Mean Length Values Research Articles

First report of Calosphaeria pulchella causing cankers in peach (Prunus persica) in Chile.

Peach (Prunus persica) is an important stone fruit crop in Chile, with 7,665 h in 2022. Trunk diseases symptoms, including shoot dieback, longitudinal cankers and internal dark-brown to purple discolorations in cross sections were observed in a commercial orchard, in March of 2021. In severe cases, mostly in old trees, periderm sections were detached from the cankers, showing circinate groups of black long necked perithecia. To isolate the causal agent, wood samples were collected from March 2021 to October 2022, from symptomatic trees (n=23) of commercial orchards (n=12) (34°12'36.47"S 70°46'3.43"O to 34°34'26.48"S 70°58'17.97"O), located in O'Higgins Region, in the center of Chile. Isolations were performed cutting wood sections (0.5 cm) from the necrosis progress area, disinfecting them in sodium hypochlorite (10%), plating on a quarter-strength potato dextrose agar amended with 1 mg/L tetracycline (aPDA-tet) and incubating at 25°C, until mycelial development. Cultures were purified on PDA and identified by morphological means. Colonies on PDA were dark-pink and purple to orange-red, with regular margins, usually white, and produced abundant hyaline ellipsoidal to allantoid conidia (3.8-5.7 × 1.3 μm). In some cases, perithecia developed on disinfected wood on culture media, showing clavate unitunicate asci with hyaline allantoid ascospores 4.5-6.2 × 0.7 μm. The morphological characteristics of anamorph and teleomorph structures of field and culture isolates accorded to those described for Calosphaeria pulchella (1,2). DNA from representative isolates was extracted and the ITS region was amplified by PCR using ITS1/ITS4 primers (3), sequenced and BLAST analyzed. BLAST results revealed that ITS sequences identity of the representative isolates HMDu263 and HMDu271, shared 99 and 100% similarity, respectively, when compared to isolate CBS115999 (EU367451) (1,2,4). Sequences were accessioned to GenBank (OP216663 and OP216664 [ITS]). To determine the pathogenicity of C. pulchella, 17 representative isolates were inoculated on peach canes (25 cm) (n=7 per isolate), that were previously rooted on tap water amended with 500 ppm of indole-butyric acid, for 30 d. Mycelial plugs (0.5 cm) from actively growing colonies on PDA were placed on circular injuries made in the upper third of the shoots using a sterile corkborer and covered with plastic film. Sterile agar was used for controls. After 60 d of incubation in aerated tap water, at 23 +/-3 °C, bark was removed, and the necrosis length was measured and compared. Mean length values of lesions went from 9.5 to 27 cm. The most virulent isolates (n=7) were inoculated on fresh cuts of main shoots of nursery plants (n=3 per isolate) cv. Royal Glory, with 200 µL conidial suspensions (1x10⁵ conidia/mL), on March 18th, 2022. Plants were incubated at shadehouse for 102 d and after the incubation period, shoots were cut (30 cm), bark was removed, and discoloration length was measured. All the isolates were pathogenic, with differences among their virulence (ANOVA, LSD, P < 0.05) from 5.2 cm (HMDu246) to 24.3 cm (HMDu266). Fungus was successfully reisolated from symptomatic canes (100%) and trees (98.7%), but not from the controls in both pathogenicity tests, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Calosphaeria pulchella was recently reported causing trunk disease in sweet cherry in Chile (4) and these results contribute to the knowledge of trunk diseases of fruit crops in Chile and to the understanding of the pathogen worldwide.

Bio-Ecology of the Oldest Lessepsian Fish Atherinomorus forskalii (Pisces: Atherinidae)

Although Atherinomorus forskalii is the oldest lessepsian fish species with a widespread distribution range, there have not been any study about its biological and ecological features. Therefore, we aim to understand its effects on coastal ecosystems by determining its feeding ecology and life span. Four hundred sixty-two specimens were obtained with Sabiki rigs from the Turkish coast of the Levantine Sea. The minimum, maximum and mean length values of the samples were determined as 4.5 cm, 12 cm and 8.2 cm ±0.07 respectively. In winter and spring, the species main food item was represented by pelagic gastropods, while copepods in summer and insects in autumn were the main food items. Although A. forskalii prefers small-sized invertebrates, it is observed that they consume juvenile fish larger than one third of their size. Its wide diet preference shows that it is an opportunistic feeder. These findings represent that A. forskalii feeds on native species and also is in food competition since its dietary overlaps. Ages were calculated between I and III, and the second age group was dominant with a ratio of 52.8%. The highest spawning activity took place between April and early July. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) values were calculated monthly, and they reached the highest points in May and June, respectively. The results showed that this small fish, which has been deprived of scientific interest until now, has been determined to have a bio-ecological superiority according to its syntopic species. Thus, it is revealed that it has a more negative impact on the coastal ecosystem than expected.

Numerical simulation of blasting in confined fractured rocks using an immersed-body fluid-solid interaction model

We model blast-induced fracturing and fragmentation processes in fractured rocks using a fully coupled fluid-solid interaction model. This model links a finite-discrete element solid solver with a control volume-finite element fluid solver through an immersed-body method. The solid simulator can capture the deformation of intact rocks, interaction of matrix blocks, displacement of existing fractures and propagation of new cracks. The fluid simulator can simulate the highly compressible gas flow involved in the blasting and explosion process, which is assumed to follow the John-Wilkins-Lee equation of state. We design numerical experiments as follows. First, we generate a series of 1 m × 1 m discrete fracture networks associated with different fracture density and mean length values to consider various scenarios of distributed pre-existing fractures in rock. We apply isotropic/anisotropic in-situ stresses to the rock such that the system reaches an equilibrium state. Then we release the compressible gas associated with a prescribed high pressure in the borehole to simulate explosion, which engenders stress wave propagation and new crack generation in the system. We observe that the presence of natural fractures has a significant impact on the blast behaviour of fractured rocks such that new cracks tend to be arrested by pre-existing discontinuities which however accommodate wing cracks at their tips linking with other structures. Blast-driven cracks attempt to propagate along the maximum principal stress direction if an anisotropic stress condition is imposed. Our research findings have important implications for the design and assessment of blasting for underground excavation in fractured formations.

Neurodevelopmental outcome of At Risk Newborns at 18 month of Age (Using CDC-KIMS Model)

Objectives: Present study was done with following objectives: Follow up of At risk NICU graduates for Growth and Neurodevelopmental outcome at 12 to 18 months of age using CDC-KIMS model, to study the risk stratification profile of these graduates and its impact on Neurodevelopmental impairment and to develop risk score from the risk stratification profile.Material and Methods: This is a prospective observational cohort study in neonates with risk factor for developing Neurodevelopmental impairment were followed up for a period of one and a half year to observe their neurodevelopmental outcome. The study was conducted at the High Risk Newborn follow up Clinic of the Department of Pediatrics, SSG hospital, Vadodara. Ninety patients completed 12 to 18 months follow up, who were analyzed in the final results. High Risk grading and stratification was done according to the CDC-KIMS model. All the perinatal details and their course in the NICU were noted in the predesigned Proforma.Results: The Male: Female ration observed in the total hospital admissions during our period of study was 1.3:1. There was a significant difference seen when the different risk groups were compared for their stay in NICU and total hospital stay. The mean length values did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05) between the risk groups at birth and on follow up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months with 95% confidence limit. There is a significant chance (P< 0.05) of abnormal DASII and mild delay in the group having complex course / hypoxia, apnea, hypotension.Conclusion: CDC-KIMS model for neuron developmental follow up is user friendly. At the time of discharge At risk new born should stratified into mild, moderate and high risk group should have detailed initial assessment.

Registration of Four Germplasm Lines of Upland Cotton with High Fiber Quality

Four upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm lines, NC18‐11 (Reg. no. GP‐1056, PI 690771), NC18‐12 (Reg. no. GP‐1057, PI 690772), NC18‐13 (Reg. no. GP‐1058, PI 690773), and NC18‐14 (Reg. no. GP‐1059, PI 690774), were developed by the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at North Carolina State University. These four cotton lines had improved fiber quality traits and exhibited 915.5 to 1180.9 kg ha−1 lint yield. All four lines were derived from a random mated population using multiple parental lines. The four lines were compared with commercial cultivars ‘DP393’, ‘Sure‐Grow 747’, and ‘UA48’ over 2 yr using a replicated randomized complete block design in Clayton, NC. Lines NC18‐11, NC18‐12, and NC18‐13 had significantly (p = 0.05) better micronaire values than the checks and significantly higher strength values (8.3–25.3%) than DP393, Sure‐Grow 747, and the parental lines. These three lines also had significantly (p = 0.05) greater upper half mean length values (4.9–11.6%) than DP393 and Sure‐Grow 747. Germplasm line NC18‐14 had a 15.4 to 62.5% significantly (p = 0.05) higher fiber elongation value than all checks and parental lines and showed 5.0 to 12.8% more lint fraction than the checks. These lines could be additional sources of genetic variability for cotton breeding programs focusing on improving fiber quality traits while still producing more than 900 kg ha−1 of lint.

Yenilebilir Su Kurbağası Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771)'un Dişi ve Erkek Bireylerinin Karkas Miktarı Açısından Karşılaştırılması

Doğadan toplanan erkek ve dişi kurbağaların (Pelophylax ridibundus), boy uzunluğu (SVL) ve arka bacak uzunluğu ile karkas, arka bacak, deri, baş ve karaciğer ağırlığı alınarak karkas miktarı belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Dişi kurbağaların ortalama SVL değeri 91,6±0,53 mm, erkeklerin 81,1±0,69 mm olarak ölçülerek, aradaki farkın istatiksel açıdan önemli olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Gıda olarak tüketilen arka bacakların ortalama uzunluk değerleri, dişi kurbağalarda 72,0±0,65 mm, erkek kurbağalarda 68,0±0,53 mm tespit edilmiş ve aradaki farkın istatiksel açıdan önemli olduğu görülmemiştir. Arka bacakların ortalama ağırlıkları dişi kurbağalarda 21,45±5,06 g, erkek kurbağalarda 15,53±2.94 g olduğu ve her iki cinsiyette de bu miktarların toplam vücut ağırlığının yaklaşık %25‘ine denk geldiği belirlenmiştir. Çalışma esnasında dişi kurbağaların sırasıyla vücut, karkas ve gıda olarak tüketilen arka bacaklarının ortalama ağırlıkları, erkek kurbağalara göre daha yüksek miktarda tespit edilmiş olup; dişi kurbağalar ile erkek kurbağalar arasındaki bu ağırlık farkları aynı zamanda istatistiksel açıdan önemli bulunmuştur. Karkas ağırlıkları, hem dişi hem de erkek bireylerde toplam ağırlığın yaklaşık olarak %50‘sini oluşturmaktadır. Kesim işlemi sonucunda karkas dışında kalan; deri, baş ve karaciğerin ortalama ağırlıkları dişi kurbağalarda erkek kurbağalara oranla daha fazla miktarda bulunmuştur. Dişi ve erkek bireyler arasında baş ağırlığı hariç karkas dışında kalan diğer kısımlar arasındaki farkların önemli olduğu belirlenmiştir. Kurbağa derisi önemli bir sanayi ürünü olup, miktarı dişi kurbağalarda ortalama 8,07±2,04 g, erkek kurbağalarda ortalama 5,66±1,21 g bulunmuştur. Bu değerlerin oranı, toplam vücut ağırlığının %10‘una denk geldiği tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, dişi kurbağaların erkek kurbağalardan karkas kazancı bakımından daha iyi olduğu ve karkas miktarı dışında kalan, baş, karaciğer ve derinin miktarı tespit edilerek değerlendirilmesi araştırılmıştır.

IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF PLECTRANTHUS BARBATUS ANDREWS AS IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANT

Plectranthus barbatus Andrew (Coleus forskolii) is one of the important species of the genus Plectranthus (Coleus) belonging to family Lamiaceae, with a many of traditional medicinal uses in India. C. forskolii is only known source of forskolin; a compound with a many uses in pharmaceutical industries. C. forskolii was lack in Egyptian flora. Moreover, there were no previously studies on this plant in Egypt. Therefore, the present study used tool of biotechnology to conserve the stocks of this plant by micropropagation. C. forskolii seedlings came from its native Thailand at June 2013 and were put in the greenhouse in Desert Research Center for creating an efficient micropropagation protocol. The study was carried out on the effect of growth regulators (cytokinins and auxins) on different micropropagation stages of the explants. In multiplication stage, initiated shoots were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/L) of cytokinins (6-benzylaminopurine (BA), Kinetin ( KIN) and Thidiazuron (TDZ). The mean number of axillary shoots per explant of C. forskolii reached the highest value 6.19 ±0.573 on MS medium containing 2.0mg/L TDZ. Where, the highest value of mean length was 6.44± 0.310 cm on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/L KIN. The mean number of roots / explant of C. forskolii reached the highest value and the mean length were 30.00 ± 0.577 and 11.8±0.860 cm respectively, on 1/2 MS medium containing 0.5mg/L indole-3-butyric acid(IBA). While, the highest value of shoot length was 11.8±0.860 cm on 1/2 MS medium containing 2.0mg/L naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). A percentage of 83% of rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized after four weeks and grown normally in the greenhouse in sterile soil mixture of garden soil, vermiculate and sand (2:1:1/v/v/v). The protocol could be cost effective and useful in germplasm conservation and delivery of tissue cultured Coleus plants.

High Aspect Ratio Graphene Nanosheets Cause a Very Low Percolation Threshold for Polymer Nanocomposites

Liquid exfoliated, high aspect ratio (1272) graphene nanosheets (GNS) are dispersed in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to prepare range of nanocomposites. A three fold increase in direct current conductivity is recorded at 0.0055 volume fraction (Vf) of GNS–TPU composites as compared to pristine TPU. It is suggested that the percolation threshold for conducting network achieved at low filler loadings is due to the high aspect ratio and homogeneous dispersion of GNS within the polymer. The experimental results are interpreted using interparticle distance model and modified power law. The two models predict threshold filler loading in 0.015–0.001 range volume fraction GNS based on the average values of mean length and no. of layers per nanosheet. The experimental results favor modified power law as it relies on aspect ratio of fillers. A slight deviation in our study from modified power law may be due to aggregation in as prepared GNS.

Morphometric Study on the Digestive System of the Wild Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).

The present study was conducted on Five apparently healthy wild gray squirrel of different ages and sexes. The various parts of the digestive system of each animal were dissected out and were weighed and measured. The small intestine was observed to have the highest mean weight (5.86 ± 0.8 g) followed by the large intestine (2.98 ± 0.49 g). Of all the intestinal segments, the duodenum was observed to have the highest mean weight (2.49 ± 0.32 g) followed by the jejunum (2.03 ± 0.29 g) The mean length of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was observed to be 136.10 ± 10 cm with the small intestine having a mean length value 90.73 ± 10.31 cm and was ob- served to have the longest segment, followed by the large intestine (31.54 ± 2.25 cm). Out of all the intestinal segments (small and large) the jejunum was observed to have the longest segment (32.39 ± 4.19 cm) followed by the ileum (27.93 ± 4.31 cm) and the duodenum (25.53 ± 2.67 cm), respectively. The liver was observed to have the mean weight (18.36 ± 0.77 g) and had no gall bladder. The caecum had the least value of the segments of the large intestine; the colon and rectum had almost the same mean length (14.64 ± 1.84 cm and 14.54 ± 0.60 cm, respectively). The absence of gallbladder will have a direct effect on the emulsification of fats. The short length of the colon and rectum indicates that no digestion takes place in those regions.

The nanostructural characterization of strawberry pectins in pectate lyase or polygalacturonase silenced fruits elucidates their role in softening

To ascertain the role of pectin disassembly in fruit softening, chelated- (CSP) and sodium carbonate-soluble (SSP) pectins from plants with a pectate lyase, FaplC, or a polygalacturonase, FaPG1, downregulated by antisense transformation were characterized at the nanostructural level. Fruits from transgenic plants were firmer than the control, although FaPG1 suppression had a greater effect on firmness. Size exclusion chromatography showed that the average molecular masses of both transgenic pectins were higher than that of the control. Atomic force microscopy analysis of pectins confirmed the higher degree of polymerization as result of pectinase silencing. The mean length values for CSP chains increased from 84nm in the control to 95.5 and 101nm, in antisense FaplC and antisense FaPG1 samples, respectively. Similarly, SSP polyuronides were longer in transgenic fruits (61, 67.5 and 71nm, in the control, antisense FaplC and antisense FaPG1 samples, respectively). Transgenic pectins showed a more complex structure, with a higher percentage of branched chains than the control, especially in the case of FaPG1 silenced fruits. Supramolecular pectin aggregates, supposedly formed by homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan I, were more frequently observed in antisense FaPG1 samples. The larger modifications in the nanostructure of pectins in FaPG1 silenced fruits when compared with antisense pectate lyase plants correlate with the higher impact of polygalacturonase silencing on reducing strawberry fruit softening.

Sexual Dimorphism in Alar Length and Auricular Index of Sacrum

Context : It has long been customary among anatomists, anthropologists and forensic experts to judge the sex of the skeletal material by non-metric observations. Afterward the study of sexual divergence has been based upon actual measurements in different bones. The study in relation to metrical data on bone is very few in our country. The study was planned to observe the differences of sacra between male and female in respect to measurement of alar length and auricular index of sacrum. The findings of this study might be useful in providing morphometrical data that can be used by anatomists, forensic experts, anthropologists, orthopedic surgeons and neurologists for proper initiative in their respective fields. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical type of study was performed in the department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from January 2011 to December 2011. A total of 172 (one hundred seventy two) adult human dry sacra of unknown sex was assessed. The study samples were distributed in male and female sex groups by discriminant function analysis. All the samples were studied morphologically. Length of ala and auricular surface were measured with the help of digital slide calipers. Results: The mean length value of ala was greater in female than male (P&lt;0.001). The difference between the mean value of alar index in male and female was significant (P &gt;0.05). The mean value of auricular index was higher in male than female and the difference was statically significant (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The sacrum can be used for sexual dimorphism as is usual in anthropological work. The knowledge of alar length and auricular index of sacrum is essential in medico-legal practice for sex determination of an individual. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bja.v12i1.22613 Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy, January 2014, Vol. 12 No. 1 pp 17-21

Variations of Index (2D) Finger Length among Adult Bangladeshies

Context: In human hand, the lengths of all digits are not the same. By virtue of evolutionary changes digital lengths vary from person to person according to age, sex, races, occupation or even environmental influences. It has been found that the digital lengths are not even same in both hands of an individual. In this study, this variation of the index finger (2D) length has been analyzed and compared among the adult population of Bangladesh.&#x0D; Materials &amp; Methods: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted in the department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from July 2012 to June 2013. The study was performed on 200 MBBS students (18 years of age) of Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. Among them 100 were male and 100 were female. With the help of digital vernier caliper measurements of digital lengths were recorded. Paired and unpaired students t tests were done for statistical analysis of the results.&#x0D; Results: The mean length value of right index finger (R2D) and left index finger (L2D) was greater in male than female (P&lt;0.001). Significant difference between the length of right index finger (R2D) and left index finger (L2D) was observed in male (P&lt;0.05) where left index finger length (L2D) was slightly higher than right index finger length (R2D) but in female the difference was not significant (P&gt; 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Digital lengths especially index (2D) and ring (4D) finger lengths are often use to determine sexual dimorphism. Also, study over the variations of digital lengths have great medicolegal importance to determine age, sex and race of an individual.&#x0D; Bangladesh J. Anat. 2015; 13(1) : 27-31

The Quantitative Relationships between Microstructure and Damage Tolerance of TC21 Titanium Alloy

Mechanical properties, including fracture toughness and the fatigue crack propagation, have been investigated for two different microstructures in TC21 titanium alloy. The characteristic parameters of lamellar microstructure were measured through quantitative metallography. On the basis of analyzing the influence of microstructure on the fracture toughness of TC21 titanium alloy, the mathematical models between the fracture toughness and microstructure parameters were constructed. Furthermore, the relationship between fatigue crack growth rate and mean length values of α lamellar have been also investigated and a novel predicting model was established.

A study on horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus, S.) fishing by pair midwater trawl in black sea

In this study was carried out Middle Black Sea coasts, catch efficiency and length composition of the horsemackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus, S.) has established. 23 tows (net haulings) made in October, a total of 31962 kg and 1389.65 ± 157.75 kg horsemackerel per haul have caught. 5165 of total caught fishes was measured individually and mean length of these fishes was calculated 13.25 ± 0.02 cm. Maximum and minimum lengths of the measured fishes was determined 18.7 cm and 7.1 cm, respectively. The length-weight relationship was determined W= 0.007L3.039(n=696, R=0.98). Total catch and length compositions was examined according to operation time and total catch and mean length values were determined as 6944 kg, 13.44 cm and 12180 kg, 13.22 cm respectively for 7 day time and 7 night operations. Differences between total catch was significant amounts (P0.05). The results show that horse mackerels exhibit various schooling depending on day time and this has a few effect on catch efficiency and length composition of the caught fishes. In light of the these informations, it can be say that horse mackerel fishing with midwater trawls in Black Sea is a successful fishing system in terms of catch efficiency and length composition.

Comparison of Life History Characters of Arrhenotokous and &lt;I&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/I&gt;-Associated Thelytokous &lt;I&gt;Trichogramma kaykai&lt;/I&gt; Pinto and Stouthamer (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Abstract We analyzed the life history characters related to rate of potential population growth for two genetically identical lines of Trichogramma kaykai Pinto and Stouthamer (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). These lines differed in that one was infected with parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia (W+), whereas the other was free of Wolbachia (W−) through antibiotic treatment. For both lines, the number of females emerging per day was the highest from eggs laid during the first 2 d of oviposition. Although adult longevity in W− was shorter than that in W+, number of eggs reaching the prepupal stage, adult emergence, and female emergence were significantly higher for W− than for W+. There were no significant differences in the number of mature ovarian eggs at emergence between W− and W+. The values of mean length of generation (T) in W+ was similar to that in W−, but the values of net reproduction rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) in W+ were lower than those in W−. In most field population...

Childhood stuttering and speech disfluencies in relation to children’s mean length of utterance: a preliminary study

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of utterance length and complexity relative to the children’s mean length of utterance (MLU) on stuttering-like disfluencies (SLDs) for children who stutter (CWS) and nonstuttering-like disfluencies (nonSLDs) for children who do not stutter (CWNS). Participants were 12 (3;1–5;11, years;months) children: 6 CWS and 6 age-matched (±5 months) CWNS, with equal numbers in each talker group (CWS and CWNS) exhibiting MLU from the lower to the upper end of normal limits. Data were based on audio–video recordings of each child in two separate settings (i.e., home and laboratory) during loosely structured, 30-min parent–child conversational interactions and analyzed in terms of each participant’s utterance length, MLU, frequency and type of speech disfluency. Results indicate that utterances above children’s MLU are more apt to be stuttered or disfluent and that both stuttering-like as well as nonstuttering-like disfluencies are most apt to occur on utterances that are both long and complex. Findings were taken to support the hypothesis that the relative “match” or “mismatch” between linguistic components of an utterance (i.e., utterance length and complexity) and a child’s language proficiency (i.e., MLU) influences the frequency of the child’s stuttering/speech disfluency. Educational objectives: The reader will learn about and be able to: (1) compare different procedures for assessing the relationship among stuttering, length and complexity of utterance, (2) describe the difference between relative and absolute measures of utterance length, (3) discuss the measurement and value of mean length of utterance and its possible contributions to childhood stuttering, and (4) describe how length and complexity influence nonstuttering-like disfluencies of children who stutter as well as the stuttering-like disfluencies of children who do not stutter.

Length analyses of Drosophila odorant receptors

Odorant receptors comprise a unique family of G-protein-coupled seven-transmembrane receptors both in mammals and insects. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, all 61 candidate odorant receptor genes have been identified based on the complete genome sequence, and their expression patterns have been examined. A given odorant receptor is expressed in the antenna or maxillary palp, or not expressed at all. Here we have applied a set of statistical analyses to the length of the extra- and intracellular loops and terminals (LTs) of Drosophila odorant receptors to examine possible inter- and intramolecular relations at the population level. We have first provided some useful statistical information such as mean length values and length histograms to depict a general nature of Drosophila odorant receptors at the population level, after focusing on discrepancy on assigning transmembrane domains between researchers. In a preferable transmembrane assignment, all extracellular LTs, especially the second extracellular loops, were relatively large in length, suggesting their functional significance. Somewhat surprisingly, principle component analysis (PCA) indicated that the maxillary palp receptors were almost as diverse as the antenna receptors despite their much smaller population size. PCA together with histograms also revealed that receptors with an abnormal length configuration tended not to be expressed, suggesting that LT length deviations are related to transcriptional silencing of odorant receptor genes. Rank transformation tests pointed out possible LTs that could have different length between differently expressed receptors at the population level. Taken together, length analyses provide us with a general picture, i.e. “length configuration,” of Drosophila odorant receptors at the population level that could point out putatively important functional sites for experimental studies.

Seasonality of growth in Shanghai infants (n=4128) born in 11 consecutive years.

To describe the seasonal growth patterns in Shanghai infants, to explore seasonal time lag between weight gain and length gain, and to investigate the long-term effect of birth season on early postnatal growth. Community-based longitudinal study. Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Children were followed up monthly from 1 to 6 months, 3 monthly from 6 to 12 months, and 6 monthly from 12 to 24 months. A total of 6018 children born between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1990. Weight gain, length gain and change in body mass index (BMI) over the seasons of the year. The infants tended to grow faster in height in spring and summer, and faster in weight and BMI in autumn and winter. The seasonal effect on weight gain and length gain is largely independent. The mean length value at 1 month of age was about 2.0 cm higher in infants born in May to July than in those born in November to February. At 24 months of age this difference was reduced to about 0.7 cm. There is a clear and consistent seasonality in growth in Shanghai infants. The seasonality seems to act independently on weight and length. Birth month has some association with attained size, but this is reduced during the first 2 y of life.

Density-dependent growth of four spot megrim ( L. boscii) in the northern Spanish shelf

This is a preliminary study of the possible density-dependent growth of four spot megrim, Lepidorhombus boscii. Values of mean length by age class are related to the abundance indices of ages in 1991–1994 in North-eastern Atlantic waters (ICES divisions VIIIc and IXa). The analysis is performed separately for each sex and for each of the 3 subdivisions: VIIIc2, VIIIc1 and IXa2. The most significant relationships between growth and population density are found in juveniles of the first of these three subdivisions and in the area of study as a whole.

From field data to fracture network modeling: An example incorporating spatial structure

This paper describes a technique for processing field data for a fracture network model which accounts for the observed spatial variability. This has been done by generating a network subregion by subregion where the properties of each subregion are predicted through geostatistics. Once the geometry of a particular realization is specified, flow through the network is studied. We develop the method for a two‐dimensional analysis based on data from Fanay‐Augeres, a uranium mine in France. We plan to extend the analysis to three dimensions and compare the results with in situ test results. In particular, we have focused on the data collected in a long section of a drift where fractures have been mapped and steady state permeability tests have been performed in 10 boreholes. In order to generate fractures in a statistically heterogeneous region we first divided the region into statistically homogeneous subregions. In each subregion and for each fracture set we must specify the areal fracture density and the orientation, length, and aperture distributions. We divided the fractures into five sets based on tectonic history and observed that for each set, fractures spaced close together tended to have similar orientations. This was built into the simulation. An estimate of the aperture distribution for each set was made by assuming that the hydraulic apertures of the fractures intersecting a well test zone were proportional to the fracture opening observed in the core. Data input to the geostatistical analysis for each set consisted of 16 values of mean length and density of fractures in each 5 m by 2 m section of the drift wall. The results of the simulation are tables of values for mean length and fracture density for each of the five sets. The value of density simulated for each subregion was used directly to determine the number of fractures to be generated of that set in the subregion. The value of mean length was used as the mean of the length distribution in the subregion. The local coefficient of variation for length was the same in every subregion. Using the data described above, we generated a 100 m by 100 m fracture network in a series of 100 statistically homogeneous subregions. The fractured region generated has a total of 65,740 fractures. A 70 m by 70 m region was isolated for directional permeability testing. Results show that the system is barely connected. About 0.1% of the fractures essentially control permeability. In the language of percolation theory this mesh is close to the critical density for which infinite clusters of fractures are found. Problems remaining include that (1) the analysis should be extended to three dimensions, (2) the geostatistical simulation and network simulation should be combined, rather than used as two separate operations, and (3) the nature of flow through single fractures at Fanay‐Augeres should be investigated.