cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Further characterization of c-KIT mutations and aberrant KIT localization in canine cutaneous mast cell tumors

1111 The c-KIT proto-oncogene encodes the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple neoplastic diseases in people including gastrointestinal stromal tumors, small cell lung cancer, and germ cell tumors, and in the pathogenesis of cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) in dogs. In contrast to human mast cell diseases, which are rare and frequently offer a good prognosis, canine cutaneous MCTs are one of the most common neoplasms in dogs and have an extremely variable biologic behavior ranging from a benign lesion to malignant metastatic disease. Due to the high frequency of canine MCTs and the known involvement of the c-KIT proto-oncogene in their pathogenesis, canine MCTs provide an excellent system to study the role of c-KIT in the development and progression of neoplastic diseases. Internal tandem duplication mutations (ITD) have been previously identified in the juxtamembrane domain of c-KIT in canine MCTs by our group as well as others. These mutations are predicted to result in a constitutively activated KIT protein. In order to study the role of c-KIT in canine MCTs, we have undertaken several studies to determine the associations between ITD mutations, cellular KIT protein levels, cytoplasmic KIT distribution, and patient survival. Here we report our studies on 60 cases of canine MCT with complete follow-up data. Laser capture microdissected samples of each tumor were analyzed using established PCR primers targeting the ITD region and aberrant products were sequenced. On each tumor KIT protein localization was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Representative samples of 42 MCTs were incorporated into a tissue array and the quantification of KIT protein was performed by measuring mean immunofluorescence of each tumor. 17.6% of the MCTs included in this study had ITD mutations and the KIT protein was aberrantly localized in 58% of the MCTs evaluated. The presence of ITD mutations was significantly associated with a decreased survival duration and disease free interval. There was a significant correlation between the presence of ITD mutations and aberrant localization of KIT protein in canine MCTs. The amount of KIT protein was not significantly correlated with the presence of mutations, or the cellular localization of KIT. The results of this study provide further support to the importance of activating mutations in c-KIT in tumorigenesis of MCTs and further suggest that ITD mutations may be responsible for a change in the cellular localization of KIT in canine MCTs. However, ITD mutations do not appear to be the sole candidate to be responsible for the aberrant localization of KIT in neoplastic cells. Understanding of the mechanisms that modulate cytoplasmic localization of c-KIT and the changes in cell signaling that may be occurring concomitantly or secondarily to this event will allow for a better understanding of the role of KIT in neoplastic processes.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Feasibility and Estimated Effects

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) consistently report lower quality of life (QOL) compared with peers. Despite the growing population and needs of adults with ASD, many psychosocial interventions target children and adolescents while relying on high-level cognitive strategies for symptom reduction. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which cultivates awareness and regulation skills through experiential practice instead of cognitive strategies, has been modified for autistic samples across the lifespan. However, it has not been tested if the standard MBSR curriculum is appropriate for an autistic population to improve QOL. This pilot feasibility trial aimed to (1) establish the feasibility and acceptability of a MBSR group intervention with adults diagnosed with ASD without modification; (2) evaluate fidelity to the MBSR curriculum; and (3) calculate estimates of change in QOL, life satisfaction, positive outlook, and mindfulness. Participants included twelve adults with ASD (IQ > 70; age 22–63). Participants completed the intervention and pre-, mid-, and post-assessments. Participants reported high satisfaction with the intervention on CSQ-8 (M = 27.92, SD = 3.5) with 100% retention. Randomly selected sessions met fidelity review on the MBI-TAC. Effect size estimates suggested large improvements in positive outlook (F(2,22) = 12.42, p < .001, d = 2.12), satisfaction with life (F(2,22) = 3.22, p = .059, d = 1.08), mindfulness (F(2,22) = 3.34, p = .054, d = 1.10), and quality of life (F(2,22) = 3.09, p = .066, d = 1.059). This study established feasibility and acceptability of traditional MBSR for adults with ASD and identified key supports for implementing MBSR with ASD.
In cancer-related VTE, DOACs reduce recurrent VTE compared with LMWH; groups do not differ for major bleeding.

SOURCE CITATION Haykal T, Zayed Y, Deliwala S, et al. Direct oral anticoagulant versus low-molecular-weight heparin for treatment of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Thromb Res. 2020;194:57-65. 32788122.
Value and benefits of model-based systems engineering (MBSE): Evidence from the literature

Traditional document‐based practices in systems engineering are being transitioned to model‐based ones. Adoption of model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) continues to grow in industry and government, and MBSE continues to be a major research theme in the systems engineering community. In fact, MBSE remains a central element in the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)’s vision for 2025. Examining systems engineering literature, this paper presents an assessment of the extent to which benefits and value of MBSE are supported by empirical evidence. A systematic review of research and practice papers in major systems engineering archival journals and conference proceedings was conducted. Evidence was categorized in four types, two of which inductively emerged from the results: measured, observed (without a formal measurement process), perceived (claimed without evidence), and backed by other references. Results indicate that two thirds of claimed MBSE benefits are only supported by perceived evidence, while only two papers reported measured evidence. The aggregate assessment presented in this paper indicates that claims about the value and benefits of MBSE are mainly based on expectation. We argue that evidence supporting the value and benefits of MBSE remains inconclusive.
A momentum-conserving implicit material point method for surface tension with contact angles and spatial gradients

We present a novel Material Point Method (MPM) discretization of surface tension forces that arise from spatially varying surface energies. These variations typically arise from surface energy dependence on temperature and/or concentration. Furthermore, since the surface energy is an interfacial property depending on the types of materials on either side of an interface, spatial variation is required for modeling the contact angle at the triple junction between a liquid, solid and surrounding air. Our discretization is based on the surface energy itself, rather than on the associated traction condition most commonly used for discretization with particle methods. Our energy based approach automatically captures surface gradients without the explicit need to resolve them as in traction condition based approaches. We include an implicit discretization of thermomechanical material coupling with a novel particle-based enforcement of Robin boundary conditions associated with convective heating. Lastly, we design a particle resampling approach needed to achieve perfect conservation of linear and angular momentum with Affine-Particle-In-Cell (APIC) [Jiang et al. 2015]. We show that our approach enables implicit time stepping for complex behaviors like the Marangoni effect and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity. We demonstrate the robustness and utility of our method by simulating materials that exhibit highly diverse degrees of surface tension and thermomechanical effects, such as water, wine and wax.
Fortran 90 and Engineering Computation

Computer and Programming Fundamentals. Fortran 90 Programming Procedure. Data Types and Operations. How to Make the Computer Communicate with You. Iterative Processes. Control Procedures. Amplifying the Power of a Program by Use of Subroutines. Program Testing and Debugging. Numerical Applications. Graphing Data and Design Applications. Glossary. Appendices. Solutions to Selected Problems. Index.
BIOCHEMICAL DYNAMICS IN ORGANIZED STATES A HOLISTIC APPROACH

The key word in the title of this conference is “dynamics”. Indeed, this term comes closest to what we might call the defining characteristic of the “living state”.
Jet Age Planning

Presented at the Jet-Age Airport Conference, May 15-17, 1957. Topic covers Jet Age Planning.
Mechanisms of electriciation in solid-solid contact

It is precisely in this area that the greatest confusion exists. Aside from the complications produced by the action of films of moisture, electrolytic effects and/or the formation of electrolytic Helmholtz double layers, or by films of impurity, phenomena are complicated by other factors. These include the manner in which measurements are made, the failure to avoid external electrical fields, the character of the contacts, e.g., sliding, rubbing, or rolling contact or just normal contact with no lateral motion. In some cases, there was a disregard of the electrostatic circuit arrangements and failure properly to analyze the circuit as a whole including, especially, the electrometer capacity. The effect of heating either at local contact points or asymmetrical heating of the same substances has been ignored. Heating may involve local fusion, etc. Again, the nature and state of surfaces, possibly exposure of crystal planes and the removal of oriented layers of ions as a result of mechanical or heat stresses. Finally, assuming that the measurements are conducted under controlled conditions designed to avoid all unnecessary complicating factors when one regards the electrification on contact of the whole gamut of inorganic, organic, insulating and conducting solids known and used in study, the various possible interchanges of charged carriers leads to such an extensive range of interactions that it is virtually impossible to derive any basic understanding of the mechanisms at work. This is especially true when one turns to such complex substances as vulcanite, (hard rubber), the various plastics, sealing wax, amber, cat’s fur, silk, glass and wool commonly associated with the phenomena of static electrification.
Phylogenetic networks: properties and relationship to trees and clusters

Phylogenetic networks model evolutionary histories in the presence of non-treelike events such as hybrid speciation and horizontal gene transfer. In spite of their widely acknowledged importance, very little is known about phylogenetic networks, which have so far been studied mostly for specific datasets. Even when the evolutionary history of a set of species is non-treelike, individual genes in these species usually evolve in a treelike fashion. An important question, then, is whether a gene tree is “contained” inside a species network. This information is used to detect the presence of events such as horizontal gene transfer and hybrid speciation. Another question of interest for biologists is whether a group of taxa forms a clade based on a given phylogeny. This can be efficiently answered when the phylogeny is a tree simply by inspecting the edges of the tree, whereas no efficient solution currently exists for the problem when the phylogeny is a network. In this paper, we give polynomial-time algorithms for answering the above two questions.
Up-helly-aa: Custom, Culture and Community in Shetland

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Callum G. Brown Year: 1998 Pages: 219 Publisher: Manchester University Press
ESA 2010 Chapter 3: Transactions in Products and Non-Produced Assets

This chapter of the new European guidelines on national accounting (ESA 2010) defines transactions in products and non-produced assets. This includes key-concepts in macro-economic statistics, like output, final consumption by government and households, gross capital formation and exports and imports of goods and services. It also includes transactions in non-produced assets, like natural resources, leases and goodwill.
Information Systems Can Prevent Errors and Improve Quality

> When you have a doctor, a patient, and a drug, there is much room for misunderstanding. > > Eugene A. Stead, Jr, MD1 The need to improve the quality of health care, prevent errors, translate good science into practice, and make patients and consumers partners in care has never been more pressing. Studies suggest that, at any given time, about a quarter of outpatients are subject to medication errors2 and, on average, a patient in an intensive care unit has to endure one health care error per day.3 Medical mistakes are blamed for as many as 98,000 lost lives annually,4 representing the eighth leading cause of death—exceeding diabetes (64,751), motor vehicle accidents (43,458), and breast cancer (42,297).5 The landmark quality classification of Donabedian6 offers measures not only for improvement in care but …
Influence of specific gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues on the integrity of the calcium-dependent conformation of human protein C.

Abstract The concentration of Ca2+ that produced 50% of the saturable intrinsic fluorescence change (C50) of wild-type (wt) recombinant (r) human protein C (PC) was 0.40 mM. The C50 for Ca2+ increased Asp]r-PC, [Gla7-->Asp]r-PC, [Gla14-->Asp]r-PC, [Gla19-->Asp]r-PC, or [Gla25-->Asp]r-PC, and approximately 4-6-fold for [Gla20-->Asp]r-PC and [Gla29-->Asp]r-PC. Much more dramatic increases in the C50 for Ca2+ were observed for [Gla16-->Asp]r-PC (> 75-fold) and [Gla26-->Asp]r-PC (ca. 30-fold). A substantially larger maximum fluorescence change (> 3-fold) as compared to that for wtr-PC, was also found in the case of the Ca2+/[Gla16-->Asp]r-PC complex, suggesting that the final Ca(2+)-induced conformation for this variant is dissimilar to that for wtr-PC and the above mutants. When a mutation was constructed at Arg15 ([Arg15-->Leu]r-PC), a residue conserved in all Gla-containing coagulation proteins, no fluorescence alteration occurred upon addition of Ca2+. The C50 for Ca2+ for promotion of the binding of the Ca(2+)-dependent, Gla-domain-directed, conformational monoclonal antibodies, JTC-1 and JTC-3, to wtr-PC was 3.0 and 4.0 mM, respectively. A similar C50 value was found for [Gla25-->Asp]r-PC. In the case of each antibody, approximately 4-6-fold higher C50 values for Ca2+ were found for the mutants; [Gla14-->Asp]r-PC, [Gla19-->Asp]r-PC, and [Gla29-->Asp]r-PC. Ca2+ did not promote binding of either of these antibodies to the following variants; [Gla6-->Asp]r-PC, [Gla7-->Asp] r-PC, [Arg15-->Leu]r-PC, [Gla16-->Asp]r-PC, [Gla20-->Asp]r-PC, and [Gla26-->Asp]r-PC. The results of this study suggest that adoption of the Ca(2+)-dependent conformation of PC is greatly dependent upon the presence of specific essential Gla residues, particularly those, namely Gla16 and Gla26, shown in the crystal structure of the prothrombin Gla domain/Ca2+ complex to be involved with coordination of Ca2+ ions not exposed to the surface. Of similar importance is Arg15. On the other hand, Gla residues at positions 14 and 19 are much less important in directing this same conformation. This finding is readily reconciled with the above crystal structure, which shows that these latter 2 residues are mainly responsible for coordination of a surface-exposed Ca2+ that is present at the end of the Ca(2+)-ion channel.
Wavefront control algorithms for the Keck next-generation adaptive optics system

The Keck Next Generation Adaptive Optics (KNGAO) system promises to yield high-Strehl observations over a wide range of science wavelengths from the optical through the infrared. We describe the algorithms proposed for a Real-Time Controller (RTC) implemented in a massive parallel processor environment. These algorithms take advantage of the Fourier domain to speed up processing and ensure minimum variance control that incorporates prior as well as current data. We present the unique approach to the design that enables such a complex tomography processor to scale more favorably with telescope aperture size than the more traditional RTC approaches.
BERYLLIUM ABUNDANCES IN STARS OF ONE SOLAR MASS

We have determined Be abundances in 50 F and G dwarfs in the mass range of 0.9 ≤ M ☉ ≤ 1.1 as determined by Lambert & Reddy. The effective temperatures are 5600-6400 K and metallicities from –0.65 to +0.11. The spectra were taken primarily with Keck I + HIRES. The Be abundances were found via spectral synthesis of Be II lines near 3130 A. The Be abundances were investigated as a function of age, temperature, metallicity, and Li abundance in this narrow mass range. Even though our stars are similar in mass, they show a range in Be abundances of a factor of >40. We find that [Be/Fe] has no dependence on temperature, but does show a spread of a factor of 6 at a given temperature. The reality of the spread is shown by two identical stars that differ from each other by a factor of 2 only in their abundances of Li and Be. Our thin-disk star sample fits the trend between Be abundance and [Fe/H] found for halo and thick-disk stars, extending it to about 4 orders of magnitude in the two logarithmic quantities. Both Fe and Be appear to increase similarly over time in the Galaxy. One-third of our sample may be classified as subgiants; these more evolved stars have lower Be abundances than the dwarfs. They have undergone Be depletion by slow mixing on the main sequence and Be dilution during their trip toward the red giant base. There are both Li and Be detections in 60 field stars in the "Li-plateau" of 5900-6300 K now and the abundances of the two light elements are correlated with a slope of 0.34 ± 0.05, with greater Li depletion than Be depletion.
Quality Characteristics of Ham Formulated with Modified Corn Starch and Kappa-Carrageenan

Eight treatments utilizing kappa-carrageenan (0%, 1.5%) and starch (0%, 2%, 3.5%, 5%) in hams were compared. Hams were evaluated for cooking yields, purge, color, texture and sensory characteristics. Incorporation of carrageenan at 1.5% increased yield, decreased purge and resulted in sensory perception of reduced juiciness. Increasing starch increased perception of juiciness. There was no synergistic effect on moisture retention due to a combination of starch and carrageenan. Microstructural characteristics revealed that starch and carrageenan were randomly distributed in localized areas with no evidence of interaction.
Development of nanostructured biomedical micro-drug testing device based on in situ cellular activity monitoring

Integration of micro and nanofabrication techniques with biotechnology has resulted in the development of in vitro analytical and diagnostic tools for biomedical applications. The focus of such technology has primarily been on therapeutic and sensing applications. The long-term integration of cells with inorganic materials provides the basis for novel sensing platforms. This paper describes the creation of, nanoporous, biocompatible, alumina membranes as a platform for incorporation into a cell based device targeted for in situ recording of cellular electrical activity variations due to the changes associated with the surrounding microenvironments more specifically due to the effect of therapeutic drugs. Studies described herein focus on the interaction of nanoporous alumina substrates embedded in silicon, patterned with cells of interest. The cells that have been used to develop the in vitro test platform are primary hippocampal neurons. Demonstrated here, is the fidelity of such a system in terms of determination of cell viability, proliferation, and functionality. The response of the cells to the "drug" molecules is electro-optically characterized in an in situ manner. The capability of such, micro fabricated nanoporous membranes as in vitro drug testing platforms, is first theoretically estimated using two dimensional finite element modeling of the diffusion of the molecules of interest through the nanoporous substrate using CFDRC. It is then experimentally established, using glucose and immunoglobulin G (IgG).
Curcumin Opens Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Channels by a Novel Mechanism That Requires neither ATP Binding nor Dimerization of the Nucleotide-binding Domains

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channels are essential mediators of salt transport across epithelia. Channel opening normally requires ATP binding to both nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs), probable dimerization of the two NBDs, and phosphorylation of the R domain. How phosphorylation controls channel gating is unknown. Loss-of-function mutations in the CFTR gene cause cystic fibrosis; thus, there is considerable interest in compounds that improve mutant CFTR function. Here we investigated the mechanism by which CFTR is activated by curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric. Curcumin opened CFTR channels by a novel mechanism that required neither ATP nor the second nucleotide-binding domain (NBD2). Consequently, this compound potently activated CF mutant channels that are defective for the normal ATP-dependent mode of gating (e.g. G551D and W1282X), including channels that lack NBD2. The stimulation of NBD2 deletion mutants by curcumin was strongly inhibited by ATP binding to NBD1, which implicates NBD1 as a plausible activation site. Curcumin activation became irreversible during prolonged exposure to this compound following which persistently activated channels gated dynamically in the absence of any agonist. Although CFTR activation by curcumin required neither ATP binding nor heterodimerization of the two NBDs, it was strongly dependent on prior channel phosphorylation by protein kinase A. Curcumin is a useful functional probe of CFTR gating that opens mutant channels by circumventing the normal requirements for ATP binding and NBD heterodimerization. The phosphorylation dependence of curcumin activation indicates that the R domain can modulate channel opening without affecting ATP binding to the NBDs or their heterodimerization.
Presence of α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone‐like immunoreactivity in the innervation of amphibian skeletal muscle

Amphibian motor nerve terminals are sensitive to a wide variety of peptides, including alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). We determined the presence and distribution of alpha-MSH-like immunoreactivity (alpha-MSHLI) in the innervation of the cutaneous pectoris muscle from bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles and postmetamorphic froglets, and adult frogs (R. catesbeiana and R. pipiens). alpha-MSHLI was found in unmyelinated, noncholinergic axons, in motor axons, and in motor nerve terminals. In motor axons, alpha-MSHLI was predominantly associated with neurofilaments. The distribution of this form of alpha-MSHLI changed during development and seasonally in adult frogs. The possible functional roles of this alpha-MSHLI are discussed.
Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein and Atherosclerosis Implications in Antioxidant Therapy

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol is important for cellular function, but in high concentrations, it can lead to atheroma formation. Over the past several decades, it has become abundantly evident that the oxidized form of LDL-cholesterol (ox-LDL) is more important in the genesis and progression of atherosclerosis than native unmodified LDL-cholesterol. Ox-LDL leads to endothelial dysfunction, an initial step in the formation of an atheroma. Ox-LDL acts via binding to a number of scavenger receptors (SR), such as SR-A1, SR-A2 and lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1). Ox-LDL can upregulate expression of its own receptor LOX-1 on endothelial cells and activate these cells. In addition, ox-LDL promotes the growth and migration of smooth muscle cells, monocytes/macrophages and fibroblasts. Ox-LDL also leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species that in physiologic concentrations combat invasion of the body by noxious agents, but when in excess, can lead to a state of oxidative stress. There is evidence for the presence of oxidative stress in a host of conditions such as atherosclerosis and aging. In this review, we discuss the role of oxidative stress, ox-LDL and LOX-1 in atherogenesis and the reasons why the traditional approaches to limit oxidant stress have not been successful.
The Influence of Hydrodynamic Turbulence on Acoustic Turbulent Agglomeration

The potential applications of acoustic agglomeration of aerosols in industry are usually under high flow rate conditions. The acoustic hydrodynamic turbulence-turbulence interaction in a resonance tube is the subject of this investigation. Measurements are made at both loop and node positions with a sound pressure level of 161.5 dB (re 20 μPa) and hydrodynamic Reynolds number Re ranging from 0 to 14000. Important parameters of the final state such as the rms turbulent velocity, the integral scale, the Taylor and Kolmogorov microscales, and the rate of turbulent energy dissipation ∈ are estimated. It is found that as long as the hydrodynamic flow is turbulent ∈ increases monotonically with increasing values of Re. Furthermore, ∈ is consistently larger at loop than at node. Based on this information, a numerical calculation of the turbulent agglomeration kernel KT is performed. The strong enhancement of the turbulence-turbulence interaction on KT at higher values of the Reynolds number Re indicates that the...
The biochemical constituents of the venom of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex badius.

Abstract 1. The venom of P. badius contains enzymes of 6 classifications: phospholipase A 2 , phospholipase B, hyaluronidase, lipase, acid phosphatase and four esterases. 2. Phospholipase A 2 , hyaluronidase and acid phosphatase are all present in quantities equal to or greater than those reported for the venoms of other insects. 3. Lipase, which has not been reported in other arthropod venoms, is present in high levels. 4. The venom possesses low levels of free amino acids, histamine and apparently little or no 5-hydroxytryptamine, kinin-like peptides, alkaline phosphatase or protease. 5. The venom is compared to venoms of snakes, arachnids and hymenopterous insects, including other ants, and possible functions for the components are discussed.
A classroom location-allocation model for campus planning

Abstract This paper describes a mathematical model for use in the problem of geographically allocating planned classroom spaces on a new campus. The model develops an optimum location-allocation distribution while encompassing construction costs, academic location preference measures and various budget considerations. It allows the campus planner to better assist the architect and to evaluate the architectural schematics. An application of the model, as described in the article, resulted in significant construction cost savings.
Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I increases forearm blood flow.

Several recent reports have described systemic effects associated with insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) infusions in humans, including dizziness, syncope, unconsciousness, bradycardia, and asystole. Eleven healthy volunteers (10 males and 1 female) underwent brachial arterial and deep forearm venous catheterizations to evaluate the effects of an intraarterial infusion of IGF-I on blood flow. Saline was infused into the brachial artery for 1 h, followed by infusions of recombinant human IGF-I (1.25, then 10 micrograms/kg BW.h) over 2 subsequent 90-min periods. Blood flow across the forearm was determined from dye dilution curves after an infusion of indocyanine green dye (20 mg/h) into the proximal arterial port. The rate of saline infusion had no effect on forearm blood flow. Likewise, the low dose arterial IGF-I infusion had no effect on blood flow, even though deep venous IGF-I concentrations increased slightly (127 +/- 37 to 172 +/- 19 ng/mL; P = NS). The 10 micrograms/kg.h infusion rate increased ...
Commentary for special issue of GeoJournal on Amenity Migration, Exurbia, and Emerging Rural Landscapes

The first point is one everyone seems to agree with, which is the problem of lack of definition: what we mean when we say exurban. It was fascinating that we started out with Taylor's (forthcoming, based on Spectorsky 1955) history of the term "exurban," and 50 years later, here we are, and we still don't have a definition of it. One of the problems is that, of course, it's a moving target, but still there is this cluster of diverse processes that all get clumped together under this label "exurban." And by using that term too loosely, and uncritically, it leads to a very high degree of intellectual confusion. The question that comes up is: how can we expect to agree on what to do about exurban growth if we can't really define what it is? And Sayre (forthcoming) appropriately pointed out that people have attempted to define what exurban means, and it's true that Brown et al. (2005) do define a certain growth densities between 6 and 25 hectares per unit; but that's a measure of density and the problem with that definition, I would suggest, is that you can have land users using the land at exactly the same densities, but with radically different sorts of uses. You can have people who have very much a get-back-to-the-woods Waldenesque ideology of being in nature and living simply and being a good steward of the land. You can also have people living at that same density who are hobby ranchers or small scale vineyard growers, and so on, and those will have very different sorts of ecological impacts, political impacts, and managerial questions associated with them.
Variable vowel adaptation in Standard Mandarin loanwords

This study examines which English vowel is matched with which vowel in Standard Mandarin in loanword adaptation, investigates the general patterns for and restrictions on vowel adaptation in Standard Mandarin loanwords, and determines which aspects of vowel quality is more carefully replicated than others. The results show that despite the seemingly high degree of variation, there are systematic patterns: (i) the front-back dimension is more faithfully replicated than height and rounding, (ii) deviation along the height dimension is tolerated but minimal, (iii) a rounding mismatch occurs mostly in adapting mid central/back vowels, and (iv) central vowels behave as if they are unspecified for or ambiguous between front and back. This study demonstrates how the grammar prioritizes which aspects to replicate in the loanword adaptation process and has implications for theories of loanword phonology in particular and feature theory in general.
The role of endothelial cell lateral junctions during leukocyte trafficking

An essential function of the inflammatory response is selective targeting of appropriate leukocyte types to a site of infection or injury. The past decade has witnessed an explosion in the level of detail concerning the identification and deciphering of the molecular mechanisms that capture leukocytes from flowing blood and promote leukocyte arrest on the vessel wall. In contrast, less information is known about the migration of adherent blood leukocytes through endothelial cell-to-cell borders (transendothelial migration, TEM) and into the underlying tissues. This article reviews the endothelial-dependent mechanisms that coordinate TEM in peripheral vasculature and highlights the role of certain lateral junctional proteins and protein complexes.
Male and Female Sources in Newspaper Coverage of Male and Female Candidates in US Senate Races in 2004

ABSTRACT This study assesses how the largest daily newspapers in states with female US Senate candidates in 2004 used non-partisan male and female expert and non-expert sources in covering campaigns. Using content analysis, it found that male, non-partisan sources appeared more frequently and prominently than did female sources. That difference was more than four times greater for expert sources who provided “horse race” or “issue” commentary than for non-expert sources. It also found that reporters of both genders cited female sources equally rarely. There was a negative correlation between gender diversity in story sourcing and newsroom racial diversity. The relative scarcity of female sources may have a significant effect on potential readership and the campaign-related news they receive.
Scattering of Light by Spherical Liquid Droplets Using Computer-Synthesized Holograms

A cathode-ray tube linked to a computer is used to synthesize holograms of spherical liquid droplets illuminated by plane waves of monochromatic linearly polarized light. The classical Mie solution is employed to determine the far-field radiation pattern of the light waves scattered by the droplets. The most distinctive maxima and minima in the radiation pattern of a droplet are found to occur in the side scattering adjacent to the forward lobe, when the droplet is viewed in a plane that is perpendicular to the direction of polarization of the incident waves. Typical examples of these maxima and minima were recorded on the computed holograms. The reference source was an electric dipole with its axis of polarization parallel to the direction of polarization of the light waves incident on the droplets. Reconstructed droplet images were obtained from the computed holograms using a low-power He–Ne laser source. The reconstructed images were found to show all of the appropriate maxima and minima in the radiation pattern. A holographic method is suggested in the paper for determining the size of spherical liquid droplets in the range of diameters from about 0.5 to 20 μ. This method is based on the techniques used in the construction of the computed holograms and depends on the relation between the angles of the maxima and minima and size parameter ka.
Association of body weight and body condition with survival in dogs with heart failure.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in people, but overweight and obese human heart failure patients have improved survival compared with normal- or underweight controls—the obesity paradox. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an association of body weight and body condition with survival in dogs with heart failure. Hypothesis: That body condition and changes in body weight are predictors of survival in dogs with heart failure. Animals: One hundred and eight dogs with heart failure (International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council stages 2, 3a, or 3b) secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy or chronic valvular disease. Methods: Medical records were reviewed, and data regarding initial body weight and body condition score (BCS), subsequent changes in body weight, and treatment were collected. Survival times were determined for dogs that were discharged from the hospital and lived >24 hours. Results: Survival was significantly different between dogs that gained, lost, or maintained body weight over the course of their disease (P= .04), with dogs that gained weight surviving the longest. BCS and medications were not significantly associated with survival time; however, n-3 fatty acid intake was associated with longer survival time (P= .009). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These results suggest that changes in body weight might be an important consideration in the survival of dogs with heart failure.
Effects of L-Type Voltage-Sensitive Calcium Channel Modulators on the Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Ethanol in Rats

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether administration of dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels plays a role in modulating the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol. A food-reinforced operant methodology was used to train adult male Long-Evans rats to discriminate either 1.0 g/kg of ethanol from water or 2.0 g/kg of ethanol from water. After training, two sets of experiments were conducted. First, a time course procedure was implemented whereby a single intraperitoneal dose of either nimodipine (3, 10, 30 mg/kg), nifedipine (3, 10, 30 mg/kg), or isradipine (1, 3, 10, 17 mg/kg) was administered, and test sessions were conducted 10, 20, 30, 60, and 90 min postinjection. Complete substitution (80% or greater ethanol-appropriate responding) for ethanol by these dihydropyridine compounds varied among subjects with dose and pretreatment time. Overall, isradipine substituted for the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol in the greatest percentage of animals in both training groups. However, substitution varied with dose. Nifedipine dose dependently substituted for ethanol in half of the animals trained with 1.0 g/kg of ethanol but was less effective in animals trained with 2.0 g/kg of ethanol. For the second set of experiments, a single dose of nimodipine, nifedipine, isradipine, or (-)-BAY k 8644 was administered before determination of the cumulative ethanol dose response. Nifedipine produced a significant leftward shift and (-)-BAY k 8644 produced a significant rightward shift in the ethanol dose-response curve in animals trained to discriminate 2.0 g/kg of ethanol from water. These results indicate that the administration of VGCC modulators plays an indirect role in the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol.
Effects of different BN grades on the machinability of Si3N4–MoSi2–BN composites

Abstract The effects of the addition of 20 vol% hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) on the surface finishing and machinability of a Si 3 N 4 –5 vol% MoSi 2 hot-pressed matrix were studied using three commercial BN powders with different particle sizes and impurity contents. After preparation of the specimens, the surface finishing of the BN-containing composites was much lower than the starting matrix. The materials’ machinability was quantitatively assessed by turning and drilling tests. In the severe turning tests, the wear resistance of the BN-containing composites was three times lower than the starting matrix without any BN size effect. In the mild drilling tests, the resistance of the composites was influenced by the BN grade, but without any obvious relationship to the BN pockets size. The impurities content of the starting BN powder could be the main factor affecting the machinability of the composites.
The Generalized Mantel–Haenszel Statistic

Abstract This article reviews the development of the generalized Mantel–Haenszel statistic and some of its applications. In addition, it is demonstrated that many of the better known statistics for matched sample designs are special cases of the generalized Mantel–Haenszel statistic.
Postural-Stability Tests That Identify Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability

Context: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is characterized by repeated ankle sprains, which have been linked to postural instability. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to identify individuals with CAI who can benefit from rehabilitation. Objective: To assess the likelihood that CAI participants will exhibit impaired postural stability and that healthy control participants will exhibit better test performance values. Design: Case-control study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: People with CAI (n = 17, age = 23 ± 4 years, height = 168 ± 9 cm, weight = 68 ± 12 kg) who reported ankle “giving-way” sensations and healthy volunteers (n = 17, age = 23 ± 3 years, height = 168 ± 8 cm, weight = 66 ± 12 kg). Intervention(s): Participants performed 7 balance tests: Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), time in balance, foot lift, single-legged stance on a force plate, Star Excursion Balance Test, side hop, and figure-of-8 hop. Main Outcome Measure(s): Balance was quantified with errors (score...
Probing the relative timing of hydrogen abstraction steps in the flavocytochrome b2 reaction with primary and solvent deuterium isotope effects and mutant enzymes.

Flavocytochrome b2 catalyzes the oxidation of lactate to pyruvate. Primary deuterium and solvent kinetic isotope effects have been used to determine the relative timing of cleavage of the lactate O−H and C−H bonds by the wild-type enzyme, a mutant protein lacking the heme domain, and the D282N enzyme. The DVmax and D(V/Klactate) values are both 3.0 with the wild-type enzyme at pH 7.5 and 25 °C, increasing to about 3.6 with the flavin domain and increasing further to about 4.5 with the D282N enzyme. Under these conditions, the D20Vmax values are 1.38, 1.18, and 0.98 for the wild-type enzyme, the flavin domain, and the D282N enzyme, respectively; the D20(V/Klactate) values are 0.9, 0.44, and 1.0, respectively. The Dkred value is 5.4 for the wild-type enzyme and 3.5 for the flavin domain, whereas the solvent isotope effect on this kinetic parameter is 1.0 for both enzymes. The Vmax values for the wild-type enzyme and the flavin domain are 32 and 15% limited by viscosity, respectively. In contrast, the V/Klac...
Effect of Consonant-Vowel Ratio Modification on Amplitude Envelope Cues for Consonant Recognition

This investigation examined the degree to which modification of the consonant-vowel (C-V) intensity ratio affected consonant recognition under conditions in which listeners were forced to rely more...
The hidden taxable capacity of land: enough and to spare

Purpose – A tax based on land value is in many ways ideal, but many economists dismiss it by assuming it could not raise enough revenue. Standard sources of data omit much of the potential tax base, and undervalue what they do measure. The purpose of this paper is to present more comprehensive and accurate measures of land rents and values, and several modes of raising revenues from them besides the conventional property tax.Design/methodology/approach – The paper identifies 16 elements of land's taxable capacity that received authorities either trivialize or omit. These 16 elements come in four groups.Findings – In Group A, Elements 1‐4 correct for the downward bias in standard sources. In Group B, Elements 5‐10 broaden the concepts of land and rent beyond the conventional narrow perception, while Elements 11‐12 estimate rents to be gained by abating other kinds of taxes. In Group C, Elements 13‐14 explain how using the land tax, since it has no excess burden, uncaps feasible tax rates. In Group D, Eleme...
Empowerment Evaluation Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Empowerment evaluation continues to crystallize central issues for evaluators and the field of evaluation. A highly attended American Evaluation Association conference panel, titled “Empowerment Ev...
Affinity of human leukocyte interferon for polyribonucleotides

Human leukocyte interferon (HL-IF)binds to AGPOLY(A)TM, AGPOLY(U)TM and AGPOLY(I)TM. The bound interferon could be displaced from all three polyribonucleotides by including sodium chloride in the eluant. The nature of interaction of HL-IF with polyribonucleotides is electrostatic and not hydrophobic since its binding was not prevented in the presence of 50% ethylene glycol. The binding of HL-IF on AGPOLY(I)TM is stronger at lower pH since an increase in ionic strength is required to displace it.
Desmosomal Hotspots, Microtubule Delivery, and Cardiac Arrhythmogenesis

Microtubules can target proteins such as Connexin43 to plasma membrane subdomains. Patel et al. (2014) now show that the structural desmosome complex participates in targeted trafficking of membrane components through interactions between the microtubule network and the N terminus of desmoplakin, a region that is a pathogenic mutation hotspot.
The neurobiology of cannabinoid analgesia.

The discovery of cannabinoid receptors and their putative endogenous ligands raises questions as to the nature of the effects produced by cannabinoids on neural circuits that mediate pain and whether endogenous cannabinoids produced by the brain or in the periphery serve naturally to modulate pain. A sizable body of previous work showed that cannabinoid agonists suppress pain behavior in a variety of models of acute and chronic pain. However, at appropriate doses, cannabinoids also profoundly suppress motor behavior (see Sanudo-Pena et al., this volume), which complicates the interpretation of behavioral analgesia since a motor response is the endpoint of virtually all such studies. Studies conducted in this laboratory used biochemical and neurophysiological measures to determine whether cannabinoids suppress nociceptive neurotransmission. The results showed that cannabinoids suppress nociceptive neurotransmission at the level of the spinal cord and the thalamus. These effects are reversible, receptor mediated, selective for painful as opposed to nonpainful somatic stimuli, and track the behavioral analgesia both in time course and potency.
Inhibition of Carbon Dioxide Corrosion of Mild Steel by Imidazolines and Their Precursors

Abstract Corrosion inhibition of mild steel by imidazolines and their precursors in a carbon dioxide (CO2)-containing environment was studied using rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) and linear pola...
Upholding God’s Rule: Early Muslim Juristic Opposition to the State Employment of non-Muslims

This is a study of what purport to be the earliest opinions that Muslims expressed about the employment of non-Muslim administrators by an Islamic state. Matn-cumisnād analyses are performed on three early reports which claim that the caliph 'Umar b. al-Khattāb instituted a religious criterion for state employment. These constitute the only credible evidence that such a criterion might have been part of administrative policy in the pre-Marwānid period. They were also an important basis for later legal doctrines that forbade the state employment of non-Muslims. The matn-cum-isnād analyses are placed in juxtaposition to historical reports concerning the late Umayyad period, in order to advance the thesis that the reports are likely to have been put into circulation by proto-Sunnī Arab traditionists in second-/eighth-century Kufa in reaction to state policies, particularly those of the Umayyad governor Khālid al-Qasrī.
Globalization, commercial space and spacepower in the USA

Abstract Economic and commercial spacepower is about market dominance and control. The USA is still the largest investor in space in the world and the technological and commercial leader in many areas but its leadership is being challenged. When other nations have similar capabilities, control becomes a problem, assuming, as is the case with space, that control is also a critical issue in security. Moreover, exerting spacepower may be inconsistent with expanded commercial developments in space, raising investment risks and creating incentives for foreign competitors. To the extent that global market opportunity is denied by restrictive commercial policies, spacepower from a purely international economic competitive perspective is diminished. Though it is encouraging that the US commercial space policies have been in Presidential Documents over the past 20 years, they have been unintentionally undermined to a large extent by other policies, with security almost always trumping commerce. This paper examines the way globalization and commercial space developments have changed the nature of spacepower and suggests that the USA's reactions to these changes have not thus far served it well.