cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Facilitating experience reuse among software project managers

Organizations have lost billions of dollars due to poor software project implementations. In an effort to enable software project managers to repeat prior successes and avoid previous mistakes, this research seeks to improve the reuse of a specific type of knowledge among software project managers, experiences in the form of narratives. To meet this goal, we identify a set of design principles for facilitating experience reuse based on the knowledge management literature. Guided by these principles we develop a model called Experience Exchange for facilitating the reuse of experiences in the form of narratives. We also provide a proof-of-concept instantiation of a critical component of the Experience Exchange model, the Experience Exchange Library. We evaluate the Experience Exchange model theoretically and empirically. We conduct a theoretical evaluation by ensuring that our model complies with the design principles identified from the literature. We also perform an experiment, using the developed instantiation of the Experience Exchange Library, to evaluate if technology can serve as a medium for transferring experiences across software projects.
Characteristics of Roosts of Male Pallid Bats (Antrozous pallidus) In Southeastern Colorado

Abstract Male pallid bats (Antrozous pallidus) from the Purgatoire River Valley of northern Las Animas County, Colorado, were fitted with telemeters and followed to 53 day roosts. A majority of roosts were in cliffs (89%), with fewer in free-standing rocks at the base of cliffs. Temperatures at roosts were moderate (27°C) but warmer than ambient temperatures. Roosts in cliffs were slightly warmer than ambient temperatures, while roosts in rocks usually were 5°C greater than ambient temperatures. Typically, bats roosted in crevices that faced east or southeast with much solar exposure. Roosts in cliffs were in long, narrow cracks that extended into the face of the rock. The high temperatures recorded at roosts of male pallid bat may be advantageous for regulating body temperature, avoiding costly torpor bouts, or preparing for reproduction.
Cellular Basis Of Nicotine-induced nAChr Upregulation

The upregulation and preferential assembly of high sensitivity (α4)2(β2)3 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) contribute to aspects of nicotine addiction such as sensitization and tolerance. The cellular mechanisms of these events, however, remain elusive. We employed fluorescently tagged nAChRs to study plasma membrane upregulation by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) as well as changes in intracellular receptor stoichiometry using pixel-based Forster's resonance energy transfer (FRET). To delineate the effect of β2 on α4 nAChR trafficking in the absence of nicotine, mouse neuroblastoma (N2a) cells were transiently transfected with either α4-meGFP/wildtype β2 or α4-meGFP/wildtype β4 subunits (m = monomeric; e = enhanced) and imaged at 48 h post-transfection by TIRFM. To set TIRFM parameters, cells were co-transfected with the pCS2-mcherry plasmid, which served as a reference probe. pCS2-mcherry expresses mcherry with a lyn kinase membrane localization signal, allowing visualization of the PM using red emission from mcherry. The α4-meGFP reporter was used to detect receptor expression at the PM. Results showed that the α4-meGFP/wildtype β2 receptors trafficked to the PM in ∼10 % of the cells while ∼90 % of imaged cells displayed α4-meGFP/wildtype β4 at the PM. In the presence of nicotine (0.1 μM for 48 h), α4-meGFP/wildtype β2 transfected N2a cells displayed a clear increase in receptor trafficking to the PM when visualized using TIRFM. Pixel-based sensitized emission FRET studies on N2a cells transiently transfected with an α4-mcherry and β2-meGFP FRET pair showed that chronic nicotine exposure (1 μM, 24 h) resulted in an increase in assembly of the high sensitivity (α4)2(β2)3 population of receptors, a phenomenon that was blocked by co-incubation with the competitive nAChR antagonist, DhβE (1 μM). These preliminary results point to a modulatory role of β2 subunits as well as a possibly important role for activity-dependent receptor upregulation.
Marital quality predicts hospital stay following coronary artery bypass surgery for women but not men

This study examined how two indices of spouse support, one relatively general and chronic (perceived overall marital quality), and one relatively situation-specific and acute (spouse support while in the hospital), separately and in interaction with patient gender, predict postoperative length of stays following major (coronary bypass) surgery. In a sample of 226 male and 70 female patients drawn from three hospitals in the San Diego area, California, the results indicated that marital quality, in combination with patient gender, predicted postoperative lengths of stay, such that relatively poor marital relationships elevated risk for longer stays for female but not male patients. Lengths of stay for female patients with higher quality marital relationships were similar to those of male patients (regardless of marital quality). These results were not attributable to any assessed preoperative differences in patient health and were independent of perceptions of spouse support received while in the hospital, which did not independently predict patients' lengths of stay.
Neural correlates of anxiety sensitivity during masked presentation of affective faces

Background:Anxiety Sensitivity (AS), the tendency to fear the thoughts, symptoms, and social consequences associated with the experience of anxiety, is associated with increased risk for developing anxiety disorders. Some evidence suggests that higher scores on the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), a measure of the AS construct, are associated with activation of the anterior insular cortex during overt emotion perception. Although the ASI provides subscale scores measuring Physical, Mental Incapacitation, and Social Concerns of AS, no study has examined the relationship between these factors and regional brain activation during affect processing. We hypothesized that insular responses to fear-related stimuli would be primarily related to the Physical Concerns subscale of the ASI, particularly for a sample of subjects with specific phobias. Methods: Adult healthy controls (HC; n522) and individuals with specific phobia, small animal subtype (SAP; n517), completed the ASI and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while engaged in a backward-masked affect perception task that presents emotional facial stimuli below the threshold of conscious perception.Results:Groups did not differ in ASI, state or trait anxiety scores, or insula activation. Total ASI scores were positively correlated with activation in the right middle/anterior insula for the combined sample and for the HC and SAP groups separately. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the relationship between AS and insular activation was primarily accounted for by Physical Concerns only.Conclusions:Findings support the hypothesized role of the right anterior insula in the visceral/interoceptive aspects of AS, even in response to masked affective stimuli. Depression and Anxiety 28:243‐249, 2011. r 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
EFFECT OF CHELATION THERAPY ON CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS BY CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE STAGE: DATA FROM THE TRIAL TO ASSESS CHELATION THERAPY (TACT)

Renal disease is associated with increased CVD events. The Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) showed chelation (Chel) reduced CVD outcomes. We evaluated whether the effect of Chel differed depending on renal function. TACT randomized patients (pts) with prior MI and Cr <2.0 mg/dl to Chel or
Opioid inhibition of GABA release from presynaptic terminals of rat hippocampal interneurons

Opiates and the opioid peptide enkephalin can cause indirect excitation of principal cortical neurons by reducing inhibitory synaptic transmission mediated by GABAergic interneurons. The mechanism by which opioids mediate these effects on interneurons is unknown, but enkephalin hyperpolarizes the somatic membrane potential of a variety of neurons in the brain, including hippocampal interneurons. We now report a new, more direct mechanism for the opioid-mediated reduction in synaptic inhibition. The enkephalin analog D-Ala2-Met5-enkephalinamide (DALA) decreases the frequency of miniature, action potential-independent, spontaneous GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) without causing a change in their amplitude. Thus, we conclude that DALA inhibits the action potential-independent release of GABA through a direct action on interneuronal synaptic terminals. In contrast, DALA reduces the amplitude of action potential-evoked, GABA-mediated IPSCs, as well as decreases their frequency. This suggests that the opioid-mediated inhibition of non-action potential-dependent GABA release reveals a mechanism that contributes to reducing action potential-evoked GABA release, thereby decreasing synaptic inhibition.
Wood Sugar Molasses as a Feedstuff for Laying Hens

Abstract CANE and beet molasses have been accepted and used as feedstuffs in live-stock rations for a number of years. Their basic nutritive value appears to be in their carbohydrate content. These products, however, are also reasonably good sources of such vitamins as biotin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, and niacin. Cane and beet molasses are comparatively high in mineral elements varying from 6 to 10 percent of the total weight. (Ewing, 1947; Morrison, 1948; Titus, 1949). Acceptance and use of molasses as a feed stuff for poultry have in general been slow. Winter (1929) reported results from feeding cane molasses to pullet and laying hens at 5, 10, and 15 percent levels. The product produced a mild laxative effect while feed intake and egg production were only slightly less than that obtained from the control birds. Mortality was reported to have been less in the lots fed molasses than in the controls. . . .
SEM+: tool for discovering concept mapping in Earth science related domain

The amount of Earth Science related domain concepts and vocabularies encoded in popular Semantic Web languages such as OWL and SKOS grows rapidly as more and more domain scientists realize the power of Semantic Web Technologies. The interlinking between these concepts will enable the possibility of performing data integration and identity recognition, which is crucial in developing applications that use data from multiple sources. In this paper, we discuss a new tool for performing concept mapping called SEM+. In SEM+, we designed the Information Entropy based Weighted Similarity Model to compute semantic similarity between entity data and suggest possible linking. We also adopted a blocking approach to group possible matching entities into one block and therefore reduce the computation space. We performed evaluations on SEM+ using the Integrated Ocean Observatory System ontology and the Marine Metadata Interoperability ontology and discussed the results and new findings.
Evaluation of chitosan as a natural coagulant for drinking water treatment

Chitosan, a natural biopolymer, was evaluated for its ability to be used as a coagulant to treat water for potable use both in isolation and in combination with other water treatment technologies, specifically ion-exchange and activated carbon. Chitosan was found to be very effective for particle removal at doses far below those required for equivalent turbidity removal by inorganic coagulants. However in the water sources tested, chitosan was not particularly efficient for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal when applied as the sole treatment step. When applied as the final clarification stage of a multi-step treatment process, chitosan exhibited limited turbidity reduction due to specific flocculation requirements. This combination of treatment technologies was also unable to further reduce secondary water quality parameters, such as disinfectant demand and trihalomethane (THM) formation.
Elemental composition of cosmic rays near the knee by multiparameter measurements of air showers

Abstract The small change in the spectral slope of the overall intensity of cosmic rays near 1 PeV may be associated with the endpoint energy of supernova shock acceleration. A crucial test of this connection and other ideas of the origin of the spectral `knee' is the reliable determination of the variation of elemental composition in this region. Recent measurements at the DICE/CASA/MIA air shower installation in Dugway, Utah, USA have provided several independent air shower parameters for each event. The derivation of elemental composition from a combination of Cherenkov size, depth of shower maximum in the atmosphere, muon size and electron size at ground level and the reliability of these results are discussed. There is no evidence from these data for a large change in the mean mass of cosmic rays across the `knee'. These measurements show the cosmic rays are composed of ∼70% protons and α particles near total energies of 10 PeV.
Carcinogenesis: a predictive structure-activity model.

A statistical structure‐activity equation has been developed for the estimation of carcinogenic potential for chemicals that have not been subjected to carcinogenesis assays. This discriminant equation is based on substructural fragments and molecular weight obtained for 343 compounds. The data base used for the design of the equation was obtained from the monographs of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The accuracy of classification for the carcinogens in the model is between 87 and 91%, and for noncarcinogens between 78 and 80% in the presence of between 5.5 and 10.2% of the compounds not being classifiable. The false negative rate ranges between 4 and 5%; the false positive rate is near 11%.
Markov Reliability Modeling for Induction Motor Drives Under Field-Oriented Control

This paper presents a Markov reliability model of induction motor drives operating under field-oriented control. The model includes faults in the power electronics, machine, speed encoder, and current sensors. The procedure can be extended for more detail, to other machines and to other drive topologies. To develop the model, faults are first identified, and then, a simulation model of the setup is developed and experimentally verified. Faults are injected into the model in sequential levels and the system performance is assessed after each fault. Fault coverage-the probability that the system survives given a fault has occurred-is studied. A complete Markov reliability model is developed to assess the mean time to failure of the system and other reliability factors. This analysis is shown to be simple and useful for assessing the reliability of motor drives and is expected to help in designing fault-tolerance mechanisms for specific drives, where reliability can be evaluated after every design.
Synthesis of heparin-sepharoses and their binding with thrombin and antithrombin-heparin cofactor.

Abstract Heparin was linked covalently to Sepharose by a reaction between a uronic acid-carboxyl group of heparin and aminohexyl-Sepharose. The characteristics of this material in binding thrombin and antithrombin-heparin cofactor, was compared with those of heparin-aminoethylbromide method (heparin-Sepharose I). Although all the preparations bind thrombin and antithrombin-heparin cofactor they differ in their binding properties and purification efficiency. Highly purified antithrombin heparin cofactor was isolated by adsorption on heparinaminohexylsepharose and desorption with 1.0 M NaCl. The greatest purification of thrombin is obtained by absorption on heparin-Sepharose I and successive elution with 0.3 M and 0.4 M NaCl. Heparin-Sepharose prepared from partially degraded heparin has a relatively low affinity for thrombin and antithrombin-heparin cofactor.
Free and Forced Convection of Heat in Gases and Liquids

THE general problem of heat transfer requires a knowledge of the laws of conduction, radiation and convection. In 1822, Fourier gave us the first thoroughly scientific definition of conductivity and reduced the problem of heat conduction to an exact science, with a power and completeness which left little room for extension or improvement even to the present day. The law of radiation was first suggested by Stefan in 1879 as a result of an analysis of some experiments made by Tyndall. In 1884 Boltzman deduced the law theoretically from the principles of thermo-dynamics and electromagnetics. Thus the laws of conduction and radiation have been accurately known for a long time, while the problem of convection has received relatively little study. This fact is surprising when we consider the important part played by convection in almost all cases of heat transfer. A complete mathematical solution of a convection problem would require a knowledge of the hydrodynamic laws of viscous fluids for stream line and turbulent motion, combined with the Fourier equations of heat conduction in a moving medium. At present our lack of the hydrodynamic laws for turbulent motion renders a rigorous solution impossible. Therefore in most of the theoretical work so far attempted the simplifying assumption of an in-viscid fluid has been found necessary. The theoretical results obtained when viscosity is neglected are in general far from the experimental facts. Langmuir's study of the problem showed that the viscosity is a factor of first importance which cannot be neglected. He therefore adopted a film theory as an approximation. The reason for the existence of a film around a hot body may be seen as follows: Consider a horizontal wire maintained at a given temperature in a fluid, the fluid adjacent to the wire will become heated and rise while the cooler fluid of greater density will flow into its place. Thus a convection current is set up by the difference in density between the hot and cold fluid. This condition is usually referred to as free convection. At the surface of the wire the fluid is stationary due to viscosity. As we proceed from the surface of the wire the velocity of the convection currents increase until a distance is reached at which the critical velocity conditions in the fluid are exceeded and the stream line flows bursts into turbulent motion. The discontinuity between the stream line and turbulent motion constitutes the outer boundary of the film. At the inner boundary the fluid has the temperature of the hot surface and at the outer boundary the temperature of the ambient fluid. The actual configuration of the outer boundary is unknown. As an approximation we might assume that it was an eccentric ellipse or cylinder, etc., and determine the size and eccentricity so as to best fit the experimental results. For ease of calculation Langmuir adopted the simplest approximation and assumed that the outer boundary of the relatively stagnant film was a cylinder concentric with the wire. He thus reduced the hopelessly complex problem of convection to one of conduction in the steady state.
On the ring ideal generated by a positive operator

We present some relationships between the order and ring ideals generated by a positive operator. Two of the main results: 1. (1) Let E be a Banach lattice which is either σ-Dedekind complete or has a quasi-interior point, and let F be a Dedekind complete Banach lattice. If a positive operator T: E → F has order continuous norm, then the order ideal AT, generated by T is included in the ring ideal Ring(T) generated by T (i.e., AT ⊆ Ring(T). 2. (2) Consider two positive operators S, T : E → E on a Banach lattice such that 0 ⩽ S ⩽ T holds. If S and S′ are both semi-compact operators, then S3 belongs to Ring(T).
Robustness of optimal binary filters for sparse noise

An optimal binary image filter is an operator defined on an observed random set (image) and the output random set estimates some ideal (uncorrupted) random set with minimal error. Assuming the probability law of the ideal process is determined by a parameter vector, the output law is also determined by a parameter vector, and this latter law is a function of the input law and a degradation operator producing the observed image from the ideal image. The robustness question regards the degree to which performance of an optimal filter degrades when it is applied to an image process whose law differs (not too greatly) form the law of the process for which it is optimal. The present paper examines robustness of the optimal translation-invariant binary filter for restoring images degraded by sparse salt-and-pepper noise. An analytical model is developed in terms of prior probabilities of the signal and this model is used to compute a robustness surface.
The Na + -translocating F1FO-ATPase from the halophilic, alkalithermophile Natranaerobius thermophilus

Abstract Natranaerobius thermophilus is an unusual anaerobic extremophile, it is halophilic and alkalithermophilic; growing optimally at 3.3–3.9 M Na+, pH50 °C 9.5 and 53 °C. The ATPase of N. thermophilus was characterized at the biochemical level to ascertain its role in life under hypersaline, alkaline, thermal conditions. The partially purified enzyme (10-fold purification) displayed the typical subunit pattern for F-type ATPases, with a 5-subunit F1 portion and 3-subunit-FO portion. ATP hydrolysis by the purified ATPase was stimulated almost 4-fold by low concentrations of Na+ (5 mM); hydrolysis activity was inhibited by higher Na+ concentrations. Partially purified ATPase was alkaliphilic and thermophilic, showing maximal hydrolysis at 47 °C and the alkaline pH50 °C of 9.3. ATP hydrolysis was sensitive to the F-type ATPase inhibitor N,N′-dicylohexylcarbodiimide and exhibited inhibition by both free Mg2+ and free ATP. ATP synthesis by inverted membrane vesicles proceeded slowly and was driven by a Na+-ion gradient that was sensitive to the Na+-ionophore monensin. Analysis of the atp operon showed the presence of the Na+-binding motif in the c subunit (Q33, E66, T67, T68, Y71), and a complete, untruncated e subunit; suggesting that ATP hydrolysis by the enzyme is regulated. Based on these properties, the F1FO-ATPase of N. thermophilus is a Na+-translocating ATPase used primarily for expelling cytoplasmic Na+ that accumulates inside cells of N. thermophilus during alkaline stress. In support of this theory are the presence of the c subunit Na+-binding motif and the low rates of ATP synthesis observed. The complete e subunit is hypothesized to control excessive ATP hydrolysis and preserve intracellular Na+ needed by electrogenic cation/proton antiporters crucial for cytoplasmic acidification in the obligately alkaliphilic N. thermophilus.
Enhancing process kinetics for mineral carbon sequestration

Abstract The current low-cost process for mineral carbonation involves the direct carbonation of a slurry of magnesium or calcium silicate mineral with supercritical CO 2 . The process is currently limited by the slow reaction kinetics of the carbonation reactions, and in particular the slow dissolution rates of the silicates in weakly acidic conditions. Enhancing the dissolution rate in weakly acidic conditions has been identified as one of the main opportunities for lowering the costs of a direct mineral carbonation process. Serpentine has been identified by its reactivity and abundance as a potential mineral for use in a mineral carbonation process. In this paper we discuss the results of dissolution experiments in which ground serpentine was reacted in weakly acidic aqueous systems containing NH4Cl, NaCl,, sodium citrate, sodium EDTA, sodium oxalate, and sodium acetate. All experiments are carried out at 120 ∘ C and under 20 bars of CO 2 in a batch autoclave. It was found that the sodium salts of citrate, oxalate, and EDTA significantly enhance the dissolution of serpentine under weakly acidic conditions.
Effects of muscarinic receptor stimulation and nitric oxide synthase inhibition on gastric tone and gastric myoelectrical activity in canines.

Aims: This study was designed to assess whether the muscarinic receptor stimulation and nitric oxide synthase inhibition were equally effective on gastric fundic tone or gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA) in canines, and the correlation between gastric fundic tone and GMA. Methods: Gastric fundic tone and GMA were recorded on seven dogs implanted with serosal electrodes and a gastric cannula. Results: Bethanechol and L-nitro-N-arginine (L-NNA) significantly increased gastric fundic tone; gastric volume was decreased with bethanechol or L-NNA (P < 0.05). Increased spike activities were observed after both bethanechol and L-NNA. The percentage of slow waves superimposed with spikes was increased with bethanechol (P < 0.001) and L-NNA (P < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in dominant frequency (DF) (P < 0.05), dominant power (DP) (P < 0.05) and percentage of normal slow waves (%N) (P < 0.05) with bethanechol, while no significant change was observed with L-NNA. The variation of gastric tone was not correlated with parameters of GMA. Conclusions: Muscarinic receptor stimulation and nitric oxide synthase inhibition have similar effects on gastric tone and gastric spike activities, but different effects on gastric slow waves. Gastric fundic tone does not correlate with gastric slow waves.
HIV and AIDS in Africa: a geographic analysis at multiple spatial scales

This study offers an alternative method rooted in GIS techniques and spatial analysis to estimate HIV/AIDS prevalence over space from an incomplete surveillance data set and explain the variation of those estimates. The results clearly show that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is complex and that it is interconnected with other geographic, historical, economic and cultural phenomena which help explain its spatial spread and variation. The regression models which were developed in this paper illustrated that variables which measure the historical context of colonialism such as resource exploitation and labor migration, gender, culture, contemporary global forces, poverty and disease burden have all contributed variously to the rapid spread of this disease both in space and time. The policy implication is that concentrating on behavior change or therapy alone may not turn the epidemic around. The attack needs to be multifaceted and interdisciplinary taking into consideration the context and the economic and social realities at multiple spatial scales.
Contralateral corticofugal projections to cat visual thalamus

Contralateral corticofugal projections from visual cortical areas to thalamic nuclei were demonstrated in the cat using anterograde transport of tritiated proline. Thalamic nuclei receiving projections from contralateral visual cortex include both subdivisions of the lateral-posterior nucleus, the posterior nucleus of Rioch, and the posterior nuclear complex.
A Case for Intercultural Inquiry and Cognitive Justice in the Internationalisation of HIV/AIDS: A South African Example

Through the globalisation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), policies and prevention measures related to the epidemic have become increasingly influence...
Imaging of hip arthroplasty

The imaging evaluation of the prosthetic hip begins with radiography, but arthrography, aspiration, scintigraphy, sonography, CT and MR imaging all have roles in the evaluation of the painful prosthesis. This article will review the appearance of normal hip arthroplasty including hemiarthroplasty, total arthroplasty, and hip resurfacing, as well as the appearances of potential complications such as aseptic loosening and osteolysis, dislocation, infection, periprosthetic fracture, hardware failure, and soft tissue abnormalities.
Targeting early infection to prevent HIV-1 mucosal transmission

Measures to prevent sexual mucosal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 are urgently needed to curb the growth of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic and ultimately bring it to an end. Studies in animal models and acute HIV-1 infection reviewed here reveal potential viral vulnerabilities at the mucosal portal of entry in the earliest stages of infection that might be most effectively targeted by vaccines and microbicides, thereby preventing acquisition and averting systemic infection, CD4 T-cell depletion and pathologies that otherwise rapidly ensue.
Effects of soil drainage on vertical distribution of subsurface tissues in the salt marsh macrophyteSpartina alterniflora Lois

Spartina alterniflora was propagated in buckets of modified salt marsh soil with near-natural cyclic flood/drain regimes to determine effects of soil drainage on the vertical distribution of subsurface tissues. There was a significant correlation between aerial biomass and drainage during the first year but not during the second. No statistically significant correlation was found between soil drainage depth and subsurface tissue distribution either at the end of the first growing season or the second. Well-drained soils led to more uniform vertical distribution, but in general, soil drainage depth had no consistent effect either on distribution of subsurface plant biomass or on aerial: subsurface tissue ratios.
Latina Mothers' Views of a Parent-to-Parent Support Group in the Special Education System.

Parent–professional partnership literature continues to emphasize the importance of including the parent voice. Spanish-speaking families are often excluded from such studies because of the languag...
Drosophila olfactory memory: single genes to complex neural circuits

A central goal of neuroscience is to understand how neural circuits encode memory and guide behaviour. Studying simple, genetically tractable organisms, such as Drosophila melanogaster, can illuminate principles of neural circuit organization and function. Early genetic dissection of D. melanogaster olfactory memory focused on individual genes and molecules. These molecular tags subsequently revealed key neural circuits for memory. Recent advances in genetic technology have allowed us to manipulate and observe activity in these circuits, and even individual neurons, in live animals. The studies have transformed D. melanogaster from a useful organism for gene discovery to an ideal model to understand neural circuit function in memory.
Calponin phosphorylation in cerebral cortex microvessels mediates sustained vasoconstriction after brain trauma.

Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular and biochemical changes in the contractile protein, calponin (Cp), which temporally coincide with a previously reported state of sustained contractility following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Double immunofluorescence, western analysis and two-dimensional non-equilibrium pH gradient gel electrophoresis (NEPHGE)/SDS-PAGE techniques were utilized to determine both the location and extent of Cp within smooth muscle cells (SM) and the phosphorylation state of Cp following TBI, as induced using a weight drop acceleration impact model. Results: Double immunofluorescence for Cp and SM indicate that following injury, Cp migrates from the cytosol to a location subjacent to the SM membrane. Western analysis revealed a significant increase in Cp protein expression following injury that was maintained up to 48 hours post-injury. Combined Western analysis and NEPHGE indicated that Cp is phosphorylated following TBI. Discussion: Cp ...
Multiple Levels of Synergistic Collaboration in Termite Lignocellulose Digestion

In addition to evolving eusocial lifestyles, two equally fascinating aspects of termite biology are their mutualistic relationships with gut symbionts and their use of lignocellulose as a primary nutrition source. Termites are also considered excellent model systems for studying the production of bioethanol and renewable bioenergy from 2nd generation (non-food) feedstocks. While the idea that gut symbionts are the sole contributors to termite lignocellulose digestion has remained popular and compelling, in recent years host contributions to the digestion process have become increasingly apparent. However, the degree to which host and symbiont, and host enzymes, collaborate in lignocellulose digestion remain poorly understood. Also, how digestive enzymes specifically collaborate (i.e., in additive or synergistic ways) is largely unknown. In the present study we undertook translational-genomic studies to gain unprecedented insights into digestion by the lower termite Reticulitermes flavipes and its symbiotic gut flora. We used a combination of native gut tissue preparations and recombinant enzymes derived from the host gut transcriptome to identify synergistic collaborations between host and symbiont, and also among enzymes produced exclusively by the host termite. Our findings provide important new evidence of synergistic collaboration among enzymes in the release of fermentable monosaccharides from wood lignocellulose. These monosaccharides (glucose and pentoses) are highly relevant to 2nd-generation bioethanol production. We also show that, although significant digestion capabilities occur in host termite tissues, catalytic tradeoffs exist that apparently favor mutualism with symbiotic lignocellulose-digesting microbes. These findings contribute important new insights towards the development of termite-derived biofuel processing biotechnologies and shed new light on selective forces that likely favored symbiosis and, subsequently, group living in primitive termites and their cockroach ancestors.
The thematic novel in Baltic

Abstract In the Baltic languages the thematic vowel - a - (IE ∗ -o- ) has generalized throughout the paradigm of the etymological - e/o -verbs at the expense of the vowel - e -. The cause for this generalization is found in the coincidence of etymological ∗ Cje and ∗ Ce and the passage of ∗ Cja to ∗ Ce creating a new phonemic contrast Ce versus Ce . When ∗ Cje and ∗ Ce fell together the etymological ∗- je/o - and ∗ - e/o -verbs could no longer be distinguished in the 3d sg., ed. pl. etc. and the - a - ( ∗ -o-) was generalized in the ∗ - e/o - verbs as a matter of polarization. In the - je/o - verbs the stem consonant ∗ C was generalized wherever phonemically possible.
The condensation and vaporization behavior of ices containing SO2, H2S, and CO2: implications for Io.

In an extension of previously reported work on ices containing CO, CO2, H2O, CH3OH, NH3, and H2, measurements of the physical and infrared spectral properties of ices containing molecules relevant to Jupiter's moon Io are presented. These include studies on ice systems containing SO2, H2S, and CO2. The condensation and sublimation behaviors of each ice system and surface binding energies of their components are discussed. The surface binding energies can be used to calculate the residence times of the molecules on a surface as a function of temperature and thus represent important parameters for any calculation that attempts to model the transport of these molecules on Io's surface. The derived values indicate that SO2 frosts on Io are likely to anneal rapidly, resulting in less fluffy, 'glassy' ices and that H2S can be trapped in the SO2 ices of Io during night-time hours provided that SO2 deposition rates are on the order of 5 micrometers/hr or larger.
Nanostructured electrochemical sensors based on functionalized nanoporous silica for voltammetric analysis of lead, mercury, and copper.

We have successfully developed electrochemical sensors based on functionalized nanostructured materials for voltammetric analysis of toxic metal ions. Glycinyl-urea self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous silica (Gly-UR SAMMS) was incorporated in carbon paste electrodes for the detection of toxic metal ions such as lead, copper, and mercury based on adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV). The electrochemical sensor yields a linear response at low ppb level of Pb2+ (i.e., 2.5 to 50 ppb) after a 2 minute preconcentration period, with reproducible measurements (%RSD = 3.5, N = 6), and excellent detection limits (at few ppb). By exploiting the interfacial functionality of Gly-UR SAMMS, the sensor is selective for the target species, does not require the use of a mercury film, and can be easily regenerated in dilute acid solution. The rigid, open, parallel pore structure, combined with suitable interfacial chemistry of SAMMS, also results in fast analysis times (2-3 minutes). The nanostructured SAMMS materials enable the development of miniature sensing devices that are compact and low-cost, have low-energy-consumption, and are easily integrated into field-deployable units. Keywords: electrochemical sensor, glycinyl-urea, self-assembled monolayer, mesoporous silica, lead, mercury, copper, adsorptive stripping voltammetry.
Layer-by-layer growth of solid argon films on graphite as studied by neutron diffraction

The layer-by-layer growth of solid argon films on graphite at T=10 K is studied using elastic neutron diffraction. The growth is characterized by individual layers with commensurate in-plane lattice constants. As the coverage is increased beyond two layers, evidence of the coexistence of ABC and ABA stacking is apparent, with the ABC sequence dominating as the film thickens. A continuous decrease in the Debye-Waller factor also occurs as the film thickness grows, indicating a crossover from two-dimensional to three-dimensional behavior. As the coverage is increased beyond about four nominal layers, there is evidence of bulk crystallite formation. The diffraction results are compared with equivalent measurements for methane films and with the recent computer simulations of Hruska and Phillips.
The virtual oil company

In anticipation of continuing declines in upstream activity levels over the next 15 years, the virtual oil company model articulates a vision of fewer, leaner, but financially stronger firms that concentrate only on their core competencies and outsource the rest through well-structured partnering arrangements. Freed from the ``clutter,`` these leading companies will be in better position to focus on those opportunities that offer the potential for renewed reserve and revenue growth.
Effects of exercise training on cardiorespiratory function in men and women >60 years of age

This study reports the physiologic effects of up to 14 months of aerobic exercise in 101 older (greater than 60 years) men and women. After an extensive baseline physiologic assessment (Time 1), in which aerobic capacity and blood lipids were measured, subjects were randomized to an aerobic exercise condition (cycle ergometry, 3 times per week for 1 hour), nonaerobic yoga (2 times per week for 1 hour), or a waiting list nonexercise control group for 4 months, and then underwent a second (Time 2) assessment. At the completion of the second assessment, all remaining subjects completed 4 months of aerobic exercise and were reevaluated (Time 3). Subjects were given the option of participating in 6 additional months of supervised aerobic exercise, and all available subjects completed a fourth assessment (Time 4) 14 months after their initial baseline evaluation. Results indicated that subjects generally exhibited a 10 to 15% improvement in peak oxygen consumption after 4 months of aerobic exercise training, and a 1 to 6% improvement in aerobic power with additional aerobic exercise training. On the other hand, subjects, especially men, continued to have improvements in submaximal exercise performance (i.e., anaerobic threshold). In addition, aerobic exercise was associated with an improved lipid profile; subjects participating in aerobic exercise for up to 14 months exhibited increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Maintenance of regular aerobic exercise for an extended time interval is associated with greater cardiovascular benefits among older adults than has been reported previously.
Air-Guitar Hero: A real-time video game interface for training and evaluation of dexterous upper-extremity neuroprosthetic control algorithms

We developed an interface to the commercial video game Guitar Heroreg III using surface electromyography (EMG) to create a novel training and evaluation device for upperextremity amputees. Rather than pressing the keys with onepsilas fingers as in the normal game, in our modified version a user merely flexes his or her index, middle, or ring finger muscles, and the resulting myoelectric activity is recorded using six or more EMG electrodes placed around the forearm. The acquired data is processed in real-time using pattern recognition algorithms to derive intended motion, and the results are used to control the game. Performance metrics reported by the gamepsilas built-in scoring system are used to evaluate classifier performance. To confirm the functionality of the system, three non-amputee users evaluated the EMG-controlled game (called ldquoAir-Guitar Herordquo) and reported that it was effective, fun, and engaging. Ultimately, we intend to use this system as a performance assay for different types of motor decoding algorithms for dexterous control of upper-extremity neuroprostheses.
HISTORICAL EUTROPHICATION IN A RIVER–ESTUARY COMPLEX IN MID-COAST MAINE

European settlement of New England brought about a novel disturbance regime that impacted rivers and estuaries through overfishing, deforestation, dams, and water pollution. The negative consequences of these activities intensified with industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries, often resulting in ecosystem degradation. Since environmental legislation was implemented in the 1970s, improvement in water quality has been tangible and widespread; however, ecological recovery can require substantial amounts of time and may never be complete. To document the natural baseline conditions and investigate the recovery of a severely degraded river-estuary complex in mid-coast Maine, we examined diatoms, pollen, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, stable isotopes, total phosphorus, biogenic silica, and trace metals in intertidal sediments and established a chronology with 14C, 210Pb, and indicator pollen horizons. Both climate variability and human effects were evident in the sedimentary record of Merrymeeting Bay, the freshwater tidal portion of the Kennebec estuary. Natural climate variability was apparent in an episode of high sedimentation and altered diatom abundance during the 12th and 13th centuries and in changing pollen abundances between the 16th and 19th centuries, indicative of regional cooling. During the 18th century, colonial land clearance began an era of high sedimentation and eutrophication that strongly intensified with industrialization during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Improvements in water quality over the past 30 years in response to environmental regulation had little effect on ecosystem recovery as represented by the sedimentary record. Diatom composition and productivity and high fluxes of organic C, total P, and biogenic Si in recent sediments indicate that rates of nutrient loading remain high. These environmental proxies imply that aquatic productivity in Merrymeeting Bay was originally nutrient limited and water clarity high, relative to today. Further recovery may require more stringent regulation of nutrient inputs from industrial and municipal point sources. This historical study can contribute to public debate about the environmental management of this unusual river-estuary complex by describing its long-term natural baseline, thereby illustrating the upper limit of its potential for recovery.
Behavioral Tests After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in the Rat

Background and Purpose— In humans, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) causes marked perihematomal edema formation and neurological deficits. A rat ICH model, involving infusion of autologous blood into...
Broadcast capacity of wireless networks

We present an upper bound on the broadcast capacity of arbitrary ad hoc wireless networks. The throughput obtainable by each node for broadcasting to-all-of the other nodes in a network consisting of n nodes with- fixed transmission ranges and C bits per second channel capacity is bounded by O(C/n), which is equivalent to the upper bound for per node capacity of a fully connected single-hop network
Plasmon nanoparticle superlattices as optical-frequency magnetic metamaterials

Nanocrystal superlattices have emerged as a new platform for bottom-up metamaterial design, but their optical properties are largely unknown. Here, we investigate their emergent optical properties using a generalized semi-analytic, full-field solver based on rigorous coupled wave analysis. Attention is given to superlattices composed of noble metal and dielectric nanoparticles in unary and binary arrays. By varying the nanoparticle size, shape, separation, and lattice geometry, we demonstrate the broad tunability of superlattice optical properties. Superlattices composed of spherical or octahedral nanoparticles in cubic and AB(2) arrays exhibit magnetic permeabilities tunable between 0.2 and 1.7, despite having non-magnetic constituents. The retrieved optical parameters are nearly polarization and angle-independent over a broad range of incident angles. Accordingly, nanocrystal superlattices behave as isotropic bulk metamaterials. Their tunable permittivities, permeabilities, and emergent magnetism may enable new, bottom-up metamaterials and negative index materials at visible frequencies.
The Role of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Substrate 2 (FRS2) in the Regulation of Two Activity Levels of the Components of the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) Pathway in the Mouse Epididymis

The components of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway are involved in the regulation of epididymal cellular processes. Interestingly, our previous studies showed that there are two different activity levels of the ERK pathway components in the epididymal epithelium: a basal level in most regions and a higher level in the differentiated initial segment (IS). In this study we analyzed the role of fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2 (FRS2) in the regulation of these two levels. Two mouse models were generated. In the first model, Frs2 was deleted from epithelial cells of most epididymal regions except for the IS from the embryonic period onward. Loss of Frs2 dampened the basal activity level of the ERK pathway components, which resulted in an increase in apoptosis along the epididymal duct. This was observed during the period when FRS2 expression level was highest in wild-type epididymides. In the second model, Frs2 was deleted from the proximal epididymal epithelium from Postnatal Day 17 onward. Most of the epididymides in this model exhibited normal morphology. Loss of Frs2 in these epididymides did not affect the high activity level of the ERK pathway components in the IS. However, a subgroup of epididymides in the second model showed increased apoptosis which resulted in an abnormally shaped proximal region or development of granulomas. Therefore, data from these two models showed that FRS2 played different roles in the regulation of two activity levels of the ERK pathway components in the epididymis.