cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Commentary: genome-based CNS drug discovery: D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) as a novel target for antipsychotic medications: progress and challenges.

Abstract Antipsychotics, the drugs used currently for the treatment of schizophrenia, produce their therapeutic effects via the blockade of dopamine receptors. These compounds are, however, limited in their therapeutic efficacy and have side effect liabilities that also limit their use. Agents that produce antipsychotic effects by enhancing NMDA receptor function represent a viable alternative to dopamine antagonists. d -Serine, is the prototype of this approach acting as a positive allosteric modulator of the NMDA receptor to enhance antipsychotic efficacy in the clinic. A newer approach to modulating NMDA receptor function, identified by gene association studies, is pLG72/DAOA ( d -amino acid oxidase activator) a peptide that modulates d -amino acid oxidase (DAAO) activity, increasing endogenous levels of d -serine. While the initial association of DAOA with schizophrenia and its functional effects on DAAO activity have not been replicated, its identification has led to the development of several DAAO inhibitors, e.g., AS057278, CBIO and Compound 8, that are active in animal models of antipsychotic action. The complications in validating the G72 association with schizoprenia highlight the inherent challenges in translating gene-based, disease-related associations to drug discovery targets.
A simulation model of the fuel handling system in a nuclear reactor

This article demonstrates the outcome of a study of the fuel handling system in the experimental breeder reactor (EBR-II). In this article, a mathematical model of the fuel handling system is described which predicts the system's performance under different fuel handling scenarios. In particular, the following two scenarios are studied: (a) a feasible fuel handling schedule to unload 330 blanket S/A in a period of 3 yr with minimal interruption to the normal operation of the reactor; and (b) a feasible fuel handling schedule to shut down and unload the reactor and the storage tank. In addition, the interactions between different sub-systems are highlighted and the results of different sensitivity analysis, performed to scrutinize the system's capability under different constraining procedures are reviewed.
Analysis of supply contracts with total minimum commitment

In this paper we analyze a supply contract for a single product that specifies that the cumulative orders placed by a buyer, over a finite horizon, be at least as large as a (contracted upon) given quantity. We assume that the demand for the product is uncertain, and the buyer places orders periodically. We derive the optimal purchase policy for the buyer for a given total minimum quantity commitment and a discounted price. We show that the policy is characterized by the order-up-to levels of the corresponding finite horizon and a single-period standard newsboy problem with no commitment but with discounted price. We show that this policy can be computed easily. We can use this to evaluate any discount schedule characterized by a set of (price discount, minimum commitment) pairs.
Techniques to optimize vascular control during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Abstract Objectives To review our experience with laparoscopic donor nephrectomy for kidney transplantation and describe our technique of vessel ligation. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the method of renal artery and vein control during the 97 laparoscopic donor nephrectomies performed at the University of California, San Francisco, since November 1999. In addition, we examined both donor and recipient outcomes after nephrectomy and transplantation in this cohort. Results Currently, we ligate the renal artery and renal vein using a single Hem-o-lok polymer clip and a single Endo-TA stapler, respectively, and divide the vessels using scissors without securing the graft-side vessels. In contrast to using the Endo-GIA stapler, there is no need to trim staples (≈5 mm) from the vessels before anastomosis. Excellent vessel length was achieved in all cases without donor complications, and 99% of recipients had long-term graft function. The only major complications (blood transfusion, conversion to open surgery) occurred early in the series when we used the Endo-GIA stapler to control the vessels. Conclusions Although adequate vessel length is typically obtained during left donor nephrectomy, additional length can be achieved using our modification. This may facilitate right donor nephrectomy and help reduce complications, potentially increasing the recovery of right kidneys for transplantation. In addition, performing vessel ligation and division in separate steps is simple, does not change ischemic time, and appears to increase safety.
Retinoic Acid-induced Gene-1 (RIG-I) Associates with the Actin Cytoskeleton via Caspase Activation and Recruitment Domain-dependent Interactions

The actin cytoskeleton serves as a barrier that protects mammalian cells from environmental pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Several components of antimicrobial signaling pathways have been shown to associate directly with the actin cytoskeleton, indicating that the cytoskeleton may also serve as a platform for immune-associated molecules. Here we report that retinoic acid-induced gene-I (RIG-I), an important viral RNA recognition molecule, is associated with the actin cytoskeleton and localizes predominantly to actin-enriched membrane ruffles in non-polarized epithelial cells. Subcellular localization and fractionation experiments revealed that the association between RIG-I and the actin cytoskeleton was mediated by its N-terminal caspase activation and recruitment domains (CARDs), which were necessary and sufficient to induce cytoskeletal association. We also show that RIG-I plays a role in cellular migration, as ectopic expression of RIG-I enhanced cellular migration in a wound healing assay and depletion of endogenous RIG-I significantly reduced wound healing. We further show that in both cultured intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) and human colon and small intestine biopsies, RIG-I is enriched at apico-lateral cell junctions and colocalizes with markers of the tight junction. Depolymerization of the actin cytoskeleton in polarized IEC led to the rapid relocalization of RIG-I and to the induction of type I interferon signaling. These data provide evidence that RIG-I is associated with the actin cytoskeleton in non-polarized epithelial cells and with the junctional complex in polarized IECs and human intestine and colon biopsies and may point to a physiological role for RIG-I in the regulation of cellular migration.
Hydrodynamic Partitioning of a Mixed Energy Tidal Inlet

Abstract The inlet modeling system, developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Coastal Inlets Research Program, was used to investigate the intermittent movement of sediment throughout the Shinnecock Inlet ebb shoal complex. Circulation, sediment transport, and morphology change were calculated by a two-dimensional finite-difference model that was coupled with a steady state finite-difference model based on the wave action balance equation for computation of wave-driven currents. The inlet modeling system, forced with various combinations of incident waves and tide, was applied to three configurations of Shinnecock Inlet (13 August 1997, 28 May 1998, and 3 July 2000) to determine the distribution of hydrodynamic forces and investigate the dominant pattern of morphology change. This pattern was previously identified through principal component analysis of five scanning hydrographic operational airborne LIDAR (light detection and ranging) system surveys of Shinnecock Inlet from June 21, 1994, to July 3, ...
Trade Unions Under The Modernization of Paternalist Rule in China

This article examines the organizational structure and functions of trade unions in China today. Previous literature on Chinese trade unions has focused on the debate over whether or not the organizations serve workers' interests, and whether or not they are independent from the state apparatus. Based on ethnographic interviews and document analysis, I present three major findings: (1) unions are not independent from the state, but the changing role of the state enables unions to promote workers' legal rights and welfare; (2) unions are no longer monolithic; there is a discrepancy between the rhetoric of government unions and the practice of enterprise unions; and (3) the absence of independent workers' organizations leaves workers no choice but to rely on the state and unions for protection and social justice. I argue that the dominant paternalistic ideology, clothed in modern rhetoric, is key to understanding these findings.
Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in murine lupus nephritis

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in murine lupus nephritis. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is a cell surface protein which mediates adherence of inflammatory cells to target cells by binding with the β 1 -integrin ligand Very Late Antigen-4 (VLA-4) on leukocytes. The expression of VCAM-1 was investigated in a murine model of lupus nephritis, the autoimmune MRL/ lpr mouse. Compared with normal mice, MRL/ lpr kidneys show increased VCAM-1 expression not only in the endothelium, but also in cortical tubules and glomeruli. Increased steady-state VCAM-1 mRNA levels (∼3 kB) are detected in the kidney of nephritic MRL/ lpr mice. Two additional transcripts (∼2 and ∼1.8 kB) are present in autoimmune MRL/ lpr but not in normal mice. Like ICAM-1, VCAM-1 is also upregulated in vitro in renal cortical tubular and mesangial cells by TNF-α, IL-1 and IFN-γ. T cell and macrophage cell lines adhere to TNF-α stimulated tubular epithelial cells by using the VCAM-1/VLA-4 and the ICAM-1/LFA-1 binding pairs. Kidney tissue sections from nephritic MRL/ lpr also display increased adhesiveness for T cell and macrophage cell lines, and for MRL/ lpr lymph node cells when compared with normal kidney sections. This enhanced adhesiveness of MRL/ lpr kidney tissue is inhibited with monoclonal antibodies targeting the VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 molecules. Thus, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 function as renal parenchymal adhesion molecules and mediate the adherence of pathogenic inflammatory cells in murine lupus nephritis.
Cdc42: new roads to travel

The roles of Cdc42 in stimulating changes in the actin cytoskeleton and in the establishment of cell polarity have been known for some time. However, evidence implicating Cdc42 in intracellular trafficking and in the regulation of cell growth have continued to surface. Recently, exciting developments have highlighted how Cdc42 might participate in these cellular functions by regulating the processing of the EGF receptor. Here, I discuss these findings within the broader context of how Cdc42 serves as a multifaceted signaling switch that links trafficking events to the control of cell growth.
The Case Study in Criminal Justice Research: Applications to Policy Analysis

The unfortunate decrease in popularity of the "case study"approach to criminal justice research is described. The usefulness of this approach, especially in the realm of criminal justice policy ana...
Validation of infrasonic waveform modeling using observations of the STS107 failure upon reentry

[1] On February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas. Recorded at the TXIAR seismo-acoustic array, the signal consisted of multiple arrivals from a single explosive event. The location of the explosion was estimated from the telemetered travel path recorded by NASA. The location in space and time was combined with atmospheric profiles generated by NRL-G2S and MSIS-90/HWM for the given day and model the observed waveform using InfraMAP. The normal mode modeled waveform closely resembled the observed waveform, with multiple arrival peaks spanning the same time period found in the observation, as well as having only a three-second difference between last peak times. This translates to 0.33% error in total travel time. A ray trace eigenray was found with a travel time consistent with the observed arrival packet.
Properties of circularly polarized vortex beams

The properties of circularly polarized vortex beams in cylindrical polarization bases are studied. A circularly polarized vortex beam is decomposed into radial and azimuthal polarization. With the proper combination of vortex charge and the handedness of the circular polarization, a focal field with an extremely strong longitudinal component as well as a flat-topped profile can be obtained. The cylindrical decomposition also sheds light on the connections between orbital angular momentum and the spin of the light beams.
PROTEIN METABOLISM AND EXCHANGE AS INFLUENCED BY CONSTRICTION OF THE VENA CAVA : II. EFFECTS OF PARENTERALLY ADMINISTERED PLASMA, AMINO ACID MIXTURE, AND ASCITIC FLUID, AND OF ORALLY ADMINISTERED ASCITIC FLUID IN THE EXPERIMENTAL ASCITIC DOG

Further studies of ascitic fluid production and related factors in dogs with constriction of the vena cava above the diaphragm are reported. Whole dog plasma given intravenously to such animals produces a rise in circulating plasma protein to normal levels, but increases the output of ascitic fluid with a loss of protein via the ascites equivalent to 72, 76, and 65 per cent respectively, of the injected protein. Forced ingestion of water in excess of the test animal's normal needs and desires produces no significant changes in the circulating plasma protein level or in ascitic fluid production. Amino acid growth mixtures given intravenously in distilled water cause weight loss, elevation of circulating plasma proteins, a slightly negative nitrogen balance, but no ascitic fluid production. Amino acid growth mixtures given intravenously in normal saline cause depression of the circulating plasma proteins, negative nitrogen balance, and significant ascitic fluid production. Ascitic fluid given intravenously to the test animals causes a marked depression of circulating plasma proteins, a marked increase in ascitic fluid production containing the equivalent of 116 and 98 per cent of the injected protein, and a negative nitrogen balance. Ascitic fluid given orally produces a marked depression of circulating plasma proteins, and a marked increase in ascitic fluid secretion, containing the equivalent of 66, 66, and 54 per cent respectively, of the ingested protein. Sodium chloride is a dominant factor in some of these experiments where abundant ascites production is recorded. Protein levels and intake are important, but take second place to sodium. Ascitic fluids show electrophoretic patterns which are almost identical to the plasma patterns. The A/G ratios are often equal in ascitic fluid and plasma, sometimes even lower in the ascitic fluid. This emphasizes the ease with which globulins pass cell or other membrane barriers in these experiments.
General Management Considerations

As American industry turns to the 2lst century, the major thrust is to come from the application of technology. In a maturing society, the gross national product (GNP) from the output of physical labor obeys the economic law of diminishing returns. For each added increment of labor, there is a reduced increment of production. The increase in GNP will, of necessity, come from added efficiencies of technological capacity.
Evaluating Auditory Performance Limits: II. One-Parameter Discrimination with Random-Level Variation

Previous studies have combined analytical models of stochastic neural responses with signal detection theory (SDT) to predict psychophysical performance limits; however, these studies have typically been limited to simple models and simple psychophysical tasks. A companion article in this issue ("Evaluating Auditory Performance Limits: I") describes an extension of the SDT approach to allow the use of computational models that provide more accurate descriptions of neural responses. This article describes an extension to more complex psychophysical tasks. A general method is presented for evaluating psychophysical performance limits for discrimination tasks in which one stimulus parameter is randomly varied. Psychophysical experiments often randomly vary a single parameter in order to restrict the cues that are available to the subject. The method is demonstrated for the auditory task of random-level frequency discrimination using a computational auditory nerve (AN) model. Performance limits based on AN discharge times (all-information) are compared to performance limits based only on discharge counts (rate place). Both decision models are successful in predicting that random-level variation has no effect on performance in quiet, which is the typical result in psychophysical tasks with random-level variation. The distribution of information across the AN population provides insight into how different types of AN information can be used to avoid the influence of random-level variation. The rate-place model relies on comparisons between fibers above and below the tone frequency (i.e., the population response), while the all-information model does not require such across-fiber comparisons. Frequency discrimination with random-level variation in the presence of high-frequency noise is also simulated. No effect is predicted for all-information, consistent with the small effect in human performance; however, a large effect is predicted for rate-place in noise with random-level variation.
Product and sum separable functions

Tests for the product and sum separability of multivariable functions are given. A product (sum) separable function is a multivariable function that can be written as a product (sum) of functions in disjoint sets of variables. Generalized Pade approximation is used to derive the individual functions in disjoint sets of variables in the case of a sum separable function.
Trichloro(1,2‐dimethoxyethane)niobium

[110615-13-9] C4H10Cl3NbO2 (MW 289.40) InChI = 1S/C4H10O2.3ClH.Nb/c1-5-3-4-6-2;;;;/h3-4H2,1-2H3;3*1H;/q;;;;+3/p-3 InChIKey = SBSZUBUHOUKQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-K (synthesis of 1,2-amino alcohols,2 pyrroles,3 1,2-diols,5 cis-alkenes, and naphthols7) Physical Data: mp 230 °C (dec). Solubility: sol THF. Preparative Method: can be prepared according to the literature procedure,1 or purchased from commercial sources. The best results are obtained with freshly prepared material. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: all reactions and manipulations should be performed under nitrogen, either in a dry box or using standard Schlenk techniques. NbCl3(DME) is stable at room temperature when stored under an inert atmosphere.
ORC binding, gene amplification, and the nature of metazoan replication origins.

Genomic DNA replication is a critical process shaped by strong evolutionary pressures. Rapid replication can give a viral or cellular genome an immediate advantage over its competitors as long as requisitely high accuracy is not sacrificed. Prokaryotes employ an extremely fast, accurate DNA replication mechanism utilizing sophisticated multiprotein machines (Kornberg and Baker 1992; Baker and Bell 1998). Genome duplication is controlled by the assembly and activation of bidirectional replication forks at specific replication origins, under the control of initiator proteins that bind origins sequence specifically. For example, Escherichia coli oriC binds multiple copies of the initiator protein, dnaA, at repeated motifs. In an ATP-dependent manner dnaA then locally unwinds the DNA, facilitates helicase loading, and organizes the assembly of polymerases, primases, and other components of the replication fork. Special proteins are required to assemble and maintain this unwieldy machinery. Thus, loading the ring-shaped six-protein dnaB helicase around the DNA requires dnaC, whereas proteins such as tau probably act as scaffolds, organizing replication fork components (including polymerases). Despite the greater complexity of eukaryotic chromosomes, work carried out in Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicates that its genome replicates via a strongly similar mechanism (Leatherwood 1998). Each yeast chromosome contains multiple discrete replication origins where prereplication complexes are assembled during late M and G1 phases. Fully formed, bidirectional replication forks are then activated during S phase. Replication origins can be readily identified as autonomously replicating sequence (ARS) elements that support the propagation of extrachromosomal plasmids. Budding yeast origins are ∼100 bp in size and share an A/T-rich ARS consensus sequence (ACS) that is essential for origin function. Six proteins that form the origin recognition complex (ORC) bind to the ACS in an ATP-dependent manner throughout the cell cycle (Bell and Stillman 1992). Beginning in late mitosis, Cdc6p interacts with origin-bound ORC to bring the six-protein MCM complex, a putative replicative helicase, onto the DNA (Aparicio et al. 1997; Perkins and Diffley 1997; Tanaka et al. 1997). In a late step requiring cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) activity, Cdc45p is added to the prereplication complex, possibly as a scaffold component (Zou and Stillman 1999). Activation of another origin-associated kinase, Cdc7p, by its regulatory subunit Dbf4p, probably serves as the final signal activating replication fork movement (Dowell et al. 1994; Hardy 1998; Brown and Kelly 1999). By the time prereplication complexes fire, high cdk activity precludes the assembly of new complexes. Because a checkpoint ensures that the cell will not divide until replication is complete, and high levels of cdk activity are not reversed until mitosis is nearly finished, the genome will be replicated once and only once per cell cycle.
Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual UT- KBRIN Bioinformatics Summit 2014

The University of Tennessee (UT) and the Kentucky Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (KBRIN) have collaborated over the past fourteen years to share research and educational expertise in bioinformatics. One result is an annual regional summit for researchers, educators and students. The Fourteenth Annual UT- KBRIN Bioinformatics Summit was held at Paris Landing State Park in Buchanan, Tennessee from March 20-22, 2015. A total of 200 participants pre-registered, with 115 from Tennessee, 69 from Kentucky, and the remainder from various states and international locales. Among the registrants were 70 faculty, 65 students, 40 staff, and 23 postdocs. The conference program consisted of a workshop on R and three days of presentations broken into plenary sessions: Where are They Now, Medical Informatics, and Epigenetics. In addition, a poster session with 42 posters was held on Saturday evening.
Call admission control in the uplink for WCDMA TDD systems

A new call admission control algorithm in the uplink is proposed for 3G WCDMA TDD systems. The call admission control algorithm guarantees that the outage probability requirement can be met for the new users and existing users in the system. The algorithm allocates resource based on dynamic SIR requirement, and optimizes the outage probability for the assignment. Performance of the proposed algorithm and other algorithms in the technical literature are obtained in simulation and compared in different system scenarios.
The neuroanatomy of genetic subtype differences in Prader-Willi syndrome.

Despite behavioral differences between genetic subtypes of Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), no studies have been published characterizing brain structure in these subgroups. Our goal was to examine differences in the brain structure phenotype of common subtypes of PWS [chromosome 15q deletions and maternal uniparental disomy 15 (UPD)]. Fifteen individuals with PWS due to a typical deletion [(DEL) type I; n = 5, type II; n = 10], eight with PWS due to UPD, and 25 age-matched healthy-weight individuals (HWC) participated in structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. A custom voxel-based morphometry processing stream was used to examine regional differences in gray and white matter volume (WMV) between groups, covarying for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Overall, compared to HWC, PWS individuals had lower gray matter volumes (GMV) that encompassed the prefrontal, orbitofrontal and temporal cortices, hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus, and lower WMVs in the brain stem, cerebellum, medial temporal, and frontal cortex. Compared to UPD, the DEL subtypes had lower GMV primarily in the prefrontal and temporal cortices, and lower white matter in the parietal cortex. The UPD subtype had more extensive lower gray and WMVs in the orbitofrontal and limbic cortices compared to HWC. These preliminary findings are the first structural neuroimaging findings to support potentially separate neural mechanisms mediating the behavioral differences seen in these genetic subtypes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The information society-the reality is now, through national computer policies

The author discusses the developing consensus for societal directions among unlike cultures resulting from the spread of computer technology. He demonstrates this for three groups: (1) those nations on the Pacific rim, in Europe, and in South America that have published formal national computer policy (NCP) position papers; (2) those nations that have not adopted formal NCP positions as yet but are in the process of developing them; and (3) those nations that have made no explicit attempt to write a single comprehensive NCP plan. >
Photoelectrochromic smart windows

Electrochromic films have been combined with photoelectrochemical electrodes to make a self-powered smart window. These 'photoelectrochromic' smart windows combine the advantages of photochromic films, namely that they are self- powered by the incident light, with the advantages of electrochromic windows, such as the ability to control the state of coloration externally when desired. When the windows are short-circuited, the observable process is photochromism, but the mechanism is unique and has several potential advantages over conventional photochromic films. The light absorbing process is physically separate from the coloration process, allowing each to be individually optimized. The materials constraints are greatly relaxed compared to single- component photochromic films in which one material must meet all criteria (color change, switching speed, photostability, etc.). Furthermore, since the coloration process in a PEC cell requires an external electrical current between the two electrodes, a particular state (transparent, absorbing, or imaged) can either be stored when the electrodes are at open circuit, or can be changed when the electrodes are connected. The light-absorbing function in the PEC cell is performed by a dye-sensitized semiconductor electrode that produces a photovoltage sufficient to color the electrochromic film deposited on the counterelectrode. We describe the dye sensitization process, its advantages over conventional photovoltaic devices in applications such as smart windows, and recent developments in photoelectrochromic smart windows.
The Flynn effect and its relevance to neuropsychology

Evidence from several nations indicates that performance on mental ability tests is rising from one generation to the next, and that this "Flynn effect" has been operative for more than a century. No satisfactory explanation has been found. Nevertheless, the phenomenon has important implications for clinical utilization of IQ tests. This article summarizes the empirical basis of the Flynn effect, arguments about the nature of the skill that is increasing, and proposed explanations for the cause of the increase. Ramifications for clinical neuropsychology are discussed, and some of the broader implications for psychology and society are noted.
Exporting storage systems in a scalable manner with pNFS

To meet enterprise and grand challenge-scale performance and interoperability requirements, a group of engineers - initially ad-hoc but now integrated into the IETF - is designing extensions to NFSv4 that provide parallel access to storage systems. This paper gives an overview of pNFS, an emerging NFSv4 extension that promises file access scalability plus operating system and storage system independence. pNFS bypasses the server bottleneck by enabling direct access to storage by NFSv4 clients and by providing a framework for the co-existence of NFSv4 with other file access protocols. In this paper, we describe an implementation that demonstrates and validates pNFS' potential. The I/O throughput of our prototype matches that of its exported file system and far exceeds standard NFSv4.
Observations on the Sexual Generation of Gromia oviformis Dujardin

SYNOPSIS. The firm union of the shells of adult Gromia oviformis in plastogamous pairs is followed by gametogenesis and fertilization with the production of distinctive fusiform zygotes that undergo further transformation into amoebulae initially having hyaline radiate pseudopodia. The amoebulae emerge from the parental shells and probably initiate the asexual phase of the life cycle.
A Windowless Cell for Laser–Raman Spectroscopy of Molten Fluorides

Spectroscopic studies of molten fluorides have been hampered by the lack of corrosion resistant optical window materials; however, within the past few years suitable cells have been developed to measure the visible and uv absorption spectra of these melts. These cells are of two general types: (a) windowless or captive liquid cells which can be constructed from several different materials and in which the liquid is retained by its surface tension1; and (b) diamond window cells, with graphite bodies, in which the nonwetting properties of the melts prevent leakage around the windows.2 The advantages and disadvantages of each type of cell are summarized in Refs. 1. and 2.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FUNCTION OF PLANT POLYPHENOL OXIDASE: A REVIEW'

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO)-catalyzed browning reactions are of significant importance in the fruit and vegetable industry. These reactions proceeding in many foods of plant origin cause deterioration and loss of food quality. A better knowledge of the factors that influence the action of PPO is imperative in order to control and manipulate its detrimental activity in plant products. This paper presents an overview of the current understanding of the reaction properties, biochemical characteristics and potential physiological roles of PPO in plants. Reaction properties will include general PPO reactions, specificities and molecular mechanisms of these reactions, and methods available to assess PPO activity. Physicochemical properties will evaluate substrate specificity, environmental influences such as pH and temperature, multiplicity, latency, and activators and inhibitors of PPO. The discussion will conclude with potential physiological roles of PPO in plants.
Three new species of the genus Dysphenges Horn 1894 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) from the United States.

Abstract Three new species of Dysphenges Horn 1894 are described from the United States: D. penrosei (Arizona), D. oblivius (Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas) and D. secretus (Texas). Habitus photographs and illustrations of male and female genitalia are presented. A taxonomic key is provided to facilitate identification of the described species of Dysphenges. A map is provided to indicate the distribution of each of the new species.
Studies of Overdriven Detonation Wave Transition in a Gradual Area Expansion for PDE Applications

This work advances the understanding of the conditions that lead to the initiation of a detonation in the thrust tube of a hydrocarbon fueled Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE), using a compact pre-detonator operating under dynamic fill conditions using only air as the oxidizer. Whenever a significant area change occurs, successful detonation transition from the smaller to the larger tube depends on the smaller cross sectional dimension of the former, hereinafter referred to as the critical dimension, on the area ratio of the two tubes, and on the detonation state. It is seen that for a compact, low-weight pre-detonator with a critical dimension approaching the detonability limit of one cell width, an overdriven detonation sufficiently lessens the diffraction that occurs at the area expansion such that a thrust tube detonation can be initiated. Due to the small critical dimension to cell width ratio, a Chapman-Jouguet detonation propagating in the same mixture would uncouple at the area expansion and decelerate to a deflagration. Experiments performed in a rectangular PDE tube equipped with an optically accessible transition section show that direct thrust tube detonation ignition results from locally overdriven detonations initiated either by the collision of a transverse shock and a transverse detonation, or by two transverse detonations occurring at multiple locations within the area expansion or within the thrust tube immediately downstream from the exit of the transition section.
A Far-Ultraviolet Flux Difference Between Hyades and Pleiades Stars

Four ultraviolet fluxes measured in U 2 (centered at λ eff 2300 A) by the Celescope experiment aboard OAO 2, reveal an important flux difference between Pleiades and Hyades stars. Available blanketed stellar models show that the difference is too large to be understood as a blocking effect for admissible metal overabundance in Hyades stars. Known rotation and presence of Ap and Am stars in the Hyades and Pleiades apparently cannot account for the discrepancy.
Pretreatment with an antibody to interleukin-5 prevents loss of pulmonary M2 muscarinic receptor function in antigen-challenged guinea pigs.

Inhalational challenge with antigen decreases the function of inhibitory M2 muscarinic autoreceptors on parasympathetic nerves in the lung, increasing the release of acetylcholine from the vagus nerves and potentiating vagally induced bronchoconstriction. It is possible that eosinophils cause M2 receptor dysfunction, perhaps by releasing positively charged proteins that are M2 receptor antagonists. Because of the probable role of interleukin-5 in initiating and maintaining the eosinophil infiltration, we tested the function of neuronal M2 receptors in antigen-challenged guinea pigs after pretreatment with a monoclonal antibody to interleukin-5 (TRFK-5). Ovalbumin was given intraperitoneally to sensitize the animals. Three weeks later, the animals were injected intraperitoneally with either TRFK-5 (240 micrograms/kg i.p.) or saline. Beginning three days later, they were challenged with an ovalbumin aerosol for 5 min on each of four consecutive days. M2 receptor function was tested 24 h after the last antig...
A Report On the Pan-African Cultural Festival

(1969). A Report On the Pan-African Cultural Festival. The Black Scholar: Vol. 1, The Culture of Revolution, pp. 2-10.
Image blurring effects due to depth discontinuities: blurring that creates emergent image details

A new model (called multi-component blurring or MCB) to account for image blurring effects due to depth discontinuities is presented. We show that blurring processes operating in the vicinity of large depth discontinuities can give rise to emergent image details, quite distinguishable but nevertheless un-explained by previously available blurring models. In other words, the maximum principle for scale space [Per90] does not hold. It is argued that blurring in high-relief 3-D scenes should be more accurately modeled as a multi-component process. We present results form extensive and carefully designed experiments, with many images of real scenes taken by a CCD camera with typical parameters. These results have consistently support our new blurring model. Due care was taken to ensure that the image phenomena observed are mainly due to de-focussing and not due to mutual illuminations [For89], specularity [Hea87], objects' “finer” structures, coherent diffraction, or incidental image noises. [Gla88] We also hypothesize on the role of blurring on human depth-from-blur perception, based on correlation with recent results from human blur perception. [Hes89]
Magnetic Resonance Probes Of Band Tail States And Defects In Tetrahedrally Coordinated Amorphous Semiconductors

Recent electron spin resonance (ESR) results relating to (1) recombination processes for optically excited electrons and holes in tetrahedrally coordinated amorphous semiconductors and (2) kinetics of metastable defects (dangling bonds associated with the Staebler-Wronski effect) in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). With regard to recombination processes, ESR measurements have been performed over a wide range of excitation intensities (nW/cm2 to W/cm2) on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and hydrogenated amorphous germanium (a-Ge:H). The kinetics can be studied down to carrier densities as low as 1014 cm-3. The longtime decay curves show that at large carrier separation (1) the random distribution of optically excited electrons and holes is subject to the condition of charge neutrality, and (2) the decays are universal and independent of the densities of localized, band-tail states. With regard to the metastable defects in a-Si:H, the kinetics of the production and thermal annealing of silicon dangling bonds have been measured at temperatures between 25 and 480 K using ESR. Below about 150 K the measurement of the dangling bonds is masked by long-lived, band tail carriers that accumulate with time. The production rate for silicon dangling bonds decreases with decreasing temperature and is nearly temperature independent below approximately 100 K. Defects created by 10 hours of irradiation below 100 K anneal almost completely at 300 K. In a- Ge:H, the first measurements of optically induced, metastable germanium dangling bonds have been made.
Economic Transition: A Case Study for Polish Tourism and Hospitality Businesses

Poland has become one of Eastern Europe's biggest success stories as an important emerging market and rapidly growing economy. However, transition from a centrally planned economy to a market economy has proven to be an enormous challenge in regard to the development and growth of small entrepreneurial ventures within the tourism and hospitality industry. The objective of this study is to examine the environment for growth and development of these enterprises after more than a decade of transition. The 2002 survey was conducted to examine various factors, such as: entrepreneurial disposition, entrepreneurial orientation, strategies, organizational factors, and environmental factors. A model of the entrepreneurial environment was used to analyze policy implications that can be used to assist in the growth and development of the tourism and hospitality industry in Poland and in the other countries in the region.
Manipulating Decisiveness in Decision Making: Effects of Clonidine on Hippocampal Search Strategies

Decisiveness is the ability to commit to a decision quickly and efficiently; in contrast, indecision entails the repeated consideration of multiple alternative possibilities. In humans, the α2-adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine increases decisiveness in tasks that require planning through unknown neural mechanisms. In rats, indecision is manifested as reorienting behaviors at choice points (vicarious trial and error [VTE]), during which hippocampal representations alternate between prospective options. To determine whether the increase in decisiveness driven by clonidine also entails changes in hippocampal search processes, we compared the effect of clonidine on spatial representations in hippocampal neural ensembles as rats passed through a T-shaped decision point. Consistent with previous experiments, hippocampal representations reflected both chosen and unchosen paths during VTE events under saline control conditions. Also, consistent with previous experiments, hippocampal representations reflected the chosen path more than the unchosen path when the animal did not show VTE at the choice point. Injection of clonidine suppressed the spatial representation of the unchosen path at the choice point on VTE laps and hastened the differentiation of spatial representations of the chosen path from the unchosen path on non-VTE laps to appear before reaching the choice point. These results suggest that the decisiveness seen under clonidine is due to limited exploration of potential options in hippocampus, and suggest novel roles for noradrenaline as a modulator of the hippocampal search processes. Significance statement: Clonidine, an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, which decreases the level of noradrenaline in vivo, has an interesting effect in humans and other animals: it makes them more decisive. However, the mechanisms by which clonidine makes them more decisive remain unknown. Researchers have speculated that clonidine limits the amount of mental search that subjects do when planning options. We test this hypothesis by measuring the mental search strategy in rats through hippocampal recordings. We find that clonidine limits the options searched by rats, suggesting that noradrenaline also plays a role in balancing exploration and exploitation in internally simulated behaviors, similar to its role in balancing exploration and exploitation in external behaviors.
Research on Modeling and Simulation Method of the Public Stadiums Behavior Operation Management System

This paper explores public stadiums behavior operation and management from a new research perspective,in the view of system science,based on the behavior decision level of"rational man".The result shows that the elements of public stadium behavior operation management system include the supply agent,integration agent,sales agent,support agent,consumer agent.These five kinds of behavior agents build the behavior operation and management dynamic system through behavior decision-making interactions among the service resource purchasing decisions,service resources integration decision,service resources marketing decisions,service process support decisions.Accordingly,in this paper,by using the complex adaptive system theory and modeling method based on agent,the structure and theoretical framework of public stadium behavior operation management system simulation model were put forward.Further,the steps for implementation system simulation modeling were given.Finally,through an example,the path for building public stadium behavior operation management system simulation model was demonstrated.
Effects of Combined Pollution of Pb,Cd and Hg on Growth of Water Spinach and Heavy Metal Accumulation Regularity

Under the condition of different soil pH-value,the accumulation regularity of heavy metal in water spinach which was polluted by 4 levels of Pb,Cd and Hg in the soil was studied through pot experiments in plastic greenhouse.The results showed that the combined pollution of mid-low concentration of Pb,Cd and Hg was beneficial to the growth of water spinach in the soil with appropriate acidity.But under the conditions of the combined pollution of high concentration of Pb,Cd and Hg and alkali soil,the biomass of water spinach was small,its rhizome was short,and it was easily damaged by diseases and insect pests.Water spinach is cadmium resistant plant,and the Cd content in it was easily affected by heavy metal contents and pH-value in the soil.
276 PEDIATRIC EYE INJURIES IN ALABAMA: AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC REVIEW, 1989-2004.

Purpose Children are particularly prone to injury, and eye injuries prove no exception. This study reviews a number of variables associated with serious eye injuries occurring in the pediatric population of Alabama from 1989-2004. Methods The United States Eye Injury Registry (USEIR) is a federation of state eye injury registries, sharing a standardized data collection approach and a common database. After Institutional Review Board approval, the investigators of this study petitioned the USEIR and received the data available for the state of Alabama from January 1, 1989 through December 31, 2004. These data were analyzed using SAS, noting the following variables: patient age and race, source of injury, season of year and location, intentionality, use of protective eyewear, and sports participation. Results From 1989-2004, 4,334 serious eye injuries were reported in Alabama, 1,315 in those age 18 and younger. 14.1% occurred in the 0- to 5-year age group, 40.9% in the 6- to 12-year age group, and 44.8% in the 13- to 18-year age group. 23.4% of all pediatric eye injuries occurred among those age 12-14. Patient race was reported in 83% of cases, with 55.1% of eye injuries occurring in Caucasians and 28.4% in African Americans. Other ethnicities accounted, respectively, for less than 1%, of the eye-injured patients. With respect to source, BB/pellet guns were implicated in 9.2% of injuries in 0-5 year olds, in 19.1% of injuries in 6-12 year olds, and in 12.1% of injuries in 13-18 year olds. Among the 6-12 age group, fireworks were the source of 11.7% of injuries and of 15% of injuries in the 13-18 group. 25.9% of all pediatric eye injuries occurred in January-March, 25.3% in April-June, 28.1% in July-September, and 18.8% in October-December. 80% of injuries in the 0-5 group, 68% in the 6-12 group, and 43% in the 13-18 group occurred at home. When reported, 73.9% of pediatric injuries were unintentional. In 75.4% of all pediatric injuries, no eye protection was employed, with formal protective eyewear use reported in only 0.2% of all cases. 10.4% of pediatric eye injuries were sports related, with baseball implicated in one-third of those. Conclusions The vast majority of pediatric eye injuries occurred unintentionally, in the absence of protective eyewear, and in the setting of the home, with a slight seasonal preponderance for the summer and fall months. The role of BB/pellet guns and fireworks in these injuries is of particular concern. Eye injury awareness is lacking; thus, prevention is needed. Further research would do well to study possible preventive intervention, be that in the form of protective eyewear, education, or some combination thereof.
Hybrid fast method for fractal image coding

The nowadays fractal image compression schemes suffers from long encoding time. A hybrid fractal image encoding technique was given,which combined the classifying technique and the tree structure,in order to make the structure of the domain pool more reasonable. It could reduce the number of the searched blocks considerably. At the same time,the time complexity of fractal image coding was analysed. Abstractly this method is effective. Experiments indicate that compared to the old method,this method can speed up the fractal encoding dramatically. Compared with no speeding-up coding,when e=6,the hybrid fractal image coding can improve 57 times with rotation and reflection transformations,and can improve 420 times without rotation and reflection transformations.
Associations among age, scrotal circumference, and proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa in young beef bulls during an initial breeding soundness examination.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate age and scrotal circumference as predictors of semen quality in young beef bulls. DESIGN Cohort study. ANIMALS 1,173 beef bulls or = 70% morphologically normal spermatozoa were compared with those for bulls producing or = 70% morphologically normal spermatozoa (12.7 +/- 1.1 months and 35.6 +/- 2.7 cm) and bulls that produced or = 70% morphologically normal spermatozoa differed among breeds. Age and scrotal circumference explained only 11% of the variation in semen quality. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Among young beef bulls, those that were older and had larger testes were more likely to produce > or = 70% morphologically normal spermatozoa. Age and scrotal circumference were not sufficient predictors of semen quality.
Determination of Glyphosate and Its Metabolite, (Aminomethyl)phosphonic Acid, in River Water

A procedure for extracting glyphosate and its metabolite, (aminomethyl)phosphonic acid, from river water and for determining these 2 compounds by gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry is described. Both compounds were extracted with Bic-Rad AG 1-X8 anion-exchange resin (formate form) prior to derivatization with a mixture of trifluoroacetic anhydride and trifluoroethanol. Limits of detection for glyphosate and its metabolite were 1 ppb even when as little as 10 mL water was analyzed. Recoveries of both compounds from river water fortified at 50 ppb were >90%.