cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Instantaneous force-velocity-length relations: Experimental findings and clinical correlates

Abstract The clinically failing heart and its response to various therapeutic interventions are discussed in terms of the shortening characteristics of the intact ventricular myocardium. The maximal wall force developed from any given initial fiber length is observed in the isovolumetrically beating heart and described by the linear isovolumetric force-length relation. Positive (norepinephrine-induced) or negative (propranolol-induced) shifts in contractile state, respectively, raise or lower the slope of the force-length relation. Moreover, this relation determines the end-systolic limits of fiber shortening for the ejecting ventricle: that is, regardless of the contractile state, the magnitude of systolic force and the course of the systolic force with respect to time, shortening will cease when the conditions of maximal (isovolumetric) force and length are matched. Thus the end-systolic and isovolumetric force-length relations are equivalent, with the slope of either relation providing an estimate of contractile state. A depression in contractility reduces the extent of shortening and thereby describes one mechanical characteristic of the failing heart. The rate and extent of shortening for any given contractile state are also determined by the interrelation of instantaneous force and length. An ejection force of increased magnitude (afterload excess) as seen in the enlarged or pressure-overloaded heart will restrict shortening and serves as another explanation of failure. These instantaneous relations are also fundamental to understanding of the therapeutic concept of unloading.
Voriconazole-Induced Musical Hallucinations

Voriconazole (Vfend®) is a second-generation azole antifungal that is increasing in popularity especially for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis as well as empirically for the febrile neutropenic patient. In addition, voriconazole tends to have a mild side effect profile with reversible visual disturbances being the most widely described effect. We describe a patient who had musical hallucinations secondary to voriconazole. The patient was a 78-year-old man admitted for induction of chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who began to have auditory hallucinations, specifically of Christmas music, the 2nd day of voriconazole therapy. His psychiatric evaluation was otherwise unremarkable. After discontinuing voriconazole the hallucinations decreased in intensity by the 2nd day and ceased altogether by the 3rd day. An extensive literature search, including Pfizer drug trial safety data, yielded no other reports of auditory hallucinations with voriconazole. Several other interesting cases of musical hallucinations secondary to a variety of causes have been reported in the literature, and are reviewed. Notably, musical hallucinations tend to occur secondary to temporal lobe insults and often are of a religious or patriotic theme.
A practical guide to understanding systematic reviews and meta-analyses

A systematic review is a transparent and unbiased review of available information. The published systematic review must report the details of the conduct of the review as one might report the details of a primary research project. A meta-analysis is a powerful and rigorous statistical approach to synthesize data from multiple studies, preferably obtained from a systematic review, in order to enlarge the sample size from smaller studies to test the original hypothesis and/or to generate new ones. The objective of this article is to serve as an easy to read practical guide to understand systematic reviews and meta-analyses for those reading them and for those who might plan to prepare them.
The effect of Me2+ cofactors at the initial stages of V(D)J recombination.

V(D)J site-specific recombination mediates the somatic assembly of the antigen receptor gene segments. This process is initiated by the recombination activating proteins RAG1 and RAG2, which recognize the recombination signal sequences (RSS) and cleave the DNA at the coding/RSS junction. In this study, we show that RAG1 and RAG2 have the ability to directly interact in solution before binding to the DNA. RAG1 forms a homodimer, which leads to the appearance of two distinct RAG1.RAG2 complexes bound to DNA. To investigate the properties of the two RAG1.RAG2 complexes in the presence of different Me2+ cofactors, we established an in vitro Mg2+-based cleavage reaction on a single RSS. Using this system, we found that Mg2+ confers a specific pattern of DNA binding and cleavage. In contrast, Mn2+ allows aberrant binding of RAG1.RAG2 to single-stranded RSS and permits cleavage independent of binding to the nonamer. To determine the contribution of Me2+ ions at the early stages of V(D)J recombination, we analyzed specific DNA recognition and cleavage by RAG1.RAG2 on phosphorothioated substrates. These experiments revealed that Me2+ ions directly coordinate the binding of RAG1.RAG2 to the RSS DNA.
Synchronization and coarsening (without self-organized criticality) in a forest-fire model.

We study the long-time dynamics of a forest-fire model with deterministic tree growth and instantaneous burning of entire forests by stochastic lightning strikes. Asymptotically the system organizes into a coarsening self-similar mosaic of synchronized patches within which trees regrow and burn simultaneously. We show that the average patch length $〈L〉$ grows linearly with time as $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{t}\ensuremath{\infty}.$ The number density of patches of length L, $N(L,t),$ scales as $〈L{〉}^{\ensuremath{-}2}\mathcal{N}(L/〈L〉),$ and within a mean-field rate equation description we find that this scaling function decays as $\mathcal{N}(x)\ensuremath{\sim}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}1/x}$ for $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{x}0,$ and as ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}x}$ for $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{x}\ensuremath{\infty}.$ In one dimension, we develop an event-driven cluster algorithm to study the asymptotic behavior of large systems. Our numerical results are consistent with mean-field predictions for patch coarsening.
Baby talk: Understanding and generating simple image descriptions

We posit that visually descriptive language offers computer vision researchers both information about the world, and information about how people describe the world. The potential benefit from this source is made more significant due to the enormous amount of language data easily available today. We present a system to automatically generate natural language descriptions from images that exploits both statistics gleaned from parsing large quantities of text data and recognition algorithms from computer vision. The system is very effective at producing relevant sentences for images. It also generates descriptions that are notably more true to the specific image content than previous work.
Migraine Headache Prophylaxis in Adolescents

Migraine headache is estimated to affect up to 28 percent of adolescents, most of whom are female. Chronic migraine in this population has been associated with reduced quality of life and academic disruption due to missed school days. Historically, migraine headache was treated episodically as it occurred. In March 2014 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an existing medication, topiramate (Topamax®), for migraine prophylaxis in adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17. This is the first FDA approval of a drug for migraine prevention in this population. There are several possible adverse effects of taking topiramate, some potentially serious, so adequate education for adolescents and their families on all the potential benefits and risks is imperative.
Relationship of Adiposity to Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: There is an increased prevalence of macrovascular disease in type 2 diabetes. The pathogenesis has been related to metabolic risk factors, insulin resistance, and obesity. One of the strongest predictors is the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis. This study was designed to examine the relationship between obesity and regional patterns of adiposity, insulin resistance, and five independent measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. Research Methods and Procedures: Fifty-two overweight and obese men and women with type 2 diabetes of relatively short known duration were examined. Measures of subclinical vascular disease were assessment of arterial stiffness by pulse wave velocity, ultrasound measurement of the carotid artery intimal-medial thickness and plaque index, and measurement of the extent of coronary and aortic calcification using electron beam computed tomography. Insulin resistance was measured using the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Body composition was measured using DXA and computed tomography. Results: Adiposity was a strong determinant of pulse wave velocity. Carotid intimal-medial thickness was correlated with age, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and hyperglycemia, but not with adiposity. Hyperglycemia and plasma activator inhibitor-1 were significant correlates of the carotid artery plaque index. Coronary calcium scores were significantly correlated with age and interleukin-6 and significantly and negatively correlated to insulin sensitivity index. Discussion: These findings suggest that obesity may play an important role in the early phase of subclinical macrovascular disease related to vessel stiffness, whereas hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in conjunction with other risk factors have important roles in progression from vessel stiffness to atheroma formation in type 2 diabetes.
Isospin-symmetry-hindered branch of 42 Sc β-decay

The branching fraction for the isospin-symmetry-hindered positron decay of ^(42)Sc to ^(42)Ca (1.837 MeV) was measured to be (6.3 ± 2.6) × 10^(−5) by observation of delayed γ-rays. This branch alone corresponds to a reduction of the superallowed ground-state Fermi strength by (0.043 ± 0.018)%. The ^(42)Sc sources were produced by the ^(42)Ca(p, n)^(42)Sc reaction at 7.7 MeV. The measured branching agrees with Coulomb-mixing calculations by Rappleyea and Kunz and by Towner, but is smaller than other calculations. This result is of interest in connection with the intercomparison of the super-allowed 0+ → 0+ pure Fermi decays, which determine the effective vector coupling constant of nuclear β-decay.
The Social Construction of Reputation: Certification Contests, Legitimation, and the Survival of Organizations in the American Automobile Industry: 1895–1912

Despite widespread agreement among organizational researchers that intangible resources underlie performance differences among organizations, little empirical evidence exists in the literature. Building on the idea that reputation is socially constructed, this paper depicts reputation as the outcome of the process of legitimation. It observes that organizational researchers have overlooked how certification contests legitimate organizations, generate status orderings, and create favorable reputations. This paper suggests that victories in certification contests are credentials that enable firms to acquire a reputation for competence. It predicts that cumulative victories improve the survival of organizations and better the life chances of startup organizations more than those of lateral entries. These predictions are analyzed in the American auto industry during 1895–1912 when special-purpose product rating agencies were absent and reliability and speed contests served as credentialing devices. The results show that cumulative victories in contests extend the life chances of winning organizations but there is no evidence that new startup organizations benefit more than lateral entries. These findings underscore the significance of intangible assets and point to the need for an institutionally informed theory of competences.
Size distribution of marine submicron particles determined by flow field‐flow fractionation

Flow field-flow fractionation (flow FFF) with power field-strength programming was used to size fractionate submicron particles (colloids) in coastal seawater. All analyses used filtered seawater as carrier solution to preserve the native chemical environment of the colloids. Our fractograms show colloid size distributions with major peaks centered at 50 to 60 nm for samples that were size fractionated immediately following the preconcentration step. Preconcentrated samples that had aged for 2 to 5 d revealed the presence of an additional larger sized particle (or aggregate) peak with indeterminate size. Errors in colloid sizing may result if the physical and chemical behaviors of the particle size standards are not mimicked by those of the colloids during separation in the flow FFF channel. Particle detection using absorbance meters, such as the ultraviolet (UV) detector used here, greatly underestimates the contribution of smaller particles (ca. <100 nm) due to the exceedingly small optical efficiency of particles within this size-refractive index domain.
WASTE LOADING ENHANCEMENTS FOR HANFORD LOW-ACTIVITY WASTE GLASSES

About 50 million gallons of mixed waste is currently stored in underground tanks at The United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hanford site in Washington state. The Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) will provide the Office of River Protection (ORP) with a means of treating this waste by vitrification for subsequent disposal. The tank waste will be separated into low- and high-activity waste fractions, which will then be vitrified respectively into Immobilized Low Activity Waste (ILAW) and Immobilized High Level Waste (IHLW) products. The ILAW product is destined for disposal in an engineered facility at Hanford site while the IHLW product will be disposed in a national geological repository. Both waste forms must meet a variety of requirements to ensure the protection of the environment before they can be accepted for disposal.
Validation of Numerical Shallow Water Models for Stratified Seiches

SUMMARY A new analytical solution is presented for the case of a stratified seiche. This solution, especially its energetics, is useful for the validation of numerical shallow water models under stratified conditions. The utility of the analytical solution for validation is shown by using it to validate a simple finite difference numerical model. A comparison of the energetics of the numerical and analytical solutions reveals that the model results converge rapidly to the analytical solution with increasing resolution, such that a grid size of 30 30 would appear adequate for validation. In addition to properly resolving the spatial features, good temporal resolution is also necessary for validation, i.e use of a Courant number (Cr) less than one. For example, owing to the numerical dispersion of the present model, using Cr 5/4 rather than Cr 1/4 for the 50 50 grid resulted in 3 6 times larger RMS errors of model versus analytical barotropic available potential energy. This new analytical solution should be applied to a test suite of such validation tools before using such numerical models to simulate the more realistic geophysical flows encountered in lakes, bays, harbours and semienclosed seas under stratified conditions. 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microbial dechlorination of dioxins in estuarine enrichment cultures: effects of respiratory conditions and priming compound on community structure and dechlorination patterns

Abstract The effect of respiratory conditions and priming compound on dechlorination patterns of heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (HpCDD) was investigated using estuarine sediment-eluted cultures in the presence and absence of 20 mM sulfate, and 0.2 μM 2-bromodibenzo-p-dioxin (2-BrDD) as a priming compound. Electron balance calculations based on fatty acid turnover, hydrogen production, and electron acceptor depletion/methane formation indicated that whereas fermentative processes dominated in sulfate-free incubations, sulfate-reduction was predominant in the sulfate-amended incubations. The dechlorination of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD exhibited the following trends: (i) the relative yields of product formation did not exceed 30% and the presence of 2-BrDD increased the yield by up to 10%; (ii) sulfidogenic conditions resulted in a lower 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) formation, and the presence of 2-BrDD decreased the formation of 2,3,7,8-TCDD by additional 4–5-fold; (iii) the presence of 2-BrDD effected a predominance in lateral (2,3,7,8 positions) over peri (1,4,6,9 positions)-dechlorination. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) banding patterns indicated significant shifts of microbial community structure in response to terminal electron accepting processes as well as to the presence of the priming compound. The latter resulted in a similar community structure independent of dioxin spike, indicating that subsets of populations in the sediment are capable of exploiting the new niche provided by the priming compound.
Microcomputer interfacing to mass flow type gas controllers for biotechnology applications

An Apple IIe microcomputer with an Isaac analog-digital package has been interfaced to Tylan proportionating mass flow gas controllers to regulate three substrate gases which are introduced into an anaerobic bioreactor. Advantages of the system include: straightforward interfacing and programming, accurate monitoring and controlling, and advanced real time control capabilities.
A comment on the reported detectivity of a new uncooled thermal infrared detector

Abstract A recently published paper describes a newly developed, uncooled thermal infrared detector using a silicon diode. The authors state the detector demonstrates a detectivity D ∗ of 1.2×10 10 cm √Hz/W at room temperature in air ambient. We believe that in fact this level of D ∗ has not been demonstrated. Using information given in the paper we show such a D ∗ to be inconsistent with the apparent time constant of this device.
Porous segmented polyurethanes—possible candidates as biomaterials

A systematic series of chemically well defined, segmented polyurethane-polyether copolymers and their mixtures are shown to develop predictable and controlled morphologies. Changes in compositions and casting histories allow the preparation of polymer films with various types of morphological structures including uniform nonporous, coalesced spherulitic nonporous, spherulitic porous, and “Swiss cheese-like” structures with uniform (but alterable) pore sizes. The desirability of producing biocompatible materials with controlled morphologies provides incentive for further investigation of these and similar urethane copolymers.
Institutions, organizations, impersonality, and interests: The dynamics of institutions☆

Institutional economists concerned with rules often focus on the trade-off between individuals and social incentives. This paper argues that the real trade-off that individuals face is between the organizations they belong to in contrast to social rules, and asks when do individuals find it in their interests to act in the interests of their organizations and when do they support impersonal rules? The answer involves a distinction between anonymous relationships between individuals who do not know each other personally, but know the organizations that the other belongs to, and impersonal relationships in which all individuals are treated the same.
Bone morphogenetic proteins, their antagonists, and the skeleton.

Skeletal homeostasis is determined by systemic hormones and local factors. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are unique because they induce the differentiation of mesenchymal cells toward cells of the osteoblastic lineage and also enhance the differentiated function of the osteoblast. However, the activity of BMPs needs to be tempered by intracellular and extracellular antagonists. BMPs bind to specific receptors and signal by phosphorylating the cytoplasmic proteins mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) 1 and 5, which form heterodimers with Smad 4, and after nuclear translocation regulate transcription. BMP antagonists can be categorized as pseudoreceptors that compete with signaling receptors, inhibitory Smads that block signaling, intracellular binding proteins that bind Smad 1 and 5, and factors that induce ubiquitination and proteolysis of signaling Smads. In addition, a large number of extracellular proteins that bind BMPs and prevent their binding to signaling receptors have emerged. They are the ...
The fractionate innervation of the myocardium of Limulus polyphemus—a disproof of myal conduction

Quitein contrast to the' all or none' response of the vertebrate heart, a single effective stimulus applied to the deganglionated myocardium of the heart of Limulus produces only a localized contraction. The extent of the localized area of contraction is increased by increasing the strength of the stimulus and by repetitive stimulation (e.g., faradization), the effectiveness in this latter instance increasing with the rate, strength, and duration of application. The contraction remains localized, however, and never involves the entire myocardium of even a single segment of the heart muscle, thus additional stimuli applied at another locus will augment the contraction. These findings, apparent in the earlier work of Carlson(l), should suffice to prove that conduction in this heart does not take place by direct muscular transmission even within the substance of a single segment. Recent proponents of this idea of muscular conduction (and myogenic rhythm) (2, 3) have ignored this simple basic fact, as well as many other facts of similar portent. The present communication deals with the analysis of the motor innervation of the myocardium of Limulus and adds substantial and crucial proof that normally conduction does not take place within the myocardium. At first sight this
The Physical Chemistry of Silver Staining

It has been shown that silver deposition plays a part in the silver staining process. From this it has been concluded that the rate of reduction of silver within and on histological structures is an important factor.Some factors controlling the rate of reduction, such as the adsorption of silver hydroxide and ammonia, the affinity of silver for proteins, and the protective power of the gel structures have been pointed out.Some simple applications of the ideas to silver staining have been given and two technics described, one making use of piperidine instead of ammonia, the other carrying out the reduction in the presence of the silver solution to facilitate deposition.
Reputation When Threats and Transfers Are Available

We present a model where a long run player is allowed to use both money transfers and threats in her attempts to in‡uence the decisions of a sequence of short run players. We show that threats might be used credibly (even in arbitrarily short repeated games) by a long-lived player who gains by developing a reputation of carrying out punishments. This model comprises as particular cases that of a long-lived pressure group
Bernard-Soulier Syndrome: An Inherited Platelet Disorder

Bernard-Soulier syndrome is an inherited platelet disorder, which is transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner. This syndrome is characterized by variable thrombocytopenia and large defective platelets. Bernard-Soulier syndrome often presents early with bleeding symptoms, such as epistaxis, ecchymosis, menometrorrhagia, and gingival or gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnosis can be confirmed by platelet aggregation studies and flow cytometry. The differential diagnosis includes the other inherited giant platelet disorders, as well as von Willebrand disease and immune thrombocytopenia purpura. Treatment is generally supportive with platelet transfusions when absolutely necessary and avoidance of antiplatelet medications. Recombinant activated factor VII and desmopressin have been used in attempts to shorten bleeding times; however, no definitive studies regarding their effectiveness have been reported.
Correlating structure with solute and water transport in a chronic model of peritoneal inflammation

To study the process of chronic peritoneal inflammation from sterile solutions, we established an animal model to link structural changes with solute and water transport. Filtered solutions contain...
Use of thermodynamic coupling between antibody-antigen binding and phospholipid acyl chain phase transition energetics to predict immunoliposome targeting affinity.

AbstractThermodynamic analysis of ligand-target binding has been a useful tool for dissecting the nature of the binding mechanism and, therefore, potentially can provide valuable information regarding the utility of targeted formulations. Based on a consistent coupling of antibody–antigen binding and gel–liquid crystal transition energetics observed for antibody–phosphatidylethanolamine (Ab–PE) conjugates, we hypothesized that the thermodynamic parameters and the affinity for antigen of the Ab–PE conjugates could be effectively predicted once the corresponding information for the unconjugated antibody is determined. This hypothesis has now been tested in nine different antibody-targeted echogenic liposome (ELIP) preparations, where antibody is conjugated to dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE) head groups through a thioether linkage. Predictions were satisfactory (affinity not significantly different from the population of values found) in five cases (55.6%), but the affinity of the unconjugated ant...
OVIPOSITION BIOLOGY OF ACANTHOCINUS NODOSUS (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE) IN PINUS TAEDA

Oviposition biology of Acanthocinus nodosus was examined on southern pine beetle (SPB), Dendroctonus frontalis, infested loblolly pine trees in Alabama, U.S.A. Components of oviposition biology, including oviposition pit description, colonization period, average number of eggs laid per oviposition pit, use of bark beetle entrance or ventilation holes as oviposition sites, and pit density were described. Acanthocinus nodosus oviposition pits were easily differentiated from Monochamus titillator, another cerambycid species that also inhabits SPB-killed trees. Colonization of trees by A. nodosus began within 2 days of initial SPB attack and lasted for 8 to 14 days. Females laid an average of 3.33 (SE ± 0.48) eggs per oviposition pit and 99% of the pits occurred on SPB entrance and ventilation holes. All pits were on the lower bole between 18 and 163 cm above the ground. Oviposition pit density ranged from 0.22 to 0.45 pits per cm2 of bark surface. Potential interactions with other phloem inhabiting species were noted.
Genetic Models of Obesity and Energy Balance in the Mouse

▪ Abstract Obesity is a health problem of epidemic proportions in the industrialized world. The cloning and characterization of the genes for the five naturally occurring monogenic obesity syndromes in the mouse have led to major breakthroughs in understanding the physiology of energy balance and the contribution of genetics to obesity in the human population. However, the regulation of energy balance is an extremely complex process, and it is quickly becoming clear that hundreds of genes are involved. In this article, we review the naturally occurring monogenic and polygenic obese mouse strains, as well as the large number of transgenic and knockout mouse models currently available for the study of obesity and energy balance.
Edgebreaker: connectivity compression for triangle meshes

Edgebreaker is a simple scheme for compressing the triangle/vertex incidence graphs (sometimes called connectivity or topology) of three-dimensional triangle meshes. Edgebreaker improves upon the storage required by previously reported schemes, most of which can guarantee only an O(t log(t)) storage cost for the incidence graph of a mesh of t triangles. Edgebreaker requires at most 2t bits for any mesh homeomorphic to a sphere and supports fully general meshes by using additional storage per handle and hole. For large meshes, entropy coding yields less than 1.5 bits per triangle. Edgebreaker's compression and decompression processes perform identical traversals of the mesh from one triangle to an adjacent one. At each stage, compression produces an op-code describing the topological relation between the current triangle and the boundary of the remaining part of the mesh. Decompression uses these op-codes to reconstruct the entire incidence graph. Because Edgebreaker's compression and decompression are independent of the vertex locations, they may be combined with a variety of vertex-compressing techniques that exploit topological information about the mesh to better estimate vertex locations. Edgebreaker may be used to compress the connectivity of an entire mesh bounding a 3D polyhedron or the connectivity of a triangulated surface patch whose boundary need not be encoded. The paper also offers a comparative survey of the rapidly growing field of geometric compression.
Developing a Baseline Strategy for Controlling Blinds in Buildings

Automated day-lighting systems can modulate window blinds and electrical lights for maintaining the proper ill umination levels and save significant electrical energy in buil dings. This paper presents an initial work toward developing an automated installation and maintenance of a generic daylight ing system which is able to self-calibrate and adapt to the build ing needs with minimal human intervention. The system operates based on information provided by a wireless sensor netw ork, and processed through learning algorithms and feedback con trol principle. This paper focuses on a preliminary simulation study to establish a control baseline and identifies the required eleme nts. It demonstrates the concept, using daylighting simulationsoftware in the context of a test cell which represents a virtual o ffice space. A startup baseline for the optimal blind slat angl e settings for the windows is developed with the objective of m aintaining uniform lighting levels on a horizontal surface ins ide the test cell. The lighting baseline simulations are limited tospecific times and days of a year to reduce and optimize the simulation process and are applied to predict the optimal blind slat ang les for other days of the year. This paper presents and discussesthe results of such an analysis including an extrapolation to al l year round.
Is Enhanced Physical Activity Possible Using Active Videogames

Abstract Our research indicated that 10–12-year-old children receiving two active Wii™ (Nintendo®; Nintendo of America, Inc., Redmond, WA) console videogames were no more physically active than children receiving two inactive videogames. Research is needed on how active videogames may increase physical activity.
Yeast Pch2 promotes domainal axis organization, timely recombination progression, and arrest of defective recombinosomes during meiosis

We show that, during budding yeast meiosis, axis ensemble Hop1/Red1 and synaptonemal complex (SC) component Zip1 tend to occur in alternating strongly staining domains. The widely conserved AAA+-ATPase Pch2 mediates this pattern, likely by means of direct intervention along axes. Pch2 also coordinately promotes timely progression of cross-over (CO) and noncross-over (NCO) recombination. Oppositely, in a checkpoint-triggering aberrant situation (zip1Δ), Pch2 mediates robust arrest of stalled recombination complexes, likely via nucleolar localization. We suggest that, during WT meiosis, Pch2 promotes progression of SC-associated CO and NCO recombination complexes at a regulated early–midpachytene transition that is rate-limiting for later events; in contrast, during defective meiosis, Pch2 ensures that aberrant recombination complexes fail to progress so that intermediates can be harmlessly repaired during eventual return to growth. Positive vs. negative roles of Pch2 in the two situations are analogous to positive vs. negative roles of Mec1/ATR, suggesting that Pch2 might mediate Mec1/ATR activity. We further propose that regulatory surveillance of normal and abnormal interchromosomal interactions in mitotic and meiotic cells may involve “structure-dependent interchromosomal interaction” (SDIX) checkpoints.
Class Domination and Ideological Hegemony

Sociological theory poses the issue of whether ideational or coercive factors provide the central basis of social order. The former view maintains (and requires) that a value consensus exist in the empirical world; the latter assumes the existence of a ruling class which dominates the ideational institutions of the society. A preliminary scrutiny of available evidence suggests that: (1) a value consensus does not exist, and (2) there is a high concentration of wealth and economic control which appears to extend into vital political and ideological areas, thereby implying the existence of a dominant or ruling class. Based upon these conclusions, the concept of ideological hegemony is introduced as a significant component of a Marxist view of social order. The hegemonic process is described and available evidence is examined in the areas of political socialization and mass media. A pattern in which debate and discussion are circumscribed while alternative values and world views are ignored or suppressed was found to characterize these two areas. This pattern was seen to provide further support for the Marxist view that an ideological hegemony imposed by the dominant class is the ideational manifestation of a social order based upon coercion. THE PROBLEM of social order has been of persistent interest to social and political theorists. The most fundamental issue in the theoretical debates has been whether coercive or ideational forces provide the more central basis for social order. Two well-defined positions have emerged: 1) Following Durkheim, Parsons and his followers have asserted that ideational factors (e.g., cultural values) provide the bedrock of social order; 2) the Marxist position has held that the ideological superstructure emerges in response to the existing social structure defined in terms of coercive economic and political social relations. In the latter view, the dominant class in the society is able to reinforce its material control through the successful extension of that control to the ideational arena, specifically within the institutions of civil society (cf., Marx and Engels, 1947:39).
Effect of temperature gradient on ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry measurement during pipe flow

A practical problem for property measurement during pipe flow using ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry (UDV) is the influence of fluid temperature. The focus of this work is to provide an understanding of the effect of a temperature gradient on the UDV-based velocity measurement. Velocity profiles that are affected by a linear temperature gradient are theoretically predicted. Measurement errors, due to the lack of correction for non-isothermal conditions, are evaluated. Two Newtonian fluids (aqueous and oil) and a power law fluid are used in a parametric analysis of the model. Temperature variations have minimal effect on the accuracy of ultrasonic velocity measurement in aqueous-based fluids. In contrast, the speed of sound in oil has a strong dependence on temperature and results in significant errors in ultrasonic velocity and viscosity measurements, if uncorrected. Experimental UDV data for oil illustrates the effect of temperature variation on both the velocity profile and the viscosity values.
N-level quantum systems with Gell-Mann dynamic symmetry

A set of conditions is presented for an N-level quantum system to possess the Gell-Mann-type dynamic symmetry, which was introduced in an earlier paper. The characteristic set of constants of motion that the system has when it possesses the symmetry and also the equivalent two-level system, which the system can be reduced to, are also presented.
Film Cooling Effectiveness Improvements Using a Nondiffusing Oval Hole

The need for improvements in film cooling effectiveness over traditional cylindrical film cooling holes has led to varied shaped hole and sister hole designs of increasing complexity. This paper presents a simpler shaped-hole design which shows improved film cooling effectiveness over both cylindrical holes and diffusing fan-shaped holes without the geometric complexity of the latter. Magnetic resonance imaging measurement techniques are used to reveal the coupled 3D velocity and coolant mixing from film cooling holes which are of a constant oval cross-section as opposed to round. The oval shaped hole yielded an area-averaged adiabatic effectiveness twice that of the diffusing fan-shaped hole tested. Three component mean velocity measurements within the channel and cooling hole showed the flow features and vorticity fields which explain the improved performance of the oval shaped hole. As compared to the round hole, the oval hole leads to a more complex vorticity field which reduces the strength of the main counter-rotating vortex pair. The counter-rotating vortex pair acts to lift the coolant away from the turbine blade surface and thus strongly reduces the film cooling effectiveness. The weaker vortices allow coolant to stay closer to the blade surface and to remain relatively unmixed with the main flow over a longer distance. Thus, the oval-shaped film cooling hole provides a simpler solution for improving film cooling effectiveness beyond circular hole and diffusing hole designs.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Downturn in hip fracture incidence

Although there was evidence of a decline in hip fracture incidence in the northern United States between 1984 and 1987, most historical data in the United States and Northern Europe indicate that the age-adjusted incidence is rising. Analysis of data from Rochester, MN, from 1928 to 1992 demonstrates that age-adjusted hip fracture incidence rates rose in women from 1928 to 1950, and in men from 1928 to 1980, with falling rates thereafter. These trends were accounted for by initial hip fractures due to moderate trauma in the oldest age groups. Current data from this population show decreased incidence rates within 10% of the goals outlined in "Healthy People 2000," especially among women. A better understanding of the reasons for the decline of hip fracture incidence in Rochester, MN, may provide the basis for more focused interventions in similar populations. Language: en
Mapping of IFN-β Epitopes Important for Receptor Binding and Biologic Activation: Comparison of Results Achieved Using Antibody-Based Methods and Alanine Substitution Mutagenesis

The epitopes important for receptor binding and activation of human interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a) were mapped with monoclonal antibodies (mAb), grouped on the basis of their specificity and ability to neutralize biologic activity, and alanine scanning mutagenesis (ASM). The binding properties of nine mAb were defined, using ASM-IFN-beta mutants having alanine substituted at targeted, surface-exposed residues. The results were correlated with the mAb neutralizing potency. Of six mAb that bound either at or adjacent to the IFNAR-2 receptor chain binding site defined by the ASM epitopes, only three had measurable neutralizing activity. Two of these inhibited IFN-beta/IFNAR-2 complex formation, suggesting that steric hindrance of receptor binding constitutes their mechanism of neutralization. However, two mAb that bound to sites remote from the IFNAR-2 binding site on IFN-beta also inhibited IFN-beta/IFNAR-2 complex formation and demonstrated potent neutralizing activity. Thus, neutralizing mAb may employ mechanisms other than steric blockade to inhibit directly the binding of receptor by cytokine, limiting their usefulness as tools to define precise receptor-ligand interaction sites.
Visual anecdote

The discourse on information visualization often remains limited to the exploratory function - its potential for discovering patterns in the data. However, visual representations also have a rhetorical function: they demonstrate, persuade, and facilitate communication.In observing how visualization is used in presentations and discussions, I often notice the use of what could be called "visual anecdotes." Small narratives are tied to individual data points in the visualization, giving human context to the data and rooting the abstract representation in personal experience. This paper argues that these narratives are more than just illustrations of the dataset; they constitute a central epistemological element of the visualization. By considering these narrative elements as parts of the visualization, its design and knowledge organization appear in a different light.This paper investigates how the "story" of data representation is delivered. By means of ethnographic interviews and observations, the author highlights the different aspects of the visual anecdote, a specific point where the exploratory and the rhetorical functions of visualization meet.
Effects of Differing Energy Dependences in Three Level-Density Models on Calculated Cross Sections

Three level-density formalisms commonly used for cross-section calculations are examined. Residual nuclides in neutron interaction with {sup 58}Ni are chosen to quantify the well-known differences in the energy dependences of the three formalisms. Level-density parameters for the Gilbert and Cameron model are determined from experimental information. Parameters for the back-shifted Fermi-gas and generalized superfluid models are obtained by fitting their level densities at two selected energies for each nuclide to those of the Gilbert and Cameron model, forcing the level densities of the three models to be as close as physically allowed. The remaining differences are in their energy dependences that, it is shown, can change the calculated cross sections and particle emission spectra significantly, in some cases or energy ranges by a factor of 2.
Differentiation of species in Gonioloboceras

The type specimen ofGonioloboceras goniolobum (Meek), rediscovered by Spath in the British Museum, is the foundation for a more accurate comparative study of this and other species ofGonioloboceras. Gonioloboceras described asG. goniolobum byElias in 1938 is differentiated asGonioloboceras schmidti, new species. Suture sets (new term) for several growth stages inG. goniolobum (Meek),G. welleriSmith,G. schmidtiElias, G.eliasiMiller &Owen, andG. asiaticumLibrovitch are assembled and used for differentiation of the species. The Kazakhstan goniatite faunule containingG. asiaticum is considered of very late Pennsylvanian age.
Modeling and Simulation of Bleed Holes in the Presence of Shock Wave/Boundary Layer Interaction

Bleed simulation and modeling are studied for shock wave boundary layer interactions using computational simulations obtained with the OVERFLOW Navier-Stokes equation solver for a mixed compression inlet geometry studied experimentally by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and a single hole unit problem. The AFRL test rig is simulated with bleed using the Slater model using expected test bleed rates. A test of a modified bleed configuration was also conducted with the intent of affecting flow quality by controlling corner separation. The single hole unit problem was simulated with variations in plenum exit pressure, upstream Reynolds number and plenum depth and compared with a hole-only analysis developed previously by the authors. A full simulation of the AFRL rig with a row of discrete cooling holes was also conducted to demonstrate an application of the technique. Results show that the flow quality at the aerodynamic interface plane can be affected positively by side wall bleed. They also show that Reynolds number has only a minor effect on bleed mass flow but does alter the main flow/bleed hole interaction. Both plenum depth and exit pressure affect both bleed mass flow and main flow/bleed hole interaction much more significantly.
A QUICK VERSION OF ADMINISTRATION FOR THE GROUP HOLTZMAN INKBLOT TECHNIQUE

Summary.-A quick version of the standard Group Holtzman Inkblot Technique was administered to 48 college students in introductory psychology classes during regular 50-min. class periods. Results indicated that most of the scores obtained by this quick version are comparable to those obtained by the more time-consuming standard group version.
A Direct Attack on a Birthday Problem

(1976). A Direct Attack on a Birthday Problem. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 130-131.
Central and hormonal regulation of renin release by baboon kidneys.

AbstractRenin release from renal cortical slices of baboon kidneys was measured. It was found that the basal release rate was directly proportional to the renin content. Release was stimulated in a dose-dependent fashion by isoproterenol and was inhibited both by angiotensin II and vasopressin. Maximum inhibition was approximately 30%. Experiments also were done in which angiotensin II and converting enzyme inhibitor were infused into the lateral ventrical of anesthetized baboons. Angiotensin caused a reduction in plasma renin activity (PRA), and converting enzyme inhibitor an increase in PRA, independent of changes in blood pressure.
Vascular Regeneration in Ischemic Hindlimb by Adeno-Associated Virus Expressing Conditionally Silenced Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

Background Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the extreme manifestation of peripheral artery disease, a major unmet clinical need for which lower limb amputation is the only option for many patients. After 2 decades in development, therapeutic angiogenesis has been tested clinically via intramuscular delivery of proangiogenic proteins, genes, and stem cells. Efficacy has been modest to absent, and the largest phase 3 trial of gene therapy for CLI reported a worsening trend of plasmid fibroblast growth factor. In all clinical trials to date, gene therapy has used unregulated vectors with limited duration of expression. Only unregulated extended expression vectors such as adeno‐associated virus (AAV) and lentivirus have been tested in preclinical models. Methods and Results We present preclinical results of ischemia (hypoxia)‐regulated conditionally silenced (CS) AAV–human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF) gene delivery that shows efficacy and safety in a setting where other strategies fail. In a BALB/c mouse model of CLI, we show that gene therapy with AAV‐CS‐hVEGF, but not unregulated AAV or plasmid, vectors conferred limb salvage, protection from necrosis, and vascular regeneration when delivered via intramuscular or intra‐arterial routes. All vector treatments conferred increased capillary density, but organized longitudinal arteries were selectively generated by AAV‐CS‐hVEGF. AAV‐CS‐hVEGF therapy reversibly activated angiogenic and vasculogenic genes, including Notch , SDF1 , Angiopoietin , and Ephrin‐B2 . Reoxygenation extinguished VEGF expression and inactivated the program with no apparent adverse side effects. Conclusions Restriction of angiogenic growth factor expression to regions of ischemia supports the safe and stable reperfusion of hindlimbs in a clinically relevant murine model of CLI.
The Drone Population of Natural Honeybee Swarms

SummaryThe drones and queens in 59 swarms were counted, and the total number of bees estimated by weight. Ranges and mean values were: bees 1750to50 750 (mean 14 100), drones 0 to 1001 (mean 151, 1·06% of total). Swarms had 1, 2 or 3 queens.For 16 swarms whose time of emergence was known, swarms issuing between 9 h and 13.30 h contained as many or more drones than swarms issuing later in the afternoon.
Spin transport, magnetoresistance, and electrically detected magnetic resonance in amorphous hydrogenated silicon nitride

We report on a study of spin transport via electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) and near-zero field magnetoresistance (MR) in silicon nitride films. Silicon nitrides have long been important materials in solid state electronics. Although electronic transport in these materials is not well understood, electron paramagnetic resonance studies have identified a single dominating paramagnetic defect and have also provided physical and chemical descriptions of the defects, called K centers. Our EDMR and MR measurements clearly link the near-zero field MR response to the K centers and also indicate that K center energy levels are approximately 3.1 eV above the a-SiN:H valence band edge. In addition, our results suggest an approach for the study of defect mediated spin-transport in inorganic amorphous insulators via variable electric field and variable frequency EDMR and MR which may be widely applicable.