cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipid receptors and signaling in adipose tissue

Abstract Beyond their role as macronutrients, nonesterified fatty acids (free fatty acids, FFAs) and their derivatives (prostanoids and eicosanoids) serve as signaling molecules regulating a variety of processes including inflammation, metabolism, and gene expression. While traditionally considered only to be esterified with coenzyme A staging the lipid for phospholipid and triacylglycerol biogenesis, unesterified fatty acids can diffuse laterally in the plasma membrane and interact with receptors thereby providing metabolic opportunities to elaborate a variety of second messenger systems. Receptors for fatty acids (CD36/SR-B2, GPCRs), prostaglandins (DP/EP receptors) and leukotrienes (LT receptors) are abundantly expressed by fat cells and are themselves controlled lipid signaling. Moreover, such receptors are variably expressed in different adipose depots implying specificity of signaling systems, particularly in white adipose tissue versus brown or beige fat. This chapter will summarize our current awareness of fatty acid receptors expressed by adipocytes and the signaling pathways that are affected downstream of lipid binding.
NMDA Receptors Enhance the Fidelity of Synaptic Integration.

Abstract Excitatory synaptic transmission in many neurons is mediated by two co-expressed ionotropic glutamate receptor subtypes, AMPA and NMDA receptors, that differ in kinetics, ion-selectivity, and voltage-sensitivity. AMPA receptors have fast kinetics and are voltage-insensitive, while NMDA receptors have slower kinetics and increased conductance at depolarized membrane potentials. Here we report that the voltage-dependency and kinetics of NMDA receptors act synergistically to stabilize synaptic integration of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) across spatial and voltage domains. Simulations of synaptic integration in simplified and morphologically realistic dendritic trees revealed that the combined presence of AMPA and NMDA conductances reduce the variability of somatic responses to spatiotemporal patterns of excitatory synaptic input presented at different initial membrane potentials and/or in different dendritic domains. This moderating effect of the NMDA conductance on synaptic integration was robust across a wide range of AMPA-to-NMDA ratios, and results from synergistic interaction of NMDA kinetics (which reduces variability across membrane potential) and voltage-dependence (which favors stabilization across dendritic location). When combined with AMPA conductance, the NMDA conductance compensates for voltage- and impedance-dependent changes in synaptic driving force, and distance-dependent attenuation of synaptic potentials arriving at the axon, to increase the fidelity of synaptic integration and EPSP-spike coupling across both neuron state (i.e., initial membrane potential) and dendritic location of synaptic input. Thus, synaptic NMDA receptors convey advantages for synaptic integration that are independent of, but fully compatible with, their importance for coincidence detection and synaptic plasticity. Significance Statement Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that, at many synapses, gates two coexpressed receptor subtypes (AMPA and NMDA receptors). Computational simulations reveal that the combined synaptic presence of AMPA and NMDA receptors reduces variability in synaptic integration in response to identical patterns of synaptic input delivered to different dendritic locations and/or at different initial membrane potentials. This results from synergistic interaction of the slower kinetics and voltage-dependence of NMDA receptors, which combine to enhance synaptic currents when synaptic driving forces are otherwise reduced (e.g., at depolarized membrane potentials or in distal, high-impedance dendrites). By stabilizing synaptic integration across dendritic location and initial membrane potential, NMDA receptors provide advantages independent of, but fully compatible with, their well-known contribution to synaptic plasticity.
Highly selective laser-induced graphene (LIG)/polysulfone composite membrane for hydrogen purification

Abstract This manuscript reports for the first-time the application of Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) fabricated on polysulfone as a highly permselective asymmetric membrane for separation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Prior work has shown that LIG can be photothermally formed on the surface of a polymeric substrate; this method is rapid and scalable and has previously been applied for aqueous ultrafiltration membranes on polysulfone, polyethersulfone, and polyphenylsulfone substrates. LIG/polysulfone gas separation membranes combine the molecular sieving mechanism of LIG with the solution-diffusion mechanism of polysulfone while enhancing both H2:CO2 selectivity and H2 permeance. These membranes achieved an H2:CO2 selectivity of 30.5 ± 1.4 and H2 permeance of 176.4 ± 19.5 GPU (1 GPU = 3.35 × 10−10 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1). This rapid surface modification of conventional polysulfone membranes with a LIG layer has a potential industrial application for high throughput hydrogen separation.
The effects of age, race, and offense type on receiving a ‘youth discount’ in juvenile court

Previous research has suggested that younger justice-involved youth are generally viewed as less blameworthy, less cognitively developed, and more likely to respond to treatment or services by the ...
Chapter 32. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of the studies that focus on quantitative structure–activity relationships. Quantum mechanical approaches to quantitative structure–activity relationships have their roots in receptor theory. The receptor for a specific drug is thought to have sites through which it can interact with the drug which, for optimum response, must be in a conformation that will allow its heteroatoms to interact with the sites of the receptor. By determining the intramolecular distances between heteroatoms in the preferred conformation of agents that are known to interact with a receptor responsible for a specific response, new drugs can be designed with the appropriate distances fixed between critical atoms. Structure–cytotoxicity relationships among sesquiterpene lactones have also been determined and it is shown that cytotoxicity is largely a function of the lipophilicity of the lactones. Other molecular systems of biological importance on which computational studies were performed are acetylcholine and its agonists, muscarine and nicotine prostaglandin E l , gastrin tetrapeptide, and phenethylmines. An evaluation of interatomic distances calculated from the preferred conformations of 9 phenethylamines suggested possible features of their receptor.
On Linear Algebra, the Least Square Method, and the Search for Linear Relations by Regression Analysis in Quantum Chemistry and Other Sciences

Publisher Summary Linear algebra is one of the most important mathematical tools not only in the quantum mechanics but also in many other parts of physics, chemistry, statistics, and econometrics, where a large number of data is dealt with. A characteristic feature of linear algebra is that it is basically the same in all these fields, and that methods developed in one area may often be applied in other areas. This chapter reviews several basic features of the linear algebra used in the quantum theory of matter. The quantum theory of matter is based on the concept of the existence of an abstract Hilbert space. The main problems in quantum theory are discussed. If the problems in the quantum theory of matter are well-formulated in the abstract Hilbert space, there are obviously great difficulties connected with practical applications because of the fact that finite basis sets can be only used, and further that all numbers occurring in the computations have to be truncated to a finite number of figures. The chapter also describes the methods of least squares and generalized least squares.
Linear Feedback Control of Uncertain Robotic Manipulators with Guaranteed Boundedness

Guaranteed uniform boundedness of states and the possibility of transient performance adjustment are demonstrated for robotic manipulators with uncertain parameters.
ALIENATION IN PRISON ORGANIZATIONS

The deprivation modelsuggests that prisonization and inmate opposition the prison organization are a function of the deprivations imposed by organization. Compliance theory maintains that alienationof the organiza tionf participants covaries with the coerciveness of the organization. Data obtained from inmates and officers in six adult correctional institutions are examined to test the hypothesis that inmate alienation is a result of the coer civeness of the institution and a cause of inmate opposition to the institu tion. The findings lend support to the hypothesized model and, further more, suggest the need to distinguish between absolute and relative deprivation.
Memory-model-sensitive data race analysis

We present a “memory-model-sensitive” approach to validating correctness properties for multithreaded programs. Our key insight is that by specifying both the inter-thread memory consistency model and the intra-thread program semantics as constraints, a program verification task can be reduced to an equivalent constraint solving problem, thus allowing an exhaustive examination of all thread interleavings precisely allowed by a given memory model. To demonstrate, this paper formalizes race conditions according to the new Java memory model, for a simplified but non-trivial source language. We then describe the implementation of a memory-model-sensitive race detector using constraint logic programming (CLP). In comparison with conventional program analysis, our approach does not offer the same kind of performance and scalability due to the complexity involved in exact formal reasoning. However, we show that a formal semantics can serve more than documentation purposes — it can be applied as a sound basis for rigorous property checking, upon which more scalable methods can be derived.
Algorithm for Generating Derivative Structures

We present an algorithm for generating all derivative superstructures---for arbitrary parent structures and for any number of atom types. This algorithm enumerates superlattices and atomic configurations in a geometry-independent way. The key concept is to use the quotient group associated with each superlattice to determine all unique atomic configurations. The run time of the algorithm scales linearly with the number of unique structures found.
Blockade of CD28-B7, But Not CD40-CD154, Prevents Costimulation of Allogeneic Porcine and Xenogeneic Human Anti-Porcine T Cell Responses

Despite increasing use of swine in transplantation research, the ability to block costimulation of allogeneic T cell responses has not been demonstrated in swine, and the effects of costimulatory blockade on xenogeneic human anti-porcine T cell responses are also not clear. We have compared the in vitro effects of anti-human CD154 mAb and human CTLA4IgG4 on allogeneic pig T cell responses and xenogeneic human anti-pig T cell responses. Both anti-CD154 mAb and CTLA4IgG4 cross-reacted on pig cells. While anti-CD154 mAb and CTLA4IgG4 both inhibited the primary allogeneic pig MLRs, CTLA4IgG4 (7.88 microg/ml) was considerably more inhibitory than anti-CD154 mAb (100 microg/ml) at optimal doses. Anti-CD154 mAb inhibited the production of IFN-gamma by 75%, but did not inhibit IL-10 production, while CTLA4IgG4 completely inhibited the production of both IFN-gamma and IL-10. In secondary allogeneic pig MLRs, CTLA4IgG4, but not anti-CD154 mAb, induced Ag-specific T cell anergy. CTLAIgG4 completely blocked the indirect pathway of allorecognition, while anti-CD154 mAb blocked the indirect response by approximately 50%. The generation of porcine CTLs was inhibited by CTLA4IgG4, but not by anti-CD154 mAb. Human anti-porcine xenogeneic MLRs were blocked by CTLA4IgG4, but only minimally by anti-CD154 mAb. Finally, CTLA4IgG4 prevented secondary xenogeneic human anti-porcine T cell responses. These data indicate that blockade of the B7-CD28 pathway was more effective than blockade of the CD40-CD154 pathway in inhibiting allogeneic pig T cell responses and xenogeneic human anti-pig T cell responses in vitro. These findings have implications for inhibiting cell-mediated immune responses in pig-to-human xenotransplantation.
The wavelength dependence of the lunar phase curve as seen by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter wide-angle camera

[1] The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter wide-angle camera measured the bidirectional reflectances of two areas on the Moon at seven wavelengths between 321 and 689 nm and at phase angles between 0° and 120°. It is not possible to account for the phase curves unless both coherent backscatter and shadow hiding contribute to the opposition effect. For the analyzed highlands area, coherent backscatter contributes nearly 40% in the UV, increasing to over 60% in the red. This conclusion is supported by laboratory measurements of the circular polarization ratios of Apollo regolith samples, which also indicate that the Moon's opposition effect contains a large component of coherent backscatter. The angular width of the lunar opposition effect is almost independent of wavelength, contrary to theories of the coherent backscatter which, for the Moon, predict that the width should be proportional to the square of the wavelength. When added to the large body of other experimental evidence, this lack of wavelength dependence reinforces the argument that our current understanding of the coherent backscatter opposition effect is incomplete or perhaps incorrect. It is shown that phase reddening is caused by the increased contribution of interparticle multiple scattering as the wavelength and albedo increase. Hence, multiple scattering cannot be neglected in lunar photometric analyses. A simplified semiempirical bidirectional reflectance function is proposed for the Moon that contains four free parameters and that is mathematically simple and straightforward to invert. This function should be valid everywhere on the Moon for phase angles less than about 120°, except at large viewing and incidence angles close to the limb, terminator, and poles.
The Double Helix Nebula: a magnetic torsional wave propagating out of the Galactic centre

Radioastronomical studies have indicated that the magnetic field in the central few hundred parsecs of our Milky Way Galaxy has a dipolar geometry and a strength substantially larger than elsewhere in the Galaxy, with estimates ranging up to a milligauss. A strong, large-scale magnetic field can affect the Galactic orbits of molecular clouds by exerting a drag on them, it can inhibit star formation, and it can guide a wind of cosmic rays away from the central region, so a characterization of the magnetic field at the Galactic center is important for understanding much of the activity there. Here, we report Spitzer Space Telescope observations of an unprecedented infrared nebula having the morphology of an intertwined double helix. This feature is located about 100 pc from the Galaxy's dynamical centre toward positive Galactic latitude, and its axis is oriented perpendicular to the Galactic plane. The observed segment is about 25 pc in length, and contains about 1.25 full turns of each of the two continuous, helically wound strands. We interpret this feature as a torsional Alfven wave propagating vertically away from the Galactic disk, driven by rotation of the magnetized circumnuclear gas disk. As such, it offers a new morphological probe of the Galactic center magnetic field. The direct connection between the circumnuclear disk and the double helix is ambiguous, but the MSX images show a possible meandering channel that warrants further investigation.
2‐Oxoglutarate and the PII homologues NifI1 and NifI2 regulate nitrogenase activity in cell extracts of Methanococcus maripaludis

Summary Post-translational regulation of nitrogen fixation, or switch-off, in the methanogenic archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis does not involve detectable covalent modification of the dinitrogenase reductase as in some bacteria, and the genes encoding the PII homologues NifI(1) and NifI(2) are both required, indicating a novel mechanism. To further understand the mechanism of switch-off, we assayed nitrogenase activity in cell extracts from wild-type and nifI mutant strains in the absence or presence of potential signals of nitrogen status. Activity in extracts from a DeltanifI(1)nifI(2) strain was sixfold higher than in extracts from wild-type cells. Addition of 2-oxoglutarate to wild-type extracts enhanced activity up to fivefold, a level similar to that observed in DeltanifI(1)nifI(2) extracts. 2-Oxoglutarate did not affect activity in DeltanifI(1)nifI(2) or single nifI mutant extracts. Furthermore, extracts from genetically complimented nifI mutants regained wild-type characteristics, indicating an in vitro correlation with in vivo effects. Extraction and quantification of 2-oxoglutarate indicated concentrations 10-fold higher in nitrogen-fixing cells than in switched-off and ammonium-grown cells. We propose a model for switch-off where the NifI proteins have an inhibitory effect on nitrogenase activity that is counteracted by high levels of 2-oxoglutarate, which acts as a signal of nitrogen limitation.
Pseudonoise Code Acquisition Using Majority Logic Decoding

This paper considers the use of majority logic decoding as a pseudonoise code acquisition technique. A bound on the probability of code acquisition is derived and it is shown that the probability of acquiring an 8191 code in one attempt can be made nearly one at -10-dB SNR.
Costs and Benefits of Seismic Rehabilitation

This paper presents a model of cost-benefit analysis for the seismic rehabilitation of existing buildings. The model is illustrated by an application to the costs and benefits of upgrading some particularly vulnerable buildings in the Boston area at the time of remodeling. First, the cost-effectiveness of seismic upgrading is measured by the implicit «cost per life saved». Secondly, the benefits are measured by the expected value of the avoided losses. Thirdly, all future benefits in the computation of the cost per life saved are discounted to reflect the opportunity cost of society
Sparse matrix technology tools in APL

We have implemented sparse matrix technology tools in APL. Such tools have been conspicuously scarce, because APL has not been the language of choice for solving boundary value problems governed by partial differential equations. But when carefully coded, APL is able to tackle problems governed by partial differential equations in a way that ads flexibility and, on account of its compactness, maintainability. The main criticism of APL in numerically intensive applications has been execution speed. APL compilation addresses this drawback and shows factors of speed improvement of better than about three. Timings will be presented for some benchmark elliptical boundary value problems, both for interpretive and compiled APL.Examples are given of common tasks that are encountered in conjunction with the finite element method, such as determination of the symbolic form of the stiffness matrix, and the more universal task of solution of a sparse (symmetric) set of equations using the conjugate gradient method.
Group Effects on Party Identification and Party Coalitions across the United States

Most examinations of the sociodemographic group foundations of political party identification and party coalitions in the United States rely on national samples (e.g., the National Election Studies). Therefore, they fail to consider (a) state-to-state variation in the group components of party identification and party coalitions and (b) how state context structures this variation. We rely on media exit polls from the 1988, 1992, and 1996 elections to examine group influences on party identification and party coalitions across the large states. Although there are common threads across the nation in Democratic and Republican support, we find significant state-to-state variation in the nature of group influences on party identification. For many sociodemographic characteristics, group size conditions the importance of the characteristic for party identification, a finding consistent with a contextual theory of political behavior. A group’s size and the partisan loyalty of its members interact to determine a ...
Influence of primary prostaglandins on isolated canine renal arteries and veins.

Abstract The sensitivity and contractility of isolated canine renal arteries (RA) and renal veins (RV) to primary prostaglandin compounds (PG) was studied. Studies were also undertaken to determine whether specific receptors for PGs exist in RA and RV.RA and RV exhibited potent concentration-dependent contractile responses to all the primary PGs studied, including PGA1, PGA2, PGB2, PGD2, PGE1, PGE2, PGF1∝ and PGF2∝. The contractile sensitivity (based on EC50's) of canine RA to PGs was. PGB2 > PGB1 ⋟ PGE2 > PGF2∝ ⋟PGA2 ⋟ PGD2 ⋟ PGA1 > PGF1∝ > PGE1, whereas for RV it was:PGB2 > PGB1 ⋟ PGD2 = PGF2∝ > PGA2 = PGA1 > PGE2 >>> PGF1∝ = PGE1.In terms of the ability to generate a maximum contractile response on RA, PGB2 was the most potent and PGDthe least potent, whereas for RV PGF2∝ and PGB2 was the most potent and PGF1∝ and PGE the least potent. Canine RA failed to elicit any consistent relaxant responses to PGE1, PGE2, PGA1, and PGA2. Renal veins, however, in which tone was induced by either PGs or serotonin responded with concentration-related relaxations to PGE1; other primary PGs did not induce relaxations on isolated RV. Use of specific pharmacologic antagonists (for catecholamines, serotonin, acetylcholine and histamine) failed to interfere with any of the PG responses. The data indicate that RA and RV: a) can exhibit differential responses to primary PGs; b) exhibit structure-activity relationships for the contractile action of PGs; and c) appear to have specific receptors for primary PGs which primarily subserve contraction.
Receptive fields of P and M ganglion cells across the primate retina

We studied the receptive field organization and contrast sensitivity of ganglion cells located within the central 80 (radius of 40) deg of the macaque retina. Ganglion cell activity was monitored as synaptic (S) potentials recorded extracellularly in the lateral geniculate nuclei of anesthetized and paralyzed monkeys. Receptive field center and surround regions of magnocellularly-projecting (M) and parvocellularly-projecting (P) cells increase in area with distance from the fovea, with the center radii of M cells being about twice those of neighboring P cells. Peak sensitivities of center and surround regions are inversely proportional to the regions' areas, so that integrated contrast sensitivities (contrast gains) are constant across the visual field, with the gain of M cells being, on average, six times that of P cells. For both M and P cells, the average ratio of surround/center gain is 0.55. Constant gain of P cells across the visual field is achieved by increasing sensitivity to stimuli falling on the peripheral retina to an extent that counteracts the aberrations introduced by the eye's optics.
Methanol Electrochemistry at Carbon-Supported Pt and PtRu Fuel Cell Catalysts: Voltammetric and in Situ Infrared Spectroscopic Measurements at 23 and 60 °C

The electrochemistry of methanol (50−200 mM) in 0.1 M HClO4 at Pt (10 wt %) and PtRu (30 wt % Pt, 15 wt % Ru) catalysts supported on Vulcan XC-72R carbon was investigated with voltammetry and in situ infrared spectroscopy at ambient temperature and 60 °C. The catalyst materials were each prepared as a thin film on a polished gold electrode according to a recently developed procedure [Weaver, M. J.; et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2001, 105, 9719]. Methanol electrochemical oxidation was more sluggish on the Pt catalyst than on either bulk polycrystalline Pt or the PtRu catalyst material. The PtRu catalyst showed responses for methanol that were similar to those for a bulk PtRu alloy containing 46 wt % Ru. However, the PtRu catalyst appeared more resistant than bulk PtRu to CO adsorption. Differences are discussed in terms of the surface properties of bulk versus nanometer-scale Pt and PtRu.
Injecting, controlling, and storing magnetic domain walls in ferromagnetic nanowires

Domain walls in ferromagnetic nanowires are important for proposed devices in recording, logic, and sensing. The realization of such devices depends in part on the ability to quickly and accurately control the domain wall from creation until placement. Using micromagnetic computer simulation we demonstrate how a combination of externally applied magnetic fields is used to quickly inject, move, and accurately place multiple domain walls within a single wire for potential recording and logical operations. The use of a magnetic field component applied perpendicular to the principle domain wall driving field is found to be critical for increased speed and reliability. The effects of the transverse field on the injection and trapping of the domain wall will be shown to be of particular importance.
Middle schools and math groups: Parents' involvement in children's placement.

Interviews with a random sample of 86 mothers in two suburban communities revealed that the high correlation between parents' education levels and their children's placement in the mathematics tracking system as they enter middle and junior high school can be explained, in part, by the propensity of college-educated parents to be knowledgeable about their children's placement, to be integrated into school affairs and parental information networks, to intervene in educational decisions that school personnel make for their children, and to exert an influence over their children's preferences for courses. The involvement of highly educated parents in their children's placement at critical decision points in the tracking system is one mechanism by which educational advantage is transmitted from one generation to the next.
Russell S. Greenberg, 1953–2013

Russ Greenberg (see photo), an Elective Member of the AOU since 1985 and a Fellow since 1991, died on October 24, 2013, at the age of 60 after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Washington, D.C., Russ moved across the country several times during his early years, as his father, Joseph Greenberg, pursued a career in microbiology. In 1958, the family finally settled in Palo Alto, California, where Russ spent most of his adolescent years. Although a laboratory scientist by profession, Russ’s father’s true love was birding. When Russ became interested in birds at the ripe old age of 8, Joe was only too happy to indulge Russ’s enthusiasm by engaging in weekend birding trips to the far reaches of California, as well as longer vacations during which finding new birds was a major goal. The 1960s and early 1970s was a golden age of California birding, and Russ, his father Joe, and his brother Doug were among the many hardcore birders of that era who scoured desert oases and small patches of trees along the California coast looking for vagrant warblers and other rarities. Russ began his transition to professional ornithology in 1971 when he started college, first at University of California Santa Cruz and then at University of California Berkeley, where he graduated in 1976. He proceeded to stay on at Berkeley for his Ph.D., which he received in 1981 under the direction of Frank Pitelka. He then accepted a postdoctoral position with Eugene Morton at the Smithsonian, where he remained for the duration of his career. Russ pioneered research on an astonishing number of important ornithological questions. His Ph.D. work on the evolutionary ecology and behavior of migratory and resident birds in tropical ecosystems laid the groundwork for his lifelong interest in how migratory species adapt to novel ecosystems and coexist with the resident avifauna. His interest in the interplay between morphological adaptations and foraging plasticity led Russ to begin a series of studies on the phenomenon of neophobia in 1983, well over a decade before animal personalities or behavioral syndromes became topics of wide interest in behavioral ecology. Russ’s deep interest in basic science never kept him from contributing significantly to the conservation of the species and habitats he loved. Russ was one of the key scientists in the nascent field of conservation biology who became alarmed by tropical deforestation. More profoundly, he recognized that certain crops could be grown in ways that minimized their negative impact on native ecosystems. Expanding on this simple concept, Russ Russ in the field on Santa Cruz Island, California, March 2013. Photo credit: Maybellene Gamboa
The decision to telework: a synthesized model

Since the early 70's there has been a proliferation of literature about telework. A significant portion of these books and articles focus on, promote, or at least list the benefits of this alternative work style. At the same time there are a number of studies indicating that the rate of adoption of telework is well below levels predicted by proponents. Noticeably lacking in the literature are empirical studies which support the proposed benefits of telework as well as empirical studies on the way people go about adopting telework. Two possible explanations for the disparity between the actual and predicted adoption rates for telework are that either it fails to deliver on the net benefits which are theorized or that there is a weak understanding of what is involved in the adoption process and why people actually adopt telework. This paper draws on economic theory, institutional theory and the theory of planned behavior to synthesize a model for the decision to telework. The results of a pilot study of 77 employees and 40 managers are discussed.
A candidate filtering mechanism for fast top-k query processing on modern cpus

A large amount of research has focused on faster methods for finding top-k results in large document collections, one of the main scalability challenges for web search engines. In this paper, we propose a method for accelerating such top-k queries that builds on and generalizes methods recently proposed by several groups of researchers based on Block-Max Indexes. In particular, we describe a system that uses a new filtering mechanism, based on a combination of block maxima and bitmaps, that radically reduces the number of documents that have to be further evaluated. Our filtering mechanism exploits the SIMD processing capabilities of current microprocessors, and it is optimized through caching policies that select and store suitable filter structures based on properties of the query load. Our experimental evaluation shows that the mechanism results in very significant speed-ups for disjunctive top-k queries under several state-of-the-art algorithms, including a speed-up of more than a factor of 2 over the fastest previously known methods.
Toward an Integrative Theory of Business and Society: A Research Strategy for Corporate Social Performance

In this article I address the lack of integration of normative and descriptive approaches to business and society and the problems posed for coherent theory development. I reformulate corporate social performance topics according to a research strategy aimed at moving inquiry beyond problems of integration. I then demonstrate the potential for a normative-descriptive unification, and follow this with implications for future research.
The Relationship Between Sightsinging Accuracy and Error Detection in Junior High Singers

The purpose of this study was to compare junior high students' sightsinging accuracy with their ability to perceive errors in recorded examples. Junior high choir students (N − 75) individually tap...
Asymptotic analysis of the coupling of transport equations and their diffusion approximations

Abstract In this paper we study the asymptotic behaviour of the solution to the coupled system of transport equations and their diffusion approximations introduced in [5]. We also give the rate of the asymptotic decay. This analysis is based in an essential way on the methods we introduced in [3,4].
Regional brain content of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in sheep during the estrous cycle, seasonal anestrus, and after ovariectomy.

Twenty-three sheep were killed during seasonal anestrus or on different days of the estrous cycle. The stalkmedian eminence (SME), hypothalamic tissue (HP) overlying the SME, and preoptic-suprachiasmatic tissue (PO-SC) were assayed for LHRH using RIA. LHRH contents of the SME during anestrus and days 3–8 of the estrous cycle were 35 ± 3 and 33 ± 5 n.g (χ ± SEM), respectively. Higher levels (59 ± 8 ng) were detected in proestrous-estrous ewes (days 1, 16, and 17), and intermediate contents were measured in ewes on days 10–l14. LHRH content of the HP (11 ± 1 ng) was not different during the reproductive stages examined, although it was correlated (r = 0.65) with that in the SME. In the PO-SC area, LHRH increased from 1.3 ± 0.2 ng on days 3–8 to 2.6 ± 0.4 ng by days 10–14, but by days 1, 16, and 17 it had fallen to 0.9 ± 0.2 ng. LHRH content of the PO-SC area of anestrous ewes was 2.1 ± 0.4 ng. Anterior pituitary content of LH was greater on days 1, 10–14, 16, and 17 than on days 3–8 of the estrous cycle or ...
Synthesis and properties of magnetically hard two element Sm/sub 5/Fe/sub 17/ phase in sputtered films

The magnetic properties and synthesis of the magnetically hard strictly two element Sm/sub 5/Fe/sub 17/ phase were studied for sputtered film samples. Normally, bulk sample synthesis of this phase has required the substitution of at least 10 at.% of a transition metal, such as Ti for the Fe, to stabilize this phase. It was possible to synthesize nearly single-phase Sm/sub 5/Fe/sub 17/ samples by crystallizing originally amorphous deposits at 720 K. In these 5-17 films the crystallite c-axis distribution was found to be random, there being no preferred c-axes orientations. For two element Sm/sub 5/Fe/sub 17/ the /sub i/H/sub c/ was measured to be 14.7 kOe at 293 K with a smooth rise to 31.1 kOe at 15 K. From magnetic hysteresis measurements at room temperature for applied fields up to 90 kOe, the anisotropy field was found to be considerably higher than 90 kOe. The room temperature saturation magnetic moment, assumed to be twice the remanence of this 5-17 phase, has been estimated to be 9.5 kG. All the lines observed in the X-ray diffraction trace of these films could be fitted to a hexagonal cell with a=20.06+or-0.01 AA and c=12.28+or-0.01 AA. >
Development of the tight-skin phenotype in immune-deficient mice.

Objective To determine if cutaneous thickening, a major phenotypic feature of the tight-skin (Tsk) mutation, could develop in an immune-deficient mouse. Methods Experimental crosses among different strains of mice were conducted to create mice that were genetically Tsk/+, and that were also homozgyous for a mutation at the Prkdcscid locus and thus lacked mature T and B lymphocytes. Skin samples prepared from experimental and control genotypic groups of mice were evaluated for skin thickness. Results The data showed that the Tsk/+ mice developed the Tsk phenotype in the absence of a functional immune system. Conclusion Mature T and B cells are not required for the development of the cutaneous thickening in mice carrying the Tsk mutation.
nanoHUB.org: A Gateway to Undergraduate Simulation-Based Research in Materials Science and Related Fields

Our future engineers and scientists will likely be required to use advanced simulations to solve many of tomorrow's challenges in nanotechnology. To prepare students to meet this need, the Network for Computational Nanotechnology (NCN) provides simulation-focused research experiences for undergraduates at an early point in their educational path, to increase the likelihood that they will ultimately complete a doctoral program. The NCN summer research program currently serves over 20 undergraduate students per year who are recruited nationwide, and selected by NCN and the faculty for aptitude in their chosen field within STEM, as well as complementary skills such as coding and written communication. Under the guidance of graduate student and faculty mentors, undergraduates modify or build nanoHUB simulation tools for exploring interdisciplinary problems in materials science and engineering, and related fields. While the summer projects exist within an overarching research context, the specific tasks that NCN undergraduate students engage in range from modifying existing tools to building new tools for nanoHUB and using them to conduct original research. Simulation tool development takes place within nanoHUB, using nanoHUB’s workspace, computational clusters, and additional training and educational resources. One objective of the program is for the students to publish their simulation tools on nanoHUB. These tools can be accessed and executed freely from around the world using a standard web-browser, and students can remain engaged with their work beyond the summer and into their careers. In this work, we will describe the NCN model for undergraduate summer research. We believe that our model is one that can be adopted by other universities, and will discuss the potential for others to engage undergraduate students in simulation-based research using free nanoHUB resources.
Perception of Seriousness and Concern about White-Collar Crime: Some Results of an Opinion Survey Among Swiss Banks

Scientifically, little is known about white-collar crime in Switzerland or concern about white-collar crime and even less about how concerned bank employees are about this criminality. This article is based on a small opinion survey of Swiss bank employees and tries to explore perceptions of seriousness and concern about white-collar crime among people who, in their position, might have to face this issue regularly. Past assumptions on the public’s indifference towards white-collar crime seem not to be confirmed in this study as the results obtained demonstrate a greater sensitivity with respect to white-collar crime and especially towards crimes perpetrated by corporations. Even though Swiss bank employees do qualify white-collar offences as very serious acts, they are still more punitive with regard to ordinary crimes.
The Case for Authentic Tasks in Content Literacy

Motivation, academic vocabulary, and the role of teachers have been themes of previous Content Literacy columns. In this installment, we suggest that the tasks, or assignments, students complete are an important aspect of content literacy because they influence students' understandings of content and reading. Additionally, we demonstrate how well-designed tasks are closely associated with increasing student engagement and expanding word knowledge.
Cell Separation Using Protein-A-Coated Magnetic Nanoclusters

A new immunomagnetic separation process that uses protein A-coated magnetic nanoclusters (PACMAN) as the separation vehicles has been developed. The nanoclusters are produced by sonicating egg yolk phosphatidylcholine and the transmembrane Fc receptor protein-A in a buffered aqueous ferrofluid suspension. The phospholipids appear to form a coating around clusters of 5-50 magnetic nanoparticles, while some of the protein-A associate with the coated layer. The PACMAN suspension shows no flocculation for several months. When this suspension is added to a mixture of chicken (CRBC) and antibody-bound sheep red blood cells (SRBC), the nanoclusters bind to the exposed Fc domains of the antibodies attached to the target SRBCs. Exposure of this mixture to a magnetic field gradient oriented against gravity causes selective migration of the "magnetized" SRBCs to the high magnetic field region, thus affecting a separation. Because of the overwhelming concentration of the nanoclusters in the high field region in the proximity of the magnet poles and their virtual absence in the rest of the sample away from the poles, these regions appear visually distinct. Considering these regions as different phases, the efficiency of this technique is quantified by defining a separation factor as the concentration ratio of sheep to chicken red blood cells in the high magnetic field region divided by this ratio in the low magnetic field region. Single-stage separation factors of ∼5.0 have been obtained consistently on this system. In contrast, three control experiments where the linkage between the nanoclusters and the target cells were severed at three different locations produced negligible separation, indicating minimal non-specific binding under our experimental conditions. Using a negative selection procedure, an initial mixture containing an equal number of chicken and sheep red blood cells was concentrated to 80% CRBCs in a single stage, while in three stages the concentration of CRBCs was increased to over 99%. Potential strengths of this method are the case of PACMAN formation, the ability to have an indefinitely stable suspension of possibly biocompatible magnetic clusters before addition to the target sample, and provision of a natural lipid environment for the protein-A, thus maximizing its functionality.
Age‐dependent toxicity of diazinon and terbufos in european starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and red‐winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Adult European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are more resistant to poisoning by organophosphorous (OP) pesticides than are other passerine birds. Nestling starlings, however, are sensitive to OP intoxication. Both adult and nestling red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are sensitive to OP toxicity and therefore may be a more representative model of the toxic response of passerine birds. The purpose of this study was to compare the toxicity ratio, as indicated by median lethal dose (LD50), of terbufos and diazinon in adult and nestling starlings and red-winged blackbirds, and to compare cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition between species and among age groups. Red-winged blackbirds are more sensitive to terbufos and diazinon intoxication than are European starlings, and the young of both species are more sensitive than the adults. When mortality is used as the endpoint, adult starlings are approximately 103 times less sensitive to terbufos intoxication than are 2-d-old starling chicks and 137 times less sensitive than adult red-wings. Adult red-wings were only 4.1 times less sensitive than 0 to 3-d-old red-wing chicks. Adult starlings were approximately 47 times less sensitive to diazinon toxicity than 2-d-old starling nestlings and 65 times less sensitive than adult red-wings. Adult red-wings were 3.8 times less sensitive to diazinon than 0- to 3-d-old red-wing nestlings. Plasma and brain ChE activity was depressed in starling and red-wing adults in a dose-dependent fashion, but the relationship between dose, and plasma and brain ChE depression was more evident in some nestling age groups than in others. Baseline ChE activity cannot be invoked to explain the sensitivity difference between species. Baseline ChE activities in both brain and plasma increase with age in both species. These changes may account in part for the greater sensitivity of the young as compared to the adult.
Can International Studies Research Be the Basis for an Undergraduate International Studies Curriculum? A Response to Ishiyama and Breuning

Ishiyama and Breuning's “A Survey of International Studies Programs at Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities in the Midwest: Characteristics and Correlates” (2004) points to a series of critical issues in International Studies (IS) Education: the increasing popularity of IS majors, the variety of curricular strategies employed in those majors, and the potential reasons that universities pursue an IS major in the first place. I applaud the authors for taking on a much‐needed task in IS: beginning to catalog the occurrence and variation in IS programs around this country and indeed the world. In spite of the explosion of interdisciplinary majors in US universities, and the prominence of IS and Global Studies among them, there remains a glaring lack of support for and information about such programs. There is no “Association of International Studies Programs” to which IS interdisciplinary programs can belong. Indeed, the International Studies Schools Association promotes and serves only elementary and secondary IS education. The International Studies Association (ISA) has made important strides towards supporting IS education in both the “International Education” and the “Active Learning in International Affairs” sections, the latter of which grew out of a Pew Faculty Fellowship dedicated to improving pedagogy in international education at the post‐secondary level. But neither of these is specifically dedicated to the interdisciplinary nature that makes IS programs unique. The “Comparative Interdisciplinary Studies” section promotes interdisciplinarity, but its focus is on research rather than on pedagogy. In sum, the absence of an association devoted to interdisciplinary IS programs means that their directors, faculty and students have no central source providing data about existing IS programs or helpful advice for improving them. Ishiyama and Breuning's article is thus exactly the type of research we need, for it begins to document the frequency and structure of IS programs, at least in …
Hypothesis: a possible role for mast cells and their inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Mast cells and their potent chemical mediators are known to initiate and modulate a number of important inflammatory cascades. With respect to the central nervous system, the role of mast cells as participants in the promotion and resolution of inflammation has been widely underestimated. Mast cell-derived histamine, serotonin, kallikreins, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) can enhance microvascular permeability, leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and extravasation of inflammatory cells into the brain and spinal cord. Mast cell mediators may play an important role in autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis by promoting the entry of autoreactive T cells and the recruitment of nonspecific monocytes across the blood:brain barrier. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Effect of the Single Aortic Cross‐Clamp Technique on Cardiac and Cerebral Complications During Coronary Bypass Surgery

Cardiac and cerebral events during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Efforts made to reduce these events will have a significant impact on CABG results. The objective of this study was to examine our results in 394 patients undergoing primary CABG using the single clamp technique that probably has better myocardial and cerebral protective properties than the conventional technique of partial aortic occlusion. Age range was 35 to 88, mean of 66 years, and 168 (43%) were ≥ 70 years of age; 121 (31%) were females, 118 (30%) were diabetic, 339 (82%) were in New York Heart Association Functional Class III or IV, 77 (20%) had a preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump, 213 (54%) were nonelective, 293 (75%) had three vessel disease, and 55 (14%) had critical left main coronary artery stenosis. Antegrade crystalloid cardioplegia was used in the majority of patients, and the distal and proximal anastomoses were sequentially constructed during a single period of total aortic occlusion. The mean number of grafts was 3.5, and 339 (86%) had ≥ 3 grafts; at least one internal mammary artery was used in 346 (88%), a sequential vein or mammary artery in 181 (46%), and 55 (14%) had at least one coronary endarterectomy. The mean cross-clamp time, bypass time, and time to wean off bypass were 63, 83, and 20 minutes, respectively. The overall operative mortality was 11 of 394 (2.8%), a myocardial infarction/low-cardiac output state occurred in 19 (4.8%), and a stroke in 3 (0.8%). The total number of these events or adverse outcomes related directly to the clamping technique was 33 events in 23 patients (8.4%). The low rate of cardiac and cerebral complications associated with the single clamp technique in spite of an increased ischemia time is consistent with our previous results.