cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Soil Organic Carbon, Microbial Biomass, and Mineralizable Carbon and Nitrogen in Sorghum

Quantifying changes in soil microbial biomass and mineralizable C and N is important in understanding the dynamics of the active soil C and N pools. Our objectives were to quantify long-term and seasonal changes in soil organic C(SOC), soil microbial biomass C(SMBC) and N(SMBN), and mineralizable C and N in continuous sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and sorghum-wheat (Triticumaestivum L.)/soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] sequences under conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) with and without N fertilization . A Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixzd, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in south-central Texas sampled after planting in April, during lowering in June, and following sorghum harvest in August. More crop residue C input was retained as SOC and SMBC under NT than under CT. Soil organic C, SMBC, SMBN, and mineralizable C and N were greatest at a depth of 0 to 50 mm under NT. Mineralizable C and SMBC averaged 18% greater in rotation than in monoculture, probably due to greater C input via crop roots and residues in rotation and a shorter fallow. Mineralizable N with N fertilization was 36% greater in continuous sorghum but not different in rotated sorghum. Mineralizable C and SMBC increased and average of 5%, but miniralizable N decreased 41% from planting to flowering, probably due to rhizodeposition. From planting to post-harvest, mineralizable C and SMBC increased 9% but mineralizable N decreased 15% due to crop residue addition. Soil N availability was plant addtions in the short term but enhanced in the long term
Comparing treatments via the propensity score: stratification or modeling?

In observational studies of treatments or interventions, propensity score (PS) adjustment is often useful for controlling bias in estimation of treatment effects. Regression on PS is used most often and can be highly efficient, but it can lead to biased results when model assumptions are violated. The validity of stratification on PS depends on fewer model assumptions, but this approach is less efficient than regression adjustment when the regression assumptions hold. To investigate these issues, we compare stratification and regression adjustments in a Monte Carlo simulation study. We consider two stratification approaches: equal frequency strata and an approach that attempts to choose strata that minimize the mean squared error (MSE) of the treatment effect estimate. The regression approach that we consider is a generalized additive model (GAM) that estimates treatment effect controlling for a potentially nonlinear association between PS and outcome. We find that under a wide range of plausible data generating distributions the GAM approach outperforms stratification in treatment effect estimation with respect to bias, variance, and thereby MSE. We illustrate each approach in an analysis of insurance plan choice and its relation to satisfaction with asthma care.
Kinetics of the extracellular cellulases of Clostridium thermocellum acting on pretreated mixed hardwood and Avicel

Initial hydrolysis rates were examined for mixed hardwood flour pretreated with 1% sulfuric acid for 9 s at 220 °C (PTW220) and Avicel. Linear rates were observed for fractional conversion relative to the theoretical up to 0.2 for PTW220 and 0.4 for Avicel. Initial rates were essentially unaffected by the presence of growth medium components over a range of pH values. Avicel-hydrolyzing activity was inhibited linearly by ethanol, with a 50% rate reduction at 8 wt.% ethanol. Rate saturation with either substrate or enzyme was observed in a manner qualitatively consistent with previously reported adsorption data. Although somewhat less reactive than Avicel at very low enzyme loadings, much higher reaction rates were observed for PTW220 at moderate and high enzyme loading because of its higher capacity to bind cellulase. At equal subtrate concentrations (as potential glucose) and fractional substrate coverage of 0.09, the initial rate of pretreated wood hydrolysis exceeded that of Avicel by 15-fold. For fractional substrate coverage values up to 0.09 (the maximum value achieved for PTW220), the initial rate was proportional to adsorbed enzyme for PTW220. However, the rate per adsorbed enzyme declined sharply with increasing fractional coverage for Avicel hydrolysis.
Picosecond photophysics of trans-retinal

Abstract Dilute solutions of all trans -retinal in n -hexane have been studied on the decapicosecond timescale. A single 8 ps pulse from a Nd/glass mode-locked laser was frequency tripled to 353 nm and used to excite the sample. The absorption spectra of the resulting transients were studied using a four wave mixing continuum from CCl 4 as the probing light. The transients were studied over the time range 0 to 2000 ps. Two transients were observed, one corresponds to the known triplet (T 1 ) to triplet absorption, and the other is a broad absorption extending out to lower energy than the TT absorption. The triplet (T 1 ) build-up fits an exponential growth with a rate constant k T −1 = 34 ps (±5). The red transient appears instantaneously and decays a way in about 20 ps. Other preliminary work on the triplet dynamics is reported for the triplet quenching solvents methylnaphthalene and cis -piperylene, and for retinal in an EPA rigid glass at 77 K. In these cases the triplet state (T 1 ) builds up in a few tens of picoseconds just as in the n -hexane case. Our results suggest that the molecules excited by the laser pulse relax into two or more different excited singlet states. This partitioning being strongly dependent on wavelength. We suggest that these states are different single bond conformers, which then decay independently, partitioning in a conventional way between fluorescence, intersystem crossing and radiationless decay to ground state. This tree-model, with two successive stages of partitioning can also account for other anomalies of the photophysics of retinal.
Emission enhancement and orbital angular momentum engineering with Si-based nanopillar arrays

We engineer aperiodic nanostructures with circularly symmetric Fourier space for omnidirectional light extraction at 1.55 μm. We demonstrate that golden angle (GA) spiral arrays support azimuthally isotropic emission patterns carrying orbital angular momentum.
On the multiplicative structure of finite division rings

All division ringsD of 16, 27, 32, 125 and 343 elements are shown to have aright primitive elementp such that $$\mathcal{D}* = \{ e,ep,(ep)p,...,(...(ep)p...)p\} .$$ That is, the multiplicative loop is the set of all right multiples of the identitye by the elementp. A construction of Dickson [5] is used to show that all commutative division algebras three-dimensional over a finite field not of characteristic 2 have a primitive element. Examples of division rings of 27, 29 and 211 elements with right primitive elements are given. Finally, a “pre-semifield” is exhibited that does not have a right primitive element.
Repeat Partial Nephrectomy on the Solitary Kidney: Surgical, Functional and Oncological Outcomes

Purpose: We examined outcomes in patients with recurrent or de novo renal lesions treated with repeat partial nephrectomy on a solitary kidney.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of patients who underwent nephron sparing surgery at the National Cancer Institute from 1989 to 2008. Patients were included in analysis if they underwent repeat partial nephrectomy on a solitary kidney. Perioperative, functional and oncological outcomes were assessed. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation for the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Oncological efficacy was examined by the need for subsequent repeat renal surgery and the development of metastatic disease.Results: A total of 25 patients were included in the analysis. A median of 4 tumors were resected. Median estimated blood loss was 2,400 ml and median operative time was 8.5 hours. Perioperative complications occurred in 52% of patients, including 1 death and the loss of 3 renal units. There was a...
Oxidation rate of nuclear-grade graphite IG-110 in the kinetic regime for VHTR air ingress accident scenarios

Abstract The oxidation rates of nuclear-grade graphite IG-110 in the kinetically-controlled temperature regime of graphite oxidation were predicted and compared in Very High Temperature Reactor air ingress accident scenarios. The oxidative mass loss of graphite was measured thermogravimetrically from 873 to 1873 K in 100% air (21 mol%). The activation energy was found to be 222.07 kJ/mol, and the order of reaction with respect to oxygen concentration is 0.76. The surfaces of the samples were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy before and after oxidation. These results are compared with those available in the literature, and our recently reported results for NBG-18 nuclear-grade graphite using the same technique.
On the convergence of ergodic ratios for positive operators

Let (X, G?, m) be a a-finite measure space, and L, = L,(X, O!, m) the usual Banach spaces. Recently, M. A. Akcoglu constructed examples of positive contractions on L, , 1 1. We say that the ratio ergodic theorem holds for T on a set A if f~ L and g EL+ imply that lim,,, R,(f, g) exists and is finite a.e. on A n {cz Tig > O}. IfL = L, , T* denotes the adjoint operator acting on L, (where l/q + l/p = 1). A u-finite measure v < m is called subinvariant forTifjITfjdv<JIf/dvforeveryfEL.
Detecting distributed scans using high-performance query-driven visualization

Modern forensic analytics applications, like network traffic analysis, perform high-performance hypothesis testing, knowledge discovery and data mining on very large datasets. One essential strategy to reduce the time required for these operations is to select only the most relevant data records for a given computation. In this paper, we present a set of parallel algorithms that demonstrate how an efficient selection mechanism -- bitmap indexing -- significantly speeds up a common analysis task, namely, computing conditional histogram on very large datasets. We present a thorough study of the performance characteristics of the parallel conditional histogram algorithms. As a case study, we compute conditional histograms for detecting distributed scans hidden in a dataset consisting of approximately 2.5 billion network connection records. We show that these conditional histograms can be computed on interactive time scale (i.e., in seconds). We also show how to progressively modify the selection criteria to narrow the analysis and find the sources of the distributed scans.
Yaxcabá and the Caste War of Yucatán: An Archaeological Perspective

The Caste War of Yucatan (1847-1901) is widely regarded as the most successful Indian rebellion in the New World. An attempt by the Maya to rid themselves of foreign domination and revitalise their traditional culture, the conflict led to successful agrarian reform and the reassertion of traditional land use by the Maya. It also generated a new religion with its own priesthood and cultural practices focused on the worship of a prophetic 'talking' cross. This war's economic and cultural transformations provide blueprints for understanding present-day Mexico and the expansion of capitalism to rural areas world-wide. Although important in its consequences, the origins of the war and its interpretations remain controversial. Rani Alexander's interdisciplinary study uses archaeological evidence along with ethnography and history to understand the nature of the region's agrarian system and the processes of resistance. Yaxcaba and its environs, caught in the crossfire of the conflict, were attacked and burned nine times in the course of the war. In view of the enormous loss of life and destruction of property, the post-war agrarian reform seems to be a consequence of economic ruin rather than successful resistance. Only an interdisciplinary approach to these complex events can produce the complete picture that Alexander's work provides.
Unanticipated signaling events associated with cardiac adenylyl cyclase gene transfer

The published papers on the effects of increased cardiac expression of adenylyl cyclase type 6 (AC6) are reviewed. These include the effects of AC on normal and failing left ventricle in several pathophysiological models in mice and pigs. In addition, the effects of increased expression of AC6 in cultured neonatal and adult rat cardiac myocytes are discussed in the context of attempting to establish mechanisms for the unanticipated beneficial effects of AC6 on the failing heart. This article is part of a Special Section entitled "Special Section: Cardiovascular Gene Therapy".
An Investigation of Tactile and Visual Stimuli in the Roadway Environment

208 motorists were observed at Florida International University, in Miami, Florida as part of a study of the influence of speed humps on motorists' behavior at pedestrian crossings. It was hypothesized that the presence of a speed hump will affect motorists' behavior by compelling them either to yield or stop at a pedestrian crossing to enable a pedestrian to cross safely. A between-subjects experimental design was employed to measure motorists' reactions. Analysis indicated that the relationship is strong between drivers' behavior and the presence or absence of this roadway stimulus. There was also evidence that female drivers may take more precautionary actions than male drivers. This information is useful for roadway designers and traffic psychologists.
A labeling method and purely colorimetric immunoassay based on poly-dl-lysine and a pigmented copper cluster

Abstract A non-biological binding action between a biotinylated, alpha-linked poly- dl -lysine (PDLL) and a pigmented, red–violet cluster anion of copper and penicillamine (RVC) may be employed as an affinity labeling method. The neutral pH association constant of this interaction is on the order of 10 5 M −1 , and the complex survives zone electrophoresis for more than 40 min in an acetate buffer (pH 5), migrating as a cation and dissociating very slowly. Using spectrophotometric measurements at 520 nm, the RVC/PDLL binding interaction is the basis of a purely colorimetric immunoaffinity assay with a sensitivity threshold of approximately 0.3 nmol (as antibody or antigen). The method, which is based on differential elution rates, could be scaled down for capillary methods with increased sensitivity. This labeling application uses PDLL in the 30 000–70 000 g/mol molecular weight range.
Fellow’s opinion corner: Econometric information recovery

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to initiate a discussion on the incorrect nature of our economic–econometric models and methods, and to make a plea for information theoretic recovery methods consistent with the data that we must use and with the questions that we need to ask.
The role of thromboxane in cuprophan-induced pulmonary hypertension

The role of thromboxane in cuprophan–induced pulmonary hypertension. Previous studies demonstrated that acute infusion of cuprophan activated plasma into experimental animals produce cardiopulmonary changes which included severe pulmonary hypertension. It was further suggested that these changes were mediated by complement activation products. The current study examined the role of arachidonic acid metabolites in the pathogenesis of cuprophan–induced pulmonary hypertension in the swine. Plasma thromboxane concentrations and pulmonary arterial pressure rose concomitantly with cuprophan–activated plasma infusion; both could be inhibited by the specific thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, OKY1581. Likewise, this inhibitor also blocked the increment in plasma thromboxane concentrations and pulmonary arterial pressure induced by zymosan–activated plasma. In vitro incubation of cuprophan–activated plasma with porcine lung fragments produced significantly higher thromboxane concentrations in the medium than incubation with other porcine tissues examined. It is postulated that the complement activation products formed in the plasma during cuprophan exposure subsequently stimulated release of thromboxane from the lungs and other tissues upon infusion of the plasma into animals. The thromboxane, in turn, triggers the pulmonary hypertension.
Murine Coronaviruses Encoding nsp2 at Different Genomic Loci Have Altered Replication, Protein Expression, and Localization

Partial or complete deletion of several coronavirus nonstructural proteins (nsps), including open reading frame 1a (ORF1a)-encoded nsp2, results in viable mutant proteins with specific replication defects. It is not known whether expression of nsps from alternate locations in the genome can complement replication defects. In this report, we show that the murine hepatitis virus nsp2 sequence was tolerated in ORF1b with an in-frame insertion between nsp13 and nsp14 and in place of ORF4. Alternate encoding or duplication of the nsp2 gene sequence resulted in differences in nsp2 expression, processing, and localization, was neutral or detrimental to replication, and did not complement an ORF1a Deltansp2 replication defect. The results suggest that wild-type genomic organization and expression of nsps are required for optimal replication.
Scale-dependent bias and the halo model

Abstract We use a simplified version of the halo model with a power law power spectrum to study scale dependence in galaxy bias at the very large scales relevant to baryon oscillations. In addition to providing a useful pedagogical explanation of the scale dependence of galaxy bias, the model provides an analytic tool for studying how changes in the Halo Occupation Distribution (HOD) impact the scale dependence of galaxy bias on scales 10
Cognitive Requirements for Learning with Open-Ended Learning Environments

Open-ended learning environments (OELEs) use the capabilities of technology to provide students with opportunities to engage in authentic problem solving; generate, test, and revise hypotheses; explore and manipulate concepts; and reflect on what they know. By design, such environments require sophisticated levels of cognitive functioning. The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze assumptions underlying learner-centered, technology-based environments in light of how well learners appear to meet the cognitive demands for engaging them. Implications for design include the following considerations: (a) direct learner attention to key variables and visual cues; (b) prompt and guide connections to prior knowledge; and (c) provide explicit scaffolding of metacognition and teaching-learning strategies.
Mining Frequent Itemsets through Progressive Sampling with Rademacher Averages

We present an algorithm to extract an high-quality approximation of the (top-k) Frequent itemsets (FIs) from random samples of a transactional dataset. With high probability the approximation is a superset of the FIs, and no itemset with frequency much lower than the threshold is included in it. The algorithm employs progressive sampling, with a stopping condition based on bounds to the empirical Rademacher average, a key concept from statistical learning theory. The computation of the bounds uses characteristic quantities that can be obtained efficiently with a single scan of the sample. Therefore, evaluating the stopping condition is fast, and does not require an expensive mining of each sample. Our experimental evaluation confirms the practicality of our approach on real datasets, outperforming approaches based on one-shot static sampling.
Experimental test of equivalence principle with polarized masses

A torsion pendulum having masses with ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sim}}10}^{22}$ and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sim}}10}^{23}$ polarized electrons is used to search for an anomalous spin interaction of macroscopic range. Competition from magnetic forces is reduced by using Dy-Fe masses (which exhibit orbital compensation of the electron intrinsic spin), combined with light magnetic shielding, so that the sensitivity is better than one-tenth of a percent of the gravitational force. Fluctuations set the overall experimental limit at about 8 times this level. Interpretation of our null result sets limits on electron spin interactions and on moments which are not of electromagnetic origin. In terms of a standard dipole-dipole form the result is (1.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6.9) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$ of the interaction strength between the magnetic moments of the electrons. Comparisons are made with theoretical predictions for very light exchange particles.
Role of psychiatric medications as adjunct therapy in the treatment of HIV associated neurocognitive disorders.

Effective combination antiretroviral therapies (ART) have markedly lengthened survival among HIV infected individuals. In this long-surviving cohort, both psychiatric comorbidities and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain common. Even mild neurocognitive impairment can significantly disrupt of activities of daily living and reduce quality of life. Persistence of HAND might reflect incomplete containment of HIV within the central nervous system (CNS) due to the limited penetration of most antiretrovirals (ARVs) across the blood-brain barrier. Recent data support that certain medications used to treat psychiatric comorbidities in HIV-infected individuals may also protect the brain from toxic byproducts of HIV replication and neuroinflammation. Two drug classes in particular, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3b) inhibitors and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs), may benefit individuals with HAND. Valproic acid (VPA) and lithium are potentially beneficial GSK-3b inhibitors. While the me...
A multiresolution data model for improving simulation I/O performance

Numerical simulations running on very large High Performance Computer clusters still suffer from the I/O bottleneck. The cost of communication can overwhelm the cost of computation, and scales inversely with the number of processors used in the cluster. In previous work we have developed a multiresolution data model to help improve performance for visualizations of very large multi dimensional scientific data sets. In our approach, the data is represented as a multi level hierarchy. Reconstructive error analysis is used to identify regions in the data where the data loss is greatest. We have incorporated this data model into the OpenGGCM solar wind simulation environment. In this paper, we demonstrate that this approach can reduce the I/O and improve the overall performance of a large numerical simulation environment.1
Schemes and challenges for electron injectors operating in high repetition rate X-ray FELs

Requirements and challenges for high-brightness electron injectors operating in a high-repetition-rate X-ray FEL are described. Schemes presently under development or study are reviewed, and their advantages and limitations are compared. Beam dynamics and engineering/technological aspects are addressed, with a particular emphasis placed on how the high-repetition-rate requirement impacts the choice of cathodes and of gun/accelerator technologies, and on how those choices consequently impact beam dynamics.
Intranuclear inclusions in megakaryocytes in congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

1. Gosselin RE, Hodge HC, Smith RP, and Gleason MN, editors: Clinical toxicology of commercial products, ed 4, Baltimore, 1976 The Williams & Wilkins Company, pp 102-105. 2. Dawson JB, Ellis DJ, and Newton H: Measurement of serum copper and zinc by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, Clin Chem Acta 21:33, 1968. 3. Evans GW: Copper homeostasis in the mammalian system, Physiol Rev 53:535, 1973, 4. Agarwal BN, Bray SH, Bercz P, Plotzker R, and Labovitz E: Ineffectiveness of hemodialysis in copper sulfate poisoning, Nephron 15:74, 1975.
Willow biomass production during ten successive annual harvests

Abstract Five willow clones and one hybrid poplar clone were planted during 1987 at 0.3×0.3 m spacing and harvested annually for 10 years. Half of the trees were fertilized annually with N, P and K and all trees were irrigated beginning in the third growing season. Annual biomass production fit the logistic growth curve well for four of the clones with r 2 values ranging from 0.91 to 0.54, suggesting that well-adapted willow clones can be consistently productive for at least 10 years with annual harvesting. Fertilizer did not increase the maximum biomass production level attained, but it reduced the time required to reach maximum production by 1 year. The correlation between annual biomass production and the number of growing degree days during years 4–10 was high, ranging from 0.95 to 0.66.
Functional equivalence in a California sea lion: relevance to animal social and communicative interactions

Laboratory investigations into equivalence class formation suggest how animals in social and communicative contexts learn to place dissimilar individuals, signals, responses and social reinforcers into the same functional class. Kastak & Schusterman (1994, Anim. Learn. Behav., 22, 427-435) demonstrated that a California sea lion performed generalized identity matching-to-sample; that is, it chose visual stimulus A conditionally upon an identical sample A (AA matching), chose stimulus B conditionally upon sample B (BB matching) and chose stimulus C conditionally upon sample C (CC matching). The sea lion was later trained on 30 problems with similar stimuli to select comparison B conditionally upon sample A (AB matching), and trained on another 30 problems to select comparison C conditionally upon sample B (BC matching). Subsequently, the sea lion demonstrated trial-1 BA and CB matching and trial-1 AC and CA matching (Schusterman & Kastak 1993, Psychol. Rec., 43, 823-839). Matching of these derived relations defines the phenomenon of stimulus equivalence: when one member (A) of an equivalence class (ABC) becomes discriminative for a given behaviour, then B and C should become discriminative for the same behaviour. In the current study, we tested whether the sea lion could transfer the relations it had acquired between equivalence class members from a matching-to-sample paradigm to a simple discrimination paradigm. In 28 of 30 tests, the sea lion immediately transferred the discriminative function acquired by one member of an equivalence class to the remaining members of that class. Substitutability among members of an equivalence class is relevant to an analysis of referential communication, for example, the representational function of alarm calls. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Lysosomal Cystine Storage Augments Apoptosis in Cultured Human Fibroblasts and Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

Nephropathic cystinosis is a lethal disorder of lysosomal cystine storage due to defective lysosomal cystine transport. How lysosomal cystine causes this multisystemic disorder culminating in end-stage renal disease is not known, because the cystine is isolated from cellular metabolism by the lysosomal membrane. It is here reported that in both normal and nephropathic cystinotic fibroblasts and cultured renal proximal tubule epithelial cells, increased lysosomal cystine causes an increased rate of apoptosis. In nephropathic cystinotic fibroblasts, the rate of apoptosis is 14.8% after exposure to TNF-alpha versus 7.8% in control normal fibroblasts. Anti-Fas antibodies and UV exposure induced apoptosis in 18.1% and 17.4% of nephropathic cystinotic fibroblasts, respectively, versus 5.2% and 7.1% in normal fibroblasts when analyzed by CaspACE (P < 0.05). Similar results were found when the cells were analyzed by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). When the cystine content of normal fibroblasts is increased by exposure to cystine dimethylester (CDME), the apoptotic rate is increased to the rate seen in nephropathic cystinotic cells. Decreasing the cystinotic cells' cystine content by use of cysteamine results in normalization of the apoptotic rate. Renal proximal tubule epithelial (RPTE) cells are much more sensitive to CDME than fibroblasts, reaching 43.8% apoptosis 6 h after exposure to CDME alone, compared with 38.2% when exposed to TNF-alpha alone. Serum withdrawal causes an apoptotic rate of 8.7% in nephropathic cystinotic fibroblasts, compared with 6.1% in normal fibroblasts. That rate increases to 37.3% in normal fibroblasts after CDME exposure. Fibroblasts from two cystinotic variants, benign ocular and intermediate cystinosis, do not display increased apoptosis with increased lysosomal cystine. It is concluded that enhanced apoptosis resulting from lysosomal cystine storage may lead to inappropriate cell death and decreased cell numbers in many tissues and hence contribute to the nephropathic cystinotic phenotype. The variant forms may represent co-segregation or linkage of rare alleles that confer resistance to apoptosis, moderating the cell loss and causing the milder disease expression.
Environmentally benign dry mechanical mixing of nano-particles using magnetically assisted impaction mixing process

article i nfo The effectiveness of magnetically assisted impaction mixing (MAIM), an environmentally benign mechanical process, in mixing SiO2+TiO2 and SiO2+Al2O3 nanoparticle mixtures has been examined. Experiments were carried out at different magnet-to-sample weight ratios, processing times, and magnet sizes. The homogeneity of mixing (HoM) was evaluated at the micron scale using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and at sub-micron scale through electron energy loss spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The HoM improved with an increase in the magnet-to- sample weight ratio and processing time, and a decrease in the magnet size; over the range of conditions tested, the HoM was found to depend on the product of processing time and the number of magnets per unit powder mass. Optimized MAIM process achieved HoM values that were comparable to those attained with Rapid Expansion of Supercritical or High-Pressure Suspensions and sonication of a suspension of the nanoparticles in supercritical CO2.
Trajectory Planning for Functional Wrist Movements in an ADL-Oriented, Robot-Assisted Therapy Environment

A task-oriented robot-assisted therapy environment to support activities of daily living tasks was developed with the goals of addressing some of the shortcomings of current robotic therapy systems. An important aspect of making these environments work is the implementation of trajectory planning algorithms that support the naturally curving wrist movement seen in real life functional tasks. We explore the challenge of naturally supporting the positioning of the wrist for activities of daily living tasks such as drinking and feeding. In this paper, we examine the minimum jerk model often used to define trajectory planning routines to automatically position the wrist and present the results of fitting these two models to natural wrist movements for a drinking task. Also, we present a case study to examine how an able-bodied experienced the two models as implemented on the ADLER, task-oriented robot-assisted therapy environment.
A novel approach to airborne wind energy: Design and modeling

This document explores the design, modeling, and development of a novel, low-altitude airborne wind energy (AWE) system composed of a tethered airship supporting an independent wind power generator payload. The design has been scaled to handle 2.5, 25, and 100 kW payloads; the configuration analyzed in this paper handles a 2.5 kW generator. The power generation and lift systems in this design are separate and do not rely on each other for operation. The lift system is a lighter-than-air flyer with longitudinal and lateral control capabilities; the flying wind turbine is a counter-rotating rotor system with a synchronous generator; and the tether serves to both anchor the device and to transmit electricity to ground-based power electronics and grid collection.
Persistent zoonotic infection of a human with simian foamy virus in the absence of an intact orf-2 accessory gene.

Although foamy viruses (FVs) are endemic among nonhuman primates, FV infection among humans is rare. Recently, simian foamy virus (SFV) infection was reported in 4 of 231 individuals occupationally exposed to primates (1.8%). Secondary transmission to spouses has not been seen, suggesting that while FV is readily zoonotic, humans may represent dead-end hosts. Among different simian species, SFV demonstrates significant sequence diversity within the U3 region of the long terminal repeat (LTR) and 3′ accessory open reading frames (ORFs). To examine if persistent human SFV infection and apparent lack of secondary transmission are associated with genetic adaptations in FV regulatory regions, we conducted sequence analysis of the LTR, internal promoter, ORF-1, and ORF-2 on a tissue culture isolate and peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from a human infected with SFV of African green monkey origin (SFV-3). Compared to the prototype SFV-3 sequence, the LTR, internal promoter, and FV transactivator (ORF-1) showed sequence conservation, suggesting that FV zoonosis is not dependent on host-specific adaptation to these transcriptionally important regions. However, ORF-2 contains a number of deleterious mutations predicted to result in premature termination of protein synthesis. ORF-2 codes in part for the 60-kDa Bet fusion protein, proposed to be involved in the establishment of persistent cellular SFV infections. These results suggest that persistent human infection by SFV and reduced transmissibility may be influenced by the absence of a functional ORF-2.
Induction of Hepatic Mitochondrial Glycerophosphate Dehydrogenase in Rats by Dehydroepiandrosterone

Feeding the thermogenic steroid, 5-androsten-3 beta-ol-17-one (dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA) in the diet of rats induced the synthesis of liver mitochondrial sn-glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase to levels three to five times that of control rats within 7 days. The previously reported enhancement of liver cytosolic malic enzyme was confirmed. The induction of both enzymes was detectable at 0.01% DHEA in the diet, reached plateau stimulation at 0.1 to 0.2%, and was completely blocked by simultaneous treatment with actinomycin D. Feeding DHEA caused smaller, but statistically significant increases of liver cytosolic lactate, sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, and isocitrate (NADP(+)-linked) dehydrogenases but not of malate or glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenases. The capability of DHEA to enhance mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme was influenced by the thyroid status of the rats; was smallest in thyroidectomized rats and highest in rats treated with triiodothyronine. 5-Androsten-3 beta,17 beta-diol and 5-androsten-3 beta-ol-7,17-dione were as effective as DHEA in enhancing the liver mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme. Administering compounds that induce the formation of cytochrome P450 enzymes enhanced liver malic enzyme activity but not that of mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. Arochlor 1254 and 3-methylcholanthrene also increased the response of malic enzyme to DHEA feeding.
Molecular biology of the symbiotic-pathogenic bacteria Xenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus spp.

INTRODUCTION 21 PHYLOGENY AND TAXONOMY 23 Phylogeny 23 Taxonomy 23 PATHOGENICITY 26 Xenorhabdus Pathogenicity 26 Photorhabdus Pathogenicity 28 CELL SURFACE PROPERTIES 28 Outer Membrane Proteins of X. nematophilus 29 Analysis of Fimbriae, Flagella, and Glycocalyx 30 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 30 Genetic Approaches to the Study of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp. 30 Signal Transduction in X. nematophilus 31 Genes Sequenced in P. luminescens 33 ANTIBIOTICS, PIGMENTS, AND INHIBITORS 34 Antibiotics 34 Xenorhabdus antibiotics 34 Photorhabdus antibiotics 34 Pigments 35 Photorhabdus pigments 36 Xenorhabdus pigments 36 Inhibitors 36 SECRETED ENZYMES 36 CRYSTALLINE PROTEINS 37 Xenorhabdus Proteins 37 Photorhabdus Proteins 37 BIOLUMINESCENCE 37 PHASE VARIATION 39 CONCLUSIONS 40 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 40 REFERENCES 40
Does the arc-accretion model adequately explain the Paleoproterozoic evolution of southern Laurentia: An expanded interpretation: COMMENT AND REPLY COMMENT

Assembly of lithosphere in southern Laurentia is best interpreted to have taken place along a long-lived (1.8–1.0 Ga) active margin via subduction-accretion processes broadly analogous to present-day convergence between Australia and Indonesia ([Karlstrom and Bowring, 1988][1]; [Karlstrom et al.,
The Screening Test for Emotional Problems–Parent Report (STEP-P) Studies of Reliability and Validity

Score reliability and validity of parent responses concerning their 10- to 17-year-old students were analyzed using the Screening Test for Emotional Problems–Parent Report (STEP-P), which assesses a variety of emotional problems classified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. Score reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity estimates were adequate.
Comparison of Endoscopic Electrocoagulation and Laser Photocoagulation of Bleeding Canine Gastric Ulcers

The most promising endoscopic hemostatic techniques all depend upon heat to coagulate. Four thermally active techniques under similar controlled conditions in this endoscopic study were compared. The study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and histologic damage of monopolar electrocoagulation (MPEC), bipolar electrocoagulation (BPEC), argon laser photocoagulation (ALP) and neodymium-yytrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser photocoagulation applied endoscopically to control bleeding from standard canine gastric ulcers. An open-closed model utilizing a nontraumatic intestinal clamp in heparinized adult mongrel dogs was used. Bleeding ulcers were randomly assigned to an endoscopic treatment modality or control. The endoscopic techniques and parameters of treatment for this study were established from a previous experience with each modality and from endoscopic treatment in pilot studies. Quantitative efficacy and subjective ease of endoscopic treatment were evaluated acutely; gross and histologic injury were determined after 7 days. Our conclusions were that more energy or greater power was required with each method to treat bleeding standard ulcers efficiently through the endoscope than at laparotomy. It was also concluded that each method was 93% or more effective in halting bleeding in this canine ulcer model but there were differences in ease of endoscopic use. Both lasers were much easier to apply than electrocoagulation. The order of decreasing ease of application was YAG, ALP, MPEC, BPEG. Argon laser and BPEC caused significantly less tissue injury than either MPEC or YAG. The order of increasing injury or decreasing margin of safety was ALP, BPEC, YAG and MPEC. In contrast to electrocoagulation, especially monopolar, laser related tissue injury was generally predictable and correlated with total treatment energy, animal weight or gastric overdistension, or both. The limitations, advantages, and disadvantages of each hemostatic technique are discussed and compared.
Sufficiency of Horseshoe Crab Eggs for Red Knots During Spring Migration Stopover in Delaware Bay USA

ABSTRACT Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) eggs are a dietary staple of the red knot (Calidris canutus) during its spring stopover on the Delaware Bay. Numbers of knots stopping in Delaware Bay declined in the 1990s concurrent with a decline in horseshoe crabs, leading to the hypothesis that reduced horseshoe crab egg abundance limited the red knot population. Management efforts, including a seasonal harvest moratorium in the Delaware Bay, have been instituted to restore crab populations to levels of sustainable use by multiple users, including migratory birds. Our objective was to evaluate the sufficiency of horseshoe crab eggs in Delaware Bay in May–June 2004 and 2005 for knots to refuel for their migratory flight to the Arctic breeding grounds. We examined egg counts to determine if there were fewer high egg-density sites later than earlier in the day and season, as migrating birds might deplete this resource. We studied foraging rates at red knot locations to determine if foraging probes increased w...
Interleukin-10 Protects Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neurotoxicity in Primary Midbrain Cultures by Inhibiting the Function of NADPH Oxidase

The role of anti-inflammatory cytokines in Parkinson's disease is not completely understood. In this study, using mesencephalic neuron-glia cultures, we report that both pretreatment and post-treatment of rat mesencephalic neuron-glia cultures with interleukin (IL)-10, a natural immune modulator, reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced DA neurotoxicity. The main purpose of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying IL-10-elicited neuroprotection. IL-10 significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nitric oxide, and extracellular superoxide in microglia cells. In addition, using reconstituted neuron and glia cell cultures, IL-10 was shown to be neuroprotective only in the presence of microglia. More importantly, IL-10 failed to protect DA neurons in cultures from mice lacking NADPH oxidase (PHOX), a key enzyme for extracellular superoxide production in immune cells, suggesting the critical role of PHOX in IL-10 neuroprotection. This conclusion was further supported by the finding that IL-10 inhibited LPS-induced translocation of the cytosolic subunit of NADPH oxidase p47(phox) to the membrane. When the Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK) 1 signaling pathway was blocked, IL-10 failed to attenuate LPS-induced superoxide production, indicating that the JAK1 signaling cascade mediates the inhibitory effect of IL-10. Together, our results suggest that IL-10 inhibits LPS-induced DA neurotoxicity through the inhibition of PHOX activity in a JAK1-dependent mechanism.
Genome Analysis and Expression Patterns of Odorant- Binding Proteins from the Southern House Mosquito Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus

Olfactory-based behaviors in mosquitoes are mediated by odorant-binding proteins (OBPs). They form a multigenic family involved in the peripheral events in insect olfaction, specifically the transport of odorants to membrane-bound odorant receptors. OBPs contribute to the remarkable sensitivity of the insect’s olfactory system and may be involved in the selective transport of odorants. We have employed a combination of bioinformatics and molecular approaches to identify and characterize members of the ‘‘classic’’ OBP family in the Southern House mosquito Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus (=Cx. quinquefasciatus), a vector of pathogens causing several human diseases. By taking advantage of the recently released genome sequences, we have identified fifty-three putative Cx. quinquefasciatus OBP genes by Blast searches. As a first step towards their molecular characterization, expression patterns by RT-PCR revealed thirteen genes that were detected exclusively and abundantly in chemosensory tissues. No clear differences were observed in the transcripts levels of olfactory-specific OBPs between antennae of both sexes using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Phylogenetic and comparative analysis revealed orthologous of Cx. quinquefasciatus OBPs in Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti. The identification of fifty-three putative OBP genes in Cx. quinquefasciatus highlights the diversity of this family. Tissue-specificity study suggests the existence of different functional classes within the mosquito OBP family. Most genes were detected in chemosensory as well as non chemosensory tissues indicating that they might be encapsulins, but not necessarily olfactory proteins. On the other hand, thirteen ‘‘true’’ OBP genes were detected exclusively in olfactory tissues and might be involved specifically in the detection of ‘‘key’’ semiochemicals. Interestingly, in Cx. quinquefasciatus olfactory-specific OBPs belong exclusively to four distinct phylogenetic groups which are particularly well conserved among three mosquito species.
Cloud-Particle Dynamics and Star Formation in Spiral Galaxies

We study the gas in a spiral galaxy with a cloud-dominated “stellar association-perturbed” interstellar medium from the standpoint of a cloudparticle model. Through N-body computational simulations, we follow the time evolution of the system of gas clouds and the corresponding system of young stellar associations forming from the clouds. Basic physical processes are modeled in a three-step cyclic procedure: (1) dynamical propagation of the clouds and young stellar associations, (2) simulation of cloud-cloud collisions, and (3) formation of new associations of protostars that are triggered by the local mechanisms of cloud-cloud collisions and cloud interactions with existing young stellar associations.
Term Default, Balloon Risk, and Credit Risk in Commercial Mortgages

Term default and balloon risk play an interactive role in the pricing of credit risk in commercial mortgages. Most commercial mortgage pricing studies assume a borrower9s default decision is based solely on the property value; the mortgage valuation model here also incorporates a property income trigger. The model considers both the risk of default during the term of the loan and the risk of loss at maturity (balloon risk). Monte Carlo simulation analyses reveal that pricing models based solely on property value overestimate the probability of term default and the resulting credit risk premium. Adding a property income default trigger without considering balloon risk, however, underestimates the overall credit risk premium. In essence, a double-trigger default model that incorporates balloon risk is critical for accurate assessment of the credit risk in commercial mortgages.
A Leishmania amazonensis ZIP family iron transporter is essential for parasite replication within macrophage phagolysosomes

Infection of mammalian hosts with Leishmania amazonensis depends on the remarkable ability of these parasites to replicate within macrophage phagolysosomes. A critical adaptation for survival in this harsh environment is an efficient mechanism for gaining access to iron. In this study, we identify and characterize LIT1, a novel L. amazonensis membrane protein with extensive similarity to IRT1, a ZIP family ferrous iron transporter from Arabidopsis thaliana. The ability of LIT1 to promote iron transport was demonstrated after expression in yeast and in L. amazonensis LIT1-null amastigotes. Endogenous LIT1 was only detectable in amastigotes replicating intracellularly, and its intracellular expression was accelerated under conditions predicted to result in iron deprivation. Although L. amazonensis lacking LIT1 grew normally in axenic culture and had no defects differentiating into infective forms, replication within macrophages was abolished. Consistent with an essential role for LIT1 in intracellular growth as amastigotes, Deltalit1 parasites were avirulent. After inoculation into highly susceptible mice, no lesions were detected, even after extensive periods of time. Despite the absence of pathology, viable Deltalit1 parasites were recovered from the original sites of inoculation, indicating that L. amazonensis can persist in vivo independently of the ability to grow in macrophages. Our findings highlight the essential role played by intracellular iron acquisition in Leishmania virulence and identify this pathway as a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
Resenha do Software "Limdep"

LIMDEP e um software econometrico desenvolvido pelo Prof. William H. Greene, da Universidade de Nova York, e distribuido comercialmente pela Econometric Software (43, Maple Avenue, Bellport, NY, 11713, USA, fone: 516-286-7049, fax: 516-286-6848) A versao 386 requer um minimo de 3 megabytes de memoria expandida, em adicao aos 640K de memoria base.