cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Planktonic larval mortality rates are lower than widely expected

Fundamental knowledge of mortality during the planktonic phase of the typical marine life cycle is essential to understanding population dynamics and managing marine resources. However, estimating larval mortality is extremely challenging, because the fate of microscopic larvae cannot be tracked as they develop for weeks in ocean currents. We used a two-pronged approach to provide reliable estimates of larval mortality: (1) frequent, long-term sampling where the combination of larval behaviors and recirculation greatly reduces larval transport to and from the study area, and (2) an improved method of calculating larval mortality that consists of a vertical life table with a negative binomial distribution to account for the notorious patchiness of plankton. Larval mortality rates of our study species (barnacles and crabs) were ≤0.14 larvae/d, which produce survivorships over an order of magnitude higher than commonly determined for marine larvae. These estimates are reliable because they were similar for species with similar dispersal patterns. They are conservative because they were conducted in a highly advective upwelling system, and they may be even lower in other systems using our approach. Until other systems can be tested, our improved estimates should be used to inform future models of population dynamics and the evolution of life histories in the sea.
Etch integration issues in the development of deep submicron contacts utilizing DUV resist and organic BARC

ABSTRACT Deep UV lithography is widely used to print contacts and vias for the 0.25 m process technology and beyond. Althoughsignificant improvements in the depth of focus and exposure latitude of the resist systems have been made using optimizedresist formulations, their integrity against plasma etch conditions has to be addressed for the successful implementation indeep submicron process flows. In this paper, the first part of the discussion focuses on quantifying the etch rate differencesand the impact of resist profile on the etched profile of different commercial DUV resists, using a Magnetically EnhancedReactive Ion Etch (MERlE) tool with CF4:CHF3 and C4F8:CHF3 fluorocarbon etch chemistries. In the second part, sources ofcritical dimension (CD) variations such as iso vs dense contacts, wafer temperature effects during contact etch as well as etchissues related to the integration of BARC at the contact level are discussed.Keywords : DUV resist, contacts, etch resistance, fluorocarbon etchants
Comprehension strategies in two and three year olds: animate agents or probable events?

Preschoolers may prefer themselves, the handier toy, the smaller toy, the more probable toy, the animate noun, or the first-mentioned noun as agent in interpreting semantically reversible sentences...
Effect of ouabain on sodium flux in human red cells.

IT has been shown that the cardiac glycosides inhibit the transport of cations in human red cells1–3, and it appears that this effect is exerted directly on the transport mechanism rather than on its energy supply3–5. Though some studies of the effect of these drugs on transport of sodium have been made, interest has been centred on the inhibition of transport of potassium. The present communication is concerned with the relationship between the sodium and potassium fluxes in human red cells treated with the cardiac glycoside, ouabain.
Polypentapeptide of elastin: Temperature dependence correlation of elastomeric force and dielectric permittivity

Abstract The polypentapeptide of elastin, (L·Val 1 -L·Pro 2 -Gly 3 -L·Val 4 -Gly 5 ) n , when γ-irradiation cross-linked in the coacervate state, is shown by means of thermoelasticity data to be a relatively simple system on which to study polypeptide elasticity. Strikingly, the temperature dependence of the elastomeric force exhibited by cross-linked polypentapeptide coacervate is shown to be proportional to the temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity of the polypentapeptide coacervate over the critical temperature range of 25°C to 55°C where the force increases five fold. This demonstrates that the mobility of dipolar elements are in large part responsible for the elastomeric force and that dielectric relaxation studies contain the potential for identifying the nature of the dynamic elements responsible for bioelasticity.
The influence of talk radio on political efficacy and participation

Talk radio has emerged as a major political force in the past few years, but there is little systematic evidence on how talk shows may affect listeners. The author uses national survey data to investigate how talk radio exposure may influence two important aspects of a healthy democracy: political efficacy and participation. The author concludes that talk radio is unrelated to self‐efficacy, the belief of one's own competence to deal with public affairs. However, attention to talk radio leads to less system efficacy, the belief in the responsiveness of government institutions and officials. Finally, exposure is found to be strongly related to participating in a number of conventional political activities.
Fast coronal mass ejection environments and the production of solar energetic particle events

The search continues for coronal environmental factors that determine whether a fast coronal mass ejection (CME) results in a solar energetic particle (SEP) event at 1 AU. From a plot of peak 20 MeV SEP intensities versus associated CME speeds we select for comparison two groups of fast, wide, western hemisphere CMEs observed with the LASCO coronagraph from 1998 to 2002. The SEP-rich CME group produced the largest observed SEP events, and the SEP-poor CME group produced the smallest or no observed SEP events. The major differences are that the SEP-rich CMEs are brighter and more likely to be streamer blowouts and to follow colocated CMEs within 12 or 24 hours. The SEP-poor CMEs are fainter and less likely to interact with streamers or to follow preceding colocated CMEs. Thus we confirm the recent result that the SEP event peak intensities are higher when the associated driver CMEs are preceded within a day by wide CMEs at the same locations. However, the enhanced brightness, and therefore mass, of the SEP-rich CMEs appears to be their most dominant characteristic and suggests that either large longitudinal and latitudinal extents or high densities are needed for fast CMEs to produce SEPs.
Effect of neuraminidase, phospholipase C, and manganese ions on the ribosomal reattachment capacity of ribosome-free rough endoplasmic reticulum

Abstract The putative role of membrane-bound sialic acids in the attachment of polysomes to the membranes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (T. Scott-Burden and A. O. Hawtrey, 1973, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 54 , 1288–1295) was reinvestigated. In contrast with the previous report, it was found that although treatment of the stripped membranes with bacterial neuraminidase caused a release of 2.5 nmol of N -acetylneuraminic acid/mg of membrane protein, their capacity to reattach polysomes was not affected. Following incubation of the neuraminidase-treated membranes with labeled N -acetylneuraminic acid, nucleotide triphosphates, and an ATP-generating system, no incorporation of sialic acid into the membranes was observed. Thus, the increase in polysome binding reported by the above investigators following this treatment cannot be attributed to membrane resialylation. In all probability, the Mn 2+ present in the sialylating system was responsible for their finding. In fact, about threefold increases in the polysome-binding capacity of ribosomefree rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes were observed in the presence of 5 m m Mn 2+ . Phospholipase C and Ca 2+ , common contaminants of some commercial preparations of Clostridium perfringens neuraminidase, could conceivably be responsible for the effects observed by Scott-Burden and Hawtrey. This possible explanation is supported by the marked reduction of polysome-binding capacity observed after incubation of the membranes with phospholipase C from C. perfringens in the presence of Ca 2+ . These studies show that neuraminidase-susceptible membrane-bound sialic acids do not play a role in the attachment of polysomes to the membranes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and provide novel insights into this complex phenomenon.
Selective nicking of mammalian mitochondrial DNA in vivo: photosensitization by incorporation of 5-bromodeoxyuridine.

Mammalian thymidine kinase minus cells retain a mitochondrial specific thymidine kinase and consequently incorporate thymidine and thymidine analogues predominantly into mitochondrial DNA. The extent of incorporation of exogenous thymidine or 5-bromodeoxyuridine in mitochondrial DNA is approximately fiftyfold greater than in nuclear DNA. This phenomenon makes it possible to selectively damage 5-bromouracil-labeled mitochondrial DNA in vivo by exposing cells to long wavelength ultraviolet light. Under conditions which produce lesions in >95% of the mitochondrial DNA population, the cell does not undergo further division. Lethality induced by light exposure in these cells is probably not attributable to nuclear DNA damage alone. Most of the mitochondrial DNA molecules isolated from light-treated cells are nicked circles, many of which are subsequently degraded in vivo . Neither repair of light-induced single-strand scissions in mitchondrial DNA nor replication of nicked molecules is observed in these experiments.
The Tchebychev iteration for nonsymmetric linear systems

In this paper an iterative method for solving nonsymmetric linear systems based on the Tchebychev polynomials in the complex plane is discussed. The iteration is shown to converge whenever the eigenvalues of the linear system lie in the open right half complex plane. An algorithm is developed for finding optimal iteration parameters as a function of the convex hull of the spectrum.
ANESTHESIA FOR THE RESPIRATORY CRIPPLE

The respiratory cripple presents a challenge for the anesthesiologist because of the potential for perioperative hypoxemia, hypercarbia, bronchospasm, postoperative pulmonary complications, and prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation. In order to avoid anesthetic disaster, careful preoperative preparation, anesthetic choice and intraoperative management, and postoperative care are required. This article reviews the anesthetic risks and perioperative management of patients with severe respiratory disease.
TRUITTELLA SETIFERA GEN. NOV. ET SP. NOV., A NEW CHYTRID FROM MARYLAND

REEVE, R. M. 1942. Structure and growth of the vegetative shoot apex of Garrya elliptica Dougl. Amer. Jour. Bot. 29:679-711. . 1943. Comparative ontogeny of the inflorescence and the axillary vegetative shoot in Garrya elliptica. Amer. Jour. Bot. 30:608-619. . 1948. The "Tunica-Corpus" concept and the development of shoot apices in certain dicotyledons. Amer. Jour. Bot. 35:65-75. R6SLER, P. 1928. Histologische Studien am Vegetationspunkt von Triticum vulgare. Planta 5:28-69. SACHS, J. VOI. 1882. Textbook of Botany. 2nd ed. Trans. by S. H. Vines. Oxford. ScHMIDT, A. 1924. Histologisehe Studien an phanerogamen Vegetationspunkten. Bot. Arch. 8: 345-404. STERLING, C. 1945. Growth and vascular development in the shoot apex of Sequoia sempervirens (Lamb.) Endl. II. Vascular development in relation to phyllotaxis. Amer. Jour. Bot. 32: 380-386. . 1946. Growth and vascular development in the shoot apex of Sequoia sempervirens (Lamb.) Endl. III. Cytological aspects of vascularization. Amer. Jour. Bot. 33:35-45. THODAY, D. 1922. On the organization of growth and differentiation in the stem of the sunflower. Ann. Bot. 36:458-510. * 1933. Some physiological aspects of differentiation. New Phytol. 32:274-287. VAROSSIEAU, W. W. 1940. On the development of the stem and the formation of leaves in Coffea-species. Ann. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 50:115-198. WARDLAW, C. W. 1924. Size in relation to internal morphology. No. 1. Distribution of the xylem in the vascular system of Psilotum, Tmesipteris and Lycopodium. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh 53: 503532. . 1925. Size in relation to morphology. No. 2. The vascular system of Selaginella. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh 54: 281-308. . 1947. Experimental and analytical studies of Pteridophytes. X. The size-structure correlations in the filicinean vascular system. Ann. Bot. N.S. 11: 203-217. YARBBROUGH, J. A. 1934. History of leaf development in Bryophyllum calycinum. Amer. Jour. Bot. 21: 467-484. ZIMMERMANN, W. A. 1928. Histologische Studien am Vegetationspunkt von Hypericum uralum. Jahrh. Wiss. Bot. 68:289-344.
HEATING OF CANNED FOOD IN FLUIDIZED SILICA SAND

The primary objective of this study was to determine the convective heat transfer coefficient which could be expected in a fluidized bed retort when the heating medium was air fluidized silica sand. An average heat transfer coefficient of approximately 329 W/(m2C) was experimentally determined. Curves for heating conduction and convection type foods in a fluidized bed and a rotary steam retort are compared.
Relational-Cultural Theory: A Framework for Relational Competencies and Movement in Group Work with Female Adolescents.

Relational-cultural theory (RCT) is an evolving feminist model of human development that places emphasis on growth-fostering relationships as building blocks for wellness. This article demonstrates the use of RCT in addressing relational aggression, including cyberbullying, in counseling a group of adolescent girls. The group counselor's facilitation of an RCT curriculum allowed participants to acknowledge and address social stratification within their relational networks and supported their vulnerability in creating growth-fostering connections within, and eventually beyond, the group. The group's transformation indicates the value of RCT in dismantling lateral marginalization by fostering members' mutual empathy and yearning for change.
Neurofilament sidearm proteolysis is a prominent early effect of axotomy in lamprey giant central neurons

In the accompanying paper, it was shown that axotomy of lamprey spinal axons induces the rapid formation of condensed neurofilamentous masses in the proximal axon stump near the lesion. In this study, we used immunocytochemical and Western blot analysis to characterize these masses further and to determine the time course of their formation and dispersal. We show that monoclonal antibodies specific to the “rod” domain of lamprey neurofilament protein strongly stain such masses in tissue sections without staining other axonal neurofilaments. Antibodies specific for the neurofilament “sidearm” domain fail to recognize neurofilamentous masses but stain other axonal neurofilaments. Western blots of spinal cord segments from the lesion site were compared to unlesioned cord and to samples of cord distant from the lesion. We found that a neurofilament rodrspecific antibody identified breakdown products of the same size as the rod domain in samples from the lesion site, but not elsewhere. Other lesion-specific neurofilament breakdown products were recognized by a sidearm-specific antibody. This lesion-specific pattern of neurofilament proteolysis was visible at 1 day postlesion and was still present 3 weeks later. Immunocytochemistry showed masses of rod-staining neurofilaments in axon stumps by 12 hours postlesion that remained for 1–2 weeks postaxotomy; these dispersed with the onset of regeneration. Such neurofilament rod staining was also prominent in distal axon stumps undergoing Wallerian degeneration. We conclude that axotomy induces neurofilament sidearm proteolysis near the lesion, permitting antibody access to the rod domain. We suggest that sidearm loss causes the high packing density of neurofilaments within neurofilamentous masses near the lesion site and that neurofilament sidearm proteolysis can be used to distinguish degenerative from regenerative changes in lesioned lamprey axons. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Interaction between β-Endorphin and a-Melanocyte- Stimulating Hormone in the Control of Prolactin and Luteinizing Hormone Secretion in the Primate*

The ability of alpha MSH, a POMC-derived peptide, to antagonize the effects of beta-endorphin (beta EP) on PRL and LH secretion was studied in the primate. Seven ovariectomized rhesus monkeys bearing chronic indwelling third ventricular catheters for peptide infusion were used for these studies. Peripheral blood samples for PRL and LH RIA were obtained every 15 min during a 3-h control period when saline was infused into the ventricle, followed by a 5-h period of peptide infusion at a rate of 25 microliters/h. When beta EP was infused at a dose of 5 micrograms/h, plasma PRL rose from a mean baseline of 3.5 +/- 0.7 ng/ml to a peak of 21.3 +/- 2.2 ng/ml. When the same animals were infused with 20 micrograms alpha MSH together with 5 micrograms beta EP, the peak concentration of PRL was reduced to 8.2 +/- 1.7 ng/ml (P less than 0.001). When a higher dose of beta EP (20 micrograms/h) was infused, PRL rose to a peak of 38.2 +/- 1.8 ng/ml. This response was again markedly blunted, and the peak PRL response was reduced to 7.3 +/- 2.2 ng/ml when 20 micrograms beta EP were infused together with 80 micrograms alpha MSH (P less than 0.001). Analysis of the area under the plasma PRL concentration curves demonstrated a significant reduction in area during the 5-h infusion with beta EP plus alpha MSH compared to that during infusion of beta EP alone. The mean area was reduced from 3480 +/- 570 ng min/ml after 5 micrograms beta EP alone to 1030 +/- 200 after 5 micrograms beta EP plus 20 micrograms alpha MSH and from 6230 +/- 990 after 20 micrograms beta EP to 1020 +/- 320 ng min/ml after 20 micrograms beta EP plus 80 micrograms alpha MSH (P less than 0.01). Des-acetyl alpha MSH (80 micrograms) was also effective in reducing the PRL response to 830 +/- 380 ng min/ml (P less than 0.05). The suppression of pulsatile LH release by beta EP was also attenuated by alpha MSH. During the 5-h infusion of beta EP, total LH secretion was reduced to 65.9 +/- 3.8% of that measured during the 3-h saline infusion compared to 87.2 +/- 2.7% after infusion of beta EP plus alpha MSH (P less than 0.001) or 91.7 +/- 4.1% after beta EP plus des-acetyl alpha MSH (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A FIRM SPECIFIC ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIES OF SIZE IN THE U.S. URBAN MULTISERVICE TRANSIT INDUSTRY

This paper investigates the long-run cost structure of a specific firm of the U.S. urban multiservice transit industry, thereby permitting inferences to be made to the long-run cost structure of similar firms in the industry. The empirical results indicate that the firm exhibits economies of size over a wide service range. Since cost complementarity does not exist for all service combinations, the results do not support the existence of economies of scope.
Transfer-function matrix synthesis by matrix generalized inverses

The matrix generalized inverse provides a symbolism for establishing the consistency and finding the solution of a system of linear algebraic equations. This concept is employed to find a control law for a linear time-invariant control system which causes the transfer-function matrix of the resulting system to be a specified function of s.
Virtue and Respect for Nature: Ronald Sandler's Character and Environment

Ron Sandler's Character and Environment is a very welcome addition to the growing literature on virtue-based (or as he would put it, virtue-oriented) approaches to environmental ethics. In the book...
Perception of Coarticulatory Information in Normal Speech and Dysarthria

Purpose This study addressed three research questions: (a) Can listeners use anticipatory vowel information in prevocalic consonants produced by talkers with dysarthria to identify the upcoming vowel? (b) Are listeners sensitive to interspeaker variation in anticipatory coarticulation during prevocalic consonants produced by healthy talkers and/or talkers with dysarthria, as measured by vowel identification accuracy? (c) Is interspeaker variation in anticipatory coarticulation reflected in measures of intelligibility? Method Stimuli included 106 CVC words produced by 20 speakers with either Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis or by 16 healthy controls characterized by an operationally defined normal, under, or over level of anticipatory vowel coarticulation. Ten listeners were presented with prevocalic consonants for identification of the vowel. Ten additional listeners judged single-word intelligibility. An analysis of variance was used to determine differences in vowel identification accuracy and ...
Kate Moss, icon of postfeminist disorder

This paper investigates fashion model Kate Moss as an icon of postfeminist disorder by unpacking artist Marc Quinn's recent sculptures of her. A feminist media-studies analysis elucidates Quinn's interpretation of Moss as ‘a knotted Venus of our age' by interrogating his textual juxtaposition of Eastern and Western symbolism. It reveals that Moss offers meanings of female beauty and sexuality that play with notions of indulgence and discipline, and the blurred interconnections between the two underlie her aesthetic and celebrity status. Quinn's depictions lend themselves to an interpretation of the cultural conflicts that surround the pursuit and embodiment of femininity in our contemporary epoch. In this light, Moss' representations and lifestyle situate her as a cultural agent of postfeminist disorder who advocates powerful and problematic messages that commodify cultural meanings of the female body.
Reflections on psychotherapy integration.

Psychotherapy integration can refer to a common factors approach to understanding psychotherapy, to assimilative integration (a combination of treatments drawn from different approaches but guided by a unitary theoretical understanding), or to theoretical integration (an attempt to understand the patient by developing a superordinate theoretical framework that draws from a variety of different frameworks). In contrast to eclectic psychotherapy, it Is based on theoretical understanding. It recognlxes the central role of the therapeutic relation-chip and the value of techniques drawn from disparate approaches. Because It transcends the limits of any single, pure-form approach to treatment, ft has promise to become the defining process (not school) for future generations of psychotherapists.
Correlated effective field method in the location of the Ising model tricritical point

Abstract A new method is presented for the location of the tricritical point in Ising models with pair and quartet interactions.
Analysis of the heat capacity dependence of protein folding.

This paper presents an analysis of plots of enthalpy versus heat capacity change at 25 °C for the unfolding of proteins and for the dissolution of gaseous, liquid and solid solutes, first reported by Murphy, Privalov & Gill. The negative slope in the enthalpy plot for proteins is interpreted as arising from a large penalty associated with burying polar groups in the protein interior. The small enthalpy changes that accompany protein unfolding at 25 °C are also discussed. It is argued that the combined effects of hydrogen bond formation and close packing predict a large positive enthalpy of unfolding. Electrostatic calculations indicate that the penalty associated with burying polar groups is large enough to effectively cancel these terms, leading to the small net enthalpy changes that are observed. The free energy changes associated with protein folding are also discussed. The free energy cost of burying polar groups largely compensates for the stabilizing contribution of the hydrophobic effect and would appear to account for the fact that proteins are marginally stable, independent of their size and of their relative hydrophobicities.
Preserving dignity in patient caregiver relationships using moral emotions and robots

This paper provides an overview of an ongoing NSF project that is intended to improve the long-term quality of care for patients suffering from early stage Parkinson's disease. Due to facial masking in the patient, a stigmatization often occurs in their relationship with the caregiver due to the inability to adequately perceive the patient's emotional state. We are developing robot co-mediators to assist in the transmission of this information through the use of artificial moral emotions that trigger suitable proxemic expressions in the robot, with the goal of ensuring that the quality of the patient-caregiver relationship is preserved.
An extended terminal half-life for darbepoetin alfa: results from a single-dose pharmacokinetic study in patients with chronic kidney disease not receiving dialysis.

Background and objective Anaemia is a major and persistent manifestation of chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by the deficient production of erythropoietin in the kidneys, the prevalence of which is proportional to the deterioration in kidney function. Darbepoetin alfa, an erythropoiesis-stimulating protein, exhibits a lower clearance and longer terminal half-life in serum than recombinant human erythropoietin, thereby allowing for a reduced dosing frequency. A recent study in patients with CKD, using a 4-week sampling period, suggested that the terminal half-life of darbepoetin alfa in serum is longer than that reported in previous studies, which were based on a 1-week sampling period. This study was conducted to characterise the pharmacokinetic profile of a single subcutaneous dose of darbepoetin alfa 1 µg/kg in patients with CKD, using a sampling duration of 4 weeks, which was hypothesised to allow better characterisation of the terminal half-life in serum.
Small fetal size before 20 weeks' gestation: associations with maternal tobacco use, early preterm birth, and low birthweight.

Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether small fetal size before 20 weeks' gestation is associated with preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), and poor fetal growth. Study Design A total of 4405 singleton pregnancies at 10-19 weeks' gestation (GA) based on a known last menstrual period (LMP) were evaluated. Ultrasound-estimated GA (US-GA) was calculated based on crown-rump length at 10-13 weeks and by femur, head, and abdominal measurements from 14 to 19 weeks. The outcomes were compared between small (1-10 days smaller than LMP-GA) and large (0-10 days larger than LMP-GA) fetuses. Results At 10-19 weeks, small fetuses measured 2.7 days younger and were more likely to have mothers who smoked ( P = .004). Small fetuses had no more PTB (11.4 vs 12.1%, P = .47) but did have more early PTB before 34 (5.4 vs 4.3%, P = .07) and before 32 weeks (4.1 vs 2.7%, P = .009). Small fetuses had lower birthweights (BWT), more frequent BWT below 2500 g (13.0 vs 8.6%), below 1500 g (4.0 vs 2.4%), and below 1000 g (2.9 vs 1.4%) as well as BWT below 2500 g at term (4.9 vs 2.3%) and BWT less than the 10th percentile (8.8 vs 3.7%), P ≤ .003 for each. Small fetuses at 10-19 weeks also had less frequent macrosomia and were less frequently large for gestational age at birth ( P Conclusion Small fetal size at 10-19 weeks is associated with tobacco use in pregnancy, early PTB, LBW, and poor fetal growth.
Interferometric synthetic aperture radar detection and estimation based 3D image reconstruction

This paper explores three-dimensional (3D) interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR) image reconstruction when multiple scattering centers and noise are present in a radar resolution cell. We introduce an IFSAR scattering model that accounts for both multiple scattering centers and noise. The problem of 3D image reconstruction is then posed as a multiple hypothesis detection and estimation problem; resolution cells containing a single scattering center are detected and the 3D location of these cells' pixels are estimated; all other pixels are rejected from the image. Detection and estimation statistics are derived using the multiple scattering center IFSAR model. A 3D image reconstruction algorithm using these statistics is then presented, and its performance is evaluated for a 3D reconstruction of a backhoe from noisy IFSAR data.
Modulation of αCaMKII signaling by rapid ERα action

The estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, ERalpha and ERbeta, modulate numerous signaling cascades in the brain to result in a variety of cell fates including neuronal differentiation. We report here that 17beta-estradiol (E2) rapidly stimulates the autophosphorylation of alpha-Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (alphaCaMKII) in immortalized NLT GnRH neurons, primary hippocampal neurons, and Cos7 cells co-transfected with ERalpha and alphaCaMKII. The E2-induced alphaCaMKII autophosphorylation is ERalpha- and Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent. Interestingly, the hormone-dependent association of ERalpha with alphaCaMKII attenuates the positive effect of E2 on alphaCaMKII autophosphorylation, suggesting that ERalpha plays a complex role in modulating alphaCaMKII activity and may function to fine-tune alphaCaMKII-triggered signaling events. However, it appears as though the activating signal of E2 dominates the negative effect of ER since there is a clear, positive downstream response to E2-activated alphaCaMKII; pharmacological inhibitors and RNAi technology show that targets of ERalpha-mediated alphaCaMKII signaling include extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2). These findings suggest a novel model for the modulation of alphaCaMKII signaling by ERalpha, which provides a molecular link as to how E2 might influence brain function.
Integrated quay crane and yard truck scheduling for unloading inbound containers

Abstract To lower vessel turn time, it is crucial that the operations of quay cranes, yard trucks, and yard cranes are well coordinated. Most studies have sought to optimize each of these processes independently. Since the operations by quay cranes and yard trucks are highly interrelated it is necessary to develop and solve these operations in an integrated manner that reflects the characteristics of the marine container terminals. This study developed a mixed integer programming model for scheduling quay cranes and yard trucks jointly. The integrated model explicitly considered real-world operational constraints such as precedence relationships between containers, blocking, quay crane interference, and quay crane safety margin. To solve the integrated optimization model, a genetic algorithm (GA) combined with a greedy algorithm was developed. The results indicated that the solutions obtained from the integrated model are superior to those obtained from the non-integrated approach. The GA solutions demonstrated that the developed integrated model is solvable within reasonable time for an operational problem.
X-ray diffraction analysis of scrapie prion: intermediate and folded structures in a peptide containing two putative alpha-helices.

Small proteinaceous infectious particles called prions cause certain neuro-degenerative diseases in human and animals. Limited proteolysis of infectious scrapie prions PrPSc yields an N-truncated polypeptide termed PrP 27-30, which encompasses residues 90 to 231 of PrPSc and which assembles into 100 to 200 A wide amyloid rods. It has been hypothesized that the infectious prion is converted from its non-infectious cellular form (PrPC) by means of an α-helical to β-sheet conformational change. Secondary structure analysis, computer modeling, and structural biophysics methods support this hypothesis. Residues 90 to 145 of PrP, which contain two putative α-helical domains H1 and H2, may be of particular relevance to the disease pathogenesis, as C-terminal truncation at residue 145 was found in a patient with an inherited prion disease. Moreover, our recent X-ray diffraction analysis suggests that the peptide consisting of these residues (designated SHa 90-145) closely models the amyloidogenic β-sheet core of PrP. In the current study, we have analyzed in detail the X-ray diffraction patterns of SHa 90-145. Two samples were examined: one that was dehydrated under ambient conditions whilst in an external magnetic field (to induce fibril orientation), and another that was sealed after partial drying. The dried, magnetically oriented sample showed a cross-β diffraction pattern in which the fiber axis (rotation axis) was parallel to the H-bonding direction of the β-sheets. The major wide-angle peaks indicate the presence of ∼40 A wide β-crystallites, which constitute the protofilament. Each crystallite is composed of several orthogonal unit cells, normal to the fiber (a-axis) direction, having lattice constants a=9.69 A, b=6.54 A, and c=18.06 A. Electron density maps were calculated by iterative Fourier synthesis using β-silk as an initial phase model. The distribution of density indicated that there were two types of β-sheet, suggesting that larger and smaller side-chains localized to different sheets. This would arise from folding of the polypeptide in which there are turns in the middle of both the H1 and H2 domains. A monoclinic macrolattice, with a=9.61 A, b=c=52.99 A and α=114.6°, was found to index all the reflections, including those in the low-angle region. This suggests that the β-crystallites are nearly hexagonally packed. To account for the ∼100 A wide fibers visualized by negative staining in the electron microscope, the β-crystallites would be arranged in 4-mers. The partially dried sample showed a sharp 4.7 A reflection (from H-bonding) and five broad peaks superimposed on monotonically decreasing diffuse scattering. This solution-like scattering was modeled by an anisometric rectangle with a thickness comparable to a singe β-chain. The structure, which occurred during dehydration, could be a transient in the α-helical to β-sheet conversion, suggesting that formation of hydrogen bonding precedes the inter-sheet interaction and assembly into the amyloid of scrapie prion.
Viral DNA in microdissected renal biopsy tissue from HIV infected patients with nephrotic syndrome

Viral DNA in renal biopsy tissue from HIV infected patients with nephrotic syndrome. Focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS) has been considered as HIV-associated nephropathy, a specific renal complication of infection. To determine whether renal disease in HIV infected patients has one highly prevalent pathologic expression, and whether renal parenchymal viral genomic incorporation affects pathologic outcome, we reviewed renal biopsies performed at our center. Twenty-eight HIV infected patients with nephrotic range proteinuria underwent renal biopsy for diagnosis of renal disease; 85.7% led homosexual or bisexual lifestyles; 10.7% admitted to intravenous drug use; and 85.7% were Black. Only 53.6% had FGS; 28.6% had glomerulonephritis. Two patients had diabetic renal disease; 93.3% of patients with FGS and 87.5% of patients with glomerulonephritis were Black. Paraffin slides of twenty-two of the patients' renal biopsies were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of HIV DNA, using primers and probes to the gag gene, detected by liquid hybridization and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Twenty-one of the twenty-two evaluated tissue specimens showed the presence of HIV DNA. Microdissection studies of glomeruli, tubules, interstitial cells and infiltrating inflammatory cells showed the presence of HIV genome in all but interstitial cells. HIV infected patients without renal disease also had positive PCR evaluations of microdissected tissue, while non-infected patients were all negative. We conclude that although focal glomerulosclerosis is the most common renal pathologic lesion in patients with HIV infection and nephrotic range proteinuria, glomerulonephritis is a relatively frequent finding. HIV genome is present in renal tissue in HIV infected subjects with nephrotic range proteinuria, but is also found in HIV infected subjects without nephropathy. These data suggest a triggering mechanism may be crucial to the pathogenesis of nephropathy in HIV infected patients. Renal biopsy is essential to establishing the diagnosis of HIV-associated renal disease in this heterogeneous syndrome. The role of renal HIV infection, the cell types affected, and influence on pathogenesis of renal disease remain to be determined.
A semiparametric inverse‐Gaussian model and inference for survival data with a cured proportion

This work focuses on a semiparametric analysis of a cure rate modelling approach based on a latent failure process. In clinical and epidemiological studies, a Wiener process with drift may represent a patient's health status and a clinical endpoint occurs when the process first reaches an adverse threshold state. The first-hitting-time then follows an inverse-Gaussian distribution. On the basis of the improper inverse-Gaussian distribution, we consider a process-based lifetime model that allows for a positive probability of no event taking place in finite time. Model flexibility is achieved by leaving a transformed time measure for disease progression completely unspecified, and regression structures are incorporated into the model by taking the acceleration factor and the threshold parameter as functions of the covariates. When applied to experiments with a cure fraction, this model is compatible with classical two-mixture or promotion-time cure rate models. We develop an asymptotically efficient likelihood-based estimation and inference procedure and derive the large-sample properties of the estimators. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed method performs well in finite samples. A case study of stage-III soft tissue sarcoma data is used as an illustration. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 42: 635–649; 2014 © 2014 Statistical Society of Canada Resume Les auteurs presentent une approche semi-parametrique pour un modele de taux de guerison base sur un processus latent de defaillance. Dans le cadre d’etudes cliniques ou epidemiologiques, un processus de Wiener avec derive peut representer l’etat de sante d'un patient, et un evenement clinique survient lorsque le processus atteint le seuil critique associe a un etat defavorable. Le premier temps de passage suit alors une loi gaussienne inverse. Sur la base de la loi gaussienne inverse impropre, les auteurs considerent un modele de duree de vie base sur un processus ou la probabilite qu'aucun evenement ne se produise dans un temps fini peut etre positive. La flexibilite du modele est obtenue en evitant de specifier la transformation appliquee au temps de progression de la maladie, et en exprimant le facteur d'acceleration et le seuil comme des fonctions des covariables, incorporant ainsi des structures de regression dans le modele. Lorsqu'il est utilise pour l'analyse de donnees comportant une fraction de guerison, ce modele est compatible avec les modeles classiques de taux de guerison a deux melanges ou a temps de promotion. Les auteurs developpent une procedure d'estimation et d'inference basee sur la vraisemblance dont ils derivent les proprietes asymptotiques, y compris l'efficacite asymptotique. Des etudes de simulation montrent que la methode offre de bonnes performances avec des echantillons de taille finie. La methode est illustree au moyen d'une etude de cas dont les donnees portent sur les sarcomes des tissus mous de stade III. La revue canadienne de statistique 43: 1–15; 2014 © 2014 Societe statistique du Canada
Outcomes of Infections of Sea Anemone Aiptasia pallida with Vibrio spp. Pathogenic to Corals

Incidents of coral disease are on the rise. However, in the absence of a surrogate animal host, understanding of the interactions between coral pathogens and their hosts remains relatively limited, compared to other pathosystems of similar global importance. A tropical sea anemone, Aiptasia pallida, has been investigated as a surrogate model to study certain aspects of coral biology. Therefore, to test whether the utility of this surrogate model can be extended to study coral diseases, in the present study, we tested its susceptibility to common coral pathogens (Vibrio coralliilyticus and Vibrio shiloi) as well as polymicrobial consortia recovered from the Caribbean Yellow Band Disease (CYBD) lesions. A. pallida was susceptible to each of the tested pathogens. A. pallida responded to the pathogens with darkening of the tissues (associated with an increased melanization) and retraction of tentacles, followed by complete disintegration of polyp tissues. Loss of zooxanthellae was not observed; however, the disease progression pattern is consistent with the behavior of necrotizing pathogens. Virulence of some coral pathogens in Aiptasia was paralleled with their glycosidase activities.
A Cell-Based Approach for Diabetes Treatment Using Engineered Non-β Cells

Background:Implantation of insulin-secreting cells has the potential to provide tight glycemic regulation in diabetic subjects. Implantation of cadaveric human islets in immunosuppressed human patients is currently applied at a very small scale. To overcome the limitations of tissue availability and recipient immunosuppression, encapsulation of nonautologous cells and use of potentially autologous nonislet cells, the latter engineered for insulin secretion, are being pursued. This article reports on recent findings with the implantation of tissue constructs containing enteroendocrine cells stably expressing recombinant insulin in diabetic mice. The concept of a dual recombinant hepatic and enteroendocrine cell system, which may better approximate the secretory response of islets, is discussed.Methods:Mouse GLUTag-INS cells engineered to secrete human insulin were developed and incorporated in tissue constructs as reported previously. Constructs were implanted intraperitoneally in diabetic mice, and blood ...
Identification of a gene necessary for cell cycle arrest by a negative growth factor of yeast: FAR1 is an inhibitor of a G1 cyclin, CLN2

alpha factor is a negative growth factor and differentiation factor that induces G1 arrest and increases transcription of mating genes in S. cerevisiae a cells. We have identified a gene, FAR1 (for "factor arrest"), which is necessary for cell cycle arrest but not for other responses to alpha factor: far1- mutants are insensitive to arrest despite having an intact signal transduction pathway. FAR1 is a nonessential gene whose expression is induced 4- to 5-fold in a cells by alpha factor. The sequence of FAR1 indicates no significant similarities to known proteins. A null mutation in the CLN2 gene, which codes for a G1 cyclin, reverses the effect of a far1 null mutation: far1- cln2- strains arrest in response to alpha factor. We thus propose that FAR1 contributes to cell cycle arrest by inhibiting CLN2. The behavior of far1- cln2- strains indicates that products other than FAR1 are responsible for inhibiting the other G1 cyclins, CLN1 and CLN3.
The master's portfolio: validating a career in advanced practice nursing.

Purpose To describe the process of portfolio development and faculty review that offers graduate credit within a framework of structural empowerment and mentoring for documented educational and clinical accomplishments for family nurse practitioners (FNPs). Data Sources Selected literature and examples from one student's portfolio to illustrate the process. Conclusions The degree granting process assists certified FNPs to fulfill career aspirations through achieving graduate level education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, School of Nursing. Implications for Practice The portfolio process affords practicing FNPs not only the opportunity to acquire an advanced degree but a framework for examining and validating a career. For the student in this exemplar, it was a “significant, introspective, satisfying learning experience,” a rare opportunity in a busy professional life.
Measurement of Rayleigh backscattering at 1.55 mu m with 32 mu m spatial resolution

Rayleigh backscattering at a wavelength of 1.55 mu m is measured in standard single-mode fiber with a spatial resolution of 32 mu m and a dynamic range of over 30 dB. A minimum reflection sensitivity of -148 dB is the best reported to date using optical low-coherence reflectometry. >
Design and Experimental Investigation of Calcium Looping Process for 3-kWth and 1.9-MWth Facilities

The calcium looping CO2 capture process using calcium oxide as a regenerable solid sorbent has been under development at the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) of Taiwan for several years. The 3-kWth test facility built at ITRI is mainly composed of a fluidized-bed carbonator and a rotary kiln calciner. The calcination efficiency, the CO2 capture efficiency, and operating stability were investigated. In addition, a cold model test facility has been constructed and a 1.9-MWth pilot plant designed by ITRI is currently being erected. The combination of calcium looping and cement manufacturing process reduces the cost of adsorbent and calcination energy consumption.
A Utility Function Derived from a Survival Game

The starting point of the paper is a firm engaged in a risky business. It is assumed that the firm's gain in each operating period is a stochastic variable. It is further assumed that these stochastic variables are independent and identically distributed. If the capital of the firm becomes negative, the firm is ruined, and must go out of business. The optimal dividend policy is defined as the policy which will maximize the expected discounted value of the dividends paid before ruin occurs. It is then shown that the solution of the dividend problem gives the utility function, which will govern the firm's decisions under uncertainty. From this result it appears that a number of decisions which seem irrational when studied in isolation, become perfectly rational when analysed in their proper dynamic setting.
Mercury and selenium concentrations in skeletal muscle, liver, and regions of the heart and kidney in bearded seals from Alaska, USA

Mean concentrations of total mercury ([THg]) and selenium ([TSe]) (mass and molar-based) were determined for 5 regions of the heart and 2 regions of the kidney of bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) harvested in Alaska, USA, in 2010 and 2011. Mean [THg] and [TSe] of bearded seal liver and skeletal muscle tissues were used for intertissular comparison. The Se:Hg molar ratios were used to investigate elemental associations and potential antioxidant protection against Hg toxicosis. Age was an important factor in [THg] and Se:Hg molar ratios in heart and kidney. Small but statistically significant differences in mean [THg] occurred among some of the 5 heart regions (p kidney cortex > kidney medulla > skeletal muscle > heart left ventricle (p kidney cortex > kidney medulla > skeletal muscle > heart left ventricle (p kidney medulla > kidney cortex (p < 0.001).
How to Build Your Practice with Pro Bono for Lawyers

This book equips the law practitioner to provide pro bono legal service to the populations it features including the prisoner, releasee, homeless, debtor, divorced, foreclosed, disabled, immigrant, veteran, or child. The book is a practical how-to skill builder, like other books in the series of skill builders offered by the American Bar Association’s Law Practice Management Section. It provides a comprehensive view of how to assist, compassionately and effectively, a diverse range of pro bono clients facing a host of common legal problems. The book has three parts to assist you toward that end. Part I describes skills, practices, and attitudes that pro bono service emphasize and that serve as practice builders. Part II then has 10 chapters focusing on specific pro bono client populations and the knowledge, skills, and ethics lawyers need to serve those populations. Part III then addresses the needs of those who support pro bono service. Pro bono service offers a unique perspective on the profession. Practitioners can build law practice through pro bono service. Pro bono service can have a business imperative to it, just as it has a social and professional imperative.
Recombination of Phage λ DNA in Vitro

Elucidation of the mechanism of genetic recombination at the biochemical level has been hampered by the paucity of recombination-related activities that can be measured in vitro. A major difficulty has been the lack of a direct and simple assay for recombinant DNA. I would like to describe conditions in which phage λ DNA recombines in vitro and the recombinant DNA is assayed following its assembly into infectious λ particles.