cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ligand-induced conformational changes in the acetylcholine-binding protein analyzed by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry.

Recent x-ray crystallographic studies of the acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP) suggest that loop C, found at the circumference of the pentameric molecule, shows distinctive conformational changes upon antagonist and agonist occupation. We have employed hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry to examine the influence of bound ligands on solvent exposure of AChBP. Quantitative measurements of deuterium incorporation are possible for ∼56% of the Lymnaea AChBP sequence, covering primarily the outer surface of AChBP. In the apoprotein, two regions flanking the ligand occupation site at the subunit interface, loop C (residues 175-193) and loop F (residues 164-171), show greater extents of solvent exchange than other regions of the protein including the N- and C-terminal regions. Occupation by nicotinic agonists, epibatidine and lobeline, and nicotinic antagonists, methyllycaconitine, α-bungarotoxin, and α-cobratoxin, markedly restricts the exchange of loop C amide protons, influencing both the rates and degrees of exchange. Solvent exposure of loop C and its protection by ligand suggest that in the apoprotein, loop C exhibits rapid fluctuations in an open conformation. Bound agonists restrict solvent exposure through loop closure, whereas the larger antagonists restrict solvent exposure largely through occlusion of solvent. Loop F, found on the complementary subunit surface at the interface, also reveals ligand selective changes in amide proton exchange rates. Agonists do not affect solvent accessibility of loop F, whereas certain antagonists cause subtle accessibility changes. These results reveal dynamic states and fluctuating movements in the vicinity of the binding site for unligated AChBP that can be influenced selectively by ligands.
Broadband RF imaging and spectrum analysis using spatial-spectral hole-burning in an inhomogeneously broadened absorber

Broadband RF imaging by spatial Fourier beam-forming suffers from beam-squint. The compensation of this frequency dependent beam-steering requires true-time-delay multiple beam-forming or frequency-channelized beam-forming, substantially increasing system complexity. Real-time imaging using a wide bandwidth antenna array with a large number of elements is inevitably corrupted by beam-squint and is well beyond the capability of current or projected digital approaches. In this paper, we introduce a novel microwave imaging technique by use of the spectral selectivity of inhomogeneously broadened absorber (IBA) materials, which have tens of GHz bandwidth and sub-MHz spectral resolution, allowing real-time, high resolution, beam-squint compensated, broadband RF imaging. Our imager uses a self-calibrated optical Fourier processor for beam-forming, which allows rapid imaging without massive parallel digitization or RF receivers, and generates a squinted broadband image. We correct for the beam squint by capturing independent images at each resolvable spectral frequency in a cryogenically-cooled IBA crystal and then using a chirped laser to sequentially read out each spectral image with a synchronously scanned zoom lens to compensate for the frequency dependent magnification of beam squint. Preliminary experimental results for a 1-D broadband microwave imager are presented.
Positive identification of lake strandlines in Shalbatana Vallis, Mars

[1] Remote sensing studies of possible Martian paleolakes have hinted at the presence of paleoshorelines on Mars, although have never been unequivocally identified. Recently-acquired sub-meter scale High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) images of Shalbatana Vallis reveal the first direct evidence of strandlines along a delta formed within an intravalley lake during the Hesperian epoch (3.4 Ga). HiRISE images show where water from a 57-km-long valley built a delta, flowed over its subaerial plain, and finally debouched into a more than 450-m-deep lake, forming chutes in the subaqueous part of the deposit. At present, the studied system contains some of the most pristine, distinctive, and recent lacustrine evidence among all the candidate Martian paleolakes. The associated sedimentary deposits provide a valuable target for future in-situ analyses aimed at the characterization of the hydrology, climate, and biological potential of ancient Mars.
Effect of interfacial oxide on Ge MOSCAP and N-MOSFET characteristics

The effect of electrical quality of interfacial oxide on Ge MOSCAP and MOSFET characteristics is investigated. Different growth conditions are studied to optimize the interfacial layer. CV and D"i"t measurements are done for accurate comparison of different gate dielectric stacks. Optimized ozone oxidation process is integrated with Co-induced dopant activation to fabricate Ge N-MOSFETs. Forty percent improvement in inversion electron mobility is demonstrated with optimized GeO"2 passivation. The highest electron mobility is reported in bulk Ge N-MOSFETs with GeO"2/Al"2O"3 gate dielectric stack.
Cumulative effects of forestry practices: An example framework for evaluation from Oregon, U.S.A.

Abstract Cumulative effects of forestry operations accumulate over time and space in forested landscapes where harvesting and management occur. We review the literature and concepts associated with cumulative effects and propose a framework for evaluating them. In order to evaluate potential adverse effects of forestry on vegetation, soils, streams, aquatic organisms, wildlife and air, baseline conditions and natural variations of resource characteristics must be known. Cause-effect relationships must be documented. Systems of measurements and monitoring must be implemented along with databases and geographic information systems for displaying information at spatial scales from individual sites to landscapes and regions. Systems for decision-making must be implemented. We provide an example of a framework for such a system in a mountainous, forested river basin in northwest Oregon, U.S.A. We conclude that knowledge and technologies for preliminary systems exist now, but that for more refined systems more knowledge of details of cause-effect links and of simulation models should be developed.
They saw a triple Lutz: Bias and its perception in American and Russian newspaper coverage of the 2002 Olympic figure skating scandal.

We explored bias and its perception in newspaper reports of the 2002 Olympics figure skating controversy. American and Russian articles were examined for their perceptions of the Canadian and Russian pairs' performances, directionality of the Russian and American media and publics' biases, and media awareness of those biases. Reporters' accounts varied as a function of country of affiliation and indicated a one-sided acknowledgment of media and public bias. The American media acknowledged a pro-Canadian bias in their reporting; there was no self-bias acknowledgment in the Russian press. Country of affiliation produced one-sided coverage of this event, and even the American media's awareness of self-biases did not ensure bias-free reporting. These findings are discussed amid respective countries' cultural and political contexts.
Life cycle assessment of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites

The use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites is gaining momentum with the pressure to lightweight vehicles; however energy intensity and cost remain major barriers to the wide-scale adoption of this material for automotive applications. This study determines the relative life cycle benefits of two precursor types (conventional textile-type acrylic fibers and renewable-based lignin), part manufacturing technologies (conventional SMC and P4), and a fiber recycling technology. A representative automotive part, i.e., a 30.8-kg steel floor pan having a 17% weight reduction potential with stringent crash performance requirements, has been considered for the life cycle energy and emissions analysis. Four scenarios—combinations of the precursor types and manufacturing technologies—are compared to the stamped steel baseline part. The analysis finds the lignin-based part made through P4 technology to offer the greatest life cycle energy and CO2 emissions benefits. Carbon fiber production is estimated to be about 14 times more energy-intensive than conventional steel production; however, life cycle primary energy use is estimated to be quite similar to the conventional part, i.e., 18,500 MJ/part, especially when considering the uncertainty in LCI data that exist from using numerous sources in the literature. The sensitivity analysis concludes that with a 20% reduction in energy use in the conversion of lignin to carbon fiber and no energy use incurred in lignin production since lignin is a by-product of ethanol and paper production, a 30% reduction in life cycle energy use could be obtained. A similar level of life cycle energy savings could also be obtained with a higher part weight reduction potential of 43%.
Evaluation of the effect of rainfall intensity and duration on the persistence of chlorothalonil on processing tomato foliage

Abstract Rainfall affects the removal of fungicide from crop foliage, but it was not known whether the rainfall effect is strictly a function of total rainfall, or dependent on rainfall intensity and duration. This study aimed to determine if chlorothalonil wash-off predictions could be improved by knowing rainfall intensity and duration rather than just total rainfall for the rain event. Chlorothalonil was applied to potted processing tomato plants and allowed to dry for 5 h. Controlled rainfall experiments were performed in the laboratory under a rainfall simulator at rainfall intensities of 13, 25, 51, and 76 mm/h and rainfall durations of 10, 20, 30, 68, and 150 min. After the plants were dry, foliar samples were removed from the upper and lower canopy and chlorothalonil residue was quantified using an immunoassay. Rainfall intensity and duration independently affected removal of chlorothalonil from foliage, but total rainfall described more of the variability in the data.
Benedetta and the creation of ‘Second Futurism’

Despite the recent vogue in studies on Futurism, writer and artist Benedetta Cappa Marinetti has received little critical attention. Few scholarly works have focused on her essays regarding woman and the Fascist state, and in particular the role of mother. It has been argued that these texts support not only the position that women futurists – in adhering to a movement remembered for its disprezzo della donna – were victims of their self-accepting inferiority, but also the view that Futurist attitudes towards women were a precursor of Fascist-era gender politics. Larkin challenges this position, and discusses crucial new archival research, which reveals how maternity in Benedetta's works is actually linked to her radical new reformulation of Futurism. Far from seconding woman's inferior position within the avant-garde, or indeed the Fascist state, Benedetta uses the issue of maternity subtly to subvert her status – in both the movement and society – from within.
Efficacy of the rotary knife in the control of potato ring rot

Two factorial experiments in the control of ring-rot spread were carried out to test the effectiveness of 1) the rotary cutting knife, 2) two mercuric chloride cut seed dips, and (3) the ultra violet light. In both experiments the rotary knife produced higher yields of both healthy and total tubers than any of the other treatments tried. It also led to a statistically significant reduction in the amount of ring-rot diseased tubers. In both experiments mercuric chloride seed piece dips gave the greatest control of ring-rot spread, but at the same time led to the smallest crop of healthy and of total tubers. Either the extent of the field layout or the differences obtained, or both, were too small to show results of statistical significance in the control of ring-rot by the use of the ultra violet light. Analyses of covariance showed a high correlation between stand and yield, indicating that the yield of total tubers (healthy + diseased) was dependent on the effect of the particular treatment on emergence. The picker planter in the field led to an apparent spread of ring-rot, but the increase under conditions of the experiment may have been due to random variations as the difference was not statistically significant.
Equal-noise spectroscopic measurement.

An experimental spectroscopic method that allows arbitrary uncertainties of measurement without a priori knowledge of a source emission rate is presented. The method is fully developed using as an example a Fabry-Perot spectrometer examining a line source for Doppler width and shift information. The method consists of measuring a given spectroscopic signal at an arbitrary SNR for all spectral elements and recording the time necessary to attain this condition. The recovery of the original signal from the recorded times and the associated error analysis are given for the Fabry-Perot spectrometer example. The main advantages of this method when compared with the classical equal time sample method are the independence from the source emission rate and fixed arbitrary uncertainties of measurement. These properties have been found very useful in auroral zone measurements, where the emission rate of the source can change considerably over the course of a measurement. The price of these advantages is a slight increase in the uncertainties of determination relative to the classical mode for a given emission rate × time product.
The dynamics of discontinuity surfaces in general relativity theory

Abstract : A system of necessary conditions is obtained for the existence of solutions of the Einstein field equations in the presence of jumps on sigma. These conditions are shown to be expressible in terms of surface tensors and surface tensorial differential systems.
The Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide on a CST Under Cesium Ion Exchange Conditions

About 10 years ago, a crystalline silicotitanate (CST) was synthesized using an alkali metal hydroxide and the alkoxides of titanium and silicon. TAM5 is a specific form of the developed CST. Later, TAM5 was modified by replacing about 25% of the titanium with niobium. The modified TAM5 was tested extensively to enable its use as an inorganic ion exchanger for the removal of radioisotopes, especially 137Cs from highly alkaline nuclear waste solutions. IONSIV IE 911 is a granular form of modified TAM5 that is commercially available from UOP, LLC and was tested successfully at a pilot plant at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In separate experiments, the degeneration of hydrogen peroxide was used to generate gas in situ to determine the effect of gas production on the column performance. These experiments led to experiments to determine the effect, if any, of hydrogen peroxide on the cesium partition coefficient (Cs Kd) and the CST structure. CST was equilibrated with alkaline nuclear waste simulants containi...
Repairability of Impact-Induced Damage in SMC Composites

This study discusses the repairability of impact-induced damage in an SMC composite which is made of chopped glass fibers and polyester matrix. The impact resistance and notch sensitivity of the composite material are characterized by tensile and flexural tests. Equivalent hole sizes for impact-induced damage are identified through the comparisons between the residual strengths of composites with impact-induced damage and artificial circular cutouts. It is concluded that no damaged portion should be removed from the impacted composites; otherwise more damage could be introduced to the com posites. The damaged composites are then repaired with a technique combining resin in jection and reinforcing patches. The resin injection is performed to seal the matrix cracks which would otherwise result in high stress concentrations due to geometrical discon tinuity. The reinforcing patches are employed to compensate for the strength reduction due to fiber breakage. It is revealed from the experiments that the repair...
TRIANGULATION AND GENERAL POSITION OF PL DIAGRAMS

Abstract We give conditions under which a diagram R ← g P → g Q of polyhedra and PL maps is triangulable. Suppose there is an integer m such that if q 1 ,…, q r are distinct points of Q with gf -1 ( q i )∩ gf -1 ( q i +1 )≠ ∅, i = 1,…, r - 1, then r ⩽ m . Then there are triangulations K , H , and J of P , Q , and R , respectively, with respect to which f and g are simplicial. Moreover, if f and g are surjections, then the relation q ∼ q ' if gf -1 ( q ) ∩ gf -1 ( q ') ≠ ∅ defines a quotient complex L of H and simplicial maps ψ : H → L and φ : J → L such that the diagram is commutative. Suppose R is a PL n -manifold, and for some triangulation T of P , dim σ + max{dim f -1 ( q ) ∩ σ | q ∈ Q } n for each σ ∈ T . Then g may be approximated by a PL map h : P → R such that the diagram R ← g P → g Q satisfies the hypothesis above with m = 4 n 2 , and, hence, is triangulable. These are adaptations and generalizations of results of T. Homma, which we use to give a proof of R. Miller's codimension-three PL approximation theorem: If f : M m → N n , n − m ⩾ 3, is a topological embedding of a PL m -manifold M into a PL n -manifold N , then f can be approximated by PL embeddings.
Increased Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Gene Expression and Steatosis during Hepatitis C Virus Subgenome Replication: ROLE OF NONSTRUCTURAL COMPONENT 5A AND CCAAT/ENHANCER-BINDING PROTEIN β*

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection greatly increases the risk for type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; however, the pathogenic mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here we report gluconeogenic enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) transcription and associated transcription factors are dramatically up-regulated in Huh.8 cells, which stably express an HCV subgenome replicon. HCV increased activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBPβ), forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and involved activation of the cAMP response element in the PEPCK promoter. Infection with dominant-negative CREB or C/EBPβ-shRNA significantly reduced or normalized PEPCK expression, with no change in PGC-1α or FOXO1 levels. Notably, expression of HCV nonstructural component NS5A in Huh7 or primary hepatocytes stimulated PEPCK gene expression and glucose output in HepG2 cells, whereas a deletion in NS5A reduced PEPCK expression and lowered cellular lipids but was without effect on insulin resistance, as demonstrated by the inability of insulin to stimulate mobilization of a pool of insulin-responsive vesicles to the plasma membrane. HCV-replicating cells demonstrated increases in cellular lipids with insulin resistance at the level of the insulin receptor, increased insulin receptor substrate 1 (Ser-312), and decreased Akt (Ser-473) activation in response to insulin. C/EBPβ-RNAi normalized lipogenic genes sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and liver X receptor α but was unable to reduce accumulation of triglycerides in Huh.8 cells or reverse the increase in ApoB expression, suggesting a role for increased lipid retention in steatotic hepatocytes. Collectively, these data reveal an important role of NS5A, C/EBPβ, and pCREB in promoting HCV-induced gluconeogenic gene expression and suggest that increased C/EBPβ and NS5A may be essential components leading to increased gluconeogenesis associated with HCV infection.
ORGANIZATION OF THE SPINA BIFIDA NEURAL TUBE IN SPLOTCH (PAX-3 DEFECTIVE) MOUSE EMBRYOS

The development of the dorsal portion of the spinal cord is adversely affected in a mouse mutant, Splotch (Sp). This mutation is a splicing defect of Pax-3 mRNA, which encodes a transcription factor. Organization of the neural tube in Sp/Sp mice has been studied with the genes Pax-3, Wnt 3a, Msx 1 and Msx 2, which are expressed specifically in the dorsal portion of the neural tube. Regionalization of the Sp neural tube is properly preserved along the dorso-ventral and medio-lateral axes. This suggests that the severe phenotype of the central nervous system (CNS) in Sp embryos is not caused by gross loss of a particular cell population. The level of expression of the Msx 2 gene (a homeobox gene, previously called Hox 8), whose expression pattern is similar to that of Pax-3 in the developing neural tube, is reduced in neuroepithelial cells of Sp mutants in the CNS. This suggests that Msx 2 is located downstream to Pax-3 in a regulatory pathway that is required during the development of the dorsal portion of the neural tube.
Effect of Cu Line Capping Process on Stress Migration Reliability

Effect of Cu capping layer processes on stress-migration (SM) is discussed in this paper. Cu cap was demonstrated to reduce the failure rates of SM, presumably owing to its suppression of vacancy surface migration under stress gradient. Although formation of CuSix improved the adhesion between copper and dielectric capping layer. Its SM performance was degraded and failure rates increased accordingly. It was hypothesized that introducing silicon into Cu would generate excess vacancies for CuSix process
A Comparative Analysis of Emissions Deterioration for In-Use Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Abstract Although there have been several studies examining emissions from in–use alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), little is known about the deterioration of these emissions over vehicle lifetimes and how this deterioration compares with deterioration from conventional vehicles (CVs). This paper analyzes emissions data from 70 AFVs and 70 CVs operating in the federal government fleet to determine whether AFV emissions deterioration differs significantly from CV emissions deterioration. An analysis is conducted on three alternative fuel types (natural gas, methanol, and ethanol) and on four pollutants (carbon monoxide, total hydrocarbons, non-methane hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides). The results indicate that for most cases studied, deterioration differences are not statistically significant; however, several exceptions (most notably with natural gas vehicles) suggest that air quality planners and regulators must further analyze AFV emissions deterioration to properly include these technologies in broad...
The Effects of Processing on the Morphology of Nanoparticles

One of the major challenges confronting the utilization of nanoparticles in industrial and social applications is that of producing the nanoscale materials. Of the methods of manufacturing nanoscale materials, processes involving plasmas have been shown to be cost-effective and versatile in the production of chemically diverse material. Using transmission electron microscopy, individual nanoparticles produced by a thermal plasma-based production method have been examined. The observations of these studies imply that the thermal history of the nanoparticles during formation is of great importance in the determination of the resulting nanoparticle morphology. Such results have the potential to enable the manufacturing of nanoparticles of a specific size and shape from plasmas.
Therapeutic hypothermia and prevention of acute kidney injury: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract Background Therapeutic hypothermia has been shown to reduce neurological morbidity and mortality in the setting of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and may be beneficial following brain injury and cardiopulmonary bypass. We conducted a systematic review to ascertain the effect of therapeutic hypothermia on development of acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality. Methods We searched for randomized controlled trials in MEDLINE through February 2011. We included trials comparing hypothermia to normothermia that reported kidney-related outcomes including, development of AKI, dialysis requirement, changes in serum creatinine, and mortality. We performed Peto fixed-effect and random-effects model meta-analyses, and meta-regressions. Results Nineteen trials reporting on 2218 patients were included; in the normothermia group, the weighted rate of AKI was 4.2%, dialysis requirement 3.7%, and mortality 10.8%. By meta-analysis, hypothermia was not associated with a lower odds of AKI (odds ratio [OR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68, 1.51; P =0.95) or dialysis requirement (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.30, 2.19; P =0.68); however, by meta-regression, a lower target cooling temperature was associated with a lower odds of AKI ( P =0.01). Hypothermia was associated with lower mortality (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.51, 0.92; P =0.01). Conclusions In trials that ascertained kidney endpoints, therapeutic hypothermia prevented neither the development of AKI nor dialysis requirement, but was associated with lower mortality. Different definitions and rates of AKI, differences in mortality rates, and concerns about the optimal target cooling temperature preclude definitive conclusions.
A fathead minnow Pimephales promelas early life stage toxicity test method evaluation and exposure to four organic chemicals

Abstract A 32-day test was developed at the Environmental Research Laboratory—Duluth for conducting early life stage (ELS) toxicity tests with fathead minnows Pimephales promelas. These test procedures were evaluated by using the prescribed methods to establish estimated maximum acceptable toxicant concentrations (MATC) for fathead minnows exposed to four previously untested organic chemicals. Toxic effects on early developmental stages demonstrated that larval growth and survival were the most sensitive indicators of toxic stress. Embryo hatch and larval deformities at hatch were the least sensitive indicators of toxicity. The estimated MATCs for fathead minnows exposed to hexachlorobutadiene, 1,2-dichloropropane, 1,3-dichloropropane and 1,2-dichloroethane lie between 6·5 and 13 μg litre−1, 6 and 11 mg litre−1, 8 and 16 mg litre−1 and 29 and 59 mg litre−1, respectively. Results obtained from the four ELS test method evaluations and the estimated MATCs derived from these evaluations demonstrate the consistency of the ELS toxicity test procedures for fathead minnows currently being adopted as standards by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the American Society for Testing and Materials. These ELS test methods produced good replication and, when used to predict long-term chronic toxicity, will provide a rapid means to develop water quality criteria and screen large numbers of single chemicals or complex effluents.
Chemisorbed Oxygen on Au(111) Produced by a Novel Route: Reaction in Condensed Films of NO2 + H2O

We report a facile, low-temperature reaction between condensed-phase NO2 and H2O that leads ultimately to the formation of a large concentration (θ0 = 0.42 monolayers) of adsorbed oxygen adatoms on a Au(111) surface. This reaction represents a novel route to generate surface oxygen on Au that can be utilized in fundamental studies of oxidation catalysis over Au such as low-temperature CO oxidation and the operation of Au converter tubes used in redox chemiluminesence detectors for atmospheric NOx. Also, this reaction may be relevant to heterogeneous processes occurring on ice particles in stratospheric clouds. This reaction is not specifically catalyzed by the Au(111) surface or by the defects present on the Au surface, and so this reaction may have some general utility for facile oxidation of unreactive surfaces.
On-chip regeneration of aptasensors for monitoring cell secretion

We report on the use of reconfigurable microfluidics for on-chip regeneration of aptasensors used for continuous monitoring of cell-secreted products.
Response of soil microbial and invertebrate communities to tracked vehicle disturbance in tallgrass prairie

Soil biota drive fundamental ecosystem processes such as decomposition, nutrient cycling, and maintenance of soil structure. They are especially active in grassland ecosystems such as the tallgrass prairie, where much of the net primary productivity is allocated belowground and ultimately processed by heterotrophic soil organisms. Because both soil microbes and soil fauna display perturbation responses that integrate the physical, chemical, and biological changes to their environment, the structure of belowground microbial and faunal communities is used widely as an indication of the ecological status of soils. To investigate the effects of military training on tallgrass prairie soil communities, a replicated small-plot study of tracked vehicle disturbance effects was initiated at Fort Riley, Kansas in 2003. This article reports subsequent rates of recovery for soil microbial and invertebrate communities over a range of disturbances encompassing different soil types (silty clay loam and silt loam soils), environmental conditions (wet vs. dry traffic events), traffic intensities (single vs. repeated traffic), and track areas (curve vs. straightaway). Microbial biomass in wet silty clay loam soil treatments and on curve areas in silt loam soil was suppressed for 1–2 years following disturbance but increased to levels greater than undisturbed plots in all treatments by the fourth year. Nematode abundance, family richness, trophic composition, and community structure also displayed maximum disturbance for wet treatments and curve areas. Trophic composition and community structure continued to exhibit disturbance effects throughout the 4-year study period, even after recovery of nematode abundance. Earthworm abundance displayed the most severe reductions (78% across soil types, treatments and areas) immediately following tank traffic but, like microbial biomass, subsequently increased to levels greater than undisturbed plots. Nematode community structure provided a reliable and comprehensive assessment of the status of the soil food web and was an effective bioindicator of ecosystem recovery following traffic disturbance. In addition, given the dominant role of earthworms in ecosystem processes and their extreme sensitivity to tracked vehicle disturbance, it is recommended that this group be included in monitoring protocols for military training land managers.
Cholesterol efflux pathways and other potential mechanisms involved in the athero‐protective effect of high density lipoproteins

Plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels bear a strong independent inverse relationship with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Although HDL has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilating and anti-thrombotic properties, the central anti-atherogenic activity of HDL is likely to be its ability to remove cholesterol and oxysterols from macrophage foam cells, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in the arterial wall. To some extent, the pleotropic athero-protective properties of HDL may be related to its ability to promote sterol and oxysterol efflux from arterial wall cells, as well as to detoxify oxidized phospholipids. In cholesterol-loaded macrophages, activation of liver X receptors (LXRs) leads to increased expression of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassetter transporter (ABCA1), ATP binding cassetter transporter gene (ABCG1) and apoE and promotes cholesterol efflux. ABCA1 stimulates cholesterol efflux to lipid-poor apolipoproteins, whilst ABCG1 promotes efflux of cholesterol and oxysterols to HDL. Despite some recent setbacks in the clinical arena, there is still intense interest in therapeutically targeting HDL and macrophage cholesterol efflux pathways, via treatments with niacin, cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibitors, LXR activators and infusions of apoA-1, phospholipids and peptides.
On the optimal assembly of series-parallel systems

A heuristic for the optimal assembly of series-parallel systems is proposed. An asymptotic optimality property of this heuristic is derived by means of a probabilistic analysis. Bounds on the absolute and relative errors of an arbitrary heuristic for the optimal assembly of series-parallel systems are calculated.
Effect of prolactin on adrenocortical and gonadal function in normal men.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), estrone (E1, estradiol (E2) and gonadotropins were measured in 3 normal adult men before and after administration of 50 mg ovine prolactin for 5 days. No significant change as a result of ovine prolactin administration was observed in any of the parameters examined.
Fully Nonhydrostatic Modeling of Surface Waves

A fully nonhydrostatic model is tested by simulating a range of surface-wave motions, including linear dispersive waves, nonlinear Stokes waves, wave propagation over bottom topographies, and wave–current interaction. The model uses an efficient implicit method to solve the unsteady, three-dimensional, Navier-Stokes equations and the fully nonlinear free-surface boundary conditions. A new top-layer pressure treatment is incorporated to fully include the nonhydrostatic pressure effect. The model results are verified against either analytical solutions or experimental data. It is found that the model using a small number of vertical layers is capable of accurately simulating both the free-surface elevation and vertical flow structure. By further examining the model’s performance of resolving wave dispersion and nonlinearity, the model’s efficiency and accuracy are demonstrated.
Chemical gas sensor array dataset.

To address drift in chemical sensing, an extensive dataset was collected over a period of three years. An array of 16 metal-oxide gas sensors was exposed to six different volatile organic compounds at different concentration levels under tightly-controlled operating conditions. Moreover, the generated dataset is suitable to tackle a variety of challenges in chemical sensing such as sensor drift, sensor failure or system calibration. The data is related to “Chemical gas sensor drift compensation using classifier ensembles”, by Vergara et al. [1], and “On the calibration of sensor arrays for pattern recognition using the minimal number of experiments”, by Rodriguez-Lujan et al. [2] The dataset can be accessed publicly at the UCI repository upon citation of: http://archive.ics.uci.edu/ml/datasets/Gas+Sensor+Array+Drift+Dataset+at+Different+Concentrations
Less (bacterial diversity) is more (deaths).

In this issue of Blood , Taur et al demonstrate that a lack of intestinal microbial diversity independently predicts nonrelapse mortality (NRM) in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.[1][1] At the time of engraftment, patients with low microbial diversity were at fivefold higher risk
The optimal insertion length of central venous catheter via the femoral route for open-heart surgery in infants and children.

Summary Background: The recommended insertion length of central venous (CV) catheter via the internal jugular or subclavian vein has been determined in infants and children. However, the insertion length via the femoral vein has not been well-studied. This study determined the optimal insertion length of CV catheter via the femoral vein. Methods: Infants and children, who had undergone cardiac catheterization via the right femoral vein, were the subjects of the study. After routine cardiac catheterization, the distance from the femoral puncture site to the third lumbar vertebral body (L3) level, was measured and recorded. The femoral-L3 length was termed as the optimal insertion length. Results: This length was measured in 78 infants and children (age: 1–101 months, weight: 3.1–33.8 kg). The body weight of the patient and the length correlated well: the optimal insertion length (cm) = 0.45 × body weight (kg) + 8.13, coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.84. Conclusions: It has been recommended to place the tip of the catheter below the level of renal veins to avoid blocking free flow of those veins. Therefore, we chose the mid-point, L3 level as the optimal tip position of the femoral venous catheter. The length derived from the above formula could be used as a guideline for CV catheter insertion via the femoral vein in infants and children.
Intracellular Ca2+ regulates amphetamine-induced dopamine efflux and currents mediated by the human dopamine transporter

Although it is clear that amphetamine-induced dopamine (DA) release mediated by the dopamine transporter (DAT) is integral to the behavioral actions of this psychostimulant, the mechanism of this release is not clear. In this study, we explored the requirement for intracellular Ca(2+) in amphetamine-induced DA efflux and currents mediated by the human DAT. The patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration was used on Na(+) and DA-preloaded human embryonic kidney 293 cells stably transfected with the human DAT (hDAT cells). Chelation of intracellular Ca(2+) by inclusion of 50 microM BAPTA in the whole-cell pipette reduced the voltage-dependent amphetamine-induced hDAT current, with the greatest effect seen at positive voltages. Likewise, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) reduced amphetamine-induced DA efflux as measured by amperometry. Furthermore, preincubation of the cells with 50 microM BAPTA acetoxy methyl ester (AM) or thapsigargin also blocked amphetamine-induced release of preloaded N-methyl-4-[(3)H]phenylpyridinium from superfused hDAT cells. BAPTA-AM also reduced DA release from striatal synaptosomes. Amphetamine also led to an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) that was blocked by prior treatment with 5 microM thapsigargin or 10 microM cocaine. These studies demonstrate that amphetamine-induced DAT-mediated currents and substrate efflux require internal Ca(2+) and that amphetamine can stimulate dopamine efflux by regulating cytoplasmic Ca(2+) levels through its interaction with DAT.
Slow growth and slow convergence in sub-Saharan Africa

We expand on the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)–Rest of World (ROW) growth difference literature and find a robust and consistently negative coefficient of an SSA dummy variable over the period 1965 to 2000. Most importantly, we find that SSA countries converge more slowly, if at all, than ROW countries.
An adaptive biasing one-stage CMOS operational amplifier for driving high capacitive loads

An adaptive biasing one-stage CMOS operational amplifier for driving high capacitive loads has been developed. The amplifier has been designed to drive liquid-crystal-displays (LCDs) in battery-supplied devices. Contradictory features like low power dissipation and high driving capability at low supply voltage are required. Complementary differential input stages provide rail-to-rail common-mode input range. With a special cross-coupled double-to-single-end conversion, a full supply output range is achieved. These improvements solve a functional problem of some existing adaptive biasing amplifiers. Simulation and measurements demonstrate good correlation and show the expected results, especially in the critical operating area. >
Optical determination of intracellular water in apoptotic cells

Key points • Determination of intracellular water can be achieved by a combination of brightfield and transmission-through-dye imaging, all realized on a standard transmission microscope. • The method permits sensitive detection of water loss in cells exposed to apoptotic agents. • Cell water measurements are not affected by separation of apoptotic bodies and can be applied to samples where measurements of cell volume alone would be insufficient. Abstract Intracellular water plays a critical role in apoptotic and necrotic cell death. We describe a method for quantifying cell water by application of two previously described variants of transmission microscopy. By taking two axially displaced brightfield images, the phase shift of the transmitted wave was computed using the transport-of-intensity equation. At the same time, cell thickness was determined by transmission through an externally applied dye (‘transmission-through-dye’ microscopy); switching between these two imaging modalities was accomplished by simply changing the illumination wavelength. The sets of data thus obtained allow computation of the refractive index and cell water content within individual cells. The method was illustrated using cells treated with apoptotic agents staurosporine and actinomycin D and with necrosis inducer ionomycin. Water imaging allows discrimination between apoptotic volume decrease due to dehydration from that due to detachment of apoptotic bodies and can be used on samples where cell volume determination alone would be difficult or insufficient.
Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes read distinct signals in establishing myelin sheath thickness

Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes produce myelin sheaths of widely varying sizes. How these cells determine the size of myelin sheath for a particular axon is incompletely understood. Axonal diameter has long been suspected to be a signal in this process. We have analyzed myelin sheath thickness in L5 lumbar root and spinal cord white matter of a series of mouse mutants with diminished axonal calibers resulting from a deficiency of neurofilaments (NFs). In the PNS, average axonal diameters were reduced by 20 ‐37% in the NF mutants. Remarkably, the average myelin sheath thickness remained unchanged from control values, and regression analysis showed sheaths abnormally thick for a given size of axon. These data show that a genetically induced reduction in axonal caliber does not cause a reduction in myelin sheath thickness in PNS and indicate that Schwann cells read some intrinsic signal on axons that can be uncoupled from axonal diameter. Interestingly, myelin sheaths in the spinal cord of these animals were not abnormally thick, arguing that axonal diameter may contribute directly to the regulation of myelination in the CNS and that oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells use different cues to set myelin sheath thickness. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:493‐ 499, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Zone Electrophoresis and Prolactin Activity of Rat Adenohypophysis Cultivated in Vitro

Homogenates of the adenohypophysis from the intact rat and of adenohypophysial explants cultivated in vitro for 3 days, and the culture media in which these explants had been maintained, were assayed for protein content and for prolactin activity. In the 3 groups, the mean concentrations of protein per single whole pars distalis (AP) were, respectively, 0.46, 0.47 and 0.20 mg/AP; the mean activities of prolactin were, respectively, 0.26, 0.34 and 0.80 IU/AP. These results demonstrate that the rodent adenohypophysis is capable of synthesizing both protein and prolactin during the culture period. Samples of the 3 groups were subjected to zone electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. After electrophoresis, each gel was sliced into 4 segments and assayed for prolactin activity. Prolactin, demonstrable in the segment adjacent to the anode, markedly increased in the cultivated explants and in the culture medium. The increase in prolactin activity was correlated with a shift in the number of bands and their intens...
Species delimitation: new approaches for discovering diversity.

Systematics can be considered to have two major goals: (1) to discover and describe species and (2) to determine the phylogenetic relationships of these species. But even a quick perusal of titles in Systematic Biology through out most of its 15-year history will confirm an obvious fact: most articles focus on reconstructing phylogenies and on using these phylogenies to address evolution ary or biogeographic questions, with few papers on the methodology underlying this first major goal of system atics research (Fig. 1). Nevertheless, species delimitation, the process by which species boundaries are determined and new species are discovered, may finally be emerging as a ma jor topic in modern systematics (e.g., Sites and Marshall, 2003). New methods for species delimitation are being developed (e.g., Puorto et al., 2001; Templeton, 2001; Wiens and Penkrot, 2002; Morando et al., 2003; Pons et al., 2006) and compared (e.g., Marshall et al., 2006; Pons et al., 2006). Ambitious proposals have been made, with the goal of accelerating the rate at which new species are discovered and described, including DNA barcoding (e.g., Hebert et al., 2003, 2004), DNA taxonomy (Tautz et al., 2003), and Web-based taxonomy (e.g., Godfray, 2002; Scoble, 2004; Knapp et al., 2007). Controversies are raging in the literature over these proposals (espe cially over DNA barcoding: Will et al., 2005; Brower, 2006; Hickerson et al., 2006; Meier et al., 2006) and other aspects of species delimitation and over the consequences of new approaches in species delimitation for other fields, such as ecology and conservation (Agapow et al., 2004; Isaac et al., 2004; Padial and de la Riva, 2006). This new em phasis on species delimitation has arisen (at least in part) because of growing concern over threats to biodiversity and the desire to describe as many species as possible as quickly and accurately as possible before they disappear. However, an increased interest in species delimitation is barely reflected in the pages of Systematic Biology, if at all (Fig. 1). This disconnect was my major motivation for organizing a symposium for the Society of Systematic Biologists on this topic. The Symposium
An Econometric Analysis of the Costs of Sequestering Carbon in Forests

The Kyoto Protocol and the U.S. Climate Change Plan recognize afforestation as a potential means of reducing atmospheric CO 2 concentrations. To examine the cost-effectiveness of afforestation, we use econometric land use models to estimate the marginal costs of carbon sequestration in Maine, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Our findings include the following: (a) earlier studies of afforestation programs tend to underestimate carbon sequestration costs, (b) afforestation still appears to be a relatively low-cost approach to reducing CO 2 concentrations, (c) Wisconsin offers the lowest-cost opportunties for carbon sequestration, and (d) projected population changes have the largest effect on costs in South Carolina.
Spontaneous Formation of Ridges on Patterned Mesas and Their Role in the Evolution of Step Arrays

Mesa structures fabricated on Si(111) surfaces have been found experimentally to develop step arrays with large spacing of the order of a micron or more after annealing at temperatures where sublimation becomes important. Ridges around the edges initially develop during annealing and form barriers to step motion before eventually breaking down. This produces an array of steps of the same sign with a few wide terraces. Computer simulations using one dimensional Burton, Cabrera and Frank (BCF) theory including attachment-detachment rates and step-step repulsion for this configuration show that the terraces evolve under different dynamics depending on the terrace widths. For large terrace widths, sublimation dominates the step dynamics and the Ehrlich-Schwoebel effect is negligible. Sinusoidal terrace width distributions result in this case. The experimentally measured step distribution has such a sinusoidal shape suggesting that the step dynamics is sublimation dominated on the mesas after ridge breakdown.
Pictures of Ghosts: A Critique of Alfred Bloom's The Linguistic Shaping of Thought

1984 An Open Letter to the President and Board of the American Anthropological Association. Anthropology Newsletter 26(2):2,7. Goodman, R. A. 1983 Mead's Coming of Age in Samoa: A Dissenting View. Oakland: Pipperline Press. Holmes, L. D. 1957 The Restudy of Manu'a Culture: A Problem in Methodology. Ph.D. thesis, Northwestern University. 1961 The Samoan Kava Ceremony. Science of Man June) 46-50. Howard, J. 1984 Margaret Mead: A Life. New York: Simon & Schuster. Mead, M. 1928a The Role of the Individual in Sa-