cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A neon scattering study of the structure of the reconstructed Au(110) surface

Abstract Neon and He scattering from the (1 × 2) reconstruction of Au(110) shows that the surface is strongly corrugated in the [001] azimuth and weakly corrugated in the [1 1 0] azimuth. A classical analysis of the double maxima of lobular scattering observed with neon beam in the [001] azimuth and their angular shift with incident angle and energy was carried out. The results are in good agreement with the missing row model but do not agree with any of the other models for the surface structure which have been suggested to date. Coupled-states calculations are reported for the He-scattering data. Again the results support the missing row model. In order to obtain even qualitative agreement with the data it was necessary to use a soft-wall potential in both the classical and quantum calculation.
A class of cobalt oxide magnetoresistance materials discovered with combinatorial synthesis

The recent development of methods for generating libraries of solid-state compounds has made it possible to apply combinatorial approaches to the discovery of materials. A library of 128 members containing different compositions and stoichiometries of Ln x M y CoO δ , where Ln = Y or La and M = Pb, Ca, Sr, or Ba, was synthesized by a combination of thin-film deposition and physical masking techniques. Large magnetoresistance has been found in La x (Ba,Sr,Ca) y -CoO δ samples, whereas Y-based samples exhibit much smaller magnetoresistive effects. The magnetoresistance of the Co-containing compounds increases as the size of the alkaline earth ion increases, in sharp contrast to Mn-containing compounds, in which the magnetoresistance effect increases as the size of the alkaline earth ion decreases.
Family planning save lives, yet investments falter.

This commentary expresses the need for increased investment in voluntary family planning both globally and in-country. Governments of developing countries need to commit significantly more of their own regular budgets and other resources to provide contraceptive information and services including procuring lifesaving supplies and strengthening delivery systems. Donor countries need to step up their contributions to family planning to fulfi l their commitments made at the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).
Sex of the administrator as a variable affecting drawing a person

Summmy.-The sex of the administrator was not significantly related to the sex of the first-drawn figure for 175 college students given the Draw-APerson test in mixed-sex groups. A review of test data for 332 adults given the test in diagnostic, one-to-one settings confirms the lack of difference. Sex distribution in a group may skew subjects' performance on the DrawA-Person test administered in group settings. Same-sex groups appear to heighten subjects' sex-role awareness and may highlight the sex of the administrator: this might promote greater effect of modeling than is found in mixedsex groups. Research involving group administration of the Draw-A-Person test or tests requiring similar response should consider the effects of sex distribution within tested groups. As a diagnostic tool, the Draw-A-Person test is often interpreted as a measure of sexual identity. Machover ( 1949) identifies the first-drawn figure as a projection of the subject's body image in which "it is assumed to be most normal to draw the self-sex first" (p. 101). Cultural factors such as a maledominated society are frequently cited to explain why women draw significantly more frequently opposite-sex figures than do men (Mainord, 1953; Granick & Smith, 1953; Paludi, 1978). The sex of the administrator has been examined as an environmental cue which may affect the drawings. Previous research indicates the administrator's sex has little effect on the performance of children (Datta & Drake, 1968) or adults (Holtzman, 1952 ) ; however, Bauer and Paludi ( 1979) suggest that the administrator's sex might be a significant variable when the test is given in groups or in diagnostic settings. Using same-sex groups, Bauer and Paludi tested groups of men and groups of women using administrators of the same and of the opposite sex. They found a positive correlation between the sex of the administrator and the firstdrawn sex; for example, a group of men tested by a woman drew 47% more opposite-sex figures than a group of men tested by a man. Bauer and Paludi propose that the modeling of an administrator will complement or compete with the tendency to draw one's own sex: same-sex administrators increase the tendency to draw one's own sex; opposite-sex administrators lessen this tendency. The main objective of the present study was to test this hypothesis
Imaging G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated signaling events that control chemotaxis of Dictyostelium discoideum.

Many eukaryotic cells can detect gradients of chemical signals in their environments and migrate accordingly 1. This guided cell migration is referred as chemotaxis, which is essential for various cells to carry out their functions such as trafficking of immune cells and patterning of neuronal cells 2, 3. A large family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) detects variable small peptides, known as chemokines, to direct cell migration in vivo 4. The final goal of chemotaxis research is to understand how a GPCR machinery senses chemokine gradients and controls signaling events leading to chemotaxis. To this end, we use imaging techniques to monitor, in real time, spatiotemporal concentrations of chemoattractants, cell movement in a gradient of chemoattractant, GPCR mediated activation of heterotrimeric G-protein, and intracellular signaling events involved in chemotaxis of eukaryotic cells 5-8. The simple eukaryotic organism, Dictyostelium discoideum, displays chemotaxic behaviors that are similar to those of leukocytes, and D. discoideum is a key model system for studying eukaryotic chemotaxis. As free-living amoebae, D. discoideum cells divide in rich medium. Upon starvation, cells enter a developmental program in which they aggregate through cAMP-mediated chemotaxis to form multicullular structures. Many components involved in chemotaxis to cAMP have been identified in D. discoideum. The binding of cAMP to a GPCR (cAR1) induces dissociation of heterotrimeric G-proteins into Gγ and Gβγ subunits 7, 9, 10. Gβγ subunits activate Ras, which in turn activates PI3K, converting PIP2 into PIP3 on the cell membrane 11-13. PIP3 serve as binding sites for proteins with pleckstrin Homology (PH) domains, thus recruiting these proteins to the membrane 14, 15. Activation of cAR1 receptors also controls the membrane associations of PTEN, which dephosphorylates PIP3 to PIP2 16, 17. The molecular mechanisms are evolutionarily conserved in chemokine GPCR-mediated chemotaxis of human cells such as neutrophils 18. We present following methods for studying chemotaxis of D. discoideum cells. 1. Preparation of chemotactic component cells. 2. Imaging chemotaxis of cells in a cAMP gradient. 3. Monitoring a GPCR induced activation of heterotrimeric G-protein in single live cells. 4. Imaging chemoattractant-triggered dynamic PIP3 responses in single live cells in real time. Our developed imaging methods can be applied to study chemotaxis of human leukocytes.
Autophagy activation in the injured photoreceptor inhibits fas-mediated apoptosis.

Separation of the retina from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a common form of injury that may occur alone (retinal detachment) or as a result of other blinding disease processes such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. Despite significant advances in the medical and surgical management of retina–RPE separation, patients often lose vision, primarily due to the death of photoreceptors.1,2 We previously showed that the main event causing photoreceptor death is the activation of the Fas receptor and the downstream cascade of caspases 8, 3, 7, and 9.3–5 Preventing Fas pathway activity provides significant protection against separation-induced death of the photoreceptors. Although Fas-mediated apoptosis is activated rapidly after retina–RPE separation, a surprising number of photoreceptors survive for extended periods of time. This is best exemplified by the clinical observation that patients with retinal detachments affecting central vision generally recover near-normal vision if the detachment is repaired within 1 week.6,7 If repair is delayed beyond 1 week, visual outcomes become significantly poorer. This suggests that early in the course of the detachment, antiapoptotic pathways are activated within the retina to counteract the effect of proapoptotic signals and that they are responsible for the therapeutic window of opportunity for reattachment.8 Autophagy is a complex process that results in the autovacuolization of damaged or redundant cellular components. These vacuoles (i.e., autophagosomes) fuse with lysosomes and their contents are enzymatically degraded and released back into the cell.9 Autophagy activation typically occurs during periods of metabolic stress, usually serving as a cytoprotective process.10 Autophagy has been shown to occur in photoreceptors as part of basal processing of rod outer segments11 as well as in animal models of hereditary retinal degeneration and in models of oxidative stress.12–14 The role of autophagy in these settings is not well defined. We examined the role of autophagy and its control of photoreceptor apoptosis using a well-established rodent model of experimental retina–RPE separation. Our findings demonstrate that retinal detachment results in the activation of autophagy in photoreceptors. Similar to apoptosis, detachment-induced autophagy activity is Fas dependent. In detached retinas, autophagy acts as a prosurvival pathway through negative inhibition of apoptosis. Our data suggest a novel mechanism by which autophagy can be activated and regulate photoreceptor apoptosis.
Fragmentation of uric acid calculi with the holmium: YAG laser produces cyanide

Background and Objectives To independently test previously reported findings of cyanide evolution under holmium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) (holmium) lithotripsy of uric acid calculi, determine if this occurs with other forms of intracorporeal lithotripsy, and establish if this occurs due to a photothermal, photochemical, or photoacoustic reaction. Study Design/Materials and Methods Human uric acid calculi were fragmented in vitro through exposure to holmium, ultrasound, and electrohydraulic (EHL) energy sources. The following parameters were varied: total laser energy, individual laser pulse energy, ultrasonic energies, and EHL energies. Uric acid powder was suspended in solution and exposed to holmium laser energy in vitro. Serum and irrigant samples from a human patient were collected following intrarenal holmium lithotripsy of a uric acid calculus. All samples were analyzed for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) content. Results Holmium lithotripsy of solid uric acid calculi produces cyanide. The yield is linearly dependent upon total laser energy delivered. Pulse energy does not affect cyanide yield. Photothermal mechanisms coupling laser energy to the solid crystal lattice are responsible for the production of cyanide. Ultrasound and EHL lithotripsy do not produce cyanide. A clinically insignificant level of cyanide was detected in the blood of a single patient following laser lithotripsy of a uric acid calculus. Conclusions Our study confirms that cyanide is produced by a photothermal mechanism during holmium laser lithotripsy of uric acid calculi, and that the amount produced is clinically insignificant. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:230–232, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Autonomous underwater vehicle maps seafloor

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)—which operate without a tether or human supervision—represent an emerging technology that can be used to solve many scientific problems in the deep ocean, the last unexplored frontier on Earth. AUVs are well suited to “lawn-mower” style geophysical surveys for mapping bathymetry, magnetic field, or water column properties. They are fast and efficient synoptic mappers and are inexpensive to operate. Manned submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) allow intensive study of an area, but can remain at a site for only a few hours, days, or weeks. AUVs can remain in an area gathering data in between submersible and ROV visits to provide information on temporal variations and can respond rapidly to events such as volcanic eruptions when large oceanographic vessels and equipment cannot be mobilized quickly.
Bio-Testing of Poly-L-Lactic Acid/Hydroxyapatite Porous Bone Scaffolds

Tissue engineering is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field which offers a promising new technology to create artificial constructs for regeneration of tissues. One important aspect of bone tissue engineering is to build scaffolds with interconnected 3-D porous structure in order to mimic natural bone architecture. In this work, co-continuous micro-porous scaffolds made of Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) with 50% porosity and PLLA/hydroxyapatite (HA) with 40% porosity were prepared by injection molding of an immiscible polymer blend with polystyrene as sacrificial material. The sacrificial material was then removed by solvent leaching with cyclohexane. The porous PLLA/HA matrix supported murine osteoblast (7F2) cell growth for up to 9 days, suggesting that that the introduction and replacement of sacrificial material had no negative effects on cell proliferation. In vitro studies also indicate an increase in mineralization by osteoblasts cultured on the porous structure, as compared to cells cultured on solid scaffold. One month subcutaneous degradation tests showed a mild foreign body reaction and complete fibrous encapsulation. Following surgical implantation of the scaffolds into circular defects in canine tibia, we observed after 12 weeks new bone tissue grew into the porous structures. Taken together our data suggest that interconnected porous structures with good cytocompatibility and increased mineralization in vitro paired with enhanced osteoinductive properties in vivo suggest a great potential of the porous PLLA/HA for inducing and sustaining bone tissue repair.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
A spectrum analysis of synoptic-scale disturbances in the ITCZ

Abstract Spectral characteristics of convective signals in synoptic-scale disturbances along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) are examined using a 20-yr daily outgoing longwave radiation dataset. A new analysis method, which combines conventional wavenumber–frequency spectrum analysis and wavelet analysis, is developed to explore the longitudinal, seasonal, and interannual variations in these disturbances within the ITCZ whose seasonal migration varies in different parts of the Tropics. The analysis focuses on three longitudinal sectors where the ITCZ can be clearly identified: the western-central Pacific, the central-eastern Pacific, and the Atlantic–West Africa. The most striking results are the evident zonal variability in the spectral properties of westward-propagating synoptic-scale disturbances. The zonal variability exists not only in their dominant frequencies and zonal wavenumbers, but also in their seasonal and interannual variations. Eastward-propagating synoptic-scale disturbances in ...
Dramatic squat and trim phenomena of mm-scaled SU-8 boats induced by Marangoni effect

Surface tension gradients may induce the motions of a floating solid fragment. This mechanism has been employed to drive miniaturized objects on a water surface, which could potentially serve as rotators, mixers, locomotives, and so on. To properly apply these objects, it is important to understand their motions. The previous consideration mainly focused on the horizontal motions of these small objects. In this work, we considered translational and rotational motions of a mm-scaled SU-8 boat in the vertical plane, which were so-called squat and trim phenomena, respectively, in the case of a macroboat. Through two types of tests, we demonstrated that dramatic squat and trim phenomena observed in the motions of the SU-8 boat were mainly induced by the surface tension difference between water and isopropyl alcohol (boat propellant), instead of horizontal movements of the miniaturized boat. This difference created a hollow spot behind the stern and made the boat sink and tilt along the sidewall of the hollow spot. In addition, we found that the motion of a SU-8 boat in a channel included two stages. In the first stage, it was propelled due to the difference between fore-and-aft surface tensions. In addition to moving forward, it also had dramatic squat and trim movements. However, in the second stage, in which no more isopropyl alcohol exited the boat, it was driven by a water wave generated in the first stage and did not show any visible squat and trim phenomena. The results of this work provided a better understanding of motions of the SU-8 boats. These results might also apply to surface tension-driven motions of other miniaturized objects.
Water, Climate, and the Limits of Human Wisdom: Historical-Geographic Analogies Between Early Mughal and Modern South Asia

The expanding literature on climate change and water resources in South Asia includes a small number of works that stress the role of human wisdom—past, present, and future. Some studies draw attention to the “dying wisdom” of traditional water systems, whereas others seek wiser conceptual models for addressing climate change and water stresses. This article examines the historical geography of hydroclimatic adjustment in early Mughal India, with an emphasis on state formation in chronicles of the late sixteenth century. Notwithstanding claims of wisdom then, as now, water and climatic hazards had limited episodic salience in Mughal chronicles. Even so, Mughal sources identify indirect forms of human adjustment, ranging from land revenue policies to infrastructure investment, administrative reform, human mobility, and landscape interpretation that bear comparison with current deliberations.
How Will Decreased Alewife Growth Rates and Salmonid Stocking Affect Sport Fish PCB Concentrations in Lake Ontario

Atmospheric deposition and resuspension from pelagic sediments are the two principal PCB sources to Great Lakes pelagic food webs today. The expansive nature of these sources makes their management...
Unit cell dimensions of synthetic apatites.

Les parametres cristallographiques d'un certain nombre d'apatites synthetiques sont indiques. A l'aide d'etudes par rayons X ces apatites synthetiques peuvent etre distingues les unes des autres.
Monomer topology defines folding speed of heptamer

Small monomeric proteins often fold in apparent two-state processes with folding speeds dictated by their native-state topology. Here we test, for the first time, the influence of monomer topology on the folding speed of an oligomeric protein: the heptameric cochaperonin protein 10 (cpn10), which in the native state has seven β-barrel subunits noncovalently assembled through β-strand pairing. Cpn10 is a particularly useful model because equilibrium-unfolding experiments have revealed that the denatured state in urea is that of a nonnative heptamer. Surprisingly, refolding of the nonnative cpn10 heptamer is a simple two-state kinetic process with a folding-rate constant in water (2.1 sec−1; pH 7.0, 20°C) that is in excellent agreement with the prediction based on the native-state topology of the cpn10 monomer. Thus, the monomers appear to fold as independent units, with a speed that correlates with topology, although the C and N termini are trapped in β-strand pairing with neighboring subunits. In contrast, refolding of unfolded cpn10 monomers is dominated by a slow association step.
The application of discrete-time adaptive impedance control to rehabilitation robot manipulators

Rehabilitation robot manipulators for persons with disabilities often encounter contact tasks in uncertain environments. In order for rehabilitation robots to readily adapt to their changing environment, an advanced and practically implementable control approach is needed. This paper present a robot manipulator control scheme which combines a discrete-time adaptive controller with a discrete-time impedance dynamics trajectory generator. The discrete-time adaptive controller assures the trajectory tracking of robot manipulators while the discrete-time impedance dynamics trajectory generator regulates the relation between forces and motions. By using the adaptive controller the knowledge of either the structure or the parameter values of the robot dynamics is not required. The proposed discrete-time adaptive impedance control scheme is simple and suitable for the digital computer based real-time robot manipulator control. Simulations are given for a planar two-link manipulator arm under discrete adaptive impedance control with forces contaminated by Gaussian distributed noise. Results are presented to demonstrate the proposed scheme. >
Realistic Empathy and Active Nonviolence Confront Political Reality

This article employs three concepts to integrate the prior articles in this issue: political reality, realistic empathy, and active nonviolence. People of wealth and power define political reality, making their interests coterminous with national interests. Episodic and structural violence are used to maintain political reality. The prior articles report on diverse means to counter political reality, mitigate the effects of violence and lay the groundwork for peacebuilding. Basic to those means are realistic empathy and active nonviolence.
A heuristic approach to solving the software clustering problem

This paper provides an overview of the author's Ph.D. thesis (2002). The primary contribution of this research involved developing techniques to extract architectural information about a system directly from its source code. To accomplish this objective a series of software clustering algorithms were developed. These algorithms use metaheuristic search techniques to partition a directed graph generated from the entities and relations in the source code into subsystems. Determining the optimal solution to this problem was shown to be NP-hard, thus significant emphasis was placed on finding solutions that were regarded as "good enough" quickly. Several evaluation techniques were developed to gauge solution quality, and all of the software clustering tools created to support this work was made available for download over the Internet.
Perception is Reality: Your Strengths Matter

Perception is reality. While you perceive yourself to be an effective leader even under stress, do your colleagues share this perception of you? Your perception of effective leadership may be shared by others who work with you. People in leadership may see a relationship between “leaders in title” and “leaders in action” from their own experiences, but this is not guaranteed. Understanding yourself is imperative. Embracing your strengths and appreciating others’ perceptions of you help you to be a better leader. Possessing a keen sense of self will help you to be an authentic leader and provide insights about what makes you stand out to others. While not all leaders possess distinguishable leadership traits or skill sets, certain commonalities are expected from all leaders. Take the time to know yourself by investing in assessments and candid discussions designed to embrace the leader that you are in your heart and mind.
Protein synthesis in slash pine callus cultures exposed to water stress

Summary Effects of water stress on protein synthesis were investigated in heterotrophic callus cultures derived from slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) cotyledon explants. Cultures were transferred to medium containing O-15% mannitol to provide water potentials between -0.4 and - 2.5 MPa. Beginning between 0 and 22 h after transfer to the new medium, cultures were incubated for 2 h with T-methionine. Both the uptake of label and the incorporation of label into protein decreased with decreasing medium water potential. Incorporation, however, was reduced to a greater extent than uptake suggesting that the reduced incorporation was at least partly the result of reduced protein synthesis. Separation of labeled proteins by one-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualization by fluorography revealed the induction of two new protein bands after incubation at - 1.8 MPa for 24 h. Induction of new proteins was not observed at other water potentials or after shorter incubation times. Protein bands from cultures incubated at - 1.8 MPa for 24 h and then transferred for 24 h to mannitol-free medium ( -0.4 MPa) were comparable to those from control cultures maintained on mannitol-free medium throughout.
Comment on “Innate Immune Collectin Surfactant Protein D Simultaneously Binds Both Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and Carbohydrate Ligands and Promotes Bacterial Trapping”

In a recent study, Douda et al. ([1][1]) examined ex vivo–in vivo mouse models to study pulmonary neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) using LPS-induced lung inflammation and Pseudomonas infection and demonstrated that SP-D interacts with bacteria and NETs to augment bacterial trapping. The data
In silico regulatory analysis for exploring human disease progression.

Background An important goal in bioinformatics is to unravel the network of transcription factors (TFs) and their targets. This is important in the human genome, where many TFs are involved in disease progression. Here, classification methods are applied to identify new targets for 152 transcriptional regulators using publicly-available targets as training examples. Three types of sequence information are used: composition, conservation, and overrepresentation.
Design of a Moore finite state machine using a novel reversible logic gate, decoder and synchronous up-counter

Reversible logic is an emerging nanotechnology widely being considered as the potential logic design and implementation of nanotechnology and quantum computing with the main goal of reducing physical entropy gain. Recent advances in reversible logic allow for new avenues in the implementation of reversible combinational circuits. Part of this advancement is the design and implementation of a finite state machine. A proposed novel 4*4 RD gate implemented as a 2-to-4 decoder with low delay and cost is presented, and a novel 4*4 R2D gate used in the implementation of a novel n-to-2n decoder with low cost and delay. A reversible synchronous up-down counter is presented and verified, and a reduced reversible implementation of a JK Flip Flop is implemented in a reduced reversible synchronous up-down counter. This decoder and counter are then utilized in the design of a reversible Moore finite state machine.
A New Monte Carlo Method for Exploring the Surface Area, Volume and Voids of Molecules in Protein Containing Lipid Bilayers with Atomistic Detail

The distribution statistics of the surface area, volume and voids of biological molecules are important parameters to characterize the structures of lipid membranes in the field of atomistic MD simulations. Traditional surface area calculation methods are mostly based on various assumptions of the thickness of the membrane and the volumes of certain molecules. However, those methods usually lead to different surface area estimations and fail to estimate the voids. In the presence of protein, those methods are not applicable due to the presence of the conformal annular lipids surrounding the protein. We have therefore developed a new Monte Carlo method that is capable to calculate the distributions, averages and kinetics of surface area, volume and void space of the lipid or protein molecules in protein containing lipid bilayers obtained from MD simulations at the atomistic scale. We have successfully validated this method using an ordered hard-sphere test system. Results of the structural parameters of the annular lipids in close proximity to the embedded protein and the non-annular lipids using this new method will be presented.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Molecular determinants for the interaction of the valvulopathic anorexigen norfenfluramine with the 5-HT2B receptor.

S-(+)-Norfenfluramine (SNF)—an active metabolite of the now-banned anorexigen fenfluramine—has been implicated in the drug9s appetite-suppressing actions and its life-threatening cardiovascular side effects. SNF reduces appetite through serotonin 5-HT2C receptor activation; it causes cardiopulmonary side effects through 5-HT2B receptor activation. Thus, we attempted to identify molecular determinants of SNF binding to 5-HT2B receptors distinct from those underlying SNF-5-HT2C/2A receptor interactions. Mutagenesis implicated Val2.53 in SNF binding to 5-HT2B receptors. Ligand docking simulations suggested both Val2.53 γ-methyl groups form stabilizing van der Waals9 (vdW) interactions with the α-methyl group of SNF. A V2.53L mutation induced a 17-fold decrease in affinity; molecular dynamics (MD) simulations suggested that this decrease resulted from the loss of one 2.53-α-methyl group vdW interaction. Supporting this, 1) the binding of norfenfluramine (NF) analogs lacking an S-(+) α-methyl group (RNF and α-desmethyl-NF) was less sensitive to the V2.53L mutation, and 2) a V2.53A mutation decreased SNF affinity 190-fold, but decreased RNF and α-desmethyl-NF affinities only 16- and 45-fold, respectively. We next addressed whether the α-methyl group of SNF contributes to 5-HT2C/2A receptor affinity. Removal of the α-methyl group (RNF and α-desmethyl-NF), which reduced 5-HT2B receptor binding 3-fold, did not affect 5-HT2C/2A receptor binding. An α-ethyl substituent (α-ethyl-NF), which decreased 5-HT2B receptor affinity 46-fold, reduced 5-HT2C and 5-HT2A receptor binding by 14- and 5-fold, respectively. Finally, we determined that residue 2.53 affects SNF potency and efficacy at 5-HT2B receptors but not at 5-HT2C and 5-HT2A receptors. In conclusion, vdW interactions between residue 2.53 and the α-methyl group of SNF contribute to the ligand9s 5-HT2 receptor subtype-selective pharmacology.
Unusual Cause of Recurrent Syncope in a Child

A 5-year-old boy with an unremarkable past medical and family history presented with recurrent syncope precipitated by physical activity. Electrocardiogram performed in the emergency room after one of his episodes revealed atrial flutter. He had a structurally normal heart. Exercise stress test revealed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response immediately on commencement of running. Atrial fibrillation subsequently organized into atrial flutter with variable ventricular response followed by spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm. This case highlights the use of exercise stress test in a preschool child to elicit an unusual cause of syncope.
The Vehicle Autopilot: Simultaneous Robust Control Through Parametric Adaptation

This work considers the problem of robustly controlling systems that have an implicit parametric coupling, and specifically considers the problem of lateral control of passenger vehicles at highway speeds. Passenger vehicles collectively have a wide range in dynamic behaviors mainly due to the ranges in size between different models. However, as vehicle size increases, the length, mass and mass moments of inertia also increase in predictable relationships that strongly couple these parameters to each other. The proposed control technique exploits this inherent parametric coupling in order to design a single robust controller that can be easily adapted parametrically from vehicle to vehicle. Parameter decoupling in the design model is achieved in the control synthesis step using a dimensional transformation. The resulting design model presents a system representation suitable for robust control of a very wide range of passenger vehicles using only a dimensional rescaling. This method is distinguished from prior work in that the structure of parametric dependence is included in the controller synthesis. The resulting design is tested on a scaled vehicle test setup developed at Pennsylvania State University. Both simulation and experimental results have shown the effectiveness of the technique for the proposed application.© 2006 ASME
Evolution of complexity in the viral world: The dawn of a new vision

Recent sequencing of the genomes of numerous large viruses provide for unprecedented opportunities to study the emergence and evolution of complexity in the virus world. This special issue of Virus Research explores trends in the evolution of complex genomes in most major classes of viruses.
Interaction between Organic and Inorganic Pollutants in the Clay Interlayer

A synergistic mechanism for the retention of organic and inorganic pollutants in clays is discussed in this paper. The mechanism of adsorption of cis- or trans-1,2-dichloroethylene vapor (CDE or TDE, respectively) by hydrated smectite clay (hectorite) exchanged with Pb 2§ Hg 2+ , Cd 2+ , Ca 2+, Ag + , or Na § has been investigated by simultaneously measuring chlorohydrocarbon uptake and water desorp- tion isotherm and by recording the infrared (IR) spectrum of the adsorbed phase. Hydrated hectorite saturated with divalent cations adsorbs about 55% more CDE or 35% more TDE than those saturated with monovalent cations. The quantity ofchlorohydrocarbon adsorbed is also a function of the hydration of the clay interlayer space. When dehydrated, hectorite does not adsorb CDE or TDE. Upon long outgassing at room temperature or even at 100~ the characteristic IR bands of clays with adsorbed chlorohydrocarbon, although much weakened, are still observable. The ratio of the amount of water desorbed to the amount of chlorohydrocarbon adsorbed varied from about 0.22 to 0.34. A shift of the center of gravity of the hydration water OH stretching frequency towards a higher wavenumber and of the asymmetric CC 1 stretching vibration toward a lower frequency suggest that the formation of hydrogen bonds between CDE or TDE and water is the driving force for adsorption and that the cation-dipole interaction does not play a major role.
Puncture evolution of Schwarzschild black holes

The moving puncture method is analyzed for a single, nonspinning black hole. It is shown that the puncture region is not resolved by current numerical codes. As a result, the geometry near the puncture appears to evolve to an infinitely long cylinder of finite areal radius. The puncture itself actually remains at spacelike infinity throughout the evolution. In the limit of infinite resolution the data never become stationary. However, at any reasonable finite resolution the grid points closest to the puncture are rapidly drawn into the black hole interior by the {gamma}-driver shift condition. The data can then evolve to a stationary state. These results suggest that the moving puncture technique should be viewed as a type of ''natural excision.''.
A Comparison of Color and Infrared Stereo Approaches to Pedestrian Detection

This paper presents an analysis of color and infrared stereo approaches to pedestrian detection. We design a four camera experimental testbed consisting of two color and two infrared cameras that allows for synchronous capture and direct frame-by-frame comparison of pedestrian detection approaches. We incorporate this four camera system in a test vehicle and conduct comparative experiments of stereo-based approaches to obstacle detection using color and infrared imagery. A detailed analysis of these experiments shows the robustness of both color and infrared stereo imagery to generate the dense stereo maps necessary for robust object detection and motivates investigation of color and infrared features that can be used to further classify detected obstacles into pedestrian regions. The complementary nature of color and infrared features gives rise to a discussion of a feature fusion techniques, including a cross-spectral stereo solution to pedestrian detection.
GENETIC CORRELATIONS DO NOT CONSTRAIN THE EVOLUTION OF SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN THE MOSS CERATODON PURPUREUS

The trajectory of phenotypic evolution is constrained in the short term by genetic correlations among traits. However, the extent to which genetic correlations impose a lasting constraint is generally unknown. Here, I examine the genetic architecture of life-history variation in male and female gametophytes from two populations of the moss Ceratodon purpureus, focusing on genetic correlations within and between the sexes. A significant negative correlation between allocation to vegetative and reproductive tissue was evident in males of both populations, but not females. All traits showed between-sex correlations of significantly less than one, indicating additive genetic variance for sexual dimorphism. The degree of dimorphism for traits was significantly negatively associated with the strength of the between-sex correlation. The structure of genetic correlations among life-history traits was more divergent between the two populations in females than in males. Collectively, these results suggest that genetic correlations do not impose a lasting constraint on the evolution of life-history variation in the species.
Chapter 43 – Mucosal Immunity to Viruses

Both the cellular and humoral immune systems participate actively in the resolution of first and subsequent mucosal viral infections. Specifically, cytotoxic T cells (TCs) and IgA/IgM antibodies each make important contributions during resolution of primary infection, while IgA antibodies induced by prior infection or immunization offer the most effective resistance to reinfection. IgG antibodies are less effective at accessing the lumenal surfaces but are an important component of long-term immunity, especially in the lung. TCs and helper T (Th) memory cells take time to expand and activate reinfection and make a smaller contribution than IgA antibodies to the inhibition of the viral replication during reinfection. Studies demonstrate that local IgA memory to bovine respiratory syncytial virus in the absence of detectable IgA antibodies is associated with resistance to reinfection with virus. It appears that a local IgA response to reinfection is sufficiently rapid to limit the extent of virus replication. Thus implying that the mucosal IgA antibodies participate in the resolution of primary viral infection.
The Dynamical Simulation of the NCAR Community Climate Model Version 3 (CCM3)

The dynamical simulation of the standard configuration of the latest version of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Climate Model (CCM3) is examined, including the seasonal variation of its mean state and its intraseasonal and interannual variability. A 15-yr integration in which the model is forced with observed monthly varying sea surface temperatures (SSTs) since 1979 is compared to coexisting observations. Results show that the most serious systematic errors in previous NCAR CCM versions have either been eliminated or substantially reduced. At sea level, CCM3 reproduces the basic observed patterns of the pressure field very well. Simulated surface pressures are higher than observed over the subtropics, however, an error consistent with an easterly bias in the simulated trade winds and low-latitude surface wind stress. Amplitude errors and phase shifts of the subpolar low pressure centers over both hemispheres during winter produce the largest regional errors, which are on the order of 5 mb. In the upper troposphere, both the amplitude and location of the major circulation centers are very well captured by the model, in agreement with relatively small regional biases in the simulated winds. Errors in the zonal wind component at 200 mb are most notable between 408 and 508 lat of both hemispheres, where the modeled westerlies are stronger than observed especially over the Southern Hemisphere during winter. A ;50% reduction in the magnitude of the zonally averaged westerly bias in the equatorial upper troposphere that plagued previous CCM versions can be attributed to a significantly improved tropical hydrologic cycle and reduced Walker circulation. Over middle latitudes, the CCM3 realistically depicts the main storm tracks, although the transient kinetic energy is generally underestimated, especially over the summer hemispheres. Over lower latitudes, the model simulates tropical intraseasonal oscillations with marked seasonality in their occurrence. Typical periodicities, however, are near 20‐30 days, which are shorter than observed, and the simulated amplitudes are weaker than in both observations and previous versions of the model. The simulated response to interannual variations in tropical SSTs is also realistic in CCM3. A simulated index of the Southern Oscillation agrees well with the observed, and the model captures the overall structure and magnitude of observed shifts in tropical and subtropical convergence zones and monthly rainfall anomalies associated with the tropical SST changes.
Planetary Ecosynthesis on Mars and Geo-Engineering on Earth: Can We? Should We? Will We?

Environmental change on the Earth is imminent from anthropogenic causes and will also occur on a longer timescale from natural climate cycles – such as ice ages. These changes makes geo-engineering of the Earth inevitable. The question is not if, but, when and how. Planetary ecosynthesis on Mars seems to be possible, but is not inevitable yet that there are many reasons for doing it. A habitable Mars is not a "lifeboat" for the Earth, but it may provide deep and useful insights in the workings of biology and biospheres.
What happens after brain injury

PREVIEWTraumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of injury and death among the young in the United States. Severity can range from the brief confusion of a football player who has had his “bell rung” to the complete loss of voluntary behavior seen in the vegetative state. In this article, Dr Goldberg reviews the rehabilitation process used to restore the fullest function possible within the limits of the patient's injury, with emphasis on innovative assessment and treatment techniques. He also describes an approach to evaluation of minimally conscious patients that can be used to detect and confirm the presence of active cognition.
Hypertonic saline aerosol increases airway reactivity in the canine lung periphery

Hyperventilation with dry air increases airway surface fluid (ASF) osmolality and causes acute mucosal injury, leukocyte infiltration, and delayed airway obstruction and hyperreactivity in canine peripheral airways. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ASF hypertonicity per se can account for these hyperventilation-associated effects. We first measured ASF osmolality before and after normal (NSC) and hypertonic (HSC) saline aerosol challenges to document the magnitude of hypertonicity produced by these stimuli. We then measured canine peripheral airway resistance and reactivity to hypocapnia and aerosolized histamine before and after NSC and HSC. Cells and eicosanoid mediators recovered in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 5 and 24 h after NSC and HSC were examined. We found that HSC but not NSC caused acute ASF hyperosmolality, increased mediator release, and delayed airway hyperreactivity in the absence of mucosal injury and leukocyte infiltration. These observations suggest that ASF hyperosmolality contributes to the development of the late-phase response to hyperventilation and further suggest that hyperventilation-induced mucosal injury independently initiates leukocyte infiltration and late-phase airway obstruction.
Diversity and Democracy

For decades, American law has debated, inconclusively, whether the great legal pronouncements against race discrimination permit “affirmative action.” As a means of ending much of this debate, this article argues that it may be a good time for Congress to answer this question directly. For decades, it was assumed that affirmative action would never be accepted explicitly by legislatures; it would have to be adopted through less democratic means. But attitudes have changed, and the time might be ripe for straighter talk and a democratic solution to the affirmative action debate.
Availability: A Metric for Nucleic Acid Strand Displacement Systems

DNA strand displacement systems have transformative potential in synthetic biology. While powerful examples have been reported in DNA nanotechnology, such systems are plagued by leakage, which limits network stability, sensitivity, and scalability. An approach to mitigate leakage in DNA nanotechnology, which is applicable to synthetic biology, is to introduce mismatches to complementary fuel sequences at key locations. However, this method overlooks nuances in the secondary structure of the fuel and substrate that impact the leakage reaction kinetics in strand displacement systems. In an effort to quantify the impact of secondary structure on leakage, we introduce the concepts of availability and mutual availability and demonstrate their utility for network analysis. Our approach exposes vulnerable locations on the substrate and quantifies the secondary structure of fuel strands. Using these concepts, a 4-fold reduction in leakage has been achieved. The result is a rational design process that efficiently...
Synthesizing Reactive Programs

Current theoretical solutions to the classical Church's synthesis problem are focused on synthesizing transition systems and not programs. Programs are compact and often the true aim in many synthesis problems, while the transition systems that correspond to them are often large and not very useful as synthesized artefacts. Consequently, current practical techniques first synthesize a transition system, and then extract a more compact representation from it. We reformulate the synthesis of reactive systems directly in terms of program synthesis, and develop a theory to show that the problem of synthesizing programs over a fixed set of Boolean variables in a simple imperative programming language is decidable for regular omega-specifications. We also present results for synthesizing programs with recursion against both regular specifications as well as visibly-pushdown language specifications. Finally, we show applications to program repair, and conclude with open problems in synthesizing distributed programs.
Experiencing Flow: Creativity and Meaningful Task Engagement for Senior Women

The possibility of positive aging is examined, and related to the experience of flow, a pleasurable state in which people are fully engaged in a task or activity and lose all sense of time, space and ego (Csikszentmihalyi, 2008). Positive aging, as viewed by some seniors, involves a sense of purpose, interactions with others, personal growth, self-acceptance, autonomy, and health (Fisher & Specht, 1999). These dimensions are related to flow, and with engagement in creative and meaningful tasks. Research is reviewed which demonstrates that creative activity and meaningful tasks are related to subjective well-being, and to better physical and psychological health for older people (Cohen, 2006). Older women’s potential for meaningful work and creativity activity is addressed, including barriers. Encouraging older women to engage in creative and meaningful activities is viewed as contributing to the subjective well-being, and to the physical and mental health of older women.