cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distinct PGE2-responder and non-responder phenotypes in human mast cell populations: "all or nothing" enhancement of antigen-dependent mediator release.

Abstract Reports indicate that prostaglandin (PG)E 2 markedly enhances antigen-mediated degranulation in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) but not in human mast cells (HuMCs). We have examined the underlying mechanism(s) for this disparity in HuMCs derived from the peripheral blood of multiple donors in addition to mouse BMMCs. HuMCs from half of these donors failed to respond to PGE 2 and the PGE 2 EP3 receptor agonist, sulprostone. However, HuMCs from the remaining donors and the LAD2 human MC line responded to PGE 2 and sulprostone with marked enhancement of antigen-mediated degranulation and IL-8 production in a similar manner to that observed in mouse BMMCs. The EP2 agonist, butaprost, failed to modulate antigen-mediated responses in any type of MCs. These distinct phenotypes could not be explained by differences in EP2 or EP3 expression nor by differences in the ability of PGE 2 to elevate levels of cAMP, a signal recognized to down-regulate mast cell activation. Moreover, both responder and non-responder HuMC populations exhibited similar activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and MAP kinases. However, translocation of PLCγ 1 to the cell membrane and the associated calcium signal were enhanced only in the responder HuMC population indicating that the link between EP3 and PLCγ is impaired in the non-responder HuMCs. Conclusions These data provide a cautionary note for the translating of observations in the mouse to human mast cell-dependent disorders, but may also provide a basis for examining the effects of co-activating receptors in patients susceptible to allergic conditions.
Atomic structure and doping of microtubules.

The atomic and electronic structures of microtubules of graphitic carbon have been investigated by ab initio molecular dynamics. Fully optimized atomic structures of two microtubules, a reflection symmetric and a chiral, are found to differ little from their ideal, graphite-derived geometries. Both are semiconductors with direct band gaps at the \ensuremath{\Gamma} point and along the \ensuremath{\Delta} direction, respectively. It is shown by direct calculations in large supercells that substitutional N and B dope microtubules n and p type.
Adenovirus-mediated expression of antisense urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and antisense cathepsin B inhibits tumor growth, invasion, and angiogenesis in gliomas

We have shown previously that urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and cathepsin B are overexpressed during glioma progression, particularly at the leading edge of the tumor. In the present study, we simultaneously down-regulated uPAR and cathepsin B in SNB19 glioma cell monolayer or SNB19 spheroids using an adenoviral vector carrying antisense uPAR and antisense cathepsin B and a combination of these genes as determined by Western blot analysis. The Ad-uPAR-Cath B-infected cells revealed a marked reduction in tumor growth and invasiveness as compared with the parental and vector controls. In vitro and in vivo angiogenic assays demonstrated inhibition of capillary-like structure formation and microvessel formation after Ad-uPAR-Cath B infection of SNB19 cells when compared with Ad-cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected or mock-infected controls. Furthermore, using a near infrared fluorescence probe, in vivo imaging for cathepsin B indicated low/undetectable levels of fluorescence after injection of the Ad-uPAR-Cath B construct into pre-established s.c. tumors as compared with Ad-CMV-treated and untreated tumors. The effect with bicistronic construct (Ad-uPAR-Cath B) was much higher than with single (Ad-uPAR/Ad-Cath B) constructs. These results indicate that the down-regulation of cathepsin B and uPAR plays a significant role in inhibiting tumor growth, invasion, and angiogenesis. Hence, the targeting of these two proteases may be a potential therapy for brain tumors and other cancers.
The Missing Link in the Paradox of the Linda Conjunction Problem: Beyond Knowing and Thinking of the Conjunction Rule, the Intrinsic Appeal of Heuristic Processing

Participants who adopted an intuitive-experiential but not an analytical-rational mode of information processing reproduced the usual finding for the Linda conjunction problem of a preference for a heuristic, representativeness over a statistical, conjunction-rule solution. Many who knew and thought of the conjunction rule (the absence of which previously were considered the major reasons for the prevalence of representativeness solutions) preferred a representativeness solution. The widely held belief that people prefer the outcome of their rational more than their intuitive processing when both are equally accessible is of limited generality. The preference by many who know the conjunction rule for a heuristic, representativeness solution can account for both the very high rate of conjunction errors to the Linda problem and their resistance to elimination by training. A finding of a surprisingly strong priming effect suggests that once people engage in a processing mode, it tends to be self-maintaining.
The Spectrum of Tuberculous Peritonitis

From 1966 to 1973, a total of 30 cases of tuberculous peritonitis were seen in Seattle-King County. Abdominal pain, swelling, and constitutional symptoms were the most frequent initial complaints. Radiographic abnormalities consistent with tuberculosis were present in 25 cases, and pulmonary disease was proven in ten. An initial tuberculin test with intermediate-strength purified protein derivative of tuberculin was negative in 19 of 27 patients. Six of 13 initial nonreactors still had negative reactions on repeat testing, and four appeared to be anergic when retested one to four months later. Ascites was present in 67 percent (20) of the 30 patients, and laparotomy was used most frequently to establish the diagnosis. Diagnosis was particularly difficult in 13 alcoholics, in whom the disease was usually unsuspected, the findings in the ascitic fluid were uncharacteristic, and negative tuberculin reactions were frequent. Peritoneal tuberculosis was a contributory cause of death in five cases. Three of these patients, who were also alcoholics, went undiagnosed and untreated. Two patients died of unrelated causes. Twenty-three have done well, and 19 have completed chemotherapy.
Modeling Common-Practice Rhythm

THIS STUDY EXPLORES WAYS OF MODELING the compositional processes involved in common-practice rhythm (as represented by European classical music and folk music). Six probabilistic models of rhythm were evaluated using the method of cross-entropy: according to this method, the best model is the one that assigns the highest probability to the data. Two corpora were used: a corpus of European folk songs (the Essen Folksong Collection) and a corpus of Mozart and Haydn string quartets. The model achieving lowest cross-entropy was the First-Order Metrical Duration Model , which chooses a metrical position for each note conditional on the position of the previous note. Second best was the Hierarchical Position Model , which decides at each beat whether or not to generate a note there, conditional on the note status of neighboring strong beats (i.e., whether or not they contain notes).When complexity (number of parameters) is also considered, it is argued that the Hierarchical Position Model is preferable overall.
High-density lipoprotein and atheroma monitoring.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To highlight the use of arterial wall imaging to evaluate the impact of therapies that promote high-density lipoproteins. RECENT FINDINGS High-density lipoproteins possess a number of biological properties, which have a direct impact on the extent and composition of atherosclerosis. Arterial wall imaging has been employed to demonstrate the beneficial influence on atherosclerosis of a number of therapeutic agents that modify high-density lipoprotein. SUMMARY Atheroma imaging has become an integral component of the clinical development of novel therapeutic agents designed to promote the atheroprotective activity of high-density lipoprotein.
In situ scanning electron microscopy observations of tensile deformation in a boron-modified Ti–6Al–4V alloy

In situ scanning electron microscopy was performed during both room temperature and 480 °C tensile deformation of a boron-modified Ti–6Al–4V alloy, in order to characterize the deformation evolution. The sequence of observable surface deformation events was: TiB whisker microcracking at stresses well below the global yield stress, multiple and extensive TiB cracking after global yielding, α + β phase slip emanating from the cracked TiB whiskers, localized shear band formation and propagation leading to cracking in the α + β phases, and ductile sample failure. TiB cracking was also observed throughout the subsurface locations on post-deformed samples. The early microcracking of TiB particles did not degrade mechanical properties, and higher tensile and ultimate strengths were obtained with a ductile fracture mode at quasi-static tensile elongations equivalent to conventional Ti–6Al–4V.
Doping-dependent thermopower of PbTe from Boltzmann transport calculations

The thermopower of PbTe as a function of temperature and doping level is reported based on Boltzmann transport calculations using the first principles relativistic electronic structure as obtained with the Engel-Vosko generalized gradient approximation. The results are discussed in relation to experimental data. For $p$-type material there is an enhancement at high-doping levels due to the onset of an increased density of states starting $\ensuremath{\sim}0.2\text{ }\text{eV}$ below the valence band edge. This leads to agreement between the calculated thermopower and recent results on PbTe with heavy Tl doping.
A field ion microscope study of black chrome and nickel electroplated coatings

Abstract The nucleation and growth characteristics of electroplated layers of nickel on 303 stainless steel and of black chrome on nickel emission tips have been investigated at liquid nitrogen imaging temperatures. The overgrowths were observed to possess the strength of bonding to the substrate necessary for such a study under field-induced stresses. The electroplated layers showed a polycrystalline structure independent of the orientations of the single-crystal substrate tips. The slightly deformed character to the overgrowths and the abuddance of vacancy clusters observed in the plated layers agree with earlier electroplating studies on other materials utilizing the field ion microscope.
A Geochronologie Study of the Lone Grove Pluton from the Llano Uplift, Texas

A detailed geological study of the Lone Grove granitic pluton and surrounding rocks from the Llano Uplift, Texas, was made. Field and petrologic evidence suggests that this intrusive has had a simple history of emplacement with no later metamorphism. Samples of granite, aplite, pegmatite, rhyolite, and metamorphic rocks were investigated geochronologically in order to determine the consistency in Rb87–Sr87 and K40–Ar40 ages between various minerals and between different localities. Refined chemical and mass spectrometric methods of analysis are described and the limits of precision are established. It is found possible to determine ages on most highly radiogenic minerals to a precision of ± 1 1/2% or better. All ages were calculated with the following decay constants: Rb87, λβ=1.47x10(-11)yr(-1); K40, λβ=4.72x10(-10)yr(-1) and λe= 0.585x10(-10)yr(-1). The distribution of ages on most of the minerals from these rocks show a spread commensurate with the experimental error. The average Rb87-Srv age on microclines,muscovites and biotites is 1015 million years and the average K40–Ar40 age on muscovites, biotites, and hornblendes is 1045 million years. A total rock Rb87-Sr87 age on one of the granites gives no indication of having an older age than the constituent minerals. The only rock to show an apparently real different age is a rhyolite porphyry, which gives an average Rb87-Sr87 microcline age of 910 million years. K40-Ar40 determinations on several microclines and plagioclases give ages which are 5-20% too low, presumably due to argon diffusion from the feldspar. Anomalously low Rb87–Sr87 ages occur on several biotites from fresh pegmatites and granite. Evidence is presented for radiogenic strontium migration from these rocks although the exact nature of the process is not known. Somewhat low K40–Ar40 ages also are obtained on the pegmatitic biotites. A study of the effects of weathering on the geochronologic systems is made on two obviously altered granites. The only mineral to suffer any decrease in age from such surface alteration is biotite by the Rb87-Sr87 method. The isotopic composition of the common strontium incorporated into the minerals of the granite is determined on several minerals having low Rb/Sr ratios. The Sr87/Sr88 ratio is found to be 0.0843 ± 0.0002 (normalized to make Sr866/Sr88 = 0.1194). A discussion of the distribution of rubidium, potassium, and normal strontium throughout the pluton is given and several partitioning factors for the rubidium to potassium concentrations between different mineral species are calculated.
Efficient classical density-functional theories of rigid-molecular fluids and a simplified free energy functional for liquid water

Abstract Classical density-functional theory provides an efficient alternative to molecular dynamics simulations for understanding the equilibrium properties of inhomogeneous fluids. However, application of density-functional theory to multi-site molecular fluids has so far been limited by complications due to the implicit molecular geometry constraints on the site densities, whose resolution typically requires expensive Monte Carlo methods. Here, we present a general scheme of circumventing this so-called inversion problem: compressed representations of the orientation density. This approach allows us to combine the superior iterative convergence properties of multipole representations of the fluid configuration with the improved accuracy of site-density functionals. Armed with the above general framework, we construct a simplified free-energy functional for water which captures the radial distributions, cavitation energies, and the linear and nonlinear dielectric response of liquid water. The resulting approach will enable efficient and reliable first-principles studies of atomic-scale processes in contact with solution or other liquid environments.
Information systems outsourcing: Issues and evidence

According to the popular press, outsourcing is becoming pervasive in the marketplace. The primary philosophical question 'whether outsourcing is specific to information systems functions or is it as widespread as being publicized' remains unanswered. Are we reliving the 'hollowed out' corporation or is it just another fad that will pass away? Is there any proof that corporations are becoming 'virtual' that is, one or a few managers forming a company and outsourcing almost everything to outside companies. This paper looks at the potential risks and benefits of outsourcing and presents some statistics on outsourcing. It then lists the research issues covered in the literature, followed by a content analysis of the annual reports of 31 companies (25 clients and six vendors). It attempts to determine the perceived value of the outsourcing activity based on how the outsourcing information is communicated to the shareholders. Finally, the paper discusses the relationship (or lack thereof) between productivity and outsourcing.
Hypothalamic hamartoma in oral-facial-digital syndrome type VI (Váradi syndrome).

Oral-facial-digital syndrome (OFDS) type VI (Varadi syndrome) is an autosomal recessive trait of orofacial anomalies, cerebellar dysgenesis, and polysyndactyly. Developmental anomalies of the posterior fossa, including cerebellar hypoplasia and variants of the Dandy-Walker complex, are the most common central nervous system malformations reported in patients with this syndrome. We report hypothalamic hamartoma, supernumerary maxillary incisor, and precocious puberty in a boy with OFDS type VI. We propose that hypothalamic hamartoma is an occasional manifestation of OFDS type VI.
Who directs strategic change? Director experience, the selection of new CEOs, and change in corporate strategy

We develop a theory of board-directed strategic change in which directors (1) conceive changes in corporate strategy that reflect the strategies of their own home companies, and (2) select new CEOs who have prior experience with similar strategies to facilitate implementation. The findings show that, while the experience of new CEOs appears to predict corporate strategic change, these effects disappear after accounting for board experience. Thus, our results suggest that executive effects on strategy can mask board effects. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Issues Facing Gay Black Males in College

Abstract This paper summarizes the coming-out experiences of twelve gay black men in college who participated in extensive, audiotaped interviews about their personal experiences. Results of the study highlight both the diversity and commonality of experiences among these students. A qualitative, cross-case pattern analysis of the interviews yielded several common themes: (a) coming out experiences; (b) disclosure strategies on campus; (c) racism in gay groups; (d) antigay prejudice in black groups; (e) bicultural issues; (f) social and academic life; and (g) family and spirituality. The practical implications of the study findings for college and university counselors, mental health professionals and student affairs personnel are discussed.
Psychotropic Medications in Autism: Practical Considerations for Parents

Medications are widely prescribed in children with autism spectrum disorders. Most commonly these medications are used to decrease symptoms that fall under three main clusters: irritability, ADHD-like symptoms, and repetitive behaviors. In this guide we introduce basic approaches to medications in children with autism and review the scientific evidence in each symptom cluster.
Quantification of exercise‐induced pulmonary haemorrhage with bronchoalveolar lavage

Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) causes serious economic losses in the horse racing industry. Endoscopic examination indicates that 40-90% of horses exhibit EIPH following sprint exercise, but the limitations of the endoscope prevent diagnosis in many horses. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was utilised to detect red blood cells (RBCs) in the terminal airways in 6 horses. Two lavages were performed at weekly intervals prior to exercise, one within 90 min after exercise, and 5 at weekly intervals after exercise. The horses were exercised strenuously at 12.5-14.6 m/s on a treadmill (3 degree incline). Heart rates ranged from 192-207 beats/min, and mean pulmonary arterial pressures (mPAP) ranged from 80-102 mmHg. Neither epistaxis nor endoscopic evidence of EIPH was seen in any of the 6 horses following exercise. However, the number of RBCs in the lavage fluid increased significantly over control values immediately after exercise in all horses but returned to control values by one week after exercise. Haemosiderophages in the BAL fluid did not increase until one week after exercise and remained elevated for 3 weeks after exercise. Twenty per cent of the total population of alveolar macrophages contained haemosiderin. A positive relationship occurred between the number of RBCs in the lavage fluid and mPAP; the amount of haemorrhage increased as the mPAP exceeded 80 to 90 mmHg. The results with BAL used as the diagnostic tool, suggest that all strenuously exercised horses may exhibit EIPH; the amount of haemorrhage appears to be associated with the magnitude of the high pulmonary arterial pressure.
A new adenoviral helper–dependent vector results in long-term therapeutic levels of human coagulation factor IX at low doses in vivo

We have developed a new helper-dependent (HD) adenoviral vector FTC that contains 3 cis-acting sequences as stuffer DNA: a human fragment of alphoid repeat DNA, matrix-attachment regions (MARs), and the hepatocyte control region enhancer. To determine the most robust human coagulation factor IX (hFIX) expression cassette in an adenovirus, we first tested different hFIX expression sequences with or without flanking MARs in first-generation adenoviral vectors. After intravenous infusion of the vector, serum levels of up to 100 000 ng/mL hFIX (normal level, 5000 ng/mL) were obtained at nontoxic doses. In order to make a direct comparison, a first-generation and a genedeleted vector with identical hFIX expression cassettes were constructed. Both first-generation and HD adenovirus‐ treated animals demonstrated a threshold effect in a dose-response study. With the administration of 2 109 transducing particles of either vector, supraphysiological serum levels of hFIX were obtained, with the highest expression (41 000 ng/ mL) occurring during the first 2 months after injection. The serum factor IX concentrations, while remaining in the therapeutic range, slowly declined by 95% over a period of 1 year. At this dose, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor‐ serum concentrations were elevated in animals that received the first-generation but not the HD vector. This study compares the properties of a gene-deleted and first-generation adenovirus with equivalent expression cassettes and suggests that the cis-DNA elements contained in the vector and expression cassette have important effects on gene expression in vivo. (Blood. 2002;99: 3923-3930)
Simulation of reproductive stages limiting productivity of the endangered Attwater's prairie chicken

Particularly where ground-nesting birds are concerned, conservation biologists require simulation models that explicitly represent population parameters affecting the first year of life. For this reason, we developed and evaluated a computerized model that explicitly represents prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) clutch size, egg hatchability, nesting success, brood survival, survivorship of chicks within successful broods, and juvenile and adult survival. Sensitivity analyses of these variables suggest that the proportion of hens losing their entire brood would have the greatest influence on the number of prairie chickens in the subsequent spring breeding population. We then used the model to compare the relative importance of three reproductive parameters of endangered Attwater’s prairie chicken (T. c. attwateri) populations that are known to be significantly less productive than those of the greater prairie chicken (T. c. pinnatus). When long-term nesting success, brood survival, and number of chicks per brood prior to brood breakup were individually increased, values for each parameter had to be substantially greater than typically seen in greater prairie chicken populations before the decline in Attwater’s prairie chicken numbers was reversed. When these three variables were increased simultaneously, ≈90% of the difference between Attwater’s and greater prairie chicken values had to be closed before the decline in number was reversed.
Brief report: piloting the Positive Life Changes (PLC) program for at-risk adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to pilot the Positive Life Changes (PLC) program, a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral intervention for at-risk adolescents that aims to promote social competencies and to prevent aggression. The program was piloted in 4 intervention groups with a sample of 31 self-referred adolescents (M age 15.64) attending an alternative high school. Questionnaires at pretest and 6-week posttest included five social competencies that represent an expansion of social information-processing (SIP) skills, a measure of aggressive behavior, and a new measure of aggression propensity. Three-level hierarchical linear models showed increases in three social competencies and reductions in physical and verbal aggression propensity from pretest to posttest. Number of program sessions attended did not moderate pretest–posttest change. Findings are discussed in the context of program implementation and future research in school and community settings.
An investigation of source–receptor relationships for mercury in south Florida using event precipitation data

A recent pilot study suggested that local anthropogenic sources may play an important role in the atmospheric deposition of mercury (Hg) in South Florida. To examine the potential impacts of these local anthropogenic sources of Hg, the South Florida Atmospheric Mercury Monitoring Study (SoFAMMS) was conducted from 6 August to 6 September 1995. The major goals of the SoFAMMS were to investigate potential source–receptor relationships between anthropogenic point-source emissions in south-east Florida (Dade and Broward Counties) and the atmospheric deposition of Hg and other trace elements across this region, which includes the Florida Everglades. As part of SoFAMMS, daily event precipitation samples were collected concurrently at 17 sites across the study domain during the 1-month period. All samples were analyzed for Hg and other trace elements. The volume-weighted mean concentrations of Hg measured at the 17 sites during the study ranged from 13 to 31 ng l−1. While these monthly means indicated a significant site-to-site variation in Hg concentration, even greater differences between sites were observed on an event basis. Concentrations of Hg in individual daily event precipitation samples ranged from 5 to 113 ng l−1. Similar spatial and temporal variations in precipitation concentrations were observed for other trace elements as well. These variations could not be accounted for by rainfall amounts alone. The spatial and temporal patterns observed suggest that local sources strongly influence atmospheric wet deposition across this region. Extensive elemental composition and meteorological precipitation data (including WSR-88D radar data from Miami, FL) were combined in an effort to look at the history of precipitation storm cells impacting the sampling sites and their spatial relationships to potential anthropogenic sources. Two sample periods are presented which demonstrate not only the impacts of local anthropogenic sources, but that these impacts fluctuate as a function of the mesoscale meteorological transport conditions. These preliminary findings indicate that local sources of Hg to South Florida and the Everglades may be more substantial than previous estimates.
Detecting Students' Experiences of Discontinuities Between Middle School and High School Mathematics Programs: Learning During Boundary Crossing

Transitions from middle school to high school mathematics programs can be problematic for students due to potential differences between instructional approaches and curriculum materials. Given the minimal research on how students experience such differences, we report on the experiences of two students as they moved out of an integrated, problem-based mathematics program in their middle school into a high school mathematics program that emphasized procedural fluency. We conducted an average of two interviews per year for two and a half years with participants and engaged in participant-observation at their high school. In this study, we illustrate an analytic process for detecting discontinuities between settings from participants' perspectives. We determined that students experienced a discontinuity if they reported meaningful differences between settings (frequent mention, in detail, with emphasis terms) and concurrently reported a change in attitude. Additionally, these students' experiences illustrate...
Theoretical description of the interaction between birdcage coils and lossy samples.

An analysis is presented of the interaction between a long cylindrical imaging coil, commonly called a low‐pass birdcage coil, and a cylindrical sample. Predicted and measured values of coil Q are shown to compare well throughout the resonance spectrum of an experimental coil–sample system. The analysis may be used to calculate feed‐point impedances and is easily extended to high‐pass coils.
Fire retardancy and morphology of layered double hydroxide nanocomposites: a review

One of the methods to reduce the flammability of polymeric materials is the incorporation of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) into the polymer matrix. Dispersing LDH into the polymer matrix results in the formation of nanocomposites with significantly improved thermal and fire retardant properties. In this review the focus is mainly on the dispersion of LDH within the polymer matrix and how the dispersion affects the fire retardant properties of polymer–LDH nanocomposites.
Secondary prevention of coronary heart disease

Despite the significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality during the past three decades, atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Randomized clinical trials in patients with CHD have provided convincing evidence that risk factor modification is beneficial in decreasing all-cause mortality and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Multifactorial coronary risk reduction provides the most substantial benefit. Coronary risk reduction is associated with a decrease in cardiovascular-related hospital admissions, a reduced need for myocardial revascularization procedures, and an improved quality of life for the patients so treated. Control of coronary risk factors is an integral component of the optimal care of the patient with CHD.
A proteomics search algorithm specifically designed for high-resolution tandem mass spectra.

The acquisition of high-resolution tandem mass spectra (MS/MS) is becoming more prevalent in proteomics, but most researchers employ peptide identification algorithms that were designed prior to this development. Here, we demonstrate new software, Morpheus, designed specifically for high–mass accuracy data, based on a simple score that is little more than the number of matching products. For a diverse collection of data sets from a variety of organisms (E. coli, yeast, human) acquired on a variety of instruments (quadrupole–time-of-flight, ion trap–orbitrap, and quadrupole–orbitrap) in different laboratories, Morpheus gives more spectrum, peptide, and protein identifications at a 1% false discovery rate (FDR) than Mascot, Open Mass Spectrometry Search Algorithm (OMSSA), and Sequest. Additionally, Morpheus is 1.5 to 4.6 times faster, depending on the data set, than the next fastest algorithm, OMSSA. Morpheus was developed in C# .NET and is available free and open source under a permissive license.
Behavior of municipal solid waste leachates. II. In soil

Abstract The rate of movement of certain potential pollutants (e.g. heavy metals and organic carbon) found in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachates is correlated with certain measurable broad parameters of both the leachate and soil. Those most prominent leachate characteristics fall into broad categories such as total organic carbon compounds (TOC), pH, and concentration of soluble common salts and some naturally occurring metals, notably iron. Usually, the lower the pH level and higher the concentration of the other constituents, the more rapid is the movement of the pollutants through soil. Therefore the behavior of MSW leachate with respect to its influence on attenuation of heavy metal migration through soils is not the same generated from freshly deposited waste as from that deposited longer.
Observation, Context, and Sequence in the Study of Politics

Observation is at the heart of political analysis. Observing the behavior of U.S. senators involves watching them in two contexts—at home and in the capital city. It also entails sensitivity to the sequences of events or contexts which impinge upon senatorial behavior. Contexts and sequences of legislative life have not been observed in the rich detail they deserve, because not enough political scientists are presently engaged in observation.
Sojourners of the Caribbean: Ethnogenesis and Ethnohistory of the Garifuna

Sojourners of the Caribbean: Ethnogenesis and Ethnohistory of the Garifuna. NANCIE L. GONZALEZ. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1988. 272 pp., maps, tables, references, index. $29.95 (cloth). ISBN 0-252-01453-7.
Parallel Multidimensional Scaling Performance on Multicore Systems

Multidimensional scaling constructs a configuration points into the target low-dimensional space, while the interpoint distances are approximated to the corresponding known dissimilarity values as much as possible. SMACOF algorithm is an elegant gradient descent approach to solve Multidimensional scaling problem. We design parallel SMACOF program using parallel matrix multiplication to run on a multicore machine. Also, we propose a block decomposition algorithm based on the number of threads for the purpose of keeping good load balance. The proposed block decomposition algorithm works very well if the number of block columns is at least a half of the number of threads. In this paper, we investigate performance results of the implemented parallel SMACOF in terms of the block size, data size, and the number of threads. The speedup factor is almost 7.7 with 2048 points data over 8 running threads. In addition, performance comparison between jagged array and two-dimensional array in C# language is carried out. The jagged array data structure performs at least 40% better than the two-dimensional array structure.
Association Rules for Fraud Detection

A recent study reported that businesses normally lose 5% of their revenues to fraud each year—with the median loss for occupational fraud set at $140,000. But finding fraud is tough: 87% of the perpetrators have never been previously charged with a fraud-related offense. And budgetary cutbacks are another obstacle for internal auditors, who are continuously being asked to do more with less. Computerized records offer greater accuracy and efficiency, but investigators can find themselves drowning in a sea of digital data. So fraud investigators need a practical way of finding the proverbial “needle in a haystack” clue that will lead them to the perpetrators. The author suggests one solution: association rules (AR), a data-mining technique that can help auditors find fraud when they are not sure where to search. He explains how auditors can use AR to find patterns and relationships that would otherwise go unnoticed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Engineering ethanologenic Escherichia coli for levoglucosan utilization

Levoglucosan is a major product of biomass pyrolysis. While this pyrolyzed biomass, also known as bio-oil, contains sugars that are an attractive fermentation substrate, commonly-used biocatalysts, such as Escherichia coli, lack the ability to metabolize this anhydrosugar. It has previously been shown that recombinant expression of the levoglucosan kinase enzyme enables use of levoglucosan as carbon and energy source. Here, ethanologenic E. coli KO11 was engineered for levoglucosan utilization by recombinant expression of levoglucosan kinase from Lipomyces starkeyi. Our engineering strategy uses a codon-optimized gene that has been chromosomally integrated within the pyruvate to ethanol (PET) operon and does not require additional antibiotics or inducers. Not only does this engineered strain use levoglucosan as sole carbon source, but it also ferments levoglucosan to ethanol. This work demonstrates that existing biocatalysts can be easily modified for levoglucosan utilization.
Mothers’ Depressive Symptoms Predict Both Increased and Reduced Negative Reactivity Aversion Sensitivity and the Regulation of Emotion

This study examined whether, as mothers' depressive symptoms increase, their expressions of negative emotion to children increasingly reflect aversion sensitivity and motivation to minimize ongoing stress or discomfort. In multiple interactions over 2 years, negative affect expressed by 319 mothers and their children was observed across variations in mothers' depressive symptoms, the aversiveness of children's immediate behavior, and observed differences in children's general negative reactivity. As expected, depressive symptoms predicted reduced maternal negative reactivity when child behavior was low in aversiveness, particularly with children who were high in negative reactivity. Depressive symptoms predicted high negative reactivity and steep increases in negative reactivity as the aversiveness of child behavior increased, particularly when high and continued aversiveness from the child was expected (i.e., children were high in negative reactivity). The findings are consistent with the proposal that deficits in parenting competence as depressive symptoms increase reflect aversion sensitivity and motivation to avoid conflict and suppress children's aversive behavior.
Explaining the Variable Utility of Disjointed Incrementalism: Four Propositions

Much of mainstream organization theory has been concerned with the implications for organizational design and policy process of high levels of uncertainty or complexity in task environments. Decentralization, disjointed incrementalist decision strategies, and quasi-market coordinative mechanisms have been advanced as rational responses to the complexity of most problems in the socio-political sphere. This article presents and illustrates four conditions which reduce the relative utility of this approach as a means of coping with uncertainty. The propositions are shown to be implicit in the logic of “muddling through,” and are used to help explain/predict the evolution of relatively centralized and planned organizations in certain types of complex task environments.
Alternative Treatments of Pneumothorax

Abstract Background Pneumothorax has traditionally been treated in the Emergency Department by tube thoracostomy. However, this is an invasive procedure with high risk of complication and prolonged hospitalization. Discussion In select settings, there are alternative forms of management of pneumothorax that carry lower risks and may reduce hospital stay. This article reviews the settings in which less invasive treatment, including observation alone, may be indicated. This article also reviews the techniques for simple aspiration and small-bore catheter insertion (by either Seldinger or catheter-over-wire technique) with Heimlich valve, as well as the indications, contraindications, and potential risks and benefits of each. Conclusions The practices of observation, simple aspiration, and small-bore catheter insertion with Heimlich valve for selected patients may decrease complications, time, and costs by avoiding invasive procedures and hospital admissions.
Effects of Message Characteristics, Age, and Gender on Perceptions of Mobile Advertising An Empirical Investigation among College Students

A tremendous opportunity emerges for marketers to push effective advertisements to target audiences. One forecast suggests mobile advertising will represent one-fifth of the global Internet advertising revenue by 2011, generating $14.4 billion of revenue. Hence, the need for knowledge advances in this fairly young area is warranted. A study of 344 U.S. college students was conducted to answer two questions in the context of mobile message advertising via SMS: i) How does a mobile advertisement’s message length affect the receiving mobile user’s attitude toward the advertisement? Ii) Are there age and gender differences in the evaluation of SMS-based mobile advertisements? A PLS-based data analysis offers support for the positive effects of mobile ads’ message length on the perceived informativeness and entertainment of the mobile ad, which in turn positively influence both attitude toward the mobile ad and the mobile user’s intention to click through it and learn more about the advertised brand. Gender effects were found regarding perceptions of a mobile ad’s informativeness. Specifically, women reported higher levels for all dependent constructs, i.e. informativeness and entertainment of the mobile ads, attitude toward the ads, and intention to click through and learn more. Also, age was shown to negatively influence the attitude toward the mobile ad, i.e. older users reported lower levels regarding the mobile ad’s value, their attitude toward the ads, and their likelihood to click through than younger users. Implications for both theory and practice are also discussed, including an expanded model regarding mobile advertising effectiveness with high explanatory power (i.e. 69% of the variance in the attitude toward mobile ads and 54% of the variance in the behavioral intention to respond to the ad by clicking through was explained).
Parental Behavior and Mating Systems

Trivers (1972) defined parental investment as “any investment by the parent in an individual offspring that increases that offspring’s chances of surviving (and hence reproductive success) at the cost of the parent’s ability to invest in other offspring.” This includes investment in the survival of gametes and embryos as well as in the parental care of offspring after hatching or birth, until they become independent. In many species, parental care is virtually absent: In some fish, huge numbers of eggs and sperm are released into the water during spawning; fertilization and the survival of eggs and hatchlings are left to chance. In other species, the female, the male, or both provide parental care by (1) ensuring a food supply; (2) regulating the immediate environment, for example, fish fanning eggs to provide oxygenated water and birds incubating eggs; and (3) protecting the offspring from predators; and, in animals with complex brains, by (4) serving as models for acquiring social and hunting skills. Provision of food can involve quite bizarre mechanisms, including the cannibalization of eggs and younger embryos within the mother’s oviduct by other sand shark embryos, so that usually only one embryo remains. Female digger wasps lay an egg into a paralyzed, but not dead, honeybee upon which the larva feeds. In an African species of social spider, the mother makes the supreme sacrifice by being totally devoured by her young. Protection from predators can also take an unusual form. In an African mouth-breeding cichlid fish, Haplochromis, the female picks up her eggs with her mouth immediately after laying them and simultaneously picks up male sperm during attempts to pick up the “dummy” eggs on the anal fin of the male. Fertilization, incubation, and hatching all occur within her mouth, to which the fry continue to return at night and when threatened.
Diffraction shaping of reflector antennas with elliptical apertures and circular feed

Reflector antennas with elliptical apertures are often seen to be advantageous in satellite communications and radar applications. Utilization of an elliptical aperture is typically motivated by the required radiation patterns, and the reduced weight and cost. The central issue in the design of such elliptical reflector antennas is re-distributing or re-directing the feed field to the reflectors in the manner that the desired beam characteristics are obtained. It becomes a challenging task when a more complex radiation pattern such as a contoured-beam is to be generated from an elliptical reflector antenna that uses one circularly symmetric feed. In this situation, the field-redirection can only be achieved through reflector shaping. In the paper, the diffraction shaping technique based on an orthogonal global surface expansion and optimization techniques is employed to shape an elliptical dual-reflector antenna, and the result compared with that using a circular reflector antenna. >
User's perspective of power supply procurement, an IBM case study

IBM spends more than 500 million dollars each year to procure power supplies and power components to support its computer business. Part of the spending goes for power supplies required for laptop, desktop, workstations, servers and mainframe computers and the rest is for UPS systems and power components used for embedded power systems. Every IBM division is responsible for meeting its power supply needs either by designing internally and then manufactured by outside sources or designed and manufactured externally. This paper provides an in-depth look of IBM's procurement process.
Driving Taxis in New York City

Immigrants from the northwest Indian state of the Punjab have occupied a dominant position in the New York taxi industry as drivers since the early 1980s. What factors enabled this niche formation? This article examines the relative importance of demand, supply, and networks and subsequent niche formation in the New York taxi industry labor market.
Structural and Quantitative Analyses of 4-Chloroaniline-Derived Oligomers

Abstract The oxidation of 4-chloroaniline by a peroxidase resulted in eight oligomeric products. A reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed so that substrate disappearance and the corresponding product formations could be quantitatively monitored. The product mixture was isolated from the aqueous reaction solution with solid-phase extraction and the extract components were separated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The individual TLC bands were extracted for mass spectrometric and proton nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. The product mixture was found to contain dimers, trimers, and tetramers with benzoquinone monoimine, benzopuinone di-mine, diaminobenzene, and azobenzene structures. Analytical methodologies were specific for the study of the oxidative transformation of 4-chloroaniline, but they should be applicable to other anilinederived oligomers.
Endovascular treatment of pediatric intracranial aneurysms: a retrospective study of 35 aneurysms

Background Pediatric intracranial aneurysms are rare and not well characterized in comparison with those in adults. Objective To analyze our institution’s longitudinal experience of endovascular treatment for pediatric aneurysms to better understand this rare condition. Methods A retrospective record review was performed of patients aged Results The rate of subarachnoid hemorrhage as the initial presentation was 48% and the rates of multiple and giant aneurysms were 13% and 31%, respectively; 28.5% of the cases were posterior circulation aneurysms. Fifteen saccular aneurysms occurred in 14 patients and 17 fusiform aneurysms were noted in 14 patients. Two infectious aneurysms were diagnosed in two patients and one traumatic aneurysm occurred in another patient. Thirty-four aneurysms were treated endovascularly and one had thrombosed spontaneously on a follow-up angiogram. Of the 15 saccular aneurysms, 11 were treated with conventional coiling, one was treated with stent-assisted coiling, one was treated with a flow-diverting stent and two were treated with parent vessel occlusion (PVO). Of the 17 fusiform aneurysms, 15 were treated with PVO with or without prior bypass surgery and one was treated with a flow-diverting stent. The rate of permanent complications and a favorable outcome were 2.9% and 87%, respectively. Conclusions Endovascular treatment of pediatric aneurysms is technically feasible with an acceptable complication rate despite the high incidence of fusiform aneurysms.
Reconstructed Plume Method for Identifying Sources of Chlorinated Solvents

This article discusses a method for identifying sources of chlorinated solvent releases without the need to formulate site-specific degradation rates. Instead, converting measured concentrations of daughter products to equivalent concentrations of parent products furnishes the needed information. The method is illustrated with a case study, and consists of two parts: 1) developing a picture of what the plume would have looked like if biodegradation and hydrolysis had not occurred, and 2) factoring in what is known about groundwater flow direction. The relevance of this method for identifying areas where biodegradation has occurred and for age-dating plumes is also discussed.