cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
My First Black Barbie: Transforming the Image

This essay addresses issues about how the image of Black Barbie dolls can transform the standards of beauty for little Black girls. This image may help the construction or even the re-construction of self and identity. Exploring and perhaps embracing the Barbie image can serve as a form of resistance for Black girls/woman, or it may even help address issues of domination, racism, sexism, and class exploitation that oppress and threaten the survival of young girls.
Techniques to enhance GNSS signal acquisition and tracking sensitivity

Enhancing GNSS acquisition and tracking sensitivity is critical to improving the GNSS user experience in indoor situations. This paper describes various techniques to enhance GNSS signal acquisition and tracking sensitivity and increasing the robustness and availability of position fixes. Specifically, a technique called Staggered Coherent Integration is proposed which enables up to 1 dB improvement in sensitivity compared to conventional techniques. Also discussed are challenges in tracking the weak signals seen in indoor conditions and techniques to improve sustained tracking under these conditions. Analysis and simulation results are shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the techniques described.
Youth development and prevention.

Youth development emerged in part as a reaction against approaches to working with youth that identify specific youth as being in need or at risk and try to meet the need or reduce the risk. One of the central insights underlying youth development is that different youth problems have spawned separate systems of theory, research, funding, and programs, yet often different problems result from the same conditions and respond to the same treatments. Moreover, some of the same youth have multiple problems (Dryfoos, 1990). A pregnant teenager who drops out of school should not be divided between a program for dropouts and another for pregnant teens. This insight has led some youth development advocates and practitioners to portray prevention programs as an inferior alternative.
Cross-layer transmission scheduling for direct-sequence spread-spectrum ad hoc networks

We investigate a transmission scheduling protocol that exploits direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) modulation to improve the performance of a mobile, ad hoc network. Since DSSS allows for packet capture in the presence of other nearby transmissions, multiple-access interference is less detrimental to network performance. We design a new transmission scheduling protocol that takes advantage of the multiple-access capabilities of DSSS through two key features. First, the transmission schedule employs a more aggressive spatial reuse policy. Second, our protocol reduces overhead by accounting for fewer terminals in the scheduling because only the strongest interferers disrupt packet reception. Transmissions use both common and transmitter-oriented spreading codes to support reliable neighbor discovery and broadcast capability, respectively. Spreading factors may be adapted to increase throughput of unicast traffic on links with high SINR. Through simulations, we evaluate the performance of the transmission scheduling protocol in mobile and stationary scenarios.
Inhibition of Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C by ammonium and sulfonium dications.

Polyamines, alkyldiammonium and alkyldisulfonium salts, inhibit the Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C-catalyzed hydrolysis of 1-S-phosphocholine-2-O-hexadecanoyl-1-mercapto-2-ethanol (1) at pH 7.5, 37°C, μ = 1.0 with KCl. Simple saturation kinetics are observed as both 1 and [Ca2+] are varied and simple linear inhibition is observed. The data are consistent with a non-competitive mechanism that involves binding of the inhibitors to free enzyme, E·[Ca2+] and E·[Ca2+]·[S]; the inhibition constants for decamethylenebis(trimethylammonium) and decamethylenebis(dimethylsulfonium) bromides are 90 and 0.28 mM, respectively. It is suggested that the enhanced inhibition by the alkyldisulfonium salts results from more favorable equilibrium constants for contact ion-pair formation or from the formation of tetracoordinate sulfuranes.
Marketing miracles: the modern intersection of Hollywood and Christian film cultures

This article examines Hollywood's contemporary marketing methods towards Christian audiences since the late 1990s. Specifically, Hollywood markets certain studio films using a two-pronged methodology: first, developing an overt, conventional marketing campaign that pursues the widest audience possible; and second, creating a more hidden but still highly concentrated campaign that specifically targets Christian audiences. This second approach explicitly markets mainstream, non-religious films as spiritual causes in order to obligate the support of church audiences. This type of promotion attempts to transform narrative entertainment into spiritual ministry for both inner-church growth and outer church evangelism. Marketing these films as ministries also allows studios to utilize alternative exhibition models, such as encouraging churches to purchase blocks of tickets or even buy out theaters for the purposes of proselytizing. These strategies also reveal the highly concentrated and dependent relationship H...
Affine Synthesis onto L p when 0<p≤1

The affine synthesis operator \(Sc=\sum_{j>0}\,\sum_{k\in { {\mathbb{Z}}^{d}}}c_{j,k}\psi_{j,k}\) is shown to map the coefficient space lp(ℤ+×ℤd) surjectively onto Lp(ℝd), for p∈(0,1]. Here ψj,k(x)=|det aj|1/pψ(ajx−k) for dilation matrices aj that expand, and the synthesizer ψ∈Lp(ℝd) need satisfy only mild restrictions, for example, ψ∈L1(ℝd) with nonzero integral or else with periodization that is real-valued, nontrivial and bounded below.
Theorems of bianisotropic media

Theorems concerning electromagnetic fields in linear nonconducting bianisotropic media are investigated. After establishing their symmetry properties, the constitutive relations are examined under time reversal and spatial inversion transformations. Conditions under which the image method and the reciprocity relationships can be applied are discussed. Dyadic Green's functions and duality relations are also derived. With a postulated Lagrangian density, Maxwell's equations are obtained from Hamilton's principle, and energy momentum tensors are obtained from Noether's theorem. Introducing a quantum postulate in addition to the Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic fields in bianisotropic media are quantized.
A Batch Fabricated Linear Synchronous Motor

Micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology opens up new ways of miniaturizing electromagnetic motors. A very promising approach for building miniature linear actuators is to fabricate the stator as well as the traveler separately and merging the motor components in a microassembly process [1]. This paper describes design, fabrication, and evaluation results of a linear synchronous actuator following this basic approach.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
The Effect of Ascorbic Acid Supplementation on the Nicotine Metabolism of Smokers

Abstract Background. The relationship of serum ascorbic acid (AA) levels and excretion of nicotine metabolites was determined in 75 men who smoked at least one pack of cigarettes per day. Methods. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups of 25 each who received a placebo, 200 mg of supplementation, or 1000 mg of supplementation of AA per day for 1 month. Baseline and weekly serum AA levels were determined and simultaneous estimates of urinary excretion of nicotine metabolites as cotinine equivalents (CE). Results. The group mean serum AA levels in the placebo group decreased 13% after 2 weeks; the group mean serum levels of the supplemented groups increased significantly after 1 week (P ≤ 0.001) and remained elevated over 100% per week from baseline throughout the study. There was a progressive increase in urinary CE excretion in the placebo group. In the supplemented groups, group mean CE excretion decreased an average of 5% weekly in the 200-mg group and an average of 33% weekly in the 1000-mg group. Pearson's correlation between serum AA and urine CE excretion was significant (r = −0.7980, P ≤ 0.0003). Conclusions. Body levels of AA affect the level of urinary nicotine metabolites. The results of this study indicate that dietary levels of AA are inversely correlated to urinary excretion of nicotine metabolites and may be due to suppressed: (1) nicotine intake by smokers who smoked fewer cigarettes or inhale less deeply, (2) nicotine metabolism, or (3) both.
Studies of the structure and bonding of inorganic clusters

Abstract Thermodynamic properties are given for the reactions: Na + (SO 2 ) n + SO 2 ⇌ Na + (SO 2 ) n +1, n= 1 to 3 , Ag + (H 2 O) n + H 2 O ⇌ Ag + (H 2 O) n+1 , n = 0 to 5 , Ag + (NH 3 ) n + NH 3 ⇌ Ag + (NH 3 ) n+1 , n = 2 to 4 . Comparisons are made, using these and previous data, between Na+ and Cl− in the clustering of H2O and SO2 and between Ag+, K+ and Na+ in the clustering of H2O and NH3.
Does hyperglycemia affect the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT?

Abstract Background Net cellular uptake of 18F-FDG is adversely affected by elevated plasma glucose levels. The purpose of our study was to investigate the influence of hyperglycemic state at the time of 18F-FDG injection on the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT. Method Pre-scan plasma glucose levels of all patients who were referred for PET/CT with an oncologic indication during the year 2005 were reviewed. All seventy-six patients (50 men, 26 women, mean age ± SD: 65.5 ± 9.7 years) with pre-scan glucose level higher than 140 mg/dL (mean plasma glucose level ± SD: 168.7 ± 30.8, ranging from 140 to 260 mg/dL) were enrolled into our study. The accuracy of PET/CT scans was assessed using concurrent or follow-up CT, MRI and histologic evidences as well as clinical follow-up as the reference standard. Results PET/CT was true positive in 37 patients, true-negative in 30 patients, false negative in 6 patients and false positive in 3 patients. Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT on a patient basis were 86%, 90.9%, 92.5%, 83.3% and 88.1%, respectively. Diabetes mellitus was recorded in 50 patients. No significant diagnostic accuracy difference between diabetics and non-diabetics was noticed. Conclusion Our study suggests that 18F-FDG accumulation of malignant lesions remains sufficiently high for reliable qualitative clinical diagnosis in chronic and acute hyperglycemic states. However, regarding the discordant and inconclusive results of the available reports and the remarkable concerns with reference to the adverse effects of elevated plasma glucose levels on the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT scans, further direct clues seems to be required and should be provided by future studies.
Mitochondrial cytochrome c reacts with nitric oxide via S-nitrosation.

Abstract The present study demonstrates that mitochondrial cytochrome c reacts with the thiol-reacting agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) to produce a one NEM-adducted cytochrome c. Mitochondrial cytochrome c also reacts with 5,5′-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene in a manner prevented with NEM or iodoacetic acid (IAA). NEM-treated cytochrome c has lower reducibility and lower function to support mitochondrial oxygen consumption. These findings suggest that mitochondrial cytochrome c contains a reactive thiol that is involved in the functions of cytochrome c for mitochondria. Nitric oxide reacts with the cytochrome c thiol to generate S-nitroso (SNO)-cytochrome c in a manner prevented with NEM or IAA. SNO-cytochrome c has lower reducibility and function to support mitochondrial oxygen consumption, similar to NEM-treated cytochrome c.
Microglial activation and chronic neurodegeneration

Microglia, the resident innate immune cells in the brain, have long been implicated in the pathology of neurode-generative diseases. Accumulating evidence points to activated microglia as a chronic source of multiple neurotoxic factors, including tumor necrosis factor-α, nitric oxide, interleukin-1β, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), driving progressive neuron damage. Microglia can become chronically activated by either a single stimulus (e.g., lipopolysaccharide or neuron damage) or multiple stimuli exposures to result in cumulative neuronal loss with time. Although the mechanisms driving these phenomena are just beginning to be understood, reactive microgliosis (the microglial response to neuron damage) and ROS have been implicated as key mechanisms of chronic and neurotoxic microglial activation, particularly in the case of Parkinson’s disease. We review the mechanisms of neurotoxicity associated with chronic microglial activation and discuss the role of neuronal death and microglial ROS driving the chronic and toxic microglial phenotype.
Mechanical organization of the mantle and circulatory system of cephalopods

This paper gives a synopsis of the current knowledge of the mechanical design of the circulatory and locomotor systems in cephalopods. Additional data on the elastic properties of the aorta of two species of squid, Loligo opalescens and L. forbesi, and on the mantle mechanics of L. forbesi are presented. Although L. forbesi is the largest squid studied to date, its circulatory and locomotor characteristics are very similar to the much smaller L. opalescens, i.e. inferior to open ocean ommastrephids such as Illex. The closed circulatory system of cephalopods has many parallels in its anatomy, vascular structure and elasticity to the circulatory systems of higher vertebrates. An increase in the heart size and arterial blood pressure coincides with the increased activity across the range of species. The performance of the circulatory system of fast swimming squid is impressive and may approach that of human athletes. Coupling of locomotor and circulatory pumps does not appear to be significant in octopods, b...
Standing wave model of regenerative beam breakup in recirculating electron accelerators

Abstract This work is based on a standing wave theory of regenerative beam breakup in recirculating accelerators. Experiments performed at the Stanford superconducting recyclotron confirm the validity of this theory for two pass beam breakup. The theory is extended to multiple passes. Methods are discussed for estimating the values of field integrals of hybrid structure modes and beam transfer matrix elements for typical recirculation systems. Predictions are made for the beam breakup starting currents in various proposed accelerators and these are summarized by approximate formulae.
Pork Adrenal-Cortex Extract: Effect upon Carbohydrate Metabolism and Work Capacity in Addison's Disease1

EXTENSIVE experimental and clinical evidence indicates that the adrenal cortex plays a direct and positive role in the control of carbohydrate metabolism, but the mechanism of the control is not clear and many of the collected data are contradictory. No attempt will be made to review all of the pertinent literature, since this has been well done elsewhere (1). The purpose of this report is to emphasize the inadequacy of the present methods of treating Addison's disease, especially in regard to the deranged carbohydrate metabolism, and to describe studies with pork adrenal-cortex extract. This extract has for the first time given us a means of restoring the carbohydrate metabolism to normal. Among 28 patients with Addison's disease whom we have studied, the fasting bloodsugar level of 13 has been lower than average normal. In seven of these patients hypoglycemia has been severe enough to cause frequent symptoms and definite muscular weakness.
Assessment of Patient Satisfaction and Lidocaine Requirement During Flexible Bronchoscopy Without Sedation

Background: Bronchoscopy is usually performed under sedation to improve patient comfort and willingness to accept a repeat procedure. Bronchoscopy with a low dose of sedation does not necessarily improve patient comfort, and overt sedation may be dangerous for those with preexisting lung diseases. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the visual analogue scale for cough, pain, nausea, choking sensation, and overall discomfort level during flexible bronchoscopy without sedation. Acceptance of repeat bronchoscopy and requirement of lidocaine during the procedure were also evaluated. Methods: We evaluated 70 consecutive patients who underwent flexible bronchoscopy without sedation at our hospital. None received any premedication, and lidocaine was used as a topical anesthetic during the procedure. After the bronchoscopy, a questionnaire containing the visual analogue scale for cough, pain, nausea, choking sensation, and overall discomfort during the procedure was administered. Total requirement of lidocaine and patients’ willingness to return for repeat bronchoscopy were recorded. Results: Visual analogue scale ratings of cough, pain, nausea, and choking sensation during the study procedure were mild to moderate in 38.6% to 94.3% of the patients. The mean dose of lidocaine used during the bronchoscopy was 7.44 ± 2.09 mg/kg. The visual analogue scale of any symptom score had no correlation with the amount of lidocaine used (P>0.05). Only 27.1% would definitely accept repeat bronchoscopy, if required. Conclusions: Bronchoscopy without sedation is quite a welltolerated procedure, and the required amount of lidocaine during the procedure does not exceed the recommended dose. However, acceptance of repeat bronchoscopy is low.
Recovering the proceeds of crime from the correspondent account of a foreign bank

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the issues about the recovery of the proceeds of crime, with emphasis on the USA situation.Design/methodology/approach – The paper first sets forth the rationale for Section 981(k) of the Patriot Act and the requirements the government must satisfy to use it successfully to recover criminal proceeds. It then discusses the facts of a case where the new statute was applied and the legal arguments that were made when a foreign bank challenged the application of the statute in federal court. Finally, it discusses how the court resolved those issues in granting the government's suit for the recovery of the money.Findings – Finds that Section 981(k), while controversial, has proven effective in allowing the Government of the USA to recover property from wrongdoers in the types of cases where it was intended to be applied.Originality/value – Shows that Section 981(k) is an innovative and controversial addition to the arsenal of weapons that federal law enforcement authorities...
Lack of carbamazepine toxicity in frail nursing home patients : a controlled study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of carbamazepine and placebo on measures of toxicity in frail nursing home patients. DESIGN: A nonrandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. SETTING: Two nursing homes in Rochester, New York. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five subjects (mean age 84.5 years) with dementia. INTERVENTION: Carbamazepine and placebo during two 5-week periods separated by a 2-week washout. The modal dose for each patient was 300 mg/day. MEASUREMENTS: Adverse experiences, comorbid events, and physical signs and symptoms were assessed continuously, and laboratory data were examined at the beginning and end of each treatment period. RESULTS: One subject died with a pneumonia (and elevated white blood cell count), and one subject developed probable carbamazepine-induced tics. There was a minimal drop in hematocrit and a slight elevation of liver enzymes, none of which was clinically significant. There was otherwise no excess of adversity or comorbid events on carbamazepine versus placebo, and there was no change in electrolytes or other laboratory measures. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that carbamazepine in this dose range was well tolerated for the 5-week treatment period in this frail sample. These data supplement the literature regarding carbamazepine toxicity, which is devoid of controlled studies in older subjects.
Abstract C174: Therapeutic reactivation of p53 through dual targeting of HDM2 and HDMX with a stapled p53 peptide

p53 is a transcription factor that induces cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to DNA damage and cellular stress, and thereby plays a critical role in protecting cells from malignant transformation. The E3 ubiquitin ligase HDM2 controls p53 levels through a direct binding interaction that neutralizes the transactivation activity of p53 and targets it for degradation via the ubiquitylation‐proteasomal pathway. Whereas the HDM2‐homologue HDMX lacks ubiquitin ligase function, it participates in regulating the p53 axis by heterodimerizing with HDM2 to form an active E3 ligase and/or by binding to p53 to prevent it from functioning as a transcriptional regulator. Loss of p53 activity, either by deletion, mutation, or HDM2/HDMX overexpression, is the most common defect in human cancer. Tumors expressing wild type p53 are rendered vulnerable by pharmacologic approaches that stabilize and upregulate p53. In this context, HDM2 and HDMX have emerged as independent therapeutic targets for restoring p53 activity and resensitizing cancer cells to apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. The small molecule nutlin‐3 is an effective antagonist of the p53‐HDM2 interaction. However, several studies have demonstrated the inability of nutlin‐3 to disrupt the p53‐HDMX complex, rendering tumor cells that overexpress HDMX nutlin‐3‐resistant. We have previously described the synthesis and characterization of a hydrocarbon‐stapled α‐helical p53 peptide (SAH‐p53‐8) that binds HDM2 with low nanomolar affinity, targets HDM2 in situ, and reactivates the p53 tumor suppressor pathway in HDM2overexpressing osteosarcoma cells. We now report that SAH‐p53‐8 binds HDMX with even greater affinity, co‐immunoprecipitates with endogenous HDMX, and induces p53‐dependent apoptosis in nutlin‐resistant cancer cells that overexpress HDMX. Thus, by inserting a chemical staple into a peptide fragment of the p53 transactivation domain, we have generated the first bifunctional HDM2/HDMX inhibitor to investigate and modulate both targets in cancer cells. We further report a novel mechanism to maximize pharmacological activity through combined use of HDM2‐specific and bifunctional HDM2‐HDMX antagonists. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):C174.
Current Computational Trends in Equipment Prognostics

The article overviews current trends in research studies related to reliability prediction and prognostics. The trends are organized into three major types of prognostic models: failure data models, stressor models, and degradation models. Methods in each of these categories are presented and examples are given. Additionally, three particular computational prognostic approaches are considered; these are Markov chain-based models, general path models, and shock models. A Bayesian technique is then presented which integrates the prognostic types by incorporate prior reliability knowledge into the prognostic models. Finally, the article also discusses the usage of diagnostic/prognostic predictions for optimal control.
Beneficial effects of soy protein in the initiation and progression against dimethylbenz [a] anthracene-induced breast tumors in female rats

This study was to demonstrate by histological grading whether soy protein protects against dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) -induced breast tumors in female rats. At 25 days of age, rats were fed diets containing either casein or soy protein. After 25 days on diets, a single dose of DMBA in sesame oil (80 mg/kg) was administered by gavage. All tumors were detected by palpation. The number of tumors per rat was less in soy group than that in casein group at any time point up to 122 days after DMBA administration. Incidence of tumors was less in soy protein group than that in casein group. Casein group had 20% grade I, 60% grade II, and 20% grade III adenocarcinoma. However, the soy group had 100% grade I adenocarcinoma and no aggressive grade II or grade III tumor. There was a delay in the development of tumor in the soy protein group in comparison to the casein group. Again, unlike casein, the soy group had cessation of angiogenesis at several sites of tumor, and reduced levels of angiogenic markers, VEGF and bFGF. Immunohistochemical analysis of the breast tissues did not show any CD-31 positive stain in soy protein group, whereas some CD-31 positive stain was revealed in casein group, which further suggests that soy protein controls angiogenesis. Furthermore, proliferative index as assessed by Ki-67 staining was less in soy protein group than that in casein group. These findings suggest that the soy protein may protect against the development of a more aggressive breast carcinoma.
Two heuristic methods for grouping inventory items

Abstract In this paper two heuristic methods are presented for grouping inventory items. Items allocated to a group are ordered at fixed order intervals. The performance of the heuristic methods is illustrated and compared with the optimal grouping of items.
Characterization and the developmental role of plasma juvenile hormone esterase in the adult cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni

Abstract Juvenile hormone (JH) esterase was characterized from the plasma of adult females of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni , and compared with that present in 4th and 5th instar larvae. Ester hydrolysis was the principal route of JH metabolism. Gel filtration of plasma resolved a single peak of JH esterase which was distinct from that of the α-naphthyl acetate (α-NA) esterase activity. The JH esterase apparent molecular weight was 62,000 in prepupae and virgin, female adults and 69,000 in 2-day-old 4th instar larvae. Broad range isoelectric focusing of plasma of prepupae and adults resolved a major peak of activity at pH 5.5 with a minor peak of activity at pH 6.1 and in 4th instar larvae at pH 5.45 and 5.8, respectively. By this method JH esterase was resolved from the α-NA esterase activity. The plasma of prepupae and adults metabolized JH I at about twice the rate of JH III. JH esterase activity from adult plasma was more stable than the α-NA esterase activity. Adult JH esterase activity was insensitive to inhibition by O , O -diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate in contrast to that of the α-NA esterase activity. Mated females oviposited 8 times more eggs than virgin females to 10 days after emergence. The total haemolymph protein content of virgin females remained high throughout the period of study whereas mated females showed a significant decline beginning on day 4. JH esterase activity remained unchanged in virgins whereas it declined drastically in mated females. The α-NA esterase activity declined to low levels shortly after emergence in both groups. JH and α-NA esterase activity was not affected by the application of the juvenoid, ( RS )-methoprene. The present study provides evidence of a functional role for JH esterase in JH metabolism and reproduction in adult T. ni . JH esterases in the adult were identical to that of prepupae by the methods described above.
Is volume the only factor that impacts cord blood processing efficiency

We find the article by Meyer-Monard et al. (1) in the February 2012 issue of Cytotherapy interesting, especially with regard to the implications for larger cord blood collections that some banks ro...
Threshold Calculation for Coherent Detection in Dual-Polarization Weather Radars

It is customary to censor signals in conventional weather radar using estimates of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or magnitude of autocorrelation coefficient at lag one. Dual-polarized weather radar provides a pair of highly correlated signals from the two orthogonally polarized returns. A novel censoring technique, previously proposed, sums powers, autocorrelations, and correlation between signals in the two channels and compares the sum to a threshold. In this paper an efficient procedure for calculating such a threshold is proposed.
Individual and contextual factors in career exploration.

Abstract Drawing from theoretical propositions about the nature of career exploration and career decision making, this study sought to identify individual and contextual factors that might contribute to exploratory activity in late adolescence. Specifically, differences in vocational decision-making style and contextual anxiety were proposed to account for variability in exploration of the self and the environment. Measures of vocational decision-making style, contextual anxiety, and exploratory activity were administered to 148 undergraduates (mean age = 18.52), and a canonical analysis was employed to examine the relationships between the individual and contextual factors, and exploratory activity. One significant canonical root was extracted, which accounted for 27% of the variance between canonical composites. This root suggested that individuals who rely upon thinking-oriented approaches to decisions and who experience stress with regard to the specific tasks of exploration are likely to engage in exploration of the environment, and to a somewhat lesser extent, the self. The results were related to theory, research, and practice on the role of individual and contextual factors in career exploration.
Rate-reducing resistance to Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli underlies field resistance to soybean sudden death syndrome

Yield losses occur in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] because of sudden death syndrome (SDS) caused by Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. f. sp. phaseoli (Burk.) Snyd. & Hans, type A. Our objective was to determine whether tolerance or partial resistance to infection underlies field resistance to SDS. Seven field resistant cultivars and five susceptible cultivars were planted at two locations. Twenty taproots per cultivar were sampled every 7 to 21 d from the VO to R8 growth stages, 8 to 121 days after planting (DAP). Six taproot sections per plant were tested for F. solani on a selective medium. Infection frequency (IF), the percentage of infected plants, and infection severity (IS), the percentage of infected root segments, were scored. Leaf symptoms were recorded and standardized to the R6 stage and the disease index (DX) was calculated. Infection was detected at the V1 stage (within 15 DAP) and reached a maximum by about R1 (55-68 DAP). All cultivars were infected by F. solani. However, seasonal mean IF and mean IS were significantly lower among the resistant cultivar class. After R1, infection was also significantly lower among the resistant cultivar class within individual sampling dates. Also, DX and IF were correlated in each environment (r = 0.38 and 0.61). Therefore, in the resistant cultivars Forrest, Ripley, Jack, PI520733, ExF44, ExF59, and ExF78, late season rate-reducing (partial) resistance decreased the DX, IF, and IS. Resistance probably extends the latent period of F. solani. Among susceptible cultivars, Essex and A5403, had reduced leaf symptoms but high IF and IS suggesting tolerance to F. solani that alleviated SDS.
CTDMPLUS: A Dispersion Model for Sources near Complex Topography. Part II: Performance Characteristics

Abstract The Complex Terrain Dispersion Model (CTDMPLUS), described in Part I of this paper, was evaluated using the SO2 field-study data from the Lovett generating station in southeastern New York state. For perspective, CTDMPLUS estimates were also compared with those from the regulatory version of the Rough Terrain Diffusion Model (RTDM). For comparisons unpaired in space or time, the highest 25 CTDMPLUS model predictions tended to overpredict the highest 25 hourly observations by, on average, about a factor of 2. Similar results were found for 3-h and 24-h avenge predictions. Overpredictions occurred mainly for stable atmospheric conditions. In contrast, the hourly and 3-h average model concentrations paired in time with observations underpredicted the observations by as much as a factor of 4. CTDMPLUS displayed no strong bias in estimating the 24-b average concentrations. To understand the performance of CTDMPLUS, the meteorological conditions associated with the highest 25 observed concentrations we...
Power consumption of piezoelectric actuators with multiwalled carbon nanotube film deposition

This paper investigates the impact of non-intrusive carbon nanotube coatings on the power consumption of piezoceramic sheet actuators. Due to their nano-scale cylindrical structure, carbon nanotubes provide an order of magnitude increase in the exposed surface area compared to the uncoated piezoceramic sheet. This along with their excellent thermal conductivity allows the nanotube coating to act as a heat sink, drawing energy away from the bulk piezoceramic material and dissipating it to the atmosphere. To demonstrate the proof-of-concept multiwalled carbon nanotube thin films were deposited on the surfaces of 10 mil thick, commercially available PZT-5H sheets. The piezoelectric sheets were actuated at several different excitation frequencies and voltage settings, both before and after application of the nano-film coating. Strain, perpendicular to the poling direction, and current measurements made on these samples indicated that while the piezoelectric samples with nano-film coating exhibited strain behavior similar to the baseline uncoated samples, they required upu to 15% less peak power for high frequency actuation.
A Role for Mathematics in the Physical Sciences

Conflicting accounts of the role of mathematics in our physical theories can be traced to two principles. Mathematics appears to be both (1) theoretically indispensable, as we have no acceptable non-mathematical versions of our theories, and (2) metaphysically dispensable, as mathematical entities, if they existed, would lack a relevant causal role in the physical world. I offer a new account of a role for mathematics in the physical sciences that emphasizes the epistemic benefits of having mathematics around when we do science. This account successfully reconciles theoretical indispensability and metaphysical dispensability and has important consequences for both advocates and critics of indispensability arguments for platonism about mathematics.
Unified error analysis for Newton-type methods

Under proper hypotheses, Rheinboldt has shown that Newtonrelated iterates $$x_{n + 1} = x_n - {\cal D}\left( {x_n } \right)^{ - 1} Fx_n $$ , where some $${\cal D}\left( x \right)$$ approximates the Frechet derivative of an operatorF, converge to a rootx - ofF. Under these hypotheses, this paper establishes error bounds $$\left\| {x^* - x_n } \right\|B_n \left\| {x_n - x_{n - 1} } \right\|C_n \left\| {x_1 - x_0 } \right\|, \left\| {x_n - \xi _n } \right\|s_n ,$$ whereB n ,C n ,s n are constants, and where ? n ; are perturbed iterates which take into account rounding errors occuring during actual computations.
Soluble amyloid oligomers increase bilayer conductance by altering dielectric structure

The amyloid hypothesis of Alzheimer's toxicity has undergone a resurgence with increasing evidence that it is not amyloid fibrils but a smaller oligomeric species that produces the deleterious results. In this paper we address the mechanism of this toxicity. Only oligomers increase the conductance of lipid bilayers and patch-clamped mammalian cells, producing almost identical current-voltage curves in both preparations. Oligomers increase the conductance of the bare bilayer, the cation conductance induced by nonactin, and the anion conductance induced by tetraphenyl borate. Negative charge reduces the sensitivity of the membrane to amyloid, but cholesterol has little effect. In contrast, the area compressibility of the lipid has a very large effect. Membranes with a large area compressibility modulus are almost insensitive to amyloid oligomers, but membranes formed from soft, highly compressible lipids are highly susceptible to amyloid oligomer-induced conductance changes. Furthermore, membranes formed using the solvent decane (instead of squalane) are completely insensitive to the presence of oligomers. One simple explanation for these effects on bilayer conductance is that amyloid oligomers increase the area per molecule of the membrane-forming lipids, thus thinning the membrane, lowering the dielectric barrier, and increasing the conductance of any mechanism sensitive to the dielectric barrier.
Intracellular transport and leukemogenicity of spleen focus-forming virus envelope glycoproteins with altered transmembrane domains.

Abstract Friend murine spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) encodes a glycoprotein designated gp52, which is responsible for the leukemogenic properties of the virus. gp52 lacks a cytoplasmic domain and is defective in its transport to the cell surface. We constructed a chimeric envelope gene which codes for a molecule with an external domain derived from the SFFV envelope gene and membrane-spanning and cytoplasmic domains derived from the Friend murine leukemia virus envelope gene. Like gp52, the chimeric protein was defective in its transport to the cell surface, indicating that the absence of a cytoplasmic tail is not responsible for the defective intracellular transport of SFFV gp52. However, unlike wild-type SFFV, the chimeric SFFV genome failed to induce erythroleukemia in adult mice. The results indicate that the altered membrane-spanning domain, lack of a detectable cytoplasmic tail in gp52, or both factors are prerequisites for the erythroleukemia-inducing properties of SFFV but are not responsible for the block in intracellular transport of the glycoprotein.
Cutting edge: TLR2 is a functional receptor for acute-phase serum amyloid A.

Induced secretion of acute-phase serum amyloid A (SAA) is a host response to danger signals and a clinical indication of inflammation. The biological functions of SAA in inflammation have not been fully defined, although recent reports indicate that SAA induces proinflammatory cytokine expression. We now show that TLR2 is a functional receptor for SAA. HeLa cells expressing TLR2 responded to SAA with potent activation of NF-κB, which was enhanced by TLR1 expression and blocked by the Toll/IL-1 receptor/resistance (TIR) deletion mutants of TLR1, TLR2, and TLR6. SAA stimulation led to increased phosphorylation of MAPKs and accelerated IκBα degradation in TLR2-HeLa cells, and results from a solid-phase binding assay showed SAA interaction with the ectodomain of TLR2. Selective reduction of SAA-induced gene expression was observed in tlr2 −/− mouse macrophages compared with wild-type cells. These results suggest a potential role for SAA in inflammatory diseases through activation of TLR2.
Throughput bounds and energy consumption of mobile multihop networks

We investigate the throughput and energy consumption of regular and random line networks of moving vehicles. Based on a simple random MAC scheme, we show that regular line networks (equidistant nodes) outperform random line networks (uniformly randomly distributed nodes) in terms of throughput and, more drastically, in energy consumption and lifetime. For regular line networks, we give an optimum scheduler that takes full advantage of spatial reuse and show that the gain from the optimum scheduler is about 100% of the throughput at nearly the same energy consumption. For random line networks, we present and compare a throughput balancing strategy with power control and an energy balancing strategy without power control. It is shown that the strategy with power control can achieve better performance when the total transmit energy consumption and end-to-end reception probability are considered jointly.
Vibronic effects in the spectroscopy and dynamics of C-phycocyanin

Femtosecond laser spectroscopies are used to investigate the influence of intramolecular nuclear modes on electronic relaxation in the cyanobacterial light harvesting protein, C-phycocyanin (CPC). Of particular interest are sub-ps dynamics localized on pairs of closely spaced phycocyanobilin pigments (i.e. dimers). Experiments conducted under different polarization conditions are used to distinguish isotropic and anisotropic vibrational modes within the dimers. Two isotropic nuclear modes are detected near 185 and 260 cm −1 using two-dimensional photon echo spectroscopy. In addition, a transient absorption anisotropy measurement reveals vibrational resonances associated with (out-of-plane) anisotropic nuclear modes near 640 and 815 cm −1 . We investigate two possible origins for the recurrences in the anisotropy. A mechanism involving ground state nuclear coherences in the Condon approximation is ruled out by comparing the potential energy surfaces of the excitons to the direction of wavepacket motion. Electronic structure calculations suggest that non-Condon effects are the most likely explanation for the beats observed in the anisotropy. Such non-Condon effects also hold interesting implications for the vibronic exciton electronic structure of CPC. We calculate non-Condon intermolecular couplings in the dimer as large as 10 cm −1 , which suggests that these effects are not negligible and deserve further consideration. Our findings provide additional insights into the sub-100 fs vibronic relaxation channel found in the closely related protein, allophycocyanin, whose pigment dimers possess nearly the same geometry and intermolecular Coulombic interactions as CPC. This study underscores the complex interplay of intramolecular vibronic coupling and site energy tuning in photosynthetic light harvesting. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)
Dynamic expression and activation of ERBB receptors in the developing mouse mammary gland.

The complex system of ERBB receptors and ligands is implicated in growth and differentiation of the mammary gland. However, it has not been comprehensively examined in this dynamic tissue. Combined RNA and protein analyses of glands in different stages from virgin to involution revealed differential expression of the four ERBB receptors, as well as distinctive patterns of ERBB ligand expression that suggested specialized function. ERBB localization was linked to mammary gland function. Thus, in the virgin gland, ERBBI and ERBB2 were colocalized to all major cell types during ductal morphogenesis but differentially localized in the mature gland. All four ERBB receptors were restricted to epithelia in the differentiated gland. Analyses of ERBB tyrosine phosphorylation provided strong evidence of interaction between the four receptors in this physiological context. Thus, exogenous EGF induced stage-dependent transphosphorylation of ERBB2-4 as well as ERBB1 , whereas endogenous phosphorylation of all four receptors peaked in late pregnancy and lactation.
The origins of lactation and the evolution of milk: a review with new hypotheses

Lactation is central to mammalian reproduction, and an understanding of the origins of lactation is necessary to comprehend the early evolution of the Class Mammalia. In modern mammals, lactation is a staggeringly complex phenomenon involving morphological, physiological, biochemical, ecological, and behavioural adaptations. Because such a complex web of adaptations could not have arisen de novo, lactation must have begun as a much simpler process. Hypotheses regarding the original adaptive value of proto-lacteal secretions invoke thermoregulatory, antibiotic, behavioural or nutritive functions. In this review, we evaluate each of these hypotheses and attempt to reconstruct the origins of lactation in the light of current concepts of the biology of early mammals and their ancestors, the origin of mammary glands, the evolution of extravitelline nutrient provision, and the physiology and biochemistry of milk synthesis and secretion. Drawing upon empirical evidence and theoretical considerations, we present a gradualistic scenario involving the following steps. First, incubation of eggs was aided by development of a vascularized abdominal incubation patch. Secondly, anti-microbial secretions from cutaneous glands of the incubation patch enhanced survival of eggs or offspring. At this stage, these secretions could have supplemented vitelline nutrients (in much the same way as oviductal secretions do in monotremes), perhaps facultatively. Subsequently, hypertrophy and specialization of cutaneous glands accompanied the controlled production of a copious, nutritious secretion, which eventually evolved into a primary source of energy for development and growth of the offspring. We outline important events in the evolution of milk, and suggest studies likely to provide indirect tests of the evolutionary hypotheses discussed.
Hedgehog pathway blockade with the cancer drug LDE225 disrupts taste organs and taste sensation

Taste sensation on the anterior tongue requires chorda tympani nerve function and connections with continuously renewing taste receptor cells. However, it is unclear which signaling pathways regulate the receptor cells to maintain chorda tympani sensation. Hedgehog (HH) signaling controls cell proliferation and differentiation in numerous tissues and is active in taste papillae and taste buds. In contrast, uncontrolled HH signaling drives tumorigenesis, including the common skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma. Systemic HH pathway inhibitors (HPIs) lead to basal cell carcinoma regression, but these drugs cause severe taste disturbances. We tested the hypothesis that taste disruption by HPIs reflects a direct requirement for HH signaling in maintaining taste organs and gustatory sensation. In mice treated with the HPI LDE225 up to 28 days, HH-responding cells were lost in fungiform papilla epithelium, and papillae acquired a conical apex. Taste buds were either absent or severely reduced in size in more than 90% of aberrant papillae. Taste bud remnants expressed the taste cell marker keratin 8, and papillae retained expression of nerve markers, neurofilament and P2X3. Chorda tympani nerve responses to taste stimuli were markedly reduced or absent in LDE225-treated mice. Responses to touch were retained, however, whereas cold responses were retained after 16 days of treatment but lost after 28 days. These data identify a critical, modality-specific requirement for HH signaling in maintaining taste papillae, taste buds and neurophysiological taste function, supporting the proposition that taste disturbances in HPI-treated patients are an on-target response to HH pathway blockade in taste organs.
Human Vaginal Secretions: Volatile Fatty Acid Content

Vaginal samples (682) were collected by a tampon method from 50 healthy young women. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography. The volatile aliphatic acids increased during the late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and declined progressively during the luteal phase. Women on oral contraceptives had lower amounts of volatile acids and did not show any rhythmic changes in acid content during the menstrual cycle. These same substances possess sex-attractant properties in other primate species.
Proposed tabletop laser-driven coherent X-ray source

We describe the concept of an all-dielectric laser-driven undulator for the generation of coherent X-rays. The proposed laser-driven undulator is expected to produce internal deflection forces equivalent to a several-Tesla magnetic field acting on a speed-of-light particle. The key idea for this laser-driven undulator is its ability to provide phase synchronicity between the deflection force and the electron beam for a distance that is much greater than the laser wavelength. A possible conceptual tabletop SASE-FEL device composed by such an integrated laser-driven accelerator-undulator system is explored.