cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frameworks for investigation of nonlinear dynamics: Experimental study of the turbulent jet

Analysis methods that have been developed in the field of nonlinear dynamics have provided valuable insights into the physics of turbulent flows, although their application to open flows is less well explored. The nonlinear dynamics of a turbulent jet with a low-to-moderate Reynolds number is investigated by using the single-trajectory framework and ensemble framework. We have used Lyapunov exponents to calculate the spectra of scaling indices of the attractor. First, we evaluated the frameworks on two theoretical models, one with a stationary attractor (Lorenz-63) and the other with time-varying characteristics (Lorenz-84). Theoretical studies showed that in dynamical systems with a stable attractor, both frameworks estimated the same largest Lyapunov exponent. The ensemble framework enables us to resolve the unsteady characteristics of a time-varying strange attractor. Second, we applied both frameworks to time-resolved planar velocity fields in a turbulent jet at local Reynolds numbers (Reδ) of 3000 and 5000. Time-resolved particle image velocimetry was utilized to measure streamwise and transverse velocity components. Results support the presence of a low-dimensional attractor in the reconstructed phase space with a chaotic characteristic. Despite considerable changes in the dynamics for the higher Reynolds number case, the system’s fractal dimension did not change significantly. We have used Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) to study the relationship between changes in the Lyapunov exponent with flow topological features. Results suggest that holes in the stable LCSs provide a path for the entrainment of the coflow, which is shown to be one of the main contributors to high Lyapunov exponents.
Biogeographic Dating of Phylogenetic Divergence Times Using Priors and Processes

Historical biogeographic processes shaped the distribution of life throughout space and time. A species range might expand, contract, or subdivide throughout its evolutionary history, during which extrinsic factors such as the palaeogeographic arrangement of land masses can influence how a species range evolves. Phylogenetic studies can therefore benefit from incorporating biogeographic and palaeogeographic evidence into their analyses in order to better estimate species divergence times and species relationships. This chapter begins by outlining a conceptual framework for using biogeography to date phylogenies, with some emphasis on the inherent uncertainty of reconstructing past events. Following this, the chapter explores two methods (prior- and process-based methods) for estimating divergence times using biogeographic evidence and discusses their applications and merits.
Gender and participation in community based adaptation: Evidence from the decentralized climate funds project in Senegal

Abstract Efforts to promote inclusive participation in community-based adaptation projects highlight the importance of giving those most vulnerable to climate change a voice. This paper explores the involvement and inclusion of women in participatory spaces in the Decentralized Climate Funds pilot project in Senegal to evaluate whether only the voices and demands of the powerful and vocal few were raised and heard. Using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, the paper explores and analyzes the factors motivating and constraining women’s active and empowered meaningful participation. The findings reveal that women in the Kaffrine region of Senegal experienced different levels of participation in community decision-making, ranging from nominal and passive participation to active and substantive participation. Results highlight that women’s social capital and networks, community-level recognition of women’s role in income generation, and favorable intrahousehold power dynamics were instrumental in encouraging active and empowered participation. The paper finds that the community-based adaptation approach of devolving decision-making to the community level is by itself not sufficient to ensure that women can meaningfully access the participatory process. Future community-based adaptation initiatives can improve their approach and ensure that women are able to voice their needs by understanding the local gender dynamics and designing projects to acknowledge and work within those dynamics.
Reprogramming of translation in yeast cells impaired for ribosome recycling favors short, efficiently translated mRNAs

In eukaryotes, 43S preinitiation complex (PIC) formation is a rate-determining step of translation. Ribosome recycling following translation termination produces free 40S subunits for re-assembly of 43S PICs. Yeast mutants lacking orthologs of mammalian eIF2D (Tma64), and either MCT-1 (Tma20) or DENR (Tma22), are broadly impaired for 40S recycling; however, it was unknown whether this defect alters the translational efficiencies (TEs) of particular mRNAs. Here, we conducted ribosome profiling of a yeast tma64∆/tma20∆ double mutant and observed a marked reprogramming of translation, wherein the TEs of the most efficiently translated ('strong') mRNAs increase, while those of 'weak' mRNAs generally decline. Remarkably, similar reprogramming was seen on reducing 43S PIC assembly by inducing phosphorylation of eIF2α or by decreasing total 40S subunit levels by depleting Rps26. Our findings suggest that strong mRNAs outcompete weak mRNAs in response to 43S PIC limitation achieved in various ways, in accordance with previous mathematical modeling.
Visual Segmentation and Feature Binding without Synchronization

There has recently been a sizable amount of work on visual segmentation in neural networks. Many of these networks have functioned by “tagging” the outputs of feature detectors as being features of one object or another. In particular, several models have appeared in which visual segmentation is performed by a network of oscillators; different objects are discriminated by setting the oscillators representing the features of a given object in phase with each other, but out of phase with the features of other objects in the scene [4, 2, 7]. However, it is still not entirely clear whether synchronization among units, be they phase-locked or otherwise, actually plays a role in the functioning of primate visual cortex, nor what role that might be.
A Comparison of Two Function-Based Interventions: NCR vs. DRO in Preschool Classrooms.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative efficacy of non-contingent reinforcement (NCR) and differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) after behavioral functions were identif...
North Korea's Militant Nationalism and People's Everyday Lives: Past and Present

North Korea's anti-American state power has operated in individuals' everyday practices by focusing on its post-war militant nationalism. Existing studies have neglected an aspect of North Korea's nationalist power that has been neither necessarily top-down nor violent, but rather productive and diffusive in people's everyday lives. While the regime's anti-American mobilization has come from above, people's politics of hatred, patriotism, and emotion have been reproduced from below. Along this line, I examine the historical and social changes in North Korea's militant nationalism and people's ways of life through a comparison between two periods: from the 1950s through the 1980s and from the 1990s through the present. I focus on how the state's anti-American power was legitimated by people's solid micro-fascism from the 1950s through the 1980s, and how it has been contested and recreated through both change and persistence in people's micro-fascism from the 1990s through the present.
Contributions to the bionomics, anatomy, reproduction and development of the Indian house-gecko,Hemidactylus flaviviridis RÜPpel. Part I

The present paper is the introductory part of a series of studies made on the habits, anatomy and life-history of the Indian house-gecko,Hemidactylus flaviviridis Ruel. The more important points dealt with herein are as follows : (1) The systematic position of this lizard is reviewed, and the generally recognised definition of theSquamata criticised in the light of the more recent anatomical work. (2) The history of the institution of the genusHemidactylus and the speciesH. flaviviridis is concisely dealt with. (3) A resume of our knowledge of fossil lacertilians and Gekkonids is given. (4) A suitable cage devised for the keeping and rearing of geckoes has been described, and the method of incubating the eggs also dealt with. (5) An account of its general habits, food and feeding, sloughing, fidelity to particular sites in the house, caudal autotomy, regeneration, hibernation, age, etc., is given. (6) The breeding season is observed to commence generally in March and to continue for several months. (7) External differences between the two sexes are noted. It is found that two swellings on the ventral aspect of the tail make their appearance in the male during the breeding season. (8) The method of courtship and copulation has been described. (9) Observations are made on the size and nature of eggs, their fertilisation, intra-uterine development, incubation, hatching and many other related questions.
Michigan State Code Adoption Analysis: Cost-Effectiveness of Lighting Requirements - ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2004

This report documents PNNL's analysis of the potential energy effect and cost-effectiveness of the lighting requirements in ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2004 if this energy code is adopted in the state of Michigan, instead of the current standard.
High Performance Thin Films for Microwave Phase Shifter Applications: Device Requirements, Material Design, and Process Science Considerations

Ba (1-x) Sr x TiO 3 (BST) thin films appear to be excellent candidates for microwave phase shifters. However, the major issue impeding the utilization of BST films in beam steering devices is the simultaneous achievement of the required performance properties. These properties, at frequencies > 10 GHz, include a dielectric permittivity ≤500, low dielectric loss (<2%), high tunability (-2:1), low leakage current characteristics, and low operating control voltages (<10V). Additionally, these properties must be obtained via an industry standard growth and processing methods. Our approach to satisfy the above mentioned dielectric properties of BST based films is focused on material compositional design and optimized film processing parameters. A systematic study was employed to examine the influence of low concentration Mg acceptor doping and optimized post-deposition annealing conditions on the structure and microwave dielectric properties of BST based thin films fabricated via the metalorganic solution deposition technique. The Mg doping was found to have a strong influence on the material properties of the BST films whereby the films permittivity, dissipation factor, and leakage characteristics were significantly reduced with respect to that of undoped BST. Optimum material properties were achieved for the 5 - 7 mol% Mg doped BST films. At these doping concentrations the dissipation factor (10 GHz) for both films was less than 1.7%. The leakage characteristics were 5.78x10 -8 and 7.97x10 -9 , respectively, and the tunability was ∼40%. Our results suggest that Mg doping and optimized post-deposition annealing served to mitigate the oxygen vacancies thereby lowering the films dielectric loss. Furthermore, the acceptor doping maintained the dielectric permittivity well below 500. Our results suggest the 5-7 mol% Mg doped BST thin films to be commercially viable for microwave phase shifter devices.
Line crossing problem for biased monotonic random walks in the plane

In this paper, we study the problem of finding the probability that the two-dimensional (biased) monotonic random walk crosses the line y = �x+d, where �,d ≥ 0. A �-biased monotonic random walk moves from (a,b) to (a + 1,b) or (a,b + 1) with probabilities 1/(� + 1) and �/(� + 1), respectively. Among our results, we show that if � ≥ ⌈�⌉, then the �-biased monotonic random walk, starting from the origin, crosses the line y = �x + d for all d ≥ 0 with probability 1.
Advances in thermoelectrics: From single phases to hierarchical nanostructures and back

With more than two-thirds of utilized energy being lost as waste heat, there is compelling motivation for high-performance thermoelectric materials that can directly convert heat to electrical energy. However, over the decades, practical realization of thermoelectric materials has been limited by the hitherto low figure of merit, ZT, which governs the Carnot efficiency. This article describes our long-standing efforts to advance ZT to record levels starting from exploratory synthesis and evolving into the nanostructuring and panoscopic paradigm, which has helped to usher in a new era of investigation for thermoelectrics. The term panoscopic is meant as an attempt to integrate all length scales and multiple physical concepts into a single material. As in any other energy-conversion technology involving materials, thermoelectrics research is a challenging exercise in taming “contra-indicated” properties. Critical properties such as high electrical conductivity, thermoelectric power, low thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength do not tend to favor coexistence in a single material. How these can be achieved in certain systems leading to record values of ZT is also described. Endotaxial nanostructures and mesoscale engineering in thermoelectrics enable effective phonon scattering with negligible electron scattering. By combining all relevant length scales hierarchically, we can achieve large enhancements in thermoelectric performance. The field, however, continues to produce surprises.
Pulsed vacuum breakdown measurements with a 1-MV generator

Measurements of the breakdown field of vacuum gaps have been made with a 1-MV, 50-ns test stand [1]. The first set of experiments was performed with planar, bare metal electrodes [2]. This geometry had an enhanced anode edge that affected measurements. Here, we report on a new set of measurements using anodes without field enhancement. Diagnostics include current and voltage probes, x-ray detector, x-ray pinhole camera and a fast framing camera. The results of these measurements give new insight into the cause of anode interactions that reduce the breakdown field with large gaps.
Power in Firm Networks: What it Means for Regional Innovation Systems

Christopherson S., Clark J. (2007) Power in firm networks: what it means for regional innovation systems, Regional Studies 41, 1223–1236. The role of power within regional firm networks is noted in empirical studies but insufficiently theorized. It is suggested that network functioning is conflictual and that more powerful network members, particularly transnational corporations (TNCs), leverage regional resources to advance their sustainable competitive advantage. The agendas and power exercised by TNCs within regionalized firm networks have significant implications for regional policy and the uneven allocation of resources and capacities within and among regions. The findings indicate that transnational firm access to resources that are critical to innovation, including university research and skilled labour, negatively affects the potential for innovation by small and medium-size firms. Christopherson S. et Clark J. (2007) Le pouvoir au sein des reseaux d'entreprise: son importance pour les systemes d'...
10 reasons to be tantalized by the B73 maize genome.

Why should you read about the maize genome? Now that so many eukaryotic genomes are available, it's easy to be blase… just another few billion bases, grist for constructing gene trees. Why is this new information, so recently shared, worth considering? I am convinced, as I propose you will be too as you read on, that both geneticists and genome consumers will benefit from the first description of the B73 maize genome [1] and equally so from the companion papers compiled in this special collection (http://collections.plos.org/plosgenetics/maize.php). The genomic cartographers of maize used a minimal tiling path of 16,000 bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) [2] to sequence genes with high precision (often defined by full-length complementary DNAs [cDNAs]; see Soderlund et al. [3]), partially finish repetitive elements, and order both within each BAC. Complementing this and detailed genetic maps accrued over the past century, Zhou et al. [4] developed a tour de force single-molecule optical map by physically anchoring greater than 91,000 restriction sites in the genome. From historical discoveries to the latest in association mapping of key agronomic traits [5], maize continues to be an important genetic model organism. Now, the authors in this collection have used the freshly minted maize genome to begin to probe some of the most intriguing questions in both genetics and plant biology. With this new genome-wide perspective, we invite you to ponder a sampling of the unsolved questions ripe for investigation.
Clinical trial: effects of botulinum toxin on Levator ani syndrome--a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Summary Background Levator ani syndrome is characterized by anorectal discomfort/pain, treatment of which is unsatisfactory. We hypothesized that Botulinum toxin relieves spasm and improves symptoms. Aim To perform a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study to examine the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in patients with levator ani syndrome. Methods Twelve patients with levator ani syndrome (≥1 year) received anal intra sphincteric injections of 100 units of botulinum toxin A and placebo at 90-day intervals using EMG guidance. Daily frequency, severity, duration and intensity of pain (VAS) were recorded. Anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion and pudendal nerve latency tests were performed to examine the physiological changes and adverse effects. Results Seven patients (male/female = 4/3) completed the study and three had incomplete data, but all 10 underwent in an ITT analysis; two others dropped out. After administration of botulinum toxin, the mean frequency, intensity and duration of pain were unchanged (P = 0.31) compared with baseline. The 90-day mean VAS pain score was 6.79 ± 0.27 vs. baseline score of 7.08 ± 0.29 (P = 0.25). Anal sphincter pressures, rectal sensory thresholds, pudendal nerve latency and balloon expulsion times were unchanged after drug or placebo administration. Conclusions Injection of botulinum toxin into anal sphincter is safe, but it does not improve anorectal pain in levator ani syndrome.
Unexpected cross-species contamination in genome sequencing projects

The raw data from a genome sequencing project sometimes contains DNA from contaminating organisms, which may be introduced during sample collection or sequence preparation. In some instances, these contaminants remain in the sequence even after assembly and deposition of the genome into public databases. As a result, searches of these databases may yield erroneous and confusing results. We used efficient microbiome analysis software to scan the draft assembly of domestic cow, Bos taurus, and identify 173 small contigs that appeared to derive from microbial contaminants. In the course of verifying these findings, we discovered that one genome, Neisseria gonorrhoeae TCDC-NG08107, although putatively a complete genome, contained multiple sequences that actually derived from the cow and sheep genomes. Our findings illustrate the need to carefully validate findings of anomalous DNA that rely on comparisons to either draft or finished genomes.
Development and evaluation of a case‐based reasoning classifier for prediction of breast biopsy outcome with BI‐RADS™ lexicon

Approximately 70-85% of breast biopsies are performed on benign lesions. To reduce this high number of biopsies performed on benign lesions, a case-based reasoning (CBR) classifier was developed to predict biopsy results from BI-RADS findings. We used 1433 (931 benign) biopsy-proven mammographic cases. CBR similarity was defined using either the Hamming or Euclidean distance measure over case features. Ten features represented each case: calcification distribution, calcification morphology, calcification number, mass margin, mass shape, mass density, mass size, associated findings, special cases, and age. Performance was evaluated using Round Robin sampling, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, and bootstrap. To determine the most influential features for the CBR, an exhaustive feature search was performed over all possible feature combinations (1022) and similarity thresholds. Influential features were defined as the most frequently occurring features in the feature subsets with the highest partial ROC areas (0.90AUC). For CBR with Hamming distance, the most influential features were found to be mass margin, calcification morphology, age, calcification distribution, calcification number, and mass shape, resulting in an 0.90AUC of 0.33. At 95% sensitivity, the Hamming CBR would spare from biopsy 34% of the benign lesions. At 98% sensitivity, the Hamming CBR would spare 27% benign lesions. For the CBR with Euclidean distance, the most influential feature subset consisted of mass margin, calcification morphology, age, mass density, and associated findings, resulting in 0.90AUC of 0.37. At 95% sensitivity, the Euclidean CBR would spare from biopsy 41% benign lesions. At 98% sensitivity, the Euclidean CBR would spare 27% benign lesions. The profile of cases spared by both distance measures at 98% sensitivity indicates that the CBR is a potentially useful diagnostic tool for the classification of mammographic lesions, by recommending short-term follow-up for likely benign lesions that is in agreement with final biopsy results and mammographer's intuition.
Void nucleation in tensile dead-loading of a composite incompressible nonlinearly elastic sphere

In this paper, the effect of material inhomogeneity on void formation and growth in incompressible nonlinearly elastic solids is examined. A bifurcation problem is considered for a solid composite sphere composed of two neo-Hookean materials perfectly bonded across a spherical interface. Under a uniform radial tensile dead-load, a branch of radially symmetric configurations involving a traction-free internal cavity bifurcates from the underformed configuration. Such a configuration is the only stable solution for sufficiently large loads. In contrast to the situation for a homogeneous neo-Hookean sphere, bifurcation here may occur either locally to the right orto the left. In the latter case, the cavity has finite radius on first appearance. This discontinuous change in stable equilibrium configurations is reminiscent of the snap-through buckling phenomenon observed in certain structural mechanics problems. Since this paper was written, the authors have carried out further analysis of the class of problems of concern here [11]. In particular the stress distribution in the composite neo-Hookean sphere has been described in [11].
Effects of forebrain ablations on avoidance learning in chicks

Abstract The involvement of several regions of the newly-hatched chick's forebrain in mediating a learned avoidance response was investigated. Ablations of the posterolateral portion of the telencephalon resulted in complete loss of retention and relearning of the task. Dorsomedial ablations that included parts of the hyperstriatal complex caused a deficit in new learning but not in the retention of a presurgically acquired experience. In contrast, frontal ablations impaired retention and relearning of a preoperatively learned response but did not affect acquisition in chicks initially trained after surgery. These and other findings suggest that telencephalic structures in birds and mammals presumed to share a common phylogenetic ancestry may play analogous roles in the behavior of the two classes.
Uncertainty reduction and predictability of behavior in low‐and high‐context cultures: An exploratory study

This paper presents an exploratory comparison of two aspects of initial interactions in low‐and high‐context cultures—the types of questions used to reduce uncertainty and the degree of attributional confidence based upon background information. Results of the study indicate that people in high‐context cultures are more cautious in initial interactions and have a greater tendency to make assumptions based upon a stranger's cultural background than do people in low‐context cultures. People in high‐context cultures also ask more questions about a stranger's background, however, this information does not provide a greater degree of predictive certainty with respect to a stranger's future behavior. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for uncertainty reduction theory and Hall's conceptualization of high‐ and low‐context cultures.
Block power method for computing solvents and spectral factors of matrix polynomials

Abstract This paper is concerned with the extension of the power method, used for finding the largest eigenvalue and associated eigenvector of a matrix, to its block from for computing the largest block eigenvalue and associated block eigenvector of a non-symmetric matrix. Based on the developed block power method, several algorithms are developed for solving the complete set of solvents and spectral factors of a matrix polynomial, without prior knowledge of the latent roots of the matrix polynomial. Moreover, when any right/left solvent of a matrix polynomial is given, the proposed method can be used to determine the corresponding left/right solvent such that both right and left solvents have the same eigenspectra. The matrix polynomial of interest must have distinct block solvents and a corresponding non-singular polynomial matrix. The established algorithms can be applied in the analysis and/or design of systems described by high-degree vector differential equations and/or matrix fraction descriptions.
Stress Analysis of Normal Human Aortic Valve Leaflets during Diastole

Geometry of the normal human aortic valve leaflets during diastole were measured carefully by several different techniques. It was found that each of the three semilunar valve leaflets can be closely approximated by two principal radii of curvature with a limited range of subtending angles. Membrane theory is applied to analyze the stress distribution in the valve leaflets. The computed results are presented to cover ranges of the subtending angle $tH1 between 180 and 230°, for subtending angle $tH2 between 70 and 260°, and for radii of curvature ratio R2/R1 between 0.6 and 0.9. An alternative method applying the theory of thin shells is also comprehensively discussed. Since the method involves extremely complicated computation procedures, and yet the actual thickness of the valve leaflets is so thin that they behave more like membranes than shells, no effort was made to compare the two methods numerically.
Drug-incorporated silicone discs as sustained release capsules. I. Chloroquine diphosphate.

Quantitative investigation of the rate of diffusion (in vitro) of chloroquine diphosphate, an antimalarial drug, from silicone rubber (Silastic) discs is reported here. The viscosity of the polymer is reduced to facilitate the formation of a more homogeneous drug-polymer mixture from which the discs are made. The average quantity of drug released daily from these vulcanized silicone rubber discs is measured as a function of the amount of drug initially incorporated in the polymeric mass. Discs with 9 and 36 mg of chloroquine diphosphate incorporated continue to release drug in microgram quantities for a period of over four months. The presence of low viscosity silicone fluid (20 centistokes) in the discs was found to cause no significant alteration in the drug release rate. The effect of agitation of the fluid in which the discs are immersed is also investigated. Results from samples prepared from different batches of polymer showed comparable results, indicating the rather homogeneous nature of the polymer-drug system. All samples showed high release rates during the first few days followed by much lower and more or less constant drug release on subsequent days over a period of months. Concentrations of the drug in the eluant is determined spectrophotometrically by utilizing the 220- and 343-mμ peaks of chloroquine diphosphate as well as spectrofluorometrically by measuring the percent fluorescence at 405 mμ (360-mμ excitation).
Transition state analysis of the arsenolytic depyrimidination of thymidine by human thymidine phosphorylase.

Human thymidine phosphorylase (hTP) is responsible for thymidine (dT) homeostasis, promotes angiogenesis, and is involved in metabolic inactivation of antiproliferative agents that inhibit thymidylate synthase. Understanding its transition state structure is on the path to design transition state analogues. Arsenolysis of dT by hTP permits kinetic isotope effect (KIE) analysis of the reaction by forming thymine and the chemically unstable 2-deoxyribose 1-arsenate. The transition state for the arsenolytic reaction was characterized using multiple KIEs and computational analysis. Transition state analysis revealed a concerted bimolecular (A(N)D(N)) mechanism. A transition state constrained to match the intrinsic KIE values was found using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G*). An active site histidine is implicated as the catalytic base responsible for activation of the arsenate nucleophile and stabilization of the thymine leaving group during the isotopically sensitive step. At the transition state, the deoxyribose ring exhibits significant oxocarbenium ion character with bond breaking (r(C-N) = 2.45 A) nearly complete and minimal bond making to the attacking nucleophile (r(C-O) = 2.95 A). The transition state model predicts a deoxyribose conformation with a 2'-endo ring geometry. Transition state structure for the slow hydrolytic reaction of hTP involves a stepwise mechanism [Schwartz, P. A., Vetticatt, M. J., and Schramm, V. L. (2010) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 132, 13425-13433], in contrast to the concerted mechanism described here for arsenolysis.
Interactions of Extracellular Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Hydrogen with the outer Pore of the Cardiac Potassium Channel hERG

Reduction of the current carried by the cardiac potassium channel HERG can lead to Long QT syndrome, an arrhythmia characterized by a rapid heart rate and reduced cardiac output, which can, in certain situations, be fatal. The effect of extracellular electrolytes on the biophysical properties of the HERG channel have been studied in some detail. In particular, increases in extracellular calcium, magnesium and hydrogen have been shown to slow channel activation, increase channel deactivation, and shift the G-V curve to more positive voltages. A number of reports have also shown that hydrogen can reduce HERG current by a mechanism that does not involve an effect on channel deactivation and which likely involves pore block. We show here that reducing extracellular potassium results in a significant increase in HERG current reduction by extracellular calcium, hydrogen, and magnesium. Current reduction by calcium appears to be significantly greater than current reduction by magnesium. Furthermore, the reduction in HERG current by extracellular hydrogen depended on the extracellular calcium concentration. The Drosophila voltage-gated potassium channel Shaker, showed a much smaller decrease in current by extracellular calcium and this effect was not dependent on extracellular potassium. In addition there was no difference in current reduction by calcium between WT HERG and the inactivation deficient mutant S631A, either in low or high extracellular potassium. These results suggest that calcium, hydrogen, and magnesium can block the HERG potassium channel and that calcium, hydrogen, magnesium, and potassium may interact at the outer pore of the HERG channel.
Observational Analysis of an Upper-Level Inverted Trough during the 2004 North American Monsoon Experiment

Abstract Upper-level inverted troughs (IVs) associated with midlatitude breaking Rossby waves or tropical upper-troposphere troughs (TUTTs) have been identified as important contributors to the variability of rainfall in the North American monsoon (NAM) region. However, little attention has been given to the dynamics of these systems owing to the sparse observational network over the NAM region. High temporal and spatial observations taken during the 2004 North American Monsoon Experiment (NAME) are utilized to analyze a significant IV that passed over northwestern Mexico from 10 to 13 July 2004. The Colorado State University gridded dataset, which is independent of model analysis over land, is the primary data source used in this study. Results show that the 10–13 July IV disturbance was characterized by a warm anomaly around 100 hPa and a cold anomaly that extended from 200 to 700 hPa. The strongest cyclonic circulation was in the upper levels around 200 hPa. Quasigeostrophic (QG) diagnostics indicate t...
Diet-induced changes in serum cholesterol concentrations do not alter tryptophan hydroxylation rate or serotonin concentrations in gerbil brain.

The relationship between serum cholesterol concentrations and serotonin synthesis rate in brain was examined in Mongolian gerbils chronically fed diets containing 20% fat (safflower oil, beef tallow or butterfat) with or without added cholesterol (0.5%, dry weight). After 22 days on these diets, circulating cholesterol concentrations ranged between ~1.5 and ~20 umol/ml. Despite this enormous range, in vivo tryptophan hydroxylation rate, and serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations in cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and brainstem did not differ significantly among the diet groups. Tryptophan concentrations in serum and brain were also unaffected. These results do not support the hypothesis that the link between depression, suicide and violent deaths and below-normal or reduced serum cholesterol concentrations in humans involves an alteration in serotonin synthesis and/or release by brain neurons.
The Bellcord - A Multilevel Fast Preprocessor for 1024 ECL Channels

To provide a fast decision trigger on multiple tracks passing through multiwire proportional chambers, a high speed (arriving at an answer in 60 nsec) track counting system was developed at Fermilab. The circuit is capable of selecting the track multiplicities utilizing a coaxial cable "Bus" (the Bellcord) on which fast pulses are summed. Up to 16 Bellcord coax cables, each having 64 inputs, are fanned into a central "Hub" processor where the trigger level decision is made.
Approaches to Increasing Surface Stress for Improving Signal-to-Noise Ratio of Microcantilever Sensors

Microcantilever sensor technology has been steadily growing for the last 15 years. While we have gained a great amount of knowledge in microcantilever bending due to surface stress changes, which is a unique property of microcantilever sensors, we are still in the early stages of understanding the fundamental surface chemistries of surface-stress-based microcantilever sensors. In general, increasing surface stress, which is caused by interactions on the microcantilever surfaces, would improve the S/N ratio and subsequently the sensitivity and reliability of microcantilever sensors. In this review, we will summarize (A) the conditions under which a large surface stress can readily be attained and (B) the strategies to increase surface stress in case a large surface stress cannot readily be reached. We will also discuss our perspectives on microcantilever sensors based on surface stress changes.
Ability evaluation through social comparison

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to clarify and extend social comparison theory for abilities. In the first experiment, the hypothesis was supported that people want information about their ability level more when they anticipate making a decision about an action based on the ability than when the decision has already been made. The evaluative need is thus primarily a predecision phenomenon. The second experiment showed that the preference for comparison with similar others predicted by social comparison theory is strongest when those others have had experience utilizing the ability in situations relevant to subjects' decisions.
Male Gender Role Conflict, Depression, and Help Seeking: Do College Men Face Double Jeopardy?

To investigate the previously untested hypothesis that college men with higher levels of male gender role conflict (MGRC) experience both increased risk of depression and more negative attitudes toward seeking counseling services, this study used latent variable modeling to examine these relations. Two components of MGRC were identified: restriction-related MGRC, which predicted 25% of the variance in help-seeking attitudes, and achievement-relatedMGRC, which predicted 21% of the variance in depression. It is suggested that outreach programs designed to increase college men's willingness to use counseling services attempt to counter the option-limiting aspects of male gender roles, whereas counseling with depressed college men incorporate an examination of their perceptions of success and achievement.
Nucleotides and Phosphorylation Bi-directionally Modulate Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII) Binding to the N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Subunit GluN2B

The Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and the NMDA-type glutamate receptor are key regulators of synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory. Direct binding of CaMKII to the NMDA receptor subunit GluN2B (formerly known as NR2B) (i) is induced by Ca2+/CaM but outlasts this initial Ca2+-stimulus, (ii) mediates CaMKII translocation to synapses, and (iii) regulates synaptic strength. CaMKII binds to GluN2B around S1303, the major CaMKII phosphorylation site on GluN2B. We show here that a phospho-mimetic S1303D mutation inhibited CaM-induced CaMKII binding to GluN2B in vitro, presenting a conundrum how binding can occur within cells, where high ATP concentration should promote S1303 phosphorylation. Surprisingly, addition of ATP actually enhanced the binding. Mutational analysis revealed that this positive net effect was caused by four modulatory effects of ATP, two positive (direct nucleotide binding and CaMKII T286 autophosphorylation) and two negative (GluN2B S1303 phosphorylation and CaMKII T305/6 autophosphorylation). Imaging showed positive regulation by nucleotide binding also within transfected HEK cells and neurons. In fact, nucleotide binding was a requirement for efficient CaMKII interaction with GluN2B in cells, while T286 autophosphorylation was not. Kinetic considerations support a model in which positive regulation by nucleotide binding and T286 autophosphorylation occurs faster than negative modulation by GluN2B S1303 and CaMKII T305/6 phosphorylation, allowing efficient CaMKII binding to GluN2B despite the inhibitory effects of the two slower reactions.
Comparisons between electromagnetic and X-beam transit-time flow measurements for evaluating drug actions on cardiac output in the conscious dog

Abstract Introduction Cardiac output remains an important preclinical measurement for evaluating the cardiovascular effects of drugs. We evaluated the performance of the Triton Active Redirection Transit-Time, ART 2 , which represents a new class of X-beam flow systems and compared it in vivo and in vitro to an electromagnetic flow (EMF) system for measuring large vessel flow. Methods In vivo, simultaneous aortic flow measurements were obtained during α- and β-adrenergic receptor stimulation in 5 conscious dogs instrumented with both ART 2 and EMF probes on their ascending aortas. In vitro, simultaneous measurements of volume flow using the ART 2 , EMF, and timed-volume collection were made using a novel benchtop flow apparatus that ensured probe alignment and precise timed-volume flow measurements. Accuracy and sensitivity of both systems were assessed by recording flow measurements while varying rates, temperature and hematocrit. Results In vivo aortic flow measurements between ART 2 and EMF were closely correlated (linear regression r 2 values ranged from 0.84 to 0.99), with the ART 2 system recording lower flow values than the EMF. In vitro ART 2 flow rates were in excellent agreement with timed-volume flow, while EMF flow rates were lower ( p 2 . Saline flows measured by ART 2 and EMF averaged 97 ± 2% and 91 ± 5% accuracy, respectively, over the temperature range 32 °C to 42 °C. For blood hematocrit values between 35% and 45%, ART 2 accuracy averaged 98 ± 2%, compared to 89 ± 5% accuracy with the EMF. Discussion The ART 2 flow measurements in conscious dogs correlated closely to concurrent measurements obtained with the EMF over a wide range of flow rates, even though the absolute aortic flow values differed. Since it accurately measured flow in vitro, the ART 2 system is an appropriate alternative for evaluating cardiovascular effects of disease progression or drug administration in experimental animals.
Platelet-associated oxidative stress and ADAMTS-13 levels are inversely associated with a poor prognosis in septic shock.

Sepsis causes widespread microvascular injury and thrombosis. Some hemostatic factors mediate the mechanisms involved in sepsis-related organ ischemia and failure. Oxidative stress is also increased in sepsis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) favor secretion of von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers from endothelium and inhibit vWF proteolysis by ADAMTS-13. Moreover, the enzyme indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase, an important immune regulator, is activated in sepsis and, through generation of kynurenins, promotes antioxidative and anti-infective activities. This study evaluated the relative role of ADAMTS-13, vWF and fibrinogen in the morbidity and mortality of patients with septic shock (SS). The above hemostatic factors were measured together with kynurenine and plasma protein carbonyls, marker of oxidative stress.
Battery of screening tests approach applied to sediment extracts

This paper reports the application of a battery of microbiological and toxicant screening tests to sediments collected from the Port Hope area. The sediments were extracted using Milli-Q water and solvents. The solvent extracts indicated that the whole sampling area has been impacted by toxic chemicals. The Daphnia magna test was the most sensitive screening test in Milli-Q water extracts. Microbiological studies indicated that the sampling area was, and is continuing to be, impacted by fecal pollution.
Laying Low: Fear and Injustice for Latino Migrants to Smalltown, USA

Latinos migrate to Smalltown (pseudonym), USA in search of the American Dream. Instead, they face an oppressive situation in which they struggle to make ends meet. This paper presents focused findings from an ethnographic study with a migrant Latino community in North Carolina. Analyses of participant observations and semi-structured interviews revealed that migrants to Smalltown experience fear, discrimination, and exploitation due to government policies and anti-immigrant sentiment. Section 287(g) and the REAL ID Act cause migrants to face the possibility of detention and deportation when driving. Mistrust in government institutions and law enforcement precipitate a climate of fear that prevents migrants from accessing services or seeking help. The persistent threat of deportation causes migrants to withdraw from meaningful occupations and to alter their engagement in required occupations. Feelings of hopelessness discourage self-advocacy and encourage exploitation by employers. Migrants lay low and sta...
Transfer pricing practices of transnational corporations in PATA countries

Abstract The tax authorities of Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States formed the Pacific Association of Tax Administrators (PATA) in 1980 to combat income shifting, improve cross-border information flows, and develop conciliatory relationships among themselves. One of their specific concerns was to identify and stop the improper transfer pricing used by transnational corporations (TNCs) to facilitate income shifting and obfuscation of financial data. The purpose of this study is to determine: (1) what PATA membership means for TNCs, and (2) whether or not transfer pricing audits have increased due to information sharing or decreased due to PATA's various transfer pricing guides. A survey of tax executives in Australian, Canadian, Japanese, and U.S. TNCs was undertaken to determine the answers to these questions, and to develop policy and procedure recommendations for both the TNCs and their respective tax authorities. Unexpected findings emerged about the relationship between transfer pricing behaviors and audit frequency, and between audit risk and advance pricing agreement status.
The effects of dorsal root lesions on Clarke neurons in cats of different ages

The transneuronal effects of dorsal root lesions on Clarke neurons in cats of varying ages were studied. Chromatolytic and degenerative lumbar Clarke neurons were observed 5 to 15 days following dorsal rhizotomy from the lower thoracic to the coccygeal levels in the adult cat. Fiber degeneration was seen in the ipsilateral dorsal and dorsolateral columns in the cervical spinal cord. The finding of fiber degeneration in dorsolateral columns is supportive evidence for the hypothesis that the chromatolytic and neurofibrillar hypertrophic neurons are the result of ischemic myelopathy or direct surgical trauma to the lateral columns during the dorsal root surgery. Within 15 days post-operatively, degenerative changes were not seen in lumber Clarke neurons when the dorsal root lesions were begun at the L 4 level. The effects of dorsal root lesions at different ages with an increased postoperative survival period were studied. Unilateral dorsal rhizotomies were done beginning at the L 4 level in kittens of two, four, and six weeks of age and adult cats. The degree of mean perikaryal and nuclear shrinkage in Clarke neurons was determined from Nissl preparations after these cells were partially denervated. The kittens of each age group showed approximately the same area reduction, and the adult cats did not show this shrinkage. It is deduced that the differentiation of Clarke neurons is almost completed by two weeks of age and that partial dorsal root denervation causes an arrest of growth rather than a transneuronal atrophy.
The effect of substitution on reorganization energy and charge mobility in metal free phthalocyanine

To gain insight into how the electronic properties of discotic organic materials may be modified through substitution, the reorganization energy and the charge mobility of metal free phthalocyanine, and of several mono-substituted derivatives, are studied by electronic structure methods. It is found that the reorganization energy of phthalocyanine is not significantly changed by substitution on an outer phenyl ring, but is more strongly influenced when the inner crown amine ring is substituted. The relationship between reorganization energy and substituent is studied through the use of; substituent constant, HOMO energy, and geometry relaxation. The computed charge mobility shows stronger relationship to coupling matrix element than reorganization energy. A hybrid computational screening method in which the reorganization energy is calculated at the DFT level and the coupling matrix element is calculated at the AM1 level shows good predicting power for trends in charge mobility at reduced computational expense.
Ethylene/Vinyl Acetate Copolymers via Acyclic Diene Metathesis Polymerization. Examining the Effect of “Long” Precise Ethylene Run Lengths

Tandem acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization/catalytic hydrogenation has been exploited to synthesize copolymers modeling ethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA) materials. A series of four sequence...