cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit mRNAs in rat hippocampal GABAergic interneurons.

Hippocampal inhibitory interneurons are a diverse population of cells widely scattered in the hippocampus, where they regulate hippocampal circuit activity. The hippocampus receives cholinergic projections from the basal forebrain, and functional studies have suggested the presence of different subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on -aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons. Single-cell polymerase chain reaction analysis had confirmed that several nAChR subunit mRNAs are co-expressed with glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), the marker for GABAergic interneurons. In this anatomical study, we systematically investigated the co-expression of GAD67 with different nAChR subunits by using double in situ hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled GAD67 probe and 35 S-labeled probes for nAChR subunits (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 2, 3, and 4). The results revealed that most GAD67-positive interneurons expressed 2, and 67 % also expressed 7 mRNA. In contrast, mRNA expression of other subunits was limited; only 13 % of GAD67positive neurons co-expressed 4, and less than 10% expressed transcripts for 2, 3, 5, or 4. Most GAD67/2 co-expression was located in CA1/CA3 stratum oriens, and GAD67/5 co-expression was predominantly detected in CA1/CA3 stratum radiatum/lacunosum moleculare and the dentate gyrus. Expression of 6 and 3 mRNAs was rarely detected in the hippocampus, and mRNAs were not co-expressed with GAD67. These findings suggest that the majority of nicotinic responses in GABAergic interneurons should be mediated by a homomeric 7 or heteromeric 7*-containing nAChRs. Other possible combinations such as 22*, 42*, or 52* heteromeric nAChRs could contribute to functional nicotinic response in subsets of GABAergic interneurons but overall would have a minor role. J. Comp. Neurol. 511:286 –299, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Physico-chemical properties of 2,6-TNS binding sites in squid giant axons: involvement of water molecules in the excitation process.

The lifetime of the excited singlet state of 2,6-TNS (2-p-toluidinyl-6-naphthalene sulfonate) in the squid giant axon was measured by the use of the single photon counting technique. The accessibility of water molecules to the bound 2,6-TNS molecules by the use of heavy water indicated that these binding sites are only partially exposed to surrounding water molecules. Studies of the effect of temperature changes on the fluorescence of 2,6-TNS in axons suggested that relaxation of polar solvent molecules and/or neighboring polar side groups (during the lifetime of the excited dye molecule) plays a crucial role in the fluorescence emission from the bound 2,6-TNS. Time-resolved emission spectra suggested that the viscosity of the microenvironment of the axoplasmic bound dye molecules is high. The effect of replacing H2O with D2O in the medium on the fluorescence signals (intensity changes) from internally labeled squid giant axons during nerve excitation were investigated. The fluorescence signals (ΔI) in the D2O were found to be smaller in size and longer in duration than those in H2O. The spectrum of ΔI in D2O was similar to that in H2O; that is to say, blue-shifted and narrow as compared with the fluorescence spectrum from the axon at rest.
Overfunded defined benefit pension plan settlements without asset reversions

Abstract This study examines why firms settle their overfunded defined benefit pension plans. Under the new accounting standard (FASB Statement No. 88), companies ‘settling’ their overfunded pension plan can immediately recognize a portion of deffered pension gain as current earnings. Focusing on settlement transactions unaccompanied by asset reversions, we examine financial characteristics of settlement firms, including earnings, debt covenants, management incentive compensation, and firms' risk and financial structures. Our results suggest that firms undertake settlement to offset a decline in earnings and mitigate restrictive debt covenant constraints. However, a settlement firm's systematic risk (beta) does not change after settlement.
A simplified method for optimizing line shielding angle to maximize lightning performance

The lightning performance of overhead transmission lines is affected by many factors. Most of those factors are nature driven and are not predictable or controllable. Of those controllable factors affecting a line's lightning performance, the one that can be dealt with most cost-effectively is the transmission line's shielding. However, at some utilities, the design and selection of the line shielding method for transmission and sub-transmission lines operating at nominal voltages between 46 kV and 230 kV is typically relegated to a secondary level of importance because of the complexity of the calculations involved and an inherent reluctance to change. This paper presents a simplified method for optimizing the transmission line shielding angle to minimize the line's predicted lightning performance. The proposed method for optimizing the line's shielding angle relies on known formulas and procedures developed over the past four decades. The simplified method presented can be used by utilities in upgrading their current line shielding practices.
Differential Patterns of Approach to a Complex Problem-Solving Task Among Learning Disabled Adolescents

To identify differential patterns of problem-solving approach in learning disabled (LD) adolescents, data were gathered from 58 LD ninth graders in a modified Piagetian isolation-of-variables task setting (the bending rods task). Seven variables tapping the problem-solving dimensions of data gathering, reasoning, and response to examiner guidance were coded from the subjects' videotaped sessions. These variables were analyzed using a cluster analysis to identify the different patterns of task approach in the sample. The stability of the cluster solution was verified using data from a second administration of the task. Interpretation of the subgroups was facilitated by comparisons of performance to that of same-age (n = 31) and younger (n = 14) normally achieving (NA) subjects. Validation of the cluster differences involved an analysis of performance on a set of measures not included in the original analysis. Four clusters were identified, representing qualitatively different approaches to the task. One of...
Interactions between fire, grazing and climate change at Wind Cave National Park, SD

Projected changes in global climate have important ramifications for the future of national parks and other reserves set aside to conserve ecological uniqueness. We explored potential implications of climatic changes on lifeform distribution and growth at Wind Cave National Park (WCNP), South Dakota, which lies on a climatically determined ecotone between grassland and forest. Fire, promoted by healthy grasslands, is a negative feedback limiting tree development because it kills seedlings and consumes live foliage thus reducing tree growth and survival. Historical records show that fire suppression has enhanced forest expansion. On the other hand, livestock grazing reduces grass biomass and fuel loads thus indirectly reducing fire frequency and enhancing the expansion of forests or woodlands. Natural fires and moderate grazing by native herbivores have maintained the coexistence of trees and grasses but climatic variations affecting the area's water resources can lead to dominance by either lifeform. We used a dynamic vegetation model (DVM) MC1 to simulate the interactions between climatic changes, natural fire regime, and grazing pressure and their impact on the biogeographical and biogeochemical characteristics of the park. We used one future climate projection (HADCM2SUL) which simulates warmer weather by the end of the next century: the temperature increase would constrain the growth of trees that rely on the availability of deep water, favor shrub and grass development and promote a shift from forests to woodlands. Woody encroachment of shrubs in grasslands areas, enhanced by grazing, was only held in check by frequent natural fires in the simulation.
Generation of the fast solar wind: A review with emphasis on the resonant cyclotron interaction

[1] In situ measurements of the solar wind and remote observations of coronal holes have strongly implicated the resonant interaction with ion cyclotron waves as the responsible mechanism for heating and accelerating coronal hole ions to generate the fast solar wind. We review the current observational and theoretical knowledge of this mechanism and the progress that has been made in modeling the solar wind properties that result from this interaction. We begin by examining the observational and theoretical motivations for the continued study of this mechanism, including a brief historical review of these ideas. We then discuss the interplay of the resonance condition and the wave dispersion relation, which determines which ions can exchange energy with the waves. The physical basis for the interaction is then described, and we derive simple expressions for the ion response to the resonant wave dissipation. The complicated topic of oblique propagation is dealt with next, including how the resonant interaction operates for obliquely propagating waves. The plasma response to the resonant dissipation is often approximated by treating the ion populations as fluids, and we examine the solar wind models which incorporate various versions of this interaction. We then present a sample model that illustrates many of the properties and shortcomings of the current fluid results in this area. However, the resonant interaction is most accurately treated with a kinetic description of the ions and the recent attempts to construct kinetic models are explored. We close with a discussion of the many observational and theoretical gaps in our understanding that remain, including a presentation of alternative mechanisms and some speculations on future developments in this field.
THE EFFECT OF EXPOSURE FREQUENCY ON INTERMEDIATE LANGUAGE LEARNERS' INCIDENTAL VOCABULARY ACQUISITION AND RETENTION THROUGH READING

Research has been investigating the role of reading, as one source of input, in language learners' vocabulary development. The present study was designed to examine whether intermediate learners incidentally (a) acquire and (b) retain unknown vocabulary as a result of reading. The study further assessed (c) the effect of the text variable of exposure frequency. Learners were exposed to unfamiliar words either two, four, or six times during reading. Vocabulary acquisition and retention measured productive and receptive knowledge gain. Results indicated that only two encounters with unfamiliar words during reading significantly affected learners' vocabulary growth. Moreover, two or four exposure frequencies resulted in fairly similar word gain, but six exposures produced significantly more vocabulary knowledge. Retention measures showed mixed results: On productive vocabulary knowledge only half of the subjects displayed a significant rate of retention. On receptive knowledge all but one experimental group retained vocabulary over 4 weeks.
Sociolinguistics and the African‐American community: Implications for literacy

(1992). Sociolinguistics and the African‐American community: Implications for literacy. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 31, Literacy and the African-American Learner/The Struggle Between Access and Denial, pp. 303-311.
Calcium ethylenediaminetetraacetate toxicity in the rat: Sequential light- and electron-microscopic studies on chelate-induced enteropathy

Abstract Sequential morphologic and functional studies of CaEDTA-induced enteropathy revealed that morphologic changes are present before an increase in permeability occurs. Light microscopy revealed degenerative changes in duodenal crypt cells and electron microscopy revealed highamplitude swelling of mitochondria as early as 12 hr following the start of CaEDTA infusion. The mitotic index and cell population density was markedly diminished by hour 24. At this time the villus structure was still intact. Enhanced permeability of the intestine occurred between hour 24 and 36 and correlated with the loss of villous epithelium. This study supports the work of others suggesting that inhibition of DNA synthesis is an important biochemical lesion in CaEDTA-induced enteropathy. The occurrence of high-amplitude mitochondrial swelling suggests that interference with the energy supply in the cell may be a contributing factor toward inhibition of the synthesis of DNA.
Toll-Like Receptors 4 and 5 Induce Distinct Types of Vasculitis

Large vessel vasculitides, such as Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis, affect vital arteries and cause clinical complications by either luminal occlusion or vessel wall destruction. Inflammatory infiltrates, often with granulomatous arrangements, are distributed as a panarteritis throughout all of the artery's wall layers or cluster in the adventitia as a perivasculitis. Factors determining the architecture and compartmentalization of vasculitis are unknown. Human macrovessels are populated by indigenous dendritic cells (DCs) positioned in the adventitia. Herein, we report that these vascular DCs sense bacterial pathogens and regulate the patterning of the emerging arteritis. In human temporal artery-SCID chimeras, lipopolysaccharides stimulating Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and flagellin stimulating TLR5 trigger vascular DCs and induce T-cell recruitment and activation. However, the architecture of the evolving inflammation is ligand-specific; TLR4 ligands cause transmural panarteritis and TLR5 ligands promote adventitial perivasculitis. Underlying mechanisms involve selective recruitment of functional T cell subsets. Specifically, TLR4-mediated DC stimulation markedly enhances production of the chemokine CCL20, biasing recruitment toward CCL20-responsive CCR6(+) T cells. In adoptive transfer experiments, CCR6(+) T cells produce an arteritis pattern with media-invasive T cells damaging vascular smooth muscle cells. Also, CCR6(+) T cells dominate the vasculitic infiltrates in patients with panarteritic giant cell arteritis. Thus, depending on the original danger signal, vascular DCs edit the emerging immune response by differentially recruiting specialized T effector cells and direct the disease process toward distinct types of vasculitis.
Pulse rise time of large cylindrical detectors

Abstract A model for the output pulse risetime for large, cylindrical scintillation detectors is presented. The risetime is shown to be determined by the number of reflections at the detector surface, the reflectivity of the surface, efficiency of detection and absorption by the scintillation medium. The model is compared to measurements.
Fast pulsars with disks

The observed properties of the pulsar PSR1937+214 are compared with predictions of the disk model. It is assumed that an isolated magnetized rotating neutron star is ringed by a fluid disk with a 0.00001 solar mass, and relative rotations of the star and the disk produce potential differences across the disk. A Faraday disk dynamo is also formed between the disk and the star, and allows the polar cap current to return from the disk to the star through auroral arcing. Preferential regions of the star are recipients of a return current controlled by the surface magnetic field structure, which configures the pulsing emissions. The disk model predicts the average luminosity to be 10 to the 31st erg/sec, and an emission of 3 x 10 to the 30th erg/sec was detected. Only one-millionth of the output of the emissions is in the radio region, and the X and gamma ray emissions are in the normal range for pulsars. It is concluded that PSR1937+214 behaves within the predictions of the disk model and is not a new kind of object.
Effects of maternal ethanol ingestion on development of adrenal catecholamines and dopamine-β-hydroxylase in the offspring

Abstract Pregnant rats were fed ethanol chronically beginning at day 13 of gestation. Adrenal catecholamines in the offspring showed a 20–30% deficit from 3 to 17 days of postnatal development, while adrenal dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity was significantly low after 10 days of age. Upon withdrawal at 0, 3 or 5 days of age, both parameters returned to normal. These data suggest that ethanol exposure causes a reversible retardation in the maturation of adrenal catecholamine stores.
The Framingham Heart Study clock drawing performance: normative data from the offspring cohort.

Background/Study Context: Although the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is a popular tool used to assess cognitive function, limited normative data on CDT performance exist. The objective of the current study was to provide normative data on an expanded version of previous CDT scoring protocols from a large community-based sample of middle to older adults (aged 43 to 91) from the Framingham Heart Study. Methods: The CDT was administered to 1476 Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort participants using a scoring protocol that assigned error scores to drawn features. Total error scores were computed, as well as for subscales pertaining to outline, numeral placement, time-setting, center, and “other.” Results: Higher levels of education were significantly associated with fewer errors for time-setting (Command: p < .001; Copy: p = .003), numerals (Command: p < .001), and “other” (Command: p < .001) subscales. Older age was significantly associated with more errors for time-setting (Command: p < .001; Copy: p = .003)...
1220 THANATOPHORIC DWARFISM AND THE CLOVERLEAF SKULL

The combination of both thanatophoric dwarfism and cloverleaf skull has been reported rarely although each condition separately has been well described. These conditions did occur in a patient who was born to young parents which was the only known case in the family. J.C. was born to a 25 year old Gravida I Para I mother. Multiple anomalies present at birth were: the cloverleaf skull, flat facial features, mild proptosis of the eyes, ears located in the horizontal position, a very small thorax, protuberant abdomen with palpable liver and spleen and very short and bowed extremities with trident shaped hands and stubby feet. The weight was 3.69 kg, length 49.5 cm. and head circumference 36 cm. The baby was extremely hypotonic and expired at 17 days of age. X-rays revealed hypoplasia of the facial bones, pronounced lateral parietal bulges and upward protrusion from the frontal region of the skull and a CT scan revealed generalized hydrocephalus. X-rays of the extremities revealed shortened and bowed long bones and ribs which were described as short with a limited chest cage capacity. The postmortem examination confirmed the clinical findings. Also, there was a left choanal atresia and an ostium secundum defect. There was marked disorganization of bone and cartilage at the growth plate showing severe irregularity at the epiphysis. This case is reported because of the paucity of cases like this in the literature and the family's need for genetic counseling.
Crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide) hydrogels

Poly(ethylene oxide) with a molecular weight of 2,000,000 was crosslinked by a difunctional peroxide in the molten state. We determined the molecular weight between crosslinks by swelling the samples with deionized water and by indentation and dynamic mechanical analysis. Results were compared with the calculated optimum molecular weight between crosslinks. Fair agreement was obtained between the experimental methods. However, the efficiency of peroxide-induced crosslinking was very low. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1451–1455, 2003
An evaluation of bioactive glass in the treatment of periodontal defects: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.

Background: The regenerative surgical treatment of intrabony defects caused by periodontal disease has been examined in several systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The use of bioactive glass (BG) as a graft material to treat intrabony defects has been reported, but all data have not been synthesized and compiled. Our objective was to systematically review the literature on the use of BG for the treatment of intrabony defects and to perform a meta-analysis of its efficacy.Methods: A search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, as well as a manual search of recently published periodontology journals, were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials of the use of BG in the treatment of intrabony and furcation defects. Criteria included publication in English, follow-up duration of ≥6 months, baseline and follow-up measures of probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment levels (CAL) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and an appropriate control arm. Twenty-five citations wer...
On Quantum Computing: An interview with David Penkler

In recent months, announcements on the progress toward harnessing quantum computing have solicited divers and sometimes strong reactions and opinions from academia and industry. Some say quantum computing is impossible, while others point to actual machines-raising the question as to whether they really are quantum computers. In this interview, Dave Penkler---an HP fellow whose primary interests are in cloud and data-center scale operating systems and networks---shares his view on the present and future of quantum computing. Penkler has 40 years of experience with computer hardware and software and has always had a keen interest in their evolution as enabled by the advances in science and technology.
Identification and localisation of a nucleoporin-like protein component of the plant nuclear matrix.

Salt-detergent extraction of purified plant nuclei yields a fraction enriched in putative structural proteins known as the “nuclear matrix”. Compared with mammalian nuclear matrices, which contain three major proteins, plant nuclear matrices are complex, containing at least 100 polypeptides. In order to characterise more fully the plant nuclear matrix we have used antibodies raised against both yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and mammalian (rat) nuclear pore proteins. We have shown that the nuclear matrix of carrot (Daucus carota L.) contains at least one nucleoporin-like protein of about 100 kDa which is immunologically related to both the yeast nuclear pore protein NSP1 and mammalian nucleoporins (p62). Antibody labelling of a variety of plant cells at the light-microscope and electron-microscope levels confirms that this antigen is located at the nuclear pores. This, to our knowledge, is the first identification of a nuclear pore protein in plants.
A Stereoselective Synthesis of (−)-Viridiofungin A Utilizing a TiCl4-Promoted Asymmetric Multicomponent Reaction

A stereoselective synthesis of (−)-viridiofungin A is described. The convergent synthesis utilized a unique highly diastereoselective multicomponent reaction between optically active phenyldihydrofuran and an α-ketoester to provide two chiral centers including a quarternary carbon center in a single step. Other key steps include an acyloxycarbonium ion-mediated tetrahydrofuran ring-opening reaction and a Julia–Kocienski olefination.
Automated System For Stereometric Analysis Of The Human Face

A system that uses stereophotogrammetry to semi-automatically generate three-dimensional facial soft tissue surfaces is presented. The basis of the system is the stereometric technique of Direct Linear Transformation (DLT) which is utilized to eliminate the elaborate instrumentation of present day systems. Automatic digitizing using a scanning image analyzer will require no hand digitizing, and a lightweight headframe will provide orientation information for use in evaluating facial changes. The system is computer based to provide graphic images of the resulting data to ease understanding and to provide the beginnings of a large data base concerning human facial form.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Linking data for injury control research.

Abstract [Runge JW. Linking data for injury control research. Ann Emerg Med . June 2000;35:613-615.]
Extremum Seeking Tuning of an Experimental HCCI Engine Combustion Timing Controller

Homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines have the benefit of high efficiency with low emissions, at the price of not having a direct means to control the combustion timing. This fact makes combustion timing control of an HCCI engine more difficult than in spark ignition and diesel engines. While PID controllers have proved effective at isolated operating points, gain scheduling is needed to cover the entire range of operation. We use extremum seeking to tune the combustion timing controller of an experimental HCCI engine. Extremum seeking is found to be a useful tool for quick determination of optimal controller parameters. Such a tool allows for HCCI combustion timing controllers to be tuned over the range of operating points. I. Introduction
Ankle plantar flexor force production is an important determinant of the preferred walk-to-run transition speed

The mechanisms that govern the voluntary transition from walking to running as walking speed increases in human gait are not well understood. The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that plantar flexor muscle force production is greatly impaired at the preferred transition speed (PTS) due to intrinsic muscle properties and, thus, serves as a determinant for the walk-to-run transition. The plantar flexors have been shown to be important contributors to satisfying the mechanical energetic demands of walking and are the primary contributors to the observed ground reaction forces (GRFs) during the propulsion phase. Thus, if the plantar flexor force production begins to diminish near the PTS despite an increase in muscle activation, then a corresponding decrease in the GRFs during the propulsion phase would be expected. This expectation was supported. Both the peak anterior/posterior and vertical GRFs decreased during the propulsion phase at walking speeds near the PTS. A similar decrease was not observed during the braking phase. Further analysis using forward dynamics simulations of walking at increasing speeds and running at the PTS revealed that all lower extremity muscle forces increased with walking speed, except the ankle plantar flexors. Despite an increase in muscle activation with walking speed, the gastrocnemius muscle force decreased with increasing speed, and the soleus force decreased for walking speeds exceeding 80% PTS. These decreases in force production were attributed to the intrinsic force-length-velocity properties of muscle. In addition, the running simulation analysis revealed that the plantar flexor forces nearly doubled for similar activation levels when the gait switched to a run at the PTS due to improved contractile conditions. These results suggest the plantar flexors may serve as an important determinant for the walk-to-run transition and highlight the important role intrinsic muscle properties play in determining the specific neuromotor strategies used in human locomotion.
Characterization of Aurintricarboxylic Acid as a Potent Hepatitis C Virus Replicase Inhibitor

Background:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B is an essential component of the viral replication machinery and an important target for antiviral intervention. Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA), a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, was evaluated and characterized for its anti-NS5B activity in vitro and in HCV replicon cells.Methods:Recombinant NS5B, HCV replicase and Huh-7 cells harbouring the subgenomic HCV replicon of genotype 1b were employed for biochemical and mechanistic investigations.Results:Analysis of ATA activity in vitro yielded equipotent inhibition of recombinant NS5B and HCV replicase in the submicromolar range (50% inhibition concentration [IC50] approximately 150 nM). Biochemical and mechanistic studies revealed a bimodal mechanism of ATA inhibition with characteristics of pyrophosphate mimics and non-nucleoside inhibitors. Molecular modelling and competition displacement studies were consistent with these parameters, suggesting that ATA might bind to the benzothiadiazine allosteric pocket 3 of NS5B or...
Charter Building and Labor Market Contacts in Two-Year Colleges.

How do unselective schools that serve disadvantaged students get employers to recognize their graduates' qualifications? This study examined whether low-status colleges (whose credentials may not be widely understood) rely on the traditional college charter or engage in charter-building activities to get employers to recognize students' value. Examining occupational programs in public and private two-year colleges, the authors found that both types of colleges do similar activities but do them differently. While these community colleges act as if additional action is not required, these private two-year occupational colleges actively engage in charter-building activities, mediating the hiring process by conveying students' qualifications through trusted relationships and aiming to place all their graduates, including many disadvantaged students, in jobs. The authors speculate that charter building identifies previously ignored issues and may suggest ways that low-status schools can make hiring into an ins...
Raman antenna formed by molecule/plasmonic nanostructure hybrid system

A nano-antenna composed of a particle and a polarizable surface provides control of the spatial distribution and high enhancement of Raman scattering. This structure may serve as a stable platform for single molecule detection.
Effects of the Presence of the Allegheny Mound Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Providing Enemy-Free Space to Myrmecophilous Aphid and Soft Scale Populations

We tested whether ant-provided enemy-free space was a possible mechanism to explain the distribution of myrmecophilous aphids and soft scales in jack pine forests of north-central Michigan. Populations of the aphid Cinara banksiana Pepper and Tissot decreased significantly when the Allegheny mound ant, Formica exsectoides Forel, was excluded from their colonies. A combination of inclusion/exclusion experiments indicated that mound ants provided enemy-free space for aphids against mirid predators. In the absence of ants, mirids were a significant source of mortality to aphids. When ants were present, significantly more aphids survived in the presence of mirids than when ants were not present. Additional direct benefits to aphids provided by ant tending were not detected. In contrast, the soft scale, Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell), did not gain enemy-free space from the lady-beetle Hyperaspis binotata (Say) in the presence of ants during this study. Lady-beetle larvae increased in number over 2 yr, and consumed large numbers of scales, which resulted in similar decreases of scale populations between ant-absent and ant-present treatments. This study indicates that an ant species can show differential effectiveness in providing enemy-free space to myrmecophilous homopterans.
Evaluating Service Identification with Design Metrics on Business Process Decomposition

One of the key activities to construct a successful Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) is the identification of services with the right level of abstraction. Most of existing SOA design methodologies advocate identifying services from the top-down decomposition of business processes. However, the identification quality in these methodologies heavily depends on the expertise and experience of individual designers. The ability to quantitatively evaluate service identification is absolutely needed. In this paper, we propose an approach that supports such evaluation by applying the measurement technology to the service-based business process decomposition. A model to capture related architectural elements with their relationships is presented. A set of design metrics are proposed for measuring various features of identified services in the service portfolio, including service granularity, coupling, cohesion, and business entity convergence. To apply the approach, a prototypical measurement tool for service identification is developed. An automotive work order scenario is used as an illustration example to explain our approach and demonstrate its effectiveness.
A coarse grained and hybrid reconfigurable architecture with flexible NoC router for variable block size motion estimation

This paper proposes a novel application-specific hybrid coarsegrained reconfigurable architecture with a flexible network on chip (NoC) mechanism. Architecture supports variable block size motion estimation (VBSME) with much less resources than ASIC based and coarse grained reconfigurable architectures. The intelligent NoC router supports full search motion estimation algorithm as well as other fast search algorithms like diamond, hexagon, big hexagon and spiral. Our model is a hierarchical hybrid processing element based 2D architecture which supports reuse of reference frame blocks between the processing elements through NoC routers. This reduces the transactions from/to the main memory. Proposed architecture is designed with Verilog-HDL description and synthesized by 90 nm CMOS standard cell library. Results show that our architecture reduces the gate count by 7x compared to its ASIC counterpart that only supports full search method. Moreover, the proposed architecture operates at a frequency comparable to ASIC based implementation to sustain 30 fps. Our approach is based on a simple design which utilizes a high-level of parallelism with an intensive data reuse. Therefore, proposed architecture supports run-time reconfiguration for any block size and for any search pattern depending on the application requirement.
Flexicate molecules as a potential new class of antibiotics.

Evaluation of: Howson SE, Bolhuis A, Brabec V et al. Optically pure, water-stable metallo–helical ‘flexicate’ assemblies with antibiotic activity. Nat. Chem. 4(1), 31–36 (2011). Helicates are α-helical, nonpeptide complexes that bind to DNA and exhibit antimicrobial activity. In the past, enthusiasm for the use of helicates in biological applications was limited, at least in part, by the presence of a racemic mixture of enantiomers or the formation of complexes that are insoluble in aqueous solutions. Recently, Howson et al. overcame the barriers associated with helicate synthesis by generating helicate-like complexes that are soluble and stable in water, optically pure and synthetically flexible. The mechanism synthesizes nonpeptide mimetic α-helical ‘flexicates’ that bind to DNA and show broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Although the application of flexicates as an antimicrobial therapy remains to be determined, this study p...
Organic Farming in Nazi Germany: The Politics of Biodynamic Agriculture, 1933–1945

AbstractThe controversy over the nature and extent of official support for organic agriculture in Nazi Germany has generally focused on the minister of agriculture, R. W. Darre, and his putative en...
Studies on Phyllopsora ( Ramalinaceae ) in Peru

Twenty species of Phyllopsora are recognized in Peru, 8 of which are described as new: P. atrocarpa, P. brakoae, P. glaucescens, P. labriformis, P. lacerata, P. lividocarpa, P. nigrocincta ,a nd P. soralifera. Four new combinations are proposed: Phyllopsora cinchonarum (Fee) Timdal, P. glaucella (Vain.) Timdal, P. leucophyllina (Nyl.) Timdal, and for an extra-Peruvian species, P. sorediata (Aptroot & Sparrius) Timdal. The genera Squamacidia and Triclinum are synonymized with Phyllopsora and sorediate species are included in the genus for the first time. Phyllopsora chodatinica, P. swinscowii, and the acid deficient chemotype of P. furfuracea are new to the neotropics and P. cuyabensis, P. glaucella and P. leucophyllina are new to Peru. A key to the Peruvian species is provided.
Development of Numerical Tools for the Investigation of Plasma Detachment from Magnetic Nozzles

A multidimensional numerical simulation framework aimed at investigating the process of plasma detachment from a magnetic nozzle is introduced. An existing numerical code based on a magnetohydrodynamic formulation of the plasma flow equations that accounts for various dispersive and dissipative processes in plasmas was significantly enhanced to allow for the modeling of axisymmetric domains containing three.dimensiunai momentum and magnetic flux vectors. A separate magnetostatic solver was used to simulate the applied magnetic field topologies found in various nozzle experiments. Numerical results from a magnetic diffusion test problem in which all three components of the magnetic field were present exhibit excellent quantitative agreement with the analytical solution, and the lack of numerical instabilities due to fluctuations in the value of del(raised dot)B indicate that the conservative MHD framework with dissipative effects is well-suited for multi-dimensional analysis of magnetic nozzles. Further studies will focus on modeling literature experiments both for the purpose of code validation and to extract physical insight regarding the mechanisms driving detachment.
The Jacobson radical of semicrossed products of the disk algebra

In this thesis, we characterize the Jacobson radical of the semicrossed product A(D)×α Z+ of the disk algebra by an endomorphism α where α is defined by the composition with a finite Blaschke product φ. Precisely, the Jacobson radical is the set of those whose 0th Fourier coefficient is identically zero and whose kth Fourier coefficient vanishes on the set of recurrent points of φ. Moreover, if φ is elliptic, i.e., φ has a fixed point in the open unit disc, then the Jacobson radical coincides with the set of quasinilpotent elements.
Membrane Receptors for Polypeptide Hormones

Hormones are a group of compounds secreted by certain organs or cells into the circulation which act to coordinate and regulate the metabolic processes of other cells. The hormones are found in the circulation at very low concentrations (10−12 to 10−6M) and may be divided into three main chemical classes: peptides, steroids, and derivatives of aromatic amino acids. One characteristic feature of hormone action is that most hormones show a high degree of target tissue specificity. Over the past two decades a large number of laboratories have been studying the question of how hormones recognize their target organs. It is now clear that this hormone specificity is due to specific hormone binding sites called receptors in the target tissues. In the case of steroids, the hormones appear to enter the cell freely and bind to receptors which are intracellular and soluble (Baulieu et al., 1971). The primary event in the action of the polypeptide hormones and catecholamines, on the other hand, appears to be binding to specific receptor sites on the plasma membrane of the cell (Roth, 1973; Lefkowitz, 1973; Desbuquois and Cuatrecasas, 1973). The purpose of this chapter is to review recent work on the peptide hormone receptors with an emphasis on methodology and data analysis. The interaction of catecholamines with their receptors is also included since these compounds behave similarly. In this review, the term “receptor” will be used to refer only to that component of the membrane which selectively recognizes or discriminates a hormone in a specific binding reaction. The events occurring after hormone binding which eventually lead to the hormonal response will not be considered part of the receptor itself and will be designated as the “effector.” It should be emphasized, however, that not all hormone binding sites are necessarily receptors (i.e., involved in the biological response), since the membrane may possess degrading enzymes and other proteins which bind the hormone. The definitive determination that a binding site is the true receptor is often extremely difficult.
Clinical assessment of endothelial function: ready for prime time?

The vascular endothelium plays a critical role in the regulation of arterial function through the synthesis and elaboration of a number of antiatherogenic factors such as nitric oxide (NO). “Endothelial dysfunction” represents a pathophysiological state in which normal homeostatic properties of the vasculature are impaired or lost, thereby supporting a vasospastic, prothrombotic, and proinflammatory atherogenic milieu.1 Impaired arterial function is associated with multiple cardiac risk factors and is detectable early in the progression of atherosclerosis, thus making it an ideal target for primary preventive intervention. It is also fundamental to mechanisms of advanced disease playing a critical role in the pathophysiology of acute cardiovascular syndromes such as myocardial infarction and stroke. The concept that endothelial phenotype serves as an overall barometer of vascular health and may shape clinical disease has prompted significant interest in its clinical assessment.2,3 Article see p 371 Clinical measurement of endothelial function is challenging, owing to its heterogeneous functions, because no single test provides a comprehensive physiological thumbprint of the entire vascular tree. As such, most studies have focused primarily on the regulation of arterial tone as a means of assessing vasoreactivity through interrogation of NO-mediated, endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses to specific agonists such as acetylcholine or shear stress that normally provoke vasodilation. Paradoxical constriction or attenuated dilator responses develop in disease states, reflecting impaired vasomotor function and reduced NO bioactivity. Although such studies were initially performed in coronary arteries, the technique has migrated to the surrogate forearm circulation, which permits more practical studies that are noninvasive and repeatable.4 A number of noninvasive techniques are now available for assessment of forearm vascular reactivity, and presently the most frequently used method involves flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, using ultrasound imaging. In this method, brachial diameter is measured at baseline and after …
Successive approximation pipelined ADC with one clock cycle conversion rate

An N -bit successive approximation pipelined (SAP) analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) with a conversion rate equal to the clock frequency is presented. The ADC implements the successive approximation algorithm using parallelism and pipelining to sample the input and generate an N -bit digital output at each clock cycle. The latency is N clock cycles. The requirement for the residue circuit (high frequency analogue subtract and multiply) between pipeline stages in traditional pipelined ADCs is eliminated, which significantly reduces the sensitivity to comparator offset and component mismatch. The combination of energy efficient SAR sub-circuits with conversion rate greater than 1.0 GHz when implemented in CMOS nanotechnology makes the SAP ADC an attractive option for high performance wireless and wireline applications.
Polymorphs and hydrates of acyclovir

Acyclovir (ACV) has been commonly used as an antiviral for decades. Although the crystal structure of the commercial form, a 3:2 ACV/water solvate, has been known since 1980s, investigation into the structure of anhydrous ACV has been limited. Here, we report the characterization of four anhydrous forms of ACV and a new hydrate in addition to the known hydrate. Two of the anhydrous forms appear as small needles and are stable to air exposure, whereas the third form is morphologically similar but quickly absorbs water from the atmosphere and converts back to the commercial form. The high-temperature modification is achieved by heating anhydrous form I above 180°C. The crystal structures of anhydrous form I and a novel hydrate are reported for the first time.
Learning group behavior in games: Using Cultural Algorithms: The land bridge game engine example

The L-CAPS system is a functional interface for learning group behavior using Cultural Algorithms in the land bridge simulation example. It enables the Cultural Algorithms process to implicitly communicate with, modify and evaluate, autonomous game agents restricted to an external virtual world. The L-CAPS system is described and used to learn the group behavior of caribou herds in the virtual world.
Effects of an Epitope-Specific CD8+ T-Cell Response on Murine Coronavirus Central Nervous System Disease: Protection from Virus Replication and Antigen Spread and Selection of Epitope Escape Mutants

Both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells are required for clearance of the murine coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) during acute infection. We investigated the effects of an epitope-specific CD8(+) T-cell response on acute infection of MHV, strain A59, in the murine CNS. Mice with CD8(+) T cells specific for gp33-41 (an H-2D(b)-restricted CD8(+) T-cell epitope derived from lymphocytic choriomeningitis glycoprotein) were infected with a recombinant MHV-A59, also expressing gp33-41, as a fusion protein with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). By 5 days postinfection, these mice showed significantly (approximately 20-fold) lower titers of infectious virus in the brain compared to control mice. Furthermore mice with gp33-41-specific CD8(+) cells exhibited much reduced levels of viral antigen in the brain as measured by immunohistochemistry using an antibody directed against viral nucleocapsid. More than 90% of the viruses recovered from brain lysates of such protected mice, at 5 days postinfection, had lost the ability to express EGFP and had deletions in their genomes encompassing EGFP and gp33-41. In addition, genomes of viruses from about half the plaques that retained the EGFP gene had mutations within the gp33-41 epitope. On the other hand, gp33-41-specific cells failed to protect perforin-deficient mice from infection by the recombinant MHV expressing gp33, indicating that perforin-mediated mechanisms were needed. Virus recovered from perforin-deficient mice did not exhibit loss of EGFP expression and the gp33-41 epitope. These observations suggest that the cytotoxic T-cell response to gp33-41 exerts a strong immune pressure that quickly selects epitope escape mutants to gp33-41.
Microscopic Features of Canine Renal Dysplasia

Forty-five cases of renal dysplasia in dogs are examined. Microscopic lesions of dysplasia include asynchronous differentiation of nephrons, persistent mesenchyme, persistent metanephric ducts, atypical tubular epithelium, and dysontogenic metaplasia. These may be distinguished from secondary lesions including compensatory hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the nephron and a variety of degenerative and inflammatory lesions. Although morphological features of renal dysplasia in dogs differ somewhat from those in man, microscopic criteria used in the diagnosis of human dysplasia may be useful when applied to the dog.
SIMULATIONS OF STRUCTURE FORMATION IN THE UNIVERSE

Cosmic structure has formed as a result of gravitational amplification of primordial density fluctuations together with the action of other physical processes (adiabatic gas dynamics, radiative cooling, photoionization and recombination, radiative transfer). These complex nonlinear processes, acting over a wide range of length scales (from kiloparsecs to tens of megaparsecs), make this a difficult problem for computation. During the last two decades, significant progress has been made in developing numerical methods and statistical tools for analyzing simulations and data. Combined with observational advances, numerical simulations have led to the demise of several formerly popular models and to an improved understanding of galaxy clusters, quasistellar object (QSO) absorption line systems, and other phenomena. This review summarizes these advances.