cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adapting distributed real-time and embedded pub/sub middleware for cloud computing environments

Enterprise distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) publish/subscribe (pub/sub) systems manage resources and data that are vital to users. Cloud computing---where computing resources are provisioned elastically and leased as a service---is an increasingly popular deployment paradigm. Enterprise DRE pub/sub systems can leverage cloud computing provisioning services to execute needed functionality when on-site computing resources are not available. Although cloud computing provides flexible on-demand computing and networking resources, enterprise DRE pub/sub systems often cannot accurately characterize their behavior a priori for the variety of resource configurations cloud computing supplies (e.g., CPU and network bandwidth), which makes it hard for DRE systems to leverage conventional cloud computing platforms.This paper provides two contributions to the study of how autonomic configuration of DRE pub/sub middleware can provision and use on-demand cloud resources effectively. We first describe how supervised machine learning can configure DRE pub/sub middleware services and transport protocols autonomically to support end-to-end quality-of-service (QoS) requirements based on cloud computing resources. We then present results that empirically validate how computing and networking resources affect enterprise DRE pub/sub system QoS. These results show how supervised machine learning can configure DRE pub/sub middleware adaptively in
Autoregulation of Adenovirus Type 5 Early Gene Expression II. Effect of Temperature-Sensitive Early Mutations on Virus RNA Accumulation

The kinetics of accumulation of early virus RNA in the cytoplasm of KB cells infected at 40.5 degrees C by wild-type (WT) adenovirus type 5 and a temperature-sensitive "early" mutant, H5ts125 (ts125), were compared by hybridization of unlabeled RNA in solution to the (3)H-labeled l strand of Ad5 DNA HindIII restriction endonuclease fragment A. In the presence of 1-beta-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine, A(l) RNA accumulated in WT-infected cells for 9 h and then decreased in concentration to 6% of the 9-h concentration by 18 h. In ts125-infected cells, A(l) RNA accumulated for 12 h and then remained at the same concentration for at least 6 h thereafter. The concentrations of virus RNA from the four early transcription regions of the genome were measured at 15 h in cells infected at 40.5 degrees C in the presence of 1-beta-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine by: (i) ts125 and WT; (ii) two other ts early mutants, ts107 and ts149; and (iii) a revertant of ts125. The revertant and ts149, a mutant from a different complementation group than ts125, both accumulated all early virus cytoplasmic RNA species in amounts similar to, or less than, WT. However, both ts125 and ts107, independently isolated mutations in the 72,000-molecular-weight (72K) DNA-binding protein gene, accumulated cytoplasmic early RNA in excess of that found in WT infection. This pattern of RNA accumulation with the mutants and WT virus was the same in the nuclei as in the cytoplasm at 40.5 degrees C. At 32 degrees C, however, the abundance of nuclear virus RNA from all four early regions was the same in cells infected by either ts125 or WT. Differences in the relative abundance of nuclear RNA from the four early regions were observed in cells infected at 40.5 and 32 degrees C, but were not dependent upon the infecting virus genotype. These results are consistent with autoregulation of early gene expression by the 72K protein and support the hypothesis that the 72K protein either decreases the rate of early virus transcription or increases the rate of virus RNA degradation in the nucleus.
SELECTION FOR THE α-THALASSEMIA GENES

ABSTRACT Extremely high incidences of single and double deletions of α-globin genes are known among Asian populations. To study possible mechanisms for the maintenance of such deletions, mathematical analyses have been conducted. It has been shown that a stable polymorphism can be achieved easily through heterozygote advantage using deterministic models. The results strongly suggest that high incidences of single and double deletion of α-globin genes among Asian populations are maintained by some type of heterozygote advantage.
A vision for regular, rapid assessments of the tropical northwestern Atlantic's coral reefs

The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Program, consisting of non-fixed, transectbased visual surveys, provides “snapshot” characterizations of a number of structurally or functionally important benthic and fish indicators on tropical northwestern Atlantic (TNWA) coral reefs and Brazil. To ameliorate the confounding factors inherent in multiyear temporal variation, a region-wide collaborative program for conducting rapid reef assessments at regular (five-year) intervals in sites that are representative of each sub-region of the TNWA is proposed. Member institutions of the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (AMLC) and individual colleagues are invited to join in developing the vision. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (Suppl. 3): 23-29. Epub 2007 Jan. 15.
Freedom A Promise of Possibility

The idea of freedom as a promise of possibility is explored in this column. The core concepts from a research study on considering tomorrow (Bunkers, 1998) coupled with humanbecoming community change processes (Parse, 2003) are used to illuminate this notion. The importance of intentionality in human freedom is discussed from both a human science and a natural science perspective.
The rate and spatial pattern of treefall in a savanna landscape.

Abstract Loss of large trees in savanna parks is of biodiversity conservation concern as trees contribute substantially to system biomass, heterogeneity and ecological functioning. Using airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR), we monitored 119,775 individual trees in two floristically distinct savanna river catchments (2400 ha) over a 2-year period in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Tree height was unchanged in 77% of monitored trees, but 5% increased and 18% decreased in height by 1 m or more. We identified 12,703 trees (10.6%) that were completely toppled during the study period. The average rate of treefall was 2.6 trees ha −1 yr −1 , and was higher in a river catchment dominated by Acacia species (3.8 trees ha −1 yr −1 ) than in another comprised primarily of Combretum species (2.1 trees ha −1 yr −1 ). The majority of observed treefalls were in the 4–6 m height classes where proportions of treefall reached 20%. Spatial patterns of treefall were significantly clustered across the landscapes, with proportional rates of loss exceeding 30% in some hillslope patches. These high rates of tree loss present a challenge to biodiversity conservation and management, as tall tree populations may struggle to persist if these rates are maintained over longer time scales. Field-based measures of species-specific population dynamics need to be coupled with large-scale airborne measurements to provide conservation managers with an integrated view upon which to base decision-making.
Analysis of nonintrinsic spatial variability by residual kriging with application to regional groundwater levels

A method for obtaining pointwise or spatially averaged estimates of a nonintrinsic function is introduced based on residual kriging. The method relies on a stepwise iterative regression process for simultaneously estimating the global drift and residual semivariogram. Estimates of the function are then obtained by solving a modified set of simple kriging equations written for the residuals. The modification consists of replacing the true variogram in the kriging equations by the variogram of the residual estimates as obtained from the iterative regression process. The method is illustrated by considering groundwater levels in an Arizona aquifer. The results are compared with those obtained for the aquifer by the generalized covariance package BLUEPACK-3D.
Outdoor recreation journals: A topical analysis from 2009-2012

Upon receiving the Paul K. Petzoldt Leadership Award from the Wilderness Education Association, long-time outdoor/adventure educator Meier (2009) commented, â€œI retired last year after 43 years in higher education. Lots of changes in outdoor adventure education have been observed throughout the years, including the growth of professional organizations. Professionally, we have come a long way in a relatively short period of time.â€ Scholarly journals were among the many aspects of growth and development mentioned by Meier (2009), â€œOther scholarly achievements during these times include expanded educational programs and educational resources through sources such as the Journal of Leisure Research and the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. Of major significance is the recent announcement of a new research journal sponsored by WEA and AORE: the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership.â€
A Comparison of Welfare Estimates from Four Models for Linking Seasonal Recreational Trips to Multinomial Logit Models of Site Choice

We compare four methods of linking a site choice Random Utility Model to a seasonal trip model. The four approaches are those proposed by Morey et al. (1993, Am J. Agric. Econom.75, 578–592), Hausman et al. (1995, J. Public Econom.56, 1–30), Parsons and Kealy (1995, J. Environ. Econom. Management29, 357–367), and Feather et al. (1995, J. Environ. Econom. Management29, 214–227). We estimate the alternative models using a common data set and calculate a change in welfare for two policy scenarios across the models. We find that there is little practical difference between the approaches of Morey et al. and Hausman et al. They are nearly the same mathematically, and the welfare estimates in our empirical example are quite close. The approaches of Parsons and Kealy and Feather et al. generated welfare estimates that were substantially different from the previous two approaches as well as from each other. They also generated results that reveal the inconsistencies between their site choice and season trip models.
Development and application of an organizational measure of beharioral health integration in medical care settings

to evaluate change in thinking and processing and (b) using these composites compare changes from intake to 45days in the ratings of TRIP and non-TRIP clients. Preliminary analyses suggest that clients attending at least four TRIP sessions showed significant interactions across time on most composite measures including pre-contemplation and decision making. These results support the initial effects of TRIP on improving judgment and decision making in the early weeks of treatment.
Application of psychometric theory to the measurement of voice quality using rating scales.

Rating scales are commonly used to study voice quality. However, recent research has demonstrated that perceptual measures of voice quality obtained using rating scales suffer from poor interjudge agreement and reliability, especially in the midrange of the scale. These findings, along with those obtained using multidimensional scaling (MDS), have been interpreted to show that listeners perceive voice quality in an idiosyncratic manner. Based on psychometric theory, the present research explored an alternative explanation for the poor interlistener agreement observed in previous research. This approach suggests that poor agreement between listeners may result, in part, from measurement errors related to a variety of factors rather than true differences in the perception of voice quality. In this study, 10 listeners rated breathiness for 27 vowel stimuli using a 5-point rating scale. Each stimulus was presented to the listeners 10 times in random order. Interlistener agreement and reliability were calculat...
Atomic oxygen flux determined by mixed-phase Ag/Ag2O deposition

Abstract The flux of atomic oxygen generated in an electron cyclotron resonance microwave plasma source was quantified by two different methods. The commonly applied approach of monitoring the frequency change of a silver-coated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) deposition rate monitor as the silver is oxidized was found to underestimate the atomic oxygen flux by an order of magnitude compared to a more direct deposition approach. In the mixed-phase Ag/Ag 2 O deposition method, silver films were deposited in the presence of atomic oxygen such that the films were partially oxidized to Ag 2 O; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was utilized for quantification of the oxidized fraction. The inaccuracy of the QCM oxidation method was tentatively attributed to efficient catalytic recombination of O atoms on the silver surface.
A reevaluation of cosmogenic 36Cl production rates in terrestrial rocks

We have measured 36Cl in a suite of 33 rock samples having well-constrained exposure histories and ages. The 36Cl production parameters were estimated by minimizing the squared deviations between the 36Cl and independent ages, yielding the following production parameters: spallation and muon production from Ca 2940±200 atoms 36Cl (mole Ca)−1 yr−1, spallation from K 6020±400 atoms 36Cl (mole K)−1 yr−1, and neutron production in air 586±40 fast neutrons (g air)−1 yr−1. The new production constants for spallation on Ca and thermal neutron activation are in good agreement with previous results, but that for spallation on K is about 50% larger. The past decade has seen a rapid growth in the application of terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides produced by cosmic-ray particles within rocks at the earth surface. Nuclear cross sections, particularly for reactions initiated by neutrons and muons, are not known with sufficient accuracy so production rates for these nuclides must be empirically calibrated using independently dated geological samples. Direct production estimates for 36Cl were first obtained by Zreda et al. (1991), who measured 36C1 in mineral separates from granitic boulders on moraine crests at Chiatovitch Creek in the eastern White Mountains of California and Nevada. This data set was the best available at the time, but since then several factors have prompted a reevaluation of the 36Cl production rates. One is that Zreda et al. (1994) have shown that there can be significant scatter of the cosmogenic ages of individual glacial boulders toward ages younger than that of the moraine, due to soil erosion. A second factor is that a much wider range of samples is now available for this purpose. Finally, recent theoretical advances in calculating production by thermal neutron absorption (Liu et al., 1994) now permit more realistic calibration of this reaction.
Evolution of the Late Cretaceous forearc basin, northern and central California

The Upper Cretaceous part of the Great Valley Sequence of California provides a unique opportunity to study deep-marine sedimentation, petrologic evolution, and tectonic evolution of a forearc basin. Actualistic models of submarine fan sedimentation and arc-trench evolution provide the basis for unraveling the complex depositional history of the bathyal to abyssal sediment deposited between the Sierra Nevada volcano-plutonic arc to the east and the Franciscan subduction complex to the west. Submarine fan components are lenticular stratigraphic units which can be correlated along strike on the basis of both paleontologic and petrologic data. The following depositional components are present: basin plain, outer fan, midfan, inner fan, slope, and shelf. Vertical successions of fan facies associations constitute retrograding and pro-grading suites that correspond, respectively, to onlapping and offlapping relations in the basin. Sedimentation rates are similar to those of other tectonically active flysch basins. Paleocurrents are predominantly southerly and westerly in the Sacramento Valley, and predominantly westerly in the San Joaquin Valley. Microfossil evidence and the lack of carbonate material suggest deposition below the Late Cretaceous calcite compensation depth. Dimensions and geometries of tectono-stratigraphic components of the Late Cretaceous arc-trench system are similar to those of modern arc-trench systems. The Late Cretaceous arc-trench gap widened by the prograde accretion of the Franciscan Assemblage (subduction complex) and the retrograde migration of the Sierra Nevada volcanic front (arc). Sediment dispersal systems expanded as the basin widened. The Java arc-trench system provides a modern analogue for the Late Cretaceous forearc basin, with sediment fed laterally from the arc and dispersed longitudinally along the basin axis.
Spectral properties of methemoglobins prepared by the action of sodium nitrite and potassium ferricyanide

Methemoglobin was prepared by the addition of sodium nitrite or potassium ferricyanide to oxy or deoxyhemoglobin. The spectral properties of these methemoglobins were studied before and after extensive dialysis. It is shown that the methemoglobin formed by sodium nitrite has substantial spectral differences in visible and Soret band compared to that formed by potassium ferricyanide. These differences are proportional to the excess of sodium nitrite only. This suggests that both methemoglobins are similar compounds.
Distortion-invariant optical pattern recognition without correlation

Most distortion-invariant optical pattern recognition techniques rely on correlation which inherently achieves translation-invariance. We introduce a new formulation for image recognition where only 'vector inner product' (assuming 2D images are lexicographically converted to vectors) operations are used to achieve distortion-invariant pattern recognition. Our formulation expands the linear phase coefficient composite filter family, developed by Hassebrook et.al., into a set of translation- and distortion-invariant vector inner product operators. The set of vector inner products are optimal in numerical efficiency because they represent a Karhunen Loeve expansion. Translation- invariance is achieved by embedding 2D translation into the training set as two additional distortion parameters. The magnitude of the vector inner product results in a response insensitive to translation and distortion, where as the phase response varies, but is discarded. For large images containing many objects this method can be applied by tiling the vector inner product operators to the test image size. Examples of our approaches, distortion-invariant detection/discrimination capabilities, numerical efficiency, and tradeoffs between conventional correlation are presented.
Evidence-Based Assessment Meets Evidence-Based Treatment: An Approach to Science-Informed Case Conceptualization

Abstract Though case conceptualization is considered to be a component of evidence-based practice, the case conceptualization process is not always guided by scientific findings. Case conceptualization is a collaborative process of generating hypotheses about causes, antecedents, and maintaining influences for an individual client’s problems within a biopsychosocial context. We argue that adopting a scientific approach to case conceptualization informed by research findings and evidence-based assessment tools can help inform clinical decision-making from intake to treatment termination. Our approach to case conceptualization involves 5 stages. In the first stages, a clinician synthesizes and integrates research evidence from various literatures to identify presenting problems and casual and maintaining factors (Stage 1), to classify diagnoses (Stage 2), to inform the development of hypotheses about variables contributing to a client’s problems (Stage 3), and to select a treatment approach and plan (Stage 4). In the final stage, the clinician takes a scientific approach to developing individualized assessment methods that can be used to test and revise hypotheses through the treatment process and to measure outcomes (Stage 5). A case example illustrating practical use of these steps is presented.
Metastable ions in C2F6 and C3F8

Abstract Four metastable ions from C2F6 and six metastable ions from C3F8 have been observed in a double focusing mass spectrometer. The metastable transitions are all endothermic and their occurrence is indicative of high internal excitation in the various fragment ions produced by electron impact ionization. The observed metastable transitions largely confirm those expected from studies of collision induced dissociation reactions in these same molecules by tandem mass spectrometry.
Recognition memory for elements of sentences.

Although several theoretical positions and a variety of empirical tasks indicate the importance of verbs to sentences, nouns are generally recalled and recognized better in memorial tasks. Three main models can be identified to explain this discrepancy (“Fillenbaum’s paradox”). To try to resolve this paradox, several experiments explored the efficiency of various sentence elements as cues in recognition memory. In Experiment I, concreteness of the stimuli did not interact with the type of distractor; however, verb phrase changes were harder to recognize than noun phrase changes when synonym distractors were used. This result was replicated in a forced-choice recognition paradigm (Experiment II) and with whole sentences where the derivational similarity of verbs and nouns was controlled (Experiment IV). The effect could not be attributed to characteristics of the English language (Experiment III) or to superior memory for form information in nouns (Experiment V). The total results are interpreted as suggesting that subjects process different parts of a sentence to different semantic levels, with verbs receiving more semantic representation and nouns more orthographic or phonological representation. The results are taken as support for a “semantic encoding model” of Fillenbaum’s paradox.
The RNAi revolution

The term RNAi — short for RNA interference — crops up again and again in biology research these days. This is in part because of its power as a laboratory tool, and in part because it is a widespread natural phenomenon.
IS LANGUAGE A BARRIER TO THE CANCER CARE OF HISPANIC CHILDREN OF NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING (NES) PARENTS?

To determine if Hispanic children of NES parents differ in their adaptation to the cancer experience and in their perceived care, 23 Anglo, 15 English speaking (ES) and 22 NES Hispanic parents were evaluated within one month following their child's diagnosis. Areas of assessment included: knowledge of treatment and disease, impact of illness on the family, psychological adjustment, satisfaction with clinic services, and available social support. Compared to both Anglo and ES Hispanic parents, NES parents had significantly less knowledge of their child's disease, more personal strain, less satisfaction with the technical competence of their child's physician, less satisfaction with the personal style of clinic nurses, and less overall satisfaction with clinic services (all p<.01). Both Hispanic groups had significantly less knowledge and social support than did Anglo parents (p<.01). Despite the ethnic differences identified above, overall psychological adjustment among the three groups was similar, with the exception that Anglo parents reported more hostility (p<.01). The findings suggest that language is a significant barrier to acquisition of knowledge and satisfaction with care for parents of children with cancer. While no specific psychological problems were identified, the need for educational and social support services are suggested.
Memory-enhancing effects of posttraining naloxone: involvement of ß-noradrenergic influences in the amygdaloid complex

Rats (220–250 g) were bilaterally implanted with cannulae in the amygdala, trained on an inhibitory avoidance response and two weeks later, on a Y-maze discrimination response. Immediately following the training on each task, they were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) or intra-amygdally. Retention was tested one week after training for each task. Retention of the Y-maze task was assessed by discrimination reversal training. Naloxone administered i.p. (3.0 mg/kg) significantly facilitated retention of both tasks in unoperated control rats as well as in rats implanted bilaterally with amygdala cannulae. The memory-enhancing effect of naloxone i.p. was blocked by propranolol (0.3 or 1.0 μg) injected in the amygdala, but not when this s-noradrenergic antagonist was injected (0.3 μg) into either the caudate or the cortex dorsal to the amygdala. Further, intra-amygdala injections of the β1-adrenoreceptor blocker atenolol (0.3 or 1.0 μg) and the β2-adrenoceptor blocker zinterol (0.3 or 1.0 μg), in doses which were ineffective when administered alone, blocked naloxone-induced (3.0 mg/kg, i.p.) memory facilitation. In contrast, posttraining intra-amygdala administration (1.0 μg) of the α-antagonists prazosin (α1) or yohimbine (α2) did not attenuate the memory-enhancing effects of systemically administered naloxone. These findings support the view that naloxone-induced enhancement of memory is mediated by the activation of β- but not α-noradrenergic receptors located within the amygdaloid complex.
Enzymes as a special class of therapeutic target: clinical drugs and modes of action

Enzymes catalyze multistep chemical reactions and achieve phenomenal rate accelerations by matching protein and substrate chemical groups in the transition state. Inhibitors that take advantage of these chemical interactions are among the most potent and effective drugs known. Recently, three new enzyme targets have been validated by FDA approval of new enzyme inhibitor drugs. These include mitogen-activated protein kinase, renin, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV. The drugs against these enzymes engage important enzyme functional groups, such as the active site serine in dipeptidyl peptidase IV. Clinical and pre-clinical discovery programs also demonstrate the same theme, as evidenced by pM and fM transition state inhibitors of purine nucleoside phosphorylase, methylthioadenosine phosphorylase, and 5-methylthioadenosine/S-adenosylhomocysteine nucleosidase, and covalent substrate trapping in leu-tRNA synthetase. The catalytic chemistry of enzymes is the key to designing potent inhibitors and makes them a special class of drug target.
Prostaglandins and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.

The hypothalamic–pituitary (H–P) axis integrates complex physiological and environmental signals and responds to these cues by modulating the synthesis and secretion of multiple pituitary hormones to regulate peripheral tissues. Prostaglandins are a component of this regulatory system, affecting multiple hormone synthesis and secretion pathways in the H–P axis. The implications of these actions are that physiological processes or disease states that alter prostaglandin levels in the hypothalamus or pituitary can impinge on H–P axis function. Considering the role of prostaglandins in mediating inflammation, the potential for neuroinflammation to affect H–P axis function in this manner may be significant. In addition, the mitigating effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on the inflammationassociated synthesis of prostaglandins and their role as substrates for pro-resolving lipid mediators may also include effects in the H–P axis. One context in which neuroinflammation may play a role is in the etiology of diet-induced obesity, which also correlates with altered pituitary hormone levels. This review will survey evidence for the actions of prostaglandins and other lipid mediators in the H–P axis, and will address the potential for obesity-associated inflammation and n-3 PUFA to impinge on these mechanisms.
Microstructured Extracellular Matrices in Tissue Engineering and Development: An Update

Microstructured extracellular matrix (ECM), which contains heterogeneous features of the same size scale (5–100 μm) as tissue organoids, has become an important material for the engineering of functional tissues and for the study of tissue-level biology. This review describes methods to generate this class of ECM, and highlights recent advances in the application of microstructured ECM to problems in basic and applied biology. It also discusses computational techniques to analyze and optimize the microstructural patterns for a desired functional output.
Inertial manifolds for a Smoluchowski equation on a circle

The existence of inertial manifolds for a Smoluchowski equation—a nonlinear and nonlocal Fokker–Planck equation which arises in the modelling of colloidal suspensions—is investigated. The difficulty due to first-order derivatives in the nonlinearity is circumvented by a transformation.
Spray-Cast Monolithic and Composite Materials: Distinguishing Features in Their Microstructure and Metallurgy--- An Extended Abstract*

International 1. Background SPRAY casting via the Osprey process has emerged as a viable near-net shape technique for the processing of monolithic alloys and composites with attendant integrity of microstructure and properties. The process involves sequential gas atomization and consolidation of droplets on a substrate to produce a near-net shape preform in a single processing step, as shown schemati- cally in Fig. 1. Composites are generated by injecting second- phase particulates into the spray of droplets or by reacting the droplet with a suitable gas during flight. This droplet consolida- tion technology is considered a viable alternative to current processing routes because of cost savings from a reduction in the number of processing steps, an improvement in the cleanliness and microstructure relative to powder metallurgy and casting, respectively, and higher pouring rates than with conventional thermal spray processes. The as-sprayed microstructure is com- posed of fine equiaxed grains (<50 lam) with residual porosity of <3% and is devoid of macrosegregation or prior particle boundaries. Composites manifest the same structure, with the reinforcing phase either dispersed uniformly or located at grain boundaries.
(3He, α) reaction on 22Ne, 24Mg and 26Mg at 15 MeV

Abstract Measurements are reported of the angular distributions of alpha particles from the (3He, α) reaction on 26Mg, 24Mg and 22Ne leading to low-lying states in 25Mg, 23Mg and 21Ne. The angular distributions of 15 MeV 3He elastically scattered from 26Mg, 24Mg and 22Ne have also been measured. Optical-model analysis of the elastic scattering and DWBA analyses of the reaction angular distributions have been performed and spectroscopic factors extracted.
Four pillars of the S-phase checkpoint

The yeast Mec1 kinase is a key regulator of the DNA damage response (DDR). In this issue of Genes & Development, Kumar and Burgers (pp. 313-321) report that Ddc1, Dpb11, and Dna2 function in concert to activate Mec1 during S phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, the Tel1 kinase also contributes to the DDR in S phase when Mec1 activation is compromised.
TcR-α mRNA accumulation does not dictate cell surface TcR/CD3 expression

The TcR-alpha chain is the last subunit of the TcR/CD3 complex to be expressed during thymic ontogeny. Since the presence of all subunits are required for efficient expression of this complex on the cell surface, this has lead to the hypothesis that the TcR-alpha chain is the limiting subunit which controls cell surface TcR/CD3 expression during thymocyte differentiation. We have examined this issue using a T-lymphoma cell clone, RS4.2, which has a CD4- CD8- Thyl+ J11d+ IL2R+ phenotype, identical with immature thymocytes which have the capacity to generate all major T cell subsets. The RS4.2 cell clone accumulates abundant amounts of TcR-beta, CD3-gamma, -delta, -epsilon and -zeta transcripts, but expresses trace levels of TcR-alpha transcripts and cell surface TcR/CD3. TcR-alpha mRNA levels can be dramatically augmented in RS4.2 cells by three distinct mechanisms: in response to treatment with either phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), calcium ionophore (A23187), or cycloheximide (CHX). However, the expression of TcR/CD3 on the cell surface fails to be increased by any of these agents. In fact, PMA induces a rapid down-regulation of cell surface TcR/CD3 expression. In contrast, these agents trigger an increase in cell surface IL2R expression which coincides with augmented IL2R-alpha mRNA levels. Thus, in RS4.2 cells, IL2R surface expression is controlled by transcript levels, while TcR/CD3 surface expression is regulated by post-transcriptional events, independent of TcR-alpha mRNA accumulation.
Are the liberal good in Hollywood? Characteristics of political figures in popular films from 1945 to 1998

Previous research (Prindle & Endersby, 1993) indicated that the leaders of Hollywood are far more liberal than the average American. The question that remained to be answered was to what extent this liberal bias leaks into the Hollywood product. In an effort to answer this question we examined 124 political characters in 47 popular political films spanning five decades. The findings suggested that the charaaers who were depicted as more liberal also tended to be depicted as more intelligent, friendly, and good. However the results also suggest that the liberal bias in Hollywood is not very robust. Hollywood movers and shakers appeared to have kept their liberal bias in check to some extent. It is speculated, (similarly to Prindle & Endersby), that Hollywood was more invested in producing entertainment that is politically generic and palatable to a general audience than in making movies that promote their liberal political leanings.
Corporate organizing strategies and the scope of public relations departments

Abstract The scope or range of communication programs undertaken by public relations practitioners in corporate settings is a function of how the corporation structures or organizes all of its departments or units. If organized by public or market rather than by task or function, there's a greater chance for overlap between public relations, marketing, human resources, and other departments. The author draws this conclusion based on survey findings and followup interviews conducted at the headquarters of several Rocky Mountain-based corporations. Findings provide initial support for a typology that compares corporate organizing strategies with those of the public relations departments.
Design of Maximum Thrust Plug Nozzles for Fixed Inlet Geometry

Abstract : The techniques of the calculus of variations were used to determine the configuration of an optimum thrust plug nozzle. The problem is formulated for a fixed thrust injection angle and cowl lip radius, and the resulting plug contour is then an optimum for a given upstream geometry. The optimum values of the injection angle and cowl lip radius are determined by a parametric study. The analysis is carried out for rotational and irrotational flows and includes boundary layer effects. A method is presented for each of the problem formulations to determine if a given contour is an optimum and a relaxation technique is used to obtain a solution to the irrotational flow problem. A computer program which makes use of the design equations for the irrotational flow problem is developed and described. This program is used to carry out a parametric study to determine the optimum cowl lip radius and injection angle when the plug length is fixed. The resulting optimum nozzle is compared to one designed by Rao's Method. The importance of determining the base pressure accurately is illustrated and an example of scramjet nozzle optimization is presented. (Author)
The role of transition in determining friction and heat transfer in smooth and rough passages

Transition can have profound effects on friction and heat transfer in flow passages. According to the proposed law of corresponding states for friction, different types of roughness elements exhibit the same behavior for friction at the same reduced conditions, as is the case for smooth passages of arbitrary shapes. For smooth or rough tubes, it appears that the average heat transfer coefficient decreases with increasing critical Reynolds number for transition. For non-circular smooth passages, average heat transfer coefficients can be calculated from the circular tube relations, provided the critical values for friction factor and Reynolds number are known.
A bifurcation analysis of the four dimensional generalized Hopfield neural network

Abstract A four neuron Hopfield neural network with asymmetric weights and self-connection is analyzed. Its stable steady state and periodic attractors are identified and a complete bifurcation diagram is constructed. A center manifold reduction is undertaken and by means of normal form theory, the characteristics of the limit cycles are obtained. The network is seen to have a large memory storage capacity with both fixed point and periodic memories coexisting. The onset of chaos as reported previously is considered.
Epistasis and Its Relationship to Canalization in the RNA Virus φ6

Although deleterious mutations are believed to play a critical role in evolution, assessing their realized effect has been difficult. A key parameter governing the effect of deleterious mutations is the nature of epistasis, the interaction between the mutations. RNA viruses should provide one of the best systems for investigating the nature of epistasis because the high mutation rate allows a thorough investigation of mutational effects and interactions. Nonetheless, previous investigations of RNA viruses by S. Crotty and co-workers and by S. F. Elena have been unable to detect a significant effect of epistasis. Here we provide evidence that positive epistasis is characteristic of deleterious mutations in the RNA bacteriophage phi 6. We estimated the effects of deleterious mutations by performing mutation-accumulation experiments on five viral genotypes of decreasing fitness. We inferred positive epistasis because viral genotypes with low fitness were found to be less sensitive to deleterious mutations. We further examined environmental sensitivity in these genotypes and found that low-fitness genotypes were also less sensitive to environmental perturbations. Our results suggest that even random mutations impact the degree of canalization, the buffering of a phenotype against genetic and environmental perturbations. In addition, our results suggest that genetic and environmental canalization have the same developmental basis and finally that an understanding of the nature of epistasis may first require an understanding of the nature of canalization.
Clinical implications of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer

The cellular signaling pathways of the prostate play a central role in the induction, maintenance, and progression of prostate cancer (CaP). Neuroendocrine (NE) cells demonstrate attributes that suggest they are an integral part of these signaling cascades. We summarize what is known regarding NE cells in CaP focusing on NE cellular transdifferentiation. This significant event in CaP progression appears to be accelerated by androgen deprivation (AD) treatment. We examine biochemical pathways that may impact NE differentiation in a chronological manner focusing on AD therapy (ADT) as a central event in inducing androgen-independent CaP. Our analysis is limited to the common adenocarcinoma pattern of CaP and excludes small-cell and carcinoid prostatic variants. In conclusion, we speculate on the future of treatment and research in this area.
Preoperative capecitabine and concurrent radiation for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

Patients with borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) represent a high-risk group of patients due to tumor or patient-related characteristics. The optimal management of these patients has not been fully defined. All patients undergoing evaluation for PDA between 2005 and 2008 were identified. Clinical, radiographic, and pathological data were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were staged as borderline resectable using the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) classification. A total of 170 patients with PDA were identified, 40 with borderline resectable disease. Of these, 34 borderline resectable patients (85%) completed neoadjuvant therapy and were restaged; pancreatic resection was completed in 16 patients (46%). Also, 8 patients completed 50 Gy of radiation in 28 fractions in 6 weeks, whereas 8 patients received 50 Gy in 20 fractions in 4 weeks plus chronomodulated capecitabine. An R0 resection was achieved in 12 of the 16 patients (75%). Also, 5 patients (63%) treated in 20 fractions had >90% pathologic response versus 1 (13%) treated in 28 fractions (P < .05). Borderline resectable patients completing surgery had similar survival to patients with resectable disease who underwent surgery. Patients receiving accelerated fractionation radiation had improved survival compared with patients treated with standard fractionation protocol. A neoadjuvant approach to borderline resectable PDA identifies patients who are most likely to benefit from pancreatic resection. Preoperative capecitabine-based chemoradiation is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for these patients. Neoadjuvant therapy for borderline resectable PDA warrants further investigation using treatment schedules that can safely intensify irradiation dose.
Stakeholder engagement: Building participatory and deliberative spaces in subsistence markets

Abstract Corporate practices often affect poor communities in subsistence markets yet these consumers are not always consulted as legitimate stakeholders. Both subsistence communities and firms can benefit from more inclusive and democratic corporate engagement with stakeholders. Toward this end, a deliberative democratic approach to stakeholder engagement is proposed for more equitable exchanges among firms and their stakeholders in subsistence markets. Building participatory spaces can activate marginalized communities to influence constructively the corporate actions that affect their well-being and firms can gain valuable insights for strategic decision making. Four practical methods and applications for improving participation and deliberation are examined and evaluated.
Effect of Finite Thickness and Free Edges on Stresses in Plain Weave Composites

Many years ago, free edge effects were studied extensively, perhaps excessively, for ordinary tape laminate composites. Various techniques were used to show that the free edge effects extended only a short distance from the free edge and that stacking sequence had a significant impact on interlaminar stresses, which could cause premature failure. In contrast, the analytical study of woven composites has focused on periodic analysis of unit cells. Since such analyses assume an infinite array of unit cells, free edge effects were not considered. This article investigates the significance of traction free surfaces on stresses in woven composites. Effects due to both free edge and free lateral surfaces (due to finite thickness) were investigated. The significance of the free edge effect was found to be sensitive to the waviness of the plain weave mat. Also, the stress distribution is quite different for finite and infinitely thick stacks of woven mats.
Functional Surfaces on the p35/ARPC2 Subunit of Arp2/3 Complex Required for Cell Growth, Actin Nucleation, and Endocytosis

The Arp2/3 complex is comprised of seven evolutionarily conserved subunits and upon activation by WASp or another nucleation promoting factor nucleates the formation of actin filaments. These events are critical for driving a wide range of cellular processes, including motility, endocytosis, and intracellular trafficking. However, an in depth understanding of the Arp2/3 complex activation and nucleation mechanism is still lacking. Here, we used a mutagenesis approach in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to dissect the structural and functional roles of the p35/ARPC2 subunit. Using integrated alleles that target conserved and solvent-exposed residues, we identified surfaces on p35/ARPC2 required for cell growth, actin organization, and endocytosis. In parallel, we purified the mutant Arp2/3 complexes and compared their actin assembly activities both in the presence and in the absence of WASp. The majority of alleles with defects mapped to one face of p35/ARPC2, where there was a close correlation between loss of actin nucleation and endocytosis. A second site required for nucleation and endocytosis was identified near the contact surface between p35/ARPC2 and p19/ARPC4. A third site was identified at a more distal conserved surface, which was critical for endocytosis but not nucleation. These findings pinpoint the key surfaces on p35/ARPC2 required for Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin assembly and cellular function and provide a higher resolution view of Arp2/3 structure and mechanism.
The energy spectrum of primary auroral electrons determined from auroral luminosity profiles

Abstract The vertical luminosity profiles of sixteen auroral arcs have been measured in the light of λ3914 (N2+) by a technique of photometric triangulation. A comparison between these observed profiles and predicted profiles calculated using two model atmospheres and several electron spectral shapes yields information on the flux and energy distribution of the primary auroral electrons. In the energy range of about 0.1–30 keV the primary electron stream may be characterized by a differential number flux of the form N(E) ∼ Eγ exp (−E/α) where γ is usually 1 and α varies between 1 and 4 keV. The function has a maximum at energy E = γα which may be interpreted as the characteristic energy of the stream. Thus, the electron stream which pro- duces the luminous aurora has a characteristic energy between 1 and 4 keV, although extreme values of 0.7–6.0 were found in the sixteen cases studied. The energy distribution above 30 keV is not well determined from luminosity data and plays a small part in the auroral luminescence. The total electron flux associated with the sixteen arcs ranged between 2.9 × 109 and 1.1 × 1011 electrons/cm2 sec. The total energy flux carried by the incident electrons ranged between 28 and 590 ergs/cm2 sec.
Nontransitive quasi-orbits in Mackey's analysis of group extensions

G. W. Mackey developed a general method for analyzing the dual of a locally compact group G (always second countable) in terms of the dual of a closed normal subgroup N and the cocycle duals of subgroups of G/1V, provided tha t the action of G on the dual of N is sufficiently regular [9]. Ill this case regularity means tha t every ergodic quasi-invariant measure under the action of G is concentrated on an orbit, which means tha t the associated quasi-orbit is transitive. The theory of virtual groups was introduced by Mackey for the purpose of dealing with the less regular case [11, 12]. Section 9 of this paper gives proofs tha t the theorems of section 8 of [9] remain valid in the more general setting. I t should be remarked tha t this leaves work yet to be done before a complete understanding of the general ease is achieved. For instance, one of the theorems establishes a one-one correspondence between part of the dual of G and the co-dual of a certain virtual group for a certain eoeyele co, but an example due to C. C. Moore shows tha t the lat ter can be empty [1]. This example is discussed in section 10 of this paper, and shows tha t representations of virtual groups need not decompose into pr imary representations. The organization of the paper is as follows. The first six sections deal with the machinery of inducing representations from one group action to another. More particularly, sections 1 and 2 give preliminary material on 1-Iilbert bundles and bundle representations of groupoids. In section 3 this is used to define induced representations, and it is proved tha t the definition given is an extension of the definition for subgroups. One novelty here is the proof of Proposition 3.4, which uses no special choice of Radon-Nikodym derivatives. In section 4 a lemma needed in later sections is proved, concerning intertwining operators.