cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epistasis and genotype-environment interaction for quantitative trait loci affecting flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana.

A major goal of evolutionary biology is to understand the genetic architecture of the complex quantitative traits that may lead to adaptations in natural populations. Of particular relevance is the evaluation of the frequency and magnitude of epistasis (gene-gene and gene-environment interaction) as it plays a controversial role in models of adaptation within and among populations. Here, we explore the genetic basis of flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana using a series of quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping experiments with two recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping populations [Columbia (Col) × Landsberg erecta (Ler), Ler × Cape Verde Islands (Cvi)]. We focus on the response of RILs to a series of environmental conditions including drought stress, leaf damage, and apical damage. These data were explicitly evaluated for the presence of epistasis using Bayesian based multiple-QTL genome scans. Overall, we mapped fourteen QTL affecting flowering time. We detected two significant QTL-QTL interactions and several QTL-environment interactions for flowering time in the Ler × Cvi population. QTL-environment interactions were due to environmentally induced changes in the magnitude of QTL effects and their interactions across environments — we did not detect antagonistic pleiotropy. We found no evidence for QTL interactions in the Ler × Col population. We evaluate these results in the context of several other studies of flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana and adaptive evolution in natural populations.
A search for 5 min periodic structure in solar 2 cm emission

Two hundred and eighty-five hours of solar data obtained from a 2 cm radiometer during 1968-1969 were analyzed for evidence of periodic structure related to the 5 min periodic chromospheric oscillations detected in optical line emissions. A power spectral analysis of the data failed to show any statistically significant periodic activity in the frequency range 1-15 mHz for data organized according to solar activity in H-alpha, soft solar X-rays (2-12 A), and several microwave frequencies (3-15 GHz). A small shift in power from low to higher frequencies in the power spectrum of the 2 cm data was found to be correlated with H-alpha and X-ray activity. This power shift is attributed to a relative increase in chromospheric turbulence at altitudes common to H-alpha, X-ray, and 2 cm emission.
Natural variability in distribution of an intertidal population of Macoma balthica subject to potential oil pollution at Port Valdez, Alaska

Natural variability in the abundance of an intertidal population of the lamellibranch Macoma balthica (Linnaeus, 1758) was measured during 1971 and 1972 in a study area near the proposed oil storage and tankship loading facility at the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska pipeline in Port Valdez, Alaska. M. balthica were divided for analysis into a large and a small size category. Small temporal changes in population densities throughout the entire study area were detected for both size categories over several of the 7 sampling times of the 2-year period. Large and persistent differences in density were found among elevation contour intervals for either size category; however, variations in the density profiles on elevation occurred among sampling times. Large M. balthica became more equitably distributed and the small category less equitably distributed among elevation contours over the 2-year period. Densities of both size categories were more stable at the higher elevations of the study site. Large M. balthica were more homogeneously distributed along a given elevation contour interval than the small category. Mobility and time available to redistribute at a horizontal location would explain the more homogeneous distribution of large M. balthica if competition for food resources exists.
Properties of lipid bilayer membranes separating two aqueous phases: The effects of Fe(+3) on electrical properties.

Ferric ion has been found to alter the electrical properties of lecithincholesterol-decane bilayer membranes. Within minutes after the addition of microgram quantities of FeCl3 to the ambient aqueous phase, the resistance of the membrane falls by a factor of 105 to 106. No change in capacitance is observed. The resistance change is obtained with membranes made from synthetic lecithin (fully saturated fatty acids) as well as by those formed from egg lecithin. The conductance of the modified membrane exhibits both time and voltage dependent behavior; the time dependence of the current is similar to that of an inductance, and the voltage dependence of the current is exponential. Concomitant with the resistance change, the modified membrane becomes permselective, passing chloride almost to the complete exclusion of sodium. Anion selectivity can be converted to cation selectivity by the subsequent addition of certain chelating agents. Area-conductance measurements show the resistance change occurs in the thin film. The addition of a reducing agent causes the effect of the ferric ion to be reversed, and the conductance returns to that characteristic of unmodified membranes. When ferric ion is added to only one side of the membrane, the system rectifies with current ratios of up to 20∶1. It is concluded that the alteration of membrane properties owes its origin to the hydrolysis of membrane-bound ferric ion. The interaction of ferric ion with aqueous dispersions of lecithin has been investigated by several techniques, and evidence is presented that the dispersions bind charged species of iron and that this charge diminishes under conditions where iron hydrolysis occurs.
Superior Colliculus of the Tree Shrew: A Structural and Functional Subdivision into Superficial and Deep Layers

Superficial lesions of the superior colliculus produced deficits in form discrimination, while deeper lesions produced, in addition, an inability to track objects. These two syndromes were related to an anatomical subdivision: Superficial lesions resulted in anterograde degeneration in the visual thalamus, whereas lesions confined to the deeper layers produced degeneration in the nonvisual thalamus and in brainstem motor areas.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Metabolic Pathways

The information provided by completely sequenced genomes can yield insights into the multi-level organization of organisms and their evolution. At the lowest level of molecular organization individual enzymes are formed, often through assembly of multiple polypeptides. At a higher level, sets of enzymes group into metabolic networks. Much has been learned about the relationship of species from phylogenetic trees comparing individual enzymes. In this article we extend conventional phylogenetic analysis of individual enzymes in different organisms to the organisms' metabolic networks. For this purpose we suggest a method that combines sequence information with information about the underlying reaction networks. A distance between pathways is defined as incorporating distances between substrates and distances between corresponding enzymes. The new analysis is applied to electron-transfer and amino acid biosynthesis networks yielding a more comprehensive understanding of similarities and differences between organisms.
X-ray flash microprobing of structural dynamics in exploding crystals

We describe a new technique for investigating transient structural changes in solid materials involving short pulses of hard x-rays emitted by laser produced plasmas. Using a subpicosecond terawatt scale laser system, this technique promises to be simple and broadly applicable to both single-crystal and polycrystalline samples of thickness up to millimeters and mean atomic number up to approximately 30. Spatial resolutions of order 10 micrometers should be possible. Of particular interest are the so-called energetic materials, chemical high explosives, whose initiation and reaction dynamics in relation to physical microstructure are poorly known.
Ellipsometer analysis in the n k plane

Abstract Ellipsometry is an optical analytical method based on measuring the change in polarization state of reflected or transmitted polarized light. A major challenge of the method has been the computation of reflecting surface physical parameters of interest from the raw measured data. This arises because the most common relationship is transcendental and cannot be inverted thus requiring numerical methods. The most popular methods are variations of least squares, for example Levenburg–Marquardt. These methods are plagued by local minima inherent in least squares. The work presented is a description of the geometry of the n – k plane for the case of a single measurement on a single layer film. This geometry lays the groundwork for a set of solution algorithms which are much more powerful and convenient than existing algorithms. It also illustrates the multiple solution problems inherent in least squares methods.
Effect of abrogation of natural killer cell activity on the course of candidiasis induced by intraperitoneal administration and gastrointestinal candidiasis in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency.

Candida albicans CFU per gram of tissue recovered from livers, spleens, and kidneys of 12 severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) and 12 BALB/c mice 5 days after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 10(7) C. albicans cells were not significantly different. Nine scid mice given normal rabbit serum (NRS) as a control and eight scid mice given anti-asialo-GM1 (alpha-ASGM1) had C. albicans CFU per gram recovered from livers and spleens 1 week after i.p. administration of C. albicans that were not significantly different, despite virtual elimination of natural killer (NK) cell activity in mice treated with alpha-ASGM1. At 2 weeks after i.p. administration, despite significantly increased NK cell activity in eight infected NRS-treated scid mice and virtual elimination of NK cell activity by alpha-ASGM1 treatment of eight scid mice, C. albicans CFU per gram recovered from livers and kidneys were not significantly different. At 2 weeks after intragastric administration of 2 x 10(6) C. albicans cells, eight NRS- and eight alpha-ASGM1-treated scid mice had identical proportions colonized with C. albicans and similar C. albicans CFU per gram recovered from feces. There was no evidence of hematogenous dissemination in either group. Similar results were seen 1 week after intragastric administration of 10(7) C. albicans cells. We conclude that NK cell activity is increased by i.p. administration of C. albicans in scid mice, but nontheless, abrogation of NK cell activity is not associated with enhanced susceptibility to candidiasis induced by i.p. administration and also is not associated with enhanced susceptibility to gastrointestinal colonization or hematogenous dissemination after intragastric administration of C. albicans.
Metal localized emission in d6 phosphine and arsine complexes

Abstract Emission and absorption spectra (liquid nitrogen temperature) are reported for the bis diphenylphosphinoethane (dppe) and bis diphenylarsinoethane complexes of the Rh(III) and Ir(III) d 6 ions. No emission was detected for the analogous Ru(II) complexes. The emission observed is broad, structureless and exhibits a large Stokes shift. Emission lifetimes are all ≈ μsec magnitude. From these data the emission can be assigned as a metal localized 3 E → 1 A 1 emission.
Space-time scaling laws for self-triggered control

Feedback control laws have been traditionally treated as periodic tasks when implemented on digital platforms. However, the growing complexity of systems calls for efficient implementations of control tasks that reduce resource utilization while keeping desired levels of performance. In this paper we drop the periodicity assumption in favour of self-triggered strategies for the execution of control laws. Such strategies determine the next execution time based on the current state of the plant. Under the self-triggered policy, the inter-execution times scale in a predictable manner: a scaling of the state of the plant entails a scaling in the inter-execution times. This property allows us to derive a simple formula for the next execution time guaranteeing performance.We illustrate the proposed techniques on the control of a jet engine compressor.
Demethylation and cleavage of dimethylsulfoniopropionate in marine intertidal sediments

Demethylation and cleavage of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) was measured in three different types of intertidal marine sediments: a cyanobacterial mat, a diatom-covered tidal flat and a carbonate sediment. Consumption rates of added DMSP were highest in cyanobacterial mat slurries (59 μmol DMSP 1−1) and lower in slurries from a diatom mat and a carbonate tidal sediment (24 and 9 μmol DMSP 1−1 h−1, respectively). Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and 3-mercaptopropionate (MPA) were produced simultaneously during DMSP consumption, indicating that cleavage and demethylation occurred at the same time. Viable counts of DMSP-utilizing bacteria revealed a population of 2 × 107 cells cm−3 sediment (90% of these cleaved DMSP to DMS, 10% demethylated DMSP to MPA) in the cyanobacterial mat, 7 × 105 cells cm−3 in the diatom mat (23% cleavers, 77% demethylators), and 9 × 104 cells cm−3 (20% cleavers and 80% demethylators) in the carbonate sediment. In slurries of the diatom mat, the rate of MPA production from added 3-methiolpropionate (MMPA) was 50% of the rate of MPA formation from DMSP. The presence of a large population of demethylating bacteria and the production of MPA from DMSP suggest that the demethylation pathway, in addition to cleavage, contributes significantly to DMSP consumption in coastal sediments.
The effect of dietary wheat middlings and enzyme supplementation. 1. Late egg production efficiency, egg yields, and egg composition in two strains of Leghorn hens

Abstract A study was conducted to test the effects of wheat middlings (WM) with and without enzyme (xylanase and protease) supplementation on late egg production (EP), egg yields, and egg composition in two strains of Leghorn hens (DeKalb Delta and Hisex White). Six diets were randomly assigned to 300 birds (150 birds per strain) from 42 to 60 wk of age. Diet 1 was a corn-soybean meal control, Diets 2 and 3 had 8 and 16% WM, respectively, Diet 4 had 8% WM with 0.1% enzyme, and Diets 5 and 6 had 16% WM with 0.1 and 0.2% enzyme, respectively. Each dietary treatment was replicated five times per strain. Egg production, feed consumption (FC), feed efficiency (FE), percentage dirty eggs, specific gravity (SP), egg weight (EW), and egg mass (EM) were measured on a weekly basis. Egg components (EC) were measured biweekly and birds were weighed every 4 wk. Egg production was not significantly affected by diet, with averages of 83.7, 85.7, 84.1, 84.2, 82.3, and 84.0% for Diets, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively. Strain had a marked effect on FC, with Hisex having higher FC than DeKalb hens. Feed consumption also showed a significant diet by strain effect, being lower for Hisex hens fed diets with enzyme compared to diets without enzyme. DeKalb hens had better FE than Hisex hens, and addition of enzyme to 16% WM improved it further. Strain and diet had a significant effect on EC with higher percentages of albumen and yolk for diets with enzyme and for DeKalb hens. Percentage shell was lower for DeKalb hens than for Hisex hens but was not affected by diet. There was also a significant increase in EW for Diets 4 (63.1 g), 5 (63.8 g), and 6 (63.2 g) compared to Diets 1 (62.1 g), 2 (62.4 g), and 3 (63.0 g), with DeKalb hens showing an increase with Diet 5 compared to Hisex hens. Egg mass improved with the higher rate of enzyme in 16% WM diet compared to the lower enzyme level. Specific gravity declined with enzyme supplementation in WM diets. Eggs from DeKalb hens had lower SP than those from Hisex hens for all diets. Percentage dirty eggs did not differ significantly among treatments but was higher for the Hisex strain than for the DeKalb strain. There were no differences in BW between the two strains of hens or among diets. Adding protease and xylanase to diets rich in fiber can improve the egg output without affecting production parameters.
Multiple Social Identities and Adjustment in Young Adults from Ethnically Diverse Backgrounds.

A person-centered approach was used to determine how identification across multiple social domains (ethnic, American, family, religious) was associated with distinct identity clusters. Utilizing data from 222 young adults from European, Filipino, Latin, and Asian American backgrounds, four clusters were found (Many Social Identities, Blended/Low Religious, Blended/Low Ethnic and American, Few Social Identities). Clusters were differentially associated with adjustment, both directly and via moderation of perceived ethnic discrimination. Those with low levels of identity across all four domains reported lower positive affect, higher negative affect, lower self-esteem, and perceived fewer American opportunities compared with individuals in other clusters. However, the Blended/Low Ethnic and American cluster exhibited more liabilities associated with discrimination. Discussion emphasizes the importance of multiple identities in development.
Automatic Power Modeling of Infrastructure IP for System-on-Chip Power Analysis

Modern system-on-chips (SoCs) are often designed under stringent time to market constraints. Hence, they are realized by reusing a number of predesigned components (or IP blocks) that implement standard, yet critical functions. An important category of IP blocks are the so called infrastructure IP (IIP) blocks, which include interfaces to off chip memory, I/O devices, and peripherals, as well as hardware to provide DMA transfers, interrupts, timing, etc. IIP components are often responsible for a substantial portion of a SoC's power consumption, making it important to model and consider their effect in power aware SoC design. However, system level power analysis and optimization has, for the most part, focused on the processor, memory hierarchy, interconnect, and application specific hardware. Relatively little work has addressed modeling the power consumed by these infrastructure IP (IIP) components, or their impact on system level tradeoffs. This paper describes a systematic methodology to automatically generate power models for IIP components for use in system level power analysis and optimization tools. Our methodology starts with (i) a high level functional model of an IIP component designed for fast simulation, and (ii) a corresponding implementation model (RTL or gate level description), from which accurate power estimates can be obtained. It automatically generates an enhanced version of the high level functional model, which includes an accurate, yet efficient power model. This paper describes the key steps of the methodology, and presents techniques based on statistical analysis and symbolic regression to automate the most labor intensive steps. The proposed methodology has been applied to several commercial IIP designs, including ones from the Synopsys Design Ware library. The resulting power models produce estimates that are within 7% of gate level power analysis, while being several hundred times faster, making them highly suitable for system level power analysis. Moreover, the use of an automatic methodology drastically reduces the effort spent in power model development, from over a week to under an hour in some cases. The automatically generated models have been integrated into an inhouse system level power estimation framework. We demonstrate their utility in exploring system level design tradeoffs using an example SoC design
Stable Isotope Evidence for Sex- and Status-Based Variations in Diet and Life History at Medieval Trino Vercellese, Italy

The medieval period in Europe was a time of unprecedented social complexity that affected human diet. The diets of certain subgroups-for example, children, women, and the poor-are chronically underrepresented in historical sources from the medieval period. To better understand diet and the distribution of foods during the medieval period, we investigated stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of 30 individuals from Trino Vercellese, Northern Italy (8th-13th c.). Specifically, we examined diet differences between subgroups (males and females, and high- and low-status individuals), and diet change throughout the life course among these groups by comparing dentine and bone collagen. Our results show a diet based on terrestrial resources with input from C(4) plants, which could include proso and/or foxtail millet. Diets of low-status males differ from those of females (both status groups) and of high-status males. These differences develop in adulthood. Childhood diets are similar among the subgroups, but sex- and status-based differences appear in adulthood. We discuss the possibility of cultural buffering and dietary selectivity of females and high-status individuals.
A G-net model for knowledge representation and reasoning

The G-net model for G-type knowledge representation is introduced. It is capable of modeling both static semantic knowledge and dynamic control knowledge, combining them into a loosely coupled, mixed-type knowledge hierarchy. Four reasoning algorithms for the G-net model are proposed: inheritance reasoning and recognition reasoning for semantic knowledge, event-driven reasoning for dynamic knowledge, and control table reasoning for coordination and control in a mixed-type knowledge hierarchy. Based on the knowledge-table representation, the G-net model expresses the constraints and relationships among knowledge objects explicitly so that reasoning algorithms can be implemented efficiently. Applications to information systems prototyping are discussed. >
An approach to the development of in vitro toxicological methods.

Abstract Over the last few years there has been increased societal pressure on the one hand and self-generated scientific pressure on the other to develop new and better in vitro techniques for the evaluation of the safety of commercial products. In vitro methodology addresses four major areas within toxicology. (1) It provides the basic science of the discipline with new information. (2) In acute toxicity testing, it can provide alternatives to current approaches, e.g. the Draize irritation tests. (3) In the area of chronic toxicity testing, it will allow us to define the mechanisms associated with organ specific insults. (4) In the area of risk assessment, the combined knowledge obtained by superior methods will allow us to assess risk more accurately. The results of studies on alternatives to the Draize irritation tests being carried out at or supported by The Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing will be reviewed.
Efficient simulation of coupled circuit-field problems: generalized Falk method

The proposed generalized Falk (GF) method offers an extremely simple and convenient way to solve coupled circuit-field problems in circuit simulators by transforming the discretized governing-field equations into guaranteed stable-and-passive one-dimensional (1D) equivalent-circuit systems, which are then combined with the circuit part of the overall coupled problem. More efficient than the traditional Lanczos-type methods, the GF method transforms a general finite-element system represented by a system of full matrices into an identity capacitance (mass) matrix and a tridiagonal conductance (stiffness) matrix. No positive poles are produced; all transformed matrices remain positive definite. The resulting 1D equivalent-circuit system contains only resistors, capacitors, inductors, and current sources. Several numerical examples are provided.
Inflammation and infection of pulp and periapical tissues

Abstract The state of our scientific knowledge concerning inflammation and infection of pulp and periapical tissues is reviewed with respect to the correlation and lack of correlation of this body of scientific fact with present-day clinical practice. Gaps in our knowledge are emphasized, and suggestions made as to possible paths of future research.
CONTROL OF CELL MIGRATION DURING CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS DEVELOPMENT

In Caenorhabditis elegans, cell migration is guided by localized cues, including molecules such as EGL-17/FGF and UNC-6/netrin. These external cues are linked to an intracellular response to migrate, at least in part, by CED-5, a homolog of DOCK180/MBC, and MIG-2, a Rac-like GTPase. In addition, metalloproteases are required for a cell migration that controls organ shape.
Letter by Freeman and Taussky Regarding Article, “Near Infrared Spectroscopy for the Detection of Desaturations in Vulnerable Ischemic Brain Tissue: A Pilot Study at the Stroke Unit Bedside”

To the Editor: We read with great interest the article by Aries et al,1 in which they studied near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to monitor 9 patients with ischemic stroke who had more “desaturations” in the affected hemisphere than the nonaffected hemisphere. Their study raises questions of why this would pathophysiologically occur, such as different collateral flow or differential cerebral …
Palm Community Structure and Land Cover Changes in the San Juan Biological Corridor, Costa Rica

Biological corridors connect forest fragments, minimize the isolation of remaining habitats, and reduce the negative impact of fragmentation. Important studies in a corridor include documentation of land cover and the relationships between the plant community and land cover changes. In this study, density, species richness, and species diversity of palms of different life stages and growth forms were documented in forty 10 x 10 m census plots in the San Juan Biological Corridor (SJBC), Costa Rica. Changes in the percent cover of agricultural, partially forested, and forested lands from 1979 to 2001 were quantified based on existing land classifications. Associations between these palm community characteristics and the reduction in forest cover in 200-m and 1000-m annuli surrounding the census plots were investigated. These palm community characteristics were spatially interpolated to examine their distributions in SJBC. The community characteristics of palms of all growth forms varied among census plots. Forested lands in SJBC decreased from 88 percent to 26 percent during 1979-2001, while the percentage cover of agricultural and partially forested lands increased. The annual deforestation rate was 0.8 percent from 1979 to 1992, 4.3 percent from 1992 to 1997, and 7.5 percent from 1997 to 2001. Overall, palm community characteristics of small-canopy palms, dwarf palms, and cotyledonous seedlings had lower values with a lower percentage forest cover. The spatially interpolated palm community characteristics were consistently greatest within or adjacent to protected areas. This study demonstrates the complexity of the landscape and the effect of loss of adjacent forests on the palm community.
Expression and function of lysophosphatidic acid receptors in cultured rodent microglial cells.

Microglia are the resident tissue macrophages of the central nervous system. They are rapidly activated by a variety of insults; and recently, receptors linked to cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals have been implicated in such events. One potential class of receptors are those recognizing lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA is a phospholipid signaling molecule that has been shown to cause multiple cellular responses, including increases in cytoplasmic calcium. We examined whether any of the known LPA receptor genes (lp A1/Edg2,lp A2/Edg4, andlp A3/Edg7) are expressed by cultured mouse or rat microglia. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction indicated that mouse microglia predominantly expressed thelp A1 gene, whereas rat microglia predominantly expressed lp A3. Although LPA induced increases in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration in both microglial preparations, the responses differed substantially. The Ca2+ signal in rat microglia occurred primarily through Ca2+ influx via the plasma membrane, whereas the Ca2+ signal in mouse microglia was due to release from intracellular stores. Only at high concentrations was an additional influx component recruited. Additionally, LPA induced increased metabolic activity in mouse (but not rat) microglial cells. Our findings provide evidence for functional LPA receptors on microglia. Thus, LPA might play an important role as a mediator of microglial activation in response to central nervous system injury.
An in vitro interaction between the human U3 snRNP and 28S rRNA sequences near the α-sarcin site

Model transcripts containing mammalian pre-rRNA sequences were incubated with a HeLa cell extract, digested with T1 RNase, and immunoprecipitated with anti-(U3)RNP or control antibodies. Two overlapping fragments derived from the 3' domain of human 28S rRNA were specifically immunoprecipitated although transcripts which spanned the transcription initiation site, the ETS processing site, the 5' end of 18S, and both termini of 5.8S yielded no protected fragments. The sequence of these fragments was determined using a novel technique in which the [32P]-labeled fragment was co-finger-printed with [3H]-labeled total transcript serving as an internal marker. The fragments immunoprecipitated derive from nucleotides 4570-4590 and 4575-4590 of human 28S and are adjacent to the alpha-sarcin site. Protection most likely involves the U3 RNA since it is sensitive to pretreatment of the extract with micrococcal nuclease. Complementarity between U3 and this rRNA region is phylogenetically conserved in species ranging from human to S. cerevisiae. The possible significance of this finding is discussed.
A two-segment model for thin filament architecture in skeletal muscle

Correct specification of myofilament length is essential for efficient skeletal muscle contraction. The length of thin actin filaments can be explained by a novel 'two-segment' model, wherein the thin filaments consist of two concatenated segments, which are of either constant or variable length. This is in contrast to the classic 'nebulin ruler' model, which postulates that thin filaments are uniform structures, the lengths of which are dictated by nebulin. The two-segment model implicates position-specific microregulation of actin dynamics as a general principle underlying actin filament length and stability.
Noise figure of digital communication receivers-revisited

Noise figure (NF) is a commonly used system parameter that quantifies the degradation in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as the signal passes through a receiving system. Because of the difficulty in defining the SNR, NF depends on how the SNR is computed and the underlying assumptions that are made. Existing NF measures and their shortcomings are explained. A new NF suitable for a digital communication receiver is proposed by redefining the SNR, so that the NF measures the degradation in the achievable performance caused by the receiving system. The proposed NF, which we refer to as the effective NF, can be readily determined based on the existing NF measurement techniques. As an example of the use of the effective NF metric, a direct-conversion receiver with ac coupling in the signal path to remove the dc-offset noise is described.
Mechanical concepts for 30 m class telescopes

The 20 20 Telescope is a 30 meter class telescope comprised of two 21.2m collector telescopes on a 100m circular track. Each collector telescope has a focal ratio of F: 0.7 and is comprised of seven 8.4 m segments. There is an instrument bridge that carries the combining instrument. The proposal for 20 20 is to have discrete combiner stations for 30,60,and 100 meter baselines. Additional focal stations are implemented for Nasmyth and bent Cassegrain. The Track has the same segmented construction and tracking motion on hydrostatic bearings as LBT. The collector telescope buildings will co-track and co-rotate on separate tracks. The 30m design has the same basic shape as a single 21 meter Collector but many aspects are different. The 30 meter telescope is a single hexagonal aperture with a primary at F: 0.5. There are 13 that are 8.74m hexagons and 6 half hexagons. The 30m telescope has primarily Nasmyth platforms behind the primary mirror. Both telescopes have a 30 meter equivalent circular aperture. Both telescopes have high structural performance, at 6.5 Hz and 5.3 Hz respectively. Both are balanced, and use similar designed components. Comparison of their characteristics and design differences can show the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Residual Effect of Insecticide Treatment Plus Use of Sticky Traps on Brown Recluse Spiders (Araneae: Sicariidae) on Two Surfaces

Abstract There is a need for safe and consistent management of the brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa Gertsch & Mulaik, a toxic spider found in homes throughout Kansas and the south and central United States. This study examined the efficacy of two general-use insecticides with brown recluse on their labels, .05% bifenthrin with 0.0125% zeta-cypermethrin (Insecticide 1), and 0.03% lambda-cyhalothrin (Insecticide 2) against the brown recluse spider at three times post-treatment, 1, 24, and 96 hr, and on two substrates, carpet and tile. This study also evaluated the efficacy of these insecticides on spiders exposed for three lengths of time, 0.5, 1, and 30 min on each substrate. Results indicate that Insecticide 2 had better overall residual efficacy than Insecticide 1. In addition, in one experiment efficacy was better when the spiders were exposed on tile surfaces. Residual efficacy for Insecticide 2 was greater one and 24 hr after application but decreased at 96 hr. The efficacy of Insecticide 1 wa...
Undergraduate panel on Black Institutions: Cooper Woodson College Enhancement Program

Undergraduate panel on Black Institutions -- paper title Cooper Woodson College Enhancement Program.
3D printing: an emerging tool for novel microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip applications

In the past few years, 3D printing technology has witnessed an explosive growth, penetrating various aspects of our lives. Current best-in-class 3D printers can fabricate micrometer scale objects, which has made fabrication of microfluidic devices possible. The highest achievable resolution is already at nanometer scale, which is continuing to drop. Since geometric complexity is not a concern for 3D printing, novel 3D microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip systems that are otherwise impossible to produce with traditional 2D microfabrication technology have started to emerge in recent years. In this review, we first introduce the basics of 3D printing technology for the microfluidic community and then summarize its emerging applications in creating novel microfluidic devices. We foresee widespread utilization of 3D printing for future developments in microfluidic engineering and lab-on-a-chip technology.
An Economic Analysis of Two Grafted Tomato Transplant Production Systems in the United States

The grafting of herbaceous vegetables is an emerging development in the United States. This report provides an estimate of the variable costs of grafting within U.S. tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) transplant production systems. Grafted and nongrafted plants were propagated at two commercial farming operations in Ivanhoe, NC (NC) and Strasburg, PA (PA) and the farm in NC produced certified organic transplants. Detailed economic production sequences were generated for each site, and grafted and nongrafted transplant production costs were $0.59 and $0.13 in NC, and $1.25 and $0.51 in PA, respectively. Direct costs associated with grafting (e.g., grafting labor, clips, chamber, etc.) accounted for 37% to 38% of the added cost of grafting, and grafting labor was 11.1% to 14.4% of the cost of grafted transplant production. Seed costs represented 52% and 33% of the added cost of grafting at the two sites, and indirect costs (e.g., soil, trays, and heating) accounted for 10% and 30% of the added cost of grafting. Our findings suggest that under current seed prices and with similar production practices, the feasibility of grafting in the United States is not disproportionately affected by domestic labor costs. Additionally, the economic models presented in this report identify the cost of production at various transplant stages, and provide a valuable tool for growers interested in grafted tomato transplant production and utilization.
Double-Tandem [4π+2π]·[2π+2π]·[4π+2π]·[2π+2π] Synthetic Sequence with Photoprotolytic Oxametathesis and Photoepoxidation in the Chromone Series

Chromones are introduced into a double-tandem [4π+2π]·[2π+2π]·[4π+2π]·[2π+2π] synthetic sequence, culminating in photoprotolytic oxametathesis, which leads to an expeditious growth of molecular complexity over a few experimentally simple steps. The overall reaction can potentially be utilized in diversity-oriented synthesis, as it allows for three or more diversity inputs furnishing novel unique polycyclic scaffolds decorated with a variety of functionalities and aromatic/heterocyclic pendants. The polycyclic alkenes, resulting from the oxametathesis step, were found to undergo efficient and clean photoinduced epoxidation when irradiated in the presence of molecular oxygen.
Ch’arki at Chavín: Ethnographic Models and Archaeological Data

We welcome Valdez"s recent contributions to the developing corpus of ethnographic observations concerning the production and use of Ch’arki in the Andes and to our understanding of the interpretative value of differential camelid bone concentrations in Andean archaeological sites. The numerous issues raised by Valdez would require more space than is available in this forum to adequately address them. What we will present here can only hope to outline the most salient points of contention and encourage further investigations into these problems.
Transitions to Middle-Skill Jobs: Pathways Into the New Racio-Economic Structure of the 21st Century

College and Career Pathways is an educational policy initiative widely acclaimed as a commonsensical and effective measure to ease students’ transitions between secondary and postsecondary education and into the middle-skill jobs. This article investigates the internal dynamics of the Pathways’ curricular model as well as its underpinning assumptions and implications. First, it situates this development within the broader context of school-to-work reform efforts and explores its connections to the neoliberal ideological thinking. Drawing on Leonardo's (2012) critical raceclass theory of education as a conceptual lens, and with close attention to the new order of job categories, it then examines the rise of Pathways in light of the realities of class, race, and the asymmetrical power relations that characterize the modern nation state. The article concludes that pathways is best understood when situated within the dynamics of production and reproduction of a new class of workers for the new racio-economic...
Analytical performance evaluation of a new Cobas tacrolimus assay on Cobas e411 analyzer: Comparison of values obtained by the CMIA tacrolimus assay and a liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometric method

Background Recently Roche Diagnostics (Indianapolis, IN) developed Cobas tacrolimus assay (currently for investigational use only in U.S) for application on multiple platforms including Cobas e 411 analyzer. We evaluated analytic performance of this new assay. Materials and methods Within run, between run and linearity of this new assay were evaluated. In addition, tacrolimus values in 40 specimens obtained by using this new method were compared with values obtained by using the CMIA assay (Abbott Laboratories). Moreover, 10 specimens where accurate tacrolimus values were determined by a reference method (LC-MS/MS), were further analyzed using Cobas tacrolimus assay and the CMIA assay. Results New Cobas tacrolimus assay showed excellent precision and accuracy. Comparing tacrolimus values obtained by using the CMIA tacrolimus assay (x-axis) with corresponding values obtained by using the Cobas tacrolimus assay (y-axis), the following regression equation was observed: y=0.922x+0.512 (n=40, r=0.99). For additional 10 specimens where tacrolimus values were determined by LC-MS/MS, tacrolimus values obtained by the Cobas tacrolimus assay as well as by the CMIA assay were higher than the corresponding LC-MS/MS values. Conclusions The new Cobas tacrolimus assay is comparable to the FDA approved CMIA tacrolimus assay. Therefore, when this assay is approved by the FDA, it can be used for therapeutic drug monitoring of tacrolimus.
Design and implementation of fire emergency command platform based on indoor and outdoor location technique

Aiming at the problem of lack of indoor positioning and information support in high-rise buildings, a prototype system of the fire emergency command platform was developed by using the GIS and indoor positioning technologies. The key problems such as the indoor and outdoor map service, tracking and visualization of indoor and outdoor positioning information, and information sharing and synchronization among firemen handheld terminals, command platforms in the command centre and mobile command platforms were solved by this prototype system. Results show that the developed platform can provide indoor and outdoor map services and positioning services for fire emergency commands and has a good application value and wide application prospect to improve the capability of fire emergency command.
Detection of local recurrence after radical prostatectomy by prostate specific antigen and transrectal ultrasound.

AbstractTwenty patients with detectable levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) after radical prostatectomy with no identifiable distant metastases were evaluated for local recurrence by digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound combined with biopsies. Of the patients 9 (45%) were found to have histological evidence of local recurrence at the initial assessment. All 4 patients with an abnormal digital rectal examination had recurrent disease. Transrectal ultrasound displayed abnormalities in 12 of the 20 patients, 7 of whom had positive biopsies. Random biopsies of the vesicourethral junction were performed in 8 patients who had negative ultrasound findings and an unremarkable digital rectal examination, of whom 2 had histological documentation of local recurrence. Complications occurred in 1 patient (5%) who presented with clot retention. We conclude that PSA is an excellent tool for identification of recurrent disease after radical prostatectomy, and transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy is...
Peptides containing β-turns I-- -(gly--cys-gly)3 triply bridged by 1,3,5--(thiomethyl)benzene

Reaction of cyclo-(Gly-L-Cys-Gly)3 with 1,3,5-tris-bromomethylbenzene yields a tris thioether of the cyclic nonapeptide in 28% yield. Both 1H and 13C NMR spectra are consistent with a molecule of 3-fold symmetry; the temperature dependences of chemical shifts of the amide hydrogens are consistent with a structure composed of three β-turns.
Discordant Epilepsy in Monozygous Twins

Twelve monozygotic twins, discordant for epilepsy, were analysed for nonhereditary etiological factors by clinical history, MRI, and quantitative brain volume studies at the Brain Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
LastStep: Vision-based Bus Stop Localization and Mapping for Improving Accessibility for Blind Riders: Poster Abstract

For people with visual impairment, the use of public transportation is a key ingredient to independent quotidian living. However, current electronic travel assistive systems that use GPS for navigation is imprecise to aid blind riders in navigating bus stops [1]. To address this problem, in this poster, we present a vision-based fine-grained bus stop localization system, LastStep, that complements a GPS unit and can localize a bus stop with step-level accuracy. With an evaluation on three subjects, we show that LastStep can localize sites with an error of less than 0.5 meters. Moreover, with the aid of LastStep, subjects can perform this localization at higher success rates and 4 times faster compared to manual searching.
The Lexicalization of Syntagmatic Relationships

A language expresses meaning primarily in its vocabulary (lexical units) and through the grammatical structures in which the units are combined (syntax). Relationships between the words in a language can exist based on their inherent meanings (paradigmatic relationships) or based on their occurrences, roles, and combination in larger contexts such as sentences (syntagmatic relationships). Lexicalization is often used to realize syntagmatic relationships that might otherwise be expressed in these larger linguistic contexts. Semantic frames are a useful way to characterize the interplay among words/phrases in natural language, syntactic structures, and the expression of syntagmatic relationships.
Growth factor sequestration and enzyme-mediated release from genipin-crosslinked gelatin microspheres.

Controlled release of growth factors allows the efficient, localized, and temporally-optimized delivery of bioactive molecules to potentiate natural physiological processes. This concept has been a...
Baclofen and naltrexone effects on alcohol self-administration: Comparison of treatment initiated during abstinence or ongoing alcohol access in baboons.

Abstract Background Baclofen, a GABA B receptor agonist, is under investigation as a pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder. Treatment with a pharmacotherapeutic can be initiated during alcohol abstinence or active drinking, which may influence treatment outcomes. This study examined whether baclofen treatment initiated and maintained during alcohol abstinence would reduce alcohol seeking and self-administration upon return to alcohol access, and whether effects differed from treatment initiated and maintained during ongoing alcohol access. Naltrexone was tested under similar conditions for comparison. Methods Five baboons self-administered alcohol under a three-component chained schedule of reinforcement that modeled periods of anticipation (Component 1), seeking (Component 2), and consumption (Component 3). Alcohol was only available in Component 3. In Experiment 1, baclofen (0.1-1.8 mg/kg) or naltrexone (1.0-5.6 mg/kg) was administered daily beginning on the first day of a 5-day abstinence period and treatment was continued for 5 days of alcohol access. In Experiment 2, selected doses of both drugs were administered during ongoing alcohol access. Results When treatment was initiated during alcohol abstinence, baclofen and naltrexone did not significantly reduce total alcohol intake (g/kg) or alcohol seeking. In comparison, when treatment was initiated during ongoing alcohol access, both baclofen (1.8 mg/kg) and naltrexone (3.2 and 5.6 mg/kg) significantly reduced total alcohol intake (g/kg). Naltrexone (5.6 mg/kg), but not baclofen, significantly reduced alcohol seeking. Conclusions Initiation of baclofen treatment (or other alcohol use disorder treatments) during abstinence or active drinking may be an important factor in influencing efficacy and appropriate dose selection.
Taking the Edge off with Espresso: Scale, Reliability and Programmability for Global Internet Peering

We present the design of Espresso, Google's SDN-based Internet peering edge routing infrastructure. This architecture grew out of a need to exponentially scale the Internet edge cost-effectively and to enable application-aware routing at Internet-peering scale. Espresso utilizes commodity switches and host-based routing/packet processing to implement a novel fine-grained traffic engineering capability. Overall, Espresso provides Google a scalable peering edge that is programmable, reliable, and integrated with global traffic systems. Espresso also greatly accelerated deployment of new networking features at our peering edge. Espresso has been in production for two years and serves over 22% of Google's total traffic to the Internet.