cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Update on infectious complications following lung transplantation.

Purpose of review Lung transplantation is an important therapeutic treatment for many patients with life-threatening pulmonary diseases; however, long-term survival is still relatively limited compared with other solid organ transplants. Over the last year, several articles have been published helping to increase our knowledge of infections in lung transplant recipients. In particular, important new information has been published recently regarding cytomegalovirus (CMV) and fungal infections following lung transplantation. Recent findings Recent studies indicate prolonged (≥12 months) antiviral prophylaxis for CMV after lung transplant may be beneficial in high-risk transplant recipients. Epidemiologic studies show invasive fungal infections are increasingly being recognized following solid organ transplantation, particularly with Aspergillus and Candida species. Pulmonary infections with CMV and Aspergillus are likely contributors to the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Summary Lung transplantation has many potential posttransplant complications with infection being a major contributor. More information has become available regarding CMV prophylaxis, CMV treatment, pulmonary fungal infection epidemiology, and the role of both CMV and Aspergillus on the development of BOS, which helps toward the goal of increasing long-term survival in lung transplant recipients.
Pedicle Screw-Based Posterior Dynamic Stabilization: Literature Review

Posterior dynamic stabilization (PDS) indicates motion preservation devices that are aimed for surgical treatment of activity related mechanical low back pain. A large number of such devices have been introduced during the last 2 decades, without biomechanical design rationale, or clinical evidence of efficacy to address back pain. Implant failure is the commonest complication, which has resulted in withdrawal of some of the PDS devices from the market. In this paper the authors presented the current understanding of clinical instability of lumbar motions segment, proposed a classification, and described the clinical experience of the pedicle screw-based posterior dynamic stabilization devices.
Accurate color measurement methods for medical displays

We report on the characterization of two novel probes for measuring display color without contamination from other screen areas or off-normal emissions. The probes are characterized with a scanning slit method and a moving laser and LED arrangement. The tails of the scans indicate the spread in signal due to light from areas outside the intended measuring spot. A dual-laser setup suggests that color purity of the reading can be maintained up to a few tens of millimeters outside of the measurement spot, and a dual-LED setup shows the effects of secondary light emissions in the readings. The first design, color probe A, is then used to quantify display color, maximum color difference, luminance uniformity, graylevel tracking, and angular color shifts of medical liquid crystal displays and mobile displays.
Gene Circuitry Controlling a Stem Cell Niche

Many stem cell populations interact with stromal cells via signaling pathways, and understanding these interactions is key for understanding stem cell biology. In Drosophila, germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance requires regulation of several genes, including dpp, piwi, pumilio, and bam. GSCs also maintain continuous contact with cap cells that probably secrete the signaling ligands necessary for controlling expression of these genes. For example, dpp signaling acts by silencing transcription of the differentiation factor, bam, in GSCs. Despite numerous studies, it is not clear what roles piwi, primarily a cap cell factor, and pumilio, a germ cell factor, play in maintaining GSC function. With molecular and genetic experiments, we show that piwi maintains GSCs by silencing bam. In contrast, pumilio is not required for bam silencing, indicating that pumilio maintains GSC fate by a mechanism not dependent on bam transcription. Surprisingly, we find that germ cells can differentiate without bam if they also lack pumilio. These findings suggest a molecular pathway for GSC maintenance. dpp- and piwi-dependent signaling act synergistically in GSCs to silence bam, whereas pumilio represses translation of differentiation-promoting mRNAs. In cystoblasts, accumulating Bam protein antagonizes pumilio, permitting the translation of cystoblast-promoting transcripts.
A technique for art direction of physically based fire simulation

This paper presents a new approach to the art direction of individual flames in a physically based fire simulation. Fire, due to its warm colors and constant movement, often becomes the main attraction to the viewer's eye in a scene. Therefore, being able to control afire simulation to obtain a desired look or shape is crucial if simulation is to be used to create afire effect. Our technique provides control over this chaotic natural phenomenon at a fine level, enabling the artist to add character to flames and create highly stylized visuals. The fire system itself is a fully physics-based two-gas system, where flames are advected along convection currents generated by combustion. Our method provides artistic control of these convection currents, using a set of imported curves drawn by an artist. A full description of the implementation and performance of the fire system, and our control method is presented. The technique is illustrated with examples of highly stylized flame artwork rendered using our system.
Hydrocarbons in the pelagic Sargassum community

Abstract Pelagic Sargassum weed and associated macrofauna were analyzed for their hydrocarbon content. All the organisms appeared contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. There was no relation between the amount of natural, recently biosynthesized hydrocarbons in an organism and the amount of petroleum contamination. Animals had a larger ratio of petroleum to natural compounds than the Sargassum. There was no relation between the hydrocarbon content and the animals' supposed positions in the food chain.
Measurement of Transmitted Blast Force-Time Histories

A simple, reliable, and cost effective method is presented for the measurement of transmitted force behind a panel subjected to blast loads. Sensors were designed for a specific blast environment and successfully used to measure transmitted blast force behind solid polyethylene plates of thickness 0.125 and 0.25 inches. Experimental data was collected and examined to reveal consistent differences in the response of different thicknesses of otherwise identical panels. Finally, recommendations are made for future design, construction and use of similar sensors.
Characterization of reproductive steroid receptors and response to estrogen in a rat serotonergic cell line

Study of the cellular and molecular consequences of steroid hormone action in the serotonin neural system will provide new avenues for pharmacotherapeutic intervention in mental illness related to reproductive function. However, it is difficult to probe intracellular mechanisms with whole animal models. We sought the steroid receptor compliment and estrogen response of two rat serotonin cell lines in order to determine if they could be of future assistance in this matter. Immunohistochemistry with a panel of antibodies, RT-PCR and a serotonin ELISA were utilized to characterize the RN46A-V1 cells (herein called RN46A), and the subclone RN46A-B14 (herein called B14) that is stably transfected with brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). RN46A and B14 cells express estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta), androgen receptors (AR) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) but not estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) or progestin receptors (PR). RT-PCR confirmed the presence of ERbeta and the absence of ERalpha and PR in both cell lines. B14 cells contain more immunodetectable BDNF and serotonin than the RN46A parent line. In addition, immunofluorescence for the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) was observed in the cell body region of undifferentiated B14 cells. After differentiation at a nonpermissive temperature, SERT immunostaining was observed in both the cell body region and along the extent of the axons. Serotonin content as determined by ELISA was higher in B14 than RN46A cells. Estrogen (0.1 and 1.0 nM) stimulated serotonin in the B14 cells in serum free medium. In summary, the RN46A cells and the B14 subclone contain the same compliment of nuclear steroid receptors as rat raphe serotonin neurons and thus may provide a convenient in vitro model for study of intracellular mechanisms of action of steroid hormones in the context of a serotonin neuron.
Solubilizing Properties of Bile Salt Solutions I: Effect of Temperature and Bile Salt Concentration on Solubilization of Glutethimide, Griseofulvin, and Hexestrol

Data on the micellar solubilization of the poorly water-soluble drugs, griseofulvin, hexestrol, and glutethimide, in 0–0.6 M aqueous solutions of the sodium salts of cholic, desoxycholic, taurocholic, and glycocholic acids at 3 temperatures are presented. Employing the pseudo two-phase model for micellar solubilization, the thermodynamic functions, Δ F 0 , Δ S 0 , and Δ H 0 of partitioning of the drug molecule between the aqueous phase and the micellar phase have been determined for hexestrol and griseofulvin. The physical-chemical ramifications and biological implications in these systems are considered.
A dispersion scale effect in model calibrations and field tracer experiments

Abstract Field tracer experiments and model calibrations indicate that the magnitude of dispersivity increases as a function of the scale at which observations are made. Calculations presented in this study suggest that some part of this scaling may be explained as an artifact of the models used. Specifically, a scaling-up of dispersivity will occur whenever an (n − 1)-dimensional model is calibrated or otherwise employed to describe an n-dimensional system. The calibrated coefficients for such models will depend not only on size of the contaminant plume or tracer experiment at the time of calibration, but will exhibit a size dependency beyond the calibration period. The magnitude of scaling appears to be sufficient to encompass the range of differences between laboratory measurements of dispersivity and model calibrations.
A Diagnostic Case Study of the Synoptic Scale Vertical Motion and its Contribution to Mid-Tropospheric Development

Abstract The quasi-geostrophic omega equation is employed to perform a diagnostic case study of the baroclinic structure of a developing system. The model employs height data at ten pressure levels to obtain the vertical motion along with the divergence and twisting terms at four pressure levels all evaluated in a fairly objective manner. Results are presented for one synoptic time prior to the development of a cut-off low of the Nevada type. These clearly show the scale and magnitude of the baroclinic features and the relative importance of the twisting and divergence terms for producing vorticity changes on a moving parcel. These results suggest a possible sequence of events leading to the cut-off low and the type of detail that filtered prediction models should employ to allow us to evaluate completely the ability of filtered models to handle mid-tropospheric development.
Understanding the Effects of Crowdfunding on Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy

Crowdfunding is emerging as a new socio-technical system that is changing how entrepreneurs interact with their community of financial supporters. While computer supported cooperative work (CSCW) researchers have begun to explore how this new type of system influences entrepreneurial work, less is understood about how the system influences their psychological experience - specifically self-efficacy, or belief in one's own ability to succeed at a task, which affects persistence, learning, and performance. Drawing on Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, we conducted a qualitative study of 53 entrepreneurs using crowdfunding and found that crowdfunding can influence self-efficacy through (1) social validation, (2) role modeling, (3) mastery, and (4) physiological states supported by socio-technical features, such as displaying a concrete goal, examples of other's work, or public feedback. Results suggest how socio-technical systems can be designed to help entrepreneurs perform to enhance our economic and social prosperity.
Patterns of sexual dimorphism in body weight among prosimian primates.

Many primatologists believe that there is no sexual dimorphism in body size in prosimian primates. Because this belief is based upon data that came from only a few species and were largely flawed in s
Catalytic effects of selected transition metal ions in the synthesis of lignosulfonic acid doped polyaniline

Lignosulfonic acid doped polyaniline (LIGNO-PANI) is a water-dispersible conducting polymer. The incorporation of dopants to achieve higher conductivities in addition to lignosulfonates during the polymerization process results in prohibitively long initiation times. A variety of transition metal ions including silver and ferrous ions were studied as potential catalysts for the reaction. Silver nitrate was found to have superior catalytic properties followed closely by ferrous sulfate heptahydrate. The effects of these ions on the synthesis of LIGNO-PANI with methanesulfonic acid (HMSA) as an additional dopant (MSA-LP) and on the synthesis of MSA-PANI were studied via potential profile monitoring. The LIGNO-PANI derivatives produced by the catalyzed reaction demonstrated no negative effects on the conductivity (10–15 S/cm) or dispersibility. In addition, residual metal analysis indicated that, although not much iron remained (<0.01%) in the product, a large amount of silver was present (1.8%) in the final product. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to determine the identity of the silver containing moieties in the products. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 29–33, 2005
Regulation of Ncx1 Expression IDENTIFICATION OF REGULATORY ELEMENTS MEDIATING CARDIAC-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION AND UP-REGULATION

The Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1) is up-regulated in hypertrophy and is often found up-regulated in end-stage heart failure. Studies have shown that the change in its expression contributes to contractile dysfunction. We have previously shown that the 1831-bp Ncx1 H1 (1831Ncx1) promoter directs cardiac-specific expression of the exchanger in both development and in the adult, and is sufficient for the up-regulation of Ncx1 in response to pressure overload. Here, we utilized adenoviral mediated gene transfer and transgenics to identify minimal regions and response elements that mediate Ncx1 expression in the heart. We demonstrate that the proximal 184 bp of the Ncx1 H1 (184Ncx1) promoter is sufficient for expression of reporter genes in adult cardiomyocytes and for the correct spatiotemporal pattern of Ncx1 expression in development but not for up-regulation in response to pressure overload. Mutational analysis revealed that both the -80 CArG and the -50 GATA elements were required for expression in isolated adult cardiomyocytes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays in adult cardiocytes demonstrate that SRF and GATA4 are associated with the proximal region of the endogenous Ncx1 promoter. Transgenic lines were established for the 1831Ncx1 promoter-luciferase containing mutations in the -80 CArG or -50 GATA element. No luciferase activity was detected during development, in the adult, or after pressure overload in any of the -80 CArG transgenic lines. The Ncx1 -50 GATA mutant promoter was sufficient for driving the normal spatiotemporal pattern of Ncx1 expression in development and for up-regulation in response to pressure overload but importantly, expression was no longer cardiac restricted. This work is the first in vivo study that demonstrates which cis elements are important for Ncx1 regulation.
Correlations of Selected Cognitive Styles with Cooperation in a Prisoner's Dilemma Game

-Measures of internaliry-externality, reflection-impulsivity, field dependence-independence, and cognitive complexity were administered to 96 subjects. Each subject also played an 84-trial prisoner's dilemma game. Against 3 different counterbalanced strategies, a correlation of .19 was obtained for field dependence and cooperation under the 25% cooperative treatment condition and .21 for times to match familiar figures and cooperation under the 75% cooperative treatment condition.
Self‐consistent estimation of mean response functions and their derivatives

Many methods have been developed for the nonparametric estimation of a mean response function, but most of these methods do not lend themselves to simultaneous estimation of the mean response function and its derivatives. Recovering derivatives is important for analyzing human growth data, studying physical systems described by differential equations, and characterizing nanoparticles from scattering data. In this article the authors propose a new compound estimator that synthesizes information from numerous pointwise estimators indexed by a discrete set. Unlike spline and kernel smooths, the compound estimator is infinitely differentiable; unlike local regression smooths, the compound estimator is self-consistent in that its derivatives estimate the derivatives of the mean response function. The authors show that the compound estimator and its derivatives can attain essentially optimal convergence rates in consistency. The authors also provide a filtration and extrapolation enhancement for finite samples, and the authors assess the empirical performance of the compound estimator and its derivatives via a simulation study and an application to real data. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 39: 280–299; 2011 © 2011 Statistical Society of Canada Plusieurs methodes ont ete developpees pour l'estimation non parametrique d'une fonction de reponse moyenne. Cependant, la majorite de ces methodes ne permettent pas l'estimation simultanee de la fonction de reponse moyenne et de ses derivees. L'obtention des derivees est importante lorsque nous analysons les donnees sur la croissance humaine, nous etudions des systemes physiques decrits par des equations differentielles ou encore lorsque nous caracterisons les nanoparticules a partir de donnees de diffusion. Dans cet article, les auteurs proposent une nouvel estimateur compose qui combine l'information provenant de plusieurs estimateurs ponctuels indices de faon discrete. Contrairement aux lisseurs par splines ou par noyau, l'estimateur compose est infiniment differentiable. Contrairement aussi aux lisseurs par regression locale, l'estimateur compose est autocoherent dans le sens que ses derivees estiment les derivees de la fonction de reponse moyenne. Les auteurs montrent que l'estimateur compose, ainsi que ses derivees, atteignent essentiellement le taux de convergence optimale. Les auteurs fournissent aussi des ajustements par filtration ou extrapolation pour les petits echantillons. a l'aide d'une etude de simulation, ils mesurent aussi la performance empirique de l'estimateur compose et de ses derivees. Ils l'appliquent aussi a un vrai jeu de donnees. La revue canadienne de statistique 39: 280–299; 2011 © 2011 Societe statistique du Canada
Chronic alcohol consumption has a biphasic effect on hepatic retinoid loss

The alcohol-induced depletion of hepatic retinoid stores correlates with the progression of liver injury; however, the mechanisms underlying alcohol's effects have not been fully elucidated. Our goal was to gain a mechanistic understanding of alcohol-induced hepatic retinoid depletion. Wild-type and mutant mice were continuously fed alcohol through Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets, with matched control animals pair fed an isocaloric alcohol-free diet to ensure equal nutrient and calorie intake between groups. A systematic analysis of tissue retinol and retinyl ester levels was performed with HPLC, complemented by gene and protein expression analyses. Our results delineated 2 phases of alcohol-induced depletion of hepatic retinoid. Initially, ∼15% of hepatic retinoid content was mobilized from the liver, causing extrahepatic tissue retinoid levels to increase. Subsequently, there was a precipitous drop in hepatic retinoid content (>60%), without further retinoid accumulation in the periphery. Follow-up studies in mutant mice revealed roles for RBP, CRBP1, and CD36 in retinoid mobilization and extrahepatic retinoid uptake, as well as a role for CYP2E1 in the catabolism of hepatic retinoid. In summary, alcohol has a biphasic effect on hepatic retinoid stores, characterized by an initial phase of rapid mobilization to extrahepatic tissues followed by extensive catabolism within the liver.
Si/Si/sub 1-x/Ge x heterojunction bipolar transistors with high breakdown voltage

Heterojunction bipolar transistors are desirable for microwave applications because a low base resistance can be achieved yielding high maximum frequency of oscillation. Here we report Si/Si/sub 1-x/Ge/sub x/ heterojunction bipolar transistors with high breakdown voltages and excellent small-signal microwave characteristics. The transistors structures were grown by molecular beam epitaxy and fabricated by a double-mesa process. Measured f/sub T/ and f/sub max/ were 10 and 22 GHz, respectively, for transistors with BV/sub CBO/ of 40 V. >
Current Distribution Control Design for Paralleled DC/DC Converters Using Synergetic Control Theory

In this paper we present an overview of the synergetic control theory and consider a general case of an m- paralleled buck converter system feeding a dependent current source, which can easily represent resistive, constant current, and constant power loads. For control design, we use synergetic control theory, which is based on ideas of self-organization. The theory allows designers to derive analytical control laws for nonlinear, high-dimensional, and multi-connected systems. The derived general analytical nonlinear PI control algorithms for the system under droop current sharing nullities steady state current sharing error, improves voltage regulation and limits maximum current withdrawn from each converter. The paper analyses the stability of the closed loop system under both small and large deviations and clarify the choice of control law coefficients. We illustrate the capability of the synergetic control to maximize the system efficiency by means of coordinative control that changes the number of operating converters. The simulation results presented in the paper show good agreement with the theory.
The ‘name game’ and onset simplification

Steriade (1988) proposes a model of reduplication and templatic systems that includes a process of onset simplification. For example, in Tagalog, the first syllable of a root can undergo prefixal reduplication with onset simplification: ta-trabaho, bo-bloaut. Steriade cites a number of cases of onset simplification cooccurring with syllable-based templatic systems, but provides no examples of it with foot-based systems. Here we provide an example of onset simplification applying to a foot-based templatic system. This demonstration is important for two reasons. First, it shows that the onset simplification phenomenon is more general, applying to syllables and feet.
CDD: conserved domains and protein three-dimensional structure

CDD, the Conserved Domain Database, is part of NCBI’s Entrez query and retrieval system and is also accessible via http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Structure/cdd/cdd.shtml. CDD provides annotation of protein sequences with the location of conserved domain footprints and functional sites inferred from these footprints. Pre-computed annotation is available via Entrez, and interactive search services accept single protein or nucleotide queries, as well as batch submissions of protein query sequences, utilizing RPS-BLAST to rapidly identify putative matches. CDD incorporates several protein domain and full-length protein model collections, and maintains an active curation effort that aims at providing fine grained classifications for major and well-characterized protein domain families, as supported by available protein three-dimensional (3D) structure and the published literature. To this date, the majority of protein 3D structures are represented by models tracked by CDD, and CDD curators are characterizing novel families that emerge from protein structure determination efforts.
Transformation of the plant growth regulator daminozide (Alar) and structurally related compounds with CuII ions: oxidation versus hydrolysis.

As part of a study of metal ion effects on chemical transformations of nitrogen-containing agrochemicals, conversion of daminozide to succinate via cleavage of the hydrazide C−N bond was examined in the presence and absence of divalent metal ions. No conversion was observed in metal ion-free solutions or in the presence of 1.0 mM NiII, ZnII, and PbII. CuII, in contrast, markedly increased rates of daminozide to succinate conversion. Halide ions (Cl-, Br-) had no effect on daminozide conversion in the absence of metal ions but markedly increased conversion rates observed in the presence of CuII. The nitrogen-donor ligands ethylenediamine, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine, and 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane decreased rates of CuII-facilitated conversion, while 1,5,9-triazacyclododecane actually increased rates of conversion. H NMR and UV spectroscopy provide evidence for the formation of 1:1 CuII−daminozide complexes. Halide ion effects and nitrogen-donor ligand effects point to an oxidative mechanism for ...
Cyanosporasides A and B, Chloro- and Cyano-cyclopenta[a]indene Glycosides from the Marine Actinomycete “Salinispora pacifica”

[structure: see text] Two structurally novel cyclopenta[a]indene glycosides, cyanosporasides A and B (1 and 2) have been isolated from the culture broth of a new species of the obligate marine actinomycete genus Salinispora. The structures and absolute stereochemistries of these compounds were determined by spectral and chemical methods. The cyanosporasides possess a new 3-keto-pyranohexose sugar as well as a cyano- and chloro-substituted cyclopenta[a]indene ring system. The cyanosporasides are proposed to be cyclization products of an enediyne precursor.
Limitations of using regression and mean separation analyses for describing the response of crop yield to defoliation : A case study of the Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on potato

The relationship between Irish potato tuber yield, Solanum tuberosum L., and defoliation by the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), was investigated and the use of regression and mean separation analyses as a basis for developing economic injury levels were compared. The type of statistical analysis used to describe this relationship greatly affected the interpretation of data. Mean separation (=multiple-comparison) procedures were inadequate to detect accurately defoliation levels tolerated by potato, because these procedures did not have significant statistical power to detect small reductions in yield. Similarly, regression analyses failed to identify a level of defoliation tolerable to potato because a consistent biological relationship between yield and defoliation could not be determined. For example, a quadratic term (nonlinear) in the analysis of variance was significant in only 2 of 8 experiments, and the relationship between 'Atlantic' and 'Superior' yield and defoliation in these experiments was concave, indicating that yield losses were greatest at low levels of defoliation. A plateau model (nonlinear) suggested that Atlantic potato could tolerate low levels of defoliation (1.8-13% in 4 of 6 data sets), but it did not fit data for the variety Superior. Although a negative linear model provided a statistically significant fit to 7 of 8 data sets (average slopes [±SEM] for Atlantic and Superior were -0.12 ± 0.01 and -0.15 ± 0.03 T/ha per the percentage of defoliation, respectively), it is likely that a linear model underestimates the actual level of defoliation that potato can tolerate, especially at low levels. The implications of these findings for the development of economic injury levels and economic thresholds for the Colorado potato beetle on potato are discussed.
Evaluation of methods for assessing visual function of infants.

Purpose: Commonly used behavioral and electrical testing methods for estimation of visual acuity and visual function in infants yield different estimates and may not accurately predict visual acuity and visual function in later life. Moreover, neither test-retest variability nor side-by-side comparisons of the various methods have been thoroughly evaluated in the same infant population. The purpose of this study was to provide such an evaluation. Method: The test-retest variability of visual acuity and visual function was evaluated for the Teller Acuity Card (TAC) procedure, sweep visual evoked potential (VEP), as well as latency and amplitude measured by transient pattern VEP. Groups of approximately 20 infants contributed test-retest data. Visual function estimated by the various methods in a larger group of infants (n = 118) was compared. Correlations between methods and the validity of the various methods to detect maturational changes between 4 and 8 months of age were also assessed. Administration of these tests was according to standard and usual procedures. Results: The average percent difference between test and retest estimates of acuity as well as the SD was lowest for transient VEP latency (3%, 7% SD). The other methods were markedly more variable: sweep VEP (2%, 22% SD), TAC procedure (8%, 20% SD), and transient VEP amplitude (7.5%, 39% SD). Average coefficients of variation showed a similar trend: transient VEP latency, 8%; sweep VEP, 15%; TACs, 30%; and transient amplitude, 53%. Correlations among estimates by the methods were poor, but expected changes in visual maturation from 4 to 8 months of age were detected with all methods. Conclusions: All methods evaluated provide valid and reliable test-retest data for a group, but are less valid for estimating visual acuity and visual function of an individual subject. The poor correlations between any 2 of the testing methods suggest that each test assesses a different aspect of vision. Nonetheless, expected maturational changes between 4 and 8 months of age were readily detectable by all methods evaluated. (J AAPOS 1999;3:275-82)
Reaction cavities of liquid and solid phases of a long n-alkane, n-nonadecane, as probed by the regio- and stereo-chemical fates of two singlet radical pairs.

The regio- and stereo-chemistries of photo-Fries reactions of 1-naphthyl (R)-2-phenylpropanoate ((R)-1) and photo-Claisen reactions of 1-naphthyl (R)-1-phenylethyl ether ((R)-2) have been investigated in the liquid and solid phases of n-nonadecane. The results are compared with those obtained in a lower and higher viscosity liquid n-alkane. Irradiation of (R)-1 yields a prochiral singlet 1-naphthoxy–1-phenylethyl radical pair (radical pair B) indirectly, after decarbonylation of the initially formed chiral singlet 1-naphthoxy–2-phenylpropanoyl radical pair (radical pair A). Radical pair B is generated directly upon lysis of the excited singlet state of (R)-2. The restricted environments of the solid phases enable both the directly and indirectly formed radical pairs B to maintain much (but not all) of the memory of their initial orientations. Thus, the in-cage combination products from indirectly formed radical pair B contain up to 33% enantiomeric excess. However, the combinations of directly formed radical pair B lack complete stereo-specificity due to their disturbing influence on their local environments in the solid phases. A discussion of the dynamics of the radical pair motions in the different environments is presented.
Efficient packet classification on FPGAs also targeting at manageable memory consumption

Packet classification involving multiple fields is used in the area of network intrusion detection, as well as to provide quality of service and value-added network services. With the ever-increasing growth of the Internet and packet transfer rates, the number of rules needed to be handled simultaneously in support of these services has also increased. Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) provide good platforms for hardware-software co-designs that can yield high processing efficiency for highly complex applications. However, since FPGAs contain rather limited user-programmable resources, it becomes necessary for any FPGA-based packet classification algorithm to compress the rules as much as possible in order to achieve a widely acceptable on-chip solution in terms of performance and resource consumption; otherwise, a much slower external memory will become compulsory. We present a novel FPGA-oriented method for packet classification that can deal with rules involving multiple fields. This method first groups the rules based on their number of important fields, then attempts to match two fields at a time and finally combines the constituent results to identify longer matches. Our design with a single FPGA yields a larger than 9.68 Gbps throughput and has a small memory consumption of around 256Kbytes for more than 10,000 rules. This memory consumption is the lowest among all previously proposed FPGA-based designs for packet classification. Our scalable design can easily be extended to achieve a higher than 10Gbps throughput by employing multiple FPGAs running in parallel.
A note on “Constraints on deep-seated zonal winds inside Jupiter and Saturn”

Abstract Liu et al. [Liu, J., Goldreich, P.M., Stevenson, D.J., 2008. Icarus, 196, 553–564] discuss an important consideration for models of zonal winds deep within giant planets. However, the constraints they propose for the depth of the winds are based on their prescriptions for the internal structures of the magnetic field and zonal winds. The same kinematic analysis applied to other plausible configurations would produce no constraint on the depth to which the winds extend.
Use of Decision Analysis in the Army Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 Military Value Analysis

In 2001, Congress enacted legislation that required a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round to realign military units, remove excess facility capacity, and support defense transformation. The United States Army used multiple-objective decision analysis to determine the military value of installations and an installation portfolio model to develop the starting point to identify potential unit realignments and base closures, providing the basis for all recommendations. Ninety-five percent of the armys recommendations were accepted by the BRAC 2005 Commission. The army expects these recommendations to create recurring savings of 1.5 billion annually after completion of BRAC implementation. This paper offers four contributions to decision analysis literature: an instructive application of multiple-objective decision analysis methods to portfolio selection, a useful method for constructing scales for interdependent attributes, a new method for assessing weights that explicitly considers importance and variation (Swing Weight Matrix), and practical advice on how to use multiple-objective decision analysis methods in a complex and controversial political environment.
Radiation Tolerance of High-Resistivity LBNL CCDs

Thick, fully-depleted p-channel charge-coupled devices (CCDs) have been developed at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). These CCDs have several advantages over conventional n-channel CCDs, including enhanced quantum efficiency and reduced fringing at near-infrared wavelengths, a small point spread function, and improved radiation tolerance. Here we report results from the irradiation of CCDs with 12.5 and 55 MeV protons at the LBNL 88-Inch Cyclotron. These studies indicate that the CCDs still perform well after irradiation, even in the parameters in which significant degradation is expected: charge transfer efficiency, dark current, and isolated hot pixels. As expected, the radiation tolerance of the LBNL CCDs is significantly improved over conventional n-channel CCDs currently employed in space-based telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope (HST).
An Analysis of System Balance Requirements for Scientific Applications

Scientific applications are diverse in terms of the resource requirements, and tend to vary significantly from commercial applications. In order to provide sustained performance, a target high performance computing (HPC) platform must offer a balance between CPU performance to memory, interconnect and I/O subsystems performance. We characterize the system balance requirements for two large-scale Office of Science applications, GYRO (fusion simulation) and POP (climate modeling), and develop platform-independent parameterized requirement models. We measure the parallel efficiencies for GYRO and POP on three multiprocessor systems: an SMP cluster (IBM p690), a shared-memory system (SGI Altix) and a vector supercomputer (Cray XI). The higher computational intensity and interconnect bandwidth requirements of GYRO result in higher performance efficiencies on the vector platform. At the same time, small message sizes in POP benefit from low MPI latencies of the shared-memory platform. Overall results confirm system balance requirements that are generated by the requirement models
ANALYSIS OF A PLATFORM FOR MEASURING MOMENTS AND PRODUCTS OF INERTIA OF LARGE VEHICLES

A rigid platform symmetrically supported by four sloping cables is proposed for measuring the center-of-gravity coordinates and the moments and products of inertia of large vehicles such as buses, trucks, and trailers. In addition to a torsional degree-of-freedom, the system undergoes pitch and roll motions about axes through the system instantaneous center which lies directly below the center of the platform at the intersection of the cable lines-of-action under quiescent conditons. The natural frequencies and normal modes of the freely vibrating loaded platform are used as inputs to a linearized System Identification Algorithm for computing the inertia properties of the test vehicle. Hypothetical test data generated from the Free Vibration Analysis of a sample test configuration are used to evaluate the sensitivity of the System Identification Algorithm to inaccuracies in test data or to truncation errors in computation.
Spectrotemporal Analysis of Evoked and Induced Electroencephalographic Responses in Primary Auditory Cortex (A1) of the Awake Monkey

Electroencephalography is increasingly being used to probe the functional organization of auditory cortex. Modulation of the electroencephalographic (EEG) signal by tones was examined in primary auditory cortex (A1) of awake monkeys. EEG data were measured at 4 laminar depths defined by current source density profiles evoked by best frequency (BF) tones. Midlaminar multiunit activity was used to define the tuning characteristics of A1 sites. Presentation of BF tones increased EEG power across the range of frequencies examined (4--290 Hz), with maximal effects evident within the first 100 ms after stimulus onset. The largest relative increases in EEG power generally occurred at very high gamma frequency bands (130--210 Hz). Increases in EEG power for frequencies less than 70 Hz primarily represented changes in phase-locked activity, whereas increases at higher frequencies primarily represented changes in non--phase-locked activity. Power increases in higher gamma bands were better correlated with the A1 tonotopic organizationthanpowerincreasesinlowerfrequencybands.Results were similar across the 4 laminar depths examined. These findings highlight the value of examining high-frequency EEG components in exploring the functional organization of auditory cortex and may enhance interpretation of related studies in humans.
HaloWeb: the haloarchaeal genomes database

Background Complete genome sequencing together with post-genomic studies provide the opportunity for a comprehensive 'systems biology' understanding of model organisms. For maximum effectiveness, an integrated database containing genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data is necessary.
A Cross-Cultural Consideration of the Police and Human Rights:

Most discussions of police and human rights occur when police are clearly violating human rights as they enforce the law or when the laws that they are enforcing clearly violate human rights. This article examines situations that are not so clear. It suggests that the definition of human rights is not always clear and that historical and cultural contexts matter. The concept of human rights is an evolving one, and it evolves through conversation and debate. Finally, police are urged to participate in these conversations, bringing to the table their unique experience and expertise.
Socialism, Traditions, and Revolutionary Politics in Contemporary Ethiopia

RESUMELe gouvernement militaire provisoire cherche a effacer l'autocratie traditionnelle, l'inegalite et l'asservissement par des reformes urbaines et agraires etendues, par la nationalisation des industries et du commerce et par l'elaboration d'un nouveau programme national revolutionnaire democratique (NDRP). En remplacant les declarations socialistes anterieures, le manifeste revolutionnaire qui remonte a avril 1976 fait etat d'un mouvement politique revolutionnaire important visant a consolider et a faire progresser les reformes deja entreprises contre la feodalite, l'imperialisme et le capitalisme bureaucratique. La Republique democratique populaire, sous la conduite du peuple, devra unir les classes progressistes et les differentes nationalites. Le regime militaire servira de tuteur au mouvement revolutionnaire; cependant, le nouveau programme ne fournit pas de reponse ideologique au probleme majeur qui se pose au gouvernement militaire provisoire, a savoir celui de faire officiellement reconnaitre ...
Large-conductance cholesterol–amphotericin B channels in reconstituted lipid bilayers

The antimycotic activity of amphotericin B (AmB) depends on its ability to make complexes sterols to form ion channels that cause membrane leakage. To study this phenomenon, surface pressure (π) as a function of surface area (A) and π–A hysteresis were measured in monolayers of AmB–cholesterol mixtures on the water–air interface. The most stable monolayers were produced from molecules of AmB and cholesterol with 2:1 stoichiometry. At this ratio, AmB and cholesterol interact to form ion channels in lipid bilayers with millisecond dwell times and conductances of 4–400 pS. The AmB–cholesterol complexes assemble in three, four, etc., subunit aggregates to form ion channels of diverse and large-conductances. Their I–V characteristics were linear over a range of ±200 mV. The channel currents were inhibited by the addition of tetraethylammonium (TEA), potassium channel blocker, to the cis-side of the membrane. Likewise, AmB–cholesterol complexes reconstituted in membrane-coated nanoporous silicon dioxide surfaces showed single channel behavior with large amplitudes at various voltages. Large-conductance ion channels show great promise for use in biosensors on solid supports.
Asian women have attenuated sympathetic activation but enhanced renal–adrenal responses during pregnancy compared to Caucasian women

Asians have a lower prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy than Caucasians. Since sympathetic overactivity and dysregulation of the renal-adrenal system (e.g. low aldosterone levels) have been found in preeclamptic women, we hypothesized that Asians have lower muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and greater aldosterone concentrations during normal pregnancy than Caucasians. In a prospective study, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and MSNA were measured during supine and upright tilt (30 deg and 60 deg for 5 min each) in 9 Asians (32 ± 1 years (mean ± SEM)) and 12 Caucasians (29 ± 1 years) during pre-, early (≤8 weeks of gestation) and late (32-36 weeks) pregnancy, and post-partum (6-10 weeks after delivery). Supine MSNA increased with pregnancy in both groups (P < 0.001); it was significantly lower in Asians than Caucasians (14 ± 3 vs. 23 ± 3 bursts min(-1) and 16 ± 5 vs. 30 ± 3 bursts min(-1) in early and late pregnancy, respectively; P = 0.023). BP decreased during early pregnancy (P < 0.001), but was restored during late pregnancy. HR increased during pregnancy (P < 0.001) with no racial difference (P = 0.758). MSNA increased during tilting and it was markedly lower in Asians than Caucasians in late pregnancy (31 ± 6 vs. 49 ± 3 bursts min(-1) at 60 deg tilt; P = 0.003). Upright BP was lower in Asians, even in pre-pregnancy (P = 0.006), and this racial difference persisted during pregnancy. Direct renin and aldosterone increased during pregnancy (both P < 0.001); these hormones were greater in Asians (P = 0.086 and P = 0.014). Thus, Asians have less sympathetic activation but more upregulated renal-adrenal responses than Caucasians during pregnancy. These results may explain, at least in part, why Asian women are at low risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
Three-Dimensional Map Generation From Side-Scan Sonar Images

The generation of three-dimensional images and map building are essential components in the development of an autonomous underwater system. In this paper an overview is presented on the type of sonar systems that are available for underwater remote sensing, and then a technique is presented which demonstrates how through simple geometric reasoning procedures, 3-D information can be recovered from side scan-type (2-D) data. Also presented is the procedure to perform map building on the estimated 3-D data
Address assignment for multiple-access systems based upon the theory of congruence equations

The authors discuss the address assignment via frequency hop patterns for a multiple-access spread-spectrum communication system. In such a system the receiver simultaneously communicates with a large number of transmitters (users), distinguished by their assigned addresses. In order to insure that the receiver correctly recognizes which users are active at the moment, it is necessary for the assigned addresses to possess minimum mutual interference. The authors define an algebraic construction for frequency hop patterns based upon the theory of congruence equations. The frequency hop patterns are constructed in such a way that they carry the address assignment and the message at the same time. The decoding scheme for the system is presented, and it is demonstrated that in both synchronous and nonsynchronous cases the mutual interference between the transmitted frequency hop patterns is minimal. >
Beetles (Coleoptera) of Peru: A Survey of the Families. Part I. Overview

Abstract The beetle fauna of Peru has not been enumerated since Blackwelder (1944–1957). This contribution is the first modern synopsis of beetle families, based on ongoing fieldwork and a literature review. Ninety nine families of beetles are now documented from Peru and nine families are reported in Peru for the first time—Biphyllidae, Bothrideridae, Eucinetidae, Monotomidae, Rhipiceridae, Scirtidae, Scraptiidae, Silvanidae, and Throscidae. A species list for each family, updated higher taxonomy, and relevant literature citations are presented. Most families are so poorly known in the tropics and so poorly represented in museum collections, that their rarity and/or conservation status cannot be determined. Altogether the project represents the first modern catalogue of the entire beetle fauna of a hyperdiverse Neotropical country.