cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scalable Wideband and Wide-Angle Beam Steering mm-Wave/THz Radiator and Phased Arrays in Silicon

In this paper, we describe a new approach for implementing mm-wave and THz fully integrated circuits based on standing waves. The standing wave structure can be scaled to boost the radiated power without the need for lossy coupling circuits. A $1 \times 4$ coherent radiator array and a $2 \times 2$ phased array were implemented at 0.34 THz in a $0. 13\mu m$ SiGe BiCMOS process along with on-chip antennas and are described in this paper. Taking advantage of the potentials of this approach, we were able to achieve wideband operation with varactor-less frequency tuning and wide 2D beam steering without phase shifters. To our knowledge, the implemented phased array achieves the highest frequency tuning range (15.1%) and widest beam steering (128°/53°) among reported fully integrated THz phased arrays.
Pre-Anticipatory Anxiety and Autonomic Nervous System Response to Two Unique Fitness Competition Workouts.

To evaluate the feasibility of on-site collection of subjective anxiety, autonomic nervous system activity, and salivary catecholamines surrounding high-intensity functional training (HIFT) competition, ten experienced HIFT competitors completed baseline assessments of anxiety and heart rate variability (HRV). Then, in two consecutive weeks (Workout 1 and 2) within the competition, HRV was recorded and examined in 5-min segments prior to exercise (PRE) and across a 30-min period after competitors completed their choice of the prescribed or scaled each workout. Subjective anxiety ratings and saliva samples were collected at PRE and immediately-(IP), 30-min (30P), and 60-min post-exercise (60P). Saliva samples were analyzed for concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Generalized linear mixed models with repeated measures revealed significant (p < 0.05) differences between workouts for all measures. Compared to Workout 1, anxiety (~50%), epinephrine (173–340%), norepinephrine (29–234%) were greater in Workout 2 and various HRV-derived indices were more depressed. Additionally, some HRV-derived indices appeared to be modulated (p < 0.05) by competitive level and sex at PRE and throughout the 30-min recovery period. These data suggest that autonomic activity may differ between the competitive and laboratory settings, and that the response may be further modulated by the workout’s design, the athlete’s sex, and competitive level.
Determinants of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Following Thoracic Radiotherapy in Lung or Breast Cancer Survivors

We measured peak oxygen consumption (VO2) in previous recipients of thoracic radiotherapy and assessed the determinants of cardiorespiratory fitness with an emphasis on cardiac and pulmonary function. Cancer survivors who have received thoracic radiotherapy with incidental cardiac involvement often experience impaired cardiorespiratory fitness, as measured by reduced peak VO2, a marker of impaired cardiovascular reserve. We enrolled 25 subjects 1.8 (0.1 to 8.2) years following completion of thoracic radiotherapy with significant heart exposure (at least 10% of heart volume receiving at least 5 Gray). All subjects underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing, Doppler echocardiography, and circulating biomarkers assessment. The cohort included 16 Caucasians (64%), 15 women (60%) with a median age of 63 (59 to 66) years. The peak VO2 was 16.8 (13.5 to 21.9) ml·kg−1·min−1 or moderately reduced at 62% (50% to 93%) of predicted. The mean cardiac radiation dose was 5.4 (3.7 to 14.7) Gray, and it significantly correlated inversely with peak VO2 (R = −0.445, p = 0.02). Multivariate regression analysis revealed the diastolic functional reserve index and the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) serum levels were independent predictors of peak VO2 (s = +0.813, p
An Evaluation of RDMA-based Message Passing Protocols

An enumeration of RDMA messaging verbs (READ, WRITE, SEND/RECEIVE) and queue pair types creates a diverse set of message passing protocols. This paper constructs three abstract communication paradigms to quantify the performance and scalability characteristics of five protocols. With each abstraction, different protocols provide different results and the identity of the protocol that is superior to the others changes. Factors such as the number of queue pairs per node, the size of messages, the number of pending requests per queue pair, and the abstract communication paradigm dictate the superiority of a protocol. These results are important for design and implementation of algorithms and techniques that use the emerging RDMA.
The Relationship between CrossFit® Performance and Laboratory-Based Measurements of Fitness.

To date, research has examined the physiological determinants of performance in standardized CrossFit® (CF) workouts but not without the influence of CF familiarity. Therefore, the purpose of this present study was to examine the predictive value of aerobic fitness, body composition, and total body strength on performance of two standardized CF workouts in CF-naive participants. Twenty-two recreationally trained individuals (males = 13, females = 9) underwent assessments of peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak), ventilatory thresholds, body composition, and one repetition maximum tests for the back squat, deadlift, and overhead press in which the sum equaled the CF Total. Participants also performed two CF workouts: a scaled version of the CF Open workout 19.1 and a modified version of the CF Benchmark workout Fran to determine scores based on total repetitions completed and time-to-completion, respectively. Simple Pearson's r correlations were used to determine the relationships between CF performance variables (19.1 and modified Fran) and the independent variables. A forward stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed and significant variables that survived the regression analysis were used to create a predictive model of CF performance. Absolute VO2 peak was a significant predictor of 19.1 performance, explaining 39% of its variance (adjusted R2 = 0.39, p = 0.002). For modified Fran, CF Total was a significant predictor and explained 33% of the variance in performance (adjusted R2 = 0.33, p = 0.005). These results suggest, without any influence of CF familiarity or experience, that performance in these two CF workouts could be predicted by distinct laboratory-based measurements of fitness.
Simulation-Based Optimization of Figure-of-Eight Coil Designs and Orientations for Magnetic Stimulation of Peripheral Nerve

Although magnetic neural stimulation has many advantages over electrical neural stimulation, its main disadvantages are higher energy requirement and poor stimulation selectivity. The orientation and location of the coil with respect to the stimulation site play a critical role in determining the stimulation threshold and stimulation selectivity. Utilizing numerical simulations in this work, we optimized the design parameters, orientation, and positioning of magnetic coils with respect to the peripheral nerve for improved stimulation efficacy. Specifically, we investigated different orientations and positions of the figure-of-eight coils for neural stimulation of the rat sciatic nerve. We also examined the effect of coil design parameters (number of layers and turns) and different coil electrical configurations (opposite vs. same direction of coil currents and series vs. parallel coil connections) on the stimulation threshold. We leveraged the multi-resolution impedance method and a heterogeneous multi-fascicular anatomical model of rat sciatic nerve to explore the possibility of selective stimulation as well. Neural excitation of a nerve fiber was implemented by an equivalent cable model and Frankenhaeuser-Huxley equations using NEURON software. Results suggest that inter-fascicular selectivity could be achieved by properly orienting and positioning the coil with respect to the nerve. Further, by orienting the figure-of-eight coil at an angle of 90° and 6 mm offset, we could switch between primarily activating one fascicle (and barely activating the other) and reversing those roles by merely switching the current direction in the two coils of the figure-of-eight coil.
Humanized Anti-DNABII Fab Fragments Plus Ofloxacin Eradicated Biofilms in Experimental Otitis Media.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To evaluate the ability of humanized monoclonal antibody fragments directed against a bacterial DNABII protein plus ofloxacin delivered directly into the chinchilla middle ear via tympanostomy tube (TT) to enhance the ability of ofloxacin to eradicate biofilms formed by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI). STUDY DESIGN A blinded pre-clinical study of comparative efficacy of single versus combinatorial treatment strategies. METHODS NTHI was allowed to form biofilms in the middle ears of chinchillas prior to TT placement. Ofloxacin, humanized Fab fragments against a bacterial DNABII protein that disrupts biofilms or Fab fragments plus ofloxacin were instilled into the middle ear via TT. For two consecutive days, ofloxacin was delivered twice-a-day, Fab fragments were delivered once-a-day, or these treatments were combined. Relative biofilm resolution (as determined via two outcome measures) and eradication of viable NTHI were assessed 1-day later. RESULTS Whereas ofloxacin alone did not resolve biofilms or eradicate NTHI from the middle ear, delivery of Fab fragments significantly reduced both biofilms and NTHI burden over this short course of treatment. Notably, co-delivery of ofloxacin plus humanized Fab fragments eradicated both NTHI and biofilms from the middle ear, an enhanced outcome compared to receipt of either treatment alone. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated a powerful combinatorial approach to release bacteria from their protective biofilms and rapidly render them vulnerable to killing by a previously ineffective antibiotic. An approach to combine ofloxacin with humanized Fab fragments that disrupt biofilms has tremendous potential to quickly resolve chronic otorrhea suffered by children with chronic suppurative otitis media or chronic post-tympanostomy tube otorrhea and thereby improve their quality of life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 131:E2698-E2704, 2021.
Control of pre-replicative complex during the division cycle in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

DNA replication is fundamental to all living organisms. In yeast and animals, it is triggered by an assembly of pre-replicative complex including ORC, CDC6 and MCMs. Cyclin Dependent Kinase (CDK) regulates both assembly and firing of the pre-replicative complex. We tested temperature-sensitive mutants blocking Chlamydomonas DNA replication. The mutants were partially or completely defective in DNA replication and did not produce mitotic spindles. After a long G1, wild type Chlamydomonas cells enter a division phase when it undergoes multiple rapid synchronous divisions (‘multiple fission’). Using tagged transgenic strains, we found that MCM4 and MCM6 were localized to the nucleus throughout the entire multiple fission division cycle, except for transient cytoplasmic localization during each mitosis. Chlamydomonas CDC6 was transiently localized in nucleus in early division cycles. CDC6 protein levels were very low, probably due to proteasomal degradation. CDC6 levels were severely reduced by inactivation of CDKA1 (CDK1 ortholog) but not the plant-specific CDKB1. Proteasome inhibition did not detectably increase CDC6 levels in the cdka1 mutant, suggesting that CDKA1 might upregulate CDC6 at the transcriptional level. All of the DNA replication proteins tested were essentially undetectable until late G1. They accumulated specifically during multiple fission and then were degraded as cells completed their terminal divisions. We speculate that loading of origins with the MCM helicase may not occur until the end of the long G1, unlike in the budding yeast system. We also developed a simple assay for salt-resistant chromatin binding of MCM4, and found that tight MCM4 loading was dependent on ORC1, CDC6 and MCM6, but not on RNR1 or CDKB1. These results provide a microbial framework for approaching replication control in the plant kingdom.
Synthesis of Hydrated Ternary Lanthanide-Containing Chlorides Exhibiting X-ray Scintillation and Luminescence.

A series of new ternary lanthanide-based chlorides, Cs2EuCl5(H2O)10, Cs7LnCl10(H2O)8 (Ln = Gd or Ho), Cs10Tb2Cl17(H2O)14(H3O), Cs2DyCl5(H2O)6, Cs8Er3Cl17(H2O)25, and Cs5Ln2Cl11(H2O)17 (Ln = Y, Lu, or Yb), were prepared as single crystals via a facile solution route. The compounds with compositions of Cs7LnCl10(H2O)8 (Ln = Gd or Ho) and Cs5Ln2Cl11(H2O)17 (Ln = Y, Lu, or Yb) crystallize in a monoclinic crystal system in space groups C2 and P21/c, respectively, whereas Cs2EuCl5(H2O)10, Cs10Tb2Cl17(H2O)14(H3O), and Cs8Er3Cl17(H2O)25 crystallize in orthorhombic space groups Pbcm, Pnma, and P212121, respectively. Cs2DyCl5(H2O)6 crystallizes with triclinic symmetry in space group P1. All of these compounds exhibit complex three-dimensional structures built of isolated lanthanide polyhedral units that are linked together by extensive hydrogen bonds. Cs2EuCl5(H2O)10 and Cs10Tb2Cl17(H2O)14(H3O) luminesce upon irradiation with 375 nm ultraviolet light, emitting intense orange-red and green color, respectively, and Cs10Tb2Cl17(H2O)14(H3O) scintillates when exposed to X-rays. Radioluminescence (RL) measurement of Cs10Tb2Cl17(H2O)14(H3O) in powder form shows that the RL emission integrated in the range of 300-750 nm was ∼16% of BGO powder.
Conserved Trigger Loop Histidine of RNA Polymerase II Functions as a Positional Catalyst Primarily through Steric Effects

In all domains of life, multisubunit RNA polymerases (RNAPs) catalyze both the extension of mRNA transcripts by nucleotide addition and the hydrolysis of RNA, which enables proofreading by removal of misincorporated nucleotides. A highly conserved catalytic module within RNAPs called the trigger loop (TL) functions as the key controller of these activities. The TL is proposed to act as a positional catalyst of phosphoryl transfer and transcript cleavage via electrostatic and steric contacts with substrates in its folded helical form. The function of a near-universally conserved TL histidine that contacts NTP phosphates is of particular interest. Despite its exceptional conservation, substitutions of the TL His with Gln support efficient catalysis in bacterial and yeast RNAPs. Unlike bacterial TLs, which contain a nearby Arg, the TL His is the only acid-base catalyst candidate in the eukaryotic RNAPII TL. Nonetheless, replacement of the TL His with Leu is reported to support cell growth in yeast, suggesting that even hydrogen bonding and polarity at this position may be dispensable for efficient catalysis by RNAPII. To test how a TL His-to-Leu substitution affects the enzymatic functions of RNAPII, we compared its rates of nucleotide addition, pyrophosphorolysis, and RNA hydrolysis to those of the wild-type RNAPII enzyme. The His-to-Leu substitution slightly reduced rates of phosphoryl transfer with little if any effect on intrinsic transcript cleavage. These findings indicate that the highly conserved TL His is neither an obligate acid-base catalyst nor a polar contact for NTP phosphates but instead functions as a positional catalyst mainly through steric effects.
Nondestructive Evaluation Methods for the Ares I Common Bulkhead

A large scale bonding demonstration test article was fabricated to prove out manufacturing techniques for the current design of the NASA Ares I Upper Stage common bulkhead. The common bulkhead serves as the single interface between the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen portions of the Upper Stage propellant tank. The bulkhead consists of spin-formed aluminum domes friction stir welded to Y-rings and bonded to a perforated phenolic honeycomb core. Nondestructive evaluation methods are being developed for assessing core integrity and the core-to-dome bond line of the common bulkhead. Detection of manufacturing defects such as delaminations between the core and face sheets as well as service life defects such as crushed or sheared core resulting from impact loading are all of interest. The focus of this work will be on the application of thermographic, shearographic, and phased array ultrasonic methods to the bonding demonstration article as well as various smaller test panels featuring design specific defect types and geometric features.
Chapter 9 Synthetic Peptides in the Study of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the information obtained through the use of synthetic peptides corresponding to the primary amino acid sequence of the four subunits in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). It discusses how such synthetic peptides have facilitated the identification of the bungarotoxin (BGTX)-binding site on the a-subunit, how peptides have been used to identify specificities of preexisting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), and how some peptides have facilitated the production of MAbs with domain-directed specificity. Similar approaches involving synthetic peptides may prove useful in the study of other membrane proteins.
To Sir2, with Love

Ageless Quest One Scientist9s Search for Genes That Prolong Youth. Lenny Guarente. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 2002. 164 pp. $19.95. ISBN 0-87969- 652-4. In this short book targeted at a popular audience, Guarente considers aging a disease and offers a very personal account of "the pursuit of a genetic 9cure9 for aging."
Neuroimaging of sensory perception and hedonic reward.

Abstract: A multitude of factors drive preferences, and not all aspects of preferences are open to conscious evaluation, and this is why neuroimaging may provide insight into the measurement of preferences of food and personal care products. In this chapter we discuss different neuroimaging techniques and their appropriateness for measuring neural response to food and personal care products. We review the neural correlates involved in the encoding of food reward and the processing of the pleasantness of personal care products. Next we discuss the neural processes involved in decision making. We then explain common pitfalls for new product developers and neuroscientists interested in studying the neural correlates of preference behavior. We conclude this chapter with a review of recent advances in the study of preferences.
Derivation of Selection Rules

The complete selection rules for nonlinear molecules of the point groups T d , D4h , O h , D 3h , C 3v , and C 2v are presented in this chapter. The selection rules govern which bands will appear in the infrared and Raman spectra. These selection rules will apply to any molecules with the above mentioned symmetries.
Nuclear factor-κB: its role in health and disease

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a major transcription factor that plays an essential role in several aspects of human health including the development of innate and adaptive immunity. The dysregulation of NF-kappaB is associated with many disease states such as AIDS, atherosclerosis, asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, muscular dystrophy, stroke, and viral infections. Recent evidence also suggests that the dysfunction of NF-kappaB is a major mediator of some human genetic disorders. Appropriate regulation and control of NF-kappaB activity, which can be achieved by gene modification or pharmacological strategies, would provide a potential approach for the management of NF-kappaB related human diseases. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the physiological and pathophysiological functions of NF-kappaB and its possible role as a target of therapeutic intervention
Psychometrics: preference models with latent variables

Current psychometric models of choice behavior are strongly influenced by Thurstone’s (1927) experimental and statistical work on measuring and scaling preferences. Aided by advances in computational techniques, preference models can now accommodate a wide range of data types and sources of preference variability among respondents induced by diverse factors such as person-specific choice sets or different functional forms for the underlying utility representations. At the same time, these models are increasingly challenged by behavioral work demonstrating the prevalence of choice behavior that is not consistent with the underlying assumptions of these models.
"Inside-out" signal transduction inhibited by isolated integrin cytoplasmic domains.

The affinities of integrin alpha beta heterodimers for extracellular ligands are important regulators of cell adhesion. Intracellular signals provoke changes in the integrin extracellular domain resulting in "activation," as manifested by an increase in affinity. Interactions of integrin cytoplasmic domains with intracellular elements may mediate this "inside-out signaling." Here we report that overexpression of chimeras of the cytoplasmic domain of integrin beta 3 or beta 1 subunits, joined to the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the Tac subunit of the interleukin-2 receptor, reduced integrin affinity. In contrast, chimeras containing the cytoplasmic domain of alpha 5 or alpha IIb or of beta 3 bearing a mutation that disrupts inside-out signaling lacked inhibitory activity. These data suggest that limiting quantities of intracellular factors bind to integrin beta 3 and beta 1 cytoplasmic domains to modulate ligand binding affinity. Structural mimics of these domains may provide a novel means to alter cell adhesion.
Strong Stability Preserving Properties of Runge–Kutta Time Discretization Methods for Linear Constant Coefficient Operators

Strong stability preserving (SSP) high order Runge–Kutta time discretizations were developed for use with semi-discrete method of lines approximations of hyperbolic partial differential equations, and have proven useful in many other applications. These high order time discretization methods preserve the strong stability properties of first order explicit Euler time stepping. In this paper we analyze the SSP properties of Runge Kutta methods for the ordinary differential equation uteLu where L is a linear operator. We present optimal SSP Runge–Kutta methods as well as a bound on the optimal timestep restriction. Furthermore, we extend the class of SSP Runge–Kutta methods for linear operators to include the case of time dependent boundary conditions, or a time dependent forcing term.
Univariate Error Function Based Neural Network Approximations

Here we study the univariate quantitative approximation of real and complex valued continuous functions on a compact interval or all the real line by quasi-interpolation, Baskakov type and quadrature type neural network operators.
DOMA: How Tax Compliance Post Windsor Has Created a Fiscal Time Bomb for Jurisdictions that Deny Same-Sex Marriages

During the Summer of 2013, the United States Supreme Court (“the Court”) decided two landmark cases that will have major ramifications on both civil and business matters within the United States for decades. In both cases, United States v. Windsor (“Windsor”) as well as Hollingsworth v. Perry (“Hollingsworth”), the Court was asked to review and question the validity of same-sex marriages at the federal (Windsor) and state (Hollingsworth) level. This article analyzes one aspect of the financial ramifications for jurisdictions that fail to recognize and address same-sex marriage. This potential “fiscal time bomb” will ignite April 15, 2014.
Using reconfigurable microfluidics to study the role of HGF in autocrine and paracrine signaling of hepatocytes

Cancer, developmental biology and tissue injury present multiple examples where groups of cells residing in close proximity communicate via paracrine factors. It is nearly impossible to dissect such cellular interactions in vivo and is quite challenging in vitro. The goal of this study is to utilize a reconfigurable microfluidic device in order to study paracrine signal exchange between groups of primary hepatocytes in vitro. Previously, we demonstrated that hepatocytes residing on protein spots containing collagen and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) spots expressed epithelial (hepatic) phenotypes and also rescued them in neighboring hepatocytes on collagen spots that did not receive direct HGF stimulus. Herein, we designed a microfluidic device with parallel fluidic channels separated by retractable (reconfigurable) walls and employed this device to investigate interactions between groups of HGF-stimulated and unstimulated hepatocytes. Using a novel reconfigurable microfluidic device, we demonstrate that cultivation of HGF-containing protein spots upregulates the production of endogenous HGF in hepatocytes and that these HGF molecules diffuse over, causing phenotype enhancement in the recipient cells. We also show that selective treatment of the recipient hepatocytes with a c-met inhibitor (SU11274) diminishes the rescue effect, as gauged by the down-regulation of albumin and HGF expression. Our study is one of the first to demonstrate paracrine signaling via HGF in primary hepatocytes. More broadly, tools and methods described here may be used to study paracrine signaling in other types of cells and will have relevance for various fields of biomedical research from cancer to immunology.
Effects of Selected Inorganic Salts on Cotton Flammability Part I: Untreated Cotton in the Vertical Test and Oxygen Index Test

Five inorganic salts were applied at two levels to cotton fabric. The fabric samples were then tested in the vertical test and oxygen index test, with temperatures and heating rates monitored. Only...
Effects of resistant sorghum hybrids on sorghum midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) biology.

Fewer ovipositing female sorghum midges, Contarinia sorghicola (Coquillett), were found on flowering panicles of two resistant grain sorghum hybrids, ATx2755 x RTx2767 and ATx2761 x RTx2767, than on susceptible hybrids, ATx2752 x RTx430 and ATx3042 x RTx2737, on a few occasions during the 1981 growing season. However, these differences in adult abundance occurred erratically and did not follow any apparant pattern. It was doubtful that the resistance of these hybrids could be attributed to an effect on the number of ovipositing midges. Determination of the number of progeny produced per female that oviposited in panicle spikelets of susceptible and resistant hybrids was complicated by competition between midges at high population densities. An interference index was used to compensate for this competition. Midges infesting resistant hybrids produced 50 to 60% fewer progeny per female than midges infesting susceptible hybrids, regardless of midge density. This percentage of reduction became ineffectual in preventing economic damage to resistant hybrids as midge densities reached high levels. There was a slight, but nonsignificant, increase in the developmental time of midges infesting resistant sorghum hybrids. These results suggest that the effects of midge resistant sorghums would be cumulative in reducing midge density through time.
Accounting complexity, misreporting, and the consequences of misreporting

I examine whether accounting complexity in the area of revenue recognition increases the probability of restating reported revenue. I measure revenue recognition complexity using the number of words and recognition methods from the revenue recognition disclosure in the 10-K and a factor score based on the number of words and methods. Tests reveal that revenue recognition complexity increases the probability of revenue restatements, and these restatements are the result of both intentional and unintentional misreporting. Furthermore, complexity moderates the consequences of restatement—lower incidence of AAERs, less negative restatement announcement returns, and lower subsequent CEO turnover—suggesting that stakeholders of the firm consider accounting complexity when responding to misreporting.
A body capacitor-olfactometer for squirrels and rats.

The body capacitor-olfactometer described herein was developed for the purpose of measuring quantitatively the number and duration of odor seeking (primarily food seeking) responses of wild ground squirrels (Spermophilus spp.) and rats (Rattus spp.) to various olfactory cues presented free of the in- fluence of taste, without the reward of food, and without requiring that these field-caught rodents first be trained to the olfactometer before their responses could be monitored. Species of rodents that weigh less than 250 grams possess a body capacitance too low to activate the sensor units, but there is no upper size limit. We believe that this olfactometer could be adapted for mouse-size rodents if ultrasonic, infrared, or some other type of sensor was employed in place of the body capacitor. Field experience has shown that many rodents are macrosmatic, having the ability to locate and remove single seeds of many kinds of crops regardless of whether man has buried them by hand or mechanically. Also, many rodents often naturally bury seeds for later relocation and consumption. Other ex- periments (Howard and Cole, 1967; Howard et al., 1968) have shown that deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and presumably many other rodents, have no difficulty utilizing olfactory cues to locate buried seeds of conifers and cereals. In our ecobehavioral studies of wild rodents it usually is necessary to examine many field-caught animals for brief periods of time rather than sub- ject a small number of suitably conditioned individuals to repeated tests as is commonly done in psychobiology. The olfactometer described herein was developed to record the number and duration of a subject's response to from one to three odors being emitted simultaneously from nine stations in the olfactometer arena; it does not measure the olfactory thresholds of animals or the quantity of the test volatiles that are present. Instead, it monitors the frequency of searching responses and the duration of each visit an animal makes to an odor station in its search (digging) for the source of the intro- duced odors. Only one animal is placed in the olfactometer at a time. The change in response time animals make to the test odors following conditioning experiments, such as creation of bait shyness, also can be measured with the olfactometer. All experimental odors are presented in sufficient quantity to be readily detected by the test animal throughout the arena of the olfac- tometer. We have not attempted to determine the parameters of odor con- centrations that will work in this instrument; we merely make certain that sufficient but constant amounts of odor of each test substance is present so as to be readily detected by the subjects when they are in the arena.
Click-through prediction for news queries

A growing trend in commercial search engines is the display of specialized content such as news, products, etc. interleaved with web search results. Ideally, this content should be displayed only when it is highly relevant to the search query, as it competes for space with "regular" results and advertisements. One measure of the relevance to the search query is the click-through rate the specialized content achieves when displayed; hence, if we can predict this click-through rate accurately, we can use this as the basis for selecting when to show specialized content. In this paper, we consider the problem of estimating the click-through rate for dedicated news search results. For queries for which news results have been displayed repeatedly before, the click-through rate can be tracked online; however, the key challenge for which previously unseen queries to display news results remains. In this paper we propose a supervised model that offers accurate prediction of news click-through rates and satisfies the requirement of adapting quickly to emerging news events.
Report of the 41st National Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), held at the Tarka Foundation, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, 7‐12 September, 2003

Reports on the 41st National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Library Association held at Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, which had the theme Access Point Library: Media, Information, Culture.
16.8 1GHz GaN-MMIC monolithically integrated MEMS-based oscillators

Low phase noise oscillators are essential building blocks in the front end of all communication systems. With the continuous demand for higher data rates and reduced size, weight, and power consumption, significant research in the past decade has been geared toward integrating high-Q GHz frequency MEMS resonators with standard circuit technologies [1],[2]. This paper presents monolithic integration of GaN MEMS resonators in GaN MMIC technology, which has become mainstream in RF LNA and PA design. Groups at MIT, Michigan and IEMN have previously demonstrated GaN MEMS resonators co-fabricated with HEMTs. This work is the demonstration of a single-chip closed-loop oscillator circuit implementing both passive and active devices in this growing technology platform.
The formation of non-tariff barriers: an integrated framework for empirical analysis

This paper examines an empirical model of the formation of non-tariff barriers, which accounts for several existing political-economic theories seeking to explain import protection. Results from formal Bayesian model comparison show that the integration of these theories is strongly supported by the data relative to alternatives models that only account for one theory at a time. Moreover, the results reveal the presence of multi-dimensional heterogeneity which is captured in a multivariate correlated random effects framework in which the intercept and the effect of employment on non-tariff protection are allowed to differ across industries. Furthermore, the impact of employment is correlated with the level of unionisation. The estimation results show that labour intensity, foreign barriers and import penetration have a significant impact in the determination of non-tariff protection.
Effects of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) on entomopathogenic fungi.

Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive Eurasian species that is now widespread in North America. Like some other invasive species, garlic mustard is known to exude biochemical compounds that can reduce the fitness of native species when it invades a new habitat. Compounds leached from garlic mustard can reduce growth and survival of mycorrhizal fungi associated with forest trees in eastern North America. We tested whether these compounds could also inhibit the growth or survival of fungi known to infect arthropods, the so-called entomopathogenic (EM) fungi. We found that growth of Beauveria bassiana (Bb), a widespread EM fungus, was significantly reduced when spores were incubated on agar plates made with leachate from garlic mustard. When leachate was added to soil that had been inoculated with Bb spores, waxworms were significantly less infected with Bb than they were on soil inoculated with Bb spores alone. Finally, waxworms were less infected with EM spores when they were held in soil collected from field plots with abundant garlic mustard plants compared to neighbouring soils without garlic mustard plants. Together, these results demonstrate the potential for garlic mustard leachate to significantly inhibit the growth of EM fungi and thereby suppress the effects of EM fungi on arthropods. This effect of garlic mustard could be beneficial to humans if it reduces mortality of arthropods that provide ecosystem services, but it could also be harmful to humans if it reduces mortality of pest insects or arthropod vectors of disease, such as ixodid ticks.
Resource utilization scales and landscape pattern

The spatial patterning of resources constrains the movement of consumers on the landscape. Percolation theory predicts that an organism can move freely if its critical resource or habitat occupies 59.28% of the landscape. Sparse resources require an organism to operate on larger resource utilization scales. Multiple critical resources necessitate larger scales, while substitutable resources ease the scale requirements. Contagious spatial patterns require larger scales to permit movement between resource clusters. The study indicates a strong link between spatial pattern and ecological processes on a landscape.
STABILIZATION OF HUMAN TRIOSEPHOSPHATE ISOMERASE BY IMPROVEMENT OF THE STABILITY OF INDIVIDUAL ALPHA -HELICES IN DIMERIC AS WELL AS MONOMERIC FORMS OF THE PROTEIN

Human triosephosphate isomerase (hTIM) is a dimeric enzyme of identical subunits, adopting the alpha/beta-barrel fold. In a previous work, a monomeric mutant of hTIM was engineered in which Met14 and Arg98, two interface residues, were changed to glutamine. Analysis of equilibrium denaturation of this monomeric mutant, named M14Q/R98Q, revealed that its conformational stability, 2.5kcal/mol, is low as compared to the stability of dimeric hTIM (19.3 kcal/mol). The fact that this value is also lower than the conformational stabilities usually found for monomeric proteins suggests that the hTIM monomers are thermodynamically unstable. In the present work, we attempted to stabilize the M14Q/R98Q mutant by introducing stabilizing mutations in alpha-helices of the protein. Five mutations were proposed, designed to increase alpha-helix propensity by introducing alanines at solvent-exposed sites (Q179A, K193A), to introduce favorable interactions with helix dipoles (Q179D, S105D), or to reduce the conformational entropy of unfolding by introducing proline residues at the "N-cap" position of alpha-helices (A215P). Three replacements (Q179D, K193A, and A215P) were found to increase the stability of the native dimeric hTIM and the monomeric M14Q/R98Q. These results suggest that the monomeric hTIM mutant can be stabilized to a considerable extent by following well-established rules for protein stabilization. A comparison of the stabilizing effect performed by the mutations on the dimeric hTIM and the monomeric M14Q/R98Q allowed us to reinforce a model of equilibrium denaturation proposed for both proteins.
Assessment of intergravel conditions influencing egg and alevin survival during salmonid redd dewatering

Extensive water use may alter stream flows so that areas used by salmonids for spawning are dewatered, thus exposing intergravel developmental phases to suddenly changed physical and chemical conditions. Environmental alteration may result in considerable mortality, particularly of the more vulnerable post-hatch phases. Five documented case histories of redd dewatering are reviewed. The primary conditions in the gravel that influence survival during dewatering are residual flow, moisture retention, temperature, gravel composition, dissolved oxygen, alevin behavior, and species characteristics. These factors are discussed and their complex relationships are evaluated. Considerable variation in intergravel conditions can be expected during dewatering at different locations. Onsite studies are needed to obtain data for assessment of potential impacts in other dewatering situations, and for development of effective mitigation procedures.
METABOLISM OF ACID MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES IN THE SHWARTZMAN PHENOMENON

The effect of the Shwartzman phenomenon on the metabolism of the acid mucopolysaccharides (MPS), hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate, from rabbits with localized lesions was studied. Quantitative changes of MPS were observed by two techniques—the in vivo incorporation of glucose C14 into the MPS and the in vitro dilution of C14-labeled MPS. The results indicate an increased concentration of both MPS fractions in the skin lesions and suggest an increased biosynthesis of the compounds at the site of the lesions. Deposition of chondroitin sulfate from blood may have contributed in part to the concentration of this substance in the lesions. The MPS contribute to the inflammatory state of the Shwartzman phenomenon but the specific roles of these compounds need to be defined by further study.
The behavior of matter under extreme conditions

The “extreme” conditions of the title are conditions of stress attainable in the laboratory; the temperatures involved do not usually reach higher than 200° C. A number of experiments have been made in which shearing stresses sufficient to produce plastic flow have been applied at various pressures up to 50,000 kg/cm2. The magnitude of the shearing distortion produced in these tests is greater than that attained under ordinary conditions, the displacement in shear of one row of atoms tangential to the next row being of the order of tens of thousands. Furthermore, the plastic strength, or the force required to produce plastic flow, is usually many fold greater at 50,000 than at atmospheric pressure. This means that at 50,000 it is possible to study the effect of much greater shearing stresses than are realizable under ordinary conditions.
Acetylcholine Turnover Estimation in Brain by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Abstract A gas chromatograph/quadrupole mass spectrometer system has been employed to estimate the turnover of acetylcholine in mouse brain in vivo following a pulse intravenous injection of choline, using discrete deuterium labelled variants of choline and acetylcholine as tracer and internal standards. There appear to be two functional pools with turnover rates of 1.4 and 7.9 nmol gm −1 min −1 .
Counselor Training in the Use of Spiritual Lifemaps: Creative Interventions for Depicting Spiritual/Religious Stories

In this study, the authors explored the experiences of 39 students trained in the use of the spiritual lifemap intervention. Participants reflected on their experience via essay responses. Three predominant themes emerged: (a) aversion to the topic of spirituality/religion, (b) the spiritual lifemap as facilitative of breadth and depth in client expression during role-play sessions, and (c) appreciation of the creative elements of the spiritual lifemap. Based on these themes, the authors suggest implications for counselor training.
Early diagnosis of renal disease and renal failure

The main goal of early diagnosis of renal disease and renal failure in dogs and cats is to enable timely application of therapeutic interventions that may slow or halt disease progression. Strategies for early diagnosis of renal disease use urine tests that detect proteinuria that is a manifestation of altered glomerular permselectivity or impaired urine-concentrating ability as well blood tests to evaluate plasma creatinine concentration. Animals with progressive renal disease should be carefully investigated and treated appropriately. Animals with mild, possibly nonprogressive, renal disease should be monitored adequately to detect any worsening trends,which should lead to further investigation and treatment even if the increments of change are small.
561: Role of HERV-W in placentation and maintanence of human pregnancy

PREGNANCY OMAR BAGASRA, SAMINA NOORALI, IOANA C. ROTAR, CINDI LEWIS, JOSEPH P. PESTANER, American University, Orangeburg, South Carolina, Claflin University, Biology, Orangeburg, South Carolina OBJECTIVE: It is unknown that how a pregnancy is maintained despite the fact that fetus is allogenic. Here we propose that one of the main causes of ISA could be attributed to the absence of human endogenous retrovirus-W (HERV-W) activation by the fetal layer of the embryonic tissue at the molecular level. HERV-W contains an immunosuppressive region which has the potential to protect the allotypic fetus from attack by the mother’s immune system and thus preventing rejection or spontaneous abortion. STUDY DESIGN: A double blind study using placental tissue from 40 patients was conducted by in situ RT-PCR for HERV-W env region. In order to further analyze the mechanism of early embryo HERV-W activation we utilized HTR-8/ SVneo cell line developed from human trophoblasts. The cells were treated with the physiological concentrations of various hormones that a newly pregnant mother secrets at the early stages of pregnancy and hormonal expression level was determined by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: The syncytiotrophoblasts from the full-term placental tissues as well as the fetal vascular endothelial (FVEC) layers showed strong expression of HERV-W. Real Time PCR analyses exhibited that exposure to progesterone significantly (P 0.0001) upregulated the HERV-W expression. CONCLUSION: Our studies may contribute in the understanding the molecular symbiotic relationship between HERV-W and maintenance of pregnancy.
Quantitative Imaging of Nanoparticles and Intracellular Vesicle Trafficking Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy (TIRFM)

Total internal reflection fluorescent microscopy (TIRFM) is a relatively well known tool used to examine the near wall region (approximately 1 μm). For years, cellular biologists have used TIRFM in a variety of experiments to examine multiple cell lines. However, much of the research has been somewhat static in nature, considering only initial and final states. With the increased ability to stain specific organelles within cells through the use of green fluorescent protein (GFP), dynamic imaging is becoming a viable solution to previously difficult problems.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The Apolipoprotein E ε4 Allele Increases the Odds of Chronic Cerebral Infarction Detected at Autopsy in Older Persons

Background and Purpose— Studies investigating the relation of the apolipoprotein E (apoE) e4 allele to clinical stroke and to vascular changes on magnetic resonance imaging have been conflicting. L...
Practicing Medicine in the Age of Facebook

Social-networking sites facilitate communication, but also create new challenges for those who work in clinical settings. Dr. Sachin Jain describes receiving a “friend request” from a former patient on Facebook. Despite certain reservations, he clicked “confirm.”
Complications After Sleeve Gastrectomy for Morbid Obesity

Background Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an increasingly used bariatric surgical procedure.
PETROLOGICAL CHARACTER OF THE LUNA 16 SAMPLE FROM MARE FECUNDITATIS

A total number of 1858 lithic and vitreous fragments from the Luna 16 core-tube sample are classified. The fragments were taken from soil fractions ranging in size from 150 to 425 microns at levels A and G. No important differences are observed between the proportions of particle types in levels A and G, nor between the soils of Luna 16 and those from the Apollo 11 landing site in the nearby Mare Tranquillitatis.
Adsorption of small organic pollutants from aqueous streams by aluminosilicate-based microporous materials

Organic pollution in industrial waste streams is of growing environmental concern. Adsorption has been applied to remove organics from aqueous solutions. Activated carbon and polymer resin are the most commonly used adsorbents. In this work, a novel class of aluminosilicate-based microporous materials with good adsorption capacity and high selectivity are investigated. In order to adsorb organic molecules selectively from aqueous solution, the adsorbents must be hydrophobic. Phenol and chlorinated phenols were adsorbed by three different adsorbents: pillared clays, silicalite and zeolite beta. Pillared clays were modified by incorporating a non-ionic surfactant of the general formula C2−14H25−290O (CH2CH20)5H (Tergitol 15S-5). Also, high SiAl ratio zeolites were used for this purpose. Factors which are important in determining the selectivity and adsorption capacity of these adsorbents are the hydrophobicity of the adsorbent, the size of the organic, and the diameter of channels which are accessible to the adsorbate.