cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphology and physiology of abducens motoneurons and internuclear neurons intracellularly injected with horseradish peroxidase in alert squirrel monkeys

Axons of abducens motoneurons and internuclear neurons were penetrated with HRP-filled glass microelectrodes in alert squirrel monkeys. The firing rate of these axons and spontaneous eye movements were recorded and the axons were then injected with HRP for subsequent visualization of the recorded cells. Soma-dendritic and axon and axonal terminal morphology were studied for possible correlation with firing frequency. The physiology of squirrel monkey abducens neurons is qualitatively similar to their counterparts in the rhesus monkey and the cat, being primarily correlated with the position and velocity of the eyes. The locations of moto- and internuclear neurons are similar in the squirrel monkey and cat as are the axonal projections and terminals. However, squirrel monkey abducens cells are smaller than their feline counterparts and have dendrites that are confined to the cellular borders of the abducens nucleus. The size of the soma and proximal dendrites of moto- and internuclear neurons are poorly correlated with either their threshold for recruitment or their tonic eye position sensitivity. However, cells with smaller dendritic trees tended to have higher saccadic eye velocity sensitivity than those with larger trees. Three types of internuclear neurons were distinguishable upon the basis of their axon collaterals. All cells terminated within the medial rectus subdivision of the oculomotor nucleus. One class of cells did not give rise to collaterals before projecting to the oculomotor nucleus and the other classes gave rise to collaterals that terminated in the intermediate and/or caudal interstitial nuclei of the median longitudinal fasciculus. Within the IIIrd nucleus internuclear terminations were usually confined to a single subgroup of medial rectus motoneurons.
On the steady motions produced by a stable stratification in a rapidly rotating fluid

The equilibrium state of a rapidly rotating fluid, heated uniformly from above and cooled uniformly from below while contained in a cylinder with insulated side-walls is studied.The circulations which are produced by the resulting stratification are studied over a wide range of parameters and it is shown that many of the features of the linear theory of rotating stratified fluid flows found in earlier studies reappear in this non-linear problem.These include the gradual disappearance of Ekman layer suction and O(1) Ekman layers as the stratification increases, and the determination of the interior flow by the side-wall boundary layers in conjunction with the Ekman layers.It is suggested therefore, that studies of rotating stratified flows which are unbounded laterally may frequently be defective and lead to solutions which are not the limit of any physically realizable experiment.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Older People

Because of changes that occur with aging, older people with any other risk factors for vitamin D deficiency are likely to have inadequate stores of this vitamin. The consequences of vitamin D deficiency are likely to be losses in bone, strength, and function and the development of pain. Many questions remain regarding screening, prevention, and treatment of vitamin D deficiency. Supplementation may be unnecessary in most healthy, ambulatory seniors. Excessive supplementation in this group may lead to vitamin D toxicity. There does seem to be a role for supplementation in homebound older people who will not get adequate vitamin D from sunlight exposure. This population is at particular risk of developing vitamin D deficiency. Issues such as inadequate diet, physiologic changes with aging, polypharmacy, and diseases that interfere with vitamin D metabolism contribute to this risk. In such circumstances, a recommendation of 800 IU per day is reasonable. An alternative to daily dosing is a single oral dose of 100,000 IU of vitamin D (ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol) every 3 to 6 months. A simple maneuver is for geriatricians, who see many chronically ill patients with low vitamin D stores (who are likely to be seen in the office every 3 to 6 months), to administer vitamin D during the office visits. These dosing schedules have not been associated with toxicity and can be considered safe in homebound (sunlight-deprived) older adults.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Southern Highland Craft Guild

The collections of the Southern Highland Craft Guild are available to visitors at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, North Carolina. Here visitors can explore library and archival materials that document traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, as well as southern Appalachian history and culture. The educational experience is enhanced through the Folk Art Center's rotating gallery exhibits, crafting demonstrations, and other educational and outreach events. Serials Review visits the center to learn about the library's history, collections, procedures, and initiatives.
The response of a thin elastic rod to combined thermal and mechanical impulse

Es wird das Charakteristikenverfahren benutzt, um zwei Probleme zu untersuchen, welche mit dem kombinierten Einfluss eines thermischen und mechanischen Stosses auf die Fortpflanzung einer elastischen Langswellenfront im eindimensionalen Korper zusammenhangen. Im ersten Fall werden die beiden Stosse gleichzeitig am freien Ende appliziert, und es werden die Anderungen in der Fortpflanzungsgeschwindigkeit studiert, welche auf das durch Diffusion erzeugte ungleichformige Temperaturfeld zuruckzufuhren sind. Es wird gezeigt, dass die Vorlauferfront durch den modulierenden Effekt des Diffusionsprozesses in ihrer Intensitat herabgesetzt wird. Das zweite Problem betrifft einen mechanischen Stoss, der einige Zeit nach Entstehen eines ungleichformigen Temperaturfeldes infolge Warmeflusses appliziert wird. Es werden Ausdrucke hergeleitet fur die Modulation der Verzerrungen und Geschwindigkeiten an der Wellenfront, wahrend die elastische Welle in ein festeres Medium hineinlauft.
Coupling current control in Rutherford cables wound with NbTi, Nb3Sn, and Bi:2212/Ag

Abstract Calorimetric measurements of AC loss have been performed on Rutherford cables wound with NbTi, Nb 3 Sn, and Bi:2212/Ag strands, respectively. For the NbTi cables Ni and stabrite coatings had been applied, while for the Nb 3 Sn and Bi:2212/Ag cables the strand surfaces were just bare Cu or Ag, respectively. Most of the cables contained resistive cores: ribbons of kapton, or titanium (NbTi), stainless steel (NbTi and Nb 3 Sn), and nichrome-80 (Bi:2212/Ag). In all cases the cores were found to lead to a strong suppression of the face-on (field normal to the broad cable face) coupling current loss; to such an extent that even the Bi:2212/Ag cables, which would otherwise be severely cross-sintered, show the possibility of acceptable coupling loss. Effective crossover interstrand contact resistances are calculated and normalized to a standard cable specification (`LHC inner') for the purpose of intercomparison.
Application of PML to FDTD Simulation of Electromagnetic Tomography

The powerful PML technique cannot be directly used for lossy earth problems. An extension of PML to lossy media for 2D TM case is given based on Fang and Wu’s GPML theory. Numerical test shows such a method greatly reduces artificial reflections from the boundary, but costs more computer resources than the Mur ABC. To achieve the same level of accuracy, the ratio of memory (and execution time) using GPML to that using the Mur ABC is about 1.5 for 2D and 2.0 for 3D. The 2D FDTD code developed is useful for electromagnetic tomography model studies.
Characterizing VLAN usage in an operational network

In this paper, we present one of the first studies characterizing VLAN usage in a large operational network. Our study employs a "white-box" approach, based on analysis of switch and router configuration files, and interactions with network operators. Our findings are: (i) VLANs are extensively used to enable users at physically disparate locations to be treated as a group; (ii) the performance inefficiencies resulting from such usage is significant; and (iii) the inefficiencies are exacerbated by sub-optimal placement policies. Finally, we identify potential sources of errors that may arise with VLAN configurations, and demonstrate their prevalence.
Electrostatic ion-cyclotron wave experiments in the WVU Q machine

The influence of transverse, localized, DC electric fields (TLEs) on the current-driven electrostatic ion-cyclotron (CDEIC) instability is being investigated in a Q machine. A small (diameter approximately 10 ion gyroradii) segmented disk electrode is being used to excite the mode in a narrow electron-current channel along which exists a radial electric field between regions that magnetically map to the different circular segments (separated by a radial gap of approximately 3 ion gyroradii). Experiments aimed at demonstrating a TLE dependence in the threshold current for mode excitation are described. A comparison of observed and predicted mode frequencies over a range of magnetic field strengths is presented for the benchmark case of no applied transverse electric field. When the electric field is present, ion-cyclotron fluctuations are observed for cases in which the current is below the CDEIC instability threshold. >
Extension of the lean operating limit for natural gas fueling of a spark ignited engine using hydrogen blending

The performance, emissions and combustion characteristics of lean mixtures of natural gas and hydrogen were studied in a conventional spark ignited engine. Specifically, mixtures of natural gas blended with 5, 10 and 15 percent by volume hydrogen were considered. Engine performance parameters included power (BHP), thermal efficiency (BTE), specific fuel consumption (BSFC), coefficient of variation in mean effective pressure, cumulative energy release schedule, and emissions of CO, NO x and hydrocarbons. Major conclusions of the work include: (t) at equivalence ratios leaner than 0.80, improvements in BHP, BSFC, and BTE were significant wilh hydrogen addition; (ii) significant extension of the lean operating limit to lower equivalence ratios was demonstrated with increasing hydrogen concentrations in natural gas; (iii) emissions of CO, NO^ and hydrocarbons decreased as equivalence ratio was reduced until partial burning became predominant; (iv) hydrogen addition appeared to allow stable engine operation wi...
Stratigraphic Control of Oriskany Production: ABSTRACT

The Oriskany (Ridgeley) Sandstone, Lower Devonian (Deerpark Stage), is one of the major deep gas producers in the central Appalachian basin. It is most productive in the southern tier of New York, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and to a lesser extent, in westernmost Maryland and northwestern Virginia. Typically, the Oriskany is a calcareous quartzarenite with a distinctive megascopic fauna. Locally the Oriskany is orthoquartzitic, and in places conglomeratic. In outcrop, leaching of the calcareous components of the Oriskany produces a more friable, biomoldic quartzarenite. In the subsurface, the formation is usually tightly cemented by carbonate. The Oriskany is a sheet sand that reaches a maximum thickness of over 300 ft (100 m) in western Maryland, and thins to zero toward the north, west, and south. This pinch-out is due to pre- and/or post-Oriskany unconformities which become more pronounced along the edges of the basin and locally in northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York. Most of the major Oriskany fields are stratigraphic traps associated with the Oriskany pinch-out. In these fields, porosity is usually intergranular and was probably developed soon after deposition on pre-Middle Devonian topographic highs. Entrapment is due to updip loss of permeability at the pinch-out or to structural highs near the pinch-out. Oriskany fields that are not associated with the pinch-out are structural traps characterized by fracture porosity and entrapment along anticlinal highs or against faults. Fields of this type are more common in the high plateau province and in the Eastern Overthrust belt. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1167------------
FUNCTION OF MACROPHAGES IN ANTIGEN RECOGNITION BY GUINEA PIG T LYMPHOCYTES II. ROLE OF THE MACROPHAGE IN THE REGULATION OF GENETIC CONTROL OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE

A number of recent studies have suggested that the main functional role of the product of the immune response (Ir) genes is in the process of antigen recognition by the T lymphocyte. The observation in the accompanying report that the interaction of macrophage-associated antigen with immune T lymphocytes requires that both cells share histocompatibility antigens raised the question as to whether the macrophage played a role in the genetic control of the immune response or even if the macrophage were the primary cell in which the product of the Ir gene is expressed. In the current study, parental macrophages were pulsed with an antigen, the response to which is controlled by an Ir gene lacking in that parent; these macrophages were then mixed with T cells derived from the (nonresponder x responder)F1 and the resultant stimulation was measured. No stimulation was seen when column-purified F1 lymph node lymphocytes were mixed with antigen-pulsed macrophages from the nonresponder parent. However, when the highly reactive peritoneal exudate lymphocyte population was used as the indicator cells, parental macrophages pulsed with an antigen whose Ir gene they lacked were capable of initiating F1 T-cell proliferation. The magnitude of stimulation was approximately 1/10 that seen when macrophages from either the responder parent or the F1 were used. In order to explain this observation, we hypothesize that antigen recognition sites on the T lymphocyte are physically related to a macrophage-binding site and both are linked to the serologically determined histocompatibility antigens. Thus, parental macrophages pulsed with an antigen, whose Ir gene they lack, activate F1 cells poorly because the recognition sites for the antigen are physically related to the macrophage-binding site of the responder parent while the main contacts between the cells are at the nonresponder binding sites. Experiments performed with alloantisera lend support to this hypothesis. Thus, when parental macrophages are pulsed with any antigen and added to F1 T cells, an alloantiserum directed against parental histocompatibility antigens reacts with both the lymphocyte and the macrophage and thereby inhibits macrophage-lymphocyte interaction and abolishes antigen-induced lymphocyte transformation. When the alloantisera are directed at determinants present solely on the T lymphocyte, they only inhibit the recognition of antigens controlled by the Ir gene linked to the histocompatibility antigen against which they are directed. We conclude from these studies that antigen recognition by the T lymphocyte is a complex multicellular event involving more than simple antigen binding to a specific lymphocyte receptor.
Ordinary and modular characters of SU(3, p)

Abstract This article deals with the relationship between ordinary and p-modular characters of the group SU(3, p), parallel to the treatment of SL(3, p) in J. E. Humphreys, Ordinary and modular characters of SL(3, p), J. Algebra 72 (1981) , 8–16. Here we denote by SU(3, q) the special unitary subgroup of SL(3, q2), where q is a power of the prime p; the notation SU(3, q2) is perhaps more standard, but we want to emphasize the comparison with SL(3, q). Our main conclusion is that the decomposition behavior is essentially the “same” for both groups, in a sense to be made more precise below.
Activation of the ethylene gas response pathway in Arabidopsis by the nuclear protein ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3 and related proteins.

Abstract Mutations in the Arabidopsis ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3 ( EIN3 ) gene severely limit a plant's response to the gaseous hormone ethylene. ein3 mutants show a loss of ethylene-mediated effects including gene expression, the triple response, cell growth inhibition, and accelerated senescence. EIN3 acts downstream of the histidine kinase ethylene receptor, ETR1, and the Raf-like kinase, CTR1. The EIN3 gene encodes a novel nuclear-localized protein that shares sequence similarity, structural features, and genetic function with three EIN3-LIKE (EIL) proteins. In addition to EIN3 , EIL1 or EIL2 were able to complement ein3 , suggesting their participation in the ethylene signaling pathway. Overexpression of EIN3 or EIL1 in wild-type or ethylene-insensitive2 plants conferred constitutive ethylene phenotypes, indicating their sufficiency for activation of the pathway in the absence of ethylene.
Interferon gamma in autoimmunity: A complicated player on a complex stage

Early views of autoimmune disease cast IFNγ as a prototypic pro-inflammatory factor. It is now clear that IFNγ is capable of both pro- and anti-inflammatory activities with the functional outcome dependent on the physiological and pathological setting examined. Here, the major immune modulatory activities of IFNγ are reviewed and current evidence for the impact of IFNγ on pathology and regulation of several autoimmune diseases and disease models is summarized.
Rituximab Induced Serum Sickness Masquerading as Septic Shock

Abstract Purpose We describe a case of serum sickness following rituximab infusion in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Introduction Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody used to treat hematologic malignancies and autoimmune diseases. Infusion reactions are very common with rituximab (77%), occurring within 30-120 min of the beginning of the infusion (rituximab package insert; Genentech, Inc); however, rituximab may cause a delayed serum sickness–like reaction as well. Description Our patient is a 51-year-old Caucasian woman diagnosed with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia in 2004. At that time, she was treated with 3 cycles of rituximab therapy followed by plasmapheresis for a hyperviscosity reaction. Over the next 3 years she had an uneventful course. However, beginning in 2007 she started having unexplained severe headaches, painful peripheral sensory neuropathy, and night sweats. After a thorough work-up to rule out other etiological causes, we decided to re-challenge her with rituximab in November 2009. She was to undergo 3 cycles of plasmapheresis followed by rituximab infusions (375 mg/m 2 /week for 4 weeks). Prior to initiation of rituximab, her IgM level was 2447 mg/dL, and her serum viscosity was 2.0. She underwent 3 uneventful cycles of plasmapheresis, after which she received her first rituximab infusion. During the infusion, she did experience some nausea, abdominal pain, tactile hallucinations, and perioral numbness; however, these resolved with extra doses of steroids and antihistaminics. One week after the administration of the first rituximab infusion, she was found to be hypotensive with her systolic BP in the 60s mmHg and was febrile to 101 5 . She needed admission to the intensive care unit and was presumptively treated as having a catheter-related sepsis needing Norepinephrine pressor support and broad spectrum antibiotic coverage. Her IgM level at the time of admission was 1049 mg/dL, and her serum viscosity was 1.5. She did not have any skin rashes, thrombocytopenia, or proteinuria. During her hospital stay, all of her chemistries were within normal limits, and her microbiologic cultures were repeatedly negative. She did have elevated inflammatory biomarkers such as ESR (66 mm/hr) and CRP (17.5 mg/dL). On her third day in the intensive care unit, she complained of excruciating joint pains with swelling, particularly of her wrists and knees. At this point, her antibiotics were discontinued, and she was treated with systemic steroids leading to a significant improvement in her symptoms and discharge from the hospital. Conclusion Rituximab may present with a severe serum sickness like reaction masquerading as septic shock when used to treat hematologic malignancies. Almost all of the case reports that we reviewed on rituximab-induced serum sickness documented reactions such as fever, arthralgias, and rashes (Jacobs; Clin Nucl Med ; 2007; 32:12, and Helfgott; J Rheumatol ; 2007; 34:430-3); however, to our knowledge this is the first documented case of rituximab-induced serum sickness presenting with hypotension necessitating pressor support.
Stabilities and 1H NMR studies of (diethylenetriamine)Pd(II) and (1,1,4,7,7-pentamethyldien)Pd(II) with nucleosides and related ligands

Abstract Plots of stability constant logarithms versus pK a for dienPd 2+ binding to a variety of nitrogen heterocycles yield straight lines, all of 0.67 slope. Points for binding at pyridine like purine N1 and pyrimidine N3 nitrogens in nucleosides and 5′-mononucleotides fall on a single straight line. The base line for binding at imidazole like purine N7 nitrogens is 0.8 log units stronger than for N1 binding. N7 binding to purine bases with a 6-oxo group is enhanced by 1.6 log units above the N7 base line. The presence of a 5′-phosphate group enhances N7 binding (but not N1 binding) by 0.5–0.7 log units. Weaker binding occurs with pmdienPd 2+ and the straight line slopes are 0.79. The N7 base line rises 1.2 log units above the N1 line. Presence of the 6-oxo group enhances pmdien binding by 2.3 units ruling out a significant coordinated dien hydrogen bond to the 6-oxo group. There is no enhancement of pmdienPd 2+ binding to N7 due to the 5′-phosphate of nucleotides. This result suggests that the 0.5–0.7 log unit enhancement for dienPd 2+ is due to a hydrogen bond from coordinated dien to the phosphate. Due to the terminal methyl groups, rotation of pyrimidines, benzimidazole, and purines is restricted in pmdienPd 2+ complexes and two rotamers are evident in proton magnetic resonance spectra. With benzimidazole and purine nucleosides and 5′-nucleotides there is an approximately 2:1 mole ratio of the two rotamers. Nuclear Overhauser effect experiments and chemical shift analysis permit identification of all peaks for pmdien methyl groups and aromatic ring protons.
A robust digital DC-DC converter with rail-to-rail output range in 40nm CMOS

The growing complexity and small form factors of hand-held consumer electronics are the driving force of more integration. This increases the need for truly embedded DC-DC converters in advanced processes. Traditional analog DC-DC converter architectures do not fit well with low supply voltages. Digital architectures are attractive, but require an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which can be challenging to design [1–3].
Antimicrobial activity in gorgonian corals (Coelenterata, Octocorallia)

Coral surfaces are often colonized by bacteria and other microbes that may be pathogenic as well as surface-fouling. To test the hypothesis that corals possess antimicrobial properties, both polar and non-polar extracts from eight species of gorgonian corals were assayed against five species of bacteria. Antimicrobial activity was most apparent in the non-polar fractions, which inhibited bacterial growth in all but one of the 40 interactions assayed (8 coralsx5 bacteria). Polar extracts were effective in less than 40% (14/40) of the interactions assayed. The levels of antimicrobial activity varied significantly among the gorgonian corals and was also dependent on the species of bacteria. Generally, marine bacteria were less sensitive to the extracts than were non-marine species. Differences in selerite content among the gorgonians did not influence the levels of extract antimicrobial activity.
Peptidomimetic antagonists designed to inhibit the binding of CD4 to HIV GP120

Attempts to enhance the efficacy of our previously reported CD4 CDR2-like (residues 40-45) mimetic 1 by incorporation of the critical guanidine residue Arg-59 of CD4 are described.
Shared Teaching Models for Business Communication in a Research Environment

Shared teaching, also known as team teaching, is an innovative way to balance teaching and research. Shared teaching benefits students by providing the perspec tive of two or more professors in one...
A Comparative Study of Coping Strategies and Optimism among Korean, Korean-American, and Caucasian American Older Men

Coping strategies have significant effects on health of older adults. Our study examined how ethnicities and optimism affect coping strategies among Korean, Korean-American, and Caucasian American older men. Data were collected from 310 community-dwelling adults over the age of 65. The findings showed that there was a significant difference in coping strategies among the three groups. Optimism was also significantly related to coping strategies of Koreans and Caucasian Americans. The impact of immigration on their coping strategies is discussed for Korean-Americans and recommendations for culturally competent social work services are offered.
Distributional sensitivity analysis

Abstract Among the uses for global sensitivity analysis is factor prioritization. A key assumption for this is that a given factor can, through further research, be fixed to some point on its domain. For factors containing epistemic uncertainty, this is an optimistic assumption, which can lead to inappropriate resource allocation. Thus, this research develops an original method, referred to as distributional sensitivity analysis, that considers which factors would on average cause the greatest reduction in output variance, given that the portion of a particular factor's variance that can be reduced is a random variable. A key aspect of the method is that the analysis is performed directly on the samples that were generated during a global sensitivity analysis using acceptance/rejection sampling. In general, if for each factor, N model runs are required for a global sensitivity analysis, then those same N model runs are sufficient for a distributional sensitivity analysis.
Fixed-radius near neighbors search algorithms for points and segments

Abstract The fixed-radius near neighbors search problem for points is as follows: Given a set S of n points on a plane and a search radius δ, find all pairs of points in S which are no further apart than δ. We present a new, and conceptually simple algorithm for this problem which compares favorably to the best previous algorithms of Bentley, Stanat and Williams and Cole and Yap. Although Shamos and Hoey conjectured that the Voronoi diagram has no means of dealing with general distance relationships such as this, our algorithm makes use of the Voronoi diagram as its basic data structure. The algorithm runs in O( n + I ) time with an O( n log n ) preprocessing phase where I is the number of pairs reported. We also generalize this algorithm to the fixed-radius search problem for segments. For this latter problem, we give an O( nθ + Iθ ) algorithm with an O( nθ log( nθ )) preprocessing phase where θ is the ratio L /δ of the length L of the longest segment to the search distance δ.
Dietary L-homoarginine has no lysine bioactivity in chicks.

A chick growth assay was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary L-homoarginine supplementation on performance of chicks fed a Lys-deficient corn-feather meal diet. Weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency increased linearly (P < .01) as Lys was added at .1 and .2% from feed-grade L-Lys.HCl. Adding homoarginine at .2% resulted in less (P < .05) weight gain and feed intake than observed in chicks fed the unsupplemented basal diet. These data suggest that dietary homoarginine had no Lys bioactivity, but may also have antagonized Lys utilization from the basal diet.
An improved hydrogen microcalorimeter for use with large molecules

An extremely sensitive hydrogen calorimeter has been developed for the purpose of determining the heats of hydrogenation of large molecules, particularly those of biochemical significance. High sensitivity is necessary because the substances to be studied are frequently expensive and difficult to purify. The present method has been evaluated by reproducing the known heats of hydrogenation of several isomers of hexene with a typical standard deviation and agreement with literature values of about 0.2 kcal/mole or less than 1 %. Typical sample size is in the range of 5 to 15 mg,
TRMM-Observed Shallow versus Deep Convection in the Eastern Pacific Related to Large-Scale Circulations in Reanalysis Datasets

AbstractOver the eastern Pacific, recent studies have shown that a shallow large-scale meridional circulation with its return flow just above the boundary layer coexists with a deep Hadley circulation. This study examines how the vertical structure of large-scale circulations is related to satellite-observed individual precipitation properties over the eastern Pacific in boreal autumn. Three reanalysis datasets are used to describe differences in their behavior. The results are compared among reanalyses and three distinctly different convection periods, which are defined according to their radar echo depths. Shallow and deep circulations are shown to often coexist for each of the three periods, resulting in the multicell circulation structure. Deep (shallow) circulations preferentially appear in the mostly deep (shallow) convection period of radar echo depths. Thus, depth of convection basically corresponds to which circulation branch is dominant. This anticipated relationship between the circulation stru...
The Impact of Entrepreneurial Management on Business Success of Small Retail Firms

Introduction. Small retail firms comprise a majority of all small businesses in the US and have a significant impact on the overall economy (“Small Business Advocate,” 2012). Management of small businesses, including retail businesses, entails the planning, organizing, leading and monitoring the use of a firm’s resources. Entrepreneurial management (E-Mgmt) involves innovativeness in the performance of these functions to reduce risk and augment value. E-Mgmt is defined as a set of opportunity-based management practices that help firms remain vital and contribute to value creation for the firm and society (Stevenson, 1983). Edgcomb, Klein, and Thetford (2007) suggested that the success of small firms may be improved through E-Mgmt. The purpose of the present research was to examine the impact of E-Mgmt practices of small retail firms on their perceived and financial business success. Literature Review and Hypotheses Development. The present study draws upon Stevenson’s (1983) conceptual work regarding E-Mgmt, combined with Brown, Davidsson, and Wiklund’s (2001) operationalization of six sub-dimensions of E-Mgmt (Strategic Orientation, Resource Orientation, Management Structure, Reward Philosophy, Growth Orientation, & Entrepreneurial Culture). Stevenson’s (1983) conceptualization of E-Mgmt offers an opportunity-based view of entrepreneurship that places it within a broader management framework. Using a national sample of small retail-related business operators, the goal of this study was to determine which of the six subdimensions of E-Mgmt had a significant influence on business success. Hence, the following
Juvenile Hormone Prevents the Onset of Programmed Cell Death in the Prothoracic Glands of Manduca sexta

During normal pupal-adult development, programmed cell death of the prothoracic gland of Manduca sexta proceeds via apoptosis. By employing the DNA laddering technique, the earliest sign of DNA fragmentation in the cells comprising the gland occurred on Day 5 of pupal-adult development and DNA fragmentation peaked 1 day later. Since juvenile hormone (JH) is known to prevent adult development and since prothoracic gland degeneration occurs during the initial stages of adult development, we wished to determine the possible role of JH in prothoracic gland maintenance. JH was injected into pupae and the glands analyzed by DNA laddering and in situ TUNEL labeling. The administration of JH prevented apoptosis of the prothoracic gland even 11 days after JH injection into young pupae. The prothoracic glands remained intact and their ability to synthesize ecdysteroids was maintained at a fairly active level as ascertained by radioimmunoassay after in vitro incubation. The control glands had degenerated by this time and were almost devoid of ecdysteroidogenesis capability. Ultrastructural analysis confirmed that JH-treated prothoracic gland cells were rescued from the apoptotic sequence, i.e., nuclear condensation, cytoplasmic budding, and cell fragmentation. They exhibited a preserved smooth endoplasmic reticulum and intercellular channel system typical of active prothoracic gland cells. The composite data suggest that JH can both maintain and stimulate the prothoracic gland. Therefore, during normal pupal-adult metamorphosis the absence of JH is prerequisite for both the initiation and completion of prothoracic gland degeneration.
Evaluating the impact of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles on regional electricity supplies

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) have the potential to increase the use of electricity to fuel the U.S. transportation needs. The effect of this additional demand on the electric system will depend on the amount and timing of the vehicles' periodic recharging on the grid. We used the ORCED (Oak Ridge Competitive Electricity Dispatch) model to evaluate the impact of PHEVs on the Virginia-Carolinas (VACAR) electric grid in 2018. An inventory of one million PHEVs was used and charging was begun in early evening and later at night for comparison. Different connection power levels of 1.4 kW, 2 kW, and 6 kW were used. The results include the impact on capacity requirements, fuel types, generation technologies, and emissions. Cost information such as added cost of generation and cost savings versus use of gasoline were calculated. Preliminary results of the expansion of the study to all regions of the country are also presented. The results show distinct differences in fuels and generating technologies when charging times are changed. At low specific power and late in the evening, coal was the major fuel used, while charging more heavily during peak times led to more use of combustion turbines and combined cycle plants.
Application of a rapid microplaque assay for determination of human immunodeficiency virus neutralizing antibody titers.

Abstract To perform a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) plaque assay in nonadherent host cells, we developed a novel technique in which HIV-infected MT-2 cells were formed into monolayers by centrifugation through molten agarose. Infection, formation of cell monolayers, and enumeration of plaques all took place in 96-well microtiter plates. When this process was preceded by 18 h of incubation of HIV with patient serum samples, neutralizing antibody titers between 1:10 and 1:5,000 could be accurately determined in patient serum samples. In addition to the determination of neutralizing antibody titers (with the use of various serum dilutions and a constant virus concentration), neutralization indices could also be determined with different virus dilutions and a single dilution of patient serum.
TOXICITY OF MANUFACTURED ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES IN THE NEMATODE CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS

Information describing the possible impacts of manufactured nanoparticles on human health and ecological receptors is limited. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential toxicological effects of manufactured zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs; 1.5 nm) compared to aqueous zinc chloride (ZnCl2) in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Toxicity of both types of Zn was investigated using the ecologically relevant endpoints of lethality, behavior, reproduction, and transgene expression in a mtl-2::GFP (gene encoding green fluorescence protein fused onto the metallothionein-2 gene promoter) transgenic strain of C. elegans. Zinc oxide nanoparticles showed no significant difference from ZnCl2 regarding either lethality or reproduction in C. elegans, as indicated by their median lethal concentrations (LC50s; p = 0.29, n=3) and median effective concentrations (EC50s; Z = 0.835, p = 0.797). Also, no significant difference was found in EC50s for behavioral change between ZnO-NPs (635 mg Zn/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], 477-844 mg Zn/L) and ZnCl2 (546 mg Zn/L; 95% CI, 447-666 mg Zn/L) (Z = 0.907, p = 0.834). Zinc oxide nanoparticles induced transgene expression in the mtl-2::GFP transgenic C. elegans in a manner similar to that of ZnCl2, suggesting that intracellular biotransformation of the nanoparticles might have occurred or the nanoparticles have dissolved to Zn2+ to enact toxicity. These findings demonstrate that manufactured ZnO-NPs have toxicity to the nematode C. elegans similar to that of aqueous ZnCl2.
Sexual Division of Labor in African Agriculture: A Network Autocorrelation Analysis

A model of causes and consequences of sexual division of labor in agriculture is tested using a sample of African societies. Crop type and the presence or absence of slavery are shown to be effective predictors of the degree of female contribution to agricultural subsistence, and the degree of polygyny is shown to be affected by female agricultural contribution and the form of residence. Autocorrelation effects are found and are shown to be a consequence of Bantu societies having higher female participation in agriculture than would otherwise be expected. This effect is an example of one of the kinds of phenomena that anthropologists have referred to as Galton's problem. [sexual division of labor, cultural ecology, Galton's Problem, Africa]
The relationship of leaf strength to cattle preference in tall fescue cultivars

Low values of leaf blade tensile and shear strength have been related to herbivore preference and intake in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and other forage grasses. This study examined relationships between leaf strength and cattle (Bos taunts) preference for eight cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Both tensile strength and shear strength of tall fescue leaf blades were measured, along with several leaf blade anatomical characteristics. Leaf tensile strength was negatively correlated (r = –0.20, P 5 0.01) with preference in this study. `Mozark', the cultivar with the highest leaf tensile strength, also had the highest proportion of structural tissue in leaf blade transverse sections. Shear strength was also negatively correlated with preference (r = –0.16, P s 0.05). Leaf strength of both chamber- and field-grown plants was negatively correlated with both leaf blade width and thickness. Leaf width and thickness increased together and were positively correlated with preference in all experiments. Wider leaves also had greater distance between veins and therefore more mesophyll tissue volume. We concluded that leaf width would be a useful trait in the selection of grasses for cattle preference, since it would result in grasses with a higher proportion of cell contents to fiber. This conclusion is supported by the positive correlation of preference with total nonstructural carbohydrates in an earlier study of the same tall fescue cultivars.
Identification of a new chondropsin class of antitumor compound that selectively inhibits V-ATPases

We identify a new naturally occurring class of inhibitor of vacuolar H+-ATPases (V-ATPases) isolated from vacuolar membranes of Neurospora crassa and from chromaffin granule membranes of Bos taurus. To date, the new class includes six chondropsins and poecillastrin A, large polyketide-derived macrolide lactams with 33-37 membered rings. In the National Cancer Institute's 60-cell screen the chondropsin class showed a tumor cell growth inhibitory fingerprint essentially indistinguishable from that of the bafilomycin/concanamycin and the salicylihalamide/lobatamide classes of well-established V-ATPase inhibitors. Half-maximal inhibition of V-ATPase activity in vitro occurred at 0.04-0.7 microM for the fungal vacuolar V-ATPase and at 0.4 to >10 microM for the chromaffin granule V-ATPase. Thus, the new inhibitors are somewhat less potent than the other two classes, which typically have Ki values of <10 nM for V-ATPases, and the new inhibitors differ from the other two classes in their specificity. The bafilomycin class inhibits all eucaryotic V-ATPases, the salicylihalamide class inhibits mammalian V-ATPases but not fungal V-ATPases, and the new chondropsin class inhibits the N. crassa V-ATPase better than the chromaffin granule V-ATPase. Two mutations in the N. crassa V-ATPase that affect the binding of bafilomycin had small but reproducible effects on the affinity of chondropsins for the V-ATPase, suggesting the possibility of a similar mechanism of inhibition.
Some Comments on “Principles of Empirically Supported Interventions in Counseling Psychology”

In this article, the author offers his appraisal of the Principles of Empirically Supported Interventions as developed by a Special Task Group of the Division of Counseling Psychology and also of the three articles evaluating these principles with reference to family interventions, anger management, and career counseling. In general, the author responds quite favorably to the principles presented and to the critical appraisal of the guidelines published earlier by the Division of Clinical Psychology. The latter are tied to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders diagnoses and are not sensitive to important client attributes such as ethnicity, motivation for treatment, education, and the like. The counseling psychology principles also emphasize a number of other important research considerations. The author also offers some specific comments for the three areas mentioned earlier with special reference to some unmet research needs.
Maximum likelihood estimation with side information of a 1-D discrete layered medium from its noisy impulse reflection response

We consider the problem of computing the maximum likelihood estimates of the reflection coefficients of a discrete 1-D layered medium from noisy observations of its impulse reflection response. We have side information in that a known subset of the reflection coefficients are known to be zero; this knowledge could come from either a priori knowledge of a homogeneous subregion inside the scattering medium or from a thresholding operation in which noisy reconstructed reflection coefficients with absolute values below a threshold are known to be zero. Our procedure converges in one or two iterations, each of which requires only setting up and solving a small system of linear equations and running the Levinson algorithm. Numerical examples are provided that demonstrate not only the operation of the algorithm but also that the side information improves the reconstruction of unconstrained reflection coefficients as well as constrained ones due to the nonlinearity of the inverse scattering problem.
Digital Temperature Autoregulation and Associated Cardiovascular Changes

Two studies were designed to explore the extent to which individuals can learn to control their digital skin temperature and how such learning might be associated with changes in cardiovascular functioning. In the first experiment, 8 male and 8 female subjects were assigned to two experimental conditions in which either increases or decreases in digital skin temperature were rewarded. Subjects were given 2 baseline days and either 5 or 9 days of training. Analysis of the temperature data indicated that the differences between conditions were due to changes primarily in the decrease direction. All changes were bilateral. Analysis of heart rate revealed a sex difference in the cardiac response to voluntary vasodilation. Data from two plethysmographic measures are also presented. In the second experiment, it was demonstrated that lowering the ambient temperature decreased the ability of 8 subjects to voluntarily vasodilate.
Hybrid mode radiation in patch antenna loaded with corrugated electric via arrays

A dual band patch antenna is implemented by introducing perfect electric conductor (PEC) boundary conditions using electric via arrays between the patch and the ground in a corrugation pattern. By appropriately designing the via array profile, non-Bragg resonance occurs and a hybrid electromagnetic (EM) mode which is caused by interaction between adjacent transverse EM modes takes place. Higher mode EM radiation is also activated. In this work, two sinusoidal via arrays with a period of 34.6mm, an amplitude of 6mm are fabricated between the patch and the ground, where the dimensions of the patch is 44mm × 32.4mm. The structure is excited with TE10 mode. However, radiation only occurs at a hybrid mode at 6.8GHz and TE 20 mode which is 7.3GHz, and thus the proposed structure is working as a mode shifter. Both theoretical derivation, numerical simulation and measurements show good agreement, the proposed structure can be used as a dual band patch antenna as well as EM mode shifter that could excite higher EM modes and suppress fundamental EM modes.
Working with Policy Makers on Their Choices: A Decision Analyst Reminisces

As a decision consultant and researcher, I discuss 40 years of working with policy makers on energy, environmental and foreign policy, defense, and other national issues, making heavy use of applied decision theory. I focus attention on decisions with significant human interest---where clients have sought not only to improve their own decisions, but also to justify them and to influence the decisions of others. I reflect on political, administrative, legal, and personal considerations involved.
Association of Nucleotide Polymorphisms within the O-Antigen Gene Cluster of Escherichia coli O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145 with Serogroups and Genetic Subtypes

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains are important food-borne pathogens capable of causing hemolytic-uremic syndrome. STEC O157:H7 strains cause the majority of severe disease in the United States; however, there is a growing concern for the amount and severity of illness attributable to non-O157 STEC. Recently, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) published the intent to regulate the presence of STEC belonging to serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145 in nonintact beef products. To ensure the effective control of these bacteria, sensitive and specific tests for their detection will be needed. In this study, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the O-antigen gene cluster that could be used to detect STEC strains of the above-described serogroups. Using comparative DNA sequence analysis, we identified 22 potentially informative SNPs among 164 STEC and non-STEC strains of the above-described serogroups and designed matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) assays to test the STEC allele frequencies in an independent panel of bacterial strains. We found at least one SNP that was specific to each serogroup and also differentiated between STEC and non-STEC strains. Differences in the DNA sequence of the O-antigen gene cluster corresponded well with differences in the virulence gene profiles and provided evidence of different lineages for STEC and non-STEC strains. The SNPs discovered in this study can be used to develop tests that will not only accurately identify O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145 strains but also predict whether strains detected in the above-described serogroups contain Shiga toxin-encoding genes.
X-Ray Gogs: preliminary evaluation of a "new" imaging modality

"X-Ray Gogs," which apparently reveal internal anatomy without radiation, ultrasound, or magnetic fields, were compared with conventional imaging modalities in evaluating a variety of pediatric conditions. Conventional techniques were preferable in terms of diagnostic accuracy and image quality, and are thus recommended in most settings. Because of low cost and lack of ionizing radiation, "X-Ray Gogs" are recommended in cases where radiography is not indicated, or where the results of radiographic study will not influence patient management, or where the diagnosis has already been established by other means.