cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TV Viewing as Good Citizenship? Political Rationality, Enlightened Democracy and PBS

This article draws on theories of political rationality, governmentality and cultural policy as well as historical analysis to examine how a philosophy of ‘enlightened democracy’ informed the historical formation of PBS. I analyse its early campaign to turn TV viewers into active citizens and show how the citizen subjectivities constructed presupposed a set of knowledge-power relations defined and managed by ‘opinion leaders’. Following a cultural studies approach I analyse policy and popular discourses to show how requirements of professionalism, reason, civility and detached objectivity served as a means of differentiating good citizens and as a form of social control.
Intracisternal diethylpyrocarbonate inhibits central chemosensitivity in conscious rabbits

Abstract As a direct chemical test of the alpha-imidazole hypothesis for the function of mammalian central chemoreceptors (CCR), diethylprocarbonate (DEPC) a relatively specific reactant with imidazole groups in vitro has been administered in vivo via intracisterna magna (ICM) infusion in conscious rabbits using each rabbit as its own control. DEPC, in a dose-dependent fashio, induced resting hypoventilation and inhibited (1) the ventilatory response to CO 2 in peripherally chemodenervated animals, and (2) both the Pa CO 2 and minute ventilation responses to ICM infusion of an acidic mock cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). HEPC had no effect on the hypoxic ventilatory response and had small non-dose-dependent effects on body temperature. ICM adminstration of hydroxylamine (HDA), a substance that reverses the DEPC-imidazole binding in vitro , prevented DEPC induced inhibition of CCR function. These data support but do not prove the alpha-imidazole hypothesis for mammalian central chemoreceptor function and demonstrate a potentially useful chemical tool for the study of central chemoreception.
Nucleation Time of Nanoscale Water Bridges

Water capillaries bind together grains of sand. They also can bind an atomic force microscope tip to a substrate. The kinetics of capillary condensation at the nanoscale is studied here using friction force microscopy. At 40% relative humidity we find that the meniscus nucleation times increase from 0.7 to 4.2 ms when the temperature decreases from 332 to 299 K. The nucleation times grow exponentially with the inverse temperature $1/T$ obeying an Arrhenius law. We obtain a nucleation energy barrier of $7.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}20}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{J}$ and an attempt frequency ranging between 4 and 250 GHz, in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. These results provide direct experimental evidence that capillary condensation is a thermally activated phenomenon.
A deletion mutation placing the galactokinase gene of Escherichia coli under control of the biotin promoter.

Abstract A deletion has been isolated which fuses galK and presumably galT to the promoter and operator of the bioA operon. The deletion has endpoints in bioA and galE, and leaves the operator-proximal end of bioA intact and the regulatory sites themselves functional. In bacterial strains which carry the deletion, the expression of galK is regulated by biotin, although due to the inefficiency of the bioA promoter even the fully derepressed level of galactokinase is low. Electron micrographic examination of the mutation shows that it is a simple deletion, uncomplicated by other chromosomal abnormalities.
Oxidative pyrolysis of methane and monochloromethane to higher hydrocarbons with steam

Abstract Direct conversion of methane to acetylene, ethane, and ethylene via homogeneous chlorine-catalyzed oxidative pyrolysis using steam has been investigated. Experiments were conducted in an isothermal quartz flow reactor. Monochloromethane, methane, or mixtures of these were used as the carbon feed. The effects of methane to monochloromethane ratio in the feed, reactor temperature, and reactor space time on the product distribution in the reactor effluent were studied. Addition of steam in the feed was highly beneficial in obtaining higher yields and/or selectivities of the C 2 species and suppressing the formation of coke. The key elementary reactions responsible for formation of the products detected are discussed.
Nd and Sr isotopic variations of Early Paleozoic oceans

Abstract We report 143 Nd/ 144 Nd and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotopic data for Lower Paleozoic phosphatic brachiopod and conodont fossils. The data appear to represent the isotopic values of Early Paleozoic seawaters. We show that different paleoceanic water masses can be distinguished on the basis of their e Nd signatures. Two sides of what is classically considered one circulating Iapetus Ocean have different e Nd signatures from at least the Middle Cambrian until the Late Middle Ordovician. We infer two ocean basins between North America and Baltica separated by an island and/or shoal circulation barrier. Thus, it appears necessary to redefine the area of the Iapetus Ocean. The e Nd signature of the redefined smaller Iapetus Ocean ranges from −5 to −9 and the e Nd signature of the larger, coeval Panthalassa Ocean, including part of what was formerly called the Iapetus Ocean, ranges from −10 to −20. The first time that the e Nd values are identical in these two water masses is coincident with the onset of the Taconic Orogeny of North America. The paleogeographic geometry we infer from this work is consistent with paleogeographic reconstructions having the Baltica continent at very high latitudes in the Early/Middle Ordovician. The e Nd and faunal distribution support temperature-controlled conodont faunal provinciality. A rough mean age for exposed continental crust in the Early Paleozoic can be obtained from the average e Nd value of Early Paleozoic Oceans. The data suggest that the mean age of the crust as a function of time has remained essentially constant or even decreased during the past 500 Ma, and suggest substantial additions of new crust to the continents through the Phanerozoic.
Visual Set and Anxiety in the Stroop Phenomenon

The effects of a visual set, the Stroop phenomenon, and anxiety--as measured by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory--upon response latency were examined. Three variations of the set were presented, a color congruent with the response color, a color conflicting with the response color, or no color. Two response conditions were required, reading the color word or reporting the color in which the word was printed. "Reporting the color" had a significantly longer response latency than "reading the word" for all 60 subjects, female volunteers from freshman psychology classes. There was also a significant interaction between anxiety and the Stroop. The medium-anxiety group showed the least discrepancy between the response conditions of the Stroop, indicating the interference effect present in the Stroop phenomenon was least influential for this group. A consistent though not significant difference between the congruent set and conflicting set conditions for the color response as opposed to the word response indicated that, when the set is similar to the response, it is more influential than when it is unrelated.
Cardiovascular Pharmacology of Propranolol in Man

The success of propranolol in treating the symptoms of angina pectoris has raised questions about the effects of beta-adrenergic blockade on the hemodynamic functions, myocardial mechanics, energetics, and metabolic functions. Five milligrams of propranolol was given intravenously to 27 human subjects, 18 with and nine without angiographically proven coronary atherosclerosis. The drug produced a decrease in externally measured indices of myocardial mechanical effort and consequently a fall in myocardial oxygen demands. The hemodynamic changes and resultant increases in myocardial oxygen consumption and coronary flow during supine leg exercise were also attenuated. Propranolol produced different changes in myocardial arteriovenous oxygen extraction depending upon whether the coronary circulation was normal or diseased. Although the data suggest that coronary vasoconstriction occurred in patients with atherosclerotic lesions, no significant change in myocardial lactate exchange was noted after administratio...
Chemical Properties of Oxidized Silicon Carbide Surfaces upon Etching in Hydrofluoric Acid

Hydrogen termination of oxidized silicon in hydrofluoric acid results from an etching process that is now well understood and accepted. This surface has become a standard for studies of surface science and an important component in silicon device processing for microelectronics, energy, and sensor applications. The present work shows that HF etching of oxidized silicon carbide (SiC) leads to a very different surface termination, whether the surface is carbon or silicon terminated. Specifically, the silicon carbide surfaces are hydrophilic with hydroxyl termination, resulting from the inability of HF to remove the last oxygen layer at the oxide/SiC interface. The final surface chemistry and stability critically depend on the crystal face and surface stoichiometry. These surface properties affect the ability to chemically functionalize the surface and therefore impact how SiC can be used for biomedical applications.
The effects of NMDA receptor model time dynamics over the short and long term when set to striatal dorsolateral and ventromedial medium spiny neurons

The medium spiny neurons of the ventral medial and dorsolateral striatum play different roles in the basal ganglia. Certain differences stem from distinct NMDA receptor behaviors. To demonstrate these differences NMDA receptor time constants were adapted in our striatal medium spiny neuron model. The respective parameter values were set at published ventromedial and derived dorsolateral striatal values. The dorsal lateral values had been validated by replicating previously published action potential dynamics and individual receptor current data. Changing NMDA receptor time constants impacted how the dorsal lateral medium spiny neuron model behaved over a long time frame but not in the short term. Therefore, some difference between the dorsal lateral and ventromedial medium spiny neurons may not been seen unless examined over a longer time scale.
Structural predictions for clathrate hydrates of binary mixtures of ethane, propane, and argon

Abstract Recently, Maekawa [T. Maekawa, Fluid Phase Equilib. 243 (2006) 115] reported on experimental phase equilibrium data for binary mixtures of ethane (C 2 H 6 ), propane (C 3 H 8 ), and noble gases (Ar, Kr, Xe). Structural transitions for the Xe–C 3 H 8 and Kr–C 2 H 6 systems were found, but not for the Ar–C 2 H 6 system. Presented here are phase equilibria predictions using a mathematical method in which the van der Waals–Platteeuw statistical mechanical model with the Lennard-Jones and Devonshire approximation is solved directly for the intermolecular potential between the guest molecules and the host molecules. This method is applicable for hydrates in which the Langmuir constants can be computed, either using experimental data or from ab initio data. This method was used to predict existing mixed hydrate phase equilibrium data without any fitting parameters for hydrates from ethane, propane, and argon mixtures. In the ethane–argon hydrate system, a structural transition from structure II to I was predicted to occur for ethane vapor mol fractions below y eth,waterfree = 0.320 at 273.5 K and y eth,waterfree = 0.319 at 276.5 K. These conditions lie outside of the range of conditions considered by Maekawa [T. Maekawa, Fluid Phase Equilib. 243 (2006) 115] thus explaining the inability to find structure transitions for the Ar–C 2 H 6 system. This result, when examined in context with the work of Maekawa, illustrates the power in pairing theoretical modeling with the design of experiments.
Detecting Significant Contrasts in Analysis of Variance

A problem that arises frequently in Analysis of Variance is that after rejection of the overall hypothesis, none of the contrasts of interest may be found to be significant when using the available multiple comparison procedures. A procedure for determining the contrast that is responsible for the rejection of the hypothesis is outlined, and the relationship between the "most significant" contrast and the overall test is shown. The implications of this for carrying out multiple comparisons is discussed.
Comparison of bond strength of six soft denture liners to denture base resin

The bond strength of six commercial soft denture liners was evaluated using a modified tensile test. The soft denture liners investigated were Prolastic, VinaSoft, Flexor, Molloplast-B, Novus, and Super-Soft. The samples were processed according to the manufacturers' instructions to cured denture base resin (polymethyl methacrylate; PMMA). The soft denture liners were 10 x 10 x 3 mm and were processed between two PMMA blocks. The samples were placed in tension until failure. The mode of failure, cohesive or adhesive, was also recorded. The results of this study showed that the bond strength is related to the components of the materials. Prolastic, VinaSoft, and Flexor had the lowest bond strength to cured PMMA and ranged from 9.6 to 11.3 kg/cm2. Super-Soft, Novus, and Molloplast-B demonstrated better bond strengths and ranged from 16.7 to 17.6 kg/cm2. The bond strength of Novus could be improved by using the recommended bonding agent and bonded Novus at 26.1 kg/cm2 had the highest bond strength of all materials tested.
Surface waves at ferrite-metal boundaries

A study is made of the conditions under which a surface wave may exist in a ferrite which is separated from a perfect conductor by a thin layer of a different ferrite. It is found that the properties of the thin layer have a pronounced effect on the form of the wave, even when the thickness is allowed to shrink to zero and the surface wave becomes degenerate.
Evoked Potentials in Multiple Sclerosis

Before the development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), evoked potentials (EPs)-visual evoked potentials, somatosensory evoked potentials, and brain stem auditory evoked responses-were commonly used to determine a second site of disease in patients being evaluated for possible multiple sclerosis (MS). The identification of an area of the central nervous system showing abnormal conduction was used to supplement the abnormal signs identified on the physical examination-thus identifying the "multiple" in MS. This article is a brief overview of additional ways in which central nervous system (CNS) physiology-as measured by EPs-can still contribute value in the management of MS in the era of MRIs.
Procedure for Determining 1-D Flow Distributions in Arbitrarily Connected Passages Without the Influence of Pumping

A calculation procedure is presented which allows the 1–D determination of flow distributions in arbitrarily connected (branching) flow passages having multiple inlets and exits. The procedure uses an adaptation of the finite element technique, iteratively coupled with an accurate 1–D flow solver. The procedure eliminates the usual restrictions inherent with finite element flow calculations. Unlike existing 1–D methods, which require simplifications to the flow equations (uncoupling the momentum and energy equations), to allow for arbitrary branching and multiple inlets and exits, the only limitation of the described methodology is that, at present, it can only accommodate non-rotating configurations (no pumping effects). The calculation procedure is robust, and will always converge for physically possible flow. The procedure is described, and its use is illustrated by an example.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Very weak solutions for Poisson–Nernst–Planck system

Abstract We formulate a notion of very weak solution for the Poisson–Nernst–Planck system. The stationary system possesses a local monotonicity formula. Iterative application of the formula reveals improvement in estimates for ion density and potential, and leads to a local boundedness result. Local boundedness extends to steady-state systems for multiple ions and variable coefficients. The formulation applies to the related Keller–Segel system where stationary very weak solutions in two dimensions are regular. Examples illustrate how structure influences this regularity in higher dimensions.
Oyster Crassostrea virginica Spat Settlement as it Relates to the Restoration of Fish River Reef in Mobile Bay, Alabama

.— Oyster spat settlement at four oyster reefs in Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA, was studied from August through October 1998 and May through mid November 1999. Spat collectors at the reefs were replaced every 2 wk and spat-set estimated as number of oysters per meter square per day. Water quality data at Fish River Reef was monitored using remote sensors. Spat-set data revealed significant variation between the four sites and between the 2 yr. Spat settlement was 5 to 10 times greater at the other three reefs than at Fish River Reef. Dates and intensity of oyster settlement at Fish River Reef were different from dates and intensity of oyster settlement at Shell Bank Reef, both on the eastern side of the bay. However, settlement was similar between Cedar Point Reef and White House Reef, both on the western side of the bay. Spat set appears to occur 3 wk after a rapid decline in water temperature, provided adequate oxygen concentrations are present at the time of settlement. Data collected suggest that intensity of settlement at Fish River Reef is considerably less than at other reefs in this study but could be adequate to reestablish the reef, if cultch and environmental conditions are suitable. The data also suggest that the source of larval oysters at Fish River Reef is different from the source of larval oysters at the other sites tested in the present study.
Synthetic Aperture Processing with Limited Storage and Presumming

The number of transmitted pulses associated with the Doppler histories of a side-looking radar may greatly exceed the desired azimuth compression ratio of the system. This discrepancy is taxing if the storage required for the azimuth processing is provided by cores, magnetic drums, and the like. Thus, as a practical matter, one considers presumming of the data prior to correlation in an attempt to achieve the desired performance with a minimum amount of digital storage. In this paper, the optimum (in terms of resolution) presummer is derived, along with the optimum apportionment of the available storage capacity between the presumming and correlation operations. Under the condition (or generally pessimistic approximation) that the illumination pattern of the antenna uniformly illuminates a Doppler bandwidth equal to the PRF of the radar, the optimum presumming coefficients are the first Np Fourier coefficients of a function which is one of the Doppler bandwidth to be correlated and zero on the remainder of the PRF bandwidth, where Np is the number of transmitted radar pulses over which presumming is provided. Increasing Np reduces the degradation due to presumming, but may leave inadequate storage for correlation. Hence, we optimize the apportionment between the two operations and present the obtainable resolution as a function of total storage and the number of transmitted pulses in the received Doppler history.
Prevalence and initiation of preferential flow paths in a sandy loam with argillic horizon

Numerous studies have reported on preferential solute transport, giving evidence that preferential flow is widespread. However there has been little field documentation of the relative importance of different preferential transport mechanisms. This study used a dye tracer to examine the extent and relative importance of different preferential transport mechanisms in a glacial outwash-derived soil that is used extensively for high input agriculture in central Minnesota, USA (Verndale sandy loam: coarse loamy over sandy, mixed, frigid, Udic Argiborolls). Experimental treatments included three initial soil water contents (WET, MEDIUM, and DRY) and three dye solution application rates (FLOOD, SPRINKLER-High, and SPRINKLER-Low). Thirteen cm of FD&C Blue no. 1 (also known as Brilliant Blue FCF) food dye solution (200 g l−1) were applied to replicated 1 m×1 m plots in a recently tilled 5 year old alfalfa stand and to two additional plots with no history of alfalfa. Vertical soil profile faces were exposed at 10-cm increments across each plot. Extensive and deeper preferential dye movement occurred under FLOOD conditions regardless of initial soil moisture or recent vegetation history. The two SPRINKLER rates generally resulted in relatively shorter preferential flow paths (PFPs). Within-plot variability of dye patterns—including depth and number of PFPs—was very high. Most PFPs observed were associated with roots and decayed roots, or with patterns in the abruptness and topography of the boundary between the Ap and Bt horizons. Open burrows were uncommon, but contributed to extensive preferential flow in the two NO-ALFALFA plots. Our findings indicate that preferential transport is prevalent under the variety of application rate and soil moisture conditions evaluated, and that observable soil features appear to be initiators of the majority of the PFPs. Only a few (10 of 126) of the profiles excavated had preferential flow paths that were not associated with visible soil features. The observed high variability gives support to the idea that observations of spatial variability in pesticide transport studies is due to preferential transport. Our initial goal of elucidating the relationship between rate of application and the relative number and depth of PFPs was aimed at evaluating water flow patterns. However, subsequent research found that dye retardation was increased at slower application rates, indicating that the dye patterns we observed were due to both the rate and the pattern of water movement. As a result, we caution that our findings of generally deeper and more extensive preferential dye transport under the higher velocity FLOOD application rate do not necessarily indicate more extensive preferential water (or non-adsorbing solute) transport at this rate compared to the intermittent SPRINKLER rate. It is possible that our observations may be indicative of patterns in movement of adsorbed solutes such as pesticides, however this contention would require further research.
Childhood Socialization and Companion Animals: United States, 1820-1870

Between 1820 and 1870, middle-class Americans became convinced of the role nonhuman animals could play in socializing children. Companion animals in and around the household were the medium for training children into self-consciousness about, and abhorrence of, causing pain to other creatures including, ultimately, other people. In an age where the formation of character was perceived as an act of conscious choice and self-control, middle-class Americans understood cruelty to animals as a problem both of individual or familial deficiency and of good and evil. Training children to be self-conscious about kindness became an important task of parenting. Domestic advisors also argued that learning kindness was critical for boys who were developmentally prone to cruelty and whose youthful cruelty had implications both for the future of family life and for the body politic. The practice of pet keeping, where children became stewards of companion animals who were then able to teach young humans such virtues as gratitude and fidelity, became a socially meaningful act.
Self-Assembly of Microscale Objects at a Liquid/Liquid Interface through Lateral Capillary Forces

Small (100−600 μm in width) hexagonal polymeric plates with faces patterned into hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, and interacting through lateral capillary forces, were allowed to self-assemble at the perfluorodecalin/water interface. These plates were fabricated from photoresist and patterned by shadow evaporation of gold onto selected faces. The arrays that assembled from the 100 μm objects were similar in structure to those that assembled from millimeter-sized objects with analogous patterns of hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces, but with three important differences. (i) The contribution of buoyancy forces in establishing the level at which the 100 μm objects floated relative to the interface was small compared to the contribution of the vertical capillary forces. (ii) As a result, the designs of hydrophobic edges necessary to generate menisci useful in self-assembly were different for 100 μm objects than for millimeter-sized objects. (iii) The arrays that formed from the 100 μm objects had higher d...
Heavier workload, less personal control: Impact of delivery on obstetrician/gynecologists' career satisfaction.

Abstract Objective Obstetrician/gynecologists' career satisfaction with certain work-related activities was examined among clinicians who perform deliveries and clinicians who do not. Study design A questionnaire was sent to 1500 member-fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 842 members (56%) responded. The questionnaire was designed to distinguish between obstetrician/gynecologists who perform deliveries and clinicians who do not in the areas of satisfaction with specific aspects of career and work-related activities. Data were examined initially by multivariate analysis of variance and subsequently by univariate analysis of variance if the multivariate test was found to be significant. Results Workload and personal control were the primary factors for which there was a significant difference in satisfaction between clinicians who perform deliveries and clinicians who do not ( P P Conclusion Although positive disposition is associated with the activity of vaginal and cesarean delivery overall, 2 primary contributing factors of dissatisfaction that were identified among obstetrician/gynecologists who perform deliveries were increased workload and decreased personal control.
CalDAG-GEFI and protein kinase C represent alternative pathways leading to activation of integrin αIIbβ3 in platelets

Second messenger-mediated inside-out activation of integrin αIIbβ3 is a key step in platelet aggregation. We recently showed strongly impaired but not absent αIIbβ3-mediated aggregation of CalDAG-GEFI–deficient platelets activated with various agonists. Here we further evaluated the roles of CalDAG-GEFI and protein kinase C (PKC) for αIIbβ3 activation in platelets activated with a PAR4 receptor–specific agonist, GYPGKF (PAR4p). Compared with wild-type controls, platelets treated with the PKC inhibitor Ro31-8220 or CalDAG-GEFI–deficient platelets showed a marked defect in aggregation at low (< 1mM PAR4p) but not high PAR4p concentrations. Blocking of PKC function in CalDAG-GEFI–deficient platelets, how-ever, strongly decreased aggregation at all PAR4p concentrations, demonstrating that CalDAG-GEFI and PKC represent separate, but synergizing, pathways important for αIIbβ3 activation. PAR4p-induced aggregation in the absence of CalDAG-GEFI required cosignaling through the Gαi-coupled receptor for ADP, P2Y12. Independent roles for CalDAG-GEFI and PKC/Gαi signaling were also observed for PAR4p-induced activation of the small GTPase Rap1, with CalDAG-GEFI mediating the rapid but reversible activation of this small GTPase. In summary, our study identifies CalDAG-GEFI and PKC as independent pathways leading to Rap1 and αIIbβ3 activation in mouse platelets activated through the PAR4 receptor.
Transgene Expression in Target-Defined Neuron Populations Mediated by Retrograde Infection with Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors

Tools enabling the manipulation of well defined neuronal subpopulations are critical for probing complex neuronal networks. Cre recombinase (Cre) mouse driver lines in combination with the Cre-dependent expression of proteins using viral vectors—in particular, recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAVs)—have emerged as a widely used platform for achieving transgene expression in specified neural populations. However, the ability of rAAVs to further specify neuronal subsets on the basis of their anatomical connectivity has been reported as limited or inconsistent. Here, we systematically tested a variety of widely used neurotropic rAAVs for their ability to mediate retrograde gene transduction in the mouse brain. We tested pseudotyped rAAVs of several common serotypes (rAAV 2/1, 2/5, and 2/9) as well as constructs both with and without Cre-dependent expression switches. Many of the rAAVs tested—in particular, though not exclusively, Cre-dependent vectors—showed a robust capacity for retrograde infection and transgene expression. Retrograde expression was successful over distances as large as 6 mm and in multiple neuron types, including olfactory projection neurons, neocortical pyramidal cells projecting to distinct targets, and corticofugal and modulatory projection neurons. Retrograde infection using transgenes such as ChR2 allowed for optical control or optically assisted electrophysiological identification of neurons defined genetically as well as by their projection target. These results establish a widely accessible tool for achieving combinatorial specificity and stable, long-term transgene expression to isolate precisely defined neuron populations in the intact animal.
The effect of 3-month ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract on pancreatic β-cell function in response to glucose loading in normal glucose tolerant individuals

Ginkgo biloba extract is ingested on a chronic basis for enhancing mental focus and improving cognitive function in the elderly. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on glucose-stimulated pancreatic beta-cell function in normal glucose-tolerant individuals. Twenty individuals (14 females and 6 males, ages 21-57 years) underwent a 2-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before and after ingestion of Ginkgo biloba extract (120 mg/day at bedtime) for 3 months. Ginkgo biloba extract ingestion caused a decrease in systolic blood pressure from 125 +/- 15 to 118 +/- 12 mmHg (p < 0.05) and in diastolic blood pressure from 86 +/- 10 to 68 +/- 10 (p < 0.01). Fasting plasma insulin and C-peptide were increased, and the insulin and C-peptide areas under the curve during the OGTT changed from 136 +/- 55 to 162 +/- 94 microU/ml/h (p = 0.1232) and 9.67 +/- 5.34 to 16.88 +/- 5.20 ng/ml/h (p < 0.001), respectively. The observed dissimilar insulin/C-peptide response curves may be due to Ginkgo biloba-induced increase of the rate of insulin metabolic clearance.
A manual method for space rendezvous navigation and guidance.

A general method has been developed by which an astronaut can manually navigate and guide a spacecraft to rendezvous with an orbiting target. The method is based entirely on measurements taken with hand-held, unpowered, optical instruments and manual computations using charts, graphs, slide rule, and tables. Navigation (state determination) is performed in a local vertical coordinate frame using linearized equations of motion to describe the relative motion of the interceptor. The use of a known thrust maneuver allows the astronaut to determine his relative position-velocity state completely from angle measurements made with a sextant. The guidance is performed by implementing a flight plan obtained from charts. These charts prescribe an impulsive flight plan which minimizes a linear combination of required fuel and mission time. Midcourse and terminal guidance consist of reapplication of the method based on new measurements. The effect of errors due to measurements and other sources is analyzed.
α-Synuclein Stimulates a Dopamine Transporter-dependent Chloride Current and Modulates the Activity of the Transporter

Dysregulation of dopamine (DA) homeostasis is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, drug addiction, and neuropsychiatric disorders. The neuronal plasma membrane dopamine transporter (DAT) is essential for the maintenance of DA homeostasis in the brain. α-Synuclein is a 140-amino acid protein that forms a stable complex with DAT and is linked to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease. To elucidate the potential functional consequences of DAT/α-synuclein interaction, we explored α-synuclein modulation of DAT activity in midbrain dopaminergic neurons obtained from TH::RFP mice, immortalized DA neurons, and a heterologous system expressing DAT. We used dual pipette whole cell patch clamp recording to measure the DAT-mediated current before and after dialysis of recombinant α-synuclein into immortalized DA neurons. Our data suggest that intracellular α-synuclein induces a Na+ independent but Cl−-sensitive inward current in DAT-expressing cells. This current is blocked by DAT blocker GBR12935 and is absent when heat-inactivated α-synuclein is dialyzed into these cells. The functional consequence of this interaction on DAT activity was further examined with real-time monitoring of transport function using a fluorescent substrate of DAT, 4-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N-methylpyridinium (ASP+). Overexpression of α-synuclein in DAT-positive immortalized DA neurons and CHO cells expressing DAT decreased the magnitude and rate of DAT-mediated substrate uptake without a decrease in the initial binding of the substrate at the plasma membrane. Taken together our findings are consistent with the interpretation that DAT/α-synuclein interaction at the cell surface results in a DAT-dependent, Na+-insensitive, Cl-sensitive inward current with a decrease in substrate uptake, suggesting that DAT/α-synuclein interaction can modulate dopamine transmission and thus neuronal function.
Direct Visualization of Flow-Induced Anisotropy in a Fatty Acid Monolayer

Brewster angle microscopy is used to directly visualize the influence of an applied extensional flow on the domain structure and molecular orientation of a docosanoic acid monolayer at the air−water interface. At a surface pressure of 12 mN/m and a subphase temperature of 15 °C (L2 phase), extensional flow causes domain elongation parallel to the extension axis. A frequency domain analysis of the Brewster angle images indicates that the domains undergo an affine deformation in response to flow. AT 20 mN/m (L2‘ phase), the flow modifies not only the domain structure of the monolayer but also the azimuthal orientation of the fatty acid molecules. This flow-alignment process is strain-rate dependent. Thus, flow can couple to the monolayer order over a variety of length scales.
Food preferences in the pigeon (Columba livia).

Abstract Pigeons offered a choice among several different types of seed presented separately in substantial quantities, show individual patterns of seed selection behavior which persist over prolonged periods. The relations among several different measures of selection were examined under a variety of presentation conditions and following experimental manipulations (food deprivation or trigeminal deafferentation) designed, respectively, to increase and decrease hunger. Different measures of selection were differentially affected by the manipulations, suggesting that they reflect the operation of different causal mechanisms. The results indicate that the pigeon's selection behavior is controlled by many of the same processes that normally control its quantitative intake.
An integrated manufacturing system design: an applied approach

Abstract This paper details a real-life proposal that describes a design of self-contained, integrated manufacture and assembly for pipe valves. It presents a detailed and comprehensive analysis of part design, manufacturing operations, and manufacturing system design. The part design is subjected to a set of DFM/DFA tests and it has been significantly revised and upgraded. These revisions or improvements provide for ease as well as economical manufacture and assembly operations. The paper explores and details the explicit information about the machining and assembly centers as it relates to the operations and equipment utilized. The components and technologies of the proposed manufacturing system design are explained and include: computer hierarchy, clamping fixture, transfer robot, packing robot, conveyer system, AGV system, part tracking, incoming part packaging, buffer stocks, quality control centers, and safety considerations. The proposal has been accepted for implementation. Subsequently, the manufacturing system implementation is presented, a timetable for completion is provided, and future research directions are discussed. Finally, a conclusion and assessment is presented.
The Acinar Cell and Early Pancreatitis Responses

Pathologic responses arising from the pancreatic acinar cell appear to have a central role in initiating acute pancreatitis. Environmental factors that sensitize the acinar cell to harmful stimuli likely have a critical role in many forms of pancreatitis, including that induced by alcohol abuse. Activation of zymogens within the acinar cell and an inhibition of secretion are critical, but poorly understood, early pancreatitis events. While there is firm evidence relating trypsinogen activation to pancreatitis, the importance of other zymogens has been less studied. Preliminary studies suggest that trypsin may be activated by mechanisms that are distinct from other zymogens. Further, unlike the small intestine, it may not catalyze the activation of other zymogens. These features could affect strategies aimed at inhibiting proteases to treat pancreatitis. Specific intracellular signals are required to activate pancreatitis pathways in the acinar cell. The most important is calcium. Recent studies have suggested that calcium release through specific calcium channels in the endoplasmic reticulum is the means by which pathological elevations in cytosolic calcium occur. Although the targets of abnormal calcium signaling are unknown, calcineurin, a calcium-dependent phosphatase, may serve such a role. Finally, recent work suggests that an acute acid load might sensitize the acinar cell to pancreatitis responses. Therapies aimed at preventing or reversing the effects of an acid load on the pancreas may be important for treatment.
Relaxed Selection on the CBF/DREB1 Regulatory Genes and Reduced Freezing Tolerance in the Southern Range of Arabidopsis thaliana

Elucidating the molecular basis of adaptive phenotypic variation represents a central aim in evolutionary biology. Traits exhibiting patterns of clinal variation represent excellent models for studies of molecular adaptation, especially when variation in phenotype can be linked to organismal fitness in different environments. Natural accessions of the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana exhibit clinal variation in freezing tolerance that follows a gradient of temperature variability across the species' native range (Zhen Y, Ungerer MC. 2008. Clinal variation in freezing tolerance among natural accessions of A. thaliana. New Phytol. 177:419-427). Here, we report that this pattern of variation is attributable, at least in part, to relaxed purifying selection on members of a small family of transcriptional activators (the CBF/DREB1s) in the species' southern range. These regulatory genes play a critical role in the ability of A. thaliana plants to undergo cold acclimation and thereby achieve maximum freezing tolerance. Relative to accessions from northern regions, accessions of A. thaliana from the southern part of their geographic range exhibit levels of nonsynonymous nucleotide polymorphism that are approximately 2.8-fold higher across this small gene subfamily. Relaxed selection on the CBF/DREB1s in southern accessions also has resulted in multiple mutations in regulatory regions resulting in abrogated expression of particular subfamily members in particular accessions. These coding-region and regulatory mutations compromise the ability of these genes to act as efficient transcriptional activators during the cold acclimation process, as determined by reductions in rates of induction and maximum levels of expression in the downstream genes they regulate. This study highlights the potential role of regulatory genes in underlying adaptive phenotypic variation in nature.
High‐frequency analysis of exchange traded funds' pricing deviation

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to extend the work of DeFusco, Ivanov and Karels by examining pricing deviation of DIA, SPY and QQQQ on intradaily basis.Design/methodology/approach – The DIA is designed to be one hundredth of the DJIA, the SPY is designed to be one tenth of the S&P 500 and QQQQ is designed to be one fortieth of the NASDAQ 100. This feature of ETFs requires the estimation of the difference between the proportional level of the index and the price of the ETF, which is the ETF pricing deviation.Findings – The paper finds that the DIA, SPY and QQQQ pricing deviations are 0.0429, −0.0743 and 0.4298, respectively. The findings indicate that the prices of DIA and QQQQ are on average lower than the underlying indexes. SPY is the exception having a price which is higher than the theoretical price of the S&P 500 index. The author finds that this is due to the increased demand for the SPY. Additionally, the paper provides an explanation for the large change (increase) in the pricing deviation...
Improved Representation of Ice Particle Masses Based on Observations in Natural Clouds

Abstract The mass–dimensional relationship put forth by Brown and Francis has been widely used for developing parameterizations for representing ice cloud microphysical properties. This relationship forms the cornerstone for past and forthcoming retrievals of ice cloud properties from ground-based and spaceborne active and passive sensors but has yet to be rigorously evaluated. This study uses data from six field campaigns to evaluate this mass–dimensional relationship in a variety of ice cloud types and temperatures and to account for the deviations observed with temperature and size, based on properties of the ice particle ensembles. Although the Brown and Francis relationship provides a good match to the observations in a mean sense, it fails to capture dependences on temperature and particle size that are a result of the complex microphysical processes operative within most ice cloud layers. Mass–dimensional relationships that provide a better fit to the observations are developed.
Investigating the spreading and toxicity of prion-like proteins using the metazoan model organism C. elegans.

Prions are unconventional self-propagating proteinaceous particles, devoid of any coding nucleic acid. These proteinaceous seeds serve as templates for the conversion and replication of their benign cellular isoform. Accumulating evidence suggests that many protein aggregates can act as self-propagating templates and corrupt the folding of cognate proteins. Although aggregates can be functional under certain circumstances, this process often leads to the disruption of the cellular protein homeostasis (proteostasis), eventually leading to devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). The exact mechanisms of prion propagation and cell-to-cell spreading of protein aggregates are still subjects of intense investigation. To further this knowledge, recently a new metazoan model in Caenorhabditis elegans, for expression of the prion domain of the cytosolic yeast prion protein Sup35 has been established. This prion model offers several advantages, as it allows direct monitoring of the fluorescently tagged prion domain in living animals and ease of genetic approaches. Described here are methods to study prion-like behavior of protein aggregates and to identify modifiers of prion-induced toxicity using C. elegans.
The PI-3 kinase/Akt pathway and T cell activation: pleiotropic pathways downstream of PIP3

Ligation of the T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) and/or costimulatory receptor CD28 results in rapid activation of phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase). It remains unclear, however, precisely how this activation occurs and also how the newly generated phospholipid products trigger the various events associated with T cell activation. Here we discuss the current understanding of how PI-3 kinase is activated by the TCR and CD28 and what roles its products play in T cell activation. We also review recent advances in understanding the function of Akt in particular, especially its role in CD28 costimulation. Several functional targets of Akt are discussed in this regard: inducible transcription, cell survival, glucose metabolism, and the cellular translational machinery. These pathways have been associated with TCR/CD28 costimulation, and they have also been implicated as targets of Akt.
Energy-Efficient Cluster Computing via Accurate Workload Characterization

This paper presents an eco-friendly daemon that reduces power and energy consumption while better maintaining high performance via an accurate workload characterization that infers “processor stall cycles due to off-chip activities.” The eco-friendly daemon is an interval-based, run-time algorithm that uses the workload characterization to dynamically adjust a processor’s frequency and voltage to reduce power and energy consumption with little impact on application performance. Using the NAS Parallel Benchmarks as our workload, we then evaluate our eco-friendly daemon on a cluster computer. The results indicate that our workload characterization allows the power-aware daemon to more tightly control performance (5% loss instead of 11%) while delivering substantial energy savings (11% instead of 8%).
New Genus and Species of Physoderinae (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from the New World, with a Revised Diagnosis of Physoderinae Miller

Abstract A new genus and species from Ecuador of Physoderinae (Heteroptera: Reduviidae), Leptophysoderes orellana n.gen., n.sp., are described. Leptophysoderes represents one of the two New World genera now known in this group of otherwise Pacific, Indopacific, and Madagascan Reduviidae. The initial diagnosis of Physoderinae was based on the Pacific and Indopacific genus Physoderes Westwood. This diagnosis was not adjusted after the subsequent inclusion of 11 genera from Madagascar and the Neotropical genus Cryptophysoderes Wygodzinsky and Maldonado in Physoderinae. The diagnosis is here modified to characterize a more inclusive Physoderinae, comprising Cryptophysoderes, Leptophysoderes, Physoderes, and the Madagascan genera.
Statistical methodology: II. Reliability and validity assessment in study design, Part B.

Assessment of test reliability and validity is often complex. Although tests of correlation are frequently used to measure interest agreement, such indexes measure only the strength of the linear relationship between variables and may not provide an accurate assessment of the correspondence between test results. Inspection of interest differences, either visually or using the r1, may provide a better indicator of the correspondence between test results and accounts for measurement biases. Strength of association between categorical variables can be measured using related tests such as the kappa statistic. Test reliability may be assessed by retesting, but this is not practical in many cases when subject memory or learning may confound the results of repeated examinations. Several methods exist for determining reliability from a single test administration and for assessing the correspondence between answers to homogeneous test questions. In the continuation article (Part B) on this subject, the concept and assessment of validity will be examined in more detail, and techniques for maximizing the reliability and validity of questionnaires will be discussed.
On the error performance analysis of space-time trellis codes: an analytical framework

In this paper, analytical performance results for space-time trellis codes over Rayleigh fading channels are presented. Bit error probability estimates are obtained, based on the derivation of an exact pairwise error probability expression through a residue technique combined with characteristic function approach. We investigate both quasi-static and interleaved channels as well as the effect of spatial fading correlation on the performance of space-time codes in both channels. Simulation results are also included to confirm the accuracy of analytical estimates.