cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determinants of online channel use and overall satisfaction with a relational, multichannel service provider

This study examines what drives customers' use of an online channel in a relational, multichannel environment. The authors propose a conceptual model of the determinants of online channel use and overall satisfaction with the service provider. They then conduct two large-scale studies in different service contexts to test the model. The results show that Web site design characteristics affect customer evaluations of online channel service quality and risk, which in turn drive online channel use. Customers' overall satisfaction with the service provider is determined by the service quality provided through both the online channel and the traditional channel. The results offer insights into the trade-offs that multichannel service providers face as they attempt to influence online channel use while maintaining or enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
Twin Resemblances in Motor Skills, and the Effect of Practice Thereon

* Accepted for publication by Lewis M. Terman of the Editorial Board and received in the Editorial Office, August 23, 1932. 1 The writer wishes to express his thanks to Professors L. M. Terman and J. E. Coover for criticisms and suggestions during the progress of this study.
Three-dimensional computational wavefronts for matrix product

Abstract A three-dimensional wavefront array for matrix product with minimal block pipelining period of 1 is introduced and compared to existing systolic array architectures for matrix product. An optimal processor-time product of n 3 with cycles defined computationally by two operations is obtained when successive problem instances are considered. The 3-D architecture; is extensible and scalable, is cycle invariant (all respects), is node invariant (all respects), has minimal node complexity of one multiply and one addition per cycle, has unidirectional and local data forwarding in three dimensions, has 100% utilization of processing elements, and has a cycle-invariant one-to-one correspondence between input/output ports and input/output matrix elements.
Carnotite Ores and the Supply of Radium

IN NATURE for October 25, 1917, there appeared a review of Dr. P. E. Browning's book, “Introduction to the Rarer Elements.” A special chapter devoted to the radio-elements was contributed by me, and in commenting on this section the reviewer takes exception to a statement that “the chief source of radium has been the minerals containing a higher proportion of uranium, principally carnotite, and the present supply has been largely obtained from the carnotite ores of south-western Colorado.” Since the comments of the reviewer suggest the possibility of an even more widespread misconception of the true conditions, I am taking the liberty of mentioning some of the facts upon which the above statement is based.
Postfeminist masculinity and the complex politics of time: contemporary quality television imagines a pre-feminist world

Television's Life on Mars (BBC 2006–2007), The Sopranos (HBO 1999–2007), Mad Men (AMC 2007–), and Bored to Death (HBO 2009–11) exemplify a recent and ongoing trend in representations of masculinity and contemporary gender politics. Heralded as sophisticated and progressive in both aesthetic and ideological terms, these programs refute obvious sexism, yet bear complex investments in restoring a past state to men. This paper explores the ways in which time travel to the past or nostalgic overlay of the present signifies ‘quality television’ while simultaneously expressing attitudes about a postfeminist world, where the gains of feminist politics are meant to be firmly established, understood as necessary, and respected. In these television representations, sensitized men are suffering and victimized. They, therefore, are justified in retreating, through spatial and temporal means, to alternatives to the existing social order. In investigating these configurations of masculinity and time, this paper identifi...
Stream microhabitat selectivity, resource partitioning, and niche shifts in grazing caddisfly larvae

Microhabitat selectivity, resource partitioning, and niche shifts in five species of grazing caddisfly larvae (Glossosoma califica, G. penitum, Dicosmoecus gilvipes, Neophylax rickeri, and N. splendens) were quantified by underwater measurement of microhabitat availability and utilization in three northern California streams. The microhabitat parameters water depth and velocity and rock size, roughness, and slope were measured. Comparisons of habitat available to habitat used revealed significant selection for at least two microhabitat parameters by each population, with depth and velocity being the most important. Comparisons of habitat used by different species showed significant partitioning of at least two microhabitat parameters at each site, with depth being partitioned at all sites. Non-parametric discriminant analysis revealed significant microhabitat partitioning on a multivariate level at two sites. Comparisons of habitat used at different sites quantified a major niche shift by D. gilvipes in its preference for riffles versus pools. Size-selective predation by dippers (Cinclus mexicanus) and steelhead (Salmo gairdneri gairdneri) is proposed as a hypothesis to explain the observed resource partitioning and niche shift.
Exact Solutions for Laminated Piezoelectric Plates in Cylindrical Bending

Exact solutions are presented for the problem of piezoelectric laminates in cylindrical bending under an applied surface traction or potential. An arbitrary number of elastic or piezoelectric layers can be considered in this analysis. Example problems are considered for several representative cases, with resulting displacement, potential, stress, and electric displacement distributions shown to demonstrate the effects of the electroelastic coupling.
Sawadaea Powdery Mildew of Box Elder (Acer negundo) in Wisconsin.

Box elder leaves affected by powdery mildew were collected from a single tree in an urban yard in the fall of 2006 in Madison, WI. As much as half of the area of the leaf blades, when viewed from above or below, was pale green-to-tan and necrotic. Mycelium was not visible to the eye on either the upper or lower leaf surfaces, but very sparse white mycelium was observed on the lower surface of leaves with the aid of a dissecting microscope. Chasmothecia were present singly or in groups of a few on the lower surface of leaves. Morphology of the chasmothecia, including simple and bifid appendages with uncinate to circinate apices, was sufficient to identify the pathogen to the genus Sawadaea (1). Other characters were not sufficiently distinct to make an identification of the species. However, DNA was extracted from the chasmothecia, and analysis of a 542-bp sequence of nuclear rDNA ITS (GenBank Accession No. EF122238) revealed a 100% match with the respective sequence obtained from Genbank for S. bicornis (...
Conditional mutation of fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 and 2 results in an omphalocele in mice associated with disruptions in ventral body wall muscle formation

Background/Purpose We observed that fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 and 2 (Fgfr1, Fgfr2) are expressed during abdominal wall development in mice and hypothesized that conditional mutation of these genes would result in abdomial wall defects.
Combined Prostaglandin (PG)-and-Nitric Oxide (NO) Inhibition Produces Permanent Closure of PDA in Preterm Baboons

Combined Prostaglandin (PG)-and-Nitric Oxide (NO) Inhibition Produces Permanent Closure of PDA in Preterm Baboons
Identification and characterization of an abundant ovarian interstitial gland protein associated with sexual maturity in rabbits.

An abundant ovarian protein with a relative mol wt (Mr) of 37K and an apparent pi of 8, associated with the onset of sexual maturity in the rabbit, has been identified. Ovaries from sexually mature (>6 months old) rabbits contain large quantities of this 37K protein, while none can be detected in ovaries of immature (1 and 2 months) animals. Analysis of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) gels of mature ovarian homogenates demonstrates that this protein is more abundant than actin in these preparations. It appears to be tissue specific, since it was not detected in 16 other rabbit tissues tested. Autoradiographic analysis of proteins labeled with 35S in ovarian organ culture demonstrates that a protein of identical Mr and charge to the 37K protein is synthesized in this tissue. Polyclonal sheep antiserum has been produced to the twodimensional PAGE-purified protein. Immunoblotting of twodimensional PAGE gels shows specific recognition of this protein and two slightly more acidic proteins of the same...
Hemifacial Spasm and Neurovascular Compression

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is characterized by involuntary unilateral contractions of the muscles innervated by the ipsilateral facial nerve, usually starting around the eyes before progressing inferiorly to the cheek, mouth, and neck. Its prevalence is 9.8 per 100,000 persons with an average age of onset of 44 years. The accepted pathophysiology of HFS suggests that it is a disease process of the nerve root entry zone of the facial nerve. HFS can be divided into two types: primary and secondary. Primary HFS is triggered by vascular compression whereas secondary HFS comprises all other causes of facial nerve damage. Clinical examination and imaging modalities such as electromyography (EMG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are useful to differentiate HFS from other facial movement disorders and for intraoperative planning. The standard medical management for HFS is botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injections, which provides low-risk but limited symptomatic relief. The only curative treatment for HFS is microvascular decompression (MVD), a surgical intervention that provides lasting symptomatic relief by reducing compression of the facial nerve root. With a low rate of complications such as hearing loss, MVD remains the treatment of choice for HFS patients as intraoperative technique and monitoring continue to improve.
Incidence and reflection of internal waves and wave-induced currents at a jump in buoyancy frequency

Abstract. Weakly nonlinear internal gravity waves are treated in a two-layer fluid with a set of nonlinear Schrodinger equations. The layers have a sharp interface with a jump in buoyancy frequency approximately modeling the tropopause. The waves are periodic in the horizontal but modulated in the vertical and Boussinesq flow is assumed. The equation governing the incident wave packet is directly coupled to the equation for the reflected packet, while the equation governing transmitted waves is only coupled at the interface. Solutions are obtained numerically. The results indicate that the waves create a mean flow that is strong near and underneath the interface, and discontinuous at the interface. Furthermore, the mean flow has an oscillatory component that can contaminate the wave envelope and has a vertical wavelength that decreases as the wave packet interacts with the interface.
Technology and the Crisis of Self.

Communication between people occurs in a social context including role relationships eventually negotiated by participants. Developing and maintaining these relationships assists the society, and the entire communicative process is a necessary condition for a person's definition of a self identity. Contemporary technologies potentially limit the development of social relationships and broadening of self‐concepts. Computers cannot fulfill many social functions and could disrupt the social fabric, thereby losing vehicles for defining and constructing self. Planning training to improve communication skills may avoid negative consequences. Finding methods to augment new technologies with opportunities to develop relationship‐building skills must become a high priority.
Comparison of measured vs. predicted performance of jointed plain concrete pavements using the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guideline

This research evaluates the ability of the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) to accurately predict the performance of jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCPs). This is accomplished by comparing predicted performances with observed performances for the in-service mainline test cells at Mn/ROAD. These comparisons indicate that MEPDG performance predictions for JPCP are most accurate when the default (constant) built-in equivalent temperature difference of − 5.5°C is used instead of a site-dependent value. It appears that significant portions of the error of estimation can be explained by the sensitivity of the performance models to variability in hardened concrete properties (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and coefficient of thermal expansion) and pavement structural features (slab thickness, joint spacing, subbase type and bond condition). Predictions of slab cracking were found to be highly sensitive to these parameters. In addition, the MEPDG cracking model seemed not to fit ...
On completeness of the Bergman metric and its subordinate metric.

Abstract It is proved that on any bounded domain in the complex Euclidean space Cn the Bergman metric is always greater than or equal to the Caratheodory distance. This leads to a number of interesting consequences. Here two such consequences are given. (i) The Bergman metric is complete whenever the Caratheodory distance is complete on a bounded domain. (ii) The Weil-Petersson metric is not uniformly equivalent to the Bergman metric in the Teichmuller space T(g) of any Riemann surface of genus g ≥ 2.
Steady-state water quality analysis for pipe network systems

In 1993 P. F. Boulos and T. Altman developed an efficient explicit scheme for determining steady state water quality in a distribution system for conservative and zero-order reacting constituents. This approach is extended here to first- and second-order reactions and a general reaction relationship is discussed. Mass balance relationships and nonconservative reaction kinetics lead to a general matrix for constituent analysis. The directed graph that results in steady flow conditions permits single equations to be solved sequentially providing the water quality distribution throughout the system. The method can be used to solve for linear and nonlinear conditions and is demonstrated for first-order decay and growth and second-order decay on a 13-pipe system.
Irrigation pumping with grand coulee power

The columbia basin project includes the grand Coulee dam and power plant, the Grand Coulee pumping plant, and about one million acres of irrigable land for which irrigation water will be made available. The power plant will comprise an ultimate installation of 18 main generating units and 3 station service generating units which will be capable of developing 2,300,000 kw.
Identifiability of single-index models and additive-index models

SUMMARY We provide a proof for the identifiability for both single-index models and partially linear single index models assuming only the continuity of the regression function, a condition much weaker than the differentiability conditions assumed in the existing literature. Our discussion is then extended to the identifiability of the additive-index models.
A comparison of the behavior of chymotrypsin and cathepsin B towards peptidyl diazomethyl ketones.

Chymotrypsin is not inactivated by benzyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanyl diazomethyl ketone although disappearance of the diazo group can be followed spectroscopically. It is also inert to various dipeptide derivatives. Cathepsin B on the other hand is inactivated by this reagent, as described earlier as well as by other peptidyl diazomethyl ketones. It appears from initial studies that a phenylalanyl residue in the penultimate position of the inhibitor is favorable for effectiveness. Benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-AlaCHN/sub 2/ emerges from this work as a powerful, relatively soluble inactivator of bovine spleen cathepsin B with K/sub i/ = 1.7 x 10/sup -6/M.
Mending broken hearts one cell at a time.

Since the adult heart lacks the capacity to restudies using allogenic cardiac myocytes were successful but over time, the transplanted cells were generate itself, patients surviving a myocardial infarction are left with an area of irreversibly damaged progressively lost, presumably secondary to immunorejection, which led to concerns over the longmyocardium. To compensate for the increased hemodynamic stress resulting from this damage, term stability of engrafted cells. This prompted speculation that long-term cell transplantation the left ventricle (LV) undergoes hypertrophy and dilation. Unfortunately, this compensatory response would require autologous cells. Since performing autologous cardiac myocyte transplantation in adis ultimately detrimental and leads to progressive LV dysfunction. Present day therapies are aimed at ults is not feasible, skeletal myoblasts have been the primary cell type studied. Skeletal myoblasts slowing the rate of LV remodeling by blocking the actions of neurohumoral factors; however, despite (also known as satellite or skeletal muscle stem cells) are easily isolated and cultured even from this pharmacological intervention the disease remains progressive and the mortality of patients adult skeletal muscle. They engraft stably and differentiate into adult skeletal myotubes within damwith congestive heart failure (CHF) remains unacceptably high. Options when pharmacological aged myocardium. More importantly, myoblasts have been repeatedly demonstrated to improve therapy fails are limited but include heart transplantation or insertion of mechanical assist devices. ventricular function in several models of myocardial injury and across species. Autologous skeletal However, these approaches are invasive and not without significant morbidity and mortality themmyoblasts hold several advantages over other cell types for myocardial repair. Since they are easily selves. In response to these shortfalls, several investigators have been developing techniques to obtained in adult subjects they circumvent the need for immunosuppression and are not associated with transplant cells into the area of damaged myocardium to prevent the progression of CHF. the ethical concerns that surround the use of fetal or embryonic cell types. Their limited proliferative Many cell types have been successfully transplanted into damaged myocardium, including fetal potential, although a theoretical concern when attempting to expand myoblast populations to obcardiomyocytes, skeletal myoblasts, smooth muscle cells, embryonic stem cells, and bone martain adequate cells for transplantation, means there is less likelihood of tumor formation after transrow derived stromal and hematopoietic stem cells. While these studies have documented the feasibility plantation. Consequently, skeletal myoblasts were chosen as the first cell type for human studies. of engrafting cells into the myocardium, each cell type has unique properties particularly with respect Autologous skeletal myoblasts have been successfully and safely injected into damaged human to availability and differentiation potential. Initial
Memory CD8+ T Cells Are Sufficient To Alleviate Impaired Host Resistance to Influenza A Virus Infection Caused by Neonatal Oxygen Supplementation

ABSTRACT Supplemental oxygen administered to preterm infants is an important clinical intervention, but it is associated with life-long changes in lung development and increased sensitivity to respiratory viral infections. The precise immunological changes caused by neonatal oxygen treatment remain poorly understood. We previously reported that adult mice exposed to supplemental oxygen as neonates display persistent pulmonary inflammation and enhanced mortality after a sublethal influenza A virus infection. These changes suggest that neonatal hyperoxia impairs the cytotoxic CD8 + T cell response required to clear the virus. In this study, we show that although host resistance to several different strains of influenza A virus is reduced by neonatal hyperoxia, this treatment does not impair viral clearance, nor does it alter the magnitude of the virus-specific CD8 + T cell response to primary infection. Moreover, memory T cells are sufficient to ameliorate the increased morbidity and mortality and alleviate the excessive lung damage observed in mice exposed to high oxygen levels as neonates, and we attribute this sufficiency principally to virus-specific memory CD8 + T cells. Thus, we show that neonatal hyperoxia reduces host resistance to influenza virus infection without diminishing the function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes or the generation of virus-specific memory T cells and that CD8 + memory T cells are sufficient to provide protection from negative consequences of this important life-saving intervention. Our findings suggest that vaccines that generate robust T cell memory may be efficacious at reducing the increased sensitivity to respiratory viral infections in people born prematurely.
CAML Does Not Modulate Tetherin-Mediated Restriction of HIV-1 Particle Release

Background Tetherin/BST-2 is a recently-identified potent restriction factor in human cells that restricts HIV particle release following particle formation and budding at the plasma membrane. Vpu counteracts tetherin's restriction of particle release in a manner that has not yet been fully defined. We recently identified calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand (CAML) as a Vpu-interacting protein that also restricts particle release. We hypothesized that CAML may act to enhance tetherin-mediated restriction of particle release and thereby explain how two distinct factors could be responsible for Vpu-responsive restriction. Methodology/Principal Findings Endogenous levels of tetherin in human cells correlated well with their restriction pattern and responsiveness to Vpu, while levels of cellular CAML protein did not. Tetherin but not CAML was inducible by interferon in a wide variety of human cells. Stable depletion of human CAML in restrictive HeLa cells had no effect on cell surface levels of tetherin, and failed to relieve tetherin-mediated restriction. Stable depletion of tetherin from HeLa cells, in contrast, rendered HeLa cells permissive and Vpu-unresponsive. Tetherin but not CAML expression in permissive human cells rendered them restrictive and Vpu responsive. Depletion of CAML had no influence on cell surface levels of tetherin. Conclusions/Significance We conclude that tetherin restricts particle release and does not require CAML for this effect. Furthermore, these results do not support a major role for CAML in restricting HIV particle release in human cells.
Transfer of training from introductory computer courses is highly specific ... and negative

Two groups of students in an introductory computer course learned either BASIC program­ ming or the use of applications software. Students in the programming group learned to use a simple line editor to edit their programs, whereas students in the applications group learned to use a sophisticated cursor-oriented word processor. When both groups were tested on a simulated line-oriented text editor, there were no differences in overall performance, although both groups performed more poorly than did a group of introductory psychology students with no previous computer background. Different error patterns in the two groups for different commands sug­ gest specific kinds of negative transfer due to their prior experiences. These results call into ques­ tion the assumption that training students in one computer skill facilitates transfer to other situations. The proliferation of microcomputers in institutions of higher education has increased interest in educational pro­ grams to introduce students to computers. Traditionally, such courses have included a hands-on component in which students learn how to program, usually in a higher level language such as BASIC. Originally, this content was justified by the fact that most of the applications that students might expect to encounter required some programming. Although the preponderance of microcom­ puters on today's market still include a BASIC interpreter in the software bundle, the practical need is decreasing in importance. For a student who expects to use readily available applications programs such as word processors, spreadsheets, and the like, there is little immediate justifi­ cation for mastery of programming in any form.
Making medical devices accessible: a drug-resistant malaria detection system.

People living in areas of the world that are affected by disease, famine, or poverty could have their lives drastically improved by currently available electronic technologies, but the cost, complexity and/or limited operating environments of devices which employ these technologies can make it impossible or impractical for many of those in-need populations to actually acquire and make use of them. The barriers to acquisition and use are understandable. Most medical device companies are located in the wealthier countries, as are their clientele, and, to these companies, taking technological advances and either creating new products, or make their pre-existing products more powerful is the logical business and scientific progression. As such, devices seen in production that would be useful are often hospital grade with high-accuracy and varying amounts of adjustability so as to allow them to be used in performing a variety of functions. But it is exactly this accuracy and flexibility that makes them too expensive and complex to easily be acquired and used in environments that have limited financial and skill resources. In this paper, as an example of how to make presently inaccessible technology accessible, a method of detecting drug-resistant malaria strains in laboratories is analyzed, barriers to use of such a system in a poorer, malaria affected region are looked at, and a device is designed and a prototype built that is simple and affordable. Such a system not only allows collection of epidemiological information, but also empowers doctors and researchers to investigate new drugs without expensive laboratories. I. INTRODUCTION Devices for diagnosing illness and gathering epidemiologi- cal information are used almost without thought in developed countries. The large number of tests and the accuracy with which those tests can be done enables doctors and researchers to identify, quantify, and discover. But, in regions that lack skilled labor and financial and networking resources, access to quality laboratory equipment is the exception, not the norm. This is a vicious cycle because in many of these regions the lack of these resources is caused by the very disease that having these resources, and therefore the abil- ity to acquire and use proper lab equipment, could solve. Companies employing new or improved technologies build ever more complicated and accurate machines which enable ever more amazing diagnostics and discoveries, but, in the process, make these machines less and less accessible to populations that could greatly benefit from their use. This paper discusses the development of the electronics for a drug-resistant malaria detection system, a system inspired
The 1997–98 El Niño Evolution Relative to Previous El Niño Events

Abstract The evolution of the 1997–98 El Nino is described using NCEP SST and OLR data, NCEP–NCAR reanalysis sea level pressure (SLP) fields, and The Florida State University surface wind data. From November 1996 to January 1997, the eastern Pacific is characterized by equatorial cold SST and high SLP anomalies, while the western Pacific is marked by off-equatorial warm SST anomalies and off-equatorial anomalous cyclones. Corresponding to this distribution are high OLR anomalies in the equatorial central Pacific and low OLR anomalies in the off-equatorial far western Pacific. The off-equatorial anomalous cyclones in the western Pacific are associated with a switch in the equatorial wind anomalies over the western Pacific from easterly to westerly. These equatorial westerly anomalies then appear to initiate early SST warmings around the date line in January/February 1997 and around the far eastern Pacific in March 1997. Subsequently, both the westerly wind and warm SST anomalies, along with the low OLR ano...
Information Retrieval for Media Planning

A critical problem, continually faced by managers in developing “effective” resource allocation plans, is that only limited partial information is available about the system under consideration on which to base these plans. This is particularly true in planning involving the limited information typically available on the relevant behavior and characteristics of large human populations. This paper develops the insight that partial information---which at first scrutiny appears to contain only severely limited information about the system---in many important cases actually contains or stores a great deal of the relevant total system information needed for planning or control. This insight leads to powerful methods-for retrieving the needed information about the behavior and characteristics of the total system from the information contained in the partial information data. In the present paper, we illustrate these information retrieval methods by developing and applying them to partially specified media audience exposure systems to retrieve certain critical total system information needed for media planning. More specifically, partial information on the audience of a combination of advertising media vehicles consisting of only two information quantities---the sum of the individual audiences, and the sum of the audiences of all pairs of media vehicles in the combination---is shown, in fact, to contain a significant amount of the information about the audience exposure pattern of the combination that is needed for media planning evaluation. Theory and methods are developed which retrieve, from these two quantities, operationally useful information on the unduplicated audience, the average exposure frequency, and the frequency distribution of audience exposure of the combination. The retrieval methods developed in this paper have been successfully applied to evaluating and developing “effective” media selection programs. These retrieval methods apply as well to management information systems involving marketing, demographic, socio-economic and related partially specified information systems in which individuals are classified in terms of the presence or absence of each of a large number of relevant attributes. In addition, these retrieval methods can be extended to retrieve additional information about the total system, where required, including the development of usefully precise single value estimates of the critical information quantities of the total system.
The relationship between dialysis performance measures: adequacy and anemia management.

Background Little is known about how urea reduction ratio (URR) and hemoglobin (Hb) level relate as clinical performance measures (CPMs) in dialysis facilities. This study examined the relationship between these CPMs as a reflection of underlying processes. Study Design Cross-sectional observational. Setting & Participants 47,465 records from 18,003 patients dialyzed in 270 End-Stage Renal Disease Network 5 facilities during the final quarter of 2004. Predictor & Outcome Facility aggregate Hb level and URR, respectively; both expressed as (1) continuous variables and (2) dichotomous indicators based on established quality thresholds. Measurements Weighted regression analyses were used to determine the: (1) association between CPMs and (2) likelihood of missing the performance threshold for one if also missing the other benchmark. Results The association between facility URR and Hb level was minimal, with an adjusted mean increase (β) in URR of 0.91% ± 0.38% for each 1-g/dL increment in Hb level (P Limitations Inability to incorporate historic performance or ascertain facility process traits that influence CPMs. Conclusions There was minimal association between facility URR and Hb level. The limited concordance in facility performance for these CPMs points to distinct processes that determine quality for each.
BioPortal: enhanced functionality via new Web services from the National Center for Biomedical Ontology to access and use ontologies in software applications

The National Center for Biomedical Ontology (NCBO) is one of the National Centers for Biomedical Computing funded under the NIH Roadmap Initiative. Contributing to the national computing infrastructure, NCBO has developed BioPortal, a web portal that provides access to a library of biomedical ontologies and terminologies (http://bioportal.bioontology.org) via the NCBO Web services. BioPortal enables community participation in the evaluation and evolution of ontology content by providing features to add mappings between terms, to add comments linked to specific ontology terms and to provide ontology reviews. The NCBO Web services (http://www.bioontology.org/wiki/index.php/NCBO_REST_services) enable this functionality and provide a uniform mechanism to access ontologies from a variety of knowledge representation formats, such as Web Ontology Language (OWL) and Open Biological and Biomedical Ontologies (OBO) format. The Web services provide multi-layered access to the ontology content, from getting all terms in an ontology to retrieving metadata about a term. Users can easily incorporate the NCBO Web services into software applications to generate semantically aware applications and to facilitate structured data collection.
A novel germline mutation in BAP1 predisposes to familial clear-cell renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) clusters in some families. Familial RCC arises from mutations in several genes, including the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor, which is also mutated in sporadic RCC. However, a significant percentage of familial RCC remains unexplained. Recently, we discovered that the BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) gene is mutated in sporadic RCC. The BAP1 gene encodes a nuclear deubiquitinase and appears to be a classic two-hit tumor suppressor gene. Somatic BAP1 mutations are associated with high-grade, clear-cell RCC (ccRCC) and poor patient outcomes. To determine whether BAP1 predisposes to familial RCC, the BAP1 gene was sequenced in 83 unrelated probands with unexplained familial RCC. Interestingly, a novel variant (c.41T>A; p.L14H) was uncovered that cosegregated with the RCC phenotype. The p.L14H variant targets a highly conserved residue in the catalytic domain, which is frequently targeted by missense mutations. The family with the novel BAP1 variant was characterized by early-onset ccRCC, occasionally of high Fuhrman grade, and lacked other features that typify VHL syndrome. These findings suggest that BAP1 is an early-onset familial RCC predisposing gene. Implications: BAP1 mutations may drive tumor development in a subset of patients with inherited renal cell cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 11(9); 1061-71. � 2013 AACR.
Thermally stable polymers from 1,4,5,8‐naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid and aromatic tetraamines

Polycondensations of 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid (NTCA) with both 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and 1,2,4,5-tetraaminobenzene tetrahydrochloride (TAB) in polyphosphoric acid (PPA) were found to produce soluble polymers which exhibit excellent thermal stabilities. Polymer structures were deduced from infrared, thermal, and elemental analyses of model compounds and polymers. Polymer derived from TAB had a ladder-type structure. Polymers with solution viscosities near 1 or above (determined in H2SO4) were obtained from polymerizations near 200°C., and analysis showed these to possess a very high degree of completely cyclized benzimidazobenzophenanthroline structure. Less vigorous reaction conditions gave polymers with lower solution viscosities which appeared to be less highly cyclized. Low-viscosity polymer was also prepared from DAB and NTCA by solid-phase polycondensation. Some advancements in the solution viscosities of polymers synthesized from DAB in PPA were caused by second staging in the solid phase.
Perspectives on Pandemics: A Research Agenda

During the 20th century, indisputable pandemics of influenza occurred in 1918, 1957, and 1968. The pandemics of 1957 (A/H2N2) and 1968 (A/H3N2) were associated with major antigenic changes in the virus, probably reflecting introduction by recombination of animal virus genes. The 1918 epidemic is beyond the reach of modern virology but, based on seroarcheology, appears to have been caused by a virus very similar to present swine (A/H1N1) influenza viruses. Changes in both principal antigens of the A/H1N1 subtype in 1947 resulted in total vaccine failure and pandemic spread of virus. On the basis of three periods of prevalence in the 20th century, A/H1N1 may be the default human virus, although the 39-year persistence of A/H3N2 to the present challenges this view. Only H1, H2, and H3 and N1 and N2 antigens have been found in human influenza viruses, but virologic history is too brief to preclude the contribution of other antigens to future pandemics.
Hydrothermal synthesis of rare-earth magnetoplumbite phosphors for plasma-display applications

Green phosphors with a nominal composition Ce 1-x Tb x MgAl 11 O 19 (CAT phosphors) (0.05≤ x ≤ 0.5) have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. The phosphor CeMgAl 11 O 19 :Tb 3+ crystallizes in the magnetoplumbite structure. The Tb 3+ emission intensity at 545 nm varies with Tb 3+ composition and reaches a maximum at X = 0.1. The excitation spectra were characteristic of Ce 3+ , but no Ce 3+ emission was observed. Internal energy transfer from Ce 3+ → Tb 3+ is complete. SEM micrographs show well-crystallized faceted crystal platelets with a particle size of ∼0.4 μm.
Regulation of numbers of macrophages in the endometrium of the sheep by systemic effects of pregnancy, local presence of the conceptus, and progesterone.

Tekin S¸ , Hansen PJ. Regulation of numbers of macrophages in the endometrium of the sheep by systemic effects of pregnancy, local presence of the conceptus, and progesterone. AJRI 2004; 51:56-62 � Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004 ABSTRACT: Many species exhibiting hemochorial placentation experience an accumulation of macrophages in the endometrium during pregnancy. For the present study, it was tested whether macrophages also accumulate in the endometrium of the sheep, which is a species undergoing an epitheliochorial placentation. An additional objective was to determine whether regulation of endometrial macrophage number occurs via systemic or local signals and whether progesterone is one of these signals. The approach was to evaluate presence of macrophages immunohistochemically using antibodies to CD68 and CD14. Tissues examined were from cyclic ewes in the luteal phase of the estrous cycle, unilaterally-pregnant ewes at day 140 of pregnancy in which pregnancy was surgically confined to one uterine horn, ovariectomized ewes, and ovariectomized ewes treated with progesterone for 44 days. Macrophages were localized predominately to the stromal compartment of the stratum compactum region of the endometrium. In non-pregnant ewes, macrophages were not abundant regardless of physiological status. Increased numbers of endometrial macrophages were seen for both the pregnant and non-pregnant uterine horns of unilaterally pregnant ewes. Numbers of macrophages were higher in the endometrium from the pregnant uterine horn than from endometrium from the non-pregnant uterine horn. Results indicate that macrophages accumulate in the endometrium by day 140 of pregnancy in the sheep and that this induction is because of both systemic and local signals. Progesterone appears not to be an important regulator of numbers of endometrial macrophages.
Germination of CO2-enriched Pinus taeda L. seeds and subsequent seedling growth responses to CO2 enrichment

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, [CO2], has profound effects on growth and development of trees. Adoubling of [C02] generally stimulates photosynthesis (Murray 1995; Saxe, Ellsworth & Heath 1998) and can lead to a substantial increase in tree growth (Poorter 1993). For example, doubling [C02] increased the rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf area (A) of Pinus taeda by 14-146% (Ellsworth 1999; Liu & Teskey 1995; Thomas, Lewis & Strain 1994; Tissue et al. 1996; Tissue et al. 1997), and increased relative growth by 40-233% (DeLucia et al. 1999; Sionit et al. 1985; Thomas et al. 1994), we suggest that in very young seedlings, elevated [C02] effects may interact with internal factors such as seed N or C reserves. Thus internal and external factors that regulate growth atthe seedling stage may act acooectively to regulate subsequent seedling growth (Corbineau & Come 1995).
Democratic and Anti-Democratic Regulators of the Internet: A Framework

We employ Lessig's framework of regulation to conceptualize the relationship between the Internet and democracy. Lessig defines four classes of regulators, forces that control and define systems such as the Internet. They are markets, architectures, norms, and laws. We propose that a "democratic regulator" is a force that serves to enhance civil or political liberties. And we argue by example that there are democratic (and, indeed, anti-democratic) regulators that control aspects of cyberspace. Expressing the democratic effects of the Internet in this manner may prove useful for future comparisons across existing Internet and democracy theories, especially in the realm of quantitative analyses.
The Effect of Unfunded Pension Liabilities on Stock Prices

A financial analyst who can give accurate return predictions is highly valued. This study uses a unique data set comparing CNBC’s Fast Money’s ‘March Madness’ stock picks as a proxy for analysts’ stock return predictions. With this data, set up as a tournament, the analysts pick both a winner and a loser. With the tournament structure, I find that these analysts have no superior ability to pick the winning stock in terms of frequency. However, I do find that taking a long/short portfolio of their picks yields an abnormal return.
The Charity in Bankruptcy and Ghosts of Donors Past, Present, and Future

The bankruptcy of a charity represents the clash of two policy regimes: charity law's willingness to preserve assets for the public purpose determined by the donor as against bankruptcy law's desire to maximize assets for distribution to creditors. As a general rule, assets will be distributed to creditors; as the courts say, 'a man must be just before he is generous.' However, when a charitable donee goes out of existence or otherwise becomes unable to perform a charitable trust or restricted gift, the courts will try to identify those charitable assets that are restricted in such a manner that they survive the bankruptcy proceeding. These assets excluded from the bankruptcy estate are instead subject to the venerable doctrine of cy pres, regardless of whether the charity is a charitable trust or a corporate charity. Charitable trusts and restricted gifts, if they can no longer be performed as originally specified, are modified for another use by the same charity or are transferred to another charity, subject to the same or modified purpose. It is common for the cy pres proceeding to occur in state court, rather than in the federal bankruptcy proceeding. This approach views any particular charity holding a restricted gift as distinct from the contemplated beneficiaries of that gift. Despite its benefits to society, such a policy also carries negative implications for the governance of individual nonprofit organizations. Sympathy for charitable beneficiaries in bankruptcy can make it harder for all charities - including those not in financial distress - to obtain needed financing. Less obviously, but perhaps more seriously, over accommodating courts that wall off charity assets from bankruptcy creditors can further an already pervasive view that charitable property is 'public' to an inappropriate degree.
Food environment in the United States as a complex economic system

The food environment in the United States is complex. Sixteen socio-economic-demographic variables from various public data sources are studied with a machine learning algorithm to ascertain the causality structure associated with the food environment in the United States. High levels of unemployment and poverty are direct causes of high levels of food insecurity, while low income causes high levels of food insecurity via increased levels of poverty. Unemployment is a common cause for both increased levels of food insecurity and poverty. We find that food insecurity and participation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are related, yet no direct causality is observed. Contrary to past studies which find that SNAP participation decreased the occurrences of poverty, in contemporaneous time, we find that poverty and SNAP participation are related through several back-door paths, via food insecurity, unemployment, race and food taxes. Obesity and SNAP participation are indirectly related via several back-door paths, namely, race income, poverty and food insecurity and unemployment. Also, food insecurity and obesity are related by several back-door paths. Low income, high food taxes, and race (being Black and non-Hispanic) are direct causes of obesity. The complex causality structure in the US food environment reveals that policy variables cannot be treated independently of their rich causal structure. Government agencies responsible for designing policies for food assistance, poverty alleviation, combating food insecurity and obesity need to consider the interrelationships among these variables.
A Modeling Approach to Untangling the Complexity of Space R&D Portfolio Management Decisions

Effective space R&D portfolio management is becoming an increasingly complex issue. Understanding the implications of today’s R&D decisions for the effectiveness of future space missions is an area that remains largely unexplored. Although there are multiple portfolio methods in existence and use, none completely takes into account the complicated and overlapping multilayered issues that describe the NASA innovation landscape. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework that captures empirical dynamics related to mission sequencing processes, uncertain technical progress across multiple, changing funding streams for both R&D and project related goals, and workforce expertise and prioritization that have been observed through years of detailed study. Greater understanding of these issues leads to a greater ability to investigate a range of levers in order to deliver better technology research and development, mission planning and performance, and workforce time allocation. Through establishing this framework, this paper presents an approach for capturing many of the important governing dynamics in this system. Initial results are explored.
Velocities of Deep Water Reservoir Sands

In deep-water sedimentary processes, compaction is a major force for porosity reduction, which incorporates sediment texture such as grain size and sorting. Measured data suggest that porosity, fluid saturation and differential pressure are main parameters to affect velocities of weakly cemented deep-water sands. Geological compaction and possible weak cementation can reduce porosity from 35% to less than 25% and increase rock frame modulus, especially shear modulus. This causes an increase of dry modulus with decreasing porosity associated with an increase in burial depth. However, water saturation effect on bulk modulus from dry state tends to be less dependent on porosity. This is consistently different from the sorting effect on the velocities observed on artificial samples made by sand and glass bean mixture (Zimmer, et al., 2002). Texture of deep-water sands
Complications of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Their Management

Minimally invasive surgery, including both traditional laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic approaches, has increasingly become the standard of care for urologic abdominal and pelvic surgery. This is a comprehensive review of the contemporary literature regarding complications of laparoscopic and robotic urologic surgery. The review highlights pertinent studies with the goal of providing the minimally invasive urologic surgeon with an up-to-date overview of general and procedure-specific complications and their management.