cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sediment Toxicity in Mid-Continent Great Rivers (USA)

As part of the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program for Great River Ecosystems (EMAP-GRE), sediment samples were collected from 447 randomly selected littoral sites along the main channels of the Ohio, Missouri, and Upper Mississippi Rivers between 2004 and 2006. Toxicity of these sediment samples was measured using a 7-day Hyalella azteca survival and growth test. Sixty-five sites (14.5%) exhibited lethal toxicity, and 130 sites (29.1%) exhibited decreased growth. In the EMAP-GRE probabilistic sampling design, each sampled site had a weight associated with it that determined the length (and proportion) of the river represented by that sample point in the population. Weighted whole-river estimates indicated that of the 4721 river km sampled, sediment from 15.9 ± 3.0% of the river (752 ± 50 km) were lethally toxic, 27.4 ± 3.5% (1289 ± 57 km) were toxic by way of growth inhibition, and 40.0 ± 3.7% (1887 ± 68 km) exhibited either lethal or growth toxicity. Selected toxic samples were analyzed for 21 pesticides, 20 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners, and 6 polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners. For all of the samples tested, the concentration levels of these analytes were mostly lower than known toxicity thresholds, and neither unionized ammonia concentration nor osmotic stress (as measured by conductivity) could account for the toxicity found in sediments. The spatial pattern of sediment toxicity cannot be readily explained by urbanization or agricultural land use at the subcatchment scale. We speculate that the distribution of toxic sediment is more likely due to a combination of localized sources, including polluted tributaries, and the redistribution of contaminated sediments from upriver. The sediment toxicity results from this study will be used, in combination with other sediment, biologic, and habitat metrics and indicators collected in the EMAP-GRE study, to help interpret and assess the condition of the Ohio, Upper Mississippi, and Missouri Rivers.
New approach to 3-D registration of multimodality medical images by surface matching

Multimodality images obtained from medical imaging systems such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), generally provide complementary characteristic and diagnostic information. Synthesis of these image data sets into a single composite image containing these complementary attributes in accurate registration and congruence would provide truly synergistic information about the object(s) under examination. We have developed a new method which produces such correlation using parametric Chamfer matching. The method is fast, accurate, and reproducible. Surfaces ar initially extracted from two different images to be matched using semi-automatic segmentation techniques. These surfaces are represented as contours with common features to be matched. A distance transformation is performed for one surface image, and a cost function for the matching process is developed using the distance image. The geometric transformation includes three- dimensional translation, rotation, and scaling to accommodate images of different position, orientation, and size. The matching process involves searching this multi-parameter space to find the best fit which minimizes the cost function. The local minima problem is addressed by using a large number of starting points. A pyramid multi-resolution approach is employed to speed up both the distance transformation and the multi-parameter minimization processes. Robustness in noise handling is accomplished using multiple thresholds embedded in the multi- resolution search. The algorithm can register both partially overlapped and fragmented surfaces. Manual intervention is generally not necessary. Preliminary results suggest registration accuracy on the order of the voxel size used in the registration process. Computational time scales with the number of matching elements used, with about five minutes typical for 2563 images using a modern desktop workstation.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Interval Domain: A Matchmaker for aCTL and aPCTL

Abstract We present aPCTL, a version of PCTL with an action-based semantics which coincides with the ordinary PCTL in case of a sole action type. We point out what aspects of aPCTL may be improved for its application as a probabilistic logic in a tool modeling large probabilistic system. We give a non-standard semantics to the action-based temporal logical aCTL, where the propositional clauses are interpreted in a fuzzy and the modalities in a probabilistic way; the until-construct is evaluated as a least fixed-point over these meanings. We view aCTL formulas ⊘ as templates for aPCTL formulas (which still need vectors of thresholds as annotations for all subformulas which are path formulas). Since [⊘]s, our non-standard meaning of o at state s, is an interval [a, b], we may craft aPCTL formulas o from using the information a and b respectively. This results in two aPCTL formulas o and o1. This translation defines a critical region of such thresholds for ⊘ in the following sense: if a > 0 then a satisfies the aPCTL formula o1 dually, if b we would like to thank Martin Hotzel Escardo for suggesting to look at the interval domain at the LICS'97 meeting in Warsaw. He also pointed to work in his PhD thesis about the universality of I. we also acknowledge Marta Kwaitkowska, Christel Baier, Rance Cleaveland, and Scott Smolka for fruitful discussion on this subject matter.
Loss of the INI1 tumor suppressor does not impair the expression of multiple BRG1-dependent genes or the assembly of SWI/SNF enzymes.

The INI1/hSNF5 tumor suppressor is an integral component of mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzymes that contain SNF2 family ATPases BRM (Brahma) or BRG1 (Brahma Related Gene 1) and that contribute to the regulation of many genes. Genetic studies of yeast SWI/SNF enzyme revealed similar phenotypes when single or multiple components of the enzyme were deleted, indicating a requirement for each subunit. To address the contribution of INI1 in the regulation of SWI/SNF-dependent genes in mammalian cells, we examined the expression of multiple BRG1-dependent, constitutively expressed genes in INI1-deficient cancer cell lines. At least one INI1-deficient line expressed each gene, and reintroduction of INI1 had negligible effects on expression levels. Lack of INI1 also did not prevent interferon gamma (IFNγ)-mediated induction of CIITA, which is BRG1 dependent, and GBP-1, which is BRG1 enhanced, and reintroduction of INI1 had minimal effects. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that BRG1 inducibly binds to the CIITA promoter despite the absence of INI1. Unlike yeast deleted for the INI1 homologue, SWI/SNF enzymes in INI1-deficient cells were largely intact. Thus in human cells, SWI/SNF enzyme complex formation and the expression of many BRG1-dependent genes are independent of INI1.
Promoting Self-Advocacy Among College Students with Learning Disabilities:

Due to a variety of factors, central among them federal law and the realization by parents and professionals that learning disabilities (LD) typically persist into adolescence and adulthood, services to students with LD in high school and postsecondary settings have increased dramatically over the past 10 years. Traditional programs for older students with LD frequently focus on college preparatory classes and study skills. Few programs place a major emphasis on teaching social skills such as self-advocacy that are necessary for academic success. The purpose of this article is to (a) provide an operational definition of self-advocacy as it pertains to adolescent and adult learners with LD in postsecondary settings, (b) describe model high school and college programs that teach self-advocacy skills, and (c) discuss important follow-up and support activities essential to the effective use of these skills.
Morphology, Development, and Sequence

Abstract An arthropod phylogeny derived from nucleotide sequences (Regier et al., 2010) did not consider either the morphology or the development of crustaceans. Examples of a morphological transformation and developmental data appear to provide only limited support for the cladogram because similar morphology and development are found among distantly related crustaceans, while differing morphology and development are found among closely related crustaceans. One reason for the incongruity may be a method of sequence analysis that results in statistical support values. This method samples a population of purposefully-generated cladograms, although there has been only one history of life on earth; in effect the purposefully-generated cladograms are instrumental artifacts.
Hardware architecture and VLSI implementation of a low-power high-performance polyphase channelizer with applications to subband adaptive filtering

The polyphase channelizer is an important component of a subband adaptive filtering system. This paper presents an efficient hardware architecture and VLSI implementation of a low-power high-performance polyphase channelizer, integrating optimizations at algorithmic, architectural and circuit level. At the algorithm level, a computationally efficient structure is derived. Tradeoffs between hardware complexity and system performance are explored during the fixed-point modeling of the system. A computational complexity reduction technique is also employed to reduce the complexity of the hardware architecture. Circuit-level optimizations, including an efficient commutator implementation, dual-VDD scheme and novel level-converting flip-flops, are also integrated. Simulation results show that the design consumes 352 mW power with system throughput of 480 million samples per second (MSPS). A test chip has been submitted for fabrication to validate the proposed hardware architecture and VLSI design techniques.
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins Induce Astroglial Differentiation of Oligodendroglial–Astroglial Progenitor Cells

We have used bipotent postnatal cortical oligodendroglial-astroglial progenitor cells (O-2As) to examine the role of inductive signals in astroglial lineage commitment. O-2A progenitor cells undergo progressive oligodendroglial differentiation when cultured in serum-free medium, but differentiate into astrocytes in medium supplemented with FBS. We now report that the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), a major subclass of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) superfamily, promote the selective, dose-dependent differentiation of O-2As into astrocytes with concurrent suppression of oligodendroglial differentiation. This astroglial-inductive action is not sanctioned by other members of the TGFbeta superfamily. Astroglial differentiation requires only very brief initial exposure to the BMPs and is accompanied by increased cellular survival and accelerated exit from cell cycle. Dual-label immunofluorescence microscopy documents that O-2A progenitor cells express a complement of BMP type I and type II receptor subunits required for signal transduction. Furthermore, expression of BMP2 in vivo reaches maximal levels during the period of gliogenesis. These results suggest that the BMPs act as potent inductive factors in postnatal glial lineage commitment that initiate a stable program of astroglial differentiation.
Surprising Dependency for Retinoblastoma Protein in Ras-Mediated Tumorigenesis

Deregulation of the G1 cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-retinoblastoma protein (Rb) pathway is well established in virtually all human cancers. Different cancers exhibit selective alterations of the pathway, whether by inactivation of the CDK inhibitor p16Ink4a, by overexpression of the cyclin D1 gene, or by direct mutational inactivation of the Rb gene. The p16Ink-4a-CDK-Rb pathway is often considered to be a linear pathway, with mutation of one component abrogating the need to mutate another. Still, it is unclear why different paths to cancer preferentially select for mutations in one component over another. A paper in this issue of Molecular Cellular Biology by Williams, Classon, and colleagues reveals a surprising requirement for Rb in proliferation and transformation mediated by the Ras oncogene (50). This study provides a rationale for why mutational activation of Ras and genetic disruption of Rb are rarely found together in human cancers. Thus, different cancers appear to select for different disruptions in the CDK-Rb pathway in part based on the spectrum of other mutations, such as in Ras, which also occur during tumorigenesis.
A mechanism by which binding of the broadly neutralizing antibody b12 unfolds the inner domain α1 helix in an engineered HIV‐1 gp120

Using all-atom simulations, we examine the role of the I109C/Q428C disulfide "stitch" in altering the conformational distribution of engineered HIV-1 gp120 core relevant for binding of the broadly neutralizing recombinant antibody b12. In particular, we propose that the I109C/Q428C stitch results in a conformational distribution favoring an unfolded inner-domain α1-helix upon binding of b12. Using targeted molecular dynamics, we show that folded α1 in the b12-bound conformation of gp120 is stable both with and without the stitch, but that with folded α1, the stitch requires an orientation of the β20/β21 sheet that is sterically incompatible with b12 binding. Forcing β20/β21 into the orientation displayed by the b12-bound conformation after folding α1 with the stitch intact results in partial unfolding of α1, whereas without the stitch, β20/β21 reorientation does not affect the conformation of α1. These findings collectively support the hypothesis that the disulfide stitch shifts the conformational distribution of α1 to the unfolded state, meaning an unfolded α1 is not a strict requirement of the b12-bound conformational ensemble of gp120's lacking the I109C/Q428C stitch.
Extraordinary Implant Failure

Abstract Every attempt must be made to keep implant failures to a minimum. Dental implant failure can roughly be divided into 3 broad categories: bacterial factors, occlusal (mechanical factors), and systemic and psychologic factors. All failures should be carefully analyzed and evaluated to identify their causes in order to prevent future reoccurrence. Failures should be documented and used to advantage when treatment planning future implant cases. A panoramic radiograph, mounted diagnostic casts, medical and dental histories, and surgical guides are accepted standards of care prior to beginning oral implant procedures. The identification and management of nutritional deficiencies is a useful adjunct to successful implant treatment.
The web‐internet compound as the infrastructure of digital government

Purpose – To provide the framework for digital government in its e‐government and e‐democracy aspects.Design/methodology/approach – Using the aspects‐and‐opportunities framework of the internet‐web compound, the nodal aspects of the continuing and potential technologically‐based change known as digital government are discussed. Reallocation of certain government functions to the market becomes newly attractive economically in the presence of the web as marketplace. The web as a broadly accessible medium and a forum offers new opportunities in digital democracy. The utilitarian aspects of the internet‐web, those of the universal telecommunications network, delivery vehicle, and a common development platform, render the compound a new societal infrastructure, with the consequent benefits and exposures. The opportunities, as well as vulnerabilities, need to be the focus of information specialists as technologists and as citizens.Findings – Opportunities are surfaced to reallocate the functions of e‐governmen...
Super-stoichiometric Ratios between Ion Movements and Electron Transport in Rat Liver Mitochondria

Abstract The number of Ca++ ions accumulated per pair of electrons passing through each energy-conserving site of the respiratory chain during Ca++-induced respiratory jumps in isolated rat liver mitochondria (i.e. the Ca++: ∼ ratio) is normally approximately 2.0 when the suspending medium contains 80 mm KCl or NaCl at pH 7.4, but no permeant anion. However, when the concentration of impermeant salts is raised to as high as 240 mm, or when the pH is raised to above 8.0, the Ca++ ∼ ratio increases to values exceeding 4.0 to 5.0, primarily because of a decrease in the amount of extra oxygen uptake evoked by addition of Ca++. The ratio H+ ejected: ∼ also increases in proportion to the Ca++: ∼ ratio. Increase in sodium chloride concentration does not influence the adenosine diphosphate to oxygen ratio of oxidative phosphorylation. Such super-stoichiometric ratios of Ca++ uptake are almost completely dependent on electron transport, and occur in the presence of high concentration of impermeant anions such as chloride, bromide, iodide, and thiocyanate, but not when such salts are replaced with sucrose. In the presence of permeant anions, such as phosphate, the Ca++: ∼ ratio remains constant at about 2.0. The possible causes of the apparently "flexible" stoichiometry of Ca++ uptake and H+ ejection with electron transport in the absence of phosphate are discussed.
Convergence of CpG DNA‐ and BCR‐mediated signals at the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and NF‐κB activation pathways: regulation by mitogen‐activated protein kinases

Depending on the experimental model, unmethylated CpG motifs in bacterial DNA or synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG DNA) either augment or antagonize BCR-induced signals in B cells. CpG DNA synergizes with BCR-induced proliferation and Ig production of mature B cells, but blocks BCR-mediated apoptosis of immature B cells. Here, we demonstrate using a murine B lymphoma cell line WEHI-231, which is a model for immature B lymphocytes, that CpG DNA augments BCR-mediated signals for the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MKK)3, MKK4 and MKK6, and their subsequent downstream effectors c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, but does not enhance MEK1/2 or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation. CpG DNA- and BCR-mediated signals also synergize for the activation of transcription factors AP-1, NFAT and NF-kB, but not for cAMP-responsive elements binding factor. Synergistic activations of JNK and p38 contribute to the synergistic production of cytokines induced by CpG DNA- and BCR-mediated signals, but have little or no effect on the ability of CpG DNA to protect WEHI-231 cells from anti-IgM-induced growth arrest. In contrast, all three MAPK, JNK, ERK and p38, contribute to the synergistic induction of splenic mature B cell proliferation by CpG DNA and anti-IgM. These results indicate that CpG DNA- and BCR-mediated signals converge at the level of MKK, NF-kB and NFAT activation, and that MAPK have differential regulatory roles for CpG DNAmediated cytokine production versus cell proliferation in splenic mature B cells and WEHI-231 cells.
Innocence Lost: Accomplishing Victimization in Intimate Stalking Cases

This article explores identity work and emotion management in felony domestic violence stalking cases, using data collected in a domestic violence unit in a large metropolitan district attorney’ s ofe ce. Victim narratives in crime reports, intensive interviews of stalking victims, and participant observation in a stalking survivors’ support group show how women become “ victims” in the criminal justice system. Sometimes women’s continued interaction with both stalkers and law enforcement actors affects their ability to create and sustain credible victim identities. Almost any action a victim takes or presentation she makes has the potential for inducing negative identity attributions. Thus identity dilemmas seemingly inhere in the stalking situation.
Sequence of a cDNA and expression of the gene encoding a putative epidermal chitin synthase of Manduca sexta

Glycosyltransferases are enzymes that synthesize oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and glycoconjugates. One type of glycosyltransferase is chitin synthase, a very important enzyme in biology, which is utilized by insects, fungi, and other invertebrates to produce chitin, a polysaccharide of beta-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine. Chitin is an important component of the insect's exoskeletal cuticle and gut lining. To identify and characterize a chitin synthase gene of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, degenerate primers were designed from two highly conserved regions in fungal and nematode chitin synthase protein sequences and then used to amplify a similar region from Manduca cDNA. A full-length cDNA of 5152 nucleotides was assembled for the putative Manduca chitin synthase gene, MsCHS1, and sequencing of genomic DNA verified the contiguity of the sequence. The MsCHS1 cDNA has an ORF of 4692 nucleotides that encodes a transmembrane protein of 1564 amino acid residues with a mass of approximately 179 kDa (GenBank no. AY062175). It is most similar, over its entire length of protein sequence, to putative chitin synthases from other insects and nematodes, with 68% identity to enzymes from both the blow fly, Lucilia cuprina, and the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. The similarity with fungal chitin synthases is restricted to the putative catalytic domain, and the MsCHS1 protein has, at equivalent positions, several amino acids that are essential for activity as revealed by mutagenesis of the fungal enzymes. A 5.3-kb transcript of MsCHS1 was identified by northern blot hybridization of RNA from larval epidermis, suggesting that the enzyme functions to make chitin deposited in the cuticle. Further examination by RT-PCR showed that MsCHS1 expression is regulated in the epidermis, with the amount of transcript increasing during phases of cuticle deposition.
Inverse vaccination with islet autoantigens to halt progression of autoimmune diabetes

The incidence of autoimmune diabetes mellitus is growing worldwide; currently the only treatment is injection of insulin formulations to maintain glycemic control. Islet transplantation has been examined as a potential cure for diabetes. However, it has several limitations, including side effects of immunosuppressive agents required to prevent graft rejection. Other approaches have been to examine immune modulation to halt or prevent the autoimmune attack, with the hope that by preventing tissue damage, it will eventually regenerate and permit patients to be free from insulin injections. The focus of the current review is the three major antigen-based vaccines, insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65; Diamyd), and heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60; DiaPep277), with respect to their mechanism of action, preclinical results, and published results from clinical trials. Despite promising results with these three antigens in mice and humans, efficacy has been limited in clinical trials. Drug Dev Res 72:788–804, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanical and electromechanical properties of pmnt single crystals for naval sonar transducers

PMNT single crystals in the relaxor-ferro-electric lead magnesium niobate (PMN)-lead titanate (PT) system provide significant advantage for underwater sonar transducers. Compared to lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics, the large electromechanical coupling factor provides significant increases in transducer bandwidth. The superior strain energy density generates higher source level across the band, and the lower Young's modulus allows considerably smaller transducers. These payoffs occur even when PMNT crystals are subject to navy operating conditions such as uniaxial mechanical compressive stresses up to 42 MPa, electric fields up to 1.2 MV/m, and a temperature range from 5 to 50degC. The impact of navy-relevant electric fields and mechanical stresses on crack propagation and failure of piezoelectric single crystals is investigated. The compressive, flexural, and tensile strength of PMNT crystals is reported and discussed with respect to conventional PZT ceramics and the operating conditions of a typical naval transducer.
Factors Impacting Use of Information Technology by Physicians in Private Practice

This research examines the impact of various factors on the use of IT in clinical practice, prescriptions, and patient information. This was done using a national sample of 3425 physicians who worked in a solo or group practice in the United States. Besides the extent of use of electronic medical records by physicians and number of physicians in practice, none of the other factors consistently impacted the use of IT in clinical practice, prescriptions, and patient information, respectively. The results of this study highlight the need to develop specific strategies to increase the use of information technology in healthcare.
Inhibition of cardiac vagal effects by neurally released and exogenous neuropeptide Y.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) attenuates vagal effects on cardiac cycle length, presumably by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine from vagal nerve endings. We sought to determine if NPY inhibited the vagal effects on atrioventricular (AV) interval and atrial contraction in a manner similar to its inhibition of the vagal effects on cycle length. In 19 anesthetized dogs we measured the vagal effects on cycle length, AV interval, and atrial contraction before and after 3-minute trains of sympathetic stimulation or before and after exogenous NPY (20 micrograms/kg i.v.). Three minutes after 10-Hz sympathetic stimulation, the vagal effects on cycle length and AV interval were attenuated by 52 +/- 9% and 63 +/- 8%, respectively. Phentolamine significantly augmented this attenuation, but propranolol had no appreciable effect. In the control group of animals or in the group that received phentolamine, the vagal effects on atrial contraction measured before and after sympathetic stimulation were not significantly different. In these two groups, however, the basal atrial contraction was reduced substantially after the cessation of sympathetic stimulation. Propranolol prevented this reduction in atrial contraction. After propranolol, the vagal effects on atrial contraction 3 minutes after sympathetic stimulation were attenuated by 31 +/- 6%. Exogenous NPY had no direct effect on cycle length, AV interval, or atrial contraction, but exogenous NPY did persistently inhibit the vagal effects on each of these cardiac processes. Three minutes after NPY was given, the vagal effects on cycle length, AV interval, and atrial contraction were inhibited by 62 +/- 7%, 69 +/- 5%, and 68 +/- 5%, respectively. We conclude that NPY attenuates the vagal effects on the atrial myocardium and on the sinus and AV nodes. In the absence of beta-blockade, the inhibitory effect of neurally released NPY on the vagally induced decreases in atrial contraction may be masked by the reduction in the atrial contraction that occurs after sympathetic stimulation.
A Literature Review of the Size Effect

The size effect in finance literature refers to the observation that smaller firms have higher returns than larger firms, on average over long horizons. It also describes the contribution that firm size has in explaining stock returns. Discovered by Banz (1981) in testing the Sharpe-Lintner Capital Asset Pricing Model, subsequent research finds the size effect has diminished or disappeared since the 1980s in the U.S., UK, and elsewhere following Banz's announcement and launches of small-cap funds. Firm size is thought to proxy for underlying risk factors associated with smaller firms. Observed variations in the size effect can be explained by such underlying factors like market liquidity that change over time. Related research finds the size effect is seasonal. It occurs primarily during January in the U.S. and has had little or no presence in the other 11 months, which confounds empirical research on risk-reward relationships. Research also finds the size effect is concentrated in smaller listed firms, making the effect nonlinear.
Anticonvulsant Properties of 5,5-Phenyl Thienyl Hydantoin in Comparison with Dilantin and Mesantion.∗†‡:

SummaryA new anticonvulsant, 5,5-phenyl thienyl hydantoin, proposed for the treatment of epilepsy, has been compared with Dilantin and Mesantoin and Mesantoin by 4 different assay methods in rats and examined for its ability to modify the electroshock seizure pattern in man. The thienyl congener more closely resembles Dilantin than Mesantoin in its spectrum of antiepileptic actions.
Effects of increased dosages of the Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccine MYCOVAC-L in layer chickens subsequently challenged with virulent M. gallisepticum: egg production and serologic response.

Abstract Ten-week-old Hy-Line Commercial W-36 pullets were spray-vaccinated with MYCOVAC-L® at the manufacturer's recommended dosage (1×) or at 15 times that rate (15×). At 22 or 45 wk of age, subsets of 1×- and 15×-vaccinated pullets were challenged with the virulent Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) strain Rlow. Percent hen-day egg production was determined through week 55. Analyses for treatment effects on overall (22–56 wk) percent hen-day egg production revealed no significant differences between nonchallenged 1× and nonchallenged 15× MYCOVAC-L® treatments. Among 1× MYCOVAC-L®–vaccinated groups, Rlow challenge at 45 wk corresponded to significantly (P ≤ 0.01) lower overall egg production compared with the unchallenged 1×-vaccinated control (70.88% vs. 79.15%, respectively). Conversely, at the 15× MYCOVAC-L® dosage level, overall egg production was not significantly affected by virulent MG challenge at 45 wk compared with its unchallenged counterpart (84.09% vs. 81.03%, respectively) and could indicate in...
LRIG1 Is a Novel Negative Regulator of the Met Receptor and Opposes Met and Her2 Synergy

The Met receptor tyrosine kinase regulates a complex array of cellular behaviors collectively known as “invasive growth.” While essential for normal development and wound repair, this program is frequently co-opted by tumors to promote their own growth, motility, and invasion. Met is overexpressed in a variety of human tumors, and this aberrant expression correlates with poor patient prognosis. Previous studies indicate that Met receptor levels are governed in part by cbl-mediated ubiquitination and degradation, and uncoupling of Met from cbl-mediated ubiquitination promotes its transforming activity. Here we describe a novel mechanism for Met degradation. We find that the Met receptor interacts with the transmembrane protein LRIG1 independent of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulation and that LRIG1 destabilizes the Met receptor in a cbl-independent manner. Overexpression of LRIG1 destabilizes endogenous Met receptor in breast cancer cells and impairs their ability to respond to HGF. LRIG1 knockdown increases Met receptor half-life, indicating that it plays an essential role in Met degradation. Finally, LRIG1 opposes Met synergy with the ErbB2/Her2 receptor tyrosine kinase in driving cellular invasion. We conclude that LRIG1 is a novel suppressor of Met function, serving to regulate cellular receptor levels by promoting Met degradation in a ligand- and cbl-independent manner.
A dissection of the electroretinogram from the isolated rat retina with microelectrodes and drugs.

The origins of the a- and b-wave of the ERG were studied using simultaneous recordings made across the receptor layer and the full thickness of a piece of isolated albino rat retina. An inwardly directed current flowing across the rod outer segments was eliminated from the recording when postsynaptic activity was blocked with cobalt or when current source density measurements were made along the length of the outer segments. Rod photovoltages were inferred by removing extraneous field potentials from the recordings made across the photoreceptor layer. The spatial properties of the photovoltage indicates the responses came from an area about 100 μm in diameter. The glutamate analog, APB, which blocks depolarizing bipolar cells, eliminated the b-wave but left the a-wave unaffected. The ERG component due to depolarizing bipolar cells was inferred by subtracting recordings obtained before and after APB. After treatment with APB a slow component remained. This component was completely blocked by barium (200 μM), which blocks potassium channels on Muller cells. Barium had virtually no effect on low-intensity photovoltages but did affect the amplitude and shape of the saturated responses. Barium increased the amplitude of the component of the ERG which underlies the b-wave. It was concluded that the depolarizing bipolar cells directly generate the b-wave of the ERG.
Human Activity Classification Based on Gait Energy Image and Coevolutionary Genetic Programming

In this paper, we present a novel approach based on gait energy image (GEI) and co-evolutionary genetic programming (CGP) for human activity classification. Specifically, Hus moment and normalized histogram bins are extracted from the original GEIs as input features. CGP is employed to reduce the feature dimensionality and learn the classifiers. The strategy of majority voting is applied to the CGP to improve the overall performance in consideration of the diversification of genetic programming. This learningbased approach improves the classification accuracy by approximately 7 percent in comparison to the traditional classifiers.
Modern sequels to the Kaiserin-Augusta-Fluss itinerary of Carl Ledermann: floristic discoveries from the upper Sepik of Papua New Guinea

Inocarpus ademanus (Fabaceae) is described from lowland environments in the Ambunti District of Papua New Guinea. Ten noteworthy records are also presented from the same area for Marsdenia ambuntiensis , M. lorea , Phyllanthera nymanii (Apocynaceae), Tetracera lanuginosa (Dilleniaceae), Archidendron calliandrum , A. kalkmanii , Mucuna lamii (Fabaceae), Cryptocarya resinosa (Lauraceae), Ficus morobensis (Moraceae), and Chlamydogramme hollrungii (Tectariaceae).
Fables of the Reconstruction: Human Emotion and Behavioral Heuristics in Environmental Economics

Environmental economics provides an especially rich source of insights into the impact of emotion, cognitive bias, and behavioral heuristics on risk assessment and management. In contrast with the ambivalent reception of behavioral psychology within mathematical finance, the impact of emotion and innate heuristics on environmental decision making has never been doubted. From the affect heuristic to the endowment effect and disaster psychology, environmental choices harbor the richest trove of economic departures from strict rationality.
Power Play of Transnational Organizations in Emerging Political Economies

The tornado of globalization has taken economies, societies and entities by storm and the lag between developed and underdeveloped economies has turned out to be financial rather than political. Most of the nations round the globe are running their political offices under the patronage of large, financially stable and strong business organizations. This influence is not within a well-defined geographical entity but it travels across borders in the form of transnational organization. The hands behind the whole game are the financial stalwarts who rock the cradle in the very right perspective of their well-defined, well perceived and well-conceived interest and their interest is most of the time linked with ROI (return on investment). This study is an intimal attempt to show how transnational capitalist class (TCC) fits into the global system in terms of its economics base (transnational practices), its leading institutions (global TNCs, World Bank, IMF, BIS, State TNCs), and its integrating agents (global business elite, global political elite, global cultural elite).
Graph determined symbolic dynamics and hybrid systems

In this paper we explore the concept of symbolic dynamical systems whose structure is determined by a directed graph, and then discrete-continuous hybrid systems that arise from such dynamical systems. Typically, symbolic dynamics involve the study of a left shift of a bi-infinite sequence. We examine the case when the bi-infinite system is dictated by a graph; that is, the sequence is a bi-infinite path of a directed graph. We then use the concept to study a system of dynamical systems all on the same compact space M, where “switching” between the systems occurs as given by the bi-infinite sequence in question. The concepts of limit sets, chain recurrent sets, chaos, and Morse sets for these systems are explored.
Perception of oral status as a barrier to oral care for people with spinal cord injuries.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the oral health status of people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and determine if people with a SCI have an accurate perception of their oral status, and if this is potentially a barrier to oral care. Methods consisted of a survey and oral examination given to 92 willing participants of the Methodist Rehabilitation Center who sustained a SCI. The examination consisted of periodontal status using Periodontal Screen and Recording IndexTM and dental status using Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth index. Oral health score was also determined through questioning the participant. These scores, retrieved by the dental hygienist, were then compared to what the SCI individual9s perception of their own oral health. Results indicate their perception of oral health was much better than dental assessment showed. Additionally, more than 18% of this population was completely unaware of decay which was found in over half of those studied, and more than 60% were unaware of periodontal disease that was exhibited in over 75% of those studied. This comparison evaluated a major awareness about the need for education and oral care among the SCI population.
Potentially Avoidable Hospitalizations among People at Different Activity of Daily Living Limitation Stages.

Objective To determine whether higher activity of daily living (ADL) limitation stages are associated with increased risk of hospitalization, particularly for ambulatory care sensitive (ACS) conditions. Data Source Secondary data analysis, including 8,815 beneficiaries from 2005 to 2006 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). Study Design ADL limitation stages (0-IV) were determined at the end of 2005. Hospitalization rates were calculated for 2006 and age adjusted using direct standardization. Multivariate negative binomial regression, adjusting for baseline demographic and health characteristics, with the outcome hospitalization count was performed to estimate the adjusted rate ratio of ACS and non-ACS hospitalizations for beneficiaries with ADL stages > 0 compared to beneficiaries without limitations. Data Collection Baseline ADL stage and health conditions were assessed using 2005 MCBS data and count of hospitalization determined using 2006 MCBS data. Principal Findings Referenced to stage 0, the adjusted rate ratios (95 percent confidence interval) for stage I to stage IV ranged from 1.9 (1.4–2.5) to 4.1 (2.2–7.8) for ACS hospitalizations compared with from 1.6 (1.3–1.9) to 1.8 (1.4–2.5) for non-ACS hospitalizations. Conclusions Hospitalization rates for ACS conditions increased more dramatically with ADL limitation stage than did rates for non-ACS conditions. Adults with ADL limitations appear particularly vulnerable to potentially preventable hospitalizations for conditions typically manageable in ambulatory settings.
Users’ Hierarchical Perspectives on Library Service Quality: A “LibQUAL+” Study

This study confirms that a single second-order factor is associated with the delivery of high-quality library services in a research university environment. However, a hierarchical factor analysis also demonstrated that research library users simultaneously think about library quality at multiple levels. The LibQUAL+ diagnostic tool, a product of the ARL’s New Measures Initiative, shows that although a single factor dominates user thinking about library service quality, all of the items used in the survey suffuse this factor. Nevertheless, several first-order factors contribute important unique information to the notion of service quality. As different types of users place varying degrees of importance on the first-order factors, the utility of the hierarchical model is demonstrated.
The Potential for Quantum Dot-Based Devices in Chip-Scale Optical Interconnects

We discuss the potential of quantum-dot based lasers for interconnects at the chip level. Combined with other quantum-dot based optical devices such as amplifiers, modulators, and detectors, these components form a suite for interconnection fabrics.
Effect of Diflubenzuron on Plum Curculio Populations in Laboratory and Field Tests

In laboratory and field tests, egg hatch and larval development of Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) were affected when adults were fed diflubenzuron (N-(4-chorophenyl) N′-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl) urea), but the effects were not long lasting. In laboratory tests with diflubenzuron, larvae held in treated soil had reduced pupation and eclosion at low dosages, but soil treatments in field environments were inconclusive.
Nicotine and Cardiovascular Disease

The evidence that nicotine may cause or aggravate cardiovascular disease is reviewed. Nicotine may contribute to accelerated atherogenesis by inducing hyperlipidemia, injuring endothelial cells and/or promoting thrombosis, although the evidence is not conclusive. Nicotine is likely to contribute to acute ischemic events in people who already have coronary heart disease via adverse effects on systemic hemodynamics, by promoting thrombosis, constricting coronary arteries and/or facilitating arrhythmogenesis. Pharmacodynamic studies suggest that nicotine inhaled in cigarette smoke may have different cardiovascular effects than that absorbed more slowly, such as from nicotine gum or transdermal nicotine. The safety of chronic nicotine exposure, such as with medicinal use of nicotine, cannot be predicted and requires empiric evaluation.
Reflecting on the status of precipitation data collection in Alaska: a case study

Measuring precipitation, especially solid, at high latitudes is a challenge. In Alaska (USA), the extreme topography, large regional extent, and varying climate result in annual precipitation values ranging from 120 in. (3,050 mm) to 10 in. (254 mm). The state's precipitation network recently has expanded significantly, but there is still room for improvement. A recent intensity-duration-frequency (idf) exercise for the state showed that: (1) although density and spatial coverage of stations have increased, large areas in northern and western Alaska are still without gauge coverage; (2) the number of gauges at higher elevations is insufficient, although growing (e.g., the number of stations above 1,000 ft (305 m) increased from 26 gauges in 1963 to 134 gauges in 2012); (3) solid precipitation is difficult to quantify, and at unmanned sites, the phase of precipitation (liquid or solid) is hard to determine, as air temperature is often the only other measured variable; (4) corrections for gauge undercatch need to be made but too often information on the shielded status of gauges and wind speed is lacking; and (5) in the recent idf analysis only about one-third of the existing and historical stations were used because of data-quality issues. Obviously, overall improvements in precipitation data collection can and should be made.
Protecting intellectual property in IT layoffs: legal and security issues

Until recently, layoffs were not common among IT workers. The recent "dot com meltdown" has changed this. Because IT workers are knowledge workers, these circumstances combine to create an unusual set of problems for IT managers. Discussed in this chapter is how protection of intellectual property may be affected by layoffs and suggestions are offered for how these problems may be addressed.
On the Bayesian estimation for the stationary Neyman-Scott point processes

The pure and modified Bayesian methods are applied to the estimation of parameters of the Neyman-Scott point process. Their performance is compared to the fast, simulation-free methods via extensive simulation study. Our modified Bayesian method is found to be on average 2.8 times more accurate than the fast methods in the relative mean square errors of the point estimates, where the average is taken over all studied cases. The pure Bayesian method is found to be approximately as good as the fast methods. These methods are computationally affordable today.
STATISTICAL MECHANICS OF INTERACTING SYSTEMS: THE METHOD OF QUANTIZED FIELDS

This chapter presents a method of dealing with systems composed of interacting particles based on the concept of a quantized field. This field is characterized by the field operators ψ ( r ), and their hermitian conjugates that satisfy a set of well-defined commutation rules. In terms of these operators, a number operator and a Hamiltonian operator that provide a suitable representation for a system composed of any finite number of particles and possessing any finite amount of energy are defined in the chapter. In view of its formal similarity with the Schrodinger formulation, the formulation in terms of a quantized field is generally referred to as the second quantization of the system. The chapter applies the formalism of second quantization to investigate low-temperature properties of systems composed of interacting particles and examines first-order corrections to the low-temperature behavior of an imperfect Bose gas arising from interparticle interactions in the system. Most of these systems are studied in the chapter under the approximating conditions a / λ ≪1 and na 3 ≪1 where a is the scattering length of the two-body interaction, λ is the mean thermal wavelength of the particles, and n is the particle density in the system. The chapter also studies the most essential features of the energy spectrum of a Bose liquid and examines the relevance of this study to the problem of liquid He 4 . This helps to examine the possibility of organized motion in the ground state of a Bose fluid.
Nanocrystalline ZnO TFTs Using 15-nm Thick Al 2 O 3 Gate Insulator: Experiment and Simulation

Thin-film transistors were fabricated using 45-nm thick ZnO deposited by pulsed laser deposition and 15-nm thick Al2O3 gate insulator deposited by atomic layer deposition. A 1-D model with a constant density of interface states above and below the conduction band edge is used to explain the current-voltage characteristic. This model does not create distortion of transconductance versus gate voltage at low gate voltage that can be created by exponential tail or Gaussian distributions of interface states. The “subthreshold” regime is at the top ZnO surface away from the bottom gate, but subthreshold swing is controlled by interface states at the ZnO/Al2O3 bottom interface. The observed increase in mobility with gate voltage is delayed by filling of the interface states above the conduction band edge. Interface state filling and a rapid increase in mobility with increased gate voltage produce an apparent large threshold voltage as extrapolated from a linear fit to current measured at large gate voltage. The difference between threshold voltage and turn-off voltage is an important figure of merit (FOM) that should be kept as small as possible. In this paper, FOM is 2.5 and 1.8 V for 0.1 and 6 V drain voltage, respectively.