cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defining Away Religious Freedom in Europe: How Four Democracies Get Away with Discriminating Against Minority Religions

Despite multiple international and regional prohibitions against religious discrimination, many European Democracies continue to discriminate against minority religions. In particular, this discrimination often occurs due to deanitional ambiguity surrounding the term “religion.” Using the examples of Russian, Belgian, French, and German law, this Note reveals how many countries violate the international treaties to which they are signatories by deaning many religious groups as “sects,” “cults,” or groups otherwise unworthy of ofacial “religion” status. After discussing the necessary components of a succesful deanition of “religion,” this Note argues that the most effective way to protect freedom of religion is to abandon the term “religion” altogether and adopt a polythetic approach that protects a list of various religious practices, not religion, from discriminatory treatment.
Contemporary Issues in Database Design and Information Systems Development

Database management, design and information systems development are becoming an integral part of many business applications. Contemporary Issues in Database Design and Information gathers the latest development in the area to make this the most up-to-date reference source for educators and practioners alike. Information systems development activities enable many organizations to effectively compete and innovate, as new database and information systems applications are constantly being developed. Contemporary Issues in Database Design and Information Systems Development presents the latest research ideas and topics on databases and software development. The chapters in this innovative publication provide a representation of top notch research in all areas of the database and information systems development.
Utterer’s Meaning, Sentence-Meaning, and Word-Meaning

My aim in this paper is to throw light on the connection between (a) a notion of meaning which I want to regard as basic, viz. that notion which is involved in saying of someone that by (when) doing such-and-such he meant that so-and-so (in what I have called a non-natural sense of the word ‘meant’), and (b) the notions of meaning involved in saying (i) that a given sentence means ‘so-and-so’ (ii) that a given word or phrase means ‘so-and-so’. What I have to say on these topics should be looked upon as an attempt to provide a sketch of what might, I hope, prove to be a viable theory, rather than as an attempt to provide any part of a finally acceptable theory. The account which I shall offer of the (for me) basic notion of meaning is one which I shall not today seek to defend; I should like its approximate correctness to be assumed, so that attention may be focused on its utility, if correct, in the explication of other and (I hope) derivative notions of meaning. This enterprise forms part of a wider programme which I shall in a moment delineate, though its later stages lie beyond the limits which I have set for this paper.
The role of β-endorphins and catechol estrogens on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in female athletes

Competitive swimmers were followed over a 2-year period when they trained at different levels of exercise which coincided with distinct changes in their menstrual history. Oligomenorrhea was identified in 5 of 13 of these athletes when they swam approximately 100,000 yards per week. Weight and percentage of body fat were not significantly different between the period of oligomenorrhea and regular menstrual function (P = 0.24). Mean and median levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and 17beta-estradiol were decreased and catechol estrogens and beta-endorphins were increased in serum during the strenuous, when compared with the moderate, training period. The serum levels of the steroid and protein hormones were similar to those of normal cycling, nonexercising control subjects during moderate exercise (60,000 yards per week). The significant differences between beta-endorphins and catechol estrogens during periods of strenuous exercise suggest an explanation for oligomenorrhea in female athletes. These hormonal changes result in hypothalamic anovulation, which appears to be reversible, because the hormone levels and menstrual cycles return to normal when the exercise is reduced.
Hybridization in the European carpenter ants Camponotus herculeanus and C. ligniperda (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The first case of hybridization between the large European carpenter ants Camponotus herculeanus (Linnaeus 1758) and C. ligniperda (Latreille 1802) is demonstrated by means of exploratory and hypothesis-driven data analyses of standardized phenotypic characters. The strong signal separating the parental species allows the identification of hybrid workers on the individual level, based on only seven characters. The frequency of hybridization between the two species is estimated for Central Europe as 0.2–1.0%. This low ratio indicates strong reproductive barriers considering syntopic occurrence at about 10% of the observation sites, a nearly complete overlap of swarming times and basically equal meteorological conditions to release swarming. The presented case increases the known ratio of hybridizing species within the 178 ant species of Central Europe to 19.1%. This figure dramatically contrasts the known hybridization ratio of 0.55% within an estimated number of 2000 ant species from the Holarctic outside Central Europe. This 30-fold lower discovery rate of hybrids may be explained by the predominance of idiosyncratic species delimitation methods in morphology-based taxonomy in combination with the psychology of human decision-making. A neotype of Camponotus ligniperda is fixed in a specimen from the terra typica and comments on the Latin naming are given.
“Regulatory Hacking”: Strategic Interactions Between Startups and the State

Governmental actors are of high importance for firms. In the case of nascent firms seeking market entry, the importance of governmental actors, particularly regulatory agencies as key gate-keepers,...
Excited-State Triplet Equilibria in a Series of Re(I)-Naphthalimide Bichromophores.

We present the synthesis, structural characterization, electronic structure calculations, and the ultrafast and supra-nanosecond photophysical properties of a series of five bichromophores of the g...
Chinese Identity During the Age of Division, Sui, and Tang

During the centuries after the fall of the Han dynasty, dozens of states rose and fell in geographic China, which was not only politically divided but also home to multiple separately named population groups, some of which were speakers of languages unrelated to Chinese. Yet, a single written language was used throughout the region, broadly common institutions were everywhere in place, and there was a widely shared collective historical memory. This memory included an assumed single line of legitimate sovereigns stretching back to the Sage Kings of legendary antiquity. Differently named population groups could adopt that written language, institutions, and historical memory, and their rulers could potentially even join that line of legitimate sovereigns. It was therefore relatively easy for the Sui and Tang dynasties, having militarily unified the geographic space of the old Han empire, to successfully depict themselves as heirs to a unitary China rooted in ancient memory.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of direct metal laser–sintered 15-5PH steel with different solution annealing heat treatments

15-5PH parts that are fabricated using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) has shown mechanical properties comparable to conventionally manufactured parts. However, DMLS-fabricated 15-5PH parts have shown high anisotropy in their mechanical properties due to the layering nature of additive manufacturing process. In addition, the fatigue life and strength of DMLS 15-5PH varies significantly between horizontally and vertically fabricated parts and both orientations are inferior to conventionally manufactured parts. Reliability and large variations in performance remain as a barrier from employing 15-5PH parts fabricated using DMLS. Standard heat treatment of 15-5PH is insufficient to eliminate the anisotropy and homogenize the DMLS parts. Modified precipitation hardening heat treatments did not show further improvement in published literature. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate the influence of different solution annealing heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 15-5PH steel produced using DMLS. Three different solution annealing heat treatments were investigated: the standard solution heat treatment, the second heat treatment extended the time from 1 to 3 h, the third heat treatment increased the temperature from 1038 to 1200 °C. For each heat treatment, three patches of specimens were fabricated each in one of the three principal orientations X, Y, and Z. In addition, three patches, one of each orientation, were tested in as-built condition. The specimens were tensile tested and their microstructure and fractured surfaces were imaged. It was found that extending the time of the heat treatment improved the homogenization while increasing the temperature of the heat treatment to 1200 °C had detrimental effects, especially on vertically fabricated specimens.
Opening doors to clinical trial participation among Hispanics: Lessons learned from the Spanish translation of ResearchMatch.

Introduction: Clinical trial participation among US Hispanics remains low, despite a significant effort by research institutions nationwide. ResearchMatch, a national online platform, has matched 113,372 individuals interested in participating in research with studies conducted by 8778 researchers. To increase accessibility to Spanish speakers, we translated the ResearchMatch platform into Spanish by implementing tenets of health literacy and respecting linguistic and cultural diversity across the US Hispanic population. We describe this multiphase process, preliminary results, and lessons learned. Methods: Translation of the ResearchMatch site consisted of several activities including: (1) improving the English language site’s reading level, removing jargon, and using plain language; (2) obtaining a professional Spanish translation of the site and incorporating iterative revisions by a panel of bilingual community members from diverse Hispanic backgrounds; (3) technical development and launch; and (4) initial promotion. Results: The Spanish language version was launched in August 2018, after 11 months of development. Community input improved the initial translation, and early registration and use by researchers demonstrate the utility of Spanish ResearchMatch in engaging Hispanics. Over 12,500 volunteers in ResearchMatch self-identify as Hispanic (8.5%). From August 2018 to March 2020, 162 volunteers registered through the Spanish language version of ResearchMatch, and over 500 new and existing volunteers have registered a preference to receive messages about studies in Spanish. Conclusion: By applying the principles of health literacy and cultural competence, we developed a Spanish language translation of ResearchMatch. Our multiphase approach to translation included key principles of community engagement that should prove informative to other multilingual web-based platforms.
High prevalence of gastrointestinal manifestations of COVID-19 infection in hospitalized patients with cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms have been reported with SARS-CoV-2 infection, but data on the prevalence and severity of GI symptoms in patients with cancer are limited. We sought to characterize the GI manifestations of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in oncology patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a multicenter cohort study of adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in 9 Massachusetts medical centers and identified those with an active malignancy. We evaluated the prevalence and severity of GI symptoms among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with cancer. RESULTS: Of 395 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, 36 (9%) had an active malignancy. Of the 36 cancer patients, 23 (63%) reported ≥1 new GI symptom. The most prevalent symptoms were anorexia (12, 52%), diarrhea (9, 39%), and vomiting (8, 35%). GI symptoms were the initial symptom in 4/36 (11%) patients, were the predominant symptom in 5/36 (14%) patients, and were severe in 4/23 (17%) patients. Four of 5 patients with GI symptoms at presentation reported concurrent fever; notably 1 patient had no fever or respiratory symptoms. Twelve (33%) patients had elevations in liver transaminases at presentation; patients with elevated transaminases were more likely to have associated GI symptoms (83% vs. 54%, P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Acute GI symptoms associated with COVID-19 are highly prevalent in hospitalized cancer patients and can occur as a presenting symptom without respiratory symptoms. Symptoms are severe in a small subset of patients.
PUL01.01 Ground Glass Opacity: What's in a Name?

Background: Ground glass opacity (GGO), consists of hazy opacity not obscuring the underlying bronchial structures or pulmonary vessels the underlying pathology varies from benign conditions (pulmonary edema, infections - including COVID-19, cytomegalovirus, Pneumocystis jirovecii, etc), noninfectious interstitial lung diseases and adenocarcinomas Methods: Following IRB approval our electronic files from January-July 2020 were searched for sampled GGO in comparison with other types of lung lesions found in our patients Tissue was collected using tip-tracked guided procedures We compared association of GGO with adenocarcinoma of the lung with lepidic spread (ADCC-L) (Image 1, 2) Results: 122 pathology cases (male=64) were identified: 40 benign and 82 malignant diagnoses There were 39 cases of ADCC-L (median [interquartile range] age: 63 [60-71]) and 83 cases with various other lesions (age: 62 [57-67]) GGO were reported in 17 ADCC-L cases and 13 of the other cases The Fisher exact test statistic demonstrated a statistically significant association between ADCC-L and GGO in our overall (n=122, p=0 0014*) and female (n=58, p=0 0151*) cohorts Conclusion: 1 Tip-tracked guided procedures obtain diagnostic tissue from these challenging to sample lesions 2 GGO statistically significant association with AADCC-L in our patient population indicates necessary appropriate follow-up for appropriate patient management [Formula presented] [Formula presented]
Non-Convex Compressed Sensing with Training Data.

Efficient algorithms for the sparse solution of under-determined linear systems $Ax = b$ are known for matrices $A$ satisfying suitable assumptions like the restricted isometry property (RIP). Without such assumptions little is known and without any assumptions on $A$ the problem is $NP$-hard. A common approach is to replace $\ell_1$ by $\ell_p$ minimization for $0 < p < 1$, which is no longer convex and typically requires some form of local initial values for provably convergent algorithms. In this paper, we consider an alternative, where instead of suitable initial values we are provided with extra training problems $Ax = B_l$, $l=1, \dots, p$ that are related to our compressed sensing problem. They allow us to find the solution of the original problem $Ax = b$ with high probability in the range of a one layer linear neural network with comparatively few assumptions on the matrix $A$.
Neutrophil extracellular trap formation (NETOSIS) increases with severity of disease in COVID-19 patients

Background: Neutrophils are key players in the immune and aid in the defense against microorganisms. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are extracellular DNA complexes, which are released during NETosis, a programmed form of cell death. Although NETs are crucial in the fight against infectious agents, an overabundance of neutrophils has been implicated in many inflammatory lung conditions. Our aim is to determine whether an overabundance of NETosis is associated with clinical deterioration of patients with COVID-19. Methods: Circulating polymorphonuclear cells (neutrophils) were isolated from human peripheral blood of 20 human subjects with COVID-19. Neutrophils were seeded in 96-well plates and treated with 0, 2.5 nM, 25 nM, and 250 nM of phorbol 12-myrisate 13-acetate (PMA) or 12 uM nigericin for 2 hours to stimulate NET production via canonical and noncanonical pathways, respectively. Following incubation, wells were treated with micrococcal nuclease, supernatants were collected from each well, and extracellular DNA content to quantify NETosis was detected by fluorescent plate reader. We calculated acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE-II) scores for every human subject. These were calculated at the same time point at which the neutrophils were collected. They were then compared to the degree of NETosis and absolute neutrophil count (ANC). These were analyzed using a simple linear regression model. We also categorized participants based on APACHE-II scores (APACHE-II 15) and compared them to rates of NETosis using a bar graph. Results: APACHE II is a widely used ICU mortality prediction score that is used to risk-stratify patients. We found that participants with higher APACHE-II scores had higher rates of NETosis, both at 0 nM PMA and when stimulated with nigericin (figure 1a-b). This suggests that higher rates of NETosis correlate with increased disease severity. Additionally, we found a positive correlation between ANC and NETosis (Figure 1c-1d), suggesting that ANC itself is a reliable marker of NETosis and disease severity. Conclusion: NETosis is an important player in immune system defense but has also been implicated in various inflammatory lung conditions. We found that in patients with COVID-19, there was a positive correlation between worsening disease state, measure by APACHE II scores, and increased NETosis. This suggests that over-activation of neutrophils may play a role in disease progression. We also found a positive correlation between NETosis and ANC, indicating that the degree of circulating neutrophils is a reliable marker of the functional state of neutrophils, as well as disease severity.
Interplay of Genotype and Substrate Stiffness in Driving the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Phenotype in iPSC-Micro-Heart Muscle Arrays.

In clinical and animal studies, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) shares many similarities with non-inherited cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload (hypertension). This suggests a potential role for mechanical stress in priming tissues with mutation-induced changes in the sarcomere to develop phenotypes associated with HCM, including hypercontractility and aberrant calcium handling. Here, we tested the hypothesis that heterozygous loss of function of Myosin Binding Protein C (MYBCP3+/−, mutations in which account for almost 50% of inherited HCM) combines with environmental stiffness to drive HCM phenotypes. We differentiated isogenic control (WTC) and MYBPC3+/− iPSC into cardiomyocytes using small molecule manipulation of Wnt signaling, and then purified them using lactate media. The purified cardiomyocytes were seeded into “dog bone” shaped stencil molds to form micro-heart muscle arrays (μHM). To mimic changes in myocardial stiffness stemming from pressure overload, we varied the rigidity of the substrates μHM contract against. Stiffness levels ranged from those corresponding to fetal (5 kPa), healthy (15 kPa), pre-fibrotic (30 kPa) to fibrotic (65 kPa) myocardium. Substrates were embedded with a thin layer of fluorescent beads to track contractile force, and parent iPSC were engineered to express the genetic calcium indicator, GCaMP6f. High speed video microscopy and image analysis were used to quantify calcium handling and contractility of μHM. Substrate rigidity triggered physiological adaptation for both genotypes. However, MYBPC3+/− μHM showed a lower tolerance to substrate stiffness with the peak traction on 15 kPa, while WTC μHM had peak traction on 30 kPa. MYBPC3+/− μHM exhibited hypercontractility, which was exaggerated by substrate rigidity. MYBPC3+/− μHM hypercontractility was associated with longer rise times for calcium uptake and force development, along with higher overall Ca2+ intake. We found MYBPC3+/− mutations cause iPSC-μHM to exhibit hypercontractility, and also a lower tolerance for mechanical stiffness. Understanding how genetics work in combination with mechanical stiffness to trigger and/or exacerbate pathophysiology may lead to more effective therapies for HCM.
EVOLUTION OF THE CHOLLAS (CACTACEAE)

Cacti with the common name cholla are classified into several genera of the subfamily Opuntioideae (Cactaceae), and appear to be a monophyletic group. Although recent studies have provided strong resolution of the base of this group, assessment of evolutionary processes within genera have been limited due to taxon sampling. Analysis of four spacer and intron sequences of the chloroplast genome reveals evolutionary patterns and trends that are largely congruent with other recent studies. We concur with recent calls for the recognition of Micropuntia pulchella as monotypic and distinct from Grusonia, the name we use to refer to all species sometimes classified under Marenopuntia and Corynopuntia. Grusonia is monophyletic, and Cylindropuntia is borne on two clades of differing branch lengths. By incorporating the elements of ploidy, reproduction, and sequence divergence, we provide new insight into allopolyploid ancestry, the adaptive impact of ploidal-level variation in species, and the role of reproductive mode in diversification rates in the chollas.
Use of Social Robots in the Classroom

Research about using social robots in the classroom is a growing topic with many unstudied/understudied problems. With the capabilities of these robots expanding rapidly, it has become necessary to explore the uses of robots in addressing persistent challenges in education. The rapid advancement in the technology of artificial intelligence, such as affective computing and natural language processing, makes the reality of social robots in schools more possible now than ever. In the early stages of research, there are many questions to be answered about these robots and their potential applications, technological limitations, and ethical uses. Although the use of social robots in the classroom may be in its infancy, there are many studies that help define where the research stands today.
Conceptualization and Measurement of Perceived Value: A Two-Dimensional Approach

The period destined to follow the Era of the Marketing Concept may well be the Era of Customer Value. As Peters and Austin (1985) state, rather than a measure of profit, market share, or the like, it is quantitative, systematic measures of customer perceptions of quality and value that are the single best indicators of an organization’s future health or lack thereof. These measures must above all be in the customer’s terms and based on the customer’s perceptions, not only on the service provider’s perceptions. Webster (1994) concurs by stating that value should be defined by customers, not only statisticians, and that customer value is defined in the marketplace, not in the factory.
United States v. Duarte-Acero

In United States v. Duarte-Acero, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals held that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights does not regulate the extraterritorial conduct of U.S. government agents. Additionally, the court held that the Covenant is not self-executing and therefore that it does not create individual rights that are judicially enforceable in U.S. courts.
Chapter 23 A current perspective on analysis of sugar monomers using GC-MS and GC-MS/MS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a current perspective on the analysis of sugar monomers using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). The analysis of sugar monomers using GC-based methodology has been available for many years. Procedures developed for GC with the flame ionization detector (FID) were readily adapted for GC–MS and later for GC–MS/MS. There are few fundamental changes that have occurred in GC-based derivatization methodology in recent years. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis with electrospray ionization (ESI) MS and MS/MS is usually performed without prior derivatization simplifying sample preparation. The chapter emphasizes the analysis of sugar monomers in complex matrices using MS or MS/MS after prior on-line GC separation. GC–MS and GC–MS/MS are mature techniques that may be used for the trace analysis of carbohydrate monomers in complex samples. Using total ion MS and product ion spectra MS/MS, identification at trace levels can be readily performed.
Topics in radar scattering theory

A number of problems, conjectures, and results in radar scattering theory and related fields are reported. Some experiments useful for suggesting theoretical problems or confirming theoretical results are also sketched.
Canada lynx occurrence and forest management in the Acadian Forest

We evaluated patterns of occurrence and non-occurrence for Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) across a 16,530-km2 study area in Maine to provide a better understanding of lynx habitat selection and habitat ecology on commercially managed forestlands in the Acadian Forest. Because of the influence of forest structure on lynx habitat selection and abundance of their primary prey, the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), and to improve our ability to build robust models, we used habitat information derived from a time series of Landsat satellite imagery spanning the period 1973–2004. We defined and mapped 10 forest types based on forest harvest history, time since harvest, and current forest condition. We compared a suite of models to evaluate relative influences of forest composition, habitat patch configuration, and hare density on habitat selection by lynx at the landscape scale. Occupied areas had greater average hare densities and percentage of mature conifer. Average hare density in occupied areas (0.74 hares/ha) was greater than in unoccupied areas (0.62 hares/ha), but was less than previous research has suggested may be necessary to support lynx populations in the southern portion of the species' range. No occupied areas occurred where average hare density was 0.5 hares/ha. © The Wildlife Society, 2013
Inhibition of Etoposide-induced DNA Damage and Cytotoxicity in L1210 Cells by Dehydrogenase Inhibitors and Other Agents

The mechanism of action of 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin-9-(4,6-O-ethylidene-beta-D-glucopyra noside) (VP-16), an important antitumor agent, is unclear. There is evidence that DNA may be the target of action because VP-16 causes single-strand and double-strand breaks in DNA and produces cytotoxicity over a similar dose range. We have hypothesized that an enzyme system, such as dehydrogenase, catalyzes an oxidation-reduction reaction involving the pendant phenolic group which forms an active metabolite that causes the DNA damage and cytotoxicity. To test our hypothesis, we investigated the effect of disulfiram, an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor, and its metabolite, diethyldithiocarbamate, on VP-16-induced DNA damage in L1210 cells. Using the alkaline elution technique to assay DNA damage, we found that disulfiram and diethyldithiocerbamate inhibited VP-16-induced single-strand breaks. Both compounds were also capable of significantly reducing VP-16-induced cytotoxicity. Oxalic acid, pyrophosphate, and malonic acid, competitive inhibitors of succinate dehydrogenase, and the naturally occurring dehydrogenase substrates, succinic acid, beta-glycerophosphate, and isocitric acid, also blocked the effects of VP-16. Free-radical scavengers were also studied. While sodium benzoate was particularly effective in preventing drug-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity, a number of other scavengers were not. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that VP-16 is activated by an enzyme such as a dehydrogenase which transforms it into an active intermediate resulting in DNA damage and, consequently, cell death.
The Disappearance of Flow and Critical Behavior in Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions

The equation of state of nuclear matter (EOS) is basic information that can be extracted from detailed studies of nucleus-nucleus collisions. Using the MSU 4π Array, we have carried out a series of studies concerning the EOS including the disappearance of collective flow, critical behavior of nuclear matter, the onset of multifragmentation. In the disappearance of flow work, we attempt to extract information about the EOS by making systematic measurements of collective flow and determining the incident energy at which flow disappears. We studied collective flow from the systems C+C, Ne+Al, Ar+Sc, and Kr+Nb at a variety of incident energies. Comparing these results with Boltzmann-Uehling-Uehlenbeck (BUU) calculations, we can extract information about the EOS using an observable that is less sensitive to details of the theoretical calculation. In the critical behavior work, we studied central collisions of Ar+Sc at 15 to 115 MeV/nucleon from which we extracted Z distributions. We related these results to critical phenomena in nuclear matter using a percolation model which we fit to the observed Z distributions and then extrapolated to infinite nuclear matter.
Hyaluronic Acid or TNF-α Plus Fibronectin Triggers Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony-Stimulating Factor mRNA Stabilization in Eosinophils Yet Engages Differential Intracellular Pathways and mRNA Binding Proteins

Eosinophils (Eos) accumulate in airways and lung parenchyma of active asthmatics. GM-CSF is a potent inhibitor of Eos apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo and is produced by activated fibroblasts, mast cells, T lymphocytes as well as Eos. Cytokine release by Eos is preceded by GM-CSF mRNA stabilization induced by TNF-alpha plus fibronectin. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major extracellular matrix proteoglycan, which also accumulates in the lung during asthma exacerbations. In this study we have analyzed the effects of HA on Eos survival and GM-CSF expression. We demonstrate that like TNF-alpha plus fibronectin, HA stabilizes GM-CSF mRNA, increases GM-CSF secretion, and prolongs in vitro Eos survival. GM-CSF mRNA stabilization accounts for most of the observed GM-CSF mRNA accumulation and protein production. Unlike TNF-alpha plus fibronectin, GM-CSF mRNA stabilization induction by HA requires continuous extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation. Finally, to identify potential protein regulators responsible for GM-CSF mRNA stabilization, immunoprecipitation-RT-PCR studies revealed increased GM-CSF mRNA associated with YB-1, HuR, and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) C after TNF-alpha plus fibronectin but only hnRNP C after HA. Thus, our data suggest that both TNF-alpha plus fibronectin and HA, which are relevant physiological effectors in asthma, contributes to long-term Eos survival in vivo by enhancing GM-CSF production through two different posttranscriptional regulatory pathways involving extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and RNA binding proteins YB-1, HuR, and hnRNP C.
Requirements for client/server performance modeling

Design, performance management, and capacity planning of client/server applications in the commercial enterprise depends on the ability to model these distributed applications at design time as well as during normal operations. This paper specifies the functional requirements of performance modeling of the class of applications based on Remote Procedure Calls (RPC). These specifications include the need to model transactions consisting of multiple nested, synchronous and concurrent RPC's using tractable techniques. Examples of distributed application models are presented based on discrete event simulations. Suggestions for future work are included.
From Theory to Tautology: The Case of the Tautological Extension

The structural form of the contingency paradigm is such that inappropriate definition or measurement of the contingency variables could result in a tautology. This phenomenon, called tautological extension, is illustrated with the aid of seven examples from the literature. It is shown that a contingency version of a universalistic formulation is not necessarily an improvement of the original theory; on the contrary, it could merely be instrumental in reducing the theory to a tautology. Resume Cet article vise a montrer que la structure formelle du paradigme de la contingence est telle qu'une tautologie peut decouler d'une definition ou d'une mesure inappropriees des variables de la contingence. Ce phenomene, que nous nommerons extension tautologique, est illustre grace a sept exemples tires de la litterature en science de l'administration. Nous mettrons en evidence qu'une version contingente d'une formulation universelle n'est pas necessairement une amelioration de la theorie originale; de plus, celle-cipeut ětre la source de lareduction d'une theroie a une tautologie.
Adolescent/Adult Differences in Suicidal Behavior and Outcome

A comprehensive literature review compared the patterns of suicide and suicidal behavior for adolescents and adults to identify age-related similarities and differences. Particular attention was given to follow-up rates of suicide by psychiatrically treated persons in these age groups. The major findings were that (1) adults and adolescent suicide completers were similar with respect to their gender ratio, use of guns in the attempt, completion of the initial attempt, and serious psychopathology; (2) adolescents differed from adults in suicidal behavior in their greater attempt rate, higher attempt/completion ratio, and lower rates of short and intermediate completion following psychiatric treatment; (3) the suicide outcome following psychiatric hospitalization is eightfold greater in adults than in youths during the first 3.5 years post-discharge; and (4) the 5:1 male/female ratio is the same for both adolescent attempters who later suicide and for all U.S. 15–19-year-old suicide completers. The frequent practice of combining adult and adolescent suicide and suicide behavior findings can result in misleading conclusions.
Suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by epimuqubilin A via IKK/IκB/NF-κB pathways in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

Abstract Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells are commonly used as a model for assessing the anti-inflammatory or chemopreventive potential of test compounds. Epimuqubilin A, a norsesterterpene peroxide isolated from marine sponge Latrunculia sp., inhibits nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (IC 50 = 7.6 μM). At both the mRNA and protein levels, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), one major upstream signaling pathway involved in the transcription of both COX-2 and iNOS, were not affected by treatment of epimuqubilin A. However, the compound blocked the phosphorylation of inhibitor κB (IκB) kinase (IKKβ), resulting in the stabilization of IκBα, and inhibition of NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and DNA binding. Levels of phosphorylated IKKα were not affected. This is an unique mechanistic relationship that suggests epimuqubilin A warrants further exploration as a potential therapeutic agent.
Magnetic-force microscope study of the micromagnetics of submicron magnetic particles

A high resolution, high sensitivity magnetic force microscope (MFM) with the ability to image in an in situ magnetic field will be described. This MFM has been used to investigate the micromagnetics of nanolithographically produced magnetic particles. It will be shown that the particles' switching field can be determined without being perturbed by the stray fields from the sensing tip. This allows the study of the evolution of the particles' magnetic states as a function of applied field and the direct observation of cooperative switching. The MFM has also been used, in conjunction with an external biasing field, as a localized source of flux for testing the stability of magnetic states and setting model magnetic configurations. MFM images of the particles are compared with numerical simulations. These comparisons have also provided insight into the magnetic behavior of the MFM sensing tips.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Destabilization of TAE modes by particle anisotropy

Abstract Plasmas heated by ICRF produce energetic particle distribution functions which are sharply peaked in pitch-angle. At moderate toroidal mode numbers, this anisotropy is the dominant instability drive when compared with the universal instability drive due to the spatial gradient. The universal drive, acting alone, destabilizes only co-propagating waves (i.e., waves propagating in the same toroidal direction as the diamagnetic flow of the energetic particles), but stabilizes counter-propagating waves (i.e., waves propagating in the toroidal direction opposite to that of the diamagnetic flow of the energetic particles). Nonetheless, in a tokamak, it is possible that particle anisotropy can produce a larger linear growth rate for counter-propagating waves, and provide a mechanism for preferred destabilization of the counter-propagating TAE modes that are sometimes experimentally observed.
Parallel-Flow and Counterflow Conjugate Convection in a Vertical Pipe

The present paper investigate the problem of interaction (coupling) of forced convection inside a vertical pipe and natural convection outside the pipe. Both the cases of counterflow and parallel flow are considered. The problem finds applications in heat exchanger apparatuses of various types where a warm (cold) fluid is flowing inside a conductive pipe bathed in or surrounded by a colder (warmer) fluid. Clearly, the heat transfer through the pipe wall is a direct result of the interaction between the forced convection inside the pipe and the natural convection outside the pipe.
The high temperature behavior of the fractional quantum Hall effect

Abstract We have developed a model for the fractional quantum Hall effect energy (FQHE) gap, incorporating inhomogeneity and high temperature effects. This model is applied to data on resistivity minima for FQHE states, and allows one to make sense of the data in the regime where the temperature is greater than the measured activation energy.
Catalyzed modified clean fractionation of switchgrass.

Abstract Switchgrass was used as a lignocellulosic feedstock for second generation ethanol production, after pretreatment using sulfuric acid-catalyzed modified clean fractionation based on NREL’s (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) original procedure. Optimization of temperature, catalyst concentration and solvent composition was performed using Response Surface Methodology, and 59.03 ± 7.01% lignin recovery, 84.85 ± 1.34% glucose, and 44.11 ± 3.44% aqueous fraction xylose yields were obtained at 140.00 °C, 0.46% w/w catalyst concentration, 36.71% w/w ethyl acetate concentration, and 25.00% w/w ethanol concentration. The cellulose fraction did not inhibit the fermentation performance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and resulted in an ethanol yield of 89.60 ± 2.1%.
Body sensor networks to evaluate standing balance: interpreting muscular activities based on inertial sensors

In this paper, we present a system that integrates inertial sensors and electromyogram (EMG) signals, which measures the muscular activities while performing motions. The objective of our study is to investigate the behaviour of the EMG signals to interpret the activity of standing balance. Quantitative parameters for balance are obtained from an inertial sensor through a body-sensor network. These parameters are further used to find the prominent features in the EMG signal. The inertial sensor used in this system is an accelerometer. The implementation details and effectiveness of using EMG signals are also provided.
Pre-Excitation, Catalytic Oxidation of Analytes over Hopcalite in Flame/Furnace Infrared Emission (FIRE) Spectrometry

Gas-phase infrared emission measurements made with the use of a new, specially designed, electrically heated furnace or a small hydrogen/air flame have shown that oxidation of a variety of carbon-based analytes to CO2 over the catalyst hopcalite prior to vibrational excitation in the furnace or flame markedly improves the response of the FIRE radiometer. Calibration curves obtained with the use of the furnace alone were generally nonlinear, while those obtained with the flame alone had slopes that were compound dependent. By the use of hopcalite in conjunction with the furnace, conversion to CO2 was significantly improved, and the FIRE response to pure acetone, benzene, dichloromethane, 1-chloro-2-methylpropane, heptane, methanol, and toluene became directly proportional to the number of moles of carbon introduced. In the case of the flame, as little as 0.1 g of hopcalite was sufficient to give a single, linear calibration curve (based on moles of carbon) for injection volumes of 0.2-1.0 μL of a test mixture composed of equal volumes of acetone, benzene, hexane, propanol, and tetrahydrofuran. With the use of hopcalite at its experimentally determined, optimum operating temperature of 380°C, an air flow rate of 45 mL min−1 and a furnace temperature of 600°C, the detection limit for hexane was found to be 518 ng C s−1. The use of hopcalite in conjunction with the flame (900°C) improved this detection limit by two orders of magnitude, due to the combined effects of an increase in excitation temperature and a decrease in source background noise. Injection of chlorinated compounds was found to temporarily poison the hopcalite, resulting in soot formation and loss of catalytic activity for periods of approximately ten minutes.
Bursting Oscillations during Metal Electrodissolution: Experiments and Model

Experiments were carried out on bursting oscillations in an electrochemical system, the dissolution of iron in sulfuric acid. Bursting characteristics were investigated as functions of the parameters applied potential and external resistance. We develop a model that incorporates the effects of oxide and salt films. This model reproduces all the important features of the dynamics seen in experiments including both the slow active−passive oscillations and the faster oscillations on the mass-transfer-limited plateau as well as the bursting phenomena. During this bursting, two time scales are important: the slow variation of the salt-film thickness and the faster dynamics of a three-variable (potential drop and proton and iron(II) concentrations) subsystem.
Luminescence of Long-Term Ordered Pure and Doped Gallium Phosphide

Evolution of luminescence is reported from GaP crystals that were grown over 40 years ago. This is the longest running cycle of experiments to study the temporal effects of crystal lattice and impurity ordering. The results clearly indicate impurity ordering and the formation of a new type of crystal lattice in which periodically disposed impurities modify and improve properties of the crystal. A high-density exciton system bound to a nitrogen impurity superlattice and GaP:N, GaP:N:Sm nanocrystals distributed in transparent fluorine-containing polymers will be used as the base elements for a new generation of optoelectronic devices.
Breaking the Taboo: Architects and Advertising in Depression and War

Breaking the Taboo: Architects and Advertising in Depression and War chronicles the fall of a professional interdiction in architecture, precipitated by the Second World War. For much of the history of their profession in the United States, architects——unlike builders and engineers, their main competition——faced censure from the American Institute of Architects if they advertised their services. Architects established models of professional behavior intended to hold them apart from the commercial realm. Andrew M. Shanken explores how the Great Depression and the Second World War strained this outdated model of practice, placing architects within consumer culture in more conspicuous ways, redefining the architect9s role in society and making public relations an essential part of presenting the profession to the public. Only with the unification of the AIA after the war would architects conduct a modern public relations campaign, but the taboo had begun to erode in the 1930s and early 1940s, setting the stage for the emergence of the modern profession.
Enhancement of Ultrasonic Cavitation Yield by Dual-Frequency Sonication

This paper reports the experimental study on the enhanced cavitation yield via dual-frequency ultrasonic sonication and the multi-frequency single-bubble cavitation bubble modeling. The cavitation yield was characterized using the PCD (passive cavitation detection) method. A dual-frequency (1.5 MHz/3 MHz) pulse ultrasound was used in the tests. It was found that the sonication of dual-frequency ultrasound can produce a significant increase in cavitation yield compared with single-frequency irradiation. The possible mechanisms of the enhanced effect were explained by the single-bubble cavitation model, where the calculated radiated pressure generated by acoustic bubble cavitation was found greater in dual-frequency cases. The findings from this paper are promising for the design of multi-frequency ultrasound system with enhanced cavitation for a number of biomedical, biological and chemical processing applications.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Topology of three-manifolds with positive $P$-scalar curvature

Consider an n-dimensional smooth Riemannian manifold (M n , g) with a given smooth measure m on it. We call such a triple (M n ,g,m) a Riemannian measure space. Perelman introduced a variant of scalar curvature in his recent work on solving Poincare's conjecture P(g) = R m ∞ (g) = R(g) - 2Δ g logΦ - |ΔlogΦ| 2 g where dm = Φ dvol(g) and R is the scalar curvature of (M n ,g). In this note, we study the topological obstruction for the Φ-stable minimal submanifold with positive P-scalar curvature in dimension three under the setting of manifolds with density.
Discordance of primary infantile glaucoma in monozygotic twins.

PURPOSE: To report a case of primary infantile glaucoma occurring in only one of two identical twins. METHODS: Case reports. RESULTS: Clinical features of bilateral primary infantile glaucoma in one of the two twins at age 16 months are described. Polymorphic DNA markers were used to establish identical twinship. CONCLUSION: Our finding suggests that nongenetic factors must be considered in determining the origin of primary infantile glaucoma.