cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Production and preservation of organic matter: The significance of iron

[1] “Iron fertilization” has been previously recognized as a potential mechanism for enhanced organic matter burial in marine sediments. However, the singular view of iron as a control on primary production overlooks its role in sedimentary diagenesis, a factor that must be evaluated when considering organic matter accumulation. This study examines the role of iron as a buffer of pore water sulfide and its implications for marine organic matter burial. Biogeochemical model experiments indicate that dissolved sulfide buildup in surficial marine sediments is highly sensitive to reactive iron concentration. A reduction in reactive iron concentration can initiate dissolved sulfide accumulation, the consequences of which include inhibition of bioturbation/bioirrigation, a decrease in oxygen exposure time, and enhanced organic matter burial. Alternatively, an increase in reactive iron concentration can serve to decrease organic matter burial. The coupling of iron and phosphorous cycling within marine sediments provides an important positive feedback, and therefore this mechanism is designated the “sulfide buffer/phosphorous trap hypothesis.” Given sufficient organic carbon supply, carbonate-rich and opal-rich sediments should be especially prone to the development of sulfidic conditions because of a deficiency in terrigenous iron. Widespread chalk and marl deposition during the Cretaceous, in association with the evolutionary expansion of calcareous plankton, may have predisposed many benthic marine environments to the accumulation of toxic hydrogen sulfide and fostered the development of “oceanic anoxic events.” Comparison of model results with proxy data from oceanic anoxic event II (middle Cretaceous) suggests a complex role of iron as a control on both organic matter production and preservation.
Does IT Matter in Business Education? Interviews with Business School Deans

How are business schools thinking about developing leaders for the emerging digital economy? To answer this question, we interviewed 45 business school deans about whether knowledge about IT in business should be a part of core MBA education, and if so, how this knowledge should be delivered. A majority of deans recognize the importance of IT in business and the need for its presence in a forward looking core business curriculum that is training managers for an increasingly global and information rich future. There are three themes around which such a presence is described by them: understanding how the transformative and wealth generating potential of IT changes business and society, understanding how to make successful IT investment decisions, and facilitating innovation and creativity in the use of increasingly available data for decision making. However, a significant fraction of these deans struggle with the delivery of IT content in their core curriculum, and there is a clear divergence between the extent to which business school leadership considers IT in business important, and its realized presence in core MBA education. We identify the main reasons that contribute towards this divergence and how some schools are addressing it. Based on our findings, we outline the business importance and intellectual foundations for a natural question around which core education about IT in business can be structured, which asks "How does IT transform business and society?"
Re-configurable coherent event forwarding mechanism for multiprocessor systems

End applications like automotive, mobile, industrial, communications and infrastructure require hardware architectures with multiple processing elements to reduce overall system cost and power. Typical hardware architectures consist of multiple processors to meet computational needs along with a rich set of peripherals to meet connectivity requirements. The complex interaction between the processing elements and the peripheral poses technical challenges in terms of assigning use case specific role for each component. Interrupts and events are one of the basic building blocks for communication, which typically gets statically assigned during design, prohibiting certain use cases. This paper proposes a simple and efficient architecture to route interrupts in multicore devices, which are fully configurable by software based on end-application. The solution consists of symmetric crossbar architecture to connect the processing elements to peripheral endpoints. The proposed architecture is optimal in terms of latency along with design and software efficiency. The proposed architecture is implemented in a multicore SoC (System-on-chip) catering to the automotive market. The implementation provides up to 4202000 combinations of possible interrupt connections, thereby enabling any possible use case. The proposed solution has no additional latency, one-time static configuration and adds a nominal overhead of 0.17% to the silicon die area.
Structure of the sinus-lining cells in the popliteal lymph node of the rabbit

The structure of the sinus walls in the popliteal lymph node of the rabbit was studied with the electron microscope. In the marginal sinus, the endothelial cells are connected by gap junctions, puncta adherentia, and surface specializations characterized by focal approximation of the adjoining membranes without fusion. They possess large numbers of simple and compound uncoated invaginations of the plasma membrane that are closed by a diaphragm with a central thickening. The tissue strands that straddle the lumen of the sinus consist of a fibrous core containing both collagen and elastic fibers, surrounded by endothelial cells identical to those composing the outer sinus wall. Cortical sinuses that run independently of the trabeculae were identified by exploiting the fact that their endothelial cells accumulate lymph-borne ferritin, and their lumen is outlined by horseradish peroxidase administered intravenously. They are lined by a flattened, continuous endothelium and lack luminal strands. The walls of the medullary sinuses consist of endothelial cells and macrophages. The endothelial cells are interconnected by specialized junctions and contain fewer plasmalemmal vesicles than in the cortex; furthermore, dense granules are present in their cytoplasm. Macrophages adhere to the surface of the endothelial cells; typically, none of the junctional specializations that characterize the interface between endothelial cells connect endothelial cells to macrophages. However, at points along the contact region with the endothelium, the plasmalemma of the macrophage is decorated by an attachment plaque of fluffy cytoplasmic material. Sinus endothelial cells slowly accumulate lymph-borne ferritin like vascular endothelial cells elsewhere in the body, whereas macrophages contain both ferritin and engulfed erythrocytes.
Effects of temperature and composition on silicate glass structure and dynamics: SI-29 NMR results

Abstract The distribution of bridging and non-bridging oxygens is a fundamental aspect of the intermediate range order of silicate glasses and liquids. Disorder in this distribution can be characterized by the relative abundances of Qn species, which can be quantified by 29Si NMR on both spinning and static samples. We emphasize the latter here, and show that increasing the field strength of the network modifying cation and increasing temperature have similar randomizing effects on this distribution. These changes have a major influence on thermodynamic activities. In the liquid, exchange between sites is rapid, but the exchange rate may become slow enough with decreasing temperature to actually define Tg. In silicate liquids, some kind of high energy, low abundance, defects probably are present to allow this structural change to occur, to account for the bulk of the configurational heat capacity, and to explain the observed spin-lattice relaxation times.
Capacity and energy aware activation of sensor nodes for area phenomenon using wireless network transport

We consider a sensor network employing sensor nodes that have been placed in specific locations. An area phenomenon is detected and tracked by the activated sensors. The area phenomenon is modelled to consist of K spatially distributed point phenomena. The activated sensors collect data samples characterizing the parameters of the involved component point phenomena. They compress the observed data readings and transport them to a processing center. The center processes the received data to derive estimates of the component point phenomena's parameters. Our sensing stochastic process models account for distance dependent observation noise perturbations as well as for location dependent observation noise correlations. At the processing center, sample mean calculations are used to derive estimates of the underlying area phenomenon's parameters. We develop a computationally efficient algorithm for determining the specific set of sensors selected for activation under capacity and energy resource constraints, so that a sufficiently low reproduction distortion level is attained. We demonstrate our algorithm to yield distortion levels that are quite close to those characterized by a lower bound function.
Proton Magnetic Resonance Studies of Binary Aqueous Solvent - Dowex 50W Systems

Abstract Pmr is used to evaluate solvent selectivity and to furnish an indication of water structure in binary aqueous solvent - ion exchange resin systems. The hydrogen form of Dowex 50W-X8 equilibrated with binary aqueous solvents exhibits pmr peaks for internal water which are shifted downfield relative to the water - ion exchanger system. The greater the mole fraction of organic solvent in the system, the greater the downfield shift.
Time-dependent Hartree approximation for a one-dimensional system of bosons with attractive δ-function interactions

The time-dependent Hartree approximation is compared with an exact solution for the scattering between two $N$-particle bound states in the case of a 1-dimensional system of bosons with attractive $\ensuremath{\delta}$-function interactions. It is shown that to leading order in $N$, the approximation is exact, and arguments are presented relating this asymptotic agreement to the nonsaturation of the bound states.
Kallikrein-related peptidase 6: A biomarker for traumatic brain injury in the rat

AbstractBackground: Establishment of a traumatic brain injury (TBI)-sensitive biomarker or identification of a key therapeutic agent would significantly improve clinicians’ efforts to diagnose and treat TBI, thereby promoting improved outcomes for patients. Numerous studies support the role of kallikrein-6 (Klk6) as a critical component of neuroinflammation and demyelination. This study assesses whether Klk6 is implicated in the secondary mechanisms of TBI and subsequently if serum levels of Klk6 are useable as a biomarker.Methods: The abundance of Klk6 following controlled cortical impact (CCI) of the medial prefrontal cortex to a depth of either 3.0 mm (severe) or 1.5 mm (moderate) was quantified. Uninjured and rats subjected to craniotomy-only were used as controls. Protein levels were quantified with Western-blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry.Results: Severe and moderate CCI resulted in significant elevation of Klk6 in the contusion-core (∼12-fold-increase, p < 0.0001...
Acute increases in arterial blood pressure produced by occlusion of the abdominal aorta induces antinociception: peripheral and central substrates

Occlusion of the abdominal aorta proximal to the renal arteries results in an increase in arterial blood pressure, inhibition of forepaw and hindpaw withdrawal to a noxious mechanical stimulus, and inhibition of the tail-flick reflex to noxious heat. Occlusion of the abdominal aorta distal to the renal arteries does not elevate arterial blood pressure and produces no antinociceptive effects. Occlusion of the vena cava lowers arterial blood pressure and produces no antinociception. The inhibitory effects of occlusion of the abdominal aorta depend upon activation of high pressure baroreceptors since bilateral sinoaortic denervation, but not bilateral vagotomy, eliminates the inhibition with respect to all behavioral measures. The inhibitory effects with respect to the tail-flick reflex also depend upon activation of a descending inhibitory system since reversible cold block of the spinal cord at the level of the second thoracic vertebra eliminates the antinociception. This antinociception is also eliminated following intrathecal administration of the noradrenergic receptor antagonist phentolamine, but not by intrathecal administration of either methysergide or naloxone. These data support the view that activation of high pressure baroreceptors by increases in arterial blood pressure produces antinociception via activation of a spinopetal noradrenergic system.
IN VITRO GERMINATION AND POLLEN TUBE GROWTH OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) POLLEN. X. POLLEN SOURCE GENOTYPE AND GIBBERELLIN A3 INTERACTIONS

SUMMARY Pollen grains from four pollen source genotypes (H55, Oh43, K64 × K55, Ky49 × Ky27) were cultured on an artificial medium (15% sucrose, 0.6% bacto-agar, 0.03% calcium nitrate, 0.01% boric acid) supplemented with four concentrations (0, 5, 25, 100 ppm) of gibberellin A3 (GA3). At 1, 2, and 3 h after inoculation, germination percent and pollen tube length were measured. A highly significant concentration x pollen source genotype interaction for germination percent was obtained. Depending on the pollen source genotype, increasing GA3 concentrations either substantially increased or did not alter germination percent. For pollen tube length, a highly significant concentration x pollen source genotype interaction was also obtained. However, depending on the pollen source genotype, increasing GA3 concentrations either increased, decreased, or had no effect on pollen tube length. Any stimulatory effect of GA3 on pollen tube length was expressed early in the germination process or between inoculation and one h after inoculation. The results suggested that heterozygosity level could be a contributing factor in the GA3 response and within each pollen source genotype, the effects of GA3 on germination percent and pollen tube length were independent.
Decrease in Forces Responsible for Diastolic Suction During Acute Coronary Occlusion

Background The production of left ventricular (LV) restoring forces generated during contraction, which are responsible for diastolic suction, is dependent on end-systolic volume (ESV) and systolic transmural and 3D deformation. We tested the hypothesis that acute coronary occlusion would result in loss of forces that cause suction. Methods and Results Ten open-chest dogs were subjected to a 10-minute acute coronary occlusion (proximal left anterior descending coronary artery). A servomotor connected to the left atrium (LA) was used to rapidly clamp LA pressure during systole below the level of the succeeding LV diastolic pressure, resulting in nonfilling diastoles during which the LV fully relaxed at its ESV. LA clamps at multiple ESVs (conductance catheter) allowed delineation of positive and negative portions of the fully relaxed LV pressure-volume relation (FRPVR). A negative fully relaxed pressure (FRP) indicates the presence of restoring forces. After 10 minutes of acute coronary occlusion, there was an upward shift of the FRPVR. Thus, for example, at matched ESVs before and during coronary occlusion, FRP was −1.1±1.1 (±SD) mm Hg before versus 0.2±1.2 mm Hg after 10 minutes of coronary occlusion ( P <.05). Conclusions Acute coronary occlusion results in a rapid decrease in forces responsible for suction. This phenomenon is independent of the level of ESV and may contribute to ischemic diastolic dysfunction.
Calcium entry-dependent oscillations of cytoplasmic calcium concentration in cultured endothelial cell monolayers.

Abstract Bovine endothelial cell monolayers grown to confluence and stimulated with bradykinin responded with periodic fluctuations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) when exposed to K(+)-free Hepes-buffered saline. The fluctuations in [Ca2+]i measured with fura-2 were synchronized among the population of cells observed and were sensitive to extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o). Thapsigargin, which inhibits the endoplasmic reticular Ca2(+)-ATPase, did not inhibit the [Ca2+]i oscillations. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ or inhibition of Ca2+ entry by using La3+ or 1-(beta- [3-(4-methoxyphenyl)proproxy]-4-methoxyphenethyl)-1H-imidazole hydrochloride (SKF 96365) abolished the [Ca2+]i oscillations in endothelial cell monolayers. The fluctuations in [Ca2+]i were therefore dependent on Ca2+ influx rather than Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores. Simultaneous measurements of membrane potential (Em) using the potential-sensitive bisoxonol dye bis(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid)trimethine oxonol [Di-BAC4(3)] and [Ca2+]i using fura-2 showed that Em oscillated at the same frequency as the fluctuations in [Ca2+]i. The peak depolarization signal coincided with the maximum rate of increase in the [Ca2+]i signal. Oscillations in the Em signal were inhibited by removal of Ca2+ or by addition of 1 mM Ni2+ to the external solution. Taken together, these observations suggest that the change in Em is the consequence of oscillatory changes in a membrane conductance that also allows Ca2+ to enter the cell. Oscillations in the DiBAC4(3) signal may reflect a rhythmic entry of Ca2+ through nonselective cation channels.
MAPPING VIRAL FUNCTIONAL DOMAINS FOR GENETIC DIVERSITY IN PLANTS

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) comprises numerous isolates with various levels of in-host diversity. Subgroup-distinctive features of the Fny and LS strains provided us with a platform to genetically map the viral control elements for genetic variation in planta. We found that both RNAs 1 and 2 controlled levels of genetic diversity, and further fine mapping revealed that the control elements of mutation frequency reside within the first 596 amino acids (aa) of RNA 1. The 2a/2b overlapping region of the 2a protein also contributed to control of viral genetic variation. Furthermore, the 3′ nontranslated region (NTR) of RNA 3 constituted a hot spot of polymorphism, where the majority of fixed mutations found in the population were clustered. The 2b gene of CMV, a viral suppressor of gene silencing, controls the abundance of the fixed mutants in the viral population via a host-dependent mechanism.
Multiway analysis of preconcentrator‐sampled surface acoustic wave chemical sensor array data

New data processing methods for preconcentrator-sampled surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor arrays are described. The preconcentrator-sampling procedure is used to collect and concentrate analyte vapors on a porous solid sorbent. Subsequent thermal desorption provides a crude chromatographic separation of the collected vapors prior to exposure to the SAW array. This article describes experiments to test the effects of incorporating retention information into the pattern-recognition procedures and to explore the feasibility of multiway classification methods. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and nearest-neighbor (NN) pattern-recognition models are built to discriminate between SAW sensor array data for four toxic organophosphorus chemical agent vapors and one agent simulant collected under a wide variety of conditions. Classification results are obtained for three types of patterns: (a) first-order patterns; (b) first-order patterns augmented with the time of the largest peak; and (c) second-order patterns with the use of the SAW frequency for each sensor over a broad time window. Classification models for the second-order patterns are also developed with the use of unfolded and multiway partial least-squares discriminants (uPLSD and mPLSD) and NN and LDA of the scores from unfolded and multiway principal-component analysis (uPCA and mPCA). It is determined that classification performance improves when information about the desorption time is included. Treating the preconcentrator-sampled SAW sensor array as a second-order analytical instrument and using a classification model based upon either uPLSD, uPCA-LDA, or NN results in the correct identification of 100% of the patterns in the prediction set. With the second-order patterns, the other pattern-recognition algorithms only do slightly worse. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Field Analyt Chem Technol 2: 179–192, 1998
Exercise performance of the survivors of hyaline membrane disease

We measured the cardiopulmonary response of 62 school-aged survivors of hyaline membrane disease to the stress of submaximal steady-state exercise on a cycle ergometer. The children represented a 48% follow-up of infants with HMD who-survived in our hospital in the years 1968 to 1974. They had incidences of wheezing, pulmonary infections, and abnormal chest roentgenograms after discharge similar to those in groups reported by other investigators. The first group required only supplemental oxygen or continuous positive airway pressure; the second required oxygen and CPAP plus mechanical ventilation with intermittent positive pressure; and the third, half of whom had been treated with positive pressure, developed pulmonary air leaks. Children in all groups had normal heart rates and oxygen consumptions for their heights and work rates. Ventilation was normal in all but three subjects. These three patients had had air leaks and one had severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, requiring 36 months of oxygen therapy; the other two were only 5 years of age. All three developed hypercarbia during moderate exercise. There was no difference in the tidal volumes, respiratory rates, dead space, or the distribution of ventilation between the three groups and the normal subjects. The alveolar-to-skin oxygen tension gradient decreased in all groups and the normal subjects during light exercise, implying that the match of ventilation to perfusion improved. Most survivors of HMD appear to have normal cardiopulmonary function by school age.
Age changes in geometry and mineral content of the lower limb bones

Subperiosteal expansion and increase in second moments of area with aging of eleven femoral and tibial cross-sections are documented in a large archaeological sample from the American Southwest. In contrast to these geometric changes, we found little change with age in bone mineral density measured using photon absorptiometry. Thus, the most significant structural changes with age in bone appear to involve its geometry and material characteristics other than its density. Variation in age-related geometric remodeling between cross-section locations and populations may be caused by differences in mechanical stress and strain levels in vivo in the lower limb.
The mode I fracture resistance of unidirectional fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Abstract The mode I fracture resistance has been measured for Al and Al/4 Mg matrix composites, unidirectionally reinforced with ceramic fibers, prepared using a squeeze casting technique. Effects of SiC particle additions have also been investigated. The Al/4 Mg system had a high toughness, whereas the Al matrix system had a relatively low fracture resistance. In all cases, the addition of particulates slightly decreased the resistance to crack growth. The fracture resistance was simulated by a ductile bridging model with plastic dissipation occurring within a zone governed by the fiber spacing. The tensile strength of these composites has been estimated, based on the resistance behavior and microstructure.
Specific Tyrosine Phosphorylations Mediate Signal-Dependent Stimulation of SHIP2 Inositol Phosphatase Activity, while the SH2 Domain Confers an Inhibitory Effect To Maintain the Basal Activity

SH2 domain-containing 5-inositol phosphatase (SHIP2) is implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes and cancer. Tyrosine phosphorylation of SHIP2 is shown to enhance its phosphatase activity. Using IP4 as a substrate, we show here that tyrosines 986, 987, and 1135 are critical for EGF-induced stimulation of SHIP2 activity. SHIP2 with a disrupted SH2 domain (R47G mutation) displays higher constitutive activity than wild-type SHIP2. Deletion of the C-terminus region similarly activates SHIP2. Thus, the SH2 domain of SHIP2, in conjunction with the C-terminus, confers an inhibitory effect to maintain a low basal activity, and signal-induced tyrosine phosphorylations overcome this effect to activate SHIP2.
XAFS study of local disorder in the a − Gd x Si 1 − x amorphous magnetic semiconductor

The local structure of an amorphous a-Gd x Si 1 - x (x=0.04,0.07,0.12,0,18) magnetic semiconductor is determined from combined x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements at the Gd L, and Si K absorption edges. XAFS data indicate that the structure is amorphous, with Gd atoms surrounded predominantly by Si atoms, consistent with a random substitution of Gd in the Si network. Gd substitution induces a large local distortion resulting in a Gd-Si distance of 2.98(3) A compared to a Si-Si distance of 2.39(1) A. The lack of x dependence in the Gd local environment indicates that the distortions around the Gd do not interact with one another, even at x = 0.18. In addition, a small but systematic increase in the mean squared disorder of the Si-Si interatomic distance is observed with x. These results suggest that the amorphous Si network is very effective in relaxing the local strain through random displacements of Si atoms within a few A of the perturbing Gd atoms.
Molecular dissociation and shock-induced cooling in fluid nitrogen at high densities and temperatures.

Radiative temperatures and electrical conductivities were measured for fluid nitrogen compressed dynamically to pressures of 18-90 GPa, temperatures of 4000-14,000 K, and densities of 2-3 g/cu cm. The data show a continuous phase transition above 30 GPa shock pressure and confirm that (delta-P/delta-T)v is less than 0, as indicated previously by Hugoniot equation-of-state experiments. The first observation of shock-induced cooling is also reported. The data are interpreted in terms of molecular dissociation, and the concentration of dissociated molecules is calculated as a function of density and temperature.
Decrease in acute myocardial ischemia by hyaluronidase in isolated, perfused, rabbit hearts.

Hyaluronidase has been reported to reduce infarct size and cellular damage after coronary artery occlusion. The influence of hyaluronidase (H) on experimental myocardial ischemia was studied in isolated perfused rabbit hearts. Changes in ischemic area were assessed by epicardial NADH fluorescence photography, an intrinsic, high-resolution display of myocardial ischemia. Computerized determination of ischemic area was made from standardized photographs. H was begun 5 min after coronary artery ligation at 4 units/ml perfusate. NADH fluorophotographs were taken at 10-min intervals up to 40 min of ischemia. Coronary sinus oxygen tension (PesO2) myocardial oxygen consumption (MV O2) and coronary flow were determined. After 40 min, the hearts were perfused with a rhodamine solution to indicate areas of myocardial perfusion. In 18 H-treated hearts 55 ± 6% (mean ± SE) of the nonperfused area was ischemic (NADH fluorescent) and the ischemic areas had a patchy distribution. In 26 untreated hearts 86 ± 2% of the nonperfused area was ischemic and the ischemic areas were uniform, (P < 0.001). The distance between perfused and ischemic tissue was 861 ± 76 μm in the H-treated and 359 ± 19 μm in the untreated hearts, (P < 0.001). In the H-treated hearts PesO2 increased to 154% of the postligation control while it decresed to 77% in the untreated hearts (P < 0.001). MV O2 decreased to 87% of control after ligation in both groups. The H-treated hearts had a further decline of 37% while the untreated hearts had no further change. In the H-treated hearts, coronary flow increased to 150% of the postligation control while it fell to 80% in the untreated group (P < 0.001). We conclude that hyaluronidase increases PesO2 and coronary flow while it decreases MV O2 during acute ischemia. In hyaluronidase-treated hearts, significant amounts of myocardium remain normoxic within the nonperfused areas.
Thromboembolic complications following so-called good risk cases of myocardial infarction.

Thromboembolic complications frequently occur following myocardial infarction. Following the general acceptance of anticoagulant therapy for the treatment of myocardial infarction, there have been some authors who have recommended that this therapy be withheld from "mild cases," unless they develop thromboembolic complications. It is the belief of the present authors that this is not justified unless there are contraindications for anticoagulant treatment, provided that proper facilities are available. Summaries of experience with 14 so-called "good risk" cases of myocardial infarction who developed a total of 18 certain and 4 probable thromboembolic complications are presented. As a result, there were 4 major amputations in 3 patients, 1 of whom died. Other complications are discussed in detail.
The serum lipids in human atherosclerosis; an interim report.

An attempt is being made to determine the relation of the serum lipids to the progression of human atherosclerosis. The serum lipids are estimated serially during life and are compared with the degree of atherosclerosis found post mortem. The findings in the first 50 fatalities in the series of 800 patients are reported. The results make a poor case for the effect of derangements of the serum lipids on the disease process. Elevation of the cholesterol-phospholipid ratio has the most suggestive atherogenic effect, but this is not consistent. The total serum cholesterol and the Sf 12-20 and 20-100 lipoproteins show no significant relationships.
Discussion of: Delgado, I. and Lloyd, G., 2004. A Simple Low Cost Method for One-Person Beach Profiling. Journal of Coastal Research, 20(4), 1246–1252.

Abstract The accuracy of elevation measurements obtained with a recently described one-person beach profiling method is examined. A reanalysis of the available data indicates that the accuracy of this method is below the reported average of 99.76%, and actually ranges from about 91% to 99%. Of greater concern, the absolute error in elevation measurements (average = 15 cm, maximum = 35 cm) is shown to be large enough to potentially exceed temporal changes in profile elevation, effectively rendering those changes undetectable. It is suggested that the acceptable level of error for a given project be carefully considered prior to adoption of this method.
The Effects of Pulsed Radiation Therapy on Tumor Oxygenation in 2 Murine Models of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of low-dose pulsed radiation therapy (PRT) in 2 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) xenografts and to investigate the mechanism of action of PRT compared with standard radiation therapy (SRT). Methods and Materials Subcutaneous radiosensitive UT-SCC-14 and radioresistant UT-SCC-15 xenografts were established in athymic NIH III HO female mice. Tumors were irradiated with 2 Gy/day by continuous standard delivery (SRT: 2 Gy) or discontinuous low-dose pulsed delivery (PRT: 0.2 Gy × 10 with 3-min pulse interval) to total doses of 20 Gy (UT14) or 40 Gy (UT15) using a clinical 5-day on/2-day off schedule. Treatment response was assessed by changes in tumor volume, 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) (tumor metabolism), and 18 F-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) (hypoxia) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging before, at midpoint, and after treatment. Tumor hypoxia using pimonidazole staining and vascular density (CD34 staining) were assessed by quantitative histopathology. Results UT15 and UT14 tumors responded similarly in terms of growth delay to either SRT or PRT. When compared with UT14 tumors, UT15 tumors demonstrated significantly lower uptake of FDG at all time points after irradiation. UT14 tumors demonstrated higher levels of tumor hypoxia after SRT when compared with PRT as measured by 18 F-FMISO PET. By contrast, no differences were seen in 18 F-FMISO PET imaging between SRT and PRT for UT15 tumors. Histologic analysis of pimonidazole staining mimicked the 18 F-FMISO PET imaging data, showing an increase in hypoxia in SRT-treated UT14 tumors but not PRT-treated tumors. Conclusions Differences in 18 F-FMISO uptake for UT14 tumors after radiation therapy between PRT and SRT were measurable despite the similar tumor growth delay responses. In UT15 tumors, both SRT and PRT were equally effective at reducing tumor hypoxia to a significant level as measured by 18 F-FMISO and pimonidazole.
Changes in Mitochondrial Properties Associated with Chloroplast Development in Jack Bean (Canavalia ensiformis [L] DC.).

Procedures were developed to isolate actively respiring mitochondria from jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis [L.] DC.) leaves and cotyledons. Consistent respiratory control values of about 2 for succinate oxidation were obtained in preparations from etiolated cotyledons. Jack bean mitochondria oxidized malate with high respiratory control (2 to 5) and ADP/O (up to 2.8).Mitochondria purified from greening leaves and cotyledons exhibited rapid increases in respiratory control for up to 4 hours of light exposure followed by a decrease in activity. ADP/O values remained constant at about 1.2 while oxygen consumption per unit mitochondrial protein increased constantly during the first 14 hours of greening in preparations from cotyledons. The changes in mitochondrial respiratory activity during greening were correlated with the reversible appearance of mitochondria in the condensed conformation observed by electron microscopy. Both isolated mitochondrial pellets and cotyledon mitochondria in situ were shown to exhibit these changes in conformation during greening.
Gram-negative infection increases noninsulin-mediated glucose disposal.

Peripheral glucose uptake can occur by either insulin- or noninsulin-mediated mechanisms, and the two pathways appear to be regulated independently. Using the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique, we have previously demonstrated that sepsis induces whole body insulin resistance. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether infection also alters noninsulin-mediated glucose uptake (NIMGU) and, if so, which tissues are affected. Studies were performed in chronically catheterized conscious rats under either basal (6 mM glucose, 30 μU/ml insulin) or insulinopenic conditions to determine NIMGU. Hypermetabolic sepsis was induced by sc injections of live Escherichia coli, and 24 h later a tracer amount of [U-14C]deoxy-2-glucose was injected for the determination of the in vivo glucose metabolic rate (Rg) in selected tissues. Our results indicate that NIMGU is the predominant route of glucose disposal in both septic and nonseptic rats, accounting for 79-83% of the total rate of glucose disposal...
The Veterans Short Form 36 questionnaire is predictive of mortality and health-care utilization in a population of veterans with a self-reported diagnosis of asthma or COPD.

Study objective: Measures of health-related quality of life (HRQL) correlate with disease stage in persons with COPD. However, as their predictive capacity for mortality or medical utilization is less well defined, we sought to examine the relationship of a general measure of HRQL and outcomes in persons with obstructive lung disease. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Upper Midwest Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN)-13. Participants: All veterans in VISN-13 (n = 70,017) were surveyed with the Veterans Short Form 36 (SF-36V). Persons with reported asthma or COPD who completed the SF-36V formed the study cohort (n = 8,354). Measurements and results: For purposes of analysis, individuals were divided into quartiles of HRQL according to their physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS), values derived from the SF-36V. Outcomes of mortality, hospitalization, and outpatient visits were recorded for 12 months after the survey. Outpatient utilization was dichotomized into high vs low use, with high use being defined as the upper quartile of visits in the 12 months prior to survey mailing. The study cohort had a mean age of 65 years and was largely male (95%), both consistent with a veteran population. After correcting for potential confounding factors through multivariable regression, the PCS was independently predictive of death, hospitalization, and high outpatient utilization. When using the first quartile of PCS as the reference population, those in the fourth quartile of PCS had a hazard ratio for death of 5.47 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.63 to 8.26). Similarly, the odds ratios for hospitalization, high primary care visits, and high specialty medicine visits in the fourth quartile of PCS were 1.82 (95% CI, 1.51 to 2.19), 1.54 (95% CI, 1.26 to 1.87), and 1.46 (95% CI, 1.21 to 1.78), respectively. The MCS, through multivariable regression, was predictive of death but unassociated with subsequent hospitalization or high outpatient utilization. Conclusion: HRQL, as assessed by the SF-36V, is an independent predictor of mortality, hospitalization, and outpatient utilization in persons with self-reported obstructive lung disease.
A-Port Networks: Preserving the Timed Behavior of Synchronous Systems for Modeling on FPGAs

Computer architects need to run cycle-accurate performance models of processors orders of magnitude faster. We discuss why the speedup on traditional multicores is limited, and why FPGAs represent a good vehicle to achieve a dramatic performance improvement over software models. This article introduces A-Port Networks, a simulation scheme designed to expose the fine-grained parallelism inherent in performance models and efficiently exploit them using FPGAs.
Foreign direct investment and intellectual property rights: evidence from Hollywood's global distribution of movies and videos

Abstract Traditional thinking about intellectual property rights (IPR) suggests that as a country strengthens its IPR standards, firms will move their governance structures away from equity based institutions such as foreign direct investment (FDI) towards more market-based relations such as licensing agreements. This hypothesis is explored by examining the behavior of Hollywood studios in both the feature film and video markets in 40 foreign countries. The analysis reveals that the behavior of Hollywood studios is more complex than this: although moderate IPRs are associated with a high degree of licensing, both high and low standards of IPR encourage more integrated governance structures.
Effects of successive environments on brain measures.

Abstract To test the persistence of cerebral effects induced by differential experience, littermate rats were placed in an enriched environment (EC) or an impoverished environment (IC) for either 30 or 80 days. Following this initial period, one rat of each litter was transferred from the EC to IC condition while its littermates remained in EC or IC. The second phase lasted either 7, 14, 21, 32 or 47 days. The cerebral differences induced by differential experience began to dissipate when the animals were placed in a common environment, but statistically significant differences still persisted weeks after the end of the inducing conditions. Greater persistence was found after 80 days of initial exposure than after 30 days. Following 80 days in EC, significant persistence of brain weight differences was found 21 days after removal from EC to IC; significant persistence of differences in acetylcholinesterase and cholinesterase activities were found 47 days later. Different brain regions and different measures showed somewhat different patterns of results. Three different kinds of environmental enrichment — devised in three laboratories — were compared for their effects on brain weights and brain enzymes.
Universal prediction model for construction litigation

Construction litigation expenditures have increased considerably over the years. A Universal Prediction Model (UPM) was developed to predict the outcome of construction litigation and hence encourage settlements out of court. The study was conducted by using 151 Illinois circuit court cases filed in the period 1987–2005. UPM consists of data consolidation, attribute selection, hybrid classification, and performance assessment. A code was written to automate the entire process in the WEKA (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis) environment. UPM is versatile and scalable. The findings resulted in a higher prediction rate than those obtained in previous studies. The system proved to be quite robust and fast. If the outcome of construction litigation can be predicted with reasonable accuracy and reliability, all parties involved in the construction process could save considerable money and time.
How Do Copyrights Affect Economic Development and International Trade

This article analyzes the effects of copyrights on economic development and international trade. First, we apply an aggregate production function to examine the effects of “copyright-related capital” (CRC) on development. This form of capital includes personal computers, servers, and bandwidth, which embody or transmit copyrighted materials. Second, we apply the gravity model of international trade to examine the effects of copyright policies on bilateral trade in core copyright industries. Third, we integrate the above frameworks to examine the two-stage effects of copyrights on development, and then on trade. We analyze these relationships using cross-sectional data for a large sample of countries. The findings show that a country's CRC contributes positively to its economic development. The findings also show that the relative harmonization of copyright policies between countries has a positive effect on bilateral trade in core copyright industries. Finally, the findings show evidence of a two-stage process where a country's CRC contributes positively to its economic development (stage 1), which then contributes positively to its trade (stage 2).
Priorities for Electric Energy Utilisation Research in the USA

Over the past 25 years, the role of electric power has grown steadily in both scope and importance. Developments in key technologies, such as electric lighting, motors, computers and telecommunications, have continuously reshaped American life and the productivity of its commercial and industrial foundation. As technology advances, electricity accounts for a progressively larger share of total energy consumption. Even 25 years ago, the electric power industry acknowledged that research and development goals must relate to society’s ability to use electric energy to ascertain a better way of life and an enhanced environment. Included were specific goals in energy utilisation research. Today the technology underpinning the electricity enterprise — from production to end-use — is undergoing change at a pace and scope unmatched since the dawn of commercial electrification. The electric power industry’s structure, institutions and policies are now being transformed as well. Looking ahead, these technical and institutional transformations are expected to continually expand the value and role for electricity. Today’s focus on research and development has widened and solidified and can now be categorised by two visions: (1) concerning electrification and economic growth, and (2) concerning electrification for the quality of life and national security.
Increased drying rate of cut lucerne (alfalfa) with alkali metal carbonate solutions

Spray treatment of cut lucerne (alfalfa) with 0.2m solutions containing carbonates of the alkali metal group increased mean dry matter content and drying rates above an untreated control. Dry matter content of lucerne sprayed with carbonates of caesium, rubidium or potassium was greater than that of lucerne treated with solutions containing sodium carbonate, lithium carbonate or left as untreated control, throughout the drying period. Drying rates at any given water content between 2.5 and 0.5 were also greatest for lucerne treated with solutions containing caesium, rubidium or potassium carbonate. Mean drying rate of lucerne sprayed with alkali metals was positively related to their ionic radius and increased from lithium to caesium.
Robust Methods for Detection of Shifts of the Innovation Variance of a Time Series

Based on Pitman asymptotic relative efficiency and Monte Carlo studies of power functions, Shorack [29] concluded in the independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) case that the most satisfactory tests for scale changes were the Box-Andersen test and the jack knife. Analogs of these two procedures are shown to have identical asymptotic properties when the observations follow a correctly identified autoregressive process. A Monte Carlo study indicates that the performance of these robust procedures is roughly the same as in the i.i.d. case. The difference between the two robust procedures seems slight. The Box-Andersen procedure does a better job of maintaining the stated significance level but it lags slightly behind the jack knife in power.
The Changing Role of Administrators in Hospitality Management Education

This research determined roles of hospitality management (HM) program administrators and examined how roles have changed in the past and how they will be different in the future. HM program administrators reported spending more time now compared to ten years ago on activities such as meeting with faculty or administrators, preparing reports, and performing non-hospitality program related tasks. Administrators indicated they expect to spend more time in the future on finding ways to operate more efficiently and generating external funds. Changes may be needed in current job descriptions of HM program administrators to allow time for these tasks.
In Defence of Human Nature. A review of Managing the Human Animal

Nicholson, N. Managing the Human Animal: Why People Behave the Way They Do in Corporate Services
N6 (L-Phenylisopropyl)adenosine (L-PIA) increases slow-wave sleep (S2) and decreases wakefulness in rats

Abstract Rats implanted with electrodes for polygraphic recording were administered with L-PIA (0.115 mg/kg, i.p.), caffeine (15 mg/kg, i.p.) or L-PIA (0.115 mg/kg, i.p.) + caffeine (15 mg/kg, i.p.) and recorded for 6 h. The results show that administration of L-PIA increased S2 by 54 min suggesting that stimulation of adenosine receptors promotes deep sleep. Administration of L-PIA failed to produce the same effect in the presence of caffeine, a finding consistent with the hypothesis that the CNS stimulant effect of caffeine and other methylxanthines is due to their ability to antagonize depressant effects of endogenous adenosine.
The roles played by interorganizational contracts and justice in marketing channel relationships

Abstract This study explores the impact of two forms of contracting (explicit and normative) and two kinds of fairness perceptions (distributive and procedural) on satisfaction and conflict within 433 wholesaler–supplier relationships. As predicted, normative contracting is associated with higher levels of channel member satisfaction and lower levels of conflict. Explicit contracting, however, was linked to higher levels of channel conflict. Distributive justice was positively associated with channel member satisfaction as was procedural justice, but only under conditions of high distributive justice—a surprising finding that ran counter to our predictions. As expected, we found that both distributive and procedural justice limited the extent of conflict in the channel.
Extensive Aortic Dissection From Combined-Type Cystic Medial Necrosis in a Young Man Without Predisposing Factors

A 33-year-old man with no predisposing factors had a DeBakey type 1 aortic dissection requiring surgical intervention. Microscopic examination showed combined-type cystic medial necrosis. This is the first report of extensive aortic dissection associated with combined-type cystic medial necrosis in a person younger than 40 years with no predisposing factors.