cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A functionally diverse enzyme superfamily that abstracts the alpha protons of carboxylic acids

Mandelate racemase and muconate lactonizing enzyme are structurally homologous but catalyze different reactions, each initiated by proton abstraction from carbon. The structural similarity to mandelate racemase of a previously unidentified gene product was used to deduce its function as a galactonate dehydratase. In this enzyme superfamily that has evolved to catalyze proton abstraction from carbon, three variations of homologous active site architectures are now represented: lysine and histidine bases in the active site of mandelate racemase, only a lysine base in the active site of muconate lactonizing enzyme, and only a histidine base in the active site of galactonate dehydratase. This discovery supports the hypothesis that new enzymatic activities evolve by recruitment of a protein catalyzing the same type of chemical reaction.
Influenza virus hemagglutinin expression is polarized in cells infected with recombinant SV40 viruses carrying cloned hemagglutinin DNA

Primary cell cultures of African Green monkey kidney (AGMK) contain polarized epithelial cells in which influenza virus matures predominantly at the apical surfaces above tight junctions. Influenza virus glycoproteins were found to be localized at the same membrane domain from which the virus budded. When polarized primary AGMK cells were infected with recombinant SV40 viruses containing DNA coding for either an influenza virus H1 or H2 subtype hemagglutinin (HA), the HA proteins were preferentially expressed at the apical surface in a manner identical to that observed in influenza virus-infected cells. Thus, cellular mechanisms for sorting membrane glycoproteins recognize some structural feature of the HA glycoprotein itself, and other viral proteins are not necessary for this process.
Mechanical property enhancement of semicrystalline polymers—A review

Processing plastics below their melting points has been shown to be an effective way to significantly enhance the mechanical, chemical, and physical properties of semi-crystalline thermoplastics. A number of techniques have been developed that are capable of producing highly oriented fibers, films, and shapes. In general, these techniques can be classified as drawing, extrusion, arid rolling, with some very specific modifications having been made to each, that affects the performance of the process. Of particular interest is the rate of production, the range of thicknesses achievable, the uniformity of properties in the product, and the extent, if any, of biaxiality in the product. In recent years, the productivity of such forming processes has been increased by reducing the level of molecular entanglement among neighboring molecules. As an alternate to these orientation processes, techniques have been developed which rely on strain Induced crystallization to enhance the modulus of molded parts and extrudates from a melt. This paper constitutes a review of these techniques with emphasis on the process parameters, polymers investigated, and properties of the resulting materials.
A network environment for computer-supported cooperative work

A second generation computer supported cooperative work system called Electronic Information Exchange System (EIES2) is described in this paper. The EIES2 communications environment allows users to network across geographical constraints using asynchronous or synchronous communications. The architecture of the network environment is decentralized, and is implemented using modern standards, and an easy-to-use user interface.At the heart of EIES2 is a high-level, object oriented pseudo machine which incorporates a distributed, communications-oriented database.The set of tools provided by the EIES2 communications environment is well suited for implementing group communication systems that have an extensive set of user features built into it. These tools are well suited to support the group communication model described by the AMIGO task force (IFIP 6.5 and ISO TC97/SC18/WG64). The EIES2 application layer protocols, using CCITT/ISO X.410 Remote Operations, support a distributed object oriented database.
Nonlinear Steepening of the Electrostatic Ion Cyclotron Wave

Electrostatic ion cyclotron waves observed in space at altitudes between 5000 and 8000 km often have a sinusoidal form. Occasionally, however, wave forms having a spiky or sawtooth form indicative of steepening are observed. The nonlinear fluid equations which characterize the electrostatic ion cyclotron wave have traveling-wave solutions with sinusoidal, spiky, and sawtooth forms. The wave form depends on the amplitude and phase velocity of the wave.
Privacy and Security in E-Learning

For a variety of advantages, universities and other organizations are resorting to e-learning to provide instruction on-line. While many advances have been made in the mechanics of providing online instruction, the needs for privacy and security have to-date been largely ignored. This paper examines privacy and security issues associated with e-learning. It presents the basic principles behind privacy practices and legislation. It investigates the more popular e-learning standards to determine their provisions and limitations for privacy and security. Privacy requirements for e-learning systems are explored with respect to the “Privacy Principles”. The capabilities of a number of existing privacy enhancing technologies, including methods for network privacy, policy-based privacy/security management, and trust systems, are reviewed and assessed.
Evidence of 1.5 THz single-photon detection in quantum capacitance detectors via telegraph rate distribution asymmetry

Quantum Capacitance Detectors (QCDs) are shot noise limited terahertz detectors. Radiation breaks Cooper pairs, causing quasiparticle poisoning of a charge qubit, read out by a microwave resonator. We find asymmetry in the distribution of telegraph transition rates, interpreted as resulting from discrete single-photon events.
Regulation of Snf1 kinase. Activation requires phosphorylation of threonine 210 by an upstream kinase as well as a distinct step mediated by the Snf4 subunit.

The yeast Snf1 kinase and its metazoan orthologues, the AMP-activated protein kinases, are activated in response to nutrient limitation. Activation requires the phosphorylation of a conserved threonine residue in the activation loop of the catalytic subunit. A phosphopeptide antibody was generated that specifically recognizes Snf1 protein that is phosphorylated in its activation loop on threonine 210. Using this reagent, we show that phosphorylation of threonine 210 correlates with Snf1 activity, since it is detected in cells subjected to glucose limitation but not in cells grown in abundant glucose. A Snf1 mutant completely lacking kinase activity was phosphorylated normally on threonine 210 in glucose-starved cells, eliminating the possibility that the threonine 210 modification is due to an autophosphorylation event. Cells lacking the Reg1 protein, a regulatory subunit for the Glc7 phosphatase, showed constitutive phosphorylation of Snf1 threonine 210. Exposure of cells to high concentrations of sodium chloride also induced phosphorylation of Snf1. Interestingly, Mig1, a downstream target of Snf1 kinase, is phosphorylated in glucose-stressed but not sodium-stressed cells. Finally, cells lacking the γ subunit of the Snf1 kinase complex encoded by the SNF4 gene exhibited normal regulation of threonine 210 phosphorylation in response to glucose limitation but are unable to phosphorylate Mig1 efficiently. Our data indicate that activation of the Snf1 kinase complex involves two steps, one that requires a distinct upstream kinase and one that is mediated by the γ subunit of the kinase itself.
High Temperature‐Short Time Pasta, Processing: Effect of Formulation on Extrudate Properties

Effects of wheat type and functional ingredients on selected characteristics of pregelatinized pasta manufactured by high temperature-short time twin-screw extrusion were evaluated by physicochemical methods. Although wheat type exerted minor influence on maximum force, total organic matter, and water absorption index, both durum and hard wheats were suitable as raw materials for production of pregelatinized pasta. Most differences in quality characteristics of pasta supplemented with additives were attributable to effects glyceryl monostearate. Neither disodium phosphate (1.0% nor wheat gluten (5.0%) substantially affected physicochemical properties related to textural quality.
The gradient of the total energy for metals

Abstract A new term occurs in the expression for the gradient of the total energy in Hartree-Fock theory with respect to the nuclear coordinates for systems wit
The clinical use of radionuclide bone marrow imaging

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are excellent techniques for evaluating bone marrow, but this evaluation is limited to a small part of the total blood-forming organ. With the introduction of radionuclide bone marrow imaging, a simple technique became available that overcomes marrow sampling errors by giving a total body view of functioning marrow. Furthermore, the procedure is noninvasive and provides an atraumatic method for evaluating a number of clinical problems including a discrepancy between bone marrow histology and clinical status (possible marrow sampling error), the determination of amount of active marrow after radiation and chemotherapy when further therapy is being considered, detection of sites of extramedullary hematopoiesis, location of the optimal sites for bone marrow biopsy, the diagnosis and staging of diffuse hematologic disorders, detection of metastases, the diagnosis of bone marrow infarcts in hemolytic anemias, and detecting avascular necrosis of the femoral heads. There are two major classes of bone marrow agents: (1) those that are incorporated into the erythroid precursors such as radioiron and (2) colloids that are taken up by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Indium-111 chloride was originally considered to be an erythropoietic agent but appears to share some properties of RES labels. The best label to use is dependent on the disease being evaluated.
Isolation of antibiotics produced in culture by Armillaria mellea

Four chloroform-soluble antibiotic substances were produced in culture by Armillaria mellea (Vahl ex Fr.) Kummer when rhizomorphs were formed in potato-dextrose broth. The antibiotics were extracted from the culture fluid and fungal vegetative structures of young and old cultures representing seventeen A. mellea clones. The antibiotic compounds were both antifungal and antibacterial against Gram-positive bacteria. One of the antibiotics has been partially identified and appears to be a phenolic compound. Further studies are in progress.
Characterization of chip scale packaging materials

Abstract The mechanical stability of Chip Scale Packages (CSP) used in surface mount technology is of primary concern. The dominant issues are package warpage and solder fatigue in solder joints under cyclic loads. To address these issues, molding compound and die attach film were characterized with finite element method which employed a viscoelastic and viscoplastic constitutive model. The model was verified with experiments on package warpage, PCB warpage and solder joint reliability. After the correlation was observed, the effect of molding compound and die attach film on package warpage and solder joint reliability was investigated. It was found that package warpage tremendously affected solder joint reliability. Furthermore, a die attach film was developed based on results of the modeling. CSP with the developed die attach film are robust and capable of withstanding the thermal stresses, humidity and high temperatures encountered in typical package assembly and die attach processes. Also, a lead free solder is discussed based on the results of creep testing. This paper presents the viscoelastic and viscoplastic constitutive model and its verification, the optimum material properties, the experimental and simulated reliability and performance results of the u∗BGA packages, and the lead free solder creep.
Psychological distress following a natural disaster: A one‐year follow‐up of 98 flood victims

Ninety-eight individuals rendered homeless by flooding of the Mississippi were interviewed shortly after the disaster and one year later. Data included demographic information, severity of property damage, personal reactions to the disaster, and the 20-item Mental Status Index, a symptom checklist designed to quantify emotional stress. Just after the flood victims were asked to complete the Mental Status Index twice, using as a frame of reference their mental/emotional state before the disaster and their mental/emotional state since the disaster experience. The results indicated a significant increase in emotional distress immediately after the flood. One year later, the level of emotional distress had declined somewhat relative to that reported shortly after the disaster; however, it still remained significantly above pre-flood levels. Although victims continued to show effects of the disaster after 12 months, none developed a major mental illness for the first time. Findings of this and similar followup studies suggest that the most appropriate and cost/effective role for the mental health worker in times of natural disaster is that of a consultant in crisis management to primary caregivers such as family physicians, clergy, and full-time disaster personnel.
The fire whirl phenomenon

Abstract An analytical model was developed of the radially averaged fluid mechanical properties of the fire whirl core, including the coupling between the fire whirl core flow, the ground boundary layer, and the fuel heat transfer. A parameter related to the ground boundary layer radial and tangential velocity profiles, necessary for obtaining solutions from the analytical model, was obtained from correlation of the model with extensive measurements of the fluid mechanical properties of a subscale fire whirl. The fire whirls were created by burning either acetone or natural wood fuels at the center of the bottom of a large vortex generating device. The temperature, core radius, and tangential and vertical core velocity behavior predicted by the model were reasonably verified by the experiments. Extension of the model to full scale fire whirls was made. The effect of the change in size scale was accounted for by utilizing the mean core temperature as a correlation variable and including dependence on the vertical extent of the ambient circulation in the temperature correlation. Calculations for full scale fire whirls were made which show physically plausible results and trends for the fire whirl fluid mechanical properties with varying ambient circulation and fuel characteristics. The model depends on a minimum of inputs and is easy to apply.
Launch behavior of 60-mm pushed and traction driven saboted launch packages

Abstract Launch behaviour of push and traction driven saboted penetrators are examined for three experimental 60-mm sabot/rod systems. Finite element simulations of the launch packages were performed to determine structural integrity and survivability during the launch phases of projectiles in the 1.9–2.4 km/s velocity range. Results from ballistics experiments from a 60-mm experimental gun are examined. Performance and limitations of the three systems are reviewed.
Restoration of Lung Pressure-Volume Characteristics with Various Phospholipids

Summary: The surfactant depleted adult rat lung model previously reported by us was used to determine the ability of certain phospholipids (PL), either singly or in combination, to restore the lung pressure-volume (PV) characteristics to normal. Seventy-one adult rats were used for this study. Before depletion of surfactant, a PV curve was obtained and the mean percent total lung capacity (% TLC) at 5 cm H2O on the deflation limb was 53.8. Maximal removal of surfactant was done by repeated lung washings, and a second PV curve was obtained (mean % TLC was 9.2). Various PL suspensions were prepared by sonication of dipalmitoyl lecithin and another PL in saline at a molar ratio of 9:1. The final concentration was 5 mg DPL/ml. Each suspension was instilled directly into the trachea and the lung was ventilated for 5 min at a rate of 40/min, a volume of 7 ml, PEEP of 5 cm H2O, and an inspiration to total cycle ratio of 0.4. A third PV curve was then done. For all PV curves, the percent of original TLC at 5 cm H2O was calculated. The % TLC at 5 cm H2O after treatment with phospholipid suspensions, showed: DPL/unsaturated phosphatidyl glycerol (u-PG), 37.2; DPL/unsaturated phosphatidyl inositol (u-PI), 28.3; DPL, 25.8; DPL/unsaturated phosphatidyl serine (u-PS), 25.7; DPL/unsaturated lecithin (u-Lecithin), 24.1; DPL/dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl glycerol (DPPG), 7.7; and an analog of DPL from the University of Rhode Island (URI analog), 20.1. Although six of the seven suspensions possessed varying ability to restore the PV characteristics toward normal, none was as effective as natural surfactant which gave a mean of 46.8. Speculation: Of the seven phospholipid mixtures, DPL/u-PG produced the most improvement in lung stability. Furthermore, surface tension measurements of DPL/u-PG showed normal surface activity. This suggests that DPL in combination with u-PG might afford a basis for development of a synthetic surfactant for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
Strength training does not affect vagal–cardiac control or cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity in young healthy subjects

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that high-intensity strength training increases vagal-cardiac control and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity. Twenty-two subjects [age 22 (0.8) years] were assigned to either strength training (ST, n=12) or control (CON, n=10) groups. Subjects in the ST group trained each major muscle group 3 days per week for 8 weeks with three sets of 10 repetitions and 2-min rest periods. Resistance was increased progressively when possible. Subjects in the CON group were active recreationally but did not lift weights. Before and after training, resting arterial pressure was measured with an automated sphygmomanometer, and ECG, respiratory rate, and finger photoplethysmographic arterial pressures were recorded with subjects supine and breathing at a set rate (0.25 Hz) for 5 min. Data were analyzed in both time and frequency domains. Arterial baroreflex sensitivity was estimated with the sequence method and cross-spectral transfer function analysis of systolic pressures and R-R intervals. Training increased whole-body muscular strength and decreased arterial blood pressure at rest (the exercise and pressure data have been published elsewhere). R-R intervals and standard deviations, and R-R interval spectral power at the respiratory frequency were unaffected by training. Similarly, training did not affect respiratory or low-frequency systolic pressure spectral power or cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity. Although evidence supports beneficial cardiovascular adaptations to resistance training, our results demonstrate that resistance training does not affect vagal-cardiac control or cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity in young healthy subjects.
Soybean lines lacking the 120,000-dalton seed lectin

Seeds of 102 lines of Glycine max (L.) Merr., the soybean, were screened quantitatively for the presence of the 120,000-dalton soybean lectin. Wide variation in the content of this lectin was noted, and five lines of soybean whose seed totally lacked the lectin were identified. Roots of all five lines were effectively nodulated by several strains of Rhizobium japonicum, thus indicating that the 120,000-dalton soybean seed lectin is probably not required for the initiation of soybean-Rhizobium symbiosis.
The application of coding theory to the design of combinatorial filing schemes of any order

Abstract A balanced multiple-valued filing scheme is designed using the standard array of a linear ( n , k ) code. It is valid for all order queries ⩽ n . The distribution of records over buckets and redundancy vary with code selection. Unlike other such schemes, the storage and retrieval algorithms are defined for any set of parameters; moreover, the algorithms are simple.
Sciurus pucheranii (Rodentia: Sciuridae)

Sciurus pucheranii (Fitzinger, 1867) is a sciurid commonly called the Andean squirrel. This small tree squirrel has reddish brown pelage with a dark dorsal midline and is 1 of 28 species in the genus Sciurus. It is endemic to Colombia, South America, and is found in sub-Andean and high-elevation cloud forests of the Cordillera chains of the Andes Mountains. Deforestation within the range of S. pucheranii may negatively impact this species in the future. Currently the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources lists S. pucheranii in the Data Deficient (DD) category.
Quantitative structure–property relationships of camptothecins in humans

To develop quantitative structure property relationships (QSPR) for the pharmacokinetics and the susceptibility to BCRP-mediated efflux of ten drugs in the camptothecin family of topoisomerase I inhibitors. Pharmacokinetic parameters (total and lactone clearance, total steady-state volume of distribution, and lactone:total area under the curve ratio) and IC50 values of cytotoxicity in both BCRP over-expressing and sensitive cell lines were extracted from the literature. Molecular descriptors were generated for both the lactone and carboxylic acid forms of the drugs using SYBYL and ACD/Labs software. A partial least squares algorithm in SAS was used to construct QSPR models for each of the properties of interest, and final models were validated using leave-one-out cross-validation. The molecular descriptors calculated for the lactone forms were better correlated with the selected properties than that of the carboxylate forms. Reasonable correlations (R 2 range 0.63–0.99) and good predictive performances (Q 2 range 0.45–0.88) were obtained for all seven QSPR models. Molecular descriptors that contribute to each pharmacokinetic property and susceptibility to BCRP mediated efflux were identified. QSPR models were successfully constructed for the pharmacokinetics and the susceptibility to BCRP-mediated efflux of the camptothecin analogs. The identified molecular parameters may help guide the synthesis of new camptothecin analogs with improved pharmacokinetic properties and reduced potential for clinical resistance.
An empirical study on the effects of translucency on photometric stereo

We present an empirical study on the effects of translucency on photometric stereo. Our study shows that the impact on the accuracy of the photometric normals is related to the relative size of the geometrical features and the mean free path. We show that under simplified conditions, the obtained photometric normals are a blurred version of the true surface normals, where the blur kernel is directly related to the subsurface scattering profile. We furthermore investigate the impact of scattering albedo, index of refraction, and single scattering on the accuracy. We perform our analysis using simulations, and demonstrate the validity on a real world example.
Heterogamety in Teleostean Fishes

Abstract Teleostean fishes constitute a proliferous evolutionary grade, which shows a correspondingly diverse array of sex-mechanisms. Although most species are gonochorists, many groups have independently evolved monoecy as a response to varying degrees of breeding isolation. On the other hand, cytologically expressed heterogamety distinguishes several groups, especially those represented by the deep-sea species investigated, which belong to primitive and intermediate orders. Acetic-orcein squashes of kidney, spleen, and gonad reveal heteromorphic chromosome pairs in males of nearly half the 25 species of deep-sea teleosts examined. Within one family, the Y chromosome varies interspecifically in size from the second largest to the smallest element in the complement. Most such pairs are identifiable as atypically behaving bivalents associated end-to-end; some of these, perhaps, are expressed as heterochromatic bodies in preleptotene. The dimorphic components segregate in the secondary spermatocytes. Two k...
The effects of a temporal warning signal on the biomechanical preparations for sudden loading

An experiment was performed to evaluate the biomechanical preparations exhibited in anticipation of sudden loading. Four experienced subjects received sudden loads at 1 min intervals. An analogue display was used to convey the time remaining in the 1 min intervals. The dependent measures included the electromyographic (EMG) data obtained from eight trunk muscles and the changes in body posture. These data were compared with data from a baseline session in which no timing display was available. In both sessions, when loads were anticipated the back muscles were tensed. However, with the timing display available there was an alteration in the preparatory co-contraction of the trunk muscles. The change in co-contraction was primarily due to the increased torque generated by the erector spinae (ES) as opposed to a decrease in the torque generated by the anterior muscles. This indicated that there was less stiffening of the torso during preparation when temporal information was available. During the sudden loading three of the four subjects reduced the peak compressive forces on the spine predicted via an EMG driven model while maintaining consistent levels of trunk stability.
Three-year variability in plasma concentrations of the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE).

Objectives The soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) has been implicated in the development of diabetes-related vascular complications, but the variability of concentrations of sRAGE in the blood is unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize within-person three-year variability of plasma levels of sRAGE.
Highly sought after: second life continued use

We present an exploratory study of what contributes to continued use of Second Life® (SL) by long-time users with the goal of providing recommendations for ways to support continued use of social virtual worlds. We report common factors across these users which led to increased levels of engagement. We discuss current social navigation challenges in SL and how a "personal touch" in social navigation systems is needed to successfully imbue factors that contribute to continued use of SL across a wider range of users.
Pinning of domain walls in Sm(Co,Fe,Cu,Zr)z at finite temperatures

Abstract We discuss simulation results of models for the pinning of the domain walls in the 2 : 17 permanent magnet as a function of temperature. The models consist of three-dimensional Heisenberg spins with changed interaction constants at a periodic array of pinning boundaries. In the presence of an external field, at moderate temperatures ( T/T c ≈ 1 3 ), the domain wall can change its shape dramatically and breaks the symmetry of the pinning potential, probably due to a reduction of the exchange interaction at the pinning boundary. The high-temperature depinning field is reduced when the anisotropy constant of the pinning boundary is reduced; even though the low-temperature depinning field is not changed by as much. This reduction of the anisotropy constant can be achieved by increasing the copper content of the magnet. The effect of the size and the wall thickness of the pinning boundary is also discussed.
Retrieval of Recovery IVC Filter After 1,463-Day Implantation

A young female victim of multiple trauma had a Recovery inferior vena cava filter placed for pulmonary embolism prophylaxis. She was lost to follow-up for planned retrieval of the filter. After a period of more than four years she re-presented and had successful and uneventful retrieval of the filter. Certain inferior vena cava filters may potentially be retrieved even after very long implantation periods.
Fluoroscopic examination in the neonatal intensive care unit using an inverted C-arm

Fluoroscopic studies can be performed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) using a portable C-arm. The C-arm is inverted so that the infant lays directly on the image intensifier. In all our cases, the images obtained were of good enough quality to allow for prompt diagnosis and management of the patient's condition. Furthermore, measured entrance doses were lower using the inverted C-arm than they were using conventional fluoroscopy.
Mechanisms of Heart Rate and Arterial Blood Pressure Control: Implications for the Pathophysiology of Neurocardiogenic Syncope

Neurocardiogenic syncope is a general term that describes syncope resulting from altered autonomic activity, as manifested by abnormal regulation of peripheral vascular resistance and heart rate. Although there has been great interest in the contribution of heart rate to this form of syncope, the peripheral circulation plays the dominant role in the induction of neurocardiogenic syncope in most patients. We review in this brief article the physiology of cardiovascular reflexes, which are important for short-term arterial pressure control, and their potential contribution to the pathophysiology of neurocardiogenic syncope. This type of syncope represents a profound failure of the normal mechanisms for short-term regulation of arterial pressure. Any therapeutic strategies for the management of neurocardiogenic syncope must deal with alterations in vascular control, which contribute to its pathogenesis.
Social equity in agricultural land protection

Abstract It is asserted that public policy alternatives for agricultural land protection have been assessed largely on the basis of their efficiency. A social equity framework for assessing such policies is developed which stresses intergenerational, tenure and process equity concerns. This framework is used to evaluate the equity implications of four types of agricultural land protection policies — differential tax assessment, large-lot zoning, purchase of development rights and private, public interest land trusts. Sharply contrasting patterns of equity are evidenced among certain of the criteria and, under certain assumptions, the policies as a whole. In conclusion, the utility of equity assessment for policy analysis is stressed. Also, the need to further develop the social equity framework and to test the conclusions reached here via case studies of policies in place is called for.
Barbiturate competition for TRH receptors in mouse brain: Neuromodulation of anesthesia

In vitro thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) radioligand binding assays were performed using purified presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes derived from various regions of mouse brain. These studies revealed the pattern of central distribution of specific TRH binding sites. The highest concentrations of both types of membrane receptors were localized in the limbic forebrain. The brain stem contained a high density of only presynaptic receptors, and the cerebral cortex contained a moderate-high level of only postsynaptic receptors. Barbiturate analogues effectively competed for all forebrain and brain stem, but not cortical, TRH receptors, thus implicating these specific receptors in the neuromodulation of barbiturate anesthesia. The results of in vivo radioligand binding assays for [3H] TRH disposition after central infusions concomitant with barbiturate vs. saline challenges further support this viewpoint.
Reconfigurable Silicon-Photonic Network with Improved Channel Sharing for Multicore Architectures

On-chip communication is widely considered to be one of the major performance bottlenecks in contemporary chip multiprocessors (CMPs). With recent advances in silicon nanophotonics, photonic-based networks-on-chip (NoCs) are being considered as a viable option for communication in emerging CMPs as they can enable higher bandwidth and lower power dissipation compared to traditional electrical NoCs. In this paper, we present UltraNoC, a novel reconfigurable silicon-photonic NoC architecture that features improved channel sharing and supports dynamic re-prioritization and exchange of bandwidth between clusters of cores running multiple applications, to increase channel utilization and performance. Experimental results show that UltraNoC improves throughput by up to 9.8× while reducing latency by up to 55% and energy-delay product by up to 90% over state-of-the-art solutions.
Effect of Rice Blast and Sheath Blight on Physical Properties of Selected Rice Cultivars

ABSTRACT Observations in 1997 indicated a significant reduction in kernel bulk density and head rice yield of rice cultivar LaGrue due to blast (Pyricularia grisea). A more detailed study on rice cultivar M202 in 1998 confirmed such observations but it also showed negative effects of blast on other physical properties of rice. Rough rice from blast-infected panicles was drier by 7–10 percentage points and 10% thinner than rough rice from blast-free panicles. Blast also caused incidences of chalky, unfilled, and fissured kernels that were 21, 30, and 7 percentage points higher, respectively. The effects of sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) on kernel thickness and moisture content of rice cultivars Cocodrie, Cypress, Drew, and LaGrue were similar to the effect of blast on M202. Sheath blight generally reduced kernel bulk density but did not significantly affect head rice yield of the cultivars in 1997 and 1998 (except in one sample of Drew). There was a general trend toward higher incidences of unfilled, c...
Palmar Dermatoglyphics of Down's Syndrome: Revisited

Extract: In previous reports the subclassifications for the terminations of the G line of the palm and for the interdigital palmar areas have been described. These subclassifications, as well as those of Cummins and Midlo for the hypothenar and thenar/I areas, were applied to anthropologic data and showed strong bilateral and racial polymorphism. The present study is an effort to determine the usefulness of these methods in investigations of clinical data. A well defined anomaly, Down's syndrome, which has known dermatoglyphic peculiarities, was chosen for this test. The study involved 145 male and 120 female patients and 108 male and 114 female control subjects. All subjects were unrelated Caucasians. Significant differences between the patient and control subjects were encountered in the subclassifications of the C line terminations and in the hypothenar area patterns. Significant differences were observed in the frequency of patterns in the thenar/I area as well as the expected differences in the simial lines. Sydney line frequencies showed no significant differences. Speculation: The results of the present study suggest that the subclassifications of the palmar patterns and the G line terminations are of value in the investigation of clinical data by offering further diagnostic criteria not revealed by gross dermatoglyphic evaluation.
Adaptive array radar data processing using the bimodal optical computer

The use of the bimodal optical computer (BOC) in determining the weights for an adaptive phased array radar is introduced. Interference canceling is presented for two cases: (1) assuming the direction of the jammer is known and (2) assuming no a priori information. The effect of the jammers on the array pattern is shown for up to four jammers.
Suburbs without a City: Power and City-County Consolidation

City-county consolidation is advanced as a good government reform to promote efficiency, equity, and accountability and, more recently, to reduce growing disparities between central cities and suburbs. Whether these objectives are realized is more doubtful than the fact that local reorganization embodies a real change in power relations. Altering boundaries changes the kinds of issues that are relevant to decision makers as well as the relative power of different populations. The authors analyze the recent city-county consolidation of Louisville and Jefferson County, Kentucky. The authors review how this came about and then focus on three critical realignments associated with merging the city and its surrounding county. These consist of shifts in territorial boundaries, management reforms, and political rules. The case highlights the power dimension of city-county consolidation, often overlooked by advocates of public choice as well as those favoring metropolitan consolidation.
Finding the radial parallel temperature profile in a non-neutral plasma using equilibrium calculations on experimental data

In 1992, Eggleston et al. [D. L. Eggleston et al., Phys. Fluids B 4, 3432 (1992)] reported on a technique for measuring the radial temperature profile in a pure-electron plasma confined in a Malmberg-Penning trap by partially dumping the plasma onto a charge collector at the end of the trap. For short plasmas and short confining rings, the assumptions in their paper are violated and a more general calculation is needed. This paper presents a variation of the standard equilibrium calculation to find the temperature profile of a pure-electron plasma. Eggleston’s shortcut “evaporation” temperature method is found to require a correction factor that can be calculated using methods described in this paper. For typical conditions, the evaporation method overstates the actual temperature by a factor ranging from 1.1 to 1.5 or more, depending on the plasma’s total charge and temperature and the geometry of the trap.
Investigation of room-temperature slow light in photorefractives for optical buffer applications

Lately, active research has been conducted in slowing down light pulses to the order of tens of meters per second or below. An interesting application would be an optical buffer for all optical routers, where solid state devices operating under room temperature are desired. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of such a device with a Ce:BaTiO3 crystal. Group velocity as slow as 2 mm/s is obtained in the two-wave coupling experiment. By modulating the angular-multiplexed pump beams in the experiment, we also demonstrate the modulation of the output waveform, which could be used to address the problem of pulse broadening that so far limits the application of room temperature slow light.
An H2 Riemannian metric on the space of planar curves modulo similitudes

Analyzing shape manifolds as Riemannian manifolds has been shown to be an effective technique for understanding their geometry. Riemannian metrics of the types H^0 and H^1 on the space of planar curves have already been investigated in detail. Since in many applications, the basic shape of an object is understood to be independent of its scale, orientation or placement, we consider here an H^2-metric on the space of planar curves modulo similitudes. The metric depends purely on the bending and stretching of the curve. Equations of the geodesic for parametrized curves as well as un-parametrized curves and bounds for the sectional curvature are derived. Equations of gradient descent are given for constructing the geodesics between two given curves numerically.
Neoproterozoic nappes and superposed folding of the Itremo Group, west-central Madagascar

Abstract The Precambrian geology of west-central Madagascar is reviewed and re-interpreted in light of new field observations, Landsat Thematic Mapper image analysis, and U–Pb geochronology. The bedrock of the area consists of: (1) late Archean (to Paleoproterozoic) migmatite gneiss and schist; (2) Mesoproterozoic stratified rocks (Itremo, Amborompotsy, and Malakialina Groups) perhaps deposited unconformably on the older metamorphic rocks (1, above); (3) Proterozoic (∼ 1000 Ma–720 Ma) plutonic rocks emplaced into both units above (1 and 2), and; (4) latest Neoproterozoic to middle Cambrian (∼ 570–520 Ma) granitoids emplaced as regionally discordant and weakly foliated plutons throughout the regions. The effects of Neoproterozoic orogenic processes are widespread throughout the region and our observations and isotopic measurements provide important constraints on the tectonic history of the region: (i) Archean gneisses and Mesoproterozoic stratified rocks are the crystalline basement and platformal sedimentary cover, respectively, of a continental fragment of undetermined tectonic affinity (East or West Gondwanan, or neither). (ii) This continental fragment (both basement and cover) was extensively invaded by subduction-related plutons in the period from ∼ 1000 Ma to ∼ 720 Ma that were emplaced prior to the onset of regional metamorphism and deformation. (iii) Continental collision related to Gondwana's amalgamation began after ∼ 720 Ma and before ∼ 570 Ma. Collision related deformation and metamorphism continued throughout the rest of the Neoproterozoic with thermal effects that lasted until ∼ 520 Ma. The oldest structures produced during continental collision were km-scale fold- and thrust-nappes with east or southeast-directed vergence (present-day direction). They resulted in the inversion and repetition of Archean and Proterozoic rocks throughout the region. During this early phase of convergence warm rocks were thrust over cool rocks thereby producing the present distribution of regional metamorphic isograds. The vergence of the nappes and the distribution of metamorphic rocks are consistent with their formation within a zone of west or northwest-dipping continental convergence (present-day direction). (iv) Later upright folding of the nappes (and related folds and thrusts) produced km-scale interference fold patterns. The geometry and orientation of these younger upright folds is consistent with E–W horizontal shortening (present-day direction) within a sinistral transpressive regime. We relate this final phase of deformation to motion along the Ranotsara and related shear zones of south Madagascar, and to the initial phases of lower crustal exhumation and extensional tectonics within greater Gondwana.
Nucleotide sequence of Coxiella burnetii superoxide dismutase

The superoxide dismutase (SOD) (EC. 1.15.1.1) gene of the rickettsia, Coxiella burnetii, has been localized to a 4.4 kb genomic DNA insert cloned into the cosmid vector pHC79. The clone, termed pSJR50, was isolated by employing a C. burnetii SOD-specific probe that was generated using degenerate primers and polymerase chain reaction. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame (ORF) of 579 base pairs. The deduced amino acid sequence from this ORF displays considerable homology with known Mn/Fe superoxide dismutase sequences (1). The predicted Mr of 22,273 agrees favorably with the Mr of the primary product produced by pSJR50 C. burnetii DNA as demonstrated by in vitro transcription/translation and SDS-PAGE. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Silencing Toll-like receptor-9 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis.

RESULTS. TLR9 mRNA levels were sixfold higher in B6 than in BALB/c corneas the day after injection. B6 mice injected with CpG DNA exhibited an increase in corneal mRNA for TLR9, IL-1, MIP-2, IL-12, and IFN- over controls. LCs stimulated with CpG DNA and treated with TLR9 siRNA exhibited reduced TLR9, IL-1, and MIP-2 levels compared with controls. Finally, B6 mice treated with TLR9 siRNA showed decreases in corneal opacity, polymorphonuclear leukocyte number, IL-12 and IFN- mRNA, IL-1, and MIP-2 protein compared with those treated with control siRNA. Fewer corneas perforated in these mice, but bacterial loads were higher than in controls. CONCLUSIONS. Signaling through TLR9 appears important in P. aeruginosa keratitis, and silencing TLR9 signaling reduces inflammation but likely contributes to decreased bacterial killing in the cornea. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005;46: 4209‐4216) DOI:10.1167/iovs.05-0185
Dissipative noncommutative multidimensional linear systems and robust control theory

It is well known that any contractive analytic operator-valued function on the unit disk can be realized as the transfer function of a dissipative discrete-time input/state/output linear system and conversely. We review analogues of this observation for the context of multidimensional linear systems and multivariable transfer functions. We emphasize the so-called noncommutative case where the transfer function is actually a formal power series in noncommuting indeterminates and survey recent applications of this case to problems in robust control. We conclude with suggestions for directions for future work.
USE OF 123IODINE METAIODOBENZYLGUANIDINE SCINTIGRAPHY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF A PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA IN A DOG

A 13-year-old neutered female Yorkshire terrier presented with a history of progressive episodic weakness and disorientation of 4 months duration. Physical and neurologic examinations were normal at presentation. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a mass involving the right adrenal gland. Standard planar scintigraphy was performed at 4, 18, and 24 hours after intravenous injection 185 MBq (5mCi) of 123I-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG). An area of focal intense uptake was identified in the area of the right adrenal gland. A pheochromocytoma was confirmed histologically after surgical excision.
Is there a “dolichol recognition sequence” in enzymes that interact with dolichols and other polyisoprenoid substrates?

Yeast dolichyl-P-mannose synthase and a number of other enzymes that interact with dolichol or dolichyl-P as substrates contain a highly conserved amino-acid sequence that has been proposed as a potential dolichol recognition sequence [Albright, C.F., Orlean, P. & Robbins, P.W. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86, 7366-7369]. In dolichyl-P-mannose synthase, the most highly conserved amino-acid residues of this domain were modified by site directed mutagenesis, and for one construct the sequence was completely deleted. Enzymes containing the site directed modifications, and the deletion mutant, were found to retain catalytic activity, and all of the modified enzymes had the same apparent affinity for Dol-P as wild type enzyme when assayed in a phospholipid matrix. Based on these results, the amino-acid composition and sequence of the conserved domain are not critically important for the recognition and binding of Dol-P when the synthase is reconstituted in a lipid matrix.
Gas-phase hydride affinities of neutral molecules

Abstract In this review we report the hydride affinities for neutral molecules. The hydride affinity is defined as the enthalpy of reaction for the dissociation of RH − to yield R + H − . These important thermodynamic quantities, however, are not often measured experimentally. Instead, hydride affinities are typically calculated from thermochemical cycles. We show several methods for calculating hydride affinities and have compiled a list of hydride affinities for a large number of molecules. In addition to reporting hydride affinities for many common compounds, this review also details the hydride affinities of reactive intermediates, including radicals, carbenes, biradicals, and triradicals. The hydride affinities reported in this review are interpreted on the basis of thermochemical data and simple molecular orbital pictures.
MEDICAL RESIDENTS EVALUATE THEIR MEDICAL SCHOOL TRAINING IN PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE

A questionnaire was sent to all 77 general medical residents at one teaching hospital (18 primary care and 59 the traditional program), to investigate retrospectively their psychosocial training in medical school. 62 complete surveys (81%) were returned. The training was rated good by 62% of the residents and important for psychosocial practice by 45%. In ambulatory settings, supervisors were rated as supporting the doctor-patient relationship (79%) and spending time on psychosocial problems (65%). In inpatient settings, spending time on psychosocial problems was not widely supported (36%). Training to interview was rated far from optimal by 49% of the residents. Psychosocial attitudes in residency did not have substantial correlations with training. In the choice of residency program, what distinguished residents in primary care from those in the traditional program was the positive ratings given their supervisors' psychosocial orientation, but not the supervisors' nor the residents' psychosocial competency or weeks spent in training. In sum, the two most potent influences on psychosocial orientation appear to be positive role models and the clinical setting.