cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can tutors monitor students' understanding accurately?

Students learn more and gain greater understanding from one-to-one tutoring. The preferred explanation has been that the tutors' pedagogical skills are responsible for the learning gains. Pedagogical skills involve skillful execution of tactics, such as giving explanations and feedback, or selecting the appropriate problems or questions to ask the students. Skillful execution of these pedagogical skills requires that they are adaptive and tailored to the individual students' understanding. To be adaptive, the tutors must be able to monitor students' understanding accurately, so that they know how and when to deliver the explanations, feedback, and questions. Before exploring whether in fact tutoring effectiveness can be attributed to tutors' pedagogical skills, we must first ascertain the accuracy with which tutors monitor their students' understanding. This article thus investigated monitoring accuracy from both the tutors' and the students' perspectives. By coding and recoding some data collected in a p...
EXAMINATION OF AMBIGUOUS STIMULUS PREFERENCES WITH DURATION‐BASED MEASURES

Items that produced ambiguous results in an approach-based preference assessment were reassessed using a duration-based assessment. The reinforcing effects of three items on free-operant responding were subsequently tested. The results suggested that the duration-based assessment produced slightly more differentiated results and that predictions about reinforcer value, based on this assessment, were accurate.
Electrical conductivity and point defect behavior in ceria-stabilized zirconia

Abstract Ceria-stabilized zirconia has tremendous potential as a thermal barrier coating in gas turbines and as a fuel cell material. Unlike most stabilized-zirconia systems which are ionic conductors, ceria-doped zirconia has exhibited large electronic contributions at moderate temperatures and oxygen activities. The focus of this research has been to characterize this mixed conduction behavior. Electrical conductivity measurements have been performed as a function of composition, temperature and oxygen partial pressures. At high oxygen activities, oxygen vacancies are the dominant charge carriers while at lower oxygen partial pressures an electron hopping mechanism dominates. Reduced cerium ions and Ce 3+ -oxygen vacancy associates generate these conducting electrons. Kroger-Vink diagrams have been constructed which detail these mechanisms and describe the point defect behavior for ceria-stabilized zirconia.
In situ measurement of absorption in high-power interferometers by using beam diameter measurements

We present a simple technique to make in situ measurements of the absorption in the optics of high-power laser interferometers. The measurement is particularly useful to those commissioning large-scale high power optical systems.
‘Knowledge’ as a natural kind term

Naturalists who conceive of knowledge as a natural kind are led to treat ‘knowledge’ as a natural kind term. ‘Knowledge,’ then, must behave semantically in the ways that seem to support a direct reference theory for other natural kind terms. A direct reference theory for ‘knowledge,’ however, appears to leave open too many possibilities about the identity of knowledge. Intuitively, states of belief count as knowledge only if they meet epistemic criteria, not merely if they bear a causal/historical relation to the term. I will develop this objection and show that it is grounded in modal considerations central to Kripke’s work on reference. I will also argue that a more plausible externalist semantics for natural kind terms disarms the objection.
Glume: exploring materiality in a soft augmented modular modeling system

We introduce Glume, a modular scalable building system with the physical immediacy of a soft and malleable material. The Glume system consists of soft and translucent augmented modules, which communicate capacitively to their neighbors to determine a network topology and are responsive to human touch. Glume explores a unique area of augmented building materials by combining a discrete internal structure with a soft and organic material quality to relax the rigidity of structure and form in previous tangible building block approaches. We envision Glume as a tool for constructing and manipulating models, visualizations and simulations of organically based three dimensional data sets.
Asymptotic Properties of Maximum Likelihood Estimates in a Class of Space-Time Regression Models

For statistical analyses of satellite ozone data, Niu and Tiao introduced a class of space-time regression models which took into account temporal and spatial dependence of the observations. In this paper, asymptotic properties of maximum likelihood estimates of parameters in the models are considered. The noise terms in the space-time regression models are in Fact structural periodic vector autoregressive processes. Some properties of the spectral density matrix of the processes are discussed. Under mild conditions, the strong law of large numbers and the central limit theorem for the parameter estimates are proven.
Characterization of cell seeding and specific capture of B cells in microbubble well arrays

Development of micro-well array systems for use in high-throughput screening of rare cells requires a detailed understanding of the factors that impact the specific capture of cells in wells and the distribution statistics of the number of cells deposited into wells. In this study we investigate the development of microbubble (MB) well array technology for sorting antigen-specific B-cells. Using Poisson statistics we delineate the important role that the fractional area of MB well opening and the cell seeding density have on determining cell seeding distribution in wells. The unique architecture of the MB well hinders captured cells from escaping the well and provides a unique microenvironmental niche that enables media changes as needed for extended cell culture. Using cell lines and primary B and T cells isolated from human peripheral blood we demonstrate the use of affinity capture agents coated in the MB wells to enrich for the selective capture of B cells. Important differences were noted in the efficacy of bovine serum albumin to block the nonspecific adsorption of primary cells relative to cell lines as well as the efficacy of the capture coatings using mixed primary B and T cells samples. These results emphasize the importance of using primary cells in technology development and suggest the need to utilize B cell capture agents that are insensitive to cell activation.
A Predictive Bayesian Dose-Response Assessment for Evaluating the Toxicity of Carbon Nanotubes Relative to Crocidolite Using a Proposed Emergent Model

ABSTRACT Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are a product of the nanotechnology revolution and show great promise in industrial applications. However, their relative toxicity is still not well understood and has drawn comparison to asbestos fibers due to their size and shape. In this study, a predictive Bayesian dose-response assessment was conducted with extremely limited initial dose-response data to compare the toxicity of long-fiber CNTs with that of crocidolite, an asbestos fiber associated with human mesothelioma. In the assessment, a new, theoretically derived emergent dose-response model was used and compared with the single-hit and multistage models. The multistage and emergent DRFs were selected for toxicity assessment based on two criteria: visual fit to several datasets, and a goodness-of-fit test using an available data-rich study with crocidolite. The predictive assessment supports previous concerns that long-fiber CNTs have toxicity comparable to crocidolite in intratracheal and intraperitoneal applic...
Rapid simultaneous assay of serum estrone, estradiol, and estriol in pregnant women using methyl ether acetate derivatives by capillary gas chromatography and electron-impact mass spectrometry

A simple gas chromatographic—mass spectrometric method capable of measuring estrone, estradiol, and estriol simultaneously with a sensitivity close to that of radioimmunoassay has been developed. The estrogens in serum were extracted with diethyl ether, and internal standards (3-O-C2H3-estrone, 3-O-C2H3-estradiol, and 3-O-C2H3-estriol) were added, followed by converting to methyl ether compounds with an extractive alkylation procedure. The methyl ethers were then acetylated. Analyses were performed using a SP-2250 capillary column gas chromatograph coupled with an electron-impact mass spectrometer. The estrogen methyl ether acetate derivatives were more stable chemically and gave less fragmentation upon electron impact than the conventional trimethylsilyl derivatives. The use of selected ion monitoring of molecular ions and that of the corresponding internal standards (M + 3) provides a sensitivity down to 10 pg for estrone and estradiol and to 200 pg for estriol. The time required for the preparation of multiple samples is within 4 hours.
A signal peptide secretion screen in Fucus distichus embryos reveals expression of glucanase, EGF domain-containing, and LRR receptor kinase-like polypeptides during asymmetric cell growth

Zygotes of the brown alga Fucus distichus (L.) Powell develop polarity prior to the first embryonic cell division and retain a pattern of asymmetric growth during early embryogenesis. In order to identify F. distichus polypeptides secreted during asymmetric cell growth, we used a functional assay in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to screen a cDNA library generated from asymmetrically growing Fucus embryos for sequences encoding polypeptides that function as signal peptides for secretion. We isolated and sequenced 222 plasmids containing Fucus cDNAs encoding signal peptide activity. The cDNA inserts from these plasmids were translated in silico into 244 potential polypeptide sequences, 169 of which are predicted to contain signal peptides. BlastP analysis of the Fucus sequences revealed similarity between many Fucus proteins and cell surface proteins that function in development in other eukaryotes, including epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeat-containing proteins, plant leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-receptor kinases, and algal β-1, 3-exoglucanase. However, most of the isolated Fucus polypeptides lack similarity to known proteins. The isolation of cDNAs encoding secreted Fucus proteins provides an important step toward characterizing cell surface proteins important for asymmetric organization and growth in fucoid embryos.
Particle-particle interactions during normal flow filtration: Model simulations

Abstract Although particle trajectory calculations have been used previously to analyze the behavior of membrane systems, these studies have ignored the effects of particle–particle interactions. Particle motion was evaluated by numerical integration of the Langevin equation accounting for the combined effects of electrostatic repulsion, enhanced hydrodynamic drag, Brownian diffusion, and interparticle forces. In the absence of Brownian forces, particles are unable to enter the pore unless the drag force associated with the filtration velocity can overcome the electrostatic repulsion. The presence of a second particle alters the particle trajectories, forcing the particles to attain equilibrium positions located symmetrically about the pore centerline. Interparticle forces can effectively push the particle over the energy barrier, significantly reducing the magnitude of the critical filtration velocity required for particle transmission. Brownian forces also allow particles to enter the pore, with the particle transmission increasing with increasing filtration velocity.
Relationships between Recruiting Sources and Employee Performance, Absenteeism, and Work Attitudes

This field study sought to determine whether the sources through which employees are recruited are related to subsequent job performance, absenteeism, and work attitudes. The study found strong sou...
Effect of neuropeptide Y on GnRH-induced LH release from bovine anterior pituitary cell cultures derived from heifers in a follicular, luteal or ovariectomized state.

Abstract Objectives were to determine if neuropeptide Y (NPY) had direct effects GnRH induced secretion of LH from the anterior pituitary gland, and if endogenous steroids modulated the effect of NPY. To accomplish these objectives, 15 Hereford heifers were assigned to one of three ovarian status groups: follicular, luteal, or ovariectomized. One animal from each of the three ovarian status groups was slaughtered on each of 5 days and anterior pituitary gland harvested. Anterior pituitary gland cells within ovarian status were equally distributed and randomly assigned to one of three cell culture treatments: no NPY or GnRH (control), 10 nM GnRH, or 100 nM NPY+10 nM GnRH. Anterior pituitary cell cultures were incubated with or without NPY for 4 h and further incubated for an additional 2 h with or without GnRH and supernatant collected for quantification of LH. Treatment of anterior pituitary cell cultures with GnRH or GnRH+NPY did not affect LH release in cultures obtained from follicular (S.E.=5%; P=0.58) or ovariectomized (S.E.=7%; P=0.22) heifers. Both GnRH and GnRH+NPY increased LH release from anterior pituitary cell cultures from heifers in the luteal phase (S.E.=14%; P≤0.05) compared to control cultures. Cultures from luteal phase heifers treated with GnRH did not differ from those treated with GnRH+NPY (P=0.34). These data provide evidence to suggest that effects of NPY on LH release may occur primarily at the level of the hypothalamus.
Foraging Ecology of Elk (Cervus elaphus) in a Tallgrass Prairie

Abstract Selection of forage by wildlife may drive habitat selection and influence rates of survival and reproduction. To understand patterns in use of forage by elk (Cervus elaphus) in a tallgrass prairie, we collected groups of fecal pellets during 2005–2007 and determined patterns of use based on stable-isotope ratios of carbon and microhistological analysis. Elk consumed the greatest diversity of forbs during summer and the greatest diversity of grasses during winter. While our study site was dominated by warm-season C4-grasses, stable-isotope analysis indicated that elk consumed primarily C3-vegetation (cool-season grasses, forbs, or browse) during summer and winter.
Review article: the safety of therapeutic drugs in male inflammatory bowel disease patients wishing to conceive.

SummaryBackground Many therapeutic drugs are used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease, often around the time of conception. The pregnancy outcomes of males and females exposed to these therapeutics needs to be examined and this information is necessary to counsel patients appropriately. Aim To review the literature describing male infertility and inflammatory bowel disease to educate practitioners of the impact of inflammatory bowel disease on male reproduction and the impact of therapeutics on pregnancy outcomes. Methods We performed a PubMed search using the search terms ‘male infertility,’ ‘Crohn's disease,’ ‘inflammatory bowel disease,’ ‘ulcerative colitis,’ ‘ciprofloxacin AND infertility,’ ‘metronidazole AND infertility,’ ‘sulfasalazine AND infertility,’ ‘azathioprine AND infertility,’ ‘methotrexate AND infertility,’ ‘ciclosporin AND infertility,’ ‘corticosteroids AND infertility,’ ‘infliximab AND male fertility,’ ‘infliximab AND infertility,’ ‘infliximab AND foetus,’ ‘infliximab AND paternal exposure’ and ‘infliximab AND sperm.’ References from selected papers were reviewed and used if relevant. Results Over half of male patients with IBD have some degree of infertility, compared to 8–17% of the general population. Semen parameters including total count, motility and morphology may be adversely affected by therapeutics. IBD medications in males do not increase foetal risk with the possible exception of azathioprine and mercaptopurine; however, increased foetal risk is seen in other drugs if taken by female patients. Conclusions It is recognised that male infertility is often impacted with therapeutic drugs used to treat inflammatory bowel disease; however, the effects of the paternal drug exposure at the time of conception and exposure in utero should be considered to counsel patients appropriately.
Lipid Oxidation Potential of Beef, Chicken, and Pork

Beef and pork longissimus dorsi and semimembranosus muscles and chicken breast and thigh muscles were excised 24 hr postmortem from carcasses of marketweight grain-finished feedlot beef cattle, marke-tweight hogs on a typical finishing diet, and broilers on a commercial grain diet. Muscle samples were immediately ground and formed into patties and stored raw or after cooking, at 4°C (cooked) or −20°C (raw and cooked). TBA values (on sample weight basis) of frozen raw samples were higher for beef and pork than for chicken, as was heme iron content. However, TBA values of cooked samples were highest for chicken thigh muscles, which contained the most polyunsaturated fatty acids, at all storage temperatures.
Effect of polishing systems on the surface roughness of microhybrid composites.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to examine the effect of three different polishing systems on surface roughness of five newly developed resin composites. Materials and Methods: Three microhybrid composites (Point 4™, Kerr, Orange, CA; Esthet-X™, Dentsply/Caulk, Milford, DE; Vitalescence®, Ultradent, South Jordan, UT, USA), one microfilled composite (Renamel Microfill®, Cosmedent, Chicago, IL, USA), and one experimental micro-hybrid composite (FZB, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) were light cured with a Mylar strip. Fifteen specimens of each composite (6 mm in diameter and 3 mm in depth) were fabricated and randomly assigned to three groups. Specimens in each group were finished with a carbide bur (16 fluted) and three polishing systems (Astropol®, Ivoclar Vivadent; Diagloss®, Axis Dental, Irving, TX, USA; Sof-Lex™, 3M, ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA). The average surface roughness (Ra) and the mean peak spacing (Sm) were measured with a surface profilometer after polishing. Five tracings at different locations on each specimen were made. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance. Results: For Astropol, Ra ranged from 0.10 to 0.15 um and Sm ranged from 24 to 40 um for the five composites; for Diagloss, Ra ranged from 0.24 to 0.34 um and Sm from 38 to 74 urn; for Sof-Lex, Ra ranged from 0.06 to 0.10 um and Sm ranged from 16 to 22 um. Significant differences between materials and polishing systems were observed. Polishing systems had the most important role in determining the surface roughness of resin composites. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Of the polished systems tested, Sof-Lex discs provided the lowest roughness for polishing microfilled and microhybrid composites, and the microfilied resin composite showed the lowest roughness.
AROuSing SIRT1: Identification of a Novel Endogenous SIRT1 Activator

SIRT1 is a protein deacetylase that regulates cellular responses to a variety of stresses. In a recent issue of Molecular Cell, Kim et al. (2007) report the identification of a cellular protein, AROS, that activates the SIRT1-mediated deacetylation of p53.
So you want to work together: Strengths and limitations of collaborative research

This study sought to examine what active researchers in doctoral Communication programs perceive as the strengths and limitations association with collaborative research. The findings of a nationwi...
Employing a virtual environment in postural research and rehabilitation to reveal the impact of visual information

We have united an immersive virtual environment with support surface motion to record biomechanical and physiological responses to combined visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive inputs. We have examined age-related differences during peripheral visual field motion and with a focal image projected on to the moving virtual scene. Our data suggest that the postural response is modulated by all existing sensory signals in a non-additive fashion. An individual’s perception of the sensory structure appears to be a significant component of the postural response in these protocols. We will discuss the implications of these results to clinical interventions for balance disorders.
A genealogy for the periodic orbits of a class of 1D maps

Abstract We describe a genealogy for the kneading sequences of one of the two kinds of bimodal map of the interval. It provides a unified genealogy for all the periodic orbits, and a complete “road-map” for the periodic dynamics in the parameter plane.
Retroperitoneal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Long-Term Follow-Up Regarding Wound Complications and Erectile Dysfunction

The long-term impact of retroperitoneal aortic exposure regarding wound complications in all patients and erectile dysfunction in men was studied in a consecutive group of 107 patients (81 males and 26 females). Postoperative wound complications were classified into the following groups: none, flank bulge, hernia, and chronic pain. Patient demographic features including body mass index (BMI) were statistically analyzed in relation to the incidence of long-term wound problems. Information regarding erectile dysfunction was obtained before surgery in all men and stratified into three groups after surgery: no change, inability to consistently obtain an erection, and retrograde ejaculation. Mean patient follow-up was 2.9 years (range 1-4.36, median 2.8). Flank bulge was the only long-term wound complication, and this was noted in nine patients (8%). The incidence of true hernia and chronic pain was 0%. BMI >28 was the only factor that positively impacted the incidence of wound complications (p 28. In addition, erectile function is not worsened by infrarenal autonomic nerve sparing rAAA exposure. However, a small percentage of potent men will experience postoperative retrograde ejaculation.
Some extensions and limitations of frequency domain experiments

We present three extensions of the frequency domain approach proposed by Schruben and Cogliano (1987). The first is the assignment of multiple frequencies to input factors. The frequency selection in this case is nearly identical to that of one frequency per factor. The second extension is the use of the time series of batch means to flatten the noise spectrum and make the identification of peaks in the output spectrum easier. Finally, we show that using common random numbers (as suggested in Schruben and Cogliano, 1987) for the signal and noise runs do indeed tend to decrease the peaks in the noise spectrum and also facilitate factor identification.We discuss several limitations to the use of frequency domain methodology as it currently exists. One limitation is the case in which a factor-frequency interaction is present. Although none of the simulation models currently being examined seems to have this property, it is one present in certain chaotic dynamical systems. These systems demonstrate qualitatively different behavior when oscillated. Another limitation involves the time index. For complicated systems it may not be feasible to define a single “clock” with which to oscillate parameters. Current work (Jacobson, et. al., 1988) shows that certain models may use the global time clock, but it is not clear that there is always a solution.
Design and synthesis of the first NO- and haem-independent sGC activator BAY 58–2667 for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is a signal-transduction enzyme activated by nitric oxide (NO) and plays a key role in a variety of physiological processes such as vasodilatation, antiaggregation, antiproliferation and neuronal signaling as well as in a variety of disorders of these functions. Current therapies that involve the use of organic nitrates and other NO donors have limitations, including non-specific interactions of NO with various biomolecules and lack of response and the development of tolerance [1,2]. Compounds that activate sGC in an NO-independent manner might therefore provide considerable therapeutic advantages.
A model for velocity fluctuations in sedimentation

We present a model for velocity fluctuations of dilute sedimenting spheres at low Reynolds number. The central idea is that a vertical stratification causes the fluctuations to decrease below those of an independent uniform distribution of particles, such a stratification naturally occurring from the broadening of the sedimentation front. We use numerical simulations, scaling arguments, structure factor calculations, and experiments to show that there is a critical stratification above which the characteristics of the density and velocity fluctuations change significantly. For thin cells, the broadening of the sediment front (and the resulting stratification) is small, so the velocity fluctuations are predicted by independent-Poisson-distribution estimates. In very thick cells, the stratification is significant, leading to persistent decay of the velocity fluctuations for the duration of the experiment. Estimated stratifications quantitatively agree with the simulations, and indicate the likelihood that previous experimental measurements were also affected by stratification. The velocity fluctuations in sedimentation are therefore not universal but instead depend on both the cell shape and developing stratification.
Unintelligible Low-Frequency Sound Enhances Simulated Cochlear-Implant Speech Recognition in Noise

Speech can be recognized by multiple acoustic cues in both frequency and time domains. These acoustic cues are often thought to be redundant. One example is the low-frequency sound component below 300 Hz, which is not even transmitted by the majority of communication devices including telephones. Here, we showed that this low-frequency sound component, although unintelligible when presented alone, could improve the functional signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by 10-15 dB for speech recognition in noise when presented in combination with a cochlear-implant simulation. A similar low-frequency enhancement effect could be obtained by presenting the low-frequency sound component to one ear and the cochlear-implant simulation to the other ear. However, a high-frequency sound could not produce a similar speech enhancement in noise. We argue that this low-frequency enhancement effect cannot be due to linear addition of intelligibility between low- and high-frequency components or an increase in the physical SNR. We suggest a brain-based mechanism that uses the voice pitch cue in the low-frequency sound to first segregate the target voice from the competing voice and then to group appropriate temporal envelope cues in the target voice for robust speech recognition under realistic listening situations
Health-compromising behavior and diabetes mismanagement among adolescents and young adults with diabetes.

PURPOSEthis study examined the relationship between health compromising behavior, age, gender, and diabetes mismanagement.METHODSA total of 107 adolescents and young adults, 12 to 24 years old, with type 1 diabetes were asked to complete a health-compromising behavior scale and a diabetes mismanagement scale.RESULTSBased upon participants' responses, the study population was divided into 2 different groups: those involved in health compromising behavior and those not involved in such behavior. A multiple regression analysis was performed using age, gender, and health-compromising behavior as predictor variables and diabetes mismanagement as the outcome variable. Variables that accounted for significant variance in diabetes mismanagement were being female and being involved in health-compromising behavior.CONCLUSIONSAdolescents and young adults with diabetes appear to be either involved or not involved in health-compromising behavior. Being female and being involved in health-compromising behavior were ass...
Characteristics of spawning ground fidelity by a diadromous fish: a multi-year perspective

Spawning site fidelity has long been documented for anadromous salmonids, and more recently in estuarine and marine fish. The level of fidelity has implications for population dynamics, conservation, and management. This study extended a previous examination of spawning ground fidelity for common snook, Centropomus undecimalis. We used seines to sample 28 km of Gulf of Mexico beaches, spawning grounds for snook, during spawning season (May through September) from 2007 through 2010. Of 3,304 snook tagged, 171 unique fish were recaptured a total of 186 times and, of those, 166 fish (97.08%) (181 recaptures = 97.31%) were recaptured on the same island where they were tagged. One hundred seven of the recaptures occurred in the same year they were tagged, and 79 occurred one or more years after they were tagged, indicating fidelity was expressed within and across years. Distance between tag and recapture locations within and among years demonstrated fidelity at a spatial scale much smaller than barrier island (mean distance between tag and recapture =1.59 ± 0.12 km; island lengths 6.8, 8.9 and 12.4 km). Furthermore, mapping of capture locations revealed clumped distribution of snook on spawning grounds, further suggesting snook propensity for specific locations. Fish size had no effect on fidelity. We conclude that common snook show a high level of spawning site fidelity in southwest Florida, which may result in spawning group segregation, may influence the response of snook to disturbances, and may have implications for adult-to-nursery ontogenetic connections.
High School Biology Teachers' Knowledge Structure, Acceptance & Teaching of Evolution

volutionary theory is the central and unifying theme of the discipline of biology. Its broad explanatory power allows for the investigation of a wide range of intriguing biological questions and serves as an underlying framework of the discipline. Because of its explanatory and unifying powers, scientific and educational organizations have called for instruction in evolution to be commensurate with its station in biology (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1989; National Association of Biology Teachers, 1997; National Academy of Sciences, 1998; National Research Council, 1985; National Science Teachers Association, 1997). Results from several studies, however, suggest that instruction in evolutionary biology at the high school level has been absent, cursory, or fraught with misinformation (Eglin 1983; Johnson 1986; Roelfs 1987; Shankar & Skoog 1993).
Rad6 is a Potential Early Marker of Melanoma Development.

Melanoma is the leading cause of death from skin cancer in industrialized countries. Several melanoma-related biomarkers and signaling pathways have been identified; however, their relevance to melanoma development/progression or to clinical outcome remains to be established. Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway is implicated in various cancers including melanoma. We have previously demonstrated Rad6, an ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, as an important mediator of β-catenin stability in breast cancer cells. Similar to breast cancer, β-catenin-activating mutations are rare in melanomas, and since β-catenin signaling is implicated in melanoma, we examined the relationship between β-catenin levels/activity and expression of β-catenin transcriptional targets Rad6 and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor-M (Mitf-M) in melanoma cell models, and expression of Rad6, β-catenin, and Melan-A in nevi and cutaneous melanoma tissue specimens. Our data show that Rad6 is only weakly expressed in normal human melanocytes but is overexpressed in melanoma lines. Unlike Mitf-M, Rad6 overexpression in melanoma lines is positively associated with high molecular weight β-catenin protein levels and β-catenin transcriptional activity. Double-immunofluorescence staining of Rad6 and Melan-A in melanoma tissue microarray showed that histological diagnosis of melanoma is significantly associated with Rad6/Melan-A dual positivity in the melanoma group compared to the nevi group (P = .0029). In contrast to strong β-catenin expression in normal and tumor areas of superficial spreading malignant melanoma (SSMM), Rad6 expression is undetectable in normal areas and Rad6 expression increases coincide with increased Melan-A in the transformed regions of SSMM. These data suggest a role for Rad6 in melanoma pathogenesis and that Rad6 expression status may serve as an early marker for melanoma development.
Thermodynamic Modeling of Cement/Groundwater Interaction as a Tool For Long-Tern Performance Assessment

The chemical behavior of cement in the natural environment is of interest because cement has been suggested as a means of containing low-level radioactive waste and as a barrier between radioactive-waste containers and the surrounding soil or rock. In this study, a geochemical model for cement leaching was developed, and predictions by the model were compared to results from a static leach test. Calcium concentrations and pH were adequately predicted by the model; however, other major leachate constituents, such as Al, Si, and SO{sub 4}, were poorly predicted. Additional experimental data and refinement of the model are both required to better predict the observed leachate concentrations. Accurate prediction of experimental results by a geochemical model would increase confidence in the model for use in long-term performance assessment. 19 refs., 1 fig., 4 tabs.
Play, ritual, and the rationality of religious paradox

The thing that seems most of all to characterize [religious thought] is a natural taste for immoderate confusions as well as jarring contrasts. It freely tends to excesses m both directions. When it relates things together it confounds them; when it distinguishes between things, it opposes them. It knows nothing of restraint or gradations, it seeks extremes; as a result, it uses logical mechanisms in a clumsy way, but it does not overlook any of them. Durkheim
Thrombin Stimulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Polyamine Synthesis by Inducing Cationic Amino Acid Transporter and Ornithine Decarboxylase Gene Expression

Abstract—Thrombin, a serine protease, is a potent mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), but its mechanism of action is not known. Since l-ornithine is metabolized to growth-stimulatory polyamines, we examined whether thrombin regulates the transcellular transport and metabolism of l-ornithine by vascular SMCs. Treatment of SMCs with thrombin initially (0 to 2 hours) decreased l-ornithine uptake, whereas longer exposures (6 to 24 hours) progressively increased transport. Kinetic studies indicated that thrombin-induced inhibition was associated with a decrease in affinity for l-ornithine, whereas stimulation was mediated by an increase in transport capacity. Thrombin induced the expression of both cationic amino acid transporter (CAT)-1 and CAT-2 mRNA. Furthermore, thrombin stimulated l-ornithine metabolism by inducing ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA expression and activity. The stimulatory effect of thrombin on both l-ornithine transport and ODC activity was reversed by hirudin, a thrombin in...
Correlating lamotrigine serum concentrations with tolerability in patients with epilepsy

Objective: To correlate lamotrigine (LTG) serum concentrations (levels) with tolerability in patients with epilepsy. Methods: The charts of 811 outpatients with epilepsy who had received LTG and were seen at the Columbia Comprehensive Epilepsy Center after January 1, 2000, were reviewed. Data gathered included levels, dosage, duration of use, concomitant antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), clinical toxicity, specific side effects, and efficacy. Rates of toxicity, specific side effects, and efficacy were calculated and correlated with serum levels. Results: In total, 3,731 LTG levels were recorded. A regimen was categorized as toxic if the patient experienced side effects that led to a dosage change or discontinuation of LTG. Of 3,919 AED regimens, 9.4% were toxic and 30.7% of patients had at least one toxic regimen. Toxicity increased with increasing LTG levels ( p 20 μg/mL, 59%. The correlation between levels and tolerability was independent of concurrent medication. Increasing efficacy, as measured by seizure freedom for a 6-month period, occurred up to levels of >20 μg/mL. Conclusions: There is a correlation between LTG serum level and tolerability, independent of the use of other AEDs. Adverse effects requiring a dose change are uncommon with the most frequently encountered LTG concentrations ( 20 μg/mL, are often tolerated and can lead to additional efficacy in refractory patients.
Asymptotic behavior of the self-defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation for piecewise constant initial conditions

In this paper we use a transfer matrix method to calculate the asymptotic behavior of the nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation in a self-defocusing medium for piecewise constant initial conditions. Treating initial conditions that consist of m repeated regions, we show that the eigenvalues associated with this problem appear in bands, and, as m tends to infinity, we obtain the eigenvalue density of states for these bands. Comparing results from the transfer matrix approach to the results for a Bloch function method, we show that the edges of a region with periodic initial conditions result in a finite number of additional eigenvalues that appear outside the bands.
An autophosphorylation site database for leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Summary Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR RLKs) form a large family of plant signaling proteins consisting of an extracellular domain connected by a single-pass transmembrane sequence to a cytoplasmic kinase domain. Autophosphorylation on specific Ser and/or Thr residues in the cytoplasmic domain is often critical for the activation of several LRR RLK family members with proven functional roles in plant growth regulation, morphogenesis, disease resistance, and stress responses. While identification and functional characterization of in vivo phosphorylation sites is ultimately required for a full understanding of LRR RLK biology and function, bacterial expression of recombinant LRR RLK cytoplasmic catalytic domains for identification of in vitro autophosphorylation sites provides a useful resource for further targeted identification and functional analysis of in vivo sites. In this study we employed high-throughput cloning and a variety of mass spectrometry approaches to generate an autophosphorylation site database representative of more than 30% of the approximately 223 LRR RLKs in Arabidopsis thaliana. We used His-tagged constructs of complete cytoplasmic domains to identify a total of 592 phosphorylation events across 73 LRR RLKs, with 497 sites uniquely assigned to specific Ser (268 sites) or Thr (229 sites) residues in 68 LRR RLKs. Multiple autophosphorylation sites per LRR RLK were the norm, with an average of seven sites per cytoplasmic domain, while some proteins showed more than 20 unique autophosphorylation sites. The database was used to analyze trends in the localization of phosphorylation sites across cytoplasmic kinase subdomains and to derive a statistically significant sequence motif for phospho-Ser autophosphorylation.
Test point insertion based on path tracing

This paper presents an innovative method for inserting test points in the circuit-under-test to obtain complete fault coverage for a specified set of test patterns. Rather than using probabilistic techniques for test point placement, a path tracing procedure is used to place both control and observation points. Rather than adding extra scan elements to drive the control points, a few of the existing primary inputs to the circuit are ANDed together to form signals that drive the control points. By selecting which patterns the control point is activated for, the effectiveness of each control point is maximized. A comparison is made with the best previously published results for other test point insertion methods, and it is shown that the proposed method requires fewer test points and less overhead to achieve the same or better fault coverage.
A New Scheduling Algorithm for Parallel Sparse LU Factorization with Static Pivoting

In this paper we present a static scheduling algorithm for parallel sparse LU factorization with static pivoting. The algorithm is divided into mapping and scheduling phases, using the symmetric pruned graphs of LT and U to represent dependencies. The scheduling algorithm is designed for driving the parallel execution of the factorization on a distributed-memory architecture. Experimental results and comparisons with SuperLU_DIST are reported after applying this algorithm on real world application matrices on an IBM SP RS/6000 distributed memory machine.
Toll-like receptor regulation of intestinal development and inflammation in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a structurally related family of molecules that respond to a wide variety of endogenous and exogenous ligands, and which serve as important components of the innate immune system. While TLRs have established roles in host defense, these molecules have also been shown to play important roles in the development of various disease states. A particularly important example of the role of TLRs in disease induction includes necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which is the most common gastrointestinal disease in preterm infants, and which is associated with extremely high morbidity and mortality rates. The development of NEC is thought to reflect an abnormal interaction between microorganisms and the immature intestinal epithelium, and emerging evidence has clearly placed the spotlight on an important and exciting role for TLRs, particularly TLR4, in NEC pathogenesis. In premature infants, TLR4 signaling within the small intestinal epithelium regulates apoptosis, proliferation and migration of enterocytes, affects the differentiation of goblet cells, and reduces microcirculatory perfusion, which in combination result in the development of NEC. This review will explore the signaling properties of TLRs on hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells, and will examine the role of TLR4 signaling in the development of NEC. In addition, the effects of dampening TLR4 signaling using synthetic and endogenous TLR4 inhibitors and active components from amniotic fluid and human milk on NEC severity will be reviewed. In so doing, we hope to present a balanced approach to the understanding of the role of TLRs in both immunity and disease pathogenesis, and to dissect the precise roles for TLR4 in both the cause and therapeutic intervention of necrotizing enterocolitis.
Formal specifications and reliability: an experimental study

An experimental study was undertaken to assess the improvement in program quality by using formal specifications. Specifications in the Z notation were developed for a simple but realistic anti-missile system. These specifications were then used to develop two versions in C by two programmers. Another set of three versions in Ada were independently developed from informal specifications in English. A comparison of the reliability of the resulting programs suggests the advantages of using formal specifications in terms of number of errors detected. Also, several errors that have been known to occur in earlier experiments dealing with this system were avoided by the use of formal specifications. >
Selectivity among Nonmetropolitan-Bound Male Migrants in the Middle and Later Years

Middle-aged and elderly individuals have played a prominent role in the non-metropolitan turnaround. The data for this study are drawn from the older men cohort of the National Longitudinal Study, and the analysis is focused on a pooled sample of two-year migration intervals extending from 1967 to 1975. Nonmetropolitan-bound migrants do not differ substantially from metropolitan nonmigrants, but differences observed are along life-cycle lines. In contrast, metropolitan to nonmetropolitan migrants differ from nonmetropolitan non migrants on both socioeconomic status and life-cycle attributes.
Diagnostic mock-ups as an objective tool for predictable outcomes with porcelain laminate veneers in esthetically demanding patients: a clinical report

This clinical report demonstrates how a clinician can objectively overcome some of the barriers associated with providing patients with predictable esthetics, in a mutually satisfactory manner. Two such barriers are identified and discussed. The first is related to psychology and patient attitude to treatment. The second is related to the actual clinical procedure. A direct mock-up technique is described which serves as an effective communication tool between the dentist, patient, and dental laboratory technician. (J Prosthet Dent 2008;99:333-339)
Toward a national fuels mapping strategy: Lessons from selected mapping programs

This paper was presented at the conference ‘Integrating spatial technologies and ecological principles for a new age in fire management’, Boise, Idaho, USA, June 1999 The establishment of a robust national fuels mapping program must be based on pertinent lessons from relevant national mapping programs. Many large-area mapping programs are under way in numerous Federal agencies. Each of these programs follows unique strategies to achieve mapping goals and objectives. Implementation approaches range from highly centralized programs that use tightly integrated standards and dedicated staff, to dispersed programs that permit considerable flexibility. One model facilitates national consistency, while the other allows accommodation of locally relevant conditions and issues. An examination of the programmatic strategies of four national vegetation and land cover mapping initiatives can identify the unique approaches, accomplishments, and lessons of each that should be considered in the design of a national fuel mapping program. The first three programs are the U.S. Geological Survey Gap Analysis Program, the U.S. Geological Survey National Land Cover Characterization Program, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey National Wetlands Inventory. A fourth program, the interagency Multiresolution Land Characterization Program, offers insights in the use of partnerships to accomplish mapping goals. Collectively, the programs provide lessons, guiding principles, and other basic concepts that can be used to design a successful national fuels mapping initiative.
Diverse Ionic Currents and Electrical Activity of Cultured Myenteric Neurons From the Guinea Pig Proximal Colon

The aim of this study was to perform a patch-clamp analysis of myenteric neurons from the guinea pig proximal colon. Neurons were enzymatically dispersed, cultured for 2–7 days, and recorded from u...
Intimate objects

We present a preliminary and ongoing study into intimate objects: technological devices for maintaining intimacy at a distance. We use the notion of critical technical practice to provide a theoretical framework on which to base our designs, building devices that differ from mass communication devices in three ways: they are for couples in a relationship to communicate with each other, not with everybody else, they are for a specific couple to use, not a generic couple, and they are for the transmission of specific intimate communication, not all-purpose communication.We present an overview of the study, give some examples of intimate object sketches produced by our subjects, and discuss questions posed by the study, particularly those concerning the generalizability of the results.