cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ecological niche differences betweenAlouatta palliata andCebus capucinus comparing feeding modes, branch use, and diet

During the wet season, two sympatric species of primates,Alouatta palliata (mantled howlers) andCebus capucinus (white-faced capuchins), were assayed for feeding niche differences through behavioral and habitat use patterns at Refugio de Fauna Silvestre Curu in Costa Rica. Differences in the use of relative diameter and thickness of branches and five different modes of feeding were compared between the species. White-faced capuchins used more manipulative modes of obtaining food, a wider range of arboreal habitat, and had a more diverse diet than mantled howlers. Mantled howlers may be more restricted than white-faced capuchins in arboreal microhabitat use due to their possible need for large support branches during feeding bouts and resting periods. We report that differences in feeding behaviors, diet, and arboreal habitat use seem to play a large role in separating these species niches.
A 11μW Sub-pJ/bit reconfigurable transceiver for mm-sized wireless implants

A wirelessly powered 11 μW transceiver for implantable sensors has been designed and demonstrated through 35 mm of porcine heart tissue. The prototype occupies 1 mm × 1 mm in 65nm CMOS with an external receive antenna. The IC consists of a rectifier, regulator, demodulator, modulator, controller, and sensor interface. The forward link transfers power and data on a 1.32 GHz carrier using low-depth ASK modulation that minimizes impact on power delivery and achieves from 4 to 20 Mbps with 0.3 pJ/bit at 4 Mbps. The backscattering link modulates the antenna impedance with a configurable load for operation in diverse biological environments and achieves 2 Mbps at 0.7 pJ/bit. The device supports TDMA, allowing for simultaneous operation of multiple sensors.
Stand dynamics of a yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) forest in the Appalachian Mountains, Virginia, USA

Abstract Yellow-poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera L.) is a large, rapidly growing, shade-intolerant tree species common after disturbances on moist sites in the Appalachian Mountains. The species is typically scattered throughout old-growth mesophytic forests, where periodic gap formation creates conditions favorable for yellow-poplar establishment and growth. On abandoned agricultural fields, however, it is common for nearly monospecific forests of yellow-poplar to develop. This study examines stand dynamics of a yellow-poplar forest in western Virginia, USA that was established on agricultural fields abandoned in the late 1940s. Increment cores were collected from yellow-poplar trees growing on exposed ridgetops and in a more sheltered hollow. Tree-ring data show that the forest is even-aged. Tree establishment began about 5 years earlier on the ridgetops than in the hollow. Major ice storms disturbed the forest in 1978 and 1994, with two separate events in 1994. Ice storms disturb forests by depositing heavy loads of freezing rain on trees, breaking or uprooting them. The dendroecological data collected for this study provide little support for the hypothesis that ice storm disturbance promotes the establishment of new yellow-poplar cohorts. However, the data show that radial growth of some trees increased after ice storm disturbance, a pattern that reflects the increased availability of light following disturbance. Radial growth declined in some other trees as a consequence of severe injury during the storms. Radial growth responses following the 1978 ice storm were stronger on the ridgetops than in the hollow, suggesting that tree damage was more severe on the higher, more exposed sites. Growth responses were relatively mild following the storms of 1994, and did not exhibit pronounced topographic variations.
An industrial hygiene characterization of exposure to diesel emissions in an underground coal mine

Problems exist in the United States' effort to achieve energy self-sufficiency. Increasing coal production to assure energy self-sufficiency is a prime problem for the rest of the century and beyond. The use of diesels in underground coal mines has been suggested as a mining method to aid in this needed, increased production. Many questions exist about the effects on humans in such environments. NIOSH Division of Respiratory Disease Studies has undertaken a research effort to characterize the environments of existing diesel coal mines. The results of one of the studies will be presented. Preliminary assessments of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, C1-C5 aldehydes and organic acids, aliphatic hydrocarbons, sulfates, total and respirable dust, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are presented. Nitrogen dioxide and total aldehydes are suggested as possible species to quantify diesel exposure.
Temperature regulation in turtles

Abstract 1. 1. Aspects of temperature regulation in turtles are presented. 2. 2. Areas discussed are behavioral thermoregulation, evaporative cooling, cardiovascular responses, metabolic rates and ventilation, role of the carapace in thermoregulation and heating and cooling of turtles. 3. 3. More research is needed to increase our understanding of temperature regulation in turtles.
CONCEPTUALIZATION OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The conceptualization of assets and liabilities is fundamental to an understanding of financial accounting. It is often maintained that assets and liabilities represent economic resources and economic obligations, respectively, but that not all economic resources are assets and not all economic obligations are liabilities — a somewhat confusing state of affairs. This paper presents a schema for distinguishing assets from economic resources and liabilities from economic obligations based on the authoritative literature in the United States, Australia, Canada and Great Britain. The schema should be useful for clarifying certain financial accounting controversies concerning income taxes, leases, pension benefit payments and executory contracts.
Making the Final Cut — Mechanisms Mediating the Abscission Step of Cytokinesis

Cytokinesis is the final stage of mitotic cell division that results in a physical separation of two daughter cells. Cytokinesis begins in the early stages of anaphase after the positioning of the cleavage plane and after the chromosomes segregate. This involves the recruitment and assembly of an actomyosin contractile ring, which constricts the plasma membrane and compacts midzone microtubules to form an electron-dense region, termed the midbody, located within an intracellular bridge. The resolution of this intracellular bridge, known as abscission, is the last step in cytokinesis that separates the two daughter cells. While much research has been done to delineate the mechanisms mediating actomyosin ring formation and contraction, the machinery that is responsible for abscission remains largely unclear. Recent work from several laboratories has demonstrated that dramatic changes occur in cytoskeleton and endosome dynamics, and are a prerequisite for abscission. However, the mechanistic details that regulate the final plasma membrane fusion during abscission are only beginning to emerge and are the subject of considerable controversy. Here we review recent studies within this field and discuss the proposed models of cell abscission.
Strategic Alignment Between Business and Information Technology: A Knowledge-Based View of Behaviors, Outcome, and Consequences

Senior executives continue to be concerned about factors influencing the business effect of information technology (IT). Prior research has argued that business-IT strategic alignment facilitates business effect of IT and that contextual factors affect business-IT alignment. However, the role of knowledge considerations in the relationship between contextual factors and alignment, and the role of IT projects in the relationship between alignment and business effects of IT, have not been explicitly examined. Therefore, this paper pursues the following two research questions: (1) Based on knowledge considerations, how do planning behaviors (specifically, IT managers' participation in business planning and business managers' participation in IT planning) and top management knowledge of IT mediate the effects of two contextual factors-organizational emphasis on knowledge management and centralization of IT decisions-on business-IT strategic alignment? (2) How do aspects of IT projects (specifically, quality of IT project planning and implementation problems in IT projects) mediate the relationship between business-IT strategic alignment and business effects of IT? Results from a survey of 274 senior information officers indicate that organizational emphasis on knowledge management and centralization of IT decisions affect top managers' knowledge of IT, which facilitates business managers' participation in strategic IT planning and IT managers' participation in business planning, and both of these planning behaviors affect business-IT strategic alignment. Moreover, the results indicate that quality of IT project planning and implementation problems in IT projects mediate the relationship between business-IT strategic alignment and business effect of IT. These findings highlight the importance of considering the planning and implementation of IT projects when examining the effects of business-IT strategic alignment, and highlight the importance of considering shared domain knowledge (i.e., top managers' knowledge of IT) and planning behaviors when examining the effects of contextual factors on business-IT strategic alignment. Managers can use these results to develop more comprehensive action plans for achieving greater business-IT strategic alignment, and for translating alignment into enhanced IT effects on business performance.
A distribution of extreme inequality with applications to conflict behavior: A geometric derivation of the pareto distribution

This study presents an expository geometric derivation of the Pareto distribution with applications to conflict behavior. In contrast to typical stochastic models which assume equiprobability of access to scarce resources, the derivation here assumes sequential arrivals of colonists or other resource acquisitors. A log-exponential distribution is derived which turns out to be identical to the Pareto law of income distribution, the derivation here differing from others in its emphasis on sequential arrivals and resource scarcity. This model is then applied to the upper tail of land distribution in El Salvador and the distribution of colonial populations in 1914. In both cases, the log-exponential (Pareto) distribution can be accepted while the exponential itself as a plausible theoretical rival is rejected. Invariance properties of the Pareto distribution suggest reasons why political violence is likely if the model holds throughout the range of resource holdings, as was the case in 1914.
Climatic and phenological controls on coherent regional interannual variability of carbon dioxide flux in a heterogeneous landscape

[1] The climate sensitivity of plant seasonal life cycles, or phenology, may impart significant carbon cycle feedbacks on climatic change. Analysis of interannual ecosystem carbon exchange provides one way to assess this climate sensitivity. Multiyear eddy covariance carbon dioxide flux observations from five different ecosystems (deciduous forest, northern hardwood mixed forest, old-growth forest, shrub wetland, and mixed wetland-forest) in the Upper Great Lakes, United States, located within 400 km of each other and exhibiting coherent interannual variability, were used to parameterize a simple ecosystem model. The model, when properly constrained with an interannual sensitive cost function, was able to explain a significant proportion of the interannual variation of carbon fluxes in all ecosystems except the old-growth forest. The results reveal that spring or autumn climate thresholds impact annual carbon uptake, though the magnitude and strength varied by site. When the model was forced to maintain the same climate-phenology relationship across the five sites, most of the interannual variability could still be explained except at the old-growth forest and the forest farthest in distance from the others. These results suggest that at least for this region, coarse spatial resolution carbon-climate models could likely specify general climate-phenological relationships at grid scales on order of 100 km without appreciably sacrificing ability to model interannual carbon cycling.
Studies on the bioassay of hormones; the relative potencies of testosterone propionate and testosterone-17-beta-diethyl amino ethyl carbonate hydrochloride.

This study is concerned with the relative biological activity of a water soluble derivative of testosterone, testosterone- 17-β-diethyl amino ethyl carbonate hydrochloride (T.W.S.), and testosterone propionate (T.P.). The interest in the water soluble derivative was prompted by a desire to employ the compound for in vitro studies on the metabolism of the androgens as well as the influence of the compound on enzyme systems of specific tissues. EXPERIMENTAL The comparative studies were done on the comb of the White Leghorn chick. The chicks were obtained from Kerr Chickeries, Frenchtown, New Jersey. The animals were received in Cleveland on the second or third day after hatching and the experiments started three days after hatching. The material was dissolved in water or peanut oil depending on the particular experiment. The steroids2 were administered for seven successive days starting with the third day after hatching. In some experiments the material was applied directly on the comb. Under these conditio...
Evaluating Safety Initiatives in Healthcare

Substantial attention over the last decade has focused on ensuring improvement in the increasingly complex world of healthcare. This has resulted in significant efforts in the arena of patient safety. The issue of how best to evaluate the validity of patient safety initiatives is a matter of significant discussion. Many quality improvement initiatives in healthcare are poorly developed, with few patient safety interventions sharing characteristics with evidence based medicine. We will discuss the key elements of a framework as an example to help structure our thinking and approach to answer these questions. Elements include an explanation of the theoretical basis, the use of appropriate measures, detailing of the involved processes, and assessment of the initiative itself as well as the contextual factors surrounding it.
Epidermal Merkel cells are mechanosensory cells that tune mammalian touch receptors

Touch submodalities, such as flutter and pressure, are mediated by somatosensory afferents whose terminal specializations extract tactile features and encode them as action potential trains with unique activity patterns. Whether non-neuronal cells tune touch receptors through active or passive mechanisms is debated. Terminal specializations are thought to function as passive mechanical filters analogous to the cochlea's basilar membrane, which deconstructs complex sounds into tones that are transduced by mechanosensory hair cells. The model that cutaneous specializations are merely passive has been recently challenged because epidermal cells express sensory ion channels and neurotransmitters; however, direct evidence that epidermal cells excite tactile afferents is lacking. Epidermal Merkel cells display features of sensory receptor cells and make 'synapse-like' contacts with slowly adapting type I (SAI) afferents. These complexes, which encode spatial features such as edges and texture, localize to skin regions with high tactile acuity, including whisker follicles, fingertips and touch domes. Here we show that Merkel cells actively participate in touch reception in mice. Merkel cells display fast, touch-evoked mechanotransduction currents. Optogenetic approaches in intact skin show that Merkel cells are both necessary and sufficient for sustained action-potential firing in tactile afferents. Recordings from touch-dome afferents lacking Merkel cells demonstrate that Merkel cells confer high-frequency responses to dynamic stimuli and enable sustained firing. These data are the first, to our knowledge, to directly demonstrate a functional, excitatory connection between epidermal cells and sensory neurons. Together, these findings indicate that Merkel cells actively tune mechanosensory responses to facilitate high spatio-temporal acuity. Moreover, our results indicate a division of labour in the Merkel cell-neurite complex: Merkel cells signal static stimuli, such as pressure, whereas sensory afferents transduce dynamic stimuli, such as moving gratings. Thus, the Merkel cell-neurite complex is an unique sensory structure composed of two different receptor cell types specialized for distinct elements of discriminative touch.
Enantiomeric synthesis of carbocyclic d-4′-C-methylribonucleosides as potential antiviral agents

Abstract An efficient synthetic approach for the preparation of enantiomerically pure carbocyclic d -4′- C -methylribonucleosides 3a – f is reported. The key intermediate, d -2,3- O -cyclohexylidene-4-methylcyclopentenone 8 , was prepared starting from d -ribose in eight steps via an oxidative rearrangement. Conjugate addition of a catalytic vinylcopper(I) reagent to the α,β-unsaturated ketone 8 yielded cyclopentyl alcohol 10 , which bears a quaternary stereogenic carbon at the C4-position. The cyclopentyl alcohol 10 was subsequently coupled with 6-chloropurine or 2-amino-6-chloropurine via an S N 2 reaction, followed by a series of functional group transformations and deprotections to furnish purine ribonucleosides 3a – c . Pyrimidine bases were constructed on cyclopentylamine 29 using a linear approach, which furnished the pyrimidine nucleosides 3d – f .
Obstacles to self‐paced learning for rural physicians

Pennsylvania has seven counties classified as 100% rural according to 1990 census data. The author surveyed all of the registered physicians living in these seven counties with regard to their self-reports of participation in, and preference for, CME activities as they relate to their methods of keeping up to date with innovation and new knowledge. Thirty-eight usable responses were received with a response rate of 42% from all potentially active physicians (91) in the study area. Respondents indicated that the least used types of CME focused on educational methods generally associated with self-paced learning. These methods included video or audio CME, self-assessment programs, and computerized activities. From the findings, two important conclusions were reached. First, this group of physicians exhibited symptoms of distance impairment, the real or imagined condition of geographic isolation experienced by the learner, which contributes to an unwillingness, or inability, to bridge a gap in distance between an educational resource and a personal, educational need or desire. Second, the physicians displayed a lack of desire, or possibly a lack of skill, to participate in various methods of self-directed learning.
Detergent-induced distinctions between fluoride- and vanadate-stimulated adenylate cyclases and their responses to guanine nucleotides.

Abstract The influence of detergents on fluoride- and vanadate-stimulated adenylate cyclases was investigated with enzyme from liver and adipocyte plasma membranes. Stimulation of the adipocyte cyclase by Na 3 VO 4 was maximal (sixfold) at 3 m m , was not additive with fluoride stimulation, and was readily reversed by washing of the membranes. Vanadate stimulation of the hepatic cyclase was specifically blocked by catechol, which had no effect on basal activity or on fluoride- or glucagon-stimulated activities. The hepatic enzyme, stimulated by fluoride ion, guanyl-5′-yl-(β,γ-imino)diphosphate (GPP(NH)P), or GPP(NH)P and glucagon, was inhibited by vanadate with 50% inhibition seen with 2 to 6 m m vanadate. The fluoride-activated adipocyte adenylate cyclase was inhibited by guanosine 5′- O -(3-thio-triphosphate) (GTPγS) more potently than by GPP(NH)P, with 50% inhibition being seen with 10 n M GTPγS or 100 n m GPP(NH)P. These nucleotides also inhibited the vanadate-stimulated enzyme, but with one-third the potency seen with the fluoride-activated cyclase. Dispersion of the adipocyte cyclase by Lubrol-PX into a 30,000 g supernatant fraction caused no change in activation of the enzyme by fluoride, but reduced vanadate-stimulated activity 80%. By comparison, this treatment enhanced stimulation by GPP(NH)P twofold and by GTPγS threefold. More importantly, perhaps, the treatment with detergent blocked inhibition of the basal enzyme by GTP, blocked inhibition of fluoride- and vanadate-stimulated cyclases by GTP, GPP(NH)P, or GTPγS, and rendered vanadate-stimulated activity sensitive to enhancement by guanine nucleotides. The data indicate differences in the actions of vanadate and fluoride, made evident by the influence of guanine nucleotides and detergent treatment. The observations would be consistent with the idea that the effects of vandate may be due to the formation of GDP · V on the enzyme. The data strongly suggest that treatment of adenylate cyclase with Lubrol-PX causes a functional blockade in the guanine nucleotide-dependent inhibitory regulation (mediated by N i ), thereby allowing activation by the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-dependent regulatory component (N S ).
A Second Amplifier Function for the Allergy-Associated FcεRI-β Subunit

Genetics studies have identified the gene for the high-affinity IgE receptor (FC(epsilon)RI) beta subunit as a candidate gene for atopy. We have shown that beta is an intrinsic signaling amplifier leading to enhanced allergic responses in vivo. Here we report that beta has a second amplification function: the amplification of Fc(epsilon)RI cell surface expression. This function is due to an early association of beta with alpha, resulting in improved trafficking and maturation of alpha and receptor complexes. These data provide a possible molecular explanation for the large difference in Fc(epsilon)RI density between beta-cells such as monocytes, dendritic cells, and beta+ effector cells (mast cells, basophils). In beta+ cells, the combined signaling and expression amplification results in an estimated 12- to 30-fold amplification of downstream events.
Increased Calcium Influx and Decreased Buffering Capacity of Intracellular Stores Underlie Neuropathology Induced by Over-Expression of α-Synuclein

Abnormal accumulation of α-synuclein is centrally involved in the pathogenesis of many disorders with Parkinsonism and dementia. Although the mechanism through which α-synuclein triggers neuronal vulnerability is not entirely clear, in vitro studies suggest that neuronal accumulation of α-synuclein might lead to increase in intracellular calcium levels. In this study, we investigated in vivo calcium dynamics in an α-synuclein transgenic mouse model of Parkinson's Disease and dementia with Lewy bodies using two photon microscopy. We imaged spontaneous and stimulus-induced neuronal activity in the barrel cortex. Transgenic mice exhibited abnormal calcium activity characterized by augmented, long-lasting transients with considerable deviation from the exponential decay. The most evident pathology was observed in response to a repetitive stimulation when subsequent stimuli were presented before relaxation of calcium signal to the baseline. Augmented calcium entry can result from an increase in neuronal spiking or a decrease in a cell buffering capacity. To address the former possibility, we performed in vivo electrophysiological recordings of population spiking activity. Our measurements revealed no significant increase in neuronal spiking response compared to age-matched controls. To investigate potential impairment in calcium buffering, we conducted experiments in a neuronal cell line expressing α-synuclein. Inhibitors of the calcium influx into the intracellular calcium stores (mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum) rescued cytosolic calcium levels, elevated by α-synuclein, while inhibitors of the calcium influx via channels located on the plasma membrane were ineffective. These studies support the notion that α-synuclein dysregulates calcium buffering capacity in vivo. Moreover, the characteristic shape of calcium decay and augmentation of the response amplitude during repetitive stimulation can serve as in vivo imaging biomarkers for screening of potential therapeutic agents in this model of neurodegeneration.
Using the equivalent source technique to estimate noise in 4D TEM data

Summary We develop a method for estimating the noise present in a three-component transient electromagnetic (TEM) data set through the use of the equivalent source technique. Particular benefits of this method include reducing random noise due to additive processes and receiver coil orientation and position errors. The ability to de-noise multiple data sets consistently also enables the reliable processing of time-lapsed (4D) TEM survey data in a wide range of monitoring applications. We use two synthetic examples to demonstrate the viability of the technique and show that noise in such surveys can be significantly reduced. We will also demonstrate the application to a field 4D data set in the
Arrows for secure information flow

This paper presents an embedded security sublanguage for enforcing information-flow policies in the standard Haskell programming language. The sublanguage provides useful information-flow control mechanisms including dynamic security lattices, run-time code privileges and declassification all without modifying the base language. This design avoids the redundant work of producing new languages, lowers the threshold for adopting security-typed languages, and also provides great flexibility and modularity for using security-policy frameworks. The embedded security sublanguage is designed using a standard combinator interface called arrows. Computations constructed in the sublanguage have static and explicit control-flow components, making it possible to implement information-flow control using static-analysis techniques at run time, while providing strong security guarantees. This paper presents a formal proof that our embedded sublanguage provides noninterference, a concrete Haskell implementation and an example application demonstrating the proposed techniques.
Gain broadening of two-stage tapered gyrotron traveling wave tube amplifier.

The first operation of a two-stage tapered gyrotron traveling wave amplifier employing two tapered waveguide circuits and tapered magnetic fields is reported. Small-signal gain of 30 dB and saturated gain of 25 dB over a 20% bandwidth at an efficiency of 16% have been observed using a 33 kV, 1.5 A electron beam. Comparison with supporting theory is satisfactory.
Cell-Cell Mechanical Communication through Compliant Substrates

The role of matrix mechanics on cell behavior is under intense investigation. Cells exert contractile forces on their matrix and the matrix elasticity can alter these forces and cell migratory behavior. However, little is known about the contribution of matrix mechanics and cell-generated forces to stable cell-cell contact and tissue formation. Using matrices of varying stiffness and measurements of endothelial cell migration and traction stresses, we find that cells can detect and respond to substrate strains created by the traction stresses of a neighboring cell, and that this response is dependent on matrix stiffness. Specifically, pairs of endothelial cells display hindered migration on gels with elasticity below 5500 Pa in comparison to individual cells, suggesting these cells sense each other through the matrix. We believe that these results show for the first time that matrix mechanics can foster tissue formation by altering the relative motion between cells, promoting the formation of cell-cell contacts. Moreover, our data indicate that cells have the ability to communicate mechanically through their matrix. These findings are critical for the understanding of cell-cell adhesion during tissue formation and disease progression, and for the design of biomaterials intended to support both cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion.
Siliconizing glassware to be used for suspension cell culture

Siliconizing glassware to be used for suspension cell culture with the reagent dichlorodimethylsilane after rigorous cleaning of the glass results in a more homogenously treated glass which will survive many detergent washings. The method described was found to be superior to other ways of coating culture glassware.
CHARACTER AND CHARACTERIZATION IN RELIGIOUS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

character, for in autobiography the writer describes and evaluates the development of his or her character from the perspective of present religious convictions. This interpretation of autobiography is now in doubt, however, because the central notions of self and character are being questioned or attacked by much recent narrative theory. Many theories of narrative collapse traditional humanistic notions of self, character, and author into "text" and see in autobiography not the representation of character but a process of fictional characterization. The contrasting emphases on character and characterization raise crucial issues for understanding religious autobiography. This paper argues that character and characterization should not be thought of as two alternative interpretations of the activity of the religious autobiographer, but as inseparable concerns.' Books by McFague, Novak, McClendon, Gunn, Dunne, Hauerwas, Stroup, and Goldberg all discuss the significance for religious studies of autobiography (and/or biography). While these works interpret autobiography in the light of different projects, they agree about its signifi-
Spontaneous magnetic moment of flowing superfluid 3He-B in electric fields

Abstract An electric field creates a spontaneous magnetic moment in flowing superfluid 3 He-B, if the direction of flow is perpendicular to the electric field. This magnetic moment can be detected experimentally with ease, by reversing the direction of the field or the flow.
p27Kip1 ubiquitination and degradation is regulated by the SCFSkp2 complex through phosphorylated Thr187 in p27

Abstract Many tumorigenic processes affect cell-cycle progression by their effects on the levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 Kip1 [1,2]. The phosphorylation- and ubiquitination-dependent proteolysis of p27 is implicated in control of the G1–S transition in the cell cycle [3–6]. To determine the factors that control p27 stability, we established a cell-free extract assay that recapitulates the degradation of p27. Phosphorylation of p27 at Thr187 was essential for its degradation. Degradation was also dependent on SCF Skp2 , a protein complex implicated in targeting phosphorylated proteins for ubiquitination [7–10]. Immunodepletion of components of the complex – Cul-1, Skp1, or Skp2 – from the extract abolished p27 degradation, while addition of purified SCF Skp2 to Skp2- depleted extract restored the capacity to degrade p27. A specific association was observed between Skp2 and a p27 carboxy-terminal peptide containing phosphorylated Thr187, but not between Skp2 and the non-phosphorylated peptide. Skp2-dependent associations between Skp1 or Cul-1 and the p27 phosphopeptide were also detected. Isolated SCF Skp2 contained an E3 ubiquitin ligase activity towards p27. Our data thus suggest that SCF Skp2 specifically targets p27 for degradation during cell-cycle progression.
Morphologic Measurements From Specimens and Their X-Rays: Test of a Method for the Study of Allometry and Phenotypic Plasticity in Fishes

I present a method of repeated X-raying of individual fish as a means to study ontogenetic changes in morphology. This method also allows the direct testing of environmental influences on development of genetically similar groups of animals. The methodology is validated by statistical comparison between measurements taken from specimens and their X-rays.
Using General Strain Theory to Explain Crime in Asian Societies

This paper provides an overview of general strain theory (GST) and argues that the theory can shed much light on the causes of crime in Asian societies. The paper is in five parts, with these parts describing (1) the strains most likely to cause crime; (2) why these strains cause crime; (3) the factors influencing whether strained individuals cope through crime; (4) how GST explains group differences in crime, such as the higher crime rate of males; and (5) how GST explains changes in crime over time, such as the recent increase in delinquency in certain Asian societies. Each section begins by describing the key arguments of GST and the research on these arguments. This is followed by a discussion of the extent to which these arguments apply to Asian societies. GST is said to be quite applicable to Asian societies. For example, most of the strains that cause crime in Western societies also cause crime in Asian societies. At the same time, it is argued that GST should be revised somewhat in order to best explain crime in Asian societies. Researchers, for example, should take account of the greater emphasis on collectivistic values in many Asian societies, including the value placed on social harmony and self-restraint. These values influence the events and conditions that function as strains and the reaction to strains. In making these arguments, the paper draws heavily on the research that has applied GST to Asian societies, most commonly to Chinese, Taiwanese, and South Korean communities.
Acting the part: the role of gesture on avatar identity

Recent advances in scanning technology have enabled the widespread capture of 3D character models based on human subjects. However, in order to generate a recognizable 3D avatar, the movement and behavior of the human subject should be captured and replicated as well. We present a method of generating a 3D model from a scan, as well as a method to incorporate a subjects style of gesturing into a 3D character. We present a study which shows that 3D characters that used the gestural style as their original human subjects were more recognizable as the original subject than those that don't.
Data Annotation In Small-Format Reconnaissance Camera Systems

The designer of a new small-format reconnaissance camera system will be faced with the problem of providing data annotation in the form of a MIL-STD-782 code block. Some solutions to the problem of providing the necessary optical interface with an annotation device in a limited space are discussed and evaluted. Other factors which might affect both the camera system design and the annotation system design include the possible need for annotation on moving film, and for providing data annotation in a multi-sensor system operating asynchronously at high frame rates. The camera system designer should be aware of the implications of these requirements and of solutions which are available in the latest generatiom of, annotatia, systems, including capabilities for adaptive frame timing, sensor priority, alternate or selectable binary coded and alpha-numeric blocks, and skew compensation. The current availability of solid state LED or gas-discharge cell annotation heads offers another option in system design. Capabilities and limitation of these, devices are compared to those of the conventional CRT annotator.
Transbuccal fentanyl for rapid relief of orthopedic pain in the ED.

Abstract Objectives This study's objectives were to assess administration of a rapidly dissolving transbuccal fentanyl tablet to patients in emergency department (ED) with orthopedic extremity pain. The main end point was time required to achieve a 2-point drop on a 0 to 10 pain scale. Methods In this double-blind trial, subjects received either transbuccal fentanyl, 100 μg, and a swallowed placebo, or a swallowed oxycodone/acetaminophen, 5/325-mg pill, and a nonanalgesic transbuccal comparator. Pain assessment occurred every 5 minutes for an hour, and vital signs were monitored for 2 hours. Results Transbuccal fentanyl was associated with faster pain relief onset (median, 10 vs 35 minutes; P Conclusions Transbuccal fentanyl shows promise for continued investigation as a means to safely provide rapid and effective pain relief for ED patients.
Augmenting ad hoc networks for data aggregation and dissemination

Future military operations will feature network-enabled human soldiers working seamlessly with intelligent, autonomous systems such as sensor networks and unmanned vehicles. In these systems, data aggregation (e.g., data fusion, plan monitoring) and data dissemination (e.g., information sharing) will be essential communication patterns. While ad hoc networks are commonly proposed for complex battlefield environments, they can suffer from serious connectivity and capacity limitations. In this paper we study the problem of deploying additional nodes that act as both relay nodes and data aggregation/dissemination points to meet the connectivity and aggregation/dissemination needs of the network. We focus on the NP-hard problem of determining the minimum number of supplemental nodes needed to meet the known communication requirements of an ad hoc network. We formulate the problem as a mixed integer linear program and propose three heuristics for solving the problem. We present empirical results comparing the three heuristics, showing that they perform within 25% of optimal while offering substantial running time improvements.
Single-Gene Deletion Mutants of Escherichia coli with Altered Sensitivity to Bicyclomycin, an Inhibitor of Transcription Termination Factor Rho

We have screened the entire KEIO collection of 3,985 single-gene knockouts in Escherichia coli for increased susceptibility or resistance to the antibiotic bicyclomycin (BCM), a potent inhibitor of the transcription termination factor Rho. We also compared the results to those of a recent study we conducted with a large set of antibiotics (A. Liu et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 54:1393-1403, 2010). We find that deletions of many different types of genes increase sensitivity to BCM. Some of these are involved in multidrug sensitivity/resistance, whereas others are specific for BCM. Mutations in a number of DNA recombination and repair genes increase BCM sensitivity, indicating that DNA damage leading to single- and double-strand breaks is a downstream effect of Rho inhibition. MDS42, which is deleted for all cryptic prophages and insertion elements (G. Posfai et al., Science 312:1044-1046, 2006), or W3102 deleted for the rac prophage-encoded kil gene, are partially resistant to BCM (C. J. Cardinale et al., Science 230:935-938, 2008). Deletion of cryptic prophages also overcomes the increased BCM sensitivity in some but not all mutants examined here. Deletion of the hns gene renders the cell more sensitive to BCM even in the Δkil or MDS42 background. This suggests that BCM activates additional modes of cell death independent of Kil and that these could provide a target to potentiate BCM killing.
An Investigation of Capillary Flow Effect on Condensation Heat Transfer on a Grooved Plate

A simple model predicting the effect of capillary flows on the condensation heat transfer occurring on a vertical grooved plate is presented. The model includes the effect of capillary flows along the axial direction of the grooves and the direction from the apex to the cornered region of the groove. Numerical results indicated that the capillary flow induced by the capillary force significantly affects the condensation heat transfer, as does the plate height, groove width, and groove angle. In order to verify the theoretical prediction, an experimental investigation was conducted, and the theoretical prediction agrees well with the experimental data. Results of the investigation will assist in optimizing the condensation heat transfer performance in heat pipes.
Correlated single-crystal electronic absorption spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography at NSLS beamline X26-C

The research philosophy and new capabilities installed at NSLS beamline X26-C to support electronic absorption and Raman spectroscopies coupled with X-ray diffraction are reviewed. This beamline is dedicated full time to multidisciplinary studies with goals that include revealing the relationship between the electronic and atomic structures in macromolecules. The beamline instrumentation has been fully integrated such that optical absorption spectra and X-ray diffraction images are interlaced. Therefore, optical changes induced by X-ray exposure can be correlated with X-ray diffraction data collection. The installation of Raman spectroscopy into the beamline is also briefly reviewed. Data are now routinely generated almost simultaneously from three complementary types of experiments from the same sample. The beamline is available now to the NSLS general user population.
Skeletal muscle triad junction ultrastructure by Focused-Ion-Beam milling of muscle and Cryo-Electron Tomography.

Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) has emerged as perhaps the only practical technique for revealing nanometer-level three-dimensional structural details of subcellular macromolecular complexes in their native context, inside the cell. As currently practiced, the specimen should be 0.1- 0.2 microns in thickness to achieve optimal resolution. Thus, application of cryo-ET to intact frozen (vitreous) tissues, such as skeletal muscle, requires that they be sectioned. Cryo-ultramicrotomy is notoriously difficult and artifact-prone when applied to frozen cells and tissue, but a new technique, focused ion beam milling (cryo-FIB), shows great promise for “thinning” frozen biological specimens. Here we describe our initial results in applying cryo-FIB and cryo-ET to triad junctions of skeletal muscle.
Resolution Selection Using Generalized Entropies of Multiresolution Histograms

The performances of many image analysis tasks depend on the image resolution at which they are applied. Traditionally, resolution selection methods rely on spatial derivatives of image intensities. Differential measurements, however, are sensitive to noise and are local. They cannot characterize patterns, such as textures, which are defined over extensive image regions. In this work, we present a novel tool for resolution selection that considers sufficiently large image regions and is robust to noise. It is based on the generalized entropies of the histograms of an image at multiple resolutions. We first examine, in general, the variation of histogram entropies with image resolution. Then, we examine the sensitivity of this variation for shapes and textures in an image. Finally, we discuss the significance of resolutions of maximum histogram entropy. It is shown that computing features at these resolutions increases the discriminability between images. It is also shown that maximum histogram entropy values can be used to improve optical flow estimates for block based algorithms in image sequences with a changing zoom factor.
How Fast Can a Service Firm Grow

The capacity for firms to grow in the rapidly expanding service sector is examined using the concept of sustainable growth (g*). g* indicates how rapidly a firm’s sales can increase while it finances required new assets through additions to retained earnings and new debt alone, g* and its components are examined across 42 service industries and the manufacturing sector for 1986. Average sustainable growth levels in the service sector exceed those found in manufacturing, g* is higher for people-based services than for equipment-based services. Although g* may approximate growth capacity for equipment-based services, other non-financial factors constrain growth capacity in people-based service businesses.
Adolescent Personality in Girls and Boys: The Role of Mothers and Fathers

The development of personality characteristics appears to differ by sex of child and role of parent, with interpersonal concerns tending to characterize mothers and instrumental concerns describing fathers. Using a semi-structured interview protocol and paper-and-pencil questionnaires, we examined the effects of parenting, as reported by middle-class high school senior boys and girls, on the development of two aspects of personality. Ego development and self-esteem both have demonstrated sex differences, with girls displaying more advanced ego development and boys displaying higher self-esteem. We expected that mothers, because of their greater interpersonal orientation, would influence the development of ego development more than would fathers, and that, based on past findings, the opposite-sex parent would exert the primary influence on self-esteem. While ego development was found to relate to more encouraging, warmer mothering in boys, it related weakly to mothering in girls. Boys and girls who perceiv...
Streaming stored video over AIMD transport protocols

We study the problem of using proxy servers to stream video stored at a geographically separate location. The separation of the server and the storage introduces a nonnegligible delay in retrieving video frames in real time. To ensure network stability we use an additive-increase and multiplicative-decrease transport protocol to support the streaming process. We develop an effective scheme, to achieve high, consistent streaming quality. The heart of the scheme is the control of buffer occupancy at the proxy server We model the buffer as a bilinear dynamical system with Poisson disturbance and develop three buffer controllers. Our empirical study proves the effectiveness of the streaming scheme. Moreover we find that the controllers exploiting the buffer model demonstrate performance significantly superior to that of model-free controllers in overcoming the adverse impact of the control delay.
Distributed operation in the Borealis stream processing engine

Borealis is a distributed stream processing engine that is being developed at Brandeis University, Brown University, and MIT. Borealis inherits core stream processing functionality from Aurora and inter-node communication functionality from Medusa.We propose to demonstrate some of the key aspects of distributed operation in Borealis, using a multi-player network game as the underlying application. The demonstration will illustrate the dynamic resource management, query optimization and high availability mechanisms employed by Borealis, using visual performance-monitoring tools as well as the gaming experience.
Anonymization of set-valued data via top-down, local generalization

Set-valued data, in which a set of values are associated with an individual, is common in databases ranging from market basket data, to medical databases of patients' symptoms and behaviors, to query engine search logs. Anonymizing this data is important if we are to reconcile the conflicting demands arising from the desire to release the data for study and the desire to protect the privacy of individuals represented in the data. Unfortunately, the bulk of existing anonymization techniques, which were developed for scenarios in which each individual is associated with only one sensitive value, are not well-suited for set-valued data. In this paper we propose a top-down, partition-based approach to anonymizing set-valued data that scales linearly with the input size and scores well on an information-loss data quality metric. We further note that our technique can be applied to anonymize the infamous AOL query logs, and discuss the merits and challenges in anonymizing query logs using our approach.