cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Continuum and Emission Line Observations of Wolf-Rayet Stars: Single and “WR+ABS” Objects

The UV — IR properties of the continuous energy distribution of single WR stars in the Galaxy and LMC are reviewed. The observed, dereddened distributions may be approximated as a power law F λ ~ λ−α with a non-Rayleigh Jeans range of α directly associated with the emission of excess flux over the full wavelength range and across all spectral subtypes. The observational results are compared to published NLTE models, where we find an important discrepancy in the frequency distribution of α for Galactic WN stars. A dependency of emission line equivalent widths on the continuum flux at line center is discussed; the systematic offset of the absorption line (but otherwise presumed single) objects is examined, and the observed behavior is compared to models and explained with simple theory.
Simulation of a Computer Aided Routing System (CARS)

CARS is s system designed to provide a taxi-like service at a mass transit-like cost. It allows potential passengers to request service from their via telephone, with calls being processed by a central computer facility. The computer periodically executes a routing algorithm which assigns vehicles to passengers and communicates this routing information to the vehicles. The system is 'real time' in that it will pick up a passenger and shortly after a request will deliver him to his destination within a guaranteed time (with a minimum number of deviations for collecting and delivering other passengers). The key to CARS is the routing algorithm. Since labor and vehicular costs are a major portion of the total system cost, an algorithm is required which can provide an effective dynamic service with a minimum number of vehicles. A variety of such algorithms have been proposed, but these algorithms can not be evaluated in an analytic fashion. Hence, a comprehensive simulation model has been developed to test and compare these routing algorithms. The model facilitates the investigation of relationships between such parameters as number of vehicles and quality of service. This paper describes the methodology of the simulation model and the economic gains (in terms of the need for fewer vehicles) realized through its use. The use of an ARDS storage tube display to produce graphical output from the model is also discussed.
A Fluid-Dynamical Method for Computing the Evolution of Star Clusters

One way that can be used to study the development of a stellar system is the fluid-dynamical approach, whereby the stars are considered as the constituent particles of a continuous fluid whose behavior is described by moment equations derived from the Boltzmann equation. This method is most useful for systems with very many stars, where it complements the n-body technique which is feasible only for small systems. The fluid-dynamical approach begins by defining suitable moments of the velocity distribution at each point in space. In studying the evolution of a star cluster it is necessary to consider moments of at least fourth order in the velocities in order to represent all the essential physical effects, including an outward ‘heat flow’ caused by the escape of the most energetic stars, and an excess or deficiency of high velocity stars relative to a Maxwellian distribution. Allowing for unequal radial and transverse velocity dispersions, we find that six moments in all are required, for which six fluid-dynamical equations may be derived by taking the corresponding moments of the Boltzmann equation. The fluid-dynamical equations contain relaxation terms which may be evaluated from the Fokker-Planck equation, assuming that deviations from a Maxwellian velocity distribution are small. In the absence of other effects, the relaxation terms have the effect of making the various deviations from a Maxwellian velocity distribution decay exponentially with decay times which are closely related to the classical relaxation time. The resulting fluid-dynamical equations can then be solved numerically to yield the values of all quantities as functions of position and time.
Specific inhibition of hepatitis C virus expression by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides : in vitro model for selection of target sequence

The effect of sense and antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on hepatitis C virus (HCV) gene expression was studied to determine the role of the highly conserved 5'-untranslated region in the life cycle of the virus. It was found that antisense ODNs complementary to nucleotides (nt) 38-65, 134-175, and 312-339 in the 5' noncoding region and 341-377 in the core open reading frame efficiently blocked HCV RNA translation. Overlapping ODNs that differed by only several nucleotides showed substantially different inhibition of HCV RNA translation. Fine sequence specificity testing at nt positions 351-377 revealed that ODNs as small as a 12-mer (nt 351-363) retained a high degree (80%) of inhibitory activity compared to ODNs of longer sequences. These results suggest that there are three highly specific domains in the 5' noncoding region and a sequence immediately downstream of the HCV core initiation codon that may be critical for translation of HCV RNA. This study also provides an experimental approach for the selection of target HCV RNA sequences susceptible to antisense effects, as well as for definition of functional regions of the genome necessary for viral replication.
Risk-Taking: Individual and Family Interests

Decisions regarding clinical procedures or research participation typically require the informed consent of individuals. When individuals are unable to give consent, the informed permission of a legally authorized representative or surrogate is required. Although many proposed procedures are aimed primarily at benefiting the individual, some are not. I argue that, particularly when individuals are asked to assume risks primarily or exclusively for the benefit of others, family members ought to be engaged in the informed consent process. Examples of procedures in which individuals are asked to assume risks primarily or exclusively for the benefit of others include living organ donation and research participation. Language: en
Structural and thermodynamic characterization of the recognition of the S100‐binding peptides TRTK12 and p53 by calmodulin

Calmodulin (CaM) is a multifunctional messenger protein that activates a wide variety of signaling pathways in eukaryotic cells in a calcium-dependent manner. CaM has been proposed to be functionally distinct from the S100 proteins, a related family of eukaryotic calcium-binding proteins. Previously, it was demonstrated that peptides derived from the actin-capping protein, TRTK12, and the tumor-suppressor protein, p53, interact with multiple members of the S100 proteins. To test the specificity of these peptides, they were screened using isothermal titration calorimetry against 16 members of the human S100 protein family, as well as CaM, which served as a negative control. Interestingly, both the TRTK12 and p53 peptides were found to interact with CaM. These interactions were further confirmed by both fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. These peptides have distinct sequences from the known CaM target sequences. The TRTK12 peptide was found to independently interact with both CaM domains and bind with a stoichiometry of 2:1 and dissociations constants Kd,C-term = 2 ± 1 µM and Kd,N-term = 14 ± 1 µM. In contrast, the p53 peptide was found to interact only with the C-terminal domain of CaM, Kd,C-term =2 ± 1 µM, 25°C. Using NMR spectroscopy, the locations of the peptide binding sites were mapped onto the structure of CaM. The binding sites for both peptides were found to overlap with the binding interface for previously identified targets on both domains of CaM. This study demonstrates the plasticity of CaM in target binding and may suggest a possible overlap in target specificity between CaM and the S100 proteins.
Choice of Life Cycle Assessment Software Can Impact Packaging System Decisions

A number of software packages are available that are designed to facilitate making environmental comparisons between different packaging options, to facilitate ‘green’ packaging design and assessment of the environmental aspect of sustainability. Some of these (e.g. SimaPro and GaBi) are full-fledged ISO 14040/14044-compliant programs for life cycle assessment (LCA). Others are more limited, but are designed to be much simpler to use (e.g. COMPASS and Package Modeling). A systematic comparison of the evaluation of several packaging systems using COMPASS, SimaPro, GaBi, and Package Modeling found significant discrepancies in LCA results from different software systems. Availability of common impact categories among the software limited comparisons to four categories: greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel/non-renewable energy, eutrophication, and water depletion. Given a common set of basic packaging containers as input, results from the LCA software systems being studied disagreed on which container had the greatest environmental impact, and in some cases results were more than an order of magnitude different between software. Discrepancies in results occurred in all four impact categories, and all four software systems disagreed with each other at multiple points in the comparisons. If there is to be increasing use of LCA analysis in guiding packaging design, this issue must be fully understood and resolved. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CONTINGENCY AND STIMULUS CHANGE IN CHAINED SCHEDULES OF REINFORCEMENT

Higher rates of pecking were maintained by pigeons in the middle component of three-component chained fixed-interval schedules than in that component of corresponding multiple schedules (two extinction components followed by a fixed-interval component). This rate difference did not occur in equivalent tandem and mixed schedules, in which a single stimulus was correlated with the three components. The higher rates in components of chained schedules demonstrate a reinforcing effect of the stimulus correlated with the next component; the acquired functions of this stimulus make the vocabulary of conditioned reinforcement appropriate. Problems in defining conditioned reinforcement arise not from difficulties in demonstrating reinforcing effects but from disagreements about which experimental operations allow such reinforcing effects to be called conditioned.
Polarized neutron β-decay: Proton asymmetry and recoil-order currents

We present an analytic, recoil-order calculation of the proton asymmetry from polarized neutron \ensuremath{\beta}-decay. The differential decay rate in terms of electron energy and proton direction follows, parametrized in terms of the most general Lorentz-invariant hadron current coupled to a left-handed lepton current. Implications for experimental efforts to measure recoil-order currents are discussed.
Bcl-2 obstructs negative selection of autoreactive, hypermutated antibody V regions during memory B cell development

We analyzed the participation of a predominant B cell clonotype in the anti-arsonate immune response of mice in which Bcl-2 expression was enforced in B cells. Many of the antibodies expressed by the arsonate-induced memory compartment of these mice were "dual-reactive," displaying increased affinity acquired via V region somatic hypermutation for both arsonate and the autoantigen DNA. The hypermutated antibodies expressed by the anti-arsonate memory B cell compartment of normal mice have increased affinity for arsonate but lack measurable affinity for DNA. Thus, interference with apoptotic pathways allows developing memory B cells that have acquired autoreactivity to bypass a peripheral tolerance checkpoint. These data demonstrate that both positive and negative selection, working in concert with V gene somatic hypermutation, result in the "specificity maturation" of the antibody response.
Associations among emotionality, self-regulation, adjustment problems, and positive adjustment in middle childhood

Abstract The combined effects of emotionality and self-regulation in predicting child adjustment problems and positive adjustment were examined using cross-sectional and longitudinal data from a community sample of mothers and children grades 3–5 ( n = 89). Specificity in the associations of emotionality and self-regulation with adjustment was examined. Emotionality and self-regulation each predicted children's adjustment controlling for the other. Irritability was related to higher internalizing and externalizing problems and lower social competence; positive emotionality predicted higher well-being and social competence. Attention regulation was related to lower depression and higher social competence and well-being; inhibitory control was related to lower internalizing and externalizing problems and higher social competence. Impulsivity was unrelated to adjustment after the other emotionality and self-regulation variables were accounted. The findings support separate dimensions of emotionality and self-regulation and their unique contributions to child adjustment.
Overlapping and diverse distribution of Na-K ATPase isozymes in neurons and glia.

The Na–K ATPase is the plasma membrane enzyme that catalyzes the active uptake of K+ and extrusion of Na+, thereby establishing ion concentration gradients between the inside and outside of the cell. It consumes a large fraction of the energy used in the brain. The enzyme is present in both neurons and glia. Studies of ion flux and of the properties of membrane-associated ATPase activity have suggested that there is more than one functional type of Na–K ATPase in the central nervous system. Molecular cloning has demonstrated that there are three different genes encoding catalytic (α) subunits and at least two genes encoding glycoprotein (β) subunits; all are expressed in the brain. This brief review summarizes the current understanding of Na–K ATPase isozyme distribution and properties. Both neurons and glia can express different isoforms in a cell-specific manner.Key words: Na–K ATPase, monoclonal antibody, immunofluorescence, central nervous system, retina, in situ hybridization.
Parotid Secretion and Feeding in Sheep Following lntraventricular Injections of l-Norepinephrine, dl-Isoproterenol, Pentobarbital, and Carbachol

Abstract Our objective was to test the role of sensory cues in chemically stimulated feeding. We measured whether salivation rate changed only secondarily to the elicited feeding or if it changed even in the absence of feed. Six wethers each were prepared with bilateral lateral ventricular guides and a parotid duct cannula. Following wethers' recovery from surgery, feed intakes and parotid flows were measured after lateral ventricular injections of l-norepinephrine (540 nmol), dl-isoproterenol (20 nmol), pentobarbital (100 μ mol), carbachol (55 nmol), and synthetic cerebrospinal fluid. These tests were compared to similar tests in which feed was withheld for 1h following injection. With l-norepinephrine (plus feed) salivary flow was greatest followed by pentobarbital. Carbachol elicited significant feeding, but salivation was suppressed. When feed was withheld as compared to when feed was present, parotid flow decreased in all tests. Subcutaneous injection of carbachol was followed by salivation which was normal following 55 nmol and copious after 2,700 nmol. We conclude because salivation increased only when feeding was permitted that the feeding was not the result of chemically stimulated sensory cues which elicit feeding anticipatory salivation.
Improved Coarse Grained Force-Field Parameters for Biomembranes

Coarse-grained (CG) simulation method provides an important step in understanding cell fusion process. Based on the CG Martini force-field model (S. J. Marrink et al., J. Phys. Chem. B 2007, 111, 7812-7824), we are refining and reparameterizing the force-field parameters for the smaller molecules that are components of phospholipid membranes. For united-atom model, we have recently shown this from-the-ground-up derived force fields for the hydrocarbons and the smaller organic compounds are completely transferable to simulation of phospholipid bilayers, as evidenced by the recreation of x-ray form factors with a high degree of fidelity (S.-W. Chiu et al., manuscript submitted to J. Phys. Chem B.)
The Comparative Validities of Undergraduate Grade Point Average and of Part Scores on the Graduate Record Examinations in the Prediction of Two Criterion Measures in a Graduate Library School Program.

This study was concerned with the use of (a) scores on Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and (b) undergraduate grade point averages as predictors of success of library school students as measured by (a) a graded comprehensive examination administered to those in their last term of the master's degree program, and (b) graduate grade point averages. GRE-Verbal scores proved to be the most valid predictors of success-noticeably more prognostic than were undergraduate grades.
Some Methods of Probability Non-Replacement Sampling

Abstract Four methods of selecting PNR (probability non-replacement) samples are described and their properties examined. The four are based on a common theme and provide samples wherein Pi (the probability the jth element is included in a sample) is proportional to the size of the element. The four methods differ primarily in the degree of control that is exercised over Pij (the probability that elements i and j are both in the sample.) In methods 1 and 2 the sampler has considerable control over the combination of elements that comprise each possible sample. Method 3 is completely objective, the samples being generated by a weighted system of randomizations. Method 4 as presented requires an iterative solution to achieve the desired control over the Pij . Method 4 as presented is limited to samples of size n = 2, the others can accept any n provided nAi (where Ai is the relative size of element i) does not exceed one. The efficiency of methods 3 and 4 are compared with selected PNR methods in the litera...
Management Use of Internal Audit to Assure Year 2000 Preparedness

Abstract Just a few years ago, the “Year 2000 problem” was a challenge known to few outside the world of IS professionals. The “Millennium Bug” is now a creature of the popular culture, and has captured the attention of managers, regulators, Congress, and, of course, the plaintiffs' bar. With the recently revised SEC Bulletin 5, scrutiny of the Year 2000 problem will only intensify and, with it, corporate managers and directors will increasingly ask “Are we ready?” and wonder “How can we be sure?” For those inclined to look the other way, moreover, their outside auditors will most likely force them to examine those questions, especially if the company is publicly traded.
On Teaching a Fractured Macroeconomics: A Comment

Professor Galbraith's critique of the current (i.e., 1984) edition of the Framework begins, and ends, with an attack on the narrowness of the document: its failure to present the big issues in an exciting and stimulating way. By reducing macroeconomics to a list of seven concepts (or concept clusters), the authors, Galbraith charges, have intellectually emasculated what is more properly a vital, dynamic, and stimulating battle of competing theories centered around the fundamental division between those who see the system as inherently stable and those who deem it to be unstable and therefore open to tinkering to achieve macroeconomic stability. He also criticizes the Framework for its failure to focus on the great macro problem: how to achieve economic growth with reasonable stability. Galbraith then presents lists of sins, both committed and omitted. Among the sins of commission, he identifies (in concept 12) the failure of the Framework to make the ex ante/ex post distinction so close to the hearts of many macroeconomists. Concept 13 (on GNP) escapes relatively unscathed, except for Galbraith's "dullness" indictment. But he does not provide any suggestions as to how national income accounting might be repackaged to include a little sex and violence! Concept 15 (aggregate demand) is criticized because of its brevity with respect to the marriage of Keynesian expenditure and Fisherian quantity theory approaches to income determination. He also notes the omission of the foreign sector from the abbreviated section on aggregate demand. Galbraith is unhappy about (1) the treatment of unemployment (concept 16) because it fails to highlight black/white unemployment differentials, (2) the boring taxonomy of kinds of unemployment, and (3) the apparent undue emphasis given to the "natural rate" hypothesis. The authors' notion of inflation (concept 17) is labeled "theoretical and empirical bunkum" by Galbraith, beginning with their "fatuous" distinction between anticipated and unanticipated inflation. He also cites the authors' failure to identify the windfall beneficiaries of inflation in the "zero-sum game." Their omission of a discussion of indexation also troubles Galbraith. He dislikes the Framework's treatment of concept 16 (monetary policy), partly because interest rates are mentioned only once
Effects of the 1-keto and 1-hydroxy derivatives of 3-methylcholanthrene upon liver drug metabolizing enzyme activity.

Abstract The effects of 2 oxidized derivatives of 3-methylcholanthrene upon the drug metabolizing enzyme system in liver were determined. 3-Methylcholanthrene-1-one was 60 per cent as effective as the parent compound in stimulating the activity of benzpyrene hydroxylase in liver after intraperitoneal administration, while the 1-hydroxy derivative was ineffective in this regard. The administration of 3-methylcholanthrene to rats resulted in a 3-fold increase in the ability of liver microsomes to metabolize zoxazolamine, while the administration of the 1-keto and the 1-hydroxy derivatives produced a stimulatory activity of only 2- and 1·7-fold respectively. The rates of zoxazolamine metabolism were correlated with the duration of zoxazolamine-induced paralysis observed after administration of the methylcholanthrene derivatives to rats.
Ultrabasic inclusion from the basalts of the Hut Point area, Ross Island, Antarctica

The basaltic rocks of the Hut Point area contain a diverse suite of inclusions. The xenolithic nature of many sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous inclusion types is clearly displayed, but previous studies have left considerable doubt as to whether the ultrabasic inclusions are noncognate xenoliths, and possible relicts from the mantle brought to the surface in a magma originating in this zone; or rather of cognate and/or cumulative origin.
Rational design of transition-state analogues as potent enzyme inhibitors with therapeutic applications.

The structures of the transition states for a variety of enzyme-catalyzed ribosyl group transfer reactions, determined by computational evaluation of multiple tritium and heavy atom kinetic isotope effects on these enzymatic reactions, have been found to show a considerable variation in the extent of bond cleavage at the ribosyl anomeric carbon. The calculated transition-state structures have been used to guide the design of high-affinity transition-state analogue inhibitors for 5′-methylthioadenosine nucleosidases with potential as therapeutic agents.
AN INTEGRATED LAND-USE--TRANSPORTATION MODEL FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO REGION: 1. DESIGN AND MATHEMATICAL STRUCTURE

This is the first of two papers presenting the structure and the empirical estimation of a planning land-use—transportation model for the San Francisco Bay Area. The model is based on random utility theory and considers in an integrated way the location of urban economic activity and housing, and urban travel. The model is formulated as a nonlinear optimization problem and is shown to result in expressions which are consistent with behavior at the individual level.
Consequences of using the Cpk index to estimate the proportion of non-conforming items

The Cpk index is a common process performance standard which quantifies process location and variation. However, the index is also frequently used to estimate the proportion of non-conforming items without regard to the underlying restrictions or assumptions that apply. An example based on an actual industrial case study will serve to underscore the consequences of the indiscriminate use of the index for this purpose. Subsequently, additional experimentation and analyses will be conducted to explore the generality of the results obtained from the case study
A controlled study of peripheral neuropathy after bariatric surgery

Background: Although peripheral neuropathy (PN) occurs after bariatric surgery (BS), a causal association has not been established. Objectives: To ascertain whether PN occurs more frequently following BS vs another abdominal surgery, to characterize the clinical patterns of PN, to identify risk factors for PN, and to assess if nerve biopsy provides pathophysiologic insight. Methods: Retrospective review identified patients with PN after BS. The frequency of PN was compared with that of an age- and gender-matched, retrospectively evaluated cohort of obese patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Results: Of 435 patients who had BS, 71 (16%) developed PN. Patients developed PN more often after BS than after cholecystectomy (4/126; 3%) ( p Conclusions: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) occurs more frequently after bariatric surgery (BS) than after another abdominal surgery. The three clinical patterns of PN after BS are sensory-predominant polyneuropathy, mononeuropathy, and radiculoplexus neuropathy. Malnutrition may be the most important risk factor, and patients should attend nutritional clinics. Inflammation and altered immunity may play a role in the pathogenesis, but further study is needed.
PHASuite: An Automated HAZOP Analysis Tool for Chemical Processes

To aid human experts in conducting HAZOP analysis in a more thorough and systematic way, a software system called PHASuite has been developed. The work is divided into two parts. First, a knowledge engineering framework has been proposed and discussed in Part I of this two-part paper. Based on the proposed framework, the second part focus on issues related to design and implementation of PHASuite. Standard software engineering methodologies have been applied to guide the design and development of PHASuite in order to achieve the goal of efficiency, flexibility and high quality. Layered and repository software architecture have been designed to handle the complex information flow and the multipart knowledge base in the system. Objected-oriented and component-oriented methodologies are adopted for design and implementation. Unified modelling language is used for design and documentation of development details. The results management facilities of PHASuite, including results summary, details and reports are presented. An industrial pharmaceutical process is presented as a case study to illustrate the applicability and procedure of using PHASuite for automated HAZOP analysis.
Social networks, social support and burden in relationships, and mortality after breast cancer diagnosis

Though larger social networks are associated with reduced breast cancer mortality, there is a need to clarify how both social support and social burden influence this association. We included 4,530 women from the Women's Health Initiative who were diagnosed with breast cancer between 1993 and 2009, and provided data on social networks (spouse or intimate partner, religious ties, club ties, and number of first-degree relatives) before diagnosis. Of those, 354 died during follow-up, with 190 from breast cancer. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to evaluate associations of social network members with risk of post-diagnosis mortality, further evaluating associations by social support and social burden (caregiving, social strain). In multivariate-adjusted analyses, among women with high but not low social support, being married was related to lower all-cause mortality. By contrast, among women with high but not low social burden, those with a higher number of first-degree relatives, including siblings, parents, and children, had higher all-cause and breast cancer mortality (among caregivers: 0-3 relatives (ref), 4-5 relatives, HR = 1.47 (95% CI: 0.62-3.52), 6-9 relatives, HR = 2.08 (95% CI: 0.89-4.86), 10+ relatives, HR = 3.55 (95% CI: 1.35-9.33), P-continuous = 0.02, P-interaction = 0.008). The association by social strain was similar though it was not modified by level of social support. Other social network members were unrelated to mortality. Social relationships may have both adverse and beneficial influences on breast cancer survival. Clarifying these depends on understanding the context of women's relationships.
New thickness and shape parameters for the boundary layer velocity profile

Abstract A new method for describing the shape and thickness of 2-D wall bounded boundary layer velocity profile is presented. The new method is based on calculating parameters using simple integrals of the velocity profile. In fact the basic integral kernel is that of the displacement thickness. It is shown that these new parameters can be used to describe both the inner and outer region of the turbulent boundary layer, as well as laminar and transitional velocity profiles. Applied to experimental laminar–turbulent profiles, it is shown that one of the new shape parameters foretells the beginning of the laminar–turbulent transition on a flat plate at a much lower Reynolds number than the traditional H 12 criteria. Furthermore, using another new parameter, it is shown that the transition to fully turbulent flow may proceed as a discontinuous event.
Molecular Current−Voltage Characteristics

A density functional theory calculation for determining the I−V characteristics (admittances of molecules) in molecular-based junctions is presented here. The efficacy of this method is shown by calculations of I(V) characteristics on an S−(p-C6H4)−S between proximal Au atoms and comparing the data to the results obtained experimentally. Over the range studied experimentally, the calculations here corroborate well with the I(V) characteristics found in molecular junction experiments.
The Physiological Relevance of the Intestinal Microbiota - Contributions to Human Health

The intestinal commensal microbiota is a dynamic mixture of essential microbes that develops under key influences of genetics, environment, diet and disease. Population profiles differ along the gastrointestinal tract, from the lumen to the mucosa, and among individuals. The total microbiota population outnumbers the cells in the human body and accounts for 35-50% of the volume of the colonic content. Key physiological functions of the commensal microbiota include protective effects exerted directly by specific bacterial species, control of epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation, production of essential mucosal nutrients, such as short-chain fatty acids and amino acids, prevention of overgrowth of pathogenic organisms, and stimulation of intestinal immunity. Oral probiotics are living microorganisms that upon ingestion in specific numbers exert health benefits beyond those of inherent basic nutrition. Emerging evidence indicates prophylactic and therapeutic utility for probiotic consumption in gastrointestinal health and disease.
Comparison of Web services technologies from a developer's perspective

Two main technologies that stand out for the implementation of enterprise applications and Web services are Sun Microsystems' Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) and Microsoft's .NET framework. These two are competing to become the platform of choice for enterprise application and Web services developers. Each platform provides specific development tools and APIs to assist developers. The purpose of this research is to provide an unbiased comparison of the two platforms based on their features and services offered from the viewpoint of developers in the context of building an enterprise or Web application from design right through to deployment.
Mitochondrial epigenetics in bone remodeling during hyperhomocysteinemia

Increased levels of homocysteine (Hcy), known as hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), is an independent risk factor of various diseases. Clinical studies report that people born with severe HHcy develop skeletal malfor- mations with weaker bone. Studies also report that altered mitochondrial dynamics and altered epigenetics contribute to weaker bones and bone diseases. Although Hcy-induced mitochondrial dysfunction has been shown to affect bone metabolism, the role of mitochondrial epigenetics (mito- epigenetics) has not been studied in bones. The epigenetics in mitochondria is interesting as the mitochondrial genome size is small (16 kb) with fewer CpG, and without histones and introns. Recently, fascinating works on epigenetics along with the discovery of histone-like proteins in mito- chondria are giving exciting areas for novel studies on mitochondria epigenetics. There are mutual cause and effect relationships between bone, mitochondria, Hcy, and epigenetics, but unfortunately, studies are lacking that describe the involvement of all these together in bone disease progression. This review describes the reciprocal relationships and mechanisms of Hcy-bone-mitochondria- epigenetics along with a short discussion of techniques which could be employed to assess Hcy-induced anomaly in bone, mediated through alterations in mito-epigenetics.
The infrared spectrum of ozone

Abstract Fourteen bands of ozone between 500 and 3300 cm −1 have been identifiedand values of the vibrational anharmonic constants determined. The integrated band absorptances of many of these bands have been measured from spectra of a 32-m path of ozone-oxygen mixtures containing up to 30 atm cm O ɛ near 25°C. The dependences of the band absorptances on O ɛ concentration and total pressure are described and the strengths of nine of the bands are given. It is shown that the statistical band model describes the behavior of the bands reasonably well for the ranges of experimental variables used.
Matrix metal loproteinases and the development of cancer

Proteolytic remodeling of the extracellular matrix is an important aspect of the creation and progression of cancer. Matrix metalloproteinases are important at several points during multi-stage neoplastic progression in tumor cells and responding blood vessels, inflammatory cells and stroma.
Protein and Energy Metabolism in Type 1 Diabetes

Profound metabolic changes occur in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus during insulin deprivation. These include an increase in basal energy expenditure and reduced mitochondrial function. In addition, protein metabolism is significantly affected during insulin deprivation. A greater increase in whole-body protein breakdown than protein synthesis occurs resulting in a net protein loss. During insulin deprivation the splanchnic bed has a net protein accretion which accounts for the total increase in whole-body protein synthesis while muscle is in a net catabolic state.
FLUID PHASE DESTRUCTION OF C2hu BY C1hu: I. ITS ENHANCEMENT AND INHIBITION BY HOMOLOGOUS AND HETEROLOGOUS C4

The fluid phase inactivation of C2hu by C1hu is markedly enhanced by the presence of C4hu. The enhancement is afforded by C1 inactivated C4hu, namely C4ihu, and requires the simultaneous presence of enzymatically active C1. Heterologous C4 of guinea pig origin protects C2hu from the inactivation by C1hu. Thus, in both the fluid phase and on the cellular intermediate, C4hu is essential to the specific action of C1hu on C2hu. It is possible that C4i alters C2 so as to present a more suitable substrate to the C1 enzyme or that C4i acts on the C1 to uncover a specificity for native C2.
Emulsion Polymerization: Some Nonionic Emulsifier Effects

The colloidal properties of aqueous solutions of surface active materials have been found to have profound effects on the properties of latexes produced via emulsion polymerization. It has been observed that depending on the polymerization temperature and the concentration of the ingredients it is possible to create either an oil-in-water or a water-in-oil emulsion at the beginning of the reaction. This may, as the polymerization proceeds, undergo phase inversion and lead to two constant rate regions and a bimodally distributed particle size latex.
Solubilization of methanol and triglycerides: Unsaturated long-chain fatty alcohol/medium-chain alkanol mixed amphiphile systems

This work examines the suitability of unsaturated C18 fatty alcohol/1-alkanol mixed amphiphile systems as solubility enhancers for methanol in triglyceride solutions. Four fatty alcohols (all-cis monoene, diene and triene, and all-trans diene) and five alkanols (C4−C12) were investigated. Effects of the degree of unsaturation and configuration of the double bonds in the fatty alcohol tailgroup and the chainlength of the alkanol tailgroup were examined. Ternary equilibrium diagrams showed that addition of fatty alcohol/alkanol amphiphiles dramatically affect miscibility between methanol and triglyceride. Solubility, kinematic and relative viscosity, and refractive index data were analyzed to determine mechanisms responsible for the apparent solubilization effects. Under most experimental conditions, formation of large micellar aggregates of amphiphiles was unlikely, and the results were consistent with those expected for co-solvency. However, some viscosity and refractive index data showed that formation of large methanol-in-amphiphile aggregates resembling a nonaqueous microemulsion was feasible, but under limited conditions.
Agricultural Support Policies in Imperfectly Competitive Markets: Why Market Power Matters in Policy Design

Most agricultural policy analysis assumes that markets are perfectly competitive, despite increasing evidence to the contrary. We demonstrate that the interaction of market power and government intervention may lead to outcomes that are counter to key results of policy analysis for perfectly competitive markets. We show that market power may reduce or eliminate entirely the net welfare benefits from removing two traditional support mechanisms, price floors and deficiency payments, and may increase considerably the government's cost of implementing either of them. Accordingly, optimally designed price support measures may improve welfare in the presence of downstream oligopoly and/or oligopsony power. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
Lymphangioma circumscriptum following radical mastectomy and radiation therapy

Lymphangioma circumscriptum, a rare long-term complication of chronic lymphedema, has been described only twice following radical mastectomy. The case discussed in this report developed 25 years after radical mastectomy and radiation therapy. Both this condition and lymphangiosarcoma, its malignant counterpart, may arise in lymphedematous extremities regardless of the etiology of the lymphatic obstruction.
Magnetic excitations in the high-T c iron pnictides

We calculate the expected finite frequency neutron-scattering intensity based on the two-sublattice collinear antiferromagnet found by recent neutron-scattering experiments as well as by theoretical analysis on the iron oxypnictide LaOFeAs. We consider two types of superexchange couplings between Fe atoms: nearest-neighbor coupling ${J}_{1}$ and next-nearest-neighbor coupling ${J}_{2}$. We show how to distinguish experimentally between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic ${J}_{1}$. Whereas magnetic excitations in the cuprates display a so-called resonance peak at $(\ensuremath{\pi},\ensuremath{\pi})$ (corresponding to a saddlepoint in the magnetic spectrum), which is at a wave vector that is at least close to nesting Fermi-surface-like structures---no such corresponding excitations exist in the iron pnictides. Rather, we find saddlepoints near $(\ensuremath{\pi},\ensuremath{\pi}/2)$ and $(0,\ensuremath{\pi}/2)$ (and symmetry related points), which are not close to nesting the Fermi surfaces.
Bmpr1a signaling plays critical roles in palatal shelf growth and palatal bone formation

Cleft palate, including submucous cleft palate, is among the most common birth defects in humans. While overt cleft palate results from defects in growth or fusion of the developing palatal shelves, submucous cleft palate is characterized by defects in palatal bones. In this report, we show that the Bmpr1a gene, encoding a type I receptor for bone morphogenetic proteins (Bmp), is preferentially expressed in the primary palate and anterior secondary palate during palatal outgrowth. Following palatal fusion, Bmpr1a mRNA expression was upregulated in the condensed mesenchyme progenitors of palatal bone. Tissue-specific inactivation of Bmpr1a in the developing palatal mesenchyme in mice caused reduced cell proliferation in the primary and anterior secondary palate, resulting in partial cleft of the anterior palate at birth. Expression of Msx1 and Fgf10 was downregulated in the anterior palate mesenchyme and expression of Shh was downregulated in the anterior palatal epithelium in the Bmpr1a conditional mutant embryos, indicating that Bmp signaling regulates mesenchymal-epithelial interactions during palatal outgrowth. In addition, formation of the palatal processes of the maxilla was blocked while formation of the palatal processes of the palatine was significantly delayed, resulting in submucous cleft of the hard palate in the mutant mice. Our data indicate that Bmp signaling plays critical roles in the regulation of palatal mesenchyme condensation and osteoblast differentiation during palatal bone formation.
Psychological Factors in Nepali Former Commercial Sex Workers with HIV

Purpose: To examine perceived stress, coping style, and symptoms of anxiety and depression in HIV-positive Nepali women who were formerly commercial sex workers (CSWs). Design: Descriptive, correlational study with a convenience sample of 98 Nepali women with HIV recruited from a nongovernmental organization (NGO) in Nepal. Methods: Investigator-administered questionnaires included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOC), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Symptoms Checklist-90 (SCL-90) Anxiety Subscale. Analytical methods included descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analysis. Findings: The level of perceived stress was similar to that observed in a healthy female population of similar age. The primary coping style was problem-focused, with the strategy of seeking social support used most. Depression measured with the entire CES-D was 3% but is was 18% on the somatic subscale. Twenty-two percent of the variance in depression was predicted by the combination of perceived stress and the coping strategy of escape avoidance. Twenty-four percent of the variance in anxiety was predicted by the combination of perceived stress and three coping strategies: problem solving, accepting responsibility, and distancing. Conclusions: This sample had a low prevalence of psychological symptoms. Somatic symptoms, which may be more relevant than affective symptoms in non-Western populations, were the best indicator of depression. Future studies are needed to examine culturally relevant appraisals, coping style, and psychological symptoms. Knowledge of psychological factors can be used to develop interventions for this population that has no access to treatment for HIV disease.
Preliminary Identification of Crystalline Phases in a Transparent Stalactite.

Of two crystalline phases found in a cavern stalactite, the major phase is mirabilite, whereas the minor phase, according to preliminary data, is a new mineral, sodium hemicalcium sulfate dihydrate, which is unstable at temperatures above 25°C.
An improved approximation algorithm for data aggregation in multi-hop wireless sensor networks

Data aggregation is an efficient primitive in wireless sensor network (WSN) applications. This paper focuses on data aggregation scheduling problem to minimize the latency. We propose an efficient distributed method that produces a collision-free schedule for data aggregation in WSNs. We prove that the latency of the aggregation schedule generated by our algorithm is at most 16R+Δ--14 time-slots. Here R is the network radius and Δ is the maximum node degree in the communication graph of the original network. Our method significantly improves the previously known best data aggregation algorithm [3], that has a latency bound of 24D+6Δ+16 time-slots, where D is the network diameter (Note that D can be as large as 2R). We conduct extensive simulations to study the practical performances of our proposed data aggregation method. Our simulation results corroborate our theoretical results and show that our algorithms perform better in practice.We prove that the overall lower-bound of latency of data aggregation under any interference model is max{log n, R} where n is the network size. We provide an example to show that the lower-bound is (approximately) tight under protocol interference model when rI=r, where rI is the interference range and r is the transmission range. We also derive the lower-bound of latency under protocol interference model when r
Spirituality as a moderator of the relationship between workplace aggression and employee outcomes

Despite the number of people who engage in spiritual pursuits on a daily basis, there is a surprising lack of research investigating spirituality in the workplace. As such, this study was conducted to explore the role of spirituality in the workplace by examining relations between spirituality and a number of employee outcomes; additionally, we examine how spirituality might buffer the relations between workplace aggression and those outcomes. Based on a sample of 854 participants from the General Social Survey (GSS), it was found that spirituality was associated with positive outcomes except when workplace aggression was present. In the presence of workplace aggression, spiritual employees tended to be more vulnerable to negative outcomes than less spiritual employees. This diverges from past research and our expectations; potential reasons for these counterintuitive moderator effects are discussed. Though limited by the brief and potentially inadequate measures used in the GSS (i.e., single-item measures), this exploratory study encourages future research to fully understand the role of spirituality in the workplace.
Properties of concrete with cement clinker aggregate

Abstract Concretes prepared with unhydrated cement clinker substituted for the coarse and/or fine natural aggregate showed improved compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths. Cement clinker hydrated one day prior to use as aggregate resulted in reduced concrete strengths. Expansion under water and shrinkage in a 50 percent relative humidity is greater for concrete made with unhydrated cement clinker aggregate. Durability is approximately equal for non-air-entrained concrete made with either natural or unhydrated clinker aggregates.