cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk assessment of pesticide runoff from turf.

The TurfPQ model was used to simulate the runoff of 15 pesticides commonly applied to creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) fairways and greens on golf courses in the northeastern USA. Simulations produced 100-yr daily records of water runoff, pesticide runoff, and pesticide concentration in runoff for three locations: Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, and Rochester, NY. Results were summarized as annual and monthly means and annual maximum daily loads (AMDLs) corresponding to 10- and 20-yr return periods. Mean annual pesticide runoff loads did not exceed 3% of annual applications for any pesticide or site, and most losses were substantially less than 1% of application. However, annual or monthly mean concentrations of chlorothalonil, iprodione, and PCNB in fairway runoff often exceeded concentrations that result in 50% mortality of the affected species (LC 50 ) for aquatic organisms. Concentrations of azoxystrobin, bensulide, cyfluthrin, and trichlorfon in extreme (1 in 10 yr or 1 in 20 yr) events often approached or exceeded LC 50 levels. Concentrations of halofenozide, mancozeb, MCPP, oxadiazon, propiconazole, thiophanate-methyl, triadimefon, and trinexapac-ethyl were well below LC 50 levels, and turf runoff of these chemicals does not appear to be hazardous to aquatic life in surface waters.
Calanus marshallae, a new species of calanoid copepod closely allied to the sibling species C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis

Species of the copepod genus Calanus frequently dominate the marine zooplankton in boreal and arctic waters. Up to now there have been no operational means of identifying several species closely related to Calanus finmarchicus. Reanalysis of these taxa, using material from plankton samples collected throughout Northern Hemisphere polar and coreal waters, shows that there are 3 sibling species which have been previously combined under the names C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis. Several new taxonomic characters permit unequivocal identification of C. finmarchicus, C. glacialis, and a new species, C. marshallae. Claims that C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis are subspecies are refuted; there is no evidence that the two species continuously intergrade either where they co-occur or where they are allopatric, nor is there evidence that the two species hybridize. C. finmarchicus is basically restricted to the North Atlantic Ocean and C. marshallae to the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea; C. glacialis is primarily an Arctic species, but its geographical distribution slightly overlaps those of the other two species. Taxa closely related to C. finmarchicus and C. helgolandicus probably represent two separate, but closely linked evolutionary lineage; species of these two lineages are placed in one of two species groups, the finmarchicus group and the helgolandicus group.
Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence Velocity Measurements of Retropropulsion Jets in a Mach 12 Freestream

Retropropulsion is not well understood, yet is a necessary technology development for high mass Mars missions, which require new methods to adequately slow large masses from hypersonic velocities in the upper Martian atmosphere to subsonic speed to facilitate a landing configuration. In this study, hypersonic retropropulsion using a single retrorocket located at the stagnation point of a 70-deg blunt body model in a low-density Mach 12 freestream flow is investigated using planar laser-induced fluorescence, with iodine as the seeding species, to obtain planar velocity measurements. Impact shift, which typically complicates velocity measurements, is eliminated by utilizing two laser sheet angles and flowfield symmetry. Two models are examined, one with a sonic jet exit and a second with a supersonic Mach 2.66 jet exit. Flowfield geometries for both configurations are similar, with the retrorocket pushing the bow shock away from the model forebody and forming a stagnation region between the bow shock and retrorocket jet plume. The supersonic test case penetrates further upstream than the sonic case, has a thinner jet plume, and a small recirculation region just outside of the jet plume and near the forebody, which is not detected in the sonic test case. Experimental results show good agreement with CFD computed streamlines and velocity magnitude contours.
Delta opioid inhibition of light-induced phase advances in hamster circadian activity rhythms

A master neuronal pacemaker located within the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the ventral hypothalamus generates circadian activity rhythms in hamsters. The circadian pacemaker receives afferent input from many brain regions, one of which is the intergeniculate leaflet of the thalamus. This thalamic input to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in hamsters contains enkephalins, neuropeptide Y, neurotensin, and GABA. The role of enkephalins in modulating light-induced phase shifts of hamster activity rhythms has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we examined the ability of enkephalin-mimetic and other opioid compounds to modulate light-induced phase advances in hamster circadian activity rhythms. The delta opioid agonists SNC 80 and BW373U86 both inhibited light-induced phase advances of hamster circadian activity rhythms. Neither the mu opioid agonist morphine, nor the kappa opioid agonist U50488H had any effect on light-induced phase shifts. The antagonists naltrindole, naltrexone, and nor-binaltorphimine, selective for delta, mu, and kappa opioids respectively, were also without effect on light-induced phase advances. Therefore, we found that only delta opioid agonists modulate light-induced phase advances in hamster circadian activity rhythms. These results imply that enkephalins released from the intergeniculate leaflet onto components of the suprachiasmatic pacemaker may be capable of inhibiting the responsiveness of the pacemaker to photic input arriving from the retina. The inability of antagonists to modulate light-induced phase advances suggests that endogenous opiate systems are not tonically active in generating circadian activity rhythms, but rather that enkephalins are probably used by the circadian system to modulate responses only under certain conditions or time of day.
XRules: an effective structural classifier for XML data

XML documents have recently become ubiquitous because of their varied applicability in a number of applications. Classification is an important problem in the data mining domain, but current classification methods for XML documents use IR-based methods in which each document is treated as a bag of words. Such techniques ignore a significant amount of information hidden inside the documents. In this paper we discuss the problem of rule based classification of XML data by using frequent discriminatory substructures within XML documents. Such a technique is more capable of finding the classification characteristics of documents. In addition, the technique can also be extended to cost sensitive classification. We show the effectiveness of the method with respect to other classifiers. We note that the methodology discussed in this paper is applicable to any kind of semi-structured data.
HYPERZINCURIA IN INDIVIDUALS WITH INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS - CONCURRENT ZINC STATUS AND THE EFFECT OF HIGH-DOSE ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION

The urinary excretion of zinc in individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is approximately doubled. In the absence of a compensatory mechanism, this hyperzincuria should induce a deficient or marginal Zn status. We examined parameters of Zn status in plasma and in blood cells with respect to urinary Zn losses and Zn supplementation. We measured Zn levels in the urine, plasma, and erythrocytes of 14 IDDM subjects and 15 nondiabetics who kept dietary records for 3 consecutive days. Subsequently, six IDDM subjects and seven nondiabetics were supplemented with 50 mg Zn daily for 28 days. We measured the above parameters, as well as mononuclear leukocyte Zn (MNL-Zn) and the plasma subfraction of albumin-bound Zn (alb-Zn). The total plasma Zn-binding capacity was also assessed. Plasma copper and erythrocyte Cu were monitored as indicators of potential Zn toxicity. Individuals with IDDM displayed the expected hyperzincuria, but had normal blood Zn parameters. Zincuria increased by a similar amount in both groups during supplementation, as did the MNL-Zn content. However, erythrocyte Zn (e-Zn) was refractory, so a trend toward lower e-Zn among IDDM subjects persisted during Zn supplementation. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) increased markedly in the Zn-supplemented IDDM group. Despite their chronic hyperzincuria, individuals with IDDM appear not to be Zn-deficient. Large-dose Zn supplementation increases MNL-Zn and induces an undesirable elevation of HbA1c in all individuals. This is especially disconcerting for those with IDDM, and may reflect an exacerbation of a chronic "Zn diabetes." These data suggest a potential for toxicity from large-dose Zn supplementation.
Entropy-based joint analysis for two-stage genome-wide association studies

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are being conducted to identify common genetic variants that predispose to human diseases to unravel the genetic etiology of complex human diseases now. Because of genotyping cost constraints, it often follows a two-stage design, in which a large number of markers are identified in a proportion of the available samples in stage 1, and then the markers identified in stage 1 are examined in all the samples in stage 2. In this paper, we introduce a nonlinear entropy-based statistic for joint analysis for two-stage genome-wide association studies. Type I error rates and power of the entropy-based statistic for association tests are validated using simulation studies in single-locus test. The power of entropy-based joint analysis is investigated by simulations. And the results suggest that entropy-based joint analysis is always more powerful than linear joint analysis that uses a linear function of risk allele frequencies in cases and controls when detecting rare genetic variants; the powers of these two joint analyses are comparable when detecting common genetic variants. Furthermore, when the false discovery rate is controlled, entropy-based joint analysis is more powerful and needs fewer samples than linear joint analysis that uses a linear function of risk allele frequencies in cases and controls. So, we recommend we should use entropy-based strategy for two-stage genome-wide association studies to detect the rare and common genetic variants with moderate to large genetic effect underlying a complex disease.
Molecular determinants of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent regulation of Ca(v)2.1 channels.

Ca2+-dependent facilitation and inactivation (CDF and CDI) of Cav2.1 channels modulate presynaptic P/Q-type Ca2+ currents and contribute to activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. This dual feedback regulation by Ca2+ involves calmodulin (CaM) binding to the α1 subunit (α12.1). The molecular determinants for Ca2+-dependent modulation of Cav2.1 channels reside in CaM and in two CaM-binding sites in the C-terminal domain of α12.1, the CaM-binding domain (CBD) and the IQ-like domain. In transfected tsA-201 cells, CDF and CDI were both reduced by deletion of CBD. In contrast, alanine substitution of the first two residues of the IQ-like domain (IM-AA) completely prevented CDF but had little effect on CDI, and glutamate substitutions (IM-EE) greatly accelerated voltage-dependent inactivation but did not prevent CDI. Mutational analyses of the Ca2+ binding sites of CaM showed that both the N- and C-terminal lobes of CaM were required for full development of facilitation, but only the N-terminal lobe was essential for CDI. In biochemical assays, CaM12 and CaM34 were unable to bind CBD, whereas CaM34 but not CaM12 retained Ca2+-dependent binding to the IQ-like domain. These findings support a model in which Ca2+ binding to the C-terminal EF-hands of preassociated CaM initiates CDF via interaction with the IQ-like domain. Further Ca2+ binding to the N-terminal EF-hands promotes secondary CaM interactions with CBD, which enhance facilitation and cause a conformational change that initiates CDI. This multifaceted mechanism allows positive regulation of Cav2.1 in response to local Ca2+ increases (CDF) and negative regulation during more global Ca2+ increases (CDI).
AN ASSESSMENT OF ADD-ON ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICES FOR VEHICLE CRASHWORTHINESS

An alternate approach to vehicle crashworthiness improvement by inserting add-on nonstructural energy absorbing (EA) devices in unutilized space in series with existing load paths is studied conceptually. Vehicle-barrier impact simulations are conducted to determine the energy absorption and crushable space requirements for the add-on devices. Based on the experimental data available in the literature, a number of materials are identified as being capable of meeting these requirements. Simple tubes and honeycombs in axial crushing mode are found to be more effective as add-on EA devices than complex devices such as inversion tubes. Foam filling of primary structural members in bending mode gs found to be less effective in increasing energy absorbing capacity than add-on EA devices. While the study indicates a theoretical assessment of these devices, physical limitations may inhibit their usefullness. In particular, many of the devices are highly directional in nature.
Three-person spanning tree games

There are many situations where allocation of costs among the users of a minimum spanning tree network is a problem of concern. In [1], formulation of this problem as a game theoretic model, spanning tree games, has been considered. It is well known that st games have nonempty cores. Many researchers have studied other solutions related to st games. In this paper, we study three-person st games. Various properties connected to the convexity or no-convexity, and @t-value is studied. A characterization of the core and geometric interpretation is given. In special cases, the nucleolus of the game is given.
Speech-cue transmission by an algorithm to increase consonant recognition in noise for hearing-impaired listeners

Consonant recognition was assessed following extraction of speech from noise using a more efficient version of the speech-segregation algorithm described in Healy, Yoho, Wang, and Wang [(2013) J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 134, 3029–3038]. Substantial increases in recognition were observed following algorithm processing, which were significantly larger for hearing-impaired (HI) than for normal-hearing (NH) listeners in both speech-shaped noise and babble backgrounds. As observed previously for sentence recognition, older HI listeners having access to the algorithm performed as well or better than young NH listeners in conditions of identical noise. It was also found that the binary masks estimated by the algorithm transmitted speech features to listeners in a fashion highly similar to that of the ideal binary mask (IBM), suggesting that the algorithm is estimating the IBM with substantial accuracy. Further, the speech features associated with voicing, manner of articulation, and place of articulation were all transmitted with relative uniformity and at relatively high levels, indicating that the algorithm and the IBM transmit speech cues without obvious deficiency. Because the current implementation of the algorithm is much more efficient, it should be more amenable to real-time implementation in devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants.
A Note on the Ladder Development of RC-Networks

Darlington and Cauer have described a useful way of synthesizing a lossless two-terminal-pair network from a single driving-point impedance and a knowledge of the zeros of transmission. The procedure involved has a good deal of similarity to the Brune process of synthesis, and can readily be extended to RL and RC networks provided the zeros of transmission are restricted to the negative real axis of the complex frequency plane. Although such an extension is obvious, it seems worth while to point out the details involved and to illustrate these with a numerical example.
Role of pregnane xenobiotic receptor in the midbrain ventral tegmental area for estradiol- and 3α,5α-THP-facilitated lordosis of female rats

Progesterone and its metabolite, 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP), have actions in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) that are required for lordosis, a characteristic mating posture of female rodents. 17β-estradiol (estradiol) co-varies with progestogens over natural cycles, enhances production of 3α,5α-THP, and is required for successful reproductive behavior. A question of interest is the role of pregnane xenobiotic receptor (PXR), a nuclear receptor that regulates enzymes needed for the production of 3α,5α-THP, for estradiol-mediated lordosis. The hypothesis tested was that if PXR is involved in estradiol-mediated biosynthesis of 3α,5α-THP and reproductive behavior, knocking down expression of PXR in the VTA of estradiol-primed, but not vehicle-primed, rats should decrease lordosis and midbrain 3α,5α-THP; effects may be attenuated by 3α,5α-THP administered to the VTA. Ovariectomized rats were administered subcutaneous injections of oil vehicle or estradiol. Rats were then administered PXR antisense oligonucleotides (PXR AS-ODNs; which are expected to locally knock down expression of PXR), or control (saline), infusions to the VTA. Rats were administered 3α,5α-THP or vehicle via infusions to the VTA. Reproductive behavior (paced mating task) of rats was determined in addition to exploratory (open field), affective (elevated plus maze), and pro-social (social interaction task) behavior. Reproductive behavior (i.e., increased lordosis) was enhanced with estradiol-priming and infusions of 3α,5α-THP to the VTA. Infusions of PXR AS-ODNs to the VTA attenuated responses in estradiol-, but not vehicle-, primed rats, compared to control infusions. PXR may be involved in a neuroregulatory response involving biosynthesis of 3α,5α-THP in the midbrain VTA of estradiol-primed rats.
Extended resolution wide-field optical imaging: objective-launched standing-wave total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy

Standing-wave total-internal-reflection fluorescence (SW-TIRF) microscopy uses a super-diffraction-limited standing evanescent wave to extract the high-spatial-frequency content of an object through a diffraction-limited optical imaging system. The effective point-spread function is better than a quarter of the emission wavelength. With a 1.45 numerical aperture objective and 532 nm excitation wavelength, a Rayleigh resolution of approximately 100 nm can be achieved, which is better than twice the resolution of conventional TIRF microscopy. This first experimental realization of SW-TIRF in an objective-launched geometry demonstrates the potential for extended resolution imaging at high speed by using wide-field microscopy.
Delamination‐Indicating Thermal Barrier Coatings Using YSZ:Eu Sublayers

Nondestructive diagnostic tools that can reliably assess thermal barrier coating (TBC) delamination are needed to provide protection against premature TBC failure as well as to reduce the costs associated with unnecessary TBC replacement. A coating design for a TBC that is self-indicating for delamination has been successfully implemented by incorporating a europium-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) luminescent sublayer beneath the overlying undoped YSZ TBC. It was demonstrated that incorporation of the europium-doped YSZ layer could be achieved without disrupting TBC columnar growth by using multiple ingot electron beam physical vapor deposition. Both scanning luminescence mapping as well as luminescence imaging revealed greatly enhanced detected luminescence from scratch-induced delaminated regions. This enhanced detected luminescence arises due to high internal reflectivity of both excitation and emission wavelengths at the interface between the luminescent sublayer and the delamination crack. In particular, imaging of the enhanced luminescence associated with TBC delamination was fast and simple to implement, therefore showing great promise as a practical tool for inspecting for TBC delamination.
Guidelines on the treatment of ABRS in adults

Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) is a common reason for healthcare visits, and one of the more common reasons for the use of antibiotics. In an effort to improve the diagnosis and appropriate therapy of ABRS, several guidelines have been developed. Current guidelines recommend extended-spectrum cephalosporins as one of the first-line options for the treatment of this condition. In addition, most cephalosporins recommended by recent guidelines (e.g. cefuroxime axetil, cefpodoxime proxetil and cefdinir) are unlikely to be associated with cross-reactivity with penicillins, and may be considered effective alternatives to amoxicillin in adults who are allergic to penicillin.
Local history, national leadership and the ‘St. Louis mafia’

A prominent historian once said, ‘Corporations are not necessarily soulless, and of all corporations universities are the most likely to have, if not souls, at least personalities’ (Becker, 1943, p. 193). For corporations, including universities, ‘personalities’ can be defined as enduring traditions of characteristic behaviours that are carried over time through many individuals. In fact, the same idea can be applied to professions. In neurosurgery, it is still possible to trace the existence and influences of distinct ‘schools’ within the larger profession (Laws, 1997). Among those discernible entities, neurosurgery (and all of the neurosciences) at Washington University in St. Louis (not to be confused with the University of Washington, Seattle) has been ‘a powerful force in academic neurosurgery in the United States’ (Laws, 1997, p. 523). Thus, Robert Grubb’s extensive history of his own department and institution can be reviewed from a national perspective, despite the ostensibly local focus of the book. From the outset, it is obvious that ‘leadership’, in all of its professional and scientific meanings, has always been an essential part of the soul of Neurosurgery at Washington University. Because of its location at the confluence of tributaries to the Mississippi River, the area that is now St. Louis, Missouri, was explored quite early in American history. The city dates its formal founding by French explorers to 1764. By the mid-19th century, St. Louis was thriving and it had two medical schools. In the later 19th century they amalgamated and became the Medical Department of Washington University in 1899—more than a decade before publication of the Flexner Report (1910), which transformed American medical education. When Abraham Flexner (1866–1959) gave the school a disparaging assessment, the University’s far-sighted (and wealthy) leadership had already started on a path towards scientific reform. The medical school was to be …
Validity of fan-beam dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for measuring fat-free mass and leg muscle mass

The aim of the study was to examine the accuracy of fan-beam dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for measuring total body fat-free mass (FFM) and leg muscle mass (MM) in elderly persons. Partic...
Imprimi potest Roman Catholic censoring of psychology and psychoanalysis in the early 20th century

Because he was a Jesuit, Irish-born Edward Boyd Barrett (1883–1966) had to submit his writing to Jesuit censors, who were charged with making sure that nothing in the documents was contrary to Roman Catholic faith and morals. Drawing upon archival records, this article shows the complexities of the censorship process in the early 20th century. Boyd Barrett’s Motive Forceand Motivation-Tracks (1911), an experimental study in will-psychology completed under Michotte, was threatened with withdrawal from circulation after an anonymous review (which was not published) accused the book of modernism. In the 1920s, articles on psychoanalysis directed at a wide Catholic readership, received severe criticism by Jesuit censors, and some were not published. The article presents the censors’ objections and Boyd Barrett’s defense. One effect of censorship was to make psychoanalysis, at least in some formulations, acceptable to a Catholic readership.
Characterization of the protease activity in the chemotactic factor inactivator.

Abstract The chemotactic factor inactivator (CFI) isolated from human serum contains a kininase activity that causes extensive hydrolysis of bradykinin. The highly chemotactic synthetic peptide Met-Leu-Phe was completely hydrolyzed by CFI preparations. The release of the constituent amino acids from this peptide coincided with a loss of its chemotactic activity. The N-formyl, but not the amide derivative, of the leukotactic peptide Met-Leu-Phe was resistant to the action of CFI, as evidenced by chemotactic and biochemical assays. Examination of the specificity of CFI proteolysis revealed that short polypeptide substrates are degraded sequentially from the amino terminus. Larger peptides are less extensively hydrolyzed, and the patterns of hydrolysis are more complex. Inactivation of the bacterial chemotactic factors by CFI was overcome by the addition of high concentrations of peptides which were substrated for CFI. CFI preparations readily hydrolyzed the peptide Arg-Phe-Ala. The constituent amino acids were conveniently identified by thin-layer chromatography method. This procedure afforded a rapid assay for measuring CFI activity in the whole human serum as well as in fractions throughout the purification steps. Moreover, CFI also hydrolyzed L-leucyl-beta-napthylamide at rates comparable to peptides. Thus, L-leucyl-beta-napthylamide served as a useful substrate for estimating CFI activity in preparations at various stages of purification. This substrate was also useful in kinetic studies. The results from these studies indicate an aminopeptidase activity is the mechanism whereby CFI inhibits the activity of chemotactic substrates.
Effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in women with advanced heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background Numerous clinical trials have established a role for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in the prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure. However, questions remain that regard the clinical benefit of these therapies in different patient subgroups. Specifically, the role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in women with heart failure for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death has not been well established. Our objective is to determine whether implantable cardioverter-defibrillators reduce mortality in women with advanced heart failure. Methods We searched MEDLINE (1950-2008), EMBASE (1988-2008, week 24), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (third quarter, 2008), the National Institute of Health ClinicalTrials.gov database, the Food and Drug Administration Web site, and various reports presented at scientific meetings (1994-2007). Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials of implantable cardioverter/defibrillators for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure that reported all-cause mortality as an outcome for the female population. Of the 2619 reports identified, 5 trials that enroll 934 women were included in the meta-analysis. Results Pooled data from the 5 trials revealed no statistically significant decrease in all-cause mortality in women with heart failure who receive implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-1.33). Conclusions Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in women does not reduce all-cause mortality. Further studies are needed to investigate the reasons for this ob servation and to define the population of women who may benefit most from implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy.
Tangential migration of neurons in the developing cerebral cortex.

The mammalian cerebral cortex is divided into functionally distinct areas. Although radial patterns of neuronal migration have been thought to be essential for patterning these areas, direct observation of migrating cells in cortical brain slices has revealed that cells follow both radial and nonradial pathways as they travel from their sites of origin in the ventricular zone out to their destinations in the cortical plate (O'Rourke, N.A., Dailey, M.E., Smith, S.J. and McConnell, S.K. (1992) Science 258, 299-302). These findings suggested that neurons may not be confined to radial migratory pathways in vivo. Here, we have examined the patterns of neuronal migration in the intact cortex. Analysis of the orientations of [3H]thymidine-labeled migrating cells suggests that nonradial migration is equally common in brain slices and the intact cortex and that it increases during neurogenesis. Additionally, cells appear to follow nonradial trajectories at all levels of the developing cerebral wall, suggesting that tangential migration may be more prevalent than previously suspected from the imaging studies. Immunostaining with neuron-specific antibodies revealed that many tangentially migrating cells are young neurons. These results suggest that tangential migration in the intact cortex plays a pivotal role in the tangential dispersion of clonally related cells revealed by retroviral lineage studies (Walsh, C. and Cepko, C. L. (1992) Science 255, 434-440). Finally, we examined possible substrata for nonradial migration in dorsal cortical regions where the majority of glia extend radially. Using confocal and electron microscopy, we found that nonradially oriented cells run perpendicular to glial processes and make glancing contacts with them along their leading processes. Thus, if nonradial cells utilize glia as a migratory substratum they must glide across one glial fiber to another. Examination of the relationships between migratory cells and axons revealed axonal contacts with both radial and nonradial cells. These results suggest that nonradial cells use strategies and substrata for migration that differ from those employed by radial cells.
GRASS SHRIMP (PALAEMONETES SPP.) PLAY A PIVOTAL TROPHIC ROLE IN ENHANCING RUPPIA MARITIMA

Coupled trophic-engineer interactions are potentially important for maintaining habitat function and ecosystem services. As ephemeral submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), Ruppia maritima has a short well-defined growth-senescence cycle and should benefit from any ecological interaction that enhances its physical condition and longevity. Grass shrimp (Palaemonetes spp.) are abundant facultative grazers of epiphytic algae and conveyors of nutrients in tidal marsh and SAV habitats. Grass shrimp addition consistently enhanced Ruppia biomass and shoot density in a series of three field experiments conducted in Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi, USA. In two experiments, epiphyte grazing by grass shrimp enhanced Ruppia by inhibiting die-back during the mid- and latter stages of the Ruppia life cycle. Despite a nonsignificant epiphyte grazing effect, grass shrimp also enhanced Ruppia during its early growth stage in a third experiment. In that experiment, nutrient addition also significantly increased epiphyte biomass. Grass shrimp may have fostered the early growth of Ruppia through direct deposition of feces to the sediment in the third experiment. Grass shrimp play a pivotal trophic role in the maintenance of Ruppia through context-dependent interactions involving stage of the SAV life cycle, season, and nutrient limitation.
Transactivation of C-Reactive Protein by IL-6 Requires Synergistic Interaction of CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein β (C/EBPβ) and Rel p50

We have previously found that overexpression of the Rel protein p50 stimulated C-reactive protein (CRP) expression in Hep 3B cells and that p50 could bind to a nonconsensus kappaB site overlapping the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) binding site centered at position -53 on the CRP promoter. Accordingly, we employed EMSA to investigate possible cooperation between p50 and C/EBP proteins using an oligonucleotide probe (-63/-41) derived from the CRP promoter and containing both C/EBP and p50 binding sites. Abs to p50, but not to p65, decreased formation of C/EBPbeta-containing complexes in nuclei of IL-6-treated cells, indicating that ternary complexes containing C/EBPbeta and p50 are formed on the CRP promoter. Depletion of free Rel proteins by pretreatment of nuclear extracts with a kappaB consensus oligonucleotide markedly decreased formation of C/EBP complexes, indicating that Rel proteins are required for formation of such complexes. Overexpression of p50 in transient cotransfection studies using the proximal CRP promoter (-125/+9) linked to a luciferase reporter caused a 3-fold increase of luciferase activity, while C/EBPbeta overexpression caused an 18-fold increase; simultaneous overexpression of both transcription factors increased luciferase activity approximately 600-fold. Mutation of either the C/EBP binding site or the p50 binding site drastically reduced the effects of overexpressed transcription factors. Taken together, our findings indicate that binding of Rel p50 to the nonconsensus kappaB site enhances and stabilizes binding of C/EBPbeta to the CRP promoter and that binding of both C/EBPbeta and p50 to their overlapping cognate sites is required for induction of CRP expression by IL-6.
Beliefs, Values, and Strategic Choice: U.S. Leaders’ Decisions to Engage, Contain, and Use Force in an Era of Globalization

Do ideational factors shape the strategic choices of American leaders in the realm of national security policy? If they do, what perceptions and value dispositions guide choices toward critical countries like Russia, China, Japan, and Iran? Macrotheories of international relations make assumptions about the microprocesses at the decision-making level that are rarely examined empirically. For instance, do leaders decide based on their perceptions of an adversary's intentions as neo-realists claim or do they give greater weight to their perceptions of similar and different political cultures as advocates of the democratic peace assume? If ideational factors matter at all, are they independent forces or simply determined by demographics and/or parochial interests? This project reports the results of a survey of 514 U.S. leaders designed to answer these questions. We find that military assertiveness remains related to decisions to use force as it was during the Cold War but that a new disposition—attitudes to...
Isothermal Hydrogenation Kinetics Study of Magnesium Hydride with TiH2 Additive

Detailed absorption kinetics studies of magnesium hydride with Ti-based additive are still unavailable, even though such material has been demonstrated to have a much faster hydrogenation/dehydrogenation rate. Moreover, thermal effect during hydrogenation process of magnesium-based materials is usually neglected in previous studies, which could render the analysis inaccurate. In this work, both copper and graphite have been used as thermal ballast to minimize the thermal effect. Absorption kinetics of ball-milled magnesium hydride with TiH2 additive at low temperatures are examined via a Sieverts type apparatus. Results show that graphite could effectively minimize the thermal effect.
Forecasting Alpine Vegetation Change using Repeat Sampling and a Novel Modeling Approach

Global change affects alpine ecosystems by, among many effects, by altering plant distributions and community composition. However, forecasting alpine vegetation change is challenged by a scarcity of studies observing change in fixed plots spanning decadal-time scales. We present in this article a probabilistic modeling approach that forecasts vegetation change on Niwot Ridge, CO using plant abundance data collected from marked plots established in 1971 and resampled in 1991 and 2001. Assuming future change can be inferred from past change, we extrapolate change for 100 years from 1971 and correlate trends for each plant community with time series environmental data (1971–2001). Models predict a decreased extent of Snowbed vegetation and an increased extent of Shrub Tundra by 2071. Mean annual maximum temperature and nitrogen deposition were the primary a posteriori correlates of plant community change. This modeling effort is useful for generating hypotheses of future vegetation change that can be tested with future sampling efforts.
Sensitivity analysis of linear programming formulations for G/G/m queue

Linear programming representations for discrete-event simulation provide an alternative approach for analyzing discrete-event simulations. This paper presents several formulations for G/G/m queues and discusses the applications and limitations of these formulations. We derive the relationship between these formulations. We then demonstrate the applications of these formulations in sample-path gradient estimation.
Operational Cost Savings of Direct Load Control

Direct load control -- load which is under the control of the system dispatcher, such as could be the case under say demand subscription service -- can be used to reduce system spinning reserve. Such a reduction may constitute a significant additional saving in system variable cost. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the viability of this philosophy. A quasi-static system simulation algorithm is employed to compute the potential variable cost saving for a sample system consisting of thermal generation and direct load control. This algorithm considers probabilistic load models, outage probabilities and reliability economics.
Contribution of Different Taste Cells and Signaling Pathways to the Discrimination of “Bitter” Taste Stimuli by an Insect

Animals can discriminate among many different types of foods. This discrimination process involves multiple sensory systems, but the sense of taste is known to play a central role. We asked how the taste system contributes to the discrimination of different "bitter" taste stimuli in Manduca sexta caterpillars. This insect has approximately eight bilateral pairs of taste cells that respond selectively to bitter taste stimuli. Each bilateral pair of bitter-sensitive taste cells has a different molecular receptive range (MRR); some of these taste cells also contain two signaling pathways with distinctive MRRs and temporal patterns of spiking. To test for discrimination, we habituated the caterpillar's taste-mediated aversive response to one bitter taste stimulus (salicin) and then asked whether this habituation phenomenon generalized to four other bitter taste stimuli (caffeine, aristolochic acid, Grindelia extract, and Canna extract). We inferred that the two compounds were discriminable if the habituation phenomenon failed to generalize (e.g., from salicin to aristolochic acid). We found that M. sexta could discriminate between salicin and those bitter taste stimuli that activate (1) different populations of bitter-sensitive taste cells (Grindelia extract and Canna extract) or (2) different signaling pathways within the same bitter-sensitive taste cell (aristolochic acid). M. sexta could not discriminate between salicin and a bitter taste stimulus that activates the same signaling pathway within the same bitter-sensitive taste cell (caffeine). We propose that the heterogeneous population of bitter-sensitive taste cells and signaling pathways within this insect facilitates the discrimination of bitter taste stimuli.
Restructuring of square processor arrays by built-in self-repair circuit

The authors introduce two types of neural networks that can be integrated into array-type very-large-scale integration/wafer-scale integration (VLSI/WSI) chips, allowing them to restructure themselves automatically so that, in the presence of multiple random faults, the array circuits can perform their computations correctly. In the first implementation, the neural network is interconnected and programmed so that it can execute a maximum matching algorithm and thereby substitute appropriate fault-free spare elements for the faulty components. The second implementation rearranges the surviving fault-free processors to restore the logical structure, and it can adjust its interconnection complexity based on the quality of solution (i.e., performance) desired. These two approaches are compared with the traditional reconfiguration algorithms, and by simulation it is shown that the neural network techniques provide superior performance (i.e., higher survivability rates). It is also shown that the intrinsic fault-tolerant nature of neural networks provides a degradable reconfiguration control even in the presence of faulty neural network components. >
Characterization and comparison of putative Stenotrophomonas maltophilia methyl parathion hydrolases

ABSTRACTThree Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates, KKWT11, CBF10-1, TTF10, were collected from organophosphate (OP)-contaminated soil in the Houston metropolitan area. A conserved metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) enzyme purported to function as a methyl parathion hydrolase was identified and found to be distantly homologous to the characterized Pseudomonas sp. WBC-3 methyl parathion hydrolase and shared no significant homology with other organophosphate hydrolases. Following expression of MBL enzymes cloned from S. maltophilia strains KKWT11, CBF10-1, and TTF10, respectively, an enzymatic preference for paraoxon was observed, with concentrations of 70, 40, and 30 µM of p-nitrophenol (PNP) formed after 48 h. Comparatively limited hydrolysis against the phosphorothioate methyl parathion was recorded with concentrations of PNP ranging from 9.5 to 3.5 µM after 48 h. A coexpressive construct harboring a modified organophosphorus hydrolase enzyme and the CBF10-1 MBL enzyme yielded only a slight improvement in degrad...
Cellular and molecular signatures of androgen ablation of prostate cancer

Androgen ablative therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for metastatic prostate cancer and some cases of high-risk, localized disease. This is only palliative, however, since castration-recurrent disease typically occurs. Accordingly, intense research efforts focus upon achieving a better understanding of the cellular and molecular responses to androgen ablation and their roles in facilitating the transition to recurrence. In this chapter, we discuss how diminished androgen receptor (AR) signaling represents the pivotal mediator of a tightly coordinated signaling response that manifests in loss of AR expression, growth arrest, neuroendocrine differentiation (NED), and survival. Classic androgen-deprivation therapy has evolved to include approaches aimed at achieving complete suppression of AR signaling through the utilization of AR antagonists and inhibitors of androgen metabolism. This mediates repression of AR function at multiple levels by abrogating its transcriptional activity, increasing its turnover, and reducing translation of its transcript. Consequently, this leads to cellular trans-differentiation from an epithelial to neuroendocrine phenotype. NED cells figure critically in disease progression by virtue of secreting growth-promoting neurotrophic factors, possessing features of cancer stem cells, and surviving in the absence of androgen. Along these lines, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling is hyperactivated in response to androgen ablation and functions as a dominant antiapoptotic pathway, especially in the context of PTEN-mutant cancers such as LNCaP. Interestingly, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is implicated as a critical sensor of androgen signaling and an integrator of androgen ablation-induced AR down-regulation, PI3K-Akt hyperactivation, and NED. The marked effects of androgen ablation are due in large part to widespread changes in AR-regulated gene expression which produce a diagnostic androgen withdrawal expression signature. Although not well defined, we discuss potential mechanisms and gene product interactions that might explain how these translate into the molecular and biological features of androgen ablation.
Biophysical Spectroscopy in the Visible and Ultraviolet Using Synchrotron Radiation

Spectroscopy in the ultraviolet and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum is extremely important in the study of biological materials. These lectures consider the applications of synchrotron radiation (SR) to these regions. They are limited to measurements which do not make use of the time structure inherent in SR. Comparisons of SR with conventional sources suggests that the greatest improvements will be realized in the far and vacuum ultraviolet regions -- wavelengths less than about 300 nm. Consideration of the transitions of the valence electrons of most organic and biologically important materials indicate that wavelengths less than about 120 nm will not be especially informative in studies of the structure and function of biological materials (although they are important for understanding the interactions between these materials and high energy electrons). In addition, spectroscopic experiments at wavelengths less than 105 nm become more difficult because of the loss of window materials and surfaces with high normal incidence reflectance. The characteristic visible and ultraviolet absorption bands of proteins, nucleic acids and sugars are reviewed. Important spectroscopic techniques such as absorption, natural and magnetic circular dichroism, fluorescence and various fluorescence polarization spectroscopies are described and their potential use in the far and vacuum ultraviolet (120–300 nm) using synchrotron sources is discussed.
George S. Hendry: Bicentennial Reflections on His Theological Legacy:

George S. Hendry was the Charles Hodge Professor of Systematic Theology at Princeton Seminary from 1949 to 1973. Author of five books and numerous articles in Theology Today, Princeton Seminary Bul...
A case study using remote sensing data to compare biophysical properties of a forest and an urban area in Northern Alabama, USA

ABSTRACTThe quantification of major biophysical features of forest and urban areas is important for assessing ecological service from land use change and is necessary for sustainable regional planning. This study compares biophysical indicators related to local climate, air quality, and hydrology using remote sensing and derived data at a representative forest area to a nearby urban area located in Huntsville, Alabama. Results indicate that (a) there was a higher albedo, a lower average air temperature, and 10% more annual precipitation in the forest area; the assumed air conditioner working time was about 7 days more per year in the urban area; (b) there was better air quality in the forest area based on lower levels of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2; and (c) there was a higher latent heat, more runoff per year (both aboveground and belowground runoff), and a greater soil water content at the forest area. Although Huntsville is a small city, there were some profound biophysical differences in this urban area compa...