cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Information Systems Research and Relevance

This article highlights important issues about IS/IT relevance and its impact on academic publication impact. The author presents his strong opinion about the lack of an identity within IS and harps on the requirement to focus more on core strengths that IS can leverage. Throughout the article, the author also stresses on the fact that today there is even more need to work closely with industry to better understand and solve critical commercial problems
Erfolgsfaktoren im Entwicklungsmanagement zur Beschleunigung der Produktgestaltung am Beispiel eines Unternehmens in der Textilmaschinenindustrie

Die Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG ist ein Unternehmen der Konzerngruppe “Rieter-Spinning-Sy- stems”, die zur Rieter Holding AG in Winterthur, Schweiz, gehort. Rieter wurde 1795 als Handelsgeschaft gegrundet, hat im Laufe der Zeit neben Spinnereimaschinen auch Gewehre, Motoren, Turbinen, Strasenbahnen u.a.m. hergestellt und sich ab 1915 auf die Fabrikation von Spinnereimaschinen fur den ganzen Spinnprozes vom Rohmaterial bis zum Garn spezialisiert. Dies war in der Vergangenheit, ist heute und wird auch in Zukunft ein Vorteil gegenuber der Konkurrenz sein, die nur Maschinen fur einzelne Prozes-Stufen liefern kann.
Assessing Student Learning Online

Assessing students in online university courses poses challenges to instructors in maintaining reliability of the measurement instruments being utilized and their delivery processes. Some programs have the latitude to incorporate proctored assessments, but this is not always practical in asynchronously structured courses reaching out across a broad geographic region. Adding challenge to the process, it is difficult to know with 100 % certainty who is actually completing the assignments and various other checks on learning in online courses. Reliability in the assessment sphere is associated with a continuum, higher and lower, rather than absolute. A great deal has been written about constructing reliable tests, but less focus has been placed upon the testing process. Given the substantial expansion of online education, an equitable amount of attention must be contributed to the online assessment process. Rather than focusing on test construct reliability, this chapter will explore the process of assessment in the online environment, strategies for increasing reliability via the delivery processes, and alternative student outputs as viable representations of learning.
Random Vortex Method

Random Vortex Method – presents the analytical technique, introduced by Chorin, that provides an insight into the mechanism of turbulent flow fields in terms of random vortex motion, mimicking the physical nature of turbulence as a phenomenon due to random walk of vortex elements called blobs.
Resilience against marijuana use initiation in low-income African American youth.

Abstract Introduction Recent increases in marijuana use among adolescents, in concert with decreases in perceptions of harm caused by marijuana use, documented associations of marijuana use with health problems and academic disengagement, and the increase in cannabis potency over the past two decades highlight the need for effective prevention and intervention efforts to delay and/or curb marijuana use among adolescents. The present study investigated the role of four promotive factors in the role of abstinence from marijuana use initiation. Methods Low-income, urban, African American youth (N = 302; 54.6% female; M age = 12.05 years, SD = 1.57 years, Range = 10 to 16) participating in a larger study of stress and coping who had not initiated marijuana use at baseline were included in the sample. Goal directedness, emotion regulation, perceived support from mother, and religious coping, assessed at baseline, were evaluated for their contributions to marijuana use initiation two years later." Results By time 3, 14.7% of the sample reported having initiated marijuana use. Univariate analyses indicated that abstainers were younger, better able to regulate their emotions, and marginally more likely to use religious coping. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop a best-fitting model describing abstinence from marijuana use; this model revealed age and emotion regulation as unique contributors to abstinence. Conclusions Emotion regulation is a teachable skill, and is included in many school-based prevention and parenting programs. Recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of self-regulation interventions in African American youth are discussed.
Genomic characterization of acral lentiginous melanoma: Identification of altered metabolism as a potential therapeutic target.

9524Background: Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a histologic subtype of melanoma with distinct clinical and biological features compared to common cutaneous melanoma. KIT alterations have been ...
Structural and Biomechanical Adaptations of Right Ventricular Remodeling - in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Reduces Left Ventricular Rotation During Contraction: A Computational Study.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a degenerative disease characterized by progressively increased right ventricular (RV) afterload that leads to ultimate functional decline [1]. Recent observational studies have documented a decrease in left ventricular (LV) torsion during ejection, with preserved LV ejection fraction (EF) in pediatric and adult PH patients [2-4]. The objective of this study was to develop a computational model of the bi-ventricular heart and use it to evaluate changes in LV torsion mechanics in response to mechanical, structural, and hemodynamic changes in the RV free-wall. The heart model revealed that LV apex rotation and torsion were decreased when increasing RV mechanical rigidity and during re-orientation of RV myocardial fibers. Furthermore, structural changes to the RV appear to have a notable impact on RV EF, but little influence on LV EF. Finally, RV pressure overload exponentially increased LV myocardial stress. The computational results found in this study are consistent with clinical observations in adult and pediatric PH patients, which reveal a decrease in LV torsion with preserved LV EF [3, 4]. Furthermore, discovered causes of decreased LV torsion are consistent with RV structural adaptations seen in PH rodent studies [5], which might also explain suspected stress-induced changes in LV myocardial gene/protein expression.
Multi-year dynamics of fine-scale marine cyanobacterial populations are more strongly explained by phage interactions than abiotic, bottom-up factors

Currently defined ecotypes in marine cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus likely contain subpopulations that themselves are ecologically distinct. We developed and applied high-throughput sequencing for the 16S-23S rRNA internally transcribed spacer (ITS) to examine ecotype and fine-scale genotypic community dynamics for monthly surface water samples spanning 5 years at the San Pedro Ocean Time-series site. Ecotype-level structure displayed regular seasonal patterns including succession, consistent with strong forcing by seasonally varying abiotic parameters (e.g. temperature, nutrients, light). We identified tens to thousands of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) within ecotypes, many of which exhibited distinct patterns over time, suggesting ecologically distinct populations within ecotypes. Community structure within some ecotypes exhibited regular, seasonal patterns, but not for others, indicating other more irregular processes such as phage interactions are important. Network analysis including T4-like phage genotypic data revealed distinct viral variants correlated with different groups of cyanobacterial ASVs including time-lagged predator-prey relationships. Variation partitioning analysis indicated that phage community structure more strongly explains cyanobacterial community structure at the ASV level than the abiotic environmental factors. These results support a hierarchical model whereby abiotic environmental factors more strongly shape niche partitioning at the broader ecotype level while phage interactions are more important in shaping community structure of fine-scale variants within ecotypes.
The Structure of the Maize Genome

Agriculture is reaching a new era. While in the past, breeding was based on phenotypes, future breeding will be based on knowledge of the genotype. Therefore, the future of agriculture is written into the genome. What conventional breeding cannot achieve is to separate and combine one or a select few genes with the rest of the genes, because during crossing all genes of one parent are transmitted, even those that could neutralize the benefit of another one. But how would one identify single genes of interest and their regulatory components within the total gene pool? Recent estimates are that the maize genome contains between 42,000 and 56,000 genes (Haberer et al. 2005). To identify a gene of interest could be like finding a needle in a haystack. While it has been possible to clone genes based on their gene products or their function, they only represent a tiny portion of the entire gene set. To obtain knowledge about all genes in the genome requires first that we know their structures and position in the genome. The first genome of a flowering plant that was sequenced was Arabidopsis thaliana, mainly because it has one of the smallest genomes (Arabidopsis Genome Initiative, 2000). Furthermore, it was assumed that the C-value paradox teaches that the complexity of a multicellular organism was not proportional to the size of its genome (Thomas 1971). In other words, the smaller genome could serve as a reference gene set for the larger ones. However, many of the most important crop plants on earth belong to the monocotyledons, and Arabidopsis belongs to the dicotyledons. Indeed, it became clear that the sequence of the Arabidopsis genome is too distant to serve as a reference to monocot crop species. On the other hand, unique genes of the Poaceae, a monocot family, also known as the grasses, are conserved across these species to a degree that they could be used as heterologous probes to
Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of West Nile virus NS5 methyltransferase mutants.

Abstract Although West Nile virus (WNV) causes annual cases of neurological disease and deaths in humans, a vaccine has not been licensed for human use. Several WNV genes have been targeted for mutagenesis in attempts to generate live attenuated vaccine candidates, including the non-structural protein NS5. Specifically, mutation of WNV NS5-K61A or NS5-E218A in the catalytic tetrad of the methyltransferase decreases enzyme activity of the NS5 protein and correspondingly attenuates the virus in mice. In this report, NS5-K61A, NS5-E218A, and a double mutant encoding both mutations (NS5-K61A/E218A) were compared both in vitro and in vivo. Each single mutant was strongly attenuated in highly susceptible outbred mice, whereas the double mutant unexpectedly was not attenuated. Sequencing analysis demonstrated that the double mutant was capable of reversion at both residues NS5-61 and NS5-218, whereas the genotype of the single mutants did not show evidence of reversion. Overall, either NS5-K61A or NS5-E218A methyltransferase mutations could be potential mutations to include in a candidate live WNV vaccine; however, multiple mutations in the catalytic tetrad of the methyltransferase are not tolerated.
Polarization preservation of polarized deuteron beams in the electron ion collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory

The physics program at the future electron ion collider (EIC) calls for polarized neutron beams at high energies. The best neutron carriers are $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ nuclei and deuterons. Both neutron carriers are expected to be utilized by the spin physics program in the EIC. Owing to the small magnetic moment anomaly of a deuteron particle, significantly higher magnetic fields are required for spin rotation, so that full Siberian snakes are not feasible. However, the resonance strengths are weak, and the number of resonances is small. It is possible to deal with individual resonances using conventional methods such as a betatron tune jump and vertical ac dipole for intrinsic depolarizing resonances, and a weak partial snake for imperfection resonances. This study employed a realistic magnet ramp rate and parameters (both transverse and longitudinal emittances, as well as realistic lattices) to show that it is possible to accelerate polarized deuterons beyond 100 GeV/n. This paper summarizes the details of the feasibility of a polarized deuteron beam for the future EIC at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Impact of Artificial Diet on Development and Coloration in Zerene Cesonia

The development of artificial diets for Lepidopteran species is instrumental for the study of natural biological variation in controlled laboratory conditions. In this study, we test the ability to rear Zerene cesonia, a pierid species, on artificial diets containing varying amounts of two plant species: Dalea purpurea and Trifolium pratense. We evaluate the quality of each diet based on survivorship, developmental timing, and analyses of larval and adult coloration. This study concludes that diets that include the preferred host plant, D. purpurea, are best for rearing Z. cesonia based on survivorship and the ability to recapitulate the natural color variation observed in the wild.
Physics basis for the ICRF system of the SPARC tokamak

Ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) heating will be the sole auxiliary heating method on SPARC for both full-field (Bt0 ~ 12 T) D–T operation and reduced field (Bt0 ~ 8 T) D–D operation. Using the fast wave at ~120 MHz, good wave penetration and strong single-pass absorption is expected for D–T(3He), D(3He), D(H) and 4He(H) heating scenarios. The dependences of wave absorption on is shown to be good for both core absorption and edge coupling. For the control of impurity sources, the antenna straps are rotated ~10° to be perpendicular to the B field and the straps can run with different power levels in order to optimize the antenna spectrum and to minimize the image current on the antenna frame. Combining the physics constraints with the SPARC port design, maintenance requirement and contingency against antenna failure during D–T operation, we plan to mount on the inner wall of the vacuum vessel a total of 12 4-strap antennae in 6 ports while keeping 3-strap antennae that are insertable and removable on port plugs as the backup option.
Attending to the Attentional Control Scale for Children: Confirming its factor structure and measurement invariance.

Abstract The Attentional Control Scale for Children (ACS-C) is a widely used self-report questionnaire that measures attentional control in youth. Previous research examined factor-structure and validation of the ACS-C and yielded a 2-factor structure with Attentional Focusing and Attentional Shifting subscales. This study used a confirmatory factor analysis in a large, ethnically diverse sample of clinic-referred anxious youth (N = 442, ages 7–16 years) to compare model fit of three models, the original two-factor model of the ACS-C, a two-factor model of a modified ACS-C (two items re-assigned from Attentional Focusing to Attentional Shifting, three items removed from Attentional Focusing, and two items removed from Attentional Shifting), and a single-factor model. Results reveal best model fit for the two-factor modified ACS-C. This model had strong factorial invariance across sex, partial invariance across ethnicity, and was variant across age. Also, total and subscale scores for the two-factor modified ACS-C correlated with anxiety and depression symptom scale scores, supporting its concurrent validity. Findings confirm the two-factor structure of the modified ACS-C. Future research implications relating to attentional control in children are discussed.
Using inferences concerning the effects of nutrient balances to define outcome-related food scores.

AIM To describe food scores that can be interpreted as indicators of the potential effects of a food on health outcomes. METHODS The scores consist of weighted averages of the estimates of the association between a health outcome and nutrient balances. Each food contributes a set of weights depending on its nutrient composition. The nutrient balances of a food's constituents are defined in a manner that is similar to those included in the model from which the estimated associations are obtained. As the balances are based on log-ratios, the presence of zero observations is problematic, but observations recorded as trace (rounded zeros) can be suitably replaced by a small value. In order to overcome the essential zero problem, we propose a strategy that exploits the flexibility of sequential binary partitioning, a procedure used to define orthogonal balances, and also describe the estimates of the variance and confidence limits of food scores. RESULTS Data from an Italian population-based study were used to provide examples regarding serum high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels and waist circumference values, and the scores calculated for some foods or groups of foods are shown. CONCLUSIONS Food scores allow foods to be ranked on the basis of their potential effects on health outcomes and, as they are not directly related to the amount of the food consumed, may be less subject to confounding. The accuracy of the estimates depends on the completeness of the food's nutrient composition: that is, the more complete the nutrient composition, the more accurate the estimate.
A Systematic Framework to Identify Violations of Scenario-dependent Driving Rules in Autonomous Vehicle Software

Safety compliance is paramount to the safe deployment of autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies in real-world transportation systems. As AVs will share road infrastructures with human drivers and pedestrians, it is an important requirement for AVs to obey standard driving rules. Existing AV software testing methods, including simulation and road testing, only check fundamental safety rules such as collision avoidance and safety distance. Scenario-dependent driving rules, including crosswalk and intersection rules, are more complicated because the expected driving behavior heavily depends on the surrounding circumstances. However, a testing framework is missing for checking scenario-dependent driving rules on various AV software. In this paper, we design and implement a systematic framework AVChecker for identifying violations of scenario-dependent driving rules in AV software using formal methods. AVChecker represents both the code logic of AV software and driving rules in proposed formal specifications and leverages satisfiability modulo theory (SMT) solvers to identify driving rule violations. To improve the automation of systematic rule-based checking, AVChecker provides a powerful user interface for writing driving rule specifications and applies static code analysis to extract rule-related code logic from the AV software codebase. Evaluations on two open-source AV software platforms, Baidu Apollo and Autoware, uncover 19 true violations out of 28 real-world driving rules covering crosswalks, traffic lights, stop signs, and intersections. Seven of the violations can lead to severe risks of a collision with pedestrians or blocking traffic.
Is hormone replacement for endometrial preparation associated with pregnancy loss in frozen-thawed single-blastocyst transfer cycles.

Frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles have become an integral part of IVF treatment, coinciding with the improvement of freezing programs and an increase in the elective single-embryo transfer policy [1]. While endometrial preparation may be achieved by a natural or hormone replacement method, an optimal approach has not yet been clearly defined [2, 3].
Isoscapes: Understanding movement, pattern, and process on earth through isotope mapping

Preface Section 1 - Gathering and using spatially explicit isotope data Chapter 1: Global network measurements of atmospheric trace gas isotopes B.H. Vaughn, C.U. Evans, J.W.C. White, C.J. Still, K.A. Masarie, and J. Turnbull Chapter 2: Global hydrological isotope data and data networks P.K. Aggarwal, L.J. Araguas-Araguas, M. Groening, K.M. Kulkarni, T. Kurttas, B. Newman, and T. Vitvar Chapter 3: Remote sensing of nitrogen and carbon isotope compositions in terrestrial ecosystems L. Wang, G.S. Okin, and S.A. Macko Chapter 4 Novel approaches for monitoring of water vapor isotope ratios: Plants, lasers and satellites B.R. Helliker, and D. Noone Chapter 5 Applications of stable isotopes for regional to national-scale water quality and environmental monitoring programs C. Kendall, M.B. Young and S.R. Silva Chapter 6 Environment in time and space: Opportunities from tree-ring isotope networks S.W. Leavitt, K. Treydte, and L. Yu Section 2 - Isotope mapping: theory and methods Chapter 7 Statistical and geostatistical mapping of precipitation water isotope ratios G.J. Bowen Chapter 8 Approaches to plant hydrogen and oxygen isoscapes generation J.B. West, H.W. Kreuzer-Martin, and J.R. Ehleringer Chapter 9 Continental-scale distributions of vegetation stable carbon isotope ratios C.J. Still, and R.L. Powell Chapter 10 Comprehensive dynamical models of global and regional water isotope distributions D. Noone, and C. Sturm Chapter 11 Using nitrogen isotope ratios to assess terrestrial ecosystems at regional and global scales L.H. Pardo, and K.J. Nadelhoffer Chapter 12 Using Isoscapes to Model Probability Surfaces for Determining Geographic Origins M.B. Wunder Section 3 -Multidisciplinary applications of isoscapes Chapter 13 Using isoscapes to track animal migration K.A. Hobson, R. Barnett-Johnson and T. Cerling Chapter 14 Using Isoscapes to Trace the Movements and Foraging Behavior of Top Predators in Oceanic Ecosystems B.S. Graham, P.L. Koch, S.D. Newsome, K.W. McMahon, and D. Aurioles Chapter 15 Toward a d13C isoscape for primates M.J. Schoeninger Chapter 16 Stable and radiogenic isotopes in biological archaeology: some applications H.P. Schwarcz, C.D. White, and F.J. Longstaffe Chapter 17 A Framework for the Incorporation of Isotopes and Isoscapes in Geospatial Forensic Investigations J.R. Ehleringer, A.H. Thompson, D. Podlesak, G.J. Bowen, L.A. Chesson, T.E. Cerling, T. Park, P. Dostie, and H. Schwarcz Chapter 18 Stable isotopes in large scale hydrological applications J.J. Gibson, B.M. Fekete, and G.J. Bowen Chapter 19 The carbon isotope composition of plants and soils as biomarkers of pollution D.E. Pataki, J.T. Randerson, W. Wang, M. Herzenach, and N.E. Grulke Chapter 20 Isoscapes in a rapidly changing and increasingly interconnected world G.J. Bowen, J.B. West, and T.E. Dawson
Optical molecular imaging of epidermal growth factor receptor expression to improve detection of oral neoplasia.

Background: The development of noninvasive molecular imaging approaches has the potential to improve management of cancer. Methods: In this study, we demonstrate the potential of noninvasive topical delivery of an epidermal growth factor-Alexa 647 (EGF-Alexa 647) conjugate to image changes in epidermal growth factor receptor expression associated with oral neoplasia. We report a series of preclinical analyses to evaluate the optical contrast achieved after topical delivery of EGF-Alexa 647 in a variety of model systems, including cells, three-dimensional tissue cultures, and intact human tissue specimens using wide-field and high-resolution fluorescence imaging. Data were collected from 17 different oral cancer patients: eight pairs of normal and abnormal biopsies and nine resected tumors were examined. Results: The EGF-dye conjugate can be uniformly delivered throughout the oral epithelium with a penetration depth exceeding 500 µ m and incubation time of less than 30 minutes. After EGF-Alexa 647 incubation, the presence of oral neoplasia is associated with a 1.5- to 6.9-fold increase in fluorescence contrast compared with grossly normal mucosa from the same patient with both wide-field and high-resolution fluorescence imaging. Conclusions: Results illustrate the potential of EGF-targeted fluorescent agents for in vivo molecular imaging, a technique that may aid in the diagnosis and characterization of oral neoplasia and allow real-time detection of tumor margins.
Observations of designer behaviors in complex system design

The design of large-scale engineering systems requires design teams to balance a complex set of considerations. Formal approaches for optimizing complex system design assume that designers behave in a rational, consistent manner. However, observation of design practice suggests that there are limits to the rationality of designer behavior. This paper explores the gap between complex system designs generated via formal design process and those generated by teams of human designers. Results show that human design teams employed a range of strategies but arrived at suboptimal designs. Analysis of their design histories suggest three possible causes for the human design teams’ performance: poorly executed global searches rather than well executed local searches, a focus on optimizing single design parameters, and sequential implementations rather than concurrent optimization strategies.
Mental Health and Ethnic Identity

A growing social scientific literature suggests that ethnic identity has implications for mental health. Ethnic identity refers to a sense of ethnic pride, involvement in ethnic practices, and cultural commitment to one's ethnic group. Thus far, studies on the relationship between ethnic identity and mental health have provided contradictory findings. Some studies find that having a strong ethnic identity is associated with better mental health, while other studies indicate that ethnic identity does not influence mental health. Moreover, these findings have varied by racial/ethnic group as well as by the measurement of ethnic identity and mental health. We discuss the conceptualization of ethnicity, the two opposing hypotheses that have framed the literature, evidence of the mental health consequences of ethnic identity, and its role in coping with discrimination. Finally, gaps in the literature and suggestions for future research are also highlighted. Keywords: ethnicity; ethnicity and culture; identity; mental health; minorities
Glasses, Organic–;Inorganic Hybrids

The search for new high performance materials has spurred the development of composites combining high modulus/high thermal stability inorganic glasses and low modulus/low thermal stability polymeric glasses. Research has resulted in a novel class of amorphous polymer–glass composites referred to as organic–inorganic hybrids or inorganic–organic hybrids, depending on the component with the highest volume fraction. These materials are synthesized in a variety of ways but ultimately exhibit near-molecular-level mixing of the matrix and the filler. Hence the term hybrid. Typically, this high degree of mixing results in transparent materials which exhibit significant increases in thermomechanical properties owing to extensive interaction between the polymeric and inorganic phases. However, the relatively high volume fraction of polymer included in these materials normally limits their service temperatures to well below 400°C. Many polymers and oligomers have been utilized in the synthesis of these hybrids, including poly(alkenes, acrylates, ethers, esters, amides, imides, and dienes). Some novel inorganic precursors have been used, such as clay. The use of metal alkoxides have been reported. There are several areas of application for organic–inorganic hybrids: microelectronic usage, abrasion-resistant coatings, thermal–oxidative-resistant coatings, nonlinear optical devices, hydrogels, biosensors, and cross-linking agents. Keywords: Siloxanes; Organic-inorganic glass; Polymers; Nylon; Nitrile rubber; Microelectronics; Optical devices; Cross-linking agents; Coatings; Biosensors; Hydrogels
Skills & Values: Evidence

These materials were created to assist professors in incorporating lawyering skills into their substantive evidence class. They are intended to give students the experience of thinking about and applying evidence doctrine as they would in real practice. At the same time, most of the authors' students have found that they have a much better grasp of the doctrine when they can see it in a practice context. Each chapter offers a stand-alone exercise which focuses on a particular rule under the Federal Rules of Evidence. (It is envisioned that chapters will be assigned to correlate with the particular rule being studied in class.) The exercises – which often include documents, diagrams, photographs and trial transcripts – require the student to put doctrine into action. Sometimes they will make an argument to the trial court; other times, they will conduct discovery, interview witnesses, examine witnesses on the stand to lay evidentiary foundations, or voir dire those witnesses to weaken the foundation. Each chapter includes a “self-study” component. Here, the authors provide their approach to the exercise. They are not the answers, because the lawyering activities involved are not in the nature of true-false questions. Different lawyers will approach the same problem differently. The exercises involve doctrinal interpretation, judgment, strategy, argumentation, and often ethics. Many of the chapters include e-materials on a website accompanying the text. These materials include a video demonstrating the impeachment of a witness with an inconsistent statement and an omission using the witness’s written statement, adversarial video arguments to which the student will be asked to respond, a 911 recording, and transcripts with voice-overs illustrating an interview seeking information to satisfy conditional relevance, an examination laying the foundations for a business record, and a voir dire aimed at attacking the foundation for an excited utterance. The web site also includes links to select United States Supreme Court Cases used in these materials.
Applications to Boundary Value Problems

In this chapter we present solutions to boundary value problems, arising in various disciplines of mathematical physics for axially symmetric bodies, including dumbbells, elongated rods, and prolate bodies, of which spheres and spheroids are special cases. The methods rest on exploring the fundamental solutions of partial differential equations, as presented in the previous chapters, and then taking a suitable axial distribution of the Dirac delta function and its derivatives on a segment of the axis of symmetry of the body. This idea is extended to include distribution of these functions on arbitrary straight lines, curves, and disks [47-55].
Leading the diverse workforce: Profit, prospects and progress

US demographers predict that women, people of color and ethnic minorities will represent over 50 percent of all new entrants to the US workforce by 2008. This shift in demographics plus the pressure from a growing competitive global marketplace are forcing organizations to rethink models of business success. The authors describe how organizations can ensure their readiness to effectively align business strategies with today's demographic and market realities to achieve growth, profitability, and sustainability. This study updates the literature by connecting the leadership literature with diversity research. The theory development of this study reviewed the progress made and the future prospects and potential profits for US businesses in leading today's diverse workforce. Findings from interviews and focus groups with senior executives, representing a cross section of American industries, led to best practices recommendations for capitalizing on the strategic benefits of diversity.
Genetic overlap between alcohol use disorder and bulimic behaviors in European American and African American women

Background Despite substantial evidence that alcohol use disorder (AUD) and bulimic behaviors (i.e., binge eating and compensatory behaviors) co-occur, insufficient information exists regarding a possible shared etiology. Moreover, although numerous twin studies of European ancestry individuals have reported moderate heritability estimates for AUD and bulimic behaviors, with little evidence for shared environmental factors, research on genetic and environmental risk in African American (AA) individuals is lacking.
Gallbladder contractility in aspirin- and cholesterol-fed prairie dogs.

Abstract Background/Aims: Whether aspirin prevents cholesterol gallstone formation is controversial. This study aimed to investigate this issue and determine the depression of gallbladder smooth muscle contractility associated with cholesterol feeding in the prairie dog. Methods: Prairie dogs were divided into four subgroups. Animals were fed control or 1.2% cholesterol diet and treated with placebo or aspirin for 2 weeks. The presence of crystals and stones was determined, and contractile force in response to cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) of gallbladder muscle strips was measured. Results: Maximal stress of 2.66 ± 0.23 × 10 4 N/m 2 was measured in muscle strips from animals on control diet. Maximal stress was significantly lower in strips from animals on high-cholesterol diet, being 1.49 ± 0.16 × 10 4 N/m 2 with placebo and 1.62 ± 0.23 × 10 4 N/m 2 with aspirin. The difference in maximal stress between aspirin-treated and placebo-treated animals was not significant. Although none of the animals on control diet had crystals or stones, all animals on the high-cholesterol diet, whether receiving placebo or aspirin, had crystals in the bile, and more than 65% had cholesterol stones. Conclusions: Aspirin has no effect on stone formation, nor does it prevent the decrease in contractility despite a profound decrease in endogenous gallbladder prostanoid synthesis.
Advances in salivary gland gene therapy - oral and systemic implications.

Introduction: Much research demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of gene transfer to salivary glands. Recently, the first clinical trial targeting a salivary gland was completed, yielding positive safety and efficacy results.Areas covered: There are two major disorders affecting salivary glands: radiation damage following treatment for head and neck cancers and Sjogren’s syndrome (SS). Salivary gland gene transfer has also been employed in preclinical studies using transgenic secretory proteins for exocrine (upper gastrointestinal tract) and endocrine (systemic) applications.Expert opinion: Salivary gland gene transfer is safe and can be beneficial in humans. Applications to treat and prevent radiation damage show considerable promise. A first-in-human clinical trial for the former was recently successfully completed. Studies on SS suffer from an inadequate understanding of its etiology. Proof of concept in animal models has been shown for exocrine and endocrine disorders. Currently, the most promisi...
FDI Location and the Relevance of Spatial Linkages: Evidence from Provincial and Industry FDI in China

In this study both aggregate and industry-level foreign direct investment (FDI) data are employed to investigate the spatial dependence of FDI hosts. The analysis contributes to the existing literature by focusing on the heterogeneous spatial correlation of FDI in different industries. Using more comprehensive FDI data across multiple industries and multiple provinces in China from 1999 to 2007, the results show a significant spatial correlation among provinces. Aggregate FDI tends to be regional trade platform oriented indicating neighboring provinces become competitors for FDI. In contrast, results based on industry-level provincial FDI show stronger support for vertical or complex vertical FDI.
RIATA-HGT: A Fast and Accurate Heuristic for Reconstructing Horizontal Gene Transfer

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) plays a major role in microbial genome diversification, and is claimed to be rampant among various groups of genes in bacteria. Further, HGT is a major confounding factor for any attempt to reconstruct bacterial phylogenies. As a result, detecting and reconstructing HGT events in groups of organisms has become a major endeavor in biology. The problem of detecting HGT events based on incongruence between a species tree and a gene tree is computationally very hard (NP-hard). Efficient algorithms exist for solving restricted cases of the problem. We propose RIATA-HGT, the first polynomial-time heuristic to handle all HGT scenarios, without any restrictions. The method accurately infers HGT events based on analyzing incongruence among species and gene trees. Empirical performance of the method on synthetic and biological data is outstanding. Being a heuristic, RIATA-HGT may overestimate the optimal number of HGT events; empirical performance, however, shows that such overestimation is very mild. We have implemented our method and run it on biological and synthetic data. The results we obtained demonstrate very high accuracy of the method. Current version of RIATA-HGT uses the PAUP tool, and we are in the process of implementing a stand-alone version, with a graphical user interface, which will be made public. The tool, in its current implementation, is available from the authors upon request.
Metabolic stabilization of muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by rapsyn

Although the metabolic half-life of muscle endplate acetylcholine receptor (AChR) changes during development and after denervation in the adult, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that influence receptor stability. We have investigated the effect on AChR turnover of its interaction with rapsyn, a 43 kDa peripheral membrane protein that is closely associated with the AChR in muscle cells and is required for its clustering at endplates. Both in transfected COS cells and in cultured myotubes from rapsyn-negative and rapsyn-positive mice, we have found that the presence of rapsyn slows the turnover of AChRs by as much as twofold. The effect was similar for both embryonic (alpha2betadeltagamma) and adult (alpha2betadeltaepsilon) AChRs and for AChRs whose beta subunit lacked a putative tyrosine phosphorylation site. Neither colchicine nor cytochalasin D altered AChR turnover or prevented the rapsyn effect. Mutant rapsyn proteins whose N-terminal myristoylation signal was eliminated, or whose C terminus or zinc-finger domains were deleted, failed to change the rate of receptor turnover. Each of these mutations affects the association of the AChR with rapsyn, suggesting that AChR stability is altered by interaction between the two proteins. Our results suggest that, in addition to its role in AChR clustering, rapsyn also functions to metabolically stabilize the AChR.
Expression of the fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) in human kidney diseases

Expression of the fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) in human kidney diseases. Background CX3CL1 (fractalkine) is a membrane bound chemokine that can function as an adhesion molecule for cells expressing the receptor CX3CR1. This receptor is involved in the recruitment of inflammatory cells in a rat model of crescentic glomerulonephritis, where blockade of CX3CR1 has been shown to be of benefit. Here we describe the distribution of CX3CR1 positive cells in a variety of kidney diseases and renal development. Methods A total of 84 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens including fetal kidneys ( N = 12), normal areas of kidneys uninvolved by neoplasia from tumor nephrectomies ( N = 4), renal transplant nephrectomies ( N = 5), renal transplant biopsies ( N = 19), and kidney biopsies from patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis ( N = 7), membranous nephropathy ( N = 7), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis ( N = 8), focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis ( N = 10), collapsing glomerulopathy ( N = 6), and minimal change disease ( N = 6) were studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed on consecutive tissue sections for CD3 positive T cells, CD68 positive monocyte/macrophages, CCR5 positive cells and CX3CR1 positive cells. Results The majority of inflammatory leukocytes infiltrating the kidney expressed CX3CR1. The distribution pattern was consistent with expression by both T cells and monocytes/macrophages. In contrast to the distribution of CCR5, which was expressed on a subset of infiltrating cells predominantly localized in the interstitium, CX3CR1 was present on both interstitial and glomerular infiltrating leukocytes. In developing kidneys CX3CR1 positive cells formed a small, scattered population of cells, consistent with the distribution of infiltrating leukocytes. Conclusions The high number of CX3CR1-positive inflammatory cells in various disease entities is consistent with its having a role in the accumulation of intrarenal inflammatory cells, but does not provide evidence of specificity of leukocytes bearing this receptor for specific types of injury. Other chemokine gradients, like those created by the ligands for the chemokine receptor CCR5, might subsequently guide leukocyte subsets to specific microenvironments.
The flight range of the European chafer.

With the use of fluorescent lacquer enamels a trap tree and an ultra-violet light, the flight habits of the European chafer, Amphimallon majalis (Raz.), were studied from 1954-56. Marked beetles were recaptured up to 725 yards on the night of their release. Since beetles average five mating flights in their lives, they could fly 4 to 5 miles in this time if they flew 725 yards in the same direction every evening and morning.
Robust multicomponent IR-to-concentration model regression

Abstract Infrared absorbance measurements can be made in situ and rapidly. Calibrating these measurements to give solution compositions can therefore yield a powerful tool for process monitoring and control. In many applications it is desirable to monitor the concentrations of multiple components in a complex solution under varying process conditions (which may introduce error in the absorbance measurements). Establishing a model that is capable of accurately predicting the concentrations of multiple components from infrared absorbance measurements that may be corrupted by error requires a carefully designed calibration procedure—a key part of which is model regression. In this article, a number of commonly used multivariate regression techniques are examined in the context of developing a model for simultaneously predicting the concentrations of four solutes from noisy infrared absorbance measurements. In addition, a tailored support vector regression algorithm—designed to produce a robust (measurement error-insensitive) calibration model—is developed, tested, and compared against these established regression algorithms.
An electron microscopic study of neurons during postnatal development of the rat cerebral cortex

The differentiation and maturation of the neurons of rat cerebral cortex during the first three weeks of postnatal life has been studied with the light and electron microscopes. At birth, the supeficial cortex is largely made up of undifferentiated cells, tightly packed together in vertical columns between which the developing process and blood vessels, and relatively extensive extracellular spaces are found. During the first two weeks, these cells diferentiate into either neuroblasts and neurons, or into spongioblasts and neuroglia. In the case of neurons but not neuroglia, this maturation occurs in a gradient from the depths toward the surface. The round undifferendtiated cells are characterized by an absence of processes, a thin rim of perinuclear cytoplasm containing few organelles, and a peripheral clumping of condensed nuclear chromatin. The differentiating neuroblasts display increasing numbers of cytoplasmic organelles, especially endoplasmic reticulum, evenly dispersed nuclear chromatin, and presumptive apical dendrites. The rough endoplasmic reticulum of neuroblasts become swollen during the transition into neurons during the second week. The endoplasmic reticulum forms subsurface cisterns that transiently evaginate the cell membrane, forming conspicuous diverticuli in the neuropil at the same time that the cells display an increase of cytoplasmic matrix density and increasing numbers of ribosomes. During the three weeks following birth, organelles increase in number and complexity, synapses develop, the extracellular spaces disappear, and the maturing neurons become separated from one another by the growth of neuropil and nonnervous elements. At the end of this three week period the cortical tissue and its neurons are apparently mature and the adult pattern of cortical fine structure is established.
Advanced FBG sensing through rapid spectral interrogation

A fiber Brag grating sensor interrogator has been developed which is capable of gathering vectors of information from individual fiber Bragg gratings by capturing the full optical spectrum 3 kHz. Using a field programmable gate array with high speed digital-to-analog converters and analog-to-digital components, plus a kilohertz rate MEMS optical filter, the optical spectrum can be scanned at rates in excess of 10 million nanometers per second, allowing sensor sampling rates of many kilohertz while maintaining the necessary resolution to understand sensor changes. The autonomous system design performs all necessary detection and processing of multiple sensors and allows spectral measurements to be exported as fast as Ethernet, USB, or RS232 devices can receive it through a memory mapped interface. The high speed - full spectrum - fiber Bragg grating sensor interrogator enables advanced interrogation of dynamic strain and temperature gradients along the length of a sensor, as well as the use of each sensor for multiple stimuli, such as in temperature compensation. Two examples are described, showing interrogation of rapid laser heating in an optical fiber, as well as complex strain effects in a beam that had an engineered defect.
Do young chimpanzees have extraordinary working memory

Do chimpanzees have better spatial working memory than humans? In a previous report, a juvenile chimpanzee outperformed 3 university students on memory for briefly displayed digits in a spatial array (Inoue & Matsuzawa, 2007). The authors described these abilities as extraordinary and likened the chimpanzee's performance to eidetic memory. However, the chimpanzee received extensive practice on a non-time-pressured version of the task; the human subjects received none. Here we report that, after adequate practice, 2 university students substantially outperformed the chimpanzee. There is no evidence for a superior or qualitatively different spatial memory system in chimpanzees.
Identification of an OH, CH combination band in the near infrared spectrum of ethanol

Abstract The identification of an OHstretch/CHstretch combination band in the near infrared (n.i.r.) spectrum of ethanol is based on comparison of the calculated positions of overtone and combination bands with the n.i.r. spectra of C2H5OH, C2H5OD, CH3OH and CH3OD.
Tuning meter can replace oscilloscope for flow cytometer alignment.

The differentiator and pulse averaging circuit described in this technical note can be used in place of the oscilloscope normally required to align a flow cytometer.
Periovulatory Progesterone Concentration in the Peripheral Plasma of the Rhesus Monkey with a Methodologic Note on the Detection of Ovulation

Peripheral plasma progesterone concentrations were measured by competitive protein binding analysis in 23 normally cycling rhesus monkeys and related to the day of ovulation as established by direct observation during serial laparotomies. Plasma progesterone concentrations began to increase abruptly on the day prior to ovulation, reaching maximal values of approximately 4 mμg/ml 3–4 days after ovulation. On the day of ovulation some animalsshowed a decline in plasma progesterone concentration, others remained unchanged, and the remainder increased in continuous fashion. A rapid and simple method, based on a modification of the competitive protein binding technique for the measurement of progesterone, which permits the highly reliable determination of the day of ovulation in the rhesus monkey is described. (Endocrinology 82: 143, 1968)