cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glycosylation and intracellular transport of spleen focus-forming virus glycoproteins

We have investigated the pattern of glycosylation of the membrane glycoproteins encoded by a polycythemic strain of spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV). These include a major species designated gp52 and its processed form which is designated gp65. The SFFV glycoproteins were found to be predominantly intracellular, although a portion of gp65 is expressed on the cell surface. gp65 was observed to be highly sialylated and resistant to digestion with endoglycosidase-H (endo-H). In contrast, gp52 was endo-H sensitive and the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profile of the endo-H digests suggested the presence of four glycosylation sites. Analysis of tryptic glycopeptides from gp52 by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography also suggested the presence of four glycosylation sites. Glycopeptide analysis of Pronase digests of gp52 revealed two major size classes with molecular weights of 2200 and 1500, which correspond to two of the four oligosaccharide size classes reported previously for MuLV gp70's (M.C. Kemp, N.G. Famulari, P.V. O'Donnell, and R.W. Compans, 1980, J. Virol. 34, 154). Both glycopeptide size classes were sensitive to digestion with endo-H. The glycopeptide profile of gp65 was found to be very heterogeneous and the predominant form was a 2900-dalton size class. In addition a fucosyl glycopeptide of 2500 daltons was observed in gp65, but not in F-MuLV or F-MCF glycoproteins. In the presence of the sodium ionophore monensin, the processing of gp52 to gp65 was inhibited. Instead a smaller protein of about 60,000 daltons was observed, which did not arrive at the cell surface, a situation analogous to the processing and post-translational modification reported for gp52 from anemic isolates of SFFV (S.K. Ruscetti, J.A. Field, and E.M. Scolnick, 1981, Nature (London) 294, 663).
Time-dependent creep of a dual-phase viscoplastic material with lamellar structure

Abstract Exact solutions for the time-dependent creep behavior of a two-phase material with a lamellar microstructure are derived as a function of volume concentration and the properties of its constituents. Each phase is taken to be elastic–viscoplastic, exhibiting work-hardening characteristics. The derivation takes advantage of the condition of interfacial discontinuities over the interfaces, with a result given in a rate form for the general combined loading. Specific overall creep strains are presented along five distinctive loading directions for two kinds of viscoplastic composites: one involving an elastic and a viscoplastic phases and the other with dual viscoplastic phases. In addition to providing insightful information for the overall time-dependent creep, the exact nature of the results can also serve as a bench mark to test the accuracy of the approximate theories. In this light a secant-viscosity approach recently developed for a particle-reinforced solid ( Li and Weng (1997) . A secant-viscosity approach to the time-dependent creep of an elastic–viscoplastic composite. J. Mech. Phys. Solids , 45 , 1069) is extended to a lamellar structure and the results are tested against these exact solutions. Comparison between the two indicates that the secant-viscosity concept is a sufficiently accurate one and it can be applied to composites with other types of microgeometries.
Determination of the magnetic transition temperature of dilute ferromagnetic alloys - the Pd(Gd) case

Abstract The determination of Tc in dilute alloys is examined. As an example, magnetization vs field data in a Pd0.95Gd0.05 alloy are presented. For this alloy, it was not possible to determine a value of Tc using Arrott-Belov-Kouvel (ABK) plots; the conditions for the applicability of ABK plots were not satisfied. Results of very-low-field ac and dc magnetization vs T, which depend mainly on the demagnetization factor, yield a more precise measure of Tc. We conclude that the latter procedures are more useful than ABK plots for determination of Tc in dilute alloys.
Easy to remember?: genocide and the philosophy of religion

Philosophers of religion have written a great deal about “the problem of evil.” Their reflections, however, have not concentrated, at least not extensively or sufficiently, on the particularities of evil that manifest themselves in genocide. Concentrating on some of those particularities, this essay reflects on genocide, which has sometimes been called the crime of crimes, to raise questions such as: how should genocide affect the philosophy of religion and what might philosophers of religion contribute to help check that crime against humanity?
Knowledge and attitudes about otitis media risk : Implications for prevention

Objectives. To investigate maternal knowledge and attitudes about otitis media (OM) risk, to estimate the prevalence of risk factors in the first year of life, and to identify barriers to the reduction of risk factors (eg, formula feeding, day care attendance, and exposure to passive smoke). Methods. Questionnaires mailed to a systematic sample of 504 Minnesota women ≥18 years old identified through 1994 birth certificates. Results. Eighty percent returned a completed survey. According to maternal report, 29% of infants (age 8 to 13 months) had recurrent OM (≥3 episodes) and 2% had tympanostomy tubes. Forty-six percent attended day care, 29% had ≥1 smoking parent, and 49% breastfed for ≤2 months. Women were more knowledgeable about OM signs and symptoms than about risk factors. Mean OM knowledge score (the sum of correct true-false responses) was 7.0 (standard deviation = 1.6). Using multiple linear regression, knowledge score was significantly related to marital status, education, age, area of residence, breastfeeding (months), and number of cigarettes smoked per day by the mother, but not to infant or sibling OM history or day care attendance (R2 = .23). Infant history of OM (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 3.2) and white race (odds ratio, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.1 to 0.8), but not the presence of risk factors, were significantly related to having received clinicians9 advice about OM prevention advice. Conclusion. OM education and prevention programs should target pregnant women and new mothers with OM risk factors, and those who are young, single, and less educated.
Hostility, testosterone, and vascular reactivity to stress: Effects of sex

This study investigated the association of personality with cardiovascular stress reactivity (CVR) in men and women. Also, the degree to which testosterone and estradiol reactivity were related to personality and CVR measures was examined. Twenty-six men and 44 women completed the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the .Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory before speech, Stroop. and math stress. Testosterone (men) and estradiol (subset of women) were sampled once after an initial rest period and again after the last stressor. Cardiovascular reactivity, including cardiac output and total peripheral resistance (TPR), was assessed during stressors. For men, testosterone increased significantly with stress, and testosterone reactivity to stressors was significantly correlated with hostility. However, stepwise multiple regression revealed that hostility was the only independent predictor of CVR to speech, math, and Stroop stress in men, accounting for 13%–32% of the variance in TPR. Baseline systolic blood pressure explained 22% of the variance in TPR reactivity to speech preparation. No evidence was obtained to suggest that hostility, depressive mood, or anxiety predicted CVR in women, and estradiol did not show slress-sensitive effects. These data provide evidence that increased vascular reactivity may he one mechanism linking hostility to increased cardiovascular mortality in men and support the notion that hostility may have different implications for CVR in women.
Distributed snow accumulation and ablation modeling in the American River basin

Abstract A spatially distributed snow model procedure for estimating snow melt, snow water equivalent and snow cover area is formulated and tested with data from the American River basin in California’s Sierra Nevada. An adaptation of the operational National Weather Service snow accumulation and ablation model is used for each model grid cell forced by spatially distributed precipitation and temperature data. The model was implemented with 6-hourly time steps on 1 km 2 grid cells for the snow season of 1999–2003. Temperature is spatially interpolated using the prevailing lapse rate and digital terrain elevation data. Precipitation is spatially interpolated using regional climatological analyses obtained from PRISM. Parameters that control snow melt are distributed using ground surface aspect. The model simulations are compared with data from 12 snow-sensors located in the basin and the daily 500-m snow cover extent product from the MODIS/Terra satellite mission. The results show that the distribution of snow pack over the area is generally captured. The snow pack quantity compared to snow gauges is well estimated in high elevations with increasing uncertainty in the snow pack at lower elevations. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses indicate that the significant input uncertainty for precipitation and temperature is primarily responsible for model errors in lower elevations and near the snow line. The model is suitable for producing spatially resolved realistic snow pack simulations when forced with operationally available observed or predicted data.
Photodynamic effect of dye on frog muscle fibre using microelectrodes.

Kurarisierte und nichtkurarisierte Frosch-Sartorii zeigten einen veranderlichen Grad der Depolarisation, wenn sie mit Bengalrot (1:25 000) gefarbt und durch scharf zentriertes Licht einer 300-Watt-Tungsten-Lampe beleuchtet wurden. Die Depolarisation wurde niemals im ausseren Natrium und ohne Sauerstoff beobachtet.
Accounting and the state: Consequences of merger and acquisition accounting in the U.S. hospital industry

Abstract The interaction between government, industry and accounting policy is examined in a study of the consequences of merger and acquisition accounting in the U.S. hospital industry. The research combines statistical and historical methodologies to analyse both the political antecedents, and the distributional and organizational consequences of accounting policies adopted by the U.S. Medicare health insurance program. Implication of the study for understanding the role of accounting at the meso-level of state-industry relations are discussed.
Animal Behavior Models: Increased Sensitivity to Stressors and Other Environmental Experiences after Prenatal Cocaine Exposurea

Neural compensations occurring after prenatal cocaine exposure may often permit some functional recovery, although the cost of this reorganization may be a decrease in adaptability. As we have seen in our rodent model of prenatal cocaine exposure, latent deficits may become unmasked when offspring are exposed to cognitive and environmental demands and stressors. In adolescence and adulthood, offspring exposed gestationally to cocaine exhibit characteristic decreases in stress-induced immobility along with increases in aggression under the demands of social competition. Recently, we observed that cocaine-exposed offspring are also unusually sensitive to the long-term effects of early manipulation (noninvasive heart rate testing at 16 days of age). When tested in adulthood, cocaine-exposed offspring not receiving this early experience exhibited less immobility when tested in the presence of intermittent footshock or when subsequently examined in an open field as well as more locomotion in the open field than control offspring, findings reminiscent of previous work. By contrast, these effects were normalized (shock-induced immobility) or reversed (open field immobility and locomotion) in cocaine-exposed animals given the early experience. This marked susceptibility to the effects of early manipulation was less evident in control offspring and even in a group of stunted nutritional controls. Thus, cocaine-exposed offspring may exhibit increased sensitivity not only to environmental demands and stressors, but also to the potential moderating or beneficial effects of early experiences.
Mortality Hazard Associated with Prescription Hypnotics

Background: The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study II was a large survey designed primarily to examine cancer risks such as cigarette smoking. From the same survey and methods, data on usage of “prescription sleeping pills” in 1982 were examined. Methods: Standardized mortality ratios were computed. Because sleeping pill use could be a proxy for other risk factors, Cox proportional hazards models were computed to control for possible confounding factors as extensively as the data permitted. Results: Men and women who reported taking prescription sleeping pills 30+ times in the past month had standardized mortality ratios of 3.18 and 2.82, respectively; controlling for 10-year age groups (p < 0.001). The standardized mortality ratios for usage 1–29 times/month were 1.8 and 1.48, respectively (p < 0.001). In proportional hazards models that controlled for 30 other risk factors and comorbidities simultaneously, the excess mortality risk associated with usage 30+ times per month remained significant, but hazard ratios were reduced to 1.35 for men and 1.22 for women. Conclusions: Use of hypnotics was associated with excess mortality. This methodology could not determine if hypnotic compounds caused the risks associated with their use, nor could the risks of individual compounds be determined. Since millions of Americans are currently taking hypnotics, long-term controlled trials are urgently needed to further guide both patients and physicians.
Cladode development, environmental responses of CO2 uptake, and productivity for Opuntia ficus-indica under elevated CO2

Opuntia ficus-indica, an extremely productive CAM plant cultivated in many countries, was exposed to 36, 52, and 72-73 Pa CO 2 in field plots and open-top chambers. Initiation of new cladodes (stem segments) was monitored until the canopy closed, after which bimonthly harvests maintained the plants for one year at a cladode area per unit ground area that is optimal for biomass production. Doubling the CO 2 partial pressure slightly increased the number of first-order daughter cladodes growing on the basal (planted) cladodes after 3 months and nearly doubled the number and area of second-order cladodes. When the CO 2 level was doubled, cladodes were 5% thicker after a few months and 11 to 16% thicker after one year
Design of optimal holds for reduced control update rates

Preliminary results are given for the design of dual-rate digital controllers for continuous-time plants. The plant state is estimated at a relatively low rate, while sampled-and-held control signals are generated at a much higher rate.
Wermlandite, a new mineral from Långban, Sweden

Abstract Wermlandite, [CaMg(OH)4]0+[Mg5(Al, Fe)2(OH)15]2+[(CO3)0·5(OH)·15H2O]2−, is a new mineral from Langban, Varmland, Sweden and is related to the pyroaurite-sjogrenite group of minerals. It is one of the most highly hydrated of minerals, and occurs as thin pale greenish-gray hexagonal plates upon calcite crystals in a low temperature fissure assemblage. The cleavage is {0001} micaceous, H = 1 1 2 , specific gravity = 1.932, uniaxial (−), ω = 1.493(1), e = 1.482, α = 9.260(6) , c = 22.52(3) A , Z = 2 , space group P 3 c1 or P3c1 . The species name is derived from the old spelling, Wermland (=Varmland), of the province within which Langban is situated.
Patients With Colorectal and Renal Cell Carcinoma Diagnoses Appear to Be at Risk for Additional Malignancies

Abstract Background Small studies have demonstrated that patients who have both colorectal and renal cell carcinoma may be at increased risk for the development of additional malignancies. A possible genetic basis has been suggested. Our study describes the clinicopathologic features of these patients and clarifies the relationship of this cohort with Lynch syndrome (LS). Methods Patients with primary CRC and RCC treated at our institution were identified. Medical records were reviewed for demographic and clinical information. Immunohistochemical staining for mismatch repair (MMR) proteins was performed on tumor tissue when possible. Results During the study period, 24,642 patients were treated for CRC and 7,366 were treated for RCC at our institution. One hundred seventy-nine patients had both diagnoses, with 101 patients eligible for inclusion in our cohort. Tumors were typically early stage. The 2 cancers presented as synchronous lesions in 42% of patients. Thirty-two patients had 1 additional primary malignancy, 7 patients had 2 additional primary malignancies, and 3 patients had 3 additional primary malignancies. No patient had a family history that met the Amsterdam II criteria (AC) for LS, but 50% had family members with 1 malignancy. One of 10 colorectal tumors analyzed for the absence of MMR protein expression demonstrated the absence of MSH6, but the corresponding RCC demonstrated intact expression of all 4 MMR proteins. Conclusion It is rare for patients to be diagnosed with both CRC and RCC. The clinicopathologic features of this cohort and the results of immunohistochemical analysis performed on a sample of these patients do not suggest LS. However, the high rate of additional carcinomas suggests a need for careful follow-up. Multicenter longitudinal studies are warranted to further understand the natural history and possible genetic basis for this entity.
Use of carbon-13 stimulated echoes for measurement of nitrogen-14 spin relaxation in polycrystalline amino acids

Abstract The stimulated-echo method in carbon-13 cross-polarization magic-angle-sample-spinning NMR is used to measure nitrogen-14 nuclear spin relaxation in polycrystalline solids. Single-quantum transition rates ( k 1 ) are reported for glycine, serine, alanine, and glycylglycine. The values of k 1 for the amine nitrogen nuclei range from 2 to 5 s −1 while the value for the amide nitrogen in glycylglycine was found to be only 0.4 s −1 despite the large quadrupole coupling constant of the amide nitrogen-14. The stimulated-echo method applied to carbon-13 is useful for the study of slow molecular motions in polymers and proteins. However, interpretation of the slow decay may be complicated by the relaxation of a coupled nuclear spin such as nitrogen-14 in amines and peptides.
Revealing and concealing Ill identity: a performance narrative of IBD disclosure.

Revealing a hidden, chronic illness is a risky and vulnerable act. Ill individuals often remain socially stigmatized, and those who live with invisible illness must legitimize their ill identity since they infrequently look sick. For individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), disclosing one's illness carries unique challenges because of the grotesque and taboo nature of the disease. To this end, the bathroom or “water closet” is more than a functional place—it is a space to hide one's ill identity. For many, the point of departure from safety to vulnerability occurs when there is a desire to disclose. In this descriptive essay, revelation of an invisible illness, IBD, and disclosure to others are explored as embodied and situated communication. Through performance narrative, the author shares stories of her disclosive moments to inform others about IBD, explores how the water closet can be a metaphoric boundary, examines various strategies used in revealing hidden illness, and offers possible impl...
Detection of Entorhinal Layer II Using Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The entorhinal cortex lies in the mediotemporal lobe and has major functional, structural, and clinical significance. The entorhinal cortex has a unique cytoarchitecture with large stellate neurons in layer II that form clusters. The entorhinal cortex receives vast sensory association input, and its major output arises from the layer II and III neurons that form the perforant pathway. Clinically, the neurons in layer II are affected with neurofibrillary tangles, one of the two pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. We describe detection of the entorhinal layer II islands using magnetic resonance imaging. We scanned human autopsied temporal lobe blocks in a 7T human scanner using a solenoid coil. In 70 and 100 microm isotropic data, the entorhinal islands were clearly visible throughout the anterior-posterior extent of entorhinal cortex. Layer II islands were prominent in both the magnetic resonance imaging and corresponding histological sections, showing similar size and shape in two types of data. Area borders and island location based on cytoarchitectural features in the mediotemporal lobe were robustly detected using the magnetic resonance images. Our ex vivo results could break ground for high-resolution in vivo scanning that could ultimately benefit early diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disease.
Selective Fluoride Electrode Mechanism Studies

Abstract We wanted to determine the mechanism of charge transport through the LaF3 crystal in Orion's 94-09 and 94-09A fluoride electrodes. Voltage was applied to the electrode while it was in 15% Sodium Acetate Solution (pH 6.3) with or without (F18). We concluded that the mechanism of conduction through LaF3 was one of ionic diffusion. F18 accumulated on the electrode surface very rapidly. Diffusion into the body of the LaF3 (deeper than 300 A) was also very rapid.
Laparoscopic colectomy is safe and leads to a significantly shorter hospital stay for octogenarians

Concerns about prolonged postoperative recovery may detract surgeons from offering colectomy to patients older than 80 years. The adoption of a minimally invasive approach may help to counter these beliefs, but concerns remain as to whether these patients can tolerate a pneumoperitoneum. This study compared outcomes after laparoscopic colectomy (LC) and open colectomy (OC) for patients older than 80 years. From a prospectively maintained database, 97 patients undergoing elective LC between 1994 and 2008 were identified and matched 1:1 to OC patients for age, gender, year of surgery, extent of resection, proximal diversion, American Society of Anesthesiology score, and body mass index. Short-term outcomes including postoperative mortality, morbidity, and discharge status were assessed. The LC and OC patients were similar for the matched characteristics. Their mean age was 82.8 years (range, 80–94 years). The conversion rate for the LC patients was 14.4%. The OC group had a higher proportion of cancer patients (93.8% vs. 59.8%; P = 0.001). The discharge status for the LC and OC patients was similar, and most patients were discharged home without assistance (63.9% vs. 62.9%; P = 0.88). The median hospital stay was significantly shorter for LC (6 days; range, 1–67 days) than for OC (7 days; range, 2–53 days; P = 0.001). The 30-day postoperative complications (OC, 43.3% vs. LC, 37.1%; P = 0.38), reoperations (OC, 5.2% vs. LC, 4.1%; P = 0.73), and readmissions (OC, 6.2% vs. LC, 9.3%; P = 0.41) were similar. The overall mortality rate was 5.2% and similar between the two groups. Complications and other outcomes are similar for LC and OC, and the earlier recovery associated with LC, as evidenced by a shorter hospital stay, may encourage a wider adoption of LC for patients older than 80 years.
A Parametric Study on the Design of Multi-Body Systems with Elastic Members

Abstract A generic design procedure for multi-body systems with elastic members is presented in this paper. The important parameters which affect the stress, displacement, and natural frequency of a multi-body system can be closely related based on this parametric study. An approach using these relations to obtain the optimal design of multi-body systems subject to stress, displacement and natural frequency constraints is also described. Examples using this approach to design flexible mechanisms are demonstrated.
Selective Endovascular-First Approach for Critical Limb Ischemia Carries Minimal Cost of Worsening Long-Term Outcomes

was embolized with Interlock Fibered IDC (Boston Scientific) 3 mm coils. Postembolization common hepatic angiogram revealed successful exclusion of the sac, flush occlusion of the GDA, and patent hepatic arteries. Selective celiac and SMA angiogram revealed patent vessels with no retrograde flow into the VAPA. The patient had an unremarkable postoperative course without any further bleeding. He was discharged on postoperative day 5. A follow-up computed tomographic angiography confirmed continued exclusion of VAPA. Conclusions: VAPA should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with GI bleeding. Coil embolization using microcatheter techniques is a suitable treatment option for this challenging clinical condition. Advanced embolization techniques should be included in the training and practice of modern vascular surgeons.
Effect of Data Collection on the Estimation of Wall Reaction Coefficients for Water Distribution Models

AbstractDuring a model calibration process, errors in field measurements propagate to uncertainties in model parameter estimates and model predictions. This paper presents a means to quantify that effect in a water distribution water quality model and provides guidance on data collection experiment design. Water quality in the distribution systems is dominated by advective transport that is hydraulically driven. The hydraulic model, including the nodal demand, is assumed well calibrated and provides no uncertainty. Thus, only the wall decay coefficients are to be estimated and evaluated. The uncertainty assessment procedure consists of a parameter estimation model, parameter estimation uncertainty analysis, and model prediction uncertainty analysis. The shuffled frog leaping algorithm (SFLA), an optimization algorithm, is used to estimate the parameters in the water quality model in a least-squares regression given a set of field data. The parameter uncertainty is calculated using a first-order approximat...
ANKS1B is a smoking-related molecular alteration in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Background: An association between cigarette smoking and increased risk of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has been established; however, there are limited data regarding the molecular mechanisms that underlie this association. We used a multi-stage design to identify and validate genes that are associated with smoking-related ccRCC. Methods: We first conducted a microarray study to compare gene expression patterns in patient-matched ccRCC and normal kidney tissues between patients with (n=23) and without (n=42) a history of smoking. Analyses were first stratified on obesity status (the other primary risk factor for ccRCC) and then combined and analyzed together. To identify genes where the fold change in smokers relative to non-smokers was different in tumor tissues in comparison to patient-matched normal kidney tissues, we identified Affymetrix probesets that had a significant tissue type-by-smoking status interaction pvalue. We then performed RT-PCR validation on the top eight candidate genes in an independent sample of 28 smokers and 54 non-smokers. Results: We identified 15 probesets that mapped to eight genes that had candidate associations with smoking-related ccRCC: ANKS1B, ACOT6, PPWD1, EYS, LIMCH1, CHRNA6, MT1G, and ZNF600. Using RT-PCR, we validated that expression of ANKS1B is preferentially down-regulated in smoking-related ccRCC.
Genotype × Environment Interactions and Yield Stability of Food‐Grade Soybean Genotypes

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], an important component of the Asian diet, is gaining popularity as a source of vegetable protein and phytochemicals in the USA. However, soybean cultivars with desirable agronomic traits and biochemical components that enhance the quality of soyfoods have not been identified for cultivation in the USA. Twelve soybean genotypes, including three from Japan, were evaluated for their agronomic performance, genotype × environment (GE) interactions, and yield stability at four locations in the USA from 1994 to 1997. At maturity, seed yield, biomass, harvest index (HI), and 100-seed dry weight were determined using plants harvested from the middle two rows of each plot. Genotypic differences for the traits examined were significant. The mean seed yield across locations and years ranged from 2.0 to 3.0 Mg ha - 1 . The Japanese cultivars had larger seeds but were outyielded by the American genotypes by 10% and up to 35% by Hutcheson'. The genotype effects were significantly larger than the location × year effects for plant height, seed weight, and HI, but not for biomass or seed yield. Biomass and HI were important determinants of seed yield. S90-1056, V81-1603, V71-370, 'Enrei', 'Nakasennari', Ware', and York' were stable for seed weight across years. Hutcheson, S90-1056, York, MD86-5788, Nakasennari, and BARC-8 showed yield stability across environments and years. S90-1056, York, and Nakasennari were stable for both seed weight and seed yield; therefore, they could be used for commercial production in the USA or for breeding soybean cultivars suitable for tofu preparation.
The Indirect Land Use Impacts of United States Biofuel Policies: The Importance of Acreage, Yield, and Bilateral Trade Responses

Recent work has highlighted agricultural land conversion as a significant debit in the greenhouse gas accounting of ethanol as an alternative fuel. This work has at the same time sparked considerable debate on the role of crop yield growth as a means of avoiding rapid land conversion. We examine the agricultural land use impacts of mandate driven ethanol demand increases in the United States in a formal economic equilibrium framework which allows us to examine the importance of yield price relationships. We find that the standard assumption of trend yield growth is likely restrictive for analysis of equilibrium response to significant demand increases for fuel feedstocks. Furthermore, we identify both the acreage response and bilateral trade specification of a multi-country model as important sources of variability (in terms of parametric uncertainty) in predicting global land use change from the biofuels boom.
WSN15-4: A Game-Theoretic Framework for Interference Avoidance in Ad hoc Networks

A framework to construct convergent interference avoidance (IA) algorithms in networks with multiple distributed receivers (as in ad hoc networks) based on potential game theory is developed in this paper. This is motivated by the fact that direct extensions of distributed greedy IA techniques for centralized networks to these de-centralized networks do not always lead to convergence. Some channel conditions that lead to non-convergence are also identified in the paper. A waveform adaptation algorithm for IA, designed on the basis of the framework, is then proposed. It is shown that this algorithm leads to a reduction of the interference in the network and also incorporates fairness in the allocation of resources.
Myristoylated, alanine-rich C-kinase substrate phosphorylation regulates growth cone adhesion and pathfinding.

Repellents evoke growth cone turning by eliciting asymmetric, localized loss of actin cytoskeleton together with changes in substratum attachment. We have demonstrated that semaphorin-3A (Sema3A)-induced growth cone detachment and collapse require eicosanoid-mediated activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and that the major PKC target is the myristoylated, alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS). Here, we show that PKC activation is necessary for growth cone turning and that MARCKS, while at the membrane, colocalizes with 3-integrin in a peripheral adhesive zone of the growth cone. Phosphorylation of MARCKS causes its translocation from the membrane to the cytosol. Silencing MARCKS expression dramatically reduces growth cone spread, whereas overexpression of wild-type MARCKS inhibits growth cone collapse triggered by PKC activation. Expression of phosphorylation-deficient, mutant MARCKS greatly expands growth cone adhesion, and this is characterized by extensive colocalization of MARCKS and 3-integrin, resistance to eicosanoid-triggered detachment and collapse, and reversal of Sema3A-induced repulsion into attraction. We conclude that MARCKS is involved in regulating growth cone adhesion as follows: its nonphosphorylated form stabilizes integrin-mediated adhesions, and its phosphorylation-triggered release from adhesions causes localized growth cone detachment critical for turning and collapse.
Entrepreneurial Community College Presidents: An exploratory qualitative and quantitative study

This study examined the entrepreneurial, nontraditional fundraising behaviors and activities of 23 community college presidents using interview and survey data. The institutional characteristics that facilitate entrepreneurial action and how presidents are raising these new revenues were explored. “Best practices” and implications for future research and practice are provided. The results of this analysis revealed meaningful information that is beneficial for community college presidents seeking to transform their colleges through entrepreneurial leadership. These findings indicate entrepreneurial presidents do exist and their practices can be identified. The findings also indicate that presidents' engagement in certain specific entrepreneurial practices do result in increased nontraditional funding secured. A summary of these key findings may be used as a guide for current and future community college leaders who desire to become more entrepreneurial.
Serotonin neurotoxicity in rats after combined treatment with a dopaminergic agent followed by a nonneurotoxic 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) analogue.

Abstract There is increasing evidence linking dopamine (DA) to the long-term serotonergic (5-HT) neurotoxic effects of certain substituted amphetamines such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The present study was undertaken to examine the importance of DA metabolism, uptake inhibition and release in the long-term effects of these drugs by combining various dopaminergic agents with an analogue of MDMA that had low neurotoxic liability, namely 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindan (MDAI). Monoamine and metabolite levels and the number of 5-HT uptake sites (using [3H]paroxetine binding) were determined 3 hours or 1 week after treatments. Combining the monoamine oxidase inhibitors, clorgyline (MAOA selective) or deprenyl (MAOB selective) with MDAI did not result in any long-term reductions of serotonergic markers. Similarly, combining the DA uptake inhibitor GBR-12909 with MDAI did not result in any long-term changes in monoamine levels at 1 week. In contrast, a single pretreatment or posttreatment with the nonvesicular DA releaser S-amphetamine and MDAI resulted in small but significant long-term changes in monoamine levels. More importantly, if a subacute dosing regimen (every 12 hours for 4 days) was utilized, the combination of S-amphetamine with MDAI resulted in a marked long-term decrease in the levels of cortical, hippocampal and striatal 5-HT, 5-HIAA and the number of 5-HT uptake sites. The results are discussed in terms of the significance of DA and especially nonvesicular DA release in the long-term effects of MDMA-like drugs.
Regulation of leptin receptor expressing neurons in the brainstem by TRPV1 (1126.11)

The central nervous system plays a critical role in the regulation of feeding behavior and whole-body metabolism via controlling the autonomic output to the visceral organs. Activity of the parasympathetic neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) determines the vagal tone and thereby modulates the function of the subdiaphragmatic organs. Leptin is highly involved in the regulation of food intake and alters neuronal excitability of brainstem neurons. Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) has also been shown to increase neurotransmission in the brainstem and we tested the hypothesis that TRPV1 regulates presynaptic neurotransmitter release to leptin receptor-expressing (LepRb EGFP ) DMV neurons. Whole-cell patchclamp recordings were performed to determine the effect of TRPV1 activation on excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (EPSC, IPSC) of LepRb EGFP neurons in the DMV. Capsaicin, a TRPV1 agonist increased the frequency of miniature EPSCs in 50% of LepRb EGFP neurons without altering the frequency of miniature IPSCs in the DMV. Stomach-projecting LepRb EGFP neurons were identified in the DMV using the transsynaptic retrograde viral tracer PRV614. Activation of TRPV1 increased the frequency of mEPSC in ~50% of stomach-related LepRb EGFP DMV neurons. These data demonstrate that TRPV1 increases excitatory neurotransmission to a subpopulation of LepRb EGFP DMV neurons via presynaptic mechanisms and suggest a potential interaction between TRPV1 and leptin signaling in the DMV.
First Dates and Little White Lies: A Trait Contract Classification Theory of Applicant Faking Behavior

Many theories propose Individual × Situation interactions to explain the presence and magnitude of applicant faking behavior. However, these theories fail to account for the likelihood that faking behavior is expressed in several forms and may be accomplished through different processes. We propose the trait contract classification theory that seeks to refine prior theoretical work in this area by integrating empirical findings regarding traits related to differing forms of deceptive behavior. Following prior faking theories, the trait contract classification theory suggests that these individual traits interact with the situation to produce faking behavior. Our theory, specifically, offers the anticipatory psychological contract to globally capture the situational variance in faking. Analytic strategies are presented that will help researchers better uncover the diversity of faking behaviors.
Ready to Reason: Integration of Clinical Education and Basic Science Improves Medical Students’ Self-Assessed Clinical Reasoning Before Clerkships

Calls for reform of medical education encourage early integration of clinical medicine into the pre-clerkship curriculum, traditionally the domain of basic science. It is not known whether this early integration helps students develop clinical reasoning. As part of a comprehensive curriculum reform, our medical school instituted strategies to integrate basic science and clinical skills within a shortened pre-clerkship curriculum. We introduced “clinical correlations,” interactive lectures teaching a clinical skill by introducing a patient with a disease process students are studying in science. We connected the standardized patient environment and authentic clinical environment by ensuring longitudinal mentoring relationships in both settings. We adopted an integrated assessment structure for the pre-clerkship phase. To assess the effects of these innovations, we examined students’ perceptions of their clinical reasoning skills and assessed evaluations of clinical reasoning tasks in early clerkships. Compared to the traditional curriculum, students in the integrated curriculum felt significantly better-prepared for six of seven clinical reasoning tasks, and they felt more clinically prepared overall. Students in both curricula received high ratings from clerkship directors for skills related to clinical reasoning, with no significant difference seen between the two groups on any clerkship. Our findings suggest that integrated basic science-clinical medicine curricula can improve student confidence in clinical reasoning. While the lack of improvement in clerkship director ratings could relate to poor sensitivity of these measures to detect changes in skills, further modification of the curriculum may be needed to impact student performance.
DIVERGENT PATTERNS OF PROGRESSION TO AIDS AFTER INFECTION FROM THE SAME SOURCE : HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS TYPE 1 EVOLUTION AND ANTIVIRAL RESPONSES

The rate of progression to AIDS in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals is determined by a complex series of interactions between the host and virus. Here we evaluate virologic properties and host responses in two men near-simultaneously infected with HIV-1 from the same sexual partner--one individual progressed to AIDS in less than 2 years, and the other remains asymptomatic 3 years postinfection. Distinct neutralizing antibody and cellular immune responses were evident, with the slower progressor exhibiting generally stronger and broader responses, except for cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses early in infection. Virtually identical, homogeneous virus populations were found in both patients in the first sample obtained; however, a second unrelated HIV-1 virus population was also found in the fast progressor. Whether the second population emanated from an additional source of infection or the two were transmitted from the original source could not be determined. The virus population in the slower progressor turned over and diversified rapidly, whereas both virus populations in the rapid progressor evolved at a much slower rate. In addition, the character of mutational changes underlying these diversities appeared to be distinct, with a bias for diversifying selection developing in the slower progressor and a reciprocal bias towards purifying selection maintained in both populations in the fast progressor. Thus, the rapid evolution that is a hallmark of HIV replication may be a reflection of strong host resistance against emerging virus variants and a longer period of asymptomatic infection. Furthermore, rapid progression was not linked to a collapse of any appreciable immune response following attainment of some threshold of antigenic diversity but rather to a failure to drive this diversification and a condition of relatively unimpeded expansion of variants with optimized replicative capacity within the host.
In vivo evaluation of chemical biopersistence of nonfibrous inorganic particles.

The lung's response to deposited particles may depend upon the physical-chemical properties of the particles, the amount initially deposited, and the persistence of the particles. Clearance involve...
The Bush Faith-Based Initiative: The Catholic Response

Prior to the attack on the World Trade Center on 11 September, one of the major policy priorities of President George W. Bush was the government funding of Faith-based initiatives. He recognized the social and charitable efforts of religious organizations as a "major part of the American welfare system,"1 and a way to supplement government's re sponsibility to the poor and under-served in society. The original formulation of the president's faith-based policy was based on the unique ideas of several political strategists and academ ics,2 as well as the principles later advanced by others3 in the charitable choice provision of the Personal Responsibility and Work Reconcilia
Non-rigid body object tracking using fuzzy neural system based on multiple ROIs and adaptive motion frame method

The proposed framework supports a new and efficient non-rigid body object tracking among objects with similar patterns. Human tracking is used as an example of a non-rigid body tracking. The main objective of this framework is to track the targeted person among people with similar patterns in a series of images frames. The targeted person is identified in the initial frame by the user. This framework consists of three stages: generation of panoramic images for a wider range, detection stage, and tracking stage. In detection stage, all multiple regions of interest (ROIs) are classified and the target is detected using multiple ROIs and fuzzy neural system. In tracking stage, the targeted person is tracked using an adaptive motion frame method that checks the target's movement. This suggested framework explains how multiple ROIs are used for detecting non-rigid body object and how the target can be tracked using previous trajectory and velocity. This algorithm contributes towards the tracking of a desired target that exists among many similar non-rigid body objects.
Control-Based Adaptive Middleware for Real-Time Image Transmission over Bandwidth-Constrained Networks

Real-time image transmission is crucial to an emerging class of distributed embedded systems operating in open network environments. Examples include avionics mission replanning over Link-16, security systems based on wireless camera networks, and online collaboration using camera phones. Meeting image transmission deadlines is a key challenge in such systems due to unpredictable network conditions. In this paper, we present CAMRIT, a Control-based Adaptive Middleware framework for Real-time Image Transmission in distributed real-time embedded systems. CAMRIT features a distributed feedback control loop that meets image transmission deadlines by dynamically adjusting the quality of image tiles. We derive an analytic model that captures the dynamics of a distributed middleware architecture. A control-theoretic methodology is applied to systematically design a control algorithm with analytic assurance of system stability and performance, despite uncertainties in network bandwidth. Experimental results demonstrate that CAMRIT can provide robust real-time guarantees for a representative application scenario.
A General Additive Data Perturbation Method for Database Security

The security of organizational databases has received considerable attention in the literature in recent years. This can be attributed to a simultaneous increase in the amount of data being stored in databases, the analysis of such data, and the desire to protect confidential data. Data perturbation methods are often used to protect confidential, numerical data from unauthorized queries while providing maximum access and accurate information to legitimate queries. To provide accurate information, it is desirable that perturbation does not result in a change in relationships between attributes. In the presence of nonconfidential attributes, existing methods will result in such a change. This study describes a new method (General Additive Data Perturbation) that does not change relationships between attributes. All existing methods of additive data perturbation are shown to be special cases of this method. When the database has a multivariate normal distribution, the new method provides maximum security and minimum bias. For nonnormal databases, the new method provides better security and bias performance than the multiplicative data perturbation method.
A computer imaging system for noninvasively determining blood pool volume in the chick embryo heart

This paper introduces a noninvasive semi-autonomous computer imaging based system for quantifying ventricular blood pool volume in embryonic chick models. The technique proceeds by first obtaining two reference images from a recorded sequence of the functioning chick heart. These reference images, which are representative of the maximum end diastolic and the minimum end systolic phases for a set of images, are used as the basis for automating subsequent operations. A noise reduction filter, an automatic thresholding algorithm, and region growing are applied to selected end phase images in order to determine the extent of the blood pool in the ventricle. The area of the isolated ventricular blood pool in each of the resulting binary images is computed and used to calculate the volume. A statistical analysis of the data obtained by this system indicates substantial improvement over previous methods. >