cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavior of the western pine beetle during host colonization.

After living ponderosa pines were baited with either female-infested bolts or synthetic pheromones,Dendroctonus brevicomis were caught on sticky screens throughout trapping periods of 15–46 days; however, large numbers of beetles were trapped during only a small portion (5–10 days) of these trapping periods. The most attractive portions of trees attacked contained 3–6 beetles dm2, in galleries ca. 2 cm long. Catch increased following addition of males to female-infested bolts, supporting the hypothesis that male-produced frontalin is an attractive pheromone of the western pine beetle. Catch at bolts removed from trees under attack was strongly dependent upon levels of boring activity. We found no evidence of interruption of the response to attractants during host colonization.
Rethinking Heidegger's framing of cybernetics: Toward a theory of phenomenal appreciation

This paper is a thought piece that utilizes relatively new developments in the science and philosophy of consciousness to provide vantage points from which to take a fresh look at the strengths and limitations of cybernetics. Martin Heidegger's critique of cybernetics is presented and serves as a philosophical context for analysis and theoretical exploration. Out of this exercise this paper develops what is argued to be a non-cybernetic concept of conscious experience called phenomenal appreciation.
Cytokinin of Wheat Germ Transfer RNA: 6-(4-Hydroxy- 3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9-β-D-ribofuranosylpurine

A new modified nucleoside is responsible, in part, for the cytokinin activity of transfer RNA from wheat germ. The structure as judged by mass spec-trometry is 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9-β-D-ribofuran-osylpurine. Unequivocal synthesis afforded material having ultraviolet, mass spectral, and chromatographic properties identical with those of the natural product.
The cost of living, labor market opportunities, and the migration decision: a case of misspecification? A comment.

The author comments on an article by Renas and Kumar in which they argue that including money income variables in a regression used to explain migration behavior represents a misspecification when separate cost of living variables are not included as well. A reply by Renas and Kumar in which they present additional evidence based on U.S. data is also included. (ANNOTATION)
Assessing the Appropriate Number of Days Needed to Approximate Physical Activity Level in the Active Elderly

Activity monitoring is an important consideration for a number of conditions associated with health maintenance in an aging population. For example, reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in the aging population puts this group at a higher risk of fall related fractures [1]. Bone density and bone health is in part dependent upon mechanical stimuli caused by everyday physical activity and loading [2]. The number of steps taken per day and walking velocity [3] are important parameters to consider when studying bone density as well as other health related conditions. However, there is a need for effective and efficient methods/protocols to ensure that representative daily activity data can be collected.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Parent-adolescent communication about sex and birth control: a conceptual framework.

Although the reduction of adolescent pregnancy and STDs has been a major catalyst for the study of parent-adolescent communication about sex and birth control other facets of adolescent sexuality have also motivated research on parent-adolescent communication. As parents guide their children toward independent and healthy adult lives helping the children understand their own sexuality and adopting perspectives that lead to healthy sexual attitudes and orientations later in life are of central importance. Sexual socialization is an important developmental process that also encompasses research on communication between parents and adolescents (Leland and Barth 1993). In this chapter we present a conceptual framework for the analysis of parent-adolescent communication about sex and birth control. We characterize trends in the recent empirical literature with respect to this framework and discuss directions for future research in this important area of inquiry. We do not consider the large literature on family effects in general on adolescent sexual risk behavior. This research has been reviewed eloquently by Miller (1998) and Miller Benson and Galbraith (2001). Rather our focus is specifically on parent-adolescent communication about sex and birth control. We emphasize literature published since 1990 since a review of empirical research prior to this time is available in Jaccard and Dittus (1991). (excerpt)
FINITE ELEMENT MODELLING OF A DEEP SEA CLAY IN LONG‐TERM LABORATORY CREEP TESTS

A new finite element program is introduced and its predictive capabilities are compared to results from two long-term, drained laboratory creep tests on a deep sea clay. The constitutive behaviour is based on Cam clay critical state plasticity theory with creep and time-dependent hardening. Creep is computed using either Singh-Mitchell's three-dimensional equation or Taylor's secondary compression relationship. The experimental creep data include a triaxial specimen subjected to two deviatoric stress increments and a one-dimensional consolidation specimen subjected to three vertical stress increments. In addition, the pore pressure behaviour following an increase in stress is examined in the triaxial sample. Predictions compare favourably to test data, which provide confidence for applying the chosen constitutive model and numerical formulation to solve seabed-related problems on the continental slope that are of interest to geologists, the oil industry and the navy, among others.
Imaging-based cosmetics advisory service

In this paper we describe a multimodal cosmetic advisory system that recommends cosmetics appropriate for users' skin tone. This system is intended for commercial use to address the problem of color selection of cosmetic foundation. Based on surveys and semi-structured interviews we have verified that visual selection of color foundation cosmetics is error prone, and the results of our study indicate that both mobile and kiosk touch points are essential to cover the entire target population (women of all ages) since technical vs. social comfort, accuracy vs. convenience and social vs. individual needs play a huge role in the usage and adoption of personal advisory services.
Femtosecond impulsive excitation of nonstationary vibrational states in bacteriorhodopsin

Abstract Optical pulses of 12 fs duration are used to excite and probe nonstationary states in photochemically active protein bacteriorhodopsin. Time-resolved differential transmittance measurement at 568, 620, and 656 nm reveal oscillations from coherent vibrational motion of the retinal chromophore as well as time-dependent changes reflecting its excited state dynamics and subsequent photochemistry. The oscillatory response is dominated by the nonstationary excitation of the ground state reactant, consistent with a resonant impulsive Raman process. Calculations based on this mechanism show good agreement with the results.
Preparation and Use of Aequorin for Rapid Microdetermination of Ca 2+ in Biological Systems

THE photoprotein aequorin, extracted and purified from the luminescent jellyfish Aequorea aequorea (syn. A. forskalea) (Fig. 1), is triggered to emit visible light in physiological conditions1 by a trace of Ca2+ (and to a less extent by Sr2+, but by no other factor). The combined features of specificity, sensitivity (better than 0.01 µg or better than 10−7 M Ca2+)2,3, speed (faster than a few ms)3–5, non-toxicity and insensitivity of the luminescence to most enzyme inhibitory substances1 offer unique advantages for detecting the presence or changes in concentration of Ca2+ in biological systems—for example, single muscle fibres6–11, isolated mitochondria12,13, single neurones14—and for investigating the action of poisons such as cyanide, tetrodotoxin and so on, on biological processes12–14.
Short-Term Ventricular Assist Devices (Implantable and Percutaneous)

Short-term ventricular assist devices (VADs), percutaneous or surgical, are used in the settings of cardiogenic shock (CS) refractory to medical management, as bridges to myocardial recovery, heart transplantation, durable long-term devices, and in the aid of high-risk PCIs. Recent innovations in continuous-flow pump technology have contributed to the development of various short-term VADs with many impressive features. These include the CentriMag VAD and percutaneous VADs such as the Impella and TandemHeart VAD systems. With these and other advances in mechanical circulatory support, it is highly likely that the significant morbidity and mortality associated with CS are improving. However, clinical evidence supporting the use of these devices remains at the level of small case series. Rigorous clinical investigation is warranted to better quantify the contributions of device therapy to the management of CS.
The use of hierarchical problem solving subroutines in the solution of exercise science problems

Hierarchical problem solving strategies employed in solving science problems were examined in this study. Hypothesis testing was used as the theoretical base for the study of differences in problem solving within a computer simulation framework. Undergraduate and graduate students in exercise science were asked to solve a series of problems associated with physiological assessment and exercise prescription formulation. Protocol analysis and the Pitt coding system were used to analyse verbal data, and group differences were examined statistically. Both graduates and undergraduates responded correctly to a substantial portion of the questions. However, graduates displayed the ability to define and delineate the problem better than undergraduates. Both groups used all six problem solving strategies, although the graduates often provided a significantly greater number of responses within subroutines of the strategy. Although the graduates appeared to be more efficient problem solvers, they did not consistently exhibit the ability to extract and summarize critical patterns typically associated with expertise.
Stereo vision and segmentation

I will describe models and algorithms for the real-time segmentation of foreground from background layers in stereo video sequences. Automatic separation of layers from color/contrast or from stereo alone is known to be error-prone. Here, color, contrast and stereo matching information are fused to infer layers accurately and efficiently. The stereo-match likelihood is then fused with a contrast-sensitive color model that is learned on the fly, and stereo disparities are obtained by dynamic programming. Our "layered graph cut" (LGC) algorithm, does not directly solve stereo. Instead the stereo match likelihood is marginalized over disparities to evaluate foreground and background hypotheses, and then fused with a contrast-sensitive color model. Segmentation is solved efficiently by graph cut optimization. In a recent development, this segmentation procedure has been used, in turn, to improve the efficiency of stereo matching, by exploiting Panum fusional bands that are well known to operate in human stereo vision.
Localization and possible interactions of catecholamine-and NADPH-diaphorase neurons in human medullary autonomic regions

The human medulla contains catecholamine-and NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) neurons in both the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) and nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). There is abundant experimental evidence for the critical role of these areas in control of arterial pressure. We sought to determine the pattern of distribution and topographic relationship between tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive and NADPH-d-reactive cell groups in normal human VLM and NTS, in view of their potential implications in human autonomic control and involvement in central autonomic disorders. Medullae from three patients with no neurologic disease were obtained at autopsy within 24 h of death. Individual sections, obtained from the rostral and caudal medulla, were stained for TH, NADPH-d or both. We found that: (1) TH-and NADPH-d positive neurons are topographically segregated in the VLM; (2) in the VLM, TH and NADPH-d neurons may coexist within a given area but both markers do not appear to coexist in single neuron; (3) NADPH-d-reactive fibers and processes overlap the distribution of TH neurons within the VLM; and (4) both TH-and NADPH-d-reactive processes appear to innervate intrinsic blood vessels in the VLM and NTS. Thus, there are important topographic relationships between catecholamine and NO-synthesizing neurons in human VLM and perhaps NTS, including innervation of intrinsic blood vessels. This may have important implications in regulation of autonomic reflexes, sympathetic excitatory drive and intrinsic control of cerebral blood flow in humans.
In-Class Versus Online Video Lectures: Similar Learning Outcomes, but a Preference for In-Class

Previous findings suggest some advantages to using an online format to deliver declarative knowledge and to using class time for active learning and discussion. During 4 weeks of an introductory psychology course, students were assigned on alternate weeks to attend one of two lecture formats: in-class lecture or online video lecture with an in-class active learning session. No advantage was found for either format on the basis of quiz scores. Students appreciated the convenience of online lectures but preferred in-class lectures because of the increased ease of maintaining attention in the more structured environment. Attendance, as well as access of online content, decreased during the course of the study, suggesting that hybrid courses may lead to decreases in overall student effort.
Hydrazine leak detection using poly (3-hexylthiophene) thin-film micro-sensor

Hydrazine is mostly used as a propellant in the control/propulsion system of missiles, spacecraft and satellites. However with its highly toxic and strong reducing nature, hydrazine is very dangerous to humans and the environment. In this research, a low cost, passive, and highly sensitive micro-sensor has been developed as an alarm device for real-time monitoring for the accidental release of hydrazine, and to insure the safety of personnel and the readiness of the system before lift-off. The micro-sensor is fabricated using standard microelectronic manufacturing techniques and is composed of interdigitated electrodes and a hydrazine-sensitive poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) thin film. When exposed to 1ppm of hydrazine gas, the compensation interaction between the reducing hydrazine gas and p-type doped P3HT leads to a five order magnitude increase in the resistance of the device. The sensor is capable of detecting hydrazine leaks from tens of ppb to tens of ppm concentration. The sensitivity of sensor increases with the increasing of hydrazine concentration and the decreasing of the polymer film thickness. A numerical simulation result based on the possible theoretical model is compared with the experimental data, which shows a good agreement.
Enzymes and binding proteins affecting retinoic acid concentrations

Abstract Free retinoids suffer promiscuous metabolism in vitro. Diverse enzymes are expressed in several subcellular fractions that are capable of converting free retinol (retinol not sequestered with specific binding proteins) into retinal or retinoic acid. If this were to occur in vivo, regulating the temporal-spatial concentrations of functionally-active retinoids, such as RA (retinoic acid), would be enigmatic. In vivo, however, retinoids occur bound to high-affinity, high-specificity binding proteins, including cellular retinol-binding protein, type I (CRBP) and cellular retinoic acid-binding protein, type I (CRABP). These binding proteins, members of the superfamily of lipid binding proteins, are expressed in concentrations that exceed those of their ligands. Considerable data favor a model pathway of RA biosynthesis and metabolism consisting of enzymes that recognize CRBP (apo and holo) and holo-CRABP as substrates and/or affecters of activity. This would restrict retinoid access to enzymes that recognize the appropriate binding protein, imparting specificity to RA homeostasis; preventing, e.g. opportunistic RA synthesis by alcohol dehydrogenases with broad substrate tolerances. An NADP-dependent microsomal retinol dehydrogenase (RDH) catalyzes the first reaction in this pathway. RDH recognizes CRBP as substrate by the dual criteria of enzyme kinetics and chemical crosslinking. A cDNA of RDH has been cloned, expressed and characterized as a short-chain alchol dehydrogenase. Retinal generated in microsomes from holo-CRBP by RDH supports cytosolic RA synthesis by an NAD-dependent retinal dehydrogenase (RalDH). RalDH has been purified, characterized with respect to substrate specificity, and its cDNA has been cloned. CRABP is also important to modulating the steady-state concentrations of RA, through sequestering RA and facilitating its metabolism, because the complex CRABP RA acts as a low Km substrate.
Prototype and evaluation of the CoRAM memory architecture for FPGA-based computing

The CoRAM memory architecture for FPGA-based computing augments traditional reconfigurable fabric with a natural and effective way for applications to interact with off-chip memory and I/O. The two central tenets of the CoRAM memory architecture are (1) the deliberate separation of concerns between computation versus data marshalling and (2) the use of a multithreaded software abstraction to replace FSM-based memory control logic. To evaluate the viability of the CoRAM memory architecture, we developed a full RTL implementation of a CoRAM microarchitecture instance that can be synthesized for standard cells or emulated on FPGAs. The results of our evaluation show that a soft emulation of the CoRAM memory architecture on current FPGAs can be impractical for memory-intensive, large-scale applications due to the high performance and area penalties incurred by the soft mechanisms. The results further show that in an envisioned FPGA built with CoRAM in mind, the introduction of hard macro blocks for data distribution can mitigate these inefficiencies---allowing applications to take advantage of the CoRAM memory architecture for ease of programmability and portability while still enjoying performance and efficiency comparable to RTL-level application development on conventional FPGAs.
The Use of Process Notes in the Experiential Component of Training Group Workers.

The purpose of this article is to examine the use of process notes as a group counseling technique. The use of process notes during a group counseling experience for graduate students in a Master's degree program is described, and suggestions for incorporating the technique into practitioner training programs are discussed.
Credit policy, inflation and growth in a financially repressed economy

This report analyzes credit policy in an open economy macro-model incorporating stylized facts about the financial sector of LDC's (absence of security markets, existence of a curbmarket). These facts are incorporated in the financial sector part of a Keynes-Wicksell growth model. It focuses on a transmission channel of monetary policy into the supply side of the economy via the cost of working capital. It shows that ignoring this effect when analysing restrictive credit policy leads to underestimates of inflation and overestimation of output and current account improvements. It is shown that a credit crunch can be stagflationary in the short run. A cut in the real stock of credit is shown to lead to a lower steady-state capital stock.
Radiative transfer in inhomogeneous atmospheres—Numerical results

Abstract The F N method is used to establish accurate numerical results for the albedo and the exit distribution of radiation relevant to an illuminated semi-infinite half space with an exponentially varying albedo for single scattering.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, Estradiol, and Inhibin Regulation of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone Surges: Implications for Follicle Emergence and Selection in Heifers

Mechanisms regulating gonadotropin surges and gonadotropin requirements for follicle emergence and selection were studied in heifers. Experiment 1 evaluated whether follicular inhibins regulate the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH)/ follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) surges elicited by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injection (Hour ¼ 0) and the subsequent periovulatory FSH surge. Treatments included control (n ¼ 6), steroid-depleted bovine follicular fluid (bFF) at Hour � 4( n¼ 6), and bFF at Hour 6 (n ¼ 6). Gonadotropins in blood were assessed hourly from Hours � 6 to 36, and follicle growth tracked by ultrasound. Consistent with inhibin independence, bFF at Hour � 4 did not impact the GnRH-induced preovulatory FSH surge, whereas treatment at Hour 6 delayed onset of the periovulatory FSH surge and impeded growth of a new follicular wave. Experiment 2 examined GnRH and estradiol (E2) regulation of the periovulatory FSH surge. Treatment groups were control (n ¼ 8), GnRH-receptor antagonist (GnRHr-ant, n ¼ 8), and E2 + GnRHr-ant (n ¼ 4). GnRHr-ant (acyline) did not reduce the concentrations of FSH during the periovulatory surge and early follicle development (,7.0 mm) was unaffected, although subsequent growth of a dominant follicle (.8.0 mm) was prevented by GnRHr-ant. Addition of E2 delayed both the onset of the periovulatory FSH surge and emergence of a follicular wave. Failure to select a dominant follicle in the GnRHr-ant group was associated with reduced concentrations of LH but not FSH. Maximum diameter of F1 in controls (13.3 6 0.5 mm) was greater than in both GnRHr-ant (7.7 6 0.3 mm) and E2 + GnRHr-ant (6.7 6 0.8 mm) groups. Results indicated that the periovulatory FSH surge stems from removal of negative stimuli (follicular E2 and inhibin), but is independent of GnRH stimulation. Emergence and early growth of follicles (until about 8 mm) requires the periovulatory FSH surge but not LH pulses. However, follicular deviation and late-stage growth of a single dominant follicle requires GnRH-dependent LH pulses.
Asymmetric allylborations of 3-decynal dicobalt hexacarbonyl: cobalt induced reversal of enantioselectivity and applications to highly diastereoselective intramolecular pauson-khand reactions

Abstract The enantioselective crotylborations of 3-decynal dicobalt hexacarbonyl ( 10 ) provide a very convenient route to stereochemically defined 1,6-enyne dicobalt hexacarbonyl complexes ( 12, 13 ) that undergo highly diastereoselective intramolecular Pauson-Khand cyclizations to bicyclooctenones 14 and 15 (90% e.e. for 15 ). The mechanistically significant reversal of enantioselectivity in the allylborations of 10 compared to the parent 3-decynal 5 is also reported.
Global cardiac function using fast breath-hold MRI: Validation of new acquisition and analysis techniques

Calculation of global cardiac function parameters has been validated using fast, segmented k-space, breath-hold, gradient-echo, magnetic resonance images. Images of phantoms, experimental animals, normal volunteers, and patients were acquired with a 1.5 T clinical scanner. Humans were imaged using two phased-array surface coils in multicoil mode. Myo-cardial contours were extracted using a new interactive, semi-automated method based on the active contour model method. Images were acquired in the short-axis orientation, and, using a new imaging and analysis strategy, in rotating plane long-axis orientations, to provide better definition of the valve planes and the apex, and also to reduce the number of slices (compared with the short-axis method) required to sample the whole heart. Validation was accomplished through calculation of the volumes of phantoms and left and right ventricular masses of animal hearts. Functional parameters from MRI were compared with those from echocardiograms and radionuclide angiograms in normal volunteers and patients, respectively.
Processed Hatchery By-product as an Ingredient in Poultry Rations

Abstract PROPER disposal of hatchery refuse, consisting of infertile eggs, dead embryos, shells of hatched eggs and unsalable chicks, continues to be a concern in good hatchery management. The conversion of this material into a feedstuff suitable for poultry not only would solve the disposal problem for the hatcheries but would also make available a new animal protein source for the feed industry. Experimental investigations of the nutritive value of hatchery by-product for poultry have been few. Kempster (1945) fed dehydrated incubator refuse to chicks at levels of 3 and 6% of the total diet as protein replacements of soybean oil meal or meat scrap and observed that growth was not significantly affected to 8 weeks of age. Feed efficiency was slightly inferior with the refuse-containing diets probably because of the high ash content (57%) of the dried refuse. Hammond et al. (1944) fed only the dried contents of eggs incubated…
Heme oxygenase-2 protects against glutathione depletion-induced neuronal apoptosis mediated by bilirubin and cyclic GMP.

Heme oxygenase (HO) enzymes catalyze the breakdown of heme to iron, carbon monoxide (CO), and biliverdin, which is rapidly converted to bilirubin. HO-2 has been implicated in protection against oxidative stress, ischemia, and traumatic brain injury. The neuroprotective effects of HO-2 have been attributed to the generation of bilirubin, which is an important radical scavenger. However, the mechanism by which HO-2 provides protection is unclear. We utilized the olfactory system as a model to define the roles of HO-2 in glutathione depletion-induced oxidative injury, since olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) express high levels of HO isoforms. We demonstrated that Lbuthionine-[ S, R]-sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of glutathione biosynthesis, lowered glutathione levels and induced apoptosis of ORNs. Despite the presence of HO-1 in ORNs, HO-2 null animals displayed increased levels of neuronal death after BSO treatment compared to wild type mice. Levels of bilirubin and cGMP were also reduced in HO-2 null mice. Primary cultures of ORNs confirmed that the neuroprotective role of HO-2 was mediated by bilirubin and cGMP. Taken together, these results suggest that HO-2 plays a major role in neuroprotection from oxidative stress, an effect that is mediated by cGMP and bilirubin.
A two stage approach for adaptive prediction of ARMA processes

A two-stage predictor is proposed. It is capable of predicting ARMA processes accurately with a reduced number of parameters. This is achieved by cascading a classical linear predictor, where the constraint on the predictor order is relaxed, and a pole-zero recursive like structure. Adaptive algorithms and sample results are given to demonstrate the excellent performance of the proposed technique.
A portable impedance biosensor instrument for rapid detection of avian influenza virus

The objectives of this study were to improve our previous portable impedance biosensor instrument with more rapid, reliable and quantitative features for detection of avian influenza (AI) virus and to evaluate its performance using H5N1 and H5N2 virus. A high-intensity and high-gradient magnetic field based separator was designed and fabricated for rapid separation of AI virus. KPL measuring solution was used as background medium to obtain higher stability. Twin BNC connection between the electronic circuit and the biochip was employed to prevent radio frequency interference. The amplitude limiting average filtering method was used to eliminate false signals and a linear regression model was built for the embedded control software. A data acquisition software was developed for communication and data processing. This impedance biosensor instrument could work stand-alone or be connected with a laptop via USB interface. The experimental results showed that the impedance biosensor could identify H5N1 virus with a detection limit of 103 EID 50 /mL in 30 min. A prototype of the improved impedance biosensor was fabricated for evaluation with cloacal swab samples from AI H5N2 virus infected chickens. Compared with viral isolation, this biosensor instrument had a false negative rate of 10%, whereas realtime RT-PCR showed a false negative/positive rate of 20%.
Moving Toward Individualized Cancer Therapies

In vivo analysis of the gene expression profiles of cancer cells before and after treatment in patients may define mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to specific drugs and ultimately allow for the selection of optimal individualized therapy to improve outcome in cancer.
Patterns in Species Composition of Fish and Selected Invertebrate Assemblages in Estuarine Subregions near Ponce de Leon Inlet, Florida

Abstract The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fisheries-Independent Monitoring program monitored the species composition and relative abundance of fishes and selected invertebrates in the estuarine waters near Ponce de Leon Inlet, Florida, from January 1993 through to December 1996. Sampling sites were located in three distinct physiographic and biotic estuarine subregions: Mosquito Lagoon (ML; 11 stations), Ponce de Leon Inlet (PI; 8 stations), and Tomoka Basin/River (TR; 8 stations). This series of subregions associated with Ponce de Leon Inlet is a species-rich estuarine system that is numerically dominated by a few taxa. A total of 1 080 477 animals representing 160 species and 56 families were recorded.Anchoa spp. (29·9%) and Menidia spp. (12·6%) were the numerically dominant taxa. Sciaenidae and Gobiidae were the most speciose families, with 12 species each (14·0% and 1·7% of the total animals collected, respectively), followed by the bothids 10 species (0·6% of total animals). Detrended correspondence analysis showed that the subregions could be discriminated by their respective species composition and relative abundance. Spatial differences in species composition were principally attributed to differences in the magnitude of seasonal recruitment events and to habitat characteristics associated with the presence of seagrass, inlet dynamics, or the influence of freshwater discharge. The presence of freshwater taxa (centrarchids) and the seasonal recruitment of juvenile Penaeidae,Micropogonias undulatus , Stellifer lanceolatus and Leiostomus xanthurus, characterize the TR area, whereas the presence of species associated with higher salinities (Opisthonema oglinum and Harengula jaguana) characterize PI and with seagrass (Lucania parva and Lagodon rhomboides) characterize ML.
Behavior of suspended matter in rapidly accelerating viscoelastic fluids: The Uebler effect

The observation that large bubbles entrained in accelerating viscoelastic fluids may suddenly stop and remain stationary for long periods of time, although imbedded in a region of high fluid velocities, is noted and described. An analysis of this phenomenon, termed the Uebler effect, shows that it may be expected to occur with all particulate matter provided that the continuum field fluid is accelerating sufficiently rapidly to generate high stresses as a result of fluid stretching, and provided these stresses change sufficiently rapidly in the direction of the velocity vector in the flow field.
In-silico prediction of surface residue clusters for enzyme-substrate specificity

One of the most remarkable properties of enzyme-substrate binding is the high substrate specificity among homologous enzymes. Identification of regions in enzymes that play an important role in substrate recognition presents an opportunity to understand their basic molecular mechanisms. Current methods are limited to identifying conserved residues, ignoring potential contributions of non-conserved residues. Our method overcomes this limitation. In case studies, we investigated several highly homologous enzymatic protein pairs such as guanylyl vs. adenylyl cyclases and lactate vs. malate dehydrogenases, and applied our method on plant and cyano-bacterial RuBisCos. We identified several critical mono-residue and multi-residue clusters that were consistent with experimental results. Some of the identified clusters, primarily the mono-residue ones, represent residues that are directly involved in enzyme-substrate interactions. Others, mostly the multi-residue ones, represent residues vital for domain-domain and regulator-enzyme interactions, indicating their complementary roles in specificity determination.
A New Adaptive Controller

In recent years, several attempts have been made in expanding the scope of adaptive control as well as in relaxing the assumptions under which stability and robustness of adaptive controllers can be achieved. Despite this, the underlying adaptive controller is complex, has an order twice as large as that of the plant being controlled, and requires several adjustable parameters, making its implementation impractical, or even infeasible. In this paper, we suggest a new controller, whih has a simple structure, can stabilize a class of linear time-invariant plants with unknown order, and possesses desirable robustness properties. The controller proposed is found to be attractive in practical applications such as flexible structures.
Measuring Social Capital as an Outcome of Service Learning

Service-learning has been put forth as one of the proposed solutions to increasing social capital. However, service-learning research has not significantly addressed the impact of service learning on social capital. Unlike most previous studies, this research used quantitative analysis to measure the effect of university service-learning programs on social capital by examining the question: What impact do service-learning programs have on social capital post-graduation? This study showed that service learning addresses the civic engagement problem by providing evidence suggesting that service learning predicts social capital post-graduation.
Recent advances in image morphing

Image morphing has been the subject of much attention in recent years. It has proven to be a powerful visual effects tool in film and television, depicting the fluid transformation of one digital image into another. This paper reviews the growth of this field and describes recent advances in image morphing in terms of three areas: feature specification, warp generation methods, and transition control. These areas relate to the ease of use and quality of results. We describe the role of radial basis functions, thin plate splines, energy minimization, and multilevel free-form deformations in advancing the state-of-the-art in image morphing. Recent work on a generalized framework for morphing among multiple images is described.
The Expansion of Europe and the Spirit Of Capitalism

The argument presented here rests on three assumptions. The first is that, at least in commercial terms, a capitalist system was in operation in Europe by the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Its features included a well-developed structure of international exchange, complex trade patterns, sophisticated methods of organization and finance, a realization of the importance of ‘putting money out to work’, and a versatility of mercantile activity that was a product of the most spectacular boom, expansion of trade, and growth of the merchant community that Europe had ever seen.
Plant species composition and biofuel yields of conservation grasslands

Marginal croplands, such as those in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), have been suggested as a source of biomass for biofuel production. However, little is known about the composition of plant species on these conservation grasslands or their potential for ethanol production. Our objective was to assess the potential of CRP and other conservation grasslands for biofuel production, describing the relationships of plant species richness and tall native C4 prairie grass abundance with plant chemical composition and the resulting potential ethanol yield. We determined plant species composition and diversity at multiple scales with the modified Whittaker plot technique, aboveground biomass, plant chemical composition, and potential ethanol yield at 34 sites across the major ecological regions of the northeastern USA. Conservation grasslands with higher numbers of plant species had lower biomass yields and a lower ethanol yield per unit biomass compared with sites with fewer species. Thus, biofuel yield per unit land area decreased by 77% as plant species richness increased from 3 to 12.8 species per m2. We found that, as tall native C4 prairie grass abundance increased from 1.7% to 81.6%, the number of plant species decreased and aboveground biomass per unit land area and ethanol yield per unit biomass increased resulting in a 500% increased biofuel yield per unit land area. Plant species richness and composition are key determinants of biomass and ethanol yields from conservation grasslands and have implications for low-input high-diversity systems. Designing systems to include a large proportion of species with undesirable fermentation characteristics could reduce ethanol yields.
The Degree of Disadvantage Incarceration and Inequality in Education

This article examines how the rise in incarceration and its disproportionate concentration among low-skill, young African American men influences estimates of educational attainment in the United States. We focus on high school graduation rates and the persistent gap in attainment that exists between young black and white Americans. Although official statistics show a declining racial gap in high school dropout in recent years, conventional data sources exclude the incarcerated population from sample data. We show how those exclusions underestimate the extent of racial inequality in high school graduation and underestimate the dropout rate among young black men by as much as 40 percent. America’s prisons and jails have become repositories for high school dropouts, thereby obscuring the degree of disadvantage faced by black men in the contemporary United States and the relative competitiveness of the U.S. workforce.
A computer approach for reliability evaluation of telecommunication networks with heterogeneous link-capacities

The authors present a computer approach to obtaining a survivability index called capacity related reliability (CRR) in large telecommunication networks where links have different capacities. The method is a two-step approach. The first step deals with composite path enumeration (CPE). A k-composite path is defined as the union of the set of edges in any k simple paths and relates link capacity and network connectivity. The CPE approach is an improvement over the algorithms proposed by the authors earlier (1991). In step two, k-composite paths information is manipulated to generate the CRR. The authors use CAREL (computer aided reliability evaluator) to solve this step. The technique is automated using C on the Encore Multimax System. The results on CRR for three networks with various values of minimum message capacity are presented. An exhaustive technique is used to verify these results. An informal proof of the CPE approach is also included. >
Predicting auditory tone-in-noise detection performance: the effects of neural variability

Collecting and analyzing psychophysical data is a fundamental mechanism for the study of auditory processing. However, because this approach relies on human listening experiments, it can be costly in terms of time and money spent gathering the data. The development of a theoretical, model-based procedure capable of accurately predicting psychophysical behavior could alleviate these issues by enabling researchers to rapidly evaluate hypotheses prior to conducting experiments. This approach may also provide additional insight into auditory processing by establishing a link between psychophysical behavior and physiology. Signal detection theory has previously been combined with an auditory model to generate theoretical predictions of psychophysical behavior. Commonly, the ideal processor outperforms human subjects. In order for this model-based technique to enhance the study of auditory processing, discrepancies must be eliminated or explained. In this paper, we investigate the possibility that neural variability, which results from the randomness inherent in auditory nerve fiber responses, may explain some of the previously observed discrepancies. In addition, we study the impact of combining information across nerve fibers and investigate several models of multiple-fiber signal processing. Our findings suggest that neural variability can account for much, but not all, of the discrepancy between theoretical and experimental data.
Overexpression of CD3η during thymic development does not alter the negative selection process

To elucidate the role of CD3 eta in thymic development and to determine whether CD3 eta is involved in the negative selection process, CD3 eta was overexpressed > 100 fold in transgenic (tg) mice using a Thy-1 promoter and regulatory elements. CD3 eta was readily observed in the majority of cortical thymocytes and in a fraction of medullary thymocytes in tg mice by immunohistochemical staining with an anti-CD3 eta-specific mAb. In contrast, endogenous CD3 eta levels were too low to detect in normal littermates. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated an increased level of TCR on thymocytes with intermediate TCR density in tg animals and parallel biochemical studies showed a marked increased in TCR-associated CD3 zeta-eta heterodimers and CD3 eta-eta homodimers relative to controls. Despite this change in surface TCR phenotype, there was no significant alteration in the total numbers or proportion of CD4+CD8+ double-positive or CD4+CD8- or CD4-CD8+ single-positive thymocytes or peripheral T cells. Percentages of SP V beta 5, V beta 6, and V beta 8 thymocytes in tg animals were unaltered compared to normal littermates when backcrossed either to C57BL/6 (H-2b) or DBA/2 (H-2d) backgrounds. Furthermore, induction of DNA fragmentation with anti-CD3 epsilon mAb treatment in vivo was not significantly different for tg and normal littermates. Collectively, these data imply that CD3 eta is not a limiting component of the negative selection process.
Topology of subgroup lattices of symmetric and alternating groups

We determine the homotopy type of the order complex of the subgroup lattice of the symmetric group Sn when n is a prime or a power of two. (The prime case has been treated previously in unpublished work of G. Ivanyos.) We do the same for alternating groups of prime degree. In addition, we show that, for any n > 1, the homology of the order complex of the subgroup lattice of Sn has rank at least n!/2 in dimension n - 3.
Leadership and the Church: The Impact of Shifting Leadership Constructs

The idea of leadership has been examined for millennia. Examples of leadership in action go back to Moses from the Bible and Xenophon from Greek history. One of the key theories in early leadership is that of charismatic leadership. Although most scholars agree that a key concept of charismatic leadership is that of follower attribution, defining boundaries for charismatic is as difficult as defining leadership itself. This difficulty is accentuated in this work because of the shifting organizational structures and follower perceptions. The case details follower attributed charismatic leadership traits, and then provides a robust discussion on the impact of shifting organizational constructs.
Selective Sensitization of Zinc Finger Protein Oxidation by Reactive Oxygen Species through Arsenic Binding

Cysteine oxidation induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) on redox-sensitive targets such as zinc finger proteins plays a critical role in redox signaling and subsequent biological outcomes. We found that arsenic exposure led to oxidation of certain zinc finger proteins based on arsenic interaction with zinc finger motifs. Analysis of zinc finger proteins isolated from arsenic-exposed cells and zinc finger peptides by mass spectrometry demonstrated preferential oxidation of C3H1 and C4 zinc finger configurations. C2H2 zinc finger proteins that do not bind arsenic were not oxidized by arsenic-generated ROS in the cellular environment. The findings suggest that selectivity in arsenic binding to zinc fingers with three or more cysteines defines the target proteins for oxidation by ROS. This represents a novel mechanism of selective protein oxidation and demonstrates how an environmental factor may sensitize certain target proteins for oxidation, thus altering the oxidation profile and redox regulation.
Who's to Blame? The Identity Talk of Welfare-To-Work Program Managers:

U.S. welfare policy and devolution involve contradictions in implementing financial assistance as welfare workers must attempt to place clients with severe barriers in formal employment while meeti...
Review of Noah Feldman, What We Owe Iraq: War and the Ethics of Nation Building

Noah Feldman's engaging and surprisingly personal second book disappoints in at least three respects. Feldman, a law professor at New York University and former constitutional adviser to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad, declines to evaluate the legality and morality of the titular war. He similarly neglects to discuss the titular project of nation-building - the formation of an autonomous collective moral agent - writing instead only of state-building - the formation of stable political institutions. Finally, although Feldman makes a great number of ethical claims, they do not amount to a complete or convincing theory of what we owe Iraq, of the affirmative obligations of the United States to aid in reconstruction. When pressed to defend his strongest ethical claims Feldman makes no reference to his theory, drawing instead on more familiar and compelling moral grounds.
CT colonography after incomplete optical colonoscopy: bowel preparation quality at same-day vs. deferred examination

To objectively compare the volume, density, and distribution of luminal fluid for same-day oral-contrast-enhanced CTC following incomplete optical colonoscopy (OC) vs. deferred CTC on a separate day utilizing a dedicated CTC bowel preparation. HIPAA-compliant, IRB-approved retrospective study compared 103 same-day CTC studies after incomplete OC (utilizing 30 mL oral diatrizoate) against 151 CTC examinations performed on a separate day after failed OC using a dedicated CTC bowel preparation (oral magnesium citrate/dilute barium/diatrizoate the evening before). A subgroup of 15 patients who had both same-day CTC and separate-day routine CTC was also identified and underwent separate analysis. CTC exams were analyzed for opacified fluid distribution within the GI tract, as well as density and volume. Data were analyzed utilizing Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests. Opacified luminal fluid extended to the rectum in 56% (58/103) of same-day CTC vs. 100% (151/151) of deferred separate-day CTC (p < 0.0001). For same-day CTC, contrast failed to reach the colon in 11% (11/103) and failed to reach the left colon in 26% (27/103). Volumetric colonic fluid segmentation for fluid analysis (successful in 80 same-day and 147 separate-day cases) showed significantly more fluid in the same-day cohort (mean, 227 vs. 166 mL; p < 0.0001); the actual difference is underestimated due to excluded cases. Mean colonic fluid attenuation was significantly lower in the same-day cohort (545 vs. 735 HU; p < 0.0001). Similar findings were identified in the smaller cohort with direct intra-patient CTC comparison. Dedicated CTC bowel preparation on a separate day following incomplete OC results in a much higher quality examination compared with same-day CTC.