cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From One, Many: Modified Fluorogens Interact with a Fluorogen Activating Protein for Multicolor Cell Labeling

Genetically targeted fluorescent labeling of proteins in living cells has enabled a wide range of biophysical and cell-biological studies. Fluorogen activating proteins (FAPs) increase the fluorescence of otherwise dark dyes (fluorogens) thousands-fold upon binding and represent a new class of fluorescent sensors with context-specific activation. These sensors have been applied for selective detection of the cell-surface pool of proteins,detection of surface protein pH, kinetic analysis of beta 2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) internalization and other assays[1,2,3]. The malachite green (MG)-dL5 pair posesses high affinity, resistance to photobleaching and high brightness. We modified the core structure of the MG chromophore while maintaining the binding ability with dl5 to achieve a series of MG analogs with distinct spectral properties, in both cell-permeant and cell-excluded form (Figure 1). These dyes enable simultaneous labeling of the surface and intracellular pools with distinct colors in living cells, and provide a real-time readout of biosynthetic trafficking to the cell surface.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint SlideReference:1: Szent-Gyorgyi C et al. Nat Biotechnol 2008.2: Grover A et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012.3: Fisher G W et al. J Biomol Screening 2010.
Inhibition and Mechanism of Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Toxicity

A critical aspect of type II diabetes is the dysfunction and death of insulin-secreting β-cells. A 37-residue peptide hormone, islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), plays a central role in this pathology since it is known that rodent models transgenic for human IAPP show spontaneous development of β-cell dysfunction and diabetic symptoms. Recent evidence suggests that a subset of several alternative α-helical membrane-bound oligomers on-pathway to amyloid fiber formation, and not the amyloid fibrils themselves, are the toxic species in disease. We recently showed that IAPP adopts cell and membrane penetrating properties that are likely correlated with its toxicity towards β-cells; IAPP localizes to lysosomes of rat insulinoma pancreas β-cells (INS-1) at peptide concentrations determined by cell viability assays to be nontoxic, and relocates to mitochondria at toxic peptide concentrations (M. Magzoub and A. D. Miranker, Faseb J., 2011, 26, 1228-1238). Here, we evaluate the ability of small molecules to agonize and antagonize IAPP toxicity towards INS-1 cells via large-scale screens of cell viability. Localization of IAPP to subcellular compartments of INS-1 cells in the presence of these molecules is also investigated. We further describe the activity modulation and subcellular localization of the peptide in the presence of small molecules from libraries at Yale Small Molecule Discovery Center that have been shown to slow lipid-catalyzed amyloid fiber formation of IAPP.
Transformations from adjectives to Scales for the Adjective Check List (ACL): ACLTRANS FORTRAN IV program

The ACLTRANS ANSI FORTRAN IV program transforms the 300 adjectives on the Adjective Check List (Gough, 1950. 1960) into 37 raw and T-standard psychological scales. This program has three advantages over scoring based ob theAdjective Check List Manual (Gough & Heilbrun, 1965, 1980, 1983): ease and speed of computing the raw scale scores; exact partialing of number of adjectives checked from standardized scale scores; and choice of parameter norms for standardization. By using the ACLTRANS program, the researcher can be confident of quick and accurate scoring, as well as appropriate standardization.
TAT-mediated intracellular delivery of NPM-derived peptide induces apoptosis in leukemic cells and suppresses leukemogenesis in mice

Nucleophosmin (NPM) is frequently overexpressed in leukemias and other tumors. NPM has been reported to suppress oncogene-induced senescence and apoptosis and may represent a therapeutic target for cancer. We fused a NPM-derived peptide to the HIV-TAT (TAT-NPMΔC) and found that the fusion peptide inhibited proliferation and induced apoptotic death of primary fibroblasts and preleukemic stem cells. TAT-NPMΔC down-regulated several NF-κB–controlled survival and inflammatory proteins and suppressed NF-κB–driven reporter gene activities. Using an inflammation-associated leukemia model, we demonstrate that TAT-NPMΔC induced proliferative suppression and apoptosis of preleukemic stem cells and significantly delayed leukemic development in mice. Mechanistically, TAT-NPMΔC associated with wild-type NPM proteins and formed complexes with endogenous NPM and p65 at promoters of several antiapoptotic and inflammatory genes and abrogated their transactivation by NF-κB in leu-kemic cells. Thus, TAT-delivered NPM peptide may provide a novel therapy for inflammation-associated tumors that require NF-κB signaling for survival.
Stability of explicit navier-stokes procedures using k-ε and k - ε/algebraic reynolds stress turbulence models

Abstract A three-dimensional explicit Navier-Stokes procedure has been developed for application to compressible turbulent flows, including rotation effects. In the present work, a numerical stability analysis of the discrete, coupled system of seven governing equations is presented. Order of magnitude arguments are presented for flow and geometric properties typical of internal flows, including turbomachinery applications, to ascertain the relative importance of grid stretching, rotation and turbulence source terms, and effective diffusivity on the stability of the scheme. It is demonstrated through both analysis and corroborative numerical experiments that: (1 ) It is quite feasible to incorporate, efficiently, a two-equation k - ϵ turbulence model in an explicit time marching scheme, provided certain numerical stability constraints are enforced. (2) The role of source terms due to system rotation on the stability of the numerical scheme is not significant when appropriate grids are used and realistic rotor angular velocities are specified. (3) The direct role of source terms in the turbulence transport equations on the stability of the numerical scheme is not significant when appropriate grids are used and realistic freestream turbulence quantities are specified, except in the earliest stages of iteration (a result which is contrary to that generally perceived). (4) There is no advantage to numerically coupling the two-equation model system to the mean flow equation system, in regard to convergence or accuracy. (5) For some flow configurations, including turbomachinery blade rows, it is useful to incorporate the influence of artificial dissipation in the prescription of a local timestep. (6) Explicit implementation of an algebraic Reynolds stress model (ARSM) is intrinsically stable provided that the discrete two-equation transport model which provides the necessary values of k and ϵ is itself stable.
The development of avian red cell shape.

Immature erythrocytes of pigeons and chickens change from a spherical to a flat form following the final mitotic division during development. In vitro studies provide evidence that initial changes in shape are influenced by conditions that affect availability of oxygen. Transformation to a flat form occurred most rapidly at 37°C, a temperature that results in deoxygenation of hemoglobin in erythrocytes of the bone marrow. The maximum rate of transformation occurred at pH 6.5, a pH which favors deoxygenated hemoglobin. Oxygen inhibited the transformation in shape at 37 °C and resulted in a reversion of shape, from flat to spherical. Flattening and deoxygenation of hemoglobin are highly correlated. Precursor erythrocytes in plasma clot culture were observed microscopically. The cell stages identified in sequence were: (1) the “n-2” dark cells, apparently lacking hemoglobin. These cells divided to form “n-1” cells which synthesized hemoglobin as they matured. The “n-1” cells divided, forming spherical daughter “n” cells which flattened within 60 minutes after mitosis.
Diagostic value of respiratory impedance measurements in elderly subjects.

Abstract Obstructive lung disease (OLD) is highly prevalent in elderly subjects but markedly under-diagnosed. Indeed, only 40–50% of hospitalized elderly patients are able to adequately perform spirometric tests. This study aimed to evaluate, in an acute-care geriatric hospital, the diagnostic value of measuring airway impedance (Z rs ) by the forced oscillation technique (FOT) for: (1) identifying OLD and (2) identifying responders vs. non-responders to bronchodilators. Sixty-seven patients (aged 82±8 years) underwent consecutive measurement of Z rs and forced expiratory volumes before and after bronchodilators. Z rs was measured by FOT at frequencies of 4–30 Hz. Correlations, ROC curves and logistic regression models were established to determine the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of Z rs in identifying OLD. Significant correlations were found between spirometric and Z rs measurements. The Z rs parameters yielding the best Se and Sp for detecting OLD were: Fn (resonant frequency; Se: 76%; Sp: 78%) and R 0 (resistance extrapolated for a frequency of 0: Se: 76%; Sp: 74%). Using the logistic regression models, 76% of the patients were correctly classified as having OLD or not. Z rs was however not contributive in identifying responders to bronchodilators. Z rs measurements by FOT are contributive to the diagnosis of OLD in elderly hospitalized patients.
Data Migration Using Active Cloud Engine

Information being the key advantage in today's world, its growth rate and amount requires big data analysis, which is key challenge. Collection and retention of such collected data results in massive growth, which sets the need for infrastructure expansion, replacement and proper disposition of existing data. This important data should not be scrapped or forgotten; instead it should be messaged and tailored for the new system, leading into the world of Data Migration. Organizations are looking for cloud based storage solution which relies on having a highly efficient storage infrastructure in place to support rapid large-scale operations, without losing access to any data. That is where IBM Active Cloud Engine (ACE) [10] comes into picture, which enhances the process of Data Migration by caching the world-wide data and making it available locally, with zero downtime.
Double-damped Lyα absorption: A possible large neutral hydrogen gas filament near redshift z = 1

We report the discovery of two damped Lyα systems (DLAs) near redshift z = 1 along a single quasar sight line (Q1727+5302) with neutral hydrogen column densities of N = (1.45 ± 0.15) × 1021 and (2.60 ± 0.20) × 1021 atoms cm-2. Their sight line velocity difference of 13,000 km s-1 corresponds to a proper separation of 106 h Mpc if interpreted as the Hubble flow (Ωm = 0.3, ΩΛ = 0.7). The random probability of such an occurrence is significantly less than 3%. Follow-up spectroscopy reveals neutral gas-phase Zn abundances of [Zn/H] = -0.58 ± 0.15 (26.5% solar) and -1.32 ± 0.28 (4.7% solar), respectively. The corresponding Cr abundances are [Cr/H] = -1.26 ± 0.15 (5.5% solar) and -1.77 ± 0.28 (1.7% solar), respectively, which is evidence for depletion onto grains. Follow-up IR images show the two most likely DLA galaxy candidates to have impact parameters of ≈22 and ≈32 h kpc if near z = 1. They are significantly underluminous relative to the galaxy population at z = 1. To investigate the possibility of additional high-N absorbers, we have searched the Sloan Digital Sky Survey database for z > 1 quasars within 30' of the original sight line. Five were found, and two show strong Mg II-Fe II absorption near z = 1, consistent with classical damped Lyα absorption ≈37% of the time, but almost always N > 1019 atoms cm-2. Consequently, this rare configuration of four high-N absorbers with a total sight line velocity extent of 30,600 km s-1 may represent a large filament-like structure stretching over a proper distance of 241 h Mpc along our sight line, and a region in space capable of harboring excessive amounts of neutral gas. Future studies of this region of the sky are encouraged.
Self-related neural response to tailored smoking-cessation messages predicts quitting.

Although tailored health interventions can be more effective in eliciting positive behavior change then generic interventions, the underlying neural mechanisms are not yet understood. Ninety-one smokers participated in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) session and a tailored smoking-cessation program. We found that increases in activations in self-related processing regions, particularly dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, to tailored messages predicted quitting during a 4-month follow-up.
Mode of death effect on rat liver iodothyronine 5′ deiodinase activity: Role of adenosine 3′,5′ monophosphate

Abstract Liver thyronine 5′-deiodinase activity assayed in crude homogenates in the absence of dithiothreitol (DTT) is increased in rats killed by asphyxia when compared to that of animals killed by phenobarbital injection or decapitation. The addition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate leads to a consistent decrease in observed deiodinase activity, suggesting the possible involvement of this nucleotide in the regulation of this enzyme. The addition of DTT eliminates this effect and suggest a dual regulation of the enzyme by cAMP and physiological sulfhydryl compounds.
The "Humpty Dumpty Problem" in the Study of Early Cognitive Development: Putting the Infant Back Together Again.

In this article, I propose that the big question for the field of infant cognitive development is best characterized as the “Humpty Dumpty problem”: Now that we have studied cognitive abilities in isolation, how do we put the developing cognitive system (and the infant) back together again? This problem is significant because cognitive abilities do not occur in isolation. Infants remember the items they have attended to and perceived, and their emotional state will influence their perception and representation of the events they encounter. Moreover, by examining the development of the whole cognitive system, or the whole child, we gain a deeper understanding of mechanisms developmental change. Thus, the big question for the study of infant cognition is like the question confronting all the king's horses and all the king's men: How do we put the infant's cognitive system back together again?
Characterization and evaluation of JP-4, jet a and mixtures of these fuels in environmental water samples

Capillary gas chromatographic data can be used to distinguish between JP-4 and commercial Jet A fuels that have contaminated groundwater. This is accomplished from chromatographic patterns by using normalized area percents of the C-15 and C-16 n-alkane components. Analyses of the neat fuels, mixtures of the neat fuels and of their solvent extract from water have been performed. Analyses of contaminated groundwaters have identified the presence of jet fuel and other distillate fuels similar to diesel fuel. Even with the complex nature of these fuels, percent amounts of each fuel present as a contaminant could be determined. This technique may prove useful in determining the party responsible for pollution of groundwater.
Cyclic AMP-dependent diphosphoinositide kinase

Abstract Cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) significantly increases the enzymatic activity of diphosphoinositide kinase. The attempts to identify the mechanism of action of cyclic AMP on diphosphoinositide kinase led to the observations that: (1) diphosphoinositide kinase may be fractionated into a regulatory and a catalytic subunit; (2) the regulatory subunit of diphosphoinositide kinase may serve as one of the specific receptors of cyclic AMP; (3) on combination with cyclic AMP, the regulatory subunit ceases to inhibit the catalytic subunit of diphosphoinositide kinase from phosphorylating diphosphoinositide to triphosphoinositide.
Effect of luteinizing hormone (LH), pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), or arachidonic acid (AA) on secretion of progesterone and prostaglandins (PG) E (PGE; PGE1 and PGE2) and F2α (PGF2α) by ovine corpora lutea of the estrous cycle or pregnancy in vitro

Abstract LH regulates luteal progesterone secretion during the estrous cycle in ewes and cows [1] . However, PGE, not LH, stimulated ovine luteal progesterone secretion in vitro at day 90 of pregnancy [2] and at day 200 in cows [3] , [4] , [5] . The hypophysis is not obligatory after day 50 [6] nor the ovaries [7] after day 55 to maintain pregnancy in ewes. LH has been reported to regulate ovine placental PGE secretion up to day 50 of pregnancy and by pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) after day 50 of pregnancy [4] , [6] , [8] . The objective of this experiment was to determine if and when a switch from LH to PGE occurred as the luteotropin regulating luteal progesterone secretion during pregnancy in ewes. Ovine luteal tissue slices of the estrous cycle (days 8, 11, 13, and 15) or pregnancy (days 8, 11, 13, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 90) were incubated in vitro with vehicle, LH, AA (precursor to PGE2 and PGF2α synthesis; [9] ), or PSPB in M199 for 4 h and 8 h. Concentrations of progesterone in jugular venous plasma of bred ewes increased (P ≤ 0.05) after day 50 and continued to increase through day 90. Secretion of progesterone by luteal tissue of non-bred ewes on days 8, 11, 13 and 15 and by bred ewes on days 8, 11, 13, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50 was increased (P ≤ 0.05) by LH, but not by luteal tissue from pregnant ewes after day 50 (P ≥ 0.05). LH-stimulated progesterone secretion by luteal tissue from day 15 bred ewes was greater (P ≤ 0.05) than day 15 luteal tissue from non-bred ewes. Concentrations of progesterone in media were increased (P ≤ 0.05) when luteal tissue from pregnant ewes on day 50, 60, or 90 were incubated with AA or PSPB. Concentrations of PGE in media of non-bred ewes on days 8, 11, 13, or 15 and bred ewes on days 8 and 11 did not differ (P ≥ 0.05). Concentrations of PGE were increased (P ≤ 0.05) in media by luteal slices from bred ewes on days 13, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 90 of vehicle, LH, AA or PSPB-treated ewes. In addition, PSPB increased (P ≤ 0.05) PGE in media by luteal slices from pregnant ewes only on days 40, 50, 60, and 90. Concentrations of PGF2α were increased in media (P It is concluded that LH regulates luteal progesterone secretion during the estrous cycle of non-bred ewes and up to day 50 of pregnancy, while only PGE regulates luteal progresterone secretion by ovine corpora lutea from days 50 to 90 of pregnancy. In addition, PSPB appears to regulate luteal secretion of progesterone from days 50 to 90 of pregnancy through stimulation of PGE secretion by ovine luteal tissue.
Intervention strategies for children who exhibit coexisting phonological and fluency disorders: a clinical note:

The purpose of this paper is to present suggestions for intervention strategies found to be useful for children exhibiting coexisting stuttering and phonolog ical disorders. Six guiding principles form the basis for clinical management: (1) the use of an indirect phonological approach; (2) employing a phono logical process approach; (3) the use of direct fluency modification tech niques; (4) the concurrent application of phonological and fluency principles; (5) parental involvement; and (6) the use of a group setting. Specific guidelines for selection of target processes and target sounds are dis cussed together with fluency modification techniques.
Protons or megavoltage X-rays as boost therapy for patients irradiated for localized prostatic carcinoma. An early phase I/II comparison

A total of 180 patients with carcinoma of the prostate limited to the pelvis were treated with one of two external beam irradiation techniques between 1972 and 1979. One hundred and sixteen patients were treated with conventional pelvic megavoltage x-ray therapy. Sixty-four patients were treated with combined pelvic x-ray therapy plus a perineal proton beam boost to a carefully defined prostatic tumor volume. A 160 MeV proton beam has been modified to irradiate patients with localized tumors by using conventional treatment schedules. This proton beam has the physical advantage over megavoltage x-rays of reducing the dose to normal tissues adjacent to the tumor volume. By using the proton beam boost we have delivered an increased prostatic tumor dose of 500 to 700 cGy without increasing treatment morbidity at all. The two groups are actuarially analyzed for patient survival, disease-free survival and local recurrence-free survival, and thus far, no significant differences have been noted. Because of the minimal complications observed in the proton group despite a 10% increase in dose, a randomized clinical trial comparing these two treatment techniques is studied.
Property Rights and Unilateral Player Transfers in a Multiconference Sports League

According to the invariance hypothesis, the allocation of players in sports leagues is the same, regardless of who owns their property rights. However, when a player moves to a new team, the absolute quality of the new team increases while the absolute quality of the former team decreases. This implies that intraconference teams will be willing to bid more for players than interconference teams. However, the asking price for player sales to intraconference teams will be higher than for interconference clubs. If clubs own player property rights, the intraconference effects are built into the ask/bid price. When players own property rights, however, the effect of the transfer on the former club’s revenue stream is ignored. This suggests that free agency should result in a higher percentage of intraconference player transfers than player sales. Player sale data from 1964-1975 and free agency data between 1976-1992 reveal evidence consistent with theory.
Impairment of Wound Healing in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Influences Circulating MicroRNA Patterns via Inflammatory Cytokines

Objective—MicroRNAs (miRNA/miR) are stably present in body fluids and are increasingly explored as disease biomarkers. Here, we investigated influence of impaired wound healing on the plasma miRNA signature and their functional importance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Approach and Results—miRNA array profiling identified 41 miRNAs significantly deregulated in diabetic controls when compared with patients with diabetes mellitus–associated peripheral arterial disease and chronic wounds. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction validation confirmed decrease in circulating miR-191 and miR-200b levels in type 2 diabetic versus healthy controls. This was reverted in diabetic subjects with associated peripheral arterial disease and chronic wounds, who also exhibited higher circulating C-reactive protein and proinflammatory cytokine levels compared with diabetic controls. miR-191 and miR-200b were significantly correlated with C-reactive protein or cytokine levels in patients with diabetes me...
A multi-level/multi-type model for design-based alignment of instruction, assessment, and testing

Accountability-oriented reforms demand immediate and continual gains on criterion referenced achievement tests for all students, without diminishing other educational outcomes. The poster describes a model that builds on the formative assessment research of others, in order to meet this challenge. This model address three issues that expert panels have identified as needing resolution to maximize the potential of formative assessment: (1) different formats and contexts offer different formative potential; (2) the summative functions of assessment often undermine formative goals, and (3), potentially formative information is often unused or used in ways that undermines learning. The guiding principle of our approach is what theorists have called systemic validity, where the act of measuring student outcomes leads to increased performance on those same outcomes.
A simple, accurate, field-portable mixing ratio generator and Rayleigh distillation device

Abstract Routine field calibration of water vapor analyzers has always been a challenging problem for those making long-term flux measurements at remote sites. Automated sampling of standard gases from compressed tanks, the method of choice for CO 2 calibration, cannot be used for H 2 O. Calibrations are typically done manually with a dew point generator, and as a consequence are done less frequently, degrading the accuracy and utility of H 2 O flux data. To remedy this, we have designed, built and tested a field-portable mixing ratio generator, also including features that facilitate its use in water vapor isotope research. It consists of an aluminum cell, with a usable capacity of 80 cm 3 , that is coupled to a Peltier heater/cooler and encased in insulation. The temperature of water in the cell is monitored with a thermocouple and a pressure transducer is used to measure the cell pressure. A data logger uses this information to compute the mixing ratio in the cell and control the polarity and duty cycle of the power input to the Peltier block in order to drive the system toward the desired mixing ratio and to maintain it. Incoming air enters through a bubbler and the exiting air is directed to the gas analyzer. A separate fitting mates to a syringe, allowing easy filling and draining of the cell. The cost of the components, exclusive of the data logger, is approximately 1100 USD. Power consumption is low, on the order of 10 W, facilitating use at remote sites. As a consequence, the response time of the instrument is relatively slow, but could be substantially improved for situations where dynamic response is more important than power consumption. Testing has shown that the unit is accurate over a broad range of mixing ratios, able to compensate for changes in ambient pressure, and stable for long periods of time. In addition, it has been used to generate Rayleigh distillation plots, demonstrating its utility for routinely checking the performance of water vapor isotope lasers.
An Agile, Ultra-Wideband Pulse Radio Transceiver With Discrete-Time Wideband-IF

A pulse-based CMOS ultra-wideband transmitter and receiver have been realized using a standard digital 90 nm CMOS process. The transceiver uses digital templates stored in high-speed memories for pulse generation on the transmit side and for correlation on the receive side. This allows fast band switching for multi-band operation and interferer avoidance without the requirement for fast-settling phase-locked loops. The receiver contains a 3.1-9.5 GHz broadband front-end and discrete-time intermediate frequency correlators that achieve a pulse rate of 100 Mpulses/s and has a die area of 1 mm2 while consuming 130 mA from a 1.2 V supply. The transmitter uses interleaved, intermediate frequency digital-to-analog converters followed by partial-order hold reconstruction filters that eliminate sampling images, and a quadrature RF up-converter. 1.25 nJ is spent per transmitted pulse for a pulse-repetition rate of 100 MHz while achieving a broadband image cancellation of 42 dB.
Incisional hernia repair in horses: A cadaveric study of endoscopic component separation

Objective To report a technique for endoscopic component separation in horses and quantify the amount of body wall advancement obtained. Study Design Descriptive study. Animals Fresh cadaveric horses (n = 14). Methods After a preliminary anatomic study, 7 horses had unilateral endoscopic component separation involving transection of the external abdominal oblique fascia lateral to the rectus abdominis muscle. A laparoscope, placed using a balloon dissector, was used to create an intermuscular working space between the external abdominal oblique fascia and internal abdominal oblique muscle. A single instrument portal was created 10–12 cm medial to the laparoscope portal. Laparoscopic scissors were used to transect the external abdominal oblique fascia, lateral to its insertion to the external rectus sheath, from ∼20 cm cranial to the costochondral junction to the level of the superficial inguinal ring. Subsequently, a 30 cm ventral median celiotomy was created and the myofascial advancement was quantified at points 10 and 20 cm cranial to the umbilicus. Results Endoscopic component separation was successfully completed in all horses. Component separation provided a net mean (±SD) abdominal wall advancement of 3.5 ± 1.3 cm and 3.4 ± 0.5 cm, 10 cm, and 20 cm cranial to the umbilicus, respectively. Conclusion Endoscopic component separation in horses is technically feasible but, as conducted, results in modest abdominal wall advancement.
A Model for the Two-Phase Behavior of Fluids in Dilute Porous Media

Experiments show that the coexistence region of a vapor-liquid system or binary liquid mixture is dramatically narrowed when the fluid is confined in a dilute porous medium such as a silica aerogel. We propose a simple model of the gel as a periodic array of cylindrical strands, and study the phase behavior of an Ising system confined in this geometry. Our results suggest that the coexistence region should widen out at lower temperatures, and that the narrowness observed near the critical point may be a fluctuation-induced effect.
Performance Evaluation of Automotive Radars Using Carrier-Phase Differential GPS

We describe a centimeter-level ground-truth system based on GPS relative positioning. One of the goals of the system is for performance evaluation of automotive radars by creating objective test procedures for the radars. In support of this goal, an effective scheme is used to handle signal attenuation or blockage that leads to the changes of satellite visible map and cycle slip. Multiplatform GPS measurements and low-cost vehicle dynamic sensor data are integrated for vehicle trajectory reconstruction. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the system's actual centimeter-level accuracy and superior performance over Kalman smoothing. The effectiveness of the proposed ground-truth system is demonstrated by evaluating mono-pulse short-range radars whose accuracy is about submeter level.
Exact synthesis of biological pattern generation: a circulant paradigm

The central pattern generator (CPG) is the fundamental mechanism underlying rhythmic movements of animals, and may play important roles in the locomotion control of engineering systems. This paper gives a novel method for synthesizing artificial CPG circuits by utilizing the properties of circulant matrices. The unique feature of the synthesized CPGs is their ability to generate patterns exactly to achieve a prescribed set of frequency, amplitudes, and phases.
Four relational programs

In this report we demonstrate the relational programming language RPL by using it to develop four programs. These programs are: (1) computing a table of word frequencies from a text; (2) a simple data processing example involving updating an employee file; (3) Gaussian elimination; and (4) minimizing deterministic finite state automata. We do not present the RPL language systematically; rather it is described incrementally through the examples.
CO2 Input Dynamics and Air–Sea Exchange in a Large New England Estuary

Repeated surveys of the Kennebec estuary, a macrotidal river estuary in Maine, USA, between 2004 and 2008 found spatial and temporal variability both in sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the estuary and the air–sea flux of estuary CO2. On an annual basis, the surveyed area of the Kennebec estuary had an area-weighted average partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) of 559 μatm. The area-weighted average CO2 flux to the atmosphere was 3.54 mol C m−2 year−1. Overall, the Kennebec estuary was an annual source of 7.2 × 107 mol CO2 to the atmosphere. Distinct seasonality in estuarine pCO2 was observed, with shifts in the seasonal pattern evident between lower and higher salinities. Fluxes of CO2 from the estuary were elevated following two summertime storms, and inputs of riverine CO2 outweighed internal estuarine CO2 inputs in nearly all months. River and estuarine inputs of CO2 represented 68 and 32 % of the total CO2 contributions to the estuary, respectively. This study examines the variability of CO2 in a large New England estuary, and highlights the comparatively high contribution of CO2 from riverine sources.
Nonlinear dynamics, delay times, and embedding windows

In order to construct an embedding of a nonlinear time series, one must choose an appropriate delay time d. Often, d is estimated using the autocorrelation function; however, this does not treat the nonlinearity appropriately, and it may yield an incorrect value for d. On the other hand, the correct value of d can be found from the mutual information, but this process is rather cumbersome computationally. Here, we suggest a simpler method for estimating d using the correlation integral. We call this the C‐C method, and we test it on several nonlinear time series, obtaining estimates of d in agreement with those obtained using the mutual information. Furthermore, some researchers have suggested that one should not choose a fixed delay time d, independent of the embedding dimension m, but, rather, one should choose an appropriate value for the delay time window w D .m 1/ , which is the total time spanned by the components of each embedded point. Unfortunately, w cannot be estimated using the autocorrelation function or the mutual information, and no standard procedure for estimating w has emerged. However, we show that the C‐C method can also be used to estimate w. Basically w is the optimal time for independence of the data, while d is the first locally optimal time. As tests, we apply the C‐C method to the Lorenz system, a three-dimensional irrational torus, the Rossler system, and the Rabinovich‐Fabrikant system. We also demonstrate the robustness of this method to the presence of noise. c 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
S‐P wave travel time residuals and lateral inhomogeneity in the mantle beneath Tibet and the Himalaya

S-P wave travel time residuals were measured in earthquakes in Tibet and the Himalaya in order to study lateral inhomogeneities in the earth's mantle. Average S-P residuals, measured with respect to Jeffrey-Bullen (J-B) tables for 11 earthquakes in the Himalaya are less than +1 second. Average J-B S-P from 10 of 11 earthquakes in Tibet, however, are greater than +1 second even when corrected for local crustal thickness. The largest values, ranging between 2.5 and 4.9 seconds are for five events in central and northern Tibet, and they imply that the average velocities in the crust and upper mantle in this part of Tibet are 4 to 10 percent lower than those beneath the Himalaya. On the basis of the data, it is concluded that it is unlikely that a shield structure lies beneath north central Tibet unless the S-P residuals are due to structural variations occurring deeper than 250 km.
REPRISE ON COMMODITY SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY

Set out over a decade ago, a methodology of commodity systems analysis described five basic foci of research: production practices, grower organization and organizations, labor, science production and application, and marketing and distribution networks. Recent empirical research on several commodity systems in California and on the globalization of fresh fruits and vegetables has indicated the need for an elaboration of the original methodology. A review is made of existing literature relevant to commodity studies and commodity systems analyses as well as assessing several related systems of provision and actor network theory as potential contributors to commodity and commodity systems analysis. Three additional research foci are proposed: scale, sectoral organization and the relationship of the state to the commodity, and commodity culture. Scale refers both to the spatial character of the commodity and the forms of social interaction of actors within the commodity system and also includes the character of the community or communities – spatial and functional – that are part of the commodity system. Sectoral organization deals with whether and how the commodity is organized in or around the competitive, monopoly, or state sectors and how the commodity is regulated or the degree to which the state regulates, intervenes, or supports commodity development. Commodity culture refers to cultural forms found either among commodity producers or consumers, a variable phenomenon with strong cultural elements found in some commodities and absent in others. Empirical cases explore the utility of these augmenting research foci.
PAPAYA PUREE AND CONCENTRATE: CHANGES IN ASCORBIC ACID, CAROTENOIDS AND SENSORY QUALITY DURING PROCESSING

SUMMARY IN THE PROCESS of making a puree and a concentrate from papaya, small but statistically significant losses in vitamin C occurred. Changes in carotenoids were measurable, but the nutritional significance of this is uncertain. No obvious change in color due to heat-induced browning was seen. Flavor quality was not changed by concentration of the puree, and little or no change took place in aroma. It was apparent from this study that quality retention is satisfactory in low-temperature, low pressure evaporation of papaya puree to produce a concentrate.
AL‐INSĀN AL‐KĀMIL: THE PERFECT MAN ACCORDING TO IBN AL‐'ARAB?

L'A. explique le concept de l'Homme parfait, " al-Insan al-Kamil ", tel qu'on le trouve dans les oeuvres d'Ibn Arabi, et montre pourquoi il a ete si vehementement denonce par les juristes orthodoxes islamiques
Sensational Devotion: Evangelical Performance in Twenty-First-Century America

Evangelists are consummate performers. Protestant renewalism thrives on a mastery of rhetoric and ritual drama. It is ironic that a religious tradition so constitutionally averse to the very idea o...
Abstract 626: Caveolin-1 (CAV1) Levels Determine the Cell Surface Expression of the Dopamine D1-like Receptors

In human renal proximal tubule cells, the dopamine-1 receptor (D1R) increases cAMP production and negatively regulates sodium transport. Defects in D1R signaling have been associated with SNPs in G-protein coupled receptor kinase type 4 (GRK4), which hyperphosphorylates and decreases D1R function, leading to sodium retention. We have previously shown that knockdown of CAV1 in proximal tubule cells impairs sodium transport. In this report we show that CAV1 reduction, knockdown or knockout leads to decreased dopamine D1-like receptor binding at the proximal tubule cell surface. Dopamine D1-like brush border and cell surface binding was measured using Bodipy-FL conjugated SKF83566. WT and Caveolin 1 knockout (CAV1KO) kidney cortex brush border membrane isolation was performed by magnetic lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin affinity purification and fluorescent SKF83566 binding by microplate fluorometry. CAV1KO had a 35.8±3.3% decrease in binding vs WT (p<0.01, n=6 per group, WT level 18,492 RFU above background)...
Do Local Social Hierarchies Matter for Mental Health? A Study of Neighborhood Social Status and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults

Objectives Despite a well-established association between relative social position and health, stratification at smaller levels of social organization has received scant attention. Neighborhood is a localized context that has increasing relevance for adults as they age, thus one's relative position within this type of mesolevel group may have an effect on mental health, independent of absolute level of social and economic resources. We examine the relationship between an older adult's relative rank within their neighborhoods on two criteria and depressive symptoms. Method Using data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, neighborhood relative social position was ascertained for two social domains: income and social reputation (number of neighbors one knows well enough to visit). Using multilevel models, we estimated the effect of relative position within the neighborhood on depressive symptoms, net of absolute level for each domain and average neighborhood level. Results Higher neighborhood relative rankings on both income and visiting neighbors were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Although both were modest in effect, the gradient in depressive symptoms was three times steeper for the relative rank of visiting neighbors than for income. Men had steeper gradients than women in both domains, but no race differences were observed. Discussion These findings suggest that an older adult's relative position in a local social hierarchy is associated with his/her mental health, net of absolute position.
A Study of the Effects of Teaching Avatars on Students' Learning of Surveying Mathematics

The paper reports a research study aimed at investigating the appeal and pedagogical efficacy of animated teaching avatars. Specifically, the goal of the study was to determine whether animated characters could be effective and engaging teachers in the context of undergraduate surveying mathematics. The study included two forms of evaluation: formative and summative. Findings from the formative evaluation with forty-four undergraduate students show that three animated lectures delivered by a teaching avatar that speaks, gestures and points to a virtual board were perceived as engaging and useful for learning surveying mathematics concepts and procedures. Results of the summative evaluation with fifty-two undergraduate students show that watching the animated avatar lectures led to an increase in subjects' mathematical competence by 31%. The study also compared the animated avatar lectures to interactive 2D visualizations illustrating equivalent surveying math concepts. Findings show that watching the teaching avatar lectures led to significantly higher learning gains.
WHAT’S THE USE?

What’s so special about special collections is the people who use them. Without the people who use these materials to forward scholarship, to teach new generations, to serve as librarians, archivists, conservators, and curators, or simply to marvel at them, special collections are not special at all. People who use special collections for research bring to them their own ideas and their own excitement. In the past month at the Ransom Center, a biographer was crafting a tale of a publisher’s life by poring over the publisher’s archive; three students were collating variant editions of a sixteenth-century text for a . . .
Inhibition of the red blood cell calcium pump by eosin and other fluorescein analogues

This paper addresses the mechanism of inhibition of the plasma membrane Ca pump by fluorescein analogues and their isothiocyanate derivatives. Eosin (i.e., tetrabromofluorescein) was found to be on...
Forging a Path for Ethics and Business in Society

The editors of Business Ethics Quarterly, The Journal of Business Ethics, and Business & Society are interviewed about the roles that their journals play in developing the field of business ethics/business in society, and forwarding new ideas. Although all journals are subject to material that is submitted, the editors agreed that they can sometimes foster new lines of thinking by seeking out submissions related to emerging themes. They stressed the need for new avenues for translating work published in academic journals into forms that will be useful to practicing managers and can be developed for teaching purposes in management education programs; they also highlighted a number of important emerging areas of study.
Genomic Characterization of a Pattern D Streptococcus pyogenes emm53 Isolate Reveals a Genetic Rationale for Invasive Skin Tropicity

UNLABELLED The genome of an invasive skin-tropic strain (AP53) of serotype M53 group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is composed of a circular chromosome of 1,860,554 bp and carries genetic markers for infection at skin locales, viz, emm gene family pattern D and FCT type 3. Through genome-scale comparisons of AP53 with other GAS genomes, we identified 596 candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that reveal a potential genetic basis for skin tropism. The genome of AP53 differed by ∼30 point mutations from a noninvasive pattern D serotype M53 strain (Alab49), 4 of which are located in virulence genes. One pseudogene, yielding an inactive sensor kinase (CovS(-)) of the two-component transcriptional regulator CovRS, a major determinant for invasiveness, severely attenuated the expression of the secreted cysteine protease SpeB and enhanced the expression of the hyaluronic acid capsule compared to the isogenic noninvasive AP53/CovS(+) strain. The collagen-binding protein transcript sclB differed in the number of 5'-pentanucleotide repeats in the signal peptides of AP53 and Alab49 (9 versus 15), translating into different lengths of their signal peptides, which nonetheless maintained a full-length translatable coding frame. Furthermore, GAS strain AP53 acquired two phages that are absent in Alab49. One such phage (ΦAP53.2) contains the known virulence factor superantigen exotoxin gene tandem speK-slaA Overall, we conclude that this bacterium has evolved in multiple ways, including mutational variations of regulatory genes, short-tandem-repeat polymorphisms, large-scale genomic alterations, and acquisition of phages, all of which may be involved in shaping the adaptation of GAS in specific infectious environments and contribute to its enhanced virulence. IMPORTANCE Infectious strains of S. pyogenes (GAS) are classified by their serotypes, relating to the surface M protein, the emm-like subfamily pattern, and their tropicity toward the nasopharynx and/or skin. It is generally agreed that M proteins from pattern D strains, which also directly bind human host plasminogen, are skin tropic. We have sequenced and characterized the genome of an invasive pattern D GAS strain (AP53) in comparison to a very similar strain (Alab49) that is noninvasive and developed a genomic rationale as to possible reasons for the skin tropicity of these two strains and the greater invasiveness of AP53.
Management of stage IB, Stage II, and locally advanced cancer of uterine cervix

Cancer of uterine cervix is a substantial public health problem globally. It is also one of the most commonly diagnosed gynecological malignancies in China. In countries and areas where screening programs with PAP smear are not widely available, patients usually present with bulky stage ⅠB/Ⅱ, or locally advanced disease. The most commonly used staging system for cervical cancer is the FIGO staging system. Although staged as early disease, the prognoses of patients with bulky stage ⅠB/Ⅱ cervical cancer simulates that of locally advanced diseases, and likewise are not curable by any form of hysterectomy alone. External beam radiotherapy followed by intracavitary brachytherapy, combined with concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy has demonstrated significant improvement in overall survival for patients with advanced cervical cancer. This review will systemically evaluate the currently available evidence supporting the combined treatment modalities for bulky stage ⅠB/Ⅱ,and locally advanced cervical cancer.
Analysis on the first case of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis in Chongqing

Objective To find out the factors associated with oral vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis,put forward scientific strategies to reduce and avoid the incidence of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis(VAPP). Method Using questionnaire to investigate the acute flaccid paralysis case and follow up his recovery after 60 days since he had paralysis symptom. Results This case with crissum abscess appeared fever and paralysis with limb after 16 days since he was firstly vaccinated oral poliovirus attenuated vaccine. Because the collection of his stool specimen was overtime,so the specimen was unqualified and the result was negative. The patient still appeared paralysis after 60 days follow up. AFP experts in Chongqing identified this case was a VAPP one. Conclusions Result to induce and avoid the incidence of VAPP,we should strengthen the procedure of asking children's medical history and physical examination,strictly control contraindications,the vaccination to infant with crissum abscess should be put off;avoid injecting in 30 days after vaccinating OPV; enforce the surveillance on VAPP.