Marked Chromosomes in Sorghum

As previously reported, true-breeding diploid mutant plants arise for colchicine treatment of sorghum seedlings of lines Experimental 1 and Experimental 3. It was hypothesized that such mutants may result from point mutations made homozygous by a somatic reduction of the chromosomes followed by doubling in a cell which organized a new growing point after inactivation of the original by colchicine. The first part of this study was an attempt to test this hypothesis by treating with colchicine sorghum seedlings containing a reciprocal translocation in the heterozygous condition which serves as a chromosome marker to indicate whether chromosomal homozygosity was induced. This translocation was not available in the genotype known to give homozygous mutants after colchicine treatment. In the second part of the study, an investigation was carried out to define reciprocal translocation lines which had been induced by radiation with cobalt 60 in Experimental 3 which has repeatedly given homozygous mutants after colchicine treatment. The third part of this study was a continuation of an investigation of the effects of cobalt 60 on Experimental 3 begun by Hubert Haensel designed to obtain additional gene markers in Experimental 3. Third generation populations from radiated Experimental 3 plants were obtained

751-5 Rapid Angiographic Progression of “Target” and “Non-target” Stenoses in Patients Awaiting Coronary Angioplasty

Coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is effective therapy for angina pectoris but coronary events occur after successful PTCA which may be caused by both restenosis and progression of mild pre-existing, “non-target”, stenoses. To compare the short-term evolution of “target”versus “non-target”stenoses in patients awaiting PTCA, we prospectively studied 161 consecutive stable angina patients (124 men and 37 women). After diagnostic angiography, “target”stenoses for PTCA and “non-target”lesions were identified. Patients were put on a routine waiting list and followed up regularly until repeat coronary arteriography (mean±SD: 7±3 months). which was performed immediately preceding angioplasty (138 patients) or soon after acute coronary events (23 patients) when these occurred. Stenosis diameters were measured using computerized arteriography. Progression was defined as 2:20% diameter reduction, new total occlusion, or development of “new” stenoses 2:30%. At study entry, diameters of target (n=207) and non-target (n=184) lesions were 68±9% and 38±9%, respectively (p < 0.001). Disease progression occurred in 33 patients (20%). in whom 18 target (9%) and 15 nontarget stenoses (8%) progressed and 7 new lesions (1 total occlusion) developed. Total occlusion developed in 15 of the 18(83%) target and in 6 of the 15 (40%) non-target stenoses; (p=0.03). During follow up, 3 patients (2%) had a myocardial infarction and 20 (12%) developed unstable angina. These events were associated with progression of target stenoses in 10 patients, of non-target stenoses in 7 patients, and with new lesions in one patient. In 5 patients events were not associated with stenosis progression.Thus a similar proportion of target and non-targetlesions progressed rapidly. Targetstenoses, however, were more likely to progress to total occlusion than non-targetlesions. Progression of non-targetstenoses may contribute to recurrence of angina and new coronary events after successful angioplasty and their role should be considered when developing strategies aimed at improving survival after angioplasty

Individual heat map assessments demonstrate vestronidase alfa treatment response in a highly heterogeneous mucopolysaccharidosis VII study population.

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VII is an ultra-rare, progressively debilitating, life-threatening lysosomal disease caused by deficiency of the enzyme, β-glucuronidase. Vestronidase alfa is an approved enzyme replacement therapy for MPS VII. UX003-CL301 was a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, blind-start study examining the efficacy and safety of vestronidase alfa 4 mg/kg intravenously administered every 2 weeks to 12 patients with MPS VII. Due to the rarity of disease, broad eligibility criteria resulted in a highly heterogeneous population with variable symptoms. For an integrated view of the diverse data, the changes from baseline (or randomization for the placebo period) in clinical endpoints were grouped into three functional domains (mobility, fatigue, and fine motor + self-care) and analyzed post-hoc as subject-level heat maps. Mobility assessments included the 6-minute walk test, 3-minute stair climb test, Bruininks-Oseretsky test (BOT-2) gross motor function subtests, and patient-reported outcome assessments (PROs) related to movement, pain, and ambulation. Fatigue assessments included the Pediatric Quality of Life Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and other fatigue-related PROs. Fine motor + self-care assessments included BOT-2 fine motor function subtests and PROs for eating, dressing, hygiene, and caregiver assistance. Most subjects showed improvement in at least one domain. Two subjects improved in two or more domains and two subjects did not show clear improvement in any domain. Both severely and mildly affected subjects improved with vestronidase alfa in clinical assessments, PRO results, or both. Heat map analysis demonstrates how subjects responded to treatment across multiple domains, providing a useful visual tool for studying rare diseases with variable symptoms

Managing Dynamic Enterprise and Urgent Workloads on Clouds Using Layered Queuing and Historical Performance Models

The automatic allocation of enterprise workload to resources can be enhanced by being able to make what-if response time predictions whilst different allocations are being considered. We experimentally investigate an historical and a layered queuing performance model and show how they can provide a good level of support for a dynamic-urgent cloud environment. Using this we define, implement and experimentally investigate the effectiveness of a prediction-based cloud workload and resource management algorithm. Based on these experimental analyses we: i.) comparatively evaluate the layered queuing and historical techniques; ii.) evaluate the effectiveness of the management algorithm in different operating scenarios; and iii.) provide guidance on using prediction-based workload and resource management

Differential progression of complex and smooth stenoses within the same coronary tree in men with stable coronary artery disease

Objectives.We sought to compare the evolution of complex and smooth stenoses within the same coronary tree in patients with stable coronary artery disease.Background.Progression of coronary stenosis has prognostic significance and may be influenced by local and systemic factors. Stenosis morphology is a determinant of disease progression, but no previous study has systematically assessed progression of complex and smooth stenoses within the same patient.Methods.We studied 50 men with stable angina who 1) had one complex coronary stenosis and one smooth stenosis in different noninfarct-related coronary vessels at initial coronary angiography, and 2) had a second angiogram after a median interval of 9 months (range 3 to 24). Patients with lesions ≥10 mm long, at a major branching point or with >85% diameter reduction were not included. Coronary lesions were measured quantitatively from comparable end-diastolic frames. Stenosis morphology was determined qualitatively by two independent observers.Results.All patients remained in stable condition during follow-up. Progression, defined as an increase in diameter stenosis by ≥15% was seen in only eight complex stenoses (16%) but in no smooth lesions (p < 0.01). The severity of complex stenoses changed more than that of corresponding smooth stenoses (mean ± 1 SD 5.8 ± 13% vs. −0.06 ± 6%, p < 0.01). On average, the annual rate of growth was 11.4 ± 28% and 1.5 ± 14% for complex and smooth lesions, respectively (p < 0.01).Conclusions.Few coronary stenoses progress rapidly in stable angina. Complex and smooth coronary stenoses progress at different rates within the same coronary tree. Complex stenosis morphology itself is an important determinant of progression of stenosis in patients with apparently clinically stable coronary artery disease

Visco-potential free-surface flows and long wave modelling

In a recent study [DutykhDias2007] we presented a novel visco-potential free surface flows formulation. The governing equations contain local and nonlocal dissipative terms. From physical point of view, local dissipation terms come from molecular viscosity but in practical computations, rather eddy viscosity should be used. On the other hand, nonlocal dissipative term represents a correction due to the presence of a bottom boundary layer. Using the standard procedure of Boussinesq equations derivation, we come to nonlocal long wave equations. In this article we analyse dispersion relation properties of proposed models. The effect of nonlocal term on solitary and linear progressive waves attenuation is investigated. Finally, we present some computations with viscous Boussinesq equations solved by a Fourier type spectral method.Comment: 29 pages, 13 figures. Some figures were updated. Revised version for European Journal of Mechanics B/Fluids. Other author's papers can be downloaded from http://www.lama.univ-savoie.fr/~dutyk

Magnetic force microscopy study of magnetization reversal in sputtered FeSiAl(N) films

The magnetization reversal in a series of rf-sputtered FeSiAl(N) films has been studied using magnetic force microscopy. A system has been developed which has the capability to image domain structure while an in-plane magnetic field is applied in situ. All films exhibited a stripe domain structure in zero applied field which was indicative of a perpendicular component of domain magnetization which alternates in sign. All films showed a similar sequence of magnetization processes: on reducing the applied field from saturation a fine stripe domain structure nucleated and then coarsened as the field was decreased to zero. Local switching of domain contrast was observed along the steepest part of the hysteresis loop as the perpendicular component reversed. As the reverse field was increased toward saturation, the stripe domains disintegrated into smaller regions. This observation is consistent with an interpretation that the domain magnetization rotated locally into the sample plane. The saturation field and the film stress exhibited similar trends with nitrogen partial pressure. The results suggest that the perpendicular anisotropy that caused the formation of the stripe domain structure could be induced by the film stress via magnetoelastic coupling

Damage patterns, stress rotations and pore fluid pressures in strike-slip fault zones

Active faults unfavorably oriented with respect to the regional maximum compressive stress have been labeled as "weak." The seismic hazards posed by these faults make understanding this apparent weakness a priority. Stress rotations in these fault zones, together with an increase in mean stress, could enable high pore fluid pressures to weaken a fault zone. Such a model requires a foundation in the physics and mechanics of damage. This paper presents a new model for stress rotations in fault zones by combining the Effective Medium Theory with anisotropic poroelasticity. This approach enables the quantitative characterization of crack damage and the prediction of progressive changes in the elastic properties of rocks across the fault zone. The processes of fault growth and wear will lead to distinct patterns of crack damage, with different effects on the elastic properties. Elevated pore fluid pressures have long been known to change the effective normal and shear stresses of anisotropic rocks, and this work incorporates these effects into a multilayer fault zone model. It is shown that high pore fluid pressures in the anisotropic rocks of the core zone can generate large stress rotations (i.e., more fault-parallel), and increases in mean stress, sufficient to weaken the fault. Stress rotations in the damage zones of unfavorably oriented faults tend to be away from the fault (i.e., more fault-normal) for likely combinations of damage patterns and pore fluid pressure

Arsenic concentrations, distributions and bioaccessibilities at a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Devon Great Consols, Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape)

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