cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Remarks on the Gallium to Iron Bond in an Ar*GaFe(CO)4 Molecule

Bonding between the gallium and iron atoms in the title compound is discussed by using well-established, qualitative concepts and the results of density functional theory calculations. It is shown ...
Buying Environmental Insurance: Prospects for Trading of Global Climate-Protection Services

In order to alleviate the threat of global climate change, coordinated international action is needed. This cooperation should include multilateral agreements and new economic initiatives to help implement measures that will slow the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere due to tropical deforestation and fossil-fuel use. An international market in environmental services can help to safeguard the Earth’s climate and foster economic development through a North-South transfer of financial resources.
Alternative linearization of water table kinematic condition for unconfined aquifer pumping test modeling and its implications for specific yield estimates

Summary An alternative linearization of the nonlinear kinematic condition at the water table used in unconfined aquifer flow theory is proposed. It simulates the downward propagation of the water table, during water extraction via a pumping well, as a diffuse process controlled by a dimensionless linearization parameter, β D . The limiting value of β D = 0 corresponds to the solution of Neuman (1972) whereas that of β D → ∞ corresponds to the early-time Theis solution. Using the solution obtained with this linearization, data collected during a pumping test conducted at the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site in Idaho, US, were analyzed. The estimates of hydraulic conductivity and specific storage obtained in this study compare well with those obtained with the other models. The most significant improvement is in the estimated value of specific yield, with the proposed model yielding values that are close to those expected from known porosity values ( n ∼ 0.25) at the site. The results show that meaningful estimates of specific yield can be obtained by treating the water table as a diffuse moving material boundary, without recourse to more complex models for water table decline or inclusion of unsaturated zone flow.
Effect of cross-linking by formaldehyde on the contraction-relaxation of rat tail tendon.

RECENTLY, Banga et al. 1 demonstrated that tendons of the tail of a rat spontaneously shortened and relaxed when they were placed in 40 per cent potassium iodide at room temperature. Aging influenced the length–time curves so that rapid contraction was followed by rapid relaxation in the young but slow relaxation in the old. Cross-linking in collagen has been a widely discussed concept of the effect of the aging process. If the development of more highly polymerized collagen is the effect of aging then tanning young tendons with formaldehyde, a cross-linking reaction, should ‘age’ them a certain amount. The following experiments were done to test this hypothesis.
Programming languages as part of core computer science

While the programming languages course played a key role in Curricula '68, '78, and '91, Curriculum 2001 replaced most of the content in programming languages with sections on learning to program. We argue that the need for a programming languages course has not diminished, but instead increased, especially as we move into an era of many-core computing.
Designations for Planned Languages.

RESUMENLas designaciones de los idiomas planificadosEsta nota se refiere a la tipologia de lenguas planeadas, el numero de tales proyectos linguis-ticos, y los morfemas mas comunes de estos idiomas creados. Se identifican once clases de morfemas en total. Se incluye tambien un comentario sobre los datos.RESUMONomigoj de planlingvojLa noto konsideras la tipologion de planlingvoj, la nombron de tiaj lingvoprojektoj, kaj la plej ofte uzatajn morfemojn por titoli tiujn kreitajn lingvojn. Entute la autoro identigas dek unu morfemtipojn. Fine, oni donas kelkajn komentojn pri la materialo.
Enuresis and the voiding cystourethrogram: a re-evaluation.

Abstract Eighty-three children with a chief complaint of nocturnal enuresisand no history of urinary tract infection (UTI) were prospectively evaluated with a contrast voiding cystourethrogram (VC UG). The following four historical details of presentation were noted: primary vs. secondary enuresis, daytime wetting, urgency, and frequency. Each of these four symptoms were treated as a dichotomous variable, and the prognostic value with respect to vesicoureteral (VUR) reflux was assessed using a linear logistic regression model. Nineteen ureters in 13 patients (16 %) demonstrated VUR: grade I, 7 ureters; grade II, 5 ureters; grade III, 3 ureters; grade IV, 4 ureters; and grade V, 0 ureters. Three patients demonstrated renal scarring (16 %) and 2 patients underwent surgery. The linear regression analysis revealed that no one symptom, group of symptoms, or absence of all four symptoms segregated those patients likely to have ref lux with statistical validity. One of 6 children, therefore, who present with nocturnal enuresis and sterile urine will have reflux. Screening these children with a VCUG should be considered.
Thermal corrections to overdamped soliton motion

A singular perturbation theory is developed for evaluating the thermal effects on over-damped soliton motion. I find that the mobility of an overdamped sine-Gordon kink in the static limit is the same as given by B\"uttiker and Landauer and that the effect of an increase in the temperature is to increase this mobility by the factor [$1+\frac{(1.075\dots{})}{\ensuremath{\beta}}{E}_{0}+\ensuremath{\cdots}$], where ${E}_{0}$ is the rest energy of a kink. I also evaluate the change in the shape of an over-damped sine-Gordon kink caused by thermal fluctuations and find that the kink somewhat flattens, increasing its width.
Nitrogenous Compounds in Hemodialysate

Correlation of clinical and chemical changes in patients with uremia has not been possible for substances other than urea and electrolytes. Since clinical improvement is frequently seen following hemodialysis, examination of the dialysate for substances of possible importance seemed warranted. With use of the Kiil artificial kidney, small volumes of dialysate have been obtained and found suitable for analytical studies. Amino acid analyses performed after salt removal revealed a preponderance of acidic amino acids and 35 to 38 unknown ninhydrin reactive peaks. Following acid hydrolysis, the unknown peaks decreased in height and known amino acids increased, indicating a degradation of peptides or conjugated amino acids. Elution from the internal volume of Sephadex G-25 columns suggested molecular weights of less than 4000. Confirmatory evidence of low molecular weights was obtained in vitro by estimation of ninhydrin and Folin-Lowry phenol reactive materials remaining in the dialysant compared to glucose and urea. These results suggested that besides free amino acids, the nitrogenous compounds in the dialysate include conjugated amino acids or very small peptides. Of additional interest in one patient was the decrease in removal of some amino acids and other nitrogenous materials from the first to the eighth clinical dialysis, suggesting a relationship to progressive malnutrition observed in this case.
Time allocation and meat procurement among the Shipibo Indians of eastern Peru

It is argued that the Shipibo Indians follow a meat-procurement strategy that (1) takes into account seasonally variable exploitation costs of fishing and hunting, and (2) helps them satisfy their nutritional requirements for meat in a way which minimizes the amount of time they must allocate to meat procurement. To test this idea, linear programming theory is linked with Bergman's ethnographic description of the Shipibo system in order to construct a mathematical model of the Shipibo meat-procurement strategy. Statistical procedures and Bergman's data are used to estimate parameters in the model and the predictions of the model are then compared to observed values. This paper concludes by proposing a conceptual approach to human adaptation which distinguishes cognition from behavior, but interconnects the two in indigenous decision-making.
The measurement of locus of control: assessing more than meets the eye?

Abstract Ambiguities in the conceptions and measurement of locus of control were investigated in this study. Specifically, some psychometric properties of several widely used measures of perceived behavior–outcome contingency, interpersonal power, and social self-efficacy were assessed. To different degrees, the results indicated that all three measures of perceived behavior–outcome contingency lacked convergent and discriminant validity. Implications for interpreting past research, directions for future investigations, and limitations of the present study are discussed.
Insights into deposition processes for amorphous semiconductor materials and devices from real time spectroscopic ellipsometry

Abstract Real time ellipsometry has been extended into the spectral domain through the use of a white-light probe and multichannel detection system. With this approach, ∼ 100 point ellipsometric (ψ, Δ) spectra of growing thin films can be acquired in a time as short as ∼ 30 ms. The (ψ, Δ) spectra can be interpreted to obtain multiple thicknesses and optical properties of the depositing layers with confidence. We have applied this approach to characterize the growth of amorphous silicon-carbon alloys on smooth c-Si substrates and amorphous silicon solar cell structures on microscopically-rough SnO 2 :F substrates. Connections have been established between the monolayer-level thin film deposition processes and the ultimate electronic properties of the films or devices.
Disaster Management System for Southwestern Indiana

The Southwest Indiana Disaster Resistant Community Corporation (SWIDRCC) and Sandia National Laboratories formed a partnership in 1999 with the intent of developing and deploying a system that will significantly lessen the loss of human life and lower the cost of disaster recovery in a five-county region. Although this region currently has a response system in place that appears adequate to meet the challenges posed by a disaster, the partnership is considering substantial improvements that could significantly lessen the cost of disasters. As a result of the SWIDRCC-Sandia partnership, a policy portfolio for the SWIDRCC has been developed and a significant technology development activity has been structured using the virtual issue process (VIP). VIP is a strategic planning tool developed by Sandia to provide concise information from a community or group that can be used to resolve complex issues and problems. The disaster management system that was defined as the result of the VIP will integrate sensor technologies, modeling and simulation tools, telemetry systems, and computing platforms, in addition to nonautomated elements including increased community education and involvement. The system is expected to provide information (pre-event, during event, and in event recovery) to community leaders that will significantly enhance the ability of the community to manage disaster response. The value of the system will be manifest in both reducing the loss of human life and staying the economic well-being of the community. It is expected that the system will serve as a prototype for other communities throughout the country. To aid in system definition during the process, two dynamic simulation models were also developed: the policy portfolio analysis tool and the infrastructure modeling tool.
Competitor mRNA fragments for quantitation of cytokine specific transcripts in cell lysates

Synthetic RNAs (sRNAs) specific for four human cytokines were constructed and used as an exogenous internal standard in a quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The sequences of the sRNA and the target mRNA were identical except for a duplication or deletion of approximately 100 nucleotides. The size difference between these two templates permitted easy electrophoretic separation of their PCR products. The sRNA has polyadenylated sequences at the 3' end and can be added directly either to a cell lysate before RNA purification or to a reverse transcription reaction. One pair of primers is used to amplify the internal standard and the target simultaneously, and the ratio of the two PCR products remains constant throughout the amplification. This technique can be applied to quantitate specific mRNA in as few as 10 cells when the exogenous control is added directly to cell lysates. This method is sensitive, accurate and adaptable for quantitation of other transcripts.
Role of High-Order Hydrodynamic Interaction of Semiflexible Filament Dynamics

Biopolymers like collagen, actin, microtubules, and aggrecan play a structural role in cells and tissues. They are considered semiflexible polymers because their bending stiffness is on the order of, and resists, the Brownian forces that randomize their conformation. The study of the collective dynamics of semiflexible assemblies has come to prominence because it underlies the physics of force-transmission and mechanotransduction in cells and tissues. We had previously proposed modeling a semiflexible filament as a string of beams that bend continuously under Brownian forces (Chandran et al, 2009). This idealization not only captures the high-order nonlinear bending of the filament, but it does so at reduced computational cost compared to current string-of-beads idealizations. We had also proposed solving the relative solvent velocity along the filament as an implicit variable; which is equivalent to including several orders of hydrodynamic interaction and solvent-back reflection in the polymer dynamics (Chandran et al, 2010). In this presentation we compare the predictions of the string-of-beams model with implicit hydrodynamics against that of string-of-beads approaches for new insight on semiflexible polymer dynamics that is produced by the higher-order bending and interaction terms.
Atrial repolarization: its impact on electrocardiography.

Abstract The repolarizing T a wave of normal sinus rhythm is not fully visible unless there is a long P-R interval or complete atrioventicular block. Even with the latter, it is often of unseeably low voltage. It can powerfully influence inferior lead ST deviation in the stress test. The T a of inverted or retrograde P waves is of higher voltage than that of sinus rhythm and can simulate inferior injury. Evidence of specialized internodal tracts resides in 2 specific atrial action potential properties: resistance to gross hyperkalemia and supernormality. The T a wave figures essentially in the diagnosis of acute atrial infarction.
How to Be a Moorean

G. E. Moore’s position in the moral philosophy canon is paradoxical. On the one hand, he is widely regarded as the most influential moral philosopher of the twentieth century. On the other hand, his most characteristic doctrines are now more often ridiculed than defended or even discussed seriously. I shall discuss briefly a number of Moorean topics—the nonnaturalness of “good,” the open question argument, the relation of the right and the good, whether fundamental value is intrinsic, and the role of beauty—hoping to explain how a philosophically informed person could actually be a Moorean even today.
Evaluation of electrical stimulation for ischemic wound therapy: a feasibility study using the lapine wound model

Chronic wounds are a major secondary complication for many people with impaired mobility. Electrical stimulation (ES) has been recommended as a adjunctive therapy, however optimal treatment paradigms have not been established. Our group seeks to determine the basic mechanisms underlying ES wound therapy, an area where understanding is currently limited. A feasibility study was carried out to develop the Ahn/Mustoe lapine wound model for systematic investigation of the effects of electrical stimulation on ischemic wound therapy. A standardized surgical procedure incorporated a hybrid stimulation system comprising an implantable mini-stimulator and surface electrodes, with creation of repeatable ischemic wounds. Twenty mature male New Zealand white rabbits (3 kg weight) were employed to evaluate the effects of two empirically selected stimulation paradigms applied continuously for 7-21 days, using each animal as its own control. Outcomes measures included transcutaneous blood gas levels, histology, total RNA content and analysis of alpha2 (I) collagen (COL-I), type IV collagen (COL-IV), alpha1 (V) collagen (COL-V), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression using real-time quantitative PCR. All markers for stimulated wounds showed increased activity relative to non-stimulated control wounds between 7 and 14 days following injury, with peak activity at 14 days. By 21 days post-injury, all activity had returned to near baseline level. VEGF and COL-IV levels were found to be significantly higher for pattern A (110 mus pulse width) compared to pattern B (5 mus pulse width) at 14 days, implying that pattern A may be more effective at promoting angiogenesis. All wounds were fully re-epithelialized by 10 days post-injury. Both COL-I and COL-V showed statistically significant (P < 0.05) increased activity between day 7 and day 14 for pattern A, potentially indicating a continued effect on matrix remodeling. The early closure of all wounds implies that the rabbit ear model may not be valid for chronic wound studies.
Genetic analysis of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-OHSD) catalyzes the interconversion of cortisol and cortisone. This activity is postulated to protect the Type I (mineralocorticoid) receptor from excessive concentrations of cortisol, allowing aldosterone to function as a mineralocorticoid. An enzyme with 11 beta-OHSD activity was isolated from rat liver and the corresponding rat and human cDNA and genomic clones isolated. This enzyme is a member of the short-chain dehydrogenase family. Using site-directed mutagenesis, it was demonstrated that the amino terminus and two highly conserved residues, Tyr-179 and Lys-183, are required for enzymatic function. Examination of patients with apparent mineralocorticoid excess, a syndrome of juvenile hypertension thought to represent 11 beta-OHSD deficiency, did not reveal any mutations in the HSD11 gene. This disorder may involve an additional enzyme with 11 beta-OHSD activity or possibly another cortisol metabolizing enzyme.
Performance visualization of parallel programs

The user of a parallel computer system would like to know the performance of a program in terms of how optimally it uses the system resources. This task is increasingly performed by program performance visualization. The limitations of conventional performance data analysis techniques necessitate better visual analysis methods that are scalable with the problem and system sizes and extensible. They should represent some physical and logical structure of the parallel system and program. The analysis techniques presented here have been motivated by the use of signal and (two- and three-dimensional) image processing techniques being applied in some areas of scientific visualization. Results of applying selected techniques are shown. These techniques and tools have advantages and disadvantages when applied in this area. >
Glutamine-chitosan modified calcium phosphate nanoparticles for efficient siRNA delivery and osteogenic differentiation

RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapy using small interfering RNA (siRNA) exhibits great potential to treat diseases. Although calcium phosphate (CaP)-based systems are attractive options to deliver nucleic acids due to their good biocompatibility and high affinity with nucleic acids, they are limited by uncontrollable particle formation and inconsistent transfection efficiencies. In this study, we developed a stable CaP nanocarrier system with enhanced intracellular uptake by adding highly cationic, glutamine-conjugated oligochitosan (Gln-OChi). CaP nanoparticles coated with Gln-OChi (CaP/Gln-OChi) significantly enhanced gene transfection and knockdown efficiency in both immortalized cell line (HeLa) and primary mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with minimal cytotoxicity. The osteogenic bioactivity of siRNA-loaded CaP/Gln-OChi particles was further confirmed in three-dimensional environments by using photocrosslinkable chitosan hydrogels encapsulating MSCs and particles loaded with siRNA targeting noggin, a bone morphogenetic protein antagonist. These findings suggest that our CaP/Gln-OChi nanocarrier provides an efficient and safe gene delivery system for therapeutic applications.
Learning Disability, Neuropsychology, and Deaf Youth: Theory, Research, and Practice

Historically, there have been a variety of perspectives regarding the impact of deafness on the development of intellect, learning, and brain organization in prelingually deaf children. In 1960, for example, Myklebust proposed that auditory or any odier sensory deprivation leads to limitations on deaf people's experience and thus deprives them of information critical for normal psychological functioning. In his view, the absence of sensation alters the integration of information and the functioning of other abilities, thus leading to a differently constituted experience. Such alterations' were seen as occurring naturally and unknowingly, affecting deaf people's perception, conception, imagination, and thought. Myklebust's perspective unfortunately was linked to a broader view of deaf people as not only different but also cognitively deficient relative to hearing people. In a large number of studies, deaf and hearing subjects were compared on measures designed for and normed on hearing populations without consideration of communication needs or the possible effects of early language deprivation in hearing households. While deaf people as a group often did score lower on such measures, there were multiple confounding factors that could have explained the differences without having to assume any inherent deficiencies in the deaf populations' intellectual or cognitive functioning (Greenberg & Kusche, 1989). Deaf people, in fact, have been
Health-related quality of life for adults participating in outpatient substance abuse treatment.

Interest exists in assessing health-related quality of life as one aspect of treatment effectiveness with substance abuse clients. The SF-36 Health Survey is a self-report measure assessing subjective health status along physical and mental health dimensions. Subjects were 252 adults in an outpatient, randomized clinical trial for substance abuse treatment. Subjects reported significantly more impairments in functioning when compared to U.S. population norms, but differences disappeared after three months of treatment. There was little support that quality of life functioning was significantly related to substance use during treatment. Results highlight the importance of using the SF-36 to facilitate treatment planning.
Activity, inhibition, and induction of cytochrome P450 2J2 in adult human primary cardiomyocytes

Cytochrome P450 2J2 plays a significant role in the epoxidation of arachidonic acid to signaling molecules important in cardiovascular events. CYP2J2 also contributes to drug metabolism and is responsible for the intestinal clearance of ebastine. However, the interaction between arachidonic acid metabolism and drug metabolism in cardiac tissue, the main expression site of CYP2J2, has not been examined. Here we investigate an adult-derived human primary cardiac cell line as a suitable model to study metabolic drug interactions (inhibition and induction) of CYP2J2 in cardiac tissue. The primary human cardiomyocyte cell line demonstrated similar mRNA-expression profiles of P450 enzymes to adult human ventricular tissue. CYP2J2 was the dominant isozyme with minor contributions from CYP2D6 and CYP2E1. Both terfenadine and astemizole oxidation were observed in this cell line, whereas midazolam was not metabolized suggesting lack of CYP3A activity. Compared with recombinant CYP2J2, terfenadine was hydroxylated in cardiomyocytes at a similar Km value of 1.5 μM. The Vmax of terfenadine hydroxylation in recombinant enzyme was found to be 29.4 pmol/pmol P450 per minute and in the cells 6.0 pmol/pmol P450 per minute. CYP2J2 activity in the cell line was inhibited by danazol, astemizole, and ketoconazole in submicromolar range, but also by xenobiotics known to cause cardiac adverse effects. Of the 14 compounds tested for CYP2J2 induction, only rosiglitazone increased mRNA expression, by 1.8-fold. This cell model can be a useful in vitro model to investigate the role of CYP2J2-mediated drug metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and their association to drug induced cardiotoxicity.
Discriminative Training for Multiple Observation Likelihood Ratio Based Voice Activity Detection

It is possible to show that the likelihood ratio (LR) test from multiple observations can enhance the performance of a statically modeled voice actively detection (VAD) system. However, the combination weights for the likelihood ratios (LRs) in each observation are rather empirical and heuristical. In this study, the optimal combination weights from two discriminative training methods are studied to directly improve VAD performance, in terms of reduced misclassification errors and improved receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. As shown in the evaluations, VAD performance, both in terms of absolute performance and consistency across noise types, can be significantly improved using the proposed method.
Intelligent construction of DSS model based on integration of neural network and expert system

As concerning the problems of intelligent construction existed in the decision support system (DSS) model, one construction plan and one system structure of intelligent construction of DSS model based on integration of neural network (NN) and expert system (ES) are presented. On the basis of separating the literal description and the data description, ES was applied to select the model type. On the basis of considering the characters of ES and NN in the knowledge acquisition and reasoning, the system structure model of DSS intelligent construction was given based on NN. Through the example of intelligent construction of auto regression and move average (ARMA) model, the experiment result can show that the method is proved feasible and effective for dealing with the model construction problem integrated with language and data description.
An image-based, trainable symbol recognizer for hand-drawn sketches

We describe a trainable, hand-drawn symbol recognizer based on a multi-layer recognition scheme. Symbols are internally represented as binary templates. An ensemble of four different classifiers compares and ranks definition symbols according to their similarity to the unknown symbol. The scores of the individual classifiers are aggregated to produce a combined score for each definition. The definition with the best combined score is assigned to the unknown symbol. All four classifiers use template-matching techniques to compute similarity (and dissimilarity) between symbols. Ordinarily, template-matching is sensitive to rotation, and existing solutions for rotation invariance are too expensive for interactive performance. We have developed a fast technique that uses a polar coordinate representation to achieve rotational invariance. This technique is applied prior to the multi-classifier recognition step to determine the best alignment of the unknown with each definition. One advantage of this technique is that it filters out the bulk of unlikely definitions, thereby reducing the number of definitions the multi-classifier recognition step must consider.
The representation of grammatical categories in the brain

Language relies on the rule-based combination of words with different grammatical properties, such as nouns and verbs. Yet most research on the problem of word retrieval has focused on the production of concrete nouns, leaving open a crucial question: how is knowledge about different grammatical categories represented in the brain, and what components of the language production system make use of it? Drawing on evidence from neuropsychology, electrophysiology and neuroimaging, we argue that information about a word's grammatical category might be represented independently of its meaning at the levels of word form and morphological computation.
Interleukin-6 expression and histomorphometry of bones from mice deficient in receptors for interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor.

We examined the roles of interleukin-1 Type I receptor (IL-1R1) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) in bone metabolism using mice rendered deficient in these receptors by gene targeting. Sections of decalcified paraffin-embedded calvariae and humeri from 11- to 12-week-old mice deficient in IL-1 Type I receptor (IL-1R1-/-) or TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1-/-) were examined by histomorphometry. Wild-type mice (C57BL/6J x 129/J, WILD) served as controls. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in primary osteoblastic and bone marrow stromal cell cultures in response to parathyroid hormone (PTH, 100 ng/ml), IL-1α (10 ng/ml), and TNF-α (10 ng/ml) was also examined. IL-1R1-/- and TNFR1-/- mice were viable and appeared phenotypically normal. However, the body weights of the IL-1R1-/- mice were 30% less than WILD, while the TNFR1-/- mice weighed 30% more than WILD mice of equivalent age. Calvariae and humeri of IL-1R1-/- and TNFR1-/- mice were normal with respect to trabecular bone volume, osteoclast number, osteoclast surface, growth plate widths, and cortical thickness. Receptor deficiency was confirmed by determining the ability of PTH, IL-1α, and TNF-α to stimulate IL-6 in the media of primary calvaria-derived osteoblastic cell cultures from CD-1 and cytokine receptor- deficient mice. After 24 h of treatment, IL-1α and TNF-α did not stimulate IL-6 production in osteoblasts from IL-1R1-/- and TNFR1-/- mice, respectively. In contrast, PTH increased IL-6 levels in the cells from all mice. IL-6 protein levels in bone marrow supernatants and conditioned media from untreated bone marrow stromal cells were undetectable in WILD, IL-1R1-/-, and TNFR1-/- mice. PTH, IL-1α, and TNF-α increased IL-6 mRNA and protein production in the WILD bone marrow stromal cells. In contrast, PTH and TNF-α increased IL-6 mRNA and protein levels in IL-1R1 -/- bone marrow stromal cells while IL-1α had no effect. These findings demonstrate that normal bone development in mice can occur in the absence of IL-1R1 or TNFR1 expression.
Optically active α-aminophosphonic acids from ureidophosphonates

Abstract The preparation of both levorotatory and dextrorotatory α-aminobenzylphosphonic acid by the hydrolysis of substituted ureidophosphonates is described. This method represents an alternative to phosphite addition to unsaturated C-N compounds.
Nitrogen and phosphorus excretion by detritivorous gizzard shad in a reservoir ecosystem

The detritivorous fish, gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), provides nutrients to phytoplankton in reservoirs by ingesting organic detritus associated with sediments and excreting substantial quantities of nutrients such as N and P in soluble forms that are highly available to phytoplankton, We estimated nutrient excretion by gizzard shad in a eutrophic reservoir (Acton Lake, Ohio) during April-October 1994 by measuring N and P excretion of fieldcaught fish (n = 135). Excretion rates were then extrapolated to nutrient release by the gizzard shad population using quadrat rotenone biomass estimates, electrofishing surveys, and historic seasonal trends. N and P excretion were positively correlated with fish wet mass and temperature, but mass-specific excretion declined with increasing fish mass. Lakewidc gizzard shad biomass in July 1994 was 417 kg ha -I, Our estimates of nutrient excretion by the gizzard shad population ranged from 0.487 to 0.769 pmol NH,-N liter-’ d-l and 0.022 to 0.057 pmol soluble reactive phosphorus liter -I d .I, with the highest excretion occurring during mid-summer through early fall. The low N : P ratio at which gizzard shad excrete [mean molar N : P = 16.75 (kO.89 SE)] may alter phytoplankton community composition, favoring cyanobacteria. Our results indicate that nutrient excretion by detritivorous fish can be an important source of nutrients to open waters, especially when other sources of nutrients are reduced.
The effect of emptying the rumen on the heat production of wethers

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of emptying the rumen on the heat production of wethers. Gaseous energy losses were measured with eight wethers (average BW 72 kg) fed two basal diets with or without a distal ileum gum infusion. Animal gas exchanges were determined over two consecutive days to obtain baseline values, and also after emptying the rumens and measuring animal gas exchanges during approx. 2.5 h. Heat production after emptying the rumen decreased approx. 50%, to values similar to what would be expected during fasting heat production. Respiratory quotients decreased from around 1.0 to 0.83, indicating a drastic increase in fat utilization. Results indicate that energy expenditure from metabolizing substrates prior to or after absorption from the rumen accounted for around 50% of total heat production in this experiment, and that animals were able to change from a postpandrial state to starvation in minutes.
Eliassen–Palm Fluxes of the 2-Day Wave

Abstract High-Resolution Doppler Imager (HRDI) winds and temperatures are used to diagnose a 2-day wave event detected in the Southern Hemisphere during January 1994. A novel aspect of this study is the focus upon the wave fluxes throughout the 65–100-km range, and their relationship to the background state. A wave “packet” composed of zonal wavenumbers 2, 3, and 4 propagates westward with a phase speed near 60 m s−1. The periods associated with zonal wavenumbers 2, 3, and 4 are 3.5, 2.1, and 1.7 days, respectively. The morphology of the 2-day temperature and wind fields is consistent with that of a developing baroclinic wave. The divergence of the Eliassen–Palm flux of zonal wavenumbers 2–4 is dominated by the vertical convergence of meridional heat flux. The wave driving (or Eliassen–Palm flux divergence per unit mass) is predominantly westward, with magnitudes on the order of 5 m s−1 day−1. A steady-state quasigeostrophic model of the mean meridionaI circulation is used to estimate the mean wind respon...
Selling T-shirts and Time Shares in the Cloud

Cloud computing has emerged as a new and alternative approach for providing computing services. Customers acquire and release resources by requesting and returning virtual machines to the cloud. Different service models and pricing schemes are offered by cloud service providers. This can make it difficult for customers to compare cloud services and select an appropriate solution. Cloud Infrastructure-as-a-Service vendors offer a t-shirt approach for Virtual Machines (VMs) on demand. Customers can select from a set of fixed size VMs and vary the number of VMs as their demands change. Private clouds often offer another alternative, called time-sharing, where the capacity of each VM is permitted to change dynamically. With this approach each virtual machine is allocated a dynamic amount of CPU and memory resources over time to better utilize available resources. We present a tool that can help customers make informed decisions about which approach works most efficiently for their workloads in aggregate and for each workload separately. A case study using data from an enterprise customer with 312 workloads demonstrates the use of the tool. It shows that for the given set of workloads the t-shirt model requires almost twice the number of physical servers as the time share model. The costs for such infrastructure must ultimately be passed on to the customer in terms of monetary costs or performance risks. We conclude that private and public clouds should consider offering both resource sharing models to meet the needs of customers.
Potential applications of metal-organic frameworks

Abstract Metal-organic frameworks have received much attention in recent years especially as newly developed porous materials. As such, they possess a wide array of potential applications including materials for gas storage, gas/vapor separation, catalysis, luminescence, and drug delivery. In the review, these potential applications of metal-organic frameworks are examined and an outlook will be proposed.
Spitz naevi and malignant melanomas of childhood and adolescence

We reviewed 33 cases of Spitz naevus and 19 of malignant melanoma in patients aged 20 years or less who were evaluated at our institution from 1950 to 1975 and followed-up for up to 32 years. The histological findings were studied prior to review of clinical data. There were no malignant melanomas in patients less than 9 years old; almost half (15/33) of the Spitz naevi were in this age group. Among the 25 histological criteria evaluated in the 52 lesions, the most striking differences between malignant melanomas and Spitz naevi were a higher degree of pagetoid spread, cellular pleomorphism, nuclear hyperchromasia and mitotic activity in the malignant melanomas, and a more prominent spindle cell component in Spitz naevi. We stress the importance of cytological as well as architectural criteria in distinguishing between Spitz naevi and malignant melanomas and emphasize the pitfalls that may be encountered because of overlap in histological features between the two groups.
The Influence of Couple Emotional Intimacy on Job Perceptions and Work–Family Conflict

The purpose was to investigate the influence of couple emotional intimacy on job perceptions (job concerns and job rewards) and work–family conflict (both work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict). Data on 567 couples came from a subset of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Study of Early Child Care taken when the target children were fifth graders. The researchers used an actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) to examine mothers’ and fathers’ couple emotional intimacy and its influence on self- and partner perceptions of job concerns and job rewards as well as work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict. Both mothers’ and fathers’ couple emotional intimacy predicted fewer job concerns, more job rewards, less work-to-family conflict, and less family-to-work conflict for her- and himself. No partner effects were found in the model.
Multiscale Modeling of Flood-Induced Scour in a Particle Bed

A three-dimensional transient fully coupled fluid-particle model is presented to simulate fluid flow-induced scour of a particle bed. The interaction of the liquid and solid phases is the key mechanism related to flood-induced failures of geotechnical systems. In this model, the mix of soil particles and water is idealized as two interpenetrating phases, each of which is modeled at a different scale. The fluid phase is idealized as a continuum using Eulerian formulation of averaged NavierStokes equations that account for the presence of the solid particles and solved using the finite element method. The particles are modeled at a microscale using the discrete element method. Computational simulations are conducted to investigate the response of a particle bed to Poiseuille flow conditions. The simulations provided information at the microscale level for the solid phase and the macroscale level for the fluid phase.
EFFECTS OF MICROHABITAT AND MICROCLIMATE SELECTION ON ADULT SURVIVORSHIP OF THE LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN

Abstract Populations of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), an endemic grouse of the south-central United States, have declined precipitously. This species occurs in short- and mixed-grass prairies with sandy soils. Apart from perennial grasses of short stature, prairie-chicken habitat is characterized by dryland shrubs of the sand shinnery community, particularly the shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) and sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia). We measured microhabitat and microclimate characteristics at bird-centered and random points at the southwestern (New Mexico) and northeastern (Oklahoma) edges of the species' range. We estimated survival by locating radio-tagged prairie-chickens (n = 544) from April 1999 to June 2003. We found that lesser prairie-chickens used sites within the sand shinnery community that had a higher cover and greater density of shrubs (ANOVA: P < 0.0001). Microclimate differed substantially between occupied and random sites (MANOVA: P < 0.0001), and prairie-chic...
Molecular Evolution Directs Protein Translation Using Unnatural Amino Acids

Unnatural amino acids have in recent years established their importance in a wide range of fields, from pharmaceuticals to polymer science. Unnatural amino acids can increase the number of chemical groups within proteins and thus expand or enhance biological function. Our ability to utilize these important building blocks, however, has been limited by the inherent difficulty in incorporating these molecules into proteins. To address this challenge, researchers have examined how the canonical twenty amino acids are incorporated, regulated, and modified in nature. This review focuses on achievements and techniques used to engineer the ribosomal protein-translation machinery, including the introduction of orthogonal translation components, how directed evolution enhances the incorporation of unnatural amino acids, and the potential utility of ancient biomolecules for this process.
UGT1A1 promoter genotype correlates with pharmacokinetics but not toxicity in patients receiving protracted irinotecan (IRN)

3078 Background: Recent USFDA recommendations include a dosage adjustment for patients who are homozygous for the UGT1A1*28 allele (i.e., 7 TA repeats in the promoter) due to an increase in neutrop...
Sclerodactyly and Raynaud’s Phenomenon in a Patient Who Has Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts causing fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis of the liver. Clinically, PBC is characterized by elevated liver enzymes in a cholestatic pattern and in association with anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA or M2). PBC and scleroderma occur together more frequently than would be expected by chance alone, but the onset of these two conditions can be separated by several years with PBC either preceding or following the onset of scleroderma. In scleroderma, PBC is associated with the presence of anticentromere antibodies (ACA) and limited skin involvement. An unexplained and persistent elevation in serum alkaline phosphatase in a scleroderma patient should raise the possibility of PBC even before typical symptoms of fatigue, pruritus, and jaundice occur. Workup should include liver ultrasound to exclude other causes of cholestasis, antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) testing, and, in some cases, a liver biopsy. Early treatment is important because therapy can delay the progression to cirrhosis in many if not most individuals. Similarly, scleroderma should be considered in PBC patients and workup for scleroderma should be done to identify the presence of Raynaud’s phenomenon and other scleroderma clinical features, as well as antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing. Positive results should prompt a referral for rheumatologic evaluation. Especially in AMA-negative cases in which PBC is suspected, other PBC-specific antibodies can be helpful in early detection; these include sp100 and gp210 which are commercially available by specific request.
Forecasting With Exponential Smoothing Whats The Right Smoothing Constant

This paper examines exponential smoothing constants that minimize summary error measures associated with a large number of forecasts. These forecasts were made on numerous time series generated through simulation on a spreadsheet. The series varied in length and underlying nature no trend, linear trend, and nonlinear trend. Forecasts were made using simple exponential smoothing as well as exponential smoothing with trend correction and with different kinds of initial forecasts. We found that when initial forecasts were good and the nature of the underlying data did not change, smoothing constants were typically very small. Conversely, large smoothing constants indicated a change in the nature of the underlying data or the use of an inappropriate forecasting model. These results reduce the confusion about the role and right size of these constants and offer clear recommendations on how they should be discussed in classroom settings.
Progressive random sampling: a multiperiod estimation technique with applications

A number of applications, including claims made under Federal social welfare programs, require retrospective sampling over multiple time periods. A common characteristic of such samples is that population members could appear in multiple time periods. When this occurs, and when the marginal cost of obtaining multiperiod information is minimum for a member appearing in the sample of the period being actively sampled, then a method which is herein called progressive random sampling (PRS) may be applied. The proposed method serves to either improve sampling estimates or reduce sample sizes, as demonstrated by two example applications.
Is religious devotion relevant to the doctor-patient relationship?

As I walked toward the elevators at the end of a long call night, I saw a patient sitting on the edge of her bed, staring blankly into the hall. Like many on the oncology floor, she had lost her hair. I waved at her. She nodded. I took a few steps into her room. I introduced myself; she told me her name— Julie. I asked Julie how she was feeling. “I’m trying to make a decision,” she said, choking back emotion. She explained she was trying to decide whether to allow placement of a permanent chest tube to drain her recurrent pleural effusion. “I don’t know if I can take it any more,” Julie said. “I’ve been through too much.” She knew she was dying and was reluctant to endure another painful procedure. As a medical student, I could not offer her advice. But I hoped my presence would be a comfort. We talked about her life, her work, her interests, and her family (she was alone in the city). As we talked, she reminisced, joked, and cried about the experiences that had enriched her life. On my way out, I told her that I would be praying for her—and she broke into tears. “Can you pray with me?” she asked.
Several unusual cases of child abuse

All childhood deaths which occurred in New Mexico during 1974 and 1975 were reviewed. Nine fatal instances of abuse were identified representing the entire spectrum of physical abuse: neglect, abuse in a single episode of injury, repetitive abuse, or sexual abuse. Several cases are summarized. These are unusual either in the distribution of pathologic findings or in the problems encountered in court presentation.