cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Monte Carlo simulation method for {111} surfaces of silicon and other diamond-cubic materials

Abstract We introduce a modified, solid-on-solid model for Monte Carlo computer simulation studies of equilibrium, growth and etching phenomena on the {111} surfaces of silicon and other diamond-cubic materials. Incorporation of the actual diamond-cubic crystal structure allows for the inclusion of possible effects of the structure's rotational symmetry, coordination and the layer-stacking periodicity (normal to the surface) on the surface properties and dynamics. Results of extensive equilibrium simulations, including surface energies, surface specific heats, step energies and surface roughness, are presented to characterize the basic model. A broad peak in the surface specific heat and the universal behavior of the height-difference correlation function indicate a roughening transition at temperature TR. A preroughening transition is indicated by a sharp peak in the surface specific heat and a dramatic decrease in the step energy at a temperature TPR ≈ 0.43TR. The energies of stable and unstable steps differ significantly below TPR but become isotropic above TPR. Initially straight, unstable steps are observed to spontaneously microfacet below TPR. Preliminary simulations of growth and etching of surfaces, both with and without intersecting dislocations, are also presented.
Membrane-specific Regulation of Cl− Channels by Purinergic Receptors in Rat Submandibular Gland Acinar and Duct Cells

Abstract Measurement of [Cl−]i and the Cl− current in the rat salivary submandibular gland (SMG) acinar and duct cells was used to evaluate the role of Cl− channels in the regulation of [Cl−]i during purinergic stimulation. Under resting conditions [Cl−]iaveraged 56 ± 8 and 26 ± 7 mm in acinar and duct cells, respectively. In both cells, stimulation with 1 mm ATP resulted in Cl− efflux and subsequent influx. Inhibition of NaKCl2 cotransport had no effect on [Cl−]i changes in duct cells and inhibited only about 50% of Cl− uptake in acinar cells. Accordingly, low levels of expression of NaKCl2 cotransporter protein were found in duct cells. Acinar cells expressed high levels of the cotransporter. Measurement of Cl− current under selective conditions revealed that acinar and duct cells express at least five distinct Cl− channels; a ClCO-like, volume-sensitive, inward rectifying, Ca2+-activated and CFTR-like Cl− currents. ATP acting on both cell types activated at least two channels, the Ca2+-activated Cl−channel and a Ca2+-independent glibenclamide-sensitive Cl−-current, possibly cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR). Of the many nucleotides tested only 2′-3′-benzoylbenzoyl (Bz)-ATP and UTP activated Cl−channels in SMG cells. Despite their relative potency in increasing [Ca2+]i, BzATP in both SMG cell types largely activated the Ca2+-independent, glibenclamide-sensitive Cl− current, whereas UTP activated only the Ca2+-dependent Cl− current. We interpret this to suggest that BzATP and UTP largely activate Cl− channels residing in the membrane expressing the receptor for the active nucleotide. The present studies reveal a potentially new mechanism for transcellular Cl− transport in a CFTR-expressing tissue, the SMG. Coordinated action of the P2z (luminal) and P2u (basolateral) receptors can mediate part of the transcellular Cl− transport by acinar and duct cells to determine the final electrolyte composition of salivary fluid.
Present and future developments in endoscopy.

The invention of the rod-lens system and its clinical applications created a new chapter in endoscopy performed with rigid scopes. A few examples in miniaturization and the diagnostic value of its implications are discussed. The impact of this new system is shown with data indicating the significant increase of examinations. The introduction of flexible fibre endoscopes opened new and more accurate diagnostic modalities in the gastro-intestinal tract. Results of certain procedures are analysed and the still existing problems mentioned. The extensive use of high-frequency electrosurgery during procedures drew attention to certain risk factors concluding in thermal injuries; the need for safer and better electrosurgical units are emphasized and preliminary data of laser applications mentioned. Illumination sources are in a chaotic state. The need for one universal examining stroboscopic and continuous high-intensity light source, which is built within safe parameters (u.v. and i.r.) are stressed. Some data from an experimental model of a more efficient and safe light source are discussed. The incoherent fibre light transmission is in general employed in every rigid and flexible endoscope. The light absorption is significant (33-50% per metre). A new flexible light transmitting medium, with much better transmitting characteristics, is now available. The need for a second observer (assistant) is obvious. The various teaching attachments, including a new one, are compared. An objective permanent film record from any visual examination is of paramount importance. The problems of high absorption of the image transmitting systems for cine or still photography create difficulties. The advent of new illumination sources and improved light-transmitting media opened the field to the development of miniaturized 16 mm and 35 mm cameras. The various aspects of automatic brightness and exposure control are discussed as well as the possibilities of employing black and white and colour television.
An Ontology-Based Online Community to Maintain Engineering Knowledge in a Training Domain

The research presented in this paper seeks to develop an ontology-based online community for knowledge exchange between expert engineers and new engineers. We call this community CREEK (Community for Retention of Engineering dEsign Knowledge). This paper seeks to develop methods and tools related to knowledge acquisition, knowledge modeling, knowledge management, and knowledge presentation that can support activities in this community in engineering design and training domains. An important consideration is to design and deploy the online community and the underlying ontology model such that they will not exist in isolation but will be connected to a product data ontology and a training ontology. In our previous work engineering knowledge related to product data in engineering design and assembly has been modeled. In this work procedural knowledge and knowledge in the training domains related to these procedures are also modeled and populated using ontologies. We have designed an architecture that will allow the ontology of the on-line community to tap into the engineering knowledge from these two supporting domains. In addition, there is a connection the other way too. The online community also allows new knowledge to be captured from experts and be (semi-)automatically transferred to product design and training domains.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Interspecific aggressive behaviour in salamanders: species-specific interference or misidentification?

Abstract This research analyses variation in the interspecific aggressive behaviour of two salamander species, Plethodon jordani and P. glutinosus , from three localities which differ in extent of sympatry, the intensity of interspecific competition and frequency of hybridization. If interspecific aggression evolved by misidentification of species, it should either (1) vary concordantly with the frequency of hybridization, or (2) be similar in all of the localities. If selection for interspecific interference has occurred, interspecific aggression should vary concordantly with interspecific competition. Misidentification can account for variation in the interspecific aggressive behaviour of P. glutinosus, P. glutinosus from all localities did not distinguish behaviourally between heterospecifics and conspecifics. In contrast, for P. jordani , results suggest that alpha-selection has occurred under conditions of strong interspecific competition. P. jordani from the locality where interspecific competition is weak were less aggressive to heterospecifics than to conspecifics, while P. jordani from two localities where interspecific competition is strong were equally aggressive to heterospecifics and conspecifics.
Effectiveness of an instructional DVD in training college students to implement functional analyses

A functional analysis is a valuable assessment technique that requires a unique kind of precision on behalf of the therapist. However, there is a lack of empirically validated tools for training functional analysis skills. This study examined the effectiveness of an instructional DVD in training college students to perform five functional analysis conditions. During simulated sessions, participants acted as therapists, and observers measured the accuracy with which they implemented programmed antecedents and consequences. Results showed that the DVD was effective in improving all participants' accuracy above baseline levels; however, in order to meet the 90% performance criterion, all participants required feedback. These results suggest that an instructional video is a useful training tool in providing basic skills for conducting functional analyses. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of 4-substituted cis,cis-1,6-cyclodecadienes via cycloalkylation

Abstract Cycloalkylation of dimethyl malonate and tosylmethylisocyanide with cis , cis -1,9-dibromonona-2,7-diene has demonstrated the feasibility of direct cyclization as a route to functionalized cis , cis -1,6-cyclodecadienes.
Reduced-Density-Matrix Theory: The 2-Matrix of Four-Electron Systems

The theory of reduced density matrices for polyelectronic systems is formulated in a manner such that the reduced density matrix of any order $p$ is characterized by a coefficient matrix. This matrix of coefficients, resulting from expressing the polyelectronic wave function in the appropriate bilinear form, is sufficient to allow one to find the eigenvalues and the transformation to natural form. This formalism is a generalization of the work of L\"owdin and Shull on the natural orbitals of two-electron systems. The second-order reduced density matrix, the 2-matrix, is obtained exactly from the approximate solutions $\ensuremath{\Psi}$ of the Schr\"odinger equation for the Be-atom functions of Weiss, Watson, and Boys, and the LiH function of Ebbing. The important eigenfunctions and complete eigenvalue spectra of the integral operator ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{(2)}$, which has the 2-matrix as kernel, are reported here. The degeneracies of the eigenvalue spectra of ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{(2)}$ and the properties of the natural geminals, the eigenfunctions of ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{(2)}$, are discussed in detail. The multiplicities 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 are the only nonaccidental degeneracies that can occur in the 4-electron problem when the one-electron basis of $\ensuremath{\Psi}$ is considered in symmetry-adapted spin-orbital form. The natural geminals can always be obtained in symmetry-adapted form and can be completely described by a set of numbers ($\ensuremath{\lambda},s,{m}_{s},{m}_{l},\dots{}$), eigenvalues for the operators ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{(2)},{S}^{2},{S}_{z},{L}_{z},\dots{}$, respectively. The identity of the eigenvalue spectra and the equivalence of the two operators ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{(p)}$ and ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{(N\ensuremath{-}p)}$ are demonstrated in the case where the one-electron basis of $\ensuremath{\Psi}$ is finite. The natural expansion of $\ensuremath{\Psi}$ is defined as the expansion in eigenfunctions of ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{(p)}$ and ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{(N\ensuremath{-}p)}$. In the case $2p=N$, the phase of the two sets of eigenfunctions can be chosen as equal and the signs of the natural expansion coefficients are uniquely determined by the function $\ensuremath{\Psi}$.
A versatile amperometric integrator

Abstract A wide-range bipolar electrochemical integrator/potentiostat is described. The instrument uses digital logic for timing and switching of analog control and output functions. Digital output is included with variable proportioning for adjustment to concentration units. Currents ranging from a few nA to 10 mA may be monitored and integrated with high precision. The capabilities of the instrument are illustrated by integral monitoring of an enzyme reaction, integration of an organic electrolysis at a solid electrode for a fixed time, and integration of a dropping mercury electrode current over several drop lives.
An unusual dirhenium complex containing the bridging 6-(diphenylphosphino)-2-pyridonate ligand

The diamagnetic dirhenium(II) complex Re2Cl2(μ-pyphos)2(pyphosH) (2) is a product of the reactions between (n-Bu4N)2Re2Cl8, Re2(μ-O2CMe)4Cl2 or cis-Re2 (μ-O2CMe)2Cl4(H2O)2 and 6-diphenylphosphino-2-pyridone (pyphosH) in refluxing acetonitrile. This formulation is based upon a single crystal X-ray structure determination and measurements of the magnetic susceptibility, EPR spectrum, electronic absorption spectrum and cyclic voltammetric properties of 2. Unlike the known dimolybdenum(II) complex Mo2(μ-pyphos)4, which contains four N,O-bound pyphos ligands, all three bridging ligands in 2 are N,P-bound. The two anionic pyphos ligands are also involved in weaker ‘axial’ coordination of their O atoms to the dirhenium core. The dirhenium units are linked into dimers-of-dimers through strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds.
A Modular Heat-Sensing Domain Activates K2P2.1 through a Heat-Insensitive Gate

Ion channels often have modular structure with dedicated gating and sensory domains. Ligand binding to a localized site in the sensory domain usually affects channel function through allosteric effects on the gate. It is not clear whether this paradigm is applicable to ion channels regulated by temperature. Indeed, temperature may have an effect on the whole channel structure and thus, bypass the need for a dedicated heat-sensing domain. Heat leads to activation of the ‘leak’ two-pore (K2P) potassium channel K2P2.1 (KCNK2/TREK-1) through opening of a selectivity filter-based outer gate in the extracellular pore domain. We sought to investigate whether the pore plays a role in sensing heat or whether it only functions as a gate that responds to the commands from the temperature-sensing elements located elsewhere in the channel. We found that the incorporation of mutations designed to prevent allosteric communication between the intracellular C-terminal domain and the pore domain of K2P2.1 resulted in channels that remain functional but fail to respond to temperature. These results indicate that the gating mechanism of the pore lacks intrinsic temperature sensitivity and that the heat-sensing elements of K2P2.1 are confined within its C-terminus. Our data provide experimental support for the general notion of the existence of modular temperature sensing domains and highlight functional distinction between gating and sensory elements in heat-sensitive ion channels.
Western Corn Rootworm Damage in Maize: Greenhouse Technique and Plant Response

This tunneling damage was accompanied by extensive lateral root proliferation. Lateral roots from damaged plants were wider and of longer total length than those from uninfested plants. These rootworm damage characteristics to roots of infested plants reared in the greenhouse were very similar to those characteristics of roots damaged by rootworms under a field situation. Consequently, this greenhouse technique should be useful for rearing plants with rootworm damage for physiological studies
Chromosomes of adenocarcinoma of the cervix uteri with a ring and a minute marker chromosome.

The chromosomes of an adenocarcinoma of the cervix uteri were studied by a direct squash method. A modal number of about 40 chromosomes was obtained from the differentiated portion of the tumor. A ring chromosome and a minute chromosome were seen in 58% of the hypodiploid cells. The undifferentiated portion of the tumor produced no satisfactory chromosomes for analysis.
Material and spatial gauge theories of solids—III. dynamics of disclination free states

Abstract The dynamics of disclination free states of material bodies are analyzed by restricting the spatial and material gauge groups so that only the translation subgroups act locally. This eliminates the spatial and material curvature tensors for the rotation sectors and simplifies the problem. Field equations for the matter fields, x i , the spatial translation compensating fields, φ a i and the material translation compensating fields, ψ b a , are obtained. All of the field equations are shown to be gauge covariant. Effects of local material translations are pervasive because they arise from local transformations of the base manifold. In the absence of material defects, the field equations for the x i and φ a i fields reduce to those previously reported, and the integrability conditions of the field equations for the φ's are the field equations for the x 's in all cases. The new field equations for the material translation compensating fields are shown to have sources that are linear in the components of the gauge field momentum-energy complex, and hence they are intrinsically nonlinear. The integrability conditions for the field equations for the ψ's are shown to be equations of balance for gauge momentum-energy of the matter fields with explicitly calculated source terms that vanish in the absence of defects.
Poster: determining code segments that can benefit from execution on GPUs

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are a low cost, low power means of exploiting large-scale parallelism. Source-to-source transformation tools for mapping CPU code to GPU code (e.g. PGI Accelerator) are available. But identification of those code segments in an application that, when run on a GPU will attain significant performance enhancement, requires expert knowledge of algorithms, architectures, compilers and the program structure which many application developers may not possess. This poster demonstrates a process for identifying the code segments in programs optimized for multicore chip execution that are candidates for GPU execution and ranking these code segments by probable speedup. The identification and ranking are based on measurements of the programs by the PerfExpert tool and a new tool MACPO, which measures execution properties of data structures. The poster describes the identification and ranking process, gives the results of applying the process to the Rodina parallel benchmarks and gives the underlying assumptions for and the limitations of the process.
Ethyl Chloride Decomposition on Oxide-Supported Platinum Catalysts

Ethyl chloride decomposition on Pt/SiO{sub 2} and Pt/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalysts has been investigated by infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Ethyl chloride reacts on Pt particles at low temperatures near 200 K to form adsorbed C{sub 2} hydrocarbon fragments. By comparison to literature infrared spectra, three species are identified to be adsorbed on the Pt catalysts-ethyl (C{sub 2}H{sub 5}), ethylene (C{sub 2}H{sub 4}), and ethylidyne (C{sub 2}H{sub 3}). The C{sub 2}H{sub x} species coexist to a greater extent on the surface of the Pt particles than on single crystal Pt surfaces. The infrared data suggest there are two different reaction pathways that ethyl chloride may undergo on the Pt particles. The first reaction pathway involves {alpha}{beta}-elimination of HC{sub 1} to give adsorbed ethylene. The second reaction pathway results from C-Cl bond dissociation to give adsorbed ethyl groups and chlorine atoms. Adsorbed ethyl groups dehydrogenate to ethylidyne upon warming. In the presence of hydrogen, C{sub 2} fragments can be hydrogenated to give ethane. The data show that adsorbed ethyl and ethylene hydrogenate much more readily than ethylidyne. At higher temperatures near 473 K, ethyl chloride reacts on Pt/SiO{sub 2} and Pt/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} to yield gas-phase ethylene, ethane, methane, and hydrogenmore » chloride. The reaction rate is enhanced in the presence of hydrogen and there is a greater amount of ethane produced relative to ethylene. Ethyl chloride can react with the oxide support as well at high temperatures. Surface hydroxyl groups on the alumina support react with ethyl chloride to give ethoxy, AlOCH{sub 2}CH{sub 3}, near 473 K, whereas silica hydroxyl groups show no reaction with ethyl chloride up to 573 K. Possible mechanisms for the high-temperature reaction of ethyl chloride on oxide-supported Pt catalysts are discussed. 33 refs., 12 figs., 2 tabs.« less
Fuzzy decision tree using soft discretization and a genetic algorithm based feature selection method

In data mining, decision tree learning is an approach that uses a decision tree as a predictive model mapping observations to conclusions. The fuzzy extension of decision tree learning adopts the definition of soft discretization. Many studies have shown that decision tree learning can benefit from the soft discretization method leading to improved predictive accuracy. This paper implements a Fuzzy Decision Tree (FDT) classifier that is based on soft discretization by identifying the best “cut-point”. The selection of important features of a data set is a very important preprocessing task in order to obtain higher accuracy of the classifier as well as to speed up the learning task. Therefore, we are applying a feature selection method that is based on the ideas of mutual information and genetic algorithms. The performance evaluation conducted has shown that our FDT classifier obtains in some cases higher values than other decision tree and fuzzy decision tree approaches based on measures such as true positive rate, false positive rate, precision and area under the curve.
Gender Correctness and Biblical Metaphors: The Case of God's Relation to Israel

The marital imagery in the Bible has often been understood as a direct reference to the marriage of God and Israel. Close analysis of the biblical texts involved shows the inexactness of this analysis. The wife of God is always a city. Cities, especially capital cities, receive many different feminine roles, while Israel, the people, receives only masculine roles. Neither Testament allows for the traditional misunderstanding. Precision in reading leads to a more balanced interpretation in which biblical marital imagery is not the central metaphor of the Bible.
Gribov ambiguity, perturbation theory, and confinement

The generating functional proposed for gauge theories by Bender, Eguchi, and Pagels (BEP) is shown to be equivalent to a truncated form of the functional integral, in which only one field configuration from each gauge-equivalent Gribov set contributes to the functional integration. The standard perturbation technique provides a method of realizing this truncation condition. It is shown that any gauge-covariant quantity (such as the quark N-point functions), evaluated by perturbating around a field configuration gauge-equivalent to A = 0, is related by a gauge transformation to the same quantity evaluated perturbatively around the trivial vacuum. It follows that, contrary to the conclusion of BEP, the existence of degeneracies in the Coulomb gauge-fixing condition (the Gribov ambiguity) is not directly related to the physics of confinement.
Effect of Some Inorganic Salts on Methyl Methacrylate and Acrylonitrile in Dimethylformamide

Abstract A polarometric titration was utilized to determine the extent to which the monomers methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile complex with inorganic salts in dimethylformamide solution. No complexes were obtained with the nitrates of sodium, potassium, cesium, and lead. Evidence for 1: 1 complexes between acrylonitrile and LiCl, LiNO3, Mg(NO3)2 · 6H2O, FeCl2 · 4H2O, FeCl3 · 6H2O, MnCl2 · 4H2O, Co(NO3)2 · 6H2O, Ni(NO3)2 · 6H2O, and ZnCl2 and between methyl methacrylate and LiNO3, La(NO3)3 · 6H2O, MnCl2 · 4H2O, FeCl3 · 6H2O, Co(NO3)2 · 6H2O, and ZnCl2 was obtained. A 1: 2 (salt/monomer) complex was also indicated between acrylonitrile and MnCl2 · 4H2O, FeCl3 · 6H2O, Co(NO3)2 · 6H2O, and Ni(NO3)2 · 6H2O and between methyl methacrylate and MnCl2 · 4H2O. Although the presence of certain salts influenced the co-polymerization of methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile, particularly at high temperatures, the existence of a complex was not an a priori indication of unusual copolymerization behavior. Tacticitie...
Accelerated and Improved Quantification of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) Titers by Flow Cytometry

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a natural murine pathogen, is a member of the Arenavirus family, may cause atypical meningitis in humans, and has been utilized extensively as a model pathogen for the study of virus-induced disease and immune responses. Historically, viral titers have been quantified by a standard plaque assay, but for non-cytopathic viruses including LCMV this requires lengthy incubation, so results cannot be obtained rapidly. Additionally, due to specific technical constraints of the plaque assay including the visual detection format, it has an element of subjectivity along with limited sensitivity. In this study, we describe the development of a FACS-based assay that utilizes detection of LCMV nucleoprotein (NP) expression in infected cells to determine viral titers, and that exhibits several advantages over the standard plaque assay. We show that the LCMV-NP FACS assay is an objective and reproducible detection method that requires smaller sample volumes, exhibits a ∼20-fold increase in sensitivity to and produces results three times faster than the plaque assay. Importantly, when applied to models of acute and chronic LCMV infection, the LCMV-NP FACS assay revealed the presence of infectious virus in samples that were determined to be negative by plaque assay. Therefore, this technique represents an accelerated, enhanced and objective alternative method for detection of infectious LCMV that is amenable to adaptation for other viral infections as well as high throughput diagnostic platforms.
The physicochemical basis of the membrane toxicity of pentachlorophenol: An overview

Abstract This report is concerned with the phenomenon of the membrane toxicity of pentachlorophenol (PCP)—a popular herbicide and wood preservative, and now one of the most widespread pollutants. We compare experimental data on membrane-PCP interactions from multiple studies. These data include membrane electrical conductivity, PCP toxicity, microelectrophoresis, and spectrophotometry. The membrane toxicity of PCP is associated with the PCP-induced hydrogen ion permeability of the lipid matrix of biomembranes. The onset of the toxic effect corresponds to the loss of membrane electrical resistance and the onset of measurable PCP adsorption. We show that electrophoresis of lipid vesicles can be effectively used to study PCP adsorption and that the PCP-membrane interaction can be described in terms of the Langmuir-Stern-Grahame model. We report how the solvatochromic shifts of the long wavelength UV absorption band of ionized PCP can be used to characterize the polarity of the PCP adsorption site on membranes. The dielectric constant of the site in phosphatidylcholine (PC) and in negatively charged phosphatidylglycerol (PG) membranes was found to be 8 and 20. The p K a of the dissociation of membrane-bound PCP is different from that in water (4.74). The largest p K a (6.7) was observed for PCP bound to negatively charged membranes. It was shown that when the membrane surface potential was taken into account, the intrinsic p K a s for the PC and PG membranes are approximately the same (5.1-5.6). This work illustrates the complementarity of studies done on lipid bilayer membranes and biological membranes.
Middle and late Pleistocene faunas of Pinnacle Point and their paleoecological implications

The Western Cape region of South Africa is home to a unique type of mediterranean vegetation called fynbos, as well as some of the earliest sites of modern human occupation in southern Africa. Reconstructing the paleohabitats during occupations of these early anatomically modern Homo sapiens is important for understanding the availability of resources to the humans during the development of behaviors that are often considered advanced. These reconstructions are critical to understanding the nature of the changes in the environment and resources over time. Here we analyze the craniodental fossils of the larger mammals recovered from two Pleistocene assemblages in the Pinnacle Point complex, Mossel Bay, Western Cape Region, South Africa. We reconstruct the paleohabitats as revealed by multivariate analyses of the mammalian community structures. Pinnacle Point 30 is a carnivore assemblage and Pinnacle Point 13B includes early evidence of a suite of modern human behavior; together they present an opportunity to identify environmental change over time at a localized geographic scale. Further, this is the first such study to include dated Western Cape localities from Marine Isotope Stage 6, a time of environmental pressure that may have marginalized human populations. Results indicate that environmental change in the Western Cape was more complex than generalized C(4) grassland expansions replacing fynbos habitats during glacial lowered sea levels, and thus, resources available to early modern humans in the region may not have been entirely predictable.
Amino-Terminal Precursor Sequence Modulates Canine Distemper Virus Fusion Protein Function

The fusion (F) proteins of most paramyxoviruses are classical type I glycoproteins with a short hydrophobic leader sequence closely following the translation initiation codon. The predicted reading frame of the canine distemper virus (CDV) F protein is more complex, with a short hydrophobic sequence beginning 115 codons downstream of the first AUG. To verify if the sequence between the first AUG and the hydrophobic region is translated, we produced a specific antiserum that indeed detected a short-lived F protein precursor that we named PreF 0 . A peptide resulting from PreF 0 cleavage was identified and named Pre, and its half-life was measured to be about 30 min. PreF 0 cleavage was completed before proteolytic activation of F 0 into its F 1 and F 2 subunits by furin. To test the hypothesis that the Pre peptide may influence protein activity, we compared the function of F proteins synthesized with that peptide to that of F proteins synthesized with a shorter amino-terminal signal sequence. F proteins synthesized with the Pre peptide were more stable and less active. Thus, the Pre peptide modulates the function of the CDV F protein. Interestingly, a distinct two-hit activation process has been recently described for human respiratory syncytial virus, another paramyxovirus.
Effects of coal dust on plant growth and species composition in an arid environment

Abstract Prevailing south-west winds have deposited a plume of coal dust on the soil and vegetation next to a coal storage area at a power generation plant in Oregon. Few differences in the frequency and percent cover of vascular plants, or in biomass of perennials were found, but the biomass of annuals was significantly higher on the coal dust plume. Phenological differences among the vascular plants are possibly due to differences in soil temperature on and off the plume early in the growing season. Lichen frequency and percent cover was much higher off the plume. Different combinations of moss species occurred on and off the plume, but percent cover and frequency were similar in both locations.
Central pacific seabirds and the el nino southern oscillation: 1982 to 1983 perspectives.

The breeding chronology and reproductive attempts of the seabird community on Christmas Island in the central Pacific Ocean (2°N, 157°W) were interrupted by the 1982-1983 El Nino Southern Oscillation. The resultant reproductive failure and disappearance of the entire seabird community of this equatorial atoll represents the most dramatic interruption on record of a seabird community located distant from coastal upwelling. Our data indicate the effect that the abiotic and biotic aspects of a global atmospheric-oceanic anomaly have on marine birds. The 1982-1983 El Nino Southern Oscillation provides an example of selective pressures and a natural experiment in the study of vertebrate population dynamics.
The basic motif-leucine zipper transcription factor Nrl can positively regulate rhodopsin gene expression

Abstract The retinal protein Nrl belongs to a distinct subfamily of basic motif-leucine zipper DNA-binding proteins and has been shown to bind extended AP-1-like sequence elements as a homo- or heterodimer. Here, we demonstrate that Nrl can positively regulate the expression of the photoreceptor cell-specific gene rhodopsin. Electrophoretic mobility-shift analysis reveals that a protein(s) in nuclear extracts from bovine retina and the Y79 human retinoblastoma cell line binds to a conserved Nrl response element (NRE) in the upstream promoter region of the rhodopsin gene. Nrl or an antigenically similar protein is shown to be part of the bound protein complex by supershift experiments using Nrl-specific antiserum. Cotransfection studies using an Nrl-expression plasmid and a luciferase reporter gene demonstrate that interaction of the Nrl protein with the -61 to -84 region of the rhodopsin promoter (which includes the NRE) stimulates expression of the reporter gene in CV-1 monkey kidney cells. This Nrl-mediated transactivation is specifically inhibited by coexpression of a naturally occurring truncated form of Nrl (dominant negative effect). Involvement of Nrl in photoreceptor gene regulation and its continued high levels of expression in the adult retina suggest that Nrl plays a significant role in controlling retinal function.
Internationalization of the Counseling Profession: Meaning, Scope and Concerns.

The present study sought to clarify the meaning and delineate the scope of internationalization of the counseling profession. Using a qualitative approach, the study recruited a panel of eight experts to help generate a consensus statement on the meaning of internationalization to the counseling profession and to delineate a five-theme scope of internationalization. The panel further highlighted concerns about some aspects of the process of internationalization, related to promoting U.S./Euro-centrism, as well as recognizing positive progress that is culturally respectful and beneficial for the counseling profession across the world, including the United States.
Polydispersity Effects on Conjugated Polymer Light-Emitting Diodes

This paper reports the effects of polydispersity in conjugation length on polymer light-emitting diode (PLED) device performance. For this study a di-alkoxy substituted pentamer of p-phenylenevinylene (5PV) was blended with a small amount of a lower band gap poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) or a small amount of a di-alkoxy substituted p-phenylenevinylene type nonamer (9PV). We also fractionated two different di-alkoxy substituted oxadiazole-PPVs and blended the high molecular weight, lower band gap fraction, into a matrix of the lower molecular weight, higher band gap, polymer. It was found that incorporation of a small amount of the low band gap material significantly degraded PLED device performance. To further test the significance of polydispersity we synthesized a low molecular weight narrow polydispersity PPV. Devices made with this PPV were about 2 orders of magnitude better in LED external quantum efficiency when compared to a high molecular weight, higher polydispersity PPV of identical structure....
First order dynamic inclusions on time scales

Abstract In this paper, we study existence of solutions of first order dynamic inclusions on time scales with general boundary conditions. Both the ∇-derivative and Δ -derivative cases are considered. Examples are presented to illustrate that the Δ -derivative case needs more restrictive assumptions.
Re-evaluation of a portocaval venograft without an ameroid constrictor as a method for controlling portal hypertension after occlusion of intrahepatic portocaval shunts in dogs.

Objective To evaluate the use of a portocaval venograft without an ameroid constrictor in the surgical management of intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (PSS). Study design Prospective clinical study. Animals Seven dogs with intrahepatic PSS. Methods Portal pressure was measured after temporary suture occlusion of the intrahepatic PSS. In dogs with an increase in portal pressure > or =8 mm Hg or signs of portal hypertension, a single extrahepatic portocaval shunt was created using a jugular vein. Clinical outcome and complications were recorded. Results The mean (+/-SD) portal pressure increased from 5.9+/-1.6 to 17.9+/-4.1 mm Hg with PSS occlusion. There were no intraoperative complications and, after creation of the portocaval shunt, the intrahepatic PSS could be completely ligated in all dogs. The final portal pressure was 9.6+/-1.9 mm Hg. Complications developed during postoperative hospitalization in 5 dogs and included incisional discharge (4 dogs), ascites (3), ventricular premature contractions (2), and melena, bloody diarrhea, neurologic signs, coagulopathy, and aspiration pneumonia (each in 1 dog). Six dogs died or were euthanatized with clinical signs related to depression, inappetance, abdominal pain, vomiting, melena, and abdominal distention, with a median survival of 82 days (range, 20-990 days). One dog was clinically normal at 33 months after surgery. Conclusions Clinical signs observed in 6 dogs after surgery were consistent with portal hypertension. Use of a portocaval venograft without an ameroid constrictor may reduce the likelihood of hepatic vascular development, thereby increasing the risk of life-threatening portal hypertension should the venograft suddenly occlude. Clinical relevance Use of a portocaval venograft without an ameroid constrictor to control portal hypertension after ligation of an intrahepatic PSS cannot be recommended.
Complications in the management of large glomus jugulare tumors.

Les 17 malades operes presentent une nouvelle paralysie de nerf crânien ou une aggravation d'une paralysie preexistante (nerf facial, nerf pneumogastrique, nerf glossopharyngien, nerf grand hypoglosse)
HUMAN CAPITAL, FERTILITY, AND THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

The Industrial Revolution and the Demographic Transition are the two great forces that explain the upward march of modern incomes. This paper sets out the empirical realities attempts to unify these events through theories of human capital investment have to meet. The major difficulty is to form an explanation which connects them which can also reconcile the seeming differences in fertility behavior over time and in cross section in the pre-industrial world, the transition period, and the modern world. (JEL: J1, N3, O4)
Convective Mass Transfer in Large Porous Biocatalysts: Plant Organ Cultures

The importance of convective contributions to the total rate of mass transfer into porous biological catalysts has been insufficiently appreciated. For liquid systems, diffusion within large particles is generally slow relative to reaction, especially for sparingly soluble nutrients such as oxygen. We report experimental evidence demonstrating that oxygen consumption within porous root culture clumps is normally restricted by the rate of convective mass transfer within the clump. Increasing liquid flow rates around spheres of entangled rootlets induces higher rates of internal convective mass transfer and gives rise to increased total rates of oxygen consumption. Minimum external velocities for full nutrient sufficiency on the interior are not predicted well by creeping external flow models and, especially for larger biocatalysts, inertial effects must be taken into account. For higher Reynolds number external flow, form drag may be used to suggest the dependence of internal convection on external flow conditions. The minimum external liquid velocity for nutrient sufficiency is then seen to be a strong and unpredictable function of catalyst size and catalyst density. Implications for organ culture reactor design are discussed.
Why commercialization of gene therapy stalled; examining the life cycles of gene therapy technologies

This report examines the commercialization of gene therapy in the context of innovation theories that posit a relationship between the maturation of a technology through its life cycle and prospects for successful product development. We show that the field of gene therapy has matured steadily since the 1980s, with the congruent accumulation of >35 000 papers, >16 000 US patents, >1800 clinical trials and >$4.3 billion in capital investment in gene therapy companies. Gene therapy technologies comprise a series of dissimilar approaches for gene delivery, each of which has introduced a distinct product architecture. Using bibliometric methods, we quantify the maturation of each technology through a characteristic life cycle S-curve, from a Nascent stage, through a Growing stage of exponential advance, toward an Established stage and projected limit. Capital investment in gene therapy is shown to have occurred predominantly in Nascent stage technologies and to be negatively correlated with maturity. Gene therapy technologies are now achieving the level of maturity that innovation research and biotechnology experience suggest may be requisite for efficient product development. Asynchrony between the maturation of gene therapy technologies and capital investment in development-focused business models may have stalled the commercialization of gene therapy.
Hopf down–up algebras

and hence we know it has a graded Hopf structure, but wedo not know if it has a Hopf structure.In the third section we show that a theorem of De Concini and Procesi providesa furthertechnique for proving that an algebra is not a Hopf algebra. We use this result to showthat under certain conditions a localization of a down–up algebra is not a Hopf algebra.Localizations of down–up algebras were considered by Jordan [13], and the algebras heconsiders include the algebra deﬁned by Woronowicz [17].Throughout this paper let
Oxo-Metal-Polyimide Nanocomposites. 2. Enhancement of Thermal, Mechanical, and Chemical Properties in Soluble Hexafluoroisopropylidine-Based Polyimides via the in Situ Formation of Oxo-Lanthanide(III)-Polyimide Nanocomposites

Tris(2,4-pentanedionato)lanthanide(III) polyhydrates were added as inorganic sol−gel precursors to DMAc solutions of the polyimides formed from 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride and 1,3-bis-(aminophenoxy)benzene, 6FDA/1,3(3)-APB and 6FDA/2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy]hexafluoropropane, 6FDA/4-BDAF. Thermal treatment of doped-resin films gave composite oxo-metal(III) nanocomposite membranes which were visually clear with lower linear coefficients of thermal expansion, increased moduli, and reduced solvent sensitivity. Glass transition temperatures and 10% weight loss temperatures in nitrogen were close to those of the parent polymers. Films were characterized by thermal, mechanical, X-ray, and transmission electron micrographic techniques.
A Novel Approach for Selecting \nu_e CC Events

The philosophy of our approach together with a description of the basic preselection cuts employed in the analysis are first laid down. The technical characteristics of the new selection method are then reviewed, followed by its optimization and performance.
Kairos: a macro-programming system for wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks research has, till date, made impressive advances in platforms and software services. Research in the area has moved on to consider an essential piece of sensor network technology---support for programming wireless sensor network applications and systems components at a suitably high level of abstraction. Two broad classes of programming models are currently being investigated by the community. One class focuses on providing higher-level abstractions for specifying a node's local behavior in a distributed computation. Examples of this approach include the recent work on node-local or region-based abstractions. By contrast, a second and less-explored class of research considers programming a sensor network in the large called macroprogramming.
“Making Investment Choices as Simple as Possible, but Not Simpler”: CFA Institute Response

This material comments on “Making Investment Choices as Simple as Possible, but Not Simpler”.
Activation and Perceived Expectancies: Correlations with Health Outcomes Among Veterans with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective Inflammatory bowel disease imposes psychosocial stress on the patient. Patients′ adaptive capacities may predict quality of life. We examined two adaptive capacity measures and their association with quality of life.
A Versatile Windows Based Multi-Electrode Acquisition System for DC Electrical Methods Surveys

Abstract Geophysical exploration using electrical resistivity typically employs the use of four electrodes. During a field survey, these electrodes are progressively relocated to positions that differ from a few meters to hundreds of meters. Consequently, field operations can be exhaustive and time consuming and often lead to mistakes in connecting to correct locations of electrodes and hence poor data quality. This project developed an automated field resistivity system that eliminates these problems while providing the user greater flexibility. The automation of DC field resistivity is not a new concept. Various systems have been developed and are available today. The system developed in this project differs in its versatility and generic capability. The automation of field resistivity is accomplished by using multiple numbers of field electrodes, digitally selecting these electrodes in a switch box, remotely controlling the resistivity instrument, and recording the results. Controlling the process is the Acquisition Control software, written in Microsoft Visual Basic version 5.0 for Windows 95. The switch box has the capability to input banks of 64 signals, four of which are digitally selected via multiplexers. Once the data are rapidly taken via a laptop computer, they can be analyzed in the field, therefore yielding essentially real-time results, which immediately can guide further investigations. Furthermore, by utilizing the multitasking capabilities of Windows 95, field data can be processed as new data are simultaneously being acquired. The above system was developed and tested in a controlled laboratory experiment and a field survey. The results from both tests show a working prototype that efficiently and accurately gathered data with time improvements of 500 to 600%. Overall, the development and testing of this prototype was a complete success and a patent is pending.
Assessment of nerve regeneration and adaptation after median nerve reconnection and digital neurovascular flap transfer

Six patients with median nerve severance (five sutured) were studied after an interval of 1.8 to 35 years to assess residual neurologic deficit, misdirected axonal regrowth, and adaptation to faulty reinnervation. Mild motor impairment was confirmed by the smaller thenar muscle action potentials and isometric muscle twitches from supramaximal stimulation of the median nerve. Sensory impairment was supported by the increased thresholds of vibratory ( p = 0.003) and touch-pressure ( p −0.004) detection thresholds of the pulp of index fingers and decreased amplitudes of sensory nerve action potentials. A tactile hemidigit localization test revealed that localization was not significantly different from that on the contralateral side but perceptual territory was increased. This increase is best explained by misdirected axon regrowth without CNS adaptation. Longstanding faulty tactile digit localization in neurovascular skin flaps from finger to thumb also was demonstrated—further evidence that CNS adaptation is imperfect when sensory nerves to digits are relocated.