cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lumenal sites and C terminus accessibility of the skeletal muscle calcium release channel (ryanodine receptor)

The membrane topology of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1) was investigated using site-directed antibodies directed against amino acid sequences 2804-2930, 4581-4640, 4860-4886, and 4941-5037. Ab(2804-2930) bound with identical affinity to either closed or permeabilized sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, confirming the cytoplasmic location of this segment. Ab(4581-4640) did not bind to closed vesicles but bound well to permeabilized vesicles, supporting a lumenal location for this segment. Ab(4860-4886) did not bind to closed vesicles but exhibited weak binding to the permeabilized vesicles, suggesting that a portion of the epitope may be exposed on the lumenal surface. The C-terminal antibody (Ab(4941-5037)) bound weakly to closed vesicles, and binding was not significantly enhanced by permeabilizing vesicles with low concentrations of non-denaturing detergent. However, the C-terminal antibodies bound efficiently to vesicles which were transiently incubated at alkaline pH or subjected to trypsinolysis, conditions where few of the vesicles were permeabilized. These results support a model for the membrane topology of the ryanodine receptor as proposed by Takeshima et al. (Takeshima, H., Nishimura, S., Matsumoto, T., Ishida, H., Kangawa, K., Minamino, N., Matsuo, H., Ueda, M., Hanaoka, M., Hirose, T., and Numa, S. (1989) Nature 339, 439-445). The results also suggest that the native conformation of the C terminus is inaccessible to antibodies.
Realistic model for battlefield fire plume simulation

Real battlefields are very messy places which may contain burning vehicles, vegetation, or buildings and with atmospheres containing dust and smoke clouds. Realistic scene simulation for system evaluation must therefore also contain these same elements. A model has been developed to generate realistic images of fire plumes from burning military vehicles. Model output includes transmittance through the plume and radiance from the fire and hot effluents for a selected image matrix. The simulated image varies with time based on simulated wind fluctuations. The plume centerline fluctuates about a curve in the wind-aligned plane. The effluent gas and aerosol concentrations and the plume temperature vary throughout the plume. The variation is a fractional change from a Gaussian distribution and is based on measurements of temperature and short-path transmission in fire plumes. The model can be used to generate both visible and infrared fire plume images. The images can be combined with background images by multiplying elements of the background image by the transmittance matrix elements and then adding the elements of the radiance matrix. The order in which these operations are performed is as critical as the order of steps taken in data analysis. The image matrix elements can be tailored to correspond to pixels from an imager by choosing appropriate values for the waveband, the distance from the imager to the fire, and the angular resolution per pixel. Spatial averaging is used to obtain realistic results when the fire is small compared with pixel size.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Neurogenic effects of uterine distention on the estrous cycle of the ewe.

The role of the uterus and its innervation in the regulation of cyclic reproductive phenomena and in the maintenance of corpora lutea has been little studied. Dickinson and Smith (1913) showed that local distention of the cervical portion of the uterus stimulated the ovaries of women with involuted and infantile uteri. Selye (1934) was able to maintain corpora lutea of pregnancy and prolong “gestation” in rats by substituting paraffin for the products of conception. The paraffin was said to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland causing persistence and function of the luteal tissue. The link between the stimulus arising in the uterus and the adenohypophysis was assumed to be neural. Attempts by Bradbury (1941) and Greene (1941) to confirm these results failed. Apparently the ovaries and uterus can function normally without depending upon their respective nerve supplies. Denervation of the ovaries has no effect upon ovarian function, for transplanted ovaries function in a normal manner.
Mining large medical claims database to identify high-risk patients: The case of antidepressant utilization

Data mining techniques have been applied to discover knowledge from large observational data sets. In this paper, we focus on mining large medical claims databases to identify high-risk patients. Patient selection, feature extraction, and feature selection are three important processing steps before popular data mining techniques are successfully applied. Both patient selection and feature extraction require domain knowledge. The episode treatment group methodology is a useful tool for organizing medical claims data. It is used for patient selection and feature extraction in this paper. The specific goal of the study is to identify patients with major depression who have a high risk of receiving inadequate antidepressant medication. A nationwide medical claims database covering a 5-year period is used for this study. The records of 31,721 high-risk patients and 50,022 comparison patients were examined for 18 features that include patient demographics, episode factors, and comorbidity factors. After supervised feature selection, three features were selected and analyzed using the classification and regression tree method. The result showed that it is possible to use two of the features (number of non-antidepressant medications used and average number of claims during an episode of major depression) to identify a group of high-risk patients. These patients are 2.67 times more likely to have inadequate antidepressant medication than the comparison patients. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2011 1 154-163 DOI: 10.1002/widm.5
Lanthana-promoted RhSiO2: II. Studies of CO hydrogenation

A study of the influence of lanthana promotion on the hydrogenation of CO over RhSiO2 has been conducted. Lanthana-promoted RhSiO2 exhibits higher turnover frequencies for the synthesis of CH4, C2C4 hydrocarbons, CH3OH, and C2 oxygenates than unpromoted RhSiO2. The turnover frequency for each product goes through a maximum with increasing lanthana addition. Lanthana promotion is also found to increase the selectivity for the formation of CH3OH, C2 oxygenates, and C2C4 hydrocarbons and to decrease the selectivity for CH4. The selectivity for C2 oxygenates is optimized at low levels of lanthana addition. In situ infrared observations show that lanthana promotion blocks the chemisorption of CO onto surface Rh sites. Of particular interest is the observation of a band at 1725 cm−1. This feature is assigned to CO adsorbed on a Rh site immediately adjacent to an LaOx island. The low frequency of this vibration is attributed to a weakening of the CO bond caused by the interaction of lanthana cations with the oxygen end of the adsorbed CO. It is postulated that the interaction of the lanthana with the CO is responsible for the enhanced rates of CO dissociation and the formation CH4 and C2+ products. Infrared spectroscopy also provides evidence for acyl, formate, and acetate groups on the surface of lanthana-promoted RhSiO2. The possible role of these species in the synthesis of products is discussed.
A META‐ANALYSIS OF TEAMWORK PROCESSES: TESTS OF A MULTIDIMENSIONAL MODEL AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEAM EFFECTIVENESS CRITERIA

Drawing from Marks, Mathieu, and Zaccaro (2001), we proposed that narrowly focused teamwork processes load onto 3 higher-order teamwork process dimensions, which in turn load onto a general teamwork process factor. Results of model testing using meta-analyses of relationships among narrow teamwork processes provided support for the structure of this multidimensional theory of teamwork process. Meta-analytic results also indicated that teamwork processes have positive relationships with team performance and member satisfaction, and that the relationships are similar across the teamwork dimensions and levels of process specificity. Supplemental analyses revealed that the 3 intermediate-level teamwork processes are positively and strongly related to cohesion and potency. Results of moderator analyses suggested that relationships among teamwork processes and team performance are somewhat dependent on task interdependence and team size.
The Effects of Caffeine on the Brain: A Review

The effects of caffeine may often be overlooked in neurotherapy. However, caffeine is a potent and widely used drug which is addictive, has withdrawal symptoms associated with discontinued use, and which can produce anxiety and insomnia. It also has a rapid and profound influence on the brain, including producing increases in beta and decreases in slower brain wave activity. In contrast, during withdrawal from caffeine patients may experience increases in theta and delta, with decreases in the mean frequency of both alpha and beta. Recommendations are presented for control of caffeine use associated with EEG assessment and in neurofeedback treatment.
Diffusion and Diversion of Suboxone: An Exploration of Illicit Street Opioid Selling

Interviews with fourteen opioid retail pill sellers provides an exploration into the diversion and diffusion of Suboxone to recreational ("week-end warriors") drug users. The use of social media and electronic devices enables the diffusion of Suboxone to dependent and non-dependent opiate/opioid drug abusers. Overprescribing by physicians and prescribing in drug treatment settings fuels the diversion of Suboxone. The diversion and the diffusion of Suboxone have the potential to delay entrance into drug treatment and promote the misuse of the drug by both dependent opiate/opioid drug abusers and recreational users. The dilemma posed by Suboxone maintenance treatment will not be easily addressed or mitigated in the near future.
Active Control of Tip Clearance Flow in Axial Compressors

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2001.
Daytime operation of Na temperature lidar using a dispersive Faraday vapor filter

A novel ultra-narrow Na Faraday vapor filter was developed and is in use with our Na temperature lidar system for daytime measurements of the atmospheric temperature near the mesopause. The first 34 hour continuous observation was carried out from 1 pm, Oct. 10 to 11 pm Oct. 12, 1995, terminated by clouds. Signal to background ratio at high noon was about 15 at Na D2a peak frequency.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cross-sectional tests of deterministic volatility functions

Abstract We study the cross-sectional performance of option pricing models in which the volatility of the underlying stock is a deterministic function of the stock price and time. For each date in our sample of FTSE 100 index option prices, we fit an implied binomial tree to the panel of all European style options with different strike prices and maturities and then examine how well this model prices a corresponding panel of American style options. We find that the implied binomial tree model performs no better than an ad-hoc procedure of smoothing Black–Scholes implied volatilities across strike prices and maturities. Our cross-sectional results complement the time-series findings of Dumas et al. [J. Finance 53 (1998) 2059].
Block Co-oligomers for Organic Electronics and Optoelectronics: Synthesis, Photophysics, Electroluminescence, and Field-Effect Charge Transport of Oligothiophene-b-oligoquinoline-b-oligothiophene Triblock Co-oligomers

New oligothiophene-b-oligoquinoline-b-oligothiophene triblock co-oligomers, 6,6′-bis(5-methylthiophenyl-2-yl)-4-phenylquinoline (B1TPQ), 6,6′-bis(2,2′-bithiophenyl-5-yl)-4-phenylquinoline (B2TPQ), and 6,6′-bis(2,2′,5′,2′′-terthiophenyl-5-yl)-4-phenylquinoline (B3TPQ), were synthesized, characterized, and found to be efficient blue, green, and yellow emitters in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The triblock co-oligomers have high fluorescence quantum yields in solution (61−91%), and positive solvatochromism was observed in B2TPQ and B3TPQ. Optical band gaps of evaporated thin films were 2.72 eV (B1TPQ), 2.53 eV (B2TPQ), and 2.27 eV (B3TPQ), indicating strong electronic delocalization over the three blocks of the co-oligomers. Cyclic voltammetry showed reversible reduction in the three triblock co-oligomers from which nearly identical LUMO energies (2.71−2.76 eV) were obtained, implying strong localization of the LUMO on the oligoquinoline middle block. Similarly estimated, the HOMO energy varied from...
Synthesis and Evaluation of a New Ganglionic Blocking Agent

Abstract Details concerning the synthesis and pharmacologic evaluation of a new hexamethonium ganglionic blocking agent containing a "built-in" muscarinic moiety are described. The inclusion of this latter moiety may be regarded as an attempt to increase parasympathetic tone toward the alleviation of such undesirable side actions as constipation and mydriasis produced by hexamethonium.
Fabrication of periodically poled AlN with sub-micron periods

We report on the fabrication of periodically poled AlN structures using inductive coupled plasma (ICP) etching and plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE). Periodically poled AlN structures are fabricated by first depositing Al polar material on c-plane sapphire substrates and then inverting the polarity through Mg overdoping. Subsequently, a grating with periods between 250 and 750 nm is defined by e-beam lithography and etched into the film by inductive coupled plasma etching to expose stripes of Al-polar material. ICP etching was optimized to produce vertical sidewalls and smooth Al-polar regions. Finally, the patterned substrate is regrown by PAMBE to realize a periodically poled AlN structure. The sharpness of the interface between the Al and N polar regions is found to be dependent upon ICP etch conditions and III-V flux during regrowth. Under III-rich conditions, the alignment of the grating with crystallographic orientation has an important role in the final surface morphology. While lower III-V flux ratios prevent faceting, regrowth of Al-polar material is inhibited near the sidewalls of trenches with high aspect ratios. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Pathogenesis of novel reassortant avian influenza virus A (H5N8) Isolates in the ferret

Outbreaks of avian influenza virus H5N8 first occurred in 2014, and spread to poultry farms in Korea. Although there was no report of human infection by this subtype, it has the potential to threaten human public health. Therefore, we evaluated the pathogenesis of H5N8 viruses in ferrets. Two representative Korean H5N8 strains did not induce mortality and significant respiratory signs after an intranasal challenge in ferrets. However, ferrets intratracheally infected with A/broiler duck/Korea/Buan2/2014 virus showed dose-dependent mortality. Although the Korean H5N8 strains were classified as the HPAI virus, possessing multiple basic amino acids in the cleavage site of the hemagglutinin sequence, they did not produce pathogenesis in ferrets challenged intranasally, similar to the natural infection route. These results could be useful for public health by providing the pathogenic characterization of H5N8 viruses.
Specific heat of a single crystal of YBa2Cu3O7-δ: fluctuation effects in a bulk superconductor in zero magnetic field and in a magnetic field

Abstract We have measured the specific heat of a single crystal of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ . Thermodynamic fluctuations, evident in deviations of the data from a BCS-like step, are well described by 3-dimensional (3D) Gaussian fluctuations. The results imply that the number of components of the order parameter is 7±2. When a magnetic field is applied parallel to the c axis, the specific heat peak broadens and decreases in amplitude, with little shift in position. The difference between the zero field specific heat and that measured in a field is found, however, to satisfy a scaling relation suggesting critical, rather than Gaussian, fluctuations.
Biosynthesis of steviol

Abstract Acetate-2-C 14 and mevalonic acid-2-C 14 were applied to the leaves of growing Stevia rebaudiana shrubs. While mevalonic acid was not appreciably incorporated into steviol, the radioactive diterpene was isolated in radiochemically pure form after acetate-2-C 14 administration.
Soluble factors and the development of rod photoreceptors.

Photoreceptors are the most abundant cell type in the vertebrate neural retina. Like the other retinal neurons and the Muller glia, they arise from a population of precursor cells that are multipotent and intrinsic to the retina. Approximately 10 years ago, several studies demonstrated that retinal precursor cells (RPCs) are competent to respond to environmental factors that promote cell type determination and differentiation. Since those studies, significant effort has been directed at identifying the molecular nature of these environmental signals and understanding the precise mechanisms they employ to drive RPCs towards the different retinal fates. In this review, we describe the recent progress toward understanding how environmental factors influence the development of vertebrate rod photoreceptors.
A New Approach to Predicting Forming Limits of Steel Sheet

Abstract A yield criterion utilizing five independent material parameters for representing the yield locus was proposed by Hill in l993. This paper describes an attempt to analyze forming limits of aluminum-killed (AK) steel sheet metal based on this criterion in conjunction with the M-K approach. Comparison of the predicted results with experimental data indicates that localized necking can be characterized only to a limited extent. However, material properties do not remain constant, but are deformation history dependent. Inclusion of deformation-dependent parameters in the analysis demonstrates a significant positive influence on forming limits. Comparison of predicted results with the experimental data underscores that the consideration of history-dependent material properties can improve forming limit predictions considerably.
Śātarak $$\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\cdot}$}}{s}$$ ita on the fallacies of personalistic vitalism

What was the fate of personalistic vitalism in later Indian thought? That question is too large to be considered here, but it is certain that the doctrine did reemerge, and has remained influential. Nonetheless, there is some reason to believe that Śātarak $$\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\cdot}$}}{s}$$ ita critique of personalistic vitalism did have an immediate impact on philosophers within the Nyāya tradition: Vācaspatimiśra, Uddyotakara's sub-commentator, whom we know to have been familiar with Śātarak $$\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\cdot}$}}{s}$$ ita Tattvasa $$\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\cdot}$}}{m}$$ graha simply passes over Uddyotakara's already equivocal argument without making any effort to defend it. Certainly, he had concluded that Uddyotakara's weak assertion of personalistic vitalism was either not important, or else a lost cause. Is it too much to suppose that he might have let himself be convinced, in this case, by a Buddhist? The ancient debate between ātmavādin and anātmavādin was at the heart of a conflict between opposing systems of salvation. To construe this, however, in accordance with our contemporary categorical schemes involves a fundamental error, for “systems of salvation” in ancient India were concerned with human nature and the human world, in a rich and full sense. What I have tried to indicate here is that one strand of the debate in question can be isolated and shown to involve progressive developments in the conceptual analysis of a basic biological doctrine. Other strands that might similarly be analyzed bear upon the theories of agency and causation, and rational and empirical psychology. To study these and many other topics in classical Indian thought from the perspective here advocated does not require our losing sight of the essential religious interests which motivated and informed the Indian discussions with which we are concerned; what it does require is an involvement in the history of ideas quite broadly conceived. In this context we should recall that it is now possible to treat much of classical Indian thought from a truly historical, and not merely doxographical, vantage-point. By focusing less upon belief and doctrine within single systems, and more upon the dynamic tension that arose where competing systems came into conflict, we discover that there was indeed historical progress, and that it is characterized in part by the application of methodological refinements in the areas of logic and epistemology to problems that had been defined in antiquity. This sounds very much like the history of philosophy in other settings; what must be done is to fill in the details with respect to the splendid array of questions which Indian thinkers posed and the answers about which they argued.
A new and defective regulation in California for protecting critical buildings from earthquakes

Abstract The California Geological Survey issued a new regulatory directive specifying that critical buildings be designed for 50- and 100-year earthquakes obtained by probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). PSHA incorporates serious uncertainties. Chiefly, they are: (1) PSHA smears earthquakes together to produce motions that are unrealistic for any specific earthquake-generating fault source, (2) PSHA assumes there is an essentially log–linear predictability through time for both the sizes of earthquakes and their motions, although earthquake experiences deny this assumption, and (3) PSHA derives design values from an almost total lack of data on the recurrences that it claims to represent. Error bands for probabilistic motions, if honestly applied, would be so enormously broad that probabilistic values would be seen to be too uncertain as a rational basis for critical designs. Worse yet, the directive of the California Geological Survey has forced a de facto elimination of deterministic seismic hazard analysis (DSHA) from consideration. Yet, DSHA provides more logical, more transparent, more peer reviewable, and more dependable solutions than does PSHA. In summary, the new regulatory directive fails to provide the public in California with a necessary level of seismic safety.
Polar Flagellar Motility of the Vibrionaceae

Polar flagella of Vibrio species can rotate at speeds as high as 100,000 rpm and effectively propel the bacteria in liquid as fast as 60 μm/s. The sodium motive force powers rotation of the filament, which acts as a propeller. The filament is complex, composed of multiple subunits, and sheathed by an extension of the cell outer membrane. The regulatory circuitry controlling expression of the polar flagellar genes of members of the Vibrionaceae is different from the peritrichous system of enteric bacteria or the polar system of Caulobacter crescentus. The scheme of gene control is also pertinent to other members of the gamma purple bacteria, in particular to Pseudomonas species. This review uses the framework of the polar flagellar system of Vibrio parahaemolyticus to provide a synthesis of what is known about polar motility systems of the Vibrionaceae. In addition to its propulsive role, the single polar flagellum of V. parahaemolyticus is believed to act as a tactile sensor controlling surface-induced gene expression. Under conditions that impede rotation of the polar flagellum, an alternate, lateral flagellar motility system is induced that enables movement through viscous environments and over surfaces. Although the dual flagellar systems possess no shared structural components and although distinct type III secretion systems direct the simultaneous placement and assembly of polar and lateral organelles, movement is coordinated by shared chemotaxis machinery.
Assessing Talking and Writing: Linguistic Competence for Students at Risk.

Traditionally, educators assumed that the development of oral language preceded other forms of literacy, especially formal writing. Recent research, however, has suggested that all literacy forms‐reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking‐emerge concurrently in children, serving to reinforce each other throughout the school years. When all of the forms are recognized and supported, growth in one form, such as student writing, facilitates progress in another, namely, oral language. The process moves in both directions. Culturally and linguistically diverse students, plus those with communication disorders and language learning disabilities, frequently exhibit difficulty with both oral and written language. Assessment of talking or writing skills enables the practitioner to plan interventions from either direction, increasing the effectiveness of instruction. This article suggests coordinated assessment and intervention strategies that speech language pathologists, special educators, and general ed...
The Effect of Time on Static Stretch on the Flexibility of the Hamstring Muscles

Background and Purpose. To date, there are no reports comparing duration of static stretch in humans on joint range of motion (ROM) and hamstring muscle flexibility. The purpose of this study was to examine the length of time the hamstring muscles should be placed in a sustained stretched position to maximally increase ROM. Subjects. Fifty-seven subjects (40 men, 17 women), ranging in age from 21 to 37 years and with limited hamstring muscle flexibility (ie, 30° loss of knee extension measured with femur held at 90° of hip flexion), were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Three groups stretched 5 days per week for 15, 30, and 60 seconds, respectively. The fourth group, which served as a control group, did not stretch. Methods. Before and after 6 weeks of stretching, flexibility of the hamstring muscles was determined by measuring knee extension ROM with the femur maintained in 90 degrees of hip flexion. Data were analyzed with a 4×2 analysis of variance (group×test) for repeated measures on one variable. Results. The data analysis revealed a significant group×test interaction, indicating that the change in flexibility was dependent on the duration of stretching. Further post hoc analysis revealed that 30 and 60 seconds of stretching were more effective at increasing flexibility of the hamstring muscles (as determined by increased ROM of knee extension) than stretching for 15 seconds or no stretching. In addition, no significant difference existed between stretching for 30 seconds and for 1 minute, indicating that 30 seconds of stretching the hamstring muscles was as effective as the longer duration of 1 minute. Conclusion and Discussion. The results of this study suggest that a duration of 30 seconds is an effective time of stretching for enhancing the flexibility of the hamstring muscles. Given the information that no increase in flexibility of the hamstring muscles occurred by increasing the duration of stretching from 30 to 60 seconds, the use of the longer duration of stretching for an acute effect must be questioned.
Stabilization of New Forms of the Intermetallic Phases β-RENiGe2 (RE = Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) in Liquid Indium

Flux conditions using liquid indium bypass the thermodynamically stable structure and yield new forms of the phases RENiGe2 (RE = Dy, Er, Yb, Lu). The compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic Immm space group and possess the YIrGe2 structure type. Lattice parameters for ErNiGe2, DyNiGe2, YbNiGe2, and LuNiGe2 are a = 4.114(1) A, b = 8.430(2) A, c = 15.741(5) A; a = 4.1784(9) A, b = 8.865(2) A, c = 15.745(3) A; a = 4.0935(6) A, b = 8.4277(13) A, c = 15.751(2) A, and a = 4.092(1) A, b = 8.418(3) A, c = 15.742(5) A, respectively. These phases represent a new structural arrangement (beta) of the compound type RENiGe2 as another set of compounds with identical stoichiometry are known to adopt the orthorhombic Cmcm CeNiSi2 type structure (alpha). In this paper we report the crystal and electronic band structure of four new members of the YIrGe2 structure type, as well as an investigation of the relative thermodynamic stabilities of the two forms.
Defensive symbiosis in the real world – advancing ecological studies of heritable, protective bacteria in aphids and beyond

Summary Symbiotic microbes have become increasingly recognized to mediate interactions between natural enemies and their hosts. The ecologies of these symbioses, however, are poorly understood in many systems, and a predictive framework is needed to guide future studies. To achieve this, we focus on heritable, defensive microbes of insects. Our review of laboratory-based studies identifies diverse bacterial species that have independently evolved to protect a range of insects against parasitoids, parasites, predators and pathogens. Although defensive mechanisms are typically unknown, some involve toxins or the upregulation of host immunity. Despite substantial benefits of infection in the presence of natural enemies, the protective symbionts of insects are often found at intermediate levels in natural populations. Using a host-centred population genetics approach made possible by the host restriction and cytoplasmic inheritance of these microbes, we propose that balancing selection plays a major role in symbiont maintenance, with protective benefits in the presence of enemies and infection costs in their absence. Other mediating factors are likely to be important, including temperature, superinfections and transmission dynamics. While few studies have provided evidence for defence in the field, several studies have shown symbiont infection frequencies to be dynamic, varying across temporal and spatial gradients and food–plant associations. Newly presented data from our pea aphid research reveal that temporal shifts in defensive symbiont prevalence can be quite rapid, with Hamiltonella defensa showing 10–20% shifts around a seasonal average of c. 50%. Such findings contrast with more unidirectional changes seen in laboratory population cages, suggesting temporal changes in the costs and benefits of symbionts in the field. To frame future research on defensive symbiont ecology, we briefly consider a range of studies needed to test laboratory- and field-derived predictions on defensive symbiosis. Included are investigations of defensive mechanisms, symbiont-driven co-evolution and community-level effects. We also consider the need for more thorough and highly resolved molecular diagnostics of natural infections, laboratory studies on functional differences between symbiont strains and species and studies on the relative costs and benefits of defenders in nature. The emerging theme of symbiont-mediated defence across eukaryotes suggests that knowledge of the functional mechanisms behind protection and natural symbiont dynamics could be key to understanding many of the world's antagonistic species interactions. Thus, the development of insects as a model for such studies holds promise for these organisms and beyond.
Responses to Refusals of Requests: Face Threat and Persistence, Persuasion and Forgiving Statements

Wilson et al.'s (1998) revision of politeness theory has been applied to requesting, refusing and relational development, finding that different types of face threat are present in an interaction depending on the interaction goals. This investigation seeks to extend Wilson et al.'s (1998) work by determining how threats to a speaker's and hearer's face needs influence a requester's desire to persist and use of persuasion and forgiving statements after refusal. Results indicate that refusals creating greater threat to the positive and negative face needs of requesters yield greater desire to persist and use of persuasion statements. Specific face threats did not appear to be related to use of forgiving statements.
Object selection based on oscillatory correlation

One of the classical topics in neural networks is winner-take-all (WTA), which has been widely used in unsupervised (competitive) learning, cortical processing, and attentional control. Owing to global connectivity, WTA networks, however, do not encode spatial relations in the input, and thus cannot support sensory and perceptual processing where spatial relations are important. We propose a new architecture that maintains spatial relations between input features. This selection network builds on Locally Excitatory Globally Inhibitory Oscillator Networks (LEGION) dynamics and slow inhibition. In an input scene with many objects (patterns), the network selects the largest object. This system can be easily adjusted to select several largest objects, which then alternate in time. We analyze the speed of selection, and further show that a two-stage selection network gains efficiency by combining selection with parallel removal of noisy regions. The network is applied to select the most salient object in gray-level images. As a special case, the selection network without local excitation gives rise to a new form of oscillatory WTA.
Mechanisms for independent and combined effects of calorie restriction and acute exercise on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by skeletal muscle of old rats.

Either calorie restriction [CR; consuming 60–65% of ad libitum (AL) intake] or acute exercise can independently improve insulin sensitivity in old age, but their combined effects on muscle insulin ...
OpenSHMEM Reference Implementation using UCCS-uGNI Transport Layer

OpenSHMEM is a library interface implementation and specification that enables the implementation of the Partitioned Global Address Space (PGAS) model. It exports modern RDMA network functionality and communication semantics to applications very efficiently. There are many closed source implementations of OpenSHMEM for modern RDMA interconnects such as InfiniBand and Cray's Gemini and Aries. Given the important role that Cray systems play in HPC, in this paper, we present an open source implementation of OpenSHMEM for Cray XE/XK/XC systems.To implement OpenSHMEM, we use the uGNI interface. uGNI is a generic interface that is designed for multiple programming models. The interface fits well the goal of UCCS. Having OpenSHMEM with UCCS-uGNI allows usage of the same implementation over multiple interconnects. This also translates into many advantages that come with common code such as resource sharing, increasing productivity because of less code maintenance, etc. Preliminary results show that OpenSHMEM-UCCS performs comparable to state-of-the-art Cray SHMEM for Put, Get, and AMO operations.
Optimum Allocation of Objective Color Measurements for Evaluating Fresh Strawberries

Components of variance were estimated for 10 strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) color traits to determine their relative importance and to design optimal sampling strategies. The color attributes of >2000 fruit from 47 genotypes from the Univ. of California Strawberry Improvement Program were evaluated over three harvest dates (HDs) in one growing season. Measurements were obtained for a moderate number of fruit from each genotype on each date, and two measurements were obtained for each trait on all fruit. Variances for HDs were nonsignificant or small (0% to 8% of the total variance). Genotype × date variances were highly significant but small ( ≤6% of the total) for all color traits except internal hue (14% of the total). For external color traits, the within-fruit variance was greater than the among-fruit variance (16% to 64% and 0% to 14% of the total, respectively). For internal color traits, the among-fruit variance was greater than the within-fruit variance (20% to 37% and 9% to 19% of the total, respectively). Obtaining two measurements per fruit for several fruit on one HD is an efficient strategy for characterizing a genotype's fruit color; seven to 22 fruit are needed to estimate a genotype's fruit color within 2 units (Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage L*a*b* or degrees) with 95% confidence.
Simultaneous detection of the tumor suppressor FHIT gene and protein using the multi-functional biochip.

Abstract The tumor suppressor gene, fragile histidine triad ( FHIT ), encompasses the most common human chromosomal fragile site, at 3p14.2. Detection of FHIT gene is important in cancer diagnostics since its alterations have been associated with several human cancers. A unique multi-functional biochip for simultaneous detection of FHIT DNA and FHIT protein on the same platform was applied. The design of the biochip is based on miniaturization of photodiodes, where functioning of multiple optical sensing elements, amplifiers, discriminators, and logic circuitry are integrated on a single IC board. Performance of biochip is based on biomolecular recognition processes using both DNA and protein bioreceptors, Cy5-labeled probes and laser excitation. Application of biochip for concurrent detection of various immobilized target DNA and protein molecules and multiplex of DNA and protein on the same microarray was accomplished. Linearity of biochip for quantitative measurements was demonstrated. Results demonstrated utility of this multi-functional biochip as a useful detection technology with applications in biological and clinical laboratories.
Choice of method for endotoxin detection depends on nanoformulation

Aims: Many nanoparticles interfere with traditional tests to quantify endotoxin. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) formats on clinical-grade nanoformulations, to determine whether there were disparate results among formats and to test the applicability of an alternative bioassay (the macrophage activation test [MAT]) for resolving discrepancies, if observed. Materials & methods: Clinical-grade nanoformulations were tested using turbidimetric, gel-clot and chromogenic LAL. Formulations that cause a discrepancy among LAL tests were also tested by the MAT. Results & conclusion: The gel-clot LAL method cannot be relied upon to resolve discrepancies among LAL tests for certain nanoformulations. No one LAL format was shown to be optimal for all the tested clinical-grade nanoformulations. The tested alternative bioassay (the MAT) was useful for verifying LAL findings, but only for those nanoformulations not carrying/including cytotoxic drugs. Original submitt...
Is the Shale Energy Boom a Bust for Nearby Residents? Evidence from Housing Values in Pennsylvania

Profitable extraction of previously inaccessible shale energy reserves has led to the rapid expansion of shale exploration across the United States. We present one of the first empirical studies to measure the impact of early shale exploration on surrounding homeowners using data from Washington County, Pennsylvania, from 2008 to mid 2010. We find that property values are negatively impacted by shale gas exploration activity, but this impact depends on the proximity and intensity of shale activity and is largely transitory. The negative effects are larger for households located close to major highways and sourced with private well water.
A Failure Recovery Method Based on Cycle Structure and Its Verification by OpenFlow

The purpose of this study is to realize a fast failure recovery method with reducing packet loss on a large-scale complicated network. Though conventional failure recovery methods can work fast with a little control messages, they might be limited for a ring topology. Some studies try to apply the ring failure recovery methods to mesh networks by extracting ring structure or cycles from the network. However, it is likely to require a large amount of calculation to find an efficient set of cycles that covers all communication links on a network. This paper proposes a control method for one link failure recovery using fundamental tie-sets that cover all links. The experimental results on an Open Flow network demonstrate that the control method can reduce packet loss and control messages in the recovery process.
Cold War co-operation: New Chinese evidence on Jawaharlal Nehru's 1954 visit to Beijing

Drawing on declassified Chinese records of Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's conversations with Mao Zedong and Zhou En-lai when he visited Beijing in 1954, this essay examines the conceptual underpinnings of Sino-Indian co-operation. The Cold War fostered co-operation between two countries that might have been expected to become rivals. In exploring the nature and limitations of the relationship, the essay shows how these leaders failed to understand that Asian countries might be as averse to Chinese or Indian hegemony as they were to Western imperialism.
Work in progress- a 6-12 initiative for integrated study of engineering sciences, technologies, and art

This paper presents a 6-12 initiative to capture and maintain interest of unrepresented secondary school students in information technology intensive science, technology, mathematics, and engineering fields. It is a cross-disciplinary integrated study of these topics with inclusion of art. Inquiry based complex problem solving is promoted through design and construction of dynamic and interactive animated toys and robots providing a fun learning atmosphere in team environments. Yearlong weekend program prepares students for the summer capstone experience. The program encompasses a mix of formal ways of learning such as classes/laboratory exercises and informal means such as independent study through Web-CT, electronic discussions, research for possible capstone projects through electronic databases, and utilization of electronic journals. The paper also elaborates on feasibility of the project, learning outcomes, and evaluation. It is concluded with preliminary developments, projected status, and future work.
DNA sequence conservation between the Bacillus anthracis pXO2 plasmid and genomic sequence from closely related bacteria.

Background Complete sequencing and annotation of the 96.2 kb Bacillus anthracis plasmid, pXO2, predicted 85 open reading frames (ORFs). Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis isolates that ranged in genomic similarity to B. anthracis, as determined by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, were examined by PCR for the presence of sequences similar to 47 pXO2 ORFs.
SODA Strategy Enhancing the Social Interaction Skills of Youngsters with Asperger Syndrome

Persons with Asperger Syndrome present social peculiarities that result from one of the primary features of Asperger Syndrome—social interaction deficits. Children with Asperger Syndrome are often unable to engage in age-expected interactions, such as play. Similarly, adolescents with Asperger Syndrome are often unable to understand the social customs associated with dating and other age-expected interactions. This confusion regarding social customs continues through adulthood. Thus, it is not unusual to find adults with Asperger Syndrome who experience high levels of social isolation and frustration. This article describes a social behavioral learning strategy, SODA, that will enhance the social interaction skills of persons with Asperger Syndrome. It includes a description of SODA and a set of teaching guidelines.
Design of hyper-gratings for far field subwavelength focusing in planar geometry

: We propose a new class of planar focusing and imaging systems capable of subwavelength focusing of radiation in the far field of the source and present the Fourier-optics applications of these structures.
Nanophase-Segregation and Transport in Nafion 117 from Molecular Dynamics Simulations: Effect of Monomeric Sequence

Nafion polyelectrolyte is widely used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) due to its high proton conductivity. The properties of hydrated Nafion are attributed to its nanophase-segre...
The Development of the Antiviral Drug RC 28 from Rozites caperata (Pers.:Fr.) P.Karst. (Agaricomycetideae)

Many mushrooms are reported to have antiviral activity against viruses that cause human disease. Th e active substances described include polysaccharides, conjugated polysaccharides, proteins, peptides, lignins, triterpenes, phenoloic derivates, and nucleic acid bases. RC 28 is an antiviral protein of MW 28 kD prepared from aqueous extracts of the mushroom Rozites caperata with novel antiviral activity. It is active exclusively against enveloped viruses including human Herpes viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2, Cytomegalovirus, Varicella zoster, Respiratory syncytial virus, and Infl uenza Virus type A. It is not active against the non-enveloped viruses Adenovirus type 6, Coxsackie viruses B5 and B6, and several strains of ECHO viruses. Our present objectives are to obtain the complete amino acid sequence of RC 28, determine its antiviral mechanism, and identify its cellular targets. I will present some initial studies with these objectives in mind.
Synthesis and characterization of sulfonated poly(acrylene ether sulfones)

Ionic groups incorporated into a polymer have a decided effect on its physical properties. A number of ionomers and polyelectrolytes have been widely applied. In particular, sulfonated bisphenol-A polysulfone (SPSF) has been used as a composite or single-component membrane for the desalination of water. In this article, the synthesis and physical characteristics of sulfonated polysulfone are addressed. A detailed synthesis route is provided and methods that yield determinable levels of sulfonation are described. These ion-containing polymers retain an excessive amount of residual salts, which, of course, are impurities to the system. Therefore, before any analyses were made the polymers were subjected to a thorough soxhlet extraction process with boiling water, which appeared to be quite effective. The degree of sulfonation was assessed by several methods such as 1H NMR and FT-IR. A new 1H NMR method was derived because the method cited in the literature proved to be too inconsistent for our work. The new 1H NMR method used a quaternary ammonium counterion [N(CH3)4]. These methyl protons are easily measured and may be ratioed against the isopropylidene protons in the polymer backbone that act as an internal standard. Characterization of the physical properties of SPSF consisted of water uptake, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), and solubility studies. Its physical appearance and mechanical behavior were improved by the solution procedure. Also addressed were the effects of different counterions (Na+ & Mg++) with SPSFs of low levels of sulfonation. The variation in physical properties between the divalent and monovalent counterions is dramatic, especially when observed by TMA in the rubber plateau above the apparent glass temperature.
NATURAL HALOPHYTES AS A POTENTIAL RESOURCE FOR NEW SALT-TOLERANT CROPS: SOME PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS

The desirability of salt-tolerant terrestrial crops has been recognized for some time. The vast areas of the world which are essentially unproductive of food crops because of the high salinity of the water and or soil which characterize them have long challenged man to find ways to utilize them to meet his needs for food and fiber. Historically the production of these staples has been dependent upon a supply of fresh water. Recently the supply of this resource has become ever more critical as populations and technologies continue to expand. The problem with respect to crop production was stated succintly by Flowers et al. (1977): To plant life, salinity is just one inimical factor of the environment. To man, salinity creates a problem due to its effects on his crops which are predominantly sensitive to the presence of high concentrations of salts in the soil.
The Philadelphia chromosome in human macrophages

Three patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia in different phases of the natural history of the disease were studied. Their bone marrow cells were cultured under conditions favoring macrophage proliferation, and parallel cytogenetic and cytochemical studies were performed. All cell metaphases examined contained the Ph1 chromosome at a time when more than 80% of these metaphases were in identifiable macrophages. We conclude that the mononuclear phagocyte cell line contains the abnormal chromosome in Ph1-positive chronic myelocytic leukemia.