cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sorption refrigeration research at JPL/NASA

Since 1979, long-life, reliable heat-powered sorption refrigeration systems have been developed for spacecraft use at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). JPL has successfully built and tested a series of cryogenic sorption refrigeration systems for spacecraft sensor cooling and is presently assembling a −263°C (10K) hydride sorption refrigerator, which will fly on the Space Shuttle in 1994. With the addition of novel regenerative heating techniques, this same technology has more recently been applied to design high efficiency, ground-based adsorption heat pumps. Using actual sorption isotherm data and detailed analytic thermal computer models, analysis has predicted that the cooling and heating COPs will be significantly better than for any other single stage, heat-powered heat pump. Specifically the cooling COP (COPc) with the new regenerative system using ammonia is predicted to be as high as about 1.16. Recent tests on a single carbon sorbent canister compressor have been performed with R22, R134a, and ammonia. Transient thermal response of the sorption compressor has compared well with computer predictions. With ammonia, the total amount of average cooling from the 0.51 kg bed of carbon has been measured to be about 1038 Btu h−1 (304 W) for a 6 min full cycle including both heating and cooling.
Noctilucent Clouds over Punta Arenas, Chile

As pointed out in a recent communication1 the existence of noctilucent clouds in the southern hemisphere has long-been in doubt.
In vivo measurements of glucose absorption in preterm infants.

Few data are available regarding the kinetics of glucose absorption in the preterm infant. In order to ascertain the kinetics of glucose absorption in the premature infant and how rate of infusion and
High-power lithium batteries from functionalized carbon-nanotube electrodes

Energy storage devices that can deliver high powers have many applications, including hybrid vehicles and renewable energy. Much research has focused on increasing the power output of lithium batteries by reducing lithium-ion diffusion distances, but outputs remain far below those of electrochemical capacitors and below the levels required for many applications. Here, we report an alternative approach based on the redox reactions of functional groups on the surfaces of carbon nanotubes. Layer-by-layer techniques are used to assemble an electrode that consists of additive-free, densely packed and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The electrode, which is several micrometres thick, can store lithium up to a reversible gravimetric capacity of approximately 200 mA h g(-1)(electrode) while also delivering 100 kW kg(electrode)(-1) of power and providing lifetimes in excess of thousands of cycles, both of which are comparable to electrochemical capacitor electrodes. A device using the nanotube electrode as the positive electrode and lithium titanium oxide as a negative electrode had a gravimetric energy approximately 5 times higher than conventional electrochemical capacitors and power delivery approximately 10 times higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries.
International Capital Flows and Agricultural Exports

Interest in the relationship between international capital flows and exports revived recently following the international debt repayment problems of several developing countries and the decline in U.S. agricultural exports since 1980. This paper will consider the recent export decline as well as the more general relationship between lending and agricultural exports. Although particular agricultural exports have been important throughout its history, the United States did not become a persistent agricultural exporter until 1960 (Council of Economic Advisers, p. 342). Agricultural exports and the agricultural trade balance increased sharply in 1973 and again in 1979-80 (see table 1). In each of these cases the price of oil increased and the dollar depreciated in real terms. Subsequently, exports decreased (constant 1967 dollars) from $16.7 billion in 1980 to $9.0 billion in 1985, and the real agricultural trade balance declined from $9.7 billion to $2.8 billion during the same period. The 1985 decline has returned exports to the pre1973 level.
Unique sequence DNA transcripts present in mature oocytes of Urechis caupo.

Abstract DNA · DNA reannealing of sheared Urechis caupo DNA indicates that the genome is composed of two major repetitive sequence families. The repetitive sequence DNA families compose 8 and 7% of the DNA and are repeated in the genome on an average of 2.0 · 10 6 and 6.0 · 10 3 times, respectively. The unique sequence DNA composes a minimum of 75% of the genome and the rate of reannealing indicates a complexity of 2.6 · 10 8 nucleotide pairs per genome. Hybridization of isolated 3 H-labeled unique sequence DNA with an excess of unlabeled mature oocyte RNA provides a minimum estimate of the genetic diversity of the RNA present in the mature oocytes. The apparent saturation level of unique sequence DNA with RNA indicates that about 8.6% of the unique sequence DNA is expressed. Based on the fraction of the DNA that forms a stable hybrid and the complexity of the unique sequence DNA the RNA present in the mature oocyte is complementary with 2.2 · 10 7 nucleotide pairs of unique sequence DNA.
Incidence of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome in a Military Population: Impact of Gender and Race

Background Joint hypermobility syndrome is defined by abnormal laxity in multiple joints in association with symptomatic joint pain. Previous studies in small populations suggest a predominance of female gender and nonwhite race among those diagnosed with hypermobility syndrome.
The effect of superior canal dehiscence on cochlear potential in response to air-conducted stimuli in chinchilla

A superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SCD) is a break or hole in the bony wall of the superior semicircular canal. Patients with SCD syndrome present with a variety of symptoms: some with vestibular symptoms, others with auditory symptoms (including low-frequency conductive hearing loss) and yet others with both. We are interested in whether or not mechanically altering the superior canal by introducing a dehiscence is sufficient to cause the low-frequency conductive hearing loss associated with SCD syndrome. We evaluated the effect of a surgically introduced dehiscence on auditory responses to air-conducted (AC) stimuli in 11 chinchilla ears. Cochlear potential (CP) was recorded at the round-window before and after a dehiscence was introduced. In each ear, a decrease in CP in response to low frequency (<2 kHz) sound stimuli was observed after the introduction of the dehiscence. The dehiscence was then patched with cyanoacrylate glue leading to a reversal of the dehiscence-induced changes in CP. The reversible decrease in auditory sensitivity observed in chinchilla is consistent with the elevated AC thresholds observed in patients with SCD. According to the 'third-window' hypothesis the SCD shunts sound-induced stapes velocity away from the cochlea, resulting in decreased auditory sensitivity to AC sounds. The data collected in this study are consistent with predictions of this hypothesis.
Cut-free construction for facility layout

Abstract The Gomory-Hu cut tree corresponding to a material flow graph provides important structural relationships to layout designers. The cut tree generation is not trivial to the programmer. In this paper, we present a simple technique which generates and constructs a cut tree of a given flow graph. The method differs from previous cut tree generation methods in the sense that its output also facilitates computer construction of the graph of the cut tree with only a few lines of additional coding, which makes its implementation attractive for computerized graph theoretic layout design approaches. The algorithm actually draws the cut tree automatically. Example graphs and the corresponding computer generated cut trees are illustrated. Also, an example is given where the cut tree information provides the optimal layout configuration.
Expression of a wolf spider toxin in tobacco inhibits the growth of microbes and insects

Lycotoxin I, from the wolf spider (Lycosa carolinensis), is an amphipathic pore-forming peptide that has antimicrobial and anti-insect activity. Constitutive expression of a lycotoxin I modified for oral toxicity to insects in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) conferred significantly enhanced resistance to larvae of the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) and cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne). Gene expression levels of modified lycotoxin I were negatively correlated to the survival of corn earworm larvae. In addition, pathogenic symptoms caused by Pseudomonas syringae pathovar tabaci and Alternaria alternata on the modified lycotoxin I-expressing leaves were significantly less severe than on wild type leaves. These results indicate that modified lycotoxin I expression in tobacco can potentially protect leaf tissue from a broad spectrum of pests and pathogens.
Functional and Nutritional Properties of Red Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) Enzymatic Hydrolysates

The effects of different proteolytic enzymes and different reaction durations (25, 50, 75 min) on functional and nutritional properties of red (sockeye) salmon head hydrolysates were evaluated. Degree of hydrolysis values for the 75-min digestion ranged from 6.4% to 16.7%. Oil yield (4.9% to 10.6 %) from red salmon heads was affected by the enzyme used. Protein hydrolysate powders were yellowish and contained 62.3% to 64.8% protein with high levels of essential amino acids. Increased degree of hydrolysis values were weakly correlated with increased hydrolysate solubility. Maximum emulsion stability and fat adsorption were observed for the dried hydrolysate generated in the 25-min reaction time. Water adsorption of hydrolysate powders ranged from 1.0 mL to 3.3 mL water/g dried hydrolysate.
Isolation of a cDNA clone encoding a novel form of granzyme B from human NK cells and mapping to chromosome 14.

We have isolated cDNA clones from a human NK cell cDNA library that encode the serine protease granzyme B. Although the sequence of the entire coding region for the mature protein and the 3′ untranslated region of the clone are identical to other cDNA isolates of this gene obtained from human T cell cDNA libraries, the 5′ end of two clones is 103 bp longer than the previously described sequences and would encode a protein with a 54-amino-acid-long signal sequence. Experiments characterizing granzyme B mRNA suggest that transcripts that initiate at or before the 5′ end of these clones comprise a detectable but infrequent class of granzyme B transcripts in NK and T cells. We have mapped this gene to human chromosome 14 in the region 14q11→14q32, distal to the T cell receptor alpha locus and proximal to the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus. The chromosomal location of this gene, together with the previously described high sequence homology between this gene and the mouse CTLA1/ccp1 gene, make it likely that this is the human equivalent of the mouse CTLA 1/ ccp1.
Mad Money stock recommendations: market reaction and performance

We examine the stock recommendations of Jim Cramer televised on CNBC’s Mad Money, and document significant market reactions (i.e., announcement returns and volume) to Cramer’s recommendations, particularly for small capitalization stocks. The following findings indicate that the announcement returns are primarily due to price pressure from uninformed trading as opposed to the recommendations providing new value related information: announcement returns reverse following buy recommendations; bid-ask spreads temporarily decline; and there is no evidence of positive longer-term abnormal returns. One implication, when considered in combination with other works, is that investors should be cautious in following stock recommendations announced in the mass-media.
DCATT dispersed fringe sensor: modeling and experimenting with the transmissive phase plates

Control algorithms developed for coarse phasing the segmented mirrors of the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) are being tested in realistic modeling and on the NGST wavefront control testbed, also known as DCATT. A dispersed fringe sensor (DFS) is used to detect piston errors between mirror segments during the initial coarse phasing. Both experiments and modeling have shown that the DFS provides an accurate measurement of piston errors over a range from just under a millimeter to well under a micron.
An evaluation of three Bender-Gestalt scoring systems as indicators of psychopathology

Quantified Bender-Gestalt protocols of 120 clients using the Hutt, Pascal-Suttell, and Pauker scoring systems. Scores were correlated with two criteria of psychopathology, diagnosis of psychiatric disability and self-reported anxiety, and age and IQ. The results suggest that: (a) Ratings of B-G protocols are highly reliable; (b) B-G scores are not predictive of global psychopathology; and (c) B-G scores are correlated moderately with age and IQ. This evidence does not support the validity of B-G scoring systems as indicators of psychopathology.
Who Told You That? Uncovering the Source of Believed Cues to Deception

Many beliefs about deceptive communication – like liars avoid eye contact – are popular but inaccurate. To better understand the transmission of both accurate and false cues to deception, we examined the perceived source of deception beliefs. Two exploratory studies revealed six categories of belief sources such as observed behavior, mass media, and social networks, derived from 19 categories of deception beliefs. Reported beliefs loaded onto three primary factors suggesting a simpler schema for detecting deception. Both studies revealed that most people recalled learning about cues to deception from observing others’ behavior, however, inaccurate beliefs were more likely to be perpetuated by credible sources.
Time-resolved erosion measurements at a reference limiter in ISX-B using laser-induced fluorescence☆

Laser-induced fluorescence has been used to measure the density and ionization length of neutral metal atoms released from a reference limiter during plasma discharges in the Impurity Study Experiment (ISX-B) tokamak. A tunable, pulsed laser beam is introduced into the tokamak at the midplane along a major radius and passes in front of a stainless steel reference limiter positioned between the wall and the main limiter radius. Neutral iron atoms released from the limiter are detected by saturation pumping of the ground-state transition at 302 nm, followed by off resonance detection of the resulting fluorescence radiation. The sampling rate is 15 Hz; additional time resolution is provided by overlaying similar discharges with different time synchronization. In ohmic discharges in ISX-B, a nearly constant impurity release rate of 8 × 1014 atom cm−2 s−1 occurs during the steady-state part of the discharge, with substantial peaks during the breakdown, rampup, and termination of the shot. Measured ionization lengths are suggestive of particle velocities typical of sputtering. These results are presented with similar data from neutral-beam-heated shots.
Human Factors in Control Room Design a Matter of Decision and Implementation

TMI-2 focused attention on Human Engineering deficiencies in all nuclear plant control rooms while overlooking the evolution of their design and the principles of good system design. Reasons for the less than desirable features of the control rooms are explained. Standardization and modularization of board structure and board-mounted components are proposed to help achieve improvement in the designs. Mockups and more extensive use of C.R.T.' s are urged. A method of "Usage" or task analysis is presented and the importance of operator participation is emphasized.
Technical Aspects of Robotic-Assisted Pancreaticoduodenectomy (RAPD)

Minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenctomy (MIPD) is a technically challenging procedure. Current laparoscopic equipment with its limited range of motion, poor surgeon ergonomics, and lack of 3D view has limited the addition of MIPD. The robotic platform is able to overcome these limitations, allowing the recreation of time-honored open surgical principles of this procedure through a minimally invasive approach. We present here the technical aspects of the University of Pittsburgh robotic-assisted pancreaticoduodenctomy.
Influence of Specific Anions on the Orientational Ordering of Thermotropic Liquid Crystals at Aqueous Interfaces

We report that specific anions (of sodium salts) added to aqueous phases at molar concentrations can trigger rapid, orientational ordering transitions in water-immiscible, thermotropic liquid cryst...
Investigations of cross-layer designs for mobile ad hoc networks

This paper explores the attributes, layering models and objective functions in cross layer designs for mobile ad hoc wireless networks by taking all the statistical characteristics and constraints from the physical (PHY) layer, media access control (MAC) layer and network (NET) layer into consideration. This paper reviews the entire network optimization across all the PHY/MAC/NET layers. At the PHY layer, the adaptive modulation, adaptive channel allocation and adaptive power control are employed according to the channel conditions and different quality of service (QoS) requirements of different services. The PHY layer constraint is specified in terms of target signal to noise and interference ratio (SINR) or target bit-error-ratio (BER). At the MAC layer, a feasible scheduling policy that maximizes the overall system performance for given fairness/QoS requirements is explored through the utility functions that build a bridge between the PHY layer and MAC layer to balance the efficiency and fairness. At the NET layer, the QoS requirements include call blocking probabilities, call connection delays, packet congestion probabilities and packet loss rates. By interacting with PHY layer and MAC layer constraints, a long-term network performance is investigated at the NET layer subject to both call-level and packet-level QoS requirements.
Effects of aging on pressure-induced MAPK activation in the rat aorta

With increasing age, the cardiovascular system experiences substantial alterations in cellular morphology and function. Whilst the factors regulating these changes are unknown, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways have emerged as critical components for mediating numerous cellular responses including control of cell growth, differentiation and adaptation. Here we compare the expression, basal activation and the ability of increased pressure to activate the MAPK pathways in adult (6-month-old), aged (30-month-old) and very aged (36-month-old) Fischer 344xBrown Norway F1 hybrid rats. Histochemical analysis demonstrated an age-related increase in tunica media thickness of approximately 11 and 21% in aortae from aged and very aged animals, respectively. Western blot analysis of the MAPK family extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2), p38, and c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinase (JNK) MAPKs showed differential expression and activation among these proteins with age. Expression of ERK 1/2, p38, and JNK were unchanged, slightly increased (10+/-17.5%) or significantly increased (72.3+/-27%), respectively, in very aged aortae. In contrast, basal activation levels of these proteins were reduced (-26.2+/-7.4%), markedly increased (97.0+/-16.8%), and slightly increased (14.4+/-4.5%), respectively, in very aged compared with 6-month rat aortae. An acute increase of aortic intraluminal pressure (200 mmHg) indicated that ERK 1/2 regulation differed from p38 or JNK. Pressure loading-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was unchanged or increased with aging while p38 and JNK phosphorylation was attenuated (P<0.01). These observations confirm previous conclusions that MAPK proteins are regulated mechanically and expand these studies to suggest that MAPK expression and the control of activation are changed with aging.
Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders (SEED): Management of Complex Presentations of Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa

Eating disorders are often conceptualized only as acute mental illnesses even though a significant number of patients continue to manifest severe symptoms over many years associated with increasing...
Behavior-based switch-time MPC for mobile robots

Model predictive control can be computationally intensive as it has to compute an optimal control trajectory at each time instant. As such, we present a method in which parametrized behaviors are introduced as a level of abstraction to give a finite representation to the control trajectory optimization. As these control laws can be designed to accomplish different tasks, the robot is able to use the presented framework to tune the parameters online to achieve desirable results. Moreover, we build on switch-time optimization techniques to allow the model predictive control framework to optimize over a series of given behaviors, allowing for an added level of adaptability. We illustrate the utility of the framework through the control of a nonholonomic mobile robot.
High self-efficacy predicts adherence to surveillance colonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND Patients with extensive ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease of the colon have an increased risk of colon cancer and require colonoscopic surveillance. In this study, we assessed individual self-efficacy (SE) to estimate the probability of adherence to surveillance colonoscopies. METHODS Three hundred seventy-eight patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease of the colon for at least 7 years and with at least one third of the colon involved participated in this cross-sectional questionnaire study performed at 3 tertiary referral inflammatory bowel disease clinics. Medical charts were abstracted for demographic and clinical variables. The questionnaire contained a group of items assessing SE for undergoing colonoscopy. RESULTS We validated our 20-question SE scale and used 8 of the items that highlighted scheduling, preparation, and postprocedure recovery, to develop 2 shorter SE scales. All 3 scales were reliable with Cronbach's α ranging from 0.845 to 0.905 and correlated with chart-documented adherence to surveillance colonoscopy (P < 0.001). We then developed logistic regression models to predict adherence to surveillance colonoscopy using each scale separately along with other key variables (i.e., disease location, knowledge of correct adherence intervals, and information sources of patients consulted regarding Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) and demonstrated model accuracy up to 74%. CONCLUSIONS SE, as measured by our validated scales, correlates with chart-adherence to surveillance colonoscopy. Our adherence model, which includes SE, predicts adherence with 74% certainty. An 8-item validated clinical questionnaire can be administered to assess whether patients in this population may require further intervention for adherence.
Long Hours and Risks to and From Residents

To the Editor. —The recent letter by Drs Wendt and Yen 1 concerning house staff moonlighting seems to have missed the point entirely in the growing debate over residency training and safety to the patient and house staff officer. Drs Wendt and Yen report seven surgical residents who they informally surveyed concerning exhaustion and falling asleep at the wheel after a presumed 36- to 40-hour night on call. The article reported that six of the residents fell asleep at the wheel and that three were actually involved in motor vehicle accidents. From this information, the authors conclude that house staff should not moonlight. Is this the appropriate conclusion? A more reasoned approach to these disturbing statistics would be to evaluate why the residents were awake for such extended hours and what flaws in the training program are manifested in the expectation for residents to work long hours. Thus, if six
Neural correlates of emotion–cognition interactions: A review of evidence from brain imaging investigations

Complex dynamic behaviour involves reciprocal influences between emotion and cognition. On the one hand, emotion is a “double-edged sword” that may affect various aspects of our cognition and behaviour, by enhancing or hindering them and exerting both transient and long-term influences. On the other hand, emotion processing is also susceptible to cognitive influences, typically exerted in the form of emotion regulation. Noteworthy, both of these reciprocal influences are subjective to individual differences that may affect the way we perceive, experience, and eventually remember emotional experiences, or respond to emotionally challenging situations. Understanding these relationships is critical, as unbalanced emotion–cognition interactions may lead to devastating effects, such as those observed in mood and anxiety disorders. The present review analyses the reciprocal relationships between emotion and cognition, based on evidence derived from brain imaging investigations focusing on three main topics: (1)...
A note on two process adjustment models

The idea of a process 'adjustment' has different connotations depending on whether one is talking from a statistical process control (SPC) or from an engineering process control (EPC) point of view. In SPC an adjustment implies the correction of some problem that has caused abnormal variation. The corrective action usually restores the process mean to a desired or 'in-control' level. In EPC an adjustment means the compensation of some observed deviation by manipulating a control variable. This paper analyses two models proposed for process adjustment useful for understanding these and other important differences. One model is based on assumptions common in EPC applications, the other is based on assumptions common in SPC applications. Adjustment policies for each model are presented and contrasted.
Thinking professionally: a real problem with video games; not murder, not torture...

Many of us are from a generation when video games were wholesome and character building and the games did not reward, murder, torture, or theft. Those early games like Pong morphed into Wii's Family Table Tennis and Major League Eating which can be played even while seated in a retirement home. The widespread use of video-games in education, training, entertainment and the use of video game technology in the design and control of medical, commercial, and military systems has a significant impact on the present and the future directions of society. As in other rapid advances in technology, the speed of the development and immersion of this technology in our lives has left numerous significant questions.
P300 and Long-Term Memory: Latency Predicts Recognition Performance

The study-test paradigm was used to investigate memory acquisition processes and the effects of repetition on long-term recognition memory. In this procedure, subjects are presented with a list of words (“targets”) to be memorized (Study series). They are later tested for recognition on a word list comprised of the target words mixed randomly with an equal number of new, distractor words (Test series). Both reaction time and the P300 component of the event-related brain potential were used as measures of processing time. During the Study series, large P300s were elicited despite a word category probability of 1.0. When the words from the Study series were divided on the basis of recognition performance, words that were subsequently recognized elicited P300s with shorter latencies than unrecognized words. P300 amplitude to words in the Study series increased with repetition while maintaining a constant latency. During the Test series, P300 latency and reaction time decreased with repetition for both target and distractor words. P300 amplitude to all words increased substantially over Test repetitions with target words eliciting larger P300s than distractor words. Words that were recognized more consistently during the Test series elicited larger and earlier P300s than words that were recognized less consistently. The P300 amplitude and latency results from both the Study and Test series are interpreted as reflecting the increased discriminability of the target words as the memory trace increases in strength.
QTL mapping of a high protein digestibility trait in Sorghum bicolor.

Compared with other cereal grains, Sorghum bicolor shows lower protein digestibility. The low digestibility is thought to result from disulfide cross linking in the β- and γ-kafirins. In contrast, the single recessive high digestibility/high lysine content (HD) mutation which confers greater grain digestibility exists in sorghum that is thought to result from reduced accumulation of γ-kafirin that allows greater access to the high digestible α-kafarin fraction. In an effort to both clearly define the molecular basis for the HD trait and develop tools to improve the introgression of this difficult-to-screen trait, this study focuses on mapping the QTLs linked to this trait. While the HD trait has been defined as a single recessive gene, our results uncovered that two major QTLs on chromosome 1 are associated with protein digestibility—one QTL (locus 1 from the HD parent) unfavorably affects digestibility and one QTL (locus 2 from the HD parent) only 20 cM away favorably affects digestibility. A contrast analysis between genotypic groups at these two loci shows that a higher level of protein digestibility may be obtained when this linkage in repulsion is broken and favorable alleles are allowed to recombine.
Distal metal effects in cobalt porphyrins related to CcO.

Cobalt(II) porphyrins were studied to determine the influence of distal site metalation and superstructure upon dioxygen reactivity in active site models of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO). Monometallic...
Structure and Development of the Attractive and Digestive Glands in the Carnivorous Pitcher Plant Nepenthes alata

Carnivorous plants have evolved diverse structures to attract, capture and digest insects to permit plant growth in nutrient deficient substrates. Members of the genus Nepenthes utilize a passive pitfall mechanism to trap prey. Insects are attracted to the pitcher by sugary secretions from the nectary glands in the peristome region lining the trap opening. This type of trapping method is accomplished through three integral features. First, after entering the pitcher, the arthropod’s ability to escape is obstructed by the inner protruding lip of the peristome (Fig. 1). Second, the surface of the peristome is covered by overlapping epidermal cells, directed towards the inner lumen of the pitcher (Fig. 2). When wet, the patterning of the peristome epidermal cells creates a slippery surface that interferes with the adherence of insect feet [1]. Third, below the peristome is an internal, slippery wax layer that also reduces the insect’s ability to climb out of the pitcher. SEM observations found substantial variation of the peristome (Fig. 3) and wax deposits among the seven species examined: N. truncata, N. maxima, N. ventricosa, N. rafflesiana, N. hirsuta, N. ephippiata, and N. albomarginata.
The Busy Social Brain Evidence for Automaticity and Control in the Neural Systems Supporting Social Cognition and Action Understanding

Much social-cognitive processing is believed to occur automatically; however, the relative automaticity of the brain systems underlying social cognition remains largely undetermined. We used functional MRI to test for automaticity in the functioning of two brain systems that research has indicated are important for understanding other people's behavior: the mirror neuron system and the mentalizing system. Participants remembered either easy phone numbers (low cognitive load) or difficult phone numbers (high cognitive load) while observing actions after adopting one of four comprehension goals. For all four goals, mirror neuron system activation showed relatively little evidence of modulation by load; in contrast, the association of mentalizing system activation with the goal of inferring the actor's mental state was extinguished by increased cognitive load. These results support a dual-process model of the brain systems underlying action understanding and social cognition; the mirror neuron system supports automatic behavior identification, and the mentalizing system supports controlled social causal attribution.
Behavioral Approach–Inhibition in Toddlers: Prediction From Infancy, Positive and Negative Affective Components, and Relations With Behavior Problems

In this study, 126 children were observed at 6 months, 12 months, and 2 years. During infancy, latencies to reach for novel objects were measured. At 2 years, positive and negative affect, and behavioral approach–inhibition to low- and high-intensity situations were coded, and mothers assessed behavior problems. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a 3-dimension model of positivity, negativity, and behavioral approach–inhibition. Positivity was related to low- and high-intensity behavioral approach–inhibition, whereas negativity was linked only to low-intensity behavioral approach–inhibition. Shorter 12-month latencies to reach were predictive of low negativity, high positivity, and behavioral approach at 2 years. Positivity and negativity were correlated with externalizing and internalizing behaviors, respectively. Finally, cluster analysis identified an exuberant group high in externalizing and an inhibited group high in internalizing.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder with major neurocognitive and cardiovascular sequelae. It is estimated that more than one quarter of the population is at risk for OSA, with increased prevalence noted in populations with hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, and atrial fibrillation. A number of epidemiologic and mechanistic studies have recently generated interest in the role of OSA in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, a link that continues to require extensive investigation. This chapter reviews these epidemiologic studies, the current understanding of the mechanisms by which OSA may contribute to the progression of cardiovascular diseases, and the effects of OSA treatment on cardiovascular disease outcomes.
Weeding the Reference Collection: A Case Study of Collection Management

The reference collection holds an important place within the library. The proper maintenance of this collection through weeding is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of collection management. This article offers a case study describing a reference collection weeding project, including the development of a reference collection policy, a review of standing orders, the goals and outcomes of the review, and a discussion of the benefits of the project.
Role Transitions, Objects, and Identity

Most research on role transitions, following a tradition pioneered by van Cennep, regards these major turning points in the life course primarily as times when people move between different sets of social networks. While these studies acknowledge that rites of passage occur within particular physical spaces in which material objects are present, the importance of such objects has received little attention. I explore one particular role transition-moving away to college-and illustrate that objects play a central role in how students construct their identities. Students at "Midwestern" University make strategic choices about which objects to leave at home as anchors of prior identities and which ones to bring to school as markers of new identities. Moreover, I suggest that the meanings of these two categories of objects differ by gender. I argue that this case opens up the possibility that objects play a much more central part in role transitions than social scientists have acknowledged. This study also challenges existing assumptions about different processes of identity formation. Therefore, it engenders the need for additional research about how people reinterpret objects during role transitions, and about the different meanings that objects may have for the constructions of masculinity and femininity.
p-MOSFET parameters at cryogenic temperatures

p-channel MOSFET parameters measured at 300 K, 77 K, and 4.2 K are discussed; these include I-V characteristic curves, channel conductance, transconductance, threshold voltage, field effect mobility, and forward and reverse p+n junction characteristics. Some qualitative explanations of the dependence of the data on temperature and substrate doping concentration are given. Interesting LHe phenomena are highlighted and discussed in terms of accepted solid state models.
Exporting Exploitation: The Dumping of U.S. Banned Pharmaceuticals in LDC's.

United States pharmaceutical companies are marketing or manufacturing drugs in less developed countries which add hazards to the diseases they are intended to control. For many pharmaceutical companies the financial benefits outweigh any possible risks. In many cases U.S. export laws and other nations' import laws are not enforced and people are denied their right to be provided with full unbiased disclosure of all medications they are considering consenting to.
PHYLOGENY AND ULTRASTRUCTURE IN EOCRONARTIUM MUSCICOLA: MEIOSIS AND BASIDIAL DEVELOPMENT

Eocronartium muscicola (Fr.) Fitz., a heterobasidiomycetous moss parasite, has been hypothesized to occupy a pivotal taxonomic position between the Uredinales and the simple-septate auricularioid phytoparasites occurring on archaic hosts. Sporulating fruitbodies were fixed in the field for transmission electron microscopy, and epifluorescence microscopy was used to preselect representative nuclei in precise meiotic stages with which secondary characters could be correlated. Ultrastructural features of nuclear division, spindle pole body (SPB), septa and patterns of basidial development were analyzed in E. muscicola and compared to findings in the Uredinales, Auriculariales sensu stricto, and other simple-septate Heterobasidiomycetes. The septal pore apparatus in E. muscicola is similar to that found in the Uredinales, differing significantly from the Auriculariales sensu stricto. However, ultrastructural details of meiosis, such as the SPB and its relation to the nuclear envelope during division, the presence of endoplasmic reticulum caps at the spindle poles, nucleolus behavior and wall breakage phenomena associated with vegetative branch initiation serve to distinguish E. muscicola from the Uredinales. The host-parasite interface and the phylogenetic antiquity of the mosses parasitized are discussed in relation
Assessing soil CO2 efflux using continuous measurements of CO2 profiles in soils with small solid-state sensors

This paper describes a new method to monitor continuously soil CO2 profiles using small solid-state CO 2 sensors buried at different depths of the soil. Based on the measurement of soil CO2 profile and a gaseous diffusivity model, we estimated soil CO2 efflux, which was mainly from heterotrophic respiration, and its temporal variation in a dry season in a Mediterranean savanna ecosystem in California. The daily mean values of CO2 concentrations in soils had small variation, but the diurnal variation was significant and correlated well with soil temperature. The daily mean CO 2 concentration remained steady at 396mol mol −1 at 2 cm depth during the dry summer from days 200 to 235 in 2002. Over the same period, CO2 concentration decreased from 721 to 611mol mol −1 at 8 cm depth, and from 1044 to 871mol mol −1 at 16 cm. The vertical soil CO2 concentrations changed almost linearly with depth up to 16 cm, but the gradient varied over time. Based on the soil CO2 gradient and the diffusion coefficient estimated from the Millington–Quirk model, continuous soil CO 2 efflux was calculated. The daily mean values of CO2 efflux slightly decreased from 0.43 to 0.33 mol m −2 s −1 with a mean of 0.37mol m −2 s −1 . The mean diurnal range of CO2 efflux was greater than the range of daily mean CO 2 efflux within the study period. The diurnal variation of soil CO2 efflux ranged from 0.32 to 0.45 mol m −2 s −1 with the peak value reached between 14:30 and 16:30 h. This pattern corresponded well with the increase in soil temperatures during this time. By plotting CO 2 efflux vs. soil temperature, we found that CO2 efflux correlated exponentially with soil temperature at the depth of 8 cm, with R 2 of 0.86 and Q10 of 1.27 in the summer dry season. The Q10 value increased with the depth of soil temperature measurements. The high correlation between CO2 efflux and temperature explains the diurnal pattern of CO 2 efflux, but moisture may become another factor driving the seasonal pattern when moisture changes over seasons. The estimated CO2 efflux using this method was very close to chamber measurements, suggesting that this method can be used for long-term continuous measurements of soil CO2 efflux. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Induction of intracellular calcium elevation by Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in T cells involves TRPC1 channels

We have reported previously that Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) treatment of resting human and murine splenic T cells robustly elevated intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). The objective of the present investigation was to examine the putative role of [Ca2+]i store depletion and store-operated calcium (SOC) and receptor-operated cation (ROC) channels in the mechanism by which Delta9-THC increases [Ca2+]i in the cannabinoid-2 receptor-expressing human peripheral blood-acute lymphoid leukemia (HPB-ALL) human T cell line. By using the smooth endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase pump inhibitor, thapsigargin, and the ryanodine receptor antagonist, 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose, we demonstrate that the Delta9-THC-mediated elevation in [Ca2+]i occurs independently of [Ca2+]i store depletion. Furthermore, the ROC channel inhibitor, SK&F 96365 was more efficacious at attenuating the Delta9-THC-mediated elevation in [Ca2+]i than SOC channel inhibitors, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate and La3+. Recently, several members of the transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channel subfamily have been suggested to operate as SOC or ROC channels. In the present studies, treatment of HPB-ALL cells with 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), a cell-permeant analog of diacylglycerol (DAG), which gates several members of the TRPC channel subfamily, rapidly elevated [Ca2+]i, as well as prevented a subsequent, additive elevation in [Ca2+]i by Delta9-THC, independent of protein kinase C. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis for TRPC1-7 showed that HPB-ALL cells express detectable mRNA levels of only TRPC1. Finally, small interference RNA knockdown of TRPC1 attenuated the Delta9-THC-mediated elevation of [Ca2+]i. Collectively, these results suggest that Delta9-THC-induced elevation in [Ca2+]i is attributable entirely to extracellular calcium influx, which is independent of [Ca2+]i store depletion, and is mediated, at least partially, through the DAG-sensitive TRPC1 channels.
Long-range forecasting of the Nile River flows using climatic forcing

Abstract Correlation analysis is used to determine the linear relationship between the Nile River flows and leading climatic indicators, such as SST and precipitation, in an effort to establish a basis for quantitative long-term streamflow prediction. The analysis of the lead–lag correlations between the Blue Nile River flows during the “flood season” [July–August–September–October (JASO)] and SSTs led to the identification of a number of regions in the oceans that are significantly correlated and suggests that the SSTs may be useful for predicting the Blue Nile flows. The significant correlation regions between SST in the Pacific and Blue Nile JASO flows evolve through time in a manner that is consistent with the ENSO development; that is, the evolution of the ENSO signal in the Pacific Ocean is reflected in the evolution of the referred cross-correlation field. In addition, the Blue Nile River JASO flow is significantly correlated with the previous year August–November Guinea precipitation, which sugges...
Two-dimensional variable step-size sequential adaptive gradient algorithms with applications

The optimality criterion governing the choice of the convergence factor for the 2-D sequential adaptive gradient algorithms is developed. Two 2-D variable step-size sequential algorithms satisfying the proposed optimality constraint are derived and investigated. These are the 2-D individual adaptation (TDIA) algorithm and the 2-D homogeneous adaptation (TDHA) algorithm. The TDIA algorithm uses 2-D optimal convergence factors tailored for each 2-D adaptive filter coefficient at each iteration. The TDHA algorithm uses the same convergence factor for all the filter coefficients, but the convergence factor is optimally updated at each iteration. Neither algorithm requires any a priori knowledge about the statistics of the system signals. In addition, the convergence factors are easily obtained from readily available signals without any differentiation or matrix inversions. The convergence characteristics and adaptation accuracy are greatly improved at the expense of a modest increase in computational complexity. >
Alterations in prodynorphin, proenkephalin, and GAD67 mRNA levels in the aged human putamen: correlation with Parkinson's disease.

A real-time quantitative PCR approach was used to quantify mRNA levels corresponding to the neuropeptides enkephalin, dynorphin, and the 67-kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) in the human putamen from young and aged individuals as well as from aged patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD). cDNA-specific primers were designed to amplify GAD67, proenkephalin (pENK), prodynorphin (pDYN), and the housekeeping genes glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and guanine nucleotide binding protein, β-peptide 2-like I (GNB2LI). GAPDH and GNB2LI mRNA levels were similarly expressed among the groups and were therefore used as endogenous reference genes. Normalized data showed that mRNA levels for both pENK and pDYN were reduced in the putamen of aged controls and aged individuals affected by PD, compared with young controls. In addition, we showed that GAD67 mRNA levels did not change during aging and PD. Further analyses showed no differences in mRNA levels, for pENK, pDYN, or GAD67 mRNA, between PD patients and aged matched controls. These findings contrast with animal models of parkinsonism, for which expression of pDYN, pENK, and GAD67 mRNA has been reported to change after striatal dopamine denervation. Compensatory mechanisms and regional differences within the human putamen as well as the severity index of the disease, clinical diagnosis, and response to phalmacological therapy are possible reasons for these results. The present study suggests that alteration of neuropeptide pathways in the human putamen may be involved in the functional deterioration of parts of the extrapyramidal system during aging. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.