cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single and multiple deletions in the transmembrane domain of the Sindbis virus E2 glycoprotein identify a region critical for normal virus growth.

Abstract Sindbis virus is composed of two nested T = 4 icosahedral protein shells containing 240 copies each of three structural proteins: E1, E2, and Capsid in a 1:1:1 stoichiometric ratio. E2 is a 423 amino acid glycoprotein with a membrane spanning domain 26 amino acids in length and a 33 amino acid cytoplasmic endodomain. The interaction of the endodomain with the nucleocapsid is an essential step in virus maturation and directs the formation of the outer protein shell as envelopment occurs. A previous study had determined that deletions in the transmembrane domain could affect virus assembly and infectivity (Hernandez et al., 2003. J. Virol. 77 (23), 12710–12719). Unexpectedly, a single deletion mutant (from 26 to 25 amino acids) resulted in a 1000-fold decrease in infectious virus production while another deletion of eight amino acids had no affect on infectious virus production. To further investigate the importance of these mutants, other single deletion mutants and another eight amino acid deletion mutant were constructed. We found that deletions located closer to the cytoplasmic (inner leaflet) of the membrane bilayer had a more detrimental effect on virus assembly and infectivity than those located closer to the luminal (outer leaflet) of the membrane bilayer. We also found that selective pressure can restore single amino acid deletions in the transmembrane domain but not necessarily to the wild type sequence. The partial restoration of an eight amino acid deletion (from 18 to 22 amino acids) also partially restored infectious virus production. The amount of infectious virus produced by this revertant was equivalent to that produced for the four amino acid deletion produced by site directed mutagenesis. These results suggest that the position of the deletion and the length of the C terminal region of the E2 transmembrane domain is vital for normal virus production. Deletion mutants resulting in decreased infectivity produce particles that appear to be processed and transported correctly suggesting a role involved in virus entry.
Measuring Enactment of Innovations and the Factors that Affect Implementation and Sustainability: Moving Toward Common Language and Shared Conceptual Understanding

This article describes research that focuses on the concern that researchers are unable to fully realize the potential value of their collective efforts because they do not have shared conceptual or operational tools for communicating assumptions, ideas, research strategies, or findings with others outside, or even within their disciplines. This research, through the lens of measuring implementation of educational programs, has taken steps toward bringing researchers’ varied pictures of understanding into a coherent landscape. This article describes a conceptual framework for describing aspects of implementation, a conceptual framework for describing the factors that affect implementation, and tools for measuring each. It describes the challenges addressed in the development of these approaches, and the application of these approaches to current studies in education and other fields in the social sciences. In doing so, it demonstrates that meaningful communication between researchers and accumulation of knowledge across fields is possible, and necessary.
Prevalence and patterns of choanal atresia and choanal stenosis among pregnancies in Texas, 1999-2004.

Congenital choanal atresia and stenosis (CA/S) are the most common craniofacial abnormalities of the nose. However, little is known about the epidemiology of these conditions. The present study was undertaken to expand our understanding of the epidemiology of CA/S by analyzing data from the Texas Birth Defect Registry (TBDR) for the period 1999-2004. Descriptive analyses and estimates of birth prevalence and crude prevalence ratios were used to characterize CA/S cases in Texas during the study period. Among the 2,209,758 live births in 1999-2004 in Texas, there were 202 cases of CA/S for an overall prevalence of 0.91 per 10,000 live births. The birth prevalence of isolated, multiple, and associated CA/S was 0.42, 0.21, and 0.28 per 10,000, respectively. The birth prevalence of isolated CA/S was similar in males and females, but was higher in the offspring of non-Hispanic white women (0.52/10,000), as compared to the offspring of non-Hispanic black (0.41/10,000) and Hispanic (0.37/10,000) women. There was also evidence of a significant association between birth year and isolated CA/S (P for trend = 0.0003), with lower risks observed in more recent years. No significant associations were observed between isolated CA/S and maternal age, education, residence along the Texas-Mexico border, plurality of the pregnancy or trimester in which prenatal care was initiated. These findings add to our limited understanding of the epidemiology of CA/S. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A survey of in vivo benzo[α]pyrene metabolism in small benthic marine invertebrates

Abstract A micro-extraction technique was used to examine in vivo polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolism in 10 small invertebrate species exposed to sediments amended with 3H-benzo[α]pyrene (BaP). Phyla examined included Mollusca (Hydrobia totteni, Ilyanassa obsoleta, Yoldia limatula, and Gemma gemma), Annelida (Nereis succinea, Pectinaria gouldii, Haploscolopolous sp., and Capitella sp. 1) and Arthropoda (Edotea triloba, and Gammarus mucronatus). Organisms were exposed to BaP-labeled sediments, harvested, and parent BaP separated from all polar metabolites by liquid extraction The percent of BaP-derived radioactivity present as polar metabolites ranged from 96% for N. succinea to 7% for P. gouldii. Wide ranges in metabolic capability were also observed between species in the other two phyla examined. Reverse-phase HPLC analysis of extracts of representative species from each phyla indicated that all these organisms form bay region metabolites, with two species forming the 7,8-dihydrodiol (N. succinea and G. mucronatus). In light of the high variability in metabolic capability observed within each phylum, species-specific information on metabolic ability should be obtained before assessing bioaccumulation, critical body burdens, or trophic transfer of PAHs in invertebrates.
The fractional Fourier transform and applications

This paper describes the “fractional Fourier transform,” which admits computation by an algorithm that has complexity proportional to the fast Fourier transform algorithm. Whereas the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is based on integral roots of unity $e^{{{ - 2\pi i} / n}} $, the fractional Fourier transform is based on fractional roots of unity $e^{ - 2\pi i\alpha } $ where $\alpha $ is arbitrary. The fractional Fourier transform and the corresponding fast algorithm are useful for such applications as computing DFTs of sequences with prime lengths, computing DFTs of sparse sequences, analyzing sequences with noninteger periodicities, performing high-resolution trigonometric interpolation, detecting lines in noisy images, and detecting signals with linearly drifting frequencies. In many cases, the resulting algorithms are faster by arbitrarily large factors than conventional techniques.
A Simple, Effective Boron-Halide Ethoxylation Catalyst

Boron esters B(OR)3, readily derived from boric acid and alcohols, combine with iodide or bromide to catalyze the ethoxylation of alcohols and phenols, giving good rates and narrow product distributions. The combined action of a weak electrophile [B(OR)3] and a weak nucleophile (halide) allows for the ethoxylation of base-sensitive alcohols. Experiment suggests a new mechanism for this commercially important reaction proceeding through key β-haloalkoxy intermediates.
64Cu-Labeled triphenylphosphonium and triphenylarsonium cations as highly tumor-selective imaging agents.

This report presents synthesis and evaluation of the 64Cu-labeled triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cations as new radiotracers for imaging tumors by positron emission tomography. Biodistribution properties of 64Cu-L1, 64Cu-L2, 64Cu-L3, and 99mTc-Sestamibi were evaluated in athymic nude mice bearing U87MG human glioma xenografts. The most striking difference is that 64Cu-L1, 64Cu-L2, and 64Cu-L3 have much lower heart uptake ( 30 min p.i. Their tumor/heart ratios increase steadily from approximately 1 at 5 min p.i. to approximately 5 at 120 min p.i. The tumor/heart ratio of 64Cu-L3 is approximately 40 times better than that of 99mTc-Sestamibi at 120 min postinjection. Results from in vitro assays show that 64Cu-L1 is able to localize in tumor mitochondria. The tumor is clearly visualized in the tumor-bearing mice administered with 64Cu-L1 as 30 min postinjection. The 64Cu-labeled TPP/TPA cations are very selective radiotracers that are able to provide the information of mitochondrial bioenergetic function in tumors by monitoring mitochondrial potential in a noninvasive fashion.
Density of constant radius normal binary covering codes

A binary code with covering radius R is a subset C of the hypercube Q"n={0,1}^n such that every [email protected]?Q"n is within Hamming distance R of some codeword [email protected]?C, where R is as small as possible. For a fixed coordinate [email protected]?[n], define C"b^(^i^) to be the set of codewords with a b in the ith position. Then C is normal if there exists an [email protected]?[n] such that for any [email protected]?Q"n, the sum of the Hamming distances from v to C"0^(^i^) and C"1^(^i^) is at most 2R+1. We newly define what it means for an asymmetric covering code to be normal, and consider the worst-case asymptotic densities @n^*(R) and @n"+^*(R) of constant radius R symmetric and asymmetric normal covering codes, respectively. Using a probabilistic deletion method, and analysis adapted from previous work by Krivelevich, Sudakov, and Vu, we show that @n^*(R)=
Sex difference and steroidal stimulation of galanin immunoreactivity in the ferret's dorsal preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus

A sexually dimorphic male nucleus (MN) is seen in Nissl-stained sections from the dorsal preoptic area/anterior hypothalamus (dPOA/AH) of male, but not female, ferrets. We used immunohistochemical methods to determine whether particular neuropeptides are found in cells of the MN. A sexually dimorphic cluster of galanin-immunoreactive (IR) cells was found in the dPOA/AH of ferrets killed either on embryonic day (E) 38 or in adulthood. Significantly more galanin-IR cells were distributed in the MN and in other subregions of the dPOA/AH of intact breeding males than estrous females. The density of galanin-IR cells in the dPOA/AH was significantly reduced in adult males by castration and restored to the level of intact breeding males by daily injections of testosterone propionate (TP) for 5 weeks. The same TP treatment failed to augment the density of galanin-IR cells in the dPOA/AH of adult, ovariectomized females. Computer-assisted image analysis and grid-crossing analysis showed that the area and the number of galanin-IR fibers in the dPOA/AH were significantly greater in adult females than in males, regardless of subjects' concurrent steroidal condition. A cluster of galanin-IR cells was present in the dPOA/AH of males, but not females, killed on either E34 or E38. Administration of TP between E28 and E37 significantly increased the density of galanin-IR cells in the dPOA/AH of females killed on E38, up to the level seen in control males. The results suggest that the capacity of cells located in the dPOA/AH to express galanin after adult steroid exposure is sexually differentiated by the fetal action of testosterone, or its metabolite, estradiol, in males. J. Comp. Neurol. 389:277–288, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Behavioral neuroscience, exploration, and K.C. Montgomery's legacy

Exploration is a key animal and human behavior. Kay C. Montgomery (1921-1956) has made an important contribution to behavioral neuroscience of exploration, as well as motivation and learning. His works have many important applications to current experimental models of stress, fear and memory, continuing to influence research in this field. This paper, dedicated to the 85th anniversary of Montgomery's birth, and 50 years since his tragic death, summarizes Montgomery's contribution to behavioral neuroscience, and discusses its current importance for further progress in this field. It is aimed at neuroscientists with strong interests in both theory of animal exploration and motivation, and the history of behavioral neuroscience.
An Assessment of Environmental Conditions Preceding Outbreaks of Sclerotinia Blight of Peanut in Virginia1

Abstract Records of outbreaks of Sclerotinia blight of peanut at the Tidewater Center in Suffolk were summarized over a 16-yr period (1978–93). Initial outbreaks of the disease were determined through intensive scouting of fields at weekly intervals. First occurrences of Sclerotinia blight occurred between 10 July and 7 Sept., or 62 to 120 d after planting (DAP). The mean and median dates of initial outbreaks were 28 July (79 DAP) and 25 July (76 DAP), respectively. The initial onset of disease always occurred after vines were within 15 cm of touching between rows or after vines had lapped between rows. Under these conditions, a canopy of dense foliage shaded the soil surface and infection sites inside rows from direct sunlight. Rainfall summaries showed the heaviest accumulations were from 6 to 15 d before disease outbreaks. Maximum and minimum air temperatures over the 15-d period prior to disease onset averaged ca. 32 C and 20 C, respectively. Maximum and minimum soil temperatures at the 10-cm depth av...
Exact integrability in quantum field theory and statistical systems

The properties of exactly integrable two-dimensional quantum systems are reviewed and discussed. The nature of exact integrability as a physical phenomenon and various aspects of the mathematical formalism are explored by discussing several examples, including detailed treatments of the nonlinear Schr\"odinger (delta-function gas) model, the massive Thirring model, and the six-vertex (ice) model. The diagonalization of a Hamiltonian by Bethe's Ansatz is illustrated for the nonlinear Schr\"od\'{\i}nger model, and the integral equation method of Lieb for obtaining the spectrum of the many-body system from periodic boundary conditions is reviewed. Similar methods are applied to the massive Thirring model, where the fermion-antifermion and bound-state spectrum are obtained explicitly by the integral equation method. After a brief review of the classical inverse scattering method, the quantum inverse method for the nonlinear Schr\"odinger model is introduced and shown to be an algebraization of the Bethe Ansatz technique. In the quantum inverse method, an auxiliary linear problem is used to define nonlocal operators which are functionals of the original local field on a fixed-time string of arbitrary length. The particular operators for which the string is infinitely long (free boundary conditions) or forms a closed loop around a cylinder (periodic boundary conditions) correspond to the quantized scattering data and have a special significance. One of them creates the Bethe eigenstates, while the other is the generating function for an infinite number of conservation laws. The analogous operators on a lattice are constructed for the symmetric six-vertex model, where the object which corresponds to a solution of the auxiliary linear problem is a string of vertices contracted over horizontal links (arrows). The relationship between the quantum inverse method and the transfer matrix formalism is exhibited. The inverse Gel'fand-Levitan transform which expresses the local field operator as a functional of the quantized scattering data is formulated for the nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation, and some interesting properties of this transformation are noted, including its reduction to a Jordan-Wigner transformation in the limit of infinitely repulsive coupling.
Use of microcarrier culture for the production of herpes simplex virus (type 2) in MRC-5 cells

The ultimate aim of this work is the production of a subunit vaccine of herpes simplex virus (HSV). The first step was towards the development of a high-yielding process for the production of HSV in tissue cells. The microcarrier system was evaluated for this purpose as it is a unit process with good scale-up potential and is a monolayer-growth method, essential for HSV production. Details are given of a closed perfusion system with environmental control which was capable of growing MRC-5 cells to densities in excess of 105 cm−2 (3 × 106 cm−3). However, it has proved difficult, so far, to obtain good titres of HSV in this system. A novel approach to the production of HSV antigen with cell membrane-associated antigens was tried. Preliminary trials in a guinea-pig model indicated that these membrane-associated antigens afforded protection against genital infection with HSV-2.
PILOT: A fast algorithm for enhanced 3D parasitic capacitance extraction efficiency

Integral-equation methodologies applied to extract parasitics for board, package, and on-chip structures involve solving a dense system of equations. In this paper, we present an improved matrix-compression technique for fast iterative solution of such dense systems, which applies QR decomposition on multilevel oct-tree-based interaction sub-matrices. The regular-tree structure of the fast-multipole method and the rank-revealing QR-based matrix-compression scheme are combined in order to achieve superior time and memory efficiency. As is demonstrated by the numerical-simulation results presented herein, the new algorithm is found to be faster and more memory efficient than both existing QR-based methods and FastCap. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 41: 169–173, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20083
Measurement of Relaxation-Rate Constants Using Constant-Time Accordion NMR Spectroscopy

Abstract A pulse sequence is described for measurements of nuclear magnetic spin relaxation that incorporates elements of both accordion and constant-time NMR spectroscopy. Accordion spectroscopy reduces the dimensionality of the relaxation experiment from three to two by encoding the relaxation decay functions into the t 1 interferograms; as a result, relaxation-rate constants can be measured in 1/2 to 1/3 the experimental acquisition time required for techniques in which a time series of two-dimensional spectra is recorded. Two novel methods are introduced for extracting relaxation-rate constants from t 1 interferograms. Both methods utilize the different functional forms of the signal obtained by either incrementing or decrementing the accordion period synchronously with the t 1 evolution period. The accuracy and precision of the constant-time accordion pulse sequence is verified by determining the 15 N spin-lattice relaxation-rate constants of Ca 2+ -loaded P43G calbindin D 9k . The rate constants obtained in 11 hours using the constant-time accordion pulse sequence are statistically indistinguishable from results previously obtained in 38 hours using the conventional experimental protocol (J. Kordel, N. J. Skelton, M. Akke, A. G. Palmer, and W. J. Chazin, Biochemistry 31, 4856, 1992).
Flexible pedagogy, flexible practice: notes from the trenches of distance education

In the book Flexible pedagogy, flexible practice: notes from the trenches of distance education edited by Elizabeth Burge, Chere Campbell Gibson, and Terry Gibson, 35 contributors share – in free-w...
Relation between the optical potential for spherical and deformed nuclei

Abstract It is shown that when the contribution of the strong collective states to the optical potential is removed by treating them explicitly through solution of the coupled equations describing the scattering, the resulting optical potential is valid for both spherical and deformed nuclei over a broad mass range in the rare earth region. In a search for the nuclear shape in the deformed region, this has the very important effect of removing the optical parameters from the list of free parameters.
The effect of weight quantization on the performance of linear decision functions

Adaptively derived linear decision boundaries are used in the recognition of typewritten numeric characters from a variety of fonts. During the adaption process, the weights are allowed to have as many quantization levels as required by the adaptive algorithm. Once these weights and their recognition rate on a test sample are determined, the number of quantization levels is successively reduced, and the effect on recognition rate is tabulated. System performance is maintained surprisingly well as the number of weight levels is reduced.
Retrieval difficulty and retention of reactivated memories over the first year of life.

A newly acquired memory is remembered longer when its retrieval is more difficult (i.e., when the time since the last retrieval is longer). In two experiments using an operant conditioning task with 198 infants between 3 and 12 months of age, we presently asked if a reactivated memory also is remembered longer when its retrieval is more difficult. During their first year, infants remember a memory reactivated 1 week after forgetting and the newly acquired memory equally as long. After determining the upper limit (UL) of reactivation at all ages (Experiment 1), we reactivated the memory near the UL and then measured its subsequent persistence (Experiment 2). We found that increasing the training-reactivation interval enhanced retention at 6 months only. These data reveal that increasing retrieval difficulty affects infants' retention of newly acquired and reactivated memories differently. More generally, memory reactivation seems to disproportionately benefit retention in younger infants. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 43: 216–229, 2003.
Despeckling SAR images using a low-complexity wavelet denoising process

Most existing wavelet denoising techniques are developed for additive white Gaussian noise. In their applications to speckle reduction in SAR imagery, the traditional approach is to first perform a logarithmic transformation to convert the multiplicative noise model to an additive model, and then after wavelet denoising is performed on the log-transformed image, an exponential operation has to be implemented for radiometric preservation. In this paper, we introduce a low-complexity wavelet-based SAR speckle reduction algorithm which omits both the log-transform and the exponential transform operations. We decompose the multiplicative speckle model into an additive model with signal-dependent noise. Then, in the wavelet domain, we derive the shrinkage factor for each wavelet coefficient by applying the Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) estimation procedure. Simulated SAR images are used to evaluate the denoising performance of our proposed algorithm along with another wavelet-based denoising algorithm that involves the log-transform and exponential operation, as well as the refined Lee speckle filter. Experimental results show that the proposed filter outperforms the other filters in most cases.
Interaction between Long-Distance Transport Factor and Hsp70-Related Movement Protein of Beet Yellows Virus

Systemic spread of viruses in plants involves local movement from cell to cell and long-distance transport through the vascular system. The cell-to-cell movement of the Beet yellows virus (BYV) is mediated by a movement protein that is an Hsp70 homolog (Hsp70h). This protein is required for the assembly of movement-competent virions that incorporate Hsp70h. By using the yeast two-hybrid system, in vitro coimmunoprecipitation, and in planta coexpression approaches, we show here that the Hsp70h interacts with a 20-kDa BYV protein (p20). We further demonstrate that p20 is associated with the virions presumably via binding to Hsp70h. Genetic and immunochemical analyses indicate that p20 is dispensable for assembly and cell-to-cell movement of BYV but is required for the long-distance transport of virus through the phloem. These results reveal a novel activity for the Hsp70h that provides a molecular link between the local and systemic spread of a plant virus by docking a long-distance transport factor to virions.
Ballotbox Diplomacy: The War Powers Resolutiona and the Use of Force

The strategic problem for the United States during the lead-up to a potential military clash is maintaining the executive's ability to respond internationally while not abrogating legislative oversight of the use of force. In light of this dilemma, congressional leaders have an incentive to engage in “stage management”: establishing short-term contracts with the executive that shift political risk during conflict onto the president while maintaining a final check on presidential policy. The War Powers Resolution is a useful test of the stage management model and an alternative model that derides congressional involvement in the use of force as nothing more than symbolic politics. We find that the War Powers Resolution changed the process by which Congress opposes the presidential use of force, easing congressional collective-action problems and minimizing the electoral repercussions associated with said confrontation. Moreover, presidents have used force differently since the resolution's passage. By changing both process and outcomes, the War Powers Resolution fulfills all the requirements of a stage management contract.
Cross-linking of Promoter DNA to T7 RNA Polymerase Does Not Prevent Formation of a Stable Elongation Complex

T7 RNA polymerase recognizes a small promoter, binds DNA, and begins the process of transcription by synthesizing short RNA products without releasing promoter contacts. To determine whether the promoter contact must be released to make longer RNA products and at what position the promoter must be released, a mutant RNA polymerase was designed that allows cross-linking to a modified promoter via a covalent disulfide bond. The modifications individually have no measurable effect on transcription. Under oxidizing conditions that produce the protein-DNA cross-link, the complex is able to synthesize short RNA products, strongly supporting a model in which promoter contacts are not lost on translocation through at least position +6. However, cross-linked complexes are impaired in promoter escape in that only about one in four can escape to make full-length RNA. The remainder release 12- and 13-mer RNA transcripts, suggesting an increased energetic barrier in the transition from an initial transcribing complex to a fully competent elongation complex. The results are discussed in the context of a model in which promoter release helps drive initial collapse of the upstream edge of the bubble, which, in turn, drives initial displacement of the 5'-end of the RNA.
TOWARD IMPROVED COMMUNICATION IN LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY: ACCOUNTING FOR MULTIPLE FRAMES OF REFERENCE AND MENTAL ROTATIONS

This work is an examination of barriers to communication between the attending and assisting surgeons during laparoscopic surgery, where the same image of the surgical site is viewed from different vantage points with respect to the patient. Part of the problem lies with the multiple frames of reference each surgeon holds, and the mental rotations each must perform to construct a common frame of reference for communication and collaborative work. An experiment was conducted to demonstrate the effects of display-control incongruency on the performance of an aiming task in a simulated laparoscopic environment. Aiming performance was best when the camera was oriented at 0° perspective and worsened as the angle of deviation from 0° increased. Performance was affected to a greater degree by viewing perspectives from the left of the subject than viewing perspectives from the right. Results also suggest that when surgeons are facing each other, as is the case in many laparoscopic surgeries, one surgeon’s performance will be worse than the other’s. The mismatched display-control perspectives are compounded by ambiguous spatial references in verbal communication. From these findings, a case can be made for the importance of vocabulary that forces a common frame of reference during laparoscopic surgery.
Liver triglyceride concentration and body protein metabolism in ethanol-treated rats: Effect of energy and nutrient supplementation

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare the metabolic effects of long-term ethanol consumption with oral (Lieber-DeCarli) and enteral feeding techniques. Enteral feeding allowed administration of greater amounts of energy and nutrients. After 21 days of treatment using the Lieber-DeCarli technique, the ethanol-treated rats had the following significant ( P −1 · day −1 ) and ethanol (13 g · kg −1 · day −1 ) but 16.3% more energy and nutrients by a surgically implanted gastric cannula (enterally fed), the effects of ethanol on nitrogen balance, tissue protein content, plasma leucine concentration, and liver triglyceride concentration were similar to those observed in the rats fed orally. It is concluded that the metabolic effects observed using the Lieber-DeCarli feeding technique are due to ethanol per se and not the synergism of ethanol and undernutrition as recently suggested.
In situ second harmonic generation studies of chemisorption at well-ordered Pt(111) electrodes in perchloric acid solutions

Abstract The technique of optical second harmonic generation (SHG) is used an in situ probe of chemisorption and structure at flame-annealed Pt(111) electrodes in perchloric acid solutions. Rotational anisotropy SHG measurements demonstrate that the single crystal surface order is preserved when the electrodes are transferred to solution with an iodine overlayer and cleaned through an iodine-CO exchange reaction and subsequent CO oxidation electrochemistry. The chemisorption of both iodine and CO produces an anisotropic response from the surface with a reduced average surface symmetry due to the presence of the adsorbed overlayer. The SHG signal from the well-ordered Pt(111) surface in perchloric acid after the removal of the CO also reveals the presence of an ordered chemisorbed overlayer at all electrode potentials negative of the butterfly peaks. Although the identity of the chemisorbed species cannot be determined unambiguously from the SHG measurements, comparisons with the potential dependent SHG response from Pt(100) and polycrystalline platinum electrodes relate the SHG signal in this potential range to an ordered overlayer of a hydrogen species. The SHG measurements also confirm the electrochemical evidence that these ordered structures are modified upon the disruption of the longer range domain structure of the well-ordered Pt(111) surface.
Reevaluating Reynolds: The Constitutional Case for Religiously Motivated Polygamy

In 1879, the U.S. Supreme Court defined, and applied, the free exercise clause of the United States Constitution for the first time. The case, Reynolds v. United States, concerned the constitutionality of the Morrill Act of 1862, which made it a federal crime to practice polygamy. This congressional act was neither the first nor the last federal action taken to suppress the growing Mormon faith. However, the Reynolds case did signify the first time that the Supreme Court rendered a decision concerning minority religious rights. Although the Mormon Church believed that the First Amendment protected such integral faith-based actions as polygamy, the Court deemed polygamy to be "morally odious" and outside the realm of constitutional protection. However, the judicial unanimity reached in Reynolds would be more difficult to arrive at today. The evolution of American society over the past 133 years has supplied ample room for a contemporary reevaluation of Reynolds v. United States. In particular, modern First Amendment jurisprudence casts considerable doubt on the legal wisdom of Reynolds. The Supreme Court’s recent protections of heterodox lifestyles, faiths, and sexual behaviors also indicate that a religiously motivated polygamy case would likely receive a much more favorable treatment today.
Complement-mediated injury reversibly disrupts glomerular epithelial cell actin microfilaments and focal adhesions

Complement-mediated injury reversibly disrupts glomerular epithelial cell actin microfilaments and focal adhesions. Background Foot process effacement and condensation of the glomerular epithelial cell (GEC) cytoskeleton are manifestations of passive Heymann nephritis, a model of complement-mediated membranous nephropathy. Methods To study the effects of complement on the actin cytoskeleton in this model, we have used an in vitro system in which GECs are sublethally injured using a combination of complement-fixing anti-Fx1A IgG and human serum as a source of complement. We examined the effects of this injury on the organization of the cytoskeleton and focal contacts using immunohistology and immunochemistry. Results By immunofluorescence, sublethal complement-mediated injury was accompanied by a loss of actin stress fibers and focal contacts but retention of matrix-associated integrins. Full recovery was seen after 18hours. Western blot analysis showed no change in the cellular content of the focal contact proteins. Inhibition of the calcium-dependent protease calpain did not prevent injury. In addition, cycloheximide during recovery did not inhibit the reassembly of stress fibers or focal contacts. Injury was associated with a reduction in tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin and a currently unidentified 200kDa protein, but inhibition of tyrosine phosphatase activity with sodium vanadate did not prevent injury. Cellular adenosine triphosphate content was significantly reduced in injured cells. Conclusion These results document reversible, complement-dependent disruption of actin microfilaments and focal contacts leading to the dissociation of the cytoskeleton from matrix-attached integrins. This may explain the altered cell–matrix relationship accompanying podocyte effacement in membranous nephropathy.
EVIDENCE OF SUPPRESSOR CELL ACTIVITY IN SPLEENS OF MICE BEARING PRIMARY TUMORS INDUCED BY MOLONEY SARCOMA VIRUS

Spleens from Moloney sarcoma virus (MSV) tumor-bearing C57BL/6N mice contained four times the normal number of mononuclear cells and displayed a markedly elevated "spontaneous" (mitogen-independent) DNA synthesis on a per cell basis. The number of macrophages were increased three-fold while there was a slight reduction in the percentage of T lymphocytes. The phytohemagglutinin (PHA) response on a per cell basis of spleens from tumor-bearing mice was decreased about 90% when compared with normal control mice. The primary in vitro immune response to sheep red blood cells was also suppressed to levels of less than 10% of normals. The PHA response could be restored by purification of MSV spleen cells by rayon adherence columns and by removal of phagocytic cells by an iron/magnet technique. The activity of suppressor cells in MSV spleens was demonstrated in mixtures with syngeneic normal spleen cells where a marked impairment of the PHA response was observed. Spleen cells from tumor-free nude mice and normal spleen cells treated by anti-theta serum plus guinea pig complement (C'), both totally unreactive to PHA, had no such effect. The inhibitor cell in MSV spleens was shown to be insensitive to inactivation by anti-theta plus C', but could be removed by the adherence columns and the iron/magnet technique. These data suggest that this suppressor cell is a cell of the monocyte/macrophage series. Suggestive evidence was also presented that the suppressor cells belong to a proliferating population in MSV spleens. Similar suppressor cells have been previously demonstrated in spleens of mice during a variety of immune responses. Our data show, that a tumor, although stimulating the immune system, nevertheless may be suppressive on certain immune functions through the activation of suppressor cells.
Commercial Antivirus Software Effectiveness: An Empirical Study

Despite the widespread use of antivirus software, malware remains pervasive. A new study compares the effectiveness of six commercial AV products.
8R-Lipoxygenase-catalyzed synthesis of a prominent cis-epoxyalcohol from dihomo-γ-linolenic acid: a distinctive transformation compared with S-lipoxygenases

Conversion of fatty acid hydroperoxides to epoxyalcohols is a well known secondary reaction of lipoxygenases, described for S-specific lipoxygenases forming epoxyalcohols with a trans-epoxide configuration. Here we report on R-specific lipoxygenase synthesis of a cis-epoxyalcohol. Although arachidonic and dihomo-γ-linolenic acids are metabolized by extracts of the Caribbean coral Plexaura homomalla via 8R-lipoxygenase and allene oxide synthase activities, 20:3ω6 forms an additional prominent product, identified using UV, GC-MS, and NMR in comparison to synthetic standards as 8R,9S-cis-epoxy-10S-erythro-hydroxy-eicosa-11Z,14Z-dienoic acid. Both oxygens of 18O-labeled 8R-hydroperoxide are retained in the product, indicating a hydroperoxide isomerase activity. Recombinant allene oxide synthase formed only allene epoxide from 8R-hydroperoxy-20:3ω6, whereas two different 8R-lipoxygenases selectively produced the epoxyalcohol.A biosynthetic scheme is proposed in which a partial rotation of the reacting intermediate is required to give the observed erythro epoxyalcohol product. This characteristic and the synthesis of cis-epoxy epoxyalcohol may be a feature of R-specific lipoxygenases.
Evaluation of the Kinetic Data for Intramolecular 1,x-Hydrogen Shifts in Alkyl Radicals and Structure/Reactivity Predictions from the Carbocyclic Model for the Transition State

Experimental and computational kinetic data for the intramolecular 1,x-hydrogen shift in alkyl radicals are compiled in Arrhenius format for x = 2−5. Significant experimental disparity remains, especially for x = 2 and 3. Experimental data for radicals with tert centers or bearing spectator substituents are lacking for all x, and none exist for x = 6. The common use of the strain energy of the unsubstituted (x+1)-carbocycle to coarsely model the activation energy for the 1,x-shift is extended to explore more subtle differences in progressively methyl-substituted systems by use of molecular mechanics estimates of differences in strain between radicals and carbocycles. For x = 5 and 6, a sterically driven increase in E is predicted for shifts in the tert → tert class that apparently runs counter to the behavior of bimolecular hydrogen transfers. In contrast, a sterically driven decrease in E is predicted to result from spectator methyl groups for the prim → prim reaction class for all x. There is no experim...
Effects of sediment and flow regime on the aquatic insects of a high mountain stream

In 1984, a broad size range of sediment (boulder to sand) was introduced into a high elevation Rocky Mountain stream in southeastern Wyoming, U.S.A. In the spring of 1986, this stream was exposed to a high discharge of 7.5 m3 s−1. From 1985 to 1987 a study was conducted to assess the impact of sediment deposition and flow regime on the aquatic insect community in context of the substrate occurrences of the insect fauna. Using a modified Surber sampler, samples were collected from June through September each year at nine stations which were rated as unimpacted, slightly-impacted, and impacted. The addition of the sediment had minimal effect on the abundance and diversity of aquatic insects. However, high water discharge severely reduced the abundance of aquatic insects and diversity was also negatively impacted. Recovery from these impacts was very rapid. The greatest insect abundance was found in samples taken in gravel and most taxa occurred predominantly on gravel or rubble substrates.
Screening for acute DVT: optimal utilization of the vascular diagnostic laboratory.

Since the introduction of venous duplex ultrasound scanning in the early 1980s, many articles have been published describing its use for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in symptomatic and asymptomatic high-risk patients. Although technological advances have improved B-mode imaging and Doppler signal processing in the last 2 decades, duplex ultrasonography still has limitations in the diagnosis of acute DVT. Besides those that are technological in nature, there also are limitations because of a lack of standards from one vascular laboratory to another. Studies vary according to the ultrasound techniques used, diagnostic criteria, number and types of patients studied, reimbursement guidelines, and compliance with established standards. Duplex examinations vary from unilateral to bilateral, limited to complete, proximal to distal, and imaging only to imaging combined with Doppler techniques. The sensitivity and specificity of duplex ultrasound for identifying symptomatic proximal DVT are in excess of 95%; however, these drop considerably for asymptomatic DVT in high-risk patients and in patients with isolated calf vein thrombosis. Nevertheless, the utilization of the vascular laboratory to screen for acute DVT in all patients, regardless of the limitations in specific populations, is increasing steadily, whereas reimbursement and the number of technologists available to perform these examinations is decreasing. To achieve optimal utilization of the vascular laboratory, national standards in the form of clinical pathways using evidence from the literature need to be developed and utilized. In addition, referring physicians need to be educated on the accuracy and limitations of duplex ultrasound scanning to avoid both overtreatment and undertreatment of acute DVT.
On the characteristics of spectrum-agile communication networks

Preliminary studies as well as general observations indicate the presence of a significant amount of "white space" in radio spectrum, varying on frequency, time, and geographic locations. Thus, it is likely that spectrum access, instead of true spectrum scarcity, is the limiting factor of potential growth of wireless services. Enabled by regulatory changes and radio technologies advances, opportunistic usage of the white space has the potential to significantly mitigate the spectrum scarcity. In this paper, we study the characteristics of opportunistic spectrum availability and its exploration. We present two new metrics to capture unique characteristics in networks with spectrum agility, namely equivalent non-opportunistic bandwidth and space-bandwidth product. Equivalent non-opportunistic bandwidth is a metric to quality the utilization of white space that is opportunistically available to secondary users. Space-bandwidth product qualifies the reuse in both spatial and frequency domain. Heterogeneity in channel availability and footprints are shown to be beneficial. We also study the spatial and temporal properties of opportunistic spectrum availability
A study of 172Yb following the 170Er(α, 2n) reaction

Abstract Six side bands have been identified up to high spin in 172 Yb. Four of these, with K π = 1 − , 4 − , 6 − and possibly 9 − , involve an i 13 2 neutron, and have high moments of inertia. The properties of these bands are reproduced in a two-quasiparticle-plus-rotor Coriolis coupling calculation. A well-known band with K π = 3 +; is extended to I = 14; its properties suggest a mixed neutron-proton configuration. The first excited K π = 0 + band is extended to I = 14. It has a rapidly rising moment of inertia, and is predicted to cross the g.s.b. at about I = 20 + . These K = 0 + states could be the low-spin members of an ( i 13 2 ) 2 band.
Towards a Conceptual Framework of Tourists' Destination Knowledge and Loyalty

ABSTRACT This paper postulates the conceptual relationships between brand knowledge and brand loyalty in a tourism destination context. A framework is conceptualized connecting destination knowledge (comprising of destination awareness and destination image) and tourist destination loyalty (in terms of both affective and behavioral loyalty). A series of hypotheses related to the model are hence developed. Although this article does not empirically test the predictive power of the models, it suggests that there is a close linkage between destination knowledge and destination loyalty, which deserves further research. Some preliminary thoughts on the measurement and managerial implications of the conceptual framework are discussed.
Stationary Waves on a Sphere: Sensitivity to Thermal Feedback

Abstract Thermal forcing feedback is proposed to be an important mechanism in middle and high latitudes in determining the low-frequency variability of the stationary wave structure. The total diabatic heating in the atmosphere is not due solely to the fixed longitudinally varying heat sources but also depends on the flow field itself. As a first approximation to this complex process, a heat flux which is proportional to the low-level temperature of the atmosphere is incorporated into a multi-level. steady-state, linear primitive equation model on a sphere. It is shown that, for deep vertical distributions of middle- and high-latitude diabatic heating, the inclusion of this feedback significantly amplifies the local and remote response. For shallow vertical distributions of middle- and high-latitude heat sources, the significant increase of amplitude is confined to the local response while the remote response is damped. The remote response due to tropical forcing is dramatically damped regardless of the v...
Internal Controls For The Income Producing Real Estate Industry

The current paper focuses on internal controls in the income producing real estate industry. The industry is unique in that most revenue is generated from contractual lease agreements. Since the revenue cycle is a principal area of waste, fraud and abuse, revenue-related internal controls are critical. An industry-specific list of controls is presented and can be used by accounting professionals and managers of income producing real estate firms to benchmark the appropriateness and sufficiency of their own internal controls. The paper can also be used in training settings to demonstrate the manner in which internal controls are often industry-specific.