cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Responses in Bird Communities to Wildland Fires in Southern California

There is a growing body of literature covering the responses of bird species to wildland fire events. Our study was unique among these because we investigated the effects of large-scale wildland fires on entire bird communities across multiple vegetation types. We conducted avian point counts during the breeding seasons for two years before and two years after the Cedar and Otay Fires in 2003 in southern California. Our balanced sampling effort took place at two sites, one low-elevation and one high-elevation, each containing replicate stations (burned and unburned) within five vegetation types: chaparral, coastal sage scrub, grassland, oak woodland, and riparian. Although fire caused some degree of change in the vegetation structure at all of our impacted survey points, we found that the post-fire shrub and tree cover was significantly lower in only two of the vegetation types within the low-elevation site, coastal sage scrub and chaparral. We found no significant changes in cover at the high-elevation site. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we tested whether the fires were associated with a change in bird species diversity, community structure, and the relative abundance of individuals within a species. We found that species diversity changed in only one circumstance: it increased in coastal sage scrub at the low-elevation site. Multivariate analyses revealed significant differences in the post-fire bird community structure in the low-elevation chaparral, low-elevation coastal sage scrub, and the high-elevation grassland communities. Vegetation characteristics altered by fire, such as decreases in shrub and tree cover, influenced the changes we observed in the bird communities. The relative abundance of some species (lazuli bunting [Passerina amoena] and horned lark [Eremophila alpestris]) significantly increased after the fires, while other species declined significantly (Anna’s hummingbird [Calypte anna], wrentit [Chamaea fasciata], and bushtit [Psaltriparus minimus]). We detected mixed results for the spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus), which increased in burned chaparral and declined in burned coastal sage scrub within the low-elevation site. We suggest that the observed responses of birds to these fires may be attributed to: (1) the availability of nearby unburned refugia, (2) the continued suitability of post-fire vegetation at the study sites, and (3) the generally high mobility of this taxon.
When tradition meets the new technology: an examination of the antecedents of attitudes and intentions to use mobile devices in private clubs.

Abstract Mobile technology increasingly permeates the social fabric of the contemporary society and the business models of hospitality organizations, including the private club industry. Using data from a nationwide sample of members of private clubs in the United States, this research examined the manner in which system beliefs (i.e., usefulness, ease of use), subjective norms, and facilitating conditions influence club members’ attitudes and intentions to use mobile devices to make reservations for activities/facilities in private clubs. It was found that usefulness and subjective norms have an impact in developing attitudes, which in turn influence club members’ intentions to use mobile devices in clubs. Being the first study to examine the development of attitudes and intentions toward mobile technology in a club context, this study brings important theoretical and practical contributions.
Low intensity pain reported during elicitation of the H-reflex: no effects of trait anxiety and high intensity cycling exercise.

The aims of the experiment were to describe the intensity of pain perceptions experienced in response to elicitation of the H-reflex and examine the roles of trait anxiety and high intensity cycling exercise on those pain responses. Males (n=24) with high (n=12) or low (n=12) trait anxiety provided ratings of pain intensity in response to elicitation of the H-reflex before and after: resting for 20 min, cycling for 20 min at a high intensity (75% of peak oxygen consumption), or cycling for 20 min at a low intensity (40% of peak oxygen consumption). The results indicated that (i) low intensity pain was experienced during the elicitation of the H-reflex; (ii) high trait anxious males did not report more pain during the elicitation of the H-reflex, and (iii) there was no effect of high intensity cycling exercise on reducing post-exercise pain intensity associated with H-reflex elicitation. It is concluded that elicitation of the H-reflex reliably results in a low intensity pain.
Stability of Lakes near the Temperature of Maximum Density

In deep lakes that are near the temperature of maximum density, stability is greatest when the decrease of temperature with depth is about one-half of the decrease in temperature of maximum density with depth. Observed temperature decreases in lakes under such conditions tend to follow the curve that produces greatest stability.
Flow Experiments in Microjunction Networks

Laminar flow dominates microscale applications in devices such as microvalves, pumps, and turbines and in biomedical applications such as stents and biological flows. Studies of pressure losses in junctions have mostly been focused on turbulent flow conditions that exist in larger scale piping systems. There is a need for laminar flow studies of energy losses in junctions and networks of junctions so that engineers can better predict, design, and analyze flow in microscale systems. Unlike in the turbulent regime, Reynolds number plays a dominant role in energy losses for laminar flow. Studies focused on Reynolds number dependence are needed.This paper documents laminar flow experiments in networks constructed from microscale junctions (microjunctions). This work builds on previous experience of the authors in computational fluids dynamics simulations of junctions and networks of junctions. The planar junctions studied consist of circular tubes with two outlets and one inlet. A general technique has been developed to produce computer and physical models of junctions in which the inlet tube size is set, but the outlets are allowed to vary in size and angle relative to the inlet tube. A generalized algorithm has been implemented to create three-dimensional models of the junctions for both computational and experimental studies. There have been several techniques used to create the experimental microjunction networks: a “lost wax” method that creates the network in Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), stereolithography-based junctions connected by tubing, and photopolymer cured by ultraviolet radiation. Results are presented for pressure losses in various microjunction networks as a function of Reynolds number.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Discordant Activation of Gene Promoters for Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitors of the Metalloproteinases Following Myocardial Infarction

Background Left ventricular (LV) remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with increased levels of specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and relative reduction of endogenous tissue inhibitors of the MMPs (TIMPs). However, transcriptional mechanisms for the disparate post-MI MMP/TIMP expression remain unknown. Using murine constructs designed to report gene promoter activation, this study tested the hypothesis that distinctly different temporal profiles of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 transcription occurs post-MI. Methods/Results Transcriptional activity (β-galactosidase (β-gal) reporter constructs) of MMP-2 ( n = 49), MMP-9 ( n = 62), or TIMP-1 ( n = 40) was assayed at 1 h (acute), and 1–28 d after MI (coronary ligation) in transgenic reporter mice. At 7 d post-MI, the area of promoter activation normalized to LV area was increased from acute values for MMP-2 (63.4 ± 5.8 versus 1.1% ± 1.0%, P versus 1.3% ± 0.9%, P versus 0.3% ± 0.5%, P P Conclusions These findings provided direct in vivo evidence that discordant changes in temporal and spatial patterns of MMP/TIMP transcription occurs with MI. Restoration of TIMP-1 promoter activation may represent a molecular therapeutic target to attenuate/prevent adverse post-MI LV remodeling.
Thermodynamics of poly-aromatic hydrocarbon clustering and the effects of substituted aliphatic chains

Abstract Over the last few decades, the understanding of the processes related to the formation of soot has progressed considerably. However, the mechanisms that are responsible for the nucleation of soot are still unclear. While there is consensus that the formation of soot nuclei can be related to two classes of mechanisms (physical and chemical growth), their relative importance is still under debate. In particular, the aggregation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), especially pyrene, has been proposed as key step for soot formation but strong experimental or computational proofs are still missing. To shed light on this issue, we conducted a thermodynamic analysis of the physical growth of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons using atomistic models. Free energy profiles of dimerization and trimerization processes of several PAHs are computed using molecular dynamics simulations in conjunction with advanced sampling techniques. Our study focuses not only on the potential energy of the clustering processes, but it also addresses the entropic contributions that affect the dimerization and trimerization of PAHs. The results of these simulations show that even at 1000 K, only the formation of dimers of relative big species, such as ovalene or bigger, are favored over their corresponding free monomers, ruling out the simple stacking of pyrene as the main step for soot formation. The shapes of the free energy profiles also illustrate that there are no barriers in the exploration of the phase space and therefore, that the dimerization process itself is not kinetically controlled. Geometrical factors, such as the symmetry of the monomers, as well as the presence of substituted aliphatic chains play an important role in the physical agglomeration of PAH that can eventually lead to soot nuclei.
Buckling in elastomer/plastic/elastomer 3-layer films

Buckling during recovery of stretched elastomer/plastic/elastomer 3-layer films was studied using a block copolymer elastomer and polyolefin plastics. An elastic model was developed to describe the critical wavelength, critical compressive strain, and critical compressive stress for buckling without delamination. The predicted linear dependence of critical wavelength on the plastic layer thickness was confirmed, and the modulus ratio between the plastic and the elastomeric layers was extracted. Determination of the critical compressive strain provided an independent calculation of the modulus ratio. Similar modulus ratios were obtained by the two methods. The critical compressive stress in the plastic layer led to reasonable values for the compressive modulus of the stretched plastic layer and the bulk modulus of the elastomeric layers. To test the model further, the modulus ratio was altered by changing the stretch ratio and by varying the plastic layer material. No buckling occurred if the modulus ratio was too small. Polym. Compos. 25:653–661, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
In Vitro Interactions Between the Surfaces of Enamel White Spots and Calcifying Solutions

The morphological appearance of white spot enamel after treatment with various calcium phosphate and sodium fluoride solutions was examined using the scanning electron microscope. The reaction products formed after the sequential application of the calcifying solutions and a high concentration of fluoride appeared to fill in the porosity created in the enamel surface by white spot formation.
Semiempirical molecular orbital calculation of geometric, electronic, and vibrational structures of metal oxide, metal sulfide, and other inorganic fullerene spheroids

Abstract We have performed semiempirical molecular orbital calculations, using the Austin Model 1# (AM1) and Parametric Method 3# (PM3) Hamiltonians of the program mopac for the geometric, electronic, and vibrational structure of (ZnO)n (where n = 1–16), spheroids, and (MX)12 analogs, where M = Be, Mg, Zn, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sn, Ge, Si, C when X = O, S and where M = B, Al when X = N, P. Of these the symmetrical (ZnO)n (where n = 12 and 16) clusters are the most stable. All of the n = 12 analogs, including C24, Si24, and (SiC)12, were studied under Td(Oh) symmetry, where they were found to have stationary points on the electronic potential energy surface. Ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations done on (BeO)12, (BN)12, (MgO)12, C24 and (ZnO)12, using the program gaussian 92, confirm this result. All compounds were vibrationally stable except, unsurprisingly, (CO)12, which has six negative eigenvalues of the Hessian matrix under both AM1 and PM3, while (BeO)12 and (GeS)12 have three negative eigenvalues under PM3 but are stable under AM1. Properties computed include bond lengths, bond angles, bond orders, heats of formation, atom charges, valence electron orbital energies including HOMO and LUMO band separation energy, and vibrational normal mode frequencies.
Finite temperature behavior of gauge hierarchy models with quantum mechanical resuscitation

Abstract We investigate the finite temperature behavior of Dimopoulos and Georgi's hierarchy model where the grand unification scale M G is naturally generated by the quantum corrections. Owing to the particular form, M 2 π 2 ( e 2 ln π − 1), of the scalar potential, the first order GUT phase transition takes place at the critical temperature T c ∼ 10 9−12 GeV much lower than M G . If M G should be of O( M P ) (Planck mass), the universe may undergo an inflationary stage to expand enough. Baryon number asymmetry might be produced by the decay of colored scalars with a mass of 10 10−12 GeV.
Design methodology for IBM ASIC products

The IBM ASIC design methodology enables a product developer to fully incorporate the high-density, high-performance capabilities of the IBM CMOS technologies in the design of leading-edge products. The methodology allows the full exploitation of technology density, performance, and high testability in an ASIC design environment. The IBM ASIC design methodology builds upon years of experience within IBM in developing design flows that optimize performance, testability, chip density, and time to market for internal products. It has also been achieved by using industry-standard design tools and system design approaches, allowing IBM ASIC products to be marketed externally as well as to IBM internal product developers. This paper describes the IBM ASIC design methodology, and then focuses on the key areas of the methodology that enable a customer to exploit the technology in terms of performance, density, and testability, all in a fast-time-to-market ASIC paradigm. Also emphasized are aspects of the methodo logy that allow IBM to market its design experience and intellectual property.
Maturation of Human Neutrophil Phagosomes Includes Incorporation of Molecular Chaperones and Endoplasmic Reticulum Quality Control Machinery

A Human neutrophils are an essential component of the innate immune response. Although significant progress has been made toward understanding mechanisms of phagocytosis and microbicidal activity, a comprehensive analysis of proteins comprising neutrophil phagosomes has not been conducted. To that end, we used subcellular proteomics to identify proteins associated with human neutrophil phagosomes following receptor-mediated phagocytosis. Proteins (n = 411 spots) resolved from neutrophil phagosome fractions were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and/or LC-MS/MS analysis. Those associated with phagocytic vacuoles originated from multiple subcellular compartments, including the cytosol, plasma membrane, specific and azurophilic granules, and cytoskeleton. Unexpectedly several enzymes typically associated with mitochondria were identified in phagosome fractions. Furthermore proteins characteristic of the endoplasmic reticulum, including 11 molecular chaperones, were resolved from phagosome preparations. Confocal microscopy confirmed that proteins representing these major subcellular compartments were enriched on phagosomes of intact neutrophils. Notably calnexin and glucose-regulated protein 78 co-localized with gp91(phox) in human neutrophils and were thus likely delivered to phagosomes by fusion of specific granules. We conclude that neutrophil phagosomes have heretofore unrecognized complexity and function, which includes potential for antigen processing events.
Multitasking on the run

Researchers combine genetics and imaging to reveal that individual granule cells in the cerebellum integrate sensory and motor information.
Advice Networks in Public Organizations: The Role of Structure, Internal Competition, and Individual Attributes

Interpersonal networks are increasingly important for organizational learning and performance. However, little is known about how these networks emerge. In this article, exponential random graph models are employed to explore the underlying processes of advice network formation in 15 organizations. The author examines the influence of (1) structural effects (reciprocity, transitivity, multiplexity), (2) actor attribute effects (job function, tenure, education, self-efficacy), and (3) peer competition. Results suggest that employees rely more on reciprocity, closure, and similarity in job function than on peer expertise or status when seeking advice. In addition, employees who perceive greater levels of competition with peers are significantly less likely to both seek and provide advice. As public organizations look to private sector strategies that promote internal competition to improve efficiency and accountability, public managers need to be aware of the negative implications those strategies can have on interpersonal networks and organizational learning.
Analysis of KIT Mutation and Protein Expression in Fine Needle Aspirates of Gastrointestinal Stromal/Smooth Muscle Tumors

OBJECTIVE: To determine if sequencing the KIT gene could facilitate more definitive FNA diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: Sixteen cases of gastrointestinal stromal/smooth muscle tumor (GIST) in which fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed (mean age, 67; M/F = 12/4) were studied. DNA was extracted from cytologic preparations from all patients (15 cell blocks, 1 alcohol-fixed smear) and seven subsequent resection specimens. DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, using primers designed to amplify a segment of the KIT gene exon 11 and sequenced on an ABI Prism 377 DNA sequence analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.). Immunocytochemical staining for CD 117 (the KIT gene product) was performed on sections from 12 cell blocks and 7 surgical resections. RESULTS: In-frame deletion of exon 11 was detected in eight cases (7 monoalleic, 1 bialleic); a point mutation was found in one case. Mutation was found only in histologically malignant (6 of 10 cases) and borderline GISTs (3 of 4 cases). No mutation was identified in benign tumors. In three cases, scant cellularity or blood precluded sequencing. CD 117 was expressed in 12 of 15 cases. CONCLUSION: Immunocytochemical staining for CD 117 is useful in confirming a cytologic diagnosis of GIST but does not facilitate diagnosis of malignancy. FNA biopsy specimens are suitable for KIT gene sequencing; detection of a KIT mutation favors a malignant diagnosis, though absence of mutation does not preclude malignancy.
Effect of boundary scattering on the thermal conductivity of TiNiSn-based half-Heusler alloys

TiNiSn-based half-Heusler alloys have been of significant interest for their potential as thermoelectric materials. They exhibit promising electronic transport properties as revealed through high Seebeck coefficient and moderate electrical resistivity values. The chief disadvantage of these materials is a comparatively high lattice thermal conductivity. Attempts to ``tune'' the lattice thermal conductivity $({\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{L})$ in these materials have led to the comparison and analysis of the thermal conductivity of two series of Ti- and Zr-based half-Heusler alloys. In the first series, ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{1\ensuremath{-}y}{\mathrm{Zr}}_{y}\mathrm{Ni}{\mathrm{Sn}}_{0.95}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{0.05}$, a significant reduction in ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{L}$ is observed, with the substitution of large concentrations of Zr $(y\ensuremath{\geqslant}25%)$ at Ti site, which is most likely due to mass fluctuation scattering. In the second series, $\mathrm{Ti}\mathrm{Ni}{\mathrm{Sn}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{x}$, a nonsystematic increase in ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{L}$ is observed, with minute amounts of Sb doping $(x\ensuremath{\leqslant}5%)$ at the Sn site. Extensive microstructural analysis in a $\mathrm{Ti}\mathrm{Ni}{\mathrm{Sn}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{x}$ series reveals a correlation between ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{L}$ and the average grain diameter in these materials, which is in good agreement with theoretical predictions related to phonon boundary scattering. In addition, a comparison of the calculated phonon mean free path in each of the series of compounds shows some insight into the two different phonon scattering mechanisms.
An examination of factors affecting propensities to use bicycle and pedestrian facilities in suburban locations

The US federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program was created to fund transportation projects that have the potential to contribute to the attainment or maintenance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. This study evaluates a random sample of eight suburban bicycle and pedestrian facilities funded by the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program in the Chicago metro area. Users of these facilities were randomly sampled using a "time-based" user sampling approach and surveyed in intercept mode to implement a recall-based evaluation design. A random intercept logit model was used to explain variations in the propensity to switch from single occupant vehicle use to bicycling or walking, using attributes of users and sites. The analysis shows relatively low usage levels but that substitution of motorized modes have resulted, potentially leading to improved air quality outcomes.
Vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms: Role in response and toxicity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Angiogenesis is central to the growth of normal tissues and tumors. Inhibiting this pathway has been a strategy for drug development for tumors not responsive to most agents used in chemotherapy. Notably, signaling mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key target because aberrant signaling via this pathway is frequently associated with neoangiogenesis in tumors. The drug-discovery effort to blunt VEGF signaling has led to the approval of bevacizumab and several receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that have shown efficacy in the clinical management of breast, colorectal, lung, and kidney cancer. Understanding the genetic variability in VEGF and VEGF receptor has led to identifying genotypic variations (single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) associated with treatment outcome and toxicity. Notably, identification of SNPs in VEGF associated with angiogenesis inhibitor treatment-induced hypertension and outcome provides exciting opportunities for personalized medicine to improve outcome and reduced toxicity with these novel TKIs.
Plantlet regeneration from mature zygotic embryos of eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.)

Plants were regenerated from whole embryo explants obtained from eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) seeds. Embryos were surgically removed and axenically cultured to induce buds in vitro on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium containing various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine. Embryos remained on bud induction medium for 21 days and then were transferred to the same basal medium without 6-benzylaminopurine to promote bud development and subsequent shoot elongation. The medium containing 10 μM 6-benzylaminopurine induced the greatest number of shoots per embryo. Rooting was achieved by direct transfer of the shoots to a non-sterile artificial soil mixture followed by multiple treatments with 15 nM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. Regenerated seedlings are currently growing under greenhouse conditions.
Photochemistry of unsaturated polymers

Radiation induced photochemical reactions in polyisoprene and polybutadiene thin films including microstructural changes
Natural history of cerebral thrombosis nine to nineteen year follow-up.

Abstract The natural history of cerebral thrombosis was studied in an unselected series of 843 cases followed for a period of 9–19 yr. Life tables were designed for sex, age, hypertension and functional status. A sex-age relationship was observed. Below 60 yr the incidence was higher in men than in women. The reverse was true after 70 yr of age. Male/female ratio decreased steadily as age advanced. Either sex was affected with almost equal severity by the disease. The initial mortality was 23 per cent. It increased linearly with advancing age and the extent of the neurological deficit at the time of the first attack. Depressed sensorium proved to be a bad prognostic sign, but its presence, even in the form of coma, did not necessarily result in death or severe residual disability. Of the 648 survivors, 260 (40 per cent) lived 5 yr, 118 (18 per cent) were alive at 10 yr and only 26 (4 per cent) survived 14 yr. The slope of the life expectancy curve of the patients who survived beyond six years paralleled that of the general population. Among 522 survivors, deaths were caused by recurrent strokes in 212 (41 per cent) and by heart disease in 159 (30 per cent). In long-term survivors mortality rates increased linearly with advancing age. However, relative life expectancy was not influenced significantly by age. Neither hypertension nor sex had an adverse effect on the prognosis. Association of ischemie heart disease did not increase the chance of dying of a stroke. The extent of initial neurological deficit was more important than the speed and completeness of recovery as a prognostic factor. The course of the disease was relatively benign if the initial neurological involvement was only minor and followed by complete recovery. If residual disability existed, its degree did not influence the late prognosis appreciably.
Protective CD8 T Cell–Mediated Immunity against Influenza A Virus Infection following Influenza Virus–Like Particle Vaccination

The development of influenza A virus (IAV) vaccines capable of inducing cytotoxic CD8 T cell responses could potentially provide superior, long-term protection against multiple, heterologous strains of IAV. Although prior studies demonstrated the effectiveness of baculovirus-derived virus-like particle (VLP) vaccination in generating Ab-mediated protection, the role that CD8 T cell immunity plays in overall VLP-mediated protection is less-well understood. In this article, we demonstrate that intranasal vaccination of mice with a VLP containing the hemagglutinin and matrix 1 proteins of IAV/PR/8/34 leads to a significant increase in hemagglutinin 533–specific CD8 T cells in the lungs and protection following subsequent homologous challenge with IAV. VLP-mediated protection was significantly reduced by CD8 T cell depletion, indicating a critical role for CD8 T cells in protective immunity. Importantly, our results show that VLP vaccine–induced CD8 T cell–mediated protection is not limited to homologous IAV strains. VLP vaccination leads to an increase in protection following heterosubtypic challenge with a strain of IAV that avoids vaccine-induced neutralizing Abs but contains conserved, immunodominant CD8 T cell epitopes. Overall, our results demonstrate the ability of influenza protein–containing VLPs to prime IAV-specific CD8 T cell responses that contribute to protection from homo- and heterosubtypic IAV infections. These results further suggest that vaccination strategies focused on the development of cross-protective CD8 T cell responses may contribute to the development of “universal” IAV vaccines.
Die Lokale Gruppe von Galaxien

Wir rasen in unserem Phantasie-Raumschiff wie Taucher, die aus den Tiefen des Meeres aufsteigen, aus der Milchstrase hinaus. Die Myriaden heller Sterne, die unsere Begleiter waren, werden weniger und bleiben hinter uns zuruck. Statt ihrer umgeben uns die verstreuten Sterne des galaktischen Halo. Die meisten sind schwache Zwerge, Reste von Sternen, die sich vor uber zehn Milliarden Jahren bildeten, als die junge Galaxis noch beinahe kugelformig und noch nicht zu ihrer gegenwartigen abgeflachten Form zusammengefallen war. Einige jungere , Sterne, die durch ein plotzliches Zusammentreffen mit heftigen Schwerkraftfeldern aus der galaktischen Ebene herausgestosen wurden, flitzen zwischen den Senioren umher wie helle tropische Fische, die sich aus ihren gewohnten Untiefen herausgewagt haben.
Comparison of human nasal mucosal secretion in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract The secretion of proteins from the human nasal mucosa induced by histamine, α-adrenergic, β-adrenergic, and choolinergic agonists was studied in vivo and in vitro. Glandular secretion of lactoferrin, lysozyme (in vivo only), and respiratory glycoconjugates (RGCs) was measured. Vascular permeability was determined in vivo by albumin secretion in relationship to the other proteins. Muscarinic stimulation by methacholine induced significant glandular secretion (lactoferrin, lysozyme and/or RCGs) both in vivo and in vitro, confirming that muscarinic receptors are stimulated directly. Histamine induced predominantly vascular permeability in vivo but caused some glandular secretion as well. However, in vitro, histamine had no effect on glandular secretion, suggesting that histamine acts predominantly on the nasal vascular bed and only affects glandular secretion through reflex actions. Phenylephrine, an α-adrenergic agonist, selectively stimulated lysozyme release in vivo, and both RGCs and lactoferrin release in vitro. Thus, α-adrenergic stimulation has some direct, albeit minimal, capacity to stimulate mucosal glands. β-Adrenergic agonists had no effect on glandular secretion or vascular permeability either in vivo or in vitro. Therefore, glandular secretion is directly stimulated by α-adrenergic and cholinergic agonists, but not by β-adrenergic agonists. The stimulation of glandular secretion by histamine is indirect and mediated through the action of neural reflexes.
AMBER: A Modified BLEU, Enhanced Ranking Metric

This paper proposes a new automatic machine translation evaluation metric: AMBER, which is based on the metric BLEU but incorporates recall, extra penalties, and some text processing variants. There is very little linguistic information in AMBER. We evaluate its system-level correlation and sentence-level consistency scores with human rankings from the WMT shared evaluation task; AMBER achieves state-of-the-art performance.
BRAF mutation is rare in advanced-stage low-grade ovarian serous carcinomas

Low-grade ovarian serous carcinomas are believed to arise via an adenoma-serous borderline tumor-serous carcinoma sequence. In this study, we found that advanced-stage, low-grade ovarian serous carcinomas both with and without adjacent serous borderline tumor shared similar regions of loss of heterozygosity. We then analyzed 91 ovarian tumor samples for mutations in TP53, BRAF, and KRAS. TP53 mutations were not detected in any serous borderline tumors (n = 30) or low-grade serous carcinomas (n = 43) but were found in 73% of high-grade serous carcinomas (n = 18). BRAF (n = 9) or KRAS (n = 5) mutation was detected in 47% of serous borderline tumors, but among the low-grade serous carcinomas (39 stage III, 2 stage II, and 2 stage I), only one (2%) had a BRAF mutation and eight (19%) had a KRAS mutation. The low frequency of BRAF mutations in advanced-stage, low-grade serous carcinomas, which contrasts with previous findings, suggests that aggressive, low-grade serous carcinomas are more likely derived from serous borderline tumors without BRAF mutation. In addition, advanced-stage, low-grade carcinoma patients with BRAF or KRAS mutation have a better apparent clinical outcome. However, further investigation is needed.
Virtualization of windows desktop applications

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania has always held the philosophy of putting all software on the local desktop. We are now attempting a great leap into the virtualization of specialized software on the user's desktop. This paper will highlight the need, the alternatives, the decision process, roll out process and the success and setbacks we have faced by implementing this type of service.
Maximum income approach to yield optimisation

A new approach to yield optimisation is proposed, based on the maximisation of the expected manufacturer's income, expressed through a newly introduced yield measure called `income (or profit) yield index?. The measure takes into account the price decrease of inferior designs, and it can be maximised using the existing methods of yield optimisation with insignificant additional computational cost.
Large segmented UV-optical space telescope using a Hybrid Sensor Active Control (HSAC) architecture

Future large UV-optical space telescopes offer new and exciting windows of scientific parameter space. These telescopes can be placed at L2 and borrow heavily from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) heritage. For example, they can have similar deployment schemes, hexagonal mirrors, and use Wavefront Sensing and Control (WFSC) technologies developed for JWST. However, a UV-optical telescope requires a 4x improvement in wavefront quality over JWST to be diffraction-limited at 500 nm. Achieving this tolerance would be difficult using a passive thermal architecture such as the one employed on JWST. To solve this problem, our team has developed a novel Hybrid Sensor Active Control (HSAC) architecture that provides a cost effective approach to building a segmented UV-optical space telescope. In this paper, we show the application of this architecture to the ST-2020 mission concept and summarize the technology development requirements.
Nanoscale Metallo-Dielectric Coherent Light Sources

Compact photonic components are important for the design and fabrication of integrated optical devices and circuits. In the case of light sources, reducing the size can result in improved metrics such as higher packing density and reduced power consumption and also may enhance cavity–emitter interactions such as the Purcell effect. Until recently it was commonly known that the minimum size for a laser is ultimately determined by the free-space wavelength, λ0. For example, as the size of a conventional Fabry–Perot semiconductor laser is scaled down in all three dimensions toward λ0, three effects adversely influence the lasing process. Firstly, the roundtrip path of the optical wave in the gain medium is shortened. Secondly, radiative losses from the end mirrors have an increased effect. Thirdly, the lateral field confinement in the resonator waveguide is reduced, resulting in a smaller overlap of the optical mode with the gain medium. All these effects lead to a significant increase in the lasing threshold. As a result lasing cannot be achieved below a certain size limit. By allowing the laser size to increase in one or two dimensions, it is possible to reduce the physical size of the laser in the remaining dimension(s) to values below this limit. For example, the disk thickness in whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) lasers [1] can be reduced to a fraction of the free-space wavelength [2] but, to compensate for the small thickness, the disk diameter must be increased. It should be noted that, in addition to the optical mechanisms noted above, nonradiative surface recombination can have a non-negligible negative effect on the emitter efficiency and thus needs to be accounted for in the design and analysis of such sources. The ultimate challenge in this respect is concurrent reduction of the resonator size in all three dimensions, and, at the same time, satisfying the requirements for lasing action. The size of an optical cavity can be defined using different metrics, for example, the physical dimensions of the cavity or the size of the optical mode. However, if the goal of size reduction is to increase the integration density (for example, in a
Positioning Injuries in Anesthesia: An Update

SIGNIFICANCE AND INCIDENCE Anesthesia professionals, operating room (OR) nurses, and surgeons worry about injury to skin and other organs when positioning the anesthetized patient. The true incidence of all perioperative position-related injury is subject to conjecture. An important type of position-related injury is peripheral nerve injury. The incidence varies with surgical procedure and positioning. For example, ulnar neuropathy has been found in as many as 26% of patients undergoing open-heart surgery [1], whereas lower extremity neuropathy occurred in 1.5% of patients in the lithotomy position [2]. The incidence of ulnar neuropathy is estimated at 0.46% after noncardiac surgery [3]. According to data from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Closed Claims Database, peripheral nerve injuries represent the second largest class of adverse outcomes and account for 16% of all claims [4].
Primary and Compensatory Roles for RB Family Members at Cell Cycle Gene Promoters That Are Deacetylated and Downregulated in Doxorubicin-Induced Senescence of Breast Cancer Cells

When treated with DNA-damaging chemotherapy agents, many cancer cells, in vivo and in vitro, undergo a terminal growth arrest and acquire a senescence-like phenotype. We investigated the molecular basis for this in breast cancer cells following a 2-hour treatment with 1 muM doxorubicin. Treated cells arrested in G1 and G2 phases of the cell cycle, with concomitant reductions in S-phase and G2-M regulatory genes. p53 and p21 protein levels increased within hours after treatment and were maintained for 5 to 6 days but were reduced 8 days posttreatment, though the cells remained growth arrested. Levels of p130 rose after drug treatment, and it was the primary RB family member recruited to the S-phase promoters cyclin A and PCNA and G2-M promoters cyclin B and cdc2, remaining present for the entire 8-day time period. In contrast, p107 protein and promoter occupancy levels declined sharply after drug treatment. RB was recruited to only the PCNA promoter. In MCF-7 cells with p130 knockdown, p107 compensated for p130 loss at all cell cycle gene promoters examined, allowing cells to retain the growth arrest phenotype. Cells with p130 and p107 knockdown similarly arrested, while cells with knockdown of all three family members failed to downregulate cyclin A and cyclin B. These results demonstrate a mechanistic role for p130 and compensatory roles for p107 and RB in the long-term senescence-like growth arrest response of breast cancer cells to DNA damage.
Workshop Guided Peer Feedback for Improved Student Team Responses to Open-Ended Engineering Problems

A Model-Eliciting Activity (MEA) is a client-driven, open-ended problem designed to reveal students' thinking through their development of a generalizable process to solve the problem. The incorporation of guided peer feedback during the iterative process of producing solutions to MEAs offers potential for improving the quality of student solution. Participants in this workshop will be introduced to MEAs through an interactive problem solving session. They will then explore assessment strategies and the use of guided peer feedback to raise the quality of student team responses to MEAs.
Cutaneous manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

Cutaneous manifestations are common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In one study, the incidence was reported to be as high as 34%. [1] However, some of the early studies included non-specific inflammatory conditions such as urticaria, various maculopapular eruptions, and pigmentary abnormalities, some or all of which may be unrelated to the bowel disease. Other rigorous studies provide a more reasonable estimate of cutaneous involvement in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) (9-19%) [2]. Greenstein et aL, in an older study of 498 patients with CD, noted that cutaneous manifestations are more common when the large intestine is involved [3]. Mucocutaneous manifestations of IBD may be classified as specific lesions, reactive lesions, and miscellaneous associations (Table 1). For completeness, cutaneous manifestations secondary to malabsorption [4, 5] or treatment may also be considered, but will not be treated in this text. Specific lesions refer to those lesions that are due to direct involvement of the skin by the same disease process that aff'ects the gastrointestinal tract. This includes fissures, fistulas, and metastatic CD [2]. In contrast, reactive lesions do not show the same pathologic features as are found in the gastrointestinal tract, but instead represent a reaction to the underlying IBD. The pathogenesis of reactive lesions remains speculative; most are probably immunologically mediated, some because of cross-antigenicity between the skin and the gut mucosa [6]. In this review only the more common and clinically significant specific and reactive cutaneous manifestations of IBD will be discussed. An attempt will be made to compare and contrast the various entities with regard to their prevalence in either CD or UC; treatment issues will not be considered in this chapter. The reader is referred to various sources [7, Table 1. Cutaneous manifestations of Inflammatory bowel disease
The Influence of Environmental Attributes on the Relationship Between Entrepreneurial Orientation and Performance in Independent Community Pharmacies

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to determine if a pharmacy's environment acts as a moderator in the entrepreneurial orientation-performance relationship in independent community pharmacies. A self-administered mail survey of 900 randomly selected independent community pharmacies in 6 states was conducted. Variables were assessed with multi-item measures. Moderated regression was used as the method of analysis. The response rate of the survey was 48.9%. The environmental hostility × entrepreneurial orientation interaction term and the environmental munificence × entrepreneurial orientation interaction terms were significant in the regression. In addition, environmental hostility had a significant negative association with pharmacy performance. Environmental munificence was also significantly associated with performance. Size of pharmacy, age of pharmacy, organicity of structure, and adequacy of resources were the other significant positive indicators of performance of pharmacies. Environmental host...
The reliability of error correcting code implementations [IC reliability assessment]

This paper develops the probability of error expressions for parity bit codes and a single error correcting-single error detecting code, SECSED. A typical coding and decoding circuit involving standard ICs is developed for a parity bit code and a SECSED code. An expression was developed for the probability of undetected errors based on multiple bit errors or coder chip failure. Under certain conditions of bit transmission rate, B, and bit error probability, q, the simpler parity bit coding scheme is superior to the more complex Hamming code scheme. The general conclusion is that for more complex error detection schemes, one should evaluate the effects of generator and checker failures, since these may be of considerable importance for small values of q.
Dynamically Parameterized Algorithms and Architectures to Exploit Signal Variations

Signal processing algorithms and architectures can use dynamic reconfiguration to exploit variations in signal statistics with the objectives of improved performance and reduced power. Parameters provide a simple and formal way to characterize incremental changes to a computation and its computing mechanism. This paper develops a framework for dynamic parameterization and applies it to MPEG-4 motion estimation. A novel motion estimation architecture facilitates the dynamic variation of parameters to achieve power-compression tradeoffs. Our work shows that parameter variation in motion estimation helps achieve power reduction by an order of magnitude, trading off higher compression for lower power. The magnitude of the tradeoffs depends on the input signal variation. The monitoring of input and output signal statistics and subsequent variation of parameters is accomplished by a hardware controller. To provide the controller with a model of the parameter space and corresponding measures in terms of power and performance, a configuration sample space graph is developed. This graph identifies the parameters which present the best power-performance tradeoffs. The controller samples the operating environment to select the appropriate parameters. This reduces the average power consumption by 40% for 2% loss in compression. Four other signal dependent computations: (1) 2D Discrete Cosine Transform, (2) Lempel-Ziv lossless compression, (3) 3D graphics light rendering, and (4) Viterbi decoding are briefly discussed to demonstrate the applicability of dynamic reconfiguration.
Vasovasostomy: a step-by-step surgical technique video.

Objective To demonstrate a step-by-step microsurgical approach to the two-layered vasovasostomy technique of an experienced urologic microsurgeon. Design Video presentation. Setting Baylor College of Medicine. Patient(s) This surgical technique video demonstrates a vasovasostomy of a patient undergoing vasectomy reversal. Intervention(s) Vasovasostomy. Main Outcome Measure(s) Intraoperative technique with commentary highlighting tips for a successful anastomosis. Result(s) Microsurgical vasovasostomy by a fellowship-trained urologic microsurgeon yields superior results than macrosurgical approaches, particularly when epididymovasostomy is indicated. Patency for our vasovasostomy technique approaches 100%. The popularity of vasovasostomy in recent years can be attributed to improvements in operative technique, instrumentation, optics, and most importantly, patency rate. Conclusion(s) This video is the first published video demonstrating a step-by-step technique for two-layered microsurgical vasovasostomy, as a method of training.
Workflow engineering for crowdsourcing in project management towards a human-computers services

This paper addresses the emerging area of crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing is an online problem solving paradigm that is used to tap the intellect of the crowd. This combination of the human and computational intelligence has open doors to complex problem domains such as software project management. Crowdsourcing occurs in teams and among various teams. During the process various tasks such as knowledge sharing, problem solving, problem detection and innovative solutions become available on the crowdsourcing platform. This paradigm is very helpful when team members are working on the same problem as they are aware of the dynamics of the solution under development, even people with the similar experience, outside the team, can be helpful as processes related experience to the problem to be solved with advantage of peer vetting outside the systems. We studied various crowdsourcing systems workflows and propose design consideration for engineering such systems.