with that special pumps. The canned motor pump is constructed to meet the requirements of reliability in service, exemption of service, long shelf life and environmental protection. It can be used in the whole range of fatty acid processing with respect to temperature pressure, different viscosities and material resistance. An absolute tightness to the atmosphere is especially necessary for plants working under vacuum conditions. This is realized in an ideal way by the canned motor pump and gets effects in addition in the complete exemption of leakage as attribute for environmental protection. Reliability in service and exemption of service are increased by standard components to outer control of the condition of pump elements which are susceptible to attrition. The permanent evaluation of processing experiences shows that this pump construction is a reliable and uncomplicated plant component for fatty acid conveyance.
Determination of trace aluminum in natural waters by flow-injection analysis with fluorescent detection of the lumogallion complex

Abstract A flow-injection analysis method is described for the determination of trace levels of aluminum using fluorescent detection of the Al-lumogallion complex. The method is very simple, requiring neither iron masking agents nor micelle forming compounds to improve sensitivity. The detection limit is 3.7 nM with linearity to 37 μM and a relative standard deviation at 1.1 μM of 0.8%. Naturally occurring substances which might be expected to react with aluminum or lumogallion, including citric acid, fulvic acid and iron(III), show no interference. The detection of all forms of aluminum except polymers is demonstrated, making the method useful as a speciation procedure for the determination of free and complexed forms of aluminum in acid impacted as well as non-impacted aquatic systems. Results of analyses of water samples from lakes having a variety of pH values are presented with comparison to results obtained by GFAAS.
Influence of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization on the mineral concentrations in Medicago sativa L. I. Seasonal changes 1

Abstract An established stand of Ranger alfalfa was topdressed with equal rates, but different combinations, of N, P, and K. Five harvests were taken and the material analyzed for cation concentrations. Phosphorus application significantly increased P concentrations in alfalfa, but had little influence on concentration of other ions. Potassium applications showed striking effects by significantly increasing K levels of the forage while decreasing Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Al, and Mo levels. Significant differences occurred among harvest dates for 14 of the 16 cations analyzed. Seasonal trends were evident for SiO2, Zn, Al, Co, and Na. Applied N, P, and K and available soil P and K were associated with cation concentration of alfalfa and these interrelationships are discussed.
Texture and Microstructure of Heat‐Formed Egg White Gels

Egg white gels were formed by heating liquid egg white at various pH, protein, and NaCl levels at different temperatures and times of heating. Hardness, cohesiveness, and springiness of gels were measured. Serum was expressed from gels and evaluated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Selected samples were prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Gel hardness rose with increasing temperature, time, pH, and protein level, and decreased with added salt. Cohesiveness and springiness increased with time and temperature of heating. Expressed serum decreased as pH, time, temperature, and protein level were increased. Gels at pH 5 and 6 had a coarse, aggregated structure. At pH 9 protein strands and globules were arranged in a uniform matrix. Salt prompted aggregation of gels.
Bereavement rituals in the Muscogee Creek tribe.

A qualitative, collective case study explores bereavement rituals in the Muscogee Creek tribe. Data from interviews with 27 participants, all adult members of the tribe, revealed consensus on participation in certain bereavement rituals. Common rituals included (a) conducting a wake service the night before burial; (b) never leaving the body alone before burial; (c) enclosing personal items and food in the casket; (d) digging graves by hand; (e) each individual throwing a handful of dirt into the grave before covering, called giving a “farewell handshake”; (f) covering the grave completely by hand; (g) building a house over the grave; (h) waiting 4 days before burial; (i) using medicine/purification; and (j) adhering to socialized mourning period. Cultural values of family, community, religion, importance of the number 4, Indian medicine, and the meaning of death contributed to the development of these rituals.
Arsenic distribution, speciation and solubility in shallow groundwater of Owens Dry Lake, California

Generation of dust particles from the Owens Lake playa creates a severe air pollution hazard in the western United States. Much of the dust produced from the dry lakebed is derived from salts formed by evaporation of saline groundwater that often contains high concentrations of dissolved arsenic (As). The objectives of this research were to study the spatial distribution of dissolved arsenic in the shallow groundwater, and to examine factors affecting arsenic solubility and speciation. Evapoconcentration, redox potential, pH, and mineral solubility were examined as factors regulating arsenic biogeochemistry. Dissolved arsenic concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 96 mg L 1 and showed a general increase from the shoreline to the center of the lakebed. Arsenic concentrations were strongly correlated to electrical conductivity (EC) and D suggesting that evapoconcentration is an important process regulating total As concentrations. Arsenite (As(III)) was the dominant form of inorganic arsenic at Eh values less than about 170 mV while arsenate (As(V)) was predominant at higher Eh values. Organic arsenic was negligible (0.21%) in all shallow groundwater samples. Dissolved arsenic concentrations do not appear to be strongly regulated by solid-phase reactions. Solid-phase arsenic concentrations generally ranged between 4.0 and 42.6 mg kg 1 and a maximum concentration range (20 to 40 mg kg 1 ) was reached as solution concentration increased up to 80 mg L 1 , indicating minimal sorption and/or precipitation of arsenic. Chemical equilibrium modeling indicated that orpiment (As2S3) was the only solid phase with a positive saturation index (indicating over-saturation), but only at high arsenic and sulfide concentrations. The findings of this research are important for assessing the potential environmental impacts of elevated arsenic concentrations on dust mitigation efforts taking place at Owens Dry Lake. Copyright © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd
Perinatal brain injury: From pathogenesis to neuroprotection

Brain injury secondary to hypoxic-ischemic disease is the predominant form of all brain injury encountered in the perinatal period. The focus of this article is the most recent research developments in this field and especially those developments that should lead to the most profound effects on interventions in the first years of the new millennium. Neuronal injury is the predominant form of cellular injury in the term infant. The principal mechanisms leading to neuronal death after hypoxia-ischemia/reperfusion are initiated by energy depletion, accumulation of extracellular glutamate, and activation of glutamate receptors. The cascade of events that follows involves accumulation of cytosolic calcium and activation of a variety of calcium-mediated deleterious events. Notably this deleterious cascade, which evolves over many hours, may be interrupted even if interventions are instituted after termination of the insult, an important clinical point. Of the potential interventions, the leading candidates for application to the human infant in the relative short-term are mild hypothermia, inhibitors of free radical production, and free radical scavengers. Promising clinical data are available for the use of mild hypothermia.
Stereochemical aspects of the metabolism of phenprocoumon in rat liver microsomes.

Abstract The oxidation of the enantiomers of phenprocoumon catalyzed by noninduced rat hepatic microsomes was determined, and the formation of products was found to be either nonstereoselective or selective for the (S)-enantiomer. Of the seven possible aromatic monohydroxylated metabolites, only the 4′-, 6-, 7- and 8-hydroxy derivatives were detected. These hydroxylation reactions were shown to be cytochrome P-450-dependent by decreased product formation in the presence of the inhibitors CO, metyrapone and SKF-525A (β-diethylaminoethyl 2,2-diphenylvalerate) and by decreased product formation when NADH was substituted for NADPH. Comparison of these results to those obtained earlier for warfarin reveals that major regioselective and stereoselective differences exist in the in vitro metabolism of these two similar coumarin anticoagulants.
BRILLOUIN AND THE CONCEPT OF INFORMATION

The development of the concept of information as a physical quantity governed by laws and connected with other physical quantities has been carried out largely by L, Brillouin. However. Brillouin's work suffers from confusion on some very critical matters, which leads to attempts to answer meaningless or irrelevant questions. By clarifying the notion of information as a physical quantity characteristic of systems and giving it a strict operational definition, the paradoxes and meaningless questions can be resolved or eliminated, and attention focused on ihe important scientific issues connected with information so that progress can then be made unhampered by irrelevant questions of an episie mo logical or metaphysical nature. A notable clarification of the function of computing systems in particular is realized.
Risk stratification for sudden cardiac death after septal myectomy.

Summary Background The importance of risk stratification for sudden cardiac death (SCD) after septal myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) has not been emphasized previously. Methods and results We report 2 patients with SCD or ventricular tachycardia (VT) after septal myectomy for HOCM in whom risk factors for SCD were identified following surgical myectomy. One received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), which subsequently provided appropriate discharges for VT. The other delayed ICD implantation and suffered SCD. Conclusion These cases emphasize the importance of risk stratification for SCD after septal myectomy for HOCM.
The Impact of the CT Dataset Used for Dose Accumulation on Target and Normal Tissue Doses in Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer

Purpose/Objective(s): Current practice in adaptive planning for NSCLC considers changes in the tumor volume during RT while assuming the OARs remain constant. RTOG 1106, for example, adapts to the residual PET target during RT, but uses the pre-RT CT for OAR definition and dose accumulation. This study aimed to investigate the dosimetric differences observed when accumulating dose either rigidly or deformably on the during-RT CT compared to dose accumulation on the pre-RT CT. Materials/Methods: Pts enrolled onto a prospective study of adaptive RT with pre-RT and during-RTCT scans were eligible for this study. Adaptive RT planning aimed to maximize tumor dose subject to lung NTCP <17.2% and standard thoracic OAR dose constraints. Three composite plans were studied: A) The clinical composite, which consisted ofw50 Gy to the preRT PTV followed by an adaptive plan delivering an additional w20-35 Gy to the during-RT PTV; OARs were defined on and dose was calculated on the pre-RT CT; B) The same plans as in A, but dose is calculated and accumulated on the during-RT CT using rigid methods; C)The same plans as in A, but the dose is accumulated on the during-RT CT using deformable methods. Dose and volume metrics for B and C were compared to A. Results: Fourteen cases with satisfactory deformable registration were studied. The mean change in lung volume during RTwas 164.6 cc ( 186 to 496 cc). In A vs B, the pre-RT PTV gEUD and D95 changed by mean absolute magnitudes of 1.4 Gy ( 5.2 to 2.5) and 1.7 Gy ( 6.0 to 4.5). The during-RT PTV gEUD and D95 changed by 2.6 Gy ( 6.6 to 5.2) and 1.6 Gy ( 3.9 to 3.5). The change in mean lung dose and NTCP ranged from 3.5 to 1.4 Gy and 6.4 to 2.4%. The change in mean heart dose ranged from 1.2 to 2.4 Gy. The change in mean and max cord dose ranged from 5.0 to 4.1 Gy and 3.1 to 3.0 Gy. The change in mean esophagus dose and NTCP ranged from 5.0 to 4.1 Gy and 9.3 to 17.4%. For Avs C: gEUD and D95 doses in pre-RT PTvs changed by mean absolute magnitudes of 1.9 Gy ( 9.6 to 3.1 Gy) and 1.5 Gy ( 6.5 to 3.0 Gy). For the during-RT PTV, the gEUD and D95 changed by a mean absolute magnitude of 2.1 Gy ( 2.9 to 7.2Gy) and 1.2Gy ( 6.8 to 0.8 Gy). Themean lung dose andNTCP changes ranged from 3.5 to 1.4 Gy and 6.3 to 1.7%. Themean heart dose changes ranged from 0.5 to 0.8 Gy. The change in mean and max cord dose ranged from 0.2 to 0.1 Gy and 1.5 to 1.5 Gy. The change in mean esophageal dose and NTCP ranged from 3.5 to 3.8 Gy and 6.5 to 11.4%. Conclusions: The CT dataset used for adaptive planning and dose accumulation in adaptive lung RT can have a considerable impact on the dosimetry of targets and OARs. The largest changes were seen inmean lung and esophagus doses. Studies are ongoing in our institution to determine which dose accumulation method is more accurate in predicting clinical outcome. Author Disclosure: W. Chen: None. M.M. Matuszak: None. K. Vineberg: None. D. Jarema: None. R. Ten Haken: None. F. Kong: None.
The making of a ghetto: Spatially concentrated poverty in New York City in the 1980s

In recent years a debate has arisen over which of two mechanisms — class selective household mobility or spatially focused increases in poverty — has been the driving force in concentrating poverty in certain inner-city neighborhoods. This paper utilizes a multivariate analysis to identify the processes underlying areal income-class transition in New York City during 1978–1987, and the areal characteristics that predict a consistent path of change. By anchoring the analysis at the level of the individual housing unit, this study disentangles the competing mechanisms of poverty concentration and demonstrates that both selective mobility and shifts in income class contribute to areal income-class transition, but that the latter mechanism accounts for a greater amount of change. Further, after controlling for the proportion of minority residents and public housing units in the area, the results show that location in poor areas is associated with poor in-movement, nonpoor out-movement, and downward shifts in the income class among long-term residents. These mutually reinforcing processes lead to continued decline in extreme- and high-poverty areas, while processes in the opposite direction sustain the economic vitality of low-poverty areas.
A recursive method for construction of designs

Abstract In this paper, we generalize Blanchard and Narayani's constructions of designs in the following ways. 1. (1) By applying an orthogonal array to the construction, we can reduce the parameter λ. Moreover we get a family of designs with fixed t, k, v, and varying λ. 2. (2) Instead of using a design as a base (so-called exterior design by Blanchard and Narayani), we use an ordered design as a base, and compose several designs to produce a new design.
Polyphenol oxidase as a biochemical seed defense mechanism

Seed dormancy and resistance to decay are fundamental survival strategies, which allow a population of seeds to germinate over long periods of time. Seeds have physical, chemical, and biological defense mechanisms that protect their food reserves from decay-inducing organisms and herbivores. Here, we hypothesize that seeds also possess enzyme-based biochemical defenses, based on induction of the plant defense enzyme, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), when wild oat (Avena fatua L.) caryopses and seeds were challenged with seed-decaying Fusarium fungi. These studies suggest that dormant seeds are capable of mounting a defense response to pathogens. The pathogen-induced PPO activity from wild oat was attributed to a soluble isoform of the enzyme that appeared to result, at least in part, from proteolytic activation of a latent PPO isoform. PPO activity was also induced in wild oat hulls (lemma and palea), non-living tissues that cover and protect the caryopsis. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that seeds possess inducible enzyme-based biochemical defenses arrayed on the exterior of seeds and these defenses represent a fundamental mechanism of seed survival and longevity in the soil. Enzyme-based biochemical defenses may have broader implications since they may apply to other defense enzymes as well as to a diversity of plant species and ecosystems.
Intensity Fluctuations and Statistics of Laser Radiation

The steady-state intensity distribution for a laser operating somewhat above threshold is determined by solving a master equation. The master equation describes the interaction between a single radiation mode and $N$ two-level atoms, it contains the effects of pumping and radiation loss from the cavity, and it is applicable to both homogeneous and Doppler broadening. Forms of the master equation applicable to both three- and four-level lasers are considered. Solutions are obtained under the assumption that the distribution of atoms and radiation intensity is a bivariate Gaussian. Fluctuations in the output of giant-pulse lasers are also considered.
Gonadotropic Hormone: Urine Assays during the Menstrual Cycle in Normal Women

CLINICIANS HAVE LONG LOOKED to the laboratory for aid in objectively differentiating and classifying, the various endocrinopathies involving the pituitary gland and the gonads. After the reliability of the Aschheim-Zondek and Friedman tests for pregnancy was established, it was hoped that gonadotropic assays of urine and blood would yield similar aid in diagnosis of gonadal dysfunctions. But the first prerequisite of any biological test proposed as a diagnostic and therapeutic aid in dysfunctional states is a thorough understanding of the range of values encountered in the normal individual. Since the research laboratories unfortunately have not supplied this prerequisite for normal gonadotropins, the clinician has been disappointed. Two conditions must be met in order to provide the clinician a useful diagnostic tool. The first is that methods be sufficiently quantitative and sensitive to determine the normal levels of hormone excretion. The second is that the characteristics of the normal range be suffi...
Unequivocal demonstration of the hematogenous origin of brain macrophages in a stab wound by a double-label technique

Abstract We studied the origin of the phagocytic cells observed in the Neurol parenchyma in response to injury. Suckling albino rats were given repeated intraperitoneal injections of india ink to label circulating macrophages. Following this treatment, a discrete track lesion was produced in the cerebellar vermis by inserting into it a hypodermic needle which would deliver a minute amount of a second tracer, iron dextran. Electron-microscopic observation showed that 2 days later phagocytes within the lesion contained both iron dextran and carbon particles in their cytoplasm, indicating their hematogenous origin and the persistence of phagocytic activity.
Intensity rankings of plyometric exercises using joint power absorption

article i nfo Article history: Received 7 August 2013 Accepted 16 June 2014 Background: Athletic trainers and physical therapists often progress patients through rehabilitation by selecting plyometric exercises of increasing intensity in preparation for return to sport. The purpose of this study was to quantify the intensity of seven plyometric movements commonly used in lower-extremity rehabilitation by joint-specific peak power absorption and the sum of the peak power. Methods: Ten collegiate athletes performed submaximal plyometric exercises in a single test session: vertical jump, forward jump, backward jump, box drop, box jump up, tuck jump, and depth jump. Three-dimensional kinematics and force platform data were collected to generate joint kinetics. Peak power absorption normalized to body mass was calculated at the ankle, knee, and hip, and averaged across repetitions. Joint peak power data were pooled across athletes and summed to obtain the sum of peak power. Movements were ranked from 1 (low) to 7 (high) based on the sum of peak power and joint peak power (ankle, knee, hip). Findings: The sum of peak power did not correspond with standard low, medium, and high subjective intensity ratings or joint peak power in all joints. Mixed model analyses revealed significant variance between the sum of peak power and joint peak power ranks in the forward jump, backward jump, box drop, and depth jump (P b 0.05), but not in the vertical jump, box jump up, and tuck jump. Interpretation: Results provide intensity rankings that can be used directly by athletic trainers and physical ther- apists in developing protocols for rehabilitation specific to the injured joint.
A packaged 1.1-GHz CMOS VCO with phase noise of -126 dBc/Hz at a 600-kHz offset

A packaged 1.1-GHz CMOS voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) with measured phase noise of -92, -112, and -126 dBc/Hz at 10-, 100-, and 600-kHz offsets is demonstrated. According to J. Craninekx et al. (1997), these satisfy the GSM requirements. The extrapolated phase noise at a 3 MHz offset is -140 dBc/Hz. The power consumption is 6.8 and 12.7 mW at V/sub DD/=1.5 and 2.7 V, respectively. The VCO is implemented in a low-cost 0.8-/spl mu/m foundry CMOS process, which uses p+ substrates with a p-epitaxial layer. Buried channel PMOS transistors are exclusively used for lower 1/f noise. The inductors for the LC tanks are implemented using a series combination of an on-chip spiral inductor, four bond wires, and two package leads to increase Q. This technique requires no extra board space beyond that needed for the additional package leads.
Immunolocalization of the gap junction protein Connexin43 in the interstitial cells of Cajal in the normal and Hirschsprung's disease bowel.

Abstract Background: Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are pacemaker cells between gastrointestinal smooth muscles; they generate spontaneous slow waves of the smooth muscle layers and mediate neurotransmission. The cellular network of ICC is connected by Gap junctions to each other and to the smooth muscle cells. Although there have been several studies reporting distribution of ICC in the normal bowel and pathological conditions such as Hirschsprung's disease, there is little information on the crucial role of Gap junctions in the intercellular communication in the gut musculature. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunolocalization of the Gap junction protein Connexin43 in the normal and Hirschsprung's disease (HD) bowel using whole-mount preparation technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Methods: Full-thickness bowel specimens were collected at pull-through operation from 8 patients diagnosed as having HD. Normal control large bowel specimens were collected from 12 patients during bladder augmentation operation. Whole-mount preparation was performed on all specimens and double immunostaining was carried out using anti c- kit and antiConnexin43 antibodies. The immunolocalization was detected with the help of confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results: Connexin43 immunoreactivity appeared in and between the c- kit -positive cells and along the smooth muscle fibers of the normal bowel and ganglionic part of HD bowel. In the aganglionic part of HD bowel there was no expression of Connexin43. In the transitional zone of HD the Connexin43 staining was weak and colocalized only in the processes of the c- kit -positive Cajal cells. Conclusions: Results of this study show for the first time that Gap junctional protein Connexin43 is present in the ICCs, which form a 3-dimensional network in the normal bowel wall. The lack of expression of Connexin43 in the aganglionic bowel and reduced expression in the transitional zone of HD suggest that the impaired intercellular communication between ICCs and smooth muscle cells may partly be responsible for the motility dysfunction in HD. J Pediatr Surg 35:823-828. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Ribosomal History Reveals Origins of Modern Protein Synthesis

The origin and evolution of the ribosome is central to our understanding of the cellular world. Most hypotheses posit that the ribosome originated in the peptidyl transferase center of the large ribosomal subunit. However, these proposals do not link protein synthesis to RNA recognition and do not use a phylogenetic comparative framework to study ribosomal evolution. Here we infer evolution of the structural components of the ribosome. Phylogenetic methods widely used in morphometrics are applied directly to RNA structures of thousands of molecules and to a census of protein structures in hundreds of genomes. We find that components of the small subunit involved in ribosomal processivity evolved earlier than the catalytic peptidyl transferase center responsible for protein synthesis. Remarkably, subunit RNA and proteins coevolved, starting with interactions between the oldest proteins (S12 and S17) and the oldest substructure (the ribosomal ratchet) in the small subunit and ending with the rise of a modern multi-subunit ribosome. Ancestral ribonucleoprotein components show similarities to in vitro evolved RNA replicase ribozymes and protein structures in extant replication machinery. Our study therefore provides important clues about the chicken-or-egg dilemma associated with the central dogma of molecular biology by showing that ribosomal history is driven by the gradual structural accretion of protein and RNA structures. Most importantly, results suggest that functionally important and conserved regions of the ribosome were recruited and could be relics of an ancient ribonucleoprotein world.
Stochastic clustered-dot screen design for improved smoothness

Printers employing electrophotographic technology typically use clustered-dot screening to avoid potential artifacts caused by unstable dot rendering. Periodic clustered-dot screens are quite smooth, but also suffer from periodic moir´e artifacts due to interference with other color channels. Stochastic, clustered-dot screens provide an alternative solution. In this paper, we introduce a new approach for stochastic, clustered-dot screen design based on Direct Binary Search (DBS). The method differs from the conventional DBS in its use of a modified cost metric which was derived in an earlier work from using different filters in the initialization and update phases of DBS. The objective of the chosen approach is to design screen for improved print smoothness by generating a homogeneous distribution of compact, uniformly-sized clusters. The results include halftone of a screened folded-ramp, compared against a screen designed with a previous method.
CELL SURFACE SIGNALING MOLECULES IN THE CONTROL OF IMMUNE RESPONSES: A TIDE MODEL

A large numbers of cell surface signaling molecules (CSSMs) have been molecularly identified and functionally characterized in recent years and, via these studies, our knowledge in the control of immune response has increased exponentially. Two major lines of evidence emerge. First, the majority of immune cells rely on one or few CSSMs to deliver a primary triggering signal to sense their environment, leading to initiation of an immune response. Second, both costimulatory CSSMs that promote the response, and coinhibitory CSSMs that inhibit the response, are required to control direction and magnitude of a given immune response. With such tight feedback, immune responses are tuned and returned to baseline. These findings extend well beyond our previous observation in the requirement for lymphocyte activation and argue a revisit of the traditional "two-signal model" for activation and tolerance of lymphocytes. Here we propose a "tide" model to accommodate and interpret current experimental findings.
Role of in-group collectivism in the longevity of family firms

The cultural dimension of in-group collectivism is connected with the concept of social capital, which has been shown in prior research to be a key factor in resource access and longevity of firms. In this paper, we formulate a set of propositions on how the cultural dimension of in-group collectivism moderates the relationship between the characteristics of family businesses and longevity. We look at six characteristics of family businesses: boundary regulation, business reputation, bridging relationships, organizational professionalism, regulated family power, and competitive succession. We discuss some boundary conditions on the proposed set of relationships.
Assessment of pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic target attainment of gemifloxacin against Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract The treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections has been complicated by the emergence of multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae . Although traditionally rare, a growing concern for fluoroquinolone-resistant pneumococci has surfaced. More pharmacodynamically potent antimicrobial agents are clearly needed, as the use of such agents may further optimize clinical and microbiological outcomes for patients and slow the emergence of fluoroquinolone resistance. For fluoroquinolones, the ratio of the 24-h area under the concentration–time curve of the agent to the minimum inhibitory concentration of the agent against the pathogen for the fraction of unbound drug is the major pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) measure correlating with efficacy in nonclinical models and infected patients. A 2500-patient Monte Carlo simulation, utilizing a patient–population pharmacokinetic model derived from phase 3 registration trials and the minimum inhibitory concentration distribution for gemifloxacin against 3117 clinical strains of S. pneumoniae , was carried out to estimate the probability of gemifloxacin attaining exposures associated with efficacy. The overall probability PK–PD target attainment for gemifloxacin was greater than 0.99. Gemifloxacin is among the most pharmacodynamically potent fluoroquinolones and is more potent than ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin. Preferential use of pharmacodynamically potent agents over other alternatives may lead to improved clinical outcomes and decreased selection of fluoroquinolone-resistant pneumococci.
Multiparameter characterization of L3 leukemia cell populations.

Abstract Multiparameter analysis of 14 consecutive patients with L3 cell populations (FAB classification) in bone marrow showed consistently high mean cellular RNA content but heterogeneity with respect to percent cells in S- and G2M-phases of the cell cycle, cell surface phenotype, cytogenetic abnormalities, cellular DNA content, and nuclear activities of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Five of the 14 patients had the characteristic profile of L3 leukemia with high RNA content, a typical t(8;14) or t(8;22) translocation, low Tdt, B-cell surface phenotype, pseudodiploid modal number of chromosomes, high proliferation and normal DNA index. The remaining 9 patients had features thought to be unusual and they were very heterogeneous. Median survival time from time of diagnosis was 115 days with no patient alive after 474 days. The survival times exhibited excellent correlation with a parametric model assuming exponential distribution. Accordingly, the presence of abnormal DI predicted for decreased, and the presence of t(8;14) or pseudodiploidy was associated with increased survival rates. However, due to the small number of patients in this study, generally applicable conclusions should be drawn only from a collection of larger numbers of cases of this rare type of leukemia.
The origin and evolution of lunar high-Ti basalts: Periodic melting of a single source at Mare Tranquillitatis

Abstract Five groups of basalts (A, B1, B2, B3, D) with three principal ages exist at the Apollo 11 site. These range from the low-K, low rare-earth element (REE) Groups B1, B2, and B3 to the low-K, high REE Group D basalts, to the high-K, high-REE Group A basalts. The Group A basalts are the only high-K (>0.2 wt% K2O) basalts, and youngest, with an age of 3.59 ± .02 Ga; Groups B3 and B1 are 3.71 ± .02 and 3.67 ± .02 Ga, respectively; Group B2 basalts are the oldest, at 3.85 ± .02 Ga. Group D basalts have not been dated. Fractionation modelling for major and trace elements indicates that the B1 basalts could have formed from a B3-like parent liquid. The B2 and D basalts can also be related to liquids similar to the B3-B1 composition through the presence of varying amounts of modal whitlockite. Thus, the entirety of low-K high-Ti basalts at Apollo 11 may have formed through melting of the same source region. The Group A basalt compositions are consistent with formation from a different parent liquid, with the composition of Apollo 11 orange glass. Modelling of major- and trace-elements in the Apollo 11 orange glass, indicate that the composition of the Group A basalts is consistent with fractionation of this glass, coupled with some assimilation (~7.5–15%) of an evolved KREEP-like material. However, this component is much younger than primitive KREEP (4.4 Ga). This “neuKREEP” component, similar to the composition of quartz monzodiorites described from the Apollo 15 site, probably represents evolved material formed during plutonism prior to the formation of the Apollo 11 orange glass liquid.
Recent advances in onshore produced ceramic laser gain materials

Optical quality polycrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) materials suitable for laser gain application have been under development at Raytheon Advanced Materials Laboratory since late 2003. Significant progress has been achieved in the optical quality improvement, scale-up, Yb and Nd dopant incorporation, and various characterizations. This communication discusses Raytheon's ongoing developments in laser quality ceramic YAG fabrication and its characteristics in comparison to the current state of the art ceramic YAG made by Konoshima Chemical in Japan.
An Exploration of Robot Builders' Emotional Responses to Their Tournament Robots

Our exploratory study about robot builders‟ attachment to their LEGO robots found that college level participants showed strong affection for their robots, but the relationship was different from human-human or human-pet attachment in terms of lack of separation related anxiety and enjoyment of companion. Whether the relationship should be named attachment is now pending. The present research investigated further in three aspects: 1) revised the emotion questionnaire based on a newly developed emotional response model; 2) expanded the participants to middle school and high school students who participate in robotics competition tournaments; 3) examined additional factors that might influence their emotional responses to the robot, including: participation in tournaments, team dependency, time/effect input, performance expectation, and features of the robot. The revised emotion response questionnaire showed high reliability and significantly positive correlations with the overall affection for robot. Time/...
Physiological differentiation of flooded N2-fixing grass-diazotroph associations from non-flooded, non-N2-fixing ones

Abstract N fixation by grass-associated diazotrophs is more active under flooded than under nonflooded conditions. Roots cut from Spartina alterniflora Loisel, rice or oats that were flooded exhibited nitrogenase activity (NA, assessed by acetylene reduction) that was at least ten times as high as that of roots from plants growing in non-flooded soils. O 2 inhibition of NA or lack of appropriate NA-supporting nutrients did not account for the low activity associated with the roots of the non-flooded plants. The roots of the plants from the non-flooded soils contained a factor that inhibited NA. This factor was not detected in roots of plants from flooded soils. The factor was soluble, heat stable (100°C) and passed through 1000 m.w. cut-off dialysis membrane. Analogous NA-inhibiting factors may serve to differentiate other N 2 -fixing systems from non-fixing ones.