cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polarizability of helium and the negative hydrogen ion

The authors have carried out precision calculations of the dipole and quadrupole polarizabilities of helium and the negative hydrogen ion and their non-adiabatic extensions. These quantities are obtained from second-order perturbation sums involving energy denominators raised to the power k=1, 2 or 3. The summation over intermediate states is carried out using Hylleraas two-particle wavefunctions of the appropriate symmetry and angular momentum. The measured mass of the nucleus is retained. The convergence is excellent for the helium case and somewhat poorer for H$.
The internet-based education bandwagon: look before you leap

Online students may perform as well as those in traditional classrooms, but what about the quality of their learning experience?
Serum FSH and LH in Constant Light-Induced Persistent Estrus: Short-Term and Long-Term Studies

Serum FSH and LH concentrations were determined in normal adult female rats which were made persistent-estrous by exposure to constant illumination for periods of 2-200 days. The earliest discernible effect was a decreased incidence of the normal, late afternoon proestrous LH “surge,” even during the first vaginal smear cycle following exposure to constant illumination. In the 4th to 6th vaginal cycles following exposure, only 1 of 19 animals exhibited the late afternoon proestrous LH “surge.” Contrary to a report of others (8) which indicated that serum LH concentrations in persistent- estrous rats were as high as those of castrates, mean serum LH levels in persistentestrous rats never exceeded 200 ng NIAMD-Rat LH-RP-1/ml. These values are only slightly higher than those of the estrous stage of a normal estrous cycle, and markedly lower than those of ovariectomized animals. Mean serum FSH levels in persistent estrous rats were as high as 200 ng NIAMD-Rat FSH-RP-1/ml, values slightly elevated above those ...
Cholinergic system modulates growth, apoptosis, and secretion of cholangiocytes from bile duct–ligated rats

Abstract Background & Aims: To investigate the role of the cholinergic system in regulation of cholangiocyte functions, we evaluated the effects of vagotomy on cholangiocyte proliferation and secretion in rats that underwent bile duct ligation (BDL rats). Methods: After bile duct ligation (BDL), the vagus nerve was resected; 7 days later, expression of M3 acetylcholine receptor was evaluated. Cholangiocyte proliferation was assessed by morphometry and measurement of DNA synthesis. Apoptosis was evaluated by light microscopy and annexin-V staining. Ductal secretion was evaluated by measurement of secretin-induced choleresis, secretin receptor (SR) gene expression, and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) levels. Results: Vagotomy decreased the expression of M3 acetylcholine receptors in cholangiocytes. DNA synthesis and ductal mass were markedly decreased, whereas cholangiocyte apoptosis was increased by vagotomy. Vagotomy decreased ductal secretion. Forskolin treatment prevented the decrease in cAMP levels induced by vagotomy, maintained cholangiocyte proliferation, and decreased cholangiocyte apoptosis caused by vagotomy in BDL rats. Cholangiocyte secretion was also maintained by forskolin. Conclusions: Vagotomy impairs cholangiocyte proliferation and enhances apoptosis, leading to decreased ductal mass in response to BDL. Secretin-induced choleresis of BDL rats was virtually eliminated by vagotomy in association with decreased cholangiocyte cAMP levels. Maintenance of cAMP levels by forskolin administration prevents the effects of vagotomy on cholangiocyte proliferation, apoptosis, and secretion. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1999;117:191-199
Geographically extensive hybridization between the forest trees American butternut and Japanese walnut

We investigate the question of naturally occurring interspecific hybrids between two forest trees: the native North American butternut (Juglans cinerea L.) and the introduced Japanese walnut (Juglans ailantifolia Carriere). Using nuclear and chloroplast DNA markers, we provide evidence for 29 F1 and 22 advanced generation hybrids in seven locations across the eastern and southern range of the native species. Two locations show extensive admixture (95% J. ailantifolia and hybrids) while other locations show limited admixture. Hybridization appears to be asymmetrical with 90.9 per cent of hybrids having J. ailantifolia as the maternal parent. This is, to our knowledge, the first genetic data supporting natural hybridization between these species. The long-term outcome of introgression could include loss of native diversity, but could also include transfer of useful traits from the introduced species.
The politics of US missile defence cooperation with Europe and Russia

Pushed by the realities of domestic politics to proceed with plans to deploy a US missile defense (MD) capability in Europe, the Obama administration has made cooperation on MD a key element in its strategy for engaging both NATO and Russia. While addressing many of the shortcomings of the Bush administration's approach, the current US vision underestimates both the technical and political obstacles ahead. European states and NATO see MD as a lower priority, particularly in the aftermath of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Libya, and are unlikely to commit the resources necessary to making a shared NATO MD architecture a reality. Russia's cautious support for MD cooperation is based on a desire to create a more inclusive model of European security, an idea that has limited support in Washington and the European capitals. By trying to do too much with MD cooperation, the Obama administration risks the whole effort collapsing. Given domestic constraints, the administration cannot pull back from its European MD plans, but should nudge them off centre stage in its conversations on security with both NATO allies and the Russians.
Ice-Templating Synthesis of Polyaniline Microflakes Stacked by One-Dimensional Nanofibers

In this paper, a facile and environmentally friendly route, an ice-templating method, has been developed to prepare polyaniline (PANI) microflakes stacked by one-dimensional (1D) uniform nanofibers with diameters in the range 22−32 nm. Although the ice-templating method has been used for preparing ultrapure materials with unique structures in recent years, to our knowledge, this is the first report on using the ice-templating method to direct the polymerization of aniline. Platelet-shaped ice crystals with high aspect ratios provide a particularly novel template to microscopically confine PANI microflakes. The concentration of reagents (aniline, H4SiW12O40 doping acid, and ferric chloride oxidant) and the growth mechanism of PANI flakes are investigated in our experiment. The structure and morphology of the PANI microflakes are characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The c...
Hourly human chorionic gonadotropin secretion profiles during the peri-implantation period of successful pregnancies

Objective To characterize the hourly profiles of hCG secretion in blood during conceptive cycles that ended in successful pregnancy. Design Prospective study. Setting University fertility clinic and research laboratories. Patient(s) Healthy spontaneously ovulating women with regular menses, no history of infertility, and either no male partner or an azospermic partner. Intervention(s) Frequent blood samples were collected daily from 11 spontaneously ovulating women during 11 cycles of artifical insemination with donor semen. The concentrations of hCG, LH, and FSH were measured in the blood by immunoassay. Main Outcome Measure(s) The concentration of hCG in the frequent blood samples and the rate that the concentration of hCG changed during the period of frequent sampling. Result(s) For the conceptive cycles resulting in successful pregnancies analyzed, hourly hCG concentrations were observed to increase in a consistent nonpulsatile manner. Conclusion(s) These data provide the first characterization of the hourly secretion profile of hCG in early pregnancy as well as provide further evidence that individual daily blood samples are sufficient for the accurate assessment of pregnancy.
pH dependence of lactate dehydrogenase isozyme inhibition by substrate.

THE isolated, purified isozymes of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) differ from one another in a variety of ways. In addition to electrophoretic mobility and immunological reactivity1, they differ in kinetic behaviour2, thermal stability3,4, sub-unit composition5, and inhibition by lactate6, pyruvate7, urea8, oxalate9, and α-hydroxybutyrate10. This communication describes the finding that the dissimilarity between LDH 1 and LDH 5 in degree of inhibition by lactate can appreciably be reduced by small alterations in pH. This dependence of substrate inhibition on pH illustrates the need to explore other variables before generalizing from limited in vitro to complex in vivo conditions.
Submicron functional fibrous scaffolds based on electrospun phospholipids

Wormlike micelles of phospholipids were recently electrospun into ultraporous, high surface area fibrous membranes. These biologically-derived materials offer many potential applications, such as cell growth scaffolds, purification membranes, and drug-delivery platforms. Future work in tailoring the electrospinning process and phospholipid properties is expected to create new durable, biofunctional materials. These initial efforts have introduced the concept of low molar mass amphiphiles as precursors of biocompatible fibers through solution electrospinning.
Novel hydrophobicity ruler approach for determining the octanol/water partition coefficients of very hydrophobic compounds via their polymer/solvent solution distribution coefficients.

A novel hydrophobicity ruler approach for determining the octanol/water partition coefficients of very hydrophobic compounds is proposed, which is an indirect method that measures the polymer/solvent solution distribution coefficients (log Kp/s) of reference and unknown compounds. The log Kp/s values of the unknown compounds can be calibrated to their log Ko/w values via the correlation of the log Kp/s values of the reference compounds with their log Ko/w values. An organic solvent was used to increase the solubility of the very hydrophobic compounds in the aqueous solution, so that their concentrations and absorption amounts were high enough to be measured precisely. The solvent also reduced the hydrophobicity scale of the very hydrophobic compounds and controlled the amounts absorbed into the polymer phase, so that compounds spanning a very wide range of log Ko/w values could be measured in a single measurement and the coexisting compounds would not interfere each other. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), a...
Müller glia: Stem cells for generation and regeneration of retinal neurons in teleost fish.

Adult zebrafish generate new neurons in the brain and retina throughout life. Growth-related neurogenesis allows a vigorous regenerative response to damage, and fish can regenerate retinal neurons, including photoreceptors, and restore functional vision following photic, chemical, or mechanical destruction of the retina. Muller glial cells in fish function as radial-glial-like neural stem cells. During adult growth, Muller glial nuclei undergo sporadic, asymmetric, self-renewing mitotic divisions in the inner nuclear layer to generate a rod progenitor that migrates along the radial fiber of the Muller glia into the outer nuclear layer, proliferates, and differentiates exclusively into rod photoreceptors. When retinal neurons are destroyed, Muller glia in the immediate vicinity of the damage partially and transiently dedifferentiate, re-express retinal progenitor and stem cell markers, re-enter the cell cycle, undergo interkinetic nuclear migration (characteristic of neuroepithelial cells), and divide once in an asymmetric, self-renewing division to generate a retinal progenitor. This daughter cell proliferates rapidly to form a compact neurogenic cluster surrounding the Muller glia; these multipotent retinal progenitors then migrate along the radial fiber to the appropriate lamina to replace missing retinal neurons. Some aspects of the injury-response in fish Muller glia resemble gliosis as observed in mammals, and mammalian Muller glia exhibit some neurogenic properties, indicative of a latent ability to regenerate retinal neurons. Understanding the specific properties of fish Muller glia that facilitate their robust capacity to generate retinal neurons will inform and inspire new clinical approaches for treating blindness and visual loss with regenerative medicine.
Cypridina bioluminescence: light-emitting oxyluciferin-luciferase complex.

Fluorescence of Cypridina oxyluciferin is greatly enhanced when it is bound to luciferase; the spectrum is thereby shifted, so that it corresponds precisely to the emission spectrum characteristic of the bioluminescentoxidation of luciferin. Thus the oxyluciferin-luciferase complex is the lightemitter. The binding is equimolar, with dissociation constant KD equal to 3x 10-7 mole per liter. The molecular weight of the luciferase, according to three different methods, is between 52,000 and 57,000; molecular activities of luciferase for the bioluminescence reaction and for the hydrolysis of oxy-luciferin are 1600 and 2 per minute, respectively.
Hybrid network on chip (HNoC): local buses with a global mesh architecture

Network on chip (NoC) is often implemented with packet-based communication rather than bus connections between cores. Although NoC is a good solution for long-distance communication, local buses are more efficient for short-distance connections. In this paper, we propose a hybrid network on chip (HNoC) fabric that uses local buses for nearest-neighbor communication and the standard NoC topology for global interconnection. Local buses carry all the nearest-neighbor traffic, reducing traffic on the global network, which results in increased throughput and reduced energy consumption.Based on a communication probability density (CPD) function derived from Rent's rule, it is shown that in a 25-core chip multiprocessor, HNoC can remove up to 78% of the traffic from the global NoC topology, which results in 4.6x higher throughput and a 58% reduction in energy consumption compared to a conventional NoC topology.
Why the Arpanet Was Built

The who, what, when, and how of the Arpanet is usually told in heroic terms-Licklider's vision, the fervor of his disciples, the dedication of computer scientists and engineers, the work of graduate students, and so forth. Told by one of the key actors in this salient part of US and Internet history, this article addresses why the Arpanet was built.
Identification and characterization of novel short-chain acid Esters as surface lipid components of Heliothis virescens pupae. Effects of sorbic acid in the diet

Two previously unreported lipid classes were characterized which are present on the cuticular surface of laboratory-reared tobacco budworm, (Heliothis virescens Fabricius) pupae only when the mold and yeast inhibitor, (E,E)-2,4-hexadienoic acid (sorbic acid) is added to the larval diet. One lipid fraction was identified as esters of sorbic acid and C26, C24, C28, C22 and C30 primary alcohols (listed in descending order of abundance). The second, less polar lipid fraction was shown to consist of esters of 4-hexenoic acid and the same C22–C30 even-chain primary alcohols. The two lipid classes were identified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatographic retention times, capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (CGC-MS), and proton magnetic resonance (PMR) spectroscopy. Results of the same analyses on synthetic compounds, long-chain alkanyl esters of 2-, 3- and 4-hexenoic acids and 2,4-hexadienoic acid, are also presented.
An overnight habitat for expanding lunar surface exploration

Abstract This paper presents the conceptual design and analysis of a system intended to increase the range, scientific capability, and safety of manned lunar surface exploration, requiring only a modest increase in capability over the Apollo mission designs. The system is intended to enable two astronauts, exploring with an unpressurized rover, to remove their space suits for an 8-h rest away from the lunar base and then conduct a second day of surface exploration before returning to base. This system is composed of an Environmental Control and Life Support System on the rover, an inflatable habitat, a solar shield and a solar power array. The proposed system doubles the distance reachable from the lunar base, thus increasing the area available for science and exploration by a factor of four. In addition to increasing mission capability, the proposed system also increases fault tolerance with an emergency inflatable structure and additional consumables to mitigate a wide range of suit or rover failures. The mass, volume, and power analyses of each subsystem are integrated to generate a total system mass of 124 kg and a volume of 594 L, both of which can be accommodated on the Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle with minor improvements.
Conformational dependence of molecular surface electrostatic potentials

In a series of earlier studies, we showed that a variety of solution, liquid, and solid-phase properties can be represented analytically in terms of quantities related to the electrostatic potentials on molecular surfaces. These quantities include the positive and negative extrema, the positive and negative average values and variances, and the average deviation. We have now investigated how sensitive these quantities are to the molecular conformation. Surface potentials were computed at the HF/6-31G* level for a total of 35 conformations of 10 different molecules. Our overall conclusion is that conformational effects upon applications of molecular surface electrostatic potentials are most likely to be of concern if (a) formation of the conformer considerably diminishes the internal polarity and/or (b) the application in question is strongly dependent upon the positive variance. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 75: 267–273, 1999
Optimizing models for remotely estimating primary production in Antarctic coastal waters

Primary productivity and associated biogeochemical fluxes within the Southern Ocean are globally significant, sensitive to change and poorly known compared to temperate marine ecosystems. We present seasonal time series data of chlorophyll a, primary productivity and in-water irradiance measured in the coastal waters of the Western Antarctica Peninsula and build upon existing models to provide a more optimum parameterization for the estimation of primary productivity in Antarctic coastal waters. These and other data provide strong evidence that bio-optical characteristics and phytoplankton productivity in Antarctic waters are different from temperate waters. For these waters we show that over 60% ofthe variability in primary production can be explained by the surface chlorophyll a concentration alone, a characteristic, which lends itself to remote sensing models. If chlorophyll a concentrations are accurately determined, then the largest source of error (13-1 8%) results from estimates of the photoadaptive variable (PBo,,>. Further, the overall magnitude of PBopt is low (median 1.09 mg C mg chl-l h-l) for these data compared to other regions and generally fits that expected for a cold water system. However, the variability of PBopt over the course of a season (0.4 to 3 mg C mg chl-I h-I) is not consistently correlated with other possible environmental parameters, such as chlorophyll, sea surface temperature, incident irradiance, day length, salinity, or taxonomic composition. Nonetheless, by tuning a standard depth-integrated primary productivity model to fit representative PBOp, values and the relatively uniform chlorophyll-normalized production profile found in these waters, we can improve the model to account for approximately 72-73% variability in primary production both for our data as well as for independent historic Antarctic data.
Coronary artery fistulas : Clinical and therapeutic considerations

Coronary artery fistulas vary widely in their morphological appearance and presentation. These fistulas are congenital or acquired coronary artery abnormalities in which blood is shunted into a cardiac chamber, great vessel, or other structure, bypassing the myocardial capillary network. The majority of these fistulas arise from the right coronary artery and the left anterior descending coronary artery; the circumflex coronary artery is rarely involved. Clinical manifestations vary considerably and the long-term outcome is not fully known. The patients with coronary fistulas may present with dyspnea, congestive heart failure, angina, endocarditis, arrhythmias, or myocardial infarction. A continuous murmur is often present and is highly suggestive of a coronary artery fistula. Differential diagnosis includes persistent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary arteriovenous fistula, ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, aortopulmonary window, prolapse of the right aortic cusp with a supracristal ventricular septal defect, internal mammary artery to pulmonary artery fistula, and systemic arteriovenous fistula. Although noninvasive imaging may facilitate the diagnosis and identification of the origin and insertion of coronary artery fistulas, cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography is necessary for the precise delineation of coronary anatomy, for assessment of hemodynamics, and to show the presence of concomitant atherosclerosis and other structural anomalies. Treatment is advocated for symptomatic patients and for those asymptomatic patients who are at risk for future complications. Possible therapeutic options include surgical correction and transcatheter embolization. Historical perspectives, demographics, clinical presentations, diagnostic evaluation, and management of coronary artery fistula are elaborated.
Introduction—Small-Scale Unmanned Aerial Systems for Environmental Remote Sensing

(2011). Introduction—Small-Scale Unmanned Aerial Systems for Environmental Remote Sensing. GIScience & Remote Sensing: Vol. 48, Small-Scale Unmanned Aerial Systems for Environmental Remote Sensing, pp. 1-3.
Lidar Observation of Cloud

Lidar (from "light detection and ranging") is the optical counterpart of meteorological radar. At optical wavelengths, very much smaller atmospheric particles can be detected than at microwave wavelengths. With a laser power source, a transmitter uses a lens system to beam very intense pulses of monochromatic light of extremely short duration. Light backscattered by the atmosphere is collected in a receiver system that is essentially a telescope coaligned with the transmitter, and a narrow-pass filter allows only light of the transmitted frequency to be detected by a photomultiplier. Data are presented on an oscilloscope as a trace of signal intensity versus range (the A-scope of radar practice) and photographed.
Global Implications of the Information Society

“As with life itself, the prognosis for an information society is mixed, the remedy inconclusive.”
The effects of frustration induced by discontinuation of reinforcement on force of response and magnitude of the skin conductance response

If frustration is an aversive emotion in humans, then the behavioral increment in vigor of response following discontinuation of a positively reinforced force-contingent leverpress (frustration effect) might reasonably be expected to be accompanied by a gross physiological response such as an increase in skin conductance. The present study tested this hypothesis by means of a double-lever force-contingent reinforcement apparatus in which subjects received a small monetary reward if they pressed the first lever (reward lever) with an amount of force that was greater than 1.5 kg but less than 3.0 kg. Presses on the second lever, designated as a reset lever required for reactivation of the reinforcement mechanism and subsequent presses on the reward lever, were never reinforced, but force of response was measured. Following this procedure, any changes in force on the reset lever could not be attributed to associative strategies gained through familiarity with the reward lever. The results indicated a significant increase in force on the reset lever (frustration effect) following discontinuation of reinforcement on the reward lever (first extinction trial) accompanied by a significant increase in the skin conductance response, evidence that suggests that frustration is an emotion with a physiological basis as well as a behavioral effect. Increases in force of response on the reset lever and correlated increases in the magnitude of the skin conductance response were inversely related to the time of delay between the reward leverpress and the reset leverpress.
The Interaction of Clouds and Dry Air in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Cloud radar observations of eastern Pacific intertropical convergence zone cloud vertical structure are interpreted in light of soundings, 100-km-scale divergence profiles calculated from precipitation radar Doppler velocities, and surface rain gauge data, from a ship at 10°N, 95°W during the 2001 East Pacific Investigation of Climate (EPIC) experiment. The transition from convective to stratiform rain is clear in all four datasets, indicating a coherence from local to 100-km scale. A novel finding is dry air intrusions at altitudes of 6–8 km, often undercutting upper-level ice clouds. Two distinct dry air source regions are identified. One is a relatively dry area overlying the cooler waters of the Costa Rica oceanic thermocline dome, centered approximately 400 km east-northeast of the ship site. The other is the even drier nearequatorial subsidence zone south of 6°–7°N. The former source is somewhat peculiar to this specific ship location, so that the ship sample is not entirely representative of the region. The 20–25 September period is studied in detail, as it depicts two influences of the dry air on cloud vertical structure. One is the modulation of small-scale surface-based convection, evident as a weakening and narrowing of cloud radar reflectivity features. The other springs from intense sublimation cooling as differential advection brought snowing anvil clouds over the dry layers. During one half-day period of strong sublimation, the cooling rate is inferred to be several tens of degrees per day over a 100-hPa layer, based on a heat budget estimate at 100-km scale involving the horizontal wind divergence data. This is consistent with fluxing ice water contents of 0.05–0.10 g m 3 derived from the cloud radar reflectivities. The temperature profile shows the dynamically expected response to this cooling, a positive–negative–positive temperature anomaly pattern centered on the sublimating layer. A buoyancy-sorting diagnostic model of convection indicates that these upper-troposphere temperature anomalies can cause premature detrainment of updrafts into the lower part of the cloudy layer, a feedback that may actively maintain these long-lasting dense anvils. Middle-troposphere southerly dry air inflow is also evident in large-scale analysis. Given the proximity of the dry equatorial subsidence zone to the eastern tropical Pacific, the differential advection of dry and cloudy air, the ensuing sublimation, and its dynamical aftereffects may play a role in establishing the region’s climate, although the extent of their significance needs to be further established.
Cyclosporin A Traps ABCA1 at the Plasma Membrane and Inhibits ABCA1-Mediated Lipid Efflux to Apolipoprotein A-I

Objective— ABCA1 mediates cellular cholesterol and phospholipid efflux to apolipoprotein A-I and other apolipoprotein acceptors. In this study, we analyzed the effect of the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A on the ABCA1-mediated lipid effluxes reactions. Methods and Results— Cyclosporin A acted as a potent inhibitor of ABCA1 activity in several cell lines. Using the RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cell line, in which ABCA1 and its associated cholesterol efflux activity are inducible by cAMP analogues, cyclosporin A inhibition of cholesterol efflux to apolipoprotein A-I was rapidly reversible after its removal from the culture media, implying that ABCA1 levels were not drastically reduced by cyclosporin A. In fact, cyclosporin A treatment decreased ABCA1 turnover and yielded a 2-fold increase in cell-surface ABCA1. Despite the increase in cell-surface ABCA1, cyclosporin A decreased apolipoprotein A-I uptake, resecretion, and degradation in RAW cells. Finally, consistent with the inhibition of ABCA1 in vitro, cyclosporin A treatment induced a 33% reduction of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in mice. Conclusion— ABCA1 inhibition by cyclosporin A supports a role for ABCA1 endocytic trafficking in ABCA1-mediated lipid efflux and could explain in part the low HDL levels observed in some patients with transplants.
Optical Communications for Extreme Deep Space Missions

The development of key technologies for an optical communications system for deep-space probes is discussed. Aspects of the technology include the pulse-position modulation technique for data transmission, a solid-state laser with a Nd:YAG crystal end, nondiffraction-limited receivers, and the application of avalanche photodiodes to improve photon detection. Mission benefits and flight opportunities and applications are discussed. Experiments to test optical communication systems are being planned for the Space Shuttle and the Mars Rover Sample Return misson. Future missions which will probably use the system include Cassini and the Mariner Mark II.
Application performance of elements in a floating-gate FPAA

Field-programmable analog arrays (FPAAs) provide a method for rapidly prototyping analog systems. Currently available commercial and academic FPAAs are typically based on operational amplifiers (or other similar analog primitives) with only a few computational elements per chip. While their specific architectures vary, their small sizes and often restrictive interconnect designs leave current FPAAs limited in functionality, flexibility, and usefulness. In this paper, we explore the use of floating-gate devices as the core programmable element in a signal processing FPAA. A generic FPAA architecture is presented that offers increased functionality and flexibility in realizing analog systems. In addition, the computational analog elements are shown to be widely and accurately programmable while remaining small in area.
Genetic Variability in Populations of the Southern Chinch Bug, Blissus insularis, Assessed using AFLP Analysis

Southern chinch bug, Blissus insularis Barber (Heteroptera: Blissidae), is the most destructive insect pest of St. Augustine grass, Stenotaphrum secundatum Waltz (Kuntze), in the southern United States. The present study is focused on assessing genetic variability in five populations of B. insularis collected from Texas and Florida where St. Augustine grass is widely grown. The amplified fragment length polymorphism technique was used to DNA fingerprint individuals from each population (a total of 46 individuals) using five primer combinations (EcoRI/MSeI). Analysis of molecular variance results show no evidence to support significant genetic variability among Texas and Florida populations of B. insularis. Nearly all genetic variation was found to reside within populations (95%), with only approximately 3% residing among populations between regions. Low G(ST) values obtained from POPGENE and low F(ST) values obtained from the analysis of molecular variance both support the conclusion for high levels of gene flow resulting from interbreeding and/or migratory events among the populations. A Mantel test of Euclidean squared distances showed no correlation between the genetic distance and geographic distance matrices of tested populations of B. insularis. The results of the present study suggests that gene flow is occurring among populations of B. insularis and, therefore, breeders need to be aware that this resistance will most likely not remain localized, and it has the potential to spread as a result of migratory events.
Hierarchical control of future generation rotorcraft

A two-tier architecture of hierarchical control is proposed for future generation rotorcraft that demand enhanced performance and reliability. The continuously-varying controller at the lower tier is designed using probabilistic robust control approaches. The discrete-event supervisory controller at the upper tier is built upon the concepts of time-frequency analysis, symbolic dynamics, and automata theory. Results of simulation experiments based on the GENHEL model of UH-60 black hawk helicopter are presented.
Interferometer Calibration Using the Random Ball Test

Two different approaches (systematically and randomly rotating the CaliBallTMto calibrate a Fizeau interferometer transmission sphere) are demonstrated with similar calibration results. Thus, the random approach is preferred as a quicker and easier measurement procedure.
Total Synthesis of Stemaphylline N‐Oxide and Related C9a‐Epimeric Analogues

The Stemona alkaloids represent a class of more than eighty structurally diverse alkaloids isolated from plants belonging to the Stemonaceae family.[1] Structurally these alkaloids are characterized by the conserved pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepine core usually linked to a terminal lactone. These plants have been used in folk medicine in East Asia for thousands of years to treat the symptoms of bronchitis, pertussis, and tuberculosis and have been used as anti-parasitics in humans and animals.
Smart Cards and e-business

In recent time, e-business and m-business (mobile e-business) have become buzzwords that are often encountered in the media. Right now, a lot of companies and businesses are transforming into e-businesses and expanding to m-businesses to improve their internal efficiency, to improve the link to their suppliers and to reach new markets via the Internet.
X‐Ray diffraction of oriented amylose fibers. II. Structure of V amyloses

Oriented amylose fibers in the V form were prepared and subjected to x-ray analysis. Unit cells and the probable space group of P212121 were determined for the V anhydrous and V hydrate forms of amylose; the analysis confirms previous predictions of these structures based on x-ray powder patterns. Chain folding in V amyloses is discussed in view of crystallographic evidence and folding experiments conducted with space-filling models. Reported also is evidence for amylose helices having diameters intermediate between 13.0 and 13.7 A.
Comparison of donor site intraoral morbidity after mucosal graft harvesting for urethral reconstruction.

Abstract Objectives To compare postoperative intraoral morbidity after mucosal graft harvesting from the lower lip and inner cheek in men undergoing substitution urethroplasty. Methods From 2000 to 2004, 40 patients underwent oral mucosal graft harvesting for urethral reconstruction. Of the 40 patients, 17 underwent harvest from the lower lip (group 1), 19 from the inner cheek (group 2), and 4 from both sites (group 3). We analyzed the postoperative differences in discomfort levels, neurosensory deficits, salivary flow, complications, and overall quality of life according to harvest site. Outcomes were assessed using analog scales and a questionnaire. Results At longer term follow-up, the proportion of men with persistent postoperative discomfort, neurosensory deficits, and changes in salivary flow was greater in men whose grafts were harvested from the lower lip than in those whose grafts were harvested from the cheek. Contractures were noted in 1 (5.9%) of 17 and 5 (26.3%) of 19 men in groups 1 and 2, respectively. At the last follow-up visit, overall quality of life (measured by an analog scale of 0 [delighted] to 6 [terrible]) was not significantly different in patients with lower lip versus inner cheek harvest (1.35 versus 0.66, respectively, P = 0.079). Conclusions Persistent postoperative discomfort, neurosensory deficits, and salivary flow changes were more common in men whose grafts were harvested from the lower lip. However, the overall quality of life in this group was not significantly different compared with men whose grafts were harvested from the inner cheek. From a morbidity standpoint, the inner cheek appears to be the preferable site of graft harvest.
Effect of antiproliferative flavonoids on ascorbic acid accumulation in human colon adenocarcinoma cells

Dietary flavonoids were found to be antiproliferative for human colon cancer cells, Caco-2 and HT-29, and rat nontransformed intestinal crypt cells, IEC-6. The antiproliferative potency was found to be structure-dependent. We report here a correlation between the antiproliferative potency of these flavonoids and their ability to inhibit cellular accumulation of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Caco-2, HT-29 and IEC-6 cells were found to accumulate ascorbic acid in a sodium-dependent fashion although some ascorbic acid may also enter the cells through sodium-independent mechanisms. Flavonoids that have been found to be antiproliferative, quercetin and genistein, inhibited the accumulation of ascorbic acid. The inhibition was dose-dependent and could be observed after as short as 10-min of incubation. The degree of inhibition of accumulation was more during rapid cell division as compared to post-confluency Caco-2 cells. Flavonoids that were found to show little antiproliferative effect, naringenin and catechin, also had little effect on ascorbic acid accumulation. The antiproliferative property of flavonoids could be linked to their ascorbic acid deprivation property.
A link between insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia: inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase augment glucose-induced insulin secretion from islets of lean, but not obese, rats.

Wortmannin (5–100 nm), a specific phosphatidyinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, augmented 8 mm glucose-induced insulin secretion from control Sprague Dawley rat islets in a dose-dependent manner. This effect persisted after its removal from the perifusion medium; however, this augmenting effect was reduced by the calcium channel inhibitor nitrendipine or by lowering the glucose level to 3 mm. Wortmannin amplified insulin release induced by the combination of 6–8 mm glucose plus 1 μm carbachol; however, it had no effect on phorbol ester- orα -ketoisocaproate-induced insulin secretion. The potentiating action of wortmannin on 8 mm glucose-induced release was duplicated by LY294002. Wortmannin had no effect on glucose usage rates or inositol phosphate accumulation in[ 3H]inositol-prelabeled islets. Of particular significance, although 50 nm wortmannin potentiated 8 mm glucose-induced secretion from islets of lean Zucker control rats, the fungal metabolite had little effect on 8 mm glucose-induced release from isle...
The rural African party: political participation in Tanzania.

Because the codes, rules and ideology of mass, single-party systems reach the village areas more slowly than do the tangible personalizations of party authority, a situation of potential misuse of power exists where rural party organizations operate. Peasants are aware of face-to-face confrontations by a familiar figure who has gained a party position; they are unaware of the precepts and regulations that the national party has laid down for the village level functionaries. Consequently, political victimization is most prounced at the very grass-root level that national leaders are attempting to integrate politically. Moreover, by its nature the rural party is a multi-faceted organization that is acceptable to the peasants because its leaders provide services that in more structured societies are carried out by specific agencies and contracts. Functions such as family arbitration, police investigation and criminal adjudication are mixed with the more classical party activities of representation and the dispensing of patronage. Taken together, the above two characteristics of a rural party—potential abuse, and the multi-faceted nature—significantly influence the extent and form of political participation in the areas they serve. This article attempts to analyze these characteristics in Tanzania, and thereafter to assess rural party participation, and more broadly to suggest the theoretical dimensions of political participation in a new nation. Participation, it may be argued, is the problem par excellence for leaders of the new nations. The building of a state, both in terms of economic development and in the creation of a national consciousness, depends upon some type of participation by the citizens.
SYNTHESIS METHODS AND UNIT-CELL VOLUME OF END-MEMBER TITANITE (CATIOSIO4)

Unit-cell parameters of synthetic, end-member titanite (CaTiOSiO 4 ) critically depend on the synthesis conditions, as is shown for studies reported in the literature and for new samples reported here. Our study suggests that phase-pure samples are likely to be obtained only if they are synthesized entirely below the solidus. In contrast, samples synthesized either directly from melt or by annealing of glass tend to have higher unit-cell volumes, contain Si-rich and Ca-Si-rich phase impurities, and may be nonstoichiometric. The observed variations in cell parameters among the samples strongly correlate with synthesis methods and can be explained by vacancies in the Ca or Si site or both. This result is particularly important because the thermodynamic properties currently in use for titanite are based on samples synthesized from melts of stoichiometric composition and thus are suspect even though they have been determined carefully. To establish a reference point for future studies concerned with the chemical and physical properties of this material we report our findings along with a redetermination of the unit-cell parameters [a = 7.062(1), b = 8.716(2), and c = 6.559(1) Aa; beta = 113.802(9) degrees , V = 369.4(3) Aa 3 ] from powder X-ray data of synthetic, stoichiometric titanite.
APPLICATION OF HARVEST, MECHANICAL SIMULATION MODEL, AS AN OPERATIONAL AQUATIC MACROPHYTE MANAGEMENT DECISION TOOL

ABSTRACT The computer program HARVEST deterministically simulates all important aspects of an aquatic macrophyte harvesting operation. It runs on a personal computer and can simulate any current or proposed harvesting system operating in any realistic aquatic macrophyte-infested environment. The inputs, logic, assumptions, and outputs of the model are described. Its application in evaluating the cost and effectiveness of harvesting programs is demonstrated.
Intrarenal Dopamine Inhibits Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy

The kidney has a local intrarenal dopaminergic system, and in the kidney, dopamine modulates renal hemodynamics, inhibits salt and fluid reabsorption, antagonizes the renin-angiotensin system, and inhibits oxidative stress. The current study examined the effects of alterations in the intrarenal dopaminergic system on kidney structure and function in models of type 1 diabetes. We studied catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT)−/− mice, which have increased renal dopamine production due to decreased dopamine metabolism, and renal transplantation was used to determine whether the effects seen with COMT deficiency were kidney-specific. To determine the effects of selective inhibition of intrarenal dopamine production, we used mice with proximal tubule deletion of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (ptAADC−/−). Compared with wild-type diabetic mice, COMT−/− mice had decreased hyperfiltration, decreased macula densa cyclooxygenase-2 expression, decreased albuminuria, decreased glomerulopathy, and inhibition of expression of markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. These differences were also seen in diabetic mice with a transplanted kidney from COMT−/− mice. In contrast, diabetic ptAADC−/− mice had increased nephropathy. Our study demonstrates an important role of the intrarenal dopaminergic system to modulate the development and progression of diabetic kidney injury and indicate that the decreased renal dopamine production may have important consequences in the underlying pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.
Homogeneous Nucleation and the Temperature Dependence of the Crystal-Melt Interfacial Tension

Publisher Summary This article presents an analysis of the crystal melt interfacial tension and its temperature dependence which emerged from application of classical nucleation theory to experiments on the kinetics of homogeneous nucleation of crystals in undercooled melts. The analysis shows that the temperature coefficients obtained from homogeneous nucleation experiments can be accounted for the entropy loss in the undercooled melts due to ordering near the crystal surface. Analysis of the equilibrium interface in the hard sphere system confirms that the interfacial entropy losses are sufficiently large to account entirely for the magnitude of the interfacial tension, because the enthalphic contribution in this system is by definition zero. The chapter also suggests that metallic and other simple liquids require remarkably deep undercoolings for the onset of measurable crystal nucleation. This behavior could be interpreted in terms of polytetrahedral models for melt structure.
Membrane-bound and soluble Fas ligands have opposite functions in photoreceptor cell death following separation from the retinal pigment epithelium

Fas ligand (FasL) triggers apoptosis of Fas-positive cells, and previous reports described FasL-induced cell death of Fas-positive photoreceptors following a retinal detachment. However, as FasL exists in membrane-bound (mFasL) and soluble (sFasL) forms, and is expressed on resident microglia and infiltrating monocyte/macrophages, the current study examined the relative contribution of mFasL and sFasL to photoreceptor cell death after induction of experimental retinal detachment in wild-type, knockout (FasL−/−), and mFasL-only knock-in (ΔCS) mice. Retinal detachment in FasL−/− mice resulted in a significant reduction of photoreceptor cell death. In contrast, ΔCS mice displayed significantly more apoptotic photoreceptor cell death. Photoreceptor loss in ΔCS mice was inhibited by a subretinal injection of recombinant sFasL. Thus, Fas/FasL-triggered cell death accounts for a significant amount of photoreceptor cell loss following the retinal detachment. The function of FasL was dependent upon the form of FasL expressed: mFasL triggered photoreceptor cell death, whereas sFasL protected the retina, indicating that enzyme-mediated cleavage of FasL determines, in part, the extent of vision loss following the retinal detachment. Moreover, it also indicates that treatment with sFasL could significantly reduce photoreceptor cell loss in patients with retinal detachment.
Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide and Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Diaphorase Activity in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Total reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase activities were examined in human neutrophils. Approximately two-thirds of each enzyme activity was located in the granule fraction with the remainder in the soluble. The activities in a 27,000 × g supernatant from a sonic extract of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes were characterized. Both NADH and NADPH diaphorase were insensitive to cyanide and azide and showed greater activity at acid pH. Km values for nitroblue tetrazolium were not markedly different (33 μM with NADH and 12 μM with NADPH), but there was a 40-fold difference in Km for the reduced pyridine nucleotides (10 μM with NADH and 400 μM for NADPH). Since the intracellular concentration of both nucleotides is estimated to be about 50 μM, it is much more likely, from a kinetic argument, that the respiratory burst of phagocytosis is intiated by the oxidation of NADH rather than of NADPH.