cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Targeted observations in FASTEX: Adjoint-based targeting procedures and data impact experiments in IOP17 and IOP18

The Fronts and Atlantic Storm-Track EXperiment (FASTEX) provided an opportunity for testing targeted-observing procedures in a real-time framework during January and February 1997. This study describes the use of singular vectors (SVs) for objective targeting during FASTEX, and the evaluation of the impact obtained from targeted dropsonde data, satellite wind data, and other observations on 1-2 day forecast skill in intensive observation periods (IOPs) 17 and 18. In IOP17, targeted dropsondes improve a 42 h forecast of L41 (Low 41; cyclones were numbered in sequence throughout FASTEX) in terms of sea-level pressure, but the forecast skill is degraded in the upper troposphere. It is suggested that the degraded forecast may be caused by an incomplete survey of the SV target area, that improved the analysis in one region, but made the analysis less accurate in an adjacent part of the target area where no dropsonde data were provided. In a series of experiments, the best 42 h forecast of L41 is obtained by the addition of a few radiosonde profiles provided specially for FASTEX at off-times, that provide observational data in the most sensitive part of the SV target area. the analysis differences introduced by the radiosonde profiles are much smaller in magnitude than those from the dropsonde data, but have a larger forecast impact, because they occur in an area that has larger error growth rates in this forecast. In a series of experiments for IOP18, the best 24 h forecast of L44 is obtained using a combination of targeted-dropsonde data and satellite wind data. Both data types can also be used separately to improve this forecast. the assimilation of satellite wind data and ship-based soundings in areas of weak initial-condition sensitivity (‘null’ areas) is shown to have minimal impact on the forecast error. the target areas identified by SVs in these two IOPs occur in strongly baroclinic regions, tending to favour the right-entrance and left-exit regions of the upper-level jet, but with greatest sensitivity near 600 hPa.
Need for and access to supportive services in the child welfare system

The purpose of this paper is to examine how geographical availability of social services is related to foster care entry rates and referrals for child maltreatment investigations. The primary concerns are to (1) determine locations across Los Angeles County where the availability of social services is low but display a high need for those services and (2) begin to examine how the geographic distribution of social services is related to rates of referrals and foster care entries in child maltreatment. Archival data for all 288 zip codes within Los Angeles County were collected on rates of referrals, foster care entries, location and types of social service agencies, and zip code demographics. Data were analyzed using point process models and spatial regressions. Higher densities of child welfare services in local areas (for referrals) and lagged areas (for referrals and foster care entries) were related to lower rates of child maltreatment. The density of housing and housing-related services was negatively related to referrals in local areas and foster care entry rates in lagged areas. Areas with higher densities of substance abuse and domestic violence service agencies had significantly higher rates of both Child Protective Services referrals and entries into foster care in local areas. While the total density of child welfare services within and surrounding zip code areas is related to lower rates of referrals and foster care entries, the findings are less clear about what those specific services are. Living in and around “resource rich” zip codes may reduce rates of child maltreatment.
A model to study physiological activation of phospholipase A2 and vasorelaxation by lysophosphatidycholine

Earlier we demonstrated that micellar solutions of LPC caused endothelium-dependent relaxation of rabbit thoracic aorta and bovine intrapulmonary artery and vein through a cyclic GMP-dependent mechanism. The availability of LPC for vasorelaxation depends on its production by deacylation of PC by PLA2. We assessed the possible activation of PLA2 by commonly used vasorelaxants such as acetylcholine, bradykinin, calcium ionophore A23187 and thrombin and vasoconstrictors like histamine and phenylephrine in the presence of indomethacin in a model system where 14C PC was incorporated into bovine intrapulmonary arterial segments. Taking the ratio of 14C PC:LPC formed by exogenous PLA2 as an index of deacylation, we found that while all the agents relaxed the strips in an endothelium-dependent manner, only thrombin caused relaxation followed by an increase in 14C LPC and a concomittant decrease in 14C PC indicating activation of PLA2. Our data show that PC/PLA2 system can be activated to generate LPC for vascular relaxation under specific physiological conditions. This model system can be used to monitor PLA2 activity and LPC production to compensate flow and pressure induced changes in arteries.
The Problem of Selecting a Foreign Language

THE present war has definitely directed the attention of mankind to the need for a wholesome association between nations, regardless of their location. Physical barriers and boundaries no longer exist as far as a matter of time is concerned. It takes today only a matter of hours to cross an expanse between the most distant parts of the globe. The development of aviation has become so astounding that any prediction as to future possibilities would only appear fantastic, and yet one fact appears certain: the world has become and will become an even more common meeting ground, whether in war or in peace. Nations must learn to speak and respect the languages of other nations. No common language as yet exists, but it is not at all improbable that certain well-known languages of today may eventually become international for commercial and political purposes. Local dialects will scarcely disappear for years to come; language changes occur only gradually. The demand for those individuals who are able to speak more than one language will, no doubt, continue to increase. The spread of American military and civil forces at present has accentuated the need for foreign language training. The frequently repeated statement, "Isolationism is something of the past" is as applicable to languages as it is to economic and political fields. Some few months ago Dr. Arthur Cutts Willard, President of the University of Illinois, spoke directly to this point as he addressed a meeting of Illinois high school teachers. "This is going to be a small world after the war," Dr. Willard stated, "and if we do not know the other man's language, nor understand his background, things are going to be in a sorry state." New language courses are already appearing in American schools. Dr. George D. Stoddard, Commissioner of Education of the State of New York, called attention not long ago to the fact that already such courses as "Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dutch, Finnish, Modern Greek, Hindustani Hungarian, Icelandic, Japanese, Korean, Kurdish, Malay, Mongolian, Pashtu, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Siamese, and Turkish"' had been started in American universities. Furthermore, Dr. Stoddard added, "These languages, and others more familiar to American students, are
Arthritis of the temporomandibular joint

The TMJ is more subject to nonspecific inflammatory systemic disease or localized degenerative joint changes than to other types of arthritis. Various treatment measures can be taken for both local and systemic diseases.
Radiative effects of changing atmospheric water vapour

We have used the radiative computation scheme of Dopplick to investigate the purely radiativeeffects resulting from variations in the total water vapour content in a clear atmospheric column.We consider a given water vapour profile uniformly scaled in the vertical by a factor over therange 0.2 to 2.4. For the case of varying water vapour but fixed temperature profile, we find thatadditional vapour produces greater cooling of the column as a whole while supplying energy tothe surface and reducing the net energy flux out of the top of the column. For the samechanges in vapour content, but atmospheric temperature varying so as to maintain constantrelative humidity, we find even greater relative cooling of the atmospheric column as a whole. butless effective energy supply to the surface and an actual increase in the net flux upward at thetop of the column.Radiative heating rates were calculated for temperature and moisture profiles measured overthe Arabian Sea during the 1979 summer MONEX and show radiative cooling of the lowerlayer and energy flux to the surface associated with the presence of water vapour in the lowerlayers of the atmosphere which may be important in the evolution of this vapour-rich surfacelayer preceding the monsoon. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.1984.tb00237.x
Biomass and productivity of the woody strata of forested bogs in northern Minnesota.

Biomass and net primary productivity of three forested perched and three forested raised ombrotrophic bogs were determined and compared. The tree stratum was dominated by Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. and the low shrub stratum by Ledum groenlandicum Oeder and Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench. Based on a modified forest growth and yield model (STEMS), aboveground living biomass of the tree stratum on the perched bogs was declining by about 0.5 t ha−1 year−1 from a base of 100.7 t ha−1, and on the raised bogs it was increasing by 0.2 t ha−1 year−1 on a base of 31.0 t ha−1. Net primary productivity of that stratum was 3.1 and l.0 t ha−1 year−1 on the perched and raised bogs, respectively. Low shrub aboveground productivity, equal to mortality, was 0.4 and 2.0 t ha−1 year−1 on the perched and raised bogs, respectively. This was about 40% of the standing biomass of shrubs in both bog types. Aboveground net primary productivity of woody strata was 3.5 and 3.0 t ha−1 year−1 on the perched and raised bogs, resp...
The biotin-capture lipid affinity assay: a rapid method for determining lipid binding parameters for apolipoproteins

The lipid affinity of plasma apolipoproteins is an important modulator of lipoprotein metabolism. Mutagenesis techniques have been widely used to modulate apolipoprotein lipid affinity for studying biological function, but the approach requires rapid and reliable lipid affinity assays to compare the mutants. Here, we describe a novel method that measures apolipoprotein binding to a standardized preparation of small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) containing trace biotinylated and fluorescent phospholipids. After a 30 min incubation at various apolipoprotein concentrations, vesicle-bound protein is rapidly separated from free protein on columns of immobilized streptavidin in a 96-well microplate format. Vesicle-bound protein and lipid are eluted and measured in a fluorescence microplate reader for calculation of a dissociation constant and the maximum number of potential binding sites on the SUVs. Using human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), apoA-IV, and mutants of each, we show that the assay generates binding constants that are comparable to other methods and is reproducible across time and apolipoprotein preparations. The assay is easy to perform and can measure triplicate binding parameters for up to 10 separate apolipoproteins in 3.5 h, consuming only 120 μg of apolipoprotein in total. The benefits and potential drawbacks of the assay are discussed.
A model of market power and efficiency in private electronic exchanges

We investigate how private electronic markets (PEMs) can be used as a strategic tool by a large producer to compete against a consortium of smaller producers. We model the competition between a Large Producer and Consortium of producers in a two-tier supply chain as a game and characterize the resulting Subgame Perfect Nash Equilibrium. Our results demonstrate that as the costs of inputs to production increase, there are greater returns to ownership of a private exchange. Further, we demonstrate strong welfare enhancing effects of the PEM as the production efficiency of upstream suppliers declines. Finally, from a policy standpoint we show that when upstream suppliers are highly efficient, the creation of a private electronic exchange by the Large Producer will result in significant welfare loss.
Toward an Integrative Framework for Online Consumer Behavior Research: A Meta-Analysis Approach

The recent failure of a large number of e-tail companies epitomizes the challenges of operating through virtual channels and underscores the need to better understand key drivers of online consumer behavior. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of the extant information systems (IS) literature related to online consumer behavior and integrate the literature in order to enhance our knowledge of consumer behavior in electronic markets and provide clear directions for future research. This paper introduces a framework that integrates research findings across studies to develop a coherent and comprehensive picture of the online consumer behavior research conducted in the IS field. The integrative framework proposes system quality, information quality, service quality, and vendor and channel characteristics as key factors that impact online consumer behavior, achieving their effects by altering the perceptions of usefulness, ease of use, trust, and shopping enjoyment.
Toward a clearer understanding of causal concepts in epidemiology.

Abstract Purpose In this manuscript, I share insights into causal concepts that emerged from creating and refining a simple example originally designed for teaching causal epidemiologic concepts. Methods The insights that emerged are primarily related to the difference between how a causal effect occurs in an individual and what our methods assume about how a causal effect occurs when we estimate its effect in a population. In an individual, the causal effect of exposure on disease occurrence results from the interaction of several causal factors in that individual, not from a single factor in isolation. The result of this interaction within an individual determines an individual's causal type (e.g., doomed, exposure causative, exposure preventive, immune) with respect to a particular exposure contrast and target (etiologic) time period. In a population, the causal effect of exposure on disease frequency depends on the distribution of causal types of individuals in that population, not necessarily on the population distribution of covariates. Yet in epidemiology, when we attempt to estimate the effect of a potential cause of interest, we (through the methods we use) usually do not account for this within-individual causal interaction. Results This failure to account for within-individual causal interactions has interesting implications for causal inference, as I illustrate here: (1) an effect estimate can be simultaneously confounded and unconfounded, (2) there can be confounding even if no variables satisfy the traditional criteria for being considered a confounder, (3) there can be no confounding even if there are variables that do satisfy the traditional confounder criteria, (4) the magnitude of confounding caused by a variable need not depend on the strength of the exposure-variable association, (5) a directed acyclic graph does not always correctly identify the presence of confounding, (6) the common-cause confounder criterion is imperfect, and (7) a time-varying confounder does not necessarily lead to time-varying confounding. Conclusions Our example illustrates that confounding is a “team sport”: single variables do not confound by themselves; confounding depends on how variables interact in individuals, not just on how variables are distributed within and across populations. Because confounding depends on how variables interact in individuals, methods that ignore causal interactions in individuals are not guaranteed to be confounding-identification methods.
Enhanced Dye-Sensitized Photoconversion Efficiency via Reversible Production of UV-Induced Surface States in Nanoporous TiO2

Brief UV illumination of dye-sensitized solar cells can result in a remarkable increase in their photoconversion efficiency (Ferrere, S; Gregg, B. A. J. Phys. Chem. B 2001, 105, 7602). Further inve...
Generic multishell cloak

A study of a generic multishell cloaking system that conceals an object from incident electromagnetic radiation regardless of the object shape and/or material (optical) properties is presented. Transparency conditions based on zero permittivity materials for both cylindrically and spherically symmetric systems are derived. It has been shown that zero permittivity material shells can be realized using noble metals. In addition, we proposed a zero-index lowloss tunable shell design based on metal-dielectric composite material to realize the cloak. Our results show that the proposed design can achieve cloaking across the entire optical spectral range and can decrease the scattering-cross section by a factor of up to 10 3 . Furthermore, a full wave analysis is performed showing the independence of cloak performance on the object shape and material properties. The proposed approach toward clocking does not require optical magnetism and underline the importance of zero index materials for achieving electromagnetic invisibility.
Purification and characterization of a phosphotyrosyl-protein phosphatase from wheat seedlings

Abstract A neutral phosphatase which catalyzes the hydrolysis of p -nitrophenylphosphate has been purified to homogeneity from wheat seedlings. The enzyme is a monomeric glycoprotein exhibiting a molecular weight of 35000, frictional ratio of 1.22, Stokes' radius of 260 nm, and sedimentation coefficient of 3.2 S. That the enzyme is a glycoprotein is surmised from its chromatographic property on Concanavalin A-Sepharose column. An examination of the substrate specificity indicates that the enzyme exhibits a preference for phosphotyrosine over a number of phosphocompounds, including p -nitrophenylphosphate and several glycolytic intermediates. Both phosphoserine and phosphothreonine are not hydrolyzed by the enzyme. The phosphatase activity is not affected by high concentrations of chelating agents and does not require metal ions. Molybdate, orthovanadate, Zn 2+ , and Hg 2+ are all potent inhibitors of the phosphatase activity. The ability of the phosphatase to dephosphorylate protein phosphotyrosine has been investigated. [ 32 P-Tyr]poly(Glu, Tyr) n , [ 32 P-Tyr]alkylated bovine serum albumin, [ 32 P-Tyr]angiotensin-I, and [ 32 P-Tyr]band 3 (from human erythrocyte) are all substrates of the phosphatase. On the other hand, the enzyme has no activity toward protein phosphoserine and phosphothreonine. Our result further indicates that the neutral phosphatase is distinct from the wheat germ acid phosphatase. The latter enzyme is found to dephosphorylate phosphotyrosyl as well as phosphoseryl and phosphothreonyl groups in proteins. In light of the many similarities in properties to phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatases isolated from several sources, it is suggested that the wheat seedling phosphatase may participate in cellular regulation involving protein tyrosine phosphorylation.
A Sex-Positive Framework for Research on Adolescent Sexuality:

In this article, I propose a sex-positive framework for research on adolescent sexuality in which I consider consensual sexual activities in adolescence as developmentally normative and potentially healthy. The sex-positive framework is contrasted with the predominant "risk" perspective that presumes that abstinence from sexual activity is the ideal behavioral outcome for teenagers. Evidence from longitudinal and behavioral genetic studies indicates that engaging in sexual intercourse in adolescence does not typically cause worse psychological functioning. The relationship context of sexual experience may be a critical moderator of its psychological impact. Moreover, cross-cultural data on adolescents' contraception usage, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections suggest that, despite the unacceptably high rate of negative health consequences among U.S. teenagers, adolescents can have the developmental capacity to regulate the health risks inherent in sexual activity. Understanding adolescent sexuality can be fostered by considering sexual well-being, a multidimensional construct that incorporates an adolescent's sexual self-efficacy, sexual self-esteem, feelings of sexual pleasure and satisfaction, and freedom from pain and negative affect regarding sexuality. New research is necessary to understand the development of adolescent sexual well-being, including its normative age trends, its reciprocal links with sexual behavior, and its impact on psychological and physical health.
Non-cooperative optimal game-theoretic opportunistic dynamic spectrum access

This paper considers the problem of competitive sharing of open spectrum resources between collocated spread spectrum based secondary systems. The problem is formulated as a strategic form game where the objective of each player (secondary system) is to maximize its own payoff defined in terms of resource utilizations. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of the optimal Nash equilibrium solution are derived for the specified payoff functions. Using tools of the non-cooperative game theory, the Payoff-Enriched Adaptive Learning (PEAL) methodology is proposed to enable each secondary system to iteratively adapt spectrum access strategy in response to the observed interference from other secondary systems. The self-learning adaptations of PEAL require neither signaling nor time synchronization between autonomous secondary systems. It is shown through extensive numerical evaluations that the PEAL adaptations converge to the theoretical Nash equilibrium in a finite numbers of trials.
A criterion-referenced approach to assessing perioperative skills in a VR environment

The need for technical competence brought about by the advent of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has caused educators to re-evaluate the methods used to train surgeons and to judge their competence. Additionally, the extensive training required to become competent is an attendant problem. To help solve these problems, we have begun to develop a method for training and evaluating perioperative MIS surgical competency using an immersive virtual reality (VR) trainer for surgical preparation. This paper presents and summarizes the results of our pilot-test development of a criterion-referenced approach to evaluating performance. Because of the high degree of internal consistency of responses from master surgeons using our system, we have confidence that this approach is viable.
Space-time fading channel estimation and symbol detection in unknown spatially correlated noise

We present maximum likelihood (ML) methods for space-time fading channel estimation with an antenna array in spatially correlated noise having unknown covariance; the results are applied to symbol detection. The received signal is modeled as a linear combination of multipath-delayed and Doppler-shifted copies of the transmitted waveform. We consider structured and unstructured array response models and derive the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) for the unknown directions of arrival, time delays, and Doppler shifts. We also develop methods for spatial and temporal interference suppression. Finally, we propose coherent matched-filter and concentrated-likelihood receivers that account for the spatial noise covariance and analyze their performance.
Kinetic mechanism of a partial folding reaction. 1. Properties Of the reaction and effects of denaturants

The bimolecular association rate constant (kon) and dissociation rate constant (koff) of the complex between fluorescein-labeled S-peptide analogues and folded S-protein are reported. This is the first kinetic study of a protein folding reaction in which most of the starting material is already folded and only a small part (one additional helix) becomes ordered; it provides a folding landscape with a small conformational entropy barrier, and one in which kinetic traps are unlikely. Refolding and unfolding are measured under identical strongly native conditions, and the reaction is found to be two-state at low reactant concentrations. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the complex and the properties of the transition state may be calculated from the rate constants without extrapolation. The folded complex is formed fast (kon = 1.8 × 107 M-1 s-1) and is very stable (Kd = 6 pM) at 10 °C, 10 mM MOPS, pH 6.7. Charge interactions stabilize the complex by 1.4 kcal mol-1. The charge effect enters in the refolding ...
Population Pharmacokinetics I: Background, Concepts, and Models

OBJECTIVETo present and emphasize the background, foundations, utility, and conceptual underlying theory of the population pharmacokinetic (PPK) approach with an examination of the advantages when compared with other approaches of pharmacokinetic modeling.DATA SOURCESInformation on PPK was retrieved from a MEDLINE search (1979—June 2002) of literature and a bibliographic review of review articles and books.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTIONAll articles identified from data sources were evaluated and relevant information was included in this review.DATA SYNTHESISPPK plays a pivotal role in developing dosing strategies for direct patient care and in drug development. PPK is valuable because it targets the patient group that will eventually receive the drug of interest, quantitates pharmacokinetic variability at several levels, and seeks to explain those sources of variability.CONCLUSIONSPPK models have great utility and the applications are many. They are very different from single-subject pharmacokinetic ...
Back to backtracking: controlling the ATMS

The ATMS (Assumption-Based Truth Maintenance System) provides a very general facility for all types of default reasoning. One of the principal advantages of the ATMS is that all of the possible (usually mutually inconsistent) solutions or partial solutions are directly available to the problem solver. By exploiting this capability of the ATMS, the problem solver can efficiently work on all solutions simultaneously and avoid the computational expense of backtracking. However, for some applications this ATMS capability is more of a hindrance than a help and some form of backtracking is necessary. This paper first outlines some of the reasons why backtracking is still necessary, and presents a powerful backtracking algorithm which we have implemented which backtracks more efficiently than other approaches.
Benign Violations: Making Immoral Behavior Funny

Humor is an important, ubiquitous phenomenon; however, seemingly disparate conditions seem to facilitate humor. We integrate these conditions by suggesting that laughter and amusement result from violations that are simultaneously seen as benign. We investigated three conditions that make a violation benign and thus humorous: (a) the presence of an alternative norm suggesting that the situation is acceptable, (b) weak commitment to the violated norm, and (c) psychological distance from the violation. We tested the benign-violation hypothesis in the domain of moral psychology, where there is a strong documented association between moral violations and negative emotions, particularly disgust. Five experimental studies show that benign moral violations tend to elicit laughter and amusement in addition to disgust. Furthermore, seeing a violation as both wrong and not wrong mediates behavioral displays of humor. Our account is consistent with evolutionary accounts of laughter, explains humor across many domains, and suggests that humor can accompany negative emotion.
Form or Function? Expanding Upon Human Factors Perspectives in Design:

Human factors has contributed significantly to the understanding of human behavior in applied settings but still has much to learn about design. Neglected areas of research include areas in design aesthetics, user emotion, user satisfaction, and their impact on user behavior. Research in marketing, design, consumer behavior, business strategy, and within the human factors field are presented as evidence of the importance of these topics. This article highlights where the traditional human factors approach to design fails and suggests where human factors practitioners can draw from research efforts to expand its understanding of human performance and behavior in complex systems.
Dovitinib and erlotinib in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: A drug-drug interaction.

Introduction Erlotinib is a FDA approved small molecule inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor and dovitinib is a novel small molecule inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor. This phase 1 trial was conducted to characterize the safety and determine the maximum tolerated dose of erlotinib plus dovitinib in patients with previously treated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
Mechanical Characterization of Photoresist Polymer Coatings as a Function of Processing History

Photoresist polymer coatings in the film-substratum systems usually generate selfinduced residual stress during processing. It is believed that the residual stress is the driving force for buckling, cracking and delamination of the polymer coatings. Analysis of the residual stress development during processing is of great interest and practical importance. Holographic interferometry technique has been developed for the direct measurements of general 2-dimensional stresses in thin films.[l] It turns out that it is a powerful technique to analyze residual stress development in polymer coatings during processing. By directly measuring the residual stress for each processing stage, the history of residual stress evolution can be closely followed and the residual stresses generated from different origins can be separated. By varying UV curing dosage, thermal curing temperature and the sequence of thermal and UV curing procedures, different residual stresses from various processing conditions can be comprehensively analyzed. Combining these data with mechanical properties of the coating offers valuable information for better understanding of the processing mechanism and enables one to optimize processing conditions for the best product capability.
Endothelin-1 and -3 cause endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization in the rat mesenteric artery

The present study was designed to determine whether endothelin (ET) induces endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization in the isolated rat mesenteric artery and, if so, to identify the receptor subtype involved. Main superior mesenteric arteries of Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats were used for the measurement of electrical responses of smooth muscle cells, using glass microelectrode. In tissues with endothelium of both strains, ET-1 (10(-8) M) caused an initial transient hyperpolarization followed by a sustained depolarization. In tissues without endothelium, only depolarization was observed. ET-3 (10(-8) M) produced transient hyperpolarizations only in preparations with endothelium. There was no significant difference in maximal amplitude of hyperpolarization between the two strains. BQ-123 (selective ETA-receptor antagonist) blocked the depolarization to ET-1 but did not inhibit hyperpolarizing responses to either isopeptide. IRL-1620 (specific ETB-receptor agonist) produced transient membrane hyperpolarizations in tissues with endothelium. The hyperpolarizations induced by ET were not affected by NG-nitro-L-arginine. These data suggest that both ET-1 and ET-3 can cause endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization in the rat mesenteric artery and that the endothelial receptor involved may belong to ETB subtype.
Regioselective hydrosilations. II. The synthesis of silicon–hydrogen functional compounds

The discovery that the rhodium-catalyzed hydrosilation of unsaturated epoxides with compounds containing two SiH functional groups proceeds in a discrete, stepwise fashion, has made possible the synthesis of a series of interesting compounds containing both SiH and epoxy groups in the same molecule. These compounds can be used both as an interesting new class of epoxy monomers as well as intermediates for the preparation of a wide variety of novel monomers which incorporate epoxide as well as other types of polymerizable functional groups © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Multiple bHLH proteins regulate CIT2 expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins comprise a eukaryotic transcription factor family involved in multiple biological processes. They have the ability to form multiple dimer combinations and most of them also bind a 6 bp site (E-box) with limited specificity. These properties make them ideal for combinatorial regulation of gene expression. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae CIT2 gene, which encodes citrate synthase, was previously known to be induced by the bHLH proteins Rtg1p and Rtg3p in response to mitochondrial damage. Rtg1p-Rtg3p dimers bind two R-boxes (modified E-boxes) in the CIT2 promoter. The current study tested the ability of all nine S. cerevisiae bHLH proteins to regulate the CIT2 gene. The results showed that expression of CIT2-lacZ reporter was induced in a rho(0) strain by the presence of inositol via the Ino2p and Ino4p bHLH proteins, which are known regulators of phospholipid synthesis. Promoter mutations revealed that inositol induction required a distal E-box in the CIT2 promoter. Interestingly, deleting the INO2, INO4 genes or the cognate E-box revealed phosphate induction of CIT2 expression. This layer of expression required the two R-boxes and the Pho4p bHLH protein, which is known to be required for phosphate-specific regulation. Lastly, the data show that the Hms1p and Sgc1p bHLH proteins also play important roles in repression of CIT2-lacZ expression. Collectively, these results support the model that yeast bHLH proteins coordinate different biological pathways.
Approximate replication of data using adaptive filters in Wireless Sensor Networks

Approximate replication of data is a technique commonly used in distributed systems where the exact value from the source (client) is not required at the destination (server), rather a fairly accurate estimate of the actual data is sufficient for the end application to infer a result. A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a special case of distributed system where energy is the prime concern governing its life span. Approximate replication when deployed inWSN causes heavy energy savings if the application at the sink is intelligent enough to deduce the result from an estimate of actual sensed data. The crux of approximate replication is the adaptation and prediction mechanisms that cause the sensing node to transmit only a subset of actual sensed data. In this paper, we have modified the traditional approach of approximate replication through coordinating filters, by deploying different adaptive algorithms at the sink and the node. We have also modified the existing model by properly initializing the filter parameters to facilitate faster convergence, whenever there is a change in the working mode of the model. We also bring about some changes in the LMS algorithm to make sure that it suits to the prediction conditions of the approximate replication platform. In the end we have demonstrated by means of simulation that the new modifications achieve better energy savings than the existing peer models by reducing the size of the subset of the information transmitted.
Weekend–weekday aerosols and geographic variability in cloud-to-ground lightning for the urban region of Atlanta, Georgia, USA

We characterized the differences in warm-season weekday and weekend aerosol conditions and cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes (1995–2008) for an 80,000 square kilometer region around Atlanta, Georgia, a city of 5.5 million in the humid subtropics of the southeastern United States. An integration of distance-based multivariate techniques (hierarchical agglomerative clustering, multiresponse permutation procedures, fuzzy kappa statistics, and Mantel tests) indicated a greater concentration of CG flash activity within a 100 km radius around Atlanta under weekday aerosol concentrations. On weekends, these effects contracted toward the city. This minimized any weekly anthropogenic cycle over the more densely populated urban center even though this location had a higher flash density, a higher percentage of days with flashes, and stronger peak currents over the course of a week compared to the surrounding region. The sharper contrasts in weekday and weekend lightning regime developed outside the perimeter of the city over nonurban land uses. Here, lightning on weekend and weekdays differed more in its density, frequency, polarity, and peak current. Across the full extent of the study region, weekday peak currents were stronger and flash days more frequent, suggesting that weekly CG lightning signals have a regional component not tied to a single city source. We integrate these findings in a conceptual model that illustrates the dependency of weekly anthropogenic weather signals on spatial and temporal extent.
Effect of pH on Nonformaldehyde Durable Press Finishing of Cotton Fabric: FT-IR Spectroscopy Study Part I: Ester Crosslinking

When the three sodium salts of phosphoric acid were used as catalysts for the ester crosslinking of cotton cellulose, they showed different levels of effectiveness due to the different pH values of the finish baths. In this research, the effect of finish bath pH on the esterification of cotton cellulose by 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). FT- IR data indicated that the esterification by polycarboxylic acids is pH-dependent. When a cotton fabric was finished with BTCA without a catalyst, both the number of ester linkages formed in the fabric and the effectiveness of the bonded BTCA mol ecules first increased, then decreased as the pH of the finish bath increased from 1.5 to 5.5. An optimum pH range for esterification was determined. A similar phenomenon also occurred when a catalyst (phosphate or hypophosphite) was used. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the optimum pH range of a finish bath in order to achieve the most eff...
Inhibition of Fas/Fas ligand signaling improves septic survival: differential effects on macrophage apoptotic and functional capacity

Signaling through the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) pathway plays a central role in immune-cell response and function; however, under certain pathological conditions such as sepsis, it may contribute to the animal's or patient's morbidity and mortality. To determine the contribution of FasL to mortality, we conducted survival studies by blocking Fas/FasL with Fas receptor fusion protein (FasFP) in vivo. C3H/HeN mice received FasFP or the saline vehicle (veh) immediately (0 h) or delayed (12 h), after sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Subsequently, we examined the effect of FasFP treatment (12 h post-CLP) on macrophage apoptosis and functional capacities. Peritoneal and splenic macrophages and Kupffer cells from sham-veh-, CLP-veh-, sham-FasFP-, or CLP-FasFP-treated mice were harvested 24 h after CLP and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h. The results indicate that only delayed (12 h) but not 0 h administration of FasFP demonstrated a significant increase in survival. The ability of all macrophage populations to release interleukin (IL)-6 was significantly depressed, and IL-10 release was augmented after CLP. FasFP treatment attenuated the increased IL-10 release in Kupffer cells. However, althogh enhanced susceptibility to LPS-induced apoptosis could be suppressed in CLP mouse Kupffer cells by FasFP, FasFP did not change the peritoneal or splenic macrophage response. Furthermore, FasFP attenuated the elevated plasma levels of liver enzymes after sepsis. These data indicate that in vivo inhibition of Fas/FasL signaling has tissue-specific effects on the induction of macrophage apoptosis, functional changes, and liver damage, which may contribute to the host's ability to ward off a septic challenge.
Species characterization and responses of subcortical insects to trap‐logs and ethanol in a hardwood biomass plantation

We characterized subcortical insect assemblages in economically important eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr.), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) plantations in the southeastern U.S.A. Furthermore, we compared insect responses between freshly-cut plant material by placing traps directly over cut hardwood logs (trap-logs), traps baited with ethanol lures and unbaited (control) traps. We captured a total of 15 506 insects representing 127 species in four families in 2011 and 2013. Approximately 9% and 62% of total species and individuals, respectively, and 23% and 79% of total Scolytinae species and individuals, respectively, were non-native to North America. We captured more Scolytinae using cottonwood trap-logs compared with control traps in both years, although this was the case with sycamore and sweetgum only in 2013. More woodborers were captured using cottonwood and sweetgum trap-logs compared with control traps in both years, although only with sycamore in 2013. Ethanol was an effective lure for capturing non-native Scolytinae; however, not all non-native species were captured using ethanol lures. Ambrosiophilus atratus (Eichhoff) and Hypothenemus crudiae (Panzer) were captured with both trap-logs and control traps, whereas Coccotrypes distinctus (Motschulsky) and Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff were only captured on trap-logs. Indicator species analysis revealed that certain scolytines [e.g. Cnestus mutilatus (Blandford) and Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky)] showed significant associations with trap-logs or ethanol baits in poplar or sweetgum trap-logs. In general, the species composition of subcortical insects, especially woodboring insects, was distinct among the three tree species and between those associated with trap-logs and control traps.
A Review of Germs Make Me Sick

Review of: Germs Make Me Sick; Melvin Berger; (1995). Illustrated by Marylin Hafner. Harper Collins, New York, NY. 32 pages.
Identification of a novel inhibitor of AKT kinase, GSK690693.

ND-2 Over-expression of AKT has an anti-apoptotic effect in many cell types and expression of dominant negative AKT blocks the ability of a variety of growth factors to promote survival. In addition, PTEN, a critical negative regulator of AKT, is lost in many cancers, including breast and prostate carcinomas, glioblastomas, and several cancer syndromes including Bannayan-Zonana syndrome, Cowden disease, and Lhermitte-Duclos disease. Therefore inhibitors of AKT kinase activity might be useful as monotherapy for the treatment of tumors with activated AKT. Herein, we will describe our lead optimization studies culminating in the discovery of GSK690693. GSK690693 is a novel ATP competitive, pan-AKT kinase inhibitor with IC 50 s of 2, 13 and 9 nM against AKT-1, 2 and 3, respectively. This compound binds in the ATP binding site as shown by an x-ray co-crystal structure with AKT2. >Treatment of tumor cells with GSK690693 causes dose dependent reductions in the phosphorylation state of multiple proteins downstream of AKT, including GSK3β, PRAS40 and Forkhead (FOXO1/FOXO3a). GSK690693 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in a subset of tumor cells with potency that is consistent with intracellular inhibition of AKT kinase activity. >A single intraperitoneal (IP) administration of GSK690693 inhibits GSK3β phosphorylation in SCID mice bearing BT474 breast tumor xenografts in a dose and time-dependent manner. GSK690693 treatment (once daily for 21 days) produces significant anti-tumor activity in mice bearing established human SK-OV-3 ovarian, LNCaP prostate, and BT474 and HCC-1954 breast carcinoma xenografts. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor xenografts after repeat dosing with GSK690693 demonstrates reductions in phosphorylated AKT substrates. The pharmacodynamic and antitumor effects of GSK690693 support its evaluation as an anticancer agent. >A summary of the pharmacokinetic properties and the description of a scalable synthetic route to GSK690693 will also be presented.
A Case of Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in an Elderly Patient.

Insulin deficiency due to destruction of pancreatic β-cells is a typical characteristic of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). In 2000 Imagawa proposed a novel diagnostic model defining “fulminant type 1 DM” as developing rapidly without any evidence of autoimmunity, and ever since there have been many reports regarding the matter in Japan. In 2004, the first fulminant type 1 diabetes case was reported in Korea; however, there have been few reports since then. We present a case of a 60-year-old man who suffered from excessive thirst and polyuria after myalgia. Laboratory findings revealed a high blood glucose level and evidence of diabetic ketoacidosis, but the HbA1c level was within the normal range. The serum C-peptide level was very low and antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase were negative. These findings suggested fulminant type 1 diabetes. This patient has shown improvement in symptoms and examination results without complications after being treated with insulin therapy with hydration, throughout 6-months follow-up period.
A selective screening platform reveals unique global expression patterns of microRNAs in a cohort of human soft-tissue sarcomas

Sarcomas are malignant heterogenous tumors of mesenchymal derivation. Emerging data suggest that miRNA might have a causal role in sarcomagenesis. Herein, we used a selective miRNA screening platform to study the comparative global miRNA expression signatures in a cohort of human sarcomas with the caveat that comparisons between tumor and non-tumor cells were performed from the same patients using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Five histologic types were examined that included: myxoid liposarcoma, well-differentiated liposarcoma, dedifferentiated liposarcoma, pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma. In addition, soft-tissue lipomas and normal fat were included as a separate set of controls for the lipogenic tumors. Clustering analysis showed a distinct global difference in expression patterns between the normal and sarcoma tissues. Expression signatures in an unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis revealed tight clustering in synovial and myxoid liposarcomas, and the least clustering was observed in the pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma subtype. MiR-145 showed underexpression in pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma, well-differentiated liposarcoma, and synovial sarcoma. Unexpectedly, we found that a set of muscle-specific microRNAs (miRNAs; myomiRs): miR-133, miR-1, and miR-206 was significantly underexpressed in well-differentiated liposarcoma and synovial sarcoma, suggesting that they may function as tumor suppressors as described in muscle-relevant rhabdomyosarcomas. In addition, a tight linear progression of miRNA expression was identified from normal fat to dedifferentiated liposarcoma. These results suggest that miRNA expression profiles could elucidate classes of miRNAs that may elicit tumor-relevant activities in specific sarcoma subtypes.
Increased Expectations, Widening Gaps, and Opportunities to Engage Students: Extending the Conversation Begun by Cassidy, Ortlieb, and Grote-Garcia

Yes, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS; National Governors Association [NGA] Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers [CCSSO], 2010) are “hot,” and our thinking is tha...