cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing habitat requirements of young Colorado River cutthroat trout by use of macrohabitat and microhabitat analyses

Abstract We used both microhabitat and macrohabitat analyses to better assess habitat requirements of young Colorado River cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus. Microhabitat analyses revealed that among a range of stream types, young cutthroat trout consistently preferred slow water (<0.06 m/s) and depths over 3 cm. Suitable habitat of this type was provided by different types of pool habitat within the geomorphically diverse study streams. Macrohabitat analysis indicated that the density of young cutthroat trout was positively correlated with the abundance of spawning gravel and negatively correlated with stream depth (adjusted R 2 = 0.67). This relationship helped explain the absence of young cutthroat trout from some stream reaches that had suitable microhabitat but that often lacked suitable spawning habitat. The two types of habitat analysis provided complementary information concerning the habitat requirements of young Colorado River cutthroat trout in the study streams.
Oxidation behavior of Fe-Si-Al alloys at 1173-1373 K

The oxidation behavior of Fe-Al-Si alloys prepared by ingot metallurgy (IM) and powder metallurgy (PM) in air and oxygen was investigated in the temperature range 1173–1373 K. A fine dispersion of TiB2 in the PM alloys stabilized a fine grain size (<1 Μ) up to 1273 K. Isothermal oxidation tests in air and oxygen at 1173, 1273, and 1373 K were carried out in a thermobalance system and cyclic oxidation tests were carried out in air at 1273 K. The exceptional scale adherence and the extremely low oxidation rates, in both the isothermal and the cyclic tests, of the Al2O3-scale-forming Fe-Al-Si PM alloys makes them strong candidates for use below 1273 K; the IM alloys, in comparison, showed very poor scale adherence. The results suggest that the critical Al content for continuous Al2O3 scale formation at 1373 K is increased by the addition of TiB2. The Fe-8Si PM alloy which forms an SiO2 scale showed improved scale adherence but enhanced scale growth rate compared to the Fe-8Si IM alloy. The grain-growth inhibiting effect of TiB2 was lost in the Fe-8Si PM alloy in oxidizing environments because of Ti transport across the SiO2 scale. All the IM and PM alloys tested showed superior oxidation resistance compared to the 304 stainless steel. The relative rating in terms of decreasing oxidation resistance of the alloys tested is Fe-3Al-5Si PM, Fe-8Al PM, Fe-5Al-3Si PM, Fe-3Al-5Si IM, Fe-8Al IM, Fe-8Si IM, Fe-8Si PM, and 304 stainless steel.
Synthesis and characterization of naphthalene diimide/diethynylbenzene copolymers

Abstract A series of conjugated polymers has been synthesized by Sonogashira coupling of N,N′-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-2,6-dibromonaphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide) and four para-diethynylbenzene derivatives: 1,4-diethynyl-2,5-dihexadecyloxybenzene, 1,4-diethynyl-2,5-bis(2-octyldodecyloxy) benzene, 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-2,5-diethynylbenzene, 1,4-diethynyl-2,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene. The polymers display absorption maxima at wavelengths ranging from 530 nm to 654 nm with molar absorptivities ranging from ca. 4 to 7 × 104 M−1 cm−1. The peak reduction potentials, determined by differential pulse voltammetry, for polymer films varied from −0.93 to −1.14 V vs. ferrocenium/ferrocene with the trifluoromethyl-substituted derivative being the most readily reduced. All four polymers exhibited electron transport characteristics in bottom-gate/top-contact field-effect transistors, showing average electron mobility values ranging from 1.4 × 10−4 to 3.7 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Are fully independent audit committees really necessary

Abstract Accounting scandals and concerns about the quality of financial statements have led to many calls for improved audit committee effectiveness. Prior research indicates that audit committee independence is positively related to effective oversight of the financial reporting process. Unfortunately, prior research has not provided an answer as to how much independence on the audit committee is enough. This is an important unanswered question because while Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) currently requires all listed companies to maintain an audit committee that is 100% independent there has been much debate regarding easing the SOX requirements for smaller and foreign companies. In this paper we examine whether the regulatory requirements of a completely independent audit committee are necessary to obtain the monitoring benefits related to audit committee independence that have been documented in prior literature. Our results suggest that the benefits of audit committee independence are consistently achieved only when the audit committee is completely independent. These results provide support for the SOX requirement of 100% independent audit committees.
Hypnotic hypermnesia: a critical review.

Abstract The scientific literature on hypnotic hypermnesia is reviewed. The results suggest that hypnosis consistently enhances recall of meaningful material when recall is measured in a free narrative format. Recall of nonsense material is generally not improved by hypnosis. Methodological factors which potentially influence results of such research are discussed. Several theoretical conceptualizations attempting to explain these data are offered.
Toward a structural analysis of the postwar samurai film

(1983). Toward a structural analysis of the postwar samurai film. Quarterly Review of Film Studies: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 25-41.
Internal urethrotomy and intraurethral submucosal injection of triamcinolone in short bulbar urethral strictures

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010; 194: W316-22.Objective: The objective of our study was to determine the relationship between the apparent diffusion coef-ficient (ADC) value on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and Gleason score of prostate cancer and percentage of tumor involvement on prostate core biopsy. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 57 patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer who underwent endorectal MRI with DWI between July 2007 and March 2008. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on ADC maps at sites of visible tumor on DW images and ADC maps. A hierarchic mixed linear model was used to compare the ADC value of prostate cancer with the Gleason score and the percentage of tumor on core biopsy. Results: Eighty-one sites of biopsy-proven prostate cancer were visible on DW images and ADC maps. The least-squares mean ADC for disease with a Gleason score of 6 was 0.860 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s (standard error of the mean [SEM], 0.036); Gleason score of 7, 0.702 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s (SEM, 0.030); Gleason score of 8, 0.672 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s (SEM, 0.057); and Gleason score of 9, 0.686 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s (SEM, 0.067). Differ-ences between the mean ADC values for a prostate tumor with a Gleason score of 6 and one with a Gleason score of 7 (p = 0.0096) and for a prostate tumor with a Gleason score of 6 and one with a Gleason score of 8 (p = 0.0460) were significant. Comparison between the ADC and percentage of tumor on core biopsy showed a mean ADC decrease of 0.006 (range, 0.004-0.008 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s) for every 1% increase in tumor in the core biopsy specimen. Conclusion: DWI may help differentiate between low-risk (Gleason score, 6) and intermediate-risk (Gleason score, 7) prostate cancer and between low-risk (Gleason score, 6) and high-risk (Gleason score > 7) prostate cancer. There is an inverse relationship between the ADC and the percentage of tumor involvement on prostate core biopsies.
Living wills and cross-border resolution of systemically important banks

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether and how “living wills” and public disclosure of such resolution plans contribute to market discipline and the effective resolution of too big and too complex to fail banks. Design/methodology/approach – The disorderly collapse of Lehman Brothers is analyzed. Large, systemically important banks are now required to prepare resolution plans (living wills). In the USA, parts of the living wills must be disclosed to the public. The public component is analyzed with respect to contribution to market discipline and effective resolution of banks considered too big and complex to fail. In a statistical analysis of the publicly available section of living wills, this information is contrasted with legislative requirements. Findings – The analysis of public disclosures of resolution plans shows that they are insufficient to facilitate market discipline and, in some instances, fail to enhance public understanding of the financial institution and its business. ...
Bremsstrahlung production and shielding of static and linear electron accelerators below 50 MeV. Toxic gas production, required exhaust rates, and radiation protection instrumentation

Abstract Shielding requirements, exhaust rates, stack heights, interlocks, and health physics instrumentation which must be considered in designing and operating electron accelerator facilities below 50 MeV are reviewed. Angular distribution over 4π solid angle, spectral distribution, and intensity of the X-rays are calculated and measured as a function of electron energy, beam current, target material and thickness. The results are used to calculate the concrete shielding requirements as a function of electron energy and beam current. Based on experimental determinations, the production rates of ozone and radioactive nitrogen and oxygen are calculated as a function of energy, beam current, and dimensions of the radiation cell. The results are then used to calculate the required exhaust rate for safe entrance to the cell after shut-down and the necessary stack heights for the exhaust gas. Finally, interlock systems and the limitations of radiation survey instruments are discussed.
Pion-nucleus optical potential including the nuclear Hamiltonian

We use the fact that the mass of the pion is much smaller than the mass of the nucleon to derive an expression for the first-order pion-nucleus optical potential that includes the effect of the nuclear Hamiltonian through a single-particle model. We apply this potential to calculate the total and reaction cross sections of /sup 12/C and the charge-exchange cross section to the isobaric analog state in /sup 13/C for energies between 0 and 300 MeV, obtaining qualitative agreement with experiment.
Simulations of the chain length dependence of the melting mechanism in short-chain n-alkane monolayers on graphite

Abstract The melting transition in solid monolayers of a series of short-chained n-alkanes, n-octane (n-C8H18), n-decane (n-C10H22), and n-dodecane (n-C12H26) physisorbed onto the graphite basal plane are studied through use of molecular dynamics simulations. Utilizing previous experimental observations of the solid phase behavior of these monolayers, this study investigates the temperature dependence of the phases and phase transitions in these three monolayers during the solid–fluid phase transition, and compares the observed melting behavior to previous studies of hexane and butane monolayers. In particular, this study seems to indicate a greater dependence of the melting transition on the formation of gauche defects in the alkyl chains as the chain length is increased. In light of the previously proposed “footprint reduction” mechanism and variations where the formation of gauche defects are energetically negated, simulations seem to suggest that decane and dodecane monolayers are generally equally as dependent upon the formation of gauche defects for the melting transition to take place, whereas octane monolayers seem to have less dependence, but follow a trend that is established in previous studies of melting in butane and hexane monolayers. Also, the phase transition from a solid herringbone phase into an orientationally ordered “intermediate” phase is found to exhibit some differences as compared to a recent study of hexane monolayers, which may be interpreted as originating from the greater influence of gauche defects. Comparison to experimental melting temperatures is provided where possible, and applications involving thin film manipulation and lubrication is discussed.
Fas(CD95)/FasL interactions required for programmed cell death after T-cell activation

Receptor crosslinking of T-cell hybridomas induces cell activation followed by apoptosis. This activation-induced cell death requires de novo synthesis of RNA and proteins, but the actual gene products that provide the death signal have not been identified. We show here that receptor crosslinking induces Fas ligand and upregulates Fas, and that the ensuing engagement of Fas by Fas ligand activates the cell-death programme. Cell death, but not activation, can be selectively prevented by a soluble Fas-immunoglobulin fusion protein. Thus, Fas and Fas ligand are the death-gene products, and their interaction accounts for the molecular mechanism of activation-induced T-cell death.
Climate, fire size, and biophysical setting control fire severity and spatial pattern in the northern Cascade Range, USA

Warmer and drier climate over the past few decades has brought larger fire sizes and increased annual area burned in forested ecosystems of western North America, and continued increases in annual area burned are expected due to climate change. As warming continues, fires may also increase in severity and produce larger contiguous patches of severely burned areas. We used remotely sensed burn-severity data from 125 fires in the northern Cascade Range of Washington, USA, to explore relationships between fire size, severity, and the spatial pattern of severity. We examined relationships between climate and the annual area burned and the size of wildfires over a 25-year period. We tested the hypothesis that increased fire size is commensurate with increased burn severity and increased spatial aggregation of severely burned areas. We also asked how local ecological controls might modulate these relationships by comparing results over the whole study area (the northern Cascade Range) to those from four ecological subsections within it. We found significant positive relationships between climate and fire size, and between fire size and the proportion of high severity and spatial-pattern metrics that quantify the spatial aggregation of high-severity areas within fires, but the strength and significance of these relationships varied among the four subsections. In areas with more contiguous subalpine forests and less complex topography, the proportion and spatial aggregation of severely burned areas were more strongly correlated with fire size. If fire sizes increase in a warming climate, changes in the extent, severity, and spatial pattern of fire regimes are likely to be more pronounced in higher-severity fire regimes with less complex topography and more continuous fuels.
The Phosphatase Activity of Chocolate Milk

Summary Phosphatase activity of chocolate milk was significantly higher than the activity in its white whole milk counterpart when both milks were pasteurized at minimum temperatures required for the latter. Sucrose was shown to contribute to the protection of the phosphatase enzyme during heating of chocolate milk. Heating of chocolate milk under commercial and laboratory conditions indicated that the practical minimum times and temperatures required for the proper pasteurization of chocolate milk, using white whole milk as a comparison, should be 170° F. for 15.5 seconds or 150° F. for 30 minutes. The importance of proper controls and the interesting effects of sugar on color development in the phosphatase test used are briefly discussed.
Systems analysis and design in a computer science curriculum

Some of the recent dialogue in computing publications and conferences has dealt with a topical area referred to as "software engineering" or "systems analysis." This paper provides a description of a course in this area and a discussion sufficiently adequate for the implementation of the course in an undergraduate computer science curriculum. The course is recommended for inclusion in the ACM curriculum guide under the special topic, "Software Engineering: Large Systems Design."
Supersonic laminar base pressure, heat-transfer, and upstream influence correlations for small steps

Some results of the application of a unified theory of small disturbances in nonuniform high-speed boundary layers to the small-step problem for the case of supersonic laminar nonadiabatic flow are described. Comparisons with experimental data are given which show good agreement in a variety of physical features, including useful new base pressure and heat-transfer correlation relations. Using a small perturbation approach, an analytical theory is developed that predicts the steady-state pressure, temperature, and heat-transfer disturbance fields including suction or blowing through the step. Particular emphasis is placed on the important effects of the highly nonuniform flow across the boundary layer, lateral pressure gradients, and the upstream influence associated with viscous-inviscid interaction. Approximate analytical expressions for the wall pressure, skin friction, and heat-transfer perturbations and upstream influence distance are derived by a Fourier transformation approach.
Changes in Photosensitive Stem Growth in Intact Peas Following Irradiation

Etiolated pea seedlings given a short red-light pretreatment followed by 30 hr of darkness no longer showed a typical red-light inhibition of internode elongation. The induction of phytochrome-insensitive growth was itself mediated by phytochrome, since far-red light reversed the effect of the short red-light pretreatment. Peas grown in white light showed a similar insensitivity to red light. However, in this instance the phytochrome system exerted some control over internode elongation since far-red light promoted growth slightly, and this effect was red-reversible.The loss of sensitivity to red light was correlated with a decrease in the amount of spectrophotometrically assayable phytochrome. However, the loss of phytochrome occurred in a relatively short time compared to the period necessary to attain maximal insensitive growth (2 hr versus about 30 hr). Also, after the red-light and dark pretreatment, although 40% of the original amount of phytochrome remained, red light had no effect on elongation. Neither loss of phytochrome nor loss of red-light sensitive growth was observed at 0 to 1 degrees .
Differences in Oscillations and Sequences of Dynamical States Caused by Anion Adsorption in the Electrochemical Oxidation of Formic Acid

Effects of anions on the electrocatalyzed oxidation of formic acid at polycrystalline Pt under constant current conditions are studied by varying the electrolyte composition. A subcritical bifurcat...
Adenosine triphosphate-evoked currents in cultured neurones dissociated from rat parasympathetic cardiac ganglia

1. The excitatory response of cultured neurones of rat parasympathetic cardiac ganglia to extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) was examined using the whole-cell isolated membrane patch recording configurations of the patch clamp technique. The short latency between ATP application and activation of the membrane current (less than 20 ms) suggests a direct coupling between purinergic receptor and ion channel. The response was maintained during exposure to ATP suggesting that receptor desensitization is not a factor in current decay. 2. The current-voltage (I-V) relationship for macroscopic ATP-evoked currents showed strong inward rectification in the presence and absence of external divalent cations and a reversal potential of +10 mV (NaCl outside, CsCl inside). Unitary ATP-activated currents in cell-attached membrane patches exhibited a linear (ohmic) I-V relationship with a slope conductance of approximately 60 pS. 3. The order of agonist potency for the purinergic receptor-mediated response was 2-methylthioATP = ATP greater than ADP greater than AMP greater than adenosine = alpha,beta-methylene ATP greater than beta,gamma-methylene ATP, a sequence consistent with a P2y receptor subtype. ATP-evoked currents were attenuated by alpha,beta-methylene ATP (IC50 approximately 10 microM) and reversibly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by Reactive Blue 2 (Kd = 1 microM). 4. The amplitude of the ATP-evoked current was dependent on the extracellular Na+ concentration. The direction of the shift in reversal potential when NaCl was replaced with mannitol indicated that the purinergic receptor channel is cation selective. The cation permeability relative to Na+ followed the ionic selectivity sequence Ca2+ (1.48) greater than Na+ (1.0) greater than Cs+ (0.67). Anions were not measurably permeant. 5. ATP and ACh-evoked responses in rat intracardiac neurones are mediated by distinct receptor channels. The ATP-activated channels in cardiac neurones may contribute to non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic neurotransmission and mediate, in part, the vagal innervation of the mammalian heart.
Research Methodology in Strategy and Management/Research Methodology in Strategy and Management

The article reviews the books “Research Methodology in Strategy and Management, Volume 1” and “Research Methodology in Strategy and Management, Volume 2,” both edited by David J. Ketchen, Jr., and Donald D. Bergh.
The Poe Editions of the Library of America

Patrick Quinn, ed., Edgar Allan Poe: Poetry and Tales. New York: Library of America, 1984. 1408 pp. $27.50. G. R. Thompson, ed., Edgar Allan Poe: Essays and Reviews. New York: Library of America, 1984. 1544 pp. $27.50.
Rephase invariance of KM matrices and CP violation

Conventional parametrizations of Kobayashi--Maskawa (KM) matrices ascribe phases to specific matrix elements. Those phases are unphysical, because they change under phase rotations of quark fields. In contrast, rephase-invariant quantities do not change under those rotations. We present three main topics: (a) a rephasing-invariant parametrization of KM matrices, (b) a rephasing-invariant treatment of CP violation in the neutral B (beauty flavored) and K mesons, (c) possible tests of CP and CPT invariance in experiments on vector resonances UPSILON(4S) and phi. copyright 1988 Academic Press, Inc.
Characterizing leaf geometry for grass and crop canopies from hotspot observations: A simulation study

Abstract The potential of canopy reflectance distributions in the hotspot region for characterizing leaf geometry (leaf size and shape) of grass and crop canopies is explored with computer simulations. In this article, a computer graphics method—Lindenmayer-systems (L-systems)—is used to render a series of leaf (grass) and architecturally realistic row-planted crop (corn-like) canopies that have a variety of geometrical structures. A radiosity–graphics combined model is then employed to calculate the radiation regime in a canopy, including canopy directional reflectance. An effectiveness ratio ( E ratio) is proposed, which is able to evaluate the performance of a given measure or index in estimation of the parameter of interest under the influence of a number of “noise” factors (other geometric and optical parameters of the canopy) at various noise levels. This E ratio is then applied to evaluate reflectance and normalized reflectance in the hotspot region for leaf geometry characterization. The result from simulated hotspot reflectance demonstrates that for both canopies, leaf geometry is estimable by using normalized reflectance within ±4–8° (or ±2–4°) around the hotspot direction in the principal cone (or principal plane). However, the center position and angular width of the optimal sampling region are affected by the number of noise factors [such as leaf area index, leaf angle distribution for leaf canopies, plus row structure for row-plant crop canopies] and their variation ranges. In most cases, normalized spectral reflectance in the near-infrared at a high solar zenith angle in the PC produces the most reliable results. The reason for better estimation of leaf geometry for grass and crop canopies than forests from hotspot observations is also discussed in this article.
Cell matrix adhesions and localization of the vitronectin receptor in MCF-7 human mammary carcinoma cells

Interference reflection microscopy (IRM) was used to evaluate the status of cell matrix adhesions in the MCF-7 human mammary carcinoma cell line. Focal contacts were concentrated at the periphery of individual cells or small cell clusters. Close contact was detected as a band at cell peripheries and as localized patches throughout the ventral face of cells. The MCF-7 cells also exhibited a distinctive reflection pattern of an intensity midway between that of either focal or close contact. This novel reflection pattern was located primarily at the periphery of cells and often obscured visualization of focal contacts in live cells. A similar distinctive pattern was absent from the normal tissue-derived MCF-10A mammary epithelial cell line. Immunofluorescence staining using an antiserum that cross-reacts with both alpha(v)beta3 and alpha(v)beta5 integrins revealed a distribution of the vitronectin receptor similar to that of the novel adhesion pattern as well as to that of focal contacts. In addition, IRM demonstrated the presence of "tracks" associated with cells, which were also stained with the vitronectin receptor antiserum. The tracks are apparently residual material left behind as a result of cell migration. When MCF-7 cells were cultured in the absence of estradiol, the tracks were greatly diminished when visualized with either IRM or staining for the vitronectin receptor. In contrast, the addition of 17-beta-estradiol to the medium resulted in an increased presence of the tracks as well as the development of extensive close contacts throughout the ventral surface of cells and cell clusters. Cells treated with the estrogen antagonist ICI 182,720 in the presence of estradiol had few associated tracks, indicating that the process leading to the formation of these structures is dependent on an estrogen receptor-activated pathway. However, the antagonist did not prevent the estradiol-induced formation of extensive close contacts. The extensive close contact as well as the increase in trailing material suggests that estradiol may promote breast tumor cell motility. However, this migratory activity may be mediated by both estrogen receptor-dependent and -independent pathways.
Heterologous Expression, Isolation, and Characterization of Versicolorin B Synthase from Aspergillus parasiticus A KEY ENZYME IN THE AFLATOXIN B1 BIOSYNTHETIC PATHWAY

Aflatoxin B1 is a potent environmental carcinogen produced by certain strains of Aspergillus. Central to the biosynthesis of this mycotoxin is the reaction catalyzed by versicolorin B synthase (VBS) in which a racemic substrate, versiconal hemiacetal, is cyclized to an optically active product whose absolute configuration is crucial to the interaction of aflatoxin B1 with DNA. Attempted over-production of VBS in Escherichia coli led principally to protein aggregated into inclusion bodies but also small amounts of soluble but catalytically inactive enzyme. Comparisons to wild-type VBS by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and after N-glycosidase F treatment revealed that extensive glycosylation accounted for the mass discrepancy (7,000 ±; 1,500 Da) between the native and bacterially expressed proteins. Several over-expression systems in Saccharomyces cerevisiae were surveyed in which one that incorporated a secretion signal was found most successful. VBS of indistinguishable mass on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and kinetic properties from the wild-type enzyme could be obtained in 50-100-fold greater amounts and whose catalytic behavior has been examined. The translated protein sequence of VBS showed three potential N-glycosylation sites (Asn-Xaa-Ser/Thr) consistent with the modifications observed above and unexpectedly revealed extensive homology to the ADP-binding region prominently conserved in the glucose-methanol-choline (GMC) family of flavoenzymes. Over-production of VBS in yeast marks the first aflatoxin biosynthetic enzyme to be so obtained and opens the way to direct study of the enzymology of this complex biosynthetic pathway.
A Multi-Organization Examination of Stretch Goals in SUD Treatment Centers

Although the literature on the effects of organizational goal-setting on performance is substantial, very limited research has empirically addressed the effects of an increasingly common type of go...
Interaction of serum albumin with built-up monomolecular layers of fatty acids☆☆☆

Abstract The specific removal of built-up oligomolecular films of stearic acid and its lower homologs by dilute serum albumin solutions is described. The influence on this reaction of temperature, pH, concentration of albumin, and presence of buffer salts is discussed. The specificity of the underlying formation of water-soluble complexes in respect to both reactants is emphasized. The occurrence of skeletonization and penetration phenomena is noted.
Urinary cell levels of mRNA for OX40, OX40L, PD-1, PD-L1, or PD-L2 and acute rejection of human renal allografts.

Background. The positive costimulatory proteins OX40 and OX40L and negative regulatory proteins programmed death (PD)-1, PD ligand 1, and PD ligand 2 have emerged as significant regulators of acute rejection in experimental transplantation models. Methods. We obtained 21 urine specimens from 21 renal allograft recipients with graft dysfunction and biopsy-confirmed acute rejection and 25 specimens from 25 recipients with stable graft function and normal biopsy results (stable). Urinary cell levels of mRNAs were measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays, and the levels were correlated with allograft status and outcomes. Results. Levels of OX40 mRNA (P<0.0001, Mann-Whitney test), OX40L mRNA (P=0.0004), and PD-1 mRNA (P=0.004), but not the mRNA levels of PD ligand 1 (P=0.08) or PD ligand 2 (P=0.20), were significantly higher in the urinary cells from the acute rejection group than the stable group. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that acute rejection is predicted with a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 92% (area under the curve=0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.96-1.0, P<0.0001) using a combination of levels of mRNA for OX40, OX40L, PD-1, and levels of mRNA for the previously identified biomarker Foxp3. Within the acute rejection group, levels of mRNA for OX40 (P=0.0002), OX40L (P=0.0004), and Foxp3 (P=0.04) predicted acute rejection reversal, whereas only OX40 mRNA levels (P=0.04) predicted graft loss after acute rejection. Conclusion. A linear combination of urinary cell levels of mRNA for OX40, OX40L, PD-1, and Foxp3 was a strong predictor of acute rejection in human renal allograft biopsies. This prediction model should be validated using an independent cohort of renal allograft recipients.
Desensitization of human renal D1 dopamine receptors by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4

Desensitization of human renal D 1 dopamine receptors by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4. Background The D 1 dopamine receptor, expressed in several nephron segments, participates in the regulation of water and electrolyte transport. Because the renal D 1 receptor is desensitized in genetic hypertension, we sought to determine the mechanism(s) of the desensitization of D 1 receptors endogenously expressed in renal proximal tubules. Methods The mechanisms involved in the homologous desensitization of the D 1 receptor in human renal proximal tubule cells were studied by measuring the production of cAMP in response to stimulation or inhibition of G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) activity and expression. Protein expression was assessed by immunoblotting. Results In human renal proximal tubule cells, the D 1 agonist, fenoldopam, increased cAMP accumulation (73 ± 2%). Fenoldopam pre-treatment decreased the responsiveness to subsequent fenoldopam stimulation (t 1/2 ≅ 20 min) with complete desensitization at 30 minutes. Recovery occurred gradually (t 1/2 ≅ 20 min) with full recovery at 60 minutes. Forskolin pretreatment minimally affected the fenoldopam effect, indicating a minor involvement of protein kinase A in the homologous desensitization process. Because GRKs are involved in the homologous desensitization process, we determined the consequences of inhibition of GRK expression and activity. Heparin, an inhibitor of GRK activity, decreased the expression of GRK2 and GRK4 and attenuated the desensitization of the D 1 receptor (85 ± 1%). Antisense oligonucleotides (GRK4> GRK2) blunted the D 1 receptor desensitization. However, the first 20 minutes of homologous desensitization were not affected by either heparin or GRK antisense oligonucleotides. Conclusion These studies document the critical role of GRK4, relative to GRK2, in the homologous desensitization of D 1 receptors in renal proximal tubule cells. However, the early phase of homologous desensitization is regulated by a non-GRK-mediated pathway.
Interconnect design methods for memory design

This paper presents a solution to the problem of designing interconnects for memory devices. More precisely, it solves the automatic routing problem of memory peripheral circuits as an over-the-cell channel routing problem under pre-specified routing topologies and performance constraints. The proposed routing method, named TANAR, consists of two steps: a performance-driven net partitioning step, which constructs a routing topology for each net according to performance constraints, and a performance-driven track assignment step, which reduces the crosstalk noise. Experimental results demonstrate that TANAR significantly reduces both crosstalk for noise sensitive nets, and delay for timing critical nets while minimizing channel height.
Socio-Cultural Analysis of Two Cases of Distance Learning in Secondary Education

Virtual Schooling for primary and secondary students is becoming increasingly common across the United States. Although distance education has typically been used to address the needs of adult U.S. learners, its use with schoolchildren has been limited. The rapid development and diffusion of ICT has prompted advances in the use of distance education to serve these students educational needs--particularly those in remote rural settings. In this paper we analyse and contrast two case-studies that were gathered to inform researchers and practitioners of online schooling--a case in which two rural schools `coordinated' the use of two-way interactive video to provide live synchronous learning, and a school `replacement' model that provided an interactive online course for dispersed students with periodic live interactive synchronous learning sessions. Analysis drew on Cobb and his colleagues' (2003) techniques to delineate communities of practice and Wenger's (1998) work on boundary encounters, brokers, and boundary objects.
Inhibition of mitochondrial calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) attenuates mitochondrial phospholipid loss and is cardioprotective.

Calcium-independent phospholipase A # (iPLA # ) is the predominant phospholipase A # present in myocardium, and its pathophysiological role in acute myocardial infarction has been suggested by the rapid increase in membrane-associated iPLA # activity during myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion (I}R). We therefore examined iPLA # in mitochondrial fractions prepared from Langendor-perfused adult rabbit hearts. Our studies indicate that iPLA # b is present in rabbit heart mitochondrial inner membranes with no apparent translocation during ischaemia, I}R or preconditioning. Mitochondrion-associated iPLA # was catalytically competent and exhibited 2-, 3- and 2.5-fold increases in measured iPLA # activity following ischaemia, I}R and preconditioning, respectively, when compared with the activity of iPLA # measured in mitochondria from control hearts. Mitochondrial phospholipids are essential for maintaining the ordered structure and function of the organelle. I}R resulted in a rapid overall decrease in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine glycerophospholipid species, as determined
Parameter uncertainty methods in evaluating a lumped hydrological model

Water resources modelers face the challenge of dealing with numerous uncertainties due to the lack of knowledge of the natural systems, numerical approaches used in modeling (equations, parameters, structures, solutions), and field data collected to set up and evaluate models. Propagation of parameter uncertainty into model results is a relevant topic in environmental hydrology. Uncertainty analyses improve assessment of hydrological modeling. There is a need in modern hydrology of developing and testing uncertainty analysis methods that support hydrological model evaluation. In this research the propagation of model parameter uncertainty into streamflow model results is evaluated. The Hydrological Simulation Program – FORTRAN (HSPF) supported by the US Environmental Protection Agency was evaluated using hydroenvironmental data from the Luxapallila Creek watershed located in Mississippi and Alabama, USA. The uncertainty bounds of model outputs were computed using the Monte Carlo simulation and Harr’s point estimation methods. Analysis of parameter uncertainty propagation on streamflow simulations from 12 HSPF parameters was accomplished using 5,000 Monte Carlo random samples and 24 Harr selected points for each selected parameter. The comparison showed that Harr’s method could be an appropriate initial indicator of parameter uncertainty propagation on streamflow simulations, particularly for hydrology models with several parameters.
Measuring circadian cycles: A simple temperature recording preparation

While measurement of temperature as an index of circadian rhythmicity is not a difficult task with infrahuman subjects, long-term monitoring of deep body temperature with human subjects poses numerous measurement and safety problems. A preparation is described that is highly accurate, inexpensive, chronic, comfortable, and eliminates safety problems associated with more traditional methods of temperature measurement.
Discrete and continuous models of human information processing: theoretical distinctions and empirical results.

Abstract Information-processing models of human performance are often categorized as discrete or continuous, with continuous models currently in vogue. This paper presents a three-part analysis of discrete and continuous models. Part 1 considers the definitions of the terms discrete and continuous, and concludes that a dichotomous categorization of models is a serious oversimplification for three reasons. First, discreteness and continuity are not themselves dichotomous properties, but rather two extremes between which there can be intermediate cases. Second, there are many different senses in which information-processing models can be described as discrete or continuous (or somewhere in between), and the same model may be relatively discrete in some senses and relatively continuous in others. Third, any complete model of an information-processing task assumes several different processing stages, of which some could be relatively discrete (in any given sense) and others relatively continuous. Part 2 reviews evidence commonly cited in support of continuous models. Many of the findings can be reconciled with fully discrete models, and the rest require continuity only in certain very limited senses. In particular, there is no compelling evidence against the discrete stage assumption of the Additive Factor Method (AFM) of Sternberg (1969a,b). Part 3 reviews recent evidence supporting discrete models, some of which specifically supports the discrete stage assumption. In the light of this evidence and the shortcomings of the evidence reviewed in Part 2, it is concluded that it is premature to abandon discrete models in favor of continuous ones.
Reheating of old oceanic lithosphere: Deductions from observations

Deep, wide oceanic basins are the only regions of old seafloor where depth is truly representative of thermal isostasy. When the depths of these basins are corrected for the effect of sediment accumulation, and variation in crustal thickness, the principal non-thermal factors have been eliminated. We collect the most precise and reliable values of heat flow for the same basins, from multi-penetration measurements with in situ thermal conductivity, or deep sea drilling thermal gradients backed up by surface surveys. The 9 data points that result from this selection process have been plotted on a depth versus heat flow graph and compared to published thermal models of lithosphere. When considered without regard to age, all the points fall at greater depths than predicted by the ‘plate’ models with constant temperature lower boundaries, and remarkably close to boundary-layer cooling with parameters determined from the pre-80 Ma depth and heat flow history of the ocean floor. They are differentiated by their heat flows not much by their depths and the order they plot in along the heat flow axis is random with respect to crustal age. Modeling of discrete reheating events shows that near boundary layer conditions are re-established after about 40 Myr, but corresponding to a younger-than-real age. The data therefore favor discrete reheating events rather than a continuously hot basal boundary, as implicitly assumed by the plate model. Lithospheric reheating appears to start only on ocean floor > 100 Ma. The data alone cannot discriminate between a few discrete reheating events due to convective peel-off at the base of the lithosphere or one or more catastrophic events. However, the distribution of points from the Blake-Bahama basin is more consistent with distal reheating associated with the Bermuda hotspot than local convective peel-off.
Characterization of Humic Materials by Flow Field-Flow Fractionation

Several humic materials are characterized by flow field-flow fractionation, including humic acids, a fulvic acid, and aqueous leachates from compost. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions of a compost leachate were also examined. After characterizing molecular weight distributions, the effect of pH and salt concentration on hydrodynamic size is studied. In general, the hydrodynamic size decreases as the pH is lowered. However, humic acids form large aggregates below pH 5. Small amounts of sodium chloride have little effect on the size distributions. In contrast, a little calcium chloride reduces the hydrodynamic size of individual molecules while inducing the formation of oligomers, although severe aggregation is absent. With further additions of calcium chloride, the decrease in hydrodynamic size continues but oligomer formation subsides. Precise characterization of the unaggregated material is hindered by sample penetration through the channel membrane.
Crown architecture of understory and open-grown white pine (Pinus strobus L.) saplings

Crown architecture and growth allocation were studied in saplings of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.), a species classified as intermediate in shade tolerance. A comparison was made of 15 understory saplings and 15 open-grown saplings that were selected to have comparable heights (mean of 211 cm, range of 180-250 cm). Mean ages of understory and open-grown trees were 25 and 8 years, respectively. Understory trees had a lower degree of apical control, shorter crown length, and more horizontal branch angle, resulting in a broader crown shape than that of open-grown trees. Total leaf area was greater in open-grown saplings than in understory saplings, but the ratio of whole-crown silhouette (projected) leaf area to total leaf area was significantly greater in understory pine (0.154) than in open-grown pine (0.128), indicating that the crown and shoot structure of understory trees exposed a greater percentage of leaf area to direct overhead light. Current-year production of understory white pine was significantly less than that of open-grown white pine, but a higher percentage of current-year production was allocated to foliage in shoots of understory saplings. These modifications in crown structure and allocation between open-grown and understory white pine saplings are similar to those reported for more shade-tolerant fir (Abies) and spruce (Picea) species, but the modifications were generally smaller in white pine. As a result, white pine did not develop the flat-topped "umbrella" crown structure observed in understory fir and spruce, which approaches the idealized monolayer form that maximizes light interception. The overall change to a broader crown shape in understory white pine was qualitatively similar, but much more limited than the changes that occurred in fir and spruce. This may prevent white pine from persisting in understory shade as long as fir and spruce saplings.
Impact of Cloud Computing Virtualization Strategies on Workloads' Performance

Cloud computing brings significant benefits for service providers and users because of its characteristics: \emph{e.g.}, on demand, pay for use, scalable computing. Virtualization management is a critical task to accomplish effective sharing of physical resources and scalability. Existing research focuses on live Virtual Machine (VM) migration as a workload consolidation strategy. However, the impact of other virtual network configuration strategies, such as optimizing total number of VMs for a given workload, the number of virtual CPUs (vCPUs) per VM, and the memory size of each VM has been less studied. This paper presents specific performance patterns on different workloads for various virtual network configuration strategies. For loosely coupled CPU-intensive workloads, on an 8-CPU machine, with memory size varying from 512MB to 4096MB and vCPUs ranging from 1 to 16 per VM, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16VMs configurations have similar running time. The prerequisite of this conclusion is that all 8 physical processors are occupied by vCPUs. For tightly coupled CPU-intensive workloads, the total number of VMs, vCPUs per VM, and memory allocated per VM, become critical for performance. We obtained the best performance when the ratio of the total number of vCPUs to processors is 2. Doubling the memory size on each VM, for example from 1024MB to 2048MB, gave us at most 15\% improvement of performance when the ratio of total vCPUs to physical processors is 2. This research will help private cloud administrators decide how to configure virtual resources for given workloads to optimize performance. It will also help public cloud providers know where to place VMs and when to consolidate workloads to be able to turn on/off Physical Machines (PMs), thereby saving energy and associated cost. Finally it helps cloud service users decide what kind of and how many VM instances to allocate for a given workload and a given budget.
Update on Familial Pancreatic Cancer

Approximately 5% to 10% of patients with pancreatic cancer have one or more first-degree relatives with this disease. A subset of these individuals have a hereditary form of pancreatic cancer designated by association with such hereditary disorders as familial adenomatous polyposis, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, hereditary pancreatitis, or familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome. A subset of those FAMMM kindred with the CDKN2A (p16) germline mutation that expresses both pancreatic cancer and malignant melanoma may constitute a new hereditary pancreatic cancer-prone syndrome.