cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
M&A accounting: FASB calls for ban on pooling

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) wants to ban an accounting method that has spurred many mergers and acquisitions (M&As)—pooling. The Board also wants to make significant changes in accounting and reporting for intangible assets. The author discusses the impact of these latest developments on accounting for business combinations and other areas. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Formation of flavor oil microemulsions, nanoemulsions and emulsions: influence of composition and preparation method.

This study aimed to establish conditions where stable microemulsions, nanoemulsions or emulsions could be fabricated from a nonionic surfactant (Tween 80) and flavor oil (lemon oil). Different colloidal dispersions could be formed by simple heat treatment (90 °C, 30 min) depending on the surfactant-to-oil ratio (SOR): emulsions (r > 100 nm) at SOR 2. Turbidity, electrical conductivity, shear rheology, and DSC measurements suggested there was a kinetic energy barrier in the oil-water-surfactant systems at ambient temperature that prevented them from forming metastable emulsion/nanoemulsion or thermodynamically stable microemulsion systems. High energy homogenization (high pressure or ultrasonic homogenizer) or low energy homogenization (heating) could be used to form emulsions or nanoemulsions at low or intermediate SOR values; whereas only heating was necessary to form stable microemulsions at high SOR values.
Induction of lactate dehydrogenase by dibutyryl cAMP in primary cultures of central nervous tissue is an oligodendroglial marker

Abstract In vitro induction of lactate dehydrogenase ( l -lactate:NAD + -oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) in response to catecholamines occurs in neural cell lines expressing glial properties 2–4 . LDH is a tetrameric protein, consisting of two types of subunits: M-type or LDH-5 (predominant in skeletal muscle), and H-type or LDH-1 (predominant in heart muscle). These subunits are encoded by two nonallelic genes 1,18,14 . Several studies have shown that LDH is induced by catecholamines via a cAMP-mediated process 2,3 . We have previously shown that the mechanism of catecholamine induction for LDH in C6 glial cells involves an increase in the differential rates of synthesis of the two LDH subunits, suggesting that the regulation occurs at both genetic loci 6 . Recently, a method has become available to prepare separate cultures of oligodendrocytes and astrocytes from newborn cerebral tissue 10 . Both of these cultures markedly increase their intracellular cAMP concentration following a challenge by β-adrenergic agonists 10 . We have now investigated the regulation of LDH activity by dibutyryl cAMP (Bt 2 cAMP) in separate cultures of neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. The induction involving an increase in the rate of synthesis by Bt 2 cAMP is solely characteristic of oligodendrocytes. Moreover, both LDH genes contribute to this regulation.
Capital income taxation and international portfolio choice

Abstract Distortionary proportional capital income taxation is shown to cause both static effects via portfolio re-allocation and dynamic effects via changes in the value of a claim to future transfers as well as via perceived changes in the future investment opportunity set. The stochastic structure of returns to investment is important for understanding the consequences of a unilateral increase in the domestic tax rate. A government choosing optimal tax policy makes a tradeoff between the increase in the perceived value of future transfers and the distortion to portfolio allocation produced by taxation. With corporate taxation the optimal tax rate is positive.
Microscopic stress tensors in atoms

Calculations are presented for microscopic quantum stress tensors for selected closed-shell atomic systems. The stress tensor in spherically symmetric atoms is expressed as a diagonal dyadic in terms of spherical-polar unit vectors. In equilibrium the balancing of momentum and electric flux implies a relationship between the radial and tangential components of the stress tensor. This relationship is used to express the microscopic pressure as a total differential of a pressure virial and to analyze the effects of finite numerical precision and algorithm errors. Effects of non-self-consistency are illustrated by a comparison of local-density-approximation and Hartree-Fock models for the stress tensor.
Possible Influence of Cell Walls upon Ion Concentrations at Plasma Membrane Surfaces. Toward a Comprehensive View of Cell-Surface Electrical Effects upon Ion Uptake, Intoxication, and Amelioration

Plant uptake of ions, intoxication by ions, and the alleviation of intoxication by other ions often correlate poorly with ion concentrations in the rooting medium. By contrast, uptake, intoxication, and alleviation correlate well with ion concentrations at the plasma membrane (PM) surface computed as though the PM were bathed directly in the rooting medium with no effect from the cell wall (CW). According to two separate lines of analysis, a close association of CWs and PMs results in a slight increase in cation concentrations and a slight decrease in anion concentrations at the PM surface compared with concentrations when the CW is separated or has no effect. Although slightly different, the ion concentrations at the PM surface computed with and without close association with the CW are highly correlated. Altogether, the CW would appear to have a small effect upon ion uptake by the PM or upon intoxication or alleviation of intoxication originating at the PM surface. These analyses have been enabled by the recent evaluation of parameters required for the electrostatic models (Gouy-Chapman-Stern and Donnan-plus-binding) used to compute electrical potentials and ion concentrations in CWs and at PM surfaces.
Comparison of risk factors for vascular disease in the carotid artery and aorta in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective To examine and compare risk factors for various stages of subclinical vascular disease in different vascular beds (carotid and aorta) in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have not yet developed clinical cardiovascular disease. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in 214 women without clinical cardiovascular disease who were enrolled in the Pittsburgh Lupus Registry. B-mode ultrasound was used to measure carotid plaque and intima-media wall thickness (IMT). Doppler probes were used to collect pulse-wave velocity waveforms from the right carotid and femoral arteries as a measure of aortic stiffness. All risk factor data were collected on the day of the ultrasound examinations. Results The mean ± SD age of the women was 45.2 ± 10.5 years and the median SLE disease duration was ∼9 years. Sixty-eight (32%) of the women had at least 1 focal plaque. The mean ± SD IMT was 0.71 ± 0.1 mm, and the mean ± SD pulse-wave velocity was 5.96 ± 1.6 meters/second. Using logistic regression, we found that determinants of plaque included older age, higher systolic blood pressure, lower levels of high-density lipoprotein 3, and antidepressant use. Determinants of plaque severity were older age, higher systolic blood pressure, lower levels of albumin, and smoking. Independent determinants of the highest quartile of IMT were older age, higher pulse pressure, lower levels of albumin, elevated C-reactive protein levels, high cholesterol, and higher levels of glucose. Higher aortic stiffness was associated with older age, higher systolic blood pressure, higher C3 levels, lower white blood cell count, higher insulin levels, and renal disease. Conclusion In women with SLE, the risk factors associated with carotid plaque and IMT are those typically associated with cardiovascular disease in the general population, whereas the risk factors associated with vascular stiffness include SLE-specific variables related to immune dysregulation and complement metabolism. The high prevalence of cardiovascular disease among lupus patients may result from both early adverse effects on vascular stiffening as well as later promotion of wall thickening and plaque through inflammatory-mediated processes. These observations provide clues for future mechanistic studies.
An inclusive and generative design process for sustainable urbanism: the case of Pacoima

Principles of sustainable urbanism were established to overcome the problems associated with conventional urban form. These principles, however, can become more tangible and achievable through use of an inclusive and generative design process, which utilizes community participation techniques and pattern language. The case of Pacoima (a community in Los Angeles, CA) demonstrates the use of an inclusive and generative design process in order to alleviate the adverse consequences of conventional urban form and implement the principles of sustainable urbanism. By using community workshops and generative pattern language, students of two courses in two departments implemented several principles of sustainable urbanism (e.g. walkability and mixed use) in an attempt to transform the conventional urban form in Pacoima into a more sustainable one.
Physics-based polarimetric BRDF models

Through the use of measurements and analysis we have devised a series of physics-based analytic models for the BRDF that describe the differential polarization of light scattered from a random rough surface. These models incorporate both intrinsic (refractive index) and extrinsic (statistical moments of the surface height variations) properties of the surface as well as wavelength dependence. Detailed surface statistics are acquired with a stylus scanner. Physical optics theory relates these statistics (and thus the complex coherence factor of the fields at the surface) to the far-field intensity of the scattered light. An outcome of these models is the ability to predict the spectrally varying differential polarization of emittance. Excellent agreement between measured and modeled BRDF’s is demonstrated.
Determination of the onset of spatiotemporal complexity induced by soliton competition in a perturbed sine-Gordon chain

The competition between sine-Gordon-breather and kink-antikink-pair solitons under the influence of damping and both ac and dc driving is investigated. We introduce soliton collective coordinates, and develop equations of motion for this system. Then we analyze the transition by calculating the perturbed separation of the stable and unstable orbits near the homoclinic point of the motion using Melnikov's method. We find that the threshold for complicated behavior is strongly dependent on the frequency of the ac driving, and that the contribution of the dc driving is to lower this threshold.
Optical frequency combs: Introduction, sources and applications

This tutorial will review the topic of optical frequency combs, with an emphasis placed on practical details related to the operation of optical frequency combs for various applications. The tutorial will begin with a brief historical perspective, including discussion of key developments in the late 1990's that ushered in the era of femtosecond laser frequency combs. From there, we will cover the construction, major components, and operation principles of several of the most common types of optical frequency combs. Finally, we will highlight important applications of these frequency combs to research areas such as frequency metrology, optical clocks, precision spectroscopy, optical/microwave synthesis, timing synchronization/ distribution, and attosecond science.
Why antidepressants are not antidepressants: STEP‐BD, STAR*D, and the return of neurotic depression

The widely held clinical view of 'antidepressants' as highly effective and specific for the treatment of all types of depressive disorders is exaggerated. This sobering conclusion is supported by recent findings from the NIMH-sponsored STEP-BD and STAR*D projects. Antidepressants have limited short-term efficacy in unipolar depressive disorders and less in acute bipolar depression; their long-term prophylactic effectiveness in recurrent unipolar major depression remains uncertain, and is doubtful in recurrent bipolar depression. These limitations may, in part, reflect the excessively broad concept of major depression as well as unrealistic expectations of universal efficacy of drugs considered 'antidepressants.' Treatment-refractory depression may reflect failure to distinguish depressive conditions, particularly bipolar disorder, that are inherently less responsive to antidepressants. Antidepressants probably should be avoided in bipolar depression, mixed manic-depressive states, and in neurotic depression. Expectations of antidepressants for specific types of patients with symptoms of depression or anxiety require critical re-evaluation. A revival of the concept of neurotic depression would make it possible to identify patients with mild-to-moderate, chronic or episodic dysthymia and anxiety who are unlikely to benefit greatly from antidepressants. Diagnostic criteria for a revival of the concept of neurotic depression are proposed.
Improved time to publication in Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres

Timely publication of manuscripts is important to authors and readers. AGU has significantly accelerated both the review and production processes for the Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres (JGR-Atmospheres). Via a number of mechanisms (e.g., shortening the time allotted for reviewer selection, manuscript reviews, and revisions), the mean time to first decision has been decreased from 98 days in 2007 to 50 days in 2011, and the mean time to final decision has been decreased from 132 days in 2007 to 71 days in 2011. By implementing a new content management system, adjusting the workflow for improved efficiency, requesting authors to proofread their manuscripts quicker, and improving monitoring and follow-up to author and vendor queries, the mean production time from manuscript acceptance to publication has been decreased from 128 days in 2010 to only 56 days in 2012. Thus, in the past few years the mean time to publication of JGR-Atmospheres has been cut in half. These milestones have been achieved with no loss of quality of presentation or content. In addition, online posting of “papers in press” on JGR-Atmosphere's home page typically occurs within a few days after acceptance. JGR-Atmospheres editors thank manuscript reviewers, authors, and AGU staff who have greatly contributed to the more timely review and publication processes. This information will be updated periodically on the JGR-Atmospheres home page. A chart showing the average time from acceptance to publication for all of AGU's journals is available at http://www.agu.org/pubs/pdf/31May2012_Timeliness_Chart.pdf.
Experiences of Rural Vocational Rehabilitation Clients Who Leave the System Prematurely: A Qualitative Exploration

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) clients who leave the system prematurely experience worse employment outcomes than clients who stay in services. The authors conducted this study to learn about factors leading to premature exit by rural VR clients. Results will inform survey development for a large longitudinal study on this topic. The authors content coded 27 qualitative telephone interviews with former rural VR clients who exited the system prematurely. Reported reasons for premature exit included (a) discrepancies between services provided and services desired, (b) unmet counselor expectations, (c) counselor—client relationship problems, (d) health issues, (e) limited job opportunities, (f) work disincentives, and (g) slow service speed. VR might reduce premature exits by helping clients better understand the VR process, including the types of VR services offered and associated counselor expectations.
Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids interfere with the insulin/glucose activation of L-type pyruvate kinase gene transcription.

L-type pyruvate kinase (L-PK) is a key glycolytic enzyme regulating the flux of metabolites through the pyruvate-phosphoenolpyruvate cycle (1). The regulation of L-PK is complex involving both hormones and nutrients. We have found that feeding rats diets containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) significantly inhibits hepatic pyruvate kinase enzyme activity (> 60%) and suppresses mRNAPK abundance (> 70%). Studies with primary hepatocytes indicate that PUFA act directly on hepatocytes. Specifically, arachidonic (20:4, omega 6) and eicosapentaenoic (20:5, omega 3) acid suppressed both mRNAPK llevels and the activity of a transfected PKCAT (-4300/+12) fusion gene by > 70%. This is due to an inhibition of the insulin/glucose-mediated transactivation of L-PKCAT. Deletion analysis localized PUFA-regulated cis-acting elements to a region within the L-PK proximal promoter, i.e. between -197 and -96 base pairs. This region binds two transcription factors involved in the hormone/nutrient regulation of L-PK gene transcription, i.e. a major late transcription factor-like factor and HNF-4. Linker scanning mutation analysis localized the PUFA-regulated cis-acting elements to the vicinity of the HNF-4 binding site. Thus, PUFA-regulated factors abrogate the insulin/glucose activation of L-PK gene transcription by targeting the HNF-4 elements. These studies suggest that PUFA may have significant effects on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism by inhibiting the L-PK side of the pyruvate-phosphoenolpyruvate cycle.
Exploiting Memory Soft Redundancy for Joint Improvement of Error Tolerance and Access Efficiency

Technology roadmap projects nanoscale multibillion- transistor integration in the coming years. However, on-chip memory becomes increasingly exposed to the dual challenges of device-level reliability degradation and architecture-level performance gap. In this paper, we propose to exploit the inherent memory soft (transient) redundancy for on-chip memory design. Due to the mismatch between fixed cache line size and runtime variations in memory spatial locality, many irrelevant data are fetched into the memory thereby wasting memory spaces. The proposed soft-redundancy allocated memory detects and utilizes these memory spaces for jointly achieving efficient memory access and effective error control. A runtime reconfiguration scheme is also proposed to further enhance the soft-redundancy allocation. Simulation results demonstrate 74.8% average error-control coverage ratio on the SPEC CPU2000 benchmarks with average of 59.5% and 41.3% reduction in memory miss rate and bandwidth usage, respectively, as compared to the existing memory techniques. Furthermore, the proposed technique is fully scalable with respect to various memory configurations.
Socioeconomic Status and Lung Function

Poverty is a major social problem in the United States and throughout much of the world. Poverty and the broader term socioeconomic status (SES) are important determinants of overall health status and many pulmonary diseases. The purpose of this study was to review the medical literature from the past 20 years addressing the relationship between SES and lung function in both children and adults. There is a significant negative correlation between lung function (primarily FEV 1 and FVC) and SES. This relationship exists even after adjusting for smoking status, occupational exposures, and race. The magnitude of the effect of low SES on lung function is variable, but FEV 1 reductions of > 300 mL in men and > 200 mL in women have been reported. SES is an important determinant of lung function and an underrecognized contributor to pulmonary disease.
Simulatable Binding: Beyond Simulatable Auditing

A fundamental problem in online query auditingis that an outside attacker may compromise database privacy by exploiting the sequence of query responses and the information flow from the database state to the auditing decision. Kenthapadi et al. [14] proposed the simulatable auditingmodel to solve this problem in a way that completely blocks the aforementioned information flow. However, the security does not come for free. The simulatable auditing model actually suffers from unnecessary data utility loss. We assert that in order to guarantee database privacy, blocking the information flow from the true database state to the auditing decision is sufficient but far from necessary. To limit the loss in data utility, we suggest an alternative approach that controls, instead of blocks, such information flow. To this end, we introduce a new model, called simulatable binding, in which the information flow from the true database state to the auditing decision is provably controlled by a selected safe binding. We prove that the proposed simulatable binding model provides a sufficient and necessary condition to guarantee database privacy, and therefore, algorithms based on our model will provide better data utility than algorithms based on the simulatable auditing model. To demonstrate the strength and practicality of our model, we provide two efficient algorithms for the max query and sum query auditing, respectively. For the ease of comparison, each algorithm is built by applying our simulatable binding model, and is compared to an algorithm applying the simulatable auditing model. Clear improvements are shown through experiments.
Self-Paced High Frequency Lifting of Light Loads

A study was designed to psychophysically examine the maximum acceptable frequency of lifting for light loads. Twelve male subjects participated in the experiment in which they lifted boxes weighing either 0.7 kg or 4.5 kg from an initial height of 0.76 m to a final height of 1.27 m. Therefore, the lifting was primarily in the knuckle to shoulder height range, involving arm lifting and very little lifting of body weight. The task duration was one hour and subjects were allowed and encouraged to make as many adjustments as they felt necessary to arrive at their maximum acceptable frequency of lift. Cardboard boxes, (28 cm high by 30 cm wide by 25 cm deep) without handles, were used as lifting containers. For the 0.7 kg load, selected frequencies ranged from a low of 22 lifts per minute to a high of 40 lifts per minute. For the 4.5 kg load, the maximum acceptable frequencies ranged from 14 to 31 lifts per minute. Only two of the twelve subjects selected frequencies of 15 or lower for the 4.5 kg load and none...
Randomized open-label trial of dolasetron for the control of nausea and vomiting associated with high-dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

A prospective open-label trial was performed to compare the efficacy of dolasetron with that of ondansetron or granisetron (standard therapy) for prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with high-dose chemotherapy with or without total body irradiation followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In a university teaching hospital setting, 62 patients were randomized to receive either dolasetron 100 mg daily or standard doses of ondansetron or granisetron. In addition to objective data such as number of episodes of emesis and quantity of rescue antiemetics required, 100 mm visual analogue scales were used to rate nausea, appetite, and changes in taste. A post-hoc subgroup analysis was performed between groups of patients that were matched for conditioning regimens. Sixty-five percent of the dolasetron-treated patients and 87% of patients in the standard therapy group achieved a major or complete response (P < .05) based on emetic episodes and nausea score. Patients in the standard therapy group used fewer rescue antiemetics and also rated more favorably on selected questions of the visual analogue scale. No differences in safety parameters or adverse effects were reported. At doses prescribed in this study, dolasetron was less effective than granisetron or ondansetron in preventing nausea and vomiting associated with high-dose chemotherapy/total body irradiation followed by HSCT.
A compact underwater acoustic modem

A major focus of the Acoustic Telemetry Group at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has been the development of adaptive algorithms for use in underwater acoustic communications, particularly in shallow water applications and in acoustic local area networks. As the current generation of commercial telemetry devices do not meet the computational requirements of such algorithms, a new compact signal-processing module has been developed. The key feature for this unit is that it is able to provide data processing rates of at least 80 Mflops (million floating-point operations per second) while being sufficiently compact for hand deployment and having low quiescent power consumption for long-term deployment. This paper presents details of the modem hardware and software architecture together with preliminary results from the first deployment using the new system.
Stratigraphy, Phylogeny, and Species Sampling in Time and Space

The potential role of stratigraphic order in phylogeny reconstruction is among the most contentious issues in contemporary paleontology (e.g., Norell, 1996; Wagner, 1996). Most workers agree that the distribution of taxa in time is essential information which should inform any evolutionary hypothesis. What is not agreed upon is whether that sampled distribution is itself evidence of relationship, and whether time-ordering should constrain a primary phylogenetic hypothesis. The question boils down to whether relationship should be determined using intrinsic biological information alone, or by using a certain amount of biological information, countermanded to some or other extent by extrinsic temporal information.
Neurocognitive Changes after Sustained Ketamine Administration in Children with Chronic Pain

Introduction: Ketamine has received attention recently as an agent for chronic pain. There are concerns, however, regarding the neurocognitive changes patients might experience after ketamine exposure. Methods: This prospective, uncontrolled study describes the neurocognitive functioning of 11 children with chronic pain before and after 2 weeks of daily oral ketamine exposure. Neurocognitive assessment was performed at baseline, Week 2, and Week 14. We hypothesized that there would be declines in neurocognitive scores at either Week 2 or Week 14. Results: No decline in neurocognitive function was detected in the children investigated. Mean scores for tests measuring executive function and memory were improved at Weeks 2 and 14 compared to baseline. Discussion: This study did not detect any decline in neurocognitive scores in a small number of children exposed to 2 weeks of oral ketamine therapy. Randomized, controlled studies of the neurocognitive effects of ketamine in children are recommended to further investigate these preliminary findings.
Risks and Benefits of Infliximab for the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease

Background & Aims: Infliximab is effective for the treatment of active Crohn's disease. However, rare but serious complications related to infliximab therapy including lymphoma, sepsis, and death have been reported. The purpose of this study was to analyze the risks and benefits of infliximab for the treatment of Crohn's disease with the goal of providing data to aid both physicians and patients in the process of making a decision about treatment. Methods: A decision analytic model was constructed to determine the risks and benefits of infliximab when compared with standard therapy. The analysis simulated 2 cohorts of 100,000 patients each, with one arm receiving infliximab while the other remained on standard therapy. Results: Model results showed that in 100,000 patients at 1 year, infliximab will lead to 12,216 more patients in remission, 4255 fewer surgeries, and 33 fewer deaths from flares of disease. This is at the cost of 201 more lymphomas and 249 more deaths related to complications from infliximab. Overall, the infliximab strategy resulted in more quality-adjusted life years (QALYs/patient) than the standard therapy strategy (.77 QALYs/patient vs .75 QALYs/patient). Conclusions: Despite an increased risk of lymphoma and death associated with use of infliximab, the substantial clinical improvement and fewer surgeries as a result of infliximab result in an increase in QALYs. In properly selected patients, the benefits of infliximab could outweigh its risks. These data should help guide decision making and the informed consent process when considering the use of infliximab for the treatment of Crohn's disease.
A novel photoaffinity ligand for the dopamine transporter based on pyrovalerone.

Abstract Non-tropane-based photoaffinity ligands for the dopamine transporter (DAT) are relatively unexplored in contrast to tropane-based compounds such as cocaine. In order to fill this knowledge gap, a ligand was synthesized in which the aromatic ring of pyrovalerone was substituted with a photoreactive azido group. The analog 1-(4-azido-3-iodophenyl)-2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-pentan-1-one demonstrated appreciable binding affinity for the DAT (Ki = 78 ± 18 nM), suggesting the potential utility of a radioiodinated version in structure-function studies of this protein.
Giants in the Fields: Agribusiness and Farm Labor Politics in the United States

This article examines the cultural politics of farm labor organizing in North Carolina's tobacco-producing region. Exploring the form and content of a theatrical performance staged in a labor camp by union affiliates, I show how the play builds on strategic cultural stereotypes about growers and workers. The play focuses on the theme of farmworker squalor and questions of who is responsible and who is to blame. While the play clearly has immediate pedagogical and political value for workers and participants, a narrative of good actors and bad actors occludes a full appreciation of the role of multinational capital and government neglect in inducing harm endured by farm labor and constraints faced by growers. This case study permits insights into the relevance of cultural performance in contemporary efforts to invoke ethical concerns and make policy improvements in agriculture and to develop constructive criticism about farm labor organizing and outreach strategies.
TRP, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, and capacitative calcium entry

Cytoplasmic calcium serves as a ubiquitous signal for acute cellular activation and for regulation of important cellular processes such as cell growth, division, differentiation, and even cell death and apoptosis. Increases in cytoplasmic calcium or calcium signals can be generated either by release of calcium from intracellular stores or by influx of calcium across the plasma membrane, but commonly by both means. The release of intracellular calcium comes from the endoplasmic reticulum or its specialized counterpart in muscle, the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and is generally signaled by the formation or influx of small mediators such as inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) (1), cyclic ADP ribose (2), and even calcium itself (3). Mechanisms for controlling calcium influx are somewhat more varied (4). Calcium influx can be more directly controlled by the membrane potential (5) or by the binding of extracellular neurotransmitters directly to the channels (6). Calcium influx can be signaled by second messengers such as cyclic nucleotides (7); however, in the case of receptors coupled to the phospholipase C pathway, the classical messengers of this pathway, IP3 and diacylglycerol, do not appear to be the primary mediators of activated calcium entry. Rather, in most instances, the signal for entry is somehow derived from the IP3-mediated depletion of calcium from intracellular stores, a process called “capacitative calcium entry” or “store-operated calcium entry” (8, 9).
Oxygen sensitivity of C4 photosynthesis: evidence from gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence analyses with different C4 subtypes

Because photosynthetic rates in C4 plants are the same at normal levels of O2 (c, 20 kPa) and at c, 2 kPa O2 (a conventional test for evaluating photorespiration in C3 plants) it has been thought that C4 photosynthesis is O2 insensitive. However, we have found a dual effect of O2 on the net rate of CO2 assimilation among species representing all three C4 subtypes from both monocots and dicots. The optimum O2 partial pressure for C4 photosynthesis at 30 °C, atmospheric CO2 level, and half full sunlight (1000 μmol quanta m−2 s−1) was about 5–10 kPa. Photosynthesis was inhibited by O2 below or above the optimum partial pressure. Decreasing CO2 levels from ambient levels (32.6 Pa) to 9.3 Pa caused a substantial increase in the degree of inhibition of photosynthesis by supra-optimum levels of O2 and a large decrease in the ratio of quantum yield of CO2 fixation/quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) measured by chlorophyll a fluorescence. Photosystem II activity, measured from chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis, was not inhibited at levels of O2 that were above the optimum for CO2 assimilation, which is consistent with a compensating, alternative electron How as net CO2 assimilation is inhibited. At suboptimum levels of O2, however, the inhibition of photosynthesis was paralleled by an inhibition of PSII quantum yield, increased state of reduction of quinone A, and decreased efficiency of open PSII centres. These results with different C4 types suggest that inhibition of net CO2 assimilation with increasing O2 partial pressure above the optimum is associated with photorespiration, and that inhibition below the optimum O2 may be caused by a reduced supply of ATP to the C4 cycle as a result of inhibition of its production photochemically.
Power Management in MIMO Ad Hoc Networks: A Game-Theoretic Approach

This paper considers interference characterization and management in wireless ad hoc networks using MIMO techniques. The power allocation in each link is built into a non-cooperative game where a utility function is identified and maximized. Due to poor channel conditions, some links have very low data transmission rates even though their transmit powers are high. Therefore, a mechanism for shutting down links is proposed in order to reduce cochannel interference and improve energy efficiency. The multiuser water-filling and the gradient projection methods are compared with the proposed game theoretic approach in terms of system capacity and energy efficiency. It is shown that using the proposed method with the link shut-down mechanism allows the MIMO ad hoc network to achieve the highest energy efficiency and the highest system capacity
Spatial join indices

Algorithms based on grid files as the underlying spatial index are presented for spatial joins in databases which store images, pictures, maps and drawings. For typical data distributions, it is shown that the size of the index and its maintenance cost are relatively small. The effect of diagonal distributions and different densities of the two grid files on the size of the index is also studied. It is expected that similar algorithms can be employed with other types of multidimensional data structures. >
Towards heterogeneous multimedia information systems: the Garlic approach

Provides an overview of the Garlic project, a new project at the IBM Almaden Research Center. The goal of this project is to develop a system and associated tools for the management of large quantities of heterogeneous multimedia information. Garlic permits traditional and multimedia data to he stored in a variety of existing data repositories, including databases, files, text managers, image managers, video servers, and so on; the data is seen through a unified schema expressed in an object-oriented data model and can be queried and manipulated using an object-oriented dialect of SQL, perhaps through an advanced query/browser tool that we are also developing. The Garlic architecture is designed to be extensible to new kinds of data repositories, and access efficiency is addressed via a "middleware" query processor that uses database query optimization techniques to exploit the native associative search capabilities of the underlying data repositories. >
A brief history of traction.

The last one hundred years have seen the development of effective methods of applying isotonic traction to the leg for the treatment of fractures of the shaft of the femur. The success of these methods has been tested not only by clinical evaluations but also by means of x-rays. Because of their advantages, these methods of traction have been exploited in the treatment of fractures of many other bones. Buck, Russell, Steinmann, Kirschner, and Pearson are names recurring daily on our fracture wards. Their concern for the welfare of their patients led to substantial improvements in the treatment of all patients with fractures.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis IMPDH in Complexes with Substrates, Products and Antitubercular Compounds.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a worldwide problem and the need for new drugs is increasingly more urgent with the emergence of multidrug- and extensively-drug resistant TB. Inosine 5’-monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (IMPDH2) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is an attractive drug target. The enzyme catalyzes the conversion of inosine 5’-monophosphate into xanthosine 5’-monophosphate with the concomitant reduction of NAD+ to NADH. This reaction controls flux into the guanine nucleotide pool. We report seventeen selective IMPDH inhibitors with antitubercular activity. The crystal structures of a deletion mutant of MtbIMPDH2 in the apo form and in complex with the product XMP and substrate NAD+ are determined. We also report the structures of complexes with IMP and three structurally distinct inhibitors, including two with antitubercular activity. These structures will greatly facilitate the development of MtbIMPDH2-targeted antibiotics.
Motivational Design in an Intelligent Tutoring System that Helps Students Make Good Task Selection Decisions

Making effective problem selection decisions is an important yet challenging self-regulated learning (SRL) skill. Although efforts have been made to scaffold students’ problem selection in intelligent tutoring systems (ITS), little work has tried to support students’ learning of the transferable problem selection skill that can be applied when the scaffolding is not in effect. The current work uses a user-centered design approach to extend an ITS for equation solving, Lynnette, so the new designs may motivate and help students learn to apply a general, transferable rule for effective problem selection, namely, to select problem types that are not fully mastered (“Mastery Rule”). We conducted user research through classroom experimentation, interviews and storyboards. We found that the presence of an Open Learner Model significantly improves students’ problem selection decisions, which has not been empirically established by prior work; also, lack of motivation, especially lack of a mastery-approach orientation, may cause difficulty in applying the Mastery Rule. Based on our user research, we designed prototypes of tutor features that aim to foster a mastery-approach orientation as well as transfer of the learned Mastery Rule when the scaffolding is faded. The work contributes to the research of supporting SRL in ITSs through a motivational design perspective, and lays foundation for future controlled experiments to evaluate the transfer of the problem selection skill in new tutor units where there is no scaffolding.
Advance Bandwidth Scheduling in Software-Defined Networks

In software-defined networks (SDNs) with multiple logically centralized controllers, it is challenging to maintain accurate link-state information, perceived as a global network view (GNV), at every controller in a consistent manner. Since online bandwidth scheduling, where every successful reservation triggers a GNV update at the controller, is expensive in terms of overhead, most networks adopt periodic scheduling with infrequent link-state information update, which, however, is the main cause of such inaccuracy/inconsistency. Even if up-to-date information is available, a controller does not always make frequent updates as it may cause network convergence issues. Consequently, bandwidth scheduling in such environments may lead to blocking or rejection of reservation requests, which deteriorates as the level of inaccuracy/inconsistency increases. To minimize such service disruptions, we formulate bandwidth scheduling in SDNs as an optimization problem and propose a randomization-based routing scheme to schedule bandwidth reservation requests such that the total number of blocked requests due to the inaccurate/inconsistent GNV is minimized. Simulation results show that the proposed solution exhibits a superior performance over existing methods.
The Further Legal Consequences of Catholic Clerical Sexual Abuse

confirmed that "secret trials" were being held at the Vatican to adjudicate claims against other members of the clergy as well.2 While these reports appeared scandalous, they merely exposed an older, bigger, and deeper crisis within the Catholic Church: the underlying conflict over the moral leadership of the clergy and hierarchy, as well as the incipient legal dilemma between canon and civil law over clerical and institutional liabilities for such crimes.
LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE OF SIZE VARIATION IN POPULATIONS OF CENTRIS PALLIDA (HYMENOPTERA: ANTHOPHORIDAE).

Previous studies of the anthophorid bee Centris pallida Fox have shown that large males in this highly variable species enjoy exceptional reproductive success. This stems from the ability of larger individuals to supplant smaller ones at sites from which a receptive virgin female is about to emerge (Alcock et al., 1976, 1977; Alcock, 1979a). The work that established this point was done in the years 1974-1976. In 1981 and 1982 I had the opportunity to study populations of the bee emerging and mating in the same general location in which the species had been studied half a decade or more earlier. Three questions motivated my recent research: (1) Does the pronounced large male reproductive advantage continue to hold in these populations? (2) Has the size distribution of the male population changed over the years? (3) Are there changes within a single flight season in the size distribution of the mate-searching and copulating males in a population? The answers to these questions have some bearing on the general problem of how variation in a trait directly related to fitness can be maintained or is lost from a population. Specifically, if there were a genetic component to the variation among males with respect to size, and if large males consistently outreproduced smaller ones, one would expect a shift in the population over time toward the larger size classes of males.
Elastic shells with high-contrast material properties as acoustic metamaterial components

We analyze the acoustic multiple-scattering properties of fluid-filled, elastic cylindrical shells with highly contrasting material properties, and we find for a water background that air-filled shells homogenize into high-bulk modulus, low-density effective fluids. With the exception of a few local resonances spanning very narrow band windows, we find that for common elastic materials the shells are indistinguishable from their effective fluid counterparts for wavelengths larger than the shell's outer diameter. Furthermore, we find that when the elastic shell is composed of a material with impedance larger than water, there will be a specific shell thickness for which the effective fluid properties become impedance-matched. Finally, we demonstrate that the shells can be used as constituent components in regular lattices to create homogenized acoustic metamaterial devices.
Heat and Moisture Flow Simulation With MULTIFLUX

The paper describes the results of a ventilation study involving subsurface heat and moisture flow at Yucca Mountain (YM), Nevada. MULTIFLUX (MF), a fully-coupled, hydrothermal-ventilation model and software code is used to model the flow of heat, moisture, and air in a subsurface airway within the conceptual, high-level nuclear waste repository proposed to be built at YM. The hydrothermal-ventilation/heat flow model and software MF is a universal coupler that connects the heat and moisture transport calculations in two different domains: (1) the rockmass, with a NUFT-based NTCF model, and (2) the airway with the heat-generating nuclear waste packages, using a CFD model. Temperature, relative humidity and water condensate variations are analyzed in the emplacement drift, assuming air movement, to determine the conditions of the psychometric corrosion environment in the emplacement area. The calculation results show condensate formation in the cold drift section, and are found to be sensitive to choosing from two different CFD model configurations.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Optimizing Protein Expression Levels as a Function of Network Topology Minimizes Nonfunctional Complex Formation

Human cells contain ∼20,000 genes encoding upwards to 100,000 protein types. 5-40% of cell volume is occupied by macromolecules, posing challenges for cell proteins to locate functional partners and avoid nonspecific interactions. Overexpressed proteins may saturate functional partners, leaving leftovers for nonspecific binding instead. Eukaryotic cells have evolved various methods to help proteins function reliably, including compartmentalization, allostery, and structural properties of binding sites. In addition to these, cells may optimize protein expression levels as a function of network topology to avoid nonspecific binding.To study the effects of relative protein abundance on nonspecific complex formation, we first simulated five simple network motifs under varying protein concentrations using the Gillespie algorithm. While the motifs formed roughly the same proportion of nonspecific interactions under optimal conditions, they varied in sensitivity to initial concentrations (ICs), with the hub being the most sensitive and triangle being the least. We then simulated 500 large networks of 90-200 nodes with varying topological properties under equal, random, and optimized ICs. Binding affinities for all specific and nonspecific interactions were determined using a coarse-grained protein sequence model. The proportion of protein in nonspecific complexes was recorded as a function of degree distribution, network density, average binding strength, local topology, and ICs. It was found that optimizing the local topology via introducing more hubs and less chains and flags; similar to real networks; decreased the number of nonspecific complexes under optimal ICs, but also increased sensitivity to ICs. Degree distribution, surprisingly, had little influence once local topology was optimized. We conclude that there is evolutionary pressure to both favor certain network motifs and to balance protein abundance to avoid misinteractions.
Subunit structure of bovine α-crystallin and albuminoid

Electrophoresis of embryonic and adult bovine lens α-crystallin in 8 m urea-starch gel revealed both similarities and differences in the pattern of bands. The significance of these changes is discussed. Although the urea-starch gel patterns of adult bovine α-crystallin and albuminoid showed considerable similarity, nevertheless several differences were detected.
Prognosis and predictors of site of first metastasis after definitive radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer.

AbstractBackground and purpose Evidence suggests that distinct biologic phenomenon produce different patterns of distant metastatic (DM) failures. We attempted to identify prognostically poor sites of first DM and to define factors predictive of their development. Methods and materials A total of 1074 patients treated with ≥60 Gy definitive radiation for initially non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were analyzed. Uni- and multivariate Cox regression was utilized to associate clinical factors with DM site, and metastatic site with overall survival (OS). To account for competing events, multivariate Fine and Gray regression was utilized to identify treatment and disease factors predictive of site-specific metastases. Results Sites of first DM associated with worse survival were liver (median OS: 5 months after DM) and bone (median OS: 6.7 months after DM). Multivariate regression identified non-squamous histology to be associated with first DM within the liver (HR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.16–3.60, p ...