cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Plant-Derived Alkylamide, Hydroxy-Alpha-Sanshool, Induces Analgesia through Inhibition of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels

Many native cultures use extracts from Xanthozylum plants to topically treat toothache and joint pain. One active component of these extracts is the alkylamide, hydroxy-α-sanshool, which induces tingling and numbing paresthesia when applied to the skin or tongue. To understand the physiological mechanisms underlying paresthesias, we sought to identify the molecular targets of sanshool in the somatosensory system. We first measured the analgesic properties of sanshool using mouse models of somatosensory behavior. Topical application of sanshool on the hind paw of naive mice did not alter their sensitivity to noxious thermal or mechanical stimuli. However, in a model of neurogenic inflammation, sanshool acutely suppressed inflammatory hypersensitivity to mechanical force whereas it did not suppress hypersensitivity to heat. These data suggest that sanshool inhibits activity of a subset of sensory neurons that transduce mechanical, but not thermal, stimuli. In cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from mice, sanshool inhibited action potential (AP) firing in a subset of medium-to-large diameter neurons, which are thought to mediate mechanotransduction. In contrast, sanshool did not inhibit AP firing in small-diameter sensory neurons, which predominantly transduce noxious heat. In addition to size, sensory neurons are distinct in their expression of sensory neuron-specific voltage-gated sodium channels. Thus the differential effect of sanshool on sensory neurons may be due to selective activity of sanshool on different sodium channels. To test this idea, we compared the effects of sanshool on two sodium channel subtypes that are expressed in sensory neurons, Nav1.7 and 1.8. Sanshool reduced the magnitude of Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 currents but caused a hyperpolarizing shift in the steady-state inactivation curve of Nav1.7 only. Thus intrinsic molecular differences between sensory neurons, such as expression of different sodium channel subtypes, may underlie specificity of sanshool action.
Comparisons of polar processing diagnostics from 34 years of the ERA-Interim and MERRA reanalyses

Abstract. We present a comprehensive comparison of polar processing diagnostics derived from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Modern Era Retrospective-analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Interim Reanalysis (ERA-Interim). We use diagnostics that focus on meteorological conditions related to stratospheric chemical ozone loss based on temperatures, polar vortex dynamics, and air parcel trajectories to evaluate the effects these reanalyses might have on polar processing studies. Our results show that the agreement between MERRA and ERA-Interim changes significantly over the 34 years from 1979 to 2013 in both hemispheres and in many cases improves. By comparing our diagnostics during five time periods when an increasing number of higher-quality observations were brought into these reanalyses, we show how changes in the data assimilation systems (DAS) of MERRA and ERA-Interim affected their meteorological data. Many of our stratospheric temperature diagnostics show a convergence toward significantly better agreement, in both hemispheres, after 2001 when Aqua and GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) radiances were introduced into the DAS. Other diagnostics, such as the winter mean volume of air with temperatures below polar stratospheric cloud formation thresholds (VPSC) and some diagnostics of polar vortex size and strength, do not show improved agreement between the two reanalyses in recent years when data inputs into the DAS were more comprehensive. The polar processing diagnostics calculated from MERRA and ERA-Interim agree much better than those calculated from earlier reanalysis data sets. We still, however, see fairly large differences in many of the diagnostics in years prior to 2002, raising the possibility that the choice of one reanalysis over another could significantly influence the results of polar processing studies. After 2002, we see overall good agreement among the diagnostics, which demonstrates that the ERA-Interim and MERRA reanalyses are equally appropriate choices for polar processing studies of recent Arctic and Antarctic winters.
Concentration dependence of the Bi3+ luminescence in LnPO4 (Ln = Y3+, Lu3+)

Abstract The spectroscopic properties of the Bi3+ ion (6s2) as a function of its concentration is examined to clarify the nature of optical transitions that are responsible for the low- and high-energy bands in the emission spectra of LnPO4:Bi3+ (Ln3+ = Y3+, Lu3+). Our investigations conclude that (1) the high-energy emission band is due to isolated Bi3+ ions (3P0,1 → 1S0 transition), and (2) pairs or cluster of Bi3+ ions is responsible for the low-energy emission band. We discuss our results in view of a recent interpretation, which tentatively assigns the low-energy emission band to a metal-to-metal (Bi3+–Y3+) charge transfer transition. The Stokes shift of Bi3+ luminescence in a site with dodecahedral coordination is examined in this work.
Breakpoint zone of bcr in chronic myelogenous leukemia does not correlate with disease phase or prognosis

The presence of a zone 4 rearrangement in the bcr of two chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cell lines and 25 CML patients was investigated by hybridization of HindIII-EcoRI double-digested DNA with the homologous HindIII-BglII breakpoint cluster region (bcr) probe. A rearrangement in zone 4 was found in the EM2 cell line and in 11 of the 25 patients. The presence of a zone 4 rearrangement was not associated with phase of disease, clinical evidence of acceleration, or pathologic evidence of acceleration. The difference between the actuarial duration of chronic phase for patients without (33 months) and with (22 months) a zone 4 rearrangement was not significant. A breakpoint in zone 4 of the bcr in patients with CML does not appear to be a determinant of prognosis.
Construction of a Single Polypeptide that Matures and Exports the Lasso Peptide Microcin J25

Roped in: The lasso peptide microcin J25 (MccJ25) is matured by two enzymes and is exported by a putative ABC transporter. We probed the function of the maturation enzymes using mutagenesis. We demonstrate that fusions of the enzymes with intervening linkers can produce MccJ25. Even a 151 kDa tripartite fusion between the ABC transporter and the two enzymes is capable of producing and exporting MccJ25.
Phagocytosis of the legionnaires' disease bacterium (legionella pneumophila) occurs by a novel mechanism: Engulfment within a Pseudopod coil

Abstract Phagocytosis of Legionella pneumophila, a bacterial pathogen that multiplies intracellularly in human mononuclear phagocytes and causes Legionnaires' disease, occurs by a novel mechanism. A phagocyte pseudopod coils around the bacterium as the organism is internalized. Human monocytes, alveolar macrophages, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes all phagocytize L. pneumophila by this unusual process, termed "coiling phagocytosis," and these leukocytes phagocytize not only live L. pneumophila in this way, but also formalin-killed, glutaraldehyde-killed, and heat-killed L. pneumophila. In contrast, under the same experimental conditions, monocytes phagocytize Streptococcus pneumoniae, encapsulated and unencapsulated E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Neisseria meningitidis by conventional phagocytosis. Treatment of L. pneumophila with high-titer anti-L. pneumophila antibody abolishes coiling phagocytosis; such bacteria are internalized by conventional phagocytosis. These experiments raise the possibility that a surface component of L. pneumophila mediates the unusual response by the phagocyte. Such a component, if elaborated in vivo, might be responsible for extrapulmonary manifestations of Legionnaires' disease suspected of being toxin-mediated.
Solving quadratically constrained least squares using black box solvers

We present algorithms for solving quadratically constrained linear least squares problems that do not necessarily require expensive dense matrix factorizations. Instead, only “black box” solvers for certain related unconstrained least squares problems, as well as the solution of two related linear systems involving the coefficient matrixA and the constraint matrixB, are required. Special structures in the problem can thus be exploited in these solvers, and iterative as well as direct solvers can be used. Our approach is to solve for the Lagrange multiplier as the root of an implicitly-defined secular equation. We use both a linear and a rational (Hebden) local model and a Newton and secant method. We also derive a formula for estimating the Lagrange multiplier which depends on the amount the unconstrained solution violates the constraint and an estimate of the smallest generalized singular value ofA andB. The Lagrange multiplier estimate can be used as a good initial guess for solving the secular equation. We also show conditions under which this estimate is guaranteed to be an acceptable solution without further refinement. Numerical results comparing the different algorithms are presented.
A SURVEY OF DENTAL CARE PROGRAMS OFFERED BY “QUALIFIED” HMOs

None of the federally qualified HMOs had a fully prepaid comprehensive dental care program. Less than a third of the plans went beyond the then mandated benefits of the Act, and those that did, only provided the benefits on a fee-for-service basis. The more established plans, with enrollments exceeding 15,000 members, offered a full spectrum of services, and have acceptable levels of utilization. There appears to be a relation between size and services offered and overall utilization of the dental services. The general direction HMOs are taking with regard to the scope of services provided is hard to predict because more than two thirds of the HMOs studied were "transitional" HMOs. The more mature plans appeared to be leaning toward fully comprehensive services; however, only the "basic" dental services then mandated by the Act were covered by prepayment. It is difficult to predict how the nearly 200 HMOs now being planned and developed will integrate dental care into their programs, especially when dental care services are no longer required as a "basic health service". Based upon the cautious approaches used by the HMOs now in operation, it appears safe to assume that comprehensive dental care programs will not be offered by HMOs until they are forced to do so by competing health insurance carriers or a dental program provides them with a competitive edge.
A note in passing: Walter Gehring and desert ants

I was saddened to read of the passing of Professor Walter Gehring (1939–2014). One of his postdoctoral fellows, Michael Levine, wrote a personalized retrospective of the professional career of this famous developmental biologist, probably best known for the discovery of the homeobox and the development of useful tools such as the enhancer trap by the Gehring laboratory. An obituary was written by two of his former colleagues in Basel, Affolter and Muller (2014). I knew Walter via a shared interest in a biological problem that was not mentioned in either of these brief articles. We were both studying how animals sense and respond to elevated temperatures in the natural environment. In 1995, Walter along with Rudiger Wehner published a paper in PNAS about heat shock protein (Hsp) synthesis and thermotolerance in one of the most heat-resistant animals known, the Saharan desert ant Cataglyphis (Gehring and Wehner 1995). Walter had been elected a foreign member of the US National Academy of Sciences and thus was able to contribute his own paper.
Modeling the plasma near-wakes

An ambient unmagnetized plasma is considered in which a flat-based projectile of radius R and zero surface potential moves along its axis of symmetry at a constant mesothermal speed. The plasma cavity-filling process is likened to the transient flow associated with a radially imploding cylindrical shock seen immediately after the rupture of a cylindrical diaphragm of radius R. A modeling scheme is presented assuming that electron temperature remains constant and is much higher than the ion temperature in plasma and that ions move in a self-consistent electric field with which the electrons are already in Boltzmann equilibrium. A figure illustrates the ion density distributions at consecutive times after the start of implosion and the existence of an ion wavefront as a result of charge separation is clearly seen.
Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Wild European Starlings at a Kansas Cattle Feedlot

SUMMARY. The prevalence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolated from the feces of wild European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) humanely trapped at a feedlot in central Kansas was assessed. All E. coli and Salmonella isolates recovered were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System panels and the E. coli isolates were classified as to their content of genes associated with pathogenic E. coli of birds and cattle, including cvaC, iroN2, ompTp, hlyF2, eitC, iss, iutA, ireA, papC, stxI, stxII, sta, K99, F41, and eae. Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis were not detected and Salmonella was isolated from only three samples, two of which displayed antimicrobial resistance. Approximately half of the E. coli isolates were resistant to antimicrobial agents with 96% showing resistance to tetracycline. Only one isolate was positive for a single gene associated with bovine pathogenic E. coli .A n interesting finding of this study was that 5% of the E. coli isolates tested met the criteria established for identification as avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Thus these findings suggest that starlings are not a significant source of Salmonella spp., Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, E. coli O157, or other shiga toxin–producing E. coli in this feedlot. However, they may have the potential to spread APEC, an important pathogen of poultry and a potential pathogen to human beings. RESUMEN. Presencia de Escherichia coli, Salmonella y Mycobacterium avium subesp. paratuberculosis en estorninos pintos silvestres en un lote de engorde de ganado en Kansas.
Application of the Conway–Maxwell–Poisson generalized linear model for analyzing motor vehicle crashes

This paper documents the application of the Conway-Maxwell-Poisson (COM-Poisson) generalized linear model (GLM) for modeling motor vehicle crashes. The COM-Poisson distribution, originally developed in 1962, has recently been re-introduced by statisticians for analyzing count data subjected to over- and under-dispersion. This innovative distribution is an extension of the Poisson distribution. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the application of the COM-Poisson GLM for analyzing motor vehicle crashes and compare the results with the traditional negative binomial (NB) model. The comparison analysis was carried out using the most common functional forms employed by transportation safety analysts, which link crashes to the entering flows at intersections or on segments. To accomplish the objectives of the study, several NB and COM-Poisson GLMs were developed and compared using two datasets. The first dataset contained crash data collected at signalized four-legged intersections in Toronto, Ont. The second dataset included data collected for rural four-lane divided and undivided highways in Texas. Several methods were used to assess the statistical fit and predictive performance of the models. The results of this study show that COM-Poisson GLMs perform as well as NB models in terms of GOF statistics and predictive performance. Given the fact the COM-Poisson distribution can also handle under-dispersed data (while the NB distribution cannot or has difficulties converging), which have sometimes been observed in crash databases, the COM-Poisson GLM offers a better alternative over the NB model for modeling motor vehicle crashes, especially given the important limitations recently documented in the safety literature about the latter type of model.
A STUDY OF THE MECHANISM OF EDEMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENSTRUATION

The regular occurrence of generalized edema associated with menstruation has been reported by Thomas (1), Sweeney (2), Molnar and Gruber (3) Atkinson and Ivy (4). An increase in body weight and a swelling of the abdomen, hands and feet were noted by Eufinger and Spiegler (5), Okey and Stewart (6), and Sweeney (2), in approximately one-third of normal women at or about the time of menstruation. In most instances a rapid reduction in weight occurred during menstruation. Evidence of a disturbance in water metabolism at the time of menstruation was described by Heilig (7), and Peterson and Milles (8). Heilig (7) observed a delayed excretion of water at the time of menstruation as compared to the intermenstrual period. Peterson and Milles (8), using the –blister technic— noted an alteration in the permeability of the capillaries of the skin normal women during menstruation.
Loss of feeding in response to 2-deoxy-D-glucose but not insulin after zona incerta lesions in the rat.

Abstract Bilateral lesions in the anterior aspects of the zona incerta of male rats reliably reduced the feeding response to systemically administered 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Insulin-induced feeding remained intact. Zona incerta lesions may interrupt central vagal projections important for the feeding response to cellular glucoprivation.
Dating sediments by a K–Ar method

ATTEMPTS to date sedimentary rocks by isotopic methods have produced controversial results. That sedimentary rocks of known stratigraphic age have not been dated with any great success is considered to be one of the major disadvantages of the K–Ar method1. Previous attempts have been unsuccessful2,3 because sediments contain argon which had been inherited from previous orogenic K–Ar events before weathering, transportation and deposition. This means that the time of sedimentation cannot usually be obtained by the standard calculation. A new method of dating sediments proposed here attempts to overcome this problem by using data from size-fractionated argillaceous sediments, treated by a graphical method of age calculation.
Use of Length Limits to Reduce Variability in Crappie Fisheries

Abstract Populations of crappie Pomoxis spp. usually exhibit considerable temporal variability in density and size structure and thereby pose problems for fishery management. We used an age-structured population model to explore whether length limits applied to recreational harvesting can reduce variability in crappie recruitment and adult density. Simulations showed that length limits did not reduce the magnitude of recruitment variability but did reduce fluctuations in adult population density. Our results suggest that fluctuations in crappie populations are not likely to be attenuated substantially by length limit restrictions because most of the variability stems from stochastic, density-independent recruitment. However, where recruitment variability is not excessive and stringent harvest regulations are practical, such restrictions can sustain high adult densities that cushion the effect of fluctuating recruitment on the ups and downs of the adult stock.
Fine Particulate Matter (PM) and Organic Speciation of Fireplace Emissions

This paper presents a summary of fireplace particle size and organic speciation data gathered to date in an ongoing project. Tests are being conducted in a residential wood combustion (RWC) laboratory on three factory-built fireplaces. RWC wood smoke particles <10 μm (PM10) consist primarily of a mixture of organic compounds that have condensed into droplets; therefore, the size distribution and total mass are influenced by temperature of the sample during its collection. During the series 1 tests (15 tests), the dilution tunnel used to cool and dilute the stack gases gave an average mixed gas temperature of 47.3 °C and an average dilution ratio of 4.3. Averages for the PM2.5 (particles <2.5 μm) and PM10 fractions were 74 and 84%, respectively. For the series 2 tests, the dilution tunnel was modified, reducing the average mixed gas temperatures to 33.8 °C and increasing the average dilution ratio to 11.0 in tests completed to date. PM2.5 and PM10 fractions were 83 and 91%, respectively. Since typical wint...
Application of a local linear autoregressive model to BOD time series

In this paper, we analyze the biochemical oxygen demand data collected over two years from McDowell Creek, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A., by fitting an autoregressive model with time-dependent coefficients. The local linear smoothing technique is developed and implemented to estimate the coefficient functions of the autoregressive model. A nonparametric version of the Akaike information criterion is developed to determine the order of the model and to select the optimal bandwidth. We also propose a hypothesis testing technique, based on the residual sum of squares and F-test, to detect whether certain coefficients in the model are really varying or whether any variables are significant. The approximate null distributions of the test are provided. The proposed model has some advantages, such as it is determined completely by data, it is easily implemented and it provides a better prediction. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generalized F-statistics and the theory of inbreeding and selection.

F-Statistics can be used to generalize models of genetic variation in natural populations. Models of this type can incorporate both selection and inbreeding.
Comparison scan training and the matching and scanning performance of severely and profoundly mentally retarded students

This study investigated the effects of comparison scan training on the matching and visual scanning performance of severely and profoundly mentally retarded students. A match-to-sample-problem pretest was administered to 32 students, whose eye movements were recorded on videotape, and the 12 subjects who demonstrated at least minimal competence on the pretest task were matched on pretest performance and assigned to training (n=6) or comparison (n=6) groups. Training-group students were provided with visual comparison scan training, while the comparison group performed the same task but received no training. A posttest identical to the pretest followed. The training group was superior to the comparison group during training and showed a significant increase in correct responding from pretest to posttest, whereas the comparison group did not. Neither measures of scanning behavior nor the latencies of the choice response were related to matching performance or affected by the training procedure. Possible relationships among visual scanning, comparison scan training, and matching-task performance were discussed.
A middle-crustal cross section from the Rincon Range, northern New Mexico Evidence for 1.68-Ga, pluton influenced tectonism and 1.4-Ga regional metamorphism

In the Rincon Range, north of Mora, New Mexico, a relatively abrupt regional change in dominant fabric orientation occurs within Paleoproterozoic rocks which are nearly continuously exposed for ∼70 km in adjacent Laramide uplifts of the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Near the village of Guadalupita, these rocks display a smooth but abrupt south-to-north change from subhorizontal to subvertical dominant foliation (S 2 ) over a distance of ∼2 km. This change in dominant fabric orientation coincides with a regional change in metamorphic grade from near-granulite grade (∼650°C, 4–6 kbar) in rocks with a subhorizontal fabric to amphibolite grade (∼500°C, 4–6 kbar) in rocks with a subvertical fabric. The shallowly dipping S 2 fabric and highest temperature assemblages are both centered around an ∼1682-Ma granitic orthogneiss, the Guadalupita pluton, which engulfs the overturned lower limb of an ∼15 kmscale, north-facing F 1 fold. Porphyroblast-matrix microstructural studies suggest that S 1 and S 2 formed during a progressive event that was synchronous with pluton emplacement and regional metamorphism at ∼1982 Ma. Granite emplacement and its incorporation into the core of a fold-nappe at ∼1.68 Ga appears to have facilitated subhorizontal S 2 fabric development late during the progressive S 1 /S 2 event and heat from the granite enhanced regional metamorphic conditions to create the ∼150° C temperature gradient. However, metamorphic monazites aligned in S 2 yield U-Pb dates of ∼1421 Ma, suggesting that monazite grew during renewed tectonism that reactivated the older subhorizontal fabric during ∼1.42-Ga regional metamorphism. Present geometries therefore reflect a superposition of major tectonometamorphic events at 1.68 and 1.42 Ga. This study suggests that: (1) large temperature gradients around plutons can cause regionally heterogeneous middle-crustal pressure-temperature–time–deformation (P–T–t–D) paths; (2) plutons may both localize and be localized by subhorizontal shear zones; and (3) middle-crustal rheologies are strongly influenced by thermal weakening near plutons.
Potholes, pensions, and public opinion: the politics of blame in Putin's power vertical

What are the risks and rewards of power centralization in competitive authoritarian regimes, and who in the regime bears those risks and enjoys the rewards? The elimination of gubernatorial elections in Russia in late 2004 provides a unique opportunity to study public reaction to policies that replaced democratically elected regional leaders with Kremlin appointees, thereby further concentrating power in the hands of the central state while simultaneously reducing the level of democratic accountability in Russian politics. Using a 2007 survey of 1500 Russians, it is possible to observe how key measures of public opinion and regime support were influenced by the elimination of gubernatorial elections. Because the timeline of gubernatorial appointments was determined exogenously based on the expiration of elected incumbent governors' terms, by 2007 some regions had governors who still held electoral mandates, while others had Kremlin appointees with no electoral mandate. This quasi experiment allows us to d...
Determination of chloroacetanilide herbicide metabolites in water using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection and high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

Analytical methods using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) were developed for the analysis of the following chloroacetanilide herbicide metabolites in water: alachlor ethanesulfonic acid (ESA); alachlor oxanilic acid; acetochlor ESA; acetochlor oxanilic acid; metolachlor ESA; and metolachlor oxanilic acid. Good precision and accuracy were demonstrated for both the HPLC-DAD and HPLC/MS methods in reagent water, surface water, and ground water. The average HPLC-DAD recoveries of the chloroacetanilide herbicide metabolites from water samples spiked at 0.25, 0.5 and 2.0 μg/l ranged from 84 to 112%, with relative standard deviations of 18% or less. The average HPLC/MS recoveries of the metabolites from water samples spiked at 0.05, 0.2 and 2.0 μg/l ranged from 81 to 118%, with relative standard deviations of 20% or less. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for all metabolites using the HPLC-DAD method was 0.20 μg/l, whereas the LOQ using the HPLC/MS method was at 0.05 μg/l. These metabolite-determination methods are valuable for acquiring information about water quality and the fate and transport of the parent chloroacetanilide herbicides in water.
Multi-level reputation signals in service industries in Latin America

This study uses signaling theory to investigate industry -firm- and individual-level determinants of individual-level corporate reputation assessments in the context of Latin America. In a hierarchical linear model, we test our theory using 76,419 individual evaluations of 80 companies in five Latin American countries collected by the Reputation Institute in conjunction with the Foro de Reputacion Corporativa. Results show that across our Latin American sample, reputations of firms in the telecom and energy industries are significantly lower than those of manufacturing firms. Additionally, we find consistent evidence across marginalized groups (e.g., women, lower social class, education and income) that they assess telecom industry reputations relatively higher than their less marginalized counterparts do. Results are mixed with regards to marginalized group assessments of firms from other service industries. Additionally, counter to expectations, we do not find evidence that firm size or financial performance impact reputation assessments.
Micromechanics of partially aligned short-fiber composites with reference to deformation processing

Abstract This paper presents a part of the continuing work toward a better modeling technique for the deformation of metal-matrix composites (MMCs) during mechanical deformation processing. The elastic/plastic behavior of partially aligned short-fiber composites loaded in the principal directions has been studied by using the generalized Eshelby inclusion method and incorporating the mean field theory. The plastic deformation of the matrix material is approximated by using the secant moduli for monotonic, proportional loading. Through a volume average procedure the basic formulation is found similar to that of a simple orientation average on the Eshelby tensor. The calculated Young's moduli are close to the lower bound for composites containing less aligned fibers. The influences of the distribution of fiber orientation on the plastic behavior of composites and the internal stress in fibers oriented at a particular angle are also studied. A case study of the extrusion of MMCs was conducted to obtain an insight into the fundamental behavior.
Anxiety Related to Nonerotic Cognitive Distractions During Sexual Activity in Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Women

The authors recruited 25 bisexual, 25 lesbian, and 25 heterosexual college women to determine whether group differences exist in anxiety related to nonerotic cognitive distractions during sexual activity, as well as in variables contributing to the prediction of anxiety. Participants completed questionnaires assessing anxiety related to nonerotic cognitive distractions during sexual activity, as well as additional variables (e.g., religiosity and self-esteem). Bisexual women reported significantly greater disease-related anxiety than lesbians, and heterosexual women reported significantly greater anxiety pertaining to emotional/external concerns than bisexuals. In other analyses, lesbians had significantly more positive attitudes toward sex than did the bisexuals, and heterosexuals reported higher levels of religiosity than lesbians. Finally, bisexuals had higher levels of internalized heterosexism than lesbians, a level not significantly different from the level of the (by definition, noninternalized) he...
Long-term Performance Bottleneck Analysis and Prediction

Identifying performance bottlenecks is important for microarchitects and application developers to produce high performance microprocessor designs and application software. Many techniques are used for this purpose, including simulation, software profiling and hardware event counters. Recently long-term program behavior has been getting more attention from researchers because of its potential applications in system-level, as well as program-level optimizations. In this paper, we study performance bottlenecks from a long-term program behavior viewpoint by classifying dynamic program execution into bottleneck phases - the portions of execution that have similar performance bottlenecks. We propose an event counter based performance model that can accurately estimate the performance cost for critical system events. Based on this model, we propose the bottleneck vector as the basis of long-term performance bottleneck analysis and a runtime bottleneck phase tracking scheme. In addition, three bottleneck phase prediction schemes are studied. Finally, we present an application of our performance bottleneck analysis model - an adaptive value predictor, which improves average performance by 7% when compared to the original value predictor design.
Organic particulate matter formation at varying relative humidity using surrogate secondary and primary organic compounds with activity corrections in the condensed phase obtained using a method based on the Wilson equation

Abstract. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation in the atmosphere is currently often modeled using a multiple lumped "two-product" (N·2p) approach. The N·2p approach neglects: 1) variation of activity coefficient (ζi) values and mean molecular weight MW in the particulate matter (PM) phase; 2) water uptake into the PM; and 3) the possibility of phase separation in the PM. This study considers these effects by adopting an (N·2p)ζp MW ,ζ approach (θ is a phase index). Specific chemical structures are assigned to 25 lumped SOA compounds and to 15 representative primary organic aerosol (POA) compounds to allow calculation of ζi and MW values. The SOA structure assignments are based on chamber-derived 2p gas/particle partition coefficient values coupled with known effects of structure on vapor pressure pL,io (atm). To facilitate adoption of the (N·2p)ζp MW ,θ approach in large-scale models, this study also develops CP-Wilson.1 (Chang-Pankow-Wilson.1), a group-contribution ζi-prediction method that is more computationally economical than the UNIFAC model of Fredenslund et al. (1975). Group parameter values required by CP-Wilson.1 are obtained by fitting ζi values to predictions from UNIFAC. The (N·2p)ζp MW ,θ approach is applied (using CP-Wilson.1) to several real α-pinene/O3 chamber cases for high reacted hydrocarbon levels (ΔHC≈400 to 1000 μg m−3) when relative humidity (RH) ≈50%. Good agreement between the chamber and predicted results is obtained using both the (N·2p)ζp MW ,θ and N·2p approaches, indicating relatively small water effects under these conditions. However, for a hypothetical α-pinene/O3 case at ΔHC=30 μg m−3 and RH=50%, the (N·2p)ζp MW ,θ approach predicts that water uptake will lead to an organic PM level that is more double that predicted by the N·2p approach. Adoption of the (N·2p)ζp MW ,θ approach using reasonable lumped structures for SOA and POA compounds is recommended for ambient PM modeling.
Space-Time Trellis Code Design Based on Super Quasi-Orthogonal Block Codes With Minimum Decoding Complexity

In this letter, we propose a new family of space-time trellis codes, which are constructed by combining a super set of quasi-orthogonal space-time block codes with minimum decoding complexity with an outer multiple trellis coded modulation encoder. A systematic set-partitioning method for quadratic amplitude modulation constellations is given. The proposed scheme can be used for systems with four or more than four transmit antennas. Furthermore, its decoding complexity is low because its branch metric calculation can be implemented in a symbolwise way. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme has a comparable performance as super quasi-orthogonal space-time trellis codes proposed by Jafarkhani and Hassanpour while providing a lower decoding complexity.
Thrombocytopenia in a Neonate

case study [transfusion medicine | hematology | immunology] Thrombocytopenia in a Neonate Maria A. B. Reed, MD,1 Nada Rikabi, MD,1 Dave Krugh, MT(ASCP)SBB, CLS(NCA),1 Sandra Dietrich, MT(ASCP),1 Karen Rossi, RN,2 Eric Knudtson, MD,2 Richard O’ Shaughnessy, MD,2 Melanie S. Kennedy, MD1 Departments of 1Transfusion Medicine and 2Obstetrics & Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Mechanosomes Carry a Loaded Message

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that mediate the response of cells to mechanical stimuli, the process known as mechanotransduction, has emerged as a research topic with relevance to human health and disease. Mechanotransduction in bone is particularly relevant because the mammalian skeleton remodels to adapt to its loading environment The mechanosome hypothesis has been proposed to explain how mechanical signals detected at the bone cell membrane are converted into changes in transcription of target genes. In one model, adhesion complexes at the surface of the sensor cell activate multiprotein complexes (mechanosomes) that include both proteins involved in adhesion and transcription factors that move to the nucleus and regulate transcriptional activity of target genes. New work has identified a previously unknown mechanotransduction complex-consisting of nitric oxide (NO), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), protein kinase G II, SHP-1, and SHP-2-that associates with β₃ integrins through Src. This complex regulates gene expression in response to fluid flow and has several of the necessary elements of a mechanosome complex. These findings beg the question of just how extensive the mechanosome network is and how mechanosomes interact with other signal transduction pathways that also respond to mechanical load.
Stream-air temperature relations to classify stream-ground water interactions in a karst setting, central Pennsylvania, USA

Summary Stream–ground water interactions in karst vary from complete losses through swallow holes, to reemergences from springs. Our study objective was to compare stream–air temperature and energy exchange relationships across various stream–ground water relationships in a carbonate watershed. It was hypothesized that ground water-fed stream segments could be distinguished from perched/losing segments using stream–air temperature relationships. Two types of computations were conducted: (1) comparisons of stream–air temperature relationships for the period of October 1999–September 2002 at 12 sites in the Spring Creek drainage and (2) detailed energy budget computations for the same period for ground water-dominated Thompson Run and Lower Buffalo Run, a stream with negligible ground water inputs. Weekly average air temperatures and stream temperatures were highly correlated, but slopes and intercepts of the relationship varied for the 12 sites. Slopes ranged from 0.19 to 0.67 and intercepts ranged from 3.23 to 9.07 °C. A two-component mixing model with end members of ground water and actual stream temperatures indicated that the slope and intercept of the stream–air temperature relationship was controlled by ground water inputs. Streams with large ground water inputs had greater intercepts and lesser slopes than streams that were seasonally losing, perched, and/or distant from ground water inputs. Energy fluxes across the air–water interface were greatest for the ground water-fed stream due to increased longwave, latent, and sensible heat losses from the stream in winter when large temperature and vapor pressure differences existed between the stream and air. Advection of ground water was an important source and sink for heat in the ground water-fed stream, depending on season. In contrast, along the seasonally losing stream reach, advection was of minimal importance and stream temperatures were dominated by energy exchange across the air- water interface. Overall, results showed that stream temperatures and energy exchange in this carbonate watershed were strongly related to stream–ground water interactions.
Sequence heterochrony and the evolution of development.

One of the most persistent questions in comparative developmental biology concerns whether there are general rules by which ontogeny and phylogeny are related. Answering this question requires conceptual and analytic approaches that allow biologists to examine a wide range of developmental events in well-structured phylogenetic contexts. For evolutionary biologists, one of the most dominant approaches to comparative develop- mental biology has centered around the concept of hetero- chrony. However, in recent years the focus of studies of heterochrony largely has been limited to one aspect, changes in size and shape. I argue that this focus has restricted the kinds of questions that have been asked about the patterns of developmental change in phylogeny, which has narrowed our ability to address some of the most fundamental questions about development and evo- lution. Here I contrast the approaches of growth hetero- chrony with a broader view of heterochrony that concen- trates on changes in developmental sequence. I discuss a general approach to sequence heterochrony and summa- rize newly emerging methods to analyze a variety of kinds of developmental change in explicit phylogenetic contexts. Finally, I summarize a series of studies on the evolution of development in mammals that use these new approaches. J. Morphol. 252:82-97, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A constant heat flux model of the evaporating interline region

An approximate procedure is developed for determining the heat sink capability of an interline region (junction of vapor, evaporating thin film, and nonevaporating thin film), with consideration of the effect of resistance of the solid to heat transfer. The formulation is based on a simple one-dimensional constant heat flux model. The solution is directed toward a limiting case in which the thermal conductance of the solid is controlling. Since the value of the ideal liquid-vapor interfacial heat transfer coefficient is very large, conductance of the solid is found to dominate the overall heat transfer coefficient in the interline region after a small increase in film thickness.
Integration of Flow Simulation Tools Into the Classroom Environment

Fluid mechanics courses included in the curriculum of most engineering institutions are typically textbook based with a prima ry emphasis on analytical fluid dynamics. It is common for some of these courses to require some experimental fluid dynamics component. Through classroom lectures and laboratory work, students gain an appreciation for the fundamentals of fluid mechanics. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is also being introduced into the undergraduate and graduate curriculum through specialized software or commercial CFD packages to augment the classroom and laboratory environment with a virtual laboratory. The purpose of this paper is to examine a recent experience of use and application of the FlowLab software to teach Viscous Flow at the University of Connecticut. While a major goal of this study was to use CFD techniques to verify concepts developed analytically in the classroom, this paper will examine how students examine, interpret and present data.
Peak bone mass in young healthy men is correlated with the magnitude of endogenous growth hormone secretion

GH plays a key role during adolescence in longitudinal bone growth and the attainment of peak bone mass. We explored the hypothesis that in early adulthood, bone mineral accretion and/or maintenance in men with normal GH and bone mineral status are related to the magnitude of endogenous GH secretion. Overnight plasma GH concentrations (sampled every 10 min from 2100-0500 h) were measured in 15 healthy, lean, Caucasian men (age, 24+/-1 yr; body mass index, 22.6+/-0.6 kg/m2; mean +/- SE). Total body, femur, and lumbar spine bone mineral mass/density were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Total body and femoral bone mineral mass correlated with both total nocturnal GH and maximal GH concentrations even when bone mineral mass was adjusted by height (P = 0.005-0.02; r = 0.58-0.74). Neither spinal nor total body bone mineral density (BMD) correlated with GH. Maximum GH correlated with the BMD of all four femoral sites (P = 0.01-0.04; r = 0.55-0.66), whereas total nocturnal GH correlated with only one (trochanter; P = 0.01; r = 0.64) femoral site. Our data support the hypothesis that GH continues to play a role in the accretion and/or maintenance of bone mass in young men. This relationship is more evident in the bone mineral mass achieved than in the BMD.
In vivo methylation of mtDNA reveals the dynamics of protein–mtDNA interactions

To characterize the organization of mtDNA–protein complexes (known as nucleoids) in vivo, we have probed the mtDNA surface exposure using site-specific DNA methyltransferases targeted to the mitochondria. We have observed that DNA methyltransferases have different accessibility to different sites on the mtDNA based on the levels of protein occupancy. We focused our studies on selected regions of mtDNA that are believed to be major regulatory regions involved in transcription and replication. The transcription termination region (TERM) within the tRNALeu(UUR) gene was consistently and strongly protected from methylation, suggesting frequent and high affinity binding of mitochondrial transcription termination factor 1 (mTERF1) to the site. Protection from methylation was also observed in other regions of the mtDNA, including the light and heavy strand promoters (LSP, HSP) and the origin of replication of the light strand (OL). Manipulations aiming at increasing or decreasing the levels of the mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) led to decreased in vivo methylation, whereas manipulations that stimulated mtDNA replication led to increased methylation. We also analyzed the effect of ATAD3 and oxidative stress in mtDNA exposure. Our data provide a map of human mtDNA accessibility and demonstrate that nucleoids are dynamically associated with proteins.
Comparison of two widely used PTSD-screening instruments: implications for public mental health planning

Epidemiological research serves a critical role in public mental health planning in the aftermath of disasters, particularly via estimation of the mental health burden and potential needs of affected communities. However, different measures are used across studies to assess mental health response, making cross-study comparison difficult. The National Women's Study Posttraumatic Stress Disorder module (NWS-PTSD) and PTSD Checklist (PCL) have been among the most widely used measures of PTSD in postdisaster research. Here, the authors used a sample of 233 New York City-area residents who were administered both the NWS-PTSD and PCL 4 months after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The PCL yielded higher prevalence estimates at the symptom, cluster, and diagnostic levels. Implications for the interpretation of epidemiological data are discussed.
Literary Unity and Reception History Reading Luke—Acts as Luke and Acts

In the effort both to clarify and advance the present scholarly discussion, this article continues a conversation about (a) the reception history of Luke and Acts and (b) the hermeneutical implications that derive from such history . After a brief recapitulation of the status quaestionis, the article presses for a clear distinction between literary unity and reception history. It then moves to examine the cogency of the suppositions about the history of the Lukan writings prior to their reception in the second century (and beyond) and suggests a scenario that renders intelligible the later developments. Finally, the article concludes with some reflections about the pertinence of reception history to New Testament studies.
Weakly connected neural networks

1 Introduction.- 2 Bifurcations in Neuron Dynamics.- 3 Neural Networks.- 4 Introduction to Canonical Models.- 5 Local Analysis of WCNNs.- 6 Local Analysis of Singularly Perturbed WCNNs.- 7 Local Analysis of Weakly Connected Maps.- 8 Saddle-Node on a Limit Cycle.- 9 Weakly Connected Oscillators.- 10 Multiple Andronov-Hopf Bifurcation.- 11 Multiple Cusp Bifurcation.- 12 Quasi-Static Bifurcations.- 13 Synaptic Organizations of the Brain.- References.