cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An ultrasonic method for determination of elastic moduli, density, attenuation and thickness of a polymer coating on a stiff plate

An ultrasonic method proposed by us for determination of the complete set of acoustical and geometrical properties of a thin isotropic layer between semispaces (J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 102 (1997) 3467) is extended to determination of the properties of a coating on a thin plate. The method allows simultaneous determination of the coating thickness, density, elastic moduli and attenuation (longitudinal and shear) from normal and oblique incidence reflection (transmission) frequency spectra. Reflection (transmission) from the coated plate is represented as a function of six nondimensional parameters of the coating which are determined from two experimentally measured spectra: one at normal and one at oblique incidence. The introduction of the set of nondimensional parameters allows one to transform the reconstruction process from one search in a six-dimensional space to two searches in three-dimensional spaces (one search for normal incidence and one for oblique). Thickness, density, and longitudinal and shear elastic moduli of the coating are calculated from the nondimensional parameters determined. The sensitivity of the method to individual properties and its stability against experimental noise are studied and the inversion algorithm is accordingly optimized. An example of the method and experimental measurement for comparison is given for a polypropylene coating on a steel foil.
An examination of patience and well-being

Patience is the propensity to wait calmly in the face of frustration or adversity. The new 3-Factor Patience Scale (Study 1) measures three types of patience (interpersonal, life hardship, and daily hassles patience), which differentially relate to well-being and personality. In Study 2, goal pursuit and achievement mediated the relation between patience and well-being. Participants rated 10 personal goals on 15 dimensions of goal pursuit (e.g. patience enacted, difficulty, achievement satisfaction, effort). Patience facilitated goal pursuit and satisfaction especially in the face of obstacles. In Study 3, participants took part in a training program designed to increase trait patience. The program led to increased patience, decreased depression, and increased positive affect relative to a control condition, suggesting that patience may be modifiable.
Regulation of ?V?3 and ?V?5 integrins by dexamethasone in normal human osteoblastic cells

Long-term administration of pharmacological doses of glucocorticoids inhibits bone formation and results in osteoporosis. Since integrin-mediated cell-matrix interactions are essential for osteoblast function, we hypothesized that the detrimental effect of glucocorticoids on bone derived, at least in part, from decreased integrin-matrix interactions. Because αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins can interact with several bone matrix proteins, we analyzed the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on the expression of these integrins in normal human osteoblastic cells. We found adhesion of these cells to osteopontin and vitronectin to be dependent on αvβ3 and αvβ5, respectively; this ligand specificity was not altered by Dex. The effects of Dex on the adhesion of human osteoblastic cells to osteopontin and vitronectin were biphasic with an increase after 2 days, followed by a decrease after 8 days of treatment. Consistently, surface αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins, which were increased after 2 days of Dex treatment, were decreased after 8 days. Similarly, total cellular αv, β3, and β5 proteins, which were increased by Dex early in the culture, were diminished after 8 days. Metabolic labeling studies indicated that Dex exhibited biphasic regulation on the biosynthesis of αvβ5, with stimulation observed during the second day of treatment, followed by inhibition during the 8th day of exposure. By contrast, the biosynthesis of αvβ3 was inhibited by Dex on day 1 and remained inhibited on day 8. Analysis of the mRNA indicated that αv and β5 levels were increased by Dex during early exposure (1–3 days), followed by inhibition after prolonged exposure (≥7 days). By contrast, Dex decreased β3 mRNA level at all the time points analyzed. Consistently, Dex decreased β3 promoter activity after 1 day and persisted over 8-day period. By contrast, Dex stimulated β5 promoter activity after 1 or 2 days but had no effect after 8 days. To further evaluate mechanism(s) leading to the decreased integrin expression after prolonged Dex treatment, mRNA stability was analyzed. Dex was found to accelerate the degradation of αv, β3 and β5 mRNA after an 8-day treatment. Thus, the regulation of αvβ3 was dependent on transcription and posttranscriptional events whereas the expression of αvβ5 was dependent mainly on posttranscriptional events after prolonged Dex treatment. In conclusion, Dex exhibited time-dependent regulation on the expression of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins in normal human osteoblastic cells. Short-term exposure to Dex increased the levels of αvβ3 and αvβ5 on the surface and cell adhesion to osteopontin and vitronectin whereas long-term exposure to Dex decreased the expression of both integrins and inhibited the cell adhesion to matrix proteins. J. Cell. Biochem. 77:265–276, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
First measurement of branching ratio and of the neutral cascade hyperon using final state polarization

Abstract The KTeV collaboration has made a first observation of neutral cascade beta decay ( Ξ 0 → Σ + e − ν ). We present measurements of the branching ratio and form factors for this semi leptonic process. The results agree well with the Cabibbo SU (3) f theory and do not favor attempts to include symmetry breaking effects.
A critical reappraisal of allopurinol dosing, safety, and efficacy for hyperuricemia in gout.

Allopurinol, the first-line drug for serum urate-lowering therapy in gout, is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for a dose up to 800 mg/d and is available as a low-cost generic drug. However, the vast majority of allopurinol prescriptions are for doses ≤ 300 mg/d, which often fails to adequately treat hyperuricemia in gout. This situation has been promoted by longstanding, non-evidence-based guidelines for allopurinol use calibrated to renal function (and oxypurinol levels) and designed, without proof of efficacy, to avoid allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome. Severe allopurinol hypersensitivity reactions are not necessarily dose-dependent and do not always correlate with serum oxypurinol levels. Limiting allopurinol dosing to ≤ 300 mg/d suboptimally controls hyperuricemia and fails to adequately prevent hypersensitivity reactions. However, the long-term safety of elevating allopurinol dosages in chronic kidney disease requires further study. The emergence of novel urate-lowering therapeutic options, such as febuxostat and uricase, makes timely this review of current allopurinol dosing guidelines, safety, and efficacy in gout hyperuricemia therapy, including patients with chronic kidney disease.
5-Isothiocyanonicotine: A high-affinity irreversible ligand for brain nicotinic receptors

Abstract A newly synthesized affinity ligand, ( R , S )-5-isothiocyanonicotine (ISCN-N) was found to inhibit irreversibly the binding of [ 3 H]methylcarbamylcholine (a specific nicotinic receptor ligand) to brain membranes. Plots of percent inhibition versus ligand concentration yielded an ic 50 of 7 × 10 −8 M for SCN-N and K i , values of 6 × 10 −9 and 2 × 10 −9 M for ( R , S )-5-aminonicotine and ( S )-nicotine, respectively. The ic 50 value for irreversible inhibition of [ 3 H]methylcarbamylcholine by SCN-N was 2 × 10 −7 M. The affinity ligand irreversibly inhibited brain nicotinic receptors in vivo in a dosedependent manner, the inhibition being 49% at a dose of 20 μmol/kg. Behavioral studies in mice revealed that SCN-N had less than one-fifth the potency of nicotine in producing muscle weakness and seizures, whereas 5-aminonicotine was without significant behavioral effects at doses up to 20 μmol/kg.
A model representing a physiological role of CO2 at the cell membrane.

A model is presented suggesting the interaction of CO2 and bicarbonate on lipids of the cell membrane. The interfacial tensions between water and oil (benzene) phases were measured using the stalagmometer and the sessile drop methods. Effects of electrolyte solutions and of CO2 on molecular arrangement at the interface were calculated. Chloride solutions against oleic acid in benzene produced little decrease in interfacial tension from that measured for pure water against the oil phase. Presence or absence of CO2 caused no change in interfacial tension of water or chloride solutions against the oil phase. Bicarbonate salts in the absence of CO2 caused marked decreases in interfacial tension from that measured for water or chloride solutions. Concomitant with this decrease in interfacial tension were an increase in hydration of the interface and changes in molecular spacings of the lipid. This hydration may be considered as reflecting a more ionic-permeable cell membrane. The addition of CO2 to the bicarbonates caused an increase in interfacial tension of the model, approaching that of the chlorides, with decreased hydration of the interface. Viewed as occurring at the cell membrane this would make the lipid more continuous and decrease the ease of ionic penetration. In this way the action of bicarbonates and CO2 at the interface suggests an explanation of the action of CO2 on the cell.
On the theory of spin paramagnetism

Abstract The object of the present paper is to derive the expression of the partial entropy of spin orientation in the spin system associated with a collection of bound atoms subject to the Pauli principle, whose mutual interactions depend uniquely on their space coordinates and whose Hamilton function is independent of the spin coordinates of the atoms. These restrictions on the Hamilton function of the system are the same which yield the quantum mechanical foundation of the molecular field description of spin ferromagnetism and paramagnetism in metals. The absence of the spin coordinates from the Hamiltonian insures the behavior of the spin system as if it were free. The enumeration of the various spin configurations or spin states, which determine the orientational spin disorder, proceeds as in a system of free spins, subject though to an internal field tending to resist the thermal spin disorder in this non-ideal paramagnetic system through a reduction of its total spin angular momentum. The results obtained confirm those given previously on the basis of the magnetization process of a class of non-ideal paramagnetic systems subject to the postulated existence of a molecular field.
Memory for source information in children with learning disabilities

Abstract Based on Johnson and Raye's (1981) reality monitoring framework, this study exmined whether two forms of source monitoring ability develop in learning disabled (LD) and nondisabled (NLD) children in a comparable manner. LD and NLD children from grades 2 and 6 were each assigned to one of two acquisition conditions in a sentence completion task: “Say-Think” (internal source monitoring) or “Say-Listen” (reality monitoring). Consistent with the reality monitoring model, internal source monitoring was more difficult than reality monitoring for all children. Sixth graders were superior to second graders, and NLD children were better than LD children in both internal source monitoring and reality monitoring. In addition, a measure of recognition memory produced results that paralleled those of the source monitoring task. The results were interpreted as evidence for the hypothesis that LD children possess a general deficit in remembering the source of memories containing verbal information.
Attenuating myocardial ischemia by targeting A2B adenosine receptors

Myocardial ischemia is associated with profound tissue hypoxia due to an imbalance in oxygen supply and demand, and studies of hypoxia-elicited adaptive responses during myocardial ischemia revealed a cardioprotective role for the signaling molecule adenosine. In ischemic human hearts, the A2B adenosine receptor (ADORA2B) is selectively induced. Functional studies in genetic models show that ADORA2B signaling attenuates myocardial infarction by adapting metabolism towards more oxygen efficient utilization of carbohydrates. This adenosine-mediated cardio-adaptive response involves the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor HIF1α and the circadian rhythm protein PER2. In this article, we discuss advances in the understanding of adenosine-elicited cardioprotection with particular emphasis on ADORA2B, its downstream targets, and the implications for novel strategies to prevent or treat myocardial ischemia.
A mythologic quest: Jungian movement therapy with the psychosomatic client

A rationale for the use of Jungian movement therapy with psychosomatic disorders is presented. Assumptions concerning body-mind interrelationship, the flow of energy, and somatic predispositions supply a foundation for this form of therapy. The use of the Jungian technique of active imagination through authentic movement-in-depth affords an avenue through which information from the clients’ unconscious can communicate the process and direction of therapy. This process is phenomenologically explained and demonstrated through a case study of a woman with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
The spontaneous firing patterns of forebrain neurons. II. Effects of unilateral caudate nuclear ablation.

Abstract Mean interspike intervals and the frequency of bursting were computed from records of spontaneous single unit activity of neurons in the caudate nucleus, the ventral anterior-ventral lateral complex of the thalamus and the precruciate cortex in intact unanesthetized cats and in cats with unilateral ablation of the caudate nucleus. In intact cats caudate nuclear units fired more slowly and produced a lower number of bursts than units in the cortex. Thalamic units showed an even greater frequency of unit firing and more bursting than cortical units. Unilateral caudate ablation was followed by a marked slowing of unit firing and a decrease in bursting in the opposite caudate nucleus (compared to values recorded in intact controls). Firing rate and bursting were relatively unaffected in the cortex and thalamus. These results are interpreted as indicating that removal of the influence of caudate output neurons on their target cells in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra mediate the marked decreases in firing of contralateral caudate neurons.
Adenosenergic modulation of ethanol-induced motor incoordination in the rat motor cortex

Abstract 1. 1. On going work in our laboratory has shown that adenosine modulates ethanol-induced motor incoordination (EIMI) when given systemically as well as directly into the cerebral ventricles, cerebellum and corpus striatum of the rat and/or mouse. 2. 2. The objective of this study was to determine what effect adenosine agonists and antagonists would have within the rat motor cortex on EIMI. 3. 3. The participation of the motor cortex in EIMI was suggested when microinfusion of the anti-ethanol compound, Ro15-4513, an inverse agonist of the benzodiazepine binding site, directly into the motor cortex significantly attenuated EIMI. Further, the adenosine agonists N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) and 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)-phenethylamino-5′-N-carboxaminoadenosine hydrochloride (CGS-21680) significantly accentuated EIMI in a dose-related manner. The adenosine A1 receptor-selective agonist, CHA, appeared most potent in this modulatory effect when compared to the A2-selective agonist, CGS-21680. 4. 4. The extent of diffusion of the adenosine drugs within the cortical tissue after their microinfusion was also checked by measuring the dispersion of microinfused [3H]CHA. The [3H]CHA dispersion study indirectly confirmed that the results of the present investigation were based on the effect of adenosine drugs within the motor cortex only. 5. 5. Accentuation by the A1- and A2-selective adenosine agonists was significantly attenuated by the A1-selective antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) but not by the A2 receptor-selective antagonist 8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine (CSC) further suggesting modulation mainly by the A1-subtype. 6. 6. Pretreatment of the motor cortex with pertussis toxin (PT) significantly reduced the capacity of both A1- and A2-selective adenosine agonists to accentuate EIMI suggesting the involvement of a PT-sensitive G i G 0 protein. 7. 7. These data support earlier work which showed that adenosine modulates EIMI within the central nervous system (CNS), most likely via the A1 receptor, and moreover, extend that work by including the motor cortex as a brain area participating in the adenosinergic modulation of ethanol-induced motor impairment.
Experimental Investigation of Wave Attenuation through Model and Live Vegetation

AbstractWetland vegetation can attenuate storm surge and waves and thus play an important role in coastal protection. In this study, laboratory experiments were used to quantify wave attenuation as a function of vegetation type, density, and height, as well as wave conditions. Wave attenuation characteristics were investigated under regular and irregular waves for rigid and flexible model vegetation in addition to live Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus, two common coastal species. Vegetation densities were 156–623 stems/m2 for model vegetation, 405–545 stems/m2 for S. alterniflora, and 2,857 stems/m2 for J. roemerianus. Bulk drag coefficients (CD) of the vegetation species were calibrated based on wave gauge data and video images, and regression equations were derived for the drag coefficient as a function of Keulegan-Carpenter number (KC). CD did not depend significantly on the relative vegetation height with respect to water depth for rigid vegetation models in the emergent and submerged cond...
Diffusion effects on longitudinal relaxation in poorly mixed compartments

Diffusion of spins between physical or virtual, communicating compartments having different states of longitudinal magnetization leads to diffusion-driven longitudinal relaxation. Herein, in two model systems, the effects of diffusion-driven longitudinal relaxation are explored experimentally and analyzed quantitatively. In the first case, longitudinal relaxation in a single slice of a water phantom is monitored spectroscopically as a function of slice thickness. In the second case, mimicking vascular flow/diffusion effects, longitudinal relaxation is monitored in a two-compartment, semi-permeable fiber phantom. In both cases, apparent longitudinal relaxation, though clearly multi-exponential, is well-modeled as bi-exponential.
Reforming Tax SystemsExperience of the Baltics, Russia, and Other Countries of the Former Soviet Union

Starting in the early 1990s, the Baltics, Russia, and other (BRO) countries of the former Soviet Union initiated tax reforms that varied widely at the later stages. Recently, some of the BRO countries, basing decisions on the proposition that lowering of the top marginal income tax rate would significantly benefit economic development and increase tax compliance, have initiated a new stage of tax reforms. This paper reviews country experiences and suggests that (i) overall, there seems to be little evidence of a substantial improvement in income tax revenues resulting simply from a reduction in the top marginal tax rates, and (ii) in the BRO countries, the elasticity of the behavior of economic agents, in terms of labor supply, saving, and investment, with respect to income tax rates is not large, and a reduction of the existing income tax rates is unlikely to lead to a notable expansion of economic activity.
Orthogonality in the adiabatic-exchange electron-atom scattering approximation

Abstract The effect of imposing orthogonality between the scattering state wave function and atomic wave functions is examined. It is found that imposing orthogonality has little effect on the scattering cross section so long as a proper representation of the adiabatic polarization interaction is used.
The relationship between δ13C of organic matter and [CO2(aq)] in ocean surface water: Data from a JGOFS site in the northeast Atlantic Ocean and a model

Consistent with the hypothesis that plankton delta C-14 and (CO2(aq)) are inversely related, increases in both sinking and suspended particulate organic matter (POM) delta C-13 detected by the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) were highly negatively correlated with mixed-layer (CO2(aq)). A model of plant delta C-13 by Farquhar et al. (1982) is adapted to show that under a constant phytoplankton demand for CO2 an inverse nonlinear suspended POM delta C-13 response to ambient (CO2(aq)) is expected. Differences between predicted and observed suspended POM delta C-13 vs. (CO2(aq)) trends and among observed relationships can be reconciled if biological CO2 demand is allowed to vary.
Virus proteins in herpetic keratitis.

Abstract We examined the differences in protein expression among several strains of herpes simplex virus that cause epithelial and stromal keratitis in the rabbit eye. The isolates were grown in HEp-2 cells in the presence of various radioactive isotopes and were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The in vitro expression of viral specified proteins was studied with antiserum to the purified virion (heterologous) and with the strain's homologous antiserum made during herpetic ocular disease. We found: (1) similarity among the strains in their in vitro expression of viral proteins; (2) polypeptide differences in the areas of ICP 9/10-ICP 14 and ICP28/29 and 30, when these proteins were immune precipitated with their homologous antisera; (3) more abundant glycosylated polypeptides in the RE (stromal disease-producing) strain than in the F (epithelial disease-producing) strain; (4) secretion of the major glycoproteins (gC, gD and gA, gB) into the extracellular fluid by all tested strains. However, the amounts of the glycoproteins secreted seemed to be characteristic of the individual strain. Those strains that secreted the larger amounts of glycoproteins were the strains that are known to produce stromal disease in the rabbit eye, which suggests that one determinant in the induction of stromal disease may be the number of glycosylated polypeptides as well as the secretion of glycoproteins in a soluble antigenic form.
Modeling the oxidation of sulfide in pulp and paper wastewaters.

Reactor experiments were conducted to study aerobic sulfide oxidation in pulp and paper wastewaters under typical operating conditions. Data produced from these experiments were used to develop a set of sequential rate equations that describe the significant sulfide and oxygen processes in the reactors. Model parameters were estimated for three different pulp and paper wastewaters using a multiresponse procedure. The sulfide oxidation rate coefficients for the wastewaters ranged from 0.108 to 0.155 min−1 at 35°C and approximately neutral pH. The reaction order with respect to oxygen could not be precisely estimated but appeared to be near the lower boundary for the fitting procedure (essentially zero order). Modeling of the oxygen depletion data provided evidence that the first sulfide oxidation reaction product consumed 0.5 mg of oxygen per mg of sulfide oxidized, suggesting polysulfides and elemental sulfur as the initial reaction products. The oxygen depletion modeling also suggested oxidation of the ...
Relation of Vitamin E to Intestinal Flora and the Intestinal Absorption of Tocopherol

RECENTLY, J. J. Pindborg1 reported that bacterial synthesis of vitamin E takes place in the digestive tract of the rat; and he might have cited experiments by Daft et al.2 as presumptive confirmation. In both laboratories, rats which were subjected to sulpha drug-feeding to inhibit the activity of intestinal flora developed symptoms characteristic of vitamin E deficiency—muscle degeneration in Daft's laboratory and incisor teeth abnormalities and depigmentation in Pindborg's. If, however, extra vitamin E were administered, the deficiency syndromes did not develop. Pindborg suggested that intestinal microorganisms had been synthesizing tocopherol, in amounts sufficient to meet the animals' needs, prior to the addition of sulpha drugs to the diet; afterwards, synthetic activity of the intestinal flora was diminished by the sulpha compounds, insufficient tocopherol was present in the intestinal tract, and vitamin E deficiency developed unless extra quantities of vitamin E were given as supplements.
Acoustic telemetry to assess post‐stocking dispersal and mortality of razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus

Acoustic telemetry and scuba revealed immediate and high post-stocking mortality of razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus in Lake Mohave, U.S.A., a Colorado River impoundment. At the conclusion of this 6 month study, only three of 19 (16%) study fish remained active. Concurrently, 20 X. texanus implanted with acoustic transmitters and held in a hatchery raceway remained healthy throughout the experiment and no transmitters were shed. Post-stocking mortality was probably due to predation by striped bass Morone saxatilis, a piscivorous non-native fish.
Dietary supplement users vary in attitudes and sources of dietary supplement information in East and West geographic regions: a cross-sectional study.

Over 50% of adults currently use dietary supplements (DS) but manufacturers do not have to prove the safety or efficacy of a DS before it is marketed. Therefore, consumers may be exposed to inaccurate DS information, may lack confidence in choosing appropriate DS and may seek advice for usage. The objective of this study was to examine trends in usage, attitudes, and sources of information regarding DS according to geographic location, demographic group, and lifestyle choices. Eligible individuals completed a 10-item researcher-developed survey tool to determine DS use, sources of DS information, and DS-related knowledge and attitudes over the previous year. Healthy participants (637 individuals aged 21–75 years) from two population-based cohorts that had been recruited for lipoprotein assessment studies at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts and University of California at Davis. Outcome measures included participants’ use, beliefs regarding essentiality of DS, confidence in choosing appropriate DS, and sources of information on DS. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were utilized to examine differences in survey responses between groups. Of the total population 72.7% reported taking dietary supplements in the previous year. Those living on the West Coast (80.3%) had greater use than those living on the East Coast (60.7%). Those on the East Coast were more likely to believe DS were essential to health (48.7%) and to feel confident in choosing DS that were appropriate for them (51.0%). Overall, physicians were the most frequent source of DS information for more than 50% of participants on both coasts. Because DS usage is widespread, health care providers and nutrition educators must encourage patients to discuss their DS use and be equipped to provide information conducive to safe, efficacious consumption. Tailoring interventions for healthcare providers, media sources, industry, and the public may allow for dissemination of up-to-date information regarding DS.
Calculating ecological carrying capacity of shellfish aquaculture using mass-balance modeling: Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island

Abstract Increasing growth in the aquaculture industry demands ecosystem-based techniques for management if that growth is to be ecologically sustainable and promote equity among users of the ecosystems in which it occurs. Models of carrying capacity can be used to responsibly limit the growth of aquaculture in increasingly crowded coastal areas. Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA is one such crowded coastal region experiencing a rapid increase in bivalve aquaculture. An ecosystem mass-balance model was used to calculate the ecological carrying capacity of bivalve aquaculture. Cultured oyster biomass is currently at 0.47 t km −2 and could be increased 625 times without exceeding the ecological carrying capacity of 297 t km −2 . This translates to approximately 38,950 t of harvested cultured oysters annually which is 4 times the total estimated annual harvest of finfish. This potential for growth is due to the high primary productivity and large energy throughput to detritus of this ecosystem. Shellfish aquaculture has potential for continued growth and is unlikely to become food limited due, in part, to the large detritus pool.
Efficient on-demand operations in dynamic distributed infrastructures

In a large-scale distributed infrastructure, users and administrators typically desire to perform on-demand operations that act upon the most up-to-date state of the infrastructure. These on-demand operations range from monitoring the up-to-date machine properties in the infrastructure, to making Grid scheduling decisions for different tasks based on the current status of the infrastructure. However, the scale and dynamism present in the operating environment make it challenging to support these operations efficiently.This paper discusses several on-demand operations that we have been studying, challenges associated with them, and how to meet the challenges. Specifically, we build techniques for 1) on-demand group monitoring that allows users and administrators of an infrastructure to query and aggregate the up-to-date state of the machines (e.g., CPU utilization) in a group or multiple groups, 2) an on-demand Grid scheduling strategy that makes scheduling decisions based on the current availability of compute nodes, 3) another on-demand Grid scheduling strategy that chooses the best algorithm for the current input data set among multiple algorithms available. We also present our ongoing work.
Supporting Collaborative Decision Processes

Collaborative Decision Processes focus on long-running, multi-faceted decisions (e.g., the planning and approval process for a municipal development project) made by teams of people. Such decisions can draw on the crowd in a variety of ways, by enabling large-scale on-line brainstorming, crowd-sourced queries, and text mining to determine public sentiments and derive new insights. Such decision processes consist of a combination of structured and highly unconstrained, human-drive activities. This paper describes a framework and a prototype system for support of collaborative decision processes based on declarative, data-centric dynamic artifacts and Advanced Case Management.
Role of an AP-2-like element in transcriptional regulation of mouse μ-opioid receptor gene

Previously, several important cis-elements and trans-factors have been shown to play a functional role in the proximal promoter of mouse mu-opioid receptor (MOR) gene. In this study, we defined another functional element located the in -450 to -400 bp (translational start site designated as +1) region of the proximal promoter, which is also essential for the full promoter activity. It is designated as the morAP-2-like element for its sequence homologous to the consensus AP-2 element. Surprisingly, electrophoretic mobility shift analysis (EMSA) revealed that Sp1 and Sp3, but not AP-2 proteins, were specifically bound to the morAP-2-like element. Mutation of the morAP-2-like element, resulting in a loss of Sp binding, led to an approximately 35% decrease in activity, further confirming the positive role of the morAP-2-like element in MOR gene expression. Dephosphorylation of Sp proteins with alkaline phosphatase also decreased Sp binding to the morAP-2-like element in EMSA, suggesting phosphorylation of Sp is essential for its binding to this element. However, direct or indirect activation of PKA, a classical G-protein coupled signaling pathway, resulted in no significant change of Sp binding to the morAP-2-like element, nor of the promoter activity the SH-SY5Y cells, MOR expressing cells, suggesting that phosphorylation of Sp does not involve PKA. These results suggest that the binding of different phosphorylated forms of Sp proteins to the morAP-2-like element may contribute to the fine tuning of MOR expression in different cells.
A Short Primer on the Calcium Sensing Receptor: An Important Cog in the Colon Cancer Wheel?

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract handles a complex task of nutrient absorption and excretion of excess fluid, electrolytes, and toxic substances. GI epithelium is under constant proliferation and renewal. Differentiation of colonocytes occurs as they migrate from the basal layer to the apex of the crypt. Cells of the basal layer are highly proliferative but less differentiated, whereas apical cells are highly differentiated but non-proliferative. Alterations of this intricate process lead to abnormal proliferation and differentiation of colorectal mucosa leading to development of polyps and neoplasia. The effects of calcium (Ca) on colorectal mucosal growth have been extensively studied after the discovery of the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR). Fluctuation in extracellular Ca can induce hyperproliferation or quiescence. Disruption in the function of CaSR and/or changes in the level of CaSR expression can cause loss of growth suppressing effects of extracellular Ca. This review addresses the role of Ca and CaSR in the physiology and pathophysiology of colonocyte proliferation.
Marine and Terrestrial Pliocene and Pleistocene Deposits of Florida: ABSTRACT

For the first time fossiliferous marine, estuarine, and terrestrial deposits of peninsular Florida are correlated and are related to topographic terraces. Synthesis of all data reliably proves a middle to late Pliocene End_Page 2162------------------------------ stand of sea level at 120-140 ft altitude, an Aftonian stand at 90-100 ft, a Yarmouthian stand at 40-70 ft, and a Sangamonian stand at about 25 ft. The classic exposures of the Fort Thompson and Caloosahatchee Formations on the Caloosahatchee River are the best sections for correlation. Cooke's four marine units in the Plio-Pleistocene sequence are confirmed by detailed tracing of fossiliferous beds, fresh-water marl, and caliche crust related to unconformities. Faunas in the four marine beds show distinct biostratigraphic and paleoecological trends. The ratio of extinct to extant molluscan species indicates a Pliocene age for unit 1 (the lowest marine bed). The presence of Pleistocene land vertebrate remains and the ratio of extinct to extant molluscan species indicate a Pleistocene age for units 2, 3, and 4. For mapping purposes, the lower two units, 1 and 2, are included in the Caloosahatchee Formation. Units 3 and 4 are inclu ed in the Fort Thompson Formation. The following bathymetric interpretations were made on the basis of molluscan and foraminiferal faunal assemblages: unit 1--maximum depth 15-20 fm; unit 2--maximum depth 10-15 fm; unit 3--maximum depth 5-10 fm; and unit 4--less than 5 fm. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2163------------
Noninvasive detection of heart transplant rejection with positron emission scintigraphy.

Abstract Positron emission tomography has recently been used to evaluate ischemic heart disease through changes in myocardial blood flow and carbohydrate metabolism. Positron-emitting tracers were evaluated for their ability to detect acute allograft rejection after heterotopic cardiac transplantation in the rat. Sham-operated controls, non-rejecting isografts, and rejecting allografts were evaluated. Decay-corrected uptake of 13 NH 3 and 18 F 2-fluoro 2-deoxyglucose (FDG) reflects blood flow and glucose flux, respectively. Histologic examination of rejecting allografts documented mild rejection at 4 days and severe acute rejection by 8 days. All isografts were free from rejection. Uptake of FDG is greater in rejecting allografts than in nonrejecting isografts during both severe rejection (2.4% ± 0.8% versus 0.77% ± 0.4%; p p 3 in severely rejected grafts is reduced compared with nonrejecting grafts (0.6% ± 0.3% versus 1.7% ± 1.1%; p 3 uptake during mild rejection (1.8% ± 0.7% versus 1.3% ± 0.3%; p > 0.05). Uptake of FDG and NH 3 in native hearts of animals from all experimental groups is not significantly different from that in sham-operated controls. Glucose may be a preferred metabolic substrate during rejection. Our data support a humoral mechanism for substrate preference during transplant rejection and a potential diagnostic role for positron emission tomography.
Native cellular fluorescence can identify changes in epithelial thickness in-vivo in the upper aerodigestive tract

Background : Change in epithelial thickness is part of the neoplastic transformation process of the upper aerodigestive tract. The quantitation of native cellular fluorescence (NCF) may represent a noninvasive means of distinguishing such a change. Patients and methods : Nineteen patients with squamous neoplasms and 12 surgical specimens from cancer patients were analyzed for NCF using a hand-held fiber optic probe attached to a fluorescent spectrometer. Tumors and normal sites were analyzed for fluorescence, and tissue samples were obtained. Ratios of intensities of various emitted wavelengths were computed to quantitate and compare various spectral patterns. These ratios were then correlated with mucosal thickness. Results : The 330 nm peak in the excitation scan (λEx 200 to 360 nm, λEm 380 nm) was lost in the tumors compared with the normal sites. The 390 nm peak in the emission scan (λEx 340 nm, λEm 360 to 660 nm) was also lost. The 290 nm/330 nm ratio in the in-vivo excitation scan (λEx 200 to 360 nm, λEm 380 nm) correlated with changes in epithelial thickness. The 390/450 ratio in the emission scan (λEx 340 nm, λEm 360 to 660 nm) correlated negatively with the mean epithelial thickness. Conclusions : Native cellular fluorescence analysis can identify changes in neoplastic tissues, including changes in epithelial thickness.
CHEMICAL ANTAGONISM OF IONS : III. EFFECT OF SALT MIXTURES ON GELATIN ACTIVITY.

The pH of a 0.01 molar solution of glycine, half neutralized with NaOH, is 9.685. Addition of only one of the salts NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, or CaCl2 will lower the pH of the solution (at least up to 1 µ). If a given amount of KCl is added to a glycine solution, the subsequent addition of increasing amounts of NaCl will first raise the pH (up to 0.007 M NaCl). Further addition of NaCl (up to 0.035 M NaCl) will lower the pH, and further additions slightly raise the pH. The same type of curve is obtained by adding NaCl to glycine solution containing MgCl2 or CaCl2 except that the first and second breaks occur at 0.015 M and 0.085 M NaCl, respectively. Addition of CaCl2 to a glycine solution containing MgCl2 gives the same phenomena with breaks at 0.005 M and 0.025 M CaCl; or at ionic strengths of 0.015 µCaCl2 and 0.075 µCaCl2. This indicates that the effect is a function of the ionic strength of the added salt. These effects are sharp and unmistakable. They are almost identical with the effects produced by the same salt mixtures on the pH of gelatin solutions. They are very suggestive of physiological antagonisms, and at the same time cannot be attributed to colloidal phenomena.
Factors affecting parasite prevalence among wild bumblebees.

1. Bumblebees are important pollinators in North America and are attacked by a range of parasites that impact their fitness; however, few studies have investigated the extent or causes of parasitism in North America. 2. This study used a 2-year multi-site survey of bumblebee parasitism to ask: (i) how common are parasitoid conopid flies and the internal parasites Crithidia bombi and Nosema bombi in Massachusetts; and (ii) what factors are correlated with parasitism? 3. Infection rates by all three parasites were higher in this study than previously documented in North America. Overall, conopids infected 0–73% of bees in each sample, C. bombi infected 0–82% of bees, and N. bombi infected 0–32%. 4. Conopid flies infected female bees more than males and intermediate-sized bees more than large or small bees. Crithidia bombi infection rates were higher in certain bee species and sites, and exhibited a unimodal pattern of prevalence over time. Nosema bombi parasitism was higher in male than female bees. 5. Infection by N. bombi in two rare bumblebee species was higher than expected based on parasitism rates of common bee species but C. bombi infection was lower. If high prevalence of N. bombi in these bumblebee species is common, parasitism may be a potential cause of their decline. 6. Given the documented effects of these parasites, the high levels of infection may affect bee populations in Massachusetts and threaten the stability of their valuable ecosystem services.
Accuracy of Abstracts for Original Research Articles in Pharmacy Journals

BACKGROUND:Accuracy of abstracts representing original research articles is imperative since these are readily available and biomedical literature readers may not have access to the full-text article. Furthermore, previous reports document discrepancies in published original research abstracts compared with the full-text article.OBJECTIVE:To determine the accuracy of abstracts for original research articles published in nationally represented, widely circulated pharmacy-specific journals (American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, The Consultant Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacy, Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy) from June 2001 through May 2002.METHODS:Outcome measures included an omission, defined as data in the abstract not located in the article. In addition, abstracts were considered deficient if these included an omission, inaccurate factual (ie, qualitative and quantitative) information pr...
On thermodynamic potentials in linear thermoelasticity

The four thermodynamic potentials, the internal energy u ¼ uð� ij; sÞ, the Helmholtz free energy f ¼ f ð� ij; T Þ, the Gibbs energy g ¼ gðrij; T Þ and the enthalpy h ¼ hðrij; sÞ are derived, independently of each other, by using the Duhamel–Neumann extension of Hooke’s law and an assumed linear dependence of the specific heat on temperature. A systematic procedure is then presented to express all thermodynamic potentials in terms of four possible pairs of independent state variables. This procedure circumvents a tedious transition from one potential to another, based on the formal change of variables, and inversions of the stress–strain and entropy–temperature relations. The general results are applied to uniaxial loading paths under isothermal, adiabatic, constant stress, and constant strain conditions. An interplay of adiabatic and isothermal elastic constants in the expressions for exchanged heat along certain thermodynamic paths is indicated. 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
LMP2A Does Not Require Palmitoylation To Localize to Buoyant Complexes or for Function

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) is expressed constitutively in lipid rafts in latently infected B lymphocytes. Lipid rafts are membrane microdomains enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids selective for specific protein association. Lipid rafts have been shown to be necessary for B-cell receptor (BCR) signal transduction. LMP2A prevents BCR recruitment to lipid rafts, thereby abrogating BCR function. As LMP2A is palmitoylated, whether this fatty acid modification is necessary for LMP2A to localize to lipid rafts and for protein function was investigated. LMP2A palmitoylation was confirmed in latently infected B cells. LMP2A was found to be palmitoylated on multiple cysteines only by S acylation. An LMP2A mutant that was not palmitoylated was identified and functioned similar to wild-type LMP2A; unmodified LMP2A localized to lipid rafts, was tyrosine phosphorylated, was associated with LMP2A-associated proteins, was ubiquitinated, and was able to block calcium mobilization following BCR cross-linking. Therefore, palmitoylation of LMP2A is not required for LMP2A targeting to buoyant complexes or for function.
Pressure, flow, and density relationships in airway models during constant-flow ventilation.

Adequate CO2 elimination and normal arterial PCO2 levels can be maintained in dogs during apnea by delivering a continuous flow of inspired gas at high flow rate (1–3 l.min-1.kg-1) through tubes pl...
Distributed Target Tracking with Directional Binary Sensor Networks

One of the most common and important applications of wireless sensor networks is target tracking. We study it in its most basic form, assuming the binary sensing model in which each sensor can return only information regarding target's presence or absence within its sensing range. However, unlike most of traditional approaches to binary sensing, we allow sensors to recognize not only target's range but also a sector within the circular range around it. Examples of such sensors include cameras, infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, etc. For simplicity, we assume that either a group of sensors are collocated in a single spot providing 360 degree coverage or a sensor has multiple antennas or camera providing such coverage. A novel, real-time and distributed target tracking algorithm with directional binary sensor networks is proposed. It is an extension of our previous work on omni-directional binary sensor networks. Using simulations, we demonstrate that this new algorithm achieves high performance and outperforms other algorithms by yielding accurate estimates of the target's location. In addition, we discuss the fundamental performance limits and improvement of the tracking performance resulting from providing direction range in addition to a distance range for the algorithm.
The Relationship between Explicit Planning and Expressive Performance of Dynamic Variations in an Aural Modeling Task

The present study is an examination of the performance of expressive dynamic variations by advanced pianists in an aural modeling (imitative) performance task. Twenty-four university musicians listened to expressive performances of short piano excerpts played for them via MIDI on a Yamaha Disklavier acoustic piano. These expressive models contained idiomatic features (musically appropriate) and nonidiomatic features (musically inappropriate). After hearing each model, subjects reported their thoughts regarding dynamic variations they had heard and then attempted to imitate the model in their own performance on the piano. Results indicated that expressive performance of dynamic variations is influenced by the performer's explicit identification of dynamic features and their incorporation into a specific goal performance plan. Analyses of individual dynamic features revealed that subjects who identified features consistently performed the features differently than did the subjects who did not identify them....
Instability of miRNA and cDNAs derivatives in RNA preparations

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules, which function as important regulators of gene expression. We found that RNA preparation methods commonly utilized for miRNA expression studies yield highly unstable miRNAs. We studied the stability of four miRNAs belonging to different miRNAs families. A significant degradation of these molecules may be observed already three days after RNA isolation. Moreover, the respective cDNAs are highly unstable as well. Our findings indicate that instability of miRNAs and their cDNAs should be considered when designing miRNA expression studies.
Institutional contexts for scientific innovation and economic transformation

The paper analyses the institutional framework for scientific and economic transformation by discussing the role of universities in the context of knowledge creation. Pittsburgh with its industrial history related to steel production is taken as an example that illustrates the impact of the scientific innovation for processes of economic restructuring based on regional knowledge. The Digital Greenhouse and the Life Sciences Greenhouse initiatives give evidence of the political opportunities at the regional level.