cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Jakobshavns Glacier drainage basin - A balance assessment

Maximum and minimum estimates are made of the drainage basin feeding the Jakobshavns Glacier by using surface elevation maps derived from Seasat altimetry. Benson's (1962) net balance measurements are used to calculate the balance flow within the basin. Comparisons of the balance flux at the terminus with estimates of actual flux suggest the basin is in overall equilibrium or slightly thickening. This agrees with measurements along the nearby EGIG traverse. Balance velocities accelerate rapidly within 100 km of the coast. Farther upstream, balance velocities are consistent with both measured velocities along the EGIG traverse and calculated deformation velocities. It is estimated that Jakobshavns Glacier discharges between 4.8 and 7.6 percent of the annual net balance over Greenland and drains between 3.7 and 5.8 percent of the ice sheet area.
Managing the Evolution of Dataflows with VisTrails

Scientists are now faced with an incredible volume of data to analyze. To successfully analyze and validate various hypotheses, it is necessary to pose several queries, correlate disparate data, and create insightful visualizations of both the simulated processes and observed phenomena. Data exploration through visualization requires scientists to go through several steps. In essence, they need to assemble complex workflows that consist of dataset selection, specification of series of operations that need to be applied to the data, and the creation of appropriate visual representations, before they can finally view and analyze the results. Often, insight comes from comparing the results of multiple visualizations that are created during the data exploration process.
Genetic and enzymatic analysis of a gene controlling UV sensitivity in Neurospora crassa

Abstract The upr-I gene controlling UV sensitivity in Neurospora crassa has been transferred from a microconidial strain into a macroconidial strain. The properties of the strain with respect to UV sensitivity and photoreactivation (PR) have been modified in the macroconidial background leading to an enhancement of resistance to UV by a factor of about 2 and some suggestion of enzymatic PR. The upr-I gene confers sensitivity to nitrous acid to about the same degree as that for UV. However, inactivation of strains carrying the upr-I gene by white light in the presence of photosensitizing dyes is equivalent to that of strains exhibiting normal sensitivity to UV. Although in vivo enzymatic PR in strains carrying the upr-I gene is impaired, enzymatic analysis with the Hemophilus influenzae transformation systems in vitro reveals that strains carrying the upr-I gene possess a functional PR enzyme. It is suggested that the upr-I gene may control nuclease(s) which compete with the PR enzyme for substrate. The upr-I gene has been located on linkage group IL about 1.6 map units proximal to mating type. The gene has been shown to be without effect on ascus and ascospore development and to have no significant effect on crossing-over.
Development ethics: a new discipline

States that “development” has long been equated with modernization and western‐ization and studied as a straightforward economic issue. Reports that the discipline of economics has been the main source of policy prescription for development decision makers and that this view is now widely criticized as ethnocentric and as economically reductionist. Reveals that change is occurring: economics itself is reintegrating ethics in its conceptualization, methodology, and analysis; a new paradigm of development is in gestation; and a new discipline, development ethics, has come into being. Explains that development ethics centres its study of development on the value questions posed: what is the relation of having goods and being good in the pursuit of the good life, what are the foundations of a just society, and what stance should societies adopt towards nature? Thinks that the new discipline emerges from two sources, which are now converging: from engagement in development action to the formulation of ethical theory, and from a critique of mainstream ethical theory to the crafting of normative strategies to guide development practice. Concludes that development ethics has a dual mission: to render the economy more human and to keep hope alive in the face of the seeming impossibility of achieving human development for all.
Effects of MDMA on sociability and neural response to social threat and social reward

Rationale ±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “ecstasy”) reportedly produces unique subjective effects, including increased sociability, feelings of closeness with others, and reduced interpersonal defensiveness. Despite their apparent importance in recreational and potential psychotherapeutic use of MDMA, the defining characteristics and neurobiological mechanisms of these interpersonal effects are poorly understood. Materials and methods We investigated acute effects of MDMA on self-reported sociability and neuronal activation in response to socially threatening (angry and fearful faces) and socially rewarding (happy faces) stimuli. Assessment of social threat response focused on amygdala activation, whereas assessment of social reward focused on ventral striatum activation. Healthy volunteers (N=9) reporting past ecstasy use completed three experimental sessions, receiving MDMA (0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg) and placebo (PBO) under double-blind conditions. During peak drug effects, participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while viewing standardized images depicting emotional facial expressions including angry, fearful, happy, and neutral expressions. They also completed standardized self-report measures of sociability. Results MDMA (1.5 mg/kg) increased self-reported sociability compared to MDMA (0.75 mg/kg) and PBO. MDMA (1.5 mg/kg) attenuated left amygdala response to angry facial expressions compared to PBO, but MDMA did not affect amygdala reactivity to fearful expressions. MDMA (0.75 mg/kg) enhanced ventral striatum response to happy expressions relative to PBO. Conclusions These data present the first evidence that MDMA may increase sociability in humans both by diminishing responses to threatening stimuli and enhancing responses to rewarding social signals.
Potential gains for irradiation of chest wall and regional nodes with intensity modulated radiotherapy.

Abstract Purpose To develop an intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) technique for postmastectomy RT that improves target coverage while sparing all appropriate normal tissues. Methods and materials IMRT plans were generated using an in-house optimization system. Priority was given to matching the heart doses achieved with partially wide tangent fields (PWTFs) while maintaining 50 Gy ± 5% to the chest wall, internal mammary nodes, and supraclavicular nodes. Other normal tissue doses were then minimized. Metrics for plan comparisons included minimal, maximal, and mean doses and normal tissue complication probability. Results IMRT resulted in more uniform chest wall coverage than did PWTFs. The average chest wall minimal dose was 43.7 ± 1.1 Gy for IMRT and 31.2 ± 16.5 Gy for PWTFs ( p = 0.04). The average internal mammary node minimal dose was 42.8 ± 2.1 Gy for IMRT and 21.8 ± 13.2 Gy for PWTFs ( p = 0.001). IMRT matched the p = 0.02). The mean contralateral lung dose was greater for IMRT (5.8 ± 1.8 Gy) than for PWTFs (1.6 ± 0.1 Gy; p = Conclusion A new IMRT technique achieves full target coverage while maintaining similar doses to heart and ipsilateral lung as conventional techniques. However, contralateral lung and breast volumes exposed to low doses were increased with IMRT and will need to be reduced in future studies.
A Test of the Routine Activities and Neighborhood Attachment Explanations for Bias in Disorder Perceptions

“Neighborhood disorder” refers to how people perceive neighborhoods as unsafe and disorganized. However, certain disorder cues may indicate disorder to some residents but not to others. There are many explanations for disorder perception bias, though few have been tested. This article uses data on 4,721 residents in 100 neighborhoods in Seattle to assess two explanations for biases: neighborhood attachment and routine activities. Using fixed-effect models, this article shows that neighborhood attachment and routine activities provide additional insight into disorder perceptions. Hanging out with teens and engaging in protective neighborhood activities, like watching neighbors’ property, have a strong positive influence on disorder perceptions. This study concludes by discussing alternative explanations for disorder perception bias and their impact on disorder theory as a whole.
Molecularly ordered low molecular weight azobenzene dyes and polycation alternate multilayer films : Aggregation, layer order, and photoalignment

Although the incorporation of small-molecule azobenzene dyes in polymer thin films has been investigated in the past, the application of the layer-by-layer adsorption technique has enabled incorporation of molecularly ordered dye layers without applying the Langmuir−Blodgett methodology. A problem with small-molecule dyes is their tendency to aggregate and even phase separate in polymer matrixes. With the alternate layer-by-layer technique, we have found that the aggregation properties of a charged chromophore are self-limiting and are promoted by adsorption to oppositely charged surfaces. The molecular assembly process of the dye−polycation pairs was investigated by a number of surface-sensitive spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Comparison of the layer thickness with the molecular dimensions of the dyes suggests the formation of well-packed monomolecular layers depending on the size, spatial orientation, and aggregation limit of each pair. The polycation charge density and salt concentration play...
Transverse Velocity Measurements Using Coherent Lidar

A technique is described which will provide both magnitude and direction of the transverse component of velocity of a remote target. A laser beam is transmitted toward a remote diffuse target and the backscattered light is collected and mixed with a suitable local oscillator reference field. The method is based on the general spatio-temporal correlation function of the signal currents from two heterodyne detectors. The time derivative of this function, evaluated at zero time delay, is directly proportional to the component of target velocity parallel to the separation of the detector elements. A two-element by two-element detector array can therefore be used to measure the two orthogonal transverse velocity components. Each component is found from the correlation properties of the signals from diagonally opposed pairs of detector elements. Since the radial velocity component can be found from conventional laser Doppler techniques, all three components of the velocity vector can be measured simultaneously. Practical considerations and experimental results will be discussed.
The Usefulness of Immunohistochemical Markers in the Differential Diagnosis of Renal Neoplasms

Histologic subtyping of RCC has been shown to be of prognostic value; therefore, it is important to classify malignant epithelial tumors of the kidney correctly and also to differentiate them from benign ones. Overlapping morphologic features of renal tumors sometimes make histologic subtyping difficult. The accurate diagnosis and classification of RCC are based on cytoarchitectural features and require correlation with immunophenotype and cytogenetic characteristics. RCC Ma and CD10, two markers with relative renal specificity, have been used to confirm a diagnosis of suspected RCC and can facilitate the accurate diagnosis of metastatic RCC, in particular, in FNA. Although CCRCC and PRCC share most immunomarkers, CK7 and AMACR expression can be helpful in the differential diagnosis of challenging histologic variants of the two. In addition, E-cadherin aids in the distinction between types 1 and 2 PRCC. Useful markers in the differential diagnosis between ChRCC and CCRCCare CK7, RCC Ma, CD10, VIM, CD117, parvalbumin, and E-cadherin. We propose CK7/CK20/CD15 as a useful primary immunopanel to differentiate ChRCC from ONC reliably.
Molecular properties of the lys1+ gene and the regulation of alpha-aminoadipate reductase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

The α-aminoadipate pathway for the biosynthesis of lysine is unique to fungi. Molecular properties of the cloned lys1 + gene and the regulation of the encoded α-aminoadipate reductase (AAR) were investigated in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. A 5.2-kb HindIII-EcoRI fragment of S. pombe DNA, containing a functional lys1 + gene and a promoter, was subcloned to make the 10.7-kb plasmid pLYS1H. A nested 1.778-kb HindIII-EcoRI DNA fragment that complemented the lys1-131 mutant phenotype was sequenced from the plasmid pLYS1D, and shown to contain an open reading frame (ORF) of 470 amino acids, preceded by putative POLII promoter elements (TATA and CCAAT box elements, and two potential yeast GCN4-binding motifs) within 368 bp upstream of the start codon. This ORF shared with the corresponding region of the isofunctional AAR of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 49% amino-acid identity (62% similarity) overall, within which were smaller regions of marked sequence conservation. One such region coincided (95% identity) with a putative AMP-binding domain motif identified in the AAR of S. cerevisiae. In wild-type S. pombe, AAR activity from cells grown in lysine-supplemented minimal or YEPD media was less than the activity of cells grown in minimal mediu. The AAR of S. pombe was more sensitive to feedback inhibition by lysine in vitro than the AAR of S. cerevisiae. These results show the effects of extensive evolutionary divergence on the structure and expression of a pivotal enzyme in the α-aminoadipate pathway. Presumably, delineated regions of strong sequence conservation correspond to discrete domains essential to AAR function.
Angle-closure glaucoma-simpler answers to complex mechanisms: LXVI Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture.

Purpose To present evidence-based concepts that will explain mechanisms of angle-closure glaucoma. Design Review of published evidence and personal perspective. Methods Literature review and clinical research using imaging devices. Results When the pupil dilates, the iris typically decreases its volume by losing extracellular fluid. Eyes with angle-closure lose less iris volume with pupil dilation, contributing to obstruction of the trabecular meshwork. Expansion of choroidal volume is a dynamic phenomenon and is a major risk factor in angle-closure. The mechanism of malignant glaucoma seems likely to result from poor conductivity of fluid through the vitreous, and past suggestions that it results from "misdirected" aqueous are not consistent with physiological principles. Conclusions Angle-closure and angle-closure glaucoma result from disturbed physiological mechanisms more than from simple anatomic measures, and future predictive testing can exploit knowledge of these factors.
Primary synovial sarcoma of the mitral valve.

Primary cardiac synovial sarcoma is a rare malignancy, comprising approximately 5% of cardiac sarcomas and less than 0.1% of all primary cardiac tumors. Herein, we describe a synovial sarcoma arising on the anterior mitral leaflet in a 66-year-old man. The histopathologic diagnosis was supported by the immunohistochemical profile and the presence of the SYT–SSX1 fusion transcript identified by molecular genetic studies. D 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Nonadditive empirical force fields for short-chain linear alcohols: methanol to butanol. Hydration free energetics and Kirkwood-Buff analysis using charge equilibration models.

Building upon the nonadditive electrostatic force field for alcohols based on the CHARMM charge equilibration (CHEQ) formalism, we introduce atom-pair specific solute−solvent Lennard-Jones (LJ) parameters for alcohol−water interaction force fields targeting improved agreement with experimental hydration free energies of a series of small molecule linear alcohols as well as ab initio water−alcohol geometries and energetics. We consider short-chain, linear alcohols from methanol to butanol as they are canonical small-molecule organic model compounds to represent the hydroxyl chemical functionality for parametrizing biomolecular force fields for proteins. We discuss molecular dynamics simulations of dilute aqueous solutions of methanol and ethanol in TIP4P-FQ water, with particular discussion of solution densities, structure defined in radial distribution functions, electrostatic properties (dipole moment distributions), hydrogen bonding patterns of water, as well as a Kirkwood−Buff (KB) integral analysis. C...
A flexible and recoverable client/server database event notification system

A software architecture is presented that allows client application programs to interact with a DBMS server in a flexible and powerful way, using either direct, volatile messages, or messages sent via recoverable queues. Normal requests from clients to the server and replies from the server to clients can be transmitted using direct or recoverable messages. In addition, an application event notification mechanism is provided, whereby client applications running anywhere on the network can register for events, and when those events are raised, the clients are notified. A novel parameter passing mechanism allows a set of tuples to be included in an event notification. The event mechanism is particularly useful in an active DBMS, where events can be raised by triggers to signal running application programs.
Design and Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine Mimics and Their Mixing Behavior with Phosphatidylglycerol Mimics in the Fluid Bilayer State

Two disulfide-based phospholipid dimers have been synthesized (PC14PC14 and PC16PC16), which have packing behavior, melting temperatures, and monomer unit structures that mimic those of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC). Examination of the mixing behavior of PC16 and an analogous phosphatidylglycerol (PG) mimic, by use of the nearest-neighbor recognition method, has revealed that these lipids are ideally miscible in the physiologically relevant fluid phase. Addition of a hydrocarbon chain length mismatch of four methylenes per acyl chain and/or the addition of 29 mol % cholesterol do not alter such miscibility. In contrast, the inclusion of a basic peptide (pentalysine) affords a modest degree of nearest-neighbor recognition. The introduction of exchangeable phospholipid dimers that mimic phosphatidylcholines significantly expands the scope of the nearest-neighbor recognition method and increases its relevance to the study of animal c...
Conversion of Lignin Peroxidase Compound III to Active Enzyme by Cation Radicals

Abstract It has been previously reported that the catalytically inactive compound III form of lignin peroxidase is formed during the oxidation of certain chemicals such as phenols (P. J. Harvey and J. M. Palmer, 1990, J. Biotechnol. 13, 169-179). Here we provide evidence that the cation radicals of methoxybenzenes such as 1,2,4,5-tetramethoxybenzene (TMB) and veratryl alcohol promote the oxidative conversion of compound III back to ferric enzyme. Two kinetic phases were observed during the oxidation of TMB by lignin peroxidase. In the first phase the formation of TMB cation radical and compound III were observed simultaneously. The second phase involved a rapid disappearance of compound III and the TMB cation radical. Ferric enzyme appeared concomitantly with the disappearance of compound III. The TMB cation radical, generated electrochemically, was able to convert compound III to ferric enzyme. Comparative studies using veratryl alcohol were performed and supported the idea that the cation radical of these chemicals are capable of reactivating compound III. The significance of these reactions with respect to lignin peroxidase catalysis are discussed.
Effects of selenium supply and dietary restriction on maternal and fetal body weight, visceral organ mass and cellularity estimates, and jejunal vascularity in pregnant ewe lambs.

To examine effects of nutrient restriction and dietary Se on maternal and fetal visceral tissues, 36 pregnant Targhee-cross ewe lambs were allotted randomly to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Treatments were plane of nutrition [control, 100% of requirements vs. restricted, 60% of controls] and dietary Se [adequate Se, ASe (6 microg/kg of BW) vs. high Se, HSe (80 microg/kg of BW)] from Se-enriched yeast. Selenium treatments were initiated 21 d before breeding and dietary restriction began on d 64 of gestation. Diets contained 16% CP and 2.12 Mcal/kg of ME (DM basis) and differing amounts were fed to control and restricted groups. On d 135 +/- 5 (mean +/- range) of gestation, ewes were slaughtered and visceral tissues were harvested. There was a nutrition x Se interaction (P = 0.02) for maternal jejunal RNA:DNA; no other interactions were detected for maternal measurements. Maternal BW, stomach complex, small intestine, large intestine, liver, and kidney mass were less (P or = 0.11) by treatment. Total jejunal and mucosal vascularity (mL) were less (P < or = 0.01) in restricted than control ewes. Fetuses from restricted ewes had less BW (P = 0.06), empty carcass weight (P = 0.06), crown-rump length (P = 0.03), liver (P = 0.01), pancreas (P = 0.07), perirenal fat (P = 0.02), small intestine (P = 0.007), and spleen weights (P = 0.03) compared with controls. Fetuses from HSe ewes had heavier (P < or = 0.09) BW, and empty carcass, heart, lung, spleen, total viscera, and large intestine weights compared with ASe ewes. Nutrient restriction resulted in less protein content (mg, P = 0.01) and protein:DNA (P = 0.06) in fetal jejunum. Fetal muscle DNA (nutrition by Se interaction, P = 0.04) concentration was greater (P < 0.05) in restricted ewes fed HSe compared with other treatments. Fetal muscle RNA concentration (P = 0.01) and heart RNA content (P = 0.04) were greater in HSe vs. ASe ewes. These data indicate that maternal dietary Se may alter fetal responses, as noted by greater fetal heart, lung, spleen, and BW.
Preservice Teachers Construct a View on Multicultural Education: Using Banks' Levels of Integration of Ethnic Content to Measure Change

Abstract This study examines the use of concept maps to assess learners' prior knowledge, and changes in their knowledge, as a result of fifteen hours of classroom instruction in multicultural education during the students' enrollment in an undergraduate teacher preparation program. Bank's Levels of Integration of Ethnic Content were used to measure change. Sample concept maps are analyzed. The findings of this study are not surprising yet they communicate strong implications for preservice teachers, teacher education, and K-12 schools. Our students came to us with prior knowledge and the change in that knowledge was conspicuous. It was significant that Banks' Levels of Integration of Ethnic Content, which were used as a framework in the instruction of the course, can serve to measure change in learning in students of multicultural education.
Dichroic ultraviolet light filters

With the intention to produce dichroic filters for use in photoluminescent systems that rely on polarized UV light, we synthesized a number of linear, dichroic dyes, which absorb mainly in the near-UV range of the electromagnetic spectrum. These dyes were designed for compatibility with common thermoplastic polymers such as linear low-density poly(ethylene), poly(ethylene terephthalate), and polyamide-12. Films of these host polymers that consisted of 0.2% by weight of various dichroic UV dyes were produced by common melt-processing schemes. Uniaxial drawing of these films yielded highly dichroic UV filters with dichroic ratios in absorption that in some cases exceeded 100. The fact that these free-standing films display little or no coloration and are environmentally stable makes them useful for various applications that involve generation of polarized UV light.
Mutagenic characterization of synthetic fuel materials by the Ames/Salmonella assay system.

Abstract Solvent refined coal (SRC) distillates produced by 2 different pilot plant processes were compared for mutagenicity using the Ames/Salmonella assay. The highmolecular-weight, high-boiling SRC distillates were fractionated into their various constituent chemical classes for Ames analysis. In each case, the major portion of the mutagenic activity contained in the crude materials was recovered in the basic and in the tar fractions. Little or no activity was found in the neutral, aliphatic, or neutral polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-enriched fractions. The most active of the SRC subtraction were comparable in mutagenicity to benzo[ a ]pyrene, but substantially less active than 2-aminoanthracene.
Environmental Applications of Arsenic Speciation Using Atomic Spectrometry Detection

Abstract The speciation of arsenic is of considerable importance because of the considerable variation in toxicity based on the chemical species present. The combination of a separations technique with atomic spectrometry detection provides a convenient and sensitive technique for arsenic speciation. In this article, recent literature reviews are discussed, followed by discussions of the environmental chemistry and toxicity of this element. Instrumentation for these techniques is reviewed, including chromatography systems, atomic detectors, and accessories for sample preparation. The conclusion is a review of some relevant applications of arsenic speciation.
Development of 3-Phenyltropane Analogues with High Affinity for the Dopamine and Serotonin Transporters and Low Affinity for the Norepinephrine Transporter

Previous studies showed that the mixed monoamine transporter inhibitor (6, RTI-112) reduced cocaine self-administration at a high level of serotonin transporter (5-HTT) occupancy with no detectable dopamine transporter (DAT) occupancy. In this study, a series of 3β-(substituted phenyl)tropane-2β-carboxylic acid methyl esters (7a−g), 3β-(4-methoxyphenyl)tropane-2β-carboxylic acid esters (8a−j), and 3β-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2β-[3-(4′-methylphenyl)isoxazol-5-yl]tropane (9) were synthesized and evaluated for their monoamine transporter binding affinities to identify potent and selective compounds for both the DAT and 5-HTT relative to the norepinephrine transporter (NET). A number of compounds showed high binding affinities for both the DAT and 5-HTT and low affinity for the NET. 3β-(4-Methoxyphenyl)tropane-2β-carboxylic acid 2-(3-iodo-4-aminophenyl)ethyl ester (8i) with an IC50 value of 2.5 nM for the DAT and Ki values of 3.5 and 2040 nM for the 5-HTT and NET, respectively, is the most potent and selective compo...
Activated graphene as a cathode material for Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors

Chemically activated graphene (‘activated microwave expanded graphite oxide’, a-MEGO) was used as a cathode material for Li-ion hybrid supercapacitors. The performance of a-MEGO was first verified with Li-ion electrolyte in a symmetrical supercapacitor cell. Hybrid supercapacitors were then constructed with a-MEGO as the cathode and with either graphite or Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) for the anode materials. The results show that the activated graphene material works well in a symmetrical cell with the Li-ion electrolyte with specific capacitances as high as 182 F g−1. In a full a-MEGO/graphite hybrid cell, specific capacitances as high as 266 F g−1 for the active materials at operating potentials of 4 V yielded gravimetric energy densities for a packaged cell of 53.2 W h kg−1.
Manufacturing technology and strategy formulation: keys to enhancing competitiveness and improving performance

Abstract Porter [Porter, M.E., 1996. What is strategy? Harvard Business Review 74 (6), 61–78.] claims that a proper link between strategy and manufacturing operations is a key to developing sustainable competitive advantage. To be successful in this globally competitive, rapidly changing environment, organizations must formulate strategic plans that are consistent with their investment in and use of manufacturing technology. This study proposes that organizations that invest in advanced manufacturing technology and develop mechanisms for manufacturing managers to participate in strategy formulation will have improved competitive capabilities and better performance than firms that do not. Using the result from a large-sample survey, this study develops valid and reliable measures of advanced manufacturing technology and manufacturing managers' participation in strategy formulation as well as the competitive capabilities of a firm. Linear structural equation analysis (LISREL) results show that the relationships between a firm's practices in these two areas and its competitive capabilities are found to be statistically significant and positive. Also, high levels of these competitive capabilities lead to high levels of performance as measured by customer satisfaction and marketing performance.
An alternatively spliced Muc10 glycoprotein ligand for putative L-selectin binding during mouse embryonic submandibular gland morphogenesis.

Late-gestation (embryonic day 18; E18) mouse submandibular glands (SMG) comprise a network of large and small ducts that terminate in lumen-containing, presumptive acini (terminal buds) expressing unique, cell membraneassociated embryonic mucin. The objective here was to clone and sequence embryonic low molecular-weight SMG mucin, predict its secondary structure, and begin to investigate its possible role in SMG development. Evidence was found that: (1) embryonic low molecular-weight mucin is an alternatively spliced Muc10 gene product, 220 amino acids in size (approximately 25 kDa), rich in potential O-glycosylation sites, and variably glycosylated (approximately 40 and 68 kDa); (2) consensus secondary-structure prediction for embryonic low molecular-weight mucin is consistent with a molecule that is anchored to the plasma membrane, directly or indirectly (via a glycolipid), and has a protein core that serves as a scaffold for carbohydrate presentation; (3) embryonic L-selectin is immunolocalized to the plasma membrane region of terminal-bud epithelial cells in a pattern similar to that seen for embryonic mucin; (4) embryonic, but not adult, mucin is able to bind L-selectin and does so endogenously in E18 SMG. As the primary role of L-selectin is to mediate cell adhesion and its ligands are mucin-like glycoproteins, it is suggested that this embryonic low molecular-weight mucin be termed MucCAM. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Basal bodies, kinocilia and planar cell polarity.

Primary cilia and planar cell polarity (PCP) proteins both contribute to cell polarization, but their relationship is unclear. A new study shows that, in the organ of Corti, primary cilia are required for morphological polarization of sensory hair cells and function downstream of the PCP signaling proteins.
Working and Poor: A Panel Study of Maturing Adults in the U.S.:

This study uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and highlights the extent of poverty and working poverty between 1986 and 2004 (N = 5,164). Over one third (34.2%) of the study sample lived in a poor family at least one year, and nearly one fourth (24.2%) lived in a working poor family at least one year. In addition, almost three fourths (70.1%) of those who lived in a poor family at least one year also lived at least one year in a working poor family. Differences were found by gender and race/ethnicity. Findings suggest that poverty as a social problem is better formulated in terms of working rather than nonworking poverty and that gender and race/ethnicity disparities are prevalent. Policy options, such as expansion of the earned income tax credit and implementation of a basic income guarantee, are explored.
A preliminary investigation of affective and cognitive response to erotic stimulation in men before and after sex therapy

Affective and cognitive responses to erotic stimulation were studied in sexually dysfunctional men before and after treatment in a sex therapy program. A comparison group of functional men was studied over the same time interval. A pool of 34 Likert-scaled items assessing various cognitions, affects, and perceptions was administered during baseline and following two erotic audiotapes and a self-generated sexual fantasy. To focus on global response patterns rather than individual item responses, five aggregate indices (sexual arousal, physicality, sensuality, negative affect, positive affect) were derived using a strategy that combined face-validity and reliability analysis. Cluster analysis was employed as an auxiliary technique to confirm the coherence of these groupings. All five indices differentiated dysfunctional men from controls, and further, three indices (physicality, sensuality, sexual arousal) showed significant variation across types of erotic stimulation. Correlations among the five indices, as well as with penile response, revealed two trends that differentiated dysfunctional men from controls during the pretest, but that diminished following sex therapy in the dysfunctional men. Future investigations might further rely on multiple-item indices as described here. Such measures may provide a more integrated view of sexual response in the laboratory and lead to greater understanding of affective and perceptual differences between functional and dysfunctional men.
Development of a fluorescence polarization based assay for histone deacetylase ligand discovery

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate many important physiological processes and the discovery of small molecules that modulate HDAC activity has both academic and clinical relevance. HDAC inhibitors, most notably SAHA, have been pursued as cancer chemotherapeutics but may be useful in treating psychiatric disorders, malaria, and other diseases. Herein, we describe an inexpensive and robust assay, based on fluorescence polarization, for HDAC ligand discovery. The assay is well suited for high-throughput screening and enzyme kinetic studies.
Editorial: Special Issues, Special Sections, and Related Topics

This PDF file contains the editorial “Editorial: Special Issues, Special Sections, and Related Topics” for OE Vol. 31 Issue 09
Reversal and activation of physical aging by applied deformations in simple compression and extension

The differential (incremental) storage modulus E′ was measured intermittently at 1 Hz during the stress relaxation of cylindrical specimens of polycarbonate subjected to finite static strains in both simple compression and extension. (In measuring E′, the amplitude of the applied sinusoidal strain was 0.2%.) Application of each static strain gave a value of E′/E′0 less than unity, where E′0 is the storage modulus at 1 Hz of the undeformed specimen. This behavior results from an increase in the mobility of short molecular segments; it signifies a partial erasure of the state of physical aging, a change also termed de-aging or rejuvenation. After a static strain had been applied, E′ increased continuously, a reflection of physical aging that results from a progressive decrease in segmental mobility. Plots of E′/E′0 at an aging time of 100 s against the absolute value of the static strain show that simple extension de-ages a specimen somewhat more than does a strain of the same magnitude in compression. This difference results from the increase or decrease in volume (or free volume) effected by strains in extension or compression, respectively. The dominant cause of de-aging, however, is the deviatoric (shear) component of the strain tensor. The increase or decrease in volume produced by an applied strain modifies only slightly the segmental mobility.
Determinism in a transient assemblage: the roles of dispersal and local competition.

Abstract: Both dispersal and local competitive ability may determine the outcome of competition among species that cannot coexist locally. I develop a spatially implicit model of two‐species competition at a small spatial scale. The model predicts the relative fitness of two competitors based on local reproductive rates and regional dispersal rates in the context of the number, size, and extinction probability of habitat patches in the landscape. I test the predictions of this model experimentally using two genotypes of the bacteriophagous soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans in patchy microcosms. One genotype has higher fecundity while the other is a better disperser. With such a fecundity‐dispersal trade‐off between competitors, the model predicts that relative fitness will be affected most by local population size when patches do not go extinct and by the number of patches when there is a high probability of patch extinction. The microcosm experiments support the model predictions. Both approaches sugg...
The theory and practice of Reverse Logistics

This paper provides a review of the literature on Reverse Logistics (RL). It provides an overview of definitions, research and research opportunities in this field. It is a timely and important concept with significant international research under completion at this time. Ample opportunities exist for the growth of this field due to its multi-functional, and interdisciplinary focus. It also is critical for organisations to consider from both an economic and environmental perspective. All these issues are discussed and summarised in this paper.
Using Greenfoot and games to teach rising 9th and 10th grade novice programmers

In a two-week residential game camp we used the Greenfoot IDE to teach java programming to rising 9th and 10th graders. Students created their own computer games which required learning how to write java programs, create a game design, and create art assets. In this paper we focus on the computer science pedagogy used and describe the initial design of an augmented game development framework for the Greenfoot environment. This framework includes classes for the following useful game elements: Animation, Projectiles, Side Scrolling Worlds, Text Boxes, Clocks and Timers. We describe these classes, discuss the effectiveness of each, and describe potential improvements to their implementation and design. We also report the results of a survey conducted during each of the camps.
I-Cluster: the execution sandbox

I-Cluster is an HP Laboratories Grenoble initiative in collaboration with the ID-IMAG laboratory of INRIA Rhone-Alpes. The aim of this research programme is to develop a framework of tools that transparently take advantage of unused network resources and federate them to crystallize into specific virtual functions such as supercomputing. To be more precise, I-Cluster enables automatic real-time analysis of the availability, configuration and workload of machines on an intranet. When instantiation of a supercomputing function is carried out by a user, I-Cluster determines the most appropriate set of machines for carrying out this function, allocates the machines into a virtual cluster and then starts execution of the function. To obtain this result, I-Cluster possesses a "sandbox" on each machine on the intranet, which is transparent to the user, and that enables use of the computing resources of these machines during their idle periods while securely protecting user data and jobs. This document presents the sandbox developed for I-Cluster and its features.
Research on task complexity as a foundation for augmented cognition

In order to implement real-time adaptive augmented cognition, one of the focal points of our present research involves understanding the dimensions of task complexity. Task complexity is a construct that has been used in many fields such as biology, computer science, and psychology. An objective of our current research effort is to be able to instantaneously assess change in the cognitive capabilities of people as they perform increasingly complex tasks. In order to address these broader goals, a better understanding of task complexity is needed. Specific questions we ask include: (1) What are the factors that contribute to task complexity? (2) What are effective ways to assess task complexity? and (3) How can task complexity be reduced in real-time tasks? In order to address these questions, we review literature related to task complexity across several domains such as user models, human computer interaction, human factors and instructional design.
Sexual Communication Between Early Adolescents and Their Dating Partners, Parents, and Best Friends

This study assessed early adolescents' sexual communication with dating partners, parents, and best friends about six sexual health topics: condoms, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), pregnancy, and abstinence/waiting. Using a school-based sample of 603 youth (ages 12 to 15; 57% female; 46% Caucasian), we examined communication differences across demographic and developmental factors, tested whether communication with parents and best friends was associated with greater communication with partners, and examined associations between communication and condom use. More than half of participants had not discussed any sexual topics with their dating partners (54%), and many had not communicated with parents (29%) or best friends (25%). On average, communication was more frequent among adolescents who were female, African American, older, and sexually active, despite some variation in subgroups across partner, parent, and friend communication. Importantly, communication with parents and friends--and the interaction between parent and friend communication--was associated with increased communication with dating partners. Further, among sexually active youth, increased sexual communication with partners was associated with more frequent condom use. Results highlight the importance of understanding the broader family and peer context surrounding adolescent sexual decision making and suggest a possible need to tailor sexual communication interventions.
Evaluation of Optimization Metrics for Continuous Fermentation of Plasmid DNA

An evaluation of cumulative productivity metrics for optimizing the continuous fermentation of plasmid DNA (pDNA) is carried out in this work. DNA plasmids provide a good illustrative example for comparison because of the plasmid instability issues associated with their production. However, the analysis presented in this work can also be applied to other intracellular bioproduct continuous fermentation systems. The productivity metrics considered are cumulative product mass per time, profit, and cost objective functions. These metrics are used to determine the optimal continuous fermentation run time at a given dilution rate, during the dynamic period associated with switching from batch to continuous fermentation. The results of this study indicate that different optimum continuous fermentation run times are predicted based upon the choice of the continuous fermentation operating conditions and optimization metric. In particular, the dilution rate must be larger than the inverse of a characteristic time, that is a function of the initial batch operating and plasmid stability times before continuous operation becomes optimal. Provided that this condition is met, different optimal continuous operation run times are obtained depending on the cumulative productivity metric, or operating objective, that is employed.
Murine cutaneous responses to the rocky mountain spotted fever vector, Dermacentor andersoni, feeding.

Tick salivary glands produce complex cocktails of bioactive molecules that facilitate blood feeding and pathogen transmission by modulating host hemostasis, pain/itch responses, wound healing, and both innate and adaptive immunity. In this study, cutaneous responses at Dermacentor andersoni bite-sites were analyzed using Affymetrix mouse genome arrays and histopathology at 12, 48, 96 and 120 hours post- infestation (hpi) during primary infestations and 120hpi during secondary infestations. The microarray data suggests: (1) chemotaxis of neutrophils, monocytes, and other cell types; (2) production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species; and, (3) keratin- based wound healing responses. Histological analysis supported the microarray findings. At 12hpi, a mild inflammatory infiltrate was present in the dermis, especially concentrated at the junction between dermal connective tissue and underlying adipose tissue. A small lesion was located immediately under the hypostome and likely represents the feeding “pool.” Surprisingly, at 48hpi, the number of inflammatory cells had not increased from 12hpi, perhaps mirroring the reduction in gene expression seen at this time point. The feeding lesion is very well defined, and extravasated erythrocytes are readily evident around the hypostome. By 96hpi, the inflammatory infiltrate has increased dramatically and the feeding lesion appears to have moved deeper into the dermis. At 120hpi, most of the changes at 96hpi are intensified. The infiltrate is very dense, the epidermis is markedly thickened, the feeding lesion is poorly defined and the dermal tissue near the hypostome appears to be loosing its normal architecture. In conclusion, during D. andersoni feeding infiltration of inflammatory cells increases across time concurrent with significant changes in the epidermal and dermal compartments near the feeding tick. The importance of changes in the epidermal layer in the host response to ticks is not known, however, it is possib
Work in progress - mobile computers in a closed lab environment for CS majors

The paper describes the usage of mobile laptop computers in closed labs for the Computer Science majors. The Computer Science Department at Salem State College, Salem, MA modified the Computer Science major curriculum in 2001 to add closed labs to all appropriate Computer Science major and minor courses (more then sixty percent of the total number of courses taught). One of the consequences of this decision was the need to conduct several simultaneous closed and open labs in parallel. The existing laboratory infrastructure was insufficient to support this additional load and we decided to introduce a laptop based mobile lab to satisfy the increased computer hardware and lab space requirements. We describe the steps taken to implement the lab and present the analysis of the results and the problems encountered during the two-year usage of this new teaching environment.
Neutron irradiation effects in GaN-based blue LEDs

The neutron irradiation effects in GaN-based double heterojunction (DH) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are investigated. Both optical and electrical properties showed significant degradation after neutron irradiation. The basic mechanisms responsible for both electrical and optical degradation are discussed. Some optical and electrical recovery due to an injection-enhanced annealing effect is observed in our irradiated LEDs.
Command of the Commons: The Military Foundation of U.S. Hegemony

Since the end of the Cold War, scholars, commentators, and practitioners of foreign policy have debated what structure of world power would follow the bipolar U.S.-Soviet competition, and what U.S. foreign policy would replace containment. Those who hypothesized a long “unipolar moment” of extraordinary U.S. relative power have proven more prescient than those who expected the relatively quick emergence of a multipolar world.1 Those who recommended a policy of “primacy”—essentially hegemony—to consolidate, exploit, and expand the U.S. relative advantage have carried the day against those who argued for a more restrained U.S. foreign policy.2 One can argue that the jury is still out, the Command of the Commons