cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In situ rates of body growth and palp regeneration of a spionid polychaete following simulated sublethal predation

Sublethal predation can be a significant trophic pathway in sediment communities, and the regeneration of damaged tissue affects the activity, growth, and reproduction of prey. A field experiment was conducted 12–18 July 2010 in the Tijuana Estuary, California (+32.56617°, −117.13152°), to measure in situ rates of body growth and palp regeneration of the polychaete Polydora cornuta after simulating sublethal predation by removing 2, 1, or 0 palps from labeled individuals. After 3 days in the field, individuals that had 2 palps removed grew significantly slower than worms that had 0 palps removed; 1-palp worms had intermediate growth. After 6 days in the field, rates of body growth were faster than those of worms recovered after 3 days, with similar trends among the three palp treatments. During the 3-day transplantation, removed palps regenerated to half the initial length of unmanipulated palps. After 6 days, palp lengths did not differ significantly among treatment groups, indicating complete regeneration. The regeneration rate of removed palps was significantly faster than the growth rate of undamaged palps, and palp regeneration rate did not differ significantly between worms that had 1 or 2 palps removed.
Discordance Between Preoperative and Postoperative Bladder Cancer Location: Implications for Partial-Bladder Radiation

Purpose There is strong interest in partial-bladder radiation whether as a boost or definitive therapy to limit long-term toxicity. It is unclear that a standard preoperative examination can accurately identify all sites of disease within the bladder. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between preoperative localization of bladder tumors with postoperative findings to facilitate partial-bladder radiation techniques when appropriate. Methods and Materials We examined patients with clinically staged T1-T4 invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) or TCC with variant histology with no history of radiation or partial cystectomy undergoing radical cystectomy. Patients were scored as “under-detected” if a bladder site was involved with invasive disease (≥T1) at the time of cystectomy, but not identified preoperatively. Patients were additionally scored as “widely under-detected” if they had postoperative lesions that were not identified preoperatively in a given site, nor in any adjacent site. Rates of under-detected and widely under-detected lesions, as well as univariate and multivariate association between clinical variables and under-detection, were evaluated using logistic regression. Results Among 222 patients, 96% (213/222) had at least 1 area of discordance. Fifty-eight percent of patients were under-detected in at least 1 location, whereas 12% were widely under-detected. Among 24 patients with a single site of disease on preoperative evaluation, 21/24 (88%) had at least 1 under-detected lesion and 14/24 (58%) were widely under-detected. On multivariate analysis, only solitary site of preoperative disease was associated with increased levels of under-detection of invasive disease (OR = 4.161, 95% CI, 1.368-12.657). Conclusion Our study shows a stark discordance between preoperative and postoperative localization of bladder tumors. From a clinical perspective, incomplete localization of all sites of disease within the bladder may lead to marginal misses when a partial-bladder technique is used.
Dissociation of the subunit structure of fibrin stabilizing factor during activation of the zymogen.

Summary Calcium ions play an essential role in the zymogenic conversion of the fibrin stabilizing factor (FSF; Factor XIII of plasma) in that they cause a dissociation of the two types of subunits ( a′ from b ) of the thrombin-activated factor (FSF′). Disc gel electrophoresis carried out under non-denaturating conditions and utilizing a newly developed fluorescent activity staining procedure is eminently suited for demonstrating changes in the quaternary structure of this protein. Also, kinetic evidence is presented to show that the b type of subunit, though enzymatically inactive, plays a role in regulating the rate of the calcium dependent activation of the zymogen.
Schumpeter and knight on economic and political rationality: A comparative restatement

Abstract This article presents the views of rationality held by Joseph Schumpeter and Frank Knight. Contemporary methodological implications are then considered.
A randomized trial to improve early detection and prevention practices among siblings of melanoma patients.

BACKGROUND. Identifying high-risk individuals for melanoma education and risk reduction may be a viable strategy to curb the incidence of melanoma, which has risen precipitously in the past 50 years. The first-degree relatives of melanoma patients represent a risk group who may experience a ‘teachable moment’ for enhanced education and risk reduction. METHODS. We report a randomized trial testing an intervention that provided personalized telephone counseling and individually tailored materials to siblings of recently-diagnosed melanoma patients. The purpose of this study was to test whether an intervention could lead to improvements in siblings' skin cancer risk reduction practices. Intervention condition participants received the following: 1) an initial motivational and goal-setting telephone intervention session delivered by the health educator; 2) three sets of computer-generated materials specifically tailored to individual responses from the baseline survey; 3) three telephone counseling sessions with the health educator, timed to follow receipt of the mailed materials; and 4) linkages to free screening programs. Families in the usual care arm received the suggestion from the physician that patients diagnosed with melanoma notify the family members about their diagnosis and encourage the family members to be screened. RESULTS. 494 siblings were recruited to the study and 403 siblings remained in the study through at least 6 months. At 12 months, intervention siblings were more likely to examine all moles, including those on the back (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.06–2.91). Compared with baseline, the number of participants in both groups that had received a skin cancer examination more than doubled, with no differences between groups. At 12 months, two-thirds of siblings in both groups reported routine use of sunscreen, but there were no differences in change over baseline between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS. This study is the one of the first, to our knowledge, to address skin cancer risk-reduction strategies in a sample of individuals who have a recent family diagnosis of melanoma. Diagnosis of melanoma in a family member provides an important opportunity to intervene with others in that family. The components of the intervention may provide a useful foundation for future efforts to target the more than half million siblings at risk for melanoma, a lethal but preventable disease. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Reduced Membrane Lipids in the Cortex of Alzheimer's Disease Transgenic Mice

Accumulating evidence suggests that the conversion of Aβ peptides to soluble, neurotoxic polymers is the key event in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Moreover, interactions between Aβ peptides and neuronal membrane lipids likely play a vital role in developing the neurotoxicity associated with AD. The aim of this study is to assess whether lipid matrix of neuronal membranes is affected by the accumulation of Aβ peptides in double transgenic mouse model of AD expressing both mutant human β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1). We apply high pressure liquid chromatography with an evaporative light scattering detector to compare levels of cholesterol, galactocerebrosides, and phospholipid subclasses simultaneously in cortex samples between AD double transgenic mice at 4 months of age when Aβ production and amyloid plaque deposition is just beginning and at 9 months, when there is advanced Aβ levels and plaque deposition compared to age-matched wild-type (B6/SJL) mice. Both cholesterol (CL) and phospholipids (PL) are significantly lower in 9-month-old AD mice than the same age of B6/SJL mice. Among PL subclasses, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) are selectively reduced in 9-month-old AD mice. The molar ratios of CL to PL in 9-month-old AD mice (1.19 ± 0.27) were significantly higher than those of 9-month-old B6/SJL mice (0.81 ± 0.08). In keeping with decreased levels of PL, there are also significant reductions of very long-chain n-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid) and n-6 fatty acid (arachidonic acid) in 9-month-old AD mice. On the other hand, ratios of total n-6 to total n-3 fatty acids were significantly higher in 9-month-old AD mice than in the same age of B6/SJL mice. Taken together, our present data support a role for the interactions of amyloid-β peptide and neuronal membranes in the subsequent development of AD.
Influence of mass transfer coefficient fluctuation frequency on performance of three-phase packed-bed reactors

Abstract In three-phase packed-bed reactors, different flow regimes exist due to intrinsic hydrodynamic instability. Among these, the pulsing-flow regime is characterized by fast alternating of “liquid-rich plug” (pulse) and “gas-rich plug” (base) along the column, which results in a periodically changing environment for the stationary catalyst. In this paper, the influence of pulsing frequency on several different reaction systems is explored based on models that describe a small local region within a multiphase packed-bed reactor. It is found that the time-averaged reactor performance indexes including conversion of key reactant, selectivity of desired product over waste and yield of desired product can be increased significantly over other flow regimes such as the trickling-flow regime. The extent of enhancement varies substantially with pulsing frequency, and it appears that by carefully tuning it, a great potential exists for enhancing reactor performance.
Creating hybrid user interfaces with a 2D multi-touch tabletop and a 3D see-through head-worn display

How can multiple different display and interaction devices be used together to create an effective augmented reality environment? We explore the design of several prototype hybrid user interfaces that combine a 2D multi-touch tabletop display with a 3D head-tracked video-see-through display. We describe a simple modeling application and an urban visualization tool in which the information presented on the head-worn display supplements the information displayed on the tabletop, using a variety of approaches to track the head-worn display relative to the tabletop. In all cases, our goal is to allow users who can see only the tabletop to interact effectively with users wearing head-worn displays.
Anatomy of cusps of posterior teeth and their fracture potential

Fracture of cusps on posterior teeth, especially those carious or restored, is a major cause of tooth loss, Nonfunctional cusps fracture more often than the functional; mandibular cusps fracture more often than maxillary cusps. This study examined functional and nonfunctional cusps of the maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth in four different parameters; (1) buccolingual width, (2) angle of cuspal inclination, (3) thickness of enamel, and (4) angle of inclination of the dentinoenamel junction. Measurements of functional cusps, except those in maxillary premolars established differences that may explain the frequency of frequency of fracture. These parameters of functional and nonfunctional cusps suggest that the cuspal anatomy has a relationship to the fracture potential of cusps.
Geometric significance of the spinor covariant derivative

The spinor covariant derivative through which the equations of quantum fields are generalized to include gravitational coupling has a direct and simple geometric significance. The formula for the difference of two spinor covariant derivatives taken in different order is derived geometrically; and the geometric proof of the covariant constancy of the spin-1/2 γ-matrices in curved space is given.
Thesignificance of time scale for the rate of accretion of marine manganese nodules and crusts

Abstract Rates of accretion published for shallow-marine manganese deposits are generally faster than those of abyssal nodules, but they are also determined for shorter time intervals. The time scale of measurement may influence the measured rates of accretion more than water depth. A single model of episodic accretion can account for measured growth rates of both shallow-water and abyssal ferromanganese accretions.
Towards a more general species-area relationship : diversity on all islands, great and small

Aim To demonstrate a new and more general model of the species–area relationship that builds on traditional models, but includes the provision that richness may vary independently of island area on relatively small islands (the small island effect). Location We analysed species–area patterns for a broad diversity of insular biotas from aquatic and terrestrial archipelagoes. Methods We used breakpoint or piecewise regression methods by adding an additional term (the breakpoint transformation) to traditional species–area models. The resultant, more general, species–area model has three readily interpretable, biologically relevant parameters: (1) the upper limit of the small island effect (SIE), (2) an estimate of richness for relatively small islands and (3) the slope of the species–area relationship (in semi-log or log–log space) for relatively large islands. Results The SIE, albeit of varying magnitude depending on the biotas in question, appeared to be a relatively common feature of the data sets we studied. The upper limit of the SIE tended to be highest for species groups with relatively high resource requirements and low dispersal abilities, and for biotas of more isolated archipelagoes. Main conclusions The breakpoint species–area model can be used to test for the significance, and to explore patterns of variation in small island effects, and to estimate slopes of the species–area (semi-log or log–log) relationship after adjusting for SIE. Moreover, the breakpoint species–area model can be expanded to investigate three fundamentally different realms of the species–area relationship: (1) small islands where species richness varies independent of area, but with idiosyncratic differences among islands and with catastrophic events such as hurricanes, (2) islands beyond the upper limit of SIE where richness varies in a more deterministic and predictable manner with island area and associated, ecological factors and (3) islands large enough to provide the internal geographical isolation (large rivers, mountains and other barriers within islands) necessary for in situ speciation.
Computers in behavioral science: The decisional design and cyclic computation of span

The SPAN method of voting or pooling is based on computer processing of quantitative decisions made by group members. The method may be studied through behavioral research and applied to political, economic, and other fields of decision making.
The Necessary Nature Of Future Firms: Attributes Of Survivors In A Changing World

The article reviews the book “The Necessary Nature of Future Firms: Attributes of Survivors in a Changing World,” by George P. Huber.
Modeling Biopotential Signals and Current Densities of Multiple Breast Cancerous Cells

This study presents a model to simulate the electrophysiological activities of multiple Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cells, the most studied breast cancer cell line. The intercellular spacing of MCF-7 cells is estimated using the effective diffusion coefficient. Nonuniform finite-difference discretization is implemented to accommodate for the contrast in size between the intercellular spacing and the cell dimension. The model computes the amplitude and the spatiotemporal patterns of biopotentials and electric current densities at different cell division stages. The results show that the biopotentials increase proportionally to the number of cells, especially when all cells are in the hyperpolarization stage. Also, the results show significant electric current density in the intercellular gap between the cells.
On the distribution of the domination number for random class cover catch digraphs

In this article we initiate the study of class cover catch digraphs, a special case ofintersection digraphs motivated by applications in machine learning and statistical pattern recognition. Our main result is the exact distribution of the domination number for a data-driven model of random interval catch digraphs. c 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
Okadaic acid suppresses TPA-induced differentiation by stimulating G1/S transition in human myeloblastic leukaemia ML-1 cells

The association between the phosphorylation status of the retinoblastoma protein, pRb and changes in cell cycle control caused by either protein kinase C (PKC) or protein kinase A (PKA) stimulation was evaluated in human myeloblastic leukaemia ML-1 cells. TPA-induced PKC activation resulted in dephosphorylation of pRb and subsequently induced ML-1 differentiation based on morphological changes and CD14 expression. In the present study, we showed that inhibition of protein phosphatases (PP-1 and PP-2a) prevented the TPA-induced differentiation in ML-1 cells. Preinhibition of PP-1 and PP-2a activities with 1-100 nM okadaic acid dose-dependently blunted the decrease in the phosphorylation status of pRb obtained with TPA and overrode cell cycle arrest. PKA stimulation with 8-chlorophenylthio-cAMP (100 microM) decreased cell proliferation by 65% and the distribution of cells in the G1 phase significantly increased from 38% to 83% concomitant with a 34% decline in the number of cells present in the S phase. In addition, PKA stimulation significantly decreased the pRb phosphorylation status but did not elicit CD14 expression, indicating that cAMP-induced dephosphorylation of pRb cannot by itself trigger differentiation in ML-1 cells.
Unique wave front for dendritic spines with Nagumo dynamics

A model of dendritic spines uniformly distributed along a dendrite cable with the Nagumo dynamics for active membrane spine activity is considered. We show analytically the existence and uniqueness of traveling front solutions for a wide range of parameters including the spine density and the resistance between spine heads and dendrites. And such wave front travels at a slower speed for a larger spine density. Numerical simulations support the above results.
Stress before Consumption: A Proposal to Reform Agency Ratings*

The financial turmoil starting in late 2007 has engendered serious criticisms of major credit rating agencies (CRAs), crystallising in a groundbreaking Regulation on CRAs in the EU. This article considers that the Regulation might have failed to take into account a fundamental problem relating to credit ratings—the single, through‐the‐cycle rating system—which probably contributed to the ratings of entities highly sensitive to changes in overall market conditions, including banks and financial institutions, to be vulnerable to cascading ratings downgrades during downturns. The first part of the article analyses the performance of such credit ratings to support the above argument, while the second part explores a proposed solution of moving away from the single rating system to one where ‘standard’ ratings are supplemented by ‘stressed ratings.’ This solution can be based on a public–private partnership where CRAs produce stressed ratings based on scenarios set by regulators—an idea that entails recognition that regulatory efforts in this area ultimately entails a complex balancing of the roles of both the CRAs and regulators as gatekeepers in making safety‐and‐soundness judgements together for global financial markets.
Electroplated solder joints for flip-chip applications

A step-by-step description of a solder electroplating process for flip-chip applications is provided. The necessity of phasing Cr and Cu in the under-bump metallurgy (UBM), which also functions as the current path during plating, is verified by a scanning-electron-microscope (SEM) study of the intermetallics in the reflowed solder joints. Characteristics of the SnPb solder plating bath are presented, and key issues on designing and operating manufacture scale cells are identified. Mathematical modeling of the plating process confirms the capability of the plating process to produce solder bumps of uniform volume and solder composition. Feasibility of the electroplated solder bumping process is demonstrated on dice with an area array of pads of a approximately 0.005-in diameter on a 0.010-in pitch. Data on preliminary mechanical testing conducting to evaluate the integrity of the solder joints are presented. >
On Distinguishing Epistemic from Pragmatic Action

We present data and argument to show that in Tetris-a real-time, interactive video game-certain cognitive and perceptual problems ore more quicktv, easily, and reliably solved by performing actions in the world than by performing computational actions in the head atone. We have found that some of the translations and rotations made by players of this video game are best understood as actions that use the world to improve cognition. These actions are not used to implement a plan, or to implement a reaction; they are used to change the world in order to simplify the problem-solving task. Thus, we distinguish pragmatic octionsactions performed to bring one physically closer to a goal-from epistemic actions -actions performed to uncover informatioan that is hidden or hard to compute mentally. To illustrate the need for epistemic actions, we first develop a standard information-processing model of Tetris cognition and show that it cannot explain performance data from human players of the game-even when we relax the assumption of fully sequential processing. Standard models disregard many actions taken by players because they appear unmotivated or superfluous. However, we show that such actions are actually far from superfluous; they play a valuable role in improving human performance. We argue that traditional accounts are limited because they regard action as having o single function: to change the world. By recognizing a second function of action-an epistemic function-we can explain many of the actions that a traditional model cannot. Although our argument is supported by numerous examples specifically from Tetris, we outline how the new category of epistemic action can be incorporated into theories of action more generally.
Networked cyber-physical systems: Interdependence, resilience and information exchange

Ubiquitous in modern critical infrastructure, networked cyber-physical systems (CPSs) are a collection of task-oriented systems whose cyber and physical resources are conjoined and coordinated to achieve unprecedented capabilities. In this paper, we study how physically independent systems can be made interdependent in the CPS context. In order to understand such interdependencies, we establish a system framework to investigate the effect of cyber coupling on physical control systems. In particular, we study the optimal control of networked control system jointly with power control problems in wireless communication networks. We show that the information exchange between cyber and physical layers not only makes the control system more efficient but also enhances its resilience to adversarial behaviors. In addition, as a result of interdependencies, a jamming attack on one CPS can benefit the performance of the other CPS. We use a two-CPS case study to demonstrate performance of the coupled system at both the physical and cyber layers.
Analysis and modeling of correlated failures in multicomputer systems

Based on the measurements from two DEC VAX-cluster multicomputer systems, the issue of correlated failures is addressed. In particular, the characteristics of correlated failures, their impact and their modelling on dependability, are discussed. It is found from the data that most correlated failures are related to errors in shared resources and propagate from one machine to another. Comparisons between measurement-based models and analytical models that assume failure independence show that the impact of correlated failures on dependability is significant. Two validated models. the c-dependent model and the p-dependent model, are developed to evaluate the dependability of systems with correlated failures. >
Role of canonical Wnt signaling/β-catenin via Dermo1 in cranial dermal cell development

Cranial dermis develops from cephalic mesoderm and neural crest cells, but what signal(s) specifies the dermal lineage is unclear. Using genetic tools to fate map and manipulate a cranial mesenchymal progenitor population in the supraorbital region, we show that the dermal progenitor cells beneath the surface ectoderm process canonical Wnt signaling at the time of specification. We show that Wnt signaling/β-catenin is absolutely required and sufficient for Dermo1 expression and dermal cell identity in the cranium. The absence of the Wnt signaling cue leads to formation of cartilage in craniofacial and ventral trunk regions at the expense of dermal and bone lineages. Dermo1 can be a direct transcription target and may mediate the functional role of Wnt signaling in dermal precursors. This study reveals a lineage-specific role of canonical Wnt signaling/β-catenin in promoting dermal cell fate in distinct precursor populations.
Field-tests of a redundantly actuated cable-driven robot for environmental sampling applications

In this paper, we present results from a field-test of NIMS-PL, a redundantly actuated cable-driven robot for aquatic applications. We describe installation procedures that enable rapid deployability and present results demonstrating precise calibration capabilities. Detection and correction of positional drift, which is critical for long-term autonomous deployments, is demonstrated, and the rate of system drift is quantified. An example actuated sensing experiment is performed that accurately maps the spatiotemporal variation of the intensity of light incident on a swimming pool. Finally, we propose an upcoming, environmentally significant deployment in which we will map variations in aquatic phenomena such as salinity and pH through the confluence region of two rivers.
The effect of local political context on how Americans vote

Neighborhood context could condition voting decisions, but systematic investigation of whether (how) the traits of a given locale shape individual voting decisions is sparse. We explore the possibility that local partisan balance affects turnout and the use of convenience voting in particular. Using comprehensive registered-voter lists from four swing states in the 2002 and 2006 elections, we find an intriguing asymmetry: Republican registrants are usually sensitive to partisan context, whereas Democrats are not. Republican election-day turnout rates generally decrease with the proportion of partisan registrants that are Democratic in the area. This demobilization is only sporadically counterbalanced by greater use of convenience voting. In contrast, Democrats exhibit less systematic patterns. In many cases, there are seemingly perverse effects, wherein Democratic turnout rates fall with growing Democratic registration advantages. The asymmetry may be driven by differences in the competitiveness of electi...
Patterns of Flower Visitation across Elevation and Successional Gradients in Hawai'i

Abstract: Numerous studies have examined foraging strategies of pollinators in continental landscapes, but relatively little is known about island pollinators. We investigated four native plant communities and their potential pollinators on Mauna Loa Volcano on Hawai'i Island across two environmental gradients: elevation (middle and high) and succession (early and late). The effects of elevation and successional stage on visitation rates and degree of plant specialization were compared. Elevation had a significant effect on visitation rates with plants at mid elevation receiving the most visits, whereas succession had little effect on visitation rates. Both succession and elevation impacted plant specialization, with plants at late-succession and high-elevation sites being more specialized in terms of their diversity of flower visitors. Metrosideros polymorpha (Myrtaceae) received the most forager visits, even when it was not the most abundant plant flowering. Endemic Hylaeus bees (Hymenoptera: Colletidae...
Interactions between geminivirus replication proteins.

Geminiviruses are small DNA viruses that replicate in the nuclei of infected plant cells. The closely related geminiviruses tomato golden mosaic virus and bean golden mosaic virus each encode a protein, AL1, that catalyzes the initiation of rolling-circle replication. Both viruses also specify a second replication protein, AL3, that greatly enhances the level of viral DNA accumulation. Using recombinant proteins produced in a baculovirus expression system, we showed that AL1 copurifies with a protein fusion of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and AL1, independent of the GST domain. Similarly, authentic AL3 cofractionates with a GST-AL3 fusion protein. These results demonstrated that both AL1 and AL3 form oligomers. Immunoprecipitation of protein extracts from insect cells expressing both AL1 and AL3 showed that the two proteins also complex with each other. None of the protein interactions displayed virus specificity; the tomato and bean goldenmosaicvirusproteinscomplexedwitheachother.Theadditionofheterologousreplicationproteinshad no effect on the efficiency of geminivirus replication in transient-replication assays, suggesting that heteroprotein complexes might be functional. The significance of these protein interactions is discussed with respect to geminivirus replication in plant cells.
Inhibition of human squalene monooxygenase by selenium compounds.

Selenosis in animals is characterized by a variety of neurological abnormalities, but the chemical species of selenium and the molecular targets that mediate this neurotoxicity are unknown. We have previously shown that selenite is a potent inhibitor of squalene monooxygenase, the second enzyme in the committed pathway for cholesterol biosynthesis; inhibition of this enzyme by dimethyltellurium leads to a peripheral demyelinating neuropathy similar to that seen in selenosis. To evaluate the role methylation plays in selenium toxicity, we examined the ability of three methylselenium compounds, methylselenol, dimethylselenide, and trimethylselenonium iodide, to inhibit purified recombinant human squalene monooxygenase. IC(50) values for methylselenol (95 microM) and dimethylselenide (680 microM) were greater than that previously obtained for selenite (37 microM), and inhibition by trimethylselenonium iodide was evident only at concentrations above 3 mM. Inhibition by methylselenol as well as by selenite was slow and irreversible, suggestive of covalent binding to the enzyme, and thiol-containing compounds could prevent and reverse this inhibition, indicating that these compounds were reacting with sulfhydryl groups on the protein. Monothiols such as glutathione and beta-mercaptoethanol provided better protection than did dithiols, suggesting that these selenium compounds bind to only one of the two proposed vicinal cysteines on squalene monooxygenase. Unexpectedly, the inhibition by selenite was significantly enhanced by dithiols, indicating that a more toxic species, possibly selenide, was formed in the presence of these dithiol reductants.
Assessing between-colony oxygen isotope variability in the coral Porites lobata at Clipperton Atoll

The eastern Pacific warm tongue is a region of stable and elevated sea surface temperature (SST) located just north of the equator in the eastern Pacific. This warm water mass is thought to influence the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in the eastern Pacific and to directly influence climate in Central America. To assess the use of corals in the development of paleoclimatic reconstructions in this region, we have developed oxygen isotope (δ18O) time-series from multiple specimens of the massive coral Porites lobata collected at Clipperton Atoll (10°18′N, 109°13′ W). Six near-monthly δ18O records from different sized (age) colonies where produced for the interval 1986–1994, and three of these were extended back to 1969. All corals sampled were found to contain numerous fish-grazing skeletal scars (∼0.5 mm deep scallop shaped hiatuses). Samples collected at 1 mm intervals showed anomalous 18O/16O in the area of a bite scar, with 2 to 2.5 mm sampling intervals (10–12/year) minimizing these effects. Our results show that the average δ18O disequilibrium offset (vital effect) from equilibrium seawater composition for individual corals can vary by up to 0.4‰. However all δ18O results suggest that the vital effect offset is constant over time. Similar “offsets” are observed in the tops of old (age=∼100 y) and young (age=∼10 y) colonies, further suggesting that the biologically mediated vital effect offset does not change as a Porites colony ages. A 6-coral average composite δ18O record was constructed from 1985–1994 and a 3-coral average δ18Oanomaly record was constructed from 1969–1994. Regression analysis between monthly SST and the 6 coral average δ18O records yields an r2 correlation of 0.54 (individual r2-values ranged from 0.27–0.55). The 3 coral δ18Oanomaly average record has an even lower correlation to SST, with an r2 of 0.40. Potential causes of the only moderate correlation to SST are explored and we find that inferred salinity effects, fish grazing scars, and slight chronology imperfections have all contributed to a reduced correlation to SST. Nevertheless, all El Nino events in this time period appear to be recorded by coral skeletal δ18O.
High performance PA-RISC Snakes motherboard I/O

A low-cost, high-performance motherboard I/O design has been developed. The design consists of 93 K gates spread across three ASIC chips and a number of PC boards. Key features of the desktop and deskside design include 20 MByte/s Fast-Wide SCSI-2, link rate FDDI, and CD quality audio. Overall motherboard disk performance was increased by a factor of four and motherboard network performance by a factor of ten. This was done while adding new CD-audio features. >
Cryptanalysis of the new TTS scheme in CHES 2004

We combine the method of searching for an invariant subspace of the unbalanced Oil and Vinegar signature scheme and the Minrank method to defeat the new TTS signature scheme, which was suggested for low-cost smart card applications at CHES 2004. We show that the attack complexity is less than 250.
Enhancing quality of primary care using an ambulatory ICU to achieve a patient- centered medical home.

Research Objective: The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) has been advocated as a model to address the lack of coordination and continuity in the health system. However, implementation in practi...
IT infrastructure in emerging markets: arguing for an end-to-end perspective

To help sustain large-scale pervasive computing in emerging markets, researchers must address unique challenges in the delivery fabric and enterprise backbone. Such challenges present opportunities for high impact innovation. Although most research organizations have focused on developing consumer-facing solutions, we posit that future research must take an end-to-end perspective. That is, researchers must not only consider the front end (such as consumer devices) but also the medium to reach the consumer (for example, the delivery fabric) and the back end (for example, the enterprise backbone) to create an economically sustainable, scalable solution. Although our end-to-end perspective generalizes to all emerging markets, in this article, we mainly discuss the Indian market from which we based our observations.
Research charting a course for evidence‐based clinical dietetic practice in diabetes

Nutrition and lifestyle interventions have been a critical component in three of the four largest clinical trials that focused on diabetes in the past two decades. Evidence of the effectiveness of nutrition and lifestyle interventions with resepect to achieving diabetes-related outcomes for diabetes prevention and a reduction in diabetes complications for people with diabetes is clearly mounting. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (1983-1993), the Diabetes Prevention Program (1996-2001) and the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) Trial (2001-2012) have been providing key evidence for the dietitian's role in delivering effective nutrition and lifestyle interventions for people with prediabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The dietitians in these multicentre efficacy trials contributed to this evidence base by expanding their roles beyond implementing the protocol defined goal-based nutrition and lifestyle interventions to conducting ancillary research and using problem-solving strategies that tailor counselling approaches toward participants' barriers to goal achievement. As lifestyle coaches and case managers, dietitians had the opportunity to work with the same group of study participants over extended periods of time and use their clinical and research expertise to uncover important insights and strategies that helped achieve clinical goals related to glycaemia control, weight loss and activity. The present review will 'chart the course' of how the evidence base for nutrition and lifestyle interventions emanated from these trials and discuss the implications for clinical dietetic practice. Dietitians can use insights gleaned from these experiences with the research process to expand their roles and guide cutting edge evidence-based clinical dietetic practice in diabetes.
Utilization and Cost Effectiveness of Computerized Patient Data Management in the Multispecialty Intensive Care Unit

Computerization of intensive care units has proven effective in specialized intensive care units such as shock/trauma units,1 cardiovascular surgical intensive care units,2 coronary care units,3 neonatal intensive care units,4 and units managed by intensivists.5 Greenberg, Civetta, and Barnhill5 have shown that in such units the per-patient requirements of nursing time can be decreased with the use of a computer.
International Networks and Domestic Policy Convergence: ICT in Qatar

Continued advances in media and information technology have transformed technical devices into a sector that now permeates much of modern social life. This pervasiveness has brought us to what some refer to as the information age, where information and knowledge have significant economic, political, and cultural implications and can be used to gain competitive advantage internationally through the use of information technology. Taken collectively, these trends have dramatically altered international relations, transnational flows, communication practices, and domestic policy. This research examines the influence of international FDI and IGO networks on domestic policy convergence, focusing on the ICT sector in Qatar. This paper contributes to research using social network analysis for international relations in furthering prior assertions that international FDI and IGO networks have implications for domestic policy. The results suggest that there is a relationship between the international IGO and FDI networks that impact the ways in which they individually influence individual countries. They also support the notion that the influences of ICT and globalization are reciprocal.
Natural History of Echocardiographic and Hemodynamic Changes Following Isolated Pericardiectomy for Constrictive Pericarditis.

Pericardiectomy has been shown to improve the functional status of patients with constrictive pericarditis and resultant heart failure symptoms. However, there are few studies following the chronic hemodynamic impact of surgery on the left ventricle, right ventricle and tricuspid valve.
Taxonomic Characterization of Honey Bee ( Apis mellifera ) Pollen Foraging Based on Non-Overlapping Paired-End Sequencing of Nuclear Ribosomal Loci

Identifying plant taxa that honey bees (Apis mellifera) forage upon is of great apicultural interest, but traditional methods are labor intensive and may lack resolution. Here we evaluate a high-throughput genetic barcoding approach to characterize trap-collected pollen from multiple North Dakota apiaries across multiple years. We used the Illumina MiSeq platform to generate sequence scaffolds from non-overlapping 300-bp paired-end sequencing reads of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS). Full-length sequence scaffolds represented ~530 bp of ITS sequence after adapter trimming, drawn from the 5' of ITS1 and the 3' of ITS2, while skipping the uninformative 5.8S region. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were picked from scaffolds clustered at 97% identity, searched by BLAST against the nt database, and given taxonomic assignments using the paired-read lowest common ancestor approach. Taxonomic assignments and quantitative patterns were consistent with known plant distributions, phenology, and observational reports of pollen foraging, but revealed an unexpected contribution from non-crop graminoids and wetland plants. The mean number of plant species assignments per sample was 23.0 (+/- 5.5) and the mean species diversity (effective number of equally abundant species) was 3.3 (+/- 1.2). Bray-Curtis similarities showed good agreement among samples from the same apiary and sampling date. Rarefaction plots indicated that fewer than 50,000 reads are typically needed to characterize pollen samples of this complexity. Our results show that a pre-compiled, curated reference database is not essential for genus-level assignments, but species-level assignments are hindered by database gaps, reference length variation, and probable errors in the taxonomic assignment, requiring post-hoc evaluation. Although the effective per-sample yield achieved using custom MiSeq amplicon primers was less than the machine maximum, primarily due to lower "read2" quality, further protocol optimization and/or a modest reduction in multiplex scale should offset this difficulty. As small quantities of pollen are sufficient for amplification, our approach might be extendable to other questions or species for which large pollen samples are not available.
Positioning Pharmacy for the 21st Century

There are always high expectations for a new year—and certainly we will have even higher expectations for a new century. To continue leadership in the 21st century, the American pharmaceutical industry must make a stronger commitment to new product research and development and the profession of pharmacy must commit to development of services needed for new, high-technology products and devices that will often be parenterally administered, bulky, nontraditional, patient-tailored, infrequently administered, and device-oriented. It is suggested that pharmacy must initiate efforts to include drug administration as a pharmaceutical service. Other actions are suggested to modify the curricula preparing pharmacists and to recruit a wider variety of students. A number of other professional initiatives are recommended and discussed to position pharmacy for enhanced clinical services. The issue of subperformance by pharmacists is discussed by pointing out that there is a significant difference in what often is, wha...
Adrenin Content of Adrenals of Gats Subjected to Anoxia

SummaryCats treated for 3 hours at an oxygen tension of 53 mm Hg show a 40% decrease in the adrenin content of their adrenals, as determined by an adaptation of the Moodey colorimetric-technic.
NON-INVASIVE FRACTIONAL FLOW RESERVE DERIVED FROM CORONARY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CHEST PAIN: RESULTS FROM THE ROMICAT II TRIAL

Non-invasive fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) derived from coronary CT angiography (CTA) correlates with invasive FFR and may lead to increased efficiency of CTA for stable chest pain. We assessed the performance and potential role of FFRCT in patients with acute chest pain. We included patients
Coral Disturbance and Recovery in a Changing World

Much of the historical development of ecological thought has revolved around disturbance and the responses of organisms, species and assemblages. Coral reefs have figured prominently in this intellectual development. Historically, observed coral populations and communities have been understood as displaying the net balance (though rarely reaching an equilibrium) between disruptive forces and those leading to recovery of coral abundance and composition. The fact of drastic coral decline over the past few decades implies a shift in this balance toward greater influence of disturbance and/or lesser effectiveness of recovery. This chapter examines the likelihood that both expanding disturbances (in identity, scale, intensity, and/or frequency) and impaired recovery processes (resulting at least partially from expanding chronic disturbances) are likely contributors to this shift. The contemplation of progressively more radical management interventions to combat expanding disturbance and faltering recovery invokes a need for targeted research to clarify and minimize risks while maximizing benefits of such intervention strategies.
Binding of Five Cholinergic Ligands to Housefly Brain and Torpedo Electroplax : Relationship to Acetylcholine Receptors

The binding of radioactive muscarone, nicotine, decamethonium, dimethyl d -tubocurarine, and atropine to preparations of Torpedo electroplax and housefly brain has been studied at concentrations near 1 µM. Factors examined include binding constants and amounts, competition by cholinergic and noncholinergic drugs, reversibility, and sensitivity to hydrolytic enzymes. In Torpedo electroplax, muscarone, nicotine, and decamethonium appeared to bind, with binding constants between 0.4 and 2.5 µM, to the same macromolecules. These were phospholipoproteins present in the amount of 1.0-2.1 nmoles/g, fresh weight; their properties were similar to those of a nicotinic receptor. In the brain of the housefly, the same three ligands and also atropine appeared to bind, with binding constants between 0.2 and 3.2 µM, to the same macromolecules, which were proteins present in the amount of 2.2-3.2 nmoles/g, fresh weight. The latter exhibited properties similar to those of both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. ACKNOWLEDGMENT We are grateful to Mr. S. Rhine for computer analysis.