cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Next Generation of ABA Providers

The imbalance of supply and demand for behavior analytic services will change in the near future. Behavior analysts, who want to survive in an increasing competitive marketplace, will need to show quality results and better results than the next behavior analyst. Trumpet Behavioral Health is a company designed to infuse scientific research with clinical practices. In the years ahead, look to companies like Trumpet as role models of the next generation of autism service providers.
Six management propositions for economic vitality in the Pacific Basin: A World Ocean perspective

This article draws together a few seminal ideas from geopolitics, systems theory, and management policy, and offers six propositions about simplified organizational and nationstate conditions necessary for economic vitality in and around the World Ocean: the Pacific Basin.
Thermodynamic properties of liquid and amorphous monatomic metals from an interstitialcy model

Abstract A model for the liquid and amorphous states of monatomic metals has been developed according to which these materials are crystals containing a few per cent of interstitials. All thermodynamic properties of the material in each of the crystalline, liquid or amorphous states, as well as their changes on melting, are obtained from an analytic expression for the Gibbs free energy. A decrease in the temperature dependence of the liquid state specific heat is interpreted in terms of the calculated softening of the shear modulus with interstitialcy concentration.
Leukotriene B4 ω-side chain hydroxylation by CYP4F5 and CYP4F6

Abstract Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a lipid mediator that plays an important role in inflammation. Metabolism of LTB4 by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes belonging to the CYP4F subfamily is considered to be of importance for the regulation of inflammation. This study investigates LTB4 metabolism by recombinant rat CYP4F5 and CYP4F6 expressed in a yeast system and by microsomes isolated from rat organs expressing CYP4F mRNA. CYP4F6 was found to convert LTB4 into 19-hydoxy- and 18-hydroxy-LTB4 with an apparent Km of 26 μM, and CYP4F5 was found to convert LTB4 primarily into 18-hydroxy-LTB4 with an apparent Km of 9.7 μM. The rate of formation of 18-hydroxy-LTB4 by CYP4F5 was surprisingly high. At a substrate concentration of 30 μM, the rate of formation was about 15 nmol/min/mg microsomal protein, approximately 30 times faster than the reaction catalyzed by CYP4F6. Analysis of LTB4 metabolism by microsomes isolated from various tissues from the rat suggests that CYP4F5 and CYP4F6 are active in the lung and to some extent in the brain, kidney, and testis. CYP4F5 and CYP4F6, due to their capacities to metabolize LTB4, may play important roles in modulating inflammatory response in these organs.
The interaction between a magnetized plasma flow and a magnetized celestial body - A review of magnetospheric studies

Through an intensive study of the magnetospheres of the Earth, Mercury, and Jupiter, we have begun to understand how a magnetized celestial body interacts with a magnetized plasma flow. Some of the important findings are: Some of these findings may have significant implications in interpreting a variety of astrophysical processes associated with the magnetosphere of magnetic stars, pulsars and head-tail galaxies and also with transient processes, such as solar flares and flarings of particular types of variable stars, etc.
Evaluation of lipid exposure of tryptophan residues in membrane peptides and proteins.

Fluorescence quenching is used to gain information on the exposure of tryptophan residues to lipid in membrane-bound proteins and peptides. A protocol is developed to calculate this exposure, based on a comparison of quenching efficiency and of a fluorescence lifetime (or quantum yield) measured for a protein and for a model tryptophan-containing compound. Various methods of analysis of depth-dependent quenching are compared and three universal measures of quenching profile are derived. One of the measures, related to the area under profile, is used to estimate quenching efficiency. The method is applied to single tryptophan mutants of a membrane-anchoring nonpolar peptide of cytochrome b5 and of an outer membrane protein A. Analysis of quenching of the cytochrome's nonpolar peptide by a set of four brominated lipids reveals a temperature-controlled reversible conformational change, resulting in increased exposure of tryptophan to lipid and delocalization of its transverse position. Kinetic quenching profiles and fluorescence binding kinetics reported by Kleinschmidt et al. (Biochemistry (1999) 38, 5006–5016) were analyzed to extract information on the relative exposure of tryptophan residues during folding of an outer membrane protein A. Trp-102, which translocates across the bilayer, was found to be noticeably shielded from the lipid environment throughout the folding event compared to Trp-7, which remains on the cis side. The approach described here provides a new tool for studies of low-resolution structure and conformational transitions in membrane proteins and peptides.
Helpful Resources for Mentoring Novice Researchers

Review of: Two resources for laboratory students: Lab Ref, Volume 1: A Handbook of Recipes, Reagents, and Other Reference Tools for Use at the Bench ; Jane Roskams, ed.; (2002). Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY. 272 pages; and Lab Dynamics: Management and Leadership Skills for Scientists , 2nd ed.; Carl M. Cohen and Suzanne L. Cohen; (2012). Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY. 280 pages.
The rheology of a partially solid alloy

The effect of various thermomechanical treatments on the structure and rheological behaviour of Sn-15% Pb alloy in its solidifcation range was investigated using a concentric cylinder viscometer. The apparatus was designed to permit wide ranges of cooling rates up to 25° C min−1 and shear rates up to 750 sec−1. Initially, the alloy was continuously sheared as it cooled from above the liquidus to a desired volume fraction solid. In one series of experiments, shear was stopped and the alloy quenched. In a second series, the alloy was held isothermally and subjected to various mechanical treatments. The size and morphology of primary solid particles during continuous cooling is influenced by shear and cooling rates and volume fraction of solid — faster cooling results in finer structures while increased rate of shear reduces the amount of entrapped liquid in individual particles. The viscosity of the slurry, at a given volume fraction solid, decreases with decreasing cooling rate and increasing shear rate. Exercising the full range of shear and cooling rates possible in the viscometer, the apparent viscosity of a 0.55 volume fraction solid slurry varied from 3 to 80P. The structure and viscosity of isothermally held slurries follow the same trends as slowly cooled slurries. However, their viscosity at a given volume fraction solid is consistently lower than that of continuously cooled slurries. The slurries are thixotropic and show a hysteresis loop phenomenon similar to other well known thixotropic systems. Measured areas of hysteresis loops increase with increasing volume fraction solid, initial viscosity and time at rest. The potential applications to improve existing or develop new metal-forming processes are being investigated in a variety of alloys with different solidifcation ranges and temperatures.
A heuristic procedure for makespan minimization in job shops with multiple identical processors

Scheduling has been and continues to be a major issue in production planning. Job shop scheduling is one area where a considerable amount of research has been and continues to be pursued. Usual emphasis is on one machine per work center job shop scheduling. There appears to be very limited literature available on scheduling a job shop problem which requires scheduling of n jobs in m machine centers where each machine center may have k number of identical processors (though the number of identical processors may vary from one machine center to next). We discuss here, the problem of minimize of the makespan for such a job shop arrangement The problem can be represented by the symbol m x n x k.
A new method for determining the secondary electron yield dependence on ion energy for plasma exposed surfaces

A new experimental method for determining the secondary electron yield for plasma exposed surfaces is described. From the measurement of the plasma condition and the total current generated when a voltage pulse is applied to a target material exposed to a plasma, the dependence of the secondary electron yield of that target on ion energy can be extracted. The secondary electron yield is determined by an analytical model of the plasma ion, electron, and displacement currents. Experimental results for an aluminum target correlate well with previous secondary electron measurements which used a traditional technique. Secondary electrons yield data of other materials: single crystal silicon, aluminum, titanium nitride, and silicon dioxide are also extracted.
Long-Term Benefits of Elective Radiotherapy After Prostatectomy for Patients With Positive Surgical Margins

Purpose: The benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy after prostatectomy for patients with pathological risk factors but with an undetectable postoperative PSA remains controversial. In this retrospective study we define the benefits of elective postoperative radiotherapy in this setting.Materials and Methods: A total of 44 patients received elective postoperative radiotherapy at a single institution in the PSA era (1989 to 1995) for positive surgical margins and undetectable postoperative PSA. Radiotherapy was delivered to a median dose of 60 Gy. Clinical target volume included the prostate bed. Pelvic nodes were not treated. The four-field box technique with customized blocking of bladder, rectum and small bowels was used and defined the planning target volume. The patients were then compared to a contemporaneous group of 189 patients with positive surgical margins who underwent radical prostatectomy without any adjuvant therapy. Failure was defined as biochemical (PSA) recurrence and was timed from first dete...
Chemical energy release in one-dimensional detonation waves in gaseous explosives

Abstract The Zel'dovich-von Neumann-Doring (ZND) model of a one-dimensional, steady state detonation wave in a gaseous explosive is extended to include the thermal relaxation processes which precede and follow the exothermic chemical reconstitution reactions. In this nonequilibrium model the detonation wave consists of four main zones: a very thin leading shock front in which the unreacted explosive mixture is compressed and accelerated in the direction of shock propagation; a much thicker relaxation zone in which the rotational and vibrational modes of the unreacted explosive gases approach thermal equilibrium; a relatively thin zone in which the chemical energy is released by rapid chain propagation and branching reactions into highly vibrationally excited reaction product gases; and another very thick relaxation zone in which the product gases expand and vibrationally relax toward thermodynamic equilibrium at the Chapman-Jouguet (CJ) state. Quantitative calculations for the H 2 Cl 2 , O 3 , and H 2 O 2 systems based on experimental chemiluminescent and crossed molecular beam product energy distribution data show that the amount of chemical energy initially released as product vibrational energy is greater than the sum of CJ equilibrium vibrational energy plus the amount of chemical energy required to sustain the constant velocity shock front. The physical mechanism by which this vibrational energy sustains the shock front is postulated to be the chemical amplification of transverse pressure waves, which propagate through the vibrationally excited products and eventually overtake the leading shock front.
Cloning and sequencing of cDNAs encoding the human sperm protein, Sp17.

Abstract In the present study we have cloned and sequenced two testis-specific cDNAs 0.3 .3 kb and 1.6 kb) encoding a human sperm protein, designated HSpl7. Each cDNA gave rise to identical protein sequences and differed only in the 5′ untranslated region. The predicted amino-acid sequence revealed a protein of 17.5 kDa which exhibited a high degree of homology with both rabbit and mouse SpIT Analysis of native and recombinant Sp 17 by SDS-PAGE has shown the apparent molecular weight of the protein to be 24.5 kDa.
Simulated unfolded-state ensemble and the experimental NMR structures of villin headpiece yield similar wide-angle solution X-ray scattering profiles.

With the advent of powerful synchrotron sources, solution X-ray scattering is being increasingly used to get basic information about the structure of polypeptides. The solution scattering technique essentially provides one-dimensional data, which are then interpreted in terms of a three-dimensional structure through model building. Here we calculate wide-angle solution scattering patterns for an ensemble of simulated unfolded structures of villin headpiece, which differ from the native structure by 〈rmsd〉 = 8.8 ± 1.0 A and have only negligible amounts of native secondary structure. We show that the wide-angle solution scattering pattern of such an ensemble shares significant similarity with the one based on the experimental NMR structures of the molecule. Our results suggest that solution scattering in the wide-angle limit, by itself, provides very little information about the secondary structure content of a polypeptide or its side-chain packing.
MicroRNAs in pathogenesis of breast cancer: Implications in diagnosis and treatment

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs generated by a two-step complex process and are post transcriptional negative regulators of their target mRNAs. Dysregulation of many of these miRNAs has been associated with tumorigenesis in various cancers including breast cancer. Aberrantly high expression of specific miRNAs in breast cancer cells is demonstrated to be linked with inhibition of tumor suppressor genes and promote tumorigenesis. They are classified as oncogenic miRNAs. However, the tumor suppressor miRNAs are downregulated in breast cancer cells, since their major targets are oncogenic mRNAs. Understanding mechanism of action of specific miRNAs in breast cancer cells can be utilized to develop newer anti-cancer therapies. Recently, newer techniques are also developed to detect abundance of specific miRNA in the blood plasma samples and can be used in early diagnosis or prognosis in breast cancer. In this review article, we have discussed several miRNAs dysregulated in breast cancer and their therapeutic potential.
Structural behavior and superconductivity of YBa2Cu3Ox

The compound YBa&+Ox was given various oxidation treatments over a range of oxygen pressures from 0.02 to 200 MPa and temperatures up to 1223K. A tetragonal to orthorhombic phase transformation was observed, leading to superconducting behavior below 94K. The orthorhombic unit cell parameters (i.e. volume, bond lengths, and axial distortions) were found to correlate with the superconducting transition temperatures. These correlations are rationalized in terms of the interrelationship of oxygen stoichiometry with the lattice parameters of the orthorhombic phase. The nature of superconductivity in YBa$u,O, and LazCuO, is related to the Cu-0 coordination polyhedra and an explanation is proposed for the observed multiple superconducting transitions in YBa$u,O,.
Evaluation of hybridization conditions for spotted oligonucleotide-based DNA microarrays.

We compared different hybridization conditions of oligonucleotide-based DNA microarray to acquire optimized and reliable microarray data. Several parameters were evaluated at different hybridization conditions, including signal-to-background (S:B) ratios, signal dynamic range, usable spots, and reproducibility. Statistical analysis showed that better results were obtained when spotted, presynthesized long oligonucleotide arrays were blocked with succinic anhydride and hybridized at 42°C in the presence of 50% formamide.
Fas antigen/CD-95 upregulation and activation during castration-induced regression of the rat ventral prostate gland.

BACKGROUND. Fas antigen/CD 95 is a 45-kDa transmembrane protein that can initiate intracellular signaling pathways, leading to apoptosis when it is clustered on the cell surface. A recent report claiming that the ventral prostate glands of lpr -/- mutant mice (lacking functional fas antigen) do not regress following castration prompted our analysis of the regressing rat ventral prostate gland for evidence that fas antigen might participate in the molecular process leading to prostate cell apoptosis after castration. METHODS. An RNase protection assay and Western blotting analysis were used to quantify fas antigen mRNA and protein expression in the regressing rat ventral prostate gland. Immunoprecipitates of fas antigen from membrane preparations made from control or castrated rat prostates were analyzed for coprecipitation of FADD and RIP proteins to assess the activation state of the fas antigen before and after castration. Finally, prostate tissues obtained from two different strains of lpr -/- mutant mice were analyzed for induced apoptosis after castration by the TUNEL staining method. RESULTS. Rat ventral prostate gland fas antigen mRNA and protein expression was upregulated approximately 3-5-fold in the 3-day castrated rat as compared to hormonally intact rats. Immunoprecipitates of fas antigen from membranes of ventral prostates from castrated rats contained significantly increased amounts of both FADD and RIP proteins when compared to those of intact or control operated rats. However, counts of TUNEL-labeled cells in the ventral prostate glands of castrated lpr -/- mice were not significantly different from those in castrated, genetically normal controls. Likewise, the morphology of apoptotic bodies formed in the prostates of castrated lpr -/- mice was indistinguishable from that in control animals. CONCLUSIONS. Fas antigen/CD-95, a protein that is involved in some forms of apoptosis, is upregulated during regression of the rat ventral prostate gland and becomes functionally activated. However, our inability to distinguish any difference in the apoptosis rate or in the morphology of the apoptotic bodies formed in response to castration between lpr -/- mice and genetically normal controls indicates that, contrary to the prior report, functional fas protein is not required for castration-induced prostate cell apoptosis.
Overcoming the Key Challenges in De Novo Protein Design: Enhancing Computational Efficiency and Incorporating True Backbone Flexibility

De novo protein design is initiated with a postulated or known flexible threedimensional protein structure and aims at identifying amino acid sequences compatible with such a structure. The problem was first denoted as the “inverse folding problem” [4, 5] since protein design has intimate links to the well-known protein folding problem [6]. While the protein folding problem aims at determining the single structure for a sequence, the de novo protein design problem exhibits a high level of degeneracy; that is, a large number of sequences are always found to share a common fold, although the sequences will vary with respect to properties such as activity and stability.
An investigation of the factors that influence preservice teachers’ intentions and integration of Web 2.0 tools

The purpose of the study was to investigate factors that predict preservice teachers’ intentions and actual uses of Web 2.0 tools in their classrooms. A two-phase, mixed method, sequential explanatory design was used. The first phase explored factors, based on the decomposed theory of planned behavior, that predict preservice teachers’ intentions to integrate Web 2.0 tools in their future classrooms. The second, follow-up phase, explored preservice teachers’ transfer of intentions into actions during student teaching and the factors that influenced actual use of Web 2.0 tools in their classrooms. Results of the study showed that perceived usefulness, selfefficacy, and student expectations were the strongest predictors of preservice teachers’ intentions and actual use of Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. Additional findings revealed a significant positive relationship between preservice teachers’ intentions and subsequent behaviors. The results of the second phase of the study showed that although most preservice teachers were able to carry out their intentions, due to facilitative factors, a few were unable to use Web 2.0 tools due to limited access to technology resources and unsupportive mentor teachers. These findings provide evidence that when preservice teachers perceive the value of Web 2.0 tools to facilitate student learning, have support from their K-12 students and mentor teachers, and have high self-efficacy as well as easy access to Web 2.0 tools, they are able to translate their intentions into actions.
Fire history of white and Lutz spruce forests on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, over the last two millennia as determined from soil charcoal

The presence of over 429,000 ha of forest with spruce (Picea spp.) recently killed by spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis) on the Kenai Peninsula has raised the specter of catastrophic wildfire. Dendrochronological evidence indicated that spruce beetle outbreaks occurred on average every 50 years in these forests. We used 121 radiocarbon-dated soil charcoal samples collected from throw mounds of recently blown over trees to reconstruct the regional fire history for the last ca. 2500 years and found no relation between fire activity and past spruce beetle outbreaks. Soil charcoal data suggest that upland forests of white (Picea glauca) and Lutz (Picea x lutzii) spruce have not on average burned for 600 years (timesince-fire range 90to1500 years, at 22 sites) and that the meanfire interval was 400‐600 years. It would thus appear that 10 or more spruce beetle outbreaks can occur for every cycleoffire in these forests. We caution, however, that a trendof warmer summers coupled with an increasing human population and associated sources of ignitions may create a greater fire risk in all fuel types than was present during the time period covered by our study. We suggest that forest management focus on creating fuel breaks between valued human infrastructure and all types of forest fuels, both green and dead. Crown Copyright # 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT PSP DEPRESSION CONTRIBUTES TO LOW-PASS TEMPORAL FILTERING IN EIGENMANNIA

This study examined the contribution of frequency-dependent short-term depression of PSP amplitude to low-pass temporal filtering in the weakly electric fish Eigenmannia. Behavioral and neurophysiological methods were used. Decelerations of the electric organ discharge frequency were measured in response to continuous and discontinuous electrosensory stimuli. Decelerations were strongest (median = 4.7 Hz; range, 3.5-5.9 Hz) at continuous beat rates of approximately 5 Hz and weakest (median = 0.4 Hz; range, 0.0-0.8 Hz) at beat rates of 30 Hz. Gating 20 or 30 Hz stimuli at a rate of 5 Hz, however, elicited decelerations that were sixfold greater than that of continuous stimuli at these beat rates (median = 2.6 Hz; range, 2.0-4.7 Hz for 30 Hz). These results support the hypothesis that short-term processes enhance low-pass filtering by reducing responses to fast beat rates. This hypothesis was tested by recording intracellularly the responses of 33 midbrain neurons to continuous and discontinuous stimuli. Results indicate that short-term depression of PSP amplitude primarily accounts for the steady-state low-pass filtering of these neurons beyond that contributed by their passive and active membrane properties. Previous results demonstrate that passive properties can contribute up to 7 dB of low-pass filtering; PSP depression can add up to an additional 12.5 dB (median = 4.5). PSP depression increased in magnitude with stimulus frequency and showed a prominent short-term component (t(1) = 66 msec at 30 Hz). Initial PSP amplitude recovered fully after a gap of 150 msec for most neurons. Remarkably, recovery of PSP amplitude could be produced by inserting a brief low-temporal frequency component in the stimulus.
Universal Grammar and Word Order

The ultimate goal of transformational generative grammar, from its inception (Chomsky 1957, 1965) to the present Government-Binding (GB) Theory (Chomsky 1981), has been to determine the structure of the language faculty that enables human beings to learn language. The principles at work in this language faculty must be general enough to encompass the thousands of different languages accessible to human beings. At the same time, it must be restrictive enough so that every human being can acquire a native language in just a few years, based on impoverished input. Therefore, the langauge faculty — that is, Universal Grammar — should have as few language-specific or construction-specific rules as possible. It should contain only general principles, making use of parameter settings to account for possible variations. Complexities in different languages are not due to complexities of different language- and construction-specific rules but are the result of different interactions between parameters and principles of Universal Grammar.
Evidence for Direct Control of Coronary Vascular Tone by Oxygen

The interaction between the effects of oxygen and adenosine on acetylcholine-induced contractile tension was observed in helical coronary arterial strips suspended in physiological salt solution. It was found that (1) steady-state contractile tension was unaffected or depressed 5-20% when oxygen pressure (Po2) was diminished to levels as low as 5-10 mm Hg, (2) contractile tension was markedly depressed at a Po2 of 0 mm Hg, (3) adenosine-induced relaxation of contractile tension was inversely proportional to Po2 in the tissue bath, and (4) in the presence of adenosine at a concentration just adequate to inhibit contractile tension at a Po2 of 10 mm Hg, contractile tension was directly proportional to bath Po2. The latter two observations were usually most apparent at a Po2 between 10 and 40 mm Hg. It is proposed that the vasodilating effect of adenosine on the intact coronary vasculature may be most effective during myocardial hypoxia and that physiological control of coronary vascular tone may be more closely related to variations in local Po2 than to variations in local concentrations of adenosine.
Medicare's Cost Crisis: Solutions Are Within Our Grasp

ABSTRACT: As this collection of papers shows, Medicare faces serious future challenges as the population it serves grows larger and older in the coming decades. Variation in the way health care is ...
Sol-Gel and RF Sputtering Thin Film Coatings for Fiber Optic Sensor Applications

Thin film coating techniques appear to have many advantages over other techniques for immobilization and incorporation of chemical indicators to optical waveguides in developing dye based fiber optic chemical sensors. We have fabricated thin films of composites by using sol-gel and RF sputtering techniques. Different organic and inorganic indicators were immobilized in these films and incorporated into optical waveguides for sensor applications. A fiber optic pH sensor has been developed by introducing pH indicators into a silica matrix and coated as a thin film onto a porous glass fiber by a sol-gel technique. Also, a hydrogen gas fiber optic sensor has been developed by using a RF sputtered WO3/Pd coated porous optical fiber.
State and trait in personality disorders.

Background. The current definitions of personality disorder indicate early onset, long duration and disorders of relatively stable severity. It has been noticed by a number of authors and researchers that at times personality pathology can be quite variable and not fit that model. Methods. This report examines the possibility that there is a valid psychiatric disorder whose key feature is episodic personality dysfunction. The disorder would be designated State personality disorder (State PD) to separate it from Trait personality disorder (Trait PD), which is the non episodic form, and from no personality disorder (No PD). This report examines what criteria might be necessary to validate such a diagnosis. Results. It finds that State personality disorder has been identified in two distinct populations and in both it can be distinguished from its near neighbor disorders of Trait PD and No PD. The family history method of personality clusters distinguishes State PD from its near neighbors and provides a possible biological marker for the disorder. In two separate populations the disorder is related to an independent measure of the hypothesized underlying personality construct. Although the two populations in which the phenomenon has been clinically identified are very different and cannot be directly compared, in both it appears that clinical variables may distinguish State PD from its near neighbor diagnoses. State PD appears to have a negative relationship to suicidal ideation and might affect the course of treatment of comorbid Axis I disorders. Conclusions. It is concluded that State PD represents a valid diagnostic entity.
pH-dependent regulation of the α-subunit of H+-K+-ATPase (HKα2)

The H+-K+-ATPase α-subunit (HKα2) participates importantly in systemic acid-base homeostasis and defends against metabolic acidosis. We have previously shown that HKα2 plasma membrane expression is...
Growth-phase dependent differential gene expression in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 and regulation by a group 2 sigma factor

Cyanobacteria must continually alter their physiological growth state in response to changes in light intensity and their nutritional and physical environment. Under typical laboratory batch growth conditions, cyanobacteria grow exponentially, then transition to a light-limited stage of linear growth before finally reaching a non-growth stationary phase. In this study, we utilized DNA microarrays to profile the expression of genes in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to compare exponential and linear growth. We also studied the importance of SigB, a group 2 sigma factor in this cyanobacterium, during the different growth phases. The transcription of approximately 10% of the genes in the wild type were different in the linear, compared to the exponential phase, and our results showed that: (1) many photosynthesis and regulatory genes had lowered transcript levels; (2) individual genes, such as sigH, phrA, and isiA, which encode a group 4 sigma factor, a DNA photolyase, and a Chl-binding protein, respectively, were strongly induced; and, (3) the loss of SigB significantly impacted the differential expression of genes and modulated the changes seen in the wild type in regard to photosynthesis, regulatory and the unknown genes.
Service Cluster: A New Framework for SLA-Oriented Provisioning in WDM Mesh Networks

A Service Level Agreement (SLA) typically specifies the availability a Service Provider (SP) promises to a customer. Current schemes usually employ backup resources to achieve high SLA satisfaction. We propose a new provisioning framework, called Service Cluster (SC), which uses no explicit backup resources. By grouping several services with (typically) different availability specifications, an SC can dynamically reallocate resources to avoid SLA violations. Services that can tolerate additional down time lend resources to services that need to be kept running. We first analyze a condition for admission control. We then propose a dynamic resource allocation scheme (ADT1 Balancing Scheme, SC-ABS) and apply it to the SC framework. The dynamic management of SC-ABS is realized by novel SLA-violation estimation in an event-driven manner without continuous monitoring. We compare SC-ABS with Shared-Path Protection, and numerically show its various advantages in terms of: 1) higher SLA satisfaction (up to 30% more); 2) lower service blocking ratio; 3) higher tolerance of failures; 4) more balanced SLA satisfaction; and 5) consuming no explicit backup (or standby) resources. Our scheme can meet the SLA of significantly more services than protection-based schemes, thus providing more profit for the SP and lower cost for the customer.
Paclitaxel Through the Ages of Anticancer Therapy: Exploring Its Role in Chemoresistance and Radiation Therapy.

Paclitaxel (Taxol®) is a member of the taxane class of anticancer drugs and one of the most common chemotherapeutic agents used against many forms of cancer. Paclitaxel is a microtubule-stabilizer that selectively arrests cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and found to induce cytotoxicity in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Paclitaxel has been embedded in novel drug formulations, including albumin and polymeric micelle nanoparticles, and applied to many anticancer treatment regimens due to its mechanism of action and radiation sensitizing effects. Though paclitaxel is a major anticancer drug which has been used for many years in clinical treatments, its therapeutic efficacy can be limited by common encumbrances faced by anticancer drugs. These encumbrances include toxicities, de novo refraction, and acquired multidrug resistance (MDR). This article will give a current and comprehensive review of paclitaxel, beginning with its unique history and pharmacology, explore its mechanisms of drug resistance and influence in combination with radiation therapy, while highlighting current treatment regimens, formulations, and new discoveries.
Big Data and Comparative Effectiveness Research in Radiation Oncology: Synergy and Accelerated Discovery

Several advances in large data set collection and processing have the potential to provide a wave of new insights and improvements in the use of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. The era of electronic health records, genomics, and improving information technology resources creates the opportunity to leverage these developments to create a learning healthcare system that can rapidly deliver informative clinical evidence. By merging concepts from comparative effectiveness research with the tools and analytic approaches of “big data”, it is hoped that this union will accelerate discovery, improve evidence for decision-making, and increase the availability of highly relevant, personalized information. This combination offers the potential to provide data and analysis that can be leveraged for ultra-personalized medicine and high quality, cutting-edge radiation therapy.
The Tale of Two Transitions: The Changing Income Distributions in Poland & Russia

Differences in the evolution of income distribution in Poland and Russia in the postsocialist era are striking: for example, in Poland, the gini coefficient on earnings went from 0.22 to 0.30 between 1990 and 1997 while in Russia it went from 0.27 to 0.48 (UNICEF, 2001). We argue that these differences can be accounted for, in part, by the different patterns of entry of de novo and start-up firms (for herein denoted small enterprises). In order to estimate the impact of small enterprises on income distribution, we use early privatization as a source of exogenous variation because it can either foster or deter the entry and development via its impact on the regulatory environment. Using this identification strategy, we find, most notably, that a one standard deviation increase in the share of the workforce in small enterprises increases the share of income earned by the lowest 40-percent of the population by 1.6 percentage points in the Polish regions 1998 and by 1.3 percentage points in the Russian regions, 2001. Our results suggest that early privatization in Poland was more successful in supporting an equitable income distribution via small enterprise development than in Russia.
Imagery, expression, and metaphor

Metaphorical utterances are construed as falling into two broad categories, in one of which are cases amenable to analysis in terms of semantic content, speaker meaning, and satisfaction conditions, and where image-construction is permissible but not mandatory. I call these image-permitting metaphors, and contrast them with image-demanding metaphors (IDM’s) comprising a second category and whose understanding mandates the construction of a mental image. This construction, I suggest, is spontaneous, is not restricted to visual imagery, and its result is typically somatically marked sensu Damasio. IDM’s are characteristically used in service of self-expression, and thereby in the elicitation of empathy. Even so, IDM’s may reasonably provoke banter over the aptness of the imagery they evoke.
Personality, negative social exchanges, and physical health among bereaved adults:

While much research has investigated the association between personality and health, little research has done so using a bereaved sample. Additionally, little research has investigated how personality influences the frequency of negative social exchanges bereaved individuals receive. This study utilized a structural equation model to investigate the associations among age, gender, personality, negative social exchanges, length of bereavement, and self-reported physical health in a sample of bereaved adults. Results indicated that personality was associated with negative social exchanges and physical health. Therefore, these variables are important and should be studied further in this context.
Efficient Light-Driven Oxidation of Alcohols Using an Organic Chromophore-Catalyst Assembly Anchored to TiO2.

The ligand 5-PO3H2-2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-5-trpy, T3 (trpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine), was prepared and studied in aqueous solutions along with its metal complex assembly [Ru(T3)(bpy)(OH2)]2+ (T3-Ru-OH2, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine). T3 contains a phosphonic acid group for anchoring to a TiO2 photoanode under aqueous conditions, a terthiophene fragment for light absorption and electron injection into TiO2, and a terminal trpy ligand for the construction of assemblies comprising a molecular oxidation catalyst. At a TiO2 photoanode, T3 displays efficient injection at pH 4.35 as evidenced by the high photocurrents (∼350 uA/cm2) arising from hydroquinone oxidation. Addition of [Ru(bpy)(OTf)][OTf]2 (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, OTf– = triflate) to T3 at the free trpy ligand forms the molecular assembly, T3-Ru-OH2, with the oxidative catalyst fragment: [Ru(trpy)(bpy)(OH2)]2+. The new assembly, T3-Ru-OH2, was used to perform efficient light-driven oxidation of phenol (230 μA/cm2) and benzyl alcohol (25 μA/cm2) in a dye-sens...
Visual Diagnosis: Two Cases of Abdominal Pain after Trauma

1. Stephanie Hartman, MD* 2. Robin Petroze, MD† 3. Eugene McGahren, MD† 1. *Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. 2. †Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. A previously healthy 2-year-old girl presents to the emergency department (ED) with a 4-day history of 1 to 2 daily episodes of nonbloody, nonbilious (NBNB) vomiting. She is accompanied by her father, who relates an unwitnessed fall from a playground slide 4 days ago and a sick contact with recent gastroenteritis. That night in the ED, she appears well and has normal vital signs. Clinicians attempt an oral challenge. She has 1 episode of NBNB emesis after eating an ice pop but later tolerates ice chips and water. Because she is 4 days removed from the reported trauma, the ED staff does not believe the emesis is due to any injuries. Her physical examination findings are benign and vital signs are stable, so she is sent home with the diagnosis of likely viral gastroenteritis rather than postconcussive syndrome. Because she has emesis with every meal the next day at home and becomes more tired, her grandmother brings her back to the ED. The girl is somnolent, with dry mucous membranes and decreased urine output. Vital signs include a heart rate of 124 beats per minute, blood pressure of 99/53 mm Hg, and temperature of 36.6°C (97.9°F). Among the results of serum laboratory tests are alanine aminotransferase of 478 U/L (7.98 μkat/L), aspartate aminotransferase of 90 U/L (1.5 μkat/L), hemoglobin of 9.5 g/L (95 g/L), hematocrit of 29.9% (0.3), and anion gap of 25 mEq/L (25 mmol/L). She is given multiple intravenous (IV) …
Computer security

The computing system at any University Computer Center is intended to be used in a manner that is supportive of its educational purposes and conducive to its educational environment. Constituents of the University are able to apply for the right to use the computing facilities and when that right is granted (e.g., when an account number is issued) it is granted with the understanding that the person's use of the computing system will correspond to the purpose(s) stated by the user in making their request.
Multivariate analysis of risk factors of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Objective To investigate the risk factors of pancreatic fistula(PF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD). Methods One hundred and thirty-seven patients who underwent PD consectively at the second Xiangya hospital from January 2003 to January 2008 were reviewed retrospectively.The management and outcomes of patients with PF were also evaluated.Eighteen factors which potentially affect the occurrence of PF were analyzed with univariate and multivariate Logistic regression model. Results Of the 137 patients,the overall morbidity and hospital mortality was 32.1%(44/137) and 6.57%(9/137)respectively,and PF occurred in 18 patients(13.1%).PF accounted for 41% of the overall morbidity.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that previous surgery in upper abdomen(OR=6.741),pre-operative TIBL≥171μmol/L(OR=3.308),soft texture of the pancreas(OR=3.556) and pancreatic duct diameter 3 mm(OR= 6.106) were independent risk factors for pancreatic fistula. Conclusions Pre-operative TIBL≥171 μmol/L,previous upper abdomenal surgery,small pancreatic duct diameter and soft texture of pancreas predict a high probability of pancreatic fistula after PD.
Training of Internationally-oriented Modern Logistics Professionals

Through analyzing the conflict between the great demand of internationally-oriented modern logistics professional talents and the incapability of the Chinese logistics education of meeting such demand,the paper proposes a training system for the cultivation of the professionals in need and details its professional knowledge requirements and training approachs.
Aggressive Operative Treatment for Emetogenic Rupture Yields Superior Results

The treatment of emetogenic rupture remained controversial and was particularly so when the patient arrived for definitive care greater than 24 hours postrupture. We treated patients with continued extravasation of contrast from the esophagus by early operation regardless of the timing of their presentation. All primary repairs received a reinforced closure and many delayed repairs had an onlay flap for closure of the leak. We treated 31 patients with emetogenic rupture; 24 of 25 patients with extravasation had operative repair, whereas six with small, contained ruptures were treated medically. Twelve were operated on within 24 hours, whereas 24 presented from 36 to 796 hours postrupture. We were able to achieve closure of the defect by primary suture repair or with a tissue flap in all patients. There were no postoperative leaks. One patient each died in the operated group and observed group. There were minimal complications and a relatively short hospital stay. Our results support the use of aggressive operative treatment for emetogenic rupture regardless of the timing of patient presentation. Such treatment preserved esophageal function and was accomplished with relatively low morbidity and mortality.
TSUFLIND-EnKF: Inversion of tsunami flow depth and flow speed from deposits with quantified uncertainties

Abstract Deciphering quantitative information from tsunami deposits is especially important for analyzing paleotsunami events in which deposits comprise one of the leftover physical evidences. The physical meaning of the deciphered quantities depends on the physical assumptions that are applied. The aim of our study is to estimate the characteristics of tsunamis and quantify the associated errors and uncertainties. To achieve this goal, we apply the TSUFLIND-EnKF inversion model to study the deposition of an idealized deposit created by a single tsunami wave and one real case from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. TSUFLIND-EnKF combines TSUFLIND for the deposition module with the Ensemble Kalman Filtering (EnKF) method. In our modeling, we assume that grain-size distribution and thickness from the idealized deposits at different depths can be used as an observational variable. Our results indicate that sampling methods and sampling frequencies of tsunami deposits influence not only the magnitude of the inverted variables, but also their errors and uncertainties. An interesting result of our technique is that a larger number of samples from a given tsunami deposit does not automatically mean that the inversion results are more robust with smaller errors and decreased uncertainties. TSUFLIND-EnKF presents the final inversion results as a probability density distribution function instead of only one value or range of values.
Wireless bladder pressure monitor for closed-loop bladder neuromodulation

Conditional neuromodulation is a form of closed-loop bladder control where neurostimulation is applied in reaction to bladder pressure changes. Current methods based on external catheters have limited utility for chronic ambulatory therapy. We have developed a wireless pressure monitor to provide real-time, catheter-free detection of bladder contractions. The device is sized for chronic implantation in the bladder muscle. The pressure monitor consists of an ultra-low-power application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) pressure sensor, RF antennas, and rechargeable battery. Here we describe an overview of the system, including chronic in vivo test data of a non-hermetic polymer sensor package and chronic testing of the wireless sensor in large animal models. Test results show that the packaging method is viable for chronic encapsulation of implanted pressure sensors. Chronic testing of the pressure monitor revealed some obstacles relating to the chosen implant site within the bladder wall. However, chronic wireless device function was confirmed and data quality was sufficient to detect bladder compressions in large animals, with average correlation coefficient of 0.90.
Ultrasound in Male Infertility

Introduction: Ultrasonography is commonly utilized in the evaluation and diagnosis of male-factor infertility and functions as an adjunctive method for use with assisted reproductive techniques. In addition to the ability to visualize anatomic detail in real time, enhancements of Doppler, power Doppler, and duplex Doppler provide information on underlying physiologic and pathologic processes.