cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Software agents architecture for controlling long-range dependent network traffic

Recent measurements of local and wide-area network traffic have proven that the widely used Markovian process models cannot be applied for today's network traffic. If the traffic were Markovian process, the traffic's burst length would be smoothed by averaging over a long time scale contradicting with the observations of today's traffic characteristics. Measurements of real traffic also prove that traffic burstiness is present on a wide range of time scales. Traffic that is bursty on many or all time scales can be characterized statistically using the concept of long-range dependency. Long-range dependent traffic has noticeable bursts, long periods with extremely high values on all time creating traffic congestions. Several conventional methods have been implemented to avoid congestion, but they are not responsive enough to the varying transmission capacity and network delay in high-speed networks. A new research direction, programmable networking, offers a more promising solution for congestion control. Traditional packet networks perform only the processing necessary to forward packets toward their destination. As computing power becomes cheaper, more and more functionality can be deployed inside the network. Programmable networks support dynamic modification of the network software and hardware to manipulate the network's behavior. A special way of network programmability is when special programs called mobile or software agents are carried in the packets to the routers. Software agents are loaded, executed, migrated, and suspended in order to implement some network functions. Software agents provide the highest possible degree of flexibility in congestion control. They can carry congestion-specific knowledge into the network at locations where it is needed, rather than transferring information to the sending hosts as it happens in traditional flow control solutions. In our paper, we propose a new programmable network architecture using software agents that can reduce the harmful consequences of congestions due to aggregated bursty traffic, such as packet losses, extremely long response times, etc.
Correlates of different forms of cyberloafing: The role of norms and external locus of control

Cyberloafing is the personal use of email and the Internet while at work. The purpose of this study is to identify the different forms of cyberloafing and their antecedents. We propose that cyberloafing has two primary forms: minor cyberloafing (e.g., sending and receiving personal email at work) and serious cyberloafing (e.g., online gambling, surfing adult oriented web sites). Additionally, we hypothesize that employees' perceptions of coworker and supervisor norms supporting cyberloafing are related to minor cyberloafing but not serious cyberloafing. We also hypothesize that external locus of control (i.e., a belief that chance and powerful others determines one's outcomes), as an antecedent of other counterproductive work behaviors, will be related to both minor and serious cyberloafing. Two hundred and twenty two employed graduate business students were surveyed. Two forms of cyberloafing were identified: one composed of minor cyberloafing behaviors and one composed of the more serious cyberloafing behaviors. As predicted, employees' perceptions of their coworkers' and supervisor's norms were positively related to minor cyberloafing, but not related to serious cyberloafing. Also as predicted, belief in chance was positively related to both minor and serious cyberloafing. A belief in powerful others was not related to minor or serious cyberloafing. Implications for policy development to regulate cyberloafing in organizations are discussed.
A Mediator Lost in the War on Cancer

An unexpected role for a Mediator subunit, MED12, in resistance to multiple anticancer agents is revealed by Huang et al. Loss of MED12 confers drug resistance by activating transforming growth factor b (TGF-b) signaling. Inhibition of the TGF-b pathway resensitizes cells to therapeutic drugs, suggesting a new combinatorial cancer treatment.
An Interdisciplinary Mental Health Consultation Team in a Nursing Home

The Mental Health Consultation Team (MHCT) at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center nursing home is an interdisciplinary group of mental health professionals and primary care providers established to triage mental health consultations, improve communication between consultants and primary care providers, help staff translate consultants' recommendations into patient care, and furnish education in the management of mental health problems. The MHCT has decreased the demands for formal psychiatry and psychology consultations while increasing mental health services through innovative use of existing staff.
A new class of blood coagulation inhibitors

Abstract Glycine 1ethyl ester is a specific inhibitor of fibrin polymerization in vertebrates delaying the transition of fibrin gel into a urea- or acid-insoluble clot. The block occurs therefore at the reaction between fibrin and the thrombin activated form of the fibrin-stabilizing factor. In Homarus americanus plasma, glycine methyl ester can inhibit clotting entirely. The presence of the amino group is essential to inhibit both systems. Mode and specificity of inhibition as well as some medical implications are discussed.
Common genetic variants are associated with accelerated bone mineral density loss after hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Background Bone mineral density (BMD) loss commonly occurs after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Hypothesizing that genetic variants may influence post-HCT BMD loss, we conducted a prospective study to examine the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in bone metabolism pathways and acute BMD loss after HCT. Methods and Findings We genotyped 122 SNPs in 45 genes in bone metabolism pathways among 121 autologous and allogeneic HCT patients. BMD changes from pre-HCT to day +100 post-HCT were analyzed in relation to these SNPs in linear regression models. After controlling for clinical risk factors, we identified 16 SNPs associated with spinal or femoral BMD loss following HCT, three of which have been previously implicated in genome-wide association studies of bone phenotypes, including rs2075555 in COL1A1, rs9594738 in RANKL, and rs4870044 in ESR1. When multiple SNPs were considered simultaneously, they explained 5–35% of the variance in post-HCT BMD loss. There was a significant trend between the number of risk alleles and the magnitude of BMD loss, with patients carrying the most risk alleles having the greatest loss. Conclusion Our data provide the first evidence that common genetic variants play an important role in BMD loss among HCT patients similar to age-related BMD loss in the general population. This infers that the mechanism for post-HCT bone loss is a normal aging process that is accelerated during HCT. A limitation of our study comes from its small patient population; hence future larger studies are warranted to validate our findings.
Differentiation of aseptic and bacterial meningitis in postoperative neurosurgical patients

The differentiation of bacterial from aseptic meningitis in postoperative neurosurgical patients has traditionally been based on the clinical setting, a recent history of steroid administration, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies, including the total and differential leukocyte counts, Gram stain, glucose, and total protein. Recent reports questioning both the validity of a relative CSF lymphocytosis in excluding bacterial meningitis and the usefulness of standard CSF testing prompted the authors to reevaluate these standard criteria. The type of operation, the presence of a foreign body, use of steroids, postoperative day on which symptoms developed, altered mental status, neck stiffness, headache, and nausea were not helpful in the differential diagnosis. High fever, new neurological deficits, an active CSF leak, and elevated leukocyte counts in the CSF and peripheral blood favored a bacterial etiology. The CSF glucose level and the differential leukocyte count were less helpful. No criterion or combination of criteria was sensitive and specific enough to reliably differentiate aseptic from bacterial meningitis in the majority of patients. The possibility of improving diagnostic accuracy with newer tests, such as CSF lactate, ferritin, total amino acids, C-reactive protein, and amyloid-A, should be assessed.
Pilot study of Hispanic mothers and maternal separation anxiety

In this pilot study the maternal separation anxiety of 49 mothers of primarily Mexican descent was examined. A hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to determine if predictors of maternal separation anxiety in Euro-American mothers would also predict maternal separation anxiety in Hispanic mothers. Results identified maternal education, marital status, and total number of children as predictors. Maternal age produced a significant increment when added to the model. Neither infant age nor hours mothers spent attending school or in paid employment predicted maternal separation anxiety. Additionally, adolescents reported greater maternal separation anxiety when separated from their infants than did adult mothers. Results of this pilot study indicated some consistency with findings of previous research with Euro-American participants. Suggestions for future research are discussed.
Prompted Voiding for Nighttime Incontinence in Nursing Homes: Is it Effective?

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether prompted voiding (PV) is effective for nighttime urinary incontinence in nursing home (NH) residents and whether residents who respond well to daytime PV also respond well at night. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: Four community NHs. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-one long-stay incontinent NH residents of mean age 88 years, 75% female. MEASUREMENTS: The percentage of hourly checks for wetness and the appropriate toileting rate (continent voids divided by total voids) were measured during 3 days (7 a.m.–7 p.m.) of PV, and for an average of 5 nights (7 p.m.–7 a.m.), during which a modified PV protocol, designed to be minimally disruptive to sleep, was carried out. RESULTS: Fourteen residents (23%) responded well to daytime PV, with average wetness and appropriate toileting rates of 5% and 73%, respectively. In the group as a whole, nighttime PV was not effective, with wetness and appropriate toileting rates of 49% and 18%, respectively. Among those who responded well to daytime PV, wetness rates during nighttime PV remained significantly higher than during the day (24% vs 5%; P = .000), and nighttime appropriate toileting rates were significantly lower (39% vs 73%; P = .002). The poor response rate at night was primarily observed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of incontinent NH residents, nighttime PV, even when carried out so as to minimize sleep disruption, was not an effective intervention. Although residents who responded well to daytime PV responded better to nighttime PV than those who did not respond to daytime PV, their wetness rates remained relatively high and their appropriate toileting rates were low. These data suggest that routine nighttime toileting programs should not be carried out for the majority of incontinent NH residents. Instead, individualized care based on resident's preferences, willingness to toilet at night, and sleep patterns should be emphasized. J Am Geriatr Soc 49:706–709, 2001.
Monitoring potassium in alfalfa using a hand-held ion-specific electrode

Abstract A reliable method to rapidly assess the potassium (K) status of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) would enhance the ability of producers and crop consultants to make timely decisions regarding K fertilization. Recently introduced to the agricultural market are portable, hand‐held, ion‐specific electrodes, that allow direct measurement of K in plant sap. The objective of this study was to compare the potassium ion‐specific electrode (KSE) meter to flame photometry as a tool to estimate the K status of alfalfa. A total of 75 fields in the low deserts of California and Arizona were sampled in June and again in November‐December of 1995. Seventy‐five mid‐stems from each field were collected and chopped into 1 cm pieces. Sap was extracted from half the sample and analyzed for K concentration with the KSE meter. Sap readings were taken either immediately in the field (method 1) or after transport to the laboratory (method 2). The other half of the sample was oven dried at 60°C and analyzed for K concentrati...
Variations in electron density in the middle latitude D-region above Urbana, Illinois

Electron density measurements made with the partial reflections technique above Urbana, Illinois (44 deg 10 min N, 88 deg 10 min W) were analyzed for day-to-day variations, seasonal variations, magnetic storm aftereffects, and stratosphere-ionosphere coupling effects. As well as showing a winter anomaly, the electron densities near 76 km were significantly lower in fall than in spring. Magnetic storm aftereffects of the type predicted by models of energetic electron precipitation at middle latitudes were observed. No strong correlations were found between stratospheric and D-region time series, or between the occurrence of stratospheric warmings and D-region changes. It is likely that most of the electron density variation was due to variations in the transport of minor neutral constituents. The spring-fall differences were also probably caused by differences in minor constituent concentrations rather than the effect of temperature changes on the recombination coefficient.
Mothball differentiation: Naphthalene from paradichlorobenzene

In order to develop a rapid, simple test to differentiate toxic naphthalene from the less toxic mothball ingredient paradichlorobenzene, both types of mothballs were dissolved in isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, methanol, and turpentine. Twenty-five naphthalene and 25 paradichlorobenzene mothballs were weighed, randomly grouped, and then dissolved in the solvents. After 30 minutes, the mothballs were reweighed. Isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and methanol did not differentially dissolve the mothballs fast enough to provide a useful test. Turpentine, however, dissolved paradichlorobenzene at a much more rapid rate than naphthalene (P less than .001). After 60 minutes, all of the paradichlorobenzene mothballs had dissolved, while at least 25% of the naphthalene remained. Thus, when confronted with an ingestion of unlabeled mothballs, the physician could gain preliminary information regarding possible toxicity by dissolving a remaining mothball in turpentine for 60 minutes.
Interferometric technique for recording and restoring images degraded by unknown aberrations

A method for recording and restoring images that have been degraded by unknown aberrations is described. Several images are recorded with different masks placed in the pupil of the optical system. If these images are Fourier analyzed and certain phases are combined algebraically in the proper manner, the effects of the unknown aberrations can be removed, with an uncertainty concerning the absolute location of the object with respect to the imaging system. Experimental results are reported. The sensitivity of the method is analyzed, and the applicability of the technique in astronomical imaging is considered. The method shows considerable promise for high-resolution imaging of fine-grain structure on the solar surface.
On safety and timeliness in distributed data management (preliminary report)

When partitions may occur with a positive probability there is no way to guarantee safety and timely operation. In most cases the probability of partition is small even though some components may be inoperative for long periods of time. Blocking prevents transient faults from causing a loss of consistency in the rare instances of partition. Much as we would like a truly nonblocking coordination protocol, Theorem 3.2 implies that guaranteed eventual communication is not enough to guarantee safety without blocking in an asynchronous environment, and Corollary 4.2 says that even in a synchronous environment, any safe atomic commit protocol is blocking.
Patient-focused intervention to improve long-term adherence to evidence-based medications: A randomized trial

Background Nonadherence to cardiovascular medications is a significant public health problem. This randomized study evaluated the effect on medication adherence of linking hospital and community pharmacists. Methods Hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease discharged on aspirin, β-blocker, and statin who used a participating pharmacy were randomized to usual care or intervention. The usual care group received discharge counseling and a letter to the community physician; the intervention group received enhanced in-hospital counseling, attention to adherence barriers, communication of discharge medications to community pharmacists and physicians, and ongoing assessment of adherence by community pharmacists. The primary end point was self-reported use of aspirin, β-blocker, and statin at 6 months postdischarge; the secondary end point was a ≥75% proportion of days covered (PDC) for β-blocker and statin through 6 months postdischarge. Results Of 143 enrolled patients, 108 (76%) completed 6-month follow-up, and 115 (80%) had 6-month refill records. There was no difference between intervention and control groups in self-reported adherence (91% vs 94%, respectively, P = .50). Using the PDC to determine adherence to β-blockers and statins, there was better adherence in the intervention versus control arm, but the difference was not statistically significant (53% vs 38%, respectively, P = .11). Adherence to β-blockers was statistically significantly better in intervention versus control (71% vs 49%, respectively, P = .03). Of 85 patients who self-reported adherence and had refill records, only 42 (49%) were also adherent by PDC. Conclusions The trend toward better adherence by refill records with the intervention should encourage further investigation of engaging pharmacists to improve continuity of care.
Creating Quality Courts

Numerous studies examine the importance of legal systems, yet there is little scholarship on how nations can improve their legal systems. Nations might try to invest more resources, including increasing overall budgets, increasing judicial salaries, or expanding the number of judges and/or courts. We examine data for a set of European nations, with a focus on the most effective way to use national resources to enhance judicial quality. We consider the effect of different uses of government resources and the effect of different judicial systems on measures of judicial quality, including independence, efficiency, the rule of law, and perceived impartiality.
Immunostaining of plasma cells in primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by inflammatory destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts. The differential diagnosis for PBC often includes autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Both diseases can show prominent plasma cells and other overlapping histologic features. It is interesting that both diseases can involve elevated levels of serum immunoglobulins, with IgM elevations typical of PBC and IgG elevations typical of AIH. We investigated whether this difference could be useful histologically by immunostaining plasma cells in liver biopsy specimens for IgG and IgM. We examined 56 cases: 18 of PBC and 38 of AIH. In PBC, plasma cells in the portal tracts were predominantly IgM+, whereas in AIH, plasma cells were predominately IgG+ (P < .0001). Immunostaining for IgM and IgG can be helpful in differentiating PBC from AIH. Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease of unknown cause that is defined by a constellation of clinical, laboratory, and histologic findings. Patients typically have chronic, often cholestatic, liver disease and have high titers of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs). Classically, the liver biopsy specimen shows predominantly a portal hepatitis with bile duct lymphocytosis and injury. At times, the injured and inflamed bile ducts will be associated with granulomatous inflammation (termed florid duct lesions). However, the histologic pattern may be heterogeneous, and granulomas are not always identified. The clinical and histologic differential diagnosis for patients with PBC often includes autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Plasma cells can be prominent in both diseases, and there can be other areas of histologic overlap that can make the distinction between PBC and AIH difficult. In PBC, serum levels of IgM are typically elevated, 1 whereas in AIH, serum levels of IgG are typically elevated. 2 Thus, histologic immunostaining of plasma cells for IgM and IgG makes an attractive target that may be useful as a diagnostic aid.
Measuring soft tissue elasticity by monitoring surface acoustic waves using image plane digital holography

The detection of tumors in soft tissues, such as breast cancer, is important to achieve at the earliest stages of the disease to improve patient outcome. Tumors often exhibit a greater elastic modulus compared to normal tissues. In this paper, we report our first study to measure elastic properties of soft tissues by mapping the surface acoustic waves (SAWs) with image plane digital holography. The experimental results show that the SAW velocity is proportional to the square root of elastic modulus over a range from 3.7-122kPa in homogeneous tissue phantoms, consistent with Rayleigh wave theory. This technique also permits detection of the interface of two-layer phantoms 10mm deep under surface and the interface depth by quantifying the SAW dispersion.
Alien predators and amphibian declines: review of two decades of science and the transition to conservation

. Over the last two decades, numerous studies have shown that alien predators contributed to amphibian population declines. Both experimental studies and correlative field surveys implicated alien species of fish, bullfrogs and crayfish as major contributors to amphibian population decline, and in some instances local extinction. Additional studies have demonstrated that alien predators also caused long-term changes in aquatic communities. Recent studies have examined the feasibility of removing alien predators, and provide some evidence that amphibian populations can recover. Applying information gained from past studies to the recovery of amphibian populations will be the challenge of future studies. International, national and local policies that regulate alien predators should be based largely on the body of scientific evidence already in the literature. Scientists need to be more involved with policy-makers to most effectively change laws that regulate alien predators.
Scanning tunneling microscopy investigations of ruthenium- and osmium-modified Pt(100) and Pt(110) single crystal substrates

Ruthenium and osmium were deposited in sub-monolayer amounts on Pt(100) and Pt(110) single crystal surfaces ia spontaneous deposition and explored using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and cyclic voltammetry. The results were compared to previously published Pt(111) data to yield a comprehensive discussion of all low-index platinum surfaces modified by ruthenium and osmium. Ex-situ STM was utilized to image the deposition characteristics of ruthenium and osmium islands on Pt(hkl). The spontaneous deposition procedure yielded a maximum coverage of 0.22 and 0.10 monolayer of ruthenium on Pt(100) and Pt(110), respectively. Homogeneous deposition of ruthenium on the Pt(hkl) surfaces was observed without preferential deposition on step edges or surface defect sites. In contrast to the results with Pt/Ru, the spontaneous deposition of osmium yields osmium clusters preferentially (though not exclusively) at surface defect sites and step edges. Osmium island deposition occurs at a greater rate than ruthenium on all low index surfaces, and follows the same affinity as Ru; that is, deposition on Pt(100) is greater than Pt(111) which is greater than Pt(110). It was also determined that both ruthenium and osmium deposit in mainly mono-layer high islands on all three crystal faces.
The United States and global health: inseparable and synergistic? The Institute of Medicine's report on global health

In the wake of dynamic economic and political transitions worldwide, the Institute of Medicine recently released its report advocating investments in global health from the United States (US). The expert panel reinforces the ‘transnational and interdisciplinary’ nature of global health research and practice as an endeavor ‘to improve health and achieve greater equity for all people worldwide.’ This report was judiciously timed given the growing recognition of global health, and is also acknowledged for incorporating themes that are particularly pertinent to the twenty-first century. New paradigms are introduced, denouncing the dichotomous distinction between rich and poor countries with the rapidly transitioning countries emerging as global powers, and affirming the need for models of respectful partnership and wider translation of science into practice. Cultivating sustainable partnerships and investing in the understanding and combat of diseases worldwide will become increasingly important for the US to maintain its global competitiveness, and may offer lessons in innovation, efficiency, and organization of institutions and human resources.
The Dependent Wild Bootstrap

We propose a new resampling procedure, the dependent wild bootstrap, for stationary time series. As a natural extension of the traditional wild bootstrap to time series setting, the dependent wild bootstrap offers a viable alternative to the existing block-based bootstrap methods, whose properties have been extensively studied over the last two decades. Unlike all of the block-based bootstrap methods, the dependent wild bootstrap can be easily extended to irregularly spaced time series with no implementational difficulty. Furthermore, it preserves the favorable bias and mean squared error property of the tapered block bootstrap, which is the state-of-the-art block-based method in terms of asymptotic accuracy of variance estimation and distribution approximation. The consistency of the dependent wild bootstrap in distribution approximation is established under the framework of the smooth function model. In addition, we obtain the bias and variance expansions of the dependent wild bootstrap variance estimat...
Protein Acetylation Regulates Both PU.1 Transactivation and Igκ 3′ Enhancer Activity

Igkappa gene expression and chromatin structure change during B cell development. At the pre-B cell stage, the locus is relatively hypoacetylated on histone H3, whereas it is hyperacetylated at the plasma cell stage. We find in this study that the histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA) stimulated 3' enhancer activity through the PU.1 binding site. TSA also stimulated PU.1 transactivation potential. PU.1 activity was increased by the coactivator acetyltransferase protein, p300, and p300 physically interacted with PU.1 residues 7-30. PU.1 served as a substrate for p300 and was acetylated on lysine residues 170, 171, 206, and 208. Mutation of PU.1 lysines 170 and 171 did not affect PU.1 DNA binding, but did lower the ability of PU.1 to activate transcription in association with p300. Lysine 170 was acetylated in pre-B cells and plasmacytoma cells, but TSA treatment did not stimulate PU.1 acetylation at this residue arguing that a second mechanism can stimulate 3' enhancer activity. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays we found that TSA caused preferential acetylation of histone H3 at the 3' enhancer. The relevance of these studies for PU.1 function in transcription and hemopoietic development is discussed.
Effect of γ-Interferon on Collagen Synthesis by Normal and Fibrotic Human Lung Fibroblasts

Increased lung collagen and increased collagen synthesis by lung fibroblasts is well recognized in pulmonary fibrosis. γ-Interferon has been shown to inhibit collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. To understand its effect on lung fibroblasts we compared how this lymphokine affects the growth and collagen synthesis of normal and fibrotic human lung fibroblasts. The results showed that γ-IFN inhibited DNA synthesis in all fibroblast strains examined. Both collagen production and type 1 mRNA levels were reduced in three normal and two fibrotic cell strains exposed to γ-IFN, while they were not affected in one strain from fibrotic lung. Even though an occasional cell was unaffected by the γ-IFN, collagen mRNA level was reduced in most cells and it remained reduced for 48 h after removing the γ-IFN. These results show that γ-IFN inhibits the growth of fibroblast cultures derived from normal and fibrotic human lungs and suppresses collagen synthesis in most of these cells.
Cohort Sampling Schemes for the Mantel–Haenszel Estimator

In many epidemiological studies, disease occurrences and their rates are naturally modelled by counting processes and their intensities, allowing an analysis based on martingale methods. Applied to the Mantel-Haenszel estimator, these methods lend themselves to the analysis of general control selection sampling designs and the accommodation of time-varying exposures.
Reactivated interstratal karst—example from the Late Silurian rocks of western Lake Erie (U.S.A.)

Abstract Interstratal karst developed in the Late Silurian rocks of western Lake Erie that, after a long interruption, was exhumed and reactivated. The dissolution front of the G evaporite of the Salina Group receded in the downdip direction during these two well-documented periods of subaerial exposure. The karst features that developed in the overlying Bass Islands Dolomite (Pridolian) consist of a large tabular body of collapse breccia and a number of smaller features including breccia pipes, partially filled pipes, blister caves and collapse dolines. The tabular breccia body and the breccia pipes, which originated penecontemporaneously during post-Silurian and pre-Middle Devonian subaerial exposure, occur along the updip edge of the present outcrop belt of the dolostone. They are monolithologic, fragment-supported rubble breccias, with the pipes exhibiting a greater fragment displacement, rotation and rounding, and a smaller fragment size. The matrix sediment of the tabular body is a quartz sand, an equivalent of the basal sandstone that filtered down from the erosion surface. The presence in the matrix sediment of nodular celestite, a later replacement of evaporites that formed when the sediment was still soft, indicates that a sabkha environment existed at the time the breccia was infilled. The partially filled pipes, which form cylindrical caves that are lined with late diagenetic celestite, are believed to be cogenetic with the collapse breccias. The blister caves and dolines occur downdip from the breccias, postdating Pleistocene glaciation and predating isostatic rebound. These caves are isolated, crescent- or oval-shaped openings with domed roofs, averaging about 60 m in width and 4 m in height. The hydration and resulting expansion of lenticular bodies of anhydrite along the receding solution front of the G unit is believed to be the cause of doming. The numerous crescentic caves, originating from the dissolution of this gypsum and the subsequent collapse of the domed roofs, are expressed at the surface as shallow dolines.
Innovations Diffusion: A Spatial Sampling Scheme for Distributed Estimation and Detection

We consider a wireless network with distributed processing capabilities for estimation or detection applications. Due to limited communication resources, the network selects only a subset of sensor measurements for estimation or detection as long as the resulting fidelity is tolerable. We present a distributed sampling scheme based on the concept of innovations diffusion to select the sensor nodes. In the proposed scheme, sensor selection is accomplished through local communication and signal processing. In order to conserve energy and prolong system lifetime, the proposed algorithm selects a nearly minimum number of active sensors to ensure a desired fidelity for each working period. Extensive simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed sampling scheme.
Determination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and evaporative light scattering detection.

This paper describes the first analytical method suitable for the determination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris. A separation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was achieved by using a reversed-phase (RP-18) column, evaporative light scattering (ELS) detection, and a water/acetonitrile gradient as the mobile phase. The marker compound, protodioscin, was detected at a concentration as low as 10.0 μg/mL. Several different samples of plant material were successfully analyzed, and depending on origin and plant part used for extraction, significant differences in the composition of the saponins were observed. The analysis of market products showed considerable variations of 0.17 to 6.49% in the protodioscin content. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 90:1752–1758, 2001
Marijuana Motivations Across Adolescence: Impacts on Use and Consequences

Background. Motivational models for marijuana use have focused on reasons to use marijuana, but rarely consider motives to abstain. Objectives: We examined how both adolescent marijuana abstinence motives and use motives contribute to marijuana use and problems at the end of emerging adulthood. Methods. 434 community recruited youth who had not initiated marijuana use at baseline were followed from adolescence (at ages 12, 15, and 18 years) into emerging adulthood (age 25 years). Motives to abstain and to use marijuana, marijuana consumption, and marijuana-related problems were assessed across time. Results. Endorsing more motives to abstain from marijuana across adolescence predicted less marijuana use in emerging adulthood and fewer marijuana-related problems when controlling for past motives to abstain and marijuana-related behavior. Positive reinforcement use motives related to increased marijuana consumption and problems, and negative reinforcement motives predicted problems when controlling for past...
Zydis selegiline in the management of Parkinson's disease

Selegiline, a selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor, has been used for decades in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The recent development of an orally disintegrating dosage form using Zydis technology allows pregastric drug absorption and, thus, greatly improving the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic drug profiles. This new formulation provides higher drug bioavailability and a substantially reduced concentration of active metabolites. As an adjunct to levodopa, Zydis selegiline is shown to be a safe and effective therapy in patients with motor fluctuations and wearing off. This review outlines the advantages of a Zydis formulation in Parkinson's disease and the evidence supporting the use of Zydis selegiline for motor fluctuations.
An experimental approach to improve retail layout: shoppers reactions to layout

This paper examines the layout strategy in relation to retail stores. Brief descriptions of possible layout strategies are given. These layout strategies were then related specifically to the Wal-Mart Corporation, in particular four stores in upstate New York. Firstly the ideas were applied to each department within the store. In this discussion, we compared each department to a specific store that focuses on the retail of that exact product. Five hundred questionnaires, along with short descriptions of 'the most important layout strategies', were randomly distributed among the customers throughout these four stores during a six-month period. The five points and three servicescapes to retail layout were used to analyse Wal-Mart's overall layout strategy. We rated Wal-Mart's overall layout and rated each one according to our number system. Finding all characteristics of a good layout for each point and then determining through a rough fraction of how many of those Wal-Mart fit gave ratings. This paper concludes by analysing our results and includes suggestions for the improvement.
EVIDENCE FOR OVERDOMINANT SELECTION MAINTAINING X-LINKED FITNESS VARIATION IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

The role of balancing selection in maintaining genetic variation for fitness is largely unresolved. This reflects the inherent difficulty in distinguishing between models of recurrent mutation versus selection, which produce similar patterns of inbreeding depression, as well as the limitations of testing such hypotheses when fitness variation is averaged across the genome. Signatures of X-linked overdominant selection are less likely to be obscured by mutational variation because X-linked mutations are rapidly eliminated by purifying selection in males. Although models maintaining genetic variation for fitness are not necessarily mutually exclusive, a series of predictions for identifying X-linked overdominant selection can be used to separate its contribution from other underlying processes. We consider the role of overdominant selection in maintaining fitness variation in a sample of 12 X chromosomes from a population of Drosophila melanogaster. Substantial variation was observed for male reproductive success and female fecundity, with heterozygous-X genotypes exhibiting the greatest degree of variance, a finding that agrees well with predictions of the overdominance model. The importance of X-linked overdominant selection is discussed along with models of recurrent mutation and sexually antagonistic selection.
Do as I’m Doing: Video Modeling and Autism

Video modeling (VM) has been used to support skill development in children with autism for the past 15 years. New advancements in technology have accelerated the use of VM in a variety of environments. This chapter will discuss current research in VM, including skill selection, home versus clinical settings, and characteristics of the video model. Theoretical support for VM will also be explored. In addition, the role of VM with regard to specific skill development and collateral gains in children with autism will be discussed. Finally, strategies for VM implementation will be identified.
The genetics of Wilms' tumor.

Publisher Summary Wilms' tumor presents a genetic pattern that may be intermediate in complexity, between the single-locus disease exemplified by retinoblastoma and the multistep tumorigenesis model proposed for colon cancer and other adult tumor types. It constitutes 10% of all pediatric cancers and is the most common intra-abdominal solid tumor in children. It can present a common sporadic and a rare hereditary form, along with various congenital abnormalities. The existence of both gross chromosomal abnormalities as well as more subtle molecular deletions has led to the genetic characterization of a number of loci involved in the development of Wilms' tumor. This chapter discusses the complex genetics of Wilms' tumor and the initial studies characterizing the role of the WT1 gene product in tumorigenesis. Wilms' tumor is very sensitive to chemotherapy. The genetic events underlying the development of Wilms' tumor are complex and the isolation of the WT1 gene has provided an initial molecular key to decipher this process. In Wilms' tumor, the prophetic model that Knudson and Strong had proposed based on epidemiologic analyses has stood the test of time and continues to provide a unifying theme for the molecular study of human neoplasia.
Modulation of Proteasome Pathways by Nutraceuticals

The proteasome is a multicatalytic proteinase complex, the inhibition of which has been associated with induction of apoptosis, anti-tumorigenesis, and chemosensitization of tumor cells to the conventional chemotherapeutics agents and radiation. Therefore, inhibition of the proteasome pathway could be a novel approach for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Proteasome inhibitors mediate the antitumor effect through modulation of transcription factors, cell cycle regulatory proteins, and pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. Although numerous proteasome inhibitors have been rationally designed, most of them not only are enormously expensive but also produce serious side effects. Currently, numerous nutraceuticals such as curcumin, sesamin, quercetin, silybinin, sulforaphane, resveratrol, tubocapsenolide A, CDDO-Me, γ-tocotrienol, apigenin, ferulic acid, betulinic acid, anacardic acid, genistein, withaferin A, emodin, withanolide, and gambogic acid derived from fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, and legumes have shown promise as proteasome inhibitors, which may contribute to their anticancer activities. Although the mechanism of proteasome inhibition by nutraceuticals is different, it plays a crucial role against cancer. In this chapter, we discuss the targets of these nutraceuticals in the proteasome pathway. How inhibition of the proteasome pathway by these natural agents contributes to their anticancer activities is also discussed.
Magnet® Facility Nurses: Pursuing a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing

Aim The aim is to explore factors that motivate and obstacles that impede nurses from pursuing baccalaureate education when employed by a Magnet® organization. Background In the Future of Nursing (2011), the Institute of Medicine concluded that the baccalaureate should be the minimum education for nurses. Magnet organizations are encouraged to meet the Institute of Medicine goal of 80% of nurses with a baccalaureate by 2020. Method In February 2014, a 15-item on-line survey was sent to nurses at a western Magnet-designated hospital to assess factors that motivate registered nurses to achieve a baccalaureate. Descriptive statistics and a general thematic analysis were completed. Results A 20% response rate ( N = 191) was achieved. Most respondents (78%) entered nursing as associate degree/diploma graduates, and most (84%) either had a baccalaureate or master's degree or were currently enrolled in school. Encouragement from other nurses was the factor most frequently selected as facilitating return to school. Impeding factors included age and family responsibilities. A minority of nurses reported that they did not believe that a baccalaureate would make them a better nurse. Implications Findings suggest that peer and leadership support play a larger role in facilitating baccalaureate completion more than previously reported. Additional research is needed to explore the role of registered nurse to registered nurse encouragement in facilitating educational advancement.
Systemic and regional free fatty acid metabolism in type 2 diabetes.

To determine whether type 2 diabetes mellitus alters systemic and regional free fatty acid ([3H]palmitate) metabolism, 14 nondiabetic (ND) and 14 type 2 diabetic (D) subjects underwent hyperinsulin...
Abstract 1292: β-catenin is activated in arsenic-transformed human bronchialepithelial cells and promotes angiogenesis .

Arsenic exposure represents a major health concern causing human cancers, yet the mechanism of arsenic carcinogenesis has not been elucidated. We and others recently reported that cell malignant transformation by arsenic is accompanied by epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the role of EMT in arsenic carcinogenesis is not well understood. Although previous studies showed that acute short term arsenic treatment stimulates angiogenesis, it remains to be determined whether cells that were malignantly transformed by long term arsenic exposure have a pro-angiogenic effect. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of arsenic-transformed human bronchial epithelial cells that underwent EMT on angiogenesis and the underlying mechanism. It was found that the conditioned medium from arsenic-transformed cells strongly stimulated tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, enhanced angiogenesis was detected in mouse xenograft tumor tissues resulting from inoculation of arsenic-transformed cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that β-catenin was activated in arsenic-transformed cells up-regulating its target gene expression including angiogenic-stimulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Stably expressing microRNA-200b in arsenic-transformed cells that reversed EMT inhibited β-catenin activation, decreased VEGF expression and reduced tube formation by HUVECs. SiRNA knocking down β-catenin decreased VEGF expression. Adding a VEGF neutralizing antibody into the conditioned medium from arsenic-transformed cells impaired tube formation by HUVECs. It was further determined that the canonical Wnt signaling was not increased in arsenic-transformed cells. These findings suggest that EMT in arsenic-transformed cells promotes angiogenesis through activating β-catenin-VEGF pathway in the absence of elevated-canonical Wnt signaling. Citation Format: Zhishan Wang, Brock Humphries, Chengfeng Yang. β-catenin is activated in arsenic-transformed human bronchialepithelial cells and promotes angiogenesis . [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1292. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1292
A Proposed Fluorimetric Determination of Unsaturated Iron-binding Capacity

A completely new method for the analysis of uncombined iron-binding capacity (UIBC) in human serum is proposed. The method is based on the discovery by C. K. Luk that the fluorescence of terbium ion (Tb-3+) is enhanced enormously when it binds to an empty Fe-3+ binding site of transferrin. Tb-3+ cannot displace Fe-3+ from an occupied binding site on transferrin. The analytic procedure is to dilute the serum (in order to lower its ultraviolet absorbance), add a solution of Tb-3+, excite with ultraviolet radiation, and measure the intensity of the resulting green fluorescence. With proper calibration this intensity is a measure of UIBC. Analyses of 65 serum samples previously measured at a hospital laboratory show no obvious difficulty with the method. Its absolute accuracy has not been probed in detail.
Development, Content, and Construct Validity of the Complexities of Co-Occupation (CoCO) Scale

Date Presented 4/16/2015 The underlying constructs of co-occupation to challenge what is currently understood are addressed. Research phases include (1) development and content validity and (2) construct validity through exploratory factor analysis. Psychometrically sound measures support research and practice in varied contexts.
Analysis on species diversity of plant community in Badaling area of Beiing,China

Based on the survey and the data from 34 plots,characteristics of species diversity of plant communities in the upper reaches of Badaling area were discussed in this paper.The study showed that richness index goes as follows: tree layerherb layershrub layer.Diversity indices in tree layer were lower than that in herb layer and in shrub layer.While the indices in herb layer and shrub layer varied with shade density of the stands,the greater the shade density,the lower the diversity indices in herb layer.When shade density of stand was about 53%,the indices of diversity and richness in herb layer were almost equal to that in shrub layer;when shade density of stand was about 25%,the indices in shrub layer were lower than that in herb layer;when shade density of stand was above 53%,the indices in herb layer were higher than that in shrub layer.Biodiversity indices in the plantation changed a lot,but they are far less than in natural forest.Forest regeneration is lack of shrub layer and ground cover plant,and the ecosystem is under a very unstable state.