cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selection of spreading sequences for direct-sequence spread-spectrum communications over a doubly selective fading channel with RAKE reception

Error probabilities are evaluated for direct-sequence spread-spectrum communications over channels with double selective fading. The error probability for such a system depends on the spreading sequence, the autocovariance function of the fading process, the receiver structure, and the receiver signal-to-noise ratio. The authors focus on the effect of the spreading sequence on the performance of differentially coherent detection of binary direct-sequence spread-spectrum signals using an equal-gain diversity combining RAKE receiver. Sensitivity of system performance to sequence selection when using RAKE reception is compared with sensitivity when a correlator receiver is used. Performance is considered for a range of channel characteristics and over the full range of signal-to-noise ratios. >
Infection control for norovirus

Norovirus infections are notoriously difficult to prevent and control, owing to their low infectious dose, high shedding titre, and environmental stability. The virus can spread through multiple transmission routes, of which person-to-person and foodborne are the most important. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics have helped to establish norovirus as the most common cause of sporadic gastroenteritis and the most common cause of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis across all ages. In this article, we review the epidemiology and virology of noroviruses, and prevention and control guidelines, with a focus on the principles of disinfection and decontamination. Outbreak management relies on sound infection control principles, including hand hygiene, limiting exposure to infectious individuals, and thorough environmental decontamination. Ideally, all infection control recommendations would rely on empirical evidence, but a number of challenges, including the inability to culture noroviruses in the laboratory and the challenges of outbreak management in complex environments, has made it difficult to garner clear evidence of efficacy in certain areas of infection control. New experimental data on cultivable surrogates for human norovirus and on environmental survivability and relative resistance to commonly used disinfectants are providing new insights for further refinining disinfection practices. Finally, clinical trials are underway to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines, which may shift the current infection control principles to more targeted interventions.
Experiencias extra ordinarias de la arquitectura sagrada: Los casos de Chartres, Ronchamp y el Panteón

Usando casi 2.900 respuestas a una encuesta sobre "Experiencias Arquitectonicas Extraordinarias" (EAEs) como un mapa estadistico de la dimension subjetiva de arquitecturas excepcionales, este articulo se enfoca en tres obras religiosas paradigmaticas citadas en el sondeo: el Panteon, la Catedral de Chartres, y la Capilla de Ronchamp. El proposito es establecer (a) el caracter experiencial unico (extraordinario y sagrado) de cada obra; (b) una comparacion entre ellas con relacion a las EAEs en general; y (c) posibles vinculos entre respuesta subjetiva y los factores empiricos de lo construido. La taxonomia hermeneutica de arquitectura sagrada de Lindsay Jones (2000) es usada para articular el analisis interpretativo de la informacion y relaciones descubiertas. Se concluye que el Panteon induce experiencias espirituales usandose a si mismo como modus operandi contemplativo, mientras que Chartres lo logra combinando estrategias teatrales y contemplativas, y Ronchamp su calidad de santuario y naturaleza estetica contemplativa.
Concurrent Engineering Tools for Forging Die and Process Design

This paper discusses the development of engineering tools for die shape design in the forging process and the utilization of this information for determining optimal operating conditions. The tools discussed here are based on computer graphics, finite element modeling, design optimization and optimal control strategies, and can be run on personal computers, work stations and main frame computers, to meet a variety of customer needs and to provide user friendly tools for conducting “what if” studies. The methods developed here are applicable to several unit processes like extrusion, shape rolling, etc., besides forging. Details about the design variables, design constraints, objectives, analytical sensitivity calculations, condensed states, satisfaction of behavior constraints, and the optimal tracking algorithm are presented here with engineering case studies.
Analyzing Members’ Motivations to Participate in Role-Playing and Self-Expression Based Virtual Communities

With the rapid growth of computer mediated communication technologies in the last two decades, various types of virtual communities have emerged. Some communities provide a role playing arena, enabled by avatars, while others provide an arena for expressing and promoting detailed personal profiles to enhance their offline social networks. Due to different focus of these virtual communities, different factors motivate members to participate in these communities. In this study, we examine differences in members’ motivations to participate in role-playing versus self-expression based virtual communities. To achieve this goal, we apply the Wang and Fesenmaier (2004) framework, which explains members’ participation in terms of their functional, social, psychological, and hedonic needs. The primary contributions of this study are two folds: First, it demonstrates differences between role-playing and self-expression based communities. Second, it provides a comprehensive framework describing members’ motivation to participate in virtual communities.
Development of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Detection of the Organophosphorus Insecticide Acephate

A competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ciELISA) for the organophosphorus insecticide acephate, O,S-dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate, was developed using a polyclonal antibody. Five different haptens mimicking the analyte were synthesized and conjugated with the carrier proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA) and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) by the N-hydroxysuccinimide active ester and diazotization methods. Polyclonal antibodies raised against hapten−KLH conjugates in rabbits and hapten−BSA conjugates as coating antigens were screened and selected for the assay in the homologous and heterologous ELISA systems. The effects of various assay conditions such as detergent, organic solvents, pH, and preincubation of the mixture of the polyclonal antibody and the analyte on the sensitivity were evaluated. The IC50 value for acephate was 25 ng/mL in an optimized heterologous system using hapten-4−BSA as a coating antigen and a polyclonal antibody no. 8377 against hapten-1−KLH, showing the det...
A simple technique for repair of Cupid's bow.

Background. Reconstruction of the upper lip is among the most challenging problems faced by Mohs surgeons. Cupid's bow, with its marked variability among individuals, can be particularly difficult to recreate. Numerous complex reconstructive methods have been described in the literature. The authors present a novel technique for aesthetic reconstruction of Cupid's bow. Methods. Retrospective case reviews of defects resulting from Mohs excision located at or near Cupid's bow are given. Repair was performed using our modified mucosal advancement flap technique. Results. Acceptable or very good cosmesis was attained in all cases. Conclusion. The use of our simple modification of the mucosal advancement flap allows aesthetic reconstruction of Cupid's bow in select cases. Selection criteria for defects amenable to this technique are presented.
Performance-Based Adaptability Profiles in Multitasking

Assessing a person’s ability to multitask is a topic that is gaining increased attention. However, task constraints and difficulty rarely remain constant in real-world environments; when task constraints change, people must adapt to avoid diminished task performance or failure. But can we identify and predict differences in multitasking adaptability? This question was assessed in an experiment wherein participants multitasked in a flight simulator. Task difficulty was incrementally increased across three experimental manipulations. We measured participants' performance on tasks with baseline versus increased difficulty. Cluster analyses on performance identified three distinct adaptability groups in each condition, irrespective of performance at baseline. Furthermore, individual membership in each cluster was quite consistent across different difficulty conditions. Cluster membership in this task was predicted by spatial ability, which is a cognitive ability not related to general multitasking ability.
Population genetic diversity and fitness in multiple environments

When a large number of alleles are lost from a population, increases in individual homozygosity may reduce individual fitness through inbreeding depression. Modest losses of allelic diversity may also negatively impact long-term population viability by reducing the capacity of populations to adapt to altered environments. However, it is not clear how much genetic diversity within populations may be lost before populations are put at significant risk. Development of tools to evaluate this relationship would be a valuable contribution to conservation biology. To address these issues, we have created an experimental system that uses laboratory populations of an estuarine crustacean, Americamysis bahia with experimentally manipulated levels of genetic diversity. We created replicate cultures with five distinct levels of genetic diversity and monitored them for 16 weeks in both permissive (ambient seawater) and stressful conditions (diluted seawater). The relationship between molecular genetic diversity at presumptive neutral loci and population vulnerability was assessed by AFLP analysis. Populations with very low genetic diversity demonstrated reduced fitness relative to high diversity populations even under permissive conditions. Population performance decreased in the stressful environment for all levels of genetic diversity relative to performance in the permissive environment. Twenty percent of the lowest diversity populations went extinct before the end of the study in permissive conditions, whereas 73% of the low diversity lines went extinct in the stressful environment. All high genetic diversity populations persisted for the duration of the study, although population sizes and reproduction were reduced under stressful environmental conditions. Levels of fitness varied more among replicate low diversity populations than among replicate populations with high genetic diversity. There was a significant correlation between AFLP diversity and population fitness overall; however, AFLP markers performed poorly at detecting modest but consequential losses of genetic diversity. High diversity lines in the stressful environment showed some evidence of relative improvement as the experiment progressed while the low diversity lines did not. The combined effects of reduced average fitness and increased variability contributed to increased extinction rates for very low diversity populations. More modest losses of genetic diversity resulted in measurable decreases in population fitness; AFLP markers did not always detect these losses. However when AFLP markers indicated lost genetic diversity, these losses were associated with reduced population fitness.
Efferent Vagal Innervation of the Canine Atria and Sinus and Atrioventricular Nodes: The Third Fat Pad

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional pathways of efferent vagal innervation to the atrial myocardium and sinus and atrioventricular (AV) nodes. Methods and Results Using vagally induced atrial effective refractory period shortening, slowing of spontaneous sinus rate, and prolongation of AV nodal conduction time as end points of vagal effects, we determined the actions of phenol and epicardial radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) applied to different sites at or near the atrial myocardium to inhibit these responses. We found that efferent vagal fibers to the atria are located both subepicardially and intramurally or subendocardially. Most efferent vagal fibers to the atria appear to travel through a newly described fat pad located between the medial superior vena cava and aortic root (SVC-Ao fat pad), superior to the right pulmonary artery, and then project onto two previously noted fat pads at the inferior vena cava–left atrial junction (IVC-LA fat pad) and the right p...
An eight-stranded helical fragment in RNA crystal structure: Implications for tetraplex interaction

Multistranded helical structures in nucleic acids play various functions in biological processes. Here we report the crystal structure of a hexamer, rU(BrdG)r(AGGU),at 1.5 A resolution containing a structural complex of an alternating antiparallel eight-stranded helical fragment that is sandwiched in two tetraplexes. The octaplex is formed by groove binding interaction and base tetrad intercalation between two tetraplexes. Two different forms of octaplexes have been proposed, which display different properties in interaction with proteins and nucleic acids. Adenines form a base tetrad in the novel N6-H em leader N3 conformation and further interact with uridines to form an adenine-uridine octad in the reverse Hoogsteen pairing scheme. The conformational flexibility of adenine tetrad indicates that it can optimize its conformation in different interactions.
Evaluation of the effect of low-level 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure on cell mediated immunity☆

Abstract The immunotoxicity of TCDD in the mouse has been well documented. To date, the most sensitive endpoint to TCDD-induced toxicity in mice is that reported by Clark et al. (Clark, D.A., Gauldie, J., Szewczuk M.R. and Sweeney, G. (1981) Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. Med. 168, 290.) who found that TCDD suppressed the murine cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response following four weekly doses of 4 ng TCDD/kg/week. However, these results have never been corroborated, as other laboratories have been unable to detect immunosuppression by TCDD at such low levels. In this study, we evaluated the effect of TCDD on the in vivo- and in vitro- generated CTL response to P815 mastocytoma cells in adult C57BL/6J female mice via a 51 Cr release assay. Mice were given weekly intraperitoneal injections of TCDD or vehicle for 4 weeks at dosages ranging from 0.01 to 3.00 μg/kg/week. No statistically significant suppression of the in vivo- or in vitro-generated CTL response was detected at any dosage. As expected, significant increases in liver weights and decreases in thymus weights were observed at TCDD dosages of 1.0 and 3.0 μg/kg/week. Likewise, suppression of the antibody plaque forming cell response to sheep erythrocytes was observed at dosages of 1.0 and 3.0 μg TCDD/kg/week. Although expected humoral immunosuppression and organ effects were observed, our data do not support suppression of murine CTL responses at the TCDD doses employed in this study.
The gonads and sexual cycle of the polystyelid ascidian Distomus variolosus gaertner

Distomus variolosus from Roscoff, France, comprises two sorts, differing in their branchial and gonadal patterns. Their sexual cycle has been followed histologically and micro-anatomically. Gonads begin as clumps of lymphocytes that persist along germinal tracts. Cavitation of the clump, growth of the gonoduct, maturation of the gametes, and elaboration of accessory structures are described. Oocytes develop in a linear series in each ovary; only one or two reach maturity in each gonad. The released egg and subsequent tadpole may be held to the ovary by a “leash” formed of the partially everted outer follicle of the egg. Post-mature gonads deteriorate. Testes disrupt altogether; ovaries may persist as moribund loci of remnant germinal tissue. The sharp right-left hermaphroditism of the zooid appears to combine with a subtler anterior-posterior gradient of sexual determination.
Classifying African Christianities: past, present, and future: part one

This two-part article examines the practice of classifying African Christianities, looking at past and current approaches in order to make suggestions for the future. Noting advances in such classification from the disciplines of African church history and the anthropology of Christianity, it proposes a generational approach to African Christian communities. After reviewing past approaches and identifying their shortcomings, part one shows how Pentecostalism has disrupted such classifications further, prompting the late church historian Ogbu Kalu’s assertion of continuity within African Christianities through a longstanding pattern of revivalism. Kalu helpfully emphasizes African initiatives in Christian creativity and detects similarities over time in Christianity’s appeal to Africans. Yet he also relies on a problematic essentialist approach to Africa and, by foregrounding Pentecostals and African Independent (or Initiated) Churches, continues a trend that overlooks other African Christians. The challenge lies in developing classifications that include all African Christians, using concepts that generate insight-producing comparisons.
Use of the nitrate specific ion electrode in soil testing

Abstract The construction, theory and many of the factors such as interfering anions, extracting agents, soil to solution ratio, reference electrodes, accuracy and precision of the nitrate ion selective electrode are discussed in relation to routine soil testing for nitrate nitrogen.
An isotope dilution method for determination of sulfur on automotive exhaust gas catalysts

Abstract Fuel-air mixtures and engine oils contain sulfur that can deposit on exhaust gas catalysts and reduce catalytic efficiency. The fraction of sulfur that originates from each source can be calculated from the sulfur concentration of the fuel, air and oil, and their respective consumption rates. Such methods for obtaining the required data are, however, cumbersome and difficult to carry out with acceptable reliability; thus a more precise method for determining the percentage sulfur deposited from these sources was required. An isotope dilution method, which employs benzyl disulfide tagged with sulfur-35, was devised for this analysis. Four hundred microcuries of tagged benzyl disulfide was dissolved in engine oil and used in an operating engine. Catalyst samples were then analyzed periodically during engine operation for total and radioactive sulfur. From the specific activity of engine oil and catalyst samples, the percent sulfur deposited on the catalyst from the oil and fuel-air mixture was calculated. The data indicate that between 8 and 12 per cent of the sulfur originated from the engine oil. The standard deviation (2σ) of the method was approximately 10 per cent.
Time-series decomposition using the sinusoidal model

Abstract This paper empirically supports the hypothesis that a sinusoidal model can be used successfully to decompose time-series data into its components. Since the length of the seasonal cycle is known, this study documents how one makes use of this known length to infer characteristics of the more general non-seasonal cycle. By examining the ratios of the lengths of the longer to the shorter sine waves in the resulting fit of a sinusoidal model, one is able to determine which sine waves are estimating the same cycle and what the average length of that cycle is. A non-linear trend is estimated by adding a sine wave to the linear trend.
Response of pigs divergently selected for residual feed intake to experimental infection with the PRRS virus

Abstract Feed efficiency is of great importance to the swine industry, yet few studies have evaluated the robustness of pigs selected for increased feed efficiency based on residual feed intake (RFI) when challenged with disease. RFI is calculated as the difference between the observed and expected feed intake. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus (PRRSV) infection on lines of pigs divergently selected for RFI. Hypothesizing that the more feed efficient low RFI (LRFI) pigs would be more affected by PRRSV-infection, 97 piglets from LRFI and 99 piglets from high RFI (HRFI) selection lines were experimentally infected with the NVSL 97-7985 PRRSV isolate 1 to 3 weeks post-weaning. Pig body weight was recorded weekly and used to calculate average daily gain (ADG). For comparison, ADG was also evaluated on 489 non-challenged LRFI and HRFI pigs housed in a separate facility. Viral load (VL) was quantified as area under the curve for 0–21 days post-infection (dpi) of the log of PCR-based serum viremia. Antibody level was analyzed from serum samples collected at 4, 7, and 11 dpi by PRRS ELISA and MAGPIX assays to quantify PRRSV-specific IgG antibody and total antibody, respectively, during the early stages of PRRSV-infection. There was a tendency for pigs from the LRFI line to have lower VL (P=0.09), greater ADG (P=0.10), and be more likely to survive the PRRSV-challenge (P=0.06) than pigs from the HRFI line. However, joint analysis of challenged and non-challenged pigs showed a significant interaction between RFI line and challenge status (P=0.04), which demonstrated that growth of the LRFI line was less affected by PRRSV-challenge than growth of the HRFI line. Additionally, a significant interaction between RFI line and dpi for the ELISA (P
Effect of PACAP on gastric acid secretion in rats

Abstract Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a new VIP-like brain-gut peptide. Its effects on the motility and secretory functions of the gastrointestinal system have been shown in previous studies. In this study we investigated the effect of intravenous PACAP on gastric acid secretion in conscious pylorusligated rats and in gastric fistula rats. PACAP showed significant inhibitory effects on pentagastrin- and histamine-stimulated gastric acid secretion, but no effect on basal or carbachol-stimulated secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. It did show dose-related inhibitory effects both on basal gastric acid secretion and on secretion stimulated by pentagastrin, histamine, or carbachol in gastric fistula rats. PACAP did not alter serum gastrin levels. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with indomethacin and immunoneutralization of somatostatin with anti-somatostatin serum did not prevent the inhibitory effect of PACAP on gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. We conclude that PACAP most likely has a direct effect on parietal cells and that this effect may be mediated, at least partially, by inhibition of the action of histamine on parietal cells.
Protein effects on the O2 binding to the active site of the methane monooxygenase: ONIOM studies

The protein effects on the initial step of O2 binding to the diiron active site in the Methane Monooxygenase (MMO) were studied at the ONIOM(QM:MM) level with and without electronic embedding. The significant part of the hydroxylase component of MMO, every aminoacid residue at least one atom of which is within 11 A radius from either of the iron-centers of the active site, was included into the calculations. The computed “real” system contained almost 1200 atoms and we treated it at, ONIOM low level, Amber molecular mechanics force field. Position of every atom of each amino acid residue within 7-A radius from either of the iron atoms as well as all hydrogen atoms was optimized. The “model” system, treated at the B3LYP/lan12dz level (ONIOM high level) encompassed 44 atoms including: (i) two iron atoms, (ii) functional groups forming first coordination sphere, such as two water molecules, two imodazoles, two bridging (between the Fe atoms) and two terminal carboxylates, as well as (iii) the dioxygen molecule. The comparison of the obtained results in vacuo and in protein, both with and without electronic embedding, clearly indicates that the protein profoundly affects initial binding of dioxygen molecule to the diiron center of the MMOHred. It was shown that at the early stages methane monooxygenase protein environment plays a crucial role as it effectively facilitates the activation of the dioxygen molecule. Furthermore, the obtained results demonstrated the usefulness of the ONIOM approach in studying such large systems including a dozen of hundreds atoms. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
miR-148b–Nanoparticle conjugates for light mediated osteogenesis of human adipose stromal/stem cells

Delivery systems providing spatial and temporal control have the potential to improve outcomes in surgical reconstruction and regenerative medicine by precise modulation of wound healing and tissue repair processes. In this study we describe a synthesis and oligonucleotide functionalization process of silver nanoparticle complexes for photoactivated microRNA (miRNA) delivery. The activity of the PC-miR-148b–SNP construct is demonstrated by light mediated delivery of miR-148b mimic resulting in differentiation of human autologous adipose derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hASCs) into an osteogenic linage. The conjugate, upon photoactivation, increases alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the cell membrane and calcification (mineralization) of hASCs on days 7 and 14 respectively. Additionally, the expression of mRNA for the early, middle and late stage osteogenic markers; ALP, RunX2 and osteocalcin (OCN) respectively, was also significantly upregulated at days 7 and 28, respectively after photoactivation of PC-miR-148b–SNP and release of miR-148b mimics. Additionally, PC-miR-148b–SNP conjugate is readily delivered to the intracellular compartment without the use of transfection vectors commonly required for free oligonucleotides. This technology demonstrates photo-controlled, spatial and temporal modulation of osteogenesis in hASCs.
Facial Attractiveness and Lifetime Earnings: Evidence from a Cohort Study

We use unique longitudinal data to document an economically and statistically significant positive correlation between the facial attractiveness of male high school graduates and their subsequent labor market earnings. There are only weak links between facial attractiveness and direct measures of cognitive skills and no link between facial attractiveness and mortality. Even after including a lengthy set of characteristics, including IQ, high school activities, proxy measures for confidence and personality, family background, and additional respondent characteristics in an empirical model of earnings, the attractiveness premium is present in the respondents' mid-30s and early 50s. Our findings are consistent with attractiveness being an enduring, positive labor market characteristic.
Genetic Control of Specificity to Steroid-Triggered Responses in Drosophila

Steroid hormones trigger a wide variety of biological responses through stage- and tissue-specific activation of target gene expression. The mechanisms that provide specificity to systemically released pulses of steroids, however, remain poorly understood. We previously completed a forward genetic screen for mutations that disrupt the destruction of larval salivary glands during metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster, a process triggered by the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (ecdysone). Here, we characterize 10 complementation groups mapped to genes from this screen. Most of these mutations disrupt the ecdysone-induced expression of death activators, thereby failing to initiate tissue destruction. However, other responses to ecdysone, even within salivary glands, occur normally in mutant animals. Many of these newly identified regulators of ecdysone signaling, including brwd3, med12, med24, pak, and psg2, represent novel components of the ecdysone-triggered transcriptional hierarchy. These genes function combinatorially to provide specificity to ecdysone pulses, amplifying the hormonal cue in a stage-, tissue-, and target gene-specific manner. Most of the ecdysone response genes identified in this screen encode homologs of mammalian nuclear receptor coregulators, demonstrating an unexpected degree of functional conservation in the mechanisms that regulate steroid signaling between insects and mammals.
Sulfuranes Lacking Benzoannelation. Sulfuranes and Other Hypervalent Molecules Studied by 17O-NMR

The rates of hydrolysis of benzoannelated vs nonbenzoannelated sulfuranes, viz. 5 vs 3 or 5 vs 4, were compared. Benzoannelation was found to provide very modest kinetic stabilization. Crystal structures of sulfuranes 3 and 4 were obtained and compared with each other, with a dibenzoannelated sulfurane, 17, and with a non-sulfurane analogue of 4. Bond length variations could be understood in the context of simple resonance arguments. 17O NMR studies of 3−5 showed that this technique was indeed sensitive to sulfurane structure. For example, the chemical shifts of the two carbonyl oxygens of 4 differed by over 20 ppm. Other hypervalent systems, mainly iodinanes, were studied by 17O NMR. A variety of theoretical methods were surveyed to test how well they could reproduce the geometry of 3. Density functional theory calculation outperformed ab initio geometry optimization at the MP2/3-21G(*) level. Finally, a cis−trans isomerization of the double bond of 11 and one of the two double bonds of 10 was studied.
Can high performance software DSM systems designed with InfiniBand features benefit from PCI-Express?

The performance of software distributed shared memory systems has traditionally been lower than other programming models primarily because of overhead in the coherency protocol, communication bottlenecks and slow networks. Software DSMs have benefited from interconnection technologies like Myrinet, InfiniBand and Quadrics, which offer low latency and high bandwidth communication. Additionally, some of their features like RDMA and atomic operations have been used to implement some portions of the software DSM protocols directly, further reducing overhead. Such network aware protocols are dependent on characteristics of these networks. The performance of the networks is in turn dependent on the system architecture, specially the I/O bus. PCI-Express the successor to the PCI-X architecture, offers improved latency and bandwidth characteristics. In this paper, we evaluate the impact of using an improved bus technology like PCI-Express, on the performance of software DSM protocols, which use the network features of InfiniBand. We can see a reduction in application execution time of up to 13% at four nodes, when PCI-Express is used instead of PCI-X.
Ion exchange capacity of nafion and nafion composites

The ion exchange capacity of recast Nafion films and composites of Nafion and polystyrene microbeads is determined by titration. Composite formation enhances exchange capacity; exchange capacity increases with the surface area of microbeads in the composite. For recast films, an equivalent weight of 996 ± 24 is found, whereas the lowest equivalent weight (highest exchange capacity) found for a composite is 878 ± 8. This suggests that ≳13% of the exchange sites within recast films are inaccessible for ion exchange; for 1100 equivalent weight material, ≳25% of the sulfonates are inaccessible. Equivalent weight results are consistent with an ordered interfacial domain between Nafion and the microbeads. A fractal model based on microbead radii, microbead fraction, and interfacial domain thickness provides a predictive model for designing composites with increased exchange capacity and cation transport.
Arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 in malpighian tubules of female yellow fever mosquitoes

The fatty acid compositions of Malpighian tubules from adult females of the mosquito Aedes aegypti were determined for total lipids, phospholipids, triacylglycerols and three phospholipid fractions, namely phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylinositol/phosphatidylserine (PI/PS). The prostaglandin precursor arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) occurred in total lipids and phospholipids, but not triacylglycerols. Within phospholipids, nearly all of the 20:4n-6 was detected in PC, with only traces in PE, and none was detected in PI/PS. Isolated Malpighian tubules incorporated exogenous radioactive 20:4n-6 into tissue phospholipids and diacylglycerols, with most of the radioactivity recovered in diacylglycerol. These data indicate selective incorporation of 20:4n-6 into tissue lipids. PGE2 was detected in Malpighian tubule whole mounts by immunohistochemical staining. These findings support the idea that prostaglandins are physiologically active in mosquito Malpighian tubules.
Catecholamines and sympathomimetic drugs decrease early Salmonella Typhimurium uptake into porcine Peyer's patches.

Peyer's patches of the small intestine serve as inductive sites for mucosal immunity as well as targets for invasive enteropathogens, including Salmonella. Because they are innervated by catecholamine-containing enteric nerves, the hypothesis that the endogenous catecholamines dopamine and norepinephrine or sympathomimetic drugs alter Salmonella Typhimurium uptake into Peyer's patches was tested. Porcine jejunal Peyer's patch explants were mounted in Ussing chambers and inoculated with a porcine field isolate of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104. Salmonella recovery from gentamicin-treated tissues increased significantly between 30 and 90 min of bacterial exposure to the mucosal surface. Addition of the neuronal conduction blocker saxitoxin (0.1 μmol L−1) or dopamine (30 μmol L−1) to the contraluminal aspect of explants decreased bacterial recovery after 60 min of Salmonella exposure. The effects of dopamine were mimicked by cocaine and methamphetamine (30 μmol L−1), which act on catecholaminergic nerve terminals to increase synaptic neurotransmitter concentrations. These results suggest that enteric catecholaminergic nerves modulate Salmonella colonization of Peyer's patches at the earliest stages of infection, in part by altering epithelial uptake of bacteria.
A COMPARISON OF FRESHMEN AND SENIORS ON GENERAL AND SPECIFIC ESSAY TESTS OF CRITICAL THINKING

There is much interest in the impact of college on critical thinking ability. Freshmen and seniors at a mideastern university were given either a general instruction or multiple specific instructions for critically evaluating one of two articles. All critiques were in essay form. Seniors provided more appropriate criticisms to both kinds of instructions for both articles. However, the absolute level of performance of seniors reflected major deficiencies in applying critical evaluation skills. It was concluded that while college seems to be having an impact, greater emphasis is needed on more directly teaching critical thinking skills in the classroom.
Activity at phencyclidine and mu opioid sites mediates the hyperalgesic and antinociceptive properties of the N-terminus of substance P in a model of visceral pain

Abstract Substance P, a putative neurotransmitter or neuromodulator of nociception or pain in the spinal cord, exhibits both antinociceptive and hyperalgesic properties. Investigators have shown that the N-terminal metabolite of substance P, substance P(1–7), produces naloxone-reversible antinociception when given supraspinally and systemically in mice and hyperalgesia when injected intrathecally in rats. The goal of our investigation was to identify the receptors mediating these actions of substance P(1–7) at the initial site of release of substance P i.e. in the spinal cord. Thirty minutes after intrathecal injection, substance P(1–7) produced naloxone-reversible antinociception in a dose-dependent manner in the abdominal stretch assay. When administered with naloxone, substance P(1–7) produced hyperalgesia 5 and 10 min after injection, which was inhibited by dizocilpine (MK-801), a phencyclidine ligand and non-competitive antagonist of N -methyl-d-aspartate. Antinociception was inhibited by the μ-selective opioid antagonist β-funaltrexamine, but not by the μ-selective opioid antagonist naloxonazine or the δ-selective antagonist naltrindole, indicating a μ 2 -opioid receptor-mediated effect. These findings suggest that the N-terminal portion of substance P may modulate nociception or pain, as demonstrated in the acetic acid abdominal stretch (writhing) assay, via activation of two different receptor systems. Substance P(1–7)-induced hyperalgesia is mediated by a phencyclidine-sensitive mechanism and antinociception involves activity at μ-opioid, most likely μ 2 , receptors.
Evaluation of foliar fungicide application methods on soybean

A field trial was conducted at Fargo, North Dakota, in 2005 and 2006 to evaluate different fungicide application methods on soybean (Glycine max). Kromekote® paper cards were placed in the upper and lower canopy of soybean plants, and tebuconazole fungicide mixed with a blue dye was sprayed with different application methods at the R5 developmental stage. The applications were made with a conventional sprayer with Turbo TeeJet® 110015 flat-fan nozzles at 276 kPa liquid pressure, a conventional sprayer with XR TeeJet® 80015 flat-fan nozzles at 276 kPa liquid pressure, an AirJet® bifluid nozzle spray system with liquid pressure at 276 kPa and air pressure at both 76 and 48 kPa, or an air-assisted spray system with liquid pressure at both 221 and 83 kPa. An untreated control was also included to evaluate the effect of tebuconazole on soybean yield. Dye-sensitive Kromekote paper cards were analyzed to determine the percent coverage and the volume median diameter (VMD) of the droplets. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) i...
Cooling rate effects on the microstructure, critical current density, and T/sub c/ transition of one- and two-powder BSCCO-2223 Ag-sheathed tapes

An important variable controlling the critical current density (J/sub c/) of Ag-sheathed BSCCO-2223 tapes is the degree of phase purity of the reacted tapes. Most correlations between J/sub c/ and microstructure show that it is highly desirable to reduce the amount of non-superconducting second phases to as low a level as practical. In recent studies of the influence of cooling rate after the final reaction, we find contradictions to this general rule. The J/sub c/ (77 K, 0 T) of so-called "one-powder" tapes can be raised by as much as 50% (from /spl sim/8000 A/cm/sup 2/ to 12000 A/cm/sup 2/) by slow cooling in 7.5%O/sub 2/ at 0.05/spl deg/C/min, even though large 2212 grains are usually seen in the slowly cooled microstructure. However, the higher J/sub c/ of the slow-cooled state does correlate with a sharper T/sub c/ transition. Experiments with "two-powder" tapes have produced similar results. These apparently anomalous results emphasize the important role played by the connectivity of the polycrystalline core in determining J/sub c/. >
Prenylcysteine alpha-carboxyl methyltransferase expression and function in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Summary Farnesylated proteins undergo a series of post-translational modifications, including carboxyl terminal isoprenylation, proteolysis, and methylation. In Arabidopsis thaliana, protein farnesylation has been shown to be necessary for negative regulation of ABA signaling. However, the role of post-isoprenylation protein processing in ABA signal transduction has not been described. Here, we show that the A. thaliana genome contains two distinct genes on chromosome V, AtSTE14A and AtSTE14B, which encode functional prenylcysteine α-carboxyl methyltransferases. AtSTE14B encodes a methyltransferase with lower apparent Kms for prenylcysteine substrates and higher specific activities than the previously described AtSTE14A-encoded methyltransferase. Furthermore, whereas AtSTE14A transcription is restricted to root and shoot tips, young leaves, and vascular tissue, AtSTE14B transcription is observed in all organs except hypocotyls and petioles. Pharmacological inhibitors of prenylcysteine α-carboxyl methyltransferase activity cause increased ABA sensitivity, seed dormancy, and stomatal closure, consistent with the hypothesis that prenylcysteine α-carboxyl methylation is necessary for negative regulation of ABA signaling. These results suggest that carboxyl methylation, which is a reversible and potentially regulated step in the processing, targeting, and function of isoprenylated plant proteins, may be an important biochemical target for introducing altered ABA sensitivity and drought tolerance into plants.
The presence of FGF2 signaling determines whether β-catenin exerts effects on proliferation or neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells

Neural stem cells proliferate and maintain multipotency when cultured in the presence of FGF2, but subsequent lineage commitment by the cells is nevertheless influenced by the exposure to FGF2. Here we show that FGF2 effects on neural stem cells are mediated, in part, by β-catenin. Conversely, the effects of β-catenin in neural stem cells depend in part upon whether there is concurrent fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling. FGF2 increases β-catenin signaling through several different mechanisms including increased expression of β-catenin mRNA, increased nuclear translocation of β-catenin, increased phosphorylation of GSK-3β, and tyrosine phosphorylation of β-catenin. Overexpression of β-catenin in the presence of FGF2 helps to maintain neural progenitor cells in a proliferative state. However, overexpression of β-catenin in the absence of FGF2 enhances neuronal differentiation. Further, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays demonstrate that both β-catenin and Lef1 bind directly to the neurogenin promoter, and luciferase reporter assays demonstrate that β-catenin is directly involved in the regulation of neurogenin 1 and possibly other proneural genes when neural stem cells are cultured in the presence of FGF2. We suggest that the balance between the mitogenic effects and the proneural effects of β-catenin is determined by the presence of FGF signaling.
SELECTION OF SEEDS OF AN EXOTIC AND THREE NATIVE GRASSES BY NORTHERN BOBWHITES (COLINUS VIRGINIANUS)

Abstract We used 24 captive northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) to compare relative preference of seeds of nonnative guineagrass (Urochloa maxima) to three native foods (switchgrass Panicum virgatum, Texas millet Urochloa texana, and plains bristlegrass Setaria leucopila). By mass, switchgrass was consumed more than other species; plains bristlegrass was least preferred. Selections of guineagrass and Texas millet were similar and intermediate between the other species. By volume, switchgrass and guineagrass were consumed equally. Switchgrass and guineagrass were higher in protein (16 and 18%, respectively) than the other species (13%). Texas millet had higher gross energy content and lower acid-detergent-fiber values compared to the other species. Plains bristlegrass had the lowest protein (13%) and lowest gross energy (3.72 kcal/g). Seeds of guineagrass were consumed and are similar to switchgrass in protein content.
Pinning of graphene to Ir(111) by flat Ir dots

Compact flat Ir islands form and are stable at 400 K when $l0.1$ monolayer of Ir is evaporated onto a graphene flake preadsorbed on Ir(111). Local density approximation calculations account for the Ir islands' two dimensionality and their preferred sites on the substrate. They show that local $s{p}^{3}$ bonding at once chemisorbs the dots above the graphene and firmly pins the graphene layer to the underlying metal.
Fragmentation of nitrogen-14 nuclei at 2.1 gev per nucleon.

An experiment has been carried out at the bevatron on the nuclear fragmentation of nitrogen-14 ions at an energy of 2.1 billion electron volts (Gev) per nucleon. Because of the near equality of the velocities of the nitrogen-14 beam and the fragmentation products at an angle of 0°, we find it possible to identify the nuclear fragments isotopically.
Structure-based design and synthesis of Nω-nitro-L-arginine- containing peptidomimetics as selective inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Displacement of the heme structural water

The neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), the enzyme responsible for the production of nitric oxide in the central nervous system, represents an attractive target for the treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders. X-ray crystal structures of complexes of nNOS with two nNOS-selective inhibitors, (4S)-N-{4-amino-5-[(2-aminoethylamino]pentyl}-N‘-nitroguanidine (1) and 4-N-(Nω-nitro-l-argininyl)-trans-4-amino-l-proline amide (2), led to the discovery of a conserved structural water molecule that was hydrogen bonded between the two heme propionates and the inhibitors (Figure 2). On the basis of this observation, we hypothesized that by attaching a hydrogen bond donor group to the amide nitrogen of 2 or to the secondary amine nitrogen of 1, the inhibitor molecules could displace the structural water molecule and obtain a direct interaction with the heme cofactor. To test this hypothesis, peptidomimetic analogues 3−5, which have either an N-hydroxyl (3 and 5) or N-amino (4) donor group, were d...
Developing an Interactive Web-Based Learning Program on Skin Cancer: the Learning Experiences of Clinical Educators

Web-based learning in medical education is rapidly growing. However, there are few firsthand accounts on the rationale for and development of web-based learning programs. We present the experience of clinical educators who developed an interactive online skin cancer detection and management course in a time-efficient and cost-efficient manner without any prior skills in computer programming or technical construction of web-based learning programs. We review the current state of web-based learning including its general advantages and disadvantages as well as its specific utility in dermatology. We then detail our experience in developing an interactive online skin cancer curriculum for primary care clinicians. Finally, we describe the main challenges faced and lessons learned during the process. This report may serve medical educators who possess minimal computer programming and web design skills but want to employ the many strengths of web-based learning without the huge costs associated with hiring a professional development team.
Photosynthetic and respiratory consequences of hydrogen chloride gas exposures of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Spinacea oleracea L.

Abstract The effects of supra-acute exposure to gaseous HCl on Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Spinacea oleracea L. have been examined with respect to chlorophyll, ultrastructure, photosynthesis, respiration and RubPCase activity. Changes in ultrastructure and chlorophyll levels were noted in HCl-exposed plants. Photosynthetic and respiratory rates of leaf discs sampled from treated plants were: reduced directly proportional to the severity of injury; more depressed following HCl exposure than 24 h after exposure and enhanced in plants which exhibited minimal or no visual necrosis injury. Similar results were obtained using isolated chloroplasts. The rate of photosynthesis in chloroplasts isolated from spinach was shown to decrease with increasing incubation medium acidity resulting from the addition of HNO3, H2SO4 or HCl. Enzyme extracts from control and HCl-exposed Phaseolus vulgaris L. were prepared and RubPCase was measured. Enzyme activity was stimulated in plants sustaining little or no visual injury and was depressed as either injury or concentration of HCl increased. Results suggest that exposure to HCl causes tissue acidification.
Dynamic response sensitivity of inelastic structures

Abstract A general finite element solution method for the dynamic response sensitivity of inelastic structures is developed. Employing a direct differentiation method, the gradient equation of motion is solved without iteration and by taking advantage of the available solution of the response. Special attention is given to sensitivities with respect to inelastic material parameters and detailed derivations are made for theJ2 plasticity model with a linear hardening rule. The method can be applied to any other inelastic material model that has an analytically defined yield function and flow rule. The formulation is easily incorporated in existing finite element codes. Numerical examples demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the method.