cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetospheric configuration and dynamics of Saturn's magnetosphere: A global MHD simulation

[1] We investigate the solar wind interaction with Saturn's magnetosphere by using a global magnetohydrodynamic simulation driven by an idealized time-varying solar wind input that includes features of Corotating Interaction Regions typically seen at Saturn. Our model results indicate that the compressibility of Saturn's magnetosphere is intermediate between the Earth's and Jupiter's, and the magnetopause location appears insensitive to the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field. The modeled dependences of both the magnetopause and bow shock locations on the solar wind dynamic pressure agree reasonably well with those of data-based empirical models. Our model shows that the centrifugal acceleration of mass-loaded flux tubes leads to reconnection on closed field lines forming plasmoids, an intrinsic process (“Vasyliūnas-cycle”) in Saturn's magnetosphere taking place independent of the external conditions. In addition, another type of reconnection process involving open flux tubes (“Dungey-cycle”) is also seen in our simulation when the external condition is favorable for dayside reconnection. Under such circumstances, plasmoid formation in the tail involves reconnection between open field lines in the lobes, producing stronger global impacts on the magnetosphere and ionosphere compared to that imposed by the Vasyliūnas-cycle directly. Our model also shows that large-scale tail reconnection may be induced by compressions driven by interplanetary shocks. In our simulation, large-scale tail reconnection and plasmoid formation take place in a quasi-periodic manner but the recurrence rate tends to be higher as the dynamic pressure becomes higher. While large-scale plasmoid release clearly is an important process in controlling the magnetospheric dynamics, it appears insufficient to account for all the losses of plasma added by the magnetospheric sources. We find that a large fraction of the planetary plasma is lost through the magnetotail near the flanks probably through relatively small-scale plasmoids, a situation that may also exist at Jupiter.
Aroyl anion trapping reactions. A preliminary study of direct nucleophilic aroylation by means of low temperature, (CH3)nC6H5nLi/CO Systems.

Results of studies of the insitu nucleophilic aroylation of PhCO2Me, Me3CCO2Me and Ph2CO by several low temperature ArLi/CO systems (Ar =C6H5, p-CH3C6H4, o-CH3C6H4, 2,6-(CH3)2C6H3 and 2,4,6-(CH3)3C6H2) are reported. The experiments with C6H5Li were unsuccessful and the best results were obtained with 2,6-(CH3)2-C6H3Li.
Determination of an optimal forecast model for ambulance demand using goal programming.

A multistep approach to determining the optimal parameters of an exponential smoothing model was used to forecast emergency medical service (E.M.S.) demand for four counties of South Carolina. Daily emergency and routine (non-emergency) demand data were obtained and forecast statistics generated for each county sampled, using Winters' exponential smoothing model. A goal programme was formulated to combine forecast results for emergency calls with routine call forecasts. The goal programme gave a higher priority to accurate forecasting of emergency demand. The forecast model generated implicitly weights demand by severity and provides a reliable estimate of demand overall. The optimal parameter values for the smoothing model were obtained by minimizing the objective function value of the goal programming problem. The parameter values obtained were used to forecast demand for E.M.S. in the selected counties. The results of the model were compared to those obtained using a multiple linear regression model and a single-objective-based exponential smoothing model for 2 months of data. When compared with two single-objective forecast models, the multiple-objective approach yielded more accurate forecasts and, therefore, was more cost-effective for the planner. The model presents and demonstrates a theoretical approach to improving the accuracy of ambulance demand forecasts. The possible impact of this approach on planning efficiency is discussed.
The minimum speed for a blocking problem on the half plane

We consider a blocking problem: fire propagates on a half plane with unit speed in all directions. To block it, a barrier can be constructed in real time, at speed σ. We prove that the fire can be entirely blocked by the wall, in finite time, if and only if σ>1. The proof relies on a geometric lemma of independent interest. Namely, let K⊂R2 be a compact, simply connected set with smooth boundary. We define dK(x,y) as the minimum length among all paths connecting x with y and remaining inside K. Then dK attains its maximum at a pair of points (x¯,y¯) both on the boundary of K.
Synaptically coupled central nervous system neurons lack centrosomal γ-tubulin

In cycling cells, microtubule assembly is initiated at the centrosome and requires the centrosomal protein γ-tubulin. Previously, it was reported that γ-tubulin is present at the centrosome of cervical ganglion cells undergoing axonal growth, but not in the axons or dendrites. We find that although γ-tubulin is present at the centrosomes of neurons just beginning to extend processes, it is not associated with centrosomes in hypothalamic and cortical neurons on which functional synaptic connections have formed. In contrast, another centrosomal protein, pericentrin, is associated with the centrosome at all stages. These results suggest that centrosomal microtubule nucleation is required for early stages of neurogenesis to supply sufficient microtubule polymer to support rapid axonal growth, but is not required for maintenance of axonal microtubules in synaptically coupled neurons.
Microstructural modeling of adaptive nanocomposite coatings for durability and wear

Adaptive thin-film nanocomposite coatings comprised of crystalline ductile phases of gold and molybdenum disulfide, and brittle phases of diamond like carbon (DLC) and ytrria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) have been investigated by specialized microstructurally based finite-element techniques. One of the major objectives is to determine optimal crystalline and amorphous compositions and behavior related to wear and durability over a wide range of thermo-mechanical conditions. The interrelated effects of microstructural characteristics such as grain shapes and sizes, local material behavior due to interfacial stresses and strains, varying amorphous and crystalline compositions, and transfer film adhesion on coating behavior have been studied. The computational predictions, consistent with experimental observations, indicate specific interfacial regions between DLC and ductile metal inclusions are critical regions of stress and strain accumulation that can be precursors to material failure and wear. It is shown by varying the composition, resulting in tradeoffs between lubrication, toughness, and strength, the effects of these critical stresses and strains can be controlled for desired behavior. A mechanistic model to account for experimentally observed transfer film adhesion modes was also developed, and based on these results, it was shown that transfer film bonding has a significant impact on stress and wear behavior.
The distribution and metabolism of fenvalerate in pyrethroid-resistant and susceptible house flies

Abstract The distribution and metabolism of radiolabeled fenvalerate were compared in pyrethroid resistant (R) and susceptible (S) house flies. At the S-LD30, there were significant differences between strains with regard to the penetration and distribution of fenvalerate and excretion of its metabolites. Penetration was faster is S resulting in two to three times higher internal levels of radiocarbon. Excretion of fenvalerate metabolites began 24 hr post-treatment in S. It began after 4 hr in R and continued in a steady state so that at 24 hr almost 50% of the topically applied dose had passed through the insect. Metabolism studies were conducted at doses (LD5) that affected but did not kill individuals of either strain. Using thin-layer chromatography and [14C]fenvalerate radiolabeled in either the alcohol or acid moiety of the molecule, seven metabolites were isolated and identified from the water-soluble internal fraction and the excrement in R and S. In addition, three alcohollabeled unknowns were isolated from acid-, glucosidase-, and sulfatase-treated fly excrement. Two of the unidentified metabolites were common to both strains of flies while one was isolated only from the acid-treated excrement of R. While there were no qualitative differences in identified metabolites between strains, there were quantitative differences. Since metabolism studies with R were done at a nine-fold higher treatment dose than S, R flies metabolized as much as eight times more fenvalerate than S. Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) was an effective synergist of fenvalerate in R flies. At least two times more internal fenvalerate and approximately two times less hydroxylated metabolites were detected in R flies treated with fenvalerate-PBO (1:1) than in R flies treated with an equivalent dose of fenvalerate alone. The effect of PBO on metabolism implicates a role for the mixed-function oxidase system in the resistance mechanism of this strain of house fly.
Longterm sensor-based monitoring of an LRFD designed steel girder bridge

Abstract The new AASHTO LRFD bridge design specifications allow the use of the arching action mechanism in concrete slabs to design lightweight bridge decks. The Star City Bridge in Morgantown, WV is designed according to the LRFD code and measures 306 m over 4 spans. In an effort to demonstrate the long-term performance of in-service light-weight bridge decks, the bridge was heavily instrumented with over 700 sensors that record the response of main superstructure elements to various loading parameters. Data are being recorded every 20 min and provide continuous monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the bridge since construction in 2003–2004. This paper describes the instrumentation system installed on the Star City Bridge and demonstrates the performance of the steel superstructure over 4 years from the time of deck pouring. The expansion and contraction of the superstructure at one end contributed to the relief of environmentally induced internal stresses in the longitudinal direction. Bearing movement constrains on the other end introduced normal forces in the steel girders that are not taken into consideration in deck designs. Straining action variations due to environmental loading amounted to 20% of their initial values after pouring the deck. Temperature data shows development of a non-linear gradient across the bridge width, which explains an additional build-up of stresses found on diaphragm members at the outside girders. Compared to the LRFD specifications, the measured maximum positive temperature gradient across the bridge superstructure was found to have close values, while the maximum negative temperature gradient recorded a higher profile.
Do alcohol consumers exercise more? Findings from a national survey.

Abstract Purpose. Investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption and physical activity because understanding whether there are common determinants of health behaviors is critical in designing programs to change risky activities. Design. Cross-sectional analysis. Setting. United States. Subjects. A sample of adults representative of the U.S. population (N = 230,856) from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Measures. Several measures of drinking and exercise were analyzed. Specifications included numerous health, health behavior, socioeconomic, and demographic control variables. Results. For women, current drinkers exercise 7.2 more minutes per week than abstainers. Ten extra drinks per month are associated with 2.2 extra minutes per week of physical activity. When compared with current abstainers, light, moderate, and heavy drinkers exercise 5.7, 10.1, and 19.9 more minutes per week. Drinking is associated with a 10.1 percentage point increase in the probability of exercising v...
Lower limits of the potentiometric microtitration of chloride with silver ions

Abstract The lower levels of the potentiometric titration of chloride with silver ions were investigated. The titrant was 0.001 N acetonic silver perchlorate. The titration media were acetone and acetic anhydride:acetone (4:1). A silver sulfide ion-selective indicator electrode and a double-junction reference electrode were use to monitor emf's. This titration is limited only by the trace amounts of chloride in the reagents used. Satisfactory results and well-defined titration curves were obtained down to 7 μg of chloride per 50 ml of solution (0.2 μmol; 4 × 10−6 N). A small polarization current can be used to enhance the potentiometric breaks of this titration. In an 80% methanolic medium with 0.001 N aqueous silver nitrate and a polarization current of −0.4 μA, the lower practical limit of this titration was near 22.3 μg of chloride (1.26 × 10−5 N).
Screening of binary alloys for warm temperature capture of elemental mercury using density functional theory

Abstract Screening using density functional theory (DFT) has emerged as a relatively quick and inexpensive method to evaluate candidate materials. Previous researchers have used DFT to evaluate pure metals, metal oxides, and metal sulfides as candidate materials for warm temperature Hg capture in IGCC syngas streams. Here we extend these calculations to a different class of materials, evaluating 17 different binary metal alloys for the suitability for Hg capture. We compute the enthalpies of formation of the binary alloy materials and show that our calculations are within 20 kJ/mol of the values measured experimentally. Furthermore, we present the calculated enthalpies of formation of the 17 resultant Hg-containing ternary alloys because this data is not available in the literature. Our calculations show that none of the materials investigated are suitable for Hg capture in an IGCC stream; those that are predicted to potentially form stable Hg-containing ternary alloys are much more likely to be oxidized by the steam present in the IGCC stream.
Weeds on the Ruins: Agency, Compromise Formation, and the Quest for Intersubjective Truth

Using Kundera's metaphor of “weeds on the ruins” to examine the impact of organized destruction of memory on the survival of a people, this paper explores the role of symptoms in negotiating a relational “compromise formation” by tracing their evolution as signifiers of previously dissociated intersubjective knowledge. It suggests that recent theorizing on the mutual constitution of agency and intersubjectivity creates the possibility of resurrecting the dramatic tension that characterized dual drive theory by relocating that tension between the desire to know (oneself, the Other) and the destruction of that desire. To do so, the paper contemplates an internally consistent lens for reconciling the terrain of deficit and dissociation with that of conflict by offering a process-oriented view of agency as “drive” that is rooted between subjective and material contexts. Finally, the paper explores the quest for intersubjective truth as offering a means of living beyond the ubiquity of compromise formation.
Catalytic pressure-pulse microreactor

A pressure-pulse microreactor was designed to withstand pressures up to 70 atm. The reactor was attached to a gas chromatograph. A convenient procedure was developed for analyzing on the same column components ranging from ethane to those boiling up to 300°, and a method was worked out which made it possible to carry out microscale preparative separation of the individual compounds emerging from the reactor.
Predators selectively graze reproductive structures in a clonal marine organism.

Although the fitness consequences of herbivory on terrestrial plants have been extensively studied, considerably less is known about how partial predation impacts the fitness of clonal marine organisms. The trophic role of Caribbean parrotfish on coral reefs is complex: while these fish are important herbivores, as corallivores (consumers of live coral tissue), they selectively graze specific species and colonies of reef-building corals. Though the benefits of parrotfish herbivory for reef resilience and conservation are well documented, the negative consequences of parrotfish grazing for coral reproductive fitness have not been previously determined. We examined recently grazed colonies of Montastraea annularis corals to determine whether grazing was positively associated with coral reproductive effort. We measured gonad number, egg number and size, and proportional reproductive allocation for grazed and intact coral colonies 2–5 days prior to their annual spawning time. We found that parrotfish selectively grazed coral polyps with high total reproductive effort (number of gonads), providing the first evidence that parrotfish selectively target specific tissue areas within a single coral colony. The removal of polyps with high reproductive effort has direct adverse affects on coral fitness, with additional indirect implications for colony growth and survival. We conclude that chronic grazing by parrotfishes has negative fitness consequences for reef-building corals, and by extension, reef ecosystems.
Managing the consequences of cancer treatment and the English National Cancer Survivorship Initiative.

AbstractBackground. In 2007 the English National Cancer Survivorship initiative was launched as a partnership between a national charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, the English Department of Health (DH) and the quality improvement agency NHS Improvement. The initiative involved a number of work streams, one of which was to improve the detection and management of the Consequences of adult cancer Treatment (COT). Material and methods. The adult COT group took evidence from a range of stakeholders and published a vision and work programme focused on awareness raising, linking self- administered questionnaires to routine activity data collection and testing new models of care with a particular focus on pelvic cancers. Results. Key outputs include national media campaigns, publications demonstrating the value of linking cancer treatment episodes to routine recording of chronic illness, identification of sensitive Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) items for use in national surveys, evidence reviews and p...
An algorithm for maximising covered area

This paper presents an algorithm for positioning circles in a given region to maximise the covered area. Our algorithm has applications in wireless networks, such as positioning a given number of mobile stations in a given region, one goal of which is to cover the largest area possible. Although the evaluation of the function value, i.e., the total covered area, is difficult, we bypass this difficulty by calculating the gradient of the total covered area directly. As long as nodes continuously move in directions that guarantee increasing coverage, a configuration of node positions corresponding to a maximal covered area can eventually be identified.
Cardiac electrical dynamics: maximizing dynamical heterogeneity

The relationships between key features of the cardiac electrical activity, such as electrical restitution, discordant alternans, wave break and reentry, and the onset of ventricular tachyarrhythmias have been characterized extensively under the condition of constant, rapid pacing. However, it is unlikely that this scenario applies directly to the clinical situation, where the induction of ventricular tachycardia typically is associated with the interruption of normal cardiac rhythm by several premature beats. To address this issue, we have developed a general theory to explain why specific patterns of premature stimuli increase dynamic heterogeneity of repolarization and precipitate conduction block. The theory predicts that conduction block is caused by: (1) creation of a spatial gradient in diastolic interval (DI) by waves traveling at slightly different velocities (i.e., conduction velocity dispersion), and (2) amplification of the spatial gradient in DI over subsequent action potentials, secondary to a strong dependence of action potential duration (APD) on the preceding DI (i.e., a steep APD restitution function). Tests of this theory have been conducted in computer models of homogeneous tissue, where increased spatial dispersion of repolarization during premature stimulation can be assigned solely to the development of dynamical heterogeneity, and a canine model of spontaneously occurring ventricular tachycardia and sudden death. Our results thus far indicate that the probability of inducing VF in the animal model is highest for those sequences predicted to cause conduction block in the computer model. An understanding of the mechanisms underlying these observations will help to identify key electrical phenomena in the onset of ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. Drug and electrical therapies can then be improved by targeting these specific phenomena.
Effets du THS sur le risque de cancer du sein et de maladie cardiovasculaire : la validité des preuves épidémiologiques

Resume La publication des resultats de l'etude Women's Health Initative (WHI), en juillet 2002, deuxieme maillon du triptyque constitue par la Collaborative Reanalysis, en 1997, et la Million Women Study (2003), semble avoir sonne le glas du THS, pour avoir etabli l'augmentation du risque de cancer de sein et de maladie cardiovasculaire chez les femmes utilisatrices de THS, notamment le traitement combine. Des lors, la balance benefices–risques s'inversait en defaveur du THS. Au-dela du legitime questionnement sur la validite de ces etudes, remise en question fondee notamment sur l'existence incontestable de biais, dont le bais de detection expose dans la presente demonstration, il est une interrogation fondamentale : l'epidemiologie peut-elle faire progresser la comprehension de l'etiologie hormonale du cancer du sein ? En effet, non seulement les risques relatifs observes dans les trois etudes sont faibles, mais encore, etant couples a leurs limites methodologiques, il est impossible de distinguer la part alternative du biais de detection et de la relation de causalite comme explications des associations observees. Il en ressort surtout que, s'agissant des effets du THS sur l'incidence du cancer du sein en particulier, les seules preuves epidemiologiques sont insuffisantes : l'association avec la recherche histopathologique est necessaire.
Differences in Access to Care Among Students Using School-Based Health Centers.

Health care reform has changed the landscape for the nation’s health safety net, and school-based health centers (SBHCs) remain an important part of this system. However, few large-scale studies ha...
Fire regimes and forest structure in a sky island mixed conifer forest, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, USA

Fire is a key disturbance agent in the fire-prone mixed conifer and ponderosa pine forests of the southwestern United States. Human activities (i.e., livestock grazing, logging, and fire suppression) have resulted in the exclusion of fire from these forests for the past century and fire exclusion has caused changes in forest structure and composition. This study quantifies spatial and temporal variability in fire regimes and forest change in a 1000-ha area of mixed conifer forest in Guadalupe Mountains National Park (GMNP), an area with an uncommon history of grazing and fire suppression. Dendroecological methods were used to quantify fire frequency, season, severity, and extent, as well as forest structural and compositional change. The mean composite fire return interval (CFI) for the study area was 4 years. Widespread fires were less frequent. The mean CFI forfires recorded in at least10% of thesamples collected was 9.2 years, and meanCFI forfires scarring atleast 25% of samples was 16.3 years. Many of these widespread fires occurred in the 19th century. The mean point fire return interval (PFI) was longer at 24 years. Fire scars were primarily formed in the earliest portion of earlywood in annual rings, indicating that fires burned mainly in the spring, at the beginning of the growing season. The onset of grazing in the 1920s dramatically reduced fire frequency. An increase in tree density and a compositional shift from southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis Engelm.) to Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) coincides with the grazing era. In addition, the pre-ranching era was characterized by low-severity fires, while structural changes have resulted in a contemporary forest that is prone to high severity fire, as evidenced by two stand-replacing wildfires in GMNP in the 1990s. # 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Dual band-notched ultra-wideband antenna for 802.11a WLAN Environments

Band-reject UWB antennas have recently been considered for efficient communication between devices in WLAN environments. In this work, a new concept of a dual band-reject antenna is investigated. The antenna rejects efficiently the 802.11a interfering signal at two narrowband frequency ranges, while it receives the UWB signal in between them. Designs and simulation and measured results are presented in this work.
Estimation of radiation exposure for brain perfusion CT: standard protocol compared with deviations in protocol.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to measure the organ doses and estimate the effective dose for the standard brain perfusion CT protocol and erroneous protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS. An anthropomorphic phantom with metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) detectors was scanned on a 64-MDCT scanner. Protocol 1 used a standard brain perfusion protocol with 80 kVp and fixed tube current of 200 mA. Protocol 2 used 120 kVp and fixed tube current of 200 mA. Protocol 3 used 120 kVp with automatic tube current modulation (noise index, 2.4; minimum, 100 mA; maximum, 520 mA). RESULTS. Compared with protocol 1, the effective dose was 2.8 times higher with protocol 2 and 7.8 times higher with protocol 3. For all protocols, the peak dose was highest in the skin, followed by the brain and calvarial marrow. Compared with protocol 1, the peak skin dose was 2.6 times higher with protocol 2 and 6.7 times higher with protocol 3. The peak skin dose for protocol 3 exceeded 3 Gy. The ocular lens rec...
Far field of large circular loop antennas: Theoretical and experimental results

Far field patterns of large circular loop antennas of circumferences up to two and one-half wavelengths were calculated using Storer's theory for the current distribution on the antenna. To verify the theory, radiation pattern measurements were made at 3 GHz; the experimental results are in good qualitative agreement with theory.
Immersion lens microscopy of photonic nanostructures and quantum dots

We describe recent experimental and theoretical advances in immersion lens microscopy for, both surface and subsurface imaging as applied to photonic nanostructures. We examine in detail the ability of sharp metal tips to enhance local optical fields for nanometer resolution microscopy and spectroscopy. Finally, we describe a new approach to nano-optics, that of combining solid immersion microscopy with tip-enhanced focusing and show how such an approach may lead to 20-nm resolution with unity throughput.
Prospective, randomized trial comparing a new sodium phosphate-bisacodyl regimen with conventional PEG-ES lavage for outpatient colonoscopy preparation

Background: Several recent trials have shown that colonoscopy preparation with sodium phosphate solution is as effective and at least as well tolerated as conventional PEG-ES lavage. These trials utilized two 1.5-fluid oz doses, one given on the evening before colonoscopy and the other early the next morning. Methods: We devised a new sodium phosphate regimen in which the entire dose was given on the evening before examination (1.5 fl oz at 4 pm, 1.5--fl oz at 7 pm and 10 mg of bisacodyl at 10 pm) and performed a prospective, randomized trial that compared it with conventional PEG-ES lavage in terms of quality of colon cleansing, patient tolerance, and safety in an outpatient colonoscopy population with normal renal function. Seventy-two patients received sodium phosphate-bisacodyl and 75 PEG-ES lavage. Results: The overall quality of colon cleansing and frequency of unsatisfactory preparations were similar with both methods. Patients found preparation with sodium phosphate-bisacodyl to be easier than PEG-ES lavage ( p =0.005). No clinically important adverse effects were seen with either method of preparation. The average cost of sodium phosphate-bisacodyl was $4.32 per patient compared with $18.15 for PEG-ES lavage preparation. Conclusion: Preparation with sodium phosphate-bisacodyl, given on the evening before colonoscopy, is a well-tolerated, efficacious, and cost-effective alternative to conventional PEG-ES lavage.
Devitrification and Delayed Crazing of SiO2 on Single‐Crystal Silicon and Chemically Vapor‐Deposited Silicon Nitride

The linear growth rate of cristobalite was measured in thin SiO2 films on silicon and chemically vapor-deposited silicon nitride. The presence of trace impurities from alumina furnace tubes greatly increased the crystal growth rate. Under clean conditions, the growth rate was still 1 order-of-magnitude greater than that for internally nucleated crystals in bulk silica. Crystallized films cracked and lifted from the surface after exposure to atmospheric water vapor. The crystallization and subsequent crazing and lifting of protective SiO2 films on silicon nitride should be considered in long-term applications.
Identification of the Antiarrhythmic Drugs Amiodarone and Lorcainide as Potent H3 Histamine Receptor Inverse Agonists

Use of molecular pharmacology to reprofile older drugs discovered before the advent of recombinant technologies is a fruitful method to elucidate mechanisms of drug action, expand understanding of structure-activity relationships between drugs and receptors, and in some cases, repurpose approved drugs. The H3 histamine receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) primarily expressed in the central nervous system where among many things it modulates cognitive processes, nociception, feeding and drinking behavior, and sleep/wakefulness. In binding assays and functional screens of the H3 histamine receptor, the antiarrhythmic drugs lorcainide and amiodarone were identified as potent, selective antagonists/inverse agonists of human and rat H3 histamine receptors, with relatively little or no activity at over 20 other monoamine GPCRs, including H1, H2, and H4 receptors. Potent antagonism of H3 receptors was unique to amiodarone and lorcainide of 20 antiarrhythmic drugs tested, representing six pharmacological classes. These results expand the pharmacophore of H3 histamine receptor antagonist/inverse agonists and may explain, in part, the effects of lorcainide on sleep in humans.
Oxidative Coupling of Methane over Alkali-Metal-Compound-Promoted Zirconia Catalysts

Abstract Upon promoting ZrO2 with alkali metal compounds (chlorides, nitrates, carbonates, or acetates), effective catalytic systems are obtained which are more active, selective, and stable with time-onstream than unpromoted ZrO2 or unsupported promoter compounds at 750°C, PCH4 = 243.2 Torr, CH4/O2 = 4, and a space velocity of 7500 cm3 g−1 h−1. The performance of the catalysts is found to strongly depend on the nature of the alkali salt, the promoter content, the method of catalyst preparation, and the reaction conditions (temperature, partial pressures. CH4/O2 ratio, and contact time). The most effective catalytic system is obtained with Na+-ZrO2-Cl− prepared via the sol-gel method, which leads to a methane conversion of 13.8 mol%, total C2 selectivity of 77 mol% (C2 yield 10.6%), and an ethylene-to-ethane ratio of 3.3 for at least 30 h under the aforementioned conditions and atmospheric pressure. Addition of carbon tetrachloride as a source of chlorine species to the feedstream improves the performance of the catalyst and its stability with time-on-stream. In the latter case, a CH4 conversion of 22.0% and a C2 yield of 17.5% with a C2H4/C2H6 molar ratio of 2.7 are obtained at a space velocity of 3750 cm3 g−1 h−1. In contrast, Na+-ZrO2-Cl− prepared via impregnation, gel-precipitation, physical mixing, or ion-exchange, and the Li-, K-, Rb-, or CsCl-promoted ZrO2 catalysts prepared by any of the above methods, were less effective, even upon the addition of carbon tetrachloride to the feedstream. The relatively high performance of Na+-ZrO2-Cl− (sol-gel) is attributed to the incorporation of Na+Cl− into the ZrO2 matrix, the exposure of an appreciable amount of Na+ and Cl− on the surface, and the increase in basicity and base strength. The relationship between the catalytic performance and the physico-chemical characteristics of the catalysts revealed by XRD, XPS, and basicity (stepwise thermal desorption of CO2) measurements is explored.
Cloning and expression of the d-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase form II gene from Thiobacillus intermedius in Escherichia coli

Both form I and II ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) genes were detected in Thiobacillus intermedius by heterologous hybridization using specific probes from Anacystis nidulans and Rhodobacter sphaeroides, respectively. However, only the previously reported from I enzyme could be demonstrated in cells grown under a number of different conditions. The reason(s) why the form II gene is not expressed in T. intermedius is/are not clear at this time. The form II gene was isolated from a lambda library by screening with the Rb. sphaeroides probe. A SalI fragment from this clone was ligated into pUC8 and transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α. Subclones pTi20IIA and pTi20IIB representing both orientations relative to the lac promoter were isolated. Low levels of RuBisCO activity were detected in both induced and non-induced pTi20IIA indicating the probable expression from a T. intermedius promoter. Induced pTi20IIB produced much higher levels of enzyme activity. Analysis of cell-free extracts using sucrose density gradients confirmed the expression of a form II RuBisCO similar in size to that found in Rhodobacter capsulatus. Other Calvin cycle genes were not clustered with either the form I or form II genes.
On the flexibility of lizards' cognition: a response to Vasconcelos et al.

In their commentary, Vasconcelos et al . [[1][1]] questioned the validity of our interpretation that Anolis evermanni exhibits problem-solving across multiple tasks, rapid associative learning and behavioural flexibility [[2][2]]. We will address each of these points in turn. In our paper, we
Is sleep duration a risk factor for stroke

A total of 50 to 70 million Americans have a sleep or circadian disorder, with widespread consequences for health and safety.1 Sleep health has become a national priority and a goal of the Healthy People 2020 program.2 Observational and experimental studies demonstrate that poor sleep can lead to adverse health consequences.2,3 In particular, epidemiologic studies demonstrate associations between short sleep (≤5–6 hours) and long sleep (≥8–9 hours) durations with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, compared to 7–8 hours of sleep.3
Chromatin Structure in Granulocytes A LINK BETWEEN TIGHT COMPACTION AND ACCUMULATION OF A HETEROCHROMATIN-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN (MENT)

To study the mechanism of heterochromatin formation in vertebrate cells, we isolated nuclei from chicken polymorphonuclear granulocytes and examined the chromatin organization. We found granulocyte chromatin to remain insoluble after nuclease digestion and to be resistant to swelling in low salt/high pH media. Both insolubility and resistance to swelling were lost after washing with 0.3 M NaCl, a procedure that released two abundant tissue-specific proteins from granulocyte nuclei. One of them (42 kDa) is identified as MENT, a protein previously shown to be associated with repressed chromatin from mature chicken erythrocytes. We show that MENT is immunolocalized in granulocyte heterochromatin, where it is one of the most abundant chromatin proteins ( approximately 2 molecules/200 base pairs of DNA). MENT is the first nuclear protein structurally related to the serine protease inhibitor family. The other abundant protein is similar to or identical with mim-1, a myeloid-specific protein that is known to be stored in cell granules and to associate with isolated nuclei. MENT (but not mim-1) binds chromatin and free DNA, and, at its physiological protein/DNA ratio, enhances compaction and the reversible Mg2+-dependent self-association of nucleosome arrays. MENT appears to promote the formation of heterochromatin by acting as a "glue" within and between chains of nucleosomes.
QoT-aware grooming, routing, and wavelength assignment (GRWA) for Mixed-Line-Rate translucent optical networks

A Mixed Line Rate optical network is a good candidate for a core backbone network because of its ability to provide diverse line rates to effectively accommodate traffic demands with heterogeneous bandwidth requirements. Optical amplification has increased the reach of long-haul optical links. Nevertheless, it is impossible today to construct a truly optical network without converting optical signals to electrical signals and regenerating them, because of the deleterious effects of physical impairments. Thus there is a maximum transmission reach for optical signals before they have to be regenerated. Being expensive devices, regenerators are expected to be sparsely located and used in such a network, called a translucent optical network. In this paper, we consider the grooming, routing, and wavelength assignment (GRWA) problem so that the Quality of Transmission (QoT) for connections is satisfied, and the network-level performance metric of blocking probability is minimized. Cross-layer heuristics to effectively allocate the sparse regenerators are developed, and extensive simulation results are presented to demonstrate their effectiveness.
Lymphangiographic demonstration of the abscopal effect in patients with malignant lymphomas

Abstract Lymphangiography with follow-up films was found to be an excellent method for demonstrating abscopal effect in patients with malignant lymphomas. In this manuscript two patients with clinical Stage III non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are presented who exhibited marked reduction in the size of the abdominal lymph nodes following irradiation to the mantle. This was accompanied by a marked depression of the absolute number of peripheral lymphocytes, while the neutrophils remained unchanged or little affected. Excluding, on the basis of dosimetric studies, the possibility of scatter irradiation as the cause of this phenomenon, data based on the recirculation of lymphocytes are discussed, as a plausible explanation.
Probing lipase/esterase libraries for lipid A hydrolases—discovery of biocatalysts for the detoxification of bacterially-expressed recombinant protein

In our ongoing efforts to develop new methods for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) detoxification, we have screened lipase/esterase libraries for the ability to deacylate the 2'- and 3'-fatty acid chains from lipid A: the most active esterases were successfully employed to inactivate LPSs in a crude concentrated cell supernatant of E. Coli containing a recombinant single chain antibody (scFv).
Violating conversational conventions disrupts cognitive processing of attitude questions

This research distinguishes conversational norms from conversational conventions and tests the notion that violation of conversational conventions in attitude questions disrupts processing and reduces data quality. Our first study showed that in questions with simple, dichotomous affirmative and negative response alternatives, respondents expect the affirmative response alternative to be offered before the negative one. Four studies showed that violating this convention disrupts cognitive processing. Respondents took longer to answer questions asked unconventionally, and their answers were less predictable by their attitudinal dispositions and their demographic characteristics. In addition, answers were less responsive to manipulation of a key feature of an object of judgment. Another study ruled out a possible alternative explanation for the effect (an increase in disconfirmatory thinking) and documented that convention violation led people to generate more thoughts irrelevant to the question's topic. These disruption effects were reliable only among people for whom the cognitive work entailed by generating optimal answers to questions was most difficult.
High-Rayleigh-number convection of pressurized gases in a horizontal enclosure

High-pressure gases are used to study high-Rayleigh-number Rayleigh–Benard convection in cylindrical horizontal enclosures. The Nusselt–Rayleigh heat transfer relationship is investigated for 1×109 < Ra < 1.7×1012. Schlieren video images of the flow field are recorded through optical viewports in the pressure vessel. The data set is well correlated by Nu = 0.071Ra0.328. The schlieren results confirm the existence of a large-scale flow that periodically interrupts the ascending and descending plumes. The intensity of both the plumes and the large-scale flow increases with Rayleigh number.
The Henryville Bed of the New Albany shale—I. Preliminary characterization of the nickel and vanadyl porphyrins in the bitumen

The nickel, vanadium, Ni(II) porphyrin and VO(II) porphyrin concentrations in the bitumen of an organic rich sample of the Henryville Bed of the New Albany shale (Mississippian-Devonian; Indiana, U.S.A.) were determined. The bitumen contains 1776 μg nickel/g and 1550 μg vanadium/g bitumen. The porphyrin concentrations of 9900 μg/g and 9100 μg/g, respectively, are higher than those reported in most source rock bitumens or crude oils. The similar abundances of Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins indicates a depositional environment for this sample that is transitional between strongly anoxic (VO(II) porphyrins dominant) and less anoxic in which Ni(II) porphyrins dominate. The Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins in the bitumen occur as etioporphyrin (etio), deoxophylloerythroetioporphyrin (DPEP), and tetrahydrobenzo-DPEP (THBD) species in the order of abundance: etio>DPEP>THBD for Ni(II) and DPEP>etio>THBD for VO(II) porphyrins. The DPEP/etio ratios of 1.4 for the VO(II) series and 0.91 for the Ni(II) series and a Vitrinite reflectance of 0.5–0.6% are consistent with the organic matter in the New Albany shale being of intermediate maturity. The carbon-number distributions of the etio, DPEP, and THBD porphyrins of the two metals are very similar. This similarity and the fact that carbon numbers of both Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins extend at least to C36 suggests that the Ni(II) and VO(II) porphyrins have originated via similar geochemical pathways in the New Albany shale. The major pathway appears to be release of the porphyrins during kerogen catagenesis.
Real-time optical characterization of GaP heterostructures by p-polarized reflectance

Abstract The stringent tolerances in the engineering of advanced optoelectronic integrated circuits with respect to control thickness and composition of ultra-thin layers require the development of monitoring and control techniques that follow the deposition process with sub-monolayer resolution. These demands led to the development of surface-sensitive real-time optical sensors that are able to move the control point close to the point where the growth occurs, which in a chemical beam epitaxy process is the surface reaction layer, built up of physisorbed and chemisorbed precursor fragments between the ambient and film interface. In this contribution, we explore the application of p-polarized reflectance spectroscopy (PRS) in the context of real-time monitoring and control of pulsed chemical beam epitaxy (PCBE) during low temperature growth of epitaxial GaP heterostructures on Si(001) substrates by PCBE. The effect of periodic alterations in composition and thickness of a surface reaction layer (SRL) is monitored by PRS as a periodic modulated reflectance amplitude, denoted as fine structure. Using a `reduced order kinetic model' we demonstrate the linkage of the PRS response towards surface reaction chemistry, film growth rate, and film properties. Mathematical control algorithms are introduced that link the PR signals to the growth process control parameters.
The Human Dimension of Coral Reef Marine Protected Areas: Recent Social Science Research and Its Policy Implications

Coral reefs provide ecosystem goods and services to millions of people around the world (Cesar et al. 1997; Costanza et al. 1997). The long-term sustainability of these ecosystem benefits is threatened, however, by direct overexploitation of coral reef resources, destructive fishing practices, air and water pollution, and climate change (Wilkinson 2000). Traditional efforts to manage coral reefs—species by species, sector by sector—have proven insufficient to ensure resource sustainability or to protect biodiversity against these threats, spurring calls for an ecosystem-oriented approach (Botsford et al. 1997; Cicin-Sain & Knecht 1998; National Research Council 1999, 2001 ). Central to this ecosystem approach to coral reef management are marine protected areas (MPAs), a family of spatially explicit marine management systems that includes underwater parks, fishery reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries (National Research Council 1999, 2001). Coral reef MPAs have yet to realize their full potential. Although the number of coral reef MPAs has grown rapidly in recent years, their performance remains highly variable (Kelleher et al. 1995; Halpern in press; M. G. Pajaro, C. M. Nozawa, M. N. Lavides, and S. Gutierrez. 2000. Status of marine protected areas in the Philippines: better management of coral reefs and coastal areas in the tropics. Paper presented at the 9th ICRS [hereafter referred to as Pajaro et al. 2000].). Research suggests that social factors, not biological or physical variables, are the primary determinants of MPA success or failure (Kelleher & Recchia 1998; McClanahan 1999). Efforts to design more effective coral reef MPAs are hindered, however, by the dearth of social scientific research into the human dimensions of MPA development and management. Social science research presented during the ninth International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS; in Bali, Indonesia, 2000) provides valuable insights into the human dimensions of coral reef MPAs. Here I synthesize findings from social science MPA research delivered at the ICRS and suggest several implications of these findings for coral reef MPA policy.