cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Species diversity in young Douglas-fir plantations compared to old growth

Abstract Plant species diversity in young Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco stands in the Western Cascades of Oregon was assessed using comparative diversity profiles. These profiles show, among other things, abundances of scarcer species only (diversity in the tail). Abundances of scarcer species increased steadily through age 5 years (the last year of measurement) at which time the young plantations were more diverse than the antededent old growth. These results are index-free (i.e., not dependent on the choice of a diversity index).
Solving Summer Fever in Early Pregnancy.

A 37 year-old woman (G3P1) presented at 8 weeks gestation with 3 weeks of fever, cough and malaise.
MUTATION OF ALPHA PHE55 OF METHYLAMINE DEHYDROGENASE ALTERS THE REORGANIZATION ENERGY AND ELECTRONIC COUPLING FOR ITS ELECTRON TRANSFER REACTION WITH AMICYANIN

Methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) possesses an α2β2 structure with each smaller β subunit possessing a tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) prosthetic group. Phe55 of the α subunit is located where the substrate channel from the enzyme surface opens into the active site. Site-directed mutagenesis of αPhe55 has revealed roles for this residue in determining substrate specificity and binding monovalent cations at the active site. It is now shown that the αF55A mutation also increases the rate of the true electron transfer (ET) reaction from O-quinol MADH to amicyanin. The reorganization energy associated with the ET reaction is decreased from 2.3 to 1.8 eV. The electronic coupling associated with the ET reaction is decreased from 12 to 3 cm-1. The crystal structure of αF55A MADH in complex with its electron acceptors, amicyanin and cytochrome c-551i, has been determined. Little difference in the overall structure is seen, relative to the native complex; however, there are significant changes in the solvent con...
Indeterminism and Frankfurt‐type examples

Abstract I assess Robert Kane's view that global Frankfurt‐type cases don't show that freedom to do otherwise is never required for moral responsibility. I first adumbrate Kane's indeterminist account of free will.This will help us grasp Kane's notion of ultimate responsibility, and his claim that in a global Frankfurt‐type case, the counterfactual intervener could not control all of the relevant agent's actions in the Frankfurt manner, and some of those actions would be such that the agent could have done otherwise. Appealing to considerations of responsibility and luck, I then show that the global cases survive Kane's objections
SOURCES OF SUPPORT AND EXPATRIATE PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF EXPATRIATE ADJUSTMENT

This study examined the role of 3 sources of support in facilitating expatriate adjustment and performance. A model was developed that examined the effects of perceived organizational support (POS), leader-member exchange (LMX), and spousal support on expatriates' adjustment to work, the country, and interacting with foreign nationals. In turn, it was expected that expatriate adjustment would influence expatriate task performance and contextual performance. The model was tested using a sample of 213 expatriate-supervisor dyads via structural equation modeling. The results indicated that POS had direct effects on expatriate adjustment, which in turn had direct effects on both dimensions of performance. Although LMX did not influence adjustment, it did have direct effects on expatriate task and contextual performance. Spousal support did not relate to adjustment or performance. Practical implications for facilitating expatriate adjustment and performance are discussed.
Bioadhesive microspheres: III. An in vivo transit and bioavailability study of drug-loaded alginate and poly(fumaric-co-sebacic anhydride) microspheres

Bioadhesive drug delivery systems (BDDSs) could improve bioavailability by protecting bioactive molecules from physical and chemical degradation, enhancing absorption rates by minimizing diffusion barriers, and increasing the period for absorption by prolonging residence time. The in vivo bioadhesive performance of calcium alginate microspheres and poly(fumaric-co-sebacic anhydride) 20:80 microspheres were evaluated in two ways. Firstly, effect on GI transit was measured in rats. P(FA:SA) 20:80 microspheres showed significantly prolonged retention in the gut when compared to alginate microspheres. Secondly, the ability of these polymers to improve relative bioavailability of a model drug, dicumarol, in rats was assayed. A significant increase was measured in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve for dicumarol encapsulated in P(FA:SA) 20:80 when compared to its controls. The results of this study suggest that polymers which have been shown to produce strong bioadhesive forces in vitro and delayed GI transit in vivo may be used to improve oral bioavailability of certain drugs.
Effects of Metal Capping on Thermal Annealing of Copper Interconnects

Grain growth of Cu interconnects in a low-k dielectric was achieved at an elevated anneal temperature of 300 °C without stress-migration-related reliability problems. For this, a TaN metal passivation layer was deposited on the plated Cu overburden surface prior to the thermal annealing process. As compared to the conventional anneal process at 100 °C, the passivation layer enabled further Cu grain growth at the elevated temperature, which then resulted in an increased Cu grain size and improved electromigration resistance in the resulted Cu interconnects.
Theoretical basis for an anomalous temperature coefficient in swelling pressure of rabbit corneal stroma

In the rabbit corneal stroma, the swelling pressure, P, has been reported to have an anomalous (negative) temperature coefficient, alpha P, contradicting traditional Donnan swelling theory. A parallel-plate, diffuse double layer Gouy-Chapman model was used to resolve this discrepancy. The present model incorporates the possibility that surface charge, sigma, is temperature dependent. It is shown that negative, zero, or positive coefficients of swelling pressure change with temperature are not mutually exclusive conditions, but can be attributed to the same underlying mechanism. For likely values of alpha P(range -7 x 10(-3) K-1 to +3.2 x 10(-3)K-1), the effective stromal charge has a negative temperature dependency, or dln sigma/dT less than 0. The present formalism is robust against variation in assumed alpha P, and is able to simultaneously satisfy the known values of swelling pressure, its thermal dependency, and stromal charge. These results implicate significant coulombic forces behind P. Predicted stromal surface charge is approximately 0.01 Cm-2. The predictions were confirmed with macrocontinuum Donnan swelling theory, suggesting that Donnan osmotic swelling is the principal macroscopic component of P.
Reconciliation of marine and terrestrial carbon isotope excursions based on changing atmospheric CO 2 levels

Negative carbon isotope excursions measured in marine and terrestrial substrates indicate large-scale changes in the global carbon cycle, yet terrestrial substrates characteristically record a larger-amplitude carbon isotope excursion than marine substrates for a single event. Here we reconcile this difference by accounting for the fundamental increase in carbon isotope fractionation by land plants in response to increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration (pCO₂). We show that for any change in pCO₂ concentration (ΔpCO₂), terrestrial and marine records can be used together to reconstruct background and maximum pCO₂ levels across the carbon isotope excursion. When applied to the carbon isotope excursion at the Palaeocene-Eocene boundary, we calculate pCO₂=674-1,034 p.p.m.v. during the Late Palaeocene and 1,384-3,342 p.p.m.v. during the height of the carbon isotope excursion across all sources postulated for the carbon release. This analysis demonstrates the need to account for changing pCO₂ concentration when analysing large-scale changes in the carbon isotope composition of terrestrial substrates.
Blunt abdominal trauma: Computed tomography, ultrasound, or diagnostic peritoneal lavage: When and by whom?

The most important imaging decision that the clinician must make regarding the patient who sustains blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is whether the patient is stable enough to undergo computed tomography (CT). CT is the most sensitive and specific examination for the evaluation of BAT. If the patient is unstable, the clinician has three choices: surgery, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, or ultrasound (US). If the patient then stabilizes, a CT scan should be obtained even if the US is negative.
Microtubules may harden or soften cells, depending of the extent of cell distension

Experimental data show that disruption of microtubules causes cells to either become stiffer or softer. Current understanding of these behaviors is based on several different mechanisms, each of which can account for only stiffening or softening. In this study we offer a model that can explain both these features. The model is based on the cellular tensegrity idea. Key premises of the model are that cell shape stability is secured through pre-existing mechanical stress (prestress) borne by the actin cytoskeletal network, and that this prestress is partly balanced by cytoskeletal microtubules and partly by the extracellular matrix. Thus, disturbance of this balance would affect cell deformability. The model predicts that disruption of microtubules causes an increase or a decrease in cell stiffness, depending on the extent to which microtubules participate in balancing the prestress which, in turn, depends on the extent of cell spreading. In highly spread cells microtubules have a minor and negative contribution to cell stiffness, whereas in less spread cells their contribution is positive and substantial. Since in their natural habitat cells seldom exhibit highly spread forms, the above results suggest that the contribution of microtubules to cell deformability cannot be overlooked.
Study of the Individual Cytochrome b5 and Cytochrome b5 Reductase Domains of Ncb5or Reveals a Unique Heme Pocket and a Possible Role of the CS Domain

NADH cytochrome b5 oxidoreductase (Ncb5or) is found in animals and contains three domains similar to cytochrome b5 (b5), CHORD-SGT1 (CS), and cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R). Ncb5or has an important function, as suggested by the diabetes and lipoatrophy phenotypes in Ncb5or null mice. To elucidate the structural and functional properties of human Ncb5or, we generated its individual b5 and b5R domains (Ncb5or-b5 and Ncb5or-b5R, respectively) and compared them with human microsomal b5 (Cyb5A) and b5R (Cyb5R3). A 1.25 Å x-ray crystal structure of Ncb5or-b5 reveals nearly orthogonal planes of the imidazolyl rings of heme-ligating residues His89 and His112, consistent with a highly anisotropic low spin EPR spectrum. Ncb5or is the first member of the cytochrome b5 family shown to have such a heme environment. Like other b5 family members, Ncb5or-b5 has two helix-loop-helix motifs surrounding heme. However, Ncb5or-b5 differs from Cyb5A with respect to location of the second heme ligand (His112) and of polypeptide conformation in its vicinity. Electron transfer from Ncb5or-b5R to Ncb5or-b5 is much less efficient than from Cyb5R3 to Cyb5A, possibly as a consequence of weaker electrostatic interactions. The CS linkage probably obviates the need for strong interactions between b5 and b5R domains in Ncb5or. Studies with a construct combining the Ncb5or CS and b5R domains suggest that the CS domain facilitates docking of the b5 and b5R domains. Trp114 is an invariant surface residue in all known Ncb5or orthologs but appears not to contribute to electron transfer from the b5R domain to the b5 domain.
Adsorption Mechanism of Acid Pretreated Antibodies on Dichlorodimethylsilane-Treated Silica Surfaces

Abstract Previously, Lin et al. ( J. Immunol. Methods 125, 67, 1989; J. Chromatogr. 542, 41, 1991) showed that acid pretreated antibodies (Abs) exhibited a twofold higher antigen-binding capacity than native Abs when immobilized to solid surfaces that have strong nonspecific protein adsorption properties (e.g., polystyrene and silica). In the present article several experiments were conducted in order to elucidate the adsorption mechanism of acid pretreated antibodies. It was found that acid pretreatment time could be used to control the packing efficiency and orientation of Abs adsorbed to silica surfaces hydrophobicized with dichlorodimethylsilane (DDS). Further, our results suggest that acid pretreatment leads to an increased exposure of hydrophobic regions in the constant fragment of the immunoglobulin. Selective adsorption of these regions produces a preferential orientation in which the antigen-binding fragments are accessible to bulk solution. This results in a higher antigen-binding capacity than observed when native Abs (no acid pretreatment) are immobilized on DDS-treated silica surfaces.
Pregnancy failure in hypophysectomized rats following LH-RH administration.

Abstract Daily LH-RH administration induced a dose related increase in fetal resorption in rats following hypophysectomy on Day 11 or Day 12 of pregnancy. Ovarian and adrenal weights, as well as serum progesterone levels, were significantly decreased by Day 18. Serum progesterone was also significantly lower than control in those animals that remained pregnant after receiving LH-RH post-hypophysectomy. These observations suggest that LH-RH exerts an anti-pregnancy effect via a placental:ovarian axis in this species.
La poética del enrarecimiento en La mujer sin cabeza (2008), de Lucrecia Martel

El cine de Lucrecia Martel frecuentemente ha sido abordado desde perspectivas que privilegian las problematicas de genero, asi como la memoria y el trauma en relacion con la ultima dictadura militar argentina. Si bien estas miradas sobre la produccion de Martel son apropiadas, especialmente aquellas que se enfocan en las relaciones familiares disfuncionales y las dinamicas de poder en los feudos provinciales, se ha dejado de lado el contenido critico que presentan sobre el tema del empleo domestico y la relacion entre formas de precariedad laboral e impunidad social. Este ensayo propone una lectura de La mujer sin cabeza (2008), una de sus obras menos aclamadas, desde la perspectiva del distanciamiento y extranamiento brechtianos para mostrar que este film presente una densidad semiotica que enfrenta al espectador con un tema incomodo de pensar socialmente: la persistencia del empleo domestico y su conexion con las dinamicas de poder social y politico.
Manual‐Based Treatment and Clinical Practice: Hangman of Life or Promising Development?

Wilson (this issue) argues for the advantages of manual-based treatments for enhancing therapeutic outcomes. While largely agreeing with Wilson about the advantages of manuals, I argue here that manuals have been with us since the early 1960s, that their use has done little to enhance patient outcome, and that the field would be best served by tracking patient progress on a routine basis, a task that does not require manual development. Empirical science has much to contribute to positive patient outcome; its greatest direct effect will be felt when clinicians monitor outcome and connect this outcome to the behaviors and attitudes of a particular therapist.
Knowledge-based radiologic image retrieval using axes of clinical relevance

Abstract This paper describes an approach to computer-based intelligent retrieval of feature-coded radiographic images relevant to a specific case being evaluated. The approach involves partitioning the search space along clinically natural groups of atributes which we call “axes of clinical relevance.” By embedding knowledge about the domain to help direct the search process, a clinician's needs may be met more comprehensively. Domain knowledge, supplied to the system as “axis heuristics,” may make search more robust. These heuristics provide a graded, progressive relaxation of the search constraints. This approach helps show the user groups of images in order of probable relevance to a current case. AXON is a prototype knowledge-based system constructured to illustrate this approach in the domain of chest imaging. This paper describes the AXON system, demonstrates some searches which illustrate the potential utility of this approach, and discusses preliminary tests of the search strategies used by AXON.
A Family of Symmetrical Schubart-Like Interplay Orbits and their Stability in the One-Dimensional Four-Body Problem

We locate members of an important category of periodic orbits in the Newtonian four-body problem. These systems perform an interplay motion similar to that of the periodic three-body orbit discovered by Schubart. Such orbits, when stable, have been shown to be a key feature and influence on the dynamics of few-body systems. We consider the restricted case where the masses are collinear and are distributed symmetrically about their centre of mass. A family of orbits is generated from the known (three-dimensionally) unstable equal masses case by varying the mass ratio, whilst maintaining the symmetry. The stability of these orbits to perturbation is studied using linear stability analysis, analytical approximation of limiting cases and nonlinear simulation. We answer the natural question: are there any stable periodic orbits of this kind? Three ranges of the mass ratio are found to have stable orbits and three ranges have unstable orbits for three-dimensional motion. The systems closely resemble their three-body counterparts. Here the family of interplay orbits is simpler requiring just one parameter to characterise the mass ratio. Our results provide a further insight into three-body orbits studied previously.
Outcome in adult low-grade glioma: the impact of prognostic factors and treatment

Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) represent a vexing clinical problem. Some patients present with readily controllable seizures and will enjoy years of freedom from tumor progression without intervention, whereas others progress rapidly with eventual neurologic decompensation and death. Both radiation and chemotherapy are helpful to many patients, but the optimal timing and sequencing of these therapies remain unknown. Recent studies have informed our understanding of clinical, histologic, and molecular prognostic factors and help provide guidance as to which patients require early intervention and when observation is feasible or warranted. We review contemporary knowledge regarding prognostic factors, our current evidence-based understanding of the roles and timing of radiation and chemotherapy, and ongoing clinical trials that will further elucidate management of LGGs.
Bcl-2 and Bax function independently to regulate cell death.

The BCL-2 family has various pairs of antagonist and agonist proteins that regulate apoptosis. Whether their function is interdependent is uncertain. Using a genetic approach to address this question, we utilized gain- and loss-of-function models of Bcl-2 and Bax and found that apoptosis and thymic hypoplasia characteristic of Bcl-2–deficient mice are largely absent in mice also deficient in Bax. A single copy of Bax promoted apoptosis in the absence of Bcl-2. In contrast, overexpression of Bcl-2 still repressed apoptosis in the absence of Bax. While an in vivo competition exists between fiaxand Bax and Bcl-2, each is able to regulate apoptosis independently.
Bioautographic visualization of dihydrofolate reductase in enzyme overproducing BHK mutants.

A bioautographic procedure has been developed for the visualization of the isozymes of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR, E.C. 1.5.1.3). In addition to detecting electrophoretically separated enzymes, bioautography was utilized to visualize DHFR after isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gels. Both zone electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing were used to compare wildtype BHK cells to mutants which overproduce dihydrofolate reductase. In agreement with other physical data, the BHK-A5 overproduction mutant appears to produce more dihydrofolate reductase of the same electrophoretic mobility and isoelectric point as wild type cells.
Restoration of protein synthesis in heart and skeletal muscle after withdrawal of alcohol.

: Background: The rate of protein synthesis is diminished after chronic alcohol consumption through changes in both mRNA translation initiation and elongation. It remains unknown how long adverse effects of alcohol on protein synthesis persist after withdrawal from ethanol. Methods: We examined the effect of removal of alcohol from the diet of rats for 72 hr after chronic alcohol exposure (16 weeks) on rates of protein synthesis and potential mechanisms for controlling mRNA translation in heart, skeletal muscle, and liver. Rates of protein synthesis were measured after intravenous infusion of [3H]-l-phenylalanine. The formation of active eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)4E·eIF4G complex, the cellular content of eukaryotic elongation factor (eEF)1A and eEF2, and the phosphorylation state of eEF2 and S6K1 were measured in each tissue. Results: Withdrawal of alcohol from the diet restored protein synthesis in heart and skeletal muscle to values obtained in pair-fed control rats not exposed to alcohol. However, the organ weight and protein content per muscle was not affected by withdrawal of alcohol from the diet. In both heart and skeletal muscle, the restoration of protein synthesis correlated with reversal of defects in the formation of active eIF4E·eIF4G complex and eEF1A content. Myocardial eEF2 content was also restored to control values after withdrawal of alcohol from the diet. In the gastrocnemius, there was a decrease in the cellular content of eEF2. The lower eIF2 content may have been counterbalanced by an increased activity of eEF2 through a reduction in the phosphorylation state of eEF2 allowing protein synthesis to proceed unimpeded. Conclusions: These studies indicate that changes in protein metabolism observed during chronic alcohol intake are reversible and do not, at this stage, represent an irreversible change in cardiac or skeletal muscle.
Effect of albumin on brushite transformation to hydroxyapatite.

Brushite (CaHPO(4) x 2H(2)O) is a precursor to hydroxyapatite [HA, Ca(5)(PO(4))(3)OH]. It has been shown that a modified form of brushite, with potassium substituting for calcium at specific sites, demonstrated accelerated transformation to HA when exposed to nonproteinaceous Hanks' balanced aqueous salt solutions (HBSS). The biocompatibility of a transforming material is related to cellular response to the process, which is initiated by protein adsorption. The effect of adsorbed protein on the kinetics and chemistry of brushite transformation to HA, when exposed to HBSS containing bovine serum albumin (BSA), was examined using Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive spectrometry techniques. The effect of solution pH was also studied. Results show that, in the presence of a protein-free environment, transformation is faster in buffered medium than in nonbuffered medium. Moreover, curve fitting and second derivatives of the IR spectra show that some bands shift depending on whether the brushite transforms in a buffered or nonbuffered medium. Therefore, variation in pH affects both transformation rate and the associated chemistry. The presence of BSA in either buffered or nonbuffered medium retards the transformation in comparison to the corresponding BSA-free medium. The extent of this retardation increases with the increase in bulk concentration of BSA but does not alter the transformation chemistry. This suggests the retardation on the transformation rate is due to BSA adsorption coverage on the calcium phosphate ceramic. This may be due to the shielding of Ca(2+) and PO(4)(-3) sites, preventing their interaction with the HBSS.
Anti-apoptotic MCL-1 localizes to the mitochondrial matrix and couples mitochondrial fusion to respiration

MCL-1, an anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family member that is essential for the survival of multiple cell lineages, is also among the most highly amplified genes in cancer. Although MCL-1 is known to oppose cell death, precisely how it functions to promote survival of normal and malignant cells is poorly understood. Here, we report that different forms of MCL-1 reside in distinct mitochondrial locations and exhibit separable functions. On the outer mitochondrial membrane, an MCL-1 isoform acts like other anti-apoptotic BCL-2 molecules to antagonize apoptosis, whereas an amino-terminally truncated isoform of MCL-1 that is imported into the mitochondrial matrix is necessary to facilitate normal mitochondrial fusion, ATP production, membrane potential, respiration, cristae ultrastructure and maintenance of oligomeric ATP synthase. Our results provide insight into how the surprisingly diverse salutary functions of MCL-1 may control the survival of both normal and cancer cells.
Business cycles with endogenous growth: A parametric example

Abstract Analysis of long historical data for most of the developed countries suggests that the growth rate of real GNP is not stationary. A parametric example is developed for an endogenous growth economy which generates an equilibrium process for GNP displaying nonstationary growth rate of output.
Cultivation of Virus of Equine Encephalomyelitis in Serum-Ultrafiltrate and Buffered Salt Solution (Simms).∗:

ConclusionsThe Western strain of equine encephalomyelitis has been successfully grown in whole minced chick embryo or chorioal-lantois in serum-ultrafiltrate and buffered salt solution (Simms') at room temperature and at 37° C.The highest titers (10-5 to 10-7) have been obtained with the clear supernatant fluid of chick and serum-ultrafiltrate cultures maintained at room temperature. The titers of these cultures can be sustained with little decrease for as long as 10 and 15 days.The Eastern strain of equine encephalomyelitis has been grown with a dilution activity of 10-7 in whole minced chick embryo in serum-ultrafiltrate at room temperature and 37° C.A vaccine, containing very small amounts of protein, prepared from the clear supernatant fluid of serum-ultrafiltrate cultures protected guinea pigs against 1,000 to 10,000 m.l.d. doses of virus (Western strain).
Radiosynthesis of high specific activity tritium‐labeled precocene II

The insect antijuvenile hormone precocene II (6,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethylchromene) was radiosynthesized, incorporating tritium specifically in the gem-dimethyl group at high specific activity. 7-Hydroxycoumarin was methylated (CH3I/KOH) and then oxidized at 6-position (K2S2O8/NaOH). The resulting 6-hydroxy-7-methoxycoumarin was methylated (CH3I/KOH) and reacted with excess C3H3MgI to give precocene II-[2-methyl-3H] at a specific activity of 32 Ci/mmol. This synthetic scheme offers access to radiolabeled preparations of a wide variety of mono- and dialkoxy-substituted analogues of precocene II.
Lattice parameter determination using a curved position‐sensitive detector in reflection geometry and application to Smx/2Ndx/2Ce1–xO2–δ ceramics

X-ray diffractometers with curved position-sensitive (CPS) detectors have become popular for their ability to perform fast data collection over a wide 2θ range, enabling kinetics studies of chemical reactions and measurement of other time-resolved solid-state phenomena. While the effect of sample displacement on hkl-specific apparent lattice parameters has been explored for a transmission-mode Debye–Scherrer geometry, such effects for a reflection-mode Debye–Scherrer geometry are not yet well understood. The reflection-mode Debye–Scherrer geometry for CPS detectors is unique in the sense that the angle for the incident X-ray beam is kept fixed with respect to the normal of a flat diffracting sample, while the diffracted beams are measured at multiple angles with respect to the sample normal. An efficient method for precise lattice parameter determination using linear extrapolation of apparent lattice parameters calculated from different hkl diffraction peaks is proposed for such geometries. The accuracy involved with this method is investigated for an Si powder standard. The extrapolation method is then applied to develop an empirical relationship between composition (x) and the lattice parameter (ao) of Smx/2Ndx/2Ce1−xO2−δ ceramics for solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes. In this system, the empirical relationship between x and ao is compared with a previous theoretical prediction.
The stimulus-dependent co-localization of serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated protein kinase (Sgk) and Erk/MAPK in mammary tumor cells involves the mutual interaction with the importin-alpha nuclear import protein

In Con8 rat mammary epithelial tumor cells, indirect immunofluorescence revealed that Sgk (serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase) and Erk/MAPK (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase/mitogen activated protein kinase) co-localized to the nucleus in serum-treated cells and to the cytoplasmic compartment in cells treated with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Moreover, the subcellular distribution of the importin-alpha nuclear transport protein was similarly regulated in a signal-dependent manner. In vitro GST-pull down assays revealed the direct interaction of importin-alpha with either Sgk or Erk/MAPK, while RNA interference knockdown of importin-alpha expression disrupted the localization of both Sgk and Erk into the nucleus of serum-treated cells. Wild type or kinase dead forms of Sgk co-immunoprecipitated with Erk/MAPK from either serum- or dexamethasone-treated mammary tumor cells, suggesting the existence of a protein complex containing both kinases. In serum-treated cells, nucleus residing Sgk and Erk/MAPK were both hyperphosphorylated, indicative of their active states, whereas, in dexamethasone-treated cells Erk/MAPK, but not Sgk, was in its inactive hypophosphorylated state. Treatment with a MEK inhibitor, which inactivates Erk/MAPK, caused the relocalization of both Sgk and ERK to the cytoplasm. We therefore propose that the signal-dependent co-localization of Sgk and Erk/MAPK mediated by importin-alpha represents a new pathway of signal integration between steroid and serum/growth factor-regulated pathways.
Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of two new zinc(II) phosphonates: Zn2[(O3PCH2)2NHCH2CO2] and Zn2[HO3PCH2NH(CH2PO3)2]

The hydrothermal reaction of zinc(II) acetate with N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl)aminoacetic acid [(H2O3PCH2)2NCH2CO2H, H5L1] and nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic acid) [N(CH2PO3H2)3, H6L2] at 180 °C afforded two new zinc coordination polymers with a similar 3D network structure. Zn2[(O3PCH2)2NHCH2CO2] (complex 1) is hexagonal, P61, with a = 8.0677(12), c = 27.283(6) A, u = 1537.9(5) A3, Z = 6. In complex 1, the Zn(II) atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated by three phosphonate oxygen atoms and one carboxylate oxygen atom from four ligands. The ZnO4 tetrahedra are further interconnected through bridging phosphonate and carboxylate groups into a three dimensional network. Zn2[HO3PCH2NH(CH2PO3)2] (complex 2) is also hexagonal, P61 with a = 8.3553(8), c = 26.657(4) A, u = 1611.6(3) A3, Z = 6. The structure of complex 2 features a 3D network built from ZnO4 tetrahedra linked together by bridging phosphonate groups. One zinc and three phosphonate oxygen atoms are disordered. The two zinc atoms in the asymmetric unit are tetrahedrally coordinated by four phosphonate oxygen atoms of four ligands. Each ligand connects with eight zinc atoms. The effect of the extent of deprotonation of phosphonic acids and substitution groups on the type of complexes formed are discussed.
Smoothness priors modeling of seafloor bathymetric data

Multibeam bathymetric data is modeled from a Bayesian “smoothness priors” framework. Smoothness priors is a penalized likelihood-nonparametric linear regression form of modeling and the bathymetry data are modeled one beam at-a-time. The method is applied to data previously analyzed in Goff and Jordan (1988) and Gilbert and Malinverno (1988). The results contrast nonparametric and parametric modeling, dispute the almost conventional removal of “deterministic” components prior to stochastic modeling and reveal new evidence about mid-ocean ridge spreading processes.
Is Partner Violence Worse in the Context of Control

M. P. Johnson’s (1995) proposal that there are two qualitatively distinct types of intimate partner violence—intimate terrorism and situational couple violence—has been an influential explanation for disparate findings on sex symmetry in domestic violence. This study examines whether this typology increases our ability to explain variations in the negative outcomes of partner violence as compared with the use of a continuous measure of violence. This study also considers whether the use of control to differentiate between types of violence helps to explain the negative consequences of partner violence. The results, based on analyses of data on 4,575 married women from National Violence Against Women survey, indicate mixed support for Johnson’s argument for a qualitative distinction between IT and SCV.
Foliage penetration by using 4-D point cloud data

Real-time awareness and rapid target detection are critical for the success of military missions. New technologies capable of detecting targets concealed in forest areas are needed in order to track and identify possible threats. Currently, LAser Detection And Ranging (LADAR) systems are capable of detecting obscured targets; however, tracking capabilities are severely limited. Now, a new LADAR-derived technology is under development to generate 4-D datasets (3-D video in a point cloud format). As such, there is a new need for algorithms that are able to process data in real time. We propose an algorithm capable of removing vegetation and other objects that may obfuscate concealed targets in a real 3-D environment. The algorithm is based on wavelets and can be used as a pre-processing step in a target recognition algorithm. Applications of the algorithm in a real-time 3-D system could help make pilots aware of high risk hidden targets such as tanks and weapons, among others. We will be using a 4-D simulated point cloud data to demonstrate the capabilities of our algorithm.
A knowledge-based COTS-aware requirements engineering approach

The goals of developing systems better, faster, and cheaper continue to drive software engineering practitioners and researchers to investigate software engineering methodologies. In requirements engineering, the focus has been on modeling the software engineering process and products for systems that are being built from scratch. As the size and complexity of systems continues to grow the use of commercial off the shelf (COTS) components is being viewed more and more as a promising, and also perhaps inevitable, solution. The effective use of COTS components, however, requires a systematic approach that provides a set of concepts for modeling the subject matter, a set of guidelines for using such concepts, and tool support to assist the developer.In this paper, we present a COTS-Aware Requirements Engineering (CARE) approach that explicitly supports the use of COTS components. Our CARE approach is knowledge based, has a defined process, and is agent- and goal-oriented. In particular, we present part of our meta-model for the knowledge base and a prototype of the CARE Assistant Tool. Our CARE approach is validated using a part of a Digital Library System example.
Process Influencing Water Column Nutrient Characteristics and Phosphorus Limitation of Phytoplankton Biomass in Florida Bay, FL, USA:Inferences from Spatial Distributions

Abstract The concentrations of nutrients, dissolved and particulate organic matter, salinity and chlorophyll-α in the water column were measured over the period of June 1989 to August 1990 at a network of 26 sampling locations across Florida Bay. Florida Bay was hypersaline during this time period, with an average salinity of 41·4. Dissolved organic phosphorus was the dominant form of P in the water column, while soluble reactive P was generally less than 5% of the total P. Organic nitrogen forms dominated the N pool, and NH + 4 was the dominant form of dissolved inorganic nitrogen. Many of the measured parameters were correlated. Principal Components Analysis extracted three composite variables that described 90·3% of the variation in the original data set. PC I was highly correlated with total organic N, total N, total organic C and salinity. PC II was correlated with all measures of P and chlorophyll-α. PC III was correlated with measures of inorganic N. The spatial distribution of factor scores for these principal components indicate three processes acting independently to control the composition of the water column of Florida Bay: the evaporation-driven concentration of dissolved material in Florida Bay; the delivery of P to Florida Bay through water exchange with the Gulf of Mexico; and the delivery of freshwater with an excess of N with respect to P to Florida Bay. The phytoplankton biomass in the water column of Florida Bay is shown to be P-limited.
Mammography utilization and related attitudes among Korean-American women.

The purpose of this study was to assess mammography utilization among Korean-American women and to identify their knowledge, attitudes and barriers related to screening. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in the Korean language with a convenience sample of 229 predominantly low-income Korean women 50 years and older residing in Los Angeles. Forty-nine percent had ever had a mammogram, 24% had had a screening mammogram in the past 12 months, and 36% had had one in the past two years. Variables positively related to "ever had a screening mammogram" included: having health insurance; income > or = $25,000; having received a physician's recommendation to obtain a mammogram; holding positive group norms; longer duration of residency in the U.S.; and greater acculturation. Variables negatively related to screening included: concerns about finding cancer; taking time to get a mammogram; transportation; embarrassment; and discomfort requesting the procedure from the physician. Strategies to increase mammography utilization among Korean-American women are discussed.
Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction Monitored Growth of Infinite-Layer SrCuO2/CaCuO2 Thin Film Heterostructures

Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) intensity oscillations have been used for controlled, layer-by-layer growth of thin film heterostructures of the infinite-layer end-member compounds SrCuO{sub 2} and CaCuO{sub 2}. These artificially structured films are grown on (100) SrTiO{sub 3} substrates by pulsed laser deposition under a low-pressure oxygen ambient, using a combination of atomic oxygen and pulsed molecular oxygen, at a relatively low temperature of 500{degrees}C. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy are used for the structural characterization of the epitaxial heterostructures. Systematic variations in the electrical properties of the multilayers have been observed as a function of the thickness of the SrCuO{sub 2} and CaCuO{sub 2} layers for unit-cell-level modulation periods.
Oscillations in Catalytic Reactions

This paper deals with the status of knowledge concerning open catalytic reaction systems which, though exposed to constant conditions, exhibit sustained oscillatory states. Such behavior arouses in...
Dynamic medical imaging as a partial inverse problem

Dynamic medical imaging problems are typically structured as "partial" inverse problems: the desired time series of images (a spatiotemporal matrix) is subject to a purely spatial transformation (its product with a transfer matrix) - so that the forward operator does not address all of the variables of the function to be transformed (analogous to partial differentiation, which is also a partial inverse problem). Given that the transfer matrix is ill-conditioned, the problem of providing the image sequence requires regularization. Under rather general conditions applicable to the setting of partial inverse problems, the regularization parameter of Tikhonov regularization generalizes to a regularization parameter operator, which in proper combination with a standard (spatial) Tikhonov regularizing operator describes the minimum-mean-square-error estimate analogously to that of the Bayesian interpretation of Tikhonov regularization as applied to a "complete" inverse problem. This is in distinction to usual methodology employed for dynamic imaging problems, including usual applications of Tikhonov regularization in this realm, which cannot similarly supply the minimum-mean-square-estimate (under the stated general conditions). The potential power of the implied methodology is illustrated with a numerical example - indicating that substantial improvements in solution estimation are possible.
Biomechanics of ossified tendons in ornithopod dinosaurs

Spinal ossified tendons are a defining character for Ornithischia, one of the two major clades of dinosaurs. The function of these bony rods has remained a mystery since their first detailed description in 1886. Qualitative approaches to understand ossified tendon function have resulted in different ecological and behavioral interpretations for ornithopod dinosaurs. To evaluate ossified tendon function, this study constructed finite element models of the vertebral column for two ornithopod taxa: Tenontosaurus, which shows the plesiomorphic condition of longitudinally arrayed tendons along the spinous processes, and Brachylophosaurus, which exhibits a lattice of tendons along the spinous processes. Both models predict that ossified tendons stiffened the vertebral column, especially the tail, but the derived lattice of ossified tendons in iguanodontoidean dinosaurs, like Brachylophosaurus, increased spinal stiffness more than the plesiomorphic condition. Caudofemoral muscles that retracted the hindlimb during locomotion attached the femur to the tail in ornithopods. Increased tail stiffness caused by intratendinous ossification may have influenced locomotion by rigidly anchoring M. caudofemoralis longus to the tail, thereby allowing a more forceful retraction of the hindlimb by reducing ventral flexion of the tail during muscle contraction. Ossified tendons may also have been important for storing elastic energy throughout the gait cycle. Moreover, the lattice of ossified tendons stiffened the trunk and tail nearly equally in Brachylophosaurus, indicating the evolution of a postural function by passively supporting the epaxial musculature in maintaining a horizontal vertebral column.
CIC: A Smart Web Service for WebPages Comparison

Internet has provided many confinement services to all of us, sometime we need compare all the similar services or products to decide which one is the best for us. However, most of current web browsers don’t render any comparing function for user. People have to manually extract the information on the pages then compare them. In this paper, first introduce the critical item comparing scheme then we developed some comparing web controls which will make the web browser automatically pick out the critical items information and present to the user. We build up the testing website to show the functionality of our critical item comparing approach.
A framework for analyzing the cognitive complexity of computer-assisted clinical ordering

Computer-assisted provider order entry is a technology that is designed to expedite medical ordering and to reduce the frequency of preventable errors. This paper presents a multifaceted cognitive methodology for the characterization of cognitive demands of a medical information system. Our investigation was informed by the distributed resources (DR) model, a novel approach designed to describe the dimensions of user interfaces that introduce unnecessary cognitive complexity. This method evaluates the relative distribution of external (system) and internal (user) representations embodied in system interaction. We conducted an expert walkthrough evaluation of a commercial order entry system, followed by a simulated clinical ordering task performed by seven clinicians. The DR model was employed to explain variation in user performance and to characterize the relationship of resource distribution and ordering errors. The analysis revealed that the configuration of resources in this ordering application placed unnecessarily heavy cognitive demands on the user, especially on those who lacked a robust conceptual model of the system. The resources model also provided some insight into clinicians' interactive strategies and patterns of associated errors. Implications for user training and interface design based on the principles of human-computer interaction in the medical domain are discussed.
Clinical, genetic, and enzymatic characterization of P450 oxidoreductase deficiency in four patients.

Context: P450 oxidoreductase (POR) deficiency causes disordered steroidogenesis; severe mutations cause genital ambiguity in both sexes plus the Antley-Bixler skeletal malformation syndrome, whereas mild mutations can cause adult infertility. Objective: We describe four patients with POR deficiency and identify and characterize the activities of their mutations. A 46,XY male with micropenis and two 46,XX female infants with genital ambiguity presented with skeletal malformations, and a 46,XX adolescent presented with primary amenorrhea, elevated 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and low sex steroids. Methods: The coding regions of the POR gene were sequenced, and the identified mutations were recreated in human POR cDNA expression vectors lacking 27 N-terminal residues. POR and human P450c17 were expressed in bacteria. POR activity was measured by four assays: reduction of cytochrome c, oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and support of the 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20 lyase activities o...
Endoplasmic reticulum involvement in yeast cell death

Yeast cells undergo programmed cell death (PCD) with characteristic markers associated with apoptosis in mammalian cells including chromatin breakage, nuclear fragmentation, reactive oxygen species generation, and metacaspase activation. Though significant research has focused on mitochondrial involvement in this phenomenon, more recent work with both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe has also implicated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in yeast PCD. This mini review provides an overview of ER-stress associated cell death in yeast. It begins with a description of ER structure and function in yeast before moving to a discussion of ER-stress associated cell death in both mammalian and yeast cells. Three examples of yeast cell death associated with the ER will be highlighted here including inositol starvation, lipid toxicity, and the inhibition of N-glycosylation. It closes by suggesting ways to further examine the involvement of the ER in yeast cell death.
Synthesis of [3H]DIPPA: A potent irreversible antagonist selective for the κ opioid receptor

2-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(1S)-1-(3-isothiocyanatophenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl]acetamide (1, DIPPA) has been previously reported to be an opioid receptor affinity label that produces selective and long-lasting κ opioid receptor antagonism in mice. High specific activity [ 3 H]DIPPA (39.7 Ci/mmol) was prepared by bromination and catalytic tritiation of the amino precursor of DIPPA followed by conversion to the isothiocyanate with thiophosgene
Demonstration of soft X-ray laser driven by an all diode pumped CPA laser system

We report the demonstration of an 18.9nm soft x-ray laser pumped by a compact; all diode pumped chirped pulse amplification laser system producing 1J, 8.5ps pulses at 10Hz repetition rate.