cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Near field magnetic communications for helmet-mounted display applications

Helmet-mounted displays need a data feed that is typically provided by a cable or RF wireless data link to an external computer. In defense applications these solutions are problematic: a cable gets in the way and restricts use and emergency egress, while an RF wireless link can be detected at some distance giving away position and is susceptible to jamming. What is required is an alternative wireless technology that is low power, extremely localized and difficult to detect or jam. Near field magnetic communications is one possible alternative to RF communications that may fulfill these needs. This technology uses a time varying magnetic field to carry information, and is only useable over small distances of order six feet. This is expected to have significant advantages for particular applications: notably power requirements and security compared with RF wireless links. The power stored in a magnetic field falls off as 1/r6, compared with 1/r2 for RF, which means that all the power is localized around the transmitter. By having a physically small communications region around each platform or user, a large bandwidth can be guaranteed by allowing the reuse of the frequency spectrum outside the immediate vicinity. It also confers security on the data-link, as the signal is undetectable beyond the short range of the system.
An Infrared Study of Adsorbed Organophosphonates on Silica: A Prefiltering Strategy for the Detection of Nerve Agents on Metal Oxide Sensors

The gas-phase adsorption of the nerve gas simulant dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) along with trimethyl phosphate (TMP), methyl dichlorophosphate (MDCP), and trichlorophosphate (TCP) on silica have been studied using infrared spectroscopy. Each phosphonate compound adsorbs through a different number of H-bonds of the methoxy and PO moieties with the surface hydroxyl groups on silica. The strength of the adsorption depends on the number and type of the H-bonds and follows the order TCP < MDCP < DMMP < TMP. TCP is completely removed from silica by evacuation at room temperature, adsorbed MDCP is removed by evacuation at 150 °C, DMMP requires an evacuation temperature of 300 °C, and TMP is eliminated at 400 °C. All phosphonate compounds molecularly desorb, and the silica returns to its original state. The differences in the reactivity of phosphonate compounds on silica from other oxides demonstrate the potential use of silica in prefiltering/preconcentrating strategies for semiconductive metal oxide based ...
Hypoxia induces mitochondrial DNA damage and stimulates expression of a DNA repair enzyme, the Escherichia coli MutY DNA glycosylase homolog (MYH), in vivo, in the rat brain

Hypoxia-associated, acutely reduced blood oxygenation can compromise energy metabolism, alter oxidant/antioxidant balance and damage cellular components, including DNA. We show in vivo, in the rat brain that respiratory hypoxia leads to formation of the oxidative DNA lesion, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (oh8dG), a biomarker for oxidative DNA damage and to increased expression of a DNA repair enzyme involved in protection of the genome from the mutagenic consequences of oh8dG. The enzyme is a homolog of the Escherichia coli MutY DNA glycosylase (MYH), which excises adenine residues misincorporated opposite the oxidized base, oh8dG. We have cloned a full-length rat MYH (rMYH) cDNA, which encodes 516 amino acids, and by in situ hybridization analysis obtained expression patterns of rMYH mRNA in hippocampal, cortical and cerebellar regions. Ensuing hypoxia, mitochondrial DNA damage was induced and rMYH expression strongly elevated. This is the first evidence for a regulated expression of a DNA repair enzyme in the context of respiratory hypoxia. Our findings support the premise that oxidative DNA damage is repaired in neurons and the possibility that the hypoxia-induced expression of a DNA repair enzyme in the brain represents an adaptive mechanism for protection of neuronal DNA from injurious consequences of disrupted energy metabolism and oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis.
Functional Mapping of Receptor Specificity Domains of Glial Cell Line-derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) Family Ligands and Production of GFRα1 RET-specific Agonists

The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands (GFLs) (GDNF, neurturin, artemin, and persephin) are critical regulators of neurodevelopment and support the survival of midbrain dopaminergic and spinal motor neurons in vitro and in animal disease models making them attractive therapeutic candidates for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The GFLs signal through a multicomponent receptor complex comprised of a high affinity binding component (GDNF-family receptor α-component (GFRα1-GFRα4)) and the receptor tyrosine kinase RET. To begin characterization of GFL receptor specificity at the molecular level, we performed comprehensive homologue-scanning mutagenesis of GDNF, the prototypical member of the GFLs. Replacing short segments of GDNF with the homologous segments from persephin (PSPN) (which cannot bind or activate GFRα1·RET or GFRα2·RET) identified sites along the second finger of GDNF critical for activating the GFRα1·RET and GFRα2·RET receptor complexes. Furthermore, introduction of these regions from GDNF, neurturin, or artemin into PSPN demonstrated that they are sufficient for activating GFRα1·RET, but additional determinants are required for interaction with the other GFRαs. This difference in the molecular basis of GFL-GFRα specificity allowed the production of GFRα1·RET-specific agonists and provides a foundation for understanding of GFL-GFRα·RET signaling at the molecular level.
Plasma Clearance of Fat Emulsion in Trauma and Sepsis: Use of a Three-Stage Lipid Clearance Test

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is now widely available, but there is a relatively little data relating to the optimal substrate support in different types of patients. In critically ill patients who require parenteral nutrition, underlying metabolic alterations will influence the capacity for substrate utilization; in them, fat emulsion may serve as a useful energy source but may also have deleterious effects. The intravenous fat tolerance test has been widely used as a measure of the capacity of the organism to clear exogenous fat from the bloodstream. We have devised and employed a three-stage lipid clearance test using Intralipid-10% as a substrate. The rates of infusion are such that first order kinetics are followed during the first two stages yielding fractional removal rates, and zero order kinetics are followed during the third infusion yielding maximal clearance rates. Six injured and 6 infected patients displayed a greater capacity for lipid clearance than 13 normal subjects. Four injured patients who also had received multiple transfusions failed to show this response. Fractional removal rates were influenced by injury and infection to a greater extent than maximal clearance rates. Models are presented utilizing enzyme saturation kinetics and treating endogenous triglyceride as a competitive inhibitor (for the enzyme-substrate system of lipoprotein lipase-Intralipid triglyceride). The importance of employing enzyme saturation kinetics in the interpretation of lipid clearance tests is noted. The calculated apparent Michaelis-Menten constant for Intralipid triglyceride during the lipid clearance test is 521 +/- 38 (SEM) micromole/liter. In vitro systems utilizing Intralipid triglyceride as a substrate have yielded values in this range.
A graphic catalog card index

To improve accessibility and maintenance of art slides in the United States Military Academy Library at West Point, a model card with a graphic image of the slide was designed with pertinent identifying information displayed directly above a black‐and‐white opaque photo and also key‐punched into it. The card serves for ample comparison reference previous to handling the slides and can produce a subject‐arranged permuted index in book form. The latter permits access from the approach of form, geographic area, name, time of origin, artist, school, or style, etc. Some added advantages, common to other kinds of graphic collections, are detailed. Estimated costs of photo‐reproduction of original cards, various kinds of copies, and computer time and materials are listed. Future benefits from a consistent, unified cataloging system for graphic objects and the dissemination of this kind of information in a network structure are indicated as major goals.
The upper and lower twenty-seven per cent rule

A simplified re-derivation of the formula underlying the rule is presented, followed by a derivation of the comparable rule for the unitrectangular distribution, which turns out to be a 33-per cent rule. Critical comments are offered concerning two assumptions: normality of the score distribution and equality of mean standard errors of measurement in the high and low groups.
Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Analysis of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Responses and Their Relationship to Vertical Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission

The ARIEL Project for the Prevention of HIV Transmission from Mother to Infant was established to evaluate virologic and immunologic parameters during vertical transmission. To determine the strength and breadth of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response and its correlation with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, a cross-sectional study was done of 31 HIV-infected pregnant women, of whom 15 transmitted and 16 did not transmit HIV to their infants. The precursor frequencies of CTL specific for HIV-1 gag, pol, nef, and env from 5 different isolates of the clade B of HIV-1 were determined by limiting dilution analysis. Results showed that variable levels of HIV-specific CTL response were present in HIV-infected pregnant women during and after pregnancy. In addition, CTL precursor frequencies specific for pol and nef were higher during pregnancy in nontransmitters than in transmitters. Thus, CTL responding to different HIV antigens may not be contributing equally to the prevention of vertical transmission.
Bariatric Surgical Anatomy and Mechanisms of Action

Because bariatric surgery is becoming increasingly common, gastroenterologists need to be familiar with the surgical and endoscopic anatomy of the operations in use today. This review focuses on the 4 most commonly performed bariatric operations in the United States: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. The anatomy and mechanism of action of each procedure is discussed and illustrated. Emphasis is placed on the endoscopic anatomy, with review of the commonly encountered complications. Emerging techniques and devices are reviewed.
Experimental task-based optimization of a four-camera variable-pinhole small-animal SPECT system

We have previously utilized lumpy object models and simulated imaging systems in conjunction with the ideal observer to compute figures of merit for hardware optimization. In this paper, we describe the development of methods and phantoms necessary to validate or experimentally carry out these optimizations. Our study was conducted on a four-camera small-animal SPECT system that employs interchangeable pinhole plates to operate under a variety of pinhole configurations and magnifications (representing optimizable system parameters). We developed a small-animal phantom capable of producing random backgrounds for each image sequence. The task chosen for the study was the detection of a 2mm diameter sphere within the phantom-generated random background. A total of 138 projection images were used, half of which included the signal. As our observer, we employed the channelized Hotelling observer (CHO) with Laguerre-Gauss channels. The signal-to-noise (SNR) of this observer was used to compare different system configurations. Results indicate agreement between experimental and simulated data with higher detectability rates found for multiple-camera, multiple-pinhole, and high-magnification systems, although it was found that mixtures of magnifications often outperform systems employing a single magnification. This work will serve as a basis for future studies pertaining to system hardware optimization.
Identification of factors most important for ammonia emission from fertilized soils for potato production using principal component analysis

Ammonia (NH 3 ) emissions from fertilized soils are a costly problem that is undermining agricultural and ecological sustainability worldwide. Ammonia emissions from crop production have been reliably documented in recent years. However, insufficient efforts have been made to determine the factors most influential in facilitating NH 3 emissions. The goal of this study was to identify the principal factors facilitating NH 3 emissions from fertilized soils for potato production by means of principal component analysis (PCA). A dataset consisting of 14 different variables and 600 determinations of NH 3 emission rates was geometrically classified into 5 zones, and then analyzed with the PCA technique. The data used in this analysis originated from an incubation experiment involving four major potato production soils (two from Washington State and two from Florida, USA), five N sources, two soil water regimes, three incubation temperatures and five measurement dates of NH 3 emission rates during 28 days of incubation: Day 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28. Ammonia emission rates was classified into five distinct zones. In the five zones the total variance in NH 3 emission was accounted for as follows: soil particle size distribution, electrical conductivity (EC), field capacity, and bulk density, 47%; fer tilizer sources, 15%; soil pH, 12%; and soil temperature and the soil water regime 9%. The effects of the principal components on NH 3 emission in descending order were as follows: soil type > fertilizer source > soil pH > soil temperature and water regime. Therefore, NH 3 emissions could be reduced potentially with amendment of coarse textured agricultural soils to reduce their bulk density, selection of fertilizers to lessen those with the ammonium compounds, use of amendments to lower soil pH, and optimal water management.
Determination of Manning's N from vertical-velocity curves

Professor M. P. O'Brien [see 1, 2 of “References” at end of paper] has recently shown that data on the vertical distribution of velocity through the theory of turbulent flow as developed by Prandtl, Von Karman, and others may be applied to the determination of friction-coefficients in open channels. Hydrographers in making measurements of river-flow have often noticed that in streams having rough bottoms appreciable difference is generally found between the measured velocity at 0.2- and 0.8-depth. It is satisfying to note that Professor O'Brien's calculations are in accord with these general observations.
Altered GABAA receptor expression and seizure threshold following acute ethanol challenge in mice lacking the RIIβ subunit of PKA.

Ethanol causes pathological changes in GABAA receptor trafficking and function. These changes are mediated in part by ethanol activation of protein kinase A (PKA). The current study investigated the expression of the GABAA α1 and α4 subunits and the kinase anchoring protein AKAP150, as well as bicuculline-induced seizure threshold, at baseline and following acute injection of ethanol (3.5 g/kg IP) in a mouse line lacking the regulatory RIIβ subunit of PKA. Whole cerebral cortices were harvested at baseline, 1 h, or 46 h following injection of ethanol or saline and subjected to fractionation and western blot analysis. Knockout (RIIβ−/−) mice had similar baseline levels of PKA RIIα and GABAA α1 and α4 subunits compared to wild type (RIIβ+/+) littermates, but had deficits in AKAP150. GABAA α1 subunit levels were decreased in the P2 fraction of RIIβ−/−, but not RIIβ+/+, mice following 1 h ethanol, an effect that was driven by decreased α1 expression in the synaptic fraction. GABAA α4 subunits in the P2 fraction were not affected by 1 h ethanol; however, synaptic α4 subunit expression was increased in RIIβ+/+, but not RIIβ−/− mice, while extrasynaptic α4 and δ subunit expression were decreased in RIIβ−/−, but not RIIβ+/+ mice. Finally, RIIβ knockout was protective against bicuculline-induced seizure susceptibility. Overall, the results suggest that PKA has differential roles in regulating GABAA receptor subunits. PKA may protect against ethanol-induced deficits in synaptic α1 and extrasynaptic α4 receptors, but may facilitate the increase of synaptic α4 receptors.
Mechanisms of Disease Reversal in Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

It is well known that progression of chronic kidney disease can be ameliorated or stabilized by different interventions, but more studies indicate that it can even be reversed. Most data suggest that current therapy, especially renin-angiotensin system inhibition alone, is not sufficient to initiate and maintain long-term regression of glomerular structural injury. In this article, we review the potential reversal of glomerulosclerosis and evidence from both human and animal studies. We discuss mechanisms that involve matrix remodeling, capillary reorganization, and podocyte reconstitution. In the future, a multipronged strategy including novel anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic molecules should be considered to potentiate regression of glomerulosclerosis.
Fast Neutron Radiography Of Standard Biological Objects

The application of neutron radiography to imaging biomedical objects is in the initial stages of development. A possible application of fast neutron radiography is the imaging of air-filled cavities embedded in tissue, particularly in the vicinity of bones. A fast neutron radiography facility has been developed using an accelerator to produce 14.7 Mev neutrons by the T(d,n) reaction and a divergent collimator (six-inch-square radiograph area) in a large water tank to reduce interference fast neutrons at the image point. Test objects were constructed of plexiglass (nearly tissue equivalent) in the form of stepped slabs with holes in each step ranging from 1/32 to 1/4 inches in diameter. The objects with holes were radiographed at several distances from the film to determine the resolution capabilities of the facility. The slabs with holes were also placed behind several thicknesses of plexiglass and radiographed to demonstrate the ability to detect air-filled cavities buried in tissue. The radiographs were produced by direct exposure using a scintillator-film detector. The detail was improved by computer aided image analysis which increases the contrast, an apparent contribution in minimizing the dose levels required. The results show that cavities can be observed in configurations approximating pratical specimens.© (1971) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Nested reciprocities: the organism-environment system in perception-action and development.

The ecological approach to studying perception and action is one in which researchers view the structure in ambient energy arrays surrounding a given organism as being sufficient to specify meaningful environmental properties to that organism. Thus, from this perspective, perception is viewed not as a cognitive achievement but as a lawful state of affairs that exists in an organism-environment system. The approach to studying development known as transactionalism is one in which researchers view the developmental process as the expression of a complex web of endogenous and exogenous factors. Thus, from this perspective, development is not an unfolding of a genetic program, but rather an ongoing exchange among levels of the organism-environment system that continues throughout the life span of the organism. Despite their independent development, these two meta-theoretical approaches have much in common. In each approach, the organism-environment system is the fundamental unit of analysis, and the development of perception and behavior is spread across the multiple levels of this system.
Recognition of liposomes by cells: In vitro binding and endocytosis mediated by specific lipid headgroups and surface charge density

We investigated the interaction of liposomes of different surface properties with two mammalian cell lines, CV1, an African green monkey kidney cell line, and J774, a murine macrophage-like cell line. Cell surface binding and endocytosis of liposomes were quantified by fluorometry, using the liposome-encapsulated pH-sensitive fluorescent dye, pyranine, and the lipid marker rhodamine-PE. The liposome uptake was dependent both on the surface properties of the liposomes and on the cell line. Negatively charged phospholipids incorporated into egg phosphatidylcholine (PC)/cholesterol (C) (2:1) liposomes were recognized by the two cell lines to different extents depending on the lipid headgroup and its charge density in the liposome bilayer. Inclusion of 9% phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), or phosphatidic acid (PA) promoted the uptake by CV1 cells more than 20-fold. Increasing the content of these negatively charged lipids beyond 9% did not further enhance the uptake. In contrast, 9% monosialoganglioside GM1, phosphatidylinositol (PI), or phosphatidylethanolamine conjugated to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PE) did not promote the uptake. Inclusion of 9% PS, PG, PA or PI in PC/C liposomes did not enhance the uptake by J774 cells, but a drastic enhancement was observed when increasing concentrations of these anionic lipids were incorporated in the liposome bilayer. At least 50% PS, PG, or PI was needed to reach the level of uptake seen with CV1 cells. The uptake of liposomes containing 50% PS by J774 cells was inhibited by poly-anions which are the competing ligands for scavenger receptors, but the uptake by CV1 was not inhibited. Different mechanisms of liposome uptake by these two cell lines are suggested from the different patterns of uptake and the competition with various poly-anions. The differences observed in the uptake rate of liposomes with different lipid compositions seemed to be primarily due to the differences in the binding between liposomes and cell membrane components. The in vitro interaction of various liposomes with these cell lines, especially CV1 cells, shows significant similarities to the in vivo clearance rates of the liposomes.
Sonographic appearance of extensive hepatic arterial calcification mimicking pneumobilia.

Pneumobilia appears sonographically as intrahepatic linear echogenic regions that often produce distal acoustic shadowing. We present a case in which extensive hepatic arterial calcification mimicked the sonographic appearance of pneumobilia. In the appropriate clinical setting, extensive hepatic arterial calcification should be considered when intrahepatic linear echogenic regions are found sonographically.
Functional connectivity in mild traumatic brain injury.

Objectives: Research suggests that the majority of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients exhibit both cognitive and emotional dysfunction within the first weeks of injury, followed by symptom resolution 3–6 months postinjury. The neuronal correlates of said dysfunction are difficult to detect with standard clinical neuroimaging, complicating differential diagnosis and early identification of patients who may not recover. This study examined whether resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides objective markers of injury and predicts cognitive, emotional, and somatic complaints in mTBI patients semiacutely (<3 weeks postinjury) and in late recovery (3–5 month) phases. Methods: Twenty-seven semiacute mTBI patients and 26 gender, age, and education-matched controls were studied. Fifteen of 27 patients returned for a follow-up visit 3–5 months postinjury. The main dependent variables were spontaneous fluctuations (temporal correlation) in the default-mode (DMN) and fronto-parietal task-related networks as measured by fMRI. Results: Significant differences in self-reported cognitive, emotional, and somatic complaints were observed (all P < 0.05), despite normal clinical (T1 and T2) imaging and neuropsychological testing results. Mild TBI patients demonstrated decreased functional connectivity within the DMN and hyper-connectivity between the DMN and lateral prefrontal cortex. Measures of functional connectivity exhibited high levels of sensitivity and specificity for patient classification and predicted cognitive complaints in the semi-acute injury stage. However, no changes in functional connectivity were observed across a 4-month recovery period. Conclusions: Abnormal connectivity between the DMN and frontal cortex may provide objective biomarkers of mTBI and underlie cognitive impairment. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Initial clinical results of laser prostatectomy procedure for symptomatic BPH using a new 50-watt diode laser (wavelength 1000 nm)

Lasers have been used for symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in both contact and non-contact modes with reported success rates equivalent to that of Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP). A new high power diode laser (Phototome), capable of delivering up to 50 watts of 1000 nm wavelength laser power via a 1 mm quartz fiber, was used to treat 15 patients with symptomatic BPH. Five patients had acute retention, 3 had long term catheter (7 - 48 months), and 8 had severe prostatism. Spinal anesthesia was used in 11 patients, and 4 patients had local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. Four quadrant coagulation with an angle firing probe delivering 50 watts of laser power for 60 seconds in one quadrant was used as the core of the treatment in 11 patients, contact vaporization of BPH tissue was performed in one patient using a 4.5 mm ball tip was used in one patient and three patients with bladder neck stenosis had bladder neck incision performed using a 1 mm quartz fiber delivering 30 watts of laser power. A foley catheter was left indwelling and removed after 5 - 7 days. All patients except one were catheter free after a mean of 8 days. One patient continued to have severe prostatism and had a TURP performed with good results after 3 months of his laser prostatectomy procedure. AUA symptom scores available in 11 patients was found to be 4 after 1 - 3 months of the initial procedure.
From Fortune to Randomness in Seventeenth-Century Literature

This article proposes the view that during the course of the seventeenth century the concept of fortune in the Boethian mode, dominant in French literature during the Middle Ages, yielded to a new manner of conceiving the fortuitous. This new conception, still sometimes called 'fortune' but increasingly known as 'hasard', took the form of what we would call randomness. However, both the older and the newer ways of representing the fortuitous require awareness of individual human desire. In this study, Moliere's L'Ecole des femmes and two narratives by Marie-Madeleine de Lafayette, Zayde and La Princesse de Cleves , are considered with regard to the way the texts display chance either directly or indirectly. In conclusion, the article proposes the hypothesis that the shift from fortune to randomness in French literature is related to an increasing emphasis on what we call the reader's 'identification' with fictive characters.
Moderate Echinostoma trivolvis Infection Has No Effects on Physiology and Fitness-Related Traits of Larval Pickerel Frogs (Rana palustris)

High intensity infections of Echinostoma trivolvis metacercariae decrease survival and growth of young amphibian larvae. However, in nature, parasites are highly aggregated, which results in a large proportion of the amphibian population being only moderately infected. Survival and growth responses at these more-common, low-infection levels remain poorly studied. Thus, we investigated the effects of moderate Echinostoma trivolvis metacercariae infection (following exposure to 0, 10, 30, or 90 cercariae) on the growth and development of pickerel frog (Rana palustris) tadpoles. We measured metabolism to determine whether increased energy expenditure is a potential physiological mechanism underlying previously documented reduced growth. Furthermore, we quantified tadpole intestine size, which can exhibit plasticity in response to changing metabolic demands, and we characterized metacercariae distribution in tadpole kidneys. Metacercariae encysted in the pronephros significantly more than in the mesonephros, but tended to occur equally in right and left kidneys. Two mo post-infection (PI), there were no changes in tadpole survival, development, intestine size, or growth related to metacercariae infection. Similarly, metacercariae did not significantly increase metabolic rates during encystment or at 1 mo PI. Our study demonstrated that modest E. trivolvis infections, representative of a large proportion of the host population, had no detectable effects on fitness-related traits in laboratory isolation from other ecological variables.
Operational experience with a virtual networking laboratory

Virtual laboratories are a potential replacement for standard laboratory facilities. Use of these virtual resources can reduce cost and maintenance overheads for teaching institutions while still ensuring that students have access to real equipment. Previous work indicates that students respond well to such environments, but one important operational aspect has been overlooked. In this work, we consider instructor overhead by comparing the amount of work required to teach courses with and without the use of a virtual laboratory. In particular, we examine two graduate computer networking courses, each taught with the standard software-only approach and then taught later with the Open Network Laboratory. Our data show that the effort required by the instructor to use a virtual laboratory is not much more than in a software-only environment, and that the increased interaction between student and instructor can be beneficial as the student questions are primarily focused on fundamental networking concepts.
Cleavage of Viral Precursor Proteins In Vivo and In Vitro

The use of protease inhibitors causes the accumulation of very large polypeptides (polyprotein) in tissue culture cells infected with either poliovirus or echovirus 12. The effectiveness of the inhibitor varies, depending on the cell line chosen. In infected monkey kidney cells, polyprotein is not cleaved when a chymotrypsin inhibitor is added, but in infected HeLa cells a trypsin inhibitor is most effective. Therefore, at least a part of the proteolytic activity is supplied by the host cell. Extracted viral polyprotein can be cleaved in vitro by trypsin or chymotrypsin. As estimated by migration in sodium dodecyl sulfate gels and antigenicity, chymotrypsin cleavage of the poliovirus polyprotein yields fragments which are similar to the in vivo product. The polyprotein is not in soluble form but is attached to a fast-sedimenting, membrane-bound structure. Proteolytic activities in cell extracts were assayed using polyprotein as substrate, and infected and uninfected extracts produced qualitatively dissimilar cleavages.
A comparison of 1D and 2D algorithms for radar target classification

The use of high-resolution radar measurement data (35 GHz) from four ground vehicles (bulldozer, Dodge Power Wagon, Dodge Van, and Camaro) to evaluate the performance of several 1D and 2D classifiers is discussed. The 1D classifiers use high-resolution range profiles to classify targets; the 2D classifier uses high-resolution inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images to classify targets. Classification performance results using the 1D and 2D algorithms are presented, and it is shown that the 2D algorithm performed best. >
Silicon implementation of an auto-adaptive network for real-time separation of independent signals

A nonlinear autoadaptive filter for the separation of independent signal sources is described. The filter takes the form of a recurrent network which uses N simple processing units interconnected by N(N-1) inhibitory synapses. Each synapse determines its weight from a local Hebbian-like learning rule. Criteria are specified which the learning rule must satisfy, and examples from testing with digital simulations are given. The network was implemented using analog VLSI technology so as to achieve real-time, low-power, scalable solutions. Test results from a 2*/sub /chip are presented. >
Exploring performance, power, and temperature characteristics of 3D systems with on-chip DRAM

3D integration enables stacking DRAM layers on processor cores within the same chip. On-chip memory has the potential to dramatically improve performance due to lower memory access latency and higher bandwidth. Higher core performance increases power density, requiring a thorough evaluation of the tradeoff between performance and temperature. This paper presents a comprehensive framework for exploring the power, performance, and temperature characteristics of 3D systems with on-chip DRAM. Utilizing this framework, we quantify the performance improvement as well as the power and thermal profiles of parallel workloads running on a 16-core 3D system with on-chip DRAM. The 3D system improves application performance by 72.6% on average in comparison to an equivalent 2D chip with off-chip memory. Power consumption per core increases by up to 32.7%. The increase in peak chip temperature, however, is limited to 1.5°C as the lower power DRAM layers share the heat of the hotter cores. Experimental results show that while DRAM stacking is a promising technique for high-end systems, efficient thermal management strategies are needed in embedded systems with cost or space restrictions to compensate for the lack of efficient cooling.
Properties of the ground inferred from electromagnetic measurements

This is a mini-review (which is prepared for persons who are unfamiliar with a topic and need a current overview of the art) of the electromagnetic methods of determining the dielectric constant and resistivity of the ground.
Performance of BCH and convolutional codes in direct sequence spread spectrum packet radio networks

The authors examine the performance of BCH and convolutional codes in a direct-sequence spread-spectrum packet radio network. Packet errors are caused by a combination of noise at the receiver and interference between packet transmissions that overlap in time. The interference between packet transmissions produces dependent symbol errors at the output of the demodulator. The authors first compute an upper bound on the symbol error probability. Then they use this upper bound to calculate upper bounds on the packet error probability for both BCH and convolutional codes. The results make it possible to compare the performance of BCH and convolutional codes in the presence of multiple-access interference. >
Are brain functions really additive

Although Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies commonly subtract data obtained during two or more experimental conditions to decompose a complex task, there have been few opportunities to evaluate this approach directly. In the present study, PET was used to study three motor speech tasks selected such that two were constituent components of the third, making possible a direct examination of decomposition by subtraction. In Experiment 1, a group of 13 right-handed normal volunteers participated in three activation studies: syllable repetition; phonation; and repetitive lip closure. A scanning session was devoted to a single task, repeated four times. In Experiment 2, six of the original subjects performed the same three activation studies during a single scanning session. Whether tasks were studied in separate scanning sessions or combined within a single session, the results of decomposition by compound subtraction differed significantly from the results obtained when individual tasks were compared to a simple baseline condition. These data failed to demonstrate task additivity, a necessary property if decomposition by subtraction is to provide an accurate characterization of the brain activity accompanying complex behavior.
Contribution of Intestine, Bone, Kidney, and Dialysis to Extracellular Fluid Calcium Content

Calcium (Ca) balance is the net of Ca intake and output from the body over a period of time. The concept of Ca balance does not consider the redistribution of Ca that often occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially those who are on dialysis, which is often in the form of soft tissue and/or vascular calcification. In this article, we consider movement of Ca with respect to the extracellular fluid (ECF) and develop a mathematical formulation for Ca homeostasis with respect to the ECF that includes input and output from the diet, the bone, the kidney, and dialysis. We consider calcium homeostasis in healthy individuals and in patients with excess parathyroid hormone, excess 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), and metabolic acidosis; patients who have CKD and are not on dialysis; and, finally, patients who have CKD and are on dialysis. On the basis of a number of assumptions, dialysis patients with a daily intake of >37.5 mmol of elemental Ca (1.5 g) have movement of Ca into the ECF even without supplemental activated vitamin D. Addition of activated vitamin D, which increases intestinal Ca absorption and can increase resorption of Ca from bone, leads to the movement of Ca into the ECF at virtually all levels of intake; however, there are numerous unanswered questions regarding Ca homeostasis in patients with CKD, including how much of the Ca, administered as a phosphate binder, is absorbed and what is the fate of this absorbed Ca. Until these pressing questions are answered with well-designed experiments, we do not know whether we are doing more harm than good for our dialysis patients by administering additional Ca as a phosphate binder, especially when they also receive activated vitamin D.
Maximum Slip in Earthquake Fault Zones, Apparent Stress, and Stick-Slip Friction

The maximum slip, observed or inferred, for a small patch within the larger fault zone of an earthquake is a remarkably well-constrained function of the seismic moment. A large set of maximum slips, mostly derived from slip models of major earthquakes, indicate that this parameter increases according to the cube root of the seismic moment. Consistent with this finding, neither the average slip rate for the patches of maximum slip nor the apparent stresses of earthquakes show any systematic dependence on seismic moment. Maximum average slip rates are several meters per second independent of moment and, for earthquakes in continental crustal settings, the apparent stress is limited to about 10 MPa. Results from stick-slip friction experiments in the laboratory, combined with information about the state of stress in the crust, can be used to predict, quite closely, the maximum slips and maximum average slip rates within the fault zones of major earthquakes as well as their apparent stresses. These findings suggest that stick-slip friction events observed in the laboratory and earthquakes in continental settings, even with large magnitudes, have similar rupture mechanisms. Manuscript received 24 February 2003.
Effect on waterhyacinth of Neochetina eichhorniae [Col.: Curculionidae] combined with Orthogalumna terebrantis [Acari: Galumnidae]

Seven hundred mottled waterhyacinth weevils,Neochetina eichhorniaeWarner, were released in a Fort Lauderdale, Florida, canal on a mat of waterhyacinth,Eichhornia crassipes(Mart.) Solms-Laubach. At the time of weevil release, the mat contained ca. 100 adult waterhyacinth mites,Orthogalumna terebrantisWall-work/plant, and ca. 15 immature waterhyacinth mites/cm2. Waterhyacinth weevil populations increased to ca. 4 adults and 5 larvae/plant after 50 weeks, and were unaffected by weather. Waterhyacinth mite populations reached a peak of ca. 840/plant after 16 weeks, at which time they were reduced in number by low temperatures.
An Investigation Into miRNAs in the Equine Epididymis as Potential Regulators of Spermatozoal Maturation

Abstract After spermatogenesis, spermatozoa are not mature and unable to fertilize an oocyte. During transition through the epididymis, spermatozoa mature, and gain fertility and motility. Although epididymal functions are relatively well known, the mechanisms behind maturation are not yet fully understood. Studies indicate proteins are delivered to the spermatozoa during epididymal transit through microvesicles. These microvesicles, called epididymosomes, carry microRNAs (miRNAs). These miRNAs are ∼22 nucleotides in length and regulate mRNA translation. The purpose of this study was to investigate which miRNAs are located within the various regions of stallion epididymal tissue. Three mature stallion epididymides were divided into four sections for miRNA isolation: the caput, proximal corpus, distal corpus and cauda. The contents of the lumen were removed and epididymal tissue was homogenized. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to determine miRNA content. A total of 328 miRNAs were noted in epididymal tissue. A total of 186 of the 346 known equine miRNA transcripts used were found in each section, all four sections also contained miRNAs distinct to specific regions. The cauda contained the greatest number of exclusive miRNA (19) and expressed the greatest number of miRNA (282). This study shows there is indeed a difference in the miRNA profile between regions of the epididymis, and their targeted pathways may effect spermatozoal maturation.
Ancestral knowledge systems: A conceptual framework for decolonizing research in social science

Building on the seminal work of Linda T. Smith in decolonizing research methodologies, this paper introduces Ancestral Knowledge Systems (AKS) as a conceptual framework for social science research ...
Challenging Extractive Industries How Political Context and Targets Influence Tactical Choice

Drawing from literature on social movements, we investigate how movements in uncertain political contexts can challenge extractive and natural resource–intensive industries such as coal companies. Scholars have analyzed how citizens in Western democracies can confront powerful industries, yet comparatively little research has focused on challenges to coal elites in politically unstable settings. We focus on the community of Libkovice, Czech Republic, to examine how anticoal activists strategically protested against a coal industry in the midst of a transition from state control to corporate ownership. The data for this research were collected between 2000 and 2014, including in-depth interviews, documentary and raw organizational film footage, and archival materials. Findings reveal that ambiguous targets and uncertain political contexts can significantly influence how activists develop tactical repertoires. We conclude by discussing the implications of this research for future work on social movements ge...
Effect of artificial diet on longevity of adult parasitoids of Dendroctonus frontalis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Seven species of parasitoids of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, were reared from field-collected D. frontalis -infested pine bark and used to test the effect of an artificial diet on parasitoid longevity. Parasitoid adults were provided with water only or water plus the diet, and longevities were recorded and compared. All parasitoid species fed on the artificial diet, and consumption of diet resulted in significantly increased longevity compared with the water control. Our data provide support for the concept that diet supplements for adult D. frontalis parasitoids could increase parasite-caused mortality of the bark beetle and enhance biological control.
Charge carrier dynamics in small-molecule- and polymer-based donor-acceptor blends

We present a comparative study of optical absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and photoconductivity in bulk heterojunctions comprising a high performance functionalized anthradithiophene (ADT) derivative or the benchmark polymer P3HT as donor and functionalized pentacene (Pn) derivative or PCBM as acceptor. Of all D/A blends studied, the ADT/PCBM blend exhibited the highest charge photogeneration efficiencies under 532 nm excitation, leading to the highest amplitudes of time-resolved and continuous wave (cw) photocurrents. At nanosecond time scales after photoexcitation, both ADT-TES-F-based blends and the P3HT/Pn-TIPS-F8 blend exhibited photocurrents which were higher by a factor of 2-10, depending on the blend, than that in the P3HT/PCBM blend. However, cw photocurrents showed a different trend, with the ADT-TES-F/PCBM blend exhibiting only a factor of ∼2.5 higher photoresponse than that in the P3HT/PCBM blends, and the ADT-TES-F- and P3HT- based blends with Pn-TIPS-F8 showing a factor of ∼1.5-2.5 lower photoresponse than that in the P3HT/PCBM blend, due to other contributions, such as that of charge trap-limited transport, to cw photoresponse.
Equilibrium Configuration of Bi-Doped ZnO Grain Boundaries: Intergranular Amorphous Films

It is shown that the solid state equilibrium configuration of ZnO grain boundaries saturated with Bi-doping is a nanometer-thick amorphous film. Polycrystalline ZnO samples doped with Bi2O3 were studied using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and dedicated scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Samples were equilibrated below the eutectic temperature (Teutectic = 740°C) and at 1 atmosphere pressure, starting from three different initial states: one was cooled from above the eutectic temperature; a second was processed entirely below the eutectic temperature; and the third was de-segregated by applying high pressure (1 GPa) followed by annealing at 1 atmospheric pressure. In all instances, ZnO grain boundaries contain an amorphous film 1.0-1.3 nm in thickness, corresponding to a Bi excess equivalent to approximately one monolayer.
Involvement of carriers in the size-dependent magnetic exchange for Mn:CdSe quantum dots.

The magnetic behavior for Mn:CdSe (0.6%) quantum dots (QDs) exhibits size-dependent magnetic exchange mediated by the concentration of intrinsic carriers, which arise from surface states. High temp...
Strength in Water of Ground Structural Ceramics

In-water strength was measured at room temperature on silicon nitride and silicon carbide having surface microcracks formed by grinding. The strength in water was lower than that in air. The strength in water decreased with immersing time, and the strength of silicon nitride immersed for 240h in water was 85% of that in air. However, the strength retained the original value after drying. The decrease in strength in water was observed on a test piece with surface flaws to cause fracture. These phenomena can be attributed to the reduction in surface energy of new crack faces by absorption of water, lubricant effect for bite between two crack faces and increase in internal pressure of crack tip voids caused by surface tension. The strength degradation in other liquids was slight as compared with that in water. Hence, other strength lowering mechanisms in water have to be proposed.
Orientational dynamics in a lyotropic room temperature ionic liquid.

In a previous study of room temperature ionic liquid/water mixtures, the first clearly observed biexponential decays in optical heterodyne-detected optical Kerr effect (OHD-OKE) experiments on a liquid were reported, (Sturlaugson, A. L.; Fruchey, K. S.; Fayer, M. D. J. Phys. Chem. B 2012, 116, 1777), and it was suggested that the biexponential behavior is indicative of the approach to gelation. Here, new OHD-OKE experiments on mixtures of the room temperature ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride (OmimCl) with water are presented. The OmimCl/water system is shown to gel over the water mole fraction range of 0.69–0.81. In the OHD-OKE decays, the biexponential behavior becomes more distinct as the gelling concentration range is approached from either high or low water concentrations. The biexponential decays are analyzed in terms of the wobbling-in-a-cone model, and the resulting diffusion constants and “relative” order parameters and cone angles are reported. Comparison of the OmimCl/water data...