cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of near-surface microstructures on the transient current response in Fe-Cr-Ni alloys during scratch tests

Metals and alloys are protected from the corrosive environments in which they are used by the presence of a passive film on the surface. However, the passivity of a metal surface cannot be preserved if mechanical forces rupture this protective film from the surface. Thus, during corrosive wear, the process of wear essentially destroys the passive film, which then leaves a bare metal surface for the corrosion reaction to start taking place once again. In an industrial application of a metal, the process of passivation, depassivation, and repassivation kinetics must be completely understood if the life of a metal part is to be prolonged. The purpose of this article is to study the kinetics involved in the corrosive wear of Fe-Cr-Ni alloys by the scratch technique and to determine the relationship between the electrochemical response of these alloys and the near-surface microstructures.
Encapsulation of Nanosized Silica by in Situ Polymerization of tert-Butyl Acrylate Monomer†

Stable dispersions of nanosilica ranging in size between 8 and 11 nm were coated with tert-butyl acrylate polymer by in situ polymerization of monomer adsorbed on the particles in 2-propanol. The system was developed for use in the encapsulated inorganic resist technology. To achieve a high coating efficiency, silica was first modified with the 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate (MPS) coupling agent at two different degrees of grafting. The presence of the bound MPS agent and of the polymer at the silica surface was determined by the attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, while the amounts bound were assessed by the thermogravimetric analysis. Under studied conditions, the encapsulation efficiency was governed by the degree of MPS grafting and by the initial concentration of the monomer. Finally, the dissolution rate of these particles in aqueous base, a key parameter in photoresist application, was drastically reduced with increasing amount of grafted tert-butyl acrylate polymer at the sil...
Intrinsic junctions and their role in SCL transistors

The space-charge-limited (SCL) transistor, as described in previous publications, consists of high-low and asymmetric junctions formed by diffusing n and p type impurities into a nearly intrinsic silicon substrate. These junctions are “intrinsic” since one side of them is nearly intrinsic with an extrinsic Debye length (L D ) in the range of 10 µm on the low-doped side. Previous publications on high-low and asymmetric junctions are either Incomplete or not applicable to intrinsic junctions because they are based on the depletion and charge neutrality approximations of the bipolar theory.
Prevalence of antibody to hepatitis B virus surface antigen in emergency medical personnel in Salt Lake City, Utah

Because of the potential geographic variation in prevalence and exposure to hepatitis B virus and the high cost of hepatitis B immunization, we performed serologic screening on prehospital care personnel in Salt Lake City, Utah. All individuals screened had been in a line (street) position for at least five years. Their average age was 38.5 years. One of the 50 paramedics and none of 110 emergency medical technicians had serum antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (0.6%; 95% confidence limits, 0.03 to 3.53%). Because the estimated annual incidence based on the observed prevalence is less than 1%, we conclude that exposure to hepatitis B virus is not a major occupational hazard for these employees in our area.
Bicuspid Aortic Cusp Fusion Morphology Alters Aortic Three-Dimensional Outflow Patterns, Wall Shear Stress, and Expression of Aortopathy

Background—Aortic 3-dimensional blood flow was analyzed to investigate altered ascending aorta (AAo) hemodynamics in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients and its association with differences in cusp fusion patterns (right-left, RL versus right-noncoronary, RN) and expression of aortopathy. Methods and Results—Four-dimensional flow MRI measured in vivo 3-dimensional blood flow in the aorta of 75 subjects: BAV patients with aortic dilatation stratified by leaflet fusion pattern (n=15 RL-BAV, mid AAo diameter=39.9±4.4 mm; n=15 RN-BAV, 39.6±7.2 mm); aorta size controls with tricuspid aortic valves (n=30, 41.0±4.4 mm); healthy volunteers (n=15, 24.9±3.0 mm). Aortopathy type (0–3), systolic flow angle, flow displacement, and regional wall shear stress were determined for all subjects. Eccentric outflow jet patterns in BAV patients resulted in elevated regional wall shear stress (P<0.0125) at the right-anterior walls for RL-BAV and right-posterior walls for RN-BAV in comparison with aorta size controls. Dilatati...
Ulnar neuropathy at the wrist.

A case of ulnar nerve compression at the wrist within Guyon’s canal is reported. The clinical presentation initially appeared consistent with an ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. The true diagnosis of an ulnar sensorimotor nerve lesion occurring within the canal of Guyon was made electrophysiologically. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated compression of the nerve within the canal by a ganglionic cyst, which was confirmed by surgical intervention. Ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist is uncommon and difficult to diagnose; therefore, it is important to understand the nerve’s anatomical course and distribution to allow for accurate diagnosis by clinical and electrodiagnostic evaluations. Electrodiagnosis is an important tool in identifying ulnar nerve lesions at the wrist while excluding other disorders in the differential and recognizing coexisting pathology.
Otoliths Reveal a Diverse Age Structure for Humper Lake Trout in Lake Superior

Abstract Humpers are one of at least three morphological variants of wild lake trout Salvelinus namaycush that maintain self-sustaining populations in Lake Superior. In an early study, bumpers from Isle Royale were shown to have a sharply truncated age distribution that was attributed to high mortality after age 11, but we suspected that these fish were underaged. In August of 1989 and 1992 we collected spawning humper lake trout from the same area and estimated their ages using both scales and sagittal otoliths. Humpers in our sample ranged from 5 to 13 years, based on scale annuli, but counts of sagitta annuli revealed ages of 8 to 28 years. Individual discrepancies between ages from scales and sagittae varied from –2 to 20 years, but differences between scale and otolith ages did not increase with individual age. We applied the von Bertalanffy growth model to the humper length-at-age data to indirectly assess the accuracy of aging estimates. The model significantly overestimated mean asymptotic length ...
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Alters the T Helper Cytokine Balance in the Pregnant Rat

Abstract The interactions between immune-endocrine and reproductive systems are heightened during pregnancy as an adaptive mechanism, and are regulated by a complex array of hormones and cytokines that control the survival of a semiallogeneic conceptus. GnRH can exert direct effects on the immune system via its receptor (GnRH-R) on lymphoid cells. In the present study, we employed in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches to investigate the role of GnRH in the modulation of T helper cytokines in pregnant rats undergoing termination of pregnancy. Day 8 pregnant rats were infused with a GnRH agonist (GnRH-Ag) for 24 h using an osmotic minipump. Sham control rats were infused with the vehicle, saline. Lymphocytes were isolated from sham and treated rats and polyclonally stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3 antibody. The levels of the signature T helper 1 (Th-1) cytokines (interferon-γ [IFN-γ] and interleukin-2 [IL-2]) and Th-2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were measured in culture supernatants. Using immunoflou...
T Cells Activated by Zwitterionic Molecules Prevent Abscesses Induced by Pathogenic Bacteria

Immunologic paradigms classify bacterial polysaccharides as T cell-independent antigens. However, these models fail to explain how zwitterionic polysaccharides (Zps) confer protection against intraabdominal abscess formation in a T cell-dependent manner. Here, we demonstrate that Zps elicit a potent CD4+ T cell response in vitro that requires available major histocompatibility complex class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells. Specific chemical modifications to Zps show that: 1) the activity is specific for carbohydrate structure, and 2) the proliferative response depends upon free amino and carboxyl groups on the repeating units of these polysaccharides. Peptides synthesized to mimic the zwitterionic charge motif associated with Zps also exhibited these biologic properties. Lysine-aspartic acid (KD) peptides with more than 15 repeating units stimulated CD4+ T cells in vitro and conferred protection against abscesses induced by bacteria such as Bacteroides fragilis andStaphylococcus aureus. Evidence for the biologic importance of T cell activation by these zwitterionic polymers was provided when human CD4+ T cells stimulated with these molecules in vitroand adoptively transferred to rats in vivo conferred protection against intraabdominal abscesses induced by viable bacterial challenge. These studies demonstrate that bacterial polysaccharides with a distinct charge motif activate T cells and that this activity confers immunity to a distinct pathologic response to bacterial infection.
RecFOR Proteins Target RecA Protein to a DNA Gap with Either DNA or RNA at the 5′ Terminus IMPLICATION FOR REPAIR OF STALLED REPLICATION FORKS

The repair of single-stranded gaps in duplex DNA by homologous recombination requires the proteins of the RecF pathway. The assembly of RecA protein onto gapped DNA (gDNA) that is complexed with the single-stranded DNA-binding protein is accelerated by the RecF, RecO, and RecR (RecFOR) proteins. Here, we show the RecFOR proteins specifically target RecA protein to gDNA even in the presence of a thousand-fold excess of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The binding constant of RecF protein, in the presence of the RecOR proteins, to the junction of ssDNA and dsDNA within a gap is 1-2 nm, suggesting that a few RecF molecules in the cell are sufficient to recognize gDNA. We also found that the nucleation of a RecA filament on gDNA in the presence of the RecFOR proteins occurs at a faster rate than filament elongation, resulting in a RecA nucleoprotein filament on ssDNA for 1000-2000 nucleotides downstream (5' → 3') of the junction with duplex DNA. Thus, RecA loading by RecFOR is localized to a region close to a junction. RecFOR proteins also recognize RNA at the 5'-end of an RNA-DNA junction within an ssDNA gap, which is compatible with their role in the repair of lagging strand gaps at stalled replication forks.
High Output Multiplier Tubes with Accelerator Grids

A multiplier tube capable of producing output currents greater than one ampere has been constructed. In order to produce high electrical fields at the surfaces of the dynodes a design utilizing an accelerating grid near the surface of each dynode was chosen. A space charge limited current of 1.2 to 1.3 amperes was obtained using 400 volts between each dynode and accelerating grid.
Iterative Methods Applied to Matrix Equations Found in Calculating Spheroidal Functions

We look at iterative methods for solving matrix equations, particularly those matrices with small entries. Iterative methods aid computational stability by relying on the topological structure of Banach or Hilbert spaces rather than depending on a calculation's numerical precision. When applicable, they are also quicker than Gaussian elimination. As an example, we use these methods to tabulate the expansion of periodic spheroidal functions in associated Legendre functions, given arbitrary values of the parameters appearing in its defining differential equation. These functions appear in solutions to 3-D Helmholtz equations in oblate and prolate spheroidal coordinates as well as a 1-D Schrodinger equation.
I believe it, but I don’t see it

Since its discovery by Cantor in the 1870s, the one-to-one, onto function from the unit interval to the unit square has been a subject of continual interest. A corresponding function from the square to the interval, however, has rarely been considered, in spite of its unusual characteristics. This Classroom Note demonstrates how to create such a function, highlighting the counterintuitive nature of its continuities, discontinuities and slopes. This will likely be the first function whose graph students of multivariable calculus cannot visualize, and the particular results presented will surprise them. Nevertheless, guided by their instructor, using methods they have used in more standard contexts and helped by some brief hints in the text, they will be able to prove these results. While some familiarity with transfinite numbers and set concepts will enhance the experience, this is not strictly necessary. A goal is to give serious students a sense of participation in the investigation of such a function, k...
Behaviorally‐based management training: linking behaviors to employee satisfaction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify behaviorally‐based training for management trainees with a foundation in employees' beliefs about effective managerial behaviors, and the relationship of these behaviors to employees' satisfaction with supervision, company as employer, and job assignments.Design/methodology/approach – Manufacturing organization and social services agency employees (N=134) were surveyed by questionnaire and asked “How important do you think it is that managers exhibit the following behaviors?” and “How well does your manager exhibit the following behaviors?” Factor analysis produced three factors: Connection with employees, Vision, Autonomy. Employee satisfaction questions were included.Findings – Vision and Autonomy scales for “How well does your manager exhibit the following behaviors?” showed significant, positive correlations for satisfaction with quality of supervision, and with company/agency as an employer. Connection with employees scale for “How important do you t...
Performance evaluation of Lithium Cobalt cells and the suitability for use in electric vehicles

Results of cycle testing and load testing 100 amp-hour prismatic lithium cobalt cells at -20degC, 0degC, +20degC and +40degC are presented. The goal was to demonstrate and / or confirm the name-plate capacity rating of the cell and to investigate the effect of cycling at various temperatures on capacity in the early life of the cell with the long term goal of using these cells in electric vehicles. Six cells were fully charged and discharged using a standard constant-current / constant-voltage regimen using the voltage limits recommended by the manufacturer. The cells were cycled 50 times over the course of approximately 12 - 13 days per cell at +20degC and five times each at -20degC, 0degC and +40degC. It was found that the cells would provide acceptable capacity and power at 0degC, +20degC and +40degC. The possibility of over discharging and self-overheating are discussed. A brief description of the requirements of an electric vehicle battery is given. The research was conducted at the Battery Evaluation Laboratory at UMass, Lowell in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA which is briefly described.
Politicizing science: conceptions of politics in science and technology studies.

This essay examines five ideal–typical conceptions of politics in science and technology studies. Rather than evaluating these conceptions with reference to a single standard, the essay shows how different conceptions of politics serve distinct purposes: normative critique, two approaches to empirical description, and two views of democracy. I discuss each conception of politics with respect to how well it fulfills its apparent primary purpose, as well as its implications for the purpose of studying a key issue in contemporary democratic societies: the politicization of science. In this respect, the essay goes beyond classifying different conceptions of politics and also recommends the fifth conception as especially conducive to understanding and shaping the processes whereby science becomes a site or object of political activity. The essay also employs several analytical distinctions to help clarify the differences among conceptions of politics: between science as ‘political’ (adjective) and science as a...
Stable hovering of a jellyfish-like flying machine

Ornithopters, or flapping-wing aircraft, offer an alternative to helicopters in achieving manoeuvrability at small scales, although stabilizing such aerial vehicles remains a key challenge. Here, we present a hovering machine that achieves self-righting flight using flapping wings alone, without relying on additional aerodynamic surfaces and without feedback control. We design, construct and test-fly a prototype that opens and closes four wings, resembling the motions of swimming jellyfish more so than any insect or bird. Measurements of lift show the benefits of wing flexing and the importance of selecting a wing size appropriate to the motor. Furthermore, we use high-speed video and motion tracking to show that the body orientation is stable during ascending, forward and hovering flight modes. Our experimental measurements are used to inform an aerodynamic model of stability that reveals the importance of centre-of-mass location and the coupling of body translation and rotation. These results show the promise of flapping-flight strategies beyond those that directly mimic the wing motions of flying animals.
Butter, Corn Oil and Fibrinolysis in Rats

We have recently reported a dietary method for the production of thrombosis and infarcts in rats and have suggested that part of the mechanism of thrombosis in these animals was interference by the diet with some hematologic factor, possibly fibrinolysis. In the study reported herein, we have developed a method for studying fibrinolysis in rats in vitro, utilizing an electronic device called the Thrombelastograph. Results of this study correlate well with the previously demonstirated thrombogenic properties of 2 of the diets. Rats on a "butter-thiouracil-cholesterol-bile salt" diet (known to produce thrombi and infarcts) have prolonged clotlysis times, as compared with rats on a similar diet (and not thus far associated with thrombi and infarcts) in which corn oil is substituted for butter. Although the in vitro test is performed under highly artificial conditions, they are carefully standardized and the fact that the results correlate well with previously demonstrated thrombogenic properties of the diet would suggest that it has practical value for the study of thrombogenic effects of various diets in experimental animals. It is possible that it will prove to be even more useful in the study of fibrinolysis in man.
Summary of Assessment in Higher Education and the Management of Student-Learning Data

We describe important issues related to program assessment and accreditation in higher education. The approach taken by one business school is provided to illustrate the assessment process and how it manages the collection of the student-learning data required to assess degree programs. Included are brief descriptions of the development of appropriate student-learning outcomes and assessment measures. Finally, the positive and negative issues associated with program assessment based on student-learning outcomes are described.
AmpC β-lactamases: what do we need to know for the future?

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Building better interdisciplinary scientists: creating graduate level courses to address the communication gap in interdisciplinary research

Background The SCALE-IT (Scalable Computing and Leading Edge Innovative Technologies) program at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville is one of an increasing number of programs at institutions across the country that relies on the success of interdisciplinary research. To prepare students for interdisciplinary problem solving, universities typically offer advanced courses or seminars in interdisciplinary topics. While courses like this are ideal for advanced students who have extensive backgrounds in both computational science and domain sciences, most graduate students lack core competency in fields outside of their own disciplines and are thus unprepared to step up to high-level multidisciplinary courses. However, traditional institutional curricula do not provide opportunities for graduate students to develop an appropriate ground-level understanding in disciplines outside of their primary department. To address this issue, the SCALE-IT program has initiated the creation of introductory graduate level courses to overcome the lexical barrier between academic fields. Over the past two years, the SCALE-IT program has developed four successful graduate level courses dedicated to teaching introductory topics in bioinformatics at the University of Tennessee.
The Role and Responsibility of Schools in Affecting Dental Health Status – A Potential Yet Unrealized

In summary, the schools' role in affecting dental health status for children remains as a potential yet unrealized. Schools have a tremendous capacity to be supportive of programs involving preventive health and preventive dentistry for children. In order to activate such potential, there must develop stronger national and regional health planning and initiatives. Such initiatives must proceed on the basis of sound evaluation support for methods of improving dental health, must seek involvement and integration of the health and educational system, and must seek to finance and refinance school health efforts under the rubric of health care expenditures.
A parallel pipelined renderer for time-varying volume data

This paper presents a strategy for efficiently rendering time-varying volume data on a distributed-memory parallel computer. Visualizing time-varying volume data take both large storage space and long computation time. Instead of employing all processors to render one volume at a time, a pipelined rendering approach partitions processors into groups so that multiple volumes can be rendered concurrently. The overall rendering time is greatly minimized because rendering is overlapped with I/O required to load the volume data sets. Moreover, parallelization overhead may be reduced as a result of partitioning the processors. We modify an existing parallel volume renderer to exploit various levels of rendering parallelism and to study how the partitioning of processors may lead to optimal rendering performance. We find that two factors affecting the overall execution time are resource utilization efficiency and pipeline startup latency. The optimal partitioning configuration is the one that balances these two factors. Tests on Intel Paragon computers show that in general optimal partitionings do exist for a given rendering task and result in 40-50% saving in overall rendering time.
A Novel and Selective β-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone-Derived Peptide Agonist for Melanocortin 4 Receptor Potently Decreased Food Intake and Body Weight Gain in Diet-Induced Obese Rats

alphaMSH has generally been accepted as the endogenous ligand for melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), which plays a major role in energy homeostasis. Targeting MC4R to develop antiobesity agents, many investigators have performed a structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies based on alphaMSH structure. In this report, we performed a SAR study using human betaMSH (5 - 22) (DEGPYRMEHFRWGSPPKD, peptide 1) as a lead sequence to develop potent and selective agonists for MC4R and MC3R. The SAR study was begun with a truncation of N terminus of betaMSH (5 - 22) together with acetylation of the N terminus and amidation of the C terminus of the peptide. Introduction of a cyclic disulfide constrain and replacement of L-Phe with D-Phe afforded a super potent agonist (peptide 5). Furthermore truncation at the C terminus generated a small and potent MC4R and MC3R agonist (Ac-YRcyclo[CEHdFRWC]amide, peptide 6), which exhibited no MC5R and greatly reduced MC1R activity. Molecular modeling of Ac-YRcyclo[CEHdFRWC]amide (peptide 6) revealed that Arg2 in the peptide formed a salt bridge with Glu4. Subcutaneous or intracerebroventricular administration of peptide 6 in rats showed potent in vivo efficacy as evidenced by its effects in reducing energy balance, increasing fat use, and decreasing weight gain in both acute and chronic rat metabolic studies. Furthermore, the antiobesity effect by peptide 6 was manifested only in wild-type but not MC4R-deficient mice, indicating that antiobesity effects of the peptide were attributed largely through MC4R but not MC3R agonist activity of the peptide.
Self-Powered Wireless Sensor System using MEMS Piezoelectric Micro Power Generator

A thin-film lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr, Ti)O3, MEMS Piezoelectric Micro Power Generator (PMPG) has been integrated with a commercial wireless sensor node (Telos) to enable a self-powered RF temperature sensor module. The PNMLPG and a power management module are designed to satisfy the sensor node's power requirement. An electro-mechanical model of PMPG has been developed to simulate the system and to maximize the power output. The second generation PMPG is designed to provide 0.173 mW power at 3 V DC with with 1 g excitation at 155.5 Hz. The power management module is developed to provide AC-DC rectification, energy storage, and active switching between the PMIPG and the application circuit. To optimize the power requirement, sensor data is taken at a discontinuous interval. A test bed is developed for testing autonomous sensors with a simulated condition of an Alaskan natural gas pipeline. Scaling factors, cost and robustness are considered in the test bed design.
Management of cardiovascular risk factors in adults with congenital heart disease.

Advances in surgical and clinical management of congenital heart disease (CHD) have allowed patients to survive into adulthood. The number of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients continues to increase by 5% per year with >1 million individuals in the United States.[1][1]–[2][2] There is
Unidirectionality of semiconductor ring lasers: theory and experiment

Integrated semiconductor ring lasers are designed to achieve unidirectional operation with S-crossover waveguides or retro-reflectors. Greater than 20dB unidirectionality is demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally.
THE GENETIC PROGRAM FOR GERM-SOMA DIFFERENTIATION IN VOLVOX

▪ Abstract Volvox carteri possesses only two cell types: mortal somatic cells and potentially immortal asexual reproductive cells called gonidia. Mutational analysis indicates that three categories of genes play central roles in programming this germ-soma division of labor: First the gls genes function during embryogenesis to cause asymmetric divisions that produce large and small cells. Then the lag genes act in the large cells (gonidial initials) to repress functions required for somatic development while the regA locus acts in the small cells (somatic initials) to repress functions required for reproductive development. Transposon tagging and DNA transformation have recently been used to recover and characterize the glsA and regA genes, and the sequences of these genes lead to testable hypotheses about how they play their roles in germ-soma differentiation.
Quantitative dissection of clone-specific growth rates in cultured malaria parasites

Measurement of parasite proliferation in cultured red blood cells underpins many facets of malaria research, from drug sensitivity assays to assessing the impact of experimentally altered genes on parasite growth, virulence and fitness. Pioneering efforts to grow Plasmodium falciparum in cultured red blood cells revolutionised malaria research and spurred the development of semi-high-throughput growth assays using radio-labelled hypoxanthine (Hx), an essential nucleic acid precursor, as a reporter of whole-cycle proliferation [Trager, W., Jensen, J.B., 1976. Human malaria parasites in continuous culture. Science 193, 673-675; Desjardins, R.E., Canfield, C.J., Haynes, J.D., Chulay, J.D., 1979. Quantitative assessment of antimalarial activity in vitro by a semiautomated microdilution technique. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 16, 710-718]. The isotopic Hx assay remains the standard quantitative growth assay with which newer non-radioactive procedures based on fluorescent DNA dyes or ELISA are compared. All of these readouts are surrogate reporters of changes in bulk parasitemias, reflecting proliferation over entire asexual reproductive cycles. While quantitatively robust and amenable to semi-high-throughput applications, these methods are blind to the underlying developmental and cellular events of growth in human red blood cells. Modern whole-genome tools including gene knockouts, mutagenesis and small molecule screens promise to reveal much about basic parasite biology; however methods to precisely quantify the within-cycle growth process are needed. Here we elaborate on the classical growth index, i.e. changes in parasitemia, by quantifying sub-phenotypes of a rapid proliferator, the multi-drug resistant clone Dd2, and a standard wild-type clone, HB3. These data illustrate differences in cycle duration, merozoite production, and invasion rate and efficiency that underpin Dd2's average 2-fold proliferation advantage over HB3 per erythrocytic cycle. The ability to refine growth phenotypes will inform the search for molecular determinants of differential parasite growth rates and broaden our understanding of killing mechanisms and cellular targets of antimalarial drugs.
Molecular Cloning, Structure, and Expression of Dopamine‐β–Hydroxylase from Bovine Adrenal Medulla

Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, remains the topic of many unanswered questions. We isolated DBH cDNA clones from a bovine adrenal medulla cDNA library in the vector lambda gt10. The longest cDNA had an open reading frame encoding an entire mature DBH 578 amino acid (64,808 dalton) polypeptide chain, though lacking a portion of the signal peptide. Additional 5' clones, obtained by the polymerase chain reaction, established the sequence of a 19 amino acid signal peptide. The mature protein sequence was 84% homologous to that of human pheochromocytoma DBH, including preservation of four potential copper ligand sites (HH or HXH) and substrate binding domains. There were no hydrophobic (putative membrane spanning) domains, other than the signal peptide. All available DBH peptide and protein sequence data can be accounted for by the cDNA-deduced 578 amino acid mature protein primary structure. Prokaryotic DBH expression yielded a 65-kilodalton DBH-immunoreactive peptide that differed from eukaryotic adrenal DBH only in N-linked, endoglycosidase F-sensitive glycosylation in the latter. Southern analysis suggested one DBH gene, whereas Northern analysis suggested a single 2.6 kbp tissue-specific DBH transcript. Comparison of the DBH primary structure with other reported sequences [Protein Identification Resource (PIR), New Atlas (NEWAT)] did not indicate that DBH is a member of any known gene family. The results suggest that a single DBH gene encodes a message specifying a single DBH polypeptide chain.
Ecotourism and Sea Turtle Harvesting in a Fishing Village of Bahia, Brazil

Many environmentalists believe ecotourism has the potential to generate net benefits for people and nature. For more than two decades, the Brazilian Sea Turtle Conservation Program (TAMAR) has provided jobs and income through ecotourism in Praia do Forte, Brazil, in exchange for reduced harvesting of sea turtles. In this article we evaluate the relationships between ecotourism at TAMAR and local support for sea turtle conservation. Nine months of ethnographic research (2006-2008) suggest that ecotourism-related employment and income have been somewhat stable and reliable. The average income of respondents who worked with TAMAR was lower than that reported by people not working with TAMAR. Workers noted other non-economic benefits. Though the majority supported sea turtle conservation, it is unclear how feelings will waver with new mass tourism developments in the region. As the cost of living increases, residents may increasingly be inclined to look for work outside TAMAR. Development also attracts new immigrants, making it difficult for locals to control sea turtle harvesting. These trends challenge the notion that economic incentives for locals alone will ensure conservation. Further research is needed to understand the conditions under which ecotourism may foster long-term conservation in the face of larger developments surrounding community ecotourism projects.
Exercise, Learned Helplessness, and the Stress-Resistant Brain

Exercise can prevent the development of stress-related mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. The underlying neurobiological mechanisms of this effect, however, remain unknown. Recently, researchers have used animal models to begin to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of physical activity. Using the behavioral consequences of uncontrollable stress or “learned helplessness” as an animal analog of depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in rats, we are investigating factors that could be important for the antidepressant and anxiolytic properties of exercise (i.e., wheel running). The current review focuses on the following: (1) the effect of exercise on the behavioral consequences of uncontrollable stress and the implications of these effects on the specificity of the “learned helplessness” animal model; (2) the neurocircuitry of learned helplessness and the role of serotonin; and (3) exercise-associated neural adaptations and neural plasticity that may contribute to the stress-resistant brain. Identifying the mechanisms by which exercise prevents learned helplessness could shed light on the complex neurobiology of depression and anxiety and potentially lead to novel strategies for the prevention of stress-related mood disorders.
A Two-stage Multi-view Analysis Framework for Human Activity and Interactions

This paper presents a new framework for a multi-stage multi-view approach for human interactions and activity analysis. The analysis is performed in a distributed vision system that synergistically integrate track- and body-level representations across multiple cameras. Our system aims at versatile and easily-deployable system that does not require careful camera calibration. Main contributions of the paper are: (1) context-dependent camera handover for occlusion handling, (2) switching the multi-stage analysis between track- and body-level representations, and (3) a hypothesis-verification paradigm for top-down feedback exploiting spatio-temporal constraints inherent in human interaction. Experimental evaluation shows the efficacy of the proposed system for analyzing multi-person interactions. Current implementation uses two views, but extension to more views is straightforward.
Environmental salinity modulates the effects of elevated CO2 levels on juvenile hard-shell clams, Mercenaria mercenaria

SUMMARY Ocean acidification due to increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentrations results in a decrease in seawater pH and shifts in the carbonate chemistry that can negatively affect marine organisms. Marine bivalves such as the hard-shell clam, Mercenaria mercenaria , serve as ecosystem engineers in estuaries and coastal zones of the western Atlantic and, as for many marine calcifiers, are sensitive to the impacts of ocean acidification. In estuaries, the effects of ocean acidification can be exacerbated by low buffering capacity of brackish waters, acidic inputs from freshwaters and land, and/or the negative effects of salinity on the physiology of organisms. We determined the interactive effects of 21 weeks of exposure to different levels of CO 2 (~395, 800 and 1500 μatm corresponding to pH of 8.2, 8.1 and 7.7, respectively) and salinity (32 versus 16) on biomineralization, shell properties and energy metabolism of juvenile hard-shell clams. Low salinity had profound effects on survival, energy metabolism and biomineralization of hard-shell clams and modulated their responses to elevated P CO 2 . Negative effects of low salinity in juvenile clams were mostly due to the strongly elevated basal energy demand, indicating energy deficiency, that led to reduced growth, elevated mortality and impaired shell maintenance (evidenced by the extensive damage to the periostracum). The effects of elevated P CO 2 on physiology and biomineralization of hard-shell clams were more complex. Elevated P CO 2 (~800–1500 μatm) had no significant effects on standard metabolic rates (indicative of the basal energy demand), but affected growth and shell mechanical properties in juvenile clams. Moderate hypercapnia (~800 μatm P CO 2 ) increased shell and tissue growth and reduced mortality of juvenile clams in high salinity exposures; however, these effects were abolished under the low salinity conditions or at high P CO 2 (~1500 μatm). Mechanical properties of the shell (measured as microhardness and fracture toughness of the shells) were negatively affected by elevated CO 2 alone or in combination with low salinity, which may have important implications for protection against predators or environmental stressors. Our data indicate that environmental salinity can strongly modulate responses to ocean acidification in hard-shell clams and thus should be taken into account when predicting the effects of ocean acidification on estuarine bivalves.
Emissivity of Dispersed Carbon Particles

The emissivity of spherical carbon particles is calculated in both the infrared and visible regions of the spectrum. The scattering and absorption cross sections for individual particles are obtained from the Mie theory of scattering. A suitable dispersion equation is derived which represents the optical properties of carbon at flame temperatures. An expression is obtained for the radiation intensity emitted by a large number of dispersed particles which includes all higher order scattering processes. From these results the emissivity of carbon particles in flames is calculated for particle radii in the range from 50 to 800 A and for 109 to 1015 particles cm−2. In addition the emissivity is obtained for several different particle size distributions which are representative of actual flames. A quantitative explanation is given for the occurrence of the intensity maximum at shorter wavelengths than corresponds to the blackbody maximum at the same temperature.
Synthetic Hydrologic Information - A Case Study

Methodologies are developed for generating synthetic hydrologic information in respect to weekly flows, precipitation on and evaporation from the lake surfaces, and navigation flow requirements to investigate: 1) the range of response with the optimal joint operation (derived with the historical data) of the Shelbyville and Carlyle Lakes in Illinois and 2) any desirable improvements in operation. A two-distribution model is shown to be better than the Pearson or normal distribution model for generating monthly streamflows. A method for filtering outliers is predicated on the basis of hydrometeorology and rainfall-runoff phenomenon. A disaggregation procedure is formulated for converting monthly flows to weekly flows. Markov models are used successfully in generating monthly precipitation on and evaporation from the lake surfaces. The weekly navigation-flow requirements are simulated by a third-order Markov chain.
Protonation-dependent conformational dynamics of the multidrug transporter EmrE

The small multidrug transporter from Escherichia coli, EmrE, couples the energetically uphill extrusion of hydrophobic cations out of the cell to the transport of two protons down their electrochemical gradient. Although principal mechanistic elements of proton/substrate antiport have been described, the structural record is limited to the conformation of the substrate-bound state, which has been shown to undergo isoenergetic alternating access. A central but missing link in the structure/mechanism relationship is a description of the proton-bound state, which is an obligatory intermediate in the transport cycle. Here we report a systematic spin labeling and double electron electron resonance (DEER) study that uncovers the conformational changes of EmrE subsequent to protonation of critical acidic residues in the context of a global description of ligand-induced structural rearrangements. We find that protonation of E14 leads to extensive rotation and tilt of transmembrane helices 1-3 in conjunction with repacking of loops, conformational changes that alter the coordination of the bound substrate and modulate its access to the binding site from the lipid bilayer. The transport model that emerges from our data posits a proton-bound, but occluded, resting state. Substrate binding from the inner leaflet of the bilayer releases the protons and triggers alternating access between inward- and outward-facing conformations of the substrate-loaded transporter, thus enabling antiport without dissipation of the proton gradient.
The World’s Fastest Growing Religion: Comparing Christian and Muslim Expansion in the Modern Era

Many religious traditions boast spectacular numerical growth in recent history. Usually, such claims have the rhetorical goal of claiming an expansion so spectacular that it might be presented in “miraculous” terms. This chapter compares the changing numbers of followers of the Christian and Muslim faiths worldwide since 1900 and the reasons underlying those changes. Both Christianity and Islam expanded rapidly through a combination of demographic change and successful evangelism. In both cases, demography is the more significant factor. For Christians, almost all growth occurred outside the territories of Europe and North America that had long represented its traditional heartlands. Demography accounted for a fundamental shift in the faith’s center of gravity, towards new lands on Africa, Asia and Latin America. Despite some growth in Africa, Islamic expansion mainly occurred in the territories where it is concentrated, so that this faith did not experience the geographical and cultural shift of emphasis associated with Christians. The slow rate of population growth in Europe means that Islamic numbers worldwide have grown more sharply than Christian. Differences in the type of religious expansion – Muslims in traditional areas of strength, Christians in newer areas – means that Christianity has had to confront more far-reaching questions of cultural assimilation and acculturation than Muslims. In both cases, traditional forms of belief and practice have increasingly been challenged and overwhelmed by new and more globalized forms of faith. Among Christians and Muslims, these new forms of faith claim a special kind of authenticity and pseudo-antiquity, but nevertheless owe much of their success to strictly modern forms of communication and technology. There are parallels between the groups and individuals leading evangelism and expansion among the two religions, comparing new Christian prophets with charismatic leaders of Sufi Muslim sects.
Effects of Scale Economies, Location and Market Concentration on the Propensity of US Firms to Export

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of internal and external scale economies on the propensity of US manufacturing firms to export. This paper examines the effects of location and firm size on export propensity. In addition, this paper examines the relative effects of geographic and market share concentration on export propensity. Analysis of the export behavior of more than 48,000 manufacturing firms in the Southeastern United States indicates that urban firms are more likely to export than rural ones; large firms are more likely to export than small ones; firms in geographically concentrated industries are more likely to export than those in geographically disperse industries. Further, results indicate that when it comes to industry concentration, concentration of ownership is more important than geographic concentration. This has implications for managing the export process.
Distributive and Partisan Issues in Agriculture Policy in the 104th House

Distributive, informational, and partisan rationales provide contrasting accounts of legislative politics. Which of these theories best explains the decisions and policies of the House Agriculture Committee? We contend that all are appropriate, at various times, depending upon the particular issues and circumstances. By analyzing issues within the jurisdiction of the Agriculture Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee in the 104th House, we demonstrate that the issue environments of both are multidimensional (even within individual bills) and that each committee has both distributive and partisan policy dimensions. Therefore, it is impossible for either committee to be representative of the chamber on all its policy dimensions simultaneously. In addition, with regard to distributive issues salient to members, we find that both committees are homogeneous, high-demand outliers. Our study has important implications for distributive, informational, and partisan theories of legislative behavior and organization.
Specialty milestones and the next accreditation system: an opportunity for the simulation community.

The Accreditation for Graduate Medical Education has developed a new process of accreditation, the Next Accreditation System (NAS), which focuses on outcomes. A key component of the NAS is specialty milestones—specific behavior, attributes, or outcomes within the general competency domains. Milestones will mark a level of proficiency of a resident within a competency domain. Each specialty has developed its own set of milestones, with semiannual reporting to begin July 2013, for 7 specialties, and the rest in July 2014. Milestone assessment must be based on objective data. Each specialty will determine optimal methods of measuring milestones, based on ease, cost, validity, and reliability. The simulation community has focused many graduate medical education efforts at training and formative assessment. Milestone assessment represents an opportunity for simulation modalities to offer summative assessment of milestone proficiencies, adding to the potential methods that residency programs will likely use or adapt. This article discusses the NAS, milestone assessment, and the opportunity to the simulation community to become involved in this next stage of graduate medical education assessment.