cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interoperability for virtual manufacturing systems

As manufacturing systems are often costly to develop and operate, simulation technology has been demonstrated to be an effective tool for improving manufacturing system design and the efficiency of manufacturing operations and maintenance. However, effectively and efficiently using simulation remains an important issue in the manufacturing industry. One of the principal reasons is the difficulty in processing, organising, and making use of the production-related information about the manufacturing system to be simulated. The difficulty stemmed from no standard representation for such data, making the effort to input data such as product attributes, processing times, and material quantity requirements into simulations complex, time consuming, and error prone. The core manufacturing simulation data (CMSD) standards, SISO-STD-008-2010 and SISO-STD-008-01-2012, specifically address this data representation issue. CMSD enables the import/export of many different types of factory data into computer simulations and other manufacturing systems. This paper describes the motivation for creating CMSD, standardisation efforts for CMSD, and related research efforts. This paper also describes how CMSD could be used as an integration mechanism in a sustainable manufacturing test-bed being developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The test-bed will be a virtual manufacturing environment to support the testing and validation of sustainability metrics, assessment methods, and tools for use in manufacturing.
Low-resolution structural modeling of protein interactome.

Structural characterization of protein–protein interactions across the broad spectrum of scales is key to our understanding of life at the molecular level. Low-resolution approach to protein interactions is needed for modeling large interaction networks, given the significant level of uncertainties in large biomolecular systems and the high-throughput nature of the task. Since only a fraction of protein structures in interactome are determined experimentally, protein docking approaches are increasingly focusing on modeled proteins. Current rapid advancement of template-based modeling of protein–protein complexes is following a long standing trend in structure prediction of individual proteins. Protein–protein templates are already available for almost all interactions of structurally characterized proteins, and about one third of such templates are likely correct.
A high flow rate, very low pressure drop impactor for inertial separation of ultrafine from accumulation mode particles

Abstract This paper presents the development and evaluation of a high-volume, multiple rectangular (slit) geometry jet impactor. Operating with a preselective inlet that removes particles larger than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic size, the impactor has been designed to separate ultrafine ( μm ) from the accumulation mode range ( 0.15 p μm ). Particles are accelerated by passing through 10 parallel slits nozzles, each 12.5 cm long by 0.0125 cm wide. The average jet velocity in each rectangular jet is approximately 5800 cm s −1 . Following acceleration, particles larger than approximately 0.15 μm impact on quartz fiber strips, each 12.5×0.5 cm 2 , while the aerosol fraction smaller than 0.15 μm penetrates through the outlet of the impactor. The impactor operates at a flow rate 550 l min −1 and at a very low pressure drop of 0.020 kPa . The performance of the multi-slit impactor was validated in laboratory and the field tests. Laboratory experiments conducted with monodisperse PSL particles as well as polydisperse ammonium nitrate, sulfate and indoor aerosols corroborated the 50% cutpoint of the impactor at 0.15 μm . Field test comparisons between the high-volume multi-slit impactor and the Microorifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI) showed that the accumulation and ultrafine mode concentrations of particulate nitrate, sulfate, elemental and organic carbon are in very good agreement (within 10% or less). This impactor has been developed primarily as a separator of ultrafine from accumulation mode particles for use in human exposure studies to concentrated ambient ultrafine aerosols. High-volume collection of size-fractionated particulate matter accomplished by this impactor further enables investigators in the field of environmental health to conduct toxicological studies using ambient accumulation and ultrafine mode particles in vitro as well as by means of intratracheal instillation.
A pragmatic approach to increase expressive language skills in young autistic children

This paper is a description of a pilot communication program for autistic children designed to increase communication skills in the context of establishing reciprocal communication exchanges. The methods involved intensive modeling of verbal responses within joint activity routines and using a reinforcement system based on fulfilling the intent of the child's communication. Five male subjects ranging in age from 36 to 68 months participated in the communication program for 6 weeks during an inpatient stay at the Iowa Autism Program, Child Psychiatry Service. Communication exchanges involving requests for actions and objects, descriptions of actions and objects, comments on existence and nonexistence, and requests for recurrence were targeted. Individual gains for each subject are outlined. Posttreatment results indicated a significant increase in the mean length of response, in the mean receptive language level, and in the mean number of semantic-grammatical rules expressed. Suggestions regarding future research are discussed.
Two nucleon stripping and the 16O(3He, pγ)18F reaction

Abstract The mechanism of the 16O(3He, pγ)18F reaction proceeding via the first excited state of 18F at 0.934 MeV excitation has been studied by measuring the angular correlation in the plane of the reaction of the de-excitation gamma-rays in coincidence with the proton group leading to this state. Correlations were measured at a fixed proton angle of 36° with incident 3He energies of 9.16 and 10.0 MeV and also at a proton angle of 71° with an incident beam energy of 10.0 MeV. With the proton counter on the peak of the stripping curve at 36°, an axis of symmetry was found about 26° from the direction of the recoiling 18F nucleus. The correlations are analysed and discussed and are presented as favouring the two nucleon stripping process, where the two nucleons are captured as a ‘lump’, as being the predominant reaction mechanism for the 16O(3He, p)18F reaction at a bombarding energy of about 10 MeV.
in situ thermal desorption of VOCs in vadose zone soils

A volatile organic compound (VOC) sampler developed for the site characterization and analysis penetrometer system (SCAPS) program to provide semi-quantitative field screening data was evaluated in the laboratory and in the field. The device is based on thermal desorption principles and is capable of sampling in the vadose and capillary zones. Approximately 5 g of soil is desorbed in situ, and the volatilized compounds transferred to the surface, where they are trapped and analyzed by ion trap mass spectroscopy (ITMS). Ex situ validation samples from a Mostap™ core taken 9 in. away from the in situ sample are of two types. One sample is placed in the sampler and desorbed and analyzed in the same manner as the in situ sample. The second validation sample is preserved in methanol and analyzed off site by GC/MS. Comparisons of in situ data to ex situ validation data show that subsurface heterogeneity strongly affects correlation, especially in zones of bedded sand and silt. When the two ex situ samples from the Mostap™ core are compared, the subsurface heterogeneity factor is removed and the co-efficient of determination (r2) increases to 85%. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Field Analyt Chem Technol 2:163–171, 1998
An attempt to assess traits of emotionality in crossbred ewes

Abstract Behavior of sheep isolated in a 6 m diameter enclosure, then exposed to a tethered dog in the same setting, was examined. Subjects were 2 and 3 year old crossbred ewes (North Country Cheviot, Dorset, Finnsheep, and Romney sire × Suffolk and Columbia-type dam matings). Each of 164 ewes was tested three times with 3 weeks between tests. Ewes were scored for ambulation (number of steps taken) when isolated for a 90 s period and when exposed to the dog for an additional 90 s period. Subjective investigation score, subjective emotional behavior score, number of vocalizations, number of foot-stampings, and number of eliminations (urinations plus defecations) were also examined. These traits were chosen because published research with farm mammals and rodents has indicated they are related to emotional behavior or nervousness. Ewes typically responded to isolation by initial high levels of ambulation which decreased to immobility by the end of the first 90 s. Vocalization occurred in 73% of the observations but foot-stamping occurred very rarely in the first 90 s of observations. Upon exposure of the dog, ewes commonly took several steps, then became and remained immobile for the duration of that 90 s observation. Vocalization was rarer but foot-stamping was much more common than during the period in which ewes were isolated. Eliminative behavior occurred in 53% of the observation periods and was not affected by exposure to the dog. In this experiment, high ambulation during isolation was related to greater emotional behavior, while immobility during exposure of the dog was related to greater nervousness. Vocalization and foot-stamping were predictable responses to isolation and dog exposure, respectively, but both occurred with too low a frequency to be useful measures of variation in emotional behavior. Differences between ewes with Suffolk vs. Columbia-type inheritance were small and not consistent. Ewes with Romney sires had higher scores for ambulation, investigation score, emotion score and vocalization, and ewes with Finnsheep sires scored above average for vocalization and eliminative behavior. Dorset and North Country Cheviot sired ewes were average or below for most of the traits assessing emotional behavior.
Problematizing 'New Media': Culturally Based Perceptions of Cell Phones, Computers, and the Internet among U.S. Latinos

Recent studies of new communication technologies have shown that broad terms such as "new media" are problematic. This study expands previous research by exploring how first-generation, working class U.S. Latino participants perceive and use new communication technologies in relation to their cultural values. Discussions generated across seven focus group sessions (N = 78) about three common new communication technologies, 1) cell phones; 2) computers; and 3) the Internet, showed that U.S. Latinos positioned the perceived usefulness of each communication technology differently based on their cultural values of good communication. In particular, participants discussed how cell phones provide an effective way to make interpersonal contact whereas computers and the Internet were viewed as damaging to the communication necessary for good social relations. The findings show that this group of U.S. Latinos did not view "new media" as a homogeneous category, but instead participants had very distinct perceptions and ideas about the expected uses of cell phones, computers, and the Internet in relation to their cultural values regarding communication.
Transformation of normal human melanocytes and non-malignant nevus cells by adenovirus 12-SV40 hybrid virus.

Infection of normal human melanocyte and nevus cultures with an adenovirus 12-Simian Virus 40 hybrid virus (Ad12-SV40) produced transformed cells that expressed SV40-T antigen. The Ad12-SV40 cells exhibited rapid cell proliferation to high cell densities and efficient growth in soft agar, but none of 15 transformed melanocyte and nevus cultures formed tumors when injected s.c. or under the renal capsule into athymic nude mice. While the Ad12-SV40-transformed cells lost certain properties associated with the melanocytic phenotype, i.e., pigmentation, tyrosinase activity and melanosome content, the expression of melanoma-associated antigens, including nerve growth factor receptor, p97 melanotransferrin, and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, remained stable. The transformed melanocytes acquired the ability to express HLA-DR antigen, which is found on nevus and melanoma cells. Total ganglioside patterns in Ad12-SV40-transformed cells changed to reflect more advanced stages of tumor progression. Transformed melanocytes, like nevus and melanoma cells, showed increased GD3 content and transformed nevus cells increased GD2 which is a feature of malignant melanoma cells. Ad 12-SV40-transformed human melanocytes and nevus cells are useful tools for studying tumor progression under experimental conditions.
Selenium Toxicity to Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Pollinators: Effects on Behaviors and Survival

We know very little about how soil-borne pollutants such as selenium (Se) can impact pollinators, even though Se has contaminated soils and plants in areas where insect pollination can be critical to the functioning of both agricultural and natural ecosystems. Se can be biotransferred throughout the food web, but few studies have examined its effects on the insects that feed on Se-accumulating plants, particularly pollinators. In laboratory bioassays, we used proboscis extension reflex (PER) and taste perception to determine if the presence of Se affected the gustatory response of honey bee (Apis mellifera L., Hymenoptera: Apidae) foragers. Antennae and proboscises were stimulated with both organic (selenomethionine) and inorganic (selenate) forms of Se that commonly occur in Se-accumulating plants. Methionine was also tested. Each compound was dissolved in 1 M sucrose at 5 concentrations, with sucrose alone as a control. Antennal stimulation with selenomethionine and methionine reduced PER at higher concentrations. Selenate did not reduce gustatory behaviors. Two hours after being fed the treatments, bees were tested for sucrose response threshold. Bees fed selenate responded less to sucrose stimulation. Mortality was higher in bees chronically dosed with selenate compared with a single dose. Selenomethionine did not increase mortality except at the highest concentration. Methionine did not significantly impact survival. Our study has shown that bees fed selenate were less responsive to sucrose, which may lead to a reduction in incoming floral resources needed to support coworkers and larvae in the field. If honey bees forage on nectar containing Se (particularly selenate), reductions in population numbers may occur due to direct toxicity. Given that honey bees are willing to consume food resources containing Se and may not avoid Se compounds in the plant tissues on which they are foraging, they may suffer similar adverse effects as seen in other insect guilds.
1,4-Hydroxycarbonyl Products of the OH Radical Initiated Reactions of C5−C8 n-Alkanes in the Presence of NO

Alkanes account for ∼50% of nonmethane organic compounds present in urban atmospheres. Previous studies have shown that hydroxycarbonyls are important products of the OH radical initiated reactions...
NF-κB inhibition sensitizes hepatocytes to TNF-induced apoptosis through a sustained activation of JNK and c-Jun☆

Abstract Hepatocyte resistance to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF)-induced apoptosis is dependent on activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). To determine the mechanism by which NF-κB protects against TNF toxicity, the effect of NF-κB inactivation on the proapoptotic c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway was examined in the rat hepatocyte cell line RALA255-10G. Adenovirus-mediated NF-κB inactivation led to a prolonged activation of JNK and increased activating protein-1 (AP-1) transcriptional activity in response to TNF treatment. Inhibition of the function of the JNK substrate and AP-1 subunit c-Jun blocked cell death from NF-κB inactivation and TNF as determined by measures of cell survival, numbers of apoptotic and necrotic cells, and DNA hypoploidy. Inhibition of c-Jun function blocked mitochondrial cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-3 and -7. NF-κB therefore blocks the TNF death pathway through down-regulation of JNK and c-Jun/AP-1. In conclusion, sustained JNK activation that occurs in the absence of NF-κB initiates apoptosis through a c-Jun–dependent induction of the mitochondrial death pathway. (H EPATOLOGY 2002;35:772-778.)
Accurate estimate of turbulent dissipation rate using PIV data

Abstract Quantifying the turbulent dissipation rate provides insight into the physics of the turbulent flows. However, the accuracy of estimating turbulent dissipation rate using velocity data measured by planar PIV is affected by the way of modeling the unresolved velocity gradient terms and the PIV spatial resolution. In this paper, we first give a brief review of different methods used to estimate turbulent dissipation rate. Then synthetic PIV data are generated from a turbulence DNS dataset for validating the effectiveness of different methods. Direct estimate of turbulent dissipation rate from its definition using velocity gradients, with the assumption of isotropy, local axisymmetry, or local isotropy, shows significant decrease as interrogation window size increases. On the other hand, the indirect estimation of turbulent dissipation rate from energy spectra and structure function demonstrate less severe decrease as interrogation window size increases. We further propose two modified methods. The Modified Structure Function Method relies on an empirical relationship established by analyzing the synthetic PIV data. For a given measured value turbulent dissipation rate under a given interrogation window size, the true value can be determined from this relationship. The Modified Spectra Curvefit Method accounts the averaging effect introduced by the interrogation window in PIV processing algorithm and thus gives a better calculation of the energy spectra. When the new spectra data are used to curve fit the - 5 / 3 slope, an improved estimate of turbulent dissipation rate is expected. Both modified methods are applied to experimental PIV data acquired from a turbulent jet experiment. They give nearly converged estimates of turbulent dissipation rate and Kolmogorov scale at different interrogation window sizes.
Expression of the NR2B-NMDA receptor subunit and its Tbr-1/CINAP regulatory proteins in postmortem brain suggest altered receptor processing in schizophrenia.

Several lines of evidence implicate aberrant glutamate neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In particular, compromised signaling through the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor has been linked to positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of this illness. Studies in postmortem brain have identified altered expression of several structural and signaling molecules of the postsynaptic density (PSD), including the abundantly expressed protein PSD-95, which binds directly to NR2 subunits of the NMDA receptor and regulates its trafficking, membrane expression, and downstream signaling. Several mechanisms for functional regulation of the NR2B-containing NMDA receptor, which have been linked to cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, are well known. To analyze whether early events in NR2B processing are affected in schizophrenia, we have isolated a subcellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-enriched fraction from postmortem brain and analyzed expression of the NR1 and NR2B NMDA receptor subunits as well as PSD-95 in two areas of prefrontal cortex. We found significantly decreased ER expression of NR2B and PSD-95 in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia. Analysis in total-cell homogenates from the same subjects of NR2B and PSD-95 expression, as well as of the CINAP and Tbr-1 transcription regulatory proteins, indicate that changes in NR2B processing in schizophrenia involve increased ER exit of NR2B containing NMDA receptors. Synapse 64:495–502, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Extrinsic and Common Coagulation Pathways in End-stage Renal Disease Associated with Spinal Cord Injury

Summary Data on the effects of combined long-standing spinal cord injury (SCI) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on blood coagulation system are limited. We studied the extrinsic and common pathways of blood coagulation system in 9 men with SCI­ ESRD treated with maintenance hemodialysis. Plasma procoagulant activities of factors (F) V II, X and II were measured in a clotting assay using appropriate deficient plasmas as substrate. In addition, the antigen concentration of FII was measured using mono specific antibodies against human F I I raised in goat in a gradient plate immunodiffusion system. Also measured were plasma fibrinogen concentration and platelet count. The results were compared with those obtained in a group of 10 ambulatory ESRD patients and 8 normal control volunteers. Plasma coagulant activity of FV I I was markedly elevated and plasma fibrinogen concentra­ tion was moderately increased in SCI-ESRD patients: In contrast, plasma FII was mildly depressed while platelet count was within normal limits in SCI-ESRD patients. The data indicate that the combination of SCI and ESRD can lead to the alteration of the extrinsic and common coagulation pathways. Further studies are needed to elucidate the precise mechanism and the clinical significance of the observed abnormalities.
Side Effects and Ways to Avoid Them

Pilocarpine, a parasympathomimetic drug used in the treatment of glaucoma, produces a variety of ocular and systemic adverse reactions. Ocular side effects include miosis, accommodative spasm, frontal headaches, twitching lids, conjunctival injection, cataractous changes, allergic reactions, iris cysts, retinal detachment, increased permeability of the blood-aqueous barrier, anterior chamber narrowing, and the potential for inducing an acute angle-closure attack. Systemic side effects include nausea, vomiting, tenesmus, abdominal spasm, salivation, lacrimation, sweating, pulmonary edema, and bronchial spasm. The systemic side effects can best be minimized initially through proper use of the medication and nasolacrimal occlusion. The Ocusert, a long-acting pilocarpine-incorporated ocular insert, is a recent advance in delivery technique that offers an adequate hypotensive action with fewer side effects. Pilopex is a promising new experimental pilocarpine polymer salt presently being studied in Israel. Photomydriasis, a process involving the use of a laser to enlarge miotic pupils also offers help for these patients. N-demethylated carbachol is a new parasympathomimetic drug currently under study for glaucoma therapy. Initial results show that it may have considerable ocular hypotensive action with fewer adverse effects.
Teager-Kaiser energy operation of surface EMG improves muscle activity onset detection

This study presents a novel method for detection of the onset time of muscle activity using surface electromyogram (EMG) signals. The method takes advantage of the nonlinear properties of the Teager–Kaiser energy (TKE) operator, which simultaneously considers the amplitude and instantaneous frequency of the surface EMG, and therefore increases the prospects of muscle activity detection. To detect the onset time of muscle activity, the surface EMG signal was first processed by the TKE operator to highlight motor unit activities of the muscle. Then a robust threshold-based algorithm was developed in the TKE domain to locate the onset of muscle activity. The validity of the proposed method was illustrated using various surface EMG simulations as well as experimental surface EMG recordings.
Global distribution and dynamics of colored dissolved and detrital organic materials

[1] Colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), also referred to as gelbstoff, gilvin, or yellow matter, has long been known to be an important component of the optical properties of coastal and estuarine environments. However, an understanding of the processes regulating its global distribution and variability, its relationship to the total pool of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and its influence on light availability remain largely unexplored. Satellite imagery from the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) is used to characterize the global distribution of light absorption due to colored detrital and dissolved materials (CDM). The quantity CDM is considered as it is not yet possible to differentiate CDOM and detrital particulate absorption from ocean color spectra on a routine basis. Nonetheless, analysis of an extensive field data set indicates that detrital particulates make only a small contribution to CDM. A comparison of coincident field observations of CDM with SeaWiFS retrievals shows good agreement, indicating that the present procedures perform well. To first order, the basin-scale CDM distribution reflects patterns of wind-driven vertical circulation of the gyres modulated by a meridional trend of increasing CDM toward higher latitudes. The global CDM distribution appears regulated by a coupling of biological, photochemical, and physical oceanographic processes all acting on a local scale, and greater than 50% of blue light absorption is controlled by CDM. Significant differences in both CDM concentration and its contribution to blue light absorption are found spatially among the major ocean basins and temporally on variety of timescales. Significant impacts of riverine discharges can be discerned, although their effects are largely localized. Basin-scale distributions of CDM and DOC are largely unrelated, indicating that CDM is a small and highly variable fraction of the global DOC pool. This first view of the global CDM distribution opens many new doors for the quantification of global marine photoprocesses using satellite ocean color data.
Low-loss design for the high-intensity accumulator ring of the Spallation Neutron Source

This paper summarizes the low-loss design for the Spallation Neutron Source accumulator ring [``Spallation Neutron Source Design Manual'' (unpublished)]. A hybrid lattice consisting of FODO arcs and doublet straights provides optimum matching and flexibility for injection and collimation. For this lattice, optimization focuses on six design goals: a space-charge tune shift low enough (below 0.15) to avoid strong resonances, adequate transverse and momentum acceptance for efficient beam collimation, injection optimized for desired target beam shape and minimal halo development, compensation of magnet field errors, control of impedance and instability, and prevention against accidental system malfunction. With an expected collimation efficiency of more than 90%, the uncontrolled fractional beam loss is expected to be at the ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ level.
Targeting Endoglin, an Auxiliary Transforming Growth Factor β Coreceptor, to Prevent Fibrosis and Heart Failure

Over the past 25 years, cardiovascular medicine has witnessed substantial progress in our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis, genetic causes, as well as the design of more efficacious therapeutic interventions. These advances have resulted in the dramatic reduction in the mortality of heart disease, especially in industrialized societies. Notwithstanding, both the prevalence and incidence of heart failure remain staggeringly high, posing new challenges and opportunities for prevention, diagnosis, and management. Defined as the inability of the heart, as a mechanical pump, to meet the peripheral metabolic demands, this syndrome has many complex pathophysiological interactions among systolic performance, ventricular relaxation, impairments of contractility, and diastolic dysfunction. Both acquired (ie, acute myocardial infarction) and genetic factors (mutations in genes encoding structural proteins) contribute to this clinical pathology, but the development of overt heart failure ominously increases morbidity and decreases life-span. Article see p 2728 Among the remarkable successes of the late twentieth century has been the widespread practice and profound impact that β-adrenergic receptor antagonists have had on reducing the mortality and morbidity of heart failure.1 As reviewed recently by Michael Bristow,1 sobering lessons of this foregoing quintessential example of translational science were the emerging basic studies on adrenergic receptor pharmacobiology, the importance of adrenergic drive in heart failure pathogenesis, initial human studies on shifts from β1- to β2-adrenergic receptor subpopulations in the failing heart,2 and both observational and randomized clinical trials to guide evidence-based practice. Although aficionados used to the hype of the scientific news cycle are not easily persuaded, the ubiquitous claims of novel molecular targets for heart failure have not matched the disappointing and failure-prone pipeline in bringing new therapies to market. Without minimizing these efficacious drugs, there remain substantial unmet needs and opportunities, through intensive investments in basic and translational sciences, …
Presence of a bent helix in fragments of kinetoplast DNA minicircles from several trypanosomatid species.

Abstract Some restriction fragments of kinetoplast minicircles from several trypanosomatid species ( Leishmania tarentolae, Trypanosoma brucei, T. equiperdum, Herpetomonas muscarum, Crithidia fasciculata , but not T. cruzi ) migrate anomalously on polyacrylamide gels. This behavior is probably due to a natural curvature of the helix. Bent helices appear to be a common property of kinetoplast minicircles, and may be important for minicircle function. In the case of T. equiperdum , we present evidence that each minicircle has a single bent region which resides in or near the ‘conserved sequence’.
Articles: Association of An Intronic, but Not Any Exonic, FRMD4B Sequence Variant and Heart Failure

Common forms of heart failure (HF) exhibit familial clustering, but specific genetic risk factors have been challenging to identify. A recent single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray study implicated a locus within an intron of FRMD4B in Caucasian HF. Here, we used next-generation resequencing of pooled DNA and individual Sequenom genotyping to test for associations between FRMD4B SNPs and ischemic and/or nonischemic cardiomyopathy in two independent populations. Exonic resequencing of Caucasians and African-Americans identified 32 FRMD4B SNPs, 13 of which had allele frequencies greater than 1%. None of these common FRMD4B SNPs were significantly associated with ischemic, nonischemic, or all-cause HF in either of the study populations. We individually genotyped the seminal intronic rs6787362 FRMD4B SNP in the primary study population and compared genotypes between HF cases and controls. The rs6787362 variant allele was more frequent in Caucasians with ischemic cardiomyopathy, and carriers (heterozygous or homozygous) of the variant allele had increased risk of HF (OR 1.437, CI 1.085-1.904; p= 0.0118). No such association was seen for African-American HF. These results confirm an association between the intronic rs6787362 FRMD4B SNP and ischemic cardiomyopathy in a European-derived population, but do not support the proposition that coding FRMD4B variants are susceptibility factors in common HF.
Lubiprostone Targets Prostanoid Signaling and Promotes Ion Transporter Trafficking, Mucus Exocytosis, and Contractility

Background and Aim Lubiprostone is a chloride channel activator in clinical use for the treatment of chronic constipation, but the mechanisms of action of the drug are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether lubiprostone exerts secretory effects in the intestine by membrane trafficking of ion transporters and associated machinery.
A variable cryogenic temperature near-field scanning optical microscope

We describe a novel variable (cryogenic) temperature near-field scanning optical microscope (VT-NSOM) designed specifically for submicron imaging of materials and devices over a temperature range of 12–300 K. In high vacuum, we cool only the sample stage of the compact NSOM, thereby maintaining a large scan area (35 μm×35 μm) at low temperatures and enabling rapid (∼30 min) temperature changes. With incorporation into an external conventional optical microscope, the VT-NSOM is capable of imaging a single submicron feature over the entire temperature range. We demonstrate the performance of the instrument by examining the photoresponse of threading dislocation defects in relaxed GeSi films.
Choice procedures and power structure in social decisions

In contrast to a social choice function, a social choice procedure is proposed which depends both on the way a set of alternatives is broken up into the subsets and the sequence in which each of these subsets is taken up for consideration. This article investigates the Arrow question in this generalized framework.
Synthesis of Polypyrrolinones on Solid Support

An efficient, three-step iterative synthesis of polypyrrolinones has been achieved on solid support, setting the stage for the construction of a wide variety of libraries based on the pyrrolinone scaffold. Central to the approach is an effective end-game sequence featuring pyrrolinone ring construction with traceless release from the solid support.
Development and Application of Experimental Facilities for Steel Forming

In order to meet the demand of steelmakers, series of experimental facilities such as thermo-mechanical simulator, pilot hot rolling mills, controlled cooling system, pilot cold rolling mills, simulator for continuous annealing of strips, and hot-dip galvanizing simulator have been developed and applied by the RAL. These instruments can be used to simulate different processing technologies of steel forming which include continuous casting, hot rolling, controlled cooling, cold rolling, annealing and surface treatment(such as coating), etc. They provide unique research means for the R&D activities of China’s iron and steel industries. The characteristics, experimental functions, performance parameters and application of these facilities are introduced in the paper.
Comparing implementations of magnetic-resonance-guided fluorescence molecular tomography for diagnostic classification of brain tumors

Fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) systems coupled to conventional imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography provide unique opportunities to combine data sets and improve image quality and content. Yet, the ideal approach to combine these complementary data is still not obvious. This preclinical study compares several methods for incorporating MRI spatial prior information into FMT imaging algorithms in the context of in vivo tissue diagnosis. Populations of mice inoculated with brain tumors that expressed either high or low levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were imaged using an EGF-bound near-infrared dye and a spectrometer-based MRI-FMT scanner. All data were spectrally unmixed to extract the dye fluorescence from the tissue autofluorescence. Methods to combine the two data sets were compared using student's t-tests and receiver operating characteristic analysis. Bulk fluorescence measurements that made up the optical imaging data set were also considered in the comparison. While most techniques were able to distinguish EGFR(+) tumors from EGFR(-) tumors and control animals, with area-under-the-curve values=1, only a handful were able to distinguish EGFR(-) tumors from controls. Bulk fluorescence spectroscopy techniques performed as well as most imaging techniques, suggesting that complex imaging algorithms may be unnecessary to diagnose EGFR status in these tissue volumes.
Effects of public preschool expenditures on the test scores of fourth graders: evidence from TIMSS

This study examines the effects of public preschool expenditures on the math and science scores of 4th graders, holding constant child, family, and school characteristics, other relevant social expenditures, and country and year effects, in 7 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries – Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, UK, and USA – using data from the 1995 and 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Our results indicate that there are small but significant positive effects of public preschool expenditures on the math and science scores of 4th graders and that preschool expenditures reduce the risk of children scoring at the low level of proficiency. We also find some evidence that children from low-resource homes and homes where the test language is not always spoken may tend to gain more from increased public preschool expenditures than other children.
Patient Selection for Revascularization in Cervical Carotid Artery Disease: Angioplasty and Stenting vs. Endarterectomy

Cervical carotid stenosis is a major cause of stroke and disability. Although carotid endarterectomy is an established and effective treatment for some patients with carotid artery stenosis, angioplasty and stenting has emerged in recent years as a viable alternative, particularly for patients who may be less suited for surgery. This article reviews patient selection for the two alternative approaches. The authors review the findings of the major clinical trials of carotid endarterectomy, summarize the development of carotid angioplasty and stenting, and identify patient characteristics that may guide selection of surgical or endovascular treatment.
Marketing in the new Europe

Looks at the opportunities for food manufacturers created by the changes in Europe. Provides analyses of the changing trends in marketing for: the food manufacturing industry; the existing food industry, in terms of three player types; and the European consumer base. Identifies strategies for success for each of the three player types.
Hyperlenses and metalenses for far-field super-resolution imaging

The resolution of conventional optical lens systems is always hampered by the diffraction limit. Recent developments in artificial metamaterials provide new avenues to build hyperlenses and metalenses that are able to image beyond the diffraction limit. Hyperlenses project super-resolution information to the far field through a magnification mechanism, whereas metalenses not only super-resolve subwavelength details but also enable optical Fourier transforms. Recently, there have been numerous designs for hyperlenses and metalenses, bringing fresh theoretical and experimental advances, though future directions and challenges remain to be overcome.
Modeling the effects of initial nitrogen content and temperature on fermentation kinetics of hard cider

Hard apple cider manufactured as a value-added product will increase consumption of excess American apples and give impetus to local industry. For larger scale productions, a mechanistic model that could predict the fermentation kinetics would be a useful tool for understanding and designing processes. Hence, the objective of this study was to apply a simple mechanistic model to predict fermentation kinetics of hard cider from Michigan apples and study the combined effect of initial nitrogen and temperature on fermentation. Kinetic parameters of the primary mechanistic model based on Monod kinetics were estimated non-linearly via the Runge–Kutta method. Four coupled ordinary differential equations were used for each of the four dependent variables, yeast cell concentration, nitrogen, sugar and ethanol concentration. For the secondary model, it was proposed to model the effect of temperature and initial nitrogen content on the kinetic parameters of the primary model with an Arrhenius relationship. The current study is the first known application of a mathematical model to the hard cider fermentation process.
Comparison of Metabolic Effects of Testosterone Propionate with Those of Chorionic Gonadotropin1123

In a previous communication we have noted that several of the metabolic effects of testosterone propionate in the adult eunuchoid could be observed in fairly well defined form with a dosage as low as 5 mg. daily (1, 2). This considerable sensitivity of the organism to the androgen is of great interest since such small amounts of testosterone propionate seem to fall well below requirements for replacement in adults, as nearly as these can be judged by repair of secondary sex characteristics and maintenance of normal urinary androgens (discussed in ref. I). Since many of these metabolic phenomena appear to be the chemical expressions of noivgenital tissue growth (3, 4) it becomes likely that the androgens may play a part in somatic growth at a time when the evolution of secondary sex characters is at least not conspicuous. Normally the boy's pubertal growth spurt is apparent some time before the appearance of axillary hair (5).
Divorce potential and marital stability of adult women sexually abused as children compared to adult women not sexually abused as children.

Abstract This study was conducted to determine if significant differences exist between women in marital therapy who had been sexually abused as children and women in marital therapy who had not been sexually abused as children on the parameters of marital satisfaction and divorce potential. The null hypothesis was tested. No differences were found between the two groups. Both groups of women and their husbnads experienced moderate marital dissatisfaction. Divorce potential for both groups and their husbands was low. The sexually abused women had significantly higher psychoticism scores on the SCL-90R than the non-abused women, generally representing moderately withdrawn, isolated lifestyle patterns. The null hypotheses were supported in that no statistical differences in divorce potential and marital satisfaction were found between the sexually abused and not sexually abused women in the study's clinical population. Implications for research center on comparing and contrasting the findings of this pionee...
The Value of Mission Statements in Public Agencies

Many public management scholars have argued that defining a strong mission for public agencies is a useful step toward performance improvement. Public managers and elected officials have begun widespread adoption offormal mission statements to do just that. However, remarkably little empirical research has examined the case for or against mission statements. We looked at the mission statements of 304 public schools, with data about school characteristics and performance before and after the adoption of the mission statement. We asked whether missions vary across agencies doing the same work, whether some mission statements have an impact on performance, and whether the impact is positive or negative. Although skeptics doubt that talking about organizational mission is constructive, our results suggest that missions do vary substantially and that the choices that managers make in the content and rhetorical style of their mission statements can have consequences that facilitate or impair subsequent performance. Long a staple of corporate practice, mission statements are increasingly found on the walls and in the publications of public agencies (Ehrenhalt 1997). "Define the agency's mission" has become one of the few public management prescriptions warmly embraced by scholars of diverse disciplinary backgrounds, from rational choice to urban planning to law to public administration to human resource management to public policy (for just a few examples: Altshuler 1996; Senge 1990; Behn 1991; Wilson 1989; Miller 1992; Osborne and Plastrik 1997). It also has pervaded the 193/Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory We are grateful to the University of Michigan Business School for financial support for this research and for doctoral student support for Sandy Piderit; to Philip Kearney and Trevor Leutscher for access to the Integrated Database on Michigan Education; and to Milbrey McLauglin, David K. Cohen, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Jane E. Dutton, and the anonymous referees of this journal for helpful and constructive critiques and
Development of the middle ear region in Monodelphis domestica (Marsupialia, Didelphidae): marsupial solutions to an early birth

Middle ear ontogeny in Monodelphis domestica is investigated to understand better both the immediate consequences for suckling in a neonate marsupial and the epigenetic factors that constrain morphogenesis. Neonates of Monodelphis possess neither mammalian (dentarysquamosal) nor reptilian (quadrate-articular) jaw articulations, nor does the contact between the incus and crista parotica offer a joint surface (contra Maier, 1987). Elasticity in Meckel's cartilage allows minimal deflection of the lower jaw. Observation of the developmental rate of the individual elements reveals that mandibular arch derivatives (malleus, incus and tensor tympani) are on a slightly faster ontogenetic schedule than hyoid arch derivatives (stapes and m. stapedius).
Receptivity and Transition of Supersonic Boundary Layers Over Swept Wings

The steady flow fields with and without roughness elements are obtained by solving the full Navier-Stokes equations. The N-factors computed in this study at the transition onset locations reported in Ref. 1 for flow over the swept cylinder are approximately 16.5 for traveling crossflow disturbances and 9 for stationary disturbances. The N-factors for the traveling crossflow are high based on our past experiences. However, they are comparatively smaller than those reported by Archambaud et al., who found N-factor values in the range of 20 to 25 for traveling disturbances and 13 to 20 for stationary disturbances. Similarly, the N-factors computed in this study for the traveling and stationary disturbances for the flow over the sharp wing are approximately 7 and 2.5, respectively, and for the flow over the blunt wing are 6.5 and 4.8, respectively. Using the envelope method, Archambaud et al. obtained values of approximately 8.0 and 4.0 for the sharp wing case and 16.0 and 12.0 for the blunt wing case.
Collocation Simulation of Multiphase Porous-Medium Flow

Hermite orthogonal collocation yields oscillatory and sometimes nonconvergent numerical solutions to convection-dominated oil reservoir flow problems. A new method of choosing collocation points emphasizes upstream values in the convective terms, yielding oscillation-free solutions to the linear convection-dispersion transport equation and convergent solutions to the Buckley-Leverett problem.
Fiske-amplified superfluid interferometry

We report an experimental demonstration of signal amplification for a superfluid {sup 4}He interferometer by allowing the matter waves from two Josephson mass current sources to interact with the resonances within the experimental cell. We characterize the interferometer using an external phase shift and demonstrate a 30-fold enhancement in intrinsic phase sensitivity. We also demonstrate a truly continuous operation of this interference device.
A unit in conflict management communication skills

(1981). A unit in conflict management communication skills. Communication Education: Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 265-273.